Chapter 3

Secrets Revealed

A/N: Top o' the mornin' to ya! I'm saying that because I'm writing this in the morning. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you! I love this holiday. I'm into the whole Irish dancing and Irish music thing. I'm even doing my geography project on Ireland. Does that tell you something? Anyway, I thought I'd update this on my favorite holiday. I hope all of you are wearing green. I know I am so don't pinch me! Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. Here are some shout-outs to those wonderful people:

Mac: Well, I'm glad you liked the chapter. I'm also glad that you see that Karai has honor. That's why I think she should be with the Turtles. I also think that she and Leo have a thing for one another. As for posting your stories, they have directions on the site on how to do it. Have you been on this site before? Is that why you don't want to do it? I think you should. I'm anxious to see how you write. Keep reading and reviewing!

Pacphys: Glad you agree with me about it being scary that Raph lectures someone on fighting. I thought it would be funny to put that in there. I like the song "Baby Got Back" myself, but I wouldn't want to hear it over and over again. That isn't fun. I haven't heard of the Eheme from that movie. I've never seen that movie at all. Hopefully the girls will have the luck of the Irish to pull through on this assignment. Keep reading and reviewing!

Shellsboy 24: Glad you liked the chapter sweetie! I can't wait to have you read this chapter! Yeah, I definitely know that Leo's in love and wants to kiss Karai. You can just tell. Thanks for the hug and kiss. Here's one for you: XO. Hun is a dork! Keep reading and reviewing!

Readerrr Grrrl: No, I don't want a stale raisin. I hate raisins! Thanks for the compliment. It makes my heart soar! Sorry if it's confusing you with the characters. There are five girls, not four. Yes, they do share some of the traits of the guys, but that's a coincidence. Here's the update you wanted. Keep reading and reviewing!

Well, now that that's out of the way, let's get on to the awesome story!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to do this? Okay, I don't own the Turtles. They are owned by Mirage Studios, Inc. I own all other characters not related to the Turtles. Enjoy the story. All flames will be cut up by Leo's awesome swords.

Meanwhile, the Turtles had a grueling practice that day. Afterwards, Leonardo found Michelangelo on the couch watching an old episode of "South Park" that he had taped. Mikey looked a little glum about that morning's practice session. He had messed up some moves that made Donnie beat him.

Leo knew just how to cheer his little brother up. "What are you watching, Mikey?" he asked.

"South Park," answered Mikey. "Why?"

"Just wondering," replied Leo. Then he saw Raph coming downstairs. This gave him the best idea on how to make Mikey smile.

"Leo, why are you watchin' that crap with Mikey?" asked Raph, rolling his eyes.

"Hey, Raph, I need tree fitty," said Leo, rather than answering the question. (A/N: Leo is imitating Chef's dad from "South Park." That's why he's saying it that way instead of the correct way. It's just supposed to be all in good fun.)

"Well, I ain't got three fifty," said Raph. "Stop playin' this game with me, Leo."

Mikey started giggling. He knew what Leo was up to. "C'mon, Raphie, you have to give Leo tree fitty," he said in a high voice like Chef's mom.

"Why?" demanded Raph.

"It's for a friend," replied Leo, imitating Chef's dad's voice.

Raph started laughing. "Oh, I get it," he said. "You want to buy Karai a present, right?"

Leo slapped his hand on his forehead. "Raph, you don't get it," he said. "I don't like her in that way. Plus, I really don't need three-fifty. I was just doing that for fun."

Raph rolled his eyes. "I know where this is goin'," he said. "You're doin' that impression from South Park, right?"

"Yeah, that's right," Leo said. "What's wrong with that?"

"It's just weird," Raph replied. "It's also a bad impression."

"Hey, I just did it to cheer Mikey up," Leo protested. "He was feeling down because of this morning's practice."

"It worked, Leo," Mikey said with a smile. Then he burst out laughing. "I loved the look on your face, Raph," he said. "It was so classic. Leo did an awesome impression of Chef's dad. Hey, Leo, let's do other impressions and guess which show they're from."

"I'm outta here," Raph said, turning to go upstairs. Then all three Turtles turned when the elevator door opened and the girls came back down. They were teasing Leah about some boy she liked.

"Hey, Le, Marisa told me that you like Jesse McCartney," Nikki teased her sister.

"Is this a guy from school?" Raphael asked in a suspicious tone.

"No, it's a pop singer that I like," Leah replied, blushing.

Raphael rolled his eyes. "Why are you attracted to that music?" he complained. "Why can't you listen to normal music?'

"And what does normal mean?" Leah asked.

"Normal music like rap," Raph answered. "Or rock, too. Not this pop crap I hear most of you listenin' to. At least Belinda listens to rock and rap."

"That music's lame," Lorena said. "I like pop and traditional Irish music. It's so soothing." (A/N: Sounds like me, too.)

"So, what did you girls learn in school today?" Leo questioned.

"I drew a pretty picture," Nikki replied, holding up a drawing of Klunk, Mikey's pet cat.

"Desiree and I beat those girls at tennis, just like you said I would, Leo," Lorena bragged.

