A/n: Updates will be fewer and farther between for a while until I get into the swing of things at my new site of education, lol.
Unfortunately, I do not own the TMNT. That honour is Eastman + Lairds/ Mirages.
- Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back -
"Woah, slow down here. Let me get this straight," Mikey raised an eyebrow. "Casey- the- utterly- irresponsible- Jones, is your Uncle? How did that happen?"
"We'll tell you about the Birds and the bees when you're older Mike," Donatello told him with a small hint of a smile. However, he was as equally perplexed about this whole matter as his younger brother seemed to be. The young turtle needed some answers, and wanted them now.
"Sam's my older cousins kid, along with Danny, and Ben," Casey explained quickly, still a look of confusion plastered across his face. "What I don't get is- what the hell are you doing here Sammy? I haven't heard from ya for a year. And why the hell are you in bandages!"
Everyone looked to the teenage girl at this point, and Sam suddenly began to get very hot, as if someone had turned a giant spotlight on her and no matter where she ran, it would always follow. It was an endless cycle with her; get out of one mess, and another soon presents itself. She just hoped someone would shoot her; or she'd shrink so small that everyone would forget about her presence. Awaiting some miracle to get her out of this situation, she stayed silent, her eyes flicking around the room, looking for said miracle. When one didn't present itself however, she sighed in defeat. Her luck had run out, had it even been there to begin with.
"Long time no see," She began, the essence of a smile trying to creep onto her face as her mouth suddenly went very dry. Still praying for a distraction, she continued. "I um, got into a fight the other night with some guys. Kind'a got a bit pummelled. The guys saved us, and fixed me up. End of story."
"Yeah, when I see those Purple Dragons again, I'm going to give them a hah, and a hi-yah, and kick their ugly butts from here to Timbuck two," Danny grinned, punching and kicking the air in a demonstration before he caught the death glare his sister had been sending him, stopping his performance immediately.
"Purple Dragons? That lowlife scum did this to you!" Casey's voice was on the rise all through his sentence, and the people in his immediate range slowly backed away.
"It's all right Casey, we dealt with them," Leo said, attempting to stop his friend from blowing the veins in his head. "Besides, Sam and Danny are fine, and that's all that really matters."
The teen shot the turtle in blue a thankful glance, "Listen, Uncle C, it's cool. I wasn't hurt too bad." At this, Donatello gave Sam a reprimanding look, which she tried her best to ignore.
"How is it cool! You got the snot kicked out'a ya, and you think that's okay!" Casey almost yelled; his eyes ablaze. "You'se could'a got yourself killed and I would'nt 'ave been none the wiser! With your parents and your grandpa gone, what the hell did you think you were gonna do? Jesus Sammy, I thought you had more sense to keep in touch and call when things got bad. I ain't heard from ya in a year and now, I find ya wrapped in bandages…"
"Casey! Shutup for a second!" Raphael snapped, his attitude the only thing that could currently get Casey to calm down other than a hard slap across the face. "Sam's been through loads, and you giving her the third degree ain't gonna help matters! She got the shit kicked out'a her that night, but she still managed to save my shell when it mattered! And hell, she didn't even know me!"
Sam swallowed hard as she watched her Uncle's rage grow. Her eyes dropped to her hands where she began to fiddle idly with her bandage when Raph began to stand up for her. It was the first time either of them had mentioned what had happened in the dump, but she'd leave that for later. All she could do at the moment was hear the disappointment covering her Uncles words; she knew she had failed; she knew that she should've done better. Hell, she knew she could've done better! Her eyes narrowed as her fists clenched and her own temper began to grow; her frustration at herself for being such a weakling and not even being able to protect her younger brother.
"I know I failed!" She cried out over the top of the two arguing males, making them stop and turn to her. She found herself suddenly at centre stage once more. "I know I screwed up big time, all right! I should've handled things better, but I didn't. Big bloody surprise! I'm not Ben; I'm not fucking perfect. And look where it's got me, eh? I'm a nobody- a failure! I couldn't even protect Danny when it mattered. I couldn't even save my own family from falling to pieces…"
This was the first time in a long while that Danny had seen his sister like this, and it scared him. She was usually so strong, so confident that Danny believed she could do anything in the world. However, he always knew that some part of her was hiding; that there was something she wasn't telling him; that she didn't show the world. Sometimes, he would hear her crying at night, and would go to comfort her. Then they would sit and cry together until they fell asleep in each others arms. He liked those nights, because those were the nights where he would fall asleep comfortable, knowing that his sister felt the same way that he did. It made her seem more human, and less… super-human. Yet, here she was, breaking down in front of him, showing the whole world just how human she could be. It worried him so much, that he shuffled to Michelangelo, and clung to the side of the turtles shell looking for comfort, which he received in the form of an arm around his shoulder.
