A/N: Ok, this is the very last instalment here. We are venturing back when the turtles are only turtle tots where a special lady enters their lives when introduce as their father's special friend. everyone needs someone to love them, and this case. So does master splinter so, I am going to create an OC for him and see where that may lead. Anyway, onwards to the following chapter, hope you will enjoy it.

Prologue

The year is 1989. A young girl, age 5 was drawing and reading about the world especially about animals but her favorite was the rat. Ever curious about the small creature that is forever marked and portrayed as the cunning and impulsive manipulator. Even considered as the creature that will betray anyone to save his or her skin.

Little Miriam, never believed that. She strongly believed that each creature that is created in the lord's image has a purpose and in this case, the animal kingdom is far more older than the human race itself as why would they be treated so badly since misunderstood. Her father always told her that animals soul is so pure that is what separates them from us.

What humans do to eachother, compared to what beast do or commit unto us. Is what their nature compels them to do, and survive. Animals have to rely on their wits and survival strengths to nourish themselves where humans hunt for selfish purposes and never realising what they do, is not exactly good will. As Miriam continued to read, study and learn more about the animal kingdom as she had tons of books on nearly every species known and wanted to know more about what isn't discovered yet as she desired to become a vet or animal biologist some day, she was interrupted by the soft knocking on her bedroom door. "Miriam." Her father gently called, waiting to be invited inside.

"Come in daddy." She answered, inviting her father in the room. The door opened and he leaned on the frame of the doorway and smiled, holding up a new present, wrapped special for her. "Happy birthday, pumpkin." Miriam smiled as she sprung up to her feet and hugged her father, taking the gift and opened it. Her eyes lit up brightly and her voice rose in happy squeals. "Thankyou daddy, I love it." He laughed, hugging his daughter and said. "My smart little girl. This book is about the African mumba."

She was grateful for the book she received but still wondered if there were a book on rats. "Still no book, on rats?" she asked. And he shook his head, sadly then replied. "No sweetie but I'm positive I will find one soon. Don't worry, but I bet your mother will find one soon since she works in a bookstore." Brushing back her dark curls from her cheeks and proudly smiled as he cusped her little rosy cheeks.

"Only if your grandfather was here, to see how smart you are." He commented. "Did he like rats too, daddy?" she asked, with a smile. "No, dear. He was petrified of them." Her father replied, smiling. "Why?" she asked, confused and couldn't understand why her grandfather had a fear of the mysterious and majestic creature. "I don't know, I guess pop had a bad experience with them." Kissing her little forehead and picked her up then placed in bed, turning the light off and continued. "Come on, pumpkin. Time for bed, school in the morning."

"Night daddy." Miriam smiled as she pulled up the covers and grabbed her specially made rat plushy. Before she drifted to sleep, she called for her father and asked a question. "Daddy." He turned and faced her, answered gently. "Yes Miriam."

"Did mummy like rats?" she asked. He replied. "I don't think so, honey. Time to go to sleep now. Night pumpkin."

"Night daddy." She replied and turned to her side and cuddled her plushy rat doo. Her father smiled as he watched his daughter cuddle the plushy doll and closed the door as he left the room.

The next day, first day of school

Miriam was so excited to begin school as it was going to be the day that she will never forget. Escorted in the gates of the new school, she had been enrolled in and couldn't wait to go begin the day and make new friends. "Wait Miriam, there is no rush." He gently tell his child as she was excited to join with the other children. "We have to hurry, daddy or we will miss it." Pulling her father behind her and he smiled, as he chuckled then replied. "Alright, pumpkin. We won't miss it."

Kneeling down and hugging his daughter, when they finally found the classroom and said their goodbyes, he stood up and watched her hurry off to find herself a seat after putting her brand new pink school back pack in the cubby slot then waved to her father as she smiled. He waved back then was approached by the teacher and she told him that his child will have a wonderful first day of school. But he felt deep down inside, that he may not see the end of the first day. Bravely smiled and nodded then waved to his daughter again, and thanked the teacher before walking away down the corridor of the school hallway then finally exited the doors to the school grounds and out to the gate.

It was not until the bell rang to say that school had ended for the first day and Miriam just finished packing her backpack when she hurried out the door and waited for her father. But never came. Looking around and saw her classmates were been picked up their parents and she was beginning to become worried then tried not to cry as she felt her father had forgotten her. Then her teacher approached her and gently assured her to return inside until someone came to collect her.

Fifteen minutes later, she was taken to the school office as her teacher was too, beginning to become worried and called for the residence only to find that no one answered. Then suddenly two police officers walked in the office and said that Miriam had to be taken to the hospital as an request of the mother that was in distraught. Miriam felt sick and was scared, as she always kept in her mind when her father told her to be always wary of stranger danger no matter who it was.

"Miriam, sweetie you have to come with us and your mother is waiting for you." The police officer gently assured her. Miriam looked up to her teacher and she was concerned, but there wasn't much she could do. Then her teacher asked. "Shouldn't a officer of the child protection services be coming to collect her in request of the mother?"

The police officers looked to each other then back to the teacher and replied. "Normally yes, but the child's mother requested that we bring her in." The woman still feel comfortable as she could see how frightened Miriam was and suggested that she too, go with the child to the destination. "Give a moment and I wish to go with you."

Neither replied and waited. Telling her collegues that something may seem alittle suspicious and informed to be vigilant in case this was not as speculated to be. They agreed and prepared for the worse. "Alright, ready?" she asked and they nodded, replied. "Ready if you are, ma'am."

Both the woman and Miriam were taken in the police car to the hospital as informed they were but she still didn't feel comfortable, holding miriam's hand as they were taken down the room where her mother was occupied within and immediately she ran to her. "Miriam." Her mother cried, holding her arms out to her then looked to the woman of soft light blond hair and green eyes as she stood close to Miriam while the police officers left the room. "Thankyou for bringing her here. I didn't get your name." Tiffany Melrose said. "Miss Patterson." She answered. "I was concerned of Miriam going with police officers alone as an additional adult should accompany her." Tiffany looked to the doorway and whispered to the woman then pleaded. "Run." Miss Patterson glanced to her, confused and whispered. "Why? What is going on?"

Tiffany Melrose whispered, pleading once again. "Take my daughter and run. Don't look back. Run." Miss Patterson nodded and played along, gently told Miriam that it was time to go. But she didn't want to leave. "I want to stay with mummy."

"Mummy said that you should come with me, honey." She told her, finally Miriam let go and went with miss Patterson. "Bye mummy, love you." Blowing a kiss to her mother as she returned a kiss back as she cried. Then picked Miriam up in her arms, went the opposite direction to avoid the police officers as she was instructed to do by tiffany Melrose.

Miriam Melrose had disappeared with her new guardian that was also her teacher, for their own safety. It wasn't until the year later, they found out the truth and miriam's life was changed forever.

Ok, what a prologue you might ask and where does this have to do with our TMNT famous father and bushido master, Hamato Splinter. Well, you will soon find out as the first chapter is yet to come. I do hope you enjoyed this prologue. Tootles for now.