Chapter One

"Watch this! Nothing but net!"

The basketball ripped through the blue sky and into the torn, white fabric, causing it to make a whooshing sound, and Shawn tossed his hands into the air.

"Oh yeah! The score is now 118 to 106, and the former captain of the high school basketball team is eating my dust!"

A few feet away, his older brother Gavin wiped at the sweat that collected at the base of his short black hair with the bottom of his already saturated white, sleeveless T-shirt, and he shook his head.

"Why do you keep saying things like that?" He asked as Shawn threw the ball back to him. " I had a good reason for quitting basketball."

Shawn laughed, the sun catching the barbell that sat in the middle of his tongue.

" Like what? You didn't have time to make football practice? Or was it because you would miss the DARE meetings, or the SADD fund-raisers? No time for Prom either, I bet!"

Gavin bounced the ball against the asphalt court, shooting his younger brother a dirty look as another late spring breeze passed by. "At least I participate in school activities."

Shawn crossed his arms over his sweat soaked bare chest, relishing the fact that he had pushed Gavin's buttons. "Why the hell would I even want to? I hate school for one thing, and everything about it. Clubs, dances, sports, it's all superficial shit for superficial preps like you!"

Gavin's green eyes narrowed as he dribbled the ball around Shawn, hoping to break through his brother's defense and even the score. But Shawn wasn't finished making his smart remarks, and his last one pushed Gavin over the edge.

" You only do all of that shit cause Dad wanted you too! You're such a suck-up!"

Gavin slammed the ball hard into the pavement, and it bounced off the court and into the grass. " Shut your mouth, Shawn! Dad had nothing to do with it!" He then turned his back, trying to avoid the obvious satisfaction that sat on Shawn's face. He always hated the way his brother tried to turn everything into a competition, and Gavin couldn't help but make things worse as his temper flared.

"Is that why Dad favors me more?" Gavin said over his shoulder in a sarcastic tone. "I guess since I listen to him and Mom, they like me better. Or it could be that I don't talk back, or yell at them. Oh, and I didn't get expelled twice this past school year. It could be that too!"

Shawn's mouth dropped. "You freakin' asshole!" He lunged at his brother, shoving him down to the asphalt. He pushed his right knee into Gavin's back as he raised his fist into the air. Gavin inhaled quickly then rolled over, knocking Shawn off of him with his elbow. They both regained their footing and circled around, waiting for the other one to pounce first.

" You are such a hothead, Shawn." Gavin said with a smug smile. " It's sad really."

"At least I ain't a wussy little cry baby like you!" Shawn's green eyes, which were a shade darker than his brothers', narrowed into small slits, and he screamed out as he leaped. Gavin blocked Shawn's punches at first, but then found himself on the ground again after missing the kick his brother placed into his rib cage.

As Gavin continued to fight off his attacking brother, the two failed to hear the sounds of an approaching vehicle, but when the door slammed shut and a shadow fell over them, both boys turned their attention away from the fight and into the anger that filled the eyes of their father.

" I swear I can't leave you two alone for a second!" Leonardo uncrossed his arms and pulled both of his sons to their feet.

Shawn glared in his brother's direction as he pulled his shoulder length, dark-brown hair out of the black hair band and replaced the loose strands. Gavin also adjusted his appearance, noticing that he had a small scratch above his left eyebrow, and he sneered at Shawn as he wiped the drops of blood away.

"I am getting so sick and tired of this!" Leonardo yelled as he took a few steps away from the boys, his green face darkening as his blood pressure rose. "What is it going to take to stop this foolish behavior?"

Shawn scoffed. " Tell him to quit being such a show off!"

Leonardo leaned up into Shawn's face and narrowed his eyes. " I wasn't asking for your opinion, young man. I suggest you keep your mouth closed until I'm done!"

Even though Shawn was 5'10, much taller that his father was, he still shrank down from the anger in the turtle's voice. He wanted to say more, but knew better than to push his luck.

