A/N: Hey all. Thank you all for the nice reviews that I have received. It was really great I'm really sorry that it has taken me such a long time to update the story, but school have been more than awful, so couldn't make myself to gaze at my computer screen to be honest. Well, this was actually going to be a very long chapter, so I had to split the chapters into two, making this chapter the beginning of the next one ;-) enjoy…
Ten minutes before the converstation between Aki and Leonardo, Aki had decided to call the turtle family first. She had looked down at the phone, wondering who would be the best to call. Since the time was past midnight, they had to be asleep. Aki tapped Raphael on his shoulder to get his attention.
"What?"
"Who shall I call?" Aki asked. "Michelangelo?"
Raphael smiled wryly at the thought of trying to call Michelangelo at this hour. "No… There are two choices with him. Either he is sleeping like a baby or he is playing video games. In neither case, you will be able to reach him. He won't hear you."
"What about Donny then?"
"It is possible that he is awake since he is used to stay up late but I doubt it. In addition, he sleeps like a rock sometimes. No, you better call Master Splinter," Raphael said.
"But…" Aki began, but Raphael interrupted her instantly.
"If it is important, Aki," he pointed out and turned his full attention back to the road.
Aki nodded in acknowledgement, but she did not feel like waking the old rat. Yet, she knew that he was the best to call. She dialed the number on the phone and placed it near her ear. It was at that point that she recognized some of the signs, which told her that they were near the turtle lair.
Master Splinter yawned when he heard the shell phone called. He looked around a brief moment to get a quick overview of his surroundings. One thing he noticed was the small clock he had on his nightstand, telling him that it was still night. The old rat yawned again and took the shell phone out of the draw. Why would anyone call him this late? Master Splinter slightly coughed and opened the phone, while he tried to find the bottom where he could answer the call.
"Stupid technology," he mumbled irritated.
"Master Splinter?" Aki asked in the other end.
"Hallo… Hallo?" Master Splinter said. "How do I answer this thing?"
"You have," Aki told him.
"Hmm… It isn't easy to manage the phone in the dark," Splinter told her and laughed a little. "I will never learn."
"Master Splinter. I'm really sorry that I have to wake you, but it is important to gather the family together," Aki said and hesitated a little before she continued. "Rex is back."
"That was to be expected," Splinter said and heaved a deep sigh. "Okay, I will wake my sons. Where are you?"
"On my way home with Raphael," Aki explained.
The old rat's eyes widened by her words. "Is Raphael with you?"
"Yes, I will explain later when we arrive. You have to wake up Donatello and Michelangelo."
Master Splinter noticed quickly that she hadn't mentioned his oldest son. "Where is Leonardo, Aki?"
"Actually I don't know," came Aki's response and Master Splinter could sense that she felt uncomfortable by his question. "I will tell you later, I promise."
"Fine," Splinter nodded, as he knew that it wasn't the right time to discuss the subject. There were more important things which they needed to focus on at this point. "I will wake my sons, just make sure that you call Leonardo, okay?"
"Of course," Aki promised. "See you later."
"We will," Splinter said and hung up the phone.
He took a deep breath exhaled slowly, while he silently placed the shell phone on his nightstand. Suddenly he was feeling very tired about the situation he raised his hands to massage his forehead gently. A headache was on its way, but he had to ignore the scorching pain. Master Splinter closed his eyes a brief moment, trying to calm down and relax. What Aki had told him had confirmed his worries about their enemy, but still it made only his old heart beating faster by concerns for his family. They were in danger once again.
Master Splinter knew in his heart that it was necessary for them to fight, as Rex wasn't only a threat to the world, but a threat to his family. Nevertheless, sometimes the old rat missed the times before his boys had turned fifteen. It was the times where they still lived in their old cave, living secretly from the world above without having to worry if his dearest sons might survive the next day. A little smile flickered across his face, as master Splinter remembered the small turtles sitting in his lap, giving him a big hug of love.
