Unusual Surroundings

Leonardo watched Luna closely as she looked around the infirmary where she lay. Her beautiful, now blue, eyes flitted from one thing to another, taking it all in. The tall stainless steel table in the center of the room. The counter built up against the wall. The shoji screen dividers. The futon where she lay.

At last she turned her gaze on Leo. Leonardo closed his eyes, wished he could fade into the darkness around him, and waited for the screaming to begin. He stayed motionless, desperately afraid she would injure herself further trying to get away from him if he moved.

While he had believed her blind, he had let himself hope that he would be able to be close to her. That he could keep secret exactly how different he and his brothers were. That hope turned to ashes the moment he realized, that with Sol's help, she could see. Now, he did not want to meet her gaze and see fear in those beautiful eyes.

Luna's eyes widened as she took in the appearance of the being beside her, but otherwise she kept her thoughts to herself. Truly she hadn't expected anything human. The power levels she felt from these beings were way too strong.

Besides, as a former goddess, she was already well aware that there were many things residing on Earth that were neither human or animal. She had met a number of them in the ancient days, and had nothing but respect for their courage.

Living among the barbarian hordes that made up the masses of humanity took skill and discipline. Humans of the present day were so egotistical, they called these powerful beings 'monsters' and relegated them to the realm of fairy tales.

What did surprise her was the fact that he was mortal. The amount of energy he was feeding her injured body was so immense she couldn't quite believe it. She sent just a tendril of her own power back to him to verify it. Yes, definitely mortal.

Obviously he was used to an adverse reaction to his appearance. He whole body projected sad determination, and he hadn't opened his eyes, so she took the opportunity to study him carefully.

His form was unique, based on that of a terrapin crossed with a human. It was hard to tell from her prone position, and it didn't help that he was kneeling, but she judged his height to be about 5' 10". He was extremely well proportioned and muscular, with smooth, creamy dark jade skin.

For some reason, she found herself wondering what his skin felt like. The thought made her feel warm and shivery inside.

His back was covered by a dark protective shell and his chest armored in light tan plates, both of which were marked with chips and scratches. These scars spoke of many battles with edged weapons, yet she didn't sense any aggressiveness from him. If anything he hovered rather protectively over her, projecting an air of serenity and calm.

He wore a few human accessories. A belt with several carry pouches, some protective gear and a weapons harness of some sort, which was currently empty. He also wore a blue mask over his eyes, and Luna wondered if that was for obscurity or identity.

Overall, she thought him quite a handsome creature. His expressive face held a cool confidence that showed, even in his distressed state. He matched the feeling of the blue thread inside her perfectly, and she felt drawn to him in a way she had not experienced before.

For one thing, she was extremely grateful to him. Somehow this lovely, expressive creature had managed to summon her father and redeem her life. It was a debt she was never going to be able to repay. But what she felt was more than simple gratitude.

Even in her injured state, looking at him stirred feelings within her that she thought long discarded.

Finally she could take the silence no longer. He deserved to know who and what he had rescued, and he needed to know about the dangers of sheltering her.

"I am known as Luna Heliades, daughter of Helios, Master of the Sun and Selene, Mistress of the Moon. May I have the pleasure of your name?" She said formally.

Startled, Leo opened his eyes. He already knew who she was, but he had never met anyone who was not first shocked, then disgusted, by his appearance. Oh, other humans had befriended them eventually. The disgust and feelings of wrongness wore away with time and repetition. But none of their friends, not even April, had met his eyes and instantly accepted him for what he was.

Stunned, he rose and bowed automatically in response to her formal tone. She had never seen anyone move as gracefully as he did.

"I am Hamato Leonardo, first son of Hamato Yoshi, our Master Splinter, and head of my clan." he replied.

She smiled and winced slightly as that caused pain in her face, but the smile reached all the way to her eyes, warming and lighting them from within.

She actually smiled at me, Leo thought, no screaming, no panicked attempts to escape.

"I am honored Leonardo. I owe you and your clan a tremendous debt. May I know the others of your family?" She inquired. "Sol speaks highly of them."

Leonardo exchanged a glance with Donatello, who had stayed out of sight across the room, but had watched Luna's assessment with interest. Don came around the stainless table and bowed as well.

"I am Hamato Donatello, third son of Hamato Yoshi." Don said.

She nodded gracefully in reply. This one was similar in appearance to his brother, but wore accessories and weapons of a different color and character. The masks were mostly for identity then, she thought. But there were slight differences in skin coloration as well.

"Sol tells me that you are the one I should thank for tending my remaining wounds. Thank you, Donatello, my debt extends to you as well." she said.

While Don was introducing himself, Leo went to the door and motioned to Michelangelo to come inside. Leo simply couldn't believe how well she was taking things. He watched as her covertly as Mikey made his way in the door.

"Go easy on her," Leo warned his brother.

Mikey just grinned at Leo. He forwent the formal bow his training dictated and instead flamboyantly dropped to one knee saying, " Hamato Michelangelo, at your service beautiful goddess lady!"

