Fan Fiction ❯ Shadowdancer ❯ Hai Rose-san ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

All she was going to do was distract the guys long enough for the others to get to where they were going. Regretfully she had lied to them. The men in the pj's were after the four that had just left, but they didn't need to know it. The fight was short and very painful, at least for the pj men. Adrian swiftly made her way through the tunnels to where she told them to meet her. They were hiding very well and she wanted them to make the first move so she made just enough noise for them to hear her.

They did and stepped out of the shadows to meet her as she came up. "Hey guys, see ya made it."

"Yeah, we did. Now why don't you tell us how you knew the way," said Leo.

She chuckled, "Because I followed ya last night. I was curious as ta who ya were. I mean I can't really see what's under yer disguises and yer scent signatures are just baffling as all hell. If we can get out of here and back ta yer place I'll explain, Donnie, about the scent thing and ya guys can show me what ya are. Although, if ya really don't want to, then I'll leave right now. I have shit ta do tonight and the sooner I get it done the sooner I can get ta bed," she said as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall she was standing beside.

"How do we know we can trust you?" asked Leo warily.

"Ya don't and I really didn't expect ya to. Listen ya guys think about it. When ya make up yer minds we can either swap stories or not. Doesn't really matter ta me. If ya want ta talk or somethin' here's my number and even my address if ya want ta come over. Oh but I won't be in tomorrow between four PM and two AM. I'll be at work then," she said as she handed Leo a piece of notebook paper.

"Where do you work?" asked Raph a little suspiciously.

She smiled, "I'm a bartender at the club Midnight Hour. Like I said give me a call whenever. I have an answering machine so ya can leave a message if ya want ta." She looked at them for a second. Leo was still a little skeptical and Raph had a glint in his eye. Mikey and Don were plainly very curious. She sighed and turned to walk down the tunnel. She heard one of them say something as she turned the corner, but she didn't wait to see what it was. As soon as she could she disappeared into the shadows and then made her way to the surface. Half an hour later found her at a shop downtown. Inside sat an ancient Japanese woman sorting through jars. Smiling Adrian went in.

The old woman looked up at the tinkling of the bell over the door and smiled at the sight of her former charge.

"Koneko, it's good to see you. How have you been doing?" she asked as Adrian came over to the counter and bowed to her.

"I'm doing fine Rose-san. Do ya have anything fer me?"

"Oh yes, someone from the institute sent you something. I set it upstairs in your room."

"Rose-san," she chided gently. "Ya don't need ta keep that room open fer me. I'm doing fine right now."

"I know Koneko, but one day you may need it and then you'll be thanking me."

Adrian laughed and then went around the counter to hug the old woman. "Okay I give up. I'll go get it and then when I come back down I'll help ya out a little."

"Alright, but make sure you get dressed first. I am not having you help out in those street things."

"Hai, Rose-san," she said as she swiftly went up stairs. She entered the hallway and smiled as the scent of incense flowed over her. At the end of the hallway she slid back the traditional door and went into the room she remembered fondly. She had spent most of her years here under Rose's tutelage. When her powers had manifested as the tender age of six Rose had taught her control and martial arts to help her. Then when she had gotten older and the men from the government had found her wandering the streets one night Rose had contacted Professor Xavier. Unfortunately it was five long years before Xavier had been able to locate and rescue her.

During those five years she had been experimented upon and trained as an assassin. They had done many things to her and none of them had been pleasant. One of Xavier's friends, Logan or Wolverine, had found her and rescued her. That had started her many happy years at the institute.

She had made many friends and had even fallen for the gruff instructor. He had fallen for her as well, but they had not been able to do anything. When she had left they had been disappointed, but she had needed to get out. She was classified as a feral mutant and was of gypsy descent as well. Traveling was in her blood and for a while she had been itching to get out and see the world.

She had traveled, but had ultimately ended up back here in New York City with her guardian Rose. As she remembered her past Adrian got dressed in the traditional Miko's garb her guardian made her wear. The shop was also home to a shrine and in the back was a small Dojo that Rose had once held classes in. Now she was a little too old to give classes so Adrian did that for her, as well as taking care of the shrine. Padding downstairs Adrian paused to pull Rose's shawl from the hall closet. Rose never admitted it, but having to keep the downstairs cold to preserve the herbs in the shop sometimes got to her as she aged.

Rose smiled at her ward as she laid the soft shawl over her shoulders. "Thank you my child."

"Ye're welcome Rose-san. I'll be in the shrine if ya need me."

Back in the lair the turtles had told their sensei about the young girl and the conversation they'd had with her. Their sensei pondered this for a few minutes as he held his tea. Finally he spoke, "I do not think she means to harm any of us. As she said I think she is merely curious. The fact that she is a human mutant is good because she will be used to many strange things so our appearances will not alarm her. You may bring her here if you wish. I would like to meet one such as her. In the meantime Donatello would you mind accompanying me to the herb shop? I must pick up a few things and Mistress Rose has promised me a chess game."

