Krillin and Splinter watched as I paced my bedroom for the last twenty minutes. This news was kinda difficult to swallow. My head feels like it's 'bout to explode any second now. Sixteen years I've spent only knowing myself to be Amelia Fletcher, now I find out that I was 'sposed to be Amelia Hamato! What the hell else don't I know?!

My whole life has been nothing but a friggin' lie! My father is Hamato Yoshi not the gigantic ape, Hun. What? I can't even comprehend this. Hell, I'm sick of trying too. The lump in my stomach is becoming a pain in the ass.

"Are you alright, Miss Fletcher?" Splinter interrupted my thoughts, peering at me with worried eyes.

"Miss Fletcher?" I repeated bitterly. "Fletcher? I'm not even a Fletcher, dude. I'm…hell; is my name even Amelia?!"

He looked away guiltily, "no."

Friggin' wonderful.

"Then what is it?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"Tomoe."

"Tomoe?"

"Named after the prototypical Japanese female warrior. Tomoe was beautiful, with fair white skin, long black hair, and charming features; moreover she was a fearless rider, whom neither the fiercest horse nor the roughest ground could dismay, and so dexterously did she handle sword and bow that she was a match for 1,000 warriors, fit to meet either god or devil."

My knees felt weak. My head was reeling. My name ain't even Amelia. It's Tomoe Hamato…crap, I feel sick.

"This has gotta be some sorta sick joke, right?" I asked, my anger building. "I mean, ya seriously expect me to believe this crap?! All 'cause of some stupid photograph taken years ago!"

Even though I was getting angrier by the second, Splinter remained completely calm. "I know this is difficult for you to comprehend, Miss Fletcher."

I scoffed, "I really doubt that."

He continued, "Your parents loved you-"

"Then where the hell are they?!" I snapped, the question I've been dying to ask finally breaking free. I think that's why I'm getting so upset over this stupid thing. Was there something wrong with me? Was I not good enough for them? Why would they give me away to a family as horrible as the one I'd been living with for the past sixteen years?

A look of realisation passed across his face, followed by sadness. "Your parents are dead, Miss Fletcher."

My anger quickly disappeared with that one sentence. "Say what?"

"Sit down," he patted the spot beside him. My legs felt weak as I wobbled over to the bed. "It's time I tell you the truth."

He took my hands and held them gently, staring at my face as he spoke. "Have you ever heard of the Order of the Guardians?"

My face scrunched up in confusion, "huh?"

"The Order of the Guardians is an organization made up of human fighters, all of which are taught in the art of ninjutsu. The Guardians were founded by the Utroms-"

"Utroms?" I interrupted. Splinter gave me a look, basically telling me to shut my trap, which I did.

"The Utroms are a sophisticated alien race that crash landed on Earth over a thousand years ago. Due to the deficiency of technology, they were forced to stay in feudal Japan until Humanity advanced and developed the technology that they required to repair their ship. In order to remain hidden from humans, they developed human-shaped exosuits, however, one of those suits was stolen by a prisoner they had kept locked up inside their ship. His name was Ch'rell. Never have I seen such a being as ruthless and black hearted as him."

"Sounds like a scary dude," I said absentmindedly. My mind was still trying to get used to the fact there are real, honest-to-God aliens!

"After having succeeded in stealing an exoskeleton, Ch'rell established himself as a person and also took the name of "The Shredder" and built a ninja clan to create an army of followers. In order to protect themselves and other innocent people against the encroachments of the Foot, the Utroms in turn founded the Guardians after they had won the trust of some people. Your parents being the two with whom the Utroms trusted the most."

I was unaware of the breath I was holding 'til it escaped my lips. I rubbed my face with my hands. I had so many questions, but I didn't know what to ask first.

Splinter watched me silently, his whiskers twitching every few seconds. With a sigh, I turned to him and asked the question that I NEEDED to know, "how did my parents die?"

