Chapter Six- Friend or Foe?
The girl burst through her front door and slammed it shut, breathing hard. Mikey appeared from inside the kitchen, holding a piece of cold pizza he was about to heat up. "What's wrong?"
"Unfortunately, my day didn't go quite as planned." The girl said hurriedly.
"What do you mean?" Mikey asked worriedly as he followed the girl back to her bedroom.
Splinter jumped a little when the girl entered, interrupting his meditation. "What is happening?"
"Well, first I found the guy whose van I accidently took and met a bunch of ninjas and their giant dog. They questioned me about your whereabouts." The girl explained, pulling out a backpack from the closet and stuffing a few sketchbooks inside. "I tried to tell them that the van was empty when I found it, but they didn't seem to believe me. They followed me for a while before your turtle brothers confronted me. They thought that, since I was driving the black van, I was with the dog and ninjas and the turtles followed me." She stuffed her laptop and a sweatshirt into the backpack as well. "Either group will be here any second."
Bang bang bang!
"Open up and tell us where our friends are!"
"Raph! What happened to the silent ninja approach?"
"That's the guys!" Mikey said excitedly. "I'll go get them and explain everything!"
"Bring them in and lock the doors!" The girl called after Mikey. "We have to take the fire escape to get out of here."
Mikey nodded and hurried to the door. He opened it and was instantly met with a katana blade to his nose.
"Mikey!" Donnie cried happily, pulling his brother in a hug. "You're alive!"
"Yeah, yeah, get inside!" Mikey urged as he herded his family inside and slammed the door shut. He flipped the deadbolt, twisted doorknob lock, and pulled the chain over the door. "Listen, Splinter and I were captured by Dogpound, but then saved by the girl that lives here. She's a friend, I promise. But you have to do everything she says, okay? I think she has a plan to get out of here."
Leo, Raph, and Donnie exchanged concerned and confused looks, but nodded in agreement. They followed Mikey back to the girl's room, only to have a baseball bat swung towards their heads. Leo's ninjutsu reflexes saved his face from getting caved in.
"Are these your brothers?" The girl asked, jerking the aluminum bat from Leo's grip.
"Yeah, my brothers." Mikey nodded. "Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael."
"This your friend, Mikey?" Leo asked, staring at the Japanese girl wearing navy jeans, green and white sneakers, and a black T-shirt with a backpack on her back and a baseball bat in her hands.
"Yep." Mikey nodded. "She saved Sensei Splinter's life."
The boys looked towards Splinter and shouted in joy at the sight of their still-living master.
"Are you all alright?" Splinter asked worriedly, checking over his sons as though they were very young.
"We're fine." Raph nodded. "But we should hurry. Dogpound and the Foot Ninjas weren't too far behind us."
Bang bang bang!
"Oh you've got to be kidding me." The girl growled. She hurried to the window and pulled it open. "Come on, all of you out to the fire escape!"
The turtles didn't even argue; Leo leaped out first, checking for any sign of people, Foot ninjas, or mutant dogs. Raph followed close behind, Donnie on his tail. Mikey hung back to help Splinter as he climbed a little slowly out the window. His wounds still complained from any movement, making Splinter grit his teeth a little from irritation and pain. The girl came out last, keeping the bat with her as she did, and closed the window just as the door to her apartment burst open, courtesy of Dogpound's fist.
The girl led the turtles and their master down the fire escape to the sewer grate in the alley at the bottom. She pulled up the grate and gestured for everyone to go down. The turtles jumped down and landed softly on the stone floor down below. Splinter jumped down as well, but stumbled a little at the sudden burst of pain in his chest. The girl followed close behind, shutting the grate behind her.
"Lead the way." The girl said quickly, resting her bat on her shoulder.
"What?" Leo asked.
"I don't know what part of the sewer you live in." The girl pointed out, as though it were obvious.
"You think we're gonna bring you to our home?" Donnie scoffed. "I realize Sensei's hurt, but I am technically the doctor of the group. I think I can handle it."
"You sure you can handle stitches?" The girl sassed, poking Donnie's chest with her bat.
"Both of you stop it!" Splinter snapped. "Boys, lead the way. We can trust her. Michelangelo and I owe her our lives for helping us."
The boys (sans Mikey) exchanged looks, but started walking through the sewer tunnels to the lair. The group remained silent the whole way, with the occasional glare cast between the girl and the boys. Mikey focused on Splinter, remaining by his side in case he stumbled. When they finally arrived at the lair, April was there to greet them.
