Well today has certainly been interesting Emily thought as she casually strummed a tune on her guitar. Firstly a new girl, Kya Tanaka, joined her class. She was a rather nice girl, a little shy but that was understandable considering it was her first day. Emily decided to take it upon herself to show Kya around the school, which the half Japanese teenager was grateful for. Secondly, she'd met Tori's brother, Cole during cheerleader practice. Emily liked him, he seemed nice. He also stood up for her when Fiona started to tease her about her eyes.

Emily glanced at the clock and noted that there were only ten minutes to go before the end of the day. She could've gone home early as she had a study period but she decided to stay in school as she wanted to wait for Kya, she'd planned to do something nice for her. When Kya mentioned that she wasn't allowed to eat any Japanese food at home because of her father's fiancé, Emily decided there and then that she was going to treat her to a meal at Murakami's. Hopefully she'll say yes Emily thought. She looked at the clock again 10 minutes to go.

10 minutes later…

"Hey Kya", Emily said as the girl walked out of her classroom.

"Emily? I thought you've gone home early. You did have a study period", Kya said surprised to see her outside the classroom.

"I did but I thought I'd wait around for you to finish. There's something I wanted to ask you", Emily said.

"Ask away", Kya said.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to 24/7, it's a Japanese noodle place that April found"

At the sound of that, Kya's eyes lit up "I'd love to!"

"Hi Mr Murakami!" Emily said greeting the blind man as she and Kya entered 24/7.

"Hello Emily-chan. What can I get for you today?" Mr Murakami asked.

"Pizza Gyoza", Emily replied sitting down on a stool. Mr Murakami smiled and went to work on that dish.

"I've never heard of pizza Gyoza back in Tokyo or here in the US", Kya said sitting down on a stool next to her.

"That's because Murakami invented it", Emily replied "You should try one, they're really good".

"Well I'm always willing to try new things", Kya said.

It wasn't long before Mr Murakami set down a dish with several Gyoza on it. Kya speared one with her chopstick and ate it. "Whoa! Best dumpling ever"

"I know right?" Emily laughed in agreement.

As Kya liked the Gyoza, Emily got Murakami to make them another dish. While they ate her half Japanese friend was telling her all about living in Japan. Emily listened with interest, it seemed that Kya had a pretty nice life in her home country. She put a hand on her shoulder when Kya mentioned about her mother passing away from an illness. "I'm so sorry Kya, I wish I could tell you I understand what you're going through…"

"That's ok Emily. It's been hard these past couple of years but I'm learning to cope with the loss. Can't say that about my dad though"

"Is he finding it really hard?" Emily asked.

Kya shook her head "Nope. Actually it's the opposite. He found it all too easy to move on from my mother. I mean 3 months after losing her we move back to California, where my dad was from originally. Then 3 months after that he's started to date his fiancé Candace. 18 months after my mother had passed away he's gotten engaged to the woman. Since that point she's been going on and on about a wedding. I bet 10 dollars that they get married within a month" Kya fiddled with the ends of her braid "I'm just worried about what'll happen to me after they do".

"What do you mean? You think they'll kick you out?" Emily asked wondering what kind of father would do that to his own daughter.

"As I'm minor they're legally responsible for me so they wouldn't kick me out per say. Most likely they will stick me in some boarding school so I better enjoy public school while I can", Kya said glumly.

"Isn't there someone else you could live with instead so you could stay in public school?" Emily asked.

"My father's family is in California and all my mother's family is Japan. My only option would be my Godfather. My mother told me he moved here 15 years ago. I don't even know if he still lives here as we lost contact with him about 4 months after he left Japan. To be honest I've been pretty busy the past week that I haven't had time to try and look him up", Kya explained.

"Well if you like I could look him up for you", Emily offered "so it's one less thing for you to worry about"

Kya smiled "I'd really appreciate that Emily. Thanks", she said.

"That's what friends are for right? So what's your godfather's name?"

"Hamato Yoshi" Emily stared at Kya when she said that. Master Splinter is her godfather? What are the odds? "Emily? Are you ok?" Kya said.

"Yeah I'm fine", she replied still surprised by the revelation that her new friend was Master Splinter's goddaughter "So Hamato Yoshi is his name then? I'll have a look on the internet and see what I can find", Emily said. She was going to have to talk to Master Splinter about this as soon as she could because this made one more person she had to keep the secret of the turtles and Master Splinter's existence from.

Wanting to head to the Lair so she could talk to Master Splinter, Emily paid for the food and the two girls left. "So where to next?" Kya asked.

"Unfortunately I've got head home. Homework to do plus my parents don't like me being out too late", Emily lied. The two girls said goodbye to Murakami and left the noodle shop.

