A/N: And another chapter for you all. I will warn you that I mix canon. I use elements from the 2003 cartoon and the IDW comics, among others.


Questions

The sensei's room was bathed in the flickering light of numerous candles scattered about the perimeter. Soft, rhythmic music carried through the air, barely loud enough to drown out the cacophony outside the paper doors. It was enough for Splinter. He knelt in the middle of the room, allowing the tranquility to wash over him. Clearing his mind had become second nature to him. Today, that wasn't his goal.

Earlier that day, Kimberly had come to him with unsettling news. A young woman had met her end, a tragedy no one should have to bare. A sister of hers, now with a heart filled with vengeance, was determined to kill the one she believed responsible. What troubled Splinter most was who her target was believed to be: the sensei himself.

Normally, he would have no doubt in his mind if he had done the deed, but there was a significant gap in his memories. In the two months since his rescue, the majority of his imprisonment was finally made clear to him. Now only the beginning of his capture remained coated in a thick fog. All he recalled from that moment was a young blonde, her face contorted in fear and blood. Could that be the sister? If only he could clear the memory in his mind. Maybe then he could have his answer.

A light knock proceeded the arrival of his eldest son. Leonardo carefully balanced a delicate tea set on its tray in one hand as he slid the paper doors closed behind him. The quiet bearing of his shoulders spoke volumes to his sensei.

"Ah, Leonardo,"Splinter breathed deeply as he smiled a greeting. "The tea is especially aromatic today."

"I added a touch of jasmine." Leonardo knelt before his father and laid the tray between them.

"I see." He took a cup and savored the aroma before taking a sip. "Something is weighing on you."

"It's nothing. I've just been thinking." He took his own cup and stared into its depths. "Raph brought Kimberly here. He didn't say anything to anybody and now she knows where we live."

"Yes, I spoke with her today. You do not approve of Raphael's decision?"

"He didn't have the clan's permission. Allowing someone access to our home affects everybody. He shouldn't be allowed to make a decision like that without consulting us."

"Are you worried she would betray us?" Splinter looked at his son over his cup. "After what she had done for our clan?"

Leonardo sat in silence for a minute before replying, "That's not my point. Raph's judgment is compromised. He's not thinking with his head. It's dangerous."

"My son, not every distraction has cause for such concern. Trust must have a chance to flourish. Otherwise, we would not have such loyal allies."

"This is nothing like April and Casey. It's more than that. I think they're…together. You know…" He rubbed the back of his head, his gaze averted. "It can't be real. I never even considered the possibility. You taught us to be wary of humans; to never let our guard down. But this? It's unthinkable. I can't even begin to understand it."

"You can never prepare for love. It comes in many forms and carves its own path. Just as I could never expect you to find loyal friends among those who would mean you harm through their ignorance." He set down his cup. "It does not mean I worry for you and your brothers less. I know a broken heart leaves its scars." He glanced at the orb gifted to him by the Utroms where it sat in a place of honor on a shelf. From this distance, the captured memory of his wife from years ago was shrouded in a blue, luminescent fog. "Still, I know I cannot protect you all forever. As long as you find happiness, I know I have done my job well."

"So you are okay with all this?" Leonardo turned his inquisitive gaze on his father.

"I trust Kimberly's motives are pure. Do you not? Talk to her. She's here to stay. You might as well make her feel welcome."

"For Raph's sake, maybe. I know he loves her, even if she's not what I pictured his type to be." He let out a stiff chuckle. "If you trust her, maybe she'll be good for him."

"Yes, they will be good for each other." He enjoyed another sip of his tea as he took in his son's distant look. "You are still troubled."

Leonardo sighed. "I don't know, father. It's just…" He glanced at the door. "Could it happen to me? Raph looks happier. I didn't notice before. She did that, didn't she?" Then his expression fell. "No, it's not possible. I already have my brothers to protect and lead. That's a hard enough job as it is. I don't have time for anything else."

"It will be difficult, but it can be done. You forget, back in our last life, I had my wife and the four of you. I believe I managed well." His eyes closed against the memory of fire and blood. Until that fateful night… He thought to himself.

"Maybe you're right." Leonardo stood. "I'll be in the dojo."

"Hai, musuko." Splinter bowed his head as his eldest left the room. As soon as the paper doors closed behind him, he stood and approached the orb. "Teng Shen, my heart. Help me guide our strong sons to their destiny, whichever that may be."


