A/N: You can imagine my excitement at seeing so many peeps adding me to their alerts. In keeping with my fic here, Domo Arigato! That's thanks in Japanese (look, I'm learning!) I actually have this fic uploaded so I can make some daily updates till I get to a stopping point. Again - smiles and bows - Arigato!

運命が割り当てれば

Yuku Sue Unmei

CHAPTER TWO

November 9th

I really didn't mean to reveal myself to them, I didn't. While this quest of mine was foolhardy by nature, I am no stranger when it comes to interfering with the past and thus bringing past and present together. My quest in itself was a complete disregard to all of that, but I had only meant to rescue the one known as Donatello and nothing more.

And now…

Well, now they've seen me and really, what can I do? I had thought about running off and then something made me stop. Leonardo had already seen me, surely he would tell the others what I am at least. That was what drove me to seek out the lair, just to maybe see if I still knew the way or if it would look the same as I remembered it. It had been years since I've been there and I admit, I was feeling nostalgic.

And I couldn't very well just go off and find it. No, I would need to wait for them. Of course, I was at a disadvantage anyway if I had gone by myself, but five against one were horrible odds by anyone's standards. However, I'm hoping they can help. It doesn't seem right to come all the way back here and not enlist them in the horrors that could await them in the future, my present.

But…if they're saved, isn't my present saved as well?

"Observant bunch, aren't you?" the turtle smirked, seeing the others reaction. He had seen a similar one across Leonardo's face when he had been told to stop pounding the face of that punk. Now that he was in the open, the turtles could see him. He wore a black silken mask that covered the top portion of his face and head, along with a matching black vest that had upper pockets. His shorts were black cargos and they could see two sets of weapons on his belt – a set of tonfas and a small keibo.

"You'll have to forgive us," Leo replied, tightly. "We're usually the only turtles running around in the city."

"Who are you?" asked Raph, his hands hovering over his sais.

"My name is no consequence to you now," the black turtle replied. "What is of importance is that I'm here to help you and in turn, I'd like to think you'll help me."

"We don't go around helping people we don't know!"

"Really?" the black turtle smirked, raising an eye ridge at Raph. "So exactly how close are you to the college girl that was almost raped tonight?"

I knew my comment would set Raphael off; perhaps I wanted to see if the rumors were true. I know this turtle and while he can be temperamental sometimes, I've never seen him lose his cool. Well, until I provoked him. I have always known that these four are seasoned warriors; they were trained by a master, who was trained by a master, who himself was trained by a master. Three generations of teachings do not go without reward.

Perhaps it was foolishness, but I wanted to see them, him, in action. I had seen them practice as a child; then, I was so enthralled and impressed, I didn't think anything of it. Now, as a young man, I wanted to actually go against one of them and if Raph was going to offer himself, so be it.

The black turtle almost didn't move quick enough before Raphael was lunging towards him with his sais. The younger turtle pulled out his keibo, blocking him effectively with his right hand. Raph of course would not be put off, throwing a kick to the younger turtle's side before leg sweeping him to the sewer floor. "Raph!" Leo called, stopping his immediate younger brother from harming the turtle.

I never said I was particularly smart, which I'm sure I would never hear the end of it from my uncles or mother. But perhaps I was a little too cocky for my own good. Raphael certainly showed that I wasn't as prepared as he was. However, it was just something that I needed to do, needed to test myself against a real opponent. After Leonardo basically saved my shell, I think I may have surprised them again.

By leading them straight to the lair.

None of the turtles were exactly happy about following this unknown turtle to their own home, especially not Raph. He'd been giving this turtle the evil eye since they had stumbled upon the teenager waiting for them down in the sewers. And now, he was leading them to their own lair! The red clad turtle kept throwing glances at his older brother, hoping their Fearless Leader could see the trouble in all of this.

Leo, for his part, kept his eyes – and his thoughts – to himself. It didn't go unnoticed by him that this new turtle was obviously bad news. Things weren't making sense, but he would need to discuss this with his brothers and Master Splinter and if he knew his Sensei, he knew whatever deception this new turtle would bring would certainly be sensed by his master.

The black turtle stopped in front of the hidden wall, apparently waiting for the rest of his party to arrive. "Well?" Raph asked, crossing his arms across his plastron. "You obviously know where we live, so why you go ahead and open the door?"

The black turtle looked at each of the quartet before his eyes landed on Donnie, as though asking permission. Don shrugged, seemingly confident that this turtle wouldn't be able to get in; not with his combinations. The smirk that had been on his face quickly dropped as the black turtle typed in the correct sequence and the wall pull apart, revealing the door to the lair. "No fuckin' way," muttered Raph, as the black turtle turned to them and smiled.

