Hey everyone~! Man, I love you guys...you're support is so awesome and the reviews make me feel good about myself and/or gives me helpful insight!
First off, I apologize for any mistakes, such as forgetting to describe Mikey! And he's my favorite, lol. Talk about a fail. He's described in this one though!
Special thanks to: Charmyxcream14, minamoon73, Orange Dash, Tori657, TheMaskedTimelord, Princes-Slash, BlackOrchidee, GuestGirl, Megan, TMNTPRO15, Lucy Dragneel4life, efarraliz, and Guest for reviewing! It is much appreciated and welcomed! Thank you!
Special, special thanks to: Orange Dash, TheMaskedTimelord, and Lucy Dragneel4life because you guys are always reviewing! You guys are uh-ma-zing and I hope you like this chapter! :D
One last note, some of the villains are or could be a bit OOC, but that's the perk of AU's! *v*
Thank you for the wait. Without further ado, here is the next chapter! Happy Reading!
Raphael's Point of View:
I was angry ta tha point where I couldn't do anythin' but scowl. I mean, come on, a curfew?! I knew that Masta Splinter was just bein' protective and stuff, but I'm strong enough ta protect myself!
I could tell that Donnie could care less about tha curfew since he enjoyed tha indoors and Mikey was really quiet so I couldn't really figure him out. But Fearless was watchin' us all carefully, namely me, and that pissed me off even more. I knew my big brother would know how much I hated bein' restrained and would do anythin' ta stop me from going out. This was goin' ta be fun...
We were practically escorted back ta our quarters and I scowled as the Royal Guards slid tha main doors ta our quarters shut and stood guard. My brothers and I were quiet for a minute. I noticed that Don was messin' with his plum shaded kimono sleeves in his fingers, somethin' he does when he's nervous. I sighed.
"Well this sucks!" I growled as I kicked at tha floor. Mikey had flinched and Donnie stared as Leo rolled his eyes, his arm hidden in his silvery blue patterned kimono sleeves.
"Well...it's better than having something bad happening," He retorted while sighing as I glared at him.
"I don't like the way "Tigerclaw" sounds. It's scary," Mikey frowned thoughtfully and Leo patted his shoulder. I frowned as I seen just how disturbed my baby brother looked. His short curly natural blonde hair was messy from the wind earlier while his baby blue eyes looked sad and fearful. His skin was a shade paler than normal, makin' his freckles stand out on his cheeks. Mikey's obi, or middle tie of tha kimono, was white but tha rest of his kimono was pure sunset orange.
"Whatever, I'm not scared of 'im," I scowled to reassure him and Leo shot me a look that I ignored. Donnie stayed thoughtfully quiet. "Where's Casey? I thought he was gonna meet up with us?"
"To meet up with him," Donnie suddenly corrected, "And that was before the "bad news"."
"Screw that stupid assassin! Doubt he's any better than tha others," I commented, angry at tha memory of tha murderous attempts on my brothers' lives, while crossing my arms. Leo narrowed his eyes as Mikey blinked at me.
"Why don't we talk about something else?" Mikey brightened slightly as he bounced in place. I was quite ready ta have something else ta focus on, but as usual Leo had ta bring up tha unnessiscary.
"Why don't we talk about what you want to do with Casey, Raph?" Leo hinted and I glared at him. Mikey and Don shared a look with each other. I was about ready ta rip these fiery red/dark orange kimono sleeves right off tha rest of my kimono just ta be able ta tackle him better.
"Don't talk about-"
"I know that you've been sneaking out with Casey at night to hunt bandits," Leo interrupted and I was livid that he confronted me about this in front of Donnie and Mikey, who was tha only one ta look pale in surprise. It didn't surprise me if Donnie knew but at least he trusted me.
"So?" I gritted through my teeth. Leo flashed me annoyance in his cobalt blue eyes. "I'm not doin' no harm."
"Not doing any...are you kidding me Raph?!" Leo finally lost his calm composure and made Mikey flinch backwards. "You're endangering yourself and Casey! Not to mention putting all of us in danger-"
My eyes flashed dangerously while I took a small step forward as I felt pinpricks of hurt and livid anger. "Ya actually think I'd endanger this family?"
"I'm saying you do everytime you go out," Leo didn't back down as we were suddenly in each other's faces. I distantly heard annoyance from Don as Mikey whimpered. "You're going to end up hurt or getting Casey hurt!"
