Chapter 21: Preparing for Battle

A few minutes later, everyone was gathered around the kitchen for a huge meeting and everyone was completely curious about what's gonna happen that's in store for them. Po looked at everyone and asked, "So, what's happening?"

"Aren't we all?" asked Tigress.

Raph thought about what's happening and said only, "Maybe someone's coming for Musaki."

"How'd you figure?"

"I don't know. I just have a feeling, okay?"

"Don't tell me you care for him."

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not, but I have a feeling someone's coming for the little guy."

"Little guy? He is never gonna be amount to anything!"

Seeing Tigress' hatred for Musaki unravel made Raph seem like she actually s him and asked, "Why are you so stupid?"

Mantis cleared his thorat and told him, "If I were you, I wouldn't call her 'stupid.'"

"Who asked you?" she shouted.

"Hey, chillax. I was only telling Raph that he can't call you stupid."

Tigress was surprised that Mantis actually said 'chillax' to her and looked extremely furious and asked, "Did you just say 'chillax'? Where did you get that word from?"

"I got it from...Musaki."

Tigress growled fiercely and said, "Musaki, Musaki, Musaki! Always about that little brat! What about us? What have we got that he hasn't?"

"Probably some anger issues." Leo muttered.

"I heard that!"

"Good! Wanna hear it again?" asked Raph.

Tigress was surprised that Raph is actually stabnding up for Musaki and asked, "Are you for that little brat?"

"Well, he seems kinda...cool. Give the kid a break."

"Give him a break? Give him a break? I would break him down into pieces!"

"What is going on here?"

All of a sudden, they turned around and Splinter and Shifu walked in the door and figured something was up. Po looked at them and explained, "Well, we were all waiting for you guys and Raph said that it was something about Musaki, though he has a feeling about it and then Tigress went all ballistic about this."

"She got upset and furious that everything revolves around Musaki and not us, but it's not true." Viper said.

"Well, you're right and also it is about Musaki."

Everyone froze in surprise when they found out. Raph softly said, "I knew it."

"Zeng came by earlier today and brought us a message that Tai Lung is coming here to defeat Musaki...again."

"Again? Hasn't he like, defeated him once before?" asked Mantis.

Shifu sighed and said, "Yes, Mantis. He has. I remember like it was just a year ago."

"That was a year ago." Monkey said.

"Well, you get the point. But, Tai Lung has got nothing against us, right?"

"Yes, master!"

He turned to the turtles and asked, "How would you like to partake in a huge battle with us? We can all fight Tai Lung. I know it would mean the world to Musaki if we had a strong support system here."

"No sweat." Raph said.

"You can count on it." Leo said.

"This will be the most amazing battle out of all other battles we've faced." Donny said.

"It's time for him to say nighty-night!" Mikey said.

"Why waste our time supporting Musaki?" asked Tigress.

Everyone turned to Tigress and Shifu asked, "You got a problem with it?"

"I've got no problems attacking Tai Lung...again. I just don't think it's fair that we're doing this for Musaki."

"Because he's coming for him."

"So?"

"So, we need to keep Tai Lung from bringing serious harm to him."

"Come on, just give the kid a chance here." Raph said.

Tigress felt as if she was betrayed that Raph wanted to protect Musaki and she got totally heated about this and said, "I thought we were gonna torment him."

"Well, not anymore."

"Tigress, put your pride aside and do this for Musaki." Shifu said.

"And why should I?"

"Because we're his family and you're all part of his team."

"He is not one of us and you know it!"

"You're wrong. He is one of us."

They're unaware that Musaki is hearing the argument from a mile away. He snuck over to the kitchen and overhear Tigress venting about his for Musaki and he wasn't surprised about it. He sighed heavily and asked himself, "Why does she always do this?"

Zeke walked by and saw Musaki looking a bit worried. He asked, "What's wrong?"

"Take a listen."

Zeke eavesdrop on the conversation and recognize that Tigress cannot stand Musaki and that really put him in droves. He turned to Musaki and asked, "How often does this happen?"

"Every time."

"Why does she you?"

"I don't know why."

"Tigress, we're gonna fight Tai Lung for Musaki!" Shifu said.

"I'm fine with defeating Tai Lung. I'm not fine with the fact that we're doing it for Musaki! We don't know anything about him!" Tigress shouted.

"Do not raise your voice at me! And he's been living with us for 2 years! How is that not knowing him?" Shifu shouted.

While they were arguing, Po saw someone's shadow moving across the kitchen door. Then, all of a sudden, the door opens and it abruptly stops. They turn around and it's only Musaki. Shifu looked at him and asked, "How long were you standing there?"

"Well, I heard fighting and screaming and pretty much everything. I guess it feels as if I'm in everyone's way and that I'm a problem to you guys." Musaki said, ly.

"Don't say that, Musaki. Never say that. You're not in our way." Shifu said.

"He's just giving you sympathy so he won't tell you he s you." Tigress said.

Musaki didn't want to believe what she said and said, "Listen. I don't ask a lot. I've been here for 2 years and I've felt like family here and you don't seem to act like it a lot. It's like you think me being here is like a bad thing for everyone here."

"Well, it is and it's your fault."

"Tigress. Let Musaki be. He has done nothing to tear everyone apart. He has been for 2 years for a reason and that reason is because he is family to everyone here and to my sons and to me. Why are you so stubborn?" asked Splinter.

"Why should I take advice from a stupid, old rat that knows everything, but actually knows nothing?" asked Tigress.

That broke the straw off of one of the turtles' back. Raph stood up and asked, "What did you just call our master?"

"Stupid, old rat."

"Listen here, missy. Nobody and I do mean...nobody...talks to our master like that, especially us. Since I first came here, I wanted to Musaki, but later on, I like him now. He's like the brother we never wanted and you should be lucky that he's been good to you and yet you don't seem to appreciate it much. So you might as well treat him with respect, otherwise I'm gonna be really mad." Raph said.

"And you do not want to see Raph when he gets angry." Mikey said.

Tigress saw that Raph was getting serious about it and figured that maybe she became too prideful and then, she sat down without another word. Shifu looked at Raph and said, "That was amazing."

"Well, I couldn't let the little guy feel so low."

Musaki smiled at him and said, "Nobody's ever done this for me before. Thank you."

"Hey, whatever happens, we're all gonna defeat this Tai Lung, because if he comes to you, he's gonna come through us."

"You got that right. Don't worry, Lil' Saki. We will kick his butt, even better and more awesomer!" Po exclaimed.

"We're gonna kick him where the sun don't shine!" Zeke said.

"I suppose if that means that much to you, then we should do it for you. And Musaki, please forgive me for all the things I said to you." Tigress said, this time with a smile.

"Apology accepted."

"Rest up everyone. We start tomorrow morning." Shifu said.

This is gonna be freaking insane! Stick around for the battle!