Chapter 4: Fights and Fears
A/N: Sorry for the late update, but I've been busy. I wanted to pos this up now before things got too hectic. I posted another story in the wrestling section of this site and got two flames. I figure I'll just stick to writing for the Turtles since I don't get flames here. If you want to review my other story it's in the Miscellaneous section of this site under wrestling and is called "Eddie's Revenge." It's about how I think Eddie would feel about the WWE exploiting his death. With that aside, I'd like to thank my loyal reviewers who have stuck with this story. Thanks to: Cynlee, Shellsboy24, Mac, LEO'SGIRL80, Mikey's Kunoichi, Anime Fan Team, Mewfem, and Dr.JNHardy. You guys rock. And now let's get on with the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Ninja Turtles. If I did, I'd be making a ton of money. I would like to own the WWE since they have such dumb storylines, but I don't. What a shame! Enjoy the story and no flames! I said that on my WWE story and people didn't listen. Glad to see we have intelligent people here who do. All flames, if there are any, will be cut up by Leo's katanas.
Two days later, April sent word that everything was settled. The girls were happy about it and spent their days having fun with their new brothers. Then came the day that April was to take them shopping. The girls were excited about getting new clothes.
"Mrs. Jenner hardly ever gave us new clothes," said Lisa. "It'll be nice to get something that isn't used."
When they arrived at the mall, the girls couldn't believe the choice of clothes that they could choose from. Even being in the mall was fascinating to them since they'd never been there before. April was a little shocked that Mrs. Jenner never took them anywhere.
"The only way we went anywhere is when the school would organize field trips," said Destiny.
"Well, I'll make sure you go to more fun places," said April reassuringly.
"Hey, after we get clothes, can we look at the toys?" Kaylee asked.
"Sure," April replied. "If you want anything, just ask."
"April, you don't have to do this," Lisa protested. "You've done enough already."
"Oh, don't be so modest," April laughed. "I like doing things for you. Besides, I'm your legal guardian. It's almost expected of me to do this."
"Well, okay, but don't let Kaylee make you go overboard," Lisa warned. "Sometimes she gets carried away."
"Lisa, stop being so overprotective," April said. "You can't blame Kaylee for wanting so much. After all, you guys haven't had much happiness. Let me be the one to give it to you guys. It's the least I can do."
Lisa sighed. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, April, it's just that I'm so used to having to look out for them," she explained. "It's gonna take some time for me to stop taking that motherly role. That's how I always felt."
"Yeah, but she was really bossy," Kaylee added.
"Kaylee, that's not very nice," chastised April. "You should be thankful that Lisa's been looking out for you."
"I am grateful," said Kaylee. "I just wish she didn't have to be so bossy."
"Well, she doesn't have to be now," said April. "I'm the boss now, and so is Master Splinter. Now, let's shop till we drop."
The girls laughed and followed her inside. When they got to the clothes department, they had to go to three different sections. April let the girls pick what they wanted, but Lisa was worried about the cost. April reassured her that it would be fine.
"If you want, you can work in the shop on weekends if it will make you feel better," she offered.
"Yeah, I'd like that," said Lisa.
Suddenly, a girl with braided pigtails came up to them. "Why, Destiny, what are you doing here?" she asked.
"Shopping for clothes," answered Destiny. "What are you doing here?"
"The same," replied the girl. "I'm Amber, by the way. Amber Brewster." She said this to April as an introduction.
"Nice to meet you, Amber," said April. "I'm April O'Neil, the girls' adoptive mother. Where's your mother?"
"At home," answered Amber. "I don't need my mom to shop for me unlike some people." She looked at Destiny as she said this.
"Amber, knock it off before I mess up those pretty braids of yours!" snapped Destiny.
Amber smirked. "I'm not scared of you," she said. "To me, you're just pathetic." Then she tossed her braids back and walked away.
"That girl makes me so mad!" seethed Destiny.
"Calm down, Destiny," said April, laying her hand on the girl's shoulder. "How do you know her anyway?"
"She's in my class at school," replied Destiny. "She's full of prejudice, especially against blacks and orphans. Thank goodness I don't have to put up with her until September when school starts."
"Well, you're not an orphan any longer," said April. "You have a family now."
Destiny smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said. "Thanks, April."
"Don't mention it," April said. "It's what I'm here for."
"Can we look at the toys now?" Kaylee begged.
April laughed. "Of course we can," she said.
After looking at the toys for a little bit, April took the girls back to the Lair and headed back to her apartment to get the furniture for the girls. Even though all but one were sharing with the Turtles, April felt that they needed some things of their own. Casey was going to help her move the furniture from her apartment to the Lair.
