FF: HELLO! Hey, you know how when you write a story, you suddenly get a bunch of ideas on how you could write it differently? yeah, I couldn't resist. So here you go- an AU of my own fanfic.
FF: Oh, and for all those wondering when on earth I'm going to put up 'Hello and Goodbye' sequel, I'm going to do it when I finish revising the story. Now then, ENJOY! (Oh, and the guys are, mmm, let's say 20-ish, M'kay?)
(Early March)
"We were both young when I first saw you"
It was a lovely March night to be outside. There were few clouds dotting the sky, allowing the stars and full moon to shine their luminescence brightly over the landscape. Said landscape held scores of skyscrapers and busy highways, alive with electric lights and the noise of talk and car horns and engines revving impatiently.
However, in a specific district of the bustling city, it was relatively quiet, meaning less car noises but plenty of chatter to drown out the night sounds. The reason for this lowered volume? It was a pricey neighborhood- the owners wanted their peace while sitting in their expansive and even more expensive mansions.
However, that didn't stop them from throwing extravagant parties once in a while. The parties in question were rather rare, especially parties outside at night, but that didn't restrict one that night from blaring music and high class talk out into the spring air.
The noisy celebration of who-knows-what drifted upwards to a lone figure leaning on the backyard's balcony of a soft cream colored mansion, decorated with marble pillars and other adornments.
Said figure, highlighted prettily in the bright moonlight, was a girl dressed in a blue T-shirt that reached just below her hips and, colored a darker shade of blue, shorts that went to her knees.
She stretched her thin, lithe form stiffly and resettled on the balcony's marble rim, tilting her face upwards to more fully appreciate the beauty of the sky.
Long chocolate locks of hair waved gently in the breeze that blew peacefully in the night. Thick lashes framed expressive hazel eyes that stood out from her pale white skin, and she brushed a curtain of hair off her face.
The marble beneath her arms felt cool, comforting in their familiarity, yet restricting. She repressed a grimace on her delicate lips, but allowed herself a sigh, staring longingly at the starry heavens.
She wished she wouldn't have to be stuck in that mansion all her life, forced to have a bodyguard with her whenever she left, forced to be constantly monitored. Yes, she was the daughter of the third richest family in New York- 'adopted daughter,' she reminded herself- but that didn't mean every thug in the state was after her!
Though, the past mugging attempts were rather frightening...
She scoffed to herself and shook her head scoldingly. I sound like some weak girly girl who would be afraid to walk across the street without someone to hold her hand at all times. I'm eighteen, I can take care of myself!
The brunette paused, then sighed again and dropped her head to her arms. "Who am I kidding?" She whispered. "I wouldn't survive a day on my own, especially without this working." She frowned sadly at the high tech watch strapped tightly to her wrist, a soft gray color with light blue circuitry lines.
She groaned, letting herself release a painful little whimper of longing. She just wanted to go outside by herself, without all the hiding and guarding and monitoring- to go outside as herself, to be seen as who she truly was!
That wasn't too much to ask, was it?
She couldn't help but think it was.
"Hey! Watch it!" Donatello jumped backwards, barely escaping being hit by a foot ninja flying by, its limbs waving frantically. He turned to glare at his little brother, hitting a different foot ninja in the stomach without even looking.
"Sorry, dude!" Mikey called back, ducking a punch aimed at his head and flipping onto a heater that stuck up from the roof. He shrugged sheepishly. "My bad!"
"Yeah, well, your 'bad' almost took me out! Again!" The purple banded turtle retorted, feeling his irritation bubble. "This is the third time!"
"It's not like I can aim them when I kick'em!" Mikey answered indignantly, pausing to stick his tongue out at Donny cheekily before leaping up and snap-kicking his opponent.
"He does have a point, Donny." Leo noted, sweeping his leg in a swift half circle to trip his enemy.
"Let's see how you feel when he kicks one at you, Leo..." Donatello muttered darkly, smacking a foot soldier on the wrist sharply, making it release his weapon, before reversing the swing and slamming his bo onto its head.
"Hey, just hit one back if it makes ya feel better!" Raph suggested, a pleased grin on his face as he noticed a soldier running at him. "Like this!" When the ninja was close enough, the red banded turtle leaped into the air and completed a powerful spin kick that landed solidly on the enemy's chest.
