CHAPTER SIX
The three turtles and Keya, entered the lair laughing and joking as though they had known each other for years. The way they were acting, no one would believe they just buried someone.
"No way, you serious?"
Snorted Keya, walking in side by side with the orange branded turtle.
"Yeah,"
Mikey confirmed, grinningly.
"And after the pizza exploded, he had the stink of cheese on him for weeks an it weren't the nice kind of cheese neither! I started calling him 'Cheeseatllo' hahaha..."
"Hahaha!"
"Yeah, that's right, you had to drag that up again!"
Grunted Donnie, folding his arms before being attempted to be given some comfort from his big brother. Leonardo had placed his arm around Donatello, giving him a small squeeze, in a half hug.
"Aww, don't worry, Donnie,"
He laughed, unable to hide the mocking tone to his voice.
"It was your first time cooking and you were only eight."
"Yeah, Yeah."
Agreed the pouting pacifist turtle. As Donnie was sighing his tragic encounter with the cooker memory away, Master Splinter approached the small group of teens in high distress and at a speed.
"My son's!"
He called urgently and his voice was unnerving.
"You brother, Raphael, has become seriously ill!"
Donatello promptly moved closer towards his father, feeling the mood instantly turning important.
"What's wrong with him, Master splinter?"
"Can we see him?"
Quickly asked Leo. Splinter looked to his eldest instead of Donnie, due to him feeling shame at this precise moment in time. He should have listened to Donatello.
"Of course."
He said, in a breath before quickly turning to get back to his ill son.
"Hey,"
Keya grabbed Mikey's arm, getting his attention by touch as well as vocally.
"Can I see him too?"
She asked. Mikey sounded swiftly, not caring if she saw Raph or not, but so long as he was there.
"Sure you can, Dudette!"
The orange clad turtle took a gentle hold of Keya's hand and quickly followed the others to see his brother.
--
Lair, Master Splinters Bedroom...
From the second they entered the bedroom, a thick foul stink of sick filled their nose's instantly having Mikey lift his hand over his nose to try and block the smell. Keya looked to the side of the bed noticing a bucket with vomit in it, and while she was observing, Donnie was quick to attend to his brother, Raphael.
The tempered turtle was groggy and clammy looking, his eye were shut and he had been stripped of his mask and equipment after complaining to Master Splinter he needed them off, so his father was quick to do so.
They could hear small moans of pain faintly sighing from the feverish turtle while his body trembled with shivers. Leonardo shook his head, dazed by the way his brother was suddenly so very vulnerable.
"This is bad!"
He muttered, before seeking an answer from his father.
"Master Splinter, what's wrong with him?"
Before the old rat could adjust himself to the sight of his rebellious son and give his eldest son an answer he did not know, Donatello looked up, taking charge.
"Right!
He said, getting everyone's attention and switching himself to full doctor mode.
"Mikey, take that bucket of sick and get ride of it. Keya, can you and Leo get a bowl of cold water and a cloth. Master Splinter, you stay here an keep an eye on Raph, I have to go to my room and get some supplies, I'll be right back!"
Everyone jumped at Donatello's command and did what he said. The purple clad turtle ran to his room swiftly. Taking a quick kneel by his bed, he pulled out a small draw from under it - retrieving a first aid kit, blood test needles, a few test tubes, and some of his strongest painkillers; though he was not sure whether to use those or not - not till he knew what was wrong for sure. Running back to Splinters bedroom, and upon entering at a speed, Donatello shouted to the others.
"GET BACK, I NEED ROOM TO WORK!"
Feeling Raph's plus and immediately checking his vitals, Donnie pulled out a needle and carefully pushed it in Raphael's arm.
"Whoa!"
Mikey screeched, jerking forward in reaction of seeing his brother go to stick Raph with that needle and grabbed Donatello's shoulder.
"Donnie, what are you doing, dude?"
He gasped. Wincing back his shoulder, the only qualified turtle there to possibly deal with such circumstances, snapped.
"GET BACK, MIKEY, I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!"
As Donatello pulled blood out of his brothers arm, Raphael's eyes fluttered slightly and he grimaced a faint sigh of more burning discomfort.
"Keya, wet that cloth and hand it here!"
Ordered the purple clad ninja. Immediately, she done what Donnie said and handed him a wet damp cloth. Folding the cloth up in to a rectangular shape, Donatello placed the cold cloth on Raphael's brow. The ill turtle winced slightly at the harsh sudden cold to his head and involuntarily allowed a soft groan to escape him in his subconscious state.
"It's okay, Raph, its okay."
Donatello uttered in as much confidence as possible before he took in a deep breath and sneered at his Master.
"I told you we should have taken him to my lab, Sensei!"
Lowly growled the purple clad turtle, utterly furious with his father. Splinter lowered his head and spoke with regret in his voice.
