♦ ♦ ♦

The Grey Zone: Mirror, Mirror
by Icka! M. Chif

♦ ♦ ♦

It was like looking in a mirror.

At least, that's what Kaito hoped that's what it looked like, sans the right-left flip thing.

He'd been hoping to surprise Saguru and possibly drive him up the wall just a little bit by dressing up and mimic Mum when he got home. He'd had some errands to run and Kaito had been feeling antisocial, so he'd stayed behind. Mum had also been out, not expected back until later that night.

His voice was still deepening and he was slightly worried about loosing the upper range of his voices from disuse. It wouldn't do any good if he could only imitate -male- voices without electronic aid, appearing as a female came in too handy when hiding in plain sight.

Much to -his- surprise however, Mum was the first one to arrive back. And evidently, he'd done a good job of disguising himself as her because she'd let loose with a crow of delight and complemented him on his disguise skills.

He really shouldn't have been surprised, after all this was the lady whom after they had ransomed her Garden Gnomes for chocolate and root beer, had demanded they steal some of the neighbour's gnomes while she wrote the ransom notes as a way to get back some items that had been borrowed and never returned. Saguru had grumbled while they did so, claiming that he wasn't the thief so why did he have to come along?

Privately, Kaito thought it was because he was a Mummy's boy. Kaito didn't voice this opinion out loud because when you got down to the heart of it, he was a 'Kaasan's boy as well. Not that his 'Kaasan had ever -asked- him to steal any thing before... He'd heard stories about Twenty Mensou and was privately glad his 'Kaasan were nothing like the Man of Twenty Face's.

After quickly and bluntly informing Mum that he was NOT going into imitate her at any boring social functions she didn't want to attend, they'd sat down to tea and started to chat. One thing he'd noticed was that British women frequently pitched their voices up high, like a falsetto, when talking. It was straining the edge of his range, and he'd probably be hoarse tomorrow, but at the same time it was a novel experience to be mimicking someone who was right there and -knew- that you were impersonating them.

He wasn't entirely sure if she was aware of it or not, but as she fed him the latest gossip and news --some of which would be useful, it never hurt to be aware of current events as a kaitou--, but she was also teaching him about local customs and accents, and how to serve tea. 'High' tea was actually not, more of an informal way to relax before the end of the day.

"Tadaima." Saguru's voice called out as he opened the door. Even if they were in a different country, some habits were hard to repress. Kaito still found himself bowing to people.

"Okaeri!" They both called back. Mum giggled into her tea cup, tossing him a mischievous wink.

They could hear Saguru pause in the hall way, then quick make his way to the kitchen. Kaito made a private note to remind Saguru to walk softly as well. The blond did it occasionally, but it would be a useful habit to get into all the time. Well, except for when walking up on him. "Mum?" Saguru called. "Do we have company..." The 'ni' sound trailed off as Saguru stopped in the doorway and stared at them --Kaito, more specifically-- a beautifully dumbfounded expression on his face.

Both Kaito-Mum and Mum raised their hands and wiggled their fingers at him, smiling cheerfully. "How did your day go, Sa-chan?" Kaito inquired in Mum's falsetto.

Mum waved her son towards a chair with a graceful motion of her hand. "Come, sit. Join us for tea."

Saguru closed his eyes, shook his head a little bit and wandered back down the hall towards his room, muttering about idiotic people with too much time on their hands.

"How rude." Kaito-Mum pouted, setting his teacup down on it's saucer with a small 'clink'. "He didn't even say hello."

"Such poor manners." Mum agreed sadly, sighing dramatically. "Really, dear. Where did we go wrong?"

-fin-

The root beer and chocolate are thanks to Mel Redcap. ~_^

back?