He seized his cane near the bed and walked with quick steps out from the room. He had many concerns and thoughts running through his mind as he passed the bridge over the small lake in direction of the stairs that would take him to the boys' room in the upper level. A little voice inside him warned him that something had occurred between Leonardo and Aki, though he didn't know what it was.
"Master Splinter, what are you doing up so late?" a soft voice sounded behind him.
The old rat smiled as he turned around to gaze at Donatello, who was looking worried at him from the doorway to his workshop. Master Splinter had given up a long time ago to get the brainy turtle to bed, as Donatello was the type who simply couldn't sleep if he had something on his mind. Master Splinter looked at his son with warmth in his eyes.
"I could ask you the same question my son," he responded and couldn't help gaining a father's concern in his voice. "It is past midnight and I have slept nonetheless, though I doubt that you have done the same."
"That would be correct," Donatello admitted and showed him the gadget in his hand. "I have been working on a protecting shield that might remove the airwave attacks that we will receive from Rex. It will move the wind to the sides instead of hitting us with full force and then she can't catch us like she have done the past times. So I'm afraid that I couldn't sleep."
"It happens my son, and it seems like you haven't been the only one who haven't gotten their sleep tonight, and that is dangerous considering that our enemy had finally made her move," Splinter told him and got a serious look in his eyes.
"What?" Donatello eyes widened, stunned by the news. "What have happened?"
"Both Raphael and Aki have been out in the city tonight and Rex found them," Splinter told.
"Shell, are they all right?" Donatello asked worried.
"They are alive and heading back home. I hope that Aki will be able to call Leonardo home as well. She didn't know where he was."
"Leonardo has gone as well?" Donatello repeated and moved his eyes from his father, as he didn't want him to see that he might know the cause of that. After all, he had been the one to tell Aki that Leonardo had deeper feelings for her than she might know. Now he was gone, and with Aki on a trip with Raphael, Donatello began to worry what had occurred between his oldest brother and the girl.
"What is wrong my son?" Splinter asked as he noticed that Donatello kept his eyes straight on the gadget in his hands.
"Nothing," Donatello swallowed and found the courage to meet his father's eyes. "I was just startled by the things you told me."
Master Splinter nodded slowly. "Yes, it is great concern for me as well. We have to wake up Michelangelo immediately as they are all heading back to the lair to make a plan for our next move."
"I will wake Mike," Donatello said and walked back in his workshop to place the gadget on his working table.
When he got back to the lake, Master Splinter was still standing on the same spot, seemingly paralyzed, as his eyes were empty. Donatello looked strange at his father who wasn't moving a muscle at all. Somehow, it didn't seem normal that his father wasn't saying a word.
"Master Splinter?" Donatello asked and move across the bridge. No responds and Donatello repeated his question.
He finally placed his hand gently on the old rat's shoulders, shaking his body gently as if he wanted to wake him from a sleep. "Father, wake up."
Finally, his words seemed to get through. The life returned to the eyes and Master Splinter turned his head up to see his son that was beyond concern for his odd behavior.
"I'm sorry for my words Sensei but what the hell happened?" Donatello asked. "Your eyes were completely empty like your mind had left the body."
"It isn't serious my son, don't worry," Master Splinter quickly placed his hand on Donatello's arm, as the clever turtle was going to object. "Please my son. Your concerns about me are sweet, but you have to believe me when I tell you that you don't have to worry. Nothing is wrong."
Donatello wasn't going to believe him. His father was sincere when he told him not to worry, but Donatello knew that Master Splinter was trying to ignore something. Though he had great concerns for his father, he knew that his master wouldn't reveal anything to him if he didn't want to. So Donatello decided that it was better to wait a while, but he noticed in his mind that he had to keep a close eye on his father.
"Wake your brother and then I will make some tea for everyone," Splinter stated and walked firmly towards the kitchen while he mumbled to himself. "Strange music."
Donatello kept his eyes at his father's back for a long time before he disappeared into the kitchen. Music? Donatello wondered like crazy what he could have meant with these words, but it didn't make sense that Splinter was hearing music. Donatello quickly ignored the thought that it could be that his father was getting old and maybe heard things that wasn't there. There had to be a logical reason for his father's strange behavior. Donatello walked with fast steps towards Michelangelo's bedroom.
