Disclaimer: …you heard me the first time…
…BOOGADY BOOGADY!
Chapter Three
Owen looked through the shower of rain droplets and to his friends just beyond.
With one statement alone, they had inescapably joined the loosing fight for mankind. Which, now that he thought about it, had been their fight all along.
Making them allies against the war within.
That had been two nights ago.
A lot has changed from that night of discovery and reckoning. So much, in fact, that the unforgettable moment under the pouring sky seemed to have been an eternity ago.
Nevertheless, it had been a turning point.
Upon entering the lair, the world had changed considerably for the turtles and their allied comrade, Owen Cromwell. For one thing, Donatello's training resumed almost as soon as they had walked into the lair.
And for good reason.
Levitation. Mind Linkage. Telekinesis. Mind Control.
All of it had to be learned before the 'night of reckoning.'
Owen already knew how to put all of his powers to work, but if the only other Vampire on their team, newbie or not, didn't know his own powers as well he would be nothing more than a sitting duck ready for plucking amongst the great vampire resistance.
That is, unless, he was able to harvest his own powers.
Then and only then could he not be a weak-link, making him a worthy ally as well as a decent protector of his non-blood drinking family.
Meaning that now their safety could very well just lay in the hands of Donatello and his seasoned teacher.
Or at least, that's how Owen saw it. He knew that if Donatello couldn't control his own powers, other vampires could very well control them for him, making very undesirable consequences. So, with the safety of Donatello and his family in mind as well as the protection of the entire world, Owen gave no leeway.
Meaning, that when it came to Donatello and his lessons, 'Relentless' was Owen's middle name.
"Donatello, you must concentrate. Levitation is not something that can be achieved with a lack of focus."
"I am sorry, Owen. I will try harder."
""Trying" is not what I ask. Perfection is what I ask. I expect no less from you, Donatello. Do it again."
"Hai. Sensei, gomen nasai."
"Donatello, the act linking minds is an art. You are begin too awkward to be successful. Your presence in my mind must be nothing more than a breeze on the wind. Try it again."
"…Yes Sensei. I will try again."
"Donatello, you must envision the object moving…and believe. You do have the power, just use it!"
"…Hai…Yes Sensei…"
But overall, he noticed that his pupil was definitely flourishing, despite the rough circumstances. They spent hours engaging in the vampiric arts, only to see immediate results. With Donatello's determination and Owen experience as well as determination, they both began observing positive results on the first night and for every night to follow.
"You are getting better… Do it again."
"Very nice, Donatello. Have you been practicing without my knowledge?"
"Yes, Sensei. Every waking moment."
"Good, as you should."
Indeed. But still, Donatello still had a long way to go.
Owen sighed, stepping out of the warmth of the family's home and into the dark iciness of the sewers beyond. He needed a break, even if it was for a few minutes. Before leaving he told his pupil that he could rest as well, but with a determination beyond anything Dontello had ever expressed prior to their sessions, he simply declined, choosing, instead, to continued his practices alone.
Of which, at the time, was telekinesis; the hardest of the vampric arts to learn (In reality, telekinesis and levitation were equally as hard, but if one was learned, the other was just a step away).
Nevertheless, he was determined.
But now Owen felt the need to withdraw, the pull of stress from the last few days finally catching up to him. With only twenty-four hours between then and the intended destruction of the end of the world as they knew it, there had been…repercussions. One of them being the lack of sleep for everyone!
The entire turtle team had gotten to work right after that night of investigation, each one of the turtles making it their immediate responsibility to be as prepared as possible for what was expected to come.
But the hard work and determination did have his strain, and Owen was not exempted.
Now he breathed in the cool air of the tunnels in self-reflection. He was tired, but he knew that he would not be able to rest for at least several more hours. They had exactly twenty-four hours now and the "vampire apocalypse" and if he could help it, those hours would be put to good use…
But for now, he needed a rest, his body all but telling him such. So, in response to his aches and pains, he walked deeper into the sewers and away from the home, well aware of his increasingly unfamiliar surroundings. Nevertheless, he continued, feeling confidence in his sense of direction as well as his ability to find his way back. Instead, his main focus was on his senses, at least keeping them alert while his mind gave way to his exhaustion. And because of that, his environment all but called out to him, painting a picture beyond anything his vision alone could possibly conjure.
Below him, the waters rustled lightly as they flowed their known paths. Sewer sewage as well as the dank soot of the streets above flowed through as well, their smells mingling toxically. Lucky for him the smells were not as…significant…as they should have been, the cold air from above seemingly masking anything especially horrid, thus, making the smells almost ignorable against the cold creep of the wintery nights. It seemed that just yesterday it was the beginning of autumn, as well as the turtle's lessons, only going to show exactly how fast time has pasted.
And how much things have changed.
His steps echoed lightly in the dark tunnels only to be drowned out as he got closer and closer to its opening. It seemed as though the tunnel he was traveling through lead to a junction of sorts if the roar just beyond was an indicator. However, and almost immediately upon hearing the water's rush did Owen sense something else.
Something more…subtle…but just as undeniable.
Someone was at the junction as well…
He almost tensed, but upon recognizing the being beyond, he relaxed, smiling a bit at the occurrence.
'What is he doing out here?' He mused, but approached nonetheless, turning the corner only to eye the turtle in question.
And the thing in his hand.
Owen approached the turtle, of whom was obviously caught up in his own musings, while watching the waterfall that was the junction itself. Below the both of them were a number of tunnels, their waters all leading to this same place. Quite a sight to see, actually, especially from this particular viewpoint. A single ledge above it all.
Definitely a good place to relax and let the water's currents control the mind…especially when that mind was muttered with worry and apprehension for the difficult and sticky hours to come. So, with a suddenly relaxed and an even playful ease, Owen made sure to alert the musing turtle of his presence, not really being up for subduing a frightened ninja. So instead of creeping along as he usually did he walked rather noisily as he approached the sitting turtle, of whom made no change in demeanor, but sensed the literally stomping vampire as soon as he came out of the tunnel. Owen even took the liberty of sitting down, allowing his legs to swing off of the ledge as did the turtle's. Even then, the turtle still said nothing, his face grave as he watched the dance of the waters below.
Therefore, and surprisingly not for the first time, Owen spoke up first.
"Nice view."
At his speech, the turtle only nodded, his voice nothing more than a note against the waters' song.
"Yeah, nice." Raphael responded evenly.
Owen smiled a bit at the lack of anything in the turtle's usually edged voice. Whatever he was thinking about, it definitely had the turtle deflated, leaving him here to watch the waters in contemplative silence.
And Owen couldn't blame him.
The turtles' world, in only two nights, had been uprooted from its neat little garden and thrown upside down into chaos, none of this could they even predict not to mention control. So, in reflection of all that had happened in such a short period of time, he allowed this moment of contemplating, knowing that if he was in their shoes, he would have wanted the same.
Therefore, Owen stopped conversation, allowing the silence to take them both over once more as their minds wandered to the situations at hand and as such Owen almost didn't realize that he was actually smoking until the turtle all but told him so.
