AN: I don't own TMNT or any of their characters such as Michaelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, Splinter, Shredder or the Foot Clan. I do however, own Aislinn, Kimberly, Jessica, Ana, Kojr, Sharon, Yasahiro, Amé, and the storyline. Merode belongs to Melody S., an ex-friend of mine.

I've learned a few Japanese phrases through reading and such, and you'll find them scattered throughout the story, mostly insults. Iie means no, hai means yes, kuso means bastard, bakka means stupid, matane means goodbye (informally), arigato means thank you. -san is added to a name to show respect (like Mr. or Mrs.) and -chan is added to a name to show endearment. Ja matte ne means see you later.

PLEASE R&R!! I like to know what people think and, while this story is complete, I need motivation to drag my ass into to post since I'm going to school full-time and working part-time.

Chapter 11

"That should do it," Aislinn said as she threw the last log onto the bonfire. She turned away from the blazing fire. "Who's got the box?"

All eight of them stood in a clearing in the center of a wood located a few miles away from the city. It was late at night and the clouds hit the moon's light. Kimi stepped forward with the box and held it out. Aislinn took it and, taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, letting her mother's teachings come back. She began reciting the enchantment--a different one from back at Saki's. She then unclasped the kitsune. A bright red light shone from the box that blinded them for a moment.

When Aislinn opened her eyes and looked into the box, she saw a sacrificial knife. It was ancient, more so than the amulet, but still looked to be newly made. It had no handle and was made of whale bone. It was doubled edged, one side dull for the handler and one sharp enough to slice through paper without catching. Starting at the tip curled a carved flame. It wound and twisted until it ended with a fox's head at the handle.

Aislinn lifted it from the box and set the box aside. The bone glowed orange in the firelight, making the flame on the bone dance.

"Wait a minute," said Raph. "What's that for?"

"I told you, Raph. In order to destroy the amulet, we need the Kitsune's blood."

"Yeah, but I figured you meant like a pinprick. No, as they say, her life's blood."

"It'll only be a slash across her palm. That's all."

Raph didn't argue further, but he didn't look happy.

"Don't worry, Raph," Merode said. "I'll be fine."

"Does everyone remember what I told you?" Aislinn asked.

Everyone nodded.

"Good. Form a circle around the fire. Not too far apart, just enough to join hands."

They did as they were told and Aislinn turned to Merode. "Ready?"

Merode nodded.

"Give me your left hand."

Merode did so, switching the amulet to her right hand. Aislinn pressed the knife into Merode's palm and drew a line across the lifeline. Blood seeped from the slash and pooled in her palm.

"Now, press the amulet into your palm and let it soak. Then throw it into the heart of the fire. When the spirit appears, answer it's questions without hesitancy and with conviction. Otherwise the spirit will think you've been forced into it and we'll have to wait for the next in your line."

Merode nodded and pressed the amulet into her blood-filled palm. Then she tossed it into the fire where it began to pulse blue.

"Join hands and begin the chant!" Aislinn said and joined the circle.

They did so, hesitant at first but then more confident. The blue light exploded, sending blue rays in all directions. When they were able to open their eyes again, a blue gosymer kitsune spirit floated just above the flames.

"What have you woken the Spirit of the Amulet?" the spirit asked.

Merode stepped forward. "The amulet has served its purpose and now we wish to destroy it before it falls into the wrong hands."

The spirit looked at Merode, studying her. "And you are?"

"Merode Smith. Descendent of the Kitsune who crafted the amulet."

The Kitsune leaned forward to gaze into Merode's eyes. Merode neither flinched nor blinked at the Kitsune's forwardness.

"Hai," said the Kitsune. "You are of the blood and you speak the truth." The Kitsune stood upright. "Very well." She raised her arms and brought them down in one swift movement as if wielding an axe.

The fire exploded upwards, making the others cover their faces from the heat. In the center of the fire, the amulet glowed red, then melted slowly away.

It was then as if the flood gates of the Farplane were opened. The rain poured down in cold sheets…no, waves. Soon, the fire was no more and all that was left was a smoldering pile of logs. As suddenly as it began, the rain stopped. The clouds moved and the moon shone in all her glory.

"It's finished," Aislinn said.

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As they buried the remains of the fire, Aislinn went to Mikey and pressed the antidote into his hands. "There should be just enough to turn you back. Any more and you might find yourself back in the pet shop," she said, smiling.

Mikey, however, didn't smile back. "What about you?" he asked.

Aislinn shrugged. "We all heard my mom. No antidote will help me."

"It doesn't seem fair," Mikey said after a pause.

"Life isn't fair, but I'll be okay. As long as I have you by my side from now on."

Mikey hugged her close, kissing the top of her head. He smiled down at her. "Consider me your new Siamese Twin."

Aislinn laughed and lifted her lips to his.

Well, that's the end. I hope you enjoyed it. Please review and take a look at my other stories as well:D Ja matte ne!