Author's note: This is a short tale, one that just sort of popped into my head and was inspired by a line I re-read recently in my first fan-fic True Forces - both tales are based solely on the first 1990 TMNT film, and this would be a bit of a prequel for it - ENJOY! Sue Sitler a.k.a. DenymBear
Acquaintance - Part 3 - Assessment
It was a large chain store pharmacy. It did, no doubt, have any and every supply that Saki imagined he could possibly want or need. The police vehicles had caught the attention of the locals, and they had been able to proceed along mostly deserted sidewalks with few and incurious passersby.
He was now in yet another alleyway, just across the narrow street from the establishment, tucked into the shadows there, and able to see most of the store's aisles through the large panoramic windows of the storefront. He was also able to watch as Tatsu moved efficiently up and down those aisles collecting first aid supplies and other necessities.
Saki had been clear with his instructions – for Tatsu to move quickly. And to pick up not only the supplies, but other amenities if they were available. His chance companion needed and no doubt desired soap and other personal items. And a few convenience foods – he had no quarrel with that; the man was obviously hungry and the Foot always took care of its recruits. He was especially impressed when Tatsu stopped at the rack of seasonal outerwear near the checkout and picked up a darkly colored winter scarf, one that he handed to him (tags already removed) as soon as his shopping expedition was completed. It was late October, and with the sun now fully down, it was chilly enough outdoors that no one at the hotel was likely to question the accessory that would allow him to navigate the hotel lobby with his wounds cleverly disguised.
Tatsu had been thinking. The man had - thus far - proven worthy. That last alleyway had not been such a bad choice after all. Tatsu was demonstrating himself compliant and useful and quite consciously, gratefully aware that his circumstances had improved substantially. If future actions warranted, Saki would regret having to kill this one, and mused that he would prefer not to have to.
For now.
In another three blocks the hotel came into view. Saki slowed to a halt, taking a moment to re-position his tea-towel and then to wrap the scarf around his face tightly, keeping the tea-towel snugged up against his wound. He passed the room key over to Tatsu and then he thrust his hands into his jacket pockets, certain that they would be covered in bloodstains that were sure to attract notice inside the building.
"We must be casual and move naturally when entering the hotel. There is no need for us to check in at the front desk. We do not wish to attract any attention. My room is on the second floor. If the elevators are busy, we will take the stairs. Room 204 will be to the left at the top of the stairwell, in that case."
"204, to the left." Tatsu repeated the instructions back with a nod.
"Come, then." Saki turned, striding confidently toward the revolving front door, with Tatsu following right behind him. The hotel lobby was moderately busy, the desk attendants occupied with check-in duties. They were able to cross the space without drawing any interest from other guests. The elevator display panel indicated both of the elevator cars were currently on the upper floors, and people were already waiting with their luggage for them to return to ground level. Saki immediately veered into the next corridor, and pulled open the door into the stairwell. They were able to ascend quickly and without witnesses on this alternate, faster route to the room.
He stepped back as they reached the room, allowing Tatsu to shift his bagged purchases to one hand and then use the key with the other to open the door. With due courtesy, Tatsu then stood aside to permit him to enter first, and then to promptly follow him inside, closing the door behind him.
Finally, Saki stopped moving, and relaxed, letting out a long breath as Tatsu set the bags down and returned the room key to him. He tossed it onto the nightstand beside the nearest of the two beds, and then dropped his own bag onto the closest one, tacitly claiming it as his own.
He was acutely aware of Tatsu's presence behind him, intensely conscious that the man absolutely needed to bathe…
"You may use the facilities first," he said without turning. The room was equipped with a small wet bar and fridge. Saki would be able to clean his own hands there.
There was a short pause. It would have been customary for Saki himself to go first, and Tatsu was likely weighing the courtesy he'd extended against the custom and the circumstances, and measuring an appropriate response.
But Tatsu was also acutely aware of his own state. He lowered his eyes and inclined his head. "Master I am grateful. I will be swift." He moved to drop the plastic bags of supplies onto the far bed, and retrieved such items as he needed to take with him into the bathroom.