"You know, that's bad for you." Raphael stated matter-of-factly. At first Owen blinked, not sure as to what the turtle was actually referring to…until he looked down at his hands. There, in his grip, was a burning stick of nicotine, lit unconsciously as well as smoked down to about half its original length, all without his notice. He didn't remember doing it, of course, but there between his fingers was the proof of his habit at its max. On automatic, he had fished out a stick as well as a lighter, lit it, replaced the lighter, and smoked the stick to its current length.
But as it was, Raphael should not be one to talk.
"As that is for you."
Owen wasted no time, immediately pointing out the turtle's own faults in the form of the liquor the turtle currently held in his right hand. Although it was "disguised" with the clever cover of a paper bag, liquor was still liquor.
He could smell it.
And in response, the turtle only smiled clinically and grunted before taking a light swig of the alcohol in his grasp. Nevertheless, his eyes remained distant as if his mind still wandered as he watched the waters below. His right hand found its way back down to sit limp in his lap, the hard liquor loose in his grip. He knew Owen would have came back with something like that, but the quick-lipped Raphael was ready for him.
"But at least I'm not addicted." He smiled, his eyes leaving the scene of the running water only to watch Owen peripherally before going back to the waters' dance. Next to him, the vampire seemed to ruffle and the turtle's curt comeback, which, in turn, brought the turtle a bit of pleasure. As it was, it seemed as though he had struck a cord with the vampire which could only result in rather 'interesting' consequences.
"I am not an Addict."
Owen's cut throat response resonated against the walls of the reservoir only to drown into the sounds of the waters below. Nevertheless, it left Raph smiling at the irony of it all.
"Yes…you are." He stated, finally breaking his gaze to look Owen fully in the eye. Uneasily, Owen met his turtle's smirking face as well as his knowledgeable eyes, and frowned.
'He does not know me…so how can he judge me?'
Owen's expression soured as the turtle stood and ended the conversation, tossing the barely drunken bottle into the murkiness below before walking away altogether. For some reason Raphael suddenly didn't feel like drinking anymore…So with one last nod in the vampire's direction, Raph disappeared into the opening of the tunnel, the same tunnel Owen had appeared from only moments earlier.
Thus leaving Owen alone in the cool darkness of the sewer night, the waters' rush being the only sounds left to fill his ears.
Well, that and the sound of his own breathing.
Sourly, he turned back to the water, his eyes following their descents into the murky underworld.
How dare that turtle, making those kind of assumptions about something that just wasn't his business?
'Well, you did start it…'
'Oh shut up.'
He chided his antagonizingly truthful mind.
He did start the whole thing, but only in jest. However, and just like the turtle he knew, Raph had somehow managed to turn the entire thing around on him. Instead of Owen chiding him for his sinful drinking, Raphael ended up chiding the vampire for equally sinful smoking…which only brought about a wave of self-consciousness that Owen never had to feel before.
He looked down and into his hand to glare at the offending stick. In response its smoke only seemed to wave up at him, mocking him in a poisonous smirk that marked his dependence.
Well, no more.
He did not need cigarettes to live, and for now on, he would not use them to live either.
Reaching into his pockets, he found the package he would have begged for only a month earlier, and with one more last glance at the camel that was his life Owen spewed the cigarettes, package and all, into the dark abyss below.
'No more will I let this control me, no more.'
He watched their descents into the darkness and gulped as his one and only physical weakness fell victim to the darkness' deadly churn.
Well, all except one.
The lit cigarette still smoked from his right hand, the ash on the end of it building as the flame moved closer and closer to the filter.
This was the last one.
After this cigarette there would be no more, which was exactly what he wanted.
So, with one last breath to the wind he tossed the sin stick into the waters to join its brothers, ridding his soul of the horrific demon forever.
Standing, he turned, walking away from the waters and into the tunnels without even giving the cigarette wielding waters so much as a second glance.
For now on, he would be clean of the cigarette's smut.
As he should be.
Donatello breathed, calming his mind and his body just as he had been instructed to before trying it once again.
'…Move…'
Nevertheless, the spoon did not budge.
Right before Owen had left, he had insisted that Donatello should take a break to refresh himself a bit before getting back to work. After all it was the middle of the night. But just as stubbornly, Donatello had refused, choosing instead to continue the lesson without his, now, dark-haired teacher, or at least until that teacher came back.
However, a grumble in his belly as well as the dryness in his throat soon told him otherwise.
'Well…maybe a little break?…'
Standing from his lotus flower position, he stretched, wincing as he felt his shoulder and neck scream from being held in that subdued position for much too long.
'Yup, that break is looking better and better…'
Sighing, he made his way to the kitchen, passing the bedrooms as he went.
Mike's room. No doubt the turtle was in there, drawing a piece of snoring that the world would not want to see, though the thought did leave him smiling a bit. Ever since the 'incident' of two nights ago, Michelangelo's attitude on the entire thing went from apprehensive to absolutely gung-ho almost immediately upon entering the lair. However, it was not until the last few hours did Mikey finally calm down, not on the outside, but on the inside. The change was subtle, but it was there. It seemed as though Mikey was finally seeing the situation for what it was, all of the adventure as well as the instant danger, and it sobered him.
Not much, but again, enough to be noticeable…
But it wasn't as if he was the only one in the lair becoming apprehensive. Some already were.
Raphael, for instance, had been apprehensive since the very beginning. It seemed that the lack of Foot activity (Or in this case, the Foot altogether) left the fighter, the beast, within him unsatisfied, only to have it veer up at the opportunity to fight once again.
Donatello crept past this turtle's room, not really wanting to start anything unintentional with the possibly sleeping and usually angry turtle, but while sneaking past Donatello couldn't help but notice the door, of which, was opened, even if it was just a crack. Nevertheless, that in itself was very uncommon, the red banded turtle being known for putting his lock to good use at every opportunity available. However, upon peering inside, Donatello soon discovered why.
Raphael was not in his room.
"When does that guy sleep?"
Nevertheless, this was more normal than abnormal. Raphael was a night dweller, so much of one in fact that he could easily be considered 'vampire material.' But as it was, the fates chose Donatello instead…
Ironic, wasn't it?
With one last glance into the dark messy room, Donatello moved onward and closer towards his destination, but not before passing one more room on his left.
"Warning, Beware of Nerdz"
His room. Of which, a sleeping beauty lay within.
He missed Centrice, badly. With all of the commotion around the lair as well as his own vigorous training, he hardly even saw her, except for at meals, but that wasn't nearly enough for him.
He contemplated going in there, even if he ended up laying next to her for only a few minutes, but his body told him otherwise. He needed nourishment, especially since as soon as Owen was back he would be excepted to get right back to work. Therefore, he could not indulge…not even for a minute.
'Later.' He promised himself.
