Kala paced back and forth across the living room. Her nerves were shot. She could hear the guys talking heatedly in the lab even through the closed door. They were arguing. Mikey had wanted to leave as soon as they'd gotten home, but the others were trying to tell him that he would just be aimlessly roaming the city without something to start with. They'd checked all the places Yoshi had mentioned and there was no sign of the young turtle.
Mikey's voice rose above the rest. "I am not going to just leave him out there! None of you would do that!"
"No, we wouldn't! But running around like a turtle with his head cut off is not going to solve anything, Mikey!" Leo pointed out.
"Just give me a holo, Don!" Mikey insisted.
Cat came from the kitchen with a cup of tea with a touch of saké in it. She squeezed Kala's shoulder as she handed her the cup. Nearby, Yoshi paced back and forth his arms folded across his broad chest, scowling. They'd been in there arguing for a while now.
Donnie's voice was even as he tried to plead with his brother. "Just give me a little time to-"
"Fine!" The door to the lab flew open, slamming against the brick wall as Mikey came out. Kala could remember only one other time she'd seen him look so angry. He hit the elevator button and spun on his brothers as they came out of the lab behind him. "None of you would be standing here right now, if it were one of them!" Indicating Mira, Yoshi and Shinta in one sweep of his hand.
Leo frowned. "That's not fair, Mikey."
"We just want a little time to work things out." Donnie tried again.
Raph stepped past Leo and Don to put a hand on Mikey's shoulder. "I know there ain't no way to stop you. So, I'm comin' with you." He sighed. "I know how you feel and I'd be the same way. So, let's go find 'im."
Yoshi opened his mouth to say he'd go as well, but Cat came around the couch followed shortly by Kala. "Raph, it's nearly daylight."
He frowned at her. "Don't worry, we'll keep out of sight, darlin'."
Anxiety swamped her green eyes as she grabbed his arm and turned to the other brothers. "Donnie, please. Give them the holos."
Don glanced at Leo and then at Cat. "Okay." He disappeared into the lab to return with two of the boxy holo-projectors. "Take these, they tend to last longer that the bands and here's some extra batteries." He passed them to Raph, who gave one to Mikey.
"Don and I will work on a way of locating him. We'll call if we find him first." Leo took a step forward to rest his hand on Mikey's shoulder, his gaze soft. "Do you remember when Mira and Kaz were small and they got lost? We found them then didn't we." Mikey gave a slight nod. "And we'll find him this time. We don't abandon our own. You know that, bro."
Mikey sighed. "Yeah, I do."
Kala stepped around Leo to wrap her arms around Mikey's neck. "Please be careful. I don't want to lose you too."
He enveloped her tightly in his arms. "You haven't lost either of us yet, babe. And you won't."
The rest watched as Raph and Mikey left. Leo and Don headed back into the lab followed this time by Mira and K-three, while Sarah and Cat continued to try to comfort Kala. Don sat heavily in his rolling chair, rubbing his tired eyes thoughtfully. These all-nighters got harder the older he got.
"Maybe would could scan for his life signs. Our vitals are slightly different from humans." Mira offered.
Don frowned. "I've tried that already. The computer keeps picking us up, because there are more of us."
"This would be so much easier, if he'd taken his cell with him." K-three leaned against the wall with his arms folded.
"And that's exactly why he didn't." Leo informed him.
Don's eyes landed on the holo-bands stacked on his desk. "Hmm, but he did take one of these."
"How does that help us?" Leo asked.
Mira had picked up on her father's train of thought. "The bands have a unique energy source. We might be able to track it."
K-three nodded. "It does resonate a high wave frequency. But the problem is, it's only detectable when the unit is on."
Mira crossed the room to find the meter that could measure its levels, while Don began inputting information into the computer so he could do a search for it. Mira returned with the meter and turned on one of the holos so she could measure its frequency. "It's measuring 100 kilohertz." She immediately turned it off, so Don could do a scan of the city.
After a few minutes, the genius leaned back in his chair. "He must not have it on. We should have detected it by now."
Leo sighed. "It was a good try, Don. Do you think you could set it up to alert us when he does use it?" Donnie nodded. All they could do now was wait.
