Disclaimer: TMNT is not mine, I own nothing.

It was noon, or what was called noon now. You could never really tell anymore. They sky was always a hue that resembled a withering red rose and was peppered with splotches of dark clouds. The sun, the moon, the stars; none of them called the sky their home anymore.

April blinked several times before the crust in her eyes allowed her vision to adjust. She was able to make out the surroundings of the room. The guest room, that is. The much smaller bedroom that could be found at the end of the hall; because of this, room never got much heat and was always freezing. The mattress was worn, lumpy and only a full size. Much unlike the plush, queen-sized mattress in her own room.

She almost wondered why she was not in her room, but remembered that it was currently occupied by Karai and scowled. April had given Karai her room to sleep in rather sentencing her to guest room due to her being injured. She yawned before she sat up and stretched her arms out on either side of her. "Curse, my kindness." She muttered as she rubbed her neck which was stiff from spending the night sleeping on a pillow that might as well have been have stuffed with rocks. She made a silent promise to herself that if she lived long enough to see her city restored to its normal state, that she would completely remodel the guest room so that neither she, nor anyone else would ever have to suffer from the room's lack of comfort.

She looked down at Casey who was still sleeping soundly on the opposite side of the bed. Only his raven black hair stuck out from under the covers, leaving the rest of his body buried under the spread. One of his arms was dangling over the side of the bed so that his fingertips just barely touched the floor while the other was wrapped around April's waist. She laughed a little and ran her fingers through his hair, undoing some of the tangles in it. She carefully lifted his arm off her waist, releasing her from his grasp. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood to her feet. She heard the sound of bubble wrap popping and observed to see where the sound came from, only to come to the heart-wrenching conclusion that it was her own body. Her own 27-year-old body, which had no business making such noises when she in her opinion.

April stretched and rose to her toes to stretch, only stumble back onto her soles when she felt yet another bone crack in her spine.

She sighed and wandered into the living room, which was empty. She whipped her head around the room in confusion before looking at the clock and reading the time. 12:00 pm. She smiled. Noon and she was the only one awake. Just the way she liked it. April decided to take advantage of the time she has to herself while she can and do some training on her rooftop.

She tiptoed into her bedroom where Karai was sleeping in her bed. She was not stirring much but had a pained expression on her face as she slept. April was not surprised, given what she had been through during her battle with the Tengu Shredder, she imagined nightmares would be inevitable.

When April looked at her, actually just looked at her, not glared, or glanced but just took the time to observe. She could not help but notice how tired she looked. She took the time to let her eyes explore the bloody bandages, the horridly bruised skin and the welts that she had over looked because she was too busy despising her. She did not know what the Tengu Shredder had done Karai to cause such ghastly wounds, she pictured a battered Karai facing off against the Tengu Shredder as he attacked her mercilessly. Hacking, slicing, beating, bludgeoning. She shook her head and shuddered, casting the gruesome images out of her mind.

She fought hard against the guilt rising in her. Very hard, but unfortunately it was a lost battle because in seconds it felt as if some had punched her in the gut. Which given the way she had been acting, she probably deserved. After all, she had to admit Karai had been through a lot. Her entire army was killed, her headquarters was destroyed. While the life she lived had not particularly been a good one, it was still nonetheless, all she had ever known. There is also the fact she is under a lot of pressure seeing as how she is so essential to defeating the Tengu Shredder and she has no one else to turn to but the people who have been her enemies several months.

She sighed solemnly as she walked over to her closet. She opened the door and immediately spotted her yellow and black ninja suit. Whenever wore it during training, or the occasional mission the guys would allow her to accompany them on, they always teased her and called her hornet or bumblebee.

She quickly exchanged her pajamas for the suit. Once changed, she reached even further back into the closet and pulled out a small black case. She opened the box to reveal a twin set of Tessen. Two iron, foot long club shaped objects, topped with a small blade; her weapons of choice when Master Splinter told her she was skilled enough to choose. She had been training with them for about three years now. She was indeed no master with them, but was still experienced enough to wield them effectively in battle. Seeing as how she never before wielded an actual Japanese battle weapon, she could not help but feel strong and empowered when she held her battle fans.

