Title: Destinations – Sequel to 'Moth and Flame'

Author: Jayde

Summary: This picks up a couple of months after 'Moth and Flame'.

Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned the turtles. No harm intended.

Credits: Elaborate and Technicolor thanks to Reluctant Dragon for slaving over the beta reading for this story.

Chapter 6:

Outside the Transmat station, Leo looked up. A violet sky loomed above, marred by dark clouds. Around them lay a bustling city nearly the size of New York. While most of the population on the sidewalks was of Sen's species, he saw a number of aliens of various sizes and descriptions. No one, of course, who looked like a mutated turtle.

"There is a hotel quite nearby. I apologize for the inconvenience of walking," Sen said quickly, leading them in the appropriate direction. Leo walked at her side, noting her acute nervousness now that they were out on the street. He glanced back at Raphael to exchange a significant look with his brother.

Raphael kept a distance of a few steps between himself and Leo. He paused, turning in a small circle and pretending to study the buildings. In reality, he was checking to see who was behind them. Raph made a mental list of everyone in the vicinity. The trio crossed a busy intersection mobbed by vehicles the likes of which Raph could not even have imagined. They hovered a foot above the street, and made almost no sound.

The hotel, when they reached it, was pleasant enough. The door slid to the side to reveal a spacious lounge. Leo led the way to the desk, and inquired about a room. As Leo checked them in, Raphael watched Sen. She looked about ready to jump out of her skin. Leaning his shell against the counter, Raph scanned the occupants of the seating area – two familiar creatures stood out. They were like Sen, only taller, and they stuck out in the crowd of babbling vacationers and tourists. They were dressed formally in dark tunics and pants, and while they were trying to be subtle Raph caught them staring at him a little too often.

Leo turned away from the desk clerk, small discs that were apparently keys in his hand. Raph tilted his head, and Leo looked in the indicated direction. Leo nodded very slightly to let Raphael knew he understood – they were being followed. "We've got a room," Leo announced, smiling at Sen to reassure her. "Let's go up."

The elevator was fast enough to make their ears pop, and Raph was grateful to exit the smooth sided, capsule like interior. The hallway was lined with doors, each of which had a black symbol on it. Leo compared the symbol on the discs in his hand to the ones on each of the doors. When he found a match, he looked around for a keyhole or some way to use the disc.

"If I may," Sen said politely. "You must hold the key up to the door." Leo did as Sen suggested, and the door slid back with a soft rush of air.

"Hmm," Raph grunted, and held out a hand for one of the 'keys'. "I'm gonna go back down – see if there's a bar." Leo traded his brother a key for Raphael's pack. Raph turned away and headed toward the elevators. As he entered it, he grimaced. Weird-ass alien elevators …

Inside the small but comfortable hotel room, Leo set the two packs on the floor. Two beds sat on opposite sides of the room, with a desk between them. The entire ceiling glowed softly, providing light to the room. The door had slid shut once Leo and Sen were inside.

"You must be very weary from the transfer," Sen commented to Leo's back. He turned around and noted again how exhausted -- and defeated -- she looked.

"Sen," Leo started.

"I cannot stay long," Sen explained. "I am expected back." She looked down at her hands where they were twisting the front of her cloak. "This is not … this is not how I imagined your visit," she went on sadly. "I am so sorry, Leonardo."

"Here," Leo said, moving to her side and guiding her to sit down on the edge of one of the beds. He settled next to her. "You have to tell me what is wrong, Sen. I got the note in the dagger …" He watched helplessly as tears gathered and overflowed to spill down her cheeks.

"It is so terrible … Leonardo, forgive me for bringing you here," Sen choked out. Leo reached out and clasped one of her hands between his.

"Sen, whatever it is, I'll help you."

"I cannot leave Maora 2," she whispered, barely able to give voice to the words. "I … I have been accused of a terrible crime."

Of all the things he had imagined – the horrors he had considered would drive her to request his aid – this wasn't one of them. Leo wracked his brain for something to say.

