A/N: Okay so I wasn't SO bad with updating in a relatively timely manner. I'm busy moving and bouncing back and forth between internet access homes. It's weird. Buuuut I managed to write up a rather interesting chapter, at least I thought it was interesting! We'll find out in the reviews won't we, Duckies? Haha! Okay, here we go! Read and review!

Jeremy cracked open his bleary eyes when the sound of giggling and dishes clanking around in the kitchen roused him awake. With the heel of his palm, the teen rubbed the sleep out of his eyes while managing to sit up against the back cushions of the couch he'd slept on the night before. Once he'd cleared his vision he yawned and glanced towards the source only to see the hybrid sisters gathered in the kitchen seemingly clucking away while making breakfast for the family. The teen gawked as he peered over the arm of the couch, fingers clutching into the pillow as he stared at them all.

Shiho at this point he was used to seeing, but now there were more. He'd heard about them but hadn't seen them all gathered in one place. Saundra intrigued him the most with her reptilian skin and snout, her thick and heavy tapping on the ground as she leaned against the counter with her back - a mug of steaming coffee clasped between her taloned fingers. He glanced at Fiona and marveled at her fiery bright and springy tresses that reminded him of that Disney princess...Merida, that's her name. Just as he was observing Maggie and blinking in disbelief that despite her blonde hair and blue eyes and realizing she was the spitting image of Shiho, a hoard of youngsters came bounding down the stairs to hover around their respective mothers.

"No way..." He whispered. Tall fox ears flicked open in his direction, atop Shiho's head, violet eyes piercing a stare that mesmerized him in ways he couldn't explain.

"M'hmhm, good morning, Jeremy. Care to join us all for breakfast? You're going to want to eat before the you go topside to go home."

Jeremy found himself entranced by the chemical brightness in Shiho's eyes. Aanika's eyes weren't nearly that bright and he couldn't help but wonder why. If he knew just how many chemicals Marcus used to inject into her retinas he'd vomit. There was still so much about the hybrids that he had to learn about, but thankfully, he had nothing but time. Watching the vixen bring the mug of coffee to her lips and take a drink, he cleared his throat nervously.

"U-uhm...sure. What's there to eat?" Jeremy tossed the throw blanket off of himself and placed his feet onto the cold floor with a shiver. He should have expected that it'd be chilly here underground, how Aanika lived with it was beyond him. He was freezing.

"Well my sisters are making some eggs and mixed fruit. Leo should be down to make his pancakes. He can't make much but his pancakes are to die for," Shiho gushed with a giggle.

"Oh please, you're only saying that because your his mate and you have to be nice," The gecko snorted. The remark earned a slap to the back of her head. "OW!"

"And just what is Raphael's hidden talent? Floral arrangements?" The two sisters bantered and bickered and Jeremy just watched while chuckling. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a very sleepy looking Aanika. She was wearing a pair of black cotton shorts that hugged her thighs and a Captain America shield shield t-shirt that rose above her belly button. With messy hair and a palm rubbing her eye, Jeremy found her to be absolutely adorable and he quickly closed the distance to embrace her once she'd stepped foot off the stairs.

"G'morning, Mr Bonetta. Hehe miss me?" Aanika teased while easing comfortably into his embrace. Jeremy nuzzled his nose into her messy waves with a deep breath and a chuckle.

"M'hmn, very much so."

The loud clearing of a throat startled the two teens apart. Leonardo walked right between his daughter and boy and headed for breakfast. Aanika grinned sheepishly, following close behind her father while mouthing 'Sorry' silently. Jeremy sighed and ran a hand through the curls of his hair as he just watched the family interact with each other. They all just seemed so normal, more normal than most of the families above ground.

"Hey...hey!" Jeremy's focus was broken by a tug on his pant leg. Glancing down to his left, he was greeted by Aanika's youngest brother, Artemis. At first he was taken aback, he was still finding it difficult to adjust to the sight of mutant turtles. But this little one was just so...innocent, he couldn't find any fear. With a grin, the teen knelt so he could meet Artemis eye to eye. "Are you Jeremy?"

"Heh, yeah. And you must be Artemis. Your sister has told me a lot about you. What's up?" For a moment, Artemis was bashful with a sheepish smile.

"Nothin'. Aanika said she liked you so..you gotta be nice to her or I'm gonna have to tell my daddy," Jeremy chuckled nervously, he believed the kid. Aanika glanced from where she was setting plates on the table, blue eyes carefully watching Jeremy talk with her little brother. Something inside her softened at the sight. A swipe at her tail by Leonardo put her back into concentration to finish getting ready for breakfast.

