Paniga's sobs were finally subsiding, as the room exploded in commotion.
"What do you mean, 'she's my cousin'?"
"How come we didn't know this?"
"We didn't ask her previous family, remember?"
Paniga felt the blush returning to her face as everyone began asking questions and debating. She wished she could've sunken into the ground at that moment, or found a rock to crawl under to escape the noise.
"ENOUGH!"
Everything quieted when Sensei came in, and slammed his cane down on the floor. Paniga, while grateful for the quiet, still couldn't help wrapping her tail around herself as she felt all eyes on her.
"One question at a time!" Sensei ordered. Turning toward Casey and Paniga, he spoke in a softer tone. "I did not know you two were related."
Thankfully, Casey responded. "Yea. Her father and mine were siblings."
Sensei nodded. "I... assume you were not aware of Paniga's... situation."
Casey shook her head. "After we had found out my Uncle Nathan and Aunt Maria were gone, there wasn't any sign of Paniga. Months went by, and we didn't have any hope left. It was a year after the experience that my father and sister said she was dead," Casey turned toward Paniga, a look of angered pain in his eyes. "Why haven't you come to find me? Why did you have to run away? We thought you were dead!"
"Casey," April warned, trying to hold his arm. He shook it off before continuing.
"You caused so much trauma in the house. What, did you think because you became a mutant we wouldn't want you? Just because you aren't human anymore?!"
The silence that followed was tenses, and Raph couldn't help but feel a little angry at Casey. He looked over in enough time to see Paniga hang her head low.
"I... I'm so sorry Casey."
All eyes turned on Paniga's cracking voice. Casey frowned suddenly guilty for his outburst.
"Pan..."
"I didn't know I had caused so much pain... I didn't want you guys to see me like this," Paniga looked back up, tears pouring down her face. "YOU MUST HATE ME!"
Everyone was taken aback at the scream from the quiet mutant. Before Casey could respond, Paniga jumped up and ran toward the entrance, gracefully jumping over the turnstiles as she went. As she disappeared into the sewers, leaving everyone too stunned to move. Everyone except Raph that is. Before anyone could make a move, Raph found himself leaping over the turnstiles and down the sewers after the sobbing mutant. He didn't really understand what had just transpired, but he knew it was dangerous for Paniga to run off in the sewers alone. He had to find her.
It seemed like he had jogged for hours by the time he could hear sobbing from the tunnels. Looking around, Raph recognized this section of the sewers. It was the same place they had found Paniga a couple of weeks prior. Hesitating, the red banded turtle went down the path, listening as the sobbing grew louder and louder. Raph entered and looked around. The old blankets were still piled up high, and atop them was Paniga. She had her ears flat on her skull, and her ringed tail wrapped around herself in an attempt to provide some sort of comfort while her face was buried into her arms. Raph's heart ached; though he didn't understand why. Sure, he was upset for her, and Casey had been a real jerk, but the amount of care Raph felt was almost unbearable. Releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding, the turtle slowly made his way toward the crying girl. Unsure of how to proceed, he did the first thing he could think of.
"Paniga?"
The girl gasped and jumped, not prepared for someone to be with her. "Raph?"
Raph frowned deeper before lowering himself on his knees before the girl. "I didn't want you running the sewers alone. It's not safe."
Paniga reburied her face and sobbed again. Raph hesitated again before speaking.
"Look, about what Casey did..."
"He's right."
Raph felt his blood boil at how lost she sounded. "What?"
Paniga sniffled in an attempt to slow her sobs. "I should have had more faith in him and found him."
Raph cocked his brow toward her. "What makes you say that?"
Paniga opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Tears continued to fall down her face, tracing the brown patches on her muzzle. Raph smiled softly.
"Exactly. Paniga, what you went through was horrific. It was a time of shock and pain. You did what you thought was best, and you had no real way of knowing that Casey and his father and sister would accept you as you are. It's tough for mutants, so you took the course of action needed to keep you safe. Nobody can blame you for this. I sure as hell don't."
"But Casey.."
"What about him?" Raph said, his frown returning. "He was angry and lost his temper. He was just so hurt from missing you, I guess it just spilled out. I didn't even know he had a cousin named Paniga," Raph looked as the girl, who had her eyes cast downward. For the hundredth time that night, Raph hesitated before gently slipping his hand under her chin and pulled her gaze to his. Using his thumb, he began wiping away some stray tears that had fallen. "He made a mistake. He shouldn't have gotten angry at you, and I could tell he regretted it instantly. It doesn't make it right, but he is sorry. And you did what you did; you can't change that. But this is going to be a new chapter in your life. And it will be so much better than the last, especially now that Casey is in your life again. Do you understand?"
