The Way Of War
Prologue
Splinter leaned back into his armchair and sipped his hot green tea. As he drank, he glanced through the large bay window in front of him, which gave him the most beautiful view of the ocean and its sunsets. There, on the beach below, his grandchildren played in the raising tide. Seeing this made him smile. He was getting so old, older by each passing day. His fur was becoming gray, worn out in places. Splinter sighed heavily as replaced his cup of tea to the table beside of him, his old hands shaky. He turned his attention back to the children. They were so young, so innocent. But to think that these children might not have even been around this day. The war was many years ago. His sons had fought so hard during that time. He count his blessings every day that they had made it through, for many of their allies were not so lucky. He was thankful they made it, so he could watch these wonderful children grow. Splinter closed his eyes, remembering the past.....
The year was 1987. The mutant population on Earth was becoming increasingly large by this time, mostly from government processed mutation and scientific experiments. Of course, because most mutants were not of human form, they had no acceptance by human kind. They lived their lives in hiding, and most, lived in fear of their lives. As a whole, mutant kind learn to accept this as their way of life.
Then, a group emerged, tired of the ignorance between both races. Containing both humans and mutants, they called themselves Humans and Mutants For a Better World. They set up many stations around the world, protesting every chance they had. They made their speeches known to everyone, wether they listened or not. Finally, after many months of rallying, the heads of the group made it to the U.S. Congress, demanding something be done to make the world better for everyone. Years of arguing and disagreements followed, ensuing riots and fighting among humans and mutants. Tragically, it seemed nothing was to be done.
In 1990, the beginning of a new decade, something great happened. An alien race, called the Madira, came to Earth, wanting to share the planet. They wanted nothing more than peace among everyone, wanting everyone of every race to be as one. They showed humans that mutant are not to be feared and they showed mutants that humans can be caring, and not cruel.
So, finally after many years of struggle, a new peace bill was passed. Humans, mutants and aliens came together as one culture, sharing the Earth. The Madira had succeeded in creating a world of tolerance. To many, all was right with the world. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving.
Chapter One: Old Friends Reunite
Han Okasana was having another one of his bad days. His stock was falling fast and his broker was no where to be found. He picked up his office phone and dialed the number again.
He ran his hand over his balding head, the shiny black hair he once had was being replaced but gray. He had been going bald for some time, starting in his late 30s. Now that he was almost 60, he often wondered about the benefits of hair replacement therapy.
"Uh, hello. This is Han Okasna again, I was wondered if Darrel Good has made it back in yet?" His Japanese accent mixed with his English. Even though he had lived in New York for 28 years, his English was still broken up by his native language. He waited rather impatiently for the woman in the other end to connect him to his brokers office, tapping his fingers on his desk.
"I'm sorry , sir," The woman replied after ten minutes of silence. "Mr. Good must be in a meeting. Would you like his voice mail, or perhaps you would like to leave a message?"
"Dammit," Han whispered away from the phone receiver. " No, that is fine. I'll try again later." And with that, he slammed the phone down.
" Shit, shit," He cursed as his watched the stock bars on his computer screen. He watched so intensely, he didn't seem to noticed the young lady standing in front of him.
"Father? Are you alright? You're sweating."
Han looked up and there was his daughter, Linda. He smiled widely and jumped from his chair, rushing to greet her.
"Oh my lovely Linda!" He hugged her tightly. "How was school? Did you pass your History test?"
Linda laughed at her father. He was always so excited to see her. "Yes father. I passed with a 98%."
Han clapped his hands together. "Wonderful my dear! Wonderful!" He picked up the phone. "This calls for a celebration! I'll make reservations at Izzy's, your favorite place." He hit a number on his speed dial. Laughing, he pointed at her. "I can see Havard knocking on our door, my daughter!"
"Oh father!" She blushed. " I haven't even decided on a college yet."
" Not yet?" He frowned. " Linda, it's your junior year. You must hurry and decide. Oh excuse me dear. Yes, hello? Izzy's? Yes I would like to make reservations for seven tonight. Yes. Uh, for three. Yes. Thank you." He replaced the phone. "So you better run home and tell your mother the good news. Be ready by the time I get home."
