Foot Clan Headquarters...

The Foot Clan headquarters stood tall in the city with the clan's symbol decorating the outside in bright lights. No one knew the danger that was withheld in the building. Though a simple skyscraper, inside the building were laborotories for harsh experimentation, dojos for the ninja, dungeons for prisoners and, at the top, was Shredder's center. The building, though basking in daylight on the outside, was dark and foreboding on the inside. The man made of scars and blades stood at the top scouring over the city like a lion waiting for his prey, ten foot ninjas near him for his uneeded protection. He would have continued to stare had his adoptive daughter and right hand man, Karai, not interuppted him. Karai bowed and remained in that stance as she spoke.

"Father, the group you sent to receive the girl... their mission failed. None of them returned alive. The girl's blood was located near an apartment complex this morning, but no body. We fear that the turtles have her." The kunoichi raised her head to look at the back of her father. The anger was practically radiating off of him.

"This is a disappointment to say the least. We require her... abilities." Shredder said, turning to his daughter. Gauntlet in place. "We must find her no matter what the cost."

"I understand. The girl will be apprehended." Karai spoke. Looking into the eyes of her father, her being one of the few who could without cowering in fear.

"She must have friends somewhere. Locate them." Shredder spoke. "You are dismissed."

"Thank you, father." Karai said before turning to leave, but was stopped by Shredder.

"Oh... Karai. See to it that she comes to no harm. We need every ounce of her to enact the full plan. Not one drop of blood. The friend, however, is disposable."

The Turtle's Lair...

Gaming was an intense ritual in the Hamato family so when the games began it was full out war in a playful no death kind of way. Leo had yanked Kaylee into the area after him and they watched the battles commence. They both took a seat, the bag still slung across Kaylee's shoulder. Rematch after rematch it went until even Leo and Kaylee were in the running. There was more explosions coming from the screen than had ever been heard before. No one could even understand how it was possible that many of the chairs and even the couch that they been sitting on were now either abandoned or flipped over. The newly introduced female, after being blasted into defeat, took this opportunity to go get cleaned up, realizing quickly that this battle was not bound to end anytime soon. She poked April, who was not a major video game player but still enjoyed watching the others play, and told her that she was going to go to the bathroom. Sneaking out of the living area and walking to the bathroom that Mikey had refered to. Kaylee showered, removing the caked on dirt, blood and whatever else had embedded in her skin over the course of her adventure. Her tan skin lightened slightly, her hair hung longer wet, appearing black, and what little make up she had on was removed. Her appearance was completely altered to how the turtles originally met her. Kaylee observed the bandage that remained on her face from her recent scar and removed it slowly, showing the stitching which was much more preferred to the white block that had sat upon her face. April had provided many necessities shampoo, a towel, even clothes; however, April really had no clue about Kaylee's shape. There were many clothes but Kaylee decided on a rather snug black tank top, a pair of skinny jeans that were a little on the big side, and a black, red and white plaid shirt that was huge. Slipping on her leather boots, putting the bag on a towel rack and walking back out into the room. The whole experience took less then thirty minutes, meaning that the turtles and human boy did not even take notice of the girls absence while they continued to fight on. Kaylee took a seat next to April. April looked surprised for a second before realizing who the teen was then changing her look to a smile.

"Can hardly recognize you." April said to Kaylee, who pushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear.

"Yeah. Removal of disgusting grime can do that." Kaylee said, laughing lightly. "So who's winning?"

"Don's out. Casey's out. Leo's out. Raph and Mikey are the last ones standing." April said, returning her eyes to the game.

"Come on. Come on. Come on." Mikey mumbled as he pressed the buttons rapidly, until finally. "Yes. Booyakasha! Mikey for the win!" Mikey shouted as he did a victory dance right in front of Raph.

"No way. You cheated. There is no way you could beat me." Raph said, glaring at Mikey.

"Aw. Don't be a sore loser, Raph. You'll get next time or I'll beat twice as hard." Mikey smiled, annoyingly.

"I'll show you a sore loser. Come here." Raph said, getting up just as Mikey bolted. The two were running around the lair as Mikey through goofy insults in Raph's direction which would mean a more severe beating. Brothers will be brothers. Kaylee smirked, recalling just how often some of the kids at the orphanage behaved in such a similar way.

