Some of this was supposed to happen in chapter six, but it seemed out of place. And so, I put it here. Obviously... Ooh, flashback stuff. Almost type "00h". Haha, ph34r m4i n00b 1337 ski11z, y0111!1eleventy -is smacked into sanity- Freaking tea...I wonder how much caffeine is in this stuff... Jigen's dialogue is oddly written, but I don't feel like staring at this anymore, so it stays.
Chapter Eight
"I'm quitting."
Goemon looked up from his drink, staring slightly annoyed at Jigen, who sat across from him in the small Japanese restaurant. "I travelled all the way here so you could tell me that?"
"I'm taking Danielle and moving somewhere." Jigen looked away from Goemon and became silent.
"And?" Goemon asked, hoping there was something more to make the trip worthwhile.
"And this will probably be the last time we see each other."
"And why is that?" Goemon's annoyance gave way to confusion as he stared blank faced at Jigen.
"I'm not moving all over because of my job. At first I did, but what was once a choice became a necessity."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I pissed off the wrong people," Jigen said as he stared into his drink. "If I stay in one place long enough they'll find me. And I finally reached the point where I'm sick of running. I don't want to do it anymore."
"Who's after you?"
"That isn't important." Jigen glanced up at Goemon and then finished off his drink.
"But, Jigen, if-"
"I don't want you involved," Jigen quickly said. "I don't want Lupin involved. I don't want to put your families in danger."
"And Danielle? Did you plan to put her in danger?"
"What do you think?" Jigen asked in anger, his voice a low growl. "Do you think this is what I wanted?!"
Goemon only stared at him.
"Damn it, Goemon. I made a deal with them. They get me, they leave my daughter out of it."
"Does she know?"
"No," Jigen sighed. "And I don't want her to. We've been close for almost a year. I figure we have another year together before..."
"She isn't worth living for?" Goemon asked as he got more upset by all of this.
"Don't lecture me on this, okay?! Yeah, I fucked everything up! But, with the choices I was given, this is the best one! So don't talk like I couldn't give a shit about my own daughter because I do give a shit!"
"I'm sorry," Goemon sighed as he bowed his head.
Jigen stared off as he calmed down some. "Look, I want Dani to live with you."
Goemon nodded. "Does Lupin know about any of this?"
"He only knows a group is after me and thinks I'm just hiding away for a while."
"Why tell me, then?"
"You know how Lupin is," Jigen said with a laugh. "He'd have some grand plan drawn up to get me out of this. But, the plan I've picked is the best one. Lupin would never accept it, but I know you will."
"And this is what you really want?"
Jigen nodded. "If it keeps Dani out of all of this and ensures she lives, then yeah, it's what I want."
"Then I will honor your decision," Goemon said, having to force the words out.
"Thanks, Goemon." Jigen stood and stared down. "I guess this is goodbye, then."
Goemon nodded and stood, walking to Jigen as the two hugged. "Take care, Jigen."
They separated, both standing silently and staring at the other.
"Oh, I have something for you," Jigen said, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a standard white envelope. "Read it later, okay?"
Goemon took the envelope, nodding as he stared down at it.
Jigen smiled and patted Goemon on the shoulder, walking through the restaurant and out the front door.
That night Goemon was back in Japan. Sitting at the dining table while everyone else was asleep, he stared down at the envelope he was given. He didn't want to open it. He didn't want to believe that was the last time he'd ever see his friend again. He wanted to make himself think the meeting never took place.
"Why did I agree to this?" he asked himself in a low voice. He released a long breath of air, sliding his finger under the flap of the envelope and tearing it open, pulling the folded paper out.
One was a letter to Goemon, stating all of Jigen's wishes, which weren't many. He wrote about how he wanted a small private funeral and wanted to be buried next to his wife, what he wanted for his daughter and also left some personal information and things he wanted taken care of after his death.
There was then a letter for Lupin, Jigen wanted it given to him after the funeral.
Goemon wasn't really sure why there was that odd request, but he accepted it, putting the letter in a safe place until that day came.
