CHAPTER 12

MICHAELANGELO:

There was a hammock in the small forest that Jessica called a front yard. That's where I was, dozing contentedly in the shade, when she found me. "Workin' hard?"

I opened one eye and flashed her a smile. "Hardly working," I corrected.

She pushed the ropes and I started swinging back and forth. I closed my eyes and smiled as I breathed in the moist, faintly sweet scent of the trees. A neighbor was cutting grass, but I couldn't see it. I could only hear the lawnmower, mixed with the ever-present waves and the hissing, rattling sound of insects calling for more heat.

The rocking slowed but started again as she climbed onto the hammock with me. "Where is everyone?" I asked cautiously as she settled next to me.

"Your brothers are on the nature trail about a mile down the beach. Mine is reading."

I turned slightly and she pressed her back against my plastron. "I don't know where Splinter is, but I doubt he'll come all the way out here."

I considered that. I wasn't so sure, but I wasn't going to worry about it. It wasn't like we were doing anything wrong, anyway. I sighed as I nestled my face in her sweet-smelling hair. It was damp and cool. "You just take a shower?"

"Mmm," she answered, taking my hand and guiding it around her waist. I slipped my fingers under her shirt and brushed her skin lightly, circling her navel. "You take one yet?"

"I jumped in the lake early this morning," I mumbled back.

She laughed quietly. "I guess that counts."

I heard wind chimes clank together as a cool north breeze swept past us. She came closer and rested her head on my arm. I could feel her warm breath on my skin.

"I love you, Mikey," she whispered.

I brushed her hair aside and kissed her neck lightly. "I love you too, Rei."

The fluttering wings of a small brown bird caught my attention. It flew right over us and perched on a branch a few feet away, cocking its head to the side as it watched us. I sighed contentedly and closed my eyes, drifting toward a blissful sleep with Rei in my arms.

***

I awoke to a tingling sensation between my legs. I breathed deep, eyes closed, and smiled. "That feels good, Rei."

She didn't answer and I opened my eyes. She was sitting on my legs, balancing carefully in the unsteady swing and smiling down on me as she ran her fingers up and down my shaft. I closed my eyes and soaked in the excitement. "That feels really good."

"You know, I think I like your body, Michaelangelo," she informed me, squeezing gently. "It's easily accessible."

I laughed quietly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She smiled as she relaxed her hold, then tightened it again. Her other hand came closer to my body and cupped me gently. "That I don't have to have your permission to touch you," she grinned. "In fact, you don't even have to wake up until it's too late."

I smiled back at her. "Too late, huh?"

"Mmm hmm."

I felt heat rush through my thighs as she continued, squeezing and releasing at a slow, steady pace, her other hand massaging in the same rhythm. She was pulling too, milking me. I moaned. "Mmm, you better stop, baby."

"Why?"

"'Cause this feels a little too good," I whispered. "I don't know if I can pull back if somebody comes."

She stopped for a moment and I opened my eyes to see her looking around. "There's nobody here, Mikey," she assured me.

"Yeah, but..."

She pulled her warm hands away and touched her finger to my lips. "Shh," she hissed. "Just trust me."

I swallowed hard as she began again. I wasn't worried about someone seeing what she was doing to me. We'd have plenty of warning if anyone came near us. We could see the door to the house from here if someone came out, and the ground was lined with small sticks and leaves. Not that my brothers couldn't make their way through that without making a sound, because I knew they could. But they'd have to really make an effort. And I couldn't think of any good reason why they'd bother. Being caught unaware wasn't really what I was worried about.

I took Rei's hand away from my lips. "I'm just saying, angel, if someone comes I might not be able to hide it even if I know they're coming."

She smiled. "Hmm. That is a problem."

She was still massaging, and I could feel the excitement growing. I groaned and reached for her wrist. "Come on, Rei, I'm serious," I pleaded.

She laughed quietly and her other hand roamed down. I grabbed that one, too. "What do you think you're going to do?" she demanded, smiling. "You think you can stop me from turning you on?"

"I can try."

She grinned. "I can make you horny just by talking to you, Mikey, and you know it."

I groaned. "Yes, you probably could," I agreed. "But please don't. Don't torture me like that."

She brought our hands up and kissed my fingers. "Would it feel better if I took you all the way?" she invited seductively.

RAPHAEL:

Jessica cooked, and we all ate. She wanted a meal where all of us were sitting at the table. Don't ask me why, it was just her thing. Nobody had any objections, since she was an excellent cook. Mike and Rei were missing, and Leo offered to go track them down. Luckily, they walked in the door just as he was getting ready to go searching. Neither one of them said a word, just sat down at the table and smiled at each other. One look at Mike's face told me all I needed to know.

