Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT.
Much to her chagrin, Karai found herself waking up beside Leo again more and more often. She also found herself beginning to like his greeting of "good morning, Kiba" along with the little peck on the cheek that accompanied it. This family is making me soft... the former Foot Clan kunoichi thought, but she couldn't quite resent it.
She also loved how Mikey went well out of his way to make her something that didn't involve algae or worms for every meal, and how eagerly he demanded her opinion on everything he cooked her. The little turtle had surprised her with his cooking skills; while not every meal was restaurant quality, most of his food was quite tasty. Though he never did tell her what he used in that soup for her 'initiation'.
Raph was as reluctant as she had expected him to be about showing enthusiasm around her, but after the prolonged period she had been out of training, Karai discovered that the red-banded turtle was greatly useful in kicking her back into action - rather literally, in fact.
Donnie had given her a very special gift, in the form of time to think in his lab. While it wasn't really time alone with Donnie almost always present, it was the closest Karai could get, and she appreciated the moments spent in near-silence at the back of his lab more and more as the weeks passed.
However, no amount of Leo's loving kisses or her other brothers' antics could distract her from the real truth: Karai was sick of being stuck in the lair. She still loved her new home, but after weeks on end confined to it, the girl was desperately craving some freedom.
Splinter caught on to this quickly, of course. During one of the boys' patrols, Karai was sat in the dojo with her father, drinking tea and pretending she didn't miss leaping across the rooftops with freedom, when he offered her a proposition: on the next bright day, she could go topside, but she had to remain in the presence of either April or Casey at all times. When asked, he confirmed that Angel could accompany them, but did not count as protection. He also promised, with an amused chuckle, that he would keep her brothers from spying on her.
"But you must remember, my daughter, the Foot Clan will be after you," Splinter reminded her gently. "Please, be careful."
Acting on impulse and giddy with the idea of a day out, Karai reached across the small space between them and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, Master Splinter." She leaned back and smirked. "Oh, and don't worry about me being careful; the Foot won't patrol in the day."
"Perhaps they did not before, but that doesn't mean they will not now," said Splinter sternly, "or that they do not have other methods of locating you in the day. We do not know what lengths Shredder is willing to go to in order to get you back."
Face twisted in displeasure, Karai nodded solemnly. "Hai, Sensei..."
"Miwa, I am talking to you as your father, not your sensei," he informed her gently, stretching forward to place a hand on her shoulder. "A father that cannot bear the idea of losing his daughter once more."
Wordlessly, Karai shifted closer to him, resting her head against his robe. After a long moment of silence, she whispered, "I don't want to go back there again..."
Splinter embraced her just a little tighter, and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "Fear not, my child; I will not let you."
Despite various protests from her brothers, Karai began spending more and more time topside with April, Casey and Angel. Although, since she was quite afraid of the Foot Clan recapturing her (not that she would ever admit it), Karai was quite content for all of their hanging out was either in April or Casey's house or a very public place.
The four were sat in an ice-cream parlour at the mall one day, just chatting, when April decided to announce that they didn't know each-other well enough, and should play a 'getting to know you' game. It was met with the negative reception the redhead had to have expected, but it did prompt a comment from Casey that pricked Karai's interest.
"We're not five, April; we are not playing a 'getting to know you' game in the middle of the mall," the hockey player said forcefully. He then turned to Karai and smirked. "'Sides, we know plenty about each-other, right Rai?"
She grinned. "Right. You live with your father and sister, you're on the school hockey team, and you want to be a hockey player or bounty hunter when you grow up."
"Uh-huh, and your first weapon was a juji-something sword, your favourite colour is black or silver, and you wanted to get your motorbike from Foot HQ." Casey turned to April and shoved her teasingly. "See? We know plenty about each-other."
Karai was aware that April began speaking again, but she wasn't listening, because she had a new idea brewing in her mind. Angel, who was sat beside her, raised an eyebrow, but gave her a playful smirk and a jab in the ribs.
"I know you're planning something," she mouthed silently, though it was likely she wouldn't have been heard over April and Casey's friendly argument.
Grinning deviously, Karai just winked at her.
It took a lot of preparation and some snooping (thank goodness Donnie didn't mind her hanging out in his lab), but three days later, Karai was unhooking Raph's Stealth Bike from the Shellraiser in the dead of night. The girl was dressed in her training clothes, since Donnie had attached her old Foot armour to the lining for protection. She silently wheeled the motorcycle out onto the subway tracks, tingling with adrenaline.
"You have got to be kidding me."
The kunoichi suppressed the urge to jump at her brother's voice, instead choosing to grip the handlebar of the bike angrily.
"I mean, Splinter finally lets you out of the lair, and you're already pushing it," he continued.
Karai turned to him and rolled her eyes. "Right, like you wouldn't do the same thing."
"I spent fifteen years down here, though," Raph reminded her, "so it's not quite the same thing. At least you get to go topside in the day."
"Yeah, but it's not the same with April and that." She sighed. "They're nice company, sure, but it's not… exciting. There's no rush of energy or adrenaline, it's just… talking, which you've probably noticed isn't my forte."
