Hello Everybody. It's almost the weekend and to make it even better, Friday is my birthday. YEAH! I would provide you all with a list but it's pretty extensive so just send cash (just kidding, seriously). Here's the next installment. I know last chapter wasn't the most exciting but it will pick up, I promise. Thanks to everyone that reviews. I get excited when I see review alerts in my email. It's nice to know that people like what I write.
Now, on with the show.
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Raphael couldn't look Ren in the eye. He knew he was wrong.
"Little brother's can be a big pain, can't they," she stated flatly. She slowly walked closer to Raphael as she talked to him. The snow crunched beneath her feet.
"Yeah, Mikey is a pest. But, he's probably the best friend I got. Sometimes I think he's the only friend I got. I know he only followed me because he wanted to help. I don't want him to get hurt. Plus, I know it sounds selfish but…" he paused feeling guilty for what he was thinking.
"What is it?" Ren whispered. She was now directly in front of Raphael.
"I just wanted to do this on my own, without their help. I don't know, maybe I felt like I needed to prove something to myself." He paused for a moment and took a step back. Raphael eyed Ren suspiciously. "Why am I spilling my guts to you? I don't even know you." He tried to step back a little more but each time he did, Ren simply took another step closer.
Raphael couldn't figure out what was going on. He stopped and stared at Ren for a moment. He realized that as she got closer he felt strange. Not bad, just different. The feeling got stronger as she got closer. What's going on? he thought.
Ren smiled and responded, I think I know.
Raphael was definitely becoming agitated. "How did you do that? I didn't say anything out loud and you heard me. Not to mention the fact that I hear you in my head and your lips don't move."
"I feel a connection to you Raphael. It gets stronger as we get closer." Raphael thought for a moment, took a deep breath and stepped closer to Ren. He wasn't sure what he was doing or why but he gently placed his hands on the sides of her face and she did the same to him. Suddenly everything around them disappeared. The two found themselves floating in an area that was completely void of time and space. As they looked around, they saw stars floating far away and the sky around them continuously changed colors. Ren, unfortunately looked down, and saw nothing below her feet.
"EEEEPPP!" She squealed and attached herself to Raphael.
"What? Don't tell me you're afraid of heights?" Raph was a little amused by this. He placed his arms around her trying to ease her fears.
"I'm not afraid of heights!" she stated defensively. "Just the sudden fall that comes with them," she muttered.
Raphael chuckled for a moment and then spoke to her again. "Hey Ren, c'mon. If we were gonna' fall we would have done that by now."
"AHEM!"
Their conversation interrupted, the pair turned to face Okami and Kagu-Tsuchi.
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Akio eyed the strange looking creature as it sipped on the hot tea. "Father, this is extremely fascinating. Is he one of the terrapins from the clan legends?"
"Yes Akio. This is Michelangelo. He and his brothers helped our people centuries ago. They have returned to help us once again." Yasuo turned and smiled at Michelangelo.
"Um, okay," was all Michelangelo could get out. He thought this was a bit odd. Why weren't these people afraid of him? Michelangelo eyed the ten year old staring at him. He paused for a moment between sips. "Hi," he cheerfully waved a three fingered hand.
Akio immediately grabbed his hand and closely inspected it. "Amazing," was all he could whisper.
Michelangelo chuckled, "Cute kid. Smart too."
"Yes," Yasuo boasted. "He is appropriately named. Akio means 'bright boy." Yasuo smiled at his son as Akio returned the smile to him. He was proud of his son's academic achievements.
"So," Michelangelo interrupted the silence. "Why exactly did Raph come here?"
Yasuo proceeded to tell Michelangelo, with Akio's enthusiastic help, about Ryu. He gave Michelangelo the details about the drug trafficking, extortion, and explained how they had to pay for Ryu's "protection."
"Well," Michelangelo thought for a moment. "I'll do what I can to help. If Raph doesn't send me home."
"Excellent," Yasuo responded. "Are you feeling the better?"
"Yes sir. But I wouldn't mind getting up and moving around a bit. I don't do very well at sitting still. And I need to call my father and him know that I'm OK."
"Very well. You may help Akio and I get the restaurant ready. We have some regular customers who will be here soon snow or not." Yasuo turned to his son. "Akio, you can show Michelangelo around the restaurant and let him help you with opening preparations. Also, show him where the phone is so he can call his family."
Michelangelo walked behind Yasuo, following him to the restaurant that was connected to the front of the house. A very excited Akio would not let go of his new friend's hand. He made sure that he told Michelangelo everything about the restaurant business.
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Raphael and Ren were facing Okami and Kagu-Tsuchi.
"Where are we?" Ren whispered. She gripped Raphael's hand tighter.
"Inside your minds," Okami answered. "Why? You sound scared?"
"I don't like the feeling of being so high up. I'm feeling a little uncomfortable."
Kagu-Tsuchi looked thoughtfully at the young girl. He made a mental note of how she was holding onto Raphael as if she were afraid of falling. She was beginning to shake.
"We can change the scenery if it will help. We just thought that this would be best. No distractions. Ah well, it is of no significance. Raphael?"
"Yes?"
"Please take us somewhere much more pleasant," Kagu smiled as he saw the turtles grin growing. Within a matter of seconds, they were back in the woods at North Hampton. This time it was spring and the stream was cheerfully passing them by.
"Better?" Raphael softly whispered to her. He felt Ren's grip on his hand loosen as she steadied herself and looked around. But she didn't let go.
