Lupin III:
Fanseries I:
Episode IV: Shaky Ground

All characters (c) their respective owners.

Lupin walked in the door of his apartment, frustration and anger written all over his face. Jigen had gone out for the night, and Goemon and Fujiko went home. "It's not right."

"What," asked Yuma silently. It was more of a statement than a question, but she still sounded meek.

He turned around and faced her, "Yuma, this isn't the streets, and when you have power like that, you don't abuse it."

"I didn't want him to know-"

"What could possibly be so bad that you have to kill him to keep it a secret?"

"You told me that when I was comfortable with it, I could tell you!" she said quietly, "Those secrets are something that I hold close to my heart, as much as I hate them, and if I told you, you wouldn't see me the same anymore."

"What?" he looked puzzled, "Why?"

"I-I can't tell you!" At the end of that sentence, Lupin noticed that Yuma's eyes were a little brighter than they should be.

"Yuma, how can I know what's wrong if you don't tell me?" he stroked her cheek.

"You shouldn't have to help me," she said in a soft voice, "you'll only get yourself in trouble. And it's not like anyone can do anything about it, anyway. The best thing I can do is keep those secrets."

Lupin drew her into his arms and held her there for a while. Some people really knew how to keep secrets. It wasn't going to be easy for him to get her to open up to him, he knew that now. He also knew, by the looks of it, that someone, somewhere, had done something bad enough for Yuma to want to keep it secret. 'She shouldn't have to carry that weight around,' he thought.

He heard Yuma begin to snivell. She took a few deep breaths and calmed down. "I'm going for a break. Maybe to a bar or something where I can have a couple drinks." She wiped her eyes and headed for the door.

"No, Yuma," he said, "I don't think that's such a wise idea."

She turned to him, hands on her hips and a stubborn look on her face. "And why not?" she said indignantly.

"Because," he said, "You'll get drunk. That's why."

"Well, I'm going anyway. Maybe that's what I need."

"If that's the case," he grabbed his coat, "Then I'm following you. Who knows what kind of trouble you'll get into if I'm not there. Besides, you're going to need a designated driver."

"Fine," she said in a firm, angry tone of voice, "You can come with me. But don't cause any trouble for me where I'm going, and stay out of my way."

"Alright, but only if you promise not to do anything stupid."

"No, you stay out of my way, and that's that!" she said stubbornly.

"Fine, but if you start acting like an idiot, I'm interveining, and we're going home."

"We'll see," she said, "Let's get out of here."

"Okay," said Lupin, "I know a few good bars we could go to-"

"Then you're going alone," she said.

Lupin only shrugged, "Okay. What place do you have in mind?"

"Someplace down town."

"Such as?" he asked.

"Club Wild Card," she said with a small grin, "I can have plenty of fun there. And if the stuff I think is going on, is going on tonight, it's something I know I can't screw up on!"

"Okay, what are you thinking?" he asked suspiciously.

"What?"

"I've seen that look before, Yuma, what are you planning on doing? You'd better not be getting yourself into trouble!"

"I'm not!" she said in a huff, "No one would dare mess with me! They all know me down there!"

"Are you thinking what I think you're thinking, because if you are, the answer is no."

"Come on," she tugged at his sleeve playfully, "We're only gonna have a bit of fun! Take it easy, Lupin!" He looked at her, unsure, and she gave him a big, happy, trickster grin. "Oh, come on, Lupin," she was almost begging him in a sexy sort of voice, "Have a little fun for once! Maybe it's a good idea that you're coming with me tonight, mmmm?" She tugged at the lapels of his jacket.

"Uh, Yuma? What are you doing?"

"What do you think I'm doing?" she asked seductively, puttin her face close to his face, "Maybe we should stay here." Whispering in his ear, she said, "Tell me, Lupin, how long has it been?"

"How long what?" he said, getting a little nervous.

"I think we both know what I'm talking about."

"Uh, Yuma?" he asked, scratching the back of his head nervously, "Are you sure you haven't had anything to drink?"

"Oh, come on, Lupin!" said the temptress, "I thought you liked this sort of thing!"

