A/N: When I initially started this chapter, there was more I planned on writing but as the chapter grew in length though I found that I needed to break the chapter up into two. Hope the chapter doesn't feel too slow in consequence of this decision. Second, you will notice that Yoshi is yet to name the turtles. This trend will continue in this and the next chapter. I have an actual reason for this that will be revealed eventually. Just bear with me (though Andromakhe has nailed all the turtles' identities already as I hope everyone else has as well). Thanks again for those who have left reviews! Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Guardian Angel
The man grabbed at his shirt. Yoshi spun around, cracking his elbow across the man's face. Peering over his shoulder, he spied the second man attempting to attack from behind. Yoshi cocked his knee up and then rammed his heel into the suited man's stomach except that the man barely flinched at the contact. Instead, he grabbed Yoshi's leg and pulled back, nearly face-planting the skilled ninja. Never had he experienced such difficulty in fending off two attackers, especially those with no martial arts training. Yet he felt the constant drain on his stamina though the suited strangers seemed unfazed. Finally a kick managed to dislodge the mysterious canister from the man's hand. It tumbled through the air - the green ooze glowed and shimmered even in the dark alley. Then crash! – the glass cracked like an egg, coating him in the substance - searing his flesh.
"Aaaaaah!"
With a sharp gasp Yoshi jolted violently from his sleep. His fur was drenched in cold sweat. His chest heaved as he fought to regain his breath. As his breathing steadied, his heart rate slowed back to its baseline levels.
So the nightmare is truly my new reality after all.
Yoshi frowned at this realization – a frown that deepened as water drops splashed onto his head. He may have slept deeply but the slumber was far from comfortable. His back ached from sitting up all night. Yoshi rolled his neck side to side, working out the kinks caused by his head flopping to one side during the night. He attempted to stretch out his stiff legs but found they were partially pinned down. Glancing down he found two of his turtles still monopolized his body as their bed. Well the injured green-eyed turtle was only using his right leg as a pillow. He did not appear to have moved much during the night. In his current condition it was best that he kept his activity to a minimum. The blue-eyed turtle was another story. When Yoshi fell asleep the turtle had rested his head on the rat's furry abdomen but the rest of his body was curled up on the floor. Over the course of the night, the turtle had migrated so that his body now straddled over Yoshi's legs while his head had remained on Yoshi's warm belly. Looking across the tunnel he found the cautious turtle curled up with his arms tucked under his head. Yoshi sighed in relief that exhaustion finally overcame that one. And the fourth turtle….was nowhere in sight!
Kuso!
Taking great care not to rouse them, Yoshi slowly rolled the blue-eyed turtle off and slid out from under the injured turtle. With his muscle memory kicking in, Yoshi mustered all of his stealth training to silently creep down the tunnel in search of the missing turtle.
The tunnel extended in two directions, giving him a fifty percent chance of choosing the correct direction. The chances decreased if the turtle chose to explore any of the numerous intersecting tunnels. Yoshi exhaled to calm his nerves and cleared his head. Crouching down, he surveyed the ground for clues. Finally his eyes fell upon a disturbance in the mildew that coated the floor. Yoshi followed the trail of what he assumed was a leg dragging on the ground. He soon confirmed he was on the turtle's trail when he came upon a pale yellow puddle and then, a couple of feet beyond, a small pile of brown excrement.
At least he had the decency to take his business away from the others. I wonder if this qualifies as being toilet trained by turtle standards.
Yoshi proceeded to the intersecting tunnel and peered around the corner. There, staring up at the sunlit grate, sat the fourth turtle. Even in the dank sewer, the turtle looked angelic as he silently marveled at the world above even if they were brief glimpses. A smile pulled on Yoshi's lips as he gazed at the tranquil sight. Hating to disturb the peace, Yoshi crouched down next to the turtle who then turned to meet the rat's gaze.
"It would appear that I must be more vigilant with you turtles. You cannot leave whenever you wish. What if something had happened to you?"
The turtle gurgled a response and raised up his arms. Chuckling Yoshi obliged the request and carried the little one back to their nest only to find the other had awaken and were growing restless as a combination of whines, whimpers, and wails chorused down the halls. Yoshi rushed over and tried to soothe them. He rubbed their backs, wiped away tears, and recited calming mantras that fell deaf as each turtle competed to have his voice heard. The fourth turtle finally joined in the commotion as he choked up and let loose a stream of tears.
