What Crooks Love
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to Lupin III or anything remotely noteworthy for that matter.
Author's Notes: Despite some serious issues I have with Part 6 as a whole, I think the Witch and Gentleman storyline of Season 2 features an extremely interesting concept that is one of the very few times that the franchise attempts to upset Lupin's psyche. Unfortunately, due to the story being limited to only 6 episodes, the concept feels somewhat underutilized.
Instead of rewriting the story, I decided to write about how these events could impact Lupin and his loved ones.
This fic doesn't feature any action so if that's what you're looking for it would be best not to waste your time with it. I hope it's not too tiresome and, as always, you're highly encouraged to comment on this fic and let me know what you think of it. Enjoy!
Chapter One: The Beautiful Twisted Mind Of One Arsène Lupin III
Two months had passed since Lupin had confronted his self-proclaimed mother. The witch's body was now reduced to ashes, buried forever under the burnt remains of what once was the Lupin family mansion. Lupin had hoped that he could have burned down the memories of her alongside it. But the thief knew all too well that wouldn't be the case.
Fake as they may be, Tomoe's implanted memories still lingered in Lupin's head. Memories of a mother he never had. Memories of a childhood he never knew. Memories of being loved, not for his status as the illusive Gentleman Thief but for who he truly was.
He often wondered, would his friends love him the same if his name wasn't Arsène Lupin III?
The answer in his mind had always been yes. Jigen, Goemon and Fujiko were the best at what they did, and they always expected nothing short of the best from him as well. Lupin never had an issue with this. After all he expected no less of them himself. But his friends had proven their love for him on several occasions each. They'd saved him more times than he could count and they even did it hours after he tried to murder them in cold blood.
Lupin still couldn't shake the thought of how close he was to seriously hurting either Jigen or Goemon. 'Some partner I am...'
"Earth to Lupin, you copy?"
Jigen's unmistakable voice snapped him out of his daydreaming and he could feel Jigen staring a hole in his back. "I said dinner's ready. Ya know your ass can try cooking too from time to time," he groaned.
Jigen was quick to notice that Lupin hadn't been his usual self as of late. And he had a good ideal of why that was. At first he was worried that maybe the whole mind control thing of his partner could relapse. Was that even possible? He had no idea, but the thought of Lupin snapping at him like that again was enough to keep him vigilant. On the outside Lupin acted like he normally did. Lazily reading his newspaper, always on the lookout for the next score, his never ending energy always present along with his signature shit eating grin. But having spent so many years with the guy, Jigen could notice some small changes in his partner. How his eyes seemed to lack that sparkle, or how he'd space out several times a day. Jigen knew better than to question him about it, he was well aware that Lupin was't the type of guy to open up to anyone, not even his best friend. He often wondered if he ever did to Fujiko while they were engaged. But that was a question he definitely would never ask.
"Come on man cut me some slack," Lupin shot back, folding his newspaper and letting out a big yawn. "It's not my fault you lost the poker game. And it was about time too! Last week you beat me five times in a row! I swear you must be hiding aces up your-"
"Just shut up and come to the table dammit all," Jigen yelled. The guy sure could be insufferable when he wanted to. But his stupid remarks gave him some much needed reassurance that his partner was back, and that was all that really mattered.
"So…," Jigen started as they sat down to eat the variety of goods the gunman had prepared, "What's our next target? You spent the entire morning reading that newspaper, found anything worth our while?"
Lupin loosened up his yellow tie and swallowed his food. "Nope, not a thing," he replied unenthusiastically. Suffice it to say Jigen was less than pleased with his response. "Well that's just fucking great."
"Hasn't that broad asked you to steal anything for her? I doubt that bitch can go more than a week without begging for something," he added with enough venom to kill them both twice. He knew calling Fujiko that should have elicited some sort of reaction from Lupin. But when he looked up from his plate he saw that same stupid look he'd been seeing the past few months. The asshole was zoning out again.
"Are you even listening to me?" shouted Jigen. Lupin immediately came crashing back to reality and shook his head. "Yeah, sorry, I've got a bit of a headache is all." Lupin had no problem with lying, crooks did that all the time. But lying to his friends was always particularly unpleasant. "Fujicakes hasn't called me lately, she's probably off doing some work of her own wherever."
He knew all too well that Jigen was probably onto him. He didn't expect him to ask what was wrong. The two weren't exactly the type to open up to one another after all. But deep down Lupin wished that they would. Perhaps it was selfish of him to want that, after all, Jigen had proven his loyalty to him time and time again. Maybe if he did Lupin could properly apologize to him for once in his life.
Jigen had a very hard time believing Lupin. His tone was different and the gunman could tell Lupin's thoughts had been troubling him again. He thought he should finally question him about it. Find out what was troubling his friend. Show him how concerned he really was for him.
