138A/N: This plot bunny has been hanging with me for a while now and with the first 50 pages under my belt, it's time to start sharing this story. I've been wanting to do an AU story, where the four brothers are all raised separately and have to reunite with each other to defeat evil. It's based on the 2003 turtles, but is an Alternate Universe story.
Disclaimer: I do not own the turtles although it would be great fun if I did.
And now without further delay.
Nature Versus Nurture
Chapter 1- Shredder's Son
Oroku Saki glared at the large, hulking man kneeled before him. Hun kept his gaze downward, avoiding his Master's angry eyes. This was the third heist in the past month that was unsuccessful for the Purple Dragons. The third time an unknown enemy struck out from the shadows, interfering with their plans and leaving them unable to complete their mission. And the third time Hun found himself kneeling before his Master, bringing the news of yet another botched plan due to the hands of an unknown assailant.
"Hun, this is the third time you and the Purple Dragons have failed me."
"I'm sorry Master but it was…"
Oroku Saki slammed his hand on the desk in anger. "Silence!" This latest setback would put him weeks behind schedule. It was time to teach their mystery attacker a lesson. And clearly the Purple Dragons could not handle their new foe. It was time to change tactics.
"I have let you and the Purple Dragons work alone long enough. I will not tolerate another failed mission. Tomorrow Leonardo and my Foot Ninja will accompany you instead of the Purple Dragons."
Hun was not happy to hear that Saki's son would be joining in on the mission at the docks tomorrow. He looked up and shot daggers to the shadow behind his Master. He could not see the turtle but that did not matter, Hun knew that he was standing there. Hun was insulted to have the young teen taking over his mission. If tomorrow's heist with the teen was successful what would his Master think of continuing to let Hun lead the Purple Dragons? Would he no longer see him fit to lead the gang of street thugs and give that control to Leonardo? Is it possible that Saki would think the Purple Dragons were no longer useful?
Or maybe the young warrior could help him save face with his Master instead? After all, the ninja turtle has never shown an interest in leading the Purple Dragons or the Foot Clan. He's never shown an interest in anything. The Foot Ninja would follow Hun's orders just as if they were Purple Dragons. And Saki's son would stay silent, in the shadows, like he always did, unless he was needed.
Hun realized his thoughts were wandering and it would only be a matter of time before his Master's temper was taken out on him directly. It was best to count his blessings that he had not already done so and exit the room as soon as possible. With a final bow to his Master, Hun turned and left the room, shooting one more set of daggers at the teen hidden in the shadows.
Leonardo had his arms crossed in front of his plastron as he stood in the darkness, listening to Hun's report of another botched mission. He narrowed his eyes in response to the daggers Hun sent his way as Master Saki stated that the foot ninja would be working tomorrow's heist. The sword carrying turtle did not like the Purple Dragon leader. And it was no secret in the organization that Hun definitely did not like Leonardo. The street gang that Hun took great pride in leading meant nothing to the turtle. They used guns and knives and fought without honor. They lacked the grace and skill of a ninja.
Knowing that his son was standing behind him and had heard every word of the discussion with Hun, Saki waited for the black masked turtle to walk forward and face him. As soon as Leonardo heard that the latest Purple Dragon's mission had failed, he knew that the foot ninja would be commanded to work the next heist. And it would be up to him to ensure that this mission was successful. Saki did not need to tell the turtle what to do, for he always knew exactly what his father wanted from him. As a sign of respect to his sensai, Leonardo knelt before Saki. He slowly placed one hand on the floor in front of him, followed by his other hand, making a triangle. Leonardo slowly placed his head to the floor in the traditional bow and then silently left the room.
Leonardo could not keep his thoughts from wandering as he ran through another kata. He had been practicing for the better part of an hour now and despite his best attempts to remain focused, his thoughts kept reverting back to their mysterious assailant. Whomever this latest foe was that kept interfering with his Master's plans was going to be in for a big surprise. They did not realize who they were messing with. It was one thing to overpower a bunch of common street thugs. But Leonardo preferred the warrior's way. No guns, no machine's of any kind.
Sensing the oncoming attack from the shadows, Leonardo pulled the swords from the sheaths on his back and blocked the incoming strike. A small smile spread across the turtle's face as Master Saki walked into the light. Leonardo always enjoyed dueling with an opponent, especially when they were as skilled as his father. Adjusting his grip on his swords Leonardo tensed, awaiting the next attack. The two warriors sparred for another five minutes, the only sounds their grunts and the clashing of metal on metal.
Oroku Saki was pleased with the outcome of the duel. Leonardo's skills were equal to any one of his personal Elite Guard. In truth, Saki would have already made Leonardo one of the Elite by now, if it weren't for his reclusive nature. Saki sensed that the sword wielding turtle would make an excellent leader, if only he could figure out how to draw the turtle out of his shell.
It was obvious that Leonardo loved the warriors way. He worked hard and excelled at everything Saki taught him. And Saki wanted him to become a leader, his foot ninja could use a second in command of Leonardo's caliber. Except there was one nagging problem, the teenaged warrior's constant seclusion. When he was not training the turtle could be found deep in meditation or reading strategy books. He never interacted with anyone unless it was Saki himself, or he was ordered to do so. Leonardo's discipline had turned him into a fine warrior but the sword wielding turtle had never once shown an interest in leadership. But for tomorrow night, the skilled warrior was exactly what Saki needed to ensure that this latest mission went off without any further interruptions. Because out of all of Leonardo's fine qualities, the most important one of all, was that the teenager always produced results.
A/N: And that wraps up Chapter number one. Coming soon will be Chapter number two, where we meet our favorite orange banded turtle for the first time. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please write a review! Virtual cookies and veggies to those who do. And thanks for stopping by!