"You'll have to do better then that." He huffed with a happy grin.
"Comin' atcha!" Mike held the dowels of his 'chucks in both hands and rushed his brother. He let one of the nunchucks go when Raphael grabbed it, and spun around with the second on, hitting the rim of his shell. Raph grunted and swatted at it like a fly, grabbing the second nunchuck and turning around to face Michelangelo. He grinned between the ceasing shivers of pain coming from his shell, and jerked the nunchucks toward them. "Waaa!" Michelangelo came with them as Raphael rolled back onto his shell. He was swiftly lifted up on Raphaels feet and thrown off in the opposite direction.
Mike landed on his feet and flipped over again to displace the force of the throw. Raphael jumped back up to his feet and twirled his sai around, ready for another move. Unfortunately they were interupted before the spar could continue.
"Can I cut it for a minute." Leonardo stood in the doorway.
"Keep it short, Raph's due for a butt kickin'." Michelangelo dusted himself off and grinned.
"Too bad. We have work to do."
"What's it now." Raphael asked, sticking his sai back into his belt. Leonardo sighed and patiently recounted word for word what he'd been told by Master Splinter. Raphael and Michelangelo waited while he finished his speech and left with him from the dojo. There was never enough time for fighting anymore anyway.
Leonardo stopped once they reached the ladder, and hung back. Raphael climbed up ahead of him, and Mike went into the kitchen while he started back to find Donatello.
Raphael came to stand in the doorway of Maddie's room, leaning against the doorjam. Maddie sat on her bed reading from a text book, a couple other thick books laid around her. He smiled slyly and snuck in the rest of the way, balancing precisely on the pads of his arched feet. She didn't see him come of course. Which amused him. He made it almost all the way to the bed before he stopped. When she reached up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear she glimpsed his foot and gasped. Raphael picked one of the books up and sat down on the bed, leaning on one of his elbows. He could still hear her heart pounding.
"Hey babe." He reached up and brushed back the renegade hair back behind her ear. She let her breath out and closed the book.
"You scared me." She smiled and laid on her side next to him, propped up on her elbow. He perked up the side of his mouth and rested his arm on her side now that she had presented it to him. "What's up?" She asked suggestively, tracing her finger around his jaw. Raphael raised an eyebrow. But he wasn't here to fool around.
"You remember having any gold ball? Something with little marks on the sides?" She stared off, then back to him.
"Yeah. That I did."
"Still got it?"
"Burned down with the bar. Duh."
"Oh. Right."
"I actually went to look for it awhile ago, without much luck. Started to miss the old thing. Why, was it important?" He watched her hand as it stroked his beak.
"I dunno. Splinter was looking for them or something." Maddie frowned.
"Oh."
"Well. Now that that business is taken care of." He pulled her closer, pressing his lips against hers.
"It's about yea' big, little writing things on the side," Michelangelo held his hands out like he was holding a baseball. Erika nodded.
"Of course. I gave it to Jimmy."
"Jimmy?"
"Mm hm. I was afraid it might get stolen if I kept it with me."
"Think he still has it?" She laughed.
"Of course." Mike opened the door and followed her out of the kitchen. They walked through the den and up the ladder to the hall. Peeking in on Maddie's room Mike gave Raph a quick cheer, glancing at him making out with Maddie on her bed. Raph waved him off and curled his arm back around her. Thank god he had forgiven him. It had taken a few rough sparring lessons, but Raph had finally let go. Erika pulled Mike towards the end of the hall and pushed open Flashes door.
Flash fiddled with the hand held television, his foot propt up on a few pillows. Comics borrowed from Mike laid strewn out around him, amunst a few stacked dishes. He smiled when they came in, jerking the antanae around.
"Hey guys. Wuzzup?"
"Jimmy," Erika picked up some of the comics and set them aside before sitting at his bedside. "Do you remember a gold ball I gave you… when we were real little?" Mike leaned against the door frame and raised an eyebrow as the blood drained from Flashs face.
"Um… yeah… about that…" He scratched his hair. It looked like he needed a brush. "I was…ah…"
"Jimmy, what is it?"
"Look, somebody took it from Jay's place. Okay?" Erika frowned. "I'll get you another one, ok?" "Jim…" Erika looked down. "…I was gunna tell you… I just…" He trailed off. Mike scratched his head.
