Normally, Mona didn't condone violence, and this was no exception. Mona rested a hand on Raph's bicep stepping to his side, sending a silent warning to Raph. She wouldn't allow these two brothers to fight over her.

Leo snapped his eyes to her, alerted by her movement, hurt flickered across his gaze until he resumed his stoic stare at his younger brother.

"Leo." Raph began, trying to be the talker for once.

"How could you? Lying and slinking around." Leo snapped, making Mona flinch behind Raph.

"Look, it's not like we planned this." Raph tried, not quite sure how to explain to his eldest brother.

"Leo, I'm sorry. I should have told you. All of you." Mona blurted, ashamed for being caught in this situation.

"Mona, I thought." Leo faltered, his stance softening slightly, as he took in her form. She looked beautiful. Beautiful and beside his brother. Her hand was resting on Raph's shoulder, not his.

"I'm so sorry." Mona cried slightly, her voice cracking. She was fully aware of Leo's looks and was paying the price for not addressing this issue earlier. She had hurt him, and for some reason that hurt more than she had anticipated.

Raph looked to Mona, worry filling his system as her eyes looked glassy, her form crumpled against him. Leo was hurting her, and that wasn't ok.

"I don't accept this. Whatever this is." Leo spoke, his voice bringing Raph's attention back to the problem at hand.

Raph's anger flared, not appreciating the statement. Since when did he need approval to date? Just because Leo was jealous didn't give him the right to meddle in others personal affairs.

"You don't have to accept it, but it ain't gunna change. Mona's mine and your just gunna have to accept it!" Raph barked.

"Raph!" Mona cried out, shocked, but her cry was ignored.

"We'll see about that. What will Master Splinter say about this secret relationship?" Leo retorted sharply, a sneer crawling to his lips.

"Master Splinter won't do anything, and even if he tried it wouldn't matter. Accept it Leo. Mona chose me." Raph shot, a smirk graced his face.

"Raphael!" Mona shouted. Raph shot a look to Mona, he knew he was crossing dangerous waters, but he needed to finally put his brother in his place.

"She only chose you because I never got in your way." Leo spat

"She chose me because I was better. For once I was better Leo, and I won." Raph shouted.

"Is that all this was? A conquest to see who could get to the mutant girl first?" Mona whispered.

The brother's heads snapped in her direction, shocked by her statement.

"What? Hell no!" Raph snapped, outraged she would think so lowly of him.

"Mona we would never compete for you." Leo looked to Mona, rejection plaguing his mind.

"Than what is this about winning? Why did you say you won Raph? I am not a fucking prize to be won." Mona screeched, the stress overwhelming her.

"It was just an expression. I would never compete for ya. I know you chose me because you like me and I liked you. That's all there is to it." Raph moved to toward Mona but stopped when she moved back. She shifted her gaze to the floor, wrapping her arms around herself. She pushed her anger for Raph's 'expression' aside.

"Mona we would never compete for a girl's affection." Leo lowered his stance, watching as Mona retreated into herself.

Mona looked from Raph to Leo, overwhelmed by the situation. She nodded her head numbly, of course, she liked Raph, but she didn't want Leo finding out like this and she certainly didn't' wan the rest of the family knowing like this.

"Leo, please don't say anything about tonight," Mona begged, locking eyes with Leo.

Leo seemed to recoil, betrayal and hurt flashed in his eyes briefly before they hardened, becoming unreadable.

"You just want me to ignore this? If I wouldn't have found out tonight would you have ever told me?" Leo snarled.

Mona felt her anger flare, not appreciating the insinuation that they were doing something bad or wrong.

"I would have told you when I felt it was right. This is my relationship with Raphael, not yours. I am in charge of what I tell people and when I tell them." Mona folded her arms across her chest.

"So you would have lied to me? You treated me like a fool. A fool!" Leo's defensive nature returned.

"It wasn't your right to know. It wasn't right of us but, it was my choice. You aren't my parent Leo. I am allowed to have my own life." Mona shouted, her anger overcoming her.

"Leo, back off. Look, what's happened, happened. Let it go." Raph stepped in, wanting this to end, Mona was stressing and he could tell it was taking a toll.

Leo was quiet for a moment before sheathing his swords and stepping back.

"You both are despicable. You lied to our family about this relationship. You snuck behind our backs. I hope you both feel proud. I will talk to Master Splinter about this because as far as I'm concerned I want you out of our home Mona." Leo was calm and cold.

His heart was shattered inside. The girl he thought was different wasn't even willing to honorably tell him, but instead, go behind his back as though he was stupid. An ache thumped in his chest, his breathing was difficult.

Mona was shocked, her anger instantly dissipating. Leo wanted her gone?

"You can't do that Leo. You can't kick her out!" Raph roared, outraged at how far his brother was taking this. He wouldn't let Mona be taken from him like this.

"I will do what I please, after all, you two seem to have no qualms about that." Leo hissed before shifting his gaze once more to Mona.

Mona stared back, unable to find something to say.

"I trusted you, Mona." Was all he said before disappearing suddenly into the night.

Raph yelled for Leo to come back, running to the other side of the building.

Mona sunk to the floor, her breath ragged as sobs racked her body. Her eyes blurred and she couldn't seem to breathe. Leo trusted her and she had betrayed him. He wanted nothing to do with her anymore.

"Mona." Mona flinched back, as Raph crouched near her. He felt his heart thump painfully as he watched the tears stream down her face, tears caused by his jackass of a brother.

"What have I done?" She whispered, leaning into Raph as he pulled her near.

Raph hushed her as she cried, curling into his warm chest.

"Hey, c'mere. You didn't do anything. Everything's gunna be fine. Don't worry. Leo's just pissed. I'll make sure you aren't going anywhere." He soothed her, speaking whispers of comfort into her ear. He stroked her back as she started to calm.

"I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave you." Mona whispered, stroking the leathery skin above his plastron.

"You ain't goin' anywhere. Don't worry about it." Raph rumbled.

Mona didn't respond, but simply remained in Raph's strong arms, hoping he was right.

Hello Everyone, I'm finally back. Thank you for your patience, but I'm finally back in the swing of things. Hopefully updates should come a bit faster now. One again, I appreciate all the reviews I have received. And regarding Starry Night for those who might have read that story I had taken down due to re-editing, it should be up some time soon. Once again, thank you for all the support and I hope I continue to please!

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