Chapter 21: How to Mend a Broken Heart

A/N: I know it's been a long time, but I have gotten inspired to continue Willow's story once more. This chapter will take place after the episode "The Evil of Dregg." I know some of you are impatient about the whole reunion between Willow and Splinter, but I will get to that in another chapter. Just be patient. Real life has not been kind to me and now that I have some time to write, I am taking full advantage of it. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words mean the world to me and keep me going.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot, Willow Green, and Audrey Donnelly.

Willow woke up and sensed that something wasn't quite right. Heart pounding, she rose and padded out of her room, checking each of the Turtles' rooms to make sure they were okay. Three of them were where they should have been, but one room wasn't occupied. Willow went through the ship and soon found the missing occupant in the holo-generator practicing some katas. She watched him for a bit and could tell that he was still angry about what had happened earlier on their latest adventure.

Raph finished with a roundhouse kick before noticing that he had an audience. "Oh, hey, Mom," he said.

"Couldn't sleep?" Willow asked him.

Raph shook his head. "Nope." He sighed and sat down on the floor of the holo-generator. "This sucks."

"She didn't mean to betray you, Raph," Willow reassured him. "Her whole planet was threatened. She had no choice."

"That doesn't mean it hurts any less," pointed out Raph. "What would you do if Splinter betrayed you like that?"

"I would be very hurt if he did that, but I know he wouldn't unless he had to," she replied. "And I think that even if he did, he would feel horrible about it and would try to make it up to me if he could. I'm sure Mona will want to do the same if you see her again."

Raph snorted. "I doubt that," he grumbled.

"And yet, when she was stung, you were worried for her," Willow reminded him.

"Yeah, but I was still mad at her too."

"Even when she said she loved you?"

"Now that I wasn't expecting," he admitted.

"And why not? Because you're a mutant?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, we don't have many options, do we?"

"I don't know about that," she said gently. "I never thought I would find someone, and then I found Splinter. Love is possible for you, Raphael. It's possible for anyone who wants it as long as the one you love feels the same way you do."

"I just don't see things the way you do, Mom. You have this hope in you that things will work out for the best. I always believe that things are always gonna get worse. Being a ninja comes with a price. You never know if you're gonna live to see the next day. And I get why you feel the way you do about love, but I just don't see it. I tried it, Mom, and I got hurt. Love isn't worth it. It only leads to someone screwing you over."

"Not all love is like that, my son. You love your brothers, right?"

"Yeah, but that's different," Raph said. "I know they have my back and I have theirs. We're family."

"Exactly. Hold on to that love, Raphael. You're not alone in this world and never will be. You have others who love you every day, and as long as you have your family, love is not lost for you. All of this will work out in time."

"How do you know this stuff?"

Willow smiled. "I was once in love myself," she admitted. "He seemed like such a nice guy, and I really enjoyed everything we did together. I felt like we were soul mates and that we would be together forever. But unfortunately, he didn't see things the same way I did."

Raph grew curious. "What happened?"

"At first, he was a very respectful man, but then he began to get very violent with me. He would hurt me and tell me that I was his to control. He made me do things I didn't want to do, and if I tried to resist, he would beat me."

Raph's green eyes darkened in anger. How could someone so cruel hurt his mother like that? "So, what did you do?"

"I fought back and then reported him to the police," she replied. "He was a man my father had picked out for me which comes as no surprise to this day. I felt betrayed once I found out exactly what type of man he was, and, like you, I felt that love wasn't worth it and that I would be alone forever. But as you now see, I have found happiness, and I wouldn't change it for the world. So, remember my story, Raphael, for it is proof that love is not lost and you will find that special someone one day."

"I just hope we can get him back," Raph whispered.

Willow put a paw on his shoulder. "We will," she said firmly. "Now, it's time you were in bed."

Raph sighed. "Okay. Good night, Mom. Thanks for talking to me."

"You're welcome, Tiger. That's what I'm here for."

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I have to admit that talking to Raph was a good thing to do. He is clearly wounded over Mona's betrayal, but I feel that things will work out in the end for both of them even if it may not be right away. In any case, I think talking about my own experiences with love has helped both Raph and me. That story was not something I have shared with everybody, and I was glad that it gave Raph a different view of me and how I had been wounded in love. But now, things have changed, and I believe that we will get Splinter back and everything will be as it should be in the end.

The stars are bright tonight. I am going to make a wish on one and then go to bed since we have an early start tomorrow.

Until next time,

Willow

A/N: And another chapter comes to a close. This one was a bit short, but I still liked how I did it and the talk Willow had with Raph. I hope that the rest of you liked it too. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.