CHAPTER IV

BY PRIME'S SPARKLING

"Never underestimate the determination of a kid who is time-rich and cash-poor."
― Cory Doctorow, Little Brother

White noise. That's what the sounds around him were, or at least that was what if felt like to him. He'd never heard sounds without his hearing aid before though so he would not know. They were calm and soothing, yet he could not distinguish them. He was dead; he had to be as there was no way a child that was born deaf could hear. He felt warm and fuzzy yet his body felt uncomfortable in a way that told him he was still alive. The pain he felt shooting up his sides was good, it meant he was still alive, and if he was still alive he could fight. It was a lesson he had long since learned some years ago….

He wasn't sure for how long he'd been running, he knew only that he was starting to tire as he ran though the crowded streets in Tranquility. He and his parents had not been in America for long and he found the fast- paced cities which never slept to be slightly too much for him to handle, compared to the peaceful ones in South Africa. His six year old mind cursed his parents for listening to his military Afghanistan based uncle who had insisted that they move back to his mother's town of birth after their grandfather had passed away, and ran further when he caught sight of Tony looking around by the side walk. And despite his attempts, the bigger and older boy spotted his short form between the larger bodies surrounding him. Parker cursed internally, as it was the only voice he would have heard anyway, and ran in the opposite direction as the 7th grader called his palls to his location. He twisted into an alleyway between two shops, running past a sleeping hobo, one of many that seemed to litter the streets of the cities much like in Africa as well and ended up in the next block of shopping malls. He looked to the left in a panic, then the right. He had never been to this side of town before! He should have just taken his beating for the day instead of running. Not only was Tony going to give it to him big this time, he was completely lost. Hurriedly, he choose the right pathway, and ran past the fancy cinema houses that stood out and always seemed filled no matter the time of day. He peaked over his shoulder as he moved, huffing and puffing for air as his healthy lungs burned under the pressure it was placed in, and saw the five teenagers slightly behind. He was not looking where he was going until he ran into someone with a hard THUD. He landed on his backside with his breath leaving him but immediately rolled over instinctively and landed on his hunches. He quickly stood, with the fullest intentions to apologize to the person he'd knocked over before remembering that the person most likely did not understand sign language. The old Japanese man, wearing something that reminded the six year old of the clothes from an Indiana Jones movie, allowed Parker to help him to his feet and dusted himself off. He watched the small boy mouth the words of apologies but merely held up a hand in understanding. Parker's expression became shocked that the man was not angry but he did not have more time to dwell on it when he saw Tony burst through the crowd. He spared the old man a glance before he began to run again as the 7th graders nearly caught up with him. Stepping into the road he let out a scream as he was nearly run over by an overweight man behind the wheel of the brightly yellow taxi that he had failed to hear due to being deaf. Ignoring the man whom Parker was sure had begun to shout and flip him the bird, Parker moved quickly though the closest ally way he could find, hoping to outsmart his captors again and perhaps find an area he recognized. As soon as he ran five feet into the ally way, the young lad knew he had made a mistake for there was no opening on the other side of the gully. There was nothing save for a blank wall covered with graffiti and surrounded by week old garbage, some of which had been torn open and thrown about. Slowly, like the trapped victims that had been chased in a horror movie, Parker turned to see the evil shit eating grins upon Tony and his four other pals' faces. They circled around him, blocking all escape as he backed away until he was basically against the wall and he looked around franticly for a way to get out. While he did not have his hearing aids on, Parker could easily lip-read the words the older boys taunted him with-

'Freak'

'Useless'

'Unwanted'

'Mute'

