~~Hello, lovely fans! I'm sooo sorry for having taken so long! I took a trip to Gatlinburg and in my haste, forgot to update you guys. Please don't hurt me! -hides- JK, I do hope you enjoy this chapter, I took a bit of a break from the crazy action, and this one's mostly backstory. Tell me what you think! I promised to bring Mikey back and here he is! Also, (SPOILER!) this is not the last you will see of our lovely Kameko! She'll come back, but for what, who knows?? xDD I hope this chapter was worth the wait, please enjoy!
Chapter Seven
Shell. Leo hissed tightly as the cold, sharp steel of the tanto bit into his neck. Luckily, the blade stopped before it sunk any deeper, just missing the precious life-pumping veins in his neck. The turtle stood rigid, frozen in his pose, with both swords inches away from closing around Zarke's neck and Kameko's sword just edging into his own skin. He could feel the trickle of blood slip down his slippery skin and the small sting when his sweat fell into the cut. Zarke bared his teeth in a startling show of emotion, obviously quite happy to see his enemy finally at an empasse. Leo's eyes narrowed and his teeth gritted.
Stupid, stupid, stupid! I was so eager to just end this, to just kill Zarke, that I disregarded the weapon he had made to kill us! Everything said I should have kept an eye on her! Even her name says it! Kameko! Tortoise child! I am such an idiot! Even though he really didn't want Raph to look up and see him with a knife in his neck, he was sure Raph would agree. What a stupid mistake!
He could feel tremors running through the tanto's blade and grimaced, trying to move slightly to keep the shaking from slicing too deep.
"Don't move, reptile!" Kameko snapped, sounding like a child even when she held a knife to his throat and ordered him about. Leonardo clenched his fists and waited patiently. There was a pause and then,
"L-Lift your swords." She ordered, now holding the tanto with two hands in order to still the tremors. Leo decided against shaking his head and settled for a nice,
"No." He could practically feel her tense through the blade.
"I t-told you, lift your swords! I'll-I'll kill you!" He heard her swear in Japanese and knew even she could hear the shaking of her own voice. Leo said calmly,
"No. I can't." There was confusion in her voice, as she asked, confused,
"Can't? W-Why not?"
"Because Zarke tried to kill my brothers. My responsibility as the eldest brother is to keep them safe and to do that, I must kill this man who means harm for them."
Kameko glared fiercely at his shell, where she could see the sheaths for his ninjaken.
Blue. His sword sheaths were wrapped in blue, like his swords. She had liked blue once. It had been her favorite color. Shou... He had loved blue too. Shou, my soaring brother! I miss you! A single tear dripped down her cheek and she didn't answer.
Leonardo shifted his weight slightly, preparing to move. Zarke saw his movement and snapped,
"Kameko!" She looked up and quickly put pressure on the blade. Leo froze, groaning mentally.
"Kill him!" Zarke ordered. Kameko stared at the blue ribbons in consternation, her soul in turmoil. She knew Shou wouldn't want her to kill any more, but she would be weak and insignificant if it hadn't been for Zarke. He had made her strong. She couldn't turn back now; his wish was her command. She gripped the tanto harder and refocused her attention on the reptilian creature's head, trying not to see the horrific image of it rolling on the ground.
Is that all I'm good for, killing people? She wondered sadly, unable to stop her eyes from trailing back down to the blue-wrapped sheaths. She bit her lip and flexed her fingers, struggling to remain on task. Just do it and then everything will be over with!
Then, the turtle's strange answer to her question came to mind. Protect his brothers? His brothers.. She turned slightly to look at them. The junk pile had suddenly been diminished to a truck and a bunch of wooden slabs that held it up around a crumbled green body. One of the turtles.. One of his brothers... She tried to remember what Zarke had said the one with the orange bandana was named. Michelangelo.
"M-Michelang-angelo.." She muttered, trying to sound out the unfamiliar word. The turtle she was supposed to kill, Leonardo as she now remembered, twitched, hearing her say his youngest brother's name. Kameko closed her eyes, struggling to think. Does he care for his little brother like I did mine? Does he deserve to live, to have a brother, if I can't have mine? The desire to simply break down and cry was nearly overwhelming, but with surprising strength for a child, she held onto her emotions.
