Winds Of Change.

Disclaimer: The more things change, the more they stay the same. I still don't own them after all these years.

Chapter Twenty Eight - Doubtful Winds

Karena would sit and watch the television finding it hard to look away, listening to the reports of the damage, those that might be missing, or the tally of those injured. Her fears could not be laid to rest because her husband and other members of the family were still out there assisting where they could and- while that might be all for the good and very honourable- it was her family that people feared and wanted dead.

No, Karena would not be able to relax until she knew her family was safe at home, but even then there was a threat of something happening to them later, Yukio had to be stopped and they still needed to gain citizenship. Even, if by some miracle these two events were to happen with her family still intact it did not mean that others would accept them whole heartedly, those that hated, feared or resented the turtle family would hold onto that.

'I would love to believe that the war would be over, that there would be no problems later. Perhaps Leo and I could find a home out in the country or near the mountains- he'd like that I'm sure. But he is not one to hide from his enemies. He is not one to walk away from certain things, and he would never settle down in such places if he felt it was just a case of hiding from the masses,' Karena mused to herself. She knew what he would think or say about that, after so many years of marriage she could almost predict word for word what would be said about that.

She thought she heard the door to the lair open and jumped slightly, turning her body around to face that direction expectantly, only to see Aiden coming in. "Where were you?" She demanded sharply.

Aiden paused and blinked at his mother, " I went to the park to meet up with some guys, I over heard there was problems at the station I debated about going there but figured I'd best come home instead," he explained.

"You went alone after all the problems we've been having and..." Karena snapped.

"Mom, I can care for myself," Aiden huffed crossing his arms over his plastron, "it was a quiet meeting and I didn't want a whole security group with me that wouldn't look right." He sighed a little in frustration, knowing his mother was upset and worried so her words was just a way of venting her frustrations. In reality, his mother was usually the more lenient of his parents. "It was a guy who contacted me through a letter, we talked a couple times on the phone. He seems okay, he hangs out with two or three other guys, good friends. Just went to the park to join them for a little round of tackle football."

Aiden liked hanging out with John and his friends, as John had put in his letter it was like hanging with one of the guys. Though this was the first day that Aiden had gotten a chance to meet with John, the game of tackle football had been suggested they had split up into two groups and enjoyed a quick game. The guys had teased him a bit about tackling them like he was a girly-girl.

"All those muscles are wasted on you."

Aiden had snorted, "Look, I have the defense of having a shell, and getting hit with it is like being hit with a boulder."

The other guys had laughed at him and told him to bring it on. It ended with Aiden telling them that he'd do just that, but if they wanted him to ease up they'd better let him know. In the rough and tumble tackling though, Aiden still held back a bit not wanting to hurt his friends, and the boy had rather enjoyed when a tackle had meant getting him in contact with one of them in a physical way. It had felt good as sparring and in some ways better. But he had to do his best to use ninja skills to hide some of these emotions or feelings, the last thing he wanted to do was scare off his new friends by telling them that he enjoyed this on a whole different plane then maybe he ought to.

Aiden palmed his face and walked over to rest an arm around his mother's shoulder, "Dad wanted some of us to be out and around, not just at the police station and I came right home." He gave her a rare kiss on the cheek, and then broke off both to leap over the back of the couch.

The news reporter on the television was commenting about the fact that one turtle and human had at one point thought to be crushed when a roof caved in, but the two of them had been spotted outside the building later, within the chaos they were most likely overlooked as they exited the building moments before the cave in. " The fact that these two did turn up meant that no one was killed, there are about nine seriously injured victims of the blast and numerous others with minor injuries."

Karena shook slightly, "If I find out your father was in there..."

"Doesn't matter mom, if dad was the one who went in you know he'd do it again in a heart beat, it wouldn't matter what any of the rest of us would think. Besides we are ninja and good at escaping, and we have the portals to use too." He smirked smugly, " No roof falling down can touch us."

Karena rolled her eyes, " Oh, to be young and impetuous, and to have the feeling that you are immortal."

The sound of the door opening behind them caused Karena to break off from anything else she might have said, she beamed on seeing Leo enter. Rising quickly she hurried over to her mate, wrapping him in her arms, " How dare you worry me like that Leo. I swear sometimes you are trying to shorten my life, or make me old beyond my years." She mocked scolded.

Leo chuckled softly, " I will never grow tired of reassuring you that such fears are only in your mind. I plan to be around a while longer yet Karena."

Jessie slipped past the two with Rama beside him. He had not let go of his wife since they had left to come home. But Rama looked dirty and tired enough that she didn't seem to mind her husband keeping close tabs on her at the moment. She raised one hand to run through some hair that had broken loose of the braid, and saw some tiny rocks and other debris fall out of her hair.

"Okay, I'm going have a shower and then maybe wake up enough so that I'll be able to be coherent for the Master's meeting." She announced wearily. "I know I can't afford to sleep through this one."

"You aren't supposed to sleep through any of them." Leo insisted as he looked at his second.