She smiled down at them and stood to pull her hair into a ponytail before grabbing her iPod and headphones, and then she finally grabbed her Tessen. With a simple flick of her wrist, the small, iron clubs expand into two yellow and black, one and a half foot wide fans; each with several deadly spikes spread even across them. April smiled in satisfaction and with another flick of her wrist, closed the fan. She made went into the living room an exited through the window and onto the fire escape would take her to the roof.

Once on the roof, she walked over to the edge, looked over the slowly crumbling city of New York, and frowned. She hated seeing her home like this. The once prodigious buildings had been remolded to fit the grotesque taste of the Tengu Shredder. It was hard to believe this was the same city where she was raised. Looking at it now; that was not city she saw. The city she saw now was plagued with destruction, chaos, and evil, not the home she had known all her life. The worst part, there was absolutely nothing she could do about. She was no acolyte. She was not the keeper of any mystical powers that could defeat the Tengu Shredder. She had not received weeks of intense training to prepare her for battle with him. She did not have to ability to drain him of his powers. She was as much of a threat to the Tengu Shredder as an acorn was. She has to watch as everything she had ever known waste away and cannot do anything to help. She just felt so…useless.

It was not until she felt a warm droplet of liquid kiss the back of her hand, that she released her eyes were stinging with tears. She blinked them back and plugged her headphones into her ears. She turned her iPod on and flicked her wrist, once again expanding her fans, and began to run through every kata she had ever learned. Even though she was only training, and not actually fighting in combat, she still felt adrenaline surge through her as she moved across the roof, slicing the air. She moved with swiftness and grace she had obtained after she began her ninjitsu training. The Tessen, a weapon not particularly viewed as threatening on first glance, was deadly in her hands.

She did not know how long she had been on the roof when she heard footsteps behind her.

April reacted on instinct. She swung her leg behind her in attempt to kick the stranger in the stomach. Before she could make contact, her kick was intercepted and a more precise one was delivered to chin, and she fell to the ground. Before she was even able to think about sitting, a weight settled on her chest and her wrists were seized; forcing her to point the blades of her own Tessen at her throat. She began struggle and was about call for help when her attacker spoke. "April?!"

April's mind came to halt and she ceased her attempt to escape from under the weight of her attacker. "Karai?!" She replied, her voice full of frustration and confusion.

Karai scowled down at April, but climbed off her. April got to feet and she took back her Tessen from Karai. Neither of them bothered to apologize to the other.

"What are you doing out here ?!"April demanded in a hiss. April's mind did not hesitate to jump the conclusion that Karai had harmed the others. She took a step closer to Karai, her hands tightening around her Tessen. "Answer me!" She barked, her face wearing a grimace.

Karai growled and her nostrils flared slightly. "Not that it is any business of yours but if you must know, I was having trouble sleeping." She growled. She did not want to recall the twisted nightmare she had of Chaplin. The very thought of it cause her to tremble with fear and grief. She turned away from April in attempt to hide her damp eyes.

April glanced over Karai and snorted before she turned away. The sat in deafening, awkward silence for a few moments turned before Karai turned to April and spoke.

"You think that you are the only one who is in a hard place right now?" She asked with steel in her voice. "I resent the idea of having to side with my enemies just as much as you do, perhaps even more than you do. That, I will not deny." She took a step closer to April who had not spoken yet. Her grip had tightened around her Tenssen until her knuckles turned white and her jaw was clenched. "But that does not mean I am not trustworthy. I want to rid this world of the Tengu Shredder as much as you do. I will do whatever I must to defeat it, and if that means I must side with my enemies; then so be it. Getting my revenge on the Tengu Shredder is more important to me than my rivalry with you and the turtles. If I am able to realize that, why can't you?"