"You may take whatever time necessary to be as thorough as possible. I will arrange for more towels to be sent from Housekeeping." Saki turned and crossed to the tiny closet. He sorted through the few items of his own clothes, and came up with some loose pants and a t-shirt. Tatsu was bigger-boned and more broadly built than he was, but also more hunger-thinned; these items would suffice for him until morning. Tomorrow he would send Tatsu out to replace the rest of Tatsu's unsavory wardrobe. Any other unnecessary possessions would also be summarily disposed of, and the sooner, the better. "I have one more very small task for you." Saki moved to the wet bar and picked up the empty ice bucket. "The ice machine is halfway along the hall, near the elevators. I wish to ice this injury while you are occupied." He held the bucket out.
Tatsu took it immediately, and left the room. It gave Saki the opportunity to rummage through the bathroom linens, claiming a small towel and some face cloths to do a preliminary check of his wounds himself, and to check through the remaining items in the bags. He came up with some antiseptic cleansing pads and anti-bacterial ointment. He had what he felt needed before Tatsu returned with the ice, knocking lightly at the door.
Saki opened the door and let him back in, accepting the ice bucket with brief appreciation, and dismissing Tatsu to see to himself once the door's security chain had been put into place.
Tatsu bowed, and vanished promptly into the bathroom.
Saki made the quick call to the front desk, requesting the towels and room service, ordering a cold plate of fruits and bread and snacks, enough sustenance to tide them over before morning. He could hear the shower start up behind the bathroom door, even before he'd finished the call. He dug up a tip for the service staff, prepping ahead, for either himself or Tatsu to deliver it to the staff when the requested items arrived.
It was time for him to see and to assess the damages...
He approached the small room desk, and the mirror affixed to the wall behind it. He sank down into the hard-backed chair, reaching for and turning on the desk lamp, angling the hooded bulb so that the light would be clear and bright. Finally, he removed the scarf, and put a hand to the tea-towel, which was clinging to the left side of his face from the pressure he'd applied to it. He glanced toward the bathroom door, still hearing the shower as it ran, presuming that Tatsu would take the suggested time, and luxuriate in the cleansing for as long as seemed reasonable.
He took a deep breath, meeting his own eyes in the mirror's reflection, slowly peeling back the corner of the tea-towel that was closest to his nose – this item was last thing he had in his possession, the last tangible anything that had once belonged to Shen.
He closed his eyes on that thought, and continued to peel the fabric back until the bloodied pad came off into his hand. He stared down at it, deciding he would make it a keepsake, this humble household object, a sad, miserable, final memento.
He set it aside on the desk, glanced up, and caught a completely unknown reflection in the mirror –
Saki froze.
The image staring back at him was simply and impossibly not his own, could not possibly be. He blinked, his mind blank and uncomprehending. He stood suddenly and with force, and the chair fell backward unnoticed onto the carpet as he left it, while one of his hands floated of its own volition toward what had to be the utter ruin of his face…
He had stopped breathing. His fingertips halted, falling just short of the wounds, some part of his mind warning him with a jolt of sense not to make contact; his hands were not sterile and the slashed, swollen skin there before his eyes was wide open to both contamination and probable infection. But…
A deep and harrowing realization swallowed him.
This…this was not a wound taken in any sort of battle. Not even in a fight. There wasn't a single scrap of honor in in these wounds he'd sustained, inflicted on him by a lowly vermin rodent…
His hands clenched into tight fists.
He had many scars, acquired in practice or in the field. There wasn't an ounce of shame in any of that history. But this…this offended him to the core; he was known to be handsome, attractive to women and envied by his peers. He didn't even mind to admitting to a personal vanity about it.
But now…
Rage engulfed him abruptly; he drew air in sharply. One of Saki's fists unclenched, locked onto the desk lamp and he raised it, intent on smashing that image in the mirror. He stopped himself short, realizing suddenly that the noise in the shower had stopped. Tatsu could, would emerge at any time.
He could not now further disgrace himself in present company.
He was Foot Clan, he would find a way to erase this dishonor, he would, he vowed it silently.
He had to. There was no other choice.
He could not go home until he did.
Continued in Part 4 – Attention