Kaz yawned as he stood to stretch. The shoulder he'd fallen on was stiff. He tried to roll it several times but it still hurt pretty bad. Actually a bit worse than last night. The adrenaline had likely saved him from a good deal of pain at the time. Sighing, he glanced at his watch. It was almost five in the evening. He strained to listen for any noises beneath him, but apparently his new friends were not there. Well, if he was going to try to get anything accomplished today, he'd better get started. He trudged up the stairs to the roof and peered out at the brightly lit city.
It was risky for him to be outside during the day without the holo. But in order to put the holo on, he was going to have to expose himself for a short while. He scanned the surrounding area one more time and then took off as fast as he could. He took the gap between the buildings easily and slipped quickly around the roof's access door. The holo-band was just where he'd left it. Quickly uncovering it, he slipped it on and hit the on button.
Leaping back over to the abandoned building, he went back down to his temporary room. There was no point in going out to scout for The Crew right now. As far as he'd been able to tell they just committed crimes at night. He turned off the band and dug through his duffle for the small radio, tuning it to the police channel but keeping the volume low. In the meantime, he'd listen to see if there was any other strange activity going on that might be linked to The Crew. He leaned back against the wall and fiddled with the eye-piece as he listened to the constant chatter over the airway. It didn't seem like he'd sat there very long when he heard footsteps run across the roof and down the stairs.
Turning on the holo and shutting off the radio, he moved to the stand just inside the door. If someone other than his new friends had discovered a way into the building, he wanted to be prepared. The footsteps stopped in the hall outside as if uncertain and then began to run in his direction again. They skidded to a stop outside his door. And he groaned inwardly. He'd left his duffle in plain sight of the door. He readied himself as a figure darted past him inside.
The familiar figure startled him and he dropped his defensive stance immediately. "Ona?" The girl turned to face him, her eyes frantic. She started swinging her arms and making wild gestures. He put up his hands to calm her. "Whoa, slow down. I don't understand." He frowned, glancing out the door. "Where are Jack and Sam?" The three were inseparable as far as he knew. She shook her head, tears beginning to streak her cheeks. She began gesturing anxiously again. "You're going too fast. I can't follow you."
She sighed in frustration and picked up two rocks from the floor, holding them out in one hand. Kaz raised an eye ridge. "Jack and Sam?" She nodded and then snatched them out of her open palm with her other hand. "Someone took them?" She nodded, more tears rolling down her tan face. Kaz frowned. "Who took them? Did you see them?" She nodded. "Did they see you?" She shook her head to the negative this time. "What did they look like?"
She stared at him for a long time and then he realized that was way too complicated of a question for her to answer in her current state. He tried again. "Did they wear anything special or were they part of a gang or-" She waved her hands to stop him, gesturing to her eye. Kaz felt his blood run cold. "They were wearing eye-pieces?" She nodded, drawing the shape of the headset over one ear with her finger.
His frown deepened and he hurried across the room to pick up the one he'd found. He showed it to her. "Like this?" She gave a slow nod and took a step away from him. He realized an instant later his mistake. "Oh, no. This isn't mine, I found it. See it doesn't even work." He flipped the switch on the back, but this time the unit remained dark. She stepped closer and pointed from him to the eye-piece. "Yeah, I know these creeps. They're part of the reason I'm here." His gaze softened. "Don't worry. I'll find them for you."
She suddenly threw herself into his chest with a little whimper, her pink highlights clinging to her damp cheeks. Instinctively he wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to comfort her. But after just a moment she pulled away a half step to stare at him. Her fingers brushed along his plastron, and Kaz felt his insides tighten.
Oh, crap!
She could feel the difference. While his holo image was a human wearing a soft t-shirt, what her fingers touched were the hard plates on his plastron. Tentatively she moved her hand to his arm and instead of her fingers meeting soft human flesh, they met the smooth leathery flesh of the turtle. Her eyes widened and she stepped back, her hand clutched against her chest as if she'd been burned by the touch.
Kaz rubbed the back of his head. How was he going to get out of this one? Sighing, he tried to calm her. "Ona, it's okay. Remember I would never hurt you."
