After being sent on her own training trip for a year and a half, Caterina Hamato thinks it's time to head back home. With all these problems back home, will everything turn out okay? Or will she lose everything she held close to her heart?
WARNING: End is VERY sad. Just preparing you for the tears to come...
RaphOC
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Frozen tundra, bitter wind, and danger.
This was a place that held the law 'Eat or Be Eaten', where only the strong survived.
And the figure, hidden in the shadows, was strong.
And they knew it.
A dark truck sped across the permafrost, holding goods.
The figure moved like a shadow, standing in front of the truck. Holding out one hand, the truck was stopped.
A smirk, hidden by the shadow of the figures hat, as the trench coat flapped about in a bitter wind.
"What's this?" A man asked, looking out at the figure.
"What the hell-?"
He was cut off when the figure grabbed the truck with one green, three-fingered hand, and picked it clean off the ground.
"Give back all the stuff you stole, or I won't be so merciful anymore." A female voice ordered.
It was sharp, almost cold, but it had a strange softness and warmth that never seemed to go away.
Both spoke in an Alaskan language, but she seemed to have a strange accent to the man.
"Put it down, wench! This is my stuff by right!"
A sigh of faked exasperation, and a bitter-sweet smile.
"Wrong answer."
The next moment, the car was flung to the ground on its side, and the door was ripped off on the driver's side before a hand grabbed the man and pulled him out.
"Wh-Who are you?!" He questioned in panic as the figure held him up with one hand, looking like she was lifting a twig or a pebble.
A smile he could faintly see, and he saw her curl her other hand into a fist.
"Just call me The Shadow…"
After the belongings had been returned, the figure stayed in the shadows of the tundra.
It's only protector, and it's only hope.
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April O'Neil was looking for someone she hoped was still there.
Ever since Leo had been gone so long, she hoped at least the white-banded turtle would understand and come back on time.
"April?"
The familiar female voice had a note of surprise, and the red-head turned around.
"Cat!"
She hugged the turtle, a smile of relief on her face.
A real smile flitted across the others face.
"April! Didn't expect you to come to Alaska!"
"Was here on business and thought I'd look for you."
April's face fell.
"Everyone really misses you…"
"I miss them, too…come on. Let's talk somewhere warmer."
So the white-banded turtle led her human friend to a large cave, and started a fire.
She shrugged off her trench coat, and April realized how much the younger girl had grown.
She had the curves of a grown woman, with a large bust behind her plastron that balanced with her hips. Her legs and arms seemed more toned with muscles, stronger, but still as flexible as April remembered.
And her eyes…the violet eyes that made Cat different from her brothers, still showed the same love and warmth that everyone felt in her presence, but her experiences seemed to have added layers of color to her eyes that made them sparkle in the firelight.
She seemed to have taken to wearing white wrappings on her forearms and shins, and a shuriken holster on her right thigh, which was on top of the same wrapping.
"So, how have things been back home? Is everybody okay?"
April should have known the white-banded turtle would worry about her family.
"Well…there's been…problems…"
Worry flickered through the expressive eyes, and April straightened.
"Nobody's hurt! At least…not physically…"
April sighed.
"…Leo hasn't come back…"
Worry and confusion.
"But he was supposed to head back a year ago…"
"I know…we all know…"
April looked up at her sadly.
"…I don't want their hearts broken when you don't come back at the year and a half mark…"
Understanding, warm and comforting, and Cat smiled reassuringly.
"Of course I'm going back! I've been counting down the days! My training is nearly done, anyway. Just a couple more days and its hello, New York City!"
April smiled.
"I should've known you wouldn't stay away longer than Splinter said…"
Cat's smile softened as she remembered why she'd been sent away.
'…I can't wait to go home…'