Throughout dinner, they watched each other, trying to be discreet about it. Every time their eyes met, they smiled. Eyes darted around the room, checking to see if anyone was suspicious. It took a few minutes, but eventually, I caught his stare. I questioned him silently and he shrugged slightly and shot me a smile. I rolled my eyes, but smiled knowingly. It was about damn time.

"Right, Raph?"

I jerked to attention and looked toward Jessica. She raised her eyebrows, prodding me to answer. "Uh, yeah," I answered, totally oblivious to the question. "Right."

Donny snickered. Jess sighed. "I rest my case," she sighed.

I'd missed something. I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to know what. "Agreed," Leo smiled.

"What's agreed?" I asked.

"That you don't listen when I'm talking to you," Jess smirked.

I glared at her for a moment, and Mike stood up. "It was good," he praised.

He walked to the sink, deposited his dishes, and walked outside. Just like that. Leo and I exchanged glances, and I got up. "I'll be right back."

Outside, he was already halfway down the long driveway. "Hey!" He stopped and turned around, walking backward. "Where you goin'?"

He shrugged, half skipping as he continued to back away. "I dunno," he answered. "Walk?"

I jogged toward him, and he stopped. "Somethin' wrong?" he questioned.

I watched him for a moment as I stopped a few feet away, but didn't answer. The smile fell from his face. "Raph?"

I shook my head. "No, nothing's wrong."

He seemed relieved by that. "What's up, then?"

"I just wanted to warn you," I mumbled. "You guys are gonna need to be a little quieter than that if you insist on doing it in the house."

He stared at me, shocked. "What?"

"Don't 'what' me, Mikey," I grinned at him. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

He studied me for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You covered for me, didn't you?" he realized.

"Yeah, but it's not easy when you're being so damn loud. So next time you think you can keep it on the bed?"

He shrugged, and the smile grew wider. "It was a twin bed," he reminded me. "Not enough room."

I reached up to hit him playfully, but he retaliated before I had a chance to. I wasn't expecting him to go for my legs. A few months ago, I would've been aware of it, but I just didn't expect it now. I stumbled backward as my legs were kicked out from under me. He wasn't strong enough to actually drop me. I stared at him for a moment, and he grinned, daring me to hit back. I lunged at him and we grabbed each other's wrists. I'd always been stronger than him. But it was even more evident now that he hadn't worked out in three months.

We wrestled for a few minutes before I locked his head in my arm. "Ack! Okay, okay!" he cried. "Air! Please!"

I let go and stood back as he straightened. He smiled at me and for a moment, it was like things were normal. Just the way it used to be before she died. The smile fell from my face. "Hey, Mikey?"

"Yeah?"

"I like Rei."

He grinned. "Yeah, I like her too."

"Treat her right."

His smile fell as he realized I was saying something serious. He stared at me for a moment, and nodded slightly. "I know, Raph," he whispered. "I will."

I clapped a hand on his shoulder, and turned away, walking back to the house.

REI:

"Psst! Rei!"

I opened my eyes slowly and stared up at the ceiling. The blankets were up around my chin, warm sunlight filtering though the window and warming my face. My body felt strange, and I as my mind awoke, I remembered why. I was still naked under the sheets, but he wasn't beside me. "Rei? You awake?"

I couldn't tell exactly where the voice was coming from. I yawned and sat up, brushing my hair back. "I am now," I mumbled. "That you, Mike?"

"Yeah. Over here."

I looked over toward the open window and saw him. I was a little startled, since I was on the second story and I couldn't see what he was sitting on. After the initial shock, I couldn't help but laugh. "Michaelangelo, what are you doing out there?"

He smiled and shrugged. "Stairs were too crowded. Know what I mean?"

I glanced at the clock. It was 7:30. "Is everyone up already?"

"Everyone 'cept Raph and Jessica," he confirmed.

I stood and walked to the window. He stared at me through the screen. "I suppose you want me to let you in," I assumed.

"Nah, actually I was kinda hoping you'd come out."

Closer now, I could see that he'd climbed the tree to get up here. He was perched on one of the branches. "Not a chance," I grinned. "I don't climb trees. My luck, I'd probably fall and break something."

He held out his hands to me. "I won't let you fall," he promised. "There's something I want to show you."

I considered that for a moment. "I think I'll use the door, thank you," I informed him.

He stared at me with those pleading, puppy dog eyes. "No, Rei, don't do that. They'll see you." He stood up on the limb. "Come on babe, just trust me."

I studied him for a moment before pushing the screen up and climbing onto the windowsill. "If I break my leg because of the little stunt, I'm never speaking to you again," I threatened, smiling.

