IMPORTANT: I won't be writing this to the episode "The Pulverizer" as I saw little appeal to write Lynx into this. So I decided that I wanted you to see her skills as soon as possible, so this will be a completely independent episode, taking place between "The Alien Agenda" and "The Pulverizer."

Thanks to my reviews! It's great to hear from readers, and knowing you guys are enjoying the story makes it so much more fun to write, knowing other people enjoy it too!

Chapter 2: Death Adder

Lynx's POV

I walked down the long passage to Shredder's throne, sitting there, his outline proud and powerful. I could respect that. I respected my master so much, for his strength and leadership. He'd led the clan well for the past twenty years, given our group a new life in a new country, and had been a good father to my best friend.

I knelt at his feet, greeting, "Hello, Master. I hope sleep treated you well."

Shredder cut in, "Save your pleasantries, Lynx. What do you want?"

Ah great. He's in a bad mood. "I wish to eliminate the turtles, my way. I can easily destroy them if I'm allowed to use my methods."

Shredder had no hesitation. "Go. Do whatever it takes. Kill the turtles, but Hamato can be dead or alive. Just bring him back."

Lynx smiled cruelly. "I will be in their lair before nightfall."

No one can deny I know my trade.

I was always prepared for my needs, ready to leap into action. However, something this delicate took more planning.

I arranged for a group of Foot to corner her in an alley, the soldiers preparing as I began her transformation. Dying her hair blonde with wash out dye, I blotted out my tattoos with makeup, putting in contacts that made my eyes burn, but added blue to turn my eyes green. Pinning my hair back and switching into street clothes, I stared in the mirror. I felt so naked without my armor, but I knew I'd be okay. My shobos hidden in pockets of my jeans, my needles lining the insides of my arms in their sheaths, I was ready.

I led the soldiers silently to the alley, where I posted several soldiers on lookout. An hour later, the turtles were incoming and it was showtime.

I'd told the soldiers to have no mercy. I wasn't their ally at the moment. I was their victim.

Several soldiers crept toward me and I got into my act. Terror crept into my face and I screamed in fear. "Help! Somebody help me!"

A soldier's hard grip clasped around my arm and I let my fake tears fall. "Please, help!"

I threw a pathetic punch I never would've been caught dead using without disguise, and a soldier hesitated before punching me across the jaw. It was definitely a good hit, and a tiny smile hit my face before I went back into character. He pulled me up and a hand clasped around my mouth- and it happened. The soldiers went down in a flash, the one holding me dropping.

Clutching my sore cheek, I let awe creep into my eyes as I looked at the turtles.

Leonardo panicked as he saw me staring. "Uh..."

I murmured, "You- You saved me!"

Raphael asked, "You're not scared of us?"

I smiled, over-exaggerating my wince at the forming bruise. "I'm just happy you saved me."

Michelangelo asked, "Hey, you okay dudette?"

I nodded. "Yes, thank you." I looked around fearfully. "But I'm worried they'll come back."

Donatello asked, "Why are they after you?"

I had thought my lie through well, and now performed it to perfection. "I think it's because I saw them the other day. They were making a deal with some shady guys, so I listened. They saw me and I got away, but..." Tears started forming in my eyes again. "I'm scared!"

The turtles panicked and I felt a flash of pride. These idiots were like any boys: they couldn't stand up to a girl's tears.

Leo smiled politely. "Excuse us for a second." They turned and huddled, but I could still hear. There were perks to having mutant parents, though my physical mutations were suppressed.

"I say we bring her to the lair."

"Right after you fall for one girl's craziness, you want to bring another home?"

"I never brought Karai to the lair!"

"Guys, what else are we going to do? I mean, if she has intel, we can't just leave her for the Foot to catch. Who knows what they'd do to a cute little girl like her."

"Wow, and I thought your thing was for April, dude."

I watched as one of the turtles whacked the othe rover the head.

"So I'd say that's three to one."

One groaned, muttering, "Fine, just ignore me again."

