Howdy! Chapter four's here! R&R!
A/N: -The words in italics are song lyrics I created. I've got this idea from one of my favorite fanfics (Darktiger2's Hush now. Thanks for the inspiration! )
Chapter 4: Family.
A few months have passed since the Neo Ninjas met the Turtles and Splinter and started living with them. They were adapting just fine. Tiff and her siblings had no problems keeping up with the turtles in the training and they were starting to control their powers better. Chris, Ryan and Kimi now could make their wings invisible when they wanted and Tiff could control how long she was able to float in the air. Thanks to Splinter's guidance and the turtles' friendship and help, they were finally rebuilding their lifes. However, there was something missing...
One day, Don and Ryan were talking at the living room.
Ryan: -Donnie, you think I'm getting better with controlling my powers?
Don: -Sure, Ryan. Not only you're now able to hide your wings when necessary, but you can control your Earth Powers as well. If you're not sure, then give it a try.
Ryan: -If you say so...
Ryan closed his eyes and concentrated. Before him, a small rock appeared. Ryan grabbed the rock and opened his eyes, slightly surprised.
Ryan: -Whoa... I did it!
Don: -See? If you keep practicing you might be able to create even bigger rocks, Ryan.
Mikey and Kimi joined the conversation.
Kimi: -Man, I'm so happy I'm finally getting the hang of this. I mean, when we got these powers I, like, totally freaked out! But now... Check it out!
Kimi concentrated. Small water bubbles started floating around her. She giggled before poping them.
Mikey: -Nice going, Kimi!
Kimi: -Thanks. If I train harder, do you think I might be able to create more than bubbles, Donnie?
Don: -That's possible, Kimi and that goes to Ryan too. As far as I was able to study, I believe there's no real limit for your powers.
Mikey: -Cool! Maybe you can use them to cool Raph off when his temper flares.
Kimi: -I don't think I have enough power for that, Mikey!
They burst into laughter when they heard a low growl.
Raph: -What's so funny?!
Everybody flinched and turned around. Raph was glaring at them, his foot lightly tapping the floor. He looked pretty mad.
Raph: -Well?!
Ryan: -Nothing!
Raph, of course, didn't fall for that one. Luckily for them, Leo and Tiff came out of the dojo just in time. The others sighed in relief.
Tiff: -Hey, Raph, have you seen Chris?
Raph: -The last time I saw the kid was this morning, during the training session. Wasn't he with you two at the dojo?
Leo: -No. And he's not in your room either... Guys, have any of you seen him?
Kimi: - We haven't seen him around since this morning, Leo.
Don: -Yes. And none of us saw him leaving either.
Tiff: -Hmm... I wonder where he is...
Mikey: -Don't worry, sis. We'll find him.
Tiff stared at Mikey, surprised.
Tiff: -Mikey? Wha... What did you call me?
Mikey: -Sis? Why? Didn't you like it?
Tiff: -No... It just... You surprised me.
Mikey: -Well, you've been living with us for a while. You guys are part of the family now.
Don: -I have to agree with Mikey.
Leo: -Same here.
Raph: -Yeah.
Tiff, Ryan and Kimi could only smile.
Ryan: -Guys... Thanks. This means a lot to us.
Kimi: -I wish Chris could hear that. Belonging to a family again would make him happy.
Tiff: -Well, we can tell him as soon as we find him.
Leo: -The problem is: where could he be?
Raph: -I think I know.
Tiff: -You do, Raph? Can you show us?
Raph: -Just follow my lead.
The gang left the lair. After some walking, they reached a familiar area.
Ryan: -I remember this place! It was where we first met.
Raph: -Sshh! Listen!
Everybody became quiet. Suddenly, they heard something. It looked like... music?
Leo: -Flute music?
Raph: -It's not the first time I heard this. A few days ago, when I was looking for Chris I heard it. You all were too busy to notice it. Later, when I asked Chris about it, he just shrugged and said he didn't heard a thing. I thought I was going nuts, but I heard it again yesterday and Chris wasn't with us either.
