Chapter Six: Gone Too Far
I've always wondered why it always had to hurt...
It makes no sense in dwelling on what has been done!
I don't want to change the world!
I just want to live in it...
I know I should know better,
but I can't help but feel like I'm not strong enough!
I have to give in...
Months had past for the turtles since they have met the mysterious Rage. Over the time, they spent with her, Everyone began to see her as a part of their disfunctional family. She was always ready with a smile whenever one of them dropped by. The small kitten named "Shadow" had taken a liking to the turtles when they visited. It was like she wanted them to pay attention to her. She was truly spoiled by her new family.
Leonardo found a good sparring partner in Rage. They often were found in the dojo or on a rooftop squaring off against each other in friendly combat. Everyone thought those two were like twins in another life with the way they spared together. He had actually grown quite fond of the fighter.
Michaelangelo had found a video game buddy in her, and had become the best of friends. Rage was always laughing at his jokes and the pranks he would pull on the others, and had saved him many times from "Getting his butt handed to him" as Raphael would chase him around the apartment or lair. Those two were normally found in the t.v. Room; playing games or watching television. It was like they were brother and sister with the way they behaved.
Donatello had also found someone to relate to in Rage. He had learned that she actually disliked fighting and hadn't liked the times when she had seen Leonardo and Raphael fight. She was noramally the one to stop the fighting, even if it meant that she had to fight with them. He had also learned of how close she was to the younger siblings like Shino or Tyson, and had frequently remind them of how much they reminded her of them. He had also enjoyed her company whenever she visited them and spent time helping him with his inventions. She was always the first one to volunteer to help him around his lab.
Splinter had grown used to having the female teen around in their home. The girl would make him tea and have nice chats with her. He had thought of her as his daughter and possibly the only one who could help Michaelangelo keep the harmony between the brothers whenever their emotions had gotten the better of them. She would often offer to take the boys topside whenever he wished for peace in the lair.
Raphael had grown attached to the girl like his family. Only his feelings were a but deeper than the others. He secretly thought of Rage something more than a friend or sister. She always knew how to help him feel better whenever things didn't go his way. Over the time she spent with him, she knew whenever he was getting angry, and would normally ask him to go topside with her. They would spar together and would just enjoy one another's company. He had thought for the longest time that all her attention would be given to his youngest brother, but not true. Even though the girl spent time with each of the underground family, she had devoted most of her time with him. Him, of all his family!
Tonight was Christmas Eve, and the turtles have invited Rage and Shadow to their lair for Christmas. She had stayed up the half the night making some food in contribution to the feast April had been planning for the turtles. Rage was bringing deviled eggs and a few pies for the dessert. It was April's job to cook the main course at the lair.
"Let's hurry up and go, Rage!" April called from the other side of the door.
Rage smiled and gathered all her things she was bringing to the lair for the party. She had stayed up the rest of the night making everybody presents. She didn't have much to offer them, but the only thing she could think of drawings. So, she made each of the turtles a drawing of something that she hoped they would like. Once everything was in order, Rage quickly (but careful not to drop her burden) raced out of her apartment; her little kitten quickly on her heels.
Once they were all ready to go, April, Casey, Rage, and Shadow made their way out behind the shop, and into the manhole.
Casey looked back at Rage and saw her struggling to keep everything from falling out of her grip, and walked up to her. "'ere, Rage. I'll help ya carry somethin'."
Rage smiled a full smile at the man before her; showing her fangs. "Thank you, Casey!"
After a few twists and turns, the trio soon arrived at the lair. Leonardo was helping Splinter decorate the support beams while Michaelangelo was preparing the t.v. Room with minature decorations of santa clauses and tiny raindeer. Donatello was helping Raphael was setting up the table for the feast.
The brothers had looked up in time to see the trio walk through the door. Raphael finished with the table, and rushed over towards them; Leonardo quickly joining him.
"Here let us help you with that, guys." Leonardo offered, holding his hands out for one of them to give him something to lessen their load.
April smiled warmly at the blue-banded turtle, and handed him some food. "Thanks, Leo! These go in the kitchen." She intructed gratefully at the leader, before she turned to Casey and took some things from him.
