Asgard, Land of Gods

Part Three

Hana layed in bed in one of the guest bedrooms and stared down at Goemon, who sat on the floor meditating. "I'm glad Fujiko invited us to stay the night," she said.

"Yes, it was nice of her," he said.

"Yeah. Especially after you tried to kill her husband."

Goemon opened his eyes and looked at her. "And one of these days I will succeed in killing him," he said seriously.

"Huh?" Hana asked, giving him a look of confusion.

Goemon closed his eyes and turned his head to the front. "Go to sleep, Hana," he said before returning to his meditation.

"Fine," Hana said as she turned her back towards him and layed her head down.

----

Jigen sat in the window seat, busy cleaning his gun by the light of the moon. He paused momentarily as a quiet knock sounded on the door. "Yeah," he said as he continued cleaning.

The door opened slowly and Lupin walked in. "Hey," he said, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Something wrong?" Jigen asked as he looked up at Lupin.

"Uh, no, nothing's wrong." Lupin grabbed a chair and sat in it backwards, resting his chin on the back of it.

"So, spit it out."

Lupin sighed. "I don't know. It's just...I guess you were right."

Jigen laughed and shook his head. "No, I wasn't right. I already took back what I said, Lupin. Stop blaming yourself."

"But, I let everyone down," Lupin said in a whiny voice.

Jigen finished cleaning his gun and the started to re-assemble it. "Geez, what happened to you?" he asked as he holstered his now complete gun. "Have you been thinking about this the whole time?"

"I try not to, but then when I sleep I have these nightmares and everything comes back." Lupin stared at the floor and sighed.

"So you refuse to sleep," Jigen said as he walked to the door.

"Fujiko is worried about me, but I can't talk to her about it because she'll just laugh at me," Lupin explained, not noticing Jigen.

"And she would have a good reason to laugh," Jigen said as he opened the door slowly and peaked out. "Nightmares won't kill you and they'll eventually go away."

"Yeah, I know that, but how long is 'eventually'?" Lupin looked up at Jigen and wondered what he was doing.

Jigen stepped out into the hallway and looked around. "Did you hear something?" he asked Lupin quietly.

"No," he said as he pulled out his gun and walked to the door.

Hearing the noise again, they both snuck out into the hallway. As they made their way down the stairs they noticed one of the windows pulled open. They split up at the bottom, Lupin going to the left and Jigen going to the right.

Lupin made his way through the kitchen and towards the dining room when he stopped. He stepped towards the side, pressing himself up against a wall and waiting. He put his arm out to the side just as someone walked by, pointing his gun at the person's head. "Don't do anything stupid," he said as the person froze.

The lights in the dining room went on, Jigen standing near the switch. He looked at the person and was surprised. "You? What the hell are you doing here?"

"Why does she look familiar?" Lupin asked.

"Because she's Zenigata's daughter," Jigen said as he walked up to her.

"She is?" Lupin asked as he put his gun away.

"So?" Jigen asked as he stared down at Toshiko.

----

Lupin walked into the den and handed Toshiko a can of soda. He then sat down next to Jigen, who sat on a couch across from where Toshiko was sitting. "Well?" Lupin asked. "What's so important that you had to break into my house?"

Toshiko stared down at the soda can in her hands. "I...I need your help."

"And it couldn't wait until morning?" Lupin asked.

"It is morning," Toshiko argued.

Jigen gave a slight laugh and looked at Lupin. "She got you there."

Lupin glared at Jigen and then turned back to Toshiko. "I meant..." Lupin sighed in frustration. "Nevermind."

"I saw this in the newspaper," Toshiko started as she pulled out the paper from her back pocket and held it out, Lupin taking it. "And nobody would listen to me, so I thought you would."

Lupin and Jigen looked at the picture and then looked at each other. "When did you get this?" Lupin asked.

"About three months ago." She looked at both of them. "You see it, don't you? The man on the end?"

"It does look like him," Jigen said as he stared at the picture.

Lupin handed the paper back and stood up, walking out of the room.

"Huh? Hey, Lupin." Jigen turned and looked at him.

"I know what I saw," Lupin said, his back turned towards the two. "Zenigata is dead." He continued to walk out of the room.

"Let me go talk to him," Jigen said as he got up and followed Lupin, leaving Toshiko alone.

----

Lupin sat outside on the stone railing in front of his house and stared at the sky as it started to become light. He turned his head slightly as Jigen walked out and leaned against a pillar next to him. "None of this makes sense."

