DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Lupin III characters. They belong to Pioneer, yadda, yadda…. I should just get a bland little generic saying to stick up here, so I don't have to think of witty crap to put in here every chapter….
Hola!
How are you guys doing? Good to know. Thanks a million for hanging in there with me. We're winding down a little now. (tears) I know…. But thank you for all of your support, really. It's really an uplifting experience to go and read the reviews section, and to know that people are actually reading my stories on the Internet. Okay, enough with the sentiments. Not done yet…. Well, I hope you enjoy the next installment! Until then, enjoy!
'He said Rocky you met your match,
And Rocky said,
Doc it's only a scratch,
And I'll be better, I'll be better doc as
Soon as I am able….'
--The Beatles, 'Rocky Raccoon'
Chapter Sixteen
A few weeks after the wedding: Sh-Boom
"So, what was with you and Ming last night?" Lupin inquired as he Jigen, and Goemon sat in a Tokyo sushi restaurant.
"What are you talking about?" Jigen asked innocently as he reached over the table to reach the bottle of sake the three had ordered.
"You guys have been acting weird ever since my wedding. Did my dad scare you that bad? He's pretty harmless, really…. Just gets a little off of his rocker every now and then. I'm pretty sure he ingested some mercury at one point in his life," Lupin said, "He's a little upset about the way in which I run the family business. He thinks it's a dishonor to my family."
"Dishonor to your family? You should get that guy talking to Goemon. I'm sure the two would get along great," Jigen laughed.
Goemon, who sat in the middle of the two, shot his head upward at Jigen and glowered at him. The samurai had been more irritable than usual ever since they had landed in Japan, and although he tried to hide his anxiety, he found this difficult to achieve among close friends, "I do not always sound like that, Jigen…."
"Sure you do. 'Such an unworthy target dishonors my blade, using such a pathetic excuse to lie is dishonorable, blah, blah, blah'….. I'm surprised you think me losing the living room remote isn't dishonorable," Jigen replied, rolling his eyes briefly, "Don't you know that thieves have no honor among them?"
"Hey, Goemon, buddy, how much sake have you had?" Lupin inquired as he noted the slightly reddish color his friend had turned.
"Holy crap!" Jigen gasped in realization, "We must've gone through two bottles! I had only three shots…. How about you, Lupin?"
"Four," Lupin replied. He shot his head over at Goemon, and noted the austere samurai slightly wobbling as he tried to remain still, "Jesus! Did you down an entire bottle of sake!? Oh my God, we've got to get you home! Amaya's going to kill us…. Come on, Goemon…. Let's get you standing…. Here—Jigen, give me a hand with him…." Both rose and helped Goemon get to his feet, "Goemon, take off those sandals…. Jesus, I might have to friggin' carry him out and down the stairs… You can't see right now, can you, Jigen?"
"Places like this ought to improve on their lighting," Jigen answered as they stopped by the exit. Lupin tossed the waiter a few bills for the meal, and tried to lift the dizzied Goemon while Jigen removed and unfolded his white and red cane from his pocket.
"I'm fine, Lupin!" Goemon growled, pushing Lupin away and stumbling out the exit, "I've got it! I trained for years in the art of balance, and—" Goemon suddenly fell back, and disappeared down a flight of stone stairs which led up to the restaurant.
"Goemon!" Lupin shrieked, running down after Goemon.
"What the hell's going on!?" Jigen yelled, scaling down the stairs as quickly as he could.
"Oh my God… Jigen, call I Goddamned ambulance! He's knocked out cold!" Lupin said worriedly as he kneeled down next to the unconscious Goemon.
"How the hell am I supposed to find a payphone!?" Jigen yelled in response.
"I don't care how you do it—Just find one!" Lupin screamed in response. Jigen gulped, and quickly began to walk back up the stairway.
