Weeellll now look at me having time to update my stories more then once a week. Whose got two thumbs and is excited about having more free time...this girl. Anyway glad to see people are reading this but I really would love to hear from people to see what people think so far, anyway on with the story!


"…And that's why Maya is naked," Mikey concluded as he finished telling his father the story of what had happened to the squirrelanoids and Maya.

"I see," Splinter said trying to remain serious as he listened to the tale.

Maya silently giggled at her friend's version of what happened as she used the towels to dry off her neck enough to be able to create her human disguise. The girl was laid out on the couch while the brothers kneeled with their backs to her with blushes on their faces except for Mikey. The three oldest turtles already had enough of an awkward experience picking up Maya's panties and bra, they were in no rush to see her naked as a human again. The orange masked turtle however was unreasonably calm about his friend stripping naked and becoming half fish as far as they were concerned.

"I must admit this explains a few things," Master Splinter said as he recalled catching the girl trying to bite the water coming out of the faucet in the kitchen and Maya's impressive tracking skills.

"Do not take this the wrong way but…how long will it be until you are human again?" the rat asked the girl with a raised eyebrow.

"Almost done. The transformation won't work until this one's gills dry out and the lungs begin taking in oxygen," she explained.

Donny's head whipped around to face her so fast Master Splinter thought his son was going to break his neck from the speed.

"You have gills and lungs? Incredible...You have got to let me study your anatomy and biology!" the tech savvy turtle exclaimed in excitement.

Mikey glared at his older brother before he punched him in the arm catching the purple masked turtle off guard.

"Hey what gives?" Donny demanded rubbing his arm.

"Dude this is why you're single! You don't just walk up to a girl and demand her to let you study her anatothing. That's personal stuff man at least buy the girl dinner!" Mikey scolded.

Donny couldn't help looking embarrassed with his baby brother glaring at him seriously and his older brothers trying desperately not to laugh from behind him. Master Splinter shook his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Mike...I meant I want to ask her questions about her species like what do mermaids eat and how their family units are made up. Not…personal stuff," Donny explained feeling hot under the shell.

Maya beamed from her spot on the couch before she replied, "This one would be happy to answer questions for you Donatello."

The purple masked turtle turned his attention back to Maya to thank her when he was shocked to see she was back to being human…and nothing covering her up.

"AHH" Donny said turning to face Master Splinter blushing like crazy.

"What is wrong?" Maya asked innocently at the turtles' reaction as they all faced their father flushed with discomfort.

With his gaze to the floor the sensei gently said, "Maya I think you are dry."

"You are all upset that I am dry?" Maya replied confused.

Ever the straightforward turtle, Mikey turned to face his friend completely unbothered by her lack of clothing.

"They want you to put your clothes back on. Seeing you naked is weirding them out," Mikey explained calmly before Splinter walked up behind him and forcibly turned the turtle's head towards the wall.

"Why should you all be uncomfortable? Aren't you all naked right now?" the girl asked as she dressed herself.

Suddenly all the Hamato family except Mikey were mind blown by the question. It was as if they had just realized that the turtles never wore clothes. Mikey just stared at the wall and shrugged at his head, not really sure what everybody's problem was.

"My son…I take it this isn't the first time you've seen Maya undressed?" Master Splinter asked Mikey trying desperately not to jump to conclusions.

"Nope," the turtle replied popping the end of the word.

Leo, Raph and Donny all looked like their eyes were going to fall out of their heads while their father continued to try and remain calm as he took deep breathes.

"Explain," Splinter demanded.

Ignorant to why his family was all on edge the youngest turtle looked up at his father innocently before he told his story.

Flashback

Mikey had just arrived at the apartment climbing in through the fire escape that was located in Caspian's room. The turtle was re-locking the window when a tiny giggle caught his attention and he turned to see the nine month old baby crawling towards with a big gummy smile.

"Hey little buddy," Mikey said lifting the baby up into his arms as his mother walked into the bedroom.

The orange masked turtle cradled the baby in his arms as he dramatically began sniffing his ticklish neck and belly.

"Nine months old and he still has that new baby smell. I love it!" Mikey shouted with glee as contagious baby belly laughs erupted from the infant.

"This one is glad you love Caspian's soap so much. You may use some if you wish to have a bath Michelangelo," the woman said in an amused tone.

"Maybe next time Isla…Maya and I have some serious comic book business to get to," Mikey replied trying to look serious.

Isla chuckled before she replied, "well first this one believes there is some business to be attended to."