His eyes changed. His expression softened. Sorrowful and grief-stricken. "The Utroms were forced to flee Japan, the Guardians followed suit, continuing to protect their masters in their new sanctuary, the Techno Cosmic Research Institute, in New York City. Your parents built a life for themselves here in the city, while still carrying out the duties as Guardians, until your mother fell pregnant. Your parents were blessed with a beautiful baby girl-" he moved my bangs out of my face and smiled. "-who they named, Tomoe Hamato. They loved you dearly. Tragedy struck a year after you were born. The Shredder had managed to track the whereabouts of your parents and tried forcing them to reveal the location of the Utroms. Your parents resisted and for that they were tortured and murdered for their defiance."

I pulled my legs up to my chest and rested my chin on my knees. The pain in my stomach was making me sick. My eyes burned with tears but I fought them back.

After a few minutes of silence, Splinter spoke again. "I thought you too had been slain that day."

"Why wasn't I?" My voice came out as a whisper.

"I am afraid I do not know the answer to that, Miss Fletcher. The Shredder must have had good reason to leave you unharmed."

The Shredder…I've ain't never even met the guy! Why the hell would he keep me alive instead of just killing me there and then? I mean, he doesn't sound like the type of dude that just kills kids' parents then drops 'em off at a strangers' house. Wait a minute…

"Hun works for the Shredder…doesn't he?"

"Yes," Splinter nodded once.

"And he was there when my parents were killed?" Anger was starting to form inside a me.

"He was."

"So he must know why I'm still alive!" I stood up abruptly, grabbed my hoody, and made my way to the door.

"Miss Fletcher," Splinter called from behind me. I stopped in the doorway, not even bothering to look back. "I know what you intend to do, but please, do not."

"I have to know, Splinter," I said, a sharp edge to my voice.

"To act in anger is like tying up a ship in a storm."

I frowned, "what the hell is that 'sposed to mean?"

"It means I forbid you from leaving the lair, especially when there is anger controlling your mind and body."

"Forbid me?" He seriously did not just say that! "How dare you?" I turned on him, fire burning in my eyes. "Ya can't forbid me!"

Splinters face hardened, "I have allowed you to live under our roof, Miss Fletcher. I expect you to follow the rules."

"NO! I ain't gonna follow your rules! Ya ain't my boss, ya ain't my father…ya ain't nothing to me but an overgrown rodent! Now I'm getting the hell outta here and ya can't stop me!"

I turned on my heel and ran. I can't keep living this lie. I need answers and I need them now.

Even though I was across the street, cheering could still be heard from the warehouse. I've been standing here for ten minutes trying to force my feet off the curb. Hun was in there, but did he have the answers I needed? Maybe, but maybe not…I didn't know. But what I did know was that I ain't gonna be getting answers standing outside all night. It's now or never.

Taking a deep breath I stepped off the curb. My body seemed to move all on its own and it didn't stop 'til I was inside. Dragonface noticed my surprise arrival before anyone else and stood from his place in the bleachers. He whistled, stopping the current cage fight and silencing the roaring crowd, before meeting me halfway. A small crowd had formed by the time I had stopped.

"Well, well, lookey what we have here," Dragonface sneered, flicking his cigarette to the side. "A traitor if ever I saw one."

"Dragonface, always a pleasure," I said with a fake smile.

"You got some nerve showin' up here like this. What, you got a death wish or somethin'?"

I smirked, "not today I'm afraid. I got questions that need answers."

"Oh yeah?" Dragonface leered. "What kind of questions?"

"Questions a dumbass like you wouldn't be able to answer."

Dragonface stepped forward 'til I could feel his breath on my face. Our eyes narrowed simultaneously as we stared each other down. Dragonface eyed me up and down before chuckling. "You got balls kid. I give you that. Come on, I'll show you up."

Dragonface led me through the warehouse to Huns' office. Dragonface patted me on the shoulder before heading back down the stairs. Without knocking, I let myself in. The big oaf stood quickly, knocking his chair down. His lips pulled back over his teeth in a sneer and his eyes narrowed into slits.

