Author's Note: Again, more editing. You're reviews really help me out, and encourage me! Thanks so much.

Rating: PG-13, for descriptive violence and language.

CHAPTER THREE: Tearful Remembrance

Plodding down the hall, Raphael squinted as the sun greeted his eyes. It wasn't really the sun, due to the fact that the lair was several yards underground, but Donatello had found a way to light the room so it looked like the sun. He said it created a more natural feeling environment. Passing through the living room, Raphael found the girl fast asleep on the couch, her hands tucked snuggly under her small chin. He let a little smile peek through the morning scowl he usually wore, feeling particularly good this morning, stepping quietly into the room where he and his brothers usually sat to eat. Immediately he was greeted with a grin from Michelangelo, who was bent over a bowl of cereal and sharing a conversation with Leonardo, who merely nodded at Raphael over the Newspaper.

Raphael made no effort to acknowledge the friendly gestures, making his way over the refrigerator and helping himself to some orange juice, taking a seat across from the two Turtles. Even though he remained casual about his entrance, he still felt his brothers' eyes on him, trying his best to ignore the unwanted attention while he swirled his drink. He also had noticed the conversation died down between the two, and the silence that had crept up on the kitchen was beginning to bother him. Finally, with an exasperated sigh, Raphael set his juice down roughly.

"What the hell…can I help you?"

He shot his brothers an annoyed glance, specifically at Leonardo who had been glaring daggers at him over the top of the paper, taking another gulp from his drink. He saw the two exchange glances, Leonardo setting the paper down and folding his hands together.

"…Who is she, Raph?"

"Jeez Leo…"

Shaking his head in irritation with a roll of his eyes, Raphael crossed his arms, showing he wasn't in the mood for any kind of confrontation at the moment, his brow furrowing.

"Why the hell you askin' me for, huh? She told you her name, and that's all she told me. She's just a girl who got mugged and needs help."

Momentarily he glanced at Michelangelo, who slipped out of the room quickly. He knew he was going to grab Donatello, he always did when he went at it with Leonardo. It was a safety precaution learned long ago – if it gets too intense, make sure there's enough force to put between them to stop it.

"Don't gimme that Raph…she's a criminal. That thing she has is stolen from the Japanese government. It even talks about the robbery right here in the Newspaper."

Leonardo threw the messy pile of papers in Raphael's direction, some of it falling to the floor from his roughness as he stood up. Raphael threw a questioning glance at the paper, reaching for his drink and taking a sip, fixing his eyes on Leonardo as his thoughts raced. Her…a criminal?

His brother seemed to be reading his expression, his thoughts, the accusing glare he held on Raphael melting into question, taking a step toward him.

"…You didn't know."

Raphael gave a careless shrug, playing off his confusion as he stared at the paper with little interest, setting his empty glass down before resting his head on a fist.

"How was I s'pposed ta know? If she's the fugitive you say she is…and that's a big-ass 'if', ya think she'd just tell me something like that?"

Switching his weight back onto a leg, Leonardo gave his brother a curious look accompanied by a small smile.

"You're right."

Raphael raised a suspicious eyebrow at his brother, not sure if what he heard was accurate.

"So you don't know who she is…but how could you? You said she didn't tell you, and you had a point: why would she? But I do think you should ask her about it."

Ah…there's the catch. Raphael should have seen this coming. Sliding off the stool, Raphael rested an elbow on the table and leaned to the side, crossing his feet at the ankles, glowering at Leonardo.

"Oh, that's great Leo, real easy. 'Good morning, did you sleep comfortably? My brother and I were just discussing whether or not you were the foreign criminal wanted by the government, and the best way to kick you out. Would you like some breakfast?'"

Raphael saw the change of emotion in his brother's face, the calm exterior he always kept melting into slight aggravation as he stepped forward shortly to defend his statement, illustrating how easily he could be provoked this morning. Donatello and Michelangelo had quietly entered the room, trying to be very nonchalant as the monitored the argument.

"You know that's not what I meant, Raph."

"Oh? So, you weren't just accusing a frightened girl, who was almost beaten to death, of an international crime? 'Cause it sure came across that way to me."

"She's wanted for possession of a government chemical, for God's sake!"

