Adolescent Freak Samurai Reptiles

8/12/2019 Adolescent Freak Samurai Reptiles

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TEENAGE MUTANT

NINJA TURTLES

It was the worst of times. The iti!e"s ofNew #or$ were %ei"& 'itimi!e( (ai)* %* a

terri%)e rime wa'e. It seeme( that "othi"&+ a"(

"o%o(*+ o,)(--or wo,)(--sto it.

Ari) /0"ei)+ rime reorter for

ha""e) Three News+ )oo$e( i"to the amera

)e"s.

2Those of *o, who ha'e ha( wathes sto)e" from *o,r

wrists+ wa))ets s"athe( from *o,r o$ets+

a"( T0S whis$e( from *o,r homes $"ow that this is

m,h more tha" 4,st a series of sma))+ iso)ate(

i"i(e"ts. There0s a" or&a"i!e( rimi"a)

e)eme"t at wor$+ a"( at the mome"t+ %,si"ess is

&oo(. So &oo(+ i" fat+ that "o%o(* e'er sees

the rimi"a)s2

It was har( to %e)ie'e+ %,t it was tr,e. The

rimi"a)s were so s$i))e( a"( so fast that "o%o(*

e'er hear( them omi"& or saw them &oi"& eo)e were

%e&i""i"& to a)) it a" i"'isi%)e+ si)e"t rime

wa'e.

2... ,t erhas the most (ist,r%i"& si)e"e is

that omi"& from it* 8a))+2 Ari) sai( ster")*+

fi"ishi"& her reort. Li$e a )ot of iti!e"s+

Ari) was a"&r* that the o)ie ha( &otte"

"owhere so)'i"& the rimes. It seeme( as if the

o)ie were tr*i"& to rete"( that there was"0t a

ro%)em at a))

Ari) ,"hoo$e( her mi$e. 8er wor$ was

(o"e for the "i&ht. It was time to &o home. Ari)

sai( &oo("i&ht to the amerame" a"( the &,ar( at

ha""e) Three. 8er o)( o)$swa&e"

'a" was i" the ar$i"& )ot "ext to the ha""e)

Three st,(io. As she wa)$e( thro,&h the ar$i"&

)ot+ she tho,&ht a%o,t the i"ter'iew she was ha'i"& with

hief Ster"s the "ext (a*. She was"0t

thi"$i"& a%o,t the fai"t ti"$)i"& of %ro$e" &)ass

"ear%*. She was"0t thi"$i"& a%o,t the fo,r

(ar$-)a( me" ta$i"& T mo"itors from the

ha""e) Three tr,$ "ext to her 'a".

She was"0t thi"$i"& a%o,t the 'i(eo amera the*

remo'e( from the fro"t seat. She was 4,st thi"$i"&

a%o,t hief Ster"s+ ,"ti) the %ri&ht ar$i"& )ot

)i&ht ref)ete( off the %)a(e of a

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ra!or-shar $"ife--aime( at her

2a( timi"&+2 o"e of the thie'es m,ttere(.

2#o,0re te))i"& me2 Ari) sai(.

/"e of the th,&s &ra%%e( her. She sreame(+ %,t

the th,& o'ere( her mo,th with his ha"(. Ari)

$"ew the ha""e) Three &,ar( was too farawa* to hear her. Ari) /0"ei)+ rime

reorter+ was afrai( she was a%o,t to %eome

a"other statisti i" the it*0s rime wa'e

S,((e")* there was a &)i"t of stee) hi&h a%o'e

her hea( a"( the rash of %ro$e" &)ass. Someo"e+

or some-thi"&+ ha( $"o$e( o,t the ar$i"& )ot

)i&ht. The who)e )ae was ith-%)a$. The

th,& ho)(i"& Ari) re)ease( her+ sho'i"& her

a&ai"st her ow" 'a". Ari) o,)("0t see

a"*thi"&+ %,t she o,)( hear a )ot. She hear(

th,ms+ &r,"ts+ a"( moa"s. Some%o(* was

atta$i"& the th,&s a"(+ from the so,"( of thi"&s+ that

some%o(* was wi""i"&. ,t who o,)( it %e9

After a few mi",tes there was si)e"e+ the"

Ari) hear( the so,"( of o)ie sire"s.

:he" the o)ie arri'e(+ the* t,r"e( o" their

searh)i&hts. There+ i" fro"t of Ari)+ were

her fo,r atta$ers+ a)) om)ete)* tie(

,+ rea(* for (e)i'er* to 4ai). There was "o

si&" of whoe'er ha( %eate" them a"( tie( them ,.

The o)ie )oo$e( at Ari) for a"

ex)a"atio". There was "o"e.

:hi)e the o)ie sh,ff)e( the th,&s i"to the

a((* wa&o"+ Ari) )oo$e( aro,"( a&ai". There

was "othi"& to ex)ai" what hae"e(+ exet

... Somethi"& shi"* a,&ht Ari)0s e*e. It

was a stra"&e-)oo$i"& three-ro"&e( (a&&er. It

was ri&ht %e"eath the %ro$e" ar$i"& )ot )i&ht+ "ear a

ma"ho)e o'er. Ari) )ea"e( o'er to i$

, the (a&&er. As she (i(+ she tho,&ht she saw

the ma"ho)e o'er rise. She tho,&ht she saw

a air of e*es wathi"& her i$ , the

(a&&er. She tho,&ht she saw somethi"& &ree"--with a

re( mas$ The ma"ho)e o'er (roe( %a$

i"to )ae. Ari) stee( o'er to it a"( sho"e a

f)ash)i&ht thro,&h o"e of the ho)es so she o,)( eer

thro,&h a"other.

At first there was o")* (ar$"ess. The" there was a

s)i&ht motio". She s;,i"te( to see what was

mo'i"&. It )oo$e( a %it+ 4,st a )itt)e %it+ )i$e

the she)) of a t,rt)e

Ari) shoo$ her hea(+ tr*i"& to )ear the

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o%we%s.

2/"e of those &,*s m,st ha'e hit me rett*

har(+2 she sai(+ thi"$i"& o,t )o,(. 2I0m %e&i""i"&

to see thi"&s2

,t Ari) was"0t )osi"& her mi"(+ for

h,rr*i"& thro,&h the sewers of the it* of New

#or$ were fo,r reat,res+ the 'er* o"es who ha(

sa'e( Ari) from the th,&s i" the ar$i"& )ot.

The* were t,rt)es+ %,t the* were"0t 4,st

t,rt)es. The* were m,ta"t+ the* were "i"4a--

28e*+ we were awesome+ %ros Awesome2

2Most exe))e"t2

2/,tra&eo,s2

2Tota))*2

--a"( the* were tee"a&ers. The* a))e( themse)'es

Tee"a&e M,ta"t Ni"4a T,rt)es.

Leo"ar(o )e( the wa* thro,&h the (ar$ t,""e)s

of sewer. 8e wore a %),e mas$ a"( arrie(

$ata"a--"i"4a fi&hti"&-swor(s. I" the heat

of %att)e+ Leo+ as his frie"(s a))e( him+ was

oo) ,"(er fire. 8e was a "at,ra) )ea(er+

aref,) a"( (isi)i"e(.

Leo was fo))owe( %* Mihae)a"&e)o+

Mi$e to his frie"(s+ who wore a" ora"&e

mas$ a"( was arme( with ","h,$,s+ a "i"4a

weao" o"sisti"& of two thi$ sti$s 4oi"e( %* a

hai". Mi$e was as eas*&oi"& a"( wisera$i"&

as his weao" was fiere. :he" he sw,"& the

sti$s i" %att)e+ it seeme( that "othi"& o,)(

sto him.

=o"ate))o+ a))e( =o"+ fo))owe(

Mi$e thro,&h the sewer. =o" was ;,iet a"(

tho,&htf,). 8e ha( meha"ia) a%i)it*+ too+

a"( o,)( fix a)most a"*thi"&. :ith his %o+ a

fo,r-foot-)o"& staff that ha( oi"te( e"(s+ he

o,)( fix most of his e"emies. =o"0s mas$ was

,r)e.

>i"a))*+ trai)i"& we)) %ehi"( his e)e%rati"&

frie"(s+ was Rahae). 8e &r,m%)e( to himse)f.

There was a fri&hte"i"& i"te"sit* to his a"&er. 8e

s)oshe( thro,&h the m,((* sewer+ stari"& at the o"e

sai that he ha( "ow. 8is other sai+ or

fi&hti"& (a&&er+ was i" Ari) /0"ei)0s

,rse. 8e 'owe( to &et it %a$.

Ahea(+ the (oor to the T,rt)es0 home+

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their (e"+ oe"e(+ si))i"& %ri&ht )i&ht i"to the

(a"$ sewer. Rah si&he( at his si"&)e

sai+ ha)f of a air+ a"( fo))owe( his

%rothers i"to their (e".

The T,rt)es a"( their "i"4a master+ a"

e)(er)* h,ma"-si!e( rat "ame( S)i"ter+)i'e( i" a" a%a"(o"e( sewer mai"te"a"e

room. The )ae was f,r"ishe( with o((s a"( e"(s

the*0( fo,"( o,tsi(e their (oor. Tha"$s

to =o"0s meha"ia) a%i)ities+ it was ;,ite

we)) e;,ie(. The* ha( a te)eho"e+ a

te)e'isio"+ e)etriit*+ a"( e'e" heat.

:hat was most imorta"t a%o,t it+ tho,&h+ was that

it was home.

S)i"ter wathe( as his st,(e"ts ame thro,&h the

(oor. Li$e the t,rt)es+ he was m,h )ar&er tha"

others of his %ree(. 8e was a%o,t fo,r feet

ta)). A&e ha( withere( him some. 8is f,r was

&ra*i"&. 8is %a$ was %e"t with the ai" of o)(

a&e. 8a)f of his ri&ht ear was missi"&+ a

%att)e sar from ma"* *ears a&o. 8is e*es

wathe( with )o'e a"( wis(om.

2:e ha'e ha( o,r first %att)e+ Master

S)i"ter+2 Leo sai(. 8e was so exite(+ it

was a)most har( for him to ta)$. 2There were ma"*+ %,t

we $i$e(--2 he stoe( himse)f. There was somethi"&

a%o,t S)i"ter that ma(e him wa"t to ta)$ more

forma))* tha" he ,s,a))* (i(. 2--I mea"+ we

fo,&ht we)).2

2:ere *o, see"92 S)i"ter as$e(. Leo

shoo$ his hea(. 8e $"ew+ a"( so (i( his

%rothers+ that the* wo,)( a)wa*s ha'e to $ee their

existe"e a seret. The* were trai"e( to he) eo)e

i" tro,%)e+ %,t e'e" eo)e i" tro,%)e wo,)( ha'e a har( time

,"(ersta"(i"& m,ta"t "i"4a t,rt)es+ to sa* "othi"&

of tee"a&e. Sere* was o"e of their most

owerf,) weao"s.

2#o, m,st a)wa*s stri$e har( a"( fa(e awa*

witho,t a trae+2 S)i"ter remi"(e( the

T,rt)es.

=o" f)ashe( a )oo$ at Rah. 8e0(

ome rett* )ose to %rea$i"& that r,)e whe"

he0( trie( to &ra% his sai from the )a(* i" the

ar$i"& )ot. It (i("0t ta$e a (irt*

)oo$ from =o" to ,set Rah. 8e was a)rea(*

a"&r* a"( (isaoi"te( i" himse)f.

2I )ost a sai2 he %,rst o,t.

2The" it is &o"e+2 S)i"ter sai( a)m)*.

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2,t I a" &et it %a$+ I a"--2

2Rahae)+ )et it &o+2 S)i"ter

o,"se)e(. Rah stoe( ta)$i"&+ ho)(i"& i"

his tho,&hts a"( his worries.

Mi$e+ i" the mea"time+ was ha'i"& a har( time

ho)(i"& i" his aetite. 8e was a)rea(* o" theho"e. 2/$a*+ the o"e with the eero"i+

m,shrooms+ o"io"+ sa,sa&e+ &ree"

eer. No a"ho'ies. Not o"e+ *o,

,"(ersta"(9 A"( we wa"t the r,st thi$ a"( hew*+

"ot so&&* ...2 8e o"ti",e( with his 'er* seifi

oo$i"& i"str,tio"s whi)e S)i"ter a((resse(

a)) fo,r of the T,rt)es.

2#o,r "i"4a s$i))s are reahi"& their ea$+2

he sai(. 2/")* o"e tr,)* imorta"t

)esso" remai"s+ %,t m,st wait. I $"ow it is

har( for *o, here+ ,"(er&ro,"(. #o,r tee"a&e mi"(s

are %roa(+ ea&er+ %,t *o, m,st "e'er sto

ratii"& the art of "i"4a--the art of

i"'isi%i)it*+ a"(--Mihae)a"&e)o2

Mi$e ha( 4,st &otte" to the art a%o,t extra

heese whe" S)i"ter a))e( his "ame+ remi"(i"&

Mi$e that his first 4o% was to )iste" to S)i"ter.

i!!a o,)( ome )ater. ,t+ Mi$e hoe(+ "ot

too m,h )ater. 8e &ot off the ho"e a"(

)iste"e( to S)i"ter.

2#o, are sti)) *o,"&+ %,t o"e (a* I wi)) %e &o"e.

Use m* teahi"&s wise)*.2

S)i"ter+ &o"e9 The T,rt)es o,)(

%are)* thi"$ of the i(ea. S,re+ he was o)(+

%,t--

2I s,&&est we a)) me(itate "ow o" the

e'e"ts of this e'e"i"&.2

The o)( rat )ose( his e*es.

