Chapter 24: Starting Over

A/N: And here's the first of the aftermath chapters for this saga. We're slowly coming to the end of this story, and I couldn't be happier with how this has turned out. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. It's you guys who have helped me to keep this going even when I felt like giving up a few times on this whole thing. So thanks for that. And if you're out there and haven't taken a chance on me or my stories, don't be shy. I accept any and all feedback. Heck, even if you say this series sucks, I'm fine with that even if I may not agree with your opinion. Feedback is what keeps us writers going and helps us to improve, so I always appreciate it when people take the time to read and review my work. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more than that.

Mikey started humming a tune as he made his way out of his room. He was on his way to Murakami's since he hadn't been there in a little while since the whole ordeal with Robyn and Jason. He was sure Murakami was going to ask questions, and though Mikey knew he'd be reluctant to answer them, he would still do so because he cared about his friend.

As he entered the living area, he spotted Kirby on the couch watching TV. Kirby had now fully recovered from his ordeal with Robyn and was now living with them since he couldn't live in his apartment since it was being renovated. He would have lived with his sister, Agatha O'Neil, but she had gone to Florida to her home down there to live for a while and he wasn't sure when she was coming back.

"Hey, Mikey, are you going out?" Kirby asked.

"Yep. I'm going to Murakami's. You want me to bring you back anything?"

"I'd like some of his ramen noodles if you can get it," Kirby answered.

"Cool, I'll be sure to ask him for that," said Mikey.

"Okay. Have fun."

"Will do," said Mikey as he waved to Kirby and headed into the sewers. He was happy that Kirby was living with them as he was fun to be around and always had time to spend with all of them at various times. Splinter had even offered to train him in ninjutsu, but Kirby had declined, saying his body wouldn't cooperate with him if he did stuff like that. But he did join in on the meditation sessions and was even been offering sessions to his clients which Splinter appreciated.

Mikey left the sewers and headed to the surface. He glanced around making sure no one was watching him. He knew he shouldn't be worried, but he couldn't help but glance around and wonder if Robyn was still lurking in the shadows. Was she still in New York, or had she fled the state so no one would catch her? Jason was now in jail and was awaiting trial, and Mikey couldn't help but wish that Robyn was joining him in that endeavor, though she wasn't. With one last glance around him, Mikey jumped down and entered the noodle shop.

Mr. Murakami smiled as he heard Mikey's footsteps. "Ah, Michelangelo-san, it is nice to see you again,' he said. Even though he was blind, Murakami was very good at detecting which of the Turtles entered his shop by their footsteps.

"Hey, Murakami-san, what's shakin'?" Mikey asked him.

Murakami chuckled. "I would assume that is another American way of asking how I am, is it not?"

"Yep, pretty much," Mikey replied.

"Well, I am doing very well especially since I now have a new helper," Murakami said.

"That's cool," said Mikey.

"Yes, here she comes now," said Murakami.

The doors to the back opened and out stepped someone Mikey knew very well. He smiled as he saw Kala come out to the front.

"Hey, Kala, nice to see you again," Mikey said.

"Same here, Mikey," Kala replied. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good," Mikey answered. "So how'd you get this job?"

"I remembered you telling me about the noodle shop, so I came here after I talked to you and asked Mr. Murakami if he could hire me for a job. He agreed, and I've been working here ever since."

"That's awesome!" Mikey praised her. "I'm glad you took my advice."

"So am I," Kala agreed. "It pays pretty well, and I'm just glad I have something to do."

"And how are you doing, Michelangelo-san?" Murakami asked him.

Mikey told him about their ordeal with Jason and Robyn and how Ali and Jack didn't believe Robyn was there and that the Turtles had imagined her. "But I know we saw her," he insisted. "We wouldn't just lie about something like that."

"I believe you, Michelangelo," said Murakami. "You have a pure heart that is always worn on your sleeve. I do not think you would make something like that up. So what happened to Jason?"

"He's in jail awaiting trial," Mikey answered. "I just wish Robyn was there, too."

Murakami sighed. "Yes, I know, my friend. This has all been hard for you as well as for all of us who have suffered at her hands."

"I just wish there was a way to catch her," Mikey lamented. "Donnie's been working on his computer to see if he can find anything, but so far, there's been no luck. I just don't think she's gonna come out of hiding. She's too smart for that, though Leo thinks that there's gonna be a point where she slips up, and if she does, then we can catch her."

"That sucks, Mikey," Kala said sympathetically. "I wish there was something I could do to help."

"You could keep your eyes open and let us know if she shows herself, but I don't think she will," Mikey replied.

"Perhaps she has fled the state and is somewhere else now," Murakami mused.

"That's what Raph said, but we don't know for sure," Mikey told him. He sighed. "I guess the best thing we can do is try to move on, but it's not easy. Kirby's living with us now."

"And how is he doing?"

"Good. He loves hanging out with us."

"That is a good thing. He is a very charming man."

"Yeah, he asked me if you'd give him some of your famous ramen noodles. He's been craving them."

Murakami chuckled. "Of course I will give him the noodles," he said gently. "And I'll throw in some pizza gyoza for your brothers as well." He hurried to the kitchen and began preparing both meals.

Kala smiled at Mikey. "I'm so glad you're here, Mikey," she said.

"So am I," Mikey agreed. "Do you like it here?"

"I love it," Kala replied. "For a blind guy, Murakami is amazing with what he can do. He once told me he was training to be a ninja before he was blinded. I figured he would give up on that after getting blinded, but the accident just motivated him to do it more. He's definitely got wicked skills."

Mikey nodded. "Yeah, I've seen him in action, and he's great. He doesn't let anything get him down. So, when you get a spare moment, would you like to hang out sometime?"

Kala laughed. "I'd love to hang out with you, Mikey," she replied. "Maybe we could go skateboarding together."

"I'd like that," Mikey said with a smile.

"Great. I'll call you sometime once I get a free moment."

Murakami returned with Mikey's order, and Mikey took that as his cue to leave so the ramen noodles wouldn't get cold. He promised to come back soon and to talk to Kala later before leaving the shop. Once again, he glanced around as if expecting Robyn to pop out of the shadows, but no one was there. Breathing a sigh of relief, Mikey headed to the sewers and back home. He replayed the conversation with Kala and smiled to himself. He had a future date with her! How awesome was that? Sure, he still missed Oyuki and always would, but he knew it was time for him to move on, and he had a feeling Oyuki would want that. He gave Kirby his food along with the gyoza for his brothers after eating a few himself. Then he went to his room and began drawing a picture of Kala. On instinct, he looked down at his phone, expecting it to chime with a taunting text from A about how he shouldn't rest so easy, but his phone stayed silent. And as much as Mikey felt he should have been happy about that, he instead felt like it was a warning that something was about to come.

A/N: And that's the end of another chapter. Only three more to go before this story is completed. I admit that the aftermath chapters won't be that suspenseful, but they aren't meant to be just yet. That's going to be saved for the third story in the series. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.