Hey guys! I'm still busy but I'll have more of a break DURING thanksgiving…after the actual thanksgiving day that is. I'm also having a break this weekend so I'll write then too!
Sorry for not doing review replies but I'm pressed for time and want to write as much as I can for you guys! That doesn't mean I don't care about what you have to say or anything. And I'm still very thankful!
I think you'll REALLY love this chapter! So Happy Reading! :D
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Raphael's Point of View:
"Wait, Leo!" Karai interrupted with a gasp and we all came ta a stop from where we were runnin' away from tha Saki Industries buildin'.
"What's wrong?" Leo fretted when he noticed tha change in her posture. My emerald eyes traveled down ta their joined hands and I smirked again.
"I don't want to go to Ha…I mean…my real Father's house just yet," Karai choked on tha name and we all understood. She'd just learned that her whole life was based on a lie and that tha person she was supposed ta hate was tha very person that was her real Father, "I want to go with you guys to help find Slash."
Leo looked at tha rest of us but his eyes lingered on mine in that way it did when he was askin' for my backup support…as if I was essential ta his decision makin'. It always left me feelin' a little special or needed, if ya will. So I nodded because I figured Karai would want ta be better prepared for what she might say ta Sensei, "Okay, Karai. You can come with us. Donnie, what time is it?"
Karai glanced in my direction with gratitude and I blushed as Donnie looked at his phone and grimaced, "It's 7:22 a.m…. It took us longer ta get out than I expected."
A grim silence followed and Mikey let out a nervous laugh, "Longer than we thought because Bradford is crazy!"
"At least he won't be doing anythin' for a while," I grinned at him and he grinned back, "Throwin' that vase in his face will definitely be a setback."
Leo's lips curled into a small smile before he looked seriously at Mikey, "We have a while before April and the others can join us…we might even find Slash before they can get out of school. Can you call Oliver and tell him we're starting the search?"
"Sure thing, bro!" Mikey beamed as he brought out his phone and walked away ta hear. I watched him in my peripheral vision.
"Where are you guys planning to start?" Karai asked with a brow raised. Leo turned ta her with a small blush on his face while Donnie and I shared a grin.
"Oliver gave us some tips last night so we're starting around southern Chinatown and we'll make our way up to the docks. Oliver says Slash goes there a lot," Leo explained sheepishly, lookin' unsettled about somethin' for only a moment.
"Well good thing I grabbed this when you guys opened the door," Karai commented while bendin' over ta grab a black and red dagger from her shoe. We all watched in shock but my lips twitched into a smirk, "I thought it was Bradford or Shredder again but I'm glad I grabbed it. Chinatown is no joke."
Leo's shock quickly morphed into a serious cautious look, "Exactly. We need to stay together and always have a means of communication on us."
"Look who's been listening to me," Donnie teased and Leo rolled his eyes. I turned ta look at Mikey but he was already bouncin' back ta our sides, "What did Oliver say?"
"He is so relieved we're starting but yelled at me for waking him up," Mikey laughed easily and Donnie sent a understandin' look ta Leo that he ignored, "He was pleasantly surprised that we actually started the search this early."
"The earlier the better," Leo justified with red cheeks when Karai looked at Leo again in confusion. I grinned some more, "Let's go grab a taxi for Chinatown. It might take us a little more than half an hour to get where we need to start."
"Lead the way," Karai gestured with a big knowin' smile on her face as she stared at him. I could see tha romance bloomin' for them from here and rolled my eyes. Donnie and Mikey snickered in their hands as Leo practically stomped past us ta lead tha way. I've never seen him so embarrassed and self-conscious before. It was so fun ta mess with him; in tha same way it was ta make fun of Donnie and April.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
No One's Point of View: (I'll use his first name more here)
Nakano Eiichi woke up that morning feeling more content then he'd felt in days. That had everything to do with his boys; even if he knew that he still had A LOT of work to do to gain more of their trust and affections. It still made him feel at ease because he'd gotten everything off his chest…he no longer had important secrets from his boys. And they understood him.
He was only worried about what Oroku Saki would do once he found out that he'd told his boys everything; and that his boys were trying to rebel against Saki. He was alarmed when Donatello confessed that he was being blackmailed by "Shredder", as they called him, because Saki had not said anything to him about this when he wanted his help.
Eiichi sighed and looked over at his alarm clock that stated it was 7:56 a.m., he usually woke up later, like around 8 to 9 but it must have been the slight anxiety that woke him up sooner. He kicked the covers off himself and walked into the bathroom to get ready for the day.
After he'd dressed and combed through his hair he walked out of his room into the kitchen to fix himself a bowl of cereal. As he settled into his usual kitchen chair he began to think about what to say to his boys. They were worried about Karai, but would Saki really do anything to his own daughter? It seemed to him that Karai was always very elusive as a person in general…maybe their worries are unfounded.