Rage looked around for the Christmas tree and walked over to it. Raphael was following her with curiosity playing on his face. She had began placing the gifts under the tree when he tapped her on the shoulder.
"'ey, Rage," he asked in a bewilderment, "Who's presents are these for?"
Rage giggled at the turtle behind, and finished putting the last one under the tree. "They're my gifts to you all." She answered happily, getting up and stretching her arms.
"What'd you get me?" He asked playfully, knowing she wouldn't tell him.
Rage shook her finger at the hothead before her. "That's for me to know, and you to find out. Much later!" She said in a warning.
Raphael chuckled at the girl, and raised his hands up in surrender. "I know, I know." He said in a playful tone.
"Someone once told me, "Christmas isn't about presents, or decorations, or lights all aglow. It's about the love that you have, and the care that you show"." Rage said in a wise tone as she offered Raphael a kind smile.
"That sounds like something you'd hear from a christmas card!" Michaelangelo said in a goofy tone as he bounced over to them, laughing as he placed an arm around Rage's shoulders.
"So what's your favorite part about christmas, Rage?" Leonardo asked in a polite tone as he joined the small group.
"It's the presents, right?" Michaelangelo asked in an excited tone as he pointed towards the recently added gifts from under the tree.
Rage smiled and shook her head. "Sorry, Mikey. That's not why I like christmas." She told him in a playful tone as she walked towards Splinter.
"The food? I know I like April's cooking!" Donatello guessed, rubbing his stomach to prove his point.
Again, Rage shook her head. "The food is good, but that's not know I like christmas, Donnie." She told them as she went over to Splinter while he was adding a few orinents to the wrieths that decorated the support beams.
She had just put on a few yin-yang orniments when Leonardo came up to her, and began helping the two.
"It's the snow isn't it?" Leonardo asked in a thoughtful tone as he placed another orinment on the wrieth. "Or how about spending time with your fmaily?"
Rage giggled at the turtles as she looked over at the old rat beside her. "They're pretty persistant, aren't they, Master Splinter?" She asked in a gentle tone, looking back at them with a mock glare.
Splinter sighed and shook his head in defeat. "I may have taught them well in the ancient art of ninjustu, but even I cannot work miracles." He said in a tired tone, smiling fatherly at the girl beside him.
"I bet I know why she likes christmas!" Raphael declared in a smug tone as he pointed at the girl. "You like the games, don' cha?"
Rage laughed out loud at the turtle's idea, and shook her head at him. "You are the weakest link," she told him; mocking the game show, "The Weakest Link"; causing Raphael's brothers and Casey to laugh at the turtle. "That's not why I like christmas either. Nice try, though."
Raphael humped and folded his arms over his chest, and frowned at the girl. "Okay then, I'll bite. What you like about christmas?"
Rage sighed and went back to helping Splinter now place lights around the wrieths. "You're looking at it." She told them as she began looking up at the newly decorated support beam. "I do like everything you guessed at," she told them in a thoughtful tone as she smiled over at them, showing her fangs in the biggest, brightest smile she could, "But the decorations are what I love the most. I don't know why, but every since I was small, I always thought that on Christmas, everything just looked so... magical, ya'know?" She asked as she looked over at Splinter, whom was nodding his head in agreement.
"I understand how you feel." Splinter told her as he looked up at the decorations.
Casey clapped his hands; getting everyone's attention. "Okay, so let's get this party started!" He declared in a happy tone as he looked at everone in the room.
"I've got a really good idea, everyone!" Donatello declared as he took off running for his lab; grabbing Michaelangelo by the knot of his orange bandana as he passed him by. "Com'on, Mikey, I need your help!"
"I wonder what Donnie has planned." Rage said in a thoughtful tone, watching the two ran for his lab.
Raphael folded his arms over his chest and shook his head. "We may neva know..." He said in a weary tone; Leonardo following his example, and shook his head.
Not long after they had left, the two youngest brothers had returned with something very large hiding under an old dusty sheet; panting and out of breath as they placed the thing they were carrying.
Rage blinked over at the two in confusion. "What's that you got there, guys?" She asked as she pointed over towards the large object in question.
