CHAPTER 11

NC-17 version of this chapter at http://www.angelfire.com/ok5/tmnt/mourning/ch11nc.html

REI:

"What did Raph say to you?"

I hesitated for a moment. "I think the exact words were 'I don't care if you and my brother are fucking with hats off, but you better not hurt him.'"

He laughed quietly and kneaded harder at the muscles in my shoulders. My clothes were all in the wash, except for the bikini I'd borrowed from Jessica, and the jeans I was wearing over it. "He thinks that?" he questioned, sounding amused.

"I don't know," I admitted. "He obviously thinks something is going on." I closed my eyes as the tension eased from my body. "I think he has a problem with me, actually."

Mikey moved his hands a little lower, massaging around my shoulder blades. "Nah, I don't think so," he mumbled. "That's just the way Raph is."

"Does he have a problem with all women?" I laughed.

"He's been hurt a lot," he explained.

I considered that. "I got that impression." It was quiet for a few seconds. "Does he talk to you? About his relationships? Is that how you know?"

He hesitated. "He used to," he finally answered. "He told me about it the first time he got laid."

I couldn't help but laugh. "What did he say?"

He took a moment to answer. "He said it helped him to figure out... what he is."

That sounded strange. What he is, rather than who he is. "Really," I acknowledged.

"Mmm. It's hard not knowing what you're here for, you know?" He ran his hands lightly over my skin. "I mean, we're not human but... I'd at least like to think we aren't just animals."

I frowned at that. "You're not an animal, Michaelangelo."

"I dunno, angel, your brother seems to think we are."

I sighed deeply. "You heard that, huh?"

"It wasn't just one thing, Rei," he mumbled. "It's pretty obvious how he feels."

He pulled his hands away and raised high on his knees as I turned onto my back. He was straddling my hips. "I'm not like my brother," I whispered.

He smiled faintly. "I know that."

There was a moment of silence. He crawled off of me and lay down on his side. The twin bed was barely wide enough for us to lay side-by-side. "So does that mean you don't know who you are?" I grinned at him.

"You already know that I don't, Rei," he sighed. He flashed me a mischievous smile. "But then, I haven't been laid either. That could solve the whole problem."

"That by choice?" I challenged, grinning back at him.

"Is what?"

"That you haven't been laid."

He shrugged. "I dunno. I guess so."

I hesitated for a moment. I didn't want to pry, but he didn't sound like he was annoyed. "Have you ever been in love?" I questioned.

"No."

"Never?"

He shook his head, then seemed to reconsider. "I had a crush once," he finally mumbled. He frowned at that. "Twice. But I never thought anything would come of it."

"What was her name?"

He hesitated. "Kala was one of them."

"And the other one?" I pressed, smiling.

He thought hard before he answered. "April."

Open mouth, insert foot.

I rested my hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry."

He shrugged, not wanting to stir up the emotions. I was relieved. "She was twice my age," he explained. "Not to mention a different species. It wouldn't have worked."

I considered that. "Does that bother you?"

"What?"

"That you were different?"

He sighed and sat up. "It would've bothered her."

"You think so?"

He shrugged and leaned forward, bringing his knees to his chest. "Not that she was prejudice or anything. I mean, she accepted us more than anyone else ever did. It's just that..." He sighed. "It never would've worked. I never thought it would."

"Because she was human?"

"Well, it wasn't just that."

"Good. Because that's not a good enough reason."

He grinned. "You don't think so?" His voice sounded almost teasing.

"Doesn't seem to bother Raph's girlfriend," I reminded him.

He shrugged and looked away, like he didn't want to talk about it. In the silence that followed, I looked around the room. The bed that Yukio slept in, on the other side of the small room, was neatly made. He was gone now, walking or jogging or doing whatever it was he did. He didn't like being kept indoors, and he wouldn't be back until he had to be. Even if he did come back, I wouldn't see him. The door was locked, if by some miracle he actually came up here. If he should see me talking to Michaelangelo, it would lead to a fight. Especially since I was doing it laying down, in nothing more than a bikini top and jeans.

Mike's brothers, and Jessica, were all watching TV. I could hear the sounds of a fight scene drifting through the vents. I wondered briefly why he wasn't with them.

"Do you think Raphael knows?" I asked quietly.

"What, that we're fucking with hats off?"

I shot him a pathetic look. "No, silly, you know what I mean."

He considered that for a moment. "I don't know. He might. If he does, he's not admitting it."

"How would he have found out?"

He sighed. "He was my best friend, Rei. He knows me well."

There was a moment of silence. "Does it bother you?" I finally asked.

"What?"

"That he might know about us."

