of beginnings

[Hiro]

Her name was Fiona.

She was a waitress at a small café, paying her way through university in the small, coastal town in Wales. At the moment she was worried that her next paycheck wouldn't be enough to pay her cell phone bill and buy the text she needed for her anthropology class. Her current love interest was sitting in the corner booth, seemingly oblivious to the flirting, schoolgirl glances she was throwing his way in the hopes that he'd take notice of her.

He knew these things, without asking a single question. He hadn't even spoken to the girl. He simply sat, sipping at the black tea she brought him as he laid the tarot cards out on the small, square, two-person table he was seated at. It still didn't make any sense, that he knew these things. They weren't so hazy that they were like things he imagined... they were real, as real as his own memories.

The cup. The bill. The silverware. Everything he touched told him something more about her. There were others as well, especially when he'd palmed the change she'd brought him, but she was the one he could see clearly. But that was what disturbed him. The more he got to know her, the harder it was to ignore the vision that nagged him now, somewhere in the back of his mind like a song that just wouldn't quit, but repeated itself in the consciousness like a broken vinyl.

The death card, huh? Damn, that's harsh, the ghost commented from over his shoulder, giving the Welsh girl a sidelong glance she probably would have appreciated more from the young man in that corner booth she was admiring. Not to mention the lecherous stare was coming from a thousand-year-old dead guy. She's kinda cute. And blond.

Hentai, the boy muttered under his breath, glancing down only to realize that what the ghost had said was true... he'd drawn the death card. Again.

Tarot readings were something his mother had taught him. Just a game to pass the time, but for some reason he'd begun to think of them as more than that. For one thing, some of his prediction had started to come true. And then there were the visions, like waking nightmares or haunting day dreams. And some things just defied reason, like drawing the same hand three separate times. And the death card, each time.

So what are you thinking, Rain asked, leaning up against the glass beside the boy, his ethereal eyes still peering longingly at the girl. That train we said we were gonna catch leaves in like twenty minutes, you know.

The boy opened his mouth to say something, then, slowly, closed it wordlessly as he clenched his jaw. Glancing down to the cards, his eyes slid over to the still steaming cup of tea beside where they were laid out on the table. She seemed like a very... kind... person. Studying art. She wanted to be a painter.

You're not thinking of doing something stupid, are you, he heard Rain quip, while the boy merely collected the cards, tucking them back into their small case and then placing them in the pocket of his trousers. Glancing back up at the waitress as she came to tell them that the café was closing.

Yeah, you've got something stupid in mind alright, the ghost stated with a sigh, as the boy pushed back his chair, thanking the waitress one more time before shouldering his gym bag and making his way toward the door. She was wondering why a child so young would be wandering alone... he'd picked that up when he'd brushed against the sleeve of her shirt accidentally.

She was thinking about him. He'd hate for that to be the last thought in her head.

You know, I don't see her asking you to do something, the ghost protested, obviously a bit put out at the unscheduled delay in their plans. As they crossed the street, the ghost turned, leaning up against a lampost as he glared darkly down at the boy. The world doesn't need another hero, he quipped angrily.

No pun intended, he added as the boy shot him a dark look of his own before glancing over his shoulder as the waitress appeared in the doorway of the café, whistling faintly as she started to saunter down the street on her way home from work.

"It's time," the boy commented, adjusting the weight of the bag slung across his chest as he started down the street, just a slight distance behind her. She was still preoccupied with her finances, he imagined, because she seemed like she was in her own world.

And though the evening seemed still and quiet, he knew without really knowing that something was supposed to happen to her on this walk. He hoped that he was wrong. Unfortunately, he was right.

It was the guy she'd been admiring in the café. Twenty, maybe older... but probably not by much. Crew cut, sandy blond hair. Ice blue eyes. Black leather jacket, which gleamed in the faint haze of the distant streetlamps. And a switchblade, at her throat as he came out of a side street, seizing hold of her and drawing her back into the alley, all the while whispering hoarsely that she'd be okay if she didn't struggle.

As the two fell into the shadows of the alley, she'd just begun to scream when his hand had been placed roughly over her mouth, the knife cutting into the skin, drawing blood against the collar of her shirt as she tried to wrestle and fight against him.

"Hoi," a voice snapped from the entrance to the alley, the gym bag dropping to the dirt encrusted, broken cement. The light haired, Japanese boy stood there, leaning against the brick side of a broken down, dilapidated office building as he tapped the pommel of a wickedly gleaming sword against his shoulder, coldly regarding the attacker as the man turned in shock in the fear of being caught.

