A/N: Wow, I went back through the previous chapter and found so many goofs I cringed in embarrassment. I must have proof-read chapter 52 four times, too. Oh well. I just want to thank all of you for 'averting' your eyes from my obvious blunders. The mistakes weren't that serious, but it was still made me blush. Probably there are other mistakes that I failed to catch in previous chapters, so –again- my appreciation for your patience and forgiveness. Yeah, I get anal about these things. But, you know that, right? :0)
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Leo led his prisoner passed all the unconscious or injured fighters. Some were groaning, while others were quite still.
"Where're you taking me?" the prisoner asked. He stumbled along as his focus was more on what was going on around him than the lay of the land.
The nervous tone in his captive's voice told Leo that the man was not trained in the ninja arts. If he had been, first he would be calm and unruffled with his present situation. Then, second, Gabby would never have been able to fight as well as she had. She would have been dispatched within seconds of lifting the katana against her adversary. Leo admired his niece for the courage she displayed earlier, but he was also chaffing at her direct disobedience. Once things were cleaned up and every one was calmed down, he knew that he would need to have a serious talk with her. Of course, he also was aware that there would be a line formed on her behalf. Leo knew that Don had been just as upset with Gabby's insubordination as he or Raph was.
Leo glanced over to where Don was standing with Seth, Gabby, and Cassandra. He saw how tired Gabby looked from her exertion. It concerned him. One of the reasons why her training had been halted was to protect her unborn child. Now, she could have endangered it and herself as well.
Leo smiled as he saw Seth comforting Gabby while Don talked with them. Leo was glad his brother wasn't as injured as he feared originally. Still, it would take a few weeks for the hairline fracture to heal. The break was an interior break and therefore less likely to need surgery.
However, it was obvious from Leo's observation that Cassandra was injured more severely. She held her wounded extremity firmly across her chest with the good arm to support it. Cassie looked like she was in pain, but more importantly she looked edgy. Considering that she was suspected at the start of being behind the assault due to her challenging Seth, Leo didn't blame Cassie for her uneasiness. However, soon after the fight began, they all realized that the woman was not in league with the intruders.
As he continued guiding his prisoner, Leo soon saw Cassandra appear to relax a little.
"Don must have assured her that we hold no malice towards her." Leo smiled.
It was good news to realize that whatever reasons Cassie had for challenging Seth, it had nothing to do with the second campaign. He then noticed Don asking for an attendant to come to their aid; more than likely to see about Cassandra's injuries.
Leo then turned his attention back to the bound man who walked before him.
"Aren't you going to tell me what's going to happen to me?" the prisoner asked. Leo heard just a little tremor in his captive's voice, almost like he was ready to cry.
"Why should I tell you anything? You didn't call ahead to tell us you were coming!" Leo countered.
The man replied sarcastically, "It was suppose to be a surprise, dimwit!"
Leo narrowed his eyes like a predator and would have skewered the man in that instant. But he had taken an oath of honor not to take any life for such insufficient reasons as name calling. However, it did not mean he couldn't goad him into abject terror.
Leo gently nudged his captive in the back with the tip of his katana. He smiled as he heard a very frightened and audible gasp from the man. No judgment would be made on his behalf until as many of those in his clan could assemble to make the consensus.
Mike definitely would not be able to make it. Depending on what Leo and Don found out about this intruder's plans, they would wait for Mike to stabilize before pronouncing sentence. Until then they would interrogate the young man and glean as much information out of him as they could.
Soon Don joined up with Leo and the prisoner. The two turtles conversed quietly about all that had transpired. Leo lessened the pace a little, grabbing his prisoner's arm to slow him, so Don could easily keep up with his injured leg. The break was not that serious so the leg was encased in a *balloon splint that kept the limb rigid. It made walking a little more challenging, but as far as Don was concerned, at least he could be upright.
Don commented softly, "Seems Gabby is all right, but I'm insisting that she gets checked over just to be sure." He glared at the one in front of them. "So do we know who we have here?"
His brother shrugged, "Hard to tell since the hood's been muffling his voice. I want to get as far away from the others before finding out, though."
"Good idea. Though Devon is pretty much out of it, Seth would probably have this guy's head on a plate if he saw him." Don concurred. He then noticed the man stiffen at the comment regarding his head. Don smiled and knew that before he started interrogating him he and Leo would do as much 'tenderizing' of his spirit as they could beforehand. Nodding towards the bound man Don added for good measure, "What kind of sentence do you want to impose on this one, Leo?"
