A/N Alrighty then folks I'm back with a new chapter for ya. A big thank you to Shiane Ventures, flikaroo, PhGim.7, Mezza999, myfinalfantisy, and Typhlosion8 for reviewing my last chapter. Here's ch 15 for ya and the usual disclaimer applies. Enjoy.
CH 15 Opening the Floodgates
As the group reached the lair Leonardo, Casey and April put the unconscious Kenshen in a chair and tied him up tight. Donatello and Splinter took the still knocked out Raphael to Donatello's lab and put him on the table where Donatello began to examine him. "He's lucky he's still alive," Donatello muttered. "But it looks like there's no more harm done than there was already. We'll just have to wait until he wakes up to know for sure."
"I will stay with him until he wakes," Splinter said sitting beside Raphael.
"I think I should stay with him," Donatello said looking at Splinter. "You may be needed when Mikey wakes up."
"Leonardo said he would tell me when Michelangelo wakes up," Splinter informed his second youngest son. "Until then I.." but Splinter didn't get a chance to finish because there was an earsplitting scream. Splinter and Donatello exchanged looks if concern and raced into the living room. When the father and son got there they saw that Kenshen had regained consciousness and was unhappy to say the least. "If you don't let me go I swear I will kill every single one of you!" Kenshen was screaming struggling against the ropes that bound him.
"Hey man calm down!" Casey shouted getting up from the ground where Kenshen had kicked him.
"Kenshen," Leonardo began. "You've got to calm down little brother."
"I am not your brother!" Kenshen shouted his blue eyes filled with rage.
"Please calm yourself," Splinter said putting a hand on Kenshen's shoulder. "No one here is going to hurt you."
"Then why am I tied up?" Kenshen growled glaring at Splinter. "Tell me that one?"
"We tied you up because we knew you wouldn't stay here willingly," Leonardo said.
"Yeah," Casey said with annoyance. "Now quit strugglin' or you'll hurt yourself."
"Screw you!" Kenshen spat out. "You tied me up because you're afraid of me. Because you know I'll kick you asses! That's the real reason. Or maybe you just want to finish what you started ten years ago."
"Look..." Leonardo began. But he was stopped by Splinter putting his hand on his shoulder saying, "Untie him Leonardo."
"But Sensei," the blue masked turtle began.
"Now," Splinter commanded.
"But Sensei what if he attacks us?" Donatello asked his brown eyes wide.
"Then so be it," Splinter said. "I do not want to keep him here against his will. If he wants to go he may go. It is his choice."
"Is this some sort of trick?" Kenshen asked giving Splinter a suspicious look.
"No it is not," Splinter said as Donatello and Leonardo untied Kenshen. Kenshen got to his feet cautiously. "Oh I get it," the black masked turtle said. "You planted a tracking device on me."
"Why would we do that?" Donatello asked. "We already know where Shredder's lair is. A tracking device would be pointless."
"Then what's the catch?" Kenshen asked.
"No catch," Leonardo said. "You can go if you wanna. But if I were you I'd stay."
"But you're not me," Kenshen growled glaring at Leonardo. "You're not me at all brother." When he said the word brother Kenshen lunged at Leonardo tackling him hard. Both turtles went sailing across the room and crashing into the nearby dojo. "Bet you're regretting not killing me now aren't you Leonardo?" Kenshen spat out as he stood with his nunchakus in hand.
"Mi-I mean Kenshen I don't wanna fight you," Leonardo said his hands in the air defensively. "Please just listen to me."
"You go to Hell," Kenshen growled. With that the freckled faced turtle charged at Leonardo who lept to the side to avoid a hit. By now Donatello, April, Casey and Splinter had entered the room. Casey went to help Leonardo but Splinter put a hand on the teen's shoulder saying, "No this is needed. Leonardo must do this himself."
"If you say so Sensei," Casey said reluctantly. The dark headed teen trusted Splinter's judgement so he held back and watched the fight take place.