My eyes twitched in anger and I clenched my fists. Both of our eyes were narrowed in glares. In moments like these I really hated my brother. I mean, didn't he trust me just a little? Does he really think so low of me? He doesn't even understand! "Ya wouldn't understand, Fearless, so don't pretend like ya do. What do you know? Ya think you're protectin' me but you're not. Ya never have. That's always been Splinter. Heck, ya couldn't even protect our own parents!"
Donnie, Leo and Mikey gasped and I was too angry ta care about what I just said. Leo cried out angrily as he jumped on me and we began ta fight. Mikey was full blown cryin' now and Donnie was yellin' loudly at us. We only stopped punchin' at each other when tha Royal Guards outside came ta interrupt.
I wrenched away from tha guards and glared at Leo, who was glarin' right back, lookin' at me with new levels of hurt and anger. I turned but not before noticin' Don's disapprovin' and slightly fearful look coupled with Mikey's sad sobbin'. My heart wrenched and I broke out in a run.
"Raphie!" I didn't turn when Mikey called for me. I kept runnin' until it hurt too much. By tha time I calmed down I was aware that I was on tha far side of tha Hamato manor. I sighed and walked out of one of tha entrances and saw Casey lookin' thoughtfully into a pond.
"Hey," I gruffed while he turned ta me and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Raph, you okay?" He demanded lookin' so worried that it surprised me. "Why are you cryin'?!" I gasped and wiped furiously at my eyes. When was I fucking cryin'?!
"I'm fine, it's nothin'," I muttered as I crossed my arms. Casey drew back still lookin' worried. "Feel like roughin' up some bandits right now?"
"I dunno Raph, with that Tigerclaw assassin out it might not be a good idea," He hesitated and I rolled my eyes.
"Not you too," I groaned as he looked confused. "It's nothin' we wouldn't be able ta handle, first of all, and tha Guards are on high alert for him."
"True..." Casey shrugged as he stood and stretched dramatically. I really needed tha distraction today. "Plus its daylight and we've never done that before."
"Exactly. So let's go!" I grinned as he smoothed his leather gloved hands over his lightly brown armored pants. I always thought his warrior outfit was cool, but today he was just wearin' a dark brown light armored shirt with a black belt tying his double sytched weapons around his waist. Casey also had a weird thing for bandanas. "Exactly. So let's go!"
"Okay, okay, fine," Casey laughed as he ruffled my brown hair and I growled, swipin' and runnin' after him as he fled in tha direction of tha marketplace.
I was probably gonna regret fightin' Leo and goin' against Splinter but this was right now and it always felt great whenever I got ta bring bandits and theives ta justice.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Casey ended up loanin' me an extra cloak and lucky for me we had been armed from when we first went out into tha marketplace. The cloak had a hood and tha entire thing was a dark gray color. Casey's was black, which was a rare dye, that happened ta be a gift from his Father. I thought it was really cool.
"So I've been thinkin' of courtin' April," Casey randomly informed me as we scanned tha crowds we walked into for anythin' suspicious. I rose an eyebrow at my friend. April, who was also our friend, was a girl Leo's age that was really good at sewin' and pottery. She's cute, considerate, kind yet fiery. Her auburn hair was always kept in a high ponytail, or rolled in a bun when she's makin' pottery, and her bangs covered her forehead ta her eyebrows. Her eyes were a slightly darker blue than Mikey's baby blues and she also had freckles across her cheeks and nose ridge.
"Uh, okay, cool, go for it," I rolled my eyes, picturin' my older friend with flowers and serenading. I barked out a laugh.
"What's so funny? Don't think I can court ladies?" He sounded annoyed and I grinned. I knew that my twin, Donnie, also liked tha red head and was amused by tha whole thing. I wonder how this will turn out? This should be good entertainment for me.
"Ya don't seem much like a romantic, bro," I assured and he turned red. He was about ta say somethin' ta me when he stopped and closed his mouth, only ta have it part open again in surprise. I rose an eyebrow "What?"
"Look, isn't that smoke?" Casey pointed ta tha sky and I turned, seeing tha tiniest trail of smoke that only really observant eyes could see were darker than normal. I scowled as I stared at Casey, who matched my look and nodded at me.