"Well, I better get to work. Experiments to do. Inventions to create." Don spoke, as he walked towards his lab. Leo, Casey, April, and Kaylee talked as they righted the destroyed living area, turning back over couches and such. By the time that was done, Casey and April had situated themselves on the couch as April messed with her laptop and Casey flipped mindlessly through the stations on the TV. Raph had caught up with Mikey a little while before and only managed to break one piece of furniture in their miniature battle. After pinning Mikey to the ground and having Mikey compliment Raph for a good five minutes, Raph half-smiled, noggying his youngest brother's head, and then sitting down with a comic book next to Casey. Casey finally picked a station that happened to be playing Crognard the Barbarian and thus Mikey sat right in front of the screen to watch his new favorite show. Leo had slipped off to ask Don about Kaylee getting a T-Phone which meant that Kaylee was left to choose what she wanted to do within the lair so she decided to pay Don a visit. Don was working on rebuilding the Shellraiser after the Kranng had destroyed it during their invasion. There was only one problem, Don was not about to build the same kick shell car, no it had to be MUCH better than the last one, which meant new modifications which meant new ideas which often meant failed attempts and/or yelling at the machine for not taking the ideas exactly how Don wanted.

"Come on. Come on you stupid thing. I don't have another Kranng power source for you so you have to work with what I have here. There is plenty of room on you now find the energy to power it all." Don spoke to the vehicle like a person as he fiddled with the engine. Kaylee walked in unnoticed by the brainy turtle.

"Hey Don." Kaylee spoke, making Don slam the back of his head in to the hood of the car and thus he let out an audible ouch. "Oh jeez, Don. I'm sorry. You okay?" Rushing over, Kaylee watched Don closely as he rubbed his head.

"Yeah. I'm good. Just a bump. This stinking engine is the real problem." Donnie said, returning his gaze back to the vehicle and reaching in trying to find something anything that would make the car go faster.

"What's wrong with it?" Stepping in to get a closer look, Kaylee looked in.

"Nothing is wrong with it but it could be better. I mean this thing is getting hooked up with tons of new tech and the engine just can't seem to find the energy to power tons of this stuff as well as keep a fast speed. I mean it did before but the new add-ons require power that I just can't find."

"Mind if I take a look?" Don stepped aside.

"Couldn't hurt."

Kaylee reached in and fiddled with a couple of wires that when attached to certain areas of the car definitely gave it a jump start, but that was about all that could be done in the engine but that did not mean that more power could not be located. That was when a spark flashed in her mind.

"Hey Don. You have your own supply of gas, right?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Because maybe the engine isn't what needs to be adjusted what if it's the gas." Don then got what Kaylee was talking about and they both walked over to the gas supply. Grabbing one of the cans, the two walked in rapid pace to Don's chemical table and they set to work. In sync motions collected chemicals, stirred compounds and wrote instructions in order to repeat the process until they believed to have the right formula. They filled up the Shellraiser and stepped inside the vechile and crossed their fingers as Don started it up. The car activated and all the equipment was operational but then came the accelaration test. While leaving the car in park, Don stepped on the gas and the power that came from the super charged gas and the slightly adjusted engine, made the car bounce from the amount of power being used but still having the inability to move. The bounce was a glorious feeling especially when everything was still working even on full exertion. The two turned it off and walked out.

"Kaylee, you are a genius!" Don yelled, hugging the teenage girl. This car had been bugging him for little over a week and with the help of this new friend, the thing was ready for action in an hour at most.

"You're the genius here, Don! That thing is literally the greatest car ever!"Kaylee praised Don back.

"It wouldn't be functioning if it weren't for you!" Don released her and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Fine. Let us come to the conclusion that we are both geniuses." Kaylee joked.

"Agreed." Don smiled. "Where did you learn to do all that?"

"Was kind of forced to. Lived real close to an auto shop, learned to mix chemicals for medicine from some herb store I worked at for awhile, had AP Chem class, et cetera. Basically, life wanted me to comprehend at least some science. Just chemistry and engineering but, hey, comes in handy from time to time. What about you? How are you so good at all of this?" Kaylee gestured to the lab space.

"Self taught. There is not a lot to do in the sewer, believe it or not, so I got bored and busied myself with all this stuff."

"You're a real genius, Donatello, like Einstein level intelligence." Don blushed a little and Kaylee smirked.

"Thanks. It is really awesome to be able to do stuff like this along side somebody for once or, should I say, along side somebody who actually understands what they're doing and tries to figure things out when they don't get it." Don said.

"Yeah. I know what you mean. Would you be bothered if I helped with some of your inventions while I'm staying here? If this thing," referring to the Shellraiser, "is a clue at what you are capable of I would really like to see and hopefully help with more."

"It would be great working on more projects with you. Heck, we could have like twelve Shellraisers built to perfection before dinner at the rate we work." Don smiled that gap toothed smile that Kaylee could not help but smile back at. The two were about to start another project just as they heard the lab doors open and in walked Leo.