Later, a Tokyo Hospital:
Jigen nervously fidgeted in his seat, looking downward at his hat in his lap. Across from him in the waiting room sat Lupin, and next to Lupin sat Fujiko, who was doing her best to console him. Amaya was fighting with one of the nurses again, demanding to see her fiancée. Ming had chosen to stay and take care of the equally worried Yukiko.
The doctor came out through the double-doors, and all rose, "Well!?" Lupin asked in a choke.
"Well… For falling down a set of stone stairs, I'd say he's in pretty good shape," the doctor looked downward, "Luckily, Mr. Ishikawa has a thick skull—"
"Go figure…" Jigen muttered.
The doctor paused, and continued, "So he only had a slight concussion… But, unfortunately, he also slipped three disks in his spine, sprained a wrist, and broke his left leg…"
"Oh my God…." Amaya put a hand to her forehead, "We're supposed to get married in a few days! Oh my God…. I've got to see him!" Amaya pushed her way past the doctor, leaving all in the waiting room stunned.
Amaya stopped in front of the door with a chart that read ISHIKAWA, GOEMON XIII. She slammed the doors open and ran to Goemon's bed. He looked over at her, and smirked, "That's the last time I drink and try to climb down a flight of stairs…."
"Oh my God!" Amaya wept and embraced him. Goemon let out a long groan; he could feel the slipped disks in his back rotating as Amaya put pressure on them. She gasped, and then sat back, "How do you feel?" she asked more solemnly, brushing some of his hair out of his face.
"Like I've been run over by a truck…." Goemon replied, "I've never had a broken bone in my life! Now look! I guess I drank a little too much while I was trying to keep my mind off of meeting my family again…."
"Well, there's a first time for everything," Amaya chuckled wryly, "What are we going to do about the wedding? We've invited everyone; my dad's flying in as we speak…. Should we call it all off and wait until you're better?"
"No," Goemon shook his head, "It wouldn't be right. We're getting married; I don't care if I have to use crutches to climb up the stairs of the temple!"
"Are you sure?" Amaya asked worriedly.
"Positive," Goemon answered with a smirk.
"All right," Amaya embraced him once more, this time lightly, "I'm going to stay in here tonight, but I'm sure Lupin and the others want to see you…."
"They can come in…" Goemon said tiredly, and laid his head back on the pillow.
Meanwhile, outside in the waiting room, Jigen, Lupin, and Fujiko were back to sitting in the mauve plastic seats, waiting for word on Goemon. Jigen absently looked upward at the clock, and then did a double take, "Oh, man! I have to get home!"
"Why?" Lupin inquired.
"Listen…. I just really have to get back…." Jigen responded anxiously, "Fujiko, could you drive me back to the hotel?"
"I—Sure," Fujiko nodded, and stood from her seat, "Lupin, I'll be back…." she said as she walked out of the hospital with Jigen, "What's going on, Jigen?" she asked with a tone of concern in her voice.
"It's nothing," Jigen replied as he opened the car door. Luckily, the parking garage was well lit, so it was easier for him to see the features of the car. Fujiko drove back to the hotel, and Jigen wordlessly exited from the car and into the hotel.
"You're welcome!" Fujiko snapped as Jigen opened the hotel door and ran into the hotel. She sighed and put the car back into gear, "Really, he never changes…" she muttered to herself as she pulled out of the parking lot and drove back towards the hospital.
Jigen ran up the stairs to the second story of the hotel, and he then ran down to his hotel room. He quickly opened the door and then closed it behind him, and turned back around. Ming was there, sitting anxiously, "Hey, how's Goemon doing?"
"The guy broke a lot of crap in his fall, but he's alive," Jigen answered, "Have you checked yet?"
"I was waiting for you," Ming replied, and rose, "I'll go check it out now…" she said, and exited into the bathroom. Jigen removed his hat, slicked some of his hair back, and leaned against the door. Thoughts rushed through his mind as he heard silence from the bathroom. He bolted upright as Ming came back out, the white strip in her hand.