"And Marisa and I learned a new dive," Leah added.

"Did you do a lot of busy work?" Don asked.

"Yes, we did," Becky said. "We have a project coming up, too."

"What sort of project, my daughter?" Splinter asked.

"We have to talk about our family," Becky replied.

"You mean, your ancestors?" Don inquired.

"Well, not really," Lorena said. "I mean, we can include that, but Miss Newman wants us to talk about our current family. Could you tell us about them?"

"What do you mean, Lori?" Leo asked.

"What happened to our real parents?" Belinda demanded.

"Belinda, he was asking me," Lorena said indignantly.

Splinter sighed. "My daughters, I feel that you should not be told this information until you are older," he said. "I feel that when you are older, you will be able to digest the information better."

"But, Master Splinter, we have to do this project!" Leah protested. "It's for a grade. What are we supposed to tell our classmates?"

"Just tell them that we're your big brothers and that we're good lookin'" Raph replied. "Well, except for Mikey here," he added with a wicked grin.

"Hey, that's not fair!" Mikey protested. "Tell them I was one of People magazine's Sexiest Men of the Year." He pretended to flex his muscles, which made the girls giggle.

"Mikey, you're a turtle," Nikki giggled. "We can't tell them that. We could tell them that you're a comedian. You're funny enough to be one."

"Yeah, you could be on Last Comic Standing," Becky added. "I bet you would win, too."

Mikey smiled at her. "Maybe I would," he said. "But you guys would have to vote for me."

Leo looked at the clock. "Guys, we have to go on patrol," he said. "I figured Karai would be here by now."

"Knowin' her, she's probably late because she wants to look good for our Fearless Leader," Raph teased his brother in blue.

"Raph, stop it!" Leo cried, blushing once more.

"Aunt Karai's coming to babysit us?" Lorena asked excitedly.

"Yes, she is," Leo answered with a smile. Then they heard the elevator doors open as Karai entered.

"Hey, Leo, your girlfriend's here," Nikki teased.

Leo and Karai both blushed. Then Karai was enveloped in a hug from Lorena.

"Wow, Lorena1" Karai exclaimed. "You've grown since the last time I saw you!"

"I know," Lorena said. "I've been drinking a lot of milk."

"Well, that's good," Karai commented. "Did you learn that from Leonardo?"

"No, but I learned how to train hard from him," Lorena replied.

"Okay, Lori, let go of Karai now," Leo told her gently. "You don't want to damage her lungs."

"Okay," Lorena said, letting Karai go. "Can I come with you on patrol, Leo?"

"Lori, we've been over this before," Leo said with a sigh. "I can't take you with me. It's too dangerous. You could fall off a roof."

"No, I wouldn't!" Lorena argued. "I'd be really careful! Please let me go!"

"Sorry, Lori, but I can't do that," Leo told her. "When you get older, you'll be able to go."

"Oh, okay," Lorena said sullenly. "Good luck, Leo. Go kick some Foot Ninja butt!"

Leo laughed and kissed Lorena on the cheek. "Okay, sweetie, I will," he said with a smile. He turned to his brothers. "C'mon, guys, let's go," he ordered. "We have a long night ahead of us."

"Okay, Leo," Mikey said. He waved at the girls and followed his brother out.

"Watch wrestling for me, you two," Raph said to Belinda and Leah. Then he followed his brothers out the door.

"Be good for Karai and Master Splinter, girls," Don warned. Then, he too, left with his brothers.

"Now, for some peace," Splinter sighed. "Do not be too noisy, my daughters. I need to relax."

"But, Master Splinter, you're gonna miss wrestling!" Leah protested. "Don't you want to watch it?"

"Not tonight, Leah," Splinter replied. "I need to sleep. You can tape it for me."

"Okay, Master Splinter," Lorena said. "We'll be quiet."

"Good," Splinter said. Then he went to his room to take a well deserved nap.

"So, what do you girls want to watch on TV?" Karai asked them.

"Wrestling!" Belinda and Leah said together.

"Yeah, we like wrestling," Lorena added. "Do you like it, Aunt Karai?"

"I haven't watched much of it, but I do like it," answered Karai.

"Cool!" Belinda commented. "Who's your favorite wrestler?"

"Well, from RAW I like Randy Orton, but from SmackDown I like John Cena," Karai answered.

"Me too!" exclaimed Leah. "I really like both of them!"

"I don't," said Belinda. "I like Triple H. He's so cool."

"Well, I like Diamond Dallas Page," Lorena said. "I also like Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho."

"DDP's not even in the WWE," Leah said. "He's on TNA."

"So? I still think he's cool," Lorena said. "He could probably beat Triple H and win the title." (A/N: I think DDP's cool too.)

"Girls, calm down," Karai said. "Let's just watch the show."

When the show was over, Karai told the girls it was time for bed. The girls protested, but they knew that Karai wasn't going to let them stay up.

"Aunt Karai, can I ask you something?" asked Lorena as Karai tucked her in.

"Yes," Karai said. "What is it?"

"Do you like Leo?" Lorena asked her. "I mean, like Leah has a crush on Jesse McCartney?"