Mikey immediately went serious for real before he asked, "everything ok? Where's Maya?"

"Everything is fine child. She wishes for you to go to her in the bathroom," Isla explained gently before taking her child from the turtle and going to the bedroom she shared with Maya.

Mikey watched them leave with a confused expression before he made his way to the bathroom and knocked on the closed door.

"Uh Maya you in there?" Mikey called.

It was silent and tense for a few minutes before Maya's quiet voice replied 'Please come in.'

Maya's voice sounded strange, like she was standing beside him and whispering in his ear. Without thinking twice Mikey strolled into the bathroom but quickly became confused when he didn't see Maya anywhere in sight. He took a minute to look around before he realized that his friend was in the bathtub with the curtain drawn closed.

"Maya why are you hiding in the tub?" Mikey asked before he pulled back the curtain and gasped in surprise.

"Woh," he said in shock.

There was Maya with a tail replacing her legs and a long sleek fin replacing her long silver hair. For a moment Mikey couldn't move as he slowly processed the information in his head that his friend was a mermaid. Then he looked over and stared into Maya's terrified eyes, she waited anxiously to see what he would do or say.

'Mikey?' the girl asked.

The turtle seemed to shake himself out of his daze before he looked at Maya and said, "I think I missed something."

Maya smiled and shook her head before she replied 'this is what this one is supposed to look like...we are what the humans call mermaids. This one was moved when you acted as a true friend and showed her the real you, now this one will be brave also and show you the real her…you do still want to be this one's friend don't you?'

The orange masked turtle smiled and kneeled down until and put his hands on the ledge of the bathtub before he rubbed his hand on her now bald head. There was never a question in his mind whether or not Maya was his friend, she could have turned into a rock lobster for all he cared as long as it was still her.

"Sorry bra…you can't get rid of me that easy. When the Mikester makes a friend he makes them for life," the orange masked turtle explained with a big smile on his face.

"Even with no hair and webbed hands?" Maya asked as she showed Mikey the thin skin between her fingers.

"Ya son! You and me will be bald besties," Mikey said grinning from ear to ear.

Maya beamed as she lifted herself out of the tub enough to be able to wrap her arms around her friend's neck and pull him into a hug. Mikey quickly returned the hug and the two sat like that for a while in absolute bliss to finally find someone to care about that returned the feelings.

End of Flashback

"…And that's the story of the first time I saw Maya naked. That was like the second or third night Master Splinter let me go over to her house" Mikey concluded.

The Hamato family was silent as they all listened to the tale. Their youngest had surprised them all by his ability to simply accept people as they were. All of the brothers had been shocked by Maya's appearance but where they were admittedly a bit afraid of the creature the girl had become Mikey only saw his best friend in the whole world.

"That is an interesting story my son," Splinter said as he affectionately placed a paw on his shoulder and smiled down at him.

"You've made me proud Michelangelo. Your gift to look past appearances to see the soul within is humbling," the Sensei said making the youngest turtle blush at the compliment.

"That said you, Maya and myself will be having a very long conversation later," Splinter added.

With that Master Splinter volunteered all of his sons to walk Maya to her home since it was getting closer to midnight and the rat would not tolerate the girl walking unaccompanied. Just as they were about to leave Master Splinter stopped Maya with a gently hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you for saving my son and for trusting us," Splinter said gently.

Maya smiled up at the man before she replied, "You are welcome. This one is looking forward to you coming tomorrow night."

The girl then turned and ran to Michelangelo who was waiting with his brothers to walk her to her home.

Leo, Raph and Donny were pretty quiet as they walked back to Maya's apartment. The three brothers watched in fascination as Mikey piggy backed the small girl on his back both giggling at something only the two of them could possibly understand. The pair had only known each other for little over a month but they looked as though they had been together over fifty lifetimes. The moment was ruined when Donny thought of something and sighed.

"What's wrong with you brainiac?" Raph asked.

"Nothing just…realized something annoying," the purple masked turtle replied.

Curious Leo gazed at his brother and asked, "And that would be?

Donny looked irritated as he huffed before he replied, "out of all of us, Mikey is the closest to having a serious relationship with girl…"

Leo and Raph looked at each other before they groaned at the new information and soon looked just as annoyed as their younger brother.

"First one to see a girl naked to boot," Raph added.

Suddenly all three brothers were looking at each other looking annoyed at themselves and silently agreed on one thing.

'We seriously need to get out more'

When they got to the apartment building though Maya started look nervous about going inside which immediately had the brothers on edge.

