Chapter 4: Karai Tells All (part 3)
Sitting upon a couch still in Karai's office
Done with cleaning up the mess, Karai decides to take the dinnerware and cooking ware back to her kitchen in her private living quarters. Leo stayed in the office while she did all this. Afterword's, once Karai came back, they decide to continued Karai's story on a green sofa. Karai could already see the old Leo was back, the one that use to meet her on the water tower building for their secret meetings when she was still under her father's orders. Secret meetings that nobody knew about. Not her father. Not his father or brothers. It was those secret meetings that they got to know each other. From favorite colors, foods, fighting styles and weapons, etc. Blue and green, Japanese cuisines, tiger slash, and twin katanas. It still surprises them that they both had that much in common.
"Well, I guess I should explain why the Ancient One's last name is Oroku." Karai started, leaning on her side on the sofa, facing Leonardo as he was sitting with his shell back against the sofa.
"I think that will be wise." Was Leo's only answer as he had his eyes closed, actually becoming relax and comfortable around Karai...for the moment.
Giving a giggle, Karai started again. "Well the truth is the Ancient One aka Haru Oroku, is not really related to Oroku Saki. It's just that Master Haru Oroku came from the same clan called 'Oroku' the same clan that created the Foot and the true and honorable way of being Bushido warrior living. The only reason Master Haru Oroku goes by the Ancient One causes the Oroku clan and its people was outcast from Japan after Oroku Saki became a demon and killed many as well as some of his clan. But Japan didn't see that the Oroku clan were victims as much as everybody else those dark times under Oroku Saki's wrath. So many of them hide their real name. Which also explain why many of the Foot clan was loyal to the true way of the Foot, was because they came from the Oroku clan. After learning all this from Master Oroku, I vow to free the Foot from Khan's ruling. But knowing I wasn't strong enough I asked Master Oroku if he would take me as a student." Karai turned from looking at Leo to the other side of the room, smiling.
"He took me as a student. And though he trained and teach me the true way of Oroku clan fighting style and honorable living of Bushido. We were still just master and student, for he didn't want to replace Shen, though he kept telling me I remind him of her a lot. And though he was treating me more like family then my own father had. I still loved my father, a father that I still didn't know was a Utrom, but only believe that my father was related to Oroku Saki and took the name Oroku Saki so the Foot clan will fear him as well as all of Japan. I stayed with Master Oroku for seven years. When I left to challenge Khan I was 21 years old. When I got back to the Foot, I discovered that Khan hasn't reported me running away, to my father. But to my great despair, many of the older Foot ninjas had been sent to America; New York City, and barely two days where they were killed by my father, for they wouldn't kill for him. They chose to die honorable instead of dishonorable. Knowing all this I went to Khan to duel him. Which he was happy to duel me. This time around, I beat him. When word got back to my father that I beat Khan. He sent for both Khan and the other three Foot Elite. And gave me leadership to the Foot in Japan. And behind my father's back, I had Master Oroku come in and train all the Foot in Japan. In one year, the Foot grew powerful and stronger. But my father still took many of my men to New York. And then I found later, that why I was going through my training with Master Oroku. That my father had adopted Hun when he was 16 and took him under his wing when the new Foot in New York was the only gang that controlled all of New York City."
"So that's why Hun's has such a grudge against you, even now," Leo said, not once opening his eyes.
"Yeah, Hun never like to share my father, with anyone. In his eyes, I was just a rival for my father's love." She stated, with her attention once again on the resting turtle beside her. "Believing that I've replaced back then, I got upset and went to release my anger in a forest nearby the Foot's estate. I was probably there maybe not even an hour before I had a visitor." As Karai noticed Leo was opening his eyes, she quickly faces the front of her but kept watching him in the corner of her eye. "However, though it was a mute warrior, and I had to fight it. I discovered soon than later, that the warrior wasn't a person, but a moving body of wood. But I realized this too late, as I had already lost the match, when the moving body of wood, knocked me out."
"You fought the Tribunal's Mokusai No Bushi (mystical warriors made of wood) or 'test dummies' as Raph likes calling them," Leo asked, which Karai nod her head.
"Yes. And when I came to. I was in some kind of prison cell with nothing but hay all around me. I tried the door to find it was locked. I don't know how long I was in there but was a relief when the door opened, but I was pissed to find my Master Oroku standing at the doorway. However, before I could lay in on him. He told me to follow him. Being that he was my master, I obey and followed him, to a room chamber where I saw four different people dressed in different color armor that looked like my father's armor. As you know it turned out that they were actually Ninja Tribunal, and they wanted to train me to become acolyte and then the next demon master; Oroku Saki's god-like powers, before he had been taking over by a powerful demon. I almost said no, but Master Oroku convince me that I was the one who could, with the help of the chosen four with green skin armor, destroy the real Oroku Saki when the time comes for him to be brought back by his loyal Heralds aka the Foot Mystics-"
"Wait, hold it." Leo was on his feet again. "Are you saying that you from the start, knew about the real Oroku Saki, the Tribunal Ninjas and that you were going to be the master of demons-"
"Correction. I am the master of demons. I was able to claim that right after we all killed the Oroku Saki's demon self. You see, just like you, your brothers and the Tribunal's descendants. I too have been trained by the Ninja Tribunal. But unlike you and the others. I finished my training in three years. The limit is six years-" Karai stopped in talking when she saw Leo went to the entrance doors, staring up at the painting.
"That black dragon in the middle is you isn't it."
"Yes, it is." She didn't take her sight off the mutant turtle, who was still staring up at the painting.
"So it was when the Tengu Shredder was taking over New York City, during your 'meditation lessons' with Master Splinter and the Ancient One, that you reveal your true self to Master Splinter, right."
"That is correct."
"And it was also you that tried to reach me and my brothers in our dreams to come to the Foot's headquarters?"
