Author Notes:
Originally, this and the first chapter were one single mass of text. I've realized, though, that most of my chapters are going to run about 3-5k words each, so I decided to split them into two so they weren't such an anomaly compared to the rest.
And I decided to revive a tradition I used to do from my old fanfic writing days over a decade ago, and will acknowledge and reply to as many reviews as possible.
Reviews:
Techno Dawn: I just wanted to thank you first off for all of your wonderful reviews! You have no idea the happy little grin that crossed my face every time I got an alert on my phone. I really appreciate it! And I'm glad that people seem to think that I'm keeping the turtles' personalities fairly intact. I've always been a sucker for the paladin-types, and thus I'm excited that I get to flesh out Leo's relationship with his family in the next few stories. And it just seemed natural for April to follow the course she does in this chapter. Donnie is so adorkably awkward sometimes. I do have a lot of plans for him in this story, though, and I hope that the inner strength of his character will come through in this story and the next few as warm as I imagine it to be. I hope I do all the characters involved justice.
Chapter 2: Untraditional Traditions
It had been two weeks since the big news of a new Hamato Clan member, and Leo had finally gotten the lair back into some semblance of normality. Mikey was still adding to his ever growing list of potential baby name, half of which were variations of his favorite super hero names, and Donatello had since devoted all of his spare time putting together various medical devices that they might need in the upcoming months. Nobody really knew what this child would exactly look like, or how what effect carrying a turtle fetus would have on a human body. Donnie was determined not to leave anything to chance, and soon had his brothers and Casey raiding every junkyard in the city in search of parts, filling the lair with piles of electronics and gadgets of every size and shape.
For her part, April was very clear that, although this development was unexpected, it was not by any means unwelcome. She seemed to be excited at the thought of being a mother, yet, at the same time, Leo couldn't help notice that she seemed to be quieter and more withdrawn then usual. Thus, when she had indicated that she wanted to join him alone for tea one afternoon, he gladly agreed at the chance to talk to her alone.
He was not prepared for the sight that greeted him as she entered the dojo, however. Leo wondered absently if Donnie had seen her and, if so, had he recovered from the state of single syllable babbling Leo was sure he would've devolved into yet?
"Thank you for agreeing to letting me join you for tea, Leo." April held her hands together awkwardly, bowing politely. She was dressed in a beautiful yellow kimono with cherry blossoms, and she looked stunning. Leo had never seen her with make up on before, and not just the normal lipstick, mascara, and blush, but an obvious attempt at painting her face in a ceremonial Japanese mask. She even had taken the time to style her hair, pinning it up with elaborate hair pieces into a traditional Japanese style.
Leo returned the bow, surprised by how much effort she had obviously put into what he thought was just going to be a simple talk over tea. It must have taken her hours to get ready! He began wondering if he should've dressed up a little more himself. He just had his normal wraps, belt, and katana scabbards.
"Of course, April. You know I always have time for my sister." He smiled warmly, taking her by the hand and leading her over to the small tea table he had set up at her request. "You look amazing, by the way. The very picture of a Japanese Hina doll. Did you do your hair yourself? It's incredible."
"Oh, thank you." April's cheeks reddened slightly, and she touched her hair lightly, as if she were afraid to disturb it. "Raphael styled it, if you can believe that."
Leo stopped midstep, taken completely by surprise. "Wait, really?! Raph? Our Raphael?!"
April laughed as she knelt down by the small table. "I know! I was surprised as you are!"
"I wonder where he learned that skill." Leo shook his head, amused. Visions of Raphael carefully practicing on dolls flittered through his mind, and he could help but chuckle. He was going to have to get to the bottom of that little mystery for sure.
Having taken her seat, April respectfully folded her hands in her lap, waiting as Leo poured a small cup of tea into an old, well-worn tea cup, then carried it over to the shrine, offering the tea to the small shrine with the picture of Hamato Yoshi and Tang Shen while murmuring a small prayer, then bowing low.