"Oh, blow it out your ass, Leo! You can't prove that!"

"The paper, Raphael, look at the damn paper."

Leonardo snatched the paper from the table, the material unusually noisy in his green hands, and held it up stiffly between the two fingers of his left hand, his right extending a wide digit to point at the fresh printed letters titling the crisp paper, reading aloud through his teeth.

"'Tiny Japanese vile lost in big American city: teenage foreigner smuggles chemical into the big Apple'. They even put a picture of the thing next to the article! I can't think of how I can make this anymore obvious to you!"

With a threatening growl, Raphael violently swatted the newspaper aside, his eyes narrowing at his sibling.

"Shut up! I don't need to listen to anymore of this Bullshit!"

"Why are you refusing to make the connection?"

"I said shut the hell up, Leo!"

"Raph, you nee—"

"SILENCE! Both of you!"

Now beak to beak, both bickering Turtles tensed, turning instantly to face the Rat standing at the entrance to the Kitchen, the young girl at his side. His aged brown eyes scolded the two with a stern, dissuading glare, one of his thin paws holding gently to the girl's arm, who kept a trembling hand to her chest as she stared at them, her eyes unsettled.

"I must apologize for my sons, Yin. Apparently my teachings haven't been sufficient enough, to have them fighting over this like children. My sincerest apology."

The throbbing warmth of his blushing cheeks made Raphael uneasy, casting his gaze to the floor when he was met with an authoritarian glare from his Master, giving a quick look at his brother. Leonardo appeared to be mortified; his eyes were closed shut as he bowed to both Splinter and the girl, whispering an apology. Glaring, Raphael looked away from his brother, he murmured a gruff apology, hating the fact that he was just scolded like a child.

"Stop…"

All four Turtles and the elderly Rat looked at the girl, who now took a step back and looked down, her hands stiff at her sides. She shook her head when she finally looked up at them, her violet eyes almost tearing up.

"…Please stop. Don't get upset over me. You have every right to think such things…"

The Rat looked into her eyes, his own narrowing in misunderstanding, his other hand coming to rest on her shoulder.

"No. We did not mean to insult you, if we have. We are sorr—"

"No! Please…don't say it. You, of all people, shouldn't be apologizing to me. You took me in, helped me, gave me a place to sleep…don't apologize for that."

At the end of her sentence she erupted in a heavy sigh, running a doddering hand through her long hair.

"Please…sit down. All of you. I will tell you everything you want to know. The last thing I want is for you to feel threatened."

A dainty hand gestured toward the table before being tucked under her bosom when she crossed her arms, fixing a quick glance on Raphael. Raising his eyebrows, Raphael recognized the fact that this was a long time coming. Watching his family settle around her closely, he wondered how long this had been bothering her.

"What you have suspected is true…I am wanted for possession of a government chemical. A warrant for my arrest it out…but back in Tokyo…it has been out for much longer. I have been on the run for a long time. About twenty years ago, the Japanese government started a bio-chemical research team for developing genetically created beings…"

Through her entire speech, Raphael watched the girl keep a steady gaze on the table, one of her hands clasped tightly on her vile necklace Her voice was a serious monotone while her eyes appeared distant, as if she was daydreaming.

Her story told of genetically altered plants, animals, and finally humans, and how they were used for developing modern medicines. She went on saying how the government then shared some of its' research with a high profile military industry that tried something different with the new research. The turned the beings, specifically the humans, into living weapons, all of their abilities and senses altered and heightened for defensive and offensive projects. After accomplishing this, the girl explained, the organization made plans to sell the government their newest creations. The government, however, was appalled at such controversial and dangerous practices and tried to shut the project down, and cut all its' funding. The operation almost worked, but the industry managed to save some of its' research, and vowed revenge. The organization became a terrorist group, using its genetically created humans as weapons. Their success was short lived though, for the beings began to develop an awareness of the world, and a conscience, figuring out the acts of violence the corporation was forcing them to do were wrong. Many revolted but were eventually killed, only a few of the beings alive to hide or fight back.