"Yes, that was me. I knew from Ninjas Tribunal, that Oroku Saki's Heralds. Was going to convince him to come after me. A thing they couldn't do themselves. For you see, Leonardo. I knew from day one what was going on around me. And though I'm not pleased with what I put you and your brothers through. I had to for I was getting orders from both the Tribunal and Utroms."
"The Utroms?" Leonardo didn't speak again until he was sitting back on the sofa. "I thought you hated the Utrom-"
"Leo, Leo, Leo," Karai said, cutting him off. "Guardians of the Utroms cannot hate them. That will be breaking the vow I gave them when I came not only one of their guardians, but also like many still on earth, I'm a secret guardian. That only the royal family of the Utroms know. -"
"Wait, hold the shell up." Begun Leonardo, having trouble taking all this in. "When did you become a guardian, let alone some secret guardian?" Seeing the disbelieve come back to his face, Karai got up with her back to him.
"During the six-year, I was training with Master Oroku, he had a vision; that my bodyguards were in trouble, so I left to find Cole and Han. It turned out that Khan had tried to kill them while I was gone. It was a trusted Foot soldier that told me they were in the hospital. I went to them; they had lost a lot of blood. When I asked the soldier how this happen. He informs that Khan put Cole and Han in a tough spot. 'Take a beat down or fight and watch many innocent children be killed in front of them'. They had chosen the beat down. And that's how they ended up in the hospital. I stayed there with them until they got better to leave, then with Master Oroku's permission, let them stay at Master Oroku's house in town, while I went back to Master Oroku's mansion in the mountains. I went back to tell him what had happened, but he already told he knew what was going on. It was then I realize that he had guests.
Two actually. One was a plump and less gray hair man, and a thin slim woman with also short hair, and her eyes were purple as was the man. At first, I was going to leave the room, but Master Oroku asked me to stay so he could let me meet his guests. It turned out that, the two people weren't really people per-say, but Utroms. But not just any Utroms they were part of the Utroms council as well as be the king and queen; Barada(king) and Nikto(queen). When they inform me about who my father really was I didn't want to believe it, but once they attached a small version of communal mind pod that you, your brothers and Master Splinter was hooked to, to my head, I was showed the cold truth. My father was really, the criminal Ch'rell. Though I saw all this and knew, I still plead with them to leave my father be. But they told me they couldn't. Cause before my father became a criminal, he had been a high-rank guard to the royal Utrom family. But after falling for Nikto's brother; Klaatu's wife Talice. He became obsessed with her, that when she told him to leave her alone...he killed her. Which started his criminal record after that everything went downhill from there."
Sighing, with her back still to Leo. Karai gripped the front of her robe. "When he was finally captured, it was the whole royal family that was sending him back to their home planet to face trial. And that royal family includes; King Barada, Queen Nikto, Klaatu (the queen's brother), Princess Suzmiko (head scientist) and Klaatu's son; Mortu (head commander), and many soldiers and professors like the late Professor Obligado. Knowing all this took me for a loop. So I decided to help them and protect them.
But only if, when I help them catch my father when they find a way to get home. That they would charge him, but keep him alive. As you would guess they didn't agree at first. But later that day they came to me and told they would sentence him to a punishment that he will still be alive. And I also asked if it was possible for me to guard over him. They said yes. But cause the royal family wanted to keep this secret. I was made into a secret guardian just like Master Oroku, who's been a secret guardian since he was a young teen of 13." Still speaking, Karai started to undo her belt to her robe.
"But unlike the guardians who wear a gold medallion with the carving of the Utrom they protect."
Leonardo's eyes went wide as he saw Karai's robe begun to slip off her shoulders to start showing her backside. But he came surprise when Karai's robe's had passed the top part of her back when he noticed a tattoo of the same design of a guardian's medallion. But as the robe finally revealed her whole back, there was Japanese writing over and under the medallion tattoo, glowing in green.
"As you can see, ones who are secret guardians wear the royal symbol and the Utroms' homeworld galaxy; Theta, on their back. The only thing that the guardians and secret guardians have in common is that we all," Karai pulling her robe back up, which has she did, the tattoo vanished from her back, as she turned around to show her eyes were glowing green like the tattoo had. "have Utrom blood running through our veins, making us have their state of age. A trait that lets us aging slowly... say 10 earth years. Which on Utrom planet means' one year." Karai rested back on the sofa, not overlooking the way Leo was looking at her.
"Karai, how old are you?"
"Well, naturally I'm almost 26 years old. But I was 20 when I became a secret guardian, so I 'm-"
"In other words your still just 20."
"That's right." Learning this Leo slapped a hand on his forehead. "You okay?" Karai said, scooting closer to him, while pulling her legs up to laying on the sofa as she was once again resting on her side, looking at the now groaning and grumbling turtle.
Leo sighed and placed both his hands over his eyes, trying to rub away the headache that was creeping into his head. "Yeah...I guess." Karai gently and softly took Leo's hands away from his eyes, then just kept holding them. Which seeing this, had Leo needing to know more and why was she order to put him and his brothers through what she did. "Karai."
"Hmm?" She spoke, not letting go of his hands in hers as she saw him look at their hands, before speaking again.
"Will you keep going with your story about your time with the Ninja Tribunal?" He asked, not sure whether to pull his hands away from hers or just let it be. He chose the last. Earning him a sweet and lovely smile from Karai at his choice.
"Well, during my training with them, I had to beat all of the Ninja Tribunal, before I could even consider myself a full Acolytes. I'll tell you, that wasn't easy. Especial when you weren't giving a weapon out of the mystical fire-"
"You didn't get a weapon, too?" Leo spoke up, a little curious about this news.
"Actually I had to make my weapon the second year in my intense training with the Ninja Tribunals. Those fighting fans I have are those weapons I made. That's why they could go up against your twin katana. But speaking of you. You had your weapon, but Faraji was holding it for you." She was smiling mischief at him. "You used it when you had too, remember. It was after Faraji, Adam, Joi and Tora's so-called deaths." Karai opened her mouth to speak again but then closed it as she thought what she will reveal to Leo and hope he keeps this from his brothers. "What I'm about to tell you, you can't and I repeat can't tell your brothers what I'm about to spill to you. For I shouldn't be telling you, but I figure if I'm telling you all my secrets from the beginning I might as well as tell this too. But only if you promise not to tell your brothers, promise?" Leo thought really hard on this before agreeing.
