Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ Lupin’s Rendezvous ( Chapter 1 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin receives a mysterious letter vaguely promising romance but what he finds is something entirely different.)

Part One: Lupin's Rendezvous

Lupin looked at his watch then at the clock on the street corner before ducking back in the alley. The time set in the sweetly scented letter was approaching quickly but there was no sign of anyone in the determined meeting place. Jigen had warned him against answering the invitation but he couldn't resist a summons from a woman.

(Flashback)

" It could be a trick, " Jigen said. " It'll probably be some huge hairy guy with biceps bigger than your head that'll beat you to a bloody pulp. "

" And it could really be a woman, " Lupin replied.

" Dames are even worse. Didn't you learn anything from 'Faster Pussycat'? " Jigen countered.

" I'm starting to think your mother dropped you a lot when you were a baby, Jigen. "

Jigen growled, " Fine then. You go meet that dame but when you're in that alley with the shit beat out of you, don't call me to come get you. "

(Flashback over)

~He just needs a woman, ~ Lupin mused as he got a cigarette out of his jacket and lit it.

" Arsene Lupin III? " A sweet female voice startled Lupin. His host had slipped up behind him without him noticing and that was not an easy thing to do.

~Damn, she's good. I'd better keep my guard up, ~ Lupin thought. " Lupin will do, my dear. I however don't know your name. "

" You'll just have to wait for that, " The woman said. " Don't turn around just yet. "

" This alley is pretty dark. I wouldn't be able to see you even if I wanted to and, from the sound of your voice, I don't know how long I can wait. I hope you don't keep me in suspense too long, " Lupin said.

" I'll let you see me, " The woman purred as she pressed the muzzle of a gun to the back of Lupin's head. " You can see my face as you die. "

Lupin put his hands in the air as his cigarette fell to the ground, " Now hold on a minute. What are you doing? Can't we just talk about this before you splatter my brains all over the place? "

" I have to kill you, " The woman pushed the gun harder against Lupin's skull. She leaned into his ear, " It's the only way to get my father back. "

" So this is about a kidnapping and some thug wants you to off me in exchange for your father's release? " Lupin remained calm. A car passed by, the headlights casting light into the edge of the alley. He tried not to smile when the light glinted off a very familiar looking tie clip a few stories above him.

~I knew Jigen couldn't stay away, ~ Lupin thought. ~This is turning out way more interesting than whatever he had planned for tonight. It was probably some stupid crossword puzzle. ~

" My father hasn't been kidnapped, " The woman whispered. " He was taken away from me. "

" If he wasn't kidnapped then how could he have been taken away from you? You aren't the daughter of some bad guy that got killed because of his own stupidity and greed, are you? " Lupin looked around the alley to see if there was another familiar form or two lurking in the shadows.

" No. My father is alive, " The woman replied. " You know him very well. "

Lupin started to think of everyone he knew. His eyes went wide, " Are you Jigen's daughter? I didn't think he had any kids… "

" Try again. "

" You couldn't be Goemon's. He would have had to have you when he was fourteen or fifteen and then you'd probably only be… " Lupin yelped in pain as the woman jabbed the gun into the back of his head. " That smarts! "

" That's not it either. "

" Fujiko's long lost little sister? No, wait. You said your father so Fujiko's not involved this time, " Lupin scrambled through all of his other associations.

" Since you don't seem to know, " The woman grabbed Lupin by the shoulder and turned him to face her. A thin shaft of light poured through the tangle of fire escapes and illuminated her face. She looked like an actress named Tura Santana but she also possessed some very familiar facial features that reminded him of someone he knew rather well.

" Holy shit! " Lupin gasped. " You look like Pops! "

" Yes. I look like my Pops, " The woman shoved the gun under Lupin's nose.

" I heard that Zenigata had a kid, " Lupin started.

" Yes. I'm Koichi Zenigata's daughter and you're the reason I had to grow up without a father! " She snarled. " My name is Toshiko. "

" It's not my fault he decided to run all over kingdom come with his nose up my ass, " Lupin growled. " Why don't you take this matter up with him? "

" I can never find him, " Toshiko's hand started shaking. " But, if I kill you, he won't chase you anymore and I can see him again. "

" Now wait a minute. Killing me won't solve anything, " Lupin said.

" Shut up! All you have to do is stand there and let me shoot you. Stop talking! "

Lupin swallowed hard as Toshiko's finger tightened on the trigger, ducking down as she fired. Counter fire came from the building where Lupin had sensed Jigen, the bullet knocking the gun from Toshiko's hand. A moment later, someone fell from the fire escape above Lupin and pushed Toshiko back a few feet. " I don't like to use my sword on women… please don't force me to. "

Lupin felt like passing out from the adrenaline rushing through his veins. He was also lightheaded with relief that both Goemon and Jigen had saved him once again. He could have handled Toshiko on his own but they were a big help. He heard Jigen jumping down from his perch, his closest friend appearing next to him within seconds.

" I told you dames were nothing but trouble, " Jigen took the cigarette he was smoking out of his lips and shoved it in between Lupin's. " You probably need this right about now. "

Lupin took a drag and exhaled, " Yeah. Thanks. "

Toshiko looked at the three men before her, her eyes wide with bewilderment. She let out an anguished cry and put her hands over her face. In the dim light, they could see she was shaking as her sobs echoed off the walls around them. Lupin nudged Goemon out of the way and wrapped his arms around the young woman.

" Shhh, " He whispered as Goemon and Jigen stared in shock. " Everything will be okay, Toshiko. "

" Damn it, Lupin. What if she's tricking you? " Jigen took a step towards Lupin.

" No. Lupin has her arms pinned. She can't do anything like that, " Goemon said. He arched an eyebrow as the faint sound of sirens reached his ears.

Jigen heard the sirens too. " Hey, Lupin. We'd better go. I think we're about to have a family reunion. "

Lupin let go of Toshiko. " Killing me won't get you anywhere, understand? You have to make up with your father on your own terms. "

" Lupin, " Jigen growled. " They're going to catch us. "

Lupin brushed Toshiko's bangs away from her forehead and kissed her brow lightly. " Good luck, " He whispered. He looked at Jigen and Goemon, " Let's get going. "

Goemon and Jigen nodded before starting down the alley. Lupin tried to follow but Toshiko grabbed his arm. " Take me with you, " She whispered.

Lupin blinked in surprise, " Toshiko… "

" Take me with you. I don't think I'm ready to face my father, " Toshiko's grip tightened on Lupin's arm.

" Lupin! Hurry up! " Jigen shouted.

Lupin sighed, " Okay. You can come along only if you promise not to kill me. Goemon won't like it very much if you do. "

" Is he your boyfriend or something? " Toshiko asked seriously.

" No. He vowed a long time ago that if I am to be killed, he is the one who'll do it. Now, come on! " Lupin grabbed Toshiko by the hand as the flashing lights of the police cars illuminated the walls of the alley.

" Where'd you park the car Lupin? " Jigen said as Lupin fell into step with him. He glanced over and his frown deepened. " Lupin… "

" It's a little further down, " Lupin moved ahead of Jigen. Toshiko looked like she wasn't having a problem keeping up but she seemed like she was just letting Lupin guide her.

" The girl, " Jigen growled.

" There's plenty of room for her, " Lupin replied. " You'll just have to ride on the back with Goemon. "

" Fucking great, " Jigen muttered as the car came into view. " I sure hope you know what you're doing because I don't. "