"Yes. Thank-you."
"So," Raphael turned his attention to the two Japanese figures. "What's going on? Why are we here?"
The two ancient beings smiled. The turtle was becoming more comfortable with the two people and his powers. It was evident with his language and demeanor.
Okami stepped forward; her blue robe was blown about softly by the spring breeze. "Kagu and I have some things to tell you." She paused for a moment. She looked at Kagu to see if he wanted to talk but he simply smiled and nodded for her to continue. "We have been slowly giving you the ability to control the elements. With each day, your powers grow as ours weaken. Soon Ren you will control all matter of air and water and Raphael, you will control all fire and even the earth itself, since it's core is fire."
Raphael was stunned. He couldn't believe someone was willing to trust him with such responsibility.
"Why not just pass it on to us all at once?" Ren questioned.
Kagu answered this time. "It would have been too much. By gradually giving you these powers, your bodies have had time to adjust. If we gave them to you in one instant," he paused and held his chin in his hand, thinking.
"What?" Raphael insisted.
"You would have blown up."
Everyone grew silent for a moment. Raphael just stared in disbelief as he watched a smile grow on Kagu's face. Suddenly, Kagu let out a long and deep laugh as Okami shot daggers at him with her eyes.
"Kagu! That was not funny!" She looked like she was ready to slap him but she simply kept her arms crossed and stared at him.
Kagu quieted down as he felt her stare on him. "I'm sorry Masuro Raphael." He chuckled a little more. "I only meant it as a joke. You would not have died but the adjustment would have been very painful physically and mentally." Kagu held his hands out and continued to apologize," I meant know harm with my statement. I am sorry if I frightened you."
Raphael just grunted in return, arms folded. "Whatever," he said.
Okami stepped forward to take control of the conversation. "Within the next two days, the transformation will be complete. You both will have full control of all of our powers and energy."
Raphael eyed Okami, somewhat suspiciously. He didn't like how her words came out. "Wait a minute. When this… this.. transformation is complete. What happens to you two?"
Kagu-Tsuchi stepped up behind Okami and placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke. "We will cease to exist in this world." He looked away, sad.
"What!" Ren protested. "That's not fair." She had tears coming down her face. She had become attatched to Okami. The gentle but strong lady reminded Ren of her own mother. Raphael held Ren close, trying to console her.
"Do not cry child," Kagu said as he stepped around to the side of Okami. "When we leave this world, we will be reunited with those that have gone on before us. We will be fine."
Kagu turned to Raphael. His tone became very serious. "A great battle is coming Raphael. Okami and I are placing the fate of our people in yours and Ren's hands." He placed his right hand on Raphael's left shoulder.
Raphael raised his head and looked Kagu in the eye. "What if I fail?" he softly replied.
"You won't. I have faith in you." Kagu smiled and placed a small object in Raphael's hand and closed his fingers around it.
Next was Okami's turn. "Do not worry Water Lily. The two of you will succeed. I am proud of you for what you have done and will do." Okami then gave a small item to Ren and stepped away and returned to stand by Kagu.
Before everything disappeared, Kagu made one last statement. "Be careful," he warned. "Ryu's greed and evil have no limits." Ren shuddered at that statement. Kagu was looking directly at her when he spoke.
Raphael and Ren blinked and found themselves back in the garden. They were silent for a moment, neither really sure of what to say. Raphael's stomach decided to interrupt the silence. Ren giggled at the sound as Raph gripped his noisy midsection.
"Ah man, I'm starving. What time is it?"
Ren looked at her watch, "11:15. We've been out here for awhile. Father is probably in the restaurant cooking. Let's go eat." She grabbed his hand to show him the way but he hesitated a moment. "What?" she asked.
His only answer was, "Mike."
"He's your brother Raphael. Most little brothers are slow to anger and quick to forgive. It will be fine."
"Yeah, I guess. I'm just not good at apologies. I can probably count the number of apologies I've made on my fingers. Mike doesn't deserve that. What if he doesn't want to talk to me?"
"You want a little cheese with your whine?"
"What!"
"Look Raphael, family is family. If they've kept you around for 17 years, imperfections, temper, and everything else, I doubt very seriously that this is going hurt your brother."
"Alright. Fine. Let's go." Raph wasn't happy but he knew Ren was right. He very cautiously walked into the kitchen at the back of the restaurant. Ren called to her father. "Father, we're here. Can we help? Is Michelangelo OK?"
The only answer they received was Michelangelo running, full blast into Raphael. "Raph! Hey you got to come check out this large scroll thingy. It's the coolest." Michelangelo noticed how quiet his brother was. "You Okay? Are you still mad at me? I'm sorry Raph, really I am."
"I'm Okay Mike. I'm not mad. Honest."
Michelangelo's eyes lit up. "You mean it?"
"Yeah." Yasuo caught Raphael's eye. He was staring at him, not sure of what to say to the young turtle. Raphael spoke first. "I'm sorry for my actions. They were an insult to your generosity." Raphael clapped his hands together and bowed to Yasuo.
Yasuo smiled at Raphael. He had listened to Michelangelo talk excitedly about his brother and had a better idea about Raphael. He knew he was proud and apologies were not easy. "Forgiven and forgotten Raphael. Now come, we have a few customers to take care of. Michelangelo is helping in the front. You can help in the kitchen." And with that the group walked into the restaurant with Akio behind them. "Utterly amazing." he whispered.