"I was sworn not to reveal what the Ancient One taught me, to my brothers. I'm sure I can keep this to myself also." With that statement from Leo. Karai began.
"Remember early when I said something about 'Tribunal's descendants when I was talking about the three years training I did with the Tribunals."
"Yeah," Leo asked. "I remember you saying that."
"Well just like me. Their descendants were in on you and your brothers becoming the Acolytes and then masters, taking the Ninja Tribunal's place so they can finally rest. But those descendants were in fact-"
"Faraji, Joi, Tora and Adam, right." Leo was catching on, and from the shocked look, Karai was throwing informed him that she didn't think he would catch on so fast. But as soon as the shock appeared, it was gone and was replaced with a relief expression.
"I love you're so quick at picking up on things." She commented while laying the side of her face against the sofa.
"And of course, they are their descendants; Joi Reynard is, of course, related to Chikara-Shisho. Adam McKay is related to Juto-Shisho. Faraji Ngala is related to Kon-Shisho. And Tora Yoshida is related to Hisomi-Shisho. Each one of them knew from day one, that the Ninja Tribunal was their relatives, they also allowed the Tribunal to fake their deaths, to wake yours and your brothers' mind to know this battle wasn't a joke and you couldn't press restart after game over. Sacrifices would be made."
Karai offered Leo a weak smile as she shrugged when he looked at her with a raised eye ridges. A look that she knew meant that he was listening, but having a hard time believing a word she just said, in that last sentence.
"Tribunal had all this planned out, even before they met you and your brothers as young turtles." She wasn't shocked by Leo's now wide eyes to the hard truth. "For it was them, without Master Oroku and Master Splinter aware, forming a trick of the mind and created that bone demon to see how you and your brothers did. And when they saw promises in you four. They erased your four's minds. For if everything played out right by what Kon-Shisho saw in the future. You four would become the next guardians for the earth.
While they trained me, I was informed of you and your brothers, but I didn't know you personally. Cause if I did, I probably wouldn't agree to all the orders they gave me." As Karai said this last statement, she gave his hands a squeeze, before removing her hands from his.
"Before my training was up, the Tribunal had told me they would contact me with orders of what to do when I meet you and your brothers. But when I returned to the Foot, I realized at that same time I had to keep my eyes on my father, while running the Foot in Japan. Therefore, just like the Tribunal could contact me, so could the royal guards of Utroms, namely when those royal guards were also my bodyguards; Cole and Han.
It took me three months to get over my bodyguards was actually Utrom guardians." She said after seeing the look Leo gave her.
"I was barely a few months back to being the leader of the Foot in Japan after my training with the Tribunal masters, before I got the word, that my father was missing and wars between gangs begun in New York City, with Khan leading the Foot there. Something I wasn't too thrilled about. So after leaving the Japan Foot in the hands of the three members of the Councils of Five. Council member, I created after becoming the leader of Foot in Japan.
But because I had to get to New York to restore order between the gangs. I left an elder woman called- Mai, and elder man called- Li; who both were older/retired Foot soldiers who were also wise and strong to keep order in the Foot in Japan, while I was gone. And I had Master Oroku who, secretly was a member of the Councils of Five, checking in on the Foot. And being that both Cole and Han was also the Councils of Five, I had them return to Japan every chance they can to keep things in shape and order.
Now here comes the part, that I'm sure you would find 'messed up'." She said, trying to give him a heads up.
"Since the Ninja Tribunal didn't see my father as a threat, they showed me in a dream where to find my father and save him before he could die." Karai found she was right.
Leo wasn't too pleased to discover that the Tribunal had a hand in bringing the Utrom Shredder back.
"That was always something that made me hate them. Cause they used my love for my father to keep my father living and keeping the Foot Mystic in order or under his thumb, so they wouldn't have any chance to bring their master back from the dead. They even went so far as to had me, after my father was sentience to exile aboard an icy asteroid. Go for revenge for my father's exile to keep the Foot Mystics in line. But that's something the Tribunal couldn't 'see'. The Foot Mystics could feel I wasn't blood-lust or really meaning to make you and your family pay. However, when Khan and the Foot of New York noticed I wasn't doing anything to get you guys back when Chaplin told them all of what happens and their master wasn't dead, just exile. Khan and some Foot soldiers started making trouble for me, by convincing many of the Foot soldiers that I wasn't worthy to be the next Shredder, not just for not getting revenge for my father, but because I was a woman. So I tried to act the part, but it truly wasn't me...so after getting the word from the Tribunal to make up with what I almost cause by letting my father leave the earth. I was ordered by the Tribunal to destroy yours, and your family's lair.
Cause with Kan-Shisho seeing the future, he was able to see that you were going through some deep-soul searching and was sent to be trained by Master Oroku. Kan-Shisho knew this plan would help your spiritual powers become stronger. And thanks to some very loyal soldiers that came from Japan, while we were on the Utrom planet. I was able to make sure your brothers and Master Splinter got out alive, without rising any alarm with Khan. For my loyal men search for any signs that your family survives. All reports were positive, and then when you warned me to stay away from your family, proved that they were still alive."
Karai couldn't help but frown as Leo turned his head from her after hearing this, but she let it go. " And after you and your brothers retrieve the Heart of Tengu. I waited until the Heralds left the portal room they had to reside in. Then I use their 'all seeing well' to see why in fact you and your brothers wanted the amulet. And when I saw that you stole the amulet for Bishop to save Donatello. I understood then."
