Hi guys! Welcome to another new story! This one now makes it three stories I am working on (five, if you count "Hanashi" and a devotional I'm writing), so I guess I'm following my husband's advice. I had been working on my biggest project here "Lilianna," but I need to do more research before continuing. So I went over to work on a chapter for another fairly new story "Gondor's Grace." That chapter is still in the works and I hope to publish that chapter soon.

Now, I thought about doing this story for a while ever since publishing a chapter on "Hanashi." I realized that while watching the TMNT 2012 series that I really enjoy analyzing April, but I couldn't really get a start on it. It wasn't until I watched Tarzan that I finally got the inspiration I needed to make this story happen.

So, as we all know, April is involved in this love triangle throughout the series between Donatello and Casey. If you have read "Lilianna," then you'll know who I put April with. But in this story, I'm looking at all angles as these chapters will take place after each episode of the series. There are a couple stories I have already written in my story "Never For Nothing" based on Target: April O'Neil and The Power Inside Her. I'm unsure if I'll be doing a rewrite on those or not. I'm very proud of my work there.

I am hoping that this story will go on beyond season 5, but will not include the Apocalypse arch (which will eventually happen in "Lilianna" - I haven't written it yet) nor the Usagi arch, as April is not featured in these. I already have some ideas, but like all stories, I have to start at the beginning with season 1.

If you can think of a better title, then please leave me a message or a review. I thought about writing the title in Japanese but it was kind of lengthy. And now, here we go!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "TMNT."

September 29, 2012 - New York City, New York, USA

APRIL'S POV

"Thank you. But it's not your fight."

A hand touched mine. I gasped softly with surprise before gazing into his determined brown eyes.

"Yes, it is."

I blushed, smiling gratefully. He blushed back. I watched him leave with his three brothers, but not before he turned around and waved at me. I waved back, and then he was gone. I got off the balcony and closed the windows to my bedroom.

I turned around and put a loose hair behind my ear. No one has ever offered to fight for me before, other than my dad. His rescue played in my head over and over again.

I grabbed my journal, changed into my yellow pajamas, and went into the living room. I played Tarzan on the DVD player. As I watched the movie, I doodled in my journal, drawing the huge turtle who rescued me.

I had finished sketching him as Tarzan rescued Jane from the angry baboons. As I watched Tarzan and Jane interacting with each other for the first time, it brought me back to my first encounter with this turtle.

I was on a walk with my dad. We had just made it home when we were kidnapped by strange robots with alien brains inside man suits. Before I was taken away, this strange being he had assured me it was okay as he held his hand out for me. Our next interaction was probably just as awkward, as I accidentally called him a lizard. But then he introduced himself.

I wrote his name down in my journal: Donatello. I smiled, remembering studying about the Renaissance artist he was named after. I realized, after the turtle had introduced himself to me, I had felt comfortable telling him my name. He eventually saved my life after I fell out of a helicopter. I remembered holding on to him as if my life depended on it.

Then, the "Strangers Like Me" sequence played on the television. I wondered just how much Donatello knew about my world. I wondered how he became the being he is now. I wondered who his parents are. I wondered how he had such agility to go to such lengths to rescue me. Then, when Jane showed joy swinging in the vines and falling in love with Tarzan, I wondered if I could ever be as agile as Donatello someday.

I shook my head and laughed at myself. There was absolutely no way I was falling for a giant turtle! He was not even human! But he certainly was human tonight, willing to sacrifice his life for me. I put away the journal, finished the movie, and then retreated to my room and went to sleep.

September 30, 2012

DONATELLO'S POV

Master Splinter expressed interest in meeting April after he heard of all we have done to rescue her and to save New York City for the first time.

"I think that only one of us should go up to get April," Leo suggested. "The rest us can handle patrol."

"And who's going to get her, Leo?" Raph angrily asked. "You?"

I gasped, immediately feeling crushed.

"You don't seriously believe that you are the best for the job?" Leo shot back.

"Can you two please stop fighting?" Mikey asked angrily. "We're supposed to be a team! And Leo, you're supposed to be the leader. You're supposed to set an example for us. So, I'll go and get April."

"Yes," Sensei replied with hesitance. "And no. Donatello will go to April's."

"Huh?" we all asked with surprise.

"Sensei, are you sure about this?" Leo asked.

"Donatello was the one who initiated her rescue. I already sense a closeness between them."

I smiled and bowed to him.

"Hai, sensei," I replied in Japanese. "Arigatogozaimasu."

"Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo, you will patrol the city and look out for the Kraang. They may provide a clue to April's father's disappearance."

"Hai, sensei!"

The four of us left the lair, and then I went alone to April's apartment. Thankful for my photographic memory, I remembered exactly where she was. I knocked on her window. I saw April's figure running over towards me and she opened the window. This time, she wore a magenta T-shirt over a white long-sleeved one and beige army pants. She wore a magenta headband in her red hair tonight, but her hair was still tied back.

"Hey!" April greeted me with a smile. "Donatello, right?"

"Very good! How are you?"

April sat down on the windowsill, playing with her hair.

"Well, to be honest, it's been hard. Aunt June came over to take care of me while I still go to school, but my life's changed. I'm still getting used to my dad being gone. Do you know what that's like?"

I frowned.

"No, I don't. But I'd like to listen, if that's okay. In fact, my..."

I rubbed my neck, wondering how to describe my sensei.

"...my dad wants to meet you."

April glanced at me with surprise in her blue eyes.

"Really?"

"Sure! Again, if that's okay."

To my surprise, she smiled at me.

"I'd have to let Aunt June know. Will you get me back home by curfew?"

"By... curfew?" I asked with confusion.

"I have to be back here by eleven o'clock."

"We can do that."

"I'll be right back."

April disappeared without closing the windows.

"Aunt June, I'm gonna go hang out with my friends. We're going to... study for a history test."

"Alright, honey, be safe."

April went back into her bedroom and put on her black boots.

"Let's go."

I helped her out of the window. I climbed up to the roof and held out my hand. But April hesitated.

"What's wrong?" I asked with compassion.

"I'm..."

She rubbed her neck. All I could do was smile.

"I'm scared of heights."

"Do you trust me?" I asked, continuing to hold out my hand.

She glanced up at me. She rubbed her neck for another few seconds until she returned the smile.

"Yes."

She took my hand. I pulled her up. But instead of running, we walked together.

"So..."

I hesitated and nervously rubbed my neck.

"So what do people talk about?"

"Well, we talk about our day," April explained. "I talk to my friends about school, my family, my life."

"Well, let's talk about school, then."

"Anything but that!" she quickly replied.

"Oh!" I exclaimed with surprise. "Do you not like school?"

"Not really. Compared to last night, school is pretty dull."

"How come?"

"Do you really want to know?" April asked with a smirk.

"Yes."

April laughed.

"Why are you so eager to know?"

"Because I am a scientist," I explained. "I love to learn."

April fondly smiled at me. Then she opened up about her life as a high school student. I realized my brothers and I would qualify as high school students as well. But I did agree with her about her environment. I am smarter than all my brothers combined and I did not believe that kind of environment would stimulate me enough.

We eventually made it to the alleyway that would take us into the sewers. But April took a few steps back, clearly nervous.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"You can't be serious!"

I held out my hand again.

"Do you trust me?"

Her blue eyes locked with my brown ones. I smiled, assuring her it would be okay. She took my hand again, and she went first into the sewers. I followed her in and then we started to walk the rest of the way.

"How can you stand the stench?" April asked, plugging her nose.

"You get used to it after a while," I answered. "My brothers and I were raised down here."

"How did you end up in the sewers? I'm curious."

"It's a long story."

"I've got time," April replied enthusiastically. "Especially since I told you how I truly feel about school."

"Well, things are not what they seem. Remember how I told you my dad wanted to meet you?"

"Yeah?"

"He's not just my dad. He's my sensei, my teacher. He has trained us in the ancient art of ninjutsu for as long as I can remember. He took us in when we were baby turtles. And he always made sure we were safe."

April suddenly held my hand. I stopped, turned around, and faced her. Her smile grew bigger.

"He sounds wonderful."

I smiled in return.

"Well, we're just about there. Just through those turnstiles."

We entered the lair and April gasped in awe.

"Oh my gosh!"

I watched her this entire time. She glanced all around the lair. First, she walked towards the living area where the television was. Then she walked towards the bedrooms. She came back my way and ventured towards the kitchen and dojo. I followed her into the kitchen.

"How did you turn this huge space into a home?" April asked, still in awe.

"Well, I've done a lot of reading," I explained. "And Splinter's also done a lot of scavenging for everything we need."

"Splinter?"

April laughed.

"That's an interesting name. Who is he?"

"I am he," Sensei suddenly spoke.

April and I both jumped and turned around. But April shrieked in horror.

