Mobbing Up the Past

The Golden Ostrich

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"That's one hell of an idea, Lupin, but jeez," said Jigen half an hour later.

"The timing is going to have to be absolutely precise," Goemon said, having returned from the veranda with Miyuki earlier.

"And we don't want to get screwed over in the end by Pops," added Fujiko. "Isn't there a safer way?"

"We're dealing with the Mafia here, Fujicakes...there really is no safe way," said Lupin.

"I think it could work, but Fujiko's got a point...we've got to do it and get the hell out of there," said Jigen. "Pops will be on us like fish in a barrel if we're not careful."

"You need to work on your similes, Daisuke," said Miyuki, rolling her eyes.

"I haven't got time for grammatical correctness," he grunted.

"Are you going to call Zenigata, Lupin?" asked Goemon, drawing his sword. "I suggest you do something soon because the Shadow of Death has awoken." He studied the blade for a moment and slid it back into its sheath.

"Yeah, give me the phone there, Jigen," he said. The siblings both reached for it at the same time, colliding heads as they went.

"Looks like we might have a problem here," Goemon remarked.

"Okay, he's Jigen and you're Mui...forget you have a last name," said Lupin.

"Or we could just change it," suggested Goemon.

"To what?"

"Well, something with ancient samurai roots might be suiting..."

"Oh God...Goemon's attempt at pickup lines," Jigen said while Lupin shook his head.

"We need to work on your ladies act," he said. "Now just hand me the phone." Jigen successfully retrieved it and tossed it to Lupin.

"Thanks...I'm sure he's in town by now," he muttered as he dialed. "Hello, can I speak to Inspector Zenigata? Tell him it's about Lupin the Third." He snickered lightly.

"You've got to be kidding me...he's here already?" asked Fujiko.

"Apparently...you know we're his favourite pastime," said Jigen.

"Hey Pops! It's your good ol' pal Lupin...no, this isn't a prank call...come on, Zenigata, it's me! No wonder you haven't caught me yet; you don't even know when you're talking to me...I have a favour to request." He held the phone away from his ear as the sound of Zenigata's voice became audible to everyone in the room.

"My, someone's a bit cranky," said Jigen.

"Will you stop shouting already? This is big stuff; it might boost your less-than-perfect reputation back at Interpol...that's better...now listen, we had a run in with the Mafia earlier tonight...yes, yes, that was us stealing the Blue Flame sapph-" he jerked the phone away as the ranting and raving resumed.

"That guy is such a pain in the ass," muttered Jigen. "You'd think he'd be happy to hear from us, but nooooo."

"Pops! Put a lid on it and hear me out! Look, these guys are after this woman named Miyuki Jigen...yes, she's his sister...listen, at any rate, they want her dead...no, I don't know why! But are you going to sit back and let an innocent girl get killed because we happened to be the ones to report it?"

"Wouldn't put it past him," said Fujiko.

"We care because it's Jigen's sister. You know, the whole blood is thicker than water deal...come on, work with us here. We can act as bait here and lure them into a trap and you can have all the glory that you so desperately need to help repair your name as a cop."

"And he needs a lot," added Jigen.

"What's in it for us? Oh, well we'll be leaving the country without fear of pursuit." Lupin grinned and set the phone down on the table while Zenigata shouted and cursed.

"It'll be a cold day in hell before I purposely let you slip through my fingers, Lupin!" they heard him yell.

"I can imagine it's getting pretty chilly down there now then, unless you're honestly thinking about passing up an opportunity like this," said Jigen, having lifted up the phone. "Don't forget you've got my sister to think about...you might hate me, but she's never done a damn thing to you." The shouting quieted and Jigen nodded, handing the phone back to Lupin.

"Do we have a deal then, Pops? That's what I thought...now, where do you want to set the trap..."

* * *

Jigen lay awake that night, pondering the words that kept ringing in his mind...he couldn't shake Mui's tale off long enough to allow some sleep. "Damn guilty conscious," muttered, sitting up in his bed. He glanced over at Lupin, watching him snore richly with a grin plastered across his face. "Must be dreaming about that broad again." His eyes traveled to the other bed beside his, where Goemon lay. He could tell the samurai was unsleeping, judging by the sound of his feet sliding almost imperceptibly beneath the sheets, and an occasional light sigh that was nearly inaudible thanks to Lupin's bass snoring.

"Why aren't you sleeping, Jigen?" came Goemon's voice.

"Huh? Just thinking too much, that's all. Never did a man any good."

"You feel responsible for what happened to your mother and Miyuki?" Goemon said, sitting up. "I heard you talking to yourself a moment ago."

"Some great friends I have...eavesdropping on me."

"Well when you're in the same room, five feet apart..."

"Huh," Jigen grunted. "Well it is my fault...I can't push this one off onto anyone else too easily. Guess I'm lucky Mui's forgiving...so why the hell are you awake?"

"Hmm," said Goemon, closing his eyes.

"Does this have something to do with that 'love is the only game not called on account of darkness', perhaps?" said Jigen with a grin. He watched Goemon's silhouette flinch slightly.

"Perhaps," said Goemon enigmatically. "I must confess, I feel an affinity for your sister."

"Confess? This isn't a freakin' Catholic Church, man. She's always been a meticulous one though...she has no qualms about being tactless. Just a fair warning."

"A true Jigen, then."

"Uh-huh."

"I have no desire to drive a wedge in between our friendship or partnership though."

Jigen gave him an incredulous look. "You can't sleep because you think that I actually give a shit about my sister's personal life?" Goemon nodded slightly. Jigen shook his head in disbelief.

"You obviously care about her."

"Her personal life is none of my business...but, if I were to have any say in it, I couldn't think of a better man," he said rather gruffly, feeling totally out of character. "All right? Can you sleep now, or do you need a lullaby too?" he asked in redemption for himself. Goemon grinned.

"Lupin's singing sweetly enough for me."

"Jeez, this guy is like a foghorn...somebody get me a hose." He reached down and picked up his shoe. "Hey Lupin! Dammit, would you kill the engine?" Lupin responded by snorting gloriously.

"All right, that's it..." He hurled his shoe at Lupin, catching him hard in the face.

"Oof! Hey, that was uncalled for!" Lupin said, sitting up suddenly.

"I'm afraid none of us would've gotten any sleep if you had kept up that commotion...I'm sure the neighbors are convinced that we're doing construction work in here," said Goemon.

"I'll show you construction work," Lupin grunted and chucked the shoe in the samurai's direction. Goemon ducked, watching it sail over his head and thud against the wall.

"Hey, watch it...I only have sandals!"

"Will both of you shut up and go to sleep? Between your snoring and his lovesickness, it's a wonder anyone in this hotel can get any rest!"

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Author's Note: one more part to come...I hope you liked the nighttime scene; I just added that...the story needed a little more meat to it. As always, please review!