This time Leo did turn to her, to see she was smiling at him. "For your family means everything to you. Just like my Foot in Japan means everything to me and still do." When he didn't turn away from her, Karai didn't drop her smile. " When I saw there wasn't anything I could do but wait. I got my men prepared for what was coming soon, by ordering Dr. Chaplin to finish a project device that Baxter Stockman had in his blueprints about combining magic with science. A project my father had him working on, before the Tricerations invasion.
Then I went into a deep meditation state until Master Oroku reached me and told me to link with you and your brothers in your sleep, so you will be there when the demonic Oroku Saki got to the Foot Headquarter."
Karai began to bit her lip as her eyes lowered to the sofa. "And in the end with me giving my life, you and your brothers manifested your astral selves into your dragon avatars."
Taking a breath, Karai continued. "Once I drawled all Oroku Saki's spiritual and demon energy into me and made it pure. I was able to complete my task for the Tribunal and was allowed to become the new demon keeper master. A role that Oroku Saki had before he was taking over by the Demon Shredder. So with no more orders from the Tribunal and Master Oroku was going to join the Tribunal in some needed rest on the 'Lap of the Gods'. I started to get to work on rebuilding the mess that Tengu Shredder cause to New York and its people. In the 6 months that Master Splinter kept you and your brothers in the lair. I was getting training lessons from him through meditation. While when awake, I gave the Foot here in New York the choice whether to stay loyal to the true way of the Foot and become allies with you, your brothers, Master Splinter, and all your allies and friends. Many of the Foot here didn't agree, especial with Khan and the other Foot Elites became their voices. So Khan tried to take over the Foot Headquarters. But I was preparing for this takeover. Cause I had, behind Khan and the former Foot Elite's back. Recruited new Foot Elites, people who were trustworthy and great friends; the Tribunal's descendants- Adam, Faraji, Joi, and Tora. With them and some still loyal Foot soldiers. I was able to beat Khan and his followers. Many of those followers, later I heard went to join the Purple Dragon after leaving the headquarters. Though Khan and the rest of the ex-Foot Elites went in hiding. Many of their new followers have been hurting a lot of people in the city. One in fact, that had many young members joining the Foot when a lot of them lost family members from Khan's followers. Like one of my young but high-rank member called Keno. He was a 16-year-old pizza delivery boy, at the time his kid cousin (10 years old) Hope was kidnapped by Khan's followers when Keno had refused to join Khan's gang. Tora and Faraji had found Khan's last hideout, and they got there in time to rescue a half-dead Keno, but sadly, Keno's cousin was already dead. It seems that they tricked Keno in believing that they had kidnapped Hope. But the truth was they killed her and dump her body in Central Park where she was found two weeks later after Keno came out of the hospital. Khan's men had raped her and then shot her in the back of the head, with her hands bound behind her."
Karai shook her head at the same time that Leo did. It was truly sad when innocents get caught up in things unwillingly. "And before he joined, Keno had asked to be able to go back to Japan to bury his cousin near, where her parents laid. I paid his way for him to do just that. And ever since then he has been loyal to the Foot. But also has formed a crush on me recently as Angel informed me two months ago. Not something I'm thrilled to have another lovesick boy drooling over me."
Karai didn't catch the look Leo was wearing. If he was pissed earlier outside when Dr. Chaplin had put his hands on Karai. Knowing some pizza boy was gawking at her, had him almost hitting the ceiling. Still not seeing this, what with her hand over her eyes as she groaned. Karai continued on.
"And well I told you about Angel and her becoming my little sister." She went on when Leo nod his head showing that he remembered. "Well after that I noticed many of my new recruits needed more skills in martial arts, so I had sent for some Foot teachers from Japan to teach the new warriors. Teachers that just got here today. And that's just about it."
After Karai went quieted and closed her eyes, resting her head on the sofa. The massive room went into a comfortable silence. And for a while, that's how it stayed. But something was bothering Leonardo, something that had to do with Karai not speaking of the star-ship event. An event that still haunts him to this day. I need to know, why I keep still having that nightmare... With this thought, Leonardo, sitting on the sofa, leaned his elbows on his knees, before looking over to the resting Foot's leader on the same sofa.
"Karai."
"Yes, Leonardo?" Karai said, sounding exhausted. She didn't know that she would be more drained after speaking all that to Leonardo. As she opened her tired eyes. She knew something was wrong, especially with the tone Leonardo was giving. "What is it?" She asked, sitting up, bringing her whole attention to the turtle. But when she saw the expression that he was wearing had her fearing and dreading what she was sure he wanted to speak about.
Leonardo almost hesitated, but then spoke. "What happens the day your...father...was leaving earth."
"Don't." Was Karai's quick response as she turned her face from him.
"Don't?" Leo repeated her word, in shock before frowning. "I have a right to know." Karai wanted Leo to leave this be, but she knew he wasn't. Sighing to herself, Karai started explaining.
"I was vowed to the Utroms, so I, while being under my father's orders, kept trying to keep him from having any more charges put on him before he would return to the stars-" Karai's words caught in her throat, when suddenly Leo got into her face, glaring deadly at her.
"You helped him escape-" Karai shook her head, she wasn't going to go there...not now.
"Look, Leonardo." she started rubbing her forehead, "I won't go there. So drop it." She added, glaring back at him. "That mission didn't go the way it was supposed to, and Master Splinter knows this now and he's the only one that needs to know what happens or was supposed to on that meeting spot my father was supposed to meet his allies-"
"You was going to let him destroy the Utroms after you gave your vow to them-"
"I SAID DROP IT!" Karai screamed in Leo's face, with her breathing heavy. "I will not-" Getting up, Karai stormed away. But Leo wasn't giving up so easily, as he jumped off the sofa, and caught her arm, turning her around to face him.
"I will not drop it! That event alone still haunts me!" When Karai refuses to look up at him, he started growling. "You tried to kill me!" He began shaking her with his grip on her arms. "Tell me why-" Before Leo could finish, Karai pushed back from him.
"FINE!"
She shouted in his face, then turned away from him and walked straight for her bar cabinet as she spoke, for she knew she will need a drink to be able to speak of the half fail mission.
