For the Love of a Family: Part Two
Requested By: XxWolfMan95xX

Anime: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012-14

Reader:
Serena O'Neil
Female
28
Waist-length brown hair, jade colored eyes, C-cup breast, Slight curves, wears a necklace with the insignia of the Hamato Clan
Big sister, mother figure, dear friend
Ninjutsu

Character:
Hamato Yoshi, aka Master Splinter
Male
32
Big, round ears, black and brow fur all over his body, brownish-amber colored eyes, maroon robe with Hamato Clan insignia on back
Sensei, father, dear friend
Ninjutsu

Plot: Serena and Yoshi grew up together. He moved away when he got married, and she stayed in New York.
Relationship: Complicated.
Word Count: 3,693

Serena watched as Yoshi's adopted sons sparred each other, circling in the middle of the dojo. Raphael and Donatello were paired together, while Leonardo was with Michelangelo. She was sitting with April, who was on the other side of Splinter. He sat in the middle of the women, watching as well.

"Hajime!" The boys ran at each other. After visiting several times over the past few months, Serena wasn't surprised when Leonardo and Raphael won. Donatello thought too much and Michelangelo… didn't think at all. Sometimes it worked, other times, like today, he would run his mouth, end up giving Leo an idea, and that was all she wrote.

Leo and Raph circled each other in the center of the dojo. Leo had more skill and better control of his body, but Raphael had his strength working for him. Serena and April had unanimously agreed that they were about evenly matched, and the match could go either way. So it wasn't really a surprise when Leo ended up winning, pinning Raphael to a wall with a katana at the red-bandana-wearing terrapin's throat.

"Yame!" Splinter stood, congratulating his sons. Once they were dismissed, Donnie dragged April out of the dojo, blabbering on about his latest invention. Serena chuckled as April mouthed 'Help me' over her shoulder, while Leo and Raph sent her apologetic glances. Mikey raced out to plop himself in front of the television, once more engrossed in his video game. Leonardo returned to his room, while Raphael worked out on the dummy in the living room. "Serena?"

"Yes Yoshi?" she looked at him.

"Would you like to join me for some tea?" She smiled, standing.

"Of course." He smiled back. Holding a hand out to her, he led her to his room, where he prepared the tea for her. She watched him, entranced. 'It's just like when we were kids.' Little did she know, Splinter was thinking the same thing.

父ラット、母狐

"What do you mean you were chased by a giant pigeon!?" Serena stood over April, hands on hips. The younger girl had gone out to buy some pizza, but had come back empty-handed and breathless. She then proceeded to tell them that she had been pursued by a giant pigeon mutant.

"That's what I said, Serena!" The brunette groaned, threading her fingers through her hair. Splinter recognized the habit from when they were kids. She would do the same exact thing when she was frustrated with herself.

"I told you you should have taken one of the guys with you. But did you listen to me? Nope! And look what happened!" Serena groaned again, heavily sitting down on the couch, her head in her hands. "You are going to be the death of me, April."

"I'm sorry, Serena. But it was just a pizza run."

"Yeah. And next time it'll be just a shortcut through an alleyway, or just a few minutes after school." Serena lifted her head, pushing her bangs out of her face. "Promise me you'll learn from this experience and take at least Donnie with you?" April nodded, laying a hand on the elder woman's shoulder.

"I promise."

"Good. I'm going to hold you to that."

"Don't worry girls." They looked at Leo. "We'll track down this mutant and find out why he was chasing April." Serena nodded.

"Thank you Leonardo." The boys began to run out, but were stopped by Yoshi's voice.

"We do not yet know what you are facing. Perhaps you should study your enemy before confronting him."

"Uh, with all due respect Sensei…" Leo shrugged. "It's a pigeon."

"What you know is dangerous to your enemy. What you think you know is dangerous to you." Splinter tapped Leo's plastron for emphasis. "I fear that you are all becoming overconfident."

