I finally decided to try a pairing with Zenigata. He's just too adorable! So I had to put some humor in. Maybe later, some JigenxGoemon if you guys beg enough ^-^
Otanoshimini~

A Hard Day's Night

Zenigata slowly raised his scruffy chin and muttered, "Watch that thing, will ya?" He was referring to the cloth the bartender was using to clean. It was bizarrely pristine for something used to clean a little bar like that one. But Zenigata never took the time to pick through nice bars before. Drinking either meant going out to get black-out drunk with coworkers, in which case he didn't choose the place, or going out to get black-out drunk by himself, in which case he didn't care. Maybe he'd gotten a lucky pick.

"Sorry, sorry."

Zenigata grumbled a low nothing, finger playing on the rim of his glass as he heaved a sigh. Young people didn't know how to do a proper job these days... but apparently, neither did he. He shoved the glass forward, ordering a refill of gin.

The bartender stared at it for a moment before grabbing it and leaning forward. "Ain'tcha had enough? From the looks of it, one too many."

The inspector mustered what he could of a glare to the man before him. "I asked for a drink, not conversation." His words, however, were starting to come out a little more slurred than he had expected.

"Gotta watch out for the customers. Boss doesn't like it when he has to throw out bums. Besides, I think you just need a good night's rest." The bartender continued to clean the counters as he spoke which was not exactly what Zenigata had requested he do. Stupid kids thinking they were entitled to everything...

Yet Zenigata couldn't deny that he was exhausted and falling asleep on someone else' property was the kind of thing the higher ups were bound to find out by magic and yell at him for. If nothing, he could avoid that. He pulled out his wallet, holding it open with a groan. Hardly anything. He was too stubborn for a credit card and had used most of his money on booze. He didn't even have enough for one night at the crappiest hotel. Well, it wouldn't be the first time he'd slept in the park and it wouldn't be the last.

Unknown to Zenigata, the bartender noticed this. "Say, what's your problem anyway? You don't look like the kind of drunk who does this every night."

Why would the bartender ask him something like that? Zenigata thought the guy just wanted him out of there. A lot of ramblers came in, he supposed. After a pause of hesitation, he answered, "Job problems." Just saying it made him want to bury his mouth in a good, hard drink. He felt no need to elaborate. It was a common issue after all. Most people wouldn't even say he had job problems. He was still getting paid. There was just something so depressing about being taken off of his longest case, whether it was because of incompetency or not. Zenigata knew his skill. If he was incompetent, then the others didn't stand a chance. And now, there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

"Tell me about it." The bartender was now sitting next to Zenigata, a drink in hand. "But hey, if you ever need a place to stay..." He kept his gaze on Zenigata as he downed a small glass of vodka.

That was something Zenigata had not heard in a long time. It was a nice thought, but he didn't want to be a bother. Eyes widening for a split second, he seemed to catch up with himself. "Isn't this a little strange to say to a customer?"

The bartender grinned. "Not at all, okyaku-san."

Zenigata took a minute to think this over. "Are you a prostitute?"

The other chuckled, playfully snaking an arm around the older man's neck while placing their faces close together. "Just a good samaritan."

A sense of relief washed over Zenigata as the cool air of the night caressed his face. He was sure he could have dozed off if not for having to walk to that man's home. He didn't even know the bartender's name and there he was staying over. Maybe he could cook breakfast in return. Maybe if the man wanted noodles, and Zenigata doubted that. "What's your name?" he mumbled, thinking he should at least know that. "I'm Zenigata Kouichi."

"Arata Takeshi." The two of them shook hands, Takeshi giving a warm little smile. Sinking deeper into the night, they finally came upon a little house. Before opening the door, however, Takeshi turned around. "Could you wait out here for a moment? Just want to tidy up a little."

Zenigata nodded. He didn't care about such things, but the man was only trying to be a good host.

"Hey," the man known as Takeshi whispered. "Jigen." He slapped Jigen ever so lightly on the cheek. "Jigen-chan!" He waited, ready to jump back at any time. A fist had yet to connect with his face. "Good, good.".

Jigen sat up with a start after his head hit the grassy ground, some bags (mostly Fujiko's) following. "What the-" Before he could ask anything, the window was shut. It opened again just long enough for a note to fly out. "Explain later," he read out loud, scowling at the goofy little doodle Lupin had signed it with. He threw it to the ground in irritation. "Where are you going? Got a rich boyfriend to mooch off of and you didn't even invite us?" He finally got onto his feet, staring at Goemon who was still in blissful medidation.

Fujiko rolled her eyes. "There's a hotel a couple of blocks down. You coming?"

Jigen shrugged. He just wanted to get back to sleep. He started after her, dragging his samurai friend along.

Takeshi reappeared with a calm look. Noone would be able to tell he had just ransacked the place to hide anything he would need to extra well. After Zenigata entered, Takeshi led him to a sofa. The man went out of sight again to grab a beer before taking a seat across from the inspector. "So Zenigata-san, tell me a little about yourself."

Jigen took a look behind him. "Where'd she go?" Growling, he had the feeling he would need a nice cigarette and lit one up before continuing to pull Goemon along. Even for something as simple as finding a hotel, he couldn't trust Fujiko.

The woman in question was gazing with narrow eyes at a displeasing display of behavior. He had thrown them out for Zenigata? They had come for jewels, not to socialize with the people trying to catch them. Lupin was confident, sure, but this was going too far. She would get her beauty sleep first, but someone had some explaining to do.

"Where are we?"

Jigen blinked. Goemon hadn't moved an inch from his meditating position. Could have been aware the whole time for all he knew. "Hotel. Got kicked out for some reason." It was a hotel. Probably not the one Fujiko meant, although then again... Jigen wasn't sure he wanted to tell Goemon they were at a love hotel, though. "Just go to sleep or whatever." Sometimes he doubted whether or not Goemon really slept.

"Where is my futon?" Goemon was now in a more relaxed position as he looked around for his sleeping place.

"There isn't one."

Goemon gave his surroundings a glare before going to take a seat next to the bed. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.

"Goodnight," Jigen muttered, getting a grunt in return.

The next morning, Zenigata turned over, sighing into his pillow. It was nice to sleep in a real bed. It wasn't a worn out old motel matress either, it was a good one. Although he didn't want to get up, he couldn't sleep in too late. He pushed himself up, blinking the sleep out of his eyes. Something was off, though. For one, he usually slept in his day clothing. Flushing, Zenigata realized he wasn't alone either. "Kyaaaaah!"