CHAPTER 2 – PREPARATIONS

She couldn't sleep.

Recently; this was nothing new for the young woman, what with the knowledge that her father was returning back to New York for an even longer time after next week.

I'm getting used to that! her thoughts nagged. And we do usually keep in touch.

But that wasn't really it. No, that wasn't really why she couldn't put her mind at ease, on this night or the last few nights before. It had more to do with why he would be away for longer. The answer was directly involved with the same event she was looking forward to on Monday. While he would stay on to manage the main operations of their clan in the New York underworld, it would be left to her to take charge of their remaining operations in Japan.

Not just in Tokyo. A whole country.

There wasn't any reason why she couldn't handle this…was there? After all, she'd been raised and taught by none other than Oroku Saki himself. But of course, that in itself wasn't without its own complications. She was aware of what it was that made countless others so obedient to him, and that was clearly far from being the same reason as hers. The same one she knew as her sensei and father, they only knew as the Shredder. In his own hands, he held the shifting balance of life and death; more often than not tipping the scales towards the latter with his infamous claws. No one could oppose his orders and still live. And that was where her pain had gradually begun to grow.

Oroku Saki. Her master, her father, the one who made her understand what it was to feel kindness and acceptance. What it felt to learn that she actually had a place in the world as a human being.

The Shredder. The Head of the Foot clan, the most feared being who ever lived, sustained by his victims' screams in the fresh heat of their fear.

And yet, these two beings were one and the same. Even when he wore the cold, intimidating armour that hid away his face, hid away the kind eyes she saw as she grew under his wing, she could still recognise him. The man who was the family she never had. And it was this fact that hurt her most, when she discovered the wrongs that were sanctioned by the Shredder, especially since they made her feel ashamed and angry towards him.

Were these emotions such things a daughter was meant to feel, towards her father? Was it even allowed, for a warrior to experience disgust towards their master?

She thought this over again and again, stretching her feelings of what was proper for a ninja in service to the Shredder when the dilemma resurfaced her mind; and each time, there came a resolution to the problem. But it didn't come from the side that wished to fulfil her duties to her lord. Or, for that matter, the side that just wanted to help her father out of affection and gratitude.

It was both.

The warrior will not become so disloyal as to break off dedication to honour, and the daughter will never love her father less.

She thought back to a memory of when she had a similar problem as a child…

The two Elite guards greeted their master as he appeared before his throne room. His indifferent gaze regarded them, while they kneeled down deeply out of obligatory respect for the Shredder before then pushing open the doors for his access.

The entrance had just about closed before he discovered what was waiting for him inside.

'Why aren't you in your chambers?' The little girl simply bowed from her seated position and looked up at Oroku Saki.

'I couldn't sleep, Master Oroku.'

'"Couldn't sleep?"' For anyone else who would dare trespass into this part of the Shredder's stronghold, the only response they would receive was issued at their throats with a single swipe. But instead, the Head of the Foot clan considered this problem for a moment before giving a logical answer.

'Have you tried the breathing exercises we practised this morning?' She shook her head. By means of a gesture, he held out his hand to escort her back, and the two guards bowed formally while he walked away with his small student down to the hall on the next floor.

'It would be helpful next time, if you used part of our training in other circumstances, Karai; especially if you're facing difficulty with something such as trying to sleep.'

'Yes, Master Oroku.' They had reached the private quarters of the building, where he then slid open the door to a smaller room and lead her in past its walls.

'Remember: take a deep breath in, and then exhale. I want you to continue on with this until you're no longer awake. Can you do that?'

'Yes.'

'Good. It is very important that you're fully rested by tomorrow morning.' He began to pull the door back into its place, when she suddenly bowed respectfully.

'Good night, Master Oroku!'

'Good night, Karai.' The door was now rolled closed, and her master was gone.

The young woman didn't think anymore about her situation as she dozed off, finally asleep after following her father's advice.

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

Time remained stagnant, as the Shredder listened to what his subordinate had to say on the progress of the Foot's business in America, his familiar grimace staying unchanged as the report went on.

'…have agreed to back down, Master.'

'Excellent.' He would not accept any challenges to his hold over the city; regardless of how long his rivals had been established there, before he had first arrived. And now on to a more important matter…

'And what of the "other" issue?' They had to be in that city; he was sure of it. One way or another.

'Our men are still continuing on with the search for your enemies.' His subordinate replied, humbly. Nothing yet. Again. The Head of the Foot clan began to narrow his eyes with the irritation he'd been experiencing for centuries, his frustration habitually releasing itself as a low growl. On the other side of the intercom his American lackey recognised quickly that he had to say something fast, if he wanted to keep himself in his master's good books.