"Well, this is me", Kya said when the stopped outside a two story house.

"If you ever need somewhere to go just to get away from your house, you're more than welcome at mine", Emily offered.

"Thanks Emily. I may take you up on that. See you tomorrow"

"Yeah see you". Kya watched Emily walk away before reluctantly entering her own home.

Instead of going back home, Emily decided to head to the Lair to talk to Master Splinter about Kya's revelation. When she arrived, she saw the main area completely empty. The guys must've gone out for their patrol she thought. She didn't know where Selene was. Perhaps she was out with the turtles?

Emily walked up the steps to the dojo where she heard someone moving around inside. It was April, she was having a lesson with Master Splinter. Emily watched from the doorway rather impressed with her friend's determination in learning ninjutsu. She wasn't waiting for very long until Master Splinter ended April's lesson. "Hey Emily", April greeted when she noticed the girl.

"Hey April, Sensei"

"Emily", Master Splinter greeted.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about something Master Splinter", Emily said.

"Of course" April said her goodbyes to Emily and Master Splinter before leaving. "What did you need to talk to me about?"

"Before I tell you I would like to ask you something. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, it's a kinda personal question", Emily said.

"Go ahead"

"Do you have a goddaughter named Kya Tanaka?" Emily asked.

"I do", Master Splinter replied "how did you know I have a goddaughter by that name?" he asked curious as to how she knew. The only ones he'd mentioned his goddaughter to be his sons. Not even April knew about her.

"She told me earlier this evening", Emily answered "we were having dinner at Murakami's…" Master Splinter listened intently as Emily told him what she and Kya talked about in the noodle shop. He was saddened to hear that his wife's close friend, Kya's mother Natsumi, had passed away. "…so that's why I had to tell you Master Splinter", Emily said finishing her story.

"I'm glad you did Emily" he was grateful to the girl for telling him about his goddaughter being in New York.

"I realise that it's important to keep you and the guys as secret…"

"You'd like to tell Kya about us", Master Splinter finished.

"Well she is your goddaughter", Emily stated "Plus she is looking for you. Besides what if she accidently sees the turtles while they're on patrol?"

Master Splinter knew Emily had some good points "I will have to mediate on this before I can give you my decision", he said.

"I understand. I've given you a lot to think about" Emily bowed to him respectfully "goodnight Sensei"

"Goodnight Emily"

The moment the girl had left, Master Splinter settled down to meditate over what Emily had told him, taking complete advantage of the peace and quiet he currently had.

Later…

Selene looked up from her book when she heard a knock on her door. "Come in!" she called, setting her book aside. The door opened and Michelangelo entered, clutching a blanket tightly in his hands. He looked a little frightened.

"Can I stay here tonight?" he asked timidly "the storm…"

"No need to explain", Selene gently cut in. All the turtles had been afraid of storms when they were little. Even though they were underground, you could still hear it. The hybrid scooted over in the bed and patted the empty space. The orange masked turtle went over and sat, curling into her side. Selene put an arm around him and held him close as she began the little lullaby she used to sing to them whenever they'd gotten scared.

Little child, be not afraid

Though rain pounds harshly against the glass

Like an unwanted stranger, there is no danger

I am here tonight

Selene felt Michelangelo relax against her but continued on as she knew he wasn't yet asleep.

Little child, be not afraid

Though thunder explodes and lightning flash

Illuminates your tear-stained face

I am here tonight

The orange masked turtle felt his eyes grow heavy as he listened to her sing.

And someday you'll know

That nature is so

The same rain that draws you near me

Falls on rivers and land

On forests and sand

Makes the beautiful world that you'll see

In the morning

Selene heard Michelangelo's heart beat and breaths slow as he fell into a slumber. She glanced down and smiled. "Goodnight bambino", she said softly resting her chin on top of his head, closing her eyes.

Master Splinter happened to pass by the room and glance in to see the pair asleep on Selene's bed. He smiled, glad that she'd come back. Hopefully she'd be staying a for good this time around. Though he knew she didn't want to leave them all those years ago. She didn't have much of a choice and he understood that when he got the letter explaining why she left so abruptly.

He just hoped that the reason she went away hadn't followed her back to New York. And if it had well…he wasn't about to let it drive her away again, not without a fight. She was a member of his family and he protects his family.

Four days later…

"Hey mom!" Emily called when she entered her house a couple of hours after stopping by the Lair. Grace stepped out into the hall and smiled seeing her daughter.

"Hey sweetie", she greeted "you've got a visitor. She's waiting in the living room". Emily followed her mother into the living room where she found Kya playing with Bear. When the canine noticed the blonde enter the room, he immediately ran over to her, knocking her backwards.

