A/N: Hello again! I am so happy to finally get this chapter up. Life happens, ya know? Anyway, thank you all again for reading, favoriting and following. Let me know what you think in the reviews as well.

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CHAPTER 14-Mother of Invention

...

April has never thought of herself as nosy or pushy. Mona more fits those attributes. But as the redhead looks up from under the central air conditioning unit she and Donnie are repairing, she realizes she may have spoken too soon for Leonardo and his pent up feelings for Karai.

Leo has invited Toni to the Lair and she is staying for Sunday dinner. April and Donnie smile as Leo and Toni walk by the maintenance room entrance.

Perfect. April will have to warn Karai before she gets here. There's not much time. What a mess she's made.

"April?" Donnie says.

"Yes? Sorry, I must have zoned out." April says.

He chuckles. "It's OK. We're actually all done."

"Really?"

He reaches for her hand and lifts her from the roller. "You've been a big help. This old unit is really heavy, and I've never had hands small enough to repair those wires under there."

"Are you saying I have tiny, baby hands." April grins.

"Your hands are perfect." He lifts them to his face to kiss them, but stops when he sees that both of their hands are covered in oil and dirt. "They could use a good washing though."

April laughs and lightly slaps him on the arm.

"I'm going to start this thing up on. Could you turn on the Lair vent to clear out all of this hot, muggy air?"

"I'm on it." April kisses his cheek and jogs out of the maintenance room.

She goes into the kitchen quietly, not wanting to bother Mikey and his finishing touches. To her surprise, she sees Toni in between the freckled turtle and Kala. From what April can see, Mikey and Kala are teaching her how to kneed dough. April turns on the Lair vent on the wall by the microwave, goes to the sink and washes her hands. She needs to find her phone and text Karai asap.

She removes her cell from its charging cord in the girls' room. She opens it and pauses. If she tells Karai, she may not come. If she doesn't come tonight, who knows when she'll ever come again? But, if April doesn't tell her, Karai may get angry for the lack of preparation.

April taps in her message and sends it to Karai. She doesn't want this to be the birthday party all over again.

…

Casey Irma and Raph lounge on one of the couches in the sunken living area They've been talking about nothing in particular; sports, the latest movies, the coffee shop. Mona is sitting alone on the other couch watching the credits roll on the large screen. Her stomach rumbles.

"Ugh, when's dinner? I'm dying!" Mona whines.

"It'll only be a moment." Leo comes in and sits next to her. "Mikey, Toni and Kala and putting the rolls in the oven now."

"Awe. I'm so glad you brought your girlfriend to dinner, Lolo." Mona smiles.

"She's not my girlfriend, Mona. We're friends." Leo says.

"But you are dating aren't you? Going up to her house like every other day. It's cute." Some how she also has the only electrical fan in the place focused on her. "And when will the dorky duo be finished with the darn air conditioner?"

Donatello comes into the living area, wiping his brow with a rag. "The central air s fixed. We should be feeling it soon." He goes to sit in the recliner and falls back into a relaxed posture.

Leo, still visually flustered by Mona's words, feels the need to punctuate his previous claim. "Try not to make things too uncomfortable tonight, guys. It's not like that with Toni and me. We just hang out. We have a lot in common."

"I bet you do." Mona stretches and folds her hands behind her back. "Just like me and Romeo over there." She nods at Raphael. "Hey, Raphie, when are you taking me on a date?"

"When I get that big raise at work." The red-banded turtle rolls his eyes.

Casey glances at Raphael and frowns. His pal keeps missing his opportunity to get Mona to their apartment alone. Raph had all week and every time Casey asked him if the plan is still on, Raph said that he hadn't asked her yet. If Raphael doesn't ask her now, he won't get up the nerve to do it later. Casey knows this and reaches behind Irma to slap his hesitant turtle friend on the shell. "Raph, ain't ya got somethin' ta ask Mona?"

"Case!" Raphael yells. He looks across the room at the lizard girl.

Mona looks back at him and smiles. "Ask me what, Raphie?"

