Personality Adjustment

Ch 8

"Realization"

A few days after Leo left for Japan Stacy sat at her desk and stared into space.

'When is he coming home; or if he is ever coming home. I have a bad feeling about something but can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's time I use my ninja instincts and find out. '

She clocked out for lunch and decided to follow a group of foot ninja to a warehouse on the other side of Manhattan where Saki's mansion once stood. She used the shadows and tried to listen in on Karai's conversation with the foot. As she got closer she heard the conversation that was in Japanese which unfortunately she didn't understand a word of. Even though during her lessons she learned a little bit of the language. What she translated to herself was.

'My enemies will fall broken and battered at my feet, and my honorable father will be avenged! ESPECIALLY LEONARDO!'

When she heard his name spoken she lost her balance and fell with a thud in the middle of the foot. She looked up and could see the hatred in Karai's eyes staring down at her laughing evilly.

"An amateur ninja spying on me. Are you looking for me to end your life?"

At that she gulped and froze in place as Karai unsheathed her katana challenging her.

"Well here we are face to face. Are you ready to learn that no ninja is better skilled than I am?"

Stacy looked and knew she had no choice but to fight. She also knew that she had no chance against a skilled ninja such as Karai. Even though she was taught by one of the best swordsman and ninja master; she still doubted herself and tried to run, but she had no where to run to. As she looked around she knew that the only choice she had was to either fight to the best of her ability or just stand there and take a beating without her guy to protect her this time. She reached into her harness and unsheathed her katana after she tied her head band across her brow. Then they bowed to one another and Karai lunged first. Stacy saw her coming and flipped back and away from the blade. Then she hid in an area full of shadows thinking of her first move against Karai. She reached into her belt and threw several shuriken aiming for the new leader of the foot. Then she jumped down when she heard Karai's screams of agony as the shuriken slashed her arm causing it to bleed.

"Well well isn't this a lovely sight? I thought you were a skilled ninja? How could you not see the shuriken coming at you if you're so skilled, well Karai answer the question! How is it possible for an amateur like me to out smart someone like you? Let me warn you! If you attempt to attack Leonardo or his family you'll wish you never did! Next time when we fight you won't be so lucky! Farewell!"

Stacy threw a smoke pellet and disappeared into the shadows out into the night. As she disappeared Karai yelled.

"Find her this instant! Don't allow her to warn those freaks about what I have in store for them for taking my father! NOW I mean it; do not fail me or you'll pay with your lives! Now go and leave me to continue my plot against them!"

In Japan Leo and the old man climbed the mountain to the Ancient One's house. When they reached the top the man warned.

"Those warriors who attempt to seek out the Ancient One face their many fears before they are considered worthy enough to see him. Do not underestimate fear because it will consume you if it's ignored. Proceed with caution while I wait here!"

Leo looked and bowed then he proceeded with caution facing many obstacles as he continued to the house. As he walked he realized that rocks were building on top of one another forming some type of rock creature. While he fought he heard his own voice inside his head.

'I'm a failure and an unworthy leader! I failed to protect my family when their lives were threatened! I'm tired of failing!'

He shook his head as his voice echoed inside his head causing him to drop his katana and to get cornered by the rock creature. While he cowered in a corner the old man said.

"Don't listen to the voices of fear! Reach deep within yourself and you'll find the strength to conquer your fears! Close your eyes and concentrate hard! Do not lose focus on what must be done! A warrior who fights with honor will triumph over those who don't! You're not a failure; even though you think you are! If that gets to you then it will consume you! FOCUS!!"

He closed his eyes and heard his brothers' voices inside his head.

'Leo do something! Please get up or we'll be done for! Leo help us!'

Leo shook his head and then he lunged for the creature cutting away the gravel that was the creature. As he opened his eyes he saw his own face staring back at him yelling…

"I failed again! That's all I'm capable of is failure!"

Leo stared directly into his own eyes and said to himself.

'My worse enemy is myself! I was so busy calling myself a failure because of what they did to my brothers and my father! That I forgot I was unconscious and there was nothing I could've done for them!'

He took several deep breaths and continued to fight himself yelling as he proceeded.

"There was nothing I could've done! I tried to do everything I could've but just couldn't do anymore!"

At that the rocks crumbled to the floor after he used his dragon kick and shattered the rock creature into little bits of gravel. He resheathed them and looked at the old man standing before him.

"You're the Ancient One aren't you? Why didn't you tell me and let me face all that by myself? Why couldn't you warn me that my anger was consuming me? Why did you stand there and do nothing!"

He looked at him and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Leonardo san; your Sensei Splinter told me about your behavior lately! He told me that you started to do things without thinking them through! Besides he also mentioned that you took your anger out on everyone around you; those who loved and cared about you! That was a lesson you had to learn on your own; no one could've taught you what you just learned facing that obstacle! Now come inside and listen to a story about a warrior just like you! Make yourself at home and drink this tea as I tell you the tale of Hamato Yoshi!"

Leo sat and drank his tea as he listened attentively to the Ancient One's story about his father's master.