Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ The Reunion, Step Two ( Chapter 37 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine. Toshi leaves with Goemon and Lupin.)

Part Thirty-Seven: The Reunion, Step Two

Zenigata watched Toshi get dressed. Lupin had called at and said he'd be there shortly so Toshi had rushed to get dressed. He was frowning because she had dressed up in a very nice suit and spent forever on her hair and make up. She seemed rather excited over seeing Toshiko and he was happy for her but couldn't help to think that his ex-wife was excited over seeing Lupin again.

She was checking her hair for the third time when there was a knock on the door. " I'll be right there! " She called out then turned to Zenigata. " How do I look Koichi? "

" You look great, " Zenigata smiled. " You're really energetic this afternoon. "

Toshi walked over to the bed and tapped her index finger on the tip of Zenigata's nose, " Of course I am! I thought I'd never see Toshiko again. "

There was another knock at the door then Lupin called out, " If you don't open this door by the time I count to five I'm picking the lock. "

Toshi glanced towards the door then looked at Zenigata again. " I'll be back later. Do you have everything you need? "

Zenigata shook his head, " No. "

" What did I forget? " Toshi arched an eyebrow. " You've got your crutches, I fixed you're lunch and dinner is in the refrigerator in case I don't get back by then. "

" I don't have a goodbye kiss from you yet, " Zenigata smirked.

Toshi rolled her eyes, " How could I forget? "

Zenigata's smiled as Toshi leaned down to him and kissed him on the cheek. She had slept in his bed the night before because she was still shaken up over the events that had occurred but it didn't go anywhere. He wondered if they could start over and contemplated kissing her on the lips. " Can I have another one? " He asked with a flirtatious smile once she pulled away.

Toshi rolled her eyes, " Koichi… "

Zenigata didn't give her a chance to protest, pulling her to him and taking her lips in his just as the front door swung open. Lupin whistled causing Toshi to blush as she quickly pulled away and Zenigata got angry. " Lupin! " He growled.

" Hey now, " Lupin put a hand up. " I wouldn't have picked the lock if I had known you were getting your charm on Pops. I didn't mean to interrupt. Would you two like to finish? "

Toshi stepped back, " No. We're done. "

Zenigata grumbled then glared at Lupin, " Where's Goemon? "

" He's waiting downstairs in the car, " Lupin replied.

Zenigata narrowed his eyes when he noticed Lupin had one hand hidden behind his back. " What are you hiding? "

Lupin looked at Toshi, " I didn't feel it was appropriate to give these to Toshi after what I saw when I opened the door but if you must know… " Lupin pulled out a dozen dark red roses from behind his back.

Toshi took a step towards Lupin, " Are those really for me? "

" Yes. It's a special breed my Grandfather perfected in his old age. They only grow on my estate, " He gave Toshi a wink. " He perfected them around the time I came along and named them after me. "

" So they're called a Lupin The Third Rose? " Toshi asked as Lupin handed them to her.

" Yes, " Lupin nodded.

Zenigata's frowned deepened, " You better behave around her. "

" I will, " Lupin said. " Now, shall we go? "

Toshi nodded, " Can I put these in some water first? "

" Sure, " Lupin shrugged.

Toshi looked for a second before she grabbed up a deep cooking pot from the dish drainer. She filled it with water and stuck the roses down in it. " I guess that will have to do. "

" Indeed, " Lupin said as he put arm out for Toshi to take it.

" Have her home by a decent time or I'll come looking for you! " Zenigata shouted as they walked out the door.

" Whatever Pops! " Lupin called back as he slammed the door behind them.

**

Goemon looked up when he heard Lupin talking to Toshi as they walked out of the apartment building and moved to his regular seat on the back of The Benz. When Toshi and Lupin came around the corner, she gasped. " Oh my goodness! Is that really a Benz SSK? "

Lupin smirked, " Yes. Only thirty-seven were even made by Mercedes-Benz when the blueprints 'mysteriously' vanished. I forgot what excuse they used for the public but the real truth was that my grandpa liked the car so much; he wanted the plans for himself. This is the one he had built for himself after the plans were stolen. "

Toshi looked at Lupin, " Weren't the parts for the thirty eighth stolen along with the plans? "

" Ooooh, " Lupin was surprised. " You've really done your homework. "

Toshi blushed a little, " In my spare time, I like to study vintage automobiles. I had always heard rumors that a thirty-eighth SSK existed but thought it was just a story. "

" It's not just a story. It's quite a durable car " Lupin smirked. He then smiled at Toshi, " Of course, a lot of the durability depends on the handling. "

" Then you must handle her pretty well, " Toshi gave him a sideways glance. She blushed when Lupin gave her a flirtatious wink.