"So that's where you went, Kaylee. I was looking for you." Leo said, walking forward.

"Just been here, working on some stuff with your ingenious brother." Don blushed again as Kaylee spoke.

"And I got to work with the brilliant Kaylee." Don said, punching said girl gently in the shoulder which she reciprocated playfully. Leo scoffed slightly.

"Well you two geniuses. I thought I would inform you that Splinter said it would be a wise decision for, Kaylee, to get her own T-Phone. Just in case, they are tracking her current cell line. You got one on hand, Don?"

"Absolutely. We have tons of extras." Don said, turning to his computer desk and reaching for a box underneath it. Digging through the wires, until finally he found one of the extra phones and handed it to Kaylee. "All of our numbers are already in their including Casey's and April's, just in case. There are a couple of apps in there, a camera and stuff. Oh, and this button..." Don pointed to a red button on the side of the case. "is a distress call. You know as an extra safety precaution. Just ask if you need help with any of it."

"I think I can figure it out." Kaylee said, smiling. "This thing's so cool."

"Thank you very much." Don said, cockily. He was beginning to get comfortable with kind comments from Kaylee. She rolled her eyes, in response.

"Either of you mind, if I call Luke."

"That is why we asked Splinter. It is perfectly fine." Leo said and Don nodded in agreement.

"Awesome! Mind if I use your room, Leo."

"Not at all."

"You guys are the greatest." Kaylee said, before racing to Leo's room to call her extremely missed brother. The teenage turtles smiled and followed slowly to join their brothers in the living room area and they heard Leo's door slam which caught everyone's attention.

"She okay?" Raph asked, slightly concerned but not showing anyone around him.

"Yeah. She's just excited to call her brother is all." Don said, smirking and taking a seat next to April. Leo sat on the floor in front of the couch as they all watched the cartoon.

Meanwhile, Kaylee was pressing the numbers rapidly and pressed enter. She listened to the tone, sitting on the bed, until finally Luke picked up his cell.

"Hello?" Luke spoke, sounding weepy. No doubt hearing the news about his non biological sister.

"Hey, Bubba." Kaylee said, trying desperately to keep tears out of her voice. The boy gasped on the other side of the line.

"Kiki?"

"Yeah, baby. It's me." Luke could be heard crying but this time they were not sad tears.

"They told me you died and when I didn't see you earlier. I really thought you were not coming back."

"I know. But it is okay. I'm okay. Sorry to ruin your birthday."

"You didn't ruin it. I'm just really glad to hear you're okay. Where are you?" Kaylee bit her lip.

"I can't tell you."

"Why? Are you in trouble?"

"I was but these... people are helping me and, hopefully, the trouble will go away soon and I can see you again."

"I hope so. I miss you, Kiki."

"I miss you too, Bubba. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Besides come actually see me."

"Yeah." Kaylee sighed. "Besides that."

"You remember when I was really little and you used to sing that song. Could you sing that to me?"

"I don't know, baby. I am not really in a place where I can sing."

"Please. As a birthday present."

"Okay, but don't judge if I get the lyrics wrong." Kaylee began to sing You'll Be in My Heart from Tarzan as she had years before.

The turtles and teens began to hear, over the sound of the TV, a slight song. None of them were really curious except for Mikey of course.

"What the shell is that?" Mikey asked as he began to walk around the lair but it did not take long for him to find the culprit. Quiet singing came from Leo's room and Mikey listened in. The song was so sweet and he had heard it once before so he sat down and listened.

"Did you find it, Mike?" Raph yelled, but Mikey did not respond he just continued listening and soon Raph came over to see what happened to his youngest brother. The red banded turtle became quickly aware of why is brother disappeared. He, himself, had heard the song once and it really was nice so he remained quiet. None of the others came over because, by the time they thought about it, the singing had ended.

"I missed that. That was the first thing that popped into my head when I thought you were.. gone." Luke said, not being able to get the word "dead" out.

"I'm not gone, baby. I can promise you that." Kaylee reassured; however, she knew what needed to be said. "But, listen, okay? I am not right next to you all the time. You NEED to be careful. Extra careful and, if you ever need help, call me with no hesitation. You have to be smart. You got that? Please."

"Yeah I got it. As long as you promise to call me whenever you can. Deal?"

" Deal. Geez, so bossy. Are you sure you didn't turn twenty today?" Kaylee asked and they both laughed slightly. "I better go, sweetie. Happy Birthday. I'll see you soon."

"Okay. I love you. Oh, and tell whoever those people are hi and thanks from me."

