Author's Note:

This isn't my first walk 'round the park writing, but this is my very first fan-fiction.

Sorry to anyone who likes a lot of action, this is more of a… well, hangin' with the guys kind of story, with some action and suspense thrown in to keep it interesting. Saishi's known nothing but abuse his whole life. can the guys teach him the meaning of friendship, trust, and honor?

Please do read and review. Feedback is good. Thanks. 

Oh yeah, Disclaimer- I don't own TMNT. This is strictly fan-created fiction for the fun of writing and sharing. No profit has been made in this writing. (And I pray to God none of the editors I actually write for ever see this! LOL)

Thanks to Mirage et al for the TMNT characters, they're a great bunch who've brought joy to my (ongoing) childhood.

Chapter 1 -Captured-

I felt them approaching long before any sound penetrated the darkness. I huddled closer to the wall, shivering in the damp cold that seeped through the concrete, making a joke of my thin silk clothes and sapping my strength. My ribs were cracked from my Master's beating, which made breathing silently difficult. I clamped my arm across my chest, as if I could hold myself together, keep the fire in my chest from bursting out. My head swam. I tried to force myself to focus, but the dark pressed in on me. Every drip, every splash, seemed magnified, echoing in the tunnels.

"What's this?" The voice was nearly a whisper. If I hadn't been listening so hard, the sound might have passed for wind whistling over the sewer grate above.

"Looks like an old bottle."

I shuddered. These four, the turtle warriors who haunted the streets at night, were the terror of street gangs, and the enemies of my Master. I wouldn't have entered their territory willingly, but my Master had a plan, and I had to obey. My broken ribs were the result of punishment when I protested, fearing the warriors would kill me on sight.

You will do as you're told, Saishi! He'd snapped, shoving me back against the tunnel wall.

Master, please, don't do this! They will kill me. You know I will give you anything you wish for, Master. There must be another way…

I heard the warriors moving in the tunnel. Their footsteps were nearly silent, but I heard rough footpads brushing against the rough floor. I held my breath. Leave it, I thought desperately. Leave the old bottle, it's just junk. Leave it, and leave me to die in peace…

"You think Master Splinter would like this?" I shivered, cringing as I heard the distinctive clink of glass against concrete.

"Aww, I was gonna put flowers in it for April," whined another voice.

"Too bad, Mikey," retorted the first turtle. "You snooze, you lose."

"Knock it off, you two," scolded the third.

I closed my eyes. His scolding tone reminded me of Hakari. Master… goodbye. I am sorry, but I fear I will fail you again.

I could hear his voice in my memory: Find the turtles, Saishi. It shouldn't be hard, wandering around these tunnels. Convince them to take you to their hide-out under the city. I'll use the amulet to track the bottle. I'll steal it back, and sell the location of their den to the ninja gang. I'll get you back and have my revenge!

Master, there must be another way! Please…

He struck me then, knocking me down. Quiet, you! You will do as I say. I want those turtles, Saishi, want them on my terms. I don't need your little magic tricks to get my revenge. You think I need you, don't you? You think I need your magic to help me. Well, I don't. I was a master thief for years before I was Master of a pathetic creature like you. You just get them to take you back to their home, and keep your mouth shut.

But Master, what if they ask what I'm doing in their territory? They'll kill me…

Tell them you ran away, you little fool! I'll come for you in two weeks. That should give you plenty of time to find them and convince them to take you in. You make sure they take the bottle, too. Don't screw this up, Saishi, or I'll make you sorry you were born!

Hearing the warriors approach, I curled into a tighter ball. Pain shot through my side with the movement. A whimper escaped me, a tiny sound, but it was enough. The voices went silent. I couldn't hear them moving, either, though I strained to listen. I was listening so hard; I was completely unprepared for the hand that grasped my shoulder. I ducked instinctively, flattening myself against the cold floor.

"Leo, are you nuts?" The voice of the red-masked warrior echoed in the tunnel. He sounded angry. "Way to blow our cover, ninja-master!"

"Hey, are you ok? Don't be scared. We're going to help you." The one touching my shoulder spoke softly, almost kindly. I cringed under his hand, terrified. I knew how strong the warriors were, how brutal. I had no chance.

"Please, don't hurt me!" I squeaked. My cheeks burned with fear and shame. I am a coward. I hate pain, and will do almost anything to avoid it.

"It's ok, Kid. We're the good guys." His tone was friendly, but I was not reassured. I'd heard stories from Hakari about the trail of broken bodies these warriors left behind whenever the local gangs crossed their paths. I had no illusions of their tender kindness or mercy. I turned my head far enough to risk a peek at my muscular captor, and caught a glimpse of his brothers beyond him, standing back in the shadows. I saw the glint of my bottle tucked in the belt of a warrior wearing a red mask.

Worse, I saw a pair of sais resting casually in his hands. I shivered. Their weapons looked sharp and deadly-accurate. With any luck they'd kill me quickly for trespassing in their underground home. It would all be over. No more pain, no more fear, no more serving terrible Masters… Hands grasped my shoulders, lifting me up.

This is it! He's going to run me through with one of those fancy swords… Oh, Allah, don't let it hurt too much… Sweat chilled my forehead and dripped, stinging my eyes. He lifted me so I was sitting with my back to the wall. Why didn't he make me stand? Though sitting eased the pain in my side, this seemed such an awkward angle for the killing strike. Maybe he could feel my weakness, the fear and cold draining my strength. I could not stand, and would have fallen if he set me on my feet.

He touched my face. His hand felt dry and cool and leathery against my skin. I flinched, turning away, but the fingers gripped my chin firmly, turning my head so I had to face him. I wanted to close my eyes, to hide, but there was something compelling in the strength of the hand cradling my chin. His gaze was intelligent, steady, not cold or flashing with anger as Master Hakari's expression so often was. This turtle would perhaps have made a kind Master. Except this one wasn't my new Master. The red-masked turtle, the angry one, was. Just my luck.

I swallowed hard. "Please…" I whispered, trembling.

"Leo, you know Splinter doesn't like us to talk to humans," said the one in the orange mask, sounding nervous. His weapons, two pairs of wooden rods attached by small chains, spun, whistling through the air.

The blue-masked turtle's eyes never left mine. "We can't just leave him here. He's hurt," he said softly.

"Great. So you're bringing home another pet human. Just great," snorted the red one, his deadly sais glinting in his fingers.

I closed my eyes. My new Master. The idea sent ice streaming through my veins. "I'm not human," I whispered.

"What?" The fingers tightened on my chin, making me gasp and open my eyes again.

"I… I'm… I'm not…" I stammered, but my words sounded muffled, far away, as if someone else were speaking. My vision began to blur, the floor seemed to shift under me. The turtle staring into my face faded, his outlines growing foggy.

"Hey. Hey, kid…" His voice was far away, too. The merciful darkness closed in and I let myself fall into it gratefully. With any luck, I'd never wake up.

***