A/N: This one called for shortness, so I apologize. I'll be posting another chapter as well to make up for it.

Sciencegal - Oh, yeah.

Zathura - It's a slow burn intenseness, but present. XD

JoinTheWeb - No kidding. Heh.

CHAPTER 08: K'EKCHI VILLAGE

It seemed Leonardo was a hotspot for Amazonian locals. He'd barely grown accustomed to Coyolxauhqui before she introduced Izel. Then today, he found himself surrounded by a group of brown-skinned humans.

They neither gawked nor flinched, their grips firm around their hunting spears. Leo hated how they leaned into each other. They were talking about him, which unsettled him because he couldn't understand a word they spoke. His eyes found Coyolxauhqui at their center. She stood beside Izel like a reprimanded child and gave a strained smile before a man stepped forward.

The man wasn't the eldest, obviously. However, he was the most decorated—the only to wear a feathered headband and lack a spear. He crouched before Leonardo, balanced by a walking staff, then assessed the mutant with orange eyes akin to Coyo's and Izel's.

"My name is Wee-tsee-loh-pōch-tlee," he said.

"You speak English?" Leo asked.

"Yes," Huitzilopochtli replied. "No fluent. Well. I translator."

Hallelujah!

"Sister say turtle-man injured," the tribesman added.

"Sister?" Leo followed Huitzilopochtli's gaze to Coyolxauhqui, who dumbly stared in return. She must not have understood the word 'sister.'

"Turtle-man break legs, yes?" Huitzilopochtli questioned. "Been ill for long time."

Leo disliked how the stranger knew the extent of his weakened condition. The mutant remained quiet while Huitzilopochtli nodded.

"I beg pardon," the tribesman said. "No mean offense."

"No, no offense. It's just that…" Leo scanned the silent yet armed group.

"I understand." Huitzilopochtli moved closer. "But turtle-man should not stay here. Must rest elsewhere, away from predators."

"You want to move me? To where?"

"K'ekchi Village."

Why did that name sound familiar? It nagged at Leo's memory, but he pushed the thought aside. A more pressing question needed to be considered.

'Should I trust them?'

Although the tribe hadn't acted hostile, that could change. The mutant frowned and looked over Coyolxauhqui's wild hair. Donald smiled from the wood line, ran a thumb across his neck, then chuckled. The act sent goosebumps across Leo's skin.

"Turtle-man." With a start, Huitzilopochtli earned the mutant's attention. His orange eyes were stern, and by the time Leo met them, Donald had disappeared. "Huitzilopochtli promise turtle-man be safe."

"I should believe that?"

"Yes. K'ekchi protect the strange."

Did they? Or was the human making a bad joke? Leonardo glared as Huitzilopochtli grinned.

"Does turtle-man have name?" the tribesman asked.

"Yeah," Leo answered slowly. "Leonardo."

K'ekchi Village was larger than expected. Its population could've filled a New York dance club, and their overlapping voices rattled Leonardo's senses while Coyolxauhqui and Izel guided him to a large hut. Inside the hut, Huitzilopochtli settled the mutant along a canvas-like blanket then drew a curtain across the doorway. It did little to silence the villagers.

'They weren't scared,' Leo thought, rubbing his sore legs. 'They were in awe. Just who are these people?'

"Leonardo."

Leo looked up and gripped his thighs with both hands.

Huitzilopochtli offered a leather flask, saying, "In pain. Chicha help."

'Gotta beat that smelly paste, I guess.'

Leo took the flask then swigged it. Immediately, a tart flavor bit his tongue. He snorted before swallowing and liquid sprayed from his nostrils. Coughing, he scrunched his face then gasped for air through the strong aftertaste that clung to his pallet.

"We build tolerance," Huitzilopochtli said with a wheezy laugh. "Make turtle-man no spit Chicha!"

Leo cleaned himself with his hands, allowing the tribesman to reclaim the flask. "What makes you think I want more?" he asked.

Huitzilopochtli grinned as Leo's stomach churned. "Turtle-man see. Even little bit do much."

Huitzilopochtli and Coyolxauhqui were undoubtedly related; both seemed keen about forcing things on others. Speaking of which…

Leo faced Huitzilopochtli. "Where is Coyo?"

"Coyo?" Huitzilopochtli echoed.

"Yes. She and Izel were just here. Wh—why'd they leave?"

Huitzilopochtli's head bobbed, his wrinkles evident when he frowned. "Izel have chores. Coyo probably get a lecture by Ak-kah-lan and Knee-knee-chee."

"Who're they?"

"Village Elders."

"And"—Leo paused with furrowed eye ridges—"why would the Elders lecture her?"

"Rules, turtle-man. Coyo ignore them many times. Always has. Causes big trouble."

"I see…" So his nurse shared something in common with Raphael and Michelangelo. In a way, that was comforting.

"She took herbs from See-wha-pah-tlee, Medicine Woman," Huitzilopochtli added.

"Herbs," Leo muttered.

"To save turtle-man's life, Coyo said. Many K'ekchi would do same, but Coyo have no permission. She must learn consequences."

A heavy silence settled into the hut, broken only when Huitzilopochtli groaned while stretching.

"Be thankful Coyo found turtle-man, not Tlaloc," the tribesman said. "He would have returned with a maquahuitl."

"A mah-cah what?"

"Mah-cah-wheet. It is weapon."

"A—and who's Tla-lock?"

"Turtle-man find out if he keep Coyolxauhqui company."

"What's that mean?"

"Enough questions. Should rest. Chicha take effect soon. Coyo come see you tomorrow."

"But—"

Huitzilopochtli thumped his staff, its dangling ornaments swaying. "Hut my library," he said. "Full with many books. Turtle-man read, yes?"

Leonardo shook his head. "Actually—"

"I be back in the morning, try to keep village quiet."

"Wee-tsee—"

"Yolotli will guard. He strong warrior."

"Awk! Yo, guard! Yo, guard!"

Was that a bird? A bird was going to watch over him?

"Wee-tsee—tsee-loh…" Leonardo's mouth grew slack and unresponsive—just like when he had been bitten by that spider. His heart raced when his vision blurred, and his limbs tingled with a floating sensation.

Just what was that 'Chicha' crap? And why had Leo drunk it without hesitation?

'This could've been a long, elaborate trap and I just...'

'Afraid ya're gonna wake up as turtle soup, Freak?' Donald whispered from all around. 'What joy. Then ya can be with us all the time. Like one big, happy family.'

'No,' Leo thought, eyelids closing. 'I don't want that. I want…I want...'

Want what? Who knew? Maybe next time he woke, he could answer himself.