With that thought he was able to pass by the room and finally find himself at the opening to the kitchen quarters, but not before looking beyond and to the two rooms on the other side of the entrance way. Further up and into the continued hallway were three doors, two of them being rooms. Leo's room lay to the right, detached from the clutter of brothers at the other end, which left him remotely isolated. Donatello didn't have to go in there to know his brother was sleeping. With the sort of energies Leonardo gave off nowadays, that much was already evident.
Leo seemed all but ready for the night to come.
But now, the brother in lead took decisive actions to prepare them all. As of that night of stakeout, practices had been substantially lengthened as well as more frequently held, instantly going from twice a day to three, maybe four times a day, tops. Over all though, Donatello could tell that the extra practices were held more to subdue Leo's own conscious thoughts of preparation, it being his way of coping with the rising heat of their situation. Leo, himself, though, never stopped practicing, always doing some sort of stance or some kata through-out their busy day. Even with the various planning and strategizing he had to do with Owen over what to expect, he still always found time for practice.
And for meditation.
With that last dismissive thought, Donatello's eyes went from that room to the last one in the lair.
Now this one he knew was empty.
Owen's room.
It seemed that with the growing apprehension, Owen took it the hardest. He still felt that he was in fault for getting them into this situation to begin with, so now he seemed to be redeeming himself by preparing them all the best he knew how. Constant meetings with Leonardo was one way, telling him all that he could about every aspect of the renegade vampires. He even practiced, but not with the group. Instead he would go into his room for hours only to come out sweaty from overworking himself. In the two days of waiting, Owen already got in at least twenty four hours of straight practicing between fitful rests, day time council and Donatello's lessons.
'How can he even see straight?'
Many times, Donatello wondered that to himself. Nevertheless, the vampire continued to operate with precision and clarity, his limits going way beyond anyone Donatello ever was associated with. Therefore, the turtle let the issue go. Besides, Owen was the sort that never liked to be pointed out, and would rather being left alone with his life. That was probably why Owen chose to practice in his room, instead of in the dojo along with the others. He strived to keep it separated from his life with the turtles, it possibly being the only thing he had for himself at that point. That would explain why even though the vampire had been under their roof top for almost a month now, not a single one of them had ever seen him even lift his sword, even though they all knew that he practiced with it every night, and now, every hour.
He was still a mystery…still a stranger. But a close stranger, making him a close friend.
Donatello blinked from his random stare at Owen closed door, shaking his head slightly as if to shake the stray thoughts from his mind as he finally made his way through the arched opening that lead to the dormant kitchen.
'I really do need a break…food is always good for the system, or at least, that's what Mikey says, heh.'
And as such, he indulged, quickly filling his gut with well needed nourishment. One warmed up blood pack and slice of pizza later, Donatello burped lightly.
'Well, time to go back to the dojo. Maybe I can get a few minutes in before…'
And then he saw it.
The spoon that could change it all…
So, there he stands now, working his mind as well as all of his strength.
Only to lift the spoon to no prevail.
'Alright…lets try this again. Remember what Owen taught you. Relax. Think. And…believe."
Blinking away his thoughts, he concentrated all that he had on the single spoon, focusing all of his new founded powers on its silver entity. If he could just do this, he would be as good as 'in.' Everyone knows that if one can achieve telekinesis or levitation (those two acts alone being the hardest things a vampire could achieve) then he could do anything.
Anything.
The world would be opened to him, his power at his finger tips plus the ability to control it. He would be able to work side by side with Owen, but only if he could perfect this one thing.
And at the moment, that one thing seemed utterly impossible.
'Come on spoon, move damnit!'
Cranking up the heat, he gave it his all, only to be disturbed by a heavy chuckle from elsewhere in the room.
"Oh man, Donny. You better quit or you're gonna pop an artery. But seriously though, good try. I almost saw it move."
He didn't even need to turn around. He already knew who it was. Twenty-two years of living with the guy virtually made him 'smellable.'
"Ha, ha. Very funny Raph."
Don's voice was dry as he glared lightly over his shoulder, which only seemed to amuse the red-banded turtle even more. With a chuckle, Raphael approached his kid brother, ruffling his bandana as he passed him and headed towards the fridge. Scowling, the purple turtle adjusted his now 'purple' vision, fixing his eyeholes as he adjusted the bandana back into its rightful position. He had just gotten them back into their rightful places just in time to watch Raph plop down into one of the old wooden chairs at the table. Wasting no time, the red turtle took a heavy swig of his…water?
"Since when have you started drinking water?"
"Since when have you started smelling like Mikey?"
Smiling good-naturedly, Donatello sniffed at himself before responding just as curtly.
"Hey, I don't stink, so you can just shove it!"
He playfully swiped at his brother's head before plopping down in a seat as well. It seemed that Raphael's little 'night out' left him in good spirits, and for once, not drunk.
Both, of which, was a miracle.
"So, what brought about this sudden change of spirits? And, really, what's with the water? Did you have an epiphany or something?"
Donatello kept his gaze on his brother as he gulped down the water and crushed it in his fist. Just as quickly as he had come in, the turtle stood, tossing the now mangled plastic into the trash before heading for the bedrooms.
"Something like that Donny, something like that…"
Donatello blinked after his brother's departure, left more confused than anything else. With a sigh, he rubbed at his head, musing lightly about over could have gotten into his brother, only to have that same brother poke his head back around the corner.
"Oh, and don't tell Leo! I don't want him getting all… 'Raph you've finally listened to me!' and junk. Ok?"
Raph waited as Don rolled his eyes.
"Who would want that?"
Flashing a grin the dark turtle beamed…or at least, did the Raphael version of a beam, which, somehow, still managed to look sinister.
"Thanks Donny, I owe ya one!"
And with that he was gone, finally retiring for the night like the mortal he was.
Donatello sighed, allowing his smile to diminish as his good humor dissolved into that of silent contemplation as he observed the still spoon once more.
Might as well give it one more go.
'Ok…lets try this again…Moooovvveeeeee!!! I swear on my Bo that if you don't move I'm gonna get Mikey to use you!…Oh yes, the ultimate torture…
However, and once more, his concentration was utterly broken by a small fit of subdued chuckles. This time the chuckles weren't as immediately recognizable as Raph's, but just as amused.
"Really, Donatello. You shouldn't strain so hard. You might burst an artery."
Owen's chuckles subsided, however, as he finally got back to business.
"Come on. It is time to continue the lessons."
His face sobered and hardened as he fell back into the role of 'teacher' and in response Donatello had no other choice but to obey, bowing slightly as his teacher brushed past him and into the hallway beyond. Sighing, he followed. It seemed as though his break was officially over, and with good timing…
He didn't want to move the spoon anyways.
Before leaving the room however, he couldn't resist throwing his adversary one last and final glare.
"I'll see you in the morning, Mikey-bait."
"I'm sorry you guys, but I was so tired I didn't make breakfast. I hope you guys like cereal!"
Mikey all but emphasized his suggestion by taking a huge bite of his own cereal.
"Mmm, yummy yum yums!"
"Mikey. Sit down and shut up."
