Author Notes:
The story concept and the first chapters were originally written before the "The Pig and the Rhino" episode when New York was still in chaos (start of season 3). I made a few assumptions about future circumstances that have changed or may change as the series continues. Please consider this an AU side story and disregard any inconsistency from the 2012 series. However, I have done my best to write everyone IN-character. This is blatant Donarai with flirting and mushiness.
I'm writing this for my own amusement and for practice since I rarely write, so this may not be all that amazing or original.
Feel free to leave feedback, just be gentle.
Thank you for reading and I hope you'll enjoy this fiction :D
Chapter 1
He was avoiding her.
Leonardo was always dedicated and dutiful, he took himself seriously like that. Yet ever since Karai came to live with them, Leonardo engrossed himself even more in his training and duties. It was barely nightfall and Leonardo was already geared up to go out.
"Come on!" Karai groaned,"You're always going out on patrol, can't you relax for just one night?"
Without even a sideways glance Leo monotoned, "Sorry Karai, this comes first." and he disappeared into the shadows. Karai stood there in the entry way miffed before finally leaving to go back inside.
Leo was lying.
Karai knew that much. She tried to ask him what was going on, but he denied anything was wrong. Of course she followed him to see what he was up to! But... Leo was just being boring ol' Leo and did exactly as he stated. No secret girlfriends. No sneaking off to clubs or bars. No illegal "pastimes". Still, as boring and straight lace as Leo is... how could he ignore her? That innocent boy wore his heart on his arm and was putty in her hands. Well... Leo was different since returning from the country side back to New York, Karai thought. He is more mature, more private, harder to read... but he still likes her. That hadn't changed. She could see it. In unguarded moments, in chance glances, in small subtle ways that whispered his heart. So why, why is Leo acting so distant since she returned to them.
Karai had made her way into the kitchen. No one was around, everyone was off doing their own thing or on patrol. But there was always green tea available because of master Splinter. Being the father he is, Splinter would have been more than willing to listen to her. Instead she sat there alone and silent at the kitchen counter. A steaming cup of tea in hand.
Everything was suppose to be better now that things were set right. Everyone should be happier now that she was united with family and people who unselfishly loved her.
"Stupid turtle. What is your problem..." the dejected whisper escaped her lips.
She was starting to feel lonely... but Karai wasn't about to admit that, not even to herself. She wasn't about to accept defeat. She wasn't going to remain on the sidelines hoping things would change. One way or another... she would know the truth. No more lies. No more secrets. Not anymore. Not from him, not from Leo. Her heart ached.
As she sipped her tea, she had an idea. Albeit underhanded, it would be... fun. A smile returned to her face. And more importantly – Leo couldn't possible ignore it.
"Now, who would best play the part?" Karai mused to herself.
Raph would be ideal, but he would never go for it. He's never been willing to go along with games nor could she trick him into something like this. Michelangelo might actually go for it, but he's so out there and naive that either he'd blow their cover or wouldn't be convincing enough. Donatello has a thing for April so he wouldn't... Wait! Karai straightened up. "No, this could work!" Karai hopped down from her stool and promptly out of the kitchen and into her new room. She changed out of her kunoich gear and into something more casual; something soft on the eyes and the touch.
Karai peeked into Donatello's lab where he was furiously typing away at his computer and looking at hand written notes.
No one else was around. Good. She needed no witnesses.
She put on her sweetest smile, casually walked in, and in a friendly tone she greeted him, "Hey nerd, what's up?".
"Not much, but I'm doing what I can." Donnie said without looking away from the computer. "I'm still working on another batch of retro mutagen for April's dad. It just takes time is all." Donnie sighed as he typed away on his computer.
"Still trying to win her affections?" she quipped with a smirk as she sat in a chair next to him. Donatello scowled but only glanced away from the computer for a moment. "Nooo." he snarked with increased annoyance, "I'm trying to fix a mess I'm partly responsible for... It's only right. This isn't about getting her affection."
"Yeah, but you still wish she'd look your way? Am I wrong?" Karai slightly taunted. She heard all about Donatello's crush on April from his brothers and all the laughable schemes and blunders.
Donatello was annoyed but silent. Of course he wanted April's attention... of course he wanted his situation to change. Why bring it up, why rub it in his face?
"What are you getting at Karai?" Donatello finally turned away from the computer and faced her.
Karai's smirk grew as she pulled herself closer to Donnie and looked straight into his eyes, "I have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening" Donnie retorted in a guarded tone.
"You want April to notice you, right? But even more than that, you'd like it if she wanted you? People are rather predictable. They want what's scarce and unavailable or what others see as desirable and valuable. Suddenly that thing they weren't so interested in becomes... impossible to ignore. Suddenly, they want it as if they realized just how valuable it is to them."
Donatello listened intently trying to figure out where Karai was going with this.
"So my proposition is this: create that desire and April will have to re-evaluate just how important you are to her. If you're affections are placed elsewhere, she might grow a tad jealous for your affections. Trust me, if she has feelings for you... she'll become needy for your attention."
Donatello looked away and starched his head, "Actually, that sounds like it will just complicate things" he stated as matter-of-fact.
A subtle look of shock took over Karai's face. That was not the kind response she was expecting. She thought for sure Donatello would jump at this opportunity to win April's affection. Had she misjudged him?
"Come on," she prodded, "Isn't it worth a shot? If you do nothing she'll just fall into Casey's arms!"
Donatello's eye begun to twitch as he internally screamed inside, "How... How does she know so much about my personal love life!" "Those guys are going to pay for their gossip!"
"Look..." Donatello stood up now exasperated and greatly uncomfortable, "Believe me I've tried, but everything I've done hasn't worked or just pushes her away. I don't know what's going on in her head! I don't understand anything anymore! But I've decided to stop fretting over what I can't control, to be strong and immovable in heart, mind, and body. I'm here for her, but I'm not going to try to win her affections anymore. She has to make her own choices."
This wasn't going well.
At this rate Karai wouldn't be able to go on with her plans.
If she didn't think of something...
"Well, ….couldn't you just hang out with me?" Karai finally added with a slight tone of defeat.
"Huh?" Donnie's once stern face was taken aback into honest confusion by the change of character.
"Isn't that harmless?" She continued looking up at Donnie with sincere, begging eyes.
"Just watch a movie with me, share some popcorn, have a few laughs. That shouldn't complicate things. If anyone gets mad, just tell them it's nothing or you just wanted to spend time with me... as a friend. Would that be so bad?" Her tone was almost pained.
"I... uh..." Donnie began to feel rather uneasy. How could he say 'no' to such a simple request when she sounded like she was hurting. As if she would cry? Does Karai cry? Donnie didn't want to find out. "I... I guess that would be alright. There's nothing unnatural about us hanging out after all. That's a normal activity. An... and... ah... "
"Right." Karai perked up a little, "It's perfectly natural. So let's go watch a movie while your retro-mutagen is still in the works." she stood up beside him and tugged on his arm to pull him out of the room towards the living area.
"Um... Okay?" Donnie was so baffled by what had just happened he hadn't any time to object much less reconsider his answer.
