Kame
AU fanfiction. This means that the turtles have been placed in a unique world of my imagination and I do not have to stick to cannon. I am saying that to the readers that don't like this type of story.
I own nothing.
Chapter Eleven
"Oh," Donnie sighed, "Dear, sweet Kame. I feel so bad that he blames himself for the death of his brothers. Mikey and I have seen him looking sad before when he thinks nobody is watching. I know he is thinking of his babies. Mikey forced Kame's story out of me and has been trying in his own way to distract our friend from his sadness."
I sighed softly as I nodded. This was a hurt that I couldn't fix for Kame and it pained me to not be able to soothe my friend.
"We can't return Kame's loved ones, but we can do everythin' in our power ta assist him in developin' a new life," I assured as my brother nodded, "Did ya know that Kame has begun some of his trainin'?"
"Yes. Mikey was telling me about what he observed today," Donnie answered as we began to walk back towards the palace, "I liked hearing the fact that the two Heiwa no Senshi were being gentle in their instructions."
"Mikey noticed?" I asked in surprise as my brother nodded.
"Mikey had his throwing stars ready if they scared 'his' Kame," Donnie giggled as he made quotation marks in the air.
I laughed good and hard. Mikey would have nailed both of them good despite the two ninjas being Heiwa no Senshi if he felt he needed to protect Kame. Mike had quite a knack at hitting his targets dead on.
"Did Mikey see Kame bein' carried in?" I suddenly demanded feeling concerned that my baby brother might have been upset.
"Mikey was asleep, thank goodness," Donnie informed me as I calmed, "I on the other hand nearly had a panic attack."
"Such a drama king," I laughed as my brother shoved me, "Come on. I need ta speak ta Father about tha arrangements for tha Summer Festival tomorrow."
Arguing voices interrupted my meeting with Master Splinter as Kame faced off against the two Heiwa no Senshi ninjas about an hour later. Father and I watched from the window as the healer insisted on going into the forest since his medicinal plants were running low and he was worried that Mikey would need them for the festival on the morrow. And "no" he wasn't just going to go buy the dried stuff from the city market because it wasn't fresh so stop asking. It was amusing to see Kame not only win the argument, but verbally best the two, trained ninja as they followed him into the local woods.
"Don't argue," I offered as the Heiwa no Senshi members walked back to the palace with Kame a couple of hours later, "Nothin' is goin' ta stop Kame from keepin' Mikey healthy."
"I don't think a lot stops this one," Mamoru agreed with amusement in his voice, "The Young One is a force to be reckoned with if he needs to stand his ground."
"I agree," Kioshi pouted before sneezing and holding some white blossoms at arm's length, "His knowledge of medicinal plants is amazing, but I think that I am not meant to be a healer. These stink."
I laughed good and loud when Kame stomped up to take the flowers as he rolled his eyes at the ninja. I adored this turtle whom had become a part of my family.
The next day, I found myself dressed in my best yukata early. I had chosen a red yukata with a black, fan print. Donnie met me at Mikey's door in his purple and white yukata and we both grinned at hearing the excited babbles of our little brother from inside.
"I don't want to wear that one, Father," Mikey chirped as we walked in the door and saw a frustrated Master Splinter holding up a green and yellow yukata.
"My son, you have turned down every article of clothing I have pulled out," Sensei sighed as Kame came out of Mikey's closet, "Hurry and pick one."
"I want it to scream summer," Mikey insisted from his wheeled chair.
"I like this one," Kame offered as he held up a yukata with a white background and orange bamboo design printed all over the fine cotton.
"That one! That one!" Mikey agreed as he clapped happily and Father gratefully took the clothing from the healer's hands, "Good choice, Kame. Do you want to borrow one of my yukatas?"
"I don't think I'll fit," Kame laughed as he held up a way too short example, "Thank you for offering, Mikey."
Mikey bubbled as Father helped him get ready. Donnie and I startled when one of the Heiwa no Senshi ninja popped into a window and handed Kame a wrapped package before disappearing the way he came.
"Ooh!" Mikey giggled as Father was tying his obi, "What did you get, Kame?"
