Little Fu
VIII: Robbing Robbers
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108 Months (9 Years)
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Paris, France
Lupin, Fujiko, Goemon and Jigen all sat in the family's hotel room. Evening Paris moved into the future all around them. But they - they were forced to sit in the present. Really, really aggrevated at what was going on.
Little Fujiko walked from her back bedroom. Dressed in a white tank top and light blue overalls - one strap attached to the front and the other hanging loosely, and little white Converses. She draped her arms over the back of the couch and watched the room. All of the adults looked extremely annoyed.
Fu could guess why. The only reason they were in Paris because some of Lupin's most valued possessions had turned up missing. They were stolen in the first place - but Lupin treasured them, simply because they were so expensive and the people that owned them before were of such a great status. Shortly after Lupin's things had dissapeared, a riddle type note was found. It read:
Hope you enjoyed this little surprise,
Great Lupin The Third -
To find who really dunnit
Go to the capital of
Where accent marks are heard
It stumped the adults for hours. But when Little Fu read it, she came to the conclusion. They needed to go to Paris, France to find the culprit. Her respond: "Accent marks were originated in Europe - France to be exact. The capital of France is Paris. So we go to Paris!"
They questioned her answer, but it was the only one that made sense, so they took a flight to the City of Love. All doubt about the child's answer dried up.
Earlier that day when he passed a parade, Jigen discovered a kid had pick-pocketed his gun. He was minding his own business, when he noticed the beauty of the parade. He stopped to admire it. Some minutes went by and he felt a tug at one of his holsters. He paid it no mind for a split second, then decided to look for the hell of it. Good thing he did, or he would of missed his magnum and the little kid and his friends running off with it. The street was too crowded to try and catch him - so he gave up miserably.
Later, Fujiko was out shopping and her purse had been snatched in a department store. She was buying some more Chanel #5 - since France was the perfect place to get it. She was standing several feet from the counter when she unzipped her purse and was about to rummage around for the francs. Out of nowhere a man whipped past her, snatching her purse with ease. All the people around her panicked, while she took her gun and ran right behind him. By the time she got outside of the crowded store, the thief was long gone.
About an hour later Goemon had been walking the city and discovered a fresh robbery. He thought he'd cut up the thieves' bags of loot and sneak off with their hard-stolen francs. The guys crossed the street, he went close to the curb, whipped out his sword and felt someone crash into him. His sword flew out of his hand, skittered across the street and fell through a drainage system and into a sewer. Goemon felt himself angry enough to kill the person who bumped into him. But when he saw it was a gorgeous lady - struggling with big wrapped presents, he went soft.
Shortly after each of the 'robberies', they received a riddle like note. All different. But all kinda like the one Lupin received days before.
Little Fu walked around the couch and took one of the riddles from the table. There were three for her to figure out. It read:
Dear pretty lady,
Who loves the extremely fair and fancy
Glass pyramids - Just for you!
Be there around a quarter til two
This riddle was obviously her mother's puzzle. She put it back down and read the next one:
I see you are quite angry
At what cruel fate just did
Oh, line, four, one-negative six digits
What is that, you may ask?
Fate just did it to you again!
Fu had to think for a moment. Fate? Who in this room had fate in their default vocabulary? She put the riddle back down - she got it now. Her godfather, and partner in crime, Goemon was given that one. The last one was Jigen's, no doubt. She took it and read it as well:
It is not very healthy
For gunmen to be so blue
If you do not show up
The color of a northern glass egyptian
Will be your skin's new hue
She placed the note back on the table. Fu whispered gently to break the silence, "I think got the answers."
They all looked up at her. Fujiko grinned, "Mine's first."
Fu walked over to her mother, took the riddle and rested against her knees. "Yours is pretty easy. Glass Pyramids means the Le Louvre."
"The who?" asked Jigen.
Lupin answered, "Luh Leave-Vray. It's a museum with a glass pyramid built into the ceiling."
"Yeah - that place," said Little Fu, "And it says be there at a quarter til two."
"So we've gotta meet this person at the Le Louvre tomorrow?" asked Fujiko.
Goemon answered, "A quarter til two could be tonight."
"I was just thinking that," added Lupin.
"Read the next one," ordered Fujiko. Little Fu grabbed Jigen's. She read it over several times.
"Ooohhh... we don't meet *at* Le Livre. We meet *north* of Le Livre."
Fujiko hummed, then asked, "Isn't there a palace north of Le Livre?"
"I think so," said Little Fu.
Lupin grabbed the note and read it. "How do you get all of that information out of a stupid riddle like this?"
"It's not that hard, Daddy," Little Fu responded, "Okay, last one."
Fujiko read the riddle over her shoulder again. Little Fu looked at the line with the most numbers on it. "Oh, line, four, one-negative six digits..." she mumbled.
Fu leaned across the table and grabbed a pen. She flipped the note over and wrote on the back, '014'. She turned the paper over to get a good look at the numbers again. Her face twisted a little then she turned the paper over again. She wrote down '5' to add to the last numbers.
"Zero, one, four, five," Fu said capping her pen. She stared at the confused faces of the adults. She pointed at the paper. "Zero, one, four, five. 1:45! The time, you guys!"
"Oooohhh...!" replied Lupin, Fujiko and Jigen.
"1:45 am?" asked Goemon.
Fu pouted, "I guess so."
Lupin kissed Little Fu on the forehead. "You're an angel!" He stood up, "We've got some time 'til one. It'd be best if you guys rest up, while I go check out the palace."
Fu followed him to the door, "I'm coming, too."
"Stay," ordered Lupin, slipping on his red sports jacket, "I'm checking the palace for a reason. Take a nap or something, I'll be right back."
"Be careful," Fujiko called out before he shut the door.
----
Later that evening, at 1:10 am
The guys had put together a plan of action for the palace. Little Fujiko was to stay with Fujiko and take the west end. Lupin was going to take the north end, Jigen the south. Goemon was going to circle the grounds then check the east end. At 1:45, on the dot, they would meet back in the center room of the first floor of the palace.
Goemon was the first to get back. He looked as if he'd been run through several flame throwers. Some seconds later a less than amused Jigen came in. He looked the part of a scratching post to a cat with dirt between their claws. He pushed his damaged hat on his head as well, without saying a single word.
Some minutes after Jigen, the click-click of Fujiko's high heels wondered themselves into the center room. She looked like she ran through under a giant lawn mower. Seconds after her, Lupin, finally stalked into the room. He too, looked like he'd been through a blender. The most pissed of the three.
The clock struck exactly, 1:45am.
Lupin nodded towards Fujiko at her flesh cuts and severely ripped clothes, "What happened to you?"
"Barb wire, blades, knives, daggers, need I go on?" she replied then looked at Jigen.
Jigen sucked his teeth, "Two words: Wild animals."
"Damn," she mumbled.
Lupin looked at Goemon, "Lemme guess... Fire?"
"Like you wouldn't believe," Goemon answered, quietly. "You?"
"You don't wanna know... believe me."
"They can have my damn purse if I gotta be tortured to get it," announced Fujiko in a huff.
"She's right for once," said Jigen folding his arms, "I'll find a replacement magnum. Let's get the hell out of here."
Goemon silently picked at his torched and ashed clothing. "I'm not going anywhere without my sword."
Lupin asked blankly, "Where's Empress?"
They all looked at Fujiko. She sighed - as if blowing her off as nothing, "Who knows?"