"Kenshen stop," Leonardo shouted as Kenshen swung at him again. Only this time he didn't miss. His nunchaku hit Leonardo in the arm and a sickening crack was heard. Leonardo cried out in pain as he fell to the ground searing pain going through his arm. Kenshen delivered a hard kick to Leonardo's chest sending him flying into the wall that bordered Splinter's room. Leonardo broke through the wall and landed by Splinter's mantel with a thud. Groaning Leonardo tried to stand but the pain was to much for him. Luckily Donatello came running into the room just as Kenshen entered. "Kenshen please stop!" the purple masked turtle pleaded.
"You're next," Kenshen growled. "After I'm done with him. You're next." With that Kenshen shoved Donatello out of the way and advanced towards Leonardo. Donatello looked around desperately for something he could use. Then he saw the pictures. As quickly as he could Donatello ran and grabbed both pictures. By now Splinter, April and Casey had entered the room. "I have an idea," Donatello informed the group. Then he raced over to Kenshen and Leonardo. Kenshen was about to hit Leonardo in the head with his nunchakus. Donatello tucked the pictures in his belt and tackled his younger brother. Donatello pinned Kenshen to the ground and shouted, "You have this all wrong Kenshen! We are not your enemies! Look!" Donatello pulled out the picture of the four brothers and Splinter that was taken so long ago. "Does this look like an unhappy family?!" Donatello asked. "Or this?" Donatello pulled out the other picture of Homato Yoshi and his family. Kenshen's eyes got wide when he saw the last picture. "Don't you see?" Donatello said his voice pleading. "The Shredder lied to you. And to Karai." Donatello held up the picture of their family again.
"We were so happy," Leonardo said standing with the help of Splinter. "Until that horrible night. The night when we thought we'd lost you."
"The night I almost died?" Kenshen whispered.
"Yeah," a voice said from the door. The group turned and saw Raphael standing there having heard the whole conversation. "That night was the worst night of my life," he said taking an unsteady step forward. "Look Kenshen you were right about one thing. What happened that night was my fault. I did push you in the water that night. But I swear it was an accident. I would never purposely try to hurt you. You're my baby brother. I was supposed to protect you..." Raphael stopped unable to continue as the tears threatened to come.
"None of us were able to protect you that night Michelangelo," Splinter said with sadness. "That was always my biggest regret. That I was unable to protect you. That I failed you just like I failed Miwa. I am so very sorry my son." Splinter closed his eyes as the tears came out. April and Casey put their hands on his shoulders supporting him the only way they could.
Kenshen closed his eyes trying to process the information. Then suddenly a memory came back to him.
Flashback
"Ha we beat you guys good!" a four year old Leonardo said.
"Yeah 'cause ya cheated," four year old Raphael said crossing his arms.
"Lookie Leo Raph is goon cwy," Michelangelo teased. Leonardo giggled and gave his youngest brother a high five.
"Nah uh Mikey," Raphael said. "Donnie's the cwy baby not me."
"Be quit you stupid doody head," Donatello said sticking his tongue out at his second oldest brother. Raphael glared at his second youngest brother but then he grinned. "I guess I am a stupid doody head," he said.
"Yeah you sure are!" Michelangelo said with a laugh.
"Oh yeah," Raphael said his green eyes sparkling. "C'mere you!" With that the fours brothers were soon involved in a friendly wrestling game that lasted until Splinter came and told his sons it was bedtime.
"Ok Daddy," the four year old turtles said. "Goodnight," Michelangelo called as Splinter carried him to his room. "I love you guys."
End Flashback
"Oh my God," Kenshen whispered opening his eyes.
"You remembered something didn't you," Donatello asked letting Kenshen up.
"Yes I did," Kenshen admitted. "I remembered a good memory of us."
"So you believe us then?" Donatello asked studying his brother's face.
Kenshen looked at his slightly older brother then looked at Splinter and opened his mouth to respond
A/N well there you have it folks ch 15 done. I hope you all enjoyed ch 15. Review please.