Since Michelangelo had gotten better, he had placed his madras back to his bunk bed, which was standing above his drums. Donatello knew from the second he walked through the doorway that his brother was sleeping well as his snoring was so loud that it would make it possible for deaf people to hear. Donatello walked up the ladder and gazed upon Michelangelo who was drooling in his sleep.
"Hey sleeping beauty, wake up," Donatello burst out loudly, even though he knew that it wouldn't help much.
He had lived together with his youngest brother all his life and the clever turtle knew that Michelangelo wouldn't hear him at all, if he first had fallen to sleep. Donatello heaved a deep sigh, as his brother mumbled and turned his shell at him.
"Why are you predictable?" Donatello whispered with a wry smile. "You're not getting any more sleep anyway."
"Just five more minutes," Michelangelo mumbled as Donatello placed his arm on his shoulder, shaking it lightly.
"Always the hard way," Donatello grinned and took a firm grip on his shoulder. "Weather you like it or not."
Michelangelo shrieked as he suddenly felt his body loosing it stability, as Donatello pulled him out of the bed, making him land hard on the stone floor.
"Donny, what are you doing?" Michelangelo busted out irritated.
"Making sure that you're awake," Donatello smiled gently at his brother, completely ignoring the blaming look that he received from Michelangelo. "You have to get up immediately."
"And why is that?" Michelangelo asked and yawned loudly. "I need my beauty sleep."
Donatello laughed and helped his brother on his feet. "Well, you can't get any more beautiful than you are Mike."
"What has happened?" Michelangelo continued, ignoring his brother's comment. "A new invention you want to show us?"
"Not this time," Donatello chuckled as he remembered a few times where he had been mean enough to wake his brothers to show his latest inventions. "Rex has been seen in the city."
"By whom? Michelangelo asked and Donatello noticed the little concerned tone in his voice."
"Raphael and Aki got attacked," he told him and continued quickly, as he predicted what Michelangelo was going to ask him next. "They are alive, but we don't know exactly what have happened. Aki has called for a meeting, and Leonardo is on his way back to the lair."
"Has he been gone? Why?"
Donatello had an awful suspicion what might have occurred since both Aki and Leonardo had left the lair without being together. As Donatello knew in his heart that Aki finally knew about Leonardo's true feelings for her, he was certain in his mind that she might had confronted him with her new information. Silently Donatello hoped that he had done the right thing in telling Aki the truth, but at this point, it seemed like things had gone in the opposite direction, making two people that he dearly cared about even more miserable than before. However, he didn't feel that he could share this information with Michelangelo yet, therefore he merely shrugged his shoulders.
"I really don't know Mike. You better ask Leo about that, when he gets home."
Michelangelo nodded in agreement and followed his brother to the living room at the ground floor where their father had served the tea. Master Splinter smiled at them, when they arrived.
"They should be here very soon,"
Both turtles nodded, but the air was thick between them. In their hearts, all was worried about the three missing people who haven't returned to the safety of the lair. With Rex out there in the streets, they would still be in a serious danger. Donatello's heart was beating faster as he remembered that Rex was able to track the magi aura that surrounded Aki. Raphael and Aki might not even return home if she found them again. The thought alone made his hands shake and he quickly crossed his arms, trying to hide his concerns from his family. Master Splinter noticed his son's movements and silently served the tea. He sensed the chaos whirling inside Donatello's body and when his clever son gazed upon him, the old rat revealed all the love he possessed through his brown eyes. A little smile flickered across Donatello's face and he felt a bit calmer than before. Michelangelo opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by the sound of the elevator that led to the abandoned warehouse above. Michelangelo swallowed hard as two shadowy figures appeared as the door opened.
"Hey all," Aki greeted, but they all noticed that her voice was shaken from the nights event.
"What a wrench!" Raphael burst out as he walked towards his family. "What a…"
"It is good to see you my son," Master Splinter interrupted his furious son before the words became too ugly. "I'm glad that you both have returned safely home."
