Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT or any of its offshoots.

Author's Note: Thank you for your patience. I was at a convention in my town over the past weekend and I got to meet Rob Paulsen himself, the original Raphael, currently playing Donatello in the 2012 version. Allow me a moment *Geek Out* OMG OMG ROB PAULSEN! MY CHILDHOOD HAS GIVEN ME A HUGE BEAR HUG AND I REGRET NOTHING! *End Geek Out* Thank you for your understanding. Seriously though, it was unbelievable and I hope you, my readers will understand the delay on posting this chapter.

That being said, this story IS complete and I edit every opportunity I get. I am pacing myself as I post chapters, mainly because, this being my first posted story, I'm trying to gauge the reaction and response of each chapter. Future works might be a bit different. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 3

April stared down at the ticket in shocked dismay. It looked real. April bent down to pick up the ticket. It didn't vanish in her fingers. She turned it over and over in her hands, looking for some moralistic message like on the paper wallets that encouraged people to be honest. It was a real ticket. April felt like Charlie Bucket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after finding the final Golden Ticket. April swallowed a squeal of delight as her previous conversation faded instantly. Before anyone could see what she had done, she took off at a run down 5th Avenue towards the bus stop. She knew exactly where she had to go.

About twenty minutes later, April climbed off the bus at the Manhattan Charter School and walked down Delancey Street. Pontiac Retirement Village was only about 4 blocks from Chinatown where Murakami-san could still work closely with his noodle shop that he'd had owned and operated for 30 years. The blind Japanese immigrant had lost his wife about three years earlier, around the same time as her father had disappeared. She and her father had regularly gone to his noodle shop since April was young. After they lost their loved ones, Murakami had gone to the retirement village and April had gone to child services. It had been over two years since April had seen her dear friend, even though she still regularly emailed him. And now, going to visit him, April wasn't sure of what kind of welcome she would receive, but she would need Murakami's help tonight.

The nursing station was unsupervised when April came in. She didn't stop to see if anyone was around, instead, she made her way as quietly as possible up the stairs. Never mind that no minor was allowed in without an adult, April knew that she was considered a runaway and the police would haul her out without prejudice to a juvenile center. April climbed to the second floor and walked down the hallway to the last door on the right. It wouldn't be locked, April knew. She slowly pushed it open and peered in. The place smelled of tea, noodles and incense. Removing her shoes, April shut the door carefully and locked it.

"Murakami-san?" April said softly.

"Who is there?" April glanced around the corner of the room. Murakami was seated in a battered recliner. He turned down the radio, his face turned expectantly toward the direction of the door.

"Murakami-san," April said, "It's April. April O'Neil."

"April-chan?" said Murakami. He slowly stood up, eyebrows raised in disbelief as he moved toward her. April remained still as he reached out his hand. When his fingers reached her cheek, April realized that this was the first contact of warmth and love she had felt in years. Clutching the hand to her cheek, she began to cry. Murakami pulled her into his arms, crying as well.

"Tadaima (I'm home), Murakami-san," April said through her soft sobs, which were intensified by Murakami's tears on her shoulder.

"April-chan, okaeri (Welcome home)," Murakami said, "I cannot believe you are here. Have you found your father? Are you safe?"

Murakami rattled off more questions, but April continued to cry until Murakami finally just held her close. After a few more minutes, April pulled back. She took in the soft face before her and gave a hiccup.

"I'm sorry," April finally said, "I didn't come here to break down on you like this."

"I am glad that you were able to come here," Murakami said. His nose gave a slight twinge and it wrinkled. April giggled.

"Forgive me, April-chan," Murakami said, "But you smell as though you've been in the sewers. Let me make us some tea."

"Murakami-san," April laughed, "I think I need to do some things a bit more useful than a cup of tea."

"What could be more helpful than tea?" Murakami said with a playful smile.