"Hey, pay attention."

"Yeah, yeah Daddy I'm going."

After breakfast, it didn't take long for Leonardo to get ready to go topside. His brothers and Aanika began to ready themselves as well when he stopped them before they all got too far. Confused as to his decision, he signaled for Shiho to join him by the entrance where Jeremy stood just behind him. Aanika had a funny feeling, one of mild anxiety that burned just inside her chest.

"Hold on guys, you're all staying here. Shiho, you're coming with me to take Casanova home," The tall vixen nodded, strapping her weapons onto her back. Jeremy noticed that she, too, wielded a pair of rather sharp looking katanas. He imagined it must be a family choice. Or at least, Leo's little family. There was a curiosity that lingered as to why but he imagined it was simply because they favored the weapon.

Aanika pushed ahead of her uncles, defiantly confronting her father with such an unreadable expression that Leo wasn't sure how she was going to react, but he felt there was an argument brewing in his teenager.

"Are you kidding?! Daddy, why?!" Yup. An argument.

"Because I said so. And you know better than to question me or my decisions. One more word out of you and you'll wind up grounded again. Don't test me, Aanika," Leo warned with a burning glare of his amber hues. Shiho placed her hand against her mate's arm.

"Do what your father says, Aanika, alright? We're just taking him home, you aren't missing anything."

"But why can't I come? That doesn't make any sense, I'm the one who knows where he lives and how to get there!" The hoard of brothers rolled their eyes as the young fox continued to banter with Leonardo. She was really asking for it.

"Aanika, I'm going to tell you one more time to not argue with me. Do as I say or it's 3 weeks," Jeremy glanced from behind Leonardo with a pleading expression for Aanika to just back down this one time. If she wound up grounded again he wouldn't get to see her and she knew it. If he hadn't looked at her Aanika would have continued but instead she yanked her weapons off her back and threw them at Leonardo's feet before storming away into the dojo.

"I swear I'm gonna pop 'er in the mouth, Sis, if she keeps that shit up."

"Relax, Raphael. She's a teenager. And if I recall from all the stories, you were just as bad. You slap my daughter I will destroy you," Shiho growled at her brother. The red clad ninja held up his hands in defeat and walked away. Donnie and Mikey remained. "Guys, can you talk to her? Calm her down? She listens to you two."

"We're on it. But, enlighten me as to why it's just the two of you?" Donnie asked, slipping the bo staff from its place on his carapace.

"Simple, we want to talk to Jeremy alone. I told Aanika this was coming but since Einstein over here wanted to follow her, I have to get this over with now," Leo nodded his head towards the boy who ducked away sheepishly, stupidly hiding behind Shiho. "Yeah, she won't protect you, kid."

"Alright. I'll see what I can do. But Leo, you have to get these tantrums under control before she really gets hurt. Last night was a close one," Jeremy felt their eyes on him and he knew what they were all thinking 'Even though it was Jeremy's fault.'

"I'll work on it. We'll be back soon, I've got my cell on me. Call me if anything happens," Donnie nodded. "Shiho, let's go."

"C'mon Jeremy, let's get you home," The mother spoke, hoping to put the boy at ease. That moment was tense and he caught a glimpse of the real tension between Aanika and her parents. She wasn't kidding when she said it was crazy, he thought for sure that Aanika and Leo were about ready to have it out. But, Leo would never fight his own daughter, would he?

The trio disappeared into the tunnels, Leo leading the way with Shiho just behind him and Jeremy at her side. The trip through the maze of tunnels was long and it was quiet, Leo had said they wanted to talk to them but there was absolutely no move into making a conversation coming from Leo. How did he even know where to go? That boggled Jeremy's mind.

"I'll bet you're wondering how I know where I'm going, huh?" Leo's voice broke the silence as they continued. Jeremy hung close to Shiho, somehow finding comfort in her presence. How did he...could he read minds? "No, I can't read your mind. Aanika - actually all of my kids are outfitted with a GPS tracker. She's had it since she was 6. That and Donnie has followed her before when she went out to see you."

"Wait what? He followed her? That's kinda-"

"It's for her safety," Leo interjected, whipping around to look at the startled teen. He sighed and ran his hand along the top of his head. "Look kid-"

"My name is Jeremy."

"Fine. Jeremy. You don't understand what goes through a parent's head when their child runs around on their own. Especially my children. Granted the other 3 are too young to wander topside, but that isn't the point."

