Phoenix Red Lion – Hey there! Always nice to see a new face! I'm glad you like it, and yes Raph is totally 'lovin'' it. NOT
Can't think of anything else to say to pacphys, bubblyshell22 and spootycup other than thanks for reading, and glad ya liking it!
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Chapter 7; And …
The sound of chuckling could be heard from the dojo. Within it sitting cross legged upon the floor were Lotus and Leonardo. After a couple of days of awkward interaction the two were rapidly growing closer, their love of Japanese culture and dedication to ninjitsu drawing Leonardo away from his brothers and towards the girl. What was more, Leonardo's mood was improving, the dark cloud that had been hanging over him steadily dispersing to return the eldest turtle back to his fun yet serious nature.
"I am telling you …" Lotus reiterated, "I did not lie! I said "You have a most beautiful home", and parts of New York are truly beautiful, no?" Her large brown eyes flickered with feigned glee. "It is not my fault if you took it the wrong way."
Who could resist eyes like that? Chuckling Leo conceded the point. "I suppose not." The two sat crossed legged on the floor of the dojo, Leonardo's katana's lay to his side, and past that Lotus perched. In the comfortable silence Leonardo observed her actions, despite her injuries she carried herself well, the ugly bruises on her face fading to reveal the rich olive of her skin. For the moment the girl's head was busy glancing around the now familiar room, her thick hair now considerably shorter due to the head wound she had sustained, yet it still bounced when she moved, and framed her face perfectly. Two sly eyes slid from their intense scrutiny of the ceiling to catch Leo's attentive gaze.
"You are doing it again!" She teased lightly, exaggerating her discomfort when she turned in to flick his beak with one finger. In response to his poor impression of innocence she shrieked with joy, "Watching me!"
Blushing Leonardo turned away, biting on his lip. Hearing her playful laughter his shade deepened. Taking the upper hand she reached down to one of his swords. Pulling it from its sheath she played with it, swinging the tip up and around in the air. "Perhaps …" she paused, biting down on her lip whilst she searched for the right words, "Perhaps you can tell me why … you …" she pointed the tip of the blade towards Leonardo's chest, "have the weapon of a warrior. And they… "Turning the blade around she swung its tip towards the open door "do not."
Leonardo frowned, "I don't know what you mean." Of course he did, but he didn't understand the point she was trying to make.
"The katana is the weapon of a warrior." Lotus pointed out crisply. "The bo is used to carry buckets from the paddy field. A sai is used to strip rice from the reed, I have even seen it in the hair of noblewomen, and the nunchaka to beat the crop. They are tools of the common farmer." She paused to giggle, "Perhaps you are the favourite?"
Chuckling Leonardo shook his head, "Master Splinter treats us all equally."
"Then why do they not hold a katana too?"
Leonardo shrugged, it was true that he had gone out of his way to learn how to wield his brother's weapons, but despite the fact he had never seen his brothers use his own sword.
"I think it is because you are the favourite."
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"Tell me yo'did not jus' hear that"
Over the sounds of the muted TV the other two looked at Raph.
"I'll go have a word." Donny grimaced.
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Lotus smiled at Leonardo, picking up on his unease but pleased that he did not counter her views again. Placing the blade down on top of the sheath she opened her mouth to speak again. "I have won-.."
"Hey!" Donny hopped up the stairs into the dojo and grinned at the two, "Leo, a word."
Taking his brother outside Donny offered him a quick smile. There were times he really hated playing peacekeeper, and this was one of them. "You know we heard that right?"
"Oh …" shifting about uneasily he glanced back inside the dojo, making eye contact with Lotus he returned a wave when she waved at him.
"And it hurt." Donny continued catching his brother's attention once again. "Look, what she said, that really ticked Raph off." Donny was surprised to see Leo roll his eyes at the last bit.
"It was an innocent, accurate comment. She didn't mean anything by it. I can't help the way things were done centuries ago, and neither can Lotus"
"I know that but it was cruel and uncalled for. Maybe you could let her know that too. Now I don't really mind all that much, and I don't think Mikey does either. But it got to Raph, and at the end of the day, you've got to live with him. Lotus, she's not a permanent fixture, okay"
"Donny, I hear you." Again Leo glanced back into the dojo, mouthing 'just a second' to the girl who stared at the turned backs, her ears straining to pick up on their whispers. "Now, can I go back to our house guest?"
"Sure. Just wanted to clear that up."
Turning on the step he headed back into the lounge, taking up his place between Raph and Mikey. "How'dit go bro?" Mikey asked focussed on two tortilla chips as they zoomed through the air like mini jets.
"Everything is sorte-"
From the depths of the dojo two slightly raised voices drifted through.
"What was that? Have I done wrong?"
"Don't worry about it, Donny was asking about dinner. It was nothing important."
