True Trust and Love that can't be Broken
Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT or anything.
AN~ Thanks for the reviews. I hope my readers like where I'm going with this.
Anyway on with the chapter.
Chapter 5: Family meeting
Turtle's Lair: the main entrance floor
It wasn't too long before all 4 mutant ninja turtle brothers got to their lair. But once they entered the entrance doorway to their home. Raphael blocked their way from going any further, as he stared suspicious sight on Leonardo.
"We're home," Raph stated, folding his arms. "Talk." Leonardo unsurprised by Raph's attitude wasn't fazed with his strongest brother's intimidate actions.
"Sure, but first..." Step pass him, Leonardo unlatched the big black cooler's strap from his shoulder. The same cooler he places on his shoulder, after 5 times, keeping Michelangelo from getting a peek inside, during their way home.
He placed the big carrier on the coffee table within the conversation area of the living room on the main floor inside the lair. "Has anyone of you ate since lunch?" He got some kind of no from them. "That's what I thought."
Unzipping the top section of the carrier cooler, revealed different medium colorful bentos, soup containers; of 4 each. Along with them were set of five bamboo chopsticks, spoons, and napkins. Staying silent, the blue bandana turtle, removed the items, resting on the coffee table. Before opening the second compartment of the cooler. Exposing a big square container and Japanese cold soda bottles with the label; Hata Ramune Soda, with several flavors: strawberry, green apple, pineapple, and yuzu. One of each. Underneath these drinks was a clear container holding within green/orange sustains similar to ice cream.
"I'm not going to lie, I didn't get any of this food from some restaurant, in fact, this all came from the Foot-"
"Say, what?!" Raph nearly made it over to Leo, when he heard his brother's words. "And you brought it here why? Ya know nothing good ever comes from the Foot." Before Leonardo could speak, Master Splinter spoke up as he walked with his walking stick, Leo brought back from Japan, into the room. The elder rat just came from his private floor.
"Is there a letter in the carrier for me?" He asked, with his attention on Leo. Who blinked a couple of times before speaking to his father/master; forgetting about Raph's temper for the moment.
"No, I don't think so- Hang on…...!" Paused Leo noticing another section to the cooler, right away unzipping, the turtle found another bento, a tea thermos pitcher and two Japanese snacks; Orchids Shrimp chips and Glico Chocolate Pocky. But the letter onto the items is what had Leo, looking back to his father in shock. "Master Splinter, how did yo- "
"Hand out a bento and soup to your brothers, while I read the letter." After passing the letter to his father. Leo handed his brother's a bento and soup container, in the color of their bandana. Orange, purple, red, blue and the last one silver, which he caught was for Splinter.
However, just as Leo hand Raph the red food containers first. Raph slapped it from him. Although Leo caught them before they could hit the ground. It doesn't refrain him throwing a dirty look toward Raph. Who kindly tossed the look back at him. Clearly already seeing what's coming next between his sons. Master Splinter took that moment to stepped in.
"Raphael," He waited until he had his second oldest son's attention, before continuing. "Don't waste food giving to you."
"Wasted it, if it's poison-"
"Do you think I would allow food to come in here if poison?" Asked Splinter, slightly offended. "Glancing over the letter shows, what I have already known. The food is nothing but a peace-offering for you and your brothers, from young Karai-"
"Peace offering from 'Miss Lady Shredder?!" cried Raph, not believing what he was hearing. Naturally, some part of Leo got Raph's reaction to this. "Karai's our enemy. I'm not accepting any joke of a peace offering from her or any Foot soldiers, but mainly her."
However, though he understood. Leo couldn't shake off the feeling, seeing the look Raph pointed his way. He knew Raph's not coming around so easy with making peace with the Foot. Not to mention Leo knows without a doubt. His hot-temper brother won't take a blind eye to him seeing Karai. Not looking forward to the outcome. Silently sighing, Leo handed the two orange containers to Michelangelo. Surprisingly the baby of the brothers took the offerings without any hesitation on his part. However, just assumed Mikey's just too hungry to care, Leo carried on with passing the purple and last containers over to Donatello. But though he took them. The brainy of the brother did it with caution.
Causing Leo to have a recalling of his same actions back at the office. Resulting him giving Don a reassuring smile.
"My sons." Splinter started, as he finished reading the letter, taking the silver food containers and tea pitcher from Leo. But didn't restart until him and his sons were sitting on the floor, in a circle; including Raph, despite he won't touch the offered food. However, as Splinter's mouth open, words never came out.
"Awesome!" Because his youngest son cried in excitement who been scoping over the cooler for a cold drink that Leo said was there. Unfortunately, Mikey discovered also what's in the two big containers still in the cooler. In the square one; 12 dozen decorated jam onigiri, looking like him, his brothers and Splinter. And the bowl held green tea/mango ice cream.
"There's ice cream and jam rice balls looking like us! -"
"Michelangelo." The strong father voice Master Splinter gave, had the orange bandana turtle sitting back down in a lotus position like his brothers and father, going completely quiet. "I promise you will be allowed to enjoy all of Karai's home cooking-"
"Karai's cooking!? Oh, that's it, now I'm not gonna eat that shit!" Shouted Raph, storming away. Followed by him heading in direction of the kitchen on the fourth floor. Right away Leo begins to call him back.
"Rap-"
But Master Splinter resting a hand on his shoulder and saying, "Your brother needs to choose his own path, as you did with young Karai." Stopped the blue wearing turtle moving from his spot on the floor.
