Chapter 4! I may go back and add to this- I feel like it's not a good enough description of what April and Mikey would act like and that bothers me since Mikey is my spirit animal. This chapter has A LOT of FLUFF! So much Leorai and Tigercali! So sorry for the girly writing- I know a lot of you like fight scenes, but I'm better at the fluff- plus I really really like making Tiger Claw uncomfortable! Enjoy!
April watched Cali intently as they moved from rooftop to rooftop. Cali effortlessly was able to keep up and even turned into a dark animal life creature that no one could really tell what is was. Mikey stuck close to Cali. Leo wasn't paying attention to anyone on the team; he seemed to be looking specifically for Karai assuming that the rest of his team was with him. Eventually they see Tiger Claw standing on a roof looking down at some Kranng as they went through a portal. Not seeing Karai anywhere, Leo decides now is a good time to talk to the rest of his team. He lands on a rooftop with a tall ledge so that they can remain unseen and motions for the rest of the team to meet him there.
April: I don't see Karai anywhere.
Leo: Neither do I. I do see Tiger Claw though. If we can take him down, I'm sure he can tell us where to find her.
At the mention of Tiger Claw, Cali cocked her head to the side, and like the curious cat that she is; she stood up to get a better look. No one seemed to notice.
Mikey: Dude, have you seen him? He's crossed dimensions just so he could get revenge on us. You go loco homey?
Leo: Unless you see Karai anywhere, I don't really have any other plans at this point.
April: Maybe we could make a deal with him or something- is there anything we could give him? Maybe we could give him his own pet cat…
April nodded to the spot that Cali was supposed to be sitting. They all look over to see no one and everyone's eye get huge.
Mikey: Cali! Where are you? Oh man, Donnie is going to kill me!
April: What does Donnie care about her anyways?
Mikey: Oh girl, you don't even want to know!
April blushes and gets angry, and then she sees her.
April: That is the dumbest mutant I have ever met! Look!
April points over at Cali who is now walking up casually to Tiger Claw. After all of the droids went in the portal and the portal closes, Tiger Claw's ears twitch and he swings around ready to fight. He freezes as soon as he sees her.
Cali: Tiiiiggerrrrrrr Claaawwww…
Tiger Claw just stares at her. She's back in her human form with a cattail. She decides she wants to touch him to see if he feels as soft as he looks. As she walks to him, he's frozen and confused. Hypnotized would be another excellent word to put in here. The turtles and April make it to the roof just as Cali settles her hand on Tiger Claw's face.
Mikey: Cali! NO!
Just then Tiger Claw grabs Cali and swings her behind him as if he was trying to protect her from Mikey.
Mikey: Easy Kitty! I just want my friend back!
Tiger Claw: She's your friend?
Leo: Yes! Give her back!
Cali has now turned into a female version of Tiger Claw and comes out from behind him. Shocked he stumbles backwards.
Tiger Claw: Wha.. how? What is she? How did she?
Cali smiles at him.
Cali: You'rrrrrrre cuuuuuutee and sooooffft.
She then looks at Mikey.
Cali: Friiiieeendd?
Mikey: definitely not.
Cali frowns. Tiger Claw blushes for the first time. She looks back at Tiger Claw and turns back into her human form. She walks up to him and kneels down beside him. After nuzzling him, she smiles.
Cali: Ssssoorrrrrrry.
Tiger Claw: Cali?
Cali Smiles. Tiger Claw gulps.
Tiger Claw: There is no reason to be sorry, Cali. My battle is not with you. What are you?
Cali: Muuuutaaant. Friiiiieend.
April: Ok, enough of this! She belongs to Donnie Catnip! So back off.
Leo and Mikey look at each other and then to a very confused April.
April: Tell us where Karai is.
Tiger Claw snapping out of the trance he seemed to be in casually stands up.
Tiger Caw: Why would I tell you something like that?
Cali looks up at Tiger Claw.
Cali: Pllleeeeasssse?
Tiger Claw looks down at her and closes his eyes.
Tiger Claw: I'm sorry my Cali, I cannot betray my Master.
They lock eyes for a minute before a voice comes out of nowhere. Karai apparently had been watching for a while.
Karai: Wow. I didn't know you had a weak spot for interesting freaks.
Leo: Karai! How? How are you?
Leo becomes incredibly awkward trying to make small talk during what could possibly be a battle.
Cali: Kaaarrraiii?
Mikey: Yeah, that's our sneaky snake Karai.
Karai sends Mikey a look. And walks up to Leo. April seems to be getting annoyed with the whole situation and doesn't take her eyes off of Tiger Claw and Cali.