Leo and Raph looked at each other and frowned. In her, they each saw parts of themselves. The anguish at not being able to protect her family, Leo could relate to wholly; whereas Raph knew how it felt to be in the shadow of an older sibling. Each also knew how the other felt, and looked away uncomfortably.
Donatello stared at the teenage girl, and brought her into a hesitant embrace, shushing her fears and speaking words of comfort that his brothers usually spoke, "You did all you could do. You did your best and no one expects more than that, because that's all you can do. Everyone has their own strengths, and you've shown yours in every way possible. You brought up your younger brother all by yourself this past year. I knew I would never be able to do that, even though according to my bros I'm a genius. But you don't have to be afraid to ask for help, because it's always here for you. Casey's just upset that he might've lost you, that's all."
Samantha tensed up at the turtles embrace, and was about to fight it off when the tears came. She realised then that she wanted to be held; to be comforted; to be told that everything was going to be okay once more. So she relaxed slowly into the reptiles arms, and laid her head on his plastron, crying out her fears.
The group all stared at the young teen, who suddenly seemed to look a lot younger as she cried into Donatello's arms, with a sense of empathic sympathy. There was no one in that room that hadn't gone through their fair share of hard ships over the years. This being the case, Casey suddenly felt like a complete idiot; he'd gone into a complete tirade, when he'd done the same thing when he was younger. The forlorn look on his face added to the sheepish shuffle of his feet as he tried to think of something to say broke the silence. He brought his gaze up to meet Aprils, looking for some help. The red head just placed a soft hand on his arm and flashed him an encouraging smile, her confidence in him giving him the strength to find the right words.
"Sam," He said softly as he walked towards the teenage girl who turned to him at the sound of her name. "Listen, I'm sorry I lost it. It's just, I can't get the thought through my head that I might'a… you know, lost ya. I mean, what kind'a Uncle am I to let you go get hurt like that… and I just, want you to know that I'm here for ya. Just like ya Ma' was. I ain't going nowhere."
"My dear, you have a new family now," Master Splinter announced quietly, as he too walked towards Sam to stand beside Casey, a wizened understanding smile on his face. You couldn't really bring up four turtles and not become as understanding as he was. "Do not bear the worlds problems alone, when we are here to help."
"Plus, we owe you one for saving Raphie. God knows how happy we might've been with him out of the picture. Would've been a disaster," Mikey teased, trying to get a smile out of Sam and succeeding, but also landing himself with another smack upside the head. "Ow! Why do feel the need to hurt me? I am after all, you're younger, much more handsome and talented counter part. Ow!" The youngest turtle rubbed the back of his head, the mischievous glint in his eye never leaving.
"Makes me feel better," The older turtle answered, folding his arms across his chest.
"Of course, the question is, do you want to be part of such an odd family?" Donatello raised an eyebrow, a small toying smile on his face as he watched his younger brother hum the Addams family theme tune and once more get smacked upside the head.
"Aw, come on Sammy. Say yes, please, please, please, please, please!" Danny pleaded, running through Mikeys arm and to his sister's bedside now that she had calmed down. "They're not all that bad."
"I think I'll take that as a compliment," Mikey grinned. "Come on Sam, please, please, please, please, please!" The youngest turtle mimicked Danny, fluttering his eyelashes innocently.
"I've known you guys for only a couple of hours, and you're already proposing. Could at least buy a girl some flowers first," Sam finally replied when she could get a word in edgeways, her tears being wiped away unceremoniously by a hankie kindly handed to her from April.
"What am I? Vegetarian chopped liver?(1)" Casey raised an eyebrow, letting a small smile at the return of his nieces humour adorn his lips.
"Nah, you ain't that bad Uncle C," the teenager replied, a flicker of a smile on her lips as she was released from Donatellos arms, just to be encased in her Uncle's; an embrace that she gladly returned.
"Yay! One big happy family! Group hug!" Mikey grinned, holding out his arms, only to be met with silence and a couple of odd looks. "Well, excuse me for being sensitive. A turtle has feelings too ya know!" Huffing, he folded his arms grumpily.
