My eyes slowly fluttered open as sunlight poured into the room. I sat up swiftly looking around me, confused. For a few moments I wasn't sure where I was or how I had gotten there. Then the whole night before came crashing back to me. I flopped back down on the couch in April's spare room not ready to face the day.
Raphael had forced me to go to April's. I had been extremely worried about Mel, but he wouldn't hear it. He wouldn't leave me until we arrived there and he had explained everything to April and put me in her care. April in turn wouldn't let me leave and tried to explain to me how dangerous everything I was getting involved with was. She said it was much safer for me to just stay with her, where the guys could watch out for me.
I had protested. I was worried for my friend, but knew it was useless. Whatever Melinda had gotten herself involved with was obviously way over my head. I knew I would need everyone's help if I had any chance of reaching her and getting her back. I wished desperately I hadn't lost my temper the night before. Perhaps if I had spoken clearly we could have resolved our issues and I wouldn't be here. I sighed, chiding myself for once again falling into my trap of self-pity. I had too much to do right now to be moping around feeling sorry for myself. I had to be strong to help Mel.
As I laid and thought and finally began to fully wake up I realized I heard voices. I sat up and listened, I slowly identify each voice and realize everyone is there, even Splinter. I heard my name mentioned more than once and with a heavy heart I knew they were discussing Mel and myself. I slid off the couch, feeling perhaps I should be part of a discussion about me.
I pulled my sweater back on over the undershirt I had been wearing to sleep in and pulled my hair up into a tight ponytail. I pushed the door to the spare room open slightly, listening I could tell the voices where coming from the living room. I crept down the hall rather uncertain what to say. I knew Melinda and I were causing a lot more trouble to these people, then necessary and I was waiting for them to just give up on us and allow us to fall from our own mistakes.
As I approached their words grew painfully clear and I stopped mid hallway and just listened. Displeased by what I heard. "I think we should send her home. It's too dangerous for her to stay in the city now, if Hun's seen her." It was Leonardo's voice and the tone of it caused my knees to tremble. There was actual concern in his voice, still after all that had happened between us.
"I hate to say it, but I agree with Leo…" Raphael spoke up next. "Her friend Melinda is in a serious mess and I don't want to be babysitting someone who is trying to save her." His tone was so indifferent, how could he just write me off like that. I stomped down the hallway turning the corner to face the room full of people. Everyone turned to face me as I strode into the doorway.
"I WON'T go home!" A stubborn look crossed my face and I glared at everyone. I couldn't believe they were just going to cart me off, like I wouldn't care what happened to Mel. Like I could just go back home and forget everything.
"But it's not safe here…" Leonardo protested first, his arms crossed. Our gazes met and we both froze for a moment, an uncomfortable feeling passing between us. I remembered my resolution to apologize to him so I held back the harsh words that were on my tongue.
"What you just expect me to abandon my friend? How heartless do you think I am!" I looked at him with a wounded expression. Wishing he would try to understand where I was coming from. He sighed, and looked back to Splinter, my gaze followed him to his Master.
"You should go to where you are safe child. Our enemy should not be your enemy." Splinter looked at me with a soul-searching expression. I held his gaze and stood by my convictions.
"You can try to send me away, I can't stop you, but I'll just come back alone then and try to help Melinda. I won't abandon her; I don't care what it does to me. She is my family, maybe not by blood, but I can't just leave her." Splinter sighed, but nodded, like he understood that I was not going to be shaken. Glancing at Leonardo I could see him looking at me with respect. I felt a shiver and suppressed it. Annoyed with my emotions for flaring at such a serious time.
Casey spoke up, having been watching all of us conflict back and forth. "You don't know the Purple Dragon's, Lea. They will tear you apart and you won't be able to stop it." Casey and Raph exchanged skeptical looks with one another and I sighed, knowing in all honesty there was no way I could defend myself against this gang.
"I won't let them." I turned surprised by the clear determination in Leo's voice. He looked from face to face in the room, before finally resting on his Master face. The two of them seemed to exchange silent words and Splinter gave Leonardo a somewhat puzzled look before nodding. "I told you, you were under my protection Lea and I meant it. I won't let them touch you." He faced me. His expression was stoic, strong. It made me feel more confident. I cursed myself for everything cruel I had ever said to him. I was an ass.