It would not stop and with each word they advanced, until they were right upon him and Tony's cigarette smoke reeking hands closed themselves on his shoulders and pushed him into one of his pals. It was the start of a game. And a horrible one at that as the boys pushed him around, laughing when he stumbled and smacking him through the face when he didn't. After what felt like hours, he misplaced his footing and fell to the ground, deciding instead to curl up on the floor and wait for it to pass as Tony raised his foot to stamp his head against the ground forcefully. So he waited. But it did not come. Ever so slowly, he raised his battered head, surprise entering his eyes when he saw the old Japanese man he'd run into holding Tony's leg in his hand, and upon closer inspection, he noticed his defender's fingers digging into certain spots in the bully's knee. Tony's pals also seemed surprised but quickly recover and moved to strike the older man who was causing their leader to cry like someone had kicked his puppy simply by holding his knee. The fight which broke out amazed Parker as he watched the man who easily looked to be in his late 60's block and counter each attempt to attack him, all the while keeping his hold on black haired, blue eyed boy's knee and staying between the bullies and the deaf boy behind him. It was filled with fluid and butter smooth actions that put the training on the base he lived at to shame and despite his old age, Parker found that the old man suddenly looked a lot younger as he fought; like a butterfly leaving the cocoon. He looked… alive. Sadly the spectacle did not last long and the elderly gentlemen was already offering him a hand up as his bullies all ran, each sporting one or two bruises and as many broken fingers and shut eyes. Allowing himself to be lifted off the ground, Parker smiled gratefully at the stranger who smiled in return and after discovering that he understood sign language, helped him back home where his very worried parents waited with his little 4 year old sister who was in tears in her father's arms.

It was two weeks since the old man had saved Parker from Tony and his gang of bullies before he met his savior again. The 7th graders had left him alone, wisely keeping their distance and it allowed the six year old the freedom to explore his new home. He was walking past the cinema when he saw him. The old Japanese man was still dressed in the clothing that remained Parker of something out of an Indiana Jones movie and was coming out of a small sushi restaurant. Curious about the man and more importantly the moves he could pull, the six year old followed him at a distance. He ducked behind a dust bin as the man turned the corner into the residential area and took a deep breath before following. An hour passed and every now and then the boy thought the old man was leading him in circles to confuse him despite the fact that he gave no indication that he knew he was being followed. It didn't worry Parker however as he shook off the feeling and easily kept track of his target, mentally patting himself on the back for memoriesing this part of town during his two weeks of bully less freedom. Finally the old man came to a stop outside an old house and stepped through the gate, flashing the boy a peek at the neat and peaceful looking garden on the inside alongside a path leading to the house. Once he was sure the old man was inside, Parker quickly ran alongside the wall of the house and looked for an opening in the high wooden fence that covered the back. He felt along the boards, remembering that he had seen a man working on the barricade a few days earlier and knew that some of them were loose, and quickly located them. He slipped his small body though the gap and found himself with in the bright flora of the back garden, thankfully hidden by the tall cherry blossom trees that complimented the lush, green area. He crouched instinctively and crawled on his hands and knees though the dirt to get a better look at the place, and pulled back sharply when the Rice paper back door slid open to reveal the old man he'd been following. He was no longer dressed in something that came out of a movie and instead wore a black gi with a black belt going around his waist and Parker watched transfixed as the elder man stepped barefoot onto the soft and short grass. The man began to warm up slowly and when he began practicing the moves he had used to save Parker the boy felt his mind be blown. This continued for several hours and when he eventually stopped, Parker was once again snapped back into reality. He waited for he man to reenter his home before he left for home, only realizing hen how late it was.

That night Parker jumped around his room just before bed, signing crazily to his slumbering 4 year old sister who laid on his bed, still entailed about what he'd seen.

'It was so amazing Nova!' He signed with vigor, 'You should have seen it. It was so powerful and I don't know, but it was so great it chased Tony and the other bullies away. I felt so strong, like nothing could hurt me.'

Nova did not reply but simply stuck her chubby hands under her chin as she dreamed. Parker's eyes softened, 'I wish I could protect you from anything that tried to harm you when you go to school, but I don't know how.'

He tucked a curl of blond hair out of her face, 'You don't deserve to be bullied by people like Tony.'