"Oh. Morning Raph!"
It seemed as though Raph's reign of good cheer was over.
The red-banded turtle scowled in return before snatching up one of the cereal boxes and poring its contents uncaringly into the bowl in front of him. Meanwhile, Donatello munched on his own cereal as he observed quietly, exploring his own powers all the same.
As it was, the only one he could really use his powers on was the vampire across the table. During their sessions in practice Owen had all but said that Donatello could use him as a practice dummy, if not for the practice then for the assistance. In other words, Don could use his powers on Owen because Owen could tell him what he was doing wrong.
So with one last free breath, Donatello concentrated. On the outside he made sure to keep his appearance as normal as possible, his hand on his spoon, his head down as if looking into his bowl. But on the inside, specifically, in his mind, he focused all of his energies into one entity before reaching out with his mind and into the mind of the vampire across the table. And in response the vampire only smirked.
'Yes Donatello?'
Owen's smirk grew as he watched the turtle look up from his bowl of cereal and straight into Owen's eyes.
'So…what's up?' Don asked. He really didn't have anything in particular he had wanted to share with Owen. Mainly he just wanted to see if he was able to achieve the mind linkage outside of the dojo, a.k.a., outside of practice itself.
And so far the answer was yes.
'Oh, nothing much. Today after breakfast we will have to work on your telekinesis skills. I've observed that you have been struggling with it. I can tell. So today instead of going through everything, we will just focus on that. How does that sound?'
Despite his mind's conversation, Owen's demeanor was completely normal, eating his cereal in silence as he spoke with his mind. Out of curiosity, Donatello peaked at his brother's faces, seeing if there was any sort of change in their demeanor, and since there was none he knew that their conversation was truly private.
And he couldn't help but smile.
'That sounds good actually…'
That morning's incident ran through his head. He frowned.
That stupid spoon.
It was then that he turned to Michelangelo, not really expecting anything of him. But the threat he had given to the infidel of a spoon brought Mikey to mind. However, almost as soon as he looked at his younger brother he busted out into a wide grin.
There, in Michelangelo's hand, was the spoon, the very same spoon in fact. And just like he had threatened, Michelangelo was using the spoon for breakfast.
'Ha ha! I win, Spoon. I win. And the next time you choose to mess with me, choose your battle carefully, infidel. Or you will suffah the consequences!…Oh yeah…Raphael's bandana drawer…Oh the justice!'
He would have continued with his string of threats but it was then that he noticed that the spoon's journey to his brother's mouth had stopped completely. A drop of milk and Captain Crunch fell from the frozen spoon as it was held in mid-air. Confused, Donatello "backed up" a bit. Instead of focusing his attention on the spoon he focused it on the brother holding it.
And finally saw why the spoon had stopped moving.
Michelangelo was watching him, his eyes wide and his mouth gaping as the spoon that was halfway to his mouth stayed…well…half way to his mouth.
Michelangelo had frozen in his tracks.
Donatello quickly scanned the table, realizing that they all had frozen, actually. And, to top it all off, all of their eyes were wide and on him…
"Dude, what the hell?!!"
Raphael's exclamation was interrupted by Centrice's curt and unmerciful giggling.
"Oh man! That was good Donny. That was good." She held her gut as she giggled like mad, her eyes closing amidst her hysterics.
To say that Donatello was confused, though, would have been a rash understatement.
"Wha-"
His brows furrowed for a fraction of a second before the realization hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him slouched down into his chair, his cheeks burning like never before.
It seemed that after he finished 'chatting' with Owen, that he forgot to turn "off" the mind-speak, and instead, broadcasted his thoughts to the entire table.
Causing him to grow red with embarrassment.
Softly chuckles admitted from the table as Leo, Mike and finally Raphael joined in with the laughter. Owen, instead of chuckling, just smiled in amusement before resuming his breakfast, as did the rest of the table. There was a relative silence as the eating at the table resumed, one of which that lasted for several minutes. That is until one of the turtles chose that time to address their brother in purple.
"Donny, I would like it if you joined us for practice this morning."
Donatello looked up only to see his eldest brother watching him expectedly and with realization of what Leo was implying, it was his turn to freeze. Usually, after breakfast was Owen and Donny's lessons, Donatello meeting Owen in his room where they would work on the mind aspects of the things he was trying to achieve. But now, if he went with his brothers, it would interfere with their scheduled and needed lessons.
In other words, it would be like stepping on Owen's toes.
Not really sure as to what to say, Donatello eyed his vampire Sensei, and was not at all surprised to see the non-too-pleased expression on his cold features.
"But what about my lessons?"
Leo smiled a bit, knowing that the question would come sooner or later, and instead of addressing his brother directly, he turned to the experienced vampire at the other side of the table as he spoke.
"Actually, I was hoping that Owen would join us as well."
Well, that was unexpected. Donatello blinked, turning to his teacher as well, as did the rest of the table.
All of them awaiting the vampire's answer.
Owen soaked in his onlooker's gazes, his face like stone as he mused over the invitation. He never practiced with them before, and never stopped to watch them practice either. However, he had to say that the invitation did make sense. In less than twenty-four hours they would all fight together as a team, so it made complete sense for them to know each other's fighting style beforehand, his own being a mystery to the turtles, and theirs, less of a mystery, but still relatively a mystery to him.
So there it was, the perfect opportunity all laid out for him all he had to do was…
"Yes. I would love to."
A shock resonated through the table, starting at Donatello and ending all the way back to the turtle leader himself. Leo really wasn't expecting Owen to accept, although he did think it would have been nice if he did.
However, when Owen did accept, Leo did have to admit his heart jumped, the giddy child within him jumping around in excitement.
'I wonder what style he uses? And that sword! How does he wield it? Does he use the same stances? Does he know martial arts with it or just fighting techniques? Is it-'
'Oh, quiet you. Patience is a virtue, learn some.'
On the outside through, Leo only smiled before going back to his now soggy cereal.
"I look forward to seeing you there."
He still couldn't believe it, but it was real, no matter how surreal it seemed.
There they were in the dojo, all of them kneeling to their brother in blue, all of it routine except for the fact that the dark-haired vampire was kneeling as well. Nevertheless, Leo's voice cut through the dojo like a knife as he explained today's activities.
"Today we will conduct an 'Elimination' spar session. You guys need to sharpen up on your fighting techniques so consider this as a practice for tonight. I want you all to give it your all, no holding back. Got it?"
Leo's voice was that of a pure authority that left everyone under that voice nodding in agreement.
Even Owen.
Out of the corner of his eye, Donatello could just make out the shape of his thin-framed teacher, of which he knew was sitting cross-legged on the floor just like the rest of them. And just like the rest of them, he listened to Leo's instructions, paying attention and obeying when the opportunity presented itself, like now.
"You all, stay on the sidelines. The first round will be Raphael vs. Michelangelo. They shall come to the center. Let the fight commence!"
