Choices and Chances:
Traveler:
The International Arrivals Terminal in New York was busy and full of lines. People were arriving from all over the world and passing through customs lines. Most looked tired, bored and aggravated with the length of the entry process. A few hopelessly sunny people looked around as if they were expecting some life changing surprise. One nineteen year old Asian woman with dark hair, nearly amber eyes and a quiet demeanor did not so much as raise an eye brow among the assorted travelers. She handed her passport over to the customs agent with a bored look.
"Kara Hamoto?" The man asked, butchering the name on the passport.
"Karai Hamato." She corrected though she doubted the man would give it a second thought.
"Anything to declare, miss?"
'You're a moron who is paid more than he is worth comes to mind.' Karai thought, but offered him a sweet smile as if she were just an innocent young lady. "Nothing to declare, just here to see the Statue of Liberty."
"Isn't everyone?" The customs man sounded bored as he stamped the passport and handed it back. "Welcome to America, you can move along."
Karai didn't enjoy public air ports, in fact that may have been one of the few things she missed about Oroku Saki. Saki had a private jet, but public travel was far lower key then flying in on a G6 plane. With only a small bag Karai pulled her hood over her head, hiding her face from cameras and passersby alike. Things had calmed over the last year, but she was not so stupid as to believe she and the Hamatos did not still have enemies. The night air was cool outside the terminal, taxis vied for customers and families hustled loved ones into waiting cars. Karai passed it by, proceeding into the parking garage where people parked vehicles when they flew on short trips. As she entered she pulled a letter from her pocket, taking the attached key from it.
My dear Angel of Darkness,
I'm glad you're coming by, I left you a present at the New York Air Port. Go to the parking, third floor, and fourth row. You should know it when you see it. I hope you enjoy it, I owe Don and Mikey chores for longer than I'd like to admit. I miss you.
Love,
Samurai
The letter from Leo brought a true smile to her face as she walked. She folder it and tucked it away as she took an elevator to the third floor. She only walked the fourth row for a minute or two before her eyes found a beautifully restored Indian motorcycle with custom paint and the Hamato crest on its fuel tank. She admired it from a few angles, running her hand over the smooth paint. The boys had clearly gotten better at what they could do with a vehicle, or perhaps it was just that this was not built for combat or patrol. She slipped on the black helmet she found with the burgundy bike, threw a leg over and inserted the key. When she turned it on the engine growled to life inspiring a far more predatory smile from the young woman.
Raph was sitting outside the turnstiles, glaring into open air and muttering about Mikey when the sound reached him. Something was moving quickly down the abandoned subway track in front of the Lair. He pulled his Sais and yelled back into the Lair, though he didn't hear Donatello's alarms. It was strange, only vehicles they'd installed some weird chip in should be able to pass this close without triggering the alarms. Leo and Mikey vaulted the turnstiles shortly after he yelled, standing ready.
"What's that sound?" Mikey asked and eyed the echoing tunnel. "Kinda sounds like the stealth bike but that's in the lab right now."
"I don't know." Raph muttered but he saw Leo starting to relax, easing his drawn swords back into their places on his back. He eyed his older brother but didn't have time to speak as a red bike pulled to a stop before them. The rider, even with a full face helmet, was obvious to the three gathered brothers.
"Karai's home!" Mikey all but screamed, tossing his chucks and running over to hug her. He lifted her off the ground in his excitement and they heard a muffled chuckle. "My sister is back!"
"Hello Michelangelo, can you put me down?" She said behind the helmet. He set her back on her feet and let go, bouncing excitedly in place.
"Does Sensei know? Was your trip okay? Are you staying?" His rapid questions paused as looked toward the bike again, then glared at Leo. "Hey, wait, I know that bike! Leo! You didn't tell us that was for Karai! You knew she was coming?!"
"Welcome back, sis." Raph offered her a smile as she set the helmet on the cooling bike. She walked over, squeezed Raph's shoulder and thanked him before looking at Leo.
"Hey Samurai." She smirked and Leo smirked right back. They didn't pay attention to Raph dragging Mikey back inside. Karai shrugged her pack off her shoulders, than slipped her arms over Leo's shoulders to hug him close. He ducked his head into her neck, hiding his red face as he squeezed her tightly. She laughed lightly again. "You've all gotten taller, I still remember having half an inch on you when I left. Well, Raph is still short."
"Raph will always be short." He muttered back. After a long moment he pulled back enough to meet her eyes. "I'm glad you're back, for however long you'll stay."
"I'm glad to be back." She leaned her head against his. "The bike is amazing."
"Your welcome." He grinned playfully and she played with his mask tails.
"Leo." She waited until he nudged her and dropped her voice to a gentle whisper. "I missed you too."
Leo didn't have to think of a reply to that, Karai kissed him and his mind went blank. Later he would have to thank Raph for dragging Mikey off and for keeping him from running straight to Splinter with the news. The two stood in the tunnel, in the shadows outside the Lair entrance for long moments. When eventually they came in Mikey bolted from Raph's side as if he'd been poised for it the whole time.
Author's Note:
I had to visit my other favorite TMNT couple here. Their world isn't meant to be perfect in these one shots, but I'm mostly just visiting events in their lives rather than one long story arch. Please review and let me know what you think.