"I want to help Melinda too, Sensei." Don's voice was soft when he finally spoke and it almost broke my heart to hear it. I could clearly tell he was worried. "I mean she doesn't even realize what she is getting herself into. We have to help her." Mike was sitting next to him and laid a hand on his brother's shoulder concerned. Don sighed and lowered his face, I could tell he was upset and it broke my heart. I hadn't realized how deeply his feelings were for Melinda. I wondered if she even realized.
Splinter looked thoughtful for a moment, then sighed looking like he was about to speak when suddenly Raphael stood from where he had been leaning on the arm of the chair Casey's was sitting on. "Well I think this is stupid! Did WE cause any of these problems? Why should we risk OUR lives to help her? Its HER fault!" He growled frustrated. He pleaded his point to everyone around him, and finally his eyes rested on me. "You should just go home…" He pointed right at me. "You TOO! You've caused enough trouble. Both of you, I am so sick of all of this!"
I saw Leo take a step forward ready to engage his brother in an argument, but it was Don that shocked the room into silence. "SHUT UP, RAPHAEL!" He was breathing hard, glaring at his brother. Even without knowing him well, I was stunned by Donnie's out burst. "You don't even really know what is going on! I swear sometimes you just like running your mouth to hear yourself talk!" Don turned away from his brother and towards their Master. "We will help her, Sensei, right?"
Raph stood for a few moments, slack jawed, surprised before he turned and stomped from the room, pushing pass me. "Fine! Do whatever you want, see if I care!" I moved quickly to get out of his way, once again feeling out of place. Out of the corner of my eye I saw April shoot me a sympathetic look. I smiled weakly back. Wondering how she handled all of them all of them time. Leo was watching me, but I forced myself to focus on Splinter. Trying to keep at the task at hand.
Sensei sighed again and looked towards where Raphael just departed. " I think we have no choice, but to help. We can't leave someone to be corrupted by such an evil force as the Shredder, on any level. Not when it is in our power to help them." He considered for a moment. "But, Lea, you will stay here with April. You won't fight and you won't put yourself in danger. That you MUST promise." He eyes fell squarely on me. I felt myself nod without protest. I couldn't fight against him, not even if I wanted to help Melinda. I knew I would just be in the way.
"Casey…" Splinter kept talking.
"Yeah?" Casey looked over at him surprised by being singled out in the room.
"Would you please take Lea back to her hotel room and gather her things." I am certain that would make her more comfortable." Splinter and Leonardo exchanged looks. I could see they wanted to talk and wanted me out of the apartment to do so. Still I didn't protest. They were helping me I should be grateful.
"Yeah I can do that." He stood and studied me for a moment. "That alright with you Lea?"
I nodded, sighing. "Yeah I should try to write Melinda a note too, just in case she shows back up there. She's going to worry." I saw a few looks exchanged between the men in the room, but I let it slide. They didn't know Mel; I couldn't believe she would just abandon me without worrying.
April stood. "I'll go and start to make breakfast. That way we can all eat when you guys get back." I watched Casey and April exchange smiles. For some reason it hurt to watch. I sighed and started from the room.
"I'll meet you out by the door Casey, let me just grab all my stuff because I will need my cardkey." I walked back into the spare room for my jacket, which was holding everything I needed. I didn't see Raphael and wondered briefly where he could have gone, but didn't press it figuring he wanted the time alone.
I grabbed my coat and walked back into the hallway to exit, I stopped short when I saw Leo was leaning against the wall outside waiting for me. He looked serious.
"Be careful and stay with Casey okay? Don't run off and try to do anything stupid." He spoke to me like a child and my brow furrowed I was about to protest, but thought better of it. I couldn't be rude when I was asking so much of these people. Plus something about his expression made me not so angry. His concern was almost flattering.
"Look, Leonardo, I just want to say… I'm sorry." Standing and staring at him the words starting rushing out. "I was an immature idiot for what I said and I don't deserve your help. I am very grateful." I bowed to him. It was without thought it seemed like the respectful thing to do. As our eyes met again, he was looking at me slightly shocked.
I flushed, figuring maybe I had said too much and had looked foolish. I felt even more stupid and turning swiftly knew I had to escape. "Excuse me." Bowing my head again, I walked away from him. I met Casey at the door and exited before I could do anything else dumb.