S)i"ter was terrifi+ there was "o (o,%t a%o,t

it a"( the T,rt)es a&ree( o" it+ %,t sometimes the

"i"4a st,ff we"t 4,st a )itt)e %it too far for their

tee"a&e hearts. This was a time for e)e%ratio"+

"ot me(itatio".

=o" s)ie( a tae i"to the )a*er a"(

Mi$e ,she( the %,tto". It was time to ro$ a"(

ro))

2=o-(oo (oo%* (oo%* wa wah2

Mi$e a"( =o" %e&a" to (a"e to the m,si.

Leo )oo$e( o" "er'o,s)*. 8e (i("0t

thi"$ S)i"ter wo,)( )i$e it. 8e was ri&ht.

S)i"ter was &)ari"& at Mi$e a"( =o".

2:e))+ ,h+ it0s sort of )i$e me(itati"&+ *o,

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$"ow92 S)i"ter (i("0t seem to a&ree.

Mi$e a"( =o" t,r"e( off the m,si a"( sat

(ow" for me(itatio".

Rah+ sti)) ,set a%o,t the )oss of his sai+

was"0t i" a me(itati"& or e)e%rati"& moo(

--at )east "ot with his frie"(s. 8e s)ie( i"to his,er-wor)( (is&,ise+ a tre"h oat a"( a fe)t

hat. 8e to)( his frie"(s he was &oi"& to a

mo'ie. efore a"*%o(* o,)( o%4et+ he was o,t

the (oor.

Rah was )i$e that sometimes. The others 4,st

)eft him to his ow" wa*s. esi(es+ the i!!a

wo,)( %e there soo". Mi$e )oo$e( at his wath.

Twe"t*-three mi",tes+ he sai( to himse)f.

If the (e)i'er* ma" is"0t )ate a&ai".

I" a"other art of tow"+ ase* Jo"es

sat a"( wathe( his te)e'isio" set. 8e

(i("0t )i$e what he saw. A rime

reorter "ame( J,"e was te))i"& the ,%)i

a%o,t more a"( more 'io)e"t rimes. 8e trie(

a"other ha""e). A woma" was a%o,t to %e eate"

%* a &i&a"ti mo"ster from Jaa". A thir(

ha""e) showe( three me" shooti"& their &,"s to the

t,"e of a (o!e" o)ie sire"s. /" a"other

ha""e)+ ow%o*s a"( I"(ia"s were fi&hti"& o"e

a"other. ase* t,r"e( %a$ to the "ews. It

was )ess 'io)e"t.

2There is "o e"( i" si&ht to the rime

wa'e+ a"( a o)ie so$esma" to(a* o,)( offer

"o f,rther i"formatio" o" ro&ress. There

is"0t a"*+2 he sai(.

=is&,ste(+ ase* t,r"e( off the te)e'isio"

set. 8e )oo$e( aro,"( his aartme"t. The wa))s

were o'ere( with sorts a"( martia) arts osters.

A)most e'er* s,rfae was ),ttere( with sorts

e;,ime"t. ase* )i$e( sorts+ om%at with

r,)es+ tests of s$i)) where e'er*%o(* ha( a

ha"e. 8e (i("0t m,h )i$e 'io)e"e a"( he

eseia))* (i("0t )i$e rime wa'es. The

tro,%)e was+ what o,)( he (o a%o,t it9 8e

)oo$e( at his ho$e* mas$. 8e )oo$e( at

his &o)f %a& f,)) of %ats+ sti$s+ a"(

&o)f ),%s. 8e &ot a" i(ea.

=ow" i" the sewer o,tsi(e the T,rt)es0

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(e"+ =o"ate))o ro))e( o,t some )a!*

S-,r'es o" his s$ate%oar(.

Mihae)a"&e)o sat "ear%* h,"he( ,"(er the

ma"ho)e to the street that the* tho,&ht of as their

fro"t (oor. Me(itatio" was o'er+ it was i!!a

time. A)most. If o")* the i!!a wo,)( &etthere.

2Nie "i&ht+2 =o"ate))o remar$e(+

)oo$i"& , at the stars thro,&h the &rati"&.

Mihae)a"&e)o was"0t i" the moo( for a

(is,ssio" of the weather. 2i!!a (,(e0s &ot

thirt* seo"(s+2 he &r,m%)e(.

=o"ate))o sat (ow" "ext to his

%rother. 28e*+ Mi$ie+ *o, e'er thi"$ a%o,t

what S)i"ter sai( to"i&ht--)i$e+ I mea"+ what it

wo,)( %e )i$e+ ,h+ witho,t him92

Mihae)a"&e)o (i("0t a"swer for a

mi",te. 8e (i("0t )i$e to thi"$ a%o,t serio,s

thi"&s. It seeme( to him that there were too ma"*

serio,s thi"&s i" )ife. 8e0( rather thi"$ a%o,t

i!!a.

2Time0s , Three %,$s off2 he

a""o,"e(.

=o"ate))o ,"(erstoo( that some thi"&s were 4,st har(

for Mi$e. It (i("0t mea" he (i("0t

are@ it (i("0t mea" he (i("0t thi"$.

Mi$e 4,st (i("0t )i$e to ta)$ a%o,t them.

J,st the" there was a sh,ff)i"& so,"( a%o'e+ a"( the

&r,m%)i"& of a" ,"ha* erso" who o,)("0t

fi"( his wa*.

2Swe)) :here the he$ is this (,m%

i!!a s,ose( to %e (e)i'ere(92

2#o,0re sta"(i"& o" it+ (,(e2 Mi$e

a""o,"e(.

The (e)i'er* ma" 4,me( three feet i" the

air with fri&ht. 2:hat the ...992

Mihae)a"&e)o st,$ a %i)) , thro,&h the

&rate. 2J,st s)i the i!!a (ow" here+

ma"+2 he sai(.

The i!!a ame (ow". The" the ma" *e))e(

at Mihae)a"&e)o. 28e*+ *o,0re three

%,$s short+ ma"2

2A"( *o,0re two mi",tes )ate+ (,(e2

Mi$e sai(. The" he %e&a" ta)$i"& )i$e a

hi"ese hi)osoher. 2:ise ma" sa*

>or&i'e"ess is (i'i"e+ %,t "e'er a* f,))

rie for a )ate i!!a2

Mi$e a"( =o" h,rrie( towar( the (e"0s

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(oor with their i!!a. A%o'e them o" the street+

the i!!a ma" stare( at the &rate where he0(

(e)i'ere( a i!!a+ a"( %ee" ta$e" for three

(o))ars. 8e shoo$ his hea(.

2I &ot to &et a "ew ro,te+2 he sai(.

=ow" i" the (e"+ Mi$e %orrowe( o"e ofLeo0s $ata"a a"( ,se( it for what he tho,&ht

it (i( %est. 8e tosse( the f,))* oo$e(

i!!a i"to the air. efore it )a"(e(+ Mi$e

swishe( at it fo,r times+ ,tti"& it i"to ei&ht

exat)* e;,a) iees.

2It s)ies+ it (ies+ a"( *es+ it

ma$es fre"h fries three (iffere"t wa*s2

he 4o$e(+ so,"(i"& )i$e a" a( for the

(ie-o-mati that he0( see" o"e

"i&ht whe" he0( sta*e( , too )ate wathi"&

T.

Ei&ht erfet)* ,t s)ies of i!!a

)a"(e( ri&ht where the T,rt)es o,)( eat them. Not a

mi",te too soo"

Rahae) ma(e a fae as he )eft the

mo'ie theater. 8e0( see" E.t.--The

Extra Terrestria). 8e (i("0t )i$e it

at a)).

2#,$+2 he sai( to himse)f. 2:here (o the* ome

, with this st,ff92 After a))+ how o,)( a"*

se)f-reseti"& Tee"a&e M,ta"t Ni"4a

T,rt)e e"4o* a farfethe( stor* )i$e

E.t.9

8e ,))e( , the o))ar o" his tre"h

oat a"( %e&a" the wa)$ home. It was"0t

)o"&+ howe'er+ %efore he &ot si(etra$e(.

Near%*+ two hoo(),ms &ra%%e( a )itt)e o)(

)a(*0s ,rse a"( %e&a" r,""i"& awa* with

it--towar( Rah

It was eas* wor$. Rahae) st,$ o,t his

foot+ trie( the o"e arr*i"& the ,rse+ a"(

a,&ht the %oot* as it f)ew o,t of the

hoo(),m0s ha"(. 8e tosse( the ,rse to the

asto"ishe( )a(*. The hoo(),ms were too

s,rrise( to reat. The* 4,st ra" awa* to the

re)ati'e safet* of e"tra) ar$ at

"i&ht.

Rah wathe( them &o a"( fo))owe( them i"to the

ar$ 4,st to %e s,re the* wo,)("0t a,se a"* more

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tro,%)e. It t,r"e( o,t it was"0t the hoo(),ms

who a,se( the "ext iee of tro,%)e. :hi)e

the* were tr*i"& to esae i"to (ar$"ess+ Rahae)

saw a &,* i" a ho$e* mas$+ arr*i"& a

&o)f %a& fi))e( with %ats+ ),%s+ a"(

sti$s+ atta$ the f)eei"& hoo(),ms. 2That was a rime+ *o, ,rse-&r,%%i"&

,$es--a"( this is the e"a)t*2 the mas$e(

ma" sai( %efore he %e&a" %eati"& , o" the

hoo(),ms with a)) the too)s from his %a& of

tri$s. 2Two mi",tes for s)ashi"&. Two

mi",tes for hoo$i"&. A"(+ m* erso"a)

fa'orite two mi",tes for hi&h sti$i"&2

The hoo(),ms were at his mer*

Rah tho,&ht it was o"e thi"& to fri&hte" off a

air of ,rse-s"athers a"( a"other a)to&ether

to %eat them to a ,) with a ho$e*

sti$. 8e at,a))* fe)t sorr* for them.

Somethi"& ha( to %e (o"e Rah stee( i".

28ow a%o,t fi'e mi",tes for ro,&hi"&+ a)92

Rah as$e( the mas$e( ma".

The ma" )oo$e( at him+ s,rrise(. 2:ho

ma(e *o, the referee9 #o, (i( *o,r art. Now

these &,*s "ee( a )esso"2

2Not )i$e that+ the* (o"0t+2 Rah sai(. 2A"(

"ot from *o,.2

The hoo(),ms too$ a('a"ta&e of the

a,se i" the atio". The* ra" awa*. Neither

Rah "or the mas$e( ma" "otie( them

)ea'e. Eah was too ,set %* the other0s a"&er

to are a%o,t the hoo(),ms.

2Loo$s )i$e *o,0re the o"e who "ee(s the

)esso"+2 the mas$e( ma" sai(. 8e too$ o,t

a %ase%a)) %at a"( %e&a" swi"&i"&. It

(i("0t ta$e )o"& %efore the ta%)es t,r"e( a"(

Rahae) o'erowere( the mas$e( ma". :he"

he0( %ee" %eate"+ he ha))e"&e( Rahae)

o"e more time--with somethi"& to thi"$ a%o,t.

2Ma"+ *o,0re ra!*2 the mas$e( ma"

sai(.

2I0m ra!*92

2#eah+ a"( (a"&ero,s2 the ma" to)(

Rahae).

Rahae) tho,&ht that was o((. That was 4,st what

he tho,&ht a%o,t the mas$e( ma". 8e wathe( as the

mas$e( ma" (isaeare( i"to the (ar$"ess of the ar$.

2Rahae)+ ome sit %* me+2 S)i"ter

a&e C


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sai(+ s,rrisi"& Rah o" his ret,r".

Rahae) (i("0t wa"t to ta)$

to S)i"ter the". Rah was ,"omforta%)e with what

the mas$e( ma" ha( sai( to him a"( he (i("0t

wa"t to thi"$ a%o,t it. S)i"ter ha( a wa* of

ma$i"& the T,rt)es thi"$ a%o,t thi"&s the* (i("0twa"t to thi"$ a%o,t.

2o,)( this wait ,"ti) mor"i"&92 Rah

as$e(.

2#o, wi)) )iste" "ow+2 S)i"ter sai(. Rah

sat (ow". S)i"ter )it a a"()e a"( %e&a"

sea$i"&.

2M* master #oshi0s first r,)e was+

ossess the ri&ht thi"$i"&. /")* the" a" o"e

reei'e the &ifts of stre"&th+ $"ow)e(&e+ a"( eae. I

ha'e trie( to ease the a"&er *o, ha'e+ Rahae)+ %,t

there is so m,h A"&er )o,(s the mi"(.

T,r"e( i"war(+ it is a" e"em*. #o, (o "ot ha'e

to fae this e"em* a)o"e. =o "ot for&et

*o,r %rothers+ a"( (o "ot for&et me.2

Rahae) tho,&ht a%o,t his a"&er. I" a wa*+

his a"&er was 4,st as 'io)e"t a weao" as the

mas$e( ma"0s ho$e* sti$s a"( %ase%a))

%ats. If that was tr,e+ the" what he ha( (o"e

to the mas$e( ma" was "o %etter tha" (roi"& o,t

of a tree to atta$ two hoo(),ms who ha(

a)rea(* )ear"e( their )esso".

Ari) /0"ei) was )oo$i"& forwar(

to &etti"& to wor$ that (a*. She was rett* s,re

she was "ear a %rea$thro,&h o" the rime wa'e--

if o")* she o,)( i" (ow" hief Ster"s.

