He Named her Karai

"I can't believe she's coming back here," A gruff voice muttered behind him. Leonardo turned to see Michelangelo with his elbows on the couch, his head in his hands and reading the newspaper over his shoulder.

"Who Mikey?" He asked as he folded the paper and put it to the side.

"Really Leo?" The orange clad terrapin shook his head at him, "Karai," He said picking up the paper and showing him the large photo of the dark haired stoic faced girl on the front page, "The one you've been reading about for the last hour."

Leo shrugged and took the paper from him, "Why shouldn't she come back," He muttered as he unfolded the paper and went back to reading the article, "After all, now that the Shredder is gone and New York is no longer under his rule, she has a lot of cleaning up to do," He looked down at her picture longingly, "It's the least she can do after everything the Shredder did to the innocent people of this town."

"The least she can do?" Raphael jumped down from the chamber above them and landed directly in front of Leo and looked at him in disbelief, "The least she can do is not come back at all and not remind people of what Shred head put everyone through."

"After all," Donnie's soft speaking voice called out from his lab, "I don't believe there is one person in New York that hasn't forgotten that she is the self-proclaimed daughter of the head of the Foot Clan and that she is just as responsible for the destruction and murdering of dozens of innocent people."

"Or is that something we need to remind you of too?" Raph leaned toward Leo and glared angrily at him.

"Whatever Raph," Leo pushed his brother away, stood up and walked toward his room with the paper in hand. He sat on his bed and stared down at the picture of Karai. He looked over the article for what seemed like the hundredth time but still, like his brothers, could not get over the fact that she was returning to a city that still cried out for blood, "Her blood," He muttered as his eyes skimmed over the article, "And although she's not going to want it, she's going to need protection."

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Karai sat in a first class seat on the 747 jet plane and stared forlornly out the window. How she longed for the days when the Foot Clan was prosperous and revered, a time when she had her own plane and did not have to deal with public transportation. But all that was now gone, ever since her father, Oroku Saki had disappeared into nothingness, both the American and Japanese government had discovered what the Foot Clan was truly all about and she had been paying for it ever since. Her lavish lifestyle had been taken away when the government confiscated all their monies, properties and businesses, and any form of restitution they had been forced to pay that was not covered by what had been taken, had come out of her own pocket.

Now she was on her way to New York to settle Saki's affairs and deal with the aftermath of the terminating of the Foot Clan. Ever since the new Mayor had taken residence, crime rate had decreased to where even the Purple Dragons were becoming extinct. But she never cared about them, she only cared about the legacy her father had left behind, and now it was falling down around her.

'You left me broken father,' She thought to herself as New York City came into view, 'I have nothing but memories now.'

"Hot Towel Miss?" A woman's callous sounding voice spoke to the side of her and she turned away from the window to see a white hot towel discarded carelessly onto her tray, "Please put your tray in the folding position, we will be landing very soon," The stewardess told her curtly.

Karai angrily watched the stewardess walk toward another passenger and speak cordially to him, 'There would have been a time I would have had your head for the way you spoke to me,' Karai thought angrily. She picked up the towel and wiped her hands and tired face. She then put it on the empty chair next to her and continued to watch New York rise up in front of her.

Almost an hour later, Karai walked out of the airport and toward the taxi line. She sighed heavily as she watched the line of taxi drivers assisting customers with their luggage while smiling happily at them and she once again found herself longing for the time when this was nothing she had to deal with. When the limousine she once had would be waiting for her and she could just by pass all this madness. She looked down at the carryon bag and briefcase she had brought with her; she needed nothing more since she had no intentions of staying any longer then the two days she had planned.

'The sooner I get out of this city and back to Japan the better,' She told herself as she walked toward the nearest taxi, "The Sheraton please," She said to the driver as she attempted to open the door.

The taxi driver glared angrily at her and blocked her way, "I don't care how much of a fare I'm going to lose but no bitch of a murdering mob boss is going to get in my taxi," he told her as he pushed her aside, "Go back to Japan where you belong."

"How dare you speak to me like that," Karai angrily told him as they glared heatedly at each other, "I could have your head…."

"Yeah? You and what army you little she-devil," The driver laughed, "The Foot Clan of yours is washed up and you are nothing without them."

Karai gripped her briefcase and almost started to bring it up to slap the man across the face with, but she held herself back and moved away from him allowing other passengers to use his taxi instead. When she looked around in hopes of finding another taxi, she saw several people staring angrily at her.

"No one is going to give you a ride bitch, so just start walking, the nearest rental car service may have something for you," The driver laughed and walked away from her.

"I'll give you a ride," A familiar voice called to her.

Karai looked across the road and saw a short figure dressed in a long coat with a cap pulled low over his eyes. On his hands he wore gloves and on his feet were snow boots. The figure's clothes hid his body well but she could still make out the familiar mask wearing face of Leonardo standing by a yellow taxi. She nodded to him and hurried over.