What the---!? A kid? The hell you want? Get out of here,[/i] the man snapped angrily, trying to wave him off with a broad sweep of the knife.

"Tch, chiisai," the child snorted, with apathy that seemed to freeze the air between them and set his eyes aflame with a heartless passion as he glanced at the knife in the man's hand.

"Mine is bigger," he added, holding out the broadsword and levelling it so that it was pointed directly at the man.

Bloody wank. Well, aren't you special? So what the hell, is this like your sister or something,[/i] the man demanded sharply, dropping the startled and shocked girl, who dropped to the ground with a stunned thud while he began advancing toward the nameless child. What's she to you, mate?

"Nothing, gweiro" the boy answered in a tone that was dripping in icy overtones as he casually assumed a casual kung fu defense stance. "I just want to let out some of my anger."

"Ikimasu," the boy snapped, lunging forward as he spun the blade around in his hand, driving the sword outward as he plunged past the man, ducking under his left arm as the man clumsily took a swing at him, satisfied as he heard metal crack against bone.

Standing up straight, he casually pivoted on the back of the left foot, watching as the man clutched at his side, stumbling forward several steps, cradling his now broken ribs before he collapsed upon the blacktop.

I'd say you're getting better, the ghost commented from the head of the alley. You've never cut someone with the sword before.

"I still have not," the boy answered casually as he walked back toward where he'd dropped the gym bag.

"I struck with the flat of the blade."

Sliding the sword back into it's sheath and then returning both to the gym bag, the boy shoulder the load before glancing back at the waitress, who was only just beginning to struggle back to her feet.

"Shitshureshimasu," the boy said with a slight bow of his head before he turned and began walking down the street.

So you figured out where we're going yet, Rain demanded angrily from behind him.

"Amerika," the boy answered quietly. "To the place they call 'New York'."

What's there?

"Wakarinai," the boy replied simply. "But, I will know when we get there."

((tbc))

--------
Translation notes
Hentai - lit. "pervert"
Hoi - "hey, you"
Chiisai - "small"
Ikimasu - "bring it!" (lit. "I come")
Gweilo - "foeign jerk" (Chinese)
Shitsureishimasu - "pardon my interruption"
Wakarinai - "I don't know"#nosmileys

[Hiro]

New York, New York
Several days later…

The sound of a ship’s horn bellowing in the haze of morning mist echoed like the haunting wail of some mythic banshee, as the dawning light trickled through the fog, giving rise to a cold, almost ethereal gaze upon these United States of America as the runner soles of the boy’s tennis shoes crunched lightly over the top of broken asphalt. Making his way through a labyrinth of cargo containers, some waiting to be unloaded, some waiting to be on-loaded, and some which looked as though they were simply left to rust, there amid the choked weeds and broken patches of grass dotting the gravel and rocks.

Sneaking passage aboard a cargo freighter bound for Long Island out of Newport in Wales, the unlikely duo had found themselves little more than a stone's throw from their intended destination and though finding a place to change money - what little they had - it proved enough to buy passage on the subway, cutting underneath the vast metropolitan area with knowledge borrowed from hazy recollections of the visions that had been haunting him and the memories he would pick up as he touched the seats or rails of the subway cars.

In contrast to having crossed the Middle East, Europe, and finally the Atlantic Ocean in order to have arrived at this point, the journey to the old house on New York's fifth street was something of an anti-climatic ending to what had otherwise been an epic voyage for a boy of only ten years from Hokkaido.

And still, he couldn't be certain of just what he was looking for here, or why. He just knew that he was supposed to come here. This place had been in his dreams since before the double homicide of his parents had prompted the release of his powers. This place... and a large, black cat.

Of course he knew that this was the Avenger's Mansion. Even in Japan, they knew of the Avengers and he had heard stories of their fabled base of operations in the city which was largely regarded as the jewel of America. Now just what he was supposed to do with it... that remained to be seen.

So do you think you're gonna do now, Rain asked over his shoulder in a snide tone of voice. Just walk up and ring the doorbell or something?

"So ne," the boy answered in a quiet, subdued whisper. Somehow, after everything... he didn't want the voyage to be over. But this... this place... this was what they had been traveling to find all this time. He hadn't always known that, but now that he was here, he knew that this was the end of the journey which had brought them this far.

And perhaps the beginning of another.

Stepping up to the gate and ringing the buzzer, the boy calmly spoke into the speaker box. "My name is Asakura," he stated clearly. "I have come in the search of man who is the black cat."