"Maybe I can convince Leo that she's alright somehow," He muttered to his bowl before shaking his head. Out of his boys he wasn't sure who trusted him the least, Leo or Raph. Probably Raphael. Donnie seemed as comfortable with him as he was with Donnie while Mikey probably already cared for him more than he deserved. Now that he had them in his life it'd be hard to live his life without them in it.
Eiichi sighed and found that his appetite was diminishing but forced himself to finish the whole bowl. And what about their other friend, Slash? What had happened to him to make his boys create plans to go search for him today? This had his heart beating faster just at the thought. He didn't want his sons to get into any trouble with Saki; especially not after the whole Leo and hospital thing…
After finishing his cereal, Eiichi cleaned his bowl and put it away. He had turned to but the clean bowl away in the cabinets when he froze. There on the fridge was a note hanging from a magnet:
Nakano,
Leo's bein' a worrywart and we decided ta start searching for Slash early because we couldn't sleep. We're goin' out for breakfast so don't worry about that. We're probably gonna be searching with Oliver or whatever so we're not alone. We've got our phones on us.
See ya when we get back,
Raph
Eiichi numbly dropped the bowl the same time his mouth dropped open and the color left his face. His boys were out looking for Slash this early in the morning?! Where were they looking?! Why didn't they wait until later?! Couldn't sleep? What's going on? Clearly they were keeping something secret from him…what if they got into danger?!
What if Saki caught them?!
Eiichi suddenly felt nauseous and ignored the broken bowl beneath him as he all but flew to the house phone near his desk. His fingers were shaking so bad he pressed a few wrong numbers but finally got it right and paced worriedly as dialing started.
The dialing kept on forever in Eiichi's mind until Hamato Yoshi's answering machine picked up. He scowled and dropped the phone before rushing back to his desk and grabbing his keys. He locked up and flew to his car before backing up and driving off like a madman on wheels.
'I remember what Saki said about Hamato-san,' Eiichi thought as he drove almost wildly in his panic, 'He said Hamato-san worked at a "pathetic" martial arts place in the middle of town that his friend owned.'
Eiichi reached in his pocket for his phone when he'd hit a stoplight and hurriedly dialed Donnie, who was at the top of his speed dial list alphabetically. He mentally prayed, his fingers still shaking, that Donnie would answer. For whatever reason, either he was in trouble or his phone was silenced or maybe he just wasn't answering him…..
Or maybe he was in a situation where he can't answer his phone.
Eiichi's breaths came out in tiny pants now as his nerveless fingers dialed for Leo's phone. Nothing. He tried Mikey's phone. Nothing. Raph's phone. Nothing!
He was close to hyperventilating as he was finally able to drive and his car lurched forward with the need to get to where he was going. Many people on the sidewalks or in passing cars looked at him oddly but he was hardly paying any attention besides his growing panic and insanity.
He finally had them again. He was finally getting to know them; he could make up for all these years…and yet he starts off by not even knowing where they are when Saki might be involved?
The very thought that they could be in danger because they couldn't trust him enough really hurt; but he could understand why they wouldn't trust him. It didn't make it any easier for him. He always knew it'd be hard to suddenly be a parent, but he's doing the best he can given the circumstances.
Eiichi jerked in shock and almost slammed on his breaks when he noticed the turn he needed that would take him to the center of town. His heart was jump-roping in his chest and he tried to take deep breaths to calm himself, which didn't really work all that well. He was always a big worrywart and once he got a worried thought into his head he wouldn't let it go until it was resolved. Leo was much like him in that way.
A minute or two later, he spotted the martial arts place he'd seen before. He impatiently circled around the block until he found a parking space and hurried into the building. A man in a green traditional Japanese robe turned and blinked in surprise when he saw Nakano Eiichi standing there out of breath, "Hello, my name is Terrance Bennet. I own the place. May I help you with something?"
Eiichi quickly recognized that Terrance Bennet was one of Hamato-san's friends. He bowed his head once and finally caught his breath, trying not to let his growing panic show. He wasn't sure if that worked because when he lifted his head to look at him, Terrance's eyes widened, "I really need to speak to Hamato Yoshi-san!"
Terrance immediately looked guarded, suspicious for his friend, "Yoshi? He's in a class right now. Why do you need to see him?"
Eiichi hesitated, he didn't want to bring anyone else in this business and he wasn't sure if Hamato-san would appreciate that at all. Terrance narrowed his eyes at Nakano Eiichi when he hesitated and clenched his teeth in annoyance, "I know who you are, Nakano Eiichi-san…are you here to stalk him? Are you here to cause him more pain? He's my best friend and therefore he's kept me up to date on some of the things going on in his life. I know that you've helped take those boys away from him."
Eiichi's eyes widened and his breathing faltered again. He didn't expect to even meet Terrance, let alone deal with his apparent protectiveness for Hamato-san. His palms became sweaty when Terrance silently glared at him with green eyes that almost matched his own, waiting for a response, "P-Please, I'm not here to hurt him I…" He choked, "I really need to see him. It's about the boys!"