Paniga sniffed as Raph retracted his hand. In a moment of anguish, and desperate for comfort, Paniga launched herself at Raph, wrapping his arms around the mutant's waist. Raph wasted no time in returning the embrace, a faint blush forming on his cheeks. Paniga's tears still ran as Raph held her. In an attempt to comfort her, he found his hand trailing to the back of her head. He gently ran his fingers along her scalp and down her hair. Paniga hesitated upon the sudden contact, but relaxed as the soothing feeling took over. She had always loved when people would play with her hair, and scalp massages were the best feeling to her. She unconsciously nuzzled into Raph's plasteron, surprised at how warm he was. For a hard shelled turtle, that is.
Both stayed this way for a few minutes until Paniga sniffed away the last of her tears. She pulled back gently, to which Raph let go as well. Both had a blush on their faces, and didn't bother to hide it from the other. Raph was the first to offer a smile, to which Paniga gladly returned.
"Thank you."
Raph cleared his throat. "Don't mention it."
There was silence for a moment, as each found a different part of the walls more interesting than each other. A beeping sound broke the growing tension, and Raph pulled out his shell cell. It was a message from Leo.
Leo: Hey. Are you okay?
Raph knew Paniga wasn't ready to go back, and he wasn't really cooled off from Casey either. But he couldn't ignore his brother. Not this time.
Raph: Yea. I'm with Pan.
Leo: Okay. Stay safe.
Raph sighed in relief. Leo wasn't making him come back yet. Maybe his brother knew that it wasn't wise with the hot head's current mood? Putting his cell away, he turned back to Paniga, who was glancing up through the drain vent above them. The light shining through made her eyes dance. A thought struck Raph. It was night time after all.
"Hey. You want to see something cool?"
Paniga looked back at Raph. "Cool?"
Raph nodded. "I think they can wait for us for a little longer."
Relief also seemed to dawn on the girl's face. "What is it?"
Raph turned toward the exit. "Follow me."
Both walked in silence for a while before reaching a ladder. Paniga knew it lead to the surface.
"Raph?"
"Just trust me," Raph smiled at her. He climbed up first and lifted the man hole cover, looking around for any sign of people before pushing it to the side. He emerged and quickly reached his hand to pull Paniga up. Paniga looked around. It was her first time on the surface in weeks. Heiwa normally found food and brought it back, but sometimes she would go if she could get to the dump in an attempt to find useful items, such as clothing. But this was an alley, right in the middle of the city.
"Raph..."
"Shh," Raph put a finger to his lips as he replaced the manhole cover. "Not yet. Follow me, and be quick."
Paniga nodded, too nervous to go off on her own anyway. She followed the turtle down the alley a ways until he pulled down an emergency ladder. Looking up, she gulped. Heights never had set well with her.
"Come on," Raph whispered as he began to climb. Once he reached the next level, he held out his hand and helped pull the girl up. This climb continued until both had reached the edge of the roof. Raph gracefully jumped up, and reached his hand back down. "Almost there."
Paniga sighed, trying to ignore how high up they were. With a final mental push, she reached her arm up to Raph and allowed herself to be pulled up. Upon reaching the ledge, she found herself tripping and falling forward; to where Raph was waiting and caught her easily.
"Easy," he grinned, his neon gaze bright.
"Thanks," Paniga said as she stood tall. "What are we doing up here?"
"Look for yourself."
Paniga looked around and gasped. The city at night was beautiful. The lights were twinkling brightly against a navy sky. She could even make out a few stars amongst the light pollution.
"Wow..."
"Neat, huh?" Raph smiled. "This is where I go to cool off when I get angry at Leo for something."
Paniga glanced back. "You two argue a lot?"
Raph shrugged. "We each have different opinions and sometimes we but heads. But we always come back from it. And I know you and Casey will too. But don't focus on that right now," Raph said as he began walking across the roof. Paniga followed, noticing a large metal phone tower before them. "It's just nice to come up here and think. Some quiet, as it were."
Paniga watched as Raph sat at the base of the tower, patting the spot next to him. She smiled and sat beside him as they stared off into the city lights in silence. The red panda girl took a moment to reflect on all that had happened in her life. And even though she had only known this turtle for a couple of weeks, she couldn't help but feel safe in his presence. Something about his strong spirit, she assumed. But she could even see how gentle he was to her. It wasn't the same as his brothers, or even how he acted toward April. Paniga wondered why that was, or even what that could mean.
Something caught Paniga's ears, and she couldn't help them perk up. She wasn't sure what the sound was, but it seemed so... familiar. Looking over at Raph, she was surprised to see his eyes looking harsh and in all directions. Did he hear it too? Without warning, Raph jumped up, simultaneously pulling out his sai and twirled them for a moment, as if remembering how to use them.
"Raph..."
"Get behind the tower leg!" he commanded. Paniga hesitated but complied. No sooner did she duck behind, did a pink blast explode where she was sitting. Paniga couldn't help the short scream that came from her mouth as suddenly mechanical sounds crashed all around them.
