Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT. And yes, this update is late. I didn't have access to a computer last night even though I thought I would. Please don't hate me ^^ Also, I don't personally have any close experience with assault or anyone that has (that I know of, at least), so I'm sorry if some actions in this chapter wouldn't be plausible. This is a work of fiction, so I'm calling a little bit of creative license if this is unrealistic. Thanks for understanding.
"Father?"
Splinter raised his head and opened his eyes, rising from his meditative position. His daughter stood in the dojo's doorway, donning jeans and a shirt that bore what he assumed was a band's logo. Her make-up had been applied and her hair hung neatly around her face. She was wringing her hands in front of her, presumably from nerves.
"Good morning, my daughter," he greeted her warmly. He motioned her forward, and requested that she shut the screen door, with the explanation of, "As you will soon come to learn, the boys can be very distracting. I would not wish for them to ruin this moment."
Unable to speak, Karai merely nodded, slowly closing the screen door. She peeked through the gap until the last second, searching for anyone that could help her. Mikey glanced across the room at her, but he grinned and offered a thumbs-up, oblivious. Sighing softly to herself, she shut the door fully, sealing her own fate.
"Come, child." Splinter motioned her forward, and she hesitantly obeyed.
She was about to kneel before him when he pulled her into a hug, somehow holding her tight without hurting her injured back. After a few moments, he pulled away and kissed her on the head. "Thank goodness you are back with me, my daughter. Oroku Saki was once my brother, but I dare not trust the man he has become with your care." He stroked a hand down the side of her face. "Though you have still become a strong and stunning young woman, Miwa."
The girl bowed her head, partially in respect and partially to hide her fear. "Thank you," she whispered softly.
His hand tilted her head up so their eyes met, but she couldn't read the emotions within his. She blinked up at him, and he chuckled fondly at her. "Words cannot express my love for you," Splinter murmured to her through the still of the dojo, "but I suppose that actions speak louder."
A chill tore through Karai's body, but she felt herself nodding anyway. Splinter observed her cautiously for a second, then turned away and crossed to the small shrine he had constructed on a shelf nearby, leaving her shivering on the spot. Sighing, she grasped the hem of her shirt and lifted it.
Concealing the object he was holding in the sleeve of his robe, Splinter turned in confusion at the rustle of clothing, then immediately whipped around again when he understood what it was. "Miwa?"
Shirt dangling from her fingertips, Karai blinked in confusion. She stepped closer. "What's the matter, Father?"
He didn't turn around, even when he sensed her reaching for his shoulder. "What are you…?"
"Is it not enough?" She blushed. "I was going to show you more…"
"Miwa…" He couldn't even find the words to say. The whole situation was just so… wrong. "You have no reason to show me any. What are you doing?"
"I… I thought you…" Karai glanced down self-consciously. "You requested that I come alone, you said that you were going to express your love with actions, and you told me to close the door… I assumed this was what you wanted."
He turned to her, his gaze trained on her face. Without looking down, he took the shirt from her hands and slipped it back over her head. She slid her arms through the sleeves cautiously, and he placed a shaky hand on her shoulder. "Miwa, why did you assume I wanted this from you?"
"Because Shredder always has."
It had been a furious cry in her head, but it emerged as a soft whisper in the real world. She hadn't even meant to say it aloud. In fact, she barely realised it had broken free at all until she spotted the anguish in her father's eyes. The next instant, she was slammed against the humanoid rat's body, strong arms pressing her into the worn fabric of his robe.
"Father?" she choked out, but she received no response. Something dripped onto the back of her neck, and she belatedly comprehended that it was a teardrop. Her arms gripped him firmly, and he didn't look like he was letting go of her any time soon. "Father?" Karai attempted again.
"I am so sorry for what you have endured, my poor daughter," he whispered quietly to her.
"It…" She swallowed awkwardly. "It isn't your fault."
"I should have protected you better," Splinter muttered, though he sounded distant.
"You couldn't have done anything," Karai protested.
Splinter squeezed her tighter. "I should have done something. You should never have had to live with that monster." His hold constricted with each word. "You should have been safe with me, in our home. Oroku Saki will pay for what he has done to you. This goes beyond a fight between two clans. He has crossed a line, and he will never be forgiven."
"Father?!"
Suddenly remembering that he was embracing his daughter a little too tightly, Splinter loosened his hold, but in light of new information he couldn't bring himself to actually let go. "Apologies. I was not trying to harm you."
