A/N: Thank you Vondrakenhof for the clarification. I had a feeling I had it wrong. So I'll be fixing that from now on. Read and review my lovely readers! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Twenty One- The Shadow's Silver

A few days after the note and April's father meeting her sewer friends, Kuro found herself once again jolting awake after another confusing nightmare. She panted and clutched her blanket in her fists, trembling slightly. She gulped back her fear, denying that she was actually scared. She took a few breaths to calm her racing heart, sighing. She closed her eyes and opened her ears to the sounds around her. Squeaking rats scurrying to their burrows…...trickling water traveling through the tunnels…distant subways barreling down their tracks….

"It's important, guys."

"So important you had to wake us up?"

Kuro blinked her eyes open when she heard the boys' voice down the hallway. She turned her head towards their rooms, cocking her head curiously.

"Yes, it's that serious." Leo assured as he herded his brothers into his room. "We gotta talk about Kuro."

"What about her?" Donnie asked.

"Well, I haven't really noticed it before, what with all the excitement with the Kraang and Moon Shadow and Shredder and all that." Leo explained. "But now that I think about it, something seems….familiar."

"Have you seen her before?" Raph asked, suddenly interested.

"No, but she's hiding something, I know it." Leo said firmly.

"What do you mean?" Mikey asked, looking interested and maybe even suspicious.

"Think about it: she created weapons that look like Shredder's claws." Leo ticked off each point on his fingers. "She constantly disappears and reappears at the weirdest of moments. She's temperamental and acts pretty weird around us; one minute, she's all sister-like and then the next minute she's ready to bite our heads off!"

"What's your point?" Donnie asked.

"What if she's not who she says she is?" Leo suggested.

"Like she's with the Foot Clan?" Raph asked. "Like someone else we know?"

"We are not bringing that up." Leo silenced his brother quickly. "I don't know if she's a part of the Foot Clan or even if she's a Purple Dragon. All I know is that she's getting kinda hard to trust."

"And when did you reach this conclusion?" Donnie asked, eyeing his brother disbelievingly. "I think we need more evidence than just a feeling. Maybe she's a little suspicious, but she showed me the pictures she took of Shredder when he fought us. So maybe she did fashion her own gauntlets after something she saw. That doesn't mean she's evil."

"What about all her suspicious activity?" Leo asked.

"Why do you care?" Raph demanded. "I like her. And if she really is a traitor that works for Shredder—" He punched his palm. "—we'll take her out and make sure she never bugs us again."

Kuro stiffened in the dark corner she stood in. She silently slipped away before the boys could hear her and returned to her bed. She pondered what she heard, wondering what to make of this new info. Obviously, the Turtles were starting to not trust her. And if they started not trusting her, then Splinter would soon follow. She had to act; sooner rather than later. She hurried to her backpack and grabbed her phone.

Donnie finally noticed the odd look on Mikey's face. "Mikey, what's wrong?"

Mikey didn't answer at first. He looked up at each of his brothers before sighing. "I don't think Kuro is hiding an evil side to her."

"If that's not what's up with her, what is it?" Leo demanded.

Mikey sighed again. "Get comfortable. I gotta talk to you guys about something Kuro showed me a few days ago."

"What did she show you?" Donnie asked.

"Her real name." Mikey started his story.

Karai hummed to the beat of the music she listened to, her ear buds secured in her ears where they belonged when she was relaxing. She noticed a light blinking on her phone and picked it up to read the recently received text message. She stopped nodding her head to her music when she read the text and her eyebrows furrowed. She took out her iPod ear buds and jumped off her bed, hurrying out the door. She entered Shredder's throne room and stepped past Dogpound as he knelt before Shredder.

"Father, I just got a text from Kuro." Karai reported. "She wants you to call her immediately."

Shredder raised an eyebrow, but picked up his cell phone from the armrest of his throne. He dialed the number and put it on speakerphone. Kuro picked up after the first ring.

"Father?" Kuro's voice asked.

"You're on speakerphone, Kuro." Shredder reported.

"Is Bradford there?" Kuro asked.

"Yes, as is Karai." Shredder confirmed.

"Even better." Kuro said. "I have reasons to believe that the Turtles are becoming truly suspicious of me. I have a tentative plan to take them down if you're interested to help."

Dogpound smirked. "Let's hear it."

"It's not her!" Leo insisted for the hundredth time.

"Oh yeah?" Donnie scoffed. "How many other girls do you know who are Japanese, fifteen years old, and named Miwa?"

