Chapter 35: Advice from an Older Sister


"Guys," a female sing-song voice called out, coupled slightly with irritation as her boots clicked against the sewer floor, surprised to find no one there to greet her.

It's not like I have all the time in the world to look for them. Karia blew her bangs out of her face in irritation.

She'd been heading the foot's base in Japan, running all operations from there for the last few years. Re-adjusting the foot toward a civil, peaceful and lawful rule was arduous work but her efforts had paid off. Alongside the turtles she had created a new legacy under the foot, and was working hard to erase Shredder's evil from the organization for good. It was rewarding work, but it was also time consuming, meaning she rarely got to see her beloved younger brothers as often as she would like.

Stepping into the pit, it was obvious that the rather boisterous personalities of Mikey, Donnie and Raph were not home.

"If you're looking for the brothers, they're out patrolling the swerers, they've been extremely careful these last few days" a heartbreakingly familiar voice called out. Turning around Karia dropped the containers of Japanese takeout she'd been carrying, her hands flying to her face in disbelief as her eyes locked with sapphire blue.

The boy of Japanese descent tilted his head to the side in puzzlement, scrutinizing her with his piercing sapphire eyes as though waying whether or not she was a threat, the twin katanas that hung over his shoulder and the way his hands twitched at his side contradicted the ease of his stance, clearly painting the reflects and skill that hung dangerously just below the surface.

Karia backpedaled, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief as the ghost of her brother continued to advance. HIs mouth was moving but she couldn't make out ANYTHING he was saying because his voice, his mannerisms, the downturn of his lips was SO Leo that she almost couldn't believe what she was seeing.

She had to be dreaming! She had to! Right?!

"..Karia ?" The hesitant voice brought her back into the present, as unsure sapphire eyes stared right into her soul. "I've seen your picture before.." he fumbled hesitantly. "Your Karia right ? My sister ?" the sweet insolent way the question came out seemed to hit something deep inside her soul and she knew. Despite the fact that the person standing before her was alive and obviously human, she knew without a doubt that it was Leo.

Her brother.

Alive

And then Hamato Karia, daughter of Hamato Yoshi, skilled kunoichi and true leader of the foot clan did something she hadn't done in a very long time.

She cried.

Leo barely had time to register what was happening before a pair of arms wrapped around him and pulled him into a death gripping hug.

Babbling incoherent prayers to God for his return, loving words to her returned brother, and downright threats for making her think he was dead. Karia held her long lost friend and brother, who she never thought she'd see again.


"Wait, wait, wait" Karia could barely retain her laughter. "You can cook?"

Seriously ? How hard was that to believe? "Yes" I rolled my eyes. "And pretty decently too" I pointed my sushi filled chopstick at her defensively.

Karia just laughed, shaking her head.

When I had heard someone enter the lair who obviously wasn't one of my brothers I'd been on instant high alert prepared for any situation, or at least so I'd thought. I had Not been prepared to meet Karia. The long lost daughter of Hamato Yoshi, my father and Sensei. From what my beloved brother's told and I had evidently been pretty close and from the way she teared up (and threatened me) earlier, alongside the ease and comfort I felt just being around the Kunoichi, I full-heartedly believed them.

"You know" Karia chuckled as she fiddled with her chopsticks, scooping up another serving of noodles from one of the togo cups. "I can actually see the family resemblance now"

"Oh yeah" I chuckled back, picking at my own food, which honestly had originally been for Raph but eeehh.

"Definitely, besides the eyes we could totally pass for siblings if we went into the public"

"What and we couldn't before ?!" I asked incredulously, keeping up the idle chitter. It was interesting how things had evolved to this point. We had gone from tears, threats and explanations to chattering aimlessly about the stupidest stuff.

Karia rolled her eyes. "Well besides your stubbornness, no, you couldn't go out into the public unless you want someone to call animal control" Karia rolled her eyes.

I forced a laugh, but couldn't help but ponder the meaning behind her words. It was sobering and vastly weird to recognize the changes and differences between my life before and the life I had now. Being human held real advantages. Advantages my brothers will never get to experience. I tightened my grip on the chopsticks in anger. Part of me wanted nothing more than for things to go back to the way things were before...before I forgot.

Karia's voice pulled me out of my drifting thoughts. "You know your brothers are going to Kill Stockman right?" She looked at me dead in the eye, her head tilted to the side, fiddling with her chopsticks. "I'm gonna kill Stockman..for what he did to you"

I let out a breath, her words hitting me like a wave.

"Vengeance will solve nothing Karia. It will only lead to a life of pain and suffering.

The corners of her mouth turned upwards slightly in the hint of a bittersweet smile. "Wise words" she shook her head. "you sound so much like Splinter"

Her words caught me off guard.

My heart ached.

I wish I knew what my father would say in a situation like this. What wise words would he impart about Stockman? About my brothers? About everything!

I couldn't deny the deep longing within my soul for some kind of parental guidance or direction in times like this. And couldn't help but wonder how things used to be.

"I don't think I'm anything like him" I whispered into my noodle container.