Meanwhile…
Karai made her way to the Rosewood orphanage in high spirits. She felt confident that after today, Kaia would be hers. She had met with her father's attorney, Sanford Turner, who was a very pleasant man. He had assured her that there was a way to get Kaia much earlier than planned. She just hoped that the document would be recognized.
She entered the orphanage and found Mrs. Jenner lecturing to some children. She looked around but didn't see Kaia anywhere. Karai figured that the girl must be up in her room.
Mrs. Jenner approached her. "May I help you?" she asked.
"Yes, you can," Karai replied. "I have come to collect Kaia."
"I told you that the paperwork won't come for two weeks," Mrs. Jenner explained.
"Ah, but I do not need some silly paperwork to sign," Karai countered. "This document states that I have legal rights to claim Kaia at anytime."
Mrs. Jenner looked at the document carefully. It was definitely legal. "Well, this seems to be in order," she said. "However, I'm afraid you're too late."
"What do you mean?" Karai asked, arching her eyebrows.
"Kaia ran away a few nights ago," Mrs. Jenner replied. "She and some of her friends stole away."
Karai's green eyes darkened in anger. "This cannot be!" she cried. "You are lying!"
"I assure you that I'm not," Mrs. Jenner said calmly. "I woke up and discovered that their beds were empty."
"Do you not have an alarm system?" Karai inquired.
"No, I don't," Mrs. Jenner replied. "I have no use for something like that."
"You are foolish," Karai scoffed. "You should at least be looking for them. Maybe call the police to help you."
Mrs. Jenner laughed. "The police?" she repeated. "They can't do anything right. I asked them to do something about the graffiti on the outside, and they didn't do a thing. They claimed they couldn't help me."
Karai grew angry again. "Look, I came to adopt a child, and I'll get what I want," she hissed. "One way or another."
"If you want another child, you're welcome to have one," Mrs. Jenner offered. "I have so many."
Karai laughed. "I think not," she said. "If I even tried, the child would probably be missing. This is all your doing, no doubt."
"How dare you?" Mrs. Jenner cried. "I had nothing to do with this!"
"Whatever!" Karai sneered. "I will make sure that no one adopts from this agency again. Such a shame! I was also going to make a nice donation to the orphanage, but I will use that money for a worthier cause. Good day to you!" And with that, she left the orphanage.
Karai's advisor was waiting for her. "Mistress, what happened?" he asked.
"They're gone!" Karai snapped. "I was so close, but the little brat and her friends ran away!"
"So, what do you want us to do?" her advisor asked.
"Find them," Karai ordered. "Search everywhere for them."
"But, Mistress, they could be anywhere," the advisor protested. "They could have fled the country."
Karai struck him across the cheek. "I don't care, you fool!" she shrieked. "Just search for them! Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mistress Karai," he said meekly.
"Good!" said Karai. "One way or another I will have my daughter. And once I do, I will crush the Turtles and all obstacles in my way!"
The Lair
"Donnie, can you fix my hoverboard?" begged Mikey. "I kinda broke it when I tried to do this cool jump."
Donatello sighed in frustration. He wanted to work on a new invention, but knew that he wouldn't get any peace until he fixed Mikey's toy.
"Sure, Mikey, I can fix it," he said.
"Thanks, bro!" said Mikey, clapping Don on the shoulder. "You're the best!"
As Don got ready to fix the hoverboard, Mariel came in and offered her help. Don assented and the girl helped him hold the lantern while he worked.
"Donnie, can I ask you something?" she asked.
"Sure, Mariel," replied Don. "What's on your mind?"
"Do you like April?" inquired Mariel.
"Like her?" repeated Don. "If you mean as a friend, yes, I do. She's always been there for us when we've been in a jam."
Mariel giggled. "No, I mean, do you like her in a different way?" she asked him. "You know, as a girlfriend?"
Don hesitated for a minute. "Well, sometimes I think of her that way," he admitted. "But at other times I force myself not to. I mean, I know it will never work logically. Then I think about her with Casey. Have you heard the saying that opposites attract?"
"Yeah, I've heard it on a song," Mariel replied.
"Well, that's the way it is with them," Don explained. "April's intelligent while Casey's the hothead. But when he's with April, I can see she changes him. He's more gentle and caring around her. Plus, I can see she's happy with him. It's just that sometimes I wish April was with me instead of Casey, and I hate myself for that. I guess I'm not making much sense."
"Yes, you are," Mariel contradicted. "You just wish that you could love someone like a human. I know how you feel. I wish I could love a guy, but no guy would like me. Everyone thinks I'm a geek because I'm smart. They don't even think I'm beautiful."
"But you are beautiful, Mariel," Don protested. "And I know that one day some guy will see that."
"Thanks, Donnie," Mariel said. "You're such a comfort. We're lucky we found you guys."
"I feel the same way," said Don. "Now, let's get this hoverboard fixed before Mikey pesters us again." Mariel laughed and they set to work.
