Hey guys! It's been awhile for this story and I apologize for that. I'm trying to get settled after graduating from my University but things haven't been that easy for me. I was trying my hardest to find the time and will to write but I still haven't given up! I hope those of you that have been looking forward to a new chapter enjoy reading this!
I appreciate all the support and encouragement I get from you guys. The reviews are always great to read and make me very happy! Happy Reading! Hope you've all been having a good new year so far.
Third Point of View:
"Good question, Tyke!" Raph laughed mischievously as Leo's face flattened in annoyance as he gazed at his green-eyed brother. Donnie also laughed after taking one look at Leo's face. The others were snickering amongst themselves in a way that made Mike almost regret asking.
However, he really was curious. It wasn't the first time he'd heard Raph call Leo "Fearless" and he wondered why he did it. Mike waited patiently and when it was obvious Leo was avoiding the question, Raph smirked largely.
"It's a nickname I came up for Leo when we were small. He'd always pretend he wasn't scared when he really was-"
"Whatever, Raph," Leo butted in, his annoyance peaking, "I always knew you were being sarcastic when you started saying it."
"Well if you wanna be accurate Raph only started calling you Fearless that time when you saved us from being discovered by sewer workers-"
"Donnie, don't ruin tha story!" Raph barked, startling everyone including Master Splinter, who chuckled softly soon after. Mike just felt confused. So, what was the real reason he called Leo that? Isn't being fearless a great thing?
"W-What story?" Donnie blinked at his hot-tempered brother, feeling lost and a bit surprised at his brother's 360 behavior. Leo just blinked wide eyes at them both, looking as confused as Mike.
The others at the doorway exchanged awkward looks and Casey spoke up, "Well, how about we spar some other time then!" It was almost laughable how quickly everyone separated except for Karai.
Karai narrowed her eyes between the brothers but a shake of the head from Master Splinter also had her walking away to give the family a moment.
Raph sighed heavily, looking a bit embarrassed, "Sorry, Don. I didn't mean ta yell at ya like that."
"It's okay…I think I understand why you stopped me now," Donnie grinned with a knowing look that Raph glared menacingly at. Donnie laughed.
"What in the world are you guys talking about?" Leo asked looking almost frazzled as Master Splinter and Mike stood off to the side watching them, "Aren't we supposed to be training?"
Raph smirked again, "Yup! You bet!" He then turned to Mike, who blinked in surprise, "Tyke! Lemme show ya how to properly dodge a flyin' fist!"
"Okay!" Mike beamed, jumping away from the spot he had been rooted to. He landed eagerly in front of Raph, "By flying fist, do you mean like a fist that's so fast it looks like its flying?!"
The Hamatos all laughed loudly as Donnie answered, "It's just an expression Mike, but you could say that I guess."
"I dunno if Raph's fists are that fast anyway," Leo teased as Raph shot him a dirty look that he tactfully ignored. Leo sat carefully on the floor with his bad leg stretched comfortably out in front of him. Master Splinter stood by his side and Donnie soon joined them.
"So how do you dodge a flying fist?" Mike asked after that moment passed, tilting his head up at Raphael.
"It takes practice predictin' your opponent's moves," Raph explained as he looked down at Mike seriously, "The more you watch your enemy the more you'll learn about their style of doin' things."
"Like about how they fight and dodge and stuff?" Mike smiled, feeling proud that he mostly understood what Raph was saying.
"Yeah, basically," Raph grinned when he saw Mike's smile, "It's much different watchin' their basic attack moves and it's also very important ta study how they handle any weapons they have on them."
"That sounds hard," Mike frowned uneasily, remembering Fong and the weapons he used against Mike himself.
"It just takes time and practice," Donnie told Mike, who blinked over at him, "You'll just start out right now practicing stances, katas, and just building up your strength through exercises."
"Oh! Yeah, because you need muscles to fight!" Mike laughed as the others smiled.
"Yes, so let's start with that! Donnie, Leo, wanna join?" Raph asked eagerly, turning to his brothers before smirking at Leo, "Ya can at least do that, right?"
"Oh, stuff it in your shell. Of course I can!" Leo growled, offended as Donnie laughed, walking over to join Raph and Mike. Leo joined them soon after and Mike was beaming.