If the four weren't suspicious of this newcomer, they certainly were now. All four eyed this stranger with curiosity or in Raph's case, distain. The black turtle stood by the entrance, motioning for them to enter. Leo watched as his brothers went past, but stayed behind, nodding to the fifth turtle to go before him. He wasn't going to take any chances concerning this guy. The black turtle seemed to understand the elder's reluctance and walked through the door in front of Leo.

Master Splinter greeted them as he usually did, but something about the evening had told him this would be a special night indeed. He watched his three youngest walk through the door, only to be followed by a turtle he had never seen before, but somehow felt he knew. Leonardo, always on guard, brought up the rear. "Master Splinter," he replied, bowing slightly.

"I see you and your brothers have brought company," the aged rat responded, gazing at the turtle in black before him.

"Hai, Sensei," Leo whispered, glaring at the fifth turtle. He turned to address his master and father again, but was interrupted by the newcomer.

"Konbon wa, Sensei," the black turtle replied, bowing respectfully. "Hisashiburi."

All eyes now turned to this new turtle. Leo had been hoping to explain this situation to his sensei, in Japanese in order to keep this turtle from knowing what he was saying. Not only was he and his brothers surprised at the sudden fact that this turtle also spoke Japanese, but it was apparently quite a surprise to Splinter as well. The ninja master's eyes widened slightly, so used to speaking English with his sons now, that when his first language was presented to him, he tended to be a little off guard.

"Nihongo go hanasu ka?" asked the rat.

"Hai," the turtle answered. "Nihongo go sukoshi hanasemasu."

"Soo ka?"

"Hai, Sensei."

"Watashitachi ha konon dara eigo wo hanashi temoii."

"Hai."

"Onamae wan an desu ka?"

"Perhaps I should say this in English," the turtle chuckled, seeing the looks on the others faces. "For now, you can call me Nick and like I told my…um…your sons, Master Splinter, I'm here to help. Or rather, I'm here to help and hopefully get some help in return."

"What kinda help?" Raph asked, crossing his arms across his plastron.

"Straight to the chase as always," Nick mumbled, causing Leo and Don to look at each other. "I'm sure you've figured out that I'm not from around here. At least, not in this time period."

"You're from the future!?" Mikey exclaimed.

"Don't act all surprised," Nick said. "I know you aren't unaware of different times and dimensions and all that."

"I gather with your knowledge of the lair and Master Splinter, you know us," Donnie said. "In your time, I mean."

Nick nodded. "Yeah," he whispered. "See, I'm…I'm not sure how to say it, so I just will. I'm here to save your lives." The younger turtle let that information process, while looking around the lair.

"Whatever do you mean?" asked Master Splinter.

I must admit, while I knew I would certainly be asked questions regarding my arrival and my knowledge of them and their home, I wasn't quite prepared for a story like I should've been. I could only fall back on what I was told and perhaps embellish it a bit. I was already under suspicion, especially from Leo and Raph. I didn't mean to break out the Japanese like that, but it was Master Splinter.

It was important to show the proper respect.

Nick seemed a bit hesitant to answer, but finally he took a deep breath and began his story. "You all remember Lord Hebi," he started. "From the Battle Nexus?" He waited until everyone confirmed they knew of the malevolent being. "For years, of course, forces of Hebi have been trying to defeat those rightfully in power. As it turns out, his forces were able to topple the shogun." While he explained, Nick began to pace. It was something he had inherited from his father and something he did when he was either thinking or was nervous. For this, it was a little of both, something that didn't escape his current audience.

"Fast forward to my time," the younger turtle continued. "You – the four of you – came to try and help and ended up stopping Hebi's minions. But you know Lord Hebi; he's not one to give up easily. Using sorcery and magic, he sent a few of his minions into the past, hoping to thwart you before you're able to stop him."

"Dude…" Mikey whispered. "All that trouble cause we defeated him?"

"Well," Nick chuckled. "Hebi has never enjoyed defeat by any means."

"This does seem serious," Splinter reflected. "If Lord Hebi is involved, the situation is dire indeed. Tell me, have you tried contacting the Daimyo about this?"

"The Daimyo?" Nick asked, paling slightly. "He…he is already aware of the situation, Master Splinter. Besides, I've…my people have already talked to him about Hebi's threat on you. Who do you think sent me?"