"Well, don't get me wrong," he laughed nervously, "You are very attractive. It's just that I don't really think that you're quite yourself right now. I mean, after what happened tonight, I just don't think it would be-"

"Wise?" she giggled, then said playfully, "Hmmph! You're no fun!" She got closer to him, rubbing her calve against his leg.

"Yuma, I- we-"

"Lupin?" she asked, lips close to his. He was sweating now.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up," she said softly, putting her lips to his.

Lupin put his arms around her as they joined in the kiss. Smoothing one of his hands down the back of her body, he swung one arm under her and picked her up.

"Oooo, now we're talking!" she giggled. He began kissing her neck as he carried her off to his bedroom and she started to moan.

Yuma gasped as the final spasm hit their bodies, Lupin sucking in hard for air. Sweat was pouring down his back as Yuma's body glistened in the dim lamp-light. Lupin toppled off of her, breathing hard.

"God, that felt good," he gasped.

"Yeah!" panted Yuma, "Didn't it though?"

"Yuma, I swear!" said Lupin, smiling, "You are somethin' else! Why didn't you tell me you were good in bed like that?"

"Well, a girl's gotta have her secrets, I guess, and this is one of mine," she told him, rolling over and rubbing his chest as she lied down next to him.

"Why don't you let me know sooner, though? When we were out in the living room?"

"I wanted to surprize you, I guess. If I told you about all the good stuff before hand, it would be boring. I don't like for people to expect what I'm going to do next."

"If that's the case," he said, finally able to breathe, "Then keep doing what you're doing! I like it!"

"You do?"

"Yeah."

"Well, enough talk," she said, a sparkle in her eye, "Ready for some more action, huh, Lupin?" She stroked her middle finger down his chest. He immediately rolled over on top of her and started kissing her.

Lupin looked over to his side. Sure enough, Yuma was sleeping right beside him.

"Oh, shit!" he thought, "Please tell me that what I think happened last night didn't happen!" Lupin turned on the lamp by his bedside. Yuma opened her eyes slowly, squinting from the brightness.

"What is it?" she groaned.

"It's just me, Yuma."

"What time is it?"

"It's morning. Listen, Yuma, uh ... do you remember anything we did last night?"

"Yeah," she yawned stretched and smiled, "We should do it again. What do you think, Lupin?"

"Naah," he chuckled nervously, "I think that you need to go take a look in the mirror first. Come on, out of bed." He gently took her by the hand and pulled a bedsheet over her so that she was covered, then robed himself. Then, Lupin lead her to the bathroom. "Look in the mirror, baby."

Yuma looked once and blinked. "Yeah, so?" she looked up at him, annoyed.

"Yuma, what do you see?"

"Well, my hair's a mess."

"And?"

"And so what! Lupin we had sex last night! What do you expect!"

"Yuma-"

"Lupin, is this some kind of joke, because I don't see the punch line, unless you're planning to annoy the hell out of me by dragging my naked, lilly white ass out of bed, putting it in front of a mirror, and asking me random, stupid questions!"

"Yuma, what I mean to say is, do you regret anything we did last night?"

"Why?" she asked, "Do-" She thought for a moment. Then something hit her, and she found it quite striking, indeed. "Lupin, I think you should be asking yourself that question!" she said angrilly.

"I never said that I regretted it," he said quickly, "I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."

"Well, I'm fine!" she said, "And you can stop worrying about me!" She pulled her blanket over her body and walked briskly over into the bedroom.

"Yuma?" Lupin came in and asked, "Are you in here?"

"Yeah," she said, "What do you want?"

He laid down beside her and said softly, "You know, I don't regret anything we did last night. It's just that you seemed so vulnerable at the time."

"Vulnerable? Vulnerable?" she laughed bitterly, "I'll show you vulnerable!"

"Shhh," he leaned over and kissed her. Yuma looked surprised for a minute. He kissed her again and rolled her on her back. After another kiss, longer this time, he asked, "That better?"

She nodded, "Just never question me about whether or not I regretted it last night. If I regret anything, I'll tell you!"

"Alright," said Lupin, "Let's get breakfast."

"I think a shower would be more appropriate," she giggled.

"Alright," he smiled, "Let's go."