Gabby was going over the menu for the wedding reception dinner with Rahab, when Seth invited her to join him during his prayer time out in the woods.

"Why don't you take a break from that and join me, Gabs?" he asked.

"Rahab and I still have some deciding to do about the menu. Maybe tomorrow?" Gabby replied.

Rahab intervened though and said, "Why don't you go on along, Gabby. It'll do you good to get away from the house for a while. I'll just jot down some ideas for you while you're gone and then you can go over them once you return. "

"Are you sure about that?" Gabby asked,

"Yep; positive - just watch out for lions." and she laughed.

"That's not at all funny!" Gabby responded seriously.



Taking each other by the hand, Seth and Gabby started out towards the reserve. They had just walked passed the pool when Don stepped out from the guest house. He saw them and called out, "Hey, where you two love birds going?" Don grinned.

"Out to pray, Uncle. That's all." Seth replied defensively.

"Ah huh, yeah. Well, just be back by lunch time; we have a few more things to go over, okay?" he instructed, heading for the main house.

Don had been relieving Leo of caring for the professor during the night, giving his brother an opportunity to meditate and relax. Perry had taken an upswing in his health, feeling much better with the increase potency of the herbal teas and homeopathy treatments Leo had been administering to him. The professor was still taking the medication prescribed by his doctor, but it seemed it took the combination of that and the herbs to bring him out of the decline he had been experiencing of late. It was only good news for Gabby, though. Her hearts desire was to have him walk her down the aisle when she married Seth and to be present for the birth of her baby, which was due sometime the following year in late June or early July.

"Why is Don so insistent that you work out everyday?" Gabby asked as they walked along through the woods.

"I dunno. For some reason, he thinks I'm not sharp enough. Don't know why I have to be; it's pretty safe here." Seth replied.

They were silent for a while as they allowed the tranquility of the forest to envelope them. The birds were chattering and creating quite a ruckus and there was a soft sigh as a cool breeze made its way through the woods. Gabby shivered slightly from the crispness of the air, so Seth put his arm around her to shelter her. The smell of the ocean was fresh as it followed the light wind east across the expanse of redwoods. Squirrels scampered here and there, looking for a few more morsels to store away before winter set in. They didn't have to worry about snow, but the colder temperatures told them that harvest was way past its prime.

"I was wondering Seth - how far back does this wood go before it's no longer Mike's property?"

"Oh quite a ways. It stops at a canyon that separates us from the public use part of the preserve. We could only clear-cut about ten percent of the land, though. Something about protecting the ecology. Don actually has a house up the way after he bought thirty percent of the Ventana preserve. The house is not quite finished; with all the security measures Don's added, it won't be done for at least another year. There are a lot of endangered plants and animals here that need protection still. So, we're kind of limited as to how much we can use for ourselves." Seth answered. He went on to say, " We can walk through it like we are doing, but that's about it. Even cleaning up the area is prohibited." and he laughed at that.

They walked further into the forest, enjoying the solitude and peace. Back at the house it had been so noisy with so many people living there. The silence was very soothing.

Seth looked over at his fiancé' and noticed that she was somewhat distracted.

"Hey, penny for your thoughts?" he asked her as he hugged her a little. "Not getting any flashbacks, again, are you"? He looked concerned.

"No. Today's been pretty good – until now." she mused unhappily.

Seth cringed, "I'm sorry, Gabs. Didn't mean to…."

"Guess I should let you know what triggers them, hmmm." She offered. "Your mom's been talking to me quite regularly and Cassandra's been trying to get me to identify certain triggers, too. I guess she's been through something similar. I never really thought simple things could affect me so profoundly. So, take note, husband-to-be. Any mention of 'him' or what he did to me; the smell of cleaning solutions; enclosed spaces; piles of blankets; and – Mike's studio; I'll never go there ever again. Same goes for Pacific Grove and those riding trails. Oh, and tattoos and body piercings. I don't mind earrings but more than one per ear and I'm a goner." Despite the choice of her words Gabby was quite serious regarding all of it. "

"Note taken. I promise not to get any tattoos and I can absolutely guarantee I will not pierce my ears or any other part of my body." Seth smiled, "Cross my heart and hope to be beaten to a pulp by my lady-love!"

