CHAPTER EIGHT-Neesa's generous gift to a stranger and finally returns home

Two days later

Neesa prepares to return back to North America. But first she had to set the computer on timer while the cloning grew in progress. And also set the timer upon her palmtop to remind her to go back before the clone woke up.

Both Neesa and her cat left the mansion, closing the door behind them and commanding the vines to recover the mansion, hiding it from sight so no squatters may try to house themselves while unoccupied. She called for the wild stallion roaming around the forest in a soft bell whistle, while waiting they walked towards the forest just outside the mansion.

Unaware while she waited for the stallion to arrive that she and Zahra were been hunted. Zahra's ears twitched and stood in aggressively defence, without saying a word. Neesa remained still, not turning as she sensed the enemy hiding among the bush.

"Remember the boss wants the girl alive and the cat made into shish kebabs." Trafficker leader ordered

His three followers nodded. Splitting up in all directions, assuming they are not detected while taking position. Crawling closer toward neesa and the large cat, preparing to attack. Neesa slowly reached into her trench coat, grasping her Sai and bamboo tiger katana.

The trafficker leader stepped out of the bush holding a rifle as he huskily demanded. "Turn around and surrender, girlie."

"Who are you girlie...dead little shit." Neesa hissed lowly

"Show your respect to your elders." He huskily told

"I do respect my elders and you are not one of them." Neesa huskily replied, throwing her sai toward the criminal jungle trafficker

The Sai, Neesa threw had pierced through his jugular...instantly killing him. The other three criminal traffickers tried their chance at Neesa as they revealed themselves from the bushes, firing the guns. Zahra leaped into the bushes and began stalking the last trafficker in the far back while her mistress took on the other two that tried to attack front on.

Neesa stood still and waited as they searched for her when she disappeared in the trees when they fired their guns. Their comrade grunted as he was taken from underneath him and his throat bitten out. Choking on his blood as he made curdling sounds, zahra leaped into the trees and quickly camouflaged herself among the thick tree branches.

As one trafficker searched for Neesa and the other double backed for their comrade, saw the missing man was laying on the ground, bleeding out and covered the ground with his warm blood. Raising his weapon, ready to fire when he heard the ruffling sounds of the leaves been disturbed from above them. Circling around and continued to watch the trees and walked backward toward the low snarling sound behind him. Feeling the scarce as he slowly turned around and faced the dark opening of the gigantic tree trunk where Zahra hid within, growling and snarling. Preparing to attack, the overly scared man leaned in the trunk opening, trembling with fear. He leaned in close enough for the large feline to leap out from hiding.

The frightened trafficker shouted in fear as he was attacked. Zahra dug her claws deeply into his chest and torso, tearing an flesh opening in his mid section of his body. Then biting his throat out, bleeding the man.

One criminal jungle trafficker remained and walked around when he realised that he was alone. He shouted out, calling for his comrades.

"Jose...Pedro...Sean...anybody."

Neesa leaped down, standing behind him and retrieved her bamboo tiger katana. "Now it is your turn...asshole." neesa lowly stated

The man grunted, swinging his gun around and ready to fire when neesa threw her sword straight to his chest, making him fall to his knees and dropped his gun. The sword had pierced his lung and caused internal bleeding as neesa walked towards the injured man, grasped the handle of her sword, pulling it out of his chest then swung it across through his neck. Cleanly decapitating him, blood spattered over her face and around the body on the trees, grass and leaves of small plants.

Sheathing the sword in its case on her hip and returned to retrieve her sai before walking away, leaving the bodies to rot. The stallion finally arrived and stood near the tree trunk where zahra stood beside the horse waiting. Grabbing her duffel bag then climbing the stallion's back.