With the majority of it's soldiers either dead or have escaped, the organization took whoever remained under their control and ransacked a government building for supplies, specifically the chemicals to rebuild it's army. Unfortunately for them, it had been stolen days before, by one of the very beings it created, who was set out to re-unite with its accomplices stationed in America. The organization, having learned of its' rebels plans, sought out the US government and warned them of what was headed their way, also sending several spies and soldiers to help along their plan.

"…Last night I was cornered by a ward and super soldier. Luckily, however, Raphael was kind enough to help me and…bring me here. Now, it's only a matter of time. Either the vile finds it's way into safe hands…or back to the organization."

As the girl finished, her head dropped down, her hands covering her face as a silence fell upon the table, everyone absorbing what had just been told. Raphael himself found all of this a little bit too hard to swallow, but felt no ill will toward the girl. In fact, he felt better about his decision to help her out; he stopped a serious international boo-boo from happening. Looking up, he exchanged silent glances between each of his brothers, who all appeared to be thinking the same thing – this was serious. Splinter caught the anxiety playing on his son's faces, and was the first to speak.

"This burden you have told us about should not be carried on alone. I feel, and I'm sure my sons agree, that we should do what ever necessary to help you get that vile into safer hands."

Slowly, the girl lifted her head up, peering inquisitively at the Rat, his gracious smile making her own lips curl up into a smile of her own, her eyes filling with relief, joy and oddly enough, tears as she pressed her hand atop the olden Rats'. She gave each of the silent Turtles a heart-filled smile, her eyes lingering Raphael before she turned back to Splinter.

"…Thank you."

The wise rat gave a dismissive nod, his other hand rubbing her back.

"It is the least we can do."

"Yin…?"

Now all eyes were on Donatello, who sat adjacent from his Master and the girl, his hands folded comfortably across his belly.

"You said that one of the genetically created beings stole the vile…but how do you have…"

His discomfort was clearly apparent, clearing his throat several times before he found his voice again.

"…How do you have the vile?"

That hesitation the girl displayed before flashed across her face again, only for a brief moment, her hand slipping from the Rat's. Warily, the pooling orbs of violet that framed her youthful face searched each of the Turtle's expression individually, one of her hands finding the length of her hair and fingering several strands. Giving the Master Rat a last undecided glance, she finally swept the hair to one side with a graceful flick of her wrist, exposing the pale flesh of her neck and ear, which was decorated with a spiral gold earring. All of those watching her waited silently as she carefully leaned in, one of her slender fingers pushing the crest of her ear forward, revealing a black tattoo that spun a complex design down her neck.

"You're one of them…"

Raphael noticed that Leonardo seemed to be speaking more to himself than anyone else, grimacing at his brother's intense interest. It's just a tattoo…she's probably not to proud of it either, being a branded label on her from the place she came from. Like cattle, Raphael thought, no individuality, no given personality, just a serial number – how degrading.

"…06…6…9…"

Michelangelo, who obviously had been dissecting the tattoo, his neck crooked awkwardly to read the numbers, leaned a padded elbow on the table and cupped his round cheek, his eyes still tracing over the mark.

"Those numbers…whatta they mean?"

Raphael watched as those big brown eyes of Mike's tore away from the tattoo and focused on the girl, a half smile touching his face. Cocking a curious eyebrow, Raphael saw why his brother was grinning, the girl's cheeks colored a light shade of pink. Heh…she wasn't used to this kinda attention…or at least this positive attention…

"It's a number all beings are given when completed…it's assigned as our name. It's done in a certain order…I was one of the last before the government shut the project down."

"So you didn't have a name? Just a number?"

"…Yes, only a number."

"…Oh."

Raphael caught the sympathetic expression that flickered across his brother's face, Michelangelo's eyes lingering solemnly on the girl's tattoo.

Splinter, who had remained quiet for a while now, took a deep breath and held a concentrated gaze on the girl, his eyes tracing the lines of her tattoo as well.

"Tell me…what triggered this revolution?"

The girl's finger found the vile again, almost instinctively, and she sighed.

"…0037…our Big Brother started it. He was the eldest in my unit, one of the few beings who survived from the first fifty created. Most of his generation died off from genetic imperfections and years of biological and chemical testing…but not him…he was strong. Stronger than all of us. Every year that passed, new generations spawned, supposedly newer and more advanced beings, but they were never like the first. They were more human than any of the others. More human…than even I could fathom being.

