TMNT Hunger Games (Featuring Your OCs)

Chapter 29: Breaking Hearts

President Oroku's expression can be summed up in one word; terrifying. His cold glare is fixated on Destiny, but she doesn't flinch beneath his fierceness. She doesn't feel anything anymore, just guilt and other negative feelings.

The idea of the Victory Tour is killing her inside. She doesn't want to go to the Districts and look at the families or lack thereof for each tribute. She doesn't want to reach District 8 and see the look on Mari Taino's face, and the wolf-raven won't blame her if it's of hatred. A small part of her does hope that the iguana mutant understands that Destiny didn't want the girl's brother to die, and yet it happened.

Destiny stands as people cheer, President Oroku standing before her with an elegant crown perched on his fingertips. He places it on her head gently, his eyes never wandering from hers.

"Congratulations," he says, his deep voice sending unpleasant chills up her spine.

"Thank you," she responds automatically, face straight. The last thing she wants to do is thank this man, but here she is.

His eyes glint as he smiles, as if telling her just how badly she's screwed up.

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"Destiny, do you not understand what is going on?" Hamato Yoshi asks, his russet eyes creased with worry.

Destiny looks up, dropping another tissue in a nearby garbage bin.

"I'm well aware," she answers. "But you don't have to worry. I'm not going to be around much longer."

The rat frowns. "My child, now is not the time to be foolish. If you-"

"If I had never been picked for the Games, none of this would've happened," she retorts, cutting him off as her tail lashes. "If the odds weren't against us, if it had just been Leo...then maybe he could've won and he could've come home to me, but he's gone, Splinter."

Yoshi's countenance floods with knowledge, knowledge of what the wolf-raven does not yet know. She grits her teeth as she wraps her arms around her middle, her heart sending uncomfortable sparks of pain through her nerves. She leans back against the couch, her breaths laboured.

"Destiny, I know of the truth, but I'm not sure you want to know it," her mentor says slowly.

Her expression grows almost misty as she gazes up at him. "Truth? About what?"

He sighs, his eyes closing. "The Reaping was rigged this year, only for District 7, and I fear that is because of me," he explains, his voice hurt. "Oroku Saki has always hated me, hence why my wife and daughter were killed. It was a warning to me."

"R-Rigged?" Destiny squeaks, not wanting to believe what she's hearing.

"Both you and Leonardo were set to be Reaped, because our President felt that I had not suffered enough. He knew that his last resort to get to me would be through you two." Yoshi's face floods with sorrow as a few tears prick at the corners of his eyes. "He rigged the Reaping so that you and Leonardo would be called."

The wolf-raven sinks impossibly further into the couch, gripping the spot over her heart as tears trickle down her face.

"T-They used us to hurt y-you?" she stammers, and although it's presented like a question, it sounds more like a statement. She lays down, her heart breaking even further. "I'm s-sorry, Splinter."

He kneels next to her and gently caresses her hair, worry etching his aging face. "My child, what is happening to you?"

Her eyes shut involuntarily as her entire body shakes. "It's m-my fault...everything...if I had-d let Jason w-win, if I had s-saved him-"

"Destiny-"

"I'm d-dying already...they're g-going to lose their v-victor." She almost smiles, as if that thought is like a victory within itself. "If I had d-died in the arena...it'd b-be better..."

The rat mutant gets to his feet, trying to understand what is going on. He tries to remember, remember anything that would hint at why she's obviously not okay, for more reasons than losing Leonardo.

"My heart..." she whispers, her voice heavy with grief. "I l-lost my m-mate. It's physically b-breaking."

Yoshi squeezes her shoulder gently, understanding a little more with each passing moment. "You will be fine. We'll be home soon."

She closes her eyes, slipping off into the forgetful world of sleep.