>irst+ howe'er+ she ha( to oe with her %oss.

har)es e""i"&to" ha( show" , at her

aartme"t whi)e she was &etti"& rea(* for wor$. 8e

ha( a )ot o" his mi"(+ too+ a"( "o"e of it was

he)i"& Ari). 8e was 4,st &etti"& i" her wa*

whi)e she om%e( her hair. har)es ha( e'e"

%ro,&ht his tee"a&e so"+ =a""*+ who was

sitti"& ;,iet)* i" her )i'i"& room. =a""*

was a tro,%)e( %o*. Ari) tho,&ht har)es ha(

%ro,&ht him so he o,)( $ee a" e*e o" him.

2#o, o,)( ha'e a))e( me )ast "i&ht+ *o, $"ow92

har)es %e&a". 2a)) it a ;,ir$+ %,t I

)i$e to $"ow whe" o"e of m* %est reorters has

%ee" m,&&e(.2

a&e 1D


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Ari) om%e( her hair as she a"swere(.

2I was"0t m,&&e(+ har)es.2 Strit)*

sea$i"&+ she ha("0t %ee" m,&&e(. She0( 4,st

%ee" atta$e( %* fo,r th,&s who were i" the mi(()e

of a ro%%er*. A"( the" she0( %ee" res,e( %*--

whom9 She remem%ere( the f,""* three-ro"&e((a&&er i" her ,rse. There was more to this stor* tha"

a"*%o(* $"ew.

har)es seeme( &e",i"e)* o"er"e(. 2>rom "ow

o"+ Se,rit*0s esorti"& *o, o,t to that %eat-,

'a" of *o,rs at "i&ht.2

2#es+ sir+2 Ari) sai(+ sa),ti"&.

Some thi"&s were"0t worth ar&,i"& a%o,t. The* we"t

i"to Ari)0s )i'i"& room.

har)es si&he(. 2:hat0s &oi"& o" o,t there92

he as$e(+ )oo$i"& o,t the wi"(ow. 2There0s so m,h

rime2

Now this was somethi"& Ari) wa"te( to ta)$

a%o,t with har)es. 2I0)) te)) *o, this+2 she

%e&a". 2I0'e ta)$e( to a )ot of eo)e i" the

Jaa"ese omm,"it* here a"( I0m

awf,))* s,siio,s a%o,t the rime wa'e.

Ster"s is &oi"& to ha'e some a"sweri"& to (o at the

ress o"fere"e this after"oo"2

Ari) rea)i!e( that mi&ht "ot ma$e har)es

ha*. 8e was frie"(s with the ma*or a"( e'er* time she

&a'e Ster"s a har( time+ the ma*or a))e(

har)es. She (ei(e( to ha"&e the s,%4et.

2Sa*+ how0s shoo) &oi"&+ =a""*92 she

as$e( the s,))e" tee"a&er. =a""* %e&a"

to a"swer+ %,t har)es a"swere( for him.

2/h+ wo"(erf,)+2 har)es sai(

sarastia))*. 2So wo"(erf,)+ i" fat+ that I

ha'e to (ri'e him there e'er* mor"i"& "ow 4,st to ma$e

s,re he &oes2

=a""* ,))e( his hea(ho"es o'er his ears.

2That0s what he (oes whe" he wa"ts

to i&"ore me+2 har)es sai(. 2I (o"0t

e'e" $"ow where he &ot the hea(ho"es2

Ari) $"ew from the )oo$ o" his fae that of

a)) the thi"&s that worrie( har)es+ =a""* was

the most worrisome+ a"( the o"e he fe)t most

he))ess a%o,t. She fe)t sorr* for har)es.

She a)so fe)t sorr* for =a""*.

8owe'er+ two ho,rs )ater+ whe" Ari) ha(

to a* a taxi fare a"( fo,"( her wa))et was

emt*+ she was"0t so s,re she fe)t

sorr* for =a""*. A)tho,&h+ )i$e har)es+ she

a&e 11


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(i("0t $"ow where =a""* ha( &otte" the

hea(ho"es+ she s,sete( she $"ew how he

ha( &otte" them.

That after"oo"+ =o"ate))o f)ie( o" the

T to wath :hee) of >ort,"e+ %,t it

was"0t o". I"stea(+ there was a "ews o"fere"e.

o)ie hief Ster"s was ta)$i"& a%o,t the

rime wa'e. The other T,rt)es ame

to see. The* were i"tereste( i" this "ews.

2:e are rese"t)* exe,ti"& a )a" of

re(e)o*me"t that wi)) mi"imi!e reso"se time

%* maximi!i"& oor(i"atio" %etwee" atro) ,"its i"

a (ee"tra)i!e( "etwor$i"& sheme.2

No%o(* ,"(erstoo( what the hief ha( 4,st sai(.

The T,rt)es (i("0t thi"$ e'e" hief

Ster"s ha( ,"(erstoo( the &o%%)e(*&oo$

2:o,)( *o, mi"( reeati"& that+ hief92 a

reorter as$e(. 2I" E"&)ish92

The amera ,))e( %a$ to show the reorter.

It was the same woma" the T,rt)es

ha( sa'e( i" the ha""e) Three ar$i"& )ot.

It was Ari) /0"ei)

28e* That0s her2 =o"ate))o sai(.

Mihae)a"&e)o o,)("0t %e)ie'e how

rett* Ari) was. 2I0m i" )o'e+2 he

to)( his frie"(s.

2Shhh+2 Leo sai(. 2Let0s )iste".2

2hief Ster"s+ what (o *o, $"ow a%o,t The

>oot )a"92 she as$e(.

The hief s;,irme(. 8e (i("0t seem

to )i$e the ;,estio". 2There is "o e'i(e"e--2

2The" *o, (e"* that there is s,h a thi"& as The

>oot92

2I0m "ot (e"*i"& a"*thi"&+2 hief Ster"s

%),stere(.

Ari) ha( )ear"e( a )ot a%o,t The >oot

from some Jaa"ese frie"(s. It was a" a"ie"t

"i"4a )a" swor" to (estro* or(er)*

soiet* with rimi"a) ats. Its &oa) was

tota) ower. The it*0s ,rre"t rime

wa'e ertai")* )oo$e( )i$e somethi"& s,h a )a"

wo,)( %e i"'o)'e( i". hief Ster"s (i("0t

%e)ie'e it at a)).

2If *o,0)) ex,se me+ I ha'e more

imorta"t matters to (ea) with.2

a&e 1


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As he wa)$e( awa*+ Ari) t,r"e( to the

amera. 2:e a" o")* hoe that o"e of them

has to (o with so)'i"& these rimes2

2She0s &reat2 Mihae)a"&e)o sai(. 8is

frie"(s a&ree(.

2A"( she0s &ot m* sai+2 Rahae)sai(. efore a"*%o(* o,)( sto him+ he &ra%%e(

his ,er-wor)( (is&,ise a"( hea(e( for the (oor. 8e

$"ew 4,st where he o,)( fi"( Ari).

The T,rt)es were "ot the o")* o"es wathi"&

Ari)0s i"ter'iew a"( Rahae) was "ot the

o")* o"e who wa"te( to fi"( her. I" a"other

art of tow" a ma" a))e( Shre((er wathe(

Ari)0s i"ter'iew. :he" she as$e( a%o,t The

>oot+ the ma" sat ,+ start)e(+ a"&r*.

The >oot was a (ee seret. 8e (i("0t

wa"t a"*%o(* to $"ow a%o,t their missio"+

eseia))* a "os* reorter. 8e )ofte( a

"i"4a (a&&er at the sree". It hit Ari)

ri&ht %etwee" the e*es. The &)ass shattere(. The

sree" we"t %)a"$.

The" he t,r"e( to his seo"(-i"-omma"(+

Tats,+ a"( "o((e(. The ma" $"ew what m,st %e

(o"e.

Ari) e"tere( the s,%wa* statio" "ear it*

8a))+ 4,st missi"& a trai". She was a)o"e o"

the )atform--for a few seo"(s.

2:e0'e %ee" )oo$i"& for *o,+ Ms.

/0"ei)+2 someo"e sai(. She t,r"e( a"( saw

fo,r me"+ (resse( i" %)a$ "i"4a o,tfits with

hoo(s.

2:hat+ am I %ehi"( o" m* ar a*me"ts

a&ai"92 she 4o$e( wea$)*.

The me" (i("0t )a,&h. I"stea(+ the* to)(

her to sto ta)$i"& a%o,t thi"&s she (i("0t $"ow

a"*thi"& a%o,t. /r e)se.

Ari) (i("0t )i$e the sit,atio" at a)).

The >oot %e&a" s)ai"& her a"( it h,rt.

She o,)( %e i" rea) tro,%)e. The" she remem%ere(

the o(( (a&&er that ha( sa'e( her i" the ar$i"&

)ot. It was i" her ,rse. She reahe( for it+

%,t %efore she o,)( stri$e+ The >oot $"o$e( it

o,t of her ha"(. It s$ittere( a)o"& the s,%wa*

)atform. She was (efe"se)ess

Ari) sw,"& her ,rse at her

atta$ers. She ma"a&e( to $"o$ o"e of them

(ow"+ %,t three more atta$e(. The )ast thi"& she

a&e 13


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saw %efore she )ost o"sio,s"ess was a &ree"

three-fi"&ere( ha"( i$i"& , the sai.

/"e Rahae) ha( his sai %a$+ he

was at f,)) stre"&th. 8e (i("0t $"ow who was

atta$i"& Ari) or wh*+ %,t he $"ew it was

his 4o% to sa'e her. 8e fo,&ht )i$e a *)o"e+%eati"& off Ari)0s atta$ers 4,st )o"& e"o,&h

to reah Ari).

She was ,"o"sio,s+ %,t %reathi"&. 8e ha(

to &et her--a"( himse)f--o,t of there. 8e )i$e(

to fi&ht to wi"+ %,t sometimes it was wiser to fi&ht

to esae.

A trai" was omi"& i"to the statio". Rahae) ha(

a" i(ea. :hi)e o"ti",i"& to fi&ht with o"e ha"(+

he i$e( Ari) , with the other. J,st a

s)it seo"( %efore the trai" arri'e(+ he

(ashe( i" fro"t of it+ &oi"& to the safet* of the

far si(e of the tra$s. :hi)e the trai"

%)o$e( Ari)0s atta$ers from fo))owi"&

him+ he ma(e the &etawa*+ arr*i"& Ari).

The s,%wa*s i" New #or$ were 4,st o"e art

of the 'ast ,"(erwor)( of the it*. The sewers were

a"other. Rahae) was"0t worrie( a%o,t

fi"(i"& his wa* home from there. 8e was"0t e'e"

worrie( a%o,t &i'i"& awa* the T,rt)es0

seret. The o")* thi"& he was worrie( a%o,t was

sa'i"& Ari) /0"ei)0s )ife.

I" fat+ he was so worrie( a%o,t that that he

"e'er hear( the footstes that trai)e( him thro,&h the

t,""e)s.

2Are *o, ra!*92 Leo"ar(o as$e( Rah

as he ,t Ari)0s )im %o(* o" the sofa

i" the T,rt)es0 (e".

A )ot of eo)e seeme( to %e as$i"& Rahae)

that these (a*s. >or o"e+ he was ertai" that he was

"ot.

2:h* (i( *o, %ri"& her here92 Leo"ar(o

as$e(.

2:h*9 /h+ I (o"0t $"ow. I tho,&ht we

sho,)( re(eorate--*o, $"ow+ a o,)e of throw

i))ows+ a T "ews reorter ... :hat

(o *o, thi"$9 A"*wa*+ she &ot 4,me( i" the

s,%wa*. I ha( to %ri"& her here.2

S)i"ter e"tere( the room. A)) ar&,i"&

stoe(. S)i"ter too$ o"e )oo$ at

a&e 1?


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Ari)0s wo,"(s a"( %e&a" iss,i"& or(ers.

28er% 4ar. o)( wash)oth. i))ow.2

The T,rt)es s,rrie( i"to atio".

S)i"ter sat "ext to her to ta$e are of her.

Ari)0s e*es f),ttere( oe". There+ i"

fro"t of her+ was a fo,r-foot-ta)) rat a"(fo,r &ia"t t,rt)es sta"(i"& o" their hi"( )e&s

a"( weari"& stra"&e o,tfits. She (i( the most

)o&ia) thi"& she o,)( thi"$ of. She sreame(.

2Ahhhhhhh2

28i+2 Mihae)a"&e)o sai(. 8e was a)wa*s

frie"()*.

2Ahhhhhhhhh2 She &ase( for %reath a"(

the" %e&a" %a%%)i"&. She tho,&ht she was (ea(.

She trie( to sta"( , a"( r," awa*.

S)i"ter trie( to a)m her. She o,)("0t

%e)ie'e she was heari"& a rat--a &ia"t rat

--ta)$.

2It0s rea))* ;,ite sim)e+ Ms.

/0"ei)+2 S)i"ter %e&a".

Ari) was too wea$ a"( too o"f,se(

to rotest. She sat %a$ (ow" a"( )iste"e(

to S)i"ter0s stor*.

/"e S)i"ter ha( %ee" a "orma) rat

)i'i"& i" Jaa"+ where he was the et of a "i"4a

master "ame( #oshi. 8e ha( )ear"e( a)) a%o,t

"i"4a %* mimi$i"& #oshi0s mo'eme"ts. :he"

#oshi ha( ha( to )ea'e Jaa"+ the*0( ome

to Ameria a"( e'e"t,a))* S)i"ter ha(

ha( to fe"( for himse)f.

2/"e (a* I saw a" o)( %)i"( ma"

rossi"& the street+ ,"aware of the tr,$

%arre)i"& (ow" ,o" him. The tr,$ swer'e(

to a'oi( him. The tr,$ was )oa(e( with meta)

a"isters of weir( hemia)s. /"e of them

%o,"e( off the tr,$. There was a )itt)e %o* o"

the si(ewa)$+ ho)(i"& a &)ass 4ar. I" the

4ar were fo,r %a%* t,rt)es--2

2That was ,s2 Mihae)a"&e)o i"terr,te(.