"I am sorry, my son."
Knowing that was nothing but the truth, Mikey moved over to his Sensei and gently embraced him in a soft hug. He wasn't sure if it was to make himself feel better right now or his teacher, but the youngest was feeling exceptional worry for his ill looking sibling.
"Hey,"
He mused softly, trying to keep everyone together and not start arguing.
"Master Splinter, it's alright, Donnie's, got every thing under control, ain't that right bro?"
Donatello swallowed, letting out a sorry sigh before he advanced towards his master.
"I'm sorry Sensei, I didn't mean to sound horrible, I know you're only trying to help--"
"What's going to happen now?"
Keya interjected with her question, while staring intensely upon the incoherent Raphael. Donatello turned, placing his hand on Raphael's forehead.
"What's going to happen now?"
He repeated, before explaining.
"I'm going to take this blood sample back to my lab and check it out, if there's something seriously wrong that will not clear on its own, it will show up in his blood."
The purple clad ninja, headed to his lab, shutting the door with force. Keya turned herself to Raphael, and rewet the cloth before taking a seat by his side and placed it back on his forehead. In her nurse like mode, she had also took hold of his hand, not quite sure of why she was doing it but it was something she felt she needed to do to let him know he wasn't on his own.
"It's okay, Donnie's gonna find out what's wrong, Raphael."
She uttered to him as though he was conscious enough to know and understand what she was saying. Splinter regarded Mikey and Leo and then motioned his head towards the door - indicating they leave Keya watch over Raph for a few hours. The two brothers both silently nodded before obeying.
Splinter watched as the young woman was keeping a gentle hold of his ill son's hand and she was actually gazing at him - whether she realized it or not, she was... Thoughts flooded the elderly rats mind as he saw how softly she had taken Raph's hand in her much smaller and delicately framed ones, but he shook off the suspicions in his head.
One can be nice out of pure heart, there is no need to bring in motives behind what she was doing right now.
"Will you be alright watching over him for a few hours child?"
Softly questioned Splinter, knowing shed be fine but he was just being polite in asking if she wouldn't mind.
"Course Sir,"
Keya nodded, snapping from her vague stare of the turtle, and set her sights to the rat.
"It will be no trouble at all."
She smiled kindly.
"And if you and your son's want, you could use this time to perhaps get some sleep?"
She suggested. Splinter's furry brow raised at that kind suggestion and grand notion, - having a soft smile fall upon his lips - it was something they could all do with... Sleep.
"Please my child, call me Splinter."
He bowing his head in respect, before deserting the room and closing the door very quietly; leaving Keya alone to watch over Raphael.
--
Lair, Lab...
Master Splinter made his way over to Donatello's lab, and as he entered, Mikey jumped off his chair and instantly pelting his father with questions.
"Will Keya, be okay looking after Raph, for five?"
He asked frantically and his expression full of concern.
"I mean what if he throws up again? Or get's worst? Or--"
Splinter held his hand up, ceasing the youngest in his panic attack.
"It is okay, Michelangelo,"
He assured.
"I feel that Keyanna, will be very capable of watching over your brother while we sleep."
Stepping forward, Leonardo stated his objection.
"But Master Splinter, we should all look after Raph, not just leave him with a complete stranger, who, I might add, have only known five minuets."
"Do you distrust the girl, Leonardo?"
Questioned Splinter, his tone of voice sounding confused but firm. Leo looked to the floor, feeling or sensing not harsh worry towards the new human female. She seemed trustable.
"No, Master Splinter,"
He whispered.
"I just think we should be looking after our brother."
The young leader stated, averting his eyes back to his father. Splinter nodded, understanding his young leader son's case.
"And you shall, my son, but we must take turns watching over Raphael. We would be no good to him if our body's and minds have no rest."
The old rat reasoned and made perfect sense. Grabbing up a chair next to Donatello, Mikey agreed, offering that smile he hides behind in times of peril.
"Oooo... hearing ya loud an clear, Master .S."
The orange clad turtle gave Donatello a gentle nudge, after observing what he was doing for a few seconds.
"So what's the deal with the blood, Don?"
"Well I'm still running a test on it,"
Informed Donatello, now setting his machine to work.
"But, we won't know any thing until the morning. So I guess it would be a good idea getting a little sleep, Sensei's right... what good would we be if we're all tired and dropping out like fly's?"
Leo folded his arms, a little frustrated and anxious.
"Yeah, I suppose your right!"
He grunted. Reaching up to Leo's shoulder, his father so very gently soothed.
"Calm down, Leonardo."
The young addressed turtle looked to his Sensei, catching a small smile of comfort.
"I'm sorry, Master,"
He apologised.
"Its just I wish there was more I could do."
"We all feel the same Leonardo, and in time, we will know what is wrong with Raphael, but for now, we must all rest during that time."
