First off, let me just say I haven't read this thing in some time, so it might be completely retarded, I don't know. xD But I figured I'd put it here as a comparison of sorts and since this was my first Lupin fanfic.
This was written in 2004-2005 during a really shitty time in my life, and so this story came out really angry and crap. I just remember Jigen being way too angry and I think Zenigata is, too. And the stupid cop character I threw in...
Gosh, these chapters are long.... Anyway, this thing has lots of language and one mild sex scene, I think. And death. Fun stuff like that. So, if you still want to read this, enjoy. Or laugh? I really don't want to read this again to find out how bad it might be. xD Although I could be surprised and find it's actually good. Hmm...
Whoa, dumb title names.... I was thinking of reading these and then putting my thoughts at the end, but I don't know if people would want to read them or if it'd be too much. Interested? Let me know. xD
Chapter One - Hot Ice
The morning had started out like the usual winter morning, cold and damp. Inspector Zenigata walked down the sidewalk from his parked car. As he reached the steps of the police station he stopped, dreading to start his day like he has all of the others. The memory of last weeks botched arrest still nagged at him. He looked up at the station doors and, dragging his feet, made his way up the stairs and inside. He opened the door to his office and entered, closing the door behind him. He removed his coat, tossing it over the back of the couch and set his hat down on his desk.
"Damn punk ass kids," he mumbled as he walked around the desk and sat down. "I can't even arrest them." The phone rang and he picked it up. "Hello," he said with an angry tone. "Yeah, I have the paperwork." He paused and rubbed his eyes with his hand as he listened. "No, I haven't filled it out, yet." He looked up and sighed, rolling his eyes. "I'll get to it as soon as you quit wasting my time with this dumbass conversation!" He slammed the phone down and sat as his desk, staring down at the long overdue paperwork that piled on top of it.
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Across town in an old apartment building, Lupin, Jigen, Goemon and Fujiko sat around and planned out their next heist. Lupin sighed as he ran his index finger around the rim of an empty glass. "Anything of interest, lately?" he asked the others.
"I got a tip," Fujiko said as she smiled at Lupin. "It'll cost you, though."
Lupin looked at her and then at the others. "Anyone else?"
Fujiko glared at Lupin. "Oh, okay. So, you don't want my help. I see how it is."
"No, I'd love your help. It's just that whenever I listen to you I get in a shitload of trouble." He looked up at her and smiled.
Jigen pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. "I've got nothing." He lit it and looked over at Goemon. "What about you?"
Goemon sat on the floor, his eyes closed and his sword laying next to him. He shook his head. "Nothing of interest."
Lupin sighed and looked over at Fujiko. "Fine. What's the tip?"
"You serious, man?" Jigen asked. "The last time you listened to her we almost got killed."
"Yeah, I know that." Lupin closed his eyes, trying to stay calm. "You got any better ideas?"
"This is bullshit." Jigen looked over at a smirking Fujiko. Angered, he stood up and left the room.
Fujiko watched as the door closed and she turned her attention towards Lupin. "Well, there's going to be some kind of auction being held tomorrow in the Bahamas and the main attraction is some famed diamond. I've never heard of it, but it's supposedly worth a lot of money."
"How much money?"
"Who knows. Millions, billions, it all depends on who wants it."
"And what's this tip gonna cost me?"
"I'll let you know." She looked at him and smiled. Goemon looked up and glanced over at her and then closed his eyes again.
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Zenigata sat at his desk and filled out the paperwork. As he finished each file he closed it and set it aside. He filled out the last one and threw it on top of the others. Looking down at his desk he noticed an envelope that had become buried and picked it up. "Shit," he said as he pulled out the papers inside. They were the divorce forms his wife's lawyer had given him last week, still unread and still unsigned. "I'm surprised the little prick hasn't called, yet." He started to look over the papers when his door opened. He looked up in surprise. The police chief stood in the doorway.
"Inspector. I'm putting you on a new case." The chief turned and looked behind him. "Pullman," he called to another officer. "Come here." The officer walked up behind him. "You two will be working together on this case. Here's the info." He threw a file down on Zenigata's desk. He smiled at both of them. "Have fun," he said and he turned and left them.
"Huh?" Zenigata seemed confused as he looked down at the file and up at the officer.
"Hi. I'm Kris. Kris Pullman." Kris Pullman, a female officer brought in from the US, was a few months past 27. Her shoulder length brown hair was tied back in a small ponytail. Her black pants and dark blue shirt with "Seattle PD" sewn on the left breast both seemed to be one size too large for her 5'9" frame.
