Raphael's P.O.V.-
I didn't plan on thinking of her again; I didn't want to! It seemed like an utter waste of time, just like me following her home; she was fine! She didn't need me to make sure that she arrived ok. So… why did I then? Frustratingly, I smashed my fist into the punching bag with all the force I could muster. Frustrating, that's the way to describe it; it was totally frustrating! She was a god damn distraction. And I couldn't control it either.
Her image would pop up in my mind at the most random of times. When I was training with the others, reading comics, trying to sleep- bam! There she was; her face with that stupid, stupid smile. Each and every time I'd fumble for just a second and I don't know why! Why! Seriously! She's just a human girl; granted an attractive one but still! I wasn't an idiot, I'd seen the way April turned Donnie into putty whenever she's around. This was completely different however; I didn't like her! I didn't even know her name; how could I have a crush on someone I didn't know?
No! This wasn't a crush; I was too smart for to give in to such useless teenage hormones. Yeah, hormones- that's it. I just thought of her unconsciously because…. uh, because I found her insufferably annoying. Of course she was annoying! She constantly distracted me from whatever I'm doing with no consent on my part! Ugh! I hope I never see her again! The next two punches were particularly satisfying.
You-know-who only swished through my mind twice more before that evening. I had just finished my comic-book, interruption-free, when Leo announced that it was time for patrol. Finally, I set my book off to the side and leapt to my feet enthusiastically. Maybe I'll run into some more Purple Dragons if I'm lucky; I could use another fight. Donnie and Mikey weren't so fervent with excitement.
"Ah, Leo," Donnie rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. "We've been patrolling solo now for a whole week and still found nothing. What's the point?" "I agree!" Mikey's hand shot up in the air. "I vote we take the night off!" "I didn't say that," Donnie peered at him through the corner of his eye. "Come on, Donnie!" A mischievous grin rolled over Mikey's green lips. "Wouldn't you like to spend a night with April?" Oooooh, playing the big cards.
"April!" Donnie whispered as his cheeks immediately turned a dumb pink. Sissy. "I would love to spend time with April but she's having dinner with a friend tonight," his gaze lowered in slight disappointment. "Oh! Well we can still take the night off!" "Mikey," Leo's eyes rolled tiredly. "Awe but Leo! Patrolling alone is so boooooooring!" Our youngest brother whined. "I don't know," I finally offered my two-cents. "I kinda like the solo thing," my arms folded in front of my shell. "Well I don't! It's no fun going out by myself."
"Mikey may have a point," Donnie's assertion caught all of us off guard, including Mikey himself. "I do?!" "Our patrols haven't been prolific. There's got to be a better way to locate the Kraang and Foot Clan besides what we're doing. What's the point in continuing to do the same thing when we're not getting anywhere?" I was not expecting this and judging by the look on Leo's face, neither was he. Leo put one hand on his hip and tilted his stance slightly. "So what do you suggest we do then?"
Donnie shrugged. "I could go to my lab and try to detect any Kraang activity in the surrounding area using my new ninth-addition upgraded software complete with….." "Ok, ok, I get it," Leo waved a hand in the air. "And what should we do?" "Uh, take the night off?" Mikey and I looked at Leo, who considered it for a moment. He then let out a defeated sigh. "Ok." "Alright!" Mikey's fist shot into the air. I shot him a look as his arm suddenly draped over my shoulder. "Free night! We can do whatever we want!" "Says you," I shoved him.
Leo watched us before shaking his head. "Well, since we're not going out on patrol, I guess we could go get something to eat?" "Food?!" Mikey's eyes lit up in anticipated delight. "Yeah, I don't see why not…." "Awesome! I vote pizza gyoza!" Without warning, her face flashed through my mind again. Damn it! I inwardly winced in irritation. Why now?! Oh, well maybe because she lives next door to Murakami-san's…
"Yeah," I folded my arms again and gave a light nod in agreement. "I'm good with pizza gyoza." "Really?" Leo blinked at me in surprise. "Sure." "A-alright, pizza gyoza it is. Hey Donnie! We're going to Murakami-san's! Want us to bring you back some take-out?" Our oh-so-righteous leader hollered down the hall to Donnie's lab. "Yes!" Echoed back to the den. "Ok!" He turned back to face us with a smile. "Let's go."
