Hey guys! Ok, this was a random story that slipped into my mind and it wasn't letting me get any rest until I gave in and wrote it out. Not sure what spawned it to be honest. Just one of those things, I suppose. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Everything TMNT belongs to their respective owners. Amanda and her family belong to me. That's it.

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Thick, dark rainclouds gathered overhead, darkening the already dark night sky. People scattered in their hordes as fat raindrops began to fall from the angry sky. Soon, the city streets became blurred as the freezing rain poured down upon them. The streets became vacant, only the cars running back and forth in their mad rush to get home. The rain fall became a torrential downpour, instantly soaking anything that was unfortunate enough to be caught in the cascade. Amanda simply stared at the sky from under the overhang of a restaurant. Rainstorms didn't bother her. Nothing much bothered her. She pushed her soaking, jet black red-streaked hair behind her ears. It was going to need dying again soon. Her black eye liner coated the contours of eyes so thickly that it ran down her pale cheeks, mixing with the almost white makeup, turning it into a pallid shade of grey. She drew a heavy sigh. From the looks of the clouds, the storm was in for the night. Perfect. What a wonderful time to be out in the open. Pulling her long black dress coat around her, she decided to step out into the driving rain. It was ice cold, instantly drenching her. Amanda answered the downpour by pulling her coat collar up to her cheeks, not that it helped much. Thrusting her hands into the pockets of her trousers, she kicked at puddles, thankful she was wearing her Docs. What a wonderful day to throw a fit and leave home. If only her parents would understand that she was different. But no. They always had to cause an argument. Well, if she was perfectly honest, she'd caused today's fight. So what if she wanted to play her music loud? She wasn't disturbing anyone...well, not much. She longed for someone to understand her, longed for a friend who felt the same as she. 18 years old and not a friend to hang out with. A car zoomed past her, the wave caused by its tyres hitting her full force. She cried out in frustration, wishing for something to throw after the retreating car.

"Jerk!" She placed her fingertips to her cheeks, pulling them away to inspect them. Great. Just great. Her eyeliner was now halfway down her cheeks, the pale foundation practically gone. She stuffed her hand back into her pocket, flicking her sodden hair over her shoulder. Well, time to face the music. She didn't get very much farther than the alley leading to her apartment. She groaned in frustration. A perfect end to a terrible day. A group of burly looking guys stood halfway down the alley. She had to pass them to get to her door. Maybe she could sneak past? Yeah right. As if luck would be on her side.

"Hey! Where'd ya think you're goin' freak?" Amanda growled at him.

"Move out of my way." The gang hissed and 'oo'ed, moving round to block her way. She rolled her eyes.

"Cheer up, vamp. We haven't even started yet." She frowned further, wiping rainwater from her eyes, smudging the dark makeup across her cheeks, causing it to look more like war paint.

"Five guys against one girl? Hardly fair odds, is it?"

"Who said anythin' about bein' fair?" By now, the gang had circled her, blocking her escape routes. Amanda growled, searching for an escape route. Wonderful. Perfect. Just what she needed. She turned on the spot, eyeing her adversaries, looking for weak points. There were none. She turned back round. If she was honest, she should have seen the next move coming, should have ducked while she could, but the rainwater was really getting into her eyes, practically blinding her. That, and she wasn't prepared for it. Amandaonly knew what was happening when the blow came, knocking her backwards against one of the gang members, who instantly took hold of her arms. Amanda growled, kicking out at the advancing gang leader, taking him by surprise and causing him to stumble backwards a couple of steps. He snarled in frustration, coming back towards her.

"Bitch! No one does that to me and gets away with it!" He punched her abdomen, causing her to buckle, but she refused to make a sound. Instead, she glared at him, her brown eyes almost burning with the intensity. She slipped her foot behind the ankle of her captor, quickly pulling forward and sweeping his leg out from under him. In his surprise, he released her as he collapsed to the ground. Amanda took her leave, bolting down the alley, dodging grasping hands. They were closing on her, she could hear them shouting behind her, and the storm didn't help matters. Just a little bit longer, and she would be home. She paused as a cry emanated from behind her. She turned, watching as something in the shadows took on the gang, the rain forgotten for the moment. She didn't even bother to brush her hair from her eyes as it matted to her cheeks. The streetlights and safety lights a little further down were just bright enough for her to see by, though they weren't enough to completely show her saviours, not from where she was standing at the very least. That, and they cast long dark shadows across the walls, hiding the corners from view. The four newcomers moved like she'd only seen once in an action movie. The only thing was, and she couldn't decide if it was a trick of the light or her imagination, these people didn't look human. Very soon, the gang decided that this was a fight that they'd never win and fled the alley. Amanda watched as they turned to her. She let out the breath she didnt realise she was holding, watching them with wary eyes. It wasn't everyday someone came to anothers aid in this town, right?