Karai smiled. Lorena had obviously noticed something. "Well, I do respect him," she answered. "However, I'm not sure that I like him in that way yet. I think it will take a little while for me to discover that, okay?"

"Okay," said Lorena with a smile. "Good-night, Aunt Karai."

"Good-night, Lorena," said Karai, returning the smile.

The streets of New York City

Meanwhile, the Turtles were out on patrol. Leonardo was finding it hard to concentrate because of what was on his mind. He really wasn't sure whether he and his brothers would tell the girls about their parents or not.

"Hey, Leo, what's up?" asked Raph as he eyed his older brother.

"I'm just worried about whether or not we should tell the girls the truth," replied Leo.

"Well, I think we should," said Raph. "We owe it to them."

"I don't think we should," contradicted Don. "It might have a bad effect on them."

"But it's not nice to keep it a secret," pointed out Mikey.

"I think you're all right about your points of view," said Leo. "That's why I'm gonna talk to Master Splinter about it."

"Are we gonna tell them tonight?" questioned Don.

"No, not tonight," answered Leo. "By the time we get home, they'll probably be asleep."

Sure enough, when the Turtles got home, the girls were already asleep. Leo went to talk to Master Splinter about what they should do. Splinter agreed that it was time for the girls to know the truth.

The next day, the girls found the Turtles at breakfast as usual, but Lorena noticed that they looked tense. What's going on? Lorena wondered. Did something happen to them?

Finally, Leo spoke. "Girls, there's something we need to tell you," he began.

"What is it?" asked Lorena, looking worried

"It's about the question you asked earlier," replied Leo. "We know about your mom and dad."

"You do?" questioned Leah. "Well, why didn't you tell us before?"

"Because we weren't sure how you'd handle it," explained Don.

"Tell us," begged Nikki. "We have to know."

"Did our parents abandon us?" asked Becky.

"No, not at all," replied Leo. "You see, your father worked as a policeman in Ireland. He moved here because there was a better position for him."

"Were we born in New York?" inquired Belinda.

"No, you guys were born in Ireland," answered Raph. "Lorena and Leah, you were the original children of John and Karen Lynch. They adopted you, Belinda, Nikki, and Becky because your mothers weren't able to care for you. You guys moved here and John became friends with Casey. That's how I know all this."

"Did our parents die of a disease?" asked Lorena.

Leo looked grave. "No, Lori, they didn't," he replied. "They were murdered by the Foot and the Purple Dragons."

"What!" gasped Leah.

"Those jerks!" exclaimed Belinda. "You should go over there and kick their butts!"

"There's nothin' we can do, kid," said Raph softly. "It happened years ago."

"Yes, there is!" insisted Leah. "You can defend them! You can fight for us!"

"Leah, we're trying to do that!" insisted Don. "We're protecting you from Shredder's clutches. That's why Leo hasn't allowed you to go out after dark."

"Maybe we have relatives," said Becky, changing the subject.

"Yeah, we should look for them," added Nikki.

"I don't think you would find them, sweetie," commented Mikey gently. "They weren't happy about your mom and dad moving. Plus, I think they're dead, right, Raph?"

"Yeah, I think so," Raph replied. "That's what Casey told me."

"You're lying!" Lorena insisted. "You just want us to stay with you!"

"Lori, we would never lie to you," Leo said.

"No, you're just good at keeping secrets!" Leah snapped.

"We belong in Ireland, not in the filthy sewers of New York City," Belinda added.

"You can't leave!" Raph begged. "You belong here!"

"No, we don't," Nikki chimed in. "Our family is in another country, the country we grew up in. This isn't our home."

"You cannot go to Ireland," Splinter said gently. "Family is where there is love. You have love here."

"Sorry, Sensei, but we have to know more," Lorena said. She went up to her and Leo's room. Her sisters followed. Leo wanted to go after them, but Splinter put a hand on his shoulder, advising him to give them some time.

"Leo's wrong!" Lorena fumed as she and her sisters sat in her and Leo's room. "I think we do have relatives who are still living in Ireland."

"But we can't go," said Nikki. "Master Splinter said to stay."

"Who cares?" snapped Belinda. "I'd rather be in Ireland."

"So, what should we do?" asked Leah.

"First, we'll go to the library and find out information about our relatives," explained Lorena. "Then, after we find what we're looking for, we'll go to them."

"But won't the Turtles and Splinter be heartbroken?" asked Becky.

"They don't have to know," said Lorena. "We'll just tell them we're going to get research. Are you with me?" The others agreed, although Nikki and Becky did it reluctantly.

Foot HQ

Meanwhile, a Foot Ninja came to Shredder. "Master, I have news," he said.

"Do you know where Karai is?" demanded Shredder.

"Yes," said the Foot Ninja. "She had indeed betrayed you. We've also gotten a location on the Lynch girls."

"Good," said Shredder. "We'll proceed with the plan immediately. They shall all be destroyed, especially the Turtles." His evil laughter rang out as he thought about his revenge.

A/N: Well, that's all for this chapter. So, what's the Shredder up to? Will the girls leave New York for Ireland? You'll find out….in the next chapter. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Please read and review.