AN: Hey y'all! So sorry it took me so damn long to update! My comp. Got
screwed up & I lost EVERYTHING, as I said before. And I mean, EVERYTHING. I
lost, about 20 stories, Brian & BSB pix, family pix, games, programs, etc.
The list goes on, and on, and on. Plus, I hadn't really been motivated to
write much lately, so that was also part of the problem, along with
writer's block. But, after watching TMNT now, for, like, the past three
weeks, twice each Saturday, I've come up with an idea. Tehehe. And yes,
TMNT is on TWICE Saturday's. 8:30a.m. & then again @ 10:30a.m. on Fox Box.
Mind you, the times I gave you, are the Eastern times, but thatz only
'cause I live in Ontario. Anyway, just so ya know, there's a song in THIS
chapter, and I'd just like to state, if anyone else knows the song great,
if not, it's still cool; but, getting to what I really wanted to say 'bout
the song, I dunno if I've all the right words, k? So if ya know it, &
notice they're wrong, kindly let me know what the correct ones are. Thanx!
Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT or anyone affiliated with them. I only own Lana, Jeff, Drew, and Shlump. And later on, I'll own one of you. You'll know who you are, once you see the name.
Note: The flashback that happened a few chapters back, where Donatello remembers when he lied to Master Splinter and the rest of his family, is owned by Machias, not me. She was kind enough to let me use it for my story, seeing as it fit. If anyone forgot exactly where it was, it happened after the TMNT caught Lana and Jeff trying to come home after a BSB concert. It happened right after they got back to the lair and Lana had been sent to Splinter's study.
TygeroftheWynd: If you're talking about 30 ABOVE 0 in your story, well, just so ya know, I'd be running around in jeans & a sweatshirt, not a big huge ass winter coat. Where I live, it goes to 39 BELOW 0. So, to me, 30degrees ABOVE 0 is warm. I laughed at Kevin (BSB), when he was co-hosting Regis & Kelly, 'cause he was complaining about 11degree weather in NY & here, where I am, it was almost -34. Lol. Ok. I just thought of something, if you're going be Celsius, no coat for me, but if you're going by Fahrenheit, I'll have a coat, k? I just checked my thermometer and realized it could be either you were referring to. 'Cause right now it's 0 degrees Celsius & 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ziptango: Hey Zip! Hope everything's ok at your end! Also, this next bunch of chapters is ALL for you, and you alone. Luvs yah (as a friend-duh!)! Take care!
~Lenni~
Chapter 60:
Three years later (Lana's 14).
"This is it," Lana thought. "I'm finally gonna get away from here once and for all."
She'd never tell anyone, but she'd been having problems at home lately. It seemed every time she turned around she was arguing with either one of the turtles or Master Splinter. And, after the last ass whooping she'd received, she was in no hurry to return home and stay home. She'd never forget who gave it to her either.
Flashback.
Lana quietly snuck into the dojo, knowing she wasn't allowed there unless she was practicing her ninjitsu, and even then, she was not allowed to touch any of the weapons, not even her own.
"Well, here it goes," she thought, as she made her way over to the weapon rack.
She took a deep breath, as she reached up and grab the weapon she'd had her eye on forever. She held it in her hands, and stared at it in complete awe. As she stared at it, she turned it over and over slowly, wanting to take in its every little detail.
"I wonder if it's harder to use 'cause it's bigger than mine," she wondered. She swung it around a little bit. "Nope, not at all hard to use."
She began to mess around with it then, and started getting kind of reckless. Suddenly, it flew from her hand, and hit the wall on the other side of the room. She watched in horror as part of it broke off, for some unknown reason.
"Oh, my God!" She gasped. "It's never broken after hitting something hard before! Oh, my God! I'm so dead!"
She quickly ran over to retrieve the weapon, and had just picked it up to assess the damage, when its owner entered the dojo.
"Please don't notice, please don't notice!" She prayed over and over. Her prayers weren't answered.
"Hey Lana," the owner said cheerfully. "Whatcha doin'?"
Lana froze as she watched him take a good look at what she held in her hands.
"That's not what I think it is, is it?" He asked, looking from her to the wall, where his prized possession was usually kept, then back at her again, with a stern look on his face. "Lana Marie, start explaining yourself young lady."
"I-um-eh," Lana trails off, suddenly feeling like a deer caught in headlights. "Sorry?" She raised her right eyebrow slightly, giving herself an unsure, yet somehow apologetic, look.
He gave her a Look, which seemed to show just exactly how peeved he was.
"Um-curiosity killed the cat?" She tried. "I-I couldn't resist?
"You KNOW you're NOT to touch ANY of the weapons!" He stated harshly. "NOT even your own!"
"I-I'm sorry," she said again. "I-I just HAD to touch it. HAD to see how it felt to hold it, and feel its glorious power."
"The only 'glorious' power you're gonna be seeing for the next while, is the power from your bedroom lights, Missy," he growls. "You're grounded until further notice."
"F-further n-notice?" Lana stammered, knowing that that was not good. "H- How l-long is f-further n-notice?"
"As long as I want it to be," he snarls, grabbing his, now broken, weapon from her. "Now, go to your room."
"N-No," she replied then made her voice stronger. "No. I won't."
"Excuse me?" He said, raising an eyebrow and looking at her skeptically. "What did you just say?"
"I said I won't, and you can't make me," she repeated, standing her ground. Enough was enough. She was sick of being treated like a baby. "I'm sick of being treated like a little kid!"
"Well, maybe if you stopped acting like one, you wouldn't be treated like one," he snapped. "You know, as well as I do, the rules around here must be followed to a tee, or consequences shall follow."
"Yeah, well, I DON'T see how me not being able to touch my own damn weapons is good for anybody. How the hell do you expect me to practice? Y'all are always busy with your own damn lives, yet still expect me to practice, but won't let me use any of the weapons to do so. Like, hello, they're MINE thank-you. I've been using some of them since I was two."
"Lana Marie, don't you go mouthing off to me young lady," he rejoined, glaring at her. "I'll tan your rear-end pretty good if you do."
"As if. I'll believe it when I see it," Lana retorted. "You wouldn't, and you know it."
"Don't test me Lana," he said. "I'm not in the mood to be tested."
"Oh, so stating the truth is a challenge now, is it?"
"I swear, if you say one more smart aleck comment, you will NOT be able to sit for quite some time," he snapped. "You're MAJORLY pissing me off."
"Good God," she answered. "Because you're pissed, I ain't s'pose to say a damn thing. Well, that's always good to know, now ain't it?"
He had enough then, and angrily grabbed her by the arm and whipped her around so fast, he was surprised she didn't get whiplash. He yanked her pants and underwear down, and spanked her until his hand actually hurt and he was satisfied. Once done, he yanked her pants back up, then whipped her back around to face him.
"Room. Now," he growled. "I'm NOT going to tell you again."
Lana looked at him with tears streaming down her face. "I hate you!" She shrieked, before running out of the dojo and into her room, slamming the door behind her.
End of flashback.
"Damn Leo," Lana grumbled, as she trudge along through the sewers. "Damn him. Damn them all."
She knew deep in her heart that she didn't mean what she said, then or now, but she was in Raph mode and refused to give in this time, until she got her way. The only thing she'd actually meant out of that whole conversation was that she was sick of being treated like a little kid. She was fourteen now. Hell, a teenager for crying aloud; but they still treated her as though she were nine, sometimes even four.
Lana sighed as she thought of one of the songs that the turtles had written and stuck on the cassette they'd made her when she was small and terribly frightened by every little thing.
When things are down And you want no one around Dragging your shell over town Maybe it's awesome and you're feeling on top Feel like out of your shell you're going to pop
Just sing about it Let the music bring Sing about it Whether you're happy or sad Good times or bad Just sing (sing, sing, sing), sing about it
You don't need nothing Not even a drum (Just sing about it) Your heart is where the music's coming from There ain't too much in there To help you remember Or help you forget The song, doesn't matter what kind of a song Just get things started and before too long, yeah All of your problems will be long (long) gone - Wooh yeah
Sing about it If you're happy or sad Sing about it Whoa, in good times or bad Sing about it You don't need a drum Sing about it
Your heart is where the music's coming from.
"Pff. Yeah, right," Lana scoffed. "I tried music, ya Bozos, but not even THAT got through to you."
She kicked the ground slightly, with every step she took, subconsciously slowing herself down, as her heart knew she didn't really want to go, but her mind, as usual, was telling her something different. "GO! GO!" Her mind screamed, while her heart's screams of "STAY! STAY!" were drowned out.
Chapter 61:
Back at the lair (morning).
"Hey, Raph?"
"What do ya want Leo?"
"Have you seen Lana anywhere this morning?"
"No. Why do you want her NOW?"
"She's grounded Raphael, and you know it."
"I'm NOT stupid Leonardo."
"Then lose the sarcasm for a minute."
"Sarcasm has NOTHING to do with being stupid OR Lana, you dope."
Leonardo gives Raphael a Look. "Raphael, DON'T test me."
"Whatever Leo," Raphael said, glaring back at him. "What? You gonna take ME over ya knee now too? Huh?"
Leonardo sets his jaw rigidly, and clenches his fists slightly. "If I have to, yes," he answers.
Raphael laughs. "Get real Leo. You ain't been able to do that in years, and ya know Sensei would have ya hide for it. Teacher's Pet don't want Teacher to get mad and give him an ass whooping like he did last time."
"I'm warning you Raph."
"I'm warning you Raph," Raphael mimicked. "Some advice Leo, go 'warn' someone else."
With that said, Raphael turned to leave as he'd had enough of Leonardo's attitude lately. Ever since Lana had broken his prized katana, he'd been all pissy about the stupidest little things. He was making people wonder if they'd switch places, and Raphael knew they hadn't, or he'd be teacher's pet now and not Leonardo still.
Leonardo tackled Raphael from behind them, suddenly letting loose all his pent up frustration and anger.
