"What da shell are ya doin' in here?"
I spun to face an angry turtle. The song on my lips died as I saw the killer glare in Raphael's eyes.
"Ya're really loud. I heard ya from outside."
I sighed. "Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was awake."
"Try ta be a bit quieter, Flygirl. Next time I'll attack ya if ya disturb my peace." He growled
"Geez, you really love your beauty sleep, don't you?" I said with a giggle. "Don't worry. I'll go into the woods next time I need to sing."
"Need?" He raised an eye ridge.
"Yep. It comes with the whole 'Avian-Human Hybrid' thing. I have to sing a full song at least once a month. You know, I don't believe I woke you up. I've been singing in here for hours." I swung my arm around to emphasize the barn.
Raph sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Yer smarter than ya look, Feathers. I was tryin' ta figure out why Shredda would keep ya locked up."
I froze, remaining silent.
"Wings? What's up?" Raphael placed a hand on my shoulder. "Ya okay?"
"T-the cur-rse. H-he k-knows ab-bout t-the cur-rse." I said, panicked. "I've got to get out of here!"
I shot past the confused turtle...
... Only to run into another. Leonardo caught me in his arms, clearly startled. "Utahime? What's wrong?"
"Let go! I need to go!" I writhed in his grasp. "Have to go away! Cursed! Shield breaking!"
He grabbed my hand. "An enlightenment shield? Is that what you mean?"
"Yes! Curse! Turn into dragoness! Attack any male in sight!" I cried out.
Suddenly, a blanket of serenity enveloped me. "W-what?" I gasped, somehow calming down.
"Now, what was this about a curse?" Leo asked gently.
"So, you turn into a dragoness when your shield crumbles?" Donatello said while observing me.
I nodded, holding a retort. 'Hurry, up, Don! I hate, hate, hate being observed like this! It reminds me of my torture!'
"And it makes you attack males for some reason?" He asked.
I sighed, patience slowly vanishing. "Yes, Don. My dragon-self forces its way through my willpower. I have no control whatsoever while it's around."
Raph chuckled. "I'd pay ta see dat."
I shot a glare at him. "This is no laughing matter, Raphael. Imagine suddenly having the power to take someone's life, and watching -trapped, in a way- as someone else takes control of you. The dragon could kill someone, and I'd be killed through the old Indian 'Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth' saying. It is imperative that I keep my dragon-self trapped." I said coldly, grabbing my bag. "I need to cool off. I'm going outside. If anyone follows, I won't be held responsible for the consequences."
I walked into the snow-coated forest, fuming. 'I can't believe the nerve of that turtle! Who does he think he is? Does he not understand what I am capable of? I thought I made myself very clear!'
The sound of rushing water startled me. I followed the source through a group of willow branches to a beautiful sight.
A waterfall cascaded into a small pool below, which was somehow banked by emerald green grass. The branches above were grown together, forming a shield against the cold. It seemed almost picturesque. A fae wolf got up and nuzzled me.
"Welcome, daughter of Kyūkyokuno Utahime. I am Silvana."
Startled, I looked at the wolf. "Y-you can talk?"
Silvana snorted, sitting beside the pool. "Of course I can. Now, I sense distraught enveloping you. Come, sit down and tell me everything."
I obeyed, letting my silver cloak form a neat circle around me as I described my transformation, torture, and current living conditions.
"Silvana, what should I do? It's all just adding pressure! Something will have to be released, and I don't want it to be the dragoness!" Tears began forming in the corners of my eyes.
The fae gave me a comforting wolf-like hug. I buried my face in her fur and wept for the first time in years. "I-it hurts e-every time I t-transform!" I sobbed.
"Let it all out, Uta. I know you've been though much these past few years. Here, you can cry without fear or remorse."
Well, here's a short chapter! I just kinda ran out of ideas, but I REALLY wanted to post. Points for enthusiasm!