Leo opened the back of the taxi and motioned for her to get in. He then hurried around to the driver's side and slid behind the steering wheel. "I am surprised to see you Leonardo," Karai said as he drove them out of the airport.

"Not half as surprised I am to see you here," He commented, "Why have you returned Karai?"

"You know why," She countered as she looked out of the window, "I have business to take care; now that Oroku Saki is gone and the Foot Clan has been disbanded, I need to go over…."

"You didn't need to come and do that," Leo quickly interrupted, "You could have had your father's lawyers do that and you could still be home in Japan, safe and sound," He stopped at a red light then turned to her, "Why did you come back Karai?"

Karai stared hard into his eyes for several long moments, "For business," She finally told him.

Xxxxxx

Leo pulled up to the Sheraton and assisted Karai in getting out of the taxi, as he made his way back to the driver's side, he noted several people on the sidewalk watching Karai walking toward the entrance and a moment later, he watched an object whiz past him.

"Karai, look out!" He yelled to her.

Karai turned and deflected a rock with her briefcase. Within seconds, several more rocks along with a variety of foods started pelting her, "ANIMALS!" Karai yelled at the mob as she attempted to deflect the onslaught of rocks and food, "How dare you do this to me!"

"Go back to Japan!" The mob yelled, "We don't want you here you little bitch!" "Murderess, you'll pay for what the Foot Clan did to us!" Others yelled out.

Leo watched in horror as the mob began to move toward her and what was worse, the hotel's doorman had taken refuge behind the door and was not allowing her entrance. "Karai!" Leo yelled, "Get back in the cab!"

Karai started to turn but was grabbed by someone within the crowd, "You're not getting away that easily bitch!" He furiously yelled at her.

Karai dropped her bags and brought the heel of her hand against his nose. The man staggered back with a loud yell and covered his nose as blood started to flow. The momentary surprise of the crowd allowed her to grab her bag and briefcase and run back toward Leo's taxi. She quickly got in and locked the doors as Leo got the car in gear and drove away from the chaotic scene.

After a few minutes of driving, the two took a deep breath and Karai put her head in her hands and began to sob, "I never wanted to believe what my father had done to people," She whispered after composing herself, "I always thought he was a good man and helped people but now," She shook her head and looked behind her at the tall buildings that made up the city, "Everything I ever thought about him was a lie."

"You know the truth Karai," Leo told her, "And that's what matters."

"But look at what the truth has gotten me;" She looked over at him, "I have become one of the most hated people in the world because of what he did, and all I ever wanted to do was help people."

Leo stopped in alley way and turned to her, "Why did you come her Karai?" He asked again, "You knew the people of New York would not want you here, you knew your life is in danger so why?" He looked at her with pleading eyes, "Why did you come back?"

Karai looked away from him for several moments, "Perhaps it is because," She took a deep breath, "Deep down inside, I believe I deserve this."

"No you don't," Leo told her as he got out of the taxi, "When is your meeting?"

"Tomorrow," She replied as he helped her out, "Then I will be taking the last flight out of New York back to Japan."

"Then you'll stay with us and tomorrow, I'll make sure you get to your meeting."

"Leonardo," She looked tenderly at him, "You do not need to do this."

Leo stared up into her eyes for several seconds, "No I don't," He smiled at her, "But I want to."

Xxxxxxxx

"I can't believe you brought her here!" Raph yelled when he saw Leo and Karai enter the lair, "The last time she was in our home she trashed the place and nearly got your whole family killed!"

"Raphael!" Splinter's voice called out from the dojo, "That will do my son; go and find something to do," While the red clad turtle angrily made his way toward the kitchen, the small grey rat walked toward Leo and Karai.

"Master Splinter," Karai bowed her head as he stood in front of them, "Forgive the intrusion but…"

"You were invited here Miss Karai," Splinter responded, "That does not make you an intruder," He looked toward Leo, "Please make up a room for our guest and have Michelangelo fix her something to eat," He started to turn away, "Then you may tell me what happened that she is now seeking refuge in our lair."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The following day, Leo drove Karai to her meeting. He brought the taxi to the back of the office building and watched as she started to walk away, "You do not need to wait for me Leonardo," She told him, "I will be safe from now on."

"Are you sure Karai?" Leo asked as he leaned against the taxi.

Karai placed her bag and briefcase on the inside of the door then walked over to him. She gently stroked his cheek then bent down and gave him a tender kiss, "My plane leaves at eleven tonight," She told him, "I will have the lawyer take me to the airport but perhaps," She blushed lightly, "You would like to see me off?"

"I would love to."

Karai smiled at him and was just about to walk toward the building when a noise from above had them looking up. She and Leo watched in surprise as several Purple Dragons jumped down from the roof tops and surrounded them.