"I know," she said gently. He kissed her temple, and she couldn't help smiling. "Father…" Looking up at him through her eyelashes, she hoped her vulnerability wasn't too obvious. "You would never do that to me, would you?"
He carefully cupped her face in his hands, shaking his head at her. "No, Miwa, no. I would never hurt you, my daughter. I will never abuse you. You are safe with us here."
Karai's throat choked up, but she threw her arms around her father's neck and cuddled up to him. They were silent for a long moment, but curiosity was gnawing at Splinter's mind. He had often chastised his sons for being too curious, though simple inquiry wasn't what he wanted. He felt he needed to know so that he could understand her.
"Miwa?" Splinter whispered softly. She hummed in acknowledgement. He sighed, "Can you tell me about it?"
"I…" Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat to try again. "I don't know."
He stroked her head. "That is your choice. I merely wish to understand."
She tucked her head under his chin. "I don't want to upset you."
"You will not," he promised.
Karai snuggled closer, and he cherished every second he held her. "He…" She took a deep breath. "It started when I was six…"
And just like that, the whole story came pouring out. From the first inappropriate kiss to what she feared he could have done to her during her recent weeks of unconsciousness. Every beating, every touch, all of it, even down to being unable to resist the chance to kiss Leo when it was offered to her out of fear she would lose him. Splinter was silent all throughout her tale, allowing her to sob and stutter through the story until she was out of tears.
Feeling vulnerable in the aftermath, the girl hid her face in the folds of her father's robe. "Thank you," she murmured.
His hold tightened again. Splinter couldn't bring himself to speak, his throat thick with unshed tears and unadulterated rage. Oroku Saki had gone too far. Not only had he destroyed Yoshi's life and taken Shen's, he had grown so obsessed with the poor woman that he chose to ruin poor Miwa's. Splinter could feel the years of pain, fear and anger radiating from his lost daughter, and in that moment, he would have slit Saki's throat without a pang of remorse or hesitation if given half the chance.
"Oh, my poor, poor child," he breathed, clutching her to him. "I cannot undo the years of suffering you have endured, but I can promise that nobody will ever hurt you like that again."
She whimpered into his robe. "Thank you."
"I love you, Miwa. You do not have to repeat it, but I need you to know."
Karai couldn't say the words, but she put her hands on his shoulders and pushed herself up high enough to kiss him on the cheek. He chuckled, and kissed her forehead, before hugging her again. "Thank you for returning to us, Miwa. Please do not leave us again."
She gave him a watery smile. "Good luck getting rid of me."
The kunoichi attempted to give him a product kiss, but he angled her head away gently. "No, child. That isn't… appropriate."
"I'm sorry." Karai sank down from her tip-toes and gazed at the floor to hide her blush. "I haven't been taught much about appropriate behaviour."
"I can imagine." Splinter pecked her on the head. "But no matter. There will be plenty of time for you to learn."
Splinter drew her in for yet another hug, gazing over her head at the photograph of himself and Tang Shen holding their baby. He glanced at the teenage girl before him and almost couldn't believe it was the same girl.
"Thank you for accepting me," Karai whispered. I guess with all this practice, I'm definitely getting better at saying 'thanks', she thought bitterly.
He rolled his eyes. "Saying that implies that it was necessary."
They embraced a few moments longer, before he released her and patted her shoulder. "I appreciate you confiding in me. Presumably I am not to tell the boys?"
"N-No, please don't."
"That is understandable, though at some point it may be unavoidable." He led her to the screen door. "Regardless, I cannot express how grateful I am for your trust. Now, I suppose I should let you go, before one of my boys loses patience." He frowned. "For once, I fear it may be Leonardo."
Karai giggled, but her hand rested on the screen door, hesitating.
"Miwa?"
She sighed, and asked quietly, "Father, why did you call me in here alone?"
He ran a hand through her hair, then produced a small pendant on a silver chain. The charm was a delicate, cherry-red sakura blossom, made of thick glass. Splinter smiled wistfully. "I purchased this in memory of your mother – and you, at the time – when I first arrived in America. I was going to keep it merely to remember you both by, but now that I have the opportunity, I want to give it to you. You need not wear it if you do not wish to, but it is yours all the same."
Karai glanced down. "It's… It's beautiful."
She felt him reach around her neck to fasten the clasp beneath her hair, and the pendant rested on her throat. Splinter's hands lingered no longer than was necessary to attach the necklace and smooth down her hair, and gratitude swelled in her heart. It was something she had experienced far too often in the last few weeks, and something Leo in particular rarely failed to evoke in her.