Casey rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Is dat what I dink it is?" He asked, not believing his eyes.
Donatello nodded and smiled over at his audience. "April was going to through this out, but I managed to save it from the dumpster." He declared in a proud tone as he placed a hand on the object.
"Spit it out already! What is is?" Raphael asked in an impatient tone, tapping his foot on the ground.
Donatello smirked at Raphael and ripped the sheet off the object; revealing a black piano that looked as if it were brand new.
"Oh, I remember that," Leonardo said in a pleased tone as he walked over at it. "It took us forever to bring that thing down!"
"So, that's why you wouldn't let me in the lab for three months!" Raphael said in a realizing tone, smacking his head in the process.
Donatello nodded and looked over at Rage. "I figured since you liked playing instruments, maybe you could play some christmas songs for us." He said in a hopeful tone.
"I do not believe I have had the honor in hearing this "wicked music" you seem to know how to play." Splinter commented as he stroked his furry chin; deep in thought.
Rage smiled at the rat beside her, and nodded in agreement. "I'd love to play for you, Master Splinter." She said with a sweet smile. "But shouldn't we eat first or something?" She asked politely as she looked over at April.
Michealangelo cheered and hollared in joy. "Yeah, food! I'm starving!" He said as he rubbed his stomach.
And April and Rage had set up the food (with Casey, Leonardo and Splinter's help). Once the food was set, everyone sat at the table and stared in wonder at the food laid out before them. There was deviled eggs, mashed potatos and gravy, turkey, ham, maccaronni and cheese, stuffing, sweet potatos (requested by Splinter), corn, greenbeans, small ham/turkey sandwhiches.
"Aww, man! Dis sure looks good, babe!" Casey declared in disbelief as he stared at the food laid out before him.
April chuckled at the man beside her, and tilted her head towards Rage. "Well, I got the ideas from Rage over here. The deviled eggs were her idea."
Rage blushed and began serving the turtles. "I just said the first thing that came out of my head." She said modestly. "I'm just glad it was a good idea."
"'ey, who made da stuffin'?" Raphael asked after he swallowed a fork full.
"That would be yours truly!" Rage declared in a proud tone, helping herself to some.
"I think you've outdone yourself this time, Rage." Leonardo said in an impressed tone before he popped some more suffing in his mouth.
Rage blushed again, and showed a small smile. "It came out of a box, guys. It's not that great. April was the one who cooked the most food here."
April studdered and blushed at the girl's compliment. "But you made deviled eggs, stuffing, and dessert!" She said in a modest tone.
Michaelangelo looked over at Rage in a hopeful expression. "What's for dessert?" He asked in a childish tone, eating his food with much speed.
Rage laughed and began eating. Once she finished her bite, she replied, "You'll make yourself sick if you eat that fast, Mikey. And I made a few simple pies." She told the turtles, and looking over at the rat. "And I made cheesecake, too, Master Splinter."
Splinter bowed his eat and smiled at the girl. "That is most gracious, Rage." He said in a thankful tone.
Michaelangelo sighed and fell back into his seat in a dramatic expression. "Man, Rage, first the presents, then the food, and the music after that." He said in an exasterating tone, "I'm starting to think you like spoiling us!"
"Would you rather I didn't give you anything and stay at home?" Rage asked in a challenging tone, smirking over at the turtle beside her. Her smile grew even wider when she saw him quickly shaking his head in response. "Then hush up, and eat." She said in a final tone; causing everyone to laugh at the youngest turtle's embarrassment.
After food was eaten, and many more compliments were passed to the cooks, Michaelangelo jumped up from his seat. "Okay, now for my favorite part about christmas!" He declared in an excited tone.
Rage looked up at the excited Michaelangelo in confusion. "And what part is that, Mikey?" She asked, not noticing the devilious grin on Michaelangelo's face.
"Presents!" He cheered as he pulled Rage up from her place at the table, and dragged her towards the large christmas tree.
Rage groaned and rolled her eyes at the young turtle's happiness. "I should've seen that coming..." She said in a defeated tone as Michaelangelo pulled her along with him. Once everyone was settled into their own positions near the tree, everyone had began passing out presents.