Gabby cuffed him for making light of her situation, but then smiled.

"So, wanna know what I was thinking about earlier?" she asked him.

"Absolutely, my dear Gabriella." Seth replied looking over at her with affection.

But then, Gabby suddenly stopped. She looked straight ahead and strained her senses. "Listen...." she instructed softly.

"What? I don't hear anything." Seth commented quietly as he stopped beside her.

Gabby was silent for a moment as she looked around, and then stated, "That's just it - I don't hear anything either. Not the squirrels or the birds. It's like everything has stopped...." and then she saw it! "LOOK! What is that?" she exclaimed breathlessly.

Standing about two hundred yards ahead of them and just passed the trail leading up to Seth's meditation trees stood a person clothed from head to toe in nothing but black. The only other color was a red bandana around their head, positioned just above their brow. They wore black ninja shoes and stood with their feet spread out - as if ready for battle. The person had in their hand a wooden Bo, holding it vertical to the ground with one end resting on the forest floor.

"I have no clue, but I don't think they belong here. I hope the alarms went off when this guy trespassed. "Seth said anxiously.

"What alarms?" Gabby asked as Seth moved her behind him so he put himself between her and the intruder.

"We have perimeter alarms. You can't hear them out here, but back at the house it would be very noticeable. It's another two or three miles farther out before the canyon. We can only hope that the others heard it."

"What are we going to do? Just..... stare him down?" Gabby asked. Her concern was growing as this black-clad person nodded towards them.

"I'd rather wait to see if we get reinforcements first. This guy is armed! He has a bo-staff. I have nothing at the moment - but my tail!" Seth growled. "What is he waiting for?" He held onto Gabby's hand, his entire focus was on protecting her no matter what the cost. She felt Seth's entire countenance change in an instant. She knew where he was mentally in that moment.

Seth looked around for anything that he could use for a weapon, but no such luck.



Two turtles stared towards the redwoods. "What in blazes?" Mike exclaimed, his brow furrowed. "I've never had anyone breech the canyon perimeter since we moved here."

Don nodded, "Always a first time. Let's go check it out."

"Not without gear." Raph came up behind them saying, holding Don's Bo and Mike's nunchuks while he had his Sais strapped to his belt. "I heard it go off while I was in the den."

Leo followed suit with his swords. "Could another mountain lion trip them?" he asked.

"No, not meant for that. These alarms are situated at the cliff overlooking the canyon. I have the fence out to that edge. Maybe deer, but the sensors are programmed to pick up on a lower body temperature - like human. This is not good!"

"Maybe it's a hiker wanting a little excitement. That cliff is pretty formidable last time I saw it." Raph exclaimed.

"Either way, we need to go check on it. Seth and Gabby took a walk back there." Don stated.

"AGAIN?" Leo said, exasperated, "Sheesh, how many times...... "

Rahab came outside to see what was up, "Okay, what's going on now?" she asked.

Mike stopped her, "I haven't a clue what's going on. Get Devon and have him bring the professor into the main house and then lock everything down. If there's any assault here before we can get back, move everyone down into the gym and punch the security doors. You know the escape tunnel from there if you have to use it. You know where to hole up and wait for us. Don't look back. Okay?" His expression was serious.

If there was indeed an attack, what better diversion than to get him and his brothers to the back part of his property while the true intent took place on the house. Devon and Gaele could adequately hold back an assault on the gymnasium stairs door while, Riahna, and Rahab with the professor escaped through the cleverly disguised bathroom. Once everyone was in there, security lock down would be initiated to keep any intruder outside the room from getting to them. The shower was real, but it also doubled as an elevator if you knew how to work the shower head. The shower would then take them down to an underground garage where they would have access to two vehicles and a secret entrance that exited almost onto Highway One. The exterior was well camouflaged and impossible to detect. Even Mike had a hard time finding it whenever he'd pass by it on his way into the studio. Though Mike had thought Don overstated the need for it, he was glad now that he had listened to his slightly paranoid brother.