"What? Who?" He asked.

"The attempted murder of my mother."

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Three months earlier on Maora 2 …

"Did you actually think you could send messages under my seal without my knowledge?"

It was early morning, and Taka shifted under the covers, her expression smug as she looked on her daughter. Sen had returned home, as Taka had predicted. But something unexpected had happened as well. Something that must be taken care of before it grew into a problem.

"By all means, continue to waste time with your little missives," Taka continued, watching her daughter for the telltale signs of emotion. The rapid rise and fall of Sen's chest, and the way she refused to raise her head indicated that Sen knew she had been caught.

"He will not come, my daughter. Not unless you intend to tell him who you truly are?" A flinch, and Taka smiled. "You did not tell him, did you? He thought you a simple bookseller …" Taka smoothed the soft blanket that covered her with slender fingers. "And he let you go."

Sen glanced up, and the Mother read the pain in her daughter's eyes easily. It is for your own good, she thought. You are too trusting, my Sen, and I will do what I must to sever this bond you made on Earth. You must remember who you are … who I am.

"Such a fool you are, Sen. With our wealth and power you could have had anything – been anything." Taka sighed and pressed a buzzer that would call a servant to her side. "When will you learn, Sen? All that you are, all that you will ever be, comes from me. Without me, what are you?"

For the first time in her life, Sen trembled with real rage, and the emotion nearly made her ill. We shall see, she thought. We shall see what I am without you, Mother.

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Arriving in the lobby of the Heion Hotel, Raphael scanned the area for the two Maorans he had spotted earlier. They were still waiting, leaning against the far wall and trying to blend in. Nonchalantly, Raph turned and wandered towards an open doorway through which he could hear some kind of soft music, and the faint murmur of conversation.

Passing through the archway, he found himself in the Maora 2 equivalent of a hotel bar. There was no bartender – just a series of faintly glowing tables. Some were occupied, and Raphael noted as he passed that the drink ordering seemed to be built into the surface of the table. He watched as a large and furry customer pressed a selection, and the drink popped up from below. Finding an open table, Raph sat down and watched the door.

His tail followed a moment later. They couldn't be professionals, because they were so obviously looking for him. Raph shook his had, faintly disgusted, and looked over the selection of drinks. The pictures and accompanying symbol weren't much help, but he settled on something red and hopefully not fruity. The drink slid up, and Raphael leaned back to taste it. His new pals were drawing closer, and appeared to be debating between themselves.

Raphael took a sip of his drink just as they reached his table. "Greetings, Earther," the one on the left said. Raph set down the glass. It wasn't terrible, but too sweet for his tastes. "Would you mind if we joined you?" the other one questioned. Curious, Raph nodded his acceptance and the pair sat down.

"We bring a message," the first one said, diving right in. "From Lady Taka."

"And who's that?" Raph queried. These two were alone, and they didn't seem like much of a threat. Raphael remained relaxed, one arm up along the back of the seat that curved around the small table.

"Lady Sen's mother," the second one answered, sounding a little surprised. "Surely you know Lady Sen?"

"I know Sen," Raph began, noting that both of them frowned a little. He hadn't used any title. "Don't know anythin' about her family."

"Regardless, Earther, we have a message to deliver," the first one insisted. Raphael nodded, and waited to hear it. "I have been authorized to make you an offer. If you are amenable to departing the planet – immediately – you will be well compensated."

"What kinda compensation are we talkin' about?" Raphael asked, and the Maorans looked smug.

"Lady Taka is prepared to be quite generous," the first one assured him. Raphael smiled, and the pair grinned right back at him.

"Sorry guys. Not interested," Raph said. The first alien looked shocked, but the second one just looked angry.

"Consider this your final warning," the second one hissed. "Leave Lady Sen alone." They stood up abruptly, and stalked out of the bar.

Raphael picked up his drink and took another swallow. He wondered why it was all his brothers seemed to get involved with women who had issues.