April opened her mouth to respond but before she could say anything, someone cleared their throat and Karai and April turned to find Ancient One on the roof. He spotted Karai and April and let out a slight sigh of relief before he began to make his way towards them. They both had look down at him, for Ancient Was very short, as well as very round. He looked like a very short sumo wrestler, wearing only a dark red Mawashi and a matching unbuttoned vest that shamelessly exposed his chubby torso. He wore a straw hat and wooden sandals. No one could comprehend how Ancient One was so comfortable in his attire, but no one openly questioned him about it either.

"Good, I have found you two. We need to meet in Ms. O'Neil's living room immediately. There is something very important we must discuss." He said as he looked between the two. He was secretly thankful he arrived when he did. He sensed the tension on the roof that had been escalating so much that it was practically almost palpable.

Karai and April exchanged heated glances with each other, and mutually decided to put the conversation behind them and to go and see what it was that needed to be discussed. April turned away from Karai to Ancient One and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for letting us know Ancient One. We will be down there soon."

Ancient One returned the bow and made his way back to the edge of the roof where the fire escape was. April and Karai watched with genuine pity as Ancient One tried his hardest to climb over the ledge. He had the steps to help him when he was climbing onto the roof, an advantage he did not have this time. He was just too short and plump to make it over. It was sad to watch. It was like watching a turtle trying to get back on its feet after falling on its shell.

April turned her head away and chucked. Even Karai, after so long of not having a reason to do so, had to suppress a smile.

April and Karai exchanged glances as the Ancient One continued to struggle. They walked over to Ancient One. They grabbed either one of his arms and hoisted him over the edge of the roof, before lowering him onto the fire escape. The poor man had a look of utter shame on his face, but still bowed to them respectfully. He tapped on the window and Raph opened it, helping him inside. April and Karai followed him in.

April and Karai earned a few questioning looks and raised eyebrows (or ridges in some cases) from those in the room.

"Hello. I am glad you were able to join us." Master Splinter said directing everyone's attention to himself. "Please, sit we have something very important to discuss." He said as he motioned to the couch. He decided to be oblivious to the tension between the two of them, and avoided eye contact with them. April and Karai obeyed and took seats as far away from each other as possible, in hope of avoiding any further interactions with one another.

"So what's the haps little dude?" Mikey asked as he tossed a Pringle into his mouth and chewed it loudly.

Ancient One winced and groaned with each loud crunch that came from Mikey's mouth. "How were you able to stand that for so many years, Splinter-san?" Ancient One whispered to Master Splinter, as he watched Mikey eat several chips at one time, before he swallowed and belched loudly, oblivious to the disgusted looks on the faces of the people in the room.

"Lots and lots of meditation, old friend; lots and lots of meditation." Master Splinter said with a chuckle.

Ancient One nodded and ignored Mikey as he began to speak. "As you all know, because of…recent events," He said in somber tone. The room fell silent as a dark cloud seemed to pass over everyone. Ancient One cleared his throat and continued. "We are not as great in numbers as we were before." He said in a somber tone with his head bowed. The turtles all visibly stiffened at the mention of the other acolytes, as well as the ninja tribunal, who had all been killed during their last battle with Harolds.

They had only known the other acolytes, for a short amount of time but each had still developed a strong bond with either one of them. Leo's hand rose and caressed Gunshin, the beautiful, yet deadly blade that used to belong to Faraji. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Raph giving him a sympathetic look. Leo gave him a small and patted his hand before speaking. "Yes, Ancient One, we are aware. Every one of them will be avenged." He said his voice was as cold and sharp as the steel it teemed with as he spoke.

"Indeed they will be. But in order to that, we need a better fighting chance than we already have." Ancient One responded solemnly. He bowed his head, and his heart once again became heavy when he recalled the death of acolytes who bravely fought an already lost battle to their last breath.

"Fighting chance? What fighting chance?" Raph exclaimed irately. His gruff, angry voice pulled the Ancient One out of his thoughts. "We have no fighting chance. We have none of the artifacts, no other acolytes and no ninja tribunal. The only acolytes left are the four of us, and we were just barely able to hold off the Shredder the last time we fought him!"

