After settling with the course of action, the four turtles returned inside, happy to see that their father was still behind the shogi. They had no idea that a fracture of their conversation had reached master Splinter's ears and ignited suspicion from him. What's gotten into them all, Splinter hadn't the slightest idea, but somehow he had a vague thought that it had something to do with the matter Leo and him discussed yesterday. Folding his ears close to his head, the old rat mumbled to himself:
'What would you do, master Yoshi? My children deserved much more than this...'
Outside, the youngest turtle was about to jump on the stairs toward his room when Don yanked on his mask's tails:
"Not so fast, Mikey! I'm not allowed to use the computer, remember? You'll have to help me transfer the data so I can take it to Chaplin."
"W~what? But I don't have a clue of what's inside your computer." The baby turtle whined "What if I accidentally unleash a virus to the whole internet? Why don't you ask Raph or Leo?"
"Nice try, but if you're smart enough to crack my computer for game downloading, you can do this much. Beside, Leo and Raph's knowledge about computer is nowhere near yours. Now see hereā¦"
While Don showed Mikey the necessary files for transferring, the subjects of their problem just stood in the living room. Leo's lips almost curved to a smile, touched by how his brothers decided to help him and Raph. The nice feeling was short lived though:
"Alright, now what do we do?" Raph asked, carefully keeping his voice low enough for only him to hear.
"We wait, what else? Until Don figures out about our relation, I rather not take any risky move."
"Duh, ya already took a lot of 'risky moves' riding with me on this. I'm just asking what do ya wanna do right now? We have three days, and I don't wanna keep a mask on my face all the time around sensei. In case ya forget, I'm undergrounded, too."
As much as Leo wanted to ignore the facts, Raph was right. Three days could be either very long, or very short, depending on how they wanted to spend it. Glancing over the TV, Leo pointed:
"Wanna play some game?"
"The knucklehead's game? Seriously?" Raph couldn't believe what he just heard.
"I'm not allowed to train or meditate, what else can I do? Besides, neither of us are any good at Mikey's game, we can enjoy losing together." Leo said with a sheepish smile.
"Did my kiss fried yer brain or something? I'm going to the dojo." Raph said before walking away from him.
Leo really wanted to pull the hot head back and suggest a run in the sewer instead, but he quickly discarded that option. Raph would think that he just wanted to spend some times alone with the hothead, and that Leo was forcing himself on the emerald turtle. That's the least of what Leo wanted to do right now. Before he could think of something else for them to do to pass the time though, the red clad turtle was stopped in his track as Mikey jumped out from the lab, as if a pack of hungry wolves were after him:
"Nuh-uh, there's no way I'm gonna drag myself all the way to Chaplin's lab. I'm not a genius, and you know the equation between me and lab, right?"
"It equals a disaster." Don said nonchalantly "But if you're not going to help me, along with Leo and Raph, which will help relieving you from this punishment, then I guess I'll go with someone else."
Mikey's mouth gaped at that, his face contorted into a mix between agreement and disagreement. No matter how much he wanted to deny the fact that the sooner they solved the relation problem, the sooner he could get back to his game. But something nagging inside him prevented the baby turtle to cooperate. Fuming, he turned around and grabbed the turtle nearest to him at that moment, Raph.
"You're not the only one who can find loophole." Mikey said over his shoulder to Don "I can work my own way out too."
Before Raph could say anything, he was already pushed down the sofa and a controller was shoved into his hands. Mikey flopped down next to him, beaming a smile yet speaking through gritted teeth:
"You'd love to play some game for me, right Raphie-boy? I need to get to the next level but since I can't play so... you know...?"
The flash in his baby brother's eyes was something Raph had seen around the time when he's determined enough to become the Turtle Titan, mixed with when he took down Kluh for threatening his family. Raph doubted he could find a way to escape, so he just grumbly turned on the console:
"Fine! I'm not allowed ta go out anyway. But don't blame me when I lose!"
A little sad because he couldn't spend time with Raph, but Leo was happy to see that the scenery before his eyes was so normal he thought the incident about him and Raph never occurred. Turning to his genius brother, he said:
"Well, I guess it's just you and me. Let's go see Chaplin."
:::
The trip to the Foot headquarter had never been so relaxing. Instead of prying on his brother about his new relationship, Don was happy enough to drown them both, especially Leo, in the sea of knowledge about gene and mutation. Leo had absolute no clue what Don was talking about, but at least the endless rambling made him temporary forget about the troubles they're facing. Surfaced on a manhole near the Foot tower, Don dialed for Chaplin to pick them up. A black limousine stopped short right outside the alley where they were hiding not too long after that, its driver politely opened the door for them, revealing Chaplin and Karai inside:
"Hey Donnie! Didn't know you'll be coming so soon!" The red-haired man beamed at them "We just had a meeting with the mayor. Need a ride?"