An hour later, April was enjoying a third bowl of noodles as Murakami gave her tea. Murakami had visited an elderly woman neighbor who loaned him a few items that a woman might need: shampoo, conditioner, even an unopened toothbrush. April had showered, brushed her teeth and had pulled back her wet hair in a braid. As she had dried off in the bathroom, April noticed just how much weight she really had lost in her time alone. She self-consciously pulled the yukata closer around her bony frame. Murakami had sat quietly at the table, drinking tea while April ate. He had said nothing as April explained the reason for her absence and why she was visiting now.

"You are sure you want to risk going to such a large event and be seen?" Murakami asked at last. April toyed with the end of her braid.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I need to do this," April said, "I feel like I won't be able to concentrate on anything else if I don't. And besides, there's something about them that pulls at me."

"Particularly this Donnie?" Murakami asked.

"No!" April exclaimed. She was glad Murakami couldn't see her blushing.

"April-chan, my blindness does not weaken my other senses," Murakami said, "You admire this mutant boy very much."

"His music speaks to me very deeply, Murakami-san," April sighed, "I don't think I can really explain what it is."

"Do you remember my wife, April-chan?" Murakami asked.

April had met the lovely Japanese beauty once in her childhood. Kumiko Murakami had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's not long after April and her father first visited the noodle shop. The cruel illness had slowly stripped away everything that Kumiko knew and what defined the woman's very identity.

"When I met Kumiko, she wasn't even in the same class as I was," Murakami said, "I only ever saw her at lunchtimes and when she would come to my father's noodle shop. I never had the courage to say anything to her. Then, one year, she and I were placed in charge of a community festival. In addition to families in the neighborhood, we had many service men on leave. So, we created a geisha style café. We served my noodles and she arranged for many of her friends to dress as geisha to serve. Kumiko played the shamisen beautifully. It was as if she were pouring everything she was into the music she played and I got to see who she was in that music."

April's eyes widened. That was it! When she listened to TMNT's songs, it was as if she were getting a glimpse of something underneath the surface, as though under a mask.

"Her music touched me so deeply that I found the courage to confess how deeply I admired her. We became close friends from that day. One day, our friendship blossomed into love. And for 47 wonderful years, we lived not only as husband and wife, but as friends."

Murakami removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. April smiled as the man drifted back in time while she drank her tea. After awhile, Murakami stood up.

"April-chan, I will not ask what fate has brought you in life," Murakami said, "But I feel that fate is attempting to shift you again. Perhaps you may do more than allow it to push you as a leaf in the wind."

April considered these words. Could she really find a way to chart her own course now?

"Murakami-san, thank you for the food and use of your shower," April said, "I should get going now, before I'm caught and get you in trouble."

"April-chan," Murakami said sadly, "Please know that if I could, I would let you stay with me in safety."

April nearly started crying again at his words.

"Thank you," she said, "But I'm okay. And I'm going to go to see this performance. I don't know what will happen, but I want to have a chance to change things in my life."

"Ganbare, April-chan," Murakami said. April threw her arms around the man once more and felt a shift in her pocket. Looking down, she found two $20 bills.

"Murakami-san, I can't accept this," April said, "It's too much."

"April-chan, you are like the granddaughter I never had," Murakami said, "Take it and put it to good use."

April thanked her friend again and left. Riding the bus back uptown, April carefully made her way back to her underground home. She pulled out a box where she kept extra clothes for winter. Underneath, in a plastic bag, were some nicer clothes; a few dresses, skirts and blouses. She pulled out a yellow knee length halter dress and a pair of black strappy heeled sandals. This had been her mother's dress and was one of several clothing items April had taken with her. It was a little big on her since her life had changed, but April added a white sweater over it to hide the boniness of her arms and shoulders. She dug deeper to pull out an old Kaboodle organizer full of makeup. April did know how to use it, but seldom did; she had very few reasons, even before her move to wear it. But she touched up her skin and managed to hide some of the scratches and burns. She did a minimal amount to her eyes and lightly glossed her lips, then added a few drops of her perfume. She was ready.

On the street, April passed one of the marble building faces and saw the reflection she had almost forgot about. She looked so much more like the girl from three years ago. She knew it would be senseless to walk today in her shoes, so she caught a taxi.