"I understand that, Raphael," Ancient One said in a calm and cautious voice.

"Which is why, the Ancient One and I have come to the conclusion that we will need to reach out to our closest allies for assistance." He looked up at everyone else and sighed. "And perhaps, our enemies even." Master Splinter said bitterly.

Mikey lost interest in the bag of chips he had been devouring and looked at Master Splinter, the wide slits on his mask wide with shock.

"Ummm, aren't already doing that Master Splinter?" Casey asked making a head motion towards Karai, who snarled at him in turn. He turned away from her and found a sudden interest in his feet.

"Yeah, and you said that all she has to do is drain him of his powers, long enough for the guys to defeat him right?" April added on, not attempting to hide the fact that she was upset. Her face was as red as her lips were pouted and her bottom jaw trembled. A rather childish thing she tended to do when she was angry. It had earned her relentless teasing from the guys over the years but at the moment, no one seemed to find it funny.

Master Splinter sighed. "I am afraid it is not that simple, my child. The Tengu Shredder still has an entire army of demons who will have to be defeated if they are ever to make it close enough to defeat them. Without the other acolytes and the ninja tribunal, it pains me to say that the four of them alone will not be able to defeat them. We are going to need assistance."

"We have plenty of friends who'll help us," Mikey chimed in optimistically. "We have the Justice Force, Usagi and Gen, Raptor-

"That will not be enough, my son," Master Splinter, cut in using a stern tone. He took a deep breath before continuing, "While I know many of you will be against this, our allies alone, will still not be enough. Our best option is to try and get help from both sides."

April's eyes widen and she was about protest, but Raph beat her to it. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Having all of our enemies on the same battlefield as us? Meaning, Hun, Bishop, Stockman?! It's bad enough that we have her to watch out for." Raph said as he motioned to Karai. "Now we gotta fight on the battlefield with those guys? I'm sorry but that's just-"

"Raph," Leo cut in causing him to shoot a glare at him. "Master Splinter and the Ancient One maybe right. We need as much help as we can get. Besides, if we don't defeat the Shredder than everyone, good guys, bad guys, it doesn't matter; are all gonna suffer the consequences. They know as well as we do that if the Tengu Shredder isn't taken down, everyone in New York…hell, everyone in the world is doomed."

"It's true. We're pretty desperate for a cavalry, and I'm sure they are too. Neither of us is really in the position to turn the other away," Don added in a tight voice. He sat on the couch next to Mikey. His fingers intertwined as his thumbs circled each other. A sure sign that he was anxious.

Raph sighed in defeat and crossed his arms. "I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. I hate it actually. But…I guess Fearless and Einstein are right. We ain't exactly in a place where we can refuse any help we can get," Raph added. "I say we do it."

"If it'll get rid of that monster out there, who's ruining my city, and make everything go back to normal, than I'm in too," Mikey said in agreement. Though he did not sound very enthusiastic about the matter.

"I must also agree with them. While I am no happier about it than any of you are, the Tengu Shredder must pay for how he humiliated me, and destroyed my entire army as well as my home. And I will do whatever it takes to get my revenge." Karai said as she clenched her fists at her side.

Casey looked at April and did not even need to say anything. He felt the same way. April sighed. She figured it would be pointless to argue for a number of reasons. One of which being her argument would not matter anyways seeing as how she was just one person, and the other one being that each of them were right. They could not afford to turn away help. They could not defeat the Tengu Shredder with only their allies. And most of all, they wanted their city back; she of course hated the idea of having to team up with more of the enemies, but again, what choice did any of them have.

"I would assume that you have feelings you like to express as well?" Ancient One asked April who shifted around in her seat a little.

April shrugged. "Nothing that hasn't already been said," She said with a small smile and a few shocked looks from everyone in the room, but no one said anything.

"So what is our plan?" Karai asked, looking at Master Splinter and the Ancient One.

