(AN… I do not own the turtles nor the songs listed )
( SN… only the 2003 cartoons seasons 1-6 are being used for SL background. I wasn't a fan of how they screwed season 7 up, so for the sake of my story it never happened! And do not expect anything from the 2012 series!)
(Splinters inner thoughts )
" That's code for shut up and let me sleep you annoying Teenager!" she sniggered while closing her eyes to sleep " good night, Masta Splinter.." she murmured as she fell fast asleep
It wasn't just she had called me Master that was the most surprising to me in that moment, it was more about the familiar way she had said it that took me by complete surprise. Sitting in silent contemplation, I closed my eyes and let my mind drift back to the day that I had first heard the name and the discussion that had followed. It was clearer now to me that this in fact must have been the same Kira that my son had become so fond of.
( flashback two months prior )
" Raphael…" he called out catching his son red handed in returning home from having snuck out once again without permission " Come with me, we need to discuss your weekly routine!" he announced sternly making his second eldest bow his head in shame as he followed along into the meditation room.
Once they were both seated Splinter watched his normally hot headed son squirm under his gaze " Are you having a fight with one or more of your brothers every Tuesday night for the past several weeks my Son?" he inquired finding it suspicious that nothing of the sort had in fact occurred before these ' outings '
" No Masta, Splinter…" his son replied shamefully with his head bowed.
" Have you and Mr. Jones been out fighting as vigilantes once again after our last talk? " he then asked to make sure that this was not the case.
" Not exactly, I been in a couple fights but not like that… I swear " he quickly replied lifting his head up to show him he was being completely honest.
Stroking his whiskers deep in thought he studied his son further " So, you have not been fighting with your brothers nor have you and Mr. Jones been seeking out the Purple Dragons against my whishes. " he began to slowly list off what he knew before him " You have been going out on the same night every week for several months, coming home late smelling of Hot Chocolate and a slight hint of perfume, you have also been in a unusually happy mood the next mornings until you catch sight of any one of your brothers and I couldn't help but notice that you have been short one Kunai at the last two target practices we've had! , I will ask you this one time Raphael, is there something that I should be informed of before I begin asking you're your brothers? " he stated firmly, leaving his son with no choice but to confess the truth.
" I… I been meeting up with this girl who kinda saved my Shell when I was in fact trying to save her from a bunch of thugs." He confessed looking up at his father with fearful but honest eyes " Her names Kira and she's cool.. I mean she can be trusted but I've still been making sure not to give off where we live and that…" he made sure to point out firstly.
" I see," Splinter noted pleased to hear that his son was still remaining as protective as ever of his family " Continue,"
Smiling he rubbed that back of his neck awkwardly " Well, we just talk mostly… she don't like to talk about much about emotions or personal things, so we mostly talk about Ninjutsu, Wrestling, Music and stuff. At times when she can really tell when something's bugging me, she'd let me get it out and She never asked about where we lived or what not and I'd make sure she got home safely… I swear we ain't done nothin… Well, I did show her a few tricks to defend herself, and I gave her that kunai cause this one night I thought I could see some faint bruising on her and it got me mad. But she's a great girl! She's smart, funny, Has a mean temper, and can handle herself in a fight… and she's kinda pretty…" the last part was almost whispered but his father heard it none the less.
It was very difficult to remain visual neutral as he listened to his son go on and on about this girl as he could clearly see how happy he was as of late and the last part also confirmed his suspicions " This still doesn't excuse you from sneaking out of our home without my knowledge Raphael! As punishment I expect you to have cleaned every inch of our home, this includes the dojo and polishing all the weapons within." He spoke up sternly laying down the law much to his sons dismay. Splinter could see the pain with in his sons down cast eyes as he awaited to hear that he was no longer permitted to see this Kira again. " Now I expect that you will not leave here Tuesday nights … Without… my Prior knowledge! You may go to bed now Raphael" he went on to say before excusing his son. It was only after his sons had left the room and closed the door behind him did he hear a whispered ' Thanks Dad!' before hearing him run off to his room. Allowing himself to smile at last Splinter went off to bed himself.
( end flash back )
Chapter 2: Far Away (Nickelback)
Walking into his home after returning from his trip Splinter was more exhausted now than he was when he had left. He would be lying if he said that he wasn't the least bit nervous not only with leaving the young woman called Kira behind in a completely different world but it was more along the lines of how his second eldest Son will except the news of what had happened to his new friend that worried him the most. Taking in a deep relaxing breath he entered his home expecting to be welcomed by his sons as they normally would have done and when this didn't happen he began to look around and was greatly disappointed in the state in which their home was in.