2Shhhh2 his %rothers sai(. This was their

fa'orite stor*. It to)( where the*0( ome from.

S)i"ter o"ti",e(. 2The a"ister smashe(

i"to the 4ar a"( the" rashe( o"to the street. oth

the 4ar a"( the a"ister %ro$e. Soo" the )itt)e

t,rt)es were o'ere( with a &)owi"& oo!e f)owi"& o,t

of the a"ister. The )itt)e %o*0s mother wo,)("0t )et

him to,h them. :he" the*0( &o"e+ I ,t the )itt)e

t,rt)es i" a" o)( offee a" a"( %ro,&ht them

a&e 15


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to m* home here i" the sewer. :he" I awo$e the

"ext mor"i"&+ the a" was tie( o'er--for the

t,rt)es ha( (o,%)e( i" si!e I+ too+ was

&rowi"&. M* %o(* &rew+ %,t m* %rai" &rew

e'e" more. I &ot smarter a"( smarter as the* &ot

%i&&er a"( %i&&er. 2Soo" the* %e&a" to sta"( ,ri&ht+ o*i"& m*

e'er* mo'eme"t. I was ama!e( at how i"te))i&e"t

the* seeme(+ %,t I was e'e" more ama!e( whe" the*

%e&a" sea$i"& The* were a)most as smart as I

was. I o,)( teah them e'er*thi"& I ha( )ear"e(

from m* master #oshi. A"( whe" it ame time to "ame

them+ I too$ a o* of a Re"aissa"e art

%oo$ that I ha( fo,"( i" a storm (rai". Now+

I wo,)( )i$e *o, to meet Leo"ar(o+

Mihae)a"&e)o+ =o"ate))o+ a"(

Rahae).2

Eah t,rt)e %owe( as S)i"ter i"tro(,e(

him.

2Get rea)2 Ari) sai(.

It too$ the T,rt)es a"( S)i"ter a"other

few mi",tes to o"'i"e Ari) she was"0t

(reami"&+ %,t she fi"a))* ame aro,"(. She e'e"

a&ree( to )et them ta$e her home.

:he" the* &ot to her aartme"t+ Ari) to)(

them the o")* thi"& she ha( to eat i" her ho,se was

)efto'er i!!a.

2Let0s &o for it2

Mihae)a"&e)o sai(. That s,rrise(

Ari). She tho,&ht t,rt)es 4,st ate

)ett,e

2So+ what (o *o, &,*s+ ,h+ )i$e o" *o,r

i!!a92 she as$e(.

2J,st the re&,)ar st,ff+2 Mihae)a"&e)o

to)( her. 2#o, $"ow+ f)ies+ sti"$%,&s+

s),&s--2

Ari) &ase(. Mi$e rea)i!e( she

was"0t i"to T,rt)e h,mor+ *et.

2It was a 4o$e+2 he to)( her. Ari)

)a,&he(+ a )itt)e.

The i!!a was &reat a"( the T,rt)es fo,"( the*

o,)( ha'e a )ot of f," with Ari). She )ear"e(

that it was f," to %e with the T,rt)es.

Mi$e (i( his Ro$* imressio".

Ari) )a,&he( 'er* har(. She "e'er wo,)( ha'e tho,&ht

a&e 16


17/48

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of Ro$* as &ree"

2:ait+ wait+ I0'e &ot a"other o"e.2

2/h+ "o--"ot James a&"e*2 Rah

&roa"e(.

Mihae)a"&e)o ro,he( i"to a %oxer0s sta"e

a"( %e&a" 4a%%i"& at the air with his fists. 2#o,(irt* rat2 he sai(. 2#o, $i))e( m*

%rother. #o, (irt* rat2

It was a &oo( imressio" 28e*+ that m,st %e

S)i"ter0s fa'orite2 she sai(.

The T,rt)es )oo$e( at her for a seo"(.

The* were s,rrise(.

2It was a 4o$e+2 she sai(+ imitati"&

Mihae)a"&e)o. A)) of them )a,&he(. The

T,rt)es rea)i!e( the" that Ari) was their frie"(

a"( as )o"& as she o,)( )a,&h with them+ she0( %e a

&oo( frie"(+ too.

It was time to &o. 2:e0( %etter &et %a$

to S)i"ter+2 Leo sai(. 28e worries.2

Sometimes it was har( to sto ha'i"& f," 4,st %ea,se

S)i"ter mi&ht worr* a%o,t them. Most of the

time+ tho,&h+ it was omforti"& to $"ow that he are( e"o,&h

to worr*.

2:i)) I e'er see *o, &,*s a&ai"92 Ari)

as$e(.

2That (ee"(s o" how fast *o, resto$ *o,r

i!!a+2 Leo to)( her.

2=ea)2 Ari) sai(.

The T,rt)es )eft Ari)0s aartme"t

%,i)(i"&+ )im%e( (ow" the "earest storm

(rai"+ a"( ma(e their wa* %a$ to their (e".

As soo" as the* &ot "ear the (oor+ tho,&h+

the* a)) $"ew somethi"& was wro"&. The

(oor was oe"+ f)ai"& )oose)*+ a"( whe" the*

we"t i"+ the )ae was a tota) sham%)es. The

worst art+ tho,&h+ was that there was "o si&" of

S)i"ter.

8e0( %ee" rat"ae(

The* rea)i!e( that the th,&s who0( atta$e(

Ari) i" the s,%wa* m,st ha'e fo))owe(

Rahae) thro,&h the sewers to their (e". ,t who wo,)(

wa"t to at,re S)i"ter9 :ho wo,)( (o somethi"&

that e'i)9 Ma*%e it was the $i"( of erso" who

wo,)( mastermi"( a rime wa'e

The T,rt)es "ee(e( he). The* "ee(e( a

frie"(. The* "ee(e( Ari).

At the same time that the T,rt)es fo,"( their

a&e 17


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tro,%)es were %e&i""i"&+ hief Ster"s tho,&ht it was

ossi%)e that .his tro,%)es were omi"& to a" e"(. 8e

ha( 4,st the thi"& he "ee(e( to &et har)es

e""i"&to" to $ee that es$* reorter+

Ari) /0"ei)+ off his %a$.

8e he)( i" his ha"( a" arrest fi)e for=a"ie) . e""i"&to". The tee"a&er ha(

%ee" i$e( , for sho)ifti"& i" a"

e)etro"is store.

hief Ster"s reahe( for his ho"e a"( (ia)e(

a ",m%er. A ma" a"swere(. 2har)es

e""i"&to"92 he as$e(. 8e smi)e( to himse)f.

ri&ht a"( ear)* the "ext mor"i"& there was a

$"o$ at Ari)0s (oor+ start)i"& her+ a"(

fo,r T,rt)es+ awa$e. The*0( ha( a )o"&

"i&ht+ ta)$i"& a%o,t S)i"ter+ ta)$i"& a%o,t what

the* o,)( (o a"( what the* o,)("0t. The*0( a))

sta*e( at Ari)0s. No%o(* $"ew she0(

ha'e oma"* so ear)* i" the mor"i"&

2:ho is it92 Ari) as$e(.

2It0s me+ har)es+2 e""i"&to" sai( from

o,tsi(e.

2It0s m* %oss2 Ari) whisere( to the

T,rt)es. 2a" *o, &,*s+ ,h--2 She

)oo$e( aro,"(. There was"0t a T,rt)e i"

si&ht. 2--hi(e92

She ,t o" her ro%e a"( oe"e( the (oor for

har)es. 8e %ar&e( i"to her aartme"t. =a""*

trai)e( %ehi"( him. The %o* ha( a s,))e"+

a"&r* )oo$.

:hi)e his father ta)$e( to Ari)+ =a""*

sat (ow" a"( i$e( , a o* of

Sorts I)),strate( to rea(. Next to him

was a f)oor )am. It was the ,&)iest )am

he0( e'er see". It )oo$e( as if it ha( %ee"

ma(e o,t of a &ia"t t,rt)e. Not o")* was it

,&)*+ %,t it wo,)("0t t,r" o"+ either. 8e

mo'e( to her sofa+ where there was a )i&ht o" a)rea(*.

8e ,t his feet , o" Ari)0s offee

ta%)e. That )oo$e( )i$e a t,rt)e+ too. It was

as ,&)* as the )am. :hat0s with these

t,rt)es9 =a""* wo"(ere(. 8e for&ot a%o,t

it+ tho,&h+ as soo" as he saw that there was a"

arti)e a%o,t o))e&e %as$et%a)) i" the

ma&a!i"e. 8e (i("0t a* a"* more atte"tio"

a&e 1B


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to his father a"( Ari)+ either.

2Ari)+ )iste"+ I0'e+ ,h ...2

har)es st,ttere(. Ari) tho,&ht he seeme( 'er*

,"omforta%)e+ a"( whe" she hear( what he ha(

to sa*+ she $"ew wh*. 2I0'e %ee" thi"$i"& a%o,t

this rime stor*. #o,0'e %ee" wor$i"& o" it toohar( )ate)*. I thi"$ *o, sho,)( ta$e some time

off a"( )et someo"e e)se ha"()e it+ *o, $"ow92

S,((e")*+ Ari) was 'er* awa$e+ a"( 'er*

a"&r*. 2har)es :hat are *o, ta)$i"& a%o,t9

This is m* stor*. No wa* A"( %esi(es+

I0m ertai"+ if I a" 4,st ,sh Ster"s a )itt)e

har(er--2 She %e&a" washi"& her fae.

har)es )oo$e( a"i$e(. 2/h+ "o+

Ari). Not that =o"0t ,sh Ster"s a"*

more+ o$a*9 At )east "ot to(a*92

Ari) o,)("0t %e)ie'e her ears.

2har)es+ what0s with *o, to(a*92

2/h+ "othi"&. I 4,st tho,&ht *o,0( )i$e some time

off+ that0s a)).2

2:e))+ I wo,)("0t+2 Ari) sai(. 28a"(

me a towe)+ wi)) *o,92

har)es )oo$e( aro,"( for o"e. There was"0t

o"e i" si&ht. 2:here (o *o,--2 he %e&a"+

searhi"&. 8e reahe( for the shower ,rtai".

Ari) o,)("0t )et him oe" it+ tho,&h. She

was ertai" Mi$e was hi(i"& i" the %atht,%. She

o,)("0t )et him see the T,rt)es

2har)es+ "o2 she shrie$e(+ %,t it was too

)ate.

The ,rtai" f)ew oe" a"( ... Nothi"&.

There was 4,st a" emt* t,%. Ari) tho,&ht there

was a )ot to %e sai( for the art of

"i"4a-i"'isi%i)it*

2:hat0s wro"&92 har)es as$e(.

Now Ari) ha( to ex)ai" her shrie$.

2:ro"&9 :e))+ "ow *o,0'e &o"e a"(

see" m* ,"si&ht)* %atht,% ri"&2 She

s"ae( the shower ,rtai" )ose( a"( t,r"e(

to har)es. 2/,t2 she sai(. 2/,t /,t2 After

a))+ what %,si"ess (i( he ha'e i" her

%athroom a"*wa*9 2I ha'e to &et rea(* for

wor$. There0s a rime wa'e &oi"& o" a"( I0m

a rime reorter2

2S,re *o, wo"0t reo"si(er92

Ari) so$e to =a""* for the first time.

28e*+ =a""*+ te)) *o,r (a( to re)ax+2

she 4o$e(.

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2I wish+2 =a""* sai(. Ari)

(i("0t thi"$ he was 4o$i"& at a)).

It too$ a few more mi",tes to &et har)es

o,t of her )ae+ %,t she fi"a))* s,ee(e(.

T,rt)es %e&a" aeari"& from e'er* or"er of the

aartme"t. 2That was )ose2 Mi$e sai(+ s,((e")* sta"(i"&

%ehi"( Ari). She was so s,rrise( that she

4,me( a%o,t three feet. 2Time to swith

to (eaf+ Ari)+2 he tease(. She smi)e(+

a )itt)e.

har)es &r,m%)e( as he sat %ehi"( the whee) of

his ar. Nothi"& was &oi"& ri&ht for him. Ster"s was

o" his %a$+ =a""* was i" tro,%)e with the )aw+ a"(

s,re as a"*thi"&+ Ari) was &oi"& to tr*

to or"er Ster"s+ whih wo,)( ma$e Ster"s or"er

har)es--or worse+ =a""*. har)es

too$ it o,t o" =a""*.

2I 4,st (o"0t &et it+ =a""*. I ma$e

e"o,&h mo"e* to ro'i(e for more tha" the %oth of ,s+ a"(

*o,0re o,t stea)i"&. :h*92

2I (o"0t $"ow+2 =a""* a"swere(.

2#o, (o"0t $"ow. :hat were *o, &oi"& to (o with that

ar stereo a"*wa*9 /r (o"0t *o, $"ow that

either92

2Sorr*+2 =a""* sai(.

har)es o,)("0t he) himse)f. It was too

m,h. 8e ex)o(e( at his so". 2Not as

sorr* as *o,0re &oi"& to %e after shoo)2 he

%e&a" as he ,))e( his ar to a sto at a

)i&ht. 2:he" I &et home--2

:itho,t a wor( =a""* oe"e( the (oor of the ar

a"( %o)te(. 8e (isaeare( i"to a" a))e* %efore

har)es o,)( e'e" oe" his (oor.

If thi"&s ha( )oo$e( %a( %efore ...

