A/N: Finally finished this chapter! Thank you to all of my loyal reviewers! It's great to see reviewers leaving messages with almost each chapter along with new reviewers! Thank you Rachel Erica, BubblyShell22 (I always look forward to seeing your reviews and thanks for reviewing Paths We Follow), TheLadyOfSouls, and Andraia452 (and thanks for reading Paths We Follow), and everyone else who have reviewed previously. Enjoy the chapter!


Chapter 9: Worth Saving

Tears stung his eyes, blurring his vision, but nothing hurt more than his heart breaking into two. To most people, the storage unit contained several unassuming boxes and crates. The only unique aspect was the simple painting of a five petal flower on one hand crafted chest. To Splinter, the boxes contained all that was left of the Hamato clan – the last ninja clan. These were the relics of a dying art, a fading lifestyle. Very few still actually understood the ways of the shinobi no mono.

Splinter cautiously stepped forward and lightly glided his finger along the boxes. He knelt down in front of the chest, but hesitated, almost afraid to find a horrid discovery if he opened it. His breath was just as shaky as his fingers. Eventually his hands found their way to the latch. His thumb fiddled with the combination until the numbers aligned and the lock clicked open. Pushing the lid back, he peered in and instantly broke into wild sobs. Tears fell off his cheek and splashed onto his father's yukata. The burgundy garment was to be passed down to Yoshi when he officially took over the clan from his father…but that day is never to come now. Splinter folded the yukata to the side, revealing the hilt of two katana. He reached down and traced the patterns the wraps made. Niten ryu had been passed down for generations. The only reason it survived the fire was because it was not kept in the dojo since it had been relegated to ceremonial purposes only. In fact, that was how his only sole possessions survived. It was not much but he had hoped that when he got back on his feet and had adequate financing that he would open a small dojo.

Imagine that. A rat sensei teaching martial arts.

He released a crude snort in between the sobs and sniffles. With the back of his hand, he furiously wiped the tears out of his eyes. In a fit of anger, he slammed the chest shut and stormed out of the unit. He banged against the wall and slumped onto the cold asphalt. He stared into the night sky as if waiting for some divine revelation to guide him. Where was he supposed to go from here? He had cut his ties and disassociated himself from Hamato Yoshi yet it pained him to even consider throwing away these priceless possessions. Irreplaceable. If lost, then the clan was lost as well.

But I am the clan. It ends with me regardless.

Splinter stood up, stepped back into the storage facility, and opened another box. The contents of this box caught his attention: tanto, shuriken, and a bow with a quiver of arrows. This brought a slight smile to his face.

These can be useful….

He easily fastened the quiver of arrows across his body and slung the bow over his shoulder. He searched further for anything to carry the smaller items. Then the mental light bulb lit up and Splinter returned to the first box – the one with the yukata- and pulled out the obi. After tying the cloth around his torso, Splinter was able to store a couple of tanto and several shuriken into the belt.

Perhaps I will return and determine what else is worth saving.

Figuring that he had at least one or two months left on the rental, Splinter felt his possessions were safe enough for now. The night was growing late; it was time to return home. Splinter retraced his steps back to his manhole cover while carefully noting the path. The next time he returned to retrieve more items, Splinter wanted to keep his journey to the sewers. As he entered the now familiar tunnels that led home, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Progressing deeper into the sewers, the rumblings from the cars faded away but gave rise to a new sound. A sound that seemed oddly out of place. A faint sound that was barely audible. Splinter's large ears pricked up and flicked around as he held his breath and listened more intently. His eyes widened in horror when he finally registered what he was hearing.

Humans!

Sprinting faster than he knew possible, he raced toward the sound…no, sounds. There were definitely two of them!

Why are there people here?! Why now?! Did they find the turtles?! Kuso!

Flash! Splinter nearly fell on his bottom from stopping so abruptly but he needed to stay clear of the flashlights' beams as they swept around the tunnels. The men were approaching the last turn. Then they would be heading straight for the turtles! Splinter struggled to calm his breath, which was coming out as ragged huffs.

Calm your nerves! You are ninja!

"It's a good thing the city figured out the budget issue. The additional tunnel will help with the flooding issues we've been experiencing with the storms. Originally they were gonna make it another subway rail extension with a new station."

"How long has it been since the work down here got sidelined?"

"Six months. Surprised those hobos haven't started making camp in this area. Abandoned tunnels usually become little communities for the homeless scum."

So they do not know anyone is living in these parts yet.

Splinter pulled out a tanto and angled the blade to view around the corner. He located the men though the light obscured the view, making them appear more like a shadowed silhouettes. Fortunately their backs faced him. Though if he didn't act fast, the turtles would surely be discovered. The tunnel had the disadvantage of being tight and the bright lights illuminated the area well. Splinter needed the cover of darkness. Still grasping the little dagger tightly and relying on his stealth training, Splinter silently crept up from behind. Faster than either of the men could react, Splinter shoved one man to the ground, knocking his helmet off. Splinter immediately turned to the other man, grabbed him by the back of his head, and rammed his face against the wall, effectively breaking the headlight (and possibly his nose) and rendering the man unconscious. Before the first man could see him, Splinter threw the tanto at the remaining headlight, thrusting them into the darkness. Splinter watched as the frightened man scrambled to his feet only to trip over himself and fall hard on his chest.

"Who's there?!"

The rat held his tongue.

"P-please. I'll give you anything…anything. J-just d-don't kill me!"

Splinter continued to watch as the man fumbled with something in his pocket. Assuming he was retrieving some form of defensive tool – most likely mace – Splinter swiftly grabbed the man's arm and twisted it around, forcing the man's body to contort into an odd painful angle. Using his knee to guide the movement, Splinter firmly pinned the man to the ground while locking his arm securely in place.

"Oh God!" The man cried out in pain.

"Be silent!" Splinter commanded. He then lowered his voice into a deadly hushed tone. "Leave now and your life will be spared. Take your friend with you and do not return."

Splinter then released the man and faded deep into the darkness. He watched quietly as the man desperately dragged his friend all the while praying to God for protection. Once satisfied that the men were long gone, Splinter raced back to the dead end and shouted out to the turtles.

"Leonardo! Raphael!" He cried frantically.

No response. Just an unnatural silence. His heart beat hard and fast against his chest

"Michelangelo! Donatello!"

A soft chirp replied.

"Michelangelo?"

While they lacked the ability to communicate, Splinter had begun to distinguish between the four turtles' voice, much like one could distinguish cats by how they meowed. However, Splinter still could not locate the turtle! How can they be hiding in this small nearly empty corridor?!

"Michelangelo, where are you?!"

From one corner of the room, the pile of sheets rustled and then suddenly, Michelangelo's head poked out from underneath. The tiny turtle released a joyful chirp, resulting in three additional heads popping out. Splinter's racing heart began to slow down as he sighed in relief. He dropped to his knees and extended his arms out.

"Come here, my boys."

The four turtles raced, rather competitively, into Splinter's outstretched arms. They hugged him as tightly as possible as if he would suddenly disappear. Splinters returned the embrace and gently kissed the tops of their heads.

"You need not to fear anymore," he whispered soothingly. "I will not let any harm come to you. I swear to always protect you all. However, those men, or others, they will be back. We can no longer stay here. But it is all right. We will find a better home – a safer home – far from the humans. And our family will never need to live in fear again. I promise."