Thank you Lola Hard and turtlegirl15981 for leaving reviews, you guys rock!!

I hope y'all enjoy chapter 2 - no Turtles yet, but I promise we will see them very soon. Also, I'm looking for a beta-reader to check spelling/grammar for this fic. If anyone's interested, please email me (my email's displayed on my profile)

Enjoy! :D

*****


Chapter 2: The Promise

--

--

Another few seconds and the iron grip pulled back, tugging fiercely at her hair, but releasing her from the water.

As soon as her head hit the surface, she gasped loudly for air. Immediately she coughed up the water caught in her throat, her body shaking violently. Her wet hair, clinging to her face, covered her eyes, which squinted at the bright light ahead.

"Had enough yet, Miss O'Neil?" the same deep and dangerous voice questioned her everytime. "All you have to do is answer my questions and I will make sure the guards never lay a finger on you again."

As if to make a point, one of the guards tugged at her hair again, pulling her viciously back against him and causing her arms to ache painfully from the pressure.

"Where are the Turtles?" the voice commanded, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Refuse to answer me once more and you might end up drowning in that bath. Tell me – where are the Turtles?"

Her wrist was twisted forcefully up her back and try as she might, she couldn't help the sudden cry that escaped her lips.

"Go to hell!" her raw voice screamed at them.

"Wrong answer."

Her head was pushed forward again and the ice water hit her face like a brick wall.

*

********

*

April kicked another empty box aside and turned towards the rectangular wooden chest sitting in the corner of the living room. She had spent all morning unpacking and decided she'd done more than enough for the day.

Opening the casket slowly, she retrieved from it the one item she had longed to touch since her arrival – her katana.

Sheathed in its scabbard, she held it carefully in her hands, admiring the craftmanship of the twisting emerald dragon engraved within the black polished hardwood. It had been a gift from Master Splinter and the Turtles a few days before she had been kidnapped. After a basic training in ninjitsu, Master Splinter had then proceeded to train her in the art of iaido, the art of drawing a katana and attacking one's enemy with it. She had trained using a wooden replica until one day he had surprised her with the gift. The Turtles had made it for her, each helping out using their own skills to craft the most beautiful katana scabbard and handle she had ever seen. She had been so touched by it that when she finally drew the blade out, tears were shining in her eyes.

It was hard to believe those events had happened several years ago now.

Moving empty boxes away in order to create a large open space in her living room, April plugged in her CD player by the TV and chose to play some classical music before preparing to practice her kata. Holding the sword by her side, she pushed the saya softly with her thumb, pulling the blade out completely and admiring its beauty. Its shine was still as intense as ever and she couldn't help but watch the way the blade caught the sunlight upon its smooth steel surface.

Closing her eyes, April tried to shut out all the thoughts swirling inside her head as she focused upon the task at hand. Master Splinter had started her training barely a year before he had disappeared and although there had been no need to continue, she had promised herself not to give up on her training and had sought another master to teach her in D.C. She had continued for the next three years, never failing to train and improve as much as she could. It was the only thing that had kept her sane throughout the mess her life had become, but at the same time, it was also the only thing in her life that still connected her somehow to the Turtles. They had been Ninja, after all, and following in their footsteps seemed like the right thing to do.

And, of course, the fact that it kept her fit didn't hurt either.

After a couple of hours of stepping, running and jumping around her living-room and slashing the blade at thin air, April sheathed the blade back in the scabbard and left it on the couch. She would have to find a place for it up on her bedroom wall soon. It needed to be stored blade up and April did not dare harm the only link to the Turtles she had left. After all, they had crafted it for her and she would never want them to think that she could not care for it.

Sweating profusely from her work-out and panting hard, April headed to the bathroom for a shower, but as she did, her doorbell rang.

Stopping short, she whirled around feeling her pulse quicken again. She wasn't expecting any company today and no one apart from Casey and Robin knew where she lived.