"I will not force any of you my sons, in doing something you don't want too." Continued Splinter as he pours himself some Jasmine green tea from the pitcher. "But I think since you had eaten earlier my son," He added, speaking directly to Leo. Whom isn't surprised his father knew he ate at the office. "You should be one telling young Karai's story- "
"But Master Splinter- "Again Splinter's hand was resting on Leo's shoulder.
"No worries, my son." The rat started, reassuring Leo. "Some you made keep to yourself." Nearly taking a breather. Leo removed the rest of the items from the cooler, the same Mikey got excited about. Who grinned like a mad turtle as Leo laid them out in the center of their circle.
"Now with Leonardo speaking. I want the rest of us, enjoying the offerings from Karai and the Foot.
"Yes, Master Splinter." Mikey and Don said.
Placed his own food to the side, Leo begun on the green apple soda, watching his family –excluding one- opened their containers. Of course like the individual colors.
The bento cases held 5 compartments with a variety of food; meats, boiled egg, vegetables, fruits, and rice. But like the individual colors to the containers. The food was specially made for each Hamato member. Such as while the vegetables and fruits were shaped as bite-size ninja weapons. The meats showed the holder of their bento was thought about. Splinter- teriyaki chicken shaped as walking canes. Don- beef steak pieces as bow staffs. Mikey- meatballs as nunchucks with white cheese as the end chains.
Leo tried not to, but nearly impossible not for a little snicker slip out. Basically seeing Mikey playing with his meat ball-nunchucks was a sight. However, him egging on Don into dueling him with his beef-bow staff, and the brainy turtle brushing him off, exclaiming he's enjoying his baby carrots and tasty strawberry soda. Was beyond comical that even Splinter was clearing his throat to hide his laughter.
Within minutes of curiosity. Leo had his blue bento upon his lap, looking at what Karai made him. Like the others, he had the same spread. But Karai made steam pork dumplings as katanas for him. And one chocolate heart is hidden within the mandarin orange segments and black cherries.
With a quick glance at his brothers to see them occupied. Leo pop the chocolate in his mouth. Smiling thereafter, returning the blue bento to the cooler. He brought his attention on the onigiri (filled rice doughnuts). Reminding him of Mikey's statement earlier as he saw, in fact, the rice balls were green. But not just green. Each onigiri, with its individual candy-colored bandana, had a different shade of green to match each turtle's skin-tone. There are even gray color Master Splinters rice balls.
It was here, as he took a copy of himself from the batch, his father asked him to give him and his two brothers a rice ball of themselves. Seeing all the work Karai went through, Leo wasn't too shocked to taste apple jam in his rice ball.
"Oh wow, it's grape jam my favorite!" And by Mikey's shout. He wasn't the only one tasting his favorite jam filling. "What's your, Don?"
"It's strawberry." Though Don answer Mikey, his tone wasn't exactly thrilled as the youngest of the turtles. And as Splinter revealed to Mikey his filling was cream cheese. Leo didn't doubt Raph's onigiri filled with lemon jam.
"I got to ask," Don starts, returning to his bento, biting into another beef bow staff piece. At the same time breaking Leo from thought. "How was Karai able to know our favorite meals and flavors, let alone your favorite tea, Master Splinter?" Though Don was talking to his father, he was looking at Leo. "None of us was that 'slow minded' to give information like that to the Foot or Karai. Right, Leo?" Taking the hints of what Don was assuming, Leo shot back, defending himself.
"Get that theory out of your head, Don," Leo said with a little warning. "I didn't ever show to Karai about anything about you guys-"
"But you told her about you, your likes and your dislikes on your past meetings with her." He threw back. Leo almost backed down but didn't as he narrowed his eyes at his second youngest brother.
…
"How do you know that?!" He shouted, but it wasn't Don that answered him.
"I told him and Mikey," Raph stated, re-entering the main floor from leaving the kitchen on the 4th floor. "They needed to know our 'fearless leader' was having secret meetings with the Shredder's 'pet'.
"You spied on me?!" Before Splinter could stop him, Leo jumped to his feet, heading for Raph, who the other stood his ground and wasn't backing down.
"Someone had too." Raph pulled out his twin Sai from his belt, getting ready as Leo pulled out his swords, still heading for him. "You was so into Karai on those so-call secret meetings, ya didn't notice I was there listen in on yours and her' conversations those times. Shell if you were thinking with your brain, ya would have caught me there. But no, your mind was in your SHELL! Never would ya catch me go for some Foot. Or kiss one or cry for! Especially that Shredder Jr Karai- "
"Shell! You should talk! You don't know what you're saying!" Shouted Leo, already seeing red from Raph's words. Sound of metal meeting metal, katana vs sai. The brothers glared toward the other, didn't notice the wise master rat stood from his spot on the floor. "I'm not the only one, who's got feelings on a Foot member- "
"Leonardo! Raphael!" With Splinter's walking cane, blocked and knocked his older sons' weapons from them, before pushing them back. "I won't have you two fighting each other, like kids. Now go sit down Leonardo, while I talk to Raphael!" Leonardo ashamed of his actions towards not only Raph but Don also went and sat back down like he was told, where he began to apologize to his purple bandana wearing brother.
"Sorry I yelled at you-"
"Don't be." Donatello started, cutting Leo off. "That was a low blow I did. And I think I should apologize. For it was Master Splinter who informed me just a minute ago, it been him who told Karai of our likes and dislikes, during some training he gave her these 6 months we were stuck in the lair."
Leo just smiled to this, before placing his attention to his father and red bandana wearing brother, who was still talking out of reach from the rest of them. Therefore, he and his brother's exchange confuse looks at each other, when their father along with Raph, return to their sitting circle. Raph not saying a word, snatched his red bento, soup and the pineapple soda, from the center of their circle.
