運命が割り当てれば

Yuku Sue Unmei

CHAPTER FIVE

The wind was biting, as was the noticeable chill in the air. November in New York was always a blessing and a curse for four mutant turtles. On one hand, it meant it was that much closer to Christmas and while Mikey was the only one who outwardly showed his enthusiasm about it, his brothers looked forward to the holiday season as well. The downside of course, was that they were more susceptible in colder weather, due to them being cold-blooded. Training runs were usually few and far in between because of how cold it was and the outer wear they wore tended to hinder their movements.

Tonight's training run wasn't a planned one; it was something that Leo had come up with after watching Nick's performance in morning practice. He had also noticed, like Master Splinter, that Nick's movements were nearly identical to their own. That not only intrigued him, but disturbed him at the same time. Why and how did Nick know movements they themselves had known all their lives? How did he know Master Splinter? In his world, was their master his master too? And how did he know Japanese? Was he from Japan? Leo didn't think so, but he had to learn the language somehow. Was it taught to him? And by whom?

Just who was this turtle!?

Leo tried calming himself internally; he needed to make sure this would work and he couldn't afford any lingering feelings of defeat to cloud his judgement. Truthfully, he had been a bit shocked at losing. It had been years, years, since his brothers had been able to defeat him during spars and the only one who could ever come close was Raph, only because he took their bouts very personally. But to lose to a newcomer wasn't what actually surprised the leader the most.

It was the utmost show of respect that Nick had shown as Leo critiqued him.

The eldest knew he won no favors when he did that to his brothers – Raph downright resented having Leo tell him what was wrong with his fighting style; Donnie and Mikey just rolled their eyes good naturedly, but he knew they probably tuned him out as best as they could. It wasn't to say that they wouldn't ask for his advice on a move – well, Raph wouldn't or if he did, it was in a roundabout way – but to be given advice without asking for it never endeared him to his younger brothers.

Even April was at the point where she would just humor his teachings, even if she actually did listen to what he was telling her.

So to not only have someone actively listen to him, but to actually thank him for the teachings had thrown the elder turtle off quite a bit. And it was the way Nick said it, too; he had addressed him as sensei. Was Leo his teacher in his world? The kame had mentioned he had classes of some sort; was he learning ninjutsu, just as he and his brothers had?

All the information Leo got only seemed to compound the mystery more. The more that was revealed only lead to more questions he was left with. What was Nick hiding? Could he be wrong, be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Perhaps his story was true – perhaps Lord Hebi did take over his world and Leo and his brothers had gone to save it and they perished. The only difference was that it hadn't happened yet, at least not in the time Nick was in. Maybe Nick jumped too far, perhaps it wouldn't happened for years to come.

Leo didn't know and that's what drove him nuts. He didn't know! There were questions he would ask, only to be met with more questions. That's when he got the idea of training. He tried to steer clear of it during the winter months, knowing how sluggish they were when the temperatures dropped, but this was an opportunity to see the young kame in real action. He didn't want to get the boy hurt, on the contrary. He was hoping if what he thought to be true – that Nick was being taught by either him, his brothers, or their father – then he would know the exact way they trained when above ground.

He only hoped they wouldn't run into trouble like they usually did.

Nine o'clock began to roll around and Leo was happy to see that his brothers and Nick were all by the door, getting ready to leave. Mikey was doing his best to convince the kame that he needed more than what he was wearing to brave the rooftops of Manhattan. "Dude," he was saying. "You'll totally freeze you're a…I mean, your shell off." The youngest brother threw an innocent smile towards his father, instantly correctly any language he was going to say.

"I'm telling you, Mike," Nick replied. "I got insolation. You really think this is my first time in New York?"

That statement didn't go unnoticed.

"Just how many times you been here, kid?" Raph asked, bluntly, securing a black beanie over his head.

"Couple."

"Be careful, my sons," Splinter said, as he watched his children bundle up for the night. "Only an hour, Leonardo."

"Unless something comes up," Mikey piped up. "Cause you know something always…OW!"

"Not if you don't jinx us, it won't," Raph growled, raising his hand as it looked like Mikey would protest.

"We'll try to keep any run ins we encounter brief, Sensei," Leo said.

Master Splinter couldn't help but smirk at the unsaid irony in that statement. "Nick, I wish to speak with you when you return."

If it had been anyone else, Nick may have feigned he would be tired or complained, but he knew the tone of voice well. This was a summons, one not to be missed, unless threat of death. And apparently, the others knew it as well. The young kame had no choice but nod quickly, assuring his arrival later. Leo looked to make sure everyone was dressed for their outing, frowning slightly at Nick's less than warm appearance. "All set?" Everyone gave their assurance.