"Uh..." Raph stumbles. He doesn't know what to say. Just then Michelangelo comes out of the kitchen and serves a platter appetizers of fruit and cheese. This gives him some time to put his thoughts together.

"Well?" Mona says as she pops a few grapes in her mouth.

"Just wanted to know if ya wanted to hang out at Casey and Irma's place next Saturday night."

"Oh." Mona bats her eyes and grins. "You're asking me out on a double date?"

"Nooo..." Raphael says, his face reddening as he shoots daggers at Casey. His brothers are smiling but keeping their mouths shut.

"What would we be doing?" Mona crosses her legs.

Raphael opens his mouth but no words come out. He can't plainly say that he wants to get her alone so they can sleep together. He wishes Casey would have let him ask her at his own pace, not that he knew how or when he would say something. "Just hangin' out." He shrugs.

Irma knows all about Casey's ingenious plan for their two mutant friends. Raphael is fumbling so she interjects. "We're trying out a new brewing company for our shop and wanted to invite you and Raph over to try out the samples."

Mona shakes her head. "Doesn't sound much fun. Raph doesn't like tea and you know I can't stand coffee. Why not ask Leo and Don to help? Their expert drinkers of the stuff."

"That sounds nice." Leo says.

"Yeah, I don't mind." Donnie chimes in.

"Naw, fellas. It's cool. Me and Mona will go." Raphael says, glaring at them.

Mona looks at her grumpy beau suspiciously. "What's really going on here? Why do you really want to go over there so badly just to drink tea?"

"Because!" Casey jumps in. "I was gonna ask Raph to also watch the game with me, while you's help us."

"Ok?" Mona says. "Which game?"

"Hockey." "Basketball." "Baseball." Casey, Irma and Raph say. Casey speaks up. "It's all the highlights of all the seasons… It's a big thing. Raph and I watch it every year."

"If you want to, why not watch it here?" Mikey sits on the couch's arm. " Karai bought us this huge TV and Donnie finished hooking up a dope sound system. We could make it a little party."

Everyone who is unaware of the plan nods and agrees. Casey is at a loss. Raphael is about to throw something at his youngest brother, but Irma still has an ace up her sleeve. "Well, you could have it here, but while Casey and Raph are drinking beer and yelling at the TV, I was going to let you relax in our sunken jet tub… we have a new rain shower head I know you'll love, Mona."

Mon gasps. "I am so there! I love your tub!"

"Great. We'll see you both on Saturday." And with that Irma seals the deal for Raphael. She discreetly jabs him in the plastron and smiles.

Raphael looks away, trying his best to hide his grin. This is it. He and Mona will be alone and finally…

What has he gotten himself into? He has so much to plan in the next six days.

April joins the group holding firm to her cell. It's almost time to eat and Karai hasn't answered her texts. What an awesome day for Leo to bring Toni here. And what does it mean? Has he given up on Karai altogether? Maybe it's best that she doesn't show. She goes to fit herself on the couch next to Donnie.

"Hey." He says.

"Hey. I can already feel it getting cooler in here. You did good, Donnie-boy." April says.

"With you help." He smiles. "You feeling better, Mona?"

"Ah, much better!" She sings. "Now I just need some real food... Mikey."

Kala pokes her head out of the kitchen. "Mikey, the rolls look ready, I think."

"Alright, guys. Let's eat!" Mikey rushes into the kitchen. The others shuffle in after him.

Donatello gets up pulling a hesitant April by the hand. "What's wrong? You coming?"

"I'll be right there." April opens up her cell and heads to the entrance of the Lair. She looks out into the darkness and texts Karai, 'Hey, r u still coming?'

…

Karai continues to slosh through the murky water in her black rainboots. Her navy blue maxi dress is tied up around her thigh. A tan tote hangs around her bare shoulders. She feels her cell vibrate for the sixth time. She goes around a corner and sees April at the end of the way.

April waves her down. She whispers her name.

Karai rolls her eyes. Was April that worried she'd not show up?

April meets her in front on the turnstiles, seeming to block her way. "Karai, you're here. Why didn't you answer my texts? Did you even read them?"