If someone passes through the alley, I will not be able to keep them concealed. Priority number one – I must ensure their safety.
But could he carry them all? Handling two had proven to be taxing. And all were currently too distraught to willingly follow him.
Bedsheets!
He had found a few sets when he fashioned his first sling. If he could obtain a couple more, then hauling all four turtles was a real possibility. He silently prayed that stealth and speed were still on his side. Yoshi cupped the blue-eyed turtle's face and forced the youngster's gaze up at him.
"You must listen carefully. I need you to be strong."
Tears continued to cascade down his cheeks as he sobbed controllably.
I almost forgot that you all are just infants.
Yoshi sighed nervously as the cries only grew louder.
"I will return soon. And once I do, we will find a safer place. I promise."
Yoshi swiftly scaled the ladder. Once he reached the manhole cover, he reached with one hand and tilted one side. He surveyed the alley and once he determine it was clear, he exited the hole and bee-lined for the dumpster. Even though the lid once again completely concealed the entrance, the turtles' cries still floated to the outside world.
Staying here will indeed be unwise, he confirmed. Yoshi however could not shake the need to be near this particular alley. He knew his way home from here. Even if he could no longer continue life as a human, the little apartment had supplies that he urgently needed now. One hurdle at a time, Yoshi.
Finding his resolve, Yoshi lifted the dumpster's lid and began scavenging. The process took him longer than expected. His vigilance – and paranoia – kept him on high alert of his surroundings and he found himself seeking refuge several times as crowds of people carried on with their daily routine. His patience and determination paid off though! Not only had he found the bedsheets but food as well. A couple of bananas – soft and browning with ripeness but not rotten. Yoshi silently thanked the spirits for his turn of luck before descending back to the underworld.
Sitting cross-legged on the damp ground, Yoshi proceeded to peel a banana. Its sweet aroma somehow penetrated through the malodorous air tickling at the turtles' noses. Piercing cries soon softened and four pairs of teary eyes focused on the white and brown spotted fruit. The four sat hypnotized as they watched the rat pinch off a small chunk and extended his fingers toward them. All of the turtles opened their mouths like anxious chicks waiting for their mother to deposit their meal. Yoshi hesitated, unsure who should be the first recipient. In that moment, -one turtle decided to take initiative. The little angelic one lunged forward and latched his mouth around the little morsel. His brazen act earned him a round of jealous screams from his brothers. But none were more furious than the injured brother who had now balled his good hand into a tight, shaking fist. Irate screams ripped through his throat, bouncing off the sewer walls.
"Mou ii yo!"
Yoshi's stern tone immediately silenced all of the turtles. Caught by surprise, none of them dared to move a muscle. Yoshi sighed – a pang of guilt wormed into his heart at his loss of patience.
"We cannot allow ourselves to fall into this chaos. Screaming will draw unwanted attention. If people were to discover you, who knows what they will do. It is unsafe for us."
The turtles stared blankly, most likely comprehending none of his words, but they were quiet. Breaking each banana in half, Yoshi rationed out the meal to each turtle. In content silence, the turtles mashed small pieces between their beak and tongue.
No wonder they were in such discontent earlier.
The rat smiled as he watched the turtles satiate their hunger. Full stomachs should yield cooperative children. As the turtles continued to smear banana across their mouths and fingers, Yoshi immediately set to work on creating the slings. Anticipating a long trek to find a solitary sanctuary, the five of them would need to depart as soon as they were capable. If luck stayed by their side perhaps they would find shelter before nightfall.
A/N: "Mou ii yo!" means "That's enough!" I chose to have Yoshi revert to speaking Japanese since I can see this happening when he's under stress. As we know, over the course of their upbringing, the turtles do learn and occasionally will speak in Japanese. I plan on bringing this into the story as we watch Yoshi raise the boys as his sons with my limited Japanese vocabulary and the power of the internet! I do try hard to research information thoroughly before I use it but if anyone finds anything wrong with my Japanese please PM with correct the information and I will correct any mistakes I do make. Thanks!
