All the Titans were groggily coming down the stairs and sitting down in the TV area. Even Master Splinter had left his room and was sitting on the recliner. Kayla stood in front of the TV's facing them, Leo standing next to her. Her other brothers all stood behind the couch.
Beast Boy rubbed his eyes as he followed Jordan to the couch. "Ugh, why do we have to get up so early?" he groaned. Jordan elbowed him. He looked around and everyone was looking at him. "Uh, hehe sorry."
When everyone was waiting patiently Leo nudged Kayla's arm with his elbow. Kayla looked up at him nervously. He smiled down at her and she felt a little better. She took a deep breath as she faced her audience.
"Well, um, for starters I'd just like to say…sorry…for waking all of you up last night. I…it's not really something I can control. Ever since I was about…seven?" she glanced back at Leo. He looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, about seven," she continued, "I've been having nightmares. I started out having nightmares maybe a few times a month. My brothers and father had no idea why I was having such bad nightmares at such a young age. And none of us really understood the nightmares either."
"What were they about?" Raven asked from her spot on the arm of the couch.
Kayla took a deep breath. "When I first started having them they didn't really make any sense. Usually I'd hear a woman screaming, sometimes I would hear a baby crying, but nearly everytime I would see this thing, I didn't know what it was when I was younger and I didn't know how to explain it. I know now that it's a gauntlet; you wear it on your wrist and there's two sharp blades on the top. Well, in nearly every nightmare I had it would end with that gauntlet swinging towards me. Sometimes I had different nightmares but most of them consisted of that. The nightmares stayed consistent for a few years and even kinda faded off when I was about nine or ten. Then, when I was about twelve my brothers and I met the Shredder for the first time. It was probably our first REAL fight we've ever had, he nearly killed us. After we beat him and thought he was dead my nightmares suddenly escalated. I would have a nightmare nearly every night. It got to the point where Leo would sometimes sleep in my bed with me."
Kayla looked at the floor, embarrassed that she shared her bed with her brother. "Then, when we met the Shredder again he said something to me. Something like, 'You should join me. You don't belong with these freaks. You're my daughter.'" Kayla chuckled a little, "Kinda like a Star Wars flashback, huh?" the Titans chuckled a little and Mikey burst out laughing. Raph had to smack him to shut him up.
"I didn't believe him, obviously. When we got home Master Splinter could tell I was mad. He asked me what happened and I told him what the Shredder said. I waited for him to say how ridiculous that sounded and that I shouldn't believe a thing the Shredder says, but instead he looked horrified…scared even."
Kayla glanced at her father. His head was bowed and his eyes were closed, listening. "That's when he told me about my mother and how the Shredder, my father, murdered her. She used to be a member of the Foot Clan, and not just any member. She was the most skilled ninja in the clan. Shredder noticed her skills and they…spent a night…together. About a month later, in a fight my mother was inured and left behind. That's when Master Yoshi found her. He took her in and nursed her back to health. She stayed with him for over a month. She knew who he was and that he was working for the Shredder's enemies, but she was in no condition to fight him. She stayed and actually ended up learning a lot about honor from him. She'd always been honorable but it was Yoshi who helped her realize that what she and the Foot were doing was wrong. She and Yoshi actually became good friends and they learned a lot about each other. Then after a few weeks she found out she was pregnant, by the Shredder. She knew that he had the Foot and Purple dragons out looking for her. She had to get out. Yoshi told her to go back to Japan but she didn't want to leave him alone in New York. So she just stayed hidden in New York. She managed to avoid capture until she went into labor. She managed to contact Master Splinter, since she heard about what happened to him and knew him from when he was Master Yoshi's pet. He agreed to take care of me until she was safe enough to come back and get me."