"I…I don't know," the healer stated as he pulled the paper away to reveal a new yukata with a blue leaf pattern, "Oh. Goodness."
I laughed as Kame leaned out the window shouting "thank you" to the ninja that had delivered the package. I was pretty pleased that Kame's guards had thought of this since I had forgotten that the healer still did not have a full wardrobe yet.
"We will remedy that today," I thought as I dragged Kame into his room to help him into his new yukata, "Watch in tha mirror, Kame, so ya can see how ta tie an obi."
"I cannot believe that I actually own a kamishimo, a silk kimono, and a yukata," the healer declared as if this was amazing while he watched what I was doing.
"Ya need more than just those garments, Kame, especially since tha kamishimo was damaged in tha attack from Hun" I explained as my friend blinked at me while I handed him a change purse, "This is your wages. Put tha cord around your neck and hide tha bag in your clothes. Today ya are ta get some new garments of your likin' and start decoratin' your room."
Score: Raphael-9 Kame-11. Still catching up.
"I get to help," Mikey cheered as he rolled gleefully towards Kame as the healer tucked away his new wages, "Raphie, Kame is going to carry me in the sling so I can see more of the festival."
"I can carry Mikey, Kame," I offered as the healer smiled.
"If you would like, but I thought since Mikey was going to help me shop that it would be easier to have him close," Kame stated as my baby brother beamed.
"I see," I agreed feeling not the least bit slighted, "That does make sense."
"May I help as well, Kame?" Donnie offered as the healer nodded, "I am a little fearful that everything you buy today might end up being orange."
"Orange is a great color," Mikey defended as Kame covered a laugh with a fake cough, "But I think my Kame likes blue better since he is of Water."
I blinked as Kame froze in shock.
"Little One, how did you know that?" the healer asked as he kneeled before my baby brother.
"Water flows in you," Mikey giggled as he took Kame's hand, "Just like Wind blows in my Donnie and Fire burns in my Raphie. She told me"
"Earth told you?" Kame asked as Mikey nodded, "This is wonderful, Little One. That means that you are beginning to bond with your element more. The stronger you get, the more you can control your inner element so that I can begin to teach you how to shield yourself. See, Mikey? You were so sad yesterday, but look at how far you have come since I first met you."
Mikey looked stunned before laughing happily as he threw himself at a surprised Kame. The two wound up in a pile on the floor as Donnie and I kneeled beside our baby brother and Chief Healer.
"I'm getting better!" Mikey crowed as I pulled him onto my lap.
"Well, Kame is not gettin' better with ya squishin' him," I smirked as Mikey threw his arms around my neck.
"I'm going to get strong, just like my Raphie," my baby brother declared, "Did you hear, Donnie? I'm learning how to get better with my element!"
Donnie nodded and began to banter with Mikey as he scooped him back up and placed him in his chair. I jerked Kame into my arms and hugged him tight.
"Thank you," I breathed into his ear before releasing him and helping him up, "Now ya are part of tha family. Ya've been Mikey-tackled. It's a rite of passage around here."
"Tell me about it," Sensei and Donnie drily stated at the exact same time as Mikey giggled happily while Kame beamed.
We all had some breakfast before heading off towards the palace gate. Royal Guards surrounded us, but I felt better about the Heiwa no Senshi ninjas that I sensed nearby.
"Raphie, I want dango first," Mikey chirped as we began to hear the sounds of the festival coming over the palace walls, "Dango, Kame. Have you ever eaten some before?"
"No, Mikey," Kame answered as he adjusted my little brother more comfortably on his back and pulled his herb bag further on his hip, "I have seen dango before, but never had any."
Since my little brother was in a yukata, Kame had strapped him so that he was sitting sideways against the healer's shell. Mikey's legs were swinging happily and I was afraid my baby brother would cause Kame to stumble.
"Stop your squirmin'," I scolded as Mikey peeked over Kame's shoulder at me, "Ya're on Kame's back so ya can't go all wave-crazy like ya usually do. I don't want ya ta make Kame fall. I know ya would feel bad."
"I'll be good," Mikey agreed as he wilted and then I got an intense scowl from Kame and I wilted.