"Where to, little mahila?" the driver asked.

"Central Park, please," April said, "72nd Street entrance."

"You go to the concert too, eh?" the driver asked, "I've had a lot of business that way tonight."

April smiled. 10 minutes later, April paid the driver one of the $20 bills. As the taxi left, April breathed deeply and entered the park. At the bandshell, she was stopped by a ticket taker and security. After being scanned with a security wand, April's ticket was returned to her.

"Congratulations, ma'am," the usher said, "You've been selected for an upgrade to VIP seating."

"Really?" April asked, "How cool!"

"Come right this way, miss," the security officer said. April followed him to an area set up to the right of the stage.

"Practically on the stage," April thought, "I hope Mikey doesn't try to jump off or something."

It took a moment before April realized that she was the only fan sitting in the section. It was mostly filled with members of the press and a few other people that April figured might be sponsors. April wondered what could have possibly been the reason for upgrading a fan to this seat. She didn't have long to wait; after 10 minutes, Splinter came out on stage to the tumultuous applause and shouts of concert goers. April joined in heartily.

"I thank you for coming tonight," Splinter said, "I hope you enjoy the wonderful talents of TMNT tonight and we wish to announce that 50% of our proceeds tonight go to several charities, such as "Home Again", a charity dedicated to giving shelter to the homeless and "Ever Changing", an organization dedicated to helping mutants who have suffered instability due to their mutations."

Polite cheers and applause erupted again.

"Thank you for your patronage," Splinter said, "But you did not come to hear me, although I will admit that I, too, sang in my youth. But I present to you now, TMNT!"

Screams and cheers exploded across the park as the boys jumped onstage. April swallowed hard and screamed along with the crowd. Leo stepped up to the microphone.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight," he said, his voice sounding as formal as ever, "We appreciate your dedication and your willingness to support two worthy causes."

"Enough speech making, bro!" Mikey said and the crowd screamed, "Let's show 'em how much we love 'em!"

Raph hit the downbeat as Mikey began to play. Donnie shook his head ruefully at Leo and joined in. With a frown, Leo picked up the guitar and launched into a fast-paced melody that April recognized as "Say It," from one of her morning music playlists.

"You want me, girl, don't think I haven't seen
The way you laugh at my jokes, hon' they ain't that funny
Yeah, I see how much you want me close, and I'll tell you now
It's not me, it's you, baby girl, and you got the power!

You only have to say it and I'll mold into your hands
You only have to say the words that will sink me where I stand
Oh girl, you have to know I want you that much, too
You only have to say the words and I'll give myself to you."

April was cheering wildly as Donnie's fingers danced over the keys in between the verses. This song was so much more erotic watching Leo sing and seeing the fiery looks the boys cast the audience. Something in the area of April's chest didn't a flutter as she caught Donnie's look. The smile he wore was smoldering and April felt her cheeks burn. As the song ended, April recovered enough of her wits and screamed with the rest of the crowd.

The evening continued on with more and more music that April recognized. At an intermission, April received a pass that would allow her to go backstage once the concert was over; another perk of her upgrade to VIP. April smiled as she hung the pass around her neck. She couldn't help but feel a bit like Cinderella. Murakami-san had been her fairy godmother, or rather, godfather, for the evening and she was going to be able to meet her Prince Charming. And yet, somewhere in the back of her mind, April heard the seed of cynicism beginning to crack open.

"How much longer would this magic last?" it seemed to be saying. April didn't have to face the question long as the lights flashed above her, signaling the second part of the concert. As the boys returned to the stage, April cheered with the fans. The concert lasted another hour, and as Leo and Mikey played out the final chords of "Yes", Donnie moved off stage to adjust something April could not see.

"Thank you all," Leo said, "For our last number for tonight, we have a new song we want to feature, composed by Raph and Donnie."

April's stomach flipped. A new song? She hoped someone was going to be filming it to post online for her to listen to later.