Standing back up, he walked back and settled on the other side of the tea table, across from April. "I have to admit, I feel a little underdressed. I apologize." he chuckled, pouring the hot, brown liquid into April's finely decorated cup.
"Oh, you're fine!" April hurriedly assured him. "I just... I wanted to do this as perfectly as possible."
He finished pouring his own tea, and settled down, looking at her curiously. She was obviously nervous about something, and Leonardo was highly curious as to what this was all about.
She licked her lips, and fidgeted a little, playing with the end of her silk kimono sleeve while obviously silently giving herself an internal peptalk.
"April?" he inquired, raising an eye ridge. Since when did April O'Neil hesitate to speak what was on her mind?
Giving a few, short exhales she then finally gathered up her courage and quickly bowed low, blurting out an obviously rehearsed speech in a fast, almost embarrassed tone. "Hamato Leonardo, Leader of the Hamato Clan, I, April O'Neil, respectfully request your permission to take the hand of your brother, Hamato Donatallo, in marriage."
Leo was very glad he had not taken a drink of his tea yet, as he probably would have spewed it across the table.
"I... see..." he said carefully. Forcing his face to remain neutral, he lowered his cup of tea back down, setting it back on the table while he processed this.
Well. This wasn't quite what he had expected to happen.
As a big brother, his first instinct was to want to burst out laughing as just how ridiculous this was. But he quickly buried that urge. It was his responsibility as her Clan Leader to treat this request as formally as she apparently was hoping for. Which meant he needed to... to what? Where was the instruction manual for marriage proposals?!
Risking a quickly side glance towards the family shrine, Leo noticed the spirit of his father sitting there, drinking from a spectral version of his old favored tea cup that now sat before the shrine as an offering. Leo inwardly perked up hopefully, wondering if he would get some sage advice, but... no. His sensei just sipped the tea, watching Leonardo with obvious amusement on his transparent whiskered face. Apparently, he was eager to see how this all played out and Leo quickly realized that he wasn't going to get any spiritual guidance regarding this situation.
Thanks, Dad...
April's, completely oblivious to the spirit of Splinter in the room with them, didn't look up at Leo, her face bright red underneath the layer of makeup. "I'm so sorry. I know, this is stupid. It's just... you know... you guys have always been so big on traditions... and you're the clan leader now... and I just wanted... wanted to do this right."
Leo cleared his throat, turning his attention fully back to her. "No, there is no need for any apologies, kunoichi. I am very honored that you would come to me with such a request." he said, sitting straight and his face calm while trying to channel his best 'Clan Leader' impression.
He had to do this right. This was important to April. This was important to Donatello. He could not let them down.
Keeping his posture straight but relaxed, purposefully exuding a calm, thoughtful aura that he honestly didn't feel inwardly, he gestured towards April's untouched tea, and she nervously picked it up and took a sip. He began calmly drinking his own. "April, I'm sure that you know what my final answer will be as well as I do, but I would be remiss in my duties if I did not have a discussion about this with you first. This is a major decision, and I wish to make sure that you're sure you know exactly where your heart lies fully on the matter."
April looked relieved and grateful that Leo wasn't laughing at this, and nodded, bowing respectfully. "Of course, Sensei. And there is no doubt. I know that my heart lies fully with Donatello. I love him."
Leo let a small smile grace the corner of his mouth. "Yes, that much I do not doubt." He took another sip of tea, trying to buy himself a few more precious seconds to settle his thoughts, then looked at her seriously. "But I have to admit, the timing of your request is a little... coincidental. I must ask, you're not bringing this up now because of the baby, are you?" He didn't want her to rush into something she wasn't ready for, just because she felt obligated to, like it was something she had to do.
She shook her head. "No. This is something that I've actually been planning for a while now." She studied her cup of tea, a shy smile on her face. "I was going to wait until September, on the anniversary of the day we first met, but..." she placed a hand on her currently still flat stomach. "... by then I'm not sure how the timing would work by then." She would be about eight months along at that point.