Leonardo looked in after Donatello as he went into his lab. Noriko sat at the messy desk beside the computer, fiddling with the conduits of some electronic sheets. Her hand slipped and she frowned.
"Stupid little…" She mumbled to herself, hunched over the desk.
"Noriko," Don drew her attention, she turned around. "Uh, can I interupt you for a second?"
"Sure. What's up?" She glanced over his shoulder to Leonardo, then back to him.
"Uh… you ever have some gold ball. About four inches in diameter? Marked with some heiroglyphics, or like." She shook her head. "Um.... you're positive?"
"Positive. Never heard of it."
"umm." Leonardo gave Don a blank gaze when he looked back.
"…Why don't you ask Grandfather? He might know about it."
"Your Grandfather?" Don blanched.
"He used to keep lots of things in the greenhouse, maybe it's in there. You can catch him there tomorrow likely." She smiled.
"Oh, sure... tomorrow. Well," Don looked over his shoulder to Leonardo. "Um… good?" Leo nodded. "Ok." He turned back. "Oh… and…" He picked up another mini tool and exchanged it for the one in her hand. "That works better."
"I kept trying to…" Leonardo backed away from the lab and let his brother be. Besides, he never much cared for all that complicated mumbo-jumbo. It was beginning to get late, he planned on crashing soon. But not before getting one thing out of his way.
Leonardo pushed open the door of Lita's room and checked in. Raphael was with Maddie on her bed making out, a hand moving cleverly up her skirt. Lita wasn't there.
"Ahem." Raphael broke away and looked back at him. Maddie giggled and wiped her bottom lip. "Have you seen Lita?"
"Mm," Maddie shook her finger. "Yeah. She said she was going to the club for a swim."
"This late?"
"She said she was kinda worked up. Be back late." Leonardo sighed.
"Alright. Raph, shouldn't you be in your own room?"
"This one's fine with me." Raph grinned and pulled Maddie closer. She giggled, drawing little circles on the bulge of his shoulder.
"I think you should be sleeping in your bed." "I think this one would be more fun." Leonardo jerked his thumb over his shoulder and Raphael grumbled.
"Night." He pecked her cheek and crawled off the bed. Leonardo stood back so his brother could pass by.
"G'night." Maddie said, not diguising the sultry tone in her voice. Raphael turned and smiled slyly as Leonardo closed the door.
"Good night, Maddie." He said bluntly before closing the door. Raphael grinned and headed back down the lower level. Leonardo sighed and followed him down. Couldn't have one quiet night.
"No way. Not a chance, nope." Joey crossed his arms. Splinter and Tagahasi stood in Splinters bedroom watching Joey stalk about. "Not without one of us there." Splinter and Tagahasi had already been discussing the possibility of sending the turtles and the girls to Hawaii. In order to possibly recover Lita's elemental stone. The two of them had already come to a concensus, but Joey…
"Mr. Carlino. I view my students as consciencous adults, as they are in the customs of ninjitsu. They are quiet capable of looking after the girls for a weekend." Splinter said, seeing that his voice gained a soothing edge.
"Oh, right. They'll look after 'em alright." Joey said sarcastically. Splinter furrowed his brow. "Look, yer kids are alright. Jes' that, Raphael. I'm not about ta trust him 'lone with my li'l girl."
"Mr. Carlino. Raphael and Maddeline's romance has not gone unnoticed on my part. In my judgment, however, I believe they will be mature adults if left be." Splinter's voice remained even. "And in such a large group, any disreputable triste you suggest they would engage in, would go very much noticed." Joey grumbled. "I will have a talk with Raphael. There will be no difficulty on their travels."
Lita jetted through the water lazily, letting the water sink into her skin. The club was dark and quiet, there was no life guard on duty. Michelangelo had taught her how to jimmy open the lock to most doors. She wondered if he'd learned that through his ninja training… probably not.
Lita came up to the surface and stood up. She ran her fingers through her hair, sending water spraying off. The darkness encompassed her, leaving her in a comforting solitude. She'd been living in one like it so long… she was beginning to long for a change. Oh well.
"Lita," She turned around to the diving stands. "Can you come over here." It was Leonardo. She disintigrated into the water and reformed by him in the pool. She wasn't in the usual fighting mood.