Kimi: -Is it just me or this melody sounds familiar to you guys too?
Ryan: -You're right. It does sound familiar...
The three siblings were silent for a few moments when they sudenly snapped.
Kimi: -It's... It's the same kind of music Master Akira used play for us before we went to bed when we were little!
Ryan: -But this is such a sad melody... It's not like the ones Master Akira used to play...
Tiff: -It's coming from that corner.
Leo: -Let's investigate.
Carefully, they made their way to the corner when they spotted Master Splinter staring at something in a intense way.
Leo: -Master? What are you...
Splinter shushed him with a raise of his hand...err...paw. His eyes never left the spot. Following their Master's stare, they found out who the mysterious player was. Chris was sitting on the ground while playing a bamboo flute. The young boy was so concentrated that he didn't realized his siblings and the turtles' presence.
Mikey: -I didn't know Chris played the flute. Did you, Tiff?
Tiff: - If I recall it correctly... Master Akira taught Chris how to play the flute when he was six, but he would only play it either when our Master was with him or when he was alone.
Ryan: -That's why he always runs off when we're busy. Because he wants to practice.
Don: -I don't blame him for going out. I mean, the lair can get pretty noisy.
Chris: -You can say that again, Donnie.
They realized Chris had stopped playing and was looking at them, smirking.
Chris: -I should've known you guys would find out my little secret sooner or later. Sorry for running off like this. I just wanted some peace and quiet.
Splinter: -That's okay, Christopher. We all need this sometimes.
Chris: -Thanks, sensei.
Mikey: -It's a beatiful melody, Chris. A bit sad though, but great.
Chris: -Master Akira taught me how to play this flute, but I made this song myself. Sometimes... I feel lonely... That's the reason I usually run off and start playing this melody. But, whenever I return to the lair, this feeling is replaced by something else.
Raph: -Something else? What is it, kid?
Chris: -Love... The love Tiff, Ryan and Kimi gave me while we were travelling. The love you guys and Master Splinter gave us when you took us in and treated us like part of your own family even though we're so different. Master Akira's death will always hurt, but I know now I can move on thanks to this love... I really didn't lose my family, I gained four great big brothers and another wonderful father... And for that, I'll be always grateful.
Everybody smiled. Tiff kneeled and hugged her younger brother.
Kimi: -Wow... I didn't know you feel this way, Chris.
Chris: -There's a lot about me you don't know, Kimi, but don't think this means I'll let you keep calling me shorty from now on!
Kimi giggled.
Kimi: -I knew it... That was too good to be true.
Ryan: -You never change, bro.
Ryan grinned and ruffled his brother's hair. Tiff let go of Chris.
Tiff: -You know, things may get rough sometimes, but I'm glad we have each other...
Leo: -And I'm glad we met you and your siblings, Tiff. We learned so much with you.
Splinter: -Come, my children. Let's return home.
Everybody nodded.
All: -Yes, sensei!
They returned home.
Later that day...
Everybody was at the living room watching tv, except for Tiff. She was sitting on the ground with her eyes closed, lost in her thoughts.
Kimi: -Tiff? Hello? Tiff!
Tiff snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her sister.
Tiff: -Huh? Sorry, Kimi. I kinda zooned out for a while. What were you saying?
Kimi: -You look like you have something in your mind, Tiff. What is it?
Tiff: -Well... I was thinking... What Chris said made me remember something.
Raph: -What is it, Tiff?
Tiff: -The day after that incident... It was going to be Master Akira's birthday... We all worked hard to make some presents for him, remember guys?
Chris: -How could we forget? You made a beatiful drawing of our family. Ryan wrote a poem that Kimi was going to sing while I was gonna play Master Akira's favorite melody...
Mikey: -What was you master like?
Tiff took a small piece of paper out of her pocket. It was a drawing of a young man with jet black midlong hair, crimson eyes wearing a light brown training outfit.
Leo: -So, this is your master?
Kimi: -He was a great ninjitsu master and a great father... but we never got the chance to show him how much we cared...
