Thanks for the reviews, everyone. Here's chapter two. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: A Ninja Tale.
As soon as they got home, Leo took Tiff to his room and gently placed her on his bed. Mikey went to the kitchen to get a bowl of water and a cloth while Don got their medical supplies. Raph made sure Tiff's siblings didn't get in the way.
Splinter: -Donatello, I need your assistence. As for the others, go outside and wait.
Chris was about to argue, but Ryan gave him a look saying it was all right. Leo and his brothers took them to the living room. Chris angrily sighed before sitting on the couch with Kimi and Ryan.
Chris: -Man, this stinks...
Kimi: -Tell me about it...
Ryan: -There's nothing we can do besides wait.
Kimi: -I know... I just didn't expected that something like this could ever happen. I mean, Tiff was always the strongest of us...
Chris: -Yeah. Seeing her like that scared the heck outta me...
The room fell silent.
Ryan: -Guys?
Leo: -What is it, Ryan?
Ryan: -I just wanna say... Thank you.
Raph: -Come again?
Chris: -Ya heard him. We... we wanna thank you guys for helping out Tiff and us...
Kimi: -Yeah. Thanks a lot. You guys are really great...
Leo, Raph and Mikey couldn't help but smile.
Mikey: -Hey, don't metion it. It was the least we could do for scaring you.
Kimi: -You didn't really scare us, Mikey. You just surprised us. I mean, after all we've been through, I don't think we get scared easily.
Chris: -For once, I'm with Kimi. Take it from me, we've been through a lot.
Ryan: -True... We've been traveling for a long time... A year or so, I guess.
Leo: -You mean you've been traveling all by yourselves for so long?
Ryan: -Yes... We've been looking for something and our journey won't end until we find it.
Raph: -And what are you looking for?
The kids flinched.
Mikey: -Guys?
Kimi: -We... don't want talk about this... Not now...
Ryan: -Could this wait 'till Tiff wakes up? She can explain it better than any of us...
Leo: -No problem.
Again, the room fell silent.
Fifteen minutes later...
Splinter and Don entered the living room. The kids jumped up.
Chris: -Well?!
The other two looked at Splinter with hopeful eyes. Splinter smiled.
Splinter: -Tiffany is going to be alright.
The three kids cheered. The turtles just smiled.
Don: -Your sister is a lot toughter than she looks. She caught a bad flu but she'll be okay in a few days. She only fainted due the fever.
Ryan: -What a relief...
Kimi: -Can we see her, please?
Splinter nodded. Immediately the three sprang up and ran to the other room. Leo and his brothers followed them.
Inside, Tiff was sleeping peacefully, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
Chris: -Whoa... She looks so peaceful...
Kimi: -Yeah. Looks like she's having a good dream. Just look at her smile!
Ryan: -Come on, you two. We gotta let her rest. We'll talk to her when she wakes up.
Ryan, Kimi and the turtles left the room. Chris paused and looked at Tiff.
Chris: -Get better soon, sis. We need ya around...
Chris smiled before closing the door behind him. Tiff's smile widened a bit.
A few hours later...
Tiff woke up feeling a bit dizzy.
Tiff: -Wha...? I must've fainted... But where am I?
Abruptly, the door swung open and Leo and Splinter walked in quietly. They smiled gently at Tiff.
Leo: -You're awake.
Tiff looked at him, uncertainly.
Tiff: -Leo?
Leo: -Yeah, it's me. This is my Master, Splinter.
Splinter: -How are you feeling, Tiffany?
Tiff: -A bit tired, but I'm fine. Thanks. Where are...?
Splinter: -At the living room.
Tiff couldn't help but sigh, relieved.
Tiff: -How long was I out?
Leo: -Seven hours, I think... Don said you were lucky you didn't get pneumonia.
Tiff: -Guess I've got a pretty good lucky star, huh?
They chuckled softly.
Leo: -I think so. How about I get your siblings in here? They've been really worried.
Tiff: -Yeah, that's good... Hey, umm...
Splinter: -Yes?
Tiff: -Thanks... For everything.
Leo and Splinter smiled.
Leo: -Don't metion it.
They left the room. After two seconds, an out of breath Kimi, followed by Ryan and Chris, appeared. Kimi looked at Tiff and grinned, before hugging her.
Kimi: -Yay! I'm so glad you're okay, Tiff!
