A/N: Sorry it took so long... I wonder if I even remember the whole plot I had going for this story...

Disclaimer: No ownership of the awesome foursome


Shredder winced as the scream pierced through his head like shards of glass. Karai was already continuing her question as the scream subsided. She held no concern or emotion, other than annoyance, towards the scream. It was as she was raised, worry not for others unless it shall affect you. If she held any concern for the screamer, she did not show it.

Shredder followed the path of which the scream had come from. He reached the edge of the rooftop and peered over the edge to see three men holding down a woman in an alley. The woman appeared somewhat familiar, her hair was dyed purple and she had piercings all over her face. She wore baggy jeans and a sweater, tight enough to accent her female curves.

Shredder noticed one of the men reach down to unzip his pants. He growled angrily and leaped down into the alley. He unsheathed one of the katanas sheathed on his back and kicked a man, the one who had his hands on his zipper, into a dumpster. The man impacted heavily, denting the dumpster and dropping to the ground on his front.

The other two men got off the woman and backed away fearfully. Shredder jumped and came down between them. He released a split kick into their faces just as he neared the ground.

The two men impacted hard on the parallel brick walls and slumped unconscious to the ground. Shredder noticed the men had managed to tie down the woman. He brought up his katana just as he was about to cut through the rope on her wrists and ankles.

"Hey, get away from her!" A young Brooklyn-accented voice shouted. Shredder's eyes went wide under his mask and he leaped back, barely missed by the red-hilted sai that hit the ground where he had been standing.

A forest-green skinned turtle dropped in front of Shredder. His red mask tails fluttered slightly in the wind. "I didn't know Foot goons like ya' were interested in killin' random teenagers!" He shouted at Shredder.

"Raph…" Shredder mouthed. "Raph!" He cried and dropped his katana, ready to surge forward and hug the turtle, overcome by his emotions. Raph's eyes narrowed and he held out a sai at Shredder.

"What the hell d'ya think yer' doin? Only my bros' can call me that. Yer not even worthy enough t'know my name… Foot bastard!" Raphael shouted the latter, running forward to plunge his sai into Shredder's chest.

Shredder leaped aside, coming back to reality. He kicked Raphael's shell as he ran by and the turtle stumbled forward slightly. An orange masked terrapin landed on Raph with a thump, taking them both to the ground. "Ow…" Mikey groaned.

Shredder leapt up and kicked off one wall to the other until he reached the roof top. Karai was battling it out with Donatello. Shredder ran forward, apologized to Don silently, and jump-kicked him dead-center in the plastron.

Don yelped and flew back into a shed, groaning as he slowly sat up. Shredder glanced around, but did not see Leonardo. He nodded to Karai. "Search the vicinity for Leonardo." He ordered her. She bowed and ran off, leaping onto another rooftop. Shredder walked in front of Donatello and knelt before the turtle.

"Don… are you okay?" He whispered. Don glared at him. "Who are you?" The turtle asked, rubbing the spot on his plastron where he was kicked harshly. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me." Shredder said. Don suddenly kicked up, hitting Shredder's jaw with a solid cracking noise. Shredder staggered back and held out a hand at Don, palm out.

He rubbed his aching jaw and pushed up hard, eliciting a pop and a grunt of pain. Don stood up and twirled his bo staff, prepared for a counter-attack. Shredder stared at Don's eyes, for any hint of attack… finding none for the time being. "I need you to stay calm… please. This is very important." He said.

Don nodded, but remained on guard. "Is the Shr- Is Leo back at your home, conscious and moving around without problem?" Shredder asked, trying not to seem threatening. Movement caught the corner of Shredder's eye, and he rolled aside. An angry Raphael stood where Shredder had stood moments ago. Mikey leapt up onto the building and glared at Shredder. They were still unaware who he was, thanks to the Foot uniform and his masking of his voice.

"What's it t'ya, if Leo's okay or not?" Raph growled.

"I just need to tell you that-" Shredder began.

"No! We're done with hearing Karai's little revenge quotes!" Mikey shouted.

Don nodded. "Guys, I'd usually rather hear someone out than fight. But tonight, I'm agreeable to a change of tactics."

Shredder noticed his question had seemed sarcastic, as if he'd been gloating over Leonardo's injuries.

Shredder shook his head, knowing he would not be able to get through to them. The three ran forward, weapons ready for the first strikes. He tossed a few pellets at his feet and disappeared in a burst of smoke, leaving them coughing in the cloud of smoke as he made his escape.

Shredder dropped into an alley, pried off a manhole cover, slid into the sewers, and slid the manhole cover back on. He stood in ankle deep water, breathing slowly. The adrenaline slowly faded from his system. He strode through the water, judging where to best exit the sewers and return home. He pulled off his mask and stared at the material, glancing back in the direction his true home was.

Shredder wanted to return to his real home, but he knew he couldn't. If he showed up at the lair, there'd be more than blood. He'd also probably unintentionally lead the Foot Clan to the lair, and then shit would really hit the fan.

Another major headache struck him; Shredder leaned against a wall as he waited for it to fade. He heaved up the contents in his stomach and groaned. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and slowly climbed up a ladder. He gently pushed off the manhole cover and slid out of the sewers, returning the cover to its proper place.

Shredder pulled his mask back on and scaled the side of a wall, reaching the roof quickly. He disappeared into the shadows, on his way back to the roof he had agreed to meet Karai on.

~.~.~.~.~

Leonardo exited his room, syringe in hand. He walked down the stairs and through the living room to Master Splinter's room. He opened the screen door and stepped in to see the elderly ninja master asleep on a bed, too old to sleep on the floor as he had before.