Goemon cleared his throat and Lupin glared at him. " We should be leaving soon. She can learn more about the car at the house. "

Lupin growled, " Spoil sport. "

Toshi looked at Goemon, " Will he be okay back there? He's not even in a seat. "

Lupin laughed, " Toshiko asked the same question. He's perfectly fine there. There have been times when Fujiko's had to ride back there with him. "

" Oh dear, " Toshi's eyes went wide. " Wasn't there a four-seat model though? "

" Yes but that car is in the shop, " Lupin said.

" Yes, " Goemon muttered. " It is being rebuilt from the ground up once again. I believe it is cursed somehow. "

Toshi furrowed her brow, " Cursed? "

" Let's just say my luck with that car has been less than favorable, " Lupin chuckled.

Toshi looked at the front seat, " I'm sure we could all sit together. I don't take up that much room… "

" It's perfectly safe for Goemon the ride there, " Lupin said.

Goemon cleared his throat again, " She does have a point. I could sit sideways. "

Lupin glared at him, " Shush you. You're safe. "

" Your definition of 'safe' lacks integrity, " Goemon murmured. " Shall I remind you of what happened a month ago? "

" Shall I remind you it was the fault of that damn raccoon dog? " Lupin countered. " I had to swerve to avoid it. Besides, you fell into some bushes. "

" Then I rolled down the embankment and into the river below, " Goemon said evenly.

" I don't see why you're complaining. You weren't seriously hurt, " Lupin threw his hands up in the air. " It would have been different if that hadn't happened and you would have had more than a few scratches and bruises. "

Goemon snorted derisively, " Would you please just get in? "

Lupin rolled his eyes, " What's wrong? Did you leave ramen on the stove and are scared it'll burn? "

Goemon reached for Zantetsuken as he narrowed his eyes to tiny slits, " I dare you to continue taunting me. "

Lupin put his hands up, " You win. "

Toshi got in on the passenger side and Lupin got in on the drivers side. She was startled when he put a blindfold over her eyes. " What are you doing? " She asked as she reached for the cloth.

" Leave it alone. It's just a precaution I need to take. "

" Do you think I would tell where your house is after you've done so much for my daughter? " Toshi asked.

" Please don't feel insulted but yes. "

" Oh, " Toshi said and felt for her seatbelt. " Well then. I will tolerate this even though I had no plans whatsoever of revealing your location. "

" A man's go to do what a man's got to do, " Lupin said and patted her shoulder.

" I will make sure he does not do anything to harm you, " Goemon intoned in a way that told Lupin to keep his hands to himself.

" You never let me have any fun, " Lupin muttered as he pouted. He then started the car and put it in gear, " Here we go. "

**

Jigen stared down at Toshiko as she slept in his arms. After she had told him that she wanted to stay because of him, she told him that she loved him. He had been taken aback by her confession even though he had expected it. He just wasn't for sure when she'd actually say it.

(Flashback)

" How can you say that? " Jigen said slowly. " We haven't even known each other for a week yet. "

" I just do. "

Jigen shook his head, " Babe… wait a bit before deciding that. You're emotions are all out of whack because of what we did. "

" You don't think I know that I'm love? " Toshiko asked defensively.

" Do you even know what love is? " Jigen countered.

Toshiko froze, unable to answer. Finally, she shook her head, " But I know what I'm feeling is love. "

" How can you? " Jigen tilted his fedora back on his head so he could look at her better.

" I don't know, " Toshiko shut her eyes.

Jigen sighed, " Babe… You may not think so now but sending you home is the best thing I can do for you. The thought of you leaving is killing me but it would be selfish if I kept you here. "

" If it's killing you then why are you doing it? " Toshiko asked.