"Hey! Leo!" Raphael cried, as he fell face first onto the lair floor, then quickly rolled over onto his back. "Get off me!"
Leonardo ignored his brother and kept pummeling him with hearty blows.
"ENOUGH!" A voice booms. "Leonardo, what is the meaning of this?"
Leonardo delivers one last blow to Raphael's chest, then stands up.
"It's nothing Master Splinter," he says quickly. "Just a normal every day brotherly brawl."
Raphael grumbles as he gets up, with some help from Michaelangelo.
"You okay Dude?" Michaelangelo asked.
"Fine Mikey, just fine," Raphael mutters.
"This did not look like a normal every day brotherly brawl," Splinter stated. "Now, truthfully Leonardo, what is the meaning of this?"
Leonardo remained silent.
"I have asked you a question, and I expect an answer," Splinter replicated. "Immediately."
When Leonardo still refused to answer him, he turned toward his son in red.
"Raphael, do you know what caused Leonardo to attack you like that?"
Raphael shrugged. "He kept bugging me and wanting to know where Lana is. I told him I didn't know, and said a few sarcastic remarks as usual. I turned to leave, but he flew off the handle and tackled me. You saw the rest, Sensei."
Master Splinter nodded. "Thank-you Raphael, you are dismissed. You too Michaelangelo."
Raphael grabbed Michaelangelo and practically threw him out of the room.
"Go!" He hissed. "I don't wanna be in shit for something stupid."
"But I wanna hear!" Michaelangelo hissed back. "I wanna know what Sensei's gonna do to him!"
"Forget that!" Raphael growls slightly. "Mikey, think about what Sensei will do to YOU if he catches you spying!"
Michaelangelo groaned and let Raphael lead him to another part of the lair.
Once they were gone, Master Splinter turned to his eldest son, not looking too pleased.
"Leonardo, what has come over you, my son?" He asks. "You are usually the one who shows respect for everything and everyone. What has happened to make you this way?"
"Does anyone else NOT notice that Lana's been acting up more than ever lately?" Leonardo snapped. "Every time I turn around she's doing something wrong. Jeesh. She even broke MY prized katana!"
"Leonardo, you shall NOT speak to me in that tone. You shall treat me with the respect, or not speak to me at all."
"Then I shan't speak to you Master Splinter," Leonardo said. "I don't wish to show you any more disrespect, but can't speak respectfully for the time being."
With that said, Leonardo bowed, then turned and left the room. Splinter stood there watching his son go, and realized that somehow he'd been tricked out of giving a punishment.
Chapter 62:
Lana had been walking on end for hours, and was now somewhere outside of the city. She'd never known there was swampland in New York until now.
"Yick!" She grumbled, kicking her one foot in the air, to try and get rid of the muck on it. "This is more disgusting than the sewers. At least there you've a semi-decent place to walk, here it's all gross and smelly."
She kept walking until she got stuck. "Oh, great," she thought. "What else could go wrong?"
Just then, a mutant came out of nowhere, and stood before her.
"Who the hell are you?" She demanded, eyeing, what seemed to be an overgrown alligator. "And where the hell did you come from?"
"I am Leatherhead, master of all those that live in my Swamplands," the alligator replied. "YOUR swamplands?" Lana laughed. "Yeah, right. Nobody owns these, 'cept the government."
Leatherhead said nothing as he grabbed her by the arm and yanked her up out of the muck. He made sure that her shoes were still on her feet, then began to drag her to his home.
"Hey!" Lana cried. "Where are you taking me?"
"Once stuck here in the swamplands, you become my prisoner," Leatherhead informs her. "You shall now join the others and learn how a slave is to act."
"I am NOT your slave!" Lana shrieked. "I'm SICK of being a damn prisoner all the time!"
"Ahh. So I take it you're an escaped prisoner then?"
"In a way, yeah, but in bigger ways, no."
"Well, you shall remain one forever now."
"Not if I can help it," Lana muttered. "Nobody's keeping me against my will."
Leatherhead reached his home then, and dropped her onto the mucky ground. He made some really loud noise, and within moments a couple more 'slaves' appeared out of nowhere and lined up.
"Ah, my prisoners," Leatherhead smiled. "We've a new 'family' member. I found her stuck in the same muck, all of you were stuck in at some point."
"I AM 'NOT' YOU PRISONER!" Lana screamed, only to receive a backhander from Leatherhead.
"You are, and shall NOT speak unless spoken to, understood?"
Lana glared at him.
"UNDERSTOOD?" Leatherhead roared.
"Hai," she answered, still giving him an icy look.
Leatherhead turned to his other slaves. "You are to show her what she's to do immediately. If she fails, ALL of you shall be punished. Do you hear me?"
The prisoners all nod quickly.
"Now SCAT!"
Everyone, except one girl, scattered. Lana watched as the girl cautiously made her way over to her.
"Hi," the girl said. "My name's Tesia; what's yours?"
"Lana," she answered, as she stood up.
"You'd best come with me, Lana," Tesia informed her. "If not, we'll both be punished, and I'd prefer not to have that happen."
Lana nods and follows the girl. "Um.Tesia?"
"Yes?"
"I hope you don't mine me asking, but, um, how long have you been here?"
"Two years," Tesia responded. "My friends and I were riding our bikes and wandered too far."
"Are your friends here?" Lana wanted to know.
"Yes," Tesia sighed. "But we aren't allowed to talk much. When we do, it's in secret, and high hopes that Master Leatherhead's side kick, Shlump, is not around."
Just then, Shlump, a mutated iguana/chameleon, appeared before them. "What are you two up too?" He demanded.
"Master Leatherhead said someone is to show Lana around, Shlump," Tesia responded quickly. "I am to explain to her, her duties and the consequences of not doing them."
"Very well," Shlump nodded. "Once done, get back to work."
"What is he?" Lana queried. "An iguana or a chameleon?"
"Both actually," Tesia shrugged. "He's an iguana, but can change colours like a chameleon, so we believe both had to have been there when he mutated."
"Ah, I see," Lana nodded, then spotted two more girls. "Hey, who are they?"
"Those are my friends I was telling you about," Tesia smiled. "They're the greatest."
Chapter 63:
"Hey, guys," Donatello began. "You seen Lana anywhere?"
Michaelangelo and Raphael looked up from their game of Mario Kart.
"Nope. Not today Dude," Michaelangelo replied. "Sorry."
"I haven't seen her since last night when she was questioning me," Raphael answered. "But maybe Leo's found her by now. He was looking for her earlier."
Donatello nodded, then went off in search of his brother. He found him in the dojo practicing with only one katana, since Lana had broken his other one.
"Hey, Leo?"
"Yeah, Donnie?"
"Have you seen Lana at all today?"
"No. Why?"
"You mean, you didn't find her earlier?"
"No." Leonardo trailed off. "What are you getting at Donnie?"
"Well, don't you think it's kinda quiet in her room?" He questioned. "Normally she has the Backstreet Boys blaring full blast or whatever. Today, there's nothing."
"You're right," Leonardo agreed. "Usually around this time 'More Than That' is heard coming from her room."
The two gave one another weird looks, then left the dojo and headed for Lana's room. Once there, Donatello knocked on the door.
"Lana?" He called. "Are you in there?"
No answer. This time Leonardo knocked, and called her name, but still they got no answer.
"You don't think something happened to her, do you?" Donatello queried worriedly.
Leonardo shrugged, then bust the door open. He scanned the room and quickly realized that she wasn't there.
"Where the hell is she, Leo?" Raphael demanded from the doorway. "I know you had to have done something to her, so where is she?"
"I don't know," Leonardo answered honestly. "I thought she was in here too, that's why I gave up my search earlier."
"Best look everywhere then, hadn't we?" Donatello sighed. "I wished she'd learn not to take off on us every time she gets grounded."
The turtles searched everywhere they could think of, but still could not find her. Michaelangelo remembered her secret spot, and slinked off unnoticed to where it was.
"Lana?" He called softly as he entered it. "Lana? You here?"
He paused to listen momentarily, but still heard nothing.
"C'mon Lana, this ain't funny," he stated. "You're starting to scare me."
He reached the spot where she loved to sit, and found a note sitting on top of an old pizza box. He picked it up and began to read what it said.
My dearest and most beloved Mikey,
By now you will have realized that I am 'missing', as Donnie will say. But, to put it bluntly, I am not 'missing', just simply, shall we use Raph's word, 'gone'. It is not by any fault of yours Michaelangelo, that I am 'gone'. It could never be your fault, not ever. I can promise you that. Though, I am afraid I can't promise you my return. Yes, Mikey, I've run away again, only this time, it's for good. And I mean it, with the same sincerity that Raph saw in my eyes, when I swore to him that no one would ever dissect him as long as I was around (please let him know that I' still around. I don't want him to worry 'bout being dissected none). Also, please inform Donnie that it's not totally his fault. He's partially to blame, but not solely. No. That's Leo's department, I'm afraid. Yes, I said Leo. The same guy who vowed to always treat me with the utmost respect, no matter what. Pff. Yeah, right. If he had, I don't think there'd be any reason for this note, now would there be? The answer is no, Mikey. I know I confused you on that last sentence, and for that, I'm sorry. But, you know how I love to write. Anyway, Master Splinter can be included in the blame game too, if you'd like. He makes too many restrictions. Jeez. Even Donnie's more lenient that he is, and Donnie's right down crazy when it comes to making restrictions (though, he does do okay for the most part. Donnie, not Splinter, you goof). Master Splinter and Leonardo combined were just too much for me. I honestly don't know how you could live with them so long, and honestly not go right down crazy and completely out of your mind. I now know why Raph has to leave for those walks of his, when he does go. He needs a break from them, and personally, I don't blame him any, as I need breaks too. More often than him recently. Well, Mikey, I'm afraid if this letter gets any longer, my heart will overrule my brain, or my brain will overrule my heart. I'm not quite sure which, but either way, if I make this any longer, I'll end up staying here. Now, I know how much you'd like that, as, in ways, I'd like it too, but I just can't. I hope you understand that. Please forgive me. All I can ask for is for your forgiveness Michaelangelo. I don't want to hurt you, but need my freedom all the same. I am truly sorry for any pain that I may cause you, but I assure you, once I am settled in my new place, I will send you a postcard to let you know that all is well. I love you Mikey, always have and always will.
