A/N- Yes, I haven't updated in a while, and there are a lot of people that are demanding this story. It really means a lot when people review or even favorite/follow this story. Every little bit counts. So school started and I've been really busy. I'm going to try and write a chapter every week, so that way this story should be finished before the end of this year. So, keep your fingers crossed guys and review! It really helps because it motivates me. Anyway, here is chapter nine. Oh, and I had some motivation to write because I saw the recent episode of TMNT and it was amazing!

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT. I do however own this story and my original characters. I'm just borrowing the characters to make a plot of my own :)

The Truth

Leolani could not believe what she was looking at. She couldn't even imagine that something like Leonardo existed.

The teenage girl couldn't move. She was frozen in place as if someone chained her down to the ground. Her heart was beating rapidly and she was beginning to believe that she was dreaming.

Leolani kept eyeing Leonardo. He was so tall, and big. She felt like an ant compared to him. She didn't even know what to think, or even say for that matter. She was lost in her thoughts.

So, it's not every day that I see a huge, muscular, walking, talking, ninjitsu turtle! What can I even say to him!? I'm afraid, scared, but I don't want him to leave!

Leolani wasn't the only one freaking out. Leonardo was having an argument with himself.

Well, I blew it. I blew my identity. I scared this girl to death. She's probably going to run, scream, and God knows what else. Hopefully, she won't make a huge deal about it. If worse comes to worse, I can escape without a trace.

Leonardo was tampering into his emotions now. He was devastated because he was really beginning to like this girl. It was nice to talk to someone other than April and Casey, but something was telling him his dreams just got crushed.

Both teenagers didn't say anything for a while. Leonardo figured he needed to give Leolani some time, so they both waited.

Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours. Finally, Leonardo was the one to break the silence.

"Leolani?" He asked.

No words came from the shocked teenager. Her piercing blue eyes were still set on the teenage turtle.

Leonardo continued, "I don't even know why I showed you what I really look like. I'm ignorant. I told you that you wouldn't like what you see. Now, I ruined this whole thing. You probably looked up to me as a hero, but now….." He trailed off.

A peep didn't even come out of Leolani.

"I just want you to know Leolani that you are an amazing girl as far as I can see. I'm going to leave now, but please I beg you to not say a word about this to anyone. I have to protect my family."

Leolani was blinking now. She looked down at her feet. Leonardo sensed she was debating about something.

"I'll leave forever OK? It was nice knowing you. Please be careful and stay out of trouble."

Leonardo started heading to the edge of the rooftop until he felt someone grab his arm.

He turned around and saw Leolani looking at him. She let go of his arm. Her eyes got wide because she couldn't believe what she just did. It was like a natural reaction. She couldn't control what she did with her arm, but she was glad she stopped Leonardo from leaving.

"You…you're a turtle? A huge, tall, turtle who speaks English and knows ninjitsu. I…I can't believe….what?"

Leolani was pacing back and forth. She couldn't even wrap her head around the idea that a giant turtle was in front of her. She was stunned, and for the first time in her life she didn't know what to do.

"Leolani I can explain everything to you," Leonardo explained. "My family, we got mutated, and that's the reason we're this way."

Leolani stopped pacing and looked at Leonardo.

Leonardo continued, "We hide from the city, away from the human race because we know they wouldn't understand. We look like monsters, not the heroes."

It was Leonardo's turn to look down at his feet. He didn't like explaining to Leolani how he was a mutant and looked like a freak. He hated it, but it was who he was and he couldn't change what happened.

"I just can't believe this is happening," Leolani said, still pacing back and forth. "This is so unusual. You can't exist! It's not possible! Turtles can't have human characteristics. This goes against the law of science."

"I'm sorry Leolani, but this is really happening," Leonardo said. He stepped close to Leolani, but she backed away immediately.

"Please, don't come any closer," Leolani said with her hands away from her body. "I just need some time to think."

Leonardo was hurt. He knew telling this girl was a bad idea. He wanted to leave so that way he wouldn't make things worse.

Leolani on the other hand was debating on whether to scream for the hills, or wanting to stay. She knew that Leonardo was something strange, but something was telling her he didn't mean any harm.

Leolani looked at Leonardo, who was looking at his feet. She knew she hurt the turtle's feelings, and now she felt horrible. She already felt a bond between him and she wanted to make things right. Right then and there, looking at Leonardo's face, she made her decision.