"We will each divide into separate groups and meet with the ones we need to fight by us," Master Splinter responded bluntly. "Michelangelo, I wish for you and Donatello to ask the Justice Force for their aid,"

"Sweet! We get to meet up with the Justice Force! That's awesome! Maybe they'll finally give me legit spot on the team and I'll actually be allowed to sleep there instead of camping outside their headquarters every other night!" Mikey said raising his fist in the air, a large grin plastered to his face. Don just rolled his eyes and slapped Mikey in the back of head before he grabbed him his shell and dragged him tow the front door so they could leave.

Master Splinter and shook his head, but continued. "Raphael and Casey, the two of you talk with Hun and Purple Dragons."

The two exchanged large smirks with one another. "Oh no worries Master Splinter, Case and I will have no problem, "talking" the Purple Dragons into joining us. Right Case?"

"That's right Raph. By the time we're done with them, they wouldn't dreamof saying no to us." Casey agreed slamming his fist and slamming it into the open palm of his other hand. April chuckled and shook her head the two. "Good luck you two." April said to them with a smile. She looked between them; her eyes lingered on Casey for a moment.

"Will do, Babe!" Casey said to her. His electric blue eyes flickered with mischief. He stepped over to her and planted a light kiss on her kiss…or what supposed to be alight kiss. Instead it became tender. "What? No kiss for me?" Raph said. The couple broke apart and Casey smiled.

"Awwww, c'mere you!" Casey said. He pulled Raph over to him and began to plant kisses on his forehead. Everyone in the room laughed as Raph shoved Casey off. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" Raph exclaimed as he wiped his forehead off. He stormed out of the kitchen, with a chuckling Casey in tow. Their back and forth insults filled the apartment until they finally left.

"The Ancient One and I," Master Splinter started. He paused and motioned over to Ancient One who he was surprised to find no longer sat next to him. He raised an eyebrow and scanned the room until he found Ancient One in April's refrigerator. He had helped to himself to a Hershey bar that April had saved. Ancient One looked up at the faces that started back him and gave them a choclately grin. "Please," He said as he took another bite of the chocolate bar. "Do not let me interrupt you. Continue Splinter-san."

"Hey! That was my last one!" April protested as she stomped angrily.

Master Splinter sighed and shook his head. "The Ancient One and I will travel to meet Usagi and his dimension and ask for his aid."

Leo smiled a little, happy that Usagi could be coming back to earth. Aside from the fact that Leo knew he would be a great fighter to have on their side, he also looking forward to fighting side by side with him again. "So," Leo said, re-directed his attention to the conversation. "What can we do?"

"Leonardo, you April, and Karai, will travel to Agent Bishop. Surely with his technology, he will be very useful to us, if he decides to help." Master Splinter replied. He, April and Karai ignored the look of horror on Leo's face that came when he discovered he would be forced to bring April and Karai with him. Leo could already see himself sitting in the Battle Shell with the two, bickering back and forth. He already could not stand it whenever Mikey and Raph argued. He could not imagine the torture he would have to endure if he had to put up with two women arguing.

But he does not argue, he instead simply nods and bows before leaving.

Karai and April on the other hand did not seem as eager to leave as Leonardo had. Master Splinter, caught the glance the two exchanged, cleared his throat to earn their attention.

"I feel this is the best arrangement due to Karai's knowledge of the layout of Agent Bishop's laboratory and April's experience with Dr. Stockman's technology. Surely this will be no problem?"

Both women shook their heads in response.

"Good," Master Splinter said, pleased that he would not have to put up with arguments from the two. "You two should go and prepare. You have great tasks ahead of you."

"Yes, Master Splinter," April said with a quick bow before leaving. Karai said nothing, but gave Master Splinter a quick nod before she left the room.

"I have an extra suit in my closet, it should fit you," April said. She turned her head away in attempt to avoid eye contact with Karai.

"Thank you." Karai mumbled. The two part with no further words and Karai headed into April's room. She dug through her closet until she found a black body suit with a stripe going down either side of it. On the floor beneath it are boots to go with it. Karai set the items on the bed and began to strip off her silk pajamas. She looked her newly exposed and badly bruised skin with a scowl before she took the suit and stepped into it. She looked at her reflection in the mirrors and raised an eyebrow when she saw the suit was loose in a few areas. It was rather uncomfortable, not like the perfectly fitting, skintight suits that she is used to. She decided not to make a big deal out of it and turned away from the mirror.

