A/N: Ok, a reviewer known as Vondrakenhof has pointed out that Kuro's name should read "Oroku Kuro" instead of "Kuro Saki". I know that in Japanese, the family name comes before the person's name, but I think some of my internet sources aren't very reliable. Does anyone know for sure which is supposed to be Shredder's family name? I want to be absolutely sure, because I'm halfway done with this story and I don't want to make any more mistakes!

(sigh) sorry, I'm just a perfectionist. If someone wants to verify where they got their info and tell me what the deal is with this family names thing, please tell me. Thank you!

Chapter Twenty- The Twist

Splinter didn't open his eyes just yet. He only listened.

Crackling wood….

Hurried footsteps…

Screaming…..

Then, he opened his eyes and realized that the hurried footsteps were his own, the crackling wood was the burning house surrounding him, and the screaming were the wails that came from further inside the house. Splinter stopped running when he saw a familiar figure up ahead. The figure was more of a silhouette, but Splinter could recognize those claws anywhere.

"Oroku!" Splinter shouted. "Where are my sons?"

"You have no sons." Oroku Saki laughed. "However, I believe your wife and daughter are need of your help."

Oroku Saki disappeared before Splinter could speak again. He looked down and realized he was still a rat, but this was indeed his old house back in Japan. He heard the wails again, and he recognized them as the same wails that woke him when his infant daughter had a nightmare.

"Miwa!" Splinter called. The humanoid rat hurried through the house and reached his daughter's room in minutes. He approached the makeshift futon bed/crib and picked up his baby daughter. He held Miwa close and sprinted from the room and down the hall. When he felt a bit safer, he opened his arms to look down at his daughter. The tiny infant, mere months old, giggled at the sight of her father and tugged on his whiskers. Splinter laughed and ruffled the hair on Miwa's head. He jumped when a burned beam fell just inches away from them. Miwa whimpered and trembled, but amazingly enough didn't scream.

"Hold on, Miwa." Splinter said softly. He wrapped his arms around his daughter and held her close. He charged for the rice paper window. He jumped forward and curled into a ball, keeping Miwa surrounded and protected. He burst through the rice paper and landed hard on the floor….on the concrete floor….

Splinter opened his eyes and found himself back in the lair. But everything was quiet and still; the boys nowhere in sight. Even the normal sounds of the subway and running water were gone. It may have looked like the lair, but it certainly didn't sound like it. Splinter looked behind him, but all he saw was the dojo instead of the burning house he swore he just jumped through. He remained kneeling on the ground, his arms still wrapped around Miwa. He unfolded his arms to look down at his daughter, but his eyes widened in surprise.

Baby Miwa did not rest in his arms, but Kuro did.

"Kuro?" Splinter gently shook the girl, but she didn't move. She stayed still and limp, dressed all in black with her gauntlets strapped to her wrists. Her hair hung loose and splayed out and she hardly breathed. "Kuro, are you all right?" Splinter shook Kuro again, but she refused to move. Splinter heard a cruel laugh and looked up to find himself in Shredder's throne room. And sitting in his simple yet sharp looking throne was Shredder himself. He glared at Splinter from under his helmet, his eyes glowing a deep red. Splinter held Kuro closer to him, but he realized that the girl was no longer in his arms. He looked up again and saw Kuro standing at the bottom of the steps leading to Shredder. Her hair was pulled in a braid down her back and her claws were unsheathed. Splinter tried to stand and approach her, but he found his wrists in chains and the chains attached to the floor, keeping him in the kneeling position on the ground.

"Kuro, my child." Shredder said, his deep voice echoing from under his helmet. "Kill him."

Kuro's eyes locked with Splinter's. "Yes Oroku Saki, my father."

Kuro lunged, her blades aimed for Splinter's heart.

Splinter gasped and bolted upright, realizing he fell asleep during his meditation. He breathed a little hard, staring with wide eyes at nothing in particular. He held his head in his paw-like hand, his eyes darting around a little. He stood abruptly, pacing a little as he pondered this...dream? Vision? What?

The boys and Kuro jumped as Splinter rushed past them. "Sensei?" Donnie asked worriedly.

"I am fine." Splinter assured. "I just need to clear my head."

"What happened?" Leo asked. But Splinter had already disappeared into the sewer tunnels, out of sight.

"What got him so worked up?" Kuro scoffed, flipping through a book.