He paused for a minute. "No. Does it bother you that he thinks more is going on than what actually is?"

I thought about that. "Should it?" I questioned. "I mean, is he going to start looking at me like I'm a slut or something?"

He laughed. "I doubt that."

"Good," I smiled. "Because frankly, I wouldn't mind proving his theory right."

He froze, and his eyes locked on mine. I shrugged, not wanting to intimidate him. "Just saying, you know," I informed. "Don't get all freaked out on me and go crawl into your shell somewhere."

I shoved him playfully. But he was so engrossed in thinking he didn't even bother to catch himself. He landed on the floor with a loud thud and I jumped up onto my knees. "Oh my god," I laughed. "Are you okay?"

He seemed a little confused as to how he'd ended up on the floor. I couldn't help but laugh, hiding my smile behind one hand. The other hand supported my weight as I leaned forward on the edge of the bed, staring down at the stunned turtle on the floor. He looked up and suddenly, a mischievous smile crossed his lips. Lightning quick, he reached out and grabbed my wrist. He yanked my arm and I shrieked in surprise as I tumbled head over heels and landed on top of him. I ended up on my back across his lap, and his hands quickly moved to tickle me.

"Ack! No! Stop...!" I laughed, trying to double over. "Stop it!"

Suddenly he stopped and looked toward the door, placing his finger over my lips. "What?" he called loudly.

The stairs creaked as someone started up them. I sat up, immediately concerned. "You okay?" Raph's voice came through the door. "You just fall or something?"

"Uh, no, I'm fine!" Mike yelled back. "Really, I'm okay!"

There was a pause. "What're you doing?" Raphael asked from directly outside the room.

"Uh, nothing, just um..." Mike looked at me and smiled as he searched for something to say. "Just testing a theory."

Raph paused. "Is that the theory of how long it takes you to hit the floor when you fall out of Rei's bed?"

Mike scrambled to get up. Instinctively looking for a place to hide, I slid underneath the bed as Michaelangelo opened the door. "No, uh, just... I'm fine, see?" he assured his brother. "No scrapes, bruises, internal bleeding..."

There was a moment of silence. "What?" Mike cried, laughing.

"Why are you in here?" Raphael's voice was more than a little suspicious.

"I, uh, had... to borrow something from Rei. It was... uh... some notes we took, she took. Last... yesterday." He was a terrible liar.

"Uh, huh," Raph mumbled. "This the same Rei who's hiding under the bed?"

Oh my god! How did he know that? But instead of panicking, I was trying not to laugh. "Under the...?" Mike stammered.

The blanket lifted, Raph looked under the bed. I smiled casually. "Hi, Raph. How are ya?"

He stared at me for a moment with a blank expression on his face, then sighed as he dropped the blanket again. "I don't wanna know," he mumbled.

RAPHAEL:

I turned the volume up on the TV at my first opportunity. They were quiet for a while. Almost fifteen minutes. Then there was a loud thud, and laughter. Don and Leo both looked up at the ceiling, and Jessica pulled away from me. For a moment, I worried that they might go to investigate. I cupped my hands over my mouth. "Hey Mikey, knock it off will ya!" I yelled up the stairs.

"What's he doing?" Leo asked, turning to me.

I shrugged. "He was reading when I went up there before."

Leo stared at me, obviously suspicious. "Must be a good book," he replied, his voice cold.

I shrugged and grinned. "He actually fell off the bed last time. I don't think he's used to the twin beds, you know?"

They seemed satisfied with that, and I was relieved. I couldn't think up a better explanation. He was gonna get busted if he kept it up. Jessica pressed to me again, resting her head on my shoulder. "Hey Raph?" she whispered, far too quiet for anyone else to hear.

"Mmm?" I mumbled.

"They're having sex in my parent's guest room, aren't they?"

"Yep."

REI:

We untangled ourselves from the blankets and threw them aside. I shoved him back and he nearly toppled over. "You ass," I laughed. "You're gonna get us both killed."

"Killed, huh?" he grinned. "That's a little extreme."

I raised myself onto my elbows, looking up at him as he got on his knees. "Tell it to my brother."

He opened his mouth to say something, but instead only laughed. "No, forget that."

"What?" I asked.

He shook his head and backed away. I wasn't sure where he thought he was going. I wasn't near done with him yet. "Nothing," he chuckled.

"Mikey, come on!" I cried. "You can't do that! I hate that."

He smiled and looked away for a moment, like he was thinking. Then he looked back, still grinning. "Well, the initial thought was 'Fuck your brother,' but I'm having entirely too much fun fucking you to even think about that."

