- Chapter 26 -

Adventures in Babysitting

The Hamato septet and April had just finished a sunset training run above ground, and were now relaxing on a rooftop. April was panting like a dog, leaning against the ledge as she tried to catch her breath.

"I... never understood..." she wheezed, "how turtles can be so fast..."

"Trust me," Hisako declared, not even winded, "they can be fast when it counts."

"C'mon, guys," Leo ordered. "We still have a ton of training to do."

"What?!" April exclaimed.

"Yeah. That was just the warm-up."

"The warm-up?!" April repeated. "For two hours?!"

"And now the real fun begins," Raph declared.

Before they could go, Hisako perked up, sensing something at street level. Without a word, she descended the fire escape. Confused, the others followed, and were surprised to see Hisako holding a little girl, who couldn't be any older than two.

"Poor thing was hiding behind the dumpster," Hisako explained, gently stroking the girl's brown hair.

Kagome approached Hisako, looking at the shivering girl in her sister's arms.

"Poor thing's scared to death," Kagome whispered.

"Aww, she's so cute!" Mikey cooed, gently tickling the girl. "Coochie coochie coo!"

The girl smiled and giggled happily.

"Look at what she's wearing," Donnie pointed out.

They looked, and to their surprise, they found that she was wearing nothing but a nightgown. She didn't even have shoes on.

"She's barely dressed," Leo remarked.

"What the hell happened to her?" Vee asked.

Hisako gently placed a hand on the girl's head, focusing. "It's hard to make out. But I think someone tried to snatch her from her bed."

"Any idea who?" Raph asked.

Hisako shook her head. "She remembers her daddy stopping them and running away... She never got a good look at them. She was too scared."

"Makes sense, given how young she is," Donnie mused.

"Maybe we should take her to the police," April suggested.

Kagome turned to Leo. "What do you think?"

Leo shook his head. "Too many questions. Ones we don't know the answers to just yet."

"Maybe we can take care of her?" Mikey asked.

"Seriously?" Raph replied. "We're ninjas, not babysitters."

"Well, we can't just leave her out here, Raph!" Mikey retorted. "She's a little baby!"

As if on cue, the girl let out a small sneeze.

"See?" Mikey pointed out.

"She's cold," Hisako remarked, wrapping the girl in her green jacket. "And with the sun going down, it's only gonna get colder."

"Let's get her to the lair then," Leo decided.

"And if Splinter asks, she's Raph and Kagome's," Mikey quipped.

"Mikey, I will kick you in the nuts," Kagome warned.

"Right~," Mikey said, chuckling nervously. "Let's move."

Splinter and Kasumi were seated in the lair, watching their soap operas when the Hamato septet and April returned.

"My children," Splinter greeted with a smile. "How was your-?"

He trailed off as he saw the little girl in Hisako's arms.

"Raph and Kagome did it!" Mikey declared.

"Mikey!" Raph shouted angrily.

Kagome promptly whirled towards Mikey and kicked him in the groin.

"Remember, I did warn you," she told him as he sank to the ground.

The girl giggled at the sight, clapping slightly. "Again! Again!"

"Anyway," Leo said, snapping back to attention, "we found this girl on the streets, Dad. We couldn't just leave her alone."

"Hisako, let me see her," Kasumi said, standing up.

Hisako obediently handed the little girl over and Kasumi looked her over.

"What was she doing out there alone?" she asked.

Hisako stuck her fingers into Kasumi's head, showing her everything she saw before withdrawing.

"Whoever those men were, they didn't seem like the Foot," Kasumi remarked.

"Purple Dragons, maybe?" Raph suggested.

Kasumi pursed her lips. "Perhaps."

"But what would the Dragons want with a little girl?" April questioned.

"Ransom money?" Mikey offered.

"Doubt it," Donnie replied. "Look at her nightgown."

They looked it over, finding it threadbare and faded.

"I doubt her family has much money," Donnie continued.

"We should find her parents," Leo said before turning to Hisako. "Hisako, did you get anything from the girl's mind? A name, maybe?"