"Then what is the point? I'm not unaware of all the restrictions Aanika has to obey. It's making her crazy being kept underground like that," Shiho cleared her throat, indicating that Jeremy was out of line. He glanced to see those pair of violet glowing hues, so they DID glow!

"We have those rules for a reason. When Hun attacked last night, did you happen to notice that he recognized Aanika?" The vixen quipped. Their journey through the tunnels had come to a temporary halt, the flickering lights just above made Jeremy nervous. Anything could happen down here and no one would ever know. However, he gave Shiho's question some thought, but she answered before he could. "There are people out there who want to hurt us, Jeremy. Aanika is very easy game to the Purple Dragons because she's Leo's daughter. When it comes to any of his kids, they know he'll do anything to keep them safe. We caught Hun by surprise last night, but if she wanders alone topside, who knows what could happen to her."

"Why are they after you guys in the first place?"

"None of the city's criminals think very fondly of my brothers and myself. We've saved the city countless times from them, ruining their financial schemes. You," Leo paused, stepping towards Jeremy. Shiho held up her hand, pressing it against his plastron to make him still. "You are a liability that we can't afford to have. But, because Aanika cares so much about you I have no choice but to let you stay in our secret."

"Why not just kick me to the curb then? Tell her she can't see me if it's so dangerous?"

"Because then she'll hate me," Leo deadpanned. Shiho's ears dropped and rested her cheek against her mate's shoulder. Jeremy's blue eyes widened. "I can live with being hated by my enemies. But not by my daughter."

"What can I do? What makes you think she'll listen to me?"

"Because she loves you, Jeremy, isn't it obvious?" Voiced the fox. Jeremy felt his heart stop and kickstart back into a rapid rhythm. "Feelings like that don't come often or easily for our kind. Just understand that while it may seem like we're ridiculously strict with her - we're just protecting her. Leo's already almost lost her once."

"Really?"

"We're getting off topic here. The point is, my rules are in place for a reason and I expect her like the rest of my kids to follow them. And while I am allowing whatever it is between you and her to happen, I will not allow her to become so distracted that she makes a deadly mistake."

Leo was getting worked up, Shiho could hear his pulse thundering in his veins so rapidly it was amazing that he hadn't blacked out. Her hand found his and gave it a squeeze, the ninja returned the affectionate gesture and held her small hand tightly. Jeremy swallowed, his throat felt so dry all of a sudden and he felt so nervous...almost ashamed that he'd let himself become such a liability to the girl that meant the most to him.

"My kids, even Aanika, are all gifts to me. I'm lucky that they were even born. And I'll defend them with my life. Now...Do we have an understanding, Jeremy?" The shifted his weight between his feet and fidgeted with his hands, but he nodded in agreement.

"Yes, sir."

"Just Leo..alright, come on, we still have a few more blocks to go," Leo continued to lead the way towards Jeremy's apartment building with the boy close on his heels. Shiho paused a moment, her ears opening full bloom as though she'd heard something nearby. A voice? A whisper...no..her name.

Shiho...Shiho...

"Micah?" Her voice muttered. Glancing ahead of her to see where Leo was, she began to follow the direction in which the voice was coming from. It sounded like Micah, she was sure of it. After weeks of hearing him in her head she was convinced that now she was truly hearing him nearby. But when a pair of vibrantly green eyes suddenly glowed in the darkness of the adjacent tunnel, the vixen gasped and clutched her chest, for a mysterious and painful throb ached her heart. "Micah..."

"I finally found you again."

Something in Shiho told her to run, but not in Leo's direction. The hybrid all but sprinted towards the other fox until she collided into him, his arms coming quickly and tightly around her Shiho couldn't fathom why she so strongly felt this desire to hold Micah, it was maddening but the instante sensation of relief hit her when he held her. "Oh my God...I thought you were dead.."

After years of loathing Micah's existence in the lab, ever since the explosion he set off the saved her and her family and unborn twins, she'd felt nothing but regret. Her entire life she was convinced that he was programmed, brain washed with the feelings he possessed however when he sacrificed himself for her. Shiho realized it was real all along. She believed that ever since then, that he was dead because of her - or rather the love he had for her. Undoubtedly tears came to those violet hears and spilled down her cheeks just as Micah tilted her chin up so she'd look at him.

"Micah.." A scar dragged itself across his nose and another diagonally across his neck and clavicle. Just how did he survive? She didn't get the chance to ask him when the black-haired male suddenly dipped his features down and claimed her dark, full pouts in a kiss that seethed every ounce of his passion. Mysteriously, Shiho gave in and clutched her fingers into the fabric of the long coat he wore. His tall ears flattened and his tail swayed slowly as he kissed that vixen. Something inside her enjoyed this, enjoyed it far more than she should have.