Rama cracked a wide grin, " I guess you should have told me that long before now Master," She quipped.

XXX

Yukio greeted the media that had come to one of his many offices, the large glass windows of the sky scraper giving off an impressive view of the city, one could easily see the river, and Central Park from this bird nest view, course one would have to look out different windows to see them but it was still possible to see those things and many other landmarks. There was a large oval table with comfortable well padded chairs for whoever happened to be meeting in the room, sometimes board members, some times a meeting of different companies willing to come together -sometimes not so willing - but such was life.

Pitchers of ice water and glasses were within reach and also laptop computers were close at hand to each seat, there was a small shelf under the table that stored the laptops for anyone to make use of them for the meetings. A large book case adorned one wall of the office, full of books on running a business, legal notes and anything else that Yukio could make use of, the book case held the remotes for any digital displays and the hidden screen for them. On the other wall was two ornate swords and various sayings from the Art of War by Sun Tsu, the Art of War of course was not just a book on how to wage war but the information within could often be applied to the business world. Sayings such as He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout it's ranks, or if you know the enemy and yourself you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

Yukio looked at those that had gathered, the media had cameras and things set up ready to roll. He was dressed in his finest, a silk top, a three piece suit. He smiled and bowed slightly to his guest, "Gentlemen, and Ladies of the press, I'm quite concerned over what I saw earlier today, the present trend of damage to the city. First of all, may I state I am saddened that some, terrorist or vandal would dare to strike in our city yet again." He sighed and gave a dejected shake of his head. "However, I will arrange to design a new police station and insure that it is up and running in no time, consider it my donation to the city."

One of the media members chuckled, "And another nice tax write off for you Mr. Sekora?"

"Please, I don't worry about what I have to pay in taxes, this I do for the city not for myself. In such troubled and uncertain times we must all come to the aid of those who seek to protect us from the ones who feel they must take the law into their own hands." Yukio demurred. " But that is only a minor detail of why I have called you here. I have paid close attention to the media surrounding the turtle family as they seek to gain citizenship. And why not? We are very much an equal opportunity country, I have nothing against these beings seeking to gain their right here. It troubles me that many would seem to take there argument of denying the rights of others to the next level."

Yukio chuckled, "Of course in Japan and China the turtle is a symbol of good luck and fertility." He arched his eyebrows up, a little and some of the media chuckled. "Many of you know that I was born and raised in Japan, my father taught me stories about the Samurai, similar to the knights of Europe, the Samurai was the warrior for the leaders of the land. Japan is the birth place of many martial arts,and those who know me, are aware that I have studied a bit myself.

Yukio paused, allowing his words to be absorbed, when he called the media for such meetings he controlled any questions or answer period, often it was just for him to give large donations to the city, publicity was everything " I saw something today about these turtles that greatly troubles me though."

Yukio went over to the bookcase and picked up the remotes lowering the screen, and pressing play. The image that played was the one he had taped earlier, Leo assisting others and then the younger female turtle popping in out of nowhere.

"I taped this earlier, even if we slow it down to view this at second by second," Yukio rewound and played the image slowly, "The female turtle, Ramiela, seems to appear with the wounded officer out of nowhere. It is known these turtles do know martial arts of some kind though they refuse to name any version that they follow, be it tak wan do, karate, judo or any other type. Because I grew up in Japan and know my Japanese legends, probably far better than any of you in this room,I realized that this move is very akin to stories of ninja."

"Ninja in America?" one lady scoffed.

"There are some ninja in America, there was one American gentleman who actually traveled to Japan found a ninja master and learned to be ninja he then came back and open schools of Ninjitsu here, so it is not as far fetched as one might think. Make no mistakes, ninja were the enemy of the Samurai. At one point the Samurai just about wiped them out, but the ninja went into hiding and they were good at that." Yukio explained.

He paused and went to his chair, "Ninja were feared they were deadly killers, hired assassins who knew the art of making bombs and poisons, they could move quickly with silent and deadly grace. They were feared for good reasons, even though some of the tricks they used were no more then two bit magic and slight of hand." Yukio rolled his eyes, "The ninja of Japan, was nothing close to what you see in movies. The way that girl appeared so suddenly,in spite of the fact that they were considered dead when the roof collapsed, makes me think of the stories of old. It was said the Ninja could move so quickly it was as if he could make time stand still." Yukio once again slowly replayed the scene for the members of the press, "Yes, many martial artist are capable of astonishing speed for fighting techniques their punches and kicks can often be faster than the eye can see, but I know few martial artist who could appear out of nowhere."

Yukio sighed and his shoulders slumped, "I am not saying they are ninja. I have never met a real ninja. I could be wrong and it wouldn't be the first time, even the rich and powerful are capable of making mistakes- sometimes ones that could break them. I do not wish to accuse these turtles of anything, but if they even know some ninja skills then what are they capable of."

