A WHOOP escapes me as I cling to Casey as he takes another sharp corner down a surprisingly vacant New York street. Casey and I have been topside for at least 30 minutes, chilling and waiting for the notification that our food is ready. 3 pepperoni pizzas for me, Donnie, and Casey, 1 supreme pizza for Raph, and some classic Japanese food for Leo, Master Splinter, and April. The Japanese food is going to take the longest, seeing as the restaurant is across town and fairly popular. But even if we have to wait, that place makes a mean Ramen dish and those rice balls are to die for, so it's totally worth it.
Besides, I think as Casey revs the engine on his bike, pushing the machine to go faster. It's not everyday that I get to be the one to get the food with Casey. A quiet giggle slips pass my lips, the wind eating up the sound as we zip by some pedestrians. Raph never lets me on his Shellcycle, even if he's the one driving it.
It's not that Casey and I never hang out, I just know that I'm not the blackette's go-to turtle, that's all. That's usually Raph, or on rare occasions, Donnie. (But that's usually when he needs something fixed or needs to be patched up, which is actually far more common now that I'm thinking about it.) But tonight, Raph has been essentially grounded (even though we are now 19 and technically adults) and Sensei won't allow him out of the lair even to pick up food. Donnie was still in his lab working on some new gear for all of us now that he doesn't need to worry about being a full-time IT guy anymore. April and Leo were, and probably still are, training with Master Splinter, learning some new moves that I can hardly pronounce the name of. Which left me and Casey.
And Leo almost didn't even let me go.
*Flashback*
"C'mon, Leo," I beg as I follow my eldest brother around, hands clasp together. "I promise I'll be good. I'll even wear a full-on jumpsuit and helmet the entire time and let Casey go inside to grab the orders."
I stick out my bottom lip as Leo turns toward me, a deep frown on his face as his chocolate brown eyes meet my sky-blue ones. His eyes narrow and his lips form a thin line as he stops his random walking.
"I don't know, Mikey, something doesn't feel right about this."
Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I scoot closer to our Fearless leader. Ever since he's returned from the jungle and the entire 'Monster-Released-In-New-York-Which-Totally-Wasn't-Our-Fault' fiasco, Leo's been even more protective and strict than usual. He's calmed down a little after Raph snapped at him, stating that he's reverting back to pre-Jungle Leo. And it worked, for a little bit. But the protectiveness is still there and always flares up again when one of us wants to go topside without him or another brother. And, unfairly, I'm usually the one who gets the most of the protectiveness even though I'M not the one who got turtlenapped and put into a strange metal contraption thing.
A warm hand lands on my shoulder and I grin up at Casey as he winks at me.
"Oh, c'mon, Leo," Casey says. "I'll be right dere with da little guy the entire time. It's late on a weekday and most people are gonna be inside by now anyways, why not let Mike come with meh and grab da food? Besides," Casey pats his helmet under his other arm. "We'll be on meh bike, so we'll be back in a flash. What's the harm of letting Mikey go with meh?"
An unamused look flashes across Leo's face as Raph exits his room, towel around his neck.
"What's dis about being on a bike?"
A nervous bubble forms in my stomach as Raph squints from Leo to Casey to me then back at Leo. Leo crosses his arms as he glances from our hotheaded brother to our hotheaded friend.
"Casey wants to take Mikey to pick up our food on his BIKE."
Disappointment combines with my nervousness as Raph glares at Casey. Raph almost NEVER let's me go riding with him, always saying that I could break his 'baby' by just looking at it. Even though I can drive the Shellcycle just fine. SOMEONE had to be the tester on it while Donnie tried to find any kinks in the machine before he gave it to Raph. I just don't see the big deal about why they won't let me ride with CASEY of all people. Sure, he can be a little reckless on the road with it, but we're NINJAS, our entire lives revolve around being just a tiny bit reckless. And don't I deserve to have some fun? I mean, I don't have to deal with little kids beating me up anymore and coming home with massive bruises and scrapes. And while I would kinda prefer to go joyriding with Raph, Casey is my friend, too, and we always seem to have a good time when we hang out.
"Does he now?" Raph says dryly, he's amber eyes flickering over to me as he wipes his forehead with his towel. I widen my eyes and pout a little bit more as my second eldest brother narrows his eyes.
"Yeah, but I promise to be careful!" I chirp, putting as much pleading into my voice without full-on whining. "I'll even wear that cool new jumpsuit that Donnie made each of us for trips like this, where we aren't traveling from rooftop to rooftop. It'll be a good test run of the suit and Casey and I will grab our food! It's like a win-win, bro!"
Raph frowns as I pull my ultimate puppy-dog eyes on him. The bonus of not only being the youngest but also the shortest, I have mastered the art of being the ULIMATE BABY BROTHER who can soften the hold of even the toughest of brothers! Raph scoffs as he points a finger at Casey.
