After weeks of considering whether or not to trust him, she finally makes her decision. She takes the initiative to visit him, in the lair, with his brothers and—their sensei. She strolls among the empty streets of New York until she reaches a familiar manhole. She tirelessly breathes out and uncovers the sewer blocker. Karai jumps in and lands flawlessly.

She strides around the culvert, trying to locate his lair. The heavy metal of her armor clinks, echoing among the cold, dark, empty underpass of the city. After walking for several minutes, she notices a light that comes from a steel door. She goes to stand in front of it and sees an inscription: The Hamato Family. She bites her lip, trying to suck in her gasp. Her small hand reaches for the handle, but ultimately stops. She cannot, she cannot crawl to him for it will show weakness. She has too much pride for that. She takes a step back and walks the opposite direction. After taking a few paces, she halts and turns her head to stare back at the welcoming door. Her mind races as she contemplates whether or not she should knock on the door.

To her dismay, she hears the entry open. Without thinking, she hides in the closest tunnel she can find. She hears footsteps and briefly closes her eyes as the person walks pass her. Until the steps falter, she opens one eye and sees him walking away from her. She steps out from her hiding spot and cautiously follows him. He turns a corner while caring a small box. She tilts her head and squints, trying to see what exactly he is doing. After Karai walks aimlessly around the sewers as she follows him, he finally stops. She stays at the corner as she watches him kneel down in front of what seems to be a shrine, located in a faraway tunnel. She furrows her brows while he sets aside the box and opens it. He takes out some flowers and a framed photograph. She tries to get closer, but jumps as she feels a hand on her shoulder. She turns and sees Leonardo.

"Leo?" She whispers. "What are you doing here?"

"I followed you." She continues to stare at him, trying to explain to him why she came. He nods for her to glance back at Master Splinter, who is now lighting a match to ignite a candle. Leonardo gently nudges her to take a step forward. She hesitantly does, but not enough for his sensei to take notice. Master Splinter situates the photo on top of a low table as he softly bows. She tilts her head as she finally takes notice of the photograph. She slightly gasps, for it is a picture of him, his wife, and a baby girl. She heart falls and takes a few steps back and bumps into Leonardo. She glances at him with watery eyes.

"Leo." He opens his arms and she embraces him. She silently cries while letting her tears fall onto his skin. She realizes that her true father loves her and that she should return to him. Karai feels a hand on her back and she turns around. She sees the giant rat smiling down at her. Her sight blinds her from the now flushing tears that fall from her golden eyes. She lets go of the masked ninja and rushes to hug her true father. She cries onto his burgundy robe as he soothes her, gently humming for her to let it all out.

After her tears finally stops, she glances up at him, smiling as her makeup is all smudged up. He rests his hands on top of her head as he leans down to kiss her forehead.

"Welcome home, my daughter." She embraces him again, tightening her hold on him, for her father to never let go. Leonardo stands and witnesses the family reunion. He too feels teary eyed because she finally trusts him. She finally came home, to her real family—to their kazoku. He turns to leave the father-daughter moment and heads back to the lair. As he walks, he feels a tiny sting in his heart. He is glad that she finally believes him, although somewhere deep in his heart he cannot help but feel displeased. She has returned, though not in his comforting arms, but in their father's.


NOTE: Kazoku means family in Japanese.