Said Splinter. All four of them looked to each other and nodded in agreement, though it was begrudgingly that they did. Leo and Mikey both left the lab, taking to their bedroom's. and after a brief moment of thought to himself, Splinter began heading for the door but noticed his purple clad son hadn't left.
"Are you not in some need of rest, my son?"
He questioned, cocking his furry brow slightly at his brain box son. Donatello nodded, regarding his father as he continued tinkering with a few computer wiring's.
"Yes, Sensei, I'm just going to be sleeping here tonight. You're going to be having my bed."
"There is no need, Donatello."
Assured Splinter.
"I will sleep on the couch."
Donatello advanced towards his father, giving him a smile and gently reaching out to place his powerful and young hand on the old and frail shoulder of his elder.
"Please Father,"
He said softly.
"I will be fine on a spare bed in here. And besides, I will need to know when the test is done so we can figure out what the hell is wrong with, Raph!"
Splinter understood and gave a gentle smile to Donatello before reaching out to gave him a loving hug.
"Goodnight, my son."
He whispered, graciously. Donatello replied, just as softly.
"Goodnight, Father.".
--
Lair; Master Splinters Bedroom...
It was 23:56p.m. and the lair was silent. Keya continued nursing the turtle, the one they called Raphael and simply watched him in his sleep.
Keeping the cloth cool and wet over the hours, she sat there unknowingly taking in a faint and strange yet, wonderful smell. Eventually, It had caught her attention through the thick aroma of vomit and it was a similar smell of the other 3 turtles, but this one seemed stronger, making her feel calm, but confused.
Keeping hold of Raph's hand, - to comfort him - his hand felt so cold but his head was burning up.
'Am I holding his hand because I have to or because I want to?'
Questions began to run through Keya's mind.
'And why am I even looking after him to begin with?'
The scent had grown stronger as she realised it and the smell of sick was almost gone. Those thoughts raced though her mind, but then the answer came suddenly of why she felt obliged to take care of this turtle now.
'He and his brothers Saved my Life! and from what I heard, this one was the one that risked his for James, too.'
She let out a small sigh, looking at the turtle, and continued thinking about her last few hours with James.
"He went through immense pai--"
"spl-ina..."
Keya's train of through broke as a very faint moaning breath came from Raphael. She leaned over slowly, and stroked her hand down his face and so very attentively over his muzzle.
"Sshh..."
The young female whispered softly, still repeating her delicate strokes to his face. Raphael began to slowly stir and he attempted in lifting his head up but his muscles tensed in the straining effort having only to have him wince and gave up - thus dropping his head back down on the pillow in submission.
He was too weak to move, he could just about managed to speak, never mind move. Keya slowly began to let go of his hand but he tightened his weak grip, keeping hold of it.
"splin...ter.."
The young turtle faintly rasped again, forcing his eyes to open at least half way, but he was struggling to keep them open even at that. Gently, Keya placed her remaining free hand softly on his forehead and whisper very calmly.
"No Raphael, it's me, Keya. The guys needed some rest so I'm going to watch over you for a while, is that okay?"
To dazed to answer, Raphael's eyes slowly shut, claiming him into unconsciousness again and losing his light grip of Keya's hand.
(It was not as though he could say 'no, it was not okay' now, was it?)
A soft smile made its way on the woman's face, and before she could stop herself, she leaned down giving the turtle a small kiss on the head. A little confused at why she just done that, she stared a second trying to think of an answer.
Why?
Still keeping hold of Raphael's hand, Keya sat back down - deep in thought. She set her eyes on a book that was on the bedside table and soon picked it up. Keya read the title and it was called 'The Last Samurai'
"Hmmm, interesting, this should help pass the time."
She whispered to herself, looking to the clock and having it inform her it was 00:43. Keya took in a long slow breath, and let it out slowly, while mumbling.
"This is going to be a slow night!"
Involuntarily, she ended up in a natural reaction of slapped herself again.
"Get a grip! you selfish COW!"
She snarled and scowled herself.
"If it weren't for these guys, you'd be DEAD right now. Watching over there ill brother is not too much to ask, is it?!?!?"
She shook her head, as she thought about what she had just done, suddenly having something snap in her brain.
"Am I going nuts?"
Keya questioned herself, her tone going just a little high in confusion as she considered the possibility.
"I mean, I am talking to myself, not to mention if I slap myself one more time I'm going to cut my hand off!"
The black haired woman shrugged off the thought and began reading the book. By the time she got to chapter 11, her eyes were starting to burn from tiredness. It was now 03:58a.m.
Keya placed the book down and rubbed her eyes in an effort to stay awake, the book was great, but she was feeling abundantly tired.
"Hey."
From out of no where, came a smooth male voice, causing her to jump up and let go of Raphael's hand, immediately. She looked to the door, puffing her breath - with her hand on her chest - and realised she wasn't just losing the plot and there really was another in the room with her, capable of talking right now.
