Summary: There's an old mirror in the Kuroba attic, and it has the power to grant Kaito's secret wish...his heart's desire. But hold on; who is Kaitou Shadow?
My Dearest Mirror
"The greatest lovers are like twin blooms,
each reflecting the passion and the glory of the other."
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie –
Part 2
Minutes Before Kaitou Shadow's Appearance...
Kaito stared curiously at Amaranthe, wondering what was going on. She suddenly withdrew from him – totally withdrew from him. It was a little startling, since he had been getting more and more used to the feeling of her inside his mind as the seconds ticked by, so it threw him off to suddenly be cut off from the feeling.
He flinched in surprise when the dirty glass of the mirror lit up with a brilliant light, glowing and humming with power.
"What...?" Kaito muttered in surprise, unconsciously stepping away from the mirror, bewildered.
Amaranthe laughed softly, the bubbling laughter sounding distant and faraway.
Wish granted, sweet child. The mirror sighed, content and satisfied as she quietly slipped away. True, the Kuroba line will likely end with the child, since his soul mate was decidedly male, but... You will be happy now, and this one will love and protect you. He will defend you when you stumble, and catch you when you fall. He is a good child, just like you.
The light flared, and a figure in a dark suit and a matching top hat stumbled out of the mirror, narrowly catching his balance before he could face plant onto the floor.
Squeaking quietly in startled shock, Kaito hastily backed away from the stranger, stunned by his sudden appearance.
The mirror smiled happily, and the light died away.
Farewell, Kuroba Kaito – may you have a bright, shinning future...
With that final blessing, Amaranthe's presence vanished entirely, leaving behind an ordinary mirror, dusty and old, and a confused young man in a dark suit.
As she disappeared, there were small, painless snaps in the back of Kaito's mind while he stared at the stranger that had stumbled through the mirror, torn between his startlement (who the hell is that?) and his dread (what's happening to Amaranthe?).
Yellow string. Mental connection. Snap.
Pink string. Heart connection. Snap.
Blue string. Psychic connection. Snap.
White string. Soul connection. Snap.
The bond fizzled out completely, like it had never been there in the first place, and that vague place in the back of his mind felt scarily empty, like it had been for his whole life.
Before Kaito could do anything except feel dread over that, his 'guest' suddenly noticed him, and then stared at him. Kaito warily looked back, tense. Oh, yes, he already had an idea on who he is and why he was there. Amaranthe did say that she granted his wish, after all, and while he would never actually admit it to anyone, he knew what it was that he craved more than anything.
He wasn't dense.
However, the man was wearing a suit.
A black suit.
That instantly made him wary and on guard. It was instinctive, but admittedly irrational, since black suits didn't automatically mean 'Black Organization Minion', but that didn't stop the automatic warning bells that quietly rang in his head.
The man was around Kaito's own height, perhaps an inch or so taller, nothing staggering or too noticeable. His suit was rather nice looking, with gray pinstripes, giving it a more fancy feel than his Kid uniform. More...dignified and regal, where Kid's suit was more gentlemanly and eye-catching (a lot of white can do that). He had a red shirt under his dark suit jacket – with a matching red hat scarf for his top hat – a black bow tie, and black oxford shoes. Kaito glanced more closely, and noted that he wore white socks. He also had a black cape, which looked suspiciously like a concealed hang glider.
With a start, Kaito realized that the stranger was basically dressed up in a darker version of the Kid uniform. What...?
He even had a monocle, sans a clover on his charm. Instead, there was a spade on the dark charm, standing out boldly in white font. His face was obscured by the brim of his hat, the monocle, and his slightly ruffled bangs (brown hair, he noted and filed it away. Natural, not a wig or a hair dye), but Kaito could tell that he had a handsome face, and piercing blue eyes that stared intently at him with bemused interest. Strangely, that stare made Kaito almost – almost – blush, and it stirred a vague memory. Those eyes were very familiar...
"Um...hi?" Kaito finally greeted the stranger with a careful smile, slowly shuffling away from the man, never looking away from the potential threat – black suit, danger, danger, danger!
His kaitou instincts weren't happy, obviously. In fact, they were practically having a minor panic attack.
However, the man didn't have the dangerous edge of a Black Organization member. He wasn't dressed exactly like them, either.
