DISCLAIMER – Okay, so I do wish I owned them, or at least knew them and that they were real. They're not – hugs those in denial – but they sure are fun to write about. Here on our pc's we can create wonderful or not so wonderful worlds for our green heroes in a half shell and we can then be apart of their existence through Ain't technology great? R&R if you want, or not…whatever…just enjoy it for what it is – pure entertainment!

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CHAPTER 5 – EXPOSED!

The quartet stood there in the family room, tense yet alert. One faced the other three with two whose eyes glared menacingly at her. The third member of that trio was in complete confusion.

"What are you all talking about? If Rachel feels her life is in danger, we need to protect her!" Rahab looked at her husband and brother-in-law, not understanding what was going on. Mike then gave his wife a glance, shaking his head just a little, his mouth a tight serious line. Her eyes widened slightly, as she now understood her husband's request to stay out of it. Whatever was going on had suddenly turned into clan business. Why, Rahab couldn't say, but it obviously had to do with her friend, Rachel. Reluctantly, the iguanid female meekly complied, taking the closest chair. As she sat down, she curled her tail around her legs insecurely, focusing on her claws yet at the same time kept her attention fully on the conversation at hand.

Don looked at the woman, cocking his head to one side in mock curiosity and then asked. "Why should we protect you?"

Feeling quite defensive, Rachel replied as calmly as she could, "I don't need protection, Don! I was concerned that these people would know where Jess was, where I am at the moment, and then cause you harm in the process! That's it, nothing more!" Her emotions then energized her words and she said almost too sharply in defense, "Besides, I've taken care of myself for three decades without any help. I certainly don't need yours!"

The two turtles both looked at her incredulously, Mike with his mouth agape and Don with his eye ridges raised practically to the top of his head. They were quickly piecing together the puzzle that was 'Rachel'. They thought back thirty years ago - when they were literally unknown to the rest of the world and living in the sewers of New York City!

Nodding his head as if he finally had her confession, Don addressed her, "I knew when we first met that there was something familiar about you. I tend to treat my suspicions very seriously." Don crossed his arms in front of his plastron, continuing, "Blame my early years, but I never second guess them. However, since I didn't have any viable reason to feel that way, I let it go - until I talked with Leo two years ago. It was after that when I learned you taught martial arts." Don paused and sized her up, smiling just a little, "Then, when you developed a friendship with Rahab, I did a little investigation." Now, his smile thinned and as he talked, it disappeared all together, "I tend to be concerned when - humans - befriend us!" Don went on to explain, "It's just been my personal experience that most people have a different agenda than simple friendship when it concerns my family." He paused once more. Then, out of the blue, he asked Rachel a question, "Did you know that the name, 'Rachel Sullivan', is not in any public records - at all?" His eyes became as hard as brass, cold and resistant, seeming to penetrate right through her.

Rachel's mind was reeling. She knew how to dodge this. What was it that Saki had taught her? Yes, confuse the question with a question! With as straight a face as she could, she asked "Well, Don, are you sure you researched thoroughly. I mean, I'm as real as you are, how can I not be in public records?" and then she gave a little laugh, albeit a tense one at best.

"Good question, Rachel - if that IS your real name!" Don entreated suspiciously. "But, I would like to ask you another question, if I may?"

Rachel knew her next diversion and it was genuine, "Can't it wait? I really need to get Jessie. Please, I don't have time to play People's Court right now!" and she turned to go out towards the patio door. However, before she could take even two steps, Mike stopped her as he slipped in front of her. The woman gave a start. One minute her way was clear and then in the next he was standing there blocking her path with his hands on his hips. Mike then gave her a look she had never seen on him before - and it meant business.

"I think you need to listen to Don's question, 'Rachel'!!" he suggested softly, "Whoever is chasing you can't get through my security measures anyway. We have lots of time!"

Turning on him fully with a glare that could have melted a glacier, Rachel shot back, "Well, I don't, MIKE! Now, let – me – get – my - DAUGHTER!" Rachel then tried to skirt quickly around him but he again managed to block her path. He was quick, that was certain! However, in a moment, Rachel weighed her options. She really did not want to cause a scene, yet a sense of desperation was giving way to panic. Realizing from that point on that things were going to get ugly if she pushed the issue, she finally surrendered, "Fine, whatever!" throwing her hands up and turning towards Don, " So, what is this all important question you're so eager to ask me?"