"After showing many times that I was still against my father's ways. My father, without me being aware, had been keeping watch over me, by Baxter Stockman's replacement; Dr. James Chaplin. I didn't know this, that was until I noticed some of the Foot, knew my style of fighting. Which had me discovering that my father let Dr. Chaplin place hidden cameras in my living chambers. Therefore, I stopped training in the headquarters and started training in the city. Which I'm sure you know of this, cause most of our secret meetings you had always found my training. But even then I wouldn't reveal my true fighting styles not even to you. That I'm glad, I didn't ever let my guard down, for Dr. Chaplin to copy my real moves. I found out about the 'Karai robotics',"
Not aware of Leo frowning at this, Karai, standing in front of her bar cabinet, opened the cabinet door and pulled out a white bottle filled with rice wine, that had been placed in a compartment inside the cabinet, that kept the bottle warm. "after Baxter Stockman short circuit the 'Karai robotics' program, while I was getting a power core device system-"
"That's why you were there, wasn't it?" Leo asked, with his frown deepening when Karai nod yes. "Why am I not shocked by this." Overlooking this rude remark, Karai went on.
"With that system, I was able to learn about the star-ship my father was having created with leftover parts from the Triceratops's star-ships. But to earn his full trust I had to agree to a date and see Dr. Chaplin intimately. So my father could manipulate him into breaking all of Baxter's passcodes, blueprints, and programs." Saying that Karai shook her head, before shuddering.
"Not a time I like to relive." She continued on as she took a clear sake glass and pour some warm rice wine for herself. "Keeping the royal family updated with my father's plans and allies. The Utroms were able to capture his allies on the meeting point that he had as his first stop back in space. But though everything was going as planned. Tribunal wasn't pleased with me helping the Utroms with getting my father off the earth. So I vowed to them that as long as you and your brothers were still alive on earth and I keep the Heart of Tengu in my procession, then Oroku Saki wouldn't be brought back."
Karai went to drink her sake, but instead place it in the bar cabinet along with the rice wine bottle, before closing the cabinet door, walking away from it. She decides that she didn't need a drink that bad, for if she was going to go over this event she wanted to be in her right mind.
"The Tribunal told me they will hold me to this vow. A vow that was harder said than done." Still walking Karai made her way to her window, not once looking in Leo's direction.
"But with the Tribunal's ok. I continued on with my task. When I found out who all was going to go with my father to the 'stars'. I had Cole and Han send the information to the royal Utroms. I was more than overjoyed to know that Khan and the rest of the Foot Elites were going also, along with most of my father's loyal following solders. Everything was going smoothly."
Karai stared up at the sky that was beautiful with the moon still shining. "Even with Baxter Stockman joining Bishop, wasn't a problem. For Baxter didn't know about my father's star-ship, at the time. So no big deal. But then Master Splinter missed understood Yoshi-san's message. Yoshi-san was making Master Splinter a guardian to Utrom who were still on earth. But with his thoughts and his father's thoughts mixed together in the orb that held Yoshi's memories. Memories that had been recorded when he was alive. But Master Splinter didn't know this, for commander Mortu wasn't supposed to give the orb to Master Splinter, without his aunt and uncle's say so. But he did." Karai with her hand on the window, begun to frown at the memory. "Bishop wasn't a true problem, but you, your brothers and Master Splinter was a problem."
"Why didn't you just tell us this then? You had many chances to do so." Leo questioned. Karai sighing, looked over her shoulder, but didn't move from her spot near the window.
"If Master Splinter was informed about all this, especially about my part with the Tribunal. Master Splinter would have prevented you and your brothers from becoming Acolytes. Hell, it was they who had to order me to destroy the orb when I attack your family's lair. For they didn't want Yoshi-san informing Master Splinter of yours and your brothers' destiny."
"Oh..." Was all Leo could say, as Karai went back to the star-ship event.
"Believe me, Leonardo, I wanted to tell you many times of what was going on. But I knew I couldn't. I honored what both Tribunal and royal Utroms wanted of me. That was the only reason I didn't just speak up at that time. I even went as far as to make you believe I hated the Utroms. And I'm sorry about that..." Karai shut her eyes at the window, as she was silently fighting her tears. "I'm also sorry about what happened on the star-ship between me and you. It really wasn't supposed to be that way, but I had no choice-"
"Yes, you did!" As Karai was talking, Leo had been making his way to the desk, now standing in front of it, he gripped his hands to his sides as the nightmare return to the surface of his mind. Making him relive that pain and hurt all over again.
"No, I couldn't! There was no way around it!" Knowing he was behind her, Karai whipped around, moved to her desk until she was glaring at him over the desk.
"Yes, there was, you could of-"
"What?" She started while cutting him off as she folded her arms. "Withdrawal my weapon, then let you collide into me, and with your weight heavier than mine, we would of tilt over the rail to our deaths. Or how about this, I could have not lowered my weapon a little, then be able to stab your heart. Yeah, I think either one of those choices would have been better then what I chose. 'Tilting my weapon slightly and wounding your shoulder, where you were wounded and in pain, but was still alive'. But next time I'll choose the others." Hearing the bitter and sarcastic in her voice, had Leo growling, as he stared back at her. "I know I hurt you really badly and not with only your shoulder," That got Leo growling louder at her, gripping his hands into fists. But Karai went on. He wants the truth, then so be it! "I can't turn back time. I don't have that kind of ability. I need you to think like a warrior- no."
She poked a finger against his chest. " A sword master. Then tell me if there was any way around my choice. Without death being the last resort."
Leo went to open his mouth. But closed it, after himself went over in his head of any way around what Karai chose to do. However, he came to the same result.
"Stabbing me in the shoulder was the only choice without death being our fate." Knowing this, the ninja turtle drawled away from the desk to sit in a black armchair behind him, that he fell into, hanging his head with a deep sigh. Karai didn't move or speak. She had a deep feeling that that event had run on his mind for a long time. She just wasn't sure it would affect him this much.