"Everything ok Maya?" Leo asked her.

Maya looked up at the oldest turtle and smiled before she replied, "Just a bit nervous to tell Isla…this one was supposed to tell her before she told the rest of you about…us."

"You're not gonna get in trouble are you?" Donny asked.

Maya began playing with a chunk of her hair before she hesitantly replied, "not sure…maybe a little."

Before anyone could say anything Raph grabbed the girl's hand and started walking towards the apartment building before he stopped and demanded Maya tell him which apartment was hers. With a confused expression she pointed it out before he started leading her to the fire escape that led to the girl's home. Mikey was the first to snap out of it with a knowing smile before he started to catch up to the pair followed by Leo and Donny who just looked confused.

"Raph what are you guys doing?" Leo asked trying to catch up.

"We're gonna go up there with Maya to back her up if she starts getting any slack about tonight," Raph explained bluntly before he turned and continued to walk up the stairs.

"You do not need to do this Raphael. Please it is alright," Maya replied in shock as she stopped them at the fire escape.

Raph glared at the girl before he replied, "If you think I'm gonna sit by and watch somebody get punished for risking their neck to save one of my bros then you gotta another thing coming."

"Don't try talking him out of it May. Once Raphie boy has his mind on something nothing can stop him," Mikey explained.

"Case and point," Raph said before he picked Maya up and threw her over his shoulder earning a yelp out of the girl.

Casually the hot head made his way up the fire escape followed by his brothers. Leo and Don looked like they could die of embarrassment at that moment while Mikey just chuckled at the sound of Maya's squeal. When Raph got to the top of the fire escape he didn't notice the light on behind the curtains and promptly move them aside before he climbed in the window.

The second oldest brother was taken aback when his green eyes met the surprised bluish grey eyes of a young woman that couldn't have been older than twenty five. The silver haired woman held a baby that looked at Raph with a serious expression.

"Uh hi," the hot head said awkwardly.

"Hello…you must be Michelangelo's brother," the woman replied.

"Hi Isla," Maya giggled as she still hung over Raphael's shoulder.

The woman smiled gently at the girl before he looked up at Raphael and said, "This one believes that belongs to us."

"Huh?...oh ya crap sorry," Raph said quickly putting the girl down.

Soon Mikey, Leo and Don climbed through the window after surprised to see the calm woman smiling gently at them. The baby in the woman's arms saw Mikey and started squealing in delight with his arms held out demanding to be held. The three oldest turtles watched in shock as their brother picked the baby up and began blowing raspberries on the baby's tummy making him giggle. Maya stood beside him making silly faces while Isla watched the scene affectionately. The brothers felt like outsiders looking into someone else's family…Mikey's other family that he had found when his own had rejected him. To say that hit a nerve within the older turtles was an understatement.

"You should be asleep," the girl giggled to the ten month old baby.

"Be gently with him Maya his bottom teeth are coming in at the same time," Isla replied crossing her arms before she turned her attention to the remaining brothers.

"Thank you for bringing this one's sister home," she said giving the three boys a grateful bow.

Leo, Donny, and Raph all quickly bowed in return blushing at the attention they were receiving from the beautiful woman. They noticed the woman suddenly look confused as she looked over at Maya before she walked over and ran her fingers through the younger girl's locks.

"This is new hair…Maya tell this one you didn't," Isla said looking scared.

"I-it was an emergency," Maya replied nervously.

Isla took a deep breath as if to calm her temper before she replied, "child that was extremely reckless of you. What if you were seen?"

Before Maya could say anything else Mikey went up beside her and quickly explained, "Don't be mad at her if you have to be mad at me it was my fault."

"She did it to save Mikey. If it weren't for her he wouldn't be standing here," Raph piped up in the girl's defense.

Isla still looked extremely upset as she stared at them all, "you do not understand how dangerous a choice that was."

"With all due respect miss, look at us. We know better than anyone the risk of exposing ourselves to the world. Maya befriended our brother without prejudice of the way he looked, you welcomed him into your home and made him apart of your family…allow us to return the favor to both Maya and you," Leo explained.

The oldest turtle gave a look before he knelt down and pulled out his swords before placing them on the floor in front of him. Donny and Raph followed suit as did Michelangelo after he placed the baby on the carpet floor.

"We the Hamato clan swear on our honor that we will protect both your secret and your family with our lives," Leo said bowing his head followed by his brothers.

For a moment the two girls were silent as Isla stared down at them in surprise while Maya smile with gratitude. Finally Isla sighed in acceptance before looking over at the younger girl and smiling in amusement.