Catching the glint in his brother's eye, Leo smiled and suggested, "We could do like we did with the others years ago by draw and quartering him. I think Mike has enough cars to do the job."
The prisoner started to shake noticeably. The turtles grinned even wider. This was going to be fun.
"No, that's too messy." Don countered. He then offered,"How about if we tie him up between two trees and use him as target practice? I know that Raph's wanted a little more work with his sais and I'm sure we could all do a brush up on throwing the shurikens."
The man was now having difficulty walking. He was shaking terribly and his legs wobbled like jelly. Both turtles were completely aware of what affect their words were having on him. It only encouraged them to think of more ideas of retribution.
"Hmm, maybe we could take a nice cruise out to the Monterey Trench. I know it goes pretty deep. If we weigh him down I'm sure he'd be great fish food. How does that sound?" Leo added, smiling just a little. Yep, he could tell that by the time they started interrogating, this guy would sing like a canary.
"Nope, too much chance of his getting lose and floating to the top. Plus the great whites out there might interfere and then we'd have the same problem." Don replied.
Leo and Don finally had their prisoner well out of sight and hearing of the others. Don sensed something, though, and he turned around. He could see Raph coming up behind them in his rush to catch up. "Good," he said to Leo, "Raph is joining us."
"Well," Raph asked as he reached his brothers and the prisoner, "do we know who this creep is?" He eyed the still-hooded intruder, who was now shaking like a leaf in a gale.
"Oh, what'd you guys do to him? Hey, if you left me out of some fun I'm going to be pretty ticked off." Raph complained.
"Ah, just giving him some ideas of what we do to him." Don explained.
Raph grinned. He knew all too well what Don had meant. "Ah gee I always miss the fun!"
Looking over the area carefully out of habit to assure their privacy, Don walked around to the front of the prisoner.
Without warning, the man tried to bolt, but Don caught him up fast to stop him. "Hey, you're not getting away today."
Leo and Raph both grabbed the man's arms to keep him from running off. Then Don yanked the hood off and revealed the warriors identity.
They were not surprised. It was indeed Jason.
"Explain to me why you're still here and on Mike's property, no less!" Don bellowed between clenched teeth.
Jason just stared wide-eyed. He was terrified. He wanted to run and would have if Don hadn't have kept him from doing so. All that he had heard over the past few minutes nearly caused him to pee his pants. But that was one thing he was determined not to do. No way would he wet his doji; not here in front of these turtles.
Don repeated his question when Jason didn't answer, "I'll ask you one more time why you are here. If you fail to answer we will start 'proceedings' and then you will beg to tell me!"
"You ruined my life, freak!" Jason allowed his anger to replace his fear, but in the next instant it was choked out of him.
Don grabbed the young man by the throat and, though Jason was a tad taller, lifted him easily about six inches above the ground. "What did you just call me?" Don asked.
Jason could not answer as he was too busy trying to breath. He couldn't fight back because his hands were tied behind him Just as soon as he thought he was going to pass out, Don let go of him, causing Jason to fall to the forest floor.
"The only freak that's here is the one who sits before me. Again, Jason, tell us why you're here and not in Australia?" Don demanded.
Jason choked out, coughing as he did so, "You have my step dad in jail and Melissa left me 'cause she wants nothing to do with Australia. The wedding's been called off and my mom's filed for divorce. You've ruined my life and everyone else's!"
"We ruined your life?" Raph seethed. "What do you think you did to Gabby? You raped her repeatedly and that's enough reason for me to pummel you into the ground and bury you!" he snapped out.
"You couldn't do that. The chief of police would be all over this place!" Jason replied back smugly.
Don smiled, "Really? What makes you think they would even look here?"
Before Jason could catch himself he said sarcastically, "'Cause his son is part of our gang!" and then he regretted his words.
Don just stared at the young man. He nodded his head and then asked him, "What 'gang' would that be, Jason?"
The boy hung his head, refusing to answer. Don stooped down to the young man's level and, taking the boys head in his hand, jerked it up so that Jason would be looking right into his eyes. Don repeated his question, "WHAT gang do you belong to?"
Jason saw the intensity of the turtle's face and knew he was in deeper than he had planned on being. The idea was to do as much damage as possible and then flee. Getting caught was not on the agenda. But, here he was, not only caught but seemingly moments away from being killed. At least that's the way it looked to Jason.
