TMNT Ninja Tribunal

Chapter 5

As soon as her feet left the ground,  Fire felt free. As her body fell to the Earth,  she was finally about to let go everything on her mind. She no longer had to fight an erg. The erg for being free.

Her body began to tingle and take on it's new form. Within minutes,  she was no longer a human, but the giant bird known as the Phoenix. Her feathers were of the brightest reds and oranges.Her tail feathers flowing off of her body like three whips on fire. As the ground came near, she tilted her wings up And began to glide on the cool night air.

Though she could change the size of the bird,  she loved being bigger. It ment going faster. After grazing the tops of the trees,  with one mighty push of her wings, she flew higher and higher up into the sky. She pushed down again and agian. Before she knew it, she had flown over the island completely,  she was now over the sea.

The night air was brisk and the smell of the ocean as it rushed past her face was delightful. Happiness spread through her like a warm blanket. This right now. Only this. Flying was the only way Fire would allow herself to be happy and joyful. The stars in the sky peered down upon her and the moon seemed to smile. Everything seemed to be perfect. Up high in the air, Firewing began to glide down to the waters surface. She flew only a few feet above it. She couldn't get enough of the sweet smell that lingered in her beak. The sound of the waves relaxed her troubled mind.

I will sleep outside tonight. Fire said with a sweet tone to herself. She leaned to the left began the short journey back to the island. But she only went to the beach. After feeling the sea water splash against her wings, she decided to hurry back to the land. Once she was right above the beach made an attempt to land. Sticking out her feet and stretching her wings wide as she came to the ground.  But just as her claws touched the warm sand, her body then changed back into her human form.

She never really liked her human form. Though people told her she was beautiful, she never felt that way. She felt trapped.  Like a caged bird, only being able to dream of flight. But with flying,  she felt free. Right now, she could fly away and never come back. But she couldn't. She had a mission.

Standing on the beach she turned to face the water. The wind played with hair, and the waves sang her a sweet song. She slowly lowered herself to the ground and leaned back. She layers on her back in the  sand, still warm from the hot summer day. With the sound of the waves and the whispering of the wind, her eyes slowly closed. Everything seemed perfect. The night sky was filled with stars. She opened her eyes and began to gaze up at them. But one thing was missing.  She knew there was something missing. But she had no idea what it was.

Then, her eyes came across something in the sky. A lone star. It was apart from all the others. It was dim and didn't shine like the others.Finally it struck Fire, maybe it would be such a bad thing to have someone care for her, or to care about. But she didnt want to put anyone at risk. Slowly,  the small star seemed to fade.

A pain in Fire's heart slowly gripped it's way out and for the first time in what seemed like forever,  a tear ran down her cheek. A single tear.

Firewing quickly brushed it away with the back of her hand. What she wouldn't do to have some company. But she didn't want to move either.

As if the gods had heard her plea, she heard someone walking on the sand towards her. Then the familiar sent of Ancient One washed over her. She smiled and sat up.

" It is a cold night Firewing,  you shouldn't stay out here for too long." He spoke softly.

" I'm fine. I thought I would sleep out here tonight.  It's not every night the gods bless us with there stars." She replied. Her voice was a little shaky from her emotions.

" You really have everyone worried about you." He said. " By everyone I mean Leonardo,  Foragie, and myself. "

" I figured that." She said with a sigh. She turned her head to look at him.

He smiled and dipped his head. He hadn't seen her the way she was for a long time. She didn't have her cloak or armor on. Her gloves were gone, and most of her weapons. She wore her royal blue shirt and black pants.Her boots were slightly undone and her hair free to move. It rested across her back, only moving when the wind touched it. She only had two daggers with her. Each in her boots.

" So you too have noticed the way those two have been acting around you?" He asked. Fire looked back at the ocean. She brought her knees up and rested her stomach and chest on her thighs. She wrapped her arms around her shins and hugged them tightly. The only light was that of the moon.

" Yeah." She said quietly. "Though I don't want too. "

"Why not?" Ancient One asked with a smirk.  He had placed himself up on a surrounding boulder. " I would nice with either one of them." He said with smile.

Suddenly Fire's face became hot.

" You really think so?" She asked, sadness creeping into her.

" Leonardo is more concerned about you than Foragie. I believe he likes you more. You two would look nice together."

" So it's just a competition to see who can like me the most?" She asked.

"You know I did not mean it like that." He replied. " You have been alone for far too long Rose. Two well kept men are fighting over you and you refuse to see it. They wish to love you, to care for you."

" One, I dont need to be with anyone. Two, I can take care of myself, and three, my name is no longer Rose!" Anger began to steam into her. She jumped to her feet and pointed her finger at Ancient One.

" I sure as hell don't need advice, from a man who has never been married, on whether or not  I need a man. I'm better off alone." She realized what words had come out of her mouth. Ancient One's face showed with pain at her searing words. " I'm sorry." She said, falling her knees in front of him, facing him.

" It is alright." He said, happiness filled his voiced. " You feel better, do you not?"

It was true. She did feel better.

"You have blamed yourself for something that has happened so long ago. It was not your fault. And do not think for one moment that it was. By pushing away the ones who try to love and care for you, you are doing them damage then would if you would love and care for them back." He said. " Take it from me. It pains me to see beat yourself up and hate yourself for something you did not do. But every time I try to help, you push me away. It hurts me more than hearing the words you would have to say to me."

Silence fell over them. Fire watched the ground. She watched the little waves in the sand." I'm sorry. I didnt kbow I was hurting you all this time." She said.

" It's alright. I feel much better begging to tell you my feelings now. Because you listened." He said with a big smile on his face. " It is getting cold." He said as he jumped down from the rock. " I shall go now. Think about what I have said." He began to walk away and then stopped. " I would go for Leonardo if I were you. I think you would only scare Foragie." He said with a smile and walked away.

Fire let out a giggle and turned to face the ocean again. 

Maybe I should give him a chance. She said to herself.