"Okay father." Linda turned to leave. " I love you." And with that, she walked out of the office door.
Turning his attention back to the computer screen, his jaw dropped when his stock appear. "My god! It jumped 10 points in the last 5 minutes!" Maybe his day wasn't so bad after all.
Linda made in home in perfect time. The walk home seemed faster in the colder months, not because she was cold. No, she loved New York in the winter. The cool breezes that blew made the city seem to slow down for a moment. Her walks home were propelled by her amazing skills in the martial arts. She often took the alleys so she could flip and kick without running into people. That seemed to be the only time when she could be herself, where she could explore that inner warrior she always knew existed. Her father never wanted Linda to study martial arts, even though he himself had training in his youth. Han never explained why he had this training. Of course, he never talked about his past growing up in Japan. Linda just figured her father was being overprotective, like he always was.
Opening the front door, she inhaled the wonderful smell of cookies baking in the oven. Her mother Wendy loved to bake. Since she was always home and never had to work, that's all she really did. She baked for family, friends, neighbors and the homeless. Linda loved her mother. She admired the fact that Wendy never judged anyone and accepted everyone for who they were.
"Oh Linda! You're home!" Wendy rushed to the door, her blond hair flowing behind her. She held her daughter in a tight embrace. " Congratulations on passing your test! I'm so proud of you!"
Linda didn't seem so surprised to hear this. " Did Father call you again?" Her mother laughed.
"Of course! You know how excited he gets about these things." She helped Linda out of her coat. "Come into the kitchen. I've got hot cocoa waiting just for you!"
Linda sighed as she watched her mother leave for the kitchen. She loved her family so much. She felt so lucky to have such wonderful parents, no matter how much their constant praise bothered her, or how much they showered her with gifts. Maybe it was because she was the only child, she didn't know. Linda took off her snow boats and found her way to the kitchen.
*****************************************************************
Down below the streets, Donatello pounded on the radiator with his hammer.
"Work you piece of crap!" He hit again, making another dent in the grate. Michalangelo walked up behind him, covered from head to toe in a snow suit.
"Did you get it to work yet?" He asked. Don turned around and gave Mike a weird look.
"You look like you're cold. Would you like me to turn this on?"He rolled his eyes and went back to work.
"Geesh," Mike pulled down the hood of his jacket. His orange bandanna spilled out around his shoulders. "I was just asking. Don't have to get testy, dude."
"Well you know what?" Don pounded on the radiator again. "I wouldn't be doing this if a certain turtle by the name of Michalangelo hadn't tried to cook a pizza on it! There is melted cheese on the heating coil!"
Mike put his hands on his hips. "Yeah well, Raph was using the oven so I had to do something!"
Donatello flashed Mike a dirty look. " Next time, order out!" Just then, Leonardo entered the living room, carrying several birthday decorations.
"Okay Mikey, I think this is -" He stared at Mike's outrageous bright yellow snow suit. "Why are you wearing that?"
"I'm freezing my tail off!" Mike jumped up and down. " Trying-to-keep-warm!"
Leo shook head. " Alright. Anyway, help me put this stuff up." He handed Mikey a bag of balloons. "April and Casey won't be back with Splinter for another few hours but I want this up now."
Mikey raised his hand to his head and saluted Leo. "Yes sir! My lungs are ready!" He ripped the bag opened so fast the balloons sprayed all over the floor. Leo placed his hands on his hips and glared at Mike.
"Oops..." Mike gushed. "I'll get that."
"Nice goin Mikey." Raphael clapped his hands as he walked towards his brothers. " Damn, why is it so freakin cold in here?" He wrapped his arms around his chest.
"Ask him," Don stated coldly, pointing at Mike.
Raphael looked at Mike, and suddenly started laughing. "What are you goin do? Build an igloo or somethin?"
" Har har har!" Mike laughed sarcastically. He bent down to pick up the balloons. "Well it's not totally my fault! I told you Raph had the oven and-
"Oh no!" Raph walked towards Mike." Don't be blamin' me! I told you hours ago that I was making Splinter's birthday cake and that if you needed the freakin oven to use it before I did!"
