A Sense of Family

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

Chapter Seventeen - Buying Time

RAMIELA:

I watched, my so called family leave, knowing in the pit of my heart there was only one of them that really wanted to come back for me. From the first he had been my friend, but he was also my true flesh and blood father. I had done all I could to protect him, and while I probably could call him back I knew it would only endanger his life.

For Karena, and Kali, I had done all I could to ensure that Leonardo and Ryu would return to their home and family, from here on in, it was no longer my responsibility. That was now Leo's job and I was sure that he was more than adequate to the job, even if the Foot did break and attack before the time allowed, he ought to manage getting the family home, especially as Leonardo would not be thinking about a ronin. I wasn't part of their family.

I took a few deep breaths, breathing properly, clearing my thoughts, I could not allow myself to wallow in pity or despair, not if I wanted to spare my own life. I had to concentrate on the here and the now, living truly in the moment as a ninja ought to. If I was going get free I would have to find a way to do so quickly.

My best bet for escape was to possibly get out of the basement preferably with only Washi and possibly a few other soldiers near for security, and even if I could be on the main floor, or even higher, would benefit a quick escape. That was the means, it was simple, and yet the how was the determining factor.

I had only agreed to being unarmed, and not fighting when my time came to die, the agreed upon time of our contract was at four and a half minutes. I was sure most of the Foot Clan was counting down the very micro seconds to my death. I could feel the tension and excitement in the room climbing. If I could live beyond that point, I was no longer bound by the contract. Yukio had been a lot of things, but I had to appreciate the fact that he taught me the value of looking for loopholes in any contract and making sure that you left no such openings in contracts where you wanted the upper hand.

I knew that loophole was there, but Washi probably didn't think much about it; that meant it worked in my favour.

"Washi would you be willing to trade my life for monetary gain?" I whispered softly so only he could hear.

"Silence!" Washi barked kicking me, he glared at me. "What riches could you have to spare your life?" he sneered in after thought.

"I have no money to my name, that is true" I admitted, "But father did have a great deal..." I hinted persuasively.

The entire Foot Clan was aware of how rich Yukio Sekora had been in life, he was a multi millionaire and his money worked for him, through varied sources, most of which weren't that honourable.

"With Master Sekora dead those assets would be frozen and unattainable" Washi spat, then kicked me in the cheek.

I felt anger flare hot and hard inside of me, but I breathed using a soothing image of a quiet stream, bubbling around rocks as it flowed through a meadow. The trick worked, like a charm, soothing my ire. I knew I could not afford to give in to my anger and rage at Washi, if I did that I could very well lose the very item I was trying to bargain for,life. I tasted the sharp coppery taste of blood in my mouth, and I swallowed it down before speaking to Washi in a tone that bordered near groveling.

" Father had many accounts, that were not in his name and I know of those accounts, as well as the pass words to achieve access to them." I assured Washi, though in reality I had no idea if Father had changed the pass words on those accounts or not, or even if push came to shove if I could recall the information to get in. Still I tried to hide my misgivings, "I had to use them on a few missions, when I needed money and leave no connection to father. So I know of everything needed to gain access to those accounts." I vowed. I smiled, "Think of it Washi, you are throwing a way a small fortune. You will have enough power to have whatever you want. You could buy loyalty and easily silence those who refuse to give their honour to you. You could bribe officials to look the other way and that is only the beginning" I assured him.

I then fell silent to let him muse about my tantalizing offer of power, prestige wealth, and practically diplomatic immunity. It is said every man has his price, everyone can be bought. Though I knew most ninja were not supposed to be the sort you could buy off.

"Come Washi, since you have taken leadership has there not been a few attempted coups?" I wondered innocently. I saw him tense and glance ever so slightly towards me, trying to make it seem as if he was uninterested.

"How much are we talking about Kirra?" he asked curiously.

"I am aware of six accounts. Father made sure there was at least a million in each one of them, so six million but it most likely is higher then that." I suggested, "Not to mention the interest. Who knows you could score close to twenty million?"

I saw Washi look at me full on, oh he was tempted I could see it. I have said it before he is ruled by his vices. Then again very few people will turn down even one million dollars, never mind a few million. It was time to land this fish.

"Come Washi, I promised I would not fight. I can prove to you, as a show of faith, by transferring one of those hidden accounts into your name, then we can bargain from there if you like. Or you can just take the money from that account and kill me." I wheedled.

Washi scowled, as he glanced out a the Soldier's gathering, their anticipation mounting.

"Washi you must have a second you can trust. As leader of the Clan it is your right to kill me later. It is a win-win situation for you." I coaxed. I tired to be as convincing as possible for I knew that after deceiving Washi once, he would be looking for any deception on my part.

Washi gave me an unreadable expression on his face, finally he called one of the Elite over, "Release Kirra. Before she dies I will take her alone and torture her gaining whatever knowledge I can." Washi glowered sharply, "It will be a fitting end for this ronin" he booted me again in the side, where most of my shell protected me, "I want you to make sure that things are handled here."

Washi stood close by while the soldier released the chains around me, Washi bent over and yanked me up by my hair, he placed his sword at my throat as he hissed, "No funny stuff Kirra, you will go where I tell you to, and not make any move without my permission, or else you die right now. I will permit no more treachery from you."