"Fujiko!" shouted Lupin.
"Relax. She's in here somewhere. It's not like I told her to go back to the hotel."
Lupin exhaled diffucultly and rubbed his temples, 'This going to be okay... this is going to be okay...' He asked, "Are you *sure*?"
"Positive. I got caught in a trap in the west wing and she left to find one of you and get help."
"Here we go again," said Jigen.
"I'm going to look for her," announced Lupin, leaving to search the palace.
----
Twenty minutes later, they all joined in the search (once again) for Little Fujiko. They'd searched the palace up and down. The gang found it strange that they'd came across several locked doors. They'd discovered a new hallway.
"Okay, this is starting to get stupid-" started Jigen.
Lupin cut him off, "Shh! ........ Do you hear that?"
They stood quiet and rigid for a while. It finally came into tune. A voice, chatting away in French, was coming from the... hallway?
"So there *is* somebody here," said Fujiko.
"Fu?" asked Jigen.
"Her french isn't as advanced as that voice," stated Goemon.
"Well, it's somebody. Search every room on this hallway," ordered Lupin. The gang jumped straight to it. There was a total of 11 doors on the hallway. While the boys searched the rooms close to the front, Fujiko choose a room close to the end of the hallway. The voice was becoming louder.
She grabbed the doorknob and twisted. The door slid open easily. Fujiko stepped in and closed it back shut behind her. She took in the room. Beautiful view of a garden, a big executive type oak desk and black leather chair. The person, was still talking to someone. Fuj guessed it was a telephone, since the chair was turned away from her.
The person said goodbye and hung up the phone with a little 'beep'. Fujiko stood and cleared her throat.
A female voice answered, "Who's there? I didn't give anyone permission to come in."
Fujiko cocked her eyebrow up, "Sorry, I was in the neighborhood and I thought I'd check out those glass pyramids at 1:45."
The lady laughed a little, "So you got, and figured out, my riddle, Miss Mine?" The person clapped, "Very good. You and your robber friends, have fun with my preset little traps?"
Fujiko sprinted across the room, "Who are you!?" She reached out and turned the chair around. It spun and she came face to face with a little redheaded 9-year-old girl. Her redhair was short and ring curled around her face - like a big girl.
Fujiko blinked, "Do I... know you?"
The girl kept staring back at her. The door slammed open. Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon stood in the entrance - looking worried. The girl leaned to the side and waved, "Bonsoir." (Good evening)
They walked up to the desk. "You've gotta be kidding..." groaned Jigen, "Not another kid."
The girl frowned, "And? What's wrong with me being a kid?"
Lupin yelled, "Who did this? And who the hell are you?!"
The girl leaned back into the chair and sighed, "If you must know... it wasn't me!"
Fujiko tilted her head. She pointed her finger, "Is your name, Marie-Alix Losiel?"
"Oui, Mademoiselle. My name is Marie-Alix," Marie responded.
"The same as in the record books?" asked Fujiko. The guys stared at her. Was she catching on to something?
Marie smiled brightly, "Mais oui, it is me." (Of course)
"Could I have a second to talk to the boys?" she asked.
"I don't care," spoke Marie, turning the chair around and dialing the telephone. She began chatting away in french again.
The guys huddled around Fujiko, whispering. Lupin spoke first, "Fujiko, I'm gonna ask. All I have to say that this better be good."
"Good?" she said, "This way better than good. I would of never imagined we'd run into her here."
"Who is she suppose to *be*?" asked Goemon.
"Marie-Alix Losiel has been in the Guinness World Book of Records three times. She's the youngest girl in the world to own a jewel collection. And it's the world's most precious collection of rare jewels outside of a museum."
They all stared at her. Lupin smiled wide, "Are you guys thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"
"If your thinkin that we should leave our stuff and buy new ones with all the gems we're gonna steal... hell yeah," said Jigen.
Fujiko added, "And Marie's only a kid. It'll be a sitch to grab that jewelry."
"We're not going anywhere until I find my sword," Goemon spoke softly.
"Oh, c'mon," groaned Fujiko, "Can't you buy a new one?"
"No," he responded meanly.
"Okay, we'll find our stuff - then we'll hit the brat's stash," agreed Lupin.
"Agreed," said Fujiko, Jigen, and Goemon.
They turned around to Marie-Alix still talking on the telephone. She peered back at them and ended her conversation.
"There's something I think you should all know now," announced Marie.
Lupin and gang exchanged glances. Lupin grinned, "And what is it?"
"The mysterious, yet somehow purposely planned 'incidents' that has happened to each of you in the past in few days... have strong ties to me."
"Say what?" said Jigen.
"I have each of your most precious belongings. You know, the ones that got stolen slash lost."
"What?!" they all yelled.
"You planned that stuff?" asked Fujiko.
"But we don't even know you!?" screamed Lupin. "Why take our stuff?"
"Classified Information, Monseiur Lupin," she told him.
He leaned across the desk prepared to strangle her, "Why you little-"
She raised a walkie-talkie to her mouth and spoke, "Code Ruby."
In seconds two huge bodyguards burst into the room. They towered over Lupin and the guys. Probably seven feet tall. Each. He swallowed and turned pale. Putting his hands back to his sides, he straightened up.
"Step away from Mademoiselle Losiel," said one in a very low voice.
Lupin laughed nervously and backed away quickly. He spoke again, "Merci."
Bodyguard #2 spoke, "Anything else, Mademoiselle Losiel?"
"No, thank you, Eric. But, if you could stand outside of the door, for emergency purposes - I'd be ever so grateful."
"Yes, Mll. Losiel."
Lupin watched them leave nervously. Bodyguard #1 faked at Lupin. Lupin nearly jumped out his skin. The door closed and he slumped to the floor against the wall.
Fujiko turned back to Marie, "That was over the top, little girl."
"Hey, if I didn't have them, any loon'd be able to just walk in here and beat me up. I'm loved my few, but hated by many."
"I can see why," mumbled Jigen.
Fujiko continued, "Your bodyguards have nothing to do with this - why would you want our belongings? How did you plan this and what have we ever done to you?"
"One and three are classified information. But two I can definately answer. You see, I didn't plan your mini-demises. Someone among yourselves did. Take a real good guess."
Lupin had joined the group back and was thinking like the rest of the gang. It only took a second for them to know who Marie was talking about.
They all spoke together, "Little Fu."
"Who?" asked Marie.
"Fujiko-Mignon," said Lupin.
Marie said, "Oh, yeah. That's her."
"We should of known," started Jigen, "Who else knows us well enough to get our shit stolen?"
"And she even helped solve those riddles," added Goemon.
"Talk about obvious," said Fujiko. Lupin turned to Marie-Alix, "So you two were working together on us, huh? Or is that classified information, too?"
Marie said, "Actually... I can call her to attention, right now."
They smiled evily at each other. Lupin answered, "Oh, please, do Marie."
She got out her walkie-talkie again and held it to her mouth, "Attention, Mignon. Come to the nerve center. Nerve center."
Her voice replied, "Do you have to use that stupid thing? I'm right down the hall."
"In hiding?"
The door opened. Little Fu closed it with her back turned to the room, "Duh, I'm in hiding. You think I want my parents to find-"
She turned around to see them all looking at her furious. She squeaked out, "...Me."
----
"AHHHHH!"
Little Fujiko ran screaming down the corridor, sliding on the polished marble floors as she tried to turn a corner. Goemon, Lupin, and Jigen were hot on her tracks. As she regained her balance and tried to pick up her current speed, but it was too late.