Mike laid panting on the mats of the dojo after a couple of hours of doing stretches, pushups, sit ups, and practicing his first couple of kata. He was very shaky on his feet when it was time to learn the katas but after more than a dozen attempts he finally landed one successfully and Leo had all but burst out in applause as the other two cheered Mike.
Splinter said all kinds of encouraging stuff to him and Mike blushed the entire time because he started to think he wouldn't be able to do the easiest kata! Directly after that, the Mighty Mutanimals came in and told the Hamatos how they weren't able to scout out where the Purple Dragons or the Foot were.
"How about we go out again tonight?" Slash asked as he turned to his team.
"I think it would be very feasible," Dr. Rockwell replied with his hand on his chin in thought, "We have not discovered anymore useful information and we haven't located any other Purple Dragons."
"It's safe to say they are probably with the Foot," Leo told them as Raph, Donnie, and Mike tensed, "Which means they are most likely with Shredder."
"I agree," Karai stated as she popped out of nowhere. Mike blinked at her in awe at her sudden appearance while no one else seemed surprised. Ninjas were so cool! "I'll go back out with the Mutanimals tonight to have a second try at figuring out where they might be holding up."
"Sounds good just be careful," Leo smiled slightly and Karai nodded. Slash turned towards her then.
"We were going to leave now actually," He announced, and Mike watched everyone else looked shocked. Why was that? "I know that it is the morning and still daylight, but I know a route through the sewers that takes us back to our hideout undetected. There's supplies we need to stock up on for tonight."
"Well, okay. Only if yer sure," Raph narrowed his eyes at his best friend who nodded eagerly.
"Then I'll go with you now. It might be helpful to have a human with you if things go weird," Karai joked, smirking at the Mighty Mutanimals. Slash snickered.
"Be safe you guys," Donnie said, looking a bit worried. Splinter hugged Karai and after a few more farewells they were leaving after promising to return or call when they learned something. Also, Splinter made them promise to call to check in to, so they'd know they were okay.
"Well, I'm beat," Raph sighed after the room was empty and silent for a couple of minutes.
"Same, but I'm getting hungry!" Mike said cheerfully and Raph huffed but then smirked as he poked Mike's belly, "Hey!"
"Yer always hungry!"
"Nu-uh!"
"Why don't I prepare some ramen?" Splinter interrupted with a smile. Mike beamed as he nodded multiple times
"Are you sure, Sensei?" Donnie asked as Raph continued to tease Mike.
"I am sure Donatello. I used to cook it for you all every day," Splinter assured with an amused look in his eye.
"We'll go help you," Leo smiled as he gently rose to his feet and hid a wince from the pain in his knee. Donnie nodded in agreement.
"Woah and what about us?" Raph demanded, raising an eye ridge. Sensei was more than capable of making a meal without their help.
"Well you guys can do whatever you want," Leo smirked at his younger brother, "I need to make some tea for myself anyways."
"And I really do want to help since it'll be easier with two hands," Donnie explained almost nervously when Raph and Mike stared at him.
"Then let's not waste anymore time," Splinter chuckled after Mike's stomach growled loudly. Raph laughed at him as Splinter, Leo, and Donnie walked out chuckling some more. Mike blushed.
"Why is my belly so loud?" Mike grumbled, feeling embarrassed at how the noise echoed in the dojo.
"No idea, tyke," Raph grinned after he stopped laughing. He rose to his feet and stretched. He tried really hard to keep the amusement off his face when Mike followed his example and copied what he did. He poked Mike's forehead hard, "Ya don't have ta keep doin' what I do."
"I-I know that!" Mike pouted, his blush lessening as he glanced at Raph again, "Hey Raph?"
"Yeah?" Raph understood that look immediately because Micah was like Mikey in almost every way. Mike had that look on his face when he was scared of how Raph would react to a question. Most likely the question was about to be personal.
"Why did you get mad at Donnie when he was telling the story about you guys and Leo?" Mike asked as he suddenly stared at the ground, "Was it because you didn't like thinking of Mikey?"
Raph blinked in surprise and felt uncomfortable, "Well, no. It's not about Mikey. I didn't want Donnie to tell the story because Leo was in the room."
Mike eyes widened as he looked up at Raph quickly, "Why?"