The Krang were here.
"Krang has spotted one who has called himself one of the turtles," the one directly in front of Raph said.
Raph felt his blood boil and freeze all at the same time. Anger from being interrupted erupted inside of him. But now he had Paniga to look after. It wasn't about him; if he were alone he could take out all eight of the robots himself carelessly. But with Paniga in the mixture...
"I'm warning you," the turtle snarled back. "Back away, now. Or you'll be sorry."
The distinct sound of their weapons charging cut deep into Paniga's memories. Before she knew it, there were lasers firing in every direction, and Raph had jumped into action. Using his sai, he began deflecting blasts away from him and Paniga, growling and yelling in the process. He even managed to kick the head off of one of the robots, disabling it. Paniga watched in horror as the middle of the robot opened up, revieiling a pink, brain looking creature with eyes and teeth. That was a Krang?
"Paniga, get out of here!" Raph shouted after kicking back a robot. "You have to get back where it's safe."
Paniga nodded, tears threatening to fall, as she bolted from her spot. Hesitating briefly, she began to swing herself over the side of the building, casting a look at Raph as he continued trying to dodge bullets and fight off the Krang. They locked eyes for a second before Raph yelled again.
"Run Paniga!" Paniga sunck onto the ladder, but froze upon Raph's next words.
"Don't look back. Just keep running!"
Memories of her mother screaming that surfaced, rendering the red panda immobile. She closed her eyes, begging the memories to cease as she clung to the fire escape ladder. It wasn't a moment later she heard Raph yell out in aggravated pain. He had been hit. Paniga's eyes opened as she had made her decision. She would not allow history to repeat itself.
Climbing back onto the roof, Paniga saw that Raph was still standing, but had a large gash on his bicep, and blood was trickling from the wound. Looking around, Paniga noticed the power supply hooked to the cell tower. Heading in that direction, she noticed a jumper cable laid carelessly on the ground. Probably by a disgruntled employee. Looking back at Raph as he stabbed another bot, Paniga suddenly had an idea.
` "Raph! Disarm them! Quickly!"
Raph glanced up at Paniga's voice, startled that she was still there. "What?"
"Disarm them!" Paniga rushed toward the power generator, scooping up the cables on her way. Raph didn't know what the was doing, but got to work examining his options. From his belt, he pulled out six throwing stars. While dodging each bullet, he threw them one by one at the remaining bots, effectively striking their guns and rendering them useless. Looking back at Paniga, he saw her lay jumper cables on the roof. Where did she find those?
"Raph! We need to climb up!"
"What? We'll get trapped!"
"Just do it!" Paniga started up the side of the tower, climbing the bars as best as she could. Raph looked around, sheathed his weapons, and climbed up after her. As the tower began to narrow up at the top, both were able to soon climb side by side. At the top, both stopped, having nowhere left to run.
"Okay, I hope you have a plan," Raph glanced down and noticed the Krang had started to climb up after them
Paniga looked at the top, the red light of the tower blinking before looking back down. Sudden realization hit her at how high they were. It would have been a beautiful sight, had it not been for the Krang trying to hurt them. Or worse. Glancing back at an annoyed Raph, she replied, "We have to get back down."
"And how do you propose that?" Raph said half angered that the Krang were still climbing closer.
Paniga looked around, and noticed Raph's grapple hook in his belt.
"... We could swing down."
Raph glanced at Paniga, who was breathing hard from the adrenaline and fear. Raph nodded and pulled his grapple out. Carefully wrapping it around the top of the tower, Raph gave it a few test tugs to ensure it wasn't coming undone. Once he was sure it was stable, he reached his hand toward Paniga.
"Climb onto my back."
Paniga nodded and shifted so she was clinging to Raph, arms around his neck and her legs wrapped tightly around his shell. She shifted to get into a good position, being careful to not hurt his arm more.
"Don't go yet," Paniga said. Raph glanced back at her in disbelif.
"You can't be serious!?"
"Trust me!"
They both looked down as the Krang were now half way up the tower.
"Paniga..."
"Not yet!" Paniga said. With each inch they gained on them, both grew nervous. But Paniga knew they had to wait.
"Paniga!"
"Almost!"
One of the lead Krang finally was a foot below them. It reached up, ready to pull Raph's leg off the tower before Paniga finally screamed, "NOW!"
Raph wasted no time in pushing off the tower, the Krang missing his foot by inches. He allowed his grapple rope to slide through his hands at a steady pace. While she knew they were in trouble, Paniga couldn't help but enjoy the rush of wind through her hair, even enjoying how her tail seemed to fly behind her. Both mutants wrapped around the tower and Krang a few times, before Raph caught one of the tower legs, stopping them both. Looking up, Raph stared as the Krang bots were stuck; they were tied to the tower.
