I do not own the ninja turtles or splinter. All original characters are ©Kat Monroe, i.e. me.
Donatello was working quietly in his room. He was not working on any type of experiment or new contraption; he was working on a plan. They had searched that day through every back ally they could until nightfall. The others were in there own respective rooms, most of them were probably asleep. Don had not spoken to his brothers since then. Don planned on going back out. He knew a few more alleys to check out and would never be able to sleep anyway. He would go alone, without his brothers, without his master's knowing. He had to find Mariko; nothing else mattered to him right now. He was sure once his brothers thought about it they'd realize that it couldn't have been him whom the letter was addressed.
He clenched his bo in his left hand as he went over his plan once more. He would search for her and bring her back on his own. She was his sole responsibility, so he needed to bring her back himself. His brothers did not need to get involved. He wasn't sure if Splinter would agree or not, but he had made his decision. He didn't know when he'd come back so he had packed a few measly things. He also still carried Mari's bokken with him.
"Mari…" he cried out softly.
He rose and moved swiftly out of his room, leaving a letter upon his desk. He left his home as quiet as he possible could. He made it out without anyone stopping him or anything. He wasn't sure if anybody had seen or heard him go or not. He didn't care much anyway. He headed around a corner and dashed into an alley, took a fire escape to a roof. He leapt from building to building, glancing at the alleys below occasionally. A few strays tears rolled down his face unnoticed.
Raph opened his eyes and scowled. Mikey was listening to music and making breakfast. Raph once again wondered why he ever chose this room when he knows Mikey gets up earlier then him and makes a ruckus. He slowly sat up and looked around. He felt a bit bad about accusing Don, but wasn't entirely sure that it wasn't him. He stretched and did a flip for good measure. He grabbed his sais and twirled them for a few minutes while he thought. Then he made sure his wraps were secure and plodded out. Sure, he could walk quieter, but he was grumpy and he wanted everyone to know.
"Mikey! Why do you always have to play that music every stinking morning?" he grouched.
"Sorry bro." he replied and turned it down some.
Raph blinked and watched his brother. He didn't seem as exuberant as he usually was. Maybe he was just feeling guilty too. Raph thought about going to apologize to Don, even if he wasn't too sure about his innocence. Surely Don would be up by now, however maybe…
His thoughts were cut off when Mikey sat a plate of what he termed "Breakfast Pizza" in front of him.
"Here you go, bro." Mikey said and sat down himself.
Raph sighed and started eating. After breakfast he would talk to him. Mikey was silent throughout breakfast, even as Splinter came in and got something bit healthier to eat.
"Good morning my sons." He said as he took a seat.
"Morning Sensei." They said about the same time.
Leo came in immediately after and went straight for a piece of anything and then walked back out. Raph finished and deposited his plate in the sink and walked in the direction Leo went. Splinter and Mikey sat quietly in the kitchen.
"Yo, Leon, what's going on?" Raph asked walking towards his brother.
Leo was sitting on the arm of the couch looking uneasy. He didn't answer him so Raph walked over and touched his shoulder.
"Hey, Leo!"
"What is it Raph?" he asked somewhat curtly.
"Jeesh, I was only seeing if you were okay." Raph said simply.
"I'm not the one you should be worried about." Leo said brashly.
"H-hey! There's isn't anything wrong with Don. C'mon, do you honestly believe-"
"No, I don't." Leo interrupted.
He sighed and stood up.
"I'm sorry, I'm a little edgy, I can't seem to meditate." he replied and walked away.
"Oh." Raph said as if that answered everything. As Mike and Splinter walked in, Raph decided to go talk to Don now.
He heard the tv turn on as he walked away from the living room and the light tapping of a cane as Splinter headed to wherever he was going. He stopped outside Don's room and took a deep breath. He knocked on the door and waited for a response. Raph listened and didn't hear anything from inside.
"Donny? You in there?" he asked and received no response.
He pushed the door and it opened. He peered inside and looked around. It was dark and he didn't see any vaguely turtle shapes. He stepped in and opened the door wider for light. He turned to the desk to find the lamp and saw a piece of paper in the light from the door. It looked like a letter. He flipped on the lamp and lifted the paper. It was a letter and he began to read it as it was addressed: To my family.
To my family,
I have gone to find Mariko myself. She is my responsibility and therefore it should not concern you guys. I know that you don't particularly trust me right now and that this might look bad, but believe in me, please. I truly don't know anything about that letter, but I will not let whoever they are do anything to Mariko, if I can stop it. I will try my hardest and believe that you believe in me. Please let me go this one alone. I love you all, but I need to do this. I do not know when I will be back, or if I'll make it back. All I ask is that you believe in me, like I've always believed in you guys.
Sensei, you have taught me much, and I will try to do the best at what you have taught me. I hope you understand why I feel I must take on this mission alone. I will try and make you proud, as a Sensei and a father. Please keep my brothers from trying to follow me, please father. I need to handle this myself.
Mikey, I borrowed some left-overs, in case you're wondering where they went. Keep everyone's spirits up; it's what you do best. I love you, no matter what you think of me.
