A/N: Hey guys I'm back! You miss me, yeah probably not but anyway. Okay a few little points for this chapter, the proper name for Florence's weapon is a manrikigusari, but that's too long so I thought I would shorten it to just manriki. Also if you see any mistakes let me know and I will fix them asap. On that bit tween isn't a mistake, a tween is a kid from age 10-12. Lastly, please leave a KIND OR CONSTRUCTIVEreview. That's it from me, enjoy the chapter! :)
Florence held the silken mask in her hands like it was glass. This simple piece of fabric would be her bargaining chip in case this Bishop became unreasonable; assuming he still held high regard for it. The tween turtle raised it over her eyes before fiddling with the knot at the back. She let out a heavy sigh before hearing her father's approach.
"I have to get out before he sees me!" Florence whispered to herself.
The turtle got to her feet and left the room as quiet as a wisp. As she snuck back towards the dojo she was able to slip past her brothers and father unnoticed.
"Master Splinter, what's going on?" Leo asked worriedly. "Why would Florence fake having a fit?"
"Are you blind Leo? You really can't see what going on?" Raph exclaimed. "Flo's going after Bishop!"
"But dudes, why would she do that? We told her about the time we first met the wacko," Mikey chipped in. "Why would she go after him?"
"Well, she wanted to know what was going on. And from the looks of it Florie knew we weren't telling her either,"
"I fear you are right Donatello," Splinter muttered.
Florence stood in the shadows of the dojo and watched her family disappear from her sight. She felt as if someone had ripped out her heart and used it as a bullseye. She was about to do something that would change everything. But Florence could not ignore the steady pull of needing to know. She used her time in the dojo to collect her manriki before turning to leave; she knew it was hers because she remembered overhearing Donnie and Mike talking about it tween took a deep breath before she made a silent dash for the shadows of the kitchen. From there she quietly made her way to the exit. She couldn't risk taking the elevator; it was a far too obvious thing for her to do.
As Florence stepped over the threshold away from her home her entire mood changed. No longer was she a lost little child; she was a girl on a mission. A mission to find the answers of her past. With one last look at her home she began sprinting through the sewer tunnels she knew off by heart. After a short while the pink haired turtle pulled herself up through a manhole. Florence had purposefully chosen to go from April's dwellings. If trouble were to arise for her and she were to be injured, finding her way back would be too easy with her keen memory.
"So this is where your journey begins Florie," Florence whispered to herself. She turned her head to stare at the manhole. You should go back. It would be safer, a voice inside her head said.
But no, there was no turning back. There were answers to discover. And with that Florence jumped up on top of a dumpster and reach up for the fire escape. With a tight grip and using all her strength she pulled herself over the rail. As she continued up the fire escape flashes of her memories trickled back to her.
"Hello little one. I'm you Daddy," Bishop smiled.
"She'll inherit your independence you know," Inala stated softly.
"And how do you know that, my love?"
"Her refusal to be held by your personal doctor for one,"
Bishop chuckled.
When Florence reached the top of the building she stalked over to the edge facing the street. There had to be some kind of, well, something to lead the way to Bishop. She jumped across two more roofs before she reached a crossroads, literally. Florence scanned the street for some means of getting across without getting noticed. Suddenly her gaze fell upon a streetlight, Florence smiled to herself as she reached for her manriki. She held on to the handle tightly and threw it out towards the light. Once the chain reached its limit Florence pressed the end in and watched as it extended and curled around the streetlamp. The young turtle didn't hesitate to swing to the next building.
When Florence was sure she was on solid ground she loosened her manriki and pressed the end again to return it to its normal size. In doing so she recalled when she first found out about her weapon.
Florence was playing hide and go seek with Raphael when she pasted Donnie's lab. She had not been allowed in of late so she paused her game to see what was so important. The young girl stood to the side of the door and strained her ears to hear the inside conversation.
"Come on Donnie, please please please tell me! Please, did I ever mention you're my favourite turtle?" Mikey nagged.
"If you must know I'm modifying the manriki Master Splinter has chosen for Florie. Now if you don't mind, a little peace and quiet would be appreciated," Donnie replied.
"Cool, what's it do?"
Donatello sighed again. "It extends when you press here, and when you twist it anti-clockwise it turns into-,"
"Ha, found ya green bean!"
"Ahhh, let me go Raphie!" Florence giggled.
Florence closed her eyes and pushed the memory to the side. When her eyes reopened she was back in real life.
"Alrighty then, where to from here?" her question was answered as she heard a skittering sound from the alleyway bellow.
As she walked her way to the edge voices became clear.
"Why the heck are we out here? Night after stinking night, and for what?" a gruff man bellowed.
"Yeah, Bishop ought to give up already, you think he would after the Mokire took Inala away," his companion replied.
"You know what, let get outta here! I'm done wasting my time!"
By the time the two men were back in their van Florence was already hidden between the machinery and stolen money. As she stared out the back window Florence watched the buildings roll by.
I will get my answers, no matter what it takes!