"You could always have the wedding after the baby." Leonardo observed.
April shook her head. "I thought about that, but I'm hoping to..." She took a deep breath. "Look, I know exactly what I'm getting into. We still don't know how it will work with a human carrying a turtle infant to term. I know that this is probably going to be a very risky pregnancy, and if something should happen, it's not like I can go to a hospital... I just... I just don't want any regrets..."
Leo's heart dropped for a moment. He knew she was nervous, but was she really afraid that something would go so wrong?
He put down his cup and reached over to put one of his hands over hers firmly. "Nothing is going to happen to you, April. Donatello will not let it." He gently rubbed the back of her hand with one thumb, giving her a calm, confident smile. "Nor, I assure you, will I. I've already talked with Karai, and she's agreed to allow me to access some of the mantras and ninjitsu healing techniques kept in the Foot archives regarding childbirth. Between Donnie's unparalleled genius, your incredible spirit and powers, and my healing ki and mantras, both you and the baby will be fine."
April took a deep breath, then put her other hand on Leo's gratefully, enveloping his large green hands in her small, delicate ones. "Thank you, Leo. I know that with you guys at my back, I have nothing to fear. It's just... it's hard not to be nervous, you know?"
He nodded. "Of course. I will always be here if you need to talk, and, of course, discuss your concerns Donnie. I'm sure he's as nervous as you are, and being open with both of your fears will allow you both to work out solutions and contingency plans together. And of course, if you want, you can always join me in the dojo here to meditate."
April chuckled, more relaxed now. "Thank you, Leo. I think I'll take you up on that offer." She rubbed her lower stomach. "We need to get this little one introduced to the lifestyle of a ninja as early as possible, after all."
Leo chuckled, then sat back and picked up his tea once more and clearing his throat. "Now, about this marriage proposal..."
"My request is still respectfully on the table." April nodded, picking her own cup back up. "I have not changed my mind."
"You're certain about this?"
She looked at Leo, conviction in her green eyes. "I am. I wouldn't change a single thing about Donnie, I love him with my whole heart and soul, but he is a mutant, and I know that means there are many things that are going to be... different... for us. We can't do many of the things that normal couples take for granted. We won't even be able to have a real wedding. If I can give him at least a little taste of normalcy, of things done properly and traditionally, then I want to. I want to give him the life of a husband and wife starting a family together."
Leo exhaled slowly, then looked at her seriously. "And you?"
"I want that life as well." She looked directly at him, eyes burning and not the slightest trace of uncertainty on her face. "I want it so badly that it hurts."
"It will forever be a life of shadows, secrecy, lies, and danger." he warned. "We are mutants. You will never be able to have a normal social life among humans. You will have to always hide and lie about half of your life."
April sat up straight and proud, and looked Leo dead in the eye. "If I have anything to say about it," she said firmly, "it will be more then half of my life. It will be all of it. Donatello is my life. The Hamato clan is my life. I knew the trials of living with mutants already, and planned on that being a reality of my life, whether I married Donnie or not. You turtles are my family and my life, and have been since you first rescued me all those years ago. And I would never change that, not in a thousand lifetimes if I could. I don't care what I'm giving up, because what I'm gaining, you guys as a family, is worth infinitely more."
Leo could see her aura flair with sincerity and resolution, and couldn't help but feel warmth wash over him at her words, touched by her love for their family and grateful that such an amazing young human had come into their lives. He glanced over at the spirit of Master Splinter, and saw that he was beaming with pride as well.
Leonardo nodded and gave her a broad, delighted smile. Well, that was it then. "I can feel the conviction in your heart, kunoichi. It would be my greatest honor and joy to see both you and my brother joined together in union." He gave her a respectful bow. "Know that you have my permission, and my deepest blessings. And if there is anything that I can do to aid you in any way, I shall do so in a heartbeat, my dear sister."
