The Enemy

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Chapter twenty five - Decision Made...

Kirra:

I was able to gain some semblance of sanity to clear my mind, at least clear it enough that I was able to think far more clearly then I had for a while. I knew Michaelangelo had helped to some degree. I was fully aware he had given me what I needed and pointed me in the right direction.

He was my enemy, but after our talk I didn't know if I would ever think of him as an enemy again, he had seemed to care about asking me things, that father never had. We had even conversed in Japanese, the words flowing so smoothly and fluidly from him that I knew he was more then familiar with the language.

I missed hearing and speaking Japanese, only a few of the American Foot knew the language. I myself had learned to take father's lead, meaning if he spoke Japanese to me it was all right for me to do so as well, but I was never to speak it to him first as he felt that since we were in America we ought to speak English.

I had been startled to hear the turtle speak Japanese to me, oh I was fully aware that the one called Raphael could curse quite well in the language, but cursing one out and carrying on a conversation were two different things.

I recalled Michaelangelo telling me I had to torture him, it seemed almost as if he had tried to protect me from father, and that seemed so strange, no one had ever put themselves between father and whoever he sought to discipline.

I realized now I had put myself in grave danger when I ended up bawling in his arms like a baby. He could have taken advantage and stole a weapon, he could have killed me course if he tried such a move, and I could have only hoped my ninja instincts would have kicked in.

Considering the shape I was in though I doubted that.

Instead of hurting me he had sought to comfort me. I had hurt, beaten and tortured him and he had sought to reassure me and give me a friendly ear.

I didn't understand this, it made no sense.

I couldn't even brush off his words as a lie for if he had wanted to lie to me, he would have tried to convince me that by helping his family to escape that I would be accepted into their clan.

No he had told me that only Leo could decide what happened, but he also insisted that he would fight for me, even against his own family. I couldn't begin to comprehend such a move.

Why would he turn his back on his family to be with me?

His clan would not approve of his desire to be with me over them. He would lose honour and possibly be banished all so he could be with me, his enemy, a complete stranger.

None of this made any sense.

I couldn't deny I had felt a bit of a bond as we talked, his friendly easy-going attitude and warm gentle smile made it seem all to easy to unload, and yet made it all the more difficult to remain professional.

I knew I would have to choose and Michaelangelo was correct about me needing my ninja training at hand no matter which way I decided to go.

All of this added fuel to the debate if not the fire inside me, for I now had control of the fire. I wasn't as confused or conflicted as I had been previously and with a bit of meditation, the calm rational ninja returned, to weigh things out.

The ninja in me, the one I was trained to be, said, that no matter what Michaelangelo had once been to me, he would have to die for my duty to my clan and leader were clear. To not kill him would be to lose all honour.

I could make his death quick and sure, no suffering and very little pain, that was the only mercy he could expect from me.

In some ways I wished it could be otherwise for both of us, but if wishes were horses we'd all ride like kings, and some wishes are never meant to be. We were enemies but I knew in my heart I would always be thankful for that brief moment in time when an enemy had offered a hand of friendship and asked nothing in return.

There was no turning back.

' Don't be too hasty, you can still change your mind in favour.' The inner voice whispered.

It hadn't been stilled as of yet, in spite of everything else.

Nothing would change. I knew my duty.

Michaelangelo:

I sat in my shackles, my carapace against the wall, holding tight to the conversation I had shared with Rama, there had been so much more I had wanted to ask of her, so much more I wanted to know.

I longed to tell my brothers that Rama and I had actually talked, but I knew my brothers wouldn't believe it, they had seen my fresh wounds and all of them assumed that Rama had let loose her anger on me.

Besides I couldn't risk the guards learning and with the knowledge our execution wasn't far off, it was highly likely that they would be attuned to any mental messages passed between us.

Before Rama had returned me to the prison hold she had told me, " I don't know if I will help you or not. I make no promises. If I decide I will do it, I will come into the prison hold stand in the alcove for a moment or two then leave again. Other wise you won't see me until morning."

At least I thought I did have a chance to talk to her, I mean really talk one on one and better yet I had been able to hold her in my arms.

I wondered if Rama got the chance if she would return to Japan, I had detected her longing, the deep desire she had to return to what, to her must seem like home. Yukio could give her Japan. I couldn't.

I could cook Japanese foods for her, maybe decorate a part of the sewer up with Japanese are but that was the closest thing I could do. I decided right then and there, if she helped us, that I would do that for her.

I hoped she would choose to help us, but I was aware that it was her choice to make. I knew we might all be able to rally and fight our way free if the opportunity arose, but we were all weak from torture, blood loss, lack of food and other essentials, that we wouldn't get very far with out some help on our side. Help that was stronger and at the moment more capable then we were.

I wondered what the odds were of Rama helping us, yes she was programmed to obey Yukio but I also knew the desire to survive was a strong and powerful influence, so it all came down to if her will to survive was stronger then her need to obey.

Rama had also learned that Yukio had a son, now this was clearly top secret information, so protected that she had only become aware of it. Personally I didn't know what sort of woman would have Yukio's child, perhaps it was an arranged marriage but I hadn't even heard of Yukio being married.