It was a)most time for Assem%)* i" Shre((er0s

wareho,se. Shre((er was the "i"4a master of The

>oot )a" i" New #or$ it*. 8is

hea(;,arters were i" a" a%a"(o"e( wareho,se i"

roo$)*". Shre((er0s seo"(-i"-omma"(+

Tats,+ h,rrie( to the assem%)* area.

Tats, was a %i& ma"+ %a)(-hea(e( a"(

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fiere. 8e wore a %)a$ (o&i with a

sma)) (ra&o" em%)em o" it. It was the si&"

of The >oot.

>irst he ha( to ass thro,&h the e&i""ers0

setio". Shre((er0s "ew rer,its were ha'i"&

the time of their )i'es. The* were )a*i"& 'i(eo&ames a"( oo)+ smo$i"& i&arettes+ a"( ,si"&

%a( )a"&,a&e. The* were (oi"& e'er*thi"& their

are"ts ha( e'er to)( them "ot to (o. Tats,

$"ew that whe" the* ha( ha( e"o,&h f,"+ the* wo,)( mo'e

o".

8e stro(e i"to the first-)e'e) trai"i"& area.

There were "o oo) ta%)es a"( 'i(eo &ames here.

It was more )i$e a "i"4a )a*&ro,"(. Eah of the

%o*s wore a ,"iform %e)t a"( a hea(%a"( with The

>oot0s (ra&o" em%)em o" it whi)e the* wor$e(

i" the trai"i"& area. There the rer,its were

st,(*i"& the fi"e art of o$et-i$i"&.

>o,r %o*s s,rro,"(e( a (,mm* weari"& a"

o'eroat o'ere( with )itt)e %e))s. I" most

i$-o$et trai"i"& exerises+ the

,rose was to remo'e the (,mm*0s wa))et

witho,t ri"&i"& a %e)). That was too eas* for The

>oot.

/" a si&"a) from the trai"er+ the %o*s

atta$e( the (,mm*. I" a matter of

seo"(s+ e'er* %e)) ha( %ee" remo'e( from the

(,mm*0s oat. Not a so,"( ha( %ee" ma(e.

Tats, &r,"te(. 8e was satisfie(.

I" the "ext room+ more serio,s wor$ was ta$i"&

)ae. This was where trai"ees+ "ow weari"&

(o&is )i$e Tats,0s+ st,(ie( the (ea()* art

of $arate. There were "o r,)es here+ exet

o"e :i". Losers were arrie( awa*.

/"e om%ata"t ha( 4,st fi"ishe( off a"

oo"e"t whe" Tats, e"tere(. The tee"a&er was

)ease( with his wor$. Tats, tho,&ht he ha( more

to )ear". Tats, stee( i"to the are"a a"( too$

, where the )oser ha( )eft off. :itho,t war"i"&+

he atta$e( the ta)) tee"a&er. The ta))

tee"a&er %)o$e( e'er* ,"h a"( $i$ with

i"re(i%)e see(+ a)most as if he o,)(

a"tiiate Tats,0s "ext mo'e.

Tats, was )ease(. 8e stoe( his atta$+

stee( %a$+ a"( %owe(+ $eei"& his e*es &),e(

to the tee"a&er.

The tee"a&er ret,r"e( the %ow+ )oo$i"&

o)ite)* (ow" to the f)oor. Tats,

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atta$e(. I" a s)it seo"( he ha( the

%o* i""e(.

2Ne'er )ower *o,r e*es to a" e"em*2 he

hisse(.

It was a )esso" the %o* wo,)( remem%er for a

)o"& time. Tats, )eft the room+ hea(i"& for the

assem%)* area. The %e)) wo,)( ri"& soo"@ the

%o*s wo,)( &ather soo". 8e wo,)( %e there+

rea(*.

/" his wa* to the assem%)* area+ he

asse( a (ar$ or"er of the wareho,se. Tats,

$"ew what was there. 8e (i("0t "ee( to )oo$.

>or i" a or"er+ ha"&i"& %* his sha$)e(

wrists+ was S)i"ter+ riso"er of The >oot

)a".

:he" the &o"& %e&a" ri"&i"&+ =a""*

e""i"&to" ,t (ow" his oo) ,e. 8e

ha("0t %ee" i" the wareho,se &a"& )o"&+ %,t he

$"ew whe" to sto )a*i"&. 8e fo))owe( his

"ewfo,"( frie"(s i"to the assem%)* area.

It was =a""*0s first )oo$ at the e"tire

)a". 8e was ro,( to %e art of it+ a"( whe" he

saw the a('a"e( st,(e"ts+ he %eame

exite(. The* )oo$e( so oo) i" their %)a$

(o&is. ei"& oo) a"( %ei"& to,&h was a s,re

wa* to a'oi( a"* st,i( )et,res from his

father. 8e0( %e that oo). 8e0( %e that to,&h

:he" a)) the mem%ers of The >oot were

assem%)e(+ Shre((er arri'e(. =a""* o,)("0t

%e)ie'e it. The ma" was somethi"& e)se. 8e was

the %a((est+ mea"est ma" =a""* ha( e'er

see". 8e marhe( o"to e"ter sta&e+ weari"& a

f)owi"& %)a$ ae a"( a meta) "i"4a he)met

that o'ere( a)) of his fae+ exet for a"

e*e s)it that he o,)( see thro,&h.

Tats, stee( %ehi"( Shre((er a"( remo'e( the

)oa$+ 'er* aref,))*. The" =a""* $"ew how

Shre((er &ot his "ame. 8e was weari"& a

(o&i+ %,t it was tota))* o'ere( with ra!or-shar

"i"4a armor. =a""* &ase(.

The" fo,r %o*s+ the th,&s who ha( atta$e(

Ari) i" the ar$i"& )ot a"( )ost a %att)e

to the T,rt)es+ were %ro,&ht o,t a"( stoo( fai"&

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Shre((er. :hi)e the %o*s wathe(+ Tats,

)ae( a" or"ate re( hea(%a"( o" Shre((er0s

sho,)(er. =a""* rea)i!e( that Shre((er was &oi"&

to fi&ht a)) fo,r %o*s at o"e+ a"( if o"e

of them o,)( &ra% the hea(%a"(+ he0( %e sare(.

=a""* (i("0t $"ow what these %o*s ha( (o"eto (eser'e this ,"ishme"t+ %,t he 'owe( that+ whate'er

it was+ he0( "e'er (o it

Shre((er atta$e(. =a""* ha( "e'er see"

a"*thi"& )i$e it. 8is mo'eme"ts were so s,re+ so

)ea"+ so fast+ that it a)most seeme( to %e i" s)ow

motio". The th,&s (i("0t ha'e a ha"e a&ai"st the

master. Not o"e of them e'er &ot )ose to the

ri!e( hea(%a"(. A)) of them &ot h,rt+ %,t "ot

o"e &ot serio,s)* h,rt. It was as if

Shre((er were )a*i"& with them. 8e0( s)ash o"e

aross the arm+ the" a"other o" the hee$. If he

wa"te( to $i)) them+ he o,)( (o it+ easi)*.

,t he (i("0t. =a""* wo"(ere( wh*.

The th,&s were he)e( o,t of the are"a.

aref,))*+ Tats, remo'e( the hea(%a"(+ whih

ha("0t mo'e(.

Shre((er t,r"e( to a)) of his st,(e"ts a"(

so$e for the first time.

2Mo"e* ai( as %ai) for *o,r free(om is

mo"e* )ost to ,s. These fo,r ha'e "ow ai( their

(e%t. Their ,"ishme"t was 4,st+ as it a)wa*s is i"

o,r fami)*. The* wi)) wear their sars ro,()*

as remi"(ers of their ;,est to %eome f,))

mem%ers of The >oot.2

At that i"sta"t a tee"a&er i" a %)a$

(o&i ame a"( $"e)t i" fro"t of Shre((er.

Shre((er ,t a "i"4a hoo( o" his hea(.

=a""* $"ew that that %o* was "ow a f,))

mem%er of The >oot. =a""* a)so $"ew that that

was what he wa"te( to %e more tha" a"*thi"&.

8e0( wor$+ he0( st,(*+ he0( )ear". >or

o"e i" his )ife+ he0( (o somethi"& ri&ht.

2/,r fami)* &rows.2 Shre((er %e&a"

sea$i"& a&ai". 2A"( soo" the it* itse)f wi)) %e o,r

)a*&ro,"(+ to ,se as we )ease--rewar(i"&

o,rse)'es a"( o,r frie"(s+ ,"ishi"& o,r e"emies.2

8e a,se( a"( the" )oo$e( , at the

tee"a&ers. 2There is a "ew e"em*+2 he sai(.

2>rea$s of "at,re who i"terfere with

o,r %,si"ess. #o, are m* e*es a"( ears. >i"(

them. To&ether we wi)) ,"ish these reat,res--these

t,rt)es2

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T,rt)es9 =a""* tho,&ht. :h* (i( that ri"&

a %e))9 The" he remem%ere( the t,rt)e

)am a"( ta%)e i" Ari)0s aartme"t--,&)*

st,ff. So wh* ha("0t those ,&)* thi"&s %ee" there

the first time =a""* was at Ari)0s9

S,((e")* =a""* ha( the fee)i"& that there o,)( %ea short,t to his ow" (o&i a"( "i"4a hoo(.

S,((e")* he ha( more o,ra&e tha" he e'er wo,)(

ha'e tho,&ht ossi%)e.

=a""* e""i"&to" raise( his ha"(.

I" Ari)0s aartme"t the "ext (a*+ the

T,rt)es were )a!i"& aro,"(+ wathi"& te)e'isio".

>or o"e+ tho,&h+ the* were"0t wathi"& ;,i!

shows+ Gi))i&a"0s Is)a"( rer,"s+ or

soa oeras. The* were wathi"& Ari) %ei"&

i"ter'iewe(. She was te))i"& a)) a%o,t %ei"&

atta$e( %* the "i"4a i" the s,%wa* statio". The

T,rt)es tho,&ht she was 'er* smart.

2I0m o"'i"e( that these me" were affi)iate( with a

seret or&a"i!atio" $"ow" as The >oot.2

2The >oot92 J,"e+ a"other reorter+

as$e(+ o"f,se(.

Ari) smi)e(. 2#eah+ I $"ow. It

so,"(s )i$e a f,"$* ),% for o(iatrists+ %,t

I0'e so$e" with a )ot of

Jaa"ese-Ameria"s ree"t)* a"( the*

te)) me this rime wa'e remi"(s them of a

seret %a"( of "i"4a thie'es a))e( The

>oot. The e'i(e"e is o"'i"i"&+ %,t so far the

o)ie are treati"& this )i$e a 4o$e2

har)es e""i"&to" sh,((ere( whe" he hear(

Ari) sa* those wor(s. It was 4,st the $i"( of thi"&

that wo,)( ma$e hief Ster"s a"&r*. A"( if

hief Ster"s &ot a"&r*+ =a""*

e""i"&to" wo,)( ha'e to a* the rie.

2Mr. e""i"&to"92 his seretar* sai(+

oe"i"& the (oor of his offie soft)*.

2Te)eho"e a)). It0s it* 8a)).2

har)es &roa"e( a"( reahe( for the ho"e.

2She0s s,h a &oo( reorter2 Leo"ar(o

sai(.

2She0s smart+2 sai( =o"ate))o.

2Shhhhhh2 sai( Mihae)a"&e)o. 2I

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thi"$ the %est art is sti)) to ome.2

The sree" f)i$ere( as the amera &ot a

)ose-, shot of Ari)0s )o'e)* fae.

2There0s a"other m*ster*+ Ari)+2 J,"e

sai(. 28ow (i( *o, ma"a&e to &et awa* from those

s,%wa* atta$ers92 2I"re(i%)e as it ma* seem+ a iti!e" of

this it* at,a))* ame to m* res,e. So

I0( )i$e to ta$e this oort,"it* to exress

m* &ratit,(e.2 Ari) )oo$e( ri&ht i"to the

amera. 2Tha"$s+ Rahae)+2 she sai(+

wi"$i"&.

2:oooooooo2 Leo"ar(o+

Mihae)a"&e)o+ a"( =o"ate))o a)) tease(

i" a si"&)e 'oie. Rahae) shra"$ i"to his

she)).

28e*+ )oo$ I thi"$ he0s %),shi"&2

=o"ate))o sai(.

2I am "ot2 Rahae) sai(+ %,t he was

s,re he was t,r"i"& re(. Rahae) (i("0t

)i$e to %e tease( a"( sometimes it ma(e him 'er*

a"&r*. 8e )o'e( his %rothers+ %,t he hate(

fee)i"& this wa*+ eseia))* whe" there were more

imorta"t thi"&s to thi"$ a%o,t.

2So what (o we (o "ow92 he as$e(+ tr*i"&

to ha"&e the s,%4et.

2:hat (o *o, mea"+ 2what (o we (o "ow9202

Leo as$e(.

2S)i"ter0s o,t there2 Rah sai(+

remi"(i"& his %rothers of the serio,s sit,atio".

It (i("0t wor$+ tho,&h. A)) the others

wa"te( to (o was eat. Rahae) was too a"&r*

to eat.

2:hat a" we (o a%o,t it9 Ari)0s o,r

o")* )i"$ to these &,*s :e ha'e to wait ,"ti)

she omes , with somethi"&2

Rahae) was steame(. 2/h+ so that0s the

)a" from o,r &reat )ea(er+ h,h9 J,st sit here

o" o,r tai)s92

Leo"ar(o t,r"e( o" him. 2I "e'er sai(

I was *o,r &reat )ea(er2

2:e))+ *o, s,re at )i$e it sometimes2

2#eah+ we))+ *o, at )i$e a 4er$ sometimes+

*o, $"ow that9 A"(+ this attit,(e of *o,rs is"0t

he)i"& a"*thi"&2

That was as m,h as Rahae) o,)( ta$e. 8e

s," o" his hee)s a"( storme( o,t the (oor.

