Negative Space 8

Amber found herself in the training room soon after April and the ninjas left to retrieve her things from her studio. She felt very nervous about everything. Also being in the underground lair alone, added to her anxiousness.

She walked into the huge training room. Eventhough she wasn't much of a religious person, she lit a stick of incense and placed it out of respect at their small alter. Some pictures were on a shelf just above the alter. A man, a woman, and and a baby dressed in traditional Japanese kamonos. Near that, a picture of the ninja worriers surrounding what looked a rat man wearing a robe.

Amber stood near the alter studying the pictures. After comparing the features of the man in each picture she could see he and the rat man were the same person. An overwhelming feeling came over Amber.

What happened to the man ,the baby, and the woman? Did they loose eachother? Who were these ninja worriers?

Amber turned to look at the tree. This time the moonlight came through the vents above. Making the tree's trunk and leaves shine, like strips of silver and irredecent pearls. Amber found herself sitting below its branches. She felt safe there as if someone was there with her, holding her. A warm feeling keeping her safe from this horrible world around her. She leaned herself against the tree, and fell asleep.

Leo lead his team out of the lair into the night. It was just like doing a regular patrol, accept this time they were investigating Amber's art studio. Everything seemed clear as the reached the building's roof. He scanned the other rooftops for anything suspicious.

"Don and April, I need to have you stay here, securing the perimeter. Don set up some surveillance so we can watch this place from the lair. I want to check up on who enters and exit's this building."

The team got to work quickly. Leo led the others into the building while Don found several places to hide minute microphones and cameras. He set his spy roaches out. He even tapped into the signal thermal cabinet gaining access to the building's network. April walked along the building looking for anything suspicious.

Leo tried to use the access code that Amber gave him.

"ACCESS DENIED"Flashed red on the screen. Leo texted Don within moment the screen turned green.

"We have fifteen minutes. Be on the lookout for anything!" Leo warned. The two other bowed slightly before they entered.

Right away Leo could see that the authorities had need to the building. He pointed out motion detection sensors on the eves of every door.

Fearless:Don. We need to have motion sensors fixed.

DoctorD:On it. Wait for them to switch to green. You also have some hidden cams too! I will use this as a short cut for our needs too. _

Leo watched as the little unnoticeable buttons all changed to green.

Fearless:Thanks D! Now check Amber's studio. We are almost there.

DoctorD:I gotcha all set up.

Leo cautiously led the team into the studio room. All of Amber's paintings looked disheveled, there were markers in several areas in which the authorities had probably took notes and thought things looked suspicious. Mikey and Raph took out their night vision waited for their eyes to adjust.

"Remember guys, just the things Amber told us. The duffle bag in the closet, the satchel near the door and her hairbrush and toothbrush in the bathroom." Again they nodded to their leader.

"Whoa Raph!" Mikey hissed. "Look at these paintings!"

"Leo come see this!"

The leader looked down at the tagged art.

"I think she accidentally painted someone's secrets."

Leo could see several Leaders if the Mafia together in a restaurant. He knew by the picture that her subject had nothing to do with the meeting but how the light bounced from the architecture of the room. The painting of the people were just casually formed in. He could see several pages of her sketchbook filled with the same architecture.

Leo quickly scooped the sketchbook and her satchel up and met Mikey and Raph at the door. He used a rag to close the door before making his way back to the roof.

"We have what we need let's clean up and go!"

"Guys...We have company! Time to bounce!"

Sirens could be heard several blocks away. The group sprinted as quickly as possible to get away. A sound like fire crackers came from behind. April screamed as a bullet hit her left shoulder...Don jumped catching the redheaded woman.

"Sniper's!" Don yelled out in Japanese. So that anyone listening wouldn't just know what they were doing. This was taught to all of them at a young age by their father.

"Mikey! Smoke bombs! Now!" Leo yelled back.

Within minutes an array of purple smoke surrounded the group. When the smoke cleared they had gotten safely into the sewers. Leo and Raph walked ahead. Don carried April, and Mikey kept look out from behind.

"April will be alright, right D?" Mikey called ahead. His question laced with concern for the redheaded woman.

"Looks like she's just been winged. Nothing a bandage can't fix." He smiled down at April.

"Really Donnie... I could have walked..." April stated flatly."You're just looking for a reason to carry me..." A slight smile grew on her face.

"Shhh..." Don put a finger to April's lips. "I'll get you to my lab, and fix you up."

Leo looked back to Don and then to Raph with a smirk.

"Yes April...He'll take you to get all fixed up...In his lab." Raph echoed back.

"Donnie, put me down. I can walk." A slight blush rose in April's cheeks. The tall ninja set her down. He glared at his two brothers for ruining his moment.

"Should we share with Amber what happened at her studio?" Don asked, desperate, to change the subject.

"I don't think so. She's been through a lot. I feel she's keeping things bottled up. I sensed it earlier. When she spoke about the little kids she used to babysit in her building. All of this has been hard for her to process. I feel like she is trying to find a place if safety..."

The others agreed with April. They talked over the plan to help Amber. They walked April safely to her home, where Don bandaged her minor wounds. When the others weren't looking April gave the ninja a kiss and hug. His brothers made sure to tease him about it on their way to the lair.

April's words weighed heavy on Leo's heart. He wished he was able to help Amber more.

She must feel so lost and confused with all that's happened...He was completely surprised to find her under the tree in the dojo when they got home. He quickly ran to his room for a blanket to put over her to keep her warm. he could tell that she hadn't slept for several days.

Amber awoke with a start. She had a warm blanket round her. She slowly sat up to find that she wasn't alone in the training room. Leo sat infront of the alter. Amber watched the leader. Her mind's eye became intreged with him.

Leo sat down close to the alter and his body was mostly in silhouette. He turned his head hearing Amber stirring. His eyes now resembled blue diamonds Amber's breath hitched. His eyes seemed to capture her.

Amber couldn't speak...He walked over to where she was sitting. His frame glowed with the backlight in the room. Amber found herself frozen, overwhelmed with his image. She didn't speak until he was face to face with her.

Amber reached out, she touched the side of Leo's face her artist brain was on fire. He watched, being taken back by her behavior.

"Amber, are you alright?" He closed his eyes feeling her hand graze his cheek.

"You're so beautiful..." She scooted closer to the leader. He could see that her countenance had changed. She seemed almost in a trance.

"Amber.."

Before he could finish his sentence her lips were capturing his, in a gentle whipser of a kiss.

Leo's breath hitched, never had he been touched by anyone in such a way. Leo found himself reaching up touching the woman's face. Reacting to the brush of her soft lips leaving an echo of sensations, a slight sigh came from within him. Leo wanted so badly to kiss her back.

Ambers lips slid from Leo's with a soft pop. He breathed deeply to keep his composure. He could still feel the warmth of her breaths ghosting against his could take her at any moment.

"Amber..." His voice was low. Her eyes met his once more. Leo's hand remained on Amber's face.

"Why did you kiss me?

"I just felt I needed to..." Her face grew red, and her eyes fell to a spot on the floor. "Your my soldier that I painted."

Leo's eyes scanned over face. Before he could speak her lips caressed his once more this time he gave in to the kiss embracing her. Amber felt safe in his arms.