Finally realizing that his fear was outweighing his anger, Jason owned up to what he knew, hoping that maybe they would go easy on him. His allegiances had always been one way and self preservation was starting to strengthen that perspective.
"There's a gang that originated in Japan before it was wiped out. They used to have a faction in New York about thirty or so years ago. The remnants of that gang moved their operations to California to be closer to the exit ports for Japan. They're now based in San Francisco and – " he hesitated only because he was starting to realize how 'up' his number was becoming!
"AND?" Don jerked Jason's head up to direct his focus.
"And they seem to have a history ……with all of you." Jason finished. "They have recruiting posts up and down the coast of California. They pose as martial arts schools. They bring in students who show considerable talent and focus. I was recruited just before…well, just before I was fired at Mike's studio." Jason's voice trembled on the last sentence. He had not forgotten the acupressure 'session' that Seth and Devon performed on him back then. He was starting to regret exacting revenge for what Don and his family had done to his. He added, "They're just now re-established themselves in Japan, but they're not making themselves known, yet. They plan to do so by next year, though. That's what I've been told, anyway."
Doom seemed to cloud Jason's face. He knew he had just broken the number one rule of his gang's creed. Never divulge any information about them. They did not exist; that was what he had been told to believe.
Raph asked, sneering, "Would they happen to be called The Foot?" He glared at the young man. He knew that Jason was ill trained, obviously just starting out as a ninja.
"Yes. That's what they call themselves. In Japan…" Jason started to explain, but Leo cut him off.
"They're called the Dragon Clan. We are very familiar with them. However, they are supposed to be – gone!" Leo was now concerned.
"Not all were killed off." Jason was now talking a little more freely. He wasn't as indoctrinated as some of his fellow Foot soldiers. "Some of the older members hid away by coming to the states and living up in Alaska. They taught their philosophy to their kids and it was that generation and what was left of the New York clan that started the schools down here."
"Was this a sanctioned hit, Jason?" Don asked.
Jason looked at the turtle that faced him, then hung his head and simply said, "No, it wasn't"
"Then this was something that you organized to exact revenge?" Don inquired.
"Yes. Like I said, you ruined my life." The boy replied as he looked up, his face full of anger.
"Seems that you feel you are the only one entitled to revenge." Don began, "and, yet, it's you who made the decision to do what you did to Gabby. As I and my brothers see it, you are the one responsible for the unhappiness that has befallen your family. You are the one who caused it. Just because we judged you is not ours or Gabby's fault. We could have demanded a much higher price than the one we implemented…and then your mother and ex-fiancé' would have had more grief to bear."
Jason didn't say anything in response, but only nodded in agreement. He was definitely in over his head with this family.
"You are aware that any Foot soldier committing a non-sanctioned hit means certain death for you and those involved don't you?" Don commented.
If Jason had felt that nothing worse could have happened to him, in that moment he realized how wrong he would have been. "No, I didn't know that."
He paused and then asked Jason, "Did you go Australia at all?"
Jason answered, "There was a stopover in Japan. It was there that I contacted some members of my group. They made it possible for the flight records to show that I continued on. Then, they trained me for a few weeks before sending me back to the states."
Don stood up and then nodded to Leo, who reached down and brought Jason up roughly to a stand.
Jason looked at Don and asked sarcastically, ignoring his fear for the moment and remembering what little training he had from the Foot, "So, are you going to kill me?"
Don could still see the fear but it was mixed with hate on the boy's face. He looked at him and smiled at his courage, "Not quite yet. There's still something you have to do for us. How cooperative you are will determine if you live – or die."
"Wh- what?" Jason did not like the look Don was giving him. His resolve crumbled for a moment, "What d-do you want me to do?"
"Since this was not a Foot sanctioned hit, you have an advantage. Those that were injured or killed back there don't have a clue that it's you we led over here and I know that they are not going back to wherever your 'group' meets. I'll make sure of that. What I am going to do is for you to be personally escorted to Australia as planned, but after you get as much information on these dojos as you can. I want EVERY one of them on a print out and special delivered to me by you. That will mean…"
Jason shook his head, "I can't do that. It's really tight to get in there and get that kind of information. They'll kill me if I get caught going into their system." He was perspiring noticeably now.
"Would you like for us to kill you, then?" Raph interjected, sneering into the young man's face.