Love always, You're Kiddo, ~Lana Marie~
P.S. Don't ask Jeff or Drew 'bout this, as they ain't got a clue. P.P.S. Don't look for me, as I've made it so that you will never find me, unless I should decide that I want to be found. P.P.P.S. Please tell Raph to guard Teddy. Thanks!
By the time Michaelangelo had finished reading the letter, he was crying so hard his vision was badly blurred. He clutched the note in his hand and hurried back to the lair as fast as he could, with his tear- impaired vision.
Everyone looked up when they heard someone enter the lair. They were surprised to see Michaelangelo standing there, sobbing, while he clutched a piece of paper in his hands.
"Dudes!" He cried. "She's gone! Gone for good! And it's all Leo's fault!"
Up until Michaelangelo had mentioned Leonardo, they'd all been looking at him absurdly. But, as soon as he'd said it was Leonardo's fault, they understood it all perfectly. It was as though a light bulb had gone on inside of their heads.
"Leo!" Raph growled.
Chapter 64:
Tesia, Lana, and Tesia's two friends were working away when Leatherhead approached them. They were amazed to see that he had actually brought them lunch for a change instead of making them wait until dinnertime.
Tesia nudged Lana. "Bow!" She hissed.
"Huh?" Lana said aloud, then realized what her friend had meant. "Oh."
Lana very quickly bowed, though she was a little too slow for Leatherhead's liking.
"You!" Leatherhead snapped. "Step forward."
"Me?" Lana asked.
"No, the girl behind you," Leatherhead retorted sarcastically. "Yes, you girl."
"Oh, great," Lana thought. "He's Raph's sarcasm."
"Why didn't you bow when you were s'pose to?" He demanded.
"Sorry Master Leatherhead," she apologized. "I didn't realize right away what I was s'pose to do. Please forgive me, as I am new here."
"Oh, and so being new here gives you an excuse to break the rules, does it?"
"No Master Leatherhead," Lana answered. "I didn't say that. I simply meant, that I am still learning the ways of a prisoner. It is only natural for me to be a little slow."
"It is NOT natural for you to be slow!" Leatherhead growls. "All the other prisoners moved faster than you on their first day here! I expect you to do the same!"
"Master, some people are born slower that others. Not everyone can move at the same speed. We aren't robots, you know."
"So, now you're trying to tell me that you're slow?"
"No Sir. Just stating a fact, is all."
"Well, here's a new fact for you," Leatherhead snarled. "What happens when you talk about things that don't concern you, and when you don't move fast enough to my liking."
Lana looked at him confused. "What do you mean, Master?"
"Turn her around Shlump!" Leatherhead barked. "Now!"
Shlump did as he was told, while Leatherhead cracked his famous whip in the air a few times.
"She is now ready, Sir," Shlump informed him.
Lana's eyes went wide as she realized what was about to happen. She let out a yelp when the whip cracked across her bottom. He struck her with it twice more, then ordered her back to work.
"You are to miss out on lunch," he stated. "As only prisoners who deserve it, shall receive it."
Lana wiped her tears away and glared angrily at him. She could feel herself going into one of her Raph moods, but wasn't about to risk being punished again.
"Shlump!" Leatherhead roared. "Keep an eye on them! Make sure they don't try to feed her. Whoever tries, is to be brought to me immediately to suffer the consequences!"
"Yes Sir!" Shlump responded with a quick salute.
Leatherhead stormed off then, as Shlump passed out the food. He gave each girl, except Lana, a hearty peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Lana worked all throughout the lunch break, trying to ignore the fact that her stomach was rumbling and grumbling, as she hadn't had anything to eat since very early that morning. She was used to her three meals a day, or at least two meals, with plenty of snacks throughout the day.
Tesia finished her lunch quickly, and hid some of it in her jeans pockets, without Shlump noticing. She went over to Lana was and made like she was going back to work, which she knew would please Shlump. After a few minutes, she secretly reached into her pocket, and when she brought it out, stuck it out towards Lana.
"Here," she whispered. "I saved this for you."
Lana look and saw part of the sandwich in her friend's hand. She eyed it momentarily, then looked Tesia in the eyes to see if she knew exactly what the consequences would be if she were to be caught.
"I know what happens," Tesia said quietly. "And personally, I don't care. Now hurry up and take it already, before that goon notices what I'm doing."
"Thanks," Lana smiled softly, quickly taking a bite of it. "Appreciate it."
"I just hope you'll do the same for me when the time comes," Tesia replied, and began her work again.
"I will," Lana promised, finishing of her piece of sandwich. "You can count on it."
Chapter 65:
Michaelangelo had handed the note over to Raphael to read, as it was too hard for him to do, especially since he was still sobbing. Raphael had just finished reading her note, though he'd left some parts of it out, which only Michaelangelo noticed and knew because he'd read it all first.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Donatello queried.
"Do as she says," Leonardo shrugs. "Let her come home on her own."
His brothers all gaped at him utterly shocked.
"Leo, she's just a kid!" Raphael shouts. "How the hell can you stand there and say that! For all we know, she could be in trouble!"
"Other than the trouble she'll be in when she gets back, I don't see any other trouble headed her way," Leonardo rejoined. "And I can stand here and say it very easily Raph. But, of course, by now, you've forgotten what it's like to want her gone, even if only for a little while."
"Shut-up Leo!" Raphael warned.
But Leo went on. "I can't believe that she managed to wrap you, of all people Raphael, around her little finger." He shook his head. "YOU, the forever hot-head, allowed for her to worm her way into your heart. Yet, never let anyone else get that close to you."
"You have problems Leo, real problems," Raphael snapped.
"No Raph, YOU'RE the one with the problems," Leonardo retorted. "You only let some snot-nosed KID get close to you, and there's no possible way for her to give you everything you've ever wanted! But for some reason, STILL refuse to let the rest of us get as close to you as she has! And, by golly, WE'RE you BROTHERS for crying aloud!"
"I ain't telling ya again Leo," Raphael said, clenching his fists at his sides. He could not believe that Master Splinter was just standing there, and letting Leonardo get away with saying all this shit about Lana.
"Leave him alone Leo," Michaelangelo piped up. "It's not him you're mad at. You're mad at yourself 'cause you're the reason she left."
Leonardo turned to glare at Michaelangelo. He knew his brother in orange was right, but he wasn't about to admit that.
"SHUT-UP MIKEY!" He shouted. "IT'S NOT OF YOUR CONCERN!"
"It is when your making Lana out to be the bad guy, in front of Donnie and I," Michaelangelo answered. "It's also my concern when you're verbally attacking Raph for no good reason."
Leonardo moved to stand right in front of Michaelangelo, so that they were beak to beak.
"Do you dare to challenge me?" He asked in a superior tone.
"Yeah, actually, I do," Michaelangelo replicated. "I challenge you right here and now Leonardo."
"Don't push me Michaelangelo."
"What? Like this?" Michaelangelo questioned, shoving his brother in blue.
"That's it!" Leonardo yelled, charging at his baby brother.
Suddenly, Master Splinter stepped in front of Michaelangelo, which forced Leonardo to stop, as he was not about to go through his beloved sensei. Splinter stood there, calmly staring at his eldest son.
"I believe that Michaelangelo is right, my son," Splinter said softly. "Leonardo, there is no need for you to be shouting at your brothers because you, yourself, feel guilty. It is not right to do that to them, when obviously, they are all also blaming themselves somehow."
Leonardo remained silent, now lost in his own thoughts. He hated it when Michaelangelo was right. Hell, he hated it when anyone other than him, or Master Splinter, were right. It was HIS job as leader AND eldest to always be right, wasn't it?
Chapter 66:
Lana was by herself, lost in thought, while she did everybody's laundry. It was a dirty, disgusting job, but somebody had to do it.
"And why'd I have to be that somebody?" She wondered aloud. "Sure, I wise cracked a couple times today. But, yeesh! Whatcha expect from somebody's whose grown up with Raph by their side?"
Just the thought of Raphael made her want to cry. She hadn't even been gone a day, and already she desperately wanted to go home. She wondered if she hadn't been caught, if she'd still want to go home as bad as she did at that very moment.
"Wait a minute," she thought. "Meditation! I can meditate and see if I can contact anybody."
She stopped working and sat down on the ground, despite how utterly gross and disgusting it was, and got into her meditation position. She closed her eyes, and tried to concentrate the best she could.
Tesia, who'd been walking by, noticed that Lana wasn't doing her assigned chore and stopped to see why.
"Lana!" She hissed. "Lana!"
Lana slowly opened her eyes. "What?"
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to meditate," she answered.
"Why?"
"I've a family who can reach one another through meditation if they try hard enough."
"Oh. Cool," Tesia said. "Can I help? I know how to meditate, though I haven't done it in awhile."
"Sure," Lana chirped, glad for the company. "I'm not very good at it either. I've only been working on it for a couple of weeks."
Tesia nodded as she sat down next to her newest friend, and crossed her legs as well, preparing to meditate.
"Okay, refresh my memory," she giggled. "How do I clear my mind?"
"Don't think 'bout anything," Lana replied. "You focus on nothing but the darkness. If you're lucky, the darkness will change colours; it's then that you know you've succeeded and will be able to reach others."
"Oh, yeah," Tesia nodded. "I remember that now."
The two began to meditate and were doing all right, until Shlump came lumbering along and found them both sitting there instead of doing their assigned chores.
"What do you think you're doing?" He demanded, grabbing them both by the collar of their shirts. "You're to be working, not sitting around doing nothing."