"Of course master."

They bundled up and left for topside while the rest puzzled over the girl as they went about their business. Several minutes later they emerged from the sewer in a darkened alley beside the shop. Adrian was in the back sweeping the floor when she heard the tinkle of the bell over the door. She heard Rose greet the customers warmly as she finished and put away the broom. She knew Rose would appreciate some help so she made her way over to the counter and was greeted halfway there by Rose's voice asking for her assistance.

"Coming Rose-san," she called as she padded over to her.

"Who is that Mistress Rose?" Adrian heard a soft voice ask.

"That is my adoptive daughter Adrian. She has just recently returned from a school upstate. She is helping me with the Dojo and Shrine since I am no longer able to. Koneko I would like you to meet Master Splinter. An old friend of mine."

Adrian stopped before the cloaked and hooded figure and bowed deeply. "It is a pleasure ta meet ya Master Splinter. Is there anything I can help ya with?" She stood up and finally noticed the figure in the trench coat and fedora behind Master Splinter. The figure looked her over while she greeted his Sensei. She wore the traditional garb of the Miko and had a white headband covering her ears and holding her beautiful silver white hair away from her face. Her hair hung in loose waves past her waist. She had honey gold eyes that sparkled with an inner fire. She was also the same girl that they had seen on the rooftop. He was sure of it, but he didn't know what to say.

"I only need a few things my dear. Here is a list of the things I need," said Splinter as he handed her a piece of parchment. Adrian looked at the neat script and quickly imagined where the items were.

"We have all of these things except fer one and that will come in tomorrow," she explained as she pointed to the item on the parchment. "The lotus blossom extract ran out earlier this week."

"Hm, do you think one of my sons could pick it up when it comes in?"

"Of course Master Splinter. It will be early afternoon when it arrives and we stay open quite late on the weekends so they may come in any time fer it. I will have it measured and packed as soon as it comes in."

"Thank you my dear. Now Mistress Rose might I request a chess game while we wait. I have not been able to come visit you for quite a while."

"Of course Kojin. Koneko please set out the table and things in the Dojo and could you make some tea for us."

"Of course Rose-san. I will watch the front fer ya as well," she said before padding to the back behind the curtain to the Dojo.

"Kojin would you like to introduce me to your friend here."

"Of course Mistress Rose. This is my son and student Donatello."

"Hello," he said as he bowed. "We have heard much about you Miss Rose."

"I have heard much about you as well. Master Splinter has told me much about your studies. You excel at the Bo, do you not?"

"That's right. Each of my brothers excels at a different weapon as well."

"So I heard. Koneko is an excellent student as well. She has trained hard to master many different weapons and styles of martial arts," she said before standing up. "Come let us go to the Dojo Kojin. Donatello, you may come with us and have tea or you can keep Koneko company as she watches the shop. Whatever you prefer." Rose led the way to the curtain that separated the Dojo and Shrine from the rest of the store. Donatello chose to follow but he didn't know what he would do. He really wanted to talk to Adrian without anyone around. Inside there was a soft reed mat laid out on the floor with a low table and several cushions on it. On the table was an elaborate marble chessboard with carved stone pieces worn smooth by years of handling.

As they entered Adrian came in another door with a tray that had a pot of water, tea, and tea cups. Donatello helped his master to sit as Rose took her place. Adrian knelt by the table and placed the tray to the side. Donatello watched as she served the tea perfectly according to custom. When she was done he went back out and waited for her. She emerged almost immediately and went to the front where she took out several packets for the herbs Master Splinter wanted. He watched as she read the list and grabbed two jars off of the shelves.

He was awed by the beauty and grace she had shown while serving the tea and working. He knew he was staring, but he couldn't help but watch as she measured the herbs, crushed them with the mortar and pestle and then packaged them. After a few minutes of him watching her she finally spoke. She didn't mind that he was watching, but he wanted to say something and it was irritating her that he wasn't.

"If ya wish ta speak please do so," came her soft voice. The same voice that had spoken to him and his brother's earlier that night. "It would be nice ta have someone converse with me instead of stare."

"Oh I'm sorry," he said a little embarrassed to be caught.

She smiled as she looked up from what she was doing. "It's alright. I am used ta the stares. Rose-san insists I wear traditional clothes while I am here and many in this city have never seen garb such as this. At least ya know what I wear and can appreciate it fer what it is," she said as she tried to pear under his hat. She was sure now that she had heard him talk that he was one of the ones from the roof.

She heard him sigh, "You're the girl from the roof earlier aren't you?"

She smiled again, "I wondered when ya would bring that up. Yes like I told ya earlier I'm Adrian and yer Donatello right?"

He started, "How did you know my name?"

"Well ya did introduce yerself and I recognized yer voice.