Ryan: -Maybe there's a way...
Everybody, except Donnie, stared at the young ninja oddly. Ryan rubbed the back of his head.
Ryan: -Donnie, would you mind explain?
Don: -Ok. One week ago, Ryan asked me if there was someway to find out what happened to you master after that incident. I used my computer and found out that some people from your neighborhood decided to held a funeral for him and bury him at his home town.
Tiff: -His home town? You mean...?
Ryan: -Exactly, Tiff. Master Akira was buried in a cemetery here at New York. He was born here, but he moved away a few weeks after he adopted you, am I right?
Tiff: -Yes... He once said he would take us here once you guys were older...
Chris: -That means we can finally pay our final respects to him, but...
Splinter: -I believe it's time for you to give him this gift.
Unknown to them, Splinter had watched the whole conversation. Tiff got up.
Tiff: -Sensei?
Splinter just nodded, smiling.
The next night...
It was a beatiful night. The sky was clear and full of stars which was a bit unusual at a big city like New York. At the cemetery...
Kimi: -Man... This place gives me creeps.
Chris: -I hate to say this, but I have to agree with you, Kimi.
Ryan: -Don't worry. What's the worst thing that could happen?
Raph: -Someone jumping at you when you're not looking.
Mikey: -Yeah. This always happens at the movies.
Tiff glared playfully at Raph and Mikey. They were following them with Leo, Don and Master Splinter close behind. She had asked them to go with her and the others just in case they ran into trouble.
Leo: -Quit fooling around, you two.
Don: -Yeah. You're scaring the kids.
Kimi: -I'm not scared! Maybe... Just a little bit.
Tiff: -Come on. Let's move on.
They walked in silence until they reached a lonely grave under a huge tree. Tiff took a deep breath and her body started glowing softly as she started reading.
Tiff: -Here lies Akira Yokohama... Beloved Father and Teacher...
Tiff felt her eyes getting wet when she felt a strong and gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned over to face Splinter who nodded. Tiff sighed and her glow ceased.
Tiff: -Master... We... We came here to tell you we're okay... We've been through some rough times, but we met some great friends that helped us when we most needed...
She glanced at the turtles and their master and smiled.
Tiff: -We also came here to give you something we should've given you a long time ago...
Ryan: -Happy birthday, sensei...
Tiff and Ryan bowed and placed the drawing and the poem in front of the grave.
Kimi: -Chris and I also have a gift for you, sensei. Chris?
Chris: -It'll be my pleasure.
Chris pulled out his flute and started playing. However, this melody was different from the one he played the previous day. It was a melody that filled everybody's with peace and happiness. Kimi took a short breath and started singing.
You're with us all the way
Every moment, every day.
And the bond between us
Just keeps getting stronger.
When We are lost and need direction,
Or We're weak and need protection,
We won't be afraid, won't let hopelessness destroy us,
For We'll remember you're always there beside us!
And if we ever feel it's not worth the fight,
The darkness is swallowing our hope's light,
We won't give up! Never give up!
For You'll always be right here in our hearts!
When We don't know what to do,
You're always there, brave, strong, and true,
We'll never forget what you taught us:
We can always face the trials of tomorrow.
You're always there for us.
Our hopes are strengthened by yours,
And our weakness is lessened, too.
You let us borrow your courage
We'll have no worry,
We'll have no fear,
For you, forever and ever,
Will be right here
Maybe not in any form,
That we can see
But in our hearts,
You'll forever be.
You taught us to fight for our dreams
And to never let them go!
So don't ever forget what We tell you here.
You're the family We wanted for so many years!
Kimi's beautiful singing matched perfectly Chris's melody. When they finished, they heard clapping. They both turned around. Tiff, Ryan, Splinter and the Turtles were clapping hands, smiling.
Mikey: -That was awesome! You two rock!
Kimi smiled trying to hide her blush. Chris grinned proudly.
Kimi: -Thanks... We really make a good team, huh, Chris?