" Because… " Jigen stopped then took a deep breath. " It's because I love you too. "

Toshiko's eyes flew open, " What? "

Jigen looked her in the eyes, " I'm letting you go because I love you. "

Toshiko grabbed his shirt, " I don't want to leave if it's going to hurt you. "

" It may hurt me to do it but it would hurt me even more if your life became a bigger mess than it already is. I want the best for you and I can't give it to you… not right now anyway. "

" What do you think is best for me? " Toshiko pleaded with her eyes.

Jigen sighed, " I think a normal life would be good for you. You still have a chance to have one and I don't want you to blow it. I never had the inkling of an opportunity to have what you have waiting for you if you just tough it out for a few more years. You're already way ahead of me. "

" How? " Toshiko furrowed her brow.

" I was neck deep in all kinds of trouble by the time I was your age and all you have to worry about is therapy and your probation officer. Like I said earlier, I grew up thinking crime was a standard way of life. I couldn't survive in a real normal life even if I had an instruction manual. "

" But my life isn't normal, " Toshiko started but Jigen cut her off.

" It's a lot more normal than mine ever was. You haven't messed up so much that you can't change where you're going, " Jigen explained. " Look, I thought we already cleared it up that your life has been a cakewalk compared to mine. "

Toshiko bit her lip then looked away. " Goemon says that the past really doesn't matter and all I should focus on is the future. "

" He's right and you need to focus on a future that will mean the best for you, " Jigen put a hand on her cheek. " If you stay with us, you won't get that. "

" But this is the only place I've ever really felt like I fit in, " Toshiko said quietly.

" Then you need to work on fitting in somewhere else, " Jigen stroked her cheek with his thumb. " You need to try to be more outgoing. You're really shy and you need to overcome that. "

" Tell me how… " Toshiko put a hand over his.

Jigen took her by the hand, " Let's go sit down and I'll try to tell you. "

(Flashback Over)

Jigen had tried his best to tell her how to be less withdrawn although he really wasn't Mr. Congeniality. They talked for a long time before she settled down and fell asleep. He wondered if there was something wrong with her because she slept so much then he remembered she was still growing. He felt his stomach knot, the fact that she was still young bubbling up from the back of his mind.

~She's still such a little girl, ~ He thought as he looked into her sleeping face. She looked so angelic and innocent though he had stripped her purity away. Even though she had requested it, he still felt like he could have talked his way out of it. All he could think of was the next stage, the stage that always came after he thought he was in love with someone.

He frowned, recalling how things would go just fine for a while then it would all get shot to hell. It had happened with Maria and it had happened with Theresa as well as a handful of other women he thought he loved. He didn't care to remember their names for they started acting like Theresa and he bailed before they could screw him over. ~Maybe she won't turn on me, ~ He leaned forward a little and kissed Toshiko's forehead.

She twitched a little and sleepily brought her hand up to brush the spot where his beard had tickled her. The action made Jigen smile just slightly as she cuddled closer. He decided to give up and take a nap as well; sure it would be one of the last times he would hold her. He hoped her mother wouldn't want to take her away when she came to see her. He wanted just a little more time because he was pretty sure they would never cross paths again.

" Jigen? " Fujiko called through the door just as he started to doze off.

He growled quietly, slipping his arms from around Toshiko before getting off the bed and walking to the door. He cracked it open just a little, " What is it? We're trying to sleep. "

" We're? " Fujiko arched an eyebrow. " I guess that explains where Toshiko is then. "

Jigen's frowned deepened, " Look. Tell me why you're bothering me or I'm going to shut this door. "

" Come out here, " Fujiko said. " It's something we need to talk about away from her. "

" If you're still hung up on the fact that I'm paying attention to her then forget it, " Jigen said firmly. " She's probably going home soon and then you won't have anything to worry about. "

" I know she's going home but it isn't about that, " Fujiko reached into her tank top and pulled out a ten-carat diamond. " It's about this. "

Jigen's eyes went wide, " Where in the hell did you get that? "

" I'll show you. Come on, " Fujiko urged.

Jigen glanced over his shoulder to make sure Toshiko was still sleeping then slipped out into the hallway. " Show me. "

" Follow me, " Fujiko motioned for him to do so as she walked down the hall towards Toshiko's room.

