Chapter 37
I do not own TMNT, the characters, or the name Star Potential Studios! I only own my OCs and my storyline! Please review and let me know how this is going!
When the two girls returned to New York, the first thing they did was breathe a sigh of relief. All their homework was done, they were able to see their family, and they were able to tell the truth, somewhat, to their parents about their new friends.
"I have no idea how I am going to pull off Raphael meeting my parents. I mean I guess I could always have him just talk to them on the phone but eventually they will want to meet him in person."
Claire plopped down on the couch and covered her face with her hands. It was then that she noticed Zoey was practicing some sort of routine for gymnastics.
"What are you doing?"
"Have you ever watched anime?"
"Like cartoons?"
"No. Not like cartoons. Anime is different. It's shows from Japan and Asia and some of them are really dark and others are really action-y. I've been into it since I watched Sailor Moon as a kid-"
"Oh! I watched Sailor Moon!"
"Yeah, that's an anime. Anyway, I really like this one called Naruto and they made a spin-off called Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden and I had the one closing theme in my head all break. I kind of thought it was really catchy and made a routine out of it with a ribbon."
"Wow! Can I see it?"
Zoey blushed.
"I-It's not very coordinated, I mean I just did what felt natural."
Claire smiled.
"Do you have the song ready?"
Zoey shook her head.
"I've just been listening to it on repeat on Youtube."
"Let me listen to it first and then you can show me! Is it in Japanese then?"
"Yeah, but I found a video with the English subtitles."
(First Japanese then English translation!)
Daijoubu bokura mada konnani waraeru. - Up to now, we're alright, we can laugh like this.
Maigo ni nattatte tsukiakari o sagaseru. - I search for the moonlight that seemly slowly lost.
Kachimake ja nai desho nante! - Anyway, I might be in victory or defeat!
Nagusame ni kurumattatte. - Wrapping up myself in comfort.
Kuyashisa ga hadakete. - Exposing my regretfulness.
Soutou kakkou warui genjou no bokura wa. - We deserve our current bad circumstances.
Jigyaku neta bakari dakedo. - Cause nothing but bad joke for ourself.
Sore o koe o agete waraitobashi aeru.- Meeting that rising loud voice with laughter.
Kudaranai sono yaritori ga. - That arguing back and forth is worthless.
Nandaka hokorashii yo. - It's somehow arrogant.
Daijoubu bokura mada konnani waraeru. - Up to now, we're alright, we can laugh like this.
Maigo ni nattatte tsukiakari o sagaseru. - I search for the moonlight that seemly slowly lost.
Daijoubu bokura nakushita mono yori mabushii. - For people who lost radiance, we're alright.
Takaramono ga koko ni aru koto o shitteru. - We know of matter of the most important for this present time.
Daijoubu bokura. - We're alright.
As the song played, Claire found herself enjoying the beat of the music. Sure, she had to watch for what the words meant but the music definitely was danceable.
"It's really cool and I like the lyrics too."
Zoey had an idea.
"Hey! Why don't you create a routine for me? I'm sure you've already got some ideas swirling in your head!"
Claire blushed because she actually did have some moves planned.
"O-Okay. Is it just a ribbon wand routine you want or do you want clubs too?"
"Clubs are fine but they aren't my strong suit."
The brunette thought hard about the recent displays and routines she saw by some of her favorite gymnasts, such as Varvara Filiou of Greece.
"We'll definitely need more space to practice in though," Zoey said looking around the apartment.
"Do you think Master Splinter would let us use the dojo?"
"Why there?"
"Think about it, if we don't have work, we really can't be in the way of the students while they are learning to do something just for us. And...I was thinking maybe Master Splinter could help me. I want to try a competition again."
"A-Are you sure?" Zoey said shocked. "You think you'll be all right?"
"I talked to my parents about it and they think maybe it is something I need to work through. If I want to move forward in life, I need to be able to be in a crowd, or at least know what it was that made me freeze up. Master Splinter has been through so much, maybe he has some experience with something like this and can help me."
Zoey nodded.
"I'm sure he'll be happy to help."
As the girls walked into to the Lair, they were excited to see if the boys missed them while they were gone.
The entire family, April included, was in the kitchen eating ramen for dinner. Raphael was the first to notice them.
"Claire, you're back!" he said trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
Truth was he missed her so much and was happy she was back.
The red-masked turtle walked over and passionately kissed Claire. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.
Zoey blushed and went into the kitchen. It was cute seeing Claire and Raph so happy but it made the dark-haired girl jealous she hadn't figured out Donatello's feelings yet.
"Hi, everyone," she said taking Raphael's spot. "Did we miss anything exciting while we were gone?"
Donatello was happy Michelangelo was talking about the recent Kraang hunts and how the three brothers were poisoned by a mutated wasp. He wanted to figure out the best way to get Zoey alone but didn't know how.
"That all sounds awesome! I wish I could have seen you guys all brainwashed," she said laughing. "Way to go, Mikey!"
Zoey turned and saw Claire coming over with Raph.
"Master Splinter, could Claire and I speak with you in private?"
The sensei was slightly confused but motioned the girls over to the dojo.
"Routines?"
"Yes, see for gymnastics, there are certain events where a person can perform alongside a music piece. However, since we don't have much time outside of work to practice-"
"We were hoping we could use the dojo space since you have higher ceilings and available space for maneuverability."
Master Splinter thought he wouldn't mind letting them using the dojo, especially since he was curious to see what the girls were fully capable of. The sensei had seen them do simple flips and small techniques around the lair but an entire demonstration could be what the boys needed to show how remembering katas and gymnastics routines go hand-in-hand: mistaking one part could throw the entire act out of balance.
"Certainly, you girls are more than welcome to use the dojo, so long as the others aren't already using it."
Claire and Zoey smiled.
"Thank you, sensei!" they said together.
Master Splinter grinned.
"Now, why don't we all go into the living room and put on a movie? I have limited Michelangelo to one a day or else he simply tries to watch as many as he can until he falls asleep in front of the television."
The three left the dojo and noticed Donatello was the only one not in the living room. Claire walked over to Raphael and kissed his cheek.
"Want to put on a movie?"
"Sure, but someone's gotta grab Donnie."
"I will," Zoey said with a slight blush on her face.
She walked into his lab and saw him pacing back and forth. He was also muttering words she couldn't understand.
"Koko e korare masu ka? Iya... dou ka naa..."
"Donatello?"
"O-Oh! Hi," he said slightly surprised to see Zoey standing there.
"We were about to put on a movie in the living room, do you want to watch it with us?"
He nodded.
"Sounds great."
Zoey hesitated before her next question.
"Were you speaking Japanese?"
"Y-Yeah. We all can but I'm the one who mainly uses it. Mikey always hated practicing it even though he's fluent."
She brushed a loose hair behind her ear.
"I never heard you guys talk in Japanese before. I like it."
"R-Really?" he stuttered. "I-I mean if you want, maybe I could teach you some words or something sometime."
Zoey knew certain phrases from watching anime but was definitely happy if it meant she and Donatello would be able to hang out together.
"Sure! That sounds like a lot of fun!"
"Guys!" Mikey shouted. "Hurry up! We're watching A Monster in Paris!"
The dark-haired girl took Donatello's hand and started leading him out.
"We better hurry before he has a conniption."
Don looked down at their hands as they walked with a blush rising up on his face. He wished the living room was just a little further away so he could enjoy the feeling longer.