We dashed off, both of us practically neck in neck due ta my martial arts trainin' and his warrior trainin'. We easily slipped through tha crowds and exited tha main part of tha marketplace ta follow tha path outside.
We got closer ta tha smoke and I darted into tha shadows with my friend. Casey gave me a look and I nodded. We snuck around trees until we heard some noises. We got closer and things faded into focus.
Trio groups of Foot soldiers were gathered around crates and wheel wagons that I quickly recongized as our own. Casey was turnin' shades of red in anger and it took me a moment ta connect tha dots. Tigerclaw was, of course, suspected of being sent by Shredder ta hurt Sensei and our Kingdom...but now I understood that these soldiers, along with Tigerclaw, had stolen from tha village they attacked and tried ta burn...just like my village all those years ago.
I lost it. I screamed in anger at tha memories and tha fresh hurt of this new attack. Casey gasped as I launched myself from tha shadows and enaged tha trio of Foot. He was quick ta draw his double scythed weapons as I drew my sai and started ta wound tha enemy. I was tryin' really hard not ta let my rage consume me into killin' these men but blood still spattered over me, tha ground, and coated them as I slashed and cut where I needed ta incapacitate them.
Casey had no quarrels with killin' as long as it was honorable and/or in self defense, never for offense or revenge, which is pretty much tha same custom that Master Splinter teaches us.
I heard Casey shout and turned ta see a Foot solider got a lucky hit on his side, which was bleedin' freely. I cursed as he almost fell and threw some kunai ta keep tha attacker down. Casey flashed a look of pained gratitude.
I returned ta my fight ta finish off quickly, attend ta Casey, and take back our village goods, when I felt tha hair stand on tha back of my neck. I turned in time ta have a fist slam into my face. Casey was shoutin' for me as I could hardly dodge after tha blow and cried out as another blow hit my stomach.
I was kicked until I fell on tha ground and went ta roll away when a steel tip met with my throat. I froze, reminded of Leo when he beats me at practice except this tip was literally on tha vien at my throat. My hands twitched towards my belt, where I kept my smoke pellets. I just needed him ta be distracted once.
"Hey!" Casey yelled again, standin' shakily while holdin' his side and only one of his sytched weapons. I gave him a pointed look that I hoped he understood. Tha man in front of me was large but not as large as Leatherhead. He had dark red hair and cold blue-gray eyes except one was hidden behind an eyepatch, clearly a scar beneath it. I briefly noticed a string around his neck that held a giant sabertooth. This man must be tha one that is called Tigerclaw.
"Stand down and surrender or I will kill your bodyguard, Prince Raphael," Tigerclaw growled as he slightly faced Casey. Both of us froze. He thought Casey was me and I was Casey? I wanted ta cry in laughter and Casey looked stupified.
I twitched my hand closer ta a smoke pellet but he turned ta me and pressed tha tip closer, makin' me swallow a little. In tha corner of my eye I thought that I saw more shadows and my heart froze in fear. If he had reinforcements than Casey and I were screwed. Dammit, I hate it when Leo's right!
"Release my bodyguard and I'll go with you," Casey replied with a blank face as I sent him a look of angered shock. Was he fucking retarded?! Casey dropped his other weapon ta show his sincerity. I gawked at him.
Tha next thing I know Tigerclaw is draggin' me upwards with tha sword still ta my throat. He had narrowed eyes as he observed Casey, who I hate ta admit was impressin' me with how he is handlin' this. "Casey..."
"Walk over to the side away from your weapons and I'll let him go," Tigerclaw promised in a growl and Casey immediately stepped away. I narrowed my eyes, ready ta get in action as soon as I was freed. I was pushed forward and immediately twisted my body on my heel, throwin' my smoke pellet in Tigerclaw's eye. He roared in anger and pain.
"Casey, go! Get tha others!" I cried as I saw him roll and grab his weapons again. He gawked at me. "C'mon, I'm right behind ya!"
He nodded and rushed off with me after him but somethin' tangled in my ankles and with I cry of surprise I fell back down. I looked down and seen that there were throwing chains around my feet. I looked up and saw that Tigerclaw was relying on his martial arts senses, his eyes closed. I glared, grittin' my teeth.
"RAPH!"