"Death was an everyday thing for us…we had all grown accustom to the beatings and torture. The sudden death or disappearance of a fellow soldier. They trained us not to feel pity, remorse, or sympathy – we were soldiers. We were not allowed possessions; attachments…we were not allowed feelings. Death was just that – death. Nothing more, nothing less."

Her tone was indifferent, as if she were still restricted to feel anything at all, making some of the turtles seated at the table with her shift uncomfortably. Her eyes glazing over as she drifted deeper into memory and thought, the monotone in her voice faded.

"It was dusk when it began…I remember the sky being so pretty. The clouds were pink and orange, the sky yellow. I saw it through one of the few windows in the combat room. I…I smiled, I think. Yes, I must have smiled…cause a younger girl saw me, and she smiled too, looking at that same sun set. It was the first time I ever let myself do such a thing…and it felt good. We smiled at each other, smiling because we were smiling."

The corners of her mouth curved upward, reliving her memories.

"I don't know how much time passed before one of the wards came up behind her. I stopped smiling. I wished I hadn't smiled at all. It was my fault."

The girl paused, her eyes wide but distant, the shine of new tears rimming her eyes, her breathing shaky.

"…He hit her. Hard. She covered her face, and he hit her again. Two more wards came up and hit her…again, and again. They didn't stop. Not even when she fell to her knees…not even when she finally let herself scream. They kept hitting her, clubbing her…until she stopped screaming, and moving. Then…they forced her to kneel in front of us all, so we could watch.

"I felt sorry for her. I wasn't supposed to, but I did. I looked at Big Brother…I didn't wanna watch anymore. But he looked back at me, and I could see in his eyes how upset he was. I didn't understand. He wanted me to watch.

"So, I watched. I watched her struggled to stay awake while she was bound and gagged. I watched as she turned her head and looked out the window, the suns' rays shining on her face. It was so bloody…so swollen. She looked at me again, and she smiled. I watched a ward pull his katana. I smiled back at her, and we both looked at the sunset. It was so beautiful. Then the ward cut off her head. He said that she was an example of what will happen if we left ourselves get distracted…and they told Big Brother to dispose of the body."

Those tears that adorned her glossy eyes began to roll slowly down her cheeks, her lower lip quivering. With a slight shake of her head, however, she quickly wiped the fresh tears from her eyes after she gave a weak sniff, glimpsing up briefly at the Turtles. Almost cradling her, the old Rat smiled that warming smile he so rarely displayed, his aged hands stroking her hair softly. He was pure love, Raphael thought while sighing to himself; he was made to care for others.

"It's okay, child…do not feel uncomfortable…"

She nodded.

"That night Big Brother gathered up our unit and burned down the laboratory…and those who escaped fled to the mountains. Many died…only three of us remain alive. I was one of them…Big Brother…and my sister."

Her eyes skimmed over the Turtles faces, each seemingly engrossed in her story, silent as night. Raphael took a small step forward, leaning on the back of Leonardo's chair.

"…What happens after you find your friends?"

"…I don't know."

Silence fell on the kitchen again, the tone of the discussion keeping a lingering fear and seriousness in the air. After several more moments of quiet, Splinter slowly rose to his feet.

"Yin has been kind enough to tell us everything, despite the danger she has put you and herself in. I think we should all take some time to think, but also some time to relax. The issue at hand is awareness; readiness. I advise all of my sons to train today, and to help Miss Yin feel at home."

Raphael took a step back and hopped up onto the counter, his legs dangling over the edge, his hands held casually in his lap, watching as his Master left and brothers' disperse. Leonardo led the girl slowly into the den with a quiet Donatello following behind the two, Michelangelo waddling across the room toward Raphael, dropping his empty cereal bowl in the sink.

"That was too deep for me, man. I can't believe all that terrible stuff happened to her."

Michelangelo spun around and rested his back against the counter, his thumb and fore finger cradling his chin in a thoughtful manner.

"Yea…it's sad. I bet she wasn't eager to share it with us, either."

"I have a feelin' we're in for a hellava ride."

Shooting his brother a quick glance, Raphael gave a heavy sigh.

"I have a feeling too…but it's definitely not a good one."