DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lupin III… But I still love it, anyway.
Hello!
Leo, Max, gay? I… I… I'm sorry, I ain't got nothin' for that. Well, actually, I have too much to say about that, hee hee. Well, other than that which amuses me immensely… Thanks again for the comments and reviews. As always, they are appreciated. Good, bad, critical—I'm equal opportunity. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter too, and… I'm sorry, I've got nothing for this, either… Summer's rotted my brain out—It's just little hamsters on wheels working up here now.
Chapter Twenty Two
A Few Weeks Later: Shanghai Surprise
'But Daniel was hot,
And he drew first and shot,
And Rocky collapsed in the corner,'
—The Beatles, 'Rocky Raccoon'
France:
"Hey, hey, Fujicakes! They're here!" said Lupin cheerily as he peered out the window, "What in the world is Toshiro riding on? And with Yukiko…?"
"That's a Vespa, Dear. We own three," replied Fujiko as she fluffed a knit pillow, another craft of Ari's.
"I know what it is! But it just looks strange with a samurai…" Lupin commented as he drew the blinds shut and waited for Fuji to enter. The doorbell rang, and Lupin opened the door, and was nearly tackled by Fuji, who embraced him tightly.
"Daddy!" Fuji said with an unusual squeal of joy.
"Uh… Fuji, Daddy's not breathing… Loosen up a little," Lupin choked.
"Oh, sorry!" Fuji chuckled, and let go of her hold on her father.
"Jeeze, I've had some deathgrips in my time, but you take the cake, Fuji!" Lupin chuckled as he loosened his tie, "I heard you had a run-in with my nephew… After the kidnapping incident, which we'll talk about later…"
"That lecherous heathen…" muttered Odori, narrowing her eyes and gripping onto the handle of the blade.
"Yep, that's our Victor," said Lupin, "Anyway, why don't I show you all to your rooms?"
"Dad, please don't give me the one near Ari's," said Fuji with a hint of sadness.
"I understand," nodded Lupin, "How is he, anyway?"
"Still working with Zenigata," replied Fuji.
"Yeah, I know that. I got a call from his dad—I thought the old man was going to die laughing… I was kind of hoping it would happen for a few moments, too," said Lupin with a slightly annoyed tone.
"Lupin, you don't mean that," sighed Fujiko, "Come on, I'll help everyone, too."
"You know, that's what I love about this joint—Private rooms," said Ally, "I don't have to share a bed with Heiji…"
"Hey, you're the one who's always spooning me and calling me 'Carmen' in your sleep!" snapped Heiji.
"Could we just stop for five seconds? That's already enough scary imagery for one night!" said Fuji as she picked up her bags and followed her mother and father up the stairs. One the way up to her room, she saw one door opened a crack. It was filled with books, and posters and maps of different countries. It was pristinely clean, down to the pens placed side-by-side on the desk. On the desk was a letter from Ari, explaining why he had to leave… Fuji quickly turned her head, and walked into her own bedroom, down the hall from Ari's. She threw her suitcase down, and smiled widely. She walked over to her walk-in closet, and pulled the doors open. She gave a heavy sigh of contentment as she laid eyes on her numerous outfits.
"Hello, girls… You miss your Mommy? Of course you did," said Fuji as she pulled one of the dresses off a hanger and studied herself in a mirror at the end of the closet.
"So, Toshiro, I've hear the least from you over the years, what have you been up to?" inquired Lupin.
Toshiro gulped; if he spoke, Lupin would be surprised, that was certain. He had still had his Japanese accent when he had spoken with the thief, face-to-face.
"A little of this, a little of that," said Toshiro. What he said came out sounding a little more like, 'Ah, li'l a' this, a li'l a' that'… Lupin immediately spun his head around in surprise.
"Well, you've certainly changed… And I don't mean height wise…" said Lupin with a laugh, "I heard you were tall, but I had no idea you were that tall. At least I know who to call to put the angel on top of my Christmas tree!"
Lupin poked his head in Yukiko's old bedroom, where the gunwoman was unfolding her suits, and smiled, "This room, right?"
"No, no—Very, very wrong," replied Toshiro quickly.
"Oh. Well, that's a shame. I would've figured by now…" said Lupin quietly.
"She told me she wants to be friends…"
"You poor bastard. Don't worry, I'd been getting that one for years from Fujiko."