'No one does,' his mother signed as she caught his attention from the door way, a soft smile on his face, 'So what were you up to today Parker?'

He debated with himself if he should tell his parents about sneaking into the old man's yard for a moment but then decided against it, 'Nothing Mama. I just explored a bit.'

'Exploring huh?' she asked fondly as he nodded his head, 'you are most defiantly your father's child.'

'Mama?' he asked timidly, face turning serious as he sat on the side of the bed, 'can I ask you something?'

'Yes sweetie you can ask me anything,' she sighed and gently sat next to him, mindful not to disrupt his sister on the bed, 'What is it?'

'Why is the world so mean to people?' he asked softy and he saw his mother gain a sad look in her eyes.

'I don't know sweetie,' she placed a hand on his shoulder, 'I don't even know half the reasons why life is so filled with pain. Or why it seems to always want to rip those things in life that seemed so precious to you away. But it's not always bad.'

'How can pain be good,' he raised an eye brow like he'd often seen his father do.

'It's good because if you feel pain, then you know that you're still alive,' She smiled softly before her brows frowned and she looked at him the most seriously he'd ever seen, 'Parker I want you to do something for me.'

'What mama?' he asked wondering.

'I need you to promise me that no matter what happens that you'll look after your sister and protect her,' she signed, 'Kiddo, mama and papa do very dangerous jobs and we may not someday be able to come home because of it, so I need you to promise me that you will look after your sister when we cannot.'

'I promise,' he thumped his chest once and curled his pinkie finger around his mother's one when she offered it as a way to seal their deal.

'Good,' she kissed his forehead tenderly, before raising to her feet, 'get some sleep little man; you have school in the morning.'

'Ok mama,' he smiled as she lifted his sister into her arms and carried her out the room, 'I love you.'

When he was alone again, Parker looked down at his small fist in contemplation and thought back to what he'd seen the man do earlier, the weight of his promise pushing down onto his small shoulders. He stood quietly and moved over to an empty space in the room. One foot at a time, he widened his stance and bent his knees like he'd seen and tucked his fists by his side. Extending an arm he thrust his fist out in a punch. Slowly, he began to reenact what he'd seen the older man do and though he knew most of the moves were done wrong, he was determined to learn. He continued to practice long into the evening, until his muscles hurt and burned like no other and he went to bed with a smile on his face. He would not let his sister down.