I shoved him a lot harder this time, and he did fall over backwards. I sprang on top of him and almost managed to get his hands pinned. But he flipped me onto my back and, before I even realized what was happening, he was gone. Jesus, where did he go that fast! I bolted upright just in time to see him throw the door open. My eyes widened. "Mikey!"

He darted out of the room, leaving me gaping, and sitting in the middle of the floor, totally naked. I scrambled to grab the blankets instinctively. "Michaelangelo, I'm going to kill you."

He poked his head back in the room. "Aw, but you love me, remember?" he smiled.

I looked around for something to throw at him, but instead saw his facemask. I grabbed it and held it up. "What're your brothers going to say when you show up without this?" I taunted.

He smiled back. "What's your brother going to say when you show up without this?" he answered, holding up my top.

Instinctive panic raced through me. I had no other clothes right now. "Michaelangelo, that is not funny!" I shot, trying not to laugh. Why was I laughing? If Yukio walked up those stairs right now...

He stepped back into the room and leaned against the frame of the open door, dangling the top in front of him. "You want it?" he grinned. "Come get it."

Not giving myself a chance to think, I lunged at him. I tried to keep the blanket around me, but it was a lost cause. I caught his feet, but he got away and took off down the hall to his room, leaving me on the carpet and in plain view of anyone who happened to come up the stairs. "Michaelangelo, get over here!" I yelled loudly. He only laughed. "Raph!" I called. "Will you come beat your brother up for me please?"

I didn't think he'd actually do it. But the creaking stairs warned me. I scrambled to get back into my room, slamming the door shut.

LEONARDO:

Michaelangelo was sitting on his bed, a book in his lap. His mask was missing, and the blanket was pulled around his waist. "What on earth is going on up here?" I demanded.

He looked up at me, an innocent smile on his face. "Nothing," he answered. "Just reading."

"Rei wants you beat up for reading?" I challenged. "And where's your...?"

"I took it off," he interrupted. I stared at him, surprised. He laughed. "Geez, Leo, it's not like it hides anything! It's just a bandana."

I considered that for a moment. "What's with Rei?" I demanded.

"It's, uh... the book is hers."

I stared, waiting for more of an explanation. "She uh... I stole it. Sort of. I mean, she was right there. Just messin' with her, Leo. No big deal."

I eyed him suspiciously. "Michaelangelo, could you possibly refrain from messing with her? Because if Yukio comes home and..."

"Sure Leo," he smiled, cutting me off. "I'll leave her alone. Here." He slapped the book closed and handed it to me. "Why don't you go give this back to her. I'm sure she really wants to finish reading it. Tell her I'm sorry for taking it, okay?"

I took the novel from him and waited for him to say something else. The broad grin on his face warned me that I was missing something. "You wanna come downstairs and watch...?"

"No, I'm okay," he interrupted, still smiling. Something was definitely up with him. "Really. I'm just gonna sit here and... think. If that's okay." I studied him for a moment and he laughed. "I won't cause any more problems. I promise."

I sighed as I turned to the door. "Mike, are you alright?"

"Fine," he clipped. He was way too perky for his own good. I hadn't seen him like this in months, and I wasn't entirely sure what to think of it. It was kind of sudden, and I was shocked. "Never been better. Why? Something wrong?"

I studied him. "No," I answered hesitantly. "Nothing."

He shrugged, still smiling, and I left the room more than a little confused.

I knocked on Rei's door. "Who is it?" she called back.

"It's Leonardo," I answered. "Michaelangelo asked me to give this back to you."

There was a long pause. I waited for her to open the door, but she didn't. She didn't respond at all. I stood still and listened for sounds of movement, but there was nothing. "Rei?"

"Uh," she stammered through the door. It cracked open and she poked her head out. A look of horror was on her face, but it was quickly replaced with one of relief.

I stood there, confused, and held the book out. She reached her arm around the door and snatched it away. "Thanks!" she shot, smiling. She slammed the door closed again, and I stared at it for a moment.

"Rei, is everything alright?"

"Yes!" she yelled. "Wonderful, now that I have my book back!"

Her voice was a lot louder than it needed to be. In the other room, I heard Michaelangelo snicker. "Hey, Leo, you're gonna miss the best part!" Raph's voice called up the stairs.

I glanced back and forth between the two rooms, not sure I should leave them alone, and finally turned away.

MICHAELANGELO:

"Psst! Rei!"

The door didn't open. But I knew she was right on the other side of it. I could see her shadow in the slit underneath it. "Rei-chan!"

The door opened slightly and she peeked out through the crack. "You live dangerously, Mikey," she whispered loudly.

Reassured that she wasn't angry by the slight smile on her face, I grinned back. "Yep, that's me. Danger incarnate."