Surprisingly, it was only a moment later, as the boy was stepping back, that the gates swung open, granting him an obvious invitation to the entrance. At the door, he was greeted by a servant of some kind, who held the door open for the travel weary boy and motioned him to come inside.

"You know, for a monk you really need to learn faith" the boy whispered under his breath in Japanese to Rain, who immediately went about exploring the various rooms by the entranceway. Glancing downward, the boy realized that the serving man was wearing shoes inside the mansion... and that there was no genkan!

Blinking, quizzically, the child allowed himself to be ushered inside, still confused over the matter when the servant seemed to indicate that he'd like to take Hiro's bag, something the boy was hesitant to part with, especially considering it contained his sword; though... it seemed almost as if... they'd been expected. Somehow that seemed to almost make sense, in a wierd, confusing kind of way, so the boy finally handed over the bag, casually walking about the hallways, turning in slow circles as he glanced over the paintings and various other curios, waiting to see what happened next.

--------
Translation notes
So ne - "No kidding"
Genkan - Traditional spot in the entrance to Japanese homes (and some restaurants) for the removal of shoes prior to actually stepping into the house.

[Silverback]

"You must be Hiro," the deep, exotic voice sounded across the room. Padding across the room, with a fluid animal-like grace, was a large well-built figure whose presence dominated the room. His dark skin seemed to absorb the light around him as if he were a living shadow. Here was a man used to command, authority and respect. He was exquisitely dressed in a white, sheer silk shirt and contrasting dark blue cashmir pants, his feet were bare, which would explain the near silence of his entry. Upon his head was a small, colourful knitted cap, the only indication of his tribal heritage.

T'Challa towered over the young boy before him and he stared down at the open-mouthed youngster and extended a hand of welcome. "Welcome to America, New York and the home of Tribal. Barker, that was the butler who took your belongings will prepare a room for you to stay in. If there's anything you need Barker will see to your requirements."

"You may want to close your mouth little one. There may be stray flies around." And he gave a little wink. "Shall we retire to the garden and relax in the bounty of nature to continue our conversation?" With that he indicated the large, glass patio doors that led out to a well-manicured lawn and landscaped garden.

[Hiro]

"You must be Hiro," a deep voice stated, breaking the silence with a strange accent. The boy turned, only to crane his neck as he stared up at the towering figure, mouth agape at the sight of a brown man... or rather, a brown giant! He'd seen photographs of Africans and African-Americans, but he'd never actually seen a black person before, much less met one.

Everything about the man commanded the boy's curiosity, especially the fact that he seemed to know who he was and, possibly, why he was here. This was remarkable for the fact that Hiro himself wasn't really sure. His reading of the cards just told him that this was where he was supposed to be.

And it wasn't like he had anywhere else to go, the boy thought to himself as he was welcomed to this so-called new world by the dark-skinned and unusually tall figure.

Hmph, he heard Rain scoff over his shoulder, the boy's eyes moving off to the side as he saw the spirit of the Shaolin sizing up the man before him, his ethereal face just inches from the giant's real one. Man, what a show off. And just what the hell is up with him even knowing your first name, huh? You gave them your family one, not your own, the ghost noted, beginning to pace around the towering figure.

I dunno about this black cat of yours, Hiro. He seems pretty full of himself if you ask me, Rain added, crossing his arms in front of his chest in a nonverbalized statement of his displeasure at this new face.

"You may want to close your mouth little one. There may be stray flies around," the giant noted with a soft smile, the comment drawing a quick blush across the boy's face as he realized what he'd been doing.

"Ah! Gomen, gomen" the boy sheepishly uttered in a rapid repetition, bowing to T'Challa as the man invited the boy out into the garden. As the man moved off toward the patio, the boy had to hurry in order to catch up and keep pace with the twering figure, taking two steps to the man's single, long stride.

"Um... Hajimemashite. O... O-name wa desu ka?" the boy stammered in Japanese, contorting his head as he walked beside the giant so that he was looking up at him.

"Ano... How... How did... you... know... my... my name," the boy added, stuttering through a very slow sentence that betrayed his inexperience and unfamiliariy with speaking English. His Japanese accent made his pronunciation of the word 'name' sound like 'nah-may'.

"Ano... Can you..." the boy began, trailing off as he had to pause in order to consider the word he wanted to use in order to properly express what he was trying to say. "Can you... herp... herp me," he managed to ask finally, his accent again altering the way in which the English was pronounced. Most notebly, the way in which he was saying, or trying to say, the word help, even though he wasn't quite able to make the voiced 'L' sound.

