Twice a Day

Chapter 4: Oops, Overslept

When Goemon woke, he found Lupin, Fujiko and Jigen hovering over him furiously.
    "You could have woken me if you feared I would oversleep."
    Fujiko moved forward, her hands positioned for his neck, but Lupin pulled her back. "Goemon, this isn't about your sleep schedule," Jigen said.
    "Oh? Then why the--"
    "THEY TOOK IT! IT'S GONE, GOEMON!" Fujiko roared.
    Goemon blinked, only now raising from his futon. "It?"
    "The clock, idiot!" Lupin smacked his hand on his forehead. "We got challenged!"
    Goemon stared around the room, eyes hopping from person to person in a mix of the fog of sleep and uncertainty. "I... I don't understand."
    Jigen left the room stomping, returning promptly with a yellowed sheet of paper. He spread it in his hands and read. "To the Lupin Crime Gang--"
    "Who actually calls us that," Fujiko muttered, still trying to wriggle out of Lupin's grip.
    "Hope you didn't have your heart set on that lovely clock. We won't be popping it open just yet, but we'll be sure to tell you when we do. If you really, truly want it, we'd love to trade it over, for a price."
    Jigen let go of the bottom, the paper curling up to his other hand. "Signed, the Demons of the Hour."
    "These names are getting more ludicrous."
    Lupin let go, only to push Fujiko behind him to create a physical barrier between her and Goemon. "Believe me, I agree, but you're missing the point, Goemon." Rare anger gleamed in his eyes. "We. Lost. Our. Mark."
    Goemon grimaced at the finger that jabbed his chest with each word. He wasn't so sure if he was safer with Fujiko strangling him or Lupin ripping him apart. Hey, wasn't Jigen supposed to be backing him up?!
    He looked at Jigen with wide eyes that screamed, "GET HIM OFF MY BACK." Jigen sighed and put a hand on Lupin's shoulder. "In his defense--"
    "You don't defend people," Fujiko interrupted.
    He went on, with a stronger tone. "IN HIS DEFENSE... We weren't going to bag it until tomorrow to begin with. This was bound to happen anyways."
    Lupin's glare softened. Jigen was right. His posture slumped, and he backed off as Goemon finally had a chance to stand. "I know. But it's all messy now! We have to scramble around to get that damn thing, and--"
    Goemon had moved past the others, heading for the door leading out of their little hideout.
    "Where do you think you're going?"
    "I need to clear my head. I may be gone a few days... Rest assured. The clock will end up where it needs to be."
    The door shut behind him, and the three looked at each other in confusion.
    On the other end of the door, Goemon sighed. Then, he promptly began bolting towards the mountain.