8e 4,st ha( to %e %* himse)f. 8e hea(e( for the stairs

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a"( we"t ,. The street was "o )ae

to %e a)o"e. Rahae) "ee(e( a roofto.

It was a warm s,mmer after"oo". A few

%)o$s from Ari)0s aartme"t+ ase*

Jo"es was re)axi"& o" his ow" roofto+strethe( o,t o" a %eah hair. 8e was"0t

weari"& his ho$e* mas$+ tho,&h it was ha"(*--4,st i"

ase. 8e too$ a si of his so(a a"(

e"4o*e( the after"oo" %ree!e. 8e sat , a"(

)oo$e( at the it* %e)ow him.

It was so hot that e'er*thi"& seeme( to %e sti)).

E'er*thi"&+ that is+ exet a sma)) &ree"

(ot mo'i"& o" a roofto se'era) %)o$s

awa*. There was somethi"& fami)iar a%o,t that &ree"

(ot. ase* &ra%%e( his fie)( &)asses a"(

fo,se( them. It s,re was fami)iar. It was the

&ree" &,* who ha( atta$e( him i" the ar$.

The" ase* )oo$e( a&ai". The &ree" &,*

(i("0t $"ow it+ %,t he0( %ee" sotte( %* someo"e

e)se. The fire esae that )e( to the roofto

where the &ree" &,* sat was ositi'e)* swarmi"&

with %)a$-)a( "i"4a t*es.

The &ree" &,* was a%o,t to &et i"to a )ot of

tro,%)e.

ase* %e)ie'e( i" fair"ess. No matter

how to,&h the &ree" &,* was+ this was"0t &oi"&

to %e a fair fi&ht. It was time to &o to wor$.

ase* reahe( for his mas$.

Mihae)a"&e)o+ =o"ate))o+ a"(

Leo"ar(o fi"ishe( their s"a$ a"( ret,r"e( to the

te)e'isio" i" Ari)0s aartme"t. The

>)i"tsto"es was o". It was o"e of their

fa'orites.

2Ma"+ that =i"o o,)( at2 Mi$e sai(.

2#o, $"ow+ the* sho,)( ma$e this show i"to a mo'ie2

2Ri&ht+2 =o" sai( sarastia))*. 28ow0re

the* &oi"& to ma$e a artoo" i"to a mo'ie92

efore Mi$e o,)( a"swer+ the (oor oe"e( a"(

Ari) ame i". The T,rt)es to)( her

how &reat she0( %ee" i" the i"ter'iew. She sai(

she hoe( it wo,)( &et res,)ts. The" she

offere( to &i'e the T,rt)es the &ra"( to,r of her

father0s a"ti;,e sho i" the %aseme"t of her

%,i)(i"&.

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2It0s rea))* more )i$e a 4,"$ sho+2 she sai(.

2I o")* r," it art-time "ow+ a"( it (oes"0t

ma$e a"* mo"e*. I (o it most)* %ea,se

of m* (a(. 8e )o'e( 4,"$ Rea(*92

The T,rt)es "o((e(.

The" Ari) "otie( some%o(* was missi"&.28e*+ where0s Rahae)92 she as$e(.

28e0s %* himse)f+2 Mihae)a"&e)o sai(.

28e 4,st "ee(s to %)ow off some steam.2

2/oo-oomh2 Rah sai( as three

>oot )a" "i"4a s)amme( his %o(* a&ai"st a

wa)). 8is sai )attere( o'er the e(&e of the

roof. Rah &ot his %reath. 2I tho,&ht *o,

&,*s ,se( the s,%wa*+2 he 4o$e(+ rea))i"&

his )ast %att)e with the (o&i0-)a( th,&s whe"

he sa'e( Ari). The >oot atta$e( him.

8e ree))e( their atta$+ se"(i"& se'era) of

them (ow" the fire esae. More too$ their

)ae. 8e $"o$e( them ,"o"sio,s. 2#o,

&,*s m,st %e st,(*i"& the a%ri(&e( %oo$ of

"i"4a fi&hti"&2 he 4o$e(+ fai"& two more

atta$ers.

That was his )ast 4o$e. >or those two were

fo))owe( %* (o!e"s more. Soo" the who)e roof was

swarmi"& with >oot+ a"( the* a)) ha( the same

&oa) Rahae).

28as"0t Rahae) %ee" &o"e a )o"&

time92 Ari) as$e( the others as the* ex)ore(

the 4,"$ sho.

2Nah. 8e (oes this a)) the time. 8e

)i$es it+2 =o"ate))o to)( her.

The >oot (ra&&e( Rahae)0s %eate"

%o(* (ow" the fire esae. 8is she))

th,me( a)o"& the meta) stes. 8e was

om)ete)* ,"o"sio,s.

2Are *o, s,re Rahae)0s o$a*92

Ari) as$e(+ )ea(i"& the trio %a$ , to her

aartme"t.

2=o"0t worr*+2 =o"ate))o ass,re(

her. 28e0)) ro%a%)* %e %a$ a"*

mi",te "ow+ threate"i"& to h,ff a"( ,ff a"( %)ow

*o,r ho,se--2

8e was i"terr,te( %* the treme"(o,s rash of

%rea$i"& &)ass as Rahae)0s %o(* ame

f)*i"& thro,&h Ari)0s s$*)i&ht. efore his

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%rothers o,)( %e&i" to ta$e are of him+ the

e"tire aartme"t was om)ete)* fi))e( with The

>oot. Leo"ar(o+ Mihae)a"&e)o+ a"(

=o"ate))o were fi&hti"& for their ow" )i'es as

we)) as Rahae)0s a"( Ari)0s.

The T,rt)es were &oo(. The* were 'er* &oo(.S)i"ter ha( ta,&ht them we)). The* ha(

)ear"e( to fi&ht ho"ora%)* a"( we)). The*0(

)ear"e( to wi"+ %,t the* ha( "e'er )ear"e( to %eat

e"emies who o,t",m%ere( them %* o"e h,"(re(

to o"e. The* (i("0t ha'e a ha"e to wi". A"( the" the

o((s &ot worse. More >oot arri'e(. There were

so ma"* "i"4a so)(iers a"( the fi&hti"& was so fiere

that the o)( str,t,re of Ari)0s aartme"t

%,i)(i"& o,)("0t ta$e it a"* more. The f)oor

o))ase(. =o!e"s of >oot+ ),s

Ari) a"( the T,rt)es+ t,m%)e( he))ess)*

i"to the 4,"$ sho. >i&hti"& res,me(.

28e*+ o"e of these &,*s m,st $"ow where

S)i"ter is2 Leo"ar(o sho,te( to =o" a"(

Mi$e. 2=o"0t $"o$ them a)) o,t2

Mi$e wathe( a "ew wa'e of >oot

arri'e. 2I (o"0t thi"$ that0)) %e a ro%)em+

Leo2 he sai(. The* a)) $"ew he was ri&ht.

2Ma"+ we o,)( rea))* ,se Rah a%o,t

"ow2 Mihae)a"&e)o sai(+ tr*i"& to ho)( off

a ha)f-(o!e" atta$ers %* himse)f. Rah was o,t

of the %att)e+ tho,&h. Ari) was with him. 8e was

a)i'e+ %,t he was ,"o"sio,s.

The" more rei"foreme"ts arri'e(--this time o" the

si(e of the T,rt)es. ase* Jo"es e"tere(

the sho i" f,)) %att)e &ear--ho$e* mas$

a"( &oa)ie0s sti$

2:ho is that92 Leo as$e(.

Mihae)a"&e)o )oo$e( at ase*

Jo"es. 8e was e"ormo,s a"( he was &oi"&

to he) them. 2:a*"e Gret!$*9 /"

steroi(s92 he s,&&este(. Ri&ht the" it (i("0t

matter who he was. The o")* thi"& that mattere(

was that he was o" their si(e.

2Eeeeee-hah2 ase* sai(+ 4,mi"&

i"to the fra*. 28o$e* Ni&ht i" a"a(a2

8e %e&a" swi"&i"& his sti$. >oot %e&a"

fa))i"&. ,t "ot e"o,&h of them. There were too ma"* to %e

%eate".

The o")* ha"e the* ha( was to esae.

2>o))ow me+2 Ari) sai(+ ,))i"&

Rahae) i"to a or"er of the sho. :ith Leo0s

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he)+ the* mo'e( a %oo$ase asi(e.

2M* &ra"(father ,se( this seret e"tra"e whe"

he was se))i"& somethi"& more tha" 4,"$ (,ri"&

rohi%itio"+2 Ari) ex)ai"e(. 2It

mi&ht 4,st s)ow these &,*s (ow" e"o,&h for ,s to &et o,t

of here2 As soo" as the (oor sw,"& oe"+

the T,rt)es a"( Ari) were i" the t,""e).

ase*+ who was "ot as exha,ste( as the

T,rt)es+ he)( off The >oot for the others

to esae first. :he" the* were safe+ he reare(

to e"ter the t,""e) himse)f.

J,st %efore the (oor )ose(+ ase* hear(

Ari)0s ho"e ri"&. 8e hear( her mahi"e

a"swer it. 8e hear( the messa&e. It was

har)es e""i"&to".

2Loo$+ I0m sorr*+ Ari)+ %,t *o,0re

fire(. ...2

It was a erfet e"( to a erfet (a*.

ase* (ro'e Ari)0s 'a" for their

esae. The T,rt)es te"(e( to Rahae) a"(

to their ow" wo,"(s. Ari) )oo$e( o,t the rear

wi"(ow of the 'a". She wathe( the fire that was

e"&,)fi"& her sho a"( her aartme"t. It seeme( as

if e'er*thi"& that mattere( to her was &oi"& , i"

smo$e. It was o"e thi"& whe" thie'es sto)e

mo"e* a"( 4ewe)s. That was %a( e"o,&h. It h,rt

more+ howe'er+ whe" the* sto)e *o,r ast.

The )ast thi"& Ari) saw %efore ase*

t,r"e( o"to the hi&hwa* was a %o* with a >oot

hea(%a"(+ stari"& at the 'a". 8e )oo$e(

fami)iar to Ari). =a""* e""i"&to"9

No wa*+ Ari) to)( herse)f. The" she

remem%ere( the missi"& mo"e* from her wa))et.

Ma*%e+ she tho,&ht.

The o)( 'a" o"ti",e( to %o,"e its wa*

towar( free(om a"( safet*.

Mea"whi)e+ S)i"ter was sti)) a riso"er i"

Shre((er0s wareho,se. 8e ha( %ee" %eate"

%* Shre((er a"( ha( "ew wo,"(s to ro'e it. It

(i("0t matter. I" site of the ai"+ he was

fee)i"& &oo(. Shre((er was a"&r* %ea,se the

T,rt)es ha( fo,&ht so har( a"( ha( h,rt so ma"*

of his me". If Shre((er was that a"&r*+ it mea"t

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the T,rt)es ha( esae( a"( were sti)) a)i'e

S)i"ter )oo$e( , whe" a %o* wa)$e(

i". It was =a""* e""i"&to". 8e seeme(

a)most )ost i" tho,&ht.

28ow a" a fae so *o,"& wear so ma"*

%,r(e"s92 S)i"ter as$e(. 2#o, a" ta)$92 =a""* as$e( i"

s,rrise.

2#es+2 S)i"ter sai(. 2A"( I a"

a)so )iste".2

=a""* (i("0t wa"t to ta)$ the". 8e 4,st

"ee(e( to thi"$. Thi"&s were so om)iate(

=a""* )eft S)i"ter a"( wa"(ere( i"to the

>oot )o$er room. There he saw the

%attere( warriors resti"& a"( ha"&i"& o,t after the

%att)e. =a""* stoo( to the si(e a"(

o%ser'e(. 8e0( see" these %o*s fi&ht

%ra'e)*+ "ear)* )osi"& to the T,rt)es. The*

were so s$i))e(+ so stro"&--*et ...

S,((e")* the (oor f)ew oe" a"( Tats,

marhe( i". 8e was f,rio,s at the warriors

%ea,se the T,rt)es ha( s,r'i'e( a"( esae(.

8e was a"&r* at e'er*%o(*+ %,t he %e&a"

i$i"& o" o"e warrior arti,)ar)*. 8e

$i$e( the %o* a"( the" ,"he( him fiere)*.

The %o* $"ew %etter tha" to fi&ht %a$. 8is

frie"( Shi"sho was"0t so wise.

2Master Tats, Sto )ease2

Shi"sho rie(.

Tats, t,r"e( o" Shi"sho with e'er* o,"e of his

ex)osi'e ower. 8e a,&ht Shi"sho

,"reare( with a ro,"(ho,se $i$ that se"t him

f)*i"& aross the room+ s)ammi"& him i"to the wa)).

8is )im %o(* s)ie( to the f)oor. 8e

)a* sti))+ (ea(.

=a""* (i("0t mo'e. 8e tho,&ht of

Shre((er+ remem%eri"& how he ha( ta)$e( a%o,t

2fami)*.2 8e tho,&ht a%o,t his ow" fami)*+ his

mother+ his father. 8e tho,&ht that he ha( a )ot more

thi"$i"& to (o.

Ari) too$ ase* a"( the T,rt)es to a

farm i" ,state New #or$ that %e)o"&e( to her

fami)*. It was far awa* from the it*. Ari)

tho,&ht it wo,)( %e a &oo( )ae for them to hi(e.

Rahae) wo,)( ha'e a ha"e to &et we)). The*0(

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ha'e time to ma$e a )a" to %eat The >oot a"(

sa'e S)i"ter.

