"I Remember You" -- full fanfic ft. Splinter & Michelangelo

[Mindy]

As I've posted everywhere it seems, this is my first full-length writing project in years. I've been thinking on the story for over a year now, and last weekend it suddenly hit me to start writing it. Now it's like I can't stop!

I have two OCs guiding the story along (a female turtle + her half-breed daughter) that will go on to serve a purpose in my original works so this is my writing practice with my favorite fandom. I promise to handle them with care! It's hard for me to swallow the idea of a female mutant/turtle in fanfiction, too, but this is a personal writing challenge.

I'm shaky in my writing (been a while) but it's so therapeutic. I'm enjoying the story, the flow, and the characters. Hope you will, too!

"I Remember You" fanfiction.net link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/1/I_Remember_You
My fanfiction.net account (for all of my one-shot TMNT fics and more) : http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1013080/


"I Remember You" summary: Splinter and his family are visited by two guests. Set up in a segregated world with very real life problems- financially and emotionally. Subtle action & magic; lots of character development and interaction. Updated canon characters.
Rated T+ (language)
1/17:  Chapter 44


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Chapter 1 :: Hello, My Name is ____.


The winds of the worlds had changed. The four Hamato brothers and their father rat could join society as legislation and laws were passed for the Non-Humans to merge with the majority. Blood and tears had been shed for a few signatures and votes, and the end result called for celebration that reflected through the stars. The Non-Humans felt proud, confident in their sacrifices and triumphs, and the ambition of a radiant future was as close as the hearts beating in their chests. There were still many roads to travel and laws to sharpen, but the minority held fast and clung to their solid expectations.

It was a slow progression and not all of the"Nons" had decided to join society. Some felt the comfort of their familiar surroundings was good enough and there wasn't a need to bleed into society, or just yet.

Nons came from around the globe, greeting countries' landmarks that had welcomed new settlers in past generations. This was a glorious age for the minority but not all of society opened their minds and hearts to such a physically, abnormally challenged race.

This is a story of that Age, one of the countless sagas of how families are intertwined and will find similarities in other groups..Battle changes feelings; war changes everything.



"Flight 3219 seems to be late," Leonardo Hamato mumbled, staring up at the screen and sipping on his fourth cup of water. "I hope it arrives soon."

"Airports make me nervous," a tense voice belonging to Donatello seeped from an opposite seat. "Just the whole idea of walking around in public hasn't sunk in for me yet." He wiped his wet palms on his trousers. "And clothes. They're itchy."

An announcement blared over the airport but nobody could understand it. Raphael rammed a toothpick between his back teeth and slurred, "Donny, we've been out in public for years now. You're actin' like we crawled out of the sewers yesterday. Go get you some water and stop wiggling."

Donatello left his seat without a retort, and Leo glanced over at the last brother, Michelangelo, who had remained quiet the entire time. He looked up once he felt Leo's eyes on him and smiled in response; Leo nodded and hoped Michelangelo would join in the conversation, like old times. When nothing was exchanged, Leo turned back to the flight screen.

"It's Splinter's guests arrivin'. Why can't he come in here?" Raph asked, tossing the toothpick into a nearby bin. "I don't know nothin' about Germans. Just that they talk funny and wear funny clothes."

Leo sighed, wanting to ignore Raph's constant protests. "Splinter doesn't like to walk around in public, dummy. This is the least you could do for him. Now YOU go get some water and be quiet."

As Raph rose from his seat he spewed, "And just because they're turtles like us doesn't mean I'm going to drop what I'm doing. It's no big deal anymore."

Another announcement bellowed around the airport's bustle. Raphael bumped into a fidgety Don, causing Don to spill a little water on himself.

"Good. Thirty more minutes," Leo breathed out, joining the silent Michelangelo on the seats.

The four brothers stood at the gate, peering back and forth for the new guests. They had a couple of pictures to go by and an idea of who they were looking for in the crowd. Don and Raph continued their bickering.

"Thanks for spilling water on me, Raph. This shirt cost me a good penny."

"You just complained that clothes make you itchy. Shop at the Goodwill, like me. Or get 'im out of the dumpster. You've done it before."

"My dumpster diving days are over. I have an income and I'm going to use it. I'm tired of smelling like a landfill."

Raph huffed, "I don't think I smell that bad, Donny. You just ain't no fun anymore. There's an art to dumpster diving."

Leo shushed them, and at the right moment Michelangelo pointed out their two guests.

"Look at that," Raph mumbled, elbowing Don, "The older one's got a wet spot on her shirt. Like you, Donny."

"Hallo!" rung a baritone, vivid voice from the crowd and a cream-colored hand signaled their arrival. An average height, stocky female turtle appeared in front of the Hamatos, bowing and grinning a mile wide. "I am Emyrs Becker from Bergedorf, Germany, and this is -" She stopped once she realized her traveling partner wasn't beside her. "Abigail? Where's my daughter?"

"Pretty accent," Don whispered; he had to throw in: "Think you can understand it, Raph?"

There was a groan rumbling deep in Raph's throat.

"ABIGAIL!" Emyrs screamed above the crowd, peering down in time to find her unamused daughter standing beside her. "Oh, didn't mean to scream in your ear. Sorry!"

Leo bowed and put on his best face. "It is nice to meet the both of you. I know that our father has been corresponding with you for a majority of the year. We hope that your flight over here was comfortable."

Emyrs' hazel eyes widened. "For the most part; I spilled some drink on me. Actually, Abby did when she didn't put her drink away before the plane descended."

"These are my brothers. On the far end is Donatello, this is Raphael, I'm Leonardo, and he's Michelangelo." Don and Mike nodded; Raph did a small salute.

"This is my twelve-year-old daughter, Abigail Becker." Abby greeted the brothers with a bow, her frizzy red hair bouncing with the rhythm. Emyrs clapped her hands together. "It's nice to meet you all as well. I am eager to meet with Splinter Hamato, but first let me wipe my shirt dry and use the ladies' room. My eyeballs are floating."

Leonardo and Michelangelo waited patiently for the Beckers to do their bathroom business; a hasty Raphael and Donatello had already left the building, trolling back to the van still nagging at one another.

Emyrs emerged from the restroom first, straightening her outfit and thanking Michelangelo for guarding her luggage. Leo studied the elder Becker: she was slightly shorter than the Hamato brothers, had cream-colored skin, and her shell was much smaller than theirs. She had some years on her face but her eyes and smile were very youthful.

"Do I have something on my face?" she blinked. He caught hold of himself staring at her before he chuckled in response.

"My apologies."

"ABBY!" Emyrs roared into the bathroom. "Did you fall in?"

The tween breezed around the corner and shook her head. "I held it in, too, Mother."

Leo thought he heard a giggle coming from Michelangelo, but he didn't want to bank on it. The Beckers carried their luggage through the airport, insisting that they were not helpless and didn't want to intrude. It was part of Leo's nature to study his surroundings, and he made sure not to stare into Abigail's face. Abby's appearance was very different from her mother's: light green skin, reminiscent of the Hamatos', frizzy red hair, and a tail that met midway down her legs. Her hazel eyes weren't as youthful as Emyrs; they held an almost mature look to them. However, their facial structures were similar: well-rounded beaks with Emyrs' slightly bonier due to her age.

"We're back, Sensei. Sorry for making you wait so long," Leo apologized as he stuffed the luggage into the van.

"I already told him, Leo. He was asleep when I got here anyways," Raph grumbled and made space for the Beckers. He was quickly getting uncomfortable once they shuffled inside. "Don, let me ride up front. You ain't got as much meat on your bones."

"Ouch!" Emyrs cried. "What's that jabbing me?"

"Oh, my bad." Raph unhooked his weapon and threw it on the floor. "Don! Did you hear me, deaf boy?"

Don had on his headphones and his music increased in volume.

"Hi, Splinter!" Emyrs reached over and tugged Splinter in the front seat. "It's nice to see you, 'MasterRobotRat'."

"Who?" Raph cawed and threw his seat mate a suspicious look.

"His internet handle, Raph," Leo grunted as he shuffled in the driver's seat and buckled his belt. "That's how they met. And stop kicking my seat."

Raphael turned to look out the window. "I don't study no internet."

"And it is a pleasure to meet you face to face, Porcupine-Cupcake," the elder rat's voice cracked from his grogginess and realization of their internet aliases.

Emyrs richly laughed and patted Splinter's shoulder, "You didn't send me an updated photo of your sons! I was expecting them to be naked, wearing bandannas, and surrounding you like bodyguards."

"Yes, sorry. I am not terribly wise with the computer and the internet." Splinter elbowed Donatello beside him. "My son here is the smart one with the computer."

"Thank you, Sensei."

Raph reached over and smacked Don on the back of the head. "I knew you could hear me! Ya damn static head!"

"Raphael! We have guests!" Leo chastised but kept his eyes on the road. "Act like your age and not your shoe size!"

The grumpy one snickered. "Hey, my shoe's almost old enough to vote! Besides, Donny needs a good slap on the back of the head sometimes. I'm going to sleep. Mike, hand me a pillow or somethin' from back there."

"My sons are never boring," Splinter warmly chuckled. "Your daughter's name is Abigail, and she is a half breed?"

Emyrs dodged the pillow being transferred between the brothers. "Yes, she is. Half turtle, half dragonoid. At the moment, she retains more of her turtle blood and features. She's not such a problem YET."

While her mother rubbed the top of Abby's fluffy head, Abby responded by looking out her window.

"She's a good kid. Strong and spirited. She's never traveled abroad before and I thought it would be a dynamic experience for her."

"New York ain't nothin'," grumbled Raph from the corner, trying to tuck himself in a comfortable position. "It's got a few cool little spots but it's mostly loud and smelly."

"Just like Raphael in the corner there," Don spoke and turned up his music.

"He doesn't smell too bad. You should smell some of the drunks in my bar," the elder turtle laughed. Her chuckles trailed off once she felt the fire from Raphael's eyes. "Well, when we reach our destination, I would like to discuss some business with you.. Do you all like sausages?"

The introductions happened two weeks ago. Since then, the two guests arranged to rent the basement of April O'Neil, a human companion to Splinter and his sons; Miss O'Neil was more than happy to take care of friends of the family and the extra payment helped too, giving the current shaky economy.

Emyrs arranged to have Abigail continue her martial arts training under Splinter's team while Emyrs enjoyed the scenery and the new-found people and land.

Other than a few hiccups in the daily activities, life was quiet for all, but the placid surface masked cracks of struggle slowly growing deep and wide, not affected by time or environment.

Beta Reader: TheMutantRebel

[Mindy]

Chapter 2 :: Laughter and Silence


"You're from Germany, right?" April inquired. She leaned against the entrance to the basement with an inquisitive expression on her face, "I've been teaching myself the German language. It's a fascinating language."

"Yep, and I don't mind quizzing you sometime!" joked Emyrs as she folded clothes and placed them on the dresser.

April took a quick minute to get a good look at the turtle, a female, although other than a smaller frame and slightly bigger eyes, one couldn't tell she was actually female. Emyrs was very light-skinned, a peach tone and had the most beautiful hazel eyes April had ever seen on... well, anything. For Emyrs' age (apparently "ancient" as April remembered Emyrs saying), she was a rather attractive lady; she held a straight posture, walking with confidence but shifted her eyes around a lot like she was taking in everything she could for a later time.

"Would you like for me to cook dinner tonight?"

Emyrs' medium-toned, kind voice chimed in April's thoughts, bringing the brunette back to the conversation.

"Oh! Uhm, if you'd like. What did you have in mind? We might have to go to the store to pick up some things since it's been over a week now."

Emyrs scratched her head and stared off in the distance. "Some sort of meat, maybe a pot roast? With veggies on the side? You lot like that?"

April's curls bounced as she chuckled. "Yeah, that's acceptable. We enjoy potatoes on the side, too!"

"Are potatoes considered part of your vegetable side? We normally don't use them as such but I will oblige for the sake of my hostess!" Emyrs joined in the laughter and headed upstairs.

With April following behind her, Emyrs continued, "As soon as we leave, you all will think we're the nuttiest creatures you've ever seen! It's so fascinating to meet different cultures. I quite like visiting here so far."

Dishes clattering and spoons tinkering, the kitchen saw its quiet state disturbed for the sake of dinner. April merely reminded Emyrs where the cutlery and pots were located and they even found some misplaced dishware with Emyrs apologizing for her daughter, Abigail, who was probably in a hurry and placed them in the wrong area.

"No big deal, girl. I've found dishes everywhere in this apartment. Remember that I live with a man, and a man named Casey Jones at that."

"Men can be a hassle but they're good for something every once in a while, right?"

The two ladies exchanged sneering glances and knew what the other was thinking:

"Plumbing!"

"Lawnmowing!"

"I don't do plumbing!" April declared and moving out of the kitchen so Emyrs could begin dinner.

"Lawnmowing is a losing battle for me. I fight with the lawnmower like I'm married to it. Hell, I've already divorced it several times!" Emyrs joked. "May I look in your fridge for the materials I need?"

"Oh, sure!" April waved. "Casey enjoys the plumbing and besides his good looks, that's the only reason I'm with him!"

The ladies shared another round of laughter and continued chattering on about life, love, and the pursuit of Takeout after the hours waned on and Emyrs still had nothing to show for it.

"I really did want to cook dinner!" Emyrs looked at the counter full of pots, pans, and dishes.

"There's always tomorrow! You can cook breakfast? I suck at it," said April, grabbing up dishes and putting them away. "Casey goes to work real early, though, so what time did you want to start?"

Emyrs didn't respond for a good minute, prompting April to turn around. "You okay?"

"Oh, um..." the elder turtle began, "Yeah! Um, what time does he have to be at work then?"

April stared at her, wondering what had just happened but answered quickly as soon as she realized Emyrs was looking back at her, "Six! Six am, he stumbles around."

"I'll get started twenty til then," Emyrs finished her sentence slowly, trailing off her train of thought. "Right! Sorry for the awkwardness just now. I, um... had a brain freeze as you could probably tell." She tried to laugh it off and helped with clearing away the kitchen.

"Oh, I do it all the time. Just go rest up. I'll keep some dishes out for you so you can get started when you come up in the morning."

"Thanks. Good night."

"Yeah, night!"

Emyrs slowly walked to the basement door and disappeared with a concerned look from her landlord gazing behind her.

[Mindy]

Chapter 3 :: Practice


He watched the young female half-breed struggle to keep up with an even-tempered Raphael. Raphael, steady and confident, was always at his best, Leonardo reflected, and not when his brother was tempermental and on fire. Raphael was, he thought, the best teacher for an eager student; he was always good with children, anyhow.

As Raphael dodged all of her moves, Leonardo stood firm, arms crossed, eyeing every motion and ready to compliment or criticise. Soon he fell deep into thought, casting memories of his family in a blaze of the evening's routine. They were all getting older, his brothers and he, reaching a critical age of independence and adventure, for some.

Raphael, the one that kept the family concerned over his erractic behavior and thirst for acceptance, was slowly becoming the warrior that Leonardo and Splinter always wanted him to be. He smiled more often now, engaged in more family activities, disappeared less often, and pondered the idea of traveling with Leonardo to the far reaches of Asia. Leonardo couldn't put his finger on exactly what changed his brother but he wasn't going to question it and hoped it would always stay that way.

"Pick up the pace on her, Raph," Leonardo quipped. "More speed, less strength right now. She can handle it."

"Hey!" Raphael's quick breaths interrupted, "We're getting there, Leo! How about -" He dodged a skinny leg aiming for his head. "-how about asking Mikey or Don to pitch in a bit? We do all the work!"

"I'm here, I'm here, O Great One," trotted in Donatello, wearing practice gear. "I had a few more things to finish up. Hand the girl over." He smiled down at the sweaty teen who wiped her brow a few times and bent over to catch her breath.

Donatello had also progressed, too; he was still a whiz at mechanics, electronics, and general study and not quite as reclusive anymore. For the past two years, he had his heart set on joining a team of co-species scientists that were traveling the world in their on-going research. It was his dream but the odds were against him. As smart as he was, he never had a formal college education and the credentials needed. His family encouraged him to keep trying and networking as much as possible. Some days, Don was a dormant landmine ready for the right opportunity to set him free.

"You guys are unreal," she gasped. "I thought I knew everything at 12 years old!"

"Not quite, Abby! We were the same way," Don chuckled and tossed a staff at Abigail, who almost didn't catch it. "It's a continuing education."

"Like figuring out my mother?" She joked.

Leo stepped in. "I bet she thinks the same way about you. All parents and children do."

"Hey, before we get started, do you mind if I ask you three something?"

"As long as it's not about the bees and birds. That's better suited for your mama," Raphael sallied, his words muffling in and out as he rubbed a towel on his face.

"Mother's advice for that is," she stiffended up, holding a finger in the air and mockingly quoted, "'Birds bite and bees sting; boys make babies so stay away from them!"

Leo and Raphael half-heartedly chuckled with Don agreed, "Smart lady. Keep listening to her."

"What's your question, kid? I gotta meet up with Case here in a minute," stated Raphael, pitching the towel in a corner.

"Is your brother Michelangelo usually so moody and distant? Did I do anything to him? He seems to talk to everyone but me."

Yeah, Michelangelo. If anyone wanted to talk about change, it was him. It was like they traded an angry Raphael for a reclusive Mikey. He didn't even want to be called Mikey anymore, just "Mike" or his full name. The family really didn't understand the change, or what brought about the change in him, or how it was a long-time coming or something that suddenly happened.

Leonardo treaded carefully. "Mike never used to be that way. We don't know what happened to him."

"It was like he woke up one day and decided to be an shell," Raph scoffed.

"Not quite like Raphael just described," Don disagreed. "More like a subtle change. There were signs we could see now that we didn't see then. I believe he's just going through a young adult crisis. People deal with it differently. He just wants to be left alone with his Klunk version 2 and pen and paper."

Leonardo finished, "So don't think it's you. He hardly knows you so why would he not like you?"

Abigail tightened her hair band to keep her thick, red hair out of her face and shook her head. "I guess so. I just feel weird around him, that's all."

Raphael jingled his keys. "Nothing new to us, kid! Keep your chin up. I'm outta here. Night!"

"One more round, this time defending from Don's attacks and we'll take a good long run," Leo instructed. "We'll go visit Mike in the morning and see how he's doing."

[Mindy]

Chapter 4 :: The Stars


Autumn in a foreign country had an almost magical impression and the amendment to a new season illuminated fresh ideas and moods. Her Mountain home made a subtle change in season, almost too slow for her liking, but here, she could taste the approaching winter. The wind remained steady and crisp. Mornings were still her favorite time: waking up before anyone else, daydreaming, and beginning her daily chores.

For a moment, Emyrs smiled to herself but it quickly faded as she remembered the awkward moment with Miss O'Neil. It was like her mind had suddenly grown cold and empty. She felt uneasy about the events afterward and retreated to the basement. Nothing could hold her attention long enough so she stepped outside to the small alleyway, looking up at the stars and finally losing her thoughts.

An approaching vehicle roar disturbed the quiet moment and it dawned on her that she might need to duck for cover (something she wasn't used to) but instead she immobilized with her blanket wrapped around her, pajamas, and bed shoes. The headlights blinded her for half a second before a deep, New York accent tore through the alleyway.

"Nice pajamas," Raphael snickered, shutting off the lights and engine. He stepped off the bike and pushed it deeper into the alleyway.

"They were on sale, couldn't complain about them," Emyrs commented but stopped short. "Okay, you got me. They were Abigail's and I stole them, but just for the night."

Raphael took off his helmet and stood beside her. "Whatcha looking at up there?" He glanced at the sky. "Saw you staring pretty hard."

"I like the stars and the night. Plus, the air helps, too."

The two watched the sky, soaking in the New York City nighttime and what seemed like for ages until Raphael spoke up, "Your daughter is with Leo and Don. She put in a good session tonight. And she's pretty cool for a 12 year old."

"Abby's a good kid. I've tried to keep her level-headed." Wrapping herself tighter with the blanket, Emyrs lowered her head back to the alleyway, peering at her friend.

"Late night cruise?"

"Yeah, Casey wants to blow off some steam; the normal life is getting to him, I guess," he mocked and glanced at her. "And it gets me out of the sewer."

She nodded. "I imagine it would get pretty cramped down there but then it gets cramped in our little cottage, too. That's why some friends, Abby, and I built a smaller cottage for her because she was getting on my nerves."

They shared some chuckles.

"If I could build something here, I would!" Raphael thought, tinkering with his helmet.

"Your brothers would miss you too much and visit you all the time. And you would let them," she quipped, turning to go back into her temporary home. " Which isn't a bad thing. Family is very important, right?"

"No doubt about it."

"It's bedtime. Think I've been scared enough for one night. It was nice talking to you; seems like we haven't exchanged many words since we arrived."

"Been keepin' busy," he grinned, jingling his keys.

"Thanks for being Abby's teacher. She needs a few more role models in her life." Emyrs opened the door and turned back to him before she closed it, finishing, "And nice bike."

[Mindy]

Chapter 5 :: Good Morning


Morning sounds rarely included dishes clinking and the smell of fresh food in the household. April hated preparing breakfast, he recalled, and her breakfasts never smelled this good (no offense to her). The noise and smell prompted him to investigate. It's not like he slept at night anyways and maybe the bathroom was free. He could use that excuse if anyone asked.

Opening his bedroom door really caused the smell to become more powerful, and it had been a long time since he had some decent breakfast (because he couldn't cook breakfast worth a damn either). He groggily looked at the bathroom's direction, wanting to head that way and avoid conversation with the cook. After watching Emyrs whipping around the small kitchen like a pro, he entertained the idea of actually speaking with her. They had crossed paths a few times and he was intrigued by her family and their journey, but he could never bring himself to say very much.

"Oh, morning! I didn't see you standing there," she smiled, briskly returning to her work. "Would you like coffee? Wait, do you even drink coffee?"

He stumbled on his words slightly. "Oh. Yeah, it does help keep me up at night to work."

"By the looks of it, you could use some to wake you up," she joked, scrambling eggs at the stove.

He toddled towards the coffee machine. "Actually, I never went to sleep. Insomnia hits me every now and then. I can't even work when I have it." While his footsteps were shaky, pouring the coffee was an easy task.

"I get that less frequently now. Had it bad when I was your age."

"How did you make it happen less frequently?"

"Aged, I suppose," she lightly joked, turning to slide the finished eggs onto a plate. "Since you have coffee, it's only right if you enjoy breakfast, too, Michelangelo."

"Yeah, you have it smelling pretty good in here. I like to try it out."

He sipped on his coffee and walked to the livingroom to relax on the armchair. Mike spent so much time in his room that he almost forgot what the rest of the apartment looked like. It had been earlier in the year that he moved out of the sewer and was now staying at April's. The situation worked out perfectly: he could have his peace to write and April and Casey had a babysitter for infant Shadow. In the back of his mind, he knew that his family resented him moving out and then barely speaking with them, but the current year brought mixed emotions about everything. The years of repression emerged in over a week and changed everything he and his family knew. The way he saw it, the time was coming for them all to leave the nest and fly elsewhere. Mike felt like he was in limbo, waiting for the next train to come along to take him away.

The basement door cracked open and out stumbled a frizzy-haired, sleepy tween. Rubbing her eyes and resembling a zombie, Abigail (was that her name?, he asked himself) didn't blurt a word as she flopped on the couch. The couch suddenly exclaimed, moaned, and finally cursed at her, and she almost zoomed out the window in the style of a 1930s cartoon character.

Wow, Mike hadn't even noticed that Raphael was snoozing on the couch!

"Watch it, toots," Raph mumbled and folded back into the couch, spewing out more incomprehensible angry words.

"Abby, go wash up." Emyrs grinned at her and pointed to the bathroom. Abigail hastily scooted away.

Mike leaned over and tickled Raph's coarse foot. Maybe a night of insomnia compelled his sense of humor to surface again.

After a few moments, Raphael still wasn't moving at all so Mike gave up, sat back on the armchair, and savored his coffee.

"You know damn well I ain't ticklish on my feet, MIKE," came the muffled voice from the couch. Slowly emerging, Raph peered at Mike with blood-shot eyes and an equally dry look.

"My memory's bad then."

"Maybe if you were around a little more, sport," jeered Raph, rubbing his face and sitting up.

"You got me there," Mike grinned. "Work on your humor and I might come around more."

Raphael's morning voice boomed. "And wouldn't that be peachy, bro? It can all go back to normal with you acting like a clown and all of us clobbering your brains out!"

"You can drop that voice, you know. There are sleeping people here," Mike hissed.

"So now you act like you have some manners," his brother scoffed.

"Mother, I don't have my toothpaste up here," Abigail's tiny voice crawled from the bathroom.

"Brush your teeth after breakfast. Just comb that rat's nest on your head!" Emyrs snapped, closing the microwave door. They exchanged a couple of words in their native tongue, which sounded like Emyrs wasn't happy with her daughter but then all of the German language sounded like that to him.

Mike rose from his chair and placed the half-full cup of coffee on the counter. "Emyrs, sorry to skip your wonderful breakfast but I'll catch it another time before you leave."

He hated to do it, but being around Raphael brought out the worst in him. Leo was finally right about something. As soon as Abigail left the bathroom, Mike made his way there.

[Mindy]

Chapter 6 :: Join Us


The tranquility his room provided was his comfort zone. No arguing, no violence, no loudmouths, but no breakfast, either, he groaned and his stomach agreed. Most of his meals consisted of whatever perishables he could stuff into this little space, and he had to leave room for Rosie, the Tiny Kitty that Could. She possessed the wittiest behavior and made up for attitude that she lacked in size. He saw a lot of Klunk in Rosie, especially since they were almost the same color, and most days, he still missed his old cat. Rosie was especially affectionate, almost too much, as she interrupted his work often for hours of petting and loving. Typical cat behavior, he agreed but one that he wouldn't trade for the world. After the loss of Klunk and before Rosie came along, the days were too lonely and too boring. Work had to be interrupted for a cuddle with soft fur.

Rosie mewed from the floor, caressing Mike's leg repeatedly, and a smile broke into his morning face as he picked her up to join him on the bed. He held the small cat in front of him.

"Can I tickle your feet and you won't get grumpy on me, will you?" he teased, tickling her belly instead. Rosie used one of her paws to gently bap Mike's hand.

"I've never been a morning person, I guess." Rosie was brought closer to his body with her belly up and Mike continuing to rub it.

"It's just too hard right now, Rosie. Too hard to let go."

Rosie gave a sympathetic mew.


---------------------------------------------------------

An unhappy Raphael was jolted from his slumber once again but this time by a steamy April and her right hand.

"Next time, take your arguing outside!" she shrilled, scampering to the kitchen and pouring some coffee.

"If you would have woken up Shadow, I'd beat you with this coffee cup!"

"Okay, okay, sorry," Raph groaned. "Can't do *insert swear here* right this morning." He threw the blanket over his head.

"Wow, this breakfast looks great..." she muttered and taking a sip of her coffee. "I might need to start paying her to cook breakfast, too. What do you think?"

When there wasn't an answer from the couch, April walked to Mike's room and gently knocked. "Mike, breakfast. You really need to eat this."

"Sorry, pretty lady. I'm not hungry," came a muffled reply behind the door.

"If I need to kick Raph out so that you can enjoy a little decent breakfast I will. Can we please try to eat together? You don't have to talk."

"I dunno..."

April pouted. "Oh, come on, for me?"

For a few seconds, there was no reply and April almost gave up until the door creaked open and Mike appeared with a sad smile. "Anything for you."

The rest of the crew joined in for breakfast thirty minutes later. Shadow whined from her crib in the bedroom, Casey looked like a stuffed dinosaur (and acted like a beast too), Mike and Rosie sat on the armchair, and Raph remained in a grumpy slumber. April poured beverages into glasses and handed plates to everyone. Since the apartment was small, the dinner table was folded up in the corner and was only ever used for special occasions. Food was served normally wherever.

Casey inhaled his food and suddenly realized, "Are the girls going to join us?"

"There are a couple of plates freshly washed so looks like they've already eaten," April peered behind her. "They left a pile of food, don't worry."

"They can stay as long as they want," he slurred through his food, spitting fragments into the air. "This is the best damn food ever."

"I'll certainly pay them if you want! Just make more money and it shall be done, Master," she flashed, obviously taking offense to his remark. She leaned on the counter facing the livingroom and savored her food.

"Think I'm in for a raise soon," he nonchalantly stated and turned to the couch, "Raph, get your ugly self up and eat. I won't leave any for you later."

Something came from the couch that rhymed with "pluck doo" and Raph never moved an inch.

Mike allowed Rosie to nibble on a piece of bacon from the floor and his face expressing tenderness. The breakfast was delicious and it made him feel totally opposite from the Lump on the Couch. As he peered around the room, it was nice to see everyone enjoying something together. Shadow's giggles leaked from the bedroom and that always brightened his day. She knew how to cheer her Uncle Mike up.

Maybe this day won't be so hard after all, even with his brothers silently approaching the window.

[Mindy]

Chapter 7 :: Brothers


Now the two-bedroom apartment felt even more cramped as Donatello and Leonardo slithered into the livingroom. Mike's good mood dropped slightly as his brothers tend to gang up on him when they're all together. Rosie leapt onto Mike's lap, assuring Mike that she was there to comfort him.

Deep breaths, Mike, deep breaths. Good thoughts. They're my brothers, not my enemies, he concluded.

Leo and Don only smiled and nodded at Mike with Don staring at him a bit longer than Leo, who turned to a drooling Raph on the couch. Casey motioned for the both of them to eat the Food that Could Make You Orgasm, Mike chuckled to himself, and April began clearing dishes. Petting a purring Rosie kept him too busy to really say or comment on anything happening.

"I'm good, Casey, really," Don politely refused, turned away, and rolled his eyes. Mike smiled and shook his head.

"Raph, are you dead?" Leo snickered, leaning over the Green Lump on the couch. "Watch this, guys..."

Leo leaned a little further near Raph's ear and gently blew into it. Mike assessed that it was very un-Leo-like to pull a prank but he was only trying to lighten the mood. A leader through and through, he was.

Raph shuffled slightly but never responded. This didn't satisfy Leo so he leaned over once again and whispered in an acute voice, "Oh, you bad boy, do it again."

If April's shrieks, Casey's jeers, and Emyrs' food didn't wake Raph up, that little trick sure did. The entire room shook in laughter with Casey almost choking on a piece of bacon and Rosie leaping out of Mike's lap and back into his bedroom out of sheer fright from the noise.

"God, I'll have nightmares for a week now!" Raph carped, throwing the blanket off himself and sitting up on the couch. "Holy mother of f..."

"Oh man, I needed some therapy like that before going off to work!" Casey guffawed, coughing up bits of bacon between words.

"Mike," Leo started with the room's amusement slowly fading, "how have you been, bro? We've been missing you at practice sessions with our new student."

Mike nodded. "Yeah. Work keeps me a little busy. I've missed it, too."

"Do you have time to join us this morning? We won't keep you long. It'll be nice to have you around."

Don pitched in at this point. "And since we're already on a roll with punch-bagging Raph, I'm sure you could add to the fun!"

"Imma start charging you clowns for Punch-Baggin' Raph Sessions," the peevish one piped up and quickly looked towards the bathroom. Once he saw it was free, Raph darted to salvation.

April appeared in the room with a smiling Shadow. "I don't mind if you take off for a few hours, Mike. I don't have any errands and I'm off work today."

It's not that he didn't want to be around his brothers but that going back to the Sewer Home made him feel incredibly uneasy. The bad memories outweighed the good and Mike could never push away the pain. He would never want his family to hate him but if he couldn't understand what was happening, how could he explain it to them?

...Maybe today would be different, he smiled inside.

"Ok. Sure. Do you mind if I get washed up, though?"

Leo and Don seemed like they almost sighed together. Were they both holding their breaths in anticipation waiting for his answer?

"Yeah, yeah! Go right ahead!" Leo swiftly returned.

Casey popped, "Scare the crap out of Raph, would ya?"

"We'll save it for later," Don promised. He and Leo chuckled and stopped short when the basement door opened, Emyrs and Abigail appearing behind it.

"She's all yours, gentlemen!" Emyrs stepped passed her daughter and reached immediately for Shadow.

Abigail moved closer to the couch, inspecting it for any more sleeping lumps. "I feel so loved, Mother, thanks."

"Just be ready when you come home, okay?" Emyrs never looked away from Shadow, cooing at the infant and then using Shadow's hand to wave towards Abigail. "You have babysitting practice tonight."