Chris: -Yeah, but we gotta give Ryan some credit too. After all, he wrote this song.
Don: -You're really talented, Ryan. That was a beautiful song.
Ryan smiled a bit embarrased.
Ryan: -Thanks... I've got the idea from Tiff's drawing. What she draws sums what we feel pretty well.
Tiff grinned and patted her brother on the back.
Tiff: -Altough we're different when it comes to personalities, I guess we have a lot more in common than we think, Ryan.
Splinter: -Well done, my children. I'm certain your master is very proud of all of you.
The Neo Ninjas: -Thank you, Master Splinter.
The four took another look at their master's grave. They smiled.
Kimi: -I hope you liked your present, sensei.
Ryan: -We'll visit you again as soon as possible.
Chris: -It's a promise we're gonna keep.
Tiff: -So long, Master Akira. And thanks... For everything.
The Neo Ninjas bowed and turned to their new "family", smiling. Despite the oddity of they, they were still a family, their family.
Tiff: -Let's go home.
They walked in silence until suddenly, Kimi started giggling.
Raph: -What's so funny, Kimi?
Kimi: -I just remembered what Chris used to call Master Akira when he was little.
Chris: -Kimi! Don't tell them or I'll...
Mikey: -Come on, Chris. Why not?
Chris: -I don't need anyone reminding me about my childhood habits. Thank you!
Don: -Tecnically, you're still a child, Chris. I guess that means Kimi can say it.
Chris shot his brother in purple a look while Kimi grinned.
Kimi: -Okay... Whenever Chris tried to say sensei, he'd say say-say instead.
Everybody was silent for a few minutes until Mikey burst into laughter followed by his three brothers. Kimi, Ryan and Tiff were laughing as well. Chris looked away, trying to not beat the living daylights out of his sister. Master Splinter just smiled softly.
Splinter: -There's nothing to be ashamed of, Christopher.
Chris: -I'm not really ashamed, sensei. Just a bit embarassed...
Tiff stopped laughing and looked at Chris. The others did the same.
Tiff: -That's okay, Chris. Lot's of kids have trouble with some words when they're litlle.
Chris: -Thanks a lot, Tiff. That REALLY helps!
Tiff: -You don't have to be so sarcastic. Even I used to call Master Akira say-say when I was four. And... If I'm right, Ryan and Kimi used to do that too.
Ryan and Kimi frozed. Chris crossed his arms, snickering.
Chris: -Really?
Ryan: -Okay... You won. We admit.
Kimi: -Yeah...
This time, Chris was the one who laughed. The turtles laughed as well.
Mikey: -See, Chris? Everybody has some sort of childhood habits.
Chris: -If so, what about you guys?
Raph: -Us?
Chris: -Yeah. I'm sure you have some memories too.
The turtles smiled.
Don: -I guess we all have lots of stories...
The Neo Ninjas grinned as they and the turtles all laughed and swapped some more childhood stories while walking. Splinter just smiled softly.
Suddenly, Kimi spoke up.
Kimi: -Do you guys think, you know, that he's… watching over us?
There was silence for a moment.
Chris: -Without a doubt.
Ryan smiled and flung an arm around Kimi's shoulder
Ryan: -That's for sure. And you know how big a lecture Chris'll have waiting for him…
Kimi: -You got that right, bro.
Chris: -Very funny...
Everybody laughed a bit at that. Tiff stopped for a moment and looked up at the sky. One of the stars twinkled, almost as if it was winking at her. She smiled softly.
Tiff: -Yeah... He is definitely watching over us.
Leo looked at her, understanding.
Leo: -Tiff...
Tiff just smiled, winking.
Tiff: -Things will be really good from now on... Now that we're together.
Leo nodded, smiling. Splinter watched as his elder children caught up with their siblings and their laughter filled the night air. He then turned to grave, smiling.
Splinter: -Your students have become brave and strong warriors since our last meeting. I promise to continue the work you started. May you rest in peace now, my friend.
He bowed and left to met his children and, high above them, a star twinkled happily.