Welcome to my fic, Damarikomu. The history of this story is based loosely on the first major film.

There are a few OC characters here – which hopefully won't scare too many people away and I hopewill all add something different and enjoyable to the story =). If you take the time to read, please don't forget to throw in a comment or review as it really helps me to stay motivated and I appreciate any and all feedback!

Enjoy!

~Nightshade


'Haaai!!!'

The dojo rang out with fierce cries as over 30 men completed the kata with a drop spin kick, leaping back up to their starting positions with a three slice combo with the bokken. As one, they held that way, weapons extended as their leader walked amongst them. Each felt a shiver of apprehension as her cold gaze swept by. They were new recruits only recently initiated, except for the front row who performed as examples to the rest.

'Good.'

Karai watched them bow respectfully and signalled the lieutenant leading the session. He half-bowed and gestured to a young man on the end of the front row with rough black hair and sky blue eyes. Will Summers racked the bokken and followed her out the door.

'Your form is excellent. I am pleased you give your time to show the new recruits the quality we expect from our warriors.'

Will felt his face heat slightly from the compliment, a rare enough event to unsettle him. Karai's voice had a strong Japanese accent that made her perfect English sound smooth as melted butter. It was a sensual, dangerous voice when she was pleased.

'It's my pleasure, Mistress.' She led them out into the greater warehouse.

'You have only been with us for a year but you have shown yourself worthy of more than simple foot-soldier status.' She continued. 'From now on you will accompany me and perform tasks better suited to your skill.' Will bowed to the waist and accepted the black katana she handed him. The sheath had the dragon symbol carved into the wood with an extra sigil indicating his greater status.

'I am honoured to serve you, Mistress.' He hoped he didn't sound too shocked. His mind whirled... assistant to the clan leader. Surely he hadn't been around long enough for such an ... honour? Was it a trick? Did she somehow know the real reason he was here and was setting a trap for him? He stamped down on the sudden fear before it could reveal him.

'Come.' She said sliding behind the wheel of a silver BMW. 'You will accompany me on business tonight. There are clan contracts to maintain.' She pinned him to the seat with her gaze. 'You will remain silent and guard my back. You will not disappoint me.'

Will lowered his eyes in assent and snapped the seatbelt in place, trying to suppress the deep sense of unease he felt at this sudden promotion. He hid it well. It didn't do to show fear in this business.

**** **** ****

'Karai. Always punctual. Come into the office.' Will eyed the gentleman with instant dislike. He was in his forties, dark hair and eyes, dressed like a businessman but for the white coat indicating his position as a scientist. He followed Karai into the richly furnished office. The carpet was black and wood panelling covered the walls with rich dark timber. The desk across the room was a semicircle of pure black marble and numerous computers and laptops were arranged amidst neat stacks of files. The effect was slightly intimidating. He subtly lifted the hilt of his katana with his thumb, just to check it was loose and ready to pull free if needed. Nervous much?

'Who's this Karai, a new lieutenant? You know you don't need protection here.' Will met Barras's penetrating gaze with his own icy blue stare. He was not required to show subservience to clan associates as long as he wasn't rude. The new clan facemasks were simple black bandanas embroidered with the foot symbol. They were much more comfortable, made it easier to see in battle and gratefully hid the uneasy slant of his lips.

Karai ignored the blatant power play. 'The month's quota?'

Barras smirked at the reply, which conceded nothing, and handed her a file from the top of his desk. 'Just the usual cleanup, quite dull at the moment I'm sad to say.' His black eyes were direct. 'Our arrangement has been quite convenient so far. Your people are very efficient. So far there have been no embarrassing botches with the police or FBI. I'm quite pleased.'

Karai inclined her head subtly. 'Our arrangement has been mutually beneficial.'

'No doubt.' Barras snorted. 'I'm paying you through the nose for very little real work, but as I said you're efficient at tying up these loose ends without drawing undue attention and that's what I need. As long as we keep it that way I'm happy to continue subcontracting your services despite the exorbitant price tag.'

Will had never heard anyone speak to Karai with such blatant disrespect. It was a wonder she didn't have her blade at his throat, but she held her temper well. It didn't do to assault clients when you specialised in ... customer service.

'Now if that's all – I need to get back to work.' He said moving back around his desk.

'There is one more thing.'

Barras looked up in surprise. 'Oh?'

Will took the folder she back passed to him without looking.

'I have become aware of what it is you do here.'

Barras quirked a brow and sat back in his expensive leather chair. 'Indeed?'

'You have an interest in the paranormal... in studying strange phenomena, do you not?'

Barras smiled coldy. 'That's a crude way of putting it, but in essence, yes. Here we study the strange and potentially profitable freaks of the world. Telepathy, Telekinesis, physical mutations - there are many things in the world that can't be explained simply because noone has bothered to research them properly. Our company removes these threats to society and studies them for the benefit of mankind. Now what's your point?'

Karai slid a picture from her pocket and held it tantalisingly. 'I may have a business proposition for you.'

'Another contract, hm?' Barras eyed the photo. Karai tossed it to him and he examined it critically. 'You're kidding me right? This is just some guy in a costume.'

But something in Karai's expression must have made him look twice because he cleared his throat and examined the picture again. Finally he looked up. 'If this is real ... it would be incredible! I assume you have more than one dodgy picture to go on with this proposal?'

Karai smiled calculatingly, her eyes glittering. 'I assure you it is authentic, but this is just a photo. The more appropriate question is, how much would the real thing be worth to you?'. Barras's eyes narrowed in consideration.

Will couldn't get a good look at the photo from his position, but knew in an instant exactly what they were talking about.

**** **** ****

'Mistress Karai, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but – don't we currently have a truce with the turtles?'

Will kept his eyes lowered as she glanced at him. The negotiations had taken three hours and his mind was still swimming with zero's from the figure she'd wrung from Barras. It would put the clan in quality weapons and armour for at least twenty years.

'The conditions of the treaty are clear and we cannot break them without staining the honour of the clan.' She agreed. Her eyes turned back to the black road before them. 'However, the truce was only ever a temporary arrangement. The death of the Shredder must be avenged.' They arrived back at the dojo and he followed her into her office, decorated in traditional Japanese style with bamboo screens and matting.

She walked to a wooden rack at the side of the room where four breathtaking katanas and a pair of Ninjaken lay gleaming in the soft light. She lifted one sheathed in polished midnight black wood, the handle bound in black and silver cord. Reverently, she drew the blade halfway and he stared at its perfect deadly beauty.

'Lovely, is it not? The weapon of a true ninja - forged by the legendary Masamune, there were none more skilled than he in the world. Far superior to the blade at your side. It is priceless.'

She looked him in the eye over the gleaming blade.

'The treaty binds us unless the turtles directly interfere in clan business. We will simply offer them an opportunity to break the conditions.' Her smile was cold, humourless. 'And when they do ... we will be waiting.' She re-sheathed the blade and placed it back on the rack gently. 'I have a task for you in this. You will tell no one, and the rewards ... will be great.' She indicated the dark sword with a slight smile and a gleam in her eye.

Will bowed deeply, partly so she couldn't see the covetous light in his eyes. 'I am honoured to serve you in any task. What do you wish me to do?'

'They have a weakness. Of the four there is one whose temperament makes him predictable, weak. It is he who will feel our wrath first. They call him Raphael.'


I dare you to read Chapter one =P

~Night