Arimi fights to keep air in her lungs as she's tossed about in the hellish rain water. Her screams alert Mikey to her location. He quickly pulls on his night-vision goggles and swims rapidly with the current. He sees her get whipped around a corner and he follows. He gets close and tries to grab her. "Don't worry Arimi! I'm here! Just let me…"
Ahh! No! Get away! Get away demon!" She pushes at his smooth skin.
"Stop or you'll drown!"
"No!" She breaks free and gets thrown around another corner where she hits her head on a hanging pipe, immediately unconscious.
"Arimi! Arimi!" Mikey desperately looks for any sign of her and then sees her hand sink under the water. He dives down and grasps at the material of her dress. He pulls her head up out of the water. He moves one arm around her waist and lifts them up to higher ground with the other. He lays her on a fallen slab of concrete. He checks for her breathing, she is. He catches his breath and pulls his shell cell from his belt.
"Mikey!" Donnie yells.
"Sup dude. Yo, you're waterproof phones work like a boss!"
"You're alright! Is Arimi ok?"
"I think she is. I have her here with me. She hit her head and is out cold."
"If you're safe, then stay where you are. Keep her away from the water as best you can. It's stopped raining up here. The flooding should go down enough for you to come back in a couple of hours."
"Ok, but what do I do if she wakes up?"
"I have no idea. Just keep her as comfortable as possible until then. We'll be waiting for you."
"Ok. Turtle out." Mikey hangs up and re-holsters his cell. He kneels down beside Arimi who is still unconscious. She's shivering. If it weren't so dark down there he would see her lips are blue as well. He sits down and picks her up off of the hard concrete, cradling her. With the initial danger gone Mikey suddenly comes to grips with his current situation; He's holding Arimi in his arms. Two days ago this would only be a hopeless fantasy. She's even smaller than he imagined. Old memories begin to flood his mind. She looks exactly like Mitsu, only shorter and a bit younger. Her hair is so long, her lashes are too. Her lips are pouty. He rubs a hand over her cheek. Her skin is soft. They keep each other warm as the water continues to dash through the tunnels. He pulls out his cell and opens up some music in his MP3 app. The music echoes off the pipes. He peels one of the night vision goggle lenses from his eye and looks around… nothing but pitch black. "Creepy." He puts them back on and hums to the music playing. He hopes she doesn't wake up.
…
At three AM Donnie once again lowers the measuring tape down the manhole. Raph and Amber sit in the basement with him, waiting. Amber has changed into dry clothes and is holding a blanket. Raphael holds her close. He tries to sneak a kiss but she shies away. He figures she is still frightened for Arimi and breaths nothing into it.
Leo comes back down to join them. He has a thermos of hot tea. "Master Splinter is resting now… How goes it Donnie?"
Donnie reels up the tape and checks the results. "It's down to twenty-three inches. I think we can go now." The turtles climb down the ladder with flashlights and rope. They reach the tiled floor when Mikey steps around the corner, holding a still-sleeping Arimi.
"Mikey!" They all whisper in excitement, not wanting to disturb Arimi. They all climb back up and Amber wraps her friend in the blanket. Raphael carries Arimi up to the apartment, Leo and Amber help Mikey up as well. Donnie closes the manhole lid and locks the bookcase door tight.
Amber dresses Arimi in clean clothes and ties up her hair. She lays her down in the guest bedroom and shuts her door.
"Ok so what's the plan?" Donnie asks.
"Yeah, do we stay and tell her everything, or do we convince her it was all a bad dream?" Raph asks.
"Why don't we play it by ear? Let's see how much she remembers when she wakes up." Mikey says.
"I'm with Mikey." Amber joins in. "But for now let's all get some rest and meet up in the morning…"
"Donatello. Are you down here my son?" A small voice comes from the stairs.
"Master Splinter!" Donnie and the others rush over to him. "What's the matter?"
"My tail is troubling me. I may need some ice or some aspirin. The swelling has not gone down." The tip of his tail is bruised. Everyone feels a shiver of remorse seeing Splinter in pain.
"Right away, Father. Let's get you fixed up. Amber can I use your kitchen."
"Of course. " She says.
"Do you need any help?" Leo asks.