"Of course I am here. And I was walking through the dirty sewers doing my best not to mess up my outfit. I didn't have time to look at my phone." Karai says, stepping into the light of the Lair, clicking through the stiles.

April stays close to her. "Before you go in, I..." April stops and looks at her.

Karai bends down, removes her clunky boots and sets them aside. She unties the knot in her dress, letting the hem flow down to her ankles. It is a simple, but lovely summer maxi dress, midnight blue with a large, white flower pattern. The only jewelry she's wearing is a long string of colorful glass beads around her neck. Her naturally, straight, ponytail of hair is now hanging playfully around her bare shoulders in loose waves. Her jasper eyes pop under dark lashes and her lips are polished pink.

"Karai, you look.. amazing. Just so..." April says.

Karai looks down at herself and shrugs. "It is nothing. It has been a rather hot and muggy day up top. I did not want to be stuffy in a blouse and pants. I assumed it would be the same down here, but I find it rather pleasant." She says as she removes a pair of designer sandals from her satchel and slips them onto her feet.

Distracted from her immediate concern, April wraps an uncomfortable arm around her oil smudged tank top and smooths down her lazy up-o. "Uh... Donnie and I finally got the central air working."

Karai looks up at her and smiles. "That's great." She walks passed the redhead and into the open living area, heading straight for the kitchen.

April quickly follows. "Wait! Karai, there's something I've got to tell you."

Karai turns to face her. " Why are you fidgeting? What do you need to tell me?" She looks at April, who is now looking over her shoulder, into the kitchen. Karai turns back around and sees Leonardo walk by. He is holding hands with that girl. He pulls the chair out for her to sit. That's Karai's chair. For a moment, Karai could process nothing, only witlessly gaze at his smile and how delicately he touches her.

Karia turns back to look at a trepidacious April. Karai pulls out her cell and sees the alerts for multiple messages from her; surely warnings of Leonardo's friend being here.

So, Leo is forgetting about me... it's about time, though I did not expect his 'salvation' from me would be found at the attention of another...

At that thought she takes a step back.

No you don't! You will not stomp away this time.

She wills herself to stay put.

There is no point in thinking like this. I must be smart. My actions going forward will determine whether I come out of this looking like a fool or the only sane person at the table.

Karai warms her features into a smile. "April, I appreciate the forewarning, but you need not be concerned. What you previously told me was correct. We are family. Nothing will change that. I am not here just because of Leo."

April's rigid stature deflates into relieved slumping of her shoulders. She wipes her brow. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought, well, I didn't know what to think. He just walked in with Toni about thirty minutes ago... I didn't tell anyone you were coming. I thought it'd be a welcome surprise to have you back."

Karai huffs a small laugh. "I am sure they will still be surprised."

April walks up next to her and smiles, glad that Karai is taking to the news well. As for Leonardo and the rest, whatever happens, happens. April leads them into the kitchen.

Splinter, turning his attention away from Toni, sees April hurry to her seat; behind her he sees his daughter standing in the archway. He smiles warmly. "Karai!"

Everyone stops their chatter and whips their heads in the direction of their father's glance. Karai can tell by the mixed array of emotions on their faces who knows what about her absence and sudden reappearance. She notices Toni has a neutral and pleasant surprise in her features. She knows nothing!

Not wanting to make a scene, Karai decides to play right down the middle.

"Good evening, everyone. Your long lost sister had arrived." Karai says with slight humor.

She looks softer, warmer and, to a certain young turtle, absolutely stunning. Leonardo knows that everything... everything Karai does is not so sincere, but drips with intention. His stomach starts to cramp while his finger tips tingle to touch her. He takes a deep breath and pulls his thoughts in.

It is over with her. She's just trying to torture you. Toni is here now. It's time to move forward with someone who actually wants to walk beside me.

After a beat too long of silence, Mikey, who is standing by the oven, handling a large covered dish, says with a smile. "Hey, Karai! Glad you could make it!"

"Thank you, Mikey." She says.