"Has he been like that all the way?" Michelangelo whispered to Aki, who couldn't help but smiling as she nodded in response.
"We have been chased by a bunch of monkeys before coming here," Raphael remarked gloomily. "It has been a hell of a night."
"What happened Raph?" Donatello asked and felt his heart beating a bit faster.
"Well, we…" Raphael began, but then gave a slight shake of his head. "No, Leonardo needs to be here as well."
"I think so too my son," Splinter agreed with his son.
Aki placed herself in the sofa between Michelangelo and Donatello. She hadn't said much and her forehead was frowned as if she was thinking about something. Donatello thought if he should ask her what was the matter, but a little voice inside his brain told him that maybe she was thinking of Leonardo and therefore wouldn't talk with him about it in front of the whole family. Michelangelo seized her hand, squeezing it lightly, as he also noticed that she seemed worried.
"I hope that Leonardo is okay," she finally said and broke the silence.
"He is," Donatello assured her. "Out all the turtles Leonardo is the one, who can survive best in the city."
"Unless a couple of tigers are going after him," Raphael remarked and raised his eyes as he received a blaming look from his father. "Well it could happen."
"There is NO reason to tell us about the bad things that can occur Raphael," his father said in a serious tone. "We are all worried about your brother."
"Yes, and I'm only saying what we're all are thinking," Raphael said tartly, but then gazed at Splinter with a regretting look in his eyes. "Sorry Master. I'm just as worried for Leo as you are."
"I know," the old rat confirmed and smiled warmly at Raphael. "I know my son".
"No need to worry Master, I'm home," a voice sounded from the main entrance.
Aki's heart jumped in her throat in one second by the firm sound of Leonardo's voice. She hadn't seen him, since he ran out from his room, confused by the passionate kiss they had shared. At some point, she was getting nervous about seeing him again and on the other hand, all she wanted was to take him close into her arms and never let him go. The sudden revealing hit her like a bomb. She wanted to be near him and release his soul pain. Aki swallowed hard and turned to face the blue-masked turtle. In her heart, she was finally sure that she loved him.
"Leonardo!" Master Splinter seized his cane, walking with fast steps towards his own son. "And you're safe."
"Nothing has happened to me Master," Leonardo said and tried to smile at his father, though he didn't succeed completely.
"Where have you been Leonardo?" Raphael asked and gazed questioning at his older brother.
"It is not important," Leonardo avoided looking into Raphael's eyes as he hoped silently that his brother would leave the subject. Unfortunately, Raphael had a different opinion about the matter.
"Not important?" the red-masked turtle repeated ironically with his eyes flaming with furious fire. "YOU didn't think that it was important that you left the lair in the middle of night."
"Raphael, you have no right…," Leonardo began, but was cut off instantly by his brother.
"I have every right Leo!" Raphael stated loudly. "We can't go outside as it is with Rex out there. You said it yourself, and you break your own rules, fearless leader!"
"Raphael that is enough!" Splinter said in a sharp voice.
"No, it isn't Sensei," Raphael refused and turned to his master, hoping to gain some kind of understanding from his father. "You have forbid us going outside, and Leonardo left the lair without telling anyone. You should be angry at him and not at me!"
"If I should be angry of anyone breaking the rules, it wouldn't only be your brother," Splinter remarked and pointed one of his fingers at him. "Because why were you in the city this night?"
"I'm afraid that is my fault," Aki quickly said before Raphael answered his father and rose from the sofa. "I… I"
Splinter gazed seriously at her, and she couldn't see the old rat in the eyes. She was worried that he would see through her and discover the love that she had for his oldest son and somehow she had the feeling that it wasn't something that he would approve. Leonardo swallowed hard as he waited anxiously for her response. Would she tell what had happened between them? Aki closed her eyes tightly and cursed inside as her lips burned like if the flames of hell were touching them.
