A/N: Well due to popular demand, and the fact I have turtle tot fever, Firsts will be continuing. This one will keep going, and have Firsts going along with it. I have a group on FB now called TMNT Fan fiction. It's for any TMNT fan to get together with one another and share ideas or post updates, even post links to other stories you find that are worth sharing.
I have enjoyed writing all these one shots. Now with out further hesitation April's choice on love.
It has been a few days since April and Splinter talked, in that time Casey and Donnie fought over just about anything when April was around. During practice Casey would mock Donatello for every little thing, and if Donatello spoke in his techno talk Casey would be insulting. It was almost more then this single father could handle.
Splinter was sitting in front of the shrine set up for his wife and daughter when he could hear Donatello yelling once again at Casey. Splinter decided now was the best time for that talk.
He walked into Donatello's lab and cleared his throat.
"What is going on here?"
Donatello and Casey Jones stopped their argument to stare up at Splinter who had entered the lab, they stood side by side as Splinter said.
"Casey, go sit in the dojo, Donatello come with me."
Donatello followed his father, when he saw he was being led to his father's room he knew he could be in trouble.
None of them were ever led to his room for a good reason.
Standing on trembling knees as his father closed the door he said.
"Sensei if this is about Casey's and I fighting..."
Splinter held up a hand and silenced him.
"Donatello, sit down please, I think it is high time we have a talk."
Splinter could see his son was visibly shaking as he sat down across from him, the young teen was looking every where but at him.
"Donatello, what does April mean to you?"
Donnie was taken back by the question, he thought he was in trouble.
Splinter could see his son's worry on his face and said.
"Donatello, you are in no trouble my son, I brought you in here because your brothers wish to listen in on every conversation taking place in the dojo, in here they know better."
Donnie let out a sigh and answered his father's question.
"She means a lot to me, when I see her my heart skips a beat, when I try to talk to her I cant think of a logical thing to say to her and then I just start rambling..."
Splinter started to think of when Tang Shen was alive and how he first met her, he looked over at his young son and said to him.
"You remind me of my self when I was your age."
Donnie frowned and asked.
"How?"
Splinter smiled and told him.
"I was about your age when I met Tang Shen maybe a little older but not by much. I knew I loved her from the moment we met."
Donnie sat up straighter and said.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything my son."
"Did, um, did she like Saki as well as you? Or was it just one sided?"
Splinter frowned and asked his son.
"How do you mean my son?"
"Ok, I know that you loved her, and so did Shredder, but what about Tang Shen? She loved you, I know that, but did she have any feelings for Saki?"
Splinter went silent, for a moment Donatello feared he brought back a bad memory or upset his father in some way.
"You... Don't have to answer that if it is out of line..."
Splinter gave his son a ghost of a smile before saying.
"No my son, it is a perfectly innocent question. I do not know if she did or not. I never asked her, but she showed no sign of even liking him as a friend. I do know she feared him due to his horrible temper and that was what drove her to choosing me."
Now it was Donatello's turn to be silent for a moment.
Splinter studied his son for a few moments and then said.
"Donatello, you and Casey remind me of Shredder and my self when we were younger, both fighting over a woman or in your case a young woman. Raphael is worried that the rival you two are going through is going to tear you apart. He is worried for your safety. That is why he came to me my son, Raphael may have a horrible temper, and teases you constantly but he does love you."
Donnie looked down at the floor and asked his father.
"Do you agree with Raph?"
"How do you mean my son?"
Donnie looked up at his father and said softly.
"That I am only kidding my self... that I am pretty much nothing more then a mere mutant to her..."
Splinter smiled at his son and said.
"Do you realize how much you and Michelangelo are actually alike?"
Donnie frowned at the change of subject.
"How?"
Splinter took his son's hand in his own.
"Because you both see the best in humans, you both believe in your hearts that deep down humans will accept us. I have noticed this through the years, you two are so much alike on this matter."
They were silent for a moment and then Splinter added in.
"What is best for April right now is to choose on her own with out any one convincing her other wise who she chooses to love. Donatello, just remember that when you love some one you must be patient with them, if you know there is some one that is competing for the same thing then back down a little and show her how much you really do care. Do not force her to choose you my son for she may run to Casey."
Donnie understood what his father was telling him, but he said.
"Who should she choose?"
"That is not for us to decide, her heart will decide who she wants to be with, some times my son if some one chooses the wrong person they will always run back to the right one."
Donnie looked down at the floor and then back up at his father.
"Thank you father, for talking to me about this."
Splinter stood up with his son and told him.
"I have been meaning to talk to you about this for some time now."
Donnie felt his heart swell, he wasn't sure if it was hope, fear or something else that made him feel this way. But deep down he wanted April to choose him.
"Donatello, my son, if she should choose Casey, and I hope she doesn't then you and I will have another talk and maybe meditate on the matter."
Donnie caught that one little part.
"You, you want me and April together?"
Splinter chuckled and said softly.
"She is good for you my son, she makes you happy."
Donnie nodded in agreement and was dismissed from his father's room. Days went by and not a word from April. Don was beginning to think that April had chosen Casey, when his T-Phone rang.