"You ok, kid?" one asked. Amanda looked to the voice, nodding.

"Thanks to you, whoever you are." Amanda's eyes widened a fraction as they came closer. Even though they still kept to the shadows, she could see their outlines. Definitely not human. Either that, or they were wearing fantastic costumes. "You can come out where I can see you. I'm not gonna bite." She folded her arms, waiting. They seemed to be discussing it. Well, arguing about it would probably be closer to the truth. One of them sighed in defeat as another stepped forward. Amanda allowed herself the liberty to look at her rescuers now they were in the dim light. They were...turtles? Well, now she was surprised. Who would have thought that turtles could do martial arts? Comic book writers, for sure, but in real life? They seemed to be waiting for a reaction. The one clad in red seemed to be growing just a little frustrated as she looked at him.

"Whatsamatter? Never seen a Turtle before?" Amanda was snapped from her thoughts, shaking her head, silently wondering if she had finally lost the plot.

"Four giant, walking, talking turtles that know martial arts. Who knew?" They shared glances. This wasn't the reaction they were expecting. the usual reactions were people screaming at them and running as fast as they could away from the area, or trying to pound them into turtle paste. This was...new.

"You're not afraid of us?" This one was clad in orange. He seemed to be the youngest. Amanda swung her hair out of her eyes. The rain was lightening now, thankfully.

"Should I be?"

"If ya know what's good for ya." Amanda smirked.

"Why should I be afraid? You haven't given me cause to be afraid, unless I was on your bad side."

"But, you humans always run from us. Even when we help them." She sighed.

"I'm afraid humans have always feared whatever is strange and obscure to them. I myself am strange and obscure. Hence why I'm not afraid of you. And besides, you did help me." The one in red smirked. The girl looked at her wristwatch. "I would ask names, but I have to get going. Have to get home before I catch cold." Even though the rain had lightened somewhat, it was still like ice. She turned and started walking away, shouting a thank you behind her. She turned back to them, only to find they had gone. Maybe it was all in her head? Maybe it was her imagination? Or maybe, her life had finally taken a more...interesting turn.

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"Well, that was...different."

"Tell me about Don. It was, like, totally awesome! Finally, someone who isn't afraid of us before getting to know us!"

"Keep talking like that Mike, 'cause the chances of it happening again are slim."

"Aw, c'mon, Raph! Even you've gotta be even a teensy little bit intrigued by that. I mean, dude, she didn't even gawk at ya!" Raphael simply grunted.

"If you ask me, we shouldn't have let her see us."

"Yeah, well, no one was asking you Fearless Leader." Leo sighed. As much as he wanted to argue his point, he knew that it would only turn into a fight. As usual. And he would much rather wait until they were at home before the inevitable argument occured.

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Amanda opened the front door, trying to be as silent as possible. Obviously they were still up, judging by the sounds of the TV. Quietly closing the door again, she sneaked past the lounge, hoping to get to her room before they noticed she had returned. Once again, Lady Luck seemed to have taken her day off from looking out for Amanda.

"Amanda?" The teenager sighed. There goes the quiet escape. She turned as her father came to a stop at the door. "Do you know what time it is, young lady?" She looked at her watch.

"Yeah, eleven forty five."

"Don't get clever with me. Do you have any idea how worried we were about you?" The teen sighed again. "Look at you! You're soaking! And...Amanda, what happened? Your face is bruised!" He reached out, brushing her cheek. Amanda jerked away, covering her face with the tangled wet hair.

"Nothing."

"Don't 'nothing' me, young lady! What happened?" She frowned as her stepmother came to stand behind him.

"We were worried about you, sweetie! We thought you were in trouble, and look! You got into trouble didn't you?" The teenager growled in annoyance, folding her arms over her sodden coat.

"Why do you always have to get into my business!? Why can't you just let me be!?"

"Don't take that tone of voice with us young lady!"

"I'm 18 years old! I'm not a child! I can do what I want, when I want!"

"Not while you're under our roof, you won't!"

"Fine! Then I'll move!"

"Mandy..." The teen spun, facing the woman, her eyes almost ablaze.

"A-MAN-DA! Not Mandy!"

"Fine, Amanda, listen to me, please. You're our daughter, and we care about you."

"You're not my mother!" she spat at the older woman, turning and storming down the hallway.

"Amanda. Amanda!" Her father sighed as the bedroom door slammed closed and metal music pounded from the room.

"I just don't get her sometimes."

"I know, Greg, I know."

"She hasn't been the same since her mother died. I don't know what I'm going to do with her, Tanya. I really don't."

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And that's Chapter one. Tell me what you think. Please, no flames. Don't like 'em.