Jason's eyes went wide as Raph's snout came within inches of his own. He didn't see it but he could feel the tip of a sai being pressed against his stomach. His resolve completely dissipated in that moment.
"No, I – ah – will do it. I'll get the information. B-but what are you going to do with it?" Jason replied hastily.
Don remarked, "None of your concern." He shoved the hood back down over Jason's head, making sure the boy could see through the eye holes. Then the three turtles escorted him towards the back part of the property where the cliff was.
Along the way Don told the young man that he would have three days to get the information. He told him where to meet and at what time. Then he furthered his threat by telling him exactly how he would be killed if he didn't comply. By the time they had made it to the edge of Mike's property, Jason's pants were completely soaked.
Before Don cut Jason's bindings he told him, "If you do not show up at the exact time I told you, we will either assume one of two things. You were found out and were killed. Or you ran. I would suggest you make sure you are killed rather than do the latter. If we have to come looking for you it will not be pleasant when we catch up, as I described earlier. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you can out-run us because you can't. Not even Oruku Saki could out wit us!"
Jason's eyes went wider than before at Don's mention of Saki's name. "Y-you knew him? He's much revered in the Foot."
"Is that so?" Don said coolly.
"Yeah. But, he's been dead a long time. How did you know him?" Jason asked.
The next words were from Raph and it chilled Jason to the bone, "Because, Punk, my brother, Leo, executed him!"
Jason stared over at Leo, who smirked and shrugged his shoulders as if embarrassed with such an honor. But the look the turtle gave him next was intent and almost piercing.
Jason was finally given permission to repel back down the face of the cliff towards his goal and his fate – whatever that would be. Leo elected to stay behind to observe and watch to make sure Jason did indeed leave the preserve.
With Raph as support, Don and his brother headed back to the house. They had a big laugh over the scare they put into Jason. It was probably the most fun they had together in a good long time.
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A/N: Balloon Splint. Hmmm, I just made that up. I know that there are temporary splints/casts that can immobilize mildly broken bones so that the person can get around if it's impossible or difficult for them to be carried and not in close proximity to medical care. I know that when race horses break down, they encase the broken leg into something temporary that makes that leg rigid to prevent any further damage from happening – if the horse is salvageable. I've tried to research this to no avail.
Anyone in Fanfiction who knows what I am talking about is welcomed to educate me; even if this would be impossible. If it is, well- this is Fanfiction, right? Don invented it then! :0) He's so smart about these things. What a guy! LOL
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Leo led his prisoner passed all the unconscious or injured fighters. Some were groaning, while others were quite still.
"Where're you taking me?" the prisoner asked. He stumbled along as his focus was more on what was going on around him than the lay of the land.
The nervous tone in his captive's voice told Leo that the man was not trained in the ninja arts. If he had been, first he would be calm and unruffled with his present situation. Then, second, Gabby would never have been able to fight as well as she had. She would have been dispatched within seconds of lifting the katana against her adversary. Leo admired his niece for the courage she displayed earlier, but he was also chaffing at her direct disobedience. Once things were cleaned up and every one was calmed down, he knew that he would need to have a serious talk with her. Of course, he also was aware that there would be a line formed on her behalf. Leo knew that Don had been just as upset with Gabby's insubordination as he or Raph was.
Leo glanced over to where Don was standing with Seth, Gabby, and Cassandra. He saw how tired Gabby looked from her exertion. It concerned him. One of the reasons why her training had been halted was to protect her unborn child. Now, she could have endangered it and herself as well.
Leo smiled as he saw Seth comforting Gabby while Don talked with them. Leo was glad his brother wasn't as injured as he feared originally. Still, it would take a few weeks for the hairline fracture to heal. The break was an interior break and therefore less likely to need surgery.
However, it was obvious from Leo's observation that Cassandra was injured more severely. She held her wounded extremity firmly across her chest with the good arm to support it. Cassie looked like she was in pain, but more importantly she looked edgy. Considering that she was suspected at the start of being behind the assault due to her challenging Seth, Leo didn't blame Cassie for her uneasiness. However, soon after the fight began, they all realized that the woman was not in league with the intruders.
As he continued guiding his prisoner, Leo soon saw Cassandra appear to relax a little.
"Don must have assured her that we hold no malice towards her." Leo smiled.
It was good news to realize that whatever reasons Cassie had for challenging Seth, it had nothing to do with the second campaign. He then noticed Don asking for an attendant to come to their aid; more than likely to see about Cassandra's injuries.
