punkish furball – Hello, all! XD

Words to Ponder:

Thank you for reviewing: chibi-Clar, redangel2463, Silversun XD, When I light the sky, strawberryMIKO, Orihime-San, xXLuciferNightcoreAngelXx01, fallingyuki, tmnt lover, and Aryenne! XD

This is the Casey/Kagome/April friendship piece! For those of you who follow the TMNT series, this takes place between episode 27 and 30. And, to answer some questions, I do use the current TMNT cartoon's universe as the setting for these installments not the older cartoons or the moves—past or present—unless otherwise stated. That being said, I do want to write a one-shot using the new movie-verse. I saw it and LOVED IT! X3

Also, I plug with no shame my recently updated stories, Floral Romance and Starcrossed Siblings?, both Ouran/InuYasha crossovers. Also Pack Dynamics, my Koga/Kagome fiction (I would appreciate if you take a look at that one. I'm starting to get self-conscious about it :( )

Installment 8: Folktale

April sighed as she tiredly closed the door to her locker. She may have her father back from the Kraang, but he was a horrible bat mutant roaming the city like a wild animal. It was hard for her to pretend nothing was wrong.

It's all their fault. This would have never happened if I didn't meet them, she thought, her grip on her textbooks tightening.

April knew she should not continue thinking of the Turtles after severing all ties with them, but she just couldn't help it. They were so engrained in her life by now that shutting them out was nearly impossible.

April shook her head to clear her mind. She had more important things to worry about. Her grades were slipping because of her extended stay in the sewers, so she agreed to tutor some of her classmates for extra credit points on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The student she was assigned was Casey Jones, an obnoxious but cute guy that happened to have as many missing brain cells as he did teeth. Then, after a few weeks, their teacher added a transfer student to their study sessions who recently arrived from Japan. Her name was Kagome Higurashi, a junior who was also enrolled in the sophomores' math class. Tonight would be the first time they all met in person.

When April was close to the school's entrance, she heard Casey shouting in her direction.

"Hey, Red!" he yelled, "Me and Sailor Moon are over here!"

"I told you not to call me that!" a female reprimanded him, annoyed.

Casey chuckled. "Can't help it when you look the part, Sailor Moon."

"Jones, you will shut up or so help me—!"

"Hey!" April interjected, cutting the angry girl off, "Sorry I'm late."

"No problem, April," Casey said, "I was just getting to know our new study buddy."

The raven haired girl he pointed to rolled her eyes before she stood in front of April wearing a considerably more pleasant expression.

"Sorry you had to hear all that. I'm usually not so abrasive," she said and politely held out her hand. "I'm Kagome. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. My name is April," she said as she shook Kagome's hand, "And don't worry about it. Jones can bring out the worst in people if you let him."

"Geez, Red, you're breaking my heart!" Casey commented, placing a hand on his chest, "And here I thought it would be more fun spending time with two hot babes."

"Tell you what," Kagome dryly retorted, "Why don't you go meet those two poor girls then come see us when you're ready to study?"

April began to laugh at her sarcastic remark. Kagome was certainly no pushover. She could immediately tell she would like her.

"Very funny," Casey replied with a frown, "I'll have you know girls practically line up just to see Casey Jones!"

"Then could someone show us to the end of it?" April asked, feigning innocence.

"It should be easy to find. See ya, Jones," Kagome replied and began walking away with April close behind.

Casey rolled his eyes at the two giggling girls before he grinned, shook his head, and ran to catch up to them. He wedged himself between them with an arm around both of their shoulders, pulling them close.

"Ladies, I'd say this is the start of a beautiful friendship," he remarked.

"Really? I'll keep that in mind after we start trig," April said, smiling as she led the way.

It wasn't long before the trio made it to the park where April and Casey studied. They each took a seat on one of the swings and began their reviewing their lessons for several hours.

"You pick this up pretty quick, Kagome," April praised as she closed her books, "After Casey, I assumed anyone they sent me would be hopeless."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Kagome replied as she packed her books away, "You're a ready good teacher. Everything makes more sense the way you put it."

"Thanks, I learned that from—" April began but suddenly stopped speaking.

"Learned from?" Kagome pressed, curious.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. I forgot," she remarked, mentally scolding herself. She almost said Donatello's name.

Kagome appeared as though she didn't believe her but apparently decided not to ask any more questions.

"So you got any nice things to say about me?" Casey pressed.

"Your handwriting's getting better. Those almost look like twos," April jokingly admitted, pointing to Casey's illegible scribbles.

"Alright!" he exclaimed, "Next, we work on three."

April rolled her eyes though she wore a smile. "Sounds like a plan. See you both same time next week then?"

"Actually, do you mind if we meet up this weekend?" Kagome asked, "There's a Japanese Heritage Festival my uncle is catering on Saturday, and I thought it would be fun if we go together."

She paused and hastily added, "But only if you want to!"

