The orange-masked turtle had been physically restrained once more when he didn't answer Takashi's last question. He was by no means disappointed that they weren't interested in hurting him more at the moment, but was completely perplexed as to what was going on. He'd decided that silence would be the best route again, at least until the man stopped talking in riddles.
"You honestly believe this creature to be one of the Shitenno?" Yukiko was asking Taskashi a little uncertainly herself. "They are no spirits Taskashi-sama, even if some of the people in this city assumed them to be."
"I do not believe them to be the spirits themselves Yukiko-san, but merely their earthly vessels. Have you any idea of the long history tied between our culture, and the creature sitting directly before you? Have any of you?" Takashi raised his voice to address everyone. "You stare in wonder and amazement, but the stories are recorded from centuries past. Long have turtles been known as spiritual creatures of longevity, strength and wisdom; living thousands upon thousands of years. Why, this one in our very room may have lived on this earth for longer than we can even fathom."
"But what about those legends would have you believe that these turtles now channel the Guardians?" Yukiko persisted.
"Open your eyes Yukiko-san, and perhaps you will see it yourself. Consider their nature, their number, their abilities. The Four Heavenly Kings they were called, spirits that were charged with warding off evil, and protecting the world from malicious forces. Spirits that rarely choose to take physical form on this earth now, but in time of need may manifest themselves through an earthbound creature. The turtles' would be an ideal host for their purposes, based on their own experience and abilities.
Their sudden appearance on the fringe of our operations, their unexplainable knowledge of our movement, even the fact that our lost sureibu was among them, in their protection. How do you explain all of this Yukiko-san? You do not have an answer, do you?"
When the woman said nothing, he beckoned her to come closer. "Have a closer look at him."
She came obediently to stand in front of Michelangelo, and shrugged very slightly. "I have seen already. You must tell me Takashi-sama, for I don't know what I'm missing."
"His eyes fujoshi. Must I spell everything out for you? The Shitenno each represent a different compass direction, season, color, and element of the earth. The guardian Jikokuten is over the East, and his element is Water. Are you beginning to understand?"
"They're blue." She stated obviously.
"A most unnatural shade for a creature of his standing, wouldn't you agree? What of the other you fought with tonight? Did you observe his eyes?"
Yukiko gathered her thoughts silently for a moment. She remembered the turtle's unique eyes glaring back at her from the floor extremely well. "They were gold..." She faltered. "Gold flecked with the smallest amount of copper. I'd never seen such eyes, that reminded me so much of a flame." She admitted openly.
"Zōchōten, the guardian of the South, who claims the element of Fire." Takashi stated in exasperation. "All of you may find it hard to believe that such legends live and breathe among us in the world today, But no one can now deny the existence of these turtles, can you? You've seen them with your own eyes, fought with them a number of times. All that remains to be seen is whether or not the Guardian spirits can be reasoned with."
The man turned his gaze back to Michelangelo finally. "What say you? Among all those that dwell in this world, why have you singled us out?"
From somewhere in the recesses of the turtle's mind, an old movie quote was coming back to him.
"It's against my programming to impersonate a deity."
But now wasn't the time to get smart with this guy. He would be treading a very thin line here, and understood that how he responded to Takashi now would have an impact not only on him, but the other women as well. With a sharp breath, he evened out his voice into what was a flat rather monotonous tone.
"I am not the Messenger." He said simply.
"But you do not deny that you have been sent against us?" Takashi persisted.
"I am not the Messenger." He repeated. "I mean to tell you nothing under these conditions."
"Under what conditions would you speak to me freely?" The man asked.
"Those you have stolen, you have no right to. They must not be harmed." The turtle intoned with a note of insistence.
"For what purpose have you concerned yourself with them? There are many daughters of men on this planet, in worse conditions than they." Takashi said curiously.
"I will make no explanations to you son of Man." Michelangelo replied importantly. "The authority by which I act is no business of yours'."
"You have made it our business by interfering in our affairs, hampering our efforts." Takashi answered. "If you wish for no harm to be done to them, I require a reason at least."
Michelangelo's mind was rapidly searching for the correct words to use, a vague explanation that would temporarily satisfy the man. "They are Muses." He stated after a few seconds. "Life-changers, beacons of inspiration to the world that you live in. They are the soul of this generation, set apart to impact many nations."
"And therefore, you guard them dutifully." Takashi said slowly. "But they do not all of them belong to you. One of them already belongs to us, has for close to a year."