From what my brothers had told me, our father had been a wise and knowledgeable man. A master in Ninjutsu, the best this century had ever seen, from the sounds of it. Balanced, he provided direction and guidance to the family. He had been a loving and caring father, alongside a wise and skilled Sensei.

I was none of those things. I had been fooled by Baxter. The only Ninjitue I knew was from Muscle memory. I had no direction to give as I feel lost, myself. Although I wanted to protect and shield my brothers, I fear I only brought danger and heartbreak upon them from the trials my re-appearance has caused.

I feel a sudden sting as Karia's fist tumbles into my bicep.

"Hey"

"You idiot!" she shakes her head. "You and your stupid blame complex a mile long! I swear! Of all the things you could remember, why couldn't you have forgotten that?!"

I just narrowed my eyes in confused offence.

"Your soo much like him Leo!" she shook her head. "But mostly your like you"

She let out a breath. "I know what it feels like to discover that your whole life is one big Lie! To discover that everything you thought you knew, everything you held dear was wrong!"

I watched in muted amazement, recognizing the same torrent of emotions of confusion, hurt, betrayal, and heartbreak as Karia opened up to me as I had to her and I saw my life reflected back in the pools of tears that fell from her eyes.

"I Hated Shredder for everything that he had done to me! Not only had he lied and used me! He had actually got me to trust him, to care for him! My whole life I thought he was the only person I had, the only person I could trust. My only family! When in truth it was all a lie! He had stolen my family from me! Raised me in lies and sculpted me with false truths! Shredder lied to me. He lied to me about who I was. He used me for his own evil purposes. And he stole me away from the only thing I ever wanted: a Family. He betrayed me Leo!"

Karia whipped at her eyes angrily, standing up to kick the empty togo bag and send her fist in the pinball machine, which let off a series of dings and cheesy music as she seethed, tears falling from her face.

"I understand. I understand what it feels like Leo. I know what it's like to be kidnapped. To find out that the one person you trust and care for is actually the person who betrayed you! To find out that your whole life is a lie! To learn that you were only being used. I know how it feels to have your life stolen from you and to feel betrayed."

Tears were pouring down my face now as I grappled with the astounding parallel of our lives.

I couldn't believe she went through that. I wanted nothing more than to embrace my sister, to let her know that as everything she went through, it was not her fault and I am so proud of her for finding her way back home. To us. Her family. But looking in her eyes, I know she knows this.

Her eyes reflected the waves of emotion the story held, but they also held a profound and compelling truth. She understood. She understood me. And that was the most grounding, comforting and yet terrifying feeling I've ever felt.

I let everything she had told me, everything I had learned sink in.

For one thing, it explained why it was so easy talking to her. Although I might not remember her or our history, I felt comfortable and safe in her presence.

It also explains her reactions to my story earlier. She may have gotten angry and downright aggressive in her fury toward Baxter but when I expressed my protection toward him, she understood. Unlike Donnie, Raph and Mikey who showed sympathy or put effort into understanding my predicament. Karia just understood, she could empathize.

From the fury in her eyes, I know that she felt truly betrayed and hurt by Shredder. Because deep down she trusted and cared for him, she had thought of him as family. It is those you truly care about who have the potential to hurt you the most.

Words were not needed as our own revelations and secrets were acknowledged and accepted.

"I wanted reverge Leo" Karia let out a breath. "Just like your brothers do now." she said, taking a seat beside me on the couch. "It was Splinter who told me that Revenge only leads to death and suffering" she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "He had the wisdom to recognize that Revenge wouldn't heal the hurt and betrayal I held but only cause heated to grow in my heart. You have the same wisdom Leo" Karia took a breath. "You've always been able to see the good in others Leo, even when others can't. Although it's been counted as a weakness in the past, or caused you trouble, it's actually a strength. I never would have found out the truth. Never would have changed. If you hadn't believed in me. You never gave up on me." Karia took a breath.

"I know it wasn't exactly an easy thing for you to do, but I needed it..and if you feel like there's good in Baxter..then I trust you Leo…I may not see it..but I understand your pain.." Karia took another deep breath. "Choosing to forgive Baxter is up to you Leo no one else..advising and helping your brothers along the same road is admirable..revenge will not release them from their pain but only harden their hearts"

I whipped at the tears that threatened my eyes once more. "Thank you Karia" I choked out.

"No problem" her smile was sweet. "But for this rich life advice you owe me the rest of your sushi"

"Hey!"


Author's Note:

I wanted to thank you for reading and thank you for your reviews!

I also wanted to thank Crappyuki. This chapter was inspired by a point and request Crappyuki made. Crappyuki pointed out how much Leo and Karia have in common and wondered how Karia would react to an amnesiac Leo and that suggestion got me thinking.

Thank you for the suggestion, Crappyuki! It was a lot of fun writing Karia. I had been wanting to bring Karia into the story for a while now and this seemed like the perfect time for a sibling reunification.

Thank you for reading,

God Bless and stay safe

-windofmysoul