As they travelled through the jungle, Zahra's appearance begun to change into a domestic house cat so it was easier to travel on the plane back to Franklin. Reaching out of the jungle close to civilization where she can request a ride to the airport, jumping down from the stallions back and instead patting his neck...neesa gently grasped his jaw and cuddled him, thanking him. Gently caressing his cheek and gazed into his beautiful dark chocolate brown eyes. "Thankyou my friend." neesa whispered said, releasing the horse's jaw and walked away. Zahra followed behind Neesa than she stopped, she ran back and gently rubbed against his foreleg. The horse gazed down and a small smile grew as he leaned down and gently hugged the mystical feline.

Neesa stood close by and smiled as she watched zahra and the jungle guardian shared a hug. The stallion neighed softly as zahra returned back to Neesa and they continued their way. The stallion returned to the forest and disappeared.

One of the villagers approached her with his ran down old jeep but she didn't care as this was all he could afford. "Hi miss...do you need a ride somewhere?" the villager asked

"Where you travelling to?" Neesa wondered kindly

"I'm travelling to the city." He replied

"Would you mind taking us close to the airport?" neesa requested

"I'm going near there, would you like get in and I can take there." The villager replied

"That would great, thankyou." Neesa answered, picking up zahra then jumping into the jeep

"That is a fine animal." He stated

Neesa smiled and patted her head. "She sure is." She replied

Two hours later...they finally reached the city airport. "Thankyou...uh...I didn't get your name, sir." Neesa thanked as she stammered wondering what to call him.

"Joseph...Joseph Maleek. Nice to meet you." He answered, holding his hand politely

Neesa politely grasped his hand and shook it as she replied. "Nice to meet you too, Joseph Maleek...I'm Neesa Swiftstone."

"Take care of yourself, Neesa." Joseph assured her

"I will and stay safe...here." neesa replied, handing a small envelope with some cash

Joseph took the envelope and nodded. "Good bye Joseph." She farewelled

"Goodbye." He returned the farewell

Neesa walked in the airport and caught a plane back to the United States. As Joseph opened the envelope, he was stunned to what he had seen. He couldn't believe the generosity of a complete stranger that he just met. Not wondering further and went to spend the cash on enough food and other supplies desperately needed to feed his family. Returning home with his jeep that could fall over from weight of the supplies that had never carried home.

Parking up to his little house as his wife and children walked out then saw the jeep was full with all sort of things including food. "Joseph...where did all this come from?" Maria asked stunned, cradling their youngest son

"You would believe me if I told you, darling." He replied

Staring all of the food and supplies that was desperately needed and just smiled as she cupped his cheek. "It doesn't matter how or where it came from, the main thing is that we can feed the children."

Joseph smiled and held her hand and leaned in close, making their foreheads touch as he softly kissed his wife. "Let's get everything inside." he suggested

Maria nodded and smiled. While she took the baby back inside and Joseph tried his best to carry the supplies when his wife returned to help him. Forever grateful for the generous fortune that was given and never questioned. Maria sat upon her husband's lap, draping her arms around his shoulders and neck, gazing into his eyes as she smiled.

Their eldest children played on the floor with the toys their father bought for them. Also showing their grateful gratitude. Maria thought out loud. "Thankyou whoever you are, kind generous soul."

The next day

Finally arriving to the Boston Airport, collecting her duffel bags and the carrier with zahra laying inside. After one hour waiting in line to get through customs, they finally arrived to the airport entrance/exit and hailed for a taxi. It was a busy day for taxi drivers as there were alot of people coming and going.

Suddenly one taxi driver noticed that she was waiting and drove up. "Need a ride miss?" the taxi cabbie wondered, leaning over the gear stick.

Neesa walked to the door, lean down and gazed in the window. "Would you be willing to drive to Franklin?" Neesa replied

"I can do that. Would you be able to pay for the fare that far?" the cabbie answered, worried

"That would not be problem." Neesa told him, smiling

"Alright then. Hop in." he said, getting out of the driver seat and opened the back to place Zahra on the back seat. "Oh man...your cat is heavy...what do you feed it?" the cabbie wondered, panting as he tried to carry the heavy disguised feline.

