Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to the Ninja Turtles. Never have, Never will! passes out from the shock of actually doing a REAL disclaimer!

Chapter Ten

"If only you were so lucky, turtle!"

With Owen's face only inches from his own, Mike had to admit, he was intimidated. The guy was extremely tall despite his youthful looks (Six feet at least!), just the act of him bending over to glare flames into Mike's eyes was definitely enough to scare him speechless.

Which seemed to be the effect it was having right now.

He blinked from under Owen's unwavering glare, completely at loss on what to do next, or what might happen to him because of that loss. But one thing was certain...

He could very well die tonight.

Owen could kill him, instantly and effortlessly if he wanted to.

Well, actually, the chances that he would die tonight were in reality, very much uncertain. However, his time with the vampire had been short, not really giving Michelangelo the chance to learn how to read the one that stood before him now in absolute rage. Owen had just taken so negatively to Mike's actions…that now, Mike was truly at his mercy. He could die at this moment, and with the look the vampire before him was giving, he truly believed he would.

As Owen's ragged and infuriated breathing echoed in his ears, the fear in his throat rose as he gulped. Although he had not seen it personally, he had heard of what the being before him was capable of. And if any of it was true, his chances of surviving an attack from Owen were slim to nil, even with his displaced sword.

Owen could kill him with his bare hands if he wanted to.

But the question was, would he?

However, a nearby voice seemed to sound out as Owen went stiff. His glare wavered, but did not come back at hit's full intensity. Mike blinked, quickly picking up on Owen's change in intensity and demeanor. The sudden interruption had halted any possible interaction between Owen and Michelangelo, well at least for now.

And for that, Michelangelo was extremely grateful.

The fear stricken puddle that was Mike's brain also listened, it being the most he could do in fear that if he drew attention to himself (by moving) it would bring about instant death.

Obvious to all, Thomas spoke out in well-placed excitement.

"They say that the leader is a real powerful guy, one of the top vampires in the world."

Thomas's high but edgy voice floated up to them from the street below as both turtle and vampire listen, their confrontation melting away as the interest grown from Thomas's words flowed through them instead. Meanwhile, the elder, Sly, laughed, his walking relaxed and fluid as he made his way down the dark streets.

"That's not saying a lot, Kid! Rumors are rumors! They're not meant to be believed…"

"But it's true!" The kid insisted, his voice going high in his persistence. "They say he's really powerful. Heck, he might even be more powerful than Owen Cromwell!" At his name, Owen's head snapped to attention as he immediately dropped the icy glare. His legs moved automatically to the edge of the rooftop, but not before throwing Mike a look that all but voiced his unconcluded displeasure with the turtle. Meanwhile, Michelangelo released a breath he didn't know he was holding as Owen moved away from him and over to the edge of the rooftop. His mind had just began to unfreeze before finally realizing what the young vampire had stated below which only manage to send his mind back astray and into the mists of utter shock.

'They said Owen!…He famous?!'

His gaze immediately landed on the vampire's back, his eyes wide with the realization of it all.

Owen was famous, and he didn't tell them?

As he made is way over to the roof edge as well as he eyed his former fear instiller with suspicion.

'I wonder what other precious information he is holding from us…' Nevertheless, his gaze soon fell to the two below, now being enthralled with the entire thing. They continued walking, oblivious of the grave danger that loomed just above their heads.

As if in response to Thomas's statement, Sly snorted, emitting a short laugh that cut through the silent night like a knife through butter only to sober back up just as quickly. Thomas eyed his friend in annoyance, rather displeased that his statements had been quite the source of his friend's hilarity for he was not use to being laughed at. He found nothing amusing in the fact that one of their worst enemies was a bounty hunter who was one of the most powerful vampires in the world, and didn't know it.

And he had no qualms in voicing his opinion either.

"And what is it exactly that you find so funny, Sly?"

Thomas's voice was like ice as he addressed his friend, of whom he was less than pleased with. However, at the question, Sly grinned once again, remembering the humor in the boy's words as he did.

"Silly boy," He chided, his arms once again finding the back of his head as he fell into his usual unperturbed saunter. "You take rumors and lies and jumble them up into one big mess. When will you learn that you are not supposed to believe everything you hear?"

However, it seemed that the child was not convinced for he froze, stopping in his tracks. It took a moment for his companion to realize that he was no longer in step, but when he did, he slandered back, looking into the youth's face in mock apprehension.

"Wha'sa matter, Timmy? Did I hurt your feelings?"

Thomas (otherwise known as 'Timmy') spat his displeasure as he frowned. "Well then, what can we believe? Rumors and myth is all we have. If we don't have that, then we have nothing."

He kicked a pebble hard, sending it flying across the street. Thomas, as well as Sly, watched it sail, following it in its flight with their eyes until it's "thunk" of an end against the adjacent concrete wall. A silence fell over them as Sly grew serous, his true beliefs of life coming out in the form of an elder's wisdomed avowal.