Almost as soon as the words had left his beak, Donatello and Owen obeyed and stayed sitting this one out as Raphael and Michelangelo stepped into the center of the dojo as instructed, ready and battle-stanced. At the word 'commence' the battle began.
And as it was, Raphael wasted no time.
With his sai pointed outward he made a running leap for the turtle in orange, flipping through the air with deadly precision. Nevertheless, Michelangelo was ready for him. His chucks spun wildly as he blocked the oncoming barrage of attacks.
However, it was then that Donatello began to lose interest. The fight commenced, but he was no longer paying attention. Instead, his thoughts flowed elsewhere…
Specifically, to Centrice.
She was not allowed to participate in today's sparing session, mainly because she was not going to be joining them on their mission tonight, but that was not the only reason.
The other?
She was not skilled enough to handle a pure sparring session, as in, one in which the turtles would not be holding back.
That was the real reason she was kept out of today's activities. They all secretly feared that she might get hurt. She was not pleased, of course, her feelings on the subject making themselves known in the only way she seemed to know how. Through argument that, this time, that lasted a full five minutes. This time the argument had been between her and Leonardo, him arguing that she should sit this one out and her arguing the fact that she could handle herself. In the end, though, Leonardo did get his way but only after Donny intervened and 'sweet-talked' Centrice out of her temper tantrum and into their room.
And even then, she was still left grumbling.
Nevertheless, she retreated to the room, which was where she probably still stayed, too angry to stay, but to "obedient" to go. She was waiting for him, mostly just to give him a piece of her mind in private, but even then, those discussions always ended the same way.
Heavy make-out session, galore.
He smiled a bit. It was always like Centrice to play it tough, stubborn as a mule and twice as mean when she wanted to be. But then she always backed down, melting to Donatello's will. He knew that she loved and respected him beyond anything else, which was one of the main reasons he would intervene whenever she got into a spat with one of his brothers.
Because he knew that she would always buckle to him…never right away, of course, but still, it would happen.
However, now he couldn't help but reach out to her with his mind, not in speech necessarily, but just, in sense. His mind flowed back to his room and to the woman of his dreams, of whom was now laying on his bed in a light slumber. He sensed that her apprehension had diminished considerably, but she was still rather annoyed over the whole thing. He smiled wider, she was reacting just like he thought she would.
But it was ok, he would fix everything when he got back to his room. He already figured out how. The pain, he noticed, she had been experiencing in her shoulder was definitely calling his name. He would take care of it.
It was then that his mind set was suddenly broken, the turtles before him ending the raging battle as one of the bulky forms was thrown to the ground and pinned by a sai to his throat. Donatello looked up to confirm the victor and nearly gaped in response. Holding the dangerously poised sai was not Raphael, but instead his adversary, Michelangelo. Somehow he had gotten it out of Raphael's grip and in a sudden turn of battle, was using the pronged weapon against its owner, ending the battle with that move alone. At that moment Donatello almost cursed in amazement. That must have been one seriously lucky move! Definitely a once in a lifetime predicament. Donatello was almost angry that he had missed it! Nevertheless, the battle was over, Leonardo saying as much in his solemn exclamation.
"Victor. Michelangelo."
Raphael grudgingly picked himself off of the ground as Michelangelo all but grinned down at him. Snatching his sai from the turtle's grasp, he scowled.
"Lucky shot."
Nevertheless, he moved to the sidelines, belting both of his weapons as he did. Well, it wasn't too bad. From here he would have a great view of when Michelangelo got his face smeared into the mat in the next battle, no matter who it was against…
"Next round. Michelangelo vs. Donatello…"
Oh yeah, this was gonna be good.
"Let the fight commence!"
Before Donatello could even react, Michelangelo was all over him, his chucks weaving expertly as their blunt ends attacked full force. Donatello had barely gotten his bo staff out to block them, but he did. And the battle ended there.
Before Mikey could even pull back from his attacks, Donatello was already in the air, flipping overhead only to land behind the turtle in orange.
Michelangelo did turn to face the turtle in purple, but by then, it was already too late.
One, two, three times he was hit, once in both arms, and once at his heals, leaving him on his shell and his arms burning in immobilizing pain.
'Aw man…Pressure points…that bastard!'
Nevertheless, with Michelangelo's hands rendered basically deadweights, it all but sealed Donatello's victory.
"Victor. Donatello."
Donny beamed, flashing an impish grin at his brothers while leaning on his bo in satisfaction. However, and as it was, he was not the only one satisfied.
"Ha! Donny wiped the floor with you! I saw it all, you were dead before it even started."
Mikey frowned as he sat, his hands still tingly from the blow to their circulations, but still he managed a comeback of his own.
"Nice sai."
"Why you little! I gonna kill you mysel-"
"Next Round. Doantello vs. Owen"
Donny's smile melted into a scowl of determination as his body fell heavily into stance. Slowly, the opponent vampire stood, noting all of the eyes that followed him to the center of the dojo as he took his stand.
"Can I request no weapons in this round?"
His voice was cool and calculated as he asked his question, and with a sideways glance Donatello noted that Owen had purposely left sword on the sidelines.
Leo's voice rung out in the silent dojo in an immediate response.
"Fighting technique, hand to hand combat. Donatello, dispose of your weapon."
Falling out stance, Donatello immediately obeyed, sending his bo to the sidelines to join Owen's sword. Weaponless, he fell into stance accordingly, his face becoming just as determined as before. Personally, he was glad that Owen choose not to use his weapons as of yet, and just hand-to-hand. Never had he seen Owen wield his sword, and personally, he didn't want to be the one he wielded it on. So, thankfully, he threw his bo to the ground, falling, instead, into a weaponless stance.
And as soon as that was over with, the battle began promptly there after.
"Let the fight commence!"
There was a heavy silence from the sidelines as well as from the turtle in the middle as Owen just stood there, his head bowed and his hands limp at his sides.
No one moved. No one blinked. No one even breathed.
Moments passed, and still nothing. Seconds ticked by, turning into minutes…which turned into an eternity, and still the black-haired vampire did not move.
However, it took only a few moments before the onlooker Michelangelo finally grew restless.
'Come on, this isn't a fight, it's a stare down!…And a poor one at that…"
Nevertheless, he wasn't the only one losing interest.
"Is it me, or did this fight go cold before it even began."
Raphael's hushed voice flowed into his ear as his brother whispered to him, and in response, the turtle in orange only shrugged.
In his ear, his brother continued.
"I just know something better happen soon, or I'm jumping in myself."
At that, Michelangelo nodded, keeping his eyes on the battle, the fear of looking away and missing something much greater than the boredom that stirred in his gut. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but agree with his hot-headed brother.
"Same here. I don't know how much of this sitting around I can take…"
Meanwhile the two competitors remained in still silence, Donatello's stance still cut and poised, Owen's loose stature still lax and downward. From Don's angle, it was hard to tell if the elder vampire's eyes were still even open. The hair in his face caused heavy shadows over his eyes and upper face while leaving his chin, mouth and nose exposed to the light. And even then, it was impossible to tell since his mouth was drawn into a thin line which gave nothing away.
