This is a fun little story I'm trying out. Italics are thoughts or memories.

Chapter 1

Anika sat with his back to the wall, watching the sun set over the distant sea. He missed his family, the loss plagued his heart constantly. Over the years it had settled to a low dull, but on nights like this it rose once again to the heart sickening ache he knew from the day of his kidnaping. He let out an empty sigh as he closed his eyes letting the memories of his long lost brothers wash over him. Do they miss him like he misses them? He hopes so. Do they even remember him? This he doubts. He tried to escape, to run home to them so many times that he lost count. But over the years, this had become his home. Over the years the place he had considered a prison had slowly became his home and the thieves who had taken him, the only family he now had. He let out a sigh, forget the past and embrace the life you now lead. He never wanted to live like this, traveling around with dimension jumpers the likes of who in his eyes were nothing but space pirates. He scoffed at the name, coined by his nine year old wit and earth influence. But in all reality 'space pirates' as absurd as it sounded was as close as a title one could find to fit his friends. Mikey would really like that name 'space pirates' that's probably why he thought it up. His fun loving baby brother would probably come up with a better name no doubt, if he had been in Anika's shoes. He frowned at the thought, although he hated being away from his family he was glad it was him taken and not one of them. Barbolionious would probably scare Mikey half to death. Kid's way to innocent, he wouldn't be able to handle the hard pressed life aboard the ship. Donnie would overthink things. Anika mused to himself. And Raph well, the hothead would be in nothing but constant trouble. He couldn't help but smirk at the irony, he was probably the only one of the four of them who could handle something like this. His Sensei would be proud six years of this and he's still alive. He'd done everything within his control to survive, fought tooth and nail when need be. In the end (and after many failed escape attempts) he learned that obedience was the best answer toward survival. He cleaned, cooked, stayed out of sight and out of underfoot, he learned how to talk like them and how to fight. He was given a new name after his first day here, but it wasn't until a few years ago that he truly accepted it. Looking back now even the name change had been subtle. Over time he just stopped insisting they call him by his given name, call him Leo. He remembered how he got his name and shuddered, everyone aboard the ship had been given a name due to either an injury they caused or earned; for him it was both.

Anika stared off into the sea once more as his scattered thoughts morphed into a memory. After he had been taken, the men had argued over his worth. After being kidnapped and dragged aboard the ship, Atlis, the captain, retired and the cook had deemed the young frightened turtle "too skinny for nothing but soup". Kicking, flailing and yelling Leo had been half dragged half carried into a very frightening room: the kitchen. The men laughing laughing and teasing the whole time about 'turtle stew'. The language at the time had been new and only a few of the ship members spoke english, making everything all the more traumatizing. When pulled next to a gigantic boiling pot, the young turtle snapped. His life flew before his eyes and only one thought ran threw his mind "I am not going to die today". Propelling off the pot with his feat, he flipped backwards kicking Barbolionious in the mouth in the process. The pot wobbled before toppling completely the boiling contacts flying everywhere. A lot of the water fell on the young young ninian's uncovered back and shoulders sering him severally. Before anyone could react, Swift a teenage runaway with a quick wit and huge heart darted forward to help the boy. Exclaiming that he was taken because he was a fighter, and if it wasn't obvious then it should be now. Rapping the sobbing turtle in a blanket, he stood announcing that he was taking the kid under his wing and if anyone had anything to say they should go to him. The teen stopped in his tracks eyes wide as Atlis appeared before him. Mumbling the team tilted his head to the captain, shackly pulling the child closer to his chest. "I'm glad you also see his potential swift. It's going to be hard we've never had someone this young on the ship before, I'm glad to see you stepping up. What are you going to call him"

"Anika" Swift answered

The capin smiled "tridarian for soup"

(end of memory)