"Well, how did you two finally…?"
"I got her pregnant. Don't tell Fuji, though. She's kind of in the dark about it… Well, as far as I know," Lupin shrugged, "Oh, well, I'll give you your dad's old room. Has a mat in there," said Lupin.
"Um… Could I get a room with a bed? Odori likes those, but they hurt my back," said Toshiro with a weak smile.
"Well, you are full of surprises, huh?" Lupin chuckled, "Okay, I'll give you this room. You like this one?"
"It's perfect," Toshiro nodded as he noticed the wallpaper of doves about the bedroom, "Just like home…"
"Well, this is your old bedroom, after all! I'll see you down at dinner in a little. You can go for a swim in the meantime," Lupin replied, closing the door behind himself, "I wonder if his dad has any clue…"
"What's wrong?" inquired Fujiko as she met with Lupin at the end of the hallway.
"It's good to have the kids here… But there're so many missing still," sighed Lupin, "Jigen, Goemon, Ming, Amaya… Even Pops and Natasha! And let's not forget…."
"Max and Ari," Fujiko nodded, "I know, but maybe for the holidays, right? Everyone's so busy during the regular year… Jigen and Ming have got a baby on the way…"
"Because they're idiots…"
"And Goemon and Amaya have their little tribe to watch after…"
"Because they both have death wishes…"
"And Pops and Natasha are always off doing something…"
"Because by the luck of karma he has the vitality of a rabbit…" Lupin turned to Fujiko, "I actually had a kid call me 'Pops' a few days ago… I was driving, and I guess I didn't notice the red light… Damn it's depressing…"
"Only if you let it be," said Fujiko, kissing Lupin on the cheek and smiling. She gasped as she felt a hand on her lower regions, and slapped Lupin across the face, "Your hair may be graying, but you're still the same old pervert!" Fujiko shouted angrily as she stormed up the stairs.
"Hee hee…. Still got it after all of these years…" Lupin chuckled quietly, rubbing his soar reddened cheek.
Interpol Headquarters, Paris, France:
"WHAT!?" Max shrieked, causing all of the heads in the office to turn and stare, "Another partner!?"
"Yes," nodded the chief, "I'm afraid you and LeBlanc aren't cutting it… So I'm hiring Sergeant Long to go with you."
"Where's this guy from, anyway?" inquired Leo.
"Beijing Police Force. One of the best there is, from what I understand," replied the chief, seating himself in front of the two, "Sergeant Long, you may come in, now!" he called.
"Sir, with all do respect, the whole idea of us being so helpless as to need another hand is… Absolutely gorgeous…." Max muttered as Sgt. Long entered. She was an Asian woman, stern looking, with her hair tied up tightly, and her sharp green pantsuit heightening her sharp features. Leo's eyes immediately directed themselves downward, and he quietly blushed as she removed her glasses.
"Detectives LeBlanc and Zenigata at your service, Ma'am!" said Max cheerily, rising to greet Long.
"The pleasure is mine, Detective," replied Long with a shake of the hand.
'There's something about her… I've seen those eyes somewhere before….' Leo thought as he glanced upward at her, 'There's something more to Long, or my name isn't Arsene Lupin the Fourth…'
Back at the House:
"Hey, Yukiko, we're going swimming the pool—You want to come?" Ally inquired.
"Nah, that's all right," replied Yukiko as she looked outward at the lake behind the Lupin establishment. She had gone fishing with her father, there… Toshiro had kissed her in the tree outside of her window… She and he had driven down that road in a Mini Cooper…
She watched as Ally joined the others down by the pool, who had already been out there for some time. Odori was floating on a purple dragon-like float, looking humorous trying to achieve Zen on the childish device, and Heiji was splashing Ally with the water of the pool. Fuji and Ryo were both in the hot tub, discussing matters and occasionally laughing in the process. And Toshiro had just exited the house. He dove into the pool, and came up for air after over a minute. Yukiko had begun to get concerned, and breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him surface.
"He's still a good guy…" Yukiko said out loud to herself, "Not bad to look at, either… What the hell did I just say!?" she gasped.
"Who were you talking about?" Yukiko spun her head about, and saw Fujiko smiling at her.
"No one," Yukiko replied, pulling her fedora over her eyes and turning away from the window. "What do you need, Fujiko?"