"Let's go."

I must admit, I was extremely excited. In my world of Edo, I didn't need to hide at all times of the day or night; it was my right as heir and ruler to come and go as I pleased.

Well, as long as I had my mother and Master Splinter's permission.

On those rare times when my uncles went back to New York, I was still too young to do the training exercises they had grown up with. Still, when I became of age, I was able to accompany at least one uncle across the rooftops of New York. There isn't much of a difference between the New York in my world and the New York that I am now in. There were a bit fewer people or maybe it was because of the late hour in which we traveled.

Now however, there still seemed to be people milling about and there were still lights and sounds going on. It didn't take us long to reach the roof of a nearby building. I admit that I lingered a few times, still in awe of not only being able to actually run with them, him, but at the lights and sounds that made the city just…come alive!

Finally though, we stopped and they all stood looking at me and at each other. Somehow I knew it wasn't going to be good nor easy…

Raphael would be lying if he thought this was a good idea.

He would grudgingly admit that the kid had some skills, but what Leo had propose to him earlier, about letting him come along on their training run, was probably the dumbest idea his brother ever had. They still didn't know who this kid was and to top it off, everything he did just about tipped his hand that he knew more than he was telling. Raph hated that.

He was fairly simplistic kinda guy – he didn't hold the punches; if he thought something was wrong, he would tell you. His brothers were all used him telling them like it was. It may not have won him any favorites contests, especially with Leo, but that's who he was. And if he could tell people how things were, the least they could do was be straight with him.

And this kid was so not being straight with them.

He didn't get it. What was going on in that round, bald head of his that was so bad, he couldn't tell them? He had already alluded that they were in danger; big deal! They were always in some form of danger. His big brother may think Karai and the Foot would leave them alone, but Raph knew they wouldn't. He knew Karai hadn't forgiven them for what happened to her father and he knew, somewhere deep down, Leo hadn't forgiven her for trying to kill them off while he was gone with the Ancient One. But Raph also knew that in that same place, Leo hadn't wanted to give up on her, give up on whatever diluted dreams he had about her, about them…

They were no strangers to the possibility of death; they wouldn't run up to it and slap it – usually – but they wouldn't run from it either. The red branded knew this and had accepted it. Would it destroy him if he lost one of his brothers? Of course it would, just like it would destroy the others, but again, he was a realist. He knew it would happen sooner or later. But the way this kid was going on and on about it made him distrust him from the start. And if he was from the future, why didn't he just go back to a few days or months before whatever killed them killed them? Why come all the way back here?

Oh no, Raphael was not stupid by any means. He knew there was something going on and he sensed the others knew it too.

"Alright," Leo replied, once everyone had arrived. "You heard Master Splinter, we only have an hour, so I suggest we do a little training excerise to pass the time."

"Can we get food while we're here?" Mikey asked. "I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry," Donnie joked. Turning to Leo, he asked, "So what're we doing?"

Staring at Nick with a smirk on his face, Leo replied, "I thought I'd let Raph pick tonight."

This can't be good, Nick gulped.

"This can't be good," Mikey voiced, seeing the maniacal gleam in his older brother's eyes and smile.

"I say we do an old favorite," the red branded turtle said. "What do you call it, bro? Ninjutsu stealth and heightened senses?"

"Stealth and heightened senses?" Nick asked, his mind traveling back to a time he had heard that exact same phrase before. Looking up he asked, "Do you mean…?"

I of course should've known that Raph had a devious little plan up his sleeve. I hadn't finished asking my question before we were engulfed in smoke and then I was chocking. Once my eyes and throat cleared, I was shocked to find that I was alone. Looking everywhere and which, the others had clearly disappeared. It was only then my mind caught up to the rest of me, remembering the smirk on Raph's face, but the small pellet he held in his hand.

It was then I recalled the phrase's true meaning and who I had heard it from before.

"Hide and seek?" the kame finished. "Guess this means I'm 'it'."

Smikring to himself, Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out a small tracker of sorts. He wasn't sure if this would actually work, only that it worked on his uncles in his world. The signatures should have been the same so…it took a moment, but as he took his first few steps, a small orange blip appeared onscreen, just off to his right.

The younger kame didn't waste time in finding the others, catching Mikey, then Raph, then Leo, and lastly Donnie. It was clear that none of them were happy at being caught so easily. "I call shenanigans," Mikey whined, pointing to the little pad Nick held. "He so cheated."

"Having a tracking device defeats the purpose of the exercise, Nick," Leo admonished.

