TMNT: Guardian Angel?

Chapter one: Strange Call

"Alright, here we go everybody!! Movie marathon, aww yeah!!" Michelangelo cheered, plopping down in from of the television. The ninja turtles and their friends; April O'Neil and Casey Jones, gathered together, snacks and pillows lay everywhere around them. They all sat there lounging about in the main sitting area of the Lair getting comfortable; when a rocking ringtone sounded. Recognizing it, Leonardo reached for his T-phone and answered it.

"Hello?" He said, holding the phone to his ear, not even looking at the number that was calling him.

"Leo, I need to talk to you." A familiar raspy voice answered.

"Karai?" Leo asked, keeping his voice low as not to draw attention to himself. He stood up to turn away from the others.

"It's important." Karai told him. "Meet me at the Channel 6 News building... And please.. come alone." Without another word she hung up and the line went fuzzy. Leo stared off in confusion, boggled by this sudden occurrence and the strange tone of her voice. Realizing that he needed some answers, he strode off toward the stairs; but stopped once he'd arrived at them.

"Leo? Where are you going?" April's voice asked, and he turned around to see her standing up where she'd been sitting; her eyes searching his.

"I'm going to meet Karai. I should be back soon." The young mutant responded simply.

"Need any backup?" Raphael asked, gazing up at his brother, only slightly suspicious.

"Uh... nah, it shouldn't take long. I'll be back." Leo decided, shrugging. Then, with that, everyone turned back to the television, April sat back down with them; and Leo turned and headed out of the Lair.

XXXX

Leonardo landed with a light thud at his destination. A gentle breeze blew at his mask tails, the cool of night replacing the warm cheerful light of the sun. The chill in the air was of nothing but a reminder of the season that was now upon them; spring. Leo turned to stand just barely near the edge of the building's roof; legs spread apart in a dramatic stance. He stared out over the city below; his home. New York City. The place he'd been raised below his entire life, the place Master Splinter had kept from them until only a few years ago. The place that he'd come to know over those few years. And though it had only been a few years, it felt like he'd been around it all along. Like he'd been up here all his life; like he'd been raised up here just like anyone else. This was the one place in the whole world he'd always feel safe in. His thoughts, however, were interrupted by the thud of feet behind him and he turned. The new Foot Clan Leader emerged from the shadows, standing opposite him; a stoic, reserved look on her face.

"Ok, we're here, Karai." Leo stated, gesturing with his hands innocently. "What is this about?"

"I'm afraid I really can't tell you." The kunoichi responded simply.

"What?!" Leo gasped in surprise. "Then why are we here?" Karai said nothing, instead she strode towards him until they were face to face. Her eyes remained fixed on his as she stood before him; the look in them different from anything he'd seen before.

"What.. are we.. doing here, Karai." Leo asked, a little more intensely.

"I'm sorry, Leo." She said, just as firmly. She lurched forward, touching her middle and forefingers to a specific point on his neck and flicked her wrist. As soon as she did this, Leo felt a slight twinge and a slight dizziness come to his head. He staggered back a bit, as the dizziness quickly faded into darkness. The two soldiers accompanying the kunoichi caught him before he hit the ground. Karai turned her shoulder perpendicular to him. She regretfully gazed down at him, as she waved a hand for them to take him away.

XXXX

The characters on the screen entranced the young teens and mutants watching it. All of them hanging on to every word that was spoken in a hollow daze.

"Hey..so..um, what do you think Karai wanted?" Raph asked the group, diverting his eyes briefly to look at his brothers and friends. Mikey, Casey, and Donnie shrugged; their eyes still glued to the tv.

"Maybe she just wanted some company." April shrugged, looking at the turtle in red. Raph just tensed his brow curiously, unsure that that was the case. Since when? He was thinking.

XXXX

Padded feet splashed into a small puddle, their cloak hiding their features; and any means of identification. Two others in similar attire at their side, another figure approached the trio. The group of men stood before the newcomers; no one uttering a word. The black hair and sunglasses at the center of the five person cluster, gave away the leader of the Purple Dragons quite clearly. Hun held up a photo to the newly arrived guest, depicting three shadowy figures.