Casey and April are exchanging gifts by the fire, Leonardo had given Michaelangelo a gift of comic books (As well as from April and Casey). Donatello had given the piano to Rage; telling her that she could come down to play it whenever she pleased. Splinter had given Rage a set of her own twin sais. She gasped at their beauty, and gave the old rat a huge hug; making him laugh and hug her in return.
"Now we can see who's the better sai masta!" Raphael said in an excited tone as he smirked over at the girl sitting next to him. Rage looked down at the weapons in her hands; deep in thought. Until Donatello spoke up.
"You don't like them, Rage?" He asked in an innocent tone, tilting his head to the side in confusion.
Rage looked up at Donatello and smiled sweetly at him. "That's not it, Donnie. It's just... These are so great compared to what I have for you guys." She said in a thoughtful tone.
Leonardo smiled at the girl sitting beside Raphael. He looked down at the gifts that were addressed to him and his family, and picked one up. "I'm sure your gifts will be just as important, Rage." He said in a serious tone.
Splinter nodded in agreement. "Besides, it's the thought that counts." He told her in a fatherly tone; offering her a comforting smile.
Leonardo looked down at the box in his hands, and read the tag out loud. "This one's to Donnie." He said as he handed the gift over to him.
Donatello carefully tore the paper off and saw that the girl had given him a box full of computer parts that he had been needing for an upgrade he wanted to do on his computer. He looked up at the girl in surprise. "How'd you know I wanted this?" He asked in an excited tone; holding the box to "toys" close to his chest.
Rage smiled weakly at the turtle standing up next to Leonardo. "I didn't, but I figured you could always use them for something." She answered sweetly.
"Thanks, Rage!" The brainy turtle hugged the girl; making her laugh.
Leonardo laughed as well and picked up another present. "This one's for you, Master Splinter." He said, handing the present over to his master.
"I wonder what this could be." Splinter said playfully as he, too, carefully peeled the wrapping paper to the side. It was an old Japanese mirror with kanji written all over the back of it. He looked over at the girl sitting near him and Raphael and smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you, Rage. It is very kind of you."
"I kinda betrayed April and went to another antique shop across town. I just found it there and the first thing I thought of was you." Rage explained kindly to the rat.
"Thank you, child." He said as he bowed to her from his sitting position.
Michaelangelo looked from the ones who got their presents and over to Rage. "Where's mine? I want mine! Me next, me next!" He said excitedly as he held his hands out for his gift.
Leonardo chuckled at his younger brother's excitement, and looked for his present. "Here you go, Mikey." He said as he handed the present handed over to the youngest turtle.
Michaelangelo wasn't as careful with his present's wrapping paper as the others were. He ripped his off as quickly as he could and held it up. It was a few c.d.s of some of the new age music he had been wanting for a while now. "Oh, boy! This is awesome, Rage! Thanks!" He cried as he lunged for the girl; hugging her tightly as if his life was depending on it.
"You're welcome, Mikey. But could you let me go?" Rage said in a happy tone, "I want to give the rest of my gifts to Leo and Raph."
Raphael reached over behind Rage's back, and smacked the orange-banded turtle's head. "Let 'er breathe for a second, Mikey!" He said in a not-so happy tone; earning him a wack of his own by Rage.
She just glared at the hothead beside her and got up. She walked over to Leonardo and extended her arm towards her position between the two brothers.
She looked down at the last two gifts under the tree, and picked up the matallic blue one with elegant snowflakes decorationg it. She turned to Leonardo with a kind smile. "I know you like these, Leo. I had to really look for something for you." She told, as she handed the gift over to him.
Leonardo thanked the girl and took his gift. Once he had opened the gift, he found that there was a set of three books. One was of Japanese swords, the next book was of The history of Martial Arts, and the last book was unmarked. He shifted the last book to the top, and opened it. Inside of it was a drawing of himself in a mediating state. He looked up at the girl and smiled gratefully.
Rage blushed and looked down at the floor in embarrassment. "It's not much, but I thought of you when April showed me those books. So, I got them for you." She told him in a quiet tone, not looking up at him.
