Dream Walker

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

Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you will die today. James Dean

Chapter Seven- All so Strange

Jennifer:

I think my insides had turned to instant jello. I was so scared that I felt paralyzed, because I just couldn't move or think straight. I could feel the pounding of my heart hammering against my ribcage. I had images of my whole life flashing before my eyes. I was very sure, that I was staring death in the eyes and coming to New York had to be the biggest mistake of my life.

The beast that stood only a foot or so from me, I had only seen in my nightmares, but I knew, almost right from the start that it was real, that Akuma actually existed. Knowing in the back of your mind that something exists and seeing it for real right in front of you are two very different things.

I could see the glow in it's eyes, the black nose twitching and snuffling, saw the baring of it's sharp pointed canine teeth as it smacked and licked at it's lips while growling deep in it's throat. I could see the dark hair along its body shift as the animal moved with fluid grace and speed, as it shifted its weight in front of me. I could see blood on some of the dark hair and tiny drops of water from the sewer pipes as well whenever it lifted a foot up.

All I could think of was I was dead. Just so dead because there was no escape, and I knew Raph couldn't stop it, I knew Akuma had wanted me dead, had felt it from the first and I had literally walked right into the beast's mouth.

Then for some odd reason I didn't understand Akuma moved off and away. I trembled as I shrank back against the concrete pipe.

I saw Raph looking at me and heard him mention something about taking me to meet the family.

I gave my head a negative shake " No I don't think so, now is not the time. The only thing I have to do is get out of this city and back home. I don't even know what I'm doing here and…" I began a torrent of words bursting out of my mouth in that instance.

Raph narrowed his eyes and raised one finger pointing it my way, as a cold sneer crossed his face. " Don't." He ordered simply.

I gulped a bit " Don't what?" I stammered not understanding.

" Don't get hysterical." He growled, " I don't care for hysterical people."

" Raph I…I…can't this really isn't a good time." I squeaked.

" Come on every fan wants to see our place. They come lookin' for it. Bet ya were lookin' fer it too." He stated smugly.

" I don't want to now. I just want to get as much distance between Akuma and I as possible," I moaned.

He whirled shooting me a scathing look that was full of cold, dark, spite. It was full of a deep hatred and I found myself swallowing any further protest under that intimidating stare of his.

He gave a sly grin " Much better Jen" he approved, " Sides if that beastie wanted us, it would have done it now."

I slumped against the pipe for a moment sulking " Too bad you aren't Leo he wouldn't do this," I muttered under my breath.

Raph snickered a bit " You don't know much bout Leo then do you?" he looked back at me, " If ya tole Leo that ya know thins you have no right of knowin' and then he saw Akuma turn like that, Trust me he'd be bringing ya back as well." Raph informed me shortly.

" Yeah but he wouldn't be as rude about it as you are." I muttered.

" All you know about Leo is what you learned elsewhere, your going meet the real thin' and trust me he can be rude at times, not obnoxious but he can be rude and stubborn and thick shelled when he wants." Raph informed me in almost gloating fashion, " Now keep your trap shut and follow me."

Raph's body was tensed as he began to lead me through the pipes and the darkness of the sewers, we made our way a bit further down from the street running into a bit more water, I could feel the cold water as it sluiced around my ankles and soaked through my shoes. He was being extremely cautious and kept one sai out as we moved.

I felt like talking, simply because I was scared and nervous, I just wanted to ease tension but any time I was about to open my mouth Raph would pierce me with a steely glare that totally inhibited making any conversation.

He didn't even seem to appreciate the splashing noise I was making as I slipped and splashed through the sewer water, for he would turn and hiss at me to be quiet!

I fumed inwardly, and thought about what a complete idiot he was. I wasn't a ninja I hadn't been trained to move silently, or to keep to shadows. It wasn't even my idea to go down to the lair, for pete sakes, what did he expect?

I stumbled on something under the water and it tripped me causing me to almost fall forward into the sewer sludge, making enough noise to cause Raph to turnaround with a look that said he was ready to clobber me. I struggled and barely managed to stay upright on my feet but that was when I saw the shape in the water, that came up between Raph and I.

It was the grisly remains of a duck, the body had been stripped of feathers near the belly and a large bite mark left a gaping hole where the duck's belly had once been, the head was twisted backward, the beak ripped off and the eyes gouged out.

