Sorry for not getting these chapters back up sooner. loves bailing on me.
I open my eyes slowly. Everything is quiet. Trying to push away the sleepiness from my thoughts, I look at the clock on the opposite side of the room. 6:03 stares back at me in the darkness.
When did I fall asleep? I wonder. I also wonder how I even fell asleep in the first place-last night was spent pacing around my room and occasionally sitting down on my bed, planning and pondering over how to keep my secret safe now they knew a dragon was in the city. Now they knew my dragon side was in the city.
I regret asking to become leader now. Being leader makes the task of keeping this secret hidden twice as hard as it already was. When I asked if I could be leader, I regretted it instantly. I felt dread when I was chosen, but as time went on, I found that I could still be a leader and hide the dragon. Hope had swelled in my chest, but what happened yesterday has squashed all the hope I had.
Inhaling quickly, I move my hand to turn on my lamp. Only then do I realise I'm in my bed, under the duvet, my hand clutching some of the fabric, pulling it tight around me. I didn't get into bed myself. My face turns red when I realise that Master Splinter must have put me to bed. Embarrassment quickly dominates my other feelings briefly as I imagine him finding me out cold, slumped on my mattress or in a heap on the floor.
I let out a deep, throaty growl as I shake my head, ridding myself of the feeling and thoughts. I've far more important things to be thinking about.
Sighing, I turn the lamp on. The lamp isn't too necessary, since being part dragon allows me to see well in the darkness, but I do it anyway. I throw the duvet off myself and sit up, stretching. A dragon like whine of happiness escapes my lips, and I immediately throw my head back with a groan. I didn't let my dragon side out yesterday.
It probably doesn't sound too important, however to my secret, it's very important. Letting my dragon side out each day is crucial to helping keep my dragon instincts in check. I'll be fine for now, only just mind you, but I need to let it out sometime today or I'm going to be busted.
Quickly, I put on my elbow and knee pads, wrappings, the rest of my gear, and finally I tie my mask onto my face. I don't care that it's a little to the side-that problem is one that can be easily fixed. Unlike the problem I've been stuck in for the past nine hours.
I turn the lamp off before walking to the door. I turn the door handle slowly, and then ease it open. Quickly, I step outside and shut the door behind me.
What should I do, I ask myself. I can probably get in around half an hour of time topside before it gets too dangerous. Or I could join Master Splinter with meditating, since he usually gets up around now and meditates until training.
I quickly decide on the first option. The sooner I let my dragon side loose, the better.
I stealthily slip through the lair using the shadows, just in case.
A few more steps, a few more steps, I think as I get closer to the turnstiles at the entrance of the lair. And…
"Leonardo?"
Dang it.
I turn quickly. "Umm, hi Sensei…" I say awkwardly.
"So, you are all tracking down a dragon," Master Splinter starts.
"Yeah… we are.." I reply. Before Master Splinter replies, an itch suddenly can be felt on my left arm. My dragon instincts make me instantly scratch the irritating spot. A deep rumble of satisfaction escapes before I can stop it. My eyes stretch wide and I slap my hands over my mouth.
No, no no no no… I think to myself. Please no… not now… I've managed to hide it for so long… and now the guys are hunting me down too…
Master Splinter opens his mouth to speak as I think, I am so screwed…
"Leonardo," he begins. "What is going on?" I gulp as he adds on, "And tell me the truth."
"N-nothing, sensei… sorry. I'll just-"
"Leonardo!" Splinter cuts me off before I can run back to the safety of my bedroom.
I sigh softly. There's no way I can escape the situation, and sensei won't let me leave until I tell him. He can see through pretty much any lie one of us may try to make.
"Promise you won't tell the guys?" I ask softly, panic and nervousness lacing my tone. "They won't hesitate to capture me."
Master Splinter places his hand on my shoulder. "My son, they are your brothers. They would not capture you-"
"But they will!" I cut him off. "Sorry," I murmur before continuing. "But Donnie told everyone that no matter what, they capture the dragon that April had seen. I know that he means it. No matter what."
My voice shook with nervousness as I finished with, "Sensei, I am the dragon."
I can tell from Master Splinter's expression that he's shocked.
I know that there's no use hiding my form from him, and I have a feeling that he'll need to see it to really know.
"How have I managed to keep it from you?" I ask softly as I begin to change.
Master Splinter's eyes grow wider as my eyes change. Then the claws. Then the ears. Then the fangs. Then the tail, and finally, the wings. I can't help but let out a low rumble of laughter at Master Splinter's face. His expression is currently priceless.
"You can't tell them," I repeat. "Please. You just can't."
"Dude! Leo, what the heck?"
I turn quickly as someone else enters the scene. Standing at the entrance to the lair is none other than Casey Jones.
"You're a dragon!?"