Chapter 9

New York city, foot headquarters…

Oroku saki grew impatient, and tired of been treated as he is incapable of anything. But he had proved to be far from incapable as it was only a few hours before that he had, crushed the throat with his bare hands to prove a point that he is still able to fight with everything he has in him.

Tightly grasped the wooden planks that were assigned for him to try, walking again which he was strongly determined to do and accomplished. "Father, please don't push yourself." Karai pleaded. Oroku hissed and grunted then groan as he was very proud and there was nothing to stop him from trying to reach his goal. Even though he was gentle and soft spoken with his daughter, despite he was cranky and gruff. He would listen to her without a doubt.

"Father, you shouldn't push yourself like this. It will take to heal and walk again. It has been a year since you just came out of the coma and I don't want to lose you. For me, I beg you. Take it easy." Karai pleaded, using a fresh cool cloth to wipe away the sweat that ran down his brow. He sighed softly and looked up, with defeated glance.

"I'm sorry, I failed you my daughter." Karai glanced back and blinked confused as she wondered, why would he say such things. "You didn't fail me, father. You were battered badly and it is the turtles fault. Not yours."

With a soft caress of her smooth, silken cheek. He sighed and answered. "I know, karai. Soon as I am healed, we shall have our revenge." Karai smiled and nodded. The doors opened as Chaplin walked in, interrupting them. "Greetings master and mistress, how is your daily therapy going today?"

"What do you think, how it is going Dr. Chaplin? I'll swap with you if you wish to know." Oroku hissed as he glared up to the red haired scientist. He gulped and answered apologetically. "I apologise master shredder."

"What are the results of my progress to walk again?" Oroku demanded. "It has been a year, and it would seem that your bones have healed but the muscles are yet to heal and the more you continue to try, they should be back to normal in no time."

"Don't give promises or high hopes that will only break my pride, D. Chaplin." Oroku growled lowly as karai placed her hand on his shoulder reassuring him and supporting him. Chaplin replied after he exhaled. "No, master shredder this is no promise or high hope speech this is a fact that you will walk again. As you were just badly bruised and your muscles with your mobility had went into, deep slumberous mode."

Karai covered her mouth with light gasp that overshadowed her joy within as she leaned down and whispered into his ear. "That is terrific news father." He nodded then waved his hand, commandingly. "Leave us."

Chaplin bowed and left the room. "Come daughter, there is much work to be done." As he pushed himself out as karai followed and offered assistance with pushing his wheelchair. "Yes father." She answered, with a smile. And thought about of the right time, to share about her secret affair with Dr. Chaplin as he stood quietly watching them and waved lightly.

Smiled and waved lightly back to her lover, as she continued walking down the corridor.

Winchester Ranch house, living room…

A light groan followed by opening eyes as the vison finally cleared and saw his lovely niece, sitting beside him and gently held his hand with the comfort and support of her terrapin lover that stood closely behind her whilst the others, quietly sat around and patiently waited.

"Oh thank goodness, you are ok." Rachael smiled, assuring. James sat up, taking his hand away from rachael then looked over her shoulder toward Raphael. "Are you ready to walk with me?" james asked, politely and calmly as Rachael looked back to Raphael then to her uncle as she assumed, he was speaking with her then realised that he wasn't.

With a nod, Raphael agreed. Master splinter sat in the chair across the room, just a metre behind Raphael whilst Leonardo sat beside him with Mikey and wolfjade, huddling together and Donatello stood by to the couple's right. James gently caressed his niece's cheek, as he stood up and walked with the red clad terrapin outside to the patio where they could speak in private.

Watching the pair leave, had not only confused the group but also had given them wonder if whether this will turn well or not.

Mikey was the first to ask as he draped his arms around wolfjade's waist and lap. "What just happened? First, the dude faints and now having a private conversation with raph. Was it really that surprising of what we were? And now, he seems to be normal."

The old rat gently pulled down onto his braided beard and the only answer was heard by the group. "Hmmm. We shall wait, and see what may happen. It was after all, a lot to process at first though."

"Come to think of it, something is strange about my uncle as he never acted this differently before." Rachael commented. "Does it mean that he may, accept what will be told?" wolfjade wondered.

