Disclaimer: I. Do. Not. Own. Lupin. The. Third.

Author: Yeah so typing at schoola slightly cleaner chapter. Don't worry that though. I'll be sure to make up for it in chapter 15. Bye!

Chapter 14: California Here We Come

-On a plane-

Tsurugi had fallen asleep on Zenigata's shoulder almost instantly once they had gotten on the plane. She still feared heights so that was most likely why, although she hadn't slept well the night before either. She was thinking about what had happened the night before. Her emotions were bubbling up inside her. She wasn't exactly sure if she cared more about Zenigata or Jigen, but either way, it'd get in the way of her 'job'.

Zenigata was watching the in flight movie, something about a knight from the medieval time period. He had grown rather bored of it, and was beginning to fall asleep as well.

"If you would all please put your seat belts back on, we're 20 minutes away from our destination. We hope you've enjoyed the flight." A young flight attendants voice came over the P.A. system. Zenigata shook Tsurugi gently, waking her up.

"We're almost there, put your seat belt back on." His voice was groggy and he spoke a tad slower than usual.

"Are you okay?" Tsurugi asked, sounding much more awake than him.

"Yeah, yeah. Just really tired that's all." He gave her a big cheesy grin and a small laugh. She joined in the laugh and belted herself in. Zenigata did as well and they landed without any problems.

-In the airport-

"I can't find my bag!" Tsurugi complained to Zenigata. He looked at her slightly angered that they were so far behind already.

"What do you mean you can't find your bag!?"

"Exactly what I said! I. Can't. Find. My. Bag!" She began to yell, and gesture with her hands wildly. A few people were staring at them and she gave them all a death look. "You know what…It's fine. Let's just go to the hotel." She said with a sigh. Zenigata gave her a look of concern, and she nodded that it was okay. So they went outside and hailed a taxi.

-At the hotel-

"So Jigen…Where did you go exactly last night?" Lupin asked.

"Why is it any of you're business?" He said, his voice gruff and full of anger.

"I guess it's not…" Lupin sighed and left the room. Fujiko had gone out to the beach to work on her tan so it was just Goemon and Jigen back at the hotel.

"Jigen, are you all right?" Goemon's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Yeah…No. I don't know what to do. I've fallen in love with Tsurugi, but she's so attached to Zenigata it seems." His voice was still angry, but it was a distressed anger, not an 'I'm going to kill you!' anger.

"Well, have you told her how you feel towards her?"

"Hell no! I've been shot down so many times, it's getting harder and harder to do."

"Oh, I know. You just have to try and explain." Goemon's voice was calm and unshaken by Jigen's anger.

"No Zen ideas on this one, eh?" Jigen joked slightly. Goemon laughed and shook his head.

"You're a bright one Jigen. Why not go and find Tsurugi. She should be here soon." Jigen nodded his head and thanked Goemon before leaving the room. Goemon shook his head and let a small chuckle slip through his lips before going back to his meditation.

-On the road-

Tsurugi was angrily driving her motorcycle down the busy California roads. She was really pissed that she didn't have any of her things anymore, and even though she said it was okay, Zenigata knew it wasn't. He however didn't say anything to her since it'd be easy for her to kick him off the bike to his doom.

Upon reaching the hotel, she parked and took one of Zenigata's bags. He grabbed the other one, and they walked into the hotel together.

Jigen was in the lobby waiting for her coming completely forgetting about Zenigata. He was horribly nervous and began to smoke.

"Excuse me sir, would you mind smoking outside?" The front desk attendant said. Jigen shook his head and walked out the front door just as Zenigata walked it.

"JIGEN!" He roared and dropped his bag. Jigen ran off, all the while Tsurugi looked stunned.

"ZENIGATA COME BACK!" She wailed. When hearing his named called by his loved one, he turned, slumped his shoulders and walked back to her. "Thanks hun." She said softly giving him a hug and a kiss. Jigen, upon seeing this, stopped and sat down on a rock.

"I can't believe this happened to me...Again. I'm shot down one more time." His voice was soft, sad, and angry. "Why did I listen to Goemon? He doesn't know what he's talking about. Even his Zen couldn't help him this time." He continued to mumble, more out of depression than anger and began to walk into the hotel.

-Tsurugi's room-

"Zenigata, I'm gonna go and buy some new clothes. Promise no Lupin catching action till I'm back?" He nodded and she left.

"Might as well go to my room and get some paper work done."

-Lupin's room-

"Coming, coming." Goemon's voice could be heard. When he opened the door, his face fell. "What do you need Tsurugi?"

"Is uh, Jigen here?" Her voice had a scared tone to it.

"Yes. Why do you need him?"

"I want to thank him for something."

"Okay, well, I guess you can come in." Goemon still seemed upset after letting her in and left her by herself to continue meditating. She went to go find Jigen.

"What do you want Tsurugi?" Jigen's voice said from behind her.

"I wanted to thank you for the lovely jewel, and the poem."

"Is that so? You're not here to make me feel bad? I saw you hugging Zenigata." His voice was still depressed.

"You did!? Oh dear...That was just to keep him away! I'm so sorry. Listen, I came to see if you wanted to go out with me right now. Zenigata lost my bags so this is the only outfit I have now." Jigen gave a soft smile of relief and nodded.

"Sure Tsurugi. Anything for you."

-At the mall place-

"Isn't this just adorable!" Tsurugi said holding up a mini skirt. Jigen nodded his head. He had learned that if she said something was cute, nice, or adorable he'd better just agree. She handed it to him, the pile of clothes getting even taller.

"Why don't you go try on this huge ass stack of clothes now?" He said, pleadingly.

"Oh all right." So they went over to one of the dressing rooms and she tried a whole bunch of weird combinations on. Finally she decided on a weeks worth of clothes and they left for some food.

- - - - - - - - - -

Yay! Next chapter done! I'm really beginning to like this story now. Before I was like, "eh this'll never work out" and look 14 strong chapters! Hope you enjoy!