His attack made the soldier fly through the air, barely missing Mikey as he dodged with a short cry of alarm. He somersaulted backwards, popped back to his feet, and glared at his brother. "DUDE! Not cool!"
"Hey, you're right." Donny couldn't hold back the smirk, as he kicked away another enemy. "That does make me feel better. Do it again."
Leo sighed and shook his head, instinctively blocking a sword aimed at his back, his free hand massaging his temples. "Oi." He groaned, fluidly manipulating his katana so the other ninja's weapon was flung away.
"You're just jealous you can't-"
Raph's teasing comment was cut off by a sudden, unexpected scream. It was a female's scream, high pitched and piercing. It stopped as abruptly as it had started and the shock of it had frozen everyone for a moment.
Using this moment of stunned immobility, the brothers quickly began taking down the remaining foot clan members. Except Donatello.
He sprinted towards the source of the scream, calling over his shoulder, "You guys keep going! I'll check it out!" He hopped nimbly over some of the stirring foot ninjas that littered the ground. "I'll catch up later!"
"Hmm?" The brunette jerked her head upwards, cocking it slightly to hear better. Was that...clanging? Shouts? Those couldn't possibly be coming from the party down the street.
She had to investigate.
Rushing inside her room, she darted to her dresser and snatched a black sweatshirt that had been hanging off the edge, catching the roll of gauze that fell out and stuffing it back into a pocket. (She often kept some nearby in case she, or her bodyguards, were injured. She wanted to be of some use.)
Her room was modest and expressive. A bed was pressed against the wall to the balcony's left, a small table and lamp beside it. A weaved, multicolored rug covered most of the floor, which was marble.
Her dresser was one or two yards away from her bed, shoved against the wall, and was a lovely dark oak color. A mirror was attached to it. A drawing desk was opposite her bed and had pencils, pens, colored pencils, erasers, and multiple stacks of paper held down by stuffed toy animals, namely a kitten, a puppy, a giraffe, and a hippo.
Papers of all colors practically consumed the other walls where windows did not get in the way. Drawing upon drawing was taped carefully onto the blue wallpaper, each signed with a beautiful autograph that read: Liza.
Some of said papers had fallen to the floor amongst other stuffed animals, drawing pads, and paint cases. The brunette nimbly hopped over the piles of things while shoving her arms through the sleeves of the sweatshirt, stripping off her socks when she reached her door.
She carefully opened it, making sure it didn't squeak, and tiptoed rapidly down the hall. She slipped quietly past her parents' room, wincing every time the floor creaked softly with her weight.
Creeping past door after door, she broke into a fast run, excitement and fear rushing through her. What would she see? What would she discover? She was terrified of being attacked herself, but her eagerness to venture outside overrode her anxiety.
The thought of going outside alone, unrestricted, free, was thrilling and sent her heart pumping faster and faster.
She skidded to a halt before the giant staircase in the enormous foyer and raced down the stairs, careful not to trip. She skipped the last two steps and landed lightly, throwing herself forwards with the momentum.
The brunette burst out the doors, forcing herself to make sure they closed quietly but paused, noting the increased volume of the noises. Curiously, she turned to survey her backyard, wondering which direction the sounds came from.
The backyard in question was filled with fresh green grass, neatly trimmed, and a few tastefully placed flower bushes around the edges. A large pool took over the right side of the backyard, a warped oval lined with sandy colored stones. A six foot tall, two foot thick wall surrounded the entire place. It was designed to give total privacy and to keep things out...as well as keep her in.
A patch of forest widened out behind the wall, somewhat like a mini park yet far wilder than any park a human constructed- it was nearly totally overgrown with vegetation.
The girl snuck over to the left wall, avoiding scattered lawn chairs and tables, trying to discern what the noises were, and what could be making it.
Shouting, screaming- those noises could come from people (obviously.)
Clanging? Metal could make that, but why would anyone be carrying metal with them?
Thuds, cracks. Her heart stuttered as sympathy and fear gripped it- those sounded like they would hurt.
A whooshing noise made her look up and she gasped in a shocked breath as a dark shape flew through the air towards her.
She screamed as she tried to backpedal, desperate to avoid the object. Her shriek was cut off as it slammed into her and sent her crashing to the ground, forcing out all her air with a huff.
