Hahaha…ha…ha… it's been awhile…. Please don't kill me. To be brutally honest (swear not to seriously injure me!) I kind of forgot about this fanfic. I've been focusing on my two other stories and I started college so it totally slipped my mind. However! 'littlebabyturtlelove' was kind enough to remind me in a totally non-threatening way… a-hem. To my reviewers:

littlebabyturtlelove: Glad you like it! Sorry this has taken so long.

Nancy2013: Thank you, I'm planning on it

Guest: You totally should check out the others as well! And thank you. The two babies are in fact Donatello and Giotto. Thank you!

Pity Guest: Yes I know who you are, and you're a total butt face! I'm glad you like it but stop sending me pity reviews!

dragon warrior: Sorry for stopping for so long, won't happen again (hopefully). And no, there won't be romance between Arinna and Splinter in this story but I'm planning on making a drabble series for this story as well as my other one and I might throw one in there at some point. Not sure, I'd have to ask littlebabyturtlelove. I agree that it would be cute but I'm also good with them just being friends.

AngelChick1432: I am so sorry I made you explode. Please do not die, I need my readers in order to survive. Thanks for the review!

Anyways, here's the next chapter! If you'll notice, Arinna sings a lot of Disney. I did that for a reason, which will not be revealed for a loooonnnggg time, but just so you know. littlebabyturtlelove already knows so not to worry. Please review, constructive criticism is welcome but flames will be ignored.

Chapter 3: Poor worms

Arinna's P.O.V

I awoke to the feeling of warmth. Not like the sun was shining on me (my room didn't have any windows anyway) but a focused warmth on my stomach, shoulder, and neck.

Maybe a cat snuck in. Wouldn't be the first time. I yawned, keeping my eyes closed. Man that was a weird dream. A man turning into a rat then some how becoming a ninja? Giant baby turtles? Yeah right.

I brought my hand up to rub my eyes. Or at least, I tried to.

Something was weighing my arm down.

My eyes snapped open when I felt a small puff of air hit my neck. I turned my head to see a baby turtle curled up on my shoulder with his head pressed into the side of my neck as he subconsciously sucked on his thumb. A discarded washcloth lay next to him.

Looking down I saw the other turtle sleeping on my stomach, nuzzled comfortably into my shirt. Small, wheezing snores escaped his mouth.

Oh, it's just the baby turtles… Wait a minute, so that wasn't a dream? I groaned. Dang it.

The one on my shoulder shifted slightly and made me freeze. Instead of waking up, however, he simply mumbled unintelligibly and stuffed his whole hand in his mouth.

I smiled and turned to stare up at the ceiling.

All right brain, it's time to get to work. What on earth am I supposed to do now? I can't take care of these little guys forever, and I'm sure Ninja Rat Man must be looking for them by now right? The other turtles would also be missing their siblings. Maybe I should look for them? They are in the sewers so that's a start at least.

I nodded my head determinedly. It was better than nothing. Today I would take the kids to look for their family.

But first- breakfast.

Carefully removing the sleeping infants I placed them gently on the bed. I panicked at first when they started reaching out, trying to find me again, but they hit each other instead.

Oh my god, that's so cute!

The one that had been sick the other night curled around is brother and started drooling on his hand again while the other one rested his head on his shoulder and started snoring.

I smacked myself.

Okay Arinna, don't get distracted. What should I get for them? What do turtles normally eat?

I thought about it. I think I had heard somewhere that turtles like worms and there were bound to be plenty in the yard after that storm.

Worms it is.

Digging through my backpack I pulled out a small jar. I had found it a few years ago and it had served me well. I named him Jerry.

Taking Jerry out into the yard I began to hum to myself.

Sorry little worms, but baby turtles need to eat. It's the circle of life.

I paused.

It's the circle of life! And it moves us allllll! Through despair (worms) and hope (baby turtles), through faith and love. Till we find our place on the path unwinding. In the cirrrcccllleee. The circle of life! Forgive me little worms but your sacrifice will not be forgotten…

At least until noon.

With a grin I closed the lid on Jerry and skipped back into the house. It had been a long time since I had felt this happy. Was it because of the turtles?

A loud wailing cry sounded through the house and I nearly dropped Jerry.