Leo stood straight, smiling at me. "Hey, would you mind coming with us? We want to keep you safe from the Foot."

I hated what came next, but my act needed to be perfect, infallible. So I squealed like an overjoyed child and hugged the blue-banded turtle. "Thank you! I was scared they'd come back, but you four seem so cool!"

I released the turtle to see he was beet red. Pathetic. This would be my easiest mission yet.

Raph insisted, "We can't just let her see where the lair is."

Donatello brightened. "Hey, if she doesn't mind, we could blindfold her."

I cheerfully piped, "I don't mind! And my name is Sarah." I'd seen this coming. They wouldn't want me to know, but it wouldn't matter once they were dead.

A strip of cloth from around one of the turtles hand went over my eyes, and one turtle gently grabbed me. "Going to have to carry you for this part."

"That's okay-ahhh!"

I squealed as we dropped, splashing down. I'd known they'd lived in the sewers, but it was much more evident now with the stench so powerful, my advanced senses were crying.

Keeping up my childish act, I hugged the turtle's arm. "Please don't let go."

"Don't worry, I've got you."

Fifteen minutes later, I was allowed to remove the blindfold, seeing that past a row of turnstiles, these reptiles had made themselves quite at home.

A living room was the plaza, a TV, couches, and carpet all arranged at the bottom. I admired, "Wow, this is amazing!"

The boys jumped the turnstiles, but, preserving my image, I gently slid underneath.

Mikey greeted, "Welcome to our lair! Mi casa es su casa."

I giggled girlishly as Leonardo said, "I'd better tell Sensei we have a guest." He ran off as a flash of anger spread through my chest. Hamato Yoshi.

I couldn't count the number of times I'd heard the grievances against him, but it was always a hard memory when I thought of the few times when Karai had been rocked by her mother's death again. Those times were the only I'd ever seen her cry.

This man and his students would pay for the pain they'd caused the leader of my family and my best friend.

"Hey, Sarah? Wanna sit down?"

Donatello was looking at me expectantly. I smiled, nodding. "Yes, please!"

Just as I sat down, the turtle I was told went by Mikey asked, "So, where're you from, Sarah?"

I answered, "I have an apartment in Manhattan. I was just on my way home from work when you all saved me!" I grinned again, cheeks aching from the act. "Thanks again!"

Mikey shrugged. "No biggie! We fight the Foot and the Kraang all the time."

I frowned, tilting my head. "The Kraang? What're those?"

Donnie responded, "Um, they're bad guys that have been messing with the city." He gave Mikey a glance that I could read all too easily: don't tell everything.

Mikey slowly said, "Yeah... They wear suits and... uh, have guns."

I forced a shiver. "Oh, they sound scary!"

"Don't worry, you're safe here." Donnie attempted to pulled attention away from Kraang. "So, you like your apartment?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it's me and my dad, so it's not so cramped, at least."

That was my first mistake.

Mikey asked, "But don't you humans usually have moms?"

I shrugged, keeping calm. "Mine left as a kid." Not much truth, but at least I didn't have to fake the streak of bitterness hidden in the words.

It became silent as Donnie softly said, "Sorry, Mikey's stupid. He brings up the worst-"

"It's alright, it doesn't bother me anymore." I smiled again, realizing a bit of the reason my cheeks hurt was one of them was light purple.

Donnie again changed the subject, offering, "I'll get you some ice for your cheek."

I shook my head. "It's alright, I'm fine."

"I've got it, Don."

I looked up to see the turtle- Leonardo- that had gone to speak with their treacherous master had returned, walking to another room. He quickly returned, holding out an ice pack.

I took it to keep up the act, beaming. "Thank you!"

The turtle returned a small smile as a mountain of a rat in a red kimono with the Hamato Clan mark. True to my character, I gasped. "He's..."

Mikey supplied, "A rat?"

I exclaimed, "So tall!"

The boys deadpanned as I smiled ignorantly, the irony laughably strong. They didn't know that they were the ignorant ones.

