Chapter 12

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I readied myself in the darkness, listening intently to the sounds around me. I slowed my breathing, remembering what I'd been taught. Focus...

I felt the staff coming down before I saw it, managing to twist my body out of its path.

Yess!

I got excited, probably not focusing on predicting the next move, suddenly being hit in the back of the head, tumbling forward and landing almost face first onto the mat.

"Ooomph!"

"Well done, but you need to keep your focus Jade"

"Aye Sensei" I groaned a little, getting up and feeling the cloth over my eyes slip. I went to fix it as I got up, finding Splinter was there, and in seconds it was gone.

"I believe that is enough for today"

I blinked "What, already?"

He nodded, closing his eyes respectfully as he did, and I blushed a little, bowing low.

"Yes Sensei, thank you Sensei"

"You may go, my daughter"

I smiled at that, moving back up and leaving the makeshift dojo. I was getting better at dodging attacks, but Splinter was a master, and I would always hit the floor at least once in our training sessions.

Another week had passed, and Amanda and Robert were starting to slowly show signs of improvement, at least physically. They were both putting on weight, and it seemed like being in a place with so many other people was helping at least Roberts mood. Amanda, however...

Ithiell had gone back to look for Amanda's brothers, but even with all his new equipment, he still couldn't find them. I could only guess that upset Amanda a little, but she had pulled away from everyone. Half the time I didn't even know where she was. And neither did anyone else.

Unfortunately the reason why it had been another week, was because Jake was causing alot of issues back at the valley, and Marco wasn't prepared to leave our innocent family members there, until they knew that Jake wasn't going to be a danger to anyone else. To my surprise, I'd found Marco had backed me after the whole incident with him almost trying to kill me. He was now cracking down on Jake, hard.

Good thing was, thanks to Donnie and Ithiell (with the help of Kristiana) we had been able to hack back into the Yeerk communications, and we could now keep an eye on the situation back in the city more easily.

As far as we could now pick up from communications between the two Vissers, neither one was willing to destroy the city until Sequae had been found. And, thankfully, I didn't get any weird mental breakdowns linked with... it. Visser One was now making it increasingly difficult for Visser Two, and I was wondering when one or the other would crack, and possibly destroy one another.

I rubbed my sore cheek a little, knowing it would be probably be bruised later on, heading towards the room Donnie and I shared.

The noise of the TV made me look over as I was walking, surprised to see Amanda sitting there on the couch, legs pulled up to her chest and staring intently. On the TV though...

More reports now, this time from a bunker it looked like. The news reporter was wearing military gear, holding onto a helmet and saying something about how they were going to attempt a strike on one of the Yeerk Pool ships...

I found myself walking over, standing beside the couch she was on, and she looked warily up at me. I tried to smile at her, but her attention was instantly back on the TV, and I felt a little ignored. I knew she'd been through alot...

I stayed like that, standing for a while and half watching the TV as I stared at her out of the corner of my eye. She was transfixed on the TV, tired brown eyes almost looking like she wanted to fall asleep, but she kept fighting it. I wondered how often she had done this, when no one else was around, as well as where the others were. I didn't see signs of anyone around.

"You really want to watch this?" I finally managed to ask her, and she hummed.

"Yes" Her tone was cold, and it was then I made a decision. I couldn't stand by and watch her go into herself anymore.

"Come on Amanda" I said gently, going over to the TV and grabbing the remote on top of it, turning the TV off and turning back to her.

"Watching all that stuff really isn't good for you right now"

To my surprise, she turned to me, getting up off the couch and snatching the remote off me, clicking the TV back on.

"Jade, I've been out of the loop for almost four months. Just leave me be and let me catch up on what's happened over that time"

"Amanda, it-"

"I don't care!" She almost spat, coming up to me and bringing her face right up to mine. I had to step back a little, trying to think of something to say but my mind drew a blank.

"I don't care what you think is best for me! I know what's best for me! Now leave me the fuck alone!"

"Mandy, I just-"

"Fuck off Jade, I don't want you around me right now!"

That stung, and I watched as she moved to plop back on the lounge, angrily indicating I move out of the way.

She finally had to growl "Move" at me, and I slowly did as she asked, moving away from the TV and feeling like I'd been slapped. The look on her face...

I'd never seen her so nasty or aggressive towards me. Sure, she got mad, and told me off sometimes, but...

Well, this was different.

This was not the Amanda I grew up with.