Neither of the turtle refused as they dug swiftly into the luxurious car. The driver waited for them to settle in front of his masters before taking off toward the tower. Chaplin never even bothered to hide his enthusiastic:
"So, what's your experiment about? I'm curious about your mutated body as well. It would be fascinating for me to help. That is, if you allow it."
"Whoa, hold on!" Leo held up his hands "Donnie! You told him, I mean, them?"
"Well, he just told me that he needs equipment." Chaplin answered for the turtle "That he's conducting experiment regarding your mutation. I don't think that's something to be secretive about. Besides, I don't hide anything from my darling."
While saying that, the man casted a dreamy glance at Karai who just gently smiled back. At the wedding, that scene would have caused knots in Leo's stomach, but know, he found that it was just like seeing a couple kissing in one of Splinter's soap opera. Karai saw that the blue clad turtle was looking at her, so she asked:
"It was not very long since our last conversation, how are you faring?"
"Good, I think. I'm actually feeling much better."
The look in her eyes told Leo that she had no intention of sharing the content of that conversation to other, so despite the questioning look from Don, he just shrugged.
They stopped inside of the Foot garage, safe from the public eye and for the turtle to come out. Don went with Chaplin to his lab for the equipment, leaving Leo with Karai. At first he thought that their moment alone together wouldn't be awkward and uncomfortable anymore now that he had gotten over her, but he was wrong.
"I must admit, Leonardo-san, that I am curious about your swift recovery. Chaplin and I were afraid that you would be upset for some time. Do you wish to share the remedy of your situation?"
There went his relax moment around her. At least it would be nice for him not to concern himself with his feeling for her anymore. It happened just the day before yesterday, yet it already felt like it was something of the distant past. But then Leo wasn't sure as to how to tell his former nemesis about his new relationship, with his yet-to-be-confirmed blood-related brother, no less. In the human world, that was something beyond despicable, so he wasn't sure how Karai would take it. It's true that she told him about the diversity of love, but she also didn't tell him anything about love among siblings.
"What can I do, Karai? I have to face the fact that you and I weren't meant to be together. It hurts, really, but that's how life is. We've had worse." Leo slowly picked through his words "Right now my main concern is just my brothers, and how we can continue to live on under this city."
Karai's eyes never left the leaf green turtle and didn't miss any vibe or gesture Leo was giving off. The contract of the irises, the curves of the lips, even the vein on the neck, she captured them all. Leo was speaking the truth to her, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for the turtle that she nearly stole the heart from. It was relieved to know that he had move on, but as of how he did it, he didn't tell her. Karai knew Leonardo for so long, she could tell when the turtle was telling the truth. The concern about his brothers was only the tip of what he truly wanted to share with her. There's more to the remedy of Leo's feeling, but she would leave it at that. For the time being, knowing that he's happy was good enough.
"Did I say something? - Leo suddenly asked, snapping Karai out of her observation mode.
- Oh, no. Of course not. I was just contemplating what you said. It would be a little too soon to look for another love, anyway. Your family should be your top priority now. But remember, we are no longer enemies. Should there be anything you require, or when you simply need someone to speak to, I shall be here."
Leo was grateful to hear that, and he fought to restrain a sigh in relief, knowing that Karai wouldn't ask any further. He was far from ready to tell her that he's in a romantic relationship with his brother.
Don came back not long after that, a suitcase of equipment secured in his hand, saving Leo from the growing silent between him and Karai. Her husband was, as always, oblivious to the atmosphere:
"... And don't forget the molecule decompositor's instruction. It's not very difficult, but requires precise control to get the best result."
"Thanks, Chap. I really appreciate all this." Don lightly tapped on the suitcase "If everything goes well, I might be able to pull this off without using the computer."
"Don't be too hard on yourself. It's kinda silly for you to be a back seat computer-using, knowing that Splinter can never find out what you do up here." Chaplin scratched his head.
"I know, it's part of self-discipline. He can punish us for the rest of our lives without any result, or we can improve ourselves without all these punishment."
"I don't get all that, but I guess whatever floats your boat, then. Good luck with the experiment."
:::
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Raph gave the punching bag everything he's got.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
He imagined the object of his release to be Mikey, or Leo, whichever worked for him. He was just trying to be extremely nice, helping the bonehead clear a game he never played before. Raph had to squeeze the urge to seal Mikey's lips with a stapler every time his baby brother yelled him to jump or to dodge at his instruction. He finished half of the game anyway, no thanks to the knucklehead's constant shrieking and shouting. But what made him want to explode was not any of that...