"You," he snarled.

I smirked, "really? That's all ya gotta say? Did that bump on the head limit your vocabulary?"

That comment seemed to piss him off even more.

Good.

"What the hell are you doing back here, Mel?"

"I'll be asking the questions 'round here, Hun."

"Oh?" He walked 'round his desk, "what questions could you possibly have?"

"Well, let's start with this one; when the hell were ya gonna tell me that I'm Hamato Yoshi's daughter?!"

For the first time in the sixteen years that I'd known him, Hun looked genuinely shocked. That look of surprise though swiftly turned into a glare. "That rat finally told you, huh?"

"So it's true? I really am his daughter." My hands ball up into fists by my sides. "Why? Why did you keep me alive!?"

Instead of answering he smirked and sat behind his desk again. My temper continued to rise when he didn't answer my question. I can't stand people not answering questions!

I slammed my palms down on the desks surface, "answer the goddamn question, Hun! Why did the Shredder kill my parents and leave me unharmed?!"

Amusement danced in his eyes as he leant back in his chair. "What makes you think I know anything?"

"Oh please," I scoffed, narrowing my eyes. "That big nose ya got is always getting stuck in other peoples' business. I know ya know why Shredder left me alive. He made ya take me for a reason. What was it?"

"You always have to know everything, don't you?" He muttered, shaking his head. "I'm not telling you anything, Mel."

"Why the hell not!?"

He smirked, rising from his seat. "The Shredder told me to keep you alive until he was ready for you. I don't ask what his motives are, I just follow."

"Oh, so you're the Shredders' bitch," I said, laughing slightly.

He growled, "I'm nobodies bitch! Now you better watch your mouth or else!" He opened the drawer and pulled out a small pistol and placed it on the desk.

"Shoot me then, I don't care, come on, ya want me to walk over to the window here so ya can get a better angle?" I stood with my back to the window, my arms spread out. Hun didn't move and I dropped my arms. "Don't threaten me. I ain't gonna take 'em. I've been putting up with this for years, and I ain't worried 'bout your puny threats."

I walked back to the door to the office, stopping in the doorway and glancing over my shoulder. "Don't think this is the last you'll see of me, Hun. I'm gonna come back for ya, and when I do, one of us ain't coming out alive."

With that said I left his office, the warehouse, the parking lot…I just left all of it behind, and never wanna go back.

Shredder, a man I ain't even met, is to blame for this. How can someone ya never knew existed cause so much pain and destruction in your life? I don't understand it, and I don't think I'm ever gonna understand it. What I do understand though is that this Shredder is 'bout to receive a serious bitch-slap from karma.

I was yanked outta my daze by a rough pair of hands dragging me into an alley. I was shoved hard up against the concrete wall.

"What the shell do ya think you're doin'?"

I glared at the four turtles surrounding me. Oh, crap. This is all I need.

"Oh, Mel, you got some splainin' to do," Mikey said, folding his arms across his chest.

"Mind tellin' us what it is ya were doin' in there, or do we already know the answer?" Raphael stepped forward, pointing his finger at me. Great, again with the finger waving. I swear, one day I'm gonna break that thing off.

"It ain't what ya guys think. I only came 'cause-"

"Cause you're a back-stabbing sell-out!"

I frowned, "I ain't a back-stabbing sell-out, Raph. Now if ya would just shut up and-"

"No, you shut up, Mel!" Raph interrupted once again. "I seriously can't believe ya would go back there! After everythin' they did to ya!? Was killin' ya sister not enough!?"

My mouth fell open in shock at the same time the other turtles' did.

Leonardo looked between the two of us, "what are you talking about?"

Raph glanced back at his brother, grabbed the top of my arm, and dragged me forward. "Haven't ya guys heard? Our little Mel here had a baby sister once, named Lizzy."

"Stop it, Raphael," I said in an almost desperate whisper.

