Hello again. It's been a while since I've posted a Leorai one-shot, but here it is. Thanks for the reviews for the last few chapters, as well as the idea suggestions. I really appreciate them. Well, enjoy and review my lovelies.

Leonardo Pov

My heavy footsteps echo throughout the chambers of the lair, bouncing off the walls and ceilings and surfaces, landing upon my intent ears. I listen carefully, finding the sound somewhat comforting. More often than not, I am isolated to stealth, and am non-allowed to let myself be heard. Hence, the soft pattering of my feet clanking about the concrete ground, a mere whisper into the thin night air, sounds to me about as reckless as a drunk Raphael in a lone alleyway. I find that I am constantly glancing over my shoulder, looking upon my surroundings, expecting a being to sneak out of the shadows and claim me its prey. Force of habit, I suppose.

It's quite horrifying, actually, when you become used to the constant threat of danger. You know you've hit rock bottom when you don't even react when you're attacked on a rooftop in the late night but your enemies soldiers. It doesn't take long to get used to it, it's a day-to-day thing, now. Before, at the very start of this mess, I would have to fight off a fearful holler whenever a man with blades came side stepping out of hiding. Not anymore, though. I instead have become almost comfortable with the mindful threats. I no longer throw the nightly patrol around like some big deal. It is now just another part of the day, just another thing in life that goes without saying. Every night at 9:30 me and my brothers and Karai meet in the main room, weapons in tow, and quietly slip into the city above. It's all the same, really.

And yet it's not. Funny, isn't it? How one little thing can contradict itself so profoundly. Just a month ago, I would go on patrols not only for the sake of my city, but just so I could get out of the murky sewers for a while. I always welcomed the return home; it was most likely my favorite part of the trip. But recently, those extremities have turned to remedies. Each day I count down the hours, the minutes, until I can flee my home and split for a while. This isn't because my family annoys or tempers me—it's the exact opposite of that.

The problem is her. Karai. She stumbled into our lives, bumping her head on the way down. According to the things she's said to me, if it weren't for myself, she'd be dead. I'm not sure if I believe her; I know for a fact that she's entirely capable of managing herself.

Thus far—although I deny her words of gratitude—I call myself her hero. Through my eyes, she's Lois Lane and I'm Superman.

Karai has been living with us for a month, and through the past four weeks, has accomplished next to nothing when it comes to family matters. I quickly noticed that she puts her duty first, family second. The girl acts as if she doesn't have time to spare; all attention must be focused on ninjutsu at all times. I like to remind myself that she doesn't know any better, that's how the Shredder raised her. But I let it crawl under my skin some days, just so I can leap forward and help her. Because in times like these, no weapon is stronger than the bond you have with your family, so, with Karai being family now, it's about time that she embraces us.

Therefore, I've been dedicating most of my free time to showing her around rather than spending extra hours spent training in the dojo or meditating with Master Splinter. I can tell that Sensei appreciates my effort to fitting Karai into our crowded bunch, but I still feel bad when nothing works, as if I'm wasting everyone's time. Karai keeps to herself mostly and refuses any interaction. "She just needs room to grow," Splinter prompts regularly, "After all, a lily cannot grow in a garden crowded with rose bushes."

Any other day, I would inhale my father's inspirational words with a sense of clarity, but right now I'm seemingly incapable of doing so. My main mission at the moment is getting Karai to accept us, just as we've accepted her.

Sadly, to my dismay, this isn't my only issue surrounding Karai. This is the simplest of the problems in my pool, and as much as I try to ignore the others, I can't. My other complications are much more complex, they hurt my mind when I focus to hard on them. Perhaps, though, I should sort through my thoughts. Now's as good a time as any.

I release a long held sigh.

As I'd been saying previously, I have grown to highly enjoy patrol. After Karai's arrival, I've changed things up a bit. The team gets split into two teams every night, and each team surveys the opposite end of the city. Raphael takes Karai and Michelangelo, whilst I take Donatello. Every once in a while, Mikey and Donnie switch. But never Karai. I distance myself from her as much as I can. Though the pain in her eyes as I ignore her pierces me like no blade ever could, I push her away. Not because I want to, but because I have to. Until I get my feelings under control, I can't spend too much time with her. Because there is no way in hell in going to risk anything slipping out.

The feelings I've acquired for my step-sister are forbidden and dishonorable. But that doesn't stray them.

Nevertheless, I've fallen hard for Karai. Head over heels, I presume. Doesn't matter what it's called; I'm in love with Karai.

I couldn't explain it if I tried, the reason why. There's just something about her the spikes my interest. The way she speaks with that mischievous voice, the way her luscious, black locks blow in the night wind. Her smile has the power of lighting up the whole room, not in that cheesy way, either. It's her presence that fills me with warmth every time we're near one another. It takes every fiber in my being not to take her in my arms and hold her there each time I see her. Somehow, so far, I've managed to keep my cool. But it won't be long before I break. Karai is perfect in every way possible, and all I want to do is show had that.