"I'm happy to see you too buddy", Emily said hugging the dog when she got up "hi Kya", she said, greeting her friend as she scratched behind Bear's ears.

"Hi Emily"

"You wanna go upstairs?" Emily asked Kya. As her friend was here, that gave her the perfect opportunity to tell her about Master Splinter. The rat master had asked her to stop by the Lair in which they had a short conversation about Kya knowing the existence of him and his sons. Emily was pleased to find out that Master Splinter was allowing her to tell Kya, even went as far as suggesting that she bring his goddaughter to the Lair at some point.

"Sounds good to me", she replied.

"Dinner's in an hour", Grace called as the two girls headed up the stairs, Bear following them.

"Ok mom!" Emily called back. She opened the door to her bedroom and had to grab Bear's collar to stop the dog from going in. As much as she loved Bear's company, she needed to talk to Kya without being distracted by him. "Sorry buddy but I need to talk to Kya alone", Emily told him. It was a bit of a struggle but she managed to get into her room while keeping Bear out.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" Kya asked.

"You remember the talk we had at Murakami's? About how I'd promised to help you find your godfather?"

"Yeah I do", Kya replied "did you find something?"

Emily nodded "I did", she said sitting down on the bed. Kya sat next to her eagerly waiting for whatever her friend was about to say. "He's still alive and still here in New York"

"He's still here. That's great!" Kya said happily. This was the best news she'd had since moving to New York with her father and his fiancé. "Do you know where he is?" she asked.

"I do", Emily replied "if you like I could talk to him, see if I could get him to agree to meet you".

"Yes please!" Kya flung her arms around Emily, hugging her tightly "thank you so much!"

"You're welcome"

Then Kya suddenly thought of something. She pulled back to look at her friend in the eyes "hang on, I only told you about my godfather roughly four days ago. And for you to have found him so quickly… you know him, don't you?"

"Yeah I do", Emily admitted.

"Why didn't you say something before when I told you who my godfather was?" Kya asked.

"It's complicated Kya. Your godfather isn't the same man you once knew. He's…changed", Emily replied.

"It has been 15 years Emily Of course he's going to be different. Besides I was only a baby when I saw him last", Kya said not really getting what she was trying to say.

"No, what I mean is he's completely different. He's not even human any more", Emily told her.

Kya frowned at that "what do you mean he's not human anymore?" she asked.

"He's a giant mutant rat", Emily replied. Kya stared at her for a moment before bursting out laughing.

"Good one Emily!" she laughed.

"I'm not joking Kya. Your godfather Hamato Yoshi is a mutant rat now", Emily told her.

"Of course he is! Next you're going to tell me that he lives in the sewer and is training a bunch of turtles to be ninjas", Kya giggled.

"Actually he is", Emily confirmed which only seemed to make Kya laugh even harder. How do I make her believe me? She thought and then it hit her. Her phone! She had pictures of the turtles as well as Master Splinter. Emily grabbed her phone from the side, brought up the pictures of the guys and showed it to Kya.

The teenager immediately stopped laughing and stared at the screen "you…you were being serious", Kya said reaching out and taking the phone. She flicked through the photos and when she got to one of Master Splinter, she stopped, her eyes widening "It is him", she breathed. Kya looked up at Emily, tears shining in her eyes "it's my godfather" she took a breath to calm herself from this revelation "how did he become like this?"

Kya listened intently as Emily told her the same story she heard from Master Splinter when she asked how they became mutants. "I know it all sounds pretty crazy but I promise, that's exactly how it happened. Or at least I'm pretty sure it is. It's the story Master Splinter told me".

"How did you meet Master Splinter and the others?" Kya questioned, curious to know how Emily met them.

"The turtles saved my life" Kya listened as Emily recounted that night she met the turtles. The half Japanese girl winced when Emily got to the part where one of the Purple Dragon's stabbed her.

"Wow, I guess you were lucky they came along when they did", Kya commented once Emily had finished her story.

"Yeah I was", Emily agreed. The conversation continued with Kya asking more questions about the guys and with Emily telling her pretty much everything that had happened since meeting the turtles. Including some rather funny stories which had Kya doubled over with laughter.

"I really wanna meet these guys!" Kya laughed.

"Tell you what, tomorrow after school I'll take you to see them", Emily promised.

"Really?" Kya asked hoping she hadn't misheard what Emily had just said.

"Really"

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Kya said happily, hugging her friend.

Emily laughed at how happy she was "you're very welcome Kya", she said hugging her back.

The moment was broken by Grace calling up the stairs "girls time for dinner!"