Splinter stood quietly, leaning against a wall as he watched his sons, and his daughter, as well as his adopted children. They were on a rooftop, enjoying the sunrise they all hadn't seen in so long, nor had they enjoyed a moment like this, maybe ever. There was no fear, there was no pain, no suffering or sadness, no worry or anxiety. The Shredder was finally gone, as well as his lackies, from what he knew, they were on their way to Japan to bury their master. Never had he or his family ever felt such relief, it was almost concerning to feel this safe, but he pushed that feeling aside. It was important to enjoy this moment; with how chaotic their lives were, it never lasted long. But he hoped and prayed, that this time it would.

They were all pretty banged up and sore, Mikey had a broken arm and was covered in bruises, Leo had cuts with stitches all over his body, as well as bandages, he didn't even have his mask on. Donnie had sprained his ankle and his wrist, so he sat on the edge of the building, next to the almost equally injured girl of his dreams. Donnie may have a fractured eye socket, but they were both pretty sure it was only swollen and bruised, he too didn't wear his mask. April leaned on his shoulder with her left, her right shoulder was popped out of its socket, so it was in a sling. She had bruises and cuts all over her body, but none of it was as bad as the mental exhaustion and strain she felt. Raph worried him some, he had gotten a new crack in his shell, and furthered the crack he already had. Both hands were bandaged, bruised, bloody and scraped up. He didn't have most of his gear, since he had severe internal bruising, but he did wear his mask, just like Mikey was. Karai was sitting on the ledge of the building, slightly away from her family. Although she had been hospitalized, she came and fought beside her brothers to bring the monster that plagued their life down. She still had a broken arm, in a sling, her ribs were wrapped tightly to keep her from further fracturing and cracking her ribs. She Also had sprained both ankles. Beside her sat their newest member to their odd family, the witch, Shinigami. They all knew she was hurt, but she did her best not to show it. Instead of her usual skin tight outfit she had on a simple long sleeve shirt, with black leggings, her makeup only partially applied. She sat beside Karai, her arm wrapped around the waist of the smaller girl. The last of the members, Casey. He too was hurt, but he tried to act 'tough' since he was with his friends, but they all knew he had a couple of broken ribs, bone bruising, and had almost fractured his tail bone, as well as his arm. He stood off to the side, near April, but respecting the time Donnie was spending with her. His arms loosly crossed, since he was still sore.

And Splinter him self? He was healing from very severe gashes and cuts on his body. From his mutation,much like his sons, he healed rather quickly; but that didn't mean he didn't have to be careful. He had to watch his movements and how he sat and laid, he couldn't even raise his voice without opening a wound or popping a stitch. He spoke little to his family, but little needed to be said. They were alive, and thats all that mattered.

His eyes scanned over his family, he had to have a talk with Leo, to make sure he didn't have PTSD from what he had done and seen, he had to watch Mikey to make sure the fall of their enemies hadn't effected his mentality or views on the world; it would crush all of them if he changed. He had to talk with Raph, he had to scold him, as well as praise him for throwing him self in front of his brothers to block the blows, which meant using him self as a shield. Donnie, he had to watch him as well. He had noticed a change in him, it had started to happen a while back, but the change increased rapidly after the incident with April and the crystal. He snapped more often, he went into states when he blanked, or zoned out, he hadnt been sleeping much, and God forbid anyone who touched him and surprised him. Just the other day he flipped Mikey over a table for throwing a water balloon. And Karai? He had to have a talk with her, similar to the talk Raph and Leo would receive, but it didn't plague him with worry like it did with his sons. She had Shini, her dear friend, or maybe more..he had to talk to Shini about that. Although April, Casey and Shinigami weren't his children, he was like a father to them, and protected them like they were his children. He had to have a similar talk with April that Leo would have. After the incident with the crystal she had also changed, he had seen it, and Donnie had noticed it. She was hesitant to touch them, and tried not to use her abilities as much; atleast, not to attack. She only used defensive moves. Casey worried him, while annoying him at the same time. He worried for him, since he rarely showed how he really felt about something, and similar to Raph, he let it build up onto anger and would have outbursts. He didn't have to talk with him yet, but he would definitely watch his behavior for any changes. Although, he had noticed one change from Casey; he and Donnie had gained a silent understanding to not push April, and to let her decide things on her own. He also didn't tease and push Donnie as much..maybe he noticed the change in his son as well? Maybe he would ask later. Finally, Shini. He knew she was a strong girl, similar to his daughter, but he could see the way she looks at Karai, and he noticed that any time Karai was hurt and Shini wasn't beside her, she fidgetted alot and lashed out, she would zone out and constantly seem agitated. He often caught the witch giving Leo dirty looks when he talked with Karai, which was understandable from past events.

Finally, he pushed all his thoughts aside and focused on the group on front of them. They had grown so much the last year; physically, mentally and emotionally. Part of him wished for them to be children again, with no worries or stresses, where a bad day was scraping their knee while playing chase, and their nightmares were tv shows ending or missing a meal. But another part of him was happy to see them now, to see how wonderful they all turned out. He was glad to see his family all in one piece, large, damaged, weird, and just plain crazy, but it was whole.

He felt a small smile spread across his face as one of them said 'sensei', he looked from the sky to his group, all eyes on him

"Senei, are you ready to go home?" Asked Leo, most likely repeating his question that the rat had missed. He gave a noticable, love filled smile to his family, giving a nod.

Did he ever expect his life to turn out this way? No.

Did he regret it? Not one second.