"Yes, don't remind me."

"Come again?" This time Emyrs looked up at her daughter. Abigail had already settled on the couch and turned to glance at the sharp voice and withering stare.

"Yes, I will remember," came a better reply from the tween. Her mother's harsh stare disappeared.

"If you all don't mind me following you down to the sewer, I would like to visit your father today." Emyrs handed the infant back to April. "Do you think he will be available to speak with me?"

"I don't see why not," Leo shrugged. "He was meditating when we left."

"I'm ready when you're ready then. Oh, April, do you need me to wash the dishes?"

"No, no!" April rejected, "I have plenty of time to do them. The breakfast was delicious. Just ask Mr. Baconator over there."

Casey ravaged another bacon. "Bitchin'. Should I give Em a kiss before going to work than you, April?"

"I wouldn't kiss you for nothing right now with all of that grease and food on your chin," April ragged, shifting Shadow to her left side.

"Well, I need a kiss from someone! I never go to work without a kiss!"

The bathroom door jarred open. "What about me, baby?" Raphael's deep voice rumbled.

"I rather kiss the backside of that cat."

Don picked up a frantic Rosie who returned from the bedroom. "That can be arranged, you know."

Casey wiped his mouth with the tie he was wearing and blazed out the door. "You boys are crazy," was all one could make out as Casey disappeared.

Rosie was getting antsy with Don holding her so she was returned to the safety of the floor. A quick rub was granted to her from Mike as he headed to the bathroom, not looking in Raph's direction, despite not feeling entirely too fussed with him. Baby Shadow was moved back to her crib while her mother continued cleaning the kitchen area. Emyrs entertained the boys with colorful stories of Abigail's childhood, especially the one where Abby's first word was "beer" (because her mother worked in a bar). All poor Abigail could do was sit and take it.

[Mindy]

Chapter 8 :: Tea Time



Stealth has never been her strong suit. In following these "ninja turtles" beneath the city and away from light, she had a touch of claustrophobia that nipped at her occasionally. Abigail had no trouble and enjoyed this sort of adventure. In her older age, Emyrs was careful to make one trip do everything she needed. With Abby in martial arts training, Emyrs didn't feel her own age too much and was interested in physical fitness but her bones were steadily grasping senior years. With any luck, she could keep pushing it for another ten, twenty years.

But certainly not if she was constantly going in and out of manholes and crawling through cesspools.

Still, Splinter was a dear friend, or she felt like he was a dear friend. He meant something to her, which puzzled her as they had never met.

"Watch yer step, young lady," Raph called behind her and she thought he was trying to be very polite with that "young lady" gibberish.

She almost let her tongue slip and quip a snarky reply but put on the brakes instead. "You have to stay fit going and coming out of here, right?"

"It'll come as second nature to ya after a few hundred times. Another step there."

"I can see why he doesn't get out often. I wouldn't care too much for this either."

"We find shortcuts. That's the key," Leonardo jumped in. "And our father can navigate these sewers better than any of us."

"Then how about he come see me next time, huh?" she joked and continued watching her steps as Raphael and Donatello barked warnings behind her. Michelangelo, in front of her, had almost become a safety net quite a few times.

"Almost there, Mother. And consider this payback for putting me through those humiliating stories earlier," Abigail taunted.

"Fair enough," Emyrs agreed and took one last big step onto the platform. The entrance to the Sewer Home was very camouflaged with the structure, and you had to perform cartwheels, tuck your head in and out of your shell, and fluttered your fingers, she reckoned, to open the doorway. It really wasn't at all like that but it might as well been. She could never tell what they did to spread the threshold.

As they spilled into the home, one couldn't tell it was a sewer they just waded through and it was nicely decorated. She was sure Splinter kept his boys on top of their chores and maintaining cleanliness. This made her feel a little embarrassed that her tiny cottage was usually in a mess. Good thing they weren't visiting her. She would have nowhere to keep them!

It didn't take long for everyone to go their separate ways: Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo (rather pale actually; she hoped he would be alright) with Abigail into the training area, and Leonardo with a soggy Emyrs into Splinter's chamber. Leonardo stood outside the sliding doors and called for his father in a hushed tone. Along with her bones, Emyrs' hearing wasn't the best either so she thought she heard a muffled reply. When Leo slid the door open, she had confidence in her hearing again.

"Good morning, Emyrs. Nice to see you again after an extended leave. I missed your company," the elder rat beamed. He sat on his floor in traditional Japanese style and offered her some tea. Leonardo closed the door behind them and poised beside it.

The room smelled faintly of incense and she was enjoying the small oriental-style lamps. She had to ask where he got those because Abby might like them in her cottage. It was just the right shade of color, too.

Emyrs almost forgot to reply to Splinter's request. "No tea for me, thanks. I was admiring your lamps."

"They were a gift from Miss O'Neil a couple of years ago."

"Abigail would have a fit over them. I'll have to ask April where she found them."

Splinter poured and sipped his tea with such gracefulness that she was very glad she didn't ask for any. Truth be known, she was a bumbling idiot this morning because this conversation was going to hit the heart of their complicated situation.

"Would you like for us to be alone?" Splinter's ears repositioned, showing concern.

"No, no, he can stay. He will find out eventually and I have nothing to hide, but...," she hesitated and glanced at one of the lamps. "Do you remember me at all? Did my name slip off your tongue as soon as you saw me although you've never seen me before?" She looked back at him.

He remained regal. "It did not."

"I remember waking up one morning a year ago," she started, "and it was raining like crazy outside. Each drop that fell brought back memories, it seemed, and I was overwhelmed from it all. I don't consider myself the spiritual type but it was all too strange to just happen like a natural occurrence."

"What I'm trying to say, Splinter, is that I remembered your name and I remembered our friendship. Have you always wondered why you were just a normal rat with the ability to learn martial arts? You had already been somewhere else, in another time, maybe another universe?"

The incense suddenly felt stifling and the room now exhibited heat. Or it was just her because Splinter and Leonardo remained calm, unmoved and she was almost a puddle on the floor.

"That may be so, dear guest, but does it matter now? I am content with my life and my sons. This home, we created from our own blood and sweat and defend it with the very same passion. You came seeking for me and seeking for answers to your questions. I have none to give to you, I'm afraid."

She nodded, gnawing at her embarrassment and disappointment. No, she didn't wish for direct answers but for someone to understand the mystery with her. It compelled her to search harder and beyond just visiting an "old friend".

"However," Splinter's voice broke into her thoughts, "I will admit that you feel like an ally, that we did know each other in a past life. We don't allow too many strangers into our home, as you can deduce."

"And I don't climb down a mountain and across the ocean for a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach."

Just for a quick second, she doubted him and doubted that he could help her at all, or even wanted to help her. Four lads and intensive spiritual training clogged up his time so it was foolish of her to press the issue further.

He smiled gently. "I am glad to have met you, though. If you are interested, my son and I can guide you through a metaphysical course. I believe it might benefit you."

She bowed her head. "If we stay any longer, I will consider it. Thanks for your time and input, Splinter. I'm sorry to trouble you."

The next few seconds as she exit the space, breath whistled out of her mouth and once she could find a silent area, Emyrs exhaled the most she ever held in her chest. Going to see him served no purpose, just embarrassed herself and put him in an awkward situation. Come off the fairytales and high expectations, she scolded, and get back to real life.

Leonardo and Splinter watched her from the room, still in their same positions. Leo had his back towards Splinter, leaning in the entrance-way.

"A year ago, I found you lost and in the rain. You had been sobbing and clawing at yourself for hours. The signs of a mental breakdown, Father."

A few moments passed.

"Yes."

"Isn't that where your answer is?" Leo nodded towards Emyrs, who was still visibly shaken.

"I'm not looking for an answer. She is."

[Mindy]

Chapter 9 :: Versus


Uneasy wasn't the word Mike was feeling, standing there watching Donatello blocking the student's attacks. The entire place made him shiver. His only saving grace was that Raphael had wanted to return to his room; Mike could handle Don's personality a lot better than Raph's.

When they all walked through the familiar entrance-way, his body steered away from his father's room. He didn't want to see Splinter's seasoned, weary face and those dark mournful eyes. Both he and his father knew that Mike could see passed the optimism, the spiritual advice, and paternal instinct of protecting one's child. The contrition punctured his good mood even more.

"Hey," Donatello expressed, not breathing half as much as Abigail, "Why don't you exercise for a bit, Mike?"

He walked towards Mike and handed the equipment to him. "It can't be good for you to be all holed in that room. You used to rag me for living in my shop."

Mike stood with hands in his pockets, looking down at the ground. "I remember."

"Then here. Release that frustration."

Mike hesitated. "I'm not really sure, Don. I -"

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on you," Abigail lightly cracked, joining the party.

"Are you going to let her tease you like that?" Don's right eyebrow cocked. "Show her what the Turtle Titan is made of."

A snicker left Mike's lips and he took the training equipment, only to satisfy them if he needed. "I'm not responsible for any bruises or cuts. Don't go telling your mother on me now," as he stepped onto the middle of the mat.

Don leaned down, whispering, "He's going to clean the floor with you, you know that, right?"

"I know," she mouthed back and appeared a little nervous. Her palms perspired already, heart thumping hard in her chest, and she was only walking to greet him on the practice floor. This just might be the Practice to end all Practices, she gulped. That young man might be a little unstable with his emotions but his body told another tale.

Don signaled the green light to begin, and while her confidence was trembling, she remained defiant and gave it her best shot. Mike was quick as lightning; not bulky like Raphael or strategic like Don, and certainly not as intimidating as Leonardo, but he was magnificent in his moves and almost danced to a certain beat. In her eyes, if he had not been practicing for a while, she couldn't tell it. Mike worked the floor like he owned it.

It was certainly the best and the most bizarre workout she ever encountered and was incredibly thankful to him for the insight into a new form. She bowed graciously and grabbed a water break. Donatello accompanied a smiling Mike.

"Feel better?" Don chirped.

Mike wiped his forehead. "It was like old times."

"Yep, you still showed out," erupted a familiar, irritating voice from the shadows. Mike swallowed back that good mood.

"Wouldn't be Mike if he wasn't showing off," Don joked, trying to save the situation before it couldn't be helped anymore.

Raphael mounted near the mat, arms crossed, peering hard at Mike. "You want to stop being a hardhat now and act like you might be a part of this family again?"

"Raph, that's really not fair -" Don jumped, but Mike held up his hand to stop him.

"Actually a little training like that put a lot of things into perspective for me."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"That I still don't care to be around you."

Donatello sighed and walked off the mat. It was best to get out of dodge and let the two siblings duke it out in an ACTUAL battle room.

"That's a bit harsh, little brother!" Raph belittled, uncrossing his arms and extending them. "You know, I haven't done a damn thing to you! I've always defended you, took care of you, and hell, if we were like humans, I'd probably wipe your shell as a kid, too."

"But you're demeaning in everything you say!" Mike felt the heat rise in his face. "I've grown up, I've changed, and you can't accept it."

"I can accept change," retorted Raph, "but you're not the brother I knew. You did more than change. You broke apart this family and act like it's not suppose to hurt us."

He remained motionless in his position, not even blinking. At this point, Mike didn't even want to argue anymore. What would be the point? For an author who constantly searched for the right words, he was coming up empty in this situation. The best he could do was twiddle with the staff in his hands; it curbed his dying attention.

"Knucklehead," Raph muttered after no response from his brother and walked back into the shadows.

When the staff no longer held his concentration, Mike cast it aside and ambled to the living room, his old stomping grounds. There, he found an equally distressed turtle who didn't make him want to scratch at the air for something to say.

[Mindy]

Chapter 10 :: Break



For a few moments, she didn't realize there was another person sitting next to her. She could have been mumbling to herself and Michelangelo probably thought she was losing her mind. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened, really.

She rested on the torn couch, leaning over the edge and smiled over at him so he didn't think she was completely ignoring him (or being a complete loon). Some music began thumping from one of the upstairs' bedrooms; rock and roll or heavy metal tunes, she figured. If she was in a better mood, she would be humming along to it.

"He does that when he's angry," remarked Mike who was positioned on the sofa arm. "Although he's gotten a new album since the last time I was here."

Emyrs took the opportunity to make light of the situation. "So no longer AC/DC but those Korn or Limp Bizkit new type kind of bands?"

Mike lifted his head up to listen in on the music. "I don't think Raph liked the Limp Bizkit music too much. I'm not sure what he's thumping up there."

"That doesn't sound like AC/DC to me. He might have changed since you moved out."

Mike shrugged and returned to silence.

Emyrs looked around the lair and piped up, "Either way, whatever he's listening to sounds like *insert swear here*."

"Don't tell him that. He gets defensive over his music."

She scooted her feet across the floor. "Yeah, I'll be sure to tell him to go back to the good stuff when I see him."

"Metal's just not for me. That kind of music puts me on edge."

Emyrs settled back on the couch in a more relaxed position. "I grew up with the rock and roll music and enjoyed the hair bands a lot. I'm not really fussed with it too much now. Abby listens to classical music mostly. Talk about boring after a while..."

"A teenager that listens to classical music?" Mike turned slightly to look at her, bewildered. "What did you do to her?"

"She listens to many other music types, but classical helps her meditate. I prefer jazz."

"I used to listen to alternative and new rock but I guess I prefer silence now that I'm an author. Rosie gets jittery when I snap on some tunes."

Emyrs chuckled, "That cat of yours. What did you do to her, yeah? She's a bit odd for a kitty."

"We oddballs stick together," he amused and grinned at the thought of Rosie peering up at him with those beady, innocent eyes.

Emyrs grinned along with him and the both enjoyed a moment's peace, even with the mystery music pounding upstairs. She decided it was the perfect time to tell a story.

"I got Abigail a cat when she was a young one. The cat was a stray around my workplace, a bar if you remembered, and it had the strangest pattern of colors on its little fur. It took some time for me to calm it down and approach me."

Mike listened intently and kept his own cat in mind as Emyrs relayed the tale. She told the biography with such passion and humor; it was a moment that he needed to remember when he returned to his writing. He chuckled at her misadventures with the cat, Otto, from digging up her flowers and climbing up walls to relieving itself (numerous times) in her kitchen sink. Mike could tell she despised the cat but grew to love it after some time.

She paused after some time. "When..," Emyrs halted and her smile faded, "..when Abby's best friend died a couple of years ago, Otto was there for her more than I could be. I was a single mother and had to continue working. Otto was that child's best friend."

Recollecting that Abigail was still only a child, Mike looked sullen. He and his brothers could relate to losing a childhood.

Emyrs continued, "If you ever want to talk about pets and how much they mean to you, Abby can understand. Otto was her right-hand man and almost like her shadow."

"Klunk was never my shadow; he was always off doing his own thing but Rosie is latched onto me. She can sympathize and never screams at me."

Emyrs sighed and quickly peered in the distance, admitting, "I can scream a lot. I'm guilty of being a bit loud when I shouldn't be."

"You're a mother, though."

"But every family screams at each other," she finished and leisurely stood. The muted tune lingered throughout the home and she glanced around the front room area.

"May I turn on the television or do something to pass the time?"

Mike searched around for the remote and eventually found it under a stack of motorcycle magazines. It was still covered in sticky, ooey, gooey.... something. Probably syrup but he really didn't want to keep guessing. All he had to do was remember the times he ate junk in front of the tv.

"I see a video game console down there. Want to play a game or two?" she asked, fumbling around the cords.

After accepting the request, the two spent an afternoon dodging bananas, saving a princess, and spinning the wheel for cash prizes. They made so much noise that many of the lair's tenants had to see what was happening and, curiously, join the Game Party.

[Mindy]

Chapter 10.5 :: Your Friend

The trek from the sewer back to April's home seemed as long as the journey to the lair. The Hamato-sons promised to take a shortcut back that didn't include murky water or throat-imploding smells. She knew it was something they couldn't help, living and hiding under the city, and she kept most comments to herself on the way back home.

"Mother, pick up your step some," Abigail mumbled behind her and that caused Emyrs to slow down even more.

"That better?"

Emyrs was sure her daughter wore a snide smile, what she usually did, but instead, she felt a shove on her back and this made her as clumsy as a tarred goose.

"Mother!" was all Emyrs heard as her body lost gravity control and plopped right into the water. The murky, nasty, yucky water that she had been trying to avoid all day.

Eight sets of hands reached for her, and after she was saved from the ankle-deep water, five sets of voices erupted in snickers.

"Sorry, Mom," she apologetically laughed, "I don't realize that I have such strong hands!"

"Forcing your poor Mother to walk the plank, I see!" Emyrs playfully snapped and whisked away some of the filth.

"And what are you all laughing at?!" she continued cheerfully at Splinter's sons. The laughter was still echoing in the sewer and she had to soon join the poke at her mis-step.

"I knew it was a good idea she didn't hold the game system on the way back," Don quipped with Leonardo nodding in agreement.

Emyrs shook herself like a wet dog and turned to Abigail. "Since you lovingly pushed me into my death, it's only fair that you---"

Abigail squealed as her own clothes were forcefully used to dry her soaked mother's body. This caused a wave of commotion through the sewer with Raphael and Mike stepping out of the galloping ladies' way. They were almost completely out of sight when the young men decided to play their own pranks.

"We're leaving!" Raphael hollered followed by Don and Mike's shouts of goodbyes.

Leonardo whispered, "Ninjas, vanish!" and the brothers disappeared, leaving their poor guests scrambling to find their way out of the sewer.


-------------------------------------------------

Emyrs flicked on her bedroom lamp and used her nightstand to prepare a letter. Abigail was snoozing away, very tired from her adventures and late-night gaming with her teachers. Emyrs could still hear noises upstairs, mostly Raphael and Donatello complaining that Mike was cheating on a video game. It looked like those boys needed some family time, and she was more than happy to oblige. Not enough showers could take the smell of the sewer off her skin. There were many times in her life that she did what she had to do but writing a letter to Splinter was a hell of a much better idea than tromping through New York's gutters. She wished their elevator had worked but Don had been hammering on it for days and couldn't repair it. Just her luck, she chuckled.

Chewing on the end of her pencil for a short minute, she peered at a picture of herself and Abigail on the nightstand. That picture was taken one spring day, six months ago in fact, and Abby, in the picture, was delighted to know they would be taking an extended vacation to America soon. Her curly red hair was a complete mess, and if memory served correct, Abby had just achieved her Purple Belt. On that particular day, nothing could break the child's happy mood. It was all the reason why Emyrs was smiling in the photo, too. They stood in front of the cottage with Otto digging up her flowers in the background. That damn cat.

And next to the photo were two bottles of her medicine. Ironic, she remembered, that a few months prior to the photo, she was prescribed that medication. It helped her function. Without it, there were too many noises.

Anyways, it was getting late and she needed to write the letter while she could still see straight.


Dear Splinter,

   Forgive me for only saying good bye after a bizarre second encounter together. I wish to see you again but I really can't tolerate the trek through the sewers. I'm in no way dishonoring your way of life but I hope you can understand that I'm not up to speed or stamina as you and your family are. Still, if you can't come see me, I will cross the sewers for you. Just like I crossed the ocean for you.

Wow, that sounded a bit romantic, didn't it?, she muttered. He would get the point; he's a smart cookie. The pencil scribbled onwards.

   I would like to get to know you more, aside from someone who needs to be placed in a straight jacket, but you're very interesting. And I remember you telling me the story of you and your sons' mutations. It fascinated me. Your stories sound like something in a comic book but then we have a few crazy ones of our own! Let's share them sometime.

   Abigail and I will extend our stay for another couple of months. During that time, may we please see one another again? Your sons are delightful and each one has been so nice to my Abby, who needs a mentor and friend more than ever. You all have been very kind to two mysterious guests. I notice that you Americans will be celebrating your Thanksgiving soon and it will be our first. I really hope your family will continue to accept us as you all have been doing. We appreciate it and you are welcome to our home at any time. Undoubtedly.

            Your friend,    Emyrs Becker


Not too shabby, she cooed, although the "crossing the ocean for you" part did seem a touch too dramatic. Ok, erasetime.

Still, if you can't come see me, I will cross the sewers for you. The ocean was difficult enough so I can tough it out!

Abigail's snores were gaining volume, and her own eyesight was going blurry. With the medicine kicking in and lamplight shutting off, it didn't take long for the elder turtle to conquer dreamland.

Author's Note: And this chapter concludes the first half of the saga! The coming chapters will have more action than daily, humdrum-type stuff. Brace yourselves for familiar characters (male & female) making their appearances. I'm excited to give some of them a makeover! Until then!

[Mindy]

Chapter 11 :: Kuma


How in the world could those boys train in this bitter cold? New York City had this angry winter, not like the carefree season from her homeland. It was just different and she wasn't used to it at all. Training was just that much more difficult. Her teachers were impressive to her and improved her own style each day, but they were males, and older males, who didn't quite seem to know what the word "break" meant.

She shouldn't whine, a thought whistled. These boys were tough as nails and the best in their field; keep your lips shut and comply.

As she struggled to keep up with the Bouncing Rooftop Brothers in the freezing weather, the one thing that made Abigail warm inside was the thought of tasting her mother's meat pie waiting for her back at the rental home. The flushed, hearty meal that has been a family tradition for years around winter could beat down any jog in the cold or difficult exam in school. A smile usually crossed her face all the way to her home and its presence was here under this foreign night sky.

The Hamato sons' leaping halted and Leonardo's voice cut quickly through the air. She thought she heard her own name but was a little too far behind to really understand what was happening ahead of her. Quite suddenly, a shadow recoiled towards her and a pair of warm hands captured her. Donatello's voice mumbled in her right ear.

"We're hiding. Move."

In a state of shock, she clumsily shuffled with Donatello to what he considered was a safe place for the both of them. Raphael and Leonardo's voices were extremely muffled but she could certainly hear a fight commencing.

"What -" she started but Donatello placed a finger over her mouth.

"Not now. Shush."

Waiting was the toughest part. The shock wore off slightly and the noises came closer and closer. Donatello whispered for her to once again move it and this time, they crawled off the rooftop and into the streets below. Amazing how stealthy she had become in a short time. Dipping into the darkness was like putting on an old pair of shoes.

Abigail couldn't see Donatello in the alleyway but his hand remained secured around her elbow. The battle noises became a distant echo, and as time inched along, her rapid heartbeat curtailed, eyes back in her skull, and Donatello's grip lessened. How could it all be very exciting and terrifying at one time?

"A few more minutes." Don's edgy voice instructed through the backstreet. She knew all too well not to relax even though the war on the topside began dissipating. The previous two months had been a wild ride for her, in both training and understanding a different culture. Mother wanted her to be worldly and disciplined, and each day Abigail, despite her tender age, reached closer to her goals. Her new teachers have taught her so much and she swallowed hard, thinking what would become of them if the enemy succeeded. Would Mike and Master Splinter drown in sorrow in their small rooms? How could they all blissfully move one day to the next knowing one of their own could disappear? They all cared for one another but did they all just fall apart? What about all of their previous battles and sacrifices?

"Stop thinking about death."

"Yes," she felt herself whispered back to him without a moment's hesitance. He must have been in this scenario a hundred times and the same thoughts raced through his mind twice that many. Her cheeks flushed from the adrenaline and embarrassment. He was right; stay calm and comply.





"Checkmate," Splinter proudly announced with a curved smile. His elongated fingers reached over the board and settled back into his lap.

"Cheater!" Emyrs chirped, smile curving and studying how her opponent just won the game. From the kitchen, April chuckled silently while tossing lettuce.

Splinter nodded his head, his wiry fur a few shakes behind the momentum. "Sore loser."

"Those are fighting words, young one!"

"You don't pay attention, Lady Emyrs. It is a strategic game."

"I bet you couldn't beat me in tennis or gardening."

"Do not tempt me."

"I'm tempting."

"Bad idea."

Emyrs glanced at April, whose shoulders were bouncing up and down. "You look more like a rat than a chicken to me, Kuma."

"Kuma?" April blinked. "Doesn't that mean bear?"

"Yep. He's more of a bear than a rat, but right now, he's a chicken."

"In just that one sentence, you named him a barnyard!" April laughed and dug out the cutting board, uttering, "I hate tomatoes but Casey bends over backwards for them. He gets a bowl of his own."

Emyrs began clucking like a fowl, eventually laughing at Splinter's static expression.

"That is quite a good impression. I am entertained."

"Kuma, you're a trip," her laughter slowed and she wiped her eye, "Clear the board and I'll wipe it with you in this next round."

Splinter diligently removed the chess pieces. "Don't be deceived by appearances. You of all people should know that, Dame."

"Lady!" the brunette cried from the kitchen, still pounding on the cutting board. She rather enjoyed the learning experience.

Emyrs lifted her pieces off the game board. "Now I know where your sons get their spunk. Color me a fool. I thought you were a sweet old man. The light bulb should have switched on when I caught you watching daytime tv the other day."

"I enjoy my soaps. Robbie is going to confess to Maria tomorrow."

"On which one? You watch a billion of them."

His side of the board was clear now. "You do not pay close attention, certainly."

Her side of the board was only halfway vacant. "I don't watch your soaps! They're all cheesy, no matter which country you live in."

"Palace Dreams."

"Pardon?" Emyrs stopped.

"Palace Dreams. Robbie. Maria."

"He isn't going to confess to her, Splinter!" April declared. "Maria cheated on HIM one time before. He's paying her back!"

"Maria has a delightful soul," Splinter coolly protested, never turning his back towards the kitchen area. His ears flicked a quick second as Mike's bedroom door unhinged.

Groggily, Mike looked up and locked eyes with his father. April stopped her dicing and Emyrs cleared the rest of the board. Tense air filled the room with April and Emyrs exchanging quick glances and wondering what was going to happen next. Splinter had been visiting for a couple of days but as usual, Mike never came out of his room for much. Even with a slight breakthrough a couple of months back, his reclusive nature persisted and he only joined in a handful of family time. Nobody wanted to force him to do anything.

Rosie pranced out of the room, mewing and rubbing Mike's leg. Splinter broke the stare and grinned towards the cat.

"Mike," April cleared her throat, "What do you like in your salad?"

"The usual. I'll even take tomatoes if you have some."

"You like salad now, my son?" Splinter glistened. "I am happy to know this. I could never get you to eat salad."

Mike looked down at the floor and cocked a smile. "Goes good with pizza."

The two shared a peaceful moment. Emyrs and April returned to their duties but everything was aborted once there was a rushed knock from the living room window. Mike gently pushed a purring Rosie aside and strolled to the window. As soon as he opened it, he could smell the trouble brewing.

[Mindy]

Chapter 12 :: Bandages


"Mike, get the hell out of the way! You lookin' like we ain't ever come through here before!" Raphael brushed passed his groggy brother. When Raphael realized the living room had more guests, he broke off his temperament and did the only thing he could make his hand do: wave.

April, Splinter, and Emyrs gaped at the spectacle with Emyrs waving back a few moments later.

Donatello and Abigail arrived in the room with Leonardo bringing up the rear, taking one last look into the night, and peacefully shutting the window. Everyone stopped behind Raphael.

"Evening, my students. Dinner will be ready soon." Splinter's voice was caring and polite but held a distinctive sense of order. Nobody could really argue with him.

Mike gave his brothers a confused look, especially since Leonardo and Raphael had a good few cuts and scrapes on themselves. He really didn't want to deal with the drama and proceeded to the bathroom, where he wanted to go in the first place. Rosie sat on the living room floor, grooming herself and oblivious to the events.

"Uh, what are we having?" blurted Raph, looking towards April in the kitchen.

"First, you all shall get cleaned up. April is preparing a nice salad dinner. I expect you all to be back in twenty minutes."

The Window Guests disappeared as quickly as they entered the room. Emyrs couldn't believe how graceful Splinter handled something that looked like a disaster. Abigail looked petrified, Leonardo and Raphael bleeding, and Donatello as serious as she had ever seen him.

"I'll come back in a minute. Excuse me," she said and followed the group down the basement.

Once she entered the dwelling, Emyrs softly pushed the door closed and overlooked the crowd. Donatello was applying first aid to Leonardo on Abigail's bed.

"Excuse us while we use your room for a bit, please. We won't be here long," Don assured and dotted Leo's hand with ointment.

"Take your time. Well, just twenty minutes as your father said. I think he might get all of us then," Emyrs playfully stammered. No one really replied to her comment.

Abigail poised by her mother's nightstand, leaning against the wall and darting her eyes from her mother then back to the ground. While Emyrs wanted to investigate (so badly), instead she pushed aside the idea and walked towards Don.

"May I help then? I'm here."

Don handed her the faded medical bag, and passing a nod to Leonardo, she walked to meet Raphael and Abigail on the other side. Raphael sat on the floor, looking as disgruntled as ever but it was probably from the workout and wounds than anything else. Emyrs pulled her sheets off the bed and patted it.

"Here, please."

Abigail and Raphael looked at each other, slightly puzzled, so he nodded for her to go ahead. As Abby pushed herself off the wall, Emyrs nodded.

"You're not bleeding, Abby. Will you be okay until I treat him?"

"Yes."

"I'm fine! Treat the girl -"

"Raph!" Leonardo and Donatello roared across the room: Leo's voice more commanding, Don's response was more annoyed.

He begrudgingly got onto his feet and stomped to the bed. Almost taking his shirt off, he froze and huffed to his brothers. "Switch with me, Leo."

Don sighed and continued medicating Leo's hand. "He doesn't want to undress in front of you ladies, Em."

"Where are your injuries then?" Emyrs asked and opened the bag.

Raphael didn't look at her, his huffing not quite as severe. "Some on my chest and shoulder. And one where you ain't touching at all. I'll do that one myself."

Emyrs poked inside the bag and brought out supplies. "Roll your shirt up and I"ll take care of the shoulder injury. You and Don handle the rest."

Raphael complied but instead of rolling up his shirt, he ripped it off and discarded on the floor. Emyrs shrugged and began medicating his shoulder wounds. Abigail turned away from the injuries. They looked quite painful but Raphael never muttered, winced, or whined, like she would have.

"You feel better over there, baby?" Raph teased at Leo. "That's what you get for messin' with the better fighter."

Leo caught onto the act. "My hands were the only ones injured. You have them everywhere, including privately."

Raph growled. "You pull that *insert swear here* again and I'll cut yours off completely! You don't use it anyways."

"Ladies in the room, fellas," moaned Don.

Raph winced at his wounds finally. "Sorry, sorry. I'm dumb sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Leo shot back.

"In addition to my sai weapons," Raph began slowly, adding venom, "I have a pocketknife that will take care of the job, too. Remember that horror movie we watched? The one with the guy losing his pride?"

"And you and Mike screamed like little girls, too," Don joined in. "I almost had to hold the both of you tight."

"That was Mikey! He was the wuss! I don't hide under skirts. Ow!" he hissed, and Emyrs continued cleaning the wound. "Kick it down a notch, will ya, "love"?"

"I wouldn't want to break you," Emyrs joked. "And "love" is that British crap."

Nearly discharging another comeback, Raphael closed his mouth and allowed his brothers to laugh at his expense. She was a guest, a lady, an older lady at that, and medicating his wounds. All she needed to do was jab a nearby object in his shoulder and he would be the Wuss of the Evening.

"British, Irish, Germans... same difference, right?" His tongue always got the best of him. That will never change.

"Almost like Canadians, Mexicans, and Americans. Same difference, right?" she jeered, and Don's laughter nearly blew them out of the room.

"Pick on Raph Night. I'm touched," he scoffed and glared in Don's direction. "Get back to bandaging Leo. Don't forget his mouth this time."

"There you go," Emyrs concluded and gave him a polite shove. "Off my bed and go clean up your other wounds."

"Yes, Mother," he groaned and stumbled off the bed. Abigail reclaimed his spot.

Before Raphael opened the door, he had to give his brothers one last glare. "Don't blow it," he mouthed to them and slithered out the room.

[Mindy]

Chapter 13 :: Rosie


After a delicious (and silent) salad dinner, Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello met in the deepest part of the alleyway. Hunched over his motorcycle, Raphael rubbed his shoulder injury and popped his neck; Donatello and Leonardo positioned in front of the bike, and all of the brothers wore intense looks.

"It's been a while since we've had to use our weapons against anyone. Got any guesses who that attacker could have been?" Leo broke the silence.

Don studied the surroundings. "Purple Dragons? They're still kicking around every now and then."

"But that fighter was too good to be one of those punks," Raph stated and eased onto the bike.

Leo nodded. "Raph's right. And the Foot have all but disappeared these days."