"Lizzy begged our dear Mel to quit the Crimson Dragons, but like the Mel we all know, she didn't listen. Mel always knows best, right?"

"Raph…please, don't."

"Eventually Lizzy had had enough, so she snapped and ran away from home. Couple hours later, Mel finds her body dumped behind a dumpster. Turns out her gang buddies did it, ain't that right, Mel?"

The three turtles' faces dropped in disbelief.

"Mel, i-is that true?" Donnie stared at me, shaking his head side-to-side like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Instead of answering I looked at Raphael. "Why are ya doing this?"

He ignored my question, "Ya give me this long crappy sob story about your sister and wantin' ta change, and like a sap I fell for it! What else are ya lyin' about?!"

"I didn't lie 'bout that, and I ain't lying now! This really isn't what ya think!"

"Enough, Mel! We ain't buyin' anymore of your stories. You were in there 'cause ya wanted to crawl back and join 'em! Well ya know what? Go right ahead, we ain't gonna stop ya!"

"But I don't wanna join 'em!"

"Yeah, right," he scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Why the hell won't ya believe me?!"

"Maybe 'cause you're a lyin' piece of Dragon scum!"

"What the hell ain't registering in that thick skull of yours?! I. Am. Not. A. Dragon!"

Raph gripped the top of my left arm and stared at my tattoo with narrowed eyes. "As long as ya have this dragon on your arm you'll never be anythin' else but a Dragon."

He dropped my arm and went to walk away but came back. He leant in close to my face and whispered, "And just so ya know, Lizzy died 'cause of you."

Without even thinking I had slapped him hard across the face, the sound deafening in the silent alley. His head was turned but I could still see the shock on his face. Time seemed to stand still as the five of us stood frozen. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I let 'em; hell, I didn't even try to stop 'em.

Before Raph even had a chance to recover, I was already gone, bolting outta the alley and down the street. I don't think I have ever run so fast in my life, I just needed to get away as fast as I could. My feet pounded against the concrete curb as tears blurred my vision. How could he say something so cruel to me? He knew I loved Lizzy! He didn't even give me a chance to explain!

After what felt like hours of running, I found myself in Central Park. I stumbled down the sidewalk, desperately searching for a place to sit before my legs gave out. There wasn't another living soul to be seen, but then again, smart people don't walk through Central Park at night. Finally finding a bench, I practically collapsed onto it, my head in my hands. I sat there replaying tonights' events. When the hell did it all go south? I was just 'sposed to get answers, but instead I got no answers and ended up falling out with the turtles…again. And what's worst… I didn't know what was upsetting me more. Was it Raphs' words that were stuck on constant replay in my head? Or was it Donnies eyes that were filled with nothing but disappointment…the same way Lizzy's were when she found out I had joined a gang.

Maybe it was a mixture of both? Then again it could be neither. I honestly dunno the reason. I mean, what Raph said was cruel, but for some reason I wasn't angry at him…I think I'm angry at myself.

Angry that a choce I made years ago still ends up biting me in the ass.

Angry that I've done nothing but live a lie.

Angry that I keep letting people down.

Angry that I've already lost one family and I'm 'bout to lose another.

I can't lose them! I care 'bout those stupid reptiles way too much to let 'em go. Oh God, I can't believe I said that. I CARE 'bout them. Ha, who'd a thunk it?

Kay, I have to show 'em. I have to show 'em that I care. That I'm not just some piece of Dragon scum. No more pissing 'round. It's time I be the girl Lizzy wanted me to be…the real me. But first, there's something I gotta do!

It was 'bout two in the morning by the time I got back to the lair. All the lights were so I'm guessing everyone's asleep. I wonder if Splinter is asleep 'cause I really wanted to talk to him. A light was shining under the door to Donnies' laboratory. Hmm, wonder what he's up to. I tried to be as quiet as possible as I walked to his lab. I raised my fist and gently tapped the door three times.