Not wasting a moment, Don asked, yet it was obvious he already knew the answer, "Were you ever in New York thirty years ago?"

Rachel's heart was nearly pounding out of her chest as it was, but Don's question only made it worse She knew that if she didn't give an reply, what her attackers had failed in doing, Don and Mike would succeed at. The expression the two turtles were now giving her was not one of friendship but of condemnation! What was worse, her anxiety was clearly readable. Rachel's head suddenly began to swim as she felt a slight touch of vertigo. Between the fire, the chase, and now this situation, it became too overwhelming for her. She had lived too cozy a life these past three decades, far removed from such dealings as she was going through now. She was sorely out of the kind of mental shape for such things. All of Rachel's plans to get out of down were dashed in that moment. She found a nearby chair and went to sit down. Too tired and stressed to be creative and realizing that to deny the truth would be fruitless, she sighed, closing her eye, "So, since you've figured it out, what now?"

Rahab watched her friend, watched how the woman's shoulders slumped in defeat and wondered what kind of history she had with her husband and his brothers. She had heard only snippets of stories about Mike's life under the streets of New York City. He and the others were always reticent to talk about it. It was a chapter of their life that they seemed to prefer forgetting. Nevertheless, it seemed as if the past had caught up with them. More to the point, at the very least, it seemed to have caught up with the woman as well.

"Good thing Raph isn't here right about now!" Mike turned to Don, his expression flat and unreadable.

"Correct on that!" countered the other.

Finally fed up with not being in the know, Rahab asked, "What in blazes is going on, Mike?" She stood and huffed out a long breath of frustration, keenly aware of the heightened level of emotions filling the family room.

Her husband stepped over to his wife and gently whispered into her ear, yet loud enough for Rachel to make out, "A part of our past has resurfaced, my love!"

Rahab was still not sure what he meant by that but she did understand the implication with the word 'past', as in New York and sewers. Moreover, the mood in the room spoke volumes that, whatever it was, it wasn't good – especially for Rachel, not at all in fact!

The woman suddenly begun to feel slightly ill and she truly thought she was going to hurl right then and there. However, she managed to hold back the bile before it overwhelmed her. Her hands shook from the adrenaline rush as she clenched them tight to try to calm them. Unsuccessful, she took another deep even breath, wresting back control and calming herself a little more. She was counting on the past two years of knowing the Angelo's to get her through this. She prayed silently that Mike would realize this truth and take all of it into consideration. Yet, as she studied him, all resemblance of friendship seemed to have melted away from his face.

As for Don, Rachel didn't know if her relationship with his brother and sister-in-law would amount to much, where he hardly knew her at all!

"So, what do we to do, now?" Mike asked Don, relaxing just a little as he draped an arm around his wife' shoulders. Rahab sighed in defeat as she felt the strength of her husband's arms. Maybe he had sensed her thoughts about taking a stand between Rachel and them, or maybe not. Yet his timing was all too keen and she knew better than to assume anything concerning this ninja family.

Don studied Rachel as she sat there in front of him. He saw too easily that this woman had changed from what she was so many years ago. Though the history she had with him and his brothers was an ill-gotten one, Rachel seemed not to be the same as she once was. He wanted some background, though, some reason not to keep her and hand her over to Raphael. Consequently, he asked her, "Rachel, a lot of years have gone by since the last time we met! That was also the first time, if my memory is right!"

She just stared at him. What could she say? He was right. A lot of years had gone by, a lot of life had happened to her in fact. She offered, "You want to know who I really am, don't you?"

Don nodded. Mike did, too. He wanted to sit down, but this little visit had turned into a clan inquisition. He would remain standing until his brother had the answers he needed. Mike offered his own input, "Since we knew nothing about you and yet you knew enough about us to want to kill us, yeah, I think we're due!" Mike said.

Rachel looked over at Rahab, this friend of hers, a mutant on the outside yet just as human on the inside as herself. She noted the show of confusion and concern in her eyes; maybe even a little shock. Kill her husband and his family – how? Moreover, why, for that matter. Rahab and Mike had always been gracious and kind, often funny and entertaining. That was how Rachel had always known them since Jess started working at Mike's recording studio. Now, the dynamics of that friendship had changed dramatically and probably for good. Rachel knew she had to confess. Maybe, they might understand a little more and then allow her to leave with Jessie. It was a possibility, but she highly doubted it.