Careful not to make a sound, she tiptoed past the kitchen, picking up a large sharp knife from the counter and gripping it in one hand and looked through the peephole.

Smiling brightly back at her from the other side of the door stood her uncle Augie.

"Uncle Augie?" April exclaimed, putting the knife back down before throwing the door wide open. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Why I came to see you April," her uncle answered with a laugh, pulling her into a hug.

"How did you find out I was back?" she immediately demanded, pulling away. "How did you even know where I lived?" But then she suddenly realised which family member was privy to that information. "Robin gave you my address, didn't she?"

"Don't be mad at your sister, April," her uncle told her quickly, noticing her annoyed look. "I've only been in town for a few days and well she wanted to make sure I at least got to see you before I left again."

"You're leaving again?" April couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice. "But didn't you just get back from Peru?"

He watched her closely as she led him through the stacked boxes towards the brown leather couch. "Yes, I did. However, I've been offered a teaching position at a university I simply can't refuse. It's in England and I'm afraid I'm needed there as soon as possible. I fly out tomorrow, but I absolutely had to see you first, sweetie."

"Tomorrow?" April echoed, briefly thrown off.

"I'm afraid so," he told her, sitting down on the couch.

April's expression turned to stone. She hadn't seen her uncle in nearly three years and he was leaving again tomorrow! Why did he even bother to come see her in the first place? Feeling anger start to course through her again, April turned away quickly towards the kitchen.

"I'll make some tea," she said quickly, trying to hide the irritation in her voice. "Will you at least stay with me for dinner?"

"No, I'm sorry April. I have to get back to my office soon and finish packing everything for tomorrow. Perhaps you could lend me a few boxes?" he joked, sensing the tension in the room.

April forced a smile on her face in return as she lit up the stove and set the kettle on it, but it only served to hide the hurt she felt inside. She had truly hoped to see more of her uncle once he was back from Peru and felt sorely disappointed. She hadn't seen him since he had come to visit her at the hospital almost three years ago, although they had occasionally kept in touch during his travels by email. However, she had never told him what had happened with the Turtles. She had hoped to tell him about their disappearance once he was back from Peru because she simply hadn't had the heart to write about it in an email.

"I can come with you and help you pack if you'd like?" she offered, silencing her anger and hoping her uncle would understand her need to be with him, even if for a little while longer.

"You've got quite enough unpacking to take care of yourself, sweetheart," he reminded her, as she came back with two cups of tea. She noticed he was busy glancing around at her new flat. "Very nice apartment indeed. I'm glad to see Crayford's been taking good care of you."

"Gosh, I still haven't thanked you properly yet for getting me that job!" April realised, setting down her mug on the coffee table.

"No need, April," he said, shaking his head. "It's the least I could do after you saved me from the Brotherhood and their world. Without you and Donatello, I don't know where I'd be right now."

She nodded in return and dropped her eyes to her hands. Sensing her uncle's scrutinising gaze on her, she picked up her mug again and sipped quietly. Now was not the time to tell her uncle about the Turtles. He was leaving the next day and she couldn't possibly tell him everything she wanted to by then.

"Do you miss them?" her uncle suddenly asked her. She glanced up at him, completely baffled by his question.

A long, deep silence followed as April recovered from the revelation.

"Robin should learn to keep her mouth shut," she said coldly, silently reminding herself to have a talk with her sister once Uncle Augie was gone.

"Actually it was Casey who first told me when I came to see you at the hospital," he admitted, pausing to set down his cup. "The poor man was in such a panic about you he spilled out everything to me even though you apparently forbid him."

This piece of news, however, surprised April even more. Casey could generally be counted on to keep secrets.

"He was mostly scared about what you would do once your leg healed. He knew you wouldn't allow yourself to rest despite the doctor's orders to go look for the Turtles. But he was mostly worried about how far you'd go and how you'd react if you didn't find them."

Hearing his words, a wave of guilt enveloped her. "What did you say?"

