A little less than a week later, Karai was ready to be released from the hospital. April, unaware of this, still arrived for visiting hours.
"Hey," she greeted absently, before starting in surprise at the sight of Karai stood by the window. "Whoa, what are you doing up?"
The dark-haired girl smirked. "They've been getting me up the last couple of days to test my motion."
April glanced around the room. "Shouldn't someone be with you if they're testing you?" Karai raised an eyebrow, and suddenly April understood. "Oh, I get it. You're just breaking the rules."
"Hey, they only told me I needed to get used to moving again before they could let me out," she informed her. "I can't break a rule they didn't specify."
Shaking her head fondly, April joined her at the window. "So they're thinking of letting you go?"
"Planning to," Karai corrected. "They're hoping to get me out of here either tomorrow or the day after."
"Oh. Well, that's great!" The redhead beamed, but her smile faded when Karai didn't mirror it. "Isn't it?"
She sighed thoughtfully. "I'll be.. relieved to leave this room," she began. "I'm just somewhat... hesitant about seeing someone."
"Master Splinter?" April guessed. Taking Karai's silence as a 'yes', she continued, "He's not mad, you know. He's really missed you."
Her tone was humourless. "I'm sure."
"Seriously, he has," April assured her. "You're his daughter; he loves you."
"... What did he say when he found out I was here?"
"..."
"April?"
"Okay, don't be mad, but he kinda doesn't know yet."
"How could I not be mad?!" She snapped, but her voice was on the verge of breaking. "What if I just turn up and he doesn't want me there? What if...?"
She trailed off as April embraced her. Both girls were surprised by the redhead's actions; while they had certainly been growing closer, neither had really thought much about physical contact. However, April refused to let go until she felt Karai's tense muscles relax. Only then did she lean back and offer, "Well, if the lair's too much to handle just now, I know a pretty decent couch that's open for you."
"I... I really appreciate it."
"Don't worry." April smiled. "We're gonna have to tell those charity guys something, right?"
"Hey, you holding up okay?"
April glanced back, momentarily confused as to why Casey would be asking her that. Then she realised she hadn't been the focus of the question at all, and quickly turned her attention back to the tunnel ahead of her in an attempt to pretend she wasn't listening.
She heard Karai laugh dryly as she replied, "Well, I'm honestly not thrilled to be back in the sewers. It almost feels like I'm tempting fate."
Casey laughed and presumably jostled her, because April heard her shoes scuff on the paving. She was about to tell him off when she heard even more scuffling, followed by a splash and Casey's cry of disgust. "Ugh, sick! You ruined my boots!"
Both girls burst out laughing, Karai hurrying to catch up to April before Casey could get his revenge. As the hockey nut trudged up to join them, grumbling beneath his breath, the turnstiles of the lair came into view. Karai immediately tensed. April caught her arm reassuringly, and despite his earlier annoyance at her, Casey gave her a playful slap on the back in encouragement.
She exhaled slowly. "Okay."
The kunoichi began walking forward, determined. With a quick gesture for Casey to do the same, April hurried to flank her. When she paused right before entering, April strode ahead anyway, leaping the turnstiles cleanly. Casey followed, kicking off his dirtied boots as he did so. A moment later, Karai copied.
Miraculously, the main room was empty for once, giving Karai a brief moment to adjust to the space that was simultaneously familiar and unknown. "Wow," she muttered to nobody in particular. "Nothing's changed."
"Yeah, after the space thing, the guys wanted to keep the lair pretty much the same," commented Casey. "Oh, do you know about the space thing?"
Immediately Karai turned to April, who was facing her with a smug grin. "Told you," she sing-songed.
Before the kunoichi could respond, Donnie emerged from his laboratory. He halted when he saw the room's occupants. "Oh, hello! I didn't know you were coming today!"
Again the dark-haired girl rounded on her. "You didn't tell them either?"
"Of course I told them!" April protested.
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, she told us; I was just distracted with my work!" Donnie assured her fervently. His tone softened. "I'm really glad you're here."
"It's very nice to see-"
"KARAI!" Mikey, appearing out of nowhere, barrelling straight into his sister and trapping her in his arms. "I MISSED YOU!"
"We saw her last night, knucklehead," Raph reminded him, entering in a more leisurely fashion. He merely inclined his head as a form of greeting.