Still... His kaitou instincts sullenly pouted in protest. It can't hurt to be wary, possible love interest or not.
Kaito agreed.
Then he became quietly worried about his sanity, which wasn't a new thing for him, unfortunately.
His unexpected guest smiled pleasantly at him. Still no ill intent, that's good –
"Hello, Tantei-neko." The gentleman greeted him, derailing Kaito's thought process with an outraged screech of shock.
Me? A detective? WHAAAT?
"I think you have me confused with someone else," Kaito made a disgruntled face, extremely put off by the accusation. "I am not a detective! Geez!" He muttered, feeling slightly insulted.
He didn't have anything against detectives, of course, but that didn't mean he was interested in becoming one.
No way in hell.
"Who are you, anyway?" Kaito asked belatedly, with obvious annoyance in his voice, rather miffed. And what's up with the 'neko' part of that title?
The stranger went very, very still.
There was a flash of confusion, followed by hurt, which switched into cool calculation, blue eyes staring closely at him.
"...Kuroba Kaito?"
Kaito twitched slightly, startled. He frowned, eying the stranger with wary confusion. "Uh...yeah?"
"Age seventeen? Born on June twenty-first?"
"...yes?" Kaito was beginning to feel freaked out now. "Who are you?"
The stranger ignored the question, still staring at him.
Analyzing him.
"Your favorite color is yellow, your favored sweet is chocolate, and you dislike anything bitter or sour?"
The questions were starting to sound like statements, but still inquiring. Checking facts.
"Um...ah, yeah?" Kaito stared self-consciously at his slippers.
His yellow slippers. Oh damn, was he that obvious?
Then the stranger dropped a bombshell on Kaito, making his heart freeze.
"Currently on tour with your father and mother in France?"
Kaito stiffened, first with confusion (France? What?), and then with grief that was mingled with a cocktail of undefinable emotions when he fully registered the question. He stared blankly at the stranger, with a polite smile on his face that veiled the heartbreak that always came up with the mention of his father, because the wound was still healing, still sensitive, still bleeding.
"Ah, it looks like you're finally wrong about something, stranger-san," He said, his indigo eyes closed-off, hiding the pain. "I'm obviously not in France. Kaachan did return from France, though, and she's sleeping right now."
"And your father?"
"...my father is deceased," Kaito replied quietly, with a purposely steady voice. He was partially aware that he was crossing his arms (defensive; trying to hide, to protect himself), but he didn't care.
He allowed himself such allowances with his Poker Face. To show that he wasn't unaffected about the subject, and that no, he didn't want to talk about it.
The stranger gaped at him, stunned for a moment. He stared at Kaito, searching his face, looking at his body language, and Kaito felt unnerved. It was like the stranger could see past his Poker Face, past his walls and defenses, and disconcertingly straight into Kaito's heart. This made the young thief falter slightly, but he managed to hold onto Poker Face, despite having the sinking suspicion that it was useless against this person. The stranger suddenly seemed to be at a loss for words, seeing something, before hesitantly stepping forwards, seeking Kaito out, obviously wanting to give him comfort, but unsure about how he should do it.
He frowned at Kaito, blue eyes glinting with...empathy?
"I mourn with thee," He murmured quietly, sincerely. The formal words carried more weight than a simple, 'I'm sorry' did, more...personal, somehow.
Kaito blinked at him, tilting his head to the side.
"...thank you." Kaito bowed his head in acknowledgment, smiling faintly. It was all he could think of as a response. What else could he say to that?
His eyes wandered over to the mirror behind the stranger – who still hasn't introduced himself, how rude – and frowned.
He couldn't sense anything from the mirror at all.
Amaranthe...
Shadow stared at the strange, almost foreign, Kuroba Kaito.
This wasn't his detective.
He was more wary, more guarded than the Kaito he was used to, still friendly (polite) but distant. He didn't know who Shadow was – there wasn't any recognition in those eyes – and he didn't banter with him, or grin openly at him with challenge or excitement. He genuinely didn't know who Shadow was, and he was honest when he said that he wasn't a detective, and that his father was dead; something that hit a little too close to home, for the dark-clad thief.
Shadow knew that he should be concerned over the fact that he was in an unfamiliar environment, suddenly and without any explanation, but at the moment he was more worried about his Tantei-neko.