"It's embarrassing," Raph muttered as he crossed his arms, "I'm not great at showin' emotions other than anger."
It was silent for a moment and it made Raph feel even more uncomfortable as he realized what he said. He looked at Mike who was staring at him in confusion. He also seemed to be thinking really hard.
"That's not true, Raph! I used to think you were all mean but then I saw how you were with Donnie. You're really nice and care a lot about your family!" Mike blurted, making Raph's eyes widened as he felt his face burn suddenly. He really hoped Casey, April, and Shadow couldn't hear all this from the pit.
"W-What are ya sayin'?!" Raph spluttered as he took a couple of steps back. Mike was startled by his reaction and felt even more confused.
"You don't like me saying that?" Mike asked and Raph looked away from his questioning eyes.
"Don't say stuff like that out loud," He muttered quietly, not knowing what else to say. He's not used to that kind of talk. Not since…. Mikey. Mikey always knew what to say to push his buttons exactly how he wanted.
"Why? I'm saying it because I like you," Mike beamed and Raph face palmed to hide his embarrassed expression.
"I appreciate that, Tyke, but it's embarrassin' if ya say stuff like that in front of other people," Raph explained as his blush disappeared, "If it'll keep ya quiet then I'll tell ya tha story Donnie was goin' ta tell about why I started callin' Leo "Fearless"."
Mike brightened instantly as he jumped towards Raph, freaking him out a bit before he sat down in front of him crisscross. Raph rolled his eyes but sat down in from of him lotus style.
"Well, like Donnie said it started one day when we were all explorin' tha sewer tunnels. We were 8 years old and were allowed by Sensei ta explore as long as we didn't go too far and as long as we went in pairs," Raph explained as Mike cocked his head in confusion, "The reason for that is because there are a lot of dangerous tunnels and sometimes humans, especially sewer workers or construction workers sometimes too."
"Ohhh!" Mike echoed as he finally understood the dangerous side of the tunnels, "I do remember how dangerous it can be when you're not careful!"
"Yeah and that day we were all just playin' around but also lookin' for cool stuff that sometimes washes away down here," Raph told as he his eyes gleamed over as if he were there all over again. Mike's eyes widened as he stared at Raph, "I was playin' with Mikey while Donnie was showin' off somethin' he'd found ta Leo. After that Leo seemed ta be tha first one ta realize that we'd followed tha water trail too far away from our home."
"Oh no," Mike couldn't help but gasp as he got into the story. Both didn't realize that Leo was walking back from the kitchen nursing a cup of steamy tea in his hands. He stopped short when heard Mike gasp and peered inside curiously.
"Yeah, we all freaked out when we realized Leo was right, but Leo was sure he could lead us back and I argued with him as usual all because I was mad that I didn't realize we'd gone too far either," Raph said and maybe it was just Mike seeing things, but it looked like his shoulders sagged with regret. Leo's eyes widened from the door to the dojo as he leaned in a litter further.
"What happened next?" Mike asked quietly, not sure what else to say at the moment.
"Mikey began ta get upset and cry because we were lost but also because I was arguin' with Leo. Donnie calmed him down and assured he could also help so that made me shut up," Raph replied slowly as he stared at the ground, trying to remember all the details, "I can't remember but we must have taken a wrong turn because we suddenly heard voices that didn't belong ta us."
Leo leaned back out of sight when he realized what story Raph was telling. He was curious why Raph was suddenly telling the story now when he didn't want Donnie to earlier.
"Leo being Leo was immediately cautious but at first I thought it could have been Sensei and I ran off to find him first. It's stupid, but I wanted to bring Sensei back to my brothers, so I'd look like the hero not Leo," Raph huffed, crossing his arms. Mike frowned at him sadly.
"When I rushed off, Leo yelled after me and he sounded panicked, but I ignored him thinking of how he always stopped when we heard something. I kept calling him scared when he was really just being cautious. More cautious than I was even then. I ran straight into a group of three sewer workers," Raph sighed as he rubbed at his head. He glanced at Mike to see his horrified expression and blinked before smiling a little.
"Did they hurt you?" Mike questioned, almost afraid to even ask.
"They screamed like you wouldn't believe when they saw me, and I was…scared. Sensei had always told us what would happened if a human were to ever see us," Raph explained without sparing any details about that, "I yelled in fear and one of the guys freaked out and threw a rock at me. It hit me in the side of the head and I fell."