"Donatello, there's a huge rat in the kitchen!"

"April, relax! That's my dad, my sensei!"

April suddenly fainted into my arms.

"Uh, Sensei, what do we do now?" I asked.

APRIL'S POV

"Sensei, she's waking up."

I slowly stirred myself awake, but this time, I was in a room surrounded by the turtles... and the giant rat.

"Donatello?" I asked quietly. "What happened?"

"You fainted, April," he answered slowly. "Everything is all right. You are safe."

I slowly stood up and glanced at everyone.

"I don't understand," I confessed. "Four giant turtles and a giant rat? How did you all come to be?"

"Donatello, perhaps you would like to tell our tale?" the rat suggested.

The other three turtles nodded firmly, giving Donatello permission.

"Well, here goes."

He breathed in and breathed out. I could tell he was nervous.

"April, this is Hamato Yoshi," Donatello introduced me to the rat. "Once upon a time, he was a human being, trained in the ancient art of ninjutsu. He was one of the greatest ninja masters in Japan and he earned the name Splinter. One day, his life changed forever when his wife and daughter died, and his dojo burned to the ground."

I frowned at Splinter, expressing my sympathy.

"His wife wished to visit New York City," Donatello continued. "So Splinter started a new life here. He bought four baby turtles at a pet store, but he encountered a man who seemed off. Splinter followed him but stepped on a rat, revealing his presence. There was a fight, and this man was carrying mutagen. The strange man dropped the mutagen and Splinter dropped the turtles."

I started to see the connection.

"The mutagen changed all of them as the man ran away. Splinter transformed into a humanoid rat because he touched a rat. The four baby turtles--"

"Became more human!" I finished his sentence in awe. "The four of you!"

"She gets it," the red-clad turtle said with a smirk.

"Sensei?" Donatello asked the rat to continue.

"I continued to care for the turtles," Splinter said. "I would patrol the city, finding food I could salvage and finding shelter. These men were looking for us. We were almost exposed many times. But these turtles expressed bravery in a way I could not understand. When they started to imitate me when I practiced ninjutsu, I realized I needed to give them all names. When I was a child, I wanted to become an artist, and I loved to study the artists of the Renaissance. So, I named them... Donatello."

The purple-clad turtle, the one who saved my life, smiled at me, showing a gap in his teeth that I never noticed before. I returned the smile, suddenly feeling even more comfortable around him.

"Leonardo."

The blue-clad turtle sat up straight and smirked with pride.

"Michelangelo."

The orange-clad turtle started humming a song that made me laugh.

"And Raphael."

The red-clad turtle crossed his arms and firmly nodded.

"So I'm curious," I spoke. "That strange man... is it possible that this is all connected to my dad being kidnapped last night?"

"Yes," Splinter answered. "Donatello told me they found the same ooze that transformed us all those years ago. It is possible the men I fought and the men my sons fought were the same. And we discovered the same thing in our fights."

"They are not ordinary men," Leonardo chimed in. "They are aliens called the Kraang."

I let out a sigh and I stood up, as did everyone else.

"I know you have pledged to fight for me," I said, feeling brave. "But I want to help you. They kidnapped my dad. I refuse to rest until he is found and safe at home."

"If you are to help us, April," Splinter replied sternly. "You must promise us one thing: you cannot reveal our existence to anyone. I fear for my sons and what would happen if the outside world finds out about them."

"Your secret is safe with me. And besides, who would believe me?"

"Hmm."

Splinter pondered for a moment.

"Very true."

"So, how can I help?"

I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced up and found Donatello smiling at me.

"Come with me."

I followed him into the room I had yet to explore in the lair. It was a huge space. One corner had a desk with a computer on it. I saw posters of turtle, rat, and human anatomy on the walls. I saw shelves of lab equipment. I gasped in awe.

"This is amazing!"

"Thanks!" Donatello replied. "But I don't just study science. I build and fix things."

"So say my cell phone broke--"

"I can fix it, even with these hands."

He held up his three-fingered hands to demonstrate and I laughed.

"What if something needed to be fixed in my apartment?" I asked.

"Well, you'd have to find a way to be alone before I could come over, but I can fix it."

I gasped in awe again and then I laughed.

"I never thought I would find anyone like my dad, especially not a mutant turtle with that kind of genius!"

I sat down on the desk and smiled.

"I'm not sure if I ever thanked you for saving my life. So, thank you, Donatello."