Kayla looked at the ground, "She never got the chance." she murmured. Kayla felt Leo rest his hand on her shoulder. "Some Foot ninjas and Purple dragons found her and took her to the Shredder. The punishment for betraying the Foot was death. And since she refused to tell him where their child was he killed her." Kayla hugged her arms as she shivered, thinking about her nightmares. "That's what my nightmares are about. Even though I was only about two days old and wasn't even there when it happened…I'm forced to watch my mother die over and over. And sometimes it isn't her. Sometimes I'm in her place. Sometimes I see Shredder kill my father and brothers. Sometimes my friends."
Kayla squeezed her eyes shut, digging her nails into her arms. She felt Leo pull her into a side hug. She took a deep breath. "So, uh, that's pretty much it. That's why I wasn't too comfortable with you guys staying here." Kayla shrugged and looked at the ground.
"Wait," Beast Boy spoke up, "That was it?" Kayla looked at him in confusion and Jordan jabbed him with her elbow. "No, I mean; that's why you didn't want us staying here? Because you were embarrassed about the nightmares?"
Kayla felt herself blush a little. "Well, yeah, I mean, I hate the fact that I always wake up my brothers and father with my nightmares and I didn't want to do that to you."
"Oh!" Jordan exclaimed, "So, it's not because you don't like us or anything?"
"Are you kidding?" Kayla chuckled a little, "When Leo and Robin first agreed to you guys staying here the first thing that popped into my mind was, 'Oh my God! The Teen Titans are going to be staying here? At my house? This is AWESOME!'" Kayla held her hands up in emphasis. The Titans and her brothers all laughed, Kayla even heard her father chuckle a little. "I was just a little…afraid…that you guys would, like, hate me, or something." Kayla shrugged slightly with a smirk.
"You kiddin'?" Cyborg spoke up from where he was standing by the sofa, "How could we hate someone like you? I mean, we put up with Beast Boy, don't we?" everyone laughed except for Beast Boy, who turned and glared up at is friend. "But seriously," Cyborg continued, "you're awesome. I mean, we've all seen you fight. You even gave Robin a run for his money. And to add to that you've a great personality and sense of honor." Kayla felt herself blush and looked at the ground, she wasn't used to getting this much praise and being the center of attention.
"Cyborg's right." Robin added, "Everyone has their own little flaws and quirks. Like Beast Boy and his tofu." everyone laughed again.
"And Cyborg and his obsession with making every meal meat-based." Jordan put in, feeling a slight need to defend BB since everyone else was picking on him.
After the laughing had subsided Kayla spoke up a little. "Wow. You guys really are awesome."
Cyborg shrugged. "We try." everyone chuckled again.
Leo stepped up. "Well, if no one has anything else to say then I think we might as well get started on our work." most the teens waiting before him nodded but there were a few groans.
Master Splinter stood from his chair. "Well, if there is nothing else that needs to be said, Kayla, I wish to speak with you." Kayla nodded and followed her father to his room. When they reached the door Splinter turned around. "Oh, Leonardo, I would like for you to wait by my door until I call you in."
Kayla heard her brother murmur, "Yes, Sensei." as she closed the sliding, Japanese-style door behind her. Kayla entered the room and knelt on the ground before her father. She waited tensely for the lecture she was sure she was going to get.
After several moments of silence Master Splinter finally spoke. "Kayla, tell me why you went to the surface when you did."
Kayla continued to stare at the ground as she took a deep breath. "After I have a nightmare I usually can't fall back asleep. I usually do something to pass the time until morning. If it's pretty close to the usual time I wake up I just lie in bed until I feel like getting out of bed. If it's still really early then I'll either watch some TV or go topside to clear my head. So, I went topside."
There was a long moment of silence before her father responded, "So, what made this time any different than all the others?"
Kayla's eyes widened as she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I don't know, I guess…I guess maybe because I decided to follow that group of Foot Ninjas. I wasn't planning on fighting them. I just wanted to see what they were up to, but I guess that was pretty stupid of me. I should've just ignored it or called Leo or something." Kayla looked back up at her father, afraid he would forbid her from going topside without a babysitter or something. Her father's eyes were closed and his head was bowed, as if he were in meditation. She waited patiently for him to say something. His silence was almost scarier than his anger.