"What could I say?" her uncle continued, his eyes still scanning her face. "I told him not to worry, that you were a strong girl and that you would get through it. You're an O'Neil after all! I also reminded him that you were smart and that if you decided to look for the Turtles, then you were bound to find them."

"I didn't," April said, after a moment.

"But you will."

She opened her mouth to comment, but he cut her off. "You have to find them, April. I'm sorry for coming to you like this and admitting I knew all along about the Turtles, but I needed to see you before I left to make you understand how important it is that you find them. You owe it to yourself and to them. They're your friends and they need you."

She glanced back at him bewildered at his sudden assertion. Never before had she heard her uncle sound so serious and anxious.

"Uncle Augie, I don't think I can," she told him honestly, taking his cup away and heading towards the kitchen. "I tried after I left the hospital. I did everything I could, but it's too late now. It's been three years!"

"But you have to try again," he insisted, standing up himself. "You can't give up on them so easily. I know you'll find a way, you're clever, you'll think of something to find them again."

April shook her head instead, putting down the tea cups into the sink. "No, it's no use."

Feeling her calmness drifting away again, April's hands gripped the edge of the sink tightly. She didn't understand why her uncle was bringing them up now. What right did he have to mention them now when he was leaving the next day? Why was he so adamant about her having to find them? What was even the point? It didn't make sense – none of it did.

Her uncle, however, continued to watch her behind the counter. "I know this is difficult to hear, but I also know how miserable you've been since they left. For Christ's sake, they were your family, April."

"And they abandoned me!" she yelled, whirling around, her hands shaking by her side. "They left me and Casey without even saying goodbye. Why are you bringing this up now after all this time? Why do you even care?"

"Because I care about you," he said, stepping around the counter. "Because I know how their disappearance affected you and changed you over the years, and I know how much you'll regret and perhaps even hate yourself later if you don't try your hardest to find them now. They were your family, April. They were your family, when I could not be there for you. They looked after you. And you were the best thing that ever happened to them. And I'm sure that wherever they are right now, they still need you. "

His words resonated within her and she felt her resolve begin to melt.

"I think Casey wants me to find them too," she admitted quietly, leaning back against the sink. "I know he must miss Raph a lot."

Uncle Augie gave a deep sigh and went to lean next to her. "You mustn't resent them, April. They did what they thought best to protect you from further harm and after seeing the state you were in at the hospital, I couldn't blame them. But I hate seeing you like this even more, I hate seeing how much you've changed and isolated yourself since they left from reading your emails. I just want you to be happy again."

She shrugged in response. She didn't think she had changed that much. Sure, she hadn't exactly made many friends back in D.C. and her love life had been pretty inexistant since she broke up with Casey, but at least she was satisfied with what she had. She didn't need the Turtles' protection anymore, she could take care of herself just fine.

"I'm sorry for bringing this all up again, sweetie," her uncle spoke up again, giving her a sad smile. "I know it hurts, but it's important that you don't forget that they're still your family, no matter what. You can't give up on them. Remember, you always hoped to find me again someday and you did."

She glanced up at him briefly without saying anything, but hooked her arm around his thinking back on the day he had disappeared from her life so abruptly.

Looking down at her, he pointed out. "And deep down inside, I know you want to find them, April – after all, it's part of the reason why you moved back to New York, isn't it?"

She stared at him, surprised once more. Uncle Augie really did know her better than herself sometimes.

"Don't you want to see Donny again?" he asked her softly. "I know he loved you. I may not be an expert on turtle behaviour, but the look on his face whenever he saw you was certainly human."

He paused to let that statement settle, but she did not respond, shifting nervously instead, unsure what he expected her to say. None of it mattered anymore really, it was all in the past.

"Promise me you'll try to look for them?"

She bit her lip, but finally nodded and he pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around him this time and squeezed him tight, fearing it was time for him to leave.

"I have to go now," he told her, kissing the top of her head.

"I know."

She led him to the door and helped him into his trench coat.