She wheezed painfully, feeling her stomach throb in pain from the air's forceful expulsion. Dimly, she noted that it was a person that had fallen on her- a fully grown man to be exact, who was in excellent shape too, and clothed in tight black fabric.
The brunette weakly pushed at his side facing her, as he was splayed across her stomach. Her feeble attempts failed to do anything as she was short on oxygen, leaving her breathless and huffing.
She let her head fall to the grass with a thud, allowing her body to go limp. She'd never get that guy off her if she didn't get enough breath back. Best to just wait and-
"Huh. Where'd he go?" A voice whispered from the shadows, barely detected from the weakened girl.
A person? A person! They could help! "help...help..." She wheezed, hope of becoming freed of her burden beginning to flare in her chest.
"Where-? Oh, man, are you okay?!" The voice wobbled and, noting the accompanied (yet oddly quiet) thump, the brunette realized the person had most likely jumped from the wall and landed in front of her.
She moaned, deciding it was an appropriate answer. Besides, she needed to conserve her air supply- her lungs still felt weak and bruised.
"Oh, right. Sorry. Just stay still and I'll help get him off." The voice inched closer, louder though strangely hushed, as if its owner was trying to hide or something.
As she listened, the girl tilted her head, confused. The voice was male, a gentle tenor, not too deep but smooth and pleasant. It had a soothing feel to it, but a nervous undertone that made her uneasiness begin to rise in response.
"Ugh," the voice's owner groaned, and the brunette gasped as she felt the man's dead weight slowly lessen it pressure on her body. "What was this guy eating? Rocks?"
"Maybe...a few...small hills too..." She panted, a slight smile curving her lips upward.
A startled laugh sounded from her newfound companion. "Definitely feels like it-WOAH!" He yelped and the girl sucked in a surprised breath as the unconscious man suddenly rolled off of her and, apparently, decided he'd rather flop onto her helper.
"Hey..." She coughed with the sudden flow of air into her lungs. "You okay?"
A moan answered her and she bit back a wry smirk. He copied her. Two could play at that game. "Just stay still and I'll help get him off." She parroted his earlier tone that was significantly wheezier as she was still recovering.
Wheezing chuckles rose from the heap before her, lying in the wall's shadow. She could barely see their outlines. "No, seriously, let me help." She forced herself up, wincing as her bruised stomach protested.
"Ah, no, no no. I'll do it myself." The voice huffed. The lump before her writhed momentarily before falling still. It jerked again, yet failed to make any noticeable difference except for a lot of huffs and gasps.
"Here, I'll just-" She made to move forward, shifting into a crouching position, but jerked back at his shout.
"No!"
She blinked in shock from where she'd recoiled, tense and suddenly afraid. How did that soft voice become so powerful so fast? "Why not? I should repay the favor." She responded shakily when she recovered her own voice.
"I...I don't look...normal. You'll scream." He sounded so hesitant, between the panting that is.
"I don't care if you're normal or not or-or even a...an alien or anything." She stated quietly yet firmly, feeling a bit of stubbornness rear up. "You help me, I'm helping you. Simple as that. Now sit still."
The brunette crawled over and latched onto the unconscious person's shirt, grabbing fistfuls of black fabric. She pulled backwards, slowly increasing the force used so as to not shift the weight too fast on her newfound friend.
She looked down sharply as she felt her burden lighten.
As if sensing her glance, her friend explained, "I can't take sitting there uselessly while you strain."
"How kind of you." She grunted, yanking the man's dead weight a little farther off her friend. "Haha! Got it- oh no, he's falling he'sfallinghe's-" She squeezed her eyes shut, preparing for the impact.
When said impact did not come, she opened her eyes and blinked over to see, silhouetted by moonlight, her rescuer gripping the unconscious man's shirt by the front, providing equal pull to her own. His silhouette was oddly shaped, but she didn't pay much mind to it- she was busy.
"Thanks." She panted, smiling over the man's shoulders. She could just make out dark eyes meeting her gaze for a brief moment.
"Yeah, uh, let's, let's try to roll him to the left." He coughed slightly and broke the eye contact.
"My left or your left?" She asked, tilting her head as she tried to figure out which he meant.
