When the Turtles stepped through the portal they went from winter in the city to spring in an open field. It was midday with clear skies. The Daimyo didn’t linger long, but gave Leonardo a talisman to summon him when they were ready to go home. Only, it won’t work in the Kame village if the barriers are still up.
“There’s a village over there,” Raphael pointed. “Maybe Usagi can get his bearings there.”
“I already know where we are,” Usagi stated. “That is the Kuma village.”
“Are they friendly?” Leo asked.
Usagi nodded, “We should be able to find help and information there.”
The village wasn’t far and it wasn’t long before they were met by a rather large Kuma warrior, “Hello strangers.” He looked at the Turtles, “Kame? I thought the roads to your village were blocked.”
“Were not from here,” Leo explained.
“Very well,” the Kuma looked at Usagi. “How can I help you?”
“We need information,” Usagi stated.
The Kuma led them through the village to a small house. He informed them of the situation in the Kame village. It wasn’t long after Usagi left that they were invaded and now the Kame are no better than slaves and the three children of the clan leader have been taken hostage. The few roads that lead to the secluded village were guarded by soldiers loyal to the Ookami, Inu, and Kitsune clans.
No one was happy with the invasion of the Kame village. The Kame had kept their prices fair, but their captors had marked up the prices at least ten times what the Kame had charged. The other clans depended on their trade with the Kame clan. They were the main supplier of salt, tea and rice, for that area, among other things.
“What about the Shogun?” Usagi asked.
“He is gathering troops,” came a voice from the door.
Usagi turned, “Tomoe Ame, pleasure to see you again.”
“Usagi-san, Leonardo-san it is a pleasure to see you both,” she bowed. “Though I wish it were under better circumstances.”
Raphael remembered Leo’s story about Tomoe Ame and he greeted her warmly when they were introduced. She had joined in the effort to free the Kame as soon as she had heard of their plight. They all stood in the room and continued to discuss the situation.
There are warriors from the other clans that would like to help, but they don’t attack for fear of the children’s safety. The other clans’ warriors have already started to join together under the Shogun’s leadership. They had attempted to send help in before, but their attempts only ended in death. Leonardo had decided that they would find a way to rescue the children and signal the warriors when they are safe. The Kuma warrior offered to ride out to the Shogun and inform him of their plans.
“I could make fireworks,” Donny suggested. “So long as the Kame have the supplies I need.”
“What about the river and the falls?” Usagi asked the Kuma warrior.
“The banks are watched, but they are not in the water. I don’t know about the falls.”
“Falls?” Raph asked.
“The location of the Kame village is at the base of a waterfall that then leads into the sea,” Usagi explained. “It’s a steep cliff, but I think the four of you can climb it. I need you to be able to climb it.”
Leo nodded, “We’ll swim the river tonight.”
“One of you will have to carry me,” Usagi blushed. “I’m not a good swimmer.”
“I’ll do it,” Raph offered. “I’m the strongest swimmer.”
“We will give you no longer than a month,” the Kuma warrior stated. “If we do not hear from you before that, then we will assume that you have failed.”
“I hope to have this done well before that,” Leo stated. “Just keep your eyes to the sky. We will retrieve the children in the night and send the signal then.”
“How will we see a signal at night,” Tomoe asked.
“Because this one will light up the night’s sky,” Donny answered.
That night Usagi and the Turtles put on their black Shinobi Shozoku. Usagi was tied to Raph so that they were facing each other. “Just tap me when you need to breath,” Raph instructed. “Don’t hold your breath too long, we don’t need you gasping for air when we surface and alert the sentries.”
Usagi nodded, “I will make sure to calm myself so that I’m not using as much oxygen.”
“Good,” Raph nodded.
They all slipped into the water and headed down stream. They swam with the current so they moved fast through the water. It was the night of the new moon and darkness was on their side.
Raph would roll to his back and surface each time that Usagi needed to breathe. He would let the rabbit take several breaths before submerging again. The added weight and what seemed like constant stops soon had Raph falling behind. Even Donatello, with his bag weighing him down, was swimming faster than Raph. It didn’t worry him though. He knew he was supposed to meet his brothers on the east side of the river when he reached the waterfall.
Usagi’s need to surface was becoming more frequent and he was starting to tremble. “I don’t want to go under again,” he pleaded. “My chest hurts.”