Lupin ran ahead of her and stood at the end of the hallway. His arms stretched, ready to catch her. Little Fu jumped and slid between his open legs. Then....
'THUD!'
She slammed hard into the marble framed wall. She was upside down, with her back against the wall, her legs dangling over her head and her head on the floor. Her arms sprawled across the floor with her head. She groaned as the guys towered over her.
"And you thought you were in trouble for sneaking away to Florida," said Lupin.
She pursed her lips, closed her eyes and whimpered. 'Please let me live through this, please let me live through this,' she thought.
----
Big Fujiko watched Lupin drag their child into the room. Marie-Alix watched amused.
"You are a dead girl walking if you don't tell us everything you know. Starting right now," ordered Fujiko quite calmly.
"I can explain, Mommy," she said her voice shaking. "No - better! I can get all your stuff back. Right now!"
Marie-Alix screamed, "What!?"
They all turned to gawk at her. Fujiko looked down on her daughter and said, "Spill kid."
"Just a second," answered Little Fu. She ran around to the back of Marie's desk. The adults watched them have a semi-heated convo. Their heads shook and nodded and bobbed animatedly. After a moment they both turned around.
The adults watched Marie-Alix pull a big solid platinum box out of a drawer in the desk. The exchanged smiles as Fu received the box.
Marie smiled at the grown-ups. Fujiko could tell the smile was fake, but the guys couldn't. "We've come to an agreement. And on behalf of Fujiko's life, you may have your belongings back. Adieu, ma amies!" (Good evening, my friends!)
----
In the hotel room, hours later (dawn), all was good with Lupin and Company. In the living room, Fujiko held her purse lovingly tight, Goemon inspected every inch of his sword, Jigen was polishing his magnum, and Lupin - like Goemon - was inspecting his most treasured valuables. Little Fu had opened the big platinum box minutes earlier in the other room.
"Ya know..," started Lupin, "I just can't figure out why Empress would want to give that Alix girl, our stuff. And help her trick us like that. We barely know her."
"I've been thinking about that, too," admitted Jigen.
Fujiko added, "Maybe it was a deal. Some kind of exchange. I mean, she *did* get that big platinum box. There's no telling what could be in it."
"The cherry blossom does not fall from the tree on purpose," said Goemon.
"Yes, it does," challenged Lupin.
Goemon's eyes narrowed at him, "No. It doesn't."
"What the hell does that mean, anyway?" said Lupin, "She had a reason."
"He means," said Fujiko, "That she was trying to impress Marie-Alix."
"Right," said Goemon.
"Like... she wanted to be her friend?" asked Jigen.
Lupin went deeper, "Some kinda offering? My little Empress doesn't need to impress anybody - like she isn't good enough."
A voice sounded from the other room, "Oh, no."
They were quiet for a while. Little Fu came into the main room. She paced and mumbled, 'oh no' over and over again. A necklace between her fingers. "What do you mean, 'oh no'?" asked Lupin.
She didn't look up, "Oh, no no no no." Little Fu began pacing the room. Her eyes began inspecting every piece of precious rock stuck in the gold necklace, "No no no no no."
"What's wrong?" said Jigen.
"No no no!"
Lupin jumped up and grabbed her by the shoulders, "What's the matter, Fu?"
Her eyes went angry. "Daddy, I need a telephone."
"I need an answer," he challenged.
She exhaled, "She tricked me."
They all stared, "What?"
She shook out of her father's grasp, slammed the necklace down and stepped on it. Fujiko gasped. "It's was a fake! The whole box is a fake! Ooooo! I'm gonna kill Marie-Alix with... with..." a smile spread slowly to her face, "With kindness."
"Okay she just lost me," said Jigen.
Goemon remembered that smile. It was the same evil smile she got when she told him about their prank on Lupin. The day he was paid to babysit her.
Goemon warned, "Don't do it, Fujiko."
She walked over to the telephone and took it lightly in her hand. "What are you talking about... 'don't do it'. I'm just going to call Marie-Alix and plan a little get together, so we can talk about my present." While she spoke her fingers pressed numbers on the phone.
Before an adult could ask questions, or object, she was talking, "Marie-Alix, how are you?... Oui, I just opened it, amie! They are tres belle. Merci, beaucoup... I was thinking, Marie... What if, we planned another scheme against my parents - before we all fly back to Kyoto," said Little Fu.
She winked at the adults in the room, when they heard her proposal, "I have the perfect plan. But only in exchange for another slice of the cake... You know what I'm talking about, Marie.... We'll meet tomorrow - oh! But you'll need to send me the keys by way of magic... Thanks, again. And see you soon! Bisou-Bisou!" (Kiss-Kiss)
She slammed the phone down and growled in a low-short voice, "Trick."
"And what was that?" asked Lupin with a raised eyebrow.
Her smile lit up the room, "The greatest payback of all time. If my favorite mommy, daddy," she glanced at Goemon, "And my favorite godfather's would help me get even."
"I'm in," said Fujiko, without a second thought.
"Payback, huh?" asked Jigen.
She nodded, "Yup!"
"Sounds like fun," added Lupin.
"Godfather?" asked Fu, "Will you help? Pretty please."
Goemon sighed miserably, "Do I have a choice?"
"Merci, beaucoup!" (Thanks a lot!)
----
The next day.
"Rob them again? Don't you think they'd be hip to it this time?" asked redheaded Marie-Alix. In the same chair and desk, in the same office, in the same palace, with the same bodyguards searching the premises. Only difference, the door to the office was wide open.
Little Fu had laid several sheets of paper out on her desk. She frowned at her comment, "Hey, I'm the daughter of Lupin The Third. Do you trust my ideas or not? I know better than to do the same thing twice. Plus, I got them all the first time, didn't I?"
She yawned, exagerratedly, "Yes, Fujiko. You did. But this ain't about you. I'm the one forking over the jewels - they better fall right into place tomorrow like they did yesterday."
"And I better get paid, too," replied Fu. She watched a trickle of sweat slide down her jawbone. Marie answered nervously, "I paid you the first time, didn't I?"
She rolled her eyes, and walked around to the back of the desk with a piece of paper. "Whatever. Now look at this part of the plan..."
----
Lupin spoke into a walkie-talkie radio.
"Marksman? You in station? Over," he asked.
"Stationed, over," Jigen answered.
"Beautiful, Sexy, Brunette, Weapon-Wielding Bombshell? In station? Over," he asked to Fujiko.
She giggled, "Stationed and ready. Over."
Lupin spoke again, "Samurai?"
"Stationed," he answered simply.
"What?"
"Stationed!" he yelled into the walkie-talkie.
"You're suppose to say 'over'. Over," he added.
"I'm less than a floor away from you, Lupin," said Goemon, unamused, "Don't make me come up there."
Jigen sounded, "I see the goonsquad, over."
Lupin answered, "You know what to do, over."
Jigen squared his shoulders so he could fill up the shadows. Somewhat across from him in the shadows as well, was Goemon. He had a ready grip on his sword. The bodyguards passed them was they walked through the corridor.
Jigen and Goemon jumped out soundlessly. In two swift movements, Goemon and Jigen knocked both of the bodyguards out.
"Goons down and out. Over," replied Jigen.
"That was quick. Good," said Lupin, "We're ahead of schedule, and everythings going according to plan. Get to the kitchen - undetected."