"She is one of those Himalayan King Persians, they are naturally heavy." Neesa explained

The cabbie driver didn't say nothing else after and just placed the cat in the back then buckled the seat belt around. Then returned to the driver seat as he waited for his fare to get in the vehicle as she placed her duffel bags in the trunk.

Meanwhile back at the ranch

Tealana and Mikey were sitting on the folded camp chairs as they watched their twins, nieces and nephews play together when Tealana suddenly felt a familiar presence as she did before when they were teens. "Tea...Tealana...you alright, do you need rest?" Mikey assured, worried.

Tealana smiled and replied softly. "No...Neesa is coming home. I can feel her presence...she is close by."

Mikey gazed surprised and unsure what to say except draped his arm around her shoulder and embraced her close. "If she is coming home what would you want to do to greet her home?" mikey wondered

"Let's throw a surprise home welcoming party...Neesa is coming home." Tealana replied

Mikey smiled and kissed her forehead without another word. The children ran up to mikey and Tealana. "Mama...papa...Somebody is coming." Yoshiro said, reciting exactly what Tealana said earlier

Mikey gazed his son shocked and gazed Tealana...she gazed him smiling and nodded. Returning the smile and stood up. "Alright, lets go inside and get the party ready." He suggested, leading the children with Tealana inside and called for his brothers to help with the decorations and while they started the cooking.

"What are ya going on about now knuckle head?" raph grumbled

"We have to decorate the living room before Neesa arrives to the house...tealana said that she is coming home now." mikey explained, rushing for the decorations.

Raph stood stunned and confused as he scratched his head. Mona walked in the hallway, wondering the same thing. "What's going?"

"Neesa's is coming home...are you gonna help or not?" Mikey asked

"No need to snap." Mona reminded him

"Oh sorry...just excited." Mikey apologised.

"It's ok. What do you want me help you with?" mona asked

"The cake and fairy bread, please." mikey replied

"Ok mikey for you just this once." Mona told the orange clad terrapin

Mikey smiled and nodded returning to the meat lovers pizzas.

Tealana quickly assembled a game for the children to play with while she and the others did their part for the surprise welcome home party.

Two hours later...finally arriving the ranch as she looked around and noticed it was alittle too quiet, she begun to worry but kept a calm expression so the cabbie driver didn't suspicious or spooked. "Its quiet." He stated

"The family is properly out somewhere horse back riding they're be back soon." Neesa replied

Cabbie drive gazed neesa with 'o-ok' glance and didn't asked no more question. "That is $95.15." he stated, telling the cost of the fare. Neesa handed the exact fare and hopped out of the cab, retrieved her bags and cat.

She assumed the worst as it seemed to quiet. "Thanks for the ride, pal." neesa thanked the cabbie driver. "No problem." He replied, getting back into his car the drove away. Waiting until the cabbie drove at atleast a mile down the corner before Neesa allowed out of the box and touched her cat's head so she could change back into her true appearance. Neesa took out her dagger from underneath the pants strapped to her leg.

Walking up to the door, slowly and quietly as possible just in case it might be a trap waiting for them on the other side of the door. Reaching for the doorknob, zahra calmly walked up and softly scratched the door. Neesa gazed her feline and lower the dagger, sheathing it.

Opened the door and slowly walked inside, Zahra waited as she felt unwelcomed. Seeing all lights were off and silence filled all corridors of the house. Normally she wouldn't call out in hope of hearing response. "Hello..." she called, walking to the living room when switching the light on as everyone leaped out from hiding and welcomed her home.