Baby's P.O.V.-
"I'm going over to Mr. Murakami's for dinner now," I said coming down the stairs into the shop part of the building. "Great! I'll get my coat!" "Uh, uncle; this was supposed to be dinner just with me and April." "I know, baby niece," he joined me at the front door, trying- and failing- to zip up his jacket. "I'm just escorting you." "It's right next door," my lips cracked a smile. "Yeah, but after I escort you, I'm gonna go downtown. They're having polka festival; complete with a yodeling competition!" "Does uncle Rock know that you listen to that sort of music?" "He wouldn't understand," his hand gave a dismissing wave. "My brother may be good with an electric guitar, but it takes real musical talent to master the accordion." "Uh…. huh," he took my arm in his and held the door open for me. "Whatever you say, uncle."
We went next door to Mr. Murakami's restaurant. It was empty, making me nervous about our own sub shop's future. Uncle didn't seem to notice though; he just burst the door open and brought me inside. Correction- it was empty minus April. She was sitting at the counter with a cup of tea in front of her. She perked up at our entrance and I greeted her with a friendly smile. "Hi, April." "Hi, Baby." "Is this the friend you told me about? She's got red hair, just like the Scots!" "Uncle! Uh… April, this is my uncle; Uncle, April O'Neil."
"Enchantee mademoiselle," I watched in horror as uncle lifted her hand up for a peck. "H-hello! Nice to meet you, Mr. Zilla." "Please! Mr. Zilla is my great, great grandfather. Call me uncle!" "You're "my" uncle," my eyes rolled. "I can call you by your first name if you want," April offered kindly. "Ah!" She flinched at uncle's sudden reaction. "We never speak of my…" A quick glance around. "First name. Trust me, there are worse things to be named than "Rock" or "Baby". Just call me uncle." "A-alright, uncle it is." "Oh uncle," I sighed giving my head a little shake.
"So! What's on the menu for you girls tonight? Sushi? Those little raw squid dishes?" "I hope not," I laughed. "Zilla-san! Baby-chan!" We all turned to see Mr. Murakami come in from the back room. "Murakami! My Japanese man!" "Good evening, Mr. Murakami. Thanks for having us again," I flashed a grin which I knew he couldn't see but it was the thought of the jester. He gave a nod my way, smiling. "Welcome! I'm glad to have you." "I'm sure you'll feed my baby niece and Red here well," uncle patted his shoulder. "I will, and for you, Zilla-san," the kind gentleman held up a takeout bag. "Pizza gyoza to go." "Whoa, seriously?!" Needless to say, uncle was elated. "You're the dude, Murakami! I'll eat these on the way to the polka-fest!" "Polka-fest?" April's eyebrow rose. "Don't ask," I simply replied.
Takeout bag in hand, uncle came over to give me a big hug. "Have a good time, baby niece. Don't be home too late; what time did we agree on? One?" "Eleven-thirty." "That'll work! Don't come back later, unless you have food; that'll serve as an excuse," he kissed my forehead. "A+ parenting," I grinned. "Love you long time." "Love you longer! See ya, Murakami! Nice meeting you, Red!" Uncle let the door slam on his way out. No one said anything for a minute until April smiled at me. "I like your uncle." "So I do," I agreed looking back at her.
Mr. Murakami gave us each menus and we mowed over them together. April decided on miso ramen while I got this really good pork ramen- miso-free. Our orders were quickly prepared; a lot faster than we took eating them. We talked about everything; school, our childhoods, our likes and dislikes, hopes for the future, and so on. But being teenage girls of fairly decent looks, one subject was enviably going to come up. That's right, half way through the meal we started talking about "boys". It all started when April asked me if I'd ever had a boyfriend before.
Choking down the bite of noodles in my mouth, I couldn't stop myself from bursting out in a fit of laughter. "Not recently but I did have a boyfriend in second grade- one Luvimere Wormchuck." "Luvimere Wormchuck?!" April also broke into a laughing fit. "And I thought "Rock" was a bad name! No offence." "None taken. Yes, Luvimere was my first- and last- romance. What about you? Any boys that you like?" "Well…." She suddenly grew all timid and reluctant; guess the humor from Luvimere Wormchuck's unfortunate name had dissipated. April twitted her thumbs a little, glancing down at her hands.
"It's kinda complicated. There's this… boy who has like the biggest crush on me; like massive." "And? Do you like him?" "Kind of," she gave a slight shrug. "But… I don't know. It's weird….." "Why? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." "Let's just say we're from different worlds," she grinned up at me. "What about you? Meet any guys you like yet?" "Ah well….. Mmmmm, it's also complicated," my lips curled into an awkward smile.
"I met this…. guy the other night." "Oh?! Hot?" "Uh, yes… in a way. But we didn't get on well; I don't think he likes me very much." "Oh, well then forget him!" Her hand waved in the air dismissively. "No need to waste your time on guys who don't dig you." "I guess that's right. Besides, I don't think I'll ever see him again," my eyes slowly drifted back to my ramen thoughtfully. "His loss," April then picked up her bowl to sip up her broth.