"You believe what your eyes tell you, not your ears or your hands. For us vampires, your eyes are the keys. Therefore, when I see it, I believe." Their walked resumed, Thomas listening carefully to his elder, his former displeasure forgotten. From above, their tracks were followed by both turtle and being as the pair below moved further and further away from the building. As they finally reached the end of the line, Owen stopped, listening for all he was worth. He all but ignored Michelangelo as he stepped up behind him, but he soon (unwisely) chose to make himself known.

"No, that's not true, you can bel-"

Owen spun quickly, so quick that it in fact that Mike almost missed it visually as Owen hurriedly clamped his hand over the turtle's wide mouth (pun intended). Mike protested for a moment, but as he was hit with another one of Owen's glares, he soon fell silent. Owen's hand wasn't so bad compared to instant death…Besides, he had cheated death enough times tonight, he just didn't want to take anymore chances by crossing the vampire anymore time than necessary.

The last of the criminals' voices floated up at them before fading into the darkness.

"Like, take me for instance." The deep voice of the elder resonated the dark streets around them. "I don't believe anything unless I see it. Like, that bitch. Owen,"

Owen tensed, his hand unconsciously clamping tighter around the turtle's mouth. However, at his current state of suffocation, Mike clawed at Owen's offending hand, his breath coming out in short gasps or in no gasps at all. It earned him another glare from the vampire but the sweet rush of air that filled his lungs as Owen finally removed his hand was enough to make up for it. Meanwhile, below, they continued. Their voices getting fainter and fainter as they walked away.

"See, I've seen him. Scrawny, pale, little thing. Looks like he can barely hold up that sword he claims he made. 'Most Power Vampire?' Please!" He piffed.

"I can take him."

Mike's wide eyes flew to the still Owen, taking a step back as the words below chilled him. They would surely to enrage the vampire now, which sent yet another wave of panic up his spine as he grew increasingly worried for his own safety.

And as he thought it would be, the reaction from the vampire was instantaneous.

When Owen suddenly turned to him, he winced.

But when Owen smiled at him…

From below they continued, their voices almost nothing in the night air.

"But then again, this meeting does sound…promising. Tomorrow night, witching hour, I'll be there, just to check it out." And with that, their voices tampered out completely as the two disappeared into the night. The night fell still as a comfortable silence spread over the rooftop, both Michelangelo and Owen absorbing the vast amount information they had just overheard.

However, like in most cases, Michelangelo was the first to break the silence, his curiosity getting the better of him once more.

"When's witching hour?"

Owen turned, looking the turtle in the face. His intent had been to throw the most daggered glare of his life (It wasn't any of his business!), but when he did catch the turtle's gaze, he soon found that he just…couldn't. The turtle's eyes were wide with an innocence that could only be seen in a child as they flashed with a genuine bout of curiosity. Very far from the meddlesome Michelangelo he was angered at a few moments ago. It definitely caught Owen off guard, but he soon found himself allowing a small smile on his lips before growing serous again. He couldn't stay mad at him, but that didn't mean the turtle was completely off the hook. He still had questions, and Mike had better answer them, or else…

He chose to ignore Michelangelo's inquisition as he began to ask inquiries of his own.

"Why were you spying on me, Michelangelo? I thought I told you to go back to the lair?"

Mike blinked, as he suddenly found himself under interrogation. Although Owen didn't glare at him anymore (and for that, he was VERY thankful), his stillness still managed to leave Michelangelo uneasy, making him folly over his answer. What would he tell Owen, that wouldn't get him killed (or maimed at the very least)? However, as he racked his brain for a plausible response he only had one. The truth.

'So I guess that narrows down my options, eh?'

He took a measured breath before speaking, hoping that it wouldn't be his last.

"It is clan rule that a clan member (while journeying topside) is to be accompanied at all times by another clan member to ensure the safety of the first." He repeated Splinter's rule word for word as that was all his mind could grasp for the time being. However, when Owen's expression didn't change, he continued his explanation in hopes that if he did, the vampire would understand. "It's a rule from the old days. but it's a good rule. I was sent to stay with you, and that's what I came to do." Mike's voice held a definite edge to it as he went from almost timid to assured, his mission now out in the open.

On the inside, Owen smiled. The turtle wasn't as bad as he thought he was. Although his methods were…questionable…Mike was only following orders, probably just to ensure Owen's safety "topside" as they say. He watched Michelangelo now, his gaze imploring as he did a mental skim on the turtle before him. He found just enough to tell him that Mike was telling the truth before leaving the turtle's mind all together. He would not probe his mind anymore, and probably never would again, this event alone proving the turtle's trustworthiness (which was more he could say for most of the vampires and humans of this world, that was for sure.). A great attribute if there ever was one.

Meanwhile, oblivious to Owen's thoughts of praise, Mike watched in mild surprise as Owen's gaze when from stern to thoughtful. Such a big change in the vampire's mannerism managed to throw Mike off. However, at Owen's now retreating form, his mind was brought back to this world at the realization that Owen was leaving him. Confused and fearful, Mike stepped forward.