Sam giggled, "Come here Mikey." She brought the turtle into a hug when he'd bounced over, the similarities between him and her own younger brother amazing her. It was then that she felt a pair of smaller arms sliding around her left side, so she freed one arm to put round what she guessed was Danny, who, like Mikey, also seemed to be feeling a bit left out. Looking to Raph and Leo, she motioned at the two that now clung to her sides with a quizzical brow. Both brothers just shrugged knowingly in reply.
"Um, guys, a little space?" She chuckled as the two youngest siblings retracted themselves and stood either side of her bed. It was then that a yawn fell to her lips, and Sam realised how tired she was. All this excitement didn't do her any good.
"And that would be my cue as Doctor, to shush everyone out of the room so my patient can get a little rest," Donatello shooed, taking the yawn as a sign that it was best everyone parted their separate ways. "Out you go!"
"We'll be back tomorrow to check up on you, and see if you want some help getting stuff from your apartment," April told her quickly, a warm smile and a wave signalling her exit.
"By we, that means me n April," Casey confirmed with a smile that April just rolled her eyes at. "Take care kiddo, got that?"
"Yeah, yeah," She smiled back, watching the two human adults leave. "Um, Uncle Casey?"
"Yeah Sam?" He asked, swinging himself back round the doorway.
"You hot on her?" Sam asked with a grin, which he just glared at good naturedly and left without a word which made the turtles chuckle.
"Come on Danny, we've got to beat boss number two on Crash force nebula!" Mikey announced, taking the fact everyone was leaving that it was his time to go. "Race ya to the couch!"
"You're not winning this time!" Danny laughed, already speeding off after the turtle, only stopping at the doorway for a moment to tell his sister he'd be back later.
"I think we've found Mikeys doppelganger," Donny supposed thoughtfully, airing everyone's thoughts at that precise moment with an impish grin.
"I think you are right my son," Master Splinter agreed with a nod. "I don't know whether this is a good or bad omen." At this, the aged rat chuckled, knowing his sons boisterous behaviour was enough to handle at the best of times. "Sleep well Miss Jones. I'll leave you now in the capable hands on my sons, who all have training in one hour."
"Thank you sensei," Sam replied, stopping a chuckle from escaping her lips at the sudden exasperated expressions on Donny and Raphs faces.
Donatello sighed, his shoulders slumping at the thought of evening training when he was already quite tired from looking after Sam. No rest for the ninja, especially for one who spends half his time fiddling with electronics. "Just call if you need anything, sound echoes amazingly well around this lair," He told her with a small accusing glance at Raphael. At this he left with a grin, Leo not two steps behind him.
"Come on Raph, let her get some rest," the eldest turtle said, one hand holding the doorway open as instruction for his brother to leave with him.
"I'll be out in a sec. I just wanna talk to Sam for a minute," Raph said, watching his brother's incensed stare. They stood like this for a moment, and Sam feared a confrontation, before Leo nodded unwillingly and backed away, giving Sam a friendly smile as he left.
After returning Leos smile, she turned to the red clad turtle and raised an eyebrow inquisitively. She said nothing, as if encouraging him to speak, which in the end he did.
"I just wanted to, ya know, say thanks for savin' my shell back at the dump n all," Raph said a bit awkwardly, his fingers toying with the hilt of his Sai, which he always seemed to do when he was nervous or irritated.
Sam couldn't help but let a smile cross her face as she swung her legs back onto the bed, wincing slightly when her right knee decided to twinge when she bent it. Bless him. "Least I could do after you jumped to the rescue," she replied. "Besides, couldn't let you guys have all the fun."
The turtle watched her curiously, letting a smile adorn his lips at her last statement. "Yeah, well, next time be a bit more careful and I won't have to come n save your sorry arse."
At this Sam laughed, and shook her head in disbelief at the turtle, using her arms to gently lower herself back onto the bed, the pillows propping her up comfortably. "Well, if the perks are this good, I won't be able to help myself."
"Ha, ha, ha," Raph replied sarcastically, a smirk telling Sam the turtle was still in good humour. "I'll leave ya to get some rest before Doctor Donatello comes back with a vengeance." Wandering to the door, he took another glance back and watched the teen close her eyes, head snuggled into a pillow, and turned so that she was leaning more on her left side. Making careful sure that he opened the door silently, the turtles left.
"Hey, Raph?" Sam called out before he closed the door.
"Yeah?" Peering back round the door, the turtle raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you," her voice replied softly from the bed, her eyes still closed as exhaustion swept over her in an unforgiving wave.
The turtle blinked in surprise, before smiling in understanding. He stood at the door for a couple of moments after, just watching the teenage girl fall into a humble sleep before silently closing the door and walking away.