"Oh thank goodness you're alright!" April sighed. Her eyes widened at the sight of the bandages around Splinter's chest. "What happened?"
"Take a seat." Mikey offered, plopping down on a bean bag chair. "It's a bit of a long story."
Stupid turtles. Kuro thought to herself. Cowardly, weak, without skill…..I would've beaten them if they hadn't used those smoke bombs. Their skills kept them alive for a good amount of time, but it won't save them. Not a chance.
Kuro would never admit that the Turtles fought well. At the same time, just because they fought well doesn't mean they would've won. Leo put up a good fight with his twin katanas, even against Kuro's skills with her single blade. Perhaps she would keep him alive and use him for a practice dummy during training. He put up a better fight than any of the Foot Ninja could. Under normal circumstances, Kuro would've wished that the turtles stay still so she could slice them into sushi. But Shredder taught her better. She knew that wishing did nothing to change the past. She simply planned for her future victory.
Next time, Turtles. Kuro promised. When I get my hands on you, I'll slit your throats and force Hamato to watch you die a slow, agonizing death.
"Well, at least you're all home safe." April sighed when they finished the story.
"And, considering that," the girl stood and brushed off her jeans. "I should be going. I'll be back in a week to check on those stitches. Don't do anything stupid and mess with them; they need to hold so the wounds heal."
"No." Splinter said.
"I don't trust the purple one with someone else's stich work." The girl explained. "I'll find my way back."
"I mean," Splinter stood up to face the girl. "I don't think you should return to your home."
Everyone turned to him with a mixture of looks. From April: confused. From the Japanese girl: surprised. From the turtles: a look that clearly said, "Are you kidding me?"
"What do you mean?" The girl asked.
"You don't trust Donatello with your work." Splinter explained, gently touching the bandages around his chest. "So why don't you stay here for now?"
"Sensei, you can't be serious." Leo scoffed.
"We hardly know this chick." Raph jerked his thumb towards the Japanese girl.
"'This chick' is still in the room." The Japanese girl huffed.
"Boys, if Bradford knows about her involvement with us, then she's at risk. Letting harm come to her would not be a proper way to thank her for her help." Splinter reasoned. "Tonight, we'll gather some things from her home and she can stay here until the situation clears up."
"You don't have to do that." The Japanese girl assured. "I don't want to be any trouble. Besides, I don't think your sons like company." She cast a snarky smirk towards Leo, Raph, and Donnie, all of which returned with a glare.
"I insist." Splinter said firmly, indicating he would remain stubborn throughout this conversation.
The girl huffed. "Okay. But don't bother going to my apartment. If those guys are watching my place, then I don't want to risk you guys getting captured or something. I'll go back alone and grab a few essentials. Besides, there are ways to get in and out of my apartment without anyone noticing."
"I think we got some extra blankets and pillows." Mikey piped up as he ran off to his room.
"I'm gonna order some Chinese food for lunch." Donnie offered, pressing buttons on his phone.
"I'll pick it up." April followed Donnie into the kitchen.
"Oh come on." Raph scoffed.
"We allowed April in here because she was in the same situation this young girl is." Splinter reasoned. "Treat her with respect." The girl smirked again, and Raph growled. "Young lady, please come with me." The girl nodded and followed Splinter just outside the entrance to the lair.
"Is something wrong?" the girl asked.
"Not yet." Splinter admitted. "But you need to realize what kind of situation you are in." He suddenly turned and bent down so the girl stared directly into his red-brown eyes. "My sons don't respond well to strangers; that's how they were raised. The only reason April is here is because they saved her life and I've spent enough time with her to know that she is our friend."
"What's your point?" the girl demanded.
"My point is this." Splinter's voice remained low and calm, but with a hint of threatening. "If you betray our trust in any way, the consequences will be severe. Do you understand?"
The girl didn't look afraid nor angry. She only nodded. "I have no reason to reveal anything to the humans topside, if that's what you mean."
Splinter wasn't sure he liked that response; but he accepted it nonetheless.
"You're sure your parents won't freak out when they find you missing?" Donnie asked.
"Oh please." The girl rolled her eyes. "My parents hardly notice me when I'm home. They're on a business trip, anyway."
"I'm sorry." April said sympathetically.