Jigen furrowed his brow as he followed, " Did Lupin leave some loot in there or something? "

Fujiko shook her head, " I came up here to find Toshiko to apologize for not being nicer to her… "

" You were going to apologize to someone? " Jigen stopped in his tracks. " Is the end of the world coming? "

" Very funny, " Fujiko rolled her eyes. " Anyway, I came up her to apologize to her and found her suitcase on the floor. Her things had fallen out so I was picking them up when I found the diamond. "

" You were snooping around in her things, " Jigen pointed at her. " Can't you keep your thieving mitts off of anything? "

" I wasn't snooping! " Fujiko pointed at Jigen. " Her suitcase looked like it had been flung and the stuff in it fell out. "

Jigen opened his mouth to say something then recalled he had shoved her suitcase from the bed. " Oh yeah. I think it was. "

" Just come on, " Fujiko started walking again. " You have to see this to believe it. "

Jigen followed Fujiko to Toshiko's room and found she had lined up the boxes that he had retrieved from the apartment. There had been six boxes, each a different color. At the time, he didn't understand why she only asked for him to get them but it was becoming clear. Fujiko picked up the silver one and handed it to Jigen. " Look inside. "

Jigen hesitantly lifted the lid on the box, finding it was filled with loose diamonds of varying shapes and sizes. " Damn, " He muttered. " There has to be at least fifty thousand dollars worth of rocks here. "

" How do you think she came to get all of this? " Fujiko made a sweeping motion with her hand, " And everything that's in those boxes as well? "

Jigen shut the box, " Maybe it's better not to ask. "

Fujiko arched an eyebrow, " The girl has boxes full of expensive gems and you say it's better not to ask? "

Jigen nodded, " Yes. "

" You know something about her that you've been keeping from the rest of us, " Fujiko narrowed her eyes.

" I don't know anything, " Jigen narrowed his eyes in return. He knew Toshiko had been trying her hand at being a thief but he didn't know she was a jewel thief or so it seemed. He considered the sheer volume of gemstones and realized she was a lot higher level than he thought.

" Well this is just too weird, " Fujiko put her hands on her hips. " I'll have to ask her about it. "

Jigen growled, " Don't you dare. I'll talk to her about it. "

" Oh, " Fujiko flounced over to the bed. " I forgot. You're her trusted confidant and best friend so she'll tell you the truth about everything. "

" Damn straight, " Jigen replied.

Fujiko sat down on the bed, " What in the world have you done to that girl? "

" I haven't done anything to her, " Jigen said sharply. " She came to me because she thought she could talk me and trust me. "

" How do you figure? " Fujiko crossed her arms under her breasts, shoving them dangerously close to the neckline of her tank top. " The story I heard was you climbed that tree to get her and she adhered to you like glue. "

" It was her decision for her to stick with me though, " Jigen pointed out. " I just let her do it. I didn't think there'd be any harm in it. "

Fujiko nodded once, " I see. Can I ask you something? "

" Fujiko… " Jigen shut his eyes.

" What really happened last night? I noticed how agitated Toshiko was when I asked her how it went and it made me suspicious, " Fujiko arched an eyebrow. " I got the feeling she was lying to me. "

" She's too nice to tell you it was none of your business, " Jigen opened his eyes so they were narrowed. " I'm not that nice though. What is your problem anyway? "

" You know what my problem is, " Fujiko narrowed her eyes at him.

" You go out with guys that are twice your age all the time, " Jigen stated.

Fujiko sneered, " Only because I want something they have. I don't know what you could possibly have that would attract her. "

" Maybe she's attracted to me because she likes me for who I am and not for money. I know that's an alien concept to you… " Jigen gave Fujiko an icy glare. He scoffed, " I don't even think you remember what it's like to like someone for who they are and not what they are worth. "

Fujiko rolled her eyes, " I can't possibly think of what you've got that would attract anyone to you. You're rude, you smoke too much and you're even more detestable when you're drunk. "

Jigen took a step back towards the door; " I guess there's no getting through to you so I'll leave. "

" We aren't finished here Jigen. I want to know why she has all of these jewels if she's just some runaway kid. "

Jigen turned on his heel and left the room, heading back for his as he heard Fujiko launch into an indecorous tirade of curses and name-calling. He totally ignored Fujiko though. He knew he had more important things to worry about. He reached his room and was about to open the door when he heard the front door open. He cut his eyes towards the stairs when he heard Lupin sounding unusually cheerful.