"We needed a break," Lana lied. "I felt a little faint, and Tesia stayed with me in case I were to pass out."
"I must report this to Leatherhead immediately," Shlump replicated. "He must know of your weaknesses."
"Really Shlump," Tesia began. "He doesn't need to know 'bout it. We swear it won't happen again. Honest."
Shlump eyed the two girls, whom he was still holding onto. He shook them both roughly, as though they were rag dolls, and not fourteen-year- olds.
"I'm afraid I can't let it go, T.," he rejoined. "If I let it go now, I will have to let it go again later. You know the rules."
"Oh, please Shlump!" Lana begged. "I can't help it if I feel faint. I've been walking all day and never had a moments rest. I've been up since two o'clock this morning as well."
Shlump looked thoughtful, making the two girls think he was going to relent to their pleas.
"Nope. No can do. Sorry," he stated finally. "You've no idea what would happen to me, if he found out."
He then carried them all the way to where Leatherhead was throwing knives at a bulls-eye.
"What is it NOW Shlump?" Leatherhead demanded, without even turning to look at him. "I KNOW you're there."
"I caught these two sitting on the job," he responded, setting the girls down.
Leatherhead turned to glare at them; his solid glare made think both shrink back some.
"Ah. Lazy prisoners, I see," he smiled evilly.
"No Sir," Lana piped up.
"SILENCE!" Leatherhead shouts. "You were NOT spoken to, L."
Lana winced slightly, and ducked her head some. She didn't know whether or not she was expected to apologize, so she chose to remain silent instead.
They watched Leatherhead crack his whip and both knew what was coming. Though, Lana had learned so far, that he never hit anyone more than three times at once with it, it still scared her shitless.
Once Leatherhead was satisfied that his lecture and whipping had gotten through to the, he told them the rest.
"You two shall take on everybody else's chores for the rest of the day," he stated. "They will get a nice break thanks to you girls. Also, you both shall go to bed without supper tonight and work quite late."
"But!" Lana protested.
"Does someone need another reminder or how prisoners behave?"
"No Sir."
"Then I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut, young lady."
"Yes Sir," Lana grumbled.
Lana and Tesia, were then escorted back, to their assigned duties, by Shlump. They were forced to be present when the other prisoners were told of their day off as well.
"You have T. and L. to thank for this break," Shlump tells them. "They're sacrificing they're own free time, so that y'all with be able to have fun, but the chores will still get done."
Everyone, which, in total, was seven others, all thanked Lana and Tesia profoundly. They didn't know that their friends we're actually being punished, and that the only real reason they were getting off, was because Leatherhead couldn't come up with any other punishment for the two, right then.
Chapter 67:
Raphael was patrolling the streets in broad daylight, carefully hidden by his trench coat, looking for Casey, to see if he knew anything.
Casey saw Raphael long before he ever saw him. He knew by the look on his friend's face that something wasn't right, and it was just the usual brawl with Leo.
"Hey Raph," Casey smiled slightly. "What's up?"
"Yeah, yeah," Raphael said, then queried, "Have you seen Lana anywhere?"
"No. Why?" Casey interrogated. "She missing again?"
"She's not 'missing', as you and Donnie call it," Raphael answered. "She's simply just.'gone'."
"Why? What happened now?" Casey wanted to know.
"All we know is that Leo did something to her; Splinter too; and she took off," Raphael informed him. "For good."
"For good?" Casey repeats.
"Yes, Casey, for good," Raphael snapped. "Damn. What are you? A parrot?"
"At the moment, yeah, I am," Casey rejoined. "Problem?"
"Ok, the KID is missing, and the guy asks, if I'VE a problem," Raphael muttered, then said, "HELLO! CASEY! Lana's NOT here anymore!"
"I know that," Casey replied. "You just told me that, ya freak."
"Just making sure it sticks in ya damn skull, numb-nuts."
"So, are you guys gonna go out and look for her?"
"According to Leo, no," Raphael began. "But, according to everybody else, yes."
"Just a question, but how do you know she ran away?" Casey asked. "How do ya know she ain't just over at a friends house or what not?" "She left Mikey a note," Raphael answered. "He won't say where he found it, but she'd put it in a place where she was sure that only Mikey would find it."
"Smart kid," Casey commented.
"No shit Sherlock," Raphael responded. "But not as smart as she'd like to think now, eh?"
"Yeah, I see whatcha mean," Casey nodded. "And, keep digging Watson."
"I'm digging, I'm digging," Raphael muttered. "Digging for clues, that is, Sherlock."
"I can see that, Watson. Though it may not be obvious to anyone else, just what the hell you're doing."
"Since when have I ever cared?"
"Since a little girl stole your heart, and somehow melted your tough guy exterior enough to be let in."
"Shaddup."
"If I don't?" Casey probed.
"I'll beat the shit outta ya."
"Sure ya will."
"You know it."
"Then, all I have to say to that is, it's hockey time freak."
"You wish, Bozo."
"Lame-brain."
Gak face."
"Dimwit."
"Okay, I thought this was yours and Donnie's job?" Raphael said suddenly, after a small silence had passed. "Remember the movie? Your guys did this."
"Yeah, but remember the cartoons? Then it was us doin' it."
Raphael shrugged. "Ya gotta point there, Prima Ballerina."
"Shad-dup, Garlic Breath."
The two smiled grimly at one another, and both hoped, that wherever Lana was, that she was A-Ok.
Chapter 68:
That night Lana crawled into her new bed, which was amazingly in a small hut, and off the ground. It was late, as her and Tesia had spent hours upon hours cleaning and fetching food, and whatever else Leatherhead could think of for them to do immediately.
"Hey, Lana," Tesia called softly in the dark. "You up?"
"Yeah," Lana sighed. "Why?"
"Just wondering."
There was a moment's silence before one of them spoke again.
"Tesia, do you ever wish you were back home?"
"All the time Lana, all the time," Tesia replied. "Thought, not everyone here will agree, we want nothing more than to just - go home."
Lana yawned. "I know the feeling."
"Why were you out here in the swamplands?" Tesia asked suddenly. "You bike too far too?"
"No. I was in the midst of running away from home," Lana told her truthfully.
"But why? It couldn't have been all that bad, if you said you wanna go home."
"It's not that it was-bad," Lana trailed off. "Cause it wasn't half bad. Ok, ok. It was decent. But, I just-just got sick of being treated like a-a little kid, ya dig?"
"Yeah, I dig," Tesia replicated, now taking her turn to yawn.
"Hey, T.?"
"Yeah?"
"You think tomorrow will be as bad as today?"
"I dunno Lana. It all depends. It'll probably get better," Tesia stated. "As the days go by, you get used to the routine here. But, everyone still has their off days. I just advise you to stay of Leatherhead's good side the best ya can."
"Haha," Lana laughed. "Too late now."
"Yeah, I know," Tesia giggled. "Now I tell ya, eh?"
"Yeah," Lana agreed. "NOW I find this out. Kinda late, don't ya think?"
"I just said that it was."
The two giggled again, but quieted when they heard Shlump slinking about outside of their hut.
"There better NOT be giggling going on in there!" Shlump shouted. "If there is, there'll be NO sleep for anyone and SEVERE consequences!"
Once they were sure he was gone, the two giggled again, before finally managing to calm down.
"Night Tesia."
"Night Lana. See ya in the morning."
"Morning."
Lana didn't close her eyes right away. Instead, she lay there and thought about how much she wished she were home in her own bed, and she'd only been here a day. Poor Tesia had been here for two years, and God only knew how long the others had been stuck here.
Lana smiled to herself as comforting lyrics ran through her head: "Wherever you are, you know that we're never far." She closed her eyes then and drifted off to sleep, not knowing just exactly how long she'd be stuck in these icky swamplands.
Chapter 69:
Back at the lair Donatello was heading towards his room when he suddenly stopped in front of Lana's. He gently shoved the door open and entered the room, Brian posters quickly seeming to surround him, along with other BSB ones. He sighed as he sat down on the bed and picked up her stuffed Chipmunk, Simon.
"Why Lana? Why?" He wondered aloud. "Why couldn't you just talk to us? Why must you always run?"
He heard a noise at the door then and looked up only to find Raphael standing there, watching him.
"You do realize we're all wondering the same thing, right?" He interrogated.
Donatello nodded. "Yeah, I know Raph. Believe me, I know."
Raphael entered the room and hesitantly placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Needless to say that Donatello was shocked when Raphael's hand rested upon his shoulder.
"She'll come home Donnie," Raphael stated softly. "I know she will. She always does."
He felt Raphael squeeze his shoulder, then watched as his brother grabbed 'Teddy' and left the room, after throwing him a small smile. He couldn't speak, as he was utterly shocked beyond belief and at a complete loss for words.
He hugged Simon tight, as he thought. "I sure hope you're right Raph. I really do. For her sake AND ours."
Donatello lay down on her bed then, still clutching Simon to his plastron tightly. He didn't know why, but he felt as though he couldn't leave her room. That if he did, something bad would happen to her. He didn't know what sort of bad thing, all he knew was that no matter what, he wanted to protect her from it in anyway he could.
"I miss you Sweetie," he whispered aloud, not knowing there was a silent figure standing in the doorway.
The figure in the doorway heard him, then turned and left once he was sure that Donatello was going to be okay.
Shortly after the figure had left, Donatello closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, which contained numerous dreams all about, you guessed it, Lana.
