Senka Pack
Chapter 2: Getting to Know You

Disclaimer: Don't own or know the TMNT.

The hot water gushed out of the facet and I quickly changed the flow to the shower head. I fixed the shower curtain before slipping into the water. My body relaxed instantly under the warmth of the water. My wings eagerly took the relaxing heat and I just stood there, enjoying, for once, the sensation of a warm shower.

It took me three minutes to actually shower. Cleaning my wings was a different matter. Dripping wet, I did my best to dry them but it didn't work. I dried off and pulled on the new clean cloths, making a mental note to thank April again for the cloths.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I ran into Mikey. He had insisted on having me call him by his nickname. I didn't complain, grateful one of them took me in with no questions asked.

"Oh, hey Sera," he chimed. "Do you need help with your wings?"

They were still wet and I blinked. "Sure."

He smiled. "Just tell me what to do."

I smiled and led him down the stairs to before the fireplace. I settled down next to it and handed him a brush. He settled between my wings that were relaxed and he took my left one gently into his hands. I looked back at him and said, "If you just brush the feathers, the heat from the fireplace will dry them."

He nodded and he started on my left wing. I was prepared for any feathers to be pulled like others I've had do but was surprised when he started. The brush barely even touched the feathers. I almost glanced back to see what he was doing but he pressed a little harder. I smiled.

How much longer till we get to be together, my dear hummingbird? I had forgotten I was connected with Azrael still. The pack is getting impatient.

You know you can come at any time. Now that we're out of the city, it's all up to what you guys want to include.

The creatures?

The turtles. I felt Azrael sigh and I knew he was worried about the turtles' affect on me. My eagle. My dear eagle. Please trust me on this. I own the blue clad one, Leonardo, my life for giving me my freedom. They will accept you. You have never been a part of the Foot.

We'll talk about it.

Be aware, dear eagle.

Be safe, dear hummingbird.

I felt pressure on my right wing and looked back in habit. Mikey had moved to my other wing and I hadn't noticed when he had. He was humming to himself as I dropped the connection with Azrael and I brushed his mind.

He was actually enjoying being helpful. He was going over in his head memories of his brothers and him working together. I felt the pure joy of being able to do something, especially now. As he finished with my wing, his gaze wandered over towards Leo and I brushed the sleeping turtle's mind.

I winced at what I saw. He was in a hole created by what has happened and I quickly dropped the link. He blamed himself for the destruction of April's shop and there was nothing I could do about it.

Raph came stomping up the front steps, probably knocking the snow off of his feet. He entered the house and I jumped to my feet, already having brushed his mind.

"You didn't harm them, did you?"

He looked at me startled. "What?"

"You didn't harm the two mutants, did you?"

He frowned. "No. How did you know that?"

I sighed, searching for Beatrix's and Icarus' mind. They were both shocked but OK. They were on their way back to the barn from the chase. "I can read minds. Communicate through the connect I create. It's how Leo knew how to get the collar off and the Shredder doesn't still have me in his clutches. The Shredder never knew of my ability. None of the Foot did."

He was pissed now. "And when were you going to tell us?"

"When Leo woke up."

Raph's hatred was extinguished at the statement. He looked at his sleeping brother still in a coma. I bowed my head.

"I kind of knew about your ability," Mikey mumbled. I looked at him, seeing him fiddling with the brush as he looked at the fire. "How else did you already know our names when you talked with me? You had told us the full story of what had happened and Leo never mentioning our names, according to your story. I only guessed the mind reading piece though."

I nodded but he didn't see it. I pulled my wings in close and spun around to face the fire. I wrapped a wing around Mikey, engulfing him in the charcoal black feathers. He looked at me and smiled, tears in his eyes. I opened my arm to him and he scooted closer, leaning against me. I brought my other wing around as I held the turtle to create a blanket. He buried his face in my shoulder and started to cry, tightening the grip he had on my shirt.

I looked up to see Raph standing over me and Mikey and I brushed his mind, finding what he wanted. I opened my wing and arm for him and he hesitated.