He tagged Fujiko, "Fuji-cakes? You still on station?"
"The girls are still in the office. Little Fu even got Marie to turn her chair around. She's not going anywhere. Make it quick though, just to be on the safe side. Over," relayed Fujiko.
"That's my girl," said Lupin without talking into the walkie-talkie. He swiftly ran out of the room he was hiding in. Lupin ran down the hall, downstairs, and towards the kitchen. He slowed his pace to a tip-toe.
In order to get to the kitchen, and back again, he would have to walk right past Marie-Alix's office. And the open door wasn't helping! But Fujiko had said it was safe to dip past. They were discussing Little Fu's fake plan for tomorrow. If only Marie-Alix knew that they'd be long gone by then.
He stretched a foot across the door in the hallway. Then Lupin jumped. Trying to balance all his weight on two feet, he wobbled. Fujiko, from her hiding place, bit her lip.
'Don't fall, Lupin - don't fall!' she screamed inside her mind.
He regained his balance and exhaled. Lupin gave Fujiko a wide grin and a 'thumbs up' to her hiding place. She shook her head at him. 'Worrying me, over nothing,' she thought.
Lupin bolted down the hallway to the kitchen. When he got there, he saw it was almost made of steel and silver. The guys were searching every cabinet, shelf, and drawer. Silently, of course! Lupin whispered, "What are you two doing?"
Jigen looked up from rummaging through a cupboard, "Looking for the damn treasure."
"You think she'd keep all those valuables in an obvious place?" asked Lupin. He stroked his chin and folded his arms, "Hmmm... now where did Empress tell me the door was?"
Lupin's eyes searched the emanse kitchen. "Don't tell us you've forgotten," said Goemon.
"I remember," mumbled Lupin. "Ah, here we go."
He walked over to the dishwasher, opened it and reached into the back. He felt around for a little button. "I found you. Come to Lupin," he grinned. He pressed the small button and large piece of the silvery-shiny wall pushed forward.
"I tried to pull that out before," said Goemon.
Jigen pondered aloud, "Nobody'd ever guess the secret button was in a dishwasher."
"I know," said Lupin going with the boys to the risen wall, "Kids nowadays are *smart*."
"They aren't *that* smart," said Goemon. The boys grabbed the wall and pulled, each taking slow steps backwards. Cold escaped when the air tight door was opened wide enough. The boys peered inside between the door and the wall.
A big box, somewhat the size of a suitcase, sat in the back close to a corner. "I'll go get it out," volunteered Lupin.
The room was big, cold, and dark. He creeped slowly to the suitcase in the corner. He bent down to pick it up. A vent made a loud creek. Lupin nearly jumped out of his skin. He grabbed the suitcase, slid it between the space and jumped back out.
The boys closed the door back. Jigen reached into the dishwasher and sealed the door back shut. Lupin rubbed his hands together, from the cold of the freezer safe and from excitement of the bag. He unzipped it and threw the top back.
Their eyes lit up like Christmas lights.
Jewels.
In every color, shape, size, and cut design imaginable. Some pieces looked fresh from a mine or cave. Some was in wearable jewelry, others were raw, others were just big cut chunks.
"Little Fu wasn't kiddin when she said Marie was loaded," mumbled Lupin.
"Hey," said a voice in a hushed whisper. It was Fujiko. She peered over the counter and caught sight of what of was making them all so dazed. Her eyes lit up as well. But she shook her head, "You guys - snap out of it. Little Fu's running out of time. We've gotta get out of here now. Before we're behind schedule."
They all shook themselves out of the gems' trance. Lupin closed the suitcase back and zipped it shut.
Lupin helped the guys drag it to the door, "We'll be able to count how richer we've become, when we're back in Kyoto. Let's go."
----
Little Fu glanced down at her watch, when Marie wasn't looking. Her chair was still turned from the door. She was overlooking the plan for the hundredth time. Just like Fu had made her do.
"Flawless," said Marie-Alix, "You're some kind of friend, Fujiko."
She smiled, "As long as you're happy and I get paid... nice relationship, huh?"
"The best," said Marie without looking up.
Fu's eyes wondered to the hallway. She saw her father's and godfather's shadows looming in the hallway. She turned around quickly, trying to ignore the hallway - like she'd been doing.
"You think I should change this part?" Little Fu asked to divert the silence. Jigen and Goemon carried one end of the suitcase across the office doorway soundlessly and slowly.
"No... you've changed that about a thousand times since you've been here," answered Marie, irritated.
"Just wondering. Something funny about it - everytime I look at it."
"It's fine," she snapped. Lupin carried the other end across the door silently. Fu tried not to stare as her father crossed. From the corner of her eye she saw him struggling with the weight of the suitcase.
Fu gasped a short breath when Lupin's fingers slipped and the suitcase almost dropped. But in a half a second, Fujiko appeared and caught it.
"Oh, my goodness," she whispered, placing ahand to her forehead.
Marie stared at Little Fu, "What's wrong?"
She looked at her half shocked, "Nothing."
Marie watched her eyes dart between her face and the door. "I don't believe you."
Lupin wiped his brow and they moved out of the way of the door and danger - just in time.
"Don't!" screamed Fu. Marie-Alix turned around in her seat to stare into a empty hallway. She raised an eyebrow, "Don't what?"
Little Fu smiled and exhaled deeply, "Nevermind. I thought I saw something. Just one of the bodyguards."
" *Whatever*, Fujiko."
----
The family lived it up on the plane back home. Fujiko marveled, "Wow... no wonder she's in the record books so much. I've never seen so many rare jewels all together."
"And Lupin almost killed it," said Jigen, lighting his cigarette.
"Hey, that thing was heavy," he said trying to defend himself.
Fu added, "I saw that part. Mom saved us."
"Sure did," Fujiko replied taking a sip of her expensive wine.
"Oh, yeah right. All you did was catch it," huffed Lupin. The gang laughed. A little telephone ringed under Little Fu's seat. She pulled it out and the phone stopped ringing.
"Answering machine," said Fu.
They all sat quietly and listened to the message.
"Allo? Fujiko, c'est moi - Marie-Alix. I was waiting for you today, but you didn't show. That's okay, though. I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first! Some incredibly slick thieves, came and stole my little freezer stash of vegetable jewels. The good news is that whoever did it... didn't know that they only ran off with a third of my *real* collection of jewels.
"I mean the ones they have are real, but that's just a slice of the cake. It hasn't damaged - barely even scratched - my rep as a jewel collector. Isn't that funny, amie? I will talk to you very soon. Bisou-Bisou!"
The messenger beeped. Lupin, Fujiko, Little Fu, Goemon and Jigen all shared the same blank expressions.
----
[ IIIV: From Mother To Daughter; coming soon ]
I do not own Lupin III in anyway. All rights go to whoever owns this fine show/series. But I do own the jewlery luvin' Little Fu and the phrase 'Daddy's little Empress'. Okay! We've come to a huge, huge, HUGE turning point in the story. This is the last chapter of Little Fu where we'll see her as a little kid! That's right, the big change has arrived. No more roundness, puffy faces, and baby cracks anymore.
Little Fu is going to become a teenager.
I'm working on it as we read (lol). Keep the reviews, comments, flames and suggestions coming. You looking forward to this milestone? You don't wanna let go of the cute baby, Little Fu? One more baby chapter, you ask? I'll never know, if you don't tell me.
Holla back, super soon!