A.N.: Hey y'all! *Waves* I hope y'all are glad to see me back again! I know I'm glad to be back! Sorry that after chapter 66 the chapters started getting kinda short. There are reasons for that. A) Was starting to get stuck & didn't want that & B) I've been up since 10a.m. yesterday morning (March 4th). Right now it's 8:45a.m. Don't worry though, more to come on the Leatherhead thing in future chapters. I dunno when those will be out though. Sorry. But I don know I'll work on 'em as often as I can for the next lil' bit. Also, I wrote the last half of chapter 66 & on today. Plus, chapter 67 is just basically comic relief. Lol. I couldn't resist doing that chapter. I purposely made it as long as I could, considering the lack of sleep I've had. Hehe. Advice: NEVER stay on the computer 'till 2.a.m then read a book ALL night. *Laughs* You'll wind up a zombie in the morning, trust me. Well, gonna go now, so I can log onto the Net & post this. Luvs y'all! *Hugs* Adios y'all! Plz R & R! KTBSPA & KTNTPA & KTACPA & KTJTPA & KTKCPA & KTCPA & KTJTTPA!!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT or anyone affiliated with them. I only own Lana, Jeff, Drew, and Shlump. And later on, I'll own one of you. You'll know who you are, once you see the name.
Note: The flashback that happened a few chapters back, where Donatello remembers when he lied to Master Splinter and the rest of his family, is owned by Machias, not me. She was kind enough to let me use it for my story, seeing as it fit. If anyone forgot exactly where it was, it happened after the TMNT caught Lana and Jeff trying to come home after a BSB concert. It happened right after they got back to the lair and Lana had been sent to Splinter's study.
TygeroftheWynd: If you're talking about 30 ABOVE 0 in your story, well, just so ya know, I'd be running around in jeans & a sweatshirt, not a big huge ass winter coat. Where I live, it goes to 39 BELOW 0. So, to me, 30degrees ABOVE 0 is warm. I laughed at Kevin (BSB), when he was co-hosting Regis & Kelly, 'cause he was complaining about 11degree weather in NY & here, where I am, it was almost -34. Lol. Ok. I just thought of something, if you're going be Celsius, no coat for me, but if you're going by Fahrenheit, I'll have a coat, k? I just checked my thermometer and realized it could be either you were referring to. 'Cause right now it's 0 degrees Celsius & 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ziptango: Hey Zip! Hope everything's ok at your end! Also, this next bunch of chapters is ALL for you, and you alone. Luvs yah (as a friend-duh!)! Take care!
~Lenni~
Chapter 60:
Three years later (Lana's 14).
"This is it," Lana thought. "I'm finally gonna get away from here once and for all."
She'd never tell anyone, but she'd been having problems at home lately. It seemed every time she turned around she was arguing with either one of the turtles or Master Splinter. And, after the last ass whooping she'd received, she was in no hurry to return home and stay home. She'd never forget who gave it to her either.
Flashback.
Lana quietly snuck into the dojo, knowing she wasn't allowed there unless she was practicing her ninjitsu, and even then, she was not allowed to touch any of the weapons, not even her own.
"Well, here it goes," she thought, as she made her way over to the weapon rack.
She took a deep breath, as she reached up and grab the weapon she'd had her eye on forever. She held it in her hands, and stared at it in complete awe. As she stared at it, she turned it over and over slowly, wanting to take in its every little detail.
"I wonder if it's harder to use 'cause it's bigger than mine," she wondered. She swung it around a little bit. "Nope, not at all hard to use."
She began to mess around with it then, and started getting kind of reckless. Suddenly, it flew from her hand, and hit the wall on the other side of the room. She watched in horror as part of it broke off, for some unknown reason.
"Oh, my God!" She gasped. "It's never broken after hitting something hard before! Oh, my God! I'm so dead!"
She quickly ran over to retrieve the weapon, and had just picked it up to assess the damage, when its owner entered the dojo.
"Please don't notice, please don't notice!" She prayed over and over. Her prayers weren't answered.
"Hey Lana," the owner said cheerfully. "Whatcha doin'?"
Lana froze as she watched him take a good look at what she held in her hands.
"That's not what I think it is, is it?" He asked, looking from her to the wall, where his prized possession was usually kept, then back at her again, with a stern look on his face. "Lana Marie, start explaining yourself young lady."
"I-um-eh," Lana trails off, suddenly feeling like a deer caught in headlights. "Sorry?" She raised her right eyebrow slightly, giving herself an unsure, yet somehow apologetic, look.
He gave her a Look, which seemed to show just exactly how peeved he was.
"Um-curiosity killed the cat?" She tried. "I-I couldn't resist?
"You KNOW you're NOT to touch ANY of the weapons!" He stated harshly. "NOT even your own!"
"I-I'm sorry," she said again. "I-I just HAD to touch it. HAD to see how it felt to hold it, and feel its glorious power."
"The only 'glorious' power you're gonna be seeing for the next while, is the power from your bedroom lights, Missy," he growls. "You're grounded until further notice."
"F-further n-notice?" Lana stammered, knowing that that was not good. "H- How l-long is f-further n-notice?"
"As long as I want it to be," he snarls, grabbing his, now broken, weapon from her. "Now, go to your room."
"N-No," she replied then made her voice stronger. "No. I won't."
"Excuse me?" He said, raising an eyebrow and looking at her skeptically. "What did you just say?"
"I said I won't, and you can't make me," she repeated, standing her ground. Enough was enough. She was sick of being treated like a baby. "I'm sick of being treated like a little kid!"
"Well, maybe if you stopped acting like one, you wouldn't be treated like one," he snapped. "You know, as well as I do, the rules around here must be followed to a tee, or consequences shall follow."
"Yeah, well, I DON'T see how me not being able to touch my own damn weapons is good for anybody. How the hell do you expect me to practice? Y'all are always busy with your own damn lives, yet still expect me to practice, but won't let me use any of the weapons to do so. Like, hello, they're MINE thank-you. I've been using some of them since I was two."
"Lana Marie, don't you go mouthing off to me young lady," he rejoined, glaring at her. "I'll tan your rear-end pretty good if you do."
"As if. I'll believe it when I see it," Lana retorted. "You wouldn't, and you know it."
"Don't test me Lana," he said. "I'm not in the mood to be tested."
"Oh, so stating the truth is a challenge now, is it?"
"I swear, if you say one more smart aleck comment, you will NOT be able to sit for quite some time," he snapped. "You're MAJORLY pissing me off."
"Good God," she answered. "Because you're pissed, I ain't s'pose to say a damn thing. Well, that's always good to know, now ain't it?"
He had enough then, and angrily grabbed her by the arm and whipped her around so fast, he was surprised she didn't get whiplash. He yanked her pants and underwear down, and spanked her until his hand actually hurt and he was satisfied. Once done, he yanked her pants back up, then whipped her back around to face him.
"Room. Now," he growled. "I'm NOT going to tell you again."
Lana looked at him with tears streaming down her face. "I hate you!" She shrieked, before running out of the dojo and into her room, slamming the door behind her.
End of flashback.
"Damn Leo," Lana grumbled, as she trudge along through the sewers. "Damn him. Damn them all."
She knew deep in her heart that she didn't mean what she said, then or now, but she was in Raph mode and refused to give in this time, until she got her way. The only thing she'd actually meant out of that whole conversation was that she was sick of being treated like a little kid. She was fourteen now. Hell, a teenager for crying aloud; but they still treated her as though she were nine, sometimes even four.
Lana sighed as she thought of one of the songs that the turtles had written and stuck on the cassette they'd made her when she was small and terribly frightened by every little thing.
When things are down And you want no one around Dragging your shell over town Maybe it's awesome and you're feeling on top Feel like out of your shell you're going to pop
Just sing about it Let the music bring Sing about it Whether you're happy or sad Good times or bad Just sing (sing, sing, sing), sing about it
You don't need nothing Not even a drum (Just sing about it) Your heart is where the music's coming from There ain't too much in there To help you remember Or help you forget The song, doesn't matter what kind of a song Just get things started and before too long, yeah All of your problems will be long (long) gone - Wooh yeah
Sing about it If you're happy or sad Sing about it Whoa, in good times or bad Sing about it You don't need a drum Sing about it
Your heart is where the music's coming from.
"Pff. Yeah, right," Lana scoffed. "I tried music, ya Bozos, but not even THAT got through to you."
She kicked the ground slightly, with every step she took, subconsciously slowing herself down, as her heart knew she didn't really want to go, but her mind, as usual, was telling her something different. "GO! GO!" Her mind screamed, while her heart's screams of "STAY! STAY!" were drowned out.
Chapter 61:
Back at the lair (morning).
"Hey, Raph?"
"What do ya want Leo?"
"Have you seen Lana anywhere this morning?"
"No. Why do you want her NOW?"
"She's grounded Raphael, and you know it."
"I'm NOT stupid Leonardo."
"Then lose the sarcasm for a minute."
"Sarcasm has NOTHING to do with being stupid OR Lana, you dope."
Leonardo gives Raphael a Look. "Raphael, DON'T test me."
"Whatever Leo," Raphael said, glaring back at him. "What? You gonna take ME over ya knee now too? Huh?"
Leonardo sets his jaw rigidly, and clenches his fists slightly. "If I have to, yes," he answers.
Raphael laughs. "Get real Leo. You ain't been able to do that in years, and ya know Sensei would have ya hide for it. Teacher's Pet don't want Teacher to get mad and give him an ass whooping like he did last time."
"I'm warning you Raph."
"I'm warning you Raph," Raphael mimicked. "Some advice Leo, go 'warn' someone else."
With that said, Raphael turned to leave as he'd had enough of Leonardo's attitude lately. Ever since Lana had broken his prized katana, he'd been all pissy about the stupidest little things. He was making people wonder if they'd switch places, and Raphael knew they hadn't, or he'd be teacher's pet now and not Leonardo still.
Leonardo tackled Raphael from behind them, suddenly letting loose all his pent up frustration and anger.
"Hey! Leo!" Raphael cried, as he fell face first onto the lair floor, then quickly rolled over onto his back. "Get off me!"
Leonardo ignored his brother and kept pummeling him with hearty blows.
"ENOUGH!" A voice booms. "Leonardo, what is the meaning of this?"
Leonardo delivers one last blow to Raphael's chest, then stands up.
"It's nothing Master Splinter," he says quickly. "Just a normal every day brotherly brawl."
Raphael grumbles as he gets up, with some help from Michaelangelo.
"You okay Dude?" Michaelangelo asked.