" Get my first aid kit from under my bed, the large one please…"
"What is all the noise Amber?" Everyone looks down the hall at the groggy Japanese girl walk closer, rubbing her eyes she stops by the kitchen arch way. "I feel like I got hit by a train. Do you have any aspirin…" She looks up and sees Amber. Behind Amber is a large green demon. Sitting on the couch is another. She looks by the stairwell, another. She looks into the bright kitchen yet another. But what makes the goose bumps flare all over her skin is the five-foot tall rat blinking at her.
She freaking looses it. She starts to run all over the house. Everyone is either trying to catch her or move out of her way. Donnie moves Splinter to the hallway. Amber is screaming after her. She is chasing Arimi who dashes through the kitchen, knocking down everything she can. Arimi runs back into the living room and stands on the coffee table, attempting to look taller. She grabs a cell phone and tries to unlock it. They all surround her and aim to talk her down.
"Arimi, what are you doing?" Amber pauses.
"I am calling the police! You are crazy! You are with these demons! You will not eat me! You will not kill me! Stay back!"
"Arimi! Get a hold of yourself! They are not demons! Please put the phone down and listen for a moment!"
"Amber stay back! Don't come near me!" Arimi holds the phone in her hands about to dial.
"Stop and listen! You don't know what you're doing! Let me help you!" Amber yells.
"Are they making you say these things? Are you trapped here? We must get out of here!"
"No!" Amber falls to her knees and hugs Arimi's legs, frantically pleading for her family. "Arimi don't! Please do push that button! Please put the phone down." Amber crumbles to Arimi's feet in tears. Fear consumes her mind. She can't lose her family, especially at the fault of her own actions. "They aren't demons! They're not. They are my family. They love me and I love them, they're all I have. If you make that call our lives are over. Please! I'm not asking you to understand… but I'll give you anything, everything I own… or you can just walk away and never look back. You can forget you ever met me. Just please… don't make that call! You'll kill them… and me."
No one speaks in the room. No one moves. The only sound is Amber's weeping. "Please, please." She says. The turtles and their father look on. Amber tosses away all pride. She is willing to give anything to keep them. Her posture moves them. Splinter slowly shuffles forward, eerily catching Arimi's already heightened attention. He kneels behind Amber. The turtle brothers follow their father. Splinter reaches a wrinkled hand and touches Amber's back. She turns and falls into his arms. "I'm sorry Uncle! I'm so sorry." She sobs.
He holds her lovingly. He addresses Arimi. "My sons and I will not harm you or stop you from leaving, Kirisawa, Arimi. I do, however, echo Amber's request to keep our existence a secret. The world is not yet ready to discover that my young ninjas, who have watched over this city since their adolescence, are not human. Such would be a dark and 'inhumane' end for us all. We humbly ask for your discretion." He bows his head. His sons follow.
Arimi stands there, staring at the large speaking rat. He seems less frightening now… very wise. The 'demons' or 'ninja turtles' seem docile enough. They respect and submit to the old rat. They are giving no reason, so far, for her not to believe his words. The one wearing the orange bandana looks up at her. His piercing blue eyes and nervous expression make her uneasy. He's not a man, but he acts as though he could be human inside. She turns away from his gaze. She looks at Amber who has quieted her weeping but is still shaking. Amber would have never invited Arimi to New York. Amber had never lied about her family; she could just never tell Arimi the truth. Arimi knew Amber was still her friend, a very good friend, but her odd family comes first. No unexpected Japanese houseguest will take them away.
She locks the phone and places it back on the table. She steps down onto the floor. She licks her lips. "I am sorry. I should have asked to visit before coming here. I may not have understood your refusal Amber, but I do now. I am sorry for barging into your privacy and I am sorry for threatening you. I will keep your secret. I do not want to bring danger to anyone, even to those as strange as you."
To Arimi, the rat seemed to smile at her. "Thank you, Arimi. We hold your word as your honor." Amber removes herself from Splinter's old frame and helps them both to stand. The turtles stand and as well and Arimi steps back, still cautious.
Amber goes to Arimi and places her hands on her shoulders. Amber's eyes are bloodshot, but relieved. "Thank you Arimi. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. I understand if you don't want to stay here. Let's gather your things and find a nearby hotel for you."
"That is not necessary Amber." Splinter interjects. "Please allow your guest to stay here with you. We will return to the lair until she has gone on her way back to Japan."