"I always thought that was the only choice." He started shaking his head. "But I didn't want to get my hopes up." He suddenly lifts his head, looking over to her. "I didn't want to believe that you were thinking of my well-being at that time. But to know now." He placed his forehead in his hand as his elbow was resting on his knee. "Changes everything-"
Suddenly Leo gripped his head in pain as an image of being lifted up by Shredder on the star-ship flooded his mind. Then as soon as the image was there it was gone, but not before he heard his father's voice speak to him.
"Ask why Ch'rell didn't kill us on the star-ship. When he had the chance too."
By the time he was able to focus, Karai had rushed over to him, kneeling in front of him, with worry writing all over her face, while wiping his sweaty face with a cold washcloth. And he knew to see her caring for him like this would have brought a smile to his lips, but the still fresh image in his mind had a frown playing on his appearance and lost look on his face from his father's words. "Karai." When her eyes were on his, he continued on. "What happens after Ch'rell lift me," Leo didn't miss Karai getting pale in the face as she froze from cooling his skin with the cold washcloth in her hand. "off the floor...in the power core center room?" And just like that, Karai stood up and moved away from him, and started for her secret living quarters.
"Leonardo, it's almost 1:00 in the morning. I believe I should go make those rice balls and miso soup for your family. And I think I'll add some homemade Jasmine tea for Master Splinter,"
Standing up, Leo, not saying anything, approached the retreating Foot leader. The Foot leader that was still going on chatting. "He told me it's his favorite tea. So that will-"
Finally reaching her. Leo turned her around and pressed her back against the wall behind them. With his hands on both her shoulders, Karai couldn't move, unless she wanted to fight to get loose.
"Start talking." He leans his face only an inch from hers. "I won't free you until you spill of what happen that day." Karai hung her head. "Please, Karai-"
"Why do you want to know so badly?" She questioned in a whisper, without lifting her head up.
Leo was about to say cause Master Splinter wanted him too. But the truth is. Leo has been wanting to know like his brothers. Why was Ch'rell outside the power core center room, when they came too? But more importantly, he wanted to understand the nightmare of Shredder picking him up by the back of his belt with Shredder holding him up with his gauntlet. But after that part of the nightmare, he always wakes up sweating all over. Now he wanted that nightmare to leave, but it won't until he knew what happens at that moment.
"Let's just say, knowing will let me sleep better." He watched her try to struggle out his hold, but with her tired she wasn't having success in her struggling, causing her to give out a sigh. She decides to give up.
"Leonardo," He didn't take his eyes off her fiery green eyes. "what happen on that star-ship." She curses under her breath, then with more courage she didn't think she had, she started explaining. "After you, your brothers and Master Splinter was knocked out. I thought maybe I would still have a chance to get my father to his meeting spot, so the Utrom can capture him." She turned her face away, once she began again.
"But all changed when my father decided to kill all of you..." She closed her eyes once she felt them start to burn. "Froze and couldn't move. I didn't know what to do...Then..." She was beginning to choke on her sobbing. Leonardo wanted to comforter her but push the urge down.
"When my father lifted you up with his gauntlet from the back of your belt."
Leo's body was stone stiff but on the inside, he was shaking as his nightmare was playing in front of him while Karai was talking.
"Seeing what my father was going to do. I acted. With your weapon, I blocked my father's attack on you. And even though I tried to reasoning with him saying; you, your brothers and Splinter had failed to stop him, so you will feel dishonorable your family lost. But my father didn't want to hear it. All he saw was a traitor. That was the first time my father had ever strike me."
Karai started shaking, which had Leonardo pulling her into his arms. This little affection had her going on.
"I knew then that I had no choice but to distance my father away from you and the others, so not daring to fight my father, I made my way out of the power core center room."
Leo tried to fight it, but his heart had a mind of its own as it speeds up, once Karai snuggled her face into his neck, unaware, but tickling his skin with her warm breath.
"I was hoping that you and your family would stay unconscious until we reach our stop, but then the missiles from Baxter and Bishop was making it impossible to make it to the 'drop off'. But it wasn't for Professor Honeycutt sending stress calls to Mortu. The Utroms wouldn't have been able to save us. So I'm glad for them; Mortu and Professor Honeycutt that is. They're the reason we're still alive."
Done with speaking, Karai just realized what she was doing and where her face was resting. Blushing she drawled back, but because she quickly moved from him. They both felled with Leonardo on the bottom and Karai falling on top of him. Neither one moved for a while cause they both were getting over the shock of falling.
"You saved me, cause of both the Tribunal and Utrom-"
"Leonardo," His words left him, as Karai softly brush her hand against his cheek, her eyes were sparkling down at him. "When I defended you against my father. The Tribunal and Utroms was the last thing on my mind. I saved you cause I..." Shaking her head suddenly, Karai jumped up and tried to flee.
She almost let it slip. But she couldn't...No she couldn't tell him. She just hopes Leonardo didn't catch what she was about to say. I'll just slip to the kitchen and get his family's meals ready-
Karai never got to finish that thought as she was once again pushed up to the wall by the blue bandana ninja turtle. But this time was different.
For, though he was pinning her against the wall like before. Leo wasn't doing it out of anger. Which Karai was finding this out with Leonardo claiming her lips. He was doing it out of desire and love for her.
With wide eyes at Leo's action, Karai thought it was hours before she returned his kiss, but it was really less than a few seconds before she had her arms wrapped around his neck, kissing him back. It wasn't fast-pace kissing but instead, slow-kissing. Enjoying their kissing, they kept this up until they needed to stop for a breather. Therefore, with her mind not so fuzzy, Karai was able to once again, think straight. Which when Leonardo tried to kiss her once more, she turned her face from his making him kiss her cheek.
"What? What are you doing? I thought you love me?" with puzzlement in his eyes, Leonardo was believing maybe he heard her wrong.
"Oh, my Leonardo." She rests her head on his chest. "I love you very much...more than I believe I could ever express." She let him lift her chin so they were looking into each other's eyes.
