Well, here's the last chapter. I hope it's enjoyable. I'm really sorry about the typos in the last few chapters (yes, by weed I meant week). I'll double check this one just in case. Thanks to Sapphire93, mav32, Kyaserin Marii, aronoiiel, Rose of Hope, BubblyShell22, BigfootSighted, Merdeka21, hmw95, and Lady-of-the-Rings, 54Viruses, Julia-Catherine, Paranoid Puppy, Katiesmeghead, and winged-monkey for your reviews. They really meant a lot writing this story, and I hope to hear more from you in the future. Thanks so much. I still don't own the turtles (but I do own Kizake =)).

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It wasn't long until I was up-and-about, and definitely less that two weeks before I started practicing in secret. Of course, Donny found out when I pulled out the stitches in my chest—and boy was he mad! Raph may be the angry turtle, but at least he's consistently angry. You never get surprised. But when Donny gets mad…. Let me tell you, you don't want to be the one he's mad at. Anyway, after that it was another week before I practiced again, in secret or otherwise.

I eventually began to get over everything that had happened. I mean, I still know it was my fault, but I have decided not to dwell on that and to simply make myself a better ninja and a better leader—and a better brother. I've never forgotten Kizake or what his desire for revenge did to him. That could have been me….

We've been a closer family since we got back. You should have seen the looks on Casey's and April's faces when they found out we were alive. And Master Splinter—well, he has a few more gray hairs now, but just knowing we are safe has made up for that, I think. Raph is pretty much Raph again—I don't know whether to be glad or disappointed. He doesn't run off as much as he used to, but he's still no fun to be around when he's mad (or, rather, madder). Donny's happiest reunion was the one with his lab. He's met and surpassed his record as to the most inventions and projects successfully finished in a week. And Mikey… well, Mikey's Mikey. He's back to comic books, video games, and action figures—with a vengeance.

I can safely say that those days in Kizake's grasp were the worst of my life, but in a way I'm not sorry they happened. I have a better appreciation for my brothers now, and more determination to become a better leader. My suffering caused me to grow. If I can better protect my brothers now, then it was all worth it.

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Okay, this wasn't exactly how I expected this chapter to go, but I kind of like it. I hope you did too. Well, it's finally finished. I love that bittersweet feeling I get whenever I finish a story. I can't wait to get started on my next one.

Thanks to everyone who read my story, and especially those who reviewed it. I should be publishing the first chapter of my new story in a few days. Thanks for everything.