CHAPTER 17: DAWN OF A NEW ADVENTURE.

Soon after the Turtles arrived to the Ninja Tribunal's castle, the healers took Julie in the hospital section of the castle, along with all the others who needed to be healed too, but it took of course longer time for Julie.

They all waited with impatience outside her hospital room, to get some news from the healer. It took all day until almost midnight, and everyone had gone to bed except for Leo, that had remained seated on the bench alone. If Julie had survived the healing, he knew what to do. Splinter walked out of the room and went to Leo.

"I have received a message from the healer, he says that Julie is good now and can see you all tomorrow. You can go to bed now, my son." He actually wanted to stay longer, but decided to go to bed anyway.

The next day they all went to see her, all very, very happy that she had survived. Since Leo wanted to be completely alone with Julie, he went to talk with the Ninja Tribunal about something very important. In the end, everyone had seen her and Leo knocked on the door, a little bit nervous. He heard Julie's voice say:

"Come in!" He came in and closed the door.

He saw her sitting on the bed with the back against the wall. She had bandage around her stomach, and she was dressed in a simple nightgown. When Julie saw him, she smiled joyfully and with happy, warm and sparkling eyes.

"Leo!" He smiled back and ran to her and hugged her tight while sitting on the bed. He was so, so happy to see her alive.

"Ouch…careful…" She laughed.

"Sorry…" He said letting her go and taking her hands instead. Last time he had held them, they were ice-cold. But now, they were warm and soft.

"How are you?" Leo asked her.

"Good…I was exhausted, but now I feel much better!" She said smiling radiantly and laughing. But then she remembered something and her smile disappeared.

"Leo…I…"

"What? Has something happen?"

"It's just that…I…when I kissed Raph, I…"

"Shhh….don't worry, I understand and I'm not angry with you." Julie sighed relieved.

"I love you so much…" She said softly, hugging him.

"Ehm…Julie…" He was ready. He took all the courage he had in his heart and soul, and spoke:

"I…" She looked at him with glittering, exited and curious eyes.

"You know that I've always loved you and that I want to be with you forever."

"Me too Leo…I want to be with you, that's all I want in life." Leo nodded and continued:

"That's why I want to be with you forever Julie, I want to have you by side everyday…I want to wake up in the morning and see your beautiful smile, and have the knowledge that we'll always be together, and trust each other no matter what happens…so…Julie…" He took out a small black and cute box and opened it. Inside, there was a golden ring with a purple, breathtaking beautiful orchid. Julie held her breath, with her heart beating hard in her chest.

"Would you marry me?"

There was a delicate silence, and Julie didn't know if she should laugh or cry of happiness. She laughed while tears were streaming down her cheeks. She was so happy! And it wasn't a dream!

"Y…yes! Yes! Yes!" Julie hugged him tight, crying of happiness. He smiled and put the ring on her finger. She couldn't describe her joy. It was immense.

"But…how will we do? It won't be easy…" She said a bit worried. Leo smiled and cuddled down in her bed, and then said calming:

"I've talked with the Ninja Tribunal. They have given me an amulet that can transform me into human once á month. I'll be human a whole year so I'll get to know your family without making them scream horrified over my looks. I'll be human for the wedding day too." Julie nodded and then hugged him tight, resting her head on his chest. She didn't know how the future would be now. The only thing she knew was that she and Leo could finally be together.

After a week, Julie could finally return home, after that her family had visited her too. A funny thing was that it was April's 18th birthday the same day Julie came home. In fact, they all went to the Turtles lair to celebrate, after being at Julie's home. When they came in the lair, April said happy:

"I'm finally 18 today! I'm so happy! I never thought I would live enough to come to this day, but here I am, healthy and alive!"

"And happy and grateful of that. Happy birthday, April…" Donnie said sweetly, putting his arm around her shoulders and kissing her quickly. April was happy but at the same time disappointed of that kiss. Why did he just kiss her lightly like that? She wanted more…

April suddenly pulled him hard close to her and kissed him with such a big and burning passion that Donnie remained shocked.

"April! Not in front of everyone!" He said shy, blushing heavily as a red pepper and looked around at his giggling friends and brothers. April shook her head, giggling evilly and raising an eyebrow, and said:

"Dah, come here, brainhead!" She pulled him close again and kissed him with passionately again and dragged him in his room and locked the door. They all looked astonished at the door.

"Wohooo! April seems to be in a very good mood!" Mikey laughed. They all bursted out n laughter and Julie added:

"Well, they hadn't got so much time together, it's pretty obvious that April wants some time alone with him!" She sat down on the sofa and talked with everyone about everything.