Don't worry, Raph. No one will care.

He blinked and nodded warily. He sat down next to me and I pulled him close, closing my wing around him. He rested his head on my shoulder and I watched the fire. A few minutes later, Raph was crying too, muffled and hidden, but still crying. When Don walked in, I instantly connected with him and brought up a memory of needing to go somewhere else. He instantly left, not even looking twice at me and the two crying turtles.

Mikey was out first and Raph followed him shortly after. I smiled and squeezed them briefly before searching for Splinter, finding the rat upstairs, meditating. Splinter, can you please bring two blankets and a pillow down? Raph and Mikey are asleep.

Such a strange ability for a young child.

A gift I am grateful for. Please?

I will be down shortly.

Thank you.

You are welcome, Seraphina.

I slowly peeled my wings from the turtles, working on not waking them. The rat was right there as I worked my way out from under them and he placed the pillow under their heads as I lowered both down. I took one of the blankets and draped it over Raph. I watched as Splinter draped the other one over Mikey and smiled when Splinter ran a hand over both of their heads.

"They are taking it a lot harder than they show, Splinter."

"Having a brother sick or wounded like this always did that to them," he said, not really paying attention to what he was doing or saying. "They only have each other in this world."

I nodded. "Wish there was more I could do."

He looked at me, smiling gently. "You have done enough."

"What have I done to make it enough?"

"Allowing both to have permission to feel what they are truly feeling."

I smiled and bowed. He returned the bow just as April and Casey came in. They were bickering in a low tone and I nearly laughed, already knowing where it was going.

"There is no way I'm going to let you do that," April hissed.

"Come on, April," Casey moaned, "I'm going crazy in here."

Splinter and I exchanged glances as April snapped, "No."

Bike trip back to the city.

Splinter nodded as Casey spotted Raph and Mikey before the fire, out cold. "How long have they been like that?"

Both looked at me as I shrugged. "20 minutes?"

"How did that happen?" April asked.

I smiled. "They fell asleep so I moved them to optimize room in here."

She bought it and dropped it as she continued the argument with Casey. "There is no way you are going out on that bike of yours."

"Come on, April," Casey wined as he followed her into the kitchen. "Please?"

"No."

"She has his bike keys," I said, walking to the door.

"I wondered why he was asking her," Splinter said, nodding.

"Splinter, you remember when I had told you about my pack?" The rat nodded, wary. "They are here, waiting. Do you mind if they come in?"

"They are welcomed here as much as you are."

I smiled and opened the door to find Icarus in mid knock with the rest of the pack behind him. He blinked, though he couldn't see me, and smiled. "Hey, Sera."

"Sera!"

I was tackled by both Beatrix and Avalon and I was knocked to the ground, my wings thankfully tucked close to my body. The sound of the three of us hitting the ground woke the two turtles sleeping before the fire and brought the third down the stairs.

"Beau, Avi, you're crushing my wings."

They both leaped to their feet, mumbling sorrys. Azrael held out a hand and helped me to my feet. Once on my feet, I hugged him and he wrapped his wings around me. I buried my face in his shoulder, taking in every detail of him that I could.

"My hummingbird," he whispered. "My dear hummingbird."

"Azrael."

"What, we don't get hugs?" Damon complained and I chuckled, reluctantly releasing Azrael. I opened my arms to him and he locked me into one of his bear hugs.

"Our turn, Damon," Yama stated impatiently.

I wiggled out of Damon's death grip and gingerly hugged Yama. Out of all of us, Yama was the most delicate. Don't ask me why because I have no idea. He just has always been that way. I then hugged Icarus before turning to the collected audience.

"Splinter, everyone, this is my pack, my family." I gestured towards the gaggle of freaks behind me. "Azrael, Avalon, Damon, Yama, Beatrix, and Icarus."

