So bare with me here, there are a couple of things that might not make sense right now, but will be revealed later.

P.S. Master Adachi is a character of my own creation. Any relation to persons living or dead is purely coincidental and I created him because I didn't want to use Ancient One, because then this would have been basically a version of Leo's time in Japan but substitute Raph, and that isn't what I wanted for this fic. So enjoy!

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Raph's POV

So...remember I said I was in a crate? Yeah, well, still in it.

This so-called 'friend' of Master Splinter's finally came and picked me up. Er...picked the crate up, that is. And right now I'm doing my best to endure a bumpy-as-shell trek up a giant incline. My crate is bouncing around like crazy in what looks like the bed of an old, rusty truck. I can see out through the cracks enough to know that much. I'm dying to get out of here! After that long plane ride, followed by the rough unloading, and now this, I am just about ready to kill something. When I get out I'll probably work some of this pent-up frustration out of my system and then fall right into bed. I couldn't sleep on the plane. It was too dangerous.

The truck hit a large bump and my crate got jostled violently so I let out an angry curse, somewhat hoping that Master Splinter's friend would hear. But I got no reaction.

I went silent once again and eventually ended up listening to the sounds of the road. Occasionally, as we passed small mountain villages, I would hear bits of conversations. Of course, my Japanese is sorely out of practice. I really only the knew the odd word here and there because of the lessons Sensei used to give us when we were younger, so I was never really fluent anyways. I just hope that Sensei's friend speaks English. I don't like speaking Japanese. I always get made fun of because of my accent.

The truck continued up the road, showing little sign of slowing. Engine sounds like shit. I thought to myself, but I almost immediately pushed that thought aside as my impatience began to stir. Geez, just how far is this place? Can't we just go faster and get it over with?!

Just then, the truck hit another bump and it made the crate impact the side of the truck bed with quite a bit of force. On second thought, going faster would probably be a bad idea...

When I was beginning to think about chucking the contents of my stomach, the truck ground to a jolting halt. I heard a door open and the sound of footsteps. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared expectantly up at the roof of the crate, but sensed no movement.

"You may emerge whenever you wish. I assure you, we are quite alone here. No one will see you." A deep, powerful voice advised.

My eyes narrowed. "You could help speed up the process, by oh, I don't know, maybe actually opening the crate!" I retorted, honestly too tired of being cooped up to feel anything but frustration and ire.

A low chuckle was my only response until a few long seconds later the voice said, "I see no reason to bother. You are more than equipped to do so yourself."

Alright, this guy's just asking for it! I growled and drew my sais from my belt, wedging them forcefully into the gap between the crate and the lid and pushing down to try and pop the top open. It took a couple of tries, but I finally succeeded and burst out with little further ado.

I don't know what I was expecting exactly, but this was pretty far from it. I mean...I guess I just assumed that any friend of Sensei's who was going to help train me would be older. I hate to be stereotypical, but I really was expecting a shriveled old Japanese Master who would vow to teach me the 'ancient' ways. But...this guy is exactly the opposite. He's tall, like, a head taller than me. He has long, black hair pulled together at the back and he's not old. Well, he's old compared to me, but he's not as old as Master Splinter.

Another rumbling chuckle made me pull out of my thoughts and I crossed my arms over my plastron, still standing in the crate, which was indeed on the back of a rusty old truck.

"I take it you are surprised?" He asked with a slight smile on his face. "I suppose Splinter-san did not tell you what to expect. He has told me much of you, Raphael. Come down here where I can get a better look at you."

I hesitated, but eventually climbed out of the crate and jumped down off the truck. The next thing I knew Splinter's friend was making his way around me slowly, as though he were sizing me up. I growled a little and he grinned.

"Very defensive, aren't you?"

My lip curled upward into a snarl. "When you grow up looking like I do it becomes instinct."

"I'm sure." He replied. Then he turned on his heels and proceeded down a dirt path that appeared to lead even further up the mountain. "Follow me."

I reluctantly did as told, keeping my fingers around my sais, just in case he tried anything funny.

We just walked in silence. We walked for nearly ten minutes in silence before I finally asked. "Where the shell are we headed?"

"We will proceed up the mountain until we reach the Sanctuary where I live and train."

