Author's notes- I do not own any of the TMNT or their compadres.
I should be coming to the end of this fic but I have way too many ideas with Karma that I'll probably do a saga for her. There'll still be unanswered questions at the end of this one too, so, watch this space!
Choices.
As we get back into the lair, Mikey heads straight for the sofa, grabbing the remote. I smile at my littlest big brother, wishing I could forget my troubles as easily as he can. I look back to my bigger brothers, Donny's frowning, and muttering something to himself. He catches my gaze and smiles, making his way into his lab. Leo's face is clearly plastered with worries and troubles on his mind and Raph's had the same far away look since talking with me on the truck. Leo lets himself relax for a change, taking a place next to Mikey on the sofa. Raph doesn't say anything and goes up to his room. I stand in the middle of the lair, in my damp dress, my wet hair sticking to my face. I pick out the soggy tails of my mask out of my hair and sigh.
"I'm gunna go in the bath." I say to anyone listening. Leo looks back at me and nods. I make my way up the stairs and into the bathroom to start running my bath, then go into my room to get some clean pyjamas. As I go back into the bedroom, I lock the door and slide down against it, crumpling on the floor. I sob quietly, hoping the running water will drown out my noise. Breathing out shakily, I glance over at the bath, almost full. I go over, dipping my hand into the water to check the temperature. I turn off the taps and rub my eyes. Sighing, I untie my mask then take off my weapons and dress. I put them in a pile, laying my wakizashi down carefully. I clamber into the steaming bath carefully, lowing myself down. I close my puffy eyes and try to relax but I can't and sit up again, washing my face, then the rest of me. I lay back and I dip my head below the water, wetting my hair, and begin to wash it.
'What do I do? The guys… do they even think the same of me? Jeez, I bet Raph and Leo are dead put off me now. Why would they let me in their home still? They should know I'd never do what Stockman asks of me… but why should they trust me? They hardly know me! I would never hurt any of them, I love them all too much already. Lovely, sweet Donny, always making me coffee in the morning… and cheeky Mikey who makes the best breakfasts ever… Leo, my biggest, most inspirational brother… and Raph… the hothead, the one who almost killed Stockman, and for who? For me?… No. No, heh, who am I kidding? He probably just hates his guts for destroying their home before. He wouldn't do that for me… would he?… No. He wouldn't. End of. I'm gunna just stay a few days, try to figure out where to go, and then get out of their way. I'll be okay. I mean, the guys did okay for themselves, look where they live! They don't need me anyway…'
I shudder as I pour cool water over my head to wash out the rest of the shampoo. I sigh and heave myself out of the bath, wrapping myself up in a towel. As the water drains away, there's a polite knock at the door.
"Yeah?"
"Oh sorry Karm, I thought you were out, I'll wait, I only wanted to get ready for bed."
I open the door to a slightly shocked Leonardo. His eyes scan my body quickly, and once he realises I'm wrapped up in a towel, he relaxes.
"You can come in, I'm only combing my hair." I go over to the comb on one of the shelves, and start to comb through my wet, tangled hair. Leo comes in, slightly shyly, and makes his way over to the mirror. He takes off his mask and rubs his eyes. He starts to run some water in the sink, and looks up at me in the mirror.
"There's something of yours in my room, it's in the drawer by my bedside table, just go get it out, I think you know what it is." His eyes look bare without his mask. I nod and smile weakly.
"Thanks." I collect up my stuff and make my way into my room. I drop my wet dress and mask then put my wakizashi on the end of my bed. Frowning in the mirror at my hair, I start to dry it with a towel. I get dressed into my pyjamas and Leo's words still hang over me. 'There's something of yours in my room…'. I decide to get it now, save disturbing Leo later. I walk past Mikey's empty bedroom, then past Donny's also empty bedroom. Raph's door is shut, and I can hear music playing quietly. I go into Leo's room and walk nervously towards his bedside table. I open it up, and a tattered black book lays inside of it, peering out at me. I almost fear it, and I pick it up quickly, as if it might jump out and hurt me if I don't.
'C'mon Karm, it's a book! It's not gunna hurt you, just get out of Leo's room and go back to yours and lock yourself away for a while.'
I pad carefully past everybody's rooms again, bumping into Leo on the way. He notices the book in my hands and puts a hand on my shoulder. I melt at his touch and fall into his arms. He hugs me back as I bury my head into his chest.
"What do I do with it Leo? It holds things about me, things I wanna know, things I'm not sure I wanna know. I don't know what to do."
"Imouto, you have three choices before you." Leo lifts up my chin so I look up into his eyes. "You can read it, you can put it away, forever or you can just get rid of it. Only you can make that choice Karm, but whatever choice you make, we'll help you through it, okay?"
"Thank you." I bury my head back into his chest and he strokes my hair.
"Go get some sleep now, you've had an eventful day."
I break away from him and nod.
"Night Leo."
"Goodnight, my little sister." He says, walking past me.
"Leo?" I ask, turning around. He turns back, giving a quizzical look. "Thanks again." I lift up the book in my hand and he smiles then carries on walking down to his room. I go back to mine, locking myself away for the night. I put the book on my desk, pick up my wakizashi, and put them next to it. I turn off the light, and get into my bed. I lay looking at the ceiling, until my eyelids fall heavily and I'm engulfed by darkness & dreams.