Meanwhile, Raphael was getting ready to go topside with Casey. "We just wanna see what the Dragons are up to," he said to Splinter. "Wanna come along, Destiny?"
"Sure," replied Destiny. "Can I go, Dad?"
Splinter smiled when she called him that. Since the girls had been adopted, they'd come to think of Splinter as their dad. It made his heart warm to think of it, but he had to think about what Destiny wanted to do.
"I am afraid not, Destiny," answered Splinter. "It is too dangerous for you to be out at night."
"But Raph and Casey will be with me," protested Destiny. "I'll be perfectly safe."
"I realize that, but you have forgotten about Karai," explained Splinter. "She is a threat to all of you."
"She's after Kaia, not me!" retorted Destiny.
"And she will do everything in her power to get Kaia," countered Splinter. "She would capture you to use as bait. I am sorry, my daughter, but I cannot put you in such danger."
"Don't worry, Destiny, I'll give you a rundown when I get back," Raph reassured her.
Destiny shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever," she muttered.
"Papa Splinter, can Leo and I go on a walk?" asked Kaia. "Leo wants to show me some stuff."
"We'll be in the sewers," added Leo. "We won't be long."
"Yes, you may go," assented Splinter.
"That's not fair!" complained Destiny. "You're letting her go out when she 's the one Karai's after. What's up with that?"
"Kaia will be safe in the sewers," explained Splinter with a sigh. "It is less likely that Karai will look in the sewers for her. However, you would be going topside, which puts you in more danger. Now, I do not want to hear another word about it."
Destiny went to her and Raph's room and slammed the door. She was furious. She had every right to go out, not Kaia. Damn her, Destiny thought. It's her fault we're in this mess in the first place. We shoulda just let her go. Maybe we'd be better off.
Back downstairs, Kaia was upset by Destiny's outburst. "Why is she mad at me?" she asked.
"I don't know why, Kaia," Leo replied. "Don't worry about it. She'll calm down soon. C'mon, let's go for our walk. There's so much I want to show you."
She took his hand and followed him out into the sewers. The sound of water dripping echoed all around them. Kaia held her nose at the stench, and Leo laughed.
"You get used to it," he told her. Then he pointed to a spot that was boarded up. "That's where Raph and I met the albino crocodile when we were younger," he explained.
"Is the crocodile in there now?" asked Kaia with a shiver.
Leo chuckled. "No, he's dead," he answered. "But I still don't go in there. Down this way is where Leatherhead and Professor Honeycutt live."
"Who are they?" asked the girl.
"Friends of ours," said the Turtle. "Professor Honeycutt's a robot who used to be a human. Leatherhead's a mutant crocodile we found in our old Lair."
"Another crocodile?" repeated Kaia. "Is he dangerous?"
"Not at all," Leo reassured her. "He used to have trouble controlling his temper but he's mastered that now." Then he explained more about Leatherhead's predicament with Bishop and also Honeycutt's past.
"Those poor guys!" said Kaia sympathetically. "At least they have you as friends."
"Yeah, they do," agreed Leo. Then he knocked on one of the walls of the subway station. "Leatherhead? Professor Honeycutt?" he called. "Anyone home?"
"Yes, we are here," a voice called back. Then Leatherhead stepped out of a subway car that housed his lab. Leatherhead was a giant crocodile who could rip a man in half if he so desired. Beside him was the robot know as Professor Honeycutt.
"Ah, Leonardo, what a pleasant surprise," the robot said. "I was expecting Donatello to be here instead."
"No, Donnie's working on Mikey's hoverboard," Leo explained. "I'd like you both to meet Kaia. She's my little sister. Kaia, this is Leatherhead and Professor Honeycutt." Then he noticed that Kaia wasn't beside him. "Kaia, where are you?" he called Then he saw her peer out from behind his shell.
Leatherhead chuckled softly. "Do not be frightened, little one," he said gently. "While I may look ferocious, I am actually very gentle."
Kaia came out from behind Leo's shell, went up to Leatherhead and Professor Honeycutt, and bowed to them. "I'm sorry for my rudeness," she apologized. "Can you forgive me?"
"We can indeed," said Honeycutt graciously. "May I ask how you came to know the Turtles?"
"They saved us from the Purple Dragons," replied Kaia. Then she talked about why she and her sisters ran away.
"I understand your predicament," said Leatherhead. "I, too, felt that way when I was with Bishop." His eyes darkened at the mention of the agent's name, but he didn't go into a rage. He had learned to control his rages and knew that if he did so now, Kaia would be very scared.
"Well, I think we'd better get going," said Leonardo. "I promised Master Splinter we wouldn't be long. I have a few more things to show her."
"That is all right," said Honeycutt. "I hope to meet your other sisters, Miss Kaia."