I looked back ta face Casey but instead a shadow loomed over me and tha last thing I remember is seein' dark hair and a blank expression before pain exploded my head and turned my vision black. Tigerclaw's furious roars echoed somewhere behind me.
Leonardo's Point of View:
I stared at the ground as Donnie continued to gently pat the bruise on my jaw with ice wrapped in cloth. I hardly winced as I continued to stare.
"Don't take Raph seriously, Leo," Donnie spoke up as he stared at my jaw instead of my eyes. I looked at him and looked down again. "You know we all take today in different ways. You told me that yourself."
"Yeah," I replied while looking sad. "But that's the first time one of you finally said that to me."
Donnie frowned after initially looking confused. "Leo, stop it. I mean it. It was not your fault what happened. In fact, you saved us. Raph knows that."
"Wish I could of done more," I muttered and Donnie slapped my arm. "Hey!"
"Don't think like that!" He argued and I rolled my eyes. Donnie stood up straight and I took over holding the ice on my jaw. "Raph's just being a meathead and you kinda just vented your own fustrations on him too."
"What?" I demanded as I looked up at him. It wasn't everyday you get scolded by Donnie.
"Bringing up that in front of us would surely tick Raph off, Leo," Donnie pointed out and I sighed, letting my hand slump in my lap as Donnie reached to guide it back to the bruise. Behind him I made out what looked like the Royal Guards going out to check the gardens. They had been checking perimeters all the while searching for Raph.
"I know. I was just so worried about this new assassin and Raph being reckless. I didn't want him to go out without us," I murmured as Donnie looked sympathetic and understanding. "Now I ruined everything."
"You didn't," Donnie shook his head and planted one hand on his hip. "Raph will come back and I'll force him to listen to you and apologize, okay?"
I looked amused. "Sure, I'd love to see that." Though I secretly knew Don could really do it. Raph might hate me, but he had a soft spot for the younger siblings, even if Don was just minutes after him.
Donnie grinned and opened his mouth when we heard Mikey shriek from the next room, "Leo! Donnie, get in here!"
I rushed into the open area with Don in a heartbeat at hearing Mikey sounding so distraught. Donnie gasped and my eyes widened to see Casey wobble in our open area, holding his bloody side with his weapons in his other hand. I dropped the ice and it scattered on the floor as Donnie rushed forward.
"Casey, what happened to you?!" Donnie demanded as I knelt down with him. Mikey's tear stricken face was pale and fearful as he glanced down, standing near us.
"A-Attacked, F-Foot..." Casey breathed like he had run for miles. My eyes widened with a gasp at the mention of our enemy clan. I narrowed my eyes as Donnie pursed his lips unhappily and checked the wound.
"Where's Raph? Was he with you!?" I demanded and Casey looked up at me guiltily. My breath left me in a whoosh at the force of that look.
"He g-got Tigerclaw good with a s-smoke pellet, but this other dude got to Raph before he could escape with me," Casey explained sounding better and Donnie looked up with wide hurt eyes.
"Raph was taken?!" Mikey shrieked anxiously his baby blues flashing with worry. I felt my blood run cold. He said another person, so does that mean that the assassin did not get my brother?
"Sadly, yes Mikey, and I didn't see who it was but I came for help," Casey replied seriously, looking hurt and pissed in a way that I understood. I mashed my teeth together.
"Can you take us back to where he was taken?" I questioned with a cold tone. Casey and Donnie looked at me in surprise before Casey nodded. "Good, I'm taking you to Leatherhead and then you'll take me to that spot."
Mikey perked up at the mention of Leatherhead but I turned to him and Donnie next, knowing they would be just as stubborn as Raph when I added, "Mikey, you stay here with Donnie and don't go out for anything, okay?"
"What?!" Donnie boomed, startling Mikey and Casey and almost myself. "No Leo, you can't leave me behind like that! Raph is my brother too!"
I gave him a pointed look. "We can't take Mikey with us, Don. I also don't want you anywhere near Tigerclaw or whoever this person is. It's unsafe."
"Can't we just tell the Royal Guards and have them organize a rescue party?" Casey questioned and pipped down when I glared at him. It wasn't that I was mad at him but I was just having a hard time with my emotions at the moment. "Okay, let's hurry...I'm not feeling too good."
I nodded as Donnie backed away and I picked up Casey, letting him lean on me. I walked us towards the doors, which the Royal Guards opened, and looked back. "Don't tell Master Splinter about this. If he returns and asks, we're on a practice run."