" BOYS…." The old Rat bellowed out summoning his sons as he walked threw the thrashed and shattered remains of the TV area, the dojo, the kitchen. It looked almost as it did the time the Battle Shell made a lap around the lair. Giving the air a sniff, he was only able to locate one of the four and he was located in in his room on the second level.
Making his way up the stairs to the second level very disappointed in all four of the Turtles, Splinter soon found himself in front of the youngest door. His ears picked up no sound of snoring, video games or of his usual giggling while reading one of his comics, there was only silence. " Michelangelo? " he called out cautiously upon entering the room.
Stepping out of the bathroom and into his room with him while holding a cloth to his head was a visibly shaken turtle " Sensei, Man am I glad your home… You wouldn't believe the fight Leo and Raph had last night… him and Don are still out looking for him when he didn't come back this morning " he explained walking over to take a seat on his bed with his head hug low.
" Is that how you became injured My Son? " Splinter inquired gently walking in and over to his son in order to take a look at his head.
Michelangelo shook his head "What, this? Na, this is my fault. I was board waiting for you to get back so I tried walking up the stairs on my hands" he explained with a sheepish grin " Don't be to hard on Raphie when they get back Sensei. Leo just doesn't know that Raphs hurting bad ' cause he don't want anyone to know…" he explained hopefully convincing his father not to punish his brother to severally "He told me that you knew he had been seeing a Girl named Kira and well the night you left she went…"
" Missing, yes I am aware of this my son…" Splinter sighed heavily, then took a seat next to him " I was afraid that he would react as such when he found out..."
" What do you mean Master Splinter? Do you know what happened to her?" the youngest turtle asked as his stomach knotted up with the feeling that what ever he was about to hear wasn't going to be good.
" I had just opened the gate when I heard a crash and her screams" he began, feeling that he would need the help of his youngest son when it came time to break the news to his best friend and big brother " I only figured out afterwards that the girl I had heard may have been Raphaels friend! I had found her pined by her left hand against a building after being struck by a car, once I managed to free her I brought her with me to see my old friend the Daimyo. Which is where she is still as she continues to heal with our Samurai Friend at her side!"
"Why couldn't she have just come back with you, we could take care of her instead of leaving her on a different World?" he asked not understanding why he had left without " Donnie can fix her up…"
Exhaling heavily he rested his hand gently on to his shoulder " She has lost chunks of her memory Michelangelo, mostly dealing with the accident and of your brother!" he explained "Her hand needed to be amputated in order to save her life my son and even with Donatello tending to her, her mind is extremely fragile " he tried to explain to him.
" Oh man, Raphs gonna flip out when he hears this!" the young turtle exclaimed in a start of shock at hearing about everything that had happened to her " But…she is coming back home right? We can't just leave her there…" he asked worried that she and his brother being separated forever.
Splinter shook his head no "Yes my Son, she will be returning to our home once she is strong enough to handle yours and Donatello's offers of help" he replied teasing his son a little " Until that day comes I will be needing yours and your brothers help in assisting me in making sure a guest room has been made ready and in keeping your brothers from destroying our home further."
Michelangelo looked at his father completely confused for a moment until it hit him and his face brightened up " She's gonna live here with us? Sweet, I always wanted a sister…." He chimed excitedly inadvertently cheering Splinter up as well.
Standing up he patted his shoulder " For a time yes, she will be staying in our home. Just try not to be too persistent in ' helping ' her to regain her memories of your Brother, as we do not the extent of their relationship " Splinter noted with a chuckle knowing how stubborn he could be once his mind was set on something.
Michelangelo was about to make comment when they both could hear the three older brothers return with the eldest two still locked in a heated argument over the ones temper needing to be controlled. Sighing heavily Splinter received a sympathetic smile from the youngest before making his way silently down to the main level leaving the cautious turtle to hide once again within his room. He couldn't blame his son for wishing to remain out of the line of fire going by the condition of their once clean home.
" How could you be so stupid Raph, what did you think was going to happen when you run out after trashing the whole lair with your temper tantrum last night?" he over heard Leonardo growls out furiously.
" What are you gonna do Leo, put me over your knee and spank me before sending me to my room?" Raphael snapped back rounding off in his brothers face.
" Hey cut it out guys! " Donatello spoke up pushing his way in between them to keep them apart " We have to get this place cleaned up before Master Splinter gets home!" he pointed out to the two.
" I am disappointed in the state in which our home was kept in my absence!" The old rat spoke up after walking up behind his three sons so silently that they nearly jumped out of their shells at the sound of their fathers voice, much to his inner amusement.
" Dad, when did you get back?" Leonardo stuttered as he swallowed the large lump that had formed in his throat in knowing he was partially at fault for the destruction of their furniture.
