A/N: So, this is the start of my Lupin III story. It's a type of continuation story for Lupin III and the Castle of Cagliostro. I dont own Lupin or any references to the plot of this story. It's just a fun, what if story. Hope you enjoy!


Clarisse looked down the road while petting Karl. It was the same road she had last seen the Thief Lupin drive down, her thief. She hadn't seen him in over a year, though her heart was still his, completely. She knelled down and hugged Karl tightly.

"I miss him so much, Karl" Clarisse told her ever loyal dog

The dog licked her face, knowing his master was sad, and had been for a while.

Her lifelong friend and old caretaker for the Castle of Cagliostro walked up next to her. "It doesn't do to sit here and wait for him to return, Lady. You must know he's moved on, or he would have come back by now."

She thought back to the last time she'd seen her thief, it had been a scary, yet wonderful time in her life. She had felt wanted, not by the evil, lecherous Count, but by Lupin III, the greatest thief she had even known. What she wouldn't do to have him in her life again, even if it meant being in the Counts clutches once more. I have to move on, she thought. The gardener, Mikael, is right Lupin has probably found someone else to give his heart to. (ok, I'm sorry, the gardener doesn't have a name, and I feel bad calling him the gardener, or caretaker all the time...)

Mikael saw a lone tear slide down Lady Clarisse's face. He hated seeing her like this. Zenigata was right, Lupin had stolen her heart, and something that priceless could never be replaced.

Almost as quickly as the tear appeared, Lady Clarisse wiped it away, trying not to bring the attention of the Gardener to her. If Fujiko was right about Lupin, he's probably already replaced her with more than one woman. Lupin was a natural born lady killer and there was no resisting him. She didn't realize how wrong she was...

Lupin looked over the blackjack table waiting for the dealer to give him his cards, a girl on each side of him. He didn't feel his normal rowdy self. Normally these women would be eating out of the palm of his hand, or somewhere else that could only be done in the privacy of some cheap hotel room. But now…he had no interest in the ladies on either side of him. He didn't even take the trouble of learning their names.

He had picked these women up no problem. All he had to do was give them his charmingly, sexy grin and they came rushing to him. When he invited them to join him in a game of blackjack, they had agreed without hesitation. They seemed impressed when he pulled out his tall stack of chips (all stolen mind you) and giggled at their good luck of snagging a rich, handsome gentleman. Even though Lupin was glad he was able to ring in two lovely ladies easily, him mind wouldn't stop roaming to past days, where he was near a certain lady who still help his affections.

What is wrong with me? Lupin thought. These women are ripe for the picking, all I have to do is put in an ounce of effort and they would be like putty. The thought of taking these women seemed to repulse Lupin though. After he lost all his money, in a very shocking two hands of cards, he left them, the table and the casino behind, without a second thought.

It seemed like Jigen already knew Lupin was going to head out early, because he was waiting by the car, slowly smoking on his cigarette. "What's up, Lupin? Lose already?"

"Lady Luck doesn't seem to be with me tonight, Jigen." Lupin chuckles, almost sadly.

Jigen has seen this before. Lupin has been increasingly miserable since the time they left Cagliostro with Zenigata fast on their tails. At first Jigen thought it was the fact that Fujiko got away with the gold plated printing press molds, but then he realized it was something completely different.

Lupin was slightly suspicious as he walked past Jigen, who was just sitting on the hood of their Volkswagen Beetle. He didn't expect the other man to be at the car waiting for him, and he didn't expect him to give him a once over as if looking for wounds.

"What's up, Lupin? I know that look." Jigen asked looking up into Lupin's face.

Lupin let out a low sigh, so low that Jigen almost didn't hear it. He lit a cigarette and took a deep draw. "Nothing is wrong, old friend, just disappointed at my losses" said Lupin very unconvincingly.

"Hhmm," was all that escaped Jigen before he sprung at Lupin, getting him in a head lock. Lupin struggled yelling at Jigen to let him go.

"I'm fine" he tried to insist, as Jigen pushed him into an even more painful position with his leg almost twisted around his own head. It was a good thing that Lupin was very flexible. Jigen grunted as he put Lupin in one more submission hold, with Lupin's head locked by an arm and one of Lupin's leg twisted around to the other arm.

Finally Lupin gave up. "Okay, okay, something is bothering me, and it's just not a bad night at the tables"

"What is it then?" urged Jigen.

"I have this strange urge that I'm needed somewhere," Lupin said slowly, not wanting to sound crazy. Though he saw Jigen give him an odd look. "But I don't think I can go" he confesses softly.

"What do you mean, Lupin? Why can't you go help?" Jigen asked, his voice full of concern.

"It's something I wanted to avoid as long as possible, if I go back, I'll never want to leave her side again, and I can't take it if she won't have me" Jigen was extremely confused by this profession, but he let Lupin continue, while he still held him in his hold. "Jigen" Lupin said softly, his voice filled with some unknown panic, "what if she doesn't need saving this time, what if she's truly happy?"

Jigen was finally starting to understand. He loosened his friend and gave him a wary smile. "You won't find that out 'til go back. She's a nice kid, Lupin, just make sure you don't hurt her"

Lupin felt a weight lifted, and it wasn't just from Jigen releasing him. He looked up at his long time friend and smiled, he was right, he needed to back, he couldn't stand the mystery if he didn't.


A/N: So, tell me what you think, do you like it or should I just drop it? I plan on adding some drama to this story, maybe add a plot twist or two... Please Review. I love to hear from you :)