"Oh no! Did you get away?!" Mike asked, freaking out. Raph wanted to laugh at how into the story Mike was.
"Not exactly," Raph's smirk turned into a frown, making Mike lean forward, "My brothers heard the screaming and my yelling. They came and they were scared too. The humans were getting ready to fight us as they called us horrible names but suddenly Leo was standing over me and he looked so mad when he saw me bleeding."
"R-Really?" Mike gulped, not wanting to think about what would happen if anyone made Leo angry.
"Yeah," Raph answered quietly, nodding, "I was still so scared. I could hear Donnie and Mikey crying behind me. When Leo turned ta look at me he looked scared. Then it hit me suddenly that he wasn't like us. He wasn't scared because there were humans here that could take us away and do bad things ta us. He was only scared because I had been hurt when he wasn't there. He was scared for me."
"W-Wow…" Mike trailed off, thinking about Leo himself. The only time he saw Leo scared was when the Purple Dragon guys pulled out guns on them when they were taking Mike home from their first outing to his house with him. He hadn't been scared of the Purple Dragons then…just the thought that his brothers could be shot? Mike smiled warmly. Wow…
"At tha same time, I noticed what I hadn't noticed before. It had always been like that. Leo was never afraid of what we faced, he's just scared about what could happen ta us. Ta his family. I really respect Leo for that. When I'm afraid I just get angry," Raph grumbled, the green in his eyes dimming.
"Then why is it bad for Leo to know this?" Mike asked quickly, looking confused. Raph sighed and dipped his head.
"Well, it's not bad for him ta know. He knows I started callin' him that around that time he just doesn't know why. It's extremely embarrassin' ta tell Leo anything like that. It makes me feel weak or somethin'," Raph huffed, looking up at Mike's face.
"Hmm…well I guess I don't understand because I don't have any brothers," Mike said, his eyes dazing in deep thought, "I wish I woulda had brothers though. You guys are so awesome! I don't think you have to be embarrassed. If you told Leo all that he would probably like the nick name, then!"
Raph laughed, his heart feeling a little bit lighter as he put his hand on Mike's head, "But then his ego would get bigger and then he'd be impossible ta live with!"
Both Mike and Raph laughed together not realizing that Leo was still watching, his hands holding the now empty cup of tea he'd been drinking. Leo wiped the little bit of moisture from his eyes and smiled at the scene before him. They don't have to know that he heard them. He never realized Raph had such an insight about him that young. He always thought Raph was berating him and being sarcastic when he called him Fearless… but now he knew that was never the case.
"Leo?" Donnie came walking up behind him and Leo turned quickly, "We finished the ramen…what are you doing just standing out here?"
"Oh nothing, Donnie," Leo smiled warmly, "You go get April and the others while I get Raph and Mike."
"Okay," Donnie shrugged off his confusion and headed towards the pit while Leo walked further into the dojo, making his presence known to Raph and Mike. Raph was holding Mike's feet down as Mike attempted and struggled to do more sit ups. They both stopped when they noticed Leo.
Mike jumped up quickly a wild smile on his face and admiration in his eyes that would have made Leo turn red if he weren't already used to it, "Leo! Is the food ready now?"
"Yes, Mike," Leo answered with a smile of his own. Mike practically beamed as he trotted off excitedly for the kitchen. Raph stared at Leo the entire time before glancing away when Leo turned to face him again, "Let's go eat, Raph."
"Sure," Raph grinned a little, relieved when it appeared Leo didn't overhear anything he and the tyke talked about. He bumped Leo's shoulder lightly as he went past, "How's your knee feelin' now?"
Leo's smile widened slightly, "It's not hurting that much anymore."
"Great. Well let's eat!" Raph smirked as he walked off. Leo walked slowly after him but turned his head to look at Sensei's mantle that held his favorite picture and Mikey's mask. Leo smiled again. He hadn't felt this much happiness in a long time.
At sundown
Karai assured Slash and the others that she would be fine going off on her own for a little bit. She was not used to working in a team setting like the Mighty Mutanimals were. Leatherhead was the most reluctant to let her go but he eventually relented when she promised to meet up with them to go back to the Hamatos.