Raph, somehow I think you'll read this first. I don't know how, but something tells me you will. Please let me go alone. You of all the rest might try and come after me. I don't need protecting Raph. Believe in me, please.
Leonardo, please get some rest. I know you have been stressed lately. The last thing I want to do is add to it, but I have to go. Please, don't worry about me, please. Think about yourself a little Leo; Sensei will be fine.
I have to go now before anyone wakes. Everyone, remember, this is my mission, it's important I go alone. As a ninja, I request a solitary right to this mission, a mission of proof of passage. Sayonara, I love you all.
Donatello
Raph ran out of the room with the letter and straight to Splinter's room. He opened the door, frankly feeling this was more important then having interrupted his meditation. Splinter blinked and looked at Raph a moment. He slowly rose to his feet and walked towards him, taking the letter. He read it. He sighed and read further. He lowered his head and closed his eyes.
"There is nothing we can do, Raphael, please pass this along to your brothers." He handed the letter back.
Raph stood there in shock for a moment.
"I… I understand Sensei." He said and walked away.
Splinter watched him go and decided to follow.
Raph handed Mikey the letter and he read it. As he was reading it Leo came down the hall with Splinter. He had heard his sensei's door burst open and had gone to see what was the matter. His sensei met him in the hall and led the way.
Mikey tried to speak unsuccessfully.
"Wha…he..Ra…" his eyes began to water before softening.
"What's going on?" Leo asked less then pleased.
"Here." Mike said softly.
Leo read the letter quietly. He looked over at Splinter who had taken a seat.
"I have read it as well." Splinter replied.
"I see." Leo set the letter down and walked away without another word.
"Are we… Sensei" Mike tried.
"There is nothing we can do, except of course, believe in him." Splinter said and closed his eyes a moment.
Raph watched his Sensei and father watched tv with them. He seemed so wise and at the same time so… alive? Splinter smiled; it was a simple fatherly smile.
"Believe, my son. It will be enough."
"Yes… father." Raph said.
Splinter smiled a little more warmly and stood. He placed a hand on his shoulder before walking back to his room. Raph sat alone in the living room on the couch. He was thinking to himself, unaware of the tv in front of him.
Donatello crouched in the darkness in an alley. He was looking towards a door with a crackling light above it. There were a few drops of blood on the ground leading to the door. Don clenched his bo tightly.
'Mariko…'
He had heard some commotion and a feminine voice and followed the sound to this alley. He arrived only to see a door close, the one he was currently looking at. He listened for sounds from inside but heard none. He crept closer and knelt to the side of the door. He heard a slight rustling from inside and nothing more. He clenched his bo again, faintly aware that it would only take a little more force to break it. He loosened his grip a little and reached for the knob.
He turned the knob expecting it to be locked. He almost gasped in surprise when it opened easily. He peered cautiously into the tiny crack he had opened the door. There was a light some distance in and voices that he couldn't make out. One seemed to be a girl's voice, somewhat frantic and upset. Don looked down and saw more spots of blood. His heart beat a little faster.
'Turtle blood…'
He wasn't sure how he knew, but felt for sure that that's what it was. It had to be Mariko's. He sniffed the air. It smelled of dust and age, also of chemicals. He looked around through the crack once again before making his way inside. He was as silent as can be. He slowly let the door close and went into the shadows. He stealthily made his way towards the voices. He slowly looked between some very very dusty crates. Cobwebs brushed by his face. He could just make out the voices now. His eyes widened as he saw someone shoving someone into an office. He only caught the person being shoved's arm, and it was green. He forced himself to stay as he listened to the voices.
"Don, you shouldn't have come if you weren't going take part. It's too late to turn back now." A tenor voice.
"If you will not go through with it, I will have Egan do so instead. It makes no difference to me." A high bass voice.
"You don't even know if humans are even compatible with them!" a baritone, apparently the man named Don retorted.
"It matters not. If this fails we will merely move on to in-vitro fertilization. It's simply makes more sense to try this way first." The high bass.
"Can we begin now or are you still being difficult?" the tenor, apparently named Egan.
"At least have her wounds bandaged." The man named Don pled.
"If it matters to you so much, do so before you sow your seeds so to speak." The high bass.
Donatello's eyes were narrow, his teeth clenched.
'How dare they. How dare they!' he thought fiercely.
The man named Don swallowed and entered the office followed by a smirking Egan. Donatello stood and kicked the crates over harshly. The man with the high bass voice stared at Donatello. The man just stood there with both hands on is cane staff. The man named Egan opened the door to the room he just entered to see what the commotion was. There Donatello stood, almost glowing, looking quite hostile.
"Who the hell are you?" Egan spat, seemingly unphased by the fact that he was talking to a turtle.
Instead of answering Don used his staff like a vaulting pole and kicked the man hard. He fell back against the door hard. The man with the high bass voice narrowed his eyes at him.
"A ninja? Who is your sensei boy?" he asked condescendingly.
