Winds of Change

Disclaimer: I do not own the butt kicking Ninja Turtles with Renaissance names.

Chapter 35: Aftermath

Raph had gone down to meet the police officers who had arrived and to inform them that there was a death caused by self defence it would be wise for the Police to come to the scene as it were. "We know bettah then ta tamper with evidence. There were fourteen of the Foot soldiers, that we've been helpin ya round up but one of them must have woke up and slipped off before we got em all tied." Raph began to explain "One of them was fighting with two swords. Kali managed to get one of the swords away from him and use it in defense cause that sword could have sliced her staff to bits. She unfortunately managed to kill the guy. Course he was tryin' to kill her but the killing blow she gave him was more fluke then anything."

One officer radioed back as some of the others followed Raph to the roof top where Don was just finishing applying first aid to Kali's bleeding arm "That will need stitches when we get home but should slow the blood flow for now."

Don looked up at the police, it helped that most of the Foot were indeed knocked out and tied up proving the number the three turtles had to prevail against, plus the injuries on the turtles looked more numerous and more severe then what was found on the number of those who were living and waiting for escort by the police.

Kali looked at the officers with wide eyes practically brimming with tears, "I didn't mean to...I wasn't trying to," She shuddered and winced, "I never meant to kill him honest," she choked back a sob, "He had raised his sword to bring it down. ..."

"It is all right Kaliann, take a deep breath I can get your report but that arm looks bad" The officer soothed, noting how red the makeshift bandage was all ready turning, "Can you make it down to street level and we can have the Paramedics check it out they should be here soon. By the way I'm Linda Blair."

"If you need help packing down some of these guys we will be glad to assist" Don offered in a congenial way. "Kali, I know normally we could tend that at home for you but due to the circumstances it might be better if you go with the Officer, they will need a full report I could come with you if you like?"

Co-operating with the police was essential Kali knew so she nodded her head "I can make it down to the street but I would like a family member with me, even if Uncle Don could get someone from home, I'd really appreciate it."

"Of course right now we will just have the paramedics check you out but your Uncle Don and Raphael will need to make a report as well and the sooner we can get it from them the better, so it might be wise to get another member of your family here." Linda suggested kindly. "We can check them over while we are at it and document all the injuries for the record of course."

Some of the other officers were removing the black hoods off of heads and hauling some of the soldiers to their feet. Kali gasped as she saw one of the Foot unmasked near by "That is Yan Cho, I remember him from the competitions that were held a few months back here in town. Aiden went on a date with his sister Emiko."

Yan glowered and made a lunge for the girl cussing her out as he did so Kali flinched a bit ducking back, as the officers holding Yan increased their hold dragging him off.

"That identifies one of them." One garbed police officer commented.

Bruises and shallow cuts were found on most the Foot soldiers who had been rounded up the exception being the one Foot Soldier Raph had thrown the shuriken at, and of course Kuma. While paramedics and Police documented the injuries on all involved, it was clear that the turtles had indeed suffered the worst of the injuries, not counting Kuma who was of course dead.

Kali's arm was quite bad so the Paramedics were quick to take her to the closest hospital for care and Don rode with her only after Kali's arm had been treated at the hospital with Leo coming in to be with his daughter, did the officers finally get the details of what had happened.

Kali explained about getting the one sword away from the soldier she had killed, "He was really good, and I was lucky to manage that," Kali paused, shuddering a little, "There was so much going on. I know some of the other ones were trying to help the guy who was after me, but my Uncles cared for them and my focus was just trying to stay alive."

Linda nodded, she could tell that Kali was very upset and visibly shaken.

"He was really pushing me," Kali continued swallowing hard, as she recalled the events, "I tripped over one of the ones we had knocked out and I saw the one who was after me raise his sword to bring down to...he was going to kill me," Kali gasped tears rolling down her face.

Leo scowled with concern and took Kali's hand offering her comfort and strength.

"I tried to roll, move to one side, but I didn't think I had the time. I tossed the sword I still held. I was hoping it might knock his blade off a bit you know it was all I could think of only the sword I tossed went into his belly and ..." Kali couldn't finish, she leaned against her father sobbing.

Linda relayed what Kali had told her and got Kali to sign the report "I think that should be it for now we may need you for more details or information later from you. This is the number we have on file to reach you correct?" She rattled off a phone number the turtles had given only to select people in each precinct.

"Yes," Leo nodded, he glanced at Linda, "Is this going cause more problems for us?"

Linda pursed her lips, "Hopefully not if our investigation proves that it was a case of self defense and considering the numbers against your family, in this attack most likely it won't be an issue but we really can't verify that until the investigation is done."

