A/N: It was supposed to be waaay different but I woke up with this idea today so her eya go. Hope you like it ;)

Amelia wondered around people desperately searching. A spark of excitement in her huge, emerald eyes was slowly fading away.

"No," some woman mumbled to her husband, her gaze scanning the girl with abhorrence. They walked off leaving her to walk farther between dozens of people. It was impossible not to accidentally step on someone's foot and she had done so too many times, receiving few scolds and glares.

"Maybe next time," Mrs. Andy rubbed her shoulder reassuringly as Amelia wrapped her small arms around her legs.

Amelia liked Mrs. Andy. She was one of the nicest people in the orphanage and she suspected she had a soft spot for her. But as it was an open day she was needed elsewhere and Amelia decided to go back to her room – which she deducted might soon be only her room.

This time she tried to be careful and not to disturb anyone by stumbling on them. She failed miserably bumping into thighs covered by light-colored jeans. A man turned in her direction, shocked by a sudden hit.

If the circumstances were different she would have laughed at his sci-fi T-shirt with Captain Ryan on it – she had never thought she'd see an adult dressed in something with her favorite character. But after all the cold stares she had received she looked down not to give the man a satisfaction of watery eyes his scold would achieve.

"I'm sorry, Sir." She tried to keep her voice steady. He – unlike what she had expected – kneeled with a chuckle and put to fingers under her chin to make her look up.

"It's quite alright." His laughter echoed in her ears until his expression changed to more worried. "Are you hurt?" He scanned her features carefully.

"Yes." She nodded with a hint of a smile.

"Why are you crying then?" Kindness not only grazed his voice but also his features. But that wasn't enough for her yet, so she shrugged, avoiding his gaze. Noticing girl's distress he daren't ask any farther. "I'm Leo." He offered her a handshake.

"Amelia," she whispered timidly, "I like your shirt."

"You recognize that guy?" He pointed to the painting.

"It's Captain Ryan." Her voice betrayed her, showing excitement. "From Space Heroes!"

"It is!" It was a relief that he sounded even more excited than her. "I have all the episodes on DVD at home, and all the movies and comics!"

"I have some comics too," she smiled broadly, her mind clear from all previous trouble, "I can show you," she offered.

"Lead the way." She surprised Leo by taking his palm in hers and drugging him away from the crowd to her room.

That was how they found themselves by a small green table with four chairs with small cups in their hands, comics spread all over the table-top. Leo was often scolded for not lifting his pinkie while holding the cup and pretending to drink hot tea.

"I like green one the most," Amelia confessed, "But none is as green as my eyes."

"That would be quiet bizarre," he chuckled, "My wife and I only drink green tea."

"Oh, you remember about me now?" They turned around at the sudden, filled with cockiness voice. As soon as they did they heard a click of a camera. "Raphie's gonna love this," she snickered at the picture.

"Hey!"

"Revenge is so sweet," she muttered under her breath, "Introduce me to your new friend?" And Leo did.

Compared to Leo Karai seemed serious and stoic. At the mention of Space Heroes, she rolled her eyes.

"You decided then?" She turned her gaze to Leo as he smiled apologetically. "Well, since you told your new friend all about our tea, it only seems right to invite her over." Amelia's jaw fell open, but it was Leo's reaction that surprised her the most.

"Thank you, thank you," he squeaked and grabbed Karai by the arm forcing her to bend, so he could kiss her cheek. Her solemn expression turned to one desperately trying to hide joy. But her lips quivered up and her gold eyes seemed to smile on their own.

A week later Amelia found herself at Hamato's apartment – what a strange name – and it outdid all her expectations.

For a movie marathon – which Karai decided to abandon after first thirty minutes – she didn't find coke or chips on the table as she supposed there would be – that's what she took out of all TV spots – instead coffee table was filled with sushi, mocha, noodles and other Japanese food she couldn't name.

Leo – who claimed to be the biggest Space Heroes fan of all time – fell asleep few minutes into the second movie and Amelia decided to put a blanket over him and look for Karai. She found her quickly, sitting oddly on the floor with her eyes closed in a room filled with mysterious paintings and swords.

"Movie got boring?" Karai asked without opening her eyes, startling the girl a little.

"Leo fell asleep," she complained, "What are you doing?"

"Meditate."

"What?" Karai opened one eye.

"You never heard of it?" She stood up to walk up to Amelia.

"Nope."

"Do you want to try it?"

"No, it looks boring." Karai laughed.

"Doesn't it? I hated it when I was your age," she admitted.

"What does it mean?" Amelia walked towards a painting.

"It's Japanese for patience," Karai explained as Amelia drugged her all over the place to each character to ask for its translation.

"Can you say something in Japanese?"

"あなたの目本当にが好きです。"

"What does it mean?"

"I like your eyes." Amelia played with a string of her hair hiding her gaze from Karai.

"I like yours more. They're gold!" Karai smiled at her shyness.

"Just like your hair."

"Why do you need a room like this?" Amelia changed the subject quickly, not being used to compliments.

"It's a dojo. We train here," Karai explained and told her about ninjutsu – which she thought Leo had already done; she would kick his ass for it later. She showed Amelia some of her moves and offered to teach her something if the girl promised to stretch few times a day and practice back at the orphanage.

"I don't know, Leo," Karai admitted, "If we let the rest meet her we basically tell her welcome in the family!"

"So?"

"Are we sure about this? Don't get me wrong, Amelia is a great kid and all. She would fit great… Would if we were a normal family but we're ninjas. Do you know what kind of danger it puts her in?"

"We were over this, Karai. Foot Clan surrendered to you and we only kick ass if there's some small mugging. There's no real danger around anymore."

"But what if one day there is? She would be our weakness, Leo!"

"Then why did you agree to do this in the first place, huh? We gave her hope to have a home, a family! And now, after all the meeting and the paperwork, you want to back down?" He understood where Karai was coming from. She was scared – damn he was scared too – but they'd already made their choice the moment they decided to go for the open day.

"I do not want to back down, Leo. I'm just asking if we're sure we want this life for her."

"No, but I'm sure I want her in mine." And who was Karai to say no to those gorgeous baby-blue eyes?

Amelia never expected to take part in a real party especially not in the one made for her. Balloons were all over the place – she was sure it was Leo's doing, that is until she met uncle Mickey. If she thought Leo was goofy she was in for a surprise. Mikey was the definition for childish and she loved him since he threw a water balloon at her as a welcome in the family.

But she had two more uncles and she loved uncle Raphie –oh yeah, that name was definitely sticking around –after he threw himself at uncle Mikey for his prank.

She loved uncle Donnie after he started talking weird – and still claimed it was English – about some nano- or chromo- and after the whole party was rolling their eyes or snickering at him.

She loved all her aunts, too.

She loved aunt Mona after she taught her some odd 'RAUCKA RAUCKA' slang and they communicated with its help for the rest of the day.

She loved aunt April when she braided her hair.

She loved aunt Shinigami after she shoved her magic tricks which included fog and tons of glitter – which Karai was not so happy about as it would take days to get rid of.

And there was grandpa Splinter who she loved when welcomed her with a genuine smile and let her sit on his lap.

And she loved Karai and Leo as they stood behind her, making sure she was comfortable all this time and after a party asked, "What do you think of your new family?"

Family… It was always such cold phrase for Amelia for she never had one. Though, she just met most of her family she already loved.