I trembled as I recalled sitting in the park and the ducks that had been scared, I had thought it had been a dog, but perhaps it hadn't been a dog, I only assumed it. Perhaps Akuma had been close to me watching me at that time.

I felt a low whimper escape my throat and then I raised both hands clamping them over my mouth as I screamed into my cupped hands for all I was worth.

Raph tossed his hands up in the air with great exasperation as he rolled his eyes and glowered at me, shaking his head in disgust, he seemed totally indifferent to the duck corpse that was moving away on the sewer water. He waited, rather impatiently, until I was finished.

" Are you done yet?" he demanded.

I nodded meekly.

" Good now come on and pick your feet up." He snarled before continuing the walk.

I really didn't want to go one step further with him, problem was I didn't know where under the city I was or how to get back for that matter.

So I couldn't move with great stealth or grace I wasn't exactly a ballet dancer or a gymnast or a shadow warrior, but I wasn't normally a klutz either.

Still at the moment I had two choices follow Raph or stay where I was and hope that Akuma didn't come looking for me.

Finally after numerous twist and turns Raph pushed against an area of a concrete pipe and it gave way swinging inward, he gestured me through, it lead to another series of pipes that branched off but I noticed this area didn't have sewer water in it, it was dry as could be.

Raph made a few more turns before stopping and tapping at what looked like a sealed off pipe, once again it was only a door that opened by sliding to one side, a door that was cleverly disguised and well hidden from sight.

Raph stepped in first and I moved in behind him as the door slowly swung shut.

I heard a gasp coming from somewhere in front of Raph " I don't believe it Raph brought home a fan girl!"

" Shut up Mike before I shut yer yap fer ya." Raph insisted as he removed his hat, backpack and coat, only then could I really see what he looked like, not that I could see much other then his carapace.

" Raphael what is the meaning of this?"

Raph looked towards the speaker who was still hidden from my view and he shrugged " I can explain why Jennifer is here Master, if you jus' give me a chance."

I managed to move to one side just enough to see the ninja Master as he spoke " You have been hurt my son, get Donatello to see to your wounds. There is time to hear explanations later."

Raph hurried off and I was impressed and amazed at how easily he obeyed the rodent who was father and more to him.

As Raph left though, I was finally able to see the old ninja Master, he was far more then I had ever expected. I mean yes he was a mutant rat and looked very much like the way he had been portrayed, and yet nothing I had ever seen could add to his measure, or fully give definition to who he was.

Though smaller then the turtles that he had adopted and raised, and his frame slightly stooped with age, there was a dark and deep wisdom in his eyes. He seemed to radiate a feeling of peace and tranquility and yet draw respect, even from someone like myself, for I found I was bowing to him.

It was no wonder the blow hard Raph was humbled before him; well humbled might not be the right word, but at the moment it was the only one I could think of.

Splinter wasn't frightening or scary in any way there was a benevolence about him, that seemed to put me at ease almost immediately in spite of my fears. Even though I was watching him getting a sense of who and what he was by using a bit of my ESP skills, I also had a feeling he was getting my measure as well.

He bowed slightly in return and then smiled as he straightened up " Come child take off your wet shoes and socks, and rest for awhile. You look tired and in a bit of shock" he spoke kindly offering me his hand, and then called out in a voice no louder then what he had used with me, " Leonardo bring some chamomile tea."

I removed my shoes and socks that were sopping wet from the water and moved towards the rodent Master.

" Allow me to introduce ourselves." Splinter gestured as he gave my arm a reassuring pat his bent fingers caressing and comforting with that single touch.

" No uh, that is all right thanks. I do know who you are. I am a bit of a fan of you all, I just never thought you were real is all." I confessed uneasily, " By the way I am Jennifer Trask."

" If you are a fan then you will find some discrepancies that might take some getting use to." The Master assured me his nose twitched a bit and his mouthed curled into a warm welcoming smile that caused his whiskers on either side of his nose to wiggle, " Those who thought they created us did not get the story fully correct. It is close enough and it will suffice." Splinter explained.

I moved towards the living room area and saw Mike peeking over the back of the couch watching me with amusement he giggled a bit as he said " You can say that again Master."

Mike was kneeling on the couch with his head resting on his arms that were crossed on the back of the sofa. His bandanna was not the straight orange I had expected rather it was orange, red and yellow streaked here and there as if it had been tie dyed. He looked like he had a smaller leaner frame then Raph had, as if his shell wasn't as large or wide for that matter, though he was still well muscled and he had blue eyes.