"Ya crash with my baby brother on dere and I'll have yer ass, Casey Jones."
Casey feigns hurt as he slings an entire arm across my shoulder pulling me closer.
"Awe, c'mon, man. Have I ever crashed meh bike? I'm more careful den a mother-hen."
Raph lifts an eye-ridge at the blackette while Leo places his hands on his hips.
"Do you really want us to answer that?" Leo asks, his tone drier than Raphie's secret liquor stash, which I totally don't break into while cooking. Hey, some recipes ask for alcohol, what can I say? And Raph has the best collection, just don't tell him that.
I press my clasped hands up under my chin and hit Leo with my puppy-dog eyes.
"Pleeeeeeease, Leo? I'll be extra careful and Casey promises not to kill us both. C'mon, please? I haven't gone to get pizza in ages!"
If it's possible, Leo's lips thin even more and a small part of me knows that I'm not going to be winning this fight. I turn my gaze to Raph. The two of us exchange a look before my brother in red sighs, lowering his arms to his sides.
"C'mon, Leo, just let the shell-fer-brains go with Casey." Raph smirks when Leo opens his mouth to protest. "Besides, Casey knows we'll disembowel him if he doesn't bring Mikey home in one piece. I'll even let you have first dibs on him if Mike comes back with so much as a scratch." Raph says the last part with a harsh grin as he turns toward Casey, who laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Leo, for his part, actually looks like he's considering it and my spirit starts to soar once more when my brother in blue turns toward me. I widen my eyes a little more, just for a little more added effect, as Fearless Leader's resolve finally starts to crumble.
He sighs.
Walls officially crumbled.
Booya! I mentally cheer as Leo relaxes.
"All right, fine. Mikey, you can go with Casey to get the food. BUT," Leo states, holding up a finger as I vibrate with excitement, holding back my squeals. "You get the food and come straight back. No detours. No heroics. Just straight to the restaurants and then back here. April and Donnie should be back by then from the junkyard and Sensei's mediation should be over as well." Leo steps forward, towering over me as he leans with a serious look gleaming in his eyes. "Do NOT make me call you."
Nodding quickly, I bite my lip as I hold a thumbs up. Raph sighs, irritated, reaches over and grabs Leo by the shoulder.
"They get it, Fearless. Let Mikey change so they can get da food. I'm starvin'."
Leo releases one last huff of air before he straightens, nodding once. He shoots Casey one last glare, patting me on the head before turning and following Raph further back into the lair. A large grin spreads across my face as I beam up at Casey, who winks at me again and I rush off toward Donnie's lab for my jumpsuit and helmet.
*End Flashback*
"See?" Casey shouts over the roar of his engine. "Nothin' ta worry about. Leo's just bein' a mother-hen."
Laughter erupts from me as Casey does a wheelie causing me to hang on for dear life. Casey isn't wrong (for once) and I can't even think of an argument against his words. It's been nearly 6 months since we save New York (again) and the world from complete disaster (again) and it feels like Leo just can't stop being paranoid.
"Don't worry," I shout back as Casey zips through a green light. "Master Splinter's been working with him on that. Helping him to release his anxieties into the void or whatever."
Casey's back vibrates as he huffs, slowing his bike down as our first destination, Osaki's, comes into view.
"Well, hopefully it fixes it soon," Casey says, pulling into an open spot in front of the semi-busy restaurant. "'Cause even April's gettin' a little worried about his actions. And if APRIL is worried den so am I."
I worry my bottom lip as Casey kicks the stand down for his motorcycle and loosen my hold on him. He's right. If April's becoming worried, she is about as much as a mother-hen as Donnie is, then maybe Leo's paranoia IS getting out of hand. I wave a hand as I lift the visor part of my helmet.
"I mean, to be fair, Leo DID get kidnapped by a strange mystical immortal ancient being who tried to swallow our world with one with monsters." I wiggle my fingers at Casey as he turns toward me. He lifts a black eyebrow at me, icy blue eyes skeptical. I sigh, slumping. "Yeah, okay. But it does kinda help explain his behavior, ya know? But, dude, he finally is loosening up! He let me come out here with you, didn't he?"
Casey nods, smirking as he tosses me his helmet.
"True that. All right, hold the fort while I go in and grab our order then we'll swing by Antonio's before heading back to the lair."
Providing him with a mock salute, I lean back against his bike as I spin his helmet in my hands. My gaze drifts upwards as I keep my face hidden from any bypassers. The night sky is clear, or as clear as it can be in a city full of lights like New York. The moon is large and pretty high in the sky already. A part of me misses running along the rooftops under a moon just like this one, laughing and whooping with my brothers as we train and stretch our legs.
"What I wouldn't give to just go on a run. Maybe play some ninja tag." My face lights up. "Ooo, or maybe we could play 'Capture the Ninja'. But this time have April and maybe Sensei play with us." My smile fades to a thoughtful frown. "Wait, maybe not Sensei. He's waaaaaay too good. Either he'll win instantly or we'll never catch him." I smirk. "But then again, maybe I could distract him with some cake. He never could resist a good dark chocolate bourbon cake."