"Hey, Karai. Long time, no see." Casey says.

"Hello Casey, Irma." She says.

"Hey." Irma raises a hand to her kindly.

"Oh my gosh, Karai! You look so amazing in that dress!" Mona shouts..

"You think so?" Karai smirks. "It is a bit more bohemian than my usual attire, but the weather called for it."

"Do not be so humble, Miwa. You look lovely." Splinter says.

Humble? Yeah right. Raphael cuts his eyes over at Leo, subtly asking his brother if he believes that at all. Leo purses his lips.

Donatello watches Karai walk the length of the table towards Splinter, noticing that all of the seats are taken. "I'll get an extra chair from the lab for you, Karai." Donnie says as he leaves the table.

"Thank you." Karai says.

Splinter rises to give his daughter a tight hug. As he does so, Karai eyes a very quiet Leonardo. His controlled yet painful expression is entertaining to her.

Splinter pulls Karai back and smiles. "How have you been, my child?"

"I am just a good as when I saw you on Friday, father." She says.

"Have you met our new friend, Toni? Toni, this is my daughter, Karai." Splinter says as she reaches for the girl's hand. He joins their hands together across the table.

Karai shakes her hand. "Hello, Toni."

"Hello, Karai. It's nice to meet you. You smell lovely. What is that perfume?"

"Uh..." Karai looks into her green eyes and gray pupils. She has to admit, the girl is pretty. "It is a fragrance I've had for a long time. Midnight Jasmine, by Merlot."

"Sounds expensive." Toni says.

"Some things are worth the price. I can see you understand by the Chamel sweater you are wearing." Karai says.

Toni's smile starts to fade. "You're cold."

Karai takes her hand away from her. "What?"

"Your hands are cold."

"Oh." Karai says.

Donatello returns, setting a metal chair with a cushioned seat next to Splinter on his right. Casey, Irma, Raph, and Mona scoot down to make room for her.

Karai sits down, finding herself right across from the blind, young woman. "If I had known it would have been cooler down here, I would have brought a sweater of my own."

"I didn't think it would be cold down here either." Toni says. "But Leo told me, since this is my first time coming here, to dress warmly. I brought an extra sweater with me, so you can wear it if you like." She turns to Leo and places a hand on his arm. "I think I left it in your room."

Karai looks at Leo intently. Leo looks back at her with continued restraint.

"Thank you, Toni." Karai says, not at all hiding her grin. "I will go get it."

Leo stands quickly. "No!" Now, Leo looks around at the others. April looks sympathetic, Mikey keeps busy at the stove, and Casey and Irma are oblivious. Donnie is twiddling his thumbs, Raph is trying hold in a chuckle, Kala is looking at him wide-eyed, and Splinter lifts a brow at him.

Leo swallows. "I mean... I'll go get it for you."

"Thank you, Leonardo." Karai says sweetly.

Mikey sees Leo leave and calls out to him. "Hurry back, bro. The stuffed chicken is piping hot!"

Leonardo goes into his room and closes the door. What the hell is happening to him? If he had hair, it'd be standing on end. Every emotional response he held in at the table is now rushing out of him. He takes a few breaths in the still darkness as her image, her smell, here eyes, the way she said his name, wash over his tingling flesh. He expels one more puff of air before straightening up and turning on his lamp. He looks around and sees Toni's extra sweater folded over his chair. He holds the feathery soft cashmere, running his fingers over the bead embroidery.

Reminding himself why he decided it was time to bring Toni to Sunday dinner, why he needs to let go of Karai, and why it'd be best not to leave the two women alone without him, Leonardo hurries back to the table.

...

Leo finds everyone there, sitting, happily passing around plates and platters and bowls, saying how delicious everything smells and looks. He walks around the table and, with minimal hesitation, drapes the sweater over Karai's shoulders. He sits down next to Toni in time to serve the sides.

"Would you like some quinoa. It's a small grain. How about some sugar snap peas?" Leo asks Toni.

"Quinoa please. And I'll take a few snap peas." Toni says.

