Chapter 20: Moving On

A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I had Internet problems on Friday and wasn't sure if it would be fixed in time for me to post this. Luckily, things are working now, so hopefully I can put this up. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be encouraged to continue this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter just as you've enjoyed the other ones. I still can't believe that I have one hundred and fifty five reviews for this story. That's just awesome! So, thank you.

Disclaimer: The TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot of the story.

The night was still, and the cemetery was quiet as Mikey and his brothers made their way to April's grave. Splinter and Kirby were also present and had suggested that they visit April's grave as a way to gain closure for her death now that the mystery had been solved. Mikey wasn't too keen on the idea since graveyards often reminded him of horror movies, but he knew it was the right thing to do and that nothing would hurt him with his family nearby.

Mikey stared at the gravestone which read, "April Marie O'Neil. Beloved Daughter and Passionate Friend." It was still hard to believe that April had been killed by her sister, and Mikey tried to picture one of his brothers stooping that low. Sure, Raph sometimes threatened to kill Mikey if he was the victim of one of Mikey's pranks, but he would never act on it no matter how mad he was. None of them would because they loved each other. Robyn hadn't loved April, and that's why she killed her.

"My sons, would you like to say something?" Splinter asked them.

Leo cleared his throat. "Goodbye, April," he said. "We're sorry that Robyn killed you, and that you never got to tell us about her. Maybe if you had, we could have prevented all of this. But even so, I still hope that you are now at peace. We'll miss you." He bowed and placed a small Space Heroes figurine that April had given him on the grave.

"Yeah, we'll miss you, April," Raph added. "It sucks that you're not here with us and that your sister had to do you in. You were an awesome friend, and I'll never forget you." He placed a small stone carved with four turtles and a rat right beside Leo's figurine.

Don stepped up next. "April, I know I never got to say this to you in person, but I loved you. You were one of the few who really understood me, I'm really going to miss you coming to the Lair to help me fix a project or me helping you with your homework or any other problem you have." With a sob he placed a bouquet of roses on April's grave.

Mikey was the last one left. He placed a drawing of April on the grave, the one he'd never been able to give her when she was alive. Kirby had gotten a frame for it so it could be place on her grave and Mikey had been happy about that. "I'm sorry you're gone, April," he said. "It's gonna be hard with you not around just as it always has been. But I know you're watching over us and that you'll always be in our hearts." He stood by his brothers and closed his eyes, feeling better now that he'd said his piece.

Splinter then stepped up to the grave. "April, you were a joy in my sons' lives as well as my own," he said. "I know that you could not replace Miwa, but you still helped me to heal and showed me that I could move on. I did all I could to help you when your father was taken, though it was never my intention to replace him in your heart. I hope that your spirit is at peace and that one day you will return to us in another form. You were a wonderful person and an excellent student. We will miss you so much." He bowed and placed the tessen he had given to April on her grave.

Kirby stepped up to the grave and sighed. "April, I'm so sorry that your life was cut short and that your sister was the one to kill you," he began. "If I had known what was about to happen to you, I would have stopped it immediately. I'm sorry that I wasn't there to save you from your sister. I failed as a parent, and I can never take that back. However, I promise to do whatever it takes to find Robyn and make her own up for what she did to you. I know it won't bring you back, but it's the best thing I can do for you anyway. I love you, April, and I always will." He leaned down and kissed the gravestone just as he used to kiss his daughter. Then he stepped back and looked at the Turtles and Splinter, unsure of what to do next.

"Hey, let's stop over at Murakami's," Mikey suggested. "I promised him he'd get to meet Splinter and Mr. O'Neil. Are you guys up for that?"

"Yes, I think that would be nice," answered Splinter. The others agreed, so they made their way to the noodle shop which was still open.

"Hey, Murakami-san, how's it going?" Mikey asked the noodle shop owner. "It's Michelangelo, and I brought my family." He always made it a point to announce himself so that Murakami would know he was there, even though Murakami had told Mikey more than once that he knew it was Mikey or his brothers by their voices and their footsteps.