To the outside world, Owen could have been dead, or at least, that was the way it looked. Nevertheless, with Owen's lack of motion came Donny's lack of motion, but as it was, and like his brothers, he could only take so much…
'…That's it…'
With one single grunt, Donatello was in motion, resultantly startling the entire crowd of onlookers as the battle suddenly came to an abrupt start.
A rather one-sided start, but still, a start.
Owen still remained motionless, his head remaining down until Donatello was only a heart beat away.
And as such, it was then that his lips finally curled up and into a smirk…
Leaping into the air, Owen suddenly sprang to life, his eyes glowing lightly as he gave it his all. Donatello only had time to widen his own eyes before receiving a blow to the face as Owen leapt up and kicked him square in the jaw. Donatello flew, but not far, righting himself mid-skid only to spring back into action, his own eyes glowing lightly as if suddenly becoming awakened as well. From there, the battle viciously raged onward, leaving their onlookers in it's dust.
"Since when does a fight go from freezing cold to 'too hot for the kitchen?'"
In battle, Donatello turned, kicking off of the ground from his third harsh landing of the day and back into a stand, facing his opponent once more. Owen wasted no time in sending his fist up, his intent to give Donatello a hard uppercut, but at the last second, Donatello grabbed his arm, sending the elder vampire off to the side with a sudden turn of his body. The vampire skidded for a second or too, mostly just to collect his bearings before flipping from the skid and back into stance, only to attack the turtle once more.
"I don't know." Mikey responded, addressing his brother in red once more. "Why don't you ask those two."
Donatello grunted as he was thrown, his shell hitting the brick wall with a loud crack. In usual circumstances, that alone would not have ended the sparring cession, but with Owen's hand at his throat only a microsecond later, it was a different issue altogether.
One jab with his hand, and Donny would be dead.
Thus, ending the spar altogether.
Owen had just began to help Donatello up as Leo's definitive voice rung out in the dojo.
"Victor. Owen."
"Good match, comrade."
"You weren't too bad yourself, Owen."
With more of a smile than anything else Donatello stepped to the sidelines to join his brothers, both of which he noticed, grew increasingly quiet as he stepped up to them. Actually, by the time he reached them there was an absolute silence between them, their conversation ending as soon as Donatello had gotten close enough to hear.
With the way they were looking at him, their gazes seemed to be a bit more…fearful than anything he was used to. Thus, it made him grow increasingly uncomfortable…
"…Do you mind if I sit here?"
Donatello was mildly surprised when both turtles scooted over, immediately making more than enough room for him between them.
"You're a damn vampire, dude. You can sit where ever the hell you want."
Donatello blinked a few times before smirking in recognition. He almost apologized for his hesitation, but when he looked at them he realized that he didn't have to.
When he looked at them, he saw respect, which was definitely something he could get used too.
However and as it was, before he could even completely sober up, before he had even sat all the way down, the heat in the dojo went from hot to scorching as the next and final two competitors stood to meet each other in the middle of the now silent dojo.
"Championship match. Owen vs…Me."
Leo stepped to the middle of the circle, his eye narrowing at the giant challenge that stood before him. Owen was stronger, faster, and more powerful than he was, a challenge if there ever was one.
But he was up for it.
He fell into stance, weaponless, but got startled out of it when Owen, instead of falling into his own "stance" as well, moved to the sidelines to retreat and unsheathe his sword. It gleamed menacingly in the light as he brought it up and out into the center of the dojo.
Leo smirked lightly.
"So am I correct to assume this will not be hand-to-hand?"
Owen moved to the center, falling into stance with his sword. He held the hilt with his right hand only to have the 'down-bladed' blade curve widely around and hook back just enough for its needle like point to meet Owen at his left heel. Leo blinked. Never before had he seen a sword like that, and for a few moments it left him in slight awe. Again the question arose in his mind. 'How does he use it? It looks as if it's nearly impossible for him to wield it without skewering himself.' Nevertheless, Owen still wielded it, and like him Leonardo drew his weapons as well. The "shwing" of his twin katana blades echoed in the pin drop silence of the dojo as they, too, were unsheathed.
Leaning down ever so slightly, Leonardo fell into stance as well, his frown turning into that of a determined scowl before crossing the swords before him in the ultimate battle readiness.
His voice was no more than a determined growl as he recited the words he knew would begin one of the hardest matches in his twenty-two years of life.
"Let the fight commence!"
"Oh, you should have been there Cent', it was the most heart pumping battle I have ever witnessed! I mean, just, wow! Personally, I didn't even know Leo had it in him."
Silence.
"They were everywhere! Oh man, it was good! Owen's sword was outrageous though, but man he sure can use it!"
Donatello's excited rant gave way to the dead silence that filled his room. Behind him he knew Centrice was either ignoring him or just not responding. Either way, it meant that she was not please. Nevertheless, and at that moment Donatello really couldn't help himself, and kept talking.
"But it was when Owen and Leo pushed away from each other that last time, I was sure it would be over, just not sure who would win. Lucky for the both of them that Owen called it a tie. They were truly pretty evenly matched even though Owen definitely had the advantage. Maybe it was just Leo's spirit that kept him in the match. Whatever it was, it worked, I can tell you that!"
Sighing, Donatello leaned back on his bed, his head hitting the pillow lightly as he finally looked his girlfriend in the face, of whom was also sitting on the bed, but at the edge of it.
And just as he suspected, she was none-too-please.
"Well, maybe if I was there to see it, I would 'appreciate' it more." She breathed from behind crossed arms. And in response, Donatello only grinned.
He knew she would be that way.
Sitting up, he watched her, his head tilting as he grinned impishly at her.
At his stare, she only eyed him for a second before frowning even more. She wanted to ignore him but was finding it increasingly difficult with the way he was watching her.
Finally she dropped her hands, and just gave in.
"What?"
"You are so predictable, you know that?" He ginned.
She couldn't help but smile a bit as his antics, but still managed to keep her arms crossed in more mock anger than real anger. Nevertheless, she managed to keep her frown as she responded.
"Oh really? Well, predict this!"
Shoving both hands into his face, she pushed him back and onto his shell, meanwhile effectively "wiping" the smile off of his face.
Only to have it replaced by a sudden and unexpected laugh at her larks.
He knew she wasn't that upset, and besides, she must have been missing him just as much as he was her for when he did manage to sit up again her frown was gone, and instead, her eyes danced in amusement as her mouth curled upward into a smirk.
That was as good an invitation as any. Closing the gap between him and her, he kissed her sweetly and enjoyed the mingling of their breaths and the pleasure she gave him. Meanwhile, he adjusted his body to sit behind her which resulted in her bending her neck rather awkwardly to kiss him, but he fixed that by breaking the kiss altogether. Her eyes were curious as he place his hands on her shoulders.
"Donny, what are you do-"
"Shh." He whispered into her neck, kissing the flesh tenderly as he kneaded at her aching shoulders. He never forgot about them upon seeing her rubbing her shoulders that one time. He just never got a chance to try and take care of it until now.