Leo then turned his attention back to the bound man who walked before him.
"Aren't you going to tell me what's going to happen to me?" the prisoner asked. Leo heard just a little tremor in his captive's voice, almost like he was ready to cry.
"Why should I tell you anything? You didn't call ahead to tell us you were coming!" Leo countered.
The man replied sarcastically, "It was suppose to be a surprise, dimwit!"
Leo narrowed his eyes like a predator and would have skewered the man in that instant. But he had taken an oath of honor not to take any life for such insufficient reasons as name calling. However, it did not mean he couldn't goad him into abject terror.
Leo gently nudged his captive in the back with the tip of his katana. He smiled as he heard a very frightened and audible gasp from the man. No judgment would be made on his behalf until as many of those in his clan could assemble to make the consensus.
Mike definitely would not be able to make it. Depending on what Leo and Don found out about this intruder's plans, they would wait for Mike to stabilize before pronouncing sentence. Until then they would interrogate the young man and glean as much information out of him as they could.
Soon Don joined up with Leo and the prisoner. The two turtles conversed quietly about all that had transpired. Leo lessened the pace a little, grabbing his prisoner's arm to slow him, so Don could easily keep up with his injured leg. The break was not that serious so the leg was encased in a *balloon splint that kept the limb rigid. It made walking a little more challenging, but as far as Don was concerned, at least he could be upright.
Don commented softly, "Seems Gabby is all right, but I'm insisting that she gets checked over just to be sure." He glared at the one in front of them. "So do we know who we have here?"
His brother shrugged, "Hard to tell since the hood's been muffling his voice. I want to get as far away from the others before finding out, though."
"Good idea. Though Devon is pretty much out of it, Seth would probably have this guy's head on a plate if he saw him." Don concurred. He then noticed the man stiffen at the comment regarding his head. Don smiled and knew that before he started interrogating him he and Leo would do as much 'tenderizing' of his spirit as they could beforehand. Nodding towards the bound man Don added for good measure, "What kind of sentence do you want to impose on this one, Leo?"
Catching the glint in his brother's eye, Leo smiled and suggested, "We could do like we did with the others years ago by draw and quartering him. I think Mike has enough cars to do the job."
The prisoner started to shake noticeably. The turtles grinned even wider. This was going to be fun.
"No, that's too messy." Don countered. He then offered,"How about if we tie him up between two trees and use him as target practice? I know that Raph's wanted a little more work with his sais and I'm sure we could all do a brush up on throwing the shurikens."
The man was now having difficulty walking. He was shaking terribly and his legs wobbled like jelly. Both turtles were completely aware of what affect their words were having on him. It only encouraged them to think of more ideas of retribution.
"Hmm, maybe we could take a nice cruise out to the Monterey Trench. I know it goes pretty deep. If we weigh him down I'm sure he'd be great fish food. How does that sound?" Leo added, smiling just a little. Yep, he could tell that by the time they started interrogating, this guy would sing like a canary.
"Nope, too much chance of his getting lose and floating to the top. Plus the great whites out there might interfere and then we'd have the same problem." Don replied.
Leo and Don finally had their prisoner well out of sight and hearing of the others. Don sensed something, though, and he turned around. He could see Raph coming up behind them in his rush to catch up. "Good," he said to Leo, "Raph is joining us."
"Well," Raph asked as he reached his brothers and the prisoner, "do we know who this creep is?" He eyed the still-hooded intruder, who was now shaking like a leaf in a gale.
"Oh, what'd you guys do to him? Hey, if you left me out of some fun I'm going to be pretty ticked off." Raph complained.
"Ah, just giving him some ideas of what we do to him." Don explained.
Raph grinned. He knew all too well what Don had meant. "Ah gee I always miss the fun!"
Looking over the area carefully out of habit to assure their privacy, Don walked around to the front of the prisoner.
Without warning, the man tried to bolt, but Don caught him up fast to stop him. "Hey, you're not getting away today."
Leo and Raph both grabbed the man's arms to keep him from running off. Then Don yanked the hood off and revealed the warriors identity.
They were not surprised. It was indeed Jason.
"Explain to me why you're still here and on Mike's property, no less!" Don bellowed between clenched teeth.
Jason just stared wide-eyed. He was terrified. He wanted to run and would have if Don hadn't have kept him from doing so. All that he had heard over the past few minutes nearly caused him to pee his pants. But that was one thing he was determined not to do. No way would he wet his doji; not here in front of these turtles.
