Hush
Summary: He was innocent as the pure, snow. He didn't mean to do it. It was just one, little sacrifice. How could he be at fault? "But...it's not your fault, isn't it?" Silence. "Child?" He looked at the woman with a reassuring smile but fearful eyes. "Hush." Set after "The Mutation Situation".

Dai Ichi Wa:
Junsui

He was an innocent boy. He was just a child-like teenager. Pure as the white snow. He didn't mean to do any harm. Even if he did, it wouldn't do that much harm. He would stay innocent than deploring himself. That's what innocent children would do. But some would turn innocence away and deplore themselves from the world. But wouldn't it be the best if someone forgives you before deploring yourself?

He remembered that night. The night that drove their friend away. Her dad became a mutant, and that could never change. But it wasn't his fault. It never was. How could he not know what the button will do? Does he know the future?

They couldn't understand...He thought. The breeze of December was chillier than ever. The little child only brought a rag to cover himself. Thought it was just small, it was the only thing he had. He could barely even tell if he's cold or not. It's because he doesn't care anymore. The child didn't even care if he had a terrible fever. He needs to survive, with or without a fever.

Just a few months ago, the screams in the sewers was louder than ever. Rats came to wonder what was going on. But they're rats. So why should they now? A smallest memory...then it goes away. But they wanted to help him. But can their disability help them?

A few months ago...was the worst night. But even if it was the loudest scream, no one from above could hear it. Only the people down can. But people are selfish nowadays. Even if they go down to the sewers, hear and they won't care. Not even a single bit. That night, he became a victim. The smallest was a victim of the biggest. And now, he's all alone, sleeping with the rats.

That night was one of the worst for him. Sure, he had some bad days. But this was the worst. How could they be mad at him? Do they think he's smart.

It started with the button. That shiny button in front of his eyes. He didn't know anything, so it wasn't completely his fault. Even if the mutagen canisters fell from the ship and didn't land on Kirby, they would still be safe. That was just gravity's fault. That was the Kraang's fault for surviving.

And when April got extremely mad at them, who did they put the blame on? Him.

But it wasn't completely his fault.

When she rejected, he could hear the hurtful words coming out of them. He can see pain. He can see pain all around. But what's more important? Family? friends? Well for them, it's friends.

It's like they don't have friends in their life.

But somehow, he can relate that pain. Even if he lost his one, true friend, he wouldn't blame his brothers for that. Now, they lost another and now the blame goes on him. But that's not fair. They only seek victory instead of fairness. If the rat hadn't say anything...

But to be honest, he's not blaming him either.

After that fight, he couldn't take it anymore. He was the edge of deploring himself. He wanted to let go off that cliff. And that's what he wanted. So, he wrote a letter and then...ran off on his own.

That was a few months ago. He ran away in October. And he's covered in a rag by December.

"I suppose there's a Christmas fiesta, is there?"

He could hear the little child holding on to her mother. She was small but cute...just like him. She had a light skin, black hair that was braided, wore a pink coat, white beret and large boots. Her dog, Ling Yao, was a poodle. He wore a white coat with small boots.

Her mother shook her head but smiled.

"We'll see, May."

May jumped up and down. Her mother giggled. Then, they crossed the snowy street and headed to the market.

Meanwhile, the small turtle wondered.

A fiesta? I don't mind.

Moving into the shadows, he leaped on every rooftop just to go to Central Park. He knew it will be crowded since it's a fiesta but he needs some happiness in life. But the question is...what could go wrong?

Once he found the park, he smiled.

Then, he walked on the cold snow and smiled at the fiesta.

It was beautiful.

He smelled corndogs and noodles. Fried chicken and takoyaki smelled really good. Oh, those yummy cakes! If it weren't for them, the festival would be really dull and boring. The smell of hot chocolate caught his attention. But what caught his attention the most is the smell of the freshly backed pepperoni pizza. He loved pizza more than anything. He craved for it the most. And that sensation made him hypnotized.

Like a floating spaceship, he went straight to the stand and looked at the vendor.

"One slice, please."

"For a freak like you?! Ha!"

Then, the rest started laughing. The child had tears. A lot of tears. He fell to his knees and sobbed. The tears landed on the cold snow. The rest laughed harder as they saw the child cry.

Suddenly, a police officer came in.

"Hey kid, you shouldn't be here. Where are your parents?"The police officer asked. "I-I have no one..."the child mumbled. But before the officer could say anything, a woman in her early twenties blocked him. She spreaded her arms wide open and frowned. "Stop! This child is hurt! Why would you laugh at him?!"

Soon, everyone ignored her and continued to laugh at the turtle. This made the woman's anger rise. But did not react.

"Come on, child. I shall bring you into my house. Let me tend to your wounds. It seems like you are hurt."She helped the child walk. "Come, child."Her voice was soothing, like she was never mad at him. That was true. She was mad at the people who laughed at her.

Ignoring the laughs, the woman helped the child walk.

"Do you have any parents?"She asked on the way. The child sighed. "No. I ran away."

The woman nodded. "My name is Mrs. Marigold. You are?"

Though the child shivered, he must answered. "M-Michelangelo."He spoke. "Michelangelo Hamato."

"Michelangelo? That seems a little long. What's your nickname?"

"Mikey."

"Mikey? That's a cute name. But how come you're a mutant turtle?"

This time, the child didn't response. All he can sense was how cold his feet were. The woman noticed this and sighed.

"Don't want to respond, huh? I'll take it."

There was so much she wanted to ask him. So, she kept going.

"Your family...what do they look like?"

The child coughed. "I have three brothers. They...are like me. My father...is a mutant rat."

So he's not the only one. She thought. "How long have you been out here?"

"A few months."

The woman was surprised. A few months...that's too long.

"How old are you?"

"S-Sixteen."

Still a minor and juvenile. She thought.

Once they arrived at her house, she got her key under the mat and opened the door.

With a sigh, she spoke, "Come in, Michelangelo. Go rest on the couch."

Then, he no longer felt like he was an orphan once again.