" So who is your fav?" he asked curiously as he arched an eye ridge at me.

Splinter smiled and gave a light humph noise in his throat, " Michelangelo sit properly, and remember this is not the time or place for such questions."

Mike turned around and patted the cushion as if inviting me to sit beside him, but at the moment I felt so odd as if I was in some dream or make believe world and I glanced around to see what other options there might be.

There was a rocking chair that had a cushion on it's seat and a faded blanket draped over the back of it that Splinter went to sit upon, there was the couch old, stained with holes and stuffing poking out here or there, and an arm chair. There were two end tables one placed between the couch and rocker, the other between the couch and chair. A long end table made of a long board on a couple of bricks. A faded mat that could have been any colour in a former life was spread across the floor, and a couple of lamps and Japanese style pictures added a bit of colour to the place.

I went and perched on the edge of the armchair seat, I found it to be far more comfortable then it looked and I soon sat back.

Splinter bowed his head " We normally welcome guests into our home, however recent events have made things less of a pleasing atmosphere." Splinter began calmly his tail was moving slowly back and forth on the floor as he rocked a bit in the chair.

It made me wonder if he had ever caught his tail under the runners of the chair or not, probably not but things like that often popped into my head at the oddest of times too.

Then again considering circumstances maybe it wasn't such an odd idea to have.

" I realize that Raphael would not have brought you here unless he had good reason to do so for he knows what we are against."

I licked my lips " I think part of why he brought me here is because I all ready know about Akuma." I whispered, I was sure my voice was so low that they couldn't have heard.

Yet I saw Splinter's ear move slightly as I spoke, he sat straighter in the chair and a look of surprise crossed his furry face as if my words had caught him off guard as much as they had when I spoke of Akuma to Raph.

Mike whirled to gaze at me, with his mouth gaping open and his eyes large " No way. How could you possibly know about Akuma?" he demanded of me.

I pulled up the sleeve of my shirt and took off the bandage to reveal the long deep scratch Akuma had given me, well over a week ago.

" Akuma gave me this one night while I slept" I replied as I looked up into Splinter's penetrating gaze. " Only I was at home in Sleepy Hollow and it happened some time before and…" I paused, " This is really hard to explain and I really don't know if you will believe what I have to say."

Splinter sat back " Try us child you may be surprised by what we believe. The scratch looks deep and made recently within the last few days I would think judging from the healing of it."

" I have had it longer then that. Over a week now." I corrected.

Mike shook his head " We didn't even know about Akuma over a week back" he muttered glancing nervously at me and looking towards Splinter as if hoping his Master would give him an explanation.

Splinter smiled " There are many things in heaven and Earth that are dreamed of" he replied simply.

Dreams, that was my whole problem I mused, I recognized that as a quote from Shakespeare, The tempest I think. It almost went right along with to sleep perchance to dream. Only thing is I want to sleep and not dream, I reflected.

I was about to explain further when Leo entered the room setting down a tray that was heavily laden with everything needed for tea including a plate of cookies.

He had a peaceful reflective air about him though his did not seem as deep as that which Splinter had. There were also numerous scars and marks etched deep onto skin and shell he seemed everything that I had expected Leo to be, except he was wearing a red mask.

" Leo?" I asked uncertainly, for even in my dreams he had sported the familiar blue mask, though I knew the turtles creators had once claimed all the boys had red masks.

Leo smiled my way as he offered a cup of tea to the Master first. " Yes, it is I Jennifer. Raph and I have always worn the red bandannas while Don has preferred a dark purple and Mike well, he had to be more original" Leo explained calmly he glanced at me " What would you like in your tea?"

I shook my head in confusion as I realized that my dreams had conformed to what I thought the turtles were. As I absently replied to Leo's question " A spoonful of honey is fine thanks Leo" I muttered, knowing what Raph had said earlier about all I knew about them coming from other areas didn't mean that I knew who they really were.

Leo gave me a warm friendly smile " Most people think I wear the blue mask so don't feel bad."

I heard a guffaw and turned to see Raph coming in to the living room with Don, he seemed quite amused that I had not recognized Leo instantly. I noticed that Raph's bandanna did look darker in colour then Leo's did, also Leo was more muscled, though Raph looked slightly taller then Leo, Raph's beak was far more pronounced then that of his brothers. There was also different shades of green or colouring of the skin to help tell each of them apart.

