Chapter 9

Donatello was a thinker. His brain was constantly going non-stop. It was like a super absorbent sponge soaking up all kinds of information, which he would analyze, synthesize, break down, put together, and turn inside out and back again. Donatello could pretty much figure out anything. Except for the ever baffling enigma of the female psyche. He also couldn't figure out for the life of him why he couldn't get one particular female out of his brain. His brain went through so many twists and turns trying to unravel the mystery of Mei Pieh Chi. On the surface she appeared so meek, poised, and disciplined. Yet there were moments where she could be so stubborn, especially when challenging Donatello's knowledge of science and technology. And then there were the times in battle when she was downright dangerous and frightening. He was glad she was on their side.

Don had pretty much learned to deal with those aspects of her personality. However there was one particular trait that unnerved and excited him all at once. Her flirting. She could be very covert with the subtle touches on his neck as she looked at his computer monitor over his shoulder. Then there were the overt moments when she would hug him, or the rare moment that she kissed him. He touched his beak as he reminisced for the memory was still fresh. That kiss caused a stir in him he had not experienced with any other female. Yes, there was a time when he had a major crush on April, and there were a few other females who made him blush. However none of them caused his pulse to race like Venus. There was something about her that he found extremely sexy, even though he doubted she was even trying to be so. She just was.

To top all of that off, Donatello was conflicted about his feelings toward Venus. He had been in some serious denial for a long time, and it took him years to admit the twinge of jealousy he felt when he saw her and his oldest brother growing closer. It all really came to a head for him when it was revealed that his youngest brother, of all Turtles, had gotten her pregnant...with twins at that! Don felt like he was losing a fight although he hadn't thrown his hat into the ring. It frustrated him that he could tell there was a mutual attraction, yet he kept pulling away from her. At times he would literally flee from her because she had him so flustered.

Now he was in a situation where he couldn't run. He was facing Venus on the rooftop of an unfinished building with his bo at the ready. Venus was casually swinging her kusarigama (sickle with chain) while looking quite ravishing. Raph stood off to the side holding his right hand in the air. When Raphael cut his hand through the air like a knife as a sign to begin the spar, Donatello got a sinking feeling in his gut.

'If I beat her, what if she ends up thinking I'm a brute? And if she beats me, what if she loses all respect for me as a ninja? Or even a man? Damn, I am so screwed either way!' he fretted as he defended himself from a frontal assault. Their sparring looked more like dancing than fighting. And Donatello could have sworn he saw a flirty smile on her face as she wrapped her chain around his bo and pulled. He countered her movement by twisting his bo, jerking her to the side. She managed to keep her grip. Seconds later he felt something soft slap against his face causing him to flinch and blink. The next thing he knew he felt a force pushing him back on his carapace, and all he could see was inky night sky and smooth green thighs. Venus was smiling down at him while straddling his face. He jerked his arms upwards as he caught a whiff of her feminine scent.

Venus flipped backwards and stood to face Donatello once again, weaponless for her kisarigama was still wrapped around Don's bo. To her surprise Donatello quickly conceded defeat, ran to the ledge and jumped off. Venus stood there looking quite confused while Raph laughed so hard he was holding his sides.

About twenty minutes later Raphael and Venus made it back to the Lair. Venus noticed that her kisarigama was hanging over the entrance to the Lair. "I don't get why he's trying to save face. He won the spar," the red-clad mutant grumbled as he retrieved the weapon and handed it to Mei Pieh Chi. "Then again..." He started to snicker when he recalled the look on his brother's face before he bolted from the rooftop. He had to admit Venus' stunt would have caught him off guard too. He ceased his laughter when he thought of what Donatello might be doing to relieve his tension. Venus didn't even bother to ask Raph to explain his look of disgust as she entered the Lair.

When she got to the living room Leo was on the couch tickling Tokio while speaking to the baby in Japanese while Mikey watched Family Guy. Donatello was nowhere in sight. Raph took off his mask then snapped it against the back of Mike's head, causing the youngest sibling to yelp in surprise. Mike started to throw the remote at his brother then thought that wouldn't be a good idea, so he channel surfed instead. Raph then scooped little Tokio into his arms and within moments had the baby Turtle laughing ans squeaking with delight at his crazy faces and 'monster' noises. Leo chuckled and shook his head as he settled back on the couch.