"There's nothing edible in the kitchen, and I didn't wanna cook. And Master Splinter said he just wants me to hear 'Karai's story. Before I pick my choice." Was Raph's only reason for being back and taking his bento. But when he saw inside his bento, he raised a brow. "What the shell this?" He lifted his bento for them to see what he was talking about. It was like the rest, but with sais shape cooked sausages for him. Getting excited, Michelangelo started trying to get Raph to play against him.
"Come on, Raph. Let's have a duel like you and Leo had, but with food weapons." Raph gave him an odd look.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked, before shaking his head at his goof for brains brother. "Try acting serious for once." Not wanting another fight to start, Master Splinter told Leo to go on ahead with telling Karai's story.
"Well, it started when I decide to go to the Foot headquarter to front Karai..." Leo said as he went on explaining his time at the Foot Headquarters.
…
After Leo finished telling Karai's story. Raphael waited until Master Splinter left for his floor and bedroom, and he and his brothers moved to the entertainment room from the living room, before he gave his opinion on the matter of Karai and the Foot.
That was almost an hour ago, to both Michelangelo and Donatello's displease as they were sitting back eating some green tea/mango ice cream, watching as both their older brothers, once again, shouted back and forth.
"Ya joking right?" Was what Raph said for the 10th time since their father left the main floor.
"No, Raph. For the last time. I'm not joking." And this was also 10th time Leo said those words back to Raph since he told his brothers of Karai's story.
But although Leo re-told Karai's past to his brothers. A few of Karai's past he didn't tell his brothers. Like he didn't speak of Yasuko; Info he wanted to be held with just him and Karai's masters. Also didn't show Khan was the head leader of the former Foot Elites or he's the leader to the unnamed gang. It seems Leo felt Karai didn't want that known for now.
And of course, he left out the fellow Acolytes were related to the Ninja Tribunal. However, he did tell they were the new Foot Elites (which Raph wasn't too happy to this news). But the most part he kept from his brothers, was him and Karai taking a chance in the romantic and friendship departments. For they didn't know Karai was returning his feelings, therefore he didn't show about Karai's true dislike for Dr. James Chaplin.
"What I told you, Don and Mikey is the truth. I have no reason to lie to you three." Leo stated. "And neither does Master Splinter." He added.
"You two might not. But Karai would!" Raph comment. He wasn't letting Leo convince him, that all the BS Karai put them through was really for the 'good' of the world. "The day I believe Karai was ever on our side is when hell freezes over!" He added with a glare towards Leo. "She's nothing but a lying bi-"
"Don't finish that sentence, Raph," Leo warned as he stood to Raph, making them face-to-face. Not backing down, Raph scoffed at his big brother's warning, while holding his ground against him.
"I'll call that 'bitch' what the hell I want. You and Master Splinter might be fooled by that 'woman'. But I won't!"
As his brother started gripping his fists, clenching his teeth towards him. Raph began to reach for his twin Sai, for he knew those signs only meant one thing. Leo was going to let his swords do the talking once again.
But Don and Mikey, who was still standing to the side, not done with enjoying the peace-offering goodies, while staying out of their older brothers' shouting match, rushed over when they saw what was about to happen between Leo and Raph (AN: AGAIN!). Which had them holding back a brother from the other before they could hurt each other.
"Can't we all just get along?" Mikey was joking but was being serious also. But Raph didn't want his youngest brother's say in this matter.
"Shut it, Mikey." Raph threw back, trying to get out of Don's tight hold on him, so he could knock some sense into Leo's head. "Don let me go!"
"Sorry bro, I can't do that-"
"Let me GO!" Raph yelled, struggling in the grip hug.
"Don't yell at Mikey and Don!" Leo retaliates, not fighting Mikey who was keeping him at bay. However, that didn't mean he wasn't ready to fight if need be.
"I'll yell at them if I want too. You're not the boss of us!"
"I didn't say I was-"
"That's BS!" Raph spits out, before getting out of Don's hold. But though he was free. He didn't attack his brother Leo.
"You come back from the Foot Headquarters, trying to convince us, that Karai's good and has always been. And yet you say ya not the boss of us! If I don't want to believe what that She-Shredder 'fed' you then I don't have too!" With his weapons back in his belt, Raph once again stepped up to Leo, who the time through Raph's 'speech', stayed where Mikey had moved him to the couch near the media area of the room. But he's again, not backing down to his choice to give Karai another chance. "And neither do Don and Mikey, who agree with me. Right guys." There was silence in the lair as his answer. Which had him and Leo looking back to their young brothers? "Right guys?" He asked again but felt he might be alone on this with the frown Mikey was giving him. However, it was Don's unsure look having him worried. "Mikey, Don? Tell me, you two don't believe the shit you heard?!" He added, fearing their response.
"I don't know..." Don started, looking upset he couldn't give a good answer to Raph. "I guess..." He put on his thinking pose, going deep into thoughts. "Maybe what Leo was told by Karai was the real truth-"
"You can't be serious!?" Raph cut him off. "It was you that saw what Karai is capable of in the future! She killed not just me but this love-sick Leo here," Leo growled at the comment but done nothing else. For he also wanted to know why Don out of all them was on his side. "If anybody would be against becoming allies with Karai or the Foot. It is you, cause you saw firsthand what could happen."
"I know RAPH!" Don finally spoke up, coming to an answer. But also a reason for this answer.