"Hi," said Zenigata as he looked down at the file. "Pavlo's Diamond?"
"Yup. It's supposed to be legendary. Some crap about the key to some treasure or something like that."
He looked up at her. "And why is this important?"
"Because....." she replied, looking at him and shrugging. As Zenigata read the file, she glanced around the office. Her eyes spotted the papers on his desk and she stared at them. "There's supposed to be some auction or something, but the whole thing is a setup to get people's money."
"And the diamond is the main item?" He looked up at her and she quickly took her eyes off the papers and looked at him.
"It's supposed to be. The man heading this operation, J.C. Reynolds, was a big dealer in Washington state. He was running a shop out of Kyoto, but by the time I came he had already packed up and fled."
"And why did I get pulled into this?"
"There are rumors that this whole thing is also a trap to catch Lupin III."
"Lupin?!" He stood up and looked at her. "So, where is this auction?"
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"So, you packed?" Lupin asked Fujiko as he walked up behind her. He looked down at her suitcase. "I think you've got too many clothes. You know what they say. Less is more." He grinned as she turned and looked at him.
"This is serious. Can't you think with your brain for once?" The look on her face was one of business, not pleasure. She closed up the suitcase and started to walk out.
"Huh? Hey, wait a sec." Lupin caught up with her and they walked together down the hall. "What's your problem, Fujiko. Why the serious look?"
"The man in charge of the auction isn't just some rich guy. He's also got ties to the Chinese mob."
"And?" He put his hands behind his head and smiled. "Don't tell me you're that concerned for my safety."
"No. I'm concerned about mine."
They made their way outside to the car. Lupin put the suitcase in the trunk as Fujiko got in. He closed the trunk and walked to the drivers side door. As he passed the back window he slapped his hand against it and looked in. Jigen sat there, unamused, and looked at him.
"Cheer up, Jigen," Lupin said as he sat down. "If this thing is a success then we'll all be a lot richer."
"If?" Jigen asked as Lupin started the car. He looked over at Goemon, who sat quietly next to him.
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Kris followed Zenigata down the aisle of the plane and sat down next to him in her seat. She rested her head back and stared at the ceiling. "God, I just got off a long flight. I'm gonna have jet lag for a month." She sighed as she looked around the plane. "Why are we leaving so early? The auction isn't until tomorrow."
"Is that all you do is whine? I swear, your worse than my kid."
"You have a kid?" She looked over at him. "How old?"
"She's twelve." The expression on his face changed as he turned to stare out the window. "So, who's this Reynolds guy?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.
"He's some bank executive turned black market trader. His name popped up about six months ago when his wife disappeared. The FBI ended up getting involved and they found out his little secret."
"So, what does he want with Lupin?"
"Don't know. Maybe Lupin pissed him off. Or maybe it was an order from the head of the Chinese mob."
"What?! The mob?"
"Yeah." She looked at him and laughed nervously. "Did I not mention that part?"
"Shit. So, he has ties to the mob. Anything else you want to bring up?"
"Um, well, anyone who has investigated him has mysteriously disappeared." She looked at him and smiled.
"Dammit." He rested his hand on his chin and stared out the window.
"Hey, don't worry." She looked up as more people started to come on the plane. "He doesn't know about us, yet." She looked at him and then down at her lap. A worried expression came over her face as she nervously watched the people board the plane.
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Lupin and Fujiko walked into the airport and sat at one of the couches in the entry. Goemon and Jigen followed, Jigen stuck carrying the suitcases. They caught up with them and Jigen set the luggage down.
"You two go get the tickets," Lupin told Goemon and Jigen. "We'll wait for you here." He smiled and closed his eyes as he cuddled with Fujiko. Jigen and Goemon turned and walked towards the desk.
"Why are we stuck doing this shit?" asked Jigen as they came closer to the ticket counter. He stopped as he saw the long line that formed before him. "Fuck." He sighed and stood at the end of the line.
"Do you think this diamond is for real?" asked Goemon. "What if it's a set-up?"
"Who knows. All I care about is getting this job over with." Lifting up his hat slightly with his index finger, he looked up towards the front of the line. He looked back at Lupin and Fujiko and lowered his hat. "It is strange, though. How can it be famous if we've never heard about it?"
"Fujiko may just be using us to-"
"May? She may just be using us? She's been using us since the day we met her. She's nothing but a greedy bitch." He glanced back at the couch. Lupin and Fujiko were busy making out. "And all he ever thinks about around women is his dick."
