TMNT
Mutant Kunoichi
A girl from our world is somehow transported to the TMNT world, where she is subjected to becoming a mutant not in body, but in spirit. Protected by the turtles, and hunted by Foot Clan, will she find protection or even love?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Why I Hate Valentine's Day
I woke up on Valentine's Day and groaned. "Oh, spare me…" I muttered, closing my eyes briefly before getting up and getting dressed.
I put on blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a pinkish red jacket, with a matching scarf. I added my black boots from the night before, and gazed warily at my sore wrist.
Then, I shrugged, and went to go brush my teeth. No sense in worrying about the stupid day.
I walked into April's shop. I had been informed by Master Splinter that the turtles had gone out for the day, and that he did not know where, so I'd eaten breakfast (Wheet Bix!) alone, whilst he watched his stories (Cody did break up with Donna, by the way). Then, I realized that I'd accidentally taken April's hairbrush from her bathroom, so I told Master Splinter I was going for a walk and, after putting on my sunglasses, I found myself now standing in April's shop.
I paused, when I noticed the woman behind the counter.
"Oh, hello." She said, smiling at me. "You're April's niece, Emma Jones, right? I'm Irma Langinstein – I think you're friends with my niece, Mary?"
I nodded. "Uh, yes, that's right…so…you work here…may I ask…?"
"Oh, yes, I also work with April at Channel 6, so she asks me to help her out here sometimes!" Irma smiled. "It's also a great way to meet guys, too!"
I wonder if she knows about the turtles? I decided not to ask, and instead wondered: "May I also ask…umm…how are you related to Mary?" Was I being too nosy? "Through her Mother or her Father?"
Irma paused, before answering: "I'm her Mother's sister…" She trailed off, and I decided to leave it at that. Luckily, April appeared just then, to save me from the embarrassment of being nosy.
"Oh, Emma!" She seemed surprised to see me. "What are you doing here?"
I held up the hairbrush, which I had taken out of my coat pocket. "I came to return your brush." I handed it to her. "And…well…the guys are out," I glanced at Irma. "So…do you need any help around the store?" I found myself asking. Yikes! I was so desperate for human company that I was offering to work! ? What the shell…?
April paused, and then shook her head. "No, that's okay, we've got everything covered…"
A display of African tribal masks fell over just then, knocking into a copy of the Mona Lisa, which clipped a pile of old Elvis records, that smashed into a mirror – the mirror broke into a thousand pieces, all over the floor.
We stared at it.
"Besides," April sighed. "Casey is on his way over…"
"How do you know?" I asked, and April just gestured toward the mess. "Ah…"
As if on cue, the door to April's shop swung open, and a massive bouquet of multicolored roses with Casey's legs came in.
"April, babe!" The roses said in Casey's voice, and then Casey himself appeared from behind the extravagant gift. "Happy Valentine's Day!"
April turned scarlet, just as a deliveryman barged in behind Casey with a big gift hamper.
"Delivery for Ms. Irma Langinstein!" He said, and it was Irma's turn to blush, as she read the message on the hamper.
"To Irma, from your Secret Admirer!" She squealed happily. "Oh, how romantic!"
This is why I hate Valentine's Day… I thought sadly, remembering back to that day six years ago…
~FLASHBACK~
A fifteen year old girl wearing a too-big blazer over her school uniform sat by herself in homeroom, watching as the student councilor handed out the Valentine's Day cards and roses that had been sent through the school's service. Name after name was called until; finally, everyone – even the teacher – had something.
And the girl with the too-big blazer was sinking lower and lower into her seat until, finally, all that could be seen was the top of her pale forehead. It didn't help that she was being stared at.
~END OF FLASHBACK~
I closed my eyes briefly, urging down the tears that were threatening to spill over. Then, I opened them again, as April was handing me a fifty dollar note.
"Go and see a movie, Emma," She said kindly – or was that pity I heard in her voice? "There's a great movie theatre down the street and then turn left – go and see a good movie, okay hon?"
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Swallowing quickly, I hurried out of April's shop, ignoring the fact that my vision was now blurry.