"Bit dramatic aren't they?" she said making Maya giggle.

Quietly Isla knelt down in front of the turtles and put her finger under Leo's chin to tilt his head up so he was staring at her. Leo felt like she was looking into his soul by the way she staring him so intently before he noticed her expression seemed almost sad.

"They remind me of your brothers," she said almost to herself.

The other turtles hesitantly lifted up their heads and Isla met all of their gazes with a kind and gentle smile.

"You are now welcome in this home as brothers of our pod as you have so graciously welcomed our small family as members of your clan," Isla said.

The turtles smiled truly happy to feel accepted once again. As the brothers tried to stand up Raph felt a tug and looked down to see the culprit. The twenty pound baby with bluish grey eyes and a tuff of silver hair smiled up at the hot head. Raph couldn't help smiling back at the baby before he saw the little one take the ends of his mask tails and stick them in his mouth.

"Gah no little baby not for eating," Raph said as gently as he could manage before trying to tug the tails back.

Everyone watched in amusement as the baby let go and decided he wanted Raph to pick him up before holding his arms out at the turtle. Raph looked over at Isla who nodded encouragingly for him to go ahead before the red masked turtle carefully picked up the baby. Leo and Donny were fascinated as the little baby began running his tiny hands over Raph's face as if he were memorizing it.

"I-I think this little guys likes me," Raph said in amazement as he held the baby.

"I knew you'd eventually find somebody who does," Leo teased before all three of the brothers started trying to make the baby laugh.

Mikey stood beside Maya with his arm around her shoulder watching the scene in front of them with amusement.

"Aww they made a friend," Mikey cooed making the girls smile.

"Alright boys, part of being in a pod means that this one can bluntly kick you out so that this one can get this child to bed," Isla said plucking her child out of Raphael's hands.

The baby looked sad as he watched his new friends leave but smiled when Mikey gave him one last silly face before he disappeared into the night.

The next night when the boys led Master Splinter to Maya's home to meet her family he couldn't help noticing their excitement. He also couldn't help being excited himself since it had been so long since he had gone to a social gathering.

'Tang Shen and I hosted a dinner for our clan to celebrate the birth of Miwa' Splinter recalled smiling sadly at the memory of his lost family.

"Master Splinter we're here," Leonardo said pulling Splinter from his thoughts.

The rat followed his sons up the fire escape and through a window into a bedroom that looked as though it belonged to a baby. A cooing noise from outside the room confirmed his suspicions as Splinter walked out of the room to see a woman feeding her baby.

The former human couldn't help but watch the interaction with a distant look in his eyes. Memories from long ago played in his mind and a familiar ache filled his chest. The woman must have felt his eyes on her because she quickly looked up and smiled at Splinter before wiping her hands off with a dish towel.

"Welcome, this one is honored to have you in our home. This one is called Isla," the young woman said bowing to Master Splinter respectfully.

"Please, the honor is ours. You may call me Splinter," the rat replied bowing in return.

"Come please make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready shortly," the woman said to them all as she turned her attention back on the baby.

Master Splinter followed his sons into the small living room that was very plain decoration. After what he learned of the small family the night before he was not surprised to see the walls bare of any family pictures. However he did notice a frame on the coffee table with a hand drawn picture inside a frame and couldn't hold back his amazement.

The drawing was of two mermaids with their heads leaning against one another with smiles on their faces. Their tails were intertwined as were their hands, their eyes staring at each other full of love indicating that the pair were lovers.

"Wow that's amazing. I feel like I'm looking at a photograph," Donny said looking at the drawing in his father's hands.

Curious the remaining Hamato brothers walked over to see the drawing. Leo and Raph stared in amazement while Mikey smirked as he recognized the picture.

"Maya is a pretty wicked artist," the youngest turtle said looking over his shoulder at his blushing friend.

"Do not sell yourself short Michelangelo your talent is also quite amazing," Maya said wanting to take the attention off of herself.

The older turtles stared between the pair in shock before staring at their youngest brother as if looking at him for the first time.

"Mikey, you can draw for real?" Raph asked his orange masked brother.

The turtle gave his brothers a strange look before he replied, "hello we're working on a comic book together."

Leo, Raph and Don had the good sense to look guilty as they had forgotten about team M&M's little hobby and never asked to see any of their work.

Isla took that moment to walk into the living room and noticed the picture in Splinter's hand. The sensei watched as the woman gently took the picture and gazed at it lovingly before looking up at Splinter with a sad smile that the former human knew all too well.