The room was cold and smelled strongly of ammonia. Light barely filtered in from the crack beneath the door, but Rattler's eyes had since adjusted to the dark by now. It was a foul place, but it was still better than the overpriced hovel she lived in back in Jersey. Still, the dark placed tricks on her mind; made the room feel smaller than it was. She hated it, but at least she was left alone here. She preferred to be alone.

Her head jerked up at the creak of that old door. Her black hair barely shielded her from the sudden onslaught of light. So much for being alone.

"Here," The monster said as he tossed a bag at her knees. Rattler scowled at it before shoving it aside with her foot, the chains holding her prisoner ringing against the ground. The routine was always the same. It always thought she would eat in front of it, but that would never happen. She would rather die.

"Yanno, I don't hafta keep comin' here. I'd rather forget you even exist."

She spat at his disgusting bare feet, her steely gray eyes burning through the dark strands of her hair.

"Bitch, you coulda killed my girl! I shoulda taken ya out on that damn rooftop!"

She snorted. "Don't have the guts."

It grabbed for its weapon as its eyes glowed dangerously in the half-light. "You know nothing."

"You haven't killed me yet." She smirked. "You're weak. I should've gone straight to the top. Maybe that murdering rat is the only one of you freaks that know how to kill."

"That's where you're dead wrong, lady. I have what it takes. You're just not worth it." It turned to leave.

"I'll get out of here! And when I do, Splinter's dead! You hear me?! That monster's dead!"

"I'd love to see you try." And with that, the door closed with a snap.


Superquest. The best game ever invented. At least according to Michelangelo. He was the White Knight; defender of the realm. His group never lost when he led them into battle. He knew the game and all its secrets. This was his element. It was also a great medium to get his best friend talking.

He chose a mission that only allowed a party of two so he could talk freely. It was a simple grinding mission for easy XP. It played to their strengths, supplying a host of sniper points for Kimberly's long-range weaponry preference and a large open space for Michelangelo to do the close range combat he preferred.

"How's it looking, Sy?" He addressed his teammate by her gamer's handle.

"Still clear, Green. We've got this in the bag."

"Let's keep it that way for now." He moved to the next batch of the strange vegetation the mission called for. "Have you kissed my brother yet?"

"What?! Mikey!" Kimberly huffed in his ear.

"So you have, huh?" He snickered. "Thought so. It'll be so awesome to have you as a sister."

"I don't want to talk about this." She hissed.

"Well, look at that." Michelangelo equipped his sword as he turned towards the approaching guardians of the land. "We got ghouls." He smirked as one of them was struck with an arrow and disintegrated. "Nice hit."

"Just finish the mission. I got these guys." She said as two more went down in quick succession.

"This is why you're a great addition to the team. You've got good aim." He slashed at a ghoul that got too close as he moved to the next plant. "Just rack up that XP and, maybe, you'll get close to my level one day." In response to his jab, an arrow sailed straight at him. It didn't do any damage as PVP was turned off for this mission, but the point was made. "Yep, you'll do great."

"Keep it up, Green. I could let one of these ghouls get you." The grin was back in her voice.

"More for me, then." He smirked. "Did I ever tell you how Donny made a way to digitize us and we went inside this game? Raph was a jester, but that's not the worst of it. He got himself cursed into a frog!" He burst out laughing at the memory.

"You went into the game? Like, for real? That sounds like it would be so fun!"

"Yeah, I won't get into why – it's kinda a long story – but it totally was fun. Too bad Donny got rid of that doohickey." Michelangelo brought up his inventory screen. "We still got a few more to go. So, we have time to discuss how we'll use this new knowledge."

"You enjoy teasing him too much."

"It keeps ol' Raphie in shape. Plus, he's the easiest target. My advice? Be cautious when teasing the others. Donny might seem like a pushover, but don't get him mad. He's chased Raph down with a hammer for breaking one of his toys. And Leo? He'll get you back for it tenfold if you're not careful. Lessons you'll need when you become one of our family."

"Still stuck on that, huh?" Kimberly sighed. "What if it doesn't happen? Leonardo doesn't seem to approve."

"Oh, Leo's just a big killjoy. He'll accept you, eventually. Trust me. He's always been like this. He didn't like Casey at first, either."

"If you say so," She said with doubt in her voice. "Have you collected the last one yet?"

"Just getting it now." Michelangelo clicked on another plant to add it to his inventory. "And done. Are you seeing my brother again tonight? He's hardly home anymore."

"Probably."

"Well, keep him busy. I bet he misses Casey. We all do."

"That's not hard," she said with amusement. "Even if I can't, my dogs pick up the slack."


A/N: Now to get typing up some more for ya. In the meantime, feed that review box!