There were 4,st a few ro%)ems i" their wa*+

tho,&h. ase* was a &oo( meha"i a"( o,)( fix

a"*thi"&. That was a &oo( thi"& %ea,se ma"* thi"&s at the

farm were %ro$e"+ i"),(i"& Ari)0s 'a". ,tit seeme( that the thi"& ase* was the %est at was

h,rti"& eo)e0s fee)i"&s a"( a))i"& them "ames+ )i$e the

wa* he to)( Ari) a%o,t the messa&e

har)es ha( )eft o" her mahi"e ri&ht %efore the*

esae(.

2This is a &oo( "ewsst%a( "ews sit,atio"+2

ase* sai(. 2The %a( "ews is that the ar is

%ro$e" %ea,se the %)o$0s &ot a ra$ i" it

a%o,t the si!e of the Sa" A"(reas fa,)t+ so *o,0(

ha'e to wa)$ fo,r mi)es to the "ei&h%or0s to a))

har)es a"( te)) him *o,0re ta$i"& some time off.

The &oo( "ews is that *o, (o"0t ha'e to ma$e the

tri. har)es a))e( *o,. I hear( him

)ea'e a messa&e o" *o,r mahi"e. #o, &ot

fire(2

Ari) tho,&ht ase* was the most

i"se"siti'e ma" she0( e'er met.

The T,rt)es ha( se"t their e"tire )i'es

)i'i"&+ )ear"i"&+ a"( wor$i"& to&ether. The* ha( a)wa*s

%ee" a" i"seara%)e ;,artet. The %eati"& the*0(

ta$e" at the ha"( of The >oot seeme( to e"(

a)) that.

Rahae)+ ritia))* i"4,re( %* The

>oot+ se"t his (a*s i" a %atht,% ha)f

fi))e( with water. 8is ,)se was wea$+ his

%reathi"& tort,re(+ a"(+ worst of a)) for a

t,rt)e+ his she)) was soft. 8e was a)i'e+ %,t

4,st %are)*.

Leo"ar(o a)most "e'er mo'e( from Rahae)0s

si(e. There was "othi"& he o,)( (o for his %rother+

%,t %ei"& with Rahae) was )i$e %ei"& %* himse)f. That was

what he wa"te(.

Mihae)a"&e)o trai"e(. 8e se"t a))

his time i" the %ar"+ wor$i"& o" his "i"4a s$i))s.

8e o"e"trate( so har( o" the s$i))s of

%att)e to (eath that it seeme( he0( for&otte" a%o,t

)ife.

=o"ate))o se"t his (a*s "ext

to ase*+ tr*i"& to reair thi"&s aro,"( the farm.

The* fixe( a" o)( tr,$+ the* ,")o&&e( the

we))+ a"( the* athe( , the roof. The* a)so

hatte( o"sta"t)*.

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2No wa*+ atomi mo,th+2 =o"ate))o

sai(.

2arfaro"i.2

2ame) %reath.2

2=ome hea(.2

2E)f )is.2 2Ga$ fae2

28ose %rai"2

The* o,)( reair a"*thi"& %,t the wa* the*

treate( eah other.

Ari)+ too+ se"t time a)o"e. She fo,"(

a (iar* she0( %e&," whe" she was a )itt)e &ir) a"(

starte( writi"& i" it a&ai". I" site of the

fat that har)es ha( fire( her+ she was a

reorter. She wrote a%o,t what she saw &oi"&

o" aro,"( her with her frie"(s--a"( ase*. She

(rew it,res of eah of the t,rt)es. She

)i$e( what she (rew.

The first ra* of hoe ame whe" the

T,rt)es ha( %ee" at the farm for fo,r (a*s.

Rahae) awo$e. 8e )ifte( his hea( a

few i"hes.

28e*+2 he whisere( to Leo.

Leo"ar(o )eat ,+ a)most too exite(

to sea$. 2Rah #o,0re awa$e 8ow (o *o,

fee)92

2:hat0s a &,* &ot to (o to &et some foo(

aro,"( here92

Leo (ashe( to the (oorwa* a"( *e))e(.

28e* 8e0s awa$e. ri"& some foo(2

8e ret,r"e( to his %rother. :ith "i"4a

see(+ foo( arri'e(. So (i( Ari) a"(

=o"ate))o.

Ari) wathe( the re,"io". It was a ha"e

for Leo"ar(o to ao)o&i!e for teasi"&

Rahae). Ao)o&ies were"0t eas* for

a"*%o(*+ %,t with the T,rt)es+ it seeme( as

tho,&h it was"0t "eessar*. It was imorta"t a"( it

was to,hi"&+ %,t there was somethi"& missi"&.

Later+ Ari) wrote i" her (iar* 2The

T,rt)es are fo,r o"e a&ai". A"( *et

the*0re sti)) "ot who)e. ,t I thi"$ I ,"(ersta"(.

A )i"&eri"& (o,%t remai"s--a" ,"$"ow" that the*

a"0t %ear to fae--their &reatest fear.2

Later+ i" the (ar$"ess of the o,"tr* "i&ht+

Mihae)a"&e)o sat o" the roof of

Ari)0s %ar"+ thi"$i"&.

8e was &)a( that he a"( his %rothers were

a&e 3


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a)i'e. 8e was &)a( that the* were safe. 8e was

&)a( that Ari) was with them. ,t somethi"& was

missi"&. Somethi"& %i&.

:itho,t e'e" rea)i!i"& it+ Mihae)a"&e)o

stoo( , a"( reahe( for the s$* with %oth ha"(s. 8e

rie( )o,()* i"to the ith-%)a$ "i&ht+2S)i"ter2

E'er*o"e at the farm hear( him. E'er*o"e

fe)t the same (eseratio". Mihae)a"&e)o

ha( so$e" it for them a)).

The fo))owi"& (a*+ Leo"ar(o )eft the

%athroom for the first time. 8e we"t to a fie)(

to me(itate as S)i"ter ha( ta,&ht them. 8e

o"e"trate(.

8,"(re(s of mi)es awa*+ i" a

wareho,se fi))e( with hate a"( (estr,tio"+

S)i"ter )ifte( his hea( a"( whisere( a si"&)e

wor(+ 2Leo"ar(o.2

At that i"sta"t+ Leo"ar(o $"ew. 8e

ra" %a$ to the farm. 8e was a)most o,t of %reath

whe" he arri'e( at the orh+ where his %rothers were

(ri"$i"& )emo"a(e with Ari) a"( ase*.

28e0s a)i'e2 Leo to)( them.

2S)i"ter0s a)i'e2

The others tho,&ht ma*%e the who)e sit,atio" was

4,st &etti"& to %e too m,h for Leo. #et--o,)(

it %e9

That "i&ht+ Leo too$ his %rothers to the

woo(s to me(itate. The* )it a fire a"( sat

aro,"( it.

2Leo+ if *o, (ra&&e( ,s o,t here for "othi"&

...2 Rahae) %e&a".

2=o"0t worr*+2 =o"ate))o to)(

Rah+ ,))i"& o,t a %a& of marshma))ows.

2I ame reare(.2

2,t those awa*+2 Leo"ar(o sai(. 2Now+

4,st (o what I to)( *o,. E'er*%o(* )ose *o,r

e*es a"( o"e"trate. o"e"trate har(.2

The* (i(. A"( whe" the* were a)) o"e"trati"&

to&ether o" the same thi"&+ it seeme( as if the

f)ames of the fire ha"&e(. It too$ some time+

%,t whe" it was (o"e+ it was ,"mista$a%)e. There+ i"

the mi(()e of their amfire+ stoo( the ima&e

of their master+ S)i"ter. 8e so$e

2I am ro,( of *o,+ m* so"s. To"i&ht *o, ha'e

a&e 33


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)ear"e( the fi"a) a"( &reatest tr,th of the "i"4a+ that

,)timate master* omes "ot of the %o(*+ %,t of the

mi"(. To&ether+ there is "othi"& *o,r fo,r mi"(s

a""ot aom)ish. 8e) eah other. =raw ,o"

o"e a"other.2 The ima&e %e&a" to fa(e+ %,t

S)i"ter o"ti",e( ta)$i"&. 2A"( a)wa*s remem%erthe tr,e fore that %i"(s *o,+ the same as that whih

%ro,&ht me here to"i&ht. That whih I &)a()* ret,r"

with m* fi"a) wor(s I )o'e *o, a))+ m*

st,(e"ts ... m* so"s ... m* fami)*.2

S)i"ter0s ima&e (isaeare(. 8is fi"a)

wor( ehoe( i" the woo(s. 2>ami)*.2

>o,r T,rt)es sat aro,"( the fire+ the

same as the* ha( %ee" 4,st a few mi",tes %efore+

%,t 'er* (iffere"t+ too. The* were "o )o"&er fo,r

i"(i'i(,a)s. The* were o"e team. The* were

fami)*.

The* %e&a" their rea) wor$ to&ether ear)* the "ext

mor"i"&.

E'er*thi"& was (iffere"t+ e'er*thi"& was %etter. The

T,rt)es fo,"( s$i))s the* "e'er wo,)( ha'e

ima&i"e( the* ha(.

28e*+ )oo$2 Leo sai(. 8e t,r"e( his

mas$ aro,"( so it was a %)i"(fo)( a"( (rew his

$ata"a from its sheath. 2/$a*+ "ow atta$

me. A)) three of *o,. At o"e.2

8is %rothers )oo$e( at him as if he0(

)ost his she)). 2Gi'e me a %rea$+ Leo+2

Rah sai(.

2#o,0)) &et h,rt2 =o" to)( him+

tr,)* o"er"e(.

2ome o"2 Leo sai(+ tai"& Rah o"

the sho,)(er with the si(e of the %)a(e to e&& him o".

2"o$ it off+ Leo. That h,rt2

Rah sai(.

Leo tae( him a&ai"+ har(er. It was e"o,&h

to i&"ite Rahae)0s short f,se. 8e

(rew his sai a"( atta$e(. Leo (efe"(e(

himse)f+ $"o$i"& the sai o,t of Rah0s ha"(s

witho,t h,rti"& him at a)). It was as if Leo

o,)( see ri&ht thro,&h the materia). ,t he o,)("0t.

The* a)) $"ew that.

The" a)) three atta$e(. Leo ,se( his

"ewfo,"( s$i))s to ree) the atta$s+ ;,i$)*

(isarmi"& a)) of his %rothers. :he" his wor$ was (o"e+

he t,r"e( his mas$ aro,"( a&ai" a"( smi)e(

tri,mha"t)*.

8is %rothers were imresse(.

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2Ra(0-ia)2 Mihae)a"&e)o sai(.

2I thi"$ *o,0re &oi"& to ha'e to teah ,s this o"e+2

=o"ate))o sai(.

2S)i"ter (i( the teahi"&+2 Leo sai(.

2I0)) 4,st show *o, how.2

It was the ,)timate weao"--the sixthse"se. It was mi"( o'er matter+ a"( the

T,rt)es trai"e( to %e a%)e to ,se it i" o"ert

with a)) their other weao"s. The* trai"e( har(.

It too$ time to ho"e their s$i))s+ %,t as the*

wor$e( the* )ear"e(+ a"( as the* )ear"e(+ the* %eame

e'e" more ,"ite(.

Ari) a"( ase* o,)("0t %e)ie'e the

ha"&e i" their frie"(s. It was ,"it* a"( it was

)o'e. It was so (ramati that ase* a"(

Ari) o,)("0t he) %ei"& affete( %* it themse)'es.

Their ow" a"&er seeme( to (isso)'e. Their

%i$eri"& stoe(. Their frie"(shi %e&a".

A few (a*s )ater+ Ari) a"(

ase* were sitti"& o" the farmho,se orh+

re)axi"& a"( hatti"&. >o,r T,rt)es s,((e")*

aeare( %efore them. The* )oo$e( 'er* (iffere"t from the

fo,r T,rt)es who ha( arri'e( at the farm a

few short wee$s ear)ier. These fo,r were

hea)th*+ stro"&+ o"fi(e"t. /"e a&ai" the* were the

i"(omita%)e Tee"a&e M,ta"t Ni"4a

T,rt)es.

Leo"ar(o so$e for them a)).

2It is time to &o %a$.2

It was a mess+ %,t it was home a"( the

T,rt)es were &)a( to %e there. The T,rt)es+

Ari)+ a"( ase* were tire( after their )o"&

(ri'e from the farm. ase* (i("0t seem to )i$e

the (e" 'er* m,h+ tho,&h.

2Great. J,st &reat. >irst it0s the >arm That

Time >or&ot+ a"( "ow this. :h* (o"0t I e'er

fa)) i" with eo)e who ow" o"(os92 Ari) &a'e

him a "ast* )oo$. 8e (i("0t &et the

hi"t. 2I &,ess it0s har( to &et &oo( mai(

ser'ie i" a sewer. Ma*%e *o, sho,)( tr*

Roto-Rooter.2 ase* tho,&ht that was rett*

f,""*. No%o(* e)se (i(.

2F,it om)ai"i"&+2 Ari) sai(. 2It0s 4,st

for a )itt)e whi)e.2

2o*+ I0m h,"&r*+2 Mihae)a"&e)o

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sai(. 8e )oo$e( at the $ithe" a%i"ets.

2I wo"(er if there0s a"*thi"&--2

There was somethi"&+ %,t it was"0t somethi"& to eat.

There was a stra"&e+ )o,( "oise from the

a%i"et. =o" a"( Mi$e (rew their weao"s

a"( eah too$ a ha"()e of the a%i"et. /" asi&"a)+ the* t,&&e( the (oors oe" a"( o,t

t,m%)e(--

2=a""* e""i"&to"92 Ari) sai(+ 'er*

s,rrise(. =a""* ha( the o((est wa* of

t,r"i"& , at the most ,")i$e)* times.

