Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing
Credit goes to Gosho and Clement Clarke Moore
Have never been homesick a day in my life
Though I admit this week has come close
I almost decorated the olive tree nearest my house
Merry Christmas Everybody
Or, if you are one of those overly touchy people Happy Holidays
Miracle
A single twist of will opened the window of the Long Term Children's Ward the only way possible. A slender figure slipping silently into the room before sealing his unorthodox entryway behind him. He didn't blame the doctors for protecting their precious burdens with only a single lock. After all, not many people would chose to enter the fifth story from the outside.
The thief's eyes softened as he look in the rooms occupants. Kaito had always loved children. It was hard not to love those whose eyes were filled with such wonder. Wonder that would fade as they grew up. Some children though, would never get that chance. Which was why he had planned his own Christmas Miracle.
One little girl rubbed her eyes, woken by the chill breeze that had swept briefly through the room. "Santa?" she murmured, still only half awake.
A rich chuckle filled the room. "Not exactly little one." Though he supposed it was better than being mistaken for Dracula.
Now fully awake, the seven year old stared at the white clad figure open mouthed before scrambling over to the next bed to wake its occupant. "Shino! Shino wake up. It's the Kaitou Kid!"
The older boy groaned. It was the middle of the night. "For God's sake Sakura. . ." His voice trailed off as he opened his eyes. It really was the Kaitou Kid. The moonlight magician himself. Grabbing an empty plastic glass off the nearby table, the brunette chucked it at his closest neighbor. "Hojo," he hissed.
Soon enough a dozen young children encircled the figure. Too old eyes filled with a combination of excitement and disbelief. Kid's offer to tell a story accepted with great enthusiasm. The group settled themselves on a collection of comfortable cushions with barely a thought as to where they had come from. Gasping in awe at the silvery light that infused the room. The product of a thousand shiny stars.
Then, the Kaitou Kid began to speak.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hope that Saint Nicolas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
Had just settled our brains for a long winters nap.
Grins grew ever wider as the visions of sugar-plums became real. Kaito adding his own twist with the additions of cookies. He knew it wasn't exactly healthy, but hey it was Christmas. The children certainly didn't seem to mind the extra thick frosting. Taking a breath, he flipped the hidden switch that began the audio he had copied from the Arctic exhibit at the Tokyo Zoo.
When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
Mist gathered in one corner of the room. The children gasping as a team of half sized reindeer trotted out of the cloud. Their leader pawing at the hospital floor. They weren't real of course, but they sure looked it.
With a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment he must by St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
"Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now Dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
The team leapt into the air. Flying around the room in a series of patterns meant solely to impress their audience. It worked. The children gazing upwards enraptured. Though one little girl did squeak and throw herself flat as the sleigh dived, passing so close the group could almost reach out and touch the furry creatures.
As dry leaves that before the hurricanes fly
When they meet with an obstacle, take to the sky.
So up to the house top the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicolas too.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around
Down the chimney St. Nicolas came with a bound.
Groans of disappointment filled the room as the reindeer disappeared. However they were quickly stifled as the children returned their attention to the phantom thief. Kaitou Kid had vanished, in his place stood a figure they all knew very well.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook as he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plum, a right jolly old elf
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eyes and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
As each line of the poem was spoken, Kaito acted it out. Playing the part of Father Christmas to perfection. With a snap of his fingers, large stockings unrolled from the end of each bed before filling themselves. The children's names embroidered in thread of silver and gold.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard his exclaim 'ere he drove out of sight
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
With a single dramatic bow, the phantom thief was gone. But in his wake he left a night that would stay with the group for the rest of their lives. No matter how long or how short they might be.