"Does it still hurt?" Her hand caressed his right knee, focusing on the joint as Leonardo settled against the wall while resting on the bed, smiling contently at the calming massage. As a response, he shook his head before answering in a rasping voice.

"Not anymore. I guess I was just afraid. Of not being capable to lead again." The tallest brother had informed her the permanent damage on his vocal cords, caused by a gash of Shredder's doing.

Karai stared at the now faded scar, imprinted across his throat, unaware she was reaching towards it.

Catching herself, she coyly pulled her hand back, only for her wrist to be caught by Leonardo.

"It's okay," he whispered. "You can touch it if you want." Leaning closer, he guided her ungloved hand toward his throat, until slim fingertips traced the sharp white line. Letting her go, she curiously followed its trail, underneath his Adam's apple, until reaching the emerald colored skin.

Looking closely at the laceration made her think of the ones she owned. The price of becoming a skilled kunoichi had its downside. Over the years, various abrasions branded her pale skin, recalling every precise miscalculation. However, they made her stronger in the process. Just as she was deep in thought, she missed when Leonardo's finger grazed the nick in her ear, thumb flicking at the incision.

"I'm sorry." She frowned, creases forming between her brows.

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do this. I should be the one who —"

"No," he interrupted, "you deserved a better childhood. A better beginning. And, I'm sorry you didn't have that." His fingers lowered to hold her shoulder, smiling while blue eyes continued to stare into golden orbs.

"Do you somehow think I'll have a happily ever after?" Karai scoffed. "Because that doesn't exist."

"Maybe it doesn't, but you can always try." Leaning back, the leader in blue closed his eyes, returning to his slumber. Feeling the warmth of his palm leave her, she grew surprisingly cold without his tender touch. Annoyed with herself, she sat straight up, hand flinging across the space between them.

"Hey!" He quickly opened an eye once feeling the smack. "I'm the one with the sprained ankle. I thought you were going to take care of me." Pursing her red lips, she folded slim arms over her chest, glaring at his direction.

He chuckled after rubbing his plastron, scooting forward to drape muscular arms over lithe form.

"Hey," he muffled lowly. "You just asked for help." A red tint soon covered her cheeks once realizing he was right. Growing embarrassed, she tried to pull away, but failed as he held her tighter, refusing to let her get away.