=a""*0s arms f)ew , as soo" as he

sotte( the "i"4a weao"s. 2=o"0t shoot2

he sai(+ terrifie(.

2I (o"0t thi"$ it0s )oa(e(+ $i(+2

Rahae) sai(+ teasi"& a )itt)e.

=a""* raw)e( o,t of the a%i"et. 8e

to)( Ari) that he0( r," awa* from home a"(

fo,"( this hi(i"& )ae. Ari) trie( to &et

him to a)) his father. She $"ew how worrie(

har)es wo,)( %e.

2No+ )ease2 =a""* %e&&e(. 2a"0t

I se"( the "i&ht with *o, &,*s9 I0)) a))

him i" the mor"i"&. I romise.2

2:e)) ...2 >i"a))* she a&ree(.

The frie"(s sett)e( i"to the (e" for a restf,) e'e"i"&

a"( a &oo( "i&ht0s s)ee. Ari) to)(

=a""* where the*0( %ee" a"( some of what ha( %ee"

hae"i"&. She showe( him the s$ethes she0(

ma(e of the t,rt)es.

2o*+ these are &oo(2 he sai(. She was

)ease(. 2#o, thi"$ ma*%e I o,)( ha'e o"e92

Ari) o,)("0t resist his a(miratio".

2S,re+2 she sai(. She &a'e him a s$eth

of the T,rt)es trai"i"& with mas$s. 8e fo)(e(

it aref,))* a"( ,t it i" his o$et.

2Ma"+ I o,)( rea))* &o for a )itt)e (ee-(ish

atio" ri&ht a%o,t "ow+2 Mihae)a"&e)o sai(.

2:e))+ I ha( some i!!a (ow" here the

other (a*. There mi&ht %e some )eft o'er+2

=a""* to)( him. 8e oi"te( to a i!!a

%ox o" the o,"ter.

aref,))*+ =o" )ifte( the ar(%oar( )i(

a"( eere( i"si(e.

2:e))92 Mihae)a"&e)o as$e(.

2=ee"(s+2 =o"ate))o sai(.

2/" what92

2/" if *o, )i$e e"ii))i" o" *o,r i!!a.2

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The* we"t to %e( h,"&r*. The T,rt)es

"ee(e( a &oo( "i&ht0s s)ee. Tomorrow wo,)( %e a

%,s* (a*. Tomorrow the* wo,)( fi"( S)i"ter a"( the*

wo,)( free him.

ase* o,)("0t s)ee i" the rame( (e".8e (ei(e(+ i"stea(+ to s)ee i" the tr,$+

whih was ar$e( a%o'e the (e" o" the it*0s (eserte(

street.

ase* was awa$e"e( i" the (ea( of the "i&ht %* the

so,"( of a ma"ho)e %ei"& ,she( asi(e. 8e

oe"e( his e*es a"( wathe(. It was =a""*

=a""* wa)$e( ;,i$)* a"( ;,iet)* (ow"

a)o"& the street+ a"( whe" he was a%o,t a ha)f

%)o$ awa*+ he %e&a" 4o&&i"&. ase*

s)ie( o,t of the a% of the tr,$ a"( fo))owe(

=a""*. 8e ra" si)e"t)*.

=a""* ra" (ow"tow" a"( the" aross a

%ri(&e to roo$)*". ase* $et , with

him. >i"a))* =a""* s)owe( (ow". 8e arri'e(

at a h,&e wareho,se. 8e ir)e( it

,"ti) he &ot to a sma)) (oor o" o"e

si(e. =a""* a,se( o,tsi(e the

(oor. 8e st,$ his ha"( i" his o$et a"(

,))e( somethi"& o,t. It was a hea( %a"(. 8e tie(

it aro,"( his hea(+ oe"e( the (oor+ a"( e"tere(.

ase* (i("0t ha'e a"* i(ea what was ,+

%,t he $"ew this was "o time to sto a"( thi"$.

>ear)ess)* he reahe( for the (oor a"( e"tere( the

hea(;,arters of The >oot.

8e o,)("0t %e)ie'e what he saw

=a""* wa)$e( ;,i$)* thro,&h the trai"i"& areas

i"to the remote stora&e setio". There he fo,"(

the rat.

2I ha'e "ot see" *o, for ma"* (a*s+2 S)i"ter

sai(. 8e so,"(e( wea$. =a""* was a )itt)e

o"er"e(.

2I0'e %ee" at m* hi(eo,t a )ot.2

2A"( so *o, hi(e from *o,r s,rro&ate fami)*

as we)) as *o,r ow" "ow. ...2

=a""* shr,&&e(. 8e was so o"f,se(.

S)i"ter o"ti",e( ta)$i"&. 2I+ too+ o"e

ha( a fami)*+ =a"ie).2 =a""* )oo$e(

at S)i"ter. 8e $"ew S)i"ter was a%o,t

to te)) him a stor* from his ow" )ife. 8e

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hoe( it wo,)( he) him ,"(ersta"( a"( (ei(e.

2I was a et+ %e)o"&i"& to Master #oshi.

I )ear"e( the m*sterio,s art of Ni"4its,

%* o*i"& his mo'es whi)e I was i" m* a&e.

#oshi was o"e of the fi"est sha(ow warriors of his

)a". 8is o")* ri'a) was a ma" "ame(/ro$, Na&i.2

:hi)e =a""* )iste"e( i"te"t)*+ S)i"ter

to)( him how #oshi a"( Na&i ha( %ee" i"

)o'e with the same woma". 8er "ame was Ta"&

She". Ta"& She" (i("0t )o'e Na&i+

tho,&h. She )o'e( S)i"ter0s master+ #oshi.

:he" Na&i hear( a%o,t that+ he f)ew i"to a

ra&e a"( %eat Ta"& She".

2#oshi arri'e( 4,st i" time to sa'e Ta"&

She"+ %,t whe" the fi&ht was o'er+ Na&i )a*

(ea(.2 =a""* $"ew how serio,s it was if

mem%ers of a )a" $i))e( o"e a"other. 2The

)a"0s o(e of ho"or was )ear #oshi m,st

"ow ta$e his ow" )ife. ,t m* master fe)t

he ha( (o"e "othi"& wro"&+ a"( so (ei(e(

to f)ee with Ta"& She" a"( me to Ameria.2

=a""* was fasi"ate( to )iste" to S)i"ter0s

stor*. :hat a )ife the rat ha( )e(

2Na&i was (ea(+2 S)i"ter

o"ti",e(. 2,t he )eft %ehi"( a *o,"&er %rother+

/ro$, Sa$i. Sa$i romise( the )a"

to tra$ (ow" m* master. 8e trai"e( with

hatre( a"( %eame the most feare( "i"4a warrior

i" a)) Jaa". 8e t,r"e( the )a" from o"e

of ho"or to o"e of (eath a"( thie'er* witho,t

ho"or. :he" he was rea(* to f,)fi)) his 'ow+

he+ too+ ame to Ameria.2

S)i"ter so$e more ;,iet)* "ow. 2I

remem%er whe" m* master ret,r"e( home to fi"(

his %e)o'e( She" ha( %ee" m,r(ere(. The" he

saw her $i))er. Sa$i waste( "o wor(s. 8e

atta$e( #oshi ri&ht awa* with his $ata"a.

:he" he sw,"& it the first time+ he $"o$e( m*

a&e o" the f)oor a"( it %ro$e. I )eat

to the ma"0s fae+ %iti"& a"( )awi"& ,t he

threw me %a$ to the f)oor a"( too$ o"e

swie with the swor(. I" a" i"sta"t+ ha)f m*

ear was &o"e. ,t that was"0t the worst of it.

:ith the same swie+ he $i))e( Master

#oshi.2

=a""* fe)t S)i"ter0s (ee sa("ess

at the )oss.

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2:hate'er hae"e( to this Sa$i &,*92

=a""* as$e(.

2No o"e rea))* $"ows+2 S)i"ter sai(. The"

he )oo$e( (ee)* i"to =a""*0s e*es. 2,t

*o, wear his s*m%o) ,o" *o,r %row.2

:itho,t thi"$i"&+ =a""* reahe( , a"( fe)t thehea(%a"( he0( 4,st ,t o". Sa$i a"( Shre((er9

:e))+ =a""* tho,&ht. I was ri&ht a%o,t

o"e thi"&. S)i"ter0s stor* s,re has he)e(

me (ei(e some thi"&s a%o,t the o,rse of m* ow"

)ife.

8e too$ off his hea(%a"( a"( (roe( it

o"to the f)oor+ for &oo(.

The" =a""* hear( the th,"(ero,s 'oie that he

"ow feare( a"( hate( most.

2:hat are *o, (oi"& i" there+ %o*92 Shre((er

as$e(.

2/h+ "othi"&+2 =a""* sai(. 8e trie(

to so,"( as i""oe"t as ossi%)e. It (i("0t

wor$. Shre((er (i("0t %e)ie'e him. A)most as

if he $"ew where he0( fi"( somethi"&+ Shre((er

we"t i"to =a""*0s o$et. Tats, wathe(

whi)e Shre((er ,))e( a aref,))* fo)(e(

iee of aer from =a""*0s

o$et. 8e oe"e( it s)ow)*. It was

Ari)0s (rawi"& of the T,rt)es. e"eath his

he)met+ Shre((er a)e(.

8e $"ew what it mea"t. 2The*0re

%a$+2 he sai(. The" his e*es seeme( to )i&ht

with the fire of hatre(. 2There wi)) %e "o

mista$es this time2 he to)( Tats,. 2I

&o m*se)f.2 8e starte( for the (oor a"( the" so$e

o"e more time. 2Tats,+ the rat has ser'e( its

,rose. :e (o"0t "ee( it a"* more.

i)) it.2

The" Shre((er was &o"e.

=a""* "ee(e( he) to sa'e S)i"ter+ %,t

he (i("0t $"ow where to &et it. As fast as he

o,)(+ he ra" from the room+ searhi"& for a frie"(+ a"

a))*. E'er*where he )oo$e(+ The >oot were

r,""i"& for the (oor+ rea(* to fo))ow Shre((er

i"to %att)e. :here o,)( =a""* &et he)9

2/ooooomh2 he sai( as he st,m%)e( a"(

fe)) (ow". 8e )oo$e( to see what ha(

hae"e(. 8e0( %ee" trie( %* someo"e i" a

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hi)osoh*+ tho,&h. 8e fi"ishe( ,")o$i"&

S)i"ter. 2/$a*+ )et0s &et o,t of here2

,t s,((e")* Tats, was %etwee" them a"( the exit.

ase* was to,&h+ %,t Tats, was to,&her. 8is

"i"4a s$i))s far o,tmathe( ase*0s

rimiti'e ,"hes a"( $i$s. ase*trie( to ta)$ to,&h+ %,t that (i("0t wor$ a"*

%etter tha" his fi&hti"&.

Tats, ,"he(. ase* sta&&ere( %a$war(

i"to she)'es fi))e( with sto)e" )othes. Tats,

$i$e(. ase* f)ew a&ai"st %oxes of sto)e"

e)etro"is. Tats, hoe(. ase*

st,m%)e( o"to a i)e of sto)e" 4ewe)r*.

Tats, s)ie(. ase* s)amme(. This time+

tho,&h+ he hit somethi"& fami)iar. It was sto)e"

sorti"& e;,ime"t. 8e ha( his %a$ , a&ai"st

a &o)f %a& ase* ha( a" i(ea. :ith his

)ast o,"e of stre"&th+ he ,))e( a &o)f

(ri'er o,t of the %a&. I" the "i$ of time+ he

ma(e the tee-shot of his )ifetime. 8e sw,"&

%a$ a"( the" thro,&h

2>ore2 he *e))e(. 8e wha$e( Tats,

i" the stomah. Tats, rashe( to the f)oor+ o,t

o)(.

2I0)) "e'er a)) &o)f a (,)) &ame

a&ai"2 ase* romise(. 8e $isse( the

),% hea(.

2:e0'e &ot to &o2 =a""* sai(. ,t as

he he)e( S)i"ter towar( the (oor+ the room

%e&a" to fi)) , with his fe))ow rer,its a"(

first-)e'e) trai"ees.

/"e a&ai"+ thi"&s were"0t )oo$i"& too &oo(+

,"ti) =a""* rea)i!e( that+ )i$e him+ these &,*s

ha( see" what Tats, ha( (o"e to Shi"sho.

Ma*%e there was a"other wa*+ he tho,&ht.

The T,rt)es ha( "e'er fo,&ht more fiere)*.

The T,rt)es ha( "e'er fo,&ht %etter. A"( the

T,rt)es ha( "e'er ha( more f,"

2Ga"&wa*2 =o"ate))o ho))ere(. 8e

ro(e his s$ate%oar( thro,&h the sewer+ ma$i"&

S-,r'es a"( $"o$i"& o,t >oot )a"

warriors with his %o as he soote( a)o"& the

m,$* ha))wa*.

2Show-off2 Rahae) *e))e(. 8e was 4,st

waiti"& for his ha"e. >ort,"ate)* there were e"o,&h

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e"em* warriors to &i'e him )ots of

oort,"ities.

The T,rt)es sta$e( them , )i$e

or(woo(+ ,shi"& the %a( &,*s o,t of their (e"

thro,&h the sewer assa&ewa*s a"( oi"& them ,

o"to the street. =o" a"( Mi$e fo,&ht %a$-to-%a$+ eah

roteti"& the other0s f)

Adolescent Freak Samurai Reptiles

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