A/N: Sciencegal and WOLF, thanks for being such consistent reviewers. Keeps me from wanting to give up completely. LOL *sigh*

Crap will start hitting the fan soon...

Chapter 18: Sideshow

Michelangelo couldn't help loving children. Seriously, those who discredited their value were blind, and those who mistreated them were selfish cowards. Watching Kaiya was one of the top highlights in the mutant's life, so he smiled as she gleefully laughed at her freedom across Central Park.

"Is it just me, or does she get faster every day?" Mikey asked Hugh. Even under the insufficient moonlight, the ninja could pinpoint his companion.

Hugh, standing yards away from The Pool, watched the bright blur that circled the males over and over again. "She has Usain Bolt beat for sure."

"Have you clocked her speeds yet?"

"Don't tell Blaine, but…yes."

"And?"

The tall detective shifted. "Her sprints outshine a cheetah, and a steady run puts her between a lion and an antelope."

Mikey released a long, low whistle. "Make sure she doesn't turn into a thief; they'd never catch her."

"Think you boys will have to make sure of that," Hugh countered, tsking. Mikey barely saw him raise an arm to rub his long neck when Kaiya deviated to the wood line, where her trailing hoots echoed through the night. "She's sure excited tonight."

"Well, she does get to hang out with some pretty awesome company," Mikey remarked with a half-lidded expression.

"Maybe that's part of the reason. Mostly, I think she's thankful to be out of her house."

"Last I saw her was at Lacio Circus. Has Blaine still been—you know?"

"We've barely talked since then. I know his emotions are settling, but he really should suck things up and do what's necessary."

"What's he think we're going to do? Hurt her?"

"Obviously not. Or else she wouldn't have been allowed to come."

"Then what's the problem? …Hugh?" Mikey gripped the silent man, drawing his attention from the wood line. While Hugh's skin and clothes acted as natural camouflage, the Chūnin sensed a frown and pressured for answers by squeezing his hand until a sigh sounded.

"Last Thursday, Bishop visited my precinct," Hugh said stiffly.

"What?"

"I know you boys have been working through issues of your own, so I said nothing about it. The threat was for my people anyway; it's not your trouble yet."

"Are you kidding me?" Michelangelo glared, his hand tightening. "We're the ones who asked for help. Hell, I'm the one who left the damn bag. Now you're being threatened?"

"Relax," Hugh retorted while prying the mutant's tense fingers off his sleeve. "We're taking precautionary measures. I mean, I feel guilty the others don't realize the danger's extent or the real reason they're in it. Even so, I also feel confident I'm on the right side, despite the…drawbacks."

"Does Blaine feel the same way?"

The man groaned.

"I take it this is why you didn't elaborate on your fight."

"I'm a big boy, Michelangelo. I can handle things."

"Still, a threat from Bishop is—oh, I don't know—big! That's something you should'a shared."

"And how much does a Hamato share?" Hugh huffed. "I believe that warehouse fire this past Sunday involved Raphael, yet he won't give away any intel. Claims the Nightwatcher helmet found at the scene has nothing to do with him. I understand the secrecy, but it's like you don't trust me."

"It isn't you, Hugh. Raph hasn't told anyone the truth, not even Nia. We all know he's lying, but"—the mutant tensed his jaw—"we won't get answers until either him or Melody breaks."

"Melody was there as well?"

"She has burns. Said it was an accident, but…"

"Listen: I want to be someone you can rely on, like with O'Neil and Jones." Hugh spoke softly, earnestly, his vision roaming the field as Kaiya's voice grew louder. "My co-workers and I are working an angle. If we get stuck, I'll ask for help. Until then, trust I can deal with the shit I brought on myself.

"I didn't have to help you in December. I don't have to stand by you now. But I will. And there's nothing you can do about it."

"Hugh," Mikey breathed. The detective snorted at his speechlessness, and a rare sense of annoyance roused from the offhanded nature. Even the jokester knew better than to treat loyalty with anything less than respect.

"My life's turned upside down since our meeting," Hugh continued. "I'm not the only one in that boat, either."

He shook his head, drawing Mikey's attention to Kaiya when she stumbled out of the dark woods. She heaved as she returned the man's wave then collapsed in the grass with a long moan that was strangled by her lost breath.

