Hey again! I sort of said all of my announcements in the last chapters, so there isn't much to say...

Uh…nope can't say any- Oh yeah yeah yeah

Just to let you guys know, if you didn't know, and if you didn't, it's my fault, Iori is an alien with African American attributes and is team natural. I didn't know if I got that clear, and I'm not forcing it on you, I just wanted to make sure she wasn't mixed for…just an alien.

Well that's it, enjoy chapter 8!

Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT series but I have made the OC's. I don't like to say 'own' because I feel like a creepy master…

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Raph knocked twice, receiving a cheerful voice welcoming him in. He opened the door and peaked his head inside; he was greeted by the wonderful scent of mangoes and vanilla. He inhaled and exhaled, taking in the sweet scent. Iori watched him from her bed and giggled. He walked in and closed the door behind him, "Man has your room always smelled this good?" She smiled, "Well you've never came in until now."

He joined her on the bed, noticing the sketchbook and pencils she had swimming between the covers. He tried to lean in to see what she was drawing, but she snatched the book away and brought it to her chest. He raised a brow at her, and tried to reach for the book. His hand was smacked away, and a frown grew on his face. "What the hell was that for?" "No peaking." She barked back. She held the book loosely, grabbing a pencil out of her hair and continuing to draw. Raph watched her hands work on her secret creation. She looked up at him, steadying her hand, then looked back down and continued her work. There was a long, unnoticed silence until Raph spoke up. "Can you give me any clues to what you're drawing?" She spoke without lifting her head up.

"Stay right there."

"Huh?"

"You moved, don't do that."

"What the he-"

"Perfect! Just like that!"

He continued to stare at her until she placed the pencil back into her curls. She held the sketchbook out to examine her work, then flashed a bright, toothy grin. She turned the book around for Raph to see, "Tell me what you think." His eyes widened at the sketch; Iori flawlessly drew him and his family together. The detail was perfect. It was almost as if she had drawn a photograph. He took the book in his hands and traced his fingers over the faces, careful not to smudge it. There he stood next to Leo, Donnie and Mikey on the other side, and Master Splinter in the middle. He gaped in amazement at her skills. He nodded in approval, "Wow, this is pretty damn good." He handed the book back to her, "How come you never showed any of us?" Iori scratched her head, "Well it's sort of a secret hobby. I like to draw the people I meet, and over the years I've traveled and one can assume I have done quite a few." She closed the book, tucking away the pencils and placed them on her nightstand. She looked downward in smiled, "I guess it's another form of not being lonely." She said it low enough for him not to fully hear, but quickly changed the subject.

"So, what brings you in here tonight?"

"I said we would be talking more."

She smiled to herself, "I know, I just guessed that after having your ass handed to you earlier, you would've started ignoring me again."

He tousled her hair, fluffing out her curls. She tried swatting his hand away, but he kept it firmly placed. "Get out of there; you're messing with the style." She scolded. "You're hair's really soft," he took his hand out, letting the scent of mango and coconuts hit his nose, "It smells nice too." She blushed lightly and quickly looked away,

"I've invested in some of the hair products Earth has to offer. I really like the results."

"How'd you get it like that anyway?"

"Some days I twist it, some days I braid, other days I Bantu…I researched some Earth hairstyles on my device, and I really like the results." She shook her head, letting the mass of curls shake free. He certainly found her hair interesting. The smell was also a change, and Raph genuinely enjoyed it. Even when she first arrived he smelled the sweet scents coming from her, and it made him get different feelings, causing him to not make much conversation with her before.

Now, however, it felt completely different. Even in a day, he felt that he had come in such good terms with her, and unbeknownst to him, she had that effect on people, though not for attention. He saw her as so down to Earth, well, pretty relaxed, and could talk to just about everyone. She also seemed like she was cautious to trust people herself, which was acceptable considering the amount of stories she had told him last night.

As they continued to talk, he heard the wonders of all her different adventures, like the one time she went to Anbelzef and got hired to become a hostess for one of the archdukes. Another one was when she got stuck in a village not too far from Hulaga that only dressed in Roman attire. She described that her outfit was one of the most confusing garments to put on. He laughed at the part where she tripped in a bowl of fruit whilst putting her arm in the awkward sleeve. The one that interested him the most was when she got captured by a galactic bounty hunter force. They had got her by mistake, but as she showed them proof, they soon apologized, even offering her a spot in their crew. She traveled with them for a few months, acting as a spy and capturing criminals throughout the galaxies.

Her stories were so vast with wonder and site seeing, he was surprised to learn that with all of that adventure she was still at the ripe age of 22. She was older than all four brothers, yes, but she treated them as if they were adults too. She was so open minded and accepting towards all things, and the fact that she had treated the family like they were any other person made Raph feel a new way about her. He couldn't explain this feeling, but it felt like a calm afternoon in the weight room. The amount of sweat and pride pumping through him with each set, it made him feel great. Iori unconsciously gave him that satisfaction with each story.