Terrance's stance immediately eased up ad his eyes widened again at the desperation in Nakano's voice and the panic in his eyes. After the realization on his words kicked in Terry pointed at one of the seats, "Sit there while I got get him!"
Eiichi nodded numbly and moved mechanically to sit down, his feet moving in anxiety even as he sat. He only had to wait a couple minutes, but they were the longest in his life, when Hamato finally rushed into the room.
He looked disheveled, his brown hair a bit messy from his class and his marron robe crinkled. Hamato's chocolate brown eyes widened when he looked across the room to where a stunned Eiichi sat, "Nakano-san! My friend told me that something was wrong with the boys?!"
Eiichi barely stood before Hamato flew to his side. For some reason, the mere sight of Hamato made him calmer, but he didn't dwell on it, "It's a very long story and I have a lot to tell you but…"
"What's wrong with the boys?" Hamato asked quietly, his eyes searching Eiichi's own ones for an explanation for their panic.
"I can't get in touch with them. I've called all their phones and I know they have their phones on them. They were talking about finding Slash, I think you know him, because he's missing and they think Saki's done something. Karai's also sorta missing or at least they think she is," He explained and Hamato Yoshi's eyes widened even more and his heart skipped a beat.
"Slash and Karai are missing?" He asked with horror in his eyes. Eiichi nodded and shuddered, "The boys didn't answer your calls…and they took their phones?" Nakano nodded and Hamato looked troubled.
"I don't know if Saki's involved with Slash…but would he do anything to make Karai not respond to them, I'm not sure. I don't know anything anymore. But they were being sneaky. I think they're keeping something secret," Eiichi explained more and Hamato frowned, a hand going to his chest.
"Let's go to my place. Terry is taking over my classes for me because this is an emergency," Hamato said with a bit of warmth in his gaze as he talked about his friend. Eiichi felt awkward but nodded his head, "Follow behind me in your car, please. We'll figure out how or where to find the boys!"
Eiichi knew that he made the right call tracking down Hamato Yoshi then.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Raphael's Point of View:
"Are you sure it was a good idea to ignore Nakano-Otosan's calls?" Mikey asked with worry as we walked on tha sidewalks of southern Chinatown. Donnie looked equally worried and I scowled down at my phone. Ta be honest, I was a little worried too because he didn't just call one of us…he called all of us, which meant he was worried. I tried my best ta not make him so anxious with my letter. Guess that failed. Big whoop!
Leo sighed as he looked at Mikey from where he was walkin' in front of me, "We can't tell him that we're in Chinatown…or exactly where we're looking for Slash. We can't be 100% certain that Saki won't say something to make him tell if we did let him know."
I agreed whole-heartedly but Donnie and Mikey shared another uncertain look. If he wanted ta say something else he didn't and I frowned thoughtfully at him before returnin' ta watchin' tha streets uneasily. I noticed Karai starin' at Leo with a mixture of guilt and wondered if she felt responsible for us lyin' ta Nakano.
"So…it seems like it's a bit better," Karai commented, eyes on Leo, who turned ta look at her in confusion, "With Nakano, I mean. Do you all still hate him?"
"No!" Mikey shouted with wide eyes and we all started at his quick response, "He explained everything to us, you know, and we understand his reasons better!"
"Oh, really?" Karai asked with wide eyes before smilin' a little, "But you guys don't trust him?"
Leo looked conflicted before his eyes met mine and I paused, "Well Raph and I think that he could still be easily influenced by Shredder…."
"Hey, don't be speakin' my thoughts for me," I blushed while crossin' my arms. Leo laughed a little and Karai's smile turned into a smirk, "But basically yeah…and it's easier not ta have ta make him lie ta Shredder if he asks."
Karai, Mikey, and Donnie froze before starin' at me and my blush increased when I realized how compassionate my last sentence was. Leo was smilin' knowingly at me and I growled, "What?! Quit starin'!"
"Aww, you do care Raphie!" Mikey teased and I scowled darkly in his direction because I couldn't meet anyone's eyes. Donnie chuckled and shook his head while Karai smirked at me before turnin' ta look ahead.
We wandered around for a few minutes and crowded around Leo when he brought up a map on his phone. We were already startin' ta get annoyed at tha process. I still wished that Slash would call me ta let me know he was okay and put a stop ta this whole search.
Our stomachs growled and we all stared at each other in shock before laughing. Karai mentioned, much to Leo's anger, that she'd not really been given anythin' ta eat that mornin' and wasn't sure if she would have. So Donnie suggested we stop at a Burger King that we were close by and Leo agreed.
It was funny ta see Leo and Karai together. Whether they realized it or not, they were always standin' close ta one another, or side by side. They ordered similar burgers and even sat side by side when we took our seats. Mikey and I teased them both almost tha whole time until Karai threw a fork in my direction that I barely dodged. It was hilarious ta see Mikey's flabbergasted face and I'm sure mine wasn't any better because Donnie choked on his food and Leo laughed until there were tears in his eyes.