It suddenly hit Shiho, what she was doing. Immediately she braced her hands against his chest and pushed herself away from the embrace and kiss that he was giving her. Micah stared at her, stunned that she'd pulled away. "Wait, Micah, I can't do this. You know Leo-"

"Shiho! Come on, where are you?!" Leo's voice echoed from far ahead in the tunnel around the corner, making her jump.

"Shit!"

"Shiho I-" Micah started.

"No, Micah. I can't do that to Leo. I love him..." The female fox began to take uneasy steps backwards and Micah advanced.

"Are you sure? Is it your love for Leonardo that compels you to mentally communicate with me..your mind telling me just how much you miss me?"

"Micah please..." Shiho began to plead, on the verge of sobbing as Leo once again called for her. She knew that if he called again he'd come looking. "I..we can't. Leo and I..we have children now I..I.."

"You're hesitating." Micah replied, those lips of his curling into a vindictive smile.

"I love Leonardo. I don't know what it is that you thought you'd find here but, I can't be a part of it. Not when I have a mate and children."

"So there's more?" Despite the scars, Micah was so handsome. He'd always been handsome and now he was using it to his advantage. Shiho eyed his lips once again, wanting so badly to crush her full pair against them and kiss the breath out of him. WAIT! Why did she want that?! No!

"Yes! I had another son, Artemis. Micah don't do this I-..I have to go," The vixen didn't give her male counterpart an opening and sprinted away just as quickly as she'd come. Micah stared after her, his ears down and his hand outstretched as if trying to beckon her to come back to him. Clenching his sharp teeth together, the male fox growled from deep within his chest. He'd spent 10 years trecking across the country from the ruins of the lab, working odd jobs while maintaining his secret Sleeping under bridges and in alleys just to get back to New York. Even now, he had nowhere to go and Shiho fled. God it hurt, so much so that he could hardly breathe.

Shiho sprinted until her lungs burned, until she finally found Leo and crashed into him as he'd turned around. The fox used all of her energy when leaping into his arms with so much force that he was thrown into the tunnel wall. Jeremy took a huge jump backwards and nearly fell onto his backside.

"Shiho! What has gotten into-" His mate cut him off with a powerfully passionate kiss, completely throwing him through the loop. Something was wrong, Shiho tasted different. With his hands on his shoulders, he yanked her away from him and stared into her eyes that pulsated with brightness. "Baby...?"

"I love you, Leo!" Both the ninja and Jeremy found Shiho's behavior bizarre and disturbing. Snapping his fingers and pointing to the ladder a few paces ahead, Leo gathered his mate into his arms.

"Jeremy, that ladder will open up into an alley just two blocks south of your apartment. I need to handle this, go home. I'll have Aanika call you later."

"Right...S-..see ya later Shiho?" But she didn't hear him. Her ears were buzzing and ringing so impossibly loud she couldn't even hear her own thoughts. Frightened, Jeremy did as he was told and left the mates alone to get back home. His mother was going to rip him a new one for not coming home last night, but he'd figure something out. In the mean time, Shiho was barely keeping it together and clutching Leo's biceps so hard her nails were digging into the muscle.

"Ow..OW! Shiho! What is that matter with you?" The turtle had to give the woman a good shake of her shoulders to snap her out of whatever this was. The glow dissipated and the panic faded. What was happening to his mate? In a matter of weeks she'd gone from his girl to a nervous wreck with these episodes of absolute hysteria. For a moment he wondered if it was the Madness tearing apart her brain, but quickly snuffed that thought out. She'd had a handle on the Madness for over a decade now...that couldn't be it. "Baby, talk to me...what's going on?"

Shiho couldn't tell him, not everything. Leo would die inside if he knew that not only did his girl subconsciously miss Micah but that she'd kissed him. Not just a peck on the lips either. When he called her name again she realized she had to answer. She had to give him something that wasn't entirely a lie. "M...Micah. He..he was in my head and..and I panicked."

"Jesus. You scared the shit out of me...c'mere," Leo muttered, bringing his mate into his arms where she tucked her nose under his chin like she always did. With his lips near her ear, he whispered. "Whatever he wants, I'm not going to let him take you from me. I love you."

Shiho's eyes squeezed shut, she felt so filthy about lying to Leo again. But he just couldn't know...he could never know...

"I love you too.."

A/N: How was that? Suspenseful enough? Let me know what you think in the reviews Duckies! Thanks for reading, you're all amazing!