Casey sat silently on the worn couch that sat in the turtle's lair watching his youngest nephew play with Mikey on the games console, his thoughts focused on trying to put together that day's events and new information, not really watching what was going on in the screen in front of him. It was a lot for him to handle, seeing as he wasn't easily the most sensitive of guys. The turtle's and their sensei had asked him to stick around for a while afterwards so that they could try and sort Sam and Danny's background out a bit more. Casey knew that they just wanted to know how they were related to him. He didn't blame them really.
The older male was thankful that April had decided to stay with him. He needed her by his side, and he didn't know why. It was just comforting to have someone there that knew him, and knew how to handle his moods. Raph was there, true enough, but he figured he needed someone who understood him a bit more emotionally.
"Casey, could you come to the kitchen?" Leo asked him politely, not wanting to discuss the matters in front of Danny. Mikey he could tell later if his youngest sibling desperately wanted to know.
Knowing that this was the time to spill the beans, Casey sighed and stood, wandering to the kitchen with April in tow. Taking the seat and the beer that was offered to him, he looked at his friends. "Hey, where's Raph?"
"He just wanted to talk to Sam, he'll be here in a minute," the eldest turtle said decisively. And if he wasn't here in a minute, than Leo would go and get him. He didn't want Raph keeping Sam up longer than was necessary; she needed time to rest and heal. Hopefully, he thought, even Raph should know that.
As if knowing someone was talking about him, the turtle they had been speaking of walked through the kitchen door and took a seat himself, "Aw, you guys waited."
"Party ain't complete with out you Raph," Casey smirked, punching the turtle affectionately on the shoulder.
"Nor you as it seems Mr Jones," Splinter spoke, raising an inquisitive eyebrow towards the human male. "How is it exactly that you are related to Samantha and Daniel?"
"Took the question right off my tongue Sensei," Donny stated, watching Casey for an answer.
The inevitable had come to pass, Casey hated long winded explanations, they hurt his head. So, taking a sip of his beer to quell his thoughts, he began, "My older cousin… well, a lot older, married a Japanese bloke by the name of Takuma Kagemori. Her name was Emily; she was a true class cuz. She taught me how to play hockey," He grinned at the memories before continuing, "Anyways, Takuma had come over here with his Dad, Kenji, to further some family business. I dunno. He met Emmie, they fell in love, n they got married. The result bein' Ben, Samantha, and Danny. They each have Japanese names their father gave em to, something to do will family honour; Bens was Takumi, Sams was Hoshi, and Danny's was Ryou…"
"Artisan, star, and refreshing dreamer," Master Splinter thought aloud, translating the names to the best of his ability. "Suitable names I am guessing."
"Now I know what they mean, yeah, sure are," Casey shrugged indifferently, much to the amusement of Raph and annoyance of Leonardo. "What I do know is they use 'em as middle names. Mainly dey were for when they spent summer's over in Japan with the Kagemori lot. But the last summer they spent there, Emmie n the kids flew home a month early. It was the year before they died, so Danny would've only been two. There had been some major trouble apparently, they didn't tell me much about it. I'd tried askin' Ben when he was a bit older, but he didn't tell me nothing either."
The large male paused at that point, the beer bottle rolling idly in his hands as he eyes unseeingly watched the brown liquid swirl in the base. Casey then took a large last gulp, and sighing sadly, he went on, "The next year, just afta Danny's third birthday, Emmie and Takuma got into a real bad crash. Never had a chance, what with the train goin' at the speed it was. Kinda suspicious really seeing as how Emmie was the only one dat drove, but Takuma was found in the driver's seat. It hit Ben and Sam hard. They did everythin' after that to protect Danny, s'why he's so carefree n all, 'cause he had his big siblin's to take away the worry n spoil 'im rotten. Their Grandpa Kenji took care of em after that. He was a good bloke, loved those kids to bits."
Silence reigned after Casey's explanation, each turtles mind burning with random thoughts and theories; questions and emotions. It hurt them to hear the tale of woe from Casey. It certainly put a lot into perspective on why Sam was so overprotective of Daniel, and why she never wanted to talk about Ben. After all, they'd been through so much, and he just left her and Danny to go god knows where.
"And I thought we'd had it rough," Raph murmured quietly, his beer suddenly loosing its desirability. "What happened to their Grandpa then?"
"He got sick n died a few years back, leavin' them three by themselves. Figured they could make it. And they did do for the first few months, but then it all kinda went pear shaped," Casey replied, leaning in his chair, the young males face suddenly looking a lot more worn and aged.
