Disclaimer: If it can be found on a store or supermarket shelf, it's not mine.
Rated for language, underage drinking, violence, and breakfast cereal death.
Equilibrium
-Chapter Eight-
Of Arrows and Plans
"Even your combined efforts are no match for my supreme skill! Resistance is futile. Give up now and I promise that your end v'ill be quick and merciful. Bow down before me and tremble at my name, for I am...Count Chocula!"
The brown cereal box was waved in a menacing manner by a three-fingered hand. Michaelangelo grabbed a pink box and changed his voice in pitch. "Arrrg! I FrankeinBerry and comrade, BooBerry will stop you! I have no blood in my veins and BooBerry have no veins. You no win!"
Mikey returned to the count's voice. "Ha! Foolish cereal v'ith your tantalizingly s'veet marshmallows...I do not need fangs to finish you!" With that, the brown box swooped down and visciously knocked the other two cereals off of the table and onto the floor. "Ah! The s'veet taste of victory!"
The box waved triumphantly in the air until a green hand snatched it away. Raphael pulled a dish from the cupbaord and poured himself a bowl of cereal.
"No! I am no match for za fierce Raphzarr!"
Don walked into the kitchen behind Raph, stooping to pick up the fallen combatants. Placing the pink box on the table, he emptied the contents of the other into a bowl for himself. Their daily training had just ended and the three of them sat around the table replenishing their energy supply. As per usual, Leonardo was bidding for extra practice that morning, giving the others a chance to reflect on the discussions -and arguments- from the night before. Raphael was the first to engage, "Can you believe that bonehead? And can you believe that we're actually going along with it?"
Dropping the character voices, Mikey replied, "Leo says that Karai's had a change of heart. I mean, another change of heart. Yeah. I mean, this is Karai we're talking about...when has she lied to us?"
The other two turtles stared at their brother and Don said, "Maybe you should leave the sarcasm to Raph."
The turtle in red snorted. "Mike's right though. Leo don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to character judgement. First he almost sided with the Shredder, then it was Karai, and now it's Karai again..."
It wasn't going to escalate into an argument; there had been plenty of that the night before. Then Raph had launched into it immediately after waking up that morning. This was followed by an extra long training session riddled with blindfolds and smacks of an elderly rat's walking stick. 'Exhaust your body and your mind will be free to flow.' Or something like that- Raph was never very good at regurgitating wisdom. None the less, practice kept them occupied throughout the afternoon and into the early evening. No, they weren't going to fight about it; Leo's logic was sound even if his trust was misplaced.
Of course, just because they were in agreement didn't mean that everyone liked the idea.
Still, Don spoke for their eldest brother. "Even if we don't put complete faith in her, Karai will obviously have valuable information, and we will need to exploit every advantage available to us. Not to mention the fact that it will be a lot easier to move about the city if she makes good on her deal and removes the contract."
"That's one of the things that I'm going to talk to her about tonight."
Leonardo stood in the doorway, a towel draped behind his neck. Recieving no response, he took an empty seat at the table and poured himself a bowl of cereal. Crunching over a mouthfull of chocolate marshmallows, Mike garggled, "Any word from that Morgrag dude?"
Leo shook his head- Master Splinter saw him leave the night before and they haven't heard from him since. It was possible that he simply returned to his homeworld. After all, he did deliver the message he was sent to relay. The blue-masked turtle commented, "I'll check the docks tonight and see if the pod is gone. He may have simply gone home."
Having scarfed down his meal, Donatello stood and took his bowl to the sink, speaking over the running water. "I can do that; I'll be out that way anyway." Recieving inquisitive looks, he elaborated, "I assume in light of the recent merc recall, the house arrest has been rescinded. I wanted to visit Professor Honeycutt- his time with the Utroms allowed him to develop and extensive scanning system that can reach beyond our atmosphere. If there's a starship heading in our direction, he should be able to at least locate it."
Leo nodded. "Goos idea, Don. But since when is the professor anywhere near the docks?"
The techno-turtle amended, "He's not. I also wanted to visit Kai and see how she's doing."