"Donatello here? Oh hey April. Yea sure I can come over let me tell Splinter and I will be right there."
Hanging up he went to his father's room, standing outside the paper door he knocked softly on the thin, wooden frame. Upon hearing permission to enter he opened the door quietly.
"Sensei, is it OK if I go over to Aprils' house?"
Splinter looked up at his son from where he was sitting on his meditation mat.
"It is still daylight my son."
Donnie swallowed hard and said.
"I will be careful I promise. Besides its raining out and not too many humans get out in the rain."
Thinking about this Splinter said softly.
"As you wish my son, but please be careful."
Bowing once he turned and walked quickly out of his father's room, he ran out the dojo door once he got close enough and nearly slammed into Raph who was headed to the dojo.
"Wow easy there, what's wrong Donnie?"
Donnie looked at his older brother and said quickly.
"April made up her mind! And asked me to come over! So I am going topside for a little bit."
Raph watched his younger brother race out of the lair with out looking back or waiting for his reaction, looking towards the dojo Raph had a second thought. He followed his little brother out into the night.
After following Donnie to April's apartment he waited in the shadows on the roof to know what their friend was going to do.
In the apartment April paced back and forth waiting on Donnie to show up, Casey was sitting on the couch with his feet propped up on the table and an arm behind his head while eating a slice of cold pizza.
"Calm down Red, Donnie will be here soon enough, sides whats so important that ya had ta bring him here for?"
April looked over at Casey then back to the window as she saw a shadow begin to form, she smiled when she opened the window to let Donnie in; she had ignored Casey deliberately. Casey put his feet down and sat up as the tall turtle entered the room.
"Sup Don? What brings you here tonight?"
Donnie rolled his eyes and said to the teen.
"Have you ever heard of closing your mouth when you talk Jones?"
Casey shrugged and continued to eat his pizza slice, April put her hand on Donnie's arm and said softly.
"Sit down please."
Donnie did as he was asked, he noticed out the corner of his eye a shadow looming in the window, after a few seconds he breathed easy knowing it was just Raph, but kept quiet about their eavesdropper.
April got his attention back by saying.
"Guys I asked you both here because I have had done a lot of thinking here lately... I have not been fair with the two of you. For the past year I have watched you two fight over me and I don't think its fair that you should be doing that."
Casey put his pizza crust on the table and sat up straighter saying.
"And? What do you suppose we do about that Red?"
April looked down at the floor for a moment and said quickly.
"I have to choose, I told you this Casey, I told you that is why I called you here."
Casey gave her a flirtatious look before saying.
"I thought it was just for another date?"
She rolled her eyes and said irritably.
"No Jones, besides we have never been on an actual date. I was recently asked how I felt about the two of you."
There was a long pause, Donnie felt antsy so he asked.
"And?"
April looked over at him and then said to Casey.
"Casey, your a good guy, you make me laugh some times and your another human being I can talk to in class besides the teacher. But other then the human world, we have nothing in common. Your ego is going to get you killed one of these days, your loud, and lazy and you don't care about education."
Casey's jaw dropped, he looked at her for a second then said.
"So that's it? Your gonna choose a mutant over me?"
April rolled her eyes and said quickly.
"Not done talking Jones, and that's the other thing, you jump the gun before any one has a chance to finish a statement. On top of being pushy you stuff your face more then Mikey does."
Donnie held back a laugh on that one, he knew it was true. Out on the fire escape Raph chuckled a little about the comment on Mikey. Leaning in he listened to what else their red head friend had to say.
"And Donnie, your smart, funny and can make me laugh even in the worst possible times. You made me see that we all make mistakes no matter if we are human or mutant, if it wasn't for you coming to me that night in the ally... I would probably still hate you all for mutating my father. You are the kindest and most gentlest being I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You help me when I need it with school work, we can spar together, and talk with out having interruptions, well too many at least."
Donnie blushed and looked back to the window knowing Raph was hearing all of this, looking back to April he waited patiently for her to continue.
April paused for several moments before letting out a breath and saying.
"So, my decision was based on who I relate to more, and that is Donnie. Sorry Casey, but we just do not have anything really. I feel for you like I would for a brother. And siblings can't date, but we can still be friends."
Casey was angry, but he swallowed it back and stood up saying.
"That's fine Red, hope you two will be happy together."
He quickly walked out of the apartment and out to the streets, he kicked a soda can into the streets muttering words under his breath. He did not notice the figure standing in front of him until he bumped into it. Falling back a step he said.
"Watch where your going man!"
Raphael stood before his human friend and said hotly.
"Really Casey? I think your the one that needs to watch it."
Casey stepped back and looked at the furious red masked turtle.
"Raph? You know then?"
"That she choose my brother, yea I know, but I am only sayin this once so ya betta listen and listen good. You do anything to screw this up for Donnie I swear on ever sewer in the city that I will kick your ass all the way to New Jersey!"
Not believing the idle threat Casey shrugged and started to pass Raph who blocked him.