"Fine Mikey, just fine," Raphael mutters.
"This did not look like a normal every day brotherly brawl," Splinter stated. "Now, truthfully Leonardo, what is the meaning of this?"
Leonardo remained silent.
"I have asked you a question, and I expect an answer," Splinter replicated. "Immediately."
When Leonardo still refused to answer him, he turned toward his son in red.
"Raphael, do you know what caused Leonardo to attack you like that?"
Raphael shrugged. "He kept bugging me and wanting to know where Lana is. I told him I didn't know, and said a few sarcastic remarks as usual. I turned to leave, but he flew off the handle and tackled me. You saw the rest, Sensei."
Master Splinter nodded. "Thank-you Raphael, you are dismissed. You too Michaelangelo."
Raphael grabbed Michaelangelo and practically threw him out of the room.
"Go!" He hissed. "I don't wanna be in shit for something stupid."
"But I wanna hear!" Michaelangelo hissed back. "I wanna know what Sensei's gonna do to him!"
"Forget that!" Raphael growls slightly. "Mikey, think about what Sensei will do to YOU if he catches you spying!"
Michaelangelo groaned and let Raphael lead him to another part of the lair.
Once they were gone, Master Splinter turned to his eldest son, not looking too pleased.
"Leonardo, what has come over you, my son?" He asks. "You are usually the one who shows respect for everything and everyone. What has happened to make you this way?"
"Does anyone else NOT notice that Lana's been acting up more than ever lately?" Leonardo snapped. "Every time I turn around she's doing something wrong. Jeesh. She even broke MY prized katana!"
"Leonardo, you shall NOT speak to me in that tone. You shall treat me with the respect, or not speak to me at all."
"Then I shan't speak to you Master Splinter," Leonardo said. "I don't wish to show you any more disrespect, but can't speak respectfully for the time being."
With that said, Leonardo bowed, then turned and left the room. Splinter stood there watching his son go, and realized that somehow he'd been tricked out of giving a punishment.
Chapter 62:
Lana had been walking on end for hours, and was now somewhere outside of the city. She'd never known there was swampland in New York until now.
"Yick!" She grumbled, kicking her one foot in the air, to try and get rid of the muck on it. "This is more disgusting than the sewers. At least there you've a semi-decent place to walk, here it's all gross and smelly."
She kept walking until she got stuck. "Oh, great," she thought. "What else could go wrong?"
Just then, a mutant came out of nowhere, and stood before her.
"Who the hell are you?" She demanded, eyeing, what seemed to be an overgrown alligator. "And where the hell did you come from?"
"I am Leatherhead, master of all those that live in my Swamplands," the alligator replied. "YOUR swamplands?" Lana laughed. "Yeah, right. Nobody owns these, 'cept the government."
Leatherhead said nothing as he grabbed her by the arm and yanked her up out of the muck. He made sure that her shoes were still on her feet, then began to drag her to his home.
"Hey!" Lana cried. "Where are you taking me?"
"Once stuck here in the swamplands, you become my prisoner," Leatherhead informs her. "You shall now join the others and learn how a slave is to act."
"I am NOT your slave!" Lana shrieked. "I'm SICK of being a damn prisoner all the time!"
"Ahh. So I take it you're an escaped prisoner then?"
"In a way, yeah, but in bigger ways, no."
"Well, you shall remain one forever now."
"Not if I can help it," Lana muttered. "Nobody's keeping me against my will."
Leatherhead reached his home then, and dropped her onto the mucky ground. He made some really loud noise, and within moments a couple more 'slaves' appeared out of nowhere and lined up.
"Ah, my prisoners," Leatherhead smiled. "We've a new 'family' member. I found her stuck in the same muck, all of you were stuck in at some point."
"I AM 'NOT' YOU PRISONER!" Lana screamed, only to receive a backhander from Leatherhead.
"You are, and shall NOT speak unless spoken to, understood?"
Lana glared at him.
"UNDERSTOOD?" Leatherhead roared.
"Hai," she answered, still giving him an icy look.
Leatherhead turned to his other slaves. "You are to show her what she's to do immediately. If she fails, ALL of you shall be punished. Do you hear me?"
The prisoners all nod quickly.
"Now SCAT!"
Everyone, except one girl, scattered. Lana watched as the girl cautiously made her way over to her.
"Hi," the girl said. "My name's Tesia; what's yours?"
"Lana," she answered, as she stood up.
"You'd best come with me, Lana," Tesia informed her. "If not, we'll both be punished, and I'd prefer not to have that happen."
Lana nods and follows the girl. "Um.Tesia?"
"Yes?"
"I hope you don't mine me asking, but, um, how long have you been here?"
"Two years," Tesia responded. "My friends and I were riding our bikes and wandered too far."
"Are your friends here?" Lana wanted to know.
"Yes," Tesia sighed. "But we aren't allowed to talk much. When we do, it's in secret, and high hopes that Master Leatherhead's side kick, Shlump, is not around."
Just then, Shlump, a mutated iguana/chameleon, appeared before them. "What are you two up too?" He demanded.
"Master Leatherhead said someone is to show Lana around, Shlump," Tesia responded quickly. "I am to explain to her, her duties and the consequences of not doing them."
"Very well," Shlump nodded. "Once done, get back to work."
"What is he?" Lana queried. "An iguana or a chameleon?"
"Both actually," Tesia shrugged. "He's an iguana, but can change colours like a chameleon, so we believe both had to have been there when he mutated."
"Ah, I see," Lana nodded, then spotted two more girls. "Hey, who are they?"
"Those are my friends I was telling you about," Tesia smiled. "They're the greatest."
Chapter 63:
"Hey, guys," Donatello began. "You seen Lana anywhere?"
Michaelangelo and Raphael looked up from their game of Mario Kart.
"Nope. Not today Dude," Michaelangelo replied. "Sorry."
"I haven't seen her since last night when she was questioning me," Raphael answered. "But maybe Leo's found her by now. He was looking for her earlier."
Donatello nodded, then went off in search of his brother. He found him in the dojo practicing with only one katana, since Lana had broken his other one.
"Hey, Leo?"
"Yeah, Donnie?"
"Have you seen Lana at all today?"
"No. Why?"
"You mean, you didn't find her earlier?"
"No." Leonardo trailed off. "What are you getting at Donnie?"
"Well, don't you think it's kinda quiet in her room?" He questioned. "Normally she has the Backstreet Boys blaring full blast or whatever. Today, there's nothing."
"You're right," Leonardo agreed. "Usually around this time 'More Than That' is heard coming from her room."
The two gave one another weird looks, then left the dojo and headed for Lana's room. Once there, Donatello knocked on the door.
"Lana?" He called. "Are you in there?"
No answer. This time Leonardo knocked, and called her name, but still they got no answer.
"You don't think something happened to her, do you?" Donatello queried worriedly.
Leonardo shrugged, then bust the door open. He scanned the room and quickly realized that she wasn't there.
"Where the hell is she, Leo?" Raphael demanded from the doorway. "I know you had to have done something to her, so where is she?"
"I don't know," Leonardo answered honestly. "I thought she was in here too, that's why I gave up my search earlier."
"Best look everywhere then, hadn't we?" Donatello sighed. "I wished she'd learn not to take off on us every time she gets grounded."
The turtles searched everywhere they could think of, but still could not find her. Michaelangelo remembered her secret spot, and slinked off unnoticed to where it was.
"Lana?" He called softly as he entered it. "Lana? You here?"
He paused to listen momentarily, but still heard nothing.
"C'mon Lana, this ain't funny," he stated. "You're starting to scare me."
He reached the spot where she loved to sit, and found a note sitting on top of an old pizza box. He picked it up and began to read what it said.
My dearest and most beloved Mikey,
By now you will have realized that I am 'missing', as Donnie will say. But, to put it bluntly, I am not 'missing', just simply, shall we use Raph's word, 'gone'. It is not by any fault of yours Michaelangelo, that I am 'gone'. It could never be your fault, not ever. I can promise you that. Though, I am afraid I can't promise you my return. Yes, Mikey, I've run away again, only this time, it's for good. And I mean it, with the same sincerity that Raph saw in my eyes, when I swore to him that no one would ever dissect him as long as I was around (please let him know that I' still around. I don't want him to worry 'bout being dissected none). Also, please inform Donnie that it's not totally his fault. He's partially to blame, but not solely. No. That's Leo's department, I'm afraid. Yes, I said Leo. The same guy who vowed to always treat me with the utmost respect, no matter what. Pff. Yeah, right. If he had, I don't think there'd be any reason for this note, now would there be? The answer is no, Mikey. I know I confused you on that last sentence, and for that, I'm sorry. But, you know how I love to write. Anyway, Master Splinter can be included in the blame game too, if you'd like. He makes too many restrictions. Jeez. Even Donnie's more lenient that he is, and Donnie's right down crazy when it comes to making restrictions (though, he does do okay for the most part. Donnie, not Splinter, you goof). Master Splinter and Leonardo combined were just too much for me. I honestly don't know how you could live with them so long, and honestly not go right down crazy and completely out of your mind. I now know why Raph has to leave for those walks of his, when he does go. He needs a break from them, and personally, I don't blame him any, as I need breaks too. More often than him recently. Well, Mikey, I'm afraid if this letter gets any longer, my heart will overrule my brain, or my brain will overrule my heart. I'm not quite sure which, but either way, if I make this any longer, I'll end up staying here. Now, I know how much you'd like that, as, in ways, I'd like it too, but I just can't. I hope you understand that. Please forgive me. All I can ask for is for your forgiveness Michaelangelo. I don't want to hurt you, but need my freedom all the same. I am truly sorry for any pain that I may cause you, but I assure you, once I am settled in my new place, I will send you a postcard to let you know that all is well. I love you Mikey, always have and always will.
