Summary: Shredder takes Raphael aside for a friendly chat. Takes place 3-4 weeks after Brave

Words: 891

Rated: K

SMOKESCREEN

Upon their return to the sprawling Japanese estate and headquarters of the Foot Clan, Shredder had presented Raphael to his household and organization without comment or explanation. He took a certain satisfaction in the shock and fear his new pet inspired, as well as the swirl of fantastic rumors over how he had acquired a Kappa Yokai. Even his daughter was being looked upon with a type of reverence for her ability to so completely tame and control the young 'demon'.

Saki made it clear that the boy was not to be harmed and allowed to do as he wished. This gave him the opportunity to observe how Raphael behaved when left to his own devices. Immediately it was clear that something as simple as walking down a bright hallway caused him distress. He was slow to trust and only spoke in front of four people; Saki, Karai, her nanny and her English tutor. He accompanied Karai everywhere and played to all of her whims. Yumi, the English teacher, reported that someone had taught him the alphabet, how to write his name and how to count to 20. In the dojo he had known to bow at the entrance and to the shrine before following along in Karai's private instruction. He was certainly a novice, but Saki could see that someone had been laying a foundation for future training and it made him curious.

Shredder waited patiently, sitting comfortably on the floor of his meditation room atop a zabuton. A few feet away his Miko knelt upon her cushion, tying a swath of dried herbs and plants together deftly despite her gnarled hands. Her wrinkled forehead creased even more at the arrival of the nervous turtle, then she lit a cone of incense in a brass bowl set before her. The flames of a few candles were the only light in the room but Saki could see Raphael's fear and confusion clearly.

Saki gestured to the cushion a few feet away from himself, next to the Miko. "Sit."

Raphael did as he was told, sitting cross-legged on the zabuton and watching the old woman guardedly.

"You have been among us for a few weeks now," Saki started. "Are you finding everything to your liking?"

"Y-yes, Master," he answered tentatively.

"What is it, Boy? Something troubles you."

Raphael averted his eyes. "I miss my family, Master."

"Tell me about them."

"I have three brothers just like me, and a Father, Master Splinter. He found us in the sewers when we were babies and took care of us."

Shredder tilted his head slightly. The Miko was humming under her breath, so quietly he couldn't pinpoint when she had begun. "What is he a master of?"

"Ninjutsu. He was starting to teach us."

Saki's sharp intake of breath made Raphael flinch, as if he was in trouble for the words he had spoken. "Who did he learn from?" Shredder demanded.

"I-I don't know, he never told us. He said he used to be a man."

"And now he's a turtle, like you? Mutated?" Saki asked.

"He's a rat," Raphael answered, starting to tremble under Shredder's sharp gaze.

Oroku Saki paused, contemplative, wondering what man this rat might have been. Likely no one of much consequence if he was American. It seemed like fate was at hand here, but Saki believed in creating his own destiny. He nodded to his Miko, who ran the end of her bundle through a candle flame. This creature he had taken in was going to be a very useful tool, but he needed to be certain of it's loyalty. The old lady swirled the smoking talisman through the incense, brought it up between her and the turtle, and blew the sharp smelling smoke directly into Raphael's face.

Raphael tried to wheel away but Shredder's voice commanded him to be still. He coughed and his eyes watered, but he obeyed.

"You will be awarded a great many things if you work hard in the Foot Clan," Saki said smoothly. "A home most people can only dream of, power and rank. All you need to do is let go of them. They abandoned you. They are not your family anymore."

Raphael resisted. "But..." Another wave of smoke was blown into his face and he coughed once more, sucking in great lungfuls of the acrid air.

"They abandoned you," Saki continued. "They didn't want you, but I do. I can see the potential that they did not." He observed as the young mutant rubbed his eyes and looked at him blearily. All he needed now was reinforcement from within Raphael. "Why did they cast you out?"

The boy blinked heavily, face framed by smoke, and began to weep silently.

"Answer me!"

Raphael sobbed out loud. "I was mean to my brothers," he confessed in a rush. "I made them cry and I made Splinter mad and they didn't want me anymore."

Shredder had to hold back a chuckle. This was perfection. Raphael's inner fear was the final nail in his coffin. Saki smiled. "Where do you belong, Boy?"

"Here, Master."

"Who is your family?"

"You and Karai, Master," he replied, wiping tears away from his bloodshot eyes.

"What will you give me in return for my generosity?"

"Anything, Master."