Love Never Lost

Baxter's Gambit: Part 2

Brooke's POV:

The next evening, I ask Splinter if I can stay behind with him and April while the guys check out a reported Foot sighting.

Splinter: "So, why is it you decided to stay, Brooke?"

Me: "I believe April is ready to find her signature weapon."

Splinter: "You know as well as I that the mind is a kunoichi's most powerful weapon."

Me: "Hai, Sensei. But when was the last time anyone ever hit a guy over the head with their mind?"

Splinter strokes his beard in thought.

Splinter: "Very well."

We walk over to April as she performs her usual ukes.

Splinter: "April, Brooke has assured me that you are ready for the next step in your training: Finding your weapon."

April: "Great. Where do we start?"

{Time skip}

First up, a staff with a long metal chain attached to it. Splinter hands it to me, and I demonstrate how to use it properly in battle. Splinter nods while April claps.

Me: "Remember, your weapon chooses you as much as you choose it."

I hand it to April, who lifts it into the air, only for the chain to wrap around a tree branch.

April: "I think it chose the tree."

We try a spiked club, but that proves to be too heavy for her to wield. Next, she tries a pair of kamas similar to my own. She manages to work with them until she loses her grasp of one of them, and it flies into the air and then comes right back at her like a boomerang. Splinter catches it between his fingers before it can hit her.

Splinter: "Perhaps we should keep looking."

Then, we try a chain with two metal balls attached to each side. April spins the balls in midair in front of her.

Me: "Remember, keep your movement fluid."

Suddenly, it flies out of April's hand and accidentally comes in contact with Splinter's family portrait.

April: "Master Splinter, I am so sorry."

April picks it up from the ground and hands it to Splinter as he approaches her.

April: "Who are they?"

Splinter: "That is me, my wife, and daughter, before Shredder-"

April: "The baby. She was beautiful."

Splinter: "Yes. Miwa would have been about your age now. I would like to think she would have turned out as well as you have, my child. Which reminds me, wait here."

Splinter walks off into his room for a moment.

Me: "Well, it's official. Welcome to the family."

April: "Thanks, sis."

Splinter returns with a black tessen.

Splinter: "I had intended to one day pass this onto Miwa, but I would like you to have it."

April: "What about Brooke?"

Splinter: "I would have given it to Brooke had the kamas not chosen her."

April: "It's beautiful."

Splinter: "Yes, and-"

Splinter tosses into the side of the tree, and it slices right through the bark.

April: "I think we found my weapon."

Right then, I hear four simultaneous groans. I bow in respect to Splinter before walking into the living room. When I get there, I see Donnie, Leo, and Mikey passed out on separate sides of the couch while Raph leans against the frame of the lair's entrance. I gently place his arm over my shoulders and lead him to our room.

Me: "So, how'd it go?"

Raph lets out a tired chuckle.

Raph: "Stockman-*yawns*- set a trap for us and split us into groups—Dogpound with the others and me with Xever."

Me: "I see. And how badly did you hurt him?"

Raph: "I saved his life, but I'm not so sure why. But it turns out we have a lot in common. We both like cracking skulls and are loyal to our sensei. Then, we all had to fight those Mousers, and I'm beat."

Me: "Well then, time to get some sleep. It sounds like you need it after all that. And hey, happy three-month anniversary."

Raph: "Oh, sewer apples. I forgot."

Me: "Don't worry about it. Dinner's on you tomorrow night. Besides, it hardly feels like three months, right?"

I set Raph on the side of the bed and remove his gear.

Raph: "Right. I still think I'm in some crazy dream where even a stubborn hothead like me can get a girl like you."

Me: "Well, it's not a dream. It's our crazy wild, endless reality."

Raph lies on his side as his eyes slowly shut, muttering the vow we made precisely three months ago today.

Raph: "For better or worse?"

I lay down next to him, his arms wrapping around me as I kiss the crack in his plastron.

Me: "For better or worse."

End of Episode 19