"Yeah." She said quietly, rubbing her arm.
"…You ok?"
"Yeah." Why the hell would you care. "What do you want."
"We're leaving tomorrow morning."
"Huh?"
"Uncle Joey chartered a plane."
"Really?" He nodded. "Why?" Leonardo knelt down by the diving stand.
"Splinter wants us to go to Hawaii to find your crystal." Her eyes lite up. "The plane leaves tomorrow at noon. You probably want to get some sleep." He reached his hand out to her.
"Yeah." She took his hand and he hoisted her out of the water. Water splashed on the tile, and onto Leonardo. He frowned and wiped his chestplate off with his other hand.
"I really wish you'd be more careful." She grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her hips.
"I'm careful enough."
"Maybe for a girl." He muttered, wiping his hands. "While we're there, mabye you could just be a little less flagrant?" She turned back to him, her mouth open. Why did she always do that around him. "We're going into a possibly dangerous situation. You have to be a little less visible."
"Less visible?"
"I think you know what I mean." Lita gave him a swift push. Leonardo waved his arms around, tilting back on the edge of the pool. His eyes were wide with surprise as he fell backwards into the water with a deafening crash.
"Yeah. Yeah, I know what you mean."
Splinter watched his sons throwing their things together onto the sofa. It was much more organized then usual. Joey reluctantly handed over car keys to Maddie. Flash sat on the futon sulking, watching every one else preparing to leave. Erika came over to him, setting her bag on his lap while she packed.
"We'll be back tomorrow night. Don't act so sullen." Splinters eyes drifted to his friend Tagahasi, nursing a cup of tea. He looked up to him and nodded slightly. Noriko came and began talking with him, setting her bag on the arm of the chair. Splinter turned his attention to Raphael, who came in from his room with a black plastic bag. He tossed it onto the couch and took a second to kiss Maddie good morning. Joey frowned and shot Splinter a look.
"…Raphael." Raphael looked over his shoulder to Splinter. He turned and walked into his room. Raphael looked around and followed him.
Splinter closed the door after his son and signaled him to have a seat on the bed. He sat down, and Splinter took his seat across from him.
"I believe it is time we had a talk, Raphael."
"…um…sure."
"Raphael-san, women are like roses." Raphael swallowed. "Beautiful, and fragrant. With proper tending it can grow tall and fine, and become an admirable flower. But if that rose is picked before it's prime, it will wilt quickly. And a wilted flower is no longer beautiful, or fragrant… do you understand?"
"Yes."
"But if that rose has blooms well under your care, you may pick it. Raphael, always remember... to keep the spirit of that rose with you. Even if the rose has left." Splinter watched his eyes dart around. He was getting nervous. Splinter nodded.
"Very good. You may go now." Raphael stood and bowed.
Michelangelo threw his backpack over his shoulder, smacking Donatellos arm.
"What was that about?" He asked Raphael as he grabbed his bag.
"I think I just got a sex talk."
"Heh heh."
"Shut up, Mike."
"Dear god, let's leave now." Maddie put her foot on the couch arm and buckled her sandle.
"Wuzzup." Raph flipped one of her pig tails around. She sighed and turned around, he put his hands on her shoulders.
"Uncle Joey just scheduled an appointment for me to go to a gynocologist." He took his hands right off her. "Right after we get back."
"…oh."
"Oh. These are for you." She shoved a box of condoms in his hand. "Enjoy." He stared at them wide eyed.
"Oh… great…"
"Yeah…" He turned the box over, then tossed it into his bag.
"Remind me to send your uncle a thank you bomb."
The sky was already darkening as the turtles pulled up to the beachside motel. Candle sconces lite the way to the front desk, and around the single floor motel. Maddie pulled the van into the valet and jerked on the parking brake.
"Be right back." She climbed out of the van and went into the office. Michelangelo mumbled in his sleep and snuggled up next to Leonardo.
"Feeling alright?" Noriko touched Donatello's arm. He smiled shyly and rubbed his stomach.
"Yeah."
"Cool! We're right on the beach!" Lita peered out the window. "Maybe I can finally get some surfing in." She grinned to Raphael.
"I don't think so, Lita." Leonardo pushed Michelangelo back in his seat. "We're here on business."