"I was just wondering why you weren't out there having fun like the others," replied Fujiko, "Are you feeling all right?"
"Yeah, I'll fine," Yukiko smirked, "Just… Jet lag, you know…?"
"Hm… Yeah, I know," Fujiko smiled warmly, "You know, you act a lot like Jigen, but that doesn't mean you have to follow his life…"
"Huh?"
"Nothing. You'll understand someday," Fujiko answered with a reassuring glance.
In Lupin's Library:
"Hey, Jigen, how goes the bookstore!?" Lupin inquired cheerily as he leaned back in his leather armchair and spoke through his friend via telephone.
"I'm stocking that new Harry Potter book," said Jigen crankily, "This lady makes enough money as it is! She doesn't have to write books this thick! God, the regular are enough on my back—The large prints versions are killers! And we're getting the audio books in next week… Oh, I can feel my feet aching already… Couldn't she stick to three hundred pages, top?"
"Hey, guess who's on the line with me!? He's Asian, he eats crap I wouldn't feed my dog and he has a worse heart than Dick Cheney!" said Lupin.
"No introductions necessary, Lupin… Especially one so very backhanded," said Goemon, a slight tone of annoyance in his voice.
"I just wanted to let you both know that your kids arrived safely…" said Lupin.
"How's Ally? He shoot anything yet?" inquired Jigen worriedly.
"Not yet… But I'm pretty sure if I go up to his room I'll see his sniper rifle pointed to that horse and donkey ranch that's nearby."
"Christ… He always loved shooting mules," muttered Jigen.
"Ah, well, who doesn't love a little ass now and then?" Lupin chuckled, "I was a little concerned with Ryo, seeing that Ari's old stuff is all here, but she's out swimming with the rest of them…"
"How about Heiji and Odori?"
"Bickering like a crotchety old couple fighting over who called 'Bingo' first."
"Good to know they're all right," sighed Goemon, "How about Toshiro?"
"Well… When's the last time you talked to your son, Goemon? I mean, not on the computer…"
"Well, his phone's usually out," replied Goemon, "It has been quite a while, I'll admit. Why?"
"Did he tell you about his Vespa?"
"My son's driving a Vespa!?" yelped Goemon.
"Yeah, a yellow one. With Yukiko as his passenger," added Lupin.
"Hey, she can't do that until she's married!" shouted Jigen, "Is she?" he added hopefully after a pause.
"Why are you so hung up on that girl getting married, Jigen?" inquired Lupin, "Ryo runs around as much as Fujiko, and Ally shoots anything that's breathing and edible. Aren't you the least bit worried?"
"Ryo's doing it to make Ari jealous, and Ally's going through a stage…"
"That's lasted fourteen years," Goemon snorted.
"Hey, since when did you start getting so punchy!?" snapped Jigen.
"My medication," replied Goemon.
"My ass. We all know you get overly cheery when you're on your medication," snorted Jigen, "But she's too much like me, Lupin! I don't want her to get married at forty! She's going to kill herself at the rate she's going! At least Ally and Ryo tried to settle down. Unfortunately, they have my luck with love."
"And Toshiro is nearly thirty!" added Goemon, "I don't know what he's waiting for!"
"You two are just unbelievable," said Lupin with disappointment, "Do you even remember what is was like at their age? How it felt to have that freedom…. Don't you guys want them to experience that?"
"No! That's why we want them married!" Goemon and Jigen shouted in unison.
"I've done way too many stupid things—" Jigen started.
"And I've learned not to let them do those same stupid things—" added Goemon.
"While I sit around! I mean—"
"It'd be bad parenting to just stand around while they—"
"Screw around and ruin their lives!"
Lupin paused, and stared at the phone a long while before speaking. "Have—Have you guys practiced that speech or something?"
"We've both given it, Lupin," replied Jigen.
"Yeah, but do you two both compare notes, or something? Because if not, that was horribly creepy…" said Lupin.
"We just spend too, too much time together," said Goemon.
"Lupin, where do you keep your towels?" Toshiro inquired as he walked into the home.
"Who's that?" Jigen and Goemon asked in unison.
"That's…. Toshiro…"
"What!?" both choked.
"Does he talk like that all of the time?" inquired Jigen.
"My son has a Brooklyn accent!? It's no wonder he never called!" Goemon yelled in an angry drawl.
