"Why she won't wake up yet?"
It was the tenth time that day Leo made the same question and Don's patience was running thin… which was very unusual but now Leo could consider himself winner of "the most annoying turtle" title in Don's list beating last winner, Mikey. The purple clad turtle sighed heavily expressing all his annoyance.
"Leo, we've already had this conversation and…"
"I know, I know. It's just…"
Don was about to make a retort but he glanced at the worried face his eldest brother wore. He knew Leo couldn't help it; it came with his overprotective nature. Don's face softened and let out a longer sigh.
"Why don't you go train or something? Or… I know! Go find Klunk!" Don suggested.
"Klunk?" Leo arched a brow in confusion.
"He has to go to the vet today… and I think he knows it" Don chuckled.
"Ok…" Leo left the lab reluctantly "Though I don't see why I have to go after Mikey's cat"
The blue masked turtle started looking in the kitchen, the bathroom, Splinter's room, his room… but Klunk wasn't there. As he walked downstairs, he spotted the orange cat slowly coming from under the couch in the living room. Very stealthy and trying to not look like a threat, Leo approached Klunk.
"Hey kitty, c'mere"
Klunk started walking towards Leo very slowly. The orange cat trusted Leo but when "vet days" were coming, he had to be extra cautious.
"C'mon, Klunk. I'm not gonna do anything to you" Leo insisted offering Klunk a handful of his favorite kibbles. Klunk quickened his pace and started eating the treats; Leo smiled in victory.
"That's up to the vet" he muttered as he petted the cat. Klunk's ears twitched at the last word and the cat ran away from Leo full speed.
"NONONO! Awww, c'mon!" Leo growled in frustration as he saw the cat disappearing upstairs.
"I just had to open my stupid mouth… nice" Leo slapped himself across the face. He followed the crumbles the cat had left in the floor and ended up in Who's room.
"There you are!" Leo had found Klunk laying in Who's laptop's keyboard but the cat felt the presence and ran away again.
"KLUNK! COME BA-oh, to hell with it! Sneaky, orange, little spoiled brat… just like his dad" Leo sighed and slumped in the girl's bed. His eyes landed on the grey device and curiosity encouraged Leo to take a look.
"No password, huh? Well, this could be my lucky day after all"
There was a folder that caught his attention; it said "To my family-Who's vids" The blue-clad ninja opened it and clicked on the first video. Who's face appeared in the screen.
"HEY GUYS, WHAZZUP!..." Leo paused it. He didn't know why but he had a good feeling about this discovery.
"Dude, if she was awake right now I'm pretty sure she'd have your head for being in her room" Mikey teased as he leaned in the door frame-
"Mikey, get everyone. April and Casey too… there's something you might wanna see"
…
After some adjustments, the video was ready to be projected on the living room's TV.
"Can you guess where am I?" the camera moved around the place "Yes, I'm in a hospital" the girl said cheerfully "… and for once I'm not playing the doctor but the patient's role…!" the smile in Who's face vanished "…and that sucks"
Everyone laughed out loud. The video continued.
"Anyway, I had this idea… why write when I can send you videos so you know if I'll make it alive or not. Just kidding! I miss you all; the lair, Klunk… hi Klunk! And…" voices coming in made Who gasp "Crap, I gotta go! Smooches!" the camera went off.
Again, the camera went on but now it was 8 pm. Who looked a little paler now.
"Hey guys, it's me again. Sorry for that interruption in the morning but doctors needed to take some blood for testing. I'm a little dizzy… and hungry… by the way, hospital food tastes like something cooked by Leo"
"HEY!"
The others tried to muffle their laughs while Leo folded arms feeling offended.
"Seriously, doctors: wanna know why patients' health never improves? Blame the hospital food!" another voice came from outside "Hell, no… stupid sister is coming" Who slapped herself across the face "Love you guys. Nite!"
Next video had been recorded a month later. The girl's skin was almost white.
"Long delay is long…" Who sighed.
"Bang your head in the screen" Mikey muttered crossing fingers. When the girl did so, Mikey couldn't help but yell in victory.
"YES! SHE DID IT! Pay up, Don" The latter grunted and gave Mikey ten bucks.
"…sorry. Not feeling my best these days and… yeh, I had another blood test… … vampires… …" the girl let out a long sigh "… aw man, I really wanna be outta here for Halloween!" her room's door opened "Gotta go, guess what! Another blood test"
Next video showed not a hospital but Who's real room. It was October 31st.