"Kristy," a tiny voice suddenly announced. They all turned to the girl, who was smiling in Kasumi's grip. "My name... Kristy Verne. And I'm this many!"

She held up two fingers.

"Okay, Kristy Verne," Leo nodded before turning to Donnie. "Don, could you-"

"On it," Donnie said before picking up his laptop and getting to work. As this was going on, Kasumi turned to Kristy.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

Kristy nodded. "I need my thingy checked too."

Kasumi raised an eyebrow.

"Thingy?" she repeated in confusion.

"Yeah, my thingy." Kristy patted her belly and they all heard the sound of her hand hitting hard plastic. Kasumi slowly lifted up Kristy's nightgown, revealing a small device attached to her stomach.

"Uh..." Mikey let out, "what the heck is that?"

"Guys," Donnie began, "I think that's an insulin pump."

"And that means?" Leo asked.

Donnie turned to him. "It means she's diabetic."

"Oh, no!" Mikey gasped before looking confused. "What's that?"

"Her body works differently than normal people's do," Donnie explained. "In her case, she needs that pump so she stays healthy."

"And she can't have much sugar, if any," Kasumi added. "It could kill her."

"So what do we do?" Raph asked.

"She said she needs her pump checked," Donnie said, standing up in order to do just that. "Make sure the insulin levels check out and all that."

He went over to Kristy, looking over the pump.

"Uh-oh..." he said nervously.

"Please tell me that's a good uh-oh," Mikey requested.

Donnie shook his head. "She's nearly empty. She needs more insulin."

"Where do we get it?" Vee questioned. "A pharmacy?"

"Yes," Donnie replied with a nod. "I can look up her prescription, but someone's gonna have to go pick it up."

"I'll do it," April offered. "I can pass myself off as a babysitter and pick up some diabetic friendly foods."

"Good," Leo said. "In the meantime, we need to start looking for her parents."

"I got something while I was looking," Donnie replied. "A Nicholas and Cassandra Verne. They run a plumbing business in Brooklyn (1)."

"It's a start," Kagome remarked. "Let's get going."

They all dispersed to do so.

It was relatively easy for the Hamato septet to find the Verne's plumbing workshop. They looked it over from the workshop.

"So, what's her dad gonna be like?" Mikey asked. "Think he'll be Italian with a red hat and mustache?"

Vee rolled her eyes. "You play way too many video games, Mikey."

"I'm not seeing anything," Raph remarked. "Nobody coming in or out. I don't like it."

"Patience, Raph," Leo replied. "Someone's gotta show eventually."

Before long, an old van rumbled up to the stop and some Purple Dragons piled out. The leader pounded on the door of the shop.

"Verne!" he shouted. "We know you're in there! Open the damn door now!"

The door opened, and a man with black hair emerged. He had large bags under his eyes, and he looked like he'd been crying.

"What do you want from me?" he asked.

"Hun's getting tired of waiting." The Dragon leaned on the doorframe in an intimidating manner. "Where's the money?!"

"I'm working as hard as I can," Mr. Verne pleaded. "I get paid this Friday. I just need some more time. Please, just... give her back."

From the rooftops, the gang narrowed their eyes.

"Who knew Hun was running a protection racket?" Mikey remarked.

"No," Raph corrected. "Casey told me Hun moonlights as a loan shark to help fund the Dragons and Shredder's operations."

"That's even worse!" Mikey declared. "Right?"

"Much worse," Leo said. "And he thinks they have Kristy."

Mikey tilted his head quizzically. "But why would he borrow money from Hun of all people?"

"To pay for Kristy's medicine," Donnie answered. "Insulin can be pretty expensive. He must've been desperate."

"Just when I thought Hun couldn't sink any lower," Kagome said with discontent. "Leo, what's the plan?"

"Kagome, you and Hisako get Verne away from the Dragons," Leo ordered. "The rest of us will take them down."

Hisako nodded. "Ready, Kagome?"

Kagome cracked her knuckles. "Let's do it."

The two girls jumped down, landing by the rear entrance of the shop and entering quietly. They crept to the front entrance, Kagome laying her hand on the doorknob.

"Okay, on three," she whispered. "One... two... THREE!"