"No, don't leave…" He could never deal with the guilt if he knew that he was the one that drove their guest out of their home, but as Owen turned back, a look of puzzlement on his face, Mike soon realized that he had over-reacted.

"But don't we have to get back to the lair?"

There were two words there that put Mike at ease. "We," meaning more than one, and "Lair," meaning his home.

They were both going back home, and Mike couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief at his former silliness.

Owen wasn't leaving their home, which was good. He rather liked the guy, despite his ability to be…intimidating when he wanted to, (He definitely beat Raph in that factor. Even he would shutter in relative fear at some of the looks/glares this guy could pull off…) But other than that, his overall personality was well versed in the humor department, but his obvious wisdom was also something that added to the guy's cool character, almost giving him a 'Splinteresque' type personality as well. At the thought of the old and beloved rat, Mike couldn't help but smile as the familiar pang of guilt and hurt lessoned with one more thought.

Splinter would have liked him too.

Mike grinned before joining the waiting vampire, of who now stood at the edge of the rooftop. Meeting his eyes, Mike nodded once before jumping down to the street below as Owen did the same, following the turtle's example. There was comfortable silence as Mike took the lead, walking back into the direction he remembered coming from. It would have been easier if he didn't leave the clothes behind, there being a manhole cover right in the alley they were in. But, they had to track back. Otherwise, he knew Owen would be none too pleased…

He looked over at the vampire now, of whom had fallen instep behind the turtle. Usually he would have inquired as to where they were going, since he was pretty sure Owen didn't know about his 'hidden' clothes. But instead, Owen's gaze stayed down, his eyes distant as they walked. Mike couldn't help but interrupt.

"You're thinking' about what those guys said, aren't you?" At Mike's inquisitive but quiet voice, Owen jarred softly from his thoughts.

He frowned.

Mike wasn't even supposed to hear any of that, but he did. His plan of keeping everything quiet was unraveling at the edges and he knew it.

Well, as his motto went, Owen was never a liar and he wouldn't begin today (yadda yadda yadda.)

"Yes" he stated truthfully. He had been thinking about what the vampires had said regarding their 'meeting.' He knew he had to be there, he just didn't know how he would go about doing it. He would have to be in disguise, and somehow be so disguised, in fact, that he would not be recognizable, not even in the least.

It would be quite a task to pull of, but he had too, for the good of AVTech and human kind.

"Something like that." He added as well.

They approached their destination now, the familiar manhole cover nearly below them. Owen moved to open it, but ended up raising an eyebrow instead as Mike walked past him and to the bushes beyond.

'What is he doing?' He barely had time to think the question over before Mike answered it for him, removing Owen's clothing from those very same bushes.

Owen frowned, the pieces finally coming together.

"You hid them there? What if they were stolen?!"

Mike shrugged, but grinned nevertheless at Owen's exaggeration. He could tell that Owen wasn't (Mad) mad but still…

"Hey, what's the problem buddy? You didn't see them, and you're a vampire!" Mike grinned as he retrieved the clothes, handing Owen two of the four heavy bags once again. Owen rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile as well.

Michelangelo was quite the character, quite a character indeed.

A slight rustling brought him back to reality as Mike struggled between the bags and the manhole cover. Owen smiled, feeling slight pity for the turtle that just couldn't seem to do anything right at the moment as he moved both of his own bags to one hand. While Mike lifted from one side of the manhole, Owen lifted the other. Between the two of them and the four bags, the manhole soon fell away, the mouth of their journey opening as it did. Owen couldn't help but catch Mike's captivated gaze before Mike grinned and just dropped into the newly opened hole. Owen smiled at the turtle's antics.

'Yes, Quite the character…'

Owen stared after Mike before descending as well, placing the bags down and just using the ladder (like a sane person). Finally stationary on the ladder, he reached back up to retrieve one bag at a time. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered his new clothes. He really did like them.

When he looked in the mirror at the store he couldn't help but be taken back.

He looked completely different

It was almost as if he was a new person altoget…

Owen stopped in his tracks as a new epiphany raced over him, almost causing him to lose his gripping on the ladder rungs. Thankfully, he held tight and managed to reach the bottom intact, but nevertheless, his mind raced as the puzzle pieces finally fell together.

He would be able to go to the meeting after all, and now he knew just how he was going to pull it off…

Mike noticed Owen sudden change in demeanor and look after him, his brows creasing as he watched him curiously.

"Owen?"

Owen grinned at his name, instantly holding up one of the heavy bags in his pale fist as he looked Mike in the eye.

"You know, theses," He motioned towards the swinging plastic bag of clothes, "might be the answer to all of my problems… And I have you to thank for that Michelangelo. Thank you."

Mike blinked, not really used to Owen holding up bags of clothes and thanking him for them. Many questions sprung into his mind then, a few of them questioning the vampire's sanity at that moment, but he dismissed them.

He really didn't want to know.

Instead, he gave Owen a look before responding.

"You're welcome? I guess…"

-

Lol! Hope you enjoyed it, (cause I know I did) More coming soon. Meanwhile, you know what to do ;) (R and R)