Takes place during Vengeance Is Mine. (I know when they rescued her, she pretty much got re-captured right away, but let's pretend there were a few days of her freedom for this story.)
In Your Eyes
"She's - your - sister."
"Stop saying that!" Leonardo glared at Raphael with clenched fists, mouth drawn in a tight line.
Raphael peered over the magazine he was reading. "Stop saying what? The truth? Sister!"
"Karai is the daughter of Sensei and Tang Shen. Last I checked, we were turtles." He backed away from Raphael, careful not to trip over Donatello, who was bent over, fully immersed in a new project.
"Yeah, and last I checked, we were made human care of Master Splinter's DNA."
Donatello glanced up from the small metal box in front of him he'd been tinkering with, tweezers paused mid-air. "Technically, we're not considered human, more like reptilian with humanistic qualities, more specifically of the Cryptodira order.."
Raphael swatted Donatello with the rolled up magazine. "Cram it, Nerdatello. He knows what I mean."
"Hey!" The olive turtle rubbed his head, glaring at his red-banded brother.
"'Technically' speaking, Donatello, what is the chance that we actually are related to Karai?" Leonardo cut in before his brothers could erupt in a brawl.
"Well, I'd have to have a swab sample to determine the exact percentage, but off hand, I'd say we have a 97.4% chance of sharing some of the same genetic material."
Leonardo's face fell. He turned hopefully to his youngest sibling. "Where do you stand on this, Mikey?"
Michelangelo playfully twisted himself in the tire swing. "The heart's a fragile muscle, bro. Squish." He let loose, spinning rapidly before falling into the water with a splash. Emerging, he spit out stream of water. "But, I've always wanted a sister."
"You're all wrong!" You have to be wrong, he silently pleaded.
Donatello refocused his eyes on his work. "Bring her by the lab sometime. I'll let you know for certain."
"I-I gotta go." Deflated, he prepared to leave the lair.
"Yo, Leo! Hold up a sec!" Raphael met him at the turnstyle. Voice low enough so the others couldn't hear him, he gently laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Don't forget about honor. Ya know, since it's so important to ya."
Leonardo sneered at the trace of sarcasm. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know - you're all about honor and doing the right thing - up until it stops being convenient for ya."
Leonardo opened his mouth to protest, but Raphael was quicker. "You've lied to Splinter, too, just as much as the rest of us; it's just easier for you to forget that when you hide behind that 'holier than thou' attitude."
Leonardo swatted Raphael's hand away. "What's the point of this, Raph?"
"The point, Fearless, is that like it or not, Karai is our sister - Your sister, and I wouldn't want to see ya compromising your honor. I know you're sneaking off to see her." He smugly crossed his arms.
Leonardo took a deep breath to center himself. Exhaling slowly, steel blue eyes focused on his brother. Then without another word, he vaulted down the sewer tunnel.
The autumn wind scattered litter along the cracked sidewalk. Her shoulders tensed as she knelt over the edge of the tall building, watching the people, frail as ants, seemingly wandering aimlessly below. "Fools," she muttered. She snapped up to face the fire escape, drawing her blade. "About time you showed up," she snorted. "I was getting bored."
Leonardo sighed, making no effort to wield his weapons. "I'm really not in the mood, Karai. Can we not do this tonight?"
Karai advanced toward the jade terrapin. She held the tanto blade against his jaw and traced the outline, softly so no cut would be made. "Aw, come on. You know it's all in fun."
His stoic stance did not waver, nor did he flinch when he felt the tip of the steel poke his chin.
The kunoichi pouted at his lack of engagement. Rolling her eyes, she sheathed her weapon. "I'm getting bored, Leonardo," she huffed, glaring eyes accusing him.
"I thought we could just sit and talk tonight." He made his way to the edge of the Byerly building and sat down, legs tucked under himself as if he were about to meditate.
She was about to antagonize him, provoke him into battle, but something in his voice smothered her fire. Legs dangled precariously over the edge as she joined him. "I - I'm not good at this."
"Karai," Leonardo nervously cleared his throat. He bit back asking, "Do you think we're related?" Instead, he blurted out, "What's your view on honor?"