"Fine," the woman started, "Then, I'll tell you, however first I don't think you're in a position to judge me since, as you indicated with your statement, it's been 30 years." Rachel declared intently. Don just stared at her, waiting. She paused for emphasis and then continued, "This is who I am. I used to be Annalise Nichole Michaels. My parents were Stephen and Rowena and they operated a world-class gymnasium. When I was five, a man I had never met before took me to Japan. He had told me that my parents were too busy to care for me and he offered to stand in as my guardian. I didn't find out until years later that he had kidnapped me! "

Rahab gasped at the thought. Don and Mike remained impassive. They were judging Rachel's words and comparing them to the company she had kept years ago. Stoically, Don motioned for her to continue.

Rachel nodded, "In Japan, my surrogate father renamed me. I was now Tang Shen! He had explained that it was his favorite name; belonging to some girl he knew and loved, but had died years before. Anyway, he trained me in martial arts - all forms of it including the weapons. I was also educated, encompassing an understanding of science, mathematics, history, and languages. I learned to speak five, in fact. I was forced to memorize books on warfare and strategy so that I might better discern effective combat!" she smiled more to herself than to them with her next comment, "I also memorized the Bible, even though it was one book my guardian never sanctioned. He never found out about it, in fact. Funny thing is that book affected me more than any other!" Rachel paused, but then continued, "What I didn't realize during that time was the fact that he was preparing me to be his heir."

Don's eyes widened slightly as did Mike's. Now, the younger turtle had the need to sit down, despite his brother's look of disapproval. He took a seat next to his wife and sat there, transfixed by the story Rachel was telling them.

The woman paused once more to collect her thoughts while Don and Mike waited to hear the rest of her story. She looked down at her cuticles, continuing softly, the memory of her next recollection weighing heavily upon her, "I barely remember my life with my parents. I knew about their work, training kids to be athletes with some of them going on to the Olympics later on. I remember being called 'precocious' and there was a lot of talk about prepping me for future games, but I was only five, so I really didn't understand what all of that meant at the time."

Rachel then became serious with her next set of comments, casually staring out towards the backyard from where she sat, "I remember a man who came to visit a few times. He seemed different and I remembered he was very frightening to me. In the end, he was the one who stole me away from my family. I recalled that my parents had argued with him about something, I was too young to understand. I was playing around with the balance beam while my mom was spotting me. She wasn't so much in the discussion as my father was, but I do remember his saying something about my going to Japan. I realize now that he hadn't meant me, but himself. It was about a month after that when this stranger took me. His story about my parents sending me to Japan fit what I understood about the argument he had with my father."

Rachel's words became softer as she studied her hands in her lap, shaking her head sadly, "I was taken away from them so young. The man who raised me cared nothing about me, other than what I could do with what he taught me. Discipline was severe if I disobeyed, but the rewards for obedience were equally as rewarding. I knew to survive I had to please him with the assignments he gave me; it was the only viable way. Still, I was always trying to - appease him; but it never seemed to be enough!" She looked up at Don and Mike resolutely, her voice hard and firm, "His brand of life and honor was all I knew for a long time! I learned it well, because I had to in order to survive." Rachel paused again, looking away once more. This time her voice was raspy from holding back her emotions and she seemed to be lost in the telling of her next thought, "Two years after moving to New York, when I was seventeen, I was given an assignment to prove my prowess and my devotion to this family. This man that I ended up knowing as 'Father' had high expectations for me. There was one test that I had to perform before those plans would come to fruition. There had been some conflict from an outside influence with his business dealings. It was suppose to have been a joint assignment, but I insisted on doing it alone," She sighed, leaning back in the chair, "to prove my worth. I couldn't have made a more serious mistake!" She then looked at the two turtles, her gaze even and devoid of feeling.

Don and Mike had listened impassively, knowing full well that what Rachel was telling them in all likelihood could be a well-crafted lie.