"So long as they're not regular peas, right?" Leo says.

"You know me so well." She giggles.

Leo only laughs a little. His cheeks turn red when he sneaks a peek over at Karai. She seems unphased by Toni's playful banter with him. He passes the platter to Splinter and takes the basket of rolls from Donnie. He sets one on his plate and another on Toni's.

"Hand me a roll, won't you, Leo?" Karai says.

"Sure." He says. He places one in her hand and she deliberately swipes the tips of her polished fingertips over his. Perhaps it wasn't on purpose. She doesn't look like she's planning anything devious. Leo sets the basket down on an open part of the table and holds his and Toni's glass as Splinter pours the punch.

Splinter blesses the food and everyone digs in.

Karai admires her perfectly round roll. It's crusty on the outside and warm and flaky on the inside. She slathers a small portion of butter on it and bites. "Mikey, I am not one for eating much bread, but these are the best rolls I have ever eaten."

"Thanks, Karai. I can't take all the credit though." Mikey says in between bites. "Kala measured the ingredients, and Toni formed the dough and suggested we add a pinch of sugar and vanilla to the mix. All I did was pop them in the oven."

Karai turns to look at Toni and questions her with mild disbelief. "You made these?"

Toni answers. "Yes. I love the sweet Amish bread they make at my local bakery, so that's where I got the ides for the sugar and vanilla. And Mikey told me to try to make the rolls the same size so..."

"They're damn near perfect." Raphael says.

"It's a wonderful balance between salty and sweet. It must be your enhanced palate." Irma says.

Toni's cheeks turn red. "Maybe."

Leo smiles and places another roll on his plate. "Don't be modest. You're a great cook."

"No way. Salads and pre-made cookies don't count. I don't use the stove much, for obvious reasons." Toni says.

"I can probably help with that." Donnie says. "Remember the last time we were at your apartment?"

"Yeah, and Toni stole all my Hershey kisses in poker." Raph smirks.

Toni faces his direction. "I did not steal your Hershey kisses. I won them fair and square."

"You played poker? With cards? How'd ya do that?" Casey asks.

"The internet." Mikey says.

"I found braille marked playing cards and ordered them online." Donnie says.

"And Raph, you were the one who taught me how to play poker, so how could I have cheated? It's not like I could look over your shoulder." Toni grins and everyone laughs... except Karai.

"I dunno how you got so lucky." Raph says.

"Maybe four turtle shells are just are luckier than a rabbit's foot." Toni grins.

"Must be, because you won almost the whole bag of candy!" Mikey whines.

"I did." Toni grins. "But ended up sharing them."

"SURE, you did. You gave the most to Leo and he hardly likes chocolate." Mikey says.

"I bet he likes the kisses though." Mona says as she pushes the quinoa around her plate.

Mikey, Casey, Irma and Raph 'OOOOh' loudly, goading the teasing remark.

Leo shakes his head slightly to deny Mona's claims. He looks over at Karai. She continues her meal, silently ignoring him.

Toni sits just as quietly, smiling and blushing at the Mona's play on words.

"As I was trying to say..." Donnie says. "After we played, I took a walk around your place, thinking of all the ways I could make it more accessible for someone with your needs."

"And?" Toni asks.

Donnie puts down his fork and starts to list on his fingers. "I could add timers to your lights, so they come one when it's dark and go out when you sleep. It would make it safe if it looks like someone is home. I could add an audio timer and thermometer to your stove and oven. It would help broaden your cooking abilities. Softeners to your corners to avoid injury, update your phone's GPS, enhance the AI on your Kindle so the audio reader doesn't sound so much like a robot..."

April cuts in. "Donnie, come back."

"Sorry." He says. "But, yeah. All that and more, if you don't mind, Toni."

"I really appreciate it, Donnie. That's the kind of stuff I'm all about. If people like me had access to this type of technological aide, independence and lifestyle would only increase. I wish more people would find value in this."

"Honestly Toni, I wouldn't have been interested had I not met you. You figuratively opened my eyes to what it's like to live in your world. I recognized some obstacles and wanted to overcome them. And..." Donnie looks Leo in the eye. "I think you're great, Toni."