"Well," Nick shrugged. "I figured that if you could get a head start with throwing a smoke pellet, I had to use something to my advantage."

"That was all his idea," Leo mentioned, jerking a thumb in Raph's direction.

"Thanks a bunch, tattle tale."

"Guys," Donnie groaned. Looking at his watch, he continued with, "We still have about twenty five minutes before we have to be back. We got time for one more game…er…I mean, exercise."

"I call follow the leader!" Mikey exclaimed, pointing at Nick. "Let's see if Nicky-boy here can lead us back home. No cheats!"

"Alright, alright," the kame placated. "Follow the leader, huh?" He suddenly got a smile on his face, one that was completely full of mischief, Donnie was convinced he picked it up from Mike. Bouncing excitedly, he said, "Let's see if you old boys can keep up." With that, he took off, hitting the ledge of the roof, jumped, and flipped midair in order to land on the adjacent building.

"I know he didn't just call us old," Raph grunted.

"He did, dude," Mikey replied, taking off with Donnie. "And he's making us look that way. C'mon!"

I was having so much fun. I couldn't remember the last time I had laughed like this or had been so carefree. It's not like I don't laugh when I'm home, in my time, in my world, but after everything that had happened, it was so difficult to be happy, to feel happy. In my time, my father is dead; my grandfather is dead; my mother is dispondant; my uncles, though they try, you can clearly see that when they are around me, they can't help but think of him.

And in turn, when I'm with them, I can't help but wonder about him as well. Everyone says I'm so like him, like he was when younger, but I wouldn't know. My mother has often said I have his same facial expressions. They don't understand what it does to me, to know I am a living, breathing replica of my father and I have never met him.

I have no memories of him at all.

The night was perfect; just me, my uncles, and my father, though they had no idea of our relationship and I am hoping to keep it that way. I've already done enough damage by running into them and letting them know why I'm there, but again, I couldn't help it. But…it seemed right, somehow, right in that I spend time with them, with him, even if they will never know who I truly am.

It shouldn't been perfect. Which of course when that ole turtle luck comes into play. I almost fell off the side of a building when my watch went off, this time a stronger pulse than before.

She's here.

Nick hastily skidded to a stop, teetering on the ledge of the roof he stood on. "Not now," he whispered. "Not yet. Not again."

"Hey yo," Mikey huffed, putting a hand on the young kame's shoulder in order to pull him from the edge. "Need to be careful, little dude, or you'll fall right off." Seeing the panicked look on his face, Mikey turned the kame around to face him. "What is it?"

By the time Nick could calm himself down enough to actually speak, they were joined by the other three who were looking at him in concern. "We gotta go," he said, urgently. "She's here!"

"Who's here?" Leo asked, but any comment that Nick was going to make was stopped by a scream in the distance.

Raph sent an annoyed growl towards Nick, before saying, "C'mon. It's show time." He quickly jumped over the side, sliding down a drain pipe that was in reach. The others quickly looked at each other before following the temperamental turtle to the ground below. It was a scene they had come across before – young woman not paying attention to her surroundings, suddenly finding herself surrounded by horny teenagers and young men. And it certainly wasn't anything they couldn't take care of.

Out of the group of four, two were already down by the time the other turtle brothers arrived. The young woman was no where to be found, obviously once she was no longer in danger, she quickly ran away out of relief or fear, you could never tell. One of the men was obviously too scared to want to fight, so he took off into the night, screaming about monsters. The one that was left still thought he was tough, tough enough to take on these interlopers.

"I know you really don't think you can take all five of us," Raph chuckled. "You're gonna be in a world of hurt, buddy."

"You guys don't scare me," the thug sneered. "No fuckin' freaks in frog masks are gonna scare me."

"Turtles!" Donnie exclaimed. "Turtles, damn it! Seriously!" Reaching into his grab bag, he pulled out two little hand puppets. "This is a frog," he said, pushing the puppet that looked like Kermit the Frog towards the thug. "This is a turtle." He moved the other puppet, what looked like a miniature version of Raph, complete with red mask across his eyes, forward. "There is a difference. Frogs are amphibians, while turtles…"

"Not now, Donnie!" three voices shouted, causing the fourth turtle to stop his scientific explanation.

"You wanna play?" Raph asked, taking out a sai and spinning it in his hands. "Let's play." With lightening reflexes, Raph flicked his wrist and his sai flew from his hand, embedding itself in the wall behind the lone man's head. Noting that the weapon could've been between his eyes, the thug quickly decided he did not want to tangle with these guys and ran off, all signs of toughness gone. "No one ever wants to play with me."