By tha time we left there were a lot of people starin' at us, most just looked amused, and I blushed at one woman's pleased face when I held tha door open behind me long enough for her ta go through as well. Mikey was grinnin' in my face when I turned around. That brat.
We were more into central Chinatown now and it was gettin' closer ta 9 am. Karai was leanin' on Leo's arm ta look at his phone with him and I noticed tha small blush on his face. I turned ta where Donnie and Mikey where talkin' animatedly about somethin' marvelous that might happen on our "adventure".
My phone vibrated loudly and I flinched before lookin' ta see tha caller. My eyes went wide with horror when I recognized Sensei's number. I looked up and my brothers shared my look when they saw my horror, "It's Sensei!"
"Oh no," Leo moaned as Karai paled at tha mention of him, "Why is he calling now? He's never called before because technically he's not supposed to!"
"We can't involve him in this!" Donnie panicked while Mikey continued ta stare at me in matchin' horror, "Plus he'd try to track us down if we told him where we were!"
"Ignore it, Raph, we can explain to him eventually," Leo near whispered, his eyes heavy with guilt. I gulped and nodded nervously as I silenced my phone and let it ring, like I had done with Nakano's call.
"L-Leo and I are thinking we should check some of the buildings around here that Oliver said Slash likes to visit," Karai murmured, her voice soft and quiet as she eyed us uneasily. We all nodded and waited for Leo ta move. He blinked for a moment and led tha way again while none of us really questioned tha pattern developin'.
Not even a minute later did Sensei move on to call Leo, who visibly saddened and ignored tha call. This followed for Mikey and Donnie as well. It hurt ta look at them so I turned ta watch the streets again.
Over tha next hour we went through every place Oliver mentioned ta Mikey that Slash liked ta spend time at. I couldn't get myself in tha mindset of Slash. If I were him, where would I go? But tha biggest question that gripped me was why? Why would he suddenly go anywhere? Why wouldn't he come back? If nothin' else, he had Oliver…so why?
We took another taxi and I was textin' reports ta Casey tha entire way ta northern Chinatown. We were both annoyed at this point and I told Casey that we were checkin' tha docks as well as tha buildings around tha docks.
After we got out Leo's phone rang again and his shoulders fell. It was Sensei again. He turned to us and ignored his phone, "Okay guys, this is our last option. I don't know where else we can look when we don't even have a clue."
"I know that Slash likes the docks more than the other places," Mikey smiled a little, hopin' ta lighten the mood, "Oliver said so…"
"This was also near the place that he'd spy on Shredder and Hun," Donnie muttered with hate and we all tensed at tha mention of their names. My chest burned with hate just thinkin' about them.
"Just stick together," Karai scowled as she turned ta look at us, "There's still buildings to check first before we head down to the docks."
"But most of these buildings are abandoned," Leo warned, givin' us that mother hen look he gets. I almost smirked, "We don't know what kind of people could be around these parts so be careful and prepared."
"We get tha drill, Fearless," I grunted and he shot me a look before noddin' in confirmation that we at least heard what he said. We began walkin' for tha first buildin', an old video game store when a solid mass of unease hit me full force.
I must have not been tha only one because Leo froze so hard he nearly tripped into tha road. Karai grabbed his arm with wide eyes. I saw Donnie frozen as well and Mikey looked like a haunted ghost. Karai's eyes widened even more when she looked around, "What? What is it?!"
Leo looked around at all of us and tha feelin' began ta ease, "J-Just a bad feeling, Karai…"
"And, what, you all have it simultaneously?!" She demanded, obviously freaked out, "Is that some sort of ESP thing?"
"I…It's just something that happens," Donnie explained uselessly as he bit his lip. Leo was takin' breaths to calm down and my hands curled into fists ta hide tha fact that they started shakin'. Mikey looked sick and wrapped his arms around himself.
"Should we wait a few minutes? Should we stop?" Karai demanded some more, uneasily watchin' all of us. Her amber eyes were practically glowin' with sisterly worry and suddenly she reminded me a lot of April.
"No, let's keep going…" Leo trailed off after takin' another look at us, "Eyes everywhere." Everyone looked more alert and serious when we nodded in agreement this time. I felt very disturbed from that feelin'. It was like those ya see in cartoons or anime…that dark aura that makes ya freeze…and I hated every second of it.
I kept eyes everywhere even without Leo's command and kept constant watch over tha others. It wasn't until Mikey noticed some video game he'd always wanted that we started to relax only a little. I shook my head at his nature and Donnie took my place beside Mikey as I went and questioned tha cashier about Slash. Ta my immediate surprise, he claimed he did see Slash in tha area but not in tha store. He'd seen him around these streets just last night!