Leo takes his brilliant brother's hint and gives him a small smile.

April also chimes in. "Leo let me read your ideas on evolving the curricula at your school. The way you want to Implement life coaching classes for the blind is an amazing concept." April says.

Toni gasps. Her face gets redder. "Leo, why did you share that? It's not done."

"You said that you were going to give it to your director and superintendent at the end of this quarter." Leo says. "I thought it would be a good idea to have our top graduate give you her opinion."

"Oh, well thanks... So you really liked it, April?"

"Yes, Toni." April says. "It's a very professional and thorough presentation. I could email you my notes, if it would help, before you submit it."

"That's great." Toni says. She starts to pick at her nails. "I'm so... you guys are great. The food is great. Everything is great. I feel so welcome. And I'm sorry, Mona, but I think all this greatness is making me chip my nails."

"No problem." Mona says. "After dinner I can put a fresh coat on for you. You like the glittery kind, right?"

"Yes, I like the texture." Toni giggles and starts to eat again. "I can't believe you let me paint your nails. They must look terrible."

"Oh, they're not too bad." Mona says looking at her red lacquer. "That's what polish remover is for. Besides, you did an excellent job filing them."

"It was fun. I've never decorated my nails before." Kala says, admiring her orange design.

"Looks cute, Kala." Mikey says.

"We should do it again." Irma says. "Are we going to have our little makeover party at your place again, Toni?"

"That's fine with me." Toni says.

"Or, we can have it here and turn it into a slumber party." Mona says. "What do you think, April?"

"Sounds... good." April looks up at the other end of the table at Karai. She looks calm and uninterested in the conversation. Surely Karai must think something of all the girls hanging out without her.

Splinter shouldn't be surprised at how quickly his children have warmed up to Toni. She is a rare find. Somehow, she wears her blindness as a badge instead of a blemish. She is not less because of it; she embraces it and does her best with what life has given her. Just like the rest of these young people around him.

He is also no fool. He hasn't mentioned Toni during his and Karai's lunch dates or father/daughter training at his dojo. Karai hadn't asked about Toni and so he has never brought her up. With Leonardo, he has taken care to voice his acceptance of his new friend without overshadowing Karai's apparent distance from the rest of the small crew. Leo had told him that the last time he and Karai had spoken it didn't go well.

In his heart of hearts he had wished for his eldest children to reconcile and share their feelings again. To Splinter, Karai and Leo seemed like a matched set, Yin and Yang. But Karai, being the human component, feels she has all the time in the world. Leo, however, sees every opportunity as precious.

Never once did Splinter think it strange or wrong for Leonardo to love a human or Karai to be intimate with a mutant. After all, the man was a rat for half of his life. He had never pursued a mate in that time. As he does now, Splinter still feels a small twinge of pain for the loss of his wife. He has yet to find closure. All he buried was ashes. But, if he had found someone to whom he would cling romantically, he would hope they could accept him as he was, a mutant rat. Now that he is a man, he strongly believes that one's character outweighs one's physical appearance. He had prayed for so much more for his children.

As he looks out over the dinner table, he realizes his prayers. And though Leonardo looks hesitant and Karai hides behind a veil, he knows they will come back around and let the past rest.

Splinter looks over at Toni and smiles. "You teach, cook, sculpt, and do manicures. I must say you are quite an accomplished young lady." Splinter says.

Hearing the man's words sets Toni's fluster-meter to the max. "Please everyone. That's more than enough. I know you're all being very kind, but I don't know how much more of your compliments I can swim in."

"Take care not to drown." Karai says as she sips at her glass.

Leonardo glares at Karai, warning her not to start anything.

Toni doesn't take it to heart. "I bet you're used to it. You must be very beautiful."

Karai curls her lips. "I'm intrigued as to how you would know this."

"Karai..." Leo says.

"What?" Karai asks. "It's just innocent dinner conversation. It seems I've missed a lot and I find your friend to be quite interesting... So tell me, Toni... how would you rate beauty, mine in particular?"