Don repeated his question when Jason didn't answer, "I'll ask you one more time why you are here. If you fail to answer we will start 'proceedings' and then you will beg to tell me!"
"You ruined my life, freak!" Jason allowed his anger to replace his fear, but in the next instant it was choked out of him.
Don grabbed the young man by the throat and, though Jason was a tad taller, lifted him easily about six inches above the ground. "What did you just call me?" Don asked.
Jason could not answer as he was too busy trying to breath. He couldn't fight back because his hands were tied behind him Just as soon as he thought he was going to pass out, Don let go of him, causing Jason to fall to the forest floor.
"The only freak that's here is the one who sits before me. Again, Jason, tell us why you're here and not in Australia?" Don demanded.
Jason choked out, coughing as he did so, "You have my step dad in jail and Melissa left me 'cause she wants nothing to do with Australia. The wedding's been called off and my mom's filed for divorce. You've ruined my life and everyone else's!"
"We ruined your life?" Raph seethed. "What do you think you did to Gabby? You raped her repeatedly and that's enough reason for me to pummel you into the ground and bury you!" he snapped out.
"You couldn't do that. The chief of police would be all over this place!" Jason replied back smugly.
Don smiled, "Really? What makes you think they would even look here?"
Before Jason could catch himself he said sarcastically, "'Cause his son is part of our gang!" and then he regretted his words.
Don just stared at the young man. He nodded his head and then asked him, "What 'gang' would that be, Jason?"
The boy hung his head, refusing to answer. Don stooped down to the young man's level and, taking the boys head in his hand, jerked it up so that Jason would be looking right into his eyes. Don repeated his question, "WHAT gang do you belong to?"
Jason saw the intensity of the turtle's face and knew he was in deeper than he had planned on being. The idea was to do as much damage as possible and then flee. Getting caught was not on the agenda. But, here he was, not only caught but seemingly moments away from being killed. At least that's the way it looked to Jason.
Finally realizing that his fear was outweighing his anger, Jason owned up to what he knew, hoping that maybe they would go easy on him. His allegiances had always been one way and self preservation was starting to strengthen that perspective.
"There's a gang that originated in Japan before it was wiped out. They used to have a faction in New York about thirty or so years ago. The remnants of that gang moved their operations to California to be closer to the exit ports for Japan. They're now based in San Francisco and – " he hesitated only because he was starting to realize how 'up' his number was becoming!
"AND?" Don jerked Jason's head up to direct his focus.
"And they seem to have a history ……with all of you." Jason finished. "They have recruiting posts up and down the coast of California. They pose as martial arts schools. They bring in students who show considerable talent and focus. I was recruited just before…well, just before I was fired at Mike's studio." Jason's voice trembled on the last sentence. He had not forgotten the acupressure 'session' that Seth and Devon performed on him back then. He was starting to regret exacting revenge for what Don and his family had done to his. He added, "They're just now re-established themselves in Japan, but they're not making themselves known, yet. They plan to do so by next year, though. That's what I've been told, anyway."
Doom seemed to cloud Jason's face. He knew he had just broken the number one rule of his gang's creed. Never divulge any information about them. They did not exist; that was what he had been told to believe.
Raph asked, sneering, "Would they happen to be called The Foot?" He glared at the young man. He knew that Jason was ill trained, obviously just starting out as a ninja.
"Yes. That's what they call themselves. In Japan…" Jason started to explain, but Leo cut him off.
"They're called the Dragon Clan. We are very familiar with them. However, they are supposed to be – gone!" Leo was now concerned.
"Not all were killed off." Jason was now talking a little more freely. He wasn't as indoctrinated as some of his fellow Foot soldiers. "Some of the older members hid away by coming to the states and living up in Alaska. They taught their philosophy to their kids and it was that generation and what was left of the New York clan that started the schools down here."
"Was this a sanctioned hit, Jason?" Don asked.
Jason looked at the turtle that faced him, then hung his head and simply said, "No, it wasn't"
"Then this was something that you organized to exact revenge?" Don inquired.
"Yes. Like I said, you ruined my life." The boy replied as he looked up, his face full of anger.
