Chapter Eighteen - And so it Begins...

They plodded along in silence. Donnie stopped for a moment and turned to Donna who was beside him.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly.

"Huh? Oh sorry... I'm just a little jet lagged. How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay I guess," he answered in a quiet voice. He had to admit, he was a little nervous. He was bringing a girl home for the first time to meet his father - even if she was only a friend. Other than April, no other female had set foot into their home.

"So, where are you taking me anyhow? I'm pretty sure we're still heading east."

"We are. It's still a little early and I thought that this would be a good chance for you to meet Master Splinter, our father as well as our sensei."

"Oh," she gulped hard.

"That's okay isn't it? I mean I should have asked and all and I thought you wouldn't have minded and..." Donna smiled.

"It's okay. I guess it was the last thing I expected... and I am curious as to where you live."

"I have a feeling he's expecting us and that's why he stayed behind."

"Oh." Donna remained silent as she concentrated on where she was stepping. She had been holding her cloak in her hands to prevent it from getting soiled.

"I don't want to sound nasty or anything but... isn't there a cleaner way of getting there?" Don stopped and looked at her. He hadn't expected her to be like this. For a moment he felt ashamed of their home and his surroundings. Hurt, he continued on their path, faster this time, leaving Donna behind.

"We live in the sewers, what did you want, a red carpet all the way!" His voice echoed in the sewer.

"No it's just that..." she bit her bottom lip, then ran a little to catch up to him. "I mean, it's just that..."

"Where do you live?"

"In an apartment above the dojo... why?"

"Some of us don't have that kind of luxury!" He paused for a moment as they passed a t-junction.

"Here we are," he said dryly as he moved the cover aside revealing a ladder going down. Donna stepped forward and peered into the hole.

"After you." Donna stepped back a little. It was not going too well. She knew that she had not intentionally offended him and now she was about to meet his father.

"Ladies first, I insist," he whispered without even looking at her. Donna lowered her eyes to the ground. She paused for a moment before reaching up and touching his arm.

"I erm... I didn't mean to... I..." Donna was not sure what to say, so she decided to remain quiet. She watched as he brushed her hand away.

"Let's just get this over and done with."

"Okay. " Her bottom lip started to quiver, then she took a deep breath to calm herself. She paused for a moment, she wanted to go - to flee, then realised it would only make things worse. She looked into the hole again. Instead of using the ladder, she jumped, her cloak flapping around her and landed on her feet. She looked up the ladder and waited as Donnie slowly made his way down.

"You okay?"

"Fine." He walked away from her and headed toward the carriages. Donna looked around the well lit room. Her heart began beating hard against her rib cage as an amazing site unfolded infront of her. She bowed deeply out of respect.

"Sensei, this is Donna." He slightly nodded.

"It is a pleasure to meet you my child."

"The pleasure is all mine sir." Splinter smiled.

"Please come sit with me my child, Donatello if you would, there is some tea brewing in the kitchen." Donatello headed off into the other room leaving Donna and Splinter alone.

"I take it Julie has sent you here Dai." Donna's jaw dropped. It was only on rare occassions that anyone ever used that name...

"How did you know?" He slowly reached forward and placed her hand in his.

"The vision I had. I only told Donatello what he needed to know. Now I will tell you what you must know. You are young, but not foolish, you are strong, yet fragile. When the time comes you will need help, do not be afraid to ask for it, for if you do not, I am afraid of the path with which you will take. Only through resolve will you find inner peace..." his voice trailed as Don entered the room carrying a small tray. Splinter leaned forward toward Donna.

"This information is for you and you only." She nodded as Don placed the tray down onto the coffee table.

"Donatello has informed me that you are going to see the Statue of Liberty tonight?"

"Yes, if he is up to it..." her gazed shifted from Splinter to Don who was placing the small tea cups infront of his guest and mentor. He knew now that even though he did not want to, he would now have to take her.

"Yes sensei we are going."

"Good." He had sensed things between them were tense. The vision had him worried. He had not liked what he had seen and he was determined to change its outcome.

"Mmmm, this is a great blend," Donna commented as she slowly sipped her tea.

"Thank you my child, it is a creation of mine, if you like, I can give you some."

"That would be nice, thank you."

"How has your stay been so far?" Splinter inquired. Donna placed her cup down.

"Hectic. Firstly, I had bearly been on U.S. soil for little over two hours and I was attacked, then I find out about Jesse, then Donnie here..." Splinter raised an eyebrow.

"Are you hurt my son?"

"I'm fine sensei, Sarah patched me up. I'm just a little tired that's all." Splinter nodded.

"How is Jesse?"

"She regained consciousness tonight."

"That is indeed good news." Splinter's sights turned to Donna "Now my dear, tell me about your attack." Donna paused for a moment and looked to the ground.

"Well, I guess there really isn't that much to tell," her voice was soft as she was not sure what to make of the situation, it was really too much of a coincidence. "I got off the train, got lost after getting out of the wrong exit, stumbled onto Washington Square Park and then I saw it and I guess my mind wondered... I know I should not have let it, but I couldn't help it..." Donnie raised an eyeridge.

"Saw what?" He inquired.

"Well I was walking along Waverly Place and I just happened to look down Fifth Ave and saw... the Empire State Building..."

"That's it?" Donnie asked sarcasticly.

"What do you mean 'that's it'? Have you even bothered to stop and look at this city of yours? Don't take it for granted just because you live here!" Donna snapped and Splinter sighed at the outburst. "Have you even noticed what the city looks like when there's a storm brewing? The low cloud with the light reflecting off the droplets makes an awesome sight!" She paused, then continued after taking a deep breath, now was not the time, they had gotten off to a bad start and she did not want to show any disrespect. "My concentration lasped and by the time I realised it was too late and I ran. A few blocks later I bumped into Donnie. They were waiting for me at the park, I don't know how they knew I was going through there, but they waited until I was distracted, then they made their move. I don't even want to think what would have happened if Donnie hadn't.. I mean if he had not helped..." The thought sent shivers down her spine and she stopped.