"Probably cause you play too rough," Leo joked.

"Guys," Nick stammered, looking off into the distance. "We need to book. Now!"

"What the hell's a matter with you?" Raph questioned, giving the younger kame a questioning look.

"No time!" Nick shouted, pointing to a nearby manhole cover. "If you want to live, you'll do what I say."

The four were obviously curious as to what the young kame was glaring at, but if it was dangerous, Leo didn't want to take that chance of being caught off guard. He nodded to the others and though Raph clearly wasn't happy about running, he did help Mikey lift the manhole cover. He waited until all three were below before climbing down, stopping to urge Nick to follow them.

This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. I had hoped she would at least give me the benefit of the doubt before showing up here, but of course that was never how this worked. She was much closer than I wanted her to be; I had hoped maybe my watch was malfunctioning, but it was clear when I saw the splash of color from my side view, she was here. I couldn't let her see that I had found them, that I was with them and certainly didn't want her to see me. With all that power under her control, I didn't want to force a fight, not like before. I looked, relieved that they were safely underground or so I thought.

I wasn't aware that Leo was waiting for me; I was solely concentrated on watching her from across the way, trying to find a way to get to me without being seen or making a scene. I have given her enough of a headache to last a lifetime and I wasn't going to stop until things righted themselves in the world. Unfortunately, that utter sense of righteousness is what landed me into the trouble I now face.

"Renet?"

Master Splinter had lived a long life, longer than that of an ordinary rat. He had also seen many things in his time and was aware when things were not right in the world.

It was in meditation that Splinter found the most inner peace – he had the ability to speak to his dead master many times, usually asking for guidance in dealing with four unruly children and then with four rambunctious teenagers. He was able to speak to the Ancient One this way, and the discussions they had were clear enough reason for the rat master to send his oldest son for personal introspection under the Ancient One's care.

It was also in meditation that Splinter was able to see the undercurrents of the world, to see turmoil and unrest before it could happen. He wasn't all powerful, not by any means, but when he did receive visions, he grasped them and would try to find their meaning. His latest vision had answered some of the questions he had been having of late about the young kame Nick. The ninja master had already accepted that this young turtle was related somehow, though he couldn't pinpoint the how.

In his mind's eye, he studied Nick intently, just as he had when the boy was in the lair with them. He knew his sons to be suspicious, especially the older boys, and it was in their right to hold anyone they perceived as a threat to the family as an enemy until proven otherwise. But from the moment the young kame had entered their home, Splinter did not detect any malice from the boy. Could he be tricking them, cloaking his emotions? It was possible, of course, but Splinter didn't think so.

When he relaxed his mediations, his thoughts, the answer came to him like a rush of wind. He could only count it as a theory for now, but he wanted to be proven right. As he saw his sons and their guest off, he requested Nick's presence when they returned. His voice was calm, but there was authority in it; his sons knew the tone of voice well and apparently, so did Nick.

So the aged master waited, hearing the door to the lair open and hearing the footfalls of his sons as they entered. Luckily, he didn't hear any injury, but he could feel the air in the home was now tense. Something had happened and it wasn't good. He could hear the hushed overtones as they entered the living room, heated words from Raphael and Leonardo, diplomacy from Donatello, and the interjection of humor from Michelangelo. He could only guess as to who they were either speaking to or about. Soon, the ninja master heard the faint tapping on the Japanese door to his room. Without opening his eyes, he said, "Enter."

He could tell from the presence this was not one of his sons. While there was a hesitancy, the person didn't show Leonardo's confidence, Raphael's indifference, Donatello's worry, or Michelangelo's guilty humor; no, Splinter knew immediately who had entered his chambers. "Suwari kudasai," he spoke. The individual did as he was told, taking the seat across the teacher, kneeling and placing his head on the floor, like he had been taught.

"Goshinpai okake shimashita."

He could tell from the muffled voice that it was strained, no doubt from the whispered conversation from earlier. "Nanika guai ga warui desu ka?"

The person shook his head, sadly. "Mondai wa sorehodo kantan deaw nai," was the response. "Moushi wake arimasen."

Splinter opened his eyes, not at all surprised to see the young figure before him. While a part of him melted at such a familiar gesture of apology, he was aware this young kame knew he would not tolerate such behavior at any age. "Anatano sagi tono watashiachi no meiyo wo yogosu," he stated.

"Hai, ojiisan."

"I expected much better from my grandson."

Nick raised his head to peer at the ninja master across from him. "Why am I not surprised that you know?" he whispered.