"Then we might be dealing with a random attacker?" Don switched his footing. "We might have hit someone's turf."

"No, Donny, that turf belongs to us. We crawl those rooftops almost nightly. I've never encountered that person before," Raph protested.

"Have you made someone mad lately, Raph?" came a cool voice from Leonardo. "I mean, seriously."

"Some street punks poking their noses where they don't belong. One almost scratched up my bike and I had to decorate the streets with 'im."

The gears were churning in Don's eyes. "Pardon me for inciting this idea, but I know it's been two months since the guests arrive, but we should know that every time someone new comes along..."

"...a new enemy appears," Leo finished. "But why were they waiting two months to do anything?"

"And the chicks come from a mountain in "Doisland". Who the heck wants to hurt them?" Raph countered and bundled up his suit even more.

"Deutschland, Raphael," chided Don, giving a half -hearted chuckle. Raphael opened his mouth to say something but stopped and waved his hand to dismiss it.

"Patrol watch then. Who is first?" Leonardo asked. Both he and Donatello looked at Raphael instantly.

"You know what? I actually want one of you goons to go first for once. I never get to see Boneheaded Casey much anymore and ..." his words trailed off and huffed.

"And what?" Donatello probed.

Raphael miffed, "And that's it!"

Leonardo angled towards Raphael. "You don't want to go on patrol?! Do you have plans or something?"

"Yeah, I got plans!" Raph retorted and hurridely got his bike ready to go. "That don't involve getting my thighs cut by some maniac!"

"Take a picture or video of this, Don. I'm highly shocked."

Raphael revved up his engine, smirked before donning his helmet. "Have a nice night. Bundle up!"

The motorbike howled in the darkness and careened towards the street.

"What about tomorrow night?!" screamed Leo over the roar.

"I'll let you know!" was his brother's reply as he vanished into the city's flow. The two brothers in the alleyway were left standing puzzled by Raphael's abnormal decision. They only gazed at each other before passing on to the night's responsibilities.

---------------------------------------------------------

The dishes had never been this ...sparkly before, she gaped, even when the dishwasher was working. April stood amazed and even inspected each dish before placing it back in the drain.

"Are they not to your satisfaction, Miss O'Neil?" Splinter's kind voice rattled. He had been working on the dishes for almost half an hour and had insisted on cleaning them, too.

April promptly nodded. "No way! That's the cleanest I've ever seen them! I can't even get them that bright!"

"I've had much practice," he grinned and slowly brushed the debris out of a bowl.

"With four boys in the house, I would make sure NOT to do them," she laughed, dashing back and forth between the living room and kitchen to entertain a squealing Shadow in a highchair.

"I love a child's laugh," he commented, and something from the sound of his voice said that he missed it. April knew that with his family growing and changing, Splinter felt detached; she looked down at blissful baby Shadow and cursed at time in her mind.

Shadow reached for her mother. "Shadow laughs a lot so you're taken care of there!" April wiggled one of Shadow's toys in front of her so the baby's attention would be diverted. Mike really spoils the child, April groaned.

A bitsy cry sounded from the kitchen floor and Splinter found Rosie by his leg, rubbing and purring against it. "Hello there, neko," he greeted.

"Rosie's out? And Mike's not out here?" pondered April with Shadow gaining momentum in her chair, gnawing on the toy.

"Neko Rosie," Splinter quietly teased and wiped his hands dry. He groaned slightly as he bent down to retrieve the sweet kitty. "You are much more affectionate than Klunk."

The two rubbed their furry faces against one another, and Rosie's hums increased until they completely filled the room. Shadow outstretched her hands, babbling and lunging the toy in Splinter's direction. The view was certainly very endearing and April wanted it to last as long as it could, which was the reason for her shushing Shadow. Splinter massaged Rosie's ears and the cat was practically smiling.

April became lost in the moment and didn't see Mike standing in the doorway to his room until her eyes darted in that direction when Shadow threw the toy again. She almost squeaked his name but ceased when she saw that he was smiling at his father and Rosie bonding. Instead of commenting on anything, she giggled at Shadow and rattled the toy in front of the baby's face.

"Rosie is a good pet," Splinter chimed and released Rosie onto the floor. He glanced at Mike. "That means you are a good owner."

"I was trained by the best," Mike agreed. "Would you like to play a game of chess?"

"Only if you do not cry about me cheating, like my previous opponent."

Rosie leaped onto the sofa's arm, purring and cleaning herself. Shadow was desperately trying to reach the cat and threw another toy, only to miss and Rosie not even notice.

Mike chuckled. "I promise. Kuma."

Splinter affectionately shrugged.

[Mindy]

I realize my grasp on the German language is almost zilch so if I mucked up badly, please let me know!!!


Chapter 14 :: Blindness


The Thanksgiving holiday glided in quietly. For the longest time, it was debated if Casey could get that particular day off from his job but all he had to do was squeeze in a little lie and the time off was granted to him. If Casey had not been able to take off, April was going to have a brunch and set everything up in the more spacious basement area (and it was warmer down there, too). Nobody fussed about the situation and continued on with their daily (and nightly) activities.

Leonardo and Donatello swapped patrol nights for a solid month, with Mike, Casey, and Raphael filling in a few days. Mike needed a break from the writing (and Rosie was smothering him), adrenaline-rushed Casey couldn't sleep, and Raphael, odd as it was, snatched up the fewest days. His brothers had no idea what was going on with him, and Casey was playing dumb, or as dumb as usual but hiding something, the brothers realized. Poking in Raphael's business brew terrible consequences so all odds were out on asking or investigating. Rather, the brothers wanted to keep a steady eye around them. It had been exactly a month since the rooftop attacker, and Casey was hoping the attacker would celebrate its anniversary.

On this Thanksgiving evening, the families gathered in the sparsely decorated Lair. Emyrs could battle another round with the sewer water if it meant enjoying time with everyone, but her only stipulation was walking _behind_ Abigail there and back to the apartment. Abigail complied but was generally concerned about her mother's peculiar cough. It was sporadic but getting worse. As always, her mother brushed it off and promised to take care of herself.

As the families seated at the enormous table (perfect for these occasions and a treasure that Mike manage to network), Casey was the first to complain over a lack of appetizers.

"You're getting a huge turkey, bonehead!" Raph growled, smacking Casey with his paper plate.

"I need my eats NOW. Do you know what I had to go through to skip work today?"

Don poured himself a glass of water. "We know all about you having to fight a turkey and that it chased you into a barbwire fence. How are you going to explain the lack of injuries?"

"I heal quickly," Casey shrugged. "That really did happen to me when I was a kid so it's not a total lie."

"Yo, Mike!" Raph crooned across the table to his brother. "Hit it big with your work yet?"

"Small paychecks here and there," responded Mike, dryly. Raphael always had to play him up at every holiday dinner. He was thinking about skipping Christmas at this point.

"Quit writing that mush and write something about us kicking the Foot's tails across New York!"

"Oooh, put me in there!" Casey barged in. "Raph can be my sidekick!"

"A side kick in your ugly face!" was the heated response.

Mike only simpered, shaking his head and keeping his mouth full of beverage. Raphael and Casey continued arguing until a strange set of noises and lights erupted in the Lair. Emyrs was on the far end of the table, closest to the phenomenon and was temporarily blinded as two figures stepped out of the light and sound.

"More guests!" Leonardo cheered and walked towards the light. All of the Hamatos rose from the table and greeted the two figures as the portal disappeared. An anthropomorphic rabbit and rhinoceros stood to attention; their smiles were huge and eyes glowing with happiness. The reunion was loud and hearty and it was only a few minutes later that the guests were prefaced to the only ones remaining at the table: Emyrs (caressing her face) and Abigail. Casey had gotten up earlier and retreated elsewhere, murmuring something about being called an "ape" and didn't seem pleased about it.

"Allow me to introduce our other guests," Splinter announced as he extended his hand towards the table, "They traveled from Germany: Emyrs and her daughter, Abigail. They have been renting from Miss O'Neil's basement for two months now. Abigail is currently in training. Ladies, these are our dear friends: Miyamoto Usagi and Murakami Gennosuke."

The rabbit, Usagi, dressed in graceful samurai gear bowed. Abigail returned the gesture as she pushed her body from the table, and stumbled slightly. She studied her mother, who was blinking rapidly and seemed to be getting herself together. Abigail didn't want to draw attention to Emyrs.

"This is our first Thanksgiving, and it's nice to spend it with good company," she articulated.

Usagi smiled. "The accent suits you, young lady. We are happy to meet you and your mother."

"Hello, Mother!" Gennosuke barked and threw his hand heavily onto Emyrs' shoulder, causing Abigail to flinch.

"Don't scare her to death, Gen!" Raphael blurted.

Her eyesight reestablished, Emyrs quickly shuffled around to Gennosuke. She was taken back by his intimidating appearance.

"Hello to you... er, son?" she awkwardly teased and stood with Abigail. She lost a part of her footing for a second but regained her posture without too many comprising stares.

"My, my... she's a pretty one." Gennosuke whistled over to the Turtles, each one reacting from a shrug to plain exasperation.

"Yeah, Abigail is quite pretty with her poofy hair and cute nose," Emyrs cooed. "And she still has so many years ahead of her!"

It was a mother's sneaky attempt way of saying 'off-limits'.

Gennosuke walked passed Emyrs, on his way to the kitchen area. "I didn't mean the daughter," his voice whispered sharply.



The turkey dinner was served hot and fresh an hour later, and the scene resembled something from a barnyard brawl. Gennosuke and Casey stabbed their utensils in the same spot and neither one would let the other pass. April finally had to use a dishtowel and slap both of them apart. The holiday was about being generous, she snarled, and how Casey and Gennosuke were failing miserably at the idea. Gen's snappy reply of "not being from this world" didn't hold any kind of meaning to April, and she threatened to serve him with the turkey if he didn't show a little respect.

The meal was very silent for ten long, agonizing, uncomfortable minutes.

"So, Elder Becker-san!" Gennosuke hollered from his end of the table to Emyrs' side. "What sites have you seen here in this city? Have you eaten a New York city hot dog?"

"One of the first things I had to do, I was told," she said, swallowing bits of food that she was in the middle of chewing. "A christening sort of ceremony."

"Usagi-san and I are here for the evening. Would you care to join me later in this fine city?"

There was an exasperated groan from Raphael's seat.

"I'm not really up to going into the city today, if you don't mind. Could we hang around here?"

Abigail smiled as she chewed her food.

"Your accent is so pretty," Gennosuke commented. "Would you mind speaking in your native tongue to me?"

"Yeah, he wants her tongue alright," Raphael grumbled and Casey choked a couple of times.

Leonardo came to save the impending disaster. "Usagi-san, what brings you here today? Usually you all visit around our Christmastime."

Usagi gently wiped his face with a napkin. "We will be unavailable to come around Christmas this year so we remembered this holiday. Tomoe Ame and her Lord sends their regards and hope all is well with you and your family."

"Come on, speeaaaaaak," babbled Gen, waving his mammoth hands.

"Gennosuke. Your table manners." Gen received a very distasteful look from his traveling companion.

Her vision was going blurry again; Emyrs turned to her daughter, slurring words, "Wie viele Personen sind hier, Abigail?"

Abigail glanced around the table, counting silently. "Zehn, nicht zählen uns, der Mutter."

Gennosuke grinned widely. "Fascinating! I love hearing other languages! I wonder what they are saying?"

"That you're a big dumb oaf and to leave them alone," Raph retorted, and it even got a chuckle from Donatello (and Casey's usual outbursts).

April studied the two ladies silently, chewing small bites and feeding Shadow, who was unusually quiet. April noticed that her infant would turn and look behind herself many times. It was the same look that Emyrs had.

Beginning to look fatigued, Emyrs exasperated as she stood from the table, "Ich bin nicht gut. Bitte berücksichtigen kann," and staggered towards the bathroom.

When Abigail's eyes unglued from her mother's odd exit, she had many eyes pinned to her once she looked back at the table. She cleared her throat, opened her mouth once, closed it, and reopened again, jabbering, "I don't think the turkey agreed with her. I apologize on her behalf."

"But she never touched her turkey," Leonardo observed. "Should one of us go check on her?"

April quickly stood. "I'll do it. Casey, watch-"

"No!" Abby snapped and then realized how harsh she sounded, finishing, "No. Please. She will be okay."

April soundlessly reclaimed her seat and resumed feeding Shadow. Gennsouke dispersed his arms.

"Well, what did you two say?"

"That New York was very pretty and how ...colorful you are," Abigail paused and caught glances from the family. "Colorful is a good word in her terms."

"She's very colorful herself!" he guffawed and stuffing his mouth, "I want to get to know her more. Do you think she would allow me to take her out? Money is no object!"

"Nein, aber nein danke," blurted Abigail, throwing a teasing look towards April. April returned the look.

"Then it's a date!"

"A date?" Raphael snapped. "You gotta get HER permission, rhinoface!"

"When she returns, then, Kame. Do I sense a little rivalry?"

"No! She's old enough to be my mother!" Raphael yipped. "I don't have much experience with the opposite sex but I'm pretty sure what you're doing doesn't exactly turn them on. And you're pissing me off."

The entire table erupted in chuckles, giggles, and snorts in between chomps of turkey and mashed potatoes. Usagi ordered his friend to be silent for the rest of the meal and that no date was going to happen since they were needed back in their World on that same day.

Baby Shadow continued looking in the other direction, cooing at nothing.

[Mindy]

Chapter 15 :: Dreams



Splashing cold water on her perspiring skin calmed her unbalanced senses. When the confusion dulled, humiliation kicked in over her nonsense during a family gathering. She really didn't want to go back to the table. Ever. In fact, she made up her mind as she dried her face and wiped down the drippy bathroom sink: crawl outside the lair and sit in the darkness. Let all the mopey-ness drain out of her system even if it took all evening. There was no way she could face any of them at this time, especially Abigail.

She slipped out unnoticed, or thought she did; after all, a ton of ninjas and warriors alike littered the lair. If any one of them heard the gate, they could watch her and be entirely too uncomfortable while she sorted her thoughts. To each his own, Emyrs judged.

She chose a little lighted area in the short distance, dusting it off, and breathed out as her body collapsed. Emyrs had no earthly clue what happened earlier; it was all very surreal and muted. She remembered seeing an extra person walking around the table, cocky towards her but smiling down at Shadow, who appeared to have seen the same thing. All of the mess began when Usagi and Gennosuke alighted; the portal magic robbed her vision and awareness. Stepping away from the source allowed her to get back to normal.

"God, what a trip," she muttered, closing her eyes and holding her head.

Something moved in the darkness and stepped closer to her. "Hey," approached a smooth, concerned voice.

"Mike?" Emyrs asked.

"This used to be my spot, you know. To come out here and think," he reminisced and leaned on the wall next to her. The light revealed his soft features, especially his blue eyes. They were eyes that needed to be sparkling more, she always thought.

"I'll give it back, I promise," she tiredly smiled. "I'm sorry for being such a party crasher. Tonight's not my night."

"You're cool. This family has seen a lot of weird stuff. You're not the first."

A rat squeaked from the distance. "Yeah."

"But," Mike looked down at her, "When I was a teenager, I had weird dreams where people talked to me or the dreams foretold the future. Of all my brothers and me, I was the one who had the dreams. And I wasn't too concerned with anything other than comic books, video games, and riff raff."

He continued slowly with each passing sentence becoming more poignant. "The dreams stopped when I hit twenty. I've not had them for four years now; actually I can't remember any dreams at all, even when I do sleep. I got used to not having them."

She watched his face melt into a frown.

"One month ago, and I can remember it so clearly," his words intensified, "I finished a load of work by the deadline and had an enormous weight off my chest. Rosie and I curled on the bed together, and within moments, I thought my body had merged into the bed. It was one of those dreams again and I wasn't ready for it."

Mike stopped to peer around him. "It was you. Or someone who looked like you. Do you travel in dreams at all?"

"No. I have no supernatural ability."

"Back at the table, what did you see?" His face had gone completely straight.

Emyrs fell quiet and swallowed. "Someone who resembled me. A younger me. I can't remember much. She walked around the table, mouth moving but nothing coming out, and she smiled at Shadow. Her smile didn't seem vicious."

"You have no idea who she is at all?"

"I grew up as an only child, in a village of humanoid dragons, adopted by a lady dragon, and I have no brothers or sisters. None have come forth, if I have any relatives."

"Then why is she -"

"Stop," Emyrs hushed. "I wanted peace out here, Michelangelo. Can we talk about this another time when my mind isn't mush? Please?"

Mike whispered an apology and gradually traced out of the light.

"Do you mind doing me a favor?" she called out to him. He stopped.

"Tell Abigail I'm okay."

"She knows," his voice trailed off. The gate opened in the distance and closed.

She didn't want to think about their conversation at all.



The dinner ended with full bellies and many laughs two hours later. Only certain areas of the table were in entire disarrays but it wasn't too bad of a chore to clean. Abigail, April, Splinter, and Leonardo darted around the room, arduously washing and sweeping. Abigail stopped when she approached her mother's seat and untouched plate. She picked up the plate and headed to the trash.

April's hand desisted her before the plate was tossed. "Wrap it up and keep it for her."

"I want to be strong for her but this last year has been rough on her. She's fighting herself more and more. I don't know what to do," young Abby confided while walking back to the kitchen with April.

"Give her the space she needs," countered April as she clutched food wrap and began sealing Emyrs' plate. "She will appreciate that much from you."

"Yes. I will." Abigail returned to the table while April watched her. Leonardo soon entered the kitchen.

"Is she okay?"

"Abigail?" April shook out of her trance. "As good as can be expected. Since her mother is out of commission, she could use support from her teachers."

Leo shrugged. "I can give her a teacher's advice, not a parent's."

"You're all she has for now. You and your brothers had each other, even though you all were too hard-headed to talk to the other."

Leonardo nodded and retrieved a wet cloth from the sink. "Training will be good for her, then. We can work off that turkey and focus her energy."

April chuckled. "That'll do."

Shadow's cries echoed through the lair. April and Leonardo dashed to the living room and found Gennosuke holding the bawling baby.

"Kids love me!" he wailed over the noise. "What is the matter with you, baby monkey?"

"She's never seen anything so hideous before, Gen!" Raph roared.

"Casey!" April shrieked and used a dry towel to whip her boyfriend nearby. "Get her!"

Casey and Raphael had been laughing over the chaos; April's towel attack caught Casey in the middle of a laugh, causing him to let out a squeak. Raphael dodged April's second attack since he teased Casey's misfortune.

"Where is Usagi-san?" Gennosuke asked as he handed the baby back to Casey. "Take your offspring back. Too loud."

"Doghouse. Tonight," flared April at Casey. She stomped back to the kitchen with a whimpering Shadow.

"Doghouse?" Gennosuke innocently questioned.

"Doghouse!" Raphael exclaimed. "But we're going to the -"

Raphael caught himself when his brother shot him a look.

"Can't go tonight, Raphie. The doghouse ain't no fun. I'd rather be at the Cathouse!" Casey whined and caught another physical attack from Raphael.

"Shut up, bonehead!"

"What? April knows I go there!"

"But I wasn't supposed to know." Leonardo glared at Raphael, never once taking them off even when Leo spoke to Casey. "Is that where you've been, Brother? At a stripper's club? Instead of defending our family?"

"I'm not having this *insert swear here* tonight," Raph fumed and stamped towards the gate. Leonardo followed behind him.

The gate slammed shut and left the occupants silent. Gennosuke conclusively peered towards Casey.

"You have a big mouth, MonkeyMan. Learn when to use it and when not to use it. Take that advice from me!"

Casey groaned. "Might have to, RhinoMan."

[Mindy]

Chapter 16 :: Untouchable Lady



"I wish you well in your endeavors," his changeless pitch said, and Usagi bowed down to her.

The last two hours gave her plenty of time to calm down and think, but as much as meeting and talking with Usagi Miyamoto was intriguing, Emyrs had an underlying guilt simmering from the disastrous encounter earlier with Mike. If only she had been feeling better when he had approached her. He probably had a lot of answers for her, and she needed his help, too.

"And yours, too, Usagi. Maybe we will meet again."

Emyrs stood, stretching her back muscles. "I never did get to eat! Serves me right."

"There was some food still left on the table fifteen minutes ago. Your daughter probably saved some for you," Usagi assured. "She will be a fine warrior someday. She has that spark about her."

"She's going to outbeat me in everything. I never could do martial arts. Sports activity was okay for me, but karate or anything of that sort never held my attention."

"It is all a matter of discipline and confidence. It does not come natural to most."

Emyrs shook her numb foot. "It certainly didn't for me. Ouch, I hate the pins and needles.."

"....and furthermore, I'm old enough to do what I want!" came a crashing voice sliding through the sewer, belonging to Raphael no doubt. Emyrs and Usagi exchanged uncomfortable glances.

Leonardo's voice interrupted. "I thought you had matured. You were getting a better head on your shoulders and making wise decisions. Are you drinking again too? You already had that problem as a teenager." He held a very stern demeanor, never shaky or infuriating like the opposite, Raphael.

"Point out my flaws, like you always do. Yeah, I have a bit to drink at the place and it's just a place to escape, Leo."

"You go there almost every night."

"Two or three times a week, actually," corrected Raph, getting angrier by the moment.

"What's the matter then, Raph? Why are you going so much? You passed up patrolling the rooftops for our mystery assassin. Are you changing on us?"

"Like Mikey?" Raph snapped. "You comparing me to him now?"

Leonardo didn't respond.

Usagi leaned over to her. "Let us approach them and try to calm the situation."

"I don't usually meddle into their family affairs but I am getting hungry now," Emyrs ribbed, and when Usagi didn't return the smile, she nodded in agreement and walked forward with him.

"Leo, I got this under control, okay? I'm sorry I didn't join the little ninja party but I have my own affairs. Can you trust me for once?" blazed Raphael, trying desparately to end the arguement. "It's a holiday, for pete's sakes."

Leonardo started to answer but heard Usagi and Emyrs' footsteps.

"My friends, I am ready to go back home. Will you see us off to our world?" Usagi smiled. Emyrs remained silent and nodded.

"Sure, Usagi-san. This way," Leo softened and opened the gate.

As Usagi walked back into the lair, Leo turned to his brother and critically stated, "I'll trust you. Remember that."

The gate pounded against the floor, making Emyrs jump a little and Raphael stare a hole through it. Emyrs had tried to follow Usagi but Leo's moves were so quick and hasty that she froze. Now she was left in an awkward situation: a steaming sibling and absolutely nothing important to say to him.

"You okay?"

Now his voice had softened and his hazel eyes directed at her. She smiled and nodded.

"Yeah. I just had a bad moment. Sorry."

"It happens."

A couple of seconds passed, she asked him, "A really inapproriate question to ask but was there any food left before you came out here?"

"They were cleaning up. I dunno. Go see."

Talking with him reminded her of why she was hesitate to go back inside: a flirty rhinoman. If she could stealthily walk to the kitchen and peek around without Gen seeing her, she could eat in peace.

"Gen's a loud mouth but he's harmless," Raph blurted. "Don't be afraid of him."

Either he was a mind reader or she was easy to study. Emyrs felt her cheeks flush. "Sorry, I don't mean to insult your friend or anything but he's just a bit irritating. I'm not a fussy person and if he wants a date, I rather he ask privately."

"Private, he's not. Just reject him as loud as he asks you."

Emyrs smiled. "I think he might cry. He seems to be the sensitive type underneath the tough exterior."

"We tough guys can be like that. You gotta know how to talk to us."

"I don't have much experience with that. If I can't get through to you, I would think you didn't want to listen to me anyways."

"Hey," he started seriously, "You wanna get out of here and go somewhere? You worked in a bar, didn't you?"

"Yeah, for a long time," she curiously answered, and where did he want to go with her, she wondered.

"Casey got his butt in trouble. I think you could use a little social time. Come with me to the Cat."

"The Cat? I'm guessing a bar and strip club then?"

"Yeah," he mumbled and fidgeted. "I like to go there but not as a pervert or anything. I say that to my brothers but to you or April, I just go to chill."

"Uh-huh," Emyrs badgered him, "and because someone you like is there, right?"

Now it was her turn to study him and she nailed it rather quickly.

Raphael almost had a body spasm. "Yeah, yeah, I got someone. She doesn't know I'm alive probably but I like her. She's pretty."

"Pretty? I would hope she's pretty. Stripper, right?"

He let out a hard chuckle and turned to the opposite direction. "You a sharp lady!"

"She'll break your heart, lad. There's a reason they wear high heels."

He turned back to her, calming down. "You okay with going out tonight?"

"Sure," Emyrs nodded. "I need someone to watch Abby."

"Get Leo to. He ain't got nothing to do except b**** about me."

"Well, I wouldn't want Abby to listen to that all night long!" she laughed and he joined in. "I'll get it arranged somehow. But, question."

"Mm?"

"Having a lady friend with you? Won't that imply we're together? You want this chick to like you, right?"

"I didn't think about that..." his smile dropped. "See! I'm a blockhead about this stuff!"

"I'll sit away from you or something. You look like you might need pointers," she poked at the air and started for the gate. "Meet you in an hour or so back at the apartment?"

"Sure."

He watched her go back into the lair, leaving him to his yearning thoughts about the untouchable lady.




Usagi and Gennosuke were off in a hitch; Gennosuke promised to score a date with the elder Becker as he trampled into the portal. Thankfully, the magic had no effect on her mind this time. She had held her breath the entire time they exit.

Everyone said their goodnights and parted ways. On their way back to the apartment and dodging everything in sight, Emyrs struck up a conversation with Mike, who was walking in front of her.

"Hey, I'm sorry about earlier today."

"Don't worry about it," was his quick reply. She couldn't tell if he was snippy or genuine.

"Well, I felt better after some time to think and I like for us to continue the conversation. Are you busy tomorrow?"

Mike trudged along the path, dodging overheads. Emyrs barely missed them. "I would like to get a little sleep. Tomorrow evening?"

"Sure! That would be --" she cut short as she smacked her head slightly, "--- great. Yeah. Are you working on anything tonight?"

There was exasperation in his voice. "I'll watch her for you."

"Huh? You--"

"I heard you and Raph. Go have some fun. Abigail will be taken care of for the night."

She couldn't respond to such a brash approval. Tripping over another obstacle, she fell behind the party and heard her daughter speak up.

"Babysitting me? Mother, where are you going? Mother?"

"Back here, Abby," Emyrs sighed and rejoined the party. "I'm just going out to have a drink with Raphael."

"Raphael?! Are you going on a date with him?!"

Abigail had already turned, plowed through Mike, and faced her mother.

"No! He's just.. uh.. " a spastic Emyrs began but recalled her promise to Raph about keeping his secret safe. "Casey can't go so I'm keeping him company. Will you get out of my face, please?"

"You're sick and been acting weird. I forbid you to go!"

"Guys! What's the hold up?" April, still fuming, called to the back line. "Need to get home!"

"Who is the parent here?" Emyrs' shock wore off and defended herself. "I'm okay, Abby. Please keep walking."

Her stare never left her Mother until Abigail resumed her original place in line and stomped away. "Sie besser nicht zu viel trinken, Mutter!"

"I can drink a little!" Emyrs shouted. "Oy! Hey! Stop walking so fast!"

Casey juggled baby Shadow in his arms and looked at April. "That's you and Shadow in twelve years, you know."




Emyrs fluffed Abigail's pillow, avoiding her daughter's nasty stare. The basement was hot with rising tempers.

"I will be back sometime in the morning and I will be safe. No, I will not drink a lot, and I will not talk to strangers."

"And no sleeping with anyone," Abby added.

Mike shifted uncomfortably in his corner chair with Rosie.

"When have I EVER slept with someone I barely knew?!" Emyrs countered and threw the pillow on the bed. "You have me confused with your cousin! Don't you EVER--"

"Mother, I don't want you to go," Abby's voice pleaded. "I have a bad feeling."

"You always have a bad feeling," Emyrs' temper cooled. "Ibsen's death has done that to you. Trust in your mother."

Rosie mewed from the corner; Mike shushed her quietly.

"Vertrauen." Abigail uncrossed her arms. "Can I?"

"Yes," Emyrs sighed. "Always. Have I ever let you down?"

The red frizz bounced on her head and she looked down, rubbing her mother's bed. "Ich hoffe, sie."

The chair squeaked when Mike released Rosie onto the floor. He smiled uncomfortably and leaned over to watch Rosie sniff around the room.

"Be good for Mike. Entertain him with your childhood stories."

"I don't have any good ones."

Mike chimed in gracefully. "I do."

Emyrs met with Abigail on the bed and hugged her. "Whenever you're sad, think of Gremlin."

Mike had no idea why Abigail giggled madly at the name and why Emyrs hid her face into Abigail's hair, snickering.

"Tell Mike about her, too. Your crazy grandmother. Goodnight, meine Tochter."

Abigail wiped her eyes as she caught a glimpse of Emyrs leaving the basement. She and Mike began telling stories of their childhood with mostly Mike telling his because Abby wanted to listen more than speak. She found his stories funnier anyways. Any of them with the Justice Force was especially entertaining.

A knock sounded on the door and Raphael appeared behind it. His clothes had been ironed and he looked rather nice, compared to his usual character (dishelved). Abigail got a little nervous, wondering why he was dressed up for just a casual outing.

"Is she getting ready upstairs?" he glanced around, with hands in his pockets.

"It hasn't been too long. She'll be back in a minute," Mike replied. Rosie rubbed on Raph's leg.

"Shoo, Rosie. I can't have cat hair on this."

"You're just going to a strip club, bro. Who are you trying to impress?"

"Is it Mother?" Abby snapped without thinking.

"Geez, calm down, kid. You act like we're about to get hitched."

Abby marched up to Raph. "Be good to her. I don't want any trouble."

Raphael scoffed and lowered his face to hers. "Watch who you're talking to, little student. I can make your life a living hell tomorrow."

"Language and manners, Raph," came a warning from Mike.

The door shoved into Raphael's backside, and he stepped aside. Emyrs slipped in and looked behind the door.

"Oh, hi! Glad you're on time. You'll make her happy if you keep that up."

Abigail, Mike, and Raphael stared at the shapely elder lady in front of them. Her dress was quite casual but unlike her normal clothing, it showed off some of her hidden figure.

"This is not revealing at all, gawkers. You're used to seeing me in bigger clothes."

"Nice." Mike agreed.

Abigail shoved Raphael. "Have her home by midnight!"

"It's freaking ten right now! You're giving me two hours?" Raph demanded.

"One."

"Two!"

"Two-fifteen."

"Ok, two-fifteen," he agreed but quickly realized what he said. "Wait! Mini-Leo! We're adults and we'll come back when we want!"

"And I can come back on my own if he wants to stay. Two-fifteen is my curfew then, Mommy Abby," Emyrs allowed.

"Furthermore, I ain't taking your mommy on a date!" Raph childishly leaned down over Abigail. "But as good as she looks, I wouldn't say no! Shove that in your blowhole, uptight little brat."

Mike groaned. "My brother, the role model."



Author's Note: Time for me to slow down and review some notes/previous chapters. A new chapter will begin next week.

[Mindy]

Chapter 18 :: A Sign



Was there a chance that New York could have an earthquake and the ground swallow him at this very moment? His tipsy, gabby brother touched the counter from Raph's right side with a very wide grin, and his lady friend was quickly returning with a set of numbers that would change his life.

Both of them was making him nervous and when he gets nervous, he gets angry. Bartender Herb was giving him a very odd stare. Raphael's skin more than likely wasn't green anymore.

"Hi, Raph," Don's cool, cheeky personality crawled on the counter and filled Raph's drink. "I thought this wasn't your night. You usually come every two nights."

Raph chuckled annoyingly. "I have parents now: Mommy You and Daddy Leo?"

"No, no," smiled Don, waving his hand, "I see patterns and know you too well. Hi, Emyrs."

Raph shot around to his left, facing Em. "Well?"

Stopping short because she saw Don first, Emyrs shrugged, "She wasn't back there. I'm sorry. Hello, Donatello."

"My luck is *insert swear here*," Raph mumbled and wheeled around to the counter. "Thanks anyways."

"They didn't say she was gone for the night. There is still hope," she reassured, coughed, and sat next to him. "Don, didn't think you came to a place like this."

"Every once in a blue moon," he described, leaning on the counter and watching Raph. "Met some internet buddies here tonight since they wanted to see that Alisa stripper."

"Alisa? The lizard lady?" Emyrs spluttered between increasing coughs.