Donnie whispered to Raph, "I don't think she's the brightest."

Raph agreed, "Definitely a Mikey."

Their younger brother protested this as Splinter approached the girl. "You are not scared of my appearance?"

I shrugged. "I've never been very scared of rodents. I live in New York."

This seemed to please him, if only slightly. Disgust threatened my smile, disgust at causing such a monster pleasure.

He introduced, "I am Splinter, and these are my sons. I've been told the Foot have threatened you."

I nodded, fearful again. "Yeah, I saw them with... I think they were called Purple Dragons? They were talking about... Hmm..." I put my hand to my chin as if deep in thought. I knew my part. "Oh, that was it! They were talking about using the weapons in the secret storehouse to team up and kill their enemies! I guess I know who they were talking about now."

Leo's eyes widened. "A secret warehouse full of weapons?"

Donnie asked quickly, "Like what?"

I frowned, as if thinking. "I think they mentioned somthing about Kraang..."

Mikey wailed, causing me to jolt in pain. The sound! Oh, it hurt my ears! But I passed it off as surprise as the turtle raced brother to brother. "Guys, they've got the Kraang locked in a warehouse!"

Leo gave his brother an annoyed look. "Or they've gotten their hands on Kraang technology."

Raph spun his sais. "Then let's go destroy the factory before they can do anything with that stuff!"

Leo frowned. "But we don't know where it is."

Raph explained, "Then we beat up Purple Dragons until they tell us!"

Splinter warned, "Careful, my sons. You never know what threats lie in the shadows."

I had to bite the side of my cheek to keep from smiling. Oh, they had no idea.

Leo nodded. "Hai, Sensei. Alright, let's go!"

Perfect. My plan was going perfectly.

I turned to Yoshi, smiling innocently. "So, how'd you turn into a rat?"

Splinter said, "It is an arduous story, child. Come, would you like some tea?"

I nodded. Assuming it wasn't poisoned, "Sarah" was polite and would've loved it. I needed to put my plan into motion soon, though.

I followed him into a dojo that didn't fit in with the dank sewer walls. He gestured for me to sit and I did so. He set some tea to heat and sat with me.

My eyes wandered, soon finding a picture of three people in black and white.

Splinter followed my gaze and explained, "That is me, and my old family." I frowned at him and he continued, "I lost my wife and child many years ago to a man I thought was a friend."

My fists clenched, one tightening on the ice pack I now lowered to set on my lap. The lies this man could tell with a straight face! I was a liar as well, yes, but I could never lie about my parents quite like that. My lies were to benefit my family, not myself.

Splinter seemed to pick up on my anger. "Does something trouble you?"

I struggled to force my voice back into submission, but not all of it would return to the act. "Fine."

He eyed me and I gave up. I needed to end this anyway. "Sorry, I'm just a bit cold." I pretended to rub my arm, slipping my smallest needles, barely an inch long, between my fingers, but the rat saw.

He swung his cane and I flipped backwards, flinging my needles as I did so. So small and harmless, he barely attempted to dodge them, one bouncing off his cane, two harmlessly hitting his kimono, but one went unseen and managed to penetrate his paw.

He twitched slightly but didn't react much. I grinned. My victory was assured.

Splinter demanded, "Who are you?"

I rubbed the makeup from my eyes, letting my claw tattoos show, albeit faded. "Lynx. I happen to be the best of Shredder's soldiers."

Splinter's eyes widened. "So, Saki still grips to his anger."

I narrowed my eyes. "No, he holds the truth until it comes to light!" I lunged forward, shobos quickly on my hands, and I was lunging forward. I managed one touch before a paw slapped my arm away, my legs swept from under me. I rolled with it, stabbing a shobo into his leg. Drops of scarlet marked my hit as the rat staggered.

I spun to my knees as the rat whipped his hand into mine, twisting my arm, turning me so it was behind me.

He demanded, "You use the weapons of an assassin?"