Mikey and Donnie looked at me in stunned shock. "You want to lie to Master Splinter?! Why?"
"Because he will kick my ass if he finds out about Raph," I growled as Donnie face palmed and Mikey crossed his arms. I walked back out, the Royal Guards bowing at me, but not before hearing Mikey say, "If we get caught he'll kick all our butts, dude."
I ignored all the looks and whispers as I helped Casey all the way to Leatherhead's office. I walked in to see him leaning over a sickly brown haired woman along with his mentor, Dr. Rockwell.
Dr. Rockwell was the Hamato Clan's main scientist. He knows all about medicinal plants and chemicals in general. He's our best Healer and Leatherhead is learning from him. Dr. Rockwell had short shaved dark brown hair and light hazel gray eyes. His jaw was slighly squared and his eyebrows thick. Rockwell always wore a tannish white colored yukata, or light kimono.
"What has happened?!" Leatherhead demanded in shock as Dr. Rockwell quickly appointed him to care for Casey. Casey sighed as he relived his injury and I silently seethed. LH looked up at me with calculative dark green eyes.
"You should not have went off on your own," Leatherhead scolded as he glared at Casey, who had new stitches on his side. Casey sighed and shrugged a little as Leatherhead began to bandage Casey's waist. "How will the Royal Guard handle the situation?"
"I am about to go tell them now," I lied through my teeth and watched Casey raise an eyebrow at me. I grabbed his arm and gently hauled him up as Leatherhead finished, looking suspicious. Casey wrenched away to put his shirt and cloak back on. "I just wanted to treat Casey first, thank you."
"You're welcome," He bowed respectively at me and I turned. "Oh and Leonardo?" I turned to look at him expectantly. My eyes widened at his knowing and promising look. Leatherhead was smart and seemed to know everything most times. "Whatever you're planning better not cause harm to Michelangelo or I'll hunt you down."
Casey paled in a little of fear. I just nodded because I was used to LH's protectiveness of my baby brother and I understood it. Mikey was his first friend, the first one that could see him for who he was and not where he came from. Mikey doesn't know the truth about LH's past and we all hope he doesn't find out for awhile. It did, however, annoy me that he thinks I wouldn't protect Mikey myself.
With that assurance from LH, I was on my way to finding Raph again.
Raphael's Point of View:
When I came to I was starin' at tha almost afternoon sky. I blinked in surprise before sittin' upright, but my head pound at that action. A hand stilled me and I tensed, flickin' my eyes ta a man hoverin' over me.
I was very surprised ta see Xever, an infamous theif bandit one that Casey and I try to hunt, tha one hoverin' over me with an unreadable expression on his face. Even though we hunt tha Purple Dragons too and other bandits, we never seen Xever in person before. Xever ran with no one. He was a lone bandit that most known as "Shadow".
"Be careful, you are somewhat injured," He warned and I snorted, slightly curious about his own accent. He rose an eyebrow as he put away a tanto, or dagger, away in his dark belt of many weapons. He had many tantos, but also had a koshirae, or a curved sword that was wrapped with green and black cord at tha handle. He had brown leather pants, black boots, and a black metal plated armor shirt.
"You injured me pal," I growled and Xever suddenly looked amused.
"It was the only way to get you to come willingly," Xever commented and I narrowed my eyes. So he kidnapped me? Probably for ransom money or maybe a bounty reward? At this point I wouldn't be surprised. "Otherwise that new guy would have taken you. So, what do I call you?"
I looked at him in surprise. So much for not bein' surprised. He didn't recongize me? I quickly realized he must of been tha one I sensed in tha shadows while bein' attacked. So he must of heard Tigerclaw's confusion of me and Casey. "I'm Casey."
"Casey, huh?" Xever smirked a little and I nodded, scowlin' at him as I sat up some more, tryin' ta get in a good position ta be ready to defend myself. "Interesting."
"So...why did you help me?" I asked curiously. Matter of fact, why was he even there in tha first place?
"Eh, I just didn't want him to take you," Xever shrugged while crossin' his arms as he leaned away. I was glad that he did. I stretched my neck while still lookin' curious. "I own this turf, not him. I was interested in what he was doin' here and decided it'd be fun to spoil his plans."
