(April's POV)

Donnie came over after patrol to hang out with me.

I was off patrol obligations again. Raph was only out for a couple days, so everything was kind of back to normal with me. Ever since that one time Donnie got hurt, I just kind of distanced myself from patrols. I needed more training before I can go out on them regularly.

My dad had to go to Buffalo for a conference and he was going to be gone until tomorrow evening. So I was home alone. It was kind of nice in a way being on my own and it also gave Donnie and I a little more privacy to cuddle on the couch without my dad walking in and making things awkward. Donnie and I usually always prefer to be alone to act like this with each other.

Look, I love my dad… more than anything in the world. He's literally the best dad anyone could ask for.

I even consider myself extremely lucky for having a close bond with my dad. A lot of people don't have close relationships with their parents, so the fact that I have good relationship with my father is something I always pride myself on. I could talk to him about almost anything and he trusted me.

It even surprised me when my dad actually sat down with me around the time that Donnie and I were getting serious and we had a talk.

Typically, dads usually don't tend to like the guy that's dating their daughter, it's just common nature for fathers. But my dad liked Donnie. He always thought he was a respectful, polite, friendly, and intelligent guy. My dad also always had nothing but nice things to say about him and respected him for what he and his brothers have done to help us in the past.

Well… getting back to the talk. It was during the time when Donnie was still injured and my dad noticed how much of my time I dedicated to helping him when he was hurt.

He sat down with me one time after I came home from school and he started to ask me if I was really serious about him, then as time went on… he asked me something that makes everyone see red when they talk about it with their parents. He asked me if Donnie and I were being intimate, but at that time we weren't at all.

I mean, within the past couple months we've been getting a little closer with each other, but we haven't actually… had sex yet. I'm not ready. Also Donnie has never done anything to pressure me into it or to make me feel uncomfortable and thinking about that always makes me smile.

Anyway, around the time of Prom, my dad actually had me go to a gynecologist to get a prescription for birth control. As surprised, slightly embarrassed and shocked as I was that my dad brought me to do that, it also wasn't that surprising in a way. My dad's a psychologist and an extremely logical thinker. He's also never been the harbinger of if I had sex before marriage he'd kick me out… he's always been understanding, realistic, and he trusted me and my judgement.

But it didn't end there. I noticed something else the morning after Prom when I came back to my apartment from Mona's. I walked into my room and saw something sitting on my pillow.

I immediately felt all the blood rush to my face when I saw that it was a box of condoms.

Okay, it was definitely embarrassing, but I knew my dad only did all this because he trusted me and wanted me to be prepared for anything that could happen.

Also, at some point… I probably will be ready, just not quite yet. I'm content right now.

Since we had the whole place to ourselves, we were in my living room cuddling on the couch and watching TV. His arms were gently yet securely wrapped around me and his chin was resting on top of my head. Everything with us always felt so easy and just... right.

We were just good together in every sense. Whether it was mentally, physically, or socially… we just had a connection in all aspects.

He wasn't just a boyfriend… he was also still my best friend and that to me is why I always really appreciate what we have. I admired everything about him.

His brain, his skills as a ninja, his work ethic, and… Okay, sure Donnie is more tall and lanky rather than more on the muscular side like the rest of his brothers, but he still had a pretty impressive physique to put it lightly, but going through intense ninjutsu training since the time you could walk will result in that.

But then I really look at him, and he in general just makes me feel so comfortable. His warm reddish-brown eyes, his short, clean kept medium brown curly hair, and that friendly and inviting gap toothed grin that always draws me in and makes me smile back at him on reflex.

I snuggled up to him more and I felt his arms close around me a little tighter and I felt his lips brush against the top of my head.

Once I am ready… I know I will not regret it knowing that Donnie was that right guy that my mom was alluding to in that letter.

(Leo's POV)

I was getting my shirt off the floor when I was turned around abruptly and pressed against the wall. Karai had a hand on my chest as she looked directly into my eyes with a coy yet mischievous grin on her face.

I just smiled back at her.

I still couldn't believe everything that's happened between us. Just thinking back to everything that's happened between us. Her initially toying with me, her kissing me, all those times she told me she wanted to kill me, then there was that time I thought she actually was going to literally kill me and she ended up putting herself back into my life and taking up every thought in my mind.

I don't know about that saying love is blind. But I know I'm definitely to blind to everything but her.

I was like the fly that just kept repeatedly flying into the black widow's web. She could always have the option of killing me… yet she never does.

I know she never admits it. But I know she has deep feelings for me somewhere in her.

She was still looking up at me and then she slowly leaned into my lips, lingering there and making me forget who I was for a second. Then I felt something brush my hand before I felt her force something into my hand and pulling away from me so painfully and teasingly slow.

I felt her lips brush my ear as she whispered, "Sayonara… Leonardo."

