Chapter 2: Back to Our Place

Titania's POV

The terrapin is certainly intriguing. The similarities in conformity seem to indicate that all four were created by the same formula, from the same base strain. I suspect they came from red-eared sliders; they are common pets, easy to acquire. I, of course, am a pure-bred British Shorthair. Sometimes I wish Master had created me from a Persian or Ragamuffin, though. Their fur is sleeker and I wouldn't really mind the extra grooming. I even wash Oberon when he reeks too badly to hide behind polite coughs.

They seem to be sensitive of their genitals, however. I smile at the turtle gently, rumbling softly in a way that pleases most Johns I take care of. It's almost like purring – though of course I won't do that. That is special, something I pretend not to be able to do. It seems to soothe his ruffled feathers, so to speak; he looks more confused than mad.

Perhaps, if these guards work in a base not devoted to sexual fantasies, I will request a transfer. Their Master will likely only beat me a bit, perhaps give me to his human guards for a while; I have survived worse. Especially if I bring Oberon with me, who is bigger and better-bred than these terrapins. Master has noticed how I have been seducing his guard pet away, but he cannot compare petting and all the "good boy" words in the world to what I can do. Oberon is wrapped around my little finger and I alone control his puppet strings.

First, though, I need to see these turtles' base, meet their Master, and explain my intentions. I am sure I can charm him. I have yet to meet a human I cannot turn to my side, woman, man, eunuch, or any of those confusing gender terms that have seemed to multiply in recent years.

Leo's POV

"Master did not tell me of your existence," Titania says, ignoring my confusion as I securely tuck my tail down again. "Where is your base?"

I glance at Raph; while my jump amused him, he's just as confused by the question as I am. Don and Mikey can't offer any insight, either, when I glance at them; Don shrugs and Mikey grins foolishly. She can't possibly mean Splinter; the inflection in her tone indicates that "Master" is a name, not a title. Besides, our father and sensei would have told us about other mutants… And definitely wouldn't let them wander around naked. At least, I correct myself, suddenly conscious of my own nakedness, not if we had visible bits.

"Very well, then, where are we?" she asks, annoyance in her voice as we remain silent and unable to answer her first question.

"Uh… New York?" Mikey offers, grinning sheepishly. He meets her eyes, having ogled his fill of her breasts. I will have to remind him of his manners when we have figured out what to do with these two mutants.

She levels a damning look of contempt at him and he physically flinches from the strength of it, grin fading fast. "Clearly," she replies. "I should hope you can provide more precise coordinates than that."

"That's Greenpoint," Raph replies gruffly, gesturing at the street to the south. "An' it meets Van Dam three blocks that way." He points west.

Raph's POV

That dog-man, Oberon, is literally drooling slobber down his chin and chest as Titania speaks to us. He doesn't look particularly bright, but at least he isn't trying to bite anyone. I have to ask Don if we're susceptible to rabies; there are some scratches on my legs and plastron from the dog-man's struggling.

But I'm trying to keep an eye on him – and his canines – while still appreciating that sexy-as-all-get-out cat-woman. I'm not really a breast man, though there are three times as many on this gal than on your average human. I'm more into hips, and goddamn are hers gorgeous. Her waist is a little thin; I could probably wrap my hands around it and almost touch my fingers. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but judging from her ribs and flatter breasts, she needs a bit of feeding.

Both of them do, really. Oberon's ribs stick out even more prominently, though it's hard to tell under his thick, matted fur. I can tell why it's matted; he's drooling enough into it to make it very dirty. While Titania seems to take grooming herself seriously, this dog-man doesn't seem to pay much attention to how he looks. He idly scratches at one ear and then roughly shakes his head, ears flapping. I feel some spittle land on my arm and quickly wipe it away with a grimace.

Don's POV

Both cat-woman and dog-man startle me as much as they do my brothers, but I cannot help my… natural instincts. Being raised around human TV and magazines and books, of course my brothers and I know what the perfect feminine form is believed to be. And this cat-woman comes very, very close – perhaps even surpassing my most intimate fantasies in some ways. I know Mike had been checking out her breasts this entire time; Raph has his eyes darting between her posterior and Oberon, trying to decide whether to keep an eye on the threat or on the hottest creature we've ever seen. I think Leo has more control over himself.