"Women can be very dangerous."
"Yeah." They moved up in the line. Jigen remained quiet, deep in thought.
"You miss her?" Goemon looked over at Jigen.
"Tch, leave it to a woman to screw up your life, huh?" He looked over at Goemon, who was looking at him in surprise. "What? Let's just talk about something else, okay?" He looked ahead and moved forward with the line.
"We're almost up to the counter."
"Something interesting." He sighed as they walked forward. "I still don't see why we have to do this. One diamond can't be that important."
"But, it's famous." He looked over at Jigen and grinned. The person in front of them got their ticket and left the counter. They walked up and stood there, waiting to be helped. The woman working the desk was on the phone and laughing, glancing at Jigen and Goemon on occasion. The people in the line started to become impatient, as did Jigen.
"Hey! What the fuck are you doing? Get off the damn phone!" he yelled at the woman. Goemon glanced over at Jigen and shook his head.
"Just one second, sir," the woman said, not a bit affected by his yelling.
"What the hell? Just give us our damn tickets!"
The woman hung up the phone and returned to the counter. "Yes? How can I help you?" she asked them, a big smile on her face.
"Huh?" Jigen asked, confused and dumfounded by her behavior.
"We need four tickets to the Bahamas." Goemon told the attendant.
"Okay, and where would you be going?" she asked, still chipper and polite.
"To the Bahamas, like I said." Goemon stood there with a confused look on his face.
"God dammit," Jigen said as he brought his hand up to his face. "Nassau. We're going to Nassau. Now give us our damn tickets."
"Yes, right away, sir." She started to type quickly, glancing at Goemon occasionally. The tickets were printed and she handed them to Goemon. Jigen reached out and snatched the tickets and walked away. Goemon smiled at her and caught up with Jigen.
"What was that about? You two know each other?" Jigen looked at the tickets.
"No, I've never seen her before. Why?"
"Damn! Where's terminal 34?" He stopped and looked around. Lupin and Fujiko saw them and walked up.
"Got the tickets?" Lupin asked them.
"No, dumbfuck. I'm only holding them." Jigen looked at a grinning Lupin and got angrier. "Why don't you three make yourselves useful and help me find terminal 34?"
"Geez, Jigen. Calm down." Fujiko glared at Jigen.
"Listen, bitch, I -"
"Jigen! Just get the damn luggage and shut up!" Lupin took the tickets from him and started to walk. The others followed.
They walked down the terminal and boarded the plane. Lupin sat next to Fujiko and put his head on her shoulder. He looked behind him at a still angry Jigen. "Couldn't afford the good seats?" Lupin smiled.
Jigen sat with his arms crossed and glared at Lupin. "You're lucky you got tickets at all."
"I still don't see why me and Jigen have to do all the work." Goemon looked around the plane.
"We what?" Jigen asked, looking at Goemon and then at Lupin. "So, she came up with the idea and we have to go through with it?"
"Me and Fujiko are taking a vacation. You two can handle it. I trust you." He snuggled up to Fujiko.
"Fuck," Jigen said as he sat back in the seat and crossed his arms again.
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Kris sat in her seat, still thinking about the case. She turned, glancing at Zenigata. His head rested on the back of the seat, eyes closed and arms folded across his chest. She sat back in her seat and closed her eyes, trying to relax. The stewardess walked by, startling Kris. Zenigata opened an eye and glanced at her.
"You should order a drink. It'll help calm you down," he said as he opened his eyes and sat up.
"I thought you were asleep." She layed her head against the back of the seat and looked up at the ceiling. "And alcohol just makes me pissed."
"It usually does." He looked down at his watch. "We should be arriving soon." He sat, quietly staring out the window, a little uncomfortable as he thought of a way to start a conversation. "So, when did you join the academy?"
"Huh?" She was broken from her daydream and looked at him. "Oh, um, almost nine years ago. My dad used to be a detective, so I got through it pretty easy."
"Is he retired?"
"No. He was murdered while working a case."
"Oh, I'm sorry. That's too bad."
"Yeah. He was really good, too." She looked down, trying not to think too much about it. "What about your father? Is he a cop, too?"
"He was. He died in a car crash some years back."
"Oh. So, I guess we have something in common, then, huh?" She looked at him and forced a smile.
"Yeah, that and being stuck with this case." He sighed and stared out the window.