"A rather attractive female. Looks feisty and looks your type, Raph." Don was staring right into his brother's soul. "Judging by the incredible look of fascination on your face when she was on stage."

"You're unbelievable," was all Raph could mutter into his glass and slamming it on the counter. "Yeah, I like her, champ. You played your little detective game."

The brothers continued their friendly rivalry with Raphael finding ways to calm down as Donatello captured the very night with his slightly alcoholic demeanor. Don wasn't trying to be obnoxious, just investigative, and Raphael finally could ignore him enough because Emyrs' coughs were getting louder and louder.

"You need air? Want me to walk you outside?" he asked and she rapidly waved her hand at him.

"I'll go, I'll go by," she coughed a lung, "by myself. Then I'll try to reach her again."

She staggered off the seat and out the door before he could object to anything. The bar patrons' voices were getting louder and Raph hoped that would give Don a signal to go back to his table. When Don didn't budge and ordered another drink, Raph groaned and wished for that earthquake.

"Donny, go home. You don't belong here."

He sipped from his glass. "I like to have a little fun, too, and I never get to have a drink when I come with you. I'm always the good brother."

Raph tapped his chubby fingers on the counter and waited for more jazzy commentary.

"I'm not going to tease you too much for liking a lady. That would be Mike's job, if he was a little more upbeat these days."

Releasing pent up air through his nostrils, Raph leaned on his elbow and continued listening.

"Hey, if Emyrs can't get that girl's number, I'll get it for you."

"I don't know, Don. You seem the sneaky type and the ladies have always had a thing for you. You might steal her."

"She's not my type."

Raph grinned. "I know your type."

"Hush." Don meticulously drank from his glass and his eyebrows furrowed. Raph wanted to turn the situation around but decided against it when Don's frown didn't fade. Drop the subject, knucklehead.

"I hope the old lady is alright out there," whispered Raph, more to himself.

"Don't let her hear you say that," Don quipped. "And she's just outside the door."

Raph leaned over to Don, growling. "Get ready to go home. I'm giving the both of you ten minutes."

"Now look at who's trying to be the parent," Don blurted and guzzled the last of his draft. When he tried to turn and move back to his table, he stumbled.

"Sit," Raph pointed to the counter.

"Turkey and beer really don't mix well with me," groaned Don and obeyed his brother's command. Herb handed Don a glass of water.

"Sometimes you don't always use that big noggin of yours, Donny." The two brothers shared a chuckle at Don's expense.





Filling fresh air in her lungs minimized the agonizing coughs. It was only once a year when an illness would put her on bed rest, but this year had seen two, it appeared, and right when she was on holiday. Maybe if she stayed in bed for the next day or so, she would be okay. Too much excitement and cold air was shaking her balance.

"I hate getting older," she strained and worked out the last of the coughs or hoped they were the last. When a couple of minutes passed with no fits, she sat on the bar bench and patted her face.

"Just make it home and in the bed, Em."

The music thumped inside the bar, mixed in with the patrons' roar, and it caused a stirring headache for her. The pain increased so much that she left the bench and walked a few feet away to the street corner. Probably not the safest place but quiet for now, she thought, and rubbed her temples. She hated being sick because her body always fell apart and even worse as she got older. At that moment by the street sign, she vowed to start exercising more with Abigail once they returned to their homeland.

The bad breath reached her nose first, followed by a recognizable, deep voice. "Does the offer still stand?"

It was Rhinoman, and he was as drunk as ever. He towered over her on that little street corner and she stepped off the pavement quickly. Shoot, what a pickle she was in.

"Hi, and no. I'm waiting for a ride."

"I'll stand here with you." He moved closer to her and she whirled around the street sign hoping to head back to the bar. Instead, he blocked her. She saw an object near her foot and realized it was a brick. Yes, yes. Perfect for brain splattering, and thank goodness it wasn't something dumb, like a feather or soda can.

"Not necessary, please."

RhinoMan chuckled and aggressively took her hand.

She wasn't going to be able to get out of his grip and grab the brick, and her voice was getting too hoarse to shout but she could try. Damsel in distress and a tourist: not a good combination, she griped to herself, and keep reaching for that damn brick!

RhinoMan's face was implanted into the sign before Emyrs could conjure her next thought. As he moaned and cursed, Emyrs was expecting to see a nasty-looking Raphael and/or Donatello behind him, but it was the Lizard Lady. Alisa. Still good looking. Still in high heels. And here Emyrs had just picked up the brick, ready to take one for the team.

"Next time, I will cut off your drunk tongue," Alisa condemned, "and make you crawl home on stubs. Scram."

It was no time that he tilted away, still moaning and cursing. The door bouncer glided passed Alisa and offered to help Emyrs back onto the pavement.

"Thanks," Emyrs blushed and peered at the beautiful lady, dressed in pink and white. Not one strand of hair out of place on her head, either.

"Ladies with no protection or skills shouldn't be out here. Go back inside. I don't want to rescue you again." Her golden eyes glowed under the streetlight and scared the hell out of Emyrs.

Without saying a word, Emyrs nodded and headed back to the bar.

"Wait. I wasn't finished."

Emyrs stopped on a dime.

Alisa strutted to Emyrs and handed her a small piece of paper. "You wanted this?"

"Oh, yes." She took the paper and saw what looked like telephone numbers scribbled on it. "Thanks. He will be very happy."

"I have a message for you, not for him," Alisa announced and said her next few words slowly, with passion. "'You are all I trust.'"

"Huh?" Emyrs squeaked. "From you? Or someone else?"

"Someone else."

"May I have your name, then?"

"Alisa, but call me Lisa. Happy Thanksgiving."

The bouncer regained his position by the door, and Alisa coasted towards the side of the building, her long green tail waving behind her. Here, and then away. Like a ghost. Emyrs kept replaying the last few moments in her head until she lost track of time and had the bouncer ultimately giving her a withering stare to "go away, looney". Sheesh.

A gust of wind struck her face, and she noticed the door had swung open. There stood common and welcoming faces, again towering over her. Donny had a little too much to drink, she concluded.

"Ten minutes is up, young lady," Raph declared and helped Don out the door.

"Raph, I'm okay. I can walk," Don lamented. "You're blowing my buzz out of the water. I'm not drunk."

"That's the most I've ever seen you drink. Say goodnight to the fellas," directed Raphael, and while Donny turned to wave towards his friends again (who were all but passed out at their table), Raph studied the visibly concerned lady.

"You look even paler than usual, Em."

Don pointed. "What's with the brick?"

Emyrs had a surge of emotions in the pit of her stomach from frustration to shock to sadness and finally explosive anger as the brothers had been chatting away. Just as Don asked her about the brick, she swirled around and threw it into the same street sign with the Rhinoman's imprint. Bullseye.

"Feel better?" Donny asked while Raph looked bewildered.

Emyrs coughed. "I'll feel better when I get out of this cold air."

Don smiled. "It is pretty nippy out here. Take my coat."

"I couldn't-"

"Please?" He had already undressed his coat and placed it around her. "I'll be okay."

She snuggled under it and felt her shakes subside. "You won't get it back tonight, you know. This thing is like an oven."

His warm, flushed smile never left his face as they walked together down the path. Raphael was stationary next to the sign, trying to catch up with the current events, looking back and forth at the bar, the brick, and the sign.

"What in the hell just happened?" he cried at the two distant shadows.

[Mindy]

Chapter 19 :: Reunion



Greetings, Kuma:

Your family made our first Thanksgiving one to remember. Are you keeping warm in this chilly air? I'm afraid that I might be coming down with an illness and am drinking tea and orange juice like a thirsty goat. Do any of your sons become like a mother hen over you when you are ill? Miss Abigail is getting on my last nerve, the poor child. Thank you for allowing her to stay at your place for a few days while I rest. She needs the time to study and focus on herself. I am finally breathing some air again since she was suffocating me.

Be well, young man. I will beat you in a game of chess soon enough.

Your friendly rival,

Emyrs "Hacking a Lung" Becker




His fingers were not going to dial the numbers themselves, he pouted, and he needed to sound like he had some sense to his name.

"My name is Raphael, and I would like to get to know you better."

He let the words sink back in and echo in his head. 'Start from the beginning: my name is certainly Raphael and I really do like her, but I don't want to come on like a pervert or a hormonal freak. I am hormonal ... and a freak, but I ain't no pervert.'

He tried again, with more confidence. "My name is Raphael, and I've been watching you for a few weeks now. At the club." He halted.

"I mean, you work there and I saw you and you're pretty and look cool and I'm a blockhead when it comes to this stuff," Raphael rambled and slapped his hand on the phone. The same phone April has kept for many years with dirt and funky stains embedded on it. He had seen April and Casey talk on it so many times, and he had only used it a handful of those times. He never has liked the phone much and would prefer face to face, if he could.

But this is a start, he finally declared, and blockhead or not, he was going to try his best. Like Splinter always said: The day you decide to do it is your lucky day. Or something like that.

He picked up the phone, heard the dial tone, and stopped short. Exactly what *did* Splinter mean by that quote?

The piece of crumbled paper sat in his coat pocket, and he honestly hadn't taken a look at it yet. He was too frightened and nervous to look at it thinking that the lady was watching him. Raphael unwrinkled the paper, fidgeting, eyes bolting around the apartment, and held the receiver between his head and shoulder. Deep breaths in and out of his nostrils and chest, he studied the numbers closely. For a few seconds, he had to keep re-reading them since they were all a blur, but once his sight cleared, he hung up the receiver and was slightly relieved... but not.

It wasn't a telephone number on the paper at all.

Back to square one.




This lovable kitty was getting on his final nerve for the day. She mewed constantly for Mike and even scratched at the door when he was trying to leave. It was terribly cold outside but he bundled her up in his coat and started the trek towards the Lair.

"Stay put in there and no more meowing," he playfully warned and checked the mailbox before leaving out the front door. While his brothers continued using the window and fire escape, he wanted a little normalcy and chose the front and back doors. Mutants and non-humans were still segregated for the most part but things were changing for the better, he could feel it coming closer. Leonardo had been harsh with Mike for not being more stealthy when entering the sewers, but Mike wasn't worried about it. It was only a few times a year that he even wanted to be down there anymore.

"Will we get a lot of snow this year, Rosie?" his breaths splitting the air. There was a small movement deep in his coat.

"You loved the snow last year... until Raphael buried you in it. Mean Raph! Claw his eyes out next time, little one."

A cushioned mew responded.

"Hang on, we're about to go down!"

He noticed his grunts were getting more verbal every time he landed hard on the ground, and poor Rosie was feeling the force. A tough, fast workout would do him some good, and maybe today he could take Don or Leo up on their offer to keep him in shape. In fact, he silently made up his mind to do some cardio each day and make sure he was never grunting when he hit the ground again. Even that was a shame to him after so many years of being in fantastic shape.

The direct route to the lair gave him a little time to remember his short list of duties. He didn't leave the water running, turned off some of the lights, checked the mailbox, and what else, Mike wandered. The thought was hanging off the tail end of his mind and he couldn't grab it.

At that moment, he paused at his old hiding spot and remembered the last thing he needed to do.

"Emyrs," he cued, "and a birthday cake."

The lair was quiet this morning and the burning incense was strong. It was such a familiar smell and always reminded him of home. On most days, that was a bad thing. Today, it comforted his drafty body.

He got carried away with his thoughts again and almost forgot to let Rosie loose, who was mewing constantly.

"Got overheated, girl?" chuckled Mike as he watched the cat nuzzle her way out of the coat. "I know who you're running to. Go ahead. I won't get mad."

Rosie darted away in Splinter's direction. Mike was only a few short steps away and heard Splinter's calm voice greet the mewling feline; he almost wished for Splinter to come and greet him, too, but the thought died quickly, and Mike hung up his coat and retreated to the training room.

Leonardo was in the middle of some intense workout, punching and kicking the air while Don and Abigail watched. Mike quietly approached the mat and exchanged waves with Don, who had seen Mike enter. After many minutes, Leo reached the end of his exercise.

Breathing rapidly, Leo turned to Abigail. "I hope you watched closely because you're next on the mat."

Abigail nodded absentmindedly, her ponytail barely moving.

He raised his voice, "You've been daydreaming all morning. If you want to train, get on the mat. If you want to stay in the clouds, don't step one foot on this mat."

An embarrassed Abby glanced at Don, who shrugged and pointed to the floor covering.

With only standing in the room for a short time with them, Mike could tell Abby's mind was more than just in the clouds. She gave a good performance, swinging her legs in the right direction, displaying stamina, gaining balance with her tail, and striking the air with all of her might. Still, Leo was going to scold her once she completed. It was something Mike had been through hundreds of times. The little lady had improved tremendously, no doubt, but there was always room for improvement in Leo's eyes. Maybe a little too much room.

When Leo vocally asked her to stop, he pointed towards the front living area. Through her brisk panting, she wiped her brow and slowly walked away, following her master's commands. When her red hair disappeared into the kitchen, Donatello spoke with sympathy.

"Her workout was good. What did you do that for, Leo?"

Mike shifted his weight and felt uncomfortable about the silence from his older brother.

"She's not here today. Don, make sure she tends to her cleaning duties and we'll try again tomorrow."

He was out of the room faster than Mike could think, and Leo never said a word to him.

Don began picking up the class weapons and stopped where Mike stood. "Sorry. He's been testy with her all morning. You missed the fun stuff."

"This place is always so cheerful," groaned Mike, helping Don put away the weapons. "Since Leo is out for the count, you mind sparring?"

Don grinned. "Now that's something I hadn't heard in a while. Where have you been?"

"I finished a third draft and submitted it. It wouldn't hurt to pretty up these pecks."

Grabbing a bo staff and handing nunchunks to Mike, Don quipped, "Welcome back."




For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, Abigail tended to her household duties. She did this every now and then and especially now since she was staying with them. All part of her training, Sensei Leo said, and as long as he wasn't snapping at her about anything, she was happy to keep to her word.

Inside her head, she was highly flustered that he had disapproved of her workout, but her chest lied. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts and steadily work. No shouting, no sweating, no kicking or punching. This was peaceful and most needed.

"You're putting the bread in the sink cabinet," her sensei's sharp voice dissolved her thoughts. And sure enough, she was on her way to placing the bread in a bad spot.

"Sorry," was all she could muster and placed the bread in its correct spot.

Leonardo peered at his student. "Go take a break. I will be there shortly."

Closing her eyes and sighing to herself, she walked passed him and into the living room. Abigail was beginning to understand why there were short tempers associated with Leonardo and his very name. She chastised herself for thinking that way about her sensei, but he wasn't going to leave her alone. Do this, don't do this. Go do that. Go here. Stop there. What did he want?

The couch gave her a slice of peacefulness and even the sounds of weapons clashing in the training room were relaxing. The tween wished she could join the event, but her thoughts and her body sunk deeper into the couch. Perhaps she only needed off her legs and enjoy a small break.

"Don't get too comfortable," the sensei instructed, and her eyes and body shot up and open at the same time.

"Drink some tea."

She reached for the cup and brought it to her body. "Yes. Thank you."

"Mind if I join you?"

The tea was halfway between the cup and her mouth, and she swallowed quickly. "If you like."

"Yes or no?"

"Yes," she answered fast.

"Are you afraid to say no?"

"No."

"Say it with conviction."

"Yes."

"That wasn't with conviction."

Abigail thought she answered better this time. "Yes!"

"That sounded like it was annoyed."

"It would help if I knew what 'conviction' meant, Sensei," Abby squeaked out.

The apparent silence made her very nervous and she sipped more tea, staring at the television remote on the table in front of her. Stare at it until your eyes bleed, Abigail begged.

It had been so long since she heard laughter come from his lips that when it happened on that couch, she thought she was going to drown in her tea. Very bizarre, his sudden change.

He settled down soon, "A fixed or firmly held belief; the act of convincing is the dictionary term. Say what you mean, in other words."

"Ok, but if I say what I want to say, you might get mad?"

"Rejected, yes, but mad, no."

The tea was delicious, she suddenly realized, and he didn't seem to be as bad as a few moments ago. "Yes, I would like for you to join me."

"I would love to, but I need to join my brothers in training. Thanks, anyways," he finished and left. Abigail studied the cup of tea momentarily.

"Convinction: a fixed ...or firmly held belief; the act of convincing," she recited to herself. "And I'm convinced that my sensei can be a buttmunch."

But the tea almost made up for it. Almost.



(continued in next post~)

[Mindy]

(continued from previous post)


The training room was aloft with the scent of heavy martial arts session, and the Turtle Brothers choreographed around the mat. Time had slipped away, like in their younger days, and each trusted the other to give his best shot and go all out in the sweaty room. It wasn't long before the fourth and final brother lumped together with the trio, meaning more aggressive blocking and swinging. Raphael needed to shrug off some frustration, and it was his lucky day when he saw all of his brothers chopping the air.

When it was Don and Raph's turn to battle, Don whispered as they locked arms, "You call her?"

"No!" Raph whispered back and with a lot of anger, Don noticed.

"She hung up on you?"

Raph blocked Don's attack from behind, his whispers gaining more venom. "Shut it!"

"Oh, you hung up on her?"

"Don..." snarled Raph and swung a kick towards Don's front. He swiftly dodged.

"Relax! Hang up and try again!"

Don narrowly missed a double fist and kick from his testy brother before moving on to Mike. Leo blocked Raph's second kick and a mysterious third one that came out of nowhere.

"Missed me?" Leo smirked and threw a punch.

Raph's hazel eyes glowered. "Ya, missed slamming your head on the ground."

"The feeling is mutual," snerked Leo, aiming for Raph's legs.

Leo was too easy to figure out, Raph recalled. "You found another poor creature to torment with that ego of yours, Brother."

"She's a big girl. She can handle it. You came out all right, I think."

Two swings over his head later, Raph jeered, "I got my business handled here. Told ya that you could trust me, digbat."

"Sure," Leo gasped, lowering to the floor, "You and the Miss Becker spending a lot of time together?"

"Here we go!" yelled Raph, shoving growing disgruntlement in his offensive attacks. "I can't have a lady friend. Or any friend. Hell, I can't even get a dog without you being all in my face!"

Leonardo eluded Raphael's intrusive assaults, never touching him, and finally stepped away from the fight, holding his hands up to signal the end.

"Just making an observation, my hot headed brother."

The two glared at each other, Raph still in a fighting pose with Leonardo standing firm. Straightening his clothing, Raph lost the adrenaline and turned to Mike. He and Don had been watching the show.

"You want me to get you some popcorn, fellas? Those little pieces reeses things?" mocked Raphael as he slapped Mike on the shoulder.

"Could use a refill," Mike retorted and Don chuckling behind him.

"Fill you full of knuckle-sandwiches!" Raph badgered. "Don, I dragged your drunk carcass home the other night. You still owe me!"

Donatello waved his brother off. "And how many times have I dragged yours home? I'm not worried about it."

Leonardo watched his brothers continue rough-housing and slamming jokes against the wall while he swabbed his face with a towel. Raphael caught his attention and mostly because Leo didn't want him to being too rough on Mike, who was out of practice. It was encouraging to see Raph knowing his boundaries, even in a little brotherly horseplay.

Each brother snagged a recess over two hours of cordial rivalry and conversed about movies, music, past battles, hot babes, and Splinter's soap opera dilemmas in the middle of perspiration and laughs. Their muscles screamed from the workout (most of that from Mike), and there was a deeper pain once the exercise ended. They missed each others company but it was time to go back to their routines. The cool-down gave them a shot to wrap up their conversations. Mike was the only one still in the room after fifteen minutes.

He checked the time on his watch and headed near Splinter's room. As he grabbed his coat off the hanger, he whistled for Rosie and achingly tucked himself in the heavy garment. He was going to be in pain tonight through tomorrow morning certainly, but Mike wasn't too concerned about it.

He actually had a very good time with those crazy, mule-headed brothers and was almost sad to see it end.

When Rosie never came, he silently peeked in Splinter's room and didn't see anyone in there. One turn back to the living room later and there stood his father holding Rosie. It almost made him jump.

"Thanks," Mike meekly smiled and took a very happy Rosie from Splinter. She had been waving her tail back and forth and intensely purring.

"I would like to see Rosie more," Splinter said.

Mike petted Rosie. "We can arrange that. Right, girl?"

The elder rat stood with his hands behind his back and looked gracious as ever. "And you, too, my son. Please bring your latest work for me to read next time."

"My stuff? You like romance?" Mike cut off his sentence quickly and remembered his father's pastime.

"Your soaps. I guess you do."

His father chuckled and glided into the living room. Watching his father leave, Mike wanted to stay longer but didn't want to impose. Everybody had congregated in front of the television, looking to have fun for the rest of the afternoon, but he had one last errand to run and needed to keep a promise. Mike's boots barely made any sound as he vacated the lair.

The day rolled on and so did plenty of television shows, guffaws, snacks being thrown around the room, and jokes made at Abby's expense. She encouraged them to keep laughing at her because it made the dull feeling in her head decrease. At various intervals, she would leave their company and complete her cleaning duties, but she dreaded straightening up that living room at nightfall. Despite the party being loud, it was quite cheerful, especially Raphael and Donatello's commentaries on certain shows and commercials. Whenever the television bored her (which it did often; she never liked it much anyway), she would stick her nose in a magazine and occasionally look up. Leonardo had left the room, too, which made her relax more.

When the phone rang and Don answered it nearby him, Abigail was heavy into reading so she didn't hear Don call to her a couple of times.

"Sorry!" she whispered and reached for the handset.

"It's your mother," he mouthed, "and I almost couldn't understand her."

Her heart skipping a beat, she put the handset to her head. "Hello?"

Donatello was very correct. Abby could barely hear or understand her mother through a sore throat and congested cough. Emyrs joked that it wasn't as bad as it sounded and for Abby to stop worrying.

Turning down the television volume and taking the opportunity to talk while Leo was gone, Raphael prodded Don, "Those weren't telephone numbers on that piece of paper Em gave to me."

"What numbers were they?" Don asked, taking bites of popcorn.

"I dunno. Maybe house or apartment numbers?"

In mid-munching, Don placed out his hand, "Lemme see."

Abby nodded to the phone. "See you soon, Mother."

She stood and hung up the handset. "Will one of you please take me to see Mother?"

Raphael handed the crumbled paper to Don. "Sure. I need to speak to your mom. Think she feels up to it?"

"Maybe." Her voice was barely above a whisper and she excused herself to get dressed. First, she needed to speak with Leonardo and get permission to leave.

When Abby left, Don studied the paper. "Zero, zero two dash three five nine dash seven four two."

Raphael sprung from the couch. "No clue there. You?"

Don frowned and nodded. "Something else then. A code or coordinates to a location. I could run it through a search if you want."

"Sure. Lemme get this mopey kid to her mommy before she cries." He grabbed a swig of soda and swerved to the coat hanger.




Abigail silently followed Raphael down the same path they all took whenever her mother traveled with them. It was a longer but safer path, and each step made her heart beat faster.

Topside was very, very chilly, and she hurried behind a stout Raphael into the alley behind April's apartment. With Mike, they always used the front door, but she enjoyed seeing the other brothers find alternate ways into the apartment. She never would have guessed some of them.

Once she entered the apartment, it felt like she had been gone for a month. April greeted them momentarily and was busy trying to stick a bottle into Shadow's mouth. Shadow was too interested in Raphael, who waved and called to her as they were passing through.

They stopped at the basement door and Raphael opened it for her. She didn't want to turn to him and say what she needed to say, but it was her mother's instructions. "I'm sorry, Raph, but may Mother and I be alone for a little bit? I'll come back for you, promise."

Raphael shrugged and agreed, closing the door behind her. Stepping down to the basement felt like it took ages, too.

Her bedside lamp flickered and she warmly greeted Abigail once the door disconnected. Abby smiled and sat next to Emyrs' bed.

"Thanks for remembering, Mother."

"Don't forget to sing happy birthday to him," her voice strained.

Confused, she followed her mother's point towards Abigail's bedside table, where a tiny birthday cake with the numbers one and two twinkled in the darkness. Her shaky voice sang the words softly and she held the cake close to her body, almost like it was her friend's spirit again.

On the last two verses of the song, Emyrs joined in. "Happy birthday, dear Ibsen. Happy birthday to you."

The cake was cut and eaten in silence. Abigail cleaned the area around her mother's bed and retrieved Raphael when Emyrs obliged.

It was only then Abigail could find a secret place to release her muted cries and tears.

[Mindy]

Chapter 19, Part 2 :: Double-sided Coin


Raphael never noticed the fifth streetlight's constant buzz before, even though he traveled down the same street under many suns and moons. It was an evening where his mind and the night fell into sync: the streetlight's broken hum, the distant sound of traffic, an object (or person) getting kicked around, and a delicate wind. The temperature nipped at his face, making him realized that he should bundled up better.

Over the night's song, his mind drifted back to April's basement and the conversation that went in a different direction.


When I entered the room, I thought someone had died because Em and Abigail looked so sad. Me being me, I wanted to lighten up the mood.

"Where's my birthday cake?"

I thought Abby was going to kill me with her plastic fork. That girl was moody. I was glad when she left me and Em alone so I could find out about those telephone numbers.

Em didn't look so hot, though. Her eyes were glazed over, face all puffy, and her accent was even harder to understand with all the congestion. I felt bad having to keep saying "sorry, didn't understand ya" or "run that by me again" several times. She didn't seem to mind too bad.

"Yeah, those weren't telephone numbers. Think she might have messed it up or something?" I asked, fidgeting.

"Really?" she answered, bewildered. "I was so busy with everything else that I never looked at them properly. I'm sorry."

"I got Donny on it, don't worry. Maybe they're house or apartment numbers."

She chuckled, coughing at the tail end of it. "She's getting straight to the point, huh? You might get lucky."

I twitched some more. "I look like a first date-home run kinda guy, huh?"

"You're direct and blunt, yes."

"Ya know," I cut through the tension, "I'm actually shy around women. Never really been with one and all."

Em pulled up the covers and grinned. "Keep pursuing her, tiger. She seemed to really like you, too."

"I could stop being a jerkoff and just ask her, right?"

"Right."

"Don't wait on those numbers?"

"Up to you."

After she coughed forever, I wiped my sweaty palms on my legs and stood. "Get some rest. You need it."

"Sorry," was all she repeated, crouping, as she snuggled under the covers.

Saturday night, I told myself as I left. Saturday night, Raphael will grow a set of balls and ask the pretty lady out.



The lovely lady staring in the mirror didn't reflect the woman brushing her locks before Showtime. She went through great lengths to look as golden and dynamite on the stage a few times a week, but her heart was always heavy. On the platform, she smiled and flirted; when backstage, her face fell as cold as the outside wind. Rarely did she exchange words with her coworkers and left the building as soon as her shift was over. Back to being the double-sided coin and the entertainer who had one assignment.

The door opened and closed swiftly. She knew who had entered without even looking in the direction.

"My shift is about to start," Alisa abruptly said and laid down her hairbrush.

The husky voice returned the sentiment. "Faster."

Alisa pushed her stool aside and slowly turned around. "This week, I promise."

Her visitor was dressed in battle robes, raven hair tied in a bun, auburn fur glistening from the mirror's spotlights, and amber eyes burning. Her presence demanded respect. "Get the bait busy. You have this week only before you are replaced."

Alisa bowed and watched her visitor return the gesture and slip out of the room.

This was her mission and she was going to see it until the end.

[Mindy]

Chapter 20 :: Day


"You missed out on double pay since you took off on Thanksgiving, Casey. We really could have used it.."

He guzzled down his orange juice. "I'll make it up, promise, babe."

"Promises," she sighed, throwing down a towel on the counter, "If we could make rent on your promises, we would never be behind."

Casey chuckled. "I keep to my word. We're not homeless, are we? I don't see no beggars or street signs in here!"

"That's because I keep saving your shell."

April shuffled into the bathroom and left behind a resounding echo from the door. He let the echo keep him company for a few moments.

Shadow's babble trickled from the living room sofa where she and Mike were sitting. His heart wanted to reach for his moody lady, but he turned from his seat at the counter to smile at the baby.

"Grow up big and strong and make Daddy looooots of money," he cooed at his daughter who giggled at him over Mike's shoulder. "Truckloads of it!"

"And your Uncle Mike, too," her babysitter joined in and bounced her on his shoulder.

"So then," Casey continued and picked up his daughter, lowering his voice, "your mother would never have to worry about money again. One less thing to give her a gray hair."

He kissed baby Shadow's forehead and nibbled on her fingers while she cutely laughed. As they were playing, April emerged from the bathroom with her face noticeably red and her bangs slightly damp. She took a bite out of her toast and tossed it into the trash when she realized how quickly her appetite died.

"April, I'll clean the dishes," Mike offered, avoiding eye contact from the couch.

Casey handed Shadow back to Mike and grabbed his coat. "I'll see you all tonight."

He stopped before leaving the kitchen and turned to April. "Hey, you."

She glared at him through flickering pupils.

"I love you," he pointed at her, his eyes returning the flicker, "I love you. Dry your eyes. Don't cry over me. I ain't worth it."

When Casey left, she dropped a few tears as she leaned into the kitchen sink. Mike whispered baby talk to Shadow and moving her chubby arms in a wing position to keep them busy. When he heard April calmly close the bedroom door, he hugged a squirming Shadow close to his body and gently rocked her. Before ever realizing it, he was humming to her and Mike could remember Splinter humming the same tune to him many years ago. He didn't know the name of the song or if it had any lyrics, but the soothing sound did more to calm his nerves down than the infant's. It was all going to be okay as long as he could keep holding her just like the way they were now. Never grow old, he thought, never grow old and forget me.




The morning whizzed by in a hurry, and Mike and Shadow enjoyed a lunch picnic on the living room floor. April had only left her room a couple of times and sadly smiled at Shadow before secluding herself again. Mike knew that she was one of those people that when she fell into a hole, she would soon dig herself out as soon as her head cleared. Everything was so very hard right now, for all of them.

Mike passed the ball to Shadow, who would turn her attention from the pretty colors in the television back to Uncle Mike and vice versa. The ball was passed along five times before she was sucked into the pretty colors for good.

"Mr. TV: one, Uncle Mike: zero," he teased and placed the ball into her play bag.

"Almost time for her nap, right?" a hoarse voice rang over the television's volume. Mike found a wrapped-up Emyrs getting coffee in the kitchen. She joined them in the living room, sat on the couch, and savored her beverage.

"Yep. She'll be dozing off in another thirty minutes and drooling all over her clothes."

"Thank the heavens for coffee," she offhandedly commented and waved to Shadow, who had now just noticed the special guest.

"Thought we almost had to bury you in the basement," Mike smiled and wiped Shadow's mouth. She was already drooling.

"You weren't too far from it. I even told Raphael to get a shovel."

"Raph was here? When?"

"Over this week."

"I never saw him."

Emyrs cleared her throat. "He was in and out. Hey, I appreciate you helping with Abigail and getting the cake."

"Was it her birthday?" he inquired as he watched Shadow nodding off. "I know we're all hurting for cash right now but we could have celebrated with a bigger cake and some ice cream at least."

"It wasn't her birthday. It was Ibsen's. Remember him?"

His eyes staring off in the distance and trying to recall the name, he mumbled, "The ... deceased friend?"

She nodded. "Two years now."

"Oh. You're welcome." He pulled Shadow closer to him as she finally closed her droopy eyelids.

"Gosh, I wished Abby had fallen asleep like that. She was a monster. She always thought playtime was at two in the morning and stayed up ALL day."

Mike acknowledged her and lightly swayed side to side with the snoozing infant.

Emyrs watched the two on the floor. "These are one of the best days with her. I fell asleep with mine many, many times."

"How long did you carry her?"

"Abby?"

"Yeah," he whispered and repositioned Shadow onto his lap.

"I didn't. Someone else did."

"She's adopted?"

"Yep."

"Does she know her real parents?"

"She doesn't," Emyrs began. "I found her on my back doorstep with a letter that read.."

Mike waited for her to finish the sentence, but as soon as he looked up, she was drinking from her cup and extremely lost in thought. He thought that since he had come this far in knowing her business...

"What did it say?"

She coughed and smiled like she hit the jackpot, " 'You are all I trust.' "

"Have you found out what that means?"

Emyrs stood and eventually met his gaze. "I can now."

She left the living room, washed her cup at the sink, and as she was leaving to go back to the basement, "Have a nice rest. Let's talk about that dream sometime, too."




Dusk greeted Abigail's return to the basement and her mother waiting patiently on the bed. When the tween entered, breathing heavily and poofy hair recoiling off her head, Emyrs gave her the cheekiest grin.