"Whatever," is what ended up coming out his mouth instead. And Jigen hated himself for it.
After they were done with their meal Lupin decided, or was forced to, depending on who you ask, do the dishes while Jigen went about cleaning his beloved Magnum, his second partner. This one thankfully required a lot less maintenance it would seem.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Both men immediately reached for their guns and pointed them towards the source of the sound.
The door opened and in front of it stood a very familiar silhouette, the sound of her heels instantly giving away her identity. "Would it kill you to let us know you're coming for once in your miserable life?" complained Jigen. Be it as it may, her appearing at this moment was a pleasant surprise for a change. If there was one person that can help Lupin more than himself and the samurai at his time of need, it had always been her.
"Good to see you too Jigen," came Fujiko's slightly irritated reply. She was wearing a pair of black heels, gray pants and a loose light blue shirt. But for one Lupin she might as well not have been wearing anything.
"Fujicakes!" exclaimed the thief, virtually teleporting in front of her and grabbing her by the waist. "What a lovely surprise! Say, do you like the new hideout?" The new place was indeed a step up from their previous one, it was spacious, had good natural lighting and it even came with a mini bar and a fish tank, the inhabitants of which were Jigen's new responsibility in place of the previous hideout's plants. "I think you'll find the bedroom especially to your liking!" His grin reached all the way to his ears and he leaned in so as to be only mere inches away from her angelic face. "Here let me show you, hehe."
His grin would soon turn into a groan of pain as her knee connected with his groin and the thief collapsed on the floor. 'Typical,' thought Jigen.
Fujiko moved to the couch as if nothing had happened. "Stop being silly Lupin, I'm not in the mood for games. That being said, the hideout is indeed very nice! Good choice lover!"
"Actually, I picked this one," said Jigen. His comment was promptly ignored by everyone, much to his anger.
"So, mmph God it hurts, what brings you here Fujicakes?" asked a mostly recovered Lupin while plopping down next to her and holding his hands behind his head.
"This!" came the response from Fujiko as she took out her pink iPad from her bag. "So I was digging around as per usual and I foun…".
Lupin thought she was the most beautiful being on earth. He had ever since he first laid eyes on her all those years ago. He'd vowed there and then that that woman would be his and his only. Her heart was far and beyond the greatest thing he'd ever stolen and something he would treasure for however long he managed to stay alive.
But had he really? When she was kissing him in the rain, trying to bring him back, why didn't he respond? Why did he break her heart? He knew Fujiko would never admit to this but he could see it in her face. In her uncharacteristically pleading eyes. He told himself that the fake memories were at fault, that at the time his mind could only think of his mother and nothing else. But was that true? He'd spent all those years wondering if she really loved him. And despite all the betrayals she'd proven time and time again that she did when it really mattered. But why couldn't he keep her when they were in France. Would she still love him if he took off the jacket for good? He felt angry, confused, and…
Pain. He felt a lot of pain as Fujiko's palm slapped him across his face with enough force to throw him off the couch.
"Have you been listening to a single word I've said so far?" she all but screamed at his face, her anger clearly visible in her features.
"He's been like this all day," added the gunman as Lupin was rubbing his cheek. "Says he's got a headache, I honestly think he could use a good wake up slap in his mug."
'Get your shit together Lupin,' he thought, 'If you keep this up they'll think you're brainwashed again, even worse they might start asking questions.'
He immediately shot up and went to reach his green jacket. "Yeah, stupid headcahe is all, sorry Fujicakes." Her anger slowly dissipated at his response. "Whatever it is you want us to steal, we're in!" At the sound of that her face lit up and she gave him a loving hug. "Oh Lupin, I knew I could count on you!" she said putting on her cutesy voice.
"We? Who's we? I never agreed to anyth- " started Jigen but before he could finish Lupin was shushing him up. "No buts Jigen, just a moment ago you were practically begging for me to find something for us to steal! I'll call Goemon right now and as soon as he arrives we'll get down to business pronto!" Jigen was less than thrilled at the idea of working yet again with Fujiko as the odds of maintaining whatever they stole were essentially reduced to zero. But seeing Lupin act like his usual self was enough of a reward for him.
The scenery was quite reassuring for Fujiko as well. She was well aware of the heavy toll the events of the past months had on her lover, not to mention the guilt that she harbored for not helping him sooner, for letting that old witch almost steal him away from her. Hopefully a classic heist of theirs would snap him out of it for good. At least she could hope.
Time heals everything. At first Lupin thought the whole Tomoe situation would be no different. But time was betraying him. The memories would simply not leave. As he was dialing the trusty samurai's phone number he decided that he should find a solution and fast. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt the people he loved, at least more than he already had.