They threw open the door, grabbing Mr. Verne by the shoulders and yanking him back into the shop before slamming and locking the door.

"What in-" Mr. Verne began before Hisako shoved her fingers into his head.

"Sleep," she said as Mr. Verne slumped over, out cold.

"He's clear!" Kagome shouted to the outside. "Move in!"

On cue, the Turtles jumped down, confronting the Dragons.

"Not you freaks again!" one of them shouted.

"Aww, and I thought you liked us," Mikey retorted.

"Take 'em down!" Leo shouted.

They all charged, clashing with the thugs.

"Leave that man alone!" Vee ordered as she grappled with the leader.

"He owes Hun money!" the leader shot back.

"Not anymore," Raph replied, striking him in the back of the head with the hilt of his sai.

In record time, the Dragons all lay unconscious on the street.

"Y'know," Vee remarked, dusting her hands off, "the least they could do is give us some kinda challenge."

The door opened, revealing Kagome and Hisako holding up the unconscious Mr. Verne.

"How's he doing?" Leo asked.

"Out like a light," Hisako reported. "He's worried. Apparently, his wife died last year in a car accident. Kristy is all he has left."

"Poor guy," Kagome remarked before looking down at the fallen Dragons. "And since he borrowed money from Hun, they'll just keep coming after him until he pays up."

"So what do we do?" Mikey asked.

Kagome thought for a minute, then nodded. "I'll talk to Mom. However much he owes, she could most likely pay it off."

"What do we do in the meantime?" Mikey questioned. "Wait for Hun himself to show up?"

"For now, let's get home," Leo decided. "We'll figure out what to do from there."

"Not before we let Mr. Verne know his daughter is safe," Kagome said firmly.

"Way ahead of you," Hisako replied. She waved a hand over his face, and his expression slowly softened. "He knows she's safe and well taken care of. I left out some obvious details, but he'll wake up feeling better about his daughter."

The septet returned home just as April also returned, carrying food and Kristy's prescription.

"Okay, first things first," Donnie declared. "Refilling Kristy's pump."

"Turns out babysitters picking up Kristy's prescription is a common thing," April said as she handed Donnie the insulin vial. "The pharmacist didn't even bat an eye."

"Well, that's handy," Donnie said before going over to Kristy with the vial and refilling the pump. "There. That ought to do it."

"Once she's well-nourished, we'll take her back to her dad," Leo declared.

Kagome picked up the bag of food and rummaged through it as Kirby held Kristy.

"I can't remember the last time I held a baby girl in my arms," he remarked.

"So what's going on with her parents?" Kasumi asked.

"Her dad was desperate and needed money," Leo explained. "So, he borrowed some from Hun to pay the medical bill."

"He was doing what he could to provide for his child," Splinter mused, shaking his head. "It is a shame he was forced to take such drastic action."

"We beat up the Dragons who were harassing him," Vee reported. "But they'll just keep coming back until he pays up."

"Which brings me to my next point," Kagome said, turning to her mother. "Mom, could we pay off his debt for him? It may be the only way."

"I'm insulted you asked me such a thing," Kasumi replied, smiling. "Of course, we'll help him."

"Just how much money do you have?" Kirby questioned.

Kasumi smirked. "Let's just say the claims of me being the richest woman in New York are no exaggeration."

At the Purple Dragon HQ, the thugs the Turtles had creamed knelt before Hun, terrified for their lives.

"They just showed up!" one said. "The Turtles and their friends!"

Hun growled. "I'm getting a little sick of those freaks sticking their noses into my business."

"Well, you'll have to cope with it a little while longer," Kasumi's voice announced.

They jumped and turned as Kasumi emerged from the shadows, flanked by the Hamato siblings and Kagome.

"What the hell?!" one of the Dragons exclaimed. "How'd you get in here?!"

"Your thugs left the back door open," Mikey answered, gesturing over his shoulder to Raph and Vee, who were standing over the pile of unconscious bodies.

Hun restrained himself, knowing he stood no chance in a confrontation with Kasumi, one of the Shredder's few equals.