"Well?" Jigen looked over her shoulder, "What's that mean?" he asked, pointing to the plus sign on one end of the strip.
"Congratulations, Daddy," Ming said with a smile.
"Are you…."
"Uh-huh," Ming nodded.
"Wow…" Jigen shook his head, "I—What are we going to tell Yukiko?"
"That can wait until tomorrow. She's over there now—It took her forever to fall asleep. She was so worried about Goemon!" Ming answered, and sat down on the bed. Jigen smirked, walked over, and sat down next to her. Ming looked upward wordlessly, and leaned against him, "Yeah, I guess I'm not going anywhere now…" she muttered.
"Even if you went somewhere you'd only end up coming back," Jigen replied, "Why don't you get some sleep? I've got to make a couple of phone calls…. Plus someone's gotta have to be up when Zenigata comes."
"I really don't want to. I'm not tired anymore," Ming said, and scooted over to the headboard. She leaned against the wooden board, and looked upward, "And I can't take sleeping pills now, so I guess you'll just have to talk to me."
"Not really much for talking, Kid," Jigen answered.
"I'm not a kid…" Ming said quietly, "I'm your freaking wife…"
"Okay, okay…. Jesus… I'm going to get a drink, all right?" Jigen said as he rose and walked over to the minibar.
"Did Goemon break anything?" Ming inquired.
"Three slipped disks, a broken leg, and a sprained wrist," Jigen replied as he poured himself a drink and walked back over to her and seated himself on the bed. He leaned against the headboard and turned to her, "Poor bastard's so nervous about meeting his family again; doctor said his blood pressure's through the roof! They actually gave him some pills for it! Can't help but wonder what's so wrong with them… They can't be any worse than my, Lupin, or Fujiko's families!"
"Or could they?" Ming asked after a pause.
"If they were that bad he wouldn't be going to them!" Jigen responded.
"You never know…" Ming muttered, and leaned against him, "So, what are we naming the baby?"
"Huh? Daisuke, I guess…."
"Not Allen?"
"What!?" Jigen shot his head up. Ming began to laugh, "How the—"
"Your mother," Ming replied. She took hold of one of Jigen's hands, "She told me… It's all right— You'll always be Daisuke to me… If you want him named Daisuke, we'll name him that! But what about if it's a girl?"
"It won't be," Jigen shook his head, "Watch. It's going to be a boy…. Trust me on this…"
"Lupin said he was going to have a boy, and he ended up with twins," Ming reminded him. Jigen frowned, and quickly crossed himself at the thought of having twin children. Ming laughed, and nudged him. Jigen lost his balance, and fell off the bed with a loud thud.
Yukiko groaned, and slowly rose her head, "Daddy? Are you home?"
"Yeah," Jigen answered as he climbed back onto the bed.
"How's Goemon?" she inquired, sitting up in bed.
"He's… He broke some things…." Jigen replied after a pause, "But he'll be all right! Don't worry! He's handled worse!"
"Oh…" Yukiko sat back in her bed, "Is he coming home? Can I go see him now? Please?"
"He's probably asleep by now…. Like you should be…" Jigen replied sternly.
"Aw, dammit…" Yukiko grumbled and laid back down on her bed, and turned over and put the sheets over her head, "I can't sleep!" she mumbled from under the sheets, "Can't you two start talking about something boring, like buying furniture!? That always puts me to sleep!"
"So, what do you think we should name the baby, anyway?" inquired Ming.
"Baby!?" Yukiko shot her head suddenly, "What baby!?"
"I… Uh…" Jigen looked around the hotel room nervously, "Well…. Ming's…. We're…. I mean, we're going to… Jesus!"
"Are you going to have a baby?" Yukiko asked Ming quietly.
Ming nodded, "You betcha, Yuki. Happy birthday." Yukiko smiled, jumped out of her bed, and jumped onto Ming and Jigen's bed. She giggled as she crawled over and seated herself in between her father and stepmother.