"SURPRISE!" all shouted happily

Neesa nearly jumped out of her skin from the excitement she received. Tears filled in her eyes as she was happily surprised. "Wow! Everyone, I don't know what to say except Thankyou and I love you all too." Neesa happily cried

"You're welcome Dudette. The idea was Tealana's, she thought it would be good to throw a surprise party for you." Mikey explains

Neesa smiled and gently grasped his shoulder. "Thankyou...what have I missed since I've been gone?" Neesa wondered

"Well, the kids birthdays to start with." Tealana answered

"I'm so sorry. Did they get the gift I send almost a month ago?" neesa apologised and asked whether the gift arrived that was requested

"The puppies?" Mona stated

"Yes...the puppies." Neesa replied

"They're in the laundry sleeping." Tealana answered

"The kids are too young to understand about responsibility." Don statedly told her.

"Well something I saw that would be a good gift for the children until I returned. Besides there is someone that you all should meet." Neesa replied, telepathically called her young lioness inside to greet the rest of the clan.

[[Zahra...]]

The lioness is now 14 months old and is an very beautiful loving and gentle but also protective animal. Everyone gazed surprised and wondered curiously how Neesa managed to bring a lioness home without been caught from the wild life authorities.

"Whoa...Neesa. How did ya get a cat?" raph asked

"Well Raphael-san...she is a cat but a big one. I save her from poachers when she was only seven weeks old. Her family were killed...I adopted her and now here she is." Neesa explained

Arliana looked at her mother and wondered if she could pat the magnificent animal. At first Mona Raph were against it then decided to give Zahra a chance. "Neesa can we trust your cat that she won't hurt our child?" Mona worried

"Mona...I assure you that Zahra won't hurt Arliana or the other children...give her a chance and she will prove she won't harm anyone." Neesa replied

"Mummy, can I pat the kitty...please." Arliana asked

"Don't worry Mona...I promise she won't hurt her." neesa assured mona

Mona knelt down and nodded. "Go on...I can't see why not...be gently." Mona assured her daughter

"Are ya sure that cat won't hurt my daughter, Neesa?" raph asked again worried.

"Stop panicking Raphael...zahra knows about the kids and I promise she won't hurt them...I assure you." Neesa told him, assuring him once more.

"How?" raph wondered

"Telepathy." Neesa replied

"Say that again." He requested

"Zahra and I are connected, mentally and spiritually just like me and tealana are...but alittle different. I can see through her eyes and she see through mine, hear her thoughts and she hear mine also what she feels, I can feel." Neesa answered, explaining their connection

"Incredible and fascinating." Don said in an intrigued and impressed response.

"What's her name?" Mikey admiringly asked

"Her name is Zahra." Neesa announced

Raph raised his brow and gazed the large cat. "Zahra?" raph stated wonderingly

"Yeah...what's wrong?" Neesa warily asked

"What does it mean?" raph wondered

"Protector of the goddess." Neesa answered

"Is there a name we can call her for short?" mikey wonderingly asked

"Zori and it means 'beauty of the above.' Neesa replied

Gazing her mistress with a warily glare. Neesa telepathically assuringly told Zahra it was ok and she was given permission to interact with the others especially with the children.

The orange clad terrapin knelt down and held his hand, welcoming the large cat. "Come here, Zahra." He gently called

The young lioness obediently walked towards to Mikey, sniffed his hand then gently pushing the orange clad terrapin on his shell, licking his face and tried to take off his bandana. All laughed as mikey giggled.

"Neesa." Raph called

"Yes Raphael." She answered

The red clad terrapin gently grasped his lovers hand as they wished to ask her one request. "We have decided to tie the knot." Raph announced

"We also decided to do the same." Tealana announced afterwards softly.

"Really? When?" Neesa happily replied.

"This spring coming." Raph answered

Neesa smiled with joy as she asked her sister and mikey when they have decided to wed. "What about you, two?"

"In the middle of summer." Tealana replied

"Fair enough and congratulations. Here I have taken the liberty to make your wedding bands for you but it is up to which pair, you want." Neesa said, congratulating both couples and giving the choice which wedding bands they wish to choose.

Neesa created two set of wedding bands for both betrothed couples. One set was white gold with an cherry opal for the brides wedding band. The other was also white gold with an hyalite water opal.

