Disclaimer: I do not own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Authors Note: This story takes place in season 5 of the 2003 version, in season 6 the show got a brand new redesign. I actually prefer that style more than the original; at least Karai's new look. So in this story think season 6 for all the characters.

Chapter 2

On Tuesday November 14th of 2005 the memorial for Karai Saki was given on top of the Foot headquarters, the same place where Oroku Saki spent his final night on earth, or in New York as many were led to believe. The mourners were assured that this time the floor would not open up under their feet. It was a closed casket but a small video was shown of the young woman's rise within the company, detailing her relationship with her father. Pictures were shown of them together always side by side, his shadow, from the age of 5 to the present. The guests in attendance were informed that Mr. Saki was too overcome by grief to return from Japan for the event, discreetly covering up the fact that he was really incarcerated in space for numerous war crimes.

Many of the cities important people showed up to the funeral, the mayor, of course who had been instrumental in the restoration of New York but completely blind to the goings on behind the scenes; the recovering of alien technelogy left after the invasion. Others just nameless socialites who feigned regret of the life of the beautiful heiress, but were really there for the chance to be seen, and of course the open bar.

After the ceremony was over a private meeting was held for the Foot Clan, elites, soldiers and scientists were gathered in the throne room, none of whom personally knew the young warrior but held a respect for her. Hun who had always made his distaste for the clans heir, was quietly and not at all subtley grinning to himself. The only one to be seen truly suffering over the loss of Karai was Doctor Chaplin who was hysterically sobbing into his hanker chief, it was well known by everyone in the foot clan of the young scientists crush on the ninja princess. Khan, a former Elite Guard who had taken control of the clan after the death of their previous leader, stood in front of the podium. His red hair was to his shoulders with a matching goatee and brown eyes under thick bushy eyebrows, donning gaudy blue and red tunic with a golden dragon snaked around it.

"My friends we honor today the memory of a fallen warrior." Khan exclaimed with a somber expression. "She was an example to us all, loyal to her master the Shredder, never wavering in her mission to serve him."

The foot soldiers bowed their heads in respect, kneeling on the floor, the only ones who stood were Hun who tsked in disgust and Chaplin who just sobbed harder, standing next to his team of associates. None noticed that above them hiding in the scaffolding, one lone ninja peered over the side of the beam, listening to the memorial. Leonardo watched as the eulogy was given of his rival/one time friend, a person that after years of second chances, had always made the wrong decision.

" Karai was a devoted ninja and daughter to the Shredder, our lord and master."

"All hail the Shredder." The foot mechanically cheered, blind praise a to creature they couldn't possibly understand.

The blue bandanad turtle seethed with anger, at the mention of Chr'll, even though he was on an astroid belt freezing his tentacles off, the memory of the alien psychopath was far to fresh in his mind. Years of agony and torture, his family being hunted down, by the crazed utrom, could never be blocked out not even with meditation. He couldn't understand how anyone could follow such a man or thing, a ninja like Karai especially.

Karai had once told him and his brothers the story of how she had been abondoned by her parents, living on the streets only to be found and adopted by Oroku Saki. Blinded by the love only a child could have for her father, she watched and helped the Shredder commit many of his unspeakable evils; always regretful but never repentant. Finally when they had rid the earth of the Shredder, Karai had gone on the warpath nearly killing his brothers and master splinter, and once that was done going after him. He had defeated the would be Shredder and warned her of the consequences if she ever tried to go near his family again. After the battle of the Ancient Shredder he had hoped they could come to a truce, that was short lived when Karai tried to lead another attack on them just a few days after the defeat of the Tengu.

"Although we will miss her leadership we know that she would want us to continue on in her stead, and await the return of our beloved master. Karai Saki will never be forgotten."

And with those final words it was over, the speech given, the crowd cleared from the war room, off to complete their chores of the day; as if nothing ever happened.

The only people left in the throne room was Hun, the purple dragon leader and thug; who had always been steadfast and true to the Shredder, and Khan.

"What a precious little farewell party." Hun jeered walking to a small table on the side of the room, a shrine that was left for Karai, pictures and offerings left to honor the young warrior. He bent down and picked up her portrait with his over stuffed sausage hands. "Just think, all this for Master Shredder's little pet." He dropped the picture, as it hit the wood floor shattering, the frame breaking around the damaged glass into three pieces. "Oops." he grinned making his obvious hate for the dead girl known.

"Yes, thankfully no one cared enough to ask to see the body." Khan opened the casket to reveal that it was empty.

"What body? She was blown sky high, no one could find anything but her necklace." Hun produced the jade colored pendant lassoed onto a thin string of thread from his pocket.

Shaking his head Khan reasoned, " Don't you think it's strange that nothing but a small amount of blood was found? And what was she doing in their at that time of night? The camera feed showed her entering the room, but the connection to the inside had been blocked." Khan pointedly stared at Hun, not putting it past him to waste the girl.