"Whatever." Mikey stuck his tongue out at his brother. "I'm making up for all the years of hugs I missed out on!"
"Let her go, Mikey, she needs to breathe," Leo remarked in amusement. He walked in from the dojo, a smirk playing at his lips. "Hey, Karai. Welcome home."
Comforted by his presence, Karai smirked. "I expected you to at least tidy the place up for me."
"I agree, but with four sons, the task is rather difficult."
The voice took everyone by surprise. Leo stepped aside, revealing Master Splinter exiting the dojo. Karai froze in place, almost shivering.
Splinter smiled warmly at her. "I have missed you, my child."
Acting on impulse, the girl rushed forwards and hugged him. He held her close, running a hand through her outgrown hair. When he felt sobs begin to shake her, he motioned for the rest of his family to give them a moment alone. Once the room had cleared, he guided her to the couch.
She scrubbed furiously at her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"I do not know what you are referring to, but there is no reason to apologise," Splinter told her kindly.
The girl shook her head vehemently. "Of course there is! After all you and your family did for me, I ran off - twice!"
"You may be mature, Miwa, but you are still young and confused; I do not blame you for your actions, as long as you have learned from them." He gently clasped her hand.
"I believe I have," she answered honestly.
He squeezed her hand a little tighter. "As do I."
They sat in silence a while longer, enjoying each-other's company. Karai had never had a parental figure in her life that she could simply sit with peacefully, and despite having four sons and two surrogate children, something felt different about the encounter to Splinter.
Finally, he released her hand and rose. "Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, please." She stood and followed him to the kitchen area, feeling too out of place to sit in the room by herself.
"Do you have any preference?" He inquired. When she shook her head, he set about brewing the tea. "Now, I must ask you, my child, if I offend you by addressing you as 'Miwa'."
She nibbled on her lip for a moment as she thought. "It doesn't offend me... but I'm not sure I'd like everybody to call me it just yet."
"Very well. May I continue to address you as such?"
"Of course. After all, you did choose it for me."
Splinter chuckled. "In actuality, the name was Shen's idea. We had many debates over you, one of which concerning your name. When she suggested 'Miwa', however, I knew it would fit you perfectly."
"Harmony..." Karai mused. "Doesn't seem all that fitting to me."
"I disagree," Splinter stated simply. "Perhaps you do not believe it now, but I feel that in time you will no longer feel obliged to be Miwa or Karai; you will grow into yourself. A harmony of two clans, if you wish."
Stunned, Karai blinked back at him. "I... Thank you."
"Hmm. I seem to remember Leonardo mentioning you did not care for that phrase."
"It's more a case of I cannot... express that phrase properly," she explained. "It wasn't much used in the Foot. Perhaps I will grow used to it in this clan."
"I would hope so."
Splinter carried the teapot and two cups to the table and poured their drinks. Karai bowed her head respectfully to him before lifting the cup. "Domo arigato," she thanked him.
Lifting his own cup, Splinter smiled. "It seems you are becoming better versed in the phrase already."
She smiled back. After a sip of tea, however, she hesitated. "I don't know if I can stay here yet."
He sighed calmly. "Truthfully, I suspected as much. We will not force you, although you must remember that you will always be welcome. Though I must inquire as to where you plan to go instead?"
"April offered me her couch," Karai informed him. "Her father permits it."
"Good, as long as you are not returning to the streets."
She smirked. "Not as long as I have a choice."
They enjoyed their tea in contented silence, conversation unnecessary at that point. When they had finished their drink, Karai diligently gathered their dishes and took them to the sink. "Thank you, my daughter," he called after her, rising more leisurely.
Turning to glance at him, Karai smiled brightly. "It's the least I could do; I have been skipping my chores for the last eighteen years."
Splinter chuckled, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Be careful; you do not want Michelangelo to hear you say that."
"TOO LATE!" chimed a voice from just outside the room.
Father and daughter looked to each-other and laughed together. As Karai resumed washing the dishes and Splinter picked up a rag to dry them, she couldn't deny the feeling that this was where her life should have been.
Done. I'm done. Done. Maybe if I say it enough times, the fandom will stop drawing me back to this. Seriously though, this actually is the end, so thanks for sticking with it :)
Hope you enjoyed, and thanks for reading xD
~ MusicRocks807 xx