Tears form in April's eyes, and she spent a few seconds trying to compose herself, before giving up and springing forward to wrap him in a hug. "Oh, thank you! Thank you, Leo!"
Leo laughed and hugged her back, then pushed her back a little. "Hey, careful, careful! We don't want to mess up that pretty hair that Raphael spent so much time on! By the way, has Donnie seen you dressed up like this yet? If not, can you wait until I get a camera ready first before you show him?"
April wiped away a tear and laughed joyfully. "He hasn't yet. I was going to surprise him. I'll... I'll have to reapply some of the makeup first, though. I'm sure I smudged it a bit. I can't believe I'm crying!" Radiating joy, she grabbed Leo's hands excitedly. "Leo! I'm going to marry Donnie! Oh my gosh! I'm actually going to marry Donnie!"
Clan Leader business done, Leo allowed himself to grin stupidly, clasping her hands and sharing in her delight. "I can't believe you asked me! I wasn't kidding when I said that I was honored. What made you decide to do this, instead of Donnie? What did he say about it?"
April looked a little guilty. "Well... actually... He doesn't know. I... I haven't actually asked him yet."
"Wait, so you haven't actually discussed this with him first?"
April threw up her hands. "Leo. You know Donnie! He's never going to ask me! He's too afraid that I'm going to reject him, even though I've been dropping hints that it's something I want as well for ages now! So I decided to take the initiative. If he's not going to ask me, then I'm going to ask him!" She looked down at her kimono and suddenly looked a little shy. "But, like I said, I wanted to make sure that I did everything perfectly. He deserves nothing less."
"Well, know with certainty that Master Splinter is watching you right now, and he is very proud of you. Of both of you." Leo said softly, rubbing the back of her hand with a thumb. And, over by the shrine, the ghost of his father gave a nod of appreciation that Leo passed on the message.
"Oh, I hope so." Tears welled up in April's eyes again, and she quickly dabbed them away. "Thank you, Leo. For everything."
"So when are you planning asking Donnie?" Leo inquired eagerly, as they both sat down to finish their tea.
"I was planning on doing so tonight." April grinned a happy and nervous grin, fingering her tea cup. "I'm planning on a romantic dinner with just the two of us. Mikey and Raph are in on the secret, by the way. They've been helping me get things set up, like my hair and outfit and such."
Leo looked at her, astonished. "Wait, really?" Something like this had been going on under his nose, and he had been unaware of it? Leo was more impressed then upset, they must really have taken some of their stealth techniques to new heights! Especially Mikey!
April squirmed a little. "Yeah, I really wanted to include you, Leo, but, you know, you were sort of part of the plan."
Leo took a sip of his tea. "Well, consider me surprised. And honored."
April also took a drink, then fiddled with her cup. "Although, now that you know, I would like to ask your advice on something. A small wrinkle in my plan came to my attention this afternoon."
"Of course. Anything."
April sighed. "Well, you know, it's tradition to exchange rings, but then I realized that... um..."
Leo frowned, looking down at his own hand and its large, rectangular fingers that no human shaped ring could possibly fit, and realized what she was getting at. "Oh, yes, I see."
"I planned to get around that by stringing the ring on a chain, to wear as a necklace, but Raph pointed out while doing my hair that if Donnie ever had to pull his head into his shell, it most likely would slip off. I hadn't even considered that, and now I'm not sure what to do."
Leo rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah, I see your dilemma... We're not really built for jewelry..."
April fiddled with her tea. "I do have some heirloom rings I was planning on using that I inherited from my grandparents, but maybe we should exchange something else instead? But it's kind of short notice, and I can't really think of anything that would carry the same meaning. Mikey suggested maybe a small piercing on the top of his plastron or something to hang the ring off of, and Raph suggested tattoos, but I'm leaning towards something still meaningful, but involving less... body modification."