"Okay. And how long will that take?" I asked, rolling my eyes. The guy just chuckled again. That is seriously starting to get on my nerves.

There was another long period of silence until I finally broke it again. "Master Splinter didn't say anything about what I'm supposed to call you." I remarked gruffly.

The man stopped and turned around to face me. "I am Master Adachi. You may also call me Sensei, if you wish."

I raised an eye-ridge. "Adachi? As in the ancient Samurai clan?"

Master Adachi turned to me with a thoughtful stare. "My lineage can be traced back directly. I am surprised that you know of such things."

I scoffed and lowered my gaze as he searched my face. "I respect the ancient history."

"Indeed." He replied.

"So...what's a descendent of an ancient samurai clan doing practicing ninjitsu?"

"I respect my family history, but I desired to pave my own path." He muttered.

I stopped short, but Master Adachi went forward as we reached a huge gate. Man, when he said Sanctuary he wasn't kidding. This structure was ancient. After entering the gate I glanced around. The wall was tall and thick, which meant that it would be secure and we would not have to fear any intruders or passers by. The building on the other end of the open courtyard was huge. At one time there was probably a garden or something here, but whatever traces might have remained are long gone. A long groan made me whip around to find Master Adachi closing the thick wooden gates and locking them.

He moved to stand in front of me and bowed. "Our training begins now." He stated in Japanese. "Hajime!"

Master Adachi flew at me so fast that I barely had time to whip my sais out of my belt and block. "What? Seriously?! I just got off a fourteen hour plane ride and you expect me to fight you?!"

"Of course. Here the day has just begun. We have much ahead of us. You will not sleep until after you have trained. And from now on I expect you to address me in Japanese."

"Only one problem with that." I growled breathlessly as I pressed the attack, my opponent deflecting it easily. While our weapons were locked close together I murmured. "I don't speak Japanese."

"Then I suppose that will have to be another focus of your training. Besides your obvious lack of anger management."

I snarled and lunged at him. I'm gonna make him pay for that comment!

I hate to admit it, but this guy is good. And he is definitely not going easy on me. He's using my plastron as his personal punching bag. I can taste blood in my mouth. Every counter, every block, everything I try he shuts me down and pays me back with body punches.

After a particularly hard punch to the stomach, I collapsed, only to have him kick me while I was down! "What the shell is your problem?!" I yelled immediately ignoring the pain and jumping away from his next kick. "Somehow, I didn't expect one of my Sensei's friends to try and kill me!"

His eyes narrowed as he stated sternly, "I will continue attacking until you are able to counter! The best way to become master of the mind is to learn how to ignore the pain of the body."

Adachi lunged for me again and I dodged. I went on the offensive and tried to strike him, but he struck me in the stomach once again and I spit up blood. I wiped the blood away from my mouth with the back of my hand and my eyes narrowed.

Alright. No more Mr. Nice Turtle! I growled and charged him, he reached out to strike, but I dodged at the last second and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backwards where he fell right on his butt.

I smirked briefly with victory before my injuries caught up with me. I doubled over slightly and wrapped a weak arm around my middle. Blood dripped from my mouth down to my chin and then to the sandy ground where it made a dark, red stain.

Master Adachi raised an eye-ridge as he watched the blood drip down my chin and onto the ground. Geez, you'd think he'd never seen blood before. Then he frowned and said in the same, deep, commanding tone. "Come with me."

"What happened to 'the day has just begun'?" I asked mockingly.

He loomed over me and glared. If that doofus thinks that is going to intimidate me, he's got another thing coming. "Address me with respect, Kame, and I shall do the same. Address me with disdain, and most of our training sessions will end like this." He punched me once more in the gut. I wanted to scream it hurt so bad, but I bit my lip and held his gaze. Then, as soon as the dark, threatening mood had crossed Adachi's face, it vanished. He grinned. "Besides, I would rather not kill you just yet."

'Just yet?' What the shell? Is that supposed to be a joke or something? Cause if it is, it ain't funny!

He ignored my shocked expression and turned away. "Follow me. We shall tend to your injuries."

I growled. "Just show me where you keep the supplies. I'll tend them myself."

Adachi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm."