"Gee, you're amazin'," I stated sarcastically, thinkin' of how ta get back ta my family. I was surprised when he rolled his eyes and laughed. "So you're not here for a ransom or somethin'?"
"Unless you think you're worth good money," He teased and I growled at him. "Casey, right? I heard that you're the bodyguard of that Hamato Prince?"
I stiffened only slightly. "Eh, I was just in the wrong place at tha wrong time."
"I see," He smirked as he stood away. I noticed that we were in a clearin' that had a small creak. "Well Casey, count yourself lucky. I don't usually help people."
"I can see that," I rolled my eyes. He turned to me again. "You're Xever, or otherwise known as Shadow. And ya just saved me cause ya felt like it?"
He laughed a little. "You kinda remind me of myself that's all..." My eyes widened slightly.
Xever was different than what I imagined him ta be. But that would change if he figures out that I'm actually Raphael Hamato...
Leonardo's Point of View:
We made it to the spot Casey pointed out to me was the area where all the action took place. I was mildly surprised to see the crates and wheel wagons from the attacked village scattered or turned over everywhere. There were no bodies and I did not sense anyone close enough.
"This is where the fight and capture happened," Casey scowled as I remained impassive, using my skills to search for any trace of my brother. I nearly had a heart attack at the blood on the ground. To my left I saw the forest that most people avoided. "Look Leo, I'm sorry."
"What for Casey?" I asked without turning to look at him as I scanned the forest.
"I failed in protecting Raph. I'm supposed to be better than that," Casey sounded like me in that moment so I turned and smiled a little at him, clamping him on his shoulder for comfort. He looked surprised.
"You did your best, Casey, and ran all the way to me with that injury. I'm happy with that," I promised and Casey beamed. There was a rustle in the leaves and we both snapped at the ready, our weapons in our hands.
I was very surprised to see Leatherhead step through, a feral look on his face. I blinked as we lost our stances. "LH, what are you doing following us?"
"I was worried about everyone..." Leatherhead started before looking annoyed and angry. I rose an eyebrow. Angry, yes, but annoyed? Leatherhead doesn't get annoyed. Like ever. "But..." He sidestepped and I saw both of my little brothers looking sheepish behind him. Don looked ready to shrink into the ground and Mikey was hiding behind him. "These two were following you."
"How could you?!" I shouted at Donnie, who flinched. Casey also scowled. "I told you it was dangerous and you even brought Mikey?!"
"We wanted to help get our brother too!" Donnie protested heatedly. "Raph's my twin! I could help!" I face palmed and sighed.
"I wanted to have some action too," Mikey pouted before paling at Leatherhead's scolding look. I sighed longer this time.
"You are to listen to me and stay back at all times, understood?" I asked darkly and they both nodded with smiles. Casey rolled his eyes and turned to me. "Leatherhead, keep Mikey back?" LH nodded almost immediately and Mikey groaned.
I kept moving in the direction of the forest, Casey on one side and Donnie on my other. I kept glaring at him and he'd smile innocently. God, why are my baby brothers so stubborn? And where the hell was Raph?
It ended up being half an hour before I took Casey with me to scope a little further and for the others to remain where they were, searching there too.
Michelangelo's Point of View:
I was so bummed that Leo and Leatherhead were so mad at us. I agreed when Donnie told me to get my nunchucks soon after Leo left! I thought of this as an adventure that I never get to take but we were halfway close to Leo when Leatherhead found us and he was livid at the thought of me out here especially after that incident earlier.
I sighed as Donnie talked heatedly with Leatherhead, who was still angry at Donnie for taking me out. Both were arguing over which way would be better to search or if we should stay here. I was getting bored with their arguements.
I looked to my right and gasped as I saw this beautiful butterfly floating away from me. It had pretty colors I had hardly seen before on a bug! It was blue and purple shades reminding me of Leo and Donnie!
I followed it and continued to try and reach for it but it kept escaping me! How lame! I can't even catch a butterfly! I gasped as it eventually sped off up high. I pouted and turned but then froze. Where was Leatherhead and Donnie?
I panicked, almost ready to yell when I remembered Leo said that was a bad thing. I whimpered quietly until I heard something. Straining and taking out my nunchucks I was able to tell that it was voices! Maybe it's them! I rushed forward with a big smile, but still armed just in case, when I came through a very small clearing with a creak.