"It's a very special piece that speaks to the four of us very deeply," Leo said, "Many of you know that we four mutant turtles were adopted as children during those dark days of insanity from the radioactive mutagen that affected so many people and animals. Yet, we have never forgotten that we have moved beyond that darkness to a brilliant light and we will continue to move on."

From somewhere, the sound of a church organ began to intone heavily, accompanied by the ringing of church bells. Raph was striking hard at a bell, glancing over at Donnie as he prepared.

"We have pierced that darkness and we are never going back," Leo said. As he stepped back from the microphone, Donnie began to sing.

"Darkness of white you can, through the shadow take your flight,
And become the wings that pierce the veil, spreading strong and true tonight."

The stage exploded in white light and melted into a cacophony of prismatic beams. Leo and Mikey stood back as they played a melody that was both dark and heavy and yet, uplifting to April.

"Brought into the light at last by the cold exposing sun
I was granted freedom tamed and my battle finally won
Through the mirror, night reflected, miraculous to see
My soul threw away the mask that hides the deeper me.

My chains hold fast and cut deep
Behind this crumbling wall
My face wears both hope and pain
But the curtain shall soon fall
If your heart still aches and yearns,
And your soul is wracked in pain
Then the end is near, stay with me, my dear
And I'll help you fly away."

April was beyond words as the music roared in her head like a storm. Something about this song connected with her on a level that she didn't even know existed within her. How long had she felt trapped in a world that was crumbling? Her mother was gone and her father was missing. She lived homeless to escape a deeper torture that still tore at her heart and soul. She remembered what Murakami had said about music having the ability to touch the deepest part of a person's soul and April understood. She wiped her eyes as the next verse began. Donnie, like Leo had in previous songs, switched to Japanese. And April once again, found her eyes locked with Donnie's and he seemed to be singing directly to her.

"yaiba no you na kaze fuku sekai
mamorubeki mono wa nan na no ka?
hitotsu hitotsu itami o shiru tabi
hontou no jibun e to chikadzuku"
(In this world where the wind blows like a knife
What is it that I should protect?
When I know one pain after another
I draw closer to my true self)

April felt a crazy desire to run into his arms and allow his embrace, his voice, his kisses to soothe away every pain and fear she felt.

"His kisses?" April thought in alarm, "Where did that come from?"

Leo and Mikey harmonized with each other and Donnie's soft voice rose with their music.

"kieyuku Fake Light
umareyuku True Light
kono te ni"
(The fake light that is disappearing
The true light that is being born
In these hands)

"Breaking the dark of night, piercing through the painted white
Cut it all away from yesterday 'til a new era's in sight
Unlock the heart within, let it spread its wings and soar
Rising up in flight, through the night of white
And fly on forevermore."

As the song exploded with Raph's drumsticks striking a final beat that seemed to crackle like thunder across the park, the crowd exploded with applause. April joined them, her eyes shining with tears. Some part of her mind screamed at her that she was only 16, that she barely knew him, that it was a fan girl crush, but April ignored it. She understood what Murakami had said about Kumiko and she knew that, despite what would become of her feelings in the future, in the here and now, she was in love with Donnie of TMNT.

To Be Continued

A shorter chapter, but I needed to end it hear. Don't worry, the next chapter is coming right up. If you're worried about anyone, especially Donnie, acting out of character, you'll see that he's really not that far off, just that April hasn't gotten up close and personal yet. A lot of the shyness is still going to be there, but Donnie has a lot more maturity when dealing with most people, he just gets shy with April. Yes, most of the songs are from other anime series and I would like to acknowledge that below:

"Byakuya True Light (White Night True Light) is copyrighted to D. , Sakai Mikio and English versions to Vic Mignogna. However, "Say It" is my own composition. As you saw in this chapter, I will include translations of Japanese words and songs in parentheses.

Again, I'm not making money from writing fan fiction; it's actually part of my exercises to improve my own writing skills as I work toward being published. So, if things are delayed with this, and future stories, it's because my muse is inspiring other writing. Please continue to review my story and help guide me along.