Casey and I were walking threw Time Square to my hotel. I was quiet. I was watching people walk past; hoping secretly one of them would be Melinda. Casey was next to me, hands in his pockets, also watching people as they passed us; only he seemed to be glaring at a lot of them.
"Look at all these punks wandering around!" He scowled at two young men as they passed us. "You would think they own the city…"
"And you do?" I smirked at Casey. Allowing some of my pent up stress to melt away. Trying to relax and just make the best out of the situation at hand that I could. At least until I could do something to improve it.
"Well I help to keep it cleaned up, I certainly do a lot more then any of them." He huffed to himself and frowned. I considered his words, curious about a lot of things.
"Why do, you and the Turtles go out of your way to help so many people, kind of well, like us? I mean it seems to be a lot more trouble then it's worth." My mind drifted back to Raphael's outburst in the living room this morning.
Casey just shrugged. "Cause I can help people. I mean I watch Moms and old ladies in my neighborhood struggle each week just to get down to the store to buy groceries without being robbed. That isn't right, that isn't anyway for people to live. I can change that so I do." I felt respect for Casey as I watched him. His methods may be questionable and he was bit rough around the edges, but surprisingly he was a good guy.
"So what about the Turtles, they don't have a "neighborhood", why do you think they do it?" I looked at him with genuine curiosity. We reached the hotel as I was talking and he held the door as we entered and walked to the elevator. Upon getting on he started speaking again.
"They follow all that Bushy-do-do stuff, ya know? They believe in helping people weaker then them, and fighting for the betterment of themselves I guess." He shrugged.
I thought, confused for a moment. "Do you mean Bushido?" I was trying to follow his line of thought.
"Yeah like I said Bushy-do-do." He nodded plainly and I had to smile. Casey was a simple man, a good man, but a simple one. I giggled; he looked at me a little confused. The elevators doors open and we walked down to where my room was.
I put the cardkey in and as the light blinked green pushed the door open. I wasn't surprised to not find anyone there. What did surprise me was all of Melinda's stuff was gone. "What the hell…" I looked at where her clothes had been, they were gone. I jogged quickly into the bathroom and all of her toiletries were gone also. "Mel left already…" I stood a little shocked, just staring.
Casey shuffled uneasy looking around the room himself. I think maybe he wanted to say something to make me feel better, but had no clue what to. I blinked a few times, pulling myself together. I couldn't understand why Mel would just leave and I had no idea where she would go.
"Well I should get my stuff together. If we don't get back, everyone will worry." My voice was heavy. I couldn't believe my friend had literally disappeared.
Casey nodded. "Yeah, well… I'll wait outside, give ya time to pack and stuff." I could see he still looked unsure with how to deal with my distraught state. I smiled weakly at him and nodded. I wasn't about to force him to stay in the room with me.
"Thanks, Casey." I watched him leave and fell heavily onto my bed with a sigh. "Mel, where have you gone…" I asked myself the question I had no idea of the answer to. It was then I noticed the paper on Melinda's nightstand. Even at this distance I could see her handwriting on it. I leapt up and hurried over to grab it. I read furiously, not understanding what she was talking about in the letter. I had no idea who Saki was, or why she was staying with him. This only made me worry more. I noticed the money she left me and frowned.
I stuffed everything into my bags. With one last look at the room I considered my opinions. I knew where Mel was now I had a lead. A small part of me wanted to just go find her, drag her away from where ever she was and take her home. The issues with that. I didn't know where she was, and Leo has expressly forbid me from trying anything on my own. Sighing I exited the room to find Casey waiting right outside the door for me.
"Ready to go?" He asked, grabbing my bags from me to carry them. I wanted to protest, tell him I could handle it on my own and then realized that would just be stupid.
"Yeah, let me just check out and we can head back to April's, I'm kind of getting hungry." I looked sadly one more time at the door. I knew Mel was not coming back here so there was no reason to keep the room. Heading down to the lobby I decided not to mention Saki to Casey. I would just wait and tell Leonardo about it when I got the chance. Casey waited while I checked out and then we headed back towards April's. Our journey back was much more quiet. I had run out of questions and Casey didn't seem to know what to say to me about the situation.
