For those who have read the other TMNT/Young Justice story, Light to Dark, Dark to Light I will be canceling that one and redoing it with this:
It Runs In the Family Ch. 1
-Fifteen years ago-
New York City
Little April stood at the door anxious and excited in her new bright yellow spring dress with white ribbon around her waist and handband. She just couldn't wait and hoped they'd be here soon. Her wide blue eyes peering out the window down to the street. Searching for a certain car or was it the bus? She wasn't sure which sort of transportation they would arrive in, she didn't even know what they looked like really. Being the first time she would see and meet them. Well, maybe not one. As much her five-year-old memory could recall, it was rather vague but, remembersmber her mother showing her. A few times, talking about them to her.
Her uncle. Her mother's older brother.
Someone April didn't know she had. An uncle. And this would be the first time she'd get to meet him and his family.
How wonderful this Easter was turning out to be. She was so beaming with joy knowing they would be coming, as the child that was all she cared about. She didn't seem to notice her mother's under feelings about it. Though for some reason felt it, her own feelings blocked it out. Face pressed against the glass, starting to become impatient.
Where was he? And his family? Her auntie, his wife? Their children, her cousins. He had two. Two girls one was roughly her age and that made it better. Finally, someone to play with.
What would her cousins be like? She wondered, having so many dreams about them, especially the youngest. Would they become fast friends right away? Like the same things? Laugh the same? Look the same? She wasn't sure, all these questions filled her mind and demanded to be answered. She wanted to share her candy with them, present her aunt and uncle with their Easter baskets, she put together just for them.
Eyes still looking at the street watching the few people walking by, she over looked a family of four. That couldn't be them.
So this was the place, where her father's young sister lived, her auntie she never really knew much about. Wow, they lived in a nice place, above some sort of store that sold old things. The building was nice. Way better than her home. Her cousin had to be rich, living like this. In a three-story building. In a nice neighborhood. She felt rather nervous and intimidated, looking to her Jade her older sister wondering if she felt the same way. If she did, she didn't show it.
Become self-conscience now, looking down at her...um nice Easter clothes. Clean, fresh overall dress with a spring colored pink shirt with a chick on it and black shoes. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Why did they have to come here? She couldn't really remember, she just remembers this woman, with the same colored blonde hair as her and her large father came over and the two of them talked.
And here she and her family were now, it was her mother who insisted they come. Shifting as she stood next to Jade, waiting for someone to come and greet them after her mother rang the doorbell. Her mind begins to wonder what this family was like, especially her cousin, who was around her age was like. Did she look the same? Did they like the same color? Would they get along? One thing Artemis knew was that her cousin was better off and the food smelled really good.
Caught up by the aroma of baking ham, until she heard a sharp gasp. Broke her trance. Her gray eyes shoot open finding blue ones looking back. Smiling at her, while also amazed. Which Artemis took differently. She takes a few steps back, those blue eyes followed her.
They looked nothing alike, Artemis saw it. She had fair skin, not olive like herself. She had bright auburn hair, not blonde like herself. She wore nice clothes, unlike herself. She was really pretty. And her name was even better.
"Artemis, say hello to her your cousin, April." Her mother tells her.
April, what a pretty and nice name, Artemis thought insecure. She was so lucky. Debating to respond because of how she felt, looks down unsure. She didn't notice a hand reaching out and grabbing hers. Until she felt its firm hold.
Finding April looking at her with kind and adoring eyes."I love your name. Artemis. It's so pretty and cool!" She exclaims with a giggle."Whoa! You have really, really pretty eyes too."
Artemis was stun by what she just said. Her cheeks begin to burn. As a smile spread across her face. "Th-Thank you. I-I love y-your name too. And I..I like your hair." Returning the compliment.
She hears April gasp again happy to hear."Thank you! Do you like jellybeans?"She asked beginning to pull her inside without waiting for an answer."I've got a lot! We can share them. Come on!"
With no choice but to follow her cousin, Artemis does so happily up the stairs. All the worries and doubts vanished between them, they knew they'd get along well and would love each other.
-Present Fifteen Years Later-
Artemis quickly looks at her GPS as she drove down the long, country road. Her destination should be approaching soon. Take quick glances to the side out the window. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been down here. How long ago was it? It had to be many summers ago from what she could recall, spending time out this way in upstate North Hampton, New York. Parts of her childhood that was somewhat good.
It was quiet and peaceful, open-space all troubles seem to just vanish. It was nice.
Warm and fun memories begin to fill her mind. Almost got lost in them, she had to refocus herself. Okay, she had to approach this carefully. Very carefully. For one, it's been some time, since she last saw her cousin. No talked, well okay that too. How long has it been? She wasn't sure, her life turned different when her mom was sent to prison. Her life pretty much went to...yeah.
And after that, well...her life became filled with challenges and more challenges. The strain of guilt begins to surface realizing what she had to push aside. No, she couldn't think like that, getting her mind focused. On the task approaching.
It was shocking finding out what she did about her cousin's extra activities. Who would have thought, though most importantly about...well this, what was going on and what she was coming for. Finding out her cousin would know, she had to make sure to choose her words carefully and hoping her peace offering would work. Looking down at it quickly in the passenger seat.
This had to work, quickly looking up at the roof of the car. This had better work.
Because she arrived, turning onto the property. Her heart started to race faster and faster, just like it did years ago with their first meeting. Though this time she wasn't nervous nor frighten...okay she was nervous. Her words began to swirl around in her mind and tongue she was sure started to twist itself and swell. A little voice told her to calm down and everything would be alright. She looks up again at the car roof. That voice wasn't the one who had to deal with this, she did. She needed something to ease her rising anxiety.
Coming to a stop, parks the car and turns off the ignition. "Okay, okay...calm down Artemis."She tells herself. Taking a deep breath, before looking at the farmhouse.
The O'Neil Farmhouse. It still was the same, though seem a bit fixed up. The barn was still here and the chicken coop. The house still had its porch and there was the tree with the swing bench. It still had its homey feel. All this open land, her mind felt at ease. Stepping out gazes at the scenery, the land was a lot more flourished than before, getting side track again reminds herself the reason for coming.
Shutting the driver's door goes around and opens the passenger side taking out her peace offering. With in hand walks up the steps, knocks and with a deep inhale announces herself.
"...April, it's me...Artemis."