"Eh, don't be." The girl assured. "I don't like them."
"Sounds like you aren't fond of very many people at all." Leo noted as he practiced on his punching bag.
The girl frowned and stuffed the last of her chow mein into her mouth. April noticed the bitter, almost sad, look in her eyes and smiled comfortingly. The girl either didn't notice or chose to ignore it.
"Boys, I must remind you of the time." Splinter announced as he stood from his spot. "You all still have training tomorrow."
"I better head home." April sighed. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." The group bid their human friend farewell as she jogged off.
"I'm hitting the sack early." Leo said, walking off to his room. "Goodnight, Sensei. Goodnight guys."
"Yeah, I better get to bed too." Donnie agreed, setting down the metal contraption in his hands. "I need time to rest my brain cells."
"And I just don't wanna be here." Raph shrugged, following suit.
Splinter glared sternly after his sons, but only sighed. "Michelangelo, will you please make sure our guest is comfortable? We should all be getting to bed."
"Hai, Sensei." Mikey nodded, running off to grab the pillows and blankets.
"Sleep well, child." Splinter said as he walked off.
"Pleasant dreams, Sensei Splinter." The girl bowed her head. She didn't raise her head until she heard the door close to what she assumed was Splinter's room.
"I hope these will do." Mikey offered, setting down a pillow and about five blankets. "It can get kinda cold down here."
"I would expect so much from the sewers." The girl shrugged, arranging the blankets comfortably on the floor in the pit.
"I'm sorry about my brothers." Mikey said sincerely. "They're not used to strangers. After all, we're more of the 'never show ourselves to others' kind of people."
The girl smiled a little. "Well, thank you for opening up your home to me."
"No problemo." Mikey shrugged. "Can I get you anything else?"
The girl giggled a little. "Such a gentleman. No, thank you, I just need some sleep."
Mikey nodded and walked off. "Okay. Well, good night, sleep tight; don't let the sewer rats bite!"
"You mean 'bed bugs bite'." The girl corrected.
"No, I mean the sewer rats." Mikey affirmed. "Not all of them are nice like Splinter."
The girl cocked her head, but shrugged and settled down to sleep. But something scurrying past her head made her jump. She looked around, but saw no rats or bugs or anything that would hurt her. She lay back down in her makeshift bed, but after a few moments decided sleeping with her baseball bat wouldn't hurt.
Splinter slowly slid open the doors to each of his sons' rooms, mentally noting how each fared as they slept. Michelangelo cuddled his skateboard like a teddy bear. A thick biology textbook rested on Donatello's chest. Raphael slept with a sai in his hand. Leonardo muttered incoherent words and drooled a little. Finally, Splinter moved to the couches in the main room, where the Japanese girl slept. She formed the blankets and pillows into a sort of nest and snuggled under a fuzzy blanket to sleep. She breathed evenly and calmly, the covers pulled up to her chin. Splinter found himself once again mesmerized by the familiarity of the girl's face. Without fully knowing what he was doing (or why he was doing it), he knelt down beside the girl's head and sat on his ankles, continuing to stare. His hand unconsciously moved towards her and he gently brushed his knuckles against her cheek.
Hamato smiled at his baby daughter, fast asleep in her crib. He gently brushed his knuckles against her cheek, careful not to wake her.
Splinter suddenly reared back, his breathing coming out in small pants. He stared at the girl for a moment before jumping to his feet and hurrying to his room, unaware that the girl woke up and stared after him. She touched her cheek, overwhelmed with a feeling of nostalgia. She forced herself to shake the feeling and resumed her rest, holding her aluminum bat close to her.
Splinter leaned against his door, his eyebrows furrowing in thought. He had no idea why that memory decided to resurface. That girl had no connections to his dead family.
His dead family...
Splinter trudged to his bed and settled down to sleep. But it did little to numb the pain from the memories of his beloved wife and infant daughter.
Kuro leaped across the gap and landed softly on the roof of the building. She casually walked across the small stone railing to the ceiling windows and crawled through a broken section. She stood close to the edge of the flattop, bouncing on her heels. She looked down, studying the ground below her for a moment before diving headfirst. She slipped into the water without a single splash, relieved at the coolness that spread over her. She didn't even care that her clothes were getting soaked. She opened her eyes and turned her head when something suddenly grabbed her foot. She planted her free foot in the face of the large red fish that had her in his grip. She swam up to the surface and pulled herself onto solid ground.