"I'll call you tomorrow before I leave and I hope you'll come visit me soon with Robin."

"We will," she reassured him with a smile, handing him his hat, which he firmly stuck on his head.

"Thanks for stopping by," she finally told him, sensing his hand reaching for the door. "I'm glad you did, even if it was only for short while. I guess I... I've been looking for a reason to find them again and you gave me one. I... I'm just glad you dropped by."

"Me too."

"I'll see you soon, Uncle Augie. Take care of yourself."

He nodded smiling softly and opening the door behind him. "You too, sweetie. See you soon."

April's lips curved into a smile, but as the wooden door closed behind her uncle, she couldn't shake the feeling that somehow she was being abandoned once more.

*

********

*

April spent the next few hours sitting on her couch in front of the TV, flipping through the channels. Her favourite show was on, but at this point even Gil Grissom couldn't distract her from her thoughts.

She had promised her uncle she'd go looking for the Turtles again, but the implications of her promise were gradually driving her insane. She had no idea where they had gone, no idea where they'd moved their Lair, but at the same time, she couldn't help thinking about what her uncle had said. Did the Turtles still need her? Did they even still think about her? Had she really been that important to their lives?

She didn't have answers to her questions. She didn't know what to think. She could only imagine what would happen if she were to find them. She had spent three years imagining the dozens of possibilities in her head. How would they react? Would they try to disappear again? But most importantly, what would she say to them? These questions had already plagued her mind everyday since they had left and a multitude of scenarios had invaded her dreams at night.

However, while April fought down her feelings of panic, new thoughts came to her. For the first time in a very long time, she let her ideas flow freely at the back of her mind and melding into a plan.

It suddenly became clear to her the path she had to take if she had any hope of finding the Turtles again. It was the most direct and efficient route to search for them, but probably the most dangerous one as well. It didn't scare her though, on the contrary, she found herself feeling impatient and excited.

Glancing at the clock on her DVD player, she realised it was almost 10pm and that she had work the next day. She had planned on getting an early night, but at that moment, she was too keyed up to even remain seated in front of the television.

She needed to get out. She needed to go out for a run and almost called Casey to ask if he wanted to join her, but thought better of it. It was already late and she knew he'd only fret if he was there with her.

Besides, if she was going to search for the Turtles, she knew the first step was to become reacquainted with the city again. And that task was something she had to do alone.

Leaving the couch, April headed for the bedroom and opened her wardrobe, peering at the clothes inside. She retrieved black sweat pants and a large black hoodie and started getting changed. If she was going out in the city at night, then she would have to be as anonymous as possible. The last thing she wanted was for old enemies to recognise her. Most importantly, she needed to keep her face hidden, but she was too self-conscious to use a scarf as a bandana and too worried it might come loose and get in her way. She opted for a black cap, which covered the top half of her face in shadows and then pulled her hood over hiding her face even more. A balaclava would have worked best but April didn't own one and the thought of keeping her mouth covered made her queasy.

She knew all too well what it felt like to run out of air.

Switching off the lights, she turned back towards the full-length mirror by her wardrobe to check her appearance. Smirking, she realised that she looked like a common street thug. But at least her face was cast in shadows.

Finding a convenient pair of shoes, she tied the laces and grasped her katana which she strapped over her shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, April switched off all the lights in her flat before sneaking out on the balcony and climbing up the fire escape to the roof.

*

********

*

After an hour of jumping from rooftop to rooftop and keeping to the shadows whilst occasionally taking a peek down to street-level, April was bored.

She had kept a sharp eye and listened carefully for any sign of trouble, but apart from a few drunken students and a homeless guy rummaging through a dumpster, she had nothing to report.

She suddenly wondered how Casey could think patrolling was exciting at all. The city seemed unusually quiet, more so considering the gang warfare. She realised she probably needed to head out closer to the docks where the Purple Dragons and the Foot had often been found in the past, but it was late and she felt her body finally start to ache with fatigue – it was nearly time to head home.