Tiff laughed. The turtles and Splinter walked into the room.
Tiff: -Thanks, Kimi.
Chris: -Tiff, could you answer me just one thing: why didn't you tell us you were sick?! Did you know how worried we were about you?!
Tiff looked at him with a cocky little smile on her face.
Tiff: -You were REALLY worried about me, Chris?
Chris frozed for a second.
Chris: -Well, you were....you were pretty messed up! So, ya know... I'm not like THAT! Of course we'd be worried about you! Jezz!
Everybody began to laugh at Chris's sudden trouble of not knowing what to say. Chris just turned his back to them and scowled.
Ryan: -Chris has a point, though. You really should've told us you weren't feeling well.
Kimi: -Please, don't ever do that again!
Tiff: -Okay... I won't, Kimi.
Chris turned back to face her.
Chris: -Promise?
Tiff: -Promise.
The four siblings hugged each other. Tiff turned her face to Splinter and the turtles.
Tiff: -I'd like to thank all of you for doing so much for me and my siblings.
Mikey: -No problemo, Tiff.
Don: -So, why were you guys in the sewers?
Tiff bit her lower lip. She had known that was coming but didn't want to admit it.
Ryan: -I figured you should tell them, Tiff. You can explain this better than us...
Tiff smiled weakly.
Tiff: -I understand, Ryan... Well, it's a long story. My parents died in a car accident when I was a baby. I was raised by a young ninjitsu master named Akira Yokohama. He was an old friend of my father. They both trained toghter. Either way, Master Akira taught me the art of ninjitsu. The spears I carry with me belonged to my father. I grew in Miami, Florida. One night, when I was eight, my master and I were heading home when we saw a small house on fire. Suddenly, my master heard a baby's cry. He told me to stay and rushed into the house. A few moments later, he came out carrying a little boy and two babies: a girl and a boy. On the boy's hand was a little note: "Please, take care of Christopher, Ryan-Lee and Kimberly." Ever since that day, they've become my siblings. As the years passed, we trained together. Though Master Akira could be very strict sometimes, he was also a very kind person who taught us so much. Our lives were simple, but happy. Until that accident...
There was a short pause. Tiff sighed.
Tiff: -One day, we were heading home when a truck almost hit us. We barely avoided the accident, but a gallon fell from the truck, spreading a strange liquid on us. One week later, we gained strange powers: my body glows and I can float in the air. Chris, Ryan and Kimi got these wings and now are able to control fire, earth and water, in that order. Neither us nor our master could understand what was going on. We were scared with these powers and we couldn't control them. One month after the accident, some men visited us. They said they were from the laboratory that created the liquid that caused a genetic mutation on us and gave us those powers. They also said that they could help us control them and use them to help people. Master Akira distrusted them so they took us to the lab and showed their facilities. At first, we thought they were telling the true. However... Ryan found out everything. He overheard two scientist talking. The lab was run by a brilliant scientis named Dr. Henri Von Issaken, but he wanted to use us as weapons and make money with it. We didn't want that... We never wanted to hurt anyone...
Tiff glanced at the turtles' reaction. They all had some look of shock on their faces. She took a deep breath and returned to their story.
Tiff: -When Ryan found that out, he told our Master right away. Then, he ordered us to leave that place at once. He said that he would stay and make sure that man wouldn't harm us. We didn't want to leave him, but we didn't go against his orders. He told us to leave and to search for a safe place. So we did, but... When we got out of there, we... heard gunshots... and a scream of pain...
The turtles just stared in shock and disbelief. Kimi was in a fit of tears, and was being comforted by Ryan who was crying as well. Chris was clenching his fists while tears rolled down his cheek. Tiff was silenty crying.
Tiff: -That was the last time we saw our beloved Master Akira... Even after all this time... I still can't belive he's gone. It all feels like a dream and I'm going to wake up any second, but I know it's not... he was such a great person, I just don't understand why...
Splinter placed a friendly hand on Tiff's shoulder. She and her siblings looked up at him with with more tears threatening to fall.
Splinter: -The question of "why" can never be answered, child. It's never really understood. But I'm very sure that your master does not wish for you or your siblings to suffer his passing. He's gone to a better place, away from this... hellish world. You all should be grateful that he will no longer suffer the pains of mortals.
Tiff and her siblings stared at each other as they took in the words, being silent as they sorted through their meanings. Finally, they nodded.