“Calm yourself, Usagi,” Raph chastised him. “You are a Ronan warrior.”
Usagi took some cleansing breaths, “I’m sorry, Raphael.” Though he still trembled, he seemed to have calmed a little. “I’m okay.”
Raph dove back under the water and pushed himself to go faster. Soon the current was carrying him swiftly through the water and he knew that he was getting close to the falls. He surfaced once more to let Usagi breathe while the current carried them down stream. He fought the current to get to the shore but he began to struggle. The added weight and the current were becoming too much for him and he was quickly becoming tired. For a moment he was afraid he wasn’t going to make it when Donny’s bo staff came out of the darkness. He managed to grab hold and he was pulled to safety.
“You okay?” he heard Donny ask.
“Yeah,” Raph heaved. “Usagi, you okay?”
Raph could feel the tightness in Usagi’s grip on his shell and he was trembling almost violently, “I do not like the water.”
The others helped untie Usagi and Leo grabbed him and held him close until he calmed down. “We’re done with that part,” Leo soothed. “We’ll give Raph a chance to rest, then we’ll climb down. You’ll be back with Haru soon.”
“Who’s going to carry him down?” Raph panted.
“I will,” Mikey answered before Leo had the chance. “I’m stronger than you Leo.”
Leo sighed, “Agreed.” He looked around, “We shouldn’t linger here long. You good to go, Raph?”
Raph nodded his head. He was still fatigued, but Leo was right, they couldn’t linger. They tied Usagi to Mikey’s back and slipped their climbing claws over their hands. Leo tested the rock surface.
“It seems like it will hold,” Leo told them. “We’ll take it slow.”
The four Turtles slipped over the side of the cliff and started their way down. Raph checked each new handhold before letting go of the secure one. The going was slow and the rock wall was high. Fatigue hit Raph about halfway down and he started to regret not taking a longer rest. His arms shook with effort as his muscles screamed in protest and he started to fall behind again.
He focused his mind on the task at hand and forced his body to work. With each agonizing move he thought his body would give out on him and in his exhaustion he got sloppy. He neglected to check the hold first and when he pulled down, the rock gave way. He felt himself fall and desperately grabbed for a new hold, but his hand only met air as he fell back.
He had no idea how far from the ground he was and he tried to relax his body against the instinct to tense up. He felt the cradling impact as he was caught by two of his brothers and felt an immediate sense of relief.
“You okay, Raph?” Donny asked.
Raph nodded, “I was more tired than I thought.”
“Let’s get to the trees,” Leo ordered.
Donny helped Raph up and they moved to a small group of nearby trees to rest. Donny rubbed Raph’s tired muscles as Leo soothed Usagi.
“I can smell them,” Mikey stated, looking out at the village. “Can you smell them?”
It was an overwhelming sent that rode the wind and it sent shivers down Raph’s spine. It seemed that Donny was also feeling the effects and was trembling next to Raph.
“I already don’t like it here,” Leo stated.
“You don’t have to stay,” Usagi reminded them. “I thank you for bringing me home.”
“If we leave now, we’ll never see you again. Not to mention that your life would be in danger if you were ever discovered,” Leo responded. “And, we can’t leave the kids as prisoners. The people here are suffering, we can’t just do nothing. We’re staying.”
“Leo’s right,” Raph added. “We’ll be fine.”
“I’m not so sure,” Usagi said. “You’ve never faced your own kind before. They live by a different set of rules.”
“Like what?” Mikey asked over his shoulder.
“Keep your brother’s with you at all times,” Usagi warned. “Unattended omegas are fair game.”
“Fair game?” Donny was still trembling. “What do you mean ‘fair game’?”
Usagi sighed, “If you are out unattended, then an alpha can approach you and… get you to submit. And, the instinct for an omega to submit to and alpha is overwhelming.” Usagi looked at Donatello, “On top of that Donatello, you are considered highly desirable. Haru has one like you, he also trembles.”
Raph looked up at Donatello, “Donny, remember your training. You can overcome instinct.”
Donny closed his eyes and steadied his breathing, “I will.” He got himself under control and no longer trembled.
“I’m going to scout and see if there are any ‘bad guys’ in the village,” Mikey said. “You guys stay here.”