"Maybe but until both raphael and Mr Winchester returns." Master splinter replied. Rachael looked to her left, toward the corridor and remained silent. Casey sat in the recliner chair nearby the fireplace with April, as she stood up and walked to Rachael's side and placed an reassuring hand over her shoulder which had turned slightly over and looked up to the red head woman that stood behind.

Rachael smiled warmly as April returned the smile and assured her gently. "Everything will be ok, rache." Rachael nodded.

Meanwhile, patio…

The red clad terrapin leaned against the patio railing with his arms folded as he waited. James stood in the exact pose across from him and begun the conversation about how did, this strange person became to be in his niece's life. He needed to know some personal questions before hearing the story about their origin.

"Before we return inside, I wish to ask you some questions and learn about how you and your family became to be as what you are today. Is that alright with you, raphael?" James asked.

Raphael nodded and replied. "That is fine. What do you wish to know first?"

With a heavy sigh, rub of the back of his neck once had unfolded his arms then begun. "How long you and my niece been together?"

"It will be almost two years, sir." Raphael answered. "Could you give me a exact amount of time you have been together, please." James requested.

"Sixteen months, three weeks and four days." Raphael answered the question, which had surprised James. Softly smiled, then he ask his next question. "Do you love my niece? Do you promise to keep her safe?"

Raphael nodded and replied, immediately without hesitation. "I love her with all my heart. Rachael is everything to me and I swear to keep her safe, even to my dying breathe."

This had pleased the protective uncle as he is the last family member. Straightening himself as he stood firmly and stepped toward Raphael then held his hand out to him. Raphael looked down to his hand at first and grasped his hand as he looked up. "I am pleased to know that my niece has found love but never expected to be someone that is different, as long you can assure her safety and happiness. I will give my blessing."

"Thankyou, sir. I am grateful and happy." Raphael smiled graciously. "Can I interest you with a cold one?" james offered and raphael smiled with a nod. "Sure, thanks."

It was exactly two minutes later, that James and Raphael returned inside and rejoined with the others. Rachael leapt to the chance and greeted her beloved as she snuggled into his embrace then looked to her uncle with a smile. "Everything is ok?"

James nodded and answered. "Yes, everything is ok but first thing first." He walked into the living room and sat down in the couch across from the old rat and gently requested. "May I hear your story about how yourself and your family became to be, if you may kind sir."

All in the room waited and looked to Master splinter as he smiled, nodded and finally answered with a kind voice. "Of course, Mr Winchester." He paused as James politely interrupter with open of his palm held up, gesturing kindly. "Please, call me James. Or jimmy, calling me Mr Winchester makes me feel old."

"I apologise, James." Master splinter apologised with a smile and resumed. "As you know, that we've mentioned earlier. My children and I were born like this, we were mutated."

Sitting around, together as they listened to the story of their origin but to Casey and April. This was the one story they both enjoyed to hear over and over again. But James, hearing it for the first time was overwhelming to process at first then he came to a full understanding and acceptance. Rachael nestled her head against Raphael's chest as he embraced her close, kissed her head tenderly.

Soon as Splinter had finished with the story, James looked toward Raphael and Rachael. Warmly smiled, and nodded. The lovers smiled happily, back. Then James stood up as he said softly. "Well, shall we begin with the dress choosing and measuring?"

No answer was spoken as excited glances were expressed, Rachael with wolfjade and April sprung over and surrounded James then finally, answered. "Yes Please." James smiled proudly and walked with the girls to the back room, leaving the others behind as they watched and wondered.

Both Mikey and Raphael blinked, confused at first and wondered what just happened. Then Raphael just shrugged it off, and sighed when Donatello lightly smacked the back of Mikey's head when he said.

"Did he steal our girls?" he winced as Donatello whacked him. "Ouch."

"That is out of normal for you Donnie." Raphael commented. The purple clad terrapin couldn't himself to smirk as he answered. "Someone had to do it."

Back room…

"Wolfjade or should I call you jade?" James warmly smiled. Wolfjade warmly smiled back and answered. "Jade is fine, shall I call you jimmy?"

He graciously nodded and permitted the request. Rachael felt overwhelmed with the joy and happiness she sensed throughout and within. "Of course you may, jade." James replied and continued. "Now, shall we begin with the measurements."