VIII: Robbing Robbers
----
108 Months (9 Years)
----
Paris, France
Lupin, Fujiko, Goemon and Jigen all sat in the family's hotel room. Evening Paris moved into the future all around them. But they - they were forced to sit in the present. Really, really aggrevated at what was going on.
Little Fujiko walked from her back bedroom. Dressed in a white tank top and light blue overalls - one strap attached to the front and the other hanging loosely, and little white Converses. She draped her arms over the back of the couch and watched the room. All of the adults looked extremely annoyed.
Fu could guess why. The only reason they were in Paris because some of Lupin's most valued possessions had turned up missing. They were stolen in the first place - but Lupin treasured them, simply because they were so expensive and the people that owned them before were of such a great status. Shortly after Lupin's things had dissapeared, a riddle type note was found. It read:
Hope you enjoyed this little surprise,
Great Lupin The Third -
To find who really dunnit
Go to the capital of
Where accent marks are heard
It stumped the adults for hours. But when Little Fu read it, she came to the conclusion. They needed to go to Paris, France to find the culprit. Her respond: "Accent marks were originated in Europe - France to be exact. The capital of France is Paris. So we go to Paris!"
They questioned her answer, but it was the only one that made sense, so they took a flight to the City of Love. All doubt about the child's answer dried up.
Earlier that day when he passed a parade, Jigen discovered a kid had pick-pocketed his gun. He was minding his own business, when he noticed the beauty of the parade. He stopped to admire it. Some minutes went by and he felt a tug at one of his holsters. He paid it no mind for a split second, then decided to look for the hell of it. Good thing he did, or he would of missed his magnum and the little kid and his friends running off with it. The street was too crowded to try and catch him - so he gave up miserably.
Later, Fujiko was out shopping and her purse had been snatched in a department store. She was buying some more Chanel #5 - since France was the perfect place to get it. She was standing several feet from the counter when she unzipped her purse and was about to rummage around for the francs. Out of nowhere a man whipped past her, snatching her purse with ease. All the people around her panicked, while she took her gun and ran right behind him. By the time she got outside of the crowded store, the thief was long gone.
About an hour later Goemon had been walking the city and discovered a fresh robbery. He thought he'd cut up the thieves' bags of loot and sneak off with their hard-stolen francs. The guys crossed the street, he went close to the curb, whipped out his sword and felt someone crash into him. His sword flew out of his hand, skittered across the street and fell through a drainage system and into a sewer. Goemon felt himself angry enough to kill the person who bumped into him. But when he saw it was a gorgeous lady - struggling with big wrapped presents, he went soft.
Shortly after each of the 'robberies', they received a riddle like note. All different. But all kinda like the one Lupin received days before.
Little Fu walked around the couch and took one of the riddles from the table. There were three for her to figure out. It read:
Dear pretty lady,
Who loves the extremely fair and fancy
Glass pyramids - Just for you!
Be there around a quarter til two
This riddle was obviously her mother's puzzle. She put it back down and read the next one:
I see you are quite angry
At what cruel fate just did
Oh, line, four, one-negative six digits
What is that, you may ask?
Fate just did it to you again!
Fu had to think for a moment. Fate? Who in this room had fate in their default vocabulary? She put the riddle back down - she got it now. Her godfather, and partner in crime, Goemon was given that one. The last one was Jigen's, no doubt. She took it and read it as well:
It is not very healthy
For gunmen to be so blue
If you do not show up
The color of a northern glass egyptian
Will be your skin's new hue
She placed the note back on the table. Fu whispered gently to break the silence, "I think got the answers."
They all looked up at her. Fujiko grinned, "Mine's first."
Fu walked over to her mother, took the riddle and rested against her knees. "Yours is pretty easy. Glass Pyramids means the Le Louvre."
"The who?" asked Jigen.
Lupin answered, "Luh Leave-Vray. It's a museum with a glass pyramid built into the ceiling."
"Yeah - that place," said Little Fu, "And it says be there at a quarter til two."
"So we've gotta meet this person at the Le Louvre tomorrow?" asked Fujiko.
Goemon answered, "A quarter til two could be tonight."
"I was just thinking that," added Lupin.
"Read the next one," ordered Fujiko. Little Fu grabbed Jigen's. She read it over several times.
"Ooohhh... we don't meet *at* Le Livre. We meet *north* of Le Livre."
Fujiko hummed, then asked, "Isn't there a palace north of Le Livre?"
"I think so," said Little Fu.
Lupin grabbed the note and read it. "How do you get all of that information out of a stupid riddle like this?"
"It's not that hard, Daddy," Little Fu responded, "Okay, last one."
Fujiko read the riddle over her shoulder again. Little Fu looked at the line with the most numbers on it. "Oh, line, four, one-negative six digits..." she mumbled.
Fu leaned across the table and grabbed a pen. She flipped the note over and wrote on the back, '014'. She turned the paper over to get a good look at the numbers again. Her face twisted a little then she turned the paper over again. She wrote down '5' to add to the last numbers.
"Zero, one, four, five," Fu said capping her pen. She stared at the confused faces of the adults. She pointed at the paper. "Zero, one, four, five. 1:45! The time, you guys!"
"Oooohhh...!" replied Lupin, Fujiko and Jigen.
"1:45 am?" asked Goemon.
Fu pouted, "I guess so."
Lupin kissed Little Fu on the forehead. "You're an angel!" He stood up, "We've got some time 'til one. It'd be best if you guys rest up, while I go check out the palace."
Fu followed him to the door, "I'm coming, too."
"Stay," ordered Lupin, slipping on his red sports jacket, "I'm checking the palace for a reason. Take a nap or something, I'll be right back."
"Be careful," Fujiko called out before he shut the door.
----
Later that evening, at 1:10 am
The guys had put together a plan of action for the palace. Little Fujiko was to stay with Fujiko and take the west end. Lupin was going to take the north end, Jigen the south. Goemon was going to circle the grounds then check the east end. At 1:45, on the dot, they would meet back in the center room of the first floor of the palace.
Goemon was the first to get back. He looked as if he'd been run through several flame throwers. Some seconds later a less than amused Jigen came in. He looked the part of a scratching post to a cat with dirt between their claws. He pushed his damaged hat on his head as well, without saying a single word.
Some minutes after Jigen, the click-click of Fujiko's high heels wondered themselves into the center room. She looked like she ran through under a giant lawn mower. Seconds after her, Lupin, finally stalked into the room. He too, looked like he'd been through a blender. The most pissed of the three.
The clock struck exactly, 1:45am.
Lupin nodded towards Fujiko at her flesh cuts and severely ripped clothes, "What happened to you?"
"Barb wire, blades, knives, daggers, need I go on?" she replied then looked at Jigen.
Jigen sucked his teeth, "Two words: Wild animals."
"Damn," she mumbled.
Lupin looked at Goemon, "Lemme guess... Fire?"
"Like you wouldn't believe," Goemon answered, quietly. "You?"
"You don't wanna know... believe me."
"They can have my damn purse if I gotta be tortured to get it," announced Fujiko in a huff.
"She's right for once," said Jigen folding his arms, "I'll find a replacement magnum. Let's get the hell out of here."
Goemon silently picked at his torched and ashed clothing. "I'm not going anywhere without my sword."
Lupin asked blankly, "Where's Empress?"
They all looked at Fujiko. She sighed - as if blowing her off as nothing, "Who knows?"