"Will you make this same mistake again?" Splinter asked, surprising Kayla as he suddenly spoke.
Kayla shook her head, "No, Sensei. I promise. From now on if I'm topside alone and I see something like that I'll call my brothers." Master Splinter smiled at her, his whiskers lifting as he did.
"Good." he said. He slowly stood and walked around the small table that separated them. Kayla stood and waited. He pulled her into a hug, she was only about three or four inches taller than him. "I'm glad you are safe, my Daughter." he whispered. Kayla smiled and hugged tighter, feeling like she would cry any moment. They pulled away and Master Splinter called in the direction of the door, "Leonardo. Enter, my son."
The door slid open and Leo stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He approached until he was standing next to Kayla and in front of their father.
"Leonardo, I wish for you to decide on Kayla's punishment for her activities of this morning. What punishment do you see fit for her actions?" Splinter looked up at his son expectantly. Kayla turned to look up at him also. She was actually a little afraid of what he'd choose. He could easily do something like keep her out of patrols for a month, or he could take away her skateboard, or worse…he could lock her in a room with Mikey! She could see Leo looking at her from the corner of his eye, watching for her reaction as he decided.
"How about…she has to stay in her bedroom, alone until I tell her she can come out. To give her time to think about what she did." Leo suggested.
Kayla's jaw dropped slightly. "That's it?" her voice squeaked a little in surprise.
Leo smirked down at her. "Well, if you want I can leave Mikey in there to keep you company."
"No! No, no that's fine." Kayla chuckled nervously. "That's a fair punishment, and I deserve it." Leo rolled his eyes with a smirk on his face. They both bowed to their father before leaving the room, Kayla following behind Leo as he lead the way to Kayla's bedroom.
"Hey Kayla!" Mikey called as he ran by, stopping in front of her, "A bunch of us are having a big Halo 3 face-off. Winner gets to choose what's for dinner tonight. Want in?"
Kayla sighed with a small smile. "Sorry, Mike. I'm grounded. Maybe some other time." she shrugged and moved around him to follow Leo.
"Alright, well, have fun." Mikey gave her a thumbs up and raced to the couch.
Leo opened her door and let her walk in. She sighed as she looked back at him. "How long do I have to be in here?" she asked him, her voice almost a whine.
Leo looked up at the ceiling as if he was thinking. "I'm not sure…Guess you'll just have to wait until I decide to come and get you." he smiled looking down at her. Kayla crossed her arms and made a pouting face. Leo just waved and closed her door.
"Ugh!" Kayla dropped her head back, looking up at the ceiling as her shoulders drooped. She glanced around her room, trying to decide on what to do.
Jordan groaned as her and Raven left the dojo. They'd been mentally searching the city from about seven that morning and it was going on eleven. Raven had decided to stop since this was their third day in a row with nothing to show for their efforts.
Raven went to the kitchen to get herself some tea. Jordan saw Robin and Don at the computer. They looked like they were watching some surveillance videos. Jordan decided to see if there was anything interesting on any of them. As she headed toward them she past Kayla's bedroom. When Jordan was near the door she stopped. She leaned her head a little closer to the door, listening. She could hear someone playing the guitar.
(If Everyone Cared by: Nickelback)
From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight
Jordan's eyes widened as she heard Kayla's voice. She never knew Kayla sang, but…she was really good. Jordan leaned her shoulder on the wall by the door so she could listen. The singing was sort of calming her mind after being all stressed out trying to find Slade and all.
Singing Amen I, I'm alive
Singing Amen I, I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
Jordan inadvertently felt herself slip into Kayla's thoughts and realized Kayla wasn't just singing. She was remembering. Jordan could see memories flashing through Kayla's mind. Jordan could see them as if she were looking out through Kayla's eyes. She saw a few flashes of a group of boys. They were getting in Kayla's face and saying things. She felt a pain in her chest and a feeling like tears in her eyes and knew she was feeling Kayla's feelings, too. She also saw a few flashes of muggers and ninjas. Her memories were sort of matching the lyrics as she sang them.
