The Enemy

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

Chapter Twenty Eight - Final Decision

Ramiela:

I lead the way to the exit, I knew it was a short hop from there to the manhole cover but I sensed an ambush, most likely from the rooftop, though I knew for a fact there would be a few Foot Soldiers hidden in the sewers as well.

" I sense trouble it feels safe but…" my voice trailed off.

" Expect a welcoming committee" Don finished for me.

" Well we knew we couldn't get away that easy, but the sewers are our territory" Raph declared emphatically, " Don if you can cover me while I get the manhole cover" he offered.

" Sure thing Raph" Donatello grinned not even letting him finish what he was going to say, he then turned " Mike can you cover Karena and the children?"

" No problem Don, Rama and I can do that easy." Michaelangelo agreed.

I watched as Don and Raph made a break for the manhole cover, we waited until the cover was off, while doing so I realized that I didn't mind Mike making decisions for me, but when Leonardo tried to order me I resented it.

" All right Karena, kids" Mike whispered, " it is time to leave this place."

As we made our way out into the open a barrage of arrows from up above rained down upon us, but between his chuks and my katana we managed to knock most of the arrows that neared us out of harms way.

Raphael jumped down into the sewer, and we sent the children followed by Karena, Michaelangelo made his move to head down, when an arrow pierced into his arm, he yanked the weapon free from his flesh, the blood running freely down his arm.

I hoped the weapon hadn't been poisoned tipped, if it had been then Mike would start to feel the effects any time soon, depending on how fast or slow of a poison had been used. I knew most ninja could build up immunities to fight such things, but the Foot was fond of using rare poisons that made it harder for many to use such tactics on. Besides that the male turtles, in their weakened condition, could easily be susceptible to what normally wouldn't harm them in any way.

There was nothing to be done for it other then to hope the Foot hadn't bothered to use poison this time.

I would hate for him to be the one to die, if I was going lose any of the turtle clan in our bid for freedom, I didn't want it to be him.

I followed after Mike with Don bringing up the rear and replacing the manhole lid.

We were expecting an attack and weren't too surprised when a dozen Foot soldiers came upon us just moments from where we had entered.

Usually it would be fairly easy to dispatch that number but the male turtles were wearing out. I could see it in the slumped forms, the way they brought their weapons up to face the newest challenge.

My own arm was bleeding profusely, where father had struck me, and wielding both katanas was difficult so I decided to make a quick switch, trading my swords for my sais.

I noticed the twins however seemed to be more in their element when fighting against the regular Foot soldiers, even Ryu managed to cut down one solider, with their help we managed to make good on our escape.

As we went further into the sewers we ran into an occasional small group of Foot but it wasn't long before they no longer seemed to pop up with any regularity, nor could I sense any of them from down here. I began to believe that with all the twist and turns we had managed to ditch the rest.

I smiled they were more or less safe at this point and I knew I didn't have to go any further with them.

" I'm heading back now," I announced to all of them.

Michaelangelo was quick to protest " Rama no, Leo will know where to find us."

" I promised Karena, and all of you, that I would go back for him, and I'd do everything in my power to get you all free" I reminded him, " I may be a hangyaku-sha but I'm not at usotsuki" I spat the words out with vile distaste, before moving as fast as I could back the way we had come. (Hangyaku-sha. Rebel or traitor. Usotsuki liar.)

I knew Leonardo might all ready be dead, we had wasted about ten to fifteen minutes of time getting free of the Foot, I doubted Leonardo could last much longer on his own, that was, if he was still alive.

My heart pounded fast as I made my return, instinctively cutting out the long passages that we had taken to throw any Foot soldiers off, I dreaded going back but I refused to die a coward's death.

There would be no honour in going out that way.

Strangely enough I encountered no Foot soldier on my return home and that both worried and concerned me, but at least it meant that I didn't have to slow down.

I returned up the ladder into the alley behind the Foot building, I cast a quick glance to the rooftops and didn't notice anyone up there either. I replaced the sewer lid. I wondered over this very unnatural turn of events, which had no enemies moving to attack me something was very wrong.