"Oh, Leonardo! you scared me."
She gasped quickly, seeing Leo offer her a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to."
The turtle tiptoed in, quietly, with 2 cups of coffee in his hand.
"Coffee?"
He offered. Keya, being as sleepy as she was, accepted one, with a smile.
"Thank you."
Slowly taking a sip, she sat back down and let out a small sigh.
"Ahh... I needed this! Thanks again, Leonardo."
The blue clad turtle took a sip of his coffee before regarding her with a gentle smile.
"No, thank you, Keya."
He said with his voice so soft. Keya averted her eyes to the Katana master as he specified why he was thanking her.
"For watching Raph, tonight, we really needed those few hours of sleep. Oh, and, call me Leo from now on."
Lifting one hand to the side of his mouth, he whispered playfully.
"Its our father that call's us all by our full names, and sometimes our enemy."
Keya let out a small giggle.
"Oh.. Okay... Leo."
"That's better"
Smirked the leader turtle. After they had a little giggle, Keya took a long thoughtful sip of her coffee.
"How's he been?"
Asked the blue clad turtle, looking over his brother. Her attention set back to Raph.
"Well, he hasn't been sick on me or at any time yet, so, that's one good thing, I guess."
She chuckled, unable to hold back a small yawn.
"Sorry,"
Leo merely gave a lazy wave of his free hand, as Keya continued.
"But he did kinder wake up earlier and manage to say Splinter very faintly thinking I was your father. Once I told him who I was, he just dropped back to sleep. He is weak, Leo."
The two regarded each other with worried glance's.
"I hope Donnie, can find out what's wrong with him...before, its too late."
Leo looked at his coffee, not wanting to think on the late factor and simply gave his coffee a gentle swill round in the cup, with his hand.
"I hope so too, Keya."
He whispered after letting out a small sigh.
"Keya,"
The young leader set his attention back to the female.
"I have to be straight with you, right now."
He spoke in a very serious tone, immediately having Keya's full attention as she nodded.
"Okay."
"You can never tell any one about us, about me... Raph, Mikey, none of us, understand?"
Leonardo stressed, firm but carefully, he didn't want to scare her... too much, but just enough to make her think on his words should she ever get the desire to perhaps try and make a few bucks off his family or himself, or even have them killed once she's back up top side. Keya's mouth formed a friendly smile, as she tilted her head to the side slightly.
"Leo,"
She began softly.
"Why would I tell any one about your family, at the risk of getting you all hunted down and killed!?"
The thought of that and sound, made Leo swallow down hard the lump in his throat.
'If only every human was like Casey, April and Keya.'
he thought.
'At least we'd be safe as well.'
Keya continued, holding her gentle tone.
"Trust me, I ain't never gonna say a word to anyone. You all saved my life! And that is something I will never be able to repay you back in, but I can keep this a secret! Trust me, I won't tell no one... Not that I have any one to tell anyway."
She muttered the last part, while offering a lazy shrug of her shoulders.
"What'ch mean?"
Question Leo, curious about this human. Keya sighed, slouching herself before leaning back in the chair.
"I'm pretty new here, an the only friend I had, was James... I've only been here four months."
She informed, having silence claim both beings a moment. Know that she was here alone, gave the young leader a few ideas. Perhaps April and Casey would be so kind as to take her under their wing?. Feeling a depressant mood trying to settle in, Keya jumped up like a spring, and fought the urge to slit her wrists.
"Well, I'm off to make breakfast."
She said quickly, trying to change the topic.
"What?"
Questioned Leo, the shock of hearing her say that was obvious and he did not expect it.
"You do eat breakfast, right?"
Keya asked, turning back half way out the door. With a small nod of his head, the turtle tried to decline the smile wanting to possess his mouth at her kindness.
"Then, it's the least I could do. You know, to say thank you to you and your brothers for saving me, and letting me stay here. I mean lets face it,"
She said with a saddened expression.
"I am in a way, responsible, for the way your brother is right now."
Keya's head began to sink lower, looking to the floor, as she continued.
"I mean, if I hadn't hit that scum bag in the face, that Hun guy wouldn't have been talking about killing me and you and your brothers would have never got hurt! Not to mention, James would still be alive right now."
She slouched up against the doorframe, sighing rather soulfully now that she had linked everything together. She felt terrible and overly responsible for what had happened, it was like a chain reaction and ultimately her fault.
"Why did you hit that guy with a tray?"
Questioned Leo.
"You said he pissed you off, what was it he done?"
Keya rolled her eyes, then directed them towards the turtle.
"Lets just say, he couldn't keep his hands to himself!"
She snarled softly, not meaning to take her anger out on the mutant. Leo looked at his coffee, carefully pondering on her reasonable out burst.