"None of what makes sense?" Jigen asked as he lit up a cigarette.

"Someone pretending to be me and stealing Goemon's sword and then that picture..."

"So, you do think it's him." Jigen then looked over at Lupin. "What do you think is going on?"

Lupin sat silently as he thought. "Earlier you were saying how you were shot at."

"Yeah, when I was with my sister. The guy in the car looked like Ivan Federov."

"And those guys in that picture were part of a Russian mob, just like Federov," Lupin said as if thinking out loud. "Maybe we should just start with him."

Jigen smiled, ready for some action in his recently boring life. They both headed inside the house.

----

When everyone was up, Lupin got them all together in the dining area to discuss the recent findings. The picture Toshiko had was passed around and some info on Ivan Federov was shared.

"So, if he's involved," Fujiko started, "what is he trying to find by taking Goemon's sword and Zenigata?"

Lupin shrugged. "We'll find that out when we capture him."

"I don't know if I really want to mess with the Russian mob," Hana said doubtfully.

Lupin gave a slight laugh. "I wouldn't worry about it. If anything you'll be making more friends than enemies on this job."

"Federov is the enemy of one of the biggest mob organizations in Russia," Jigen explained. "But because he mostly remains overseas in hiding, they haven't been able to take care of him."

"So, what makes you think that we'll be able to find him?" Hana asked.

"I know people they don't," Lupin said with a smile.

"I'm coming with you," Toshiko said as she sat up and looked at Lupin.

Lupin shrugged. "I guess I can't really stop you."

"She might get in the way," Goemon said as he stared at her.

"I agree," Hana said.

Jigen looked at Hana and laughed. "For someone who's afraid of the mob, you sure sound confident."

Hana glared at him. "She has no experience."

"And I could say the same of you," Jigen said, now getting glared at by Hana and Goemon. "Just give the kid a chance. She has a reason for going along, too."

"Fujiko?" Lupin asked as he looked at her.

"I'm with Jigen on this one," she replied.

"Then it's settled," Lupin said. "She's coming with." He looked at Toshiko and grinned and she smiled back.

"What about her parents?" Goemon asked. "Shouldn't they have a say, too?"

"Haha," Hana said as she looked at Toshiko with a big grin.

Toshiko glared back and then looked at Lupin. "It's alright. They won't mind. Really."

Lupin looked at her and sighed. "He's right about this one. The last thing I want to be right now is accused of kidnapping."

"Aww," Toshiko whined as she sat back in her chair.

"We'll meet you there, alright?" Lupin said as Jigen and Toshiko got into the rented car.

Jigen gave a wave as he stepped in and sat down, putting the keys in the ignition and starting the car.

"Nice car," Toshiko said as she put her seatbelt on.

Jigen gave her a sideways look. "It's a rental," he said as he pulled out of the driveway.

"Oh," Toshiko said. Not finding anything to talk about she stared out the window, keeping quiet for the rest of the trip.

----

"Do you think Thérèse will be alright?" Fujiko asked as Lupin drove.

"She'll be fine," he answered, looking over and smiling at Fujiko. "Madeline will take good care of her."

"If you're so worried then why didn't you stay with her?" Goemon asked.

Lupin looked up at Goemon in the rear view mirror and glared at him. "We're not going to be gone that long. She'll be fine, okay?"

Hana sighed. "This is going to be a fun trip," she said under her breath.

----

After arriving at the airport, they all met up in the lobby. "I'll go get the tickets," Lupin said, more than willing to volunteer himself.

"Yeah," Jigen said as he looked at everyone who stood around bored. "So, anyone know where the hell we're going?"

The others answered with shaking heads and blank faces.

"I want to go to New York," Toshiko said as she stared at the floor.

"Yeah, well I doubt they dragged your dad to New York," Hana said. "Or did that thought even cross your mind?" She looked at Toshiko and glared at her.

Jigen stared at Hana. "Just shut up, alright?"

"I think I'll see if Lupin needs help," Fujiko said as she walked off towards the ticket counter.

"Wish I'd thought of that," Toshiko mumbled.

Jigen and Goemon looked at one another, each giving an uncomfortable look.

"Hey Goemon," Hana said as she grabbed his arm. "Let's go watch the planes take off."

"Um, okay," Goemon said as he was dragged off.

"Have fun," Jigen said as he watched them leave. He looked around and then looked down at Toshiko, who was staring off and daydreaming. He sighed as he stood and waited for Lupin and Fujiko to return.