"An... And," the boy interjected, still struggling with the way in which this language made one contort their tongue or the sounds it required one to pronounce in order for it to be spoken properly. "How you... get... get tall... get so tall?"

Ancestors, he heard Rain swear beside him. These barbarians actually call that garbled garbage a language? Sounds more like a strangled cat to me, the ghost noted bitterly.

Ignoring the peanut gallery comments from the spirit, which he wasn't sure if the man was aware of the ghost and his rude behavior or not, Hiro merely looked up in awe at this strange new friend, or at least... he hoped who was a friend, and waited for the man to try and answer the barrage of questions.

--------
Translator notes
Ano - literally this word or phrase means "over there", but it is also the sound that many Japanese people make when they are searching for the right word, making it the Japanese equivalent of "umm...", which is the context in which it is used in this post.
O-name wa desu ka - "What is [your] name?"#nosmileys#nosmileys

[Silverback]

T'Challa listened in amusement as the young Japanese boy fired a tirade of haltingly spoken questions in his direction.

"Um... Hajimemashite. O... O-name wa desu ka?"

"Ano... How... How did... you... know... my... my name?"

"Ano... Can you..."

"Can you... herp... herp me?"

"An... And"

"How you... get... get tall... get so tall?"

At the last questions he broke into a deep, rolling bout of joyous laughter. "Do you have no patience little one?" He asked in amusement a slight smile playing across his lips as they stepped out onto the patio.

The cool breeze wound its merry way around the garden, dancing the petals of the flowers and causing the plants to bow down, almost in respect to this majesty of a man. As they walked across the deep, lush grass they rounded a wall of topiary shaped bushes and there before them, on a raised wooden platform, sat a man of distinguished features wrapped in a deep blue cloak. He appeared to be fresh faced, sporting a goatee, but his apparent youthfulness was betrayed by a wisdom of ages that permeated his eyes and the whole of his being.

Staring straight over Hiros shoulder he spoke directly to the spirit of the shaolin monk. "If your intention for this boy is anything but benevolent then you will have to answer to me and my bretheren. It is our wish that the boy grow strong in spirit, mind and body. We will not let the child be corrupted, understand!?"

Without waiting for an answer he returned his attention to Hiro. "It was I who discovered your name Hiro and, if you're willing to study with me, we will bring you into our fold and help you develop and control these gifts of yours."

His gaze looked towards the commanding presence of T'Challa and he nodded in silent acknowledgent. It was then that the giant African spoke once more, "I will leave you in the care of Anthony, he will be able to answer many more questions than I could hope to." Then the man was gone and he was left facing the mysterious figure sat cross-legged before him.

[Hiro]

If your intention for this boy is anything but benevolent then you will have to answer to me and my bretheren. It is our wish that the boy grow strong in spirit, mind and body. We will not let the child be corrupted, understand!?"

Hmph, the ghost uttered with a snort. Look, sensei, the brat's haunting me, not the other way around.

Hiro gave a sigh, knowing that once the ghost opened his mouth, things typically took a turn. From bad to worse. Or maybe even from worse to worser.

Throwing a wild gesture toward the boy with one ethereal hand, the apparition added, And I'll answer to you fine. If you can find a way to set me free from this half-pint, I'll owe you one.

The child flinched at that comment. Since his parents had been killed by Minoru, Dancing Rain had been the only person left that he knew. He'd actually gotten used to the ghost's company. And he didn't know what he'd done to attach the ghost to himself or himself to the ghost. If he did, then he'd have let the ghost go...

You think I wanted to become little boy blue's partner? I was just minding my business, chillin' in the closet when the lil' runt ran smack over me runnin' from his psycho brother, the ghost explained bitterly. Ain't my fault his freaky powers went wild. Absorbed me. Or possessed me. Or I don't know what he did, but if I could figure out how to un-do it...

I'd have been gone yesterday, the ghost snapped, leveled a scathing glare at the child who just seemed to shrink under the weight of the ghost's negative disposition.

Letting his head hang, the boy just sighed as T'Challa left him in the garden with this new person, Anthony. He didn't mean to be trouble for anyone. But, so far this meeting wasn't exactly going to way he'd hoped. Rain had certainly let a few things off his chest... though Hiro would just as soon not have heard them.

Embarrassed, the boy figured the only thing he could do at this point was put his best face forward, so with that in mind he drew in a breath and gave the blue-cloaked figure a formal bow from the waist.

Hajimemashite. Nihon no Asakua desu. Dozo," the boy stated formally, straightening up only to bow a second time as he finished, saying. "Yoroshiku.