"And I probably without a doubt be with you on not giving Karai a second chance. But we all seen firsthand, what the Ninja Tribunal would do to have they're way. However," He stood between Raph and Leo, to get his words across without showing he was siding with either one. "I can't say that's the real reason I want to give her another chance. Actually, I have two real reasons, with the second reason being the push for the first reason. " He overlooked Raph's deep frown and Leo's shock but a hopeful expression. "The second reason is the part that happens on the star-ship against Ch'rell. For what Leo has said, actually makes some sense. It actually fits. Even the way Karai had no choice but to stab Leo in the shoulder." He drops upon the couch with his attention towards the TVs' black screen in the media area of the 'entertainment room'. "Even I have gone over it in my head, and I have come to the same conclusion she did." He removed his eyes from the black screen to Raph. "Raph as you have said; I have seen with my own eyes, Karai killed Leo in another time and future." For a second Don looked to Leo on his left side, before looking back to Raph on his right side. "And the truth is if Karai wanted to kill Leo as she made it look like it on the star-ship. She could of... But she didn't. Something the Karai I saw in the future would of never have done-"
"That future can still happen-"
"No, Raph." Don started again while cutting Raph off as he did him. "That future was 'what' could have happened. But didn't. For you see. I'm still here. Ch'rell is off earth and exile in dark deep space. And more importantly, Master Splinter is alive..." He went quiet for a while, with his eyes once again on the black screen. Therefore, when he spoke again, he didn't move his eyes from the blank screen.
"And the first reason has to do with a confession, I need to tell. You see after I was shown this 'future'. I tried to stop that future from ever happening. By going to the Foot's headquarters and kill Shredder myself."
All three brothers were speechless to this news from Don; their more peacemaker then warrior brother, wanted to kill someone even if it was the Shredder. Don still wasn't looking to his brothers.
"I got there, slipped in, but before I could do what I went there to do..." He placed his elbows on his knees, with his chin resting on his laced hands. "I was stopped by none other than Karai herself. Remembering what she would do in the future to you guys." He looked to Leo then Raph, before looking back to the blank screen. "I attacked her. But she overpowered me and knocked me out. But what happened next still surprised me, even now after hearing her story from you Leo... and Master Splinter trusting her enough to have taken her as a student." Don didn't even turn to Leo as he addresses him. "For when I came too... I was on the rooftop of April's building." Saying this, Don did look to his brothers, but mostly Leo. "But I wasn't alone, for Karai was there waiting for me to wake. She told me, if I want to die so badly then I need to think about the ones that love me, like you guys and Master Splinter. For it would be you guys that would miss me. I thought she was talking out of her head-"
"Sound like she was-"
"Raph!" Leo shouted at him, then looked to Don. "Go ahead and finish, Don."
Don who had been watching Leo as he was speaking noticed now. Leo's lash outs weren't all cause of Raph's stubborn attitude. For although Leo had tried to sound kind to him, Don could see the irritation written across his brother's face as he looked at him.
An irritation Don got when too close to April... And after three weeks ago, where he had a heated make-out with his dream-girl; April O' Neil. Don couldn't think about her without getting 'stiff'. Something he's sure Leo was going through. Which had him with theory. His eldest brother had done more in that office with Karai then just hearing about her past. So there's more to this 'being allies' than big bro is letting on... Should I speak of this? He glanced to Raph and him snarling towards Leo for shouting at him. No... It will make things worse. Especially with the 'brother vow', Leo made to Raph after coming back from Japan...
"Donnie, are you gonna keep going on, or keep looking off into space over Leo's head?" Mikey questioned, after being so quiet for so long during Don's story. Which hearing his little brother, Don snapped out of his thoughts, going back to his reason.
"Oh, sorry." He rubbed the back of his head, laughing a little. "Well like I said, I thought she was talking out of her head, that's when she said in a low voice; 'that she couldn't keep watch on all of us, with us trying to ask for our death wish ever chance we can'. Again I thought she was crazy. But then she handed something over to me, that I was shocked to see. But before I could say or ask how, she was gone."
"What was it she gave you?"
Don wasn't surprised with Leo curious question. But though Raph didn't want to show it, his attention was also on him. While Mikey, though listening, wasn't even paying attention to them on the couch, while he was in the armchair in the sitting area, finishing off another grape filled onigiri. "It was a note that said 'Zog' says hi."
"Zog? Didn't Zog die in the fire on that ship with the Shredder?" Don nodded his head to Leonardo. "But why would Karai give a note like that to you?"
"I think she was playing a joke on you, Don." Raph stepped in. "She was just rubbing it in, that one of our allies was killed by the Shredder."
"I don't believe that is the case," Don said, still trying to explain his reason. "For although like you, I did believe it was a cruel joke. But when we were on the Utroms' planet. I was sure I saw Zog there. But when I went to follow this Zog. Professor Honeycutt got my attention and took me back to my hospital room. Look I'm not saying that I'm a 100% in being allies or even trusting Karai." Leo hides his frown from his brothers, but Mikey noticed it but didn't speak about it. "But Master Splinter always told us that everyone even your enemy deserves another chance if they're willing to change."
"But that's the point," Raph begun, getting angry that Donnie wanted to give this 'woman' another chance. "She's not willing to change, and she never will!"
"THE ONE WHO WON'T CHANGE IS YOU RAPH!" With Michelangelo's shout and fury expression had not only Don, Leo, but Raph also speechless. But Raph got over it fast.