Yukio's eyes traveled around the table. " Let's say I am wrong, they aren't ninja. If they can all, move as she does to help others...then it is possible they could use those quick movements for other means too. It concerns me deeply, that I see the city suffering from bombs, more terror more pain and fear. Uncertainty that one never knows who will be the target next." He gave a wry grin, " And I won't even go into the financial problems that can become of a city so torn apart. Then this move makes me, who knows Martial Arts suddenly, very suspicious of those I would have had no problem with before."

Yukio scowled a little "If I'm only partially right they may know some ninja skills, it is easy enough to find books on ninjitsu and if you know martial arts one could easily apply what they learned. If they are real ninja though, then they know no higher power, they work towards their own goals and agendas. The ninja is a murderer and a terrorist, that is what they are trained for, from the very beginning."

Yukio sighed sat back in his chair and rested his elbows on the arm of the chair, steepling his fingers together in front of him, " These may not be the sort of people we want as citizens, remember the turtles have never really said what art form they followed, they have kept it hidden." Yukio nodded towards the screen, "Look at the last shot there, the one of Leonardo looking at Ramiela, he is clearly angry and upset, and why would that be, when she has clearly saved the life of the officer in her arms."

There was a general low murmur of voices as the reporters looked at the screen. Yukio kindly magnified Leonardo's face, and one could tell the cold hard look in the leader's eyes didn't seem right, all things considered.

He glanced around the table seeing doubt and uncertainty in the eyes of the reporters. 'Good,' He smirked inwardly, they were slowly being nudged into seeing that the turtles might not be all that they presented themselves to be. He Yukio, was rich powerful the world listened to him and watched him. If he, was suspicious and wary of such moves then possibly there was good reason for it.

"All I ask as a businessman, is that the media stops coddling the turtles and start demanding real answers on the questions they'd rather avoid. I would rather insure they will cause no harm to our city now, then find out after they are citizens that they have hidden their true agenda from us all along, much as they hide what training they have had. Let us not invite the fox into the hen house."

Yukio allowed those words to sink in before he continued, " I would research this further, if I had the time but I have too many other pressing matters to deal with, my job is not to investigate things, after all. As a concerned citizen I only wished to alert others of the possibilities, that some might have missed. I care for New York it is my home away from home." Yukio smiled, "No I don't have the time to investigate, but you the media of the city it is your job to bring the news to the public, to research and check things out. I give you what information I can, what you do with it is yours, to pursue or not."

Yukio rose, "Now it would only be right to permit you to get some pictures and ask questions about the donation I'm giving to the suspicions might be unfounded, and I am hoping you the media will find that out for me."

XXX

The ninja of the turtle family, had gathered for their own meeting. Raphael looked over at Leo, " Yukio is getting pretty cocky Leo and we need to end this before he tears a part the whole city." He declared, sharply "I hope you have some idea how to do it too."

Mike chuckled a little, "It's Leo, knowing him he probably has about ten different plans percolating in his brain and that doesn't count all of the back up plans and other scenarios."

Leo leaned back in his chair, he felt tired and wondered momentarily if his age was actually starting to catch up with him or if it was just an exhaustion brought about by the long day, "We need more than plans to confront Yukio, we need proof and information that we can hand over to the authorities and what we need will be well guarded, not to mention getting past the alarms and security system he has."

Don shrugged, "Cracking his security codes isn't easy. Yukio tends to find some damn good stuff and probably keeps things for himself that isn't available on the market yet. After all, Yukio has his own security system that rivals Jenate tech." He reminded the others, a lot of the customers that had been his had gone to Yukio when they couldn't handle the fact that he was half of Jenate tech.

"Damn! I'd love to pay him a visit in one of his offices and talk nice to him," Raph sneered, "Get him with his pants down."

"What you gonna catch him in the biffy?" Mike asked his brother, "I mean other than maybe having sex that, is probably the only time he takes his pants down. Neither Rama or Kaliann are trained in those aspects of kunoichi and I doubt any of our wives would want to get him in a compromising position."

Kaliann scrunched up her face, " Eeeewwww! Don't even joke around about that uncle Mike."

Leo turned a hard stony stare on each of his lower ranked ninja by turn, causing the others to lapse into silence he was not amused and it showed in the stiffness of his body and the foreboding look in his eye. "Raphael, it might be dangerous to sit and wait at the moment but it is all we can do, we can not move too soon or we lose everything. If you were to make such a play for Yukio, it would end with you ruining our chances to become citizens as well as jeopardize far more for everyone in our clan."

He then turned his hard look on Ramiela, and it softened ever so softly, " I do not blame you for teleporting to save your life or the life of the officer. Saving lives is what you've been trained for, I'm more concerned with the lasting repercussions of if any one were to have caught that on film. I also believe we all have to agree to what we are going tell the media about our abilities, if we are going tell them that we are ninja, or if we should try to keep it hidden any longer." Leo explained, " I want to hear what you all have to say before making any decision. We need to be ready and we need to be prepared the battle has just begun.

TBC