"So, the great Kasumi Lee decides to grace me with her presence," he remarked. "What do you want?"

"Nicholas Verne," Kasumi replied simply. "His debt will be cleared immediately."

"So that's it," Hun mused. "You're here to pay off the plumber's debt."

Kasumi picked up a suitcase, opening it and showing it to Hun. It was filled to the brim with hundred-dollar bills.

"He owes me twenty thousand dollars," Hun remarked, taking the suitcase. "This should be more than enough."

"Twenty thousand dollars?!" Mikey exclaimed. "That's outrageous!"

"What can I say? Hospital bills," Hun said flippantly. "Your brainy brother tell you what happens to a diabetic when they don't get their insulin?"

"I can also tell you about reject conjoined twins if you want, Hun," Donnie retorted (2).

Hun scoffed, slamming the briefcase shut. "Whatever. Verne's debt is paid. Anything else?"

"Wait, that's it?" Raph questioned.

"I'm not stupid enough to pick a fight with Kasumi Lee," Hun informed them. "Master Shredder says she's as skilled as he is."

"How kind of him," Kasumi deadpanned.

"Don't come after the Verne family again," Leo warned. "If you do-"

"I have no reason to go after that plumber anymore," Hun retorted. "Now get out of my house."

Kasumi nodded and they all left.

"Huh," Kagome said aloud. "I really expected him to try and start a fight."

"It seems Saki picked some muscle with a few functioning brain cells," Kasumi mused.

"I know," Raph replied. "A shame, really."

"Well, the debt's paid off," Leo said. "I think it's safe to take Kristy back to her dad."

Mr. Verne woke up from his bed with a start. As he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he heard a familiar knock at the door. He went to open it and saw nothing, but heard a familiar childish giggle.

"Is that...?" he said aloud in hope before looking around.

"Daddy!"

Mr. Verne's eyes widened as Kristy ran over to him and hugged him.

"Kristy!" Mr. Verne exclaimed, scooping his daughter up and holding her close. "You're all right!"

"The turtle men saved me!" Kristy informed him.

Mr. Verne looked down at her in confusion. "The what now?"

"The turtle men!" Kristy replied, pointing at the shadows. "See them, Daddy?"

Verne investigated the shadows, shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"They must've gone home too," Kristy remarked. "They're good, Daddy. Really good. They fixed my thingy!"

Verne smiled. "Good to hear."

As he turned to go back inside, he stopped at the door, looking back outside. "I don't know who you are, or if you can even hear me, but thank you for saving my little girl."

With that, he closed the door. That was when the Turtles emerged from the shadows, having been hiding the whole time. Mikey sniffed, wiping his eyes.

"It's a Kodak moment," he declared.

"So that's what gratitude feels like," Raph remarked.

"Well, that's done," Leo announced with a smile. "Let's go home, team."

Deep within the Technodrome, Krang and Ch'rell were discussing their upcoming plans.

"So, the O'Neil family has vanished," Krang remarked.

"The Turtles must be harboring them in their lair, which must be where they're keeping the sword, as well," Ch'rell said before smirking. "General, I think now is the time to activate our sleeper agent."

"I agree. We have waited long enough." Krang stood, raising his arm. "Alert our forces! The invasion of Earth begins NOW!"

Author's Note:

(1): Reference to the Mario Bros. One of their backstories is that they were born in Brooklyn and ran a plumbing business there.

(2): A reference to the unmade 2003 episode "Nightmares Recycled." It would have revealed that Hun and the Garbageman were conjoined twins who were separated at birth; I debated using that, but Author of the Insane talked me out of it.

A big thank you to Kristen Verne for giving me the idea for this chapter. The baby is, of course, named after her.

Next chapter: Krang's invasion finally begins!

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Kristy - Tabitha Ray (Chiho, Chinami, and Chigusa Mitama from A Centaur's Life, Izumi Sakurai from Nichijou, Arrow from Fire Force, Hotaru Shidare from Dagashi Kashi)

* Nicholas - Jesse Spencer (Matthew Casey from Chicago Fire, Robert Chase from House, Billy Kennedy from Neighbours)

Please R&R. Until next time!