Notes and Disclaimers: I don't own YYH, but the Cardens, Silvati and the cute little orphan foxes are mine...and mine to keep.

Chapter 7

Autumn jerked awake and heard that the knock also woke the foxes up. They were whining and moving around, but she wasn't receiving any emotions or visions from them; her shields were now in place. She quickly rose from the chair and hurried to the door. Before she opened it she looked back over her shoulder and spotted Russet. Twitch and Pouncer followed very close behind him, but they were obviously looking for her.

"It's okay babies. It was only the door." She called to them.

They sniffed the air in her direction and started to cautiously make their way towards her.

With a small sigh Autumn pulled the door open and was nearly stunned to where she stood. And not because of her supernatural abilities.

The young man who stood before her was stunningly attractive. Blood red hair spilled loose past his collar, framing a kind and gentle face. Dark lashes framed brilliant emerald green eyes that seemed to see through all masks to your very core, but kindness shown through as well. He bore himself with quiet dignity, standing straight at his six foot height. His school uniform-describe-concealed his body, but Autumn could tell that he was lean muscled.

And like just about everyone else in their school, he spoke Japanese, "Hello, is this Carden Autumn's residence?" his voice was deep and gentle, full of polite friendliness.

"Hai," she said, remembering to respond in the same language. She had to draw her attention away from how attractive he was to why he was there. "I am Autumn. Are you Minamino Suiichi?" she opened the door wider at his nod and stepped aside. "Please come in."

"Arigatou." He bowed his head and then stepped into the foyer. He held a folder and when he appeared to remember it he handed it to her, "Here. Silvati-sensei told me to deliver this." He said.

"Arigatou," she replied as she took in from him, avoiding any kind of touch, even if it could have been a brush against skin. Her powers were strongest when touching and even with her shields, if she touched him, she'd be subjected to his emotions and flashes of visions. She wanted to avoid that at all costs. Revealing what she was in front of a complete stranger could be extremely dangerous, even if her teacher said he was trustworthy. He was still a complete and total stranger.

She held the folder in her hands and then her attention was caught by a sudden yip. She quickly looked down and found the three foxes even closer to her than before. Her thoughts turned quickly to the open door and she asked Suiichi, "Would you mind staying for a little while? I can brew some tea."

He followed her gaze down and when his eyes rested on the pups, his expression turned all the softer. He smiled and then replied, "I would be honored Autumn-san."

Her cheeks pinkened ever so slightly at the add-on to her name, but she bowed her head and proceeded to close the door. "I just rescued them and I do not wish them to go out on their own yet," she explained, nodding her head to the three.

He nodded and moved deeper into the house when she closed the door.

She scooped up Pouncer into her arms, who licked her cheek causing her to giggle and turned towards the kitchen. "Please, will you follow me?" she asked the older teen.

He nodded and began to follow her, the other two foxes following the girl. But what she didn't notice was that the two paused to sniff at the young man. They sneezed, looked up at him, sniffed him again and then scampered off to catch up with their mistress.

Suiichi continued to follow and when he reached the kitchen the girl had already set the third pup down and was washing her hands. He watched as the three pups spiraled around the girl's legs, mewling and making other little sounds. He could tell they were uncomfortable with him being there, but clearly the girl didn't.

"It's okay babies, Suiichi is just here for tea." She said in English. It was the language she had already been using and it would be useless and confusing to them to use any other language. She gave them a reassuring smile and started to move about the room, collecting tea bags, teapot, and filling the pot with water.

Suiichi raised an eyebrow at the girl curiously and asked in Japanese, "Are you speaking English?"

Her blue eyes flicked over to her guest, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "I don't mean any disrespect Suiichi-sempai. It is just I am American; English is my first and foremost language and it is what I have been using with the pups." She explained shyly, switching to Japanese again.

His gaze softened again and he glanced at the foxes, a small smile gracing his full lips.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," she said, not quite looking at him over her shoulder.

"Thank you Autumn-san." He said carefully in English.

Autumn was lucky she had already put the pot of water to boil, otherwise she would have dropped it. He had startled her by what he had said. She turned to face him, astonishment still running across her features. She could see the amusement in his face.

"I am taking English Studies," he said.

Swallowing she shook her head slightly to clear it once again. "How well do you speak it?" she asked in her native tongue.