As she made, her way to the door, Karai felt a sharp pain in her forehead. She was unable to bite back a whimper as she collapsed on the bed. Then, a hauntingly familiar voice spoke in her head.

"I hope the little message I sent to you last night did cost you much sleep Karai".

Karai inhaled sharply and she a chill go down her spine. "The Tengu Shredder." She whispered to herself. She searched the room for the source of the voice but found no one.

"You will not find me in there". The Tengu Shredder hissed teasingly. Karai swallowed. "I am in your mind. No one can hear me but you."

"H-How are you doing this?" Karai stammered still looking around her, fear evident on her face.

"We are linked, you and I". The voice of the Tengu Shredder said in her head again.

"The Mantle…" Karai said when the realization suddenly clicked in her head. The Mantle they shared that gives her the advantage being able to drain powers.

"Yes Karai, the Mantle. It creates a mental link between us. Allowing me violate your thoughts whenever I please. Surely you did not think the link only benefitted you."

She winced and clutched her head, as if she could expel the voice from her mind if she squeezed tight enough. "Stop this! Get out of my head, NOW! You have no right to be here Tengu!" Karai snarled loudly, not caring if someone heard her.

"Very well. I just thought you would know about your friend. The one you call…Chaplin".

Karai froze. She began to tremble with rage and she clenched her fist tightly. "What have you done with him?!" She demanded. Her voice cracked as she spoke. There was no response from the Tengu Shredder this time.

"Answer me!" She demanded again, her voice almost a yell. Rather than a verbal response, saw images. Terrible images of Chaplin. Not the young, lively one, but the monster she had seen in her sleep last night. Paper thin skin, glowing red eyes, malicious grins.

"No! Stop this! Stop showing me these things! They are all lies! They are not true!" She hissed to herself, or rather, the demon invading her thoughts.

The door to April's room opened and a concerned looking Leo entered. Karai's wild eyes shoot over to him.

"Um…you okay?" He asked her cautiously. He looked her over and could immediately tell that she was far from okay. He noticed that she trembled. Her face was ashen and he could see tears welling in her eyes. Rather than force her into telling what the problem he just waits for her to respond to the question he already knows the answer to.

Karai swallowed hard and exhaled. She nodded her head, unable to find her voice and give a verbal response.

Leo studied her for a moment but said nothing, instead he handed her a scabbard with a single katana in it. "You're gonna need this. We can't have you defenseless where we're going." He said his voice gentle and quiet.

Karai accepted the scabbard and slung it over her back. She thanked Leo with a nod. He returned it and was about to leave she put a hand on his arm and stopped him.

"Yes?" He asked her, eyeing her warily.

"I just wanted to know," She paused and closed her eyes. She turned her head away, as she it was paining her to speak. "When you were fighting the Tengu Shredder the night you came to my aid, did you see Chaplin anywhere? Do you know if he escaped?"

Leo's face fell. The desperation and grief in Karai's voice as she spoke was enough to make anyone feel somber. Leo studied her worried face and sighed sadly as he began to understand her predicament. He shook his head no. "Last I saw of him he was fighting off some of the Tengu Shredders forces." He replied, he kept his head bowed to avoid her desolate eyes.

Karai chocked back a sob and nodded. "Thank you. That is all I wanted to know. I will join you shortly." She said quietly as she sat on the bed.

Leo looked her over with genuine sympathy and spoke. "Karai, I'm sure he-"

"Please." Karai interrupts staring at her feet. "I…I just want to be alone for a moment." She said. She feels a firm hand on her shoulder and looks over to find that it is Leo's. He does not say anything, he simply gives her a comforting squeeze before leaving the room.

Once he is gone, Karai placed her hands on her face and dragged them down. She began to massage her temples and tried to make sense of what the Tengu Shredder had told her. Chaplin was with him. He was in danger, probably already dead for all she knew.