"I didn't, at first," Master Splinter replied. "But as a teacher of ninjutsu, do you not think I wouldn't recognize my own teachings?"

"I never meant to be dishonest," Nick sighed. "In fact, I wasn't even supposed to meet you. I was just…just gonna watch, make sure they'd be alright."

"So it is true," the rat master whispered. "My sons will die."

"No," Nick sniffed. "Just one."

Splinter's eyes grew at the realization. "My son," he murmured. "My poor son."

"Not if I can help it," the young kame grounded out. "I won't lose him again."

"In ordinary circumstances," the master began. "I would tell you to continue your silence, if to keep your history and your timeline intact. However, as a father – and apparent grandfather – I cannot help but wish to be selfish in this instance."

"What should I do, ojiisan?"

Master Splinter looked at the young kame – he could see it now; the coloring, the eyes, the expression – so much like his son, but probably a shared appearance with the boy's mother as well. "I take it that where you are from, we are not happy about your journey?"

Nick couldn't help but chuckle. "When I get back," he snorted. "I'll be lucky if I can sit down for a week." The two were quiet before Nick looked up at his grandfather. "You understand, don't you?" he asked, timidly. "You understand why I had to do this?"

"I believe your heart was in the right place," the ninja master whispered. "I cannot say the same for your head. If you believe yourself to be successful in this endeavor, I will not speak a word of it to my sons. But that means that you must use caution if you are to keep the timeline in balance. I'm sure you've noticed they are already suspicious of you."

Nick nodded.

"It is their nature to be distrusting of anyone not a part of our clan," Splinter resumed. "Though it may hurt you, your father and uncles do not mean to do so. You must take what you can, without arousing their suspicions further."

Again, Nick nodded. It was a blow, but he knew his grandfather saw the truth of the matter. He needed to get in and get out, as they used to say. Right now, he was dwaddling. It had been touch and go after Leo had seen that glimpse of Renet, to the point that Nick's neck met the point of the leader's sword once they were further down in the sewers. He hated lying, but this had to be done. He told them Renet had gone rogue, had lost her mind, and had been chasing him all through time trying to stop him. That she was working for Lord Hebi's force, though not on her own control.

It wasn't a lie per say, but it certainly wasn't the truth either.

Splinter looked at the kame, his head tilted slightly. "Anata wan an to iu namae desu ka?"he asked.

Nick looked at him in confusion at first, but grinned slightly and blushed. "Niccolo."

"Of course it is." Splinter couldn't help but smile.

Mikey knew when his brothers were mad and right now, they were all mad enough to take on the whole Foot and Karai, just the four of them.

That wasn't to say the youngest brother wasn't mad either; he was annoyed if anything. They obvious had some big mystery on their hands and at the center of it was Nick. Granted, Mike liked the kid. If he said he was a close family friend, well then, he was a close family friend. He didn't believe that, but he didn't think the guy was going to kill them in their sleep either.

Mikey wasn't a big mystery guy – that was Leo and Donnie's department – he was an action guy, more of a super hero in disguise type guy. He loved cloak and dagger stuff, as long as he got to wear the cloak and carry the dagger. It was bad enough that Nick wasn't being straight with them – that was really what got the younger turtle's goat – but it was like every time they asked him something, his stories only brought gloom and doom. Lord Hebi had apparently taken over the world, they were dead, and now Renet had somehow turned against them and was chasing down Nick.

Just what the hell was going on?

And just when Mikey thought he and Donnie would need to save the kid from the wrath of Leo and Raph, Mr. Science Guy pops up and says he's solved at least one part of the puzzle. Thank God! That's why Mikey loved his big bro Donnie. Now, the three of them stood around in Don's room, the DND sign blaring "stay away" as loud as red lights could blink and the air was tense and stuffy, like Donnie was gonna drop the A-bomb and tell them hard core, Earth shattering news.

And Donnie did not disappoint.

"So you were able to get a DNA strand from him?" asked Leo, once Donnie told them why they were there.

"Well," Don said, spinning in his chair to face them and holding up a microscope slide. "I can only go so far in determining parentage, IE, I can't tell exactly who his parents are, but I can tell you who's family he belongs to."

"Well?" Raph asked, impatiently. "Who the hell is he?"

Donnie waited a beat, looking at each one of them in turn.

"He's our son."

TRANSLATIONS:

Splinter: Please sit down.

Nick: I am sorry to disturb you.

Splinter: Is anything wrong?

N: The problem is not so easy/I have no excuse for my bad behavior.

S: You dishonor us with your deception.

N: Yes, grandfather.

S: What do they call you/What is your name? (The meaning is that Splinter wants to know his given name)