Love always, You're Kiddo, ~Lana Marie~
P.S. Don't ask Jeff or Drew 'bout this, as they ain't got a clue. P.P.S. Don't look for me, as I've made it so that you will never find me, unless I should decide that I want to be found. P.P.P.S. Please tell Raph to guard Teddy. Thanks!
By the time Michaelangelo had finished reading the letter, he was crying so hard his vision was badly blurred. He clutched the note in his hand and hurried back to the lair as fast as he could, with his tear- impaired vision.
Everyone looked up when they heard someone enter the lair. They were surprised to see Michaelangelo standing there, sobbing, while he clutched a piece of paper in his hands.
"Dudes!" He cried. "She's gone! Gone for good! And it's all Leo's fault!"
Up until Michaelangelo had mentioned Leonardo, they'd all been looking at him absurdly. But, as soon as he'd said it was Leonardo's fault, they understood it all perfectly. It was as though a light bulb had gone on inside of their heads.
"Leo!" Raph growled.
Chapter 64:
Tesia, Lana, and Tesia's two friends were working away when Leatherhead approached them. They were amazed to see that he had actually brought them lunch for a change instead of making them wait until dinnertime.
Tesia nudged Lana. "Bow!" She hissed.
"Huh?" Lana said aloud, then realized what her friend had meant. "Oh."
Lana very quickly bowed, though she was a little too slow for Leatherhead's liking.
"You!" Leatherhead snapped. "Step forward."
"Me?" Lana asked.
"No, the girl behind you," Leatherhead retorted sarcastically. "Yes, you girl."
"Oh, great," Lana thought. "He's Raph's sarcasm."
"Why didn't you bow when you were s'pose to?" He demanded.
"Sorry Master Leatherhead," she apologized. "I didn't realize right away what I was s'pose to do. Please forgive me, as I am new here."
"Oh, and so being new here gives you an excuse to break the rules, does it?"
"No Master Leatherhead," Lana answered. "I didn't say that. I simply meant, that I am still learning the ways of a prisoner. It is only natural for me to be a little slow."
"It is NOT natural for you to be slow!" Leatherhead growls. "All the other prisoners moved faster than you on their first day here! I expect you to do the same!"
"Master, some people are born slower that others. Not everyone can move at the same speed. We aren't robots, you know."
"So, now you're trying to tell me that you're slow?"
"No Sir. Just stating a fact, is all."
"Well, here's a new fact for you," Leatherhead snarled. "What happens when you talk about things that don't concern you, and when you don't move fast enough to my liking."
Lana looked at him confused. "What do you mean, Master?"
"Turn her around Shlump!" Leatherhead barked. "Now!"
Shlump did as he was told, while Leatherhead cracked his famous whip in the air a few times.
"She is now ready, Sir," Shlump informed him.
Lana's eyes went wide as she realized what was about to happen. She let out a yelp when the whip cracked across her bottom. He struck her with it twice more, then ordered her back to work.
"You are to miss out on lunch," he stated. "As only prisoners who deserve it, shall receive it."
Lana wiped her tears away and glared angrily at him. She could feel herself going into one of her Raph moods, but wasn't about to risk being punished again.
"Shlump!" Leatherhead roared. "Keep an eye on them! Make sure they don't try to feed her. Whoever tries, is to be brought to me immediately to suffer the consequences!"
"Yes Sir!" Shlump responded with a quick salute.
Leatherhead stormed off then, as Shlump passed out the food. He gave each girl, except Lana, a hearty peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Lana worked all throughout the lunch break, trying to ignore the fact that her stomach was rumbling and grumbling, as she hadn't had anything to eat since very early that morning. She was used to her three meals a day, or at least two meals, with plenty of snacks throughout the day.
Tesia finished her lunch quickly, and hid some of it in her jeans pockets, without Shlump noticing. She went over to Lana was and made like she was going back to work, which she knew would please Shlump. After a few minutes, she secretly reached into her pocket, and when she brought it out, stuck it out towards Lana.
"Here," she whispered. "I saved this for you."
Lana look and saw part of the sandwich in her friend's hand. She eyed it momentarily, then looked Tesia in the eyes to see if she knew exactly what the consequences would be if she were to be caught.
"I know what happens," Tesia said quietly. "And personally, I don't care. Now hurry up and take it already, before that goon notices what I'm doing."
"Thanks," Lana smiled softly, quickly taking a bite of it. "Appreciate it."
"I just hope you'll do the same for me when the time comes," Tesia replied, and began her work again.
"I will," Lana promised, finishing of her piece of sandwich. "You can count on it."
Chapter 65:
Michaelangelo had handed the note over to Raphael to read, as it was too hard for him to do, especially since he was still sobbing. Raphael had just finished reading her note, though he'd left some parts of it out, which only Michaelangelo noticed and knew because he'd read it all first.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Donatello queried.
"Do as she says," Leonardo shrugs. "Let her come home on her own."
His brothers all gaped at him utterly shocked.
"Leo, she's just a kid!" Raphael shouts. "How the hell can you stand there and say that! For all we know, she could be in trouble!"
"Other than the trouble she'll be in when she gets back, I don't see any other trouble headed her way," Leonardo rejoined. "And I can stand here and say it very easily Raph. But, of course, by now, you've forgotten what it's like to want her gone, even if only for a little while."
"Shut-up Leo!" Raphael warned.
But Leo went on. "I can't believe that she managed to wrap you, of all people Raphael, around her little finger." He shook his head. "YOU, the forever hot-head, allowed for her to worm her way into your heart. Yet, never let anyone else get that close to you."
"You have problems Leo, real problems," Raphael snapped.
"No Raph, YOU'RE the one with the problems," Leonardo retorted. "You only let some snot-nosed KID get close to you, and there's no possible way for her to give you everything you've ever wanted! But for some reason, STILL refuse to let the rest of us get as close to you as she has! And, by golly, WE'RE you BROTHERS for crying aloud!"
"I ain't telling ya again Leo," Raphael said, clenching his fists at his sides. He could not believe that Master Splinter was just standing there, and letting Leonardo get away with saying all this shit about Lana.
"Leave him alone Leo," Michaelangelo piped up. "It's not him you're mad at. You're mad at yourself 'cause you're the reason she left."
Leonardo turned to glare at Michaelangelo. He knew his brother in orange was right, but he wasn't about to admit that.
"SHUT-UP MIKEY!" He shouted. "IT'S NOT OF YOUR CONCERN!"
"It is when your making Lana out to be the bad guy, in front of Donnie and I," Michaelangelo answered. "It's also my concern when you're verbally attacking Raph for no good reason."
Leonardo moved to stand right in front of Michaelangelo, so that they were beak to beak.
"Do you dare to challenge me?" He asked in a superior tone.
"Yeah, actually, I do," Michaelangelo replicated. "I challenge you right here and now Leonardo."
"Don't push me Michaelangelo."
"What? Like this?" Michaelangelo questioned, shoving his brother in blue.
"That's it!" Leonardo yelled, charging at his baby brother.
Suddenly, Master Splinter stepped in front of Michaelangelo, which forced Leonardo to stop, as he was not about to go through his beloved sensei. Splinter stood there, calmly staring at his eldest son.
"I believe that Michaelangelo is right, my son," Splinter said softly. "Leonardo, there is no need for you to be shouting at your brothers because you, yourself, feel guilty. It is not right to do that to them, when obviously, they are all also blaming themselves somehow."
Leonardo remained silent, now lost in his own thoughts. He hated it when Michaelangelo was right. Hell, he hated it when anyone other than him, or Master Splinter, were right. It was HIS job as leader AND eldest to always be right, wasn't it?
Chapter 66:
Lana was by herself, lost in thought, while she did everybody's laundry. It was a dirty, disgusting job, but somebody had to do it.
"And why'd I have to be that somebody?" She wondered aloud. "Sure, I wise cracked a couple times today. But, yeesh! Whatcha expect from somebody's whose grown up with Raph by their side?"
Just the thought of Raphael made her want to cry. She hadn't even been gone a day, and already she desperately wanted to go home. She wondered if she hadn't been caught, if she'd still want to go home as bad as she did at that very moment.
"Wait a minute," she thought. "Meditation! I can meditate and see if I can contact anybody."
She stopped working and sat down on the ground, despite how utterly gross and disgusting it was, and got into her meditation position. She closed her eyes, and tried to concentrate the best she could.
Tesia, who'd been walking by, noticed that Lana wasn't doing her assigned chore and stopped to see why.
"Lana!" She hissed. "Lana!"
Lana slowly opened her eyes. "What?"
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to meditate," she answered.
"Why?"
"I've a family who can reach one another through meditation if they try hard enough."
"Oh. Cool," Tesia said. "Can I help? I know how to meditate, though I haven't done it in awhile."
"Sure," Lana chirped, glad for the company. "I'm not very good at it either. I've only been working on it for a couple of weeks."
Tesia nodded as she sat down next to her newest friend, and crossed her legs as well, preparing to meditate.
"Okay, refresh my memory," she giggled. "How do I clear my mind?"
"Don't think 'bout anything," Lana replied. "You focus on nothing but the darkness. If you're lucky, the darkness will change colours; it's then that you know you've succeeded and will be able to reach others."
"Oh, yeah," Tesia nodded. "I remember that now."
The two began to meditate and were doing all right, until Shlump came lumbering along and found them both sitting there instead of doing their assigned chores.
"What do you think you're doing?" He demanded, grabbing them both by the collar of their shirts. "You're to be working, not sitting around doing nothing."
"We needed a break," Lana lied. "I felt a little faint, and Tesia stayed with me in case I were to pass out."
"I must report this to Leatherhead immediately," Shlump replicated. "He must know of your weaknesses."
"Really Shlump," Tesia began. "He doesn't need to know 'bout it. We swear it won't happen again. Honest."
Shlump eyed the two girls, whom he was still holding onto. He shook them both roughly, as though they were rag dolls, and not fourteen-year- olds.
"I'm afraid I can't let it go, T.," he rejoined. "If I let it go now, I will have to let it go again later. You know the rules."