"Sensei, in the past few months, we've taken down giant spiders, plant creatures, aliens from another dimension, and an army of ninjas." Serena shook her head at Leo. "Maybe we're not overconfident. Maybe we're just that good." Splinter sighed as the younger members of his family ran out of the lair. Serena stepped up next to him.

"You're right about them being overconfident. Part of it I know is normal, what with them being teenage boys and all, but they're not normal teenage boys. They have no idea that they could be risking their lives." Splinter chuckled.

"You are right Serena. Still, there's nothing we can do till they return but pray for their safety." She nodded.

"You're right. Come on. I don't think I've told you the story of when April got her head stuck in her bedsheets."

父ラット、母狐

Serena sat beside April, letting the younger girl weep into her shoulder. The guys had confronted the pigeon, only to find out he had actually been a messenger from the girl's father. When they had gone to rescue him, they found out that the Kraang was plotting to spread mutagen all over the city. Kirby had sacrificed himself, giving himself back to the Kraang, in order for the others to escape. Once they returned to the lair, April had collapsed into Serena, who didn't need an explanation. Splinter had given the boys his blessing to stop the Kraang. Currently, he was in the dojo mediating.

Serena watched April as her sobs slowly subsided. While she was sure the guys could handle themselves, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong that night. Since she wasn't going to bother Splinter about it, Serena had taken it upon herself to try and stop it. Of course, she couldn't do that with April still conscious.

Thankfully, the redhead soon fell asleep. Laying her down on the couch, Serena pulled a blanket over her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well, young one. You've been through a lot." Silently, Serena slipped out of the lair unseen.

父ラット、母狐

Serena gasped as Shredder kicked away Michelangelo. She had found the guys fighting him on a rooftop, and it was immediately apparent that they were no match. Thankfully, he was too involved with them to notice her. She snuck up onto the roof just as Shredder slammed Leonardo into the wall.

"Tell me where Hamato is and I promise your end will be swift!"

'That voice…' Serena's eyes narrowed to slits. Taking a deep breath, she shouted across the cement. "Hey!" Shredder turned to face her. Behind his mask, his eyes widened. Chuckling, he dropped the turtle.

"Well well well. What do we have here?" He walked forward a few steps. "Serena… been a while." Serena scoffed, clenching her fists.

"What are you doing here Saki?" He laughed.

"Settling an old score." Leo struggled to get up, his eyes wide as he watched the faceoff.

"It wasn't enough that you had to forge the letter, telling me that Yoshi was dead. You have to attack his sons!?" Serena's voice was filled with pure rage. Oroku Saki cackled.

"Even after all these years, you're still in love with him? He left you, Serena!" Leo's eyes widened further at what Shredder said. He looked at Serena, silently demanding confirmation.

"I don't care! That is true love, Oroku! True love is sacrifice, not selfishness! Which is all you have! That's all you've ever had!" With a roar, Shredder rushed Serena.

She dodged his first strike, retaliating with a punch. She winced when she caught the edge of his armor, but was still able to land a strike on the underside of his arm. He hissed in pain, whirling. This time, she couldn't move fast enough.

Searing pain pierced her side. A scream of pain ripped from her throat as Oroku retracted his blades from her body. Lifting her up by her throat, he brought her close to his mask. "Now die." Turning around, he threw her into the mutagen.

"NO!" Leo ran over, trying to catch Serena before she fell. He didn't make it in time. He watched in horror as her body splashed into the glowing liquid.

It was the worst thing Serena had ever felt. Never mind the pain of being stabbed. It was if she was being burned alive while being torn apart from the inside out at the same time. More and more screams came from her lips. Regaining some of her strength, she pulled herself out of the ooze before promptly blacking out.

Had she stayed awake, she would have seen Mikey carefully wrapping her in a tarp he had found while Shredder was distracted with his brothers, who were in absolute fits of rage. Even Shredder was struggling as the blows kept coming. Once the youngest had the woman in his arms, he shouted for his brothers, who distracted Shredder with smoke bombs. When the purple smoke cleared, all four reptiles and Serena had escaped.