"I like that Leonardo guy."

"You would, Mother. And you like that Raphael character, too."

"Oh, he was your teacher today?" her voice sing-songed.

"Yes. I must have pizza'ed him off in a previous life or something."

Emyrs hopped off the bed. "Nope, only on Thanksgiving and all last week with your quick lips."

Abigail used a shirt off her bed to wipe her face and sighed deeply. "You called me?"

Her mother popped a couple of pills from one of her bottles and consumed water. "We're going back home after the holiday. Cheer up, emo kid."

Abby dried off her neck. "I didn't say I hated it here or that I hated anybody here. I hope you didn't get the wrong impression."

"I most certainly did!" she beamed.

A smile broke into her face. "It's been interesting. Everyone and everything."

Emyrs lunged clean clothes at her daughter. "Wash up, and we're preparing a nice dinner for this family tonight. It's the least we can do."

"Are you going to invite that crazy teacher of mine?"

"Which one?"

"Either!"

"Front row seats for the both of them!" Emyrs pestered. "Let me go make the call now!"

She bolted out the basement and whisked upstairs before the same pile of clothes were going to hit her. Giggling all the way up the apartment, Emyrs turned to make sure Abigail didn't follow and poked around the vacant living room. April's bedroom door was cracked slightly, and Emyrs could hear April chatting away to Shadow.

No time like the present, Emyrs picked up the phone, dialed a number off a phone card, and waited for the prompts and answer on the other end.

"Hi, Flodina? I know it's very late over there. Everything okay at home?"

She had to wait through a heavily accented voice beginning to describe everything in minuscule detail, but Emyrs waved her hand frantically.

"Flodina, I'm glad to hear everything is okay. Listen, I don't have much time to talk and will call you tomorrow. I need you to check on our bank account."

Emyrs paused and looked back to April's room.

"I talked to the bank today and they said my account has been frozen."

She wrapped the telephone cord around her finger.

"Yeah, frozen. Please find out what you can tomorrow. It's the last day we can check on it until Monday."

The door to her bedroom creaked.

"By whatever means, don't let Abigail know should you talk to her. It's something I will discuss with her later."

Shadow's babbles could be heard more clearly.

"Yes, yes. Bank account and no talky to Abigail. Write it down or repeat it until tomorrow. I have to go. I really do thank you from the bottom of my heart. Get some sleep and feed Otto. Good night. I mean, good morning."

Emyrs breathed out as she hung up the phone and scooted to the kitchen just as April walked out of the bedroom and Abigail came from the basement.

[Mindy]

Warning: contains adult situations


Chapter 21 :: Night


He swore the clock went backwards. Time wasn't going fast enough for him.

Tap, tap, tap, his foot met with the floor. Repeating: tap, tap, tap.

What did the clock read a few moments ago? Nine forty-five? Nine-fifty? He looked at his watch for the trillionth round.

Nine-thirty? Son of a -! This watch is broken, he cursed and sighed, still tapping away on the floor.

Raphael's Saturday night plan included wooing a certain lady and maybe scoring a date with her. First, he had to calm his nerves down and smoking the rare cigarette wasn't helping at all. Donatello always reminded him that smoking would increase the current mood, not subsiding it. As he mumbled about Don being right as always, Raphael snuffed out the cigarette and rubbed his face.

This was going to be the longest night of his life. Ten o'clock was never going to get here.




Dear Dame,

Michelangelo tells me that your health is better these days. I am glad to hear this. Winter catches me off-guard too, but I was fortunate last year to avoid any illness. My sons keep me very healthy and active. Yes, they can be like mother-hens, as you mentioned. They take away my treats, too.

Let's meet up for tea soon. I will call you at the next convenience for the date and time. Have you been watching "Palace Dreams" with Ms. O'Neil? Last week's show was a cliffhanger! I am excited about what next week holds for the characters!

Your Abigail holds back something inside her these days. Exercising is not bringing it out. I have seen this many, many times with my sons. It is with most respect that I share this observation with you, from parent to parent.

Be well! Darkness reigns at the foot of the lighthouse.

With care,

Hamato Splinter

"Kuma and his quotes," Emyrs chuckled. She folded the letter and placed it inside the envelope.

When the lamplight was shut off, she sat in bed thinking about Abigail and how Splinter could see it, too. She wanted to reach out to her daughter, but it was like something was eating her inside as well and preventing her for consoling Abigail. It must be a change within both of them, and the invisible wall she always tried to avoid had finally erected. And what a wild time to show up, Emyrs groaned, with everything unraveling at the seams many many miles from familiar land.

Sleep on it, she thought as her mind drifted towards slumber with the snow falling outside the walls of her temporary home. Rest cures the weak.



Ten o'clock. Showtime.

He watched the beauty make her appearance and hypnotize the audience for the longest stretches of time. It was here that time could crawl, he smiled, and never end. She was an enchantress, she was a dream, and she was staring straight at him. Raphael was sure her eyes always locked with his. Every single night he had come to this bar, she was waiting right there on that stage for him. It was a sure thing. All of it. He was going to make it happen tonight. Seal the deal.

Once she coasted backstage, he rushed in the same direction. There was usually a bouncer at the backstage door, and his heart soared once he reached the door and didn't see a bouncer in sight. Just as his hand reached for the knob, the gateway blasted wind in his face. Quickly reacting, he leap back and guarded his body. He was expecting one of the Boulder Bouncers to ram through his frame, but the door was radiant. It was glittering. It was something to stop him in his tracks.

It was her.

Raphael scratched the back of his neck, rubbing it furiously, and darting his eyes around the bar behind him. Nobody saw them. Good. He didn't plan on sharing her at all.

"Care for a drink?"

Her voice was as beautiful as she was, crisp and sultry, and he could feel his cheeks flush from embarrassment because he was gawking at her instead of answering her question. Bull-headed!

He straightened. "Yeah! Uhm, should we drink out here? All the guys might.."

"Back here. You'll be safe."

Was that a teasing smile? Inviting him to crawl to the back with her? Hang out? Drink? What else was there to do except for him to collect his jaw off the floor and meekly follow behind the blazing trail of glitter.



"She invited your dumbass to the back?" Casey roared and choked on his drink.

"Keep it down, will ya? It's three in the morning!" hissed Raphael as he closed the living room window behind him. "Put your OJ down before you choke to death."

The flabbergasted human friend took one big chug from the glass and quickly slammed it on the television. "Dude, did ya?"

Raphael stared at his motionless friend who had his hands extended from his body, waiting for the biggest news of his life. The turtle was so utterly confused.

"Did I what, you big oaf?"

"You are a yutz." Casey's hands relaxed and grabbed his glass off the television before things got too excited and an accident would happily trail behind the two rambunctious types.

Raphael threw off his coat. "Will ya listen to my story before you go assuming stupid stuff?"

"I don't want to hear it unless you got lucky."

"If you mean shaking the sheets, that didn't happen... and it probably won't happen for a good while."

Casey laughed loudly. "Man, tear it up! You're only young once!"

Halfway through unzipping his hoodie, Raph paused and looked at his friend. "Do I sense second thoughts here, Case?"

"No," came a very sharp answer from the couch. Casey grabbed a deck of cards off the coffee table and nervously shuffled them. "I'm just tellin' ya to live a little."

"You apeface!" Raph called and joined his friend on the couch. "You sound like you're eighty and your life is over. Stop acting like a wuss."

"I ain't no wuss."

"Only wusses back out of relationships. Especially good ones."

"I ain't no wuss!" he repeated with a snarl in his pitch; Casey slammed a stack of cards in Raph's direction. "I don't wanna talk about it."

Raphael took the cards. "Okay then. Wuss."

The room dissolved into silence, save only for the cards fluttering between their palms and dashing around the table. Raphael hated the awkwardness and decided to continue on with his nightly tale.

"She invited me to the back where we had a drink. I learned a little about her. She's actually really smart."

Casey's temperament changed and he wore a stoic expression. "Those dancers ain't dumb."

"I was nervous as crap the whole time. What we talked about is just now hitting my brain."

"Delayed reaction," Casey chuckled. "Women will do that to ya."

"Yeah, I nearly slipped on my own puddle of sweat on the way out."

The card dealers snickered and conjured up their own vision of Raphael acting like a fool in front of a date. Casey's brain actually imagined his reptilian friend flopping everywhere in the room, pulling a sort of comedy skit routine. Too many late nights feeding his mind full of ancient slapstick shows, Casey realized.

"Her name is Alisa?" Casey asked, dropping a card under the table.

"Yeah," Raph reminisced. "Lisa, for short."

"Liiiiiisa," Casey cooed and hit his head under the table. An expletive escaped his lips.

"That's what ya get, bonehead."

Casey rubbed the top of his head. "That coffee table is made like a military tank! Oh! Speaking of which, Raph, need your muscles tomorrow."

"Whatcha dragging out of the dumpster this time?" Raphael laid down his cards and settled back on the couch.

"No dumpster diving this time, my buddy! I'm getting a nice little extended couch thingie from a guy at work."

"A sectional, Case?"

"Yeah, one of those," chirped Casey and he looked at Raph. "Think April will like it?"

"If it's clean and doesn't smell like a million rats died on it, sure."

"Good!" he punched Raph in the knee. "I'm going to pick it up around 1 tomorrow."

"Today then?"

Casey stopped. "Yeah! Today! *insert swear here*, what time is it?"

"Three-thirty. Didn't ya hear me say it was three in the morning a while ago?"

"THREE AM? Holy sombrero cakes! I gotta get some sleep!"

Raphael sat up while Casey put the cards back together and dashed to the kitchen sink. "Hey! Before you motor off, what time does Em get up? Do you know?"

"In two hours probably. She's up with the birds and zombies."

"Cool. I'll just stay up until I hear her come upstairs then. Good night, dipstick."

Raphael thought he heard his friend blubber a retort before disappearing into the bedroom. He was certain that he heard many apologies in the bedroom followed by a whimpering baby and a sharp feminine cry.

He could now let the Night sink into his body and relive it all over again.

[Mindy]

Chapter 22 :: Checkmate


"Oh! Morning! Didn't see you there.."

Raphael grumbled, "Yeah, morning." He shielded his eyes from the sunlight pouring into the room. It took him a few moments to realize that he could see through Emyrs' white nightgown because of the light. He rubbed his eyes and looked in the other direction.

"Are you okay?" she asked, drinking her morning brew, oblivious at his distraction.

"Mmm," he managed to grunt out and pointed to the window. "Sun is in my eyes."

She shut the blinds up a bit. "Better?"

When he gave her a groggy thumbs-up, she plopped beside him on the sofa and noticed that she needed to cover herself up a bit more.

"Uh, sorry about flashing you so early in the morning."

"It's okay," he sleepily smiled. "I've seen much, much worse."

"I can't sleep with a ton of clothes on at night or I'll get overheated. I'll have Mr. Pillow here cover up my granny goodies. He's not covering up much anyways," she chuckled.

He smirked and leaned on his arm, trying to wake up. "I was waiting for ya anyways. I met up with her last night."

Emyrs blew into her coffee. "Was it a good meeting?"

"She, uh, invited me for a drink and we chatted so you guess."

"Good for you."

She sipped on the cooling brew and stared into the sunlight. It was a few moments before she realized he was staring at her. She shrugged in response and he waved his free hand in the air.

"Just 'good'?" Raph badgered, giving her a polite shove. "You were the one who's been rooting for me all this time. I expected a cheer or at least a SMILE."

"It's early!" she laughed. "And the coffee hasn't absorbed in my veins yet. Hold your saddle, cowboy."

Raphael pointed to the cup. "That stuff will kill you."

"And so will tagging after exotic dancers and all of the ninja riff-raff you boys do," her smile returned as a very devious sneer.

"I'll go out with a bang," he grinned while grabbing her pillow and hitting the top of her head. "Wake up. Come with me to the store. You ain't got nothing to do."

She repositioned the pillow over her gown quickly. "What's with the direct order this morning? Can I read the paper? Can I brush my teeth? Can I take a pizza?"

"You have ten minutes," Raph commanded and groaned as he got on his feet and stretched. "Oh, maybe twenty because I need the bathroom first."

"Reading this city's paper will take me thirty minutes. Take your time in there."

"Twenty minutes," he repeated and left her with a pillow, lukewarm java, and agreeing with Abigail on how pushy those turtle boys can be. And she was just going to the store with him!



A half hour indeed passed through the apartment with the rest of the tenants scampering in and out of the rooms in a sleepy stupor. Emyrs was dressed (appropriately) and was still reading heavily into the newspaper when Raphael tapped on the counter to grab her attention.

"You're getting on my nerves, Romeo." She rinsed her cup at the sink and dried her hands.

"Feeling nervous. Need to get out of here," he snapped, grabbed his coat, and opened the front door for her. All at once, too.

"Okay. You look like you have a ghost trailing your butt," Emyrs sighed and donned her scarf and hat while walking to the door.

"You're rushing me to get dressed, read the paper, get on my coat... I feel like we're married."

Raphael closed the door behind them. "Naw, just lot of things going on in there right now. I feel like it's about to collapse."

"It is pretty chilly in there. April cries a lot."

"I gotta talk to her. I tried to talk to Casey but he wouldn't budge."

Emyrs grabbed the railing. "He's a knucklehead."

"Ha! Sounds funny when you say it with your accent."

"Knucklehead?" Emyrs joked and almost slipped on the sidewalk. She grabbed a nearby pole just in time.

"Too early for a little ice skating there, Em," Raph jeered and watched her cling to the pole.

"So much for helping a damsel in distress!" she cursed him and regained her balance.

He broke his laughter and put his arm around her, giving her a friendly shake. "You're a big girl! I can see where Abigail gets her whining from, though."

"Watch it! I have more venom than that pipsqueak!"

"Crazy old lady!" Raphael exclaimed and dodged an oncoming attack from his shorter friend.

She slapped him on the shoulder finally. "Where is this store, hot shot? I have things to do before the day's end."

He pointed in a random direction, at least random to her. "Almost there. And what do you have to do on a Sunday?"

The scarf was making her itchy. "Calling up a friend."

"Who?"

"You sure are very friendly this morning. Did your lady give you a kiss or something last night?"

"I feel comfortable with ya. You're not like other old - older people." He didn't even need to look in her direction to feel the heat from her glare.

"I mean that in the best possible way! You're a cooler older lady."

"You just keep digging that hole, boy. I won't help you out of it."

Raphael grabbed her arm and brought her close to him. She nearly tripped again and peered at him wondering what in the world was he planning to do with her arm.

"We're here," he announced. "You kept walking even when I stopped."

Emyrs had to smooth out her clothing that had wrinkled up when he yanked her away. Men his age sure don't know how to be gentle at all.

Raphael walked ahead of her and sniffed around the store. Emyrs didn't need anything in particular and glanced at the chocolate aisle, remarking how there wasn't a variety of sweets. She caught the two store employees watching her and then whispering to one another; she had to remember that the land she was vacationing in wasn't exactly as tolerable of her race as her own country. Not to cause any skepticism, she walked away from the aisle and read the paper on the rack. Surely they wouldn't think she could hold up the store with a newspaper or a chocolate bar.

Emyrs was heavily engaged into the paper again, but a slap on her shoulder from Raphael shocked her right out of the print. He chuckled again and she nearly rolled up the newspaper to knock him out (and she could with a New York City edition) but followed him to the counter since the employees looked absolutely ruthless.

"Hey, ladies," Raph greeted and they nodded but focused their attention on her.

"Can you put this stuff on my charge account?"

The cashier flashed, "Yeah, but you have an outstanding bill already. You need to pay next time."

Raphael frowned. "Really? Could've sworn I paid it last time." He motioned for them to charge it.

"It's been a while. I can't remember," he scoffed, and they watched the cashier complete the transaction.

"Thanks, ladies. Say hey to Rick for me, will ya?"

He walked outside the building while Emyrs stayed behind. The two workers gave her a very withering stare.

"How much is it?" she asked them.

"How much is what?" the second employee piped up.

"His bill. I'll pay it."

The two girls exchanged looks, wondering if they should oblige, and the cashier pulled out a notebook.

"Fifty dollars."

"Here." Emyrs handed the money over the counter, and the cashier gently took it from her, obviously very afraid to touch Emyrs' hand.

"He's good now. Thank you," the bleached-hair cashier said without even looking up.

Emyrs peered outside and saw Raphael giving her a confused look, but she wasn't going to leave just yet.

"I would like a receipt, please."

From the way they were gawking at her, she had apparently asked for a million dollars and their firstborns. The femme turtle wasn't going to budge until she saw a receipt completed and handed to her, and that's just what she got after a few awkward moments. She left the store like lightning.

"What in the world was that?" Raphael asked her, munching on beef jerky. "You didn't get anything."

"You should always ask for a receipt, you dope."

"Huh?" He whisked after his speedy friend and almost dropped his sack of goods.

"Those girls have been scamming you, my boneheaded friend. Taking your money and still charging to your account. Ask for a receipt. Everywhere you go."

"No, no, those chicks are cool! Wait! Slow down!"

She stopped and turned around, her breaths escalating. "I know this is all new for you and the other non-humans over here. You shouldn't just trust anyone."

"Did you just pay my bill?"

His tone was very sharp and his eyes sharper. She hesitated.

"Yes, I did, and I have your receipt. Your account is clear."

"I don't need your help! Don't come over here and think you're high and mighty above us, alright?"

She looked around at all of the snow on the ground, not noticing how pretty it glistened in the sunlight. His reaction was something she certainly didn't expect. Splinter had mentioned his son's wide spectrum of emotions, but she thought since they had been hanging out and laughing that his anger had been something of the past and a part of his teenage youth. It had been so long since she had seen or had an outburst like that herself.

His expression eventually softened. "I have other friends, too. I trust them. I have to trust them."

She remained quiet but pushed the receipt into his coat pocket.

"Thanks anyways," he mumbled.

The majority of their walk back to the apartment was in absolute silence. Emyrs let him talk a little about his date and she smiled, nodded in agreement, and held on to the railing when going back into the building.

He bidded her farewell on the steps and apologized again. He waited on her to respond.

"Guess I'm not a cool old person anymore, huh?" was her cheeky response.

"You only lost a couple of points. See you later."

She watched him slosh his way through the snow and down the alleyway.

"Be careful, kid."



Approaching noon on that Sunday, April paused quickly as she walked out of her bedroom, tying her damp hair in a ponytail.

"Master Splinter! Hi," she chirped. "I didn't hear you come in."

"You are not supposed to hear me come in, Ms. O'Neil," the elder rat teased and moved a chair next to the fold-up table. "Ms. Becker and I are going to spend a little time together and catch up on news. She will be leaving us soon."

She patted her ponytail. "Really? When?"

"After the holidays. I guess she hasn't informed you yet?"

"No, but then I've been so busy," her voice and attention trailed off. Splinter turned back to look at his suddenly distant friend.

"The baby? I hope Michelangelo has been helping you like he promised."

"Oh! Yes, he has! That's not it at all!" April blubbered and folded her arms. "Make yourself comfortable. Casey disappeared somewhere and Shadow and I are going to see Irma for the afternoon. Have fun! It was good to see you."

"And always a pleasure to see you, Ms. O'Neil. Stay safe."

Splinter pushed a second chair up to the table and watched April and Shadow eventually make their way to the door. April had her hands completely full with Shadow, the infant's bag, and her purse. She gave the sensei a small smile before opening the door and leaving. Once the door closed, he pondered on their conversation, swishing his tail behind him.

A second door squeaked open, the basement one, and out glided a big, smiling friend. Emyrs was dressed in earthy-toned, light winter clothing, plumped cheeks, and sparkling eyes.

"My opponent looks dashing. This old rat may not win the game today staring at such a cheerful face."

Emyrs shook her head with a small giggle. "I got a nap after being wrestled and shot out to the cold by your son this morning."

"I do apologize for how rough he can be. He doesn't know his limits and boundaries yet."

She joined him at the table. "It was actually a revealing experience. I'm afraid he is trusting the wrong people."

Splinter nodded and motioned for her to sit in a chair. "Have a seat. We have plenty of time to discuss our children."

"Are you sure? I have a few days worth of material about Abby," Emyrs joked and waited as Splinter pulled up her chair before she sat down. "Thanks."

He slowly unpacked his recycled square board and chipped pieces. She had viewed the routine quite a few times, but Splinter presented it almost like a ceremonial event. He was very meticulous and gentle with everything he handled.

"Kuma, was that a sniffle I heard?"

"A little," he said off-handed. "I will be fine, but please don't tell my sons. I will be nursed to death."

"Is Abigail doing a little better? I did talk with her two days ago when she came for dinner."

"Her energy has perked, and Leonardo is using it to his advantage. He will keep her mind occupied with much training."

"Well," Emyrs adjusted in her chair, "I believe I will end her training and have her spend our final time here together. You and your sons have been great teachers. Thank you again."

"We will need to have a going-away party for you."

"Not necessary, Kuma. Saying good bye and exchanging hugs will be fine. We came in silently and we'll leave like that, too."

"Very ninja-like," he cackled. "We need to celebrate the holidays together again."

"Christmas is always so busy for me," she sighed and assigned her chess pieces on the board.

He smiled. "Your birthday, also."

She discontinued her set-up to stare at him. "Are you psychic?"

"I have a little duckling."

"A little duckling named Abigail," she finished, "who quacks too much."

They giggled together, and Splinter completed his base. "Would you like tea? Soup? I brought both of them in thermal bottles."

"You know the way into an old lady's heart: a quiet afternoon and food. I'll take the soup if you don't mind."

[Mindy]

continued from Chapter 22





An hour glazed through the apartment, and their quiet game (excluding Emyrs' cute outbursts) halted once the front door bolted open (making even Splinter jump a little) and an avalanche of very loud, very rowdy voices.

Emyrs recognized two of the exclamations, belonging to Raphael and Casey, but the third one was a mystery. She looked over at her chess partner but Splinter was nowhere to be seen. He wasted no time!

"Emmy!" Casey cried. "Raphie here was just talking about you and your ice skating adventure this morning. I nearly bust a gut laughing!"

Emyrs grinned and saw Raphael give her a meek wave. She returned the gesture.

"Oh, and this is Matt. He's helping me and Raph out with the sectional and hanging out with us."

"Hello, Matt," she nodded and noticed how very attractive the human boy was. She almost whistled out loud. The pretty boy guest tipped his baseball hat.

"Whatcha doin' there by yourself?" Casey pointed. Confused at first, she looked at the scattered chess pieces and opened thermal bottles, wondering how to explain that she was playing chess by herself apparently.

"Chess," she shrugged and turned back to her soup.

Casey persisted. "By yourself? Isn't it supposed to be with two people?"

Raphael jabbed his friend's ribs and whispered, "Splinter and new folks, Case."

Casey made a grumbling "oohhh" and returned his focus to the moving task. Emyrs watched all three clear the living room, almost knocking down the television, and then make a complete massacre of a moving team. She decided not to help once she witnessed Casey being crushed between a sectional piece and the door frame... on countless times.

The clowns all cursed and bickered at one another, at the couch, the wall, a roach, Life, and an ex-girlfriend was thrown in the mix. This is how men discussed their problems, Emyrs concluded, through doing work and smashing their skulls into the wall. It was a sight to see, and she was laughing to herself the full time.

"I'm-a move this old sofa into the basement. You cool with that, Em? I ain't got nowhere else to put it," Casey huffed and rubbed his skull.

"It's your home, Mr. Jones."

She caught Matt smiling at her, and once the sectional was organized, he joined her at the table.

"You like chess then? It's a good game."

Emyrs adjusted her shirt automatically (a woman thing). "I do. And it's better when you have a non-cheating opponent."

"It's hard to cheat at chess, you know," Matt's pretty grin twinkled.

"Look at her," Raphael mumbled. "Grinning and *insert swear here*. Her eyes are about to melt out of her head."

"Matt gets all the ladies. The ones at the store would rape him on the shop floor if they could," Casey commented as he chugged down water.

Raph frowned and threw himself on the sectional. His back would be turned from the love fest and he couldn't puke from the sight of it.

"Comfortable?" Casey grinned. "I like it!"

He also lunged himself on the far end of the couch. "I'm pretty proud of this find!"

"You can't be that old!" Matt laughed. "You're very young-looking for your age."

If Raphael could sink into the couch even more, he would have at that moment. The laughing and giggling was so fake, so choppy, so suave, and so not like him at all. He couldn't be that smooth.

Casey noticed his friend's discomfort. "Let's grab some beer and watch hockey! How about it, Raphie?"

"Bring it on."

"Don't pout! You have a fine looking woman. That Alista chick."

"Alissa," Raph mumbled. "And I'm not pouting. I don't want Em being tangled up in his little web. I know how pretty boys like him are."

Casey guffawed but stopped when he noticed Emyrs peering at them behind the couch. Matt had apparently left the room and she had heard the whole conversation. Instead of coming to her own defense, she shrugged and shuffled back to the table.

Emyrs packed up the chess pieces and thermal bottles. "I'll move into the basement and resume our chess game. Have a nice time, knuckleheads."

Casey bidded her goodbye as the basement door closed. Matt returned from his business, and the beer and screams were passed around for the afternoon game. Everything else was static for the day.



"CHECKMATE!"

Splinter had to back up from the joyous occasion. The exclamation pierced his sensitive ears.

"Sorry, sorry," Emyrs stuttered, covering her mouth and giggling from the excitement. "I finally won!"

"Congratulations," he warmly smiled and sipped tea from his cup. "I didn't even have to let you win this time, too."

"Shush, young one!" she waved and gloated over the board. "I am the queen of this game!"

He continued smiling and drinking his tea until he heard footsteps in the distance.

"Company," Splinter sharply whispered. Emyrs left the table and cautiously opened the door.

Raphael was about to knock on the door when it cracked. He looked a little flushed and smelled like it, too, Emyrs added.

"Hey. I was a blockhead earlier and acted stupid."

"That's all the time, my son," Splinter's voice crawled from the room.

"Can we talk alone?" Raph groaned.

Emyrs tried to stifle her giggles and walked up the stairs behind her crabby, dazed pal.

"Laugh at me if you need to. He's right, I know it."

Emyrs patted him on the shoulder. "Shush. What did you want? I have a victory to celebrate downstairs."

"Don't go out with that guy."

She studied him momentarily while he looked in all directions except at hers.

"Go out with who?"

"Twinkles in the living room."

She had to laugh at that one. "Twinkles? Matt, you mean?"

"Matt Twinkly Chump. Avoid him."

"He didn't ask me out. Not to my knowledge anyways."

Raphael groaned, rubbed his neck and opened the basement door. He was very uncomfortable with the discussion in his state.

"Okay, I'll avoid Twinkletrousers in there. Is that all you wish to say?" She stood in the doorway, holding the knob.

"No," he shrugged and didn't meet her gaze. "I'm going to see Lisa a lot this week, and I heard you're leaving soon. Wanna chill after Twinklepuss leaves?"

"You and Casey going to play drunk poker?" she grinned.

"He's pretty slammed right now and I'm getting that way. More than likely will be."

She winked. "I wouldn't miss a Game Night, my friend."

[Mindy]

Chapter 23 :: Everything


He didn't need to work on that new manuscript anyways, not with the pretty snow falling outside his window and glittering from the street lights. With Rosie curled up on his lap and the muted sounds of laughter and yelps from the front room, too much was distracting him and after many attempts, Mike gave up, turned off the lamplight, leaned back in his chair, petted the snoozing kitty, and watched the flurries until he hovered into a dreamy mist.

Time escaped the evening and hundreds of snowflakes whistled from the sky. His bloodshot eyes met with reality again, and he watched the snow again for a few moments. Mike's subdued blues followed the snow's performance from the window to a dark figure quietly sitting on his desk. He didn't jump, the figure didn't move, and Rosie wasn't bothered at all, still sleeping on his lap. Blinking was the only movement he made.

The figure's blazing chestnut pupils bore into his body. He couldn't see what the person's expression was but its eyes were intense, incredibly passionate. When a few more snowflakes fell outside, he decided it was time to talk to his unexpected guest and take a stab in the dark on who it was.

Mike cleared his throat, holding his voice down, "You again?"

"Me again."

"And your business?"

There was a rustle on his desk; the figure must have moved. "My business is with another. You are a dreamseer, a rare one in this part of the country, and I thought I would say hello."

Her accent was extremely thick and sounded very Eastern, around Asia, maybe Chinese? Korean? He couldn't decipher it. Her eyes softened up a bit, too.

"I appreciate it if you wouldn't scare me like this."

"I apologize. You have a pretty kitty."

He looked down at the slumbering Rosie. "This doesn't feel like a dream, though, Ms. Mysterious."

She whipped something behind her. "It is but is not."

"Oookay," Mike sighed and shuffled in his seat. Rosie finally stirred, stretched (clicking a few joints), and regained her warm spot back on Mike's lap.

"Look out the window," the guest directed and Mike saw her outstretched arm. "You are in a state of suspended motion. The snowflakes falling are the same over and over. Can you see them?"

"Uh, no, not really. My eyesight isn't that good." Who in the world could see a snowflake's pattern from that distance, he wondered.

"Then look elsewhere."

He cautiously left his chair and leaned over the desk. On the street below, Mike watched pedestrians meandering and thought nothing of it. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary until a white cat that had crossed the street, crossed again, and not from the opposite side. The cat, the pedestrians, the vehicles, even the random flickers from the street lights... they all repeated. It was very surreal.

"You see now?" the crispy voice asked.

Being next to the window now, he could make out the figure more. She wore a long, light blue cape that covered most of what appeared to be a shell.

"This is creepy," he muttered and sat back down in the chair. "But great writing material, at least."

The figure hit the floor. "I should warn you that things might get messy. I am here to retrieve my child."

"Your child?"

"Abigail Becker."

Mike leaned on his left arm. "I think she's very happy with her adopted mother. Shouldn't you at least just visit?"

"No. It is time for Abigail to come home with me."

"Wait a minute..." Mike whispered and whisked across his desk to turn on the light. It revealed a very pretty, very young female turtle. She wore a stiff expression and her eyes were fierce.

"I thought you sounded a little too young to have a twelve year old daughter. Who are you?"

"I have no business with you."

"Then leave," Mike hissed, "and don't disturb the Beckers. You don't just go around and tear families apart."

The guest glared at Mike and calmly walked out his door.

"No last words? No threats?" he mocked. "You're not a good villain if you don't make a flashy exit."

She continued walking and slowly dissipated. "At the center of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want."

He jumped out of the element, into the darkness with the light from the window, the snow, the muffled laughter from the next room, and an empty lap. Mike repeated her last words over and over until he scribbled it down on a piece of paper. It all stuck to his mind like the snow outside through daybreak. Rosie cried under the desk and was brought back to her master's warm lap.




Several mighty knocks on the bedroom door shook him out of his slumber. He groggily put Rosie on the floor and stood from the chair, giving his back a nice stretch and pop. The knocks continued on and increasingly pinched his nerves.

"Yeah?" Mike's voice cracked. "Say the magic word."

"Open the fucking door, Mike. I ain't playing."

He didn't need a good morning, anyways, not with a grouchy brother on the other side of the frame.

"Can you..." Mike started as he opened the door, "...go harass somebody else this early?"

Raphael looked absolutely horrible. "I got a hangover and I have a ballistic Casey on my hands. Will ya get off your sloppy toosh and help me for once?"

"Your morning face would kill a child."

"I haven't brushed my teeth yet, Mommy," Raph mocked and stepped out of the way.

"What is it with Casey? What did he do?"

"Not him," Raphael started. "April."

First thought that came to Mike's mind was his dear friend and the possibility of danger.

"Don't go Casey on me, Mike," Raph's hand went up to mentally stop Mike's derailing train of thought. "April is fine but she didn't come home. She's left with the baby."

This wasn't something new to Mike; he knew for a long time that April was growing weary of the household situation. No money, no time, and no smiles except those that came from Shadow or because of Shadow. He didn't know what hurt more: his friends' relationship collapsing or that he wouldn't be able to see Shadow much anymore. Both killed his heart.

"I know what you're thinking, Bro. It's all been running through my head. And you all think that I'm selfish but I ain't. I can't stand to see this," Raph rambled. His hands were twitching, and he rubbed the back of his head numerous times.

Mike stared at the floor for several seconds, lost in trance. His mind flying back and forth from maybe having to move out, to finding ways to see Shadow, to adjusting his schedule, to consoling his friends. They were racing so fast that he had to take a breath in real life and slow it all down. A tiny ball of fur scooted next to his leg and prevented a possible outburst.

