"Speaking"
Thinking
Mui

\~/~\~/

Chapter 2: Surroundings
Sarah's POV
The sunshine coming through my bedroom window hit me square in the face. I turned my head aware from the light, but between that and Mui's disgustingly perky morning voice, I slowly got up. She had always been a morning person, something I could never understand. I hated mornings. They took me away from my dreams.

Good morning, she said softly. I opened my eyes to see her looking down at me. Her long purple hair rested on the bed next to me even though she was sitting up perfectly straight.

"Morning." I stretched out and yawned, but didn't get up. "What time is it?"

It seems to be around eight. The birds started chirping about an hour ago.

"Uhh, that's still too early."

Nonsense. You have a lot to do today. It's time to get up.

"Can't it wait?"

Only if you want to live in this mess.

She was right and I hated it when she was right this early in the morning. I pushed the comforter off of me and slowly sat up. I groaned as I looked at all the boxes in the room. "There is so much stuff. There is no way I need all of this."

Don't forget that there is more in the hallway and the kitchen.

I groaned again, moved off the bed and maneuvered out into the hallway. Of course, more boxes. I moved passed these as well and started going through the boxes in the kitchen. After rummaging through a few boxes I found what I was looking for.

"Oh happy day," I cheered as I took the coffee maker out of the box and set it on the kitchen counter. As I was plugging it in Mui hit me with another bit of morning wisdom.

You don't have any food in the house, my Flower.

My Flower. That was her nickname for me. I turned my head to glare at her. She was standing a few feet away from me, smirking. No food meant no coffee. She knew what I was after and once I got excited she decided to remind me that I still had to go shopping.

Had you listened to me last night, you could have had something to eat and coffee.

"You're getting too much amusement out of this."

Only a little.

I smiled at her and went to my suitcase on the floor. I opened it up and pulled out a change of clothes and my toiletry bag. Then I headed back to the hall I had emerged from and opened every closed door until I found the bathroom. Inside was, of course, more boxes. After searching through a few of them I found a towel and wash cloth. I flung the cloth in the shower and turned on the hot water and placed the towel on the long bathroom sink. I headed back to the boxes and pulled out my shampoo, conditioner, a brush and soap before discarding my clothes then went to my toiletry bag and pulled out a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste.

The warm water raining down on my skin was like heaven. It washed away all my pent up frustration from yesterday. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life and after being dropped off at the airport everything went to crap. Security took forever, the flight didn't leave when scheduled, the child two rows in front of me screamed almost the entire time, the taxi driver got lost on the way here, and the doorman...uhh, the doorman. He's such a jerk

"Sorry I was so snippy with you last night," I said as I brushed conditioner through my hair.

It's alright, my Flower. I understand.

"Today is going to be such a long day."

And what could be better than taking a morning stroll? You'll be able to get to know your surroundings.

"I think you're just antsy to wonder around."

I'm just excited for you. You're following your dream and going for what you want. Now is the time in your life for you to enjoy yourself.

I smiled and rinsed my hair. In no time at all I was ready to go. Can't go wrong with a pair of dark jeans and a simple black shirt. I pulled my hair into a loose pony-tail, the damp ends of my curls resting just below my neck. After finding my wallet in my suitcase and slinging my camera back over my shoulder I left my new home and headed out into my new surroundings.

I just realized I have no idea where I am, I thought to myself as the crisp morning air hit my face as I stepped outside. People were coming in and out of the apartment building, but I didn't want them thinking I'm crazy. Seeing a girl talking to herself isn't the first impression she'd like to make on her new neighbors.

You have two options. Ask for directions or pick a direction and start walking.

I chose option two and started walking. Asking for help would be too easy. I moved to the other side of the world to explore and experience new things.

Do you think it's too early to call Gigi?

She is most likely in bed by now. Try giving her a call later tonight.

I nodded and thought about my Gigi. I missed my grandmother dearly. She's the entire reason I was able to move to Japan. She had known that I always wanted to live somewhere abroad, but when I told her about why I wanted to live in Japan she practically kicked me out the door. She had taken care of everything for me and I am eternally grateful. I often felt that it was a little too much, but that was my Gigi. She did everything a hundred and ten percent.