"If you love me so much, why did you stop-" She silenced him with a finger against his lips.
"I stopped our kissing, cause although I want you," Releasing her finger from his lips, the Foot's leader, trailed her finger down the blue bandana ninja turtle's mouth, further down to his neck, and over his shoulder, trailing her finger over the green skin muscles upon his arm, actions teasing the turtle the whole time, while smiling. "I don't deserve your affection. Not now anyway."
"What do you mean?" Turning the tables, Leonardo brought his hand up to her face, to her chin, and pulled her back to him, closer.
"I mean I want to earn your trust and friendship," Karai explained, before having to bit back a moan as Leonardo getting bold started hovering his hands over her covered breasts, that he wasn't touching but Karai could still feel the heat from his hands.
"You have my friendship." He whispered in her ear, before nibbling it. His hands were no longer hovering over her breasts, but actually, his right hand, touched her right breast, circling the nipple through her robe, making her pulled her bottom lip in while biting down on it, to ignore the fire down below, between her legs. But ignoring was forgotten about when Leo leaned in to kiss her again. She didn't stop him this time. Either did she encourage him? She just let their desire free for the moment as they tongue danced the tango.
But once she felt his hand rubbing up and down her leg under her robe. An action that had her softly moaning as chills went up and down her spine. Their moment was interrupted by a familiar beeping sound filling the air.
"Oh, shell!" Leonardo grumbled as he pulled out his beeping 'shell cell' from its hidden place on his shell. But while Leo was glaring at the cell in his hand. Karai was clearing her head once again. With a clear head now, Karai kissed his cheek.
"I'm going to go fix your brothers and Master Splinter bentos and tea." With that, she left through the still opened wall to her secret living quarters. It wasn't until Karai was gone, that Leo finally answered his shell cell, but not before grumbling about "not getting a break".
"Hello." He said into the speaker of the shell-cell and didn't have to wait too long to get a response.
"Where the hell are you 'Fearless Leader?" Seeing that he was talking to his older, but young brother Raphael. Leo decides to keep his whereabouts to himself for the time being.
"I'm still at my post."
He rushed over to Karai's desk and glance at the only clock in the whole room; a 'flying dragon' clock stand- the left panel held a 4' diameter gold quartz clock with Roman numerals and the right panel exquisitely decorated with two flying dragons against a setting sun, the blue wave design and floral pattern wraps around the front of the panel.
While the rainbow colors and gold metallic trim made the clock a breathtaking work of art. But Leo was more on the time, then the desktop clock stands detail. Oh, shell it's almost past 3. Knowing he was already late getting to the meeting point with his brothers. Leo whipped up something from the top of his head.
"I'm been waiting for the cops to pick up some thugs, I tied up for them. They just placed them into the police car."
"You wanna us to come where ya at?" Leo almost had to stop himself from yelling 'no' in the shell cell.
"No. Just stay at the meeting spot. I'm going to take one more look around then I'll meet you guys at the water tower building."
Though he said this. It wasn't until almost 3:30 before Raphael got off the phone with him. Once his shell cell was back up, Leo let out a sigh.
"You know it's a good thing Raphael called when he did," Karai said, stepping back into the office, carrying a nice black size cooler in her hands. Turning to her. Leo gave a smile her way.
"Why you say that?" Seeing that warm smile, had Karai starting to feel her knees buckling. But she kept approaching him. It wasn't until she placed the cooler on the desk, she spoke while facing Leo.
"I said this Leonardo, because I know I don't have your trust," Leo was going to say she does, but Karai cut him off before he could speak. "I don't mean half your trust or little of it." She began as she turned to the cooler and turned back to him, strapping the cooler on him. "I want the same trust that you give to your brothers and Master Splinter."
"Karai I..." He wanted to say he had that kind of trust in her. But the sad truth was. He didn't.
For although his heart...and other parts of his body believed in Karai. His head wouldn't. And half of the time it was his heart and head that went together. But he's finding when it comes to Karai. His heart and head couldn't agree.
That's what had him, becoming silent. For he couldn't give her a good answer. However, Karai seeing the fight Leo was having with himself, had her leaning to him, giving him a hug.
"It's ok." She slightly drew back, looking into his sad chocolate brown eyes. "After everything, I put you and your family through. I'm not surprised nor upset that you don't trust me."
She stepped back and walked over to the blue dragon statue in the room and without any trouble, pulled his twin katanas from the statue' shell on its back. "So I don't mind earning your trust." With the swords in hand, she walked back over to him.
"With that said, I think it is in both our best interest," She stopped in front of him, handing over his swords, that he was overjoyed to have back. "if we take this slow and easy." Leo didn't want to agree to this as he was placing his swords on their place on his shell. But he thought he didn't have a choice. Which had him regretful, accepting this choice.
"However," Karai started, as she sat on her desk, while he stood, facing his left side to the desk. "That doesn't mean..." She slowly trailed a finger against his arm, like before. "That doesn't mean friends don't experiment intimately with each other-"
Karai's words were silent by Leonardo, pulling her into a kiss. But it wasn't a haste kiss. No, this kiss was long and strong. That's why when Leo release their lip-lock, Karai was literally fanning herself.
It must be a mutant turtle thing? Cause there's no way in hell, that a human can kiss and use their tongue like that. Karai coming out of her thoughts was trying to keep up with her heart beats, that was racing a mile minute. She leans against the desk with her back to it, while facing a now pleased and smirking Turtle.
"Do you mean that kind of intimate experiment." It wasn't a question, that much Karai could pick up on. But she did answer him, though on a count of her, still catching her breath. Karai's only respond to Leo was a nod yes.
"I can agree to those terms," Leo said then stepped up to Karai until there was no space between them.
Still smirking, his hand came up to her face, to her chin, and gently brought her to him. "Can you." If Karai had an answer, she didn't speak it as she was for the third time, brought into a kiss with Leo.