Leo and Karai were smilin' along with me that we finally had a clue. Tha cashier wished us luck and we rejoined Donnie and Mikey. They turned when they saw our expressions and I quickly addressed Mikey, "Bro, ya know Oliver's number better than I do and I don't have it in my phone yet. Can ya call him and tell him we have a lead?"
Mikey's face brightened and his eyes filled with excitement, "Okay!"
I began ta explain everythin' I'd heard from tha cashier as we made our way out of tha shop and Mikey relayed everythin' ta Oliver, in return we learned that Oliver and some of tha Purple Dragons were comin' ta help cover more ground around here on the streets.
Tha day was takin' a turn for tha better despite that random feelin' of darkness earlier.
We were on our way ta search tha docks now and I checked my messages, grinnin' when Casey rejoiced at tha good news. I had ta convince tha Knucklehead not ta skip tha rest of his classes and I briefly wondered if he would anyways. Maybe not with April around.
"Oliver sounded so happy on the phone," Mikey commented happily ta me as we walked near tha back. Donnie, Leo, and Karai were in some group conversation over tha map on Leo's phone again so I gave Mikey my full attention, "He was thanking me almost at the end of every sentence."
I laughed at that, "Oliver's a weird guy…likes all that black and dark stuff but Slash is the only thing he really loves above all."
Mikey's face warmed immediately, "I can understand that. We all have at least one person to lean on. I'm glad I have three! Or wait…I have…let's see Karai, April, Casey, Leatherhead, Sensei, Mom… oh and Mondo-"
"We get it," I groaned and he grinned toothily. I saw Leo and tha others smirkin' over their shoulders at us and Karai looked very touched at Mikey's words.
A few minutes we arrived at tha docks, which were surrounded by large crates and storage units. That feelin' of uneasiness was comin' back but not as strongly this time. There was a tenseness to tha air and Leo turned ta us, "Where do we even start?"
"I got an idea," Karai smirked as she cracked her knuckles, "This place is big and there are many places he could be. So why don't we split up?"
Immediately Leo, despite his obvious compassion for Karai, scowled darkly and Karai blinked at him in surprise, "We shouldn't split up! We don't know what or who's out here!"
"But we could search faster and some of tha Purple Dragons are comin' ta help," I frowned, feelin' ready ta hurry and find my friend. Leo looked at me in shock, like he was expectin' me ta be on side. I felt briefly guilty, but my concern for Slash won over, "Plus Karai is right, tha place is big and sectioned off. We all have our phones so it's no big deal, Fearless."
Leo looked less conflicted as he thought and Donnie put a hand on his shoulder, noddin' at him in approval. I shot Don a look of gratitude and he smiled towards me. Leo sighed in defeat, "You're right. But keep phones close and weapons at the ready. You hear so much as a shift in the air then you have your weapons out, okay?"
"Sure, sure," I waved his worry away, rollin' my eyes. He glared at me for a second before sighin' more heavily, "How are we splittin' up?"
"I think Leo and Don should stick with me," Karai spoke up, surprisin' us once more. I rose an eyebrow but waited, "Leo knows where to find the map we need and Donnie knows how to interpret it. This way we can cover the more complicated routes here."
Leo looked impressed and so did Don. I did too, but I wouldn't voice this aloud. I smirked and nodded in amusement, "Okay. Mikey and I will take tha routes around tha storage units and warehouses. And no, Fearless, we won't go in one unless we have a good reason." I wanted ta laugh when Leo nodded, lookin' relieved. Donnie rolled his eyes and Karai smiled.
I turned ta Mikey, wonderin' if somethin' was wrong with him because he hadn't spoken since a couple of minutes ago, but he was quietly watchin' all of us and then smiled when I looked at him, "So then we should get started, Raph!"
Grinnin', I nodded my head and we gave tha others a wave before walkin' off ta tha left. They were cut off from my view as we walked down a line of storage units. Mikey practically danced in his walk beside me and I rolled my eyes as I scanned tha units. They were what you'd expect: big and numbered.
We turned left again and walked down tha cement path away from those line of storage units. My eyes caught sight of a buildin', one that you'd probably go into to purchase one of tha storage units. It was all very creepy ta me…like somethin' ya'd buy when ya murdered someone. I shivered and Mikey looked over from where he'd been skippin' around.
"I haven't seen anything," He commented as if tryin' ta distract me and I nodded in agreement, "Then again how can we when the units are locked?" His joke didn't make me laugh and his smile fell.
I noticed past that buildin' were tha warehouses. I looked towards Mikey, who was lookin' at tha warehouses with a wary but serious expression. It almost caught me off guard but I was glad that he was bein' serious, "Let's go check there Mikey. If we have ta, we can check here again on our way back."
Mikey nodded and didn't leave my side as we walked off in that direction. I felt a bit anxious when we officially got out of shoutin' distance from tha others. I checked my phone, notin' more messages from Casey and that tha time was 10:43 a.m.