Leo frowned, but Luna laughed lightly. It was the most melodic sound Leo had ever heard.

This, Luna thought, was definitely the youngest of the family. His orange accessories suited him to a 'T', and his innocence and optimism washed over her like a tidal wave. She rejoiced to see such joy in their world.

"I am honored to meet you Michelangelo. Sol tells me you are most amusing, and have made waiting for me to awaken much more pleasant. I look forward to experiencing that myself." she said

Mikey grinned, rose to his feet, and elbowed Don. "You hear that?" he smirked "I'm already her favorite!"

Don just rolled his eyes. "Go make our guest some of Sensei's healing tea, and tell Raph to come in." he said.

"No problem, bro" Mikey said and headed out the door.

Raph entered so quickly, Leo suspected he had been lurking outside the door. He crossed to Luna's side and bowed as formally as Mikey had not.

"I am Hamato Raphael, second son of Hamato Yoshi." He said. Leo waited for the snide remark that was sure to follow, but was surprised yet again. Raphael smiled, one of his rare unguarded smiles, and said, "It's great to see you awake."

Don shooed everyone out then, insisting that even Leo needed to leave and get some rest. Then he brought in Mikey's tea from the kitchen and propped Luna up carefully so she could drink. He had a few questions he wanted answered.

"I know you're probably hungry," he said, "but let's start with this. My Master has been treating us with it since we were little, it has great healing properties."

Luna smiled and accepted the cup with her good hand.

"Thank you, Donatello. Your family has been generous to take me in at such great risk." She said.

"And what exactly are the risks, my lady?" Don probed lightly, stumbling only a little over the correct term of address to use with a goddess. He wondered if the information he had gleaned so far was accurate, and if she would be forthcoming with the truth.

"I will not lie, Donatello, the risks are indeed great. Though not, perhaps, as great as you fear." She frowned. "Sol tells me he was unable to share with you many details of what has occurred, but you and your family should be aware of what sheltering me may mean."

She quietly sipped her tea for a time before she continued.

"Do you know much of the gods of the ancient peoples, Donatello?" she asked.

"I have some knowledge of human accounts from the time. I understand your father drives the sun chariot across the sky each day?" Don said.

Luna's musical laugh trilled out again. It felt terribly familiar to Don. For some reason, it reminded him of Sol's giggle the other day, before Luna awoke.

"That is a very poetic interpretation of his responsibilities, equated to the knowledge of technology and power the Greeks had at the time. But I think you'd like a more scientific explanation, would you not?" she inquired.

Donatello's eyes lite up.

"I would love to hear all about it after you have recovered somewhat," Don said "But I think the pressing issue is the peril you find yourself currently in, and those causing it."

Luna sighed, but nodded while taking another soothing sip from her tea. It was the most interesting tea she had ever tasted, and it was reviving her more than any natural tea should. On her next sip, she sampled it gently with her newly restored senses.

Not surprisingly, she found it bound about with power. It had threads of color that matched all four of these turtle beings, but at the core of it she found a deep and abiding strand of green, which the other threads wound about. Love was holding it all together. Intriguing.

"I am here in this mortal form because I am in exile." Luna admitted. "I take full responsibility for the actions that led me to this fate, and I'm afraid I would do it again. But though my exile was meant as punishment it was never meant to be deadly, merely arduous, difficult, and painful."

Don was burning with questions after that quiet statement. Her response indicated honor and acceptance of her punishment, but he couldn't imagine what she might have done to warrant banishment. However, at the moment he couldn't afford to be distracted from the main point.

"So, who is trying to kill you?" Donatello asked gently.

"I am uncertain as to the exact person at this time, Donatello." She replied. "Unfortunately, I have many enemies, both mortal and immortal. It could be any one of them, taking advantage of my exile to remove me permanently."

Donatello considered her words. Mortal opponents, as she put it, could probably be easily handled. Immortals he wasn't so confident about. Perhaps he and his brothers could help her complete her task quickly. Surely when she regained all her power, she would be able to defend herself.

Luna was quiet for a few moments, and Don worried that he was tiring her out, but before he could suggest they continue the conversation later, she suddenly asked,

"Your brother, Leonardo, he is the one who Called my father?"

"You could say that," Don said quietly. "It was more like, he demanded a response for your suffering."

Her eyes widened, surprised that anyone would dare demand anything from her father. But Don refused to say anymore about it. She didn't need to cope with anymore trauma. He settled her back on the futon and took her cup.

"You should rest." Don said. "I'll be nearby if you need anything."

He watched her quietly as she settled into the futon and prepared for sleep. She pressed her good hand onto her forehead, made a peculiar gesture with her fingers, and began to hum a soft tune. A small blue glow began to escape her forehead, and in mere moments, Sol had reformed and flitted out of the infirmary searching for Leo.

Don had begun to leave as well, but turned back with one last question he could no longer restrain.

"Luna," he said quietly, "Why were you exiled?"

She did not turn to face him, and he had to lean in close to hear her soft reply.

"I saved a child."