Don led the way over the redwood fence, his brothers following. Leo was close behind him with Raph and then Mike. Mike's past injuries kept him from being as effective as he was in his youth, but he still had enough expertise to bring up the rear. Hopefully, this was nothing more than a lost hiker or climber.

They traveled for nearly thirty minutes, jogging at a good clip, keeping their eyes and senses sharp for any attacks from the side or above. Nothing happened. Finally, they came upon Gabby and Seth. Just beyond them, closer now because he had shortened up the distance, stood the intruder.

"GAD, look at that bandana! Talk about déjà vu." Raph exclaimed in surprise.

Don said only one word, "Foot!"

"I thought they were completely disbanded or eradicated, Don?" Mike started to say, but Don raised his hand to quiet him.

"Yes, I know. Evidently, there's one left." he said solemnly. He was thinking – a lot – about previous conversations he'd had over the past couple of weeks. He had heard rumors that there were factions starting to build again. The New York incident had piqued his senses big time. Don was hoping the rumors were just stories. But years ago there had been some word about a few Elite Foot soldiers that had wisely kept their profiles low while the rest of their brothers-in-arms were being slaughtered. Donatello knew that even with his and his brother's skills, they were still older and, therefore, not as quick with their reaction as they were in their youth. It was a two-fold reason having Seth down in the gym for sparring practice. Don knew in that instant he probably should have included Devon and Gaele, too.

"So, what do we do.....?" Raph started to say, but a movement from the intruder stopped him.



The person raised the bow and pointed - at Seth! It sharply shook the Bo once at him and then quickly waved it to one side. Then, a deep masculine voice was heard, "You ..... defend yourself."

"Who? Me?" Seth asked in amazement. He took a step back and looked behind him at his family, who were equally as surprised. They stood about fifty yards away, watching. He could see Raph finger the Sais at his flanks, ready to react if called upon to do so. Leo stood with his arms held lightly to his sides, also prepared to jump to the fore. Mike was equal to the task, his nunchuks ready.

Don, however, placed one end of his Bo on the forest floor, holding it straight up from the ground. He waited. He understood. He turned back towards his brothers and nodded, giving a look that told them to relax. They were puzzled, not understanding. Leo finally nodded back, getting the point. He did as Don had done and relaxed. Soon, the others did as well.

Seth watched his family become noncommittal towards this intruder. What was going on with them? Didn't they feel threatened?

Seth turned back to the black clad invader, who had advanced a few steps more. He saw the bandana and noticed it had a symbol on the front. It was in Japanese - and it stood for Dragon! It sounded so familiar; what was it his father told him. The dragon was a clan or the sign a particular clan used. What was it?

Then, Gabby interrupted his thoughts, "Dragon - that's what the symbol says. After Don and I returned from New York, the professor told me that the organization that created me used the dragon as their symbol. How can this person be from that clan? Aren't they all dead?!" she asked.

"Yes, that's it! And....you're right. They are supposed to be dead." Seth exclaimed suddenly.

"So, who is this, then?" Gabby asked, looking back at this much alive Foot ninja.

Suddenly, as Seth's attention wavered, the ninja advanced more rapidly than either of them could think. It catapulted around Seth as quick as a breath and grabbed Gabby in a firm grip. Too startled to react, Gabby found herself where the ninja had been, looking back at Seth and her family. The Foot ninja stood between her and them, still facing Seth.

The deep voice could be heard now and he looked at his opponent, demanding, "Defend what is yours, child!"