The solution came to her, rather quickly and she blinked, rather startled. Now everything could make sense and Shou would be proud of her.
"Do you love your brother, M-Michelangelo?" His leg muscles looked rock-hard with tension. His voice was cautious and wary, like a police officer trying to talk down a bank robber, and having to answer a strange or personal question. The reply startled her.
"Mikey?" She blinked at the nickname. "Yes. With all of my heart. I would do anything for him and the rest of my family." Kameko bit her lip, arms trembling with effort of holding the tanto knife up. If he does love his brother so much, then, then, why should he have to die? I lost my brother. I know what that pain is like. Should he feel it, when he works so hard to keep them safe? Should he die?She didn't stop to think what her master would say. She didn't bother thinking about the fact that she was directly disobeying him. All Kameko cared about now was that Shou would be proud of her, for not killing this alien. He had brothers to take care of and he should have the chance to, unlike her.
Raph stepped back and observed his handiwork with a small grin, that quickly faded as his eyes darted back to the prone body of his brother. I'll get you out of there, Mikey. I promise. He glanced over at Donatello and saw that the wounded turtle was trying to get to his feet. Making an exasperated noise, he rushed over and held the turtle down manually, overriding his protests.
"Don't be stupid, Don, you aren't going anywhere. Now, look at the truck and tell me if you think it's stable." Don started to protest and then grunted as Raph promptly slapped his hand across his brother's mouth.
The olive green turtle glared, until Raph let go and he sat up, glancing at the truck and the stablizing wooden planks that held it up.
"Yeah, it looks good. Why, uh, exactly?" Raph let go of his brother and strode back over to the pile, got onto his knees, and grinned at his startled brother.
"I'm goin' in." He announced, ignoring the sudden panic on Don's face, and crawled. It was a little like swimming, using his hands to avoid disturbing any of the wooden planks and using his legs to propell himself through the wreckage.
Don watched his legs slowly disappear with worried eyes. He bit his lip, rubbing his leg absentmindedly and focusing on the truck, willing Raph to come out with Mikey. And please, let him be okay! Speaking of being okay, where's Leo? He glanced around and froze when he saw Leonardo.
Leo was standing in front of some huge man, whose rather disgusting sword-arm was tangled up in the fence, effectively trapping him. But what concerned Don was the girl holding a knife to Leo's throat. And he could see the crimson liquid flowing from where he sat. Aw, shell! He groaned. He couldn't do anything for Leo right now, sitting down with a bullet wound and extremely shaky legs. I'm so useless!
Then, shocking both Donatello and Leonardo, Kameko drew the tanto knife away from Leo's neck. She held it point down in front of her and then knelt when he turned around, surprised. She dropped the blade and bowed her head, asking,
"I don't want to live anymore. Not here. Not without Shou. Kill me please, Samurai." Leonardo watched her for a moment and then sheathed his swords with a resolute shiing, kicking the sword away resolutely. Kameko looked up in surprise as he told her,
"I'm not a Samurai. I'm a ninja and I won't kill you. You're a child; you have a whole life before you. If you want, I can help you along." He leaned down and whispered April's address into her ear, speaking quietly so that Zarke wouldn't hear.
"When you get there, go to the red-haired lady who owns the shop," He continued quietly. "And tell her Leonardo told you to come. She can help you." Kameko nodded, eyes wide. He gestured for her to go and she quickly got to her feet and bowed deeply. He returned the gesture and she paused, looking at him, strangely curious.
"Are you going to kill him?" She asked, peculiar expressions darting across her young face. Leo sighed. There was that question. He nodded and she frowned.
"He saved me, you know. From the men who took my family. And Shou." Her words suddenly stirred up a memory in the back of his mind. Frowning, the turtle asked,
"Can you show me your left shoulder?" Frowning at the strange request, she lifted the jerkin and cloth that covered it and revealed a small brand on her arm. He stared at it.