"This seems so long ago," the woman said quietly almost to herself.

"Who is this person?" Splinter asked the woman curiously.

Isla looked at him looking conflicted on whether or not she should say anything about the man in the picture.

"Maya's brother…this one's mate," she said bluntly.

"Where is he?" Splinter asked without thinking and quickly regretted it when he saw the look on Isla's face.

"That is a long story," Isla said.

Splinter gently put a paw on her shoulder and said, "Forgive me I am prying where I should not be,"

Isla smiled up at the rat before shaking her head and deciding now was a good time to change the subject to a happier note.

"Think nothing of it now…come everyone let us eat," Isla said followed by the cheers of four very hungry turtles.

The meal was simply boxed salmon fillets, rice and vegetables but it was a delicious meal none the less as far as the Hamato family was concerned. Splinter felt true bliss as he looked around the table and saw only happiness.

He saw his second youngest son talking with Isla about everything there was to know about mermaids. On the other side of the table his youngest had covered his face with a napkin and tied in place with his mask making it look like the serviette was part of his face.

"Enemies tremble before the sight of napkin ninja!" the teen shouted.

Raph and Leo were hunched over from laughing so hard and Maya squealed as Mikey gently bit her cheek through the napkin. The sounds of belly laughter brought the mutant rat's attention to the tiny child who was giggling as he stared at Michelangelo from his highchair. The little one had somehow grabbed hold of Raphael's bandana tails and tugged on them happily.

He wished this night would somehow never end and he could somehow be stuck in this moment with his family forever. However dinner was over before long and the boys made quick work of clearing the table and stacking the dishes neatly on the kitchen counters. Soon the teenagers all disappeared into the living room leaving Master Splinter and Isla alone.

"This one hopes you enjoyed yourself," Isla said.

"I truly did…perhaps for the first time since before I lost my wife," Splinter admitted.

Before the former human could scold himself Isla reached across and squeezed his hand as a gesture of understanding.

"There shall be more times of joy to be had then for us both," Isla said.

Splinter smiled at the woman when something occurred to him before he said, "I must tell you…I have offered Maya a place to train in my dojo with my sons-"

"This is good news! Maya has not trained since we left our pod what did she say?" Isla interrupted almost anxious.

"She accepted my offer but…I am surprised to hear there is training for battle amongst your species," Splinter replied.

"Like humans we have wars over territory with other pods…there are also the more vicious creatures that we must defend ourselves from. Maya she…after everything…I thought she would never practice again…perhaps she has found something worth fighting for," Isla explained.

"It has been difficult living here on the surface," Splinter said meaning it more as a question.

Isla nodded before she said, "Our people fear the humans because of what they have done to our kind in the past. Disguising ourselves as them keeps us safe from their greed but it means sacrificing our way of life...my son…he has yet to even have his first swim in free water for fear we will be discovered."

As Splinter listened an idea formed in his head. This small family gave them acceptance that they had craved all their lives as mutants, he wished to give them something of equal value.

"Our home although in the sewers has fresh water that comes through. If you wish for a safe place to swim with your son then it is open to you," Splinter said.

Isla stared at the rat in shock as tears formed in her eyes. Silently she reached over and wrapped her arms around Splinter's neck gratefully. After a while the two separated and agreed it was time for the Hamato family to take their leave.

Upon entering the living room Isla and Splinter smiled at the sight before them. The teenagers and baby were all peacefully sleeping on the floor. Caspian laid on Maya's chest while she laid on Michelangelo who had an arm wrapped around them both. Mikey's head laid parallel to Donny's on Raphael's plastron. The red masked turtle had an arm wrapped around each of his younger brothers while his head rested on Leo's thigh. The oldest was spread out like a star fish with a pillow placed under his head.

"My sons I believe it is time to leave," Splinter said gently earning himself a groan from his four children.

"Can't move…ate too much food,"Raph replied as his brothers nodded in agreement.

Master Splinter stroked his beard thoughtfully before he said, "perhaps some extra katas to assist with digestion are in order…"

Suddenly a miracle occurred and the four brothers miraculously sat up, Mikey being careful not to jostle Maya too much and risk waking up the baby.

"Ya know I think I'm feeling better already," Donny said smiling brightly with his hands on his hips.

"I thought you might," Splinter replied.

The Hamato family quickly said good night before returning to their home smiling brightly much to Splinter's delight.


Well that's all for now folks and I'm hoping I'll have more story for you sooner then later. Take care of yourselves readers and don't forget to follow and review :)