"Mondo and Leatherhead are blowing up my phone," Mikey muttered and I felt ashamed when I jumped at his sudden voice. Mikey didn't notice, "They're so worried about us that I'm surprised they're all not on a bus right now."
I laughed nervously, "Casey's being the same way…well not so much worried but more excited to get in on some action."
That brought a smile back to Mikey's face and I felt relieved before that feelin' of darkness washed over us both again. It was stronger than last time but not tha same as the first time.
We began slowly peerin' into warehouses, but never found any cause to go in. I listened for noises or anythin' like that, but it was just silent. And that was unnervin'. We were peerin' inta tha second warehouse when I saw something.
I sucked in a breath of horror and Mikey abruptly stopped walkin' around ta look at me. His eyes followed mine and I heard him gasp. I was starin' at a slightly large puddle of dark crimson blood, "R-R-Raphie….is…is that?"
I knew it was bad if he was callin' me that name, "Y…Yes, it's blood." I gulped and looked over at him, noticin' that he lost tha color in his face again.
"D…Do we go inside and s…see if he's in there?" Mikey choked out as his whole body began tremblin'. I was scared, I was ashamed to say, because I was afraid that I'd discover my best friend's corpse in there.
"What in tha hell could have happened?" I whispered in fear and remorse. Mikey grabbed my arm and I almost flinched but didn't look away from tha warehouse. Even though I was scared, I still moved forward. Mikey kept his grip on my arm but didn't protest my decision. I slowly pushed open tha slidin' door and winced when it made a loud noise. I peered in the darkness and my heart thumped wildly in my chest. I could swear I felt Mikey's heartbeat on my arm too.
Together we stalked inside but paused and I was suddenly afraid that somethin' dangerous would come out. I scowled and then made another decision to call out, "Slash?"
We waited but there was no response. Mikey was shakin' from where he was squeezin' my arm, his body behind me. I frowned and called out louder, "Slash? Are you here?"
We waited another few moments and we heard nothin'. I was ready ta just start yellin' but suddenly there was a low moan of pain. Mikey and I jumped but then turned in tha direction of tha moan, "S-Slash?"
Another moan of pain, this one more alert and louder. Mikey let go of my arm and we rushed towards the moan. I froze when, after only a few paces away from tha door, I spotted Slash slumped against an old factory machine. Mikey nearly bumped into me and we both stared at Slash in shock.
"Slash!" I gasped in concern as I dashed to his side. His eyes were open and clouded with confusion until I was knelt next to him. He was holdin' a hand ta his side and he was pretty dirty all over, but he looked fine other than that. His eyes flew open wide after a second of lookin' at me.
"Raph?!" He gasped and then moaned in pain when he sat up too fast. Mikey was quick to kneel down on his other side.
"Are you okay?!" I demanded as he opened his eyes again and clenched his teeth. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't slept yet, "Slash, what tha hell happened ta ya?"
"I was stabbed…" He muttered in disdain and both Mikey and I gasped. Slash startled as he finally realized Mikey was there too, "Mike…hey…"
"Hey, Slash, I'm so happy we found you," He smiled easily and Mikey's smiles were always contagious, "Who stabbed you?"
"Some guy that I've seen Saki talking to. I was caught spying," Slash growled and I growled along with him when it finally clicked in that tha wound on his side was a stab wound, "I managed to get away after fighting him but he followed. So I spent all of last night hiding from this guy and eventually he left. He's very persistent and also very talented. He had a lot of weapons on him inside that black cloak he wears. It's like he's some sorta assassin, as crazy as that sounds."
"Wow," Mikey breathed, his eyes flashin' for a moment and then he frowned at me. I scowled impatiently.
"I take it ya lost yer phone?" I huffed and he looked sheepish, noddin' his head as he let me look at his wound. It had stopped bleedin' long ago and he had somethin' tied around his waist, I only just realized that, "Oliver called Mikey last night all worried. He damn near had a stroke, Slash."
Slash's eyes widened in panic, "But he's okay right?"
"He is," Mikey soothed and I smirked at Slash, "We should get you to a hospital."
Slash looked even more panicked, which surprised us, "No hospital! I just need stitches. I didn't lose too much blood due to my quick thinking."
Mikey and I stared at each other and I shrugged. We'd been stitched up without hospitals before and Slash is pretty confident. I'll have Donnie look at him just ta make sure he doesn't need ta go ta one.
"Okay, but only if ya promise me that Donnie can stitch it and take a look at ya," I compromised and he nodded in a relieved way. Both Mikey and I helped Slash up and Mikey hurried ta slide the door open more as I slung one of Slash's arms around me. As we passed through, Mikey hurried behind us.
"I can walk fine," Slash remarked as he rolled his eyes. I ignored him and turned ta walk back tha way we came but very slowly since Slash was limpin' a little.