He grinned back as he took my hand. "Oh, okay. I'll make sure you don't break anything worse than an ankle."

"Very funny."

Sneaking away from the house kind of reminded me of a spy movie. The fact that it was broad daylight didn't help hide us. But once we made it to the beach, we took off running, kicking sand up behind us. I was glad it was still early enough for the sand not to be scorching, because I had no shoes. In fact, I was running down the beach in pajamas bottoms and T-shirt, early morning, with a mutant turtle. God, I hoped no one was up watching the sunrise from their back porches.

I fell behind about a mile from the house. My side was screaming in pain and my legs felt like they were going to fall out from underneath me. Michaelangelo didn't look tired. I came to a stop. "Mikey, wait up!" I laughed.

He stopped and spun around, and a broad smile flashed across his face. In a second's time, he was beside me again. He swept me off my feet before I could think to protest. I latched onto his neck, somewhat surprise.

"You've been working out," I observed.

He shrugged nonchalantly, but his eyes danced with pride. "I started running again; I told you that." I nodded, and he suddenly frowned. "Not that it's anything to brag about with how little I can actually do."

I draped my arms over his shoulders and kissed him full on the lips, making a loud smacking sound. "Mmm, I love you baby," I assured him. "Even if you are slow and fat and lazy, I still love you."

He dropped me without warning and I cried out as I gripped his shoulders. My feet found the warm sand and I steadied myself. "Hey, who's the one who's out of breath?" he grinned back.

I put both palms on his plastron and pushed him back. He stumbled as I turned and took off again. I was close to the water's edge now and the white-capped waves were breaking around my feet, soaking the bottom of my pants. I didn't get very far before I heard him splashing behind me. A few steps later, his arms circled my waist from behind. I shrieked as I was whirled through the air in a circle. That would have been funny enough, but the fact that he lost his balance and sent both of us tumbling, head over heels into an oncoming wave, was hilarious. I washed up on the shore, gasping, coughing, and laughing at the same time.

As he came up next to me, he turned me quickly onto my back. I felt his hands on my sides, under my shirt. His lips closed over mine hungrily. Instantly, my mind was consumed by the thought of him, and I forgot everything else. "Touch me," he rasped, hands roaming over my body.

He was already exposed. I brushed my fingers over his long shaft without hesitation. He hardened under my touch. I could feel his lips on my neck as he raised my shirt. I was lost in sensations, totally oblivious to the fact that the sun was shining in my eyes. It was broad daylight. But we were beyond the houses here, and I doubted anyone would see us. At least I hoped no one would.

The shirt rose over my head and his hands came to rest on my breasts, touching and exploring as he kissed and nipped at my neck. I smiled. On second thought, I didn't give a damn if we were seen. I slipped my fingers underneath his elbow pads and tugged them down his arms. "You know," he mumbled into my mouth, breaking our kiss just long enough to get the words out. I pulled away to let him speak, but he followed me. "You don't really have to..." Again he got distracted. It took him a few seconds to finish his sentence. "..take those off. Not like they're gonna..." I squeezed his hard member gently and he gasped. "...get in the way," he finally finished in a moan.

He bit my bottom lip gently. "I know baby," I laughed, realizing now how hard it was to talk and kiss him at the same time. "But it's the principle of the thing." I ran my hands down his sides, feeling along the soft, hidden skin. "Being totally naked with you. I like that."

He laughed, kissing down my neck to my breasts. "Yeah," he mumbled.

The sound of the waves breaking around us nearly drowned him out. We were both already soaked so it made no difference, really, that we were lying in the surf. His lips and hands moved down and eased the pajama bottoms off my hips. I whispered his name and ran my fingers along his cool, damp skin as he trailed down my body, kissing and licking. He ran his tongue up the inside of my thigh and once over the thin lace panties, teasing me. I arched toward him. "Mikey..."

Another wave washed around us. He teased mercilessly through the black lace, holding my hips as he kissed and licked. Then he came back up to face me. "You know," he mumbled. "This is fun and all..." He kissed me hard and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "But I don't know how much longer I can wait."

"Mmm... yeah," I agreed.

He sucked hard on the side of my neck, his hands moving over me in a quickened, desperate pace. "I want to be inside of you." I moaned slightly and tilted my head away. "I've never wanted anything like I want you..."

I closed my eyes and breathed deep as he eased the last bit of clothing off my body. Suddenly, my eyes flew open. I wasn't sure exactly why, whether it had been a change in sound or smell or maybe sight as he stepped up and blocked the sun. He'd appeared so quickly, it was as if he'd come out of thin air. I gasped. "Omigod, Yukio!"