"Whether or not it's true doesn't matter right not! Because we are not bringing this up to Sensei." Leo said firmly. "We can't get his hopes up in case it isn't her."

"And what if it is?" Mikey protested. "Then Splinter will have a family again! We'll have a sister!"

"Guys, listen to me." Leo made sure all of his brothers had their eyes on him so he knew he had their full attention. "Whether you notice or not, talking about Tang Shen and Miwa really hurts Splinter. I can see it in his eyes; he's heartbroken at the very thought of them. Who are we to raise his hopes without the facts?"

"And what if it is his daughter?" Raph pointed out. "What if she survived somehow?"

Leo stared at the floor for a moment. "Let's get the facts first. Then we can try it."

His brothers nodded in agreement. But Mikey couldn't help but frown. I know it's her. It just has to be her.

"Come on, guys!" Leo urged. "We were supposed to leave for patrol half an hour ago!"

"Kuro wanted to train a little longer!" Mikey protested, stowing his nunchakus away in his belt.

Donnie turned to said konoichi as she came from the kitchen with a cup of tea and set herself down in front of the TV. "You sure you don't wanna come?"

"Sorry guys." Kuro shrugged. "But that last nunchaku to the head is giving me a migraine. Or a concussion. Splinter says I should sit this out in case it's the latter."

"Well, your loss." Raph shrugged. "Let's go!" He rushed out to the tunnels, his brothers close behind.

"Get well soon!" Mikey called to Kuro as he followed. The terrapin tried to push the thoughts about Miwa/Kuro aside as he and his brothers reached the surface and began their patrol. It remained an uneventful night, however, because they never spotted anything that would require their fighting skills. No Purple Dragons stealing things. No Foot Clan or Dogpound causing mayhem. No Kraang doing….Kraang stuff. They finally decided that visiting April wouldn't be a bad idea and traveled over a couple buildings to reach April's aunt's apartment. They hadn't seen April for a few days so that she could get caught up with her father. The Turtles hardly got the chance to talk to Dr. O'Neil when he returned and Donnie especially was excited to talk to another scientist. But the reptiles' excitement disappeared when they saw their red haired friend sitting on the fire escape of the apartment, curled in a ball with her head buried in her arms. She hardly jumped when Donnie put a hand on her shoulder.

"April?" Donnie asked softly. "What's wrong?"

April looked up and sniffed a little, her eyes puffy and red from crying. "Nothing."

"April, it's okay." Leo assured, putting a comforting hand on her other shoulder. "We're here for you."

April took a breath. "It's my dad. He's gone."

"Aw, don't tell me the Kraang kidnapped him again!" Raph groaned.

"No, it's not like that." April shook her head. "Soon after we left the lair a few days ago, we found the Kraang surrounding our apartment. They guarded my aunt's place too. They left just yesterday. But my dad finally deduced that the Kraang were looking for him. Apparently, he played a large role in some of the Kraang's weaponry advancements, like their cannons. They won't stop searching for him; we had to spend a few nights in a hotel. Eventually, my dad decided that he couldn't stay in New York City. He left just this morning."

"He left the city?" Leo asked.

April nodded. "I wanted to go with him, but he said I would be safer here with Aunt Kelsey, Splinter, Kuro, and you guys."

The boys looked sad, but smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry, April. Your dad will be fine. And we'll keep you safe no matter what." Donnie said firmly.

"Thanks guys." April smiled a little. "But don't worry too much about protecting me. Remember that Splinter's teaching me ninjutsu. Besides, I have a….friend watching over me."

"A friend?" Leo asked.

April looked a little nervous. "Well, you remember when my dad said that Moon Shadow girl saved him?"

"Yeah….." the boys said nervously.

"Well, she came to talk to me—"

"What?!" Leo almost shouted. "You gave me grief about talking to—" He looked to Donnie and Mikey. "You know who and you hit me with a magazine."

"'You know who' didn't save my dad's life." April reasoned. "I just finished talking with Moon Shadow. She was pretty miffed that the Kraang are tracking my dad and forced him to leave. But she said she's going to watch over me and make sure the Kraang never harm me." April sighed. "I don't know; I see something in her."

Leo muttered something about a hypocrite, but Mikey spoke before he could be heard. "You said you just got done talking with her?"

"Yeah." April nodded.

"Where is she right now?" Donnie asked.

April didn't say anything, but her eyes darted to the window. The Turtles drew their weapons, slowly advancing towards the bedroom window.

