Author's Notes: It's official! Out with the old year and in with the new year! I know I have at least several goals that I would like to accomplish. I'm also hoping that I'll accomplish more this year than I did last year. Moving on with Mistaken Loyalties though, in this particular chapter, things don't take a turn for the good or worst either. Instead, things are about to get really intriguing. I can assure you that all will be explained in the upcoming chapters. Italics will denote character thoughts.

Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT franchise.

Beta read by the super talented and wonderful Dierdre!

Chapter 10

Sakura's point of view

It was a pity really. He seemed to be a rather nice fellow, but he had no idea what Mr. Bishop and Mr. Saki had in mind for him. There was no doubt that Mr. Saki still wanted revenge for Karai's betrayal. I was quite baffled as to how he would get his revenge by abducting Donatello, but then again I wasn't paid to worry about the turtles.

And then there was Mr. Bishop. While it was true that he wanted Donatello to unlock the secrets behind their genetic makeup, he also seemed to want Donatello for other reasons I could not discern. Perhaps my questions would be answered in this meeting that I was about to attend.

I finally arrived at the designated meeting room and knocked twice. The doors slid open softly and I entered, noticing that only Mr. Saki was present.

Mr. Saki was pacing the floor, stopping every once and a while only to resume his pacing. The huge conference table was empty save for the documents that were strewn about on it. All of the chairs were unoccupied and the computer system built into the right wall was currently off.

Light was pouring in from the enormous windows that adorned the left wall, giving Mr. Saki a regal appearance. He was never one for business suits, so this was my actual first time seeing him in one. Black was definitely a flattering color on him.

Right before I tore my eyes away from him, however, I noticed that his lips were moving. I just couldn't believe that I was actually alone with Mr. Saki!

That's odd. I thought this was meant for all staff members.

"Ah, Sakura, you are just the person I wanted to see."

Gracefully, I bowed to Mr. Saki, and then straightened back up.

"You have made acquaintances with that turtle, have you not?"

"Yes sir. At the present moment, he's in my office."

"And what is he doing in your personal office?"

Looking into his eyes, I swore I saw a bit of displeasure as well as disgust.

"I've given him an assignment to complete," I said, feeling a bit miffed that he would think the turtle would be in my office for any other reason besides work.

He turned his back to me and proceeded to walk towards the conference table. He took his place at the head of the table and then folded his hands together, resting his chin on his folded hands. "Sit down, Sakura."

Obediently, I complied with his request and sat next to him. A pregnant silence filled the room until Mr. Saki cleared his throat. I gave him my full attention as he began speaking, never mind the fact that I was extremely nervous about what we were going to discuss.

"I have not called you here to lecture you. Rather, I wish to inform you that I want your team to speed up production on the project."

He looked extremely calm and confident as always. I, on the other hand, did not look or even feel that way. I tried to conceal my shocked feelings, but failed to keep my eyes from widening considerably as I cleared my throat. Had I heard him right? Did he want my genetic engineers to actually finish work on what he had deemed a failure?

"With all due respect, Mr. Saki…."

"Please do not use such formalities with me," he interrupted.

"As I was saying, Oroku, you yourself said that our project was an abomination. Why do you want my team to finish work on it?"

A smile graced his features, but it wasn't genuine. It reminded me of one of those 'I know something that you don't know' smiles.

"With that turtle here, your research will finally be complete. No more dreaming of that one major breakthrough, Sakura."

A startled gasp escaped from my lips. "And you're okay with me working with him? I thought you wouldn't like that…"

Before I could even complete my sentence, I felt his lips upon mine. How he'd managed to move so quickly was beyond me. One moment he was sitting at the head of the table, and then the next he was kissing me. At first I could do nothing but sit there in a dazed state. I had expected to come here to discuss important matters yet here I was kissing one of my employers. Then again, I must have been doing something right to receive this kind of attention from Mr. Saki.

As we continued kissing passionately, a gruff and harsh voice interrupted us, "Master, I have news concerning the other turtles."

He let go of me abruptly, and then turned his attention to the owner of that horrible voice. I followed his glance and saw Hun walking towards Mr. Saki. I frowned. Whether it was in anger or disgust, I don't know. I did know, however, that it was rather embarrassing to have a fellow employee walk in on you and your boss.

I had little time to think about this situation, for at that moment, I heard Mr. Saki address me, "I expect nothing but perfection from you, Sakura. Do not fail me."

"I would never dream of doing such a dishonorable thing Mr. Saki." I replied, my voice filled with confidence and pride.

I got up, bowed respectfully and walked to the door, closing it behind me. I huffed angrily as I began walking down the hall. After that little stunt, I'm sure things were going to get interesting around here in no time.

Shredder's point of view

I could have killed Hun a thousand times over. I told him and all of my other subordinates to knock before entering my personal office, but apparently I had given them far too much credit. It was too much to expect idiots such as themselves to listen and follow through on my orders.

Pushing aside these thoughts, I turned to face Hun. "And what news is so important that you would dare to barge in here with no regard or respect for my explicit orders to knock first?"

Angry didn't even come close to describing my feelings. I was thinking of numerous punishments for Hun when suddenly his voice broke through my thoughts.

"I apologize for the intrusion, but I thought you would be interested to know that one of the turtles and Karai was spotted last night."

"And how does that aid me?"

"Apparently, Karai was on her way back to your old Headquarters. From what my sources were able to gather, she feels responsible for what is occurring right now."

"You don't say."

Punishments were now the last thing on my mind as I listened to Hun.

"And there's more. One of my sources managed to record some of their conversation."

"Play it."

Hun looked extremely proud of himself. He had actually managed to do something right, and I hadn't even told him to do this. Perhaps he wasn't an overbearing, unreliable oaf after all. He removed a tape recorder from one of his pant's pocket, and then pressed play. As the conversation progressed, the smile that was previously on my face returned.

"This could be very useful. Hun, I want you to keep an eye on those turtles. Do not engage them in battle and under no circumstances are you to fail me. Should you botch this assignment, I will have your head on a silver platter. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Master."

Hun bowed to me and left. I sat back down in my chair, sighing in complete contentment. Donatello was in my clutches, Bishop's research team was close to their breakthrough and Karai would be mine once again.

Everything was going according to plan.