Raphael doesn't like to sound of this. He never wants his father to go back to the lair. He never wants the blue sky and sunshine and his Zen garden to ever be taken away. He knows his brothers feel the same. Amber objects first.
"No Uncle. I can't have you try to go back there again."
"This is an imposition I happily consent to. Arimi has come all of this way to spend time with her friend. It would be untoward to create distance and waste money now. Come, my sons. Let us be ready to depart in the morning."
"Wait." Arimi says. She is not entirely ready to offer but she also doesn't want to displace them for her sake. She takes a breath. "I will not go to a hotel, nor will I kick you out of your home. I want us all to stay." She looks around as their eyes widen and brows rise. This amuses her a bit and makes her calm. "Besides, I think you would all feel better keeping a close eye on me, at least until you trust me a bit more."
"I like that idea much better." Raphael says, startling Arimi. This one with the red banana, the way he speaks and looks at Arimi is a little off-putting to her. Out of all the 'beings' in the room, he seems the most… volatile."
"Are you sure Arimi?" Amber asks.
"Yes, I will continue to stay in your second bedroom close to you, if that is ok?"
Amber makes a quick glance at Raphael who shrugs, having no other alternative. "Of course, Arimi."
Splinter hums and nods in agreement. "Then I am off to bed. I'm sure the rest of you can clean up this mess without me." He turns and heads toward the stairs. He addresses the tallest turtle "Could you help me with my tail upstairs?"
"Right behind you." He says. Arimi watches the purple-masked turtle help his 'father' up the steps. The other three begin to re-shelve books, turn the stools right side up, and gather other fallen objects. Amber starts to walk to the bathroom so she can splash some water on her face and notices Arimi right on her heels. She is still not sure about the decision she has made.
"C'mon, let's go sit in you room and talk. I'm sure you have a lot of questions." Amber says as she wraps an arm around Arimi and leads the way.
As they come to the door the orange-wearing turtle excuses himself, getting the girls' attention from behind. He is holding a broom in one three-fingered hand and a dustpan in the other. Dirt and bits of broken clay are lying inside the pan. "Amber, your cactus vase from the kitchen is smashed. Do you have spare to save your little plant?"
"No, I don't, we' might have to toss it… thanks anyway Mikey."
"Mikey?" Arimi asks with confusion.
Amber bit her lip. In the total confusion she had forgotten Mikey and Arimi had spoken as friends online. To abruptly meet face to face right now must be a mind-blow. Amber never thought they would ever meet, so speaking to each other on Facespace seemed like a harmless secret. She never did consider how close they may have gotten in the past month and never did ask either party. She wants to apologize but the words don't come.
Arimi steps forward out of Amber's arms, shaking her head in disillusion. "You are Mikey? The bookstore inventory Mikey?"
He sucks in his lips and nods slightly.
"Speak. Say something so I can be sure." Worry wrinkles her face.
He gulps. "H-hello Mimi, good morning and good evening…"
She exhales sharply. She shakes her head again. She then furrows her brows and pouts her lips. She grabs her shirt over her chest and looks to be in pain. Then she explodes.
"How dare you! How dare you do this to me!"
Mikey's eyes bulge looking to Amber and back to Arimi. His mouth parts but is unable to speak. Arimi continues.
"How could you! How could you say those things and make me feel... Why would you allow me to feel things for you, knowing what you are?"
Mikey drops his head and drops the contents of the dustpan. His embarrassment has never been so strong. He can't run away or hide either. His legs won't move. He knows his brothers can hear Arimi shouting.
"You tricked me. You lied to me."
"No, Arirmi, I…"
"You made me think things and hope for things that I now see can never be. Why?"
He had no idea she felt this way. All this time he was just being friendly, a little flirtatious. It's already strange enough that she's the modern twin to his Feudal crush. He never hoped for anything more than a friendship. Something about that one telephone call and those longs e-pal chats made her 'feel things' for him. Suddenly he finds this situation comical. He got her to like him without even trying. Maybe he could get her to really like him now that she's seen him and didn't jump out a window. He takes that as a good sign. He also realizes she's being dramatic. Her hopes and dreams for the future aren't crushed and it's not like he proposed to her. He finds the silver lining in their little predicament and decides to turn the tables.
"I have a question for you, Arimi. Why did you really come here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean why did you travel halfway across the world unannounced and knock on our bookshop door?"