Some time passed, and Kirby came with a big chocolate cake, but there was no sign of Donnie and April.

"If they don't come out of the room in two minutes, I'll eat their piece of cake!" Mikey declared pointing his finger up. Raph rubbed his head affectionately and said:

"Funny Mikey!" Julie felt serene. It was fun seeing Raph smile again, and she said it to him:

"It's fun to see you smile again, Raph."

"Really? Then I'll do it more often!" He said jokefully. Finally, the door to Donnie's rom opened and April walked cheerfully out of the room, and after some seconds, Donnie came out walking as if he was dozed and sat down by Julie's side, smiling like a moron. Julie laughed at his dumb face.

"So…how did it go?" Donnie turned towards her and said:

"Good. We did just kiss of course, but…holy cow!" He said with a dreamy and idiot-like voice. She laughed again, and then all sang happy birthday to April, who blew all the candles in one breath and then she opened her presents and ate cake and other delicious things. When the whole family, Kirby and April were sitting by the table, Leo looked at Julie and she understood. It was time to tell. She asked for attention:

"Ehm…excuse me for a second…" Everyone turned their head towards her and Leo, and stood up and took her hand.

"There is something important I and Leo wanted to tell you…" They nodded and Leo continued:

"The thing is…Julie and me are getting married." Everyone in the dining room gasped surprised for some seconds, and then ran to them and hugged them tightly, congratulating them. Julie was relieved. She had been a little bit scared about how they would've reacted, but they were happy. They sat down again and Leo continued:

"The Ninja Tribunal has given me an amulet that makes me transform into human once a month and I'll be human for a whole year so I can get to know Julie's family and will be human for the day of the marriage too, also we'll get married some time after we've turned 18."

Splinter looked proudly at them. He was so happy that all his sons had grown up and matured with the years. He looked at the photo of Shen and Miwa on one of the shelves and smiled at it with a little bit teary eyes. He knew Shen would've loved to live this moment, but he was sure she and Miwa were watching over them from above, proud too of all of them.

The same day, they went to the Ninja Tribunal's dimension to celebrate their victory, and Splinter called Leo and Julie to talk to them private. When they were alone in one room, he said:

"What you said at the lair reminded me of something very important…when I was in the Underworlds' dimension; Shen took me to her and Miwa to the safe dimension between Heaven and the Eternal Darkness and transformed me into human. There, I met another little girl, who looked a lot like you. When it was time for me to go, she said to me "Say hello to Mom and Dad from me." I was a bit confused, not knowing who her parents were. She whispered the names to me, and I remained speechless of surprise…" Leo and Julie looked nervously at their master, impatience to know the rest of the story.

"The thing is…your daughter says hello."

There was a long, dead minute of silence. Leo and Julie looked at each other with big, surprised and widened eyes. Had they heard right?

"Also, my daughter and…" She pointed her thumb at Leo, who was slight behind her. Splinter nodded. Julie looked at Leo with joyfull, sparkling eyes.

"But…it's FANTASTIC!" She shouted jumping and hugging him tight. "It's amazing! This means that maybe we'll have a happy future…that we'll be a family!" She said with and exited voice.

"I know, I can't wait either!" Leo said with a warm voice and caressing her cheek.

Some minutes later, Julie saw that Raph was out on the balcony and walked out to him

Raph was outside and looked at the sun, which was going slowly down. It was late in the evening now. So…Julie knew also everything. He sighed tiredly. He knew he would never have a chance with her now.

"Are you going to stand there all night?" He turned around. It was Julie.

"No…it's just…I wanted to be a little by myself…" She walked to him, watching the sky.

"Look Raph…I'm sorry…"

"Why?"

"Because I don't feel the same you feel for me…" She looked sadly at him.

"No! I'm the one who should say sorry! I was so angry that I hurt you so much that I ran away as a coward, not being there to protect you when you needed…I've been a complete idiot!"

"No Raph! You're absolutely not a coward, you're brave and strong! You did never give up in the battles we had, and you always listened to me and comforted me. You've helped me to grow up and I'm grateful for that. I'll always be by your side, as your friend, because you can trust me!" She smiled and hugged him. Raph blushed heavily but hugged her back.

"I'll do it too. I'll continue being by your side, I'll always be there for you…" He whispered softly. Raph then jumped on the edge of the balcony and turned towards her:

"There will be a fireworks show in the castle courtyard; you'll go to see them, won't you?"

"Of course! But I think I'll use the stairs to get downstairs, instead of a balcony edge." Raph shook his head:

"No, the balcony is the best way!"