"I don't have the time right now to lay out punishments." Leonardo walked over to where the basketball sat in the grass and picked it up. " You two need to get home and get ready. We're already running late."

The boys groaned as they jumped into the blue Caravan, Gavin taking the front seat as Shawn jumped into the back.

"Do we have to go to Andy's graduation?" Shawn grumbled. " Those things are so boring!"

"Well, you may never have one, so you'll have to see what it's like." Gavin joked.

Leonardo shot Gavin a look of disappointment as he buckled his seatbelt and started the van. "Gavin, that was completely uncalled for."

"Sorry, sir." Gavin lowered his eyes down to the black floor mat under his shoes. " I didn't mean it."

"Yes, you did, you fuckin' ass-" Shawn growled from the back seat.

"Shawn!" Leonardo looked into the mirror, feeling his temper rising again. " What did I tell you about using that language?"

"Sorry, sir," Shawn replied in a mocking tone. " I didn't mean it!"

Leonardo sighed heavily as he pulled the van out of the park and down the busy street, rolling his eyes skyward for a second.

" What did I do to deserve this?"

Raphael stood outside of the bathroom, waiting for the roaring sounds of the hair dryer to stop. The two golden retrievers that sat below him also waited, their reddish-blonde tails wagging impatiently. Raphael looked down at them and smiled.

" I know. That kid takes too long." He laughed as the dogs whimpered back. " It's a girl thing. You two should be used ta it by now."

The hair dryer shut off, and Raphael turned back to the door. He raised his fist and knocked softly.

" Andrea?"

The door flung open, and Raphael couldn't help but laugh at the disheveled eighteen year old in front of him. Andrea held the purple hair dryer in one hand, the matching hair brush in the other, her auburn hair pulled between the two. Only half of her makeup was on, the mascara wand sticking out from her white teeth. The right shoulder strap of her white satin camisole fell down her bronzed shoulder, and the knee-length maroon skirt she was wearing was pulled up one side, exposing the black garter that held up her panty hose.

"What?" Andrea asked, her voice laced with annoyance.

Raphael crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the door frame. " I was seein' if you were ready."

"No, Dad. I wasn't ready five minutes ago, and I'm still not." Andrea placed the dryer down onto the edge of the sink and went back to work on her makeup. " I hate this crap! Why can't I just wear a T-shirt and a pair of jeans? I feel so out of place!"

Raphael smiled again. " Naw, you look good. It is weird seein' ya dressed up like that though."

Andrea glanced up and gave her father a fake smile. " Thanks, Daddy."

" I just can't believe it," Raphael continued with a sigh. " My little girl's all grown up now."

" Daddy, please!" Andrea rolled her eyes. " Don't get sentimental on me again! I'll start crying and ruin my shitty makeup job!"

Raphael shook his head as he laughed. " Sorry, honey. I can't help it though! You're eighteen, you're graduatin' high school today, then after we come back from the mountains, you're leavin' me to go to college."

" Don't forget that I'm getting married at the end of this year too." Andrea giggled as she watched her father's face fall even more.

" Don't remind me." Raphael shifted his weight around. " I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'll have this apartment all ta myself. I'm gonna be really lonely."

Andrea replaced her makeup back into the cabinet above the sink and went back to taming her thick mane of hair. " You won't be completely alone. You still have Eminem and Dre to keep you company."

Raphael looked back down to the two retrievers that were still sitting at his feet, remembering the day he had brought the two dogs home for Andrea when she was nine, and the young girl had insisted on naming the two after her favorite rap artists.

"They're gonna miss you just as much as I am, ya know." Raphael could feel a few tears starting to well up in his eyes. Andrea noticed the emotions in her father's face, and she couldn't stop herself from wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly.

"It'll be okay, Daddy." Andrea then pulled back and placed a kiss on Raphael's cheek.

"I'm really proud of you." Raphael gushed as he wiped his eyes. " I know your mother would be too."