Score: Raphael-9 Kame-12. Damn, Kame could look scary!
"You wiggle as much as you like, Mikey," Kame offered as Donnie and Father laughed at me behind their hands, "I am sure in my steps. Let's find that dango."
I smiled to see Mikey perk back up and soon those little legs were swinging happily again. We stepped out of the palace and were immediately surrounded by the festival goers. Guards kept the throng back as our names were called and we waved at the people. I was surprised to see the respect that Kame was receiving as many moved out of his way as he eased towards a dango cart.
"Wow," Donnie breathed to me quietly, "The crowd is actually stepping back for Kame. How do they know who he is?"
I looked and saw Tusklyn, the blacksmith, and saw him nod at me respectfully as he cocked his head towards the healer and my little brother. So that was it.
"I think Tusklyn has been spreadin' good rumors about Kame," I whispered as Donnie grinned brightly at the boar, "Remind me later ta make sure that tha palace reinstates his contract as our permanent blacksmith."
I nodded at some of the people who moved out of my path as I went to pay for Mikey's dango. I listened to what was being said around me.
"That's the new Chief Healer. Look he's got little, Prince Michelangelo on his back! How sweet."
"The little Prince has not been able to come to a festival in a long time and even when he could that special chair of his made it impossible to really move about. How wonderful that the Chief Healer is willing to let the child ride on his back like that. I am impressed with his care."
"Heard that the new healer has amazing skills for one so young. Look at how much better the youngest Prince looks. The rumors must be true."
"He is being very gentle with the Prince. I am glad the Royal family found him."
"I bet the Chief Healer loves living in that beautiful palace. Lucky turtle."
"I got you one, Kame," Mikey chirped as he thrust the food at the healer, "I got one for my
Raphie and one for my Donnie and one for Father."
"Thank you, my son," Sensei said as his whiskers drooped as he accepted the stick.
I had to stifle laughter. Father hated festival foods. I paid and then ate my dango and then finished Sensei's before Mikey would notice as Father winked at me in thanks.
"Uh…what is this exactly?" Kame asked as he looked closer at the three, small dumplings and sniffed the food experimentally, "Wait! Does this contain soy?"
"No soy, Kame. It's a treat made out of mochiko," Donnie explained as Mikey gobbled his down, "Try it. You'll like it."
Kame bit into the dumpling and nodded as Mikey looked over his shoulder happily. I smiled when the healer insisted that my little brother finish the rest since Kame was "full." Liar. Kame was trying to make Mikey happy and obviously the dango was not his cup of tea.
"Kakigori next," Mikey demanded before frowning, "Um…I apologize. May I have kakigori next? Please?"
Donnie and I grinned at Mikey's excitement and also his realization that he was not acting appropriately. It was nice to see that some maturity was settling in.
"Since you asked so nicely, absolutely, "Master Splinter agreed as he led Kame over to another vendor.
I liked this treat much better than dango. Mikey wanted orange flavoring, I got melon, Donnie asked for grape, and Kame looked flustered.
"Flavored ice," I instructed, "They brin' tha ice down from tha mountain. Pick a flavor. It's refreshin' in tha summer heat."
"Green tea," Kame decided and then looked unsure at the cup of ice before giving the treat a try, "Ah. This is good."
I led my family towards some shaded chairs that were set up special for the Royal family during festivals and we ate our kakigori and watched the floats and drummers go past. Mikey pointed out one thing after another as he chirped happily on Kame's back. When the procession was over, Mikey insisted on shopping and I ended up having to purchase Mikey a silly, monkey mask, an orange and red pinwheel, and a bonsai bush that he fell in love with.
"Please don't drop my plant," Mikey begged the guard that was going to take it back to the palace, "You'll hurt it."
"Guard-san will take care of your bonsai bush," Kame assured as the guard bowed at my little brother's request.
Donnie and I smiled at one another as Mikey chattered happily at Kame with his new mask perched on the top of his head as his pinwheel spun. That smile and those sparkling eyes free of pain were a treasure to see. This was a sight Donnie and I had waited to view for a long time.
To be continued…
