Hello guys! Sooooo...How's everyone doing? I know there's been a truly long time since I lastly updated this story but I had no time. School had my days filled more tan you can imagine and finally I gave my final exams! Now I am free to write again as long as I please.
I hope that the readers are not upset with this story and continue reading it because now I am in holidays and there will be regular updates! I know I'll need to work hard in order to get the previous number of readers to read this story but I'll try with everything I can to make this story enough interesting to lock you in front of the computer!
As for now... Please enjoy this following chapter and don't forget to leave a review in the end!
Ch 25. The secrete that hides beneath the dark.
A faint light from the theater below fell on the corner of the rooftops letting some figures shown. They were staying in the shadow, ready, almost like waiting for something or someone to show up and then strike. Their faces covered in dark black masks hiding who they really were, not disturbing the silence of the night.
On the front a woman was staying emotionlessly looking down on the road holding two swords on her back. Her short black hairs wavered from the wind of that night as her eyes sparkled on the dim light, like those of a cat. She was waiting...waiting with the others but differently from everyone else, her aim wasn't just the blood of her enemy but also their answers.
"Mistress shall we attack?" one of the man asked but the woman didn't even turn her head to look at him as she gave the answers.
"No! Stay still and wait for my orders!" her eyes still continued to stare at the light of the building below them as the guy bowed in agreement.
"As you say mistress Karai." he said and walked back.
Seeing the time pass bit by bit finally the woman put her mask on letting her guard up for every moment.
(At the theater)
As the spectators' clapping calmed down a little after Kate left the scene small murmurs begun to fill the stage. Meanwhile somewhere on that crowd some still had their eyes at the stage. Their hands frozen in front of them, eyes wide opened and their jaws on the ground. They all had expected something special and fascinating from Kate but this was totally beyond their imaginations. Maybe for them was different because they knew very well that the words of that song were true, even knew for whom that melody had been composed. Finally after a long dead silence Mikey gulped and pointed at the stage.
"Did…did…did she just…just…" Mikey babbled while his finger pointed at the stage.
"Did she just sang her love for your so dear fearless leader?!" Icy continued for him in a sarcastic tone "Oh yeah she did!"
"Oh my god! Oh my god! OMG!" Kelly called jumping in her seat "She did it! She really did it!"
"Didn't I tell you they were made for each other?" Mikey said to Kelly putting an arm on her shoulders. The girl laughed and kissed him on the cheek.
"Yes you definitely did" both of them laughed really happy for their brother and sister. The atmosphere was really great. The Daimyo's son was still asking what had happened since he hadn't understood a single thing but they were only smiling at him not saying a single thing.
"C'mon why aren't you telling me?" he asked "Why are you guys this happy?"
In that moment Usagi in his human form smiled himself and shaking his head put a hand on the little boy's head.
"It is just that Kate-san did a really wonderful job with the song" he explained "You liked it too, didn't you?"
The Daimyo's son nodded happy thinking that he finally got an answer and laughed as well.
"Of course I liked it. Miss Kate was amazing tonight!" the little boy said satisfied. Usagi nodded turning his head to the scene again.
"Now I understand you better Leonadro-san. My friend." He thought seeing everyone that happy and expecting his friend to be happy as well. Since he was with the person he loved.
But unfortunately something caught the bunny's attention. In the middle of all that laughing and cheering Mia and Donatello seemed quite and still hadn't move an inch from their primal position whereas Raphael wasn't even moving a muscle to show some kind of joy. Usagi started doubting if they were happy for their brother and sister.
"Donatello-san, Mia-san is there something wrong?" he finally asked longing for an answer but instead the girl only turned her head and with her frozen eyes she shook her had to him before she turned it again. This strange behavior even caught Icy's attention.
"Mia what is wrong?" she asked in hurry and worried. How was possible that the girl wasn't cheering for her sister. At first neither Mia or Don answered but then the girl turned to Icy and with her trembling finger pointed at the stage.
"Did…did you see that?" she asked her sister who finally smiled shaking her head understanding that she was just shocked…or at least so she thought.
"Of course I saw that. Kate really was great tonight, wasn't she?" Icy asked but Mia raised her eyebrow and shook her head.
"Not the performance Icy. I know she was really, really amazing but that's not what I am talking about. The fact is that…"
"Is that the girl passed the limit!" Don called jumping of his seat making the half of the spectators turn to look at him in a strict look. But on the other hand Donatello seemed to be on his own world and didn't pay a single attention to the others looking at him but Icy was far more confused from he and Mia.