Rama had to know what that son meant; she had to realize Yukio's son was his true heir. Even the way that Rama had said " Father has a son…" had been said in such a way, that she implied a threat connected to the son. So Rama had to be aware of just where she stood.

Yukio had played a masterful game indeed, he had nothing to lose when he captured Rama, by seeing if she could be turned to his own use, if he could make her forget, then he could have someone to run interference protecting him and his true heir. If Rama died or refused to give us up he still had his son.

Not only that Yukio had the benefit of beating Rama up when ever he became upset about something or for the tiniest infraction, I was sure that Rama had suffered every time we had gotten the better of him.

Oh please Rama, let me see you before morning, at least give me hope that you are considering getting us out alive. I pleaded inwardly.

I was tired of being in chains, tired of waiting when I wanted to act, and I knew the more time that passed the less chance we had of escaping.

I didn't know how long I had been waiting for her to put in an appearance when I thought I saw her, it was brief, so much that I wasn't sure if I really had seen it or not. Perhaps I had just drifted off and my mind had conjured her in a state that lay between dreams and the waking world.

I started to keep track of the time, mentally counting minutes, for it was Rama she ought to return fairly quickly. I continued until I realized it had been well over an hour since I had thought I had seen her. I then gave up my shoulders slumping.

Then she came in, all the way in, I noticed right away that she was in control now but I could see the strain in her eyes and posture where the conflict had taken its toll from her.

" Master Sekora demands all of the prisoners be taken to room twelve A for one last lesson" she informed the guards crisply, without even looking my way.

If she truly had been here before, then this might be part of her plan, then again I wouldn't put it past Yukio for one last round of torture before killing us all.

" All of the prisoners but…" One of the guards started to protest.

" You wish to go against Master Sekora's orders?" She inquired arching an eye ridge, " What are you afraid of?" She sneered, " It is clear they are far too weak to fight much." She turned heading toward the alcove with a determined walk " However if you wish I will contact Master Sekora and let him know…"

The guard shook his head " There is no need of that Kirra, we will help prepare the prisoners" the guard interrupted.

She nodded her head " I thought so" she smirked.

I still wasn't sure what was going on and Rama wasn't giving much of a clue either. I would just have to wait.

" I will handle Karena, one wrong move from any of the prisoners and she will be the first to die." Rama hissed as she shot a scathing look our way.

I sensed Leo's immediate concerns and sent him a quick comforting message, ' I think she might be trying to help us Leo.'

I saw Leo give a negative shake of his head as if denying my message as the guards prepared us.

As we travelled from the prison to the room, Rama stayed close to Karena and if any of us so much as twitched, Rama acted as if she would do harm to Leo's wife, then shoot us dark venomous looks as if to make us behave through sheer intimidation tactics.

We entered a very large practice room, there was all sorts of weapons hung on racks and hooks, there was a cupboard that probably held smaller weapons and supplies. Other then that and the mats the room was bare.

' Oh Rama you are helping us.' I almost cheered at the thought. I was sure of it now Rama had decided to help us!

" Where is Master Sekora?" One of the guards asked.

" I am sure he will be along any time. Now!" she snapped the last word and had a leg up, to do a high powered kick to the head.

Leo and I both picked a guard and knocked them out quickly as possible. Rama had taken the key from the guard she had knocked out and she released me from, the restraints before handing me the key to free the others.

She began clamping our discarded restraints on the guards, as well as using rope to ensure they would cause no further trouble.

" Grab what supplies you want or feel you may need and can make use of. There are some belts in the cupboard. I also took the liberty of placing some energy bars and drinks in there for all of you." She stated as she began to gag the guards.

" Can we Trust her?" Aiden demanded sharply.

" We don't have much choice at the moment Aiden. It is either trust her or stay here" Leo replied uneasily.

I could sense that he wasn't to sure of Rama's motivation but he wasn't going let a good thing pass him by either. After all this was our one and only chance to get out of here, and even if we died trying to escape, it would be faster and better then any thing Yukio might have planned for us.

I grabbed a belt and a pair of chucks. Along with an energy drink and bar which I began to make use of immediately, I strolled over to where Rama sat by the Foot guards her head slightly bowed.

" Thank you Rama. But are you sure about this?"

" No not really" she confessed giving me a pained uncertain look, " But father will torture and kill me for even the little I have done so far." She swallowed hard. " Don't bother thanking me until we are all out alive" she declared as she trembled and I saw a flicker of something in her eyes.

Great!

She was in control but that control seemed minimal at best and this wasn't exactly shaping up to be a fantastic escape by any means, but then again we had no choice other then to work with what we had.

TBC

Lunar Ninja: What you want her to not beat and torture Mike, ah but then would he have made such an impression on her. Isn't that more important? Plus without that torture they might not be where they are now. A gratitude for your insight.

Reinbeauchaser: Well there is taking advantage of a situation, and taking advantage of a situation. Mike's way might have worked for the best in the long run but only time will tell. Yes Mike had very good reason to request that torture session. This is chapter twenty-five so there are six chapters including epilogue. A gratitude for your insight.