At each name, I pointed to the owner. What each owner did was up to them, I didn't really pay attention. When Azrael touched the small of my back, I looked back at him to see his face an unreadable mask. I hate that face. As the audience began to mingle with my pack, he whispered into my ear. "Sera."

I connected mentally, knowing already his demand. What is it, Az?

Why them? Why now?

I trust them, my eagle. All I'm asking is a few years, if that.

Sera…

Please, Azrael. You know what I'm asking is nothing compared to what was before.

I know. It's just that I want you now.

Then have me.

He blinked, finally meeting my gaze. His eyes were ablaze with the burning passion that had pulled us together. "Really? Right now?"

"Pick the place and I'm yours."

He smiled and wrapped his lips around mine. In one swift movement, he was leading me out the door and up into the air. I connected with Icarus as Azrael's wings pounded above me. I was light but still heavy enough to weigh Azrael down. The fact that he hadn't let me go was a reassurance and I told Icarus the whole story on our leaving. Though he sent me TMI afterwards, he agreed to tell the others in a less… disturbing way.

Azrael landed surprisingly gently on the turf of an abandoned cabin. He placed me on my feet and I followed him in. What I saw inside was amazing. The whole place had been refurbished and the windows had been darkened. The table had three candles burning on it and the fireplace had logs ready for burning. The bed was in a corner and was covered in the softest blanket I've ever felt. I wrapped myself in it as he started the fire in the fire place.

"How long have you had this place?" I asked.

"50 years now?"

"That long?"

He shrugged, sitting next to me. "It's been my getaway for the longest time."

"And the others know."

He nodded, kissing me again. Smiling as I returned the kiss, I coaxed him to follow me back as I lay down on the bed.

* * * * *

I entered the cabin after Azrael and stopped in the doorway. The pack looked at us before looking back at the group around Leo. Raph was talking to Leo, his eyes meeting mine. I smiled gently as I got the entire story in a second. They were trying to bring Leo back. I passed the information over to Azrael and he nodded. I took my place behind the pack at watched as little happened. Splinter went after but Leo's condition didn't change. Both Icarus and Beatrix were shaking and I sent the link to them, connecting my pack together.

There's no way…

…he's going to make it.

No one likes it when the twins complete each other's sentences but no one was complaining this time. Damon wrapped his arms around Beatrix and she curled up in his arms, her ears flat against her head. Yama walked up behind Icarus and hid the youngest in his wings.

Born 13 minutes after his sister, he was officially the youngest and we all knew that even though he was mature beyond his years, he was still sensitive to his gift and had little control. We all tried to keep him from hurting.

I don't know where the rage came from but it came in a flood and the entire pack backed away instinctively. "Damn it, Leo. Will you get over yourself for once?"

"Sera…"

"Don't stop me, Azrael," I snapped. I glared at Raph as he stood between me and Leo unconsciously. "Move it hot head. This isn't for you."

"No."

He got this glazed look on his face and I smiled. He stepped aside and I walked up to Leo's side.

Thanks Avi.

He needs this.

"Look at yourself. You're not even worth my pity. You're not even worth your own. Look at your family. They're weeping over you because you're giving up!"

Silence was heavy in the room and Avalon was doing her best to keep the others back though she was draining quickly. I fell to my knees beside him and continued. "When I met you, you never stopped fighting, your family's well being on your mind. You never gave up even when you looked beaten. The pain is unbelievable, I know. The hatred's going to be worse, so what? The disappointment is only in your head, Leonardo, and you know it. Wake up and show that you are worth their time, their lives."

Funny. Whenever I give a heartfelt speech like that to my pack, none of them listen. But Leo did. And he woke up.

Everyone cheered. Raph pulled me into a hug, a bear hug similar to Damon's. No one was paying attention as Raph pressed his beak against my lips. Out of reflex, I dropped all connections, only brushing. The instance he realized what he was doing, he jumped back 10 feet, turning as red as his bandanna. Only Don and Azrael looked at me and I shook my head. It was none of their business.

