Chapter 2

In Big Sister We Trust

Standing on one of the many rooftops, the five mutants looked out over the city beneath them, as they were just about to start their patrol. The sky was mostly clear and the moon was out, while a gentle wind carried a soft warmth from the south west.

"Nice night for a run across town." said Monalisa.

"Sure is. So, how are we doing it tonight, Leo? Go together or split up?" said Raphael, looking at his older brother.

"I think will split up this time. As for the groups… hmm… Mona and Mikey will take the east side, while we take the west."

"Aw, I was hoping that me and Mona would have been together." Raphael complained.

"I know, Raph, but the two of you are almost always together on patrols. It's good for you both to work with the rest of us as well."

"I know, I know, I was just looking forward to it as it's such a great night, was all."

"Don't worry, honey, I'm sure we'll get to enjoy the night together once we're done with our patrol." said Monalisa.

"Yeah, you're right, babe. And Mikey?"

"Me?" the youngest turtle asked slightly confused.

"Yeah, you. Make sure that the two of you make it back safe, you hear?"

"Loud and clear, dude."Michelangelo said, saluting with a smile.

Some time later, Monalisa and Michelangelo stopped for a quick rest. There hadn't been a lot of activity that night, so they were thinking of heading back to meet up with the others and then go back home, but not before they had had a short time to relax a little.

"Calm night, don't you agree, Mikey?"

"You said it, sis. Wonder why, since the last week has been so busy."

"Maybe that's just it. We've taken out a lot of criminals recently, so the rest might lay low for a while."

"Too good at our job, huh?" Michelangelo said with a goofy smile.

"Yeah, you could say that." Monalisa giggled.

Seeing and hearing his adoptive sister giggle, Michelangelo felt that strange feeling in his stomach again. What was it, and why did he keep getting it?

"Mikey? Are you okay?" Monalisa asked, bringing Michelangelo out of his thoughts.

"Huh?"

"You sort of zoned out for a while. Is everything alright?"

"I don't know." Michelangelo sighed and sat down on the edge of the roof.

"That doesn't sound good. Do you want to talk about it? You know that you can talk with me about anything." said Monalisa as she sat down next to him.

"I've been having a strange feeling in my stomach a few days, and some strange dreams that start to creep me out."

"Can you describe them? Both the dreams and the feeling."

"I… I think I saw black figures, like shadows, girl shadows I think. When I saw them, my stomach felt… sour but jittery, like if I had butterflies covered in lemon juice there… I think."

"That's… an odd sensation. Have you felt it some other times?"

"Well, there was that time when I read my comic book. I had just read the awesome battle against the bad guy, when the good guy saved the girl and got kissed. Other than that… I think I felt it when I saw you move while we trained, and again when I saw you and Raph get all cuddly with each other, I thought I was gonna be sick."

"Ah, I think I understand." said Monalisa with a smile. "I'd say that you might have matured a little bit, and now you're a little jealous of Raph."

"Huh? Jealous? Why would I be jealous of that hot head?"

"Because he's got me, as his mate. From what you've told me, it sounds like you want your own mate, and you've been looking at the only girl in the lair, me."

"But… but you're my sister! That's wrong!"

"We're not related by blood, I'm as much your sister as I am Raph's, he and I just developed deeper feelings for each other. It could just as well have been Leo that had won my heart back then, or even you or Donnie. The point is that even that you see me as your sister, your instincts see me as a potential mate, even though I'm already taken, but rivalry over a mate isn't rare, we both saw how badly that affected Leo."

"Yeah, that was horrible. I don't want to end up like that!"

"Don't worry, you're far too kind to do anything like that. But the fact remains that part of you is longing for a girlfriend."

"Maybe you're right, sis, but where would I find a girlfriend? The only girls I that know are you, April and Sephie, and you're all taken. Em, not that I would try anything with any of you."

"I know, Mikey. And you're actually forgetting about something. There are many girls in Mutopia, including those in the Chicago Knights, so you're not out of options if you decide to look for a girlfriend. I even seem to recall one of them taking a liking to you."

"You mean the snake? No thanks, she creep me out, and she's violent. And venomous."

"I'm not gonna chose your mate for you, little brother, that's something you have to do yourself. Come on, let's head back to the others now."

'However, I don't promise that I won't give a helping hand in the matter. Wonder if Sephie and Tyroth are visiting any time soon.'

And that's what's going on with Mikey, he's growing up a bit, and seeks a mate of his own, even if he didn't know it himself. Luckily, big sister Mona is there to help him, and not only the way he thought. What is she planning, hmm?