"Come on, Raph, it's my turn! Gimme the remote!"
"Ya right, this's my night and its gonna stay that way!"
"Actually, I think it's my turn."
"Leo!"
"Give it!"
They had tussled for a moment over the remote before someone hit the channel button that made it go to the news channel. All three turtles stopped fighting and stared at the TV as the anchorwoman talked.
"We have evidence suggesting that a chain of slave traffickers have infiltrated New York City! The FBI is on the case, but we want everyone to keep a sharp look out for this!" An image of a small tattoo-like brand that had been burned into a young boy's skin was shown.
"This is the marker of a slave owner. If you see this, please dial the following number to help end slavery!"
Kameko glanced down at the burn and then back at him confused. The turtle's face was closed. She kept saying how Zarke had saved her from the people who had taken her brothers and sisters. Perhaps he had bought her on the slave market, thus "saving" her from the people who were selling her family. Leo's eyes narrowed.
"Show the lady that mark." He told her. "She might have something to put on it." Kameko nodded and Leo flapped his hands, motioning for her to go. She did, moving as swift and nimble as a mouse, not at all like a tortoise.
Zarke yelled after her, furious, and she flinched, slowing a little, but then picked up the pace and scrambled up the fence. Leonardo smiled, secretly proud of himself for handling the situation so well. Then he turned around and faced Zarke.
"It's over." He said darkly. "I know you weren't involved with destroying her family, but you bought her and treated her like property. She's a human being and deserves much a much better life than what you provided. Her scars will be healed and she will have a new life, free of you. And," He leaned closer, eyes drawing to near slits in a sudden show of anger. "You'll never threaten my family. Ever. Again." He brought out a katana with a loud shiiing.
Raphael finally reached Mikey. Huffing a little, the muscular turtle reached with a gentle hand to shake the limp turtle's arm. He bit his lip, feeling fear like never before.
"Come on, Mikey, answer me! Are you all right? Come on, bro!" He crawled a little closer and glared fiercely at the form of his little brother.
"Don! How do ya find a pulse on 'im?" He demanded, raising his voice loud enough for his younger brother to hear.
Don did hear, and so did Leo and Zarke. Leo's head snapped around and he turned slightly, focusing on what had used to be a pile of trash. It was now mostly a truck with a bunch of wooden planks holding it up. He stared at it, looking from Mikey's prone form to Raph's, which was turned slightly to hear what Don was saying.
"Put your finger on his neck, underneath his jaw. Feel for the pump of blood in a vein there." Don's voice had gone high-pitched with worry, a trademark action of Mikey's. Raph reached down, grimacing to himself as he thought of what sarcastic and probably perverted thoughts Mikey would be saying right now and pressed his fingers against the green skin, waiting and praying to whoever was listening for there to be a pulse.
He didn't realize the whole junkyard had gone silent as they all waited for a diagnosis. Even Zarke was watching attentively. Leo's focus was almost completely on his brother, though he was still alert for any kind of reaction from his fallen enemy. He gritted his teeth for what felt like the hundredth time that day. If Mikey's dead, I'm going to make Zarke pay for every single inch of our despair! He stared hard the Raph's shell, thinking, Can't think that way! I've got to think positive, to help bring him back! Come on, Mikey, you can't leave us! He remembered Kameko's question and then his words to Kameko.
"Yes. With all of my heart. I would do anything for him and the rest of my family." Leonardo narrowed his eyes in concentration. Don't you dare make me a liar, Michelangelo!
Don's hands clenched on his knees as he wished fervently to himself that he had the strength to stand and help his younger brother. He didn't know what he would do if Mikey was dead. It would be like the light had gone out from their family. To Mikey, life was all a game and laughter made the world go round. Without hearing him laugh as he teased Raph, or complained about Leo, or bugged Don about one of his strange contraptions.. The inventive turtle's eyes were nearly shut, white slits in his purple mask, slits of pain and a desperate desire for some kind of hope. Let him be alright!