Seth's anger at how easily he had been removed of Gabby and the insult just thrown at him shot through his self control. He screamed menacingly at this new enemy and charged. Deftly and with barely a touch, the Foot soldier tossed him and stepped aside! Sliding about ten feet to the right, Seth jumped back up and faced off with his assailant. The stranger laughed deeply, "Too easy!"

Seth looked at his father, expecting a rebuttal.

Leo just stood there.

"What's with that?" Seth asked himself. "Why don't they charge in?" He looked back at the ninja and saw the same shake of the head. "Who is this guy?" Seth screamed to himself.

The next thing he saw was Don throwing his Bo at him. Seth caught it and upon seeing his uncle give a slight smile, finally understood. This was a test! This was why he had been sparring with him. It all became too clear, now. What wasn't clear was the identity of this person who had been brought in to do the job! Seth saw his father and other uncles slowly realize what was going on. They relaxed their stance.

Turning back towards his adversary, Seth took his anger and buried it, replacing it with cunning and strategy. He crouched and paced to the right of the ninja. He watched his body movements, but it was hard to tell what direction he was going to go in. All the person did was stand there. Gabby was trying to sneak her way back around to where her father and uncles were. But before she could get even with the intruder, he whirled around suddenly and gently blocked her path with the staff and shook his head. In that instant and silently thanking Gabby for the diversion, Seth charged forward and leaped at the ninja.

Don and his brothers watched in fascination. They stood like sentries, as witnesses, as one of their own took on his first battle. They would not interfere.

Almost as if he had eyes in the back of his head, the ninja whirled to the right and low to the ground, swiftly bringing his staff up. He then slammed it hard against the right side of Seth's body as the young warrior reached the mid-way point in his leap. The impact sent Seth hard to his left through the air towards his family. As soon as the ground came up at him, Seth corrected his trajectory and, using his own Bo, vaulted himself back up to a stand. It was a beautiful recovery that did not go unnoticed by his father and uncles, nor by the one who hit him. There was a subtle nod of respect from everyone, but then it dissipated quickly. Again, the Bo came out at him in a challenge.

"Defend what is yours or it will not be." the ninja demanded.

Seth looked over at Gabby, who now looked quite afraid. He knew she was out-matched and in no position to defend herself, especially when she was with child. Seth was gravely concerned. He had just thought a moment ago that this was a test. But, why would this intruder grab Gabby and threaten her like that? Why didn't his family see the problem he as he did? Instead of debating the issue with himself, he began to focus on what he was being asked to do.

In an instant, he grabbed up Don's Bo and advanced deliberately and swiftly towards his combatant! Seth stopped about ten feet from him, glared intently, trying to discern who this person was. Definitely male by the definitions of the upper torso. But, not very tall. Asian? "Thomas?" Seth asked aloud. He knew that Thomas was equal in skill in ninjitsu as any of them. But, would Don order him to fight Seth just to prove - what? What did this have to do with Gabby? So many questions and not enough action. Seth, in a force of blinding speed, whipped his Bo around and then advanced swiftly towards the ninja. The other was ready for him.

Their staffs collided at the same time, meeting at nearly center point between them. The sound of hard wood meeting hard wood reverberated through the stand of giant trees. The noise danced and ricocheted off the rocky outcropping that led to Seth's quiet place.

Gabby watched in horror and fascination as Seth wielded his weapon with the proficiency of a seasoned warrior. Compared to how she saw him move in the gym months ago was nothing like how he was moving now. His skill almost terrified her.

The intruder was equal to the task, expertly deflecting Seth's advances and executions with precision and finesse. The rapid fire sound of the staffs colliding against each other made it seem as if there was more than one pair of warriors going at it. The scene was much like what Gabby had viewed on those training DVD's only three months before, but this time it was not for practice. It was for real. She was impressed with how quickly each combatant recovered and rallied back towards the other. In one fleeting moment she understood what it meant to 'go ninja'. It was breathtaking.