"WHO THE SHELL ASKED YOU! JUST SIT BACK DOWN AND LET THE ADULTS TALK-"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP, RAPH!" That did get Raph to be quieted, but the youngest of the turtles wasn't finished. "YOU FROM DAY ONE DIDN'T LIKE KARAI. AND WAS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO PLACE HER AS A ENEMY! SHELL! JOY'S PART OF THE FOOT ELITE, BUT I DON'T HEAR YOU WANNA BREAK-UP WITH HER!" Not use to yelling or shouting in anger at anybody, Michelangelo did have to sit back down in the armchair he was sitting in before jumping up. "Like Don, I've gotten confession to-"
"Hell, with that outburst. I wouldn't be surprised, the confession wasn't having a thing for Karai like Leo over there." Leo was not only going to defend himself, but Michelangelo also, but his youngest brother beat him to the punch.
"I'm not sure Leo still cares for Karai like that, but my reason for standing up for Karai aren't got nothing to do with liking her that way, which I don't. But it's got something to do with all that happened on the star-ship with Ch'rell and then on the Utroms' home planet." Mikey first controlled his temper before starting. "What Karai told Leo was all the truth. Because I knew of this before we came back to earth from the Utroms planet-"
"You knew all about this and didn't speak up?!" This was Don's words. Leo didn't want to ask how Mikey knew when Karai wasn't allowed to tell of anything until after the Tengu Shredder was gone for good.
"I couldn't tell about this information, because I was sworn by the Utroms not to speak about this secret. Because it wasn't my secret to speak ab-"
"But Karai willingly told of her past?" Leo tried but he couldn't stop from becoming jealous with knowing that Karai had told Mikey before him, about her past-
"No. Leo," Mikey answered, giving his older brother a reassuring look. "Karai didn't tell me, it was a Utrom professor called Professor Perry. It was him who told about Karai. Cause Karai didn't know I knew. But I also know Karai's true reason for betraying Ch'rell face-to-face on the star-ship-"
"That's the part that's truly hard to believe. Karai would die or kill for the Utrom Shredder-
"That's the part that's a lie, Raphy-boy." Mikey commented "Because I saw her betray Ch'rell with my own eyes. Cause I had woke up and tried to get up, only to find my legs were broken. That's when I heard Master Splinter whispering 'No, not my son. Please, not my son'." That's when I noticed where his attention went..." With sad blue eyes behind white tinted eye holes, Mikey stared at Leo. "He was looking at you." He said, speaking to Leo, then went on. "Shredder had you high in the air, holding you up with his gauntlet gripping the back of your belt. I tried in that short time, to get up. But I couldn't." There were tears in Mikey's eyes. "Master Splinter had passed out, from straining his body to get up. I was the only one who saw the truth. I was speechless Karai stopped the Shredder; her father, from killing Leo." This time Mikey looked to Raph. "And for her disloyalty, the Shredder uses his gauntlet on her, before she ran out of the power core center room with the Shredder on her tail. I didn't know what to think at the time or afterward, cause all our attentions was on destroying the Shredder for good. But when Mortu saved us at the last minute and we all was sent to the Utroms' planet to be hospitalized. It wasn't until I was giving myself a tour around the Utroms' hospital in the hovering wheelchair they gave to me to use. That I stumble on Karai getting a body scan/healing-" Mikey didn't overlook the dead glare he was getting from Leo, but he also didn't bring it to his other brothers' attention.
I would have felt the same way if one of my brothers told me they saw Angel naked.
Shaking his thought on the young 'Angel' that has come very special to him after she had lost her brother, but it wasn't until she went missing that he realized his real feelings for her. He was falling for her, but he wasn't completely in love yet. So he was a relief and happy to know that she was ok and safe with Karai. Though he was sad that Angel lost her last blood relative. But very glad she was moving on in a good way.
"It seems the Shedder had made a good gash on her right thigh up to her waist. And if it wasn't for the Utroms' blood mixed in her blood, they said she could have died. I also noticed two things on her body that looked unfamiliar. On her back, like Leo said, was, in fact, a tattoo symbol of the Royal Utroms. While on her chest," Michelangelo didn't dare look Leo's way as he felt his face become warm, for, after all, he might be a turtle, but he was also male. "between her breasts,"
His face became warmer as he could feel his oldest brother's stare drilling into him. "was a twin symbol tattoo of the 'Amulet of the Acolyte' carved into her skin."
After he didn't feel his face any longer hot. The youngest turtle of his brothers carried on with his talking. "And you can guess I was confused at seeing these tattoos; that stands for something I didn't know about until later. Well anyway, the whole time they were checking her I heard them and saw them treating her with respect like they did for us. But when they were done, they put handcuffs on her, and lead her out of the room like a prisoner. It wasn't until Karai was gone before I was found out by Professor Perry that had been taking care of Karai's wounds. It was him who told all about Karai being a secret guardian to the royal Utroms to me and swore me to keep this lip tight for Karai's safety. But the tattoo of the Amulet of the Acolyte carved in her skin and the Ninja Tribunal part, wasn't until I was eavesdropping on both the Ancient One and Master Splinter talking to Karai, during our rounding up of enemies and allies to fight the demon Shredder. They didn't reveal that they knew I was there until after Dr. Chaplin came to get Karai-" Mikey stopped speaking when he and his two brothers heard a deep angry growl come from Leo, who didn't hide his dislike to Dr. Chaplin being mention. Therefore, Raph was more than happy to throw this piece in Leo's face at the moment.