"Can Kali go home now?" Leo wondered still holding and comforting his distraught daughter.

"As soon as the Doctor's give the okay yes," Linda permitted handing Leo a card with the case file.

XXX

Leo waited until they had all met up in the sewers to head home. "You did wonderful Kali, you had me convinced that you were shook up and torn over the killing. Yet you kept your tone sincere without overplaying it."

"Thanks Dad," Kali flashed him a smile, "I just focused on what I did and not what I saw Uncle Don or Raph doing. I know Uncle Raph knocked him to one side but in the thick of battle I was already tossing the sword, because I was sure he was going finish me then and there."

Don grinned "That adds credence though a young girl as yourself, not as skilled in fighting as we are. Seeing the sword coming at you, is far more believable that you focused on that and not on what we were doing or not doing at the time."

Leo nodded "That with a little theatre acting of shock, tears selling the fact that you aren't use to killing. This is something you have never seen, or done before. This image will haunt you forever, the trauma all goes a long way."

Kali nodded "But Dad there is a chance they could still decide to charge me and if it gets out to the news we could still look bad."

Raph snorted, "Not likely, the story you told was basically fact only thing you hid was the act that the killing disturbed and bothered you. Don and I basically gave the same story the guy was good he had you over the barrel. We said what we did to that sword wielding Foot soldier, if you missed it, it was only due to the fact your concentration was on the one opponent trying to get out alive."

"Our story should match up only giving a little more information on what we did to try and assist or help you to keep you alive me tossing my staff. Raph tossing himself," Don concurred. "Even the weapons they may find our fingerprints on but Raph and I both admitted to using weapons we got away from the Foot much as you used the sword."

Raph grinned, "Except for the shuriken but since the Foot wear gloves they may not leave fingerprints on the stuff anyways," he admitted with a casual shrug "Besides fourteen to three odds and with us bearing most the injuries we come out looking like yeah we were fighting for our lives, and Kali in your case you really were. That soldier was damn good with the sword, he might have managed to be a bit of a challenge for Leo, though I am sure Leo could have risen to it."

Don shook his head," Though with all the Foot Elite being taken in for questioning you know Yukio must be feeling pretty close to really acting out even if public attacks are down from what they were before since the bombing."

Leo listened to the talk sure that it was the right move, "On top of that considering the number of Elite around lately it stood to reason that eventually one of them would be killed, it had to come we would have to deal with the repercussions one way or another."

Raph nodded his head, "You got a point Leo, and as long as we do our best not to kill too many of em and the Police can back up that what we did was in self defense or the killing was a fluke accident so we won't be held accountable it should be all right. Still we can't always hope to get that lucky."

"That is the part that worries me," Leo confessed "especially when it comes to getting rid of Yukio himself. It may be extremely difficult making it look like an accident, self defence we can possibly manage it just depends on how the situation plays out." He sighed, and his lips tightened to a grim line, "we may still get some backlash for any deaths we cause even if we are exonerated."

"True dad, but the thing is, in this circumstances we did basically tell the truth. That elite was an expert at kenpo he was challenging me the whole time. I didn't dare push for the upper hand too much because he was keeping me on the defense and pushing the whole time," Kali pointed out, "the only misleading we did was me acting like I was so upset over killing him and that was necessary to make the police believe that the death was traumatic.."

"Not just traumatic for you but that you seemed to regret it, you were in shock which is something they might expect to see. The thing is they don't realize how long we have been at this war," Don muttered sadly.

Kali nodded, "Well one thing for sure I am very glad that Aiden didn't like Emiko."

Leo grinned, "I am thankful for that myself. Obviously, Yukio was hoping to use that Kunoichi to get to Aiden."

XXX

The Foot soldier that had managed to get back to base, the only one of fourteen feared facing Yukio, especially with the news that he carried of Kuma being killed by the Turtles and all others rounded up he knew that the leader would not be impressed with it, Yukio Sekora's was showing more displeasure as time went on, and more of their members were being captured on charges of one thing or another.

Still, someone had to make the report, and the others would not be able to do so until they could post bail. Most of the Elite captured tonight would not be willing to sell the Foot clan out but it was known that some of the younger Jenin were going to the police with such information as they were aware of, or were able to obtain.

The Elite soldier wondered what sort of punishment might be imposed on him for his failure in tonight's mission. They were to obtain one of the Turtles, a task that seemed damn near impossible especially considering how they could use portals. He himself believed that was something that the freak Donatello and perhaps his wife with him had managed to create and the family now used it to escape when things were not going to plan for them.