"It is," he agreed softly. "Almost as beautiful as you."
Karai blushed, but smiled at him. He reached across her to open the screen door, never breaking eye contact.
As Splinter had predicted, Leo stood on the other side. The turtle was clearly waiting, but was positioned far enough from the door to ensure he couldn't eavesdrop. He smiled at Karai, then bowed to Splinter.
The humanoid rat smirked. "Good morning, Leonardo. Miwa, thank you for our talk."
Impulsively, Karai gave her father another quick hug, then moved to Leo's side. "Are you joining us, father?"
He shook his head, a haunted look in his eyes. "No… I will see you all later. Now, I must meditate."
Both children nodded, bowing again and taking their leave. Once Splinter shut the screen door again, Karai turned to Leo, noting with surprise that he was still grinning at her.
"What?" she questioned.
Leo's smile widened. "I had algae and worms for breakfast."
Karai reacted immediately and tried to dart away, but Leo was already grabbing her and twisting her around. She shrieked in protest as Leo crushed her against the wall, though he cushioned the blow to her back and head with his arms. His large lips smothered her small ones, and though the taste made her wince, she laughed into the kiss.
The screen door whooshed open again, and a simultaneously worried and furious Master Splinter stood on the other side.
"Sensei!" exclaimed Leo, breaking away from her with a gasp. "I-I – We were just, uh-"
"Thank you, Master Splinter," Karai interrupted, pushing past the flustered turtle. "He was torturing me with his rancid algae-and-worms breath."
"Oh, come on! It's not that bad!"
Understanding, Splinter chuckled. "I see. Forgive me, my children; the screams were alarming."
"Sorry," she said with a smirk. "It was just so disgusting that I couldn't help it."
"Okay, that's it. Come with me." Leo seized hold of her and dragged her to the kitchen. "You're trying some algae and worms right now."
"Ew, no!" Karai shrieked, but she was laughing as he scooped her into his arms. "Put me down, Leo!"
"Sure. Let's see… You're too stubborn, you're hot-headed, you're-"
"Not what I meant."
Leo laughed as he cradled her. "I'm glad you cut me off; I couldn't think of anything else. Seriously though, algae and worms aren't that bad. C'mon, you can be the first human to actually eat it…"
"Not surprised about Princess," Karai remarked affectionately, "but Jones really couldn't do it?"
"Nope." Leo shook his head. "He tried it, but he spat it back in Raph's face after about three seconds. And April? She couldn't even try. 'Way too gross', apparently."
The kunoichi grinned indulgently. "Well, if I'd be the first…"
"Leonardo. Miwa."
"Hai, Master Splinter?" They answered automatically, turning to face him.
Splinter eyed them sternly. "I am expecting you both to abide by courtesy and decency, especially but not only in our family rooms. Do you understand?" When they both nodded, his expression softened. "Then I wish to congratulate you two on your happiness."
"So… you approve of us?" inquired Leo hesitantly.
He sighed, and admitted, "It… will take some getting used to, and I will certainly need some meditation before I can quite get my head around it." Their father smiled. "However, I can definitely understand and recognise affection, and would not be able to live with myself should I deny either of you it. Besides, I trust that you will both be caring and respectful to each-other."
Karai nuzzled closer to Leo, as both murmured a gentle, "Hai, Master Splinter."
Splinter dismissed them, then watched fondly as the turtle carried her through to the kitchen. "Oh, and tell your brothers there will be no training today," he called out as an after-thought.
"Aw yeah, brah!" he heard Mikey cheer, followed by a resounding slap and a whine of, "Ow! Not cool, Raph!"
Tactfully choosing not to respond, Splinter returned to the dojo, trying to contain his amusement.
Two quick notes in response to some guest reviews I've been meaning to address (you can skip this if you don't care, thanks for reading/reviewing/etc, see you next week xD):
One, to the guest who has kindly suggested a couple of times that Raph could have a crush on Angel: It's a really interesting idea that I like and might hint to, but ultimately this is Karai's story (even if there's some bits she isn't in, whatever), and the main focus is her and her family. Secondly, to the guest who asked if boys and girls sharing a room was an Asian thing: As far as I'm aware, no it isn't, but I thought Splinter would be hesitant to leave Karai alone in case she ran away again, and that he would trust Leo the most to keep her safe. Also, he could probably use his ninja-mind-powers to see that she was much more comfortable in his presence, anyway.