Ryan: -Maybe... maybe you're right, but that doesn't take the pain away...
Splinter: -No, it does not, nor does it bring him back, but it's the understanding that helps to accept the fact of loss.
They wiped their tears away before smiling slightly at each of the four turtles and their sensei.
Kimi: -Thank you...
Mikey: -So... what happened next, Tiff?
Tiff: -Carrying out our master's final wish, we picked some supplies and some money and left our old home and city behind. We never stayed at the same place for too much time...
Raph: -That means that you've been searching...
Chris: -For a new place to call home? That's right.
Tiff: -One month ago, we arrived in New York. As you guys must know, it can be really dangerous on the streets, so Ryan suggested that we explored the city's sewers. That's the reason we're here, but I don't know what we'll do now...
Leo: -What do you mean?
Ryan: -As time goes, our powers keep getting stronger and we can't control them properly. If this keeps up, we might get in trouble some day.
Don: -How do you... "activate" them?
Kimi: -That's easy. We just need to concentrate. Control them is the hard part.
Splinter: -If these powers of yours are activated by the mind, training it might allow you to control them.
Chris: -Well, that makes sense, but...
Splinter: -All of you follow the way of the ninja. By developing your skills, you shall be able to control your gifts. You are all welcome to stay here and train with us if you desire.
Tiff and her siblings stared in complete disbelief. Ever since their master's death, no one had been so kind with them. They looked at the turtles. They were thinking the same way their master was.
Tiff: -We... I...
Leo: -You don't need to answer it now. Think about it.
Raph: -If ya need anything, we'll be at the living room.
Splinter and the turtles were about to leave, when they heard a whisper.
Tiff: -Wait, please...
They turned to face Tiff. Both her and her siblings had tears in their eyes, but those were tears of joy.
Tiff: -We'll never be able to repay you enough for your kindness. It would be an honor for me and my siblings to stay and train with you.
Tiff bowed her head. Ryan, Chris and Kimi also bowed in order to show their gratitude. The turtles and their sensei smiled.
Mikey: -Welcome aboard, guys.
The four smiled.
Kimi: -Thanks, Mikey.
Tiff couldn't hold back a yawn, drawing everybody's attention. She rubbed her eyes.
Tiff: -Sorry... I'm a bit sleepy...
Don: -That's okay. You've been up for too long. You really need some rest.
Tiff: -You can say that again...
Tiff lied back in the bed, falling asleep right away.
Splinter: -Come, my sons. We should let her rest.
Ryan: -Excuse me, Master Splinter, but shouldn't someone stay with Tiff? Just in case?
Leo: -If it makes you guys fell better, Ryan, I can watch her.
Ryan and his siblings smiled, before yawning.
Raph: -Guess Tiff ain't the only one who needs to rest.
Chris: -After everything that happened, I could really use some sleep.
Mikey: -Well, you guys can sleep with us. We've got some spare blankets and pillows.
Kimi: -I'm cool with that... So would it be okay if I stayed with you for the night, Mikey?
Mikey: -Dudette, it would be my pleasure. I'll show you my room.
Mikey offered his arm to Kimi. She giggled before taking it and they both left. Ryan just laughed shaking his head.
Ryan: -I have a feeling Mikey and Kimi are gonna be great friends.
Don: -You might be right, Ryan. They do seem to be alike in a lot of ways.
Ryan: -You said it... Don, can I stay with you for the night?
Don: -Sure. Come on.
They both smiled and left. Chris just grinned.
Chris: -Guess Ryan finally found someone that understands everything he says.
Raph: -Looks like it, kid.
Chris: -Well, I think I'm stuck with you, Raphy.
Raph glared playfully at him.
Raph: -Don't ever call me "Raphy", kid.
Chris: -As long you keep calling me kid I'll call you "Raphy". It's fair.
Raph: -Whatever... Come on.
Chris: -Ok. Ok. Let's go.
Raph, despite himself, smiled. He and Chris left the room.
Splinter: -Leonardo, I'll be meditating in my room.
Leo: -Yes, Sensei. I'll take care of Tiff.
Taking one last look at Tiff, Splinter left. Leo placed a chair near the bed and sat. He smiled when he saw Tiff's peaceful expression.
Leo: -You and your siblings will be safe here, Tiff. I promise. Nothing like that will ever happen to you again.
Tiff just smiled.