I grinned. "Why shouldn't I? I'm an assassin, after all. Twelve suspected kills, twenty-six confirmed-" I used the shobo on my twisted hand, twitching so it jabbed the artery in his wrist. Red spurted and his grip loosened. "And after I kill you and the turtles, thirty-one."

The rat growled in anger, but I could feel it. He was slowing, his movement stiffer. I twisted my wrist to grab his, swinging my arm to yank him off balance.

I taunted, "Do you feel it? The venom slowly paralyzing you?" She laughed. "I couldn't imagine a better way to kill a rat than the creatures who prey on them."

Splinter swung his cane, but he was slowing. I leapt backwards, out of the blow. I jumped forward, jabbing a shobo into his sternum. The rat gasped as I took another needle and drove the tip into his shoulder. He winced, the poison doubling its effects.

I smiled. "Death adder poison usually doesn't kill for a full twenty-four hours, but technology's grown. Now my favorite pet's venom is twelve hours to kill. Double dose like this... six."

Splinter glared at me, attempting one more sweep of the legs, but I stomped down on his foot, making him yell in pain. "Only minutes for paralysis to set in."

I made another jab into his jugular notch, instantly knocking him out cold.

I prepared myself for what came next, taking a deep breath. I couldn't help a chuckle as I went in and poured myself a cup of tea from what the rat had been making. I at least got something to tide me over for an hour.

I took the time to clean off my makeup and remove my disguise, though I couldn't do much about my hair at the moment. Yet it was two hours before the turtles returned.

I heard their voices before anything else.

"I can't believe we ran all over looking for this warehouse and couldn't find it! What happens when they corner us with that stuff?"

"I dunno, but I'm going to talk to Splinter, check on Sarah."

I sat next to the limp rat, sipping tea when the dojo door opened. Leonardo stared, horrified. "Y-You're-"

I put a finger up, taking a swig. He drew his katana and I moved my other hand to be over the rat's head, the point of my shobo to the nape of his neck. "Uh uh uh. I wouldn't be too hasty."

Leo glared at me. "What did you do to Splinter?!" Rage like I'd never expected from his likes came.

Another turtle asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Leo?" Donatello came to the door, anger and fear taking over his mind. "Sensei!"

The other two were quickly there, glaring and shaking in rage, fear, or both.

I ordered calmly, "Now, I've already poisoned the rat, but if you insist, I can end him now. But if you want him to live, then you should drop your weapons."

The turtles looked at me with absolute hate, but complied. I was true to my word, pulling my shobo away from the rodent, but immediately, I left it for my throwing needles, the defenseless turtles open to my attacks.

They curled into their shells, but I'd already gotten Raphael and Donatello. I paused before throwing again, my aim perfect. The needles slipped right into the slots for their limbs of the remaining two.

I laughed. "Stop hiding, reptiles! I'm done with you. My poison's in your systems and nothing can save you."

The turtles emerged, and just to be sure, I threw again, doubling their dosage to make it more effective. I knew I could take them, but I wanted to be sure of their demise.

Donatello and Michelangelo shook, struggling to stay up. They were obviously much weaker. I lunged forward, jabbing my shobo into their collarbones to make it quicker, the two falling. A sharp pain made me whip around.

A sai tip had been thrust into my side, but I quickly knocked it away, jabbing my shobo both under his arm and at his neck. Three turtles down, one to go.

I turned to see Leonardo still standing, breathing hard with katanas drawn. He growled, "We trusted you."

I mused, "And yet I seem to remember warning you about this sort of thing only a few days ago." I lunged forward, using my shobo to push one of the katana's away, slipping past the other to jab my second weapon into his bicep from below.

His arm went limp from the nerve I'd damaged, dropping his weapon. I hit again with my shobo at his neck, sending him down to the ground in a heap. "Hmm, and you really should've taken my advice."

I turned away to get another sip of green tea when my ankle exploded in pain. Yelling, I fell, but quickly whirled on my good foot. Leonardo had somehow still swiped his katana that he'd loosely gripped on the ground. I glared, his sword having cut just above my Achilles tendon. Any lower, and it could've damaged me much worse, though even now I had to grit my teeth against the pain.