Suddenly, there was a break in the rhythm and the ninja smacked Seth firmly along his backside, sending him sprawling ungainly across the forest floor. Seth jumped up immediately, ignoring the throbbing pain the staff had awarded him.

Gabby could see the area welt up in protest, but Seth never slowed down. He was upon his adversary almost in an instant, his ninja skills being drawn out through the force of the conflict. His face was emotionless as he focused his entire being on this one who dared to challenge him for Gabby. He bore down with a vengeance on this Foot ninja. If one thing was going to come of this, the last of that clan was going to die today.

They battled almost evenly and without reservation for nearly twenty minutes. Both in the heat of their lust for victory, both focused on just the other. Their movements became difficult to discern, everything a blur with the swiftness of their actions. Nothing else mattered but to defeat the other. Their staffs cracked and echoed so loudly throughout the forest realm, it was almost deafening.

So far, the ninja had been successful on at least six occasions of rewarding Seth with a growing collection of bruises. The intruder seemed unstoppable and unreachable. Seth had never gone against anyone so skilled, except maybe his father and Don. Seth was putting everything he had learned into each attack, but he still could not get passed the other's defenses.

Who was he?

Forty minutes into the fight, there was a commotion from behind Mike. He turned to see Devon racing in from the direction of the house towards the melee. Don and the others turned as they heard him yell out to Seth, but before he could sweep passed them, Leo and Raphael grabbed him up and threw him to the ground.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Devon yelled at his father. "SETH NEEDS HELP!"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO WATCH THE HOUSE!" Don yelled back.

"I had to be here. Their fighting was echoing off the mountain. I thought Seth was in trouble. Besides, there's nothing going on at the house. No other sensors have gone off. "Devon explained.

In that instant and for a second, the ninja was distracted by the commotion. Seth saw it immediately and swung his Bo around and low in one blinding movement. The ninja's feet were swept out from under him and he fell hard to the forest floor. Before he had even landed, his young opponent swiftly repositioned his staff, but the ninja saw it coming straight for his head. In one fluid motion, though, the fallen warrior swung his legs up into the air. He snagged the staff with his feet before it could connect, and then, grabbing the end closest to him with his hands, catapulted Seth over and away in one swift motion.

The moment Seth was thrown, the ninja leaped up off his back and forward into a stand - but not before Seth's tail whipped around. He connected hard against his adversary's back.

What Seth thought would be soft flesh; he felt his tail hit something hard. It startled him! It was not what he was expecting. However, the force of Seth's strike was enough to slam the ninja forward and down. But, as this mysterious warrior fell towards the ground, he tucked and rolled. A few feet away, he sprang to a stand and whirled around quickly, only to find Seth bounding back in his direction equally as fast. His Bo at the ready, the young fighter swung out swift and hard. His target deflected the hit with his own Bo, but not before the very end of Seth's staff caught the intruder along the upper left arm.

Grunting in pain, he was thrown clear of Seth's reach to a safe distance away. Though his upper arm was now injured, he stood defiant, ready to receive the next volley. He motioned with one hand for Seth to come at him and laughed menacingly as he taunted the young fighter.

All of this happened within the amount of time it took Devon to express his complaint and be helped back up to a stand by his father.

"What is going on; why aren't we helping Seth?" he asked irritably.

"It's not our fight - it's Seth's." Raphael exclaimed.

"Is that Jason?" Devon asked in amazement.

"No, I don't know who it is .... But whoever it is, they use to belong to the Foot, those enemies of ours from years ago. AND, he's really good. I don't think I've ever seen anyone fight that since my encounter with them back in New York when we were living there." Raph said with awe and a bit of concern. "Seth has his work cut out for him, that's for sure."

"But, why is it his fight?" Devon asked as he watched the battle continue unabated.

"That guy called him out. Something to do with Gabby. I don't understand it, but.... it's just not our fight." Mike explained, watching as the intensity of the contest increased. "Don wants us to stay out of it - for now."

The staffs were still in use, but now Seth was implementing his tail. His opponent leaped and jumped out of its way as Seth whipped it around in conjunction with the Bo.