At this, Raph gave a low whistle and Mike joked, "What's wrong, the turtle wax just not cutting it anymore, huh Donnie?"
The staff-weilding turtle fought not to blush at his brother's comment. That sort of thought was the furthest from his mind, but count on Mike to be both suggestive and blunt at the same time. He corrected, "When the Mozeka activated last night, it triggered a pretty massive anxiety attack. I don't know if she had a chance to fully recover before Morgrag's entrance. Not everyone's used to the things that we just brush off as normal- last night seemed to be a little much for her. I just want to check to make sure that she's all right."
"Suuure..."
Even Leo wore a small smile as he nodded. "Then you check the docks. I'll head out in a few hours to find Karai."
X
He wasn't sure how much time was spent at Professor Honeycutt's; he only knew that it was well into the night when he found himself in Kai's apartment, cable wires in one hand, a rum and coke in the other.The room was a weekly rental, and the television bared obvious scars of abuse. Barely picking up one channel, it beckoned Donatello's repairative nature.
Repairative. Don snorted at the new word he had just created. Even with a buzz, crossing some wires in a common househould electronic took very little concentration. He mused on how he ended up in the slightly intoxicatd state he was in.
"So Don...I guess you're here to own up to your end of the bargain."
He had looked at her quizzically as she pulled out an ember-filled bottle and a more familiar liter of coke.
"What bargain?"
She didn't hesitate in pouring them both a glass. "And I quote, 'If this thing activates, I'll have that drink with you.' As I recall, the thing activated. You owe us both a little down time."
He took another sip from his glass, adjusting the harmonic frequency of the box. One drink turned into two and the second refilled as a third...he was pleasantly surprised at how well he handled the alcohol. He was far from drunk, but the buzz in his head was a pleasant sensation. It was fine so long as his thinking wasn't impaired. He proved this point by turning on the television set and smiling in triumph as a new channel came in loud and clear.
Kai clapped from her seat on the couch, a nearly empty glass resting by her feet. She didn't want to venture a trip back to the kitchen for fear that her guest would she that she had become slightly tipsy. She guessed that if he got the impression either of them had advanced to semi-drunk, then he would call it a night and return home. Though a little unsteady on her feet, it would take more than three drinks to get her drunk. Besdies, she was enjoying the company.
Donatello gave a mock bow at her praise and reclaimed his seat beside her on the couch. The young woman curled her legs up beneath her and commented, "You're quite handy, aren't you?"
Don smiled, using the armrest to recline a bit. "I've always been good with my hands."
Kai raised an eyebrow, feeling particularly playful. She decided to venture on neutral ground to see of the techno-turtle was receptive to such teasing. "Oh, is that so?"
Seeing her sly smile made him feel rather cheeky himself. Hell, how often did he get the chance at suggestive banter? Better to leave that one unanswered. "As a matter of a fact, yes. I've always been a...hands on type of person."
The brunette fought down the unexplainable joy at the fact that her new friend had decided to loosen up a bit. Unable to think of a come back, she picked up her glass and headed for the sink, hoping to buy herself some time. She was not about to be out-innuendoed by a teenage turtle that had admitted to never even being in a previous relationship. Her hips swayed a bit, and she suddenly recalled the little detail about being tipsy.
He watched her travel to the sink, her movements languid and her hips swaying slightly. She was otherwise steady with secure footing, but he couldn't help but to bring it up. "A little too much to drink?"
She winced despite the knowledge that it was coming. However, his voice hinted at teasing more than a reprimand, and she saw her opening to salvage her innuendo-ego. "I'm afraid that you're mistaken." She placed her glass in the sink and turned to face the relaxed turtle. "I always use a come-hither walk when in the company of a strapping young man. Or turtle."
It was his turn to arch an eyeridge. Letting a smile play on his lips, he raised both arms and folded them behind his head, reclining casually. "I didn't really catch the come-hither part. Care to do it again?"
Surprised was an understatement. It was the only banter he could think of, and he had expected for her to roll her eyes and cutt him off from the supply. Not walk back towards the couch in an even more sultry manner. The phrase, 'be careful what you wish for' came to mind.