I managed to get into the room, shutting the door and leaning against it, feeling hot tears falling down my cheeks.

Good thing Donnie wasn't around to see me cry.

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I found out that Robert, Rachel and Raphael were all out doing some kind of training in the forest somewhere, and Donnie was with Ithiell, Rtaia and Mihra doing something or other with the Yeerk communications. Splinter was in deep mediation, and Leo and Mikey were off with Serah and Kristiana somewhere or other, so it was just me on my own, so to speak.

And since I didn't want to tiptoe around Amanda inside the base, I decided to get outside.

I used the lift, getting up on the top of the mountain, and just laying on the hard ground, looking up at the ever darkening sky. The day had been a warm one, and now dark clouds were roll over us as the evening set in.

I sighed, just letting myself take in the scenery around me. The trees, the clouds... listening to the occasional animal somewhere near me.

Sadly, my mind kept replaying the scene from earlier, making me feel like I was about to cry again, trying to distract myself by watching the clouds come over, hearing thunder not far off. For some reason, the thunder itself wasn't bothering me like it usually was, and I couldn't get myself to sit up or go back inside. I knew it would start raining soon...

Amanda's face was burned into my brain, those eyes of hers were filled with such hatred. And it was a hatred that was directed towards me, and me alone.

Did she blame me too? Like Jake, did she think it was all my fault?

I was honestly starting to wonder.

I wondered, if I had just flown to that hotel in the first place... would it have made any difference?

I would have never met the turtles, never gotten them involved in this war...

Then again, if we hadn't met, would they even be alive right now? If the Yeerks had discovered they existed, I was sure they probably would have been killed on the spot.

"Stupid brain" I muttered, knowing this way of thinking wasn't doing me any good. I'd replayed scenarios in my head over and over, and it always ended in one conclusion.

You can't change the past.

It also led to another problem in my mind; how can I help my friends? How can I fix anything, when even a friend that I grew up with, that I knew and cared for with all my heart... had gone so cold, and didn't want a thing to do with me?

I'd been patient, like Donnie suggested I do, but I couldn't just let her keep going down hill. The one time I decided to take some action, it had backfired on me, and now... well, I felt like I'd made the rift that was now between us even worse.

I kind of wished one of the turtles, or even Serah or Kristiana were around, but for the moment, they were all busy with other things.

So my mind once again floated around in circles.

Would Amanda ever come around? Or would we be in this standoff situation for the rest of... however long we had?

A gentle rain started mixing with the tears that were falling from my face, hearing the sky rumble a little. I didn't move to get up, too lost in my self pity and worry for my friend.

I could feel my clothes and face getting soaked, but I didn't care. Instead, I put my hands behind my head, just staring up into the still darkening sky. Clouds hadn't yet covered all of the gentle blue above me, so the rain was still just a light sprinkle.

My hair started to stick to my cheeks a little, finding I really couldn't move from my spot. My mind was a mess, and my body just didn't want to respond like it usually does to the sound of thunder far off. Part of me knew I should probably get inside before it came closer, and lightning started to hit, but the rest of me just didn't seem to care.

"Hey" I heard the voice, half looking up and surprised to find Amanda of all people there, sitting up and wiping my eyes, half leaning against a tree as she came up to me. She looked... apologetic?

I watched cautiously as she sat down next to me, moving a little away as she now leaned against the tree, watching her carefully. I honestly didn't know how to take her right now.

"Jade, look... I'm sorry. I didn't meant to... " She trailed off, looking away a little and sighing. I just watched her.

She pulled her legs up to her chest, resting her chin on her knees and hugging her legs close to her, turning to look at me with big sad eyes.

"Come on Jade, say something" She half pleaded "Don't just look at me like that"

I looked away myself, feeling the rain coming down a little harder as I brushed my now matted hair back with a hand.

"Amanda, I... I don't know what to say"

We fell into an awkward silence, both of us listening to the rain and the thunder starting to get closer.

"Jade, I'm sorry" She finally said, making me turn back to her. She looked a little upset, biting her lip. I wanted to say something, instead just shifting myself forward a little, picking up a small twig near me, starting to mindlessly draw random patterns in the now muddy ground.

"I watched the whole town be destroyed, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Then I watched the strongest person I know, break down into little pieces. He... he hasn't gotten any better. He goes from purely cruel, to horribly morbid and upset. And now... now my brothers and dad are missing. I thought... I thought loosing mum was hard enough. But not knowing where they are... it just kills me" The last few words she let out in a sob, and I gingerly reached my hand out a little. She took it, squeezing a little, and I returned the pressure.