“Be careful, Mikey,” Leo replied.
Mikey smiled, “Of course,” and disappeared in the shadows.
Donny continued to rub Raph’s tired muscles while they waited. Raph looked over at Leo and Usagi who were nuzzling each other and were very close to kissing. He wondered just how deep their feelings were for each other.
Mikey wasn’t gone too long and returned with another turtle in tow. He wasn’t any taller than Mikey, but the dark green Kame was large. He was wearing a short sleeved kimono that was short enough to show his thick tail.
“Miya-ko!” the turtle exclaimed.
Usagi pulled away from Leo and ran into the large turtle’s arms, “Haru.”
Raph raised and eye ridge, “Miya-ko?”
“Haru’s pet name for me,” Usagi blushed.
“I thank you for bringing him back to me,” Haru bowed. “You are soaked and smell of the river and your friends,” he said nuzzling Usagi.
Usagi wrapped his arms tighter around Haru, “I could really use a nice warm bath.”
“Let’s get you all back to the house,” Haru offered.
They followed Haru and Usagi through the village to a large house on a hill. They all went inside and were led to a large room with many cushions on the floor.
“Please make yourselves comfortable,” Haru indicated the cushions. “Momorin will be joining us shortly.”
An omega entered the room bowing deeply, “Usagi’s bath is ready.”
Haru kissed Usagi on the head, “Go. Get out of those wet clothes and get some sleep. I’ll see to it that your friends are taken care of.”
Usagi stood and bowed deeply, “I will see you all in the morning. Again, I thank you for bringing me home.” They all said their goodnights and Usagi left following the omega out.
“I’m gana get out of these wet clothes,” Raph declared pulling off his shirt. “I’m getting cold.”
Haru sat on some pillows and simply watched as the Turtles stripped off their clothes. Donny removed some plastic bags from his bag and handed them to his brothers. They stuffed their wet clothes and masks inside and placed them neatly on the floor. Donny then removed four other bags and passed them out. Inside contained their gear and dry masks. Once they were finished they joined Haru on the floor.
Michelangelo sat closest to Haru with Donatello to his left then Leonardo and Raphael the furthest away. Raph could see that Donny was trembling slightly again and that he sat rather close to Mikey. Raph could feel the instinctive need to submit to Haru, but he had no desire to.
The smaller turtle entered the room again carrying a tray with cups on it. His kimono was longer, just past the knees, and had longer sleeves. His eyes took in the four Turtles sitting on the floor lingering longer on Raph with a look of awe. He went first to offer a drink to Mikey. When Mikey accepted a cup the small turtle then went to Haru. He served Raph, Leo and Donny last before bowing and exiting. Raph took a sip of the warm weak tea.
“It isn’t much,” Haru said before taking a drink, “but at least we still have something.”
“You’re captors take all the good stuff?” Leo asked.
Haru’s eyes held a spark of humor in them, “Yes they did.” He placed the cup on the floor, “You must be Leonardo.”
“Yes,” Leo bowed his head.
Haru smiled, “I find you interesting already.”
A deep hiss sounded and everyone turned to look at Mikey, he had a look of surprise on his face, “Uh… sorry.” He placed his cup on the floor, “That was totally involuntary.”
Haru laughed, “You’re protective over your omegas. I can respect that. Do not worry, I’m interested in Leonardo, but I do not wish to take him to my bed. I just want to know the Kame that fascinates my Miya-ko so much.” He took another drink, “Where are your tails?”
“Tail guards,” Donny timidly answered. “I made them to protect our tails in battle. Simply keeping them tucked was no good.”
“Fascinating,” Haru chuckled.
“Are we entertaining omegas now?” another large turtle said entering the room. “Ones that come at ungodly hours of the night, no less.” The new Kame also wore a short kimono with short sleeves. Like Haru he was large, but unlike Haru Raph didn’t like the feeling he got from him. “And they are naked,” he sneered.
“Ookin, these Kame are our guests from another realm and we will treat them like any other guest.” Haru said.
Ookin grumbled but said nothing and sat near Raphael. The large turtle eyed Raph, “Look at this one. The size of him is almost insulting.”
“Keep it up and it will be even more insulting when I kick your ass,” Raph grumbled.
“It looks like someone needs to be put in his place,” Ookin growled back.