"Fujiko!" shouted Lupin.
"Relax. She's in here somewhere. It's not like I told her to go back to the hotel."
Lupin exhaled diffucultly and rubbed his temples, 'This going to be okay... this is going to be okay...' He asked, "Are you *sure*?"
"Positive. I got caught in a trap in the west wing and she left to find one of you and get help."
"Here we go again," said Jigen.
"I'm going to look for her," announced Lupin, leaving to search the palace.
----
Twenty minutes later, they all joined in the search (once again) for Little Fujiko. They'd searched the palace up and down. The gang found it strange that they'd came across several locked doors. They'd discovered a new hallway.
"Okay, this is starting to get stupid-" started Jigen.
Lupin cut him off, "Shh! ........ Do you hear that?"
They stood quiet and rigid for a while. It finally came into tune. A voice, chatting away in French, was coming from the... hallway?
"So there *is* somebody here," said Fujiko.
"Fu?" asked Jigen.
"Her french isn't as advanced as that voice," stated Goemon.
"Well, it's somebody. Search every room on this hallway," ordered Lupin. The gang jumped straight to it. There was a total of 11 doors on the hallway. While the boys searched the rooms close to the front, Fujiko choose a room close to the end of the hallway. The voice was becoming louder.
She grabbed the doorknob and twisted. The door slid open easily. Fujiko stepped in and closed it back shut behind her. She took in the room. Beautiful view of a garden, a big executive type oak desk and black leather chair. The person, was still talking to someone. Fuj guessed it was a telephone, since the chair was turned away from her.
The person said goodbye and hung up the phone with a little 'beep'. Fujiko stood and cleared her throat.
A female voice answered, "Who's there? I didn't give anyone permission to come in."
Fujiko cocked her eyebrow up, "Sorry, I was in the neighborhood and I thought I'd check out those glass pyramids at 1:45."
The lady laughed a little, "So you got, and figured out, my riddle, Miss Mine?" The person clapped, "Very good. You and your robber friends, have fun with my preset little traps?"
Fujiko sprinted across the room, "Who are you!?" She reached out and turned the chair around. It spun and she came face to face with a little redheaded 9-year-old girl. Her redhair was short and ring curled around her face - like a big girl.
Fujiko blinked, "Do I... know you?"
The girl kept staring back at her. The door slammed open. Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon stood in the entrance - looking worried. The girl leaned to the side and waved, "Bonsoir." (Good evening)
They walked up to the desk. "You've gotta be kidding..." groaned Jigen, "Not another kid."
The girl frowned, "And? What's wrong with me being a kid?"
Lupin yelled, "Who did this? And who the hell are you?!"
The girl leaned back into the chair and sighed, "If you must know... it wasn't me!"
Fujiko tilted her head. She pointed her finger, "Is your name, Marie-Alix Losiel?"
"Oui, Mademoiselle. My name is Marie-Alix," Marie responded.
"The same as in the record books?" asked Fujiko. The guys stared at her. Was she catching on to something?
Marie smiled brightly, "Mais oui, it is me." (Of course)
"Could I have a second to talk to the boys?" she asked.
"I don't care," spoke Marie, turning the chair around and dialing the telephone. She began chatting away in french again.
The guys huddled around Fujiko, whispering. Lupin spoke first, "Fujiko, I'm gonna ask. All I have to say that this better be good."
"Good?" she said, "This way better than good. I would of never imagined we'd run into her here."
"Who is she suppose to *be*?" asked Goemon.
"Marie-Alix Losiel has been in the Guinness World Book of Records three times. She's the youngest girl in the world to own a jewel collection. And it's the world's most precious collection of rare jewels outside of a museum."
They all stared at her. Lupin smiled wide, "Are you guys thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"
"If your thinkin that we should leave our stuff and buy new ones with all the gems we're gonna steal... hell yeah," said Jigen.
Fujiko added, "And Marie's only a kid. It'll be a sitch to grab that jewelry."
"We're not going anywhere until I find my sword," Goemon spoke softly.
"Oh, c'mon," groaned Fujiko, "Can't you buy a new one?"
"No," he responded meanly.
"Okay, we'll find our stuff - then we'll hit the brat's stash," agreed Lupin.
"Agreed," said Fujiko, Jigen, and Goemon.
They turned around to Marie-Alix still talking on the telephone. She peered back at them and ended her conversation.
"There's something I think you should all know now," announced Marie.
Lupin and gang exchanged glances. Lupin grinned, "And what is it?"
"The mysterious, yet somehow purposely planned 'incidents' that has happened to each of you in the past in few days... have strong ties to me."
"Say what?" said Jigen.
"I have each of your most precious belongings. You know, the ones that got stolen slash lost."
"What?!" they all yelled.
"You planned that stuff?" asked Fujiko.
"But we don't even know you!?" screamed Lupin. "Why take our stuff?"
"Classified Information, Monseiur Lupin," she told him.
He leaned across the desk prepared to strangle her, "Why you little-"
She raised a walkie-talkie to her mouth and spoke, "Code Ruby."
In seconds two huge bodyguards burst into the room. They towered over Lupin and the guys. Probably seven feet tall. Each. He swallowed and turned pale. Putting his hands back to his sides, he straightened up.
"Step away from Mademoiselle Losiel," said one in a very low voice.
Lupin laughed nervously and backed away quickly. He spoke again, "Merci."
Bodyguard #2 spoke, "Anything else, Mademoiselle Losiel?"
"No, thank you, Eric. But, if you could stand outside of the door, for emergency purposes - I'd be ever so grateful."
"Yes, Mll. Losiel."
Lupin watched them leave nervously. Bodyguard #1 faked at Lupin. Lupin nearly jumped out his skin. The door closed and he slumped to the floor against the wall.
Fujiko turned back to Marie, "That was over the top, little girl."
"Hey, if I didn't have them, any loon'd be able to just walk in here and beat me up. I'm loved my few, but hated by many."
"I can see why," mumbled Jigen.
Fujiko continued, "Your bodyguards have nothing to do with this - why would you want our belongings? How did you plan this and what have we ever done to you?"
"One and three are classified information. But two I can definately answer. You see, I didn't plan your mini-demises. Someone among yourselves did. Take a real good guess."
Lupin had joined the group back and was thinking like the rest of the gang. It only took a second for them to know who Marie was talking about.
They all spoke together, "Little Fu."
"Who?" asked Marie.
"Fujiko-Mignon," said Lupin.
Marie said, "Oh, yeah. That's her."
"We should of known," started Jigen, "Who else knows us well enough to get our shit stolen?"
"And she even helped solve those riddles," added Goemon.
"Talk about obvious," said Fujiko. Lupin turned to Marie-Alix, "So you two were working together on us, huh? Or is that classified information, too?"
Marie said, "Actually... I can call her to attention, right now."
They smiled evily at each other. Lupin answered, "Oh, please, do Marie."
She got out her walkie-talkie again and held it to her mouth, "Attention, Mignon. Come to the nerve center. Nerve center."
Her voice replied, "Do you have to use that stupid thing? I'm right down the hall."
"In hiding?"
The door opened. Little Fu closed it with her back turned to the room, "Duh, I'm in hiding. You think I want my parents to find-"
She turned around to see them all looking at her furious. She squeaked out, "...Me."
----
"AHHHHH!"
Little Fujiko ran screaming down the corridor, sliding on the polished marble floors as she tried to turn a corner. Goemon, Lupin, and Jigen were hot on her tracks. As she regained her balance and tried to pick up her current speed, but it was too late.