I remembered her mothers death. It was slow, and painful for Amanda. Often, when she didn't want to talk, I'd shyly offer a hand, which she always took, and I think the small bit of human contact helped her back then. No words were needed. Just a hand offered.

I just hope it would help her a little now.

"Jade, you've always been like a sister. Even when... you never let me down. But... when that town was destroyed, all I wanted to do was call you, and ask you what to do. But you weren't... I mean..."

"Mand, I thought you were dead. Ithiell thought you were dead" I felt a lump in my throat as I turned to her, not sure if she was crying now or if it was just the rain. Some stupid part of me realised we should go inside and talk, but I didn't think either of us wanted to move at the moment.

"As soon as we saw the news reports... we knew the town was gone. And that's all we knew. We tried to contact you, and so did the Animorphs. Every day I wondered... I didn't want to think my best friend in the whole world... had been killed"

Now hot tears streaked down my cheeks, and she squeezed my hand a little, then pulled me towards her.

Her arms went gingerly around my shoulders, and I returned the hug with a little more pressure.

"Amanda, I don't want you to ever think you can't talk to me. I don't want you to ever be hurt like that again... please.. just don't shut me out..."

"I'm so sorry" Was her response, hugging me tighter.

We stayed like that for a while, before Amanda pulled away, and I let her, instead finding her linking her arm through mine, her head now on my shoulder. Not far from us, the thunder rumbled a little louder, and I felt myself start to cringe a little inside.

"I think... I think the worst part was burying those bodies. Everyone we knew... Mrs Kandin... the guy across the street from you that always made you uncomfortable... Hannah... Roberts mum was the hardest. Jade, he couldn't handle it. His dad was an abusive asshole, but his mum..."

She sighed, and I stroked her hair a little.

"His mum meant the world to him. Without her... I don't think he'll ever be the same"

"Maybe not. But hes not alone now. And neither are you" I leaned my head on hers finally, and we both sat there, in spite of the rain.

"I hope Matt and Conner are okay" She said finally.

"I hope they are too. And your dad. But don't worry, we'll find them. They could just be hiding or something..."

"Yeah, maybe" She sounded doubtful.

"Come on" I finally said, pulling away from her and standing up, offering her a hand to help her up. I pulled her up, and she looked at me, a little confused.

"We need to get inside before the rain gets any harder"

"Yeah... sure"

She suddenly looked up towards the sky, and I looked with her.

"Uh, Mand?"

"It's so nice... feeling the rain"

I closed my eyes then, finally understanding what she meant.

"Fly?" I heard her ask, and I smiled.

"Maybe... after the storm has passed"

She giggled a little, almost sounding like the old Amanda.

"You and your storms" I felt her grab my hand, yanking me towards the edge of the cliff.

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"You've been gone a while" I heard Donnie say as I shut the bedroom door behind me, seeing him turn and suddenly notice the state of me.

"You're soaked! What happened to you?" He came over, grabbing a towel and started to gently pat my hair. I put my hands on his wrists, and he stopped doing what he was doing, looking at me curiously.

"I went for a fly with Amanda. She... she started talking to me"

He smiled "That's great news beautiful"

"Yeah, it was nice"

I turned my head away, sneezing a little, and instantly the frown was back on his face.

"We need to get you out of those wet clothes, you'll catch a cold like that"

Before I could stop him he was yanking my shirt and pants of, wrapping the towel around me as he pulled the rest off, leaving me only wrapped in the towel, as he grabbed another and started wiping at any skin he could see.

"Donnie, seriously" I half giggled as he moved the towel around me a little, trying to dry me off as quickly as possible.

"Shh" Was his only response, and when he was done, he re-wrapped the first towel around me, then put his arms around me and holding me as close as possible.

I had to admit, his warmth felt good, and I rested my head on his chest.

"You need to stop caring so much" I muttered, and he huffed a little as he moved us towards the bed, and onto his lap. His arms held me securely as we both sat there.

"Do you feel all right?" His hand touched my forehead, and I pulled it away just as quickly, looking straight into his eyes.

"Donnie, I'm a big girl, okay?"

"I know... just..." He made a strange face, pushing his glasses back up. I moved to kiss his nose, then got up and moved myself towards my set of drawers, going and grabbing some dry clothes.