He was barely touching her lips. And yet it was so sensual to her as she became enchanted. By the time he pulled away from her and left her office. Karai was still trying to get her legs from shaking but ended up on the floor.
Giving herself a little more time to feel her energy return to her legs. Karai still feeling the tingling going through her body left by Leo. It went from her lips to between her thighs. Moaning to herself, she decided to see if she could link her dreams with his. Seeing she didn't need to pull too much spiritual energy to link her to his dreams like she had done when she linked to his and his brothers' dreams.
Though she wasn't sure if Leo would like to have his dreams invaded. But the way she was feeling, she didn't care. She knew this way was sneaky but she also knew she wasn't breaking any agreement. For dreams were just fantasy realms to our minds. So it wasn't the real world. So she wouldn't be really going back on her words, about taking it slow. No of course not. This will be just a sample of what the future holds. Pleased with that thought, Karai left her office and headed for her bedroom in her secret living quarters.
She had just slipped under her covers, not wearing nothing. When her phone on her bed stand, started going off. Growling to herself she snatched up the phone.
"This better be good."
"Onee?" Hearing her little sister's surprise voice had Karai changing her tune.
"I'm sorry Imoto. I wasn't in my right mind." She sat up in bed. "To be honest, my mind is focused more on my body for the moment.
"Oh, was I disrupting something between you and Leo?" There was mischief in Angel's voice. Making Karai rolled her eyes.
"No. Not really." With the phone to her ear, Karai grabbed her house robe from its hook, on her wall in her bedroom. "And Leonardo has already left after his brothers called his shell cell." She slipped on the robe, covering her nakedness.
"I see. So everything is good with you two? I mean Leonardo's not going to go crazy and try to kill you again is he?" Karai sighed to herself as Angel's mischief tone was replace with worry and concern.
"No, Leonardo won't be trying to kill anytime soon. And at the moment we're taking things slow, and start with being friends, before anything else."
"I'm glad to hear that. I wasn't sure what to think after having to patch you up. How is the cream Professor Mortu had me putting on your cuts?" Karai didn't speak back until she was sitting on her bed again.
"It works great. The cuts have sealed up very well. And in a few days, I believe I won't need the bandages anymore."
"That's good to hear. When you told us to turn off the surveillance in the office after your duel... I was just worried. After seeing first hand Leo trying to kill you-"
"Hey, it's ok. I'm ok." Karai said, trying to calm Angel down as she could hear her voice breaking on the phone. "Leonardo and I made a truce. So we're ok." She added, wanting to change the subject. "Now you called for something, so what was it?"
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Karai could almost see Angel's expression through the phone. "Professor Leatherhead and Dr. Perry have been able to break the passcodes of Baxter Stockman's researches, blueprints, and program devices. They have all of it, which means..."
"I don't have any reason to keep Dr. Chaplin on the payroll. I can finally fire him."
"Yeah, and with the blueprints. Any of our professors and doctors can create another tracking device." Angel reminded her big sister. "And with the tracking device, you'll be able to keep watch over your father; Ch'rell." Knowing this Karai took off her robe and started getting dressed.
"I want you to wake both Professor Mortu and Professor Honeycutt. And you tell them to meet me in the 3rd-floor lab." She was just putting on some jeans, as she went on. "And then you get to bed. I want to see you bright and early for morning training."
"Yes, Onee." With that Karai hung up the phone, before placing a loose tank top on and leaving her hair down, it will take Leonardo a little longer to get home, so I'll reach him when I get back. With that thought, Karai left her living quarters and made her way to the 3rd lab.
In the city with Leonardo
Leo jumped three rooftops in less than 10 minutes, with a few fancy cartwheels and somersaults to add to his mood, as well as release some energy that formed in the office with Karai.
So much energy that his ninja belt was just a little too tight around his waist. The same belt that keeps the bottom of his shell pressed against him.
Shell! Why did that shell cell had to go off...now I need to release some stamina. Or I won't be able to sleep tonight.
Thinking this, Leo stopped on the 5th rooftop and started slashing the air with his twin katana. He knew he had to make it to the meeting spot where his brothers were waiting, but there was no way he was going keep going without letting go of his built up energy. Built up energy that was coming from his concealed 'manhood'.
Like his brothers, Leo at preteen (13), was taught to hide his 'manhood' or per-say sealed it away from sight. A task at first that wasn't easy but overtimes, like his and his brothers' ninja skills. It became easier. He and his brothers were part animal and having many human traits. Had to learn how to work with each part of them. Including hormones. But lucky for them, they don't have to worry about that part of them, unless they were aroused. So as long as they don't get 'hard', nobody will ever know about this part of them.
"Ha!" Working up a sweat, Leo started adding a few kicks to his fighting style. He knew a few more moves and he would be able to keep going, to meet his brothers. He had just finished a roundhouse kick when a weapon came at him from his left. Able to deflected it with a katana, he saw the weapon was a Sai, and it was now stuck into the floor ceiling of the building's rooftop.
"I chose to come to help you finish up with ya side of the city." Leo groaning to himself, saw Raphael standing not too far from him. With both Donatello and Michelangelo standing to the side. "But shocking I find you weren't where you said you were." He watched as Raph folding his arms, frowned at him. "But at Mikey's post-"
"I didn't mind-"
"Can it Mikey!" Raph shot at his baby brother. Before looking back to his older brother. "Tell me, Leo. Why is it we just saw you heading away from the Foot's Headquarters. Or better yet." He stepped into Leo's stone face. "How about telling me why ya lied of where you were?"
"I'll tell you. But not here."
With that Leo moved passed Raph and started once again jumping from the rooftops, not looking back at his brothers. Seeing that they had no choice but to follow their older brother. Both Michelangelo and Donatello race to catch up to Leo.
While Raph looked towards the Foot Headquarters before like his younger brothers, went to catch up with Leo. But he had a bad feeling things were about to change. And if there is one thing Raph hates. It's things changing with the Foot involved.
Nothing ever comes good with the Foot. Nothing...
….
To Be Continued.