Hugh stepped forward then twisted, speaking in a somber undertone, "It's hard work caring for this city as much as you do, so I'm going to help your family carry the burden."

"You know it isn't required, right?" Michelangelo asked while following his companion towards Kaiya.

"Isn't that what gives it more meaning? Bishop's poisoning everyone he can and is a danger against your kind: the so-called Sidehow of the universe. I've dealt with enough prejudice in my life to know I must stand against him—for you, for Nia, for," the man directed ahead with a hand, "her. It taxes on me, my wife, and friends. Regardless, I know it's my role. So I'll play it."

"If you insist." Elbowing the detective's side in play kept Mikey from choking on his words, though his tight throat burned when he swallowed. "Just promise if you get threatened again, you'll say something. We don't stand for those, especially when it comes to our allies, Uncle Hugh."

"Only if you agree to be more open about your not-so-secret identities."

"I can't speak for Raph. As for me? Deal."

Hugh smiled snidely in return, signaling the conversation's end once he reached Kaiya's spread body. Her wild hair looked near florescent in the darkness, and he ran a hand through it after kneeling. "Reach your limit, Kai?"

With a hard gulp, Kaiya nodded.

"Boundless energy not part of the package, Dudette?" Mikey teased. He grinned at the child's slow blink then knelt as well to help her sit up.

"T—that's the fastest I've gotten tired," Kaiya panted, wiping her forehead against the sleeve of her T-shirt.

"How long does it usually take to wind ya?"

"Wind me?"

The Chūnin sniggered. "Tucker you out."

"Oh…Well, I don't get tired during recess. Except the one time I accidentally moved the jungle gym."

"You moved a jungle gym?"

"It's what Blaine was upset about that night," Hugh added.

"It was an accident!" Kaiya defended through a small, cracking voice. She sent a pointed look at Hugh then Mikey, clenching her shirt's hem. "I—I couldn't stop running and hit it. With my whole body. I didn't mean to break it…"

"The school's attributing the incident to faulty equipment," Hugh elaborated when Mikey's mouth grew slack. "Kaiya isn't being held accountable; however, Blaine—"

"Is considering her at fault," the mutant finished. As the detective nodded, Mikey snorted, running a hand down Kaiya's head. "Not much fun this past week, huh?" he asked, gentle like his touch.

She slowly shook her head. "D—Daddy wants me to be like b—before, but…I can't stop. I really, really can't."

"You just need practice, Kai." Mikey smiled, though the tremble below his hand cut through him.

"That's what I keep telling Blaine," Hugh said while sitting back on the grass.

"Well she can't ignore it. Don says he has trouble at times, too, and he isn't as affected as—"

"You don't have to tell me."

"I have an idea."

Hugh paused as the Chūnin flashed a smile that may not have translated through the night. "What kind?"

"What if we trained her? Ya know, in Ninjutsu?"

"You want her to be a ninja?"

Mikey almost chuckled at Kaiya's sharp intake of air. "It's a good way to channel one's potential. Their mind, this body, their spirit. It would help her find control in all aspects of her life. That doesn't mean she has to be a ninja, per say."

"But I want to." Kaiya interjected with a mild whine and full conviction; the essence practically saturated her Chi, compelling Michelangelo's hand to fall against her tense shoulder. "I—I want Mister Leonardo to teach me, though," she added in a whisper.

The mutant smiled grimly at her following sigh. "I don't know when he's coming back, Dudette."

"I don't care!"

"How about this?" Mikey leaned down so he could clearly see the gloss over the blonde's amber eyes and keep their focus on him. "Let me teach you things here and there until he does come. Then, we can both convince him to be your Sensei."

"Sen-say?"

"It means teacher, though…that could get confusing and weird for us. So you should probably call him Shishou."

"Shee-show?"

"It's an alternative. Won't get into details. Now, do we have a deal?" Mikey outstretched the hand he once kept on Kaiya, his smirk wide and his gaze imploring. Hesitantly, the girl's soft fingers slid across his palm. They were too little to wrap around his hand properly, so the mutant's grip swallowed them when he sealed their handshake.

"D—do you think I can do it?"

"Learn? Of course, Kai."

"No"—Kaiya's hand tightened, unwilling to let go—"be a hero. L—like Mister Leonardo."