My morning walk took longer than I would've liked. Typically I would enjoy it, but when I'm craving coffee I become a little snippy. Although, Mui wasn't having any of it and quickly put me in my place. I don't know what I'd do without her.

As I wondered around I took note of the stores around me. There were two small drugstore a few blocks away from my apartment, a pet store a few blocks away from them, a grocery store, a book store and a car wash. I made sure to memorized them so I could remember how to get back home and I took pictures of everything as I went. People, flowers, street signs. Nothing was safe from my lens.

After about a half hour of roaming around my cravings took over. I needed food.

What do you think of this place¸ I asked Mui as I started walking up to a cute cafe called Cafe Cake. There were decorative pastries and desserts in the front window. Look at all the cute cakes!

It's your first day in a new place. I won't scold you if you have cake for breakfast.

I giggled at her approval and darted inside.

The cafe was bright and open. There were small chandelier hanging from the high ceilings and beautiful photographs of cookies and cakes hung on the walls. There was a small line forming already, which worried me a bit. My stomach was growling and I was afraid people could hear it.

What should I get? Chocolate? Strawberry? Oooh, look at those macaroons.

I didn't get a reply, just a chuckle. Mui is able to feel the things I feel when she exerts some extra energy and that includes taste. So when it comes to food I try to eat things that she would like as well. However, sometimes we don't agree. I like tomatoes and she hates them. She enjoys escargot and I can't stand the smell of it.

Get whatever you like, Flower. Today is all about you.

When it became my turn to order I think I freaked out the girl at the register. I think I came across a little too smiley, but that's how I get when I'm hungry. I get snippy and then I try to cover it up with smiling.

"Can I have a medium caramel coffee and a chocolate mousse cake please. Oh, and a few of those macaroons too."

The girl behind the counter smiled at me and started getting my order. I started flipping through the photos on my camera as I waited.

"Can I help you, sir," another girl from behind the counter asked. I looked up quickly and saw that she was looking at someone over my shoulder. I took a sidestep to give the person some space to place their order. I continued flipping through my camera as the girl that was helping me started placing my order on the counter and the other woman was placing the other person's order next to mine.

And then my clumsiness kicked in. As I took out my wallet and handed the woman the money for the order I knocked over everything on the counter as I went to pick up the food. My coffee and the other person's coffee spilled all over the counter, the floor and onto their shoes.

"I am so sorry! Holy shit," I practically shouted. Thankfully I said the last part in English without thinking. That last thing I needed now was people to hear me swear. Then I switched back to Japanese. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

" That's quite alright," a soft yet masculine voice said softly.

As I had been apologizing to the stranger I had grabbed some napkin's from a dispenser on the counter and started cleaning up the mess on the floor.

"No, no it's not." I looked up, seeing him for the first time. I was stunned for a second at the man's beauty. He was tall with stunning green eyes and the most striking shade of red hair I had ever seen. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. I'm going to buy you another one."

I watched him take napkins as well and bend down to help me clean up our spilled drinks. "There is no need to do that."

"Yes, please let me. I wasn't paying attention."

"It was an accident. We all make them."

Once the floor was clean the man took all of the napkins and walked them over to the trash can by the front door.

By the time I stood up one of the people behind the register cleaned up the mess on the counter.

"I'm so sorry about that." Before the man came back I quickly took my wallet back out and handed the woman my credit card. "Can you please get him another of whatever it was he ordered?"

The woman took the card with an annoyed smile. "Would you like another order as well?"

"Yes please."

That's one way to make friends,Mui said as she chuckled.

Shut up! I feel so bad. Of course I would do this on my first day.

He's very handsome. You should ask him what his name is.

No. No more men.

As the man came back over I smiled at him apologetically. "I so sorry, again."

He smiled at me and god, it was a stunning smile. "It's honestly alright."

