Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: "A Very Turtle Christmas!!"
Author: Marsha Walters
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the original TMNT characters. Lori and Hari belong to my friend, ChibiJaime.
Claimers: I do own this story, myself, Shauna and Ukiyo(Means: 'Life' in Japanese)
A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews! You guys are the best!
Oh, and Kiko Kamia, I explained some of the history to this fic in the first chapter...but, if you need some more info, I'll be more than happy to give you the links to the comic/rpg thing, just let me know, okay? Keep up the reviews! .
Chapter 5
Marsha glanced up at Leo, who just stared at their Sensei with knowing eyes. "Sensei..." he started.
Splinter had his back facing Marsha and Leo. "Leonardo...Marsha...the both of you know that no one can live forever..."
"Sensei..." Marsha started, then shook her head, forcing back tears.
"It seems that I will not have the time to enjoy the candles you have bought for me, my daughter..." he turned to face them, tears lingering in his eyes. "This illness is catching up with me, and I only have little time left. I'm sorry..."
This was all Marsha could handle. Tears streamed down her face as she ran from Leo and Splinter. Leo started after her, when Splinter stopped him. "Let her go for now, My Son. This will be a very hard time for Marsha and your brothers. Please, take care of them all and yourself, Leonardo."
"I—Yes, Master Splinter," he bowed respectfully.
"Now go and comfort Marsha. I'm going back to my Chambers to rest," he said in a somewhat worn out voice.
Leo started searching for Marsha in the Sewers; he stopped when he heard his name being called in a muffled voice.
"Leo??" He turned a corner and there she was.
"Marsha..." he murmured, sitting down beside her, studying her features. Her eyes were red from crying and tears stained her face.
"Leo...he's like a father to me...I..." Her voice trailed off as she broke into sobs.
Leo held her closer towards him; her head resting against his chest...err...plastron...wrapping his arms around her, comfortingly. "He's like a father to all of us, Marsha. I know how you feel. He's made so many changes in your life. It's all right...just let it all out," he said in a soothing voice.
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong...
Leo re-opened his eyes several minutes later when he hadn't heard any sobs in a while. "Marsha?" he asked softly.
She looked up at him, her face still tear-stained. "Leo...this isn't a dream, is it?" she asked, bitterly.
He gently wiped her tear-stained face with his left hand and smiled gently. "Afraid not..."
Her lower lip quivered a bit and she bit down on it. Leo ran a hand through her hair, comfortingly. "It'll be okay," he whispered. He gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
She returned the kiss. "I...I can't face Raphael...Leo...allow me to stay with you for a few nights," she pleaded.
"I understand, and you're more than welcome," he smiled warmly at her.
Raph started getting impatient again. "Where the shell are Leo and Marsha?" he fumed.
"Like, chill out, Bro," Mikey smiled as he began to play his new game Lori had bought him.
For Raph, she had picked out the entire Friday The 13th Series on DVD. Shauna was prancing about in her new Yukata, while Don was already typing away on his new Laptop.
Casey, April and Lori were watching Mikey play his game with interest. Raphael glanced up when Leo and Marsha entered the Lair. "What kept you two?" he demanded.
Marsha kept silent, still in shock. "Raph, don't start," Leo warned.
Don glanced up from his laptop. "Hey, Marsha, thanks for the new laptop! I love it!" He smiled warmly at her.
She blinked her eyes a few times, forcing back the tears again. Don tilted his head in confusion. "Marsha?"
She shook her head and ran straight for Leo's room, tears streaming down her face again. "What did I say?" Don asked, innocently.
"It's not you, Don...it's Sensei..." Leo's voice trailed off.
"Will Mommy be okay?" Shauna asked, quietly.
"She will be in due time, Shauna, don't worry," Leo gave her a warm smile.
"Hey, Shauna, let's go to the gym, I wanna show you a few new moves I learned," Lori said, changing the subject.
"Kay!"
After the two had left, Raph stood up and stared at Leo. "What about Sensei?"
"He...he only has little time left. Mike, remember when you said Master Splinter looked sick to you that one day? (He nodded) Well, he was...and apparently, he's getting worse..." Leo explained in a rather shaky voice.
The others stared back at Leo, in total shock.
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel's voices"Sensei's...not gonna make it?" Mikey choked out.
"I'm sorry, Mikey," Leo replied, quietly.
Don remained quiet. Raph started to make his way to Leo's room when Leo stopped him. "Let her be, Raph. Sensei put me in charge to comfort her, and I will."
"She's not your mate, Leo!! She's mine!!" he glared at his older brother, tears stinging his eyes.
"Raph, hey...why don't you and Shauna stay at my place for a while?" April suggested, calmly. Raph just nodded, holding back his emotions as usual.
Leo glanced at Donatello who hadn't said anything for quite sometime now. "Donny...hey, you okay, Bro?" he asked, softly.
Don still didn't answer. Instead, he stood up, with his laptop in his arms and quickly retreated to his room.
Mikey continued on playing his game, trying to think of other things besides the depressing news they just heard.
Leo sighed. This was going to be a really tough time for all of them.
To be continued…
((Oh, and the lyrics I used for this fic are from the two songs: "So This Is Christmas" and "O Holy Night"))