Complete Turtle Overload (TMNT Book 5)

Catching Up

Naomi was the first to sit. Lilly followed her cautiously, sitting by her. Raph made everything look so natural and decided to sit by Naomi. I sat on the ground in front of her. Sophie and Leo stayed standing, only coming up and standing behind Naomi and Lilly. Donnie left for his lab, Mikey went into the kitchen as well, and Sensei stood behind me, making sure Naomi was in his sight along with everyone else.

“So,” Splinter said, tapping his staff end on the concrete. “How was Shredder to you?”

“At first, pleasant,” Naomi replied. “But after a certain time--” she cautiously glanced at Lilly. “--I felt scared.”

“That will happen,” Splinter nodded. “That is why I must ask why you left. I understand you left me with your prophesy, but I would like a real reason if you do not mind.”

For once, Naomi hesitated and bowed her head down. I could tell she didn’t want to explain right away. So, I decided to save her.

Clearing my throat, everyone looked at me, even Naomi. “We’ve been good…”

Nobody knew what to say. I started blushing in embarrassment, but I held my ground. Well, the floor was cold to the touch, but I stayed sitting.

“Some fights with the Foot here and there,” Raph nodded, breaking the silence once again. “Even with you gone, we managed.”

“Except that day we tried to catch Shredder off guard,” Leo put in. “You didn’t hurt me, but my fright was so great it felt you did.”

At that comment, Naomi smirked softly, “Well, I didn’t want to hurt you. You guys were too scared and I didn’t want to fight.”

“But your face when we got you,” Leo grinned. “Did you really not know we were there?”

“No,” Naomi shook her head. “You guys surprised me. My mind was actually wandering.”

“Wandering where?” Sensei asked gently.

“The chapel,” Naomi answered softly. Again, she glanced at Lilly.

Sitting silently, Lilly let every word sink into her head. She spoke not a word, just sat there, now relaxing from Naomi a little. Her green eyes roamed around, looking at every nook and crack in the main room. Raph was watching her gaze.

“Naomi, I would like to know a full reason why you left us when you did,” Splinter inquired.

Silence crowded over us all once again as Naomi bowed her head. She said nothing and I could tell Splinter was starting to get slightly annoyed.

“Sensei,” Naomi finally said. “I know you know why I left. Raph told you.”

Raph, hearing his name, leaned back a little, shocked. Splinter scowled slightly and said, “I do, but I want everyone else to know as well. They have a right.”

Looking up at Splinter with begging eyes, Naomi said rather manipulatively, “Sensei, please…”

“Naomi!” Splinter jammed his cane end into the concrete by me, making me jump away. He looked down and sighed then looked at Naomi, “Now tell.”

Without saying a thing, Naomi looked at Lilly and Lilly back. Raph was looking at Lilly and then it clicked in me.

“No way…” I muttered. Sophie and Leo looked at me. Even Naomi and Raph. Lilly was the last one to look at me. When I looked closer, I recognized traits I didn’t see before when Raph wasn’t present.

Her light skin was relevant to Raph’s, her eyes were Raph’s, her attitude was Naomi’s (which was what Naomi was going to finish earlier, but Mikey cut her off), and her quietness was Naomi’s.

“She’s….” I said, so shocked I had to remember to breathe. “Yours and Raph’s… Daughter?”