Why him?

She moved her hands away from her face and clenched them into tight fists at her side.

Why him?

She continued to clench her fist tighter, her nails dug deeper into her calloused skin. She then began to bite her bottom lip.

Why him?!

Karai dug her further nails into her skin. With each Why him, her nails get deeper, her palms begged her top stop. She bowed her head and began rock back and forth on the bed, tears forming behind her tightly closed eyelids as sobs tried to escape her throat.

Finally, her nails broke through her skin and she felt warm, fresh blood trickle down her palms and settle in the skin her nails. She looked down at her palms and found four small wounds on each that oozed fresh blood. It was not until she tasted something bitter and metallic in her mouth that she realized she had also managed to open the skin on her bottom lip, causing it bleed as well.

She relaxed her body slightly and swallowed. She stood and her trembling legs almost gave out beneath her, she made her way into the bathroom. As she walked, she hugged herself tightly; either oblivious to or not caring about the bloodstains she created on the sleeves of the suit she is wearing. She turned on the water and began to rinse her hands until only milk colored lines are left on her skin. She simply licked the rest of the blood off her punctured lip.

She looked in the mirror and frowned when she saw the tired woman that started back. Her face was the color of chalk and dark circles had formed under her eyes. The past 24 hours has aged her far beyond her 26 years; and now that the Tengu Shredder had used their mental link to invade her mind and mock her, things were only going to get worse. She opened the cabinet that hid behind the mirror and searched for medicine for her headache. She found a bottle of Excedrin. She snatched from the cabinet and shut the door back.

She looked in the mirror and felt her heart stopped. She no longer saw the woman she had before, but instead the one from her nightmares. Her short, ebony hair had been reduced to a few strands of gray that clung to parts of skull. Rotted, thin flesh clung tightly to her face. She gasped in shock and her reflection did the same, revealing a toothless mouth, with a dry cracked tongue.

Karai squeezed her eyes closed and counted to ten, when she opened them again, she found that she once again stared at her own reflection. 26 years of age, aged beyond her years, and tired. She growled and unscrewed the cap off the pills before she dumped two of them into her hand and tossed them down into her mouth.

She stormed out of the bathroom as she swallowed the pills, a scowl on her face. Her mission to defeat the Tengu Shredder had just become more important than ever, as well as much more personal.

From outside April waited impatiently. She tapped her foot rapidly as she fiddled with her Tessen, she leaned against the back of the couch and twirled the closed fan in her hand. Occasionally, she glanced up her bedroom and scowled.

"What is taking her so long in there? How hard could it possible to get into a suit?" She asked Leo. Leo looked over at her and grinned.

"Maybe she's having a little trouble getting it on. She might be trying to find some clothespins so that it'll fit her better." Leo replied teasingly.

April narrowed her eyes and slapped in his arm. "Oh shut up! It fits her perfectly fine! I'm just as lean and toned as she is."

"I dunno April; you've been packing away quite a few brownies lately." Leo continued in a serious tone as he tried to hold back a laugh.

April opened her mouth to retort but at that very moment the door opened and Karai entered the room. Her eyes, puffy and red. She kept her head low and stormed past Leo and April.

April looked to Leo with an eyebrow raised. He mouthed, "Tell you later." She nodded and looked over at Karai with concerned curiosity. Karai paused at the door and spoke but did not turn to face either of them. "Are you waiting for an invitation?" She spat out bitterly.

April pressed her tongue against her gum in irritation but said nothing. She folded her Tessen and slid them into her belt. She and Leo exchanged glances and nodded before leaving the living room and following Karai who is making her way out through the Antique Shop.

She had just stepped outside when she heard him said in a malice, shrewd tone. Sending a shiver down her spine.

"He will not last much longer."

Karai winced but ignored the voice. Once Leo and April were outside, they all made the silent agreement to make their leave.

As they made their way to the Battle Shell, Karai spoke to no one of her issues with the Tengu Shredder. Instead, she told herself the unconvincing lie that it none of it was true.