"It's because he was afraid you'd freak out… And you're kind scaring me, yourself. Calm down—Remember your condition," Lupin sighed, "I'll talk to you both later—You're both making my head hurt."
"Yeah… I've got a date in an hour, anyway…" said Jigen.
"Oh, I heard about that ballroom dance competition! Good luck!" said Lupin.
"Wha—Who the hell told you about that!?" Jigen demanded.
"Oh, no one. I just guessed," chuckled Lupin, "It is Friday, after all, and you're highly predictable. Have fun, Jigen. Send me pictures!"
"I'll send you a case full of rabid vipers," Jigen snapped in return, "Have a good night…"
"You, too, Jigen," said Goemon, "Good bye, Lupin."
"Goodnight, Jigen. Goodnight, Goemon. Goodnight, John Boy," chuckled Lupin.
"Who's John Boy?" inquired Jigen.
"The Waltons… Not like I watch it…" Goemon coughed.
"Sure, sure…" said Jigen.
"Bye, guys," Lupin hung up the telephone, and rose from his seat. "Wonder if he and Ming will win again this year—Especially with her being pregnant…" he wondered out loud as he walked out to the back yard, where Odori was in the midst of drowning Heiji while Ally fought her off. But this was nothing new—They had always been like this. He did wonder, however, what had become of Toshiro.
"He went back up to check on Yukiko," Fuji explained after her father inquired as to where Toshiro had gone.
"Ah," Lupin nodded, and looked upward towards Yukiko's window.
"If he's doing anything remotely like he usually would, I'm going to slaughter him," Ally growled, bawling his fists together.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry until later tonight if I were you, Ally!" said Fuji.
"Why's that?" inquired Ally, turning his head toward Fuji.
"Fancy party… Millionaire with a millionaire smile and eyes to kill for, and, ahem… Anyway, bottom line is, this guy has something I want, and we're infiltrating," explained Fuji.
"And what is it that he has?" inquired Ally.
"A series of letters that belong to the Lupin clan," replied Fuji, "He's going to auction them! Can you believe that!? Those are private!"
"He has a catalog of five-hundred letters from Lupin, Lupin II, Lupin III, Remy Lupin and even a few from Lupin IV," said Ryo darkly, "And personally, I don't give a damn about the first three Lupins—No offense, Fuji's Dad—I want Ari's. Just Ari's. Those are his letters to me."
"How'd this guy get them?" inquired Heiji. All looked over at Lupin, who was staring down at the tiling of the pool.
"Why don't you tell them, Dad?" inquired Fuji.
"I forgot them on a plane…" said Lupin slowly, "I must've forgotten my carryon. I know it's out of the ordinary, but, what can I say?"
"That the hairdye's seeping into your brain?" Fuji chuckled. Lupin's smile twitched, and he chuckled, otherwise speechless, "Don't worry, Daddy, we'll get that album back—I'll do it for both you and Ryoko-san."
"You need to do it for yourself, too, Fujiko," Lupin coughed uncomfortably, "Because that book has some of your pictures."
"Oh, God… Which ones?" inquired Fuji with great concerns.
"You remember, Sweetheart, when you went through those, er, 'chubby years'?"
"You and I were the same size, remember? I wore one of your dresses at Halloween, and put those balloons under my shirt. You and I went as your mom and dad," Heiji sighed in conclusion, "You were an awesome Lupin."
Fuji paled, and she jumped out of the water, "Everyone get dressed! Daddy, call the limos! We're going to give the muckraker one hell of a go-over!"
"Oh, she's got her game face on…" said Heiji after a pause of silence from all.
"That's my girl," Lupin sighed.
On the Paris Streets:
"There's a ninety-percent chance that Lupin will hit tonight," said Sgt. Long as she sat in the passenger side of Max's police cruiser, while Zenigata drove and LeBlanc brooded in the back seat.
"Really? That's amazing, how you can get it down to such a precise figure!" said Zenigata. Leo rolled his eyes, and pulled out his knitting kit, "Hey, LeBlanc, we need to get some things together—Mind if we head over to your place for a few hours?"
Leo yelped, and looked upward, "Well… I… I suppose…"
"All right, just give me the directions, and I'll get to driving!" said Zenigata, smiling towards Long. Leo shuddered, and looked downward as Long looked upward at him through the rearview. She gave looks as though she were judging someone by their very soul when she stared at them, Leo noted with a shudder.