Raphael looked up. "I tried to stop Casey but he ran out the door. Actually, almost THROUGH the door, like a meathead. I'm surprised you never woke up from all the commotion."

Mike nuzzled Rosie in his arms and held her tight. She squirmed slightly.

"I want you to come with me later. Let's talk to April. Yakking with that mad man won't work right now. She likes you a lot," Raph chattered on, stammering between sentences and very distraught. "I hope he doesn't do anything stupid, Mikey. Mike, Mike, I'm sorry. I called you your old name and-"

"It's okay," Mike said softly. "It doesn't matter today."

"Are you guys hungry?" Emyrs talked low and appeared from the restroom. "Can't do all of this on an empty stomach."

"Food is the last thing on my mind, honey," Raph softly sighed. "But I can't do this alone. Mike, say you'll come with me. Don't make me drag you. I need you. Casey needs you. April needs-"

Rosie squeaked; Mike lifted his head from the cat's body. "I'll go with you. Eat first."

A nervous Raphael nodded and fixed his gaze on the cluttered coffee table full of empty beer bottles and food wrappers. He never left that position until Emyrs completed cooking and passed around the plates.

"Do you guys know where this Irma lives?" Emyrs inquired and sipped coffee.

Mike grinned. "Unfortunately."

He and Raphael chuckled sparingly.

She set down her mug on the counter. "Good or bad thing?"

"You're female so you'll be okay," Raph mumbled through bits of bacon and egg in his mouth.

"And she allows non-humans into her home?"

Mike traded dodgy looks with his brother. "Maybe a little too much. She's cool though."

"Ah," Emyrs scoffed. "I understand now. Eat up and we'll go whenever you're ready."

"We?" Raph stopped pigging for a moment. "You're going, too?"

"Another female might help the situation. I've lived with them for almost three months. I feel like I need to help."

She watched the two brothers eat in silence.

"Is that a problem? Speak up."

"No, no," Mike quipped. "You've just, uh, you seem like you were careful not to get involved with anything."

She tapped on the counter. "It wasn't any of my business."

"What's changed?" answered Mike, without hesitation.

"Everything," she added and she disappeared downstairs.

Out of the corner of his eye, Mike noticed Raphael staring hard at the basement door for some time, chewing away at his breakfast. Leave him to his thoughts, Mike, he cogitated and continued eating a very delicious meal with Rosie pawing at his ankles.

[Mindy]

Chapter 24 :: The Last Tune


Leonardo eyed his brother cautiously.

"Are you sure you don't want me to do this, Don?"

Donatello smoothed his black outfit, tightened his gloves, and secured his weapons. "I'm just as skilled at this stealth business as the rest of you," he said with a smile.

"Yes, you are, probably even better, but I would rather take this mission alone."

"Leonardo," Don began and held the mask close to his face, "You take charge too much. This is the absolute best time to find out what's going on, and I'm on their heels. I will be fine. Keep your eyes on the signal."

His brother didn't seem convinced, but Donatello shoved on the mask and gave a quick nod before whistling out of the alley.

Once Donatello was out of sight, Leonardo ascended the building in the alleyway's interior. His feet and hands lightly touched the walls as he bounced on a railing midway up the structure. There was too much light for him to stay on the rooftop so he needed a safe spot to watch for the next phase of action. He would faithfully wait in this bitter wind.




Breakfast was over too soon for the Hamato brothers, and they arose from their chairs with sullen looks. It was going to be a long day full of emotional chaos.

"Should we wait for Emyrs? Thought she was coming," Mike asked while putting on his scarf.

"She better hurry up," Raphael snapped. "I already want to be there and she held us up with this food."

"It was good food, you gotta admit," claimed Mike with a half-hearted smile.

Raphael threw on his ragged tuque, mumbled, and stole a piece of bacon from Mike's plate.

Rosie signaled from the floor for Mike, and he bent down to pet her.

"Be good and guard the house like a good ninja kitty."

"That cat is scared of her own tail, Mikey," Raph groaned. "And I'm giving Em another minute before I go adios."

Mike stood and rolled his eyes. "Go on ahead then. We'll be there when we can."

"No, no, I'll just wait for you and Slowpoke."

"Actually I'm not going."

They turned and saw Emyrs standing in front of them. She had one hand on the basement doorknob.

"Go on and do your business. I'll be here when you get back."

"Chickening out on us?" Raph cracked, but when she didn't smile back, he quickly lost his jolly.

"I have an important phone call from home. Be safe."

She closed the door behind her.

Mike scratched his head. "Weird."

"Whatever," Raphael muttered. "Let's get this show on the road. I just hope Casey hasn't done something stupid."

"You can count on that," Mike reassured and smiled down at Rosie as he closed the front door behind him.

Snow and ice crushed beneath their boots on the beeline path to Irma's apartment complex two blocks away. They nestled under their scarves and didn't speak much to each other. The wind was sharp and snapped at any exposed skin. Although they didn't care much for seeing April's friend, they really wanted to get somewhere warm and get there quick.

Each brother was reluctant to push the call button, and Raphael was the instigator, at last. He tapped his boots on the crunchy pavement and was making Michelangelo nervous. Raph mumbled under his breath and did all sorts of rapid movements. He was clearly as nervous as Mike was about the intervention.

"Casey, she doesn't want to see you right now. Quit making the situation worse!" Irma's shrilly voice flared through the speaker.

"Uh," Raphael started, "it's Raph and Mike. Can we see her?"

Irma didn't waste a moment. "Hey, cuties! Come on up! I'll get some coffee ready!"

Mike and Raph thought they heard a squeal before the speaker went silent, and the buzzer sounded before they could discuss the matter. As Raphael opened the door, both brothers felt like they were walking into the darkest dungeon and that their lives were at a severe risk.

"She's hugging you first," Raph pointed at Mike. "I ain't getting raped in there."

"What makes you think I want to?"

"Take it like a man, Mike!" chuckled Raph, his first real smile all day.

Mike adjusted his scarf. "She's always had a thing for you or Don, and since Don isn't here, you're next."

Their boots stopped in front of Irma's flamboyantly purple door. The only purple door in the mix of dull grays and browns. Completely tacky, completely out of place. Very Irma-like.

"You knock!" Raph snapped. "I rang the bell."

"Scaredy-cat," Mike sighed and knocked quickly.

After Mike's knock, they had about a second to breathe before they were pulled into the apartment by a zippy arm. The purple door sounded like more a dungeon's door slamming into the wall.

"Coffee will be ready in a moment!" Irma hummed and ripped the Turtles' coats and scarves off their bodies.

"I've never hit a non-violent woman in my life," Raph warned, "but I will twist her arm if she touches me again."

Mike waved at his brother. "Calm down. She's just very friendly, dude."

Irma's apartment was very... flashy, to say the least. Lots of shiny trinkets and knick-knacks, thrift store steals, all colors of the rainbow, and mirrors everywhere. That was just the front room, too. A baby gate guarded the first door, and beyond the gate, the house looked relatively normal, or as normal as you could get for a lady with her tastes.

"Raphael, have you been working out?" Irma flirted from the kitchen. Raphael rolled his eyes until they were almost out of his skull.

"Yeah. Me and my brothers stay in shape, Irma. Like always."

"Can I come watch sometime?"

"No, you may not."

"Raph!" Mike hissed. "You're in her home!"

"I'm coming one day whether you like it or not, Raphael," Irma chirped as she held up the coffee cups over the baby gate. "Come in here and make yourselves comfortable."

Mike dragged Raphael over the baby gate, and they sat at the kitchen table. Mike was sure to get the head of the table, much to Raphael's disappointment. Both he and Mike knew what was coming next. It happened all the time when they visited Irma.

She patted the seat next to her. "Sit by me, Raph! I won't bite!"

"I'm going to bust your skull, Mikey!" Raph sharply whispered with Mike grinning a mile wide.

"Get your fine self over here. You found a girlfriend yet?"

Raphael lit up; this was his opportunity! "Yeah! And she's one hot chick. My type. I'm no longer on the market."

"I wanna see her! Let's have a double date!"

"Irma, where's your kid?" Mike broke the disastrous conversation.

Irma sipped her coffee and fell serious. "At his Nana's."

"How is he doing? With his blood transfusions?"

"One day at a time for him, Mike. He's still a happy little boy despite all the setbacks."

He took a moment to study the perky lady; the days had not been kind to her, and she wore her troubles on her flushed face. Her brown hair was no longer shiny and bouncy but lifeless and messy. Mike remembered that Irma's son was a half mutant and conceived through extremely unfortunate circumstances. In fact, it was a big surprise to have found out that her son was a half mutant turtle. His family tried to locate the mutant but it seemed like the mutant knew how to hide as well as themselves or that he was a nomad. Irma's fascination and interest in mutants placed herself in grave dangers many times, and this one finally snatched her. Her son was nearly dead at birth and although he survived, he now has many blood transfusions and medical tests.

Irma may be incredibly annoying and flirtatious, but she was very kind to April and the Hamato family and one was of the first humans to accept them before the government even recognized them as citizens. Mike couldn't be mean to her after knowing her tribulations.

Raphael, on the other hand, always had to be the sore thumb.

"Irma, where's April? I'm kinda in a hurry this morning. We need to talk to her about all of this."

"You actually have a hangover, don't you?" Irma quipped. "And I smell a woman on you!"

Raphael ignored her and guzzled down the hot beverage. Mike was wondering why Raphael wasn't hurting from drinking the coffee too fast.

Irma reached over and pinched him on the arm. "You're so cute!"

Raph slammed the cup on the table and wiped his mouth furiously. "April, Irma. APRIL."

"What is it, Raphael?" a hoarse voice dripped behind them. She looked generally okay but it was clear that she was on her last ounce of strength.

Raph turned around in his chair, holding it and the table nervously. "April... listen, can we talk to you?"

"Walk with me," she stated and zipped up her coat.

[Mindy]

continued from chapter 24


With a heavy sigh and her checkbook closed, Emyrs hung up the phone's receiver and looked around the basement. Matters were bad, if not worse, and there was nothing she could do until she returned home. Thankfully, she had enough hard cash to make do until they boarded the plan after the new year; however, there wasn't much room for errors and it made her very apprehensive.

She tossed the pen and book on her nightstand and walked up to the apartment. It was time to get started on a few chores for the day and keep her dusty mind occupied. The Jones' household was a ragged mess and needed a good scrub. She would do most of the grunt work until Abigail was going to join her later in the night.

For the time being, she cranked up a little metal from Casey's cd collection and brightened the place up: letting a little sunshine sprinkle through the windows, vacuuming the carpet, dusting around the electronics, and eventually moved to the bedrooms. She didn't touch much of Mike's disaster zone and was almost scared to death by a creeping Rosie. The frightened kitty was trying to avoid the vacuum cleaner.

Emyrs silenced the machine. "Come here, you knucklehead. That tends to run in this family. Come out from under the bed! The machine is off!"

She slipped on the floor clutter a few times and decided to call off the cat hunting since she didn't want to break her own neck. It was dangerous in that turtleboy's room!

The next project was a little of the Jones' bedroom. She smiled as she folded Shadow's cute blankets and threw the infant's clothes in the laundry bag. Emyrs fussed over undressing Casey and April's bed covers to wash them. As she struggled to pull the sheets off, a picture frame on Casey's side bounced off the nightstand. Whispering a few vulgarities, she quickly searched for it and checked for damages to the frame. None, she sighed a relief, and placed it back on the table. It was an adorable picture of Casey and April, in their younger years, dressed in Halloween costumes, Emyrs guessed. Otherwise, what would Casey be doing in what looked like a funeral attire and April as a biker chick? It was a fine, hilarious personality switch, and she giggled as the pillow cases came off and whistled to the pile of sheets on the floor.

There were actually quite a few other portraits in the bedroom, mostly consisting of Shadow and a couple of the Hamato family. One in particular had the Hamatos so much younger and fresh-faced. They all looked so innocent and a tad goofy. She carefully dusted off the portraits, grabbed up the dirty laundry, and closed the door to the couples' bedroom.

After a few hours of tidying the place (the bathroom was the worst of it), she stopped only when she heard her stomach growl over the music. It was time for a little change in music, anyhow. You can only rock and roll all night for so long.

Preparing lunch drove her neck-deep in thought; slicing, dicing, and warming the food in the microwave were all passing moments to her meditation. Rosie emerged from Mike's room, meowing and stretching; supposedly she felt much safer since the monster machine was nowhere in sight.

"Want some nibbles, you chicken?" Emyrs teased, leaning in front of the microwave. Rosie sat on the floor and swished about her tail, giving Emyrs a wide-eyed stare.

The kitchen appliance dinged and lunch was served. She and Rosie made themselves comfortable on the sectional with their meals.

"Say, this is very comfy. Think Casey did all right with this find," Emyrs mumbled through her food and overlooking the sofa. Something in the seat was jabbing her lower back, however.

She pulled out a sai and gave it a frightened look. "Raph, *insert swear here*! You almost injured me and you weren't even here!"

It looked very sharp and dangerous so she discreetly placed it on the coffee table and then poked it with her foot, almost waiting for the sai to jump off the table and attack her.

"Rosie, no touch," she pointed to the sai, and the cat tilted her head towards the weapon curiously.

Emyrs and Rosie enjoyed their lunch break; Emyrs would pinch off a bit of her food and feed it to the cat.

The elder turtle chuckled. "You and Otto would be partners in crime. Probably even both dig up my flower patch and I have to kick some kitty toosh."

When the next cd track began, there was a knock at the door. Emyrs and Rosie peered at the door and then looked at each other. Setting her plate on the coffee table, Emyrs wasn't entirely sure if she should answer the call. The door was locked but the Jones had a key, and the Turtles would use the window to come inside. Who could that be behind the frame?

"Come on, Raphael, open up. It's me, Lisa!" a teasing voice mumbled. "You told me to meet you here today."

Meet him here? Emyrs furrowed her brows and then it all clicked. A little rustle in the bushes, huh? Too bad he wasn't here to get some of that, she giggled and turned down the stereo's volume. Emyrs unbolted the door and slowly pulled it open.

"Hi," Emyrs said. Lisa had the most confused look on her face.

"Raphael hasn't made it back yet. There was a family emergency."

"Oh," Lisa stepped and jingled from her jewelry. "Mind if I wait here for him? Is it just you in there?"

"Yep. Well, the kitty, too."

"Mike's kitty, Rosie?"

Emyrs smiled. "Rosie, yeah."

"Where is your daughter? Raph said you two are almost inseparable."

Emyrs fumbled with the door handle. "She's coming home this evening. You might get to meet her."

Lisa's golden eyes sparkled. "May I come in?"

"Yes! Sorry!" Emyrs opened the door fully. "Good thing I just cleaned this place, too."

Lisa strutted into the apartment, waving her hips and tail. The lady had legs going into Forever! She smelled so nice as well.

"He's talked a lot about his family and his friends," Lisa started and picked up a cd case, looking it over. "And you."

"What in the world could he discuss about me?" laughed Emyrs and shooing Rosie off the sectional.

"Thanks for moving the cat. I don't care much about them."

Emyrs squeezed her hands. "I like being around them, but I'm not much of a cat or animal holder. She's been good company for me today, though."

Lisa strolled to the sofa and gracefully made herself comfortable. She gave Emyrs a friendly smile.

Emyrs wiped her palms on her hips. "Uhm, I made some hot sandwiches. Would you like one?"

"No, thanks. I will take something hot to drink if you have one ready."

Emyrs dashed to the counter. "Coming up!"

The hostess fumbled around the counter, almost dropping the cup and spilling a bit of the hot beverage on her hand. She had a few reasons in her mind on why she was very nervous around this attractive lady. Most of all, she felt uneasy inviting Lisa into someone else's home and being there alone with her. Very much alone, except for a scatter brained cat.

"I like Raphael and want to meet his brothers," Lisa expressed from her seat. "They have an interesting background."

"Mmhmm," Emyrs acknowledged and picked up the cup.

"And Casey sounds like a hoot to meet."

"Oh boy, he is."

"April and Shadow."

"Black?"

"Just a bit of cream." Lisa rearranged her jewelry and tugged on her shirt.

The guest continued, "Michelangelo writes, Leonardo trains, and Donatello does machines. He doesn't talk much about his father, Splinter. Maybe he hasn't gotten to him yet."

"Raphael has a lot of material on himself and his brothers. I don't even know the half of it and I've known them about three months," Emyrs chided and poured in some creamer.

"You want to know something else?"

"Sure." Emyrs stirred the coffee.

"I might have a rival."

The spoon stirred faster in the coffee and clinked on the side of the cup. "Rival?"

"Yeah," Lisa sighed romantically. "Glad we're alone so I can talk to you about this."

Emyrs turned and started drinking the brew.

Lisa looked back at her. "Wasn't that my coffee?"

The flabbergasted turtle coughed into the cup and whirled back to the counter. "I'm, uh, sorry that you feel that way," she squeaked out and immediately prepared another cup for Lisa. "I have no intention of being with him. We're just friends."

She babbled, "You have nothing to worry about. I'll be going home soon and you'll have him all to yourself."

"But until then? Can I count on him not talking about you all the time?"

Emyrs was starting to get annoyed now. "I can't stop him from talking. He confides in me and I think you're getting the wrong idea."

The spoon hurriedly swam in the coffee and clinked on the side again. The two ladies fell silent until Lisa laughed.

"You're cute when you're angry. Just like he said."

Emyrs breathed slowly and relaxed her stiff posture. "I'm glad I could be the topic of a conversation for you two. Drink up."

She joined Lisa on the sectional with her own coffee, two seats away and glared at the dark television. There was no way she was going to get caught up in a love triangle with these two silly kids.

Lisa licked her lips after drinking the beverage. "Why are things always better when someone else makes them?"

"I have a mother's touch. What's your specialty?"

"Do you have to ask?" snickered Lisa, continuing slyly. "I excite men. The 'Mona Lisa'."

"I'm aware of that, and you do a good job at it. I'm sure you have other specialties?"

Lisa savored the coffee. "I love gadgets and gizmos. I'm a techno geek."

"I see you dress to the nines. Fashion also?"

"I wasn't always into fashion. This came naturally when I started performing."

Emyrs threw one arm over the sectional and held the cup in her free hand. "I'm ... what do they call it? A plain jane?"

"You wear whatever is comfortable," Lisa stated. "Nothing wrong with that."

Rosie peeped from the floor and rubbed against Emyrs' leg. Emyrs used her leg to rub Rosie back.

The afternoon dipped well into evening, and the ladies lost track of time in their discussions of music, family, politics, and laughing at the Jones' picture albums. Their giggleboxes were turned up full blast and they jammed out to Casey's music collection. They even found an old demo of Casey attempting music and had to smile at the poor lad's attempt. It was precious.

Emyrs hopped up from the sofa and whisked back to the kitchen in her frantic mode again. "I hope you can stay for dinner!"

"Absolutely! I'm going to the ladies room now."

Emyrs turned. "Oh! Close that window before you do your business!"

Lisa locked the bathroom door and dug out a cell phone from her purse. It had been vibrating for some time but she hadn't had the chance to check it. She smiled to herself, thinking how much fun she honestly had with the older lady.

She read her overloaded inbox and growled at each passing message.

"Umeko, get a grip," she flared and whispered her text back, "About to do it now. Will escape through bathroom window. Be ready."

She pulled out a syringe from her purse and tapped the side to make sure the concoction was ready. Before stuffing it back into her purse, she looked at herself in the mirror for a long, hard second. Did she, or did she not, want to go through with this? Only a few times in her life did she ever get this nervous. The syringe shook slightly in her hand.

Everything changes from here, Lisa declared, and I'm the one who gets the ball rolling.

She flushed the toilet and ran the sink water. Before turning off the faucet, she splashed a bit on her cheeks and soaked in the water's calming sound. She had orders to carry out, but they were not going to be easy for anyone.

Emyrs still remained at the counter, her back facing Lisa, and was busy shuffling dishes around the top. She was humming a pretty tune and titling her head over the stove to sniff the aroma. A delightful day turning into a calm night, she yearned.

Lisa's heart beat faster with each soundless step she took. The music still rolled on in the living room. She knew this song. It had a long guitar riff in the middle of it, and as soon as the riff played, she raised the white cloth and covered Emyrs' nose and mouth. When the riff ended and floated back into a verse, Emyrs had strummed the last of her tune and slumped backwards, leaning onto Lisa.

Lisa reached to turn off the stove and carried Emyrs to the sectional. Rosie watched from the other end of the couch as Lisa injected the victim, muttering to forgive her actions, and made sure nothing was out of place around the body. She hastily ran down the basement to finish the rest of her business for the evening. Before vacating through the bathroom window as planned, she made sure nothing was left on in the kitchen and made her getaway.

Rosie glided over to Emyrs' slumbering body and rubbed against it. When Emyrs didn't respond, the gentle cat snuggled against a pillow and waited for her friend to wake up.

[Mindy]

Chapter 25 :: Mother



Burning up no time, she sprinted out the bathroom window and soared to the ground with a tight thud. Her breaths were short and her hand was still tingling from popping the syringe. Immediately, Lisa surveyed her surroundings and flung the sweaty bangs out of her eyes. Not a strand of hair was out of line on her pretty head. She glided to the street with her poker face.

As she was waiting for a cab, Lisa grinned at the nearby pedestrians, mostly males who were giving her very flirty looks. Her phone vibrated in the bag and she pulled it out to check the influx of messages exploding on the screen. She only checked briefly before a taxi pulled up and she hopped inside, like a whisper in the wind.

Inside, she digitally wrote back to her partner: "Cat in the bag. Your turn to take it out soon."

Lisa sighed, put away her phone and even dismissed the next discharge of messages, and lost herself in the blur of the city passing by outside the cab. She did the job and got out. Her partner wanted to keep egging it on, and for a lady who doesn't lose her cool too often, Lisa was stepping closer to the breaking point.

"Rough evening, miss?"

The cab driver smirked at her from the rear view mirror. She had to tell herself that despite looking incredibly perverted, he didn't do anything wrong and shouldn't feel her wrath.

Her golden eyes flashed and with a flirty grin she answered, "About as rough as you can get. Had a picky client."

There was a laugh and various words from the driver that followed her lie, but she paid no attention to him. Between his raspy voice and the phone's alerts, it all melted into that blur and the noise inside her head.

This night needed to be over with, and soon.




Donatello rose from his operative position. The frigid weather created an uncomfortable environment to spy on another but his body was tingling, and it wasn't just from the cold. He really was on this person's heels, and he watched the robed individual text maniacally on a phone. It almost seemed like the person was getting frustrated from not knowing how to work the gadget, too. He could hear bursts of anger and what he thought were curses in Japanese. The scene was a little humorous, if anything.

The mini binoculars were whipped out and established right on the cell phone. He couldn't hear the DTMF pings from all of street noises and wind, and wherever he moved, it was still too difficult to hear. The person was in the perfect spot away from him. Peering through the binoculars, he could make out just a bit of what the person was typing but the fingers moved quickly and stumbled often. His eyes did notice that the fingers had claws and a touch of dark brown fur.

Twilight before dusk was a bad time to try and see anything, even for a ninja, but he made the best of this situation. Aside from admiring the phone and swearing at the snippy wind, Donatello wrapped up his investigation after a long day. Any capturing and demanding answers from victims, he would leave for his more persuasive brothers to handle. Slow, calculating, and heavy endurance were major key points in this investigation at the moment. It had been quite some time since they had to do any stealth work like today. The bloodhound in him couldn't let it go; it was like biting into a restricted favorite food all over again.

His tongue warm and his head full of theories, Donatello disappeared into the dusk. His nearby subject tucked away her cellphone just as the ninja vanished and backed into the alleyway with gleaming amber pupils burning through the enveloping darkness.



She hadn't seen snow like this in years; it was falling like rainfall would, clouding vision and piling onto the ground. A prominent leader's statue was glittering white in no time soon, and she was glad to see it covered up. The ugly thing.

"Mother," her child's voice called to her.

She must have kept walking and not noticing how far she traveled from her daughter. The snow always caught her attention, and so did that hideous statue.

Emyrs turned and peered up the high steps to the church. There stood Abigail, dressed in a heavy gray coat and beige boots, and those beautiful eyes drowning in sorrow. With the sky powder exuding and the church bells clapping, the child appeared magical in her stationary position; she wouldn't think so, however.

"Sorry." Emyrs faintly smiled and dug her hands deeper into her coat pockets. Maybe Abby wouldn't see the scattered tears falling from her face since the snow was getting heavier. The adult in the situation didn't need to crumble in front of the child.

"He was pretty. In that casket." Abigail stared down at her mother.

Emyrs nodded, sighed, and blinked through the tears.

"I'm glad you found him, Mother. He wasn't alone when he was with you."

You stupid, stupid child of mine, Emyrs flamed in her mind. All she could think of was finding the little Ibsen's stiff body and replacing him with Abigail. It was hard enough to find him that day, it was hard to tell Abby, it was hard to sleep for days, and it was even harder to hold it together at the bottom of those church steps.

Abigail closed her eyes and held her head back to let the snow fall on her chapped face. She stayed like that for ages and the memories kept her warm, even the one of seeing his innocence in the coffin.

When she faced the front again and opened her eyes, there was her mother, bent on her knees and staring straight into Abigail's face with tears that could drown them both.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Emyrs' hoarse voice wailed. "He is safe. He will always be safe."

They embraced on the footsteps, sobbing and holding each other tight. Abigail still has life in her; her body isn't stiff and cold, and she's breathing on my shoulder, the mother thought with much, much relief. Her family remained together.

Once the bells silenced, the pair was joined by two more individuals: a tall, bulky dragonoid and a brunette rabbit who hugged the mother and daughter. They descended the steps and hurried home before the snow consumed all of them.

The exhausted mother uncovered her vision and took a few minutes for her mind to unclog. She had a dream of a memory, a sad memory but very important to her being. It was nice to see her best friend and Flodina in the same dream, too. In fact, she missed everything about being home.

"Mother?" Abigail asked as she walked into the room. "Mother, are you okay?"

"Mmm," Emyrs mustered and sat up on the sectional. She saw Rosie next to her and then wondered why her left arm felt a little sore.

"You look so exhausted!" Abby shrilled and peered around the apartment. "You cleaned the heck out of this place! No wonder!"

"Not so loud, Abby, please," Emyrs mumbled and felt slightly dizzy.

"You also drank a little too much!" Raphael teased, shaking the nearly empty bottle. "I'm impressed!"

Abigail shot back, "Mother doesn't usually drink that much."

"It was a full bottle this morning, toots."

Concerned, Abigail felt her mother's forehead and waved her finger in front of the dazed lady's face.

"Cut it out, kid. Go act like a teenager and call some boys or somethin," Raph flashed and sat down next to Emyrs. Rosie hissed.

"Watch out for my cat, Bro!" Mike bellowed and swooped up a frightened Rosie.

"You cleaned up this place, Em?" Raph asked, ignoring Mike and Abigail's burning glares.

"Some," Emyrs nodded and felt herself come out of the mental fog.

Mike peered into his room. "You didn't touch mine, thank goodness. I like having things in certain places."

She chuckled. "You have a guard at the door. Rosie wouldn't let that vacuum get in there."

Abby walked to the kitchen and noticed it in a bit of disarray. She didn't want to keep questioning while Raphael was around.

"Want me to finish dinner? What were you making?" Abby called from the kitchen.

"Uhm.." Emyrs began and gave a puzzled look to Raphael, Mike, and Rosie.

When she couldn't remember anything, she shrugged and said, "Making it up as I went along."

"Good thing you turned off the stove," Abby mumbled and fussed around the counter. She felt her foot crunch something, and she looked down at the floor. It was a piece of shiny jewelry and nothing that she knew her mother owned. She picked it up and stuffed it in her pocket for another time.

"Any luck with April?" Emyrs asked, stretching her back and neck.

"A little progress," Mike commented. "But we're not sure if she's coming back tonight or this week. Or whenever."

Rosie mewed and looked up at Mike curiously.

Raphael gruffly exhaled. "If we could get Casey to stop harassing her and give her space, things would be better. But he's a bonehead like that."

"Has anybody, other than April, asked him to do this for her?" Emyrs pointed out.

Mike and Raphael had nothing to say.

"Guess that's my cue," she concluded and curved her head towards the kitchen. "Abby, need help?"

"No, no. I got it!" the tween commanded as a piercing glass sound rang from the area. Mike placed Rosie on the far end of the sectional (away from thunder-thighs Raphael) and dashed to the kitchen.

"You sit." Raphael pointed to the older lady when she was about to stand. He was so short with her that she had no choice but to do as he said.

April briskly walked into the apartment and held up her hand to stop any conversation.

"I'm only here to grab a few items, guys. I don't have time to talk."

She hurried into her bedroom and flicked on the light. A resounding "wow" muttered from her lips but the excitement smeared away when she grabbed a bag and began stuffing it.

Emyrs and Raphael left the couch; she was going to the bedroom but Raphael beat her to it so she stopped at the kitchen counter to watch. It was for the best anyways since the dizzy spell was returning.

"April," Raphael's bass, ridged pitch pleaded. "This ain't right. You and Case have been together for years. You're inseparable!"

"Did I just say not to talk to me about this?" April snapped, slamming a drawer.

"I can't stand back and not say nothin', April. It hurts me. It hurts all of us."

"And what about me? It hurts me the MOST, Raphael. The most!" Her voice was cracking and she was close to tears again.

"I cry every night. I shouldn't have to cry every night!"

"No, you shouldn't," Raphael felt defeated.

"My baby shouldn't have to see me cry every night!" April shrieked. "I told you EVERYTHING on our walk together: why I cry, why I feel this way, why I did what I had to do!"

He watched her slam more drawers, cram more items into an exploding bag, and edge closer to her breaking point. Everybody in the kitchen area looked into their own distance.

"April," Raphael spoke softly, his voice no longer holding a rough edge to it, and taking her hand as she collapsed on the edge of the bed.

"My lady," he said, moving stray hairs out of her face, "there is no doubt that you're the smartest, the strongest out of this family. Shadow needs you. You need her."

Near sobbing, she shook her head to confirm.

"And Casey needs you. He's a few screws loose but the man works himself to death to feed you all. You won't go hungry or lose your house while he's around."

"But I want more. I need more for Shadow," she trembled.

He grabbed her arms gently. "And you're gonna get that, April. Casey ain't no loser. He's the happiest when he's with you; when he talks about you and Shadow, he lights up like Times Square at Christmas."

Mike caught himself trying to snort at Raph's simile. He filled his mouth full of juice and thought about using that line in one of his stories. Simple and effective.

Emyrs observed the scene from the counter, tracing his arms touching April's, pushing hair strands out of her eyes, and giving her a kiss on the forehead as he stood.

"That's all I hadda say. Good night."

He paused at the doorway. She shared a moment with him and gave him much more respect. He was certainly a good friend and showing a very gentle side that he always covered up. In fact, he kinda huffed at Emyrs as he walked back to the sofa. Yeah, he liked to cover that tender side up a whole lot, she realized. Knucklehead.

When April departed, Mike and Abigail continued with preparing supper, and Raphael playfully wrestled with a nippy Rosie on the sofa. Emyrs laid her head on the counter, was careful not to poke her mysteriously sore left arm, and smiled as she napped to the nightly rustle.




The leggy lizard lady jingled her apartment keys and unlocked the premises with a fast sigh. She was doing a lot of that these days: sighing, exhaling, and finding ways to free her mind. Work did nothing for her, her partner constantly hassled and moaned, and she had very few friends. Raphael was a good friend to her, but she was feeling jealous of sharing him with others. In fact, it was very strange that she didn't feel sexually attracted to him. There was flirtation with many and her very being trickled sexuality and eroticism, but in her sketchy mind, Lisa was indifferent to romance. Inside, she yearned for something much more. It ate at her every single day, every single moment.

She came home to an empty residence with very little furniture, pictures, and overall personality. It was dreary except for when a little music leaked from the stereo. If she wasn't at work or with Umeko, her nagging lady-fox partner in crime, on missions or searches, she was exercising in some form or fashion. The world drifted from her fingertips everyday; it was like she was on stage, performing for everyone. She was definitely the Untouchable one.

Posing for the bathroom mirror, she unloosened her thick locks and let them fall onto her shoulders. Lisa remembered seeing herself in the Jones' bathroom mirror just before the mission and how sad her face seemed. She didn't have that expression now. It was blank, and her yellow eyes were dull.

Water gushed from the faucet and she splashed her face several times.