...
"Take that, you ugly boss!" Mikey cried in triumph, as if he cleared the level himself.
Raph slumped on the sofa, totally beaten up. If he had to choose between having tea with the Shredder and playing game with Mikey screaming in his ears, he probably went with the first choice. How did the bonehead stick with this stupid thing everyday anyway?
He wiped a sweat across his forehead, felt like running a marathon when a soda can popped up right at his face. Glancing up, Raph saw his baby brother was holding the can, grinning sheepishly at him.
"Thanks." That was all he could manage before accepting the drink and poured it over his burning throat.
"Thank you, bro. I need to update my score regularly. Couldn't have done it without you."
"Ask Don or Leo next time, 'cause I never touch this game again." Raph said after a long gulp of soda.
Mikey just beamed at him and for a while was being happy for what Raph did for him.
"So... how did you and Leo get together?" The youngest asked absentmindedly.
"Wha- what?" Raph almost choked on the beverage.
"Just curious. For some guys who were head over heels for Karai and Joy, you guys sure turn on each other a tad too fast, don't you think?"
"We ain't 'head over heels' for those girls, not anymore, nimrod." Raph resisted the urge to swat the sea green head.
"But you have been. And just because they refused you guys doesn't mean there's no one else for you." Mikey insisted.
"In case ya haven't noticed, there ain't many girls for us mutant turtles down here."
"What about Sydney?"
"Oooh right, why didn't I think of that?" Raph answered sarcastically "Maybe because we haven't heard a word from her ever since she escaped from the underground. Heck, we don't even know where she lives."
"What if you know then, what would you do?" Mikey pressed.
"What's gotten inta ya today?" The emerald turtle finally had enough "Yer acting as if I'm some kinda desperate virgin."
"Well, you kinda are. Are we desperate enough to turn to each other?"
"Looks who's talking: one of the only four giant, mutated, talking turtles ever live." Raph mocked "It'll be real swell ta find some mutated turtle chicks for each one of us. As far as I remember, ya never got any luck with anyone, and ya said yer the cute one."
Mikey was silenced for a few moment and Raph thought he nailed the bonehead. Or did he?
"Okay, so the chance of us meeting some turtle girls is second to none - the orange clad turtle admitted - We had no choice but to stick to each other, I get that. But then... why Leo?"
Raphael thought he was ready for anything the sea green turtle threw at him. Anything but that. He just froze.
"Everyone knows you and Leo don't get along really well. And to be honest, you're not really his type either." Mikey sounded like he was joking, if it wasn't for his straight face "If I have to say, you're better off with Donnie, or even me, since you guys... OW! What was that for?"
The last part was for the smack Raph gave him right on top of his head. The red clad turtle sprang to his feet, storming to the dojo, fume escaped from his head.
"That's none of yer business! This is between me and him, so keep yer nose out of it, capish?
With that, Raph slammed the door to the dojo behind him, walking straight for his punching bag.
...
Recalling the talk with Mikey just made Raph wanted to punch harder. The bonehead just didn't get it. Why did he keep digging in? Not too long ago he was still grossed out because of just one kiss, now he talked like he was some kind of psychologist. And what's with the mate choosing crap? What in the world made Mikey think that Raph would better be off with him anyway? Did he slap the bonehead too hard? The 'thing' between Leo and him was just something they wanted to try, to see if they 'clicked' together. They had no intention of dragging their younger brothers into this mess in the first place. The problem about Don and Mikey busting them before they even begun this was completely not what they expected. Raph just wanted to save Don and Mikey from some broken heart, well, maybe just Mikey, since Don already got his crushed by April. If they had no desire for human, they wouldn't be suffered like Leo, Don and he were.
But then again, Raph couldn't get Mikey's question out of his head. The relationship between Leo and him was always a stormy one. Moving it up to romantic level could make it better, or worse. It was risky beyond anything the hothead ever tried, and he was the reckless one. How would Leo and him proceed from now, he had no clue, just like when he asked Fearless of what they should do for the next three days. The emerald turtle was never the sentimental type, so he was oblivious about sappy and romantic stuff, not to mention he had too much pent up energy to spend slowly for three long days. He's stuck here with the supposed-to-be mate, he didn't know what to do. They didn't have much in common, and he couldn't ask Leo for a spar either since Fearless was grounded from that. At least with Don he could go and tinker his bike, or with Mikey he could go for some spin in the sewer. But Leo...
Jabbed one last punch to the torn off sand bag, Raph slumped to the floor. He needed to have a long talk with Leo when he got back...