Deciding to have a last look around, April found the highest rooftop in the area and perched herself on it, remaining hidden in the shadows as she looked out across the city towards the docks and the Hudson river. The Turtles' old lair underneath the water pump station was nearby and if they had remained in the area, they could be close by, out patrolling the rooftops as well.

It was a longshot and April knew it. But she couldn't help herself from keeping a look out for any sign of movement.

Her focus was soon broken by the sounds of a couple of passerbys, laughing loudly and talking among themselves from the alleyway below. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but their deep voices were loud enough to break her concentration. Decided to find another rooftop, April leapt down from her perch to a nearby slanted roof but froze as she heard the distinct noise of glass breaking, followed by a painful cry.

A fight had broken out in the alleyway below.

Tiptoeing to the edge of the roof, April peered over the gutter and looked down.

What she saw made her blood run cold.

The cries weren't coming from the two men she had previously heard, but from a third person – a teenager it seemed, although it was hard to tell since his face was covered in blood.

"C'mon man, hit 'im with a bottle again." A lanky looking mobster was laughing at his victim as he was being repeadtedly punched in the face. "Make 'im squeal like a pig."

"We're gonna teach you some respect, you little fuck," his bulky friend sneered, only happy to oblige. "Grab that bottle over there, Ric."

April watched closely as Ric stepped away to look for the bottle and decided she'd seen enough. Looking for the quickest way down, she quickly noticed the thick metal water pipes running along the brick wall. Swinging her legs over, she slowly escaladed down, using her shoes and gloves to slide down the pipes as quietly as possible. The building only had three storeys and before she knew it, she had already dropped to the ground on her feet. Keeping to the shadows, she approached the mobsters from behind, making sure there were only two of them.

It seemed that Ric had found a dark broken bottle and his friend was already holding out the sharp edge towards the kid's leg, ready to strike.

April kneeled down slowly, picking up a large red brick lying on the ground and felt her pulse quicken as she thought about the best course of action. She had the element of surprise on her side. She could knock them both out before the mobsters even realised.

"Think ya smart goin' after us, huh?" the bulkier man spat out, leaning over the bloodied body. "Think you can mess with – fuck!"

April struck Ric behind the head quickly and he instantly fell to the ground. His friend immediately turned on her, swinging the broken bottle at her chest, but she quickly dodged it. Kicking the bottle out of his hand, she stepped forward and hit him in the face with the brick.

The larger man fell backwards and did not get up. They were both unconscious, but not dead. April had never killed anyone before and she didn't intend to start with two mobsters. There was only one man in New York she had hated enough to kill, but even then she hadn't been able to bring herself to cross that line.

Making sure her hood and cap still hid her face, April turned back around to the victim and realised the teenager was in fact a young man, not much younger than herself. He glanced up at her and she noticed the multitude of cuts and bruises covering his face.

"You okay?" April quickly asked him, offering a hand to help him up on his feet. "Want me to call an ambulance or something?"

He eyed her, obviously mistrusting her, and ignored her hand, preferring to pick himself up instead.

"I'm fine," he grunted and immediately walked over to the large mobster with the broken bottle. He nudged him with his foot, making sure he was unconscious and then kicked him hard in the gut.

"Sonovabitch!"

April eyed him for a moment, noting everything from his short dark hair to his dirty jeans and sleeveless black shirt and noticing a single large tatoo running along his arm. Instead of a large purple dragon, she saw letters and numbers - probably the name of his gang.

So he was a street punk. The tatoo had obviously given him away, but his suspicious attitude and proud look made it clear to her. April knew she should have left him, nothing about the attack was any of her business. She should have returned to the shadows and headed home, but something about him drew her closer. Maybe it was the fact that he somehow reminded her of Casey. In any case, she was suddenly curious to know the whole story behind the attack and instead of leaving, she stayed.