Seth noticed that Gabby was again trying to make her way over to where his family was. He anticipated the ninja to get between her and them, but this time she was allowed to go.

The warrior's intent was to get Seth to fight, not keep Gabriella hostage - and it was working. The ninja increased its pressure on the young combatant before him, pushing him harder and faster with each swift move. They were both lunging, whirling around with deadly kicks, trying to wear the other down.

Seth began to further intensify his moves. The two ninjas worked furiously at trying to sweep legs, deflect jabs and kicks, and all with the speed of fully trained fighters.

The fury was nearly overwhelming for those who were forced to watch. The old need to kick shell was chaffing at them, especially for Raph. But, they now had experience and wisdom to match their skills; they knew this was not their fight - but the next generation's.

The intruder's left arm was starting to show weakness. He kept his right side facing Seth whenever he would deflect one of the young fighter's attempts. Seth caught the difference almost immediately and started forcing his opponent to turn around. Seth moved in circles around the ninja, doing three sixty jump kicks followed up with swipes from his tail. The mystery warrior leaped and deflected, but sometimes he had to allow his weaker left side to show.

The moment he did, Seth would barrel towards him, trying to attack the injured appendage. He managed once to make a hit and he heard an expression of breath as if the pain was escaping out of his opponent's mouth. Seth intensified his attack all the more.

Nearly fifty minutes into the fight, both combatants were starting to feel the strain. Seth noticed his bruises protesting angrily. His tail was also feeling discomfort, having had the experience of getting it whacked a few times by his assailant's staff. More than anything, Seth wanted to finish this intruder off.

Gabby stood behind her father, watching the scene as she peered around him.

He protectively put his arm around her, telling her, "Neither of them looks like they can go more than ten minutes longer. I don't think this ninja wants to seriously hurt Seth, okay. Don't worry."

Gabby couldn't say anything. She had never seen a ninja fight before and she was pretty sure she didn't want to see another one ever again. Gabby wanted Seth to stop; she wanted this stranger to stop. Who was he and why was he here?

Suddenly, Seth dug deep within himself and in one fleeting moment, saw clarity! He saw the format his attacker was using, he saw a pattern. It wasn't much of one since there were unexpected change-ups the ninja would throw in now and then. But, the intruder was tiring and now relying on form and function.

Seth saw his opening and in one swift move, deflected the Bo from out of his assailant's hands. It went sailing beyond his reach. The next move Seth did was a three-sixty leap. He swung himself around and used his tail to sweep his opponents legs. He succeeded and watched with satisfaction as his adversary landed hard on the forest floor. Before the ninja could recover sufficiently, though, Seth pulled his Bo around and over to finish off the black clad warrior.

Just before the end of the staff would have collided with his head, the warrior quickly rolled away and stood up. He faced Seth with his palms facing outward – a sign of surrender.

However, unseasoned in the battlefield and still raging with going ninja, Seth ignored the plea for truce. Just as he started to further his attack, though, he was thrown to the ground.

"Truce, Seth. He asked for a truce. You are honor-bound to acknowledge it." Leo instructed.

"NO! He threatened Gabby. He's Foot. Remember the blood-oath?" Seth demanded.

"Yes, I remember, Seth. But that oath's been settled long ago. It's over."

The Foot ninja stood off to the side as this father and son argued the point of surrender. He stood there and watched; breathing deep from his part in the exhibition. The warrior worked his shoulders and felt along his left side where Seth's Bo had connected. He appeared to wince a little, just by the position of his head.

Seth looked over at his combatant and scowled. The ninja nodded and then bowed respectfully towards him. He then walked over to retrieve his Bo, but a commotion was heard coming down from the knoll of rocks and trees.

In complete shock and surprise, Don and his brothers saw fifteen black clad ninjas all dressed in the same fashion as Seth's opponent.

In an angry voice, Don exclaimed,"She lied to me!"