• Chapter 5:
    First Strike- Miki meets Karai!


    “Nice punch.” Leonardo said as Miki’s fist hit the worn boxing pad in his hand. Sweat glistened on the girl’s forehead, the heat and humidity in the sewer increasing day by day as summer grew closer. “Try hitting harder.” Miki nodded and punched harder. Leo smiled, her determination reminding him of when he was a young reptile. “That’s enough of that.” He said after a few more minutes, tossing the pads aside. He got into his battle stance, minus his swords. “Now come at me.” Miki took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment as she focused before dashing at the blue masked humanoid turtle. Leo easily dodged by stepping to the side. Miki stumbled a bit as she changed direction, she watched him closely. He was going to block or try to deflect her. She turned on a dime, taking advantage of the few second confusion to sweep kick Leo, sending to the ground with a loud thud.

    A light clapping sound filled the room. Miki relaxed as she turned to Master Splinter, bowing. “Well done, Miki. You’re honing your skills well.”

    “I can’t do it without your help Sensei.” Miki panted, smiling. Splinter dismissed them for the day.

    “Miki!” Michelangelo exclaimed, hugging her as she left the training room. “Ready to go shopping with April today?”

    “Sure am.” Miki said. It had nearly been two months since she had gone to the surface other than to April’s apartment for her every-other-day shower. A few days before April and Casey came down and suggested that they went out to the country to try to escape the heat of the city. April offered to take Miki shopping for some more clothes too, which took a lot of time to convince him to let her do so. Only if one of the turtles went with her, Mikey was the only one that volunteered.

    Within a few hours Mikey and Miki headed up to the surface, meeting April in her apartment. Michelangelo was wearing a dark green hoodie with the hood up, baggy pants and really big shoes. Since he was a reptile for the most part, the clothing didn’t bother him in the raising heat. Miki was wearing a pair of worn jeans and a basic T-shirt, she still had her normal scandals on because they were the only pair of shoes that she had.

    “Ready to hit the mall you two?” April asked with a smile, even though she already knew the answer.

    “You bet!” The two teenagers said excitedly.

    April chuckled and headed downstairs and hailed a taxi. Miki gazed out the window at the towering buildings that were sweeping by as the three of them were crammed into the backseat. Mikey smiled, Miki looked so adorable when she was in awe of something, and she was like a small child when she was like that. After a fifteen minute ride they arrived at the mall. April got out of the yellow car and walked to the other side, opening the door for Miki.

    “Wow...” She said in amazement as she looked at the large glass and steel structure. She was speechless as she walked through the building.

    “Hey watch it.” A dark haired woman said as Miki accidentally walked into her.

    “Sorry.” She said, running off as Mikey called her.

    The woman looked over her shoulder as the brunette ran off. “Wait a second…”

    April took them to a small store. “Take your pick of clothes, Miki.” The red head said with a smile.

    Miki looked at the racks of clothes, overwhelmed with the colors and choices. She did not know where to start. She looked at her brother as he took her hand. “I’ll help you Miki.” He said with a goofy smile as he led her into the sea of cloth and design. She was confused at first but after a while, and the help of April, she was in the dressing room trying on and modeling the clothes. April smiled and snapped pictures with the digital camera she had brought with her.

    “I like this one.” Miki said as she twirled around in a sea foam colored, halter dress. The straps of the halter were a navy blue, as was the stripe of fabric that went down the front and around the base of the white frilled bust.

    “Here’s the matching hat.” Mikey said putting it on her head. Miki smiled and moved the giant white sun hat into the most comfortable position on her head, the light lavender ribbon flowing down to her shoulder blades. Miki twirled around again, giggling happily. Mikey couldn’t help but smile, she just looked to darn cute.

    The woman from earlier looked over at them from the women’s clothing, watching them closely as they left the store. She took out her cell phone, flipping it open and instantly hitting a button. “I think I found her Master…No I don’t need back up…Ok; I’ll talk to you later.” She hung up and followed the trio at a safe distance.

    Miki and Mikey leaned against the railing of an opening in the floor that looked down at the floor of the mall below, sipping some lemonade slushies. April was in line at one of the food stands, getting their dinner. Miki looked around and noticed a couple coming out of a stage box, picking up two long slips of paper as the box spat them out. Michelangelo followed her gaze; he smiled and quickly went up to April. The red head handed him some money before he came back. Miki smiled as the two of them went to the large box. She watched as he put the bills into the slot, the money disappearing inside.

    “It ate it.” She said.

    Michelangelo laughed a bit. “I guess you can say that.” He lifted up the short certain. “Come on.” Miki smiled and went inside, sitting on the small bench. The mutated turtle closed the curtain and put down his hood, revealing his orange mask. “Let’s make funny faces.” He said with a grin. Miki nodded, the two of them making faces as the camera clicked. A few minutes later they were standing outside the booth, looking at the two strips of photo paper.

    Karai dashed in, quickly snatching Miki’s copy from her hands. She jumped onto the railed area, perfectly balanced. She looked at the photos, glaring at them with disgust.

    “Give that back!” Miki shouted, charging at her.

    The dark haired woman smirked, jumping backward and landing flawlessly on the floor below. Miki jumped up and pushed off the railing, not far behind the thief. Karai did not look back, knowing her target was following her through the sea of people. Miki picked up speed and slowly began to gain speed. They reached an opening in the mall, the people minding their own. Karai skidded to a stop and turned to face Miki, who had just caught up and was panting. She smirked, holding up the print. “Is this what you’re after?” She smashed the strip between her hands, ripping the sturdy paper with ease. “What a waste.” Miki looked at the shredded pictures on the tile floor with watery eyes. She closed them, her body shaking from anger and sorrow. She felt an energy spreading throughout her body, starting from her gut to her fingers, toes and head. Her eyes snapped open, the warm joy n them had been replaced with cold rage. She dashed forward, jumping up in attempt to kick from above. Karai easily caught her foot and, with a simple movement of her wrist, sent her flying back. Miki grunted as her shoulder hit and skidded across the floor. Ignoring the pain, she got back up. She charged again, this time going in for a punch. Her foe easily blocked it and swept kicked her, sending her to the ground. Miki kept trying to land a blow, getting blocked each time. Several minutes passed by this time a crowd was gathering, they murmured amongst themselves. Karai looked around. Damn it. She thought, seeing the crowd. Too many people. I can’t take her back. Karai grunted in disgust and ran off, leaving Miki on the floor.

    “Miki!” Mikey and April shouted in unison as they pushed through the crowd. Mikey kneeled beside his sister. “You alright?”

    “She ruined it…” Miki muttered.

    The young turtle looked over at the shredded paper. “It’s Ok, Miki. I’ll share mine with you.” Miki only nodded, her body aching all over. Michelangelo gently picked her up. “Come on let’s get you home.”

    “Move along people there’s nothing to see here, the act’s over.” April said. “Thanks for watching!” The crowd dispersed, going back to what they were doing previously. April sighed, looking over at them. “I’ll get us a cab.” She picked up the bags of clothes and began walking toward the entrance that they came in, Mikey following.

    A large figure walked over t where the scene was from one of the nearby exercise equipment stores. It knelt down and looked at the pieces, gently picking them up and putting them in their jacket’s pocket.