"Okay you sure you guy didn't drink something before coming here did you, because I seriously doubt you being sober!" Icy said kind of angry.
"What has gotten into you?! What limits are you talking about?" the girl said now irritated.
Mia and Don looked at each-other once understanding that they should give some explanations of what they just said so Mia took the turned to take the turn and speak.
"Look, Don and I went through a test last week in order to see the limit. The limit of the time Kate could manage herself on her feet. The time came out around two minutes or so…"
"Maybe even less!" Don added making Mia nod but Icy still wasn't getting the idea of what they were saying.
"Okay and what does this have to do with tonight's event?" Raph asked from his seat not even turning his head to look.
"Raph how long did the song least?" Don asked as if wanting t show something that was already obvious. Raph now turned his head with a confused look in his face.
"What are you checking if I was following the song or what?" Raph asked Don sarcastically. Donatello shook his head but didn't stop to explain.
"Just answer!" he continued wanting to make Raph speak. The turtle in the human form thought for a little before answering.
"Around 5 minutes." he said lastly making the Don nod and make a sign for him to continue.
"Yes, and…"
"And that's it, then the girl made her way out of the stage!" he said as now even Kelly and Mikey were concentrating trying to catch what the other was saying.
"Dude we aren't all super genius turtle, can't guess it in two minutes. Jus spit it!" Mikey staying near Kelly.
"What is this thing that made you so exited?" Don was ready to answer but this time was Mia who spoke.
"Look guys before tonight Kate could manage herself on her feet for maximum 2 minutes, tonight she walked pass this limit. She pushed her limit in order to stay on her feet till the end of the song which lasted for 5 minutes! The girl hasn't managed this for months and tonight she did it without practice, this gives us hope!" Mia explained
"Hope that by the time we will see her walking again!" the girl finished.
There was a long silence in the room as everyone took their time to proceed Mia and Don's explanations before the silence turned into shocked but happy calls making everyone in that room turn their attention to them again.
"Mia are you serious?!" Kelly asked now jumping from her seat on Mia "Does such chance really exist?!"
Mia simply nodded. Everyone now felt a deep sigh of relief, well almost everyone because it seemed that Mia's words didn't get to Raphie that much. He simply turned his emotionless face once to confirm Mia's words by himself and then again turned his eyes to the stage continuing to stare blankly at the following performance not really knowing even what the performer was actually doing.
That expression of him continued for awhile until Mikey decided to give his brother a good slap from behind his head to bring him back to earth.
"Hey cheer up Raphie boy, aren't you happy for Kate, now that she has a chance to recover, and also now Leo can come back to his sense as well. Things will turn back in the same way they used to be!" Mikey said to Raph who simply kept his expressionless face while giving an answer to his brother.
"No Mikey, actually I feel sorry for her!" Raph said making everyone look at him in shock of his words.
"W…what?" Mikey asked now not with the previous enthusiasm "Dude she will be able to walk, what is there to feel sorry for?"
"Well at least not being able to stand on her feet would give her fearless' attention!" he said when suddenly he felt another slap come from behind his head but when he turned to see it wasn't Mikey. This time Icy who was staying in the row behind him and had raised her hand to him. Raph was about to yell at her but the girl's authority made him shut up.
"Don't you ever dare talk for my sister or any other that way!" she said stand straight in front of Raph "Not all people are like yourself!" she said.
"Yeah look who's talking, ya of all the people are de one to say dat!" Raph talked back to Icy making her patience head to the abyss.
"Yes I am, because unlike some other people I have the right to say that. I know very well how to notice loyal people!" she said but now Raph smirked a little before standing up.
"Yeah but how bad you're not one of dem!" he said not looking at her walking away.
"Hey Raph where are you going?" Don asked seeing his brother get away.
"Outta here!" he answered. Mikey stood up wanting to follow Raph but Usagi put a calming hand in his shoulder.
"I think is better than a neutral sided followed him now!" Usagi said standing up "I will go and check on him!"
Mikey wanted to obligate firstly but then thinking better he nodded sitting back on his place letting Usagi deal with his hot headed brother.
In a matter of seconds Raph headed outside and in the row where everyone was sitting things fell silent again.
"Jerk!" Icy whispered lying back on her seat actually feeling pretty upset inside. The others looked at her from the corner of the eyes but said nothing.