"These are great, Rage! I'm honored you put so much thought into my present!" He told her and a big brother tone, as he smiled up at her, and looked back down at his book. He remembered that the last book was blank, and looked back up at him.
Rage shook her head and smiled at him. "That book is like a journal. You can write whatever you want in it. Your thoughts, your feelings, hopes, dreams, or just whatever comes to mind."
"Thank you very much, Rage." He stated with a slight bow of his head.
Rage smiled at the turtle and looked back down at the last gift. It was a simple silver wrapped box with a bright metallic red bow wrapped around all sides of it, and handed it to Raphael. "You better like this one, Raph," she warned in a playful tone, waving her finger at the turtle before her. "This one was especially hard to think up of." She said as she handed the box over to him.
Like Michealangelo, he ripped the wrapping paper off the box, and opened it up. Inside was a replica of her crystal pendulum! Sure, it wasn't the same one, for the original was still hanging around Rage's neck, but this was a faded red color. And this one had black and gray beads around it.
Raphael looked up from the box and gave Rage a blunt strare. "Uh- Rage, I hate ta break it to ya," he told her and disbelief. "but, I don' accorize too well."
Rage blinked over at the red-banded turtle and began laughing at him. "I know that, Raph!" She said between laughs.
Leonardo leaned over, and looked over into the box that held the necklace. "Those aren't what I think they are, are they, Rage?" He asked in a confused tone; looking up at Rage.
Rage nodded and smiled at the turtle in her spot. "That's right, Leo. They're prayer beads. I got them from an old man before I came up here from Ohio." She told him in a honest tone. She looked over at Rapheal and grinned. "You're supposed to hang them up over your bed, or in your case on the wall beside your hammock. Think of them as Japanese dreamcatchers."
Raphael blinked up at Rage, and looked back down at the necklace in the box. "I-I don' know what ta say." He said in an unsure tone, tears forming in his eyes as he quickly blinked them away.
Rage laughed again at the turtle in repsonse. "Just say what everyone else has been saying since we started opening presents, you nut!"
Raphael blushed and looked back down at the present he was given. "Thanks, Rage. I really like 'em." He said in a truthful tone, giving her his best smile.
Rage sighed happily, and wiped a happy tear from her eye. She regained control of herself and smiled up at everyone in the room. "Now that all this excitement is over," she began; turning to the piano. "how about we all finally settle down and relax with some christmas songs?" She said in a calming tone.
Michaelangelo cheered in renewed excitement as he jumped up and down; behaving like the child he always did. "Alright! Hurry up and put those fingers to work, sis!" He said happily, as he rushed over to the girl, and dragged her over towards the piano. "I wanna hear, "Jingle Bell Rock"!" He cried happily; taking his place on her left.
Rage frowned at the young ninja turtle's comment and looked over at Splinter. "Hold that thought, Mikey. Let's let Master Splinter choose the first song." She told him in a mature tone, as she smiled over at the old rat sitting in the recliner. "I mean, you've all heard me play before, but it's only fair that the one who hasn't be the first to request the first song."
Splinter beamed proudly at Rage and thought about which carol he'd like to hear. "I had liked all the christmas carols, but I am most fond of, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas day", myself."
Rage nodded and turned to face the piano. "I heard the bells, it is." She said in a calming tone as she rested her boney fingers on the keys.
She looked up as Raphael took his seat on her right, with Michaelangelo at her left. Leonardo stood beside the piano with Donatello at his side, ready to hear what Rage was about to play.
The girl's fingers danced along the keys as she played the song requested by Splinter. She smiled and closed her eyes and leaned her left ear slightly towards the keys as she played with all her heart. It was such a wonderful feeling to play music for her new family. Being free to express herself so openly again was truly something she would never let go again.
"Sing it for us, Rage." April suggested in a friendly tone as she stood beside Casey; Casey wrapping his arm around her shoulders in return.
Rage smiled and nodded to her audience. "Here goes something..." She said in an unsure tone; clearing her throat for the song she was about to sing.
'I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old familiar carols play.
And mild and sweet, the words repeat,
Of Peace on earth, good will to men.'
