Chapter 7 – As Sharp As Blades

(Antonio's POV)

I bowed before the Shredder, head down, down on one knee. My father had been right. The mutation had been a success and it had be me stronger, more powerful and fast. I looked completely different and nobody could recognize me. I truly had left my past behind me, with my name and appearance, as well as my old alliances.

I was now jet black with fur, a long fluffy tail and paws. Black ears poked out of my head and I now had a snout. I was a black fox, truly a ninja of the night. I still had to train and even though my stomach wound had still been bothering me slightly, I refused to show it.

I almost smirked when Shredder had officially made me a member of the Foot Clan.

"Rise my son." I rose to my feet and faced my father confidently. These past few days, I had grown more confident. More brave and I was no longer a weak child who had to hide behind people. No, those days were gone.

"You will begin training in the morning. Be ready." Shredder growled and I bowed with new respect.

I opened my mouth to respond when the doors behind me burst open and the girl, who I now knew as Karai, was there.

"Father! The prisoner has escaped!" She yelled.

'Nagisa!' I felt slight fear towards what they might do to her, but I pushed it away. 'No she betrayed me. She didn't deserve my pity.' I narrowed my eyes and ran out the doors, past Karai, Shredder right behind me. I burst out of the lair doors and took a few steps into the cold night. There, down the street was a white figure, running away from our lair.

I went to run after her but felt a hand on my shoulder. I tilted my head to see Shredder, "Let the fool go. She chose where her loyalties lie." I grunted in response and glared after Nagisa as she disappeared behind a corner.

'One day you will pay Nagisa. Then you will wish you had joined the Foot Clan.'

(Katrina's POV)

I ran as fast as I could, still wobbly and half awake. As soon as I awoke I escaped. I have no idea how I did it. I never thought I would see the light of day again. But here I was, running for my life, from my 'father,' the Foot Clan, and… my best friend and brother… How could Ant betray me like that? The Shredder was evil! He killed Tang Shen! He's hunted the turtles and Master Splinter for the longest time! No, he was not my father, and Splinter had not killed my mother.

I suddenly tripped over something and yelped as my chin collided with the hard concrete. I didn't even bother to get up. Not even when lightning and thunder crashed and it began to rain. I did not move from my spot. I hardly noticed the freezing temperature, or the mass amount of precipitation.

Soon I mustered up the energy to get to my hands and knees. In front of me was now a small puddle and I looked into it, tears immediately pricking my eyes. My face was white and furry, a long furry snout, and white ears popped out of my head. My hair had turned to white and I had a long furry tail. My whole body was covered in fur.

I closed my eyes. I was a freak, I was nothing. I was lost and all alone. What would I do now? Where will I go? If I went back to the turtles they would surely be in danger. My foster parents would no longer accept me.

I opened my eyes and a tear slid down my face, mixing with the blood on my chin. A single drop of blood fell into the puddle, dying most of it a red tinge. I turned away and stood up; my tail drooped as I trudged closer to the ally wall. I slid down the wall and brought my legs to my chest, resting my head between my knees, and cried.

Everything I knew was gone, my family, my friends, my humanity. There was nothing left in my life. If I hadn't been so stupid as to go face the Purple Dragons, my and Ant could be home by now, playing videogames and joking together. Like it used to be. But now that was all gone. All because of me…

"Hey look! Another freak!" felt a harsh shove against my shoulder and peeked up. 'Purple Dragons…'

I gulped and pressed myself closer to the wall, eyes glimmering with fear. I let out a tiny whine and flattened my ears.

"Should we put it out of it's misery?" One smirked.

"Let's make it painful." The second cackled and whipped out a sharp pocket knife. I whimpered and cowered against the wall, completely helpless. Alone, weak, and half dead.

He advanced on me, holding the knife in his right hand. Before I had a chance to even try and move, the knife has plunged into my shoulder.

My scream of pain echoed throughout the alley. I thought maybe the whole city could hear it but I could not process much as my mind went fuzzy. I breathed harshly, my blood staining my pure white fur and mixing with my tears and rainwater as it spilled out onto the floor.

I second shriek of pain was torn from my throat when the gang member twisted the knife then yanked it out. I screamed at the top of my lungs and felt myself swaying on my paws. I fell onto my stomach and stared straight ahead blankly. This was it. This was where I was going to die. All alone. My worst fear had come true and no one would even know, let alone care.

I closed my eyes and waited for the final blow, whimpering softly and weakly. It was in that moment that a thought rushed through my mind.

I didn't want to die.