JINGLE.
My head snaps over in the direction of Osaki's just as Casey appears holding two plastic bags. I fist pump as he grins, holding the bags up.
"Shell yeah! 3 orders down, 4 more to go!" I cheer as I open one of the side bags for Casey to set the still warm food into. I breathe in deeply as I get a waft of the freshly made food, mouth watering. I wiggle my fingers. "Man, I can't wait to get my hands into some pizza. This stuff is making me so hungry."
A yelp escapes me when Casey smacks my hands and he provides me with a mock glare.
"Don't ya dare, Mikey. If ya so much as TOUCH April's food, I'll kick yer ass mehself."
Pouting, I stick my tongue out at the taller male before slipping back into my spot behind Casey as I zip up the bag. Flicking my visor back down, I just barely put my arms around Casey's waist when he takes off and revives his engine.
The excitement doesn't last long and I bite my lip as Casey curses when we hit a red. He puts his feet down as we wait and I can't help wiggling happily as I peer up at the moon once more.
"Hey, Mike," Casey starts, tilting his head toward me. "I've been meanin' ta ask, how are—"
CRASH!
Both Casey and I look over toward the alleyway, my shoulders tensing as a trashcan slowly rolls out and onto the sidewalk. Suddenly, a loud wail erupts through the air causing both Casey and I to jump. An eep falls from my lips as I just barely hold in a scream of my own. This is just like in that new horror movie Raph and I watched two nights ago! Where an alien from outer space fell into an alleyway and knocks a trashcan into the street to lure unexpecting victims into the alleyway to have their brains sucked out!
"Hang on, Mikey," Casey says quietly, snapping me out of my panicked thoughts. I wet my lips as I glance from the alley back toward the empty street.
"Casey," I whisper back. "I don't think we should—"
Before I can finish my sentence, the light turns green and Casey takes off, tires squealing as he rounds on the alleyway. My arms tighten around Casey as he zips down the narrow passage, following the sounds of the wailing.
"Casey! Leo said we're only supposed to pick up the food!" I finally manage to say as Casey slows once more. Casey kills the engine, shooting me a pointed look over his shoulder.
"And somebody might need our help! I ain't gonna just sit by while dere's a person in trouble!"
I wince. He's got a point. We've always prided ourselves on helping the people of New York, no matter what. My bottom lip stings as I worry it between my teeth. Pulling my nunchucks from my belt, I nod for Casey to lead the way and that I'll be right behind him.
Sorry, Leo, I think as Casey and I slowly creep down the alleyway. But a turtle's gotta do what a turtle's gotta do. And keep your food safe from any aliens that may try to eat it ALONG with Casey's and my brain.
Fear spreads across my chest as Casey and I press our backs up against a wall and Casey peeks around the corner. He motions for me to continue following him and the two of us step out into an empty, larger alleyway. I allow my nunchucks to fall to my sides. My eyes land on the overturned trashcans.
"Well, where da go?" Casey says aloud, scratching his head in confusion. I tilt my head, squatting next to one of the metal bins, tapping it to a stop with my left nunchuck.
"Not sure," I state, wrinkling my nose as I spot a few shurikens sticking out of ground. A red emblem gleams in the flickering alley light. "But I got a bad feeling about this, dude." Casey walks over and I point toward my findings. "And I know for a fact they ain't one of ours."
Casey curses as he spots the Foot insignia. Holding his bats at the ready, Casey spins in a circle as I strain my ears for any movement. I may not be the best ninja, that honor lays with Master Splinter and Leo (Sorry Raphie but you'll always be the best ninja in my heart), but I'm good enough to at least be able to hear if the Foot is about.
Movement to my right causes me to tense before I lunge up and yank Casey backwards.
"Look out!" I shout as more shurikens land right where the tall male once was. Casey shouts in surprise as I start spinning my nunchucks, eyes narrowing as the Foot slowly reveal themselves.
"Well, ain't this just peachy?" Casey says, sarcasm dripping with each word. I'm not sure whether to laugh or groan at just how Raph like Casey can sound. Those 2 really hang out too much if now they're sounding alike.
"Maybe they'll just go away," I mutter as I eye one of the ninjas' pull out a gleaming sword. "Didn't Karai call on a truce? I don't remember either sides breaking it." Panic is starting to set in as more Foot ninjas crawl out of the woodwork.
"Maybe she decided ta end it herself," Casey growls as the two of us stand back-to-back. Dread fills me as I spin my nunchucks. That REALLY would be like the Foot to just end a truce with no warning.
"How rude," I mutter, eye-ridges furrowing as I block a throwing knife aimed straight for my head.
Geez, Leo's gonna kill me if he finds out.