Now if any of them could find out how the turtles managed that trick they would be rewarded quite well but thus far none of them had learned how it was done, they had seen it done, they knew the the whole turtle clan could achieve it but the how eluded the soldiers and everyone else in the Foot clan.

As soon as he returned to base he had sent word that he had information for the leader of the Foot Clan and now he had been given instructions on which room he was to go to, a dojo one often used by Yukio and a few chosen members of the Foot clan to work out in.

When he entered the dojo he instantly prostrated himself kneeling low with upper body bent and head almost on the mats themselves showing in every way he could that he was unworthy.

Yukio had finished an intense work out his body covered in sweat, a towel around his shoulders and a water bottle in his hand.

"Noble and honoured Leader, I Gerry regret to inform you that those of us who left under the command of Kuma, am the only one to return to the base. Kuma was killed by the turtles and all others were captured and taken in by authorities."

Yukio felt a sharp intake of breath at hearing his son had been killed. He had done all he could to protect his son from those that could harm him, and the enemies had cut him down. He felt his body tense and his hands clench in rage at the news. He fought for a moment to gain control of his emotions for he wanted to strike down the messenger who brought him the report.

Still, with so many soldiers in trouble recently Yukio was aware that killing even one of the elite for their failure was only harming himself. "Go to the infirmary get yourself treated and cared for. From now on you will do what Kuma could not. Your mission capture and bring back to base one of the younger Turtles! Or any member of the turtle clan."

Gerry made some comment about being very honoured and accepting the mission, but the Elite soldier knew that most likely he was going end up just as dead as Kuma, and of course if he tried to run and hide then his life would indeed be forfeit. He slunk out of the room not wanting to draw any more attention to himself.

Yukio watched Gerry slink out keeping low his fury, and rage needing some release he took a sword and viciously attacked a punching bag. He had expected so much of Kuma, he who had been the perfect to follow in his footsteps. His son trained properly in Ninjitsu in Japan, able to wield any weapon like a professional, skilled in every aspect that he had taken on to further himself and now he was gone, such a waste!

Even worse is the Turtles probably would not pay for his death, he was aware of the reports that the turtle clan was now carrying mostly staffs, and other non threatening weapons then making use of any thing they could disarm the Foot soldiers of.

Yukio sank to the mats wondering how he could go about retrieving his son's body so that Kuma could be buried back home in Japan where he belonged. He might have to consider the best way to do this for he knew that he would have to be above reproach.

Much as he may hate to do so he might have to act like his son had gotten mixed up with bad company as a form of rebellion of his father's strict rules. He had kept Kuma hidden for so long, even in the real world there was little to connect Kuma to him if only because Yukio had done his best to protect his son.

XXX

Crime was down in the City for the first time in many years, many people citizens and city officials a like, along with emergency responders were putting it down to the Turtle family. The police throughout New York, were glad of the assistance and seemed to be looked upon favourably by the people they served.

For many of them they felt that the GA's as partners should have happened a long time ago, and having them around now was clearly a welcome boost to morale for all. So, those who had been put into the Turtle liaison group wanted to work hard to hopefully clear Kali from the accidental death she had caused.

Granted they were aware that they had to keep an open mind and must allow the investigative team to check out and verify the reports but considering how long the Turtles had been assisting them in rounding up these criminals, breaking a hole into the gangs and their unethical actions and in all of that they had only caused one known death.

Kali's report of what happened and her uncles own supported the idea that the soldier killed was in self defense at the worst, and accidental at best. Along with photos of all the injuries each of them had sustained during the fight, including the bad slash in Kali's arm which had required stitches to get muscle back together as well as to seal the wound so it would heal.

The weapon would have been very heavy and difficult to use her injured arm. Kali said she had managed to use both to throw it, though due to how bad her injury was the throw was probably not as good as it might have been without such an injury.

Trajectory of the sword from Kali's vantage point and where the unknown person had been standing meant the sword would go in at around the stomach area where it had landed.

Some of those who were questioned about the battle insisted that Raph had shoved the man towards the sword.

Raph had admitted That yes he had, struck him on the side knocking him a bit away from Kali maybe no more then a step and a half off course, the soldier had tried to move so he could finish the killing blow, as Raph had reached to restrain him or use a nerve pinch, such moves could make it seem like he had pushed or shoved the soldier.

Raph had even been kind enough and willing to demonstrate, the police had tried it out and agreed.

While there was still some information to go through in the case it was all ready looking to most the officers that Kali would not have any charges brought against her.

TBC