March 20, 2012

The lab was filled with the sounds of sobs. April was held tightly by the only father figure left in her life.

Donnie moved from his place on the floor to the empty spot on the couch next to April. He wrapped his arms around her and Splinter, sandwiching April in a Hamato Hug. The girl withdrew one hand from around Splinter to grasp Donnie's arm as acknowledgement of his support.

"Dee… when did he die?" She sniffed.

"We don't have to do this now…"

"When, Donnie?"

He sighed. "Just after New Years in 2003." April broke into fresh tears. That was the year April began her journey as both a kunoichi and a Hamato. Both men tightened their grip on the girl.

Splinter shifted his position to look April in the eye. "Dear one, do you remember the prayer I said for your mother when she passed?"

"Kinda," She hiccuped.

"It has been many years since his passing, but would you like us to say it for your father?" April nodded slowly. Splinter looked to his son, knowing that he had learned the words long ago.

"Watashi wa mada ikite imasuga, anata wa shinde imasu. Watashi wa anata o oboete irunode, anata wa eiendesu."

Splinter kissed the girl's forehead. "I'm going to make some tea. Would either of you like a cup?" Both teens shook their heads.

"No thanks. I don't really feel like anything right now." April rubbed her eyes. Any makeup she had on was long gone. She smiled as her papa ran a clawed hand through her hair.

"Don't forget that we are here for you, dear one. Don't be afraid to lean on those who love you." Splinter left the quiet comfort of the lab, leaving Donnie and April alone.

Donnie scooted back so he leaned against the arm of the couch. April took a breath before laying back on Donnie's plastron, his arms wrapping around her from behind. She sighed at the amount of safety she felt in that moment.

"I know this might be a stupid question to ask right now," Donnie asked quietly. "...but how're you doing?"

The red head chuckled, her voice still thick with emotion. "Very subtle, Dee." She inhaled deeply to steady herself. "I'm awful. I found out that my birth father is dead, I'm half alien, and said aliens need me for some sick twisted reason. I'm a monster…" She refused to start crying again, but her body still shook with grief and anger.

The purple clad turtle tightened his grip around the girl, kissing the top of her head fiercely. "You, Hamato April, are no monster. You are a strong, fierce, beautiful kunoichi who had no control over how you came to be. Out of the two of us, I'd be considered the monstrous one- OW!" He leaned around April to look her in the eye. He smirked at the grin on her face. "Did you just pinch me, Red?" He reached down to her side to gently tickle her.

April laughed, pushing his hand away. "You're not a monster either, Donnie. You're my best friend; my family. I might have lost my blood ties, but I haven't lost everyone who loves me." She relaxed back into the boy's embrace.

This is it… this is THE Moment… Donnie thought. He tightened his grip as he thought about his next move. What better opening could he have but the one before him? IDIOT! Donnie jumped as he heard Raph's voice in his mind. She just lost EVERYTHING! Why do you think NOW of all times is the right time to tell her how you feel? The boy didn't know why the voice of reason in his mind was Raph's, but the adrenaline of the moment overrode any rational thought. He took a deep breath before taking the leap.

"Hey April? I-I love you…"

April reached up to tug on the long tails of his mask. "Love you too, Donnie."

Donnie took her hand in his own as he began to shake. "No… like, I actually love you…" Welp, no turning back now. April pushed herself up to sitting between his legs, turning to stare at him with disbelief. The gangly turtle couldn't stop himself. "Not exactly like a sister, but more than a friend…" He rambled.

The girl scooted further away, shaking her head. "Please, Donnie…" She whispered desperately. "Don't do this, not now."

"If I don't do it now, I don't know if I'll ever have courage again." He rested his hands on his knees. "Haven't we danced around this enough?" Donnie looked up, noticing an entire couch cushion now separated him and April. He sighed. "April, since the day I first saw you, I've known there was something different about us. I love having you in our family and I'm grateful for how wonderful a sister you've been to our brothers… but I've never really seen you as a sister. You have always been first and foremost my best friend." Donnie rubbed the back of his neck. "I think things really started changing when we went to see The Little Mermaid. I've kept my feelings to myself because I didn't know exactly how you felt." He met her eyes, hope shining through. "But tonight, I finally know."

April's eyes went wide. "How?" She demanded. Donnie tapped the side of his head.

"The mental link. I've never heard you sing that song before, but when I started hearing your voice, the first thing I heard was about stars lingering and kisses… I felt a different kind of warmth from you down the bond this time. April, be honest: were you thinking of me when you were singing that?"

Donnie jerked back as April leapt up from the couch. She paced back and forth, tears once more snaking down her face. She whirled on the turtle.

"You really want to do this now? After I JUST found out that my father is dead and I'm half alien? My entire world just changed. Everything I ever thought I knew-" She snapped her fingers. "GONE."

The realization of what Pandora's box he'd just opened dawned on him. Donnie stood, one arm extended. "April, I-" He grunted as she pushed him back onto the couch, shoving an angry finger in his face.

"No, Donatello. You wanted to do this, so let's do this!" She hissed " Yes! I've started having more feelings towards you too. I haven't fully processed what it means to have possibly romantic feelings for my best friend slash adoptive brother WHICH IS WHY I haven't brought it up yet! UGH!" April stalked away from the couch. She raised the heels of her hands to her head. "Seriously, Donnie… I've kinda had an idea that you've felt something too. The feelings in the bond go both ways."

Donnie's normally olive complexion turned completely red. "April…"

"NO! I AM STILL TALKING." Everything loose in the room rattled as if a strong wind caught them. April's eyes glowed momentarily before her psychic flare subsided. "Did you even think about the timing when you told me that you loved me? No! You were so selfish about how you were feeling that you chose literally the most wrong moment in ALL OF FREAKING HISTORY TO TELL ME!"

Her fight spent, April fell back onto the couch. Donnie, still shaking from the intense rage turned on him, reached a hand towards her shoulder. April jerked her arm away. The boy pulled back, tears in his eyes. What have I done?

April sighed before twisting to face him. "I know that we're going to have to finish this conversation eventually, but… I-I just need to not talk to you for a bit. I need some space…" She slowly pushed herself to standing, headed towards the lab's door.

"How long do you think?" Donnie whispered, tears dampening his mask. She stopped in the doorway, turning her head.

"I don't know, Dee… I don't know…"

Donnie was still staring at the ground as she left. He felt weightless, not feeling the couch beneath him nor the cool concrete beneath his feet. His gaze shifted to the lump of blue fur on the ground. Boba had fallen at some point during their fight. The giant turtle slid from the couch into a numb lump. Donnie held Boba to his chest.

The lab was once again filled with the sound of sobs.

... I'm not sorry... (Okay... maybe a little sorry...)

Note about the "prayer": I didn't really have an idea back in chapter 1 when "Splinter said a prayer for the woman's spirit". But I also enjoy Star Wars Clone Wars fanfiction and they include a lot of Mandalorian remembrances. The most common one I've seen is "Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum", which translates to "I'm still alive, but you are dead. I remember you, so you are eternal". I translated it into Japanese and "Splinter's Prayer" was born. I hope y'all enjoy that fun fact and forgive the angst that I've introduced.

We'll be jumping a bit in time for the next chapter, so something fun to look forward to. See y'all next time! STAY CREATIVE!