"Then you had good reason to do what you did then, didn't you?"
He spoke, sounding angry and annoyed, but understanding.
"I mean, its not your fault there are perverts out there! Who have no respect! Who treat women as item's!"
Keya blinked at the turtle suddenly enraged with anger as he spoke viscously.
"Men! Men like that need to ha--"
Pausing abruptly when setting his sights back to Keya, he noticed she was looking at him a little nervously, and so, he took in a soft breath to calm himself and disregard what he was about to say.
"Please don't blame yourself for the way every things turned out, Keya."
He said kindly.
"Its not your fault."
The young woman's face slowly brightened up while Leo spoke and she smile to him, feeling her heart flutter at that wonderful thought.
"Thanks, Leo."
The turtle regarded her just as kindly.
"Your Welcome, Keya. And you don't have to go making breakfast, your our gue--"
"Yes, I do."
Interrupted the young human, holding her hand up in a form of stop towards the turtle.
"Now you stay here and watch your brother, I'm pretty sure everyone else will be along soon, too."
Leo smiled kindly at the human female, feeling great gratitude towards her for all her help.
"Thank you, Keya."
He said confidently. The young black haired woman shook her head with a soft smile.
"No Leo... Thank you."
Progress had been made, and the young leader felt the female to be a little more trusting than he had already come to know. When Keya left and closed the door, she sighed, heavily rubbing her head with her right hand. She was so tired but where was she going to sleep?
Suddenly, her attention was caught when the purple clad turtle unintentionally slammed right past her. He was overly out of control and breath.
"Sorry, Keya!"
Donnie gasped, running into the room and shortly being followed by both Splinter and Mikey.
"It's a, POISON!"
Exclaimed Donatello, quickly informing his leader brother. Keya's eyes widened upon hearing that and she bolted back into the room.
"WHAT'S A POISON?"
"The thing that's making Raph, sick!"
Fearfully answered Mikey.
"WHAT? HOW DO YOU KNOW, DONNIE?"
Leonardo demanded watching Donatello walk over to Raphael and begin checking his pulse again while at the same time, removed the cloth from the poor turtles brow.
"I know, because his blood test came back with the result about an hour ago."
The pacifist said, trying to keep calm at the results.
"WELL,"
Snapped the seemingly worried female.
"SPIT IT OUT!!! WHAT'S THE POISON, AND DO WE HAVE A
CURE?!?!"
Everyone froze and slowly averted their eyes to Keya, after her sudden out burst. There was worry and then there was just insane. The young woman blushed, of course, slightly in embracement as she set her sights to the floor and cleared her throat
"Sorry,"
She apologised sheepishly.
"You, you carry on. I didn't mean to shout that."
After Keya managed to stutter that, out of pure embarrassment, Donnie continued as he slowly looked to Leo from the human.
"Well... in answer to Keya's... Question. The poison's called Ergot, the symptoms include Salivation, vomiting, physical and mental depression! tremors, staggering gait, breathing problems, pupils first contracted - later dilated, rapid pulse, abdominal cramps, numbness and coldness of extremities."
Leonardo nodded slowly, in understanding as Donnie gave him the information.
"And everything I just mentioned, has happened. He's lost control of his emotions from what Leo was telling us yesterday, he's been sick! his pulse is going a thousand miles a minuet, not literally that fast, but still very unstable, and he's had tremors; since that's what made his legs give out from under him right after he attacked Casey."
Everything the purple clad turtle explained, seemed to fit and make sense.
"Come to think of it,"
Agreed Mikey, point out a fact while rubbing his chin as he spoke.
"He did have some wicked looking eyes when he was charging at me from the kitchen yesterday. I remember looking at them, it was those eyes that freaked me out and froze me to the spot, but I just put it down to him be mega pissed off!"
Donnie scratched his head, looking at his ill unconscious brother in awe.
"The thing I don't get is, how did he get it in his system?"
"That's not important right now, Donnie. DO WE HAVE A CURE?"
Demanded the fearless blue clad turtle. Donnie took hold of Raph's hand, sighing softly.
"Well... we have every item, apart from one thing."
"Figures!"
Grunted Leo. Keya opened her arms out and shrugged her shoulders while regarding the doctor turtle.
"Well, what is it?"
She asked. Donnie looked to her and stated the item needed.
"Tannin, it's a chemical that will be needed to go in some water."
Hearing that, only made her smile with a relaxing shrug.
"Ooo, that's easy to get!"
Mikey jumped forward, clapping his hands together and giving a big smile of hope.
"It is?"
He asked full of excitement. Keya stood up straight and placed her hands on her hips, while giving a cheesy smirk.
"Sure it is. I have some in my apartment."
She responded and the words never sounded so sweet. Everyone's face lit up with out an ounce of despair and with out caring for boundary's, Mikey grabbed Keya and set about spinning her around the room, laughing in pure joy!
