It was over. April almost couldn't believe it, but it was actually over. The Kraang were defeated - for now, at least, but hopefully for good - and her father was back home. All of the guys made it back, too, but as much as she adored them and was happy to see them in the lair, she couldn't wait to get out of there. She and her father were staying at her aunt's place for a little while, so her father could adjust to normal life again, but at least she would be above ground.

She stayed an extra night for old time's sake, bundled up in blankets with the guys scattered around her, then packed her things the next morning. Her bag was only tiny, but Donnie still offered to carry it for her. The boys were weary and injured though, and despite their enthusiastic offers to walk her and her father home, none of them looked particularly capable of getting off the couch. With a knowing smirk, Splinter told them all to rest.

So April ended up traipsing through the sewer tunnels, her father shivering at her side, with Splinter leading the way. He looked even more imposing in the shadows. She felt bad for her father; she knew Splinter well enough not to be scared, but to someone who had never met the man and had spent months captured by the Kraang? Yeah, Splinter looked a bit frightening. Especially with two swords strapped across his back and a sharp jade cane in his hand.

She squeezed her father's hand, then cleared her throat to speak. "So, Master Splinter, thanks for letting me stay with your family."

"We are your family too," he reminded her, though his voice was softer when he added, "You have been a wonderful houseguest. I know my boys have enjoyed your company."

"I've enjoyed theirs," she replied, with a winning smile.

He chuckled. "But you are pleased to leave?"

"... A little."

Finally, her father laughed. It was very relieving. Splinter either felt the same relief or sensed hers, because he too seemed to relax, his shoulders falling a little and his pace slowing to match theirs.

The sewer smell she had been adapting to over the weeks seemed stronger here, the air rancid. She wrinkled her nose and frowned.

"I won't miss the smell," she grumbled.

"I will admit, I am also not fond of it," Splinter agreed. "You have done remarkably well to bear with it this long."

April smiled, deciding not to mention that she hadn't really had a choice. It had been kind of nice to be part of a big family, even if that family was a bit unorthodox. Her heart thudded painfully. It was going to be weird, falling asleep on a real bed, not a couch covered in old pillows and blankets.

"Are you all right, April?"

Splinter's voice broke her from her thoughts. She realised they were standing beneath a manhole, presumably the one closest to her aunt's apartment. Her father was pressing into her palm, his eyes large and fearful.

She cleared her throat. "Y-yeah, I'm good. Sorry. I was just... thinking."

The man nodded, a solemn expression on his face. "The Kraang are gone now, child, at least for the time being. The Foot are still out there, but they are much less dangerous without their allies. You can relax now."

She huffed. "Can we ever really relax, Master Splinter?"

"I suppose not, but we need to. This life is not an easy one; when there is a hope of relaxation, we must take it." He turned to her father then, extending a hand and then retracting it. "I wish we could have met under more pleasant circumstances, Mr O'Neil, but I am glad to see you are well. Thank you for allowing your daughter to remain in contact with us."

They all knew it had never really been up for debate, but April did appreciate the thought anyway. Her father seemed to as well, because he reached his own hand out towards the rat. Splinter shook it with a hint of a smile.

Then her father's face darkened. "You understand that if anything happens to her, I'm not going to protect you and your... sons, right?"

April winced, but Splinter was nodding again. "I would not expect you to. Believe me, the last thing we want is any harm to come to April. But also believe me when I say that if you choose to reveal myself or any of my sons, she will not be able to protect you."

Her father swallowed the lump in his throat, then gave a single dip of his head. "Okay."

Feeling the awkwardness begin to settle in, April slid between them, giving Splinter a quick hug goodbye. He gently hugged her back, patting her shoulder as he released her.

"You are a brave young woman, April. I hope you know how proud we are of you - all of us." He glanced to her father, who begrudgingly nodded.

"Thank you, Master Splinter." Her eye's were beginning to water, so she turned away and grabbed her father's arm. "I'll see you and the guys soon. Come on Dad, let's get you home."

April took to the ladder first, clambering up it with the ease of experience. Her father followed shakily behind, glancing around the tunnel suspiciously.

"Is..." The ladder shook slightly as he shifted his weight, scanning the darkness. "Is he still here?"

Peering back down, April noticed there was no sign of Splinter anymore. But she wasn't stupid; that man could melt into the shadows faster than Mikey could finish a cheesy pizza.

"Probably," she replied, returning her gaze to the manhole cover above.

She didn't feel unnerved; not only had she been living with Splinter, she also understood him, and knew that he would only be watching to make sure they were safe. She worried her father wouldn't understand that, until he spoke.

"Uhm... Thank you, sir - if you're still here - for looking after my daughter when I couldn't. I still don't agree with the whole kuno- kooney- the whole fighting thing, but you took her in when she had nobody, and I will always be grateful to you for that."

Now April's eyes were far worse than watery. She shifted the manhole cover aside and let light flood the tunnel, knowing she wouldn't catch a single glimpse of the rat if she peered down.

"Let's go, Dad. The street's clear."

April exited first, helping her father scramble out of the little hole. As he was straightening his clothes and anxiously making sure nobody had seen them, April poked her head back down.

"Thanks again, Sensei," she whispered.

There was no response, but she knew he had heard her.

Nice going, Dais. End the story with the two father figure characters you can never actually write for. Good plan. I don't know, it just felt right to end it with April's two father figures. I don't know :')

I hope you liked this chapter though, and this whole story. This is definitely going to be the final chapter. When I first thought of this story, I had the first three chapters in mind - while I'm happy with what else has gone up, I don't want it to get too forced. So we're ending it here.

Thank you for reading :) xxx