Andrea sighed, subconsciously fingering the ruby and emerald pendent that hung from her neck. She had heard so much about the mutant fox that her father had once loved, and even though her mother had died while giving birth to her, Andrea couldn't help but feel a strong connection to her. Tears also began to build up in Andrea's green eyes, which were as bright as the emerald that hung close to her heart, and she quickly blinked them away as she moved back to the mirror. Raphael continued to watch as Andrea pulled the sides of her hair up into a silver barrette, and she secured it on the top of her head.

"You know, Dad," Andrea pulled the brush through her auburn hair again. " Maybe this would be a good time to start dating."

Raphael scoffed at the idea. " I don't think so!"

Andrea let her arms drop. " Come on, Daddy! You haven't been with anyone since Mom died!"

"And I don't plan on it either." Raphael turned his position around and leaned against the bathroom door with his shell. " I already told ya, Andy. I had enough of that shit when I was younger. And besides, between helpin' your uncle Leo at his dojo and runnin' the company with your uncle Mike, I ain't got time ta do anythin'!"

"Excuses, excuses," Andrea laughed. " Really, Daddy. I think it would be good for you. You probably wouldn't feel so lonely if you found someone."

Raphael placed his face into the palm of his right hand and sighed, his thick New York accent softening as he spoke. " Look, sweetheart, I know you're lookin' out for me, but trust me. I need a girlfriend like I need a hole in my head!"

"Okay, Dad, you made your point." Andrea placed her hands on her father's muscular shoulder and pushed him out of the doorframe. " Now, if you don't mind, I need to finish getting ready, so, out, out!"

Raphael smiled, not realizing how strong his daughter really was until he found himself standing in the middle of the narrow hallway. The door shut, and Raphael called the dogs to follow him back into the small apartment living room.

A few hours later, Raphael sat in a metal folding chair, his arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the hundreds of people that had gathered inside the Civic Center in Brooklyn. On Raphael's left side sat Jason, a tall, attractive blonde man with a strong chin, dressed in his navy Air Force uniform. His future son-in-law was happily laying out the details of his trip to South America, where he had just returned from only a few days ago. On Raphael's right side sat his brother Leonardo and his wife Linda, who were talking to Jason more than Raphael was. Gavin sat next to his mother, and his sister Constance, the youngest of the three Okasana children, sat next to him. Their missing sibling Shawn was seated behind them next to his cousin Adam. The two were dressed similar in long sleeve black shirts and baggy jeans, except Shawn wore a vintage Tool shirt over the long sleeved one.

" This sucks," Shawn slid down farther into the metal chair. "I had better things to do than this."

Adam laughed, the bright lights above them reflecting off of his multiple eyebrow piercings. "Like what? What could be more fun than sitting in a crowded auditorium full of sweaty people on a Saturday morning?"

Shawn also laughed, loving the sarcastic tone in his cousins' voice. " Man, I'm glad your back home. I was going crazy not having you around!"

Adam shrugged, almost embarrassed by Shawn sentiment. " I'm glad to be back too." He looked around Shawn to his parents, who were also occupied in conversation with Andrea's fiancé. " I love my parents to death but if I had to spend another day going over calculus problems with my dad or recording plate artifacts for my mom, I would have gone insane myself!"

On Adams' right side, his twin sister Aurora leaned over and gave her brother a cold stare, her waist length brown hair falling over her tiny shoulders.

" Please, Adam. You know you enjoyed all of that just as much as they did."

Adam returned his sister's glare, their light green eyes silently fighting each other. Shawn watched as the two stared, knowing they were keeping their harsh words inside of their minds so their parents wouldn't hear, but it didn't stop Angie from turning toward them.

" You two!" Angie snapped her fingers, her children unlocking their gaze. " I heard all of that!"

Donatello stopped talking and looked blankly at his kids. " Heard what? I didn't hear anything."

Angie shook her head as a smile formed on her lips. She always thought it was funny how her psychic connection with her kids kept her a step ahead of her husband. " Nothing, dear. Nothing at all."