"A human life cannot be bought or owned." The turtle stated with sudden vehemence. "The cries of those you have stolen and ruined beyond recognition reach to the heavens, their voices speak out against you. Why do you wonder that we are here at all?"
Takashi studied him for a moment longer. "We do not need to be enemies, and I have no need of these 'Muses', as you call them."
"Then it would suit your health immensely for you to release them." Michelangelo said sharply.
"That I cannot do yet," Takashi said swiftly. "For now I see the value they hold to you, and I need to be certain that I have your cooperation. Will you give me a sign Jikokuten, of the real power that lies inside of you?"
"I will do no such thing." The turtle answered. "You do not command me son of Man."
"The flesh that you inhabit, it is not a permanent one I'm told." Takashi said warningly.
"This is the form I have chosen." Michelangelo told him. "If you cause fatal harm to it, you will lose every opportunity to 'reason', as you say. The next body will not be so forgiving as this one has been."
With that said, the turtle broke the unwavering eye-contact he'd been holding with Takashi, then blinked a few times with a sharp exhale, as if only now aware of his surroundings.
"Jikokuten?" Takashi said questioningly.
"Name's Michelangelo." The turtle said in his normal voice. "You wanna back up a bit dude? You're totally crowding my personal space here." He finished cheekily.
The man took a step backwards, but never removed his probing gaze from the turtle. "Where were you just now Michelangelo?"
"What are you saying? I've been here the whole time, you're the one holding me. How could I go anywhere?"
"I was not speaking with you moments ago. Do you remember any of the conversation?"
"If I wasn't talking, how would I remember it?"
"Do you have the ability to bring him back turtle?" Takashi asked.
Michelangelo snorted. "You think I control him? That's not how it works. He either comes, or he doesn't. Did you tick him off? You might be waiting awhile."
Takashi lightly drew his unseen blade, and allowed the katana to rest at the base of the turtle's chin. "For your sake, I hope that won't be the case."
Karina had been awake for several minutes now, having come around with a heart that was already racing. She woke up on her side, completely unable to shuffle more than a couple of inches through the cords that bound her. Inching a small amount at a time, she fought to get a good look around the room she was in, and laid eyes on the warrior that was guarding the door first. His expression was almost completely blank, as though he felt nothing at all. She had no desire to remain on him, and swiftly shifted her gaze another direction, to find someone else lying on her other side. Jenna.
Karina eyed the guard once more, but then decided to risk it. "Jenna!" She hissed as loudly as she dared. "Jen, are you awake?"
The woman's head rose slightly off the floor in response, and struggled to twist in Karina's direction.
"Are you alright?" Karina whispered, eyeing the man once more as she felt his gaze.
"I guess." She answered in obvious annoyance with the situation. "Are you?"
"Yes. They've got Calley somewhere around here too, I saw them take her." She told Jenna grimly. "What about you, did you see anything else? Do you know about the guys?"
"No," Jenna replied softly. "I don't know anything. I'm sure they must have heard me, but I don't know what happened after they drugged me."
As the whisper finished leaving Jenna's mouth, the lone man turned to knock on the door, as if it were some kind of signal.
"Jen, they're definitely the same people who had Calley before, which means--"
"Akiudo. How did those rotters even find us?"
"Well, it wasn't through Calley. They were just as surprised to see her, as she was to see them. That woman said they weren't even looking for her."
"What woman?"
Karina didn't have time to give an answer, before a couple of additional men entered the room, and both girls tensed. The men chuckled together, as if enjoying a private joke all their own, and one of them reached for Jenna's chin to get a better look at her.
"I could sure get 'inspired' by her." He smirked, even as the her light blue eyes narrowed at him. "I like a little bit of fire in a girl, it makes you more interesting."
"If you want to feel truly interested, you ought let me go." She informed him icily, as the warrior curiously probed her muscular shoulders.
"There will be time for play later." He told her, as he reached to draw her off of the floor. "First you must be moved to your new home."
A deep sense of panic rose in both women, at the prospect of being separated. Karina instantly wrestled with her own wrists behind her, as if it would do her any good.
"Jenna! No, don't take her away!"
"I'll be alright!" Jenna called back to her, as she glimpsed the man who was holding down a flailing Karina. "Kari, it'll be okay, don't fight them!" She insisted, even as she smoldered inwardly herself. If this guy tries to lay a hand on me, he'll get fire alright.