" Donatello, Please see to Michelangelo's head as he had an accident while being left unattended! Once you are finished you both will be assisting Leonardo in cleaning ever ' inch ' of our home!" Splinter spoke up purposely avoiding his sons questioning looks. Taking a moment to look over his second eldest as he stood before him unable to look him in the face " Raphael, I will be expecting you in my room once you have cleaned yourself up… There is something we need to talk about concerning this troubling behavior I had been informed of. "
" Yes, Sensei" the three spoke bowing in unison before they each went in their own directions.
" I mean no disrespect Dad but how is it Raphael isn't being made to clean as he was also at fault here?" Leonardo asked in a hushed and conflicted as he couldn't understand his fathers orders.
" Do not mistake my orders as you three as being punished where he is not, Leonardo!" Splinter spoke quickly before receiving an apologetic bow from his son. Sighing tiredly he reached up and placed a gentle hand onto his shoulder " I am tired from my trip my son and under the circumstances that I will explain in due time but for now I am forgoing all punishment." He explained letting his eldest son see just how exhausted he truly was.
" I understand" He replied feeling his heart aching with seeing his father so worn out and exhausted " Good luck with your talk with Raph, I hope you can figure out why he's been acting so strangely. I tried last night and well… you can see the result" Leonardo explained informing his father what had caused the fight that destroyed their home.
" Thank you my son" Splinter replied giving his son a grateful nod before turning and heading into his room to prepare for his talk with his more unpredictable and often hot headed son.
By the time Raphael had stepped out of the bathroom, looking and smelling a lot cleaner than he had when he arrived home, he cautiously walked threw the central area of the lair half expecting his brother's to be glaring daggers at him for cleaning up his mess. That's not what happened as they were laughing at how Michelangelo had cut his head by walking up the stairs on just his hands as they were cleaning. Which confused the hell out of him because any other time they would have been pissed as hell at him. Shaking his head clear he exhaled heavily before stepping into his fathers room.
" Have a seat my son, would you like a drink?" Splinter asked as he took a sip from a small white cup a small matching cup and familiar shaped bottle sat on the table in front of him.
This confused the troubled and heartbroken turtle even more " Is that what I think it is?" he began to question while cautiously making his way over and taking a seat across the table from his while seriously wondering if he was hallucinating.
Chuckling softly Splinter nodded before pouring his son a cup " Do not tell your brothers! But yes it is Sake." He replied confirming his suspicion. Watching as Raphael cautiously picked the cup up and throw it back as one would a shot of Whisky, he withheld his amused laughter as his son grasped his own throat and began coughing hard while his eyes began to water.
" Damn…" was all Raphael could say at first before he then set the cup down for a refill " You call me in here to have a drink with ya, Sensei? I thought you'd be making me clean all that up then whip my tail all over the Dojo" he inquired honestly.
" You will be taking over for your Brothers in the clean when we are done having our conversation Raphael" his father in formed him as he refilled his cup " Sip it slowly this time!"
" Sounds fair!" he muttered lowering his head in order to gaze into the cup of Rice wine in front of him " So… What did ya need ta talk to me about Masta Splinter?"
" I know of why your friend was not at your meeting!" Splinter began causing his sons head to snap up and tears threatened to fill his eyes " This is not easy for a Father to tell his Son, hence the alcohol," he pointed out first before taking a sip " Your female friend Kira was involved in a horrible accident just outside the alley from which I opened the gateway to make my journey to see my old friend the Daimyo. A car had pinned her left arm against the wall and as no one was there to help her I was forced to bring her with me to speak the aide of the Healers"
He couldn't fight it and allowed the tears to roll down his cheek already fearing that she had been hurt " Is she…? " Raphael's voice shook as he was unable to say the word ' Dead'.
Offering his Son a faint reassuring smile Splinter shook his head no " No my Son, she was very much alive when I needed to return home, though she was still to weak to make the journey back. I left her under the care of our friend Usagi-san" he explained unable to tell if the frozen look on his face was that of fear, relief, anger and joy was a combination of all until he shaped out of the haze and slammed down the full glass of sake once again.
" Ha…how bad is she hurt Dad?" he asked stuttering slightly as his whole body was shaking from all of the unfamiliar emotions that were running threw him.
" We, Usagi and I, needed to remove what remained of her left hand just above the wrist in order to stop her from bleeding out! She also had hit her head against the building causing her to have partial memory loss, though before I left she was beginning to regain portions of her memory. I was only able to find out her identity by her calling me ' Master Splinter ' in your unique accent."
Lower his head into his hands Raphael tried to wrap his head around everything he had heard thus far " But, she's alright thou? Do you know how much she's forgotten?"