Leo looked thoughtful for a moment, tapping his chin as he considered this. "Wait here for a moment." he finally instructed, then stood up and went into the bedroom located off to the side of the dojo. Once, this had been Master Splinter's room, but he had since taken his father's old room for himself, more out of necessity then anything. There were only so many rooms in the lair, and when April, and then Casey moved in, they had to do a little bit of rearranging.
Of course, the whole arrangement became rendered moot when April officially moved into Donnie's room, leaving his old one empty once more. Still, Leo stayed in his father's room. Strange, Leo wondered as he pulled out an elaborately painted chest, how many years it would take for him to think of it as 'his' room? But sometimes he could still smell his father's scent wafting through the air, and he felt a comfort as he slumbered that he hadn't felt since he was a young child, climbing into his father's bed to sleep after a nightmare.
He opened the chest, and pulled out two strips of black silk. He ran a finger over the stitching, critically judging the worthiness of the craftsmanship, before nodding and closing the lid to the chest. He walked back into the dojo, and settled back down at the table. He carefully took out the two strips of silk and offered them to April. "How about these?"
April took them, looking over them curiously, then gasped. Beautifully embroidered on each piece of black silk was the symbol of the Hamato clan, protected and encircled by two graceful dragons. "Leo! They're beautiful!"
Leo felt his face heat up a little. He tried to remain nonchalant about it, going back to his tea. "I'm glad you think so. They're wrist wraps, so Donnie can wear them with little to no hindrance. Donnie and I have similar sized wrists, so it should fit him, and if you wish to wear one for yourself, I think I could resize it for you before tonight. I just thought that it would be possible to sew your rings securely on them, if you'd like. I think they'd fit nicely on the center of the Hamato sigil, and then Donnie could wear the ring openly on his person."
"Oh, Leo, that perfect!" April looked up at him, delighted. She traced one of the dragons admiringly with a finger. "Were these Master Splinter's?"
Leo was now a little embarrassed and nervous. "Actually, I made them. I wished to make myself some formal wear in case I would ever need it one day, as clan leader, and was trying to combine traditional Japanese style with our own particular fashion styles. It's been more of a side project then anything, and I haven't gotten very far." he admitted, rubbing his arm. He had planned to have a tabard, sash, wrist and ankle guards, and ceremonial version of his blue mask, but after three years of working on the project on and off, he had only finished the wrist guards, sash, and mask.
April looked at him, surprised, then down at the wrist wraps. "Leo, you made these?! I didn't know you could sew like this! It's beautiful!"
Leo shrugged, a little flustered. "Well, my brothers are always accusing me of acting like a boy scout. I didn't want to add 'skilled in embroidery' to their list of verbal ammunition."
April laughed. "Well, if they give you a hard time, you always can bring up Raphael's hair dresser skills."
Leo chuckled. "I'm bound and determined to figure out where and why he learned to do that. Anyways, if you do intend on speaking to Donnie tonight, and you wish to use these, then I should begin alterations at once." He pulled out the small sewing kit he had brought out of the bedroom as well.
"Are... are you sure, Leo?" April looked at him hesitantly. "These are so beautiful and are such a precious gift to just give away like that. You meant these for your own use, and you must have put hours and hours of work into these."
He pulled out a small, fine needle, skillfully clasping it between his giant fingers, and began pulling out a variety of colored threads, giving her a smile and a nod. "It is a gift that I gladly give to you, April. I can always make myself a new set later. If you wish, consider it to be an early engagement present from an adoring big brother."
April looked down at the silk one more time, and this time, when she looked back up at Leo, she seemed to holding back fresh tears. "Thank you, Leo. It's perfect."
Raph's electric green eyes were narrowed to slits, intense concentration furrowing his brow, his tongue stuck out slightly.
"Careful Raph!" Mikey warned him, peeking over the edge of the table with his baby blue eyes wide with anticipation and concern.
"Shut up, you're breathing on it." Raph growled. "And don't you dare bump the table!"
