A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! They're very encouraging. Just a note, I do realize that orphanages don't exist anymore and I have a very basic understanding of the adoption process but this section is really just to set up the premise for the rest of my stories. Also, because it's an AU (not to mention even if it wasn't, giant talking turtles kind of create an AU in itself), I'm taking a lot of liberties to make the story work the way I'd like. Thanks for the advice though, I always appreciate it. Enjoy!

As Splinter allowed himself to be taken to the orphanage he asked, "How old are you boys?"

This time Raph answered, his voice already a bit rougher than his brothers. "Leo's 7, me and Donnie are 6, and Mikey's 4."

Splinter nodded. He knew that they would be young but their ages still surprised him. They were just so mature, but he supposed it was to be expected after losing both parents so young. He looked down with a smile as he felt a small hand slip into his. Mikey smiled up at him with that toothy grin that just warmed Splinter's heart. "How old are you?" Mikey asked.

"Mikey!" Leo hissed.

"What?" Mikey asked innocently as he turned around to stare at his older brother, his blue eyes wide.

"You don't just go around asking people how old they are," Don reprimanded him.

"Why not? Splinter did it."

Splinter chuckled at the boy's reasoning. "It's okay boys, I don't mind." He looked at the little boy and smiled. "I'm 34 Mikey."

Mikey's eyes widened. "Wow. You're old." Splinter chuckled again at the groan and what sounded like a face palm behind them. He certainly missed the innocence of a child. "Do you have a family?" Mikey asked.

Splinter hesitated for a second as memories of his wife and daughter came flying back. "I used to," he answered softly. Thankfully even Mikey sensed the sad tone and didn't push the subject.

The awkward silence ended when they arrived at the orphanage. It was an old brick building that had been left over from the turn of the century. Several kids were playing on the sidewalk and on the steps out front. Mikey led Splinter past the kids and into the old building with his older brothers following behind them. "This is the orphanage," he announced proudly.

Splinter looked around and was about to ask Leo where he could find an adult when an older woman came bustling through the commotion. "Boys, what kind of trouble have you gotten into this time?" She stopped short when she noticed Splinter. "Oh, hello, who are you?"

"Hamato Yoshi," he said extending his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Are you the person in charge of this orphanage?"

The woman shook his hand and nodded. "Yes, I'm Sandra Harris. What have the boys done this time?"

Leo frowned and Mikey shouted, "We didn't do nothing!" just as Splinter shook his head to correct her. "Actually they haven't done anything. They are remarkably polite boys. I was hoping that I could actually talk with you in your office."

The boys watched as Ms. Harris led Splinter to her office. "What do you think he wants to talk to Ms. Harris 'bout?" Mikey asked.

"Who cares?" Raph said with a scoff. He left his brothers to go to their shared room. The others followed as Leo took Mikey's hand and shared a knowing look with Don.

In Ms. Harris's office Splinter sat on the other side of the desk from her. "Okay Mr. Yoshi, what would you like to talk about?"

He ignored the fact that she got his name reversed. Most Americans didn't know that Japanese surnames came first. "I'm interested in adopting those four boys," Splinter told her.

She frowned. "Are you sure? They have some issues. Raphael has anger management problems and is always getting into trouble, Donatello is way too smart for his own good and is always getting into things that he shouldn't be, Michelangelo never sits still and only listens to his brothers if even them, and Leonardo takes everything way too seriously and seems to have some lingering issues from their parents' deaths. One alone is a handful; all four is just ridiculous."

Splinter stared at the woman in disbelief. She couldn't possibly think that! Here were four boys who had just lost their parents only a month ago, now all alone in the world, and she was labeling them as problems. Not to mention the implication of actually splitting them up! "You would really split them up?" he asked.

"Of course," Ms. Harris answered as if it were the most obvious plan in the world. "No one would be able to handle all four boys and even so, there are just no families willing to take in four damaged young boys."

Splinter frowned at her choice of words and forced himself not to say anything about it. "I am willing to take all four in," he reiterated.

Ms. Harris eyed him. "How exactly did you meet them anyway?"

Splinter would've rolled his eyes if the action wasn't considered rude. Now she acted like she cared about them? "I met them while they were…playing in the park," he answered choosing to leave out the fact that they were actually sparring. He had a feeling that Ms. Harris would not take that piece of information very well.

"Oooh, I told those boys to stay near the orphanage," she exclaimed. "See what I mean? Nothing but disobedient troublemakers."

Splinter's frown deepened. "Nevertheless, I am still willing to adopt them."

"And what does your wife say about this?"

Splinter's eyes darkened at the second mention of his family. "My wife died several years ago, along with my daughter," he answered.

Ms. Harris raised a critical eyebrow. "And you think you're capable of caring for four emotionally damaged boys?"

"I have the financial resources and the time," Splinter said firmly. "I own a dojo, which will give the boys a place to release their pent-up energy. The boys told me that they have been training for two years already. I can continue their training personally. As for the emotional toll, I know the pain of losing your family. I can help them through it, and if I can't I am willing to take them to a children's counselor."

"You know that you can't change your mind and dump them back on us when they become too much?"

Splinter frowned again. He didn't like that she implied that he would want to give them up. He was really starting to dislike this woman. "I would not dream of it."

Ms. Harris was quiet for a few minutes before she pulled out several forms. "Very well, if you insist. Fill out these forms. The process normally takes several months to a year but you shouldn't get your hopes up. It's not very often that a single man is allowed to adopt four traumatized boys."

Splinter took the forms and nodded. "Thank you." He left the office and looked around, hoping to run into the boys again but they seemed to have disappeared. He sighed and took a look at the forms in his hands. He had a few calls to make.

Additional A/N: I wish I could update faster but school just started again this past Monday. If anyone has gone to graduate school (I'm currently in my 2nd year of a JD/MBA), you know how busy it gets, and I work, so bear with me. I'll update as often as I can because love you that you enjoy my story. :)