"So am I, I mean she-" Ayame was cut off by Don, Mikey and Raph running up to them.
"Guys, we got trouble." Don said, Ayame tilted her head and frowned.
"What kind of trouble?"
"Well, Ayame, according to a rumor, Chi is in the dungeon of the palace."
"FOR WHAT?" Usagi nearly lost his balance.
"Attempting to steal the war staff. She also supposedly drugged the daimyo."
"Chi wouldn't do something that extreme." Ayame put a finger to her chin. Usagi nodded in agreement.
"No. No she would not."
"We need to get the leader and bust her butt outta there!" Raph said. "Why are just we standing around when we could be kicking some serious shell!" When the group found Leo, there was a second discussion of the matter, then Raph growled, getting impatient with the others. "Let's GO." He said angrily, storming off towards the castle.
"Honestly, Raph, you're so rash." Leo commented and they began following Raphael to the castle. They avoided the very few guards that were in the general vicinity of the castle. It was easier to break in whilst the daimyo, his son, and the war staff were all being heavily guarded in the Healer's Pavilion. They encountered two guards conversing casually near the front entrance.
"It's strange her name means 'blood' isn't it?" One guard commented.
"Ironic is more like it." The other corrected. Mikey swung from a tree branch and kicked the first guard who had spoken in the side of the head. This caused a domino effect, also knocking the other guard to the ground.
"This oughta be easy!" Raph commented, but to the contrary, a horde of ninja swarmed them in the entrance to the dungeon. In accordance with their usual fighting style, Ayame and Leo stood back to back to fight. Ayame felt his shell against her back and something in her snapped.
"So, you WERE just looking out for me?"
"This isn't the TIME!" Leo snapped.
"It's the only time I've had you're freaking attention for days! JUST ANSWER ME!" After a short while, Usagi went in search of Chi, only to find Ayame first, enjoying an ice cream on a bench. "Where is Chi?" He questioned, the catgirl just shrugged in response.
"Haven't seen her all night. Not since earlier in the evening. She just rushed off somewhere."
"I am growing worried about her safety."
"OKAY! FINE! I WAS!"
"Well, you know what, mister-high-and-mighty-leader? I-" Ayame swung to defend herself from an attack. "-don't give-" another pause for a quick attack on a sneaky ninja, then she gave Leo a quick glance, "-a CRAP about our DIFFERENCES!"
"You're better off with a human, Ayame!"
"Don't act like you know what's good for me! You have NO IDEA!"
"I am sorry to intrude," Usagi interrupted, "but this is NOT the time for your lover's quarrel! Right now, we are all on the same side!"
Meanwhile, in the dungeon, the cloaked figure from before stood outside of Chi's cell. "You failed me." He spoke, causing Chi to jump.
"Yeah, well, you failed to warn me about the daimyo's son!"
"I believed that a true ninja would be prepared. I will not tolerate any more mistakes." Chi charged the cell bars.
"I don't work for you, SCUM!" He gave a raspy laugh and she glared into his cloak. A shine of silver caught her eye. "I figured about as much from you. Master Shredder." She made a disgusted face. "You know, I quit being a foot ninja a long time ago, dude."
"Yes, but you forget, I am the one who taught you and Ayame how to fight."
"Oh, stop holding that over our heads! Just because you're our teacher, doesn't mean you have ANY control over us now taht we've seen just how... Dishonorable your organization is." She turned around a few times to realize that, while she had looked away for only a moment, Shredder had disappeared.
"MASTER Shredder?" Leo questioned from the shadows. Chi jumped, not realizing that Leo, Ayame, Don, Mikey and Raph were in the shadows of the dungeon.
"He taught me and Chi how to fight." Ayame explained, Leo nodded, still not completely convinced. Chi glanced over the group.
"Where's Usagi?"
"He was just here." Mikey commented.