Winter { A TMNT Fan Fiction }

24. The Truth

When we got back to the Lair, the whole gang was waiting on the two of us. My cheeks reddened when all their gazes locked on us coming through the door. Michelangelo breathed out a 'finally', and that made me feel worse.

"I- I'm sorry for making you wait." I stuttered, clutching one of my duffle bags tightly with nerves.

"Don't apologize for that." Raphael said, taking my duffle bag and placing it on the couch with the one he had. My cheeks heated up again, but the red banded turtle ignored it, and wrapped and arm around my waist to guide me over to where his family was sitting on the floor. Splinter was sitting on the ledge holding the sword Leonardo had received from Oroku Saki.

His expression was dropped, as was his ears. He looked... regretful, sorrowful even. I swallowed hard when Raphael pulled me down to sit between him and Donatello.

I shouldn't be here. I thought. I shouldn't be nuzzled into their private family matters.

"My sons," Splinter started,"I had hoped this day would never come." He looked to the sword and gripped a piece of black fabric in his hand.

"I know who these people are. I have always known." He held up the black fabric for us to see the red three spiked symbol printed on it,"This is the symbol of The Foot Ninja; their leader is Oroku Saki, but he has another name. He is The Shredder."

The room was dead silent, not even a peep from Michelangelo or a snort from Raphael. My breath caught in my throat at the words of the old rat, it was like we shouldn't be talking about this. About Oroku Saki, The Shredder.

Master Splinter lifted his head, somewhat happier, but still held a sorrowful look,"I have often told you of my beloved Master Yoshi, but now it is time that I tell you the whole truth."

I shifted awkwardly in between the two brothers. I felt like I shouldn't be there because I really didn't have any right to be. I didn't know who Master Yoshi was, or the stories Master Splinter had told his family because I wasn't his family. I was just a damsel in distress that they were kind enough to take in and help. But Raphael put his hand on my wrist, and I knew I was stuck.

"As you already know, my master was a ninja with great power. One of the greatest practitioners in ninjutsu in many centuries." He spoke proudly of his master, his wise eyes sparkling with pride.

"I was his pet rat. And I learned ninjutsu by mimicking his moves. For many years I was happy. We were a family." I could feel a smile coming up on my face at the old rat's happiness.

"But that life ended when The Shredder sent his Foot Ninja to attack. My master battled honorably, but through their dishonorable ways, the Foot Ninja over powered him. They accused my master of working for their enemies. They wanted information. My master only said one thing." His grip tightened on the sword in anger.

"He who lives without honor, will end without honor."

"I tried to save my master, but my efforts were in vain. The Shredder had taken my Master Yoshi from the world." His ears drop and I could feel my eyes burning tears for him. Raphael's hand twitched on my wrist in hesitation, but then did not move.

"Not long after that, I found you, my sons, and you all know the rest." No one said anything, and I thought we'd all sit for a long time just letting the story of Master Yoshi sink in.

But Master Splinter wasn't finished. All the rage inside him seemed to build up as his words were almost spat out like a bitter spoon of medicine.

"I never told you all this because I didn't want your training to be tainted by the poison. I did not want you to feel the sorrow that is still in my heart. But now you need to know who Saki, The Shredder, really is."

"He serves no great purpose. He fights no great evil. He is great evil!" Splinter almost shouted the last words of his speech. I flinched at the ferocity in his voice while the turtles began to get the memo to speak up again. Leonardo was the first.

Slapping his forehead he boasted,"Man, I am such an idiot."

Michelangelo laughed, hitting his brother on the shoulder,"I could've told you that."

The tenseness in the room seemed to diminish to nothing as the brothers brought their playful feel back. I was so glad for that, and Master Splinter seemed pretty grateful too.

"You've been played, bro." Donatello teased,"He saw you coming a mile away."

Raphael; however, got right to the point,"So what're we gonna do about it?"

Leonardo thought for a moment, locking eyes with all of us for a few seconds before he turned to his master with his fist hitting his palm.

"The Shredder wants an answer? I think we should give him one. Turtle style."

"You will be doing no such thing!" Master Splinter spoke up again, this time standing up,"No going to the surface."

"But-" Michelangelo tried to protest.

"No!" Splinter snapped, and then walked to his room, slamming the doors shut.

I could tell the turtles were upset with their master, unable to see that he was doing it to protect them. We all had no idea what The Shredder was capable of, but he did. He had seen it first hand, and he knew what it felt like to up against him.

"So when are we goin'?" Raphael asked immediately after Splinter said no. I almost gaped at him if I had not known to expect that from the hotheaded turtle.

"Tonight." Leonardo replied. Then, I was gaping at him because I thought he was the teacher's pet as Raphael called him. I was even more surprised when the other two brothers jumped on board.

I couldn't help but burst,"Are you crazy? Do you know how dangerous this is?"

"We do, and that's why you're staying here." Leonardo ordered me, walking over to pick up the sword The Shredder had given him.

"What? But-"

"You are staying here because it's too dangerous for you to be out there with us without any training or experience. You could get hurt." The oldest turtle told me, making complete sense, but I still couldn't help but protest further.

"What do you plan on doing, exactly?" I asked, crossing my arms and leaning my weight on my left leg.

"Nothin' bad, toots. Just gonna give 'em their sword back and bang some heads, is all. Lighten up a lil'." Raphael said, cracking his knuckles with a smirk.

"Yeah, A. We'll be back before you know it!" Donatello smiled, putting an arm around my shoulders causing me to smile at him in his playfulness actions.

"Promise?" I asked, sounding like a three year old.

"We promise, Abby." Leonardo said sincerely, looking me dead in the eyes wth a serious expression.

"You have our word, toots." Raphael finished, and before I knew it...

They were gone.

_________

this chapter was fun to write lol
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thanks for 2k btw, I love you guuuysss
I'll try to update soon!
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