Leo got between the two. "Guys can we please just get things ready? This is supposed to a happy day."
"Why do you havta be so cheerful?" Raph growled. " You make me sick, you know that?"
Leo glared at Raphael. "You know , it wouldn't kill you to be that way sometimes."
" I am happy, can't ya tell?" Raph laughed and walked back into the kitchen.
Hours later, the door to the sewer lair opened and light poured into the dark living room. Splinter looked around cautiously around before he stepped in. Casey came in behind him, followed by April, who was carrying her and Casey's 3 year old daughter, Samantha. Casey peered through the darkness.
"Where the heck did the guys go?" He stepped forward around Splinter. April nudged Casey in the ribs.
"Surprise party...." She whispered lightly in his ear.
"Surprise party? No one told about no surprise party!" Casey shouted out. Splinter began to laugh.
"I see." He walked farther into the living room. "Alright my sons. You may come out."
There was a slight rustling noise and Leonardo crawled out from behind the couch.
"Gee, thanks Casey." He felt his way around the couch. Seconds later, Donatello found his way out from behind Splinter's recliner.
"So much for the element of surprise."
Splinter laughed again. " It is only the thought that counts. Now where is Michalangleo and Raphael?"
Suddenly, the door slammed shut, leaving the lair in total darkness.
"BBBBHHHHAAAAWWWWW!"
Michalangelo jumped out from one of the bedrooms, screaming at the top of his lungs. The noise startled Samantha, whose own scream scared April. She ran towards Casey but crashed into Leonardo. They fell over in a pile on the floor. Casey in turn tripped over Don's feet, falling over next to Leo. Mike tried to walk towards the door, but became confused in the darkness. "Where is everyone?" He stretched his arms out, reaching out for something to grab.
At this time, Raphael came out, Splinter's birthday cake in hand. "Hey, did I hear someone-" He was cut short as Mike tripped over the rug in the floor and fell into Raph's arms, making the cake fly up in the air.
Finally, Donatello made his way to the light switch and turned it on just in time for everyone to see the cake land on Raphael's head.
Splinter stood right in the middle of the living room, untouched by anyone. He glanced around the room. The ceiling was covered in balloons and streamers. A sign was strung across the western wall, reading "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MASTER". He smiled once again, then turned his attention to the piles of bodies in the floor. April and Casey had fallen across Leonardo, who had caught Samantha in his hands as she flew out of April's grasp during the fall. She was giggling in excitement. To Splinter's far right, Mike was in Raphael's lap, scraping frosting off of his brother's forehead.
"Man this rocks! You should open a bakery dude!"
Raphael growled at Michalangelo in response.
Splinter took one finally look around and then said. " I think it would be best to go out this year."
Linda was having such a great time. Her parents were laughing and acting crazy like they were young again. She loved to watch them hug each other, to see that love that only a couple could know. Izzy's was very crowded on that night and she had ran into a lot of her friends from school and from the dojo. She was still so amazed to see humans and mutants together, having fun, in one place. No boundaries, no lines. Just one race, one family. She was especially interested in a group that was sitting in a large table in front of them. Four mutant turtles, a mutant rat, and three humans, talking and laughing as loud as they could. But for some reason, she seemed to focus on one turtle, wearing khaki pants and a blue polo shirt, with a young child in his lap. It sent some weird signal to her brain. Linda shook her head, brushing it off, and turned her attention back to her parents.
Across the floor, Raphael sat backwards in his chair, his baggy black cargo jeans spilling into the floor, sucking down his soda like it was going out of style. He had noticed the young Japanese-American looking at their table. He thought that people would be used to seeing mutants walk around by now, that they wouldn't stare in wonder or horror or whatever. He wanted to make a comment to her, but he only know that would mean some kind of lecture from Leonardo. He pulled up the sleeves of his red dragon hoodie and grabbed another handful off the onion blossom. Michalangelo sat next to him, wearing his favorite pair of skater pants and his pale orange shirt that read "FREAK". Raph nudged Mike in the side and pointed over at the table where the young girl sat.
