I'm sorry everyone! Real life is very busy and I've been in a bit of a rut with my writing. Regardless, it's been far too long between updates. I really debated posting such a short chapter but I wanted you all to know that I haven't forgotten you and I am working hard on the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"There appears to be no fractures, only contusions and deep tissue damage."

The pressure against her cheekbone lightened then a small penlight flashed into her eyes. Karai sat on the edge of her bed and ground her teeth in an effort to stay still while the doctor bent over her. He peeled back her swollen eyelid, his damp breath feathered over her mouth and the resulting grimace she gave stung as it pulled at her badly split lip.

"Her pupil is slightly enlarged which would suggest a mild concussion, a few days of light duties is required."

The light vanished before cool fingers probed at her throat. Karai looked over the physicians shoulder while he examined her injuries and hummed under his breath to himself. Immediately her eyes caught her father's gaze and she dropped them to the side as a fist squeezed her chest. To anyone else the leader of the Foot Clan may have appeared to be his usual stoic self as he stood off to one side of her bedroom - thanks to the full face mask he wore at all times it was impossible for most people to accurately gauge his mood - but what she saw buried behind his flat stare right now made her wish for her chest plate. He was furious.

"No permanent damage has been done here either Master Shredder. I recommend that the vocal chords be rested for at least a week, that is how long it will take for the swelling to go down. Longer for the bruising."

Karai glanced up to find that her father was still watching her closely, black eyes narrowed. Without acknowledging the other man's words he addressed her in his low, gravelly tone.

"Who did this to you, daughter?"

Menace laced every syllable. Her fingers clenched into fists that twisted the bedsheets beside her hips. Shame added a new shade of red to her battered flesh. Before she could open her mouth to admit her failure a shadow moved through the mouth of her doorway and her eyes flicked to Kin as he slipped into the room. Twin orbs mirrored the light, polished gold against the drab grey wall he leant against as he took a guarded position beside the door. Quickly she scanned him, relief flooding her when she could make out no lingering injuries from the fight. Blood had matted his fur before she sent him to shift and dress in his own quarters and, even though she knew the mutation would heal him, she could not be at ease until she saw him whole for herself.

The Shredder watched the boy coldly for a moment before turning back to her with an impatient tightening of his brow.

"Answer."

Fear gripped Karai hard. Her father barely tolerated her remaining bodyguard, untrusting of both the mutant hybrid and the mind control device that kept him in check. If...when he learned that it was his escaped counterpart who had nearly killed her tonight she was afraid of his reaction. The Shredder did not tolerate failure and had an especial hatred of disloyalty. Coupled with his driving need to affix blame for every misstep, it resulted in volatile, unpredictable reactions. Karai was immobilised by the thought of what he might do when he discovered that it was Sumi who had beaten her to within an inch of her life.

Unbidden her gaze returned to Kin and she felt her traitorous expression slip.

"So, it was the leopard who did this to you."

Not a question but a simple statement of fact. Even had her throat been fully healed she would not have been able to speak past the lump lodged there. It was chilling how quickly her father could read and interpret the people around him, herself most of all. She shifted her gaze back to him before nodding once, waiting breathlessly to see which way his temper would swing. The doctor, having finished packing up his equipment, made a hasty exit from the room and Shredder waited until he had fled before speaking.

"Again I have been failed by that fool Stockman. That mutant creation is his blunder, he will be the one to pay."

Karai could only blink as her father moved to the door, heavy cape swirling about his legs as they ate up the distance in three long strides. He paused, one armour encased hand gripping the frame of the doorway until she could hear leather creaking over tight knuckles.

"Next time you see your pet do not hesitate to kill it. Kaiinu ni te o kamareru."

With the command given he vanished, not waiting for an answer. Karai remained where she was perched on the side of her bed, lowering her head and squeezing her eyes shut. While she was relieved that Stockman was taking the brunt of the blame for this, and there had been no command for Sumi's immediate capture, she couldn't help the sorrow that twisted her insides. The younger girl was as good as dead. Kaiinu ni te o kamareru. Shredder would neither forgive nor forget a traitorous attack on his own person by an underling and he fully expected the same ruthlessness from his daughter.

Karai pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezed it painfully. If only she'd been able to rescue Sumi from the turtles sooner, before they could poison her with their muck. The same way Leonardo had tried to poison her. Her thoughts returned to the mutant leader and the ridiculous claim he'd made just hours earlier. "Your true father!"

She rose from her bed, hands coming up to shove the hair from her face. Just the idea that he could suggest the rat was her father had her seething. The suggestion that she shared a blood relation with the man who had ripped her family apart was unbearable.

Unexpectedly her anger faded as quickly as it had risen and she slowly sank back to lean against her pillows. Without looking she fumbled for the top drawer of her bedside table, fingers reaching in to find the photo there and bringing it around to gaze down at it. Just like her family it had been ripped in half. She trailed one fingertip gently along the torn edge then used it to trace the features of the woman. Tang Shen. The baby in her arms so tiny Karai could scarcely believe it was herself. Hamato Yoshi had been the one to kill her mother, snatching her away before she could get to know her. It was his fault her father was so cold and distant, so consumed with revenge. The scars from that night marred his body and soul. Many times Karai had imagined the kind of relationship she would have shared with Oruku Saki had he not been bent on avenging his dead wife. But dreams were a waste of time. Her childhood had been stolen from her the moment her mother had perished and nothing would bring her back.

Karai lifted her gaze to Kin who still stood beside the door, eyes forward and face expressionless. It was humiliating to admit, even to herself, that the shifter was the closest thing that she had to a friend. That she'd even imagined occasionally what it would be like if he was her brother instead of a bodyguard. Sumi had filled that same role and the months of her absence had been torture. Seeing her again tonight, being so close to bringing her home, it was almost more than Karai could bear. Knowing who she'd been with all this time only made it worse.

Those cursed turtles. How she envied them even as she hated them. She'd seen the turtles operate as a unit, heard their casual banter and felt their deep love for one another even in the midst of the most perilous fight. She was drawn by it against her will, it was the reason she continually allowed Leonardo to walk away each time he foolishly sought her out alone. Even as his words angered her they awakened a gaping yearning inside her. What would it be like to be part of that family? The question repelled and captivated her in equal measure.

Hamato Yoshi, whatever his past deeds it was obvious that the rat cherished his mutant children. Her father had never even removed his helmet in her presence. She had no idea what her own flesh and blood truly looked like. Moments ago in this very bedroom he had spoken to her without a hint of concern, let alone love, for his only daughter. Instead he had assigned blame and left to meet out his version of justice, leaving her grateful that she wasn't the one in his cross-hairs.

A drop of water fell onto the face of her long dead mother and Karai sniffed before brushing the tear away with her thumb. Pathetic. She was pathetic. Crying over the lies of a turtle. Mourning for a mother she'd never known. Pining for a friend she'd never had and lamenting the actions of a father who gave her everything. Except love a voice in her head whispered and she quashed it ruthlessly.

It was past time for this to end. If Leonardo wanted to convince her that the stinking rat was her true father then she would use his own ignorance and lies against him. Tonight may seem like a total disaster on the surface but a plan was forming in her mind. There was a way to use her current situation to her advantage. She lay back on her bed, eyes becoming unfocussed as they gazed at the ceiling.

She would make them all pay.

Kaiinu ni te o kamareru - to be bitten on the hand by one's own dog (Japanese saying/proverb)

Sorry again it is so short!

The next part is set a few days later so I figured the jump forward in time would be better in a new chapter. I hope to get it out very soon. Ideas welcome!

I've really missed you guys so a review would be awesome (and motivating). Let me know what you think :)