Leonardo turned around, looking toward the double doors as more people spilled in.

"Where in the world is Mikey?" He asked as he turned back to Raphael. " You told him ten o'clock, right?"

"Yeah, I did." Raphael grumbled as he looked down at his watch.

"You know how Mikey is, Leo," Donatello leaned forward. "Being fashionably late is his trademark."

Then, as if he heard them, their younger brother Michelangelo entered through the double doors, his wife Mandy and their daughter Jennifer in tow. They scanned the crowd for a second before spotting the rest of their extended family, and they pushed their way through the crowd.

"Good morning everyone!" Michelangelo chirped in his usual cheerful tone. He hugged Constance and Aurora, then slapped hands with all of his nephews before taking a seat on the other side of Donatello. Then everyone watched as Mandy moved up to the next row, saving the space next to Constance for her daughter, and she shot Michelangelo a dirty look as she sat down.

Donatello leaned closer to Michelangelo, offering his brother a sympathetic look. "Are you guys arguing again?"

Michelangelo crossed his arms over his pale orange polo shirt. " I really don't wanna talk about it right now, Donnie."

Raphael then turned around and spoke without lowering his voice. " Why don't ya just divorce her ass and get it over with?"

"Raph!" Leonardo shouted softly, holding back the urge to smack his brothers' shoulder.

"Why don't you just turn around and mind your own goddamn business?" Michelangelo replied in a cold tone, swirling his finger around in Raphael's face.

"Whatever." Raphael listened to Michelangelo's body language and faced forward.

Further down, Jennifer walked down the aisle to the metal chairs, and she hugged Constance before sitting down next to her mother. She felt a sudden tap on her shoulder, and she let out an annoyed breath of air before she turned around.

" What? I don't get a hug?" Shawn said as he gave Jennifer a wide, white smile. "How about a kiss instead?"

Jennifer's lips curled up in disgust. " Ew! You are so nasty!"

"Come on. I promise you'll like it!" Shawn laughed as he winked at the young blonde.

"You are such a pig!" Jennifer shrieked in a high-pitched voice then turned back to the front sharply, and Shawn fell into fits of laughter.

" You are so sick, man," Adam said, feeling slightly embarrassed by Shawn's actions.

" Why do you have to do that? She's our cousin!"

"She's likes the attention." Shawn then saw Jennifer turn back around, and he placed his lips together and made smooching noises at her. Jennifer's jaw dropped, her cheeks blushing slightly as she turned back around.

" See? I told ya!" Shawn laughed again, then stopped as he felt Leonardo's stare.

"Shawn, do you want to back to the van?"

"Yes!" Shawn replied, knowing that his father was not pleased by his wise mouth.

Leonardo turned back around, not wanting to escalate his sons' attitude. Raphael then heard his oldest brother sigh, and he couldn't help but smile.

"I think I came back ta haunt ya." Raphael joked, causing Leonardo to sudden smiled along with him. Before he could say more, Andrea appeared, dressed in her white gradation gown and cap with a black and red tassel hanging down the right side of her face.

"Jason!" She cried out as the twenty-year-old man stood up, and Andrea didn't hesitate to jump into his arms and plant several kisses on his face. " I thought you said you weren't coming in until next week!"

"Surprise." Jason's baritone voice whispered into her ear before kissing her pink lips.

Andrea let go of her fiancé, then noticed that her uncle Donatello and aunt Angie were also back.

" Yea, you guys came back too!" Andrea leaned over and offered hugs to them. Shawn and Adam jumped out of their chairs and stood next to Andrea and Jason.

" How are you doin', cous?" Andrea asked as she slammed her balled up fist into Shawn's shoulder.

" Ow! What the hell?" Shawn shouted as he rubbed out the sting. " Man, I just love how we show affection in this family!"

"Adam!" Andrea grabbed the fifteen-year-old into her arms and squeezed. " How was Greece?"