Either someone seriously messed with the detective's mind (an idea that sent a cold bolt of anger through him), or there was something...magical going on here.
His logical mind shuddered at the thought, but he was still open to the possibility.
Koizumi Akako could do that to a person.
Considering the fact that I just stumbled into an attic without any rhyme or reason, I'm thinking it's 'magical', Shadow thought, with a deadpanned expression.
Wonderful.
Why does this always happen to me? Shadow thought, exasperated. Why can't the strange things happen to someone else, for once? No one else gets robots, or witches, or doggedly determined detectives, or jewels of immortally, or murderous organizations – it's only me.
It wasn't fair, it really wasn't.
At least I've never been shrunken into a chibi, Shadow consoled himself. Poor Tantei-neko. At least his 'little problem' is being fixed right now.
That's why he automatically assumed that this Kaito had been his Kaito, because he should be fully grown by now, in a safe house in France with his parents and his little scientist, safe from the prying, murderous eyes of the Black Organization.
However, it's rather obvious that this Kaito has never been shrunken. He could see it in his eyes; he lacked the look of hard earned wisdom and patience. Instead, there was look of suppressed sadness and loneliness...
Feelings that Shadow knew very well.
Feelings that should never belong to his Tantei-neko – even this one.
"Shadow," The thief murmured, watching as indigo eyes flickered back to him with wary confusion. He smiled carefully at the non-detective, "I'm Shadow. Kaitou Shadow. Ring any bells?"
Apparently not, because other-Kaito frowned at him with bemusement.
"Erm, no, sorry," The other-Kaito quirked a smile at him. "The only kaitou I've ever heard of is Kid, and you're definitely not him."
"Ah..." Shadow nodded, slowly, his expression bland. Kid? Who the hell is Kid?
Something is seriously wrong here, he thought, with a touch of desperation. I can feel it. I need to get out of here, away from Tantei-neko (no, not-a-detective), and call Agasa for some backup. Corner Koizumi, also, and demand some answers – because there is no way that she doesn't have a hand in this somewhere, that meddling witch (literally). I need to figure out what the hell happened.
And fix it.
With that thought, Shadow smiled charmingly at the other-Kaito, pulling out the Fujimine Charm at full blast; a nice, open smile, a friendly, flirtatious voice and boom, his victim is ultimately doomed.
His mother taught him well, plainly ignoring his embarrassed pleas and half-hysterical escape attempts.
"Say, it's rather late, isn't it?" Shadow casually stepped closer to the other boy, who instinctively retreated him, watching him with wary eyes. Shadow merely smiled softly at him, the devious glint in his eyes skillfully hidden. "I think it's time for little kitty cats like you – "
He pulled out his Instant Can Of Sleep, and sprayed it directly into other-Kaito's face, catching him off guard – and if Shadow knew how hard that was to accomplish, he would've felt smugly proud of himself.
" – to go to sleep," Shadow grinned sharply, cautiously covering his own nose and mouth.
To his credit, other-Kaito did his damnedest to not inhale the spray, but it was too late – just a small whiff of the effective spray can knock anyone out, even if only for a few minutes. Considering the fact that other-Kaito had more than 'just a whiff', the guy was going to be out like a light for at least an hour, if not longer.
So, Shadow wasn't surprised when other-Kaito swooned on the spot, falling instantly into a sweet oblivion. He hastily put away his spray can and caught the non-detective as his knees buckled underneath him, catching him before he could fall onto the somewhat dirty wood floor.
"Hm..." Shadow mused, shifting other-Kaito around a bit, before finally managing to gather him up in his arms. "You're a bit lighter than the last time I picked you up, in this form. You need to eat more," Shadow noted, filing away that observation. He would be sure to let the non-detective's keepers know, although, he was surprised. Tantei-neko usually kept better care of himself, rarely missing out on meals or sleep, if only because his father was a majorly attentive mother hen.
But this isn't your detective, an unconscious part of him whispered. He conceded to the point, remembering that this Kaito didn't have a father, apparently.
A world without Kuroba Toichi, huh? Shadow frowned at the idea, carefully making his way through the cluttered attic. He wondered what the world would be like without the master magician, the man that his detective looked up to the most. Rather like a flower that looks up to the sun, with happy reverence, swaying in the gentle, cool breeze provided by his mother, who always urged him to do his best, while the sun warmed him, his father forever encouraging him to follow his dreams.
