Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ Just Can't Say Goodbye ( Chapter 39 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine.  Lupin comes back home in time for dinner after taking Toshi home and Jigen makes a request.)

Part Thirty-Nine: Just Can't Say Goodbye

Lupin took off his jacket and threw it over the back of one of the chairs in the living room.  He stopped and sniffed the air, realizing Goemon had started cooking dinner.  He frowned, wondering where Jigen was since dinner duties usually fell to him.  He looked up the stairs and decided to check to see if he was still with Toshiko.

He climbed the stairs and walked to the end of the hall where Toshiko's room was and gently knocked on the door.  He waited a few beats then knocked again.  He didn't hear any movement so he tried the knob.  It turned but found the door wouldn't budge.  " Hey… " He called.  " Are you two okay in there? "

" We're fine, " Jigen called back.  It sounded like he had just woke up from a nap.  " We fell asleep. "

" In front of the door? " Lupin sounded puzzled.

" Yeah, " Jigen replied.

" Are you decent? " Lupin asked with a hint of teasing to his voice.

Jigen growled then said, " Of course.  You just made Toshiko blush. "

" Ooops, " Lupin chuckled.  " I'm sorry about that.  I didn't mean to embarrass you, darling.  Jigen, did you happen to notice the time? "

" Ah shit, " Jigen said.  " Babe, get up.  I need to go start dinner. "

Lupin waited until Jigen had gotten up, Toshiko out of the way and opened the door before smirking.  " Don't worry about it.  Goemon has already started cooking it. "

Jigen stood there for a moment then shot the finger at Lupin, " You could have said something before I stood up. "

" Jigen? " Toshiko asked from behind him.

He looked over his shoulder, " What? "

" Can I get out?  I really need to… " Toshiko stopped short.

" Oh yeah.  Go wash up for dinner.  I have to go do that too, " Jigen stepped aside and let the girl out.

Toshiko looked at Lupin, " Is my mom still here? "

Lupin shook his head, " No.  She said she needed to get back to your dad but she wanted me to tell you that she wants you home tomorrow.  She wants you to have a couple of days of rest before she takes you rock climbing. "

" Rock climbing? " Toshiko arched an eyebrow.  " Mom said she was going to take me rock climbing? "

Lupin nodded, " Yeah. "

" Interesting, " Toshiko muttered and dashed down the hallway.

Jigen waited until the door to the bathroom was closed when he looked at Lupin again.  " I need to ask you something. "

" Jigen, " Lupin put a hand on his friend's shoulder.  " I know you don't want her to go home but it'll just get harder if she stays. "

" I know that, " Jigen countered sharply.  " That's why I need to ask you this favor. "

Lupin furrowed his brow, " Anything.  What do you want me to do? "

**

Fujiko drummed her fingers on the table, her eyes fixed on the wall clock.  " They're late. "

" Dinner isn't finished cooking yet so it really does not matter, " Goemon muttered as he checked on the food.

" How much longer will it take then? " Lupin asked as he walked into the kitchen.  Toshiko and Jigen followed him.

Goemon looked at the clock, " I'd give it another five minutes or so. "

" Then we can have a little meeting while we're waiting, " Lupin took a seat next to Fujiko while Jigen went to the other side of the table and pulled out a chair for Toshiko.  Once she was seated, Jigen took a seat next to her.  Fujiko glared at him but he ignored it, grinning when Lupin pinched Fujiko in the arm for the glare.  She hissed in pain but said nothing.

" So, " Lupin started.  " I'd like to say that this week has been interesting to say the least.  We dispelled a myth of the underworld, Fujiko's been kidnapped and returned to us and I believe that it is safe to say that at least three of us have gained a new friend. "

" What's that supposed to mean? " Fujiko puffed up in offense.

" You really weren't around Toshiko long enough to make friends, " Lupin pointed out.

" I guess she can be my friend too, " Toshiko said.  " She did take care of me the first night I was here.  I'm really sorry we didn't get to talk much though. "

Lupin shrugged, " Okay.  The ladies win.  All four of us have gained a new friend.  The friend I speak of has made me very proud because she's grown up a lot in just a few days.  If this continues, she will be quite the lady. "

Toshiko blushed then looked at Jigen when he reached over and took her hand in his under the table so it was out of Fujiko and Goemon's sight.  " He's right you know.  It took a lot of balls to do what you did. "

Fujiko scoffed and rolled her eyes, " Could you please watch your mouth at the table? "

" Drop the Miss Manners act, " Jigen shot back.  " You are acting like such a little… "

Lupin slammed a fist down on the table, rattling the silverware and the plates, " No fighting at the dinner table!  We have a guest and you two aren't going to behave like asses! "

Jigen and Fujiko glared at each other for a second then looked away.  " As I was saying, " He said to Toshiko.  " You were very brave and you are one hell of a young woman. "

Toshiko smiled, her blush deepening a little.  " Thanks. "

Goemon walked over with the first plates of food.  " I am very proud of you as well, " He said quietly as he set them down.  " The strength it took to live in the same house with that monster cannot be measured. "

Toshiko glanced at him and found he was blushing.  She then looked down and found he was getting a good look down the front of her top because of the neckline.  She quickly pulled it back so it wasn't showing so much.  " Thank you, " She said.