Tealana immediately chose the water opal wedding band which neesa knew she would. Mona was grateful for the cherry opal. Tealana hugged Neesa and thanked her sister.

"Thankyou Neesa...we're very grateful." Tealana told her

"Happy to help, guys...we're family." Neesa replied, returning the sisterly hug.

Mona admired the bands so much she couldn't wait to put them on. "Neesa." She called

Neesa released tealana and faced Mona then softly replied. "Yes Mona."

"I want ask you a favour." Mona answered

"What you wish to ask of me?" she replied

"Will you be my made of honour please." mona requested

Neesa was astounded and honoured; smiling and accepted the request also she sensed that her sister wishes to ask the same request. "Of course...I would be honoured. I would love to be your made of honour for your spring wedding." Neesa answered softly

"Oh thankyou...thankyou neesa." Mona replied happily as she lunged towards neesa, draping her arms around the red haired maiden's neck and almost falling to the floor also taking tealana along with them for the ride and giggled.

Giggling and smiled with happy glee. "Welcome Mona and you're choking me girl." neesa said as she tried to gasp for air in between the tight embrace.

Releasing her grasp around Neesa's neck and allowing her to stand. "Sorry Neesa...so very happy that you accepted my request...thanks a big bunch." Mona excitedly replied

The blue clad terrapin finally walks in the living room, to greet Neesa also welcome her home after almost three years. Neesa sensed and noticed one familiar face and naturally walked up to Leo and hugged with no hesitation. Leo was surprised and smiled as he returned the hug.

Pulling away and gazed into each others as they greeted.

"Hello Neesa." Leo greeted

"Hello Leonardo...how are you?" neesa replied

"I'm good..you?" he answered

"I'm well thanks. Where's masuki?" neesa replied, wondering where masuki was after being away for so long.

"She is sleeping." Leo answered

Everyone else remained silent as they watch Leo and Neesa connect, not taking noticed they were watching and listening. Neesa smiled and grasped his hand before Leo asked if she would like to go for a stroll outside and catch up on missed times together but not without Zahra following not far behind them.

Zahra leaped upon Leo's shell, pushing him down to the ground and tried to take his bandana. Neesa laughed softly and leaned down, patting her cat to allow Leo up from the ground. Zahra stepped up and walked back, allowing Leo to stand up. "So Neesa what is with the...OH WHOA SHE IS A BIG CAT. Hee ha ha hmm..." Leo shrieked surprised

"Leonardo...this is Zahra. Zahra be a good girl and introduce yourself sweetie." Neesa announced her name and requested her cat to greet Leo.

"Hello Zahra." Leo said, introducing himself to the large cat holding his hand out for zahra to sniff before nudging against his hand, accepting him.

Leo knelt down and patted the cat. "Where did you get her?" Leo wondered

"I adopted her after rescuing her from poachers in Swaziland but unfortunately her family were killed." Neesa answered, explaining the horrific dilemma

Leo gazed the large cat with curious glance but also thought that it was a miracle, she is alive now. If it weren't for Neesa didn't leave some time ago. "How old is she?" Leo asked

"14 Months old." Neesa replied

Leo faced Neesa and enticingly fell the deeper into her eyes, holding his hand up and waited patiently. Neesa smiled, grasped his hand before she continued to stroll down the grassy path with Leonardo. Neesa telepathically asked Zahra to stay on the front porch until they returned.

A couple hours later...as the sun was setting

"Oh man...It's getting cold out here. I think we better go back inside before we get a chill." Neesa suggested

Leo smiled and replied. "It is getting pretty chilly out here. Race ya back inside." Leo challenged

Neesa cheekily smirked and devilish laughed as she answered, accepting the challenge. "You're so going to be sorry. See ya back at the house, Leo...Ha ha-ha."

Chasing after Neesa and softly replied as he cheekily smiled. "No cheating Neesa."