"I was really sad this night because of what have occurred with my family. I was scared because I'm scared as hell that if your people are going to fight Rex, then it will be your doom. And I seriously don't want that to happen," Aki said and sniffed as she realized that it actually was part of her worries. "Rex is so strong and powerful. She is going to kill you and I don't want that to happen. I really care for you Master Splinter and your sons. I can't stand the thought of loosing my family once again."
"It won't happen," Master Splinter smiled with the greatest comfort, he possessed and walked to the sofa, as he seized her hand with his left hand. "My sons and I know perfectly well of the great danger. We have always known that, my dear. And you have to trust us when we say to you that everything is going to be okay."
Aki sniffed and nodded slightly, but she still wasn't convinced. Michelangelo noticed that and placed his arm behind her back, hugging her tightly. "Take it easy Dudette... Nothing bad is going to happen to us. Something that Splinter has always taught us is working as a team, and therefore we aren't going to loose. We have our brilliant genius…"
"And our fearless leader," Donatello continued with pride in his voice and smiled at his eldest brother, who returned it warmly.
"We have our brother with hotheaded ideas and the greatest strength among us," Leonardo said and turned his eyes toward Raphael who smirked at his comment.
"And a clown, who cheer us up during the bad times, making us want to fight even more and better," Raphael said and looked at the youngest brother.
"And we have our father and master in the art of Ninjitsu, making us improve all the time and giving us advices when needed," Michelangelo cast a sidelong glance at his father before returning back to Aki. "And therefore don't worry so much. Trust in us and in yourself. We're going to fight Rex and we will win!"
"Well said Mikey," Raphael nodded together with his brothers in acknowledgement of Michelangelo's statement.
"There is no reason to argue why we were out in the city tonight," Leonardo said with a firm voice and looked at his family. "The important thing is to find Rex and her hiding place, so we can plan our next move."
"Well, let me tell what happened for me and Aki, when we met Rex," Raphael began and told the story about the attack which had happened on the rooftops. The living room was quiet, and so the silence continued a few seconds after Raphael had finished his story.
"Wow, it was lucky that you were able to place the transmitter on Rex and still manage to get away from her."
"Rex can feel where I am," Aki reminded them with a serious tone in her voice. "She knows that you're hiding together with me down in the sewers. We don't know her plans, but maybe she doesn't even see us as a threat to her."
"That will be her mistake," Raphael hissed.
"Give me your shell cell," Donatello asked and raised his hand towards Raphael, who grabbed the small phone in his belt. When he received it, Donatello rose from the sofa, as he pressed his fingers on the small keys. "It shouldn't be hard to track her down. Ah, I got her."
"Where is she Don?" Leonardo asked and moved his gaze away from Aki. Without realizing it, he had been staring at her beautiful eyes for several minutes. The green emerald eyes kept fascinating him, and it was hard for him to concentrate on the Rex. In his heart, he wished that he could get but 10 minutes alone with her, so he could explain to her, why he had suddenly rushed out from the room after kissing her. Though Leonardo never dared to think the thought that she maybe felt the same for him, he did not intend to ruin their friendship. He wanted to stay close to her, even though it would hurt like thousand knives stabbing his heart at the same time.
"She is not far away," Donatello mumbled. "But we have get to the other side of Manhattan."
"Ok, let's move then," Leonardo nodded his head towards the entrance. "We need to see her headquarter before we make the final move against her."
"But Leo, how do we make sure that it will be us hurting her and not the other way around?" Michelangelo asked and glanced nervously at his brother. "She isn't a nice lady."
"We will use stealth against her," Leonardo informed and gazed at his brothers with a determent look in his eyes. "Rex has one weakness that we have in advantage."
"We are ninjas," Raphael said with a smirk.
"Exactly!" Leonardo agreed and his eyes sparkled with energy. "She can't handle the martial art."
"Oh, she does with her blast wave of air," Michelangelo pointed out.
"Not anymore my dear brother," Donatello said with a big smile on his face. "I have developed special belts for that purpose only to redirect her air wave, if it comes towards us. It isn't a problem."
"I love you Donny," Michelangelo exclaimed and rubbed his brother's forehead. "Oh shell, I love that brain of yours."