"Donatello ignored the man and pushed the half conscious Egan away from the door and proceeded to open the door. The other man attempted to whack him on the head with his cane staff.
"Insolent boy. Apparently your sensei never taught you manners, unless you're a lowly ronin that is." the man taunted.
Donatello glared at the man and in an instant swung his bo at him. The man blocked it easily. They looked into each other's eyes without speaking. Don swung again this time at his legs. The man jumped over the bo and swung his staff out as well. Don ducked the swing.
"Why are you here boy?" the man asked.
At that moment a cry was heard from the other side of the door.
"Mariko!" Donatello gasped and lunged for the door.
He was blocked by the man's staff.
"What is this girl to you?" the man asked sounding curious for once.
"Who are you?" Donatello asked.
"I could ask you the same. Nonetheless, my name is Florence, though no one ever calls me such. Now answer my question." The man spoke while beginning to walk around.
"My name is Donatello. I came for my friend who you kidnapped!" Donatello nearly growled.
Donatello breathed deep a few times to calm down.
'Losing your temper so easy Don? You're beginning to be like Raph. No…, Raph hasn't been like that for a while now.'
Don sighed to himself and focused on the man before him.
"Kidnapped? I see… That was unfortunate. It should not have happened. I will deal with that later, now who has trained you?" he asked discarding the current subject.
"Stop asking questions and let her go." Don answered.
"Ronin then?" the man smiled a bit.
"I protect my sensei's privacy. Now release her or fight." Donatello spoke.
At his own words immediate thoughts flew through his head.
'I don't want to fight.' 'Why can't passivism work just once?' 'Why does there always have to be a fight before the happy ending?' 'Why is everyone so hostile?' 'I practically asked for this fight, didn't I?'
At that last thought he felt that he had asked for it. He was, after all, a ninja and fighting was what they did. So why did that upset him? He had no more time to wonder.
"Very well." The man spoke and took up an immediate stance.
Donatello went for the door again and the old man blocked and just missed hitting Donny in the head. Egan rubbed his head and looked around, regaining full consciousness. Donatello moved away from him. He thrust a kick at the older man. The man blocked it with his staff and twisted the staff in a way that nearly caused Donny to fall. He spun and landed on his feet, blocking another blow with his bo.
The fight proceeded with each of them blocking every attempt. A scream and commotion behind the door caused Donatello's blood to race. He fought harder and finally managed to jab the man in the chest. At that moment Egan jump kicked him from behind. Donatello fall forward some and spun around to face the man. He swung his bo at Egan while kicking at the other man in a surprising feat. The older man, though in a bit of pain from the blow to his abs, managed to block the kick. He had a look of admiration on his face.
"Nice move." He spoke quietly.
Donatello didn't respond and simply focused on fighting the two. Egan was knocked in the head by the heel of Don's foot pretty quick. The old man was tougher. A clamor from behind the door distracted Donny momentarily in which the older man attacked. He hit Don in the chest on his right near the side under his shoulder. Donatello ignored the pain as was taught and swung his bo at the man with surprising force. The man was hit directly and went sliding on the floor. Donatello flew towards the door. He turned the handle as the old man was gradually getting up. Several voices were heard coming from a different direction.
Some light flooded an area nearby as the door to outside was thrust open. Donatello hesitated only a moment to look behind him. A couple of men came in and began shouting.
"Old man! I want my payment! I want my payment for the girl!" He ignored Donatello completely and stared at the man who was beginning to stand from his sitting position.
"She was not yours to give. You should not have taken a strange girl. We had our arrangements. We had our own mutant." The old man said while standing.
The old man absently whacked Don's hand as he saw his muscles tense to thrust open the door.
"Ah!" Donny gasped and held his hand.
"That's not important! A mutant is a mutant, I got you what you wanted, you should be happy! You should be happy to have a different one to work with so you have more odds of your little plan of working." The man tried feebly to reason.
Donatello reached for the door again as he saw about five men come running from somewhere in the direction behind and to the left of the old man. Donatello glanced at the older man to his right once more and blocked the repeat attempt to keep him from the room.
"Gah!" the new guy screamed and ran for the older man.
The older man stood there as two of the other men that arrived ran to the charging fool. A punch and a kick later the man was kneeling on the ground clutching his stomach before the older man. Donatello flung the door open at the man's distraction and stopped abruptly at the sight before him.
The man named Don was knelt on the floor with a hand on the girl's leg. He looked at Donatello with some fear and sadness. He moved away from the girl without a word. The girl stared up at him in fear. She was curled up in a corner. Donatello just stared for a moment in stunned silence. His stomach churned a bit in depression. Suddenly he was being hit in the stomach and thrown backwards. He fell into the crates he knocked down earlier. They broke from his landing and the boards cut into his skin. His head throbbed in the back. A board must have cut in him there. He saw the older man just barely smirking at him and two of the five men walking towards him. He blinked as everything got blurry. As his consciousness drifted away and the pain fading, only one thought remained in his head, the same one that was there since he had opened the door expecting to find Mariko.
'It's not her.'