"You're welcome. And please, call me Donnie. Splinter's the only one who calls me Donatello."

My grin got bigger.

"Donnie... I like it! It's so simple. So, again, how can I help?"

"Well, let me join you and get into my computer."

He sat down on the chair. I got off the desk and stood with him.

"I have my own email account," Donnie explained.

"Do you have a cell phone?"

"Not yet! But I am working on a cell phone prototype and you are my inspiration."

I blushed. Maybe I was falling for him after all.

Come on, April! You just met him. And besides, he's a giant talking turtle. You're a normal human girl. It wouldn't work out!

I shook my head and looked back at Donnie's computer.

"Go ahead and type in your email address," he beckoned me.

I did what I was told and saved it under his contact list. In fact, I was his only contact. I frowned, realizing Donnie and his brothers had been sheltered all their lives.

"Maybe we can start simple for now," I suggested.

"What do you suggest?"

"Well, you need to learn about the outside world to navigate it, right? So, what do you want to know?"

Donnie pondered for a moment before his brown eyes lit up.

"We just discovered pizza last night. Is there a way we can have that more often? All we eat down here are algae and worms."

"Yuck!" I exclaimed. "Yes, that's definitely a start. My dad trusted me with his credit card. Maybe I can get you guys started with some groceries."

Donnie looked at me with confusion.

"Food," I clarified. "I can bring the things I like for you to try, and maybe some frozen pizzas."

"April, I appreciate this. But keep in mind you're shopping for five, not just you and your dad. And unfortunately, there's no way we can pay you back."

"That's okay. You don't have to. Just find my dad and consider the debt paid. And besides, we're friends. Friends don't debt each other."

He smiled at me.

"Thank you. You know, I didn't know what to expect on our first patrol, but I'm happy we found you. I can already tell you are a unique human being."

I returned the smile.

"So, what kind of science do you like to study?" I asked.

"Mostly biology and physics," Donnie answered. "But I'm always eager to learn something new. What about you?"

"My dad's a psychologist. He studies the mind. In fact, psychology fascinates me, too. I enjoy watching people in their best element."

"Huh! I'll have to look into that sometime."

I put a piece of hair behind my ear.

"Hey, Donnie, would you mind helping me with my homework sometimes? I'm in a pre-calculus class and I just don't get it."

"Absolutely! You know, science is not the only subject I excel in. I have an IQ of 190."

"Whoa!" I exclaimed, my mind blown. "But wait, you didn't know what groceries meant."

"My brothers like to watch TV a lot. I'll join in once in a while to relax. But I much prefer building things or studying."

"You're not a student, are you?"

"No, I'm not. But I taught myself almost everything I know outside of ninjutsu. I'm... not the best fighter."

I cocked my head.

"I wouldn't be sure about that. Your skills were enough to save my life. And I know you'll save me over and over again if I get in trouble."

Donnie suddenly turned his chair towards and looked me in the eyes.

"April, please promise me you won't put yourself in trouble just for me to come save you."

I gasped.

"Donnie, I'd never do that! But I do need to find a way to contact you in case I do end up in trouble. Emails aren't effective enough.

"That is a good point. I'll try my hardest to invent a phone for us as soon as we are able to patrol again."

I pondered for a moment.

"Come with me. I want to show you something. It's time for me to be getting back anyway."

"Oh, shoot!" Donnie exclaimed. "It's ten-thirty! Let's go!"

Donnie and I hurried out of the lair and back above the surface.

"So where are you taking me?" he asked.

"This way."

While being discreet, I took him to a junkyard close to my apartment. His eyes widened.

"Whoa!" Donnie exclaimed in awe. "There's so much potential here!"

"People are throwing their junk away here all the time. Feel free to help yourself during your patrol. But we need to get me home first."

"Ah, yes. Good idea."

Donnie helped me up to the rooftops and then we got to my apartment.

"So, April, how confident are you about finding your way to the lair?" he asked with a cheesy grin.

"One of these days I'll make it on my own," I replied with laughter. "But I'll need some help until then."

"No worries. I can come get you."

"That would be great."

I paused, putting my hair behind my ear again. I thought about asking to hug him, but it wasn't the right time yet.

"I guess I'll see you later."

"Do you want me to use the same method as last time?" Donnie asked.

"Yes, but email me when you are headed my way. I want to be ready."

"I can do that. See you later, April."

I watched Donnie jump up onto the rooftop and run back to the lair. I let out a sigh and smiled.

"See you later, Donnie."