I used my other hand ta grab my phone so I could call Leo and tell him we found Slash.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Michelangelo's Point of View:
"Yeah, he's okay other than a stab wound," Raph muttered and then grinned at whatever Leo said. I grinned as well because I could suddenly hear Leo shouting over the phone from here. Slash shook his head and chuckled, "It's not deep and not even bleeding. No, tell Donnie to shut up, he can look at him later!"
We were walking slowly and I sighed, feeling exhausted from everything already. We finally found Slash after looking almost all over the state for him. I do wonder, though, about that guy in the black cloak that Slash was talking about? Or was that a story he made up? But then again, why would he make up a story like that? And what did he mean by "seems like an assassin"?
Oh well, I am just glad he's okay. I can tell a whole load has been lifted off of Raph now that we found him, but now his eyes are filled with barely concealed anger. And Leo was the same way about Shredder when we found Karai. Man, I can't believe Karai's actually Sensei's daughter! On the bright side, I get to have a sister!
I smiled and then looked up, noticing that Raph was still trying ta calm Leo and Donnie down through the phone. I rolled my eyes.
The wind suddenly picked up and I tensed, goosebumps breaking out on my skin but I realized it was just wind and nothing else. I blushed at my reaction and rubbed at my arms to get rid of the goosebumps.
"No, Leo, he's not hurt any worse…are you even listenin' to what I've been tellin' ya?" Raph accused and Slash was still chuckling in amusement. I realized that I had fallen behind.
As I went to jog to catch up a glint to the right caught my eyes and I turned in surprise. My eyes widened when I saw something black disappear around the corner of the first warehouse. My heart leapt in my throat and I froze. Was that the black cloaked guy that Slash was talking about?! Or am I too paranoid?
I gulped and felt my hands shake as I hovered them above my nunchakus. I looked again just to make sure I wasn't going crazy before quickly turning around to look behind me just to make sure no one was spying on us. I scanned the other way and began to feel silly at my actions. There's nothing there.
Really, I was turning into Leo!
As soon as I turned around a force slammed into me, forcing me onto the ground from the impact. My scream was cut off by a gloved hand and my eyes widened in panic to see that black cloaked guy that Slash had been talking about. My breathing increased when my eyes caught the many glints of his weapons inside his cloak.
"Hello," He spoke in a tight voice and his golden brown eyes were cold as they peered at me. He was wearing a hood over his head but I caught some of his orange-red hair, "Do not scream. If you fight back, well…I'll win."
I felt like I was having a panic attack and wished that Slash or Raph would hurry up and come save me. Did they even notice? But nothing happened and I nodded quickly then his grip on my mouth tightened, "You're not the one I was originally hunting, but that's just fine. You're coming with me."
Those four words were enough to send me into hysterics and I began thrashing in his grip. He was broad in the shoulders and big in the chest, almost like Bradford, so fighting in his grip was proving to be useless and all the while he still had a gloved hand on my mouth. I felt really stupid about not being strong enough to fight him. Some ninja…
He dragged me off, away from the warehouse…away from my brothers. My eyes flooded with angry tears and I continued my struggle for all I was worth; I wasn't going to make this easy for him. But suddenly he twisted me to where my back was against him and so were my arms. His grip was so strong that breaking it was a challenge.
"What is this?"
I froze where I stood trapped in the cloaked dude's arms. Oh no….I internally moaned when Shredder questioned in interest from where he was leaning against a black car. The very same one we had seen him ride away in earlier when we went to rescue Karai.
"I couldn't capture Slash, but this little one was falling behind his brother so I took him. I know he's not the one you wanted, but I figured you'd be interested," The cloaked man explained in a pacified tone. I glared and struggled some more.
Shredder took a few steps towards me and I cringed away, hoping to use some leverage to kick the cloaked man's legs, "I was hoping to talk to Slash…and I did order you to kidnap Leonardo, but Michelangelo will do just as fine."
My eyes widened as I stared at him in confusion and I suddenly realized how pissed off Shredder looked and I choked, "I know what you and your brothers did. Bradford called me and I suppose you didn't think he wouldn't. I am surprised that you managed to do what you did to his face, Michelangelo. It was very amusing. But what's not amusing…is how you and your brothers thought it was okay to take my daughter from me!"
I flinched as his voice climbed into a shout. The cloaked man kept a firm iron grip on me, however, and I was beginning to lose hope of escaping, "Put him in the back and lock the doors. You did well, Tigerclaw."
"Yes, Master. Thank you," The cloaked man, apparently called Tigerclaw, bowed his head and I was numb in horror at the request. I began screaming into Tigerclaw's gloved hand but I found myself literally thrown into the back seat of Shredder's car.
Immediately I tried to open the door but it was firmly locked. I glared at Tigerclaw and kicked out but he caught my foot and forced it down before climbing in and closing the door. Shredder got in the passenger seat and I froze when Tigerclaw reached in his cloak for a gun.
Was he serious right now?! "Do not do anything stupid, little one."