"Does everyone else know?" asked Yukiko.
"No," Jigen shook his head, "Let me tell them, okay? Boy, this is going to be a hoot…."
"Dad," Yukiko yawned, and sat down on her father's lap, and put her arms around his neck, "Thanks…."
"No problem," Jigen answered with a smile, and watched as Yukiko fell asleep.
"I never noticed how much you two look alike," Ming said suddenly.
"Huh? What the hell do you mean?" asked Jigen.
"You two both have the same eyes… They're really sad. Even when you're both happy, you two still look sad…"
"I guess…" Jigen muttered as he looked downward at Yukiko.
Back at the Hospital:
Lupin and Fujiko had finally decided to go home. Amaya had blatantly refused to go back with them, opting to stay with Goemon for the night. Currently she lay curled up in a cot that a few of the more sympathetic nurses had brought in, while Goemon fought off the pain from the broken leg. They were keeping him overnight for examination, much to his protests.
"Are you still awake?" Amaya asked quietly in the darkened hospital room.
"Yes," Goemon answered after a pause.
"Can I ask you something? I took two Jet Alert so I could stay awake, and now I can't fall asleep…" Amaya said quietly.
"Go ahead. I'm in too much pain to sleep, so I suppose we're even," Goemon replied.
"Why are you so afraid of your family?" asked Amaya, "Are they like you? I mean, are they all stern like you are? What do they think about you being a thief?"
"I thought this was one question…."
"It was. But there are so many…. I just… Why? Why are you so paranoid?" asked Amaya.
"Well… When I met up with Lupin, I sort of told my masters to go screw themselves… And then I went back home, told my family I was going out to buy some milk, and I've yet to return to my home with the milk…" Goemon replied.
"Oh my God…. How old were you?"
"Eighteen. I'm twenty-nine now, so it's been over ten years…. I've yet to tell them I'm getting married, but I think they figured out where I've been all this time. There wasn't a time when you couldn't open up a newspaper without seeing a picture of the thieving four…"
"What's your family like?" Amaya inquired.
"I used to think we were normal, but I never really realized exactly how domineering my father was until I ventured to America…. That's how I came into contact with Lupin…. He showed me an entirely different world… I never saw exactly how boring my life was… I suppose I wanted to be like Goemon the First—A Robin Hood of Japan…."
"Yes, but Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor."
"I'm poor," Goemon responded. He shifted in his bed, "Besides, part of what I got I always sent home, to put towards the upkeep of the temple and to help support my family."
"I guess it makes sense. We meet them tomorrow, don't we?" inquired Amaya.
"If they ever let me out of this stupid hospital. I despise this…" Goemon hissed.
"Oh, stop…." Amaya sighed, "It'll give us a few more excuses to play doctor…."
"Amaya! Shush!" Goemon snapped quietly.
"If my father knew that Lupin was only half the pervert you are, he'd have your ass…" Amaya chuckled.
"Go to sleep!" Goemon demanded.
"It's nothing to be that embarrassed about…" said Amaya, "You're my best patient…" she laughed as Goemon threw a nearby pillow at her, "Okay, I'll go to sleep!" she chuckled and threw the pillow back to him, "You really told someone of authority to go screw themselves? You must've been quite the little bastard when you were little…."
"Woman!" Goemon grumbled.
"Okay…. Goodnight, Goemon… We'll take you home in the morning…. And don't worry about your family—Wait until you meet my mother…" Amaya muttered as she closed her eyes and turned over to sleep.
On the Roads of Japan:
A 33' Alfa Romeo cruised down the nearly empty city streets, towards a seaside hotel. Fujiko looked over at Lupin, and began to speak, "You're thinking, aren't you? Did you find something worth stealing? You did, didn't you!? Well, what is it!?"
"Listen, maybe I did. But it's no concern to you," Lupin answered.