And I'm singing Amen I, amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, amen I, amen I, I'm alive
And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along
Jordan jumped slightly when she saw a shadow appear beside her. She looked up beside her and saw Leo standing by her. She blushed at being caught listening to Kayla's singing.
"She's good." Jordan said, not sure what else to say.
"Yeah, she is. She's a little self-conscious about it though. She loves singing and playing the guitar but she's really shy about it sometimes, even though she's performed in front of huge crowds before." Leo shrugged. They both stood silently as they listened some more.
Singing Amen I, I'm alive
Singing Amen I, I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died
Jordan felt herself get shivers as she heard Kayla vocalize on the word 'died'. She had a very strong voice.
And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be
Leo looked back down at Jordan. "I think she's been in there long enough. I need to go talk to Robin. Could you go in and tell her she can come out?" he asked. Jordan nodded but seemed to hesitate. Leo smirked. "You can wait for the song to end if you'd like."
Jordan smirked up at him. "Hey. I thought I was the only telepath around here." she scolded jokingly. Leo chuckled as he left her to talk to Robin and Don at the computers. Jordan went back to listening.
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
We'd see the day when nobody died
We'd see the day when nobody died
We'd see the day when nobody died
Nobody Died
As the last chord faded out Jordan knocked on the door. She heard a quiet "Come in." and she entered the room. Kayla was sitting on the edge of her bed across the room, holding her guitar on her lap in the playing position.
"Hi." Kayla said as Jordan entered.
"Hi." Jordan said back. "Leo said you can come out now."
"Really?" Kayla glanced over at the small clock on her desk, "Wow, I didn't realize what time it was." the two girls laughed a little.
"Probably too busy performing." Jordan nodded to the guitar.
Kayla's face turned red. "You heard that?" Jordan nodded and Kayla hid her face in her hand.
"You're really good if that makes it less embarrassing." Jordan pointed out as she sat next to Kayla on her bed.
"Thanks." Kayla smiled gently as she set her guitar back on its stand. They stood quietly for a few moments.
"So," Jordan wanted to end the awkward silence, "what exactly happened last night…that you came back with a fractured rib?"
Kayla took a deep breath. "Well, long story short I got into a fight with a huge group of Foot ninjas and robot things. I called my brothers for backup. They showed up. We fought them. Don and I were surrounded so I jumped up and broke the ventilation shaft off the wall and it fell on me. On the bright side it knocked out all the other ninjas and crushed the robots." Kayla shrugged like it was no big deal before staring off at the far wall. Jordan couldn't help but slip into Kayla's thoughts.
Kayla was thinking about the fight. Jordan was seeing through Kayla's eyes. She saw herself being surrounded by ninjas. Then there were a few hunched-over people that she couldn't completely make out from the shadows. Several ninjas were jumping in front of Kayla and fighting her but one by one she swept them away. Then a face concealed by a black mask with a single orange circle in the center leapt in to face her. Jordan's thoughts were shattered and she regained her normal vision.
She stared at Kayla from across the room, her mouth opened slightly. Kayla looked over and noticed Jordan staring at her.
"What?" she asked a little uncomfortably.
"You said you were attacked by robots?" Jordan asked to be sure.
Kayla nodded. "And the Foot."
Jordan waved her hand, signaling for Kayla to follow her. Kayla did and Jordan lead her over to the computers. Leo, Robin, and Don had moved and were talking among themselves near the kitchen.
Kayla watched as Jordan typed away at the keyboard until Slade's file popped up. Using the mouse Jordan scrolled down the screen and stopped to open a file. A profile popped up showing a picture of one of the robots Kayla and her brothers fought. Kayla's jaw dropped slightly.
Jordan pointed at the picture. "Was that what the robots looked like?"
Kayla nodded, not taking her eyes off the screen. Jordan looked over at Kayla and their eyes met.
"Those robots work for Slade."