He stared. It may have been rude. It may have been innapropriate. It may have been the Captain Morgan's. In any case, her deliberate movements and suggestive roll of curves was too pleasant a sight to look away from. He just had to stay ahead of her in the come back department, and it would all be in good fun. Teasing never hurt anyone. "Don't knock over my glass."
Focused on the way she walked, she had been neglecting the little detail of where she walked. She looked down just in time to avoid the obstical by hopping over it. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough room between the glass and the couch to make a safe landing, especially with her impaired reflexes. Don instinctively reached out to catch her as she fell and guided her safely into his lap. She was eye level now, her face flushed with the embarrassment of losing her blalance. She expected to find him laughing at her or ready to offer a sarcastic reprimand, but found only a thoughtful look in his expressive eyes. Hesitantly, she leaned foward, pressing her lips to his beak. Moments ticked by without response and she withdrew, uncertain as to what she had expected. His eyes were still on her, darker and more reflective; but whatever he was thinking remained hidden in that darkness.
His hand cupped the back of her head and he pulled her foward, their lips meeting once again.
X
He was being followed.
Dropping into the dark alley, his bare feet came into contact with the cool concrete. He padded silently toward the fire escape, scanning the ledges for signs of his pursuer. Seeing no one, he flipped lightly to the second story railing and ducked into a broken window. The vacant studio served not as a sanctum, but rather, as a passageway. Slipping out of another window, he traveled the second story ledge until it came within seven feet of the next building. Leo searched the area once again for signs of another, then leapt gracefully onto the opposite window ledge. He climbed up to the top and while concealing himself in shadow, he began his journey across the roof.
He was still being followed.
What would make him say that after finding no signs of pursuit and spotting no body in the darkness? It could have been the footsteps too soft to reach his ears, or the shadow that was darker than the absence of light. It could have been a lifetime of training or borderline psychotic paranoia- they were both pretty much one and the same. In any case, his pursuer was highly skilled, tailing him without sound or trace. A true ninja who was both silent and deadly.
"Good evening, Karai."
The young woman stepped from behind the roof's entrance shack of the same building; she had been closer than he had guessed. Without a word, she approached the turtle and withdrew a roll of papers from her armour, handing them to him. "We've made some improvements on our security systems since your last...visit. These are the updated schematics and new security protocols."
She gave no further greeting, so Leo prompted, "Do you enjoy following me through the city?"
She smirked as he tucked the papers into his belt. "And if I do?"
He wasn't exactly sure how to take that. Her voice was without malice or spite, just...challenge. On anyone else, Leo would have seen it as only that; on Karai, a challenge almost seemed like her way of being playful.
A playful Karai?
He must have hit his head on the dojo floor pretty hard- or perhaps it was the result of too many smacks with Master Splinter's walking stick during practice. He chuckled, shaking his head at the thought.
"What do you find so amusing, Leonardo-san?"
San? She was beginning to speak to him more as a person and less like an obstical. Leo made a quick recovery and decided to test his challenge theory. "I was just thinking...if you enjoy following me around the city so much, perhaps you should take lighter steps."
Her eyes flashed and he had only a moment to wonder if he had pushed the wrong buttons before she responded, "And you think that you can best me, Leonardo?"
He paused a moment, putting on a show of contemplation. "It would take great skill to match, let alone best you, Karai." She smiled smugly as his words, but he wasn't finished. "And I am more than capable."
She arched an eyebrow in response and raised a challenging tone. "Care to test that proclaimation?" He didn't get a chance to reply before she fell back into the shadows with a smile. Not a smirk, a sneer, or a scowl; but a real smile that seemed more invite than insult. He wasted no time in trailing the adept ninja.
Over a span of fifteen minutes, she led him over alleyways, through abandoned buildings, up fire escapes, and almost lost him at the corner of 8th and Center. Almost. Noticing an open window near the top floor, he quickly scaled to the roof and watched the perimeter for any sign of movement. Someone's laundry waved in the breeze, but everything else was still in the clear night.
He couldn't lose her, not after boasting like he had. They were engaged in something other than combat, and he liked it. He didn't want to blow it. That's when something caught his eye by the clothesline. Clever, very clever; knowing that he would dismiss the movement of the hanging laundry, she used it to camaflouge her own travel. While she took precarious steps across the rooftop, Leo guessed her next move and was sure to be on the next building when she landed.