He looked down at the clean counter and watched as the woman started putting our order together again. I watched him reach for his wallet. "It's already taken care of." He looked back at me again, his smile still in place.

"Thank you, but you didn't have to do that.

"Yes I did."

The woman handed me my card back and I put it in its little home. My camera, thankfully, didn't get wet in my slip-up. It had been dangling from my neck while I was looking at my pictures when I made my mess. I quickly slipped it back into my bag before picking up the man's coffee and his parfait. "Here you go."

He took it from me gingerly. "Thank you."

I picked up my new coffee and plate of desserts and assumed that was going to be the end of it. I moved passed him, head down in embarrassment, and found a seat next to the window. I figured he'd take his breakfast and leave me to my shame, but no. He had to dig it in a little more.

He's coming over here.

No he's not. My back was to the front door and to the man, but Mui could see everything. She was able to walk around freely within a certain range of me.

Yes he is.

There is no way he wou-

"Hello, again," he said as he moved around to face me. I looked up at him and could feel my cheeks turning red. "I thought I should at least know the name of the woman who bought me my breakfast."

I chuckled nervously and extended my hand to him. "I'm Sarah."

He reached out and took my hand in his. "I am Shuichi. It's nice to meet you."

"Is it," I said sarcastically.

"Yes," he chuckled. Thankfully, it seemed that he caught onto my sarcasm. Otherwise, why would he chuckle?

Stop acting like a silly girl and ask him to sit with you.

I spilled his food all over the place. The last thing he's going to want to do is eat with me.

You never know until you ask.

I'm not goin-

"Do you mind if I sit with you?"

Mui isn't the type to say 'I told you so,' but she made herself visible to me and the smirk she had on her face spoke volumes. She loves it when she's right.

"Sure." I sat up as straight as I could and I watched him sit on the other side of the table across from me. "That looks delicious." I pointed to the parfait.

"It is. Everything here is excellent."

"Do you come here often?"

"Yes. I go to school a few blocks away from here and I stop by for breakfast."

I perked up a bit at the sound of school. "What do you study?"

"I go to the medical school on Oak Street."

"Really, that's amazing."

He reminds me of your grandfather.

Right!? He even talks like Pap.

"Do you already know what kind of doctor you would like to be?"

"Either a neurosurgeon or cardiovascular surgeon."

Ok, that's way too similar. I peaked to Mui through the corner of my eye. Her face looked amused, but her eyes said something else. Something I couldn't read and that wasn't there before.

"Small world. My Pap is a neurosurgeon."

"Really? Does he work in the city?"

"No, he's back in the States."

"Is that where you're from?"

"Yes. I moved here for school."

Shuichi nodded and took a bite of his strawberry and kiwi parfait before speaking again. I followed his lead and took a my cake.

"What are you studying?"

"Teaching. I'd like to be an English teacher here."

"Teaching is a very honorable profession. Being a natural English, any school would be lucky to have you."

"Thank you." I blushed again and mentally kicked myself. This wasn't me. I was never the type to blush, especially around men. So why was I doing it because of this stranger. "Can I ask you an honest question?"

I almost laughed as his face twisted in confusion. It was so quick, I almost didn't catch it, but it was there. "Of course."

"How is my accent? Am I pronouncing things correctly? Sometimes I feel like I'm slipping on my words."

"You speak wonderfully. Even when you swear in English."

I groaned loudly and he laughed at me. "Of course you would know what I said."

"It was very amusing."

I chuckled at myself and rolled my eyes playfully. "I'm glad you find me entertaining."

We chatted nonchalantly as we finished out breakfast. Mui didn't chime in again, which was a little surprising. She wasn't one to insert herself in every conversation, but the way she was looking at him didn't make me comfortable. I learned that he didn't live too far away from here and he recommended some restaurants and shopping areas that I could go to.

"So, you asked me an honest question. May I ask you one?"

"Of course."

He pointed at the small remaining bite of cake and two macaroons. "Why dessert for breakfast?"

I laughed loudly, earning us some questioning looks. "I had a bad day yesterday and I needed a pick-me-up. Yesterday was the big move and it was just one annoying thing after another and I figured sugar and coffee was the best thing to make everything better."