Karai: Hello Leo, I've wanted to see you for a while now. I … I can't come with you right now. I'm… I'm in the middle of something.
Karai looks down struggling with deciding if she wants to tell them or not.
Leo: Karai, we know about you working for Shredder.
Karai: Then you know that I have orders to bring you to him if I see you?
Mikey: Nope. Didn't know that part.
Tiger Claw: Well now you do. Karai, it's time you hold up your end of the deal.
Leo: So that's why you've been avoiding me… er… us…. So you wouldn't have to keep your end of the deal?
Mikey: This is so bogus! Cali- touch her so we can get D to do his thing! That way we can all just go home and celebrate with some LOTR and pizza!
Karai- Wait, what?
Cali starts to walk over to Karai when Tiger Claw grabs her by the arm. She starts to glow slightly at the surprise that only makes Tiger Claw blush more.
Tiger Claw: I told you fair Cali; I cannot betray my Master.
Cali smiles and gently lifts his hand off of her arm and he lets her. She then kisses his hand before dropping it next to a stunned Tiger Claw and resuming her walk towards Karai.
Leo: It's ok; we are going to try to find a retro mutagen that will work on you. That way you don't have to work for Shredder anymore.
Karai just stared at Leo, until he lost his smile.
Leo: Karai- I'm sorry- I thought that was what you wan….
Karai swiftly walked up to Leo and kissed him before he could finish his sentence. Leo melted before understanding what was happening. Mikey's eyes filled with joyful tears and April tore her eyes from Cali and Tiger Claw long enough to smile for Leo.
Tiger Claw: That's enough Karai. We need to bring them to Master Shredder.
Karai: No. I think we can give them a head's start.
She then turned to see Cali standing in front of her. She grabbed her, startled, and held her defensively.
Tiger Claw: Release her!
Karai: Relax; I was just wondering how you really felt Tiger Claw. I think you would agree that we can let Cali and her friends go, right?
Tiger Claw tensed up and looked from Karai to Cali.
Tiger Claw: I suppose a heads start would not hurt anyone tonight.
Tiger Claw glanced over to Cali to see her gently glowing. As the glow became stronger, Karai got nervous and let her go.
Karai: What's happening? I didn't hurt her, did I?
Mikey: Oh no, she glows when she gets nervous, scared, or hurt. Cali, did you get what you need? Are you ok?
Cali calmed down and slowly turned into Karai. Karai slowly walked around Cali examining her. Leo finally came to his senses only to see two Karai's looking at him. He passed back out.
Leo: I love heaven.
April: You have got to be kidding me. Guys, we got what we came for. It's time to go.
April and the real Karai walked over to Leo to help him up. Mikey and Cali walked over to Tiger Claw, who was still very visibly tense as he was still trying to make up his mind.
Tiger Claw: You have a rare talent.
Cali: Thannnnk Yooouu Tiggggerrrrrr Claaawwww. Seeeeeee yoooouuuuu aagggaaaiiiin?
Tiger Claw: I hope so. Please let me see you one more time.
Cali smiled and turned back into herself.
Tiger Claw: Rare, indeed.
Tiger Claw looks over to a nervous Mikey who was there to protect Cali, even though he knew he couldn't against Tiger Claw.
Tiger Claw: If anything happens to this gentle soul, I will seek revenge on the world, until no happiness survives for anyone. Do you understand small turtle?
Mikey nods.
Mikey: Whatever you say Tiger man. We gots to go Cali.
Cali smiles at Tiger Claw one last time before turning to follow Mikey. April looks at the now revived Leo and sighs.
April: Make it quick, Leo, the others are probably waiting for us.
She smiled and then headed back to catch up with Mikey and Cali.
Leo: Karai- I… I don't know when I'm going to see you again.
Karai: We will see each other soon. I'll make sure of that. Give my love to my father.
She smiled and looked over to see Tiger Claw already starting to head in the direction of the lair. She glanced back at Leo who was looking like a beaten puppy.
Karai: Ok, loverboy, your head start is starting to run out.
She smirked, leaned over, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before leaping off towards Tiger Claw.
Leo smiles lazily before heading back to catch up with his friends.
Tiger Claw and Karai stop for a minute.
Tiger Claw: Cali needs to remain a secret. No one can know about her. She is a gentle soul that needs to be protected. I will keep your secret if you keep mine. Understood?
Karai: I think for the first time, we now finally understand one another.
With that Karai leaps off again leaving Tiger Claw who smiles to himself right before he follows her.