" She had no memory of the accident or most of the time before it, she only knew she had to be someplace!" Splinter replied honestly " This may be even more difficult for you to hear but I have invited her to finish her recovery here in our home once she is cleared to travel. She is a strong and most stubborn young woman my Son," he started to point out when he heard Raphael snort in amusement " … I will resume counseling her when she arrives as it seams as if our talks had been of help in her regaining her memories."
" Where's she gonna sleep, it ain't like we're short on rooms 'ere. I mean the room April used was no where near the rest of us an if she's…"
" I have already decided that she will use the guest room on the second level" Splinter pointed out cutting his sons rambling off.
Raising an eyebrow he tried to think of that room his father was talking about " Dad, the only other room up there is that one between mine an Mikey's that was to small for any of us…" he pointed out before it dawned on him " Your putting her between us? Why, what if she don't remember me or if she don't want anythin ta do with me now?" Raphael demanded to know as the idea of that scared the hell out of him.
" It's because I believe that is where she will be looked after the most! Now, you may go let your brothers know your taking over in the cleaning of your rampage! " Splinter replied sternly excusing him from their conversation. Once Raphael had stood up and bowed before leaving Splinter poured himself another cup of Sake before putting it back into its hiding place before he settled in to meditate.
( Daimyos Palace two months later )
Thanks to the skills of the healers, Kira was up and learning everything Usagi had to teach her about the way of a true Bushido warrior and of the art of meditation. Learning how to do every single thing with only her right hand sounded easier in her mind than it was in reality but her stubborn personality more than made up for it and it wasn't long before she was almost completely self-sufficient. Regaining her lost memories was a different matter and had almost had come to a halt soon after Splinter had left to return home to his sons. Their talks about his four sons and of the City had already helped her in remembering so much of her past but the chunks of memories from the last few months that remained missing bothered her more than she was willing to admit. As did the recurring dream of a shadowy form of possibly someone she had once been very close to only there was no sound or any other identifying factors of their identity outside of how safe and loved they made her feel.
Kira was standing out on the balcony outside of her room looking over the stump where her left hand had once been. The final bandages had come off after a long healing process that was specifically intended to quicken the healing of the nerves in her arm that normally would take months if not years for some people. The skin was healed to where it left little to no scarring making it less disturbing to look at, which still didn't stop her from keeping it covered in a cloth wrapping beneath the baggy sleeve of the Houmongi, that she had been dressed in in place of her normal street clothes that seamed to have been thrown out as rags.
She missed her own world, her old stomping ground called Manhattan but most importantly she missed her friend and savior, Splinter. Though she was very grateful for the company of her guardian Samurai Usagi, but it just wasn't the same. She only wanted to go home more than anything, even if she didn't remember where exactly in New York City that was, she still had been invited to stay with Splinter and his Sons.
" Kira-chan, There you are, I have been looking for you " Usagi spoke up upon finally locating the human girl he was charged with looking after. " The Lord Daimyo has requested our presents in the thrown room. I believe it is time for you to go home!" he announced knowing how much she had been wanting to return to her Third Earth.
Kira's eyes light up excitedly at first but then she looked down at her stump while her stomach tied up into knots " Thank you Usagi- sempa, We best not keep him waiting." She replied solemnly before turning and walking past him into the room where he stopped her.
Reaching out to gently take hold of her left forearm he looked deeply into her eyes and seen how scared she was " You have nothing to fear Kira-chan, I will remain right at your side no matter what! The Turtles are my dear friends, I would not leave you in the care of anyone I did not trust with my own life let alone yours." He spoke softly reassuring her of her safety before holding up a long dark hooded traveling cloak. Once she was ready to go he escorted her out into the hall to meet with the Daimyo who would be sending them to her Third Earth.
( Turtles lair )
The lair had been returned to normal and the fighting between the eldest brother had come to an end after the talk Splinter had with Raphael following the clean up two months prior. In fact things had been a little to quiet as the resident hothead of the family barely spoke to anyone. When he wasn't working out alone in the dojo or joining the others when it was time to eat, he would spend the remainder of the day in his room and head out alone to his favorite rooftop at night. His brothers had been understanding in his wishing to keep to himself as long as he was not shutting them out completely and attended practice with them. But all that changed when a swirling blue gate way had opened up on the small bridge in the center of the lair signaling that they were about to have guests.
Everyone quickly gathered around excitedly as their Samurai Rabbit friend stepped threw and was greeted excitedly by Leonardo and Donatello, while Michelangelo stood back quietly. His stomach was turning as he kept looking between the gateway and Raphael who remained back near the lift doors with his arms crossed over his chest as a second figure walked threw.
" Ahh it is good to see that you both had finally made it! " Splinter spoke up making his way to their visitors ", I have been expecting your visit for some time now" he went on to say as he then motioned to his meditation room.