Lupin ran ahead of her and stood at the end of the hallway. His arms stretched, ready to catch her. Little Fu jumped and slid between his open legs. Then....
'THUD!'
She slammed hard into the marble framed wall. She was upside down, with her back against the wall, her legs dangling over her head and her head on the floor. Her arms sprawled across the floor with her head. She groaned as the guys towered over her.
"And you thought you were in trouble for sneaking away to Florida," said Lupin.
She pursed her lips, closed her eyes and whimpered. 'Please let me live through this, please let me live through this,' she thought.
----
Big Fujiko watched Lupin drag their child into the room. Marie-Alix watched amused.
"You are a dead girl walking if you don't tell us everything you know. Starting right now," ordered Fujiko quite calmly.
"I can explain, Mommy," she said her voice shaking. "No - better! I can get all your stuff back. Right now!"
Marie-Alix screamed, "What!?"
They all turned to gawk at her. Fujiko looked down on her daughter and said, "Spill kid."
"Just a second," answered Little Fu. She ran around to the back of Marie's desk. The adults watched them have a semi-heated convo. Their heads shook and nodded and bobbed animatedly. After a moment they both turned around.
The adults watched Marie-Alix pull a big solid platinum box out of a drawer in the desk. The exchanged smiles as Fu received the box.
Marie smiled at the grown-ups. Fujiko could tell the smile was fake, but the guys couldn't. "We've come to an agreement. And on behalf of Fujiko's life, you may have your belongings back. Adieu, ma amies!" (Good evening, my friends!)
----
In the hotel room, hours later (dawn), all was good with Lupin and Company. In the living room, Fujiko held her purse lovingly tight, Goemon inspected every inch of his sword, Jigen was polishing his magnum, and Lupin - like Goemon - was inspecting his most treasured valuables. Little Fu had opened the big platinum box minutes earlier in the other room.
"Ya know..," started Lupin, "I just can't figure out why Empress would want to give that Alix girl, our stuff. And help her trick us like that. We barely know her."
"I've been thinking about that, too," admitted Jigen.
Fujiko added, "Maybe it was a deal. Some kind of exchange. I mean, she *did* get that big platinum box. There's no telling what could be in it."
"The cherry blossom does not fall from the tree on purpose," said Goemon.
"Yes, it does," challenged Lupin.
Goemon's eyes narrowed at him, "No. It doesn't."
"What the hell does that mean, anyway?" said Lupin, "She had a reason."
"He means," said Fujiko, "That she was trying to impress Marie-Alix."
"Right," said Goemon.
"Like... she wanted to be her friend?" asked Jigen.
Lupin went deeper, "Some kinda offering? My little Empress doesn't need to impress anybody - like she isn't good enough."
A voice sounded from the other room, "Oh, no."
They were quiet for a while. Little Fu came into the main room. She paced and mumbled, 'oh no' over and over again. A necklace between her fingers. "What do you mean, 'oh no'?" asked Lupin.
She didn't look up, "Oh, no no no no." Little Fu began pacing the room. Her eyes began inspecting every piece of precious rock stuck in the gold necklace, "No no no no no."
"What's wrong?" said Jigen.
"No no no!"
Lupin jumped up and grabbed her by the shoulders, "What's the matter, Fu?"
Her eyes went angry. "Daddy, I need a telephone."
"I need an answer," he challenged.
She exhaled, "She tricked me."
They all stared, "What?"
She shook out of her father's grasp, slammed the necklace down and stepped on it. Fujiko gasped. "It's was a fake! The whole box is a fake! Ooooo! I'm gonna kill Marie-Alix with... with..." a smile spread slowly to her face, "With kindness."
"Okay she just lost me," said Jigen.
Goemon remembered that smile. It was the same evil smile she got when she told him about their prank on Lupin. The day he was paid to babysit her.
Goemon warned, "Don't do it, Fujiko."
She walked over to the telephone and took it lightly in her hand. "What are you talking about... 'don't do it'. I'm just going to call Marie-Alix and plan a little get together, so we can talk about my present." While she spoke her fingers pressed numbers on the phone.
Before an adult could ask questions, or object, she was talking, "Marie-Alix, how are you?... Oui, I just opened it, amie! They are tres belle. Merci, beaucoup... I was thinking, Marie... What if, we planned another scheme against my parents - before we all fly back to Kyoto," said Little Fu.
She winked at the adults in the room, when they heard her proposal, "I have the perfect plan. But only in exchange for another slice of the cake... You know what I'm talking about, Marie.... We'll meet tomorrow - oh! But you'll need to send me the keys by way of magic... Thanks, again. And see you soon! Bisou-Bisou!" (Kiss-Kiss)
She slammed the phone down and growled in a low-short voice, "Trick."
"And what was that?" asked Lupin with a raised eyebrow.
Her smile lit up the room, "The greatest payback of all time. If my favorite mommy, daddy," she glanced at Goemon, "And my favorite godfather's would help me get even."
"I'm in," said Fujiko, without a second thought.
"Payback, huh?" asked Jigen.
She nodded, "Yup!"
"Sounds like fun," added Lupin.
"Godfather?" asked Fu, "Will you help? Pretty please."
Goemon sighed miserably, "Do I have a choice?"
"Merci, beaucoup!" (Thanks a lot!)
----
The next day.
"Rob them again? Don't you think they'd be hip to it this time?" asked redheaded Marie-Alix. In the same chair and desk, in the same office, in the same palace, with the same bodyguards searching the premises. Only difference, the door to the office was wide open.
Little Fu had laid several sheets of paper out on her desk. She frowned at her comment, "Hey, I'm the daughter of Lupin The Third. Do you trust my ideas or not? I know better than to do the same thing twice. Plus, I got them all the first time, didn't I?"
She yawned, exagerratedly, "Yes, Fujiko. You did. But this ain't about you. I'm the one forking over the jewels - they better fall right into place tomorrow like they did yesterday."
"And I better get paid, too," replied Fu. She watched a trickle of sweat slide down her jawbone. Marie answered nervously, "I paid you the first time, didn't I?"
She rolled her eyes, and walked around to the back of the desk with a piece of paper. "Whatever. Now look at this part of the plan..."
----
Lupin spoke into a walkie-talkie radio.
"Marksman? You in station? Over," he asked.
"Stationed, over," Jigen answered.
"Beautiful, Sexy, Brunette, Weapon-Wielding Bombshell? In station? Over," he asked to Fujiko.
She giggled, "Stationed and ready. Over."
Lupin spoke again, "Samurai?"
"Stationed," he answered simply.
"What?"
"Stationed!" he yelled into the walkie-talkie.
"You're suppose to say 'over'. Over," he added.
"I'm less than a floor away from you, Lupin," said Goemon, unamused, "Don't make me come up there."
Jigen sounded, "I see the goonsquad, over."
Lupin answered, "You know what to do, over."
Jigen squared his shoulders so he could fill up the shadows. Somewhat across from him in the shadows as well, was Goemon. He had a ready grip on his sword. The bodyguards passed them was they walked through the corridor.
Jigen and Goemon jumped out soundlessly. In two swift movements, Goemon and Jigen knocked both of the bodyguards out.
"Goons down and out. Over," replied Jigen.
"That was quick. Good," said Lupin, "We're ahead of schedule, and everythings going according to plan. Get to the kitchen - undetected."