And as it was, it seemed as though he was right in time.
She instantly seemed to go limp under his skillful hands, the pain in her shoulders melting away as he expertly manipulate the muscles under the skin. It made sense. With his Ninjitsu, he was required to know the body well, pressure points definitely being a big part of bringing someone down in the fewest moves possible. But that didn't mean his knowledge could only be used to maim…
And no one knew that better than the now liquidized Centrice.
"Oh Donny….Please, don't stop!" She panted, half joking but half serious. She knew that her request must have sounded very questionable from the other side of the door, but she didn't care.
Right now, all she cared about was his hands and his mouth, both of which were working miracles.
And his mind, which made sure to intertwine with her own as well.
'Oh, I wasn't planning on it…'
With a squeeze of her shoulders he deepened the kiss he had on her neck, enjoying the moan that escaped her as he opened his senses, allowing his mind to mingle and flow even more openly with her own.
And what he found there could've make any turtle blush, but right now, he was thinking about the same thing.
Slowly, he moved farther down her neck as his hands began to travel down as well. She gasps has his hands began to move, closing her eyes and tilting her head even more to allow him more room on her neck to suckle on.
Of which, he immediately took advantage of.
In no time the sound of her panting echoed in his ear which stirred something in his gut, but that was all it got to do for as soon as he had her right where he wanted her his mind was immediately interrupted by a foreign but painfully familiar voice.
'Donatello, you are need. I recommended you report to the den as soon as possible.'
Scowling he backed off, leaving her panting in his wake."Wh-wha-…."
"Being a vampire bites!"
Fuming, Donatello ignored the obvious pun and instead, rustled off of and away from the bed, his burning desire instantly squelching at Owen's voice in his head. Centrice blinked as Donatello seemed to go from 'in the mood' to 'Mr. Angry Giant Turtle' in mere microseconds.
And she couldn't say she wasn't confused.
"Donny?"
Just as suddenly as it had it had begun and ended, it seemed to start again as Donatello brought her body to his, catching her in an earth shattering kiss as his mind all but portrayed the desire he had for her, only to leave her panting and slightly dizzy when he pulled away.
"Owen's calling me, says that 'I am needed' for something." He explained as he caught his breath while eyeing her. She blushed from under his gaze, literally knowing of what he would definitely prefer to be doing instead of answering Owen's call as he kept his mind-linked with hers. Nevertheless, they both knew he had to go.
'We'll finish this later…' He growled into her mind, causing her to whimpered in her throat in return, the desire that resonated off of him as well as the caress of his mind on hers made her dizzy and weak all over again.
'I'll be waiting.'
And with that, the turtle was gone. Centrice nearly collapsed in response, but managed not to. Instead she just fell onto the bed into a sit and then into a lay as she reflected on what had just happened to her.
With no more than a kiss and a massage, Donatello had literally rocked her world, knocking her legs right out from under her.
And she liked it.
'Whoa…This vampire stuff sure does have a lot more…'attributes' than they give credit for. I wonder how it will be tonight?'
The thought left her whimpering. If it was anything like what happened just now, she knew she was in for something beyond anything she had ever experienced.
It seemed that with Donny's 'transformation' came another transformation, not only from Donatello the Turtle to Donatello the Vampire, but from Donatello, a sex god, to Donatello: The sex god!
And as it was, she definitely liked the change.
Donatello stormed out of his room, his eyes literally on fire as he approached the den.
Leonardo, and Owen looked up at him in mild surprise at his sudden entrance.
"What." He stated more than asked, his body language all but expressing his discontentment, leaving them blinking in response.
"Well someone needs to lay off of the blood packs, geez. It's makin' ya a little 'nippy' there Don. Ha ha!"
Michelangelo nudged his edgy brother as he entered as well, closely followed by his smirking other brother, Raphael. It seemed that, as it was, the both of them had witnessed Donny's little "attitude" from the kitchen's entrance way.
Although his face did grow a little warm, he ignored it. Instead, he crossed his arms as he frown, which showed that he was not laughing with them.
Mikey, of course, caught the hint late, his laughter continuing until finally observing his brother's face of stone. At that his laugh suddenly faltered, changing instead into a barrage of mock coughs before finally responding.
"Man, did it get hot in here, or is it just me…Leo, what did you want to see us about?"
Mikey wisely and skillfully changed the subject, and Don had to say that he was pleased. He wasn't in the mood for talking. The less time he spent in here meant more time in more…desirable situations…
Meanwhile, Leonardo finally began since it seemed that everyone was there and accounted for.
Well, everyone that would be participating in the mission that is…
"Good, looks like we're all here, so lets get down to business. Here are copies of the blueprints for the AVTech building."
Leo stood, grabbing up a stack of paper and handed a small paper-clipped stack to each one of the brothers, Owen, and left one for himself.
"Now since it is this building we shall be protecting, Owen and I believe that it is essential that we should at least know our way around. So our assignments for tonight are as follows. Each one of you will make it your duty to know this building, inside-out. Every tunnel, every window, every crevice. We will be on home turf, or as close to it we can get. God only knows it will probably be our only advantage…"
Slowing down, Leo eyed the papers he held his hand as well as his brothers as he picked up on their feelings before they even did.
Donatello did not move, but soaked in the information like a sponge while holding the papers in his still crossed arms.
Meanwhile, Raphael grimaced, but was still silent.
This time Leo was right, these papers would be their only advantage.
However, the only one to actually speak up against it, or actually speak up at all, was the turtle in orange, his groan filling the room before Leo had even finished speaking.
"Yes Mikey, do you have something to add?" Leo asked knowledgably. He knew what was coming…
"This bites! Homework, Leo? Homework?!" Mikey emphasized his complaint with a shake of the seemingly gigantic stack of papers. There was no way he would even be able to read them in one night, not to mention memorize them. But at this, Leo only smirked, lifting a single hand to quiet his younger brother before smiling a bit himself.
"Well Mikey, it's not as if you're the only one. We all have to go over these papers…" With a sigh, he eyed his own stack. "Even me."
At that Mikey blinked before growing downhearted at the load of work before him. However, from the corner of his eye he was able to make out Owen's slightly troubled expression a well.
"What's the matter, O.' I thought you worked here. Don't tell me you don't know your own workplace."
Michelangelo was more teasing than serious, but as it was Owen took him for solemn, giving a somber response in return. With a sigh, he flipped through the papers, only to realize that most of the blueprints were as unfamiliar to him as these sewers.
"You would be surprised…Actually, it looks as if I will have quite a deal of 'homework' to do as well." With that he nodded towards Leonardo, of whom, nodded back before addressing the rest of the team.
"Right. So, due to the 'familiarizing' we all should do with these paper, this afternoon's practice has been canceled."
At this, Michelangelo couldn't help but grin, a night without practice was almost worth the paperwork…almost.
But as it was, Leonardo was not completely finished.