"I am well, Michelangelo-san," replied Murakami. "And you have brought your family as well."

"Yeah, I did," answered Mikey. "Murakami-san, this is Master Splinter, our father and sensei, and this is Kirby O'Neil, April and Robyn's dad. Sensei, Mr. O'Neil, this is Murakami-san."

"It is very nice to finally meet you, Murakami-san," said Splinter, bowing to the blind man.

"Likewise, Splinter-san," responded Murakami, returning the bow. "It is also nice to meet you, Kirby-chan. I am sorry for the loss of your daughters. I cannot imagine what you are going through."

"Thank you, Murakami-san," said Kirby. "It's very hard, but I'm doing the best I can. Splinter and the boys have been a big help."

Murakami nodded. "Yes, it is good to have friends at a time like this," he said. There was a sad look on his face, and Mikey began to get worried.

"Hey, where's Oyuki?" he asked, remembering that his friend hadn't come out to greet him.

"She left for Japan yesterday," answered Murakami. "Her mother is gravely ill."

"She left?" cried Mikey. "Why didn't she tell me she was leaving?" A hurt look crossed his face. How could Oyuki do this to him?

"She had to leave immediately and didn't get time to tell you," explained Murakami. "She wanted to wait until she was able to tell you, Michelangelo, but she couldn't. So, she asked me to tell you instead. I'm sorry, my friend."

Mikey nodded. He wasn't mad at Murakami for giving him the news, but he wished that Oyuki had told him instead. How could she just up and leave like that? Didn't she know that Mikey really needed his friend in light of Robyn's betrayal?

Seeing the hurt look on his son's face, Splinter put a paw on Mikey's shoulder. "I'm sure Oyuki feels just as badly as you do, Michelangelo," he said gently. "She is feeling sad because of her mother's illness and not being able to say goodbye. Perhaps hearing from you would make her feel better."

"Yeah, maybe that would be a good idea," said Mikey. "I think I'll write to her." Feeling cheered up at this idea, the orange-clad Turtle began to eat the pizza gyoza Murakami served him and joined in on the conversation that was taking place as they all shared fond memories of April.

When Mikey returned home, he got out a piece of paper and a pencil and began to write his letter to Oyuki. He wanted to tell her all that had happened and that he wasn't mad at her for leaving so quickly. When he was done, he felt much better and hoped that Oyuki would write him back.

Dear Oyuki,

I know you had to leave in a hurry because of your mom being sick. I'm really sorry about that and I hope she gets better soon. You might think I'm upset because you left without talking to me. Well, I was upset, but after Murakami-san told me why, I knew it wasn't your fault and that I shouldn't be mad at you for it. So don't worry about me being angry at you because I'm not.

You're probably wondering what's going on with me. Well, remember that girl, Robyn, who was with me when I met you? It was Robyn who was sending us the texts as A. She killed April because she was jealous of her, and she wanted to kill us, too, so she started a fire in the antique shop where she was going to live. We all got out, but we don't know if Robyn escaped or if she died. I'm just so mad at her that she betrayed us and made us believe she was on our side.

At least I have you and my family to get me through it. My brothers promised me we'd go skateboarding tomorrow since we haven't done that in a while. I think it'll be fun. Well, I guess I'd better get to bed. Be sure to write as soon as you can, and I'll be sure to answer as soon as I can.

Your friend,

Michelangelo

Feeling satisfied with what he'd written, Mikey set the letter on the table so he could have Kirby mail it tomorrow. Then he got into bed and drifted off to sleep, happy that he wouldn't be getting a text from A anymore.

A/N: A short little chapter, but at least it's done. Yeah, looks like Mikey is getting better and they're all getting the closure they need. I know you guys might be sad about Oyuki, but she'll be back in the sequel, so don't worry. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.