"Is this the one I seek?" The stranger asked, not moving a muscle.

"The one on the right, is the one you seek, sir." Hun confirmed, with a slight nod. "But be warned, he is highly skilled. Best to watch your back with him, he is smarter than he appears."

"He will be of no concern." The stranger responded, his Japanese accent heavily obvious. "For he knows not what is coming." And he lunged forward and sliced right through the picture, leaving it lying in two halves on the wet concrete floor. He then proceeded to walk through the divide in the Purple Dragons' group. Only to whip around and utter something in Japanese, to which ninjas of his own leapt forth from the darkness of the ship they'd just arrived on.

"Watashi no kyōdai ga kimasu!" He thundered regally. "Let us find our perpetrator, to silence the rest of them." Then they all disappeared into the night, leaving Hun and his gang behind.

XXXX

The silence was the only companion to the old Ninjitsu Master. His posture well managed and disciplined, his senses keenly aware; and attuned to whatever his meditation was meant to focus on. Splinter's energies remained in one place together, not one thought straying him from his task. That ability coming from years of practice, even despite raising four mutant turtles. And though they kept him busy for all these years; he never lost this ability to focus so deeply into his own mind, to center himself in mere seconds. It became his only escape from being a parent, though there was no job he'd rather have. But he, like many parents, desired a break at times. A time where he could relax without having to worry about his sons getting into mischief without his supervision. Though, being teenagers, his supervision wasn't always the easiest to give; what with them always running off to go joyriding in the city above.

Still, he loved his sons more than anything in the world. And wouldn't trade them for anything, even after the loss of his beloved wife; Tang Shen. And even though Miwa; his daughter, was now Karai, he couldn't be happier to have her back in his life. Oh how long had he mourned her supposed 'death' with her mother, only to discover that she was alive. And, having been deceived by the hands of the Shredder, now understands the truth; turning away from him so fiercely to go vengefully after him instead. Though Splinter never condoned such things for anyone, especially his own daughter, he knew he couldn't fully stop her. And being as wise as he'd become over the years, he knew that he would have to keep reminding her of what is right; and allow her to make the choice for herself. Though the recent event in which his own son, the most responsible and accountable of the four, was revealed to have been aiding and abetting her goal. The thought still angered him, but the intentions his son, no doubt, had were true; of that, he was quite sure. And even though Leonardo, himself, doesn't fully know why he thought it was a good idea; Splinter knew he had good intentions in doing it. And while he still was disappointed that Leo had done it, he loved him too much to be angry at him for long. As he sat there; crossed-legged, as usual, he meditated. His thoughts flowing together in a single direction, what came to mind that caused this decision? He was thinking. Even though Leo's decision had good intentions, he still knew it was wrong; and wondered what his son was thinking when he chose to go through with it anyway.

"Your son was going through a time of vulnerability." A voice echoed, and Splinter's eyes shot open as he searched for its owner. Suddenly he noticed to his left the spiritual figure of... "father?" The rat man slowly rose as did Hamato Yuuta.

"My son... the one you call your son has been going through a phase in his life, that has not quite ended." Master Hamato told him. "A phase that has effected him mentally, and still remains so. And all he needs... is your support."

"Even if his choices are bad ones." Splinter returned, a bit agitated.

"His choices may not be right, but you as his father must continue to guide him down the right path. So he can grow, and flourish even more for you to take pride in." Yuuta replied his voice calm and one-note. Splinter closed his eyes and sighed.

"I understand, Father." He said, but opening his eyes again... found nothing.

Hey guys!! Been a while since I've written a TMNT fic, that's for sure! But hopefully it'll be well worth it!! Also do not be alarmed by some of the Japanese I use here, they usually just mean basic things and if you like I can translate at the end of each chapter. But anyway, I hope this first chapter get you intrigued. I will be posting this story every Friday, on a weekly basis. So... until next Friday!! Thx!!!