" Yes, I can handle her well on the curves. My gramps made sure that was one perfect machine, " Lupin boasted.

Jigen then heard Goemon clear his throat. " I will be going to the kitchen to get some ice for my knee now. "

" You do that. Next time, don't try to climb back up the trunk right as we go over a bump in the road, " Lupin replied.

Goemon growled, " You did that on purpose. "

" May I take the blindfold off now? " A woman's voice interjected, halting Lupin and Goemon's conversation.

" Oh! " Lupin gasped. " I totally forgot. Here, Toshi. Let me do it. "

~Toshi? ~ Jigen felt a shiver run down his back as Fujiko walked up behind him.

" What's wrong with you now? " Fujiko hissed.

" Toshiko's mother is here, " Jigen's eyes were fixed on the stairs.

" Jigen! " Lupin shouted from the first floor. " Come downstairs. I have someone you need to meet. "

Fujiko patted Jigen on the shoulder as his mouth went dry and felt like the floor was falling out from under him. " Good luck and I hope you haven't done anything to Toshiko. Her mother nearly ripped Lupin into pieces last night just for taking care of her. "

Jigen glanced at Fujiko, " Fuck off. "

Fujiko was about to reply when Lupin appeared on the stairs. He took a look at Jigen and frowned, " You okay? "

Jigen looked down, " Yeah. I'm fine. Fujiko and I were discussing something. "

" Yeah. We were discussing something big, " Fujiko said smoothly.

Lupin arched an eyebrow, " Really now? "

Fujiko nodded but Jigen gave her a warning glare. She moved her mouth like a fish out of water for a few moments then shook her head, " Oh never mind. "

Lupin nodded, " Right. Anyway, where's Toshiko? "

Jigen pointed at his room, " She's sleeping. She was tired after everything that's happened the last couple of days. "

" I bet, " Fujiko said sarcastically.

Lupin narrowed his eyes at Fujiko, " What did I tell you? "

Fujiko rolled her eyes, " Not to bother him for a few days. "

" I meant it too. Now, if you can't do that I can make sure you stay busy and don't have time to pick at him, " Lupin sounded seriously disappointed. His voice took on a suggestive tone; " I have plenty of ways to keep you busy… especially that pouty little mouth of yours. "

Fujiko balled up her fists, " Lupin! "

Jigen growled, " Please save that flirting shit for when you two are alone. It turns my stomach. "

" Lupin? Is everything okay? " Toshi called politely up the stairs. " I would like to see my daughter. "

Lupin turned to call to her, " I know. She's napping right now but I'll make sure she comes down in a few minutes. "

" Okay, " Toshi replied. " But I'm giving you five minutes to produce her or I'm coming up there. "

Jigen arched an eyebrow, " Shit. She's a little demanding. "

" She's really a sweetie though. Go get your jacket on and get Toshiko. I'll take Fujiko, " Lupin grabbed the redhead by the arm. " Let's go. "

Jigen watched as Lupin took Fujiko down the stairs with him before going into his room. Toshiko was still asleep and it broke his heart to wake her. He sat down on the edge of the bed then reached over to gently shake her awake. " Babe… " He whispered.

" Hmmm? " Toshiko murmured as she started to stir.

" Your mother is here, " Jigen stroked the side of her face with the back of his fingers.

Toshiko's eyes opened wide, " Already? "

Jigen nodded solemnly, " Yeah. You ready to go see her? "

" Are you coming with me? " Toshiko asked hopefully.

Jigen looked away, " Only if you want me to. "

" I do, " Toshiko sat up slowly.

" Then I'll be there for you, " Jigen smiled. He didn't want to tell her that he needed her there for him just as much as she needed him. He was anxious about meeting Toshiko's mother and recalled the beating he had gotten when he had met Maria's.

Toshiko put a hand on Jigen's wrist, " I'm going to freshen up first. Wait for me please. "

" Of course I will, " Jigen leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.

**

Toshi tapped her fingers on the couch impatiently while Lupin fixed her a drink at the mini-bar. " Where are they? " She looked at Lupin with a glare that conveyed her suspicions were rising since her daughter had not yet made an entrance.