It was the start of a routine. For two months, every day after school, Parker sneaked into the old man's garden to watch him train until sunset when he would rush home for supper and practice what he'd seen until late in the night. He got better at it and worked hard even though there were moves that often confused him. He had taught himself all the basic rules of martial arts though whatever books he could get his hands on and felt quite proud of his achievement. It was satisfying in ways he could not describe, but unfortunately it did not last. It was on a sunny Friday afternoon, and he had just run from the school to the old man's place when he discovered that the boards he used to slip though were nailed shut. A wave of despair raced through him at the thought of not being able to continue to learn how to protect his sister, until he pushed it down as a determined glint appeared in his eyes. He looked up and down the side walk in calculation, knowing that the fence was too high for his short body to reach the top, before an idea sprang into his head. Quickly he walked over to the corner and smiled. The street light was just the right distance away from the fence. He carefully pressed his hands against the wooden fence and tensed his muscles as he pushed his feet against the street light's frame and tensed his stomach muscles so that he was laying horizontal with the pavement. Sucking in a breath, Parker moved his hands up and then his feet, then his hands and then his feet in a small shuffle as he traveled up the fence. When he reached the top he let his legs fall as he heaved himself over the top of the fence, realizing too late that he had fallen into the cover less area of the garden. Muscles feeling like jelly, the six year old dived behind the cherry blossom tree he was so fond of and often told Nova about as the paper door slide open, to reveal the man he'd come to admire over the past few months dressed in his usual attire for training. Parker was careful not to be seen as he copied the man warming up from behind the tree, but dropped his mouth in shock when the man began to practice his moves facing a different direction than what he was used to. He could not see what was being done from that angle and knew that he could not let his efforts to get over the wall go in vain. But he would have to move to the other side of the garden, without being detected in order to do that. Sighing he crouched down carefully and quietly slipped of his shoes, finding it easier to move in silence without them on and quickly slipped them into his backpack. Eternally grateful that he had remembered to wear his hearing aids, he judged the sensei's timing and waited until his back was turned before running across the open expanse to the next group of shrubs that would serve as his cover. He shivered slightly as he felt the same feeling he'd experienced the first time he had followed the old man to his home and shook off the feeling when he peeked around the bush to see his one sided teacher still engrossed with his training. Rubbing his forehead he moved across the soft grass along the fence and behind the large mediation stone as he tensed his muscles for the most dangerous part of his move. Running across an open patch of land with no cover to the other cherry blossom tree that would fix the angle he needed. He peeked around the stone carefully, pulling back sharply when the old man turned and looked around. He couldn't possibly know could he? Drawing in a deep breath, he turned and ran. Ten meters….Nine meters…Eight meters…..Seven meters. His muscles, still feeling like jelly were burning from the combined run he took earlier and the climb. Six meters….Five meters…..Four….Three…Two… CLANK SMASH. He stopped sharply, just as he was about to dive for cover and looked frozen at the boa which had smashed itself against the fence just where he was about to step. Turning, a deer in head lights look appeared on his face as he saw the old man, arm and body posture still facing the direction he's thrown his weapon in. Parker froze in complete shock. The man silently stood up strait again and adjusted his robes calmly, then he looked up with his eyes narrowed in complete authority, yet it did not change the gentle look he had. He pointed towards something at Parker's feet and when Parker looked down, and up again he realized the old man wanted his boa back again. Shame flooded Parker suddenly as he realized that by letting his curiosity and need to protect his sister control him he had infringed on the old man's privacy. Bashfully, the silent boy picked up the weapon and stepped out of the trees shadows towards the gentleman. Eyes downcast he offered it back, standing as far away from the man as possible, in case the old man tried to retaliate against him as he already knew his parents were going to be mad at him when they found out. He kept his head down at the ground even after the elderly man gathered his weapon, but gasped him surprise when an old but warm hand took hold of him chin and lifted up his head so that his eyes met with the wizened and knowing ones of the person he'd wronged. For a moment nothing happened and older male simply studied him contemplatively, until he cleared his throat, seeing that Parker had his hearing aids on and asked one simple question that never seemed to carry so much meaning to Parker before, "Why?"

'I want to protect my little sister,' He signed slowly, eyes still turning away despite the hold the black belt had on him, 'She's very special to me and she's going to the same school as me in two years, I don't want to see her bullied like I was. I'm sorry sir; I did not mean to intrude on your privacy.

The old man remained silent for a moment for a moment and Parker thought he was really angry, not that he blamed him, so naturally he was shocked when the old man began to speak again, "A noble cause to wish to protect someone like you want. One I have not seen in many years. Especially someone so determined and dedicated to wanting to learn."

Parker's head snapped up in shock as him mouth dropped open. He knew the entire time that he was there?! He stared up at the old man in astonishment but the sensei merely smiled down at him warmly, "Now what shall we call you?"

'My name is Parker sir,' he said not quite sure where this was going.

"Yes, but you need warrior name," the old man grabbed his wrist and pressed it to the six year olds chest, "You fight from heart. Need Warriors name. Tatakau: one who fights."

Numbly, Parker nodded, watching when the man adjusted his grip on his arm and brought it to above his head, bending it at an angle. Once in place he jerked it slightly, indicating that he should lock his joints in a block. Understanding flooded him and his new sensei smiled slightly.

"Focus Tatakau," He said, "You need focus if you wish to learn to defend your sister. It will not be easy, and your muscles will be painful for while after."

'My mama said pain is good,' He signed with one hand, 'She said its good because that is how you can tell if your still alive.'