" Shall we eat? " Lupin said as Goemon brought over the last of the serving dishes.

**

Toshi fluffed the pillow she had in her hands then shoved it back under Zenigata's back.  He could tell she was angry but he wasn't for sure of the reason.  He grabbed her hand as she walked away from the bed, " What's wrong? " He asked.

Toshi growled, " Nothing. "

" Obviously something happened, " Zenigata tightened his grip on her hand.  " Did Lupin try to get into your pants? "

Toshi shook her head, " No.  Toshiko saw me for all of five minutes then ran off to her room crying.  She never came back down and she was up there the entire time with that Daisuke Jigen person. "

" She was? " Zenigata arched an eyebrow.  " Maybe he was trying to talk her into coming back downstairs. "

" I don't think so, Koichi.  She came downstairs with him when I first got there.  They had been upstairs alone, " Toshi clenched her fist.  " Doesn't that sound fishy to you? "

" Look, " Zenigata said gently.  " He saved her life twice so maybe she's just hanging around him a lot.  If he did do anything to her, let me take care of it. "

Toshi narrowed her eyes, " What will you do?  Are you going to beat him to death with your crutches? "

Zenigata rolled his eyes, " No.  I'd shoot him. "

Toshi shook Zenigata's hand away from her wrist, " I figured you'd say that.  I'm going to go fix your dinner now. "

" What else happened? " Zenigata asked.  " Lupin didn't try anything funny did he? "

Toshi shook her head, " No.  He was a perfect gentleman.  He did convince me to take Toshiko rock climbing.  He said it would help us 'bond'. "

" It just might, " Zenigata shrugged.  " You could give her advice about climbing and she might be more receptive to other kinds of advice once she comfortable. "

" Lupin said the same thing, " Toshi shut her eyes.  " Koichi, I haven't climbed in almost seventeen years. "

" It's okay.  You'll remember how, " Zenigata encouraged her.  " I know you can do it. "

Toshi sighed, " I hope I can. "

**

Toshiko yawned after she finished her dinner.  Jigen looked at her, " You okay? "

" I just got really sleepy all of a sudden, " Toshiko muttered as she reached for her water glass.  She took a drink then set it back down, obviously having trouble keeping her eyes open.  " It's so weird.  I've slept so much today but I'm so sleepy now. "

Jigen stood up, " Here.  I'll help you upstairs. "

" I was hoping I could spend more time with all of you, " Toshiko glanced around the table and appeared to be having quite a time keeping her eyes focused.

Lupin stood up and walked over to her, " It's okay.  You need your rest though and that the most important thing. "

" Okay, " Toshiko said and stood up.  " Goodnight Goemon.  Goodnight Fujiko. "

Goemon furrowed his brow, " Are you feeling okay? "

" I'm just really sleepy, " Toshiko swayed a little on her feet.

" We can see that, " Fujiko glanced at Lupin.  " I hope you aren't coming down with something.  I always get inexplicably sleepy right before I get sick. "

Toshiko waved her hand clumsily, " I'm not sick.  I think its because I'm growing. "

Jigen watched as she took a step and nearly fell down.  " I'm carrying you, " He said in a tone that bode no argument.  He grabbed her shoulders, " You'll hurt yourself otherwise. "

" Thank you, " Toshiko said as Jigen scooped her up.

Lupin waited for them to clear the door before following.  He caught up to them on the stairs and it looked like Toshiko was fast asleep.  " I assume this is what you wanted, " He whispered to Jigen.

" Yeah, " Jigen nodded slowly.  " I hope you didn't give her too much. "

" It's okay.  If I did, she'll sleep until noon tomorrow.  It's hard to kill someone with what I used on her, " Lupin patted Jigen on the shoulder.  " You don't need to worry. "

" I probably still will.  Are you going to help me pack the rest of her things? " Jigen glanced at Lupin.

" Sure, " Lupin moved towards Toshiko's room.  " Besides, you have a note to write. "

Jigen followed Lupin, " Yeah.  I need to get that over with. "

Lupin opened Toshiko's door and stepped aside to let Jigen carry her in.  He put her down on the bed before sitting down at the small desk in the corner of the room.  He opened on of the drawers and took out a pen.  He found paper in another drawer and put it on the desk.  " Have I ever told you about this room? " Lupin asked as he went to work emptying the dresser Toshiko's clothes were in.