I'm NOT gonna let this get to me! I thought, as I ran down the white street, which was a dangerous thing to do. No way! So what if I don't have a boyfriend? So what! ? What it means is that…I can go and see whatever movie I want!
A few hours later, I walked out of the movie theatre, feeling slightly sickened.
"Revenge Of The Mummy Part 6, huh?" Two unknowing tourists awaken the vengeful five thousand year old mummy, whilst on a sight-seeing holiday in Egypt (where else?). Naturally, the vengeful mummy is vengeful. I had thought the movie might get better as it progressed, but it hadn't – the mummy had just figured out creative things to do with sharp pieces of broken pottery.
At least the movie had done what it was supposed to – get my mind off of this horrific day.
Which, is what I thought, as I adjusted my sunglasses and walked back to April's, until I rounded the corner and came face-to-face with an instant prize giveaway.
"Congratulations!" The man with the microphone said, as the crowd that had formed began to cheer. "You're the tenth person to walk around this corner wearing sunglasses, that's right folks, sunglasses in the snowiest day of the year!"
The crowd laughed, and I was absolutely mortified.
"However," The woman standing next to the man announced. "It's also the most romantic day of the year!"
"Aww!" The crowd said.
Oh no… I thought.
"So we'll be giving this lucky young lady a special gift!" The woman went on. "A special dinner-for-two coupon to eat at Guido's Pizza, the perfect place to spend Valentine's Day with that special someone!" As the crowd cheered the woman asked me: "Do you have a boyfriend, sweetie?"
I gulped. "Uh…no…"
"No?" The man blinked. "But…this is a coupon for two to eat at Guido's, a special Valentine's Day offer for couples only, so…" He turned to his partner and shrugged.
I was stunned. Then, my eyes brimming with tears, I turned and pushed my way through the crowd and ran. I just…ran. Away from Valentine's Day, away from the same feelings of loneliness and unattractiveness that seemed to haunt me even in this dimension.
I didn't stop running until I heard the sound of my name being called.
"Emma! ?"
I turned, and was nearly blinded by the glare of motorcycle headlights – how did it get to be night so quickly?
"Sorry," The headlights were dimmed, and that was when I recognized Raphael. He was sitting on his bike, helmet now held in one hand…and a bouquet of red and white roses in the other.
I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say but…somehow…I wondered if those roses were for me.
Raphael got off his bike and, roses in hand, came over to me.
He handed me the bouquet.
"Here," He said, awkwardly. It's like the scene in the TMNT movie, when Leo comes home and Raphael's not sure what to say. "Umm…Happy Valentine's Day?"
I reached out to take the roses. "Red and white…?"
"Just how you wanted them."
"You heard all that?" I blinked.
He blushed, slightly. "Well…yeah…"
We stared at each other.
I sighed – we were both still holding on to the roses. "Raphael, listen…we got off on the wrong foot, but you…"
We both suddenly let go of the roses and jumped back – and one of those big ninja throwing stars sliced through the roses, shredding them.
Raphael and I looked all around us, to find ourselves surrounded by Foot Ninjas.
"Oh no…" I whispered, recognizing the one who had tried to hurt me up on the rooftop. All the courage I'd had last night was gone – I was dead scared now!
Raphael was staring at the white and red petals. Fire seemed to burn in his eyes, which narrowed, and he took out his sais. "You baka picked the wrong day to attack us!" He warned them, assuming a fighting stance. "Those roses were special – those roses were for a special girl! Now I'm gonna do to you, what you did to them!" And he attacked.
I stared. I had never seen anyone attack anyone that way – Raphael was on fire, moving with speed, agility and grace. All of his moves were seemingly flawless, and he took down more than half of them in under a minute.
One of the others, meanwhile, had gone for me and, without thinking, I 'Force Palmed' him – with my left hand. I'd completely forgotten it was injured. I took out the Foot Ninja – but I also injured myself.
I yelled in pain.
"Em!" Raphael yelled, and knocked out two more Foot Ninja. He had realized that the Foot Ninja who was near me now was the one who had it in for me, and I backed up, not sure how to handle myself. I was fine in a fight – when I could take the other guy by surprise.
