Learning To Love Red

Chapter 8

Raph's POV

April walked in carrying four pizza boxes, right behind her Casey was carrying a dozen shopping bags form a bunch of different women's stores. I chuckled pointing at him.

"Lose a bet Jones?"

He gave me a dirty look before putting all the bags down. April put the pizzas down on the table before she spoke.

"Those are actually for our guest, Casey was just being a good boyfriend and carrying them down here for me."

I saw Donnie recoiled and started toying with the rubrics cube he had solved earlier. I felt bad for my younger brother who's heart had been broken two weeks ago when April and Casey had announced their relationship.

I knew that after awhile he would get over it, but right now the pain was written all over him. I glanced at Chanel who quickly gave Donnie a concerned look before looking back at April giving her a slight smile.

"The pizzas here why aren't we eating?"

Mikey asked opening the top pizza box and grabbing a slice before walking out of the room. I followed his lead and so did the others.

Chanel quietly ate her soup watching all of us carefully. April put her pizza down on a plate Leo handed her wiping her hands off she stuck her hand out to Chanel.

"Hi I'm April O'Neil it's nice to meet you."

Chanel placed her hand in April's giving it slight shake.

"I'm Chanel Miller. Thank you so much for the clothes and supplies."

"No problem. After we eat we can go through the stuff I bought today and see what you like."

April said before taking a bite of her pizza. Casey finally made his way over to us giving Chanel a toothless smile, I watched her as she made a face as if she was thinking of a sarcastic comment in her head.

"Looks like we have another red head in the joint."

He jumped up on the counter next to April.

"The names Casey Jones. You've probably heard of me."

"Can't say that I have heard of you before,but then again I'm not into figure skating."

Chanel said taking a sip of her water. Laughter filled the whole room,Casey glared at the red head next me.

"Good one red. Hey gap tooth toss me a drink."

Donnie was in looking through the refrigerator, I watched as he his hand tightened on the door.

"Get it yourself Jones. I'm going to my lab."

Donnie had a bottle of green tea in his hand, picked up a box of pizza the other leaving the refrigerator door open.

The silence lingered for a moment until Mikey walked back in -oblivious of the events that just took place- singing to the top of his lungs while dancing.

"Cause there ain't no holler back girl!"

He was about to dance hisself in to a wall, April called out to him.

"Mikey watch out your gonna run into a..."

Before she could finish Mikey hit the wall, then fell to the ground.

"You okay?"

Leo was standing over top of him with his hand offered for help. I was laughing pretty hard at my brothers clumsiness ,I looked over at Chanel who had her hand over mouth hiding her smile.

"I'm okay!"

Mikey declared now on his, his arm around Leo's shoulders. April laughed before looking at Chanel with a smile asking,

"So have they told you their story?"

She raised her eyebrow with an entertained look on her face. Chanel returned her look with a confused one.

"Their story?"

"Yeah their story of how they became who they are, of all missions they've been on, of all their enemies, and how they meet us."

Casey gestured towards himself and April with his hand that wasn't holding a can of pop.

"Ooohhh let me tell the story!"

Mikey exclaimed jumping up and down, with his hand raised in the air. I stood up to grab a drink for myself, giving Mikey a slight push as I walked past him.

"I don't think so shell for brains, you like to leave out details when you tell it."

I smirked at him.

"Just because I left you out of the whole story Raph, doesn't mean anything. I was just telling it as I saw it."

He laughed back at me.

"Funny Mikey. Real funny."

I said taking a drink of the water bottle in my hand.

"I think we should let Master Splinter tell the story."

Leo said leaning against the counter. Mikey opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by an older voice.

"I would be honored my son."

I turned to see Sensei in the opening of the kitchen both of his hands resting on the top of his cane. Quickly I turned to Chanel to see her reaction. Her brown eyes were wide with shock, her mouth slightly agape. She watched him as he sat next to her , where I had been sitting.

"Hello young lady, I am Hamato Yoshi, but you can call me Master Splinter. What is your name?"

"I'm Chanel Miller."

She smiled up at him, her look of shock gone.

"Would you like to hear our story?

" He returned her smile.

"Yes please."

She snuck a quick glance at me before locking her eyes with Sensei's.

We all gathered around and listened to the story we had lived out. He told her about his past in Japan, then our mutation and his own that happened 16 years ago. He told her of our training, how we found the place we call home. He then told her of all our enemies: the Kraang, the Purple Dragons, the Shredder and his foot clan. He then explained that the Shredders daughter -Karai-was actually the daughter he thought he lost years ago in Japan.

How we came to be friends with April and Casey. He spoke of all the trials we had went through, the battle wounds we had suffered from. He told her how we destroyed Shredder once and for all, how Karai refused to accept the truth, and how she now hunts us -with the help of the Kraang and the Purple Dragons- hell bent on revenge. I watched Chanel's face as different emotions flashed in her eyes.

"That is our story young Chanel."

He finished giving her a weak smile, what she did in response shocked me. She hugged him. Full on bear hugged him, Sensei was shocked at first but on returned the hug. She released him and straightened her back.

"You've all had a very eventful life."

She looked at all of us individually before resting her eyes on me. She gave me a warm smile.

"What's your story Chanel?"

Donnie -who had rejoined us sometime during the story- asked. Chanel's face went blank as the brokenness returned in her chocolate eyes. She looked as if she was about to say something, but her attention was turned to the living room. Carefully she rose from her seat, making her way towards the TV. All of us exchanged glances before following her.

She was standing directly in front of the TV, arms folded across her chest as if she was hugging herself. Quietly I walked up beside her, gently putting my hand on her shoulder. I didn't say anything instead I looked to see what she was so focused on. A news reporter was standing in front of what looked to be the remains of a burnt building, his words made Chanel whimper when he spoke.

"Foul play is now suspected in the house fire that took the life's of the Miller family."