A House Divided - Centers around the Foot Clan after 'Enter the Purple Dragon' epilogue

Rating: K

(The Japanese term 'kyodaina kame' translates into giant turtle.)

The ten members of the council sat around the large chabudai. They sat quietly, the mood somber, and the atmosphere pregnant with anxiety over the conversation to come. A few days before, two women violently entered the very headquarters of the once venerable Foot Clan, tossed the severed head of their former leader the Shredder, and demanded their allegiance. All of them had pledged it, if for no other reason than to spare their lives for a few more moments.

A grey haired master, regal in his appearance and dressed in traditional Japanese clothing waited until everyone gave him their undivided attention. Finally he spoke.

"Welcome, my brothers. You have honored me with your presence today at my home," he said as the others nodded and murmured their responses.

"Recently, we have had a new development, one that requires our collective wisdom and knowledge to navigate. We were notified, in the most undignified manner that Oroku Saki was killed. We were also notified that it was his elite guard that committed the crime, and presented the evidence to us while lacking all grace and honor," he looked around and one of the men caught his attention. He had his eyes casted down, a look of concern on his face.

"It is not a good thing to speak this way. Our new masters-," many of the men scoffed at his use of the title. He waited until the grey-haired master settled them once more. "Our new masters have taken control of the foot. They have killed Oroku Saki, and have rightfully taken his place."

"What of Karai? Was she not his ward? Was she not next in line to lead the clan?!" Another man said, causing the group to erupt in agreement. The old man spoke again.

"Karai is no more. Our sources tell us that she was killed by a kyodaina kame," he said sitting back and taking a sip of his tea. He seemed to be considering the implications of that report.

"Can this even be believed?" scoffed another of the council elders. "It is nothing more than a fantasy! How could there be such a monster, and even if such a thing existed, how and why would it attack the foot?" The elders spoke among themselves, some hearing this for the first time and not believing.

"No. Some of us were aware of some of the more…peculiar practices of our former master Shredder," the grey elder said. Motioning towards another member he continued, "Nobu was privy to one such incident. Tell us Nobu, what did you see?"

"Hai Tanaka-san. Master Shredder had me to attend a very strange meeting, little more than a year ago. In this meeting plans were made to help the Foot Clan to gain more of a hold in the New York region. This in itself was not strange. However, these plans were being made in collusion with a…rather disgusting creature." Nobu took a quick sip of his tea, and patted the sweat from his head with a handkerchief. "This, thing, was very large and was very much similar in appearance to a human brain." The elders gave out a collective gasp. Most in shock and horror, others in disbelief. Tanaka-san motioned Nobu to continue.

"There was talk then of a substance, something called mutagen. It seemed to me that this creature was in control of that substance, and Shredder wanted it very much. In return for it, Shredder made one of his secret bunkers a headquarters for the creatures. They spoke of an invasion. An invasion of the Earth." Nobu finished the last of his tea in one gulp, and set the cup down heavily upon the table. Only silence filled the space as everyone contemplated his account of events.

"We cannot allow this invasion. If Nobu's report is true, then Shredder has left us with a large problem on our hands." This elder turned towards Tanaka beseechingly. "We must stop it from happening. If Setsuko knows about it, or agrees to this she cannot be allowed to lead the Foot Clan to its own destruction."

"Perhaps these beings are not bent on destruction of our world. Perhaps, they do not intend to kill us," Tanaka said, although he was unconvinced of the words as they passed his lips.

"Whenever the Foot Clan seized a territory, did we ever leave its occupants in control? Or even alive for that matter?" Nobu said softly to Tanaka-san. "Please, do not be foolish." Tanaka-san nodded reluctantly before he went on.

"What of these women who dare to take hold of the clan? Are we in solidarity over their leadership or should they be overthrown?" Tanaka asked of the group. No one said anything although all eyes shifted towards him.

"No, I am too old to lead the clan now. I lost my place to Oroku Saki all those years ago. It would be dishonorable of me to usurp this position." Tanaka-san waited a moment before he spoke again. "I believe we should exercise patience. If this, Setsuko proves herself a good leader we will follow, but we will keep watch. If she proves no better than Oroku Saki, or even worse than him, we will depose her and her sister. I propose that Satoru-san lead the clan in that instance," Tanaka said gesturing towards a younger looking man who seemed to be no older than his early forties. Satoru seemed surprised to be chosen, but pleased nonetheless.

"He is the youngest among us, and has proven his loyalty to the Foot a hundred times over. He is young enough to act, old enough to exercise wisdom, and I believe he would not fail us as a leader." Everyone seemed to agree except for one.

The council member who had already began using the title of master in reference to Setsuko was not pleased. Akira was his name and he would curry favor with the new masters no matter what the council decided in their foolishness.

"One last thing no one spoke about," Nobu said. "What of Oroku Saki's other ward, Eric Sacks? How is the clan to regard him?" Once again the men spoke in hushed tones among themselves.

"He will maintain an honorary position out of respect for having been here so long. However, Mr. Sacks is a businessman and he should remain so. He will not have leadership in this clan. He was a ward only, not true-born Japanese." Tanaka's tone was one of finality on the matter. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

After another round of tea, a few cakes, and more lighthearted conversation, Tanaka-san ended the meeting and saw them all politely to the door. Everyone headed presumably to their own homes, but Akira headed towards the headquarters of the Foot. He smiled to himself. Yes, he would be the one to gain the good graces of both Setsuko and her sister Kazuko.