"My child, it is indeed odd. You have questions I cannot answer. Perhaps time will tell." Donnie turned to his sensei.

"Do you know something?" He inquired. Splinter gave him a sad half smile.

"Sadly I do not. My vision was vague. It was a message I am yet to decifer. My advice to you both is be alert and stay sharp." Donnie stood, then bowed.

"Yes sensei, we will keep that in mind..." He glanced at the clock on the wall, " I think we should go. I don't want to get her home too late." Splinter gave them a slight nod.

"Have a nice evening. It was nice to meet you Donna." She smiled.

"Thank you Splinter. I hope we meet again real soon." When the two turtles were out of sight, Splinter sighed and cradled his head in his hands. He had not been liying. He had not known the full content of his vision, though the feeling he had experienced had filled him with a sense of dread. He had not stopped them but somehow knew that IT was about to begin and he had for some unexplainable reason let them go. What had he done?

They walked through Battery Park in silence. Donna's eyes widened as she caught her first glimpse of Lady Liberty. She grabbed Donnie's hand and dragged him to the stone wall that separated them from the water.

"This is incredible!" She leaned on the wall and took a deep breath. How she loved the smell of the ocean. It reminded her of home. She turned to Donnie who had remained silent the entire time. "Aren't you going to say something!" She demanded.

"I'm glad you like it." He answered flattly.

"Look, I said I was sorry! I tried to apologise but ooohhh nooo you wouldn't have it!"

"What do you want me to say? Thank you for throwing my home in the gutter? I'm not beneath you, you know!" Donna placed her hands on her hips.

"I never said you were. You've blown this thing way out of proportion!" Donnie's eyes narrowed with anger.

"Have I? If feels like you've kicked me in the stomach and you're going for it!"

"What?" She asked in disbelief.

Waiting in the shadows were three sets of eyes. Watching as the scene in front of them unfolded. They had been sent there on other business, but it could wait.

"Are you sure it's the same freak?"

"Yeah it's her. I'd never forget that cloak." It was black with a silver and purple ying and yang symbol stitched onto the back. The leader turned to one of them.

"Go to Andy and tell him to get ready. Now all we have to do is wait. One will follow the other... eventually."

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"You is what's wrong!" Donnie snapped. Donna was taken back. What was happening here? When exactly had they lost control?

"I... I... I didn't realise you were so touchy. The sewer is dirty and stinky. What did you want me to say?"

"You live in a building! You have no idea!" Donna looked around as their raised voices had caused a few people to look their way.

"Will you keep your voice down! Do you want someone to see us?"

"I don't care. You're a spoiled brat who never had to worry about anything!" Donna stared at him in horror.

"We've had our fair share thank you! I'm a mutant just like you, don't ever forget it!" She turned and ran back into the park, tears making their way down her cheek. She came to a park bench and sat down, her head in her hands as she sobbed.

Donnie stood there for a moment. He leant on the stone wall and looked out to the statue. He took a few deep breaths as the scene replayed itself in his mind. He regretted his actions which had made her cry. What was going on? When exactly had they lost control? He bit his bottom lip, the last thing he wanted to do was upset her. After a few minutes, he turned and headed for the direction he had last seen her heading off to.

A russling sound from behind her made Donna look up.

"GO AWAY DON-EE!" She sniffed hard and was tempted to wipe her runny nose on her sleeve when something didn't feel right. She turned, only to have her vision blur and she felt herself hit the ground hard. She took a few deep breaths to fill her lungs with much needed air. Her jaw dropped as she stared into the faces of her attackers. She had seen them before. As they advanced, she scrambled to her feet. Her head spun and she double blinked to clear her vision. As she pulled out her jo, her slowed senses did not deflect a katana strike fast enough and she fell back, clasping her forearm, the jo rolling to her side. She looked up at her attackers, blood oozing from her fingers. She opened her mouth to call for help but found she could make no sound. She sat there, not sure what to do. She had received a hard hit to the head and was fighting off the pain as well as the darkness that had threatened to consume her. She heard a loud shriek and watched as Donnie pounced, taking two out with the first strike of his spinning bo.

Donnie looked at the scene in front of him and his heart sunk. He watched as Donna's eyes rolled into the back of her head as she collasped in a heap. He gritted his teeth and faced the last member standing. He watched as his opponent gulped. He jumped the attempted leg sweep, swinging his bo at the same time. The member went into a single back handspring and readied himself, the bo missing him. Anger blinding him, Donnie made a war cry and went into the attack.

Donnie dropped to his knees as he looked over Donna.

"God, I'm so sorry!" He whispered as he bent in and gently kissed her forehead. He looked at her arm that had been badly bleeding. He took off his bandana and tied it around the wound, trying to stem the blood flow. In this bad light he could not tell how bad it was. He quickly looked around and noticing two of the members coming too, he gently picked up Donna and her jo.As it was, he already felt guilty for what had happened. Then it came to him and he gulped hard. How would he ever explain THIS, to Sarah?

From the shadows, Andy watched as the turtle took out his three scouts with ease. He looked at the fallen one - a female he had been told and watched as the anger set into the other. He watched as the male attended the injured female and watched closely as he bent in and kissed her. An evil smile formed on his lips. He turned to his second in charge.

"I have seen enough. Tell the others to make the preprations. They have won for now..."

Chapter Nineteen Up Soon!