--------
Translator notes
Nihon no Asakura desu - I am Asakura of Japan.
Hajimemashite... Dozo Yoroshiku - Greetings. Please think well of me.

[Silverback]

"Hmph. Look, sensei, the brat's haunting me, not the other way around."

"And I'll answer to you fine. If you can find a way to set me free from this half-pint, I'll owe you one."

"You think I wanted to become little boy blue's partner? I was just minding my business, chillin' in the closet when the lil' runt ran smack over me runnin' from his psycho brother, the ghost explained bitterly. Ain't my fault his freaky powers went wild. Absorbed me. Or possessed me. Or I don't know what he did, but if I could figure out how to un-do it..."

"I'd have been gone yesterday."

Doctor Druids icy cold stare focussed on the monks apparition before him. Opening his mind the mystic sent probing tendrils of thought out to the oriental spirit. Its fingers pushed and pried at the ghosts mind, little glimpses of mixed emotion were as much as the sorceror could garner. There was definitely some hidden secret or agenda that Anthony had trouble pinpointing. Perhaps further study of the symbiosis between these two would reveal more about their relationship.

"Yoroshiku."

The boy concluded his introduction with a bow. Indicating with the palm of his hand Anthony indicated that Hiro should join him on the polished wooden platform. "Please, sit."

As he waited for the boy to get comfortable he looked at the almost scrawny, too-thin build of the child before him. Quickly sending out a probing thought to Barker he requested the provision of some light refreshments to be brought to the garden.

Sitting quietly for a few minutes he waited in contemplation as the butler discreetly laid a silver service platter on the wooden decking and withdrew almost silently. "Eat, you will need your strength and energy."

As the child began to cautiously eat he let his thoughts gently brush the uppermost consciousness of the boys memories.

[Hiro]

The boy hesitated for a moment, before finally taking the offered seat beside the strange mystic before him. When the mention of food came up, he immediately envisioned okonomiyaki, onigiri, or curry and those thought immediately brightened his disposition, though he was a bit dismayed when the butler instead brought out a sandwich of some kind. It looked like a sandwich anyway.

It was two pieces of bread with some yellow pasty stuff mixed with a fruit jelly inside, but having never had the western classic; a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Hiro had absolutely no idea just what Barker had brought him. Having been surviving on anything he could get his hands on for about the last month, and none of that being the foods he was accustomed to, he had been hoping that maybe these people would have something a little more... Japanese.

Those thoughts mingled with his recent memories of Japan, visions of violence mixed with blood in more than one respect. He had seen his parents and his brother arguing. They'd been arguing since he was small. And then he'd seen his parents die, shot by his brother. His brother, a paradox; someone he both loved and loathed, hated and yet, still cherished all at the same time. It didn't make sense to him, and he didn't want it to.

Just like he was blocking out the memory of what had happened when he'd stumbled over the old sword in the closet, when he'd been trying to back away from his brother, who'd begun searching through the house for him. He didn't want to remember anything more than that. He'd chosen to run afterward and just kept the hope that somewhere his brother was alive. For what reason, he wasn't sure.

But... if someone was going to kill Minoru, that honor and responsibility fell upon Hiro. Maybe that was why he wanted Minoru to live. Maybe that was why Hiro was running. These were thoughts the boy liked to dwell upon.

"Kore wa," he asked, his young voice pipping up as he turned to look up at Anthony, one hand pointing at the sandwich in his other. "Nan desu ka?"

-------
Crazy Otaku's Guide to Japanese
• Okonomiyaki - Pancake-like round mixture of flour, cabbage, egg, squid, and shrimp; cooked on a griddle.
• Onigiri - Sweet, vinegared rice balls wrapped in strips of nori, a type of edible seaweed common in sushi dishes.
Kore wa nan desu ka - Very polite/formal way of asking "what is this?"

[Silverback]

As he concentrated on gently probing the surface thoughts of the boys subconcious Anthony became aware of images that seemed to trouble the child most terribly. The mystic felt a child cowering as he saw figures in a heated exchange, the vision quickly changed to a feeling of acute shock as he witnessed the murder of what could only be the boys parents - by his own brother! Anthony felt his chest tighten in empathy with shared fear and . . . and a confusing mixture of emotions swept over him.

He gave an involuntary sharp intake of breath as the vision switched again, this time the boys thoughts were almost distracted and he found it impossible to grasp the meaning of them. Somehow the young asian boy seemed to be shielding his mind from him. Looking deeply into the boys eyes he could detect no malice or intent there. The talent seemed to be innate, 'maybe to block out those horrific experiences?' he mused in silence.