'She really admires you, Leo,' Mikey thought. Her touch felt heated in his hand, almost biting, and he tugged for her attention.

"I'm sure you can be a hero too, Kaiya. It takes a lot of work and dedication. And, at times, pain. But if you really want to be one, you can do it. Personally, I think you have the heart for it."

"So do I," Hugh interjected. He stroked the girl's wavy hair once when she faced him then nodded. "Let me talk with your daddy. Meanwhile, you should do what he wants and talk with Doctor Vigue."

"She tells me my stories aren't real," Kaiya muttered.

"And your daddy doesn't want you to show her your gifts, either. But that's another part of being a hero."

"You can't understand right now," Mikey added. "That's fine. Just trust us. Okay?"

The child huffed, crossed her arms, and glanced away; however, she also nodded, rousing a smile across the Chūnin's wide mouth.

"Good. We'll start your first lesson next week."

"W—wait!" Kaiya stood up as soon as Michelangelo did. "Where are you going, Uncle Mikey?"

"Don't sound sad; I'll see you in a few."

"But…"

"Sorry, Kai. I'm meeting someone tonight. Big hero business. Understand?"

"Wish I could go," the blonde uttered while folding her arms again.

Mikey patted her head then sent Hugh a serious look. "Be careful on your way home. And if anything fishy happens with you-know-who, call?"

Hugh maybe felt like a child, yet thankfully offered a begrudging nod.

.

The first thing Michelangelo noticed was Starberry Girl's combat boot tapping below a broken lamp post. It accentuated his tardiness, so he flashed a smile when he met her by the chain link fence surrounding Lacio Circus. Unfortunately, it did little to lift her thin, downturned lips.

"If you had better plans, Figo, you could've called."

"And work alone? That's no fun."

"I've been here for nearly twenty minutes."

"Sorry; my last date ran longer than planned."

Hoshi paused before climbing the fence after Mikey. Straddling the top rail, the hero grinned downwards, praying his companion's curt snort meant more than simple annoyance.

"What date could you possibly find?" she questioned while jumping half-way up the fence.

Mikey watched the heroine lace her fingers through the chain, grip, and then rotate backwards over the top. She eased into a crouch beside him with the power of a gymnast, and the mutant tried to keep himself from eyeing her slender body longer than he should.

"Oh, I was with a little blonde," he answered, shrugging. He slipped off the fence then landed on the asphalt beyond. "Ya know the type. Wide-eyed. Fair-skinned."

"Sounds pretty," Hoshi retorted as she followed suit.

"I may have a weakness for blondes." It wasn't a total lie, and that showed in Michelangelo's smirk.

Hoshi seemed unimpressed by it. In fact, she sneered below her black eye mask. What'd that mean?

"Jealous?" the hero jested, heading towards the Big Tent in the near distance.

"You would be so lucky," Starberry countered with her own smirk. "I'm only thinking about how odd the blonde's tastes must be."

"Almost as odd as mine, honestly."

"I can see that."

Chuckling, Mikey shoved her bare shoulder then spun and began walking backwards. "She's young too," he added, just to see Hoshi's lips curl again. When they did, he grinned. "Relax. She's only seven. I'm starting to train her, and she's like a niece to me. That's all."

"Is that supposed to be comforting?" Starberry snapped. Her head bobbed because she scoffed so hard, and she crossed her thin arms, continuing their strange walk. "You think I would care if you had a real date?"

"Maybe."

"Whatever. You can do as you please; we're only partners in heroism."

"You mean we aren't at least friends?"

Hoshi halted. Not for long, but Mikey saw her faltered expression as a strong sign.

"I don't do so well with friends," she said, surprisingly grim. While she opened her mouth again—perhaps to elaborate—she shook her head then pointed ahead. "I'm here to help you with these kids. We might as well get to it while one's on a break."

An inward sigh was required for Michelangelo to turn. He glanced behind him at a section of two medium-sized tents, which emanated several unsavory scents. Their purposes were unknown since the hero strolled around their backsides; however, a familiar cage between them convinced him that he arrived at the right spot. Well, that and the so-called Were Girl curled in it.

"Poor thing," Mikey muttered.

Starberry Girl kept close to his side when he traveled through the tents' thick shadows. "W—what should we…do?"

