Years passed and Reonel had grown up to be a fine teenager. She was now 15 and her parents were extremely proud of her. She had master ninjutsu so well it was both scary and something to be extremely happy about.
Her nature had started to bloom and it was obvious she had taken after her father about body building more or less. She was still, kind of, a beginner since Raphael had been protective about her when she had been smaller, not wanting her to hurt herself. Now watching her to lift weights made Raphael nod with proud smile.
She had started to show signs of Raphael’s temper, especially then when Mikey managed to piss her off. She even had started to mimic her father in a way of screaming “Mikey!” when she got pissed at her auntie. But mostly she was calm and firm like her mother but she had his stubbornness when needed. She also liked poems what she had read as a child while learning to read. Leonardo had good collection of them so she had a lot to read back in the days. But more than reading she loved to write them, spending hours every day in Master Splinter’s room writing since it was the best place for that. The energy in old rat’s room was always so calm, steady and relaxing.
Watching silently Donatello’s working with the focus of her mother’s had teach her a lot about fixing and building, even taking care of wounds when one of them had got hurt after patrolling or fighting with the Foot. Naturally Reonel hadn’t been there since her parents didn’t let her above ground yet.
She had been having argues about that with them few times but she hadn’t won any of them, causing her to storm in her room and staying there for hours. She did understood her parents wanted her best and were worrying but she had them by her side out there and she knew how to fight. She even had thought about sneaking out at night but she knew better she would get in biggest trouble of her life so she had decided not to do that.
And while Reonel had grown so had the turtles. They have grown bigger and stronger yet, maturing as well… Except Mikey who still seemed to act like a teen way too many times. But this also had made Splinter grow older and the old rat rarely left his chamber anymore. His sons, and granddaughter, visited him many times a day keeping him company. All of them had noticed the change in their master who wasn’t himself so much anymore.
He had lost fur on some parts of his body and head, showing pink old skin. His fur had become lighter and thinner and his scent had become bitter and bad. His other eye was blind while other was slowly turning blind as well. His hearings wasn’t exactly that what it once had been either but his nose still worked like always. Sitting down while being surrounded by his sons they chatted about good old times, Reonel sitting quietly and listening the tales of her family’s younger days and adventures. She had heard them many times but she loved to hear them again and again.
“Will you be alright, father?” Leonardo asked while keeping his hand on old, shaky and skinny shoulder. Splinter smiled while looking up at his son.
“Most fine, my son.”
It was a lie which Leonardo could tell right away but he took it. He didn’t want to argue with his old father who could pass away in any day. He and his brothers had talked about it mainly to prepare themselves for the day when they no longer have a father.
“Leonardo? May speak with you?”
Following Don in his lab Leonardo closed the door behind them, standing face to face with his olive green brother.
“What’s in your mind?”
“Splinter. His medicines are gone and we need them more. I would go get them myself but… I don’t want to leave if something happens. I know you would prefer to be there too if something happens, as well as Mikey and Raph, so...”
“You want Reonel to go get the medicine?”
“If that’s not too much to ask. I know she loves her grandpa and would wish to be there too but she’s still a child and if Splinter dies, I don’t want her to be there to see the body. She hasn’t seen dead bodies in real life and it could traumatize her.”
“I understand.” Sighing deeply Leonardo closed his eyes. “I’m still not too found to the idea of Nel going on top side on her own. She hasn’t been there even with us yet.”
“Then leave that ta me.”
Turning to look over his shoulder Leonardo saw Raphael standing in front of the door. He somehow had managed to get in the room without both of his brothers noticing him.
“But Raph...”
“I’ll go with her. We will be faster that way and I’ll be there ta watch her back. Besides this is good opportunity for her ta gain some skills and experience out there.”
Worry on Leonardo’s face didn’t ease up. Raphael sighed rubbing his brother’s shoulder, talking with gentle voice.
“Come on, Leo. Have some trust on me and her. We’ll be fine.”
Looking yellow eyes Leonardo felt his heart filling with trust and confidence so finally he nodded.
“Okay, you two may go. But stay close to her at all times. Don’t leave her alone.”
“What kinda parent I would be if I would do that?”
Smiling down at oldest turtle Raphael leaned forward placing soft kiss on Leo’s lips.
“Thanks, baby.”
“Thank me after you bring yourself and her home safely.”
Winking once Raphael turned around raising his voice as he called his daughter.
Both Leonardo and Raphael stood in front of their child who listened carefully when rules were made clear before she was allowed to leave the lair with Raphael. She stayed quiet but nodded every now and then as a sign she listened and understood. Sighing deeply Leonardo eyed her.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this. But go. You too, Raph. One more time however, be careful and stay together. Call me if anything happens.”
“We will, mom. Don’t worry! Besides daddy’s there too. Nothing can’t go wrong.”
“….”
Leonardo and Raphael changed looks and Reonel instantly could tell that her father was part of the issue for sure. After all she knew Raphael was way too eager to go into fights if he spotted any. With hugs and kisses they said bye and duo left the lair.
–
Her heart was beating. This was so exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. She silently followed her father who lead the way. Her eyes stayed on big scarred shell in front of her, noticing Raphael was also carrying his weapons but she… She had none.
“… Dad?”
“Hm?”
“How come I wasn’t given any weapons yet?”
“Ya ain’t needing ‘em. This will be quick trip so I hope I won’t need mine either.”
She asked no more allowing silence to land in sewer tunnel again. They walked in silence for almost an hour when Raphael stopped, causing Nel bump against his shell.