The ninja master nodded, absentmindedly, his eyes never leaving the face of the young turtle that spoke. Splinter didn't understand the reason, but he knew this young kame was lying to them. He didn't know the purpose, but yet there was no doubt in his mind Nick was lying. But he didn't feel as though the turtle was doing so to hurt them.

Master Splinter wasn't the only one who thought Nick was hiding something. Leo, who had been carrying suspicions of the younger turtle since they had first met, knew the tale tell signs of deception and he could tell Nick was being purposefully deceptive. Donnie also noticed the strange behavior, but he – like Splinter – didn't necessarily believe this newcomer was trying to do them any harm. He just thought it strange that no one in his world hadn't contacted them about Lord Hebi, especially Miyamoto Usagi, who he knew would've gone to Leo had things gotten so out of hand.

"What do you think, Master?" asked Leo, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Nick.

"This is troubling news indeed," the aged rat murmured. "If this story is true, then we cannot let this young man out of our sight. I fear that not only are you in danger, my son, but Nick as well."

"I'm not sure we should trust this guy," Raph said, openly glaring at the younger turtle.

"C'mon Raphie," Mikey taunted. "That's no way to talk to our new buddy. Besides, he knows us! Don't ya?"

Nick was a bit speechless as all eyes turned to him. Nodding slowly, he said, "We're very close."

"See?" Mikey said, slinging an arm around the younger turtle's shoulders. "No worries, yo. I'll give you a tour of the place myself." The more enthusiastic turtle began to lead his younger friend around, pointing out various things.

"I think I will meditate on this," Splinter said, turning and heading towards his room. No one needed to tell the other three that their teacher and parent was going to do more than just meditate.

"I'd like to see you two in my room for a moment," Donnie whispered. "As long as Mikey's giving our guest the 'grand tour'."

The older turtles nodded, before following their younger brother to his room. Once there, Donnie flipped a nearby switch that would turn the 'Do Not Disturb' light above his door. "Must be pretty important for ya to turn on the DND sign, Donnie," Raph smirked, taking a seat in his brother's computer chair.

"It is," Don replied, walking towards his desk and leaning against it. "I hope I'm not the only one to see through this guy's story."

"Thank God," Raph sighed in relief. "I was afraid you all bought that bull hook, line, and sinker."

"He's hiding something," Leo stated. "That part's for sure. Notice how uneasy he got when Master Splinter mentioned the Daimyo?"

"And what's the deal with him knowing how to get here?" questioned Raph. "Or how he knows Master Splinter?"

"I do believe him when he says he knows us," Donnie replied. "In what capacity is what's making me a little suspicious. I can't stop the feeling that I know him or that he looks familiar somehow."

"What do you think, Don?" asked Leo.

"I'd like to know a little more about this," Don murmured. "Like how he got here. He's not that much younger than us, but he is from the future, so who knows how long his time is from ours. Also, could Hebi's forces be so strong that they would topple the shogun? And the other Daimyos? I find that hard to believe, but at this point in time, we don't have anything to prove or disprove anything!"

"I have an idea," Leo said, looking at the two. "You want to find the truth, you go to the source."

"You mean you're gonna head to the Battle Nexus?" asked Raph.

"If anyone knows what's going on, it's our friends there." Leo turned to leave, but not before he saw the look of horror on Don's face. "Sorry, Donnie," he whispered. "But you know it's the best lead we're going to get right now."

Donnie gulped. "Yeah, I know," he said. "Just…just…"

"Do…you want me to…?"

"No!" the brainy turtle exclaimed, before taking a breath. "No, Leo, that's…that's okay. I'm…You're right, of course. The best way to figure this thing out is to go to the source of the problem. Maybe we can find some answers."

Leo nodded, giving the brainy turtle a brotherly pat on the shoulder. He headed out, Raph only minutes behind him, leaving Donnie alone in his room. The young turtle let out a sigh. He was being ridiculous. Of course Leo was right. It was just…the thought of him there…there of all places! He couldn't stop the feelings of melancholy and hurt from creeping upon him. Standing, he made his way to his computer and sat down in the chair. He had work to do and he couldn't be thinking about this right now.

He had his suspicions of Nick and for them to be even remotely accurate, he would need some sort of blood or tissue sample. That was the only way he'd be able to prove what he was thinking.

TRANSLATIONS

Leo: Yes, Sensei

Nick: Good evening, Sensei. It's been a long time.

Splinter: Do you speak Japanese?

Nick: Yes, I speak a little Japanese.

Splinter: Is that so?

Nick: Yes, Sensei.

Splinter: We will speak English if you'd like.

Nick: Yes.

Splinter: What do they call you?