"Seems that you feel you are the only one entitled to revenge." Don began, "and, yet, it's you who made the decision to do what you did to Gabby. As I and my brothers see it, you are the one responsible for the unhappiness that has befallen your family. You are the one who caused it. Just because we judged you is not ours or Gabby's fault. We could have demanded a much higher price than the one we implemented…and then your mother and ex-fiancé' would have had more grief to bear."
Jason didn't say anything in response, but only nodded in agreement. He was definitely in over his head with this family.
"You are aware that any Foot soldier committing a non-sanctioned hit means certain death for you and those involved don't you?" Don commented.
If Jason had felt that nothing worse could have happened to him, in that moment he realized how wrong he would have been. "No, I didn't know that."
He paused and then asked Jason, "Did you go Australia at all?"
Jason answered, "There was a stopover in Japan. It was there that I contacted some members of my group. They made it possible for the flight records to show that I continued on. Then, they trained me for a few weeks before sending me back to the states."
Don stood up and then nodded to Leo, who reached down and brought Jason up roughly to a stand.
Jason looked at Don and asked sarcastically, ignoring his fear for the moment and remembering what little training he had from the Foot, "So, are you going to kill me?"
Don could still see the fear but it was mixed with hate on the boy's face. He looked at him and smiled at his courage, "Not quite yet. There's still something you have to do for us. How cooperative you are will determine if you live – or die."
"Wh- what?" Jason did not like the look Don was giving him. His resolve crumbled for a moment, "What d-do you want me to do?"
"Since this was not a Foot sanctioned hit, you have an advantage. Those that were injured or killed back there don't have a clue that it's you we led over here and I know that they are not going back to wherever your 'group' meets. I'll make sure of that. What I am going to do is for you to be personally escorted to Australia as planned, but after you get as much information on these dojos as you can. I want EVERY one of them on a print out and special delivered to me by you. That will mean…"
Jason shook his head, "I can't do that. It's really tight to get in there and get that kind of information. They'll kill me if I get caught going into their system." He was perspiring noticeably now.
"Would you like for us to kill you, then?" Raph interjected, sneering into the young man's face.
Jason's eyes went wide as Raph's snout came within inches of his own. He didn't see it but he could feel the tip of a sai being pressed against his stomach. His resolve completely dissipated in that moment.
"No, I – ah – will do it. I'll get the information. B-but what are you going to do with it?" Jason replied hastily.
Don remarked, "None of your concern." He shoved the hood back down over Jason's head, making sure the boy could see through the eye holes. Then the three turtles escorted him towards the back part of the property where the cliff was.
Along the way Don told the young man that he would have three days to get the information. He told him where to meet and at what time. Then he furthered his threat by telling him exactly how he would be killed if he didn't comply. By the time they had made it to the edge of Mike's property, Jason's pants were completely soaked.
Before Don cut Jason's bindings he told him, "If you do not show up at the exact time I told you, we will either assume one of two things. You were found out and were killed. Or you ran. I would suggest you make sure you are killed rather than do the latter. If we have to come looking for you it will not be pleasant when we catch up, as I described earlier. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you can out-run us because you can't. Not even Oruku Saki could out wit us!"
Jason's eyes went wider than before at Don's mention of Saki's name. "Y-you knew him? He's much revered in the Foot."
"Is that so?" Don said coolly.
"Yeah. But, he's been dead a long time. How did you know him?" Jason asked.
The next words were from Raph and it chilled Jason to the bone, "Because, Punk, my brother, Leo, executed him!"
Jason stared over at Leo, who smirked and shrugged his shoulders as if embarrassed with such an honor. But the look the turtle gave him next was intent and almost piercing.
Jason was finally given permission to repel back down the face of the cliff towards his goal and his fate – whatever that would be. Leo elected to stay behind to observe and watch to make sure Jason did indeed leave the preserve.
With Raph as support, Don and his brother headed back to the house. They had a big laugh over the scare they put into Jason. It was probably the most fun they had together in a good long time.
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A/N: Balloon Splint. Hmmm, I just made that up. I know that there are temporary splints/casts that can immobilize mildly broken bones so that the person can get around if it's impossible or difficult for them to be carried and not in close proximity to medical care. I know that when race horses break down, they encase the broken leg into something temporary that makes that leg rigid to prevent any further damage from happening – if the horse is salvageable. I've tried to research this to no avail.
Anyone in Fanfiction who knows what I am talking about is welcomed to educate me; even if this would be impossible. If it is, well- this is Fanfiction, right? Don invented it then! :0) He's so smart about these things. What a guy! LOL