" No, " Jigen muttered.  " I have a feeling I'm going to hear the story though. "

" This was my stepmother's room before she was my stepmother, " Lupin started.  " She was just one of my nannies back then.  I called her 'mommy' though because she had been with me ever since I was a newborn practically.  She worked at the orphanage that got me after my real mother died.  She was an Irish nun if you can believe it. "

Jigen stopped scratching out his note to look at Lupin, " You never cease to amaze me.  How come she left the church? "

" My father asked her to look after me and to go with gramps if he ever showed up for me, " Lupin carried Toshiko's clothes to the bed.  " I assume this suitcase is fine. "

Jigen nodded, " Just don't look at anything.  It's her private stuff and I don't want you touching it. "

There was a long silence, only disturbed when Jigen detected the sound of one of the boxes being opened.  He swung around in the chair to find Lupin staring into the diamond box with his jaw hanging open.  " Holy shit!  Where's she get these? " He looked at Jigen.  When he saw his friend's displeased expression, he quickly snapped the box shut and shoved it back into the suitcase.

" I just love the way you listen, Lupin.  I told you not to touch her stuff, " Jigen growled.

" Jigen, " Lupin looked down into the suitcase at the other boxes.  " That's the only one, right?  These other boxes have other stuff right?  Those diamonds are really zircons, right? "

Jigen rolled his eyes as he stood up and walked to the bed, " Never mind.  I'll pack her suitcase.  I can't think of anything else to write at the moment. "

" Can I see that at least? " Lupin looked at the desk.

" Yeah.  See if you can do any better and I'll look at it, " Jigen waved his hand.  " I know how much you like writing notes for other people. "

Lupin walked over to the desk and sat down.  " 'Toshiko, I'm sorry it had to be this way but I knew I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to you.  Please don't take it the wrong way because I really do love you but this is for the best… for you and I both,' " Lupin read out loud.  He glanced over his shoulder at Jigen, " This is good stuff so far.  You really did a good job.  I didn't think you'd be good at mushy stuff like this. "

" I can't think of anything else to say to her though.  She and I have discussed it so much; I don't want to go over the reasons again.  I don't want to drill it into her head if I don't have to.  I still can't help but think she'll hate me when she wakes up in the morning, " Jigen said as he slowly put her clothes in the suitcase.  " Jesus, did Mishi have to get her this much?  I don't think it will all fit. "

" I have an extra suitcase, " Lupin said.  " I'll go get it. "

Lupin got up and left the room.  Jigen finished packing the one suitcase and shut it.  He took it off the bed before sitting down next to Toshiko.  He looked at her, feeling horrible that he had decided to go the route he had but he just didn't want to give either of them a chance to back out. 

Toshiko seemed like she was still in between about going home and he wasn't for sure if he was ready to let her go but he knew he had to.  He wasn't about to ruin her life when she could still be somebody.  He moved up the bed, took her into his arms and held her.  She felt like a rag doll because the sedative had made her limp.

" Babe, " He whispered as he rested his chin on top of her head.  " I'm really sorry I had to do this to you.  If things were different and you were just some homeless street kid you could stay but you aren't.  You've got a family and you need to go back.  Maybe someday our paths will cross again and, if things aren't any better, you can stay.  You've got to take your chances while you have them or they'll be gone forever. "

" And you said you couldn't think of anything else to say, " Lupin stood in the doorway.  He smiled gently, " You want me to write that down? "

Jigen glared at him for a moment then sighed and nodded, " Yeah.  Go ahead. "

Lupin put the suitcase down next to the other one.  He walked over to the desk and sat down, taking up the pen.  " Now how did that go?  'I'm very sorry I had to do this to you.  If things were different, you could stay here but they aren't.  You've got a good family and you need to go back to them.  If fate makes our paths cross again and things are still bad, you can stay.  You've got to take your chances while you have them or you may not get another shot.' "

" That wasn't it exactly but I like the way that sounds.  It's a little longer so it'll probably look better on paper; " Jigen let Toshiko down to the bed slowly.  He looked at her for a moment, a bittersweet smile curving his lips.  " God, she looks like such a little girl when she's asleep. "

" She still is a little girl, " Lupin said quietly.

Jigen shook his head, " Don't remind me. "

" Do you regret what you did? " Lupin asked in a serious yet gentle tone.