A pause. "Your left, my right."
The brunette nodded and counted, "On three. One, two, three!" On 'three' the two twisted their wrists and dragged the man off, rolling him partially to his side. Unfortunately, the duo's grips were a little too strong and they were off balanced when they released, causing them to topple over.
The brunette laughed breathily, brushing hair out of her face with her wrist and turning to face her companion.
"See? That wasn't so-" She stopped short, her throat locking and eyes widening. Her mouth was partially open but no sound came out, shock holding her paralyzed.
Before her, laying on his back and elbows in a patch of moonlight, knees bent in front of him, was a giant turtle. His skin was a pleasant green color, while his chest armor- 'Plastron,' she faintly remembered from science class- was a pale yellow. His shell was dark brown with intricate patterns tracing the plating. Elbow and knee pads protected his joints and a belt wrapped around his middle, along with what looked like a staff strapped to his shell.
Her eyes were drawn to his face, dimly noting the purple mask encircling his head. Her gaze was mainly on the shockingly human eyes that met her own stunned pair. They were a rich brown- like melted chocolate, her brain piped up- with faint threads of gold highlighting the curious intelligence that hid in those dark orbs.
But her attention, dragged away from that compelling gaze, inevitably noticed the harsh red lines that cut across his skin, dripping liquid down his limbs. Noticed with horror the multicolor bruises that seemed so large and painful, and especially the four inch gash that cut across his right calf.
He didn't even seem to realize he was hurt...
The brunette knew a normal person would be panicking, screaming, running. She knew she probably should be doing one, if not all three of those things. But...she'd never been able to bear seeing a creature in pain. She was far too soft. It was in her nature to help, to heal, to comfort.
And here was a creature. Obviously in pain even if he didn't realize it yet.
She couldn't ignore the sudden surge of the need to help, overriding the shock and fear that kept her throat silent...And even matching the familiarity of the situation...
Donatello felt as if he'd swallowed a rock that lodged in his throat. He could barely breathe as stunned panic shot through him.
She saw me! No, she SEES me! That's worse! The thoughts winged around crazily in his mind, and he felt anger and fear rise within himself, furious he'd let himself get caught without the protective cloak of shadow.
His secret was out.
He saw the shock and horror in her eyes and knew she'd gotten a good look at him. He knew he was allowing her more time to examine him but he couldn't move, couldn't blink from the fear that gripped him.
She knew.
The fact finally shook him out of his trance, suddenly allowing him control of his body once more. He instantly started to scramble to his feet, desperate to escape the situation. Maybe if he hurried back his brothers wouldn't ask, it wouldn't take too long if-
Something soft clamped onto his left wrist, freezing him into place as a wavering voice gasped pleadingly, "Wait!"
He knew he should shake off the hand and run, but something kept him still. Maybe it was the shock of no screams, or the fact that the girl had voluntarily touched him and asked him to wait. Either way, he couldn't bring himself to move any part of his body except his head, turning to stare incredulously at the girl.
"You're hurt..." She stated, her eyes locked onto his. He couldn't help but notice the peculiar color of her eyes- green rimming the bottom while a golden brown filled the rest, a darker, richer brown circling the pupil. He'd never seen so many colors in one pair of eyes before. It was interesting.
"Please...let me..." She trailed off, but her hand, so tentatively holding his wrist, urged him back down onto the grass with a gentle tugging.
He swallowed hard, his mind whirling with the impossibility of it all, unable to resist her wishes in such a disorganized state. He sat on the grass with his knees slightly bent, leaning forward as the girl still had not released his arm.
The brunette paused, her eyes still glued to him for a moment before she seemed to shake herself. She dipped a hand into her pocket and he tensed, instinctively fearing a weapon. Too many dangerous objects could hide in a pocket: knives, throwing stars, syringes, the list went on and on.
"No, no, it's okay..." The girl was quick to soothe his worries, holding up her hand swiftly- it was clutching a roll of gauze. "See?"
Donny blinked, anxiety momentarily put aside as he wondered why on earth she'd have gauze in her pocket.
"I'm just going to clean up your cuts, that's all." She assured him, her tone quiet and, though slightly shaky, it was gentle.