As he continued to observe Hiro a feeling of confusion and curiosity filled his mind as the boy spoke, "Kore wa, Nan desu ka?" pointing at the proferred sandwich.

"It appears Barker has brought you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." He half-smiled at the boys confusion, "it's a traditional favourite of many American children." Sensing a little disappointment he continued, "if you would prefer something else?"

As he waited for a reply Doctor Druid sensed the presence of another curious young mind in the blossoming garden. "You can come out now Amy. Come and meet Hiro, you'll be able to show him round and look after him."

'The responsibilty may do her some good,' he considered, 'and it will certainly keep Barker and the staff on their toes.' A mental picture began to grow and he couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud.

[Amazon]

Amy stood quietly with one hand resting on the pommel of the Sword of Ephesus, ensuring it didn't make any noise that might reveal her position. She'd heard the voices and had immediately wanted to know who it was, so followed them into the garden. The discovery that one of the speakers was a person she hadn't seen before took a back seat to the more important fact. He was about her age! Not that you could tell by looking at her, as she crept around in the guise of Amazon.

She strained to hear the words that were spoken between the new boy and the old wizard guy, but it was very confusing. The old guy seemed to be speaking to someone else half the time — someone who wasn't even there — and the boy's words didn't even make sense! It was like a totally different language! It is a different language, Amy, though not one I am familiar with. To judge from his appearance, it seems logical to assume he is from one of the lands in the Far East.

"You mean he's Chinese or something?" She whispered softly, needing only herself and her goddesses to hear. Pondering this question, she leaned over slightly to peer out between a pair of flowers which grew on a vine. Or Korean or Vietnamese. Or whatever. There's a lot of countries over there. Amy nodded mutely and withdrew back behind the cover of foliage before whispering to herself once again. "They're all really smart, too. Like Vincent and Nan and Ta. Wish I was that smart." And who says you aren't?

She almost laughed at Athena's silly statement, not considering herself nearly so intelligent as the other kids, fellow students back in Toronto, but her train of thought was quickly derailed at the butler's arrival with food. PB&J? She immediately wondered if it were crunchy or smooth and licked her lips at the thought of a good sandwich. True, she wasn't actually hungry — she never was in her adult body — but she still liked to eat good things. Like chocolate and ice cream, especially! And besides, after having lived on the streets for a couple weeks, eating in homeless shelters and such, she'd come to appreciate the simpler joys of good food. But she still wasn't going to eat broccoli. She'd rather starve.

Busted, kiddo! Amy's eyes went wide, realizing — with help from Artemis' comment — that the wizard guy had been talking to her. Blue eyes still wide open, she slowly leaned back out from behind the bushes and vine-covered latices to peer at the two. A moment later and a bright smile appeared on her face and she stepped out into the open, although she looked a little guilty as she scratched the back of her head. "Um... hi?"

A little tentative at first, but quickly emboldening, she approached them, glad to see the man was in a good mood. He was laughing, so he definitely wasn't mad at her. "I'm Amy... er... I mean, I'm Amazon!" She corrected herself to using her ‘code name', then looked at the boy, a thoughtful gleam in her eye. "Who're you? Where you from? You talk funny, so we figure Asia. I've never been there, but I've met lots of kids from there back in school." The more she spoke, it seemed, the more comfortable she was in asking her questions. Or, at least, the less she thought about being shy. Her enthusiasm was quite evident in her voice and she sure didn't sound like an adult with the barrage. "Is that creamy peanut butter or crunchy? Oh! And is it grape jelly? I love grape, don't you?"

[Hiro]

"It appears Barker has brought you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It's a traditional favourite of many American children," the man named Anthony explained patiently, while the boy continued to examine the sandwich.

Before the boy could say another, the man had spoken a second time, though HIro realized immediately that Anthony wasn't talking to him. "You can come out now Amy. Come and meet Hiro, you'll be able to show him round and look after him."

Look after... me?

The boy's eyes looked up about the same time as he heard a female voice say what came off as a ratehr confused greeting. This person was going to be his... babysitter? As he turned his eyes up at the stranger, he couldn't believe his eyes. He'd never seen such a tall person in his life!

Oh, hello baby!

A drop of sweat rolled down the boy's head as his eyes narrowed and he shot a look over at the oogling spectre that appeared beside him. "Na... Nan dai-o," he muttered under his breath as the new person began walking toward them, returning his eyes to the stranger as she approached. He supposed she was beautiful, he didn't exactly know about those things. With that in mind, he now had more of an idea of just what Hiroame was looking at though.