"How?" Leo asked, intrigued and saddened by the tale.
"Ben and Sam always had their arguments, but they got worse. Like, you n Raph worse…" At this, both mentioned turtles glanced away in shame and embarrassment. "Then, just one day, Ben up n left. Sam told me they'd had a huge argument bout their parents, their grandpa n Danny n stuff. I knew she was really cut up bout it, but she just said she didn't care; that she was glad he was gone. I told her that she needed someone else 'round to take care o' things, n offered my place with me. She din take too kindly to that, and started to argue with me, telling me I could'nt even look afta meself, let alone them two. She said ragin' around the city bein' a vigilante weren't real responsible. That was when we lost touch… She up n moved later that month. Had no idea what had happened to her until tonight…"
"I guess it was a big shock then huh?" Donatello asked with a saddened smile.
"Yeah," Casey agreed quietly, nodding absently as his finger ran round the edge of the empty bottle sitting apathetically in his hand. "Just lucky you guys were there to help em the other night. Dunno what would'a happened otherwise."
"We were lucky she was there," Leo replied. "If it weren't for her, then Raph might've…" He paused, not being able to say the word that so often threatened his family, and he so often feared. "…Been hurt." Leo finished quietly, his eyes not meeting his younger brother's gaze.
Raph nodded slowly, his arms folded almost protectively across his chest as his mind wandered back to the fight and the goon with the gun, "Not that I couldn't have handled it o' course. Just would'a been a bit messier."
His eldest brother guffawed incredulously, but didn't retort with anything knowing that at that moment, starting a fight was not the best idea. Plus the look sensei was giving him told him not to.
"At least you two have sorted things out now," April added with a smile, placing her hand over Casey's and giving it a comforting squeeze. "Its all water under the bridge."
Casey looked up at the charming red head and smiled, holding Aprils hand in his own. She always knew just how to make him feel better. Heck, she could smile and Casey would think it was Fourth of July. "Yeah," He replied, watching her eyes. "Come on, we've done our bit, we'll leave you guys to it." Standing, still with Aprils hand in his, he thanked them for the beer and the chat.
"We'll be by tomorrow to help Sam and Danny with some stuff from their apartment. Call us when they're ready will you?" April asked, looking mainly at Donny due to his more medicinal background.
"Sure April, I'll give you a bell sometime tomorrow. Thanks for coming down," Don smiled in answer.
The turtles and their sensei watched their friends leave after hearty goodbyes with intrigue at this new information. Good or bad information, they did not know.
Sam's dreams were riddled with terror. Everywhere she looked there was blood.
All she could hear was the constant noise echoing and bouncing round her head; screeching and crashing; screaming and pleading.
Flashes of torn limbs and wedding rings danced tauntingly across her eyes; insane delighted laughter coming from the darkness at these disturbing images.
But there was no face to the laughter; just eyes. Glaringly red eyes that haunted your every move and burnt a hole right through your soul. They seemed to know everything, yet were inexpressive and cruel.
She tried to turn; to run; to do anything to get away, but the torn limbs grabbed at her and pulled her back, the wedding rings sliding across her body and bounding her tight. All the while, those red eyes stared at her from the darkness, enjoying her fear; enjoying her pain.
Feeling herself screaming, all Sam could do to escape was will herself to wake up, and wake she did. Immediately her reaction was to clap a shaking hand over her mouth which hurt her chest more than she could say. However, it stopped her screaming. She felt the clamminess of the cold sweat, and took slow tremulous breaths to try and calm herself down.
Sam didn't want to go back to sleep now, not with those eyes haunting her sight even in the waking hours. But her exhaustion was relentless, and she could not prevent the inevitable event of shut eyes and slowed breathing.
Luckily for her, she went to a dreamless sleep.
A/n: There we go, we have the basic background. Bit short but it's explanative. And you even got a sort of peek at the baddy. Hehehe. What dya think? R+R! Lemme know!
(1) This line was used by Raph in 'Touch and Go'. I love that ep.
Please, do not criticise me if I got these wrong. I got them off a website, and I know the internet is not wholly reliable:
Kenji - From Japanese (ken) "study" and (ji) "two".
Takuma - From Japanese (taku) "expand, open, pioneer" and (ma) "real, true".
Takumi - From Japanese "artisan" or "skilled". It can also come from (taku) "expand, open, pioneer" combined with (mi) "sea, ocean" or (mi) "truth".
Hoshi - Means "star" in Japanese.
Ryou - From Japanese "cool, refreshing" combined with "distant" or "reality".