"Sounds like fun," Casey said, "What's your uncle make? Sushi?"

"Close," Kagome answered, "He owns Tidal Wave Fresh Market, and he's providing fish for another local chef to make sushi. His specialty is grilled eel Kantō style."

"I know that place…sort of," April said, "When should we meet up?"

"How's 2 o'clock in front of my uncle's place?" Kagome suggested, undoubtedly very happy with the outcome.

"It's a date, Sailor Moon. See you 'round!"

"Do not call me that!"

April giggled. This was nice, much better than she expected. Maybe this was her chance to move on with normal friends.

-O0o0O-

On Saturday, the trio met up as scheduled and departed for the festival. Kagome eagerly showed April and Casey around, participating in each event and trying all of the food.

"This unagi ain't that bad," Casey said with a mouthful of eel, "Ancient Chinese secrets, right?"

Kagome sighed as she massaged her temple, fighting an oncoming headache. "For the last time, I am Japanese."

"Never mind him," April said to avoid the start of the eighth potential Jones-Higurashi showdown today, "Just don't use his behavior as an example for all us Americans."

"Not a problem," Kagome remarked, "I'm certain Casey Jones is one of a kind."

"Thanks, Sailor Moon."

April shook her head and laughed before she departed to dispose of their trash. One her way back to the group, something caught April's eye, a worn bronze statue. It was a beautiful piece of art with intricate details, but the subject matter wasn't a particularly welcome sight to her.

"Why is that guy riding a turtle?" she couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Oh! This is a statue of Urashima Tarō. He's the main character of a famous Japanese legend," Kagome clarified.

"About what? Conquering turtle overlords?" Casey questioned, curiously eyeing the sculpture.

Kagome rolled he eyes and began to explain further.

"Urashima was a fisherman who saved a small sea turtle from being harassed by a group of children on the beach and returned it to the ocean. The next day, a larger turtle appeared before Urashima and brought him to the Palace of the Dragon God in the ocean, the home of the Ocean Emperor Ryūjin and his beautiful daughter Otohime, to repay him for his kindness."

"So they're the turtle overlords?" Casey interrupted.

"What part of 'Dragon God' don't you understand?" April remarked.

"Well, he's partly right," Kagome stated, "Otohime actually was the turtle Urashima saved. But no more interruptions got it?"

"You got it, babe."

"Anyway, Urashima stayed with Otohime for several days until he wished to return to the surface to see his mother who was very ill. Otohime was sad to see him go, but she arranged Urashima a ride back to the beach and gave him a folded box called a tamatebako that she told him to never open.

"When Urashima returned home, he discovered 300 years passed since the day he left, and everyone who he once knew was long dead. In his grief, he collapsed under a tree and opened the tamatebako. As soon as he did, he instantly aged and heard Otohime's voice. She said, 'I told you not to open the box. In it was your old age…' before he died and crumpled to dust."

Casey whistled and said, "That's some pretty heavy stuff. What do you think, Red?"

"It was all Otohime's fault," April said wearing a disgusted look, "Urashima would have never stayed with her if he knew he would never see his mother again."

"Chill out, April. It's just a story," he replied.

"Yeah. Of course it is," she said, trying to dispel those dark thoughts. She was having a wonderful time before it was once again ruined by a turtle.

"It's okay," Kagome remarked, "I can see why you would think that way, but at the same time I feel sorry for Otohime."

"What for?" April asked.

"It's that whole Romeo and Juliet, 'star-crossed lovers' thing, right?" Casey answered, shocking both girls.

Kagome nodded. "Something like that. I'm surprised you could make the connection, Jones."

"I aim to please!" he responded, "A C in English Lit means I'm not failing."

"So what do you think about Otohime, Kagome?" April inquired again. She wasn't entirely sure she was referring to the story anymore.

"I believe Otohime cared for Urashima very much and never tried to intentionally hurt him or force him stay with her. In fact, I'm sure that she…" Kagome trailed off, chewing her bottom lip in thought.

"You're sure she what?"

"Sorry. I'm trying to think of the right word to use in English," she stated, "When Urashima left and finally died when he opened the box, Otohime…despaired."

April felt a sudden pang in her chest.

"Are you okay, April?" Kagome asked, concerned.

"Yeah. Just thinking about something," she replied.

Kagome nodded wearing an odd expression. It seemed like she knew just what or, more accurately, who April was thinking about.

"Stories like that usually make you do that," she stated, "but, for now, let's have fun. The festival's not over yet!"

"K's right. Carpe diem, baby!" Casey cried.

Kagome sighed and reached for her temples again. At least, "K" was a few steps above "Sailor Moon".

April grinned and, before she joined her friends, briefly wondered who else despaired.

-O0o0O-

punkish furball – Hmm…this could be a little exert scene of a larger piece, but enjoy it as is for now. Until next time, TCB! = ^.^ =

(edited 10.01.2014)