"Who knows?" Raph shrugged. "But who cares? Splinter can take care of himself."

"Still, I haven't seen him like that since the Rat King." Donnie noted.

"Should we go after him?" Mikey asked.

"Nah, let him clear his head." Leo assured. "He doesn't like to talk about things like this."

Kuro turned another page of her book. "So what should we do today?"

"What do you mean?" Donnie asked.

"There's nothing to do." Kuro shrugged. "All you guys do is just hang until nighttime. I'm bored!"

"Not much we can do about that." Raph took out his sais and leaned on the hilts, starting some pushups. "You wanna sit on my shell while I do pushups?"

"Not a chance in smurf." Kuro laughed, but only received blank stares from the turtle brothers. "Skip it." She stood and stretched. "You guys got any tea?"

"There's some in the cabinets." Donnie reported as he walked off to his lab. Kuro sighed in relief and hurried off to the kitchen. She rummaged through the cabinets, muttering to herself. "Tea...oh tea...come out, come out, wherever you are..."

"Looking for this?"

Kuro almost hit her head when she jumped to her feet. "Must you do that?"

Mikey laughed as he set pot of water on the stove and turned on the burner. "Can't help myself I guess."

Kuro rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing along with him. "How did you get to be so nice and trusting?"

"I dunno." Mikey shrugged, pouring some water into two mugs. "Natural, I guess." He handed a mug to Kuro. "And...I feel comfortable around you. I feel like I can talk to or scare you and trust that you won't hit me on the head."

"Thank you." Kuro smiled warmly. "I feel really comfortable around you. You're so nice." I wonder if I...no, I shouldn't.

"Well, I guess it's nice to have another girl besides April around." Mikey shrugged. "Especially when she's pretty like you." Suddenly, his face turned red and his cheeks burned when he realized what he just said. He quickly started sipping his tea, trying to look busy.

Kuro only giggled. She set her cup down and smirked at Mikey. "Hey, Mikey..."

Splinter's fast pace made his surroundings a blur of colors. He was hardly aware of where he was going and which way he turned. Without even realizing it, he went on all fours and scurried through the tunnels, allowing the animalistic side of his mutation come out and take some control. After a few minutes of running, he skidded to a halt, panting. He took a few calm, meditative breaths, burying the feral rat that sometimes liked to come up. Finally, he sat down and cross his legs, closing his eyes and meditating.

What could this mean? Splinter thought. How can it be that these events interchanged so quickly, yet it all makes sense? Is it possible that Kuro is truly Shredder's daughter? He shook his head. No, that is not possible. It cannot be. But...then why did Kuro appear in my dream as she did? Splinter sighed and looked up, allowing the streams of sunlight coming from the grate above his head to meet his face. "What does this mean?" He asked no one in particular, but his thoughts traveled to his beloved Tang Shen. "What can this mean?" He sighed and bowed his head, his ears flattening. "Tang Shen...I do not know what to do. I need you here by my side. You were always the calm to my storm, especially when I lost my temper. But you're not here." His fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. "And it's because of me." He spun around and punched the concrete wall, leaving a few good-sized cracks.

Mew

Splinter jumped a little when something sharp pricked his tail, and he spun around to see. He blinked in surprise when he saw a tiny kitten, dark grey with light blue eyes, gnawing on his tail and playing with it as though it were a chew toy. Splinter gently pushed the baby feline off, but it only jumped after his tail again.

"Now come on." Splinter scolded gently. "Get off."

The kitten mewed again, rubbing its head against Splinter's hand.

"No, no." Splinter pushed the kitten aside. "Go on, now. Go home." He stood and walked off, but the kitten trailed after him. "Go on, shoo. Go home. Go back to your family." But the kitten kept following him until he finally picked it up and carried it up to the surface. He plopped the grey kitten down. "Now go home." He ordered gently. "Go back to your mother. Go on." He slid back down the manhole before the kitten could follow. He felt a little guilty leaving the tiny creature alone, but reasoned with himself; he had four boys to take care of. Besides, the kitten brought back too many memories.