"How's Amanda?" He finally asked as I turned to him, using the towel I'd been wrapped in to try and dry my hair off.

"Still not good, but... well, she came to me. I just hope she keeps coming to me"

He hummed, then got up and moved back to his table, picking up what he'd been working on. Curious, I moved over to him, seeing him put his goggles down as he worked on the small contraption.

"I heard Raph may have made some progress with Robert"

I half snorted "How? By kicking the snot out of each other?"

I saw his shoulders move in a half shrug "Who knows. Raph is the strong and silent type, remember"

I put my hands on his shoulders "Unless Rachel's involved, then hes just a big puppy dog"

"Speaking of" He continued "I think Ithiell is now alot more focused. He is calculating at a much faster rate than-"

I shook his shoulders a little, making him let out a small gasp, before grumbling something to me.

"Duh, he's got Amanda back. Well... sort of" I admitted, finally moving away from him and letting him work.

"Why aren't you in your lab doing that?"

He froze a little, sighing finally and turning to look at me, lifting his binoculars back up.

"Because a certain two people are in there... or... were"

I tilted my head a little, confused.

"Serah and Leo. They've been going at it like rabbits" He turned back to his task, and I couldn't help but giggle.

"You can't talk"

Another annoyed hum, and I moved to leave, suddenly hearing a beeping coming from the main room.

I looked at Donnie, who was instantly up and pulling the door open, following him out the door.

To my surprise, everyone else seemed to converge into the main room as Donnie sat at the computers, tapping away and seeing Marco and Ax on the screen.

"Hey guys, sorry to bother you so late" Marco started, and I saw Ithiell and a very disheveled Leo go up to stand behind Donnie. Rachel was soon beside Ithiell, frowning up at Marco.

"Is everything all right?" She asked, leaning on the desk.

"Well, yes...and no"

"Jake?" Ithiell guessed, and he nodded. I saw Donne tense a little.

"He's been... well, let's just say I really don't trust him here alone. Even Toby is scared of him right now"

"What'd he do?"

Marco shook his head, and Ax looked a little sad.

"I'll explain later. But right now... is there any way you can think of keeping him locked up in a sense? We can't leave him here, but we also can't delay this final attack any more"

"What... does that mean?" Leo asked.

"It means we need to bring him with us, so he doesn't try and strangle anyone else for disagreeing with him" Marco looked at me then, and I blushed a little.

Couldn't make it more obvious if he tried.

"So... he's going to be coming back here?" I bit my lip, not liking the idea of him being in the same room as me one bit.

"Donnie and I can start working on something tomorrow. I'm guessing we're also going to need to come and pick you guys up?" Ithiell put a hand on Donnie's shoulder.

"May have to. Sorry guys, I know this isn't how you wanted this to go, but I can't have Jake here"

"Does anyone else think this is a bad idea?" Raph suddenly spoke up, standing beside me. I looked up at him as he put a hand on my shoulder.

"Perhaps I can design a medicine that will help keep him sedated while he is here" Rtaia spoke up, half sharing a look with Mihra, who nodded.

"I can help with this also"

"Good idea, but we still need to keep him restrained" Marco folded his arms "He's destroyed half the village before we could get him down. And we don't really know why"

"What? What in the world possessed him to do that?" Rachel looked genuinely shocked. Marco shrugged.

"If you want, you can ask him yourself. Maybe he'll listen to you"

Rachel snorted "I doubt that. Hes still got issues with me"

"Okay, we'll get started on it tomorrow. Unless he's going to be an issue until then" Ithiell folded his arms, and Marco shook is head.

"No, we've got him locked up here, and under guard, for the moment"

"All right, I'll give you a call when we're finished"

Marco nodded, then nodded at Ax, who cut communication.

"Are we really going go let Jake back into this place?" Donnie sounded mad "After-"

"Hey, hey, we'll make sure hes out and locked up tight" Leo put a hand on Donnie's shoulder, squeezing it slightly. Donnie didn't relax one bit.

"And if all else fails, we got a frying pan" Serah offered, grinning at us.

"And chairs...and tables... and anything else we can pick up..." Kristiana piped up, throwing an arm around Serah's shoulders.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure he doesn't move without our say so" Raph patted my back a little, and I nodded, feeling safe with my big family.

"Sure, what could go wrong?" I tried to smile, knowing I'd probably regret saying that later on.

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Constructive criticism appreciated!