Chapter 5

Missing

A/N: Well, here's another chapter by me. I hope you like it. Here are some shout-outs to those who have reviewed my fiction so far:

Shellsboy24: Thanks for the review! Keep reading my story and try to update yours.

Ana the Romantic: Thanks a lot. I know that part with Mikey was funny. That's what I wanted. Keep updating your story. It rocks.

Readrrr Grrl: Thanks for the compliment. I wanted to add the kittens in there for a cute touch. They aren't relevant to the story though. Keep reading my story and update yours. It's really good so far.

Chibi C.A.S: Glad you like the story. Keep reading it. Also, update your own story. I really like it a lot. You are a great writer.

Well, now that I've done that, let's get on with the story. This chapter will be very good.

Disclaimer: Turtles aren't mine. I'd love to hang out with them though. That would be cool. Leo rules!

The next few days with the Turtles brought Erin and Maureen nothing but joy. There was so much to do and to discover. One day, the girls sat in on one of the Turtles' practices and had a lot of fun. They sat on the floor and cheered on Leonardo as he sparred with Raph. Raphael didn't like this, but Leo was amused by it. He'd never had anyone cheer him on like that. It helped him to beat Raph, which Raph didn't like.

"Yay, Leo!" cheered Maureen. "You rock!" She did a little victory dance to celebrate.

"Wicked moves, little sis!" said Michelangelo with a grin. "Why don't you guys show us what you can do?"

"Okay," said Erin. She went upstairs and got her boom box that April had bought her and her Play CD. She put the CD in and danced to "Us Against The World." The Turtles were amazed at her moves and energy. They couldn't believe that she was so talented.

After Erin was finished, the Turtles turned anxiously to Maureen, expecting her to dance for them too.

"I don't dance like my sister does," said Maureen. "I love to draw and write stories. I draw more than I write though." She went upstairs and came back with her drawing pad. The Turtles looked at the drawings with awe. Maureen was very good at drawing.

"These are very good, Maureen," said Leonardo. "You might become a famous artist someday."

"I hope so," said Maureen. She showed them her latest drawing, which was a picture of her kitten, Milo. In it, he was sitting very still, looking at his owner with his head tilted to one side.

"How cute, Maureen!" said Erin. "I really like this picture."

"Thanks," said Maureen, smiling at her sister.

"Hey, Erin, want to check your e-mail?" asked Donatello. "Maybe Kelly sent you a reply." Erin had written to Kelly to tell her where she and Maureen were staying.

"Sure," Erin said. She went to the computer and checked her e-mail. There was one message from Kelly. Erin opened it and read it to herself.

"What does she say, Erin?" Maureen asked.

"She says she's glad we're safe and that she and the others want to meet the guys," Erin replied. "I think the best time would be on Monday. We were going to have an American Idol premiere party at my house. Is it okay if we have it here, Master Splinter?"

"Yes, it is, my child," Splinter said gently. "I would love to meet these friends that you have talked about."

"Great!" Erin exclaimed. She sent a reply to Kelly, telling her about the party. Then she sat on the couch with Leo and Maureen, watching Milo, Oreo, and Yoshi play.

That night, Erin was awakened by her sister's scream. She ran into Leo's room to find Maureen trembling. Leo was holding her tightly in his arms, soothing her.

"What's wrong?" Erin asked.

"Maureen had a nightmare," answered Leonardo. "She had a dream that the Foot were chasing you again."

"Is she okay?" asked Erin anxiously.

"She'll be fine," said Leo reassuringly. "I'll go down and make her some tea. That usually helps me when I have a bad dream." He carried Maureen downstairs and made her a cup of tea. The little girl drank it and felt much better.

Then Splinter came into the room. "Did you have the dream again, Leonardo?" he asked.

"No, Sensei," said Leonardo. "Maureen had a dream that the Foot were chasing her and Erin again. She was pretty frightened by it."

"And yet you have managed to calm her, I see," said Splinter. "I would like to speak with you, my son. There is something I need to ask you."

"Okay," said Leonardo. He took Maureen upstairs and tucked her into bed. Then he went back downstairs and joined his sensei. What was it that Master Splinter needed to speak to him about?

"I have noticed something ever since the girls arrived here," said Splinter. "It has come to my attention that they have formed a bond with you. Is this so?"

"Yes, it is, Master Splinter," replied Leonardo. "I think it's because I was the one who rescued them that day. I feel as though it's my responsibility to watch over them and protect them."

"Do you feel that you can live up to this responsibility, Leonardo?" asked Splinter.

"I think so," said Leonardo. "At least, I hope so. I know it will require a lot of work, but I feel that I can do it Do you think I can, Sensei?"

"Yes, I do, my son," replied Splinter. "You have proven that you can handle many things. I have faith that you will protect the girls from anything that can harm them. Can you do this?"

"Yes, I can, Sensei," Leo promised. "Don't worry, the girls will be safe with me."

"Good," Splinter said. "Now, go to sleep, my son. You need your rest."

Leonardo bowed to Splinter and hugged him. He went back upstairs and checked on Maureen. She was sleeping peacefully. Leo knew that it was up to him to make sure that she and her sister were safe. He just hoped that he'd be able to protect them from the Shredder and his evil army.

Riverdale School

On Monday, Erin and Maureen returned to school. Everyone had heard about their mother's death and were quick to extend their condolences. Maureen had told her three friends, Laura Kinney, Natalie O'Donnell and Pamela Quimby, all about her new family. They had sworn never to tell anyone else about the Turtles and Maureen believed them.