"So, what happened?" she finally asked, watching him closely as he spat a mouthful of blood on the mobster before angrily wiping his mouth.

He looked up and snorted in response, looking at her again as if in disbelief. "Ain't tellin' no Foot ninja."

She shook her head. "I'm not with the Foot."

"Could'a fooled me," he retorted, looking doubtful. "So who ya with?"

She realised he meant a gang.

"No one," she told him honestly, not sure what else to say. He cocked his side to one side, examining her more closely, but she remained still.

"Oh, I get it." He brought his shirt up to his face and started wiping the blood away. "Ya like a vigilante or sumthin'. Like that guy wit' the hockey mask, that's why ya hidin' your face."

Hearing him compare her to Casey made her smile. "Sort of."

He stopped trying to clean the cut across his eyebrow and smirked. "Well, thanks for the rescue, lady."

He fished out a cellphone from his back pocket and walked away as he dialled a number. She heard him speak in undertones, no doubt calling the rest of his gang, and kept an eye on the two mobsters in the meantime, making sure they were still out cold.

The gangster soon hung up and looking over his shoulder, realised she hadn't left yet. "Ya better get outta here before my crew arrives."

April took no notice of his warning and stepped closer towards him. "You still haven't answered my question," she pointed out. "What did they want with you?"

"Ya pretty curious for a ninja. Y'also talk too much," he answered, looking faintly amused and pulled a cigarette pack from his other pocket. "How bout ya show me your face and I'll tell ya why those shitbags were gonna carve up my leg."

She froze, realising he wanted to see her face. She knew he wouldn't tell her more until she did, so she decided to play along. After all, he couldn't possibly know who she was and against all reason, she felt like she could trust him. His constant cursing reminded her badly of Raph.

"Tell me your name first."

"Taz," he said after a moment, lighting up a cigarette.

"Nice to meet you, Taz," she told him, her voice neutral as she pulled back her hood and cap. "I'm Anna."

She doubted he'd given her his real name, so she decided to give him a fake one too.

As soon as he caught sight of her face, he whistled slowly. "Well, well... didn't know vigilantes had such pretty faces."

He gave her a wolfish grin and catching the look in his eyes, April felt her face flush and quickly pulled her cap back on. "So you going tell me now?" she demanded shortly.

He kept staring at her, obviously highly amused by her reaction and continuously blowing smoke to one side as he spoke. "They attacked a friend of mine. Couldn't let 'em get away wit' it, so I followed 'em here. Shoulda waited for back-up, but I was angry. They got me and then you showed up."

She could tell he was keeping important details to himself, but she decided not to press him. He didn't seem keen to talk about his defeat either. As if the mere idea of it was embarassing.

He reminded her so much of Raph right then it was almost uncanny.

"So, who are you with then?" She still needed to find out more about his gang. After all, she was supposed to be reacquainting herself with the city.

He lifted his left arm horizontally, showing her a name scrawled across his biceps. "MO-16."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Never heard of it."

"Then ya either dumb or ya new to the city."

"I've been out of town," she told him, ignoring the jab. "Last time I was here, the Foot ruled with the Dragons."

"The Purple Dragons?" he repeated, cracking a smile again. "Shit lady, they've been gone for over two years now. You with 'em?"

"Definitely not."

"Good, we hate Dragons too," he said and looked over his shoulder as a screeching car was heard in the distance. "Ya'd better leave. We'll clean up this mess."

She nodded, but pointed out at the docks behind him. "This your territory then?"

He took another deep drag from his cigarette before flicking the butt away. "You can say that."

She filed away the information in the back of her mind. "Then I'll see you soon, Taz."

Before he could answer, a black van suddenly roared round the corner, streaking into the alleyway. April had already stepped away, disappearing into the shadows once more.

*

********

Mobsters, gansters, ninja, oh my!

Please feel free to comment on any part of the story, especially on April's character. Her life took a dark spin, but I hope she's still convincing to you.

Thanks for reading! :)

~ sai ninja