I gave a slight nod, not trusting to words for fear that I'd say the wrong thing. He marched me to an office two floors up, with two of the Elite standing guard over us. Washi turned to the guards and informed them to stay outside and if they heard, him call they were to enter immediately, he also handed the guards his katana; Probably so I would not try to steal them from him using it against him, however he kept his belt and smaller weapons most, likely feeling they were insignificant and that there was little chance of me getting or using them. He then pushed me into the office and towards a desk, where a computer sat, the tower humming softly. "I give you a few minutes to prove your words, if you can't you die," He stated, "But hurry Kirra for I am running out of patience."

I sank into the leather chair, my fingers reaching for the keyboard, allowing my digits to almost fly over the keys hitting things with casual ease, silently praying that I could recall all the information I needed now that it was time to put my money where my mouth was, so to speak.

What I had told Washi about being able to get into these accounts for missions, had been true. Father often sent me on special assignments that he entrusted only to me, he assured me that if I needed any money for expenses, to take them out of one of those accounts. I knew I would have to account for every penny I spent and so, I did my best to never dip into that, for I was quite aware that I would be severely punished for any frivolous spending.

I almost leapt for joy when the first account opened. John Baker's, also known as Yukio Sekora, account had just over twelve million in it. "Washi, I think I have what you are looking for, come see for yourself." I smiled with relief, as I looked at him across the desk, I turned the monitor so he could see it, "Does this look like I know what I am talking about?" I inquired sweetly.

"John Baker?" he muttered as he looked at the name.

"I have nothing to do with father's aliases. he tried to think of very common names, nothing that would stand out, and he had different ID's and very effective costumes for all of them to pull it off. I just happen to know of six." I retorted.

"You mean there was more than six?" Washi wondered.

"Possibly." I gave an indifferent shrug, " After all he set up these accounts so that if he ever ran into any trouble officially, where the accounts of Yukio Sekora might become frozen. He had other assets to pawn to get him out of the country where he could collect under his assumed names. These emergency stashes were his fallback plan, in case all else fails." I explained.

Washi rubbed his hands together and his eyes glowed a bit, he licked his lips in eager anticipation "Are the other five accounts this lucrative?" he demanded.

I rolled my eyes, and shook my head. "I was many things for father, but I was not his book keeper" I hissed a bit testily," I am sure you are aware that he had both legal and illegal businesses both here and in Japan between that he had built up quite a legacy for himself." I took a breath, "Look to show you I can do as I say. I'll transfer this into your account, but I will need a moment to set it up. Plus you will either have to give me the information, or have it set to bring up when I go to make the transfer." I informed him gently, "Father had these accounts set up so he could transfer them to any account he wanted to. Trust me when you have money anything is possible."

Washi nodded as if he fully understood, "Quick move Kirra. I'll get the information you require" he ordered me briskly, a greedy glint in his eyes, he was so anxious to get his hands on it, he practically shoved me out of the chair.

I sat on the edge of the desk, paying no attention to the monitor or what Washi was doing on the keyboard, that had no interest for me. I just wanted to sit close so he had no reason to think I was going escape, and I wanted time to contemplate the next move in my great escape plan. As Washi leaned over the desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the keyboard. I saw a dagger in his belt. I took a brief look at Washi, but he was preoccupied.

I closed my eyes and cautiously reached forward, hoping that Washi's dreams of getting rich would hold him captive for just a little longer. I managed to withdraw the small dagger and stashed it behind me.

"There it is all set Kirra" Washi announced as he spun his chair around and started to rise out of the chair. My hand, the very one that held the dagger, came around and forward punching into the softness of his belly. Washi gasped, his eyes growing suddenly large, he looked down staring at the blood already falling from the wound.

"You..." he began in disbelief, as he fell back in the chair.

"I didn't fight you Washi. I bested you. For you forget I was trained and raised by the heartless son of a bitch named Yukio" I whispered, withdrawing the dagger and slashing it across his throat before he thought of calling for help.

I loved killing, I got a certain high from doing it. It had been far too long since I last killed, but I could not stop to glory in it. I knew the guards outside might be growing suspicious at any moment, just to insure all was well. I might be able to imitate Washi's voice but, I might only get away with it once. I quickly erased the last few minutes of computer time then to be on the safe side I got the computer to purposely download a virus that would wipe out everything.

As expected I found a washroom in the office and quickly cleaned the blood off my hands, and began looking for a weapon knowing that I had to leave soon, but not wanting to leave empty handed. I would need more than a few punches and kicks to see me out of Foot territory in one piece, especially as it was now past time for the great turtle hunt to be going on. It was then the guards called to see if all was well or if Washi needed any assistance. I rebuked them quickly, and knew I had to leave immediately if not sooner, but was still loathe to do so without a weapon of some substance.

If Washi was anything like father he ought to have a weapon of some kind stashed in the office, perhaps in a hidden niche. That thought reminded me there was a false wall in this room, I quickly moved to it and shoved it aside, behind it were two heirloom katanas, of very fine quality. Not many swords were made the way these were, though I had seen their like before, I recalled Yukio had a few sets of such pieces in his arsenal, more for show then for use.

I turned to Washi's slumped form " Thank you for the parting gift Washi you are a most gracious host." I murmured before slipping out a window. Armed with these weapons I stood a fighting chance. It seemed I had bought my life after all.

TBC