A letter for Danielle was also included, Goemon instructed to give it to her when he himself felt the time was right.
The last three pieces of paper contained a handwritten will, bank information and some notes to obtain other items important for Danielle.
Goemon looked down and sighed. A noise nearby made him look up, Mayumi standing nearby and staring down at him.
"Mayumi," Goemon said, startled to see her. "I-I didn't hear you come in."
Mayumi smiled and walked over to him, wrapping her hands around his arm, standing next to him and staring down at the photos Goemon once again looked at.
"It's hard to believe he's gone," Goemon said. He then looked away, turning his head from his wife as the tears once more came.
"He was a great man," Mayumi said in a low voice. "I will always be grateful to him for what he gave us." She looked up at him and smiled, leaning against his body as she wrapped her arms around his chest.
"So, have a date for the festival, yet?" Eri, one of Ichiro's friends, said as he, Ichiro and Danielle walked out of the school.
Ichiro scoffed at the question and the teasing manner it was said in.
"Oh, come on," Eri laughed. "You never go and refuse invitations every year. People are going to start to wonder."
Danielle grinned at this.
"I went once," Ichiro said. "That was enough. I don't see the point in going every year." He glared at Danielle. "And I'm not like that," he yelled at her.
"Of course not," she said with a big grin. "You just like going off by yourself and-"
"Shut up," he growled.
"What about Sakura?" Eri said as he elbowed Ichiro.
"Ooh, Ichiro's got a girlfriend?" Danielle gasped.
"No," Ichiro said.
"So, who is this Sakura?" Danielle asked Eri. "Besides Ichiro's girlfriend."
"She's the daughter of the ninja clans new leader," Eri answered.
"A ninja? But, how do you know them? I thought they were your enemies or something."
"Not when her grandfather led them. Our two clans used to be close."
"Until he was murdered," Ichiro muttered.
Danielle looked over at him.
"That has never been proven, Ichiro," Eri said as if sick of hearing him mention it, which he was.
"Whatever," Ichiro mumbled.
"If you like her, then you should ask her," Danielle said as she went into her supportive role. "Besides, if you get her drunk enough you might get lucky." She laughed as Ichiro glared at her.
"Danielle," Goemon called as he stood by the dojo.
Danielle looked over and then looked back at Eri and Ichiro. "Gotta go. Bye Eri. It was nice meeting you." She waved and ran off.
Eri smiled and waved. "Why don't you ask her to the festival?"
"Because her father won't let her out of the village, maybe?" Ichiro said.
"Not her. Danielle."
"What?" Ichiro scoffed.
"She's pretty, seems nice, is pretty..."
"Then you ask her. I'm not really into dating my cousin."
"Ah, but she isn't your cousin by blood, so it wouldn't be weird."
"Yeah, it would."
"You're just using that as an excuse," Eri laughed. "You're just scared."
"Scared? I don't see you asking her."
"I already have a date."
"Oh yeah, with the beasts sister."
"Yasuko is not a beast," Eri said as he rolled his eyes.
"Keep saying it. You might start to believe it."
"Jealous, might you be?" Eri grinned.
Ichiro stared at him. "No, I hate her whole family and I wish my father would kick them out of here. The sooner the better."
Eri laughed, stopping and watching Ichiro stomp off. "Always the mature one, right Ichiro?" he muttered to himself, turning and walking home.
"Shouldn't I be doing homework?" Danielle asked as she tried to stand balanced on her left foot.
"You'll have time after dinner," Goemon said as he sat by the wall and watched her.
"Is it true the old leader of the ninjas was murdered?"
"Talking causes you to lose your concentration."
Danielle rolled her eyes.
"And some do believe that he was," Goemon said. "Others believed he died of natural causes."
"What do you think?"
"He was a friend of my old master and he was a healthy man who died before his time."
"So, you think-"
"Stop talking, Danielle, and concentrate."
"Yeah, yeah," she mumbled. "What does this do, anyway? If I'm attacked will I stun my attacker and scare him away by my balancing skills?" She laughed and lost her balance, almost falling down.