"Is that all you think about?" Lita frowned.
"Ok," Maddie jumped back in the van. "We're in suite 6. Round back." She shifted the van into gear. "Finally." Raphael leaned back in his seat. Maddie pulled the van back and drove around to the dirt parkinglot in the back. She parked the car nearest to the door and got out. The turtles grabbed their disguise garb and emmerged from the car. Michelangelo stumbled out as he was pulled by Raphael. Maddie opened the door to the suite and turned back. The others grabbed their bags and joined her inside, avoiding the candles with some quick foot work.
The common room had a white over stuffed sofa, and two futons, facing a coffee table and a big screen tv. Bay windows looked out from the other side of the door, out onto the beach. There were two doors on each of the right and left walls that lead to bedrooms with two twin beds.
"Sweet." Lita tossed her stuff on the couch. "This place rocks!" Leonardo immediately drew the curtains.
"Yeah, it's nice. But we should all get some rest. It's been a very long trip." He turned away before he could get a nasty look from Lita. Mike mumbled to himself and wandered into the first room on the left.
"Hey, I ain't sleepin' with Mike." Raph put his hand up." He snores like a chainsaw."
"I'll sleep with Mike." Don volunteered. "I want to get some reading done."
"I'll sleep with Maddie." Raph grinned and started for the other side of the room. Leonardo put his arm out and stopped him.
"You can sleep with me." Raph rolled his eyes and backed off. "You girls can do what you want."
"Come on, Lita," Maddie grabbed Lita's arm. "We can do make-overs."
"Cool," They ran off into the farthest of the right rooms. Erika and Noriko said goodnight and went to bed as well.
"Let's go Raph." Leonardo turned his brother around and gave him a push into their room.
"Don't get any ideas."
"Funny."
"This blows." Michelangelo declared. Open pizza boxes sat on the coffee table with empty soda cans. The room was more and more beginning to resemble the lair. The turtles sat around the tv, watching ER, while the girls were out in town. "Can't we at least open a window."
"No." Leonardo said promptly. Mike groaned and sprawled out farther on the couch. Raphael pushed his leg off him and crossed his arms.
"This sucks, like nothing has sucked before." Mike closed his eyes. "God, you can even feel the ocean this close."
"Wait till the girls get back. Then you can go out." Keys jangled in the door and they scattered again. Michelangelo grabbed a piece of pizza before he ducked into his room.
"Hey guys!" It was Maddie. "We're back!" They emmerged from their rooms.
"Why didn't you use the secret knock?" Mike asked.
"There was a secret knock?" Erika asked.
"No." Raphael smacked Michelangelo. "No secret knock."
"What took you?" Leonardo asked. Noriko set a shopping bag down.
"The department of adoptions and customs didn't open till four. So we went shopping for awhile." Noriko shrugged. "Then we went to see some of the volcanoes on the island."
"They kicked ass." Maddie smiled.
"Then we went back to the department. Long line. But anyway, Lita had to sign a bunch of papers and waivers and things. But we finally got the security box."
"…And?" Leonardo prepositioned.
"No crystal."
"Damn."
"There was, a letter."
"A letter?"
"From Lita's parents?"
"…What'd it say?"
"She didn't show it to us. She just went down to the beach. She said she'd be back later." Noriko shrugged. Leonardo furrowed his brow.
"Well, let's not let this trip go completely to waste." Mike ran into his room and grabbed his beach towel. "I'm going for a swim." He ran out of the commons room, throwing the towel over his shell for disguise. Don shrugged and went to get his bag.
"My feet are killing me." Erika sat down on the couch and took off her sandals.
"Ooo. Poor your. Had to go around and shop all day." Raphael said sarcastically. "Boo freakin' hoo." Erika looked over the back of the couch and made a face at him.
"Hey, the hot tub's empty." Maddie tossed her bags in her room. "Wanna go?"
"Why in fact, I do." Raphael shot Erika a look and a gust of wind knocked a can off the table and smacked him upside the head. Maddie laughed and grabbed his arm before he could throw the can back.
"Come on." She pulled him out the door. The rest of the party dispersed, and the room suddenly became quiet. In the distance Mike could be heard hooting and hollering.
Leonardo ran his hand over his head and went back into his room, closing the door quietly.