父ラット、母狐

"Sensei!" Splinter shot out of his room at Michelangelo's shout. April sat up sharply, seeing spots. It was a good thing too, because Donnie darted right past her, carrying something.

"Michelangelo! What's wrong?" The youngest was an absolute wreck, sobbing. His other sons weren't much better. "What happened?" Leo took in a shuddering breath.

"Sensei… I'm so sorry…." Leo didn't dare look his father in the eye. "It's… it's Serena." Splinter's eyes widened. "She found us fighting the Shredder and… he stabbed her."

"Is she-"

"Leo wasn't finished Sensei." Raph cut him off.

"Actually Raph… I was." Raph laid a gentle hand on his elder brother's shoulder, who was trembling.

"Did something else happen to Serena?" Raphael nodded. April came up behind the rat master, her eyes widening at the name of the cousin who was like a big sister to her.

"When we were fighting the Kraang, Bradford and and Xever showed up. When they lost, Bradford stabbed the mutagen bomb, spraying the stuff everywhere. Some was still on the roof, and… after Shredder stabbed her… he threw Serena into the mutagen." Splinter's heart felt like it died. "She's in the lab with Donnie right now." April clamped her hands over her mouth, choking the gasp of horror. It did nothing for the tears though.

Splinter wanted nothing more than to run to Serena's side, beg her not to become a monster like him. Someone who could never return to normal life above the sewers. At the same time, he wanted to find Shredder and give him a very slow… very painful death. But he knew he could only do one.

Standing, he patted Michelangelo's head. "Thank you, my sons. You should all get some rest." They nodded, Leo offering to let April stay in his room. She nodded wordlessly, letting the turtle lead her to his room. Once they had all vanished, Splinter made his way to the lab.

Donatello met him at the door. "I'm sorry Sensei. I couldn't stop her from mutating." He had never seen his third eldest so worn. "She's asleep, but, if you want, you can see her." Splinter nodded, laying a hand on the turtle's shoulder.

"Thank you Donatello. Go get some rest. I'll watch over Serena." Don was too tired to argue. Once again, Splinter waited till he had vanished into his room before continuing on his own way. Closing the door, he almost didn't recognize the figure on the table. He sat down, staring in awe and horror

Her pale skin now adorned snow white fur. Her ears were now on the top of her head, pointed, and had white fur on the outside while the inside was a soft baby pink. Her face had changed, resembling his, but with sharper points. She had kept her hair, but it had white streaks through it now. Her eyes were closed, and Splinter could only pray they were the same jade he loved so much.

Ripping his gaze from her head, he trailed his eyes down the rest of her. Donatello had covered her with a blanket, but Splinter knew what had transpired enough to know she probably wasn't modest anymore. One arm was outside the covering. This looked just like it had before… save the white fur covering every inch of her skin, and the claws growing from her fingernails. Her breathing was steady, which meant the worst part was over. Serena was now a white fox mutant, and would be so for the rest of her life.

Hesitantly, Splinter reached out, taking her hand in his. The underside of her palm didn't have fur, but it was definitely coarser than it had been before. Finally, he let the tears fall. Bending his head, Splinter rested his face in the crook of Serena's neck. The chain of her necklace felt cold against his forehead.

"Rena… you can't do this. I know I'm in denial, but I can only pray this is a nightmare. That I'll wake up… and you'll be there, completely normal. I don't want you to have to suffer any more than you already have." His breathing became shaky.

"I swore to protect you. To keep you from harm. But that seems that is all I bring you. Pain and suffering." Lifting his head, Splinter pressed a kiss to her cheek, a tear slipping down his own. "I'm so sorry, Serena. From the bottom of my heart… I'm sorry."