“Dad!” She hissed with low tone receiving weird look from her father over the shoulder. There was strict and piercing look in his eye so Reonel did what she could – turned her head away for his gaze.
“Come on, follow me.” Starting to climb ladders Raphael stopped to lift manhole cover just enough to check the environment. Road was clear. Moving heavy iron out of his way Raphael jumped out, turning to look down in the sewers, noticing Reonel still at the bottom of the ladder.
“What the shell are ya doing? I told ya ta climb.”
“You think I really wanted to climb right after you staring your ass?”
She couldn’t help but to laugh a bit when she came up, seeing the expression on her father’s face. He wasn’t happy about it what he just had heard.
“Ya saying my ass ain’t good enough ta look at?”
“Hello, I’m your daughter! It’s not my job to stare your ass, dad.”
“Tch, you’re just jealous ‘cause my ass is more better and firm than yours.”
Reonel made so weird sound blushing with angry look on her face, earning laughs from her father who placed manhole cover back in its original place.
“Come on, girl. We need ta move.” He whispered still chuckling as he continued forward on street level. They stayed in the shadows for few blocks, finally reaching pharmacy. Taking sai from his belt Raphael easily pick the lock, pushing the door open. Making sure there were no cameras Raphael turned to look his nervous daughter.
“Nel, listen. Ya stay here watching, okay? If ya see someone coming or anything, let me know and we are out of here.”
She nodded few times fast. Raphael rubbed her shoulder gently before disappearing in dark store searching for the medicines to his father. In the meantime Reonel stood near the door listening but she heard only sounds of the city and her loud heart beat. It felt super long time before Raphael finally came next to her placing items and coin purse inside of his belt.
“You paid the meds?”
“Of course. I ain’t thief.” Stopping next to her Raphael looked around.
“Road’s clear?”
“I’m… not sure. It sounds like there’s sounds coming from the alley where the manhole cover is.”
Standing silent and still for a moment Raphael nodded.
“Yeah. There’s definitely someone. Well, no can do.”
Pushing the door shut and locking it with sai Raphael headed to nearest fire ladders, telling Nel to follow him. On the roof both turtles stopped to look around. It was quiet but something was off. Even Reonel could tell that. She moved right next to her father, taking hold on his arm and hand with her hands.
Looking down at her Raphael sighed silently. He couldn’t blame her from being afraid and nervous. This was all new to her but Raph would protect her.
“Let’s go, sweety.”
Nodding she started to walk with the same space with him, refusing to let go of his massive strong arm. They jumped and walked from roof to roof in silence.
“Daddy? I think someone’s following us. I keep seeing movements from the corner of my eye.”
Raphael only nodded slightly, returning the whisper. “I noticed, Nel. I bet it’s the Foot so we can’t go home. We need a plan and here’s what we do.”
Looking up at her dad made her heart beat. She never hadn’t seen him so serious and tall, strong and firm. It was obvious he was about to go and do something stupid like Leonardo would say.
“We stop and I will stay behind and fight while ya run. Just keep going straight until ya come ta a hotel Yotel. Ya can’t miss it. Purple color is your clue. There’s manhole cover behind the building which is behind the hotel. Go there and head ta the lair. Ya have been in sewers enough ta know the way, right?”
“I’m.. not sure.”
“Then go down in the sewer and hide in the shadow. I will come there and look for ya.”
“Isn’t it easier if I stay here with you?”
“No. Your mom will kill me if I let ya stay and fight. Ya don’t have experience about real fights. Plus ya don’t have weapons. So are we clear? Ya know what ta do?”
“Head forward to hotel Yotel. Go behind the building behind it and head for manhole cover. Either hide in the shadows or head home.”
“Good. Before the fight I will throw smoke bomb so ya have a chance ta run without them following ya. It also gives me good opportunity for surprise attack.” That wide smirk on Raphael’s face was something what Reonel had seen before when Raph and Leo had serious training session. He was eager to fight.
“Let go of my arm, Nel.”
Hesitating a moment she finally removed her hands away, watching her father turn around.
“Okay, morons! Time ta come out! Ya think I’m idiotic enough not ta have realize ya were following us?!”
Soon at least 15, if not more, Foot ninjas jumped out of the shadows weapons ready. Smirking eagerly Raphael took his sais spinning them in his skilled fingers.
“Alright! Now we are talking! Let’s start, shall we?”
Taking small smoke bomb from his belt Raphael gave one fast wink to Nel who nodded before smoke filled the air. She turned around and ran as fast as she could, not looking behind. She could hear her father’s excited screams and yells, metal hitting metal and other sounds from the fight. While running she thought should she call her mom but then that would make dad angry. She also knew her father was experienced in fighting and loved it so maybe she would give him a chance.
Returning her focus back on her task she saw purple lights of hotel Yotel coming closer and soon they were behind her as she headed on the top of the building behind it. Hiding in shadows she now dared to look back and catch her breath. She was worried since she couldn’t see or hear anything from her father from the distant. Swallowing once she licked her dry lips heading towards fire ladders when loud bang from the alley got her attention.
Looking over the edge of the roof she saw 5 men. One of them was on his back on the ground begging while 4 others approached him with bats and chains. Turning around she told herself it wasn’t anything what she needed to worry or interfere with but when she heard young man screaming for help…
She returned back at the edge of the roof standing tall. She knew she couldn’t be seen but she also had been taught to help if she could and… well, in her mind this was a moment where she needed to help this person, no matter would they see her or not. She would need to use all the skills what she had learned during the fights with her parents, Splinter, uncle Don and aunt Mikey.
Taking a deep inhale she steeled herself – and jumped.