I, myself, am unapologetically attracted to hair. And this woman has a lot of it, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Not that she doesn't, herself, but her fur is really, really… sexy. She obviously takes very good care of it, too, which is more than I can say for Oberon.

Of course, the scientist in me is wondering how these two came to be mutated. I want their life story – and DNA samples – and I want to have long talks with Titania. Oberon hasn't yet spoken, so I'm not sure if he is mute or what. His tongue is very slobbery, but his eyes are kind and friendly – now that we've gotten the introduction done.

I glance at Leo. "How about we get you somewhere safe. Are you hungry?" I ask, glancing at the thin mutants' ribs.

Titania smiles at me, and her teeth are beautiful. They are more rounded than I would have expected; either filed down or influenced by her human genetics. Her eyes are a brilliant yellow with flecks of brown; I feel like I could drown in them. I think that's what I feel, anyway; that's what I've read when people meet someone's eyes and feel like they're lost.

"Food," Oberon pants happily, licking his chops. Well, he can apparently speak. Perhaps not as well as Titania; his tongue flops around a little awkwardly for conversation.

"We would appreciate that," Titania adds, all grace. Master Splinter always taught us to be kind and courteous to women – at least until they prove themselves a threat, like Karai had before she fled to Japan. So I bow and offer her my arm. Despite my ninjutsu training, she makes me feel awkward and clumsy.

Titania looks a little surprised and glances down at my arm; then she smiles again, resting her palm on my forearm. Her fur is really soft; underneath the grey strands is a healthy pale pink skin. I can't even see any scars, making me conscious of my own and my brothers'.

"Oberon, come," she orders softly. The dog-man nods in agreement, woofing quietly. His stubby little tail looks like it's wagging. I help Titania up the ladder to the roof and she looks around as if she has never seen such a sight. Her careful mask slips and I can see the wonder and delight in her features before she catches me watching her and shutters her eyes, smiling languidly.

"Come on." Leo leads the way towards the lair. We go slowly, over an easy route; it's quite clear that these two are not used to jumping across streets and alleyways from several stories up. They also don't have a lot of stamina; both are panting within minutes. Noticing their difficulty, Leo slows to a sedate walk for a while. I distract Titania by pointing out famous landmarks, parks, and shops. She listens to me chatter inanely with patience and polite attention, but I feel as though it is a trained habit. I want to see the person behind her polite mask again.

Mike's POV

Since Don snagged the chick (dammit!), I decide to hang out with the dude. I help him make the jumps and make sure he keeps up. His heavy fur smells, and he pants heavily, splattering drool on me if I get too close. But he lets me talk at him and is either listening or isn't; I don't really care either way.

We're behind Donnie and Titania, which means I have an excellent view of her rear as she jogs and then walks. The way her hips swell when she tenses for a jump is mesmerizing. Her tail remains tucked against her ankle, but I imagine reaching out and pulling it… just for fun.

We come to a sewer entrance and leap down into the alley. Don, Titania, and Oberon follow on the fire escapes. Titania has some trouble with her back paws; they resemble cat paws more than her hands do. Don, lucky bastard, gets to climb down in front of her and reach up to place her feet. I can tell he likes the feeling of her fur. He's always been a little crazy about hair. I think it's because we don't have any.

Once we're down, Leo and Raph pull up the sewer entrance. I catch surprise and disgust flash through Titania's face, but I blink and it's gone. Maybe I imagined it.

Oberon looks down the ladder and whines quietly; I pat him comfortingly. "It's not far," I tell him with a quick grin.

"We are not… fond… of the dark," Titania explains patiently. She smiles at me and her eyes are beautiful and I forget what I was going to say next. I don't even think of teasing them like I would Raph or Leo or Donnie.

Raph, already in the sewers, clicks on his flashlight upon hearing her. Now she can see the ladder and allows Donnie to guide her onto it. This time, Raph gets to be the lucky turtle who positions her feet and steadies her when she steps down onto the maintenance walk that runs along this particular tunnel. Don hurries down after her, probably afraid our macho brother will steal her attention. That leaves me with Oberon, who is still whining under his breath.

"I wait here?" Oberon asks. I think he's asking me until I notice that he's looking down the hole. Titania answers briskly.

"Nonsense. We would be poor guests to spurn our hosts' offer of hospitality." Most of those words go over his head. "Come."

Oberon whines and paces back and forth once at the edge of the hole. Then he seems to make up his mind and jumps down.