'Master, it's true that we haven't finished covering the entire city floor yet. But I assure you: we, your loyal servants, will not rest until we have succeeded in rooting out your enemies.'

'Good.' These men were expendable, anyway; although the lackey did have some vital use to him if not much, since he had often proven his worth.

'When I return, I expect to see all divisions completely lined up to follow my orders. I will inspect whatever degree of progress has been made so far…and if it is less than satisfactory, the consequences shall be very dire.' It was the drag of his snarl on the last word of that sentence, which shot a ray of panic down the blonde recipient's spine.

'U-understood, Master.'

'Dismissed.' The transmission ended. That was all he needed to hear about his organisation's work in New York for now… the Shredder had only a limited amount of time left, before he would take that private flight back to America.

Until then, he would focus himself on the preparations for a certain event scheduled the day after tomorrow, as well as the ones for afterwards, to ensure everything would run along well. It was extremely important that things went according to his plans, unless the Japanese faction tried to actually retaliate against the upcoming change in regime. And also; it would please him even more to have his personal charge finally join his clan, than it did to have the bulky leader of a street gang do so.

The Shredder stood up from his platform, climbing down to cross towards the personal elevator hidden from view. Normally he didn't need it if he had to attend to matters one or two floors down, but right now he had to conduct urgent business outside that of his usual fare.

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

A middle-aged woman sat patiently with her young assistant inside the main office of Foot Enterprises. Her nearly white, wavy hair was pinned up neatly in a traditional bun, and she kept her hands folded gently on the lap of her modest grey and white patterned kimono. The front door of the room then opened, as a short man wearing a formal black suit stepped in.

'Oroku-sama will see you, now.'

'Thank you.' She and her companion raised themselves from their seats as Oroku Saki, wearing a Western navy blue suit entered the office, returning the polite gesture when they bowed towards him.

'It is a pleasure to see you again Hondou-san.'

'As it is to speak with you again, Oroku-sama,' the woman graciously replied. 'Only one more day left until Monday, now!'

'Of course.' He gave an appreciative smile as he positioned himself down behind his desk. 'But, hopefully you haven't been too busy these days? If you have to leave shortly I will understand…'

'Oh! No, I'm never too busy to be with a client, especially such a prestigious man as yourself, Oroku-sama.' She settled down to face him, as should any professional businessperson who supplies families' needs for important occasions. Her assistant stayed at a small distance by her side, hands holding a special bundle. The CEO of Foot Enterprises glanced at it, anticipating this item more than continuing on with such tedious chatter.

'How is your daughter keeping, Oroku-sama?' asked the woman. Oroku Saki again had to smile. However annoyed he felt at such prodding questions, it didn't hurt to respond honestly.

'Karai has been doing well, Hondou-san. Although she hasn't said anything, she is clearly looking forward to her ceremony on Monday…as am I.'

'Naturally a father can only be proud to see his child grow into an adult.' She offered, sympathetically.

'Naturally.' He gave a small grin at this remark. He was very proud of his daughter...

'Now; on to our preparations!' he said shortly, immediately ending the pleasantries. 'Have you brought what I have requested with you?' She gave a nod, motioning to the young girl on her right to come closer towards their client. Carefully unfolding the bundle onto her client's desk with his expressed permission, she rearranged its components and smoothed over each surface of material to present the full garment that made up a beautifully woven, silken scarlet furisode. Her assistant helped her to stretch out one of the sleeves in order to show off the continuation of the main robe's delicate, gold and dark grey patterns; complimented further by the light red under-kimono and the deep amber obi with its dark brown cord.

'We hope that your daughter will be pleased when she wears this on Monday.' Oroku Saki fingered the fabric, his expression indicating his approval.

'I can assure you that she will, Hondou-san. She will love this very much indeed, once she finally sees it. You have truly outdone yourself.' Arranging for a stunning custom-made furisode was very expensive; most people knew that. But for him, it was nothing to pay the extra yen for such gorgeous garments. Even if it meant that he had to be friendlier than usual when dealing with others. It was not really a strain to make full use of his credibility and financial status, especially to ensure that everything would run perfectly.

Just one more day, and everything would flow as he planned.

Author's note:

Furisode – long-sleeved kimono worn on special occasions by young, unmarried women.

Obi – wide kimono belt. Usually there's a cord to wrap around it.

Well, I think that Saki also had a legitimate front in Japan, as well. Reijiro confirmed for me that businessmen in Japan seem to go for conservative suits instead of hakama, too.

I only own the tailor lady and her assistant in this chapter. Everyone else belongs to Mirage Comics and 4Kids! Entertainment.

Thanks to Jessiy Landroiz, Dierdre and Reijiro for beta-reading!