"Casey, I may threaten to beat my brothers if they don't listen, but one things for sure; any one mess with my brothers they mess with me. That includes you! I have no problem kicking your ass Casey if you screw this up I mean it. I know it's crazy that a human and mutant are together, but I am willing to give it a chance for my brother's sake. Besides I don't wanna wind up in the Hashi for hurting Donnie, trust me... Splinter won't hesitate to send you there too... and dealing with Splinter's wrath is better then dealing with mine."
Casey stared in shock at the red masked turtle, he had two options, go back and tell April how he feels or option two: deal with an angry Raphael pounding his face in...
With a heavy sigh he said.
"Fine, you win Raph."
Turning around he walked back to the apartment, when he opened the door he tried not to show emotion as Donnie and April were standing by the window talking. They stopped and looked at him when he entered the room.
"April, sorry I stormed out like that, it... you surprised me was all."
Smiling at him she said softly.
"Thanks Casey."
"Red, I think of you as a sister... I guess I needed a reality check to realize that... all those times I teased you about us being on a date, I didn't really mean it. I am happy for you two, I hope it works out. And Donnie, no hard feelings?"
Donnie frowned and said. "Guess not Jones, besides I would have probably done the same thing if I were in your shoes."
The two shook on it calling a truce between them, Raph watched from behind his brother in the window as the two shook hands. He still felt this wasn't right, but, he had to respect his little brother if this was what he wanted. Deep down he was proud of his brother for having the guts to do this, aside from Leo he knew that neither he nor Mikey would date a human.
He saw his brother turn to say something to April then put his hand on the window to open it, dashing out of sight he waited in the ally below.
Donnie had seen his brother standing there, April was not as trained as him to see his brother's silhouette out on the fire escape. Even though Raphael tried to remain in the shadows it did not work for the smart turtle who knew his older brother all too well. Casey had left again, this time on better terms, turning to April Donnie told her.
"Thank you April, for giving me a chance."
Standing on tip toes she kissed his beak before saying.
"Your welcome Donnie, do you think you can come back tomorrow night for supper? My aunt is working late again."
He smiled at her, his brown eyes shining with all the love for the small red head.
"Absolutely, I do not foresee Splinter having a problem with it, we may have an eavesdropper but other then that Sensei should not care."
April frowned and said.
"Eavesdropper?"
Chuckling he said quickly. "Don't worry about it, I will take care of the culprit. Good night my sweet chinchilla."
She kissed him again and he disappeared out the window, once on the ground he said.
"Enjoy the show Raph?"
Raphael came out of the shadows and said.
"I knew at some point you had seen me."
Donnie stood before his older brother and said.
"If your gonna tease me about dating April then get it over with."
Raph took his brother's arm and pulled him into the darkened ally as a group of teens passed by, speaking quietly he said.
"Donnie, I ain't gonna tease ya, there's no point in it. Sides I was rooting for you and April to be together."
Donnie remembered his talk with their father, and how he had learned that Raph was worried about him.
"She's not gonna hurt me Raph, you don't have to worry about me."
Raph shrugged and said.
"Oh I know, but, as your older brother it's my job to protect ya. I would be a lousy big brother if I didn't try."
Donnie swallowed hard and asked.
"Then why did you keep telling me that I did not have a chance? That me and April would never work out?"
Raph looked down at the ground and found interest in the beer bottle that laid there between them, looking back up he saw the look in his brother's eyes.
"I had a talk with Sensei, he made me realize that I was being selfish about not allowing you to follow your heart, and that I was hurting you more then helping you. Looking back, the day I teased you and told you that you and April would never work out and then that night you took off on your own... Thinking about that night and what could have happened... I could have lost you because of my stupid mouth, I am sorry man."
Donnie's face broke into a smile as he said.
"Thanks Raph, and who knows, there might be some one out there for you too. Weather it be another mutant or a human."
The air felt lighter as the two brother's laughed together and walked home; Splinter was worried when he noticed Raphael missing, but seeing the happy expressions on his sons faces he knew that April had chosen his son over Casey and Raphael had witnessed it. Noticing Raphael grow ridged when he saw him Splinter said quickly.
"Your not in trouble Raphael, Donatello how did your meeting go?"
Knowing the answer already he wanted to hear it for him self. Donnie broke out in a proud grin and said quickly.
"She chose me! And don't be mad at Raph, he followed me, I saw him on the fire escape outside April's apartment."
Raph was surprised that his brother was quick to stand up for him, he smiled again as he saw the soft look in Splinter's eyes.
"It's alright Donatello, he is in no trouble, when I saw the two of you enter I knew you had been together so I was not worried at that point. Next time you sneak out tho Raphael, let some one know."
Raph bowed slightly and said.
"Hai Sensei, I will."
Splinter smiled proudly seeing that his son was happy, he had been worried and had planed to get after Raphael when he got home. But seeing that he had been concerned about his younger brother and that he had gone to keep an eye on him, he could not be angry with that. He was happy that after all this time his second youngest son was in love, and was now in a relationship with their human friend. He knew there would be another talk in the future, but for now, he would allow his son to bask in the happiness he was in.
Note: I am fully aware that there is no Hashi in the 2012 Ninja Turtle series, but I just put that in there as a threat for Casey.