"Honestly, Xever, don't you know the difference between friend and food?" Kuro snapped.
Fishface poked his head out from the water. "Don't you know better than to jump into strange waters?"
"Enough, Xever!" Shredder snapped from his throne. "Come forward, my daughter."
Kuro smiled as she approached her father. "Greetings, Otōsan. It has been a while."
"Indeed." Shredder nodded. "I hear you have a new plan to bring down Splinter. How are you faring with that?"
"Quite well." Kuro nodded. "I only wish that the Turtles weren't such cowards."
"Ah yes." Shredder nodded. "Bradford told me about your fight with them."
Kuro turned and realized the mutant dog stood just ten feet behind her. How long had he been there? My focus is slipping since this stupid plan started. "He did, huh? Bragging about me, are you?"
"As if." Dogpound huffed. "You're not ready to fight the turtles."
"This coming from the mutt that got his tail whooped so many times because of those freaks." Kuro sassed.
"Why you little—"
"Enough!"
Kuro and Dogpound ceased and turned their attention to Shredder as he descended down the stairs to them. "Kuro, come with me."
Kuro nodded and followed her father out the door. She remained silent as they traveled down hall after hall, door after door, all the way to Shredder's own private training room. Only Shredder and Kuro ever went in there; it was absolutely forbidden for anyone else to go in. Kuro closed the door after her and stopped to look around. It was a fairly simple room: black walls, bamboo tatami flooring, and lanterns on the ceiling lighting up the room. Rack after rack of weapons pressed against the three walls. Everything from shurikens, bō staffs, katanas, even sets of Shredder's claws, rested on the racks. Kuro watched as Shredder walked to the other end of the room to a section of wall not covered in weapon racks. The only thing there was a double-door cabinet, as tall as an oven but half as wide.
Shredder knelt down before the cabinet and opened the double doors, revealing the shrine he had made. Resting on the bottom of the two shelves was some incense and an elegant gold necklace. On the top shelf was a picture of a beautiful Japanese woman in a dark blue kimono with white snowflake designs and a white obi. She had chocolate brown eyes and ashen hair. Her kind smile could make anyone feel warm and happy, even Shredder. He took off his helmet and set it in front of him, sitting back on his ankles and staring at the picture of the woman.
Kuro slowly stepped up behind Oroku Saki and stared over his shoulder at the shrine. She smiled mournfully at the picture of her mother and sighed a little. "Do you miss her? My mother?"
"We look to the past, but we do not dwell on it." Oroku said simply. "But I often think of Tang Shen when I think of Hamato Yoshi."
Kuro glared at the floor. She stepped forward and knelt beside her father, mirroring his position. "He will pay for what he did to our family. I promise."
Oroku chuckled. "Kuro, my daughter, you have grown so much. I am proud of you. But you must remember that if Hamato lived through our battle, then he will surely return with a greater vengeance."
Kuro nodded. "I understand, Father. But what I don't understand is how Hamato could hurt someone he once had feelings for."
"Jealousy does much to fuel one's actions." Oroku said simply. "He couldn't stand the fact that Tang Shen married me and that we had you. He is weak."
"Of course." Kuro agreed. "He'll always be weak. I will make sure you get your revenge."
Oroku chuckled darkly. "Such a dark and violent mind you have my daughter. It's like looking in a mirror. Except for…" He suddenly glared and gingerly touched the scarred half of his face.
Kuro remained silent. She knew for a fact that her father loathed talking about the scar he received after a fight with Hamato; the same night the wretched man killed her mother. Kuro's fist clenched at the thought of her mother being taken away from her when she was just an infant, all because a man got jealous of her father. But now was not the time to mourn or hate; now was the time to move forward with her plans. So she turned to her father and bowed down, pressing her forehead to the tatami mats.
"I must be going, Otōsan." Kuro announced.
"Go." Oroku nodded, bowing his head to Kuro. "Make me proud, Kuro Saki."
Kuro stood and walked off. As she journeyed down the hall, she realized her shoes were making a squish squish sound. Then she realized she was still soaking wet from her dive in Xever's pool. She thought about taking a shower when she returned home, but knew her situation didn't permit such a thing.
Well, maybe they won't notice. Kuro shrugged it off.
A/N: From my understanding, "Oroku" is Shredder's first name and "Saki" is his family name. Hence, "Kuro Saki"