" I don't know, " Lupin said nervously. " I asked Jigen to bring her down a bit ago, didn't I? "

Toshi nodded slowly, " It's been fifteen minutes at least. "

" Maybe she needed to shower, " Lupin realized he shouldn't have said it after he did. He quickly backtracked, " Wait. She did that in Yokohama. Maybe she needed to change into something nice for you. "

" Then where's Jigen? " Toshi arched an eyebrow. " You said she was in his room sleeping. Why? "

Lupin walked over with Toshi's drink and one for Fujiko, " Err… I didn't want her to left alone for any length of time so I asked him to watch over her. She was only alone for ten minutes or so when we decided to climb out her window and up that tree. "

" Then why didn't you have Fujiko watch after her? " Toshi glanced at the woman.

" I was indisposed or I would have looked after her, " Fujiko said as took her drink from Lupin when he offered it to her. He had told her to stay put in the over-stuffed chair and keep her editorial comments to herself. He sat down on the arm of the chair and slipped an arm around her shoulders but she quickly shrugged it off.

" Indisposed? " Toshi arched an eyebrow. She gave Lupin a glance that let him know his affectionate action had not gone unnoticed.

" She was kidnapped by your husband's underling, " Goemon limped out of the kitchen, a bag of ice in his hand.

Toshi gasped, " Oh no. You mean the man that shot Koichi kidnapped you? "

Fujiko nodded as she shrugged Lupin's hand off her shoulder again, " Yes. Let's just leave it at that. I'm still a little shaken up. "

" I see, " Toshi nodded.

Goemon frowned deeply after he sat down on the floor. He put the ice on his knee as he glanced around the room again, " Where are Toshiko and Jigen? "

" They're still upstairs, " Lupin got off the arm of Fujiko's chair and sat down next to Toshi. " I guess she needed to freshen up. "

" And what is your excuse for Jigen's absence? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Um, " Lupin stuttered. " He's probably having a cigarette upstairs to be polite. "

Fujiko scoffed, " Polite. That's a good one. "

Goemon narrowed his eyes at Fujiko, " His manners are better than yours at times. "

" Yeah right, " Fujiko rolled her eyes.

" He's right you know, " Jigen's voice startled everyone. " Can you please behave in front of our guests? "

They turned to find him and Toshiko about halfway down the stairs. He had put on his jacket over his shirt, slacks and tie. Toshiko had changed out of her plain black sweater and jeans she had been wearing and now wore a very pretty black and red top with bell sleeves over a pair of new blue jeans. Toshi stared at her for long moment as she started to tremble.

Toshiko looked at her for a moment then to the floor, " Um. Hi mom. "

Toshi scrambled over the back of the couch and shot over to the stairs. She grabbed Toshiko up in a huge hug and kissed her face as she cried. " My baby… my baby. I was so scared, " She sobbed.

Jigen stared at Toshi, shocked at how much Toshiko looked like her mother. In fact, he wondered just how Zenigata had landed such a fox. He could see where the girl had gotten some of her more attractive traits and just which features she had gotten from her father.

Toshi noticed he was staring and narrowed her eyes, " Are you Daisuke Jigen? "

" Last time I checked, " Jigen replied.

" I see, " Toshi gave him a dirty look then pulled back from Toshiko to look her in the face. " Are you okay? " She asked.

" She's just fine. We've taken very good care of her, " Jigen said.

" I wasn't asking you, " Toshi said sharply. Her tone made Jigen take a step backwards.

Toshiko nodded, " They've been so wonderful to me. Mom, please don't be mad at them. "

" I'm not mad at them honey. Lupin explained the situation to me, " Toshi said quietly. Her expression became serious, " How did you get a gun? "

Toshiko looked at the floor, " It wasn't real. It was a starter pistol… I found. "

" Where? " Toshi asked sharply.

" Somewhere, " Toshiko startled slightly when Jigen placed his hand on her shoulder.

" It was nothing to be worried about, " He looked Toshi in the eye. " It was basically a cap gun. The worst she could have done was made Lupin deaf for a few days. "

" Nobody asked you, " Toshi said evenly as she pushed Jigen's hand off of Toshiko's shoulder. " I don't want my baby touching any kind of gun. "

Jigen's expression was hard to make out as he stared back at the woman. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she had something against him but he couldn't tell what. " I see. I just didn't want you to worry. "

Toshi narrowed her eyes, " Then I should have been told where she was sooner. "

" We couldn't have, " Jigen countered. " Or have you forgotten your husband had a contract out on her? "

" I could have kept her safe, " Toshi hissed.