"Oh, that's right." There was a smirk placed on his lips. "Karai's been playing mistress and slave with Dr. Chaplin, after our defeat with the Tengu Shredder, when she walked off with the doc, holding hands. I think she likes to be in control of her men, like that wimp Chaplin." Raph's smirk was turning into a grin, as his words were getting to Leonardo, making him growl more while gripping his hands against his knees. "Well, she seems like the kind of woman that wants a wimp as a lover..." Leo's nails were now making deep marks in his knees, with the pressure he was using. "Hell, I bet that if the Shredder had asked her, she would have fucked every soldier in the Foot... That is if she didn't already-"
"Raph, that's enough!" Don still watching Leo, was seeing what Raph's words were doing to their older brother, and if Raph didn't stop soon... Well, Don didn't want to know what will happen. "I'm really not all for defending Karai, but I think you're going too far-"
"Gone too far?" Raph turned to Don, looking at him in fake shock. "Is that what you were thinking when you were having a tongue war with April?" questioned Raph, who felt that if Don wanted to also defend Karai, then he was going to let him have it.
Don couldn't find the words to come-back at Raph. He was speechless. "What? You didn't think I caught you a few weeks back slapping spit with April, while Casey was holding' himself up at his grandparents' farm to control his temper." Don couldn't speak, so he decides to face away from Raph's disappointed look. "You remember Casey, our friend, our 5th brother, April's boyfriend! The same guy that you all blamed murdered some kid when punk did it-"
"Knock it off 'hothead!" Leo cut in, not wanting to be reminded of that event. "Actually, in the beginning, Casey wasn't our friend. He was thrown on us because he was your friend!?" Leonardo spoke, moving over on the couch to check on Don, who wouldn't look at anyone in the area. "Cause to us, for a while, he was nothing but a serious unwanted house guest," Leo added, patting Don's shell-back. "And it was you who put a bug in April's ear, that if she wants kids, she wouldn't be getting any from us. Just admit that Casey had convinced you, to get April to look his way and forget her chances with Don-"
"Hey! I saved Don a lot of heartaches. Cuz April told us she wants a family, with maybe two or three kids. You just like me, know that we're able to have sex with other species like humans. But we can't or able to help make babies-"
"That still wasn't your choice to make!" Leo argued as he frowned. "It was April's choice."
"Yeah, and I gave her the best choice. Casey Jones. Cause Casey can give her what she needs and wants; future children, safety, and of course she'll get to go out on dates with Casey without being shun-"
"Dude not cool." And Michelangelo was right. What Raph said was the hard truth, but it didn't mean he had to remind them of what they'll never be able to have.
"Yeah well, it's the truth-"
"Raphael enough!" All the turtles turned as Master Splinter came into view. He had been breaking from his meditation with Haru Oroku when he felt his sons' conversation was taking a turn for the worst. "Your brothers had made their choices. Respect their choices as they have respect yours." Splinter didn't stop in his steps until he reaches Raph, placing a hand on his son's head. "Even if it's not what you want them to choose." He added, removing his hand as Raph stood up from the couch.
"But Master Splinter." Raph looked to his father, with unsure-ness. "How can you go along with all this? Especially all this time that you were training 'her'?"
"Cause like you and your brothers. I believe in her. She has been through a lot for her age." He sighed after watching Raphael fold his arms in stern, stubbornness. "My son," Splinter waited until he had Raph sitting back down, before resting a hand on his shoulder. "I won't force you to do anything you don't want too. But please don't attack your brothers for their choices." Raphael didn't respond, for what felt like a lifetime for his family, but really was a couple of minutes.
"Fine." he finally said, though he did frown at Leo's relief expression. "But that doesn't mean I will join this party wagon." With that, Raph got up and without another word, departed the main part of the lair to blow off some steam in the training section room on the 6th floor of the lair.
It wasn't until an uncomfortable silence fell over the whole lair after Raph's exit, that Master Splinter started speaking.
"I believe that all of us must get some needed sleep." Saying that statement Splinter headed back for his floor and room.
"I think Master Splinter is right," Leo said after Master Splinter left the floor, he was stretching his body as he rose from the couch. "We all do need some sleep." He brought his attention to Don, who was still quiet after Raph laid in on him about the facts and truths. "Don? You going to be alright?"
"I betrayed Casey. I-" Don placed his face into his hands. "didn't want to hurt Casey. Especially after we accused him of killing Tommy Polish." slowly he lifted his head, with shame in his chestnut brown eyes. "And as Raph said, Casey is like another bro... he's family to us. But... " He shook his head, feeling down as he wanted to say that he saw April first, but stopped himself from saying just that. Heck after that make-out he and April had, they have been staying their distance from each other, since then. "Look, I'll talk to you guys later, I'm going to my room to be alone." Don stood up and started leaving the floor. Leo could only give his smart brother a sad smile.
"Oh, ok Don, goodnight-"
"Don't you mean good-morning? You know since it's already about 5:00-"
" Mikey." Leo's stern voice, silenced the orange wearing ninja turtle. "Right now is no time for jokes." He added, looking at Mikey, before turning back to Don, only to find that he was out of his eyesight.
…
With the rest of their family gone from the area, the oldest and youngest of the turtle brothers were left in the main floor of the lair to clean up, and once they did this. It was Leo who decides to leave next from the main floor after coming back from putting up the leftover food in the kitchen.
"Well, I'm going to bed." He started making his way towards his room on the third floor above Donatello's lab. "Goodnigh-" He caught himself before correcting his words. "I mean good-morning Mikey." He was about to jump the two-level floors to get to his bedroom on the third floor, that was until Michelangelo called to him.
"Hey, Leo?" Looking back, Leo gave his attention to his little bro.
"Yeah, what is it." Michelangelo started looking down at the floor.
"I'm sorry." He said, in a small voice, but Leo heard him.
"It's ok. You were just trying to cheer Don up." Leo explained, believing that was what Mikey was saying sorry for. Mikey shook his head.