They all knew where Icy's point of loyalty stood but they really couldn't understand Raph's.
"Oh boy!" Mikey said crossing his arms "Raph can really be an idiot most of the time!" he said and threw a look at Kelly who seemed thoughtful.
"Mikey do you think he is right?" she asked Mikey who looked at her confused.
"About the attention thing!" she continued and now the boy understood what she was saying but shook his head.
"Nah, those were just words coming from an angry bonehead, totally empty!" he said smirking but Kelly still seemed concerned.
"I hope they are!" she said but then felt a warm, strong arm surround her shoulders.
"Hey duttede cheer up, this is Leo we are talking about. He is the most responsible person I have ever met, together with Kate of course. Our fearless leader is not a jerk…"he said.
"…Sometimes!" he added playfully in his mind but of course he didn't plan on saying that to Kelly who smiled nodding.
"Right!" she said now cheering up from his words turning her attention to the stage.
"There is nothing to worry!" Mikey said "Everything will be okay, I am sure Leo and Kate are already taking their sweet time behind those curtains!"
"Heh I think that…"Kely was about to say when her words were stopped from the sound of the presentor's words.
"Look!" Mia said "It looks like they are going to announce the winner!" she said smiling.
"Cross your fingers then!" Kelly said grabbing Mikey's hand as she waited for the results to be announced.
(On the backstage)
Kate was sitting on her wheeled chair staying with Leo by her side now waiting nervously for the results to be announced.
"This is no good, Leo I can't hear it, I don't want to hear the results!" she said as Leo smiled taking her hand and kneeling to be in the same level as her.
"Why would someone not want to hear its name announced in front of the whole world?" Leo asked only to have Kate hit him playfully on the arm.
"This isn't funny, don't put it that way or else I will be disappointed if I don't do well!" Kate said but Leo smiled a little putting a hand on her face.
"Kate you'll win this, you were the best out there, at least for me it is like this and I doubt this idea will change. In my eyes you are and will always be the best!" he said and Kate smiled taking his hand and pressing it strongly.
"I have already won something Leo!" she said now putting a hand on the boy's chest, right where his heart was.
"The most important thing!" she finished not removing her hand from Leo's chest.
The turtle boy smiled and as the girl begun to remove her hand from his chest he didn't let her only placing his own on top of her.
"This here…" he said referring to the warm, beating heart under those hands and flesh"…You've had it since long ago, from the first moment I met your eyes and heard your voice, from the first time I saw you it has beaten only for you!"
Kate raised her eyes immediately hearing his words, she couldn't tell if they were pure truth or lies but all she knew was that she preferred believing every single one on them, drowning in the magic they reflected.
"I wonder why didn't I notice it earlier!" she said making Leo chuckle.
"Better late than never!" he said playfully as the girl shook her head now removing the hand from his chest. She was about to say something else when suddenly the voice of the presenter blocked the sound on her throat.
"And finally it is time for us to announce the winner of this contest as well as the future representative of this college in the international USA orchestra…" the voice of the presenter echoed on the back stage making both Leo's and Kate's heart race with every word.
The girl pressed his hand strongly while her lips trembled waiting for the name to be spoken. Leonardo noticed her concern and gave her a strong hug from behind.
"Only a fool wouldn't choose you!" he said making Kate smile. Finally the voice of the presenter was heard again.
"Please let us welcome in this stage for the second time this night...Miss Kate Evans!" the voice was loud enough for everyone to listen, enough to make the whole room of the theater clap for the girl who made it big that night, enough to be heard behind that stage from the other contester ears, and enough to be heard by her…
Kate was stunned on that chair because of the sound of that name, that's why it took her awhile to react on those words, but when she did her eyes begun to fill in tears.
"Leo did I…did I just…." Leo now laughed out loud hugging Kate tightly almost getting her off the chair.
"You did it Kate, you really did it! You are the winner of tonight! This is amazing!" he said knocking the words strongly on her head.
"This is a dream!" Kate whispered happy as Leo now went from behind to push her on the stage since she had absolutely no strength to walk anymore.
"Let's go, everyone must see their sparking winner again!"
The strong light of the projectors hit Kate's eyes as Leo pushed her on the stage and claps filled her ear. It was a matter of minute before the tears that had covered her eyes turned into laughs and smiles of joy as she arrived the middle of the stage where the presenter was standing.
Being one of her teachers the presenter was more than happy when he handed Kate the glassy trophy. The girl bowed her head in front of him formally in a sign of deep thanks for all the help and support he had given her.