父ラット、母狐

It had been a week since the turtles' battle with the Shredder, and a week since Serena's mutation. Donatello had worked day and night to try and revert her to normal, but to no avail. Splinter stayed by his side, supporting him in any way he could. Both knew, however, it was a futile cause. There was no cure for mutating. Everyone knew that.

April had broken down at Serena's side when she had seen her. Donnie rubbed her back, letting her let it all out. Splinter hated to do it, but he asked why Serena had turned into a white fox. Through sniffles and hiccups, April told them that they had visited the zoo two days beforehand. While there, one of the white foxes they had on exhibit escaped. Serena had captured it, suffering a few scratches and bite marks in the process.

In a way, that piece of information made Splinter feel better. Had she turned into a turtle, or a rat, he knew he would never forgive himself, nor his sons. It didn't make all of the guilt go away though. Splinter blamed himself for not watching her closer, and his sons blamed themselves for not being able to move when Shredder attacked.

Leo bore the worst of it. He was the leader, so he should have done something. But it wasn't just because of her mutation that he was weighed down. It was what was said on that rooftop that took the worst toll.

Realizing it wasn't fair for him to keep that information to himself, he decided to talk to Splinter about it that day once everyone had gone to bed. Thankfully, they went to bed early that night. Waiting till everyone else was asleep, Leo snuck out of his room. He silently opened the door to Donnie's lab.

"What is it, Leonardo?" Leo swallowed at his sensei's tired voice.

"I… I'm sorry Sensei." Splinter shook his head, turning around in his seat next to Serena.

"No, it's alright, my son. What troubles you?" Leo uncomfortably shifted from foot to foot.

"Well… on the roof… when we were fighting the Shredder…" He swallowed. "He and Serena exchanged words. Did… did they know each other?" Splinter sighed, nodding.

"Serena and I have known each other since childhood. Oroku came on the scene when I was a teenager. He and Serena got along very well. Why do you ask?"

"Well… when he was yelling at her… he said that she… that she was in love with you." Had Leo not been looking away, he would have seen Splinter's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates, while his body froze. "Is that true?" Splinter regained his composure just as Leo looked at him again. Leo immediately took it the wrong way. "I'm sorry, Sensei. That was out of line."

"No… it's alright Leonardo. Thank you." Leo bowed his head, retreating to his room. He repeatedly facepalmed the whole way there. Meanwhile, Splinter looked down at the white fox.

'She… she loves me?' Thinking back, Splinter would have killed himself had it not been for the situation. 'Of course… it all makes sense. Her glances… her stuttering… the way she would blush if I smiled at her… her reaction to my leaving with Tang Shen.'

"Oh my Rena." Splinter brushed a lock of hair away from her face. "I'm such a baka. You were always right there, always by my side, and, like a fool, I never looked deeper. You were in love with me, and you let me go." He chuckled softly, resting his forehead on hers.

"You were always so selfless. You never took for yourself. Even when it would have prevented pain." Splinter sighed, pulling back. "Why did you never say anything? Why did you never tell me?" He pressed another kiss to her cheek.

"The only reason I chose Tang Shen… is because I thought you didn't love me back." He whispered into her snowy-white ear. "I love you, Serena. I always have." Standing, Splinter kissed her cheek one last time before he returned to his room. Unawares of the small smile on Serena's face.

父ラット、母狐

Splinter's nose twitched, sniffing the air. His eyes slowly cracked open. 'Jasmine?' Sitting up, the Ninjutsu master opened his door… and froze in place.

Serena was kneeling in the center of the dojo, sipping a cup of jasmine tea. She was wearing a black crop top and black sweatpants, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, leaving some hair down to frame her face. Her eyes were still jade green, but they seemed even brighter against her white fur. One of her ears twitched, picking up on his movements. She turned her head, smiling when she saw him.

"Hey." That one word changed everything. Splinter shot across the room and scooped Serena into his arms, twirling her around. She squealed in surprise, before wrapping her arms around his neck, laughing. Splinter joined in, his deep chuckles merging with her lighter ones. He ended up spilling the tea, but he couldn't care less.