"So, Ms. Long, you must have another name…" said Max with a smile.
"I prefer to keep it professional, but… Since we're going to be working together around the clock, I suppose so can call me… Sharon…" said Sharon with another glare back at Leo, whose face reddened again as he caught her glance.
"Sharon. Wonderful name!" said Max, "You have a nickname or anything?"
"Don't push it," Sharon warned.
"Yes, Ma'am," Max gulped, and returned to his driving.
The three arrived at the residence of Leo LeBlanc about fifteen minutes after Max had suggested that they travel to his home. Leo lived near the Centre Pompideau, and resided in a small classic-style apartment, old enough to lack an elevator, as many older French buildings did. He lived on the top floor of eight stories, in a generously sized apartment, which was kept full of books and half-finished knitting supplies.
"Excuse me, please," said Sharon, walking off towards another section of the apartment, "I need to use the bathroom."
"Well, I'll show you—" Leo started.
"I'll find it," Sharon said quickly, vanishing from sight.
"Well, she's cheery," said Leo, "I know I usually get negative vibes from women, but she just gives me a creepy vibe…"
"You ever think you're a little too suspicious, Leo?" inquired Max, "I-I mean, she's terrific! You saw her file on Lupin! She has better records than Interpol!"
"I know…" Leo muttered, and exited into his bedroom, "Make yourself at home, Zenigata," he said to Max as he slowly removed his shoes and slid through the opening in his bedroom. Sharon was there, sifting through his closet. She stopped upon a certain item of clothing, and pulled it off of the hanger. It was a red sportsjacket.
"You'd look much better in this color, Inspector LeBlanc," said Sharon, looking over towards him and smiling. Leo nearly fell over a wastepaper basket in surprise, and gulped, "It matches the color of your face most of the times you're looking at me!" she added in a laugh.
"What in the world are you doing in my closet!?" Leo inquired.
"I wanted to see if you owned anything that wasn't in purple," she replied.
"I happen to like the color," snapped Leo in return.
"It's the color of violets," she whispered, and tossed the jacket onto the bed. She stared at Leo a long while, and took a step forward in his direction. As she took a step forward, he took a step back, and Leo panicked when he heard his heel click against the yellowed wall of his bedroom. He tensed as Sharon continued to walk towards him, and stifled a yell as she embraced him. It was only for a few moments, but to the nervous Leo, it felt like much more.
Sharon cleared her throat, and took a step back, "Well. We better get ready for tonight, then. I take it you'll be the 'third wheel', considering your partner's been trying to hit on me for the past hour and a half." And with those words, she exited.
"What in the hell was that about?" Leo inquired out loud as he watched her exit the room and walk back towards Max.
Later that night:
"Are you sure you're okay in heels? I-I mean, you never wear them," said Toshiro as he looked onward at a floundering Yukiko.
"I'm fine!" Yukiko snapped, "It can't be any worse than riding passenger on your tin can in this thing."
"So, thought you had hidden away your chubby years, huh, Fuji?" Ryo smirked.
"Ryoko, I respect you, and love you like a sister, but any mention of the chubby years is basis for me to murder you," replied Fuji with a serious frown, "Everyone know their parts, now?"
"Yep," Heiji nodded.
"And, Ryo-san, you know what to do in case of the idiots?" inquired Fuji.
"Like I know my brother," replied Ryo.
"Oh, yeah? Then who's my favorite singer?" asked Ally.
"Anyone that Dad hates," replied Ryo.
"Hot damn! She does know me!" Ally laughed as they entered the ballroom where the event was being held. It was a party, followed by a silent auction for the collection. Fuji immediately separated from the group, along with Odori and Heiji. Toshiro and Yukiko were lookouts for guards. Ryo and Ally were lookouts for Zenigata and LeBlanc.
"Hey, Ryoko! It's Ari!" Ally whispered, pointing over to the inspector, who looked uncomfortable amongst the crowd. Ryo gave a small smirk, and wordlessly left Ally, and approached Leo.
"Long time no see," Ryo smirked. Leo jumped, and spun around in surprise, "Are you here for the company, or for work?"
"Y-You! We knew you'd all be here!" said Leo accusingly.