"Here," Goemon said as he stood and reached behind him for a staff. "Take this."
"Hmm?" Danielle slowly took it, not quite sure what Goemon was up to.
"Come at me with it," Goemon said, standing on his left foot and closing his eyes.
"I get to attack you?" she asked excitedly. "Nice."
Goemon opened an eye and looked at her as he grinned, closing his eye and concentrating.
Danielle grinned and ran at Goemon, swinging the staff out in front of her.
Goemon blocked the blow, easily dodging and blocking all her other attacks, finally grabbing the staff and pulling it from Danielle's hands.
"Huh?" Danielle stood dumbstruck, trying to figure out how none of her attacks hit.
"With no balance I am able to read your moves," Goemon said, once again standing on both feet. "And with balance I am able to evade your attacks."
"Balance doesn't do that," Danielle scoffed. "You just made that up."
"Then let's switch places if you are so sure of yourself."
"So you could kill me? No thanks."
"Are you saying what I said is true?"
"No. I'm saying you're better than me."
"Exactly," Goemon grinned. "Now get over there and stand on your left foot."
Danielle let out a low growl and did as she was told.
"We'll train after school tomorrow, as well," Goemon told Danielle at dinner. "Just come to the dojo when classes are over."
"Sure, I guess," she muttered.
"Can I come, too?" Jiro asked.
"If you wish," Goemon said. He then eyed Ichiro.
"I have homework and chores to do," Ichiro said.
"You can do them after dinner. I want to see you there tomorrow."
"Yes, dad," Ichiro said, glaring down at his plate.
Danielle looked over at Ichiro and grinned, the grin fading when she noticed Goemon glaring at her. She bowed her head, quickly going back to eating, not saying another word during dinner.
Morning seemed to come too quickly for Danielle, dragging herself out of bed and to the table, where she ate little. It was then off to school for five hours of learning.
"Danielle," Mister Yamaoke said as she gathered her things. "Can you stay an extra ten minutes?"
"I'll tell dad you'll be late," Ichiro said.
Danielle nodded, watching him leave. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, not at all. I just wanted to give you some things to help you learn Kanji better." He grabbed a couple of thin workbooks, handing them to Danielle and quickly going over them with her. "Do you have any questions?"
"No," she said. "I think I got it."
"All right. Have a good day, Danielle."
"Thank you, Mister Yamaoke." She smiled and walked off, leaving the school.
"Hey, you whore."
Danielle's eyes narrowed, ignoring the voice behind her.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!"
Danielle muttered some things under her breath, letting out a small yelp as her head was yanked back, Yasuko grabbing and tugging on her ponytail.
"Are you deaf as well as stupid?" Yasuko asked, letting go of Danielle and shoving her forward.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought that's how people addressed you."
"You leave my sisters boyfriend alone," Yasuko demanded.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Eri told her you asked him out to the festival," Yasuko said. "He said you wouldn't leave him alone and said to dump her and take you."
"The fuck? I didn't say that! I never even thought of asking him to the festival!"
"Are you calling my sister a liar?!"
"I'm calling Eri a liar!" Danielle said as she got in Yasuko's face. "I don't even know your fucking sister!"
"So, you're saying my sister dates liars?" Yasuko backed off and smirked, giving a nod.
"Huh?" Danielle looked behind her, two of Yasuko's friends coming up and grabbing her. "Hey! Let me go!" she yelled as she was pulled behind the building.
"I'm just returning what you gave me," Yasuko said as she started to punch Danielle.
Danielle struggled to get away, her strength quickly draining with every punch she received.
"Who's the bratty little piece of shit now, huh?" Yasuko asked as she stepped back.
Danielle looked down, starting to laugh, blood from her nose and lips dripping down onto the dirt they stood on.
"What's so funny?!" Yasuko growled.
"You are," Danielle said, looking up at Yasuko and laughing.
Yasuko growled, pausing before performing a spin kick, slamming her foot into the side of Danielle's head.
Danielle went limp, the two friends letting her go and watching her fall to the ground.
"Heh, let's go," Yasuko said, smirking at Danielle and walking off.
