HERE IS A KIND OF BONUS CHAPTER, IN WHICH I WILL TRY TO WRITE THE CHARACTERS IN AN ORIGINAL SITUATION. I MUST ADMIT, I KINDA WANTED TO SEE THIS SCENE IN THE 2012 VERSION, AFTER THE GEM OF THE 2003 INTRODUCTION OF APRIL TO MASTER SPLINTER. I HOPE I DON'T SCREW THIS UP AND MAKE IT UNREALISTIC. ANYWAY, HOPE YOU ENJOY!

GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY!

~THE LUPINE SOJOURNER

"Are...are you...sure about this?" Donnie asked. April chuckled and shrugged.

"Yeah. It's been, what, a week since I met you guys?"

"Five days, actually." Donnie corrected automatically. Then blushed. "Bu-but you were close, so...uh..." I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit like a third wheel. It was only by Leo's insistence that I was here at all. He didn't want us going off alone, especially with Spider-bites running around and those Kraang droids creeping over the city. "Sh-shall we?" He asked, offering the girl his arm politely. April blinked, but took it after a second's hesitation. April may not have noticed the blush exploding all over Don's face, but I did with a smile. He was too cute around her. And she was completely oblivious. I led the pair toward a nearby alleyway with a manhole cover, and soon enough we descended. I saw April wrinkle her nose, but she had the decency not to comment on it. "You'll get used to it." Donnie assured her absently with a small smile. April blinked.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude." Don waved his hands hurriedly, stopping our progress down the tunnel to reassure our friend.

"No, no! You weren't rude. In fact, I bet you're pretty polite compared to most humans..." He trailed off when it became obvious April was about to burst out laughing.

"Don, you know...you don't need to tiptoe around me. It's fine." He just shrugs and leads us down the tunnel. I had to slip my mask over April's eyes, and it acted like a blindfold. This way, she couldn't tell anyone where exactly we lived. It was the only way Dad agreed to us bringing her down to the Lair.

"Don's...not used to talking to humans. I guess he's just worried he's gonna...I dunno...scare you off or something." I whisper, low enough that only April could hear. She nods.

"That makes sense." Soon enough, we arrive at our humble abode and I slip the mask off, putting it back on in seconds. As we round the corner, she gapes at the scene before her. Although the Lair isn't anything like a human home, it's our home, and we intend to keep it that way. "No way! This place is...wow. Is this...a subway station of some kind?" I laugh. April is beaming as she tales our home in, climbing easily over the turnstiles.

"Yeah. Okay, now to business." I say seriously. April catches my eyes, and sobers up in seconds. "A few things to know before you meet Dad. (1) He's a rat." April paled, but nodded after a minute, a subtle shiver racing down her spine. "(2) He's...not easily trusting. So, just give him no reasons to think you're against us, and we're good. (3) 'Master Splinter' might be the best way to address him and (4) 'Hai, Sensei' is the most respectful way to answer 'yes' to a question. It means 'Yes, teacher' in Japanese, our second language and his first." April blinks, my words sinking in.

"...So...you're dad is...an untrusting Japanese rat?" I smile.

"Yeah. You got it! Just be respectful and we won't have a problem." I lead her to the dojo, where Splinter is waiting with tea already brewed. "Sensei, I'd like you to meet April O'Neil. April O'Neil, meet Hamato Yoshi, Sensei of the Hamato clan and my father." He nods, bowing his head slightly in greeting even as his eyes weigh April up, scanning her and assessing her. His eyes only appear wary, if not hostile, to someone who has known Splinter as long as I have. April only sees a welcoming gaze, gulps, paling and obviously fighting an impulse to scream and run.

"Pl-pleasure, sir—er, Sensei?" The last word is phrased like a question, her wild eyes on me. I smile and give her a thumbs up and a wink. She looks a little reassured as she then returns her gaze to Sensei.

"Come, my friend. Please, sit. I do not bite." April swallows thickly, but does as she's told, the smallest of smiles pulling at her lips. She takes the offered cup of tea, but predictably doesn't drink it due to her increasing anxiety. "My children have told me a little about yourself and how you came to meet them, but I wish to hear what happened according to you, April." She chews her lips, finally sipping the tea, as if to stall for time before she's forced to answer.

"Uh...well, My dad and I were out for a walk—like usual this time of year—when we were suddenly surrounded by these weird guys that literally all looked the same. We didn't know what they wanted, but before Dad could do anything, they had him unconscious and nearly in the van. Then...your...children intervened. They tried to help, but...uh..." She gulps.

"We already got a lecture. He knows we screwed that up royally first try." I inform her. She looks lost and afraid, and I need to show her to just relax around dad, or this won't end well.

"Right. Well...we were taken to a...base, I guess it was. After about three hours, give or take, we heard a commotion outside our cell." From there, she launched into a detailed account of our rescue, describing how, though we didn't really have a plan, we managed just fine. I was grateful that she portrayed us favorably, but she didn't need to defend us. We'd gotten a 'well done' that night. No biggie. "And...that's pretty much it, Master Splinter." She finishes. Dad nods, eyes still wary, but not as hostile as before, no matter how carefully he hid it.

"And you wish to aid my children in their fight against the Kraang?" April nods, a sudden determination filling her.

"Hai, Sensei." Splinter seems impressed she knows that phrase, and I give him a smile to let him know I had taught it to her. After all, Dad deserved the utmost respect. He gives the tiniest of nods in acknowledgement. "This...family may be weird, but the others are going to need someone willing and able to help them out with things they can't do on their own, like snooping around in the daytime, or whatever else they need." She adds. Splinter nods slowly.

"If my children were unable to retrieve your father, would you still be this willing to help them?" Was his next question. I hum. That's a very good question. April takes a minute or two to think.

"I'd like to think so, but would rather it not come to that. You have amazing children, and I'd place my trust in them any day, but understand nothing's...nothing's guaranteed." I smile. That was a good answer. It didn't promise something she may not be able to deliver, while allowing for mistakes, but not putting a ton of pressure on us at the same time. She's a pretty cool young lady, in my book.

But it's not my book April has to worry about. Dad takes her answer in thoughtfully. Then, he gives her a small smile.

"I am very honored to hear that, April." Is his reply. I fist bump the air.

"So does that mean she can come over more often?" Comes Donnie's voice from the entrance to the dojo. Master Splinter frowns at him.

"Donatello, have I not told you I was not to be disturbed?" Don pales, and makes a hasty retreat, calling 'Sorry, Sensei!' over his shoulder as he does so. April chuckles. "Welcome to our home, Ms. O'Neil." Dad says, bowing slightly to our friend. I gestured for her to do the same.

"Th-thank you, Master Splinter."

"Now, come on, April!" I cheer. "I gotta give you the nickel tour of the Lair!"