Just then, before Rachel could say anything more, Jess came running in, seemingly very angry, "MOM, where have you been? Everyone else has gone home! Sheesh, you just can't leave me here!"

Devon and Riahna were right behind her as the three of them walked into the family room. The distraction ripped Rachel and everyone else back to the present. The spell was now broken. Rachel had come so close to describing so well what Don and Mike already knew. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing for the interruption, but at least the distraction might buy her way out of her current mess.

Collecting her thoughts and pushing back the undulating emotions, Rachel replied shakily, "I'm sorry, Jess, I guess things were so hectic and all that…"

"You FORGOT ME?" the girl sounded off angrily, "You know I have to be at church early tomorrow! You know I can't be LATE!" She had been fuming for some time, bemoaning the fact that her car was in the shop and she had to rely on her mom to get around. The later things had become, the angrier she became. Hearing her mother's voice only a moment earlier had brought Jess's mood to a seething head. It gave her reason to march into the house to confront her.

Jess had never yelled at her before, but Rachel had to admit that she was right that her daughter did have an early rise the next morning. However, with the woman's stress levels spent and any resemblance of self-control gone, her own ire rose to the occasion. Due to the events of the evening, she suddenly cracked, "I DID NOT FORGET TO PICK YOU UP, YOUNG LADY!" As her composure broke and her eyes blazed in unusual anger, she stood and continued to shout back, "THE STUDIO BURNED DOWN TODAY AND I WAS NEARLY ATTACKED AT HOME! THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED! THAT'S WHY I'M LATE!"

Poor Jess just stood there with her mouth agape, her eyes big. Though there had been those rare times when she and her mom would have brief shouting matches, what her mother had just told her shocked her into submission. The girl asked in a small contrite voice, "Wha - what happened, Mom?"

Recognizing almost immediately how out of place the scene was for the two females, Devon and Riahna moved in behind Mike. Devon looked at his stepfather and then at his mother, and finally at Don and the boy knew that something was up. However, he knew better than to say anything at that point. Based on the rise in emotions from his family, something awful was developing.

The others were silent as they watched the drama unfold between mother and daughter. Recess had been called and for the moment, they stood stoic and silent.

"I - I don't know, Jess," Rachel said in a much quieter voice," but we need to go - NOW!" Rachel took Jess's arm and tried to move past Don and Mike towards the front door. Riahna scooted over to her mother while Devon eased back a bit more, not sure what was going to happen.

Don and Mike stood their ground. Don then said, "You need to stay here. You'll be safe; we will make sure of that!" He smiled faintly, looking at Rachel, his emotions under control and exhibiting a kindly expression.

Rachel challenged him, however, softening her voice for impact and tilting her head towards him, "From whom?" She watched his eyes intently this time. "I can take care of myself, I told you that! I don't want any trouble finding its way to your doorstep!"

The look in her eyes was defiant, but decisive. She was terrified, now, more for Jess than anything. Did it show in her face? Could Don tell? She refused to back down from his stare. His pupils dilated radically, as if he were trying to decide whether to kill her right then and there, or wait! If he attacked her, would he attack Jessie, too? Would Jess even understand what was happening? She had trained Jess well, but she knew her daughter didn't know enough that could afford any protection from an experienced ninja bent on revenge. Jess just learned the basics. There was so much more to that craft than she taught. Rachel cursed herself for being so stupid as to not train her own daughter how to protect herself from such a situation as she found herself in now!

Keeping her eyes focused on Don, the woman mentally searched the kitchen for anything that she could use as a weapon, just in case she had to move fast in that direction. Nothing and no one would hurt her daughter! She would make sure of that, despite her fondness for the Angelo family. Her training would automatically kick in and she knew it too well - and it frightened her!

She had kept so much from Jess regarding her past. What would she think if she was told that Oruku Saki had been a real person, not something Hollywood made up, and that she - Tang Chen, a name He had given her - was second down from him in his organization? The foolish movie that came out so many years ago hardly touched the surface to the roll she played or the depth of his evil. In fact, her part was completely omitted and replaced by a buffoon of a man with numerous 'Hollywood' ninjas. It took over 30 in the film to subdue the Raphael character to make him look bigger than life. In reality, it was the work of only one - herself!