I tried to pry open my eyes, fight back against the darkness that threatened to consume me. I had to get up, I had to fight. That was my purpose. I couldn't go down like this!

But it was already too late. My feeble attempts weakened to the point where I could only twitch a finger. Another slice to my arm and the world turned black.

(Raph's POV)

Me and my brother jumped from roof to roof with ease. We ran as fast as we could. We had to save Antonio and Katrina, before it was too late. But that was the thing. What if we were already too late?

I shook my head, 'No they'll be fine.' I grinded my teeth and clenched my fists. Shredder wasn't going to get away with this.

My thoughts were interrupted by a bone chilling screech of agony. I stopped almost immediately and listened. Nothing. I looked beside me and saw that my brothers had stopped too.

The scream sounded again.

"Let's move." Leo ordered and took off in the direction of the heart wrenching sound. We all followed and as we got closer the rain came down more. I shivered slightly and reached the rooftop where our leader had stopped.

"What's up Fearless?" I saw him visibly scowl at the sound of my signature nickname for him but he didn't respond.

"Look down there." He pointed into the alleyway just below us and we all peered down. There was a white fluffy figure, lying flat on the ground with five Purple Dragons surrounding it.

"Is that another mutant?" Donnie asked, surprise lacing his voice.

"I don't know and I don't care." I snarled, spinning my Sais in my hands, "Let's just go already!" Without another word I jumped down. I heard Leo shout my name but ignored him and attacked the first Purple Dragon I saw.

"Look it's the freaks!" One of them shouted and that just made me angrier. I kicked one in the gut and attacked the other. I heard faint sounds behind me and I knew my brothers had joined in on the fight, though it's not like I needed help.

It wasn't long before the fight was over, all three Purple Dragons defeated.

I smirked, "That was a walk in the park."

"Guys look!" I turned my head to see Donnie crouched next to the fluffy figure that now was clearly seen as a mutant. I had nearly forgotten about it.

"What is it Donnie?" Leo asked.

"It's a mutant alright. A female. A mix between human and a snow fox." He explained, "And she's injured."

"Well we can't just leave her out here! She's so cute and fluffy!" Mikey exclaimed, balling his hands into fists and pulling them close to his chest while pulling his famous puppy eyes.

Leo nodded, "I agree."

"But Leo! What if she's an enemy! And we still have to save Antonio and Katrina!" I argued. There was no way we were bringing another mutant home!

"Raph, if she was an enemy, I think she would be able to protect herself against Purple Dragons." He rolled his eyes, "We're taking her home. She's hurt. She's a mutant. I understand your concern but we can't just leave her here to die! We'll have to come back for them. I'm sure they can hold on."

I thought about what he said and grunted, though still not happy with the decision, "Fine."

"I'll carry her." Donnie offered and gently picked up the small mutant. She looked so small, so helpless. Blood was still oozing from her shoulder and arm, and her face was scrunched up in pain. I felt a pang of sympathy for the girl.

(Katrina's POV)

Inky blackness. No sound was made, no sight was seen, no scent was smelled, nothing was felt, and no flavor was tasted. There was nothing. I was floating on air, I couldn't tell up from down. I had no memories of anything. All I knew was, I was alone, and I hated that feeling. The thought that I was trapped. No one could hear me cry. Besides who would care? I thought I could remember one sound. One face. One feeling. But then it slipped away, as if it had never been there. I wanted a way out, a way to escape. But where could I go? What could I do? I was truly alone.

Light flooded through my vision and I suddenly felt something solid beneath me. I could hear something. Tap. Tap. Tap. Something hit my senses and it made my mouth water.

Where was I? I was no longer in that endless void, so where? Was I still all alone?

I pried my eyes open and the light hit my eyes, making me wince and close them again. After a few moments, I tried again and succeeded in opening my eyes fully. Everything came in as a blur at first but then my vision cleared.

The first thing I saw was a wall and a door. I turned my head slowly and saw someone I never thought I'd see again.

Suddenly it all came rushing back to me. My mutation, Ant's betrayal, The Purple Dragons. I began to breathe faster and harder. Soon it turned into a fit of coughs and I shut my eyes, tears pricking the edges as I continued to cough. I heard the sound of someone standing up and I felt a three-fingered hand on my forehead.

Another hand slipped behind my neck and lifted me up.

"Breathe. Just breathe its ok." The voice soothed me and soon my coughs were reduced to gasps and wheezing.

