Raph's mind came to a screetching halt for a moment as he stared at his older brother in stunned disbelief. Setsuna? April's cousin? Setsuna the troubled-confused-pregnant-rape victim? He blinked as Leo inhaled sharply, waiting for him to respond. And when Raph finally did, it wasn't what Leo expected to hear.

"Well...uh... I know that we don't know much about her but she's a pretty gal. And being kin to April is another plus so maybe things could work out for you if you have the chance..." Raph said awkwardly. Leo exhaled the breath that he had been holding and gave his brother a small smile.

"Thanks Raph."

"Oh- Don't thank me yet Leo. First I want to know your reasons. Why her?" Leo gave him a strange look as if he didn't understand his question at first, then after a moment or so got an Oh look on his face as understanding dawned on him.

"I think it's partially because she needs someone to look out for her and protect her. She's fragile, yet in her own way enduring. But her strength is slightly superficial. One small kink in the armor and the rest of it could fall away stripping her bare."

"So you chose her because she's a princess in need of a white knight? Please tell me that that isn't the only reason's why you chose her."

"They aren't. But I won't figure out the rest until I get a good feel for her personality."

"Oh...well... That should be easy." Raph said wryly. "All you have to do is show up at her place one night and say, I'm here to mate with you. Then she'll scream, possibly miscarry the baby-"

"Shut up Raph. You make it sound like I would endanger her for my own selfish reasons." Leo growled in an irked tone that Raph had never heard before. Putting his hands up in a placating gesture, Raph tried to convey that he meant no harm by what he'd said. He'd just been pointing out things that may have slipped Leo's mind. After all April's cousin was not only in a delicate condition, but a delicate place in her life where she needed to regain her control and independence.

The last thing she needed right this moment was having a ninja stalker. God knew that that in itself could be frightening for those who didn't know of them or understand what they were.

Seeing Leo even for a split second could cause her to go into shock and miscarry. Or worse, to feel as if she may need psychological help. And god knew how Leo would react to that.

"Look Leo all I'm saying is that you need to be careful about moving too fast. Don't show yourself until she's comfortable with your presence and has a good feel for your personality. Don't do too much for her or she'll become helpless. Don't do too little for her or she'll feel as if she isn't cherished. Find a way to strike a balance without endangering her or the baby." Raph said as he put a hand on Leo's shoulder and used his brother to help himself up then quietly left the room.

Leaving Leo gaping at his back in stunned disbelief. Holy hell, when had Raph become so grown up?

(*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************)

Splinter sat in his room with a large wooden chest open in front of him, staring at the contents. The crisp white lace and the semi traditional wedding gown that he had sewn for his eldest son's mate when his sons had all been but children.

He reached into the chest and carefully picked up the pale blue and purle and silver circle of flowers meant for his future daughter in law to wear in her hair and for the millionth time since the day he had woven the stems together, looked it over with a critical eye. His son's didn't know about the wedding dress, veil and flowers. Nor did they know about the sterling sivler wedding bands that he had made for each of them and their 'possible' human counterparts when he had been younger.

He opened his mouth to speak but then shut it, realizing that telling the items that they would soon find their way into someone's hands was pointless. Clothing had no will. No mind. Yet he sensed that something was at work with his eldest son.

He knew that it was highly probable that Leonardo had finally gone into his mating season. Which could be why he had attacked Mikey during training. After all he'd started to notice various things about his elder son's behavior that were similar to his other son's when they had gone through their mating season.

He was acting more anxious, like he was waiting for something and was worried that too much time may have passed. He was irritable. He had less of an appetite and hadn't been eating much.

In fact, if Splinter had to guess he'd think that his eldest son might have already found his mate and was merely anxious about how to make his move on her. The thought was a little bit amusing, but only the smallest bit since Splinter knew his son's personality so well.

Leo was quiet, reserved, thoughtful, feircely protective- and when he gave his heart over to something he did so without holding back. But those were only the surface qualities of his personality.

He was also shy, supportive, gentle, and awkward- dear lord the boy was awkward. The first time Leo had ever said anything to April had been after they had met, when he had been trying to make friends with her. He had embarrassed himself and her. So much so that April had had to leave the lair for an hour or so just to compose herself before coming back and trying to talk to him again.

I hope whoever he chooses will take those aspects of his personality into consideration. Splinter thought as he put the circle of flowers back into the chest then carefully closed the lid. Once again shutting the contents away as he thought, But most of all I hope whoever she is, she makes him happy.