Donnies' croaky voice shouted through the door, "for the last time I am not reading you a bedtime story! Just go to sleep, Mikey!"

"It's not Mikey," I called back quietly.

Glass breaking sounded from his side of the door followed by a quick 'oh, shoot!' The wheels of his chair skidded across the floor and his footsteps treaded across the ground quickly. The door swung open to reveal an exhausted looking Donnie. Over his shoulder I saw the glass beaker now lying on the ground in a million pieces, his chair sitting awkwardly in the centre of the small lab, and dozens of papers strewn across the worn, chemical-stained wooden desk. My eyes flicked back to Don, who was rubbing his eye and yawning.

"Ya look exhausted," I pointed out softly.

"I'm alright," he said while yawning. His tired eyes finally opened. It seemed to take him awhile to register who was standing in front of him but when he did his eyes widened. "Mel?" He gaped, eyeing me up and down. "What have you done?" He said, more to himself than me, taking a strand of my hair between his fingers.

My face flushed and I avoided his gaze, "I, uh, decided to get a make-over."

"Why?"

"Well, I wanted to prove to all of ya that I ain't a Dragon anymore. I thought changing the way I looked would help with that. Why? Do ya not like it?"

"Of course I do! I just was not expecting it. You look…wow," he breathed, still fiddling with the strand of hair between his fingers.

"Seriously?" My face got hotter. "Ya don't think I look…dorky?"

He raised an eyebrow ridge and chuckled, "dorky? No, Mel. You look different." He let my hair fall and smiled. "It's a good different though. Not that you didn't look good before or anything, you just look better now than before. Wait, this is coming out wrong," he fumbled with his words, the blush on his cheeks vibrant against his olive skin.

I smirked, "I look that good, huh?"

He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, an adorable little smile on his face. I smiled to myself at his reaction. I gotta admit the way he reacted now was a lot better than the way he reacted when he first laid eyes on me. To be honest I was surprised myself when I saw my new look staring back at me in the crappy mirror of a public bathroom. The piercings in my face were the first to go. I still kept the ones in my ear; I mean they were just too badass to take out! Then came the makeup. I was down to wearing nothing but some mascara and eye liner. I feel so naked and exposed but I'm sure I'll get used to that. Finally I had to change my hair. All hot pink dye had been washed out and it was no longer spiked. It was back to being plain black and straight. It was like looking at the old Mel again…Lizzy would be proud. The only thing that I ain't able to change is this stupid dragon on my arm. Guess I'm stuck with the stupid thing. Unless…maybe Donnie knows how to get rid of it.

"Donnie? Ya don't have anything that can remove tatts do ya?"

He looked at the dragon on my arm, over his shoulder at his lab, then finally resting on my face. He folded his arms, his hand resting gently under his chin and frowned. "Afraid not, Mel. However," he began to untie the purple bandana wrapped 'round his eyes. "I do know of a way to conceal your tattoo," he smiled, wrapping the cloth 'round my arm. Once he was finished he smiled warmly at me.

I stared at his bandana on my arm, blushing slightly. "Wow, thanks Donnie."

"You're welcome, Tinkerbell."

I smiled at his nickname for me.

"Did you want to come in for a bit?" Donnie stepped aside and gestured for me to enter.

I shook my head, "I'd love to, Donnie, but I can't. Actually I was hoping to speak to Splinter. I kinda have to apologize for being a bitch earlier. Do ya know if he's still awake?"

Donnie glanced at his fathers' door, "I'm not one hundred percent sure of that, Mel. He might be meditating."

"Only one way to find out I 'spose," I muttered. Before leaving I wrapped my arms 'round Donnie. His arms instantly wrapped 'round my body. "Thanks again, Donnie."

We pulled away, said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I shifted awkwardly at Splinters' door trying to psyche myself up to actually knock. Taking a deep breath I raised my fist and tapped the sliding door gently. After a seconds' silence, Splinters' calm voice drifted through the door.

"You may enter."