Raph's POV

The dog-man is acting like a wuss, but I actually don't mind since Titania is standing next to me, staying close to the source of light, while she speaks to him. My eyes are glued to her so I don't notice our danger until the big doof lands on us, knocking all three of us into the sewer water.

I surface with a sputter, fishing the flashlight out of the stream by feel. Oberon barks in surprise – and not in the human way, I mean a real, dog "woof!" sound. He hops out and Leo and Don sprint for cover as he shakes his entire frame. Mud, water, and other things fly from his fur, hitting me and… Titania.

The cat-woman looks shocked, disgusted, and tormented. She is still sitting in the sewage and looks ready to cry. She ignores the dog-man, not even snapping at him, and looks at her arms. Her grey fur is mucky and stained.

"Here," I offer gruffly. I put my arms under hers and lift her to her feet – she's tiny and very light. She's trembling so I keep my hand on her sides, just to steady her, of course.

I walk her out of the water and hand her up to Don, who pulls her onto a dry piece of pavement. Her fur drips water and other unmentionables from head to toe. Oberon looks ashamed; his head is down, tail flattened, ears hanging straight down his head. He's drawn into himself as though afraid of backlash.

Titania is silent for a minute and then seems to gather herself. She shivers, shaking more water lose without soaking anyone else, unlike Oberon's enthusiastic shaking had earlier. Then she raises one hand and starts to lick her fur.

"Don't do that!" Don yelps, grabbing her hand and pulling it away.

Titania stares at him; it's the second most open expression I've seen from her. Her face hardens. "I am cleaning myself, Don. May we rest a moment? I refuse to continue while covered in… this." She looks absolutely disgusted.

"We'll get you a shower back home," Leo promises. He's also turned on his flashlight; it highlights the filth in her fur when he shines it at her. "But that water is dangerous and germy."

She seems very surprised. "Showers are for humans," she says gently as though breaking bad news to someone. All four of us – Mike has descended the ladder finally, replacing the manhole cover – stare at her in shock. Noticing our looks, her eyes narrow. "Your Master allows you showers?"

"Well… yeah…" Don replies, stammering a little.

She suddenly nods as though realizing something. "Of course. You are aquatic creatures; you have no natural method of grooming. My fur requires only my attention, however." She looks like she's going to lick herself again; Don keeps hold of her hand to stop her.

"You'll get sick," he tells her seriously. "We'll get you a shower when we get home."

Her ears go back and she looks angry. "I will not suffer this filth in my fur," she states importantly.

"Yer gonna have to," I tell her, trying to support Don. She spins her head around and fixes me with a glare. Damn, is it sexy. I grin back and her eyes narrow.

"We're very close," Don continues. He takes a step away, still holding her hand; she has to follow or fall over. "I'm sure Master Splinter will let you have some of his soap."

Titania's POV

I reek. I have never reeked in my life. My fur stands on end no matter how often I smooth it with my hand; Don is clutching my other. I shudder continuously. Things fall off me. I can't make my tail curl around my ankle like usual; it has puffed up and sticks straight out from my posterior. Oberon is following me, head down. He knows he is a very bad boy right now.

Don keeps pulling me forward and I have to follow. I will not fall over again; I watch my steps carefully. Raph, despite his gruff exterior, keeps the light just in front of my feet so I can see where we are going. Despite my origin as a cat, my eyesight is closer to a human's, a fact that Master makes use of occasionally.

I am also not looking forward to a shower. I have only been forced into water once in my mutated life and I refuse to go quietly. My fur will not be scrubbed like a bad dog's. As soon as we have reached their base of operations, I shall find a corner or room and clean myself. It will take hours until I feel fresh again, and it will be days before the smell is gone. I cannot work like this; any John will flee at the stink, even as nose dead as humans are.

I glare over my shoulder at Oberon, who whines and licks his nose several times. I flatten my ears; I do not forgive him.

Leo, in the lead, stops at a blank wall and pushes in a brick. I am about to consider if he is crazy – if they all are – when the wall recedes and opens down the middle. A warm breath of air, smelling of incense, metal, and faintly like Master's green soap, rushes out to greet us.

Mike's POV

Ah, home, sweet, home. I'm glad to get out of the stink of the sewer. I feel really bad for Oberon and Titania. The dudette is clearly disgusted and unhappy; Don is keeping hold of her hand (lucky!). Oberon looks like a dog expecting to be kicked; his head is down, tail limp, ears flattened in submission.