"Let me tell you something else my student," Sensei smiled readjusting his arm and placing his other by his ribs as he folded himself into a long stance, indicating Parker to do the same, "Pain is good because it will tell you that you are alive, and if you are still alive, you can fight."

Parker nodded like it was the most important piece of information he had ever heard, and with a steeled determination stepped in his stance as his first lesson began.

A routine of sorts had began after that. Each day Parker would go to school, before leaving for home to lunch and then heading over to his sensei's home. Some times when both his parents were out on missions, he would take Nova along and allow her to play under the cherry tree in the back yard on the grass while they trained. He got better and stronger, and before they had known it six long months had elapsed since his parents had made the life changing decision to move the family, and three since he had taken his oath to protect his sister. The six and a half year old smiled and gently held onto his little sister's hand as she skipped along on the pavement. The streets were quiet and dusk was slowly taking over the land around them, but Parker did not mind, he would go anywhere if it meant protecting his sister. She was his light in the darkness, his rock and he loved her with the fierce protectiveness that only a brother could provide. Happily he swung the shopping bag full of groceries in his other hand and if he could he would have whistled a cherry tune. Nova laughed, a rich and happy chuckle and ploughed on ahead, pulling her brother with all her might. He understood why she was so happy though, it would be the first time they would celebrate thanks giving as it was not a holiday where they came from, and even he was excited.

The sudden jerking of his arm drew him out of his own musings and Parker gave his little sister a confused stare. She had stopped and was staring out at something behind her. He felt a moment of foreboding when he saw the expression on her face, almost like a cross between horror, fear and like she was expecting something. He turned slowly and immediately noticed the figures coming out from where they had hidden in the shadows of the alleys. Parker cursed his stupidity. Without another thought he grabbed Nova and ran with her clutched to chest, aware of the people giving chase. He moved in the direction of his sensei's home, driven only by muscle memory, as his intelligent mind ran though the hundreds of possible scenarios to get them out of it. He turned a corner without caution and immediately regretted it when he felt something slam into the back of his head and he knew no more.

The first thing he became aware of when he awoke next was that he could move neither his arms nor his legs which felt like they had been bound together. The second was that he was not even touching the floor and that he was being held by his arms. And finally the third was that he did not know where his sister was. Parker snapped his eyes open and with a silent gasp looked around him. He was in a warehouse, and tied to a horizontal pole by his hands a little above the ground. Slightly further away some of the figures he saw earlier sat at a dirty table sniffing white powder though their noses. He doubted that it was even legal. He recognized one of them, who was slightly younger as one of the kids part of the group that had bullied him all those months ago, and instantly felt disgusted. Movement out the corner of his eyes drew his attention and Parker drew in a sharp breath when the leader of the group himself stepped closer to him.

"Well, well, well," Tony flashed him a malicious smile as he came to a stop in front of him, "It seems the freak is awake."

Parker said nothing, but the boy continued anyway, "I see you've met my gang freak. What's the matter, where's your kong-fu hero now freak?"

Parker didn't move and it seemed to infuriate his capturer.

"So you're refusing to talk huh," The Tony said before slamming his fist into his stomach, gaining a loud guff as the wind was forced out of Parker's lungs, "Okay then, so why don't we see if we can get your freak of a sister to say something."

Parker's head snapped up in horror as he spat out the blood that had welled up in his mouth. He watched as Tony, turned his back on him and called to some of his pals, adults whom Parker had not noticed standing at the door earlier. They nodded back silently and left before returning with a squirming object that fought their grip, like hell knew no fury. Anger and outrage filled Parker as he looked into his sister's frightened face with tears running down her little face. Remembering the training Idainaru shi sensei had taught him, he quickly threw his body upwards and grabbed a proper hold on the rope so that he would not break his wrists. He stilled when Tony turned and glared harshly at the boy.