She retraced her last path through the city but when she saw no activity from the Purple Dragons or the Foot she switched to searching hidden places by the harbor. No matter how many abandoned buildings she staked out, she still couldn't find a single clue as to where the Purple Dragons or the Foot where.
"Where are you Shredder?" Karai growled under her breath as she tried to keep her emotions of anger in check. She didn't really want to face off with her ex-father, but it didn't help her anger that things weren't settled. She just wanted to move on with her life knowing that her real family was out of danger.
Plus, knowing that Shredder wants to ultimately kill little Micah just for the information he knows is truly disgusting, but she knows Shredder would be capable of such a thing. After meeting Mike for herself she feels that, just like the others, she has a connection to him. He's just like Mikey was after all…and Mikey's always treated her kindly.
"It's okay, Karai. It's me, Mikey. Your brother!"
Karai's heart skipped a beat at the old memory, back when she had been lost in her mind to her mutation when it was fairly new. He was the only one then besides Leo that treated her like family.
"Well, nothing will get done if I sit here and daydream," Karai sighed out loud before turning to go back to the meeting spot for her and the Mutanimals. She went a different way, so she could check for activity as she went back.
Suddenly the walkie-talkie that she had been given by Dr. Rockwell activated, making her halt warily, "Karai? Can you hear me?"
"Yes, Dr. Rockwell I can hear you," Karai answered as she pressed he button. The connection a was a little off, "Have you guys spotted anything? I haven't."
"Sure haven't, Karai," Slash answered this time, the frustration in his very clear, "Let's keep searching for another hour and then meet up, okay?"
"Alright," Karai smirked, excited at the idea of having more time to do her tracking. She slowed her pace to take her time to search her surroundings. She continued this for the next half hour before becoming frustrated again.
There was nothing out here! The Purple Dragons can't be that good at concealing their presence! Karai ground her teeth together and then huffed. Something loud crashed to the ground on the side of the building she was on. She jolted and pulled out her weapon quickly as she got ready. She calmed herself and went to the ledge to peer off.
There were multiple people standing around in the alleyway next to her building. Someone dropped some sort of equipment that was hard to see. All the people were wearing what looked like suits to protect your whole body, including your head. Karai cocked an eyebrow as more people exited a black van and she got a clear view of what they had with them.
Her heart stopped and her blood chilled when she realized that had guns on them along with a small tank strapped to their backs that hooked into another gun with a long pipe. It was like…. they looked similar to…exterminators.
Karai narrowed her eyes and continued to stare at them. She couldn't see who were in the suits. The van itself looked painted over somehow and was pure black with no symbols. A couple of the people bent over and to Karai's shock, they pulled up the manhole cover that led to the sewers.
Her heart fell into the bottom of her stomach as she watched them climb one by one in to the bottom before closing the lid behind them. Karai's heart began racing as she pulled out her walkie-talkie, "Dr. Rockwell, you there?"
There was nothing but static and she worried that something could be wrong on their end, "Is anyone there? Can you hear me?" There was still nothing but static, "Damn!"
Karai decided that she would do any good just sitting around. She jumped down and pulled open the manhole cover before climbing down and replacing the manhole cover. She landed quietly on the ground and fell into the shadows just in case anyone was around. She tracked the footprint of the people in the sewers and noted that there wasn't any chemical smell so far, so they must not be exterminators for the sewer rats.
She got closer until she slowed her pace. That was when she noticed the shadows against the wall. She stalked them while making sure to keep herself hidden. Suddenly she got close enough to hear them talk.
"Remember that we only need to capture them. However, I want you to defend yourself with either the chemicals or weapons if you have to as long as you do not kill the boy," ordered a voice that Karai immediately recognized belong to Hun, the leader of the Purple Dragons. She sucked in a breath. So, it was them. They were here to capture the others.
Karai turned and began rushing towards another tunnel. Lucky for her she had the advantage of being familiar with the sewer tunnels while they weren't. She need to warn the others now!
Uh oh.. well are the moments of peace coming to a close again? Guess we'll find out! Hopefully Karai can warn the others in time but with the others being injured who knows what they will be able to do!
I look forward to any and all reviews! Please let me know what you think and where you think I can improve. Thanks ahead of time guys! Stay awesome!