When he got dizzy, he set her down, but didn't let her from his embrace. He leaned his forehead on hers, gasping in disbelief. "Serena… I can't believe it." She laughed, tightening her hold on his neck.

"Believe it Shi." She nudged his nose with hers. "Hey. Guess what?"

"What?" he whispered. She leaned up, placing her lips next to his ear.

"I love you too." Splinter froze, his breath catching in his throat. Serena leaned back, smiling. "I heard everything you said last night, and I love you too."

"Oh Rena." Leaning down, Splinter captured her lips with his. Serena smiled into the kiss, tightening her arms around his neck. He responded by bringing her closer to him, crushing her to his chest… determined to never let her go again. The kiss was starting to become passionate when a voice made both whirl to face the door.

"Well it's about time." April was leaning against the doorframe, smirking. Leo and his brothers stood behind her, smiles splitting their faces. Serena blushed, hiding her face in Yoshi's robe. Yoshi growled softly.

"Boys…"

"Don't stress, Sensei." Raph chuckled. "We're happy for you."

"Wait a minute…" Mikey tapped his chin. "Does that mean that Serena… is our new mom!?" The white fox mutant detached herself from Splinter's robe to face the youngest ninja. She glanced up at Splinter, who smiled.

"Well… I can be… if that's what you wa-oof!" She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence. Mikey tackled her to the ground, crying.

"YAY! We have a real mom!" Serena laughed, wrapping her arms around the energetic turtle.

"Sure thing, honey. Now get off me please. My side still hurts."

"Sorry!" Mikey shot up, gently pulling her up to her feet. "Are you alright, Mom?" She laughed, pulling the turtle in for another hug.

"I'm better than alright, honey. I've never been better." Glancing at each other, Mikey's brothers shrugged before glomping Serena as well. She laughed, wrapping her arms around all of her sons. "You too April, Yoshi." She beckoned with her fingers. April came over, wedging herself in between Donnie and Leo.

Splinter wrapped his arms around Serena, laying a hand on Leo's carapace. He pressed a kiss to her temple, earning a barely discernable groan from Raphael. Serena laughed, kissing the turtle's head. His brothers laughed when his cheeks merged with his mask.

"Shaddup." Everyone laughed, separating. Serena looked up at Splinter, who smiled back down at her. She nuzzled his chin with her muzzle, he reciprocating.

"Come on Mom." Mikey dragged Serena into Splinter's room. "Let's find you something suitable to wear that befits the mother of four ninjas." Serena smiled, nodding. April walked up to Splinter.

"Thank you." Splinter looked at her. "Serena's finally truly happy. Thanks to all of you." Splinter smiled, nodding at her.

"If anything, I should be thanking you, April. You took care of Serena all of these years, and reintroduced us. So thank you, my imōto." April tilted her head in confusion.

"What does that mean?"

"Little sister." Leo explained. He smiled at Mikey's excited squeals. "I have to admit… it'll be nice… having a mom." Splinter nodded, laying a hand on his eldest son's shoulder.

"For all of us."

"And Shred-head better watch out." Raphael hit his fist against his palm. "Cause now… he's gonna have to face the whole Hamato family."

"Why Raphael!" Donnie mocked. "I'm surprised at how well you're taking to S… Mother."

"SHADDUP DONATELLO!"

"RAPHAEL!" The hothead froze in midpursuit of Donnie. Serena stood there, wearing one of Yoshi's old robes. "You better not be chasing Donatello."

"Uh… no ma'am." She smiled.

"Good boy." Splinter laughed, the others joining in. Eventually, Raph did too, shaking his head. Shredder really would have to watch out now. 'Cause there was no way anything was splitting this family apart. Not with the love they shared.

Aaaaaaaaand... DONE! Whew! *wipes brow* I swear I was smiling and squealing so much while writing this I'm surprised it turned out as good as it did.

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