Serena

I watched the aging rat's shoulders rise then fell to a new low. Leonardo's unwavering gaze was icy on my back. I hated being stared at. My life had been spent teaching me that if I was being looked at, I was doing something wrong. In this case, maybe that was true.

"Why did you return?" he said firmly. Splinter's voice had an amazing quality to it. Even keeping it level, she had the ability to transfer force and strength into his words. Something similar to what Oroku Saki had.

"I came to see that your son was alright. That he was healthy and… happy."

His body seemed to fly across the room as his face entered my personal space. Instinctually, I flinched, stepping back and hunching my shoulders. The anger in his eyes softened only slightly as he must have realized what he appeared as to me. Someone approaching me this always meant a punishment. It wouldn't be a habit easy to break. "Why? Why would a Kunoichi such as yourself pull such a stunt that would lead you back into enemy territory? You are a wanted enemy among the Foot Clans, as well as others. Why would you put your life in harm's way?"

"My reasons are entirely selfish and above all my own… And only my own." I said quietly, staring down the rat directly in his eyes. "I wish not to do anymore harm to your family. I returned to New York to finish what I started. I will not be here long. In fact, I will leave immediately if you tell me to do so."

"How do you expect us to let you leave? You know how to find us down here. Master, we can't trust her."

"Leonardo," Splinter silenced his aggravated pupil. But he did raise an excellent point. I did have no intention of telling their enemies where they called home, but they didn't know that. "My son raises an important point. How do we know you will not reveal us if we let you leave?"

"You do not. But what I can say on my behalf is I did not have to let Raphael live. I could have left him to the Shredder. I could have let their plan unfold to torture and kill you all. I could have led them down here at anytime while I stayed with you. There was a tracking device in my computer just in case I ran into trouble. All I would need to do was enter the right code. What I did do though was save Raphael in the end. I kept you all secret from their knowledge. I gave up my family, my thrown. Why? Because I never want to see your son hurt again. He matters to me." It took all my courage, but I said it into his unwavering chocolate eyes.

His gaze narrowed before he heaved another heavy sigh, "Which, is why you are planning to leave tonight, while he sleeps."

"He knows I am alive and okay. It'll take time, but it will be enough for him… eventually."

"I am putting much trust into you, young woman. But you have that same look in your eyes." Grimly, he laid a hand on my shoulder.

Somberly, I asked, "and which one is that?"

"The same look I had when I left Japan and said goodbye forever to the life I loved."

Raphael

"Just one more." Said Donnie slowly in concentration. I winced once more as he slid the hooked suture needle through the parted edges of my skin, finishing the last of my seven stitches. "There."

"Thanks," I sighed, looking over my shoulder where he patted on an adhesive bandage over the cut. The wound would soon just be another scar to add to the collection. We had moved into the dining room so Dr. Donnie could have better lighting. Mikey watched us closely, sitting backwards on one of the mismatched straight back chairs. He had on one of my grey sweatshirts with the too big sleeves rolled around his elbows. Down in the lair it stayed relatively warm so that we didn't have to wear our human clothes. That didn't always stop Mikey from raiding my closet when I wasn't paying attention.

The way he stared at me with his chin resting on folded arms, he looked like a little lost puppy. "What's up bro?"

"Nothin," he shrugged which I knew was a lie. I glared at him till he shrugged again, "just a little worried about you."

"Don't be, I'm fine. It was just an accident." But the way he looked up at me, I knew he thought I was lying. I guess I couldn't blame him. "How's your hand?"

His right hand that he sunk into Serena's cheek was slightly discolored from bad positioning. "It's fine… You're not mad?"

"How could I be Mikey. You're jus' lookin out for me, little brother." I tried my hardest to draw a smile. I looked over at Donnie who had leaned back into his own chair, "How's the… uh."

"It's fin Raph, just a scratch." He smile, rubbing the spot on his chest. My nerdy brother had pulled on his Harvard sweatshirt after he notice my eyes not being able to leave the bandage.

"I really am sorry Donnie. I just, I just don't know what's wrong with me and—"

"Don't sweat it Raph," he grinned, lightly socking me on the uninjured part of my arm. His eyes told me he already suspected what was wrong with me. I was lucky that he understood. I was lucky that I knew eventually all my brothers would understand. It was then that I promised myself and them I would get better. Not for me, but entirely for them. I gave Don a sharp nod, and he patted me on my shell. Just as we had patched up everything between us, sets of footsteps echoed from the living room. The three of us poked our heads out timidly. We caught Leo storming straight to his bedroom, grumbling the entire way. Meanwhile, a little slower, Master Splinter walked along side Serena. Her face was stone as he continued to whisper to her, only nodding her head occasionally.

I walked out from behind the wall, my younger brothers on my heels. Master Splinter squeezed her shoulder once before heading back to his room. As I walked up to her a brief looked touched her face, like she was in deep thought about something. When I got to her, her face went back to normal, even a small smile pulled at her mouth.

"Hey, ah… everything okay?" I asked, suddenly realizing that she was clearly over the excitement of seeing me again.

"Yes, everything is fine. Splinter just wanted to talk."

"My brother didn't look too happy."

"Can you blame him?" There was a sudden anger in her eyes that was quick to fade. Quietly she whispered, "don't forget what I did to you."

My left hand reached around to cover the scar on my right bicep. No there was no way I could forget what was done to me. I just didn't want to carry it around anymore. I could feel my brothers' eyes on us. I stepped back a bit, and slowly they took the invitation to join us. "Hey, Senshi." Don waved awkwardly, clearly not understanding socializing with his enemy.

"Please, my real name is Serena."

"Wow, another lie what a surprise…" Mikey growled below his breath.

Serena frowned and looked to the floor. Her cheek was red and beginning to bruise a little by her ear. Her face lifted with a slightly mischievous grin. "How's the hand?"

"How's your face?" He shot right back. She laughed a little before turning back my way. "With your permission, I would like to go back to the old room I stayed in."

Shocked by her formality, I struggled to find words. I mean just an hour ago this girl had flown into me with a hug. Now she spoke to me like I was her warden. I shot my brothers a look of confusion and the backed off. "Uh, sure I guess."

Silently she walked away. The way she turned her back on me so quickly, that struck a nerve. Was she just going to pretend that nothing had happened between us? I followed her through the lair and into the separate hallway. When I finally caught up to her, after all I still was limping and sore from the fall, I grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. "Hey."

"What is it?" her expression was steely and distant. She looked at me waiting for something, but also seemed to fear whatever would come. I withdrew my hand, self conscious about any attempt to get closer to her.

"Nothing I guess. I just haven't seen you in months. Last time I did see you we were both half dead, and ever since you went in with Splinter and Leo you don't seem to want anything to do with me. Maybe it's crazy, but I thought we might talk or something." I spoke calmly to her. The way she looked at me, it was like every word caused Serena pain.

She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. They snapped back open with a small smile on her face, like she had come to a decision. "You're right, I'm sorry. I'm struggling with the idea that I'm really here again and that I'm not putting you in danger or setting another trap or anything worse. Not being with the Foot anymore, it's been hard to remember sometimes."

I rested one of my hands on her narrow shoulders. She definitely needed to start eating better. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Yeah, I'm glad you're okay too," she gave my hand a squeeze before tugging on it. Briefly, our hands stayed connected as they swung between us. Serena let go and smiled at me, much more excited, "Well, let's try to do something normal, huh?"