Lupin The Third: The Gunslinger's Lament

Chapter 3

A new dawn arose and Daisuke Jigen was the first to awaken that morning, or so he thought. Knowing how he'd fallen asleep last night, in the chair in front of the window, he was naturally quite surprised to find himself in bed. But this he knew by feel alone, for he'd yet to open his heavy eyes.

His hat and shoes were off and his shirt was unbuttoned all the way. This he could also feel. It was warm, and half the reason was due to the body lying next to him, practically in his arms. It was Ruby. He could tell, for he could feel her long hair tickling his nose and falling across his arms as the morning summer breeze blew through the window and ruffled her luxurious locks.

Jigen allowed himself to indulge for a moment. No one need know he was even awake, as he'd yet to open his eyes. So, no one could accuse him of doing anything consciously. His hand moved to the back of Ruby's hair as he trailed his fingers through those silken locks. He pressed his face against the top of her head and inhaled slowly. Wow, this girl smelled so sweet. But when she pressed her face against his bare chest, something didn't feel right.

That nose...

That chiseled jaw...

The masculine groan...

Jigen's eyes snapped open and he launched himself out of the bed. There, where he had supposed Ruby to be, was Goemon, laying curled up on his side and looking more beautiful and innocent than a man had any right to be. Instinctively, Jigen drew his gun and pointed it at the sleeping samurai. His hand trembled for a moment as the beautiful raven-haired man drew a soft breath and murmured something unintelligible.

Oh, but Jigen could just hear Ruby now.

'Methinks you doth protest too much.'

With a roll of his eyes, Jigen holstered his gun. It wasn't Goemon's fault that he'd mistaken him for Ruby. But it begged the question; just how had he wound up in this position?

Jigen glanced about. His hat and tie were hanging on the bedpost, and his shoes were on the floor at the foot of the bed. As he saw these things, vague memories flooded back to him. Sometime, in the wee hours of morning, before daybreak, Ruby helped him to the bed, his arm over her shoulders as the girl supported him with her slender body. He had a nebulous recollection of her putting him to bed and taking off his hat and shoes; tucking him in, like a teenage daughter caring for her helpless single father. She might have kissed him goodnight. There was a vague memory there, too. Jigen scratched the back of his head at the very thought of it.

'That girl...'

That girl was nowhere to be seen. In fact, as he surveyed the situation on the bed, Jigen had to choke back a laugh. It seemed he hadn't been the only one in an embarrassing and compromising situation. Lupin was spooning right up against Goemon. His arm was around the samurai and his hand was nestled contentedly within the open folds of Goemon's kimono. It was obvious just who the sleeping thief thought he was snuggling with.

'Should I tell them?' wondered Jigen. But just as swiftly, another thought, 'Nah. Could be fun to see just where this goes.'

But that did present another question.

Just where was their little fledgling dove?

As Jigen stepped into the common area of the ramshackle house, he spied Ruby at the table, slumped over his laptop. Her head rested upon her crossed arms and the soft sounds of her snores ruffled her bangs as she dozed. Jigen's brows furrowed as he went to her and peeked over her head to see what she was up to.

A touch of the keyboard illuminated the laptop screen. And there, on a webpage with the domain name of AderlassPharmaceuticals/ACCSA/AthleticsExpo/Rome was a popup screen congratulating a 'Gabriella Ishikawa' for her submission.