However, Raphael WAS bigger than life back then; the most skillful combatant she had ever gone up against - except for Oruku. They had all underestimated the skills of ninjitsu these strange turtles practiced. Nevertheless, because of her pride, she took it upon herself to bring them all in, one by one, planning to have their heads in the four sacks that she had with her when she went to do battle. She was overconfident and lost out to the other three, but not before rendering Raph unconscious. Realizing their combined skills were overwhelming her and her mask partially removed, exposing part of her face and her red curly hair, she managed to escape back to her home compound. She was sure He would understand her retreat, but Saki made her life miserable for such a failure. She had pleaded that all she needed was a second chance, but in that society, there weren't any second chances! If it were not for the mutant rat they had captured and his compassion for her after she was beaten, she would have committed seppuku as an honorable act of obedience to her master's disappointment in her. In the end, through a series of events that should have taken her life, she eventually escaped the Foot Clan.

"Mom", Jess asked fearfully, "you're scaring me! What is going on? Why are you acting like this?"

Jess' statement brought Rachel back to the present and now she was ready – for anything.

However, Don interrupted her, his voice low and threatening, "I give you my word, Rachel, until this situation is resolved and you and your daughter's safety have been secured, we will not harm you!" His eyes narrowed and his head bowed slightly to accent his sincerity - his gaze set firmly on hers.

Rahab didn't know exactly what her husband and Don were planning to do, but she knew she didn't want any of the kids to witness whatever came next. She politely excused herself to go up the stairs. She took Riahna's hand and then moved Devon away towards the foyer. Then, she looked over at Rachel's daughter and saw the confusion in her eyes. She made a decision, "Hey, Jess, I have something I've been meaning to show you! It's upstairs. Why don't you come with me! It'll only take a minute, okay!" Looking back at her friend, she continued, "Hey, Rachel, just call up when you're ready to go, okay?" Rahab knew that probably wouldn't happen, given the subtle threat and posturing of her brother-in-law, but she gently took Jess's arm and implored her to go. Rahab looked forlornly at Mike as she passed him; he kissed her gently on the cheek and smoothed her blue hair. "It'll be all right, don't worry, Rahab!" he assured her, smiling gently. She nodded and lowered her eyes in sadness.

Rachel assessed Don's words. She knew by his slight bow of the head that he was addressing her in a respectable manner and that he meant what he said – and that was the problem. "Until their safety was assured no harm would come to them." After that, then what? It worried her, but Rahab had the right idea. Getting Jess out of the way – out of danger – was the best course of action. If anything went 'down', Rachel did not want under any circumstances for her daughter to be near the action. She felt confident that with her position as sensei at her school and that she had kept up her martial arts training, she would be able to hold her own against these two. If it came down to it, that is. For the moment, though, she desired nothing more than a truce – even temporary one! She then nodded to he daughter and assured Jess that she would be all right. The girl had questioning eyes and she seemed afraid, but the look on her mom's face meant business, so she complied. She went with Rahab, climbing the steps to the second level, and then disappeared from view as the four of them entered a room at the top. Rachel soon heard a lock click...and then another one.

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QK – Sorry for the long time span between updates. I'm back now and ready to get this story going again. Hope this chapter gives enough to keep your interest. If not, well, talk to Eriso about it; I'm sure he/she ( what gender is Eriso?) will have something to say! LOL Raph may or may not make an appearance. I zip my lips and tie my fingers from telling! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Be blessed.

RAMICA – I wanted this story to be a bit faster paced than my others – which seem as slow as turtles, sometimes! LOL Don being the 'smart' one, it's a given he would do background stuff and the like on her. Like he said, humans in general have ulterior motives for befriending the Angelo family. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.

PRETENDER FANATIC – Glad you liked the action. Yes, this one is more packed than my other ones. That's how I wrote it in the beginning but when I converted to YD, I slowed it down WAY too much. I'm trying real hard to maintain the pace. Your enthusiasm helps a lot, too! As for other things 'a foot', who knows. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.

PHOENIX-RISING – Hmm…rather redundant of me at this point to comment. You work WAY too hard, girlie! LOL Just the same, I appreciate all the thought you put into your review. I hope there are a few surprises along the way for you, too! :0) Thanks for reading and reviewing and give Tynan a bone for me, 'kay? Be blessed.