Chapter 3

Karai POV

I wake up and look around. I notice I'm in my old bedroom from the lair. To the left, I see Leo walk up to me and say, "It's okay, Karai. You're home now."

I say, "Leo, I can't be here. I'm dangerous."

Leo smiles and says, "Don't you feel anything different?"

I look at him in confusion, when I realize something. I don't feel any inhuman instincts trying to control me. I can't feel my human thoughts fading away. Not only that, it's not difficult for me to talk now.

Leo says, "April used her telepathy to preserve your humanity. You don't have to worry about hurting anyone ever again."

I suddenly feel a huge sense of relief wash over me. I don't have to worry about turning into a wild animal, or hurting those close to me. The nightmare I've been living for months is finally over. Though I do wonder why April would have telepathy when Leo says, "April's half-Kraang, I'll explain it to you another time. I told you we'd find a way to help you."

Leo's about to leave when I say, "Wait!" He stops at the door and I hesitate before saying, "Thank you, Leo." He smiles and says, "You're family, Karai. We weren't going to leave you with Shredder." I smile then Leo asks, "Do you want me to tell the same thing to April?" I say, "No, I want to tell her myself." I then say, "Hey Leo, can you do one more thing for me?" He replies, "Sure, what is it?" I say, "The next time you see Shredder, tell him I said screw off." Grinning, he says, "Sure, and I'll also tell him to stay away from my sister." I chuckle a little to myself. Leo says, "It's good to have you back, Karai."

Leo leaves the room and I then try to return to human form, but I find I still can't. Sighing to myself, I coil myself on the bed to rest, while also reminding myself to thank April later for her actions. Although I'm glad to be home and out of that prison, I'm worried what my father will say about me running after Shredder. I'm afraid he'll be angry with me for abandoning him.

I hear the door open and I hear my father's voice say, "Miwa, I know you are awake."

I sigh as I stand up, but I don't face him. I'm still ashamed of what I had done months ago that I can't bear to look at him. My father asks, "Is there something wrong, daughter?"

I hear him walk up to me, and I feel his hand on my shoulder, then he turns me around to face him. I look up at him with tears running down my face and say, "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."

My father smiles and says, "I forgive you."

Failing to keep my emotions in anymore, I quickly wind a few coils around my father's waist, then I hug him and start crying into his chest. He hugs me back and says, "It's okay. You're safe now." I just let out all the emotions and pain I've bottled up for the last four months.

I cry, "I missed you so much, Father."

He says, "I missed you too, Miwa."

I turn my head to the side, and my father stands there, rubbing the top of my scaly head. I relax as I feel his soothing touch, while also keeping my tail hooked around his waist. I say, "I thought you would be angry at me for running away, and that you would resent me now that I'm a snake."

My father says, "Miwa, I can never hate you for anything you have done, even for believing Shredder's lies, and the fact that you're a mutant serpent doesn't change anything. Mutated or not, you'll always be my daughter."

I smile after he says that, then I hug him tighter and start to nuzzle his chest, and for the first time in months, I actually feel happy. I say, "I love you, Father."

He says, "I love you too, Miwa."

We stay there for a few minutes in each other's embrace until my father says, "Daughter, I really don't mind the way you're hugging me, but you're getting too tight."

Realizing what he's talking about, I release the coils around him, and slip down to the floor. I coil myself in front of him and say, "Sorry, Father."

He says, "However," I cower a little at his strict tone and hardened gaze. He continues, "Since Shredder is no doubt looking for you, your only punishment is that you are forbidden from leaving the lair until I have decided enough time has passed. Understood?" I can tell from his gaze and tone of voice that he doesn't want to hear me argue with him.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I bow my head a little and reply, "Yes, Father." To be honest, after spending the last four months alone, I never want to leave my home or my family ever again.

Softening his gaze a little, he says, "I'm sorry if I'm being harsh, Miwa. I'm only doing this for your own protection. We've recently found out what Shredder's plans for you could be, and if he were to capture you again, it could possibly spell doom for us all. And I can't risk losing you again, daughter."

Curious, I say, "What are Shredder's plans?"

He replies, "It's best if I don't tell you. There are some things you're better off not knowing."

I say, "Father, I swear my humanity that I am through with revenge." I really am. After I blinded Shredder with my venom, I swore to never seek vengeance ever again.

My father says, "It's not your former streak for revenge that doesn't want me to tell you, his very plans are so horrifying that I do not think you will sleep calmly at night."

I stay silent for a few moments when he raises an eyebrow and asks, "Is there something else you want to tell me?"

Sighing for a moment, I say, "During the invasion, I retreated to the sewers to avoid the Kraang and while I was there, I saw you floating in the water unconscious, so I pulled you out of the water and left you on dry land. I wanted to stay by your side, but I was still ashamed of myself for going after Shredder."

He smiles and says, "Thank you, Miwa, for saving my life."

My father kneels down and hugs me again, and I lean into his chest, savoring his warm touch. He leans down and plants a soft kiss on my scaly forehead, making me smile more. He stands up and starts walking to the door, saying, "Donatello said you should regain your human form after a few days, so get some rest."

I coil myself back on the bed, and I lay my head down, still staring at my father who stood in the doorway, staring back at me. He says, "Good night, Miwa."

I say, "Good night, Father."

He closes the door, and I close my eyes and fall asleep, happy to be home and back with my family.

Splinter POV

I close the door and walk down the hallway to see April sleeping on the living room couch. She said her mind was so tired from her mental experience that she decided to stay in the lair for tonight. Casey is still here since no one on the surface has reported his family yet.

My sons have all gone to bed, noticeably tired from the events of tonight. I smile at the turn of events today. At long last, my family is finally complete, and I can now rest with the knowledge that my daughter is safe.