She continued to stare at him with wide eyes, but the fact that she hadn't bolted bolstered his resolve. "It's nothing really…" She shook her head and he saw right away he was not going to be able to talk his way out of this one, especially if he wanted her cooperation regarding The Crew. He weighed his options. He could lie and she'd know it and take off because of it. Or he could tell her the truth, possibly freak her out, and then she'd take off anyways. He searched her dark eyes. Something in him, told him he could trust her and just maybe she wouldn't bolt on him.
"The truth?" He asked her softly. She gave one firm nod. He leaned heavily against the wall and slid down it to sit. She slowly followed him, sitting a few feet away. He pointed at the metal bracelet. "This thing makes me look human, but I'm not." She tilted her head, obviously confused. "I'm a turtle." She squinted at him in disbelief. "No, it's the truth. I am a turtle, well a mutant turtle to be exact with a bit of Neutrino in there too."
Ona huffed. She thought he was stalling or making fun of her or something, because what he was saying wasn't making the slightest bit of sense. She waved a dismissive hand at him and started to get up to leave. "I can show you." She lifted a dark brow at him. "Do you promise not to be scared or run away?" She gave a slow nod, but her eyes held uncertainty. "Remember it's still me. Okay?" Again another nod.
Taking a deep breath and hoping for the best, he turned off the band. She blinked as the human image faded and the turtle appeared. She stiffened but kept her word. After a few slow breaths, she moved a little closer. Kaz didn't move. He didn't want to scare her, so he remained entirely still as she reached out and touched his hand which was resting on his knee. He shivered at her touch, which sent a tingle down his arm. "It's still me." She raised her eyes to his and for a long moment seemed to search them. Apparently she found was she was looking for, because she visibly relaxed. Then she pointed at herself, him and the eyepiece. He nodded. "Yes, I'm going to help you find them." Her bottom jaw trembled a little, her eyes full of fear for her lost friends.
He stood slowly as not to startle her, gathering his bag and gear. "But before I go look for them, we need to get you to someplace safe." She gestured at their surroundings. "No, this place is too exposed. I know a better place. Come on." But she caught his wrist, pointing at the holo-band and then herself. His brow furrowed. "You want it?" She gave a small almost sad nod, not meeting his gaze.
Kaz felt his heart ache. This beautiful creature wanted to hide behind a hologram. She didn't want to be who she was. That thought hurt terribly. Although he'd grown up apart from the outside world, a freak by human standards, he'd long ago accepted who and what he was. "I'm sorry, I can't give it to you. It's the only one I have." He couldn't resist the desire to touch her cheek. And to his surprise she didn't pull away, but met his gaze. "But someone as pretty as you shouldn't hide behind one of these things, they're only for ugly creatures like me." She shook her head with a frown, but he wasn't sure what she was arguing with – her being pretty or him being ugly.
He sighed and turned to the door. "Come on. We'll have to hurry if we want to catch her." She followed as he led the way to the roof. He paused to rearrange his kusarigama and turn on the holo before stepping outside into the late afternoon sun. Stepping to the edge of the roof, he motioned her to him. "We need to move fast. Climb on." He indicated his back. She frowned and shook her head. He smiled. She hadn't been frightened of him as a turtle but she was scared of a piggyback ride. He chuckled, taking her hands and guiding them to his shoulders. He squatted so she could climb on better. "Just close your eyes and hold on." Her arms wrapped around his neck as he pulled her legs into his hands.
She nodded against his neck and closed her eyes, relinquishing her safety into the hands of this stranger- this turtle. But there was something about him that made her innately want to trust him. She let out a small gasp when he started sprinting across the rooves. Kaz did his best to concentrate on what he was doing, but her warm body pressed against his shell and the feel of her thin legs inside her jeans was very distracting. Beneath the smell of dirt and grime, he could smell her own unique scent. It was like oranges, sweet and tangy.
He tried to focus on keeping his breathing even as he finally came to a stop several blocks from the abandon apartment building. "We're here." He chuckled softly when she didn't let go right away. "It's safe, I promise." She slowly opened her eyes and slid off his back. He took her hand and led her to the fire-escape. She followed as they left the alley to enter a shop nearby.