"I'll be sure to bring them along, Professor," said Kaia with a smile. "Nice to meet you both."
"The feeling is mutual," said Leatherhead kindly. "I hope you have a safe trip in the sewers. See you soon. And tell your brothers I said hello, Leonardo."
"I will," promised Leo. "See you later!" Then he and Kaia left the subway station and headed out. Leo pointed out other places that he and his brothers used to play in when they were younger. He then stopped beside a ladder.
"What's up there?" asked Kaia.
"This is where my special place is," answered Leo. "Actually, it's one Raph and I discovered together. We decided not to tell anyone else about it. Now, I'm the only one who still uses it. Raph prefers to go topside when he's in a bad mood, but I often come here. C'mon, I'll show you!"
Kaia watched as the Turtle in blue climbed the ladder with ease. She didn't want to go up there, but she was afraid to show any weakness. She followed him up, trying to be brave about it. Suddenly, her foot slipped and she screamed, holding on with both hands while her feet dangled. Leo heard her cry and hurried down to her.
"Grab my hand," he said. "I'll pull you onto my shell." Kaia grabbed his hand and he pulled her up. She clung to his shell, shaking and whimpering. Leo went up the rest of the way and set her down on the ground.
"Are you okay?" he asked her gently.
"No, I'm not okay!" wailed Kaia. "I'm a baby! I'm scared of every little thing! I was afraid of Leatherhead, even though you told me he was harmless! And I'm also afraid of heights, too! I've always been scared of them! I'm an idiot!"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Leo asked her.
"Because I wanted to be brave," said Kaia. "You're so brave, Leo, and I didn't want you to make fun of me."
Leo smiled in sympathy. "I couldn't do that, Kaia," he said. "I was afraid of heights when I was your age, too. Sometimes, I still get that fear. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Now, let's go see my special place." He led he around the bend to a large pool with a waterfall. Kaia was amazed by it.
"It's beautiful," she remarked. "But I won't come here unless you're with me."
"That's fine," said Leo. Then his Shell Cell rang. He picked it up. "Hello?" he said.
"Leo, it's Don," said the voice on the other end. "Splinter wants you to come home. He has something he wants to tell us."
"On my way," said Leo. He hung up and turned to Kaia. "Time to go home," he told her. "Sensei wants to tell us something."
"Okay," said Kaia. She followed him to the ladder. He bent down so Kaia could get on his back. As he descended the ladder, she hid her face so she wouldn't have to look down. After that, she got off his back and took his hand to go home. She was much calmer than she had been before.
When they entered the Lair, they found everyone gathered near Splinter. He looked up as they came in.
"Leonardo, I am glad you and Kaia came home," he said. "I have just received a message from the Daimyo."
"Is anything wrong?" Leo asked anxiously.
"No, not at all," Splinter replied. "He has informed me that the Battle Nexus tournament will begin tomorrow night."
"Can we go, too?" Kaylee asked eagerly. She had heard so much about it from Mikey.
"Yes, you will go along to watch," Splinter answered. "I hope you support your brothers and myself."
"We will," said Lisa.
"This is cool!" Raph commented. "I can't wait to go again!"
"Me neither," Don added. "Maybe I won't be the first Turtle out this time."
"And maybe I'll be able to advance to the third round this time," chimed in Leo. Then he saw that Mikey was looking strange. "Are you okay, Mikey?" he asked.
"Are you nuts?" cried Mikey. "I might lose my championship! I'm not fine at all! It can't be now! Sensei, you should check the calendar again. Maybe the Daimyo didn't get it right."
"I assure you he did," said Splinter. "I do not know why you are so afraid, Michelangelo. You have always sounded confident before, especially when you bragged to your brothers about it."
"But, Sensei, I'm a marked Turtle!" moaned Mikey. "Everyone will be after me! Maybe I'll just skip this year. You know, call in sick or something."
"You will do no such thing!" chastised Splinter. "You will fight like the champion you are. A true warrior always defends himself with honor and dignity. I did it, and so will you."
"Aw, man!" whined Mikey. "I'm doomed!" He headed to his room to think things over. As he sat on his bed, he looked at his trophy sitting on the shelf. He'd had to move it there because Raph kept complaining about it. Klunk came up to offer comfort to his master.
"This sucks, Klunk," Mikey told his cat. "I'm gonna have to defend my title against tons of guys. It makes me think of when wrestlers win a title. I don't know why they defend them all the time. I'm sunk!" Klunk purred reassuringly, but even his cat's comforting purrs didn't ease Mikey's nerves. He was definitely screwed.
A/N: Well, that's it for this chapter. In the next one we're heading back to the Battle Nexus. So, who do you want to win the tournament this year? Review and let me know. This is gonna be good. See ya on the flip side!