"However, this" Leo waved the stack in his hand, "brings about another dilemma. Owen and I realize that it is rather unpredictable for all of us to actually memorize every aspect of this building so we've decided that we should also have a back up plan in the form of an outside man..."
It was at that moment that Centrice stepped out of the hallway as she listened in, not choosing to join them in the den but choosing to listen from the kitchen instead.
However, Leonardo saw her, which gave him another idea.
"Or woman…Centrice do you thin-"
"Actually," She interrupted. She had heard the entire idea and problem and, as it was, had found a few issues with it as well. "If I were to be the 'outside man' it still would be just as unpredictable. I mean, there no way I can memorize all of that in a few hours either. And even if I used the papers as reference, flipping through the papers one-by-one would not be efficient enough for this sort of mission anyways."
Leonardo nodded, understanding her reasoning completely. He was just about to turn back to address the group, when Centrice choose that moment to continue.
"No, what we need is someone that knows the building already…possibly someone that works ther-ah never mind."
Owen shot her a warning glance which quelled the girl instantly, or that is, until she got another idea…
"What about someone that actually helped build it. Who were the architects?"
At her question she got nothing but dull looks in return, all of the males in the den thinking the exact same thing.
"Why would any architect help us?! What are we gonna do? Knock on their doors and ask? 'Hey, were on a secret mission to save the world. Do you think you can spare a night out of your busy schedule and-"
"Enough Raph!"
Donatello cut off his ranting brother and came to his girlfriend's defense.
"It may not be the most plausible idea, but it's the best we've had so far." He admitted, looking down into the paper's in his grasp for the answer to his girlfriend's question.
"It says here that the building was built by a family company, the two main architects being brothers, Daniel and Donald Homestead and the assistant architect being their younger brother, Mikal. Mikal Homestead."
Centrice blinked at that new bit of information, the names slowly processing themselves at their uncanny familiarity.
Meanwhile, Raphael scoffed at the list of meaningless names.
"See! How are we going to search for three people who probably don't even exist anymore. They could be dead or-"
"Says here their home town is Detroit." Donatello pointed out, literally pointing to the paper at the same time. "And the building isn't that old Raphael. It's only about twenty, twenty five years old. There's a very good possibility that they are still very much alive."
Donatello analyzed the information aloud, but that still didn't quell his brother's skepticism. Nevertheless, he was not swayed, his brute stubbornness not allowing any other emotion to give way.
That is until the quiet, hesitant voice of the still Centrice broke the argument as well as their perceptions.
"What if…I told you…I know where the third brother is?…" She asked, finally stepping into the den at the hesitant inquiry. This earned her not only all of their stares, but a silence that had not been felt since in the battle in the dojo. Nevertheless, it was cleverly interrupted my Michelangelo's disbelieving exclamation.
"What cha' talkin' bout, Cent' piece?"
At his voice, she turned to Michelangelo, her eyes serious and slightly contemplative before addressing the rest of the clan with a newly founded conviction, as if her mind had just accepted what she already knew.
"I know the younger brother." She stated simply. "I know one of the architects." She summed with a slight laugh, finding a small joy in the irony of it all.
At that statement, five jaws literally hit the ground.
"You can't be serious!" Raphael exclaimed, but at her nod he could only shake his head in disbelieve. "Next your going to tell us that you know where he lives and he's fond of turtles." He criticized, turning away. This was just too unbelievable to be real. Nothing ever fell together this neatly, especially in their lives. But nevertheless, Centrice continued, confirming the incredibility of the entire situation.
"Actually, no. But I do know his phone number." She pointed out matter-of-factly, which also earned her another stare from the bunch.
"How do you know him Centrice?"
Michelangelo's child-like voice sounded out from the dead silence surrounding them. And at this, Centrice only shrugged.
"Because…he's my Doctor."
At that, Donatello froze.
"But I thought-"
"Yeah, his name is Dr. Thomas Gren, but when I first got him he had recently gotten his name changed…But even now many people in the office still slip up and call him…"
"Dr. Homestead?" Donatello asked, shaking his head in mild confusion. "But how does one go from being an architect to being a doctor?"
At that Centrice smirked, the plan formulating almost the very second the speech was out of Donatello's mouth. "I'm sure I will have plenty of time to ask when I call him."
With that she turned to the leader of the group, Leonardo, as did the rest of them. Of course none of this would go down without his sanctification, which was what they all sought for now.
At their stares, though, Leo seemed to be at a loss of sorts.
It was an iffy plan and he was sure they all sensed as well, but if everything fell into place, they would definitely have the "home-field" edge in this operation, which could very well be the difference between their success and the end of the world as they knew it.
Therefore, he knew his stand.
"Do as you must, Centrice. We are all behind you."
He looked each one of the turtles in the eye, letting them know his stand. And as such they all nodded in agreement, even the hesitant Raphael. If everything fell together then all of this would be worth it. As it was though, the most Raphael would be able to do was prepare for the worst, nevertheless. So, with that in agreement, the turtles went their separate ways as the "meeting" was officially drawn to a close. They all had their work cut out for them, which as to know as much of the building as they could in the little bit of time provided.
So with that, Raphael was the first one to leave, shutting himself off from the rest of the world in the confinement of his room in order to go over the notes in peace, as did the elder vampire.
Meanwhile, in an exact opposite strategy, the turtle in Orange only went so far as to the kitchen, settling in there and onto the kitchen table, his place of study.
It gave him full all-access to the fridge, which was just the place for him, leaving Donatello, Centrice and Leonardo alone in the den. And for good reason.
Centrice still had to make the phone call.
"You ok? Do you know what you're going to say?"
Donatello comforted his girl, grabbing her hands while looking into the emeralds she called eyes. In response, she only nodded although her face all but expressed her nervousness. Nevertheless, it was then that Leonardo finally came back to the couple, phone in hand.
"Centrice," He all but mouthed, his voice low with resolve. "It's time."
'Ring'
Looking up from his daily newspaper, the dark-haired, middle aged male squinted into the living room. At first he didn't move, not really sure if it had had imagined the ring or not. Too many nights in the office…not enough in bed. He very well could have imagined it. But long and behold, another 'ring' cut through the living room, all but proving that the call was real.
Never was he really a social person. Middle aged doctor, he was usually too busy for such pleasantries. He really didn't have any friends, just acquaintances and patients. None of which would actually call him at home. With acquaintances, they never really got close enough to actually require a home call, and as far as his patients were concerned, a page from the office would do.
But a phone call?
"I wonder who it is?"
A slight giddiness went through him at the thought. He never got many phone calls, so this was indeed a treat. Standing, he abandoned the newspaper on the kitchen table only to stride into the living room. With a slight sigh, he picked up the receiver.
Only to be surprised by who, exactly, it was on the other end.
"Centrice?" He blinked once before grinning widely. What were the odds…"To what do I owe this honor?"
Good enough place to end the chapter. Looks at work and whistles low and long. Man, what a chapter….Anywho, R & R and I promise I will have chapter four up ASAP! You have my word :)