Kaz was glad the door was still unlocked as he pushed it open. The door chimed and a voice came from the back room. "I'll be right there."
Kaz fidgeted. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. But it was way too late to change his mind as Jamie appeared around the corner. Her eyes went wide. "Kaz!" She rushed forward. "Oh, my goodness, Kaz!" She cupped his face. "We have been worried out of our minds!" Noticing the girl with him for the first time, she raised a brow. "Who's this?"
"This Ona. She's…. a friend." He wasn't entirely sure how to classify the girl. After all, they'd only met yesterday.
Jamie frowned. "Kaz we need to talk."
He nodded, turning to Ona. "I'll be right back, just wait right here. Okay?" She gave a nod and began looking around the music shop as Jamie half dragged Kaz to the small apartment in back.
Once they were out of sight, she grabbed his wrist and turned off the holo-band. She gave him a once over with her eyes, checking for obvious injuries. When she didn't find any, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Thank God!" Kaz couldn't help but relax in her embrace. Her worry was touching and it made his heart ache for his mother. "Kala and Mikey are going to be so happy."
He pulled away. "You can't tell them I was here. I need more time to find out what The Crew and their creepy leader are up to."
Jamie frowned. "I will not lie to your parents or your uncle."
He tried again, making sure to address her properly. "Aunt Jamie, please. I need more time."
She shook her head. "I won't lie to Leo or the rest of the family."
He gave a frustrated sigh. "Okay, fine. Tell them I was here. And as a matter of fact, give this to Uncle Don. See if he can figure out how it works. I know it's transmitting some kind of signal." He pulled the headset from his bag and handed it to her.
Shock crossed her face. "You're not coming home?"
"No. Ona's friends have been kidnapped by The Crew. I have to try to find them. I don't have time to stay and explain all this."
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Ona could be in danger. I wanted to leave her someplace safe before I took off. Would you mind letting her stay here for a while? Kind of keep an eye on her for me? She's scared and alone."
Something about the way Kaz talked about the girl made the wheels in Jamie's head start turning. There seemed to be something special about her. "Does she know about…?"
"Yeah, she knows I'm a turtle." He smirked, remembering her reaction, which had been one of curiosity rather than fear.
"Alright, but I am calling your dad to tell him you're okay. He and Raph have been out all day looking for you. And the rest were out all night. They deserve to know you're okay."
Kaz sighed, dropping his duffle against a wall and rubbing his shoulder. "Fine. If I find Jack and Sam, I'll come back for Ona. Hopefully I can follow The Crew back to their base this time."
"Kaz, please don't do anything reckless." Leo had told her enough stories by this point that she knew the boy had a tendency to make rash decisions.
He smirked, still rubbing his shoulder. "Me reckless? No way."
She gave a long suffering sigh with a little smile, but it faded as she watched him work his sore joint. "What's wrong with your shoulder?"
"It's nothing. I took a fall on it the other night. But it's okay, just a bit sore." He pressed the holo button. "I've got to get going. There's no telling what The Crew is doing to Jack and Sam." He started back towards the front of the store, where Ona was admiring a violin. He paused, turning back to his aunt. "Oh, and Ona doesn't talk. So, there isn't any likelihood of her spreading our secret."
He stopped beside the girl. "Ona, this is my Aunt Jamie. I want you to stay with her until I get back." She frowned, then touched his holo. He chuckled. "No, she's not a turtle. She's human." His gaze softened. "Promise me you'll stay put." Ona frowned again but nodded. "Good, you'll be safe here."
Kaz shot his aunt a quick look before darting off out the door. Jamie sighed and turned to her unexpected guest. She smiled. "I bet I know something you'd really love." Ona lifted a brow in curiosity. "How about a hot shower and a meal?" The teen's eyes brightened and Jamie chuckled. "I thought so." She took Ona by the arm and guided her into the small apartment. She still had some things there like towels and dishes, for the times she and Leo wanted to be alone. She handed the girl a towel and rag. "And when you get done, I've got a few frozen dinners in the fridge."
A/N: I have loved the reviews I've got, but would love some more! Things are about to get a little crazy, so hang on tight!