Erin had also told Kelly, Sara, and Lindsay about her brothers. They couldn't wait to meet them that day. However, they didn't talk about it for fear that Jeanie and her friends would find out. Instead, they talked about the variety show and about the premiere of American Idol that night.

"Hello, Erin," Jeanie said, coming up with her friends. "We though you had left the country since your mother died."

Erin bristled. "Well, I didn't!" she said angrily. "And how dare you insult my mother!"

"So, where are you living now?" Jeanie asked. "In an orphanage or a foster home?"

"Neither," Erin replied defensively. "I live with my mother's friend, April O'Neil. She takes care of Maureen and me."

"Oh, I see," Jeanie said. "Too bad you won't be in the variety show. I was hoping I'd have some real competition."

"I'm trying out for the variety show," Erin said angrily. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Well, I figured you couldn't because of your mother's tragic death," Jeanie said.

"My mother would want me to dance in the show," said Erin. "And I will dance as a tribute to her memory."

"How touching," said Jeanie with a smirk. "Well, I have to go. See you losers around." She sauntered off with her head held high.

"Forget about her," said Kelly, putting her hand on Erin's shoulder. "Let's go meet your family and have fun."

"Okay," said Erin. She led her friends to the abandoned warehouse after school and into the elevator. Her friends were amazed when the doors opened up to reveal the Lair.

"Wow!" gasped Kelly. "This place is so cool!"

"Thanks," said Erin. "These are my brothers, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. And this is Master Splinter, our dad."

"Pleased to meet you," said the girls, shaking hands with all of them.

"It is nice to meet you, too, my children," said Splinter. "We have heard a lot about you from Erin."

"I hope they were good things," Lindsay teased.

"Oh, don't worry, she didn't reveal any secrets," Leonardo said with a smile.

"That's good," Kelly said with a sigh of relief.

That night, they all watched American Idol together. They had a lot of fun laughing at all the bad auditions. Mikey tried to sing during a commercial break, but he got hit in the head by Raph. They were all sad when the show ended. The girls slept over and told the Turtles about some of their crazy adventures. The Turtles told the girls about some of their adventures, too. Erin promised to tape the show tomorrow for Kelly because she had to go to her brother's basketball game.

The next day in the sewers

The next day was a happy day for Maureen. She was going to spend the whole afternoon with Leo at his special place. Erin and her friends were at Central Park, practicing for the variety show.

Maureen and Leo set out with Milo trailing at their heels. They set up their picnic and began to eat. Maureen fed bits to Milo, who sat looking at them with his sad eyes. Then, they threw rocks in the water, played catch with a ball, teased Milo with some string, and played a few card games that Erin had taught Maureen.

During all this, Leonardo sensed that something was bothering Maureen. "Are you okay, little sis?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Leo," Maureen replied. "Why do you ask?"

"You look as though you have something on your mind," Leo said. "Do you?"

"Sorta," Maureen answered. "I really miss spending time with Erin. When we shared a room together, we used to talk to each other. Sometimes, she'd take me to the mall and we'd hang out, just the two of us."

"And you feel left out because she's spending more time with her friends instead of with you?" Leo asked her.

"Yeah," Maureen said. "I wish it could be like old times."

"I know," Leo said. "Well, when the variety show's over, maybe Erin will spend time with you."

"Maybe," Maureen said. "Anyway, I'm glad I have you, Leo. You make me feel happy. I love having a big brother."

"And I like having two little sister," Leo said. "I promise that I'll protect you and Erin from anything that may hurt you. Now, we'd better get home. Erin should be back by now." He took Maureen's hand and they set out for home.

Central Park

"Nice job, you two!" Erin said as Sara and Lindsay finished their routine. "I think we can win this thing for sure."

"Me too," Sara added, wiping some sweat from her forehead. "We've been doing really well. I think everyone will be surprised."

"So, should we do this tomorrow, too?" Kelly asked.

"Yes," Erin replied. "We need to keep perfecting it. That's why I suggested we practice today. The show's in a few weeks, and I don't want us to get careless on our routines."

"Cool," Lindsay said. "Now, that's what I like to hear. See, I told you you'd make a great leader."

"Oh, stop it!" Erin said modestly. "I'm not that good."

"You are to us," Kelly said with a smile.

"Okay," Erin said. Then she checked her watch. "I have to go," she said. "I promised Maureen and Leo I'd watch a movie with them."

"Why didn't Maureen come along?" Sara wanted to know.

"She wanted to spend time with Leo," Erin answered. "I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, see you then," Kelly said.

"Yeah, have fun with the guys," Sara added.

"Tell them we said hi," Lindsay chimed in.

"I will," Erin said. "See ya!" She ran to the warehouse and descended in the elevator. She found Raphael sitting on the couch. "Are Leo and Maureen back yet?" she asked him.

"Nope," Raphael said. "It's not like them to be late either."

"Do you think we should look for them?" asked Erin.

"I think it'd be a good idea," said Raph. "I don't have a good feeling about this." He and Erin left the Lair, hoping to find that Leo and Maureen were safe.

"So, how did practice go?" asked Raph.

"Fine," said Erin. "We're making a lot of progress now."

"That's good," said Raph. His eyes darted this way and that, looking for Leo and Maureen. He was starting to get really worried.

"Raph, look!" screamed Erin, pointing up ahead. Leo was sprawled on the ground, badly wounded. Maureen was nowhere in sight.

"Leo, what happened?" asked Erin frantically. "Where's Maureen?"

"The Foot ambushed us," said Leo weakly. "They took Maureen. I tried to fight them off, but I couldn't."

A/N: Well, that's it for this chapter. Will Leo be okay? What are they going to do? Will they rescue Maureen? You'll find out...in the next chapter. Please read and review.