Jigen opened his mouth the reply but stopped.  He needed to think about it before he could answer his friend truthfully.  He shook his head, " I don't but I knew I couldn't let it happen again.  You know that's why I asked you to slip her that stuff, right? "

" I figured that was why you wanted me to do it.  If it had happened again, it would have made this a whole lot more complicated, " Lupin looked at Jigen as he finished the letter.  " Do you want to sign this? "

Jigen stood up, " Sure.  Then we have to finish packing her things then get her to the car. "

" Do you want to go with me to drop her off? " Lupin got out of the desk chair.

Jigen gave him a cold glare, " No.  This is hard enough without actually being there when you give her back. "

Lupin put his hands up, " I just wanted to make sure. "

**

Toshi was startled by the sound of someone knocking at the front door.  She looked at the clock and furrowed her brow.  " Who is coming by at eleven o'clock at night? "

Se reached into the cookie jar on the counter and pulled out the gun Zenigata kept there.  She approached the door slowly, " Who's there? "

" It's me. "

Toshi lowered the gun, " Lupin? "

" Ping pong, " Lupin replied.  " Open the door.  I have something for you. "

" What's going on? " Zenigata called from the bedroom.

" It's nothing, " Toshi called back.  " Go back to sleep. "

" Oh, I think Pops might want to see this too, " Lupin called through the door.  " Could you hurry up?  It's getting heavy. "

Toshi put the gun down on an end table and walked to the door.  She looked out through the peephole before unlocking the door as fast as she could.  " Oh my God.  What's wrong with her? " She asked as she moved to take Toshiko's lifeless body from Lupin.  " Is she okay? "

" She's just fine, " Lupin assured Toshi.  " I gave her a little something to help her sleep, that's all.  I'll carry her. "

" Did she fight you that much? " Toshi sounded frightened.

" She didn't fight at all actually.  She never knew what hit her, " Lupin carried Toshiko over to the couch and put her down.  " It really wasn't my idea.  I was going to wait until tomorrow to bring her home. "

" That's what I thought the plan was, " Toshi said as she knelt down to look at Toshiko.  " What made you change your mind? " She asked as she smoothed Toshiko's hair with her hands.

" Jigen, " Lupin pulled the blanket that was over the back of the couch down and put it over Toshiko.  He tucked it around her gently, " He thought it would be better for her to come home tonight. "

" Jigen did? " Toshi sounded surprised.

" Yeah, " Lupin reached into his jacket and pulled out a note.  " He wanted me to give you this.  I have to go get Toshiko's suitcases so feel free to read it now. "

Toshi watched as Lupin left then opened the note.  " What the hell is going on? " Zenigata asked as he hobbled out to the living room on his crutches.  He stopped when he saw Toshiko on the couch.  " Are my eyes fooling me? "

" No, " Toshi said as she read the letter.  " She's really here. "

" What's that note? " Zenigata moved closer to Toshi.

" It's from Daisuke Jigen, " Toshi muttered.  " 'Miss Takahashi, I am sorry about today.  I had hoped I could talk to you and tell you what a good daughter you have.  She has grown up a lot in the last week and will probably impress you with the confidence she's gained.  I don't think you need to worry about her trying to take her life any more because I told her that's the coward's way out and she doesn't want to be a coward.  She'll probably be a little depressed for a while though.  She really liked it here with so she's going to miss us.  Try to keep her happy and make her feel at home so she can get on with her life.  It's safe to say we'll miss her here too but we want her to have a normal life and she knows that.' "

" Wow, " Zenigata murmured.  " He wrote all that? "

" Yeah, " Lupin said as he walked back in from getting Toshiko's suitcases.  " It surprised me too. "

Zenigata turned around, " What are those? "

" They are your daughter's suitcases, " Lupin set them down next to the couch.  " Well, one is hers and the other is one of my old ones but she can have it. "

Zenigata and Toshi looked at each other then at Lupin.  " She had that much stuff with her? " Toshi asked warily.

" Thanks to a certain ramen shop waitress she has more than she came to us with. "

Zenigata furrowed his brow, " A certain ramen shop waitress? "

Lupin nodded, " Yes but I think she quit yesterday.  She and her husband have decided to move and start life over somewhere else. "

" Oh, " Zenigata slumped a little.

" Anyway, " Lupin said as he looked at first Toshiko then Toshi and finally Zenigata.  " I believe my work here is finished.  Take care of her or I just might have to steal her back, " Lupin finished with a sly wink.

" Don't you even try it, " Zenigata growled.

" Oh settle down, Koichi.  You don't have to worry, Lupin.  We'll do our best, " Toshi took a step towards Lupin.  She stood up on her tiptoes just a bit and kissed him on the cheek.  " Thanks for everything. "

Lupin grabbed one of Toshi's hands and kissed it.  " Anything for a lady. "