Hun sighed in frustration "Who cares if no one could find anything, she's not here and thats good enough for me. We'll continue on with business as always; especially with our new deal cutting the dragons in at 30% of the take." rubbing his hands together in pleasure at the idea of the money and prestige that awaited him.

Moving his way to the throne, Khan glowered "That deal only stands as long as you back me up at keeping control of the Foot. Word has gotten around in Japan of appointing someone else to take charge of New York; I'm not about to let this opportunity slip through me fingers." He sat relishing the feeling of power sitting on that chair gave him, after years of bowing before it; being seated upon it felt right.

Smirking triumphatnly Hun waved the man off "Don't worry I've got plenty of pull, lot's of favors to call in." He cracked his knuckel's with glee visualizing himself cracking skulls instead.

Looking back at Hun, he showed the dark circles under his eyes. "Tatsu will be coming to try and usurp my throne, it's been known he's been after the mantle of Shredder for years."

Hun choked back a laugh in his throat,"Why should we worry over an old blind man, he will be no match between the two of us."

Khan gave growl narrowing his eyes, "Never underestimate that man, he is dangerous, what he lacks in sight he makes up for in skill. He will not be easy to dissuade."

Rising from his seat Khan approached Hun, "And let me make something perfectly clear, this partnership is not equal. You will serve me as you did the Shredder; with loyalty and complete submission." He glared at the considerably taller man.

Hun clenched his fist but yielded to the others authority," Yes Khan."

Khan smirked, " Kneel before me and address me as Master Khan."

Gritting his teeth he begrudgingly bowed before him, " Yes Master Khan."

Satisfied with his new station, Khan announced his leave and walked away with two guards flanking him.

Getting to his feet Hun barely reigned in the desire to strangle Khan for his arrogance. Regaining his composure he made sure that he was alone before kneeling at the statue of his true master.

"Master forgive me for allowing that imbecile to take your place." Hun begged gazing up at the frozen frown on the stone figure. He had been disillusioned when his master had been revealed to have been an alien, however he had gotten over it in time and returned to the foot. The one thing that bugged him was that Karai had known all along, the Shredder had trusted her and not him, with the secret.

"It looks like this city will be at war again, but do not worry, I will keep your empire intact." Hun angrily grunted, "Neither Khan or Tatsu are fit to rule in your absence; they would serve their own wants rather than yours."

"I hated Karai but even she is better than them, she ruled in your name." His fist slammed to the floor in anger at having to admit that.

Then smiling to himself he muttered. "But she got it in the end, and I gotta say I never have felt so happy than when I found this stupid necklace in the wreckage of that lab."

Looking up to the Shredders stony face he said, "I promise my master, I will keep the city, for your return."

Casting one more glance backwards at his only master, he turned swiftly on his heel stepping on the destroyed picture of Karai on his way out the door. " Good bye Karai, Sweet Dreams." Tossing the necklace over his shoulder it bounced once, twice then landed in front of the shattered picture frame.

Waiting a few moments to make sure the coast is clear, Leo jumped from his perch on the ceiling and landed right next to where the picture had fallen. Gently he reached down and picked up the torn and tattered image of the heiress. The cover may have been damaged but the beauty in the painting was ethreal wearing a snow white kimono her hair tied intricatly atop her head, beads and flowers cascaded down her face. Her sharp features a glow, her clear skin creamy, eyes apple green hard, showed the years of discipline as a trained kuniochi. In her hands she held a fan and poised gracefully on her neck the same necklace that Hun had carelessly thrown down, staring at the piece of jewelry at his feet he stooped again and cupped it in his palm turning it over in his three fingered hand.

He turned his attention back to Karai's portrait. "Karai." He sighed regretfully.

Just then he heared the sound of foot steps, coming back to the throne room, gripping the picture and necklace he hid behind the statue of his once feared enemy. Walking by a foot soldier peered curiously into the room then continued on his way. Not wanting to keep pressing his luck the Terrapin quickly made his way out of the den of evil.

Back at the lair Donnie and April were running test on the samples, the turtle had recovered at the scene. "I don't get it Donnie these samples seem so normal compared to the crazy science-fiction stuff we've seen. Why would the Foot be messing around with something that seems so harmless?" April the red haired beauty asked her fellow scientist. Her years of hard work in the medical field of study had left her, with lots of knowledge of the goings on of human anatomy and so on. Working for Dr. Stockmen had been been a flight of fancy to try and get a jump start on her scientific career, who would have known he would have turned out to a thieving would be murderer. But thanks to the help of the guys, she had been saved and putting her knowledge to good use helping Donnie with his latest medical mystery.

"I don't know April the specimen is composed of 90% human DNA and 10% I can't identify the origin of. I ran it through the computer but the sample is so diluted I can only make out the human DNA not the other percentage." Donnie stared at his findings the cogs trying to turn in his head, unable to wrap his mind around the quagmire.

