After that night, the girl never left the lair. Days turned into weeks and the five became extremely close as the time passed. The young teen had become Mikey's older sister, much like April. She became Don's fellow scientist, though nowhere near as good as him, and Raph's sparring partner but no matter how close they all were, Leo and Kaylee had a special bond that was different from anyone else's, practically inseparable. Her training had developed greatly over that short period and she was soon a close match with the turtles, surprising everyone even herself. In meditation, however, no new growth was occurring in the girls memories. The only thing that was clear was the night of her mother's death. The shadowy area was still dark and no matter what she tried it wouldn't clear. She still had no clue how she came to be in Shredder's possession or what type of experiments they were running on her. Frustration filled her as did desperation but the brothers were always there for her no matter what. Through nightmares and fits of anger or sadness, they all took care of her as she did them. The nightmares persisted and it soon became apparent that Kaylee was not the only one who suffered from terrors such as those so they all decided that it may be better if they all stayed together at least for a little while longer. Truthfully though, there was peace among the household. The turtles went out at night and April and Casey often swung by to talk to the girl. She called her "brother" almost everyday until his family had taken him on a trip two weeks before and they were unable to talk due to his lack of connection but this did not bother her, as long as he was safe. Though all was well, claustrophobia began to engulf the girl until she was about ninety thousand percent sure that if they did not let her out soon she would explode.
The day had gone like any other the four were just about to head out when Kaylee blocked their path to go.
"Ah, Kays. We've kind of gotta go." Mikey said, trying to step past her as she maneuvered to prevent his escape.
"Take me with you." Kaylee said, practically begging as she looked each of them in the eyes.
"You know we can't do that, Kay." Raph said, shaking his head and crossing his arms.
"Guys, I'm not asking. If I don't get out of here, I think I will actually wither away to nothing. Please." Stepping forward as she spoke.
"It's for your own good." Don said, trying to get by.
"No, not anymore. I can't hide forever." They were all going to try and convince her that it was better for her down there when Splinter walked in.
"Shouldn't you all have left by now?"
"Sensei, can I go above ground?" Kaylee questioned, bowing (a sort of kiss up kind of move).
"Yes."
"That's not fair. Please... wait, did you say 'yes'?" All of them were just as confused as she was.
"You have been down here for nearly two months now. You need to get above ground. I 'm just surprised you did not ask sooner." He said, smiling as he put a hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Sensei, thank you." She said, getting ready to make a break for it with the other four.
"However." All of them sighed and looked at their master. "You should not leave unarmed." He said, leading them all to the dojo but addressing the girl. "You have used every weapon and trained well with each but one stuck out as the most connected to you, so I believe these belong to you." Splinter finished as he handed the girl the sickle like blades, the kama.
"Seriously, Sensei?" She questioned his sanity as she bounced the weapons in her hands.
"Yes, you are more than capable."
"Thank you." Kaylee said, with as much gratitude as she could lace her voice with.
"Now all of you go and be safe." He smiled as the teens bowed and then took off for the tunnels.
Once they made it to the rooftops, Kaylee flopped down and stared at the sky.
"Air! Fresh non-sewer air!" She smiled which only meant everyone else did to.
"Well, are you just going to lay around here or are we going on patrol?" Raph said, attempting to come off as impatient but his eyes telling a different story.
"It depends," Kaylee spoke as she rose to her feet. "if you can keep up." Without another word, the girl was off running at full speed, which was nearly triple than usual due to all of that bottled up energy. The four followed close on her heels until they were all on an even plain. Running for what must have been hours, they came to rest at the rooftop they had all been on months before. They were all talking and laughing, enjoying Kaylee's new found freedom.
"I missed this city, or at least the top of it, more than I would like to admit." Kaylee said, laughing. "Oh, before I forget, can we please test these out?" She said, referencing her new weaponry.
"I don't know, dudette. We ARE professionals, especially me." Mikey said, pulling out his nunchucks.
"That's what you said about Space Invaders, Mike, and guess who beat you seven to six." She said, making fun.
"Hey! Not cool! You know that'd been unfair!"
"No offense, Mikey, but us bringing in pizza and you getting distracted does not count as 'unfair'." Don agreed.