" Yeah right, " Jigen narrowed his eyes. " You can say that now but you don't understand just how much danger she was in the other day when she was nearly shot. "

" You act like she wasn't in danger hanging around with you, " Toshi stepped around Toshiko so she could get right in Jigen's face. " Who had the stupid idea to let her even been out that day knowing she was in danger? "

" I thought maybe she'd like to see her friggin' father. Is that such a bad thing? " Jigen growled. " She was worried about him because he was shot. "

" Then what was your reasoning behind taking her to Yokohama? " Toshi clenched her fists at her sides. " I'd love to hear your logic on that. "

" Mom, " Toshiko spoke up. Her voice was trembling and she looked like she was going to cry. " Please don't fight with Jigen. He saved my life. Isn't that good enough for you? "

" I want to know what he was thinking when he decided it was a good move to take you to Yokohama though, " Toshi said. " It baffles me why he would think taking you out of town was such a good idea. "

Lupin stood up. Fujiko, Goemon and him had been watching the argument but he felt he needed to step in. He cleared his throat to get her Toshi's attention then said, " That was my idea actually. He was against it. "

" Obviously not, " Toshi turned her glare on Lupin. She returned it to Jigen, " Goemon warned Koichi and I about you. You better not have taken advantage of my daughter or I'll make you very sorry. "

" He said he didn't mean it, " Lupin moved closer.

" Stay out of this, " Jigen gave Lupin a warning glare. He then shifted his focus to Goemon, " Remind me to kick your ass later. "

Goemon stood up, " I am going outside. I have already discussed this matter with Toshi and apologized for it. "

Toshiko looked at Goemon, " Did you really tell my mom and dad Jigen would do that? "

Goemon took a sharp breath before muttering, " Yes. Please forgive me. "

Toshiko glared at him, " How could you? " She whispered. " I thought you were my friend. "

" I… " Goemon started.

" How could you? " Toshiko asked.

Goemon looked at the floor, " It was said out of spite. I am very sorry. "

Toshiko took a step back as tears started running down her face. " I hate you, " She whispered then ran upstairs. The slam of her bedroom door followed soon afterwards.

Jigen looked at Fujiko, " I sure hope you re-packed her suitcase or she's going to hate you too. "

Lupin turned to Fujiko, " Please tell me you didn't go through her stuff. "

" I didn't, " Fujiko put her hands up. " Her suitcase was in the floor and of course I re-packed it, " She glared at Jigen.

Jigen returned the glare but remained silent. He wasn't about to mention the jewels in front of Toshiko's mother. Goemon was still standing in the living room, obviously shocked at Toshiko's words. Jigen looked at him, " Weren't you going somewhere? "

" I suppose I shall since I am not needed here, " Goemon muttered and walked to the sliding glass door. He glanced over his shoulder, " When Toshiko comes back downstairs, tell her I will do anything to make it up to her. "

" Well I'm going up there, " Jigen turned towards the stairs. " I don't want to give her the chance to climb out the window again. "

Toshi grabbed him by the arm, " You're not going up there. I don't want you around my daughter. "

Jigen shook her off, " I'm the only person she doesn't hate right now… I hope. "

Lupin watched as Jigen walked up the stairs then looked at Toshi. " I'm sorry this didn't go well. Maybe after everything calms down… "

" If they calm down, " Toshi said as she shook her head. " I just hope Toshiko doesn't go out the window like he said. "

Lupin put a hand on Toshi's shoulder, " It won't happen. "

Toshi arched an eyebrow, " What makes you say that? "

Lupin smiled gently, " I nailed it shut after the tree incident. "

" Then she will feel really at home now, " Toshi said with a strained laugh.

Lupin furrowed his brow, " Oh really? "

Toshi nodded, " Yes. Ryousuke nailed every window in the house shut shortly after we were married. "

Lupin glanced at Fujiko then returned his attention to Toshi. " Say, would you like another drink? There's a lot of stuff I'd like to talk about with you. "

Toshi thought it over then sighed, " I guess. We'll be here for a while. "

" Goemon, " Lupin looked towards where the samurai had been standing but found he had left.