Apparently I'm just a doomed magnet for trouble.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Raphael's Point of View:
I just managed ta get Leo off tha phone and sighed irritably. He was such a worrywart, I mean really! Slash thought everythin' was funny, but it really wasn't. Leo's voice was so loud in my ear that Slash didn't even need speaker phone to be able to hear him.
"There's tha storage units," I sighed in relief and Slash looked just as relieved. He didn't need much of my help walkin' but I still felt cautious, "Oliver is gonna be glad ta see you."
"I'll be glad to see him…but at the same time I'm won't," He frowned and I looked over at him in confusion, "He's going to kill me for worrying him so much. He'll do some sort of gothic ritual on me while I sleep I bet."
I laughed loudly and shook my head at the imaginary. Slash grinned at me and I looked up when I heard my name called. Leo, Donnie, and Karai were there, comin' around tha corner of tha storage units. Immediately they rushed over when they spotted Slash and I.
"Are you okay?!" Donnie demanded as he searched Slash, who nodded a little but grimaced when I let go of him. Karai breathed a sigh of relief but I noticed Leo was frozen, his eyes going' slowly wide.
"What?" I demanded in a half growl lookin' behind me when I realized somethin'. Mikey wasn't there. Mikey wasn't behind me!
"Raph? Where's Mikey?" Leo asked breathlessly, as if readin' my thoughts. The others turned to us in surprise and Donnie immediately paled when he came ta tha same conclusion. Slash's eyes widened as wide as Leo's.
"I…he was just there," I whispered, my own eyes widenin' when I realized I had been too into tha phone call with Leo and then preoccupied with Slash that I didn't so much as look behind me ta check on Mikey. Some brother I was.
I panicked, "Mikey?!"
"Mikey, where are you!?" Donnie yelled loudly as he took off before any of us could process what was goin' on. Leo and I quickly followed him without thinkin' of Karai or Slash, "Mikey, please stop playing around!"
Donnie looked like he was havin' a panic attack, and I felt tha same. Leo whirled on me, his eyes slightly wild, "Raph, where is he? He was with you!"
I felt insulted, mainly because I knew that it was my fault, "I was on the phone with you Fearless! He was behind Slash and I!"
"You should have been checking on him!" Leo accused then suddenly we heard a gasp and turned in time ta see Donnie stumble, almost fallin' on his knees.
"What's wrong?!" Karai demanded, seemingly catchin' up ta us as Leo and I raced ta his side.
He swallowed, lookin' as if he would pass out soon. His whole body shook with heavy tremors as he turned his phone over to show us a text:
Donatello, I am very disappointed to learn that you've violated our agreement. Same applies for Nakano. You stole something from me so I've stolen something from you.
If you want him back, then you'll have to give me Karai. If not, then I guess he'll just remain with me.
P.S: If you so much as step foot in my building again without Karai, I will make your brother pay for it. And don't worry about getting the police involved. There will be no evidence that I have your brother and I have hidden him so it'll only make you, and especially Hamato Yoshi, look bad if you accuse me of kidnapping.
This is what I meant earlier Donatello. You should have listened to me.
Oroku Saki
My breath caught in my throat and Karai gasped, stumblin' backwards into Slash, who steadied her with a look of heavy shock. Leo's eyes were wide as he gazed at tha phone and suddenly tha phone disappeared.
It all happened so fast. Tha phone slipped from Donnie's hands as he fell forward. I raced ta catch him before he fell flat on his face and Leo stumbled on his knees ta help me catch him. Leo and I knelt, starin' at each other in numb horror, open-mouthed and pathetic.
Karai had actually begun cryin', more in frustration that anythin' else and Slash stood by awkwardly, not knowin' what ta do with himself, but I could barely see tha anger in his eyes.
It was a few minutes, but Leo's phone vibrated and he slowly put it ta his ear without even lookin' at it as I watched numbly. My body felt like it was tinglin' all over but I couldn't bring myself ta react, "Hello?"
"S-Sensei…." Leo finally lost tha last bit of composure he had at tha warm but frantic sound of Sensei's voice and I couldn't exactly blame him. Leo sobbed and tried not to as he talked ta Sensei, "B-By the docks…C-Chinatown…o...okay."
He hung up after that and no one said a word.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Oh my god…this was so fun to write but it was a VERY dramatic chapter. I love how Shredder blames Leo and Splinter so much for things that happen. Poor guys! Sorry if you're discontent with what's happened but a very big plan is being put in place.
Notice that Shredder is becoming less civilized? Locking a teenager in her room, kidnapping a teenager, hiring dangerous people to serve him. Now Tigerclaw's in the mix…Poor Mikey! And poor everyone else.
Imagine Leatherhead when he finds out *shivers*
Until next time! I look forward to reviews! :D Look forward to the next chapter where Hamato and Nakano tag-team parenting! XD The others find out about Mikey and about Karai's true nature…and Leatherhead…well you'll find out!
Stay awesome!