Heart pounding faster than it ever had before I ran as fast as I could into the house. I screeched in shock when I tripped over that dang piece of wood in hall.

"Hold on!" I called, righting myself on the wall. "I'm coming!"

The turtles were sitting up on the bed, tears streaming down their faces as they clung to each other.

I felt my heart break at the site. Dropping Jerry onto the floor I rushed over and scooped them into my arms.

"Hush, hush baby turtles. What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

They hiccupped and looked up at me with wide eyes. Where they upset because I wasn't there? Did they think I had left them?

The little red-eyed turtle's face crumpled once more and he buried his head into my shoulder. His brother reached up and touched my face, garbling on frantically.

"What?" I questioned, wondering what he was saying. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"Grgnmdlj! Fjdslkf dfhkl skflnw!"

Uhh…

"Alright," I nodded solemnly.

He frowned and smacked my nose.

I sneezed, and laughed. "Okay, okay! I promise to never leave you alone without telling you again."

After soothing them for another few minutes I decided to feed them.

"Alright little turtles, here's the deal."

They munched sloppily on their worms.

"Once you're done eating, we'll go down to the sewers and find Ninja Rat Man. I'm sure you two are missing you're brothers, right?"

Grey-eyed turtle rubbed his worm on his brother's face. I grabbed it from him and put it back in the jar.

"Right, I thought so. Now unfortunately I can't just walk around with you guys. It's not that you aren't cute, cause' you two definitely beat the status quo in that department, but some people might panic if they saw those big puppy dog eyes of yours. So for the day I'm afraid you're gonna have to go in my bag."

Maybe the babies did understand me because they froze, the red-eyed turtle's worm falling out of his mouth.

"Now don't look at me like that. I'll take you out the instant we get down there."

They still sat there, gapping at me.

"Oh come on," I pleaded. "You can just take a nap or something. Babies like naps right?"

I reached out to grab them and they shrieked, wiggling away.

"Don't be like that, come here."

I stood up. They scrambled away, squeaking in horror.

With a sigh I chased them around, grabbing one by the foot and the other by his shell.

They screamed when I pulled them into my lap.

"Cease and desist you're hopeless struggles!" I cackled, tickling their necks.

They giggled, squirming violently.

Holding them close I rubbed their heads. "Well then, how am I going to get you two to sleep long enough for me to get into the sewers?"

They nuzzled their heads into my hands, making me smile.

What do most people do to put kids to sleep? Tire them out? It could take hours for a normal baby, who knows how long it would take for a mutant. Food coma then? They didn't seem very hungry when they were eating their worms. Sing to them?

I froze, thinking it over. I sung all the time, but never for someone else, and my voice wasn't that amazing to be honest. Not bad, but soothing enough to lull a baby to sleep? I don't think so.

The babies looked up at me curiously and I sighed.

What the heck.

"A dream is a wish your heart makes," I sang. They blinked. "When you're fast a sleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for you keep."

A distant memory tickled my mind. A beautiful and kind voice echoed my words and a familiar warmth wrapped around me. My mother rocking me to sleep, singing my favorite song.

"Have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through."

My voice nearly caught in my throat when the baby turtles smiled drowsily up at me. They curled up in my lap with a yawn.

"No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep believing. The dream that you wish will come true."

The turtles let out a near silent sigh as they relaxed into sleep.

"No matter how your heart is grieving," I whispered, cupping their cheeks. "If you keep on believing. The dream that you wish will come… true."

I lost track of how long I sat there, staring down at those two little ones. Memories I had long repressed came flooding back, the emotions attached to them returning with a vengeance.

"Mama, where are you going?"

"Arinna, what are you doing up?"

"I had a nightmare. Will you sing to me?"

"… I'm sorry Arinna. I have to go."

"Go? Go where?"

"I just- I just have to go. Be strong my darling and remember-"

"I will always love you," I breathed, tears stinging my eyes.

The turtles shifted in their sleep, making me jump. I rubbed at my eyes violently.

Come on Arinna, this is no time to get emotional. You don't know when they'll wake up so you better move fast.

Shoving my reawakened feelings back into the corner of my mind I made room in my backpack and tried to place the turtles in it.