"I, I came to see Amber."
"I think that's partly true. But you also came to meet the man behind the Mac book. Didn't you?" Mikey smirks.
Taken aback at his insinuation, she turns red and put her hands on her hips. "You think I came all this way just to meet you… a goofy stock boy?"
"No, you came all this way to meet the guy who made you laugh and smile. You came all this way to meet the guy you talked all day long to, the one you went to a live-streaming concert with; the guy who made you feel things and hope for things… right?"
"That is not fair! Do not use my words against me." She yells. She didn't have to explain herself to a… this… turtle. But she has to set him straight and lying now would be futile. "Yes, I thought I would get to meet you…" Her face relaxes to into a little frown. "I dreamt of meeting you. When we spoke it felt like I have known you all of my life."
"Me too, Arimi." Mikey says softly.
"But I imagined you to be a white man or black man…Never green!"
Amber watches them go back and forth and tries to hold back a small chuckle. Arimi turns to her, "And you, Amber-chan! I thought you were my friend! My best friend! Why did you not warn me about him! You knew I was talking to him. You should have discouraged me!"
Amber tries to control her crooked smile and finds the strength to answer. "Arimi, I really saw no harm in you two becoming distant friends, emphasis on 'distant'. I never thought you were the spontaneous, romantic type to hop a plane and meet a guy you've never seen before. If anyone's the oddball in the room, it's you. You're asking me why I didn't lie to you. I would never lie. Michelangelo is a funny, caring and loving young man and a wonderful cook. And he's cute too, don't you agree?" Amber teases.
"Yeah Mimi, aren't I adorable?" Mikey sings.
They both gang up on her. Arimi turns an even darker shade of red. She is not about to admit she thinks a six-foot tall talking, turtle is 'cute'… even if he does have the precious little freckles or his eyes are the truest blue she's ever seen. No! She would not give in to this mad house. "If you think he is so cute, then you can have him!"
Mikey looks at Amber and puts a hand over his mouth. "Ooo…" He says, playing the instigator.
Amber wants to snap back. 'Sorry Princess Prude, but I already got my hands full loving the tough-lookin' cutie over there… if you know what I mean.' But now is not the best time to tell Arimi how deep her closest relationship has gone. Saying these mutants are her family is one thing; sharing how Raphael sticks his tongue down her throat is quite another.
Since neither human nor turtle respond to her retort Arimi feels she may have stepped over some line. She looks at both of them sheepishly and steps back into her bedroom doorway. "I am sorry again. I do not wish to be a rude guest. However, I would like to be by myself now and get some sleep." She nods slightly and gives Mikey one last look before closing and locking her door.
Mikey bends down to sweep up the dirt and pottery he dropped and Amber follows him into the kitchen where he tosses it into the trash. When he turns to face her they're both trying to hide their grin.
"Well, what do you think?" Mikey asks.
"I think tomorrow is going to be very interesting." She says
"At least we're all still alive." Donnie says from behind the couch.
"Thanks to Mikey." Amber says.
"And thanks to you. For what you said to Arimi, thank you." Leo says.
She pats him on the shoulder. "Enough cleaning. Go to bed everybody." He nods to her and the turtles head upstairs. She turns off the hallway light and heads to her bedroom. She sees Raphael standing in the doorway. She's never refused him before. She hates having to try now.
"Red, why do you make it so hard for me?"
"I could say the same thing?"
"Awe jeez. After everything that's happened to night…"
"I just want to be with ya" He whispers. " Just hold ya, nuthin else."
"I'd like that." They go inside and quickly fall asleep.
…
Arimi paces back and forth in her room. What type of bizarre anime has she stepped into? Talking animals! They look so real. And Mikey. "Michelangelo." She says. His name feels strange in her mouth. She checks to make sure her door is locked again and sits on her bed, her knees up, back against the wall. What was she going to do with her feelings? The guy she has been dreaming about, came to America for, is a turtle! She groans to herself. Maybe being around him will make her feelings go away. "Michelangelo." She says once again. She palms her forehead, moving aside her bangs. What is this sensation stirring inside of her? She can't deal with this now. She lies down and pulls the covers tight around her. She keeps the light on. She tries to assure herself that those 'people' will not be there in the morning. She vows to never drink again.