She eyed me suspiciously, half-glaring, half-smiling. "I'm gonna get even with you, you know," she informed me.

"Why don't you just put one of your brother's shirts on?" I suggested, kicking my legs just slightly in the air. I was on my stomach, my weight on my elbows, arms crossed over each other.

"I thought of that," she answered. "His suitcase is locked."

"Awww," I sympathized.

She opened the door a little wider so that I could see more of her smooth, naked body. She had the blanket around her waist, but made no attempt to cover her breasts. She tilted her head slightly and pouted. It was impressive. I almost bought it. "Mikey, I'm cold."

"Well, come here," I grinned at her. "I know how to keep you warm."

She sighed deeply, her chest rising impressively. I felt excitement shoot through me. It had only been about five minutes total since I'd been inside of her... but it felt a hell of a lot longer than that. We stared at each other for a moment and I saw the desire creep into her eyes. "You're really going to make me run naked down this hall, aren't you," she realized.

I smiled. "I dare you," I whispered.

She did.

I wasn't really expecting it, and I hand to scramble to get up as she spun around the door and slammed it closed. "Hey, hey, hey! Quiet!" I chastised as we stood face to face. "I just told Leonardo I'd behave. We don't need any more loud noises coming from up..."

She tackled me, arms wrestling with mine in a playful fight for dominance. So much for being quiet…

RAPHAEL:

Leo and Don had left. Don was on the beach and Leo was talking to Splinter. That was fine by me. Jess and I were still curled on the couch, watching a second movie. I wasn't particularly interested, but there was nothing better to do.

Yukio walked in the front door. He studied the TV screen for a moment, listening to words he didn't understand, and turned away in disgust. "{Where is my sister?}" he demanded.

"{Not sure,}" I lied. "{Something wrong?}"

"{I need to speak with her.}"

I studied him for a moment. "{About what?}" I asked.

He scowled. "{That is none of your concern,}" he shot at me.

I shrugged and turned back to the TV. "{She went for a walk,}" I informed him. "{About a half-hour ago.}"

"{Where did she go?}"

I shrugged. "{I don't know. She started walking that way, though.}"

I pointed, and his eyes followed my gesture. "{She did not tell you where she was going?}"

"Iie," I answered with a smirk. "{Was I supposed to ask?}"

He glared at me. "{If my sister and I were in no danger, we would not be in this country right now.}"

"{So?}" I answered. "{It's not like she could've gotten far.}"

I could see the frustration building in his eyes. "{I must find my sister before anything happens to her.}"

I smiled to myself as he spun away. Yeah, you do that, dickhead.

MICHAELANGELO:

I glanced at the clock. The movie was over. So were we. I was exhausted, but at the same time, I knew I could do it again. "You think we'll actually get away with this?" Rei whispered.

I breathed deep, taking in the scent of perfume mixed with sweat. "I think we already did," I sighed.

She pressed closer to me, reaching her arm across my chest. The blankets had been kicked to the foot of the bed and we were sprawled naked on the cool sheets. The door was closed and locked, but the window was open. I could hear the faint crashing of the waves on the shore as a breeze rustled the trees.

She nuzzled against my neck and I sighed. "We should split," I whispered. "Guess I oughtta go get your clothes, huh?"

"Wilt thou be gone?" she breathed back. "It is not yet near day."

I smiled. "Rei..."

"It was the nightingale and not the lark that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear," she murmured against my neck. "Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate tree."

"It was the lark, the herald of the morn," I sighed. "No nightingale. I must be gone and live or stay and die."

"You missed a line," she laughed quietly.

I smiled. "Sue me," I mumbled. "It's been a long time, you know."

She breathed deep and pressed close to me, running her hand down my arm. "We don't have to stop," she pleaded. "The door's locked; they can't get in even if they wanted to."

"Mmm… Let me be put to death. I am content so thou wilt have it so." She laughed at the dramatics. "I have more care to stay than will to go. Come death and welcome, Juliet wills…"

She kissed me and cut me off. I sighed as she pulled away I could hear an argument downstairs and recognized the voices. I sat up reluctantly. "Your brother's home," I mumbled. "You really have to go."

I looked back and brushed her hair out of her eyes before standing up. "I'll get your pants."

"Better be fast," she smiled back.

"Always," I assured her.

"Don't forget to get your belt and mask outta there too."

I nodded and reached for the door handle. "Hey, Mikey?"

I glanced back at her. She made no attempt to hide her body. "Yeah?" I whispered.

"I love you."

I smiled. "I love you too."

"No regrets?"

I stopped and turned fully toward her. The look on her face was pleading. I sat down again on the edge of the bed and took her hand. "Never," I assured her. "I'll never regret this."

She smiled.