"Well..." Toni reaches out and takes Karai's hand. "Just by holding your hand I can tell you're not used to this type of touch. Not many people get this close to you. You are reserved... Your hands are well maintained, but the palms are calloused... you're strong, you didn't have a simple upbringing, but things are much better now. When you arrived, the atmosphere changed. You like how simple changes in your appearance catch other's attention. . The way you were dressed was mentioned as well. And that expensive perfume you wear... people must feel your presence well after you leave... I can tell you are loved by these great people. The company you keep also tells me that you demand a higher quality of life. Most importantly is the way you talk. You have the type of confidence I've only heard in older men. You don't waste words. You mean what you say. That's a great quality... if you're a friend. I bet you have a sharp tongue when it's necessary. You're precise and patient... Maybe powerful is a better word." Toni lets Karai's hand slip away. "I think that makes you abundantly beautiful."

"Damn." Mikey says. "And she didn't even touch your face."

"She read you like a book, Kray." Mona says.

"Amazing." April lets the word fall right out of her mouth.

Karai had never felt more exposed, and by this blind girl! She knows that everyone agrees with Toni's pleasant assessment, except it is so much more than that. Fortunately, Toni has no idea of Karai's past atrocities. Her 'palm reading' was a kind gesture. Unfortunately, Leonardo knows all too well how deep Karai's closet goes.

Karai feels utterly defeated. The dinner rolls, the games, the Hershey kisses, the girl time, the Leo time… Leonardo... It all adds up to everyone fitting Toni into their lives.

Even father praises her.

Everyone except Karai was expected to come here tonight. Everyone except her was promised a seat at the table. This damn dinner would have happened with or without Karai, just like all the others she missed. Toni is in her seat now… in her family.

Did Karai take too long to come back? Maybe. April and the others can't put all the blame on Karai.

But they do.

Text messages and calls work both ways. No one else made the effort to communicate with me. And why is that? Leonardo and his broken heart and his new girlfriend is the cause... and everyone just loves the blind girl, oh I bet she's so much easier to deal with than me, the dark, heartless, stubborn bitch! They couldn't wait to replace me… with someone that can't even see them! OF COURSE Toni seems perfect. The most prominent feature of this Hamato clan is what they look like and that charming child can't even see it to judge it. She has no idea.

She has NO idea.

They've welcomed a fool into the fold. She cannot accept you, because she can NEVER know who you really are.

Dispicable!

If she could see, she wouldn't have been in whatever mess she got herself into to even need you to swoop in and save her!

If she could see, you would have NEVER known her name, Leo!

If she could see, then this sympathetic circus wouldn't even be happening right now!

If she could…

Karai instantly pulls herself out of her mind spiral and smiles at Toni. "You are very intuitive. I am so glad to know that about you, Toni. I'll remember to practice being truthful around you."

"Or just never lie." Leo says. He does not trust one word coming out of her mouth right now.

Karai, clearly acting, gives Leonardo a placid smile. Her veil is densely shut. She giggles. "You're right, Leo. You usually are, especially about me. I know that I do not say it much but, you are very dear to me, all of you are."

"You've never said that ever." Raph sneers.

"It is because I am guarded, Raphael, my...bro. It's true. If Toni can… see that, I know the rest of my family can." Karai stares into Leo's eyes. "In time, I promise to prove how dear you all are to me… And I do not make promises lightly."

"That is good to hear, Miwa. Very good." Splinter says with mirth.

The others are surprised by Karai's new spring of affection, but take it as a good sign. Raphael blows off her words and thinks nothing of them. Leonardo is the only one with red flags shooting out of his head.

"Now, Mikey." Karai says as she dads the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "A little cardinal told me that you made my favorite desert."

"Yeah!" Mikey jumps up and goes to the fridge. "I hope you all saved room for cake. Watermelon cake, that is." He peels off the plastic wrap from the three-story fruit tower with strawberries and blueberries in between. He shakes the can of whipped cream and expertly sprays on a thick layer all around.