Rage looked over at the young turtle beside her and smiled at him, as she continued to play the old song. From the way Splinter was swaying back and forth, she knew that it was his favorite song. She looked over at the two turtles standing at the piano, and smiled up at them as well. She could tell they were enjoying themselves, as they closed their eyes; Leonardo smiled and tapped his fingers on the top of the piano. Donatello opened his eyes and looked over to his oldest brother, smiling at the calm expression on his face.
'Now, I know how to calm Leo down whenever he gets mad at Raph.' The pianoist thought slyly to herself, as she began singing again.
'I thought how as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom.
Had roll'd along the unbroken song,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'
She looked over at Raphael, and smiled sweetly at him as their was a break in the song. She thought back on how he noramlly acted whenever something made him mad and how calm and happy he was right there. He caught her gaze, and smiled over at the girl beside him.
'And in despair I bow'd my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong, and mocks the song,
of peace on earth, good will to men.".'
Leonardo left Donatello's side, and joined Splinter on the floor beside the recliner. He looked up at his father and smiled up at him. He watched her preform the movements to the song when she sang. It was like she was empathizing the phrase about hanging her head and shaking it whenever it said something about dispair. Her tone started out calm and sweet for the first two verses, but when she sang the last part, it changed to a saddened one; making him feel sorry for the girl.
"She's pretty good, isn't she, Master Splinter?" He whispered in a quiet tone, looking back over at the girl playing the piano.
Splinter nodded in approval, and smiled down at his oldest son's praise. "Yes, she is very talented for a girl her age." He whispered back to him. "One would never know she could be musical by the way she fights."
Leonardo nodded and smiled over at the girl, and continued to play the song for them.
'Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."...'
Rage's tone had changed from calm and sweet, to sad and lonely, and now it had become more braver and stronger. Donatello was, to say the least, Surprised at how well she played the song for them. He could tell that she loved the song very much. He watched her fingers dance on the keys, as she played the song perfectly. It was almost as if she had been playing the piano for as long as she had been practicing her martial arts! He couldn't seem to get over the fact that almost every time she turned she had done something to impress him.
' 'Til ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day.
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will...
to men...'
Rage finished the final cords of the song, and rested her hands on the keys. Everyone clapped and cheered for the little girl sitting at the piano; making her blushed and laugh nervously in reply.
"Thanks, everyone!" She told them with a modest blush as she rubbed the back of her head.
"How long have you been playing the piano, Rage?" Leonardo asked in a brotherly tone, as he smiled over at the girl sitting between his brothers.
Rage thought about it for a moment. "About three minutes, actually." She answered in an joking tone as she looked down at the keys before her.
Casey stared at the girl in disbelief and studdered for a moment. "Dis is da only time ya actually played the piano? Dare's jus' no way!" He cried out in surprise.
Donatello chuckled at the boneheaded friend standing beside him. "Does anything really surprise you when it has something to do with Rage?" He asked in a friendly tone, rested his head on his arms, that were resting on the top of the piano.
Rage looked up at the smart turtle. "If you can play the hardest intrument, the guitar, you can play virtually anything." She told him in a positive tone, as she looked back at the piano and played the first part to Ode to Joy. "I found an old christmas carol music book in the back of April's shop and borrowed it for a while."
She looked over at Donatello and grinned up at him. "Even if there wasn't a piano, I would've brought my acustic guitar and played a few anyway." She told him in a sweet tone.
"You're very thoughtful, Rage." April said in a kind tone as she gave the girl a sweet smile.
Rage smiled back at the redhead. "Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I don't know, it just brings out the best in me." She said in a thoughtful tone.
Splinter nodded in agreement and smiled to himself. "I think it brings out the best in everyone."
Rage cracked her knuckles once again, and rested her hands on the keys for a second time. "Mr. Kemo used to take me and my brothers out caroling at the center of town." She said in a calm tone, looking down at the keys in front of her.
"Well, how about we keep the tradition alive and play some more songs!" Michaelangelo suggested in an excited tone as he looked through the book and picked out another song. "Here, play this one!"