He suddenly cringed. He could easily imagine the sun going out for that particular flower, leaving it bereft, and making the wind cry out for the sun.
Yes, he was familiar with the concept.
Shadow sighed quietly, edging carefully around a record player, holding his burden close to him.
The thief paused, looking around the attic, mostly to make sure that he wasn't getting lost in the sea of stored boxes, and other things, like the record player and...was that a piano?
Shadow stared, befuddled, because at the far end of the attic on his right, up against a wall, was a piano, with a porcelain doll sitting placidly on the covered keys.
"How did they get that up here?" Shadow muttered, shaking his head.
It seems like no matter what the circumstances, the Kuroba family will always be full of surprises.
Still shaking his head, Shadow moved to where he could see the exit, passing by an old love seat. He considered settling other-Kaito there, but he decided against it when he saw a rat scurrying across it.
"Ugh!" Shadow shuddered mildly, quickly moving away. That decided it for him – very firmly.
He wasn't going to leave the non-detective alone in the attic, sleeping and vulnerable, if there were rats up here.
Shadow was a lot of things, but he wasn't heartless.
Aside from the startled moment he had with the rat, Shadow made it to the exit without any other mishaps. Before going down the stairs, however, he flipped off the lights, very carefully using his elbow, since his arms were full. He jumped when the light blub above his head snapped – loudly, with a clink and a pop.
He swore that it even sparked, before it died with the rest of the lights.
Shadow warily eyed the light blub, as if he were worried that it would jump out and bite him, and he cautiously moved away from it and the light switch.
Nothing happened (of course), so Shadow relaxed, carefully moving down the stairs. He glanced down at other-Kaito's face, and he smiled faintly. It's amazing how such an animated face could look so serene...
The thief hummed in thought, and then he peered around at the dark hallway, before his eyes landed on a half-open door...which was painted a cheery yellow color.
Shadow quirked a smile at the sight of the door, before he quietly walked over to it, his senses hyper aware. He clearly remembered other-Kaito commenting that his mother was here in the house, asleep, and he was paranoid about waking her up. He had a feeling that, no matter what, Kuroba Chikage will always be a formidable adversary; a very keen woman with a sharp wit and a love for scaring people witless – with a smile on her face.
You should never mess with a horror movie actress, retired or otherwise.
Shadow nudged the door with his foot, opening it further to allow him and his unconscious detective (not-a-detective) into the bedroom. He glanced around the room, and then he spotted the bed, with its bed covers rumbled and in a disarray, as if Kaito had left his bed in a hurry, and he also noticed the scattered books and papers on the floor, close to the bed, as if someone tripped over them in a rush. He frowned, carefully stepping around the mess, and he wondered what Kaito – he flinched, hastily correcting himself. Other-Kaito – was even doing out of bed in the first place.
In the attic.
At nighttime.
Almost...as if he had been waiting for Shadow to appear – almost, because he seemed just as surprised as Shadow felt when he stumbled into the attic.
It was odd, and admittedly suspicious.
"Hm..." Shadow frowned, gently settling Kaito (damn it!) down on the bed. He grinned suddenly, seeing that the non-detective still had his house slippers on, and he tugged them off his feet, and placed them on the floor, next to his bed. Then he arranged the bed covers – soft, cool fabrics with varying colors of blue and white – and he neatly tucked the slumbering teenager into bed. Shadow absently moved other-Kaito's hair from his face, quietly observing his peaceful face for a moment.
For someone that wasn't actually his detective, he really looked like him.
Shadow let out a silent sigh, and then he snapped his fingers, making a black rose appear in his hand – one of the specially made roses that his mother created for him and his father. He placed it on the end table, in front of other-Kaito's alarm clock, and then he moved away from the bed, leaving the room. He shut the door behind him, and then he went back to the attic stairs, putting them back up. There was little point in the action, but it was the polite thing to do
That done, he quietly left the house, like the phantom shadow that he was.
He had some calls to make.
There was a long, quiet pause in the hallway, before a door opened, and a frowning Chikage peeked her head out, looking startlingly wide awake.
"...who was that?" She whispered to herself, concerned.
She tied her robe more securely around herself, before scurrying over to her son's bedroom, checking on him.