Something was pressed to my lips and my head was tilted. A cool liquid made its way down my throat and I gratefully swallowed the water. When I was done, the glass was removed and I slowly opened my eyes. There stood a tall mutant turtle with a purple mask and reddish brown eyes.

"Donnie…" I whispered.

His eyes widened, "You know me?"

I looked at him, eyes narrowed in confusion. He didn't remember me, "Donnie… it's me… Katrina…" I coughed weakly.

His mouth gaped at me in shock, "Katrina..? What… What happened to you..?"

I flinched at the question and looked down at my lap. I looked awful and I knew that if I told him that I was Shredder's daughter, they'd kick me out for sure. But I knew that I couldn't keep it a secret forever. They wanted to know what happened and they were entitled to that answer.

"Can you get the others…?" I muttered.

He nodded and removed his hands. He hurried out of the room and I heard him yelling for his brothers and Sensei.

I kept my head down and my eyes closed. What would I do when they kicked me out? I couldn't go back to my foster parents and there was no way I could or would go to Shredder. I was a mutant and there was no way I could survive on my own. They should have just left me to die in that alley…

I heard multiple footsteps walk in the door.

"Kat! You're back!" I felt a pair of strong arms around me and I let out a wince, finally looking up.

"Hey Mikey…" I managed to crack a small smile. He let go, smiling big.

"It is good to have you back Katrina." I looked into Splinter's eyes and quickly bowed my head in a sign of respect.

"Thank you Master Splinter."

"So what happened? Who did this to you?" Leo asked and I turned to him. His eyes were hard and held no emotion and I visibly flinched, flattening my new ears in fear and uncertainty. He already didn't trust me.

I bit my lip and lowered my gaze, leaving a long silence.

"It is alright my child. You can tell us. We will not judge." Splinter placed a paw on my uninjured shoulder.

I didn't look up, "I wish that were true Sensei…" I murmered.

"What do you mean?" Donnie asked.

I took a deep breath and began, "I was captured by the Foot. So was Antonio." I closed my eyes again, "Shredder told us something… Something I never wanted to hear…" I stopped for a moment to control my voice.

"What did he tell you? I swear I'll pound him for whatever he's done to you." Raph growled.

"The damage has already been done Raphael." My voice cracked and I cleared my throat.

"Shredder told me that… h-he's Antonio and I's father…" I turned my head away from him in shame.

Silence met my words. This was it. They were going to kick me out.

"Please, carry on." Splinter said.

I looked up at him with shock and he simply nodded his head. I managed to bring myself to look at them all, "He told me that my mother was dead… Tang Chica. Tang Shen's sister… He told me that Splinter killed him-"

"That's not true!" Raph yelled and I winced.

"Raphael!" Splinter snapped and when Raph shut his mouth, I continued.

"I didn't believe him. I didn't want to believe him. My mother dead and my father a monster. Antonio was my brother and I never even knew!" I shut my eyes and a tear rolled down my cheek, "Antonio did though… He betrayed me and joined the Foot Clan… Shredder ordered for me to be mutated and they did this to me… I managed to escape as soon as I woke up. Then I ran into the Purple Dragons… That's the last thing I remember…" By now, more tears stained my white fur, turning it a shade darker. I wrapped my tail around myself and kept my head down.

Suddenly, I felt arms around me and without thinking; I hugged back, tears dripping onto the turtle's shell.

"I'm so sorry…" It was Leo.

"Y-you don't hate me..?" I whimpered.

I felt him pull back and I opened my eyes. His blue eyes met my brown ones, "Of course not. Why should we?"

"Because I am the Shredder's blood…" I lowered my head slightly but felt a finger left my chin up.

"Just because you share his blood does not mean you are the person he is. You are not evil and you are not on his side." He said sincerely.

"Leonardo is right. We do not blame you for anything." Splinter spoke up and I looked around me.

Each turtle had a small smile on their face, even Raph, though his was more of a smirk. I smiled as well and wiped my own tears away, "Thanks guys."

"You will need a place to stay I presume." Master Splinter said.

I nodded once.

"You may stay here if you wish." He said and my eyes widened.

"You'd do that for me?" I almost cried with joy.

He nodded and I mustered up all my strength to jump up and run over to him. I threw my arms around him and buried my face in his Kimono, "Thank you…" I whispered. I felt him stiffen at first but then the strong embrace was returned.

"Awwww. How cute!" I looked up and saw Mikey with tears in his eyes. I couldn't help but giggle.

It was ok. Everything was going to be ok. I had a place to stay. A place to call home. Here I would be safe. I was finally home.