"No, I'm not saying sorry about that," Mikey said, still not looking up to his brother.
"Then what?" Leo questioned, moving back to stand in front of his youngest and carefree brother. "What are you apologizing for-"
"For keeping all this about Karai from you." Mikey had now lifted his tear stain eyes to his big bro, the same brother he always had looked up to as a little and young turtle. "Many times I wanted to tell you, especially after your break down, and before you made that brother vow with Raph."
Leo couldn't say a word, for he knew what 'brother vow' Mikey was speaking about. It was when he came back from Japan, and went to his family's aided and found a new lair for them. That next night after he got back that morning from fronting Karai and warning her to stay away from his family. Leo had believed that his family was sound asleep, so he wasn't expecting to have Raph pull him into a brother hug when he was found in a corner, crying to himself. Leo didn't want them to see him like that; breaking down, crying his heart out for someone like the 'Shredder Karai'. He felt so dishonorable for not taking her life for what she had done to his family, something that if the 'Shredder Ch'rell' had done it, Leo wouldn't have hesitated to take his life, but Karai he couldn't and it made him feel weak. So Raph had decided to have him make a brother vow; He would never fully ever trust Oroku Karai ever again as long as he lived'. Frowning to this memory and the brother vow, that he still hasn't broken. Leo put on a reassuring look on his face.
"Don't apologize for that." He said as he turned to once again, head for his bedroom that was calling to his tired body.
"But with us being allied with Karai...not to mention that you're still in love with her." Mikey saw his brother stiff up for a second before heading away. " You have broken the brother vow to Raph-"
"No, I haven't..." Leo jumped the floor of Don's lab, before bringing his serious expression to Mikey. "Cause for me to break that 'brother vow' to Raph I would have to trust Karai fully. And even if I could." He added, looking away from Mikey with pain and sadness covering his face. "I won't because I would be losing a brother...and I can't or will do that. My brother bond to you, Don and Raph is stronger than anything..." He shut his eyes forcing the burning tears from slipping. "Even stronger than my love for Karai-"
"Raph had you make that brother vow, so he didn't have to see our 'fearless leader' not look or act perfect. But that's a selfish reason. Nobody is perfect not even you!" Mikey cried out, getting sick of how Leo puts all of everybody's problem on him.
Mostly Raph who wants Leo to stay their leader, a serious brother and never have a life that didn't include them in it. Heck Master Splinter, after noticing how much he puts on Leo for being the oldest and the leader, even he slowed down on Leo. Mikey knew out of all his brothers; Leo knew he was insightful when it came to things around him. So he has watched all his brothers over the years since they were little. Mikey had watch how Leo had taken his role as a leader and oldest brother to heart and mind. For while Leo was being the adult out of all the brothers. Him, Don, and Raph were able to be carefree and find themselves. And that was the biggest reason Raph hated Karai, for she did something that nobody else could do, and that made Leo think what he wants in life and what of that life. She made Leo realized that he didn't have to be perfect all the time, or the big brother that has to put all their troubles in his hands. For hell, like him, Don and even Raph got a crush on April with her being the first woman they met face-to-face, and gawking and having dreams of her. Leo was seeing her as an irritated kid sister. Which Raph was happy of this, cause while they were allowed to goof off as teens do. Their big brother Leo was always there to pull them back out of their teen world. And as Mikey had observed over time after Karai came in the picture, even after she 'became' the new Shredder. Leo was showing another side to him; joking, laughing, and being less serious. Mikey hated that he knew the dark truth to Raph wanting Leo staying the 'fearless leader'. It's that if Leo wasn't acting like the responsible big brother, then Raph has too, and Mikey knows that Raph doesn't want that role ever. Therefore, that's why Raph had Leo make that 'brother vow' to him. For if Leo ever broke that brother vow with Raph. He loses his brother bond to Raph. And all Leo's brothers knew he rather die than lose either one of them.
"Though I know this. A vow is a vow." Michelangelo hearing Leo's voice, broke from his thoughts, to see his brother heading for his bedroom. Leo not once looked back to his baby brother as he left.
Michelangelo brought his eyes back to the floor, "So is the vow to one's heart." he murmured, then also left the main floor for his own bedroom.
…
3rd floor in the lair- Leo's bedroom
Though Leo told Mikey he was going to sleep and had removed his swords, ninja bands and a blue bandana. Leo found that once he was ready for bed, he couldn't find any peace in his mind for multiple reasons like one- the brother vow he gave to Raph. Two- the agreement he accepted with Karai, of about taking things slowly.
"Easy said than done." He grumbles as he made his way over to his bed. "I won't lie if that shell cell didn't go off...I would have..." Feeling his belt becoming more uncomfortable, Leo growled, as he cancels what could of happen in Karai's office, from his mind. "I thought I was able to control that part of me better." Sighing, Leo finally plopped down on his bed. "It was easier when I was a preteen, but then again...I didn't meet Karai until later, pass my preteen." Thinking of his preteen past, Leo found himself going back in his memories.