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Lupin and Fujiko walked together down the halls of the hotel. Finding their room, they stopped and waited for Jigen and Goemon, trailing behind them. Lupin opened the door and looked at them. "Well, thanks to the amazing science of time zones, the auctions gonna be in four hours, so you two had better think of something. Good luck." He smiled as he and Fujiko entered the room and closed the door.
"Yeah, thanks," replied Jigen as he and Goemon were left there, staring at the door. They turned and left the hotel, exiting the doors and walking down along the street. "So? What do you think?" Jigen asked as he grabbed a cigarette and placed it between his lips. "Do we have a plan or do we just go in and take it?"
"I think some kind of plan would work better," Goemon replied, stopping and looking down at a newspaper that was displayed at a corner periodical stand. "Is this something important?" He turned and looked at Jigen as he walked over and read it.
"Her ladyships auction. Killinger Mansion. It's in a mansion? Great. How the hell are we supposed to get inside of that place?"
"Let's just find this place. We'll figure it out when we see it." They continued walking down the street.
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At the mansion a crowd had started to gather. People in expensive suits and dresses filled the entry. The light from the chandelier above them sparkled in their jewelry as they chatted and sipped their wine. Zenigata followed a short, heavyset man inside and into a study, Kris following closely behind.
"Did he send a note to you?" Zenigata asked the man.
"A note?" The man thought about it. "No, I don't remember ever seeing a note. Should there be one?"
"The little bastard always leaves a note behind. It's sort of like his calling card. Are you sure you never received one?"
"I don't remember seeing it, but maybe one of the servants did. Let me go ask them." The man left the room.
"This assignment isn't to arrest Lupin, remember?" Kris looked up at him with an irritated look on her face. "Note or no note, it doesn't matter." She walked around the room and looked at the paintings on the wall. "I bet you all of these were stolen."
"So, what do you want to do? Arrest him for stolen goods?" Zenigata asked her sarcastically. They glared at each other. Zenigata opened his mouth to say something when the man entered the room.
"Nobody has seen a note. Is that good?" The man seemed worried and a little nervous about having cops in his house.
"It could be. So, I see you collect paintings," Zenigata said as he looked at Kris.
"So," Kris started, turning her attention to the man. "What sort of things are you auctioning off?"
The man looked at her, starting to get a little uneasy. "Well," he started, "the usual. Collectibles, rare items and treasures. Things that others want."
"That's fine," Zenigata said before Kris could reply. "We'll just be out in the auctioning room making sure everything's alright." He walked over and opened the door, holding it open for Kris. She glared at him and walked out. He followed and they made their way through the long halls into the large, almost auditorium like auction room. "Do I have to remind you I'm in charge of this case?" Zenigata asked as he checked out the interior of the mansion.
"Whatever. I just think you're missing the whole point."
"And what would that be?"
"Did it ever occur to you that perhaps it would be easier to investigate if the diamond was stolen? Or is your head to far up your ass to think properly?"
"Can I talk to you outside, officer?" Zenigata grabbed Kris' arm and pulled her outside. "So, your plan is to have us fail at our job? Is that it?"
"Yeah. And how different would that be to you? Aren't you the master of failing?"
"I won't just let the diamond get stolen and I won't let you talk to me that way!" Zenigata stepped up and got into her face as he yelled at her. She stood, glaring at him as he continued to yell.
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Jigen and Goemon stood on a small hill overlooking the mansion. Jigen turned and looked at the setting sun. "The auction is about to start and it's still light out. How are we supposed to get in this place?"
"We wait until it gets dark." Goemon said as he sat with his eyes closed.
"Okay, that doesn't help." Jigen pulled the binoculars to his eyes and looked through them. "Huh?" he said as he spotted something.
"What is it?" asked Goemon, looking up at him.
"It's Zenigata and he's with some woman." He watched as they stood, still arguing. "I wonder what they're saying?"
"Why don't we go down and get a closer look at the mansion."
"Sure. Why not."
They made their way down the hill and towards the tall, cinderblock wall that surrounded the mansion. Jigen nodded to Goemon and he pulled out his sword, slicing a hole through the wall. The pieces fell as they stood, gazing into the back courtyard. Stepping over the debris, they walked to the rear of the mansion, looking it over. "Well?" Jigen asked, looking over at Goemon. He stood with his eyes closed.
"Their security is lacking. They must all be inside." As he opened his eyes he looked up towards the roof. "There," he said as he pointed at the small eaves over the back windows. "We can use those to get to the roof. We'll enter from above."