Then she darted away from me and went to the window. She gave me a crooked smile as she put on her facial armor and disappeared out the window. I stared at where I last saw her until I finally got the mental capacity to look down at what she put into my hand when she kissed me.

I looked down and I gulped and stared wide eyed at what was in my hand. It was pair of black panties… hers. They were all black with a lacey something or other showing some translucent areas here and there.

Wait… Karai gave these to me?

I clutched my hands firmly yet carefully on what I was holding and felt a smile spread across my face.

I was laying on my bed and still clutching the token Karai gave me in my hand and smiling at it.

I still couldn't entirely believe it. She almost never gives me anything and she just willingly handed something personal like this over to me.

This has to be my opportunity to do something. I want to give her something to show her how serious I am about her. I just don't know what I could possibly do to catch her attention. Flowers are nice… but they weren't permanent.

I want to give her something that won't wither and die over time.

I just need to think.

I was using a dremel tool that I borrowed from Donnie.

I may not be as adept at fixing or creating things as Donnie, but I knew how to use simple stuff like this. I looked at the smooth metallic surface with concentration as I worked. I finally made the last movement with the tool over the metal before putting it down and grinning at what I made.

I really hope she likes it.

4 days later

(Karai's POV)

I felt Leo's breath against the skin on my neck as I felt him all around me.

I was completely overwhelmed and I couldn't stop myself from digging my nails into his back for some self control. It was still entirely intoxicating to be with Leo like this and it was almost bittersweet at times when it had to come to an end.

It was like I felt relief and that initial desire still burning deep within me all at the same time.

With Leo… I just felt entirely powerful but also pitifully weak in that same instance.

We both were collapsed on the floor, both of us trying to desperately catch our breath. His eyes still not leaving me. He eventually crawled over to me with that genuine smile on his face as he leaned over to kiss me. I couldn't stop myself from pulling him closer.

Ugh, why does everything with him have to be like this?!

Leo and I were collecting our clothes and putting them back on as we kept exchanging glances and slight smiles at each other from across the room.

He still hasn't put his shirt back on yet. I watched as the muscles in his back creased as he moved. I resituated my armor and was about to leave when I felt his hands on either side of my waist, running up and down my sides with his lips gently placing kisses on either side of my neck strategically yet almost carelessly.

I was trying to resist the urge to just crumble under his touch. Then his lips were at my ear as he whispered, "Karai… close your eyes."

I glanced back at him and gave him a weird look. "Why?" I ask skeptical. I may let my guard down slightly with him, but I never leave myself totally defenseless. "Just do it… trust me." He says softly and presses his lips to mine again. I gave him a guarded and skeptic look as I closed my eyes to humor him.

I was so confused until I felt something against the top of my chest and around my neck, but it wasn't in a way I would usually relate these sensations to. Then I felt him turn my head back and felt his lips linger on mine again. My thoughts were still contorting in confusion.

"Bye Karai." He whispers in my ear and then I heard him dart away.

I opened my eyes and looked around to find myself alone and entirely confused.

Finally I remembered what my original thought was as I looked down and my face veered toward intense perplexion. Hanging on my neck by a very thin steel cord, was a light grey metallic circle, stainless steel, that resembled almost a ring type shape.

I felt entirely confused until I noticed something that further complicated my thoughts.

There was something on the outer side of the ring.

I felt my intrigue skyrocket as I noticed Japanese letters and symbols engraved on all sides, all of them beautifully created and looked like they were engraved on here by hand and maybe with the use of a minor tool.

I realized Leo probably did this himself. He knew Japanese and was completely fluent. I knew that for a definite fact.

When we were together, he'd let out this string of slurred, breathy words at times that definitely sounded Japanese but they were so slurred and soft that I could never pick out exactly what he was saying. Japanese is my first language and I still have no idea what he exactly says to me.

As frustrating as it is for me, it also weakens me further when I hear him talk like that to me whenever we were together.

I shook my head to focus on what I was holding up to my line of sight. The letters and symbols were sectioned off into four quadrants on the ring.

I started to read each part: Strength/ Honor/ Beauty/…..

When I came to the final quadrant, I felt every process in my brain come to an abrupt halt at what I saw.

In the last quadrant, written with perfect and accurate precision in the traditional Japanese writing… was my name.

I was totally unresponsive as my thumb brushed over the letters on the metallic surface. I must have looked at it for at least 10 minutes as my mind was trying to come up with a response.

As I kept looking at the steel ring, I felt myself slowly coming up with a response. My gaze kept training over the words repeatedly.

I slowly felt the corners of my mouth slowly curl up in to a smile.

Leorai and Apritello in this one! Hmm... looks like Leo may be getting close. I wanted to get this up before my next wave of exams and Thanksgiving break. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter. Thank you for reading and please review. I'd really value all of your opinions. (: