Lupin The Third: The Beast of Lykanisches

Chapter 1

Author's Note: I've posted the first four chapters of this story to whet the appetite. More to come at - with any luck - the usual frequency of updates.

This is the final story. Not sure how long it will be compared to the ones which came before it, but content-wise, it is definitely my most ambitious thus far. So, please be patient and bear with me, should I fall behind. And don't worry; after that last story, I know what you're all waiting for...

Let the countdown to Lupin commence!
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Goemon refused to submit to exhaustion. As a warm pink glow blossomed over the horizon, the samurai was determined to meet the dawn. And meet it, he did – in the quaint little town of Kleinstadt. In fact, 'quaint' was just the right word for it, particularly with the cobblestone streets, traditional cottage buildings, and even a beautiful old clock tower right in the center of the town square.

The otherwise quiet town was bustling with activity that morning. Such that no one seemed to notice the peculiar sight of an exhausted Japanese man entering the town carrying a sleeping girl in his arms. But it was that same activity that awakened Ruby. She opened her eyes and blinked into the brilliant blue sky of a warm summer day. No more snow. No more wind. Just the golden sun on a splendent day in late July.

"A-Are we here already?" she asked blearily. Then, "Oh, Goemon!" She struggled down from his arms and back to her feet. "Did you carry me the whole way? I'm sorry! You should have woken me up!"

Goemon had fought his exhaustion the best he could. He was absolutely tired from walking all that way with Ruby asleep in his arms and carrying their belongings on his back. But as with everything in his life, Goemon merely accepted it as another form of training, and one with which he was successful.

"It is not something worth apologizing for. I did what needed to be done. Now, we are here – or at least as close to 'here' as we are going to get for the moment."

Indeed, Freidburg was perhaps another several miles away, but Goemon's goal was to find somewhere in which he and Ruby could take temporary lodging before they moved on to their next destination.

"And," he said. "You are awake now. Which is also good." And just like that, Goemon's arms fell to his sides and he slumped with his head against Ruby's shoulder.

"G-Goemon?!" she exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

"Just... give me a moment," he whispered.

A catlike shiver traveled from the base of Ruby's spine all the way up through her hair as she felt the delectable sensation of Goemon's breath tickling against her neck. Did he truly have no idea what that did to her? But of course, Ruby had more pressing concerns.

"Aww, Goe..."

She glanced around the old buildings and cobblestone streets and spied a nearby park. "Here," she said. "Follow me." Ruby grabbed their bag and slung it over her shoulder. Then, she took Goemon by the arm and guided him to a nearby park bench, allowing him to rest upon it. "Just sprawl out. Yeah, there you go," she said once she managed to get him to lay across the bench.

He seemed unwilling at first. Goemon wanted to try to remain steadfast and strong for Ruby. He didn't want to show any sort of weakness to her. And yet, he couldn't deny how tired he was. But with enough persistent force from Ruby, he yielded.

Ruby sat at the end of the bench, setting their bags at her feet as she coaxed Goemon to rest his head upon her lap. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about," she said when she caught him blushing. "Boyfriends and girlfriends do this kind of thing all the time. Besides, it's your turn to rest. I'll be right here. So just close your eyes, okay?"