"I love you too. And I will. Bye." Kaylee said, closing the phone and putting it in her pocket. She walked over to the door, unluckily for the two loudest turtles, and opened it. Raph and Mikey fell through and looked up at Kaylee as she cocked an eye brow. "Can I help you?" She said and the two below smiled as the girl helped them to their feet. "Mikey, Raph were you spying on me?"

"No. We just heard a sound and decided to find out what it was." Raph said, trying to cover the fact that, though that was the original reason, he stuck around to listen to her sing. Mikey did not feel like he had cover anything up, however.

"Was that you singing?" Mikey asked, smiling brightly. Kaylee's face turned practically tomato red. She was not much for singing in front of others.

"Yeah. Luke's birthday is today and he asked me to sing." Kaylee spoke, smiling sheepishly.

"No need to get all embarrassed. You have a really nice voice, dudette." Mikey said and, when Mikey could not see, Raph nodded ever so slightly (enough that Kaylee caught it).

"Thanks." She said. Her smile had turned from sheepish to just plain happy in a blink of an eye.

"No prob." Mikey said. "Now let me ask you an extremely important question." He said grabbing the girl's shoulders. "Have you ever watched Crognard the Barbarian?"

"I can not say that I have."

"Well that is a crime against all humanity. That must be rectified." He said, grinning widely. Just as Don was walking up to see where his brothers ran off to.

"Didn't know that you knew such big words, Mikey?" Don smiled at Mike.

"I've gotta brain." Mikey said, pouting a little at his brother's insult but not inherently hurt.

"Since when?" Raph added.

"You hurt me deeply, bros. But we have no time to lose. We have an emergency on our hands. An EXTREMELY important TV emergency." Mikey picked Kaylee up bridal style and threw her onto Leo as he passed and leapt back in front of the screen as Raph took his seat in the recliner and Don returned to his place next to April. The blue banded turtle and green eyed girl pushed away from each other slightly so that they were sitting next to each other and, due to the recliner being close by, Kaylee leaned her head against the arm rest of the chair, her shoulder brushing Raph's leg.

"Ya get through to yer bro I am guessing." Casey stated, looking down towards the girl.

"Yeah. He told me to say to all of you 'Hi' and 'Thanks'." Kaylee said smirking.

"You didn't tell him about us did you?" Leo asked, slightly concerned but not terribly. If Karai were any example, Leo often saw the best in people and often trusted them too freely but he could, also, be extremely over protective. Sort of self battle if one really thought about it.

"Of course not. I just said I was staying with some... people." The girl spoke.

There was a short silence and everyone turned to her including Mikey who kept Crognard in his peripheral vision. Then they all cracked up. People? But then again what was she supposed to say, four giant turtles and a huge rat who did karate. Even if it was true it was far from believable.

The turtles and humans had a great laugh but eventually their laughter died down and the groups returned to their separate conversations. Don, Casey and April were discussing what weapon was better out of their three, Mikey had returned to his obsessive TV watching, and Leo, Raph and Kaylee began speaking of other mindless things; however, one question was eating away at Kaylee's mind so, after Raph and Leo had finished a story of a dumpling eating contest they had at Murakami's, she asked.

"This may seem like an obscure question, but why me?" The two turtles looked her confused by her question. "You guys have been on so many patrols that there must be tons of people that you could bring here for protection, but the only person you ever really had live here was April and you guys knew her for awhile before then. So why me? Why now?" Red and blue looked at each other, speaking through their eyes.

"Honestly, we don't know." Leo said. "Just had a feeling."

"Hm. Maybe we'll find out why, eventually." Kaylee spoke, before changing the subject."So you guys go out on patrol, every night?"

"Yep. Unless Splinter says otherwise. I think Leo over here would die, if we didn't." Raph joked.

"Nice. Most interesting patrol story?" Leo and Raph looked at each other again and spoke together.

"All of them."

"We're kind of an interesting family which makes fer interesting outings top side." Raph said. "But if we had to choose one..."

The conversations continued until late into the evening. April and Casey left and the turtles or rather Leo decided, that despite their guest, they should have patrol anyway. This left Kaylee and Splinter alone in the lair which quickly turned into a meditation session. Splinter did not say it before but this young girl appeared familiar to him and figured that possibly a session into the metaphysical plain might reveal something. His assumption was correct.

Hi all! So super super SUPER sorry that I haven't updated in so long. Been really busy with school, work, and family. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope to update again real soon. Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for either continuing to read this or reading it now! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! Please send me critiques, theories, reviews, ideas, comments, etc. Tell me what you think. I love hearing from you guys! :) Well, I am off to write the next chapter. Booyakasha and Cowabunga, my ninjas!