The day was uneventful. The guys had left by the time we returned. Don had come up with an idea to track Mel and they had gone back to wherever they lived. April had breakfast waiting for Casey and I. I found whatever hunger I held felt had disappeared on the walk back, but tried to eat a little. Casey and April kept looking at me. April even tried to talk to me, but really I just wanted to be alone.
I spent the day brooding in April's spare room and no one bothered me. Around dinnertime the Turtles came back. This time without Splinter. I heard Mikey talking swiftly to April about something and I knew they had returned. I didn't move yet. I was curled up on the couch. Hugging my Kakashi plushie, staring out the small window in the room at the buildings beyond. I didn't feel ready to talk. I felt heavy, I wanted to cry to relieve my stress but nothing came out.
I heard Casey leaving. Him talking and the door opening and shutting, but I still didn't move. I briefly wondered where he was going. I started to think about Melinda again. I ran all the events from the night before through my mind again. Wondering what I could have done different, how I could have improved what happened. A knock at the door shook me from my thoughts. "Its open."
I wasn't really surprised when Leonardo was the one that opened the door. He considered me, looking at me curled up and I saw a flash of emotions through his eyes. It was pity. I looked away feeling weak and stupid. "April told me you haven't left here today, maybe you should have some dinner?" He walked in. cautious and sat in the chair at the desk in the room considering me.
"I will," I sighed. "I've just had a lot on my mind." I could feel him studying me.
"Casey told me Melinda was gone when you got to your room. Are you okay with that?" I shrugged. I was actually surprised Leo seemed easy to talk to. I thought he would be a little oppressive, but actually he had an almost calming effect on me.
"As okay as I can be I guess. I can't believe she would just leave. She must have thought I abandoned her. I am so stupid I've done so many things wrong." I looked down ashamed.
I heard the chair moving and looked up to see Leo shifting around in it, uncomfortable. "Your not stupid Lea. Just human. You can't be expected to make every decision the right way every time. We all have flaws. Now we just need to figure out how to pick up the pieces and start to correct everything, okay?" He was giving me a reassuring look. I felt confidence in him and that made me feel better. As stupid as it sounded I felt like he could fix my problems.
I felt a new wave of guilt hit me. Here I was putting so much faith in a man I had been so dreadful to. That made me feel even more stupid. I started to cry, fat tears rolled down my face. Leonardo stood within seconds and was crouching down in front of me looking up at me concerned.
I could see a look of worry and confusion on his face. I realized with guilty he must not know how to deal with a crying girl and that my tears where upsetting him. "Lea its okay." He was trying to make me feel better again. "We will take care of everything I promise."
I sniffled but couldn't stop crying. "How… how can you be so kind to me, when I have been so rotten to you. I kept pushing you away and saying horrible things. You should hate me." My tears came faster. He was taken aback, that was not the response he had been expecting.
I froze as he suddenly embraced me pulling me hard against his shoulder, he murmured to me lightly, running his hands through my hair. I could feel him shaking lightly. And I realized that he must really feel like he was taking a chance by holding me again, considering my reaction the last time. Crying harder, hating myself for everything I had done to him I held him back tightly, crying into his neck. Neither of us spoke. He allowed me the time to simply cry myself out. Finally after sobbing for what seemed like forever, I stopped shaking. The tears stopping coming and I was simply nuzzling him.
Part of me felt like I should pull away, but I couldn't. Being held by him was the only thing that had felt right in the last few days and I didn't want it to stop. "Thank you…" I turned my face away from him so he could hear me, my cheek resting against his shoulder.
"Do you feel better?" He made no attempt to move either, but his hands stopped running thought my hair. I nodded and coughed a little. Feeling babyish for crying, but feeling gratitude to him for letting me.
"I can't express how grateful I am to you Leonardo. You have done so much for me." He hushed me. I could hear that same deep chur in his throat I had heard the night he had embraced me in the alleyway. I liked it. I just closed my eyes and listened. We sat for a while, simply being close, him supporting me while I recovered myself. Finally I felt strong enough to reengage the task at hand.
"Leo?" I asked, pulling away slightly to face him.
He looked at me curiously. "Yes?" He inquired.
"Do you know someone named Saki? Kaz said she went to stay with him?" Leonardo's eyes grew impossibly wide. I felt him pull away sharply and sat back surprised. He was about to speak when suddenly there was a clamor outside.
We could hear the door to the apartment burst open. And Casey's voice booming out. "Everyone! You gotta get out here!"