"Really? This is what you wanted to talk about?" Karai tossed him a sidelong glance before solemnly answering, "Everything I have ever done and continue to do is based on honor."
"Then why do you still wear his colors?" The distaste came through in his voice.
"Leonardo, I'm a refugee. It's not exactly like I had time to change my outfit."
"You could have borrowed something from April."
Karai chortled. "Because yellow is SO my color?" She stood to leave. "I thought you wanted to talk, not attack me. If you'd wanted to fight, I was more than willing."
A large green hand grabbed at her smaller one. "Wait, Karai. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Please don't go."
Pleading gray-blue eyes bore into her. Again, the feeling to stay was compelling. She shook her head. Frustrated at becoming weak-minded, it unnerved her, but she found it difficult to turn away from him. Hesitantly, she lowered herself back onto the rooftop.
Leonardo smiled warmly as he placed his hand on top of hers. Crimson lips quirked at the edges.
Sister.
Raphael's words echoed in his mind. He wretched his hand away, blushing furiously. Callous fingers dug into muscular thighs as he willed himself to have more honorable thoughts about the bi-color haired girl to his left.
Another wind gust brushed the two black tendrils past her face. Leonardo fought the urge to tuck a strand behind her ear. "Cool earrings," he mumbled lamely.
Karai rubbed her arms for warmth. "Thanks." Was he going to comment on the weather next? Why was he acting so peculiar tonight?
"What, um, happened to the one?"
Karai's hand flew to her right ear, immediately hovering over the small tear. It had happened so long ago, she had forgotten about it. "Disobedience comes with a stiff penalty," she shrugged.
Leonardo's eyes widened as he turned to face her, open-mouthed. "Shredder did that to you?"
"Eh, it's no big deal." Her fingers rolled pieces of gravel along the roof's edge.
"But - but, how could your father do that?"
Karai felt her face flush with embarrassment. He was looking at her like a wounded puppy. "Doesn't your father discipline you? It's no different."
Leonardo couldn't erase the shock from his features. Sure, his father had disciplined him and his brothers; they had been occasionally smacked with sticks, but never to the point of abuse, where something would leave a permanent scar.
Karai stretched her arms above her head before leaning back on them. Her head hung back and she closed her eyes, shutting away the memory. "Whatever. That was my old life. And I'm not going back." She cracked an eye to look at her company so she could teasingly add, "No matter how I'm dressed."
Leonardo could not explain the mix of feelings welling up inside him. Sorrow for what Karai's childhood must have been like. Infuriation at Shredder for treating her that way. Admiration for her ability to be so well-adjusted despite her turbulent upbringing. Lust for the way the metal on her lithe body reflected the moonlight.
Leaning over, he took her by surprise as he cupped her chin. "Oh, Karaiā¦"
The moment was broken as they heard a clatter on the adjacent rooftop. A glint of silver was all they needed to see to recognize the unwelcome intruders.
Jumping to their feet, they looked at each other, exclaiming in unison, "Footbots! They must be after me! You?"
Leonardo grabbed Karai's hand and dragged her toward the fire escape. "There's too many of them. We gotta go!"
Karai dragged her heels. "You seriously don't want to destroy them?" She tried to jerk her arm back, but the strong turtle had a firm grip.
Leonardo picked up the reluctant girl. "I told you. There's too many!" Holding her over his shoulder, ignoring her struggling cries of protest, he leapt over the edge.
He let go of her waist once they were well hidden in the safety of the sewer. He let out his breath once the echoing of the dripping pipes was the only sound to be heard. They hadn't been followed.
"Why didn't you want to fight them?" Amber eyes flashed angrily.
"Because, Karai!"
"Because, what!" She took a menacing step toward him, his shell emitting a clunk as it came into contact with the cool, wet bricks.
"Because," Leonardo locked eyes with Karai. "I couldn't lose you again. We just got you back, and I couldn't lose you again." He ran his thumb over her cheek, smudging the black liner.
Hardened features softened. "You know I like to play with fire." Karai leaned into Leonardo as crimson met clover. At first the unexpected kiss cause his eyes to pop open. He moved both hands to her waist and allowed himself to melt into her touch, his brother's words forgotten.