"Nope, it's just me tonight. My date stood me up, though," said Ryo with a reassuring smile, "You want to dance?"
"I don't dance… Especially with felons…"
"A felon you swore you'd marry someday…" replied Ryo, "But I see you've left me for someone else…"
"Huh? W-What are you t-talking about? I-I don't date!" Leo stuttered.
"You're cute when you're defensive," Ryo smirked and winked, "Who's that Zenigata's talking to?"
"Our new partner."
"Looks like Max is having a grand time…. And you look extremely angry about it… I'd even call it jealousy."
"R-Ryoko, I'm warning you. I-I'm not above arresting you," said Leo darkly.
"I know," Ryo sighed sadly, "I've got to run. I take a raincheck on the dance," she said, and placed a hand firmly on Leo's back, and pushed him towards her, "If you ever change your mind… Let me know…"
"Let go of me," Leo whispered. Ryo nodded, let go of her hold, and vanished before Leo could point her out to Max, not like Zenigata would have cared. He was much to busy speaking with Sharon, who humored him, but was obviously bored with looking out for Lupin.
"You see anything?" inquired Sharon.
"Nothing," Leo answered.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm not a little kid! I know what I saw and I didn't see!" snapped Leo, "I'm going to go get some punch!" He stormed off, leaving Sharon and Max together.
Leo sighed heavily as he walked over to the punch bowl and poured himself a glass. Zenigata was acting like a moron, and Sharon had distrustful eyes. What was it about her eyes exactly, though, he wondered as he sipped his punch. He choked on the bitter liquid when the auction house owner burst out and screamed frantically, 'The book's gone!'.
"Dammit, Ryo… I knew I couldn't trust you!" Leo growled, tossing his cup into the punch bowl while an aristocratic woman who was in the middle of pouring herself a glass looked onward in horror.
"That's the signal," whispered Ryo to Ally. They walked out silently, and met Toshiro and Yukiko out by the vehicles. Yukiko had an icepack over one of her ankles, and was cursing quietly.
"I freakin' hate freakin' high heels!" Yukiko grumbled.
"Hey, there's Fuji, Dori, and Heiji!" said Ally as he jumped into the car.
"Where is it?" Ryo inquired as she watched an empty-handed Fuji storm out, Odori and Heiji following gloomily behind.
"Gone!" Fuji shouted, jumping into the front seat of the Alpha Romeo, next to Ryo, "Someone stole it before us!"
"What?" Ryo gasped, "Who?"
"I don't know!" Fuji grumbled.
"LUPIN!" they heard in an echoing shout, and watched as Max barreled out of the hall, followed by Leo and Sharon, "Get back here!"
"Step on it!" Fuji demanded Ryo. Ryo turned on the vehicle, and they sped off. But the sound of a gunshot halted any need for celebration. Leo and Max looked in paled horror as they looked at Sharon, who still stood with her gun pointed towards the Alpha Romeo. The barrel was still smoking.
"Oh my God…" Leo whispered, "M-Max… I—I think she shot one of them…"
Meanwhile, in the Alpha Romeo, this proved to be too true. Odori let out a gasp of horror as she felt the blood on her shoulder—But it wasn't from her own body. It was from the person seated next to her.
"Heiji!?" Odori yelped.
"They shot me," Heiji gasped in pain, leaning downward and gritting his teeth together.
"Heiji?" Fuji looked back, "Oh my God! Ryo, step on it! We need to get him to the family doctor! Here, Odori, give him this—It'll stop the blood!" she removed her evening coat, and tossed it to Odori, who tore it into strips, and began to quell the bleeding.
"It was that woman!" shouted Odori accusingly.
"She's nuts," Ally muttered, "Who in the hell would just shoot a guy like that!?"
"No time for questions—This looks bad," Fuji gulped, "H-Hang in there, Heiji."
Ally turned around, and looked towards Yukiko and Toshiro, who drove up to their side, "What happened?" Toshiro demanded.
"Heiji's been shot," Ally explained as he heard another pained cry from Heiji, who Odori was clinging onto like a mother.
"What!?" Toshiro yelped in horror.
"Yeah—Just follow us into the hospital!" shouted Ally over the wind.
Fuji looked out of her sideview mirror shakily, and gulped. She could tell from where Heiji had been shot that that bullet had been meant for her.