Chapter 38: Prodigal Daughter

A/N: Hey, sorry it's been a while since I lasted posted for this story, but my sinuses were really acting up and we were getting a lot of storms. My head's feeling a bit better now, so I thought it would be a good idea to try and catch up on my chapters for Tales. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your encouragement has been great. This episode takes place both during and a bit after "The Wrath of Tiger Claw."

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot of the story.

One of the best things that has ever happened to me was when we had family reunions. That's when all of the family would get together and have a good time, catching up on news and things like that. We didn't have them that much, but whenever we did, it was always a lot of fun for me to see my relatives and what they'd been up to. But after seeing Karai reunite with her true father, I really began to understand what it had been like for both of them and how hard it had been for them to live the way they had been.

It all started right after we left Murakami's. The Foot were tracking us, and we decided we had to warn April and Casey so they they wouldn't get captured by the Foot. Donnie, Leo, and I went to get April while Raph and Mikey went to check on Casey. We found April, but Karai was with her, and we had a feeling things weren't going well, so we got there, our weapons out and ready to battle until we discovered that Karai was just talking to April. She stood up and told Leo that she believed him that Splinter was her true father. I had never seen Karai before, and I couldn't help but stare at her. Man, was she hot! I could see why Leo liked her so much.

Karai caught me looking and smirked. "Like what you see?" she teased.

I couldn't help but nod, which caused Leo to elbow me in the side. I wasn't sure if he was jealous of me ogling her, or if it was something else. In any case, Leo led Karai to the Lair so she could confront Splinter. She did so and began looking at some of the pictures Splinter had of Teng Shen and himself. But what we didn't know was that Karai had given away our location to Tiger Claw, and once she realized what she'd done, she regretted it. So the Turtles and Karai left to go take care of Tiger Claw. I wanted to go with them, but Leo wouldn't let me.

"You need to stay here, Tony," he said. "It's not safe for you."

I wanted to argue, but something in his tone made me close my mouth on any further protests. I knew Tiger Claw was a deadly enemy and that I wasn't skilled enough to take him down, so I nodded. "I understand, Leo," I said. "Good luck."

I joined Splinter on the couch and couldn't help but study him. He definitely looked different to me. He seemed happier than I'd ever seen him, and I think it was because he finally had his daughter back at last.

"Aren't you mad at her, Master Splinter?" I asked him.

"Why would I be mad at her?" he replied.

"She gave away your location," I told him. "She betrayed you and your sons."

He nodded. "Yes, she did, but she repented of it. I think there is definitely good in her and that she wants to come home. Once they get rid of Tiger Claw that will be a reality."

"Do you think the others will truly accept her? I mean, I know Leo does and Mikey and Donnie seem okay with it, but what about Raph? He definitely doesn't like her."

"Raphael will accept it in time," he reassured me. "It just takes him time to warm up to others. He did the same to you if you remember."

I laughed. "Yeah, he did. I'm glad he came around though, and I'm sure he'll come around to Karai, too. I think she's definitely happy now that she's accepted who her true father is."

"Yes, and I hope that she leaves Shredder for good. He is no good for her."

"But don't you think that'll lead to a war?"

Splinter stroked his beard. "Perhaps, but I believe we will be ready for it when it comes."

We sat in silence after that until we heard the Turtles come home. We were shocked to find out that Karai wasn't with them. Where was she? Had she decided to side with the Foot after all?

"Where is Miwa?" Splinter demanded.

Leo hung his head in shame. "We fought Tiger Claw, and he was able to get to her before us. He's captured her, Sensei. I'm so sorry."

Splinter let out a heavy sigh, and his features drooped in sorrow. "It is not your fault, Leonardo," he said gently. "You did all you could." He left to go to his room while Leo went to his own room and the others just settled around the living area and told me what had happened.

"I better go talk to Leo," I said.

"Nah, let him be, Tony," Raph said. "He needs time to himself right now, and you need to get home."

"Yeah, you're right," I said. "I'll stop by tomorrow after school to see how you guys are doing."

"You want one of us to walk you home?" offered Mikey.

"No thanks," I said. "I can handle myself now." I waved to them and left, feeling horrible for Splinter. He'd just reunited with his daughter only to lose her yet again. It made me think of my dad and mom. I knew just how Splinter felt because they were gone, and I didn't have them anymore. I was lucky enough to have Uncle Gino, but it still hurt every day to know my mom wouldn't hug me at night and I wouldn't ever get to watch wrestling with my dad again.

Uncle Gino saw my sad face and was concerned. "Are you okay, Tony?" he asked.

"Not really," I replied and filled him in on what happened. When I was done, he shook his head.

"That's a shame," he said. "Are they gonna go rescue her?"

"I'm not sure, but I hope so," I said. "She deserves to be with her true father, and I hate to think of what Shredder could do to her before they rescue her."

"I just hope they don't do anythin' rash," Uncle Gino said. "They better plan it out and not just go in there with their weapons out."

I hoped so as well. I went upstairs and did some homework before falling asleep. I really wanted to go and talk to Leo, but I decided that could wait until tomorrow. I had a feeling that Leo was going to be the first to want to rescue Karai, and I only hoped he wouldn't do something stupid to get her out of there. That was why I needed to talk to him, and I really hoped he'd listen to me.

A/N: Well, that's it for that chapter. I know it was short, but it was all I could think of. I hope the next two chapters will be up soon so that I can get all caught up before "Vengeance is Mine" airs on Sunday, but we'll see. Feel free to leave a review, and have a shelltastic day.