Author's notes- I don't own the TMNT but I do own Karma.

Okay, for once I don't have all that much to ramble on about. Everything you need to know about background information will be explained within the next three chapters I think. I'm also desperate to improve my writing style 'cause i'm unhappy with it right now. Any constructive criticism on it would be welcome, as I know my usual readers have excellent yet individual writing styles but i'm welcome to anyone with any tips. Uhh, oh yeah, the only thing you really need to know is this story will alternate between two viewpoints, third person narrative and Karm's viewpoint. So with no further ado…

Karm's point of view.

Change Is Good.

"Hey li'l miss, why don'tcha jus' hand over yer bag."

"I don't think so."

A hard kick connected with the mugger's stomach and as he doubled over, a tessen came swinging down onto his head, knocking him out cold. He slumped onto the floor of the alleyway.

"Scumbag."

With ease, I lifted the manhole and disappeared into the sewers without a trace. I hitched my backpack further up on my disguised shell and began my trek home.

If you didn't know, my name's Karma, Karm for short. These sewers were my home for a year before I decided I needed to take a trek. I've been gone for 5 months but now I'm back, I'm just hoping my reception isn't a frosty one.

Walking deeper and deeper into the tunnels, I shed the baggy street clothes and boots that provide me with my diguise, leaving me in my ninja attire. I stuff the clothes into my bag and smile to myself as I see the door to my home. I let my fingers dance over the pipes, pulling the third one on the right then typing the code to get in yet the door stays firmly closed.

"Donatello, if you've changed the code, I swear I'll confiscate your coffee…"

With my left hand, I rub at my temple, trying to push away the headache already forming. I go to type in the code again but the door awakens and judders open, the scent of coffee, cooking and sweat hitting me as I step in.

'This is home alright, it smells of boys.'

The door closes behind me and I glance around, sighing with relief as I realise nothing's changed. My first greeter peeks his ginger face around the kitchen door, scanning me with golden eyes.

"Chh chh," I crouch down and offer my hand forward, "c'mon Klunk."

The animal who I last remember being a chunky kitten twitches his nose and ears then happily bounces over to brush against my knee.

"At least you remember me… wow, you've grown."

I playfully stroke his back then tickle his stomach. He meows happily and drops onto his back where he lays purring as I stroke his soft stomach. Another meow alerts me to the black cat standing in the kitchen doorway who then strides towards me, his tail held high.

"Theo! Aww, baby you're all grown up."

He bounds forward at the sound of my voice, climbing into my lap and rubbing his head against my arm.

"Yeah, I've missed you both too."

I pick up the larger black cat, who looks at me with his brilliant green eyes, and stroke his chin, Klunk winding around my legs as I do.

"Mike! Yer freakin' cats are makin' a racket again!"

With a stifled chuckle to myself, I place Theo down as the red-banded turtle comes into the room, sporting his usual deep frown.

"Klun-"

He stops in his tracks, sai still twitching in his fingers.

"Uh… h-hey."

Stumbling over my words, I wave, taken aback by his taller and stockier frame. Before I get another chance to speak, I'm in his arms, being hugged to within an inch of my life.

"Raph…!"

"Don't ya ever do that again, d'ya hear me, EVER?"

"Okay, okay! Just as long as you let me out of this sweaty hug."

Sheepishly, he lets me go and takes a few steps backwards. I scrunch up my beak then giggle at him.

"Hey, I did what ya told me ta do, I spent my time sparrin'."

"I'm more surprised you're up this early."

"Hey, jus' 'cause ya go away, doesn't mean I have ta turn inta some kinda recluse."

"At least, not for the whole time you've been gone."

With a big grin, I turn around to the brother at the entrance of his laboratory. With a squeal, I bound over and pounce. He laughs a little and hugs me back.

"Donatello, did you have something to do with this?" Breaking away from our hug, I question and point in Raph's direction.

"I may have told him to brush up on his vocabulary but I never told him to sweat the Lair up."

"No, that was my fault."

My eyes widen as I turn to the voice. Leo stands in the doorway to the dojo, katana sheathed on his back and a peaceful smile on his face. He stumbles a little as I jump on him but regains himself, hugging me back and stroking my shell.

"I don't care that you're all sweaty…"

"Hey!" Raph shouts.

I giggle to myself as Leo breaks off our hug and ruffles my hair in the annoying big brother way he does. After playfully scowling at him, my eyes go towards the couch and kitchen, but there's no sign of Michelangelo.

"He's in bed, what did ya expect?"

With a grin, I race into the kitchen, filling the biggest glass we have with water then tear upstairs. The water splashes against the sides and spills onto my feet as I bound up two steps at a time. Leo, Raph and Don eagerly follow behind, dodging the puddles left behind. I burst into Mikey's room, throw the water all over him and jump onto the dry part of the bed.

"GOOD MORNING MIKEY!"

"ARGH!"

After a few moments of shock and blinking baby blue eyes, Mikey realises who I am and dives on me, giving me a soggy hug.

"KARM!"

"I think yer plan backfired Karm."

"Michelangelo! Get off! Get off!"

"Karmy, you're back! I missed you so so so so so so much! Do you know how much I missed you?! This much!"

My littlest older brother hugs me even tighter whilst our other brothers and Raph laugh at my expense.

"Get off you numbskull."

I push the lazy turtle off his bed, huffing at the dampness clinging to my skin. An emerald green hand is held out to help me from the bed, and as I oblige, the barrage of questions are hurled at me.

"Where have ya been?"

"What did you do?"

"Karmy, I got stuck on the treasure hunt you sent me on."

"Yeah, I got stuck on mine too."

"You got one too? Karmy, why did Donny get one too?"

"Shut up Mike, let her talk."

"Why don't you let her talk, Raph."

I sigh contently, thinking about how glad I am to be home when a sharp whistle cuts through the air. We all turn to the doorway of Mikey's room to see Master Splinter standing there with two cats at his feet, the ginger one busying himself with watching our master's flickering tail.

"I cannot meditate with your bickering my children. Karma, I am glad you are back but please, could you enlighten us as to where you have been? Maybe then I can meditate in peace."

Sheepishly I grin as our father delivers a stern look our way.

"Of course I will sensei."

"Humour us already."

"Raph… Leo, Don, Mikey, sensei… I have a plan to rescue Shinrai but I need your help, all of you. I understand that of course Karai is going to be after us and that Bishop is too, but maybe I can help with that…"

For the first time since I've been home, my family members look at me; Raph pierces me with his red tinted eyes whilst Don and Leo's warm brown orbs watch me. Mikey, still a little sleepy, looks up to me from the floor, giving a little yawn whilst sensei's eyes, now softer, never stray from me.

"'Kay, I wanna know where ya've been so we can send Mike there."

"What Raph means is… you're different."

"D-different?" I stumble a little under the gazes.

"Well, you're not so short anymore dudette."

"Thanks Mikey... But, you've all grown too."

A reflective silence rolls out before Master Splinter breaks it.

"Please, my children, let us go downstairs to hear of Karma's plan."

And as we follow our father downstairs, I glanced at each member of my family and realise that we're all different, but sometimes, change is a good thing.

Author's notes- Yeah yeah, I know, a little boring, but I promise it gets better! :)