Together As Mutants (Book Six)

Chapter 47: Talks About the Future

Karai and Shinigami have really put in the work on their new dojo. Not only is there a new sign above the door, proudly proclaiming "Hamato Dojo and Ninjutsu Academy," but they've laid down new training and tatami mats, cleared out every bit of dust and dirt from every nook and cranny, and even done some extra decorating. There's a giant poster of the Great Wave Off Kanagawa taking up most of the wall in the main dojo area, plus plenty of scrolls displaying kanji that read "Power" and "Discipline" and "Spirituality" among others.

They've gathered in the main dojo, as it has the most space for the number of people in the room plus the snack table laden with bowls of chips, trays of sushi and charcuterie boards, and punch. There's music playing from a set of speakers, Karai's phone plugged in and playing a decent mix of pop and EDM with a bit of punk thrown in.

"Sensei? Reeeeally?" Karai asks. She stretches the second word, eyebrow lifted.

"You're surprised?" Leonardo asks.

"Not at all. You've always been Splinter's golden boy," she says, waving her hand at him. She glances out at the dance floor, where Michelangelo and Shinigami are busting out their best moves, egged on by Annalise, Casey, and April. "Maybe you'll have to come in and teach a few extra lessons. Get some practice for the future. I'd pay you, of course."

His eye-ridges lift. "Really?"

Her ruby red lips curl into a smirk, the same devilish expression that's never gone away even with her turn to the bright side. "You're surprised?" she echoes.

He bumps his shoulder against hers. "Stop." She takes a sip of punch, still smirking, and he adds, "I guess I'm still getting used to the idea of being a real teacher. Even with Des, it always felt like I was training too."

"Oh, I get it. This dojo...it's a big step, and being a teacher is too. I might need to ask father for some advice myself," Karai says. "If I'm bringing new honour to the Foot Clan, I'll need it. It won't be easy to do away with Oroku Saki forever."

Hearing Shredder's name makes Leonardo's smile fall. He thinks of the fears that still plague him and goosebumps prickle his skin. Part of him wonders why others aren't more concerned as to why Splinter has decided to bring all this on now—maybe they've assumed it's just how things go. Splinter is getting older, after all, and he deserves to relax as much as any of them.

But Leonardo can't shake the dread breathing down his neck, gripping his shoulders, whispering that they can never be truly safe.

He shakes his head. He has to stop stressing over nothing but old fears.

"I'm sure he'd love to help," he says. "And...I'd like to help you too, with the teaching thing. I'd like that."

"Perfect. Always glad to have you on the team, Leo."

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"I think we should look into some extra research."

Sarina lifts her brows at Donatello over the lip of her red plastic cup. "What kind of research?"

"Biological." Her eyes light up, literally and metaphorically, and his cheeks darken. "N-Not like that, but...okay, sort of like that."

"You've intrigued me, Donatello."

"You know that time traveller we mentioned? Renet?"

"Indeed."

"She mentioned children, as you know." Again, she nods, and he starts to wave his hands a bit as he speaks. "See, she didn't say anything specific—just 'your children.' I've been wondering more and more lately about who those children are, and where they could come from."