Raph's leg was now bandaged up and I had a feeling he had assisted Don in caring for his own injuries. There was some sort of ointment on the scratch marks on Raph's shoulders.

Raph walked slowly around to the front of the chairs, while Don went to sit on the other end of the couch sandwiching Leo between him and Mike.

" Akuma caught me by surprise but you," Raph pointed to me, " Knew he was there. Akuma could have killed both of us if it wanted to but it let us go and I can't figure out why. It doesn't make sense, then again maybe you, Jennifer have some sort of control over Akuma that we can use because, I am damned sure you sent it away." Raph declared.

" I didn't send it away," I protested.

" Seemed that way to me" Raph insisted standing with his back straight and his arm crossed over his plastron, " It ought to have attacked you but you stood there and told it to go away. You also happen to know things about Akuma that you just shouldn't know. So go ahead tell me how this works?" he smirked and raised an eye ridge.

Splinter shook his head " Raphael allow her to explain. Do not be so quick to make demands, one gets further with kindness then with the attitude you are portraying now," he chided.

I really didn't know what Raph was talking about and I was still a little ticked with his whole behaviour towards me anyways, so I found myself suddenly snapping at the turtle, " Look I was so scared I could have made a deposit in my pants and not known about it until long after the fact!"

Mike covered his mouth trying not to laugh at my outburst.

Splinter sighed, " Still if all that you say is true, if Akuma has marked you long before we even knew of the beast existence and if what Raphael says about you knowing things you possibly could not know is true, then we must accept that the circumstances that have brought us together are more then mere coincidence, that this meeting has happened for a reason. Perhaps was even ordained."

I suddenly felt all their eyes focused on me, I didn't know what they wanted or expected from me. It was clear they all had these high hopes and I knew I was probably going smash them into oblivion before I was done.

I mean I was an average nobody, nothing special beyond my talent of seeing the future.

These guys they were the special ones but they all seemed to be looking to me for help and I was hoping they would bail me out.

Then again if anyone was going to believe in me I guess it would have to be them, because they weren't suppose to be real, yet here they were, five beings who were for almost all intents and purposes far more then anything anyone had ever imagined or dreamed of, sitting and talking to me. They were all real in spite of the odds that said it was impossible.

So why wouldn't they believe what I had to say?

Maybe it wasn't what I had to tell them rather this sudden expectation of me, that put me under pressure, after all they were supposed to be heroes trained. But they were looking at me waiting for some sort of answer or explanation.

Could life get any more confusing then this?

No, I don't think so.

TBC

Goddess of Twlight: To me the turtles as trained ninja really must have a knowledge of numerous weapons. I recall in issue 9 of E&L's comic they had Mike working with a kusari gamma and complaining about wanting his chuks. I have read some of the stuff on adult fiction but probably would never write anything that would really need posting beyond here. Mostly I just ain't comfortable writing such scenes for the most part. A gratitude for your insight.

Chibi Rose Angel: Exams are over and heavy sigh of relief can be heard! Raph might get you later for that name. In E & L's original comic Stockman was black. In the cartoon series and in the Archie Comics which followed the original cartoon he was white. So take your pick. A gratitude for your insight.

Reinbeauchaser: The muses tell me the story can't progress much further until I do get Jen and the turtles together so there it is. I don't know much about Central Park either though there was one web site I found that gave a bit of a tour through the park and explained some of the sights in the park to see. As for willow trees that I am unsure of but figured there has to be a few around there and probably near water. I have no idea what my twisted mind has planned time will tell. A gratitude for your insight.

Pacphys: You did make a very strong point with your first sentence of your review and I fully understood it. Now isn't that scary? No Raph wasn't expecting Jen to know about Akuma. Yes Leo is tightwad, Don is screwy ( screwdrivers ect.) and Mike is just plain bizarre but you are right it could work either way. A gratitude for your insight.

Lunar Ninja: Excuse me did I hear you right Raph doesn't have to be a jerk? Does Raph know this? Ah be careful though for whom will end up teaching who. Rama knows quite a few tricks of her own and the so called padawan just might become the master and then think of what you might get. Think of Rama's april fool's jokes. A gratitude for your insight.