"Congratulations Kate!" he said "I am more than proud to hand this trophy to you tonight my student. You made my work worth!"
Kate smiled and nodded taking the trophy from the professor's hand giving him a serious but yet decided look.
"I am happy you see it this way professor!" she said "I promise you I'll go further!"
The professor nodded.
"I trust you!" he said and then turned to the audience to continue his work for that night.
"Ladies and gentleman's Kate Evans!" he called as Kate raised her trophy up for everyone to see. For everyone to understand that no matter in what state her voice would continue to echo through the world.
In those moments the whole audience stood up giving Kate all the cheering they could before the presenter's voice broke again.
"Now as a convention we would like the miss' family to give her their support right here on the state he said turning his head to smile to Kate who for a moment froze.
"Wh…what?!" she asked shocked for a moment with her smile frozen on her lips. Kate had made it clear that she if she made it to the stage as a winner she didn't want the part of this tradition. There was no family to give their support to Kate…Or better say so the thought!
During the moments of silence Kate wanted to hide her face from everyone. What would everyone think, when none came to the stage to congratulate her, how would she explain that she didn't actually had a family, a real family like everyone did. Would they think of her as a wrong choice for the winner or maybe…
Kate was about to ask Leo to get her out of the stage when all of sudden some heel's tap caught No it was actually to recognize the persons because there wasn't just one. Kate's eyes went wide when she saw who was coming to congratulate her and she threw Leo a surprised look but the boy didn't seem surprised at all. He was actually smiling while holding her hand, shaking his head to the direction of their guests.
her attention. She raised her eyes only to see someone heading to them and it didn't take her long to recognize the person…
Kate passed her eyes from him to the ones approaching trying to understand if what she was seeing was real or just a vision, a dream of a scared person…Fortunately to her it was true.
On the front of the line there was Icy with her red dress wavering behind her as she moved,holding a bouquet of white roses, walking with a little red headed boy beside her whom Kate recognized as Daimyo's son. After her followed Mia in a short tight purple dress with Don who was wearing a dark gray suit and Mikey in a dark black suit with Kelly wearing a caramel dress wavering on her knee as a child on its birthday party.
Each having a warm smile on their face holding the bouquets of her favorite flowers, they approached her walking quietly. Well most of them walking quietly since Mikey and Kelly were both flying in their feet as they approached the stage.
"Surprise!" Leonardo whispered on her ears as the others approached making Kate turn her head to him shocked.
"Wait you knew about this all along?!" she asked and the boy nodded "And you didn't tell me?!"
This was more like a demand than a question but still Mikey was the one to answer.
"Well miss winner it wouldn't be called a surprise then!" he said and Kelly laughed Coming after him.
"Thought you were this close on finding out yourself!" she sai making a sign with her fingers. Mia on the other hand shook her head going ahead and handing Kate the flowers.
"Congratulation Kate! You were amazing tonight!" she said as Kate took the flowers happy.
"Yeah, you were a real star tonight miss Kate!" the small boy said making Kate blush and laugh while some hot tears ran down her cheeks.
"You guys…" she said wiping away her tears.
"Shshsh, what is that?!" Kelly said like scolding her smaller sister "You aren't supposed to be crying tonight, this is your night so get that face of your laughing!"
Kate and everyone cheered up smiling and laughing with Kelly but then the camera's noises cut their talks in the middle.
"Can we have a photo of all of you?" the photograph of that night asked only to get a nod from Kate as the answer.
As everyone positioned in front of the camera Kate suddenly noticed something or better say someone was missing. She turned her head all over the place but she couldn't notice him so in the end decided to ask.
"Hey guys where is Raph?"Kate asked curiously why wasn't she seeing Raphael there while Icy had come. Anyway surprisingly she saw Icy's face get angry during the mention of Raph's name.
"He wanted to take some air so he went out!" Don explained patiently but Kate now frowned.
"This way he won't be in the photo!" she said and then turned to Icy "Icy why don't you go call him, we'll wait for you two here."
"I don't plan on moving a nail for that bonehead!" Icy said not looking Kate in eyes.
Kate wanted to object but felt Leo's hand on her shoulder shaking his head in a sign to make her understand that only words wouldn't be of any use. Kate sighed deeply but had to turn her head and smile to the camera, deep inside concerned what was happening to her sister and her relationship with a particular hot headed turtle.