He couldn't speak, his throat felt far too tight with stress and fear and confusion. He wondered why his limbs felt so heavy, so hard to move, and yet the girl effortlessly guided him closer to her so she could tenderly mop up the blood from his wounds.
Speaking of...
He bit his lip as his body, realizing he was no longer in any immediate danger, allowed him to feel the pain he'd ignored in the midst of battle. He bit back a groan as each and every bruise or slice sounded its notice that hey! It hurt! Fix it!
The brunette before him crooned gently, a soothing hum that gave him a distraction from the pain and apprehension. Abruptly, he decided that he should examine the girl, see how much of a threat she was.
He took in her waist-long chocolate locks, her clothing, her bare feet wet with dew, her pale skin, her face. For some reason, he found he couldn't look away from her face.
Was it the nervous yet kind expression? The concerned frown on her lips? He directed his gaze a bit higher. No, it was her eyes.
They were so gentle, so free of malice or secrets, so earnest, so honest and utterly compassionate he found he did not want to look away and loose so rare a sight. He examined her closely, memorizing each soft touch and look, so different from his family's and yet so similar.
Stop it, Donatello told himself firmly. She's a human. She's not like April or Casey. Just let her do what she's doing and then get out of there.
Sad, but true. Only Casey and April were the exceptions. Only they, part of a very, very precious few, were humans who were compassionate enough to overlook appearances. Besides, even they freaked out when he and his brothers were revealed.
This one would be no different...right?
The brunette girl carefully wrapped the gauze around the gash which she'd already covered with a pad of gauze to stem the bleeding. She carefully maneuvered the roll around her companion's calf, covering the injury neatly.
As she worked, she tried hard to ignore that intelligent gaze boring into her. She couldn't help the rush of blood that caused a soft blush to appear on her cheeks- she never really like being stared at. It made her uncomfortable.
She focused on finishing her task and, though she desperately wanted to ask what had happened to him, she refrained. She'd felt him tense when she put her hand in her pocket, she knew he was uneasy, sensed his anxiety.
She carefully ripped the gauze and tied it off, releasing him at last to survey her work. Most of his cuts were gingerly wrapped in the fabric, protecting them from infection. Her work was done yet her mind still whirled.
Who hurt you? Where did you come from? She asked mentally. What happened to you? Why did it happen? What's your name?
Swallowing back her questions, she stood and backed up a few paces. "You..." Her voice broke and she cleared her throat. "You can go. I won't stop you."
She saw his eyes, glued on her, widen and surprise enter his gaze. He hadn't moved from where she'd gently pulled him down.
"It's okay, I won't tell anyone. I promise." She added, the hand not holding the leftover gauze pressed over her heart, an unconscious motion of her sincerity. "You can go..." She repeated, continuing her retreat a few more steps to emphasize it.
She knew he must have been terrified of exposure, she'd seen it in his eyes. She didn't want to frighten him further, so she did as much as she could to give him some reassurance that she wouldn't betray his trust...if he had given her any at all.
Their gazes had locked the moment she'd looked up and, fearing if she didn't look away now she'd never be able to, the girl turned her head and slowly began to head for her house.
Donatello stared at the girl's retreating form in absolute shock. Had he heard her right? She was willing to keep this meeting a secret? To keep it to herself?
Who was this girl? Why was she so different from the other humans? What could possibly have given her the gift of an open mind?
"Wait!" The word burst from his throat involuntarily, and he resisted the urge to clap his hand around his mouth, wishing he could take it back and yet glad he said it.
The girl stopped, he could see her body sway slightly at the sudden end to her movements.
What was he doing?! This was insane!
"I..." He searched for words, his tongue still disobeying his commands to shut up. "I don't know your name."
Ugh, could he get any more cliché?! Why was he prolonging this?! It could only end one way and now he was spinning it out? Worse, he wanted to spin it out- the girl intrigued him. He wanted to figure her out.
It was official- he was crazy! Insane! Bonkers!
The girl turned slowly, carefully, and, when she had her face fully turned towards him, her body twisted agilely, a smile appeared on her lips and her hazel eyes glimmered softly.
"It's Liza."
FF: Wow. Hope that wasn't too cliche or anything. Tell me whatcha think about their meeting, the way they interacted, and everything! I wanna know! :)
(This is author speak for "please review" XP)