"Why the hell not!?" Fujiko demanded.
"You're seven months pregnant! You worry about learning to change diapers, Mommy—Leave the bread winning to Daddy…."
"You chauvinist pig!" Fujiko snapped, "I can still steal things! Now tell me what you've got planned!"
"I'm not stealing anything…." Lupin answered, "I need to settle a score with someone—Make sure they don't bother us anymore…."
"What do you mean?" Fujiko inquired.
"Just call me Cain, Fujiko…." Lupin replied as he shifted gears of the car and sped up.
Back at the Hotel:
Jigen raised his head as he heard a knock from his door. He stretched, felt around for his gun, and turned on a nearby lamp. He eased the trigger of the gun as he saw it was only Lupin, "What the hell is it?"
"Can we go for a walk?" Lupin inquired.
"Are you kidding—Yeah, okay, sure… Just let me get dressed…" Jigen turned from him and began to dress, "Why the hell everyone wakes me up…. It's not like I'm a great conversationalist or anything…" He finished tying his shoes, and put his hat on, and unfolded his cane, "Let's move…" Lupin nodded, and followed him out of the hotel room and to the elevator, which was located in a dimly lit hall. Lupin went to press the button for the elevator, but Jigen stopped him, "Let me. I need the practice…" he said, and felt around for the button. He pressed it, and both entered the elevator. Fortunately this was lit enough for him to see.
"You didn't do bad… You're really getting used to everything, huh?" Lupin smirked, "Some team you guys are… Fujiko's pregnant, you can't see half the time, and Goemon's a cripple!"
"Ha-ha…. You make another crack like that and I'll hit you in the knees with my cane!" Jigen snapped. The doors opened, and the two exited.
Lupin looked downward at Jigen's cane as they came out of the hotel and began to walk down the city streets. The street was nearly deserted by this time, allowing Jigen's cane to move back and forth freely across the pavement, making a rolling noise as they went along, "So…. What'd you drag me out of bed for?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something…" Lupin replied.
"Yeah, I think we've pretty-much established that. But about what?" Jigen inquired.
"We'll never be safe as long as Remy's still around. We've got to do something to keep him from hurting us…. And now we've got families to think about along with it! We don't want him or any goons hurting them."
"Yeah, I know. But what are we going to do about it, kill him!?" Jigen laughed. He grew solemn at the sound of silence, and stopped dead, "Are—Are you kidding me?"
"No," Lupin shook his head, "Jigen, you're my best friend. We'd do anything for each other, go any distance—You said that yourself. Now's your time to prove it."
"But—Get past maximum security guards!? Lupin, I would do it, but how would I do it?" Jigen inquired.
"Just leave that to me. But I need your sharp shooting skills to finish the job… Believe me, the thought of killing someone—I'd avoid it if I could. I hate having blood on my hands, trust me. But this is in order to protect my family," Lupin said.
Jigen sighed, "This would've been a hell of a lot easier a year ago, when I didn't have to worry about Yukiko, or Ming…. Lupin, Ming's going to have a baby. What if some cops try to kill me after I whack off your brother? What if it's night by the time I get out, and I can't find my way out of there?"
"Ming's going to have a baby?" Lupin muttered in disbelief, and he turned a light shade of white.
"Yeah. We've been trying for a little while…. It's for Yuki…. She said she wanted a little brother, so…. I don't want my kids to grow up without one of their parents—I know what it's like, and it's hell."
"I'll make sure nothing happens to you, Jigen. You just have to trust me a little more than usual. I wouldn't ask you to do anything that I knew you weren't capable of," said Lupin sternly.
Jigen smiled, "Okay, Buddy. It's a deal. You tell me when to do it and where to be, and I'll do it. For your family, and mine."
"Jigen, there's no such thing as your family and mine. We're all one big family," Lupin replied. Jigen and he laughed, and the two continued to walk down the empty Japanese street.
