Chapter 4

"You came to the right turtle! I've got all the finer things a Turtle needs." Mikey started to count on his fingers, "Like Pizza, action figures, comic books, stuffed lizards-"

Donatello promptly brought Mikey back on track, "Mikey, we're kind of in a hurry." Donatello crossed his arms and tried to hold back his annoyance.

"Not that you took a half hour just to put on pants." Karai jabbed teasingly. Donnie's brows lowered, but pretended to not hear her comment.

"Oh yeah, one pair of glasses coming up!" a cheerful Mikey gave them a wink and started to tear through his room searching from the closet to behind his action figure collection. Nothing was spared in Mikey's pursuit as anything and everything was flung into the air.

Donatello dodged some underwear that went flying in his direction and cringed, "Now This, is a slob." he debated to no one .

"Hmmmmm. No. No. Nope. Ehhh... OH that's where it went, I forgot about my..."

Donnie interrupted again in an urgent tone, "Mikey, we're tr-"

But Mikey popped up into Donatello's face and with a smooth voice, "Don't worry bro, I got ya covered." As if by magic, Mikey flicks his wrist and produced a pair of nerdy thick-rimmed glasses and proudly gave them to Donatello.

"Where did you..." Donatello stood there blinking, but then smiled, "Thanks Mikey." Donatello took the glasses and attempted to put them on his face. Wearing glasses though, as Donnie quickly found, is a little hard without a prominent nose and ears.

Karai chuckled, "Aw, you need help getting dressed still?" Karai took a step toward him.

"Sh-shut up!" Donatello stepped away to protect his precious face from her touchy hands.

While Donnie struggled to secure the glasses to his face. Mikey's head was slowly bubbling with thought. "Hmmm wait a minute... night time, fake glasses, street clothes..." Mikey let out a gasp and turned around to face them, "You're going on a secret mission!"

"Um, No Mi-" Donatello waved his hands in protest and tried to explain but Mikey was already too enamored in the would-be mission, "I want to play as the secret agent who's under cover as a secret agent!" Mikey squealed as he gave his best cool and in charge pose.

Karai had been smiling during the whole scenario but it wasn't until now she audibly snickered. She was still new to whole clan's dynamic, but it was far from boring. Actually, she loved it. It was always so lively and natural with them. She almost wanted to bring Mikey with them, but it really was for the best to leave him.

"Mikey, we're not going on a mission! We're just going to get some ice cream." Donnie was finally able to spurt out.

"Ooooohhh! Oh! Oh! Me too" Mikey eagerly bounced and raised his hand, "I want peppermint and jellybean flavored ice cream! Unless they have pizza flavored ice cream, that would be... the ULTIMATE ice cream!" Mikey's eyes shimmered in euphoric hope.

Donatello patience was wearing thin as he raised his voice, "Mikey, we can't take you with us! We're trying to keep a low profile by NOT bringing a large group! That's why we dressed up in the first place, so we don't attract attention!"

All the banter and noise though had attracted the attention of a certain ninjitsu master. Before anyone knew there was a figure in the doorway and a parental voice asked, "Where are the two of you going?"

Both Karai and Donatello's eyes grew wide, their insides dropped, then panic set in. That was it, they were caught! They both knew Splinter would never allow Karai to leave when there was any possibility of danger. Karai quickly thought of how she could work herself out of the situation. If she could manage convince Splinter they weren't leaving and then later on sneak out...

However, in that moment Donatello couldn't force himself to cross Splinter – not when it came to Splinter's beloved Karai.

"Well.. uh... we were just.. going to" Donnie cleared his throat and timidly spoke, "We were getting some ice cream. Just a quick trip! We'll watch each other's back and keep safe."

Karai mentally slapped her forehead, "Great, now he'll be watching us all night AND we'll never be able to leave!" Karai rolled her eyes.

Splinter candidly pointed out, "There is ice cream in the freezer. There is no need for you to leave home."

"There's no ginger ice cream." Karai chimed in with a neutral tone, but her posture said she was on the offense.

"Or peppermint and jellybean ice cream." Mikey felt obligated to point out.

Splinter always being one step ahead promptly added, "Then have one of the others pick up some ice cream from the store."

Karai wasn't about to agree. One way or another she was leaving and she was going to eat ice cream. That wasn't just an excuse, she really did want ice cream. Furthermore, she still had her plan. She began to think that acting mature may be the only thing to persuade him. Karai kept her cool as she made her defense, "Father. I just need to get out. I've been cooped up for weeks and it's driving me crazy. I know you're worried but Donatello will be with me. We'll keep low and won't draw attention to ourselves. Moreover we're both masters of stealth. We'll be fine."

Splinter looked away and sighed to himself. "Fine. You may go."

Karai and Donatello stared in disbelief, "Wait... really?" a shocked Donatello asked.

Splinter knew at some point Miwa... well... Karai would try to leave again. He was actually surprised she had remained in the lair this long. He stroked his beard in thought. As much as he feared for her safety, he thought it would better that she left with someone and on his terms. He could not keep her against her will, that had never worked before, but he would make sure she was safe.

Then Splinter sternly commanded, "But under no circumstances are you you leave the other behind or separate! You must keep each other close. I won't have anything happen to either of you. Furthermore, you will NOT get into a fight! You must not call attention to yourself. Stay in the shadows. If you see trouble leave and call Leo. Do not get involved!"

The two of them nodded and tried to contain their excitement, "Yes master Splinter, don't worry I'll keep her safe!" Donatello reassured him. "Thank you, father." Karai politely bowed.

Mikey did a little victory dance, "Alright boyyyy! Peppermint and jellybean ice cream! Here. I. Cooome!"

Splinter raised an quizzical eyebrow, "Michelangelo, they are wise in keeping a small group. You'll stay here. They can bring you back ice cream."

"Aww man!" Mikey groaned, his freckled face pouted.

Splinter turned back to Karai and Donatello to add one more contingency, "You have one hour. If you both aren't back by then, every minute that passes I will spend meditating on how you'll be punished."

"Hai, Sensei." Donatello respectfully bowed. The two of them said their goodbyes, but didn't dare say anything more least Splinter would change his mind. Dressed up and ready to go Karai and Donatello rushed toward the lair's subway exit. They both were feeling giddy believing they had done the impossible: sway Splinter.

Mikey yelled after them, "Dudes, don't forget the peppermint and jellybean ice cream!" Splinter just sighed and shook his head, "Teenagers."

The inconspicuous two left Master Splinter's and Mikey's sight, around the corner of the main entry way and down the subway tracks. Karai leaned towards Donatello and said, "Hey dork, let's have a race. Last one to the manhole gets to pay for ice cream."

Donatello grinned, he thought he had more than a winning chance, "You're on!" He cheerfully stretched out his arms and legs to warm up for the race.

Karai then leaned closer, whispering near his ear, "Just don't forget what Splinter said - 'stay close' to me."

Author Notes:

Thank you to those who waited for this chapter! I'm spacing out when I upload chapters so it gives me enough time to make edits and revisions for current and future chapters. That way I can keep updating consistently rather than sporadically.

Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. I'm sorry this chapter doesn't have as much Donnie and Karai interactions but it was important to the main story and I hope you still found it enjoyable. Next chapters will have more fluffy and sweet moments! Maybe some light will be shed on Leo and Karai? Please follow for future updates. Once again thank you for reading *politely bows*

Glossary

Hai: Yes

Sensei: teacher

Ninjitsu: Tactical fighting style related to ninjas/shinobi