Raphael's P.O.V.-
"Pizza gyoza! Pizza gyoza! Pizza gyoza!" Mikey cheered the way- the whole damn way. "Mikey!" Leo shot him an irritated glare. We hoped from rooftop to rooftop, making our way steadily to the familiar noodle shop. I didn't say much during the trip, my eyes going between my youngest brother and building ahead of us. We paused on the building opposite Murakami-san's restaurant to check before heading down. But I wasn't looking at his place at first. My attention was only diverted from a certain someone's house when I registered Leo's voice calling to me. "Raph?" Without a word, I blinked at him half-surprised, then firming up my expression when I saw the slight confusion in his face.
Mikey was the first to see them, or rather "her". "Look, dudes! It's April!" He pointed down to the front window. "Hey yeah. She's here too?" Leo asked. "Who's that with her?" That's when I looked for the first time and my heart skipped a beat. I didn't expect her to be at Murakami's place! It looked like she was eating with April; wait, she knew April? How'd that happen? My brothers didn't seem so puzzled by her appearance.
"She looks like one of April's friends." "She's pretty!" I side-glared Mikey from the corner of my eyes, though I'm not sure why. She was pretty- that was more a statement of fact than anything. Getting a second look at her, this time in actual light, I realized just how good-looking she was…. I gave myself a hard, swift mental kick. Stupid, useless hormones! Thinking things without my consent; no one said you'd lose control over your brain when you become a teenager. I did perk up though, as did Leo, when Mikey stepped up on the ledge to jump down.
"What are you doing?!" I demanded from behind. "I'm going to say hi," he said in the most innocent way imaginable. "Dude, you can't go down there." "Raph's right." "Why not? She's friends with April." "That doesn't mean she'll automatically be friends with you." "How come?" "Cause you're a big, green, mutant turtle," Leo answered. I don't know why but for some reason, this caught me off guard. Sure, I didn't think Mikey should just go approach her like that but I didn't say it had anything to do with him being a turtle… But yeah, I guess Leo's right…. That left a sour taste in my mouth that I couldn't swallow down.
"So?" "So?! You'll freak her out, that's what." "No, I won't! She's April's pal, which means she's open-minded." "No, it doesn't," Leo gripped his head in mental agony. "Sure it does! April wouldn't be friends with someone who…..!" They were interrupted by the sound of a trash can knocking over. We all glanced down to see- much to my horror- three Purple Dragon opening the shop door. And not just any Purple Dragon; the same three from the other night. We observed anxiously as they started roaming through the place, alarming April and terrifying the girl. "You!" Both she and Hoogie yelled, pointing fingers at each other. This was followed by screaming, crashes, and cries.
Leo hesitated, like a moron. "Alright, let's go down there and….." But I wasn't paying attention to his idiotic plan; my full concentration was on her- watching her through the window. It took roughly ten seconds for this conversation, this argument to occur in my brain. Why should I help her again? She's just some nobody human who happened to find my sai; she means nothing to me. I don't even know her name…..
My eyes grew as Hoogie threw one of the chairs in between him and "her" to the side. I felt something weird start to rise up inside of me- something I'd never felt before…. I couldn't quite explain it but it was something akin to panic surged with anger. Now, I knew what it was like to get mad; I've lost my temper countless times before but this…. This was a new and different kind of anger. I watched his long disgusting hand stretch out for her. A powerful kind of anger….
Before I even knew what I was doing, my body suddenly took on a will of its own. "Raph!" Leo gasped as I immediately leapt down to the street. Sai in hand, I burst through the already open door. Hoogie and the others instantly looked over their shoulders to see me standing there, glaring at the leader with this new kind of rage. "Raph!" April cried. "Red!" She also exclaimed, more in relief than surprise. "Ugh! Not you again!" Hoogie scowled.
I was immediately joined by my brothers, also bearing their arms. "There's more turtles?!" I heard her say. "You know them?!" April asked her in shock. "Do you?!" She sounded equally as dumbfounded. "Get out!" Leo ordered them, to zero affect. "Oh yeah?" Hoogie smirked, stupidly. "Make us!" More crashes and bangs; her scream echoed through the shop. "Murakami-san!" April, who was closer, ran over to the blind man's aid. He wasn't hurt from what I could see but he did look frazzled. She guided him to the back wall while our fight begun. I was so engaged that I neglected to keep track of "her" whereabouts for a second- just a second- and it was one of the worst seconds of my life.