Chapter 30: Answers

I stand in a box room, a single window before me. I go as close to it as I can and peer out through it desperately. On the outside I spot Mikey, lying on the ground lifelessly.

"But what does it mean?" the voice returns.

I close my eyes, trying to keep my thoughts calm. "Phoenix…burning…" I mutter, placing things together carefully.

"Your answer?"

I keep my eyes closed as I speak slowly, "The burning phoenix represents the regenerative abilities of phoenix, but also how they can engulf others in their flames, or even take people over. The power can be in anyone, and control anyone"

"Correct Violet-san" the voice praises.

"This isn't the kind of training I was thinking of sensei" I moan as I sit before Master Splinters once more.

He remains stationary, apart from the very slow breaths he takes, eyes still closed. "Tapping into your avatar shows the willingness of the mind, focus and how in control of it you are"

"But sensei, I honestly don't think it's possible without-"

He cuts me off. "Enough talk, show me now Violet"

I sigh and begin trying desperately to find the fiery being in my spirit. After an hour of trying, Splinters dismisses me, without mentioning about how I've done.

"Topside?" A playful voice asks me.

"Mikey…" I sigh, turning to face him. "What would the others say?"

He thinks for a minute then pulls a serious face. "You must be more careful Violet, we nearly didn't get you back!"

I giggle, shaking my head slowly. "Fine"

"Awesome!" he grins, grabbing my hands and pulling me closer. "I know just the place…"

I sigh. "Really?"

"It's not the park" he smirks.

This actually surprises me. "Huh?"

"I'll show you" he grabs my hand and pulls me forward carefully. We stop behind a pillar at opposite end of the lair to the exit. He gestures to be quiet then peeps round, grimacing slightly. "Guess who's there" he hisses.

"Leo?" I mutter back.

He nods. "Any clue how of how to get round fearless?"

"Not really" I bite my lip, thinking carefully. "He'll never let me leave"

"Nope"

We exchange a playful look then I dive over to the next pillar, quickly enough to elude Leo's gaze.

"Distract him" I mouth at Mikey.

He grimaces again but jumps out and goes towards Leo. I peek round again and watch Leo turn his back to my hiding place, so I quickly move down two more pillars, halfway to the exit.

As I dive for the next pillar, Leo turns around quickly and sees me. Damn.

"What are you two up to?" he asks, folding his arms.

"I was just…" Mikey mutters something incomprehensible.

I quickly speak up for him. "Mikey was just gonna let me get some fresh air…to…um…get me away from all the problems"

Mikey nods in agreement.

Leo doesn't look overly thrilled, as predicted. "Violet, its too dangerous…Bishop may still be after you"

"Well, that's why I wouldn't go if Mikey wasn't there" I add hopefully.

He shakes his head slowly. "You ought to be more careful though"

"So that's a yes?" Mikey grins.

"Go on" he sighs. "But don't be long"

"Thank you Onii Chan" I move in and hug him. He smiles at me and lets me move round him carefully before nodding back to me and walking away.

Mikey's grin widens as he pulls me out the lair. He laughs as he leads me through the sewers carefully, not letting anything be spoilt.

"Where are we going?" I ask, only to receive a cheeky smirk.

"Here" he chuckles as he turns my mask round so I can't see.

I sigh, "And this helps how?"

He suddenly picks me up. "It will make it more interesting Babe"

Soon I can tell we've surfaced, feeling the cool air hit me. He continues moving quickly, and not too much later, he places me down.

"Okay, you can look now"

I readjust my mask and eagerly look. I am faced with the beautiful lights of the city before us, over which is a picturesque night sky full of colourful stars.

"Oh Mikey" I hug into him.

He grins his famous grin. "That's not all"

"Huh?"

He leads me over to the edge and kneels down; I copy him. He then reaches out and removes a brick from the wall, showing me it gingerly. It has our initials etched into a love heart on it. He nods to me and I stick my hand in only to find a small box.

I pull it out and look carefully at it. With another nod from Mikey, I open it quickly. Inside is a small clear crystal; I think its quartz.

"Thanks Mikey" I smile, touching its cold surface and feeling the energy running through it.

"This is our little secret Babe…somewhere only we'll know about" he whispers to me, brushing my cheek with each breath.

I inhale slowly, "It's perfect" I turn my head slowly, "But only when you're here too" I kiss him.

I sit in a room full of steam again. I inhale the mist around me contentedly.

This room is different to the one Bishop put me in. The seating is made of stone and covered in little tiles, and there is a star pattern of lighting in the ceiling.

I can feel little Hima's excitement, very happy with the conditions around us. I sigh happily, sinking into the chair more.

"Enjoying yourself?" Someone asks.

I glance to my left, only to find a figure next to me. I squint to try to make them out but can't. The voice is the same one from my other dreams though.

"I guess" I mutter, looking away slowly.

"That is good" I can almost sense the smile. "You must relax more often Violet-san"

I open my eyes to find myself hugged into Mikey on our bed. The clock display reads five twenty-five in the morning…great!

A horrible burning feeling begins to jump up my throat, causing me to run to the bathroom. Once I'm out again, I'm so ridiculously awake there's no point really to get back into bed.

I head downstairs to get a drink only to sigh as I see the state of the living room. I automatically begin to tidy it, trying to move everything into neater piles when someone stops me by placing their hands on my shoulders.

"Vi…you shouldn't be doing that" Raph hisses at me, trying to remain fairly quiet so not to wake the others.

I giggle "Well who else is going to do it?"

I receive a glare in return. "You're…well…pregnant" he stutters, "You can't over-exert yourself"

"Fine mum" I roll my eyes playfully. He frowns more at me, so I add, "What? Do you prefer I call you Donny?"

"Leave it" he sighs. "Come on, I'll make you a drink" he offers.

A little unusual for Raphael, but I accept anyway. He leads me out the kitchen, and gets me to sit down. I subconsciously stroke the lower part of my plastron, feeling the bloating more prominently now.

"Don told us what happened yesterday," Raph mutters, placing some of my favourite tea in front of me, soon sitting next to me with a can of soda. "Are you okay?"

I inhale the scent of the tea…lavender and chamomile…YUM! I let my senses relax as I answer slowly, "I guess…it was just…kinda sudden"

"Well just remember we're all here for you" he murmurs, quickly finishing his soda and crushing the can. He stands up and goes to leave, stopping as he looks at me. "Vi? Why are you shaking?"

I try to smile, worry filling me again. "Please…stay" I gasp between sentences, "I don't want to be alone"

"Okay, anything you want" he sits back down, not too bothered. He folds his arms and closes his eyes.

I giggle slightly, quickly receiving a curious glance. "You reminded me of that time I forgot who I was" I exchange a smile with him, "And how I…you know…tricked you"

He rolls his eyes before resuming his position.

I sip at my tea carefully, gradually making my way through the cup. As I take my last sip, I feel a tingle run down my spine.

"Thanks Raph" I sigh happily, placing the cup back on the table.

"Anytime" he nods to me.