"Now, guys…" April tried to calm the reptiles, but a streak of black suddenly rushed past, knocking the Turtles aside. The five beings turned and watched as Moon Shadow scurried up the fire escape to the roof.

"After her!" Leo ordered. The four brothers sheathed their weapons and ran after the konoichi, chasing her across the rooftops. She performed amazing acrobatic feats as she stayed a minimum of ten yards in front of her pursuers. However, she did not anticipate the giant gap between her and the buildings on the other side of the street and she skidded to a halt. The Turtles surrounded her, each of them drawing their respective weapons and readying them.

"I don't know why you're messing with April." Leo growled. "But you better knock it off."

"Because if you mess with April, you mess with us." Donnie added. "We won't let you hurt her."

"I fail to see why I would hurt her." Moon Shadow scoffed. "Did she not tell you that I saved her father?"

"You did it for your own gain." Raph snapped. "No other reason besides that."

"And that shows your lack of knowledge about me." Moon Shadow laughed darkly.

"We know who you are." Leo assured, pointing his katanas towards her. "You're—"

"The daughter of Oroku Saki." Moon Shadow droned. "A warrior of the night. Your greatest enemy and soon-to-be murderess. Anything else you'd like to add?"

"You won't be killing anyone tonight." Raph assured. "We'll stop you."

Moon Shadow chuckled evilly and drew her katana. The dark blade glinted wickedly in the moonlight. "I warned Miss O'Neil that you were my enemies and I would someday kill you." She spun her katana in her hand. "And I am a ninja of my word."

She lunged for Leo, her blade clashing against his. She swiped her blades, but Leo blocked again. Moon Shadow countered with a swift kick to his plastron, knocking him backwards at least ten feet. She turned to block Donnie's staff as it swung towards her head; she grabbed the staff and flipped the tallest turtle over her shoulder and to the ground. Raph jabbed with his sais, but Moon Shadow swatted the weapons from Raph's hands with the flat of her blade. She grabbed Raph's wrist and flipped him to the ground as well, kicking him some feet away from her. She leaped into the air as Mikey lunged for her, back flipping a few times before landing softly on her feet again. When she looked, the boys were back on their feet and ready to fight her again.

"I'll admit, you fight well." Moon Shadow nodded. "But your skills will not save you for long."

"Are you gonna talk all night?" Raph taunted. "Or are we gonna finish this?"

Moon Shadow smirked and lunged for the boys once more. She blocked an attack from Donnie and sent him flying in Raph; kicked Mikey away when he tried to attack; swiped her sword towards Leo's face. Leo ducked and their blades clashed again and again. He remembered his fight with Karai and couldn't help but notice similarities between her fighting style and Moon Shadow's. This only confirmed Moon Shadow's claim that she was Shredder's daughter. It made Leo a little scared but also angry. He let his emotions fuel his fighting as he continued to fight, kicking and punching and slicing. Moon Shadow laughed darkly as she fought, as though she were toying with him. When Raph tried to sneak up behind her, she grabbed his wrist and flipped him over onto Leo. She raised her blade to finish them off, but Donnie's staff met her ribs and she hit the ground a few feet away. She jumped to her feet, but found her sword disappeared. She raised her arms to block another attack from Donnie.

Raph hissed in pain, clutching his arm. Leo stared worriedly. "Raph, you okay?"

"I'm fine." Raph said through grit teeth.

Leo noticed the blood seeping through Raph's fingers and his eyes widened. "Raph, let me see. You're bleeding."

"I said I'm fine!" Raph snapped, but he groaned in pain and held his arm tighter. Leo thought for sure that Moon Shadow's blade had gotten him, but he looked down at his own katanas and noticed the red liquid that drenched the tip of one. Leo's blood ran cold, a tidal wave of dread washing over him. I did it. I hurt my own brother.

"Leo!" Donnie shouted. "We need some help over here!" He shouted in pain as Moon Shadow slammed her fist into his face and kicked him to the ground.

"Hey!" Mikey shouted. "Nobody hurts my brothers!" He swung his nunchakus at the konoichi's head, but she back flipped away and grabbed her sword. She blocked another nunchaku to the head and spun around to slash Mikey across the face. Mikey blocked the attack with the chain of his weapon and performed a spinning back kick that sent Moon Shadow flying. She slammed into the door to the stairs, groaning in pain. Mikey suddenly grabbed her by her shirt and lifted her up, holding his kusarigama blade threateningly. Moon Shadow and Mikey glared at each other for a moment before Moon Shadow leaped into the air, Mikey's hand still on her collar. Mikey, a little spooked, swung his kusarigama blade. The sharp hook sliced through the konoichi's shirt and she broke free, landing some feet behind Mikey. She raised her blade threateningly, but before she could lunge the five of them noticed flashing lights and sirens.