"Can you believe it?" He lower his voice so no one else would hear him. "Some people still got some nerve to stare."
Mike looked over at the table. " Hey, she's cute. Do you think I should ask her out?"
Raph threw the bits of onion blossom at him." Mike, you dumbass!"
Mike laughed. " Hey, watch this." Then he proceeded to wave at the girl. She slowly turned her head towards them, one eyebrow cocked up in a confused manner. Mike smiled and winked, trying to be cool. The girl rolled her eyes and turned back around.
"Ooooooooo, burned, Mikey!" Raph laughed, almost falling out of his chair. Leonardo turned his attention to Raphael.
"What are you two doing?"
"Mikey just got burnt by that chick over there!" Raphael held his gut that was aching in laughter. Everyone turned around to see who Mikey's victim had been.
Linda could not believe want was happening. One of the turtles had tried to get her attention. And now the entire table was staring. She held up her hand, trying to block all the eyes focused on her. Han noticed Linda's posture.
"Linda, why are you sitting like that? That's not proper at the table, my dear."
Linda held up her other hand, hiding it on the side of her face. She pointed at the turtles table. "I'm being watched!" She whispered.
Han looked over at the group sitting across from them.
"Oh great!" Don kicked Mike under the table. "Now that girl's dad is going to kick our shells!"
Raph smacked Mike in the back of the head. " Nice going!"
Mike held up his hands." Why must I be abused every time I do something?"
"Great." Leo handed Samantha back to Casey. " Here he comes now."
Han approached the table, looking over everyone who was seated. Five mutants and three humans. He had never had to deal with mutants, his office didn't have too many employed there, and even then they worked down stairs. He cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Excuse me, but my daughter informed me that this table was having some kind of problem with her. Now I don't want any trouble. I'm here to spend time with my wife and child and it would be nice to do so without interference."
"Interference?" Raphael opened his mouth. " Look, man, your daughter started it so we were playing along."
Han's eyes narrowed at Raph. "My daughter? You accuse my daughter ?"
"Sir," Leo got up from his seat. " I'm sorry about this, but it meant nothing. We will leave you and your family in peace."
"Goody-goody," Raph sneered at Leo.
"I suggest you do that." And with that, Han turned around and walked back to his table.
"Man, Leo!" Raph threw his napkin at Leonardo. " I coulda had that guy on the ground. Interference, my shell."
" Silence, Raphael!" Splinter threw his palm in the air. His eyes watched Han move back to his table and sit down next to his wife. Don leaned over closer to Splinter
"What is it master?"
" That man." Splinter said. " I know him."
Splinter left his seat and slowly walked over to the Okasanas' table.
Han turned around to see the mutant rat staring at him. It startled him greatly. "What can I do for you?" He voice seemed to tensed up.
" Raji? It is you, is it not?"
Han's jaw dropped. " I have not heard that name in many years. But I do not know you."
"You do, but not in this form. You did know my master, many years ago in Japan. His name was Hamato Yoshi."
Han's hand flew to his face. " The rat. The rat in the bird cage!" His hands fell back down, shaking as they did. " My god! What has become of you? Where is your master now?"
Splinter sighed heavily, reliving the pain of his past. " He is dead. Saki was to blame."
Han's eyes became wider. "Saki? That snake is still alive!"
Linda couldn't take anymore. She jumped up to her feet. "Father! I demand to know what is going on? Why did that rat call you Raji? Who is Hamato Yoshi? And who is this Saki?"
"Calm down, my child," Han stood up, holding her shoulders. "There is a lot I need to tell you. For so many years, I have held all of these memories back, not wanting to tell you. But you are becoming older, and more wiser than I ever had dreamed. It is time I tell you the truth about me."
Linda felt like a dam had opened in her brain, tears flowed down her cheeks in confusion. She grabbed onto her father.
"Hush child," he stroked her hair. " I know you are confused." Her held her back and kissed her cheek. " But first, I want to welcome my old friend and his companions back to my house." He hugged Splinter. " We have much to catch up on."