Leo walked over to his Sensei and inserted the syringe's needle into the pulsing vein on Master Splinter's throat. Splinter's eyes opened quickly. Leo forced his snout shut before he could say anything. Splinter's body went into a seizure. Leo stepped back, pulling out the syringe, and letting Master Splinter's body drop onto the ground, shaking and thrashing in uncontrollable seizures.

Master Splinter's body stilled and his eyes glazed over. Leo placed the syringe in Master Splinter's cooling right hand, making it appear as if he'd committed suicide. Leonardo returned to his room, and crawled into his futon with an evil smirk upon his face. He closed his eyes and dreamed of slow and painful deaths for the rest of the family.

~.~.~.~.~

Raphael dropped back down into the alley, Mikey and Don were helping the woman onto her feet. "Guys, what the hell did you do!" She snapped angrily. "Angel, we just saved you from that Foot Ninja." Mikey reminded her. She glared at them all. "That Foot Ninja saved me. See those idiots over there?" She asked, jerking her head in the direction of the unconscious thugs. "He knocked them out. And then you guys attacked him." She said.

Don quirked an eye ridge unbelievably at that. "And when he brought that katana up above you? Ready to swing it down?" Don continued. Angel glared at Don. "He was probably going to cut the rope." She snapped. "Probably?" Mikey asked, folding his arms across his plastron. "Listen Angel, we're not too keen on the idea of a nice Foot ninja after what happened to Leo. He was kidnapped, tortured, and nearly killed by the Foot Clan." Don stated.

Raph growled and punched a wall. "I'm gonna' find that guy and Karai, an' bust em' up. He's probly' her new body guard or somethin'." Raph grumbled. "Yeah, and he's got some moves bro'. I mean, he didn't even see us and still dodged our attacks." Mikey remarked.

"Yeah… and his fighting style is really familiar… along with his voice…" Don said, taking his chin in his hand thoughtfully. Angel shrugged. "Well it was nice seein' you guys and all, but I've really gotta' go. I'm already late for dinner at my grandma's… Mikey, could you help me home? I don't need to get jumped twice." She said.

Mikey nodded. "Sure dudette, lead the way. I'll be following from the rooftops." Mikey said, jumping up to the roof. "See ya' at home bros'!"

Angel walked off, Mikey following, leaving the two older turtles standing in the alley. "What do you think about that Foot ninja?" Don asked suddenly. Raph turned to stare at him.

"He's a bastard who needs his ass kicked."

Don shook his head. "Not that. When he broke into my fight with Karai, he didn't kill me when he could. He didn't kill you or Mikey when he could have. We were all vulnerable to his attacks and yet… all I got was a kick to my plastron… And even that didn't hurt too much." Don said.

Raph rubbed his head. "I dunno'… I guess it is pretty strange... I bet it's a plan t'get us off guard." He said. Don nodded, it was the only reason they could come up with. "Let's head home, Raph, I'm sure Leo would like to share his thoughts on this." Don said and started for a manhole.

Raph nodded and followed him. "Yeah, I just hope Mikey doesn't find a baby mouse and decide t'call it feces. Geez, Don, I can't believe ya came up wid' that load of shit… Pun intended." Raph chuckled.

~.~.~.~.~

Karai stood waiting for her master and father to appear. "Karai… have you seen anything?" Shredder's voice whispered, barely audible. He stood behind her. Karai shook her head. "No, Master, but Michelangelo has headed off on his own. Should we follow him to their home?"

"No, return to the tower, I'll shadow Michelangelo."

"Master…"

"Yes, Karai?"

"Why did you save that woman?" She asked, turning around to look at Shredder. He straightened. "Because I have strayed far from the path of Bushido, Karai. We have become nothing more than murderers… thieves… executioners… I would rather commit seppuku than bring such dishonor to the clan… and to my daughter. Karai, we must return to the path of honor… of doing what is right." Shredder said.

Karai's eyes brightened at that. He had called her his daughter… He hadn't said it as if she were a prized possession, but as if she were his true family. He'd said he couldn't stand anymore dishonor, no more murders… thieving… Karai couldn't believe what he was saying.

She bowed respectfully to her father. "I shall return to the tower, Master."

Shredder shook his head. "Don't say it that way… Try this: I shall return to the tower, Father." He said, not believing he was trying to be a parent. Shredder had absolutely no experience as a father, and yet here he was, trying to parent Karai. He knew he had to do this though; Karai was only a monster because of the former Shredder's brutality and deceit. He knew if he could get her to see a different path… a path to good, she'd be so much better.

She smiled warmly, surprised by her father's sudden affection, but thoroughly happy he had decided to finally see her as more than a second in command.

Karai bowed once more and leapt onto another rooftop, heading towards the tower. Shredder stood there, staring in the direction Karai had taken. He shook his head and walked over to the edge of the rooftop. He sat down and looked up at the moon. He heard two caws, both familiar. He turned his gaze up to see two ravens flying above him. He stared at them intensely, knowing them from somewhere, but not remembering. "Kari… Karai?" He mumbled, trying to remember. One of the ravens cried mournfully, the other banked as it noticed Shredder. "Kite and Kari." Shredder finally said in recognition. He whistled once and held out his arm.

The two birds turned their attention to him at the whistle, instantly recognizing the man sitting on the rooftop. They cried fiercely and dived at him, talons spread aggressively. Shredder noticed the sudden change in emotion and ducked under the sharp talons. He dropped down into an alley and took cover. They didn't seem to have the heart to continue attacking, and they flew off.

Shredder moved out, staring at the departing figures of the two ravens. He lowered his head sadly. He found himself wishing that his family would recognize him within this prison.

Shackled by his duty, imprisoned by his love for his brothers, and with no freedom but death… but even then, he'd be chained by the consuming shame of abandoning his brothers to their fate at the hands of his former self… Leonardo.

A/N: And it seems that more problems are being realized as we move on… Let's see how far this takes us.