"GREAT NEWS! I AM FREE FOR HALLOWEEN! Best day ever! I'm gonna cry!" she let out a fake sob "It's amazing! Hey, like my dress?" the camera went up and down showing a dark strapless dress "I'm a witch! And Mikey, if you're watching this: I don't need naughty comments or wolf whistles. A simple 'you look great' will do. Thanks"
"Aww, how did she know…?" Mikey pouted.
"Duh! It was obvious" Casey replied. Splinter couldn't help but chuckle.
Next video had some music in the background. The camera showed a thoughtful and sad Who.
Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
"Doctors just called and… alright, I'm not gonna ramble too much: I'm having a surgery to replace one of my heart valves"
That confirmed Don's first thoughts.
For one so small,
You seem so strong
"Like the song?
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm
"I do… makes me relax and forget about the surgery"
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
"I was just reading some messages… I can't believe I had to chance to be part of so many people's life"
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
"I don't wanna make this my last video… but I feel it's gonna be the last one so…"
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
Who let out a sigh "I tried talking to my parents about my other side, the artistic one. They think it's stupid"
Why can't they understand
The way we feel?
"Narrow minded people like that makes me sick… and makes this world a horrible place to live. Who's with me? Raise your hands"
Absentmindedly, everyone in the room did it.
"I think they're scared… yeh, they're scared. Cuz they know if I leave them, they won't have their puppet…I ain't nothing but their toy…"
Last part made them experiment mixed feelings. What kind of people Who lived with?
They just don't trust
What they can't explain
"I can't stand them always complaining about my social life. So what if I wanna have different friends! Differences make the world less boring! And… besides…"
I know we're different but,
Deep inside us
We're not that different at all
"Aaaand Phil Collins took the words from me! Thanks a lot!" Who said sarcastically.
Laughs filled the living room again.
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
"I'm leaving in a few minutes. Now a very important message: if something happens to me, you better don't touch my stuff!" Who stabbed her finger at the screen.
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
"Well, except for my books and… yeah, if you find the laptop… and if you manage to guess the password"
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know?
We need each other
To have, to hold
They'll see in time
I know
"Yo hothead… Remember that dagger collection I told you not to touch cuz I would slice your head off? You still can't touch it"
"What! Aw man, c'mon! She doesn't even use them!"Raph pouted making the others laugh again.
"Mikey! I wanted to give you something cool for your birthday since I missed it. There's a box full of Warcraft action figures… ALL BRAND NEW! And there are some toys for Klunk…I didn't forget you, kitty!"
Leo handed the package he had found to Mikey who opened it in glee. Who had told the truth about Mikey's gift.
"NO WAY DUDETTE! THAT'S AWESOME!"
"Sensei, my sword is in your hands and I don't want ANYONE to touch it! Just him!"
"SO NOT COOL!" the four ninjas said in unison. Now it was Splinter's turn to laugh out loud.
"At last but not least… Leo…" Who stood up weakly and came back after a few seconds with a bear.
April recognized it "Isn't that…"
Leo nodded.
"I always said when… uh… my time came… I wanted to take him with me because I knew nobody would take care of him like I did. But now… I've found someone that will love him the way I did"
When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together
"Crap, I promised to myself I wouldn't cry but…" Who whipped away a small tear.
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
"He's gonna need someone now his mommy won't be here" the girl let out a shaky sigh.
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
"Chinny's a good kid… and he won't be alone because Ogima is there. I just hope he never forgets his mommy. And Leo, you better be a good dad!" Who said using the most serious voice she could manage.
Leo chuckled sadly playing with the bear's yin yang pendant.
Oh, you'll be in my heart (You'll be here in my heart)
No matter what they say (I'll be with you)
You'll be here in my heart,
I'll be there always
Always
"Ok guys… this is it. Surgery time. Sorry for the sentimental stuff, that ain't my style. Maybe it's the surgery's fault; must sound ridiculous but… I know that a part of me will die in there… that, or my whole self could collapse"
I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
"I better leave now. Bye guys; wish me luck and in case I don't make it… don't worry, remember there's still Halloween and you better sleep with one eye open. Just kidding… but yeah, you might wanna remember that. Love you all"
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there always
The camera went off for the last time.
Yes, Chinny has same pendant, just like his mommy.