Anika shook his head at the memory, "it was a long time ago" he mumbled to himself. Sure his first day on the ship had been rough and he had had many unpleasant experiences as he fought to prove himself and his worth on the ship. But after that first day Swift had taken him under his wing, he had been true to his word. He had treated Anika like a little brother. It was Swift who had taught Anika Tridarian, the main language aboard the ship. It was Swift that had helped Anika improve his fighting, teach him how to throw a knife, how to hunt, fish and fend for himself. It was Swift he went to when Barolionious was after him, the man never forgave him for the scar on his chin he still carried from when Anika kicked him in his efforts against becoming food. When Barol (short for Barolioious) chased him, when the ship crew teased him for his looks, or when the life of travel became to much Anika could always come to his big brother to soothe his fears and chase away the monsters. Anika had never had a big brother before, he had always been the big brother and he liked having someone to lean on. It would make his heart sting and long for his own little brothers when Swift comforted him, wishing he could be there for his own little brothers. Anika let out a sigh, humming himself the lullaby Swift had sang to him several times before, as he watched the sky turns red with the setting sun. It was on nights like these when he let his mind wander not just back to his family, but back to where it all started.

He and his father had been on a scavenging hunt in the deeper part of the sewers, he remembered that day vividly. He had been so excited, Sensei never let them go with him that far into the sewers. But being the most mature and obedient, his father decided it was time he came along. Determined to prove to his father that his trust was not misguided he stayed close to his father's side the whole time. They were about to head back home when everything went wrong. A noise down the tunnel had Splinter on edge, gesturing for his son to hide he crept around the corner. Leo watched from the shadows as his hero and father took on man after man, the numbers overwhelming him. The invaders seemed to appear out of nowhere, calling in reinforcements from a glowing circular door on the sewer wall. A tall man dressed in black pants with a white shirt and sleeveless leather jacket appeared from the portal, surveying the scene with a collected calm before gesturing for his men to stand down. Then slowly with intent the man started to circle the ninjitsu master. The battle had been quick yet ferocious, flips and hits at speeds little Leo had never before seen. To his astonishment and fear, the battle had ended in the newcomers favor. Leo watched in terror as the man raised a katana prepared to strike his injured father. Time seemed to go in slow motion as Leo shot out of his hiding place knocking into the man prepared to kill his father. The hit took the man by surprise, the katana flew out of his hand and skidded across the tunnel floor. Leo and the man both fell to the ground, standing the man momentary astonished gazed down at the child, who was trying to rush to his father. Signaling to his men to restrain the child, he walked over to the giant rat. Leo let out a wail as he kicked and wiggled, fighting to get free.

"Leonardo my son" Splinter yelled reaching his hand out to his son as he regained his footing. Men grabbed him from both sides and forced him onto his knees.

"Im impressed" the man said wiping blood from his chin as he circled the restrained rat "I have traveled to many worlds, fought many beings and only rarely do I meet a challenge." He smiled as he inclined his head, giving a half bow before continuing "I was going to end your life, let you die an honorable warriors death. I was unprepared for your younglin's attack, I must say you've taught him well." Suddenly a dark smile appeared on the man's face. "I am an unusual thief, or so I've been called" he said with a smirk "I do not steal what I deem of worth, but what others do" without looking he raised his left hand and snapped his fingers. Leo's world suddenly went black as he was shoved into a bag. "LEONARDO" Splinter screamed fighting to get to his trapped son. "You see all matter of crimes can be considered a form of theft." the man continued circling the enraged rat. "Lying is the theft of the truth, murder the theft of life, and well now I will try something new. I will steal what is most valuable to you, your son."

"NO" Splinter's cry was ended short as the back of a sword hit his head leaving Splinter unconscious. The man turned and gestured for his men to leave and with that they all slipped away into the night, through the portal and away from Leo's family.

(End of Flashback)

Anika swept away a stray tear, as he looked once again back toward the sea, the sun had completely set now leaving the ocean covered by a blanket of black sky. Letting out a sigh, Anika skillfully swung down the rope away from his wistful perch and back toward reality. They would be heading out tomorrow, to where he wasn't quite sure. With one final look outtorward the sea he turned and headed for bed, sending out his wish toward the stars, that his family was safe and happy.

So end of chapter one. Please Review

Alright I'm experimenting here adding new characters. The space pirates as Leo/Anika calls them are dimension jumpers who travel around looking for valuables and opportunities. They speak a language called Tridarian. Why? I honestly don't know, they are probably all from a planet called Triaria where this is the main language, but I don't know why I added that.

Will Anika ever return home ? Does his family still remember him? Where do they think he went?