He tagged Fujiko, "Fuji-cakes? You still on station?"
"The girls are still in the office. Little Fu even got Marie to turn her chair around. She's not going anywhere. Make it quick though, just to be on the safe side. Over," relayed Fujiko.
"That's my girl," said Lupin without talking into the walkie-talkie. He swiftly ran out of the room he was hiding in. Lupin ran down the hall, downstairs, and towards the kitchen. He slowed his pace to a tip-toe.
In order to get to the kitchen, and back again, he would have to walk right past Marie-Alix's office. And the open door wasn't helping! But Fujiko had said it was safe to dip past. They were discussing Little Fu's fake plan for tomorrow. If only Marie-Alix knew that they'd be long gone by then.
He stretched a foot across the door in the hallway. Then Lupin jumped. Trying to balance all his weight on two feet, he wobbled. Fujiko, from her hiding place, bit her lip.
'Don't fall, Lupin - don't fall!' she screamed inside her mind.
He regained his balance and exhaled. Lupin gave Fujiko a wide grin and a 'thumbs up' to her hiding place. She shook her head at him. 'Worrying me, over nothing,' she thought.
Lupin bolted down the hallway to the kitchen. When he got there, he saw it was almost made of steel and silver. The guys were searching every cabinet, shelf, and drawer. Silently, of course! Lupin whispered, "What are you two doing?"
Jigen looked up from rummaging through a cupboard, "Looking for the damn treasure."
"You think she'd keep all those valuables in an obvious place?" asked Lupin. He stroked his chin and folded his arms, "Hmmm... now where did Empress tell me the door was?"
Lupin's eyes searched the emanse kitchen. "Don't tell us you've forgotten," said Goemon.
"I remember," mumbled Lupin. "Ah, here we go."
He walked over to the dishwasher, opened it and reached into the back. He felt around for a little button. "I found you. Come to Lupin," he grinned. He pressed the small button and large piece of the silvery-shiny wall pushed forward.
"I tried to pull that out before," said Goemon.
Jigen pondered aloud, "Nobody'd ever guess the secret button was in a dishwasher."
"I know," said Lupin going with the boys to the risen wall, "Kids nowadays are *smart*."
"They aren't *that* smart," said Goemon. The boys grabbed the wall and pulled, each taking slow steps backwards. Cold escaped when the air tight door was opened wide enough. The boys peered inside between the door and the wall.
A big box, somewhat the size of a suitcase, sat in the back close to a corner. "I'll go get it out," volunteered Lupin.
The room was big, cold, and dark. He creeped slowly to the suitcase in the corner. He bent down to pick it up. A vent made a loud creek. Lupin nearly jumped out of his skin. He grabbed the suitcase, slid it between the space and jumped back out.
The boys closed the door back. Jigen reached into the dishwasher and sealed the door back shut. Lupin rubbed his hands together, from the cold of the freezer safe and from excitement of the bag. He unzipped it and threw the top back.
Their eyes lit up like Christmas lights.
Jewels.
In every color, shape, size, and cut design imaginable. Some pieces looked fresh from a mine or cave. Some was in wearable jewelry, others were raw, others were just big cut chunks.
"Little Fu wasn't kiddin when she said Marie was loaded," mumbled Lupin.
"Hey," said a voice in a hushed whisper. It was Fujiko. She peered over the counter and caught sight of what of was making them all so dazed. Her eyes lit up as well. But she shook her head, "You guys - snap out of it. Little Fu's running out of time. We've gotta get out of here now. Before we're behind schedule."
They all shook themselves out of the gems' trance. Lupin closed the suitcase back and zipped it shut.
Lupin helped the guys drag it to the door, "We'll be able to count how richer we've become, when we're back in Kyoto. Let's go."
----
Little Fu glanced down at her watch, when Marie wasn't looking. Her chair was still turned from the door. She was overlooking the plan for the hundredth time. Just like Fu had made her do.
"Flawless," said Marie-Alix, "You're some kind of friend, Fujiko."
She smiled, "As long as you're happy and I get paid... nice relationship, huh?"
"The best," said Marie without looking up.
Fu's eyes wondered to the hallway. She saw her father's and godfather's shadows looming in the hallway. She turned around quickly, trying to ignore the hallway - like she'd been doing.
"You think I should change this part?" Little Fu asked to divert the silence. Jigen and Goemon carried one end of the suitcase across the office doorway soundlessly and slowly.
"No... you've changed that about a thousand times since you've been here," answered Marie, irritated.
"Just wondering. Something funny about it - everytime I look at it."
"It's fine," she snapped. Lupin carried the other end across the door silently. Fu tried not to stare as her father crossed. From the corner of her eye she saw him struggling with the weight of the suitcase.
Fu gasped a short breath when Lupin's fingers slipped and the suitcase almost dropped. But in a half a second, Fujiko appeared and caught it.
"Oh, my goodness," she whispered, placing ahand to her forehead.
Marie stared at Little Fu, "What's wrong?"
She looked at her half shocked, "Nothing."
Marie watched her eyes dart between her face and the door. "I don't believe you."
Lupin wiped his brow and they moved out of the way of the door and danger - just in time.
"Don't!" screamed Fu. Marie-Alix turned around in her seat to stare into a empty hallway. She raised an eyebrow, "Don't what?"
Little Fu smiled and exhaled deeply, "Nevermind. I thought I saw something. Just one of the bodyguards."
" *Whatever*, Fujiko."
----
The family lived it up on the plane back home. Fujiko marveled, "Wow... no wonder she's in the record books so much. I've never seen so many rare jewels all together."
"And Lupin almost killed it," said Jigen, lighting his cigarette.
"Hey, that thing was heavy," he said trying to defend himself.
Fu added, "I saw that part. Mom saved us."
"Sure did," Fujiko replied taking a sip of her expensive wine.
"Oh, yeah right. All you did was catch it," huffed Lupin. The gang laughed. A little telephone ringed under Little Fu's seat. She pulled it out and the phone stopped ringing.
"Answering machine," said Fu.
They all sat quietly and listened to the message.
"Allo? Fujiko, c'est moi - Marie-Alix. I was waiting for you today, but you didn't show. That's okay, though. I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first! Some incredibly slick thieves, came and stole my little freezer stash of vegetable jewels. The good news is that whoever did it... didn't know that they only ran off with a third of my *real* collection of jewels.
"I mean the ones they have are real, but that's just a slice of the cake. It hasn't damaged - barely even scratched - my rep as a jewel collector. Isn't that funny, amie? I will talk to you very soon. Bisou-Bisou!"
The messenger beeped. Lupin, Fujiko, Little Fu, Goemon and Jigen all shared the same blank expressions.
----
[ IIIV: From Mother To Daughter; coming soon ]
I do not own Lupin III in anyway. All rights go to whoever owns this fine show/series. But I do own the jewlery luvin' Little Fu and the phrase 'Daddy's little Empress'. Okay! We've come to a huge, huge, HUGE turning point in the story. This is the last chapter of Little Fu where we'll see her as a little kid! That's right, the big change has arrived. No more roundness, puffy faces, and baby cracks anymore.
Little Fu is going to become a teenager.
I'm working on it as we read (lol). Keep the reviews, comments, flames and suggestions coming. You looking forward to this milestone? You don't wanna let go of the cute baby, Little Fu? One more baby chapter, you ask? I'll never know, if you don't tell me.
Holla back, super soon!