He gave her a smile, "Well enough for small conversations and well enough to visit America and not get into too much trouble." His amused smile was back as he said that, still using English.

She grinned, seeing how the amusement was used. "I cannot see how the top student of our school could ever get into trouble." She ended with a very small giggle.

Suiichi raised an eyebrow slight and replied, "You would be surprised Autumn-san, you'd be surprised."

She looked at him, her expression puzzled, but then the teapot was whistling—the water was ready for tea. She busied herself with it and avoided stepping on the foxes as she moved about the kitchen.

Suiichi finally sat down at the table, still in sight of his hostess and the foxes.

Soon she took him a steaming cup of tea and took her own as she slid into a chair across from him. The three pups still followed her and sat close to or under her chair. She sipped at her tea, the silence between her and her quest a bit awkward. Her mind raced for something to say, anything at all.

But it was her guest who broke the silence, "How long have you lived here in Japan?" he still used English, unconsciously knowing that it wouldn't have mattered what language he used with the girl, but English was just more comfortable.

She blinked at him, feeling gratitude towards him. "For almost six years. We moved because my father's job got transferred." She replied. But what she couldn't tell was that she was the true reasoning they left Texas, United States. Her powers were being overwhelmed by everything. It was extremely trying for them all shielding her (even with her parents being psychics themselves, but they were minor psychics) and when her parents desperately searched, they found psychics in Japan. So they got in touch with them and over a period of just a couple of weeks, Autumn was taken out of school, her dad had his office transferred and they sold their house. Soon after she was in Japan. With a handful of helpful psychics and other people she was taught how to handle her powers and true control. Her parents learned more about their daughter's situation and soon they were able to live in relative peace compared to before.

And so they remained in Japan, reluctant to go back to their native country.

"Only six years? You speak like a native." He said with a slight surprised tone.

She flushed and said in a softer tone, "I have a knack for languages…I'm learning French and Spanish too." Her tone shy.

He looked a little awed, politely overlooking her pink tinted cheeks. He drank his tea silently and occasionally spotted the bushy tail of one of the foxes swishing where it sat or laid.

"So how did you come to find these foxes?" he asked, knowing it would be a safe enough topic.

She looked up at him and then quickly glanced at Twitch, who had been watching her intently. She smiled and replied, "Yesterday I was in the woods not far from here and I saw their mother. From the way she was acting when I walked to a nearby stream I knew she had to have pups nearby." She started, omitting everything about her powers. "Then last night the storm began and I for some reason, thought of them. See, their den was beneath a tree on the bank of the stream." She paused for another sip of tea and saw him nod in encouragement. With a warm feeling she continued, "So I told my parents about them and that they would surely drown in this weather. So my father took me and I rescued them" her sadness showed on her face, "But I still wasn't fast enough. These three were already on higher ground when I reached their den. Their mother and the runt of the litter didn't make it." Her voice was soft again.

He understood completely and sympathized with her. "I'm sorry for that." He said simply. She met his gaze and for once didn't blush. She managed a very small smile.

"Would you like to know their names?" she asked slowly.

"I would love to." He said, still as polite as when she answered the door.

Her smile widened a little and she glanced down at the ones beneath her chair. Russet peeked out and met her gaze before pulling his head back in. Her smile was warm as she looked back up at her guest. "The female is named Twitch and the others are Russet and Pouncer. Pouncer was the one I picked up." She said with a gleam in her eyes.

He returned the smile, "Is it safe to assume that Pouncer is…energetic?" Suiichi asked.

She nodded with a slight giggle, "Very," she replied.

"They'll all be beauties when they're full grown." He remarked, catching sight of whom he assumed was Russet.

She nodded her head, agreeing totally with him.

A few minutes later Suiichi looked at his watch. "I am very sorry Autumn-san, but I must leave now. I have a meeting with my friends to attend to." He said regretfully.

"I understand." She rose as he did and walked him to the front door. "Thank you for bringing me my work…and for conversing with me in English." She said slowly with a shy smile.

His smile widened as she opened the door for him. He stopped outside and then turned to her. Bowing he said carefully, "It was my pleasure to spend this time with an intelligent lovely young woman. I look forward to seeing you in school soon." With that he turned to leave, but not before she blushed again.,

When he was out of sight Autumn closed the door and found the pups curiously looked up at her three feet from where she stood. Her cheeks still flaming, she told them, "I think he was flirting with me."

TBC