"Aww! I love you, Dudette!"
He proclaimed, giggling away in happiness. Donnie and Leo high three'd each other while Splinter let out a sigh of relief. However, the celebration was cut short as Mikey placed his new female friend back down.
"Okay, so when do we saddle up to go get this item?"
Asked Keya.
"We? You mean You, right?"
Protested and corrected the leader turtle. Keya laughed, casually folding her arms and eyeing the eldest turtle male.
"No, Leo, I meant what I said. So when do we go?"
Stepping forward, Donnie tried to reason and perhaps put her off from wanting to come.
"Keya, it will be too dangerous for you to come with us."
The young woman's mind snapped at Donatello's words. She was so sick of all the patronizing shit she got from males through out her life just because she was a female! Cant do that and can't do this, she was SICK OF IT! With out warning, her hands shot at Donnie - grabbing his two shoulders and she began shaking him violently.
"WHAT!?!?"
Keya stressed, snarling through clenched straight perfect pearly white teeth.
"Too dangerous, hey listen PAL! I'm coming with you and I don't give a SHIT JUST HOW DANGEROUS IT IS, YA GOT THAT!"
As Keya's voice rose in the end, her shaking of him became more violent. Next thing Keya knew, Donnie had his hands up in a playful submission of defence - giving her a very innocent smile. He turned to Leo, nodding his head and granted her request.
"She comes!"
He said blatantly, not leaving any room for objection. Leo folded his arms in disapproval, but knew there was not much point in arguing; Raph's only got a few hours left to live and standing round there wasn't doing him much good. Eventually, the young leader followed through with a long sigh.
"Fine!"
He agreed.
"But we get in, we get out, no funny business, for example, checking your phone calls! or reading your mail, we won't have time for that! Okay?"
"Sure Leo, whatever yer say."
Smugly responded Keya. The blue clad turtle rolled his eyes, sounding in his head.
'Great, a Raphael mark 2!'
On the last second, Leo gave Raph one last look before the team headed for Keyanna's apartment - leaving Splinter to look after the dieing turtle, until their return.
--
Top side...
As soon as the turtles and Keya hit topside, the three ninjas sprang into the closest shadows available to them. The young human made her way out of the manhole last and didn't see where her new found friends had gone.
"Ummm. Guy's?"
She asked, looking around from her place by the manhole cover. They had moved exceptionally fast!
"Pisst!"
She heard a small whisper come from the shadows in the ally just to the right of her, attracting her attention.
"Over here, Dudette!"
Mikey stuck his head out of the shadows so Keya could see him in the light and it was in and instant that she joined them.
"Okay, so where's your apartment?"
Questioned Leo. Keya looked round the corner. and pointed up at a building a little off to the left but it was unmissable.
"Its just there... Hang on, I'll get my keys out."
On that small announcement, the turtle brother's helplessly laughed.
"Yeah, right. Keys ... that's a good one, babe!"
Snorted Mikey. Keya regarded her unique friend's with a raised eye brow.
"Well how else are we meant to get in then?"
She said smugly, but they said nothing. Michelangelo merely gave her a nice big mischievous smile.
Seconds later...
"AHHHH!!!! ohmyGod, PUT ME DOWN!!!!!"
The young woman screamed. With in seconds, Keya was being carried bridal style over the rooftops, towards her apartment. She was freaked, especially after the way they got her up to the roof. Leonardo threw her to Donatello - who was half way up an apartment building - and he threw her to Mikey - after he had climbed the rest of building - thus having them in their current situation.
"Whoa, chill out babe, we're here."
Mikey assured in a sniggering giggle while placing Keya back on her feet. She stood there, frozen, in shock of what just happened. Never had she been handled like that before! It was more scary than Hun's hand round her neck. Eventually, she felt Donatello reach out to her shoulder.
"Hey, Keya, you alright?"
He asked, sounding a little concerned. Keya shook her head, then attacked Mikey with a good kick to his shin. The young plucky turtle whined right on contact and began hopping up and down on the other one foot.
"OUCH! What was that for?"
Keya snapped, pointing at him abruptly.
"Don't you dare do that again, Michelangelo! ... at least not with out warning, next time."
"So there will be a next time, huh?"
He grinned almost lecherously at the feisty woman, but received another kick only to his other shin.
"OW!"
Mikey whined, losing that smile and hissed his discomfort as he continued rubbing the area on his leg where Keya just kicked him and he was now hopping up and down on the first leg she had originally kicked.
"Man! I bet Mary-Jayne did that her first time too when spider man placed her back down on the ground, no doubly his spidy senses were tingling."
The orange clad turtle snorted and giggled at the very thought. Donnie placed his hand over his eyes with a groan of union with Keya.
"Mikey, Shut up."