Here, if ya wish ya can come behind the counter. There's a stool ya can sit on while we talk and I finish packaging yer sensei's herbs. If ya wish to take yer hat and coat off ya should be safe. No one comes this late and I have ta close up pretty soon anyway."

Donatello looked around and realized she was probably right. "Are you sure? My appearance isn't the best in the world."

Adrian chuckled, "Donatello, one of my best friends looks like a blue furred demon and another can turn inta a full grown timber wolf and anything in between at will. You'll be fine."

Donatello smiled and then went behind the counter like she had said while she went to get another jar. When she came back he had removed his coat and hat and they lay on the stool. She could now see he was a turtle. A very well muscled and handsome turtle. After spending a long while in a place where things like this were normal she had learned that there were many forms of beauty and the turtle that stood before her was a vision.

"See now that wasn't so bad was it?"

Donatello chuckled, "No it wasn't. Can I ask you a question?"

"Ya just did," she pointed out as she measured the herb from the jar. "But go ahead. Ya can ask me just about anything and I won't mind."

"Why does Miss Rose call you Koneko?"

She smiled when he hesitated a little before asking her. "It's because of my mutation. Mine manifested early, when I was about six. I started growing fur and soon I looked like a little silver kitten. It took me about a week and a half ta learn how ta become human again, but some of my more catlike features stayed with me. No matter how much I try I can't get them and kind of don't want them ta go away. Also Rose says I act more like a cat than a human. That's one of the reason's I keep giving ya guys the slip."

"Wow, that's very interesting. Could you tell me more about your mutation?"

"Could ya tell me more about yers? Like I told ya earlier yer scent signals are a little confusing."

He smiled, "Well basically we were originally just some pet shop turtles. Then we were flushed down into the sewers where we came into contact with a mutagen we call the ooze. This caused us to mutate into what we are today. Master Splinter found us and raised us like sons. He also taught us the art of ninjutsu."

"Really? I studied that with Rose for a time." Putting a jar back on the shelf she noticed the next one she needed to get was a little out of her reach. "Dammit."

"What?" asked Donnie coming over to where she was.

"Nothing much. Just the jar I need is out of reach and I hate climbing on that stupid stool," she said as she tried in vain to get the jar.

"Here let me help you."

"Help me?" she said and then was startled when his strong hands wrapped around her slender waist and lifted her easily up to where she could reach the jar. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth she quickly grabbed the jar. He gently set her down and she was surprised at how gentle he was. She turned to look at him and for the first time actually noticed the color of the bandana he wore. She smiled, "Arigatou."

"Your welcome," he breathed as her smile did something to him. He watched as she measured the herb from the jar and packaged it up. Shaking his head he came back to himself. "I thought you said you worked at a bar."

She chuckled, "I do work at a bar, but I work here during the week. The Midnight Hour is only open Friday through Monday and then only at night. The rest of the week it can be rented for parties and things like that. I only work Friday and Saturday. That's when they have the most customers and I am their best bartender."

"Modest aren't we?" he joked as he leaned against the counter. She looked over at him and noticed the smile on his face. He was so nice and she could tell he was very intelligent. She liked someone she could actually have a conversation with. She scented the air lightly and finally recognized the scents he was giving off. Since he had originally just been a turtle those were there. The mutagen that had mutated him and his brothers had left its own particular scent signature and then there were the normal mostly human ones. There were also the ones that told about his health, mood, and age among other things. "So what's your favorite color?" he asked catching her off guard. She smiled wondering if she should tell him.

"Here help me put this back and I'll tell ya."

"Okay," he said as he gently lifted her up. When he went to let her down she twisted in his grasp startling him. Startled he nearly let her go which caused her to slide down his plastron. Reflexively he caught her just as she hit the floor. It took him a moment to realize how close she was to him. She realized it sooner and her breath caught as she stared into his eyes. His beautiful warm brown eyes widened as the realization set in, but for some reason he couldn't seem to let go.

He watched as she licked her lips. Those beautiful full pink lips that her fangs just peaked over. "Purple," she whispered a little breathlessly.

"Huh."

"My favorite color is purple."

"Really?"

"Yeah. What's yours?"

"Gold, just like your eyes." Those whirling golden orbs that seemed to catch and hold his gaze. He didn't know why, but they looked like liquid gold and it fascinated him.

"Oh."

They stood there for what seemed like an eternity just looking into each other's eyes. `This is madness,' she thought. `I just met him.' Heat seemed to race through her and she could feel his heart beating. She knew he must feel hers as well because it was going just as fast. Adrian was contemplating what to do next when she heard Rose's voice through the beaded door calling for her. "I need ta go. I'll be right back," she said stepping away and blushing a little. Composing herself she walked to the Dojo and knelt beside the table.

"Yes Rose-san."

Rose smiled at her adopted daughter. "Please close the shop for me and finish packaging Splinters herbs."

"Hai," she said softly before getting up. Coming through the curtain she heard the tinkle of the door and hoped fervently Donnie had been able to hide or something.