(Meanwhile with Raph)
Usagi went out in order to check for Raphael but the boy was nowhere to be seen. As he kept looking around the sound of some water splashes his attention.
The rabbit turned his head only to see Raph staying in the back part of the theatre at its park throwing stones on the cold water of the fountain. Calmly the rabbit went ahead walking to the turtle human in silence stopping behind his back waiting to be noticed. Unfortunately even thought he had sensed his presence Raph wasn't planning on turning around and talking to Usagi.
Waiting patiently the rabbit went ahead and sat on the corner of the fountain crossing his arms.
"Raphael-san you know the celebration is taking place inside!" he said but from Raph took no response.
"You are the only on who are leaving you lady alone, it is not nice from you!" he said making Raph smirk angry.
"Lady?!" he asked "What lady? The one who wants the other to be loyal but when it comes to her she can throw away her loyalty as much as she wants!"
Raph threw the last stone more roughly aking some splashes of water hit Usagi.
"I don't need such a lady!" Raph finished making Usagi smile as he looked at the water. There was a deep silence around them before Usagi made a sign to Raph to look at the water.
"Look Raphael-san!" he said "You disturbed the water!"
Raph threw a confused look to Usagi like he wasn't understanding the guy's point. Anyway Usagi continued his talk.
"Isn't it strange?" Usagi asked not moving his eyes from the water, "Even a calm and peaceful water like this one here can be disturbed by the outsiders. It shakes in the waves of confusion and agony but in the end…" Usagi said pointing at the water of the fountain.
"In the end it will return to its calm and peaceful state again being prepared for the other fight!" he said wanting to make Raphael understand what he was saying.
Raph caught the meaning of Usagi's word but didn't want to think of them as true.
"I don't get your philosophy of water Usagi!" Raph said throwing another stone to the water disturbing it again.
"It is not the philosophy of water y friend!" Usagi said putting a finger inside the fountain.
"This water you see is you…" now Usagi raised his eyes to face Raphael "…and her!"
Raphael immediately turned his head on those words. He wanted to understand what made Usagi say tose words when he didn't even knew the situation. Actually the rabbit would be thrilled to find out that the girl he loved, Icy was actually leaving him bit by bit for Leonardo.
Raphael hated it all. He hated that girl, he hated his brother he hated everyone. At least that was how he wanted to see it.
"People aren't more complicated than water Usagi!" Raphael said not wanting to tell Usagi what had really happened. What he had really seen
"You see…"Usagi was about to say when all of sudden he was shut up because in only some second they were both surrounded in arrows falling from every direction.
"Jump!" Raphael called as both he and Usagi moved from their place to avoid the arrows.
"What the fuck is this?!" Raph asked Usagi who immediately regained his position.
"Be careful Raphael-san!" Usagi said when suddenly foot ninjas got out from every side of that field.
"We are surrounded!" Usagi continued taking a fighting position.
Raphael growled reaching for his sais but unfortunately in his belt there was nothing. Having wore a costume he never thought they would be of some use that night.
"Shit this is no good!" he said "How did they found us, we're in human forms!"
"This is not a coincidence Raphael-san!" Usagi said, they have been waiting for us. They knew all along you would be coming here. This has all been arranged.
"And you're right!" a voice came from the dark "A pretty sharp one this friend of your Raphael!"
Raph could notice that voice from miles away, it was the most disgusting sound he could ever imagine followed by the most disturbing face he had ever seen in his dreas.
"Karai!" Raph said raising his head to look at her. The green eyes of hers shined in the darkness of that night,making everything around them look faint and dim.
"Hello Raphael!" Karai said "After all you did come here!"
The woman reached the swords behind her back directing them to Raph.
"Exactly as planned!"
Soooo this was it! Tell me how was this chapter. Is this story still as good as before or it has lost its magic! Please,please tell me, I'll be waiting for your answers in your reviews!
Raph: *sigh* I don't get it! Why am I the only one to get in troubles?
Me: *in a ironic tone* Maybe because you are the hotheaded angry turtle? And maybe because you have the temper to do so! But most importantly...*smirk devilishly*...Because I am the writer!
Icy: *raise her hands in surrender* She is right!
Raph: *growls at us* Yeah yeah, in any case readers please read and review. This way at least I wouldn't get my butt beaten from those foot ninjas for nothing!
REVIEW-REVIEW-REVIEW-REVIEW-REVIEW BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY ENJOY THE STORY :D :D :D!