Probably should have thought this through better.

As I tried to maneuver their small bodies to fit, one of their small legs disappeared into their shell.

I stared at them.

Poking one of their arms, I watched in awe as it too disappeared.

Huh. They're compactable. Come one, come all, and purchase your very own pocket turtle today! They are small, and easy to carry. Just one touch and they retreat into their shells, giving you an easier traveling form. Just put it in your purse or brief case and voilà!

With a cheer of triumph I was able to fit them in my bag comfortably enough. Making sure to leave the top unzipped a little for air I shrugged the straps over my shoulders and stood up.

Wearing my backpack backwards would gain me some weird looks but this way, I could keep an eye on them better.

All right Arinna. Let the 'Rat hunt/search/non-violent finding' commence.

++/++

"Eeewwww."

It had taken me awhile to find a manhole not overly visible to the public eye. It was just before noon so a lot of people would be up and I didn't want anyone following me.

Thankfully the babies had stayed asleep most of the time, and they had only stirred when I was halfway down the ladder.

"All right little turtles," I said, placing them on the ground. "Stay with me and don't touch anything okay? The stuff down here is not for touching."

Grey-eyed turtle sucked on his thumb while the other threw me his cute gapped tooth smile.

"… Maybe I should name you guys. Or at least give you nicknames. Calling you grey-eyed turtle and red-eyed turtle is just a mouthful."

They didn't move.

What are you thinking? You can't name them, that would just make you even more attached.

"Never mind. Let's just find you're brothers okay?"

They giggled and toddled after me. It was pretty impressive for them to be able to crawl like that. Most babies can barely sit by themselves, but these are mutants. Hopefully the only differences between them and normal children would be good ones.

We spent the next few hours exploring the sewers. I had to carry them every once and awhile, especially grey-eyes. He seemed to tire out faster than his brother but it was probably because of his fever last night.

"There you go little turtles. That's the last one."

We had stopped for snack breaks here and there and, unfortunately, they had just eaten the last of their worms.

I sighed, leaning my head against my hand. We were sitting in the cleanest space I could find.

"I'm sorry little guys, but I don't think we'll be finding your family today. I don't even know where we are and I'm sure you'll be getting hungry again soon enough. I think it's about time we packed up for the day."

They stared at me blankly.

"Again with that look? I know you don't like the bag but-"

A crash echoed down the tunnel and we all jumped.

"What was that?" I grabbed the two and brought them behind me.

Peering around the corner I could barely make out a large figure further down. It was hunched over and seemed to be looking at something.

Oh no. What if it's a sewer monster?! I've read about those, and they are not pretty. What do I do?

The red-eyed turtle hugged my leg and I glanced down. They were hiding behind me, looking scared.

I have to get them out of here. It's my fault we're down here anyway.

"Stay behind me," I whispered to them. They clung to my legs as I inched forward. The area we had been sitting in was a simple off shoot of the main tunnel, but it was blocked off. The closest exit was a bit further ahead, but it brought us closer to the figure.

Creeping forward as quietly as I could, I kept one hand behind me to feel for the turtles. They stuck to my clothes like glue.

All right. Almost there. Almos- wait a second.

As we got closer I was able see the thing better. It was tall, even with it's back hunched, and was covered in fur. It had a long tail, and large round ears almost like a-

A rat's.

Holy smirgen muffens! It's Ninja Rat Man!

I blame these next few moments on the smell of the sewers. It was putrid and had made me woozy more than once. I obviously wasn't thinking clearly.

"Hey!" I cried in elation. Mindful of the babies, I uncurled their tiny fists and ran forward.

Now, if you are down in the sewers after being recently changed into some giant animal, and some stranger that shouldn't even really be down there shouts and runs at you, what would you do?

Well, the rat with kick butt ninja moves would go on the offensive.

I barely ducked in time for his clawed hand to pass over my head harmlessly.

"Holy, what the-!"

He lashed out and I stumbled back. A quick flick of his tail (he's definitely got the hang of that thing now) and I was sent flying back into the wall.

He brought his hand back and prepared to strike me down.

"WAIT!"

Sooooo, how was it? Good, bad, awesome, did it kill you? Hopefully not that last bit. Once again, sorry for the long wait!