----

"Do you think this whole thing is a mistake?" Lupin asked Fujiko as they stood in line.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Leaving Thérèse, taking Zenigata's daughter with us, getting involved in this whole thing."

"Everything will be fine, like you said." She looked up at him and smiled.

"But, I highly doubt her parents would allow her to just go off like that."

"Maybe she didn't call them. Maybe she was just talking to time."

Lupin groaned in frustration. "Great. This whole thing is turning out just great."

"Calm down, Lupin. It'll be over soon."

----

"Can I tell you something?" Toshiko asked Jigen as they stood around.

"Yeah, sure. I guess."

"I kind of lied to everyone." She looked up at him, the expression on her face showing she was expecting to get yelled at.

"So your parents didn't want you to come," Jigen said. "That's not much of a shock, kid."

"But, there's more." She smiled and laughed nervously.

"Which is?" Jigen stared seriously at her.

"Well, my stepdad got kind of mad because I took his gun and he said he wanted me to come home and I said I wasn't going to and then he yelled some more and threatened to call the police, so I told him to go ahead and I hung up."

Jigen stared at her and then shook his head and laughed. "Having to avoid the police is nothing new to us." He looked at her and smiled.

"So, you're not mad at me?"

"Not really. Just don't mention this to the others, alright? I'm sure they won't be too happy."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Alright, thanks."

"So, what kind of gun does your stepdad have?"

"It's a Smith and Wesson 1911."

"That's a nice model. Show it to me later, alright?"

"Alright, sure," she said as she smiled at him.

"You two ready?" Lupin asked as he and Fujiko walked up to them.

"Yeah," Jigen answered. "Goemon and Hana went to watch the planes."

"We'll get them on the way to the plane," Lupin said as he started to walk off.

"Where are we going?" Toshiko asked as she started to follow him.

"Vancouver, British Columbia," he answered. "Hopefully we'll get some answers there."

"Alright, thank you." Ashida hung up the phone as he wrote down some information. "Well, we may be able to get him on something if not the thefts."

An officer working with him looked up as he sat at the desk facing Ashida. "And what's that?"

"A man called earlier saying his daughter had run away. The ironic thing is that it's Inspector Zenigata's daughter. I never thought that name would help me, but it may just help me to arrest Lupin."

"And how is that? If she ran away, whats Lupin have to do with this?"

"I had some officers look into it. Seems she was supposed to go to her meet her uncle in Nagoya, but when she got to the station she had her ticket changed to take her to Tokyo. Her uncle said she had called saying she wasn't able to make it. And then at Narita Airport the woman at the Air France counter was able to positively ID Toshiko's photo, saying she had bought a ticket to Paris."

"So, you think she went to meet Lupin?"

"Her father said she took off with his gun." Ashida paused and looked up at the officer. "Maybe the anger got to her and she went seeking revenge."

"And how do we turn this against Lupin?"

"We may be able to turn it into a kidnapping case," Ashida said. "If the girl hates Lupin that much it won't take too much to get her to lie."

The officer looked down, doubtful it would work. "This whole thing could blow up in our faces, though."

"We'll make it work. It's the only thing we have on him. If we make our case against the French government then-" He stopped as the phone rang and picked it up. "Inspector Ashida." He listened to the other person, his face showing that he liked what he heard. "Alright, thanks. We'll head out right away."

"Something good?"

"We have a witness saying that Lupin, Fujiko, Jigen and Goemon were at the airport in Paris and that they had Toshiko with them. They also said that she didn't look too happy." His phone rang again and he picked it up, once again getting some important information. He hung up the phone and smiled. "This is it. They bought tickets to Vancouver and also it just so happens one of Interpols informants has information on a drug deal about to take place in the same city. And the man buying the drugs is an informant of Lupin's." Ashida stood up and put on his coat and hat.

"So, we're going to Vancouver?" the officer asked as he stood up and got ready.

"We'll go there, set up a team with the local police, arrest the informant while he's making the deal and then get him to tell us where Lupin is. And now that we know he's there, we'll have the city surrounded so he won't be able to get out unless he's in handcuffs and led by police." Ashida laughed. "Plus, he won't be protected by the French government while in Canada."

Toshiko, Hana and Jigen spent most of the flight asleep. Goemon sat and meditated while Fujiko read a magazine. Lupin sat quietly and stared out the window.

"You okay?" Fujiko asked Lupin.

He broke away from thought and looked at her. "I'm fine," he said as he smiled.

