A Sense of Belonging

Chapter XV: Venus Begins to Understand

By: Michelle

"April." Venus began banging on April's door. "Come on April please open the door."

'Damnit Raph." April whispered to herself. April got up and walked to the door. She unlocked it and cracked the door to see what he wanted.

"April."

"Venus." April was surprised to see her standing at the door. "What's wrong?"

"Oh April." Venus walked inside. "It was horrible."

"What was horrible?"

'The guys." Venus began crying.

April lead her over to the couch. "What happened?"

"Raphael called me a bitch." Venus sobbed. "And everyone agreed."

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Raphael folded his arms. "So, how are we suppose to get Venus back?"

"Splinter says we have to give her a sense of belonging." Michaelangelo said. "What does that mean?"

"It means." Leonardo explained. "We have to apologize and prove to Venus how much she is a part of this family."

Donatello sat down next to Leonardo. "Maybe we could be less harsh on her and let her have some privacy."

"She has privacy." Raphael said to him.

"Not really." Donatello explained. "We all have a place to go to get away from it all. Mikey cooks in the kitchen. I work in my lab. Leo exercises or reads. And you go topside and beat up random Foot soldiers."

"And Venus has nowhere."

"Exactly."

"Well, maybe we can make her her own room." Leonardo said.

"Yeah." Michaelangelo smiled. "And we can put her all of her scrolls and herbs and stuff in there."

"We can get a bed for her." Donatello said. "And a mat like Splinter has so she can meditate."

"It's a great idea."

"So lets get started."

"Good."

All eyes were on Raphael.

"We can start by an apology." Leonardo added.

Raphael gave him a look. "Fine, I will, but so will all of you."

"No problem."

"Lets get started."

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"April, are all men like this?" Venus said after she explained herself.

"No." April replied. "Just boys."

"Did Casey act like that?"

April laughed. "He still acts like that."

"He does."

"Word of advice." April smiled. "Men never grow up."

"You mean even Casey leaves the toilet seat up and burps words."

"He always leaves the toilet seat up." April explained. "And one time, he burped Jingles Bells."

Venus made a face. "But doesn't that bother you."

"It does." April admitted. "But I look pass all that."

"Oh." Venus replied confused.

"Look Venus." April explained. "The guys don't understand you because you are a young woman. You have to remember. You are the first female turtle they have ever come in contact with. They never grew up with sisters and don't know how to act in front of you."

'I guess you are right."

'I know I am. You just have to remember that they are having a hard time adjusting too." April said. "And if you have a problem, you should talk to them about it. They will listen and respect what you have to say."

Venus nodded. April was right. Guess there was only one thing she had to do. Go home.