As Leo felt into a calm sleep, everyone relaxed. Damon and the twins went outside with Mikey to go back to the barn while Azrael and Yama talked with Splinter and Don. Avalon followed April into the kitchen with Casey while Raph headed upstairs. I followed him.

When he glanced back to see who was following him, he blushed and hurried up the stairs, the kiss replaying in his head. I smiled and was on his heels. We slipped into a room and he closed the door, as red as his bandanna. "What do you want?"

"Just curious on why you're blushing," I stated, playing the flirting heavy. I haven't had this much fun in years. He blushed even harder, if that was possible. "There's nothing to be ashamed of."

Then I saw the images, the fantasies. I nearly laughed, seeing how careful he was being, how delicate he treated me, wanted to treat me. How far it got, how detailed. He even had a pretty good idea on how I would actually act and I was shocked to see how accurate it was.

"You're Azrael's, right?" he asked.

I smiled gently, manly at his almost timid statement in the embarrassment. "Technically, yes, but he allows me to play."

He went stock still at that. I chuckled, walking up to him and twiddling my fingers in his bandanna tails. "Come now, that's what you want, right?"

He swallowed and I couldn't help but laugh. "Easy big boy. We don't have to play that way, if you're not ready. I mean, playing with a girl who's much more masculine would scare any guy."

That was the ticket. "Who said I was scared?"

"I know a place we can play, if you want?" I headed towards the window. "Ready for a run?"

He smiled and followed me out the window and into the forest. As we ran, I connected with Azrael.

Playing.

Figured.

Can't blame me, can you?

No. I played myself.

I'll make sure he's back unharmed.

His full hearted laugh filled my head and pure bliss filled my system. I don't think Splinter will like it if he was.

Just don't tell him.

I won't. Be aware, my hummingbird.

Be safe, my eagle.

The cabin wasn't that far on foot and I slipped the key Azrael had given me into the key hole.

"So this belongs to you?" Raph asked, admiring the little cabin.

"Azrael, actually," I said, opening the door. "So, naturally, it's the whole pack's."

"Aw."

It was nice to actually be in the cabin without Azrael. You would thing that I would be clinging to him but everything just went back to the way it was before my capture. I opened the trunk at the foot of the bed and pulled out a Skipo board and cards.

"This is one of my favorite games. Want to play?" I asked, the flirt in me gone. He didn't seem to notice, sitting at the table. I laid the board out and sat down opposite of him. "Know how to play?"

"Yeah," he said, taking two of the three decks and shuffling them together. "Leo use to want to play it whenever one of us piped up."

"I haven't played it in a few months so I'm a little rusty," I said, taking the offered deck.

"That's OK." He placed a one down, smiling. "I can always help ya along."

We played two games, laughing and talking the whole way. He was really relaxed around me and as our second game ended with me winning, he leaned back in his chair as I gathered the cards.

"Yer really cool, Sera," Raph said, looking at the ceiling. "Yer the first chick our age we've met and yer not what I expected."

I smiled, raising an eye brow. "Expected? You expected me to be a certain way?"

He shrugged, his chair clattering back onto all fours as he looked at the candles. "I've watched teens our age and many of the girls are boy hungry, looking for any excuse to play. When you were… flirting… I thought maybe you were just one of them, 'cept with wings. But now…"

I watched his eyes, not caring to hear his thoughts. Brown, darker than his blue clad brother's but lighter than Don's. It was strange, actually. I couldn't help but get lost in those eyes. When he met my gaze, it was like my world just stopped. There was more to them. Much more. But…in a way… ya tend to get like that when there's more behind the gaze.

With a simple smile on his face, he stood, asking, "Ya still want to play?"

I chuckled, watching him walk over to me. "Why? Do you?"

His face came within inches of mine, the smile gone. "I want to see…"

His lips covered mine gently as he tangled his fingers in my hair, pulling my hair free of its ponytail. The other hand went to my waist and he pulled me to my feet. That was the same time were I didn't even feel like I was just "playing" with him. It felt much more deep then that.