"Hentai," he added in a coarse whisper. If it had been possible to hit the ghost, he would have. He'd definately have to see if he couldn't figure out a way to do that...

Look, brat-chan, I don't know what you're lookin' at, but I'm talkin' 'bout that sweet, shinin', slab of steel, the Shaolin spirit of Hiro's own sword, which was in his gym bag that Barker had taken, virtually shouted, gesturing wildly toward the sword that the woman was carrying. Oooh... just look at that luster! Look at that detail! Oh, baby... you know you can use my sheath anytime!

The boy was shaking his head, muttering to himself by the time the beautiful stranger had made it over to where he and Doctor Druid were seated. Gazing up at her, the boy was startled by the realization that the woman had blue eyes! It wasn't something he was accustomed to seeing, neither was the light color hair, but he'd seen people with various colored hair during the trip from Japan across Europe, the United Kington, and from there to America.

This woman didn't seem to carry herself like any adult he'd met before, but he supposed she might be trying to be cute for his sake. Either way, she talked way too fast for him to understand her words. His eigo wasn't the greatest to begin with, so the boy was left more or less open-mouthed speechless at the degree to which Amy... or Amazon... had soared over his head with the rapid fire English.

"...oro..." the boy could only utter, blinking his eyes in a vacant kind of come again? expression. He was fairly certain that the last bit was directed at the sandwich, the boy looking back down at it. "Grai-pu?"

Drawing his feet underneath him, the boy stood up, giving the tall figure a short bow and holding out the sandwich. "You... you want this," he asked, his voice shaking somewhat as he fought to get his tongue to make the sounds of the English language. The problem with English was that it had too many phoenetic sounds. Japanese only having limited number, words like hat, hut, and hot all sounded like the same word to him, and he had a hard time making those kind of sounds.

"I'm no... hun... hungry," he managed to add, shifting his eyes to either side as he tried to think of what to say. "Ano... Could you... you talk slower?"

"Please," he added, recalling that word off the top of his head and tacking it on. He couldn't remember if it was the English word for dozo or kudasai? COnfusing language...

----------------------------
Quick Reference English - Hiro Dictionary
----------------------------
- Eigo (-go being a suffix denoting "language") English language
- Grai-pu (Hiro's attempt to say the word "grape")
- Dozo - Please (when offering something to another)
- Kudasai - Please (when asking for something)

[Silverback]

Anthony settled back slightly and watched the interplay between the two youngsters currently in his care. Amy was babbling far too fast to make herself comprehensible to the young Asian boy who was obviously struggling to keep up with the tirade . . . never mind being able to follow the conversation.

"Amy, I think our guest would be more comfortable if you resumed your natural form. We wouldn't want to scare him away now would we?" It would also eliminate any 'distractions' the shaolin spirit may imbue the boy with. Doctor Druid watched as Hiro tentatively offered the sandwich to the blonde-haired giant before him. He'd have to keep an eye on them but the beginnings of a friendship seemed to form right in front of his eyes.

"Run along now and ask Barker to show you to your quarters. After that Amy can show you round the mansion, the non-restricted areas that is." He looked directly at Amy. He didn't want the boy to be placed in any danger on his first day and Amys curiosity could get them both into trouble.

[Amazon]

The boy was very confusing. He just didn't seem to get what she was saying and it wasn't like she was using a bunch of big words. And then, every time he spoke, it made no sense at all. "You make a lot of funny sounds." Don't be rude. They are words which he speaks, simply those of another language. Your English no doubt sounds just as confusing to him.

"Oh..." She seemed a little dejected at the admonishment, her face lowering towards the ground. "Sorry." She looked at the boy through her eyelashes, appearing almost shy once again. "I, um... I'll try to talk slower. I just, y'know..."

The wizard guy — some kind of doctor, if she recalled correctly — filled in the gap left by her faltering explanation, suggesting that she should return to her natural form. She was kind of surprised at the comment. Wasn't she supposed to be keeping her identity a secret? Her eyes suddenly lit up, the smile returning to her face. "Oh!" She crouched down, leaving herself looking up towards the boy. "Are you a superhero too?! That's so cool! What's your powers? Can you fly?" Amy! Chill!

The giant blonde's mouth suddenly snapped shut, the momentary shock at Artemis' words passing quickly as she realized the problem. "Oh, sorry. I'm talking too fast again, aren't I." She sighed softly. "I don't mean to. Um... I'll just change now." She smiled slightly, pointing at the previously forgotten sandwich, still in Hiro's hand. "Hold on to that just a sec, okay? I'll be hungry when I'm done. Watch your eyes!" She paused a moment before speaking again. She didn't normally like doing the change in front of other people, but these were, after all, fellow superheroes. She could trust them. Closing her eyes, she spoke softly, releasing the incredible power that flowed through her. "Rest now, spirit of the Amazons."