"You're not leaving here Karai!" A deep sounding voice yelled out, "At least, not in one piece."

"HUN!" Leo and Karai shouted, "What do you want?" Karai demanded.

"You and your father ruined everything I had going, everything my gang created was destroyed by that alien you called daddy," Karai and Leo got into a fighting stance as the large blond haired human made his way toward them with his massive fist ready to pound them, "And someone needs to pay for it."

"Karai," Leo quickly removed his coat and unsheathed his swords, "I'll hold them off, you get to the door and…."

"I will not leave you to face these monsters alone Leonardo," She replied as the Dragons began to circle them.

"I'm not giving you a choice, now go!" He ran toward Hun and kicked him in the chest causing the large man to stagger back and creating an opening for Karai to run through. As she did, several Dragons attempted to stop her but she easily kicked, punched and kneed them to where she had them falling to the ground and groaning in pain. But several more were coming and she knew they would need help when she saw Hun and three other of his gang members punch Leo and bring him to the ground. Before the blue terrapin could even attempt to get up, Hun picked him and slammed him on the ground several times over before throwing him against the wall.

Hun looked at her with a fierce scowl as he started toward her. She got in her fighting stance, "You do not fight fair Hun," She said as he and several of his gang started toward her, "You do not wish to fight one on one?"

"You don't deserve fairness, bitch."

Leo painfully pulled out his shell cell and pressed a button. He then got back to his feet and ran toward the gang hitting the first two on the head with the hilt of his swords then kicking the next in the face. Karai aided him in getting most of the Dragons onto the ground but when one would fall, another would take his place allowing the first to catch his breath and rejoin the fight.

It was becoming clear to both Leo and Karai the Dragons were biding their time wearing them down and they were making sure to have Leo take the brunt of the blows so he could not aid Karai when Hun would finally get his chance with her, and just when it seemed that moment was coming a loud yell from above had the fight turning.

"Cowabunga dudes!" Mikey yelled as he kicked a Dragon in the face.

"You again Hun?" Raph sneered as he punched and kicked several more away from Leo and Karai, "I thought you learned your lesson the last time."

"Yeah," Donnie chimed in, "Never mess with a turtle!" He swung his staff and tripped one Dragon before turning and slamming the end into the stomach of another.

"Especially one that has brothers who don't like seeing their brother get beaten on!" Raph growled as he punched Hun hard in the face.

"Karai," Leo moaned as he grabbed her hand and forced her away from the fight, "Get inside and get to your meeting," He shook his head to clear the cobwebs, "We'll deal with them."

"Leonardo," Karai's eyes were filled with sorrow, "I…"

"I know," He smiled at her, "Have a safe trip home," He whispered just before turning back to the fray.

xxxxxxx

Splinter walked over to the couch and placed a hand gently on his son's shoulder, "You do miss her, don't you Leonardo?"

"She really wasn't a bad person father," He told him, staring down at the same newspaper from the day before, "She just had a bad role model."

"But she is her own person and could have choose not to follow him," Splinter reminded him.

"I supposed so but," Leo put the newspaper away and sighed, "He took her off the streets and she felt indebted to him," He shook his head, "She always kept telling me her duty demands she do what the Shredder tells her to."

"Yes," Splinter started toward the kitchen, "And look where her honor and duty to him got her."

Leo looked back at Splinter thoughtfully. He turned to the VCR and noted the time, 'Nine thirty,' He mused. With a smile he hopped off the couch and out of the sewers.

"Get your shell cells ready guys," Donnie muttered as he and the other two watched Leo walk out the lair, "Who knows what could happen when those two get together."

"That bro of ours will never learn," Mikey said as he flipped the page in his comic.

"No one learns when it comes to love," Raph sneered.

xxxxxxxxx

Karai stepped out of the limousine and nodded to the lawyer, "If there is anything else you need, please forwarded it to me," She instructed "I will not be coming back."

She turned and started toward the doors to the airport, "You'll be missed then," A familiar voice sounded out from the left side of her. Karai smiled and turned to see a figure in a long coat with a cap pulled low over his eyes, gloves on his hands and snow boots on his feet.

"You are the only thing about New York I will miss Leonardo," She said, making her way over to him, "You and your family," She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Thank you for seeing me off," She told him, "I almost expected you not to be here."

"You know I could never let you leave without saying one last goodbye," Leo told her as they pressed their lips together in a gentle goodbye kiss, "You are a good person Karai," Leo said as they pulled apart and their eyes met one last time, "You are nothing like the Shredder."

"Perhaps not," She said as she released his hand and started to move away, "But I am his daughter," Leo nodded and she watched him walk away from her, "After all Leonardo," She whispered to him as tears began to fall down her face, "It was Saki who gave me the name Karai."

~End~

Just a quick one shot that I started typing today and it just took off. Please R&R. Peace :)