"Tie it off, quickly!" Paniga shifted off of raph and took part of the grapple, pulling it tighter around the bots. Raph obeyed, tying the end fast.
"You know they can break through right?"
"We just need the extra seconds," Paniga said, slightly out of breath.
Once the rope was bound off, Raph and Paniga each took turns sliding down the tower leg, Raph first. As Paniga slid down, Raph gently caught her by the waist, ignoring the sting in his arm. Once Paniga was on the ground, she rushed toward the power supply, sliding toward the cables.
"What are you doing...?" Raph trailed off when he saw the other end of the cables was attached into the generator. A panel had been removed, and one end was clamped directly around the battery compartment.
"Fried Krang anyone?" Paniga smirked, the other cables in her hands. Quickly, she clamped both cables onto the metal tower. It was instantaneous. Electricity surged through the tower, electrifying the Krang that were stuck fast. Raph and Paniga watched as their systems overloaded and hissed, sparks flying from each bot. One by one, the remaining six bots burst into flames and shut down. The Krang in their chest fell from their machines, charred and battered. Raph was sure if the electricity didn't kill them, the fall that they just endured did. An alarm from the power generator sounded. It was beginning to overload.
"Paniga!" Raph didn't even think as he scooped Paniga up in his arms. Startled, Paniga quickly wrapped her arms around the turtle's neck as Raph began running. Eyes focused, Raph didn't dare lookd down at the girl in his arms as he increased his speed.
"Hold on!" he exclaimed.
Paniga closed her eyes, suddenly aware of what Raph was planning to do. She didn't want to look until it was over. With a slight yell, Raph pushed off the edge of the building and jumped. Paniga felt the air rushing through her hair again as she subconsiouly wrapped her tail around Raph's shell. Raph landed on his feet with a thud and kept running across the next roof top. After a few successful jumps, Raph finally slowed down and turned. Paniga opened her eyes, thankful they didn't fall. The roof they had been on suddenly exploded as the power generator blew to pieces. Both winced at the explosion, watching as the whole thing was enveloped by smoke. Pieces of the tower went everywhere, even a Krang arm had managed to soar through the air and land at their feet, smoking and charred from the events of that evening.
As the explosion subsided and both heard the sound of fire engines coming closer, Raph wasted no time in climbing down the fire escape and into a dark alley way, Paniga still in his arms. He set her down once on the ground long enough to lift up a manhole cover and allowed her to slip into the sewers first before he followed, replacing the manhole cover as silently as only a ninja could. Once Raph landed down below the surface, he turned toward the red panda girl, both sharing a look as the last of their adrenaline began to wear off.
Not one of them could figure out who started it, but both found themselves laughing in hysterics at the night they had had. Paniga laughed herself to tears as she stumbled. Raph rushed to catch her, but stumbled himself and both landed on the ground in a laughing mess. Before long, Paniga was holding her stomach and rolling around laughing, while Raph managed to pound his fist into the ground while laying on his plasteron. A few more minutes of laughter and both finally reduced themselves to giggles as they rolled to face each other.
"That was awesome!" Raph smiled. "I can't believe we electrocuted the Krang!"
"I know!" Paniga giggled. "Did you see how charred they looked when the fell out of their suits?"
"Funniest thing I've ever seen!" Raph grinned. "Or how about when the tower blew and a random Krang bot arm landed at our feet!"
Paniga and Raph laughed again before both Raph looked at Paniga.
"You were amazing."
Paniga's giggles went quiet, replaced with a blush and a small smile. "I'm not the one with nijitsu skills like you."
"You kidding? I didn't even notice the power generator," Raph said. "I wouldn't have thought of a plan like that!"
Paniga blushed before glancing at Raph's arm. The bleeding had stopped eons ago, but it still looked painful.
"Does it hurt?"
Raph looked at his right arm, noticing how deep the cut was for the first time since the attack. "It's not bad. It'll be healed in no time." Paniga smiled as Raph rose to his feet. "We better get back to the lair. Donnie will want to clean this sucker out."
"You look like you could use a shower on your own," Paniga glanced at his sweat and dirt covered body. Raph grinned and offered his good hand to her. Paniga pulled herself up with a smile on her face.
"And you need another one," Raph said. Paniga glanced down to see her cloths dirty and her body was just as dirty as Raph's. Giggling, Paniga playfully shoved Raph's left shoulder. Raph smiled, seeing Paniga's bright blue eyes light up brighter than he had ever seen. With a blush covered by the grim and sweat, Raph extended his left arm to her in silent question. Paniga, who returned the blush, gladly looped her arm into his. Both started walking toward the lair, not caring about what had happened in that moment. It wasn't long before Paniga's head leaned against Raph's shoulder, exhaustion beginning to kick in. Raph welcomed it though as he guided her through the sewer system back home, his blush not leaving his face.