Back when he was a preteen with his brothers. He and Raph had wandered off away from their home, with Raph being the leader. And it wasn't long till they found themselves at a teen hangout in the sewer, the teens at the hangout were having a party. And although Leo had said they should go back, Raph had different ideas. For Raph was the most curious of the turtle brothers, about humans and their way of life. And against his best judgment, Leo not wanting to leave his brother alone and get caught had suggested they study the teen humans but stay in the shadows the whole time. Therefore, he and Raph saw how teens react with each other. From the way, they danced to upbeat music that Leo knew his father wouldn't have allowed in their home, to the way they talked with words that were called 'slang words'. But it was the many teens that kept to the dark part of the area that perked Raph's attention. They were having sex...lots and lots of it. It took Leo almost dragging Raph away from the noisy and sweaty teens before he could get them back home. But unfortunately, he found later (after him and Raph got grounded by Master Splinter) that Raph started going back to that hangout for teens along with Don and Mikey. And despite Leo trying to convince his brothers that what the humans do with their bodies was their business and not theirs. His brothers didn't listen and continued their trips over time. Therefore, it wasn't long until Raph brought a box into the lair that had 'The Single Me' written on it in black marker. Raph had told them that he found the box in the teens' hangout after a farewell party for the head teen that controlled the hangout, it seems that teen was getting married and moving away from the city to begin his new future.
However, what was in that box, change the way Leo and his brothers saw humans, especially women. For in that box was; adult tapes, dirty magazines, list of porn websites, naked women posters and erotic books. To say that his brothers weren't overjoyed with the goodies in the box would be like saying no kid was overjoying to open their Christmas presents on Christmas morning. And it was that box of adult goodies that eventually had their father teaching them how to control and hide their manhood at all time, and it wasn't until he had them wearing brown thick belts around their waists to keep their shell pressed to their backs to help keep their manhood conceal, that he stops this training for them, before going back to their main training; martial arts. But unfortunately, cause his brothers were curious about this part of human's nature, they started studying more into this subject. Therefore, his brothers, not shame, begun watching and web searching porn. But Leo didn't. But cause, like his brothers, he was curious, he did read the books; thinking it was safer, then the DVDs, that had his brothers, rushing to their room to 'release themselves'.
However, he found that even the erotic books had an effect also. Which had him feeling ashamed that he was 'stiff' reading those books, that he stops reading the books, and gave them to Don to look at. Then go deep into his ninja training, and taught himself to shut his urges off. Therefore, when April came along. Leo didn't see her as anything but a person in a need of help. While his brothers, at the time, looking at April like they did when they looked at their naked women posters hanging on their bedroom walls. But in the short time that went by Mikey and Raph got over their lust crush on her, mostly when she was showing signs that she was interested in Don. So she became family; like a big sister. But unfortunately, Mikey and Raph were back to their adult goodies. Something that Leo didn't understand or want to understand after training so hard to keep his desires at bay. And then Don had to go doing some research on their abilities in the bedroom department. Research shows that they could have sex as any animal or human. But wasn't able to help produce offspring for their chosen mate (so to speak).
A cold truth that not only hurt them but their father too; who would have had like to be a granddad. But though his brothers were brokenhearted at this news, especially Donatello. Leo just uses this as a reason to keep himself on ninja training and keeping his role as the 'fearless leader' for his family, while his brothers kept crying at night about their fate of never having children. After that, Leo never thought about the love department, for there was no reason for it. Cause him and his brothers would be the only ones of their kind. And for a while, it worked. So while Mikey was getting close to Angel as friends, Don was making goo eyes at April, and Raph busy with punching his bag and releasing himself with the new porn stuff that Casey would get for him. Leo kept to being the responsible one of not just his brothers and father, but the whole city also. But that all change when Karai came to New York. And if Leo admitted to himself, he would admit that he had been turned on by that duel they had when they met (on the water tower building). But he would only admit that it was two days after Ch'rell Shredder came back from being so-called dead (they lost Zog), that he felt anything for Karai when she had come to his lookout water tower. At first, he didn't want to be anywhere near her, but a few small words and they weren't too long later inside the water tower ( that he fixed back up after Karai and her bodyguards blow it up), talking and slowly getting to know each other. Something he wasn't sure why he wanted to get to know her or suggests they start meeting at his lookout water tower building, which soon became secret meetings for them.
And through those secret meetings, he didn't expect to find his eyes multiple times, taking in her casual city clothing; long sleeves shirts or blouses and winter color skirts or short Capri, with each clothing flattering her figure from her full bust to her enhancing waist down to her soft creamy looking legs. But he did. An sooner than later he discovered that he was getting comfortable and uncomfortable around her, as well as hiding his meetings from his family even Master Splinter, something he never would do before. But Karai had him doing and thinking things that he in the past wouldn't have trouble controlling. But not understanding these emotions or desires. Leo went to April for questions, and though he didn't tell who this person was that was making him feel like he did. April did tell him that what he told her, showed signs that he was falling in love. But though he denied these feelings he still kept their secret meetings going on until the star-ship event.
Therefore, when the event of their first kiss happened on Bishop's train. He marked it up as 'the heat of the moment'. For he found himself for the first time, second-guessing of being a mutant turtle, for he believed that Karai could never see him as anything more than a friend or even just an allied because she is a human and he's a mutant turtle. He felt that she could only see him as an animal and nothing more. It was the true reason why he kept his distance from her, not because she was the Ch'rell Shredder's daughter or his enemy. But just because he feared she could never have romantic feelings for him. However, what almost happen in her office and her own words of returning his feelings, has change that thought. And also made him hate himself for believing she was too shallow to be able to see him and not what he was.
Shaking his head, Leo groaned as these thoughts were doing nothing but keeping him from going to sleep. Giving up going to sleep, he decides to go check on Raph and maybe have him forget about the brother vow before he has told Karai about the 'brother vow'. However, Leo fears Raph would hold that vow on him forever. Nonetheless, it was still worth a shot. Until Raph can trust Karai himself...I won't be able to fully trust her either. He thought, getting up sighing, from his bed.
"Maybe he's still awake-" But suddenly getting drowsy, Leo all at once fell back on his bed, and was asleep before his head hit his pillow.
...
To Be Continued.