To: 'bout the chan-

**Note please that "chan" is a term of endearment used to express intimacy and/or affection. Not always for children.

So in the instance where Splinter called Karai "Karai-chan" he was being polite and speaking to her as a father would to a child, but in the same way showing his affection for her in the fact that she is caring for Leo. Karai would not have found this rude then, but perhaps slightly awkward since he was not her father or father figure. But by no means find it rude; since, as a master, Splinter would have the right to call her "a child" that since she is not yet a master (even if she is the head of a clan he is still her elder and respect for elders is more important than personal insult in Japanese culture).

*Also….Otosan is "father" while Otochan means "daddy". Note the "chan".

Thanks for the cultural note though.

*San is Mrs. /Mr./ Ms. (informal) and Sama is the same but formal. Kun is informal for one younger than oneself, same as San.

Onward.


Chapter 6:Kaifuku

It had been nearly three months since Leo had been attacked, multiple issues had been addressed, argued over, and finally settled. Leo was finally coming home since his legs had healed fully. But for now he was in the Foot Headquarters' Dojo, moving through a Kata at fast, almost violent pace. He felt better than he had in years, refreshed, the heavy weight he'd been carrying for so long seemed lighter, less ominous.

Karai entered the Dojo and stopped, brown eyes widening slightly in surprise.

Leo's frame flicked through the dimly lit area, the small areas of light making the sweat glimmer on his frame; each curve of muscle highlighted.

Intriguing how…almost…attractive he is in the normal sense…at least right now…

Leo turned and stopped, panting lightly, a half smile on his face.

"Kon'ichi wa Karai-chan," Leo greeted.

"Kon'ichi wa Leonardo-kun," Karai murmured, "I thought you were supposed to be taking it easy?" (kun is like san).

She ignored his attempt to flirt by using the "chan" term of respect and used the term "kun" which told him that she was younger than her and should be respectful of that.

Leo chuckled and walked over to where a towel was tossed over a railing, ignoring her rebuttal. If she to be his wife…shouldn't he at least try to make an attempt at wooing her a little?

"Karai…I thought we've been over this. 'Taking it easy' and me don't get along very well," Leo replied as he walked over to her with the towel over his shoulders.

Karai rolled her eyes.

"The Techs and your brother believe they have the solution to our public marriage problem, they wish for you to come down immediately," Karai said as Leo began cool-down stretches.

Leo straightened and sighed.

"Can I at least shower first?" Leo stated, an eye ridge raised in question, waiting to see her reaction.

"Fine…but hurry," Karai snapped, aggravation evident in her voice and perhaps a small bit of embarrassment at his blunt request.

"Yeah, yeah," Leo said as he headed out and toward the elevator that would take him up stairs, smirking as she glared after him.

"Baka," Karai muttered before heading out and toward the Tech lab, "probably would have even if I said no…stubborn Turtle."

~*~

"Donatello?" Karai inquired as she entered the lab.

Don was flipping through a large book, eyes skimming the page as he searched for something.

"Hello Karai," Don greeted without looking up.

"Well?" She demanded.

"Where's Leo?" Don asked without looking up.

"Taking a shower." Karai stated simply.

Don gave her a 'excuse me' look over the top of the book.

"He was training and insisted before coming here," Karai snapped when she saw his skeptical glance.

Don snorted and then went back to the book.

Karai glared at him and pounded her fingers into her arm, glancing at the clock in annoyance.

"At least he's doing something, means he's feeling better," Don said suddenly.

Karai only snorted in response.

"Now don't act like that Ms. Saki, it doesn't suit you," Leo greeted as he walked in, "I figured you'd want some tea. Don coffee."

Don reached out and took the offered cup before straightening and setting the book down.

Leo cocked his head.

"Tad Williams…Otherland?" Leo questioned.

"It's a series, first is Land of the Golden Shadow," Don said simply.

"I didn't think you were into fantasy," Leo murmured, eyeing the elaborate cover.

"It's a Scifi," Don muttered before turning toward the work station behind him, "Ok…Leo come here."

Leo approached and stood still.

"Shesh do you ever stop growing?" Don growled, noticing that Leo had again grown a few more inches, now standing roughly 6'4".

Leo chuckled.

"It's not like I'm trying Don. Isn't Raph six-five?" Leo asked, "Mikey I know just hit six foot."

"Don't rub it in," Don growled, who had just reached 5'10".

Karai couldn't help but chuckle slightly, slightly amused by the brotherly banter realizing to her surprise that Don was right, Leo had gotten taller again. He'd been growing a lot lately, she'd noticed it at their first Diplomatic meeting, that he was the same height as her, now he was taller.

"You're just built smaller bro," Leo chuckled.

