A/N: Well, here it is ladies and gentlemen. The conclusion to this random bit of craziness. I truly hope you all enjoyed it. You can leave your reviews at the door. Thank you all for coming out.

Seriously. Once again I would love to thank Mikell for helping me and laughing with me over this whole thing. Harmony, thanks to you to and for seeing the silly side of the TMNT world :D

ZathuraRoy... see what you made me do. LOL.. I had a blast writing this. Thank you once more for getting my muse kicked into drive again.

To all the readers out there, thank you from the bottom of my heart :D To Alex Hamato, PaigeSophie.X, DragonMasterOf10, Phantom77,MyMusesSpeakToMe, 54 Viruses, Second daughter of Eve: Thank you for your reviews and words of encouragment! I greatly appreciate all the support! :D

OH: and PS 54 Viruses... no not all Splinters fans are old biddies... LOL I am a shameless fan myself. The Rat Rocks!

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT nor did I receive payment for this fic. ;P

Chapter 8

Leonardo roamed from the kitchen to the open living room. His brothers were still dozing in the early morning hours, Raphael in the over sized chair, Donatello on the couch, and Mikey on the bear rug on the floor. Everyone looked tired, even in their slumber. It had been a stressful week on them all, having been practically forced to abandon their home to find sanctuary.

Leo continued outside, hoping to get in some early practice to ease his restlessness. Even at such an early hour, he heard random bangs and clashes coming from the old run down barn. Donatello was still in the house, so he knew there could only be one other person.

"Casey. You are up early,"Leo commented as he entered through the large doors of the barn.

Casey raised his head, peering from under neath the old Chevy truck.

"Can't sleep so I may as well be doing something useful,"Casey replied. "April is still mad, the guys are all asleep. I really have nothing else to do."

Leo watched as the man pawed at a mess of wires before he tossed them aside and slammed the roof of the truck with a force driven by frustraion.

"This thing will never run,"he muttered.

Leo turned and started out the door.

"Hey Case. I am going out for a morning run. Care to join me?"

Casey's face brightened. "Seriously, Leo? Yeah. Sure I'm in." He wiped his hands on his pants and chased after the turtle as they ran through the forest for a morning jog.

XOXOXOXO

By the time they got back to the house, everyone else was finally stirring. The tantalizing aroma of the scrambled eggs, bacon and toast greeted the pair as they entered the kitchen.

"Just in time. I'm famished,"Casey commented as he plunked into a chair at the table, wiping the sweat off his brow with the back of his arm.

"I see your manners have not improved much. I wonder what the fan girls would think of that,"April mumbled as she purposely dropped a plate in front of her boyfriend. The sound of the glass plate connecting to the table top cracked through the air.

Casey flinched."Ah, geez Ape. Can we just forget about it?"

April snapped her green eyes to his face and she leaned over until they were barley touching noses.

"No! We can't,"she assured him. "To think of those girls with their grubby hands all over you just makes me want to scream." Fuming, April stalked away, disappearing back inside the kitchen.

"But I didn't do anything,"Casey muttered miserably.

"Sometimes its just best to let things fix themselves,"Splinter suggested,wisely as he nibbled on a piece of toast.

"Honestly though. I don't want anything to do with another girl. It wasn't my fault. I can't help it if I have such good looks."

A groan erupted from the group.

"Sensei. How much longer do you think we have to stay away? It's been a week. Don't you think it is safe to return by now?"Donatello asked.

Splinter shook his head. "We better remain here for just a while longer,"he said. "I for one do not want to risk a chance meeting with them again."

Michelangelo snickered. "I don't blame you Sensei. I would be scared of Agatha and Cecil too." His laughter was cut off abruptly as Raphael walked by, smacking him in the back of the head. "Hey! Just saying."

Splinter coughed as if clearing his throat. "Ah. Yes. Michelangelo there is things in life that are best be forgotten. I believe that was one of those moments."

"Well I don't know Sensei. It could be your chance to..."

Onyx eyes flickered to Mikey's baby blues.

"Ah, Mikey. I think you should drop it,"Donatello whispered into his brother's ear.

Mikey just scooped a forkful of egg into his mouth. "I was just saying is all,"he mumbled with his mouth full. I mean. Don't you guys see the big picture? They were after us because they love us. All of those girls wanted us!"

"I think it is a little disturbing,"Don commented. "I mean seriously. Four mutant turtles and a rat? I don't see the attraction."

"Hey!" Mikey rebuked. "It's all in the tude, dude! Looks ain't everything you know. Look at Raphie. They were pouncing on him. If someone that ugly can be found attractive..."Mike ducked instinctively just missing a strike.

Once the four turtles were settled at the table, Splinter addressed them all.

"Now, my sons. You finally know the reasoning Ninjas must stick to the shadows,"he told them. "It is not a game. It is for our survival. No matter who the enemy is."

Leonardo nodded. "We understand, Father."

"Very well. I think you all have learned a valuable lesson."

Splinter raised out of his chair and headed to the kitchen, carrying his dirty plate and empty cup. Before he crossed the threshold, he turned to his sons and grinned as he over heard their chatter.

"...still don't understand..."

"... they are all crazy..."

"...we will never live in peace again..."

"...even Sensei has groupies...and not just those old biddies... but did you see those younger ones? I think I am jealous..."

Splinter chuckled.

"Ahh, my sons. There is one lesson you all have yet to learn. Age does not matter."

He turned and continued on his way, his head raised a little higher, and his chest puffed out like a proud rooster.

~The End~