Rage looked down at the sheet music and smiled. "That's a good idea, Mikey!" She said excitedly as she began playing the song. She looked around the room at the ones who couldn't see what she was about to play. "Feel free to sing along if you know the words to this song!" She offered, as she played the song.
'Deck the Halls with bowls of holly!
Fa-la-la-la-la,
La-la-la-la!
Tis' the season to be jolly!
Fa-la-la-la-la,
La-la-la-la!'
Everyone either smiled, laughed, or sang along to the girl's choice in the song. Michaelangelo sang (rather badly) and Leonardo began to hum to the song; tapping his fingers on his knees, as he listened to the old song. Donatello began singing, (Better than Michaelangelo, but not worse, either). Raphael grinned and chimed in at the "Fa-la-la" parts. Master Splinter smiled and closed his eyes at the girl's talent.
After a few short versons, Donatello leaned on the piano, and smiled over at Rage. "Which song is your favorite song, Rage?" He asked in a curious tone, as he noticed everyone had their attention on the girl.
Rage blushed and looked up at the ceiling. "I don't really know the name of the song, but I think this is my favorite song..."
Casey looked down at his watch and gasped. "Oh, crud! I almost forgot 'bout ma!" He cried in shock.
April looked up at Casey in disbelief. "I can't believe you forgot your own mother, Casey Jones!" She said playfully, hitting him in the arm. She looked apologetic at the mutants and began heading towards the door. "Sorry, for eating and running, guys, but we promised Casey's mother they we'd spend Christmas Day with her."
Splinter nodded in approval and bowed his head. "We understand, April. We shall see you after christmas. My sons will see you out."
April shook her head and smiled at the old rat in the recliner. "That's alright, Master Splinter," she told him in a reassuring tone as she looked over at Casey, "we'll see ourselves out. Merry Christmas, everyone."
"Merry Christmas, April and Casey!" Michaelangelo, Rage and Raphael said at the same time.
April smiled and waved goodbye to the mutants and dragged Casey along by the ear. "You're gonna have some explaining to do when we see your mother, Casey Jones." She said in a displeased tone.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Casey cried as April drug him along. "I ain't no kid no more, babe! I can walk on my own!"
Michaelangelo sighed and shook his head in shame. "I'm beginning to feel sorry for Casey." He said in a sympathetic tone.
"Yeah, almost." Raphael said with an arrogant chuckle, as he folded his arms over his chest.
"So, what do we do now?" Donatello asked; looking at everyone around him for any suggestion.
Rage looked down at the piano and grinned at the keys. Without another word, she began playing the song that was her most favorite.
'I'm thinkin' 'bout christmas back home.
In Pewter City,
the lights are pretty.
And even though I love to roam.
On Christmas Eve I,
Make believe I'm home!
I close my eyes and I see,
My friends, my family!
And all the times that I shared,
With all the people who care!
I'll be so far away,
From them on Christmas Day!
And though we may be apart,
I keep my home in my heart!'
Everyone was beginning to turn in for the night. Leonardo helped Splinter to his room, and Donatello helped a staggering Michaelangelo to his room, where he in turned went off to his own room for the night. Leonardo looked back at the still on the piano, after he had came out of Splinter's room, and smiled. Raphael had been having so much fun watching Rage play the piano, that he was beginning to slouch his shoulders; feeling tired himself, and went to sit in the recliner where Splinter had just been, and listened to the song.
'I'm thinking 'bout my sisters back home!
The bells would ring to songs we'd sing.
And even though I love to roam,
On Christmas Eve, I,
Make believe I'm home!
I close my eyes and I see,
My friends, my family!
And all the times that I share,
With all the people who care!
I'll be so far away,
From them on Christmas Day!
And though we may be apart,
I keep my home in my heart!'
Leonardo felt himself losing to his fight against his drowziness, and began nodding off; not noticing that Raphael had placed his head on Rage's shoulder. She didn't even notice until she looked over at the two oldest brothers, and smiled to herself.
'When you're out on your own,
You're always alone!
Even when there's somebody there!
But when you know from the start,
There's a home in your heart.
You can go- anywhere!'
"Merry Christmas, Raph and Leo..." Rage whispered as she kept playing random carols at the piano...
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, I good night!