    When you answered the door, you made sure it didn't look like you were crying. It was just a silly clock. So what if it was taken? The only real tie you had left to your family beyond your aging grandfather, who's own clock was sure to stop ticking soon... What was a silly tabletop clock worth?
    Everything.
    You opened the heavy wooden door of your home to be greeted with Goemon. He looked somber, but his hard face hit the floor as he saw your red eyes. "Are--"
    "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Kushieda," you cut him off, not wanting him to draw attention to the tear streaks. You knew you'd begin crying again if he did. "I'm sorry, I have company today, so I don't think..." You weren't sure how you wanted that sentence to end.
    Saying "I don't think you should be here" felt wrong, and you knew it wasn't the truth. You could stand a shoulder to cry on right now, but after such a short time spent together, it felt too vulnerable. It'd likely only serve to embarrass you and make him uncomfortable, right?
    Wrong. He took your hand carefully, softly. You found his hands weren't much rougher than yours. Did frequent garden work and repair really match up with swordsmanship? You smiled despite yourself, only then realizing he was talking to you.
    "I know what happened. I am here to offer help."
    You blinked rapidly, trying to stifle more tears. "W-Why? You already helped me."
    He shook his head. "You are in far more dire need now."
    You couldn't turn him away with a clean conscious. He was right, you did need help, and to deny it while you'd obviously been distraught was dishonest and stupid. But HOW did you need help, after it was already gone?
    "My grandfather..."
    Goemon looked aghast. "No."
    You met his eyes with a panic. "Oh no, nothing like that! He's alive, I was going to say he's waiting for me at his house. He called me soon after he found it missing. I have to go."
    "I will accompany you."
    "You don't have to." You hoped he would regardless.
    And he did. It was a brief walk, made all the more lengthy by his steely silence and your panic. He was okay when he called, but what if something had happened in the meantime? You made your way up the stone path leading to his rickety home, not bothering knocking.
    "Grandpa?" You called, noting how the lights were all off. You worried more. "Grandpa, are you here? Please say yes." You muttered the last sentence quietly, more of a hopeful wish than anything.
    The door hit the latch behind you, and in the dim light you saw a shadow move towards Goemon.
    "Wait!" You smacked your hand against the wall, feeling for the nearest switch frantically and flipping it on. "Don't!"
    As your eyes adjusted, you made out your stout grandfather holding a knife to Goemon's neck. Goemon had unsheathed his sword, but both parties froze when you cried out and flicked the switch.
    "He's not a danger!" You quickly set your hands on your grandpa's arm, gently removing him from Goemon. "He's a friend."
    Only moderately convinced, Grandpa set Goemon free, who exhaled fiercely as the metal left his skin. "A friend carrying a heavy weapon," he grumbled.
    "It's actually quite light!" You beamed. Noticing your quip did nothing to ease the room, you switched gears. "Grandpa, are you okay?"
    He sighed, carrying a tired smile. "I've been better." The knife was placed on the table, adjusted to match it's brothers in the cutlery set. Goemon had almost been killed by nothing more than a steak knife. You gulped. You wouldn't be surprised if there was blood near the shelf where the clock always stood.
    "It just feels... wrong," Grandpa continued as they headed towards the living area. "Like it wasn't reality. I woke, and it was gone, with no trace beyond..." He scowled at a yellowed piece of parchment left on the side table by his dusty couch. "That."
    You hurriedly picked it up as Goemon lifted his hand, starting to suggest it wasn't wise to jump in. The paper was an uncomfortable texture between your fingers, but its contents proved to be far worse. Words blended together in your haste, but the general idea was clear. You weren't getting it back any time soon. Your sadness and despair melted into anger.
    "THIEVES?!" you shouted, loud enough that Goemon jumped back. Your grandfather nodded solemnly. "What would they want with a clock that doesn't work?!"
    "It was old, priceless," Grandpa reminded you, guiding you to the couch. You sat down, your fury barely quelled. "Truth be told, it was going to pay for my retirement." You looked at him dangerously. He laughed, unbothered. "I'm kidding. But it was worth a pretty penny."
    Goemon had been eerily quiet. "I... I guess I should introduce you two," you said, trying to relax. "Mr. Kushieda, this is my grandfather. Grandpa, this is Mr. Kushieda."
    "Pleased to meet you." He paused. "Sorry about that."
    Goemon coughed and straightened. "All is forgiven. If you accept it, I would like to offer my help in retrieving it."
    You gaped at him before exchanging a look with Grandpa. "Retrieving it?"
    "The clock," he said, as if it wasn't obvious.
    "Yes, I got that part," your grandfather replied. "But--" His face hardened. "Why?"
    Goemon was taken aback by the question. "P-Pardon?"
    "Why do you want to help?"
    Goemon took his eyes off of your accusing grandpa to look at you. He spoke, still keeping his eyes on you. "I want to do the right thing." Why did he look slightly melancholy about it?
    "People rarely do things without benefit for themselves." Bitter as it sounded, you knew he was right. "I don't have anything to offer."
    "I am aware."
    Grandpa eased on him. "Without reward... You're helping without any reward?" He smiled softly, setting his hands on his hips before turning to you. "Where do you find men like this?"
    You grinned at the implication you'd ever found a man like him before. "They just kind of blow onto my doorstep." Goemon huffed at that response, finally driving you to laugh. "Mr. Kushieda, do you really believe you can recover it?"
    "If you would be willing to help."
    "Of course," you said, not even taking the time to think it over. This was too important to let slip through your grasp just because you didn't want to take a trip.
    Your grandpa knew you well enough to simply shrug. "I'd offer resources, but I'm not sure what's of use. Food? Water? You know that much, at least."
    You nodded. A slow silly grin made its way onto your cheeks. "Can I borrow the steak knife?"