He told her about the time where his brothers played a game called "Buck Buck", where while playing he jumped too far and threw himself into a pile of dirty diapers. He blushed in embarrassment when Iori laughed uncontrollably, but he knew it wasn't in a teasing manner, but more just as enjoying the humor out of it. They talked for what seemed like days, though only had been hours.

Iori felt like she and Raph connected, which was odd considering they had only really began talking last night. She felt that she could tell him anything, and of course loved to tell her stories of adventure to not just him, but to others. She felt the need to give a sense of adventure to everyone, whether traveling or not. Honestly, it was rare for a Shenzian to be a 'traveler', but her past seemed to change her fate. Either way, she continues to enjoy life, while also respecting her roots. She listened to Raph tell his stories of childhood and family; she understood what it felt like to be seen as nothing but a freak, a blemish to all things 'normal'.

Maybe that was the connection, she thought. She would never really know. She began to like Raphael's company, but the thought of having to leave really tore her on the inside. In her eyes, Raph was less accepting of himself like the others. They continue to live normal lives, but he has always had a sense of…anger. The fact of living in hiding and save civilians, only to be rejected back into the shadows hurt him, and unfortunately that was true. Iori knows that the human race can be rather cruel and unforgiving, just like countless other species. He told her he coped with his anger and heavy workouts and training was rather apparent on his figure. Still, his massive stature made him no less unordinary to Iori. Hell, she has friend who are made of nothing but gelatinous mass (They're great people, though, party animals, even).

She treated everyone as equals, no matter how they looked or behaved because she knew the ridicule that comes with that. She has been described by different yet beautiful in the eyes of men, and women, but refuses to put it that way. Accepting someone who is out casted by others is simply compassion. On Earth it would be humanity, but she's not human. To her, it's really common sense. God, she felt like an old soul.

"I have a question." Iori was brought out of her thoughts, "Ask away." "Where did you learn to fight like that? I know you have inhuman strength, but I didn't expect you to defeat, well, any of us." She moved a bit closer to him, not consciously, but almost as if on instinct. "Well when I was younger, I had to protect myself in the orphanage, b-"

"Orphanage?" Raph interrupted. Iori parted her lips to continue, but sighed and nodded. Raph placed a comforting hand over hers. "If you aren't comfortable with telling me now, I won't force you." Raph had never spoke to someone like this before, and it felt odd for him to do so now. Iori made a small smile, "Thank you. I honestly feel like I could tell you anything and everything about me, but now is not the time for…" "I agree. Man, it's so odd to feel so similar in just over a day." Iori nodded her head, and got up from the bed, grabbing the sketchbook and sitting back next to Raph. She flipped it open, skimming through a few blank pages before finding her desired image. She pointed a finger to the page, "Here, this is Aknul, a very good friend of mine. He doesn't really have good eyesight, but that's normal for Gorgors like him," she continued showing him pictures, "Oh and these are my friends Kain and Calna, they're a couple I met while on a Peranese cruise. Oh oh and this is me and my brother Demetrius. Hmm, wonder where he is now?"

To that he raised an eyebrow. "Brother?" "Oh yes a brother, one and only. He's a traveler too, actually was the one who got me into traveling. When I was little, he'd take me with him on many adventures, which gave me an opportunity to see so many new things. It's not often Shenzians travel to other planets, especially ones that are out of their galaxy. He also trained me in my fighting techniques, and even taught me things school would never even think of being possible. He truly is a great influence in my life. Without him, I would be just a random alien." "Where is he now?" Raph asked. "He still travels, and we run into each every so often. I would know where he is, but my locator is kinda busted after the crash. Donnie helped to repair it, but it's only locking on to one thing in this city. I don't think it's him, though so maybe just a random location."

Raph shrugged. They continued on the matter until a knock was heard on the door. "Come in." Iori said. In came Leo, and Raph instantly tensed; what's he doing in here? Leo eyed Raph, and then turned to Iori with soft eyes, "Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but Raph is to join us for our nightly patrol." Raph sighed and slowly got off the bed, saying his goodbyes and followed his brother out of the door.

Iori got out of the bed and went over to her bag, rummaging through it. She pulled out her location device, turning it on and seeing the light in the same location on the screen. She groaned and walked out the door. She walked in Donnie's lab direction, "This damn thing. I wonder if there's actually someone in this city…"

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Hello again, guys! I hope you enjoyed that chapter. I feel that was a serious chapter, well, maybe not idk.

Do not worry! Iori's past will be known, soon I hope. How do I not know? I don't know, I write whatever's on my mind. And what's with the blip on her device? Is it her brother? Is it a tree? Who knows, I sure as hell don't.

Anyways, I hope you liked the chapter.

Toodles~