"Guys,"
Leonardo interjected, half way through Keya's bedroom window.
"Come on, we need to get the last ingredient for Raph's cure!"
Keya folded her arms, with a questionable expression.
"So... your climbing in through my bedroom window?"
"Oh yeah,"
Answered Donnie, sounding as nonchalant as ever about it.
"We do this all the time, its how we get into any place."
The turtles were completely oblivious as to how perverted that just sounded, however, Keya picked it up and shook her head while jumping in through her window and mumbled under her breath.
"Wow, Creepy!"
"It's not like that, Dudette."
Mikey laughed, following her in.
"Well, how is it like, Mikey?"
"We're ninja, its our job to get from place to place with out being seen. So if we have to get to a place by going through someone's apartment, so be it."
Keya gave Mikey a blank stare, and slowly nodded her head once more.
"Like I said, C r e e p y"
She emphasized.
"Guys enough! Keya, where's that item?"
Demanded Leo. The leader was highly anxious, which was of course, understandable, but Keya merely rolled her eyes.
"Oooo!"
She puffed.
"Leo, take a chill pill. I'll be right back."
She headed for her bathroom down the hall, leaving the turtle brothers in her bedroom. Leonardo folded his arms, shaking his head in a somewhat unimpressed manner.
"You know,"
He said scowling slightly at the door Keya went through.
"She is sometimes a little too Raph like. God only knows what's going to happen when those to get talking ... or worse."
Mikey left the shelf of angel ornaments he was ogling to creep his head just by Leonardo's shoulders and sniggered.
"Would you like to enlarge your view on the 'or worse' bit, dude? Because, may I remind you, crazier things have happened, Bro."
"Fighting Mikey."
Sighed Leo, not initially sure what his baby brother was getting at.
"Oh... that's what they call it these day's?"
Laughed the plucky turtle. Leo's eyes widened in surprise.
"What?"
~SMASH~
As Leonardo turned around to question his brother, a smashing noise echoed from down the hall, and then a thudding sound. It was instantaneously after that, that the apartment flooded in with Foot ninjas.
"KEYA!"
The turtles growled out in union before they ran out the bedroom and down the hall. Leonardo spun round the corner, suddenly having his jaw get met with a very large fist - trimmed in razor spikes that were sticking out of the wrist and going right the way up the arm.
The leader turtle hit the ground hard, crashing into a few unstable items.
"LEO!"
Donatello ran to his brother's aide, but their eyes widened at the sight of the Shredder, his elite guards and foot solders standing before them.
"It's the shred-Dude!"
Mikey spat out with eyes wider than he thought possible. Shredder stepped forward, pulling out a groggy young woman from behind one of the elite guards by her wrist as he held her up.
"I believe, this belongs to you!"
Growled Oroku Saki. Not a second longer and he threw Keya to Leonardo, knocking him to the floor for a second time.
"Keya!"
Donnie called, and tried to discreetly attend to her to see if she was alright. Thankfully, Keya shook her head and replied very slowly in a sigh, indicating she was still alive.
"I'm... I'm okay, Donnie..."
She began rubbing the back of her head, however winced slightly when hearing the shredder laugh.
"You wont be for long, my pet, if you continued to keep the company you have been."
She narrowed her eyes at him, as did they all. Shortly after, he questioned, setting his sights to the blue clad turtle.
"Missing a member of your Team I see, Leonardo, an where is Young Raphael?"
Leo helped Keya and himself up and winced slightly but secretly and wiped the blood from the side of his mouth with the back of his hand while swallowing the lump in his throat
"THAT,"
He snarled.
"IS OF NO CONCERN TO YOU, SHREDDER!"
Saki threw his head back in grim sullen laughter.
"Come now Leonardo, We use to be friends."
He said sarcastically, narrowing his eyes upon the group.
"Besides, from what Hun has told me I hear your brother is hanging on with in an inch of his life? Muhahahaha,..."
The turtles all took grip's of their weapons, and surrounded Keya in a protective circle. Leo ground down on his teeth hard, feeling them strain under the harsh pressure.
"So Hun's alive then?"
He hissed, merely having the shredder snigger.
"Yes Leonardo, he's alive and well. Or should I say, he's better than your brother, anyway."
The turtles took their fighting stance, ready for action as they grew tiered of this feeble annoyance.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, SHREDDER!?!?"
Leo snarled irritably.
"ATTACK US!"
"Leo, we don't have time for this!"
Donatello grunted, under his breath. The shredder held his hand out and opened his fist - reviling a small bottle that was holding a sandy colour liquid in it.
" I believe this is the cure to your brother's poison,"
He said, instantly having the turtles eyes widen at this new twist.
"It is all ready made up, and ready for use. I'll give you it."
Offered Saki, a twisted grin behind his mask shield as he saw the consideration in his adversaries eyes.
"What's the catch! Mister spiky pants!"