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Skidding to a stop in front of the office desk, Noelle snagged the phone. "Hamato School of Martial Arts," she answered breathlessly. After listening to the caller's request, she knew she would need her mother. "Hold on for a minute, please." The girl set down the phone and tore out of the office. Her mother was talking to a couple of parents who had just dropped off their son for class.

"Um, Mom," Noelle said hesitantly, not wanting to interrupt. "Someone's on the phone wanting to know about how to get on the waiting list."

"I'm sorry," Juliet politely told the parents. "I have to take this. Jeremy will be done in an hour, and there's a great coffee shop just down the street …"

"I'll show them where it is," Rachel offered, walking over from observing Mike's class.

The parents taken care of, and her mom handling the phone call, Noelle took a moment to breathe. It had been really hectic. Every day she and Rachel came straight here after school to help out. With Uncle Don out of town, Mike had to teach every class, except the beginner ones. Rachel had taken over the little kid classes. Noelle headed over to the glass and looked in at her father. This was an intermediate class of middle to high school age kids. She watched her father walking between the rows, assisting a boy here on his stance, and complimenting a girl in the next row on her form.

They would likely have pizza tonight, or take-out, and Noelle would drop into bed like a rock only to get up tomorrow and do it all again … And she wouldn't trade a second of it.

Everyone was happy right now. Rachel was staying out of trouble, and she seemed to like teaching a class. Noelle's mom was there all the time, and she never went away at night anymore. Just to prove it to herself, Noelle had crept into her parents' bedroom each morning for the past week. No one was sleeping on the couch.

Her parents were kissing and hugging again, which was sort of disgusting and cool all at the same time.

"We should have our own school," Noelle murmured to herself, resting her forehead against the cool glass.

---------------------------------

"She doesn't look homicidal."

"She didn't do it," Leo snapped. Around them, other patrons of the hotel bar glanced over. Leo took a steadying breath. He was still reeling from what Sen had told him before she had to return to her home. He had come down here to break the news to Raph.

"She tell you that?" Raph asked, earning himself a patented Leo glare.

"Yes, but she didn't have to. Even if she had confessed ... ," Leo paused, recalling how distressed she had been. "I wouldn't have believed it."

The noise of conversations in a multitude of languages hummed around them. Leo turned the glass of pale golden liquid, studying the light as it shone up through the mystery concoction. He wasn't certain what to do next. He had expected a problem he could solve – preferably with his katana. Instead he felt out of his depth, and unexpectedly concerned that he might not be able to help Sen. He didn't know the laws of this world, but he imagined they were like Earth; and that if Sen were convicted, she would spend an untold number of years in prison.

"So what now, Fearless?" Raph questioned. Leo looked up, and Raphael read the expression. Leo had no plan. Raph glanced down at his hands. It was never a good sign when Leo had no plan. "I got an idea …," Raphael began. "We could try the Utroms."

Leo nodded. That was actually a good idea. The Utroms might have some influence here. Certainly more than they, themselves had. "The Transmat station is close by. We could be there in a few …"

"Curfew!" someone shouted from the doorway to the bar. Everyone around them started gathering their things, standing up, or chugging the last of their drinks.

"What the …?" Raph said, turning in his seat.

"Ike!" a creature said from just behind him. Raph peered up into a frowning visage of peach fur. "Go, little ones. It is curfew."

"Why is there a curfew?" Leo asked. The brightly colored alien waved its four arms in frustration or amazement or some other emotion Leo couldn't interpret.

"Have you not heard of the uprising, Gaki? How could you travel to this world and not have heard of it?" The creature shook its shaggy head with disgust. "It is rebellion – radicals are demanding an overthrow of the government. No one is allowed on the streets at night, little ones." With that, it stomped off and out of the bar. The lighted tables dimmed, and Leo stood up.

"Looks like we're waiting until morning," he noted unhappily. Raph swigged the remainder of his drink. If he were going to spend the night trapped in a small room with a brooding Leo, he would need it.

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