Lisa, the Lonely Lady, had a lot of thinking to do and very little time to react to any of it.

[Mindy]

Chapter 26a :: Three

It's a long one! 8 pages long so read here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/28/I_Remember_You


If you can't access fanfiction.net or don't want to, I can certainly post it here.

[Mindy]

Chapter 26b :: Two


*blush* Another long chapter clocking in at over 3,000 words. It also contains some adult humor and situations.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/29/I_Remember_You

[Mindy]

Another very long chapter! Chapter 26c :: One reeling in at over 4,000 words. Whew! No wonder it's taking me so long to finish chapters


http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/30/I_Remember_You

[Mindy]

strong language, kids!!!

Chapter 27 :: Baby


“Rosie, get down. There's not enough room up here. Sorry, sweetie.”

Reluctantly, Rosie the frustrated kitty vacated the premises. Mike almost heard a huff coming from his cat. When he reclined back on the bed, he smiled over at his slumbering partner. She was incredibly cute while she slept. The holiday music humming in the background embraced the sweet moment.

He knew the situation was beyond weird, beyond anything that held some kind of sense in his world. He never left the room anymore (not that he did much anyways). He could feel himself losing more weight, and it was odd that his body never had an appetite. A small part of his mind knew he was being trapped, but these feelings soothed Mike. She never ignored him; she never left him, never screamed, never ridiculed, and never made him sad.

“What are you thinking?” her foreign accent bellowed. He still didn't know where she was from originally; he had been meaning to ask her.

Mike titled his head and smiled.

“I promised you, Michelangelo,” she groaned as she sat up and peered down at him, “that I would give my situation more thought.”

“And?” He heard Rosie scamper under the bed, still in a huff.

“I think I will just visit with my daughter. I will not take her from Ms. Becker.”

Mike rubbed her cheek. “Good.”

She leaned down to kiss him on his forehead. “It is almost the Christmas holiday that you said you loved. You should see your family.”

His blue eyes fluttered. “Will you be here when I get back, Mei? We've been inseparable for days.”

While she beamed down at him and squeezed his fingers, Mike realized that even after being with her for those exclusive days, he still didn't know too much about her. All I knew was that he felt safe and comfortable.

It was ages before she responded, which frightened him, but when she did speak, her voice remained softened. “As long as you want me to be here, I will.”

The bed springs creaked as he rose from his pillow. Rosie scurried from the bed and hissed at Mike. He knew he was in big trouble with that feline.

Rosie's reddish-orange fur became less muted and back to its original, bright color as his mental haze dissipated. Mike looked behind him. She wasn't there anymore. He could see clearly now but his chest felt heavy.

“Rosie,” he began and undressed out of his whiffy garments, “I'll make it up to you, kitty, promise.”

The cat repeatedly clawed her itchy tail. The holiday music streaming from the stereo ceased.

“You won't tell anyone, will you?”

Rosie stopped, shook her head, and gazed at her master.

“Don't tell anyone that I may be sleeping with the enemy.”





Abigail held the paper, but her hands shook and almost dropped it. The unexpected raging cold wind didn't make anything better.

“Don't want to do this,” she stammered and straightened her loose hat.

“Follow my lead,” Emyrs chuckled and tucked her daughter's hat firmly on the head. “I love your hair so much, Abby, but it's a pain with headgear.”

Abby sighed. “I hear that every winter.”

“We might have to trim it a bit, around the sides, and some off the top.”

“Don't talk about my hair like it's a bush outside our cottage!”

Emyrs laughed at her testy daughter whose arms were flailing, and the wind knocked off her hat (again). While Abby moaned and whined more, Emyrs picked up the headpiece and stuffed it in her own pocket.

“Skip the hat. That rat's nest will keep you warm.”

Abigail's flaming pupils banished her mother and wondered over Irma's apartment complex. It was littered with silly holiday decorations around the windows. Pedestrians milling back and forth, the numerous honks and vehicle sounds from the street, and holiday music trickling from the shops intensified her anxiety.

Mother wanted to go caroling. They were going to die horrible deaths on a New York City street, at night, and a million miles from their German graveyard plots.

“We are not going to die, Abigail.”

Abby swallowed. “I think I just saw my first attacker. He had one evil look and I hadn't hummed a note yet.”

Emyrs flapped her music sheets in the wind. “We practiced, over and over! You sounded great!”

“Casey didn't think so.”

Her mother frowned slightly. “Casey was just joking. He can't even sing a birthday song, either.”

“We're tourists! And we're going to SING?!”

Her red hair was on fire. Those arms could almost lift her into the air now, they were motoring so hard.

“Then go home.”

Abigail calmed down and lost her breath for a second. She replayed her mother's bitter words in her head and was speechless.

“Go home if you don't want to participate. You know the way.”

There was Mother's mood shift again. She studied her music sheets and acted like Abigail had already turned to go back to Casey's. This radical change was becoming more frequent now.

“I'll join in,” Abigail's voice flew in the wind. “But I'm not going to protect you from tomatoes.”

She peeked over at her mother, who still wasn't smiling, not even at Abigail's terrible attempt at humor. It was going to be a long, traumatic evening.






The store chime rang through the building. Raphael trolled to the back freezer, snagged a six pack, grabbed munchies on his way to the counter, and slammed his purchases in front of the cashier.

“Good evening to you, Raph,” she snapped. Her fingers tapped away on the register.

“Megan,” his voice rolled as he slid his fingers in his pocket. “I got a bone to pick with you and your bleached headed girlfriend.”

Megan didn't answer.

“I saw what you did to my friend today. I thought she was telling a fib some weeks ago about you two trying to cheat me.”

She glared at Raph and continued ringing up the purchases.

“Thought you girls were cool with me and my type.”

Steam rising from his face, Raphael dug out his cash and handed it to her.

“Don't mess with my friends. Aight? I don't mess with yours. That was the agreement.”

Megan consciously covered up her lavender basilisk tattoo while bagging his groceries.

“Raphael?”

He turned to see Lisa standing in front of the door with the store chime fading. Her flirty smile disappeared when she saw his sour face.

“Hi,” he said and looked away from her.

Megan scooted his bag on the counter towards him and nodded. Raphael heavily watched her as he stomped to the door.

“Bye?” Lisa asked as she saw her friend hastily leave the store. She wanted to go after him but when he continued walking away from the building, she felt it was unnecessary. She grabbed her loaf of bread and tried to be cheerful towards the crossed cashier.

“He's your friend?” Megan asked.

“Yeah. We've hung out a bit. He's not too bad, just pouts.”

Megan bagged the bread and returned the change. “Thanks and watch your back out there.”

As Lisa left, she didn't like the way the cashier had said those words. Lisa had seen the cashier many times since Lisa shopped there frequently, but something didn't feel right: the looks on their faces when she entered the store, Raphael barely saying a word to her when he usually talked her head off, and cashier's words that sounded more like a threat than a goodbye.

When she got home, she quickly put in a sick call to work, just to be safe. Umeko would have to use the front door in the morning. All of the windows were going to be locked tight.





April, Shadow, and Irma's family listened to the singing Germans outside their window. It was magically catastrophic at first, but as Abigail's voice warmed up, the harmony lightly blended. “Jingle Bells” was a mess; their accents and tempos flew around the place. “Winter Wonderland” almost made Shadow cry. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” felt like twelve years and it was mostly Emyrs singing since Abigail lost her place on the sheet. They had to stop after that to get some water and explain to a passing cop that they were almost finished with their racket. It was hilarious to see Abigail hiding behind her mother.

“Sing Silent Night as the closing number,” April requested. “In German.”

“Yes, in your own language, please!” complained Irma. She bounced her hyper son on her hip.

“May we sing Rudolph for the kids first?” Emyrs screamed from the busy street.

“Just--” April stopped to scream louder, “Just Stille Nacht! We'll be good after that! Come on up!”

Emyrs and Abigail fumbled on ground level. They had to sing that one from memory since the sheet was missing, and the half-breed's arms flapped knowing that she had to sing in German, too.

Mike was watching the spectacle from a sparse crowd. He grinned when Emyrs whacked her daughter on the shoulder to keep Abby from flapping anymore. They were fighting in the German language, too. That was cute. And loud.

They stood to attention and cleared their throats.

Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht


Abigail warbled through her lyrics. Hold steady, little lady, Mike wished for her.


Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab' im lockigen Haar


Mike hummed along with the tune and remembered last Christmas when Leonardo and Raphael re-enacted the “Night before Christmas” for the family. They lost a bet earlier that month against Casey and Donatello.


Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!


Emyrs hit the high note beautifully; Abigail remained low key. She got it, she got it.



Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh...


The performance wasn't all that bad; the crowd even clapped. When Emyrs asked if anyone wanted them to sing the next verse, nobody answered. People even scattered away. Mike walked up to the singers and gave them each a hug.

“You can sing it inside,” he recommended, and he had to help Abigail into the building and up the stairs.





“Josh!”

Irma caught the tumbling toddler before he fell onto a scooting Shadow.

April made a quick glance into the living room to check on her daughter and then unlocked the front door. She was very surprised to see Mike with the two Singing Tourists.

“Good show, ladies!” April teased and then promptly hugged Mike in a tight embrace.

“My shoulder still hurts from Mother's slap,” Abby moaned and pulled off her coat. Emyrs shrugged and placed her coat on the rack.

Checking Mike over from head to toe, April frowned. “You don't look so hot, Mike. Have you been eating?”

“Not really.”

“I know you can cook for yourself. Are you sick?”

“No.”

Irma peeked around the corner. “I know what it is!”

Mike gave a friendly sigh. He knew what was coming.

“It's a girl!” Irma squealed.

“A girl?” April, Emyrs, and Abigail spoke in unison.

“But I thought Rosie was your only girl!” April goaded, her brown curls bouncing. She looked much more lively than she had in months, Mike noticed.

“Rosie is mad at me right now. No comment,” he chuckled and joined the ladies in the living room. Josh, Irma's half-breed son, was reaching for Irma's pink straw hat. When Shadow saw her Uncle Mike, her butterball body went slick as lightning across the floor towards him.

“Keep your hands off that, son!” desperate Irma squeaked and popped Josh's hand. The toddler's gray eyes flickered and he went back to reaching for the hat.

April dusted snow off Abigail's fluffy hair. “Shadow knows more words, Mike! She says baby, Josh, no, and stop.”

“And most of that is from me,” groaned Irma who slapped her son's hand again. He plopped on the floor and remained still.

Mike gave Shadow a mini-bear hug and laughed at her. “I missed you the most, pretty girl.”

She rubbed her hands on his face and cooed, “Boo.”

“Boo!” he whispered back to her; she chortled.

Abigail had been watching the toddler Josh sitting and peering at everyone in the room. He wasn't the most attractive kid, being a half bred turtle and human, but his mannerisms were fascinating. Since he was unique, he had to adapt differently from other children. Abigail knew that melancholic existence all too well.

She crawled over to Josh and put out her hands.

“Hi. I'm Abby.”

Josh nibbled on his finger and slapped her hand, like he was giving her high five or reprimanding her.

“Now hold out your hand,” Abby demonstrated and extended his chubby hand. She gave him a high five back with a wide smile.

“Thank you!”

Josh didn't know what in the world was going on with that crazy-looking red head who still had white powder all in her hair.

“Mike, tell us about this girl!” April sat with her elbows on her knees, waiting literally on the edge of her seat. “Can we meet her?”

He hesitated. “She's a bit shy.”

Shadow's hand kept bopping his face, which disabled him from speaking about the girlfriend subject. He was hoping April would get the hint and drop it. None of the ladies would really understand because he didn't really have a clue about it either.

When Josh became uninterested in Abigail's pattycake game, she looked back to her quiet mother. Emyrs was inspecting her hands and then rolled up her right pants' leg to check on an old wound. Again, Abigail knew, her mother wouldn't act this anti-social. If there was a talk about babies or girlfriends, Emyrs would be in the middle of it.

Her guardian looked up to meet her daughter's stare and promptly stuck out her tongue and smiled. A little better, Abby eased.

“Stop by on Christmas eve, Mike. We'll feed you and your lady,” invited Irma, complete with the cheekiest grin. Mike impassively grinned back and nodded.

Josh crawled towards Emyrs and used her legs to stand on his two feet. Irma shouted for him, but he stuck to Emyrs' leg like glue.

“Go back to your mother. She's calling for you!” she teased. Only Abby noticed the sarcastic tone of voice her mother used.

Josh savagely bit into Emyrs' leg, and with a yelp, she hurled him across the room. The toddler gracefully landed on his bottom and didn't make a sound for some moments. Irma screamed for him and was on the verge of tears. That's when her kid had to cry as well.

Everyone checked on Josh, who was unhurt and only scared by the events. Abigail dashed to her mother who promptly pushed her away.

“Aren't you going to say you're sorry?!” Irma screamed without looking back at Emyrs. “You threw a baby across the room!”

“I'm sorry that your kid can't fucking tell I'm not a piece of food!” Emyrs spewed and limped out of the room. She continued ranting in German and it very much made her daughter blush. She followed her mother out of the apartment and helped her down the stairs. When they made it to the bottom, Emyrs plopped on the last step.

“Goddamn that kid! Look at this!”

He got her really good, too. Abigail had noticed when she played with him that his teeth were much more developed than Shadow's. The bite wound was puffy, very red, and blood oozing out of it.

“Can you make it to Casey's?” Abby asked. “I can clean you up there.”

Emyrs angrily whacked the side of the banister, almost hitting her daughter in the process. “If I had my trouser leg down, it wouldn't be so damn bad. shell, shell!”

“Come,” Abby whispered. “We're going home now.”

Her mother persisted the ranting, even as they hobbled to the front door. Abigail heard April's shouts from the stairs, but Emyrs demanded for her not to pay attention and keep moving.

Abigail insisted on going to the hospital, but her mother viciously declined. Every other word was a curse, and she fluctuated between German and English, spewing and shaking. Abigail was walking on glass and decided not to say a word the entire trip “home”.

“You bit Flodina one time. Age three,” Emyrs said as she groaned and stopped at the front steps to the apartment. “She whacked you a good one and you never did it again. You had wild moments just like that kid had. Petting you wasn't going to solve anything.”

“But you threw the kid across the room.”

“He didn't orbit like all of you are saying. If he tries to bite someone when he gets older, he'll get a hard lesson in life. Somebody is going to knock the crap out of him.”

“That's not your place, is it, Mother? To teach him.”

“Everybody is your teacher!” Emyrs shifted and grabbed onto the railing. “We have to live together as a society, as one.”

“But Miss Irma was scared. If somebody threw me across a room, would you not get angry?”

Emyrs was on her feet now and declined any more help. “That's the difference between me and the world, I guess. I can nurse this wound. Go to bed.”

“Mother..”

The Eye occurred. Man, was it scary in the dark. Abigail couldn't and didn't want to argue with her mother anymore. The two parted ways once they reached the residence, and Abigail had to do one thing before she tucked herself in for the night. While her mother was in the upstairs bathroom, Abigail checked Emyrs' medicine bottles. The tablets looked okay and it seemed like her mother was taking the pills, but her behavior made no sense at all. She took a couple of tablets and tucked them away in her carry bag for further investigation.

[Mindy]

Chapter 28 :: Night Train


A hearty, guttural blend of music trickled from the living room. She hadn't seen anybody when she and Abigail entered but then it was pretty dark, and her leg throbbed like crazy. Maybe it was going to separate itself from her body and destroy the city of New York.

She hissed, gnawed, and slammed her fist onto the bathroom sink. That fist was beyond numb now, seeing way too much action in one evening. Emyrs didn't care about it. She did care, however, about the weird color her wound was turning and how the alcohol was eating her flesh like a rabid animal.

The more she cleaned the injury, the angrier she got. Angry that her finances were frozen, frustrated at her block headed daughter, sizzling at her best friend (and more importantly, house-sitter) back home who wasn't answering the telephone or returning her messages, completely baffled by her wayward crush, trashy discolored snooty cashiers, and a kid with a dinosaur's grip.

Despite more awful feelings grilling in her brain, her throat hummed the metal tunes coming from the living area. That song was popular when she was …. twenty two. No, twenty three. Twenty-something, she shrugged. Her mother blasted it out of the stereo more than she did, and Emyrs couldn't get away from it. It played at Flodina's house and Flodina's car and Flodina's work. When Emyrs didn't think she heard it a trillion times, the song exploded from the bar, too. Good thing its popularity died a couple of months after that and only to be replaced by something else more annoying. Her tolerance level had built a solid defense, she supposed, since nothing else really got under her skin after that song.

Five gallons of blood and a floor that resembled a war zone later, Emyrs gained her composure back and finished just in time to head to bed. She turned off the bathroom light and realized that she couldn't see her way back to the basement. The mood wasn't there to turn the light back on and fiddle with any nonsense so she remembered the layout of the room and felt her way through it.

“You better turn to the left or you'll--”

“Son of a ---!!”

The sharp edge of an object jabbed her in the side. At least it wasn't her leg. She froze and bit her tongue. And her guardian angel flicked on a lamp light.

Raphael waved from his place on the couch and slightly turned to look at her. “I thought I was having a bad night. Hop over here and grab a beer. On me.”

Emyrs looked at the basement door and could feel her soft bed just inches from her aching body. Beer or bed? It repeated in her head many times. That fluffy pillow or that bubbling drink? Bubbling, soothing beverage that could knock out a few of her pains.

It didn't take long to reach the couch.

“The hell happened to your leg? Did you wrestle a gator? A cab driver? Casey?”

She winced as her body flopped into the sectional. He leaned over and looked at her wound up close.

“He tends to bite, ya know.”

“Kinky,” she blankly commented and lifted her leg onto the coffee table. Temporary relief.

“Put this cold beer on it.”

Emyrs took the can, opened, and chugged it.

Raph scoffed and toasted his can towards her. “That'll work, too.”

The festival of beer chugging commenced. They subconsciously competed with the other, but Raphael beat her by a few measly drops. He had a head start, after all. She was out of practice.

“Do you have this song on repeat?” she asked and covered her mouth as a little burp erupted.

“Yeah. I like it. Want me to change it?”

Her empty beer can clinked on the coffee table. “Play track three.”

She held her head back and closed her eyes. A little beep trilled from the stereo, and she no longer had to suffer through the Timeless Headache.

Raphael blurted, “This song is cool. Reminds me of the times Leo and I had midnight runs.”

“Sounds like you miss it.”

He cracked open another can. “I do, but don't tell him that. Want another?”

“I think one will be fine for tonight,” she rejected and didn't open her eyes. “It felt good to have a drink after a long time, though.”

“It's your birthday, old lady. Guzzle it.”

She held out her hand and a chilled container instantly fell into it. That was easy.

He switched off the lamp; a tiny amount of light fell through the window. Snow dribbled outside in the city, Track Three performed a dynamite guitar solo, and her leg's tremble was simmering into a dull ache.

Raphael smacked his lips. “I think I started up a gang war tonight. What happened to you?”

“I almost got arrested for bad caroling, and I punted a child across the room for gnawing into my leg like a piece of meat.”

Track Three ended and shifted into Track Four. She wiggled her foot on the table in the silence.

“You win,” he finally snickered, and she madly chuckled.

“The gang war sounds pretty promising.”

A bag rustled in the darkness. “Track four blows balls. Can we change it?” Raphael munched loudly on some crisps.

“It's a good backtrack to some stories.”

He garbled through a full mouth, “What kind of stories?”

“Anything. Anything to keep me from chopping off my leg and throwing it out that window.”

She felt a plastic bag tap her shoulder.

“You want some?” His voice was subdued as he swallowed his food. Her tummy growled, but it clicked in her head that she sent Abigail to bed without any food.

“I'm a terrible parent,” she sighed. “I'll skip, thanks.”

From the way he crumbled up the bag, it sounded like a train running through the room. She saw his figure leave the couch and head to the bathroom. After listening to Track Four, she agreed that it blew balls. Track Five was taking its sweet time to play.

He returned to the couch, turned on the lamp light, and had a first aid kit in his grasp.

“Give me that leg,” he snipped, unwrapping her sloppy bandages. “And you're not a terrible parent. Not that I've seen.”

Emyrs jerked slightly when her male nurse slammed her leg onto his lap. She wanted to remind him that she wasn't one of his brick-house brothers, but the job would get completed in the end. Aches, bruises, scrapes, and all. Oh, and track four had ended. That part of the agony was over.

“What's the biggest regret in your life so far, Em?”

The music flowed with her thoughts. “Actually I have a funny story. This is even better than my regrets.”

“Yeah?” He peered into her wound and muttered something about it.

“Don't shack up with a married person.”

The nurse cackled. “Lay it on me.”

She shuffled into a new position and gave a listen to Track Five. It was skipping. “I was twenty-one, shy, and stupid. Hot guy and I hooked up. He was much older and said that he and his wife had separated.”

“You fell for that?” He was now cleaning the wound, gently cleaning at that. She couldn't believe that he had a soft touch.

“I fell for that. Young and stupid. He was nice, hot, handsome, tall, opened my doors, and..”

Raphael poured alcohol into her wound; that made her yelp. “And he eventually opened you, right?”

“Yeah,” she moaned and laughed. “And it was fantastic.”

 “But the wife didn't think it was a good idea,” he teased and began wrapping the leg.

“Get this!” Emyrs started vividly reenacting the incident. “She slammed on his front door one day and screamed that she knew I was in there and 'the b****' was about to die. I had never heard of the things she called me on that day.”

They were both laughing now.

“She sounded like a wailing monkey, no kidding. And I had to escape somehow. I didn't even get my clothes on all the way before I had to dive out that window! And I think I missed it the first time.”

“Dumbass,” her nurse chastised and flattened the wrap.

“So, moral of my story: ask to see the divorce papers.”

“Did the guy ever come looking for you?”

The cd player was officially frozen. No music now. “He tried to call me, but that wife of his scared me. He did divorce her some time after that and came looking for me again.”

“You go back to him?”

“Hell no,” she waved her hand to dismiss the very idea of it, “I moved on. I didn't date for the longest because I was so traumatized.”

Raphael roared and thought of his friend's flimsy body trying to make it through a window without her clothes on and some crazy wench hollering obscenities at the front door. He didn't think she was the type to get in trouble like that.

“I should let you read my journal one day, Raphael. I'll send some stories back to you when I get home. You'll get a kick out of it.”

“You ever read April's?” he cocked one eye at her.

“Briefly. And she let me read it by the way. It was a marvelous tribute to you and your siblings.”

He barked, “I'll send you the true accounts one day.”

He noticed the cd player was quiet and shut it off. His laughter had subsided.

She noticed that he hadn't put down her leg and was still holding on to it. It did feel a little better after his help.

“Em,” he whispered, “Watch your back wherever you go. I hope that I didn't screw anything up by what I did today.”

Her leg was placed gently back on the coffee table.

“Need help going to bed?” Raphael's face fell extremely dark.

“No. I'm okay.”

The leg was a little heavy, but as she started walking again, it eased up.

“Happy birthday, Ms. Becker. I won't see you for a little while, but anytime you need me, just call.”

He had already sat back in his old spot and opened another can.

“I hope it'll be before I leave. Don't go hiding too well from me.”

No response from the couch.

“Good night.”

When she opened the basement door, she heard the lamp switch click.

He was back in the darkness again. Emyrs had just left the room, and his eyes bore a hole in Mike's bedroom door. Ever since he returned from the store, an unearthly feel penetrated from that area. Raphael kept the privacy around his body and wanted to leap at the first thing that came from that room. It was time to open the door. Fear drove his brewing blood and ignited a higher faculty.

A scratching behind the door caused him to furiously swing it open, and if the pungent smells didn't hit him first, it was an angry feline nipping at his ankles.

“Damn. Sorry, Rosie!” he called to her in the dark.

He wasn't a shining example of good hygiene himself, but Mike's room was awful. Raph had been in there a few times, and it was never this bad before. It was a detrimental sign and even more so if a cat couldn't stand to be in it.

A silver wisp quivered in the far left corner of the room, near Mike's bed. Raphael remained in place and waited for it to happen again.

Magic. Supernatural. Illusion.
It looked and felt like it. It had an airy sensation, and if one wasn't in the proper state of mind or had the right amount of training, it could cause some serious troubles, Raphael retained.

And Mike hadn't been in a proper state of mind for a long time.

[Mindy]

Chapter 29 :: Isolation



“What are you doing in my room, Raph?”

His brother's voice was curious but dry.

“Was Rosie scratching on the door again?”

Raphael grabbed on the door handle. He looked back at the spot where the silver streak whistled moments ago and then to his brother, Michelangelo, again.

“Yeah, she was. I don't know where she went.”

Mike immediately activated the overhead light and peeked under the sectional, calling for his pet.

“Mike,” Raphael began, pushing his hands into his trousers and clearing his throat, “stand up and let me see you.”

His blue eyes shot up at Raph's figure in the doorway. “Stand up?”

“I want to see you. On your feet.”

“Okay, Master Splinter,” Mike chuckled and peeked under the sectional, ignoring his brother's wishes. “He used to say that to us all of the time.”

“Yeah, and I'm sayin' it to you now. Get on your feet. I'm not joking, Mike.”

One last look up at his brother and noticing that Raphael was as serious as his tone of voice, Mike got to his feet and outstretched his arms in a cocky manner.

“Good enough, Master?” he laughed. “Now can I go back to looking for my cat?”

“You can tell me why you're not eating.”

“I just ate,” his hands fell back down. “And I feel fine. I might have lost a little bit recently, but..”

“A little bit? You look like a worm,” Raph's voice intensified but never gained volume. “You need to work out and stay in shape. Hunching over that desk isn't good for you. And I'm not criticizing what you do, Bro; you've gone downhill in the last month. Everybody's noticed, even Casey and he's hardly here anymore.”

Rosie jumped on the back of the sectional, swishing her energetic tail. Mike watched the cat groom her paws instead of responding to his brother.

Raphael closed the door behind him and exhaled. “I feel something weird in your room.”

Mike still didn't answer, and Raphael took a good look over his brother's hygiene. The clothes were getting bigger, mismatched (more so than usual), disheveled, and there was a distinct odor coming from Mike's direction, too. It was difficult for Raphael not to show his temper, especially at Mike's lack of acknowledgment, but getting physical or violent wasn't the answer anymore. No more whacking the back of Mikey's head or cut-throat remarks towards popular culture or video games. This was as close to the edge the brothers had ever gotten, and Raphael was more afraid of his sibling losing everything that was dear to him than losing Mike entirely.

“You can stop staring a hole through me, please,” sissed Mike.

It was Raphael's turn to remain silent but steadfast.

Mike slowly continued, “Did you hear about Emyrs and her touchdown? Has she gone to bed?”

Raphael nodded.

“Come here, Rosie,” Mike gestured towards the cat and she leaped into his arms. “Irma is throwing around all kinds of threats. April and I had to calm her down. Didn't appreciate Em leaving like that--”

“I would've kicked that kid through the wall and made it bounce off the street,” Raph crowed. “As long as it's okay, Irma shouldn't puff up like a chicken anymore.”

Mike nuzzled into Rosie's fur and closed his eyes.

“I ain't worried about what other people are doing.” Raphael sat down in his worn spot on the sofa and clapped his hands together. “That's been the problem for so long. My head's been too cloudy.”

“April wants you to talk to Em and bring her to Irma's so they can all settle this problem.” Mike tightly held onto Rosie.

“I'm not getting involved, especially when it's Robo-Irma and her Child that can do no Wrong. I'm getting out of dodge. Too much damn drama.”

“And then you berate me when I want to be alone?” Mike snapped. “But you can do whatever you want?”

“I take care of myself. I may have a few bruises and scratches but I don't look like a starving deer!” There was his temper appearing.

“You know,” triggered Mike as he placed Rosie back on the sectional, “I've been standing here wondering who you remind me of now. The way you talk, the way you move... and it clicked. You are almost Leonardo. ”

Raphael playfully scoffed and released his hands. “No name-calling, Mikey.”

“That's what I'm saying. You've changed. I've changed. I've become a person you don't like, but I'm fine with it.”

“Oh, you're fine with being a hermit? Fine with smelling like a skunk and losing years of hard physical labor and dedication? It pisses me off that you're letting that go to waste!”

“I take that back,” Mike pointed down at him, “You haven't changed. I almost thought you got better there for a second. Look at the beer cans on the table. Is that a whole pack or four?”

“This stupid stuff again,” Raph mumbled and fell back on the sofa. “I don't have that problem anymore! But you goons sure are driving me back to it.”

“Then do what I did! Change it!” His heart raced and his calm disposition dissolved. “I wanted out and I got out. I'm not coming back either.”

“Yeah, you did,” Raphael reaffirmed and hurled his gaze out the window. “And I was jealous. Hurt. And angry. Our kind walks on the streets now, but I would rather stay hidden with my family in the sewer. That's what we are. Just us. Nobody else.”

Raphael's gaze didn't falter, and he soon felt a movement on the couch as Mike joined him. The brothers brooded in silence. The only sound was from Rosie's licks on her fur. In the city air, the snowdrift tarnished the approaching dead of night. For Mike, he could understand Raphael's troubled emotions over a family that was slowly deserting its nest. It was like they were all at a bus stop and each one waiting for a ride to another destination.

In the middle of his brainstorming, a familiar sensation percolated from his bedroom. Mike swallowed a lump in his throat and idly checked to see if his brother was noticing anything. Raphael had closed his eyes but the frown was tightening; it was a good indication that Raphael wasn't anybody's fool.

“I'm going to ask you again, Bro, before I crash through that door and face whatever is in there,” Raph warned without opening his eyes and pointed to the bedroom,  “what the shell is going on? You tell me now.”

Mike froze. He heard Rosie scamper away again.

“Now.” The strain bled through Raphael's teeth.

The icy sensation hummed through the room, and Mike was praying hard that Mei would calm herself down. He could hear her voice, though muffled, and couldn't understand what she was saying to him but hoped she would listen to his pleas. It was a shredded interchange that saw many snowflakes twinkle on the ground.

When Mike felt like he couldn't control the situation anymore was when Mei's turbulence died down. It was a good thing, too, because Raphael was at the door, ready to tear right through it. The frazzled Mike stood on his feet and rubbed his sides, pushing off the forming sweat. Was his brother going to continue the investigation?

April's grandfather clock pealed from the opposite bedroom, resounding through the pressure and easing Mike's rabid ticker.

Raphael turned back to Mike. “It's obvious whose side you're on, Michelangelo, but it's going to have put up a big fight to keep me back.”

He continued as he walked towards the window, lemon eyes blazing, “I'm outta here. I'll check in soon, and you better be alive and well.”

A threat and a farewell, Mike expected, but this one left him feeling very lonely and sinking with guilt.



The sudden encumbrance thrashed her insides, from head to her toenails and every particle imaginable threatened to purge from her body. Her hands couldn't get a good grip on the old couch, and she fell to her knees and tried to keep from waking her peaceful daughter.

Whatever was happening upstairs was suffocating her and was just like at the Thanksgiving dinner but getting progressively worse. She inhaled the couch's musty smell, hoping it would make her succumb to the affliction.

When nothing else happened for a shaky five minutes, Emyrs faltered back to the bed. She had been on her way up the stairs to check on the commotion and promote peace but never made it to the door before the attacks began.

It was time to write a letter back to her friend, Splinter. The routine had been broken: letters were written and sent in a matter of two days, but now it was the fifth day and she couldn't bring a pen to the paper. There was too much confusion tapping her skull. If there was another onslaught, she needed to get a few words out to her confidant and the only one who would understand her predicament.



Dear Kuma,

   Winter is lovely here. I have probably already stated that in my last three letters. It's day five and my breathing is erratic. I have felt this way before. In between lost moments, I am myself. I know myself. While I am mentally here, there is a disturbance upstairs. It's the same kind of feeling when we had Thanksgiving dinner at your place.

   If I can get to your home soon, will you help this old lady? I'm afraid I have seriously screwed up this time. I'm not one to ask for any help. I remember...


She had to stop and stare blankly into the corner.


   ...when I was filing Mother's paperwork and a toddler Abby reached up to the table to see what I was doing. She had been eating chocolate, or cake, or something and smeared it all over the paper. It was adorable and utterly frustrating at the same time since I had been working on the papers for two hours. Did your sons ever do that? I miss my child. I miss my mother.


It was very uncontrollable. The paper became a little damp, and she almost stopped writing but something pressed her fingers forward to abruptly end it.


   I will remember you. Your family is all that I trust. I will see you again. Be well.