"So, did you guys have a good run?" the clan head asked the young mother.

"It was...adequate. It felt good to get out for some fresh air, so I do thank you for watching Toki-chan." Leo waved off her thanks. It was his son so watching him was part of his responsibilities. Mikey was too busy staring at the TV like a zombie to hear what Venus said.

"I noticed that Don got back before you two. Everything ok?" The head Hamato wondered if Don had a super geek out moment that got so annoying they sent him on ahead. "As far as I know, yes. Where is he anyway?" Venus began twirling the braided ends of her mask.

"Lab," came Mike's terse response as he continued to stare at the TV screen while slurping a soda very loudly. Venus nodded and tip toed to the lab determined to find some explanation for Don's odd behavior. When she entered the lab Don was talking softly on the phone while doing something on the computer. He seemed unaware that someone else had come into the room.

"You really think she would like that?" Don asked while pressing his Shell Cell to his ear. "Oh, wow. You would do that for me? I don't know what to say. I'll think of something nice to do for you. You sure you won't get in any trouble? Ok. That does sound pretty romantic and fun. Think you can have it set up by then? Perfect! I...gah!" Don nearly fell out of his chair when he spun around to see Venus sitting right next to him smiling sweetly. "H-hey, V. How's it going?"

"Oh, just peary."

"That's peachy." Venus ignored his correction and continued.

"So, planning a romantic night out with Atima?" Don cleared his throat and shook his head. He looked like he would take off any second. "It sounded like you were planning something pretty special."

"Uh...yeah, pretty much." Don seemed to take great interest in a ball of lint on the floor before he spoke again. "Um, Venus, do you have any plans for...Valentine's Day?"

"None that I can think of. Why?" He shifted his gaze from the floor to her face. He thought her curious look and slightly tilted head looked very cute.

"W-would you like to go to the aquarium with me? J-just the two of us?" Don flinched expecting to be totally shut down.

"That sounds like great fun. I would be honored to go with you." Don began to relax as his face lit up with a smile. "Ah...that's great! I'll let Atima know she can proceed with arrangements for a private tour."

"Sounds good. I'm looking forward to it, Donatello." By now Don was beaming until a certain realization melted the smile from his face. 'Damn! If Leo finds out about this he's gonna kill me!' Just as he felt a panic attack coming on he choked back a scream when he saw aforementioned turtle leaning against the door frame. He could feel those stern blue eyes boring into his very being. Don felt like shrinking into his shell. Leo's gaze never wavered as he pulled up a chair next to his brother.

"Can I talk to you for a second, brother?" Uh oh. Any time Leo addressed him as 'brother' Don knew there was going to be trouble. With a weak smile Don nodded an affirmative, as if he had a choice. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Venus."

"You helped it, alright. It's called eavesdropping..." the brainy brother muttered.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing," Don responded with a shrug of his shoulders. He cringed when Leo patted him on a shoulder.

"Don, Don, Don...do you have any idea what you're getting into?" The purple-masked Turtle winced as his older brother squeezed his shoulder. "You think you know Venus, don't you. I have to admit she can be such a sweetheart most of the time, but I must warn you..." Leo leaned in really close and looked the now very uncomfortable Don dead in the face. "Mei Pieh Chi is a cock tease. You may start out holding the reins but if you're not careful she'll...bring out the animal in you. I used to think she didn't realize what she was doing, but after we had..." Don squealed and slapped his hands over his ears.

"T.M.I., Leo! I get your point. Heh, heh. Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind."

"Good." Leonardo patted a now profusely sweating Don on the shoulder and left the room. Before Donatello could sigh in relief Michelangelo rose up from behind the computer desk like some sort of green apparition grinning from ear to ear.