"Police en route!" Donnie reported. "Twenty seconds!"

Mikey and Moon Shadow shared another glare before the latter sheathed her sword and darted off, disappearing into the shadows. The four terrapin brothers hurried off towards April's apartment. Mikey looked down at his kusarigama blade and noticed bits of Moon Shadow's clothes and a flash of silver caught his eye. He grabbed the piece of silver and the cloth and stuffed it in a pocket in his belt before joining his brothers. When they arrived at April's apartment, the redhead was still on the fire escape.

"Oh my gosh, what happened?" April gasped, especially when she saw Raph's bloody arm.

"Moon Shadow attacked us." Raph reported, groaning a little.

April herded the boys into her bedroom. "Get inside. I'll get the first aid kit."

"What about your aunt?" Donnie asked.

"She already knows about you guys, remember?" April noted, closing and locking her window. "She's agreed to keep your secret and I'm sure she'll give some of her medical supplies to help."

"April!" Aunt Kelsey called from the kitchen. "What's all the ruckus up there?"

"The guys are here!" April called back. "Raph's hurt!"

"Hold on!" Aunt Kelsey called. "I'll bring up some bandages!"

April sighed in relief and helped her friends down the hall and to the living room. Minutes later, Aunt Kelsey came from the kitchen with a first aid kit. She instantly went into doctor mode and inspected each of the turtles for injuries. Luckily, Donnie only needed an ice pack for the bump on his head and Leo needed to elevate his slightly sprained ankle. Raph had the worst: the cut on his arm went deeper than they thought. Aunt Kelsey immediately got to work, sometimes giving April orders to retrieve something. Raph tried to protest, but Aunt Kelsey went firm and told him if he didn't stay still he would be put under anesthesia instead of just numbing his arm. So he grumbled and held still as Aunt Kelsey numbed his arm from the shoulder down to his fingers. She stitched up the cut on his arm, keeping her work out of sight from the others in case they threw up. She wrapped up the stitched up wound in gauze and tied it securely.

"There, all done." Aunt Kelsey nodded in satisfaction. "Whoever did that to you must be good with a blade."

Leo's fist clenched and he squeezed his eyes shut. "It was an accident."

Aunt Kelsey's smile disappeared. "Oh. I'm sorry; I should've kept my mouth shut. You obviously didn't mean to hurt him." She stood up. "Shall I get you all some cocoa or something?"

"No, we should be getting home." Leo assured. "Come on, guys."

"You sure you don't want to stay?" Aunt Kelsey asked. "You need rest."

"We'll be fine." Donnie assured.

"Come on guys!" Mikey urged, pulling open the window. "Splinter's gonna get worried about us."

"Thanks for your help." Leo bowed to Aunt Kelsey. "It is very much appreciated."

"It's my pleasure." Aunt Kelsey assured with a smile. "You kids call me if you have any more medical emergencies."

Leo bowed again and followed his brothers out the window and to the lair. It was a silent journey, if not a little tense. When they got there, the four of them skidded to a halt and tried to not crash to the ground. Kuro was fast asleep in her blanket nest, peaceful and still apart from her rising and falling chest. The four boys carefully snuck past the sleeping girl to their rooms to sleep.

Mikey softly closed his door and leaned against it, sighing. He took off his knee and elbow pads and put them in a drawer of an old dresser he found and fixed up. He took off his belt and hung it on the bunk bed Donnie fixed for him. He remembered the fabric and piece of silver and took it from his belt pocket. He held the fabric for a moment, looking it over and even smelling it.

"Mmm…strawberries." Mikey sighed. He sniffed again. "And…..Japanese cherry blossoms! Yummy!" He thought for a moment. "Now where have I smelled that before?" He shifted the fabric a little and the piece of silver suddenly fell to the floor. As Mikey picked it up, he also noticed the silver was mixed with green and there was a bit of what looked like a shoelace attached to it. His eyes widened when he realized what it was; he turned the green and silver piece over just to be sure, and his knees almost buckled.

It was Kuro's turtle charm, with her name "Miwa" carved underneath.