I nearly bumped into someone and shrieked when I saw that it was that Xever guy from earlier. I reacted without thinking. I hit him across the head with one of my nunchucks, literally jumping to do it, and screamed.
"LEATHERHEAD! DONNIE! It's that weird but smart dark-skinned stick man called Xever!" I shouted loudly, hearing it echo for miles. I was about to hit again, since he looked like he was recovering, when something fell over my mouth and I yelped.
Raphie looked down at me looking anything but happy. His green eyes were sparked with fury and I noticed Xever got up slowly and was looking dizzy and pale.
"Mikey!" I distantly heard someone shout, probably Donnie. Raph heard it too and his shoulders tensed, sending Xever a look as he still held his hand over my mouth. Suddenly Raph twitched in surprise when Leatherhead appeared quite literally out of nowhere, glaring at everyone but me at the moment. I blinked.
"Mikey!" Both Donnie and Leo came into the clearing with a very pissed Casey hardly in tow. Oh man, I am so in trouble. They all looked at Xever, who was rubbing his almost bloody head in surprise.
Leo and Donnie quickly took defensives positions on either side of Raph and I while Leatherhead stood behind me. Interally I was happy they cared so much about me, but...seriously?
Xever wiped his eyes and then looked around, his gaze focusing at last. I almost felt bad about hitting him. Almost.
"Don't move," Leo snapped as he drew one of katana's and pointed it at the famous theif. Xever looked calm and collected if not a little understanding. "Hands where I can see them!" Xever complied while looking at Raph, who finally let go of my mouth to push me closer to LH.
"So...who nailed me just now?" Xever asked and I saw Donnie looked surprised at his first question.
"We'll be asking the questions, Xever," Leo growled. Leave it to the future Hamato Clan Lord to know who everyone was. Xever's eyes brightened though. "Why did you kidnap my brother?"
I noticed Raph sigh and face palm. I rose an eyebrow, feeling confused. Xever's eyes dimmed and he frowned. "Brother? I thought he was a bodyguard?"
Casey and Raph shared a look. Casey stepped forward only slightly. "I'm the bodyguard. Casey Jones."
Xever didn't seem so surprised anymore as he faced Raph, glaring slightly. "So you were Prince Raphael all along?" Raph said nothing. "Well that explains the rest of the Hamato Princes."
"Enough with the talk," Leo growled. "Answer my question! Why did you take Prince Raphael?" Xever closed his mouth firmly. Raph came up, one sai in one hand and the other clapping Leo's shoulder.
"He saved me from gettin' captured by Tigerclaw, Bro," Raph said as I gazed at the theif in shock. I noticed his look at me once before ducking his head. "Let him go."
"Are you crazy, Raph?!" Donnie interrupted looking mutinous and confused. "He's Shadow! We can't just let him go, he's a criminal!"
"He saved my life!" Raph reminded with a glare. Xever seemed unaffected as he stared at Leo, whose eyes never left Xever. I glanced up at LH to see him glaring at the theif also. "Are we really gonna ignore that because he's infamous?"
"Yes," Leo nearly snarled. "He could have killed you if he discovered who you were. And one good action does not excuse a long list of bad ones."
Raph glared at the ground, looking understanding. I frowned as I clenched my nunchucks and suddenly Xever looked at all of us before his eyes landed on my weapons. He looked angry and shocked at the same time.
"What?" He boomed that made all of us flinch, even Leo. He glared at me, suddenly looking embarrassed. "You hit me? You're just a kid!"
He jumped backwards in that same moment and drew his koshirae. I blinked in surprise. It seemed like the natorious infamous "Shadow" didn't like being bested by a kid like me. But hey, payback for this morning!
My bro's covered me a little more, Casey hunched over in a attack position, and Leatherhead literally roared. Whatever it was about LH, aside from his menacing face and build, made Xever wary and a bit frightened because he again did not move to get me or anyone else for that matter. It was almost as if Xever knew LH.
"Don't underestimate me again," Xever glared at us, namely me and Raph, before he jumped into the trees and we heard the rustles. Leo looked conflicted in following him. Casey groaned as he crossed his arms, also looking conflicted.
"Are you okay?" Donnie demanded once he turned to look at Raph. Raph blinked in surprise as Donnie didn't wait for his answer and examined the rip in Raph's reddish dark orange kimono. Blood was stained around it.