"Oh, so you just moved here?" I nodded my head and took my last bite of cake. "Then I should've bought you breakfast to celebrate this milestone in your life."

"You can next time." The second the words left my mouth I felt like an idiot. I could see the side look Mui was giving me.

I don't know why I said that. He doesn't know me well enough to know that was a joke. He's going to think I'm crazy.

But he didn't say anything. He just smiled and drank his coffee.

Once we finished eating he walked me to the front door and we stood just outside the cafe. All mishaps and rambling aside, I had a nice time talking with him.

"Thank you for having breakfast with me. I have to admit, I was a little worried at first."

"Why is that?"

"Well, I did start a food fight with you," I said sarcastically.

"It was a good fight."

I smiled at him, something that was become too easy towards a stranger I was probably never going to see again. "Thank you again, Shuichi."

"My pleasure."

I waved goodbye to him, turned in the direction of home and started off. Once I was sure I was out of earshot I took out my phone and hit speed dial. The line began to ring and then went to voicemail. "Jackson, wake up and call me back. I need to talk to you. You're not going to believe my morning."

\~/~\~/

Kurama watched Sarah until she reached the end of the block. He wanted to make sure she knew where she was going and since she didn't seem confused he took that as a good sign that she was fine. Then he turned and walked the other way.

The fox demon was exhausted. He had a long night with Yusuke and the others. They had just finished a case and he was making his way home after leaving Genkai's, but had stopped for a quick bite. He could've stayed at master's house, but he was eager to sleep in his own bed.

Despite his fatigue, Kurama was glad that he stopped at the shop. Meeting Sarah was an unexpected surprise. There was something about her that attracted him to her. She had some kind of light that she gave off that made him feel something he couldn't place. It was that light that made him want to sit with her. He knew it wasn't something any typical human would posses and it intrigued him. At first he thought it was spirit energy, but it wasn't and that's what made him even more curious.

Just as he rounded the corner to his home, Botan floated down from the sky. Without saying a word so no to attract attention, Kurama slipped into a side ally to speak with his friend privately.

"Good morning, Botan."

"Hello, Kurama," she said in her sing-song voice. "I'm sorry to bother you so early, but Lord Koenma needs your assistance."

"Another case for Yusuke?"

"Not exactly. It's something a little less dangerous."

Botan didn't need to say more. She materialized long enough for him to hoist himself onto her oar before turning intangible again and floated off.

The ride to Spirit World was short and familiar. Kurama silently hoped this meeting wouldn't take long as he walked to Koenma's office. He was extremely tired and needed his rest.

As usual, Koenma was behind his desk stamping papers when Kurama and Botan walked in. And a usual, Koenma gave Kurama a warm welcome.

"How may I help you, Koenma?"

"I have a favor to ask of you," Koenma replied as he opened the side drawer of her desk and pulled out a photograph. "It's nothing big, but something I know I can trust you with." He placed the photograph on the desk and Kurama walked closer to the desk and pick it up. "I need you to find and befriend this girl. Her name is-"

"Sarah," Kurama cut it.

"Yes. How do you know that?" Koenma was clearly surprised.

"Because I just had breakfast with her," he said as he placed the photo of the brown eyed, curly haired woman back on the desk. "She moved to Japan yesterday to study teaching."

Koenma leaned back in his chair, thinking that this was too big of a coincidence. "What do you make of her?"

"She seems to be a good person. Chatty, animated and intelligent. Though there is something about her that I can't quit place."

"As if she has something that shouldn't be there."

"Yes. I don't believe she is a demon, but I don't believe she has spirit energy either. Has she done something to peak Spirit World's interest?"

"No, she has done nothing wrong. I'm just answering a request from an old friend. Just watch her from a distance or befriend her if you wish. I leave the decision up to you."

Kurama didn't press the issue. She wasn't a demon and no clear threat, so he didn't have to worry about her. Now Koenma gave him a reason to seek her out again. This away he can figure out exactly what and who she is.