"What?!" I asked bitingly and his eyes narrowed at my tone.

"You are very much as your father described you."

We walked in silence for a few moments before my curiosity got the better of me. "What...erherm...what did Sensei say about me?"

The corner of his lip curved upward into a grin in the same what that Master Splinter's does when he is pleased by something. "You are curious. That is always a good quality. But to answer your question, your fathers said you are hotheaded and impetuous and have a raging temper. And quite defiant when you wish to be." Adachi turned to look at me and I struggled not to squirm under his golden glare. Huh. His eyes are kinda like mine. "What Splinter-san failed to mention was that you had such great potential. Then again, if you did not, he would not have sent you to me." We reached a room lit by the bright sunlight with a bench and a cabinet. "Have a seat." Master Adachi commanded.

I hesitated, but eventually did as I said. I cringed as I reached a sitting position and my aching midsection burned with pain. "Urgh. You always run your students into the ground this hard?"

He grinned again. "Only the ones who are strong enough to take it. You will get used it. This ointment will help dull the pain." Adachi instructed, handing me a bottle with a screw lid. I noticed that his eyes were caught on my arm and I glanced down. Oh yeah. I got that cut earlier when I was getting into the crate. That stray nail really took a bite out of me. I shuddered as ice-cold fingers grabbed my upper arm and gently examined it. "This cut should have been tended ours ago."

I rolled my eyes. "I forgot about it. It's just a scratch."

Adachi shook his head. "A scratch from a nail carries danger of infection. Please, allow me to—"

"How did you know that?" I asked, suddenly very on edge.

He raised an eyebrow.

"How did you know it was from a nail?" I asked, now glaring suspiciously at him.

My new 'Master' didn't answer. Instead he just grabbed a bottle of disinfectant and began to gently swab the cut. I watched his every move, still warily withholding my trust. He insisted on wrapping my arms despite my protests and I when I was finally finished, he showed me to my room and told me to get some sleep.

So now...here I am. Thousands of miles from home with some creepy Japanese dude who tried to kill me the first day we met. Oh boy. This is gonna be rough. My arm aches.

I can't believe I'm actually thinking this, but I wish Mikey was here. Or maybe Donnie. Shell, I wouldn't care if it was the Fearless Leo himself! It's just...weird being alone. I've lived with my brothers all my life. Being somewhere without 'em makes me feel really strange.

It kinda reminds me of the time when Sensei finally moved us into our own separate rooms. I'd never been so scared in all my life. I thought that monsters were going to come and eat all of my brothers and I wouldn't be able to protect them because I wouldn't know there was danger. Luckily for me, a sniveling Mikey had run in and pounced on my bed, begging that I would let him sleep with me. I had hesitated, to keep up appearances of course, but I could never really deny Mikey anything when he was upset.

Hmmm...I wonder how they're doing... I thought with a yawn as I drifted into tumultuous slumber.

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Master Splinter's POV

I sat in the dojo, deep in meditation. The turtles have not been themselves since their brother left. I am deeply concerned of course, but at the moment, I am slightly more concerned about Raphael. I have not yet received word, through my meditation, that my son is safe at Adachi's Sanctuary.

Suddenly, I feel a consciousness reach out and touch mine and I let out a sigh of relief. Adachi...How is my son?

*He is well, Splinter-san. He is now asleep. I was surprised, my friend that you failed to inform me of your child's fantastic potential.*

I raised an eyebrow. I do not know what you mean, my friend. Raphael has the same amount of potential as his brothers.

*I think not. The sacred stone calls to him as it does to me. He simply does not hear it yet.*

My eyes opened and widened significantly before I shut them and did my best to retain his focus. You...you must be imagining it, my friend. Raphael is nowhere near powerful enough to have garnered the attention of the sacred stone.

*You underestimate your child, my friend. If the stone calls to him, then he must be instructed in the—

No! I yelled through my minds' eye, my thoughts tinged with a mixture of anger and fear. I sent my son to you so that you might teach him to control his anger! You will not go beyond those boundaries, Adachi!

*You do realize that you are only delaying the inevitable. Eventually the stone will speak to your son, and be heard. He has been chosen, Splinter-san. His life is now in the hands of the ancient ones.*

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So? How was it?