Realizing that she was no longer alone, she attempted a retreat, back tracking the way she had come. Her persuer was too quick, and she soon found herself between a rock and a hard place. The rock being the roof's access door, and the hard palce- Leonardo's body.
She had turned to perform a flip seconds before contact so her back had been pushed against the door, luckily avoiding the knob. That also meant that her front was pressed firmly to Leonardo's plastron- or was it the other way around? In any case, her wrists were held above her head by his own hands and his weight kept her from budging. His face was an inch from her hair and his breathing was slightly ragged from the exertion when he said, "I believe I bested you."
He felt as though he should be slapped, though he really hadn't done anything. They were playing catch me if you can, and he did. The only things that were inappropriate were his thoughts- surely she would rescind the truce and try to kill him if only she knew what was going through his head. He wondered briefly if he had been holding her pinned for longer than was called for.
With a grunt, Karai wrapped her legs around his waist and gave a twist, tryring to throw him. She had no leverage and his stance was strong; all that came of it was Leonardo pressing against her more firmly and a shortness of breath on her part.
His pulse sped and his thoughts raced. Karai's small form was crushed beneath his body, completely at his mercy, with her thighs locked around his waist...
This could lead nowhere but to trouble. He withdrew his face from by her ear and began to pull away, but was stopped by Karai's legs pulling him closer. Still pressed against her, he stared at her confused and hopeful and not even sure what he was feeling anymore.
Her arms tugged at his grip as she tried to lean foward, her lips nearly brushing his own. He had forgotten how to breathe for a moment as he moved in to meet her, the soft skin of her lips playing along his beak. Tentative for only a minute, her thighs tightened around him and their mouths became more urgent. Keeping one large hand over her wrists, the other traveled down her arm and along her side, coming to rest in a grip on the curve of her hip. Breaking from the near violent kissing, he lowered his head to her neck, running his tongue over her exposed collarbone. She gasped and squirmed, searching for something to do with her mouth. They both jumped at the urgent beeping that sounded from somewhere on the woman's body. Breathless, she spoke with a hint of panic, "The signal. He's here."
Leo didn't have to ask who she was referring to; it could only have been one person. He released her and took a few extra steps back- how far would they have gone if it weren't for the interruption? If it were anyone but that Shredder, he'd be grateful. Or would he? It was all too much, too fast, and there were more pressing things to worry about.
"I have to go."
She was both flushed and pale- an interesting combination. She appeared to be pushing her own conflicts aside as well, and in no time at all she wore a mask of indifference. It was a look perfected over years of training. It had to be perfect; she was about to meet with a deadly force that she was betraying at that very moment. Alone.
"We have a rondevu point set up and his old allies will no doubt be with him. All I know is that they are aliens of strength and weaponry, but not so much intelligence."
She walked to the building's ledge and prepared to jump, the wind catching her hair and blowing it across her carefully collected face. Leonardo spoke in a firm tone, but softer than a command. "Be careful."
She gave only a nod before leaping into the darkness.
She didn't say where the rondevu point was, most likely due to the fact that she didn't want to be followed. Would he have gone? Yes. Was that part of the plan? No. He needed to push any feelings he may or may not have for her into the dark recesses of his mind. He couldn't allow himself to become distracted and stray from their tedious planning.
He easily dodged an arrow as it embedded itself into the door by his side. In a flash, his katana were drawn, but there were no signs of an enemy. Eyeing the projectile, he noticed a piece of paper secured to the arrow's shaft. What was it with airmail messages these days? He sheathed one of the swords and tried to recall if Karai was carrying a bow or not. She may not have wanted to risk another face to face meeting. He retrieved the note and his veins turned to ice.
'Saki Tower
If you dare to witness the consequences of trechery'
So much for the plan.
X
Hopefully this illuminates the truth of their alleged alliance, and how the individuals in our present company are indeed interconnected with ourselves.
But enough interruptions. We are gathered here for a reason and it has yet to reach a conclusion.