Fujiko sighed as she closed up the magazine and set it aside. "Tell me the truth," she said as she stared into his eyes. "Please."

Lupin stared back at her and then turned his head and looked out the window. "I'm just trying to make sense out of all of this."

"So something is bothering you?"

"How could he still be alive?" he asked. "All this time and he never showed himself once. And then suddenly he just appears. But why?" He turned and looked back at Fujiko, who stared at him, not knowing what he was talking about. Lupin looked away and sighed.

"You're not talking about Zenigata, are you?" she asked, getting no answer as Lupin sat quietly looking out the window.

----

The plane landed and everyone got off. As they walked outside of the airport Lupin stopped, the others doing the same and looking at him. "Alright," he started, "here's the plan. Federov is being stalled by a friend of mine. As of now they are some seafood packing plant, so I need everyone to do as I say to get this plan to work."

The others nodded and then continued to listen to Lupins plan. When they got all the info they split into groups, each heading to the plant.

----

Goemon and Hana arrived first. Together they snuck up towards the north end of the large building, hiding behind a large dumpster. Five men with guns slung over their shoulders stood guard near the back doors.

"Must be some expensive fish they have in there," Hana said as she glared at the guards.

"We'll stay here until we see the signal," Goemon said as he scoped the surrounding areas.

"Great," Hana said as she held her nose from the smell of old fish parts coming from the dumpster.

----

Jigen and Toshiko ran up to the east end of the building, hiding behind the cab of a semi. Looking around, Jigen spotted three armed men standing guard. "I see he's brought some friends."

Toshiko saw the men and then looked around, trying to get an idea of what to do next. "How long until Lupin comes?"

"Soon," he answered. "We need to think of something quickly."

"Maybe if we distract them with something."

"And what would be something?" Jigen asked. "We can't make them suspicious or this whole plan will go to hell." He looked off towards the west, noticing two black helicopters coming towards them. "Huh?"

"What's wrong?" Toshiko asked as she looked towards the helicopters.

----

"Something isn't right," Goemon said as he looked around.

"I feel it, too" Hana said as she looked up at him. They looked towards the warehouse as police sirens wailed in the distance. The guards ran inside and then came out with some others, all of them now heavily armed. The cop cars began to approach the building.

----

"What's going on?" Toshiko asked as the three armed men ran inside. Just then sirens were heard.

"Dammit!" Jigen pulled out his gun and ran to the end of the semi trailer, peaking around it.

"The police?" Toshiko ran up behind him and peaked around. "But, how did they know to come here?"

Jigen stood in anger, not sure of how the plan would unfold with the new distraction. "Come on," he said as he ran out from the trailer and towards where Goemon and Hana were positioned.

The two were still behind the dumpster, standing and watching as the cops and guards were now firing at one another. Sensing something from behind, they both turned ready to attack.

"Whoa, hold on," Jigen said quickly as they turned towards him.

"Jigen," Goemon said in relief. "Why are the police here?"

"I don't know," Jigen answered. "But we need to finish this plan before Federov gets away. If he hasn't already."

"Right," Goemon said with a nod. He and Jigen ran out towards the building, Toshiko and Hana following as all of them snuck by easily as both the guards and cops were too busy to notice.

Jigen shot the door open as they approached, running in first and shooting some men who ran towards them. "You two stay here, alright?" he told Toshiko and Hana.

"Alright," Toshiko said as she watched Jigen and Goemon run off.

"Hmph, I'm not a child," Hana said as she started after them.

"We're supposed to stay..." Toshiko said as Hana ran up ahead. "Rrr, so annoying," she muttered as she ran after her.

Jigen and Goemon split up, each searching a side of the building. They then met up again in the middle. "He must have gotten away, dammit," Jigen said in anger as he looked around.

"Goemon!" Hana yelled out as she ran up to him.

Goemon looked over at her and then noticed someone up in the rafters. "Hana, look out!" he yelled as he ran towards her.

Jigen aimed his gun at the man, but before he could fire a shot went off and echoed throughout the building.

Hana turned in shock as the man from above fell and landed dead a few feet from her. She then looked up to a stunned Toshiko, who still held her gun up as she stared at the man she had just shot.

Jigen smiled and reholstered his gun. "Nice shot," he said as he walked towards Hana and Goemon.

Hana smiled at Toshiko. "Thank you."

"No problem," Toshiko said, still a little shocked by what she had done.

"We need to hurry before the police-" Goemon started to say, interrupted by a group of policemen bursting into the warehouse and surrounding them. They all put their hands in the air, the cops approaching and taking their weapons before handcuffing them.