"Boring." Adam stepped back, running his hand over his short, spiked brown hair. " I'm tired of traveling so much. I'm ready for our vacation."

"Vacation?" Shawn wrinkled his nose. " Your whole life is a vacation!"

Adam sighed. "Dude, just because I'm home schooled does not mean that I get to goof around. I do just as much school work as you do," Adam then remembered that he was talking to the king of school skippers. " Well, maybe more than you do."

"Ha, ha. You are sooooo funny." Shawn replied dryly. Gavin then appeared behind them and he waved at Andrea.

" Hey, Andy."

Andrea slammed her hand into Gavin's back, knocking the wind out of him. " Hey Gav! How's it feel to be a senior now?"

"I don't think it's sunk in yet." Gavin regained himself and smoothed out his navy polo.

"Well, it will," Leonardo joined in the conversation as he leaned his left arm over the back of the chair. " He's been accepted to five different colleges on a football scholarship."

"Wow! That's great!" Andrea pushed Gavin's shoulder, and the seventeen-year-old teetered a little, feeling a flush in cheeks.

" Way to go, Gavin!" Michelangelo high-fived his oldest nephew, and the rest of the family joined in on their congratulations. Shawn glared at his brother, feeling jealously creep over him again, and he moved back to his seat without a word. Linda, the only one who ever noticed when Shawn was upset, turned around and patted his left leg.

" Come on, Shawn. Don't act like that. You should be happy for your brother."

Shawn's green eyes looked up at Gavin, then at his father, then back to Linda. "Dad hates me, doesn't he?"

Linda sighed, not wanting to have this familiar talk with her middle child. " Shawn, your father does not hate you. He wants you to excel like your siblings have."

"Yeah, but only in the things he wants me to excel in!" Shawn tightened his arms across his chest. "I'm sorry, but I'm not a kiss ass like Gavin or a genius like Connie."

Linda moved back to Adam's seat next to her son and pulled his hands into her own. " And we don't expect you to be, honey."

"Dad does!" Shawn could feel his emotions getting the better of him and he couldn't stop a few tears from falling. " He thinks my guitar lessons are a waste of time!"

Linda pulled Shawn closer to her and she rubbed his back. "I know your father can be overbearing at times-"

" At times?" Shawn repeated, stressing his words.

"Okay, all of the time," Linda laughed. " But your father has always set high standards for himself, and he sometimes forgets that not everyone is like him."

"Is that why Dad thinks he's so freakin' perfect?" Shawn pulled back and wiped his face with his shirt sleeve.

" He is far from perfect, Shawn, believe me!" Linda laughed again, then rubbed Shawn's shoulder. "Let's talk about this later. Just don't let it bother you, okay?"

Shawn smiled through her tears stained face, then, in one of the rare occasions when Linda receives affection from her son, Shawn leaned over and hugged his mother, and she kissed him softly on the forehead. Linda then moved back to the front row, reclaiming her seat next to Leonardo, and Shawn could hear his father's voice.

"What's his problem now?"

Shawn tried with all of his might to push his temper back down, and as Adam returned to his vacated seat, he too could feel the heat radiating from his cousin.

"Uh, Shawn? Are you okay?" Adam waved his hand in front of Shawn's evil stare.

"What?" Shawn snapped, then realized who he was talking to. " Oh, sorry, man."

Adam patted Shawn's shoulder, then sat back as the school superintendent stepped up to the microphone.

"And now I would like to introduce to you, the class of 2015's valedictorian, Miss Andrea Renee Rehema!"

Raphael was the first to stand up, screaming and whistling loudly as his daughter took to the stage. Andrea held her hands up and waved to all of her fellow class mates, blowing kisses to the crowd of graduates here and there. After the roaring calmed down, and a few yells were tossed around, Andrea began the speech she had been preparing for since the beginning of her last school year, every once in awhile glancing up at the mutant turtle who was smiling proudly back at her.