I glance back out of instinct, making sure we didn't leave anything behind. Coast is clear. I close the door behind us and notice Master Splinter coming out of his room. He's got great hearing.

Looking at Titania, I suddenly realize something.

She's a cat. Our esteemed, elderly father is a rat who doesn't even like tiny Klunk.

They're natural enemies.

As soon as I think it, I can see the same thought hit my brothers; Don's grip on Titania tightens and Raph looks ready to jump her – and not in the sexy way – if she pounces. Leo moves towards Master Splinter, revealing our kitty in the process.

Titania looks up and spots our father.

Leo's POV

I realize that we may have just stepped into the lion's den, no pun intended. Master Splinter is walking towards us; he's looking at me but he smells something he doesn't like because his grip on his cane is firm and his fur is puffy, nose twitching.

Oh, shell. I move to intercept him. Unfortunately, I don't realize that this exposes Titania, who despite being covered in sewer sludge, is unmistakably a cat.

Master Splinter's nose stills and his eyes go wide. I think he squeaks.

Don's POV

I've got a good grip on Titania, but her fur is slick and wet. I see Master Splinter's expression and reach out to grab Titania's other hand, thinking that I can hold her back. She's tiny, after all; I have been practically dragging her all the way here.

She's moved before I can get as good a grip as I want to, chattering as she pounces. I see her claws extend and shout something – I think it's "No!" but I'm not sure. I think Mikey screams and I'm not sure if I do, too.

Oberon's POV

I spot the hairy mutant and wuffle quietly, catching his scent and thinking about it. He smells like green soap and tea and those tiny sticks Master lights sometimes to cover a smell in a room. Master uses very powerful stuff that sometimes makes me sneeze, but this Master has only a hint of it on his fur. He's wearing a red robe with gold on the edges. I like it. And best of all, he has a wooden stick that looks like it's been chewed on before. Maybe there are other dogs here to play with. And even though it's not the lawn, I could chase that stick happily around this room. My tail begins to wag.

But then I notice Titania is in the air, pouncing for the Master. I move without thinking, barking savagely. I protect the Master, and this is a Master, if not my Master. I push the purple turtle aside and grab Titania's tail. She'll claw me for it, but it's the only part I can reach. I yank her back from the rat mutant.

Titania's POV

My instinct is to pounce, to chase, to kill and play and maim.

Don seems to release me, but in reality I twist out of his grip and pounce. Flexing my fingers, I push out my claws. This is why they are sharp, though I had only bothered to keep them trimmed in order to please any John wanting some rough play and mementos of his very expensive time with me.

Oberon jumps into action just as I do; I hear him bark and know the pain is about to come. He grabs my tail and I yowl, hissing as I turn and swat him in the muzzle. My claws are sharp; he's bleeding instantly. He barks again and I land on his chest, clawing at his thick fur. In its matted state, however, it acts like entangling armor. My claws are caught and I can feel some of them chip. I hate his fur.

Then Oberon's teeth close around the scruff of my neck and he shakes me loose; I hang limply. I am powerless like this; my legs curl up, my arms freeze. My tail is the only thing that can move and it is twitching slowly. I can't even really close my own eyes.

Raph's POV

It all happens so quickly that we're all left reeling. Oberon stops shaking Titania and she hangs in his mouth, limp. I think I've seen that on a show, somewhere. I hope she isn't dead. That would be a hell of a way to "save" a pair of mutants we just found.

For that matter, what the fuck.

What the fuck were we thinking, bringing a cat to our rat father without warning either of them?

What the fuck made Oberon snap to Master Splinter's defense before we, his sons and warriors in our own right, could?

And who the fuck is screaming?

Mike's POV

I can't stop screaming. It's stupid, but I can just imagine Titania pouncing Master Splinter like Klunk does to the small mice she can catch. And I know what she does to those poor creatures before they die. I've caught her watching one drag itself around by its front limbs, leaving a trail of slime and blood because its guts are hanging out and its hind legs have already disappeared into Klunk's stomach. I don't want to see Master Splinter like that.

Thank God the dog-man had moved so quickly. He's bleeding a bit, but he ignores it and growls at Titania. Raph knocks me over the head and I manage to shut my mouth. It's suddenly quiet except for a soft mewling coming from the cat-woman.