A sharp yowl and loud growls made Splinter stop and spin around. Without even thinking, he turned and ran back to the manhole, hurrying up and shoving he cover off. He looked all around before his eyes settled on the grey kitten, cornered and surrounded by some vicious-looking stray dogs. The kitten cowered in its corner, mewing fearfully as the first dog lunged for it, intent on turning it into a meal. The dog was halted, however, when Splinter grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and tossed it aside. The dogs growled and snarled at the humanoid rat, not deterred in the least. They had seen rats before, and ate a few for a snack; surely a larger rat was no match for them. So the dogs lunged again, unaware of the true strength of their adversary. Splinter grabbed one dog and threw it into another, sending both of them crashing into a couple trashcans. A third dog snapped at Splinter's legs, but he swiftly kicked the canine in the jaw. The dog whined and yelped, crashing into a dumpster. The fourth and final dog lunged for the kitten, but Splinter punched the dog's stomach and sent him flying back into a wall. The first and third dog each charged for Splinter, but Splinter jumped up and the dogs collided. The second dog suddenly jumped up, aiming his snarling jaws at Splinter's face. The largest of the four dogs had just enough weight to knock Splinter to the ground. Splinter grit his teeth as he held the dog's jaws open, preventing it from tearing out his throat. He noticed the fourth and third dog slowly advancing toward him, snarling. The first dog prowled towards the kitten. But the little grey cat suddenly darted off and leaped at the dog on top of Splinter, yowling as it clawed the dog's face. The dog yelped and whined, jumping off Splinter and shaking the kitten off. The dog snapped at the kitten, but Splinter's tail suddenly smacked its snout.

"Go on, get!" Splinter shouted after the fleeing dogs. "Get out of here you mongrels!" He glared after the dogs until they disappeared. Shouts came from the apartment windows above Splinter's head, and he quickly scooped up the grey kitten and slipped down into the sewers. He leaned against the wall, breathing slowly and calmly. He looked down at the little kitten in his hands, so small it could curl up in his palm. It was also dreadfully skinny; Splinter could count each of her ribs. The only reason he could tell it was a "she" because of her very feminine eyes. The kitten purred loudly, rubbing her mouth against Splinter's fingers.

"You are a sly little thing." Splinter smiled. "And so thin. I think some warm broth would do you some good." He held the kitten close, tickling her stomach and letting her teeth his fingers.

"I want to show you something." Kuro told Mikey.

"What is it?" Mikey asked excitedly. Kuro looked around the kitchen, making sure nobody was around. But the rest of the boys were still in the living room (out of earshot) and Splinter was still on his walk in the sewers.

"Now, this is highly secret." Kuro explained. "You can't tell anyone about this. Understand?"

Mikey nodded happily. "What is it? What is it?"

Kuro looked around one last time and pulled out her turtle charm necklace, holding it out for Mikey to see. "I've had this charm all my life. A fellow comrade gave it to me, telling me it was mine. He left before I could ask how he knew, but somehow I felt like this truly belonged to me."

"It's so cute!" Mikey almost squealed. "I love it!"

"It gets better." Kuro said excitedly. "Look." She turned the turtle charm over so that Mikey could see its silver plastron. Mikey noticed Japanese characters carved into it. He recognized the lettering Splinter described as 'hiragana' and cocked his head.

"'Miwa'?" he read questioningly. "Where did you get this?"

"Like I said, a friend gave it to me." Kuro shrugged. "He said he saved it from my house when it burned down."

Mikey's eyes widened in realization. "Kuro, is this your real name?"

Kuro smiled and shrugged. "I don't know, really. But I think it is. My father called me Kuro my entire life. But I have a feeling this used to be my name. It feels like it's…a part of me."

Mikey didn't say anything at first. His thoughts were racing. Burning house…..Miwa…it can't be….

"I just feel like you should know." Kuro shrugged, stowing away the charm. "You are free to call me that whenever we are alone. But I don't want anyone else to know this name. You understand?"

Mikey looked up into Kuro's, or he supposed Miwa's, warm brown eyes. He smiled. "I promise I won't tell anyone. Thanks for sharing this with me."

Miwa smiled and hugged the turtle. "Well, I'm gonna practice with my gauntlets. I'll see ya around." She briskly walked off, a little skip in her step. Mikey stared after her. He allowed his thoughts to swirl around his brain, trying to process the information. When he finally came to the realization, the shock forced him to lean against the counter.

"Kuro is Miwa." He breathed. "She's Splinter's daughter."

"Hey Master Splinter." Kuro greeted. "Who's your friend?"

"This little thing followed me home." Splinter said, holding up the blue-eyed, smoky gray kitten. "Her name is Haiiro."