I hissed, "You're desperate to die, aren't you?" Standing and trying to keep pressure off my other leg, I limped over, placing my good foot on the katana marked with my blood. "Well, your wish is granted, reptile."

I was about to drive the spiked end of my shobo into the nape of his neck when my fist was caught by a green hand, the two green fingers going around the shobo point. I attempted to wrench my hand from Leonardo's grip, but somehow he was strong enough to hold tight.

I scowled. "I don't know how you're still moving, reptile. But no longer." I drove my other shobo into his arm, near his elbow, making him release my hand. I wasn't going to give him a silent death any longer.

I knelt so to push my shobo into his throat- a killing blow- when an arm hit me again, this time in the face.

I fell slightly back, touching my new cut gently. "Oooh, I don't like you." But my glare turned to wide-eyed shock as the blue-bearing turtle pushed to one knee, shaking hard but getting up. How? HOW?! No one could fight a death adder's venom like this, especially not when it was so refined to act quickly!

We stood in unison, but I wasn't as shaky as him. He'd gotten a few taps in, that's all. He was still poisoned and had six hours to death. I had a guarantee on my victory. "I don't know how you're still moving, but I'll fix that."

He raised his katana, struggling to hold it steady. I however, held my shobos with stable hands, though my leg and side still bled, my nose like a fire. I would end this soon though.

Leonardo growled, "Y-You won't hurt my family anymore."

I chuckled. "You're about two hours too late for that." I lunged forward with my shobo, jabbing them into several pressure points on his arms, making him lean on his katana. I went for the kill once again, swinging my arm up toward his chin from below, but he moved forward. My shobo caught in his shell, but despite how I pulled, I couldn't get it loose. "Damn it!" I released the weapon, spin kicking the turtle down.

He lay on his back, a tiny thread of red trailing his lips, breathing hard. I was tired of this. I should've been able to kill this stupid reptile already!

Yet he still pushed to his feet again, shaking worse than before, but he was standing.

I growled, "This was entertaining about yesterday, turtle." I swept in, knowing the turtle had little more than a weak punch to him now. I lashed out with my shobo and- felt a stab of pain in my side. It wasn't much, just a jolt, yet I glanced down to see...

Three of my throwing needles were imbedded in my side.

No. No no no no no! This wasn't happening! I forced myself to calm. I kept anti-venom on myself always. After all, it would be stupid not to, with how much I handle venom. But a triple dose... I could already feel my body stiffening as the venom spread quickly.

My other shobo slipped off my loosened grip, clattering to the ground. I swayed, attempting a punch at the turtle, but I was slowing already. Yet he moved as if the venom barely affected him, knocking my hand aside.

Anti-venom. I needed it right now! I shakily reached for it in my pocket, muttering, "This isn't happening, I'm not failing." I couldn't be. I had never before failed like this. My failures were private, never on missions. I'd never missed a kill before.

My fingers finally clasped the syringe and bottle of anti-venom when my legs were knocked out from under me. I fell on my back, my body too stiff to move. I was going to die. But at least my mission would be a success.

"You shouldn't have messed with my family."

I panicked as I felt my hand pushed out of my pocket by a hand with three fingers, wrapped in cloth. Yet I was soothed by another thought- there was only enough anti-venom for one person. Four out of five would stain my record, but I would count it as a good enough to comfort me in death.

The venom seemed to grab hold of me, clenching my lungs in its cold grip. It was already getting hard to breathe. I knew it was only hours until I ceased to function entirely. But I had succeeded. I brought honor to my clan in death. My last bit of strength went to a minuscule smile as I closed my eyes and let sleep take me before death could.

Donnie's POV

I felt a sharp jab in my arm, and it was a few minutes later that I realized- I could move again! The venom had made my body feel like it was clenched in vice grips everywhere, but I was free again. Opening my eyes and flexing my arms, I took in the room. Splinter and my brothers were all down, and to my surprise, Lynx was as well. Three of her own spikes in her side, she smiled at the ceiling like she'd given it a secret to keep while she slept.