"It's a good thing we brought you here I suppose," Tony chuckled like he knew an inside joke that was the funniest thing in the world and ran a hand over his sister's face, "My brothers here have been dying to get a new toy to play with. Your sister's a little young but we all have to be taught the circle of life at some point."

Nova screamed in fear as rough hands grabbed her and the man holding her grinned darkly, and Parker saw red. With a surge of power, he reeled back his bound legs and kicked the first man in the face, sending blood everywhere with a loud crack. Parker swung with his momentum and slammed into Tony, grabbing the boy's head between his thighs and twisting. He threw the boy onto the ground and swinged to the side when one of the younger goons ran to him, and felt the rope slide on the pipe. He looked up, distracted by his discovery and all but chocked when he felt something slam into his hip and the sharp pain that followed. He grit his teeth and caught sight of the goon holding his sister. Ignoring the liquid running down his jeans from where he had been stabbed, he threw his entire body towards the goon to his side and butted him as hard as he could with his head. Parker wrapped his legs around the man's body as he fell, pulling the cheap rope further forward. It took but a second for the spots in front of his eyes to clear, but his head ache still remained. And with a loud grunt he hit the ground as the rope slid off the pipe. He jumped up, ignoring the pain and threw himself onto the closest crook to him. Forcing the guy's head repeatedly against the concrete floor until he lost consciousness, he looked up to see the goon holding his sister, pull out a knife. His vision flashed white in rage and he screamed, launching himself at the scum.

There was blood everywhere when his vision cleared from his bunt of rage and bodies littered the floor, some of them still moving while others not. Parker pushed himself up from the floor, and nearly passed out when hot agony flushed though his system. He was cut up more than before and he faintly remembered the multiple slashes the junkies gave him before he managed to gruesomely kill them to protect his sister. Nova! His one good eye, not closed by a bruise widened and with a scream he forced himself forward and looked around. He saw her curled up in a far corner shivering in freight with small scrapes and bruises littering her frame and painfully made his way over to her, tripping over the unmoving forms of the men that kidnapped them. Kneeling down, he gently wrapped tapped her shoulder and was all but knocked over when she launched herself into his arms crying. He wrapped them around her and tucked her head under his chin as the blue and red lights flashing outside drew nearer, and fought to keep awake. He used the only thing he could to focus on and felt it work as the warehouse doors were forced open. Pain could be good after all.

He knew how true it was from experience, and as he breathed where ever he was he knew that he was alive, despite the white noise he heard, or rather felt. The memories of the last time he had been awake flooded his senses and he felt an alarm go off in his head, as he could not remember if Nova got away after they were thrown from the bike, or if she was even alive! He pushed down his panic immediately like his sensei had taught him and decided to first figure out where he was and how much damage was done to his body. His shoulder felt like someone had taken to it with a chisel and he could feel nothing going down his arm under the massive headache he felt. Something warm and heavy was surrounding his wrist and waste and his clothing both felt and smelt different, sharper… like disinfectant. A lab, he guessed, he was most likely in a lab. Fighting not to grimace, he concentrated hard on his surroundings to take his mind off of the matter. It was no secret among his close friends and family that Parker hated labs and doctors due to the times both he and Nova had spent in them being pricked and prodded by the staff who tried to figure out why their blood allowed them to heal at slightly faster rates than other people and it had been one of the reasons why they had moved to America after their grandfather had died. Mentally sighing, he decided to open his eyes and had to fight the urge to groan when they were assaulted by the bright lights that only a medical facility could afford. Once his eye sight cleared he gave off a soft sigh as he realized he was defiantly in a hospital or at least a room in the hospital.

Twisting his stiff neck and deciding to ignore the IV connected to the arm that wasn't in a cast, he could not shuffle the gasp that left his mouth when he saw his sister sitting at side of his bed in a chair, looking less injured than him despite the one or two bruises that littered her skin. Her head snapped up, most likely at the sound he made and he knew what it meant when the relieved smile graced her face. They were safe.