"Haiiro?" Kuro clarified. "Japanese for 'ash colored'?" Splinter nodded. "Huh, fitting I guess."

"Are you really gonna keep her, Sensei?" Donnie asked, surprised.

"I do not see why not." Splinter shrugged. "Besides, she will not leave me alone."

"She's not gonna eat Spike, is she?" Raph narrowed his eyes, holding Spike a little close.

"She will eat what we give her." Splinter assured. "And Spike is not on the menu."

"Where's Mikey?" Leo asked, looking around. "He loves cats."

"Still in the kitchen, I suppose." Kuro glanced back towards the kitchen, but the orange-masked turtle still hadn't shown up.

"Guys! Guys! Guys! Guys! Guys!"

Everyone jumped, even Spike and Haiiro, when April's voice echoed down the tunnels. She leaped over the turntables excitedly, and Splinter had to quickly set the kitten down and catch the redhead before she fell flat on her face. "April, what on earth is going on?"

"I have the greatest news ever!" April nearly squealed, the high pitched noise irritating Splinter's sharp ears. "Where's Mikey? He's gotta see this!"

"Mikey, get in here!" Kuro called. "Before April explodes from excitement!" Mikey was a little slow coming into the room, trying to hide the look of shock on his face. If anyone noticed, they never got the chance to ask before April started talking again.

"I brought someone you guys gotta meet!" April announced.

"April, you know you should not bring other humans here." Splinter scolded.

"No offense, April." Leo assured. "We just don't want the whole world to know we exist. Some of them might turn out twisted and try to dissect us."

"I don't think he'll want to dissect you." April assured. "I just thought he deserved to know about you. After all, you guys tried to save him a couple times."

"Did you bring Mr. Murakami down into the sewers?" Mikey asked.

"Nope." April shook her head, the widest of smiles upon her face. "Just wait." She hurried back out and disappeared around the corner. The Turtles, Splinter, and Kuro waited patiently until April came back, carefully leading a man into the lair.

The turtles' and Kuro's eyes widened. "Dr. O'Neil!" They cried. The boys were quick to surround the man, asking if he was okay and how he got back. Dr. O'Neil just laughed and stared a little, still a bit shocked over seeing man-sized turtles in ninja gear. Kuro wisely stayed back, out of the fray. Welcome back, Dr. O'Neil.

Splinter stepped forward. "Boys! Let the man breathe."

"Hai Sensei." The boys chorused as they each took a giant step back.

"So, you must be Master Splinter?" Dr. O'Neil guessed. "My daughter mentioned you."

"Oh did she now?" Splinter raised an eyebrow at April, who only blushed and hid behind her dad.

"Oh, don't worry." Dr. O'Neil assured. "I wouldn't tell anyone about you. Not after everything you and your sons have done for April."

Splinter finally smiled. "Thank you. It is an honor to finally meet April's father." He bowed in respect.
"It's a pleasure to meet April's...uh..." Dr. O'Neil looked to his daughter.

"Ninjutsu master." April reminded him.

"Right." Dr. O'Neil bowed a little. "I can't thank you enough for protecting her."

"We're just glad to see you all right, Dr. O'Neil." Donnie said.

"But how did you escape the Kraang?" Raph asked.

"Well, I guess I didn't." Dr. O'Neil explained. "I was rescued."

"Rescued?" Leo repeated.

"By a girl in ninja clothes and armed with a black blade katana." Dr. O'Neil said. "Called herself 'Moon Shadow'."

"Moon Shadow?" Raph growled. "That creep?"

"Why would she rescue you?" Leo asked. "She's the daughter of the Shredder."

"Really?" April asked incredulously.

"That's what she told us." Donnie shrugged. "Whether or not it's true...well..."

"Evil or not, she saved me." Dr. O'Neil pulled out a piece of paper. "She told me, 'When you see the Turtles, give them this.'" He handed the paper to Splinter. The boys and Kuro gathered around to see. April and Dr. O'Neil hung back, having already read it. When the others read the paper, there was a mix of reactions:

Leo glared at the floor.

Raph threw his sais into a wall.

Donnie frowned, a speculating look on his face.

Mikey stared worriedly at Kuro.

Kuro remained still and stagnant.

Splinter tore the paper in two.

For scrawled across it was this: Take that, sewer scum. –Moon Shadow