Growled, the youngest of the mutant team. Saki smugly responded while stifling a snigger in his throat.
"I assure you Michelangelo, its quit proper, but I do have one request! A trade if you will."
"I KNEW IT!"
Sneered the turtle leader.
"What's the trade ?"
Questioned Donatello, considering all the options opened to them at such a crucial point. Saki regarded the pacifist turtle of the group, seeing he was being more reasonable than Leonardo.
"I want a blood sample from you Donatello, and Michelangelo; no questions asked!"
He said with a small point to the youngest as his eyes regarded the pacifist. Leo stamped forward a few steps closer to the Shredder.
"NO! No DEAL!"
He snapped, completely disregarding what was said. Mikey placed his hand on his big brothers shoulder, with a whispering plea.
"Leo, he has the cure for Raph, right there, Bro!"
Knowing how desperately they needed that cure, Leo tried to compromise.
"Then you take my blood Shredder! not there's!"
Letting out a laugh, Saki rejected the leader turtles offer and that only annoyed Leonardo further.
"THEN WE'LL MAKE THE CURE OUR SELF!"
Snapped the blue clad turtle. Again, Oroku sounded a laugh.
"I'm afraid, Leonardo, you have no choice in the matter."
He explained further.
"The cure takes over 14 hours to prepare, and judging by the time Hun injected your little brother; he has only a matter of 5 hours left! So what will it be?... Its your choice, Turtles. You can give the blood, take the cure and save you freak of a brother and rejoice in another of your pathetic family wonders of freaks!"
Keya sneered at the large spike armour man, as he continued his smug explanation. Never in her life had she wanted to kill someone as she did right now.
"Or, we can take the blood from your cold dead bodies, and trust me, I would be far happier with the second option but unfortunately for me and luckily for you, that's not the way it will work."
"Why our blood?"
Sneered the Bo wielding turtle.
"I SAID NO QUESTIONS ASKED!"
The shredder was firm. Leonardo looked to his brothers for an answer and it was instantly that they gave a very faint nod, silently agreeing that they were okay with the proposal. Leo closed his eyes a moment, before turning back to the shredder, and scowled at the enemy.
"So, if you get a sample of Donnie and Mikey's blood, we get the cure and leave this place unharmed? ALL of us."
Questioned the leader turtle.
"You have my word, Leonardo!"
Bowed the shredder. Leo grit his teeth, and smugly spoke.
"Call me old fashioned, Shredder! but your word don't account for much these days!"
Saki's eyes narrowed with out wanting to at Leo's words, and his anger took over. Making a fist, he went in for an uppercut to Leonardo jaw, however, soon found himself making contact with an elite guard's halberd - blocking his attack, just inches away from the turtles jaw ling.
Leonardo had made no attempts to move, nor did he show fear but he would surly be dead had it not of been for that swift guard. The Shredder looked to the guard, seeing him motion his head from side to side, silently telling him 'No'. Saki stood upright, with a hindering growl deep in his throat.
"DO WE HAVE A DEAL, TURTLE?!"
He barked. Leonardo looked to the floor, grinding his teeth and scrunching his fist's tight, he was finding it hard to bring himself to say one word but he eventually spoke the bitterness.
"Yes!"
With in seconds, the Shredder flipped the cure bottle towards Leonardo, and the Foot ninjas pushed Leo and Keya aside - grabbing Michelangelo and Donatello. Holding the two down with force, two elite guards stepped forward and unkindly shoved a needle in both Mikey's and Donnie's right arm, drawing blood into the syringe.
The two younger mutant's unintentionally winced their eyes and a very faint sound of pain hissed from them at the unkindness of their enemy. Leonardo looked to the ground, shutting his eyes tight to try and block out what was happening, when all the while, he gripped the cure bottle tight in his hold.
With in less than a minuet, the elite guards took some blood and the Foot Ninja backed off, allowing Mikey and Donnie to return to there feet - rubbing there arms.
"Thank you, Leonardo,"
The shredder grunted smugly.
"Now I suggest you and your comrade's best get out of my sight before I decide to finish what I was going to do to you moments ago!"
The turtles and Keya, disappeared almost instantly after that word of advice. They needed to get back to Raphael so they didn't care how weak they looked fleeing from ones enemy at the moment. Turning to his elite guards, Saki ordered.
"Get those samples back to the lab and give them to Stockman!"
The guards bowed and one humbly responded.
"Right away, My Lord"
Turning to look out the window, the shredder watched as the turtles and the woman ran into an ally. Leonardo stopped, just before the ally and looked back to his enemy. They stared at each other a moment, in pure hatred, before Leo narrowed his eyes and fading into the shadows.
"Do not fear, Leonardo,"
Saki muttered to himself.
"I haven't finished with you and your family of freaks yet... Hahahaha hahaha..." .