Everyone was stuck in state of awe, it was quite strange to meet someone who also had the same problem, being a freak. All the brothers, well except Mikey, were all thinking and pondering about what this meant for them. Perhaps a friend that finally understood their own struggle of life. Splinter stood, breaking the silence and Mikey's own rambling questions.
"And child, where will you go?" The old rat questioned the girl. "Do you have anyone to go to?" Idiona shifted uncomfortably on her feet, shuffling back and forth. Eventually she shook her head.
"I'm afraid I do not," she responded as she began shoving her things back into her pack. "Although, I do know I must move on to a different city as of right now." Leo rushed over and placed his hand over the opening of the pack.
"What do you mean? How would you even get out of here if you have no one to help you? It also looks like someone wants you to not be so alive anymore." Concerned laced his voice, there was no way he could allow her to leave. At least not in this type of manner. Idiona let out a small chuckle.
"Your concern warms my heart, but I have two working legs and am equipped with more than enough ability to take care and defend myself."
"And your side?" Donnie also questioned, motioning to the bandages wrapped around Idiona's side. With instinct, her hand shot to the wound, she had forgotten about that. With where the healing process was now, and with help from Donatello, it would still take a couple days for the wound to completely dissipate.
"I'll figure it out," Idiona waved a hand dismissively. "I'm sure there are plenty of places down here to hide out in."
"No," Splinter blurted. "You shall stay here and rest under our care. In those days then you can decide whether you stay or go. Donatello, you shall lend her your room, since you prefer to slumber on your books instead." The old sensei placed a gentle hand ontop of Idiona's and offered up a caring smile. "I believe you have stumbled upon on our home for a reason." They all watched as Splinter retired to his room, shutting the door behind him with a quick flick of his tail.
Idiona gazed down at her hand, it had been a long time since someone had offered her a gentle piece of affection.
"Is he always like this?" All four turtles nodded. "Well, Donatello, lead the way." Idiona flung the plain brown pack over her shoulder.
"Yeah, come on. Also, you can just call me Donnie or Don." The purple clad turtle lead the way down a short hall to a room closed off with just a long sheet. "It's not much, but it should do." Donnie pushed aside the sheet and Idiona strode in. The room was littered with, well, junk. Junk torn apart, different pieces of junk put together, old computers ripped apart, and a generator half put together. Her eyes finally settled onto the bed, which also had bits and pieces of things in it.
"You like to tinker with stuff, huh?" Idiona found it astonishing, she thought her self smart but defiantly not pull stuff apart and put it back together smart. Donnie quickly rushed over and began clearing out the bed, carefully setting them into assorted piles. "Thanks."
"Yeah, uh, you can actually just sleep off injuries?" She nodded her response. "That's amazing! I'll let you rest now. Make yourself comfortable." Idiona carefully lifted herself up into the bed, doing the best not to knick her side. She closed her eyes as the turtle exited his room.
"May the God's watch over me."
And so she slept for those two continuous days. She always enjoyed these healing slumbers, they were always dreamless and not just physically restoring but also mentally. When she awoke there was a warm light sneaking in from under the sheet pinned to the wall. There was also grunting and clanging of weapons, were they under attack?
Idiona sprang into action and rushed towards the sound, for all they had done for her she would never hesitate to come to their aid. As she burst into the main area of the lair she some them all fighting one another, training. That's right, they were training in the art of ninjitsu. All heads snapped to her.
"Uh, good morning." She said sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I just thought maybe you guys were in trouble."
"Are you well?" Splinter asked, his walking staff gripped in both hands. Idiona stretched out her side and patted the wound that had been there. Now there was no pain, no irritation.
"All good over here!"
"Perfect, my sons, sit. Idiona, come over here and join us. There is something I would like to share that I have been meditating on." She joined the rest of them, all four turtles already sitting cross-legged. She too sat, only she tucked her calves and feet below her thighs. "Idiona, as I have said before, I believe you came into our home for a reason. I have meditated on this topic the past two days you have slept and I would like to offer you permanent place in our home."
"Sensei!" Leo started.
"Do not worry Leonardo," Splinter responded, his tone laced with certainty. "She shall stay here, below, with us. Now, of course, Idiona, if you decide to stay you too shall learn the art of ninjitsu. You shall train every day beside my sons, and you too shall be forbidden to go to the surface so to not endanger our family. We will accommodate you to the best of our abilities, as I know, it is difficult growing up in a household full of boys." The last part was intended as a stab, and all four brothers sheepishly looked to the ground.
"Ah, sensei, we aren't that bad," Mikey announced. "We just know how to keep things, interesting."
"Interestingly loud, Michelangelo!" Splinter sighed, pinching the skin between his eyes. Perhaps he needed a different type of energy within his home. Idiona let a smile slip onto her face. "Well, child?"
"I, uh," she started.
"Oh, come on, we don't bite!" Raph spoke out with smugness.
"Yeah, yeah," Mikey joined in. "Plus, we wouldn't ever take a chunk out of your side, or try to!"
"It would be nice to have another person to spar with." Leo added in his piece. She looked at them, really looked within them. Every single one of them had been kind and considerate while she had been here. Plus, none of them had bothered her during her time of healing.
"Okay, I'll stay. It will save me a long journey."
And so she stayed with the brothers and their father. Everyday she woke up and trained alongside them, she was taught how to scavenge within the tunnels under the city, and most importantly she learned true kindness. Each brother was different and she had learned their personalities well, within time. Mikey always made her laugh with his obscene sentences he blurted out, Leo was always ready to spar and push her to be her best, Donnie showed her his new creations when he was able to find the correct material, and Raphael was also ready to spar at any given moment. She had also learned to recognize his anger as clouded passion. Things were great and it was empowering to have Splinter as a teacher. She excelled with the art under his watch. Of course she had not told him she already had two years of experience under the hands of another teacher, but that didn't matter.
The God's had listened to her.