"Et tu, Donatello. Well, I guess I must battle for my title then." The orange banded turtle said, as the others pulled out their weapons. "Prepare to be amazed at my... NUNCHUCK FURY!" Mikey shouted as their mini battle began. They fought like children, messing around, feigning fake deaths, and all in all just having fun. No victors were announced and by the end they were all laying on the rooftop. Leo and Kaylee in one pile, Don by himself and Mikey and Raph stacked on one another.
"I believe that I won." Kaylee said, breathlessly.
"Not yet." A deep voice said, that immediately sent shivers down the five's backs. They were all up in an instant, weapons drawn, and looked at their surroundings. Foot ninja were everywhere and none other than the Shredder himself stood in front of them. Immediately, the four brothers were in a protective stance in front of Kaylee.
"How?,"breathed Don.
"We've simply been lying in wait, turtle, and it helps when you have someone who has been in contact with you filth." Shredder spoke, using the spikes on his gauntlet to summon Karai and her guest.
"Luke." Kaylee said, gasping for air. Heart pounding in her ears, she gripped her kama in a painful grip and looked ready to kill. Had the turtles not been in her attack zone, she would have jumped to destroy the creature in front of her. Her brother was bruised, bleeding, beaten, all life gone from the once happy eyes as he stared at his sister.
"Kiki, help me. Please, Kiki. I want to go home." He said, tears drawing to his eyes and the same reaction reflecting in his sister. His begging continued.
"Shut him up."The monster spoke. Karai reacted by punching him in the gut and he coughed up blood in response. Leo and Raph both had to hold Kaylee back from striking.
"You freaking touch him again and I swear..." She said, seething in anger.
"You'll what?" Metallic laughter filled the air."It seems like I'm in control of this situation and unless you want his blood on your hands, I suggest you listen." Gauntlet at the ready to strike, he continued and even Mikey listened. "I've been seeking you for quite a long time and you have done quite well covering your tracks except there was one snow storm." Realization crashed down on them with the impact of an avalanche. "That is how we found this one." He grasped Luke's chin. "His parents posed a problem but not for long; however, let us get down to business." Strolling towards the four and being blocked by a wall when trying to reach his target. "My offer is you come with me and I allow him and your pets to live."
"They are not my pets. They are my friends and his name is Luke." She said.
"Whatever you wish to call them, that is the deal. Take it or I will kill them." She looked down and the four looked at her with the same expression of defiance, but before they could say anything, she spoke.
"Okay. I will go with you." Sheathing her weapons and walking forward.
"Are you crazy?" Raph yelled. "Do you seriously believe we'll just let you go?"
"I think she should go." Leo said, anger lacing his voice.
"Fearless, you can't be that stupid!"
"No, Raphael! I'm being smart. Of course, we'll need to say our goodbyes." He said, sheathing his katana and turning to his newly found best friend. Hugging her tightly, he stuck a tracker on her neck and whispered in her ear. "We'll find you." Releasing her, the other turtles said nothing and looked away. She walked forward and Foot restrained her.
"Now let him go." She said.
"That was not the deal." Shredder said as he grabbed the girl. "He gets to live as do they, but I did not mention freedom. He is insurance. Let's go!" The master said and all of them disappeared in puff of smoke, leaving the turtles alone on the now too quiet roof.
"Don, turn on your T-phone. Now! Find the signal from the tracker on Kaylee's neck." Leo said, when he thought that the coast was clear.
"That's what you were doing?" Mikey asked. "I mean I don't understand everything but even I can tell how quickly this plan could go downhill, Leo."
"I know, but what other choice did we have?"
"I'd have to agree with Leo. You know just how much she cares about Luke, Mike. If he died because of her, she would never forgive herself." Don said as he worked on opening the app and locating the signal. "Got it! They're currently on Bleaker and it looks that they are heading straight to Foot clan central."
"Okay." In the distance, the first signs of morning were appearing. "We're going to have to get back to the lair. We'll get ready and come for her as soon as the sunsets again."
"We can't just leave her, Fearless."
"We don't have a choice, Raph. She'll be okay." Leo said, trying to convince himself as well as his brothers that she would be okay for one day. "She's strong. Now let's go."
We'll get you back, Kaylee. We promise.
Author's Note: What will happen next? Now that Shredder has Kaylee, what will happen to her? Guess you are going to have to keep reading to find out. As usual, PLEASE, review, question, etc. Thank you for reading! Lots of love and tons of turtle hugs! 3 3