Leolani stepped towards Leonardo and laid a hand on his shoulder. It was cold, but soothing. She liked it. It brought back memories of her being carried to her apartment. She remembered the feeling, because it was the feeling she was consumed with right now. Safety.

"I….I want you to stay," Leolani admitted. "I'm scared, but….I don't want you to go."

Leonardo couldn't help but smile at Leolani. He shook his head, letting her know he wasn't going to leave anytime soon.

"You know," Leonardo said. "You're taking this rather well. I was expecting you to run away in terror and scream bloody mary."

Leolani laughed, even though she did consider screaming in terror, and started walking toward the fire escape. "And I also bet you wanted me to faint."

Leonardo smiled and shook his head. "Yeah, something like that."

Leolani sighed and rolled her eyes. It wasn't going to be easy, being friends with a giant turtle, but she knew in her heart she made the right decision. She noticed that Leonardo was just in place, not following her.

"What are you doing? Aren't you coming?" Leolani asked.

Leonardo had a surprised look on his face. He didn't know Leolani wanted him to follow her.

"Do you really think that's a good idea? I mean, you just found out the person who saved you is a teenage mutant ninja turtle? Shouldn't you be freaking out right now?" Leonardo asked.

Leolani rubbed her temples and took a deep breath. "I said I was scared, but I know you're not going to hurt me. Yes, you're out of the norm, but this doesn't mean you're not a nice guy. You saved me Leonardo. If you wanted to hurt me you wouldn't have been passionate about how you look."

Leolani continued, "I'm telling you Leonardo I'm not going to tell you to leave. You can if you want, but I rather you stay, or you know, come back and visit me. I wasn't lying to you when I told you I liked talking to you and being a mutant turtle doesn't change my mind either."

Leonardo couldn't believe his ears. Did this beautiful teenage girl, who was completely normal, just let him know that she was OK with him being a mutant turtle?

Leonardo didn't want to show his happiness, so he had to act like he didn't have feelings for this girl, and this was going to be a challenge for him.

He started walking towards Leolani and stood right next to her.

"Right after you," Leonardo said, gesturing his hand in front of him.

Leolani smiled and started climbing down the fire escape.

Leonardo looked up at the night sky and took a deep breath.

Oh shell, what have I done?

~*TMNT*~

Leonardo crept into the liar, making sure nobody could hear him. He knew it was way past curfew, but he couldn't help it.

He stayed with Leolani which seemed like forever. He explained how Master Splinter used to be a man, a man who lost his family due to a battle with the Shredder. He also explained how Splinter came to America and he bought him and his brothers from a local pet shop, and somehow, they gotten covered with "ooze."

Leonardo could remember the expressions that were plastered on Leolani's face. Expressions that ranged from excitement, confusion, disgusted, and serious were part of Leolani's gestures that night. Leonardo felt a ton being lifted off his shell. He never told the story of his family before, because it was always Master Splinter, so he felt like he did the story justice.

Both teenagers decided that it was time to go to bed, and Leolani invited him over tomorrow night. She wanted to learn more about his family and in return, she would share anything he wanted to know about her.

It was an agreement.

The blue masked turtle was walking up the stairs to his room, until he heard someone behind him.

Leonardo took out this katana blades and shoved them into the direction of the noise.

"Watch where you point those things Fearless. You almost beheaded your own brother," Raphael said as he stood behind his brother.

Leo blinked a couple of times and put his katana blades back. He felt so embarrassed that Raph knew he was out past curfew, or did he?

Besides, what is he doing up so late? Leonardo thought to himself.

"Why are you up so late? Were you out playing vigilante again," Leo asked while he crossed his arms.

Raph walked past him and waved him off. "I was actually checking around the liar. I do that sometimes Mr. I-know-everything."

Leonardo rolled his eyes and followed his hot headed brother up the stairs, until Raphael came to a complete halt. The red masked turtle turned around and pointed a finger at his older brother.

"Which brings me to a point, what are you doing out so late?"

It was Leo's turn to wave off his brother, something he has never done before, but he wanted to avoid confliction.

Maybe this is how Raph feels when he knows him and I are going to end up fighting.

"That's none of your business. I'm going to bed and I suggest you do the same," Leonardo stated as he walked by his brother.

Raphael was known for not taking no for an answer. He grabbed his brother by the arm and turned him around.

"Oh, so it's OK for you to question me, but yet when I question you, I'm wrong? Oh no, just because you're the "leader" doesn't get you off the hook," Raphael argued.