[Mindy]

Chapter 31 :: War


Another very long chapter! Read at fanfiction.net : http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/35/I_Remember_You

[Mindy]

Chapter 32 :: Wings


http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/36/I_Remember_You
For Donatello and Leonardo fans who have been waiting to see more of them~

[Mindy]

Chapters 33 & 34

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/37/I_Remember_You

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/38/I_Remember_You

[Mindy]

Ohhhh, man. I have seriously forgot to update this story here. Almost 14 chapters have been written since I stopped updating here. You can check out Chapters 30 - 43 at FF.net. If anybody wants me to post these chapters here, I certainly will (in case some can't access FF).


http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6154479/34/I_Remember_You  - that'll take you straight to Chapter 30.

[BubblyShell22]

Wow, Mindy. I forgot that you update here also. Hey, take your time with it. I should probably put more of my stuff up here, too, but I just never think about it. I do have two of my stories here (A Warrior's Pain and the sequel), but that's it. Maybe, in time, I'll put more stuff up.

[Mindy]

Chapter 44 :: Peace


Synopsis: Broken individuals Raphael and Emyrs shared revealing memories on icy footsteps. Raphael is determined to find more information about Merrick's disappearance and is certain that she's already dead. He asks Angel if she knows anything, and everything points to Hunter Mason. When Raphael returned to the safe house, a gang, involving Scott, had taken Red hostage and threatened to brand him for being a "Non" lover. Raphael was caught off guard for only a moment during the fight, thanks to Emyrs' quick reflexes, and he controlled the situation, but not before the paramedics and the social worker were notified of the incident.

In the Hamato household, Mikey snapped when he found out that nobody had searched for Rosie. Splinter was the only one who could calm him down.

Leonardo and Donatello were reminded of Wu Xing, five ancient Chinese elements from Splinter, who believes it is connected to Mikey's condition. They vow to find Mei Chang and seek more answers from her.




Raphael's best element was in the middle of chaos. It was automatic and structured. Answer the questions and listen to the responses. He was there in body, and that was about it. Static. That's how it all felt with the paramedics whizzing around people like on a race track, lights flashing from the street, eyes reflecting pain and turmoil, and wondering where else in the world he could be at that very moment. He didn't belong to one particular spot in the city, and it seemed like trouble followed in his footsteps. It was second nature now and almost collateral.

"Do you need anything else, sir?" the male paramedic briskly asked, shoveling equipment into their bags.

Back in the house and on the lumpy sofa, Raphael mumbled, "Just a smoke."

"Think my buddy might have one," he laughed and zipped the bag. "Hold on."

The guy could have walked to Alaska and back, for all Raph knew. His wound was patched and he had a happy drug in his system and probably the reason why he was feeling like a balloon. The paramedics were familiar in this rugged area of the neighborhood and unless a bone wasn't broken or brain splattered on the pavement, they took care of you instead of going to the hospital, lovingly called the Bank Breaker. Raphael didn't have a dime to his name and refused medical care. The wound on his leg? Nothing a few stitches and peroxide couldn't handle; he had done it plenty of times before walking on the streets, and the pain eventually died and scars never hurt anybody.

A brown cigar waved in his face, and the paramedic stood behind it with a cheeky grin. "I had to steal it for ya, pal. Enjoy it and stay outta trouble. Don't wanna see ya for a while."

Raphael didn't remember walking from the sofa to the front steps, but he watched the paramedics finish and slowly drive up the street. He lit up the cigar and relished in the fine tobacco, hearing his own inhales and exhales like a turbine. The calmness shaved off the pain's jagged edges and his ears could hear the street again. He had to remember the name of this cigar brand and pick it up in the future.

"Does that make you feel better, Mister Hamato?"

The social worker had been standing in front of him, and he didn't even notice her right away. Man, he must be a little out of it, or high. He puffed a bit of smoke through his lips and nodded. She wore a cowboy hat with a bunch of beads and fluffy things on it; he honestly wanted to laugh at her.

"You're grinning so I guess you are better. I'm glad you are okay and that you were there to save Red. We're going to look for Scott and -"

Raphael screeched his boot against the ice; Shannon flinched but held a tight smile. "I don't think you'll be able to find him soon, but check with Thumbtack's posse and you might. Don't go sniffing too deep."

Shannon waved through the smoke and retreated up the steps, "I'm not scared of these kids, Mister Hamato. I have a job to do, and if I have to use my advanced ninja skills on them, I will!"

"Ninja?" He almost choked.

She karate-chopped his head and whispered, "HA!" She patted his top while her hand was still sitting on it. "Mister Dooney and Charlotte will be leaving with me. I think Red is in safe hands for tonight. If you need ANYthing, call my personal number. If I don't answer, it's because I'm getting my dog's toenails painted. Don't hesitate to call the police if it's an emergency. You heard me, right?"

Raphael scrunched his face at her dog's awful treatment. "Yeah, I gotcha."

The quirky social worker nipped inside, and Raphael enjoyed the last of his cigar in peace. That's all he craved at the moment. Four boys skidded down the sidewalk, jeering and taunting each other, and their goofy natures reminded him of his brothers. Raph missed them, but he wouldn't admit it. He supposed his time babysitting humans for a friend was over and he needed to get back to business. Mikey had asked several times if any of the brothers would consider settling down and having a family now that the world was different, and Raph always had the same answer: no fucking way.

And after these dramatic events at the safe house, the answer definitely hadn't changed.

Charlotte's cheesy-drizzled fingers poked the number pad on the telephone. Emyrs needed to make a call, but Charlotte declared herself the Queen of the Phone, and Emyrs gladly let the sweet woman take charge. "I got the numbers right!" Charlotte squealed and bounced with the cord phone. "It's ringing, too! I love to hear the ring!"

"Hello?" a male voice answered on the other end.

"HELLO!" Charlotte held the phone away from her face and screamed into the phone. "I'm Charlotte! Have you changed your cat's litter box today?"

Emyrs reached for the phone, but Charlotte latched on to it. The male voice, obviously confused, crackled back, "Cat? Hello? What did you say? Who is this?"

"CHAR-LOTTE! I am Charlotte! What is your name!"

Emyrs recognized the voice right away. "Uhh, I'm sorry I can't understand you. You're fading in and out. Something is wrong with your phone. Please call back."

"WAIT!" Emyrs yelped into the phone. "Donatello! It's me, Emyrs!"

"Come again?"

"Emyrs Fernanda Becker!"

Charlotte chimed in also. "Emyrs Fernanda Becker! Emyrs Fernanda Becker! She likes Red and Waffle and speaks all funny!"

"Emyrs?" Don squawked on the other end. "What's wrong with the phone? Hello? Are you there? All I hear is a bunch of static."

Emyrs fumbled with the cord and pushed her finger against the headpiece socket. "Just old. May I - may I speak to Abigail? Is everything okay there? Can you hear me?"

Don hissed at someone on the other end. "Oh yeah. Everything's right as rain, for the most part. Abby already heard me so here she is. Keep your finger on the socket and she'll be able to hear you."

Charlotte blared, "BYE, DONATELLO! Don't drink out of the milk jug!" and left the phone cord swinging in her wake as she stampeded down the hall. Emyrs plunged into a cold chair.

Abby's sweet voice peeped on the other end. "Hello? Mother?"

Emyrs' heart thundered. She almost couldn't answer. "It's me."

"Are you you?"

"I'm me. Is that you?"

Abby sounded like she was about to cry, "You're alive.." and she covered her mouth momentarily and stammered, "..Mother … where are y-you? I want you here."

"I'm coming back to you. You can slap me or-" she wiped a tear out of her right eye and her finger slipped off the cord, "and we'll go home and I'll get help –." She remembered the cord and quickly pushed it back into the receiver.

"What was that, Mother? You faded out."

Emyrs exhaled and smiled into the phone. "Everything will be okay. I'll be home tomorrow. Will you wait for me?"

She heard muffled crying in the background and another male voice, deeper, mumbling something. Meanwhile, down the hallway, Emyrs witnessed Shannon Darling embracing everyone, including Raphael, in a huge bumbling circle. She couldn't understand anything on the phone and cautiously eyed an approaching Shannon.

Water ran on the other end of the phone, and Abby returned. "I met Mei Chang and she'll be able to help you. I can't, I … can't put you in the hospital again, Mother. That's what they'll do to you again.."

Emyrs found herself in the middle of Shannon's bosom, being crushed and listening to Spanish. Between Abby's sobs on the other end and Shannon's glittering smile, Emyrs felt lost in some kind of twilight zone.

"Mother? What's going on? Hello?" Abby perked and sounded ready to fight on the phone.

"Adios, Emyrs Becker!" Shannon pinched Emyrs' cheeks and ballerina-ed away, her cowboy hat whipping with the motion. Emyrs stared at the spectacle for a few moments and returned to the phone.

"We'll find Mei together, Abigail. Together."

"I want to see you tomorrow. Promise me!"

Emyrs met Raph's eyes in the doorway and swallowed, "You have my word. Good night, my love."

Raph reached for the phone and placed it back on the hook. He leaned on the discolored flowery wallpaper and turned back towards the living room. "They're gone. I need to go, Emyrs. Now. I'll take you home."

She wiped away a couple of old tears and nodded, "We'll be okay."

"No, you're going-"

"I can't go back tonight. Red needs me for the last time, and I need a little peace to clear my head."

He peered down at her trembling body, and suddenly he understood what she meant. Peace. What little time a person has for that one word and what it means. "Lock all doors and windows, and move the phone next to you. Call the police if you need to. I won't be reachable."

She stood and patted his shoulder hard. "You need to be careful. Return to your family in one piece. I'm sure they want to see you soon, too." She walked to the sink and grabbed a glass full of water, guzzling it down like it was her last. She expected him to be gone when she turned back around, but there he stood, holding the gun in his palm.

"I'm not an advocate for these things, but you need it. Just don't use it -"

" - unless I have to. Yeah. Years of training taught me that." She dried the dampness on her chin and joined him at the table.

"Here," Raphael hastily grumbled, eager to get the pistol out of his grip. "Stay out of trouble. You're like a magnet for it lately."

She shrugged and checked the pistol's chamber. He thought it was strange how calm she seemed while holding the mechanism.

"I mean it!" He jabbed his finger in her face, which prompted a stern glare from her hazel eyes. He softened, lowered his finger, and watched her investigate the gun. And he kept watching her. She finally stopped and frowned at him after several awkward seconds.

"It's fine. We're going to be fine. You can go now."

Smugness plastered all over his face, he stormed away, repeating loudly, "Lock up!" and the front door slammed behind him.

The chamber made a loud click as Emyrs snapped it. She fondly looked out the small kitchen window. "Be careful, young man."

Her trembling little twelve year old hands almost dropped the cordless phone into the sink. She had retreated to the bathroom for privacy, but someone stood outside the door and brushed inside once the tears and sobs began. Leonardo wiped her face clean and exit as quickly as he appeared. Now, she had some time alone for her thoughts and advance on the dilemma. It had been her mother on the phone, and yes, she was returning home soon. Through her puffy, damp cheeks, a smile spread, and she was the happiest she had been in a while. A giggle trickled through her lips, and she covered her mouth over the sink.

Her bright moment was interrupted by a knock on the door; Leonardo stood behind it and instantly lit up once he saw the calm look on her face. "We're packing up and leaving now. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. The numbers to reach us are on the fridge. Will you be okay?"

She gulped and held back a hiccup. "I'm more than okay. Thank you."

He nodded at her, "Good night," and walked away. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Abby was bursting inside at reuniting with Mother, but she had patience and could wait until tomorrow. She didn't know HOW she was going to sleep through the excitement, either.

Nearing sundown, Raphael heavily watched the scores of rich folks, mostly Humans, parade into a conference center, eagerly awaiting their fancy, shiny dinners and waddling in their fat dresses and suits. He didn't care to join any of them; he wasn't jealous of that fact. They were completely devoid of the world around them, of the homeless and starving just around the street corner. Most of them were politicians and the average American's voice, but they knew nothing of street life and what it was like to barely afford a fast food meal. Poor humans were at the bottom of the totem poles, and poor non-humans might as well be carcasses for the vultures to feast.

The medicine had already worn off, making the pain itch and crawl around his leg. He plundered through it and scoped the streets for information. It was just as Angel said to him: Nicholas Hunter Mason and his family had been involved with Merrick's disappearance, and he only gathered that by stitching a handful of clues together. Nobody on the street wanted to talk much. A growl here and a threat there produced little results. If he was feeling up to speed, the back alleys would be littered with broken limbs, but it was his loss and their gain today. All signs definitely pointed to Hunter, who the street rats called "Hun" and rumored that he had a short past with bad blood.

The center doors were soon bolted shut, and Raphael coasted across the street. With every step, his blood grew hotter, despite a chill in the air, and senses more critical, and he was able to push a tiny bubble of doubt out of his mind for the moment. He didn't need anything clouding his mind. The advantages outweighed the bad on that wintry eve.

Security around the building was buzzing, naturally, and he crawled up the next building, a department store, and used it to as a lookout. It was a nuisance to wait for the guards to cycle through their patterns, but the night blossomed over his mission and, now, he could float through the social mingling undetected. He zipped his coat tight and left behind any coins and small items that could give his presence away. For a short moment, he actually chuckled about why April always complained about coins mutating in her purse: a matter so clear to him now that he used currency. The trusty sai below his tattered belt, he kissed a coin, meditated for several seconds, and slithered his way down the building into the hairy situation.

He had never felt more alive than the moment before he successfully evaded the guards through a little side entrance, like a hole in the wall, and was inside the perimeter as the door ticked shut behind his keen footsteps. In their scattered drones, the guards were still completely unaware.

Raphael had dropped in the supply room, an area currently of very little activity. He petted his proverbial good luck and shuffled through mountains of boxes and heavy bags, careful not to bump into anything and torpedo the attempt. A doorway to another room was only inches away from him and behind it, he could hear a lot of kitchen grunts and calls. He scooted behind a shelf near the exit and gave a little more time to scope the joint. Strangely, Raphael was reminded of when the public first called his family a "team of terrapin ninjas" when they mostly did rescue missions and followed a strict code of honor. They didn't always follow the code back in the early days and actually had missions like the one he was doing: espionage, sabotage, and... assassinations but obviously the public didn't know about that. Did he feel any guilt? No. At least he had direction and stability. It had been a life he thought was long gone but was creeping back into reality tonight. His cheeks elevated and excitement flickered in his fingertips. Ready to roll! Ready to do or die.

Nobody had stepped into the room in the last half hour. The noise was dying down a little, too, so he peeked through the doors and only saw a couple of cooks barreling around the stoves. Down a slick, narrow corridor presented another exit and was probably the entrance into the dining area. Panning to his right and left, the coast was finally clear, and he moved with the grace of silk through the swinging doors, passing by a row of stoves and the shiniest cutlery and bowls he had ever seen, and behind the wall, adjacent to a large bank of sinks. Again, not a soul in sight. He could swiftly cross each section and duck behind the giant cutting tables near the front. If somebody barged in before then, the sinks could provide a good hiding spot, providing he wasn't in clear sight down the corridor. Everybody was busy in the dining area or out back taking a breather, maybe. Good opportunity to make a break for it!

[Mindy]

(continued)



When he reached the last wall right before the cutting tables, a crowd of waiters barged through the new exit, complaining about their customers and general nonsense. Raphael swept under the closest table before the staff manned the battle stations, and he endured a boring few minutes of mumbles and grumbles. One guy at his table even coughed up heavy mucus and hacked it into the nearby sink. Delicious, the green ninja groaned. The place wasn't any better than a greasy burger joint!

By minute ten and growing antsy, Raphael skated under two more tables and by the time he reached the third, a worker dropped a utensil before he could reach the fourth, and final, one. Raphael stopped breathing for a few seconds as the guy bent down and picked up the knife without looking under the table. Success, Raph resumed his breathing again, but something else plopped on the ground. He waited for the next round, but it seemed like the guy hadn't noticed. Raph took a closer look: a wallet. A really stuffed wallet, too. He snatched it without thinking and peeked inside. His eyes bulged at the abundance of hundred dollar bills, and the opportunity was right there to snatch a few. Would the guy even miss a few hundred with all of the bills he had? He switched to a college ID photo and scoffed at a owl eyed, dark skinned, frizzy hair guy looking back at him. James Carter. What was a college student doing with that much money anyways? He looked like a sniffy little nerd with a talent for taking bad photos. Leonardo's disciplinary voice buzzed in Raph's head, and he snorted, borrowed one of the bills, and slipped the wallet back near Carter's feet. Raph had to be sure to spend the money before his righteous brother found out about it.

Time to move on. He needed a closer look through the doors before making his way through it and dove under a nearby table, hoping to get the golden opportunity soon. Right on cue, a staff member opened the door and KEPT it open, too, talking back at someone in the dining room. There were the registers and another employee area behind two counters before the row of fancy tablecloths. Soothing music streamed from the area, probably not the best backdrop for what he was doing, but a nice melody anyways. He realized he was clenching his jaw tight and relaxed again as the employee shuffled into the kitchen.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Your attention, please!" a sharp male voice crackled under a microphone from the area. Ohhh, perfect, Raph cheered in his head; the lights would dim and employees should stop moving. In fact, he noticed the staff's feet marching through another exit. Another break, he assumed.

Another few seconds crawled by with the announcer outside greeting the crowd and blah blah blah. Raphael braced himself for another dive through the swinging doors, and then BAM! An employee came out of nowhere and dropped every dish from her hands. She fussed and whined, and he used her as a scapegoat to evade the kitchen and wiggle into the dining room's darkness. He found solace under a counter with no one present. They were all shuffling around the kitchen door, whispering harshly back and forth.

"It is a privilege to be here tonight in front of our fine candidates and elected men and women of the great City of New York.."

He had to find Hunter in the audience somewhere. The stage was a stone's throw away to his left and only one spotlight glittered around the emcee; he squeezed around the counter and hunkered down as low as he could go. His eyes weren't as sharp as they used to be, but there was nothing else he could do except try his damnedest. Little balls of light illuminated from each table, so he was thankful for small favors. Looking across the many tables and bodies, he sneered at the squeaky cleaned faces and hot-pressed clothes. Mostly he wondered how any of them would fare on the cold streets that they so loudly claim to protect. Right, he scorned, as he quickly checked behind him. In the sea of faces, he only caught a couple of Nons, a Tiger and some reptile dude. He wondered if they had turned their back on their own kind, mingling with the upper class and not doing a damn thing for others.

Raphael was sure he caught a glimpse of Hunter in the middle. Of course the jackass wanted to be surrounded by others; it would make it harder for any threats. Raph wanted some of his good luck back and even flirted with the idea of pulling a crazed man move and just going for the strike. It's not like any of the rent-a-cops could catch him. Who pays attention to their surroundings? Those folks happily ignore beggars on the street everyday.

He blurred through a list of possible attacks in his mind from shutting off the spotlight once Hunter made it on stage to even waiting for the muck to leave the building. All he had to do was find a nice little spot in the back and hide. He entertained the thought of talking to the guy, finding out who else works under him, was involved in the dealings, and so forth. It would be satisfying to know where Merrick's body was located and then slicing Hunter's cocky little throat. That was the next step of action: the execution. Oh, playtime; the fun stuff. He liked saving the best for last. Whatever style tickled his fancy at the right time, he would choose it on the spot.

After a solid hour of more humdrum, polite chat, and introducing cheeky officials and hearing their speeches, Raph jumped when footsteps approached to his right. He ducked under the counter again and waited for the threat to pass. Two employees chatted about who was going to screw who after the gig, something he didn't care to hear. When he was a teenager, he obsessed over sex and everything with it, but growing older gave him a sense of apathy. Maybe he was turning into Leonardo more everyday, or maybe sex brought with it too many complications. He didn't need any woman crying to him and no need to answer to anybody, either. He remembered Donatello explaining over and over to the family that they were more than likely sterile but not to go and test that theory on just anything that walked. Their lives were already handicapped and plagued by their past. Raphael didn't want a new set of madness lumped in the old. Besides, girls get clingy, and the ones he wanted were so out of his league he could never get a chance.

Speaking of girls, he hoped Emyrs remembered to lock those damn doors and not answer them if someone knocked. It was a see-saw effect with that old lady when it came to trusting her. The less people around to worry about, the better, but he supposed there was too much invested in her. Why didn't she go back with her daughter? Red isn't even hers! Did she stay for his sake? Raph didn't need a mother or a babysitter, and he vowed to set the record straight when he saw her next. Go home, Emyrs, and sit down! Stop pointing a gun at folks and pretending to be a superhero! I got this superhero stuff!

I don't want you to wind up like Merrick!

He mellowed and moved his dead arm to another spot; his mind traveled back to the day's crazy, nerve wrecking events. After it all fizzled away, he thought about seeing the old turtle lady on the steps during a peaceful moment between storms. She didn't seem so old then. Maybe he never really saw her that way. Each person close to him created a different feeling. Raphael didn't know how or why some meetings intensified more than others. He dismissed it quickly. No time now for that mess.

The microphone popped again, and the emcee continued, "Please welcome our main guest and who you've all been waiting to hear tonight, Hunter Nicholas Mason." The place erupted in applause, mixed in with a few cheers. Raph wiggled his finger in the air pathetically.

As Raph resumed his spot around the counter, he glared at the massive man waddling on stage, shaking hands and selling a winning smile. The people loved him, even the two Nons in the audience with their standing ovation and constant applause. This job would be easier if nobody liked him, Raph groaned, and flinched slightly whenever employees hustled over the counter. He listened carefully to their chatter.

"Have you seen his commercials? I'm not sure what the message means. Is he for or against integration?"

"Revolutionary Citizens Party. Sounds like a for to me."

The first employee continued with a hint of worry, "But the ads talk about humans and human birth and just.. human growth in general. Not a single Non in them. It's weird. I don't know how to feel about it. I have a lot of Non buds."

A glass clinked above Raph's head and someone caught it before it tipped over the edge and onto the snooping turtle below. "You worry over nothing. Listen to the guy and keep doing your research, Paige. Gotta get these drinks to table eighteen. Come on."

They scampered back to their jobs, leaving Raph chewing on their conversation. He hadn't been anywhere near a television or radio in the last week to even know what they were talking about, but it justified his suspicions. His eyes crawled back to the stage where Hunter was about to speak.

He adjusted the microphone stand to reach his mouth. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen," his thick, bassist voice collided with the system, "The campaign has been running smoothly, efficiently thanks to my wonderful staff, colleagues, and family who support me. Only just a year ago, I was a salary man with big dreams for this city and its people, all people, and one morning I woke up and decided to facilitate my aspirations and..." he stretched his hands to the audience, "look at me now, Ma." The audience cackled and he lowered his hands and rummaged them in his pockets. Raph noticed how comfortable the man seemed in that element. "It's no question that there is turmoil and confusion on our streets, and all around the world. We can't do much for the world right now, but I am dedicated to starting it here in our fine city. We have the best team who can obtain resources and with the talented efforts combined, we will push forward the next generation of innovators and elected officials who will carry on with our great cause. My sincerest hope is that in the next ten, even twenty years, the problems we have now will no longer exist, and we're a self-preserving society with a more dynamic way of handling future adversities. We can do this, right?"

[Mindy]

(final part of chapter 44)



Several people agreed, cat called in the audience. Hunter squinted in the spotlight and pointed in the call's direction. "Right! I am honored to be among such fine citizens tonight. The food has been superb, and the Lalique staff has been phenomenal. I will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns anyone might have... after dessert, of course."

Raphael was glad the chump didn't shoot to be a comedian. He could happily lance his sai right through Hun's fat skull and no one would see it through the half-eaten lobsters and wine bottles. While the audience muttered and laughter faded, Raph watched Hun exit the stage and ask an employee something; the employee pointed to his right, and Hun beamed all of his pretty teeth and trotted to the right. Raph's heart raced as the moment was certainly making its pit stop, and before the lights could change, he dashed in the same direction. The emcee had returned to the stage, squealing the microphone, cleared his throat, and blabbed, "While you enjoy the rest of your meal and any dessert, tonight's entertainment will be presented by the F. Coleman Band and a special guest singer, Miss Nolene Nadell.."

Everything else the emcee said faded into a hum as Raph followed Hun's bulky, but surprisingly light footsteps. Raph stopped at the men's bathroom as Hun proceeded inside. The small lobby was dark and quiet with a few big potted plants; he ducked behind the extravagant leaves for only a minute. Time was ticking away now and he needed to take a breath and then dive deep.

Entering the bathroom was a breeze, and the door didn't make any noise as he stepped inside and immediately fell light on his chunky boots. If only he could drop the clothes and freely move, this would be an even swifter job, but he was so used to clothes now that it didn't matter. A medium-sized crevice before entering the stalls provided a nice cover. The urinals were behind stalls, too, and the bathroom had that muted little light like on the tables. Convenient. Hun's mammoth feet were planted in the second stall, and while the man finished his business, Raph drilled over the plans one more time: hide in the darkness, make the small talk, and go for the kill. Avoid his huge arms and legs and do it before another person buzzes in. He bit his lower lip, eclipsed into the tight corner across the mirror, and pep talked himself to death.

Rattle rattle. That would be the roll. Toilet flushed and gurgled. Feet scooted across the floor and Hun cleared his throat, followed by the lock, door squeak, and more walking across the tile. Sounds that were mighty in his ears and he meditated more as Hun washed his hands. The moment had finally arrived.

Water flickered all over the sink, and Hun's backside looked like another wall. He shut off the water and dried his hands with a handkerchief he yanked from his pocket. His voice broke through the silence. "You're a little late, aren't you?"

Was that cow talking to Raphael? He didn't even blink in the shadow.

Hun leaned over the sink and patted his forehead. "I wanted to keep my speech short since I tend to overheat under lights. The added benefit is being able to speak to you, Mr. Terrapin."

One stern golden eye flickered from the half-light in the corner. Raph was only there to get answers and finish the job. He decided to keep his mouth closed.

The handkerchief tucked back in his pocket, Hun watched Raph's figure through the mirror. "You currently hold a grudge, and I can understand why." One hand danced in the air and the other nestled in his pants pocket. "Your friend sniffed in my business, and I calmly tried to reach an agreement with her. However," he held his hand up, "I did not have anything to do with her disappearance."

Raph didn't recognize his own gravelly voice leaving his lips. "All politicians lie."

Hun curled the corner of his lips and whirled on one foot to face Raphael. They burned into each other's faces momentarily. "I'm well aware of that, Mr. Terrapin. I'm aware of a lot of things, and I have nothing against you coming here. Not at all. My partners, on the other hand, aren't as relaxed as I am about these things. I want to believe that everyone has a little good in them." He pulled a shiny block from his other pocket, possibly a cell phone, Raph studied. Hun raised and stretched out his arm so Raph could get a better look: a blurry video of the stage with the lady's singing thumping the bathroom walls.

"The lady on stage tonight isn't too bad. She needs more practice, but I believe she has the guts to chase her dreams, too. Miss Nolene Nadell," he slowly introduced and then watered his lips hurriedly. "Some say her name is Alisa, a spunky lizard lady from the Cathouse. A woman of many talents, I see."

Raph's visible one eye frowned harder. Damn, damn! What was Lisa doing there!

"So," the cell phone dropped in his jacket pocket, "you're a pretty intelligent guy, and even though you were here to do a very nasty thing to me, I'll give you a heads-up. That little safe house you were guarding is being cleaned out tonight. It might be in your best interest to return there and claim what belongs to you. I cannot control what other people do."

Raphael didn't move, but he was gripping his sai so hard he could feel his knuckles cracking.

"Ms. Nadell will be able to walk out of here, unharmed, tonight. Now if I knew you were here the whole time, how many others know about it, too? You're surrounded, Mr. Terrapin, but I have the authority here. Go."

If only looks could kill... Raphael Hamato fucked up. He fucked up good, too. Obviously, Hunter Mason was no ordinary politician and was gravely underestimated. If the guy was that smart, he could hold up his end of a physical fight, too. No need to be a hot-headed ninja now, he cursed himself as Hun stepped back to the sink. Raph hurried out of the room with half of his tail between his legs. He made no attempt to hide anymore, either. The staff's shocked faces blurred in his vision as he stomped through the kitchen. By the time he reached the back door, he angrily punched through a stack of flour bags, not worried how they tumbled to the ground or the various screams from bewildered employees on their fifth break.

By saving another life, he endangered others. All in a day's work, he growled, and cut through the city as fast as his terrapin legs would take him.

"When I wake up tomorrow, will you be here, 'myrs?" sweet Red muttered under the blankets. He really hadn't said two words since the Scott incident, and it surprised Emyrs. She folded her fresh pair of clothes and took a seat on the bed.

"Is that what your mommy did to you?" She leaned forward and rested her hand on his covered leg.

The only answer he gave was a twinkle in his green eyes. She patted his leg and struggled to give a smile. "I'll be here. I've been here this long, and tomorrow, we'll make sure you have a better place to stay with loving people all around you."

"But," he choked, "I want to stay with you. Can I go to your home with your fat cat and I can play with Annabelle."

Emyrs snickered at the name and kissed his forehead. "Sleep, little man. Tomorrow's another day." She grabbed her clothes and heard him spit out a good night before the door closed on his worried face. Honestly, she didn't have the energy to deal with any more problems. A hot shower was needed, and privacy. Blessed privacy was so needed. She double checked all of the doors and windows, even sneaked a quick peek outside, and retired to her quiet bathroom.

The disgusting clothes stuck to her body, and she tossed them between the sink and toilet, with her underwear falling IN the toilet. The toilet wasn't bolted on the floor properly and rocked as she did her business in the nude. Sexy. And there wasn't any toilet paper so a dirty piece of clothing it was. After a good hand washing, Emyrs Becker stared long and hard into the mirror: small wrinkles around her eyes and corners of her mouth but not too bad. Hideous bags under her eyes though, eesh! It was no wonder she didn't scare anybody off with those things. Her beak felt a little crooked, if that was possible; it had always felt that way to her. She patted her cheeks and made a weird face at the mirror, then promptly scared herself.

Time for the body check. Legs are still there, functional; chunky, puffy hips that could give birth to a walrus were robust, and the plastron and shell were intact. She was sagging a little with age but riding a bike all the time at Home kept her in decent shape. She could do better with her fitness, though. Remembering the ripped Hamato boys and Lisa's slender curves shrunk her confidence; they were all young hellions anyways, she whined, and didn't have a teenage daughter to raise. What about Kuma? He was a stout rat man for his age.

The confidence-O-Meter then pummeled. Emyrs retreated to the tub and hid behind the curtain in shame.

She lightly moaned at the hot water massaging the top of her head and pouring down her face. A simple pleasure such as warm water was forgotten in all of the chaos. Too many voices and too much confusion. Her head constantly pounded, but so many clouds had departed from the mind. With the clouds came another urge and one that had long died ago. Medicine helped but it killed things at the same time, buried them deep. Something tingled near her bottom torso and her hands pressed against the wet, stained wall. She titled her head back and enjoyed it more. The tingle wasn't going away; it intensified. Looking down at the drain, she rocked side to side, washing her shell, and she spread apart her legs to get a better grip.

One hand slipped off the wall and took on a life of its own, gliding down her right leg and finding a new home. Fleshy warmth. The rhythm. Bright colors behind her closed eyes. Sunshine, flowers, and more rhythm. Run the marathon, lady. Taste the sweet adrenaline. Feel the energy and excitement. Live again. Faster rhythm, faster. Toes curled. Legs tensed. Finish the race. Almost there, almost there. Where is that exploding sensation? Come on, come on. Sunshine, flowers, rainbow, tongue, a touch, a moan, and …. out of hibernation, the mute feelings burst through like diamonds behind her eyelids.

Emyrs rested her head against the wall, breathing quickly and legs shivering. The water was chilling so she needed to enjoy her afterglow while cleaning.

The shower was soon over, she dressed in better clothes, and saw a better representation in the mirror: a fresher lady and a little more confident. She didn't feel so dead anymore.

Thump, thump. She stopped rubbing the towel over her head. It happened somewhere in the house. She stared at the doorknob and waited for another sound.

Thump, thump, THUMP. Worse that time. She was probably being dumb for what she was about to do but she did it anyways. "Hallo? Red? Are you okay?"

Immediately, a distressed male voice ripped through the walls, "EMYRS! STAY IN THERE!"

She backed away and flinched at every thumping and crashing noise that was happening outside the door. Peace had been short-lived.

[BubblyShell22]

I loved this chapter, too, Mindy. You really know how to tell a story, and that's a good thing. Can't wait for the next update.