Hence the reason I split up the team each night. It distances me from Karai. With an entire city set between us, I can finally think properly.

But each night I come home, after three hours spent surveying the town, and watch as Karai disappears into the dark, cold room she's mistaken as her bedroom. She sleeps on the ground with nothing but a pillow and thin blanket to protect her from the chilled drafts that flow through the sewers. I'm worrying for her, constantly. Actually, I am right now.

As I walk down the halls and through the main room, I come to a stunning realization that I'm indeed walking to where my forbidden lover lays in a heavy slumber. The nearer I get the more mind says "no," and my feet reply with "yes." I just want to check on her, it is colder down here than usual tonight, asking if desired a second blanket is the least I can do.

My large, green fingers push the sliding door to the left, revealing her tiny room. There she lies, in love and truth, wrapped in a short blanket. I can see her curvy form trembling all the way from over here. The thought of her suffering from the cold sends unbearable shivers running down my shell. And before I can think, I'm breaking the peaceful environment with my own whispering voice. "Karai," I call out in a hushed voice, "you up?"

There's no response for quite some time, just utter silence. My thoughts soar through the atmosphere surrounding my awkward body, drowning me as silently as a flowing river. I can't help but tell myself that she doesn't want me, need me. I'm a mutant, a freak, a monster. And she's beautiful and dashing and blissful. This is no fairy tale, there can never be a happy ending between us. I am the beast, whilst, she is the beauty. Only, our story won't end the way Disney would've liked it.

But our relationship—siblings or lovers—shall not play apart in tonight's actions. I have come to aid her with the offer of a comfortable bed, not to have sex with her. I'm simply being friendly, not flirtatious.

I wait only a few seconds longer, convinced by my own words to wait. Minutes roll by, the clock keeps ticking, and it's as if an eternity has passed. Just as I was about to turn back, Karai shifts. She sits up, and turns to look at me. Her Amber eyes are filled with curiosity as she meets my concern filled gaze. "Leo," she murmurs softly, as if to remind herself who I am.

My expression softens at the sound of my name, and my pursed lips lift at the seams. I walk forward and kneel before her, placing my extended hand on her shoulder. "You're shivering," I state dully.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." I smirk at her sarcasm, which she smiles back at. We're okay, I guess. I'm the only one besides her Father that she speaks to willingly, everyone else gas to approach her to earn a response. And even then, she offers short, one worded replies. I've had hit the jackpot, I assume.

"Do you wanna, maybe, come lay with me? Its warmer in my room, and I have several blankets and my room, plus, I can turn my thermal blanket on," my mouth moves quickly, the words running out of my mouth as fast as light.

"Where'll you sleep?" Karai questions. Considering my offer.

"On the floor—"

"With me?" My eyes widen and jaw drops. In an instant. My entire world is flipped over. She wants me sleep alongside her? Of course, I'd love to. I'd give the world to have the pleasure of holding her in my arms as she drifts into a peaceful slumber. But I don't want to. Because she looks at this as an act of friendship, not love. I don't want to sleep with her unless I know for a fact that she loves me the way I love her.

Karai, to my dismay, does not know how to love. She was raised under strict rules, all of which forbid her from showing and receiving any affection. I want to love her, but I know I mustn't let her see that. For, it'll scare her too much.

"If you really want me to . . .," I trail off. What am I saying? No, I can't sleep with her. Not tonight, the time isn't right.

But the words are out of my mouth already, and they've flown into her ears as swiftly as a dove flies the skies. Soon, my words are accompanied by hers when she says, "I'd like that." Karai grabs my hand and I help her up. She leans against me, for support, as we walk to my room. Her head on my shoulder, both her hands grasping my left on tightly. I sigh. This is how it outta be, me and her. This is all I want.

I pull the covers back, making room for her to get in the bed. Karai lays against the wall and pays the spot next to her, urging me to lay with her. I don't oblige, in fact, I think I get into bed a little too quickly. In one slick movement, I'm not only beside her, but the blankets are tugged over our shivering body's.

My breaths shallow as Karai studies me, noting my every detail. Her eyes shift quickly from mine to my lips to my neck to my nose to my mask, and then back to my eyes. She smiles as she says, "Thank you." It feels to me as if she's touched my heart with hers. Because I know how hard it is for her to say that. Because I know about how she struggles with communication. Because I know that she trusts me enough to sit calmly around me. Because I know that I'm growing on her like vines in the jungle.

My hand reaches up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Three, powerful words roll through my mind right there. I love you.

I love Karai.

I want her to know that. Wait, no, I need her to know that.

So I open my mouth, and let the words scramble out. But they around the words I'd had in mind. "Goodnight," I say, because it's simpler than saying "I love you."

One day, I will say that three letter phrase to her, but today is not that day. Because I can see it in her eyes right now; she's afraid of heights. And by confessing my feelings towards her, she'll confess back. And we'll become in love with each other.

You see, love will mean some falling, and if she's afraid of heights, the I mustn't let my feelings show.