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As the people continued to bid for the rare and expensive items, Zenigata and Kris stood, each at opposite ends of the room, and watched. Kris, still angry at the fight with Zenigata, watched as small white paddles rose from the crowd. She yawned, bored with everything around her and disgusted by the people in the room. 'Damn rich bastards couldn't give a fuck about the real world,' she thought to herself. 'As long as they have what they want, they're happy. God, they make me sick.'
'Over 5 million dollars for that?' Zenigata thought as the people bid on a gaudy painting. 'I'm no art expert, but that thing's a piece of crap.' He stared at the painting and then across the room at Kris. She stood completely still, her eyes following the paddles as they rose from place to place above the heads of the people. 'How can she stay awake during all of this? I'm so damn bored.' He looked down at his watch. 'Eleven-thirty. Almost time.'
'Maybe I shouldn't be so angry with him,' Kris continued thinking. 'That folder was addressed to him from an attorney. Maybe he got into some kind of trouble. I would be a little pissed off, too, if someone had filed a lawsuit against me. I guess I should apologize.' She looked down at her watch. 'Will this ever end?' she asked herself desperately.
"And the last item on the auctioning block tonight is the famous Pavlo's diamond. This item will start at one million. We will start the bidding now," the auctioneer said. The paddles started to rise quickly, the man keeping the price rising as the people aggressively tried to outbid one another.
'That's it?' Kris and Zenigata both thought to themselves. All of a sudden the lights went out and the room went pitch black. There were various yells and shouts from the men in the crowd while the women screamed in fright.
"Everyone! Just stay where you are!" Zenigata yelled as he ran towards the stage.
"Hey!" Kris yelled as she shined her flashlight on a figure on the stage. "Stop right...huh?" She turned as someone ran up behind her. "Hey...ugh!" she yelled as something hit her hard on the head. She fell to the floor, knocked out from the hit. Zenigata, running to the stage, tripped and fell. As he got up the lights went back on. Looking at the stage , he noticed the diamond was gone.
"Kris! Hey, Kris!" he yelled, looking for her. He ran over and saw her laying on the floor. "Hey, Kris, wake up." he said as he knelt down by her and patted her face. He looked around at the shocked crowd and saw two men walking towards him. "Shit." He lowered his head, an all too familiar feeling coming over him.
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Back at the hotel room, Lupin sat at the table looking over the diamond. Fujiko was leaned over him, her arms on his shoulders as she stared at the medium sized rock in his hands. Jigen and Goemon stood on the other side of the table, staring down at him. "Well?" Jigen asked. "Is it real?"
"It's real, alright," Lupin said, setting the diamond on the table. "It just appears to be an ordinary diamond, though."
They all stood and stared at the diamond, as if waiting for it to tell them it's secret.
"Whatever," said Jigen as he started to walk towards the door. "I'm gonna get some sleep."
"Yes. I, too, need to rest," replied Goemon as he followed Jigen. They got to the door and turned, looking back at Lupin and Fujiko.
"You three enjoy yourselves tonight," Jigen said with a grin. They walked out and closed the door.
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Zenigata and Kris were still in the mansion, sitting in the owners study once again. Kris, holding a small bag of ice on her head, stared around the room. "All of these paintings, they're all stolen."
"Do you think I care about the fucking paintings right now?" Zenigata sat on the couch next to her, staring at the floor in front of him. His heart was beating fast. He looked up at the clock on the wall. "One in the morning. Why the hell are we still here?"
"God, my head!" Kris moaned as she put her head back against the couch. "I'm gonna beat the shit out of the guy-" she stopped her sentance as the door opened and the mansion's owner walked in, two of his guards at his side.
"It would have been wise for you two to have not even come. But, since you did, I hold you responsible for the theft of my property. And," he said as the two men grabbed Zenigata and Kris, "I trust you return it to me."
"Fuck you," Kris said as she glared at the man. He laughed and walked up to her.
"The last bid on that diamond was for 75 million dollars. That's more than you'll ever see in your lifetime." He laughed and grinned as he stared at her. "And if you fail to bring the diamond back, you will regret it."
"Ooh, I'm so scared," said Kris sarcastically.
"As you should be," replied the man as he motioned to the two holding Kris and Zenigata.
"We apologize for our screw-up, sir," said Zenigata as he bowed his head. "We will do everything we can to return your property to you. You have our full cooperation."
"Huh?" Kris said, looking at him in disbelief as the two guards took them out the door. The man turned and looked out of the large window behind his desk, an evil grin on his face as he watched Zenigata and Kris get in their car and leave.