"Oh, please Shlump!" Lana begged. "I can't help it if I feel faint. I've been walking all day and never had a moments rest. I've been up since two o'clock this morning as well."
Shlump looked thoughtful, making the two girls think he was going to relent to their pleas.
"Nope. No can do. Sorry," he stated finally. "You've no idea what would happen to me, if he found out."
He then carried them all the way to where Leatherhead was throwing knives at a bulls-eye.
"What is it NOW Shlump?" Leatherhead demanded, without even turning to look at him. "I KNOW you're there."
"I caught these two sitting on the job," he responded, setting the girls down.
Leatherhead turned to glare at them; his solid glare made think both shrink back some.
"Ah. Lazy prisoners, I see," he smiled evilly.
"No Sir," Lana piped up.
"SILENCE!" Leatherhead shouts. "You were NOT spoken to, L."
Lana winced slightly, and ducked her head some. She didn't know whether or not she was expected to apologize, so she chose to remain silent instead.
They watched Leatherhead crack his whip and both knew what was coming. Though, Lana had learned so far, that he never hit anyone more than three times at once with it, it still scared her shitless.
Once Leatherhead was satisfied that his lecture and whipping had gotten through to the, he told them the rest.
"You two shall take on everybody else's chores for the rest of the day," he stated. "They will get a nice break thanks to you girls. Also, you both shall go to bed without supper tonight and work quite late."
"But!" Lana protested.
"Does someone need another reminder or how prisoners behave?"
"No Sir."
"Then I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut, young lady."
"Yes Sir," Lana grumbled.
Lana and Tesia, were then escorted back, to their assigned duties, by Shlump. They were forced to be present when the other prisoners were told of their day off as well.
"You have T. and L. to thank for this break," Shlump tells them. "They're sacrificing they're own free time, so that y'all with be able to have fun, but the chores will still get done."
Everyone, which, in total, was seven others, all thanked Lana and Tesia profoundly. They didn't know that their friends we're actually being punished, and that the only real reason they were getting off, was because Leatherhead couldn't come up with any other punishment for the two, right then.
Chapter 67:
Raphael was patrolling the streets in broad daylight, carefully hidden by his trench coat, looking for Casey, to see if he knew anything.
Casey saw Raphael long before he ever saw him. He knew by the look on his friend's face that something wasn't right, and it was just the usual brawl with Leo.
"Hey Raph," Casey smiled slightly. "What's up?"
"Yeah, yeah," Raphael said, then queried, "Have you seen Lana anywhere?"
"No. Why?" Casey interrogated. "She missing again?"
"She's not 'missing', as you and Donnie call it," Raphael answered. "She's simply just.'gone'."
"Why? What happened now?" Casey wanted to know.
"All we know is that Leo did something to her; Splinter too; and she took off," Raphael informed him. "For good."
"For good?" Casey repeats.
"Yes, Casey, for good," Raphael snapped. "Damn. What are you? A parrot?"
"At the moment, yeah, I am," Casey rejoined. "Problem?"
"Ok, the KID is missing, and the guy asks, if I'VE a problem," Raphael muttered, then said, "HELLO! CASEY! Lana's NOT here anymore!"
"I know that," Casey replied. "You just told me that, ya freak."
"Just making sure it sticks in ya damn skull, numb-nuts."
"So, are you guys gonna go out and look for her?"
"According to Leo, no," Raphael began. "But, according to everybody else, yes."
"Just a question, but how do you know she ran away?" Casey asked. "How do ya know she ain't just over at a friends house or what not?" "She left Mikey a note," Raphael answered. "He won't say where he found it, but she'd put it in a place where she was sure that only Mikey would find it."
"Smart kid," Casey commented.
"No shit Sherlock," Raphael responded. "But not as smart as she'd like to think now, eh?"
"Yeah, I see whatcha mean," Casey nodded. "And, keep digging Watson."
"I'm digging, I'm digging," Raphael muttered. "Digging for clues, that is, Sherlock."
"I can see that, Watson. Though it may not be obvious to anyone else, just what the hell you're doing."
"Since when have I ever cared?"
"Since a little girl stole your heart, and somehow melted your tough guy exterior enough to be let in."
"Shaddup."
"If I don't?" Casey probed.
"I'll beat the shit outta ya."
"Sure ya will."
"You know it."
"Then, all I have to say to that is, it's hockey time freak."
"You wish, Bozo."
"Lame-brain."
Gak face."
"Dimwit."
"Okay, I thought this was yours and Donnie's job?" Raphael said suddenly, after a small silence had passed. "Remember the movie? Your guys did this."
"Yeah, but remember the cartoons? Then it was us doin' it."
Raphael shrugged. "Ya gotta point there, Prima Ballerina."
"Shad-dup, Garlic Breath."
The two smiled grimly at one another, and both hoped, that wherever Lana was, that she was A-Ok.
Chapter 68:
That night Lana crawled into her new bed, which was amazingly in a small hut, and off the ground. It was late, as her and Tesia had spent hours upon hours cleaning and fetching food, and whatever else Leatherhead could think of for them to do immediately.
"Hey, Lana," Tesia called softly in the dark. "You up?"
"Yeah," Lana sighed. "Why?"
"Just wondering."
There was a moment's silence before one of them spoke again.
"Tesia, do you ever wish you were back home?"
"All the time Lana, all the time," Tesia replied. "Thought, not everyone here will agree, we want nothing more than to just - go home."
Lana yawned. "I know the feeling."
"Why were you out here in the swamplands?" Tesia asked suddenly. "You bike too far too?"
"No. I was in the midst of running away from home," Lana told her truthfully.
"But why? It couldn't have been all that bad, if you said you wanna go home."
"It's not that it was-bad," Lana trailed off. "Cause it wasn't half bad. Ok, ok. It was decent. But, I just-just got sick of being treated like a-a little kid, ya dig?"
"Yeah, I dig," Tesia replicated, now taking her turn to yawn.
"Hey, T.?"
"Yeah?"
"You think tomorrow will be as bad as today?"
"I dunno Lana. It all depends. It'll probably get better," Tesia stated. "As the days go by, you get used to the routine here. But, everyone still has their off days. I just advise you to stay of Leatherhead's good side the best ya can."
"Haha," Lana laughed. "Too late now."
"Yeah, I know," Tesia giggled. "Now I tell ya, eh?"
"Yeah," Lana agreed. "NOW I find this out. Kinda late, don't ya think?"
"I just said that it was."
The two giggled again, but quieted when they heard Shlump slinking about outside of their hut.
"There better NOT be giggling going on in there!" Shlump shouted. "If there is, there'll be NO sleep for anyone and SEVERE consequences!"
Once they were sure he was gone, the two giggled again, before finally managing to calm down.
"Night Tesia."
"Night Lana. See ya in the morning."
"Morning."
Lana didn't close her eyes right away. Instead, she lay there and thought about how much she wished she were home in her own bed, and she'd only been here a day. Poor Tesia had been here for two years, and God only knew how long the others had been stuck here.
Lana smiled to herself as comforting lyrics ran through her head: "Wherever you are, you know that we're never far." She closed her eyes then and drifted off to sleep, not knowing just exactly how long she'd be stuck in these icky swamplands.
Chapter 69:
Back at the lair Donatello was heading towards his room when he suddenly stopped in front of Lana's. He gently shoved the door open and entered the room, Brian posters quickly seeming to surround him, along with other BSB ones. He sighed as he sat down on the bed and picked up her stuffed Chipmunk, Simon.
"Why Lana? Why?" He wondered aloud. "Why couldn't you just talk to us? Why must you always run?"
He heard a noise at the door then and looked up only to find Raphael standing there, watching him.
"You do realize we're all wondering the same thing, right?" He interrogated.
Donatello nodded. "Yeah, I know Raph. Believe me, I know."
Raphael entered the room and hesitantly placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Needless to say that Donatello was shocked when Raphael's hand rested upon his shoulder.
"She'll come home Donnie," Raphael stated softly. "I know she will. She always does."
He felt Raphael squeeze his shoulder, then watched as his brother grabbed 'Teddy' and left the room, after throwing him a small smile. He couldn't speak, as he was utterly shocked beyond belief and at a complete loss for words.
He hugged Simon tight, as he thought. "I sure hope you're right Raph. I really do. For her sake AND ours."
Donatello lay down on her bed then, still clutching Simon to his plastron tightly. He didn't know why, but he felt as though he couldn't leave her room. That if he did, something bad would happen to her. He didn't know what sort of bad thing, all he knew was that no matter what, he wanted to protect her from it in anyway he could.
"I miss you Sweetie," he whispered aloud, not knowing there was a silent figure standing in the doorway.
The figure in the doorway heard him, then turned and left once he was sure that Donatello was going to be okay.
Shortly after the figure had left, Donatello closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, which contained numerous dreams all about, you guessed it, Lana.
A.N.: Hey y'all! *Waves* I hope y'all are glad to see me back again! I know I'm glad to be back! Sorry that after chapter 66 the chapters started getting kinda short. There are reasons for that. A) Was starting to get stuck & didn't want that & B) I've been up since 10a.m. yesterday morning (March 4th). Right now it's 8:45a.m. Don't worry though, more to come on the Leatherhead thing in future chapters. I dunno when those will be out though. Sorry. But I don know I'll work on 'em as often as I can for the next lil' bit. Also, I wrote the last half of chapter 66 & on today. Plus, chapter 67 is just basically comic relief. Lol. I couldn't resist doing that chapter. I purposely made it as long as I could, considering the lack of sleep I've had. Hehe. Advice: NEVER stay on the computer 'till 2.a.m then read a book ALL night. *Laughs* You'll wind up a zombie in the morning, trust me. Well, gonna go now, so I can log onto the Net & post this. Luvs y'all! *Hugs* Adios y'all! Plz R & R! KTBSPA & KTNTPA & KTACPA & KTJTPA & KTKCPA & KTCPA & KTJTTPA!!!!!