Leo's POV

That was way too close. I don't want to know if I would have made it to my father's side in time to defend him. Master Splinter has already beat a retreat, unable to fight instinct; his door slides shut with as loud a slam as I've ever heard.

"Drop her!" Don orders loudly, turning to Oberon now that our father is safely out of sight and hopefully out of mind.

Oberon growls at Titania and then his mouth slowly opens. Titania lands on her hands and knees, shaking. She stays down, pressed to the floor, tail curled around her legs and ears flat. Oberon stands over her; the fur along his shoulders is still stiff.

"Are you okay?" I ask gently, coming over. I ask it of both of them; it's clear they are both out of sorts. I think Titania is taking the worst of it, though.

Oberon barks and grins, hackles flattening. He looks pleased with himself.

Titania mews quietly. I can't see her face and I crouch next to her. I can hear Mike pulling Oberon away, soothing the dog-man's nerves as well. If they need soothing, that is. Don kneels next to me.

"I'm sorry. We didn't think to warn you." Slowly, Titania stops shivering. She very carefully sits up, legs under her and tail wrapped firmly around them. It seems to be a defense mechanism. Her expression is carefully neutral.

"I am sorry, too," she murmurs. "I should not have tried to attack your Master." She looks at Oberon and there is no hatred or anger in her expression. Oberon grins goofily at her, apparently still her best friend despite just having bitten and shaken her. "Good boy," she tells him quietly; he whuffs in agreement, tail wagging.

Don and I exchange a glance.

Mike's POV

I distract the dog-man, thinking he might try to hurt Titania. But once he's let her go, he seems to forget what he had been doing. His fur flattens back down and he's panting happily again. She calls him a "good boy" and he agrees with her.

I really do not understand what's going on, so I decide that this guy needs a shower. I always think better in a shower. And, no offense, dude, but you reek. It's more noticeable in our nice, clean, non-sewer-smelly lair.

"Come on," I tell Oberon. He glances at Titania, at Master Splinter's door, and whuffs again. This time he sounds indecisive. "It's time for a bath." I've gotten the feeling that he needs simpler words, almost commands.

"Go with Mike, Oberon. Good boy," Titania says. Oberon whuffs again, this time directly at her. "I will not do it again. I am sorry. Go on."

Finally, Oberon barks in agreement and heads into the lair. I trot to catch up; Raph comes with me. Oberon has no idea where he's going, so I guide him towards the downstairs bathroom by pointing at the door. I'm glad Raph's with me because this big dude could probably hurt me if he wants to.

I open the door for Oberon when he just stands in front of it. If I hadn't just had a picture of Master Splinter crawling through his own guts playing over and over in my head, it would be funny, the way the mutant stares around the bathroom. He looks in the mirror and tilts his head curiously, first one way and then the other.

Suddenly his entire body starts wagging and he jumps at the mirror, barking again. His nose hits the mirror and he rears back, startled. His posture screams indecision as he faces his reflection. He barks at himself.

"Dumb mutt," I hear Raph mutter, but there's amusement in his voice. My own grin is widening as I watch Oberon inspect his reflection. He tries to look behind the mirror and I have to stop him from ripping it from the wall.

"It's just you, dude," I tell him. I stand in front of him and point at myself. "See? I'm there and here." I wave a bit, meeting his eyes through the reflection.

"Not other dog?" Oberon asks. He sounds sad.

"No, that's just you," I reply.

Oberon's ears droop and he moves away from the mirror, beginning his inspection of the rest of the room. He explores everything – and I mean everything. He sniffs the towels, licks the sink several times, listens with ears perked to the air coming from the heating vent in the bottom of the wall, and then sniffs out the toilet. Before I can stop him, he's ducked his head into the toilet bowl and is lapping up water.

"Don't do that!" I yell, pulling back on his shoulder. I suppress a shudder. We clean our rooms when told, we even clean the bathroom when Master Splinter can't stand the smell any more – or if April comes over – but… It's not a clean place. We do our business in that thing.

Oberon whines and backs away, ears drooping again. He clearly thinks he's been bad. I sigh a little. This is why I like cats; they don't take it personally when you tell them no. If they even listen to you, they'll act like it was their idea anyway to stop drinking from the toilet bowl.

Raph is fighting back a grin as I help Oberon stand back up. I close the toilet and sit him on the lid. Then I fill a glass of water and hand it to him. He looks at in surprise, and then at me.