"Psst, Don! Com'ere! I gotta tell you somethin'!" Donatello rolled his eyes as Mikey leaned in close to make sure his brother could hear what he had to say. "Just in case things get hot an heavy on your date, there's this thing V does with her tongue that'll make your toes curl! And if she starts licking her lips you know things are about to get really good! Giggety!" That being said Mikey gave Don a thumbs up and morphed into the shadows. The exasperated Hamato brother laid his head on his desk with a groan hoping his siblings wouldn't dare to follow him on his date with Venus.

Valentine's day came the following week and Donatello was a nervous wreck. The Turtles spent most of the day indoors to avoid the freezing weather topside. Venus had been up all morning making sure her son was fed, bathed, and changed. After laying the baby down for a nap and checking over the nest, she stopped by her bedroom before heading to the dojo. The brothers were finished with katas for the second time that day. Everyone but Leonardo. He had his eyes closed as he moved his bokken fluidly and meticulously, always working to reach perfection in his technique. Don and Mike were reading over a scroll for water techniques while Raph...picked his teeth with his sai. Always the rebel, that one. They all stopped what they were doing when the door to the dojo slid open to reveal Venus smiling warmly at them with her hands behind her back. She went over to each of them to plant a kiss on their cheeks and hand each one of them a crocheted Valentine heart bearing the kanji for love.

"I got all of your gifts in my room, and I thank you much. I hope you like yours." Venus giggled as Michelangelo hugged her. He had given her a small box of chocolates. Leonardo had written her a love haiku on a wall scroll painted with cherry blossoms. Raphael gave her an adorable stuffed panda, and Donatello gave her a Fruits Basket DVD wrapped in a pretty red bow. A Turtle girl couldn't ask for more for Valentine's day.

As 9 PM approached Donatello found him both looking forward to and dreading his date with Venus. He wanted her to enjoy herself. That was definitely important to him. But there was also a part of him that wanted things to go a particular way without making him seem like a sex crazed jerk. He kept praying to whatever gods would listen that he not mess this date up.

He and his date dressed in their winter clothing and headed out into the tunnels. Once they got to the surface they got into a van Casey had fixed up for them months ago. It was black with tinted windows so it wouldn't stand out. It allowed the Turtles to drive around the New York streets without calling attention to themselves. Once Leo gave it his ninja stamp of approval they were good to go with transportation. It took about twenty minutes for Don to drive them to the aquarium, where Atima was waiting for them. He parked out back as per the human's instructions. Dr. Okonkwo greeted them and let them in the back door.

"I'm glad you two could make it. I made sure you'll have the east wing all to yourselves. That is where the sea turtle exhibit is. Just don't go beyond the velvet ropes. Have fun!"

As the two young mutants walked hand in hand looking at amazing creatures of all kinds hailing from the depths of the ocean, Donatello found himself relaxed and comfortable as they chatted about the resplendent beauty around them. They both grew quiet when they reached the main part of the exhibit in the lower levels of the aquarium. They were in a huge glass tunnel teaming with life. They watched as a particularly magnificent looking sea turtle swam above them at its own leisurely pace. There were quite a few other sea turtles swimming along beside them among the many exotic and colorful fish in the immense tank.

Donatello worked up the courage to put an arm around Venus as they ad mired the graceful beauty of their distant kin. When she didn't show signs of pulling away he got a little bolder and began to nuzzle his beak against her cheek. He then turned her face towards him and took his chance to lean in for a kiss. The thinking part of Don kicked in for a moment to analyze the taste of chocolate on her mouth. He quickly told that part of him to be quiet and enjoy the moment. He chuckled inwardly when he saw a young sea turtle watching them out of the corner of his eye.

When Donatello felt Venus' tongue in his mouth he immediately understood what Mikey had warned him about. It was subtle but he could feel her very gently sucking on his tongue. It was driving him crazy and he knew something had to give soon when he felt that uncomfortable feeling in his slacks. They finally slowly broke off the kiss to stare silently into each other's eyes. They both knew where this was going and there was no turning back. "Venus, would you like to...go someplace more private?" She bit her bottom lip and nodded. "Ok. I know the perfect place..."

Next Chapter: Don has a surprise for Venus he's kept secret from the others. Venus finally gets Don to open up to her in a wonderful, beautiful way.