The instant the words had been spoken, she was enveloped in a warm, blue-green light of near blinding brilliance. While it lasted only a few moments, its effects were immediately obvious. Were the tall, leather-clad Amazon had once stood, there a little girl. Dressed in khaki capris, runners and a pink t-shirt with a Care Bear emblazoned on it (Friendship Bear, if you must know), she was quite obviously of pre-teen age. Her eyes fluttered open and she took a slow, deep breath before casting another shy smile at the boy. "Hi, I'm Amy." Her hands clasping behind her back, she seemed at a loss for what else to say. Unfortunately, her stomach filled in the momentary silence with a loud growl. Blushing faintly and biting her lip, she reached out a hand towards the boy. "Um, could I have the sandwich now? Please?"

[Hiro]

From the way she was acting, there was something in this conversation that he was missing. Actually, the manner in which she was talking seemed a lot like himself and Hiroame, making the boy wonder if the woman’s sword had a similar spirit attached to it as his own. Even while he couldn’t understand much of what she said, he definately saw himself in her behavior. Like there was someone else speaking to her and that she was speaking to, but it wasn’t Anthony or himself.

Maybe having voices in one’s head wasn’t a bad or rare thing after all? He probably wasn’t that lucky, but the fair-haired woman definately had a screw loose somewhere, and it seemed like it might well be the same as his own. Maybe it was just his imagination. Didn’t these western people have some expression like sorrow loves fellowship or something like that?

Her sudden fervor when Anthony had asked that she help him get settled made him jump back, as her exuberant questions soared over his head and he was left blinking, open-mouthed, as he tried to fathom her words. Superhero? Him? He didn’t think so.

“Ah... ano...” he struggled to say something when the girl just seemed to relax, asking him to hold on to the sandwich. Shaking his head at the bizarre twist in the conversation, looking back down at the peanut butter and jelly sandwich in his hands when he heard the girl say something else. Looking back up, he had to squint against a sudden light... and found himself face to face with...

A kid his age?

“Na... nan de,” he asked, stammering over the words as he leaned forward to look at the girl. Had this been the woman... that had been talking to him... just a second ago?

“Is that you power,” he managed, in English this time, blinking and at a loss for words in any language as he held out the sandwich for her.

[Amazon]

Her stomach growled again even as she accepted the offered sandwich and immediately took a bite out of it. She gave an enthusiastic nod in response to his question, but politely waited until her mouth was empty before speaking. "Yup! I'm blessed by the ancient goddesses!" She grinned, striking a pose with one hand held confidently in the air — and the sandwich with it.

After a moment it occurred to her that she probably looked kind of silly and relaxed her stance, grabbing another bite. Chewing and swallowing as quickly as she could before blurting out "Thanks!" Flashing a smile at the butler, she decided she should thank him as well, since he'd made it. "Thanks, it's good."

The sandwich disappeared at an impressive rate as she fought away the hunger which was so often a side-effect of her transformation, but she managed to continue the conversation in between bites. "I get super strong and really tough! Plus I got the Sword of Ephesus, which is totally cool! It'll cut through anything!" She grinned proudly before speaking in a more hushed voice. "I'm like Xena... but better! You should see the things I can do!"

Amy, it's rude to brag. Besides, did Doctor Druid not ask you to show the boy around. "Oh yeah! C'mon! This place is huge! And the Avengers used to live here!" She made a wide motion with her arm, indicating that he should follow as she turned for the door, then lowered her voice again. "I'm hoping they'll let me build my own Ironman, wouldn't that be cool?"

Amy, you need to slow down. Give the poor boy a chance to understand what you're saying. Aw, give the kid a break, she can't help herself. She's distracted. She thinks he's cute, after all.

Amy nearly tripped as the words drifted through her head, her eyes flying wide as she lifted her head to yell at the ceiling. "I DO NOT!! Don't listen to her!" Uh, Amy, no one else can hear us, remember? "Oh..." Her face paled momentarily as she was mortified at the reminder, then turned a deep crimson. Biting her lip briefly, she looked back at the others before quietly trying to explain herself, though she made no attempt to face them directly. "I was, uh, just talking to Artemis..." She looked back towards the door. "But... but you can't hear her so, um..." There was a pause, as though she was unsure of exactly what to do next, but her smile quickly returned. "Anyway, c'mon!"