"I'm fine, Donnie. Just a small cut," Raph rolled his eyes and pushed Donnie away slightly. Leo finally turned and just glared at Raph. Raph narrowed his eyes and I decided to break the tension.
"I'm so happy my Raphie's okay!" I chirped as I jumped on him. He grunted in surprise but I refused to let go and he just patted my head. I knew he hated attention like this if others were around. Leo and Donnie sighed as I happily rubbed my head on Raph's chest. I had been so scared that the scary assassin got my big brother!
"Since we know you're okay now let's get you fixed up and back in the house," Leo suggested as he no longer looked as mad but relieved. Donnie nodded and Raph sighed, trying to pry me off.
I squealed when Leatherhead gently pried me off. I wiggled in his grip and he laughed at my attempts. Raph thanked Leatherhead and smirked at me. I pouted as I was carried the whole way home by an amused Leatherhead.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
No one's Point of View:
"My Lord!" A Foot messenger bowed at the foot of Oroku Saki's golden throne. "A message from Tigerclaw, my Lord."
Saki, or recently known as Shredder, growled as he snatched the scrowl from teh cowering messenger. His eye scanned the scroll and he snarled angrily, throwing it a the ground as the messenger flinched hard.
"Tigerclaw failed me?!" Shredder boomed and the messenger quite literally had to fly away when Shredder stood. "It was a simple task and he failed?"
"It says that his attempts to draw the Hamato Princes out failed, Father," A young woman declared as she stepped into view, holding the recently thrown scroll. She had short chin lengthed black hair and red designs painted from her amber eyes. She had black and silver metal plate clothes that supported her own man made tanto.
"Karai," Shredder acknowledged angrily. "Indeed. Tigerclaw reports that the security is indeed well represented. He was not able to draw out the Princes."
"But Father, he succeeded in drawing out Hamato Raphael, but failed in capturing him because of his bodyguard." Karai added as Shredder looked at her in thought, scowling. "I know that you want them all, but was he not supposed to target Hamato Leonardo?"
"Yes," Shredder agreed in a growl. "He is the next Clan Lord. I want Hamato Yoshi to suffer in the worst ways possible."
"Father, if I may," Karai asked and Shredder nodded, sending a look to the still cowering messenger that Karai almost felt sorry for. "Even if you kill Hamato Leonardo, Hamato Yoshi would still have three other aires."
"I know Karai," Shredder snapped as he turned to sit back on his throne again. "This is why I have sent many assassins. Tigerclaw is one of the best. He will not fail me again. I want all Hamato Princes destroyed so Hamato Yoshi will know my wrath."
"Then why not send me too?" Karai suggested and immediately bowed her head to him when he glared at her.
"I have considered this," He replied angrily. She looked hesitant in her own words. She didn't like it but... "I have a new plan of action."
"New plan?" Karai asked looking confused.
"Everyone knows how much the Hamato Kingdom loves Hamato Michelangelo," Shredder explained as Karai's eyes widened slightly. "He is still a child and would be easier to obtain. I propose we capture him to lure the others. If he is taken I'm sure the finest warriors will come for him. We can slaughter them and I can have my revenge."
Karai was secretly horrified and tried to keep it from her face. "But Father, is it not dishonorable to hurt a child?"
Shredder appeared to not have heard her as he turned with a malicious smile behind his kabuto helmet. His black eyes sparked with evil. "Imagine the look on Hamato Yoshi's face when he watches his only baby die in front of him. Then the rest of those wretched Hamato Princes."
Karai opened her mouth but he suddenly turned to her. "Karai, I am sending you to help Tigerclaw accomplish the abduction. I want Hamato Michelangelo alive to lure them into my Kingdom."
Despite Karai's personal beliefs, she bowed. "Hai, Father."
Shredder turned to the fearful messenger. "Send word to Tigerclaw about the new mission and Karai's impending arrival."
"Hai, Master Shredder," He replied with a bow as he fled the room. Karai bowed again before taking her leave, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.
Hamato or not, could she really lure a child to suffer at her Father's hands?
Shredder better not touch Mikey! I'm with Karai on this one. I can't believe that! Anyways, hope you enjoyed! I am still working on my other two stories. Currently writing in my free time!
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your thoughts! STAY AWESOME! ;3