Leo was next to me, grimacing. I sat up, crouching over him protectively. "Leo! What happened? I just remember Lynx-"

"I took her down. She had that." He couldn't do more than flick his eyes at the syringe still in my arm I hadn't noticed. I pulled it out, looking between it and the empty bottle in Leo's hand.

I thought outloud, "Anti-venom." I looked down at him. "Why me?"

Leo winced from the effort to move his lips. "Because you have to make more. There was only enough for one person... you're the only one who can make more." I stared at my brother as he closed his eyes wearily. "Know... you can do... it..."

I stared for a few more seconds, stunned. I shook myself out of it- I had to save my brothers and father!

It was a two hours spent in the lab, studying one of Lynx's needles I'd tentatively taken and the drops of anti-venom left in the bottle. Replicating it was difficult, the venom being so potent, but I managed!

I quickly injected it into all my family, worriedly watching for a few minutes. Nothing was happening! Had I gotten it wrong? Oh no, if I had...

"Ugh, dude... I feel like street pizza."

I looked up again, grinning and tackling Mikey in a hug. "Mikey! You're not dead!"

Mikey blinked. "I'm not?" He looked at himself. "Hey, I'm not! Sweet!"

Leo stirred next, rubbing his head. "Ow..." He looked down, wide-eyed at the shobo still lodged in his shell. "Oh. Forgot about that." He yanked hard, managing to pull it out, but a scar was left in his shell.

Raph growled, "I'm going to skin a Lynx and wear it like a scarf when we beat Shredder."

Sensei finally blinked awake, sitting up. "My sons?"

Leo grinned. "We're okay, Sensei." His grin turned to me. "Thanks to Donnie."

Raph gave me a grudging smile. "Thanks, bro."

Mikey cheered, "Donnie! Donnie! Donnie!"

Sensei stood, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You've done well, Donatello. I'm very proud."

I beamed. This couldn't have gone better! Except, you know, if we'd never brought Lynx into the lair in the first place. Speaking of...

"Thanks, Sensei. But what do we do about Lynx?"

Leo studied the girl who lay eagle-spread on the ground, still smiling. "... Donnie, do yo have any more anti-venom?"

I stared. "Wh-What?! You want to help her?!"

Leo said, "I know she tried to kill us, but that doesn't mean we should just let her die."

Raph protested, "She wants to kill us, Leo! She'll do it again if we let her go!"

Leo insisted, "Well then go ahead and kill her in cold blood, Raph!"

My brother suddenly hesitated, looking at the girl. He sighed. "... You're right."

Everyone stared in complete shock. "What?"

"He's right. I can't kill her. It's not right. But we have to do something about her."

Sensei agreed, "Showing mercy is a difficult decision. But perhaps mercy will be shown to us one day because of it."

Leo looked at me. "Donnie?"

I looked down. She'd tried to kill us, but I wasn't sure I could live with knowing I could've saved her. "Fine. I'll get another dose."

Lynx's POV

I was sure death shouldn't have hurt this much. I mean, I was dead! I shouldn't have a body to feel pain! Yet I ached everywhere, certain parts worse than others.

I tried to see, and found that I opened my eyes to the sky.

"I'm alive." I sat up, wincing at just about everything. "Why am I alive?"

I looked over myself, finding one of the sheaths for my needles under my sweatshirt sleeves was gone, a red mark now there that I recognized as a needle's insertion point. "What...?"

I was alive, and it was obvious to me how. What confused me was why. Why would my enemies, who I had nearly killed, have saved me? They couldn't have split the antidote- I made sure it was just enough for one person so my enemies had no chance, even if I was defeated (yes, I'd planned for defeat in my future). If they'd tried to split it, I wouldn't be alive. Had they somehow had some on hand? That was ridiculous! Could they have made more? Even if they had somehow, why would they save their enemy?