With the tip of his Sai, he carefully eased the wooden block out, and gave a small exhale of relief as nothing happened. He cautiously set it on top of the stack, and then took a step back, a smug and satisfied look on his face. "And done. Your turn, Leo."
Leo, who had been off to the side, running through simple katas with his katanas, nodded and turned to the table, studying the situation at hand.
Jenga, when played by ninjas, could get rather intense.
Masters of balance, the game of stealthily easing the blocks out and stacking them in perfect balance had been turned into an art form, and this current tower was teetering precariously at over thirty levels. A mere breath of air in the wrong direction could knock it down right now.
Leo tapped the table lightly with a katana, closing his eyes and listening to the vibrations for a moment. Then, suddenly, he spun about, steel flashing, and the tower was instantly missing one more block. Looking over, it could be seen now sitting balanced on the flat of his sword. He smirked at Raph, flipped the block through the air and caught it on the flat of his other blade, then deposited the block on top of the tower neatly without touching it, not even generating the slightest sway in the skeletal tower.
"Show off." Raph grumbled, arms crossed.
Leo sheathed both of his swords in one movement, and bowed slightly. Straightening up, he gestured towards the table. "Mikey?"
"Right. Now step back and let a true Jenga master show you how it's done!" Mikey cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.
Raph and Leo took an obedient step back and watched with interest. Once the game reached this level, things got interesting.
Mikey stood in front of the tower in an almost sumo wrestler pose, a look of complete intensity on his normally childish face. He began to move his arms in motions that resembled an almost rigid mockery of a kata. "Hweeeeeeeeeee... Whoooooooo... Hhhhuuuguguguguguuu..."
"Uh..." Raph looked at Leo, confused. Leo shrugged.
"Jeeeengaaaaa Tooooweeerrrr..." Mikey growled out dramatically to the tower, waving his hands about the air. "Obey me! Boom!" And with that, he twisted his hand about like a magician revealing a card, only to reveal instead a Jenga block between his fingers.
"Wait, what?!" Both Leo and Raph unfolded their arms and looked at him, dumbfounded. They hadn't seen him even attempt to touch the tower.
"Mikey, you cheating?!" Raph stomped over rather gently as not to disturb the tower, and grabbed Mikey's hand roughly, twisting it about to look for telltale signs of hiding spots in his wraps.
Leo looked over the tower and frowned. "I don't think he did, Raph. There's a piece missing right there. I'm sure it was there on my turn."
"Raph! Bro! You wound me! Questioning the skills of a Jenga Master? The nerve!" Mikey attempted to look offended, but it was clear from the glee in his eyes that he was thrilled he had baffled his brothers. He dropped the block on top of the tower with ease, and turned to Raph. "Your turn again, by the way."
Raph narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his baby brother, then spun his sais in his hands, turning to the teetering tower and trying to hide his nervous exhale as he examined the daunting task ahead of him. He gave a piece a feather-light tap experimentally with the tip of the sai, judging just how essentially loadbearing it was to the tower's integrity.
"GUYS!"
Raph gave a jolt at Donnie's sudden loud, exuberant yell through the lair, and the Jenga tower came tumbling down with a clatter.
"Guys! Guysguysguysguys!" Donnie literally bounced into the lair with April in his arms hugging his neck bridal style, and both beaming madly and positively bubbling over with excitement. Leo noticed with a grin that both of them now each wore a matching black silk wrist guard. "You'll never guess what just happened!"
Notes: So, in the series, Splinter's spirit only ever seemed to appear to Leonardo after his death, sans tears between the mortal world and the afterlife. Thus, only Leo seems to be aware of his father's ghost watching out over them. I actually have an explanation storywise for that, but it probably won't reveal itself for quite some time. For the time being, I imagine it's like Splinter is feeling like your parents when you bring your kid over for them to babysit, and they load them up with all the sugars and give them a toy drum kit. It's AWESOME watching this from the other side!