I entered the Foot headquarters with a great deal of trepidation and could hear the soft sound of metal clanging on metal telling me that Leonardo was, still alive, at least for the moment.

I could sense excitement and anticipation in the air, mixed with a tinge of hatred. I moved cautiously down the back hall to the main reception area, and that is where I found father and Leonardo, still locked in combat.

On the other side of them were the Foot, all standing waiting patiently, to see if father alone could vanquish the turtle leader, if he couldn't do it then he was not fit to lead the Foot clan.

I didn't understand this at all, Leonardo in his weakened state ought to be no match for father's superior fighting abilities. How he had managed to survive this long was a mystery in itself.

The inner voice whispered, ' He's grown soft and weak. He hasn't been keeping his skills up but he was able to make it seem as if he was stronger then what he was.'

No, father beat me often in sparring matches, if he was that weak I would have beaten him far more frequently then I was able to.

' You could have but you didn't believe it. You let him beat you. You are stronger then he is in battle' the voice assured me, ' He made sure you stayed submissive to him, even in battle, he fostered the illusion after all if he let you beat him too often, then you might get the idea to rebel' the voice informed me, ' Face it with you to guard and protect him, did he really need his own strength?'

I shook my head banishing that irritating voice that always seemed to be so right.

I knew what I had come here to do, but now, seeing father fighting against Leonardo I hesitated, suddenly very unsure over who I should help.

Leonardo was my enemy, so what if I finished him off?

Then again helping father defeat the turtle leader wouldn't spare me from the crimes I had committed. I knew to aid Leonardo was the worst thing I could do, perhaps father would forgive me if I disposed of the turtle leader for him. Maybe all I had gone through was a mistake and there was still a chance to correct it.

So I stood in uncertainty, not knowing what I should do or who I ought to help.

I watched as father backed Leonardo up against the receptionist desk knocking things off the desk onto the floor as he fell back.

Father's katana came in for a killing stroke and Leonardo managed to block it, pinned against the desk with father's blade bearing down upon him he knew, as I did that it was essential to use all his strength to push up against father.

Leonardo couldn't do it though. I could see his arms shaking from the strain, could see Leonardo grit his teeth grunting slightly, beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead. I doubted that he would be able to free himself from father.

I shook my head, as I was still unsure what to do, who I ought to help. I cursed myself for my hesitancy; if I didn't make up my mind soon I wouldn't have a choice to make.

I plucked a throwing dagger from my belt tossing it up and over the combatants. I was hoping that it might distract father, giving Leonardo a chance to push him off.

Father must have caught the dagger's movement for he tossed his head up, easing on the pressure and strength of his upper body that was bearing down on Leonardo.

" KIRRA!" he snapped in a rage as he saw me, hatred etched clearly on his face.

Leonardo wasn't a fool, he was quick to take advantage, he used his own blade and a kick to push father back, and then he dropped down doing a low kick sweeping father's legs out from under him.

Father fell down and rolled quickly to the left to avoid a killing stroke from Leonardo's blade, but father wasn't able to finish his recovery move.

The dagger I had tossed came down landing in father's throat, blood splashed up and out as the blade hit home. Father gave a weak startled gasp and then lay still.

I winced shrinking back from the sight screaming, " Father!"

I knew it was too late; he was dead, though Leonardo decided to make sure of that fact by ministering another blow just to make sure.

I hadn't meant to do that; it wasn't supposed to go that way at all. How could it, how had it even happened?

All I knew was it wasn't meant to be this way.

TBC

Reinbeauchaser: Hopefully updates on this will come quicker as I am going concentrate on getting the last few chapters of this story done. Rama was trained well, it is confidence she lacks when fighting Yukio, and he did train her well in more ways then one. A gratitude for your insight.

Lunar Ninja: Karena doesn't have a shell. I promise you Yukio will die sometime, after all we all die sometime. I have a feeling from the review you left here and other places you have plans for your latest story? I eagerly await an update on it then. A gratitude for your insight.