“I’d like to see you try,” Raph smiled.
Ookin moved to stand, but stopped when another entered the room. The fully clad form was intriguing, standing taller than the Kame males, but was slender. A headdress with a vale covered the head and face and long sleeves covered the hands while the kimono pooled at the floor covering the feet. Everything was white with gold embroidery in an intricate pattern.
Haru and Ookin stood so the Turtles did the same. Haru extended his hand and guided the fully clad individual to some pillows on a platform at the head of the room. “Momorin,” Haru bowed, “these are the Kame that Usagi has told us about. They brought him here to us and have offered to help.”
The four Turtles bowed as well and Leo stepped forward. “I am Leonardo,” he began. “My brothers and I offer our services to help you.”
“How?” Momorin simply asked with a voice like silk.
“We are ninja,” Leo explained. “Being Kame as well we can blend, unassuming, in with your people and hopefully rescue your children. Once they are safe the Shogun has warriors ready to fight off your captors.”
“What makes you think you can save my children?”
“Is anyone allowed to see the kids?” Leo asked.
“Yes.”
“We need to get into where they are being kept,” Leo stated. “So that we can study it and find a way to break in and take them back.”
Momorin took a deep cleansing breath, “They are allowed conjugal visits. I suppose I could get you in for that.”
“How old are they?” Raph interrupted.
“Fourteen.”
Raph looked at Leo, “I don’t think I can do that.”
“We need to get in to see them and you know it,” Leo replied. “It may be our only way.”
“Then you Mike and Don do it,” Raph argued.
“Donny needs to be here to set up the signal,” Leo countered. “You’re going to have to do this.”
“Fuck!” Raph blurted. “Fine.”
“Is there a problem?” Ookin asked.
“Nothing, it’s fine,” Raph grumbled.
Leo bowed to Momorin, “Sorry… about that. My brother Donatello,” Leo continued pointing to Donny, “will need access to you scientists and craftsmen. He needs to construct the signal that will be used to let the Shogun know when the children are safe. He will also construct devices that will help your people defend themselves during the battle and in the future.”
“The omega will construct something?” Momorin sounded surprised. “He is educated?”
“He’s a genius,” Mikey practically snapped.
Before Momorin could say anything more an elderly female entered the room, “If I may interrupt.”
“Yes,” Momorin nodded.
“I can sense that your guests have had mystic training,” the old one stated. “It has been locked away, but I believe that I can partially unlock it.”
“You four keep getting more interesting,” Haru smiled.
“Very well,” Momorin answered.
The old woman approached Mikey first and, despite her hunched form, stood at eye level with him. She placed her arthritic hand on his chest and the orange pattern lit up on his body.
“Sweet,” Mikey smiled looking down at himself.
She then moved to Donatello and did the same thing. He actually stopped trembling as he stared to glow. A smile of relief spread across his face. Next was Leonardo then Raphael. She hesitated with her hand hovering over his chest and he knew what was coming.
“There’s a darkness in this one,” she stated.
And, there it is, Raph thought. “Yeah, but I got it under control,” he said lifting his chin.
“I can see that,” she replied placing her hand on his chest.
He felt the power unlock inside of him as he began to glow. “Man that feels good,” he smiled.
“Can we turn into dragons again?” Mikey asked his voice filled with hope.
“No,” the woman replied. “For that you need a talisman and I don’t have any.”
“Oh man,” he grumbled. “I wish I still had Inazuma.”
Donny laughed, “We’ll make do, Mikey.”
Momorin stood, “We’ll make arrangements in the morning. I will see to it that Donatello receives the full cooperation of my scientists and craftsmen. Though, I can make no promises. They will find it hard to follow the directions of an omega.”
Donny bowed, “I will do it all alone if I have to. I just need access to the supplies”
“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” She turned to leave. “Goodnight.”
As soon as she was gone the same omega that served the drinks came back in. He bowed, “The bathhouse is ready as is the room for our guests.”
“Thank you, Irin,” Haru smiled. “I’ll take them myself.” He turned to the Turtles, “Please follow me.”
As they were leaving Ookin got up close behind Raph and whispered in his ear, “I will see to it that you are put in your place, omega.”
“Not gana happen,” Raph replied, without looking back, and walked away.