Raphael's hand was actually trembling slightly as he placed it carefully on Mikey's exposed neck, trying not to touch any of the multiple bruises that lined his body. Then, two things happened that nearly freaked the stoic turtle out. However careful he tried to be, his palm hit one of the bruises. Second, Mikey twitched and groaned, turning over, as if he was asleep.
Raph gaped at his brother, heart pounding like a drum on hyperactive mode. He's, he's alve!
"Idiot!" He popped Mikey around the head, grumbling. "Making me worry..." There was another groan and then an eyelid opened slowly. Mikey stared blankly at Raphael and then said, a little drowsily,
"Where am I? Why do you look like your heart almost stopped?" In an almost uncharacteristic pause, he said, concerned, "Everythin' all right?"
Raph sniffed and said roughly,
"Everything's o-kay, Mikey. I'm gonna get you outta here." Mikey frowned, waving a hand in front of his face, as his older brother carefully slipped his hands under the limp legs and neck.
"Where's here?" He wanted to know. Raph huffed and half-lifted, half-pulled his brother, trying to gently ease him toward the entrance. Unfortunately, gentle wasn't easily achieved. A small groan emitted from Mikey's mouth and he quickly tightened his lips to keep any other sounds from escaping, looking a little guilty. Raph just looked pissed. His little brother looked like he had gotten run over by a train; thus, Zarke was going to miss his other arm. Simple. He hoped Leo wasn't pulling one of his "all-honorable moments" out there.
"Listen Mikey, I know this is gonna hurt, but just hang with me here, okay?" The poor turtle nodded weakly and winced as Raph heaved again, trying to do it as smoothly and gently as possible, but Mikey still hissed in pain and Raph's face darkened.
When they finally got out of the truck, Mikey was so incredibly pale for a turtle that Don gulped and was making his way toward his brother as fast as his weak legs could carry him.
"Mikey? Mikey, you okay?" He asked worriedly, kneeling next to the gasping turtle and examining him with a practiced eye. He nodded, muttering,
"Rough ride." When Raph grimaced, he was quick to add,
"I meant under the truck. Should've been on top of it, ya know? Ehehehehehehee.." Donatello rolled his eyes, turning to examine Mikey's wounded leg.
"Only you would make such a lame joke now, of all times." Mikey grinned cheekily and then frowned, glancing around.
"Hey, why isn't Leo fussing over me too?" His comment reminded Don and Raph of their eldest brother's earlier predicament and they all turned to look at him. Leo had one of his katanas pointed downwards at Zarke's chest. He's going to run him through. Don realized. He looked away. Raph was just glad it was going to finally be over. Leo was going to finish this for once and for-
"Hey Leo! I'm safe!" The blue-clad turtle immediately swiveled around to stare at Mikey, who was waving. Not willing to leave Zarke, Leo only took a single step toward them, in order to see his so- recently endangered brother. Eyes narrowed in concern, he asked,
"You okay, Mikey?" The quirky turtle rolled his eyes.
"You guys have no originality whatsoever. All I've heard all day is 'you okay, Mikey' and so on. Good thing none of you are actors or anyth- Ow!"
"Shut up, Mikey. I just saved your butt and this is the thanks I get?" Raph folded his arms.
"Let off the head-slapping Raph, he's been through enough abuse today." Leo ordered, sighing in relief. Raph gave him a look which turned to surprise and then pure anger. That can't be good. Leo thought as Raph yelled at him,
"Zarke on the loose!"
Leo flipped away from the fence, just getting missing by Zarke's sword. Holding Kameko's tanto and his sword-arm, the man was grinning like a maniac, no longer emotionless.
"He isn't the only one who will be suffering abuse, freak. Once I'm finished with you, I will finish what I started with them." Leo's eyes narrowed into slits and Raph landed in a crouch next to him.
"That's what you think, pudge." He snapped.
The two turtles faced off against Zarke, who, was looking pretty happy with the odds. The turtles weren't. When they had faced him last time, it had taken everything they had to keep him from cleaving their shells. Now they were tired and Zarke had been resting.
Time to kick some shell, the old fashioned way. Leo thought, bringing out his other katana. Time to just kick some shell.