Ana watched April O'Neil Jones, still in her nightgown, grab a mug from the cupboard and pour recently heated tea on the cup. As a woman of more than forty years, she was not only as fit as she was twenty years ago but also, as beautiful, both inside and out. True, her bright auburn-colored hair was beginning to fade and tiny hints of wrinkles were forming on her face; however, her lucid emerald green eyes still held the same powerful yet gentle fire it did years before and she contained so much grace and perfect posture that whatever flaws she obtained with age were barely noticeable.
"Careful, it's hot" April cautioned as she handed the mug to the teenager seated on the table in her dining room.
"Thanks Aunt Ape" Ana said appreciatively. She blew on it before taking a small sip. After the warm liquid travelled down her throat, a sigh escaped her lips.
April took the chair across of her and placed her hands together. "So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" she asked.
"Why would you think anything's wrong?" Ana replied while tracing a finger on the mouth of her mug, entirely aware that April could see right through her.
The redhead smiled. "One, you're not looking at me. And two, you're not the kind of person who would visit at 1:30 in the morning just for the heck of it, sweetie."
Ana almost grinned. "You know me too well."
"You'd be insulted if I didn't," April replied with a grin. "Are you ready to talk now?"
The ninja-in-training, however, looked away.
April reached out and gently laid a hand on top of hers. "I know I'm not June," she stated softly. "But I care for you just as much. You're a second daughter to me, Ana. And I want to help you more than anything else right now."
"I… well… it's about dad…"
April was a little surprised. Whatever she had expected the teen's problem to be, it certainly wasn't about her father. She was aware that although some issues were never brought up between them, they had a very good relationship with each other.
"And Uncle Raph" Ana continued.
Now, that made more sense. And judging from Ana's reaction, the understanding must have been clear in the woman's expression.
"Do you know what's going on, Aunt April?" Ana asked. "Do you think you can help me?"
"I'm getting the general picture. Go on and we'll see what I can do."
And so, Ana began her tale of what happened earlier that night, from the training run with her dad down to her leaving the lair. It didn't take too long for April to fully understand the situation and how the teen was feeling.
"I don't know exactly what they were talking about," Ana admitted. "I just know it's about me."
When she finished, April gave her time to rest and drink more tea before voicing out her view on the matter.
"My advice is simple, Ana," she said. "Don't blame yourself."
"But-"
April raised a hand to stop her. "I'm not finished yet," she told the girl patiently. "Now, I want you to listen well, alright? I've known Leo and Raph since they were fifteen and I'm positive that they never have and never will stop arguing with each other. Not even your grandfather Splinter could accomplish it. It's how they deal with things, just like Don locks himself in his lab and Mikey cracks his jokes. I know that sometimes their arguments get a little too far and they tend to fight their aggression off by battling it out against each other but that's just something you can't change. It's part of who they are. I know what you're thinking, but I hope you trust me when I say, it's not your fault, Ana. Ask whoever you want, no one will hold you responsible for what they're doing."
"You weren't there when it happened," Ana insisted. "They were actually serious when they fought, like they really wanted to rip each other apart. What if they never speak to one another again? What if one of them got hurt? What if Uncle Raph or my father would leave us? All because of a disagreement that began with me." Her hands clenched. "I… I can't deal with that."
April cupped both the girl's hands with her own. "That is never going to happen" she replied firmly.
Ana looked at her. "Aunt Ape, how can you be so sure?"
"Because I know them," she answered simply. "Raph will never admit it but he respects his older brother, and Leo respects him in return. I also know neither shows it often or ever, if you must, but they truly love each other. They're rivals and they're friends but most of all, they're brothers. And nothing will ever change that between them."
Ana understood the elder female's words but was still uncertain. "I just…" She sighed. "There's just something that's been bugging me for a long time and I never really thought about it so much until now. I haven't been exactly serious about my training as my dad wants me to be and sometimes, I really do tend to be lazy and slack off. It makes me wonder… if… if I'm really worthy to become the leader…"
April couldn't help but smile at the similarity Ana had with her father. She stood up and kissed the teen's forehead, much to black-haired girl's surprise.