"Hmph," was Don's only response, though a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Don took a small diamond shaped gadget and placed it on Leo's chest, right over the sternum, and then proceeded to grab another thing.

"Ok, this you wear as a bracelet, by pressing one of the small blue buttons on the sides it will activate the cloak on your chest. This bracelet gives the cloaking device something to register….basically it needs to know where you stop." Don said simply, "Now put this on, step behind that short-screen and hit the button."

Leo did as he was told and waited, to which nothing happened.

"Um…Don…" Leo sighed.

Don grumbled and darted forward, pulling the diamond off Leo's chest and examining it, a few seconds later he placed it back and nodded for Leo to try again.

Leo hit the button and this time a young Japanese male replaced his terrapin features. Leo yelped as the device activated and shook his head before his eyes widened in surprise.

"Wow," he murmured, "Wait…my carapace…is-"

"Gone," Don finished for him, you're human…not just a cloaking device…it makes you temporarily human. At least while it's activated anyway."

Karai gave him a startled look.

"If he's-" she started.

"I think, that might also solve the problem of the heir. But I'm not certain yet. I still have no clue if Leo is even fertile," Don replied before she could finish.

"I love it when you talk about me like I'm not here," Leo grumbled.

Don cracked Leo a grin.

"Ah….but isn't it wonderful dear brother?" Don chuckled as Leo scowled.

Don grabbed a few clothes that had been folded on the table and handed them to Leo. Karai blushing slightly as Don handed the clothes off and looked respectfully away.

"Change and Karai….I think it might be good publicity if-" Don started, turning to see Karai with her back to them and resisting the urge to laugh.

"I am seen with my fiancé before the wedding?" Karai finished, eyes still averted.

"Precisely, I might not be thrilled with this alliance thing…but I'm going to do my best to make sure there aren't any unnecessary snags…" Don muttered.

Leo stepped out from the larger screen that was adjacent to the shorter one he had been behind at first, now clothed in a simple white dress shirt and black slacks.

"Thanks Donny," Leo said softly.

"You also might want to brush your hair," Don grumbled.

Leo sent Don a sad look.

"On it," Leo sighed, placing a hand on Don's carapace and blinking in surprise at the difference in how it felt.

Karai respectfully slipped out at Leo's glance toward her.

He nodded his thanks.

Don sighed as he fidgeted with the tools on the work bench.

"I'm…just worried things aren't going…to…you aren't going to be happy. Bro…she doesn't love you at all…she barely tolerates you. Can you live with that? With…a sheet of ice for a wife?" Don finished softly, brown eyes locking with Leo's golden-brown.

Don stared at the figure in front of him, the lean, agile Japanese male, high cheekbones, broad shoulders, wise features. Dark hair slightly disheveled and dressed in a simple dress shirt and black slacks. He might as well have been looking at a stranger.

"Can you handle hiding your whole life behind a mask?" Don whispered as he looked Leo in the eye.

"I've made my choice to protect my family. If that means giving up the hope for a mate, my freedom to be myself, and if that means I hide until the day I die…then so be it. My family is worth all of that Don. You and Raph, and Mikey, Sensei, April, and Casey. My family is worth this…choice. Stop doubting me, stop questioning and please…stand at my side on this. Don…for the first time in years I actually feel how old I'm supposed to feel…twenty…not sixty. I've still got a lot to carry…but the fear that my brothers are in danger is gone…you're safe. That's all that matters Donnie. That's it," Leo replied, squeezing Don's shoulder.

Don looked away and then back, swallowing as he did.

"I don't trust her," he mumbled.

"I'll sleep with a tanto under the pillow okay?" Leo sighed.

Don chuckled and then shook his head.

"Fine…whatever…I just…you already have…been so…" Don trailed off.

"Burdened?" Leo offered with a wane smile, "this feel so weird."

He glanced at his hands and then flexed them.

"How did you do this…the English version," he ended quickly.

"Genetic Manipulation…I took you genes encoded them into the device and then tweaked the device so that it translated your genes into that of a human male…preferably of Japanese ethnic background," Don replied.

"Fascinating…" Leo mumbled as he examined the bracelet, "Though…I'm not overly exuberant about wearing a bracelet when I'm in public…"

Don chuckled.

"Don't worry I'm fine-tuning the concept. I'm hoping to have it just to the chest plate thing like what the Foot Tech Ninja use for their cloaking devices," Don replied.

"Fair enough," Leo sighed, "I better get going…"

Leo turned and half stumbled away, struggling to adjust to the change in weight and equilibrium in this form.

"Have fun," Don called sarcastically.

"Of course," Leo replied just as sarcastically.

Don shook his head and sighed.


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Kaifuku-recovery