Kiyoshi's ears flickered as he lay curled on the cobbled street; hugging against the wall of an anonymous looking building. Even though he pushed himself into a tiny ball, trying to stay out of the Owners' way, lest he be kicked again, a tall lank man tripped over him anyway. Kiyoshi clenched his eyes tightly shut, his tail perfectly still. He whimpered involuntarily when a dark shadow covered his malnourished form.

"Hmm, quiet now," a deep, smooth voice soothed. "What are you doing here alone, little one?" He asked quietly, reaching out to touch Kiyoshi's ears, pulling away when the boy flinched slightly.

"It's okay," he murmured. "I won't hurt you."

At this, the boy opened one emerald green eye to glare disbelievingly at the well-dressed older man. Seeing this, the man chuckled softly, prompting Kiyoshi to open both eyes and sit up, scooting against the wall, trying to create an opening to run.

"That's it," the man crooned. "It's alright. I'm surprised someone would just leave you here."

It wasn't a secret that Kiyoshi had been living on the street for some time; his normally bright red ears and tail were a dingy brown and his skin was so dirt-covered that the tone was impossible to see.

"What's your name, little one?" He asked, shifting to close off Kiyoshi's escape, but not moving closer. The boy's mouth never opened, but he shook his head and pulled his knees to his chest. The refined man sighted and reached out, this time ignoring the terrified twitch, to touch the worn cloth collar around Kiyoshi's neck. He pulled on it slightly, aware of the boy's panicked look, but needing to get him off the streets. He flipped the metal tag up and read what was inscribed on the back:

The Pet Dealer

1537 sarachi Lane

(202) 365-xxxx

The front was blank.

"No one bothered to put personal contact information on your tag?" The boy shook his head, but remained mute. "Come on, then. Stand up."

Kiyoshi automatically obeyed the superior tone, but when he got to his feet, swayed and fell involuntarily into the man's arms, without pushing the boy away, he picked him up and cradled him against his broad chest. Kiyoshi fought weakly against the gently hold, but the mysterious man ignored him and continued walking the three blocks back to the pet store.

As he stopped inside the owner pasted on a smile and immediately stated to suck up.

"Ah, kei-san, what brings you-,"he cut himself off as he noticed the now limp boy in Kei Haruki's arms. "Why do you have… is that Kiyoshi?" He asked in mild alarm.

"I don't know his name," Kei said gravely, "but this boy's a fox, unless I'm mistaken, and also severely sick."

He glared at the owner, obviously blaming him for the result of the fox-boy's mistreatment.

"Yes, well, I sold him again, just two weeks ago," the man murmured, not wanting to take Kiyoshi from Kei, sensing the boy's reluctant acceptance of the formidable man.

"Again?" Kei questioned. "Just how many times has he been returned?"

"Several, I'm afraid. Most owners were cruel, causing the boy to lash out, and one of them traumatized him so badly he hasn't spoken since. He's not a bad boy," the owner continued. "Well come on I'll show you to his room," the man sighed, motioning for Kei to follow him away from the other pets and into the back. He unlocked a steel gray door at the end of a dimly lit hallway and led the way inside.

"Just set him in here," he flinched slightly at Kei's look of distain. "I can't keep him with the other pets, "he hastily explained. "He's too rare and not afraid to fight back when picked on."

Kei inwardly groaned already knowing his decision was made,

"How much?" He asked quietly. At the man's look of confusion, he elaborated. "For the boy, how much?"

Itoshi, the pet dealer, quickly recovered from the unexpected shock. "Of course, I'll give you a good deal, because it's you, Kei-san, I'm nearly afraid to put him for sale again at all," the man admitted. "He's been so harshly beaten by every owner. He's volatile now," the pet dealer warned.

We'll be just fine," Kei said, holding the pet a bit closer.

"Alright, then," Itoshi sighed.

He was hoppy for the boy. This one reminded him too much of Hikaru, a young cat-boy who he had recently sold to a fine owner. Now it seemed he'd sold at least two pets to good homes.

"It doesn't look like he's eaten; you might want to try different foods to see what he likes of dislikes. The boy is actually eighteen, yes, he's extremely small for his age," the man said in response to Kei's shocked look. "I don't think he'll get violent if your kind to him, although he is a fox, so it'll be a while before he trusts you."

Kei paid the money and carried the boy to his home, noting that Kiyoshi had actually fallen asleep. It looked like he wouldn't be meeting the staff anytime soon. Kei sighed softly as he headed up the stairs of his grand home to one of the many spare rooms. He picked one with cool, calming blue tones, hoping it would calm the child once he woke. He gently set the boy on the feather mattress and covered him with the quilt. He knew he'd have to have one of his housekeeping staff keep an eye on Kiyoshi, so that he could come back from his home office and keep the boy from attacking any one. He closed the door as he left and went to find the neared maid.

"Ah, Mirsa," Kei called to the young blond-haired woman dusting a painting.

"Yes, sir?" she stopped working to turn towards the master of the house.

"I have a pet," he informed her. "He's short-tempered and sick, as well as scared, so keep an eye on him and call for me immediately when he wakes." Kei instructed. "I'll be in my office her at home.

"Very well, sir." She murmured, extremely curious, but knowing her place was not to ask.

As soon as her employer turned and headed around the corner, however, she started for the closed door and peeked in on the sleeping boy. She gasped when she saw his emaciated form.

"That poor boy," she murmured as she closed the door again. Mirsa made a decision then to protect the innocent fox-boy like he was her baby brother. She wasn't going to let anyone hurt the pitiful form again, not even the master of the house.