April smiled at her intelligent terrapin friend, "Don't worry Donnie you'll figure it out eventually your the smartest person I know."

The purple turtle turned red at the compliment, and then cringed when a "Cowabunga." followed by an angry "Mikey!" ruined the moment.

Turning to his less intelligent but well meaning brothers, Donatello complained. "Hey guys do you mind were trying to work here."

Jumping over to the other side of the lair Michaleangelo, on his skateboard was trying to dodge an angry Raphael, but what else is new?

"Mikey I told you that slice of pizza was mine." Raphael growled as he chased his brother around the lair.

"You snooze you loose Raph." the Orange turtle grinned as he shredded the railing of the stairs leading into the opening of the lair.

"MIKEY" The red turtle raged as he repeatedly swung at his brother.

Walking down the stairs leading into the lair Leo collided with his brothers, Leo into Raph, Raph into Mikey, leaving Mikey on the bottom of a turtle dog pile.

Recovering from the fall the three brothers slowly untangled themselves, Raph finding time to quickly bonk Mikey on the head for his pizza thievery; then turned to his newly arrived brother.

"And just where have you been oh fearless leader." Crossing his arms he stared down his slightly younger brother, just because he was a bit hotheaded at times he was forced to hand over the title of leader to his brother.

Leo shook his head to dislodge the diziness from his head "No where Raph just doing some early patroling." Moving past his brother he found himself stopped by a firm tug on his arm.

"You know I can't help remembering that Karai's funeral was tonight, you didn't stop by real quick to check if she was really dead did you?" Raph's eyes were hard and accusing as he glared at Leonardo.

Yanking his arm out of the other turtles grip, Leo swirved back around to face his brother," So What if I did, I was just making sure our family is safe, and to get a little idea of what really happened."

"So what really happened Leo?" Donnie asked as he exited his lab April in tow. Leo looked to the two scientist, "I don't know there just as confused about it as we are."

"Maybe it really was just an accident." Said Mikey now resting nice and comfortably on the couch laying flat on his shell.

"Maybe the princess of the Foot finally got what she deserved." Raph exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air. " I don't know why were still even talking about this."

Annoyed Leo turned back to his brother, "we are talking about it Raph, because it just doesn't make since, why was she in the lab with a clone? And where are their bodies?

"Who the shell cares it's better for us now that she's gone, no more crazy girl Shredder trying to kill us, no more nutty acorns falling off the crazy tree, she's gone dead." Raph yelled

"Raphael that's enough, "Master Splinter hobbled close to the small crowd, bringing order to the group. "Karai may have been an enemy but we should still show respect for the dead."

The Red turtle huffed in frustration and turned on his heel, making a beeline toward his room. Splinter turned toward Leonardo, "Well my son what did you find out."

Giving his family the full scoop, they sat around the kitchen Leo, Splinter, April and Donnie at the table and Mickey sitting on the countertop. "Wow I had no idea that Hun disliked Karai so much." April shrugged her shoulders hands resting on the red mug in her hand. Leo nodded, "Yeah it was really sad I don't think she had a single friend there." "I can." Michelangelo chimed in, "She was always really scary, so serious and like, "My name is Oroku Karai you killed my father prepare to die."" Repeating, jokingly his favorite movie line from the Princess Bride, courtesy of Mandy Patinkin. Shaking his head at his youngest sons nonsense Master Splinter turned to Leo, "My son, did you get any closure from going to her memorial?"

Leonardo looked away for a moment then back to his family "I don't know I just never thought that it would end like this. I guess I always kind of held out hope that I could change her mind."

Rising to his feet the old rat came to his grieving sons side, "Life works in mysterious ways my son, but I'm sure no matter where she is Oroku Karai's soul is at peace."

Leonardo could feel the photo and necklace burning a whole in his pocket, After thanking his master he bid goodnight to the group and turned in for bed. He wasn't really hiding the fact that he had taken them but he knew that he would be ribbed and teased non stop if he revealed he had them. Getting ready for bed he bid good night to his picture of Master Yoshi and the Ancient One, pausing he took out the picture of Karai and placed it right next to the other photos. Looking at her photo side by side with theirs he felt as if it were kind of poetic, Karai had always longed for honor, he could tell, and know she sat next to two of the most honorable men he knew. Smiling to himself he placed her necklace next to her picture and dreamed of Karai finally finding honor in death.

Authors Note: Alright this is the edited version of chapter two, please let me know if you find anything confusing. I replaced Touga with Khan because he fit in better with the idea for, and his relationship with Hun was too perfect. Tatsu will be introduced in the next chapter, he was 2012 series rather than the 2003 one; but I liked his character, and the idea of a blind ninja master is cool. I'll start work on chapter 3 right away.