Placing her hands on her hips and gazed the blue clad terrapin with 'smart ass' glance. "Wha, me? Cheat? Never! You're just too slow, Leo...Ha-ha." Neesa laughed then started running, challenging the blue clad terrapin.

He watched Neesa slowly run away, challenging him to follow. "We'll see about that." Leo replied

Racing back to the house suddenly Neesa tripped over a rock and sprained her ankle. Luckily Zahra didn't hear even though lions do have excellent hearing. Leo knelt down and assured Neesa. "You ok?" Leo assured asked

Rubbing her ankle. "Yeah...I'll be ok. It is just a sprain. OW!" Neesa replied, as she tried stand

Leo sighed and lightly shook his head. "Here Neesa, let me help you." Leo offered as he leaned in, sliding his arms underneath her legs and around her back, picking her up and carried Neesa inside to avoid her sprained ankle getting worse than it already may be. Zahra followed inside after them, fretting.

"What happened?" Mona cried

"It is just a sprain." Neesa replied as Leo gently placed her down on the couch while he went to the first aid kit and grabbed a bandage as zahra laid in the way where Leo couldn't get to Neesa. "Um...Zori." Leo softly called

The cat raised her head and defensively glared the blue clad terrapin. Neesa telepathically requested the cat to move aside and settle. She calm herself, stood and sat beside the couch where she could lay her head upon the arm of the couch and Neesa reached over as she softly placed her right hand upon the cat's head and gently stroked her fingers through her soft fur. Leo knelt down and bandaged her sprained ankle. "Does that feel better?" Leo wondered, while bandaging her ankle.

"Alittle but it will be better in the morning. Thankyou Leo...hungry girl?" Neesa replied then faced the cat that behaved sookily.

"Would she mind if I pat her?" Leo warily asked

"Why don't you try to find if she will or not, Leo. She may let you...I can't see why not." Neesa answered softly

The blue clad terrapin reached over to Zahra and waited for her to accept his invitation to pat her. Zahra sniffed his hand then accepted his invitation and allowed him to place his hand upon her head as she purred to show Leo that he is accepted. Leo was amazed by the friendliness of the lioness as he feared Zori would not accept him and eat him for lunch. Leo sighed with relief now he feels welcomed and accepted by the large cat as she understands that he would never show a threat towards herself or Neesa.

"Wow! I was afraid Zori would not accept me." Leo feared

"Don't worry Leo...worrying will give you winkles. Besides if you weren't true, Zori would have gave you warning hiss before attacking you just to protect me...since she believes and senses that you would never hurt or betray me. She will protect and stay loyal." Neesa replied, as she hopped to her room with Leo's help.

Zahra walked up the stairs with ease and went straight to her bed in the corner of the room as she waited. Leo helped Neesa up the stairs and stood out her door and gazed into her eyes. Neesa returned the same gaze and smiled as she softly said. "Goodnight."

Leo returned the smile and replied. "Goodnight."

Neesa hopple into her room and closed the door behind her. Leo clicked his fingers and clapped his hands as he walked down the hall to his room with a huge grin on his face. Neesa leaned against her bedroom door and wanted to tell Leo how much she cared for him but feared that may not feel the same...so she didn't. Also seeing and realising that Leo isn't exactly ready to admit his feelings for her as he still feels guilty for Venus's death and also believes it is too soon so she pretends about she feels is nothing even though it is difficult to ignore the truth.

The truth fighting to come out...wanting to be know...wanting to be shared.

'Leonardo...I love you...and I hope you do love me too.' She thought and prayed

In Leonardo's room

'Oh Neesa...I love you...Please tell me you love me too.' Leo thought and prayed also fearing that he may face heart break again.

...

To be continued in chapter nine

Hmm...seems both neesa and Leo want the other to admit their feelings but also feared to be rejected. When will they come together?

I hope they will say the "L" word before the moment passes them by or they may never get the chance again. The longer they wait, the further the chance may slip through their hands.

Read and review until next time...tootles