"So," Ashida said as he walked up to the jail cell, everyone ignoring him, "looks like we outsmarted you this time." He laughed as a smug look came over his face. "Not so talkative now, are we?"

Jigen looked up at him and scoffed. "Just what the hell do you want?"

"I want your pal Lupin," Ashida said as he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.

Jigen laughed. "Have fun finding him."

"Will you let us out if we tell you?" Hana asked.

"Hana," Goemon said in surprise.

"What?" Hana turned and looked at him. "I mean, look at what he did to you. And plus you were the one who said you were going to kill him."

"Huh?" Jigen said as he stared at Goemon. "What is she talking about?"

"I said I would kill him one day." He glanced at Jigen and then back at Hana. "But as of now, you turn on Lupin and you turn on all of us, Hana."

Hana looked down at the floor and sighed. "Fine."

Ashida looked down at Toshiko and then motioned an officer over. "Get the girl out of here and contact her parents."

"What?" Toshiko looked up at him. "I'm not going anywhere," she protested.

Ashida stared at her in confusion. "Is that what they told you to say?"

"No. Why would they tell me that?"

"Well, they did kidnap you after all."

Jigen looked at Ashida and laughed. "Kidnapped? I guess you're not as smart as you would like to think."

"They didn't kidnap me," Toshiko said. "They're helping me find my father."

"Your father?" Ashida looked down, now more confused than before. "What the hell is going on here?"

"That's what we'd like to know," Jigen said as he stood up. "Show him that photo," he told Toshiko.

Toshiko stood up, pulling out the photo and handing it to Ashida, who stared at it in shock. He handed it back to her. "I thought he died," he said, almost as if saying it to himself.

"We did, too," Jigen said. "We were after a guy named Federov. He was supposed to be in that factory and we were going to nab him until you showed up and ruined everything." He glared at Ashida.

"We caught everyone still standing and there were no Federov's among them or the dead." Ashida stared at Jigen. "Are you sure you had the right place?"

"There was a guy, Lupin said it was an informant. Is there anyone you caught associated with Lupin?" Jigen asked.

"Besides you four, no," Ashida answered. He stared off into space as he thought. "Frederick Heiden," he muttered. "Oh my god," he said as he thought of something.

"Who's Frederick Heiden?" Toshiko asked. "Can he help us?"

"They're trying to get Gram," Ashida muttered. "She was telling the truth..."

"Who is 'she'?" Jigen asked in frustration. "And who is Gram?"

"Valerie Rowls," Ashida said. "Before we worked at Interpol, me and Zenigata worked together on this case. Valerie, we all thought she was just this crazy woman, the way she babbled on about meeting the Gods and retrieving their gift to her. She got violent. We told her we'd take her to get the gift, just as a way to shut her up. She gave us this map that she said her father drew out and we got in a plane and flew there."

"And you got what she wanted?" Toshiko asked.

"The place was supposed to be off the coast of Norway, but when we got there it was way out in the ocean somewhere. We didn't see anything, so we turned to leave. Only Valerie didn't want to leave. She got out of the handcuffs and opened the door, jumping out and falling to her death. We came back home and closed the case."

"What does this have to do with Gram?" Jigen asked.

"That's what she was after," Goemon said, the others looking at him. "Gram is a powerful sword in Norse mythology. It is said that just by holding it you would be invincible."

"Not again," Jigen said with a sigh.

"Lately there has been a string of robberies that have been pinned on Lupin," Ashida said. "Everything taken has to do with ancient Scandinavia. The mob must have taken Zenigata because of his connection to the sword's whereabouts. And the thefts must be... We're running out of time." He turned and ran off down the hallway as the others looked on.

"Running out of time for what?" Jigen hollered. "Hey!"

"How long ago did they work on this case?" Hana asked as she looked at Toshiko.

"I don't know," Toshiko said with a shrug. "My dad got into Interpol shortly after I was born."

"And he's supposed to remember something that happened over fourteen, fifteen years ago?" Hana gave everyone an unsure look.

"Fourteen," Toshiko said as she reached behind her head and pulled out a hairpin. She straightened it, walked over to the door and fiddled with the lock as the others watched.

"Your dad know you can do that?" Jigen asked with a grin.

"Who do you think I learned it from?" she said, grinning back. The lock clicked and she pushed the door open.

"Great," Jigen said happily as he stepped out the door. "Now to get our weapons and find Lupin."