Leonardo shook his head. "It does give me the right, so don't worry about it Raph."

Raphael laughed sarcastically and he knew the only person that would make him talk. "Oh, so I guess Sensei knows about your adventure? Maybe I should wake him and ask why you're home so late, I mean, I'm just concerned about my big brother."

Raphael started heading towards Splinter's room, until he was being grabbed by his big brother. Leonardo jolted him back into place and stuck a finger in his face.

"You will not go to Master Splinter. Do you hear me?" Leonardo warned.

He was using his leader voice, and Raphael knew that he was serious. But something told Raphael that he was being way too serious. He felt like his brother was on edge, as if he was hiding something.

Raphael folded his arms. "Well, tell me then big brother. Where have you been?"

Both brothers stared down each other for a long time. Neither one of them wanted to cave. It was a never ending battle behind them two. Ever since Splinter made Leonardo leader a couple of years ago, Raphael felt like he wasn't good enough. But, Splinter explained to him the situation. Over the years, Raphael understood, but it still got to him sometimes. He always felt like he was competing against his older brother, and he came to the conclusion that he will always feel like that. It was just in his nature, and it never was going to go away.

Red and blue stared at each other for a very long time, neither wanting to give up.

Leonardo knew the only person who could make him talk was his father, but again, he knew he couldn't tell him what actually happened. He never lied to Master Splinter, but what other choice did he have?

He couldn't tell his father and his brothers that he, the leader of the group, went against the number one rule they've been following since they were born; Never let anyone know who you are. Keep your identity a secret.

April and Casey were exceptions. The turtles saved April's life and well Casey, he kind of just showed up. He hung around with April a lot, so Casey was bound to find out about them. Either way, Master Splinter would disown Leonardo if he ever found out he told an outsider, who he doesn't know almost anything about, about their existence.

"Can we please let the subject go Raph?" Leonardo pleaded. "I'm tired, I'm going to bed. Master Splinter has enough to worry about."

Raphael crossed his arms. "Sure, I'll let the subject go….when you tell me exactly what you were doing."

Leonardo gritted his teeth. He had to think of a lie and quick. He wasn't know to lie either. He couldn't lie, it was one thing he wasn't good at, but he had to, for the sake of his secret.

The blue-masked turtle knew there was only one lie Raphael would believe and it involved meditation.

Leonardo sighed. "OK Raph, you win, for once."

Raphael was about to shoot back a response, but Leonardo continued.

"I couldn't go to sleep. I have many things on my mind, so I decided to go mediate somewhere on a rooftop. Something I did a couple of days ago, when Master Splinter told me to do so."

Leonardo was smiling to himself. He knew Raphael couldn't argue with his answer. He knew his hot headed brother wouldn't tell Splinter now, because it was something Splinter himself suggested when Leonardo was stressed out about things.

"Hmm," Raphael responded. "I guess that's the truth, I mean, you're a horrible liar and I would know if you're lying. But I know you would never lie because Master Splinter would be so ashamed."

Is he trying to guilt trip me? Leonardo thought. There is no way he thinks I'm lying.

"I don't lie, unlike you," Leonardo retaliated. He decided to change the subject. "We have training tomorrow. We should both go to bed."

Raphael looked at his brother up and down, trying to see if his older brother was hiding anything. The hot head didn't sense anything out of the ordinary, so he figured his uptight brother was telling the truth.

Honestly, Raphael would never guess Leonardo was lying to him, because his whole family knew the turtle in blue never lied.

"I suppose you're right. Alright Fearless. I'll catch you in the morning," Raphael said.

Leonardo was relieved his brother let go of the topic. Both turtles climbed the stairs and went into their separate rooms.

Leonardo set his gear on his desk and took his blue bandana off. He laid in bed, reminiscing the events of what happened.

He took a deep breath and smiled. He now knew Michelangelo might be right for a change. Once in Leonardo's life, he felt happy and free. He didn't feel pressured about anything. For once, it seemed like his mood changed. He liked this feeling because it was a feeling he hardly ever experienced and knew actually who to thank.

A/N- I admit this chapter is lame, but I wanted to hurry and publish it so that way people can know I'm not giving up on this story. I'm sorry for any grammar errors. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I think this story is coming along nicely. Anyway, thanks again for the kind reviews and follow/favorites. It means a whole lot. Happy Reading!