But now…
The Foot Ninja I hated said: "Remember my name, bitch – it's Andre Vasse!"
"I knew a guy in year seven with that name and I hated him." I told the guy (it's true).
"Shut up, bitch!" Andre made to punch me, but Raphael was suddenly there. He got between us, and kicked Andre in the stomach, sending him flying backwards into a tree.
The rest of the Foot Ninja exchanged glances, and then fled – the cowards.
Raphael and I were left alone.
"You okay?" Raphael asked me, breathing heavily.
I nodded. "You?"
He nodded. "Yeah…but how's your hand? That's the second time you've done that to someone…"
I gasped. "How did you…! ?"
"It wasn't that hard," Raphael stated bluntly. "Your moves were amateur and, well, lacked skill."
"I can't help it!" I snapped. "In case you didn't notice, I am an amateur, and I do lack skill! I, unlike you, was never taught – my parents never let me take martial arts lessons like I wanted to! I never learned how to defend myself, if a man came along and tried to attack me, I wouldn't be able to do anything!" I was slightly hysterical. "I'd have to rely on someone else! Do you know what that's like! ? Having to depend on someone to save you! ? You don't! I know you don't, because you're strong, skilled, brave and fast! You probably don't care, but I have had the worst day ever! Everyone got stuff but me, just like back home! I saw a horrific movie about a killer mummy, and then I missed out on a prize because I'm single! I'm freaking single! I hate it! I hate being lonely all the time!" I stopped ranting, and breathed heavily, feeling my heart pounding in my chest.
"You finished?" Raphael asked quietly.
"Yes." I said shortly.
"Good," Raphael nodded. "Because you'll probably have a heart attack otherwise."
"Well, it does run in the family…" I said, thinking about my Mum. "Anyway…"
"Yeah, what were you gonna say before we got attacked?" Raphael asked suddenly.
"I was gonna say…" I said, very quietly. "That you were always so awesome in the TV show…you were hot-headed, it's true. But passionate and fiery, like a burning hot flame. Your sais were so awesome, and I loved listening to your accent. The way you rode your motorbike, defied everyone's orders, and fought…it just made me love you heaps." I glanced up at him from under my eye-lashes, to see that he was blushing. "You're…the same in real life too, you know…?"
A slight breeze picked up then, and swirled the rose petals around us. Something about the setting just seemed so…magical.
"Em…" Raphael said. He sounded thoughtful. "What would you say if someone told you that you weren't just beautiful and amazing…but, also that you were strong in your own way, smart, funny and kind?"
"I'd tell him he was absolutely delusional and to go to a doctor." I said firmly. "No one has ever called me beautiful."
"I just did." Raphael said, looking right at me.
I gulped. "You what?" I whispered.
"I think you're beautiful," Raphael repeated, a little louder this time. "And…when you said you loved me from the TV show…well…I kinda hoped you loved the real me, too…"
"Oh, Raph!" I exclaimed. My eyes sparkled suddenly, as I stepped up to him…and pressed my lips to his mouth, kissing him.
I never would've imagined my first kiss to be with a mutant turtle, but…never mind.
The rose petals danced around us.
I was wearing Raph's motorbike helmet. My arms were wrapped around his waist as he took us home, and it was only my second time on a motorbike, too. We rode through the plowed streets, and it was one of the most awesome feelings ever.
The first most awesome would've been kissing Raphael, though.
I also smiled, thinking about how I'd had to wipe the fuchsia pink lipstick off of Raph's mouth – the guys would've teased him endlessly if they'd known.
Back at the lair, I got more surprises.
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Leo, Don and Mikey said, presenting me with the rest of the four greatest gifts. Leo had done the chocolates – man, that guy should be a chocolateer! Don should be an artist (lol) and a poet, because I teared up slightly at the card he'd made for me.
And Mikey…well, he should be a toy maker or something, because the stuffed panda he'd made for me was perfect!
"You guys!" I exclaimed happily, choking up a little when I saw the authentic Japanese dinner they and Master Splinter had prepared for us that night.
Behind me, I heard Leo ask Raph where the flowers were, and Raph said: "Doesn't matter."
I wondered…had I chosen Raph?
What did it mean?