"Hehe, chill Mike," Donatello laughed, but everyone noticed that he was proud of his work.
"So shall we go?" Raphael asked, as he was getting restless of waiting. "I want to find the witch's lair, so we can beat the shell out of her."
"Yeah, let us go…" Leonardo began, but trailed off as he noticed that Aki was looking at him with a questioning gaze.
"Can I talk with you in the kitchen Leo?" she asked directly.
Leonardo stumbled, surprised that she wanted to talk with him alone. He turned his gaze towards his father who nodded slightly in agreement. The blue-masked turtle heaved a big sigh, before he found the courage to meet her emerald eyes.
"Sure, we can talk," he finally said and walked pass Raphael towards the kitchen.
"Your brothers will be upstairs at the warehouse waiting for your return," Master Splinter announced and therefore he gave his others sons direct orders to leave the lair.
"We will be in the Battle Shell Leo," Donatello remarked as he pressed the elevator key.
"Sure thing Donny," Leonardo answered and received a gloomy stare from Raphael, who almost looked like he was angry with him over something.
However, Leonardo didn't believe that he had the time to worry about what was wrong between him and Raphael, but he placed a thought in his mind to remember that he had to ask Raphael later what was the matter between them. Aki curled a black lock of her hair between her slender fingers thoughtfully. Her eyes were starring at the sink as if her mind was elsewhere.
"What did you want to talk about?" Leonardo asked softly.
"I…" she trailed off immediately.
Leonardo waited patiently for her to continue. His heart was beating faster every second as he prepared himself for what she might say to him. They hadn't talked together since he ran out from the room and somehow he hoped and was afraid that it was the subject, which she wanted to discuss.
"I'm so confused," she admitted and took a deep breath.
"It is okay to be confused," he said and tried to remain calm as he continued. "I don't want to ruin our friendship Aki. I hope you understand that."
"This is neither the time nor the place to talk about what happened between us Leo," Aki said as she turned around towards him. "Your brothers are waiting for you."
"For us," Leonardo corrected, but raised his eyes, when he saw the dark expression in her face. "Or not?"
"It would be a danger for all to have me with you, you know that," Aki said and crossed her arms tightly. "I think that it would be better for me to wait in the lair together with Splinter while your guys find out where Rex's headquarter is."
"I think it would be the best," Leonardo nodded and walked closer to her, until she was only a few inches away. "Splinter is the best protector, you could have. After all he is our Ninjitsu master."
"It would give you a good chance to use your stealth abilities without being seen by anyone," Aki said and then swallowed hardly. "But be careful out there okay? I don't want to loose you."
"I will protect my brothers with my life," Leonardo said firmly.
"No, you misunderstand me," Aki said and laid both her hands gently on his cheeks, while her fingers caressed them lightly. "I don't want to loose YOU Leo!"
She lifted herself in one second, giving him a small kiss on his forehead. Leonardo was holding his breath while it lasted and exhaled loudly when she sat her feet down on the kitchen floor. He seized both her hands, holding them tight into his face, and with a burning desire inside his heart, he dared to kiss the left hand gently but with passion.
"I will be careful," he promised and smiled confidently at her. "After all I need to talk with you about what's happened tonight."
"Indeed we do," Aki smiled happily, as he had comforted her worrying heart. "And don't worry about your departure earlier. I understand your reason for leaving the room."
Leonardo placed her hands down at her side, squeezing them lightly before he let go. Without a word, he turned his shell at her, leaving the kitchen room. Somehow, he felt more secured than he had done, when he arrived to the lair. Even though Aki hadn't given a final answer yet, but she had given him the hope that she wasn't angry with him. It seemed possible that they could still remain friends after the little incident, but being alone with her in the kitchen also told him that there might was a chance of something more.
A/N: Well, what did you think of this chapter? Please feel welcome to give your review and share your opinions with me. Things are really going to occur in the next chapter. And since this chapter is the first part of the originally chapter, I have the second part ready for you and therefore the next update will be in two weeks from this day.