"Comfort her. Get answers."

"But…what if we make things worse?"

"Do you have trouble comforting citizens?"

"It's a lot harder with children."

"Why? They're just like adults, only inexperienced."

"And super sensitive."

"How about this?" Mikey leaned towards Hoshi's ear, mere feet from the Were Girl's display. "You only say things you're comfortable with, and I'll lead."

The green-haired heroine huffed, yet agreed. The mutant sent her a grin then approached the cage. Rose didn't stir inside, not even when Mikey motioned for her attention. So he crouched in the space between the ten-foot tall cage and one tent and called out in a hiss,

"Hey, Rose!"

Rose's shag head jerked upright from her knees.

"To the left. Over here!"

Rigidly, Rose craned her neck. Mikey waved at her when their gazes connected, though her bright green eyes widened as she crawled to the cage's back left corner.

"What are you doing?" she questioned in a hushed tone.

"Uh, trying to talk with you?" the hero countered.

Rose flashed a dubious glare, returning to her curled position on the slab of metal. "Wh—why? Who are you?"

"You can call me…Titan, and this here"—Mike gestured to the heroine stationed beside him—"is Starberry Girl."

"Y—you're the one from the news, aren't you?"

Hoshi shrugged one shoulder under the Ware Girl's bright stare.

"Anyways. Why talk to me? You should be careful, you know? Ring Master does checks. I—if he catches you talking with me like this—"

"Oh, we won't be caught," Hoshi interjected. "At least, I won't."

"We want to know more about you," Mikey followed up. He sent Starberry a subtle smile, and she backed down, sitting on the asphalt.

"What more would anyone want to know about me?" Rose's tone sounded bleak and almost vindictive. Her tiny hands clenched her knees and twisted tuffs of her body hair as her shoulders hunched to her covered ears. "Everything anyone's ever wanted to know is engraved on a plaque in front of my cage."

Mikey shook his head. "I don't want to know what others have set for you, Rose. I want to know who you are. What you need."

"H—how do you know my name?"

"Don't be scared. We've noticed some weird treatment around here. And I can't help, well, helping. Sometimes helping includes snooping."

"You can't do anything for me."

"You think?"

Rose sighed—an action which upturned many hairs along her hands. "No one wants to help the Sideshow."

"We do." Kneeling forward, Mikey wished the young girl could see his soft stare, if only for a moment. "How old are you, Rose?"

"Eleven…"

"How long have you been with Lacio?"

"S—since I was six." It seemed painful to admit because Rose flinched.

"Do you want to spend the next five years here?"

Slowly, the preteen's hairy chin met her fingers.

"Thought so. You should give us a chance."

"I—I don't know."

Starberry stood up, though remained in the shadows as she pointed towards the Were Girl's cage. "You'd rather stay in a place like this? You don't have much to risk, so why not?"

"Hoshi"—Mikey caught the heroine's wrist—"I got this."

The young woman spun on her boot then rounded the mutant. He couldn't see her, yet got the distinct feeling that she pouted. 'So impatient. I can see why she and Raph butt heads so much.'

"Rose," he continued, "we're here to help. In any way we can."

"There's another person who said that too…"

Mikey smiled. "See? You're not alone. So what do you think?"

Rose stared for a long time. Or it felt like she did, anyhow. Hoshi stomped a foot from behind, and not long after the preteen nodded, as if broken from a trance with Mikey's mask.

"Y—you should go now, though," Rose said while casting a glance over her shoulder. The uninterested traffic of people before her cage had slowed through their conversation, which brought attention to how quiet the circus was growing. "We could've talked more if you came, like, twenty minutes ago. But it's closing time, and Ring Master…"

"We understand," Mikey replied, ignoring the pointed stare at the back of his head. "We'll be back in a few days then. Okay?"

She nodded and when the hero stood, her gaze focused behind him. "I…is she coming back too?"

"You got a problem with that?" the heroine retorted.

Mikey held her back as a man's familiar accent rung through the air. There was no more time to waste. He grabbed Hoshi's arm then headed for the fence line after flashing Rose a grin. Sure, the circumstances were kind of heavy, but he couldn't help the jolt of happiness when Starberry didn't fight for her arm back.

A/N: Hoping some time this month, I can up my posts to three chapters a week. We'll see.