I'M BACK BABY! Figured I'd post early. Enjoy your regularly scheduled posting resuming next Friday 2/25

October 13, 2012

It had been almost two weeks since Karai had contacted the Hamatos, saying she was ready to meet. Splinter suggested waiting until the weekend of the 13th as it was a special day from their past. Anticipation filled every moment until the day Splinter, the turtles, and April stood outside of Tiger Claw and Karai's apartment. The rat raised a hand to knock, but lowered it. He trembled.

"Everything okay, Father?" Leo pressed his hand to the man's shoulder.

"It has been… so long…" Splinter lamented.

Raph came up along Splinter as well. "That wasn't your fault, Pop. It was Shredder's. What matters is that you're here now."

April shifted the package within her arms. "Karai is lucky to be getting one of the best dads in the world."

Splinter wiped away several tears that had begun to snake their way down his face. "Thank you, my children." He steeled himself, finally knocking on the door. It wasn't long before it was opened by Tiger Claw.

"Welcome to our home, Hamatos."

"Thanks, Tiger Claw." Leo made sure to wipe his feet before entering the apartment.

Tiger Claw cleared his throat. "I no longer go by that name. I left Tiger Claw behind for good when Karai and I left the Foot. Thanks to Karai, I have reclaimed my true name - Takeshi."

Splinter inclined his head. "Again, many thanks, Takeshi."

"Your apartment looks great, my dude!" Mikey bounced about the small apartment. The living room merged with the kitchen, boasting a small dining nook with a table that could barely hold four people. There was a door just off of the sitting area that led to a balcony with a couple large lounge chairs.

"Thank you, Orange." Takeshi patted the small turtle on the head.

"Forgive my rudeness." Splinter settled onto the couch. "I'm sure you have encountered my children previously, but I doubt they properly introduced themselves. The boy next to you is my youngest, Michelangelo. The tall one in purple is Donatello, with my adoptive daughter and his girlfriend April," They waved from where they had migrated to in the kitchen. "The scowling boy in the corner is my second eldest, Raphael. And this is my eldest, Leonardo." Splinter rested a hand on the shoulder of the boy who now sat next to him.

"Leonardo I have met." Takeshi moved forward, extending his paw. "I apologize for attacking you as I did that night. It was simply part of my job, along with being a bit protective of Karai."

Leo stood to shake his hand. "Water under the bridge, man." He looked around. "Speaking of Karai, where is she?"

Takeshi glanced at the closed door towards the back of the apartment. "Last I saw, she was finishing up an essay for class."

"Essay? Like, for school?" April asked.

"Yes." Takeshi nodded. "She is enrolled at the local high school."

"It was my idea, actually."

All heads turned to the previously closed doorway, where Karai now stood. She wore baggy straight-legged jeans, a shirt sporting the yokai high school's mascot, a cardigan sweater, and blue socks covered with small turtles. Both Splinter and Leo stood when they noticed her.

Leo started forward, but looked back at his father. If anyone had the right to give Karai the first hug, Splinter did. The man just stood there staring at her. Karai shuffled awkwardly, holding her arm.

"Miwa…" Splinter whispered.

Karai took a tentative step forward, navigating around the coffee table before embracing Splinter.

"Father." The girl whimpered.

Splinter took a shuddering breath, tightening his hold on his child. Everyone else looked on happily. April wiped a tear from her eye.

Karai pulled away from Splinter to glance at Leo. "It's good to see you." She looked around the room at the others. "All of you."

Raph snorted from his corner.

"Ignore him, Karai." Leo squeezed her hand. "It's good to see you too. We're all glad that you're safe."

"Hey!" Mikey pointed at the teens in the kitchen. "They're having another mental conversation!" The orange clad turtle must have had some level of physic powers himself to know whenever Donnie and April communicated telepathically.

"Mind your own business, Mikey." Donnie hissed.

April rolled her eyes. "It's okay. I was just telling Donnie that while I'm sure everyone would love to catch up and get to know you more, you probably need to talk with Splinter and Leo first. Am I right?"

Karai nodded. "Yeah. I'd love to learn more about all of you, but there's so much I need to ask Splinter about… well, everything."

"So you invite us over here and then kick us out?" Raph demanded. "Classy, princess."

"Raphael!" Splinter warned.

Takeshi chuckled. "No worries, Raphael. We have a dinner planned for everyone tonight. There are many wondrous things to explore within the Hidden City. There is Witch Town, the Hidden City Police Department's ride-along programs, the markets, Run of the Mill Pizza -"

"PIZZA?" Mikey bounded over to Raph, tugging on his arm. "Can we go, Raph? PLEAAAASSSSEEEEEE?"

The boy sighed. "Fine. Looks like we're gettin' pizza. You guys coming?"

Donnie shook his head. "The markets sound like a fun place to check out. What do you think, April?"

"That sounds good!" She agreed. The red-head released Donnie's hand to give Karai a hug. "I've always wanted a sister. Leo can give you me number; call or text me if you need anything or even if you just want to talk and hang out."

Karai brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'd like that."

April handed her the package she had been holding since they arrived. "Oh! Almost forgot. This is for you from all of us."

"What is it?" Karai took the package, gently playing with the curled ribbon tying the box together.

"I'm sure Papa will explain later. But we'll get out of your hair for now. We'll see you tonight for dinner!"

Raph, Mikey, Donnie, and April left the apartment with a wave. Everyone else found a seat within the living room. Takeshi brought over a tray filled with things for tea as Karai inspected the package she now held.

"So… what is this?"

"It is your birthday present." Splinter poured a bit of honey into his tea, stirring it gently. "Today is your 16th birthday."

Karai blinked. "My what? No! My birthday's in May!"

Splinter shook his head. "Not so, my daughter. The night Oroku Saki and I fought, the night of the fire, was May 12, 1997. You were already a year old. If you were informed that your birthday was in May, it was a lie concocted by the Shredder; perhaps marking the day you became 'his daughter'. But today, October 13, is your true birthday."

Tears streamed down Karai's face as she brought her hand up to cover her mouth. "I didn't turn 16 alone then." She whispered. She slapped her forehead. "How did I miss that when I skimmed through my birth announcement? I'm such an idiot!"

"No!" Leo scooted closer to her, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "You were looking for proof of your parentage, not the finer details. Now you know. And… you won't have to celebrate any more birthdays alone."

Karai smiled through her tears. "No. I'm never going to be alone again."