"It's not mine either," the turtle agreed absent-mindedly. He folded his arms and met her eyes. "But there's still no way you're sneakin' out for a midnight joyride on my bike-"
"Oh, come on, don't be so lame! Isn't Leo meant to be the boring turtle?"
"Obviously can't be that boring if you spend so much time sucking face with him," Raph retorted, smirking. "Anyway, you didn't let me finish. There's no way you're sneaking out for a midnight joyride on my bike… without me."
She was taken by surprise for a moment, before she grinned. "Fine, but no taking it slow, turtle."
He frowned. "Hey, that's a harsh stereotype!"
"Then move your butt and prove me wrong."
A blue helmet came flying towards her, and she only just caught it before it hit her in the chest. Raph, who had pulled a red helmet over his own head, joined her by the bike, a smug smile on his face. "I'd be glad to, sister."
She made a face at the helmet. "And here I thought you were the reckless one."
"I am," he said, hopping onto the bike and squishing as far forward on the seat as possible, "but I'm not stupid; getting caught on the bike would be bad enough, but if you break your skull, Splinter'll kill me."
Resigning, Karai pulled the helmet onto her head and squashed into the space between her brother's shell and the back of the seat. He caught hold of her hands and made her wrap her arms around him to hold on. She chuckled, then snuggled closer. "Aww, Raph, if you wanted a hug, you could've just asked."
He wriggled uncomfortably. "Actually, maybe be murdered by Splinter wouldn't be so bad. Go ahead and take that helmet off." When Karai responded by pecking him on the cheek, he flat-out threw her off the stationary bike. "Do you actually want a ride or are you just here to piss me off?"
"Hey, you followed me." She stood and dusted off her clothes. "I'd have been perfectly happy sneaking out alone."
The turtle rolled his eyes as she squeezed back onto the bike behind him. "Let's just go already before I kill you."
"Okay," she laughed, slinging her arms over his shell loosely.
The turtle revved the bike up and took off down the subway tunnel. He wasn't really used to riding with passengers, since the Stealth Bike had never really been built for two people (he made a mental note to mention that to Donnie, as he had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time Karai wanted a ride), but for all he complained about her, Karai wasn't the worst passenger he could imagine. She seemed to have a genuine appreciation for riding the bike, at least, and he got the distinct feeling that they would both be whooping with delight if they didn't need to keep quiet.
She leaned into his ear to say, "Gotta give you credit, you've got an awesome bike."
"The credit's all Donnie's; he built the thing." Raph thought for a moment, then asked, "Hey, wanna go topside?"
Karai gaped at him. "We can't… can we?"
"Yeah, we'll just put the roof up. You'll still be able to see through the periscope." He granted her a rare half-smile. "Besides, if we get any trouble, I'll get you out of the there."
She swatted at him. "As if I'd need you to. I can handle myself, thanks."
Raph drove the bike down the longest route to the surface, adding in extra twists and turns to make it more fun, before activating the roof to help them blend in. He wasn't sure he should be taking her out when the Foot could be patrolling, but he figured that at least this way she had someone else with her. After all, he reasoned, she would have gone out with or without him.
He was in such close proximity to her thanks to the small space of the Stealth Bike that he could actually feel Karai's breath catch as he pulled down the periscope and let her see. It had been a long time since she had seen New York at night without feeling afraid, and she found herself wishing she could go for a run along the rooftops.
As if reading her thoughts, Raph clarified, "Don't even ask, you're staying in the Stealth Bike."
She huffed. "I know, I know."
Though she was surprised when Raph pulled over into an alley, hiding the bike in the shadows. He opened the covering just enough to slip out, leaving his helmet on the seat. "Okay, just stay here, and I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Wait, what?" Karai tried to stand but he gently pushed her down. "Where are you going?"
"There are some thugs attacking Murakami's shop," he explained. "I'll be like five minutes."
Before she could protest, Raph had already slid the covering into place and ran off. She edged forward on the seat, taking a moment to stretch her cramped legs, and peeked through the periscope, wondering if she would be able to see Raph's fight from here. He could need her help if things got more serious than he thought.
A soft thudding from nearby prompted Karai to subtly tilt the periscope upwards, checking the skyline. She swallowed a shriek as she realised it was Fishface and a troop of Foot-Bots leaping across the rooftops framing the alley she was hiding in. Hoping beyond hope that Donnie's design on the bike was impeccable, Karai drew her sword from its sash with annoyingly shaky fingers, just in case.
True to his word, Raph returned in record time. He had apparently spotted the Foot patrol too, because when Karai quietly requested that they go home, he nodded sympathetically. She also noticed, though she didn't say a thing, that he kept glancing over his shoulder at her and leaning back against her. And even though Raph was driving a lot faster than he really should have been, it felt like the longest ride of Karai's life.
Finally, some bonding between Karai and someone that's not Leo! Also, sorry for a mostly-filler chapter, but this was all I could write, and anyway, I thought we needed a break from all the feels :)
So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and thanks for reading xD