I pushed these thoughts away. I needed to return to the Foot. Shredder would want to know the results of my mission.

My blood froze in my veins as if the venom hadn't left. God, he was going to be angry. I would take any punishment he gave, but I didn't want to think of disappointing my clan. Saki wasn't my father, but he'd felt like it at times. He'd trained me alongside Karai, felt pride in me as his student. It was more than my mother had ever given me.

I picked myself up, wincing. The spikes in my side were gone, though they hadn't bled much, as they weren't very deep, but my sai wound was dried over, my ankle still dripping red.

I stood, seeing I was on top of a rooftop, the Foot lair only a block away. I blinked as I realized the turtles knew where our base was and simply hadn't acted. Good. They feared our power.

I climbed slowly down a fire escape, and I left mannerism behind as I pushed the door open, making my way to Shredder's throne room.

As I came in the door, Karai had been speaking with her father by his throne. Karai whipped her head around, eyes widening. "Lynx?"

I looked down in shame. Here I was, crawling back, injured and defeated, felled by my own weapons. I didn't answer until I came to kneel at the foot of the steps, head hung. "I apologize, Master. I've failed you."

Shredder's voice boiled with anger. "What?!"

My head fell lower, tears stinging my eyes, threatening to leave. "They bested me. Somehow, the one called Leonardo managed to overcome the effects of my venom. I know I infected all of them, but I have reason to believe that at least one survived."

Shredder sneered, "And that reason is?"

I softly stated, "That I'm still alive, despite their having used my venom on me. My anti-venom is gone and woke outside their hideout."

Shredder prowled closer, armor clanking ominously until he came to stand over me. "You allowed the enemy to take mercy on you as well?!"

I closed my eyes. "Yes, Master. I submit to your judgment of what my punishment is."

It was deadly silent. I kept a calm demeanor, but I was terrified. If he decided my penalty was death, could I truly keep my loyalty and take my punishment?

When his voice came, it was strangely softer than before. "You will be training new recruits for the next week. Hopefully, instructing weaklings will remind you where weakness leaves its owners." My eyes shot open and I looked up. "But mark my words, failure cannot be allowed so easily. You promised me the turtles demise, and I will hold you to your word."

I blinked the last remains of tears away, determination set in my eyes. "Yes, Master. Thank you." I stood, limping my way out of the room. Yet as I found myself in my room, cleaning my wounds, I looked in the mirror. A cut across my nose from the earlier blow, but much of the blood had been wiped away.

I gently washed the rest away, thinking deeply about what I'd seen. They acted like a family. They treated each other well. Maybe- no. I will not doubt my clan. They've always been there for me. The turtles will fall, and if they insist, they will fall as a pathetic family.

Karai's POV

I watched my friend walk out, looking at my father. For a moment, I'd been worried, but I knew it was pointless. Lynx was one of us. She always had been. Her loyalty to the clan was second to none. I let out my breath. "You had me worried there for a moment, Father. Lynx too."

Shredder admitted, "She's a loyal soldier. It would be a waste."

Karai smiled. "So it had nothing to do with her being nearly family?"

Shredder's voice hardened. "She is our ally, Karai. Nothing more." Yet as I nodded, I knew he was lying. He may not think of Lynx as a daughter, but she wasn't ordinary to him. She was my sister, and to father, she was like him, a child taken in by a clan when she had nowhere else to go. It was why he was so much harder on her. Why she tried so hard to please him. I knew my father had lost his parents to the Hamatos, but the Hamatos guilt had made them take him in and feed him lies. It's because I knew this that I could sometimes see that he resented she was seemingly reaching a happily ever after with us while his life was absorbed with hatred for those who put him through his pain.

Okay, I wasn't sure about Karai's knowledge of Shredder's past, so I had to fill in the gaps. So in this, she believes that Shredder was taken in by the Hamatos, yes, but that Yoshi had betrayed him and Tang Shen in jealousy instead of the other way around.