"You're not your father, Ana," April told her softly. "I'll admit, you're far more relaxed and easy-going. You're not as intense in training and you certainly didn't inherit his pride in perfection. But I want you to know that you are definitely his daughter. You're compassionate, dependable and brave. You love your family more than anything else. And," She tweaked the other female's nose. "You worry too much." Then, the elder woman rested both hands on Ana's shoulders. "Those, sweetheart, are what makes a true leader."
Gradually, a smile crept up to the teen's face. "Alright," Ana finally said. "I believe you."
"I'm glad," April replied. "And if you want advice, I suggest you talk to Leo or Raph, or both if you're up to it. Though I doubt they will tell you much because they most likely wouldn't want to get you involved, there's nothing wrong with trying, right?"
Ana grinned. "Right." She stood up and hugged the older woman. "You have no idea what this means to me. Thanks a bunch, Aunt Ape."
"You're welcome," April replied, stroking her hair. "And you can show your gratitude by heading back. You need rest. If Leo and Raph were still up when you left, they're going to figure out you're missing, one way or another."
"Yes ma'm!" Ana responded. "And I'm really sorry for waking you up" she added apologetically.
"It's alright," April assured her. "I was already up, anyway."
"You were? Why?"
"I have my reasons," the redhead answered. "The guys aren't the only ones who can sense if their child is not home, after all."
Ana was still puzzled at her words and wanted to ask more questions but April shook her head. "You've been away from home long enough. I'm sure everyone awake back there is getting worried. I'll see you soon, Ana."
Recognizing a dismissal when she heard one, Ana nodded and headed to the window. Before completely leaving the house, she turned her head. "You're a second mother to me too, Aunt Ape."
April smiled. "I'm happy to hear that" she replied in an understanding voice only mothers are capable of. And from the window, she waved to Ana and watched her silhouette leap from rooftop to rooftop until she could see the teen no longer.
Only seconds of silence passed when the front door could suddenly be heard creaking open, whoever was on the other side was obviously trying to enter the room as quietly as possible.
April faced the intruder, a hand on her hip. "Welcome home, sweetie," she greeted her son cheerfully. "I've been waiting for you. I hope you're ready for your surprise this time."
After yet another all-nighter with his friends, the nineteen-year-old groaned at being busted for the umpteenth time. "Ya gotta be kiddin' me, ma! Do ya always hafta catch me every time I sneak out?"
April patted his head and smiled. "Your father couldn't slip pass me before and neither can you, Nathan. Now, go do those dishes you so carelessly left behind during dinner."
When Leonardo and Raphael saw the mess outside the dojo, they knew something was up. But before they could even speak, Donatello had appeared from his room, asking what the crash had been about. After hearing what happened, the techno-turtle guessed that it must have been Ana. She had obviously stayed up and was bringing the leftover sandwiches over to the dojo. But something happened before she could do so. Leonardo added in to the story by saying that she might have heard him and Raphael arguing.
Donatello had frowned. "What were the last things you said to each other before the crash?" he questioned but without even waiting for an answer, he added, "You mentioned her name, didn't you?"
It didn't take long for the brothers to put two and two together.
"Shit! She ran away!" Raphael cried out.
"Quiet, Raph!" Leonardo hissed. "That last thing we need is for everyone to wake up!"
Raphael looked like he was about to retort but thankfully, Donatello intervened. After reprimanding them and pointing out this was no time to argue, both elder siblings calmed down.
"The first thing we need to do is call April," Donatello said. "I don't think Ana would really run away. She's probably just upset. And there's one person she would go to when she needs to talk."
"June" Leonardo and Raphael said together.
Afterwards, the purple-clad turtle insisted that he would be the one to ring their redheaded friend, which Leonardo, many arguments later, reluctantly agreed to.