"Awe, geez." Casey says as he flips a toothpick with his lips. "Tell me ya got some REAL cake, Mike."

"There's some Klondike bars in the fridge." Mikey says.

"Good enough." Casey gets up and grabs a few.

With a perfect slice of watermelon cake in front of her, Karai eagerly cuts into it and savors a refreshing bite.

Toni, too enjoys her piece. The two young women share their glee and Leo's blood runs cold. He doesn't know why. His better judgment tells him to ignore it. But something about seeing his painful past meeting his possible future is very unsettling.

…

The evening seems to take forever to end. Karai keeps it together during tea with Leonardo and Splinter… and Toni. Karai holds her resolve while sitting out in the living area listening to more of Mona's jungle stories and the Turtle's scouting adventures, catching every time Toni wraps hers arm around Leo's. Finally, Leo and Toni leave. Then, Donnie and April. Kala tries to go to her room for bed, but Mikey drags her to his. Splinter walks Karai all the way to the back alley where her Towne Car waits for her. Once Splinter is dropped off, her veil burns away and Oroku Karai takes a long-awaited breath.

She strips away her clothes, washes her face and gets into bed. She eventually falls asleep and awakens at five am with no need for an alarm. She showers, pins up her hair, and puts on loose pants and a sports bra. Barefoot, she rides her personal elevator down to her new dojo. She picks up her twin daggers from the display. It has been a logn time since she wielded them. She swings them around, reacquainting herself with the familiar weight of them. She breathes, balances and turns her focus to the training dummy at the other end of the dojo.

She's light on her feet as she charges forward. She flips high in the air and slashes down hard into the wooden man.

She cuts it to shreds. In this brief moment she releases her anger in a blaze of relentless jabs and thrusts until the oak dummy is nothing but a stump.

Gasping for breath, she throws her daggers to the floor and sits down in lotus position. She wants to make sure her wrath doesn't cloud her rational mind. But nothing about her thought in the past ten hours have bee rational. If she's going to do this, it has to be now. And her reasoning has to be clear. This can't just be about her.

Once her breathing stabilizes, she jumps to her feet, walks over to the sliding doors and enters her lavish office. She sits at her desk, awakens her computer and pulls up a hidden, encrypted black folder entitled 'Old Habits'. She types in her password and opens a spreadsheet file listing hundreds of names, addresses and skill sets. She finds who she is looking for and looks him up in the company's directory… how fortunate. She dials his number.

A moment later a low, groggy voice answers. "H'lo?"

"Christopher Satoshi."

"Yeah, who the hell is this? It's barely six am?"

"This is your Mistress and I am in need of your services."

Satoshi falls out of his bed. "Oh, my god. Karai? Mistress Karai?" he turns on his lamp and fumbles for his glasses. "Yes, what can I, how c-can I…"

"A black car is coming to pick you up." She says as she sends a text to her driver. "You will get in the car and come to Oroku Corp. You will be escorted to my office. You will speak to no one along the way."

"Yes, Mistress, but I… You probably already know this, but I work for you, on the 32nd floor, in the IT department. Should I tell my boss I'll be late or I'm not coming in or…"

"I will take care of that." She snaps.

"Yes, of course Mistress… m-may I ask what you need me for?"

She holds her fury in and states calmly. "You were a trusted and very useful individual to the previous owner of this company. Everything you have ever done, all of your exceptional computer skills, are logged and stored in my safe-keeping. Some things I am sure you know are quite illegal."

Satoshi gulps. "Yeah?"

"I would like you to help me keep those worrisome files a secret by using your skills to find out everything you can on a certain individual. Can you do this?"

Satoshi gasps. It has been a long time since he did those dirty deeds for the Foot Clan. He kept his head low and excelled in his new, legal position in the company. To be called on now after so many years, this must be a very important mission. To be hand chosen by Mistress Karai, it is a true honor. "Yes, Mistress. I am at your service."

...

A/N: So, yeah, Karai kind of snapped. Looks like She's is putting on her bad girl boots again. Thanks for reading. See you next chapter!