"Sure!" He was almost jumping down, when he suddenly stopped, as if he had forgotten something. He ran towards Julie, and she closed her eyes, a little bit nervous. What did he want to do? She felt Raph pulling her closer, and then he…kissed her cheek and whispered:

"I almost forgot…thanks for the kiss!" Julie busted out in laughter and Raph jumped on the edge again.

"See you around, Nightwatcher!" She said making the captain greeting gesture with her hand. Raph winked at her and jumped down. Julie touched her cheek, and blushed a little bit. Then she walked downstairs, to entrance, where Leo was fixing his katanas. Julie had a joekfully malicious idea. She walked to him and asked:

"Hi! What are you doing?"

"I'm sharpening my katanas; I'm done with it now!" He said satisfied while he was putting the back the katanas in the folders. When he had put them in, Julie took him by surprise and took them from him. He looked strange at her and said calmly:

"Julie, could I get them back please?" Julie giggled evilly and raised her eyebrow in a challenging way, and said with a jokefully malicious voice:

"I will, Mr. Leonardo, but only, if you give me a kiss!" He understood that it was just a joke, and said in the same tone á la affair.

"So you put it this way, Ms. Johnson…" He said while both of them were walking towards each other.

"Yes. Or this, or nothing."

"So you really like my kisses…"

"I adore them…"

"Well, if it is like this, then I'll be forced to accept…"

"So…deal?" They were now in front of each other. Leo pulled her closer to him and whispered decided:

"Deal…" He kissed her with such and intensity that Julie dropped his katanas on the floor and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately back. After the kiss, she took the katanas from the ground and gave them back to him.

"Here are your katanas, Mr. Leonardo…" He took them and laid them back on the ground and said:

"I'm afraid the katanas will have to wait, because I have something better here with me now…" Julie chuckled while Leo dragged her close to him and she caressed his chest. He leaned for another kiss…

"Guys, you can kiss another time! The fireworks are ready!" Mikey said interrupting them, calling from the entrance of the castle. They both laughed and walked outside, were the others were waiting for them. There was a beautiful panorama, with the sun which was going down, and all the fireworks were placed in a line, ready to be switched on. April rested her head on Donnie's shoulder, and he whispered sweetly:

"I love you April…" She looked up with eyes glittering of joy. It had been the best birthday of her life: she was still alive and had a thing worth living for. Now she wanted to meet every day for how it was, and everything thanks to him.

"I love you too, more than you can imagine…" She kissed him with love while Donnie held her closer to him. When they switched on the fireworks, the whole sky was swept by an explosion of thousands of fantastic colors and patterns. It was like being in a painting. Julie looked at the fireworks with Leo. She was so happy!

"It's beautiful…" Leo whispered.

"Yes…" Julie answered, taking Leo's hand and holding it joyfully. She thought that yes, maybe there would've been many other difficulties, but at the same time she knew that there would've been beautiful and amazing moments filled with joy as well. Julie knew that's why she was peaceful. Because she knew that whatever would've happen in the future, she, the Turtles, Splinter, April and her family would face it. Together.

THE END!

A/N AND SOUNDTRACK LIST: FINALLY! TMNT NIGHTFALL IS OVER! Wow, how could ever imagine I would get this far? OMG I'm so excited to publish the fourth and last book, TMNT and the Light of Memories. That one will be the last of the saga! But anyway, I want to thank EVERYONE AND EACH OF YOU THAT READ THIS STORY, thank you! A big virtual hug and tons of cookies to you! Thank you for every single review and comment, because they are SOO precious to me, I mean it! Whenever you feel like, just leave a comment, because I ALWAYS answer, I promise! ;D Writing this story for you (or proper said translating) has been an enormous pleasure since this is my fav fic of all! What is your fav by now? I really want to know ^^ I'll see when I'll publish next story, it depends on how much free time I have, but I'll do it soon, don't worry! Here's the soundtrack of the book:

BoA – Implode

Nickelback – Trying Not To Love You

Ayumi Hamasaki – Dearest (Kiikyo's Death Theme)

Sailor Moon OST – Princess Serenity Death Theme

Tiziano Ferro – Ti Scatteró Una Foto

BoA - Be With You

Nek – Lascia Che Io Sia (Let Me Be The One)

Again, thank you very very very much for everything! I really love you all! See you soon in the last, amazing, romantic and final chapter of the TMNT Next Dimension-Saga: TMNT And The Light Of Memories!

Hugs and cookies, your

-Sushi :D