A/N: This one is a little longer but has yet no smut. That's next ;) But it won't be RAWWRRR RAGING SMUT, nah. I think I'm going to do my best and shoot for tenderness with a tangle of roughness from Leo. Listening to a LOT of Goo Goo Dolls and Lifehouse and Matchbox Twenty while writing this chapter. I'm sure it'll show. Read and review please!
NOTICE: THIS STORY HAS OC CHARACTERS. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT ANY OF THEM LOOK LIKE, PLEASE CHECK THE LINKS ON MY PROFILE FOR YOUR VISUAL AID.
Previously: "I need to take care of something, don't go out tomorrow. I'll explain when I stop by. Now give me a kiss," When she looked away with a pout, Leo forced her to look at him. With a look of power, he grinned. "Now,"
Ohh, when he did that…Like a good little fox, she melted and let him bend her back and kiss her hard. She squealed at the sudden change, he'd always wanted to try it after seeing it in a movie. Kissing the girl of his dreams in the powerful embrace of his arms.
"There we go, now be good. I'll call you," Back up, Shiho blinked and he was gone. Damn he was good, she was weak in the knees and positively swooning. She'd make him pay.
But, what did he mean?
'I need to take care of something,'
2 Days left
"Donnie, what can you figure out about that thing we saw last night?" Leo said, stepping into Donatello's workspace. The purple masked genius looked up from whatever he was working on with those silly glasses that magnified his irises. It was hard to take him serious at all with those on his head; Leo had to clear his throat to keep from laughing. Taking the hint, Donnie took the magnifiers off his head and settled them on a small pile of books. Picking up what looked like a flash drive, he waved it back and forth.
"Well, I can look into the files I downloaded while we were in that weird observatory after picking up Shiho. I've been meaning to go through it, but haven't had the chance. I'll see if I can dig anything from the database that I hacked,"
"You know, dudes, I still have no idea how the FBI hasn't found us with Computer Geek over there," Mikey joked, coming in from the kitchen with a plate of pizza.
"I prefer to be called a Hacker, Mikey. Nice reference by the way," Leo rolled his eyes, exasperated. It seemed those two just kept feeding off each other, one joke or movie line at a time.
"Donnie!"
"I'm working on it, Leo. Jeez. I know you're antsy about not getting any action but don't take it out on me," Donnie teased.
"Haha, burrrrn. Eep!" The glare that Mikey received was bone chilling.
"Just do it, Donnie. I'm gonna go check up her. It's getting dark and whatever that thing was, it knows where she's at," And with that, Leo took off without so much as a 'Later.'
"Jeez, what's waxing his shell?"
"I dunno, Mikey. He's been on edge ever since we came across that thing. And since he saw it outside of April's apartment, he hasn't settled down. Plus you know, well, his girlfriend hasn't been home to uh…she just hasn't been home," Busily typing away, Donnie's eyes danced all over his computer screen to get the answers he needed.
"Think he's worried about her getting snatched again?"
"Maybe. Now hush-up, Motor Mouth. I have a lot of work to do and if I don't have anything by the time he gets back it's my butt that he'll be kicking. Go bug Raphael or something. He's not doing anything important," Donnie said, not taking his eyes off his data.
"I heard that!" Raph said from across the room, sparring with his punching bag.
"You were supposed to, Meat head!"
From the rooftop across the street from April's apartment, Leo was able to see Shiho. Able to see her sitting with April and Casey watching the news with some take out. As he sat still, his eyes looked around every few seconds for that shadow figure to show itself so he could have a few words. But of course, his stomach had other plans and gurgled and growled so loud he wouldn't be able to sneak up on anyone. Judging by the extra take-out box sitting in the window, they were expecting him to stop by. He did say he would after all.
"Thanks for the dinner, April," All three of them jumped from their spots on the couch and almost drop their food. Leo was sitting in the window with one leg dangling off and the other bent at the knee with his arm resting against it. With a hand on her chest, the fox set down her dinner and went over to the window and punched her turtle in the leg. "Ow? I think,"
"Don't scare me like that," Glancing over her shoulder, Shiho silently asked the couple if he could come inside. It wasn't her pad, she couldn't just let anyone in when she wanted. But April just looked at her as if to say 'Do you really need to ask?' and waved the ninja inside. She led him by the hand to the dining room and sat down so they could eat alone. As he settled into the chair, Shiho gave him a proper greeting with a hard kiss. Leo could get used to that.
"What are you doing here so early? I didn't expect you to stop by for a few more hours," With a pair of chopsticks, the vixen sat and gathered some sesame chicken and sticky rice and popped it into her mouth to quietly chew. Leo did the same; orange chicken with ginger sauce was his favorite and was all too excited to start eating. But after a few bites he felt her heavy gaze and her fingers coil loosely around his right wrist.
"Nothing. Just missed you. Everything been okay?" She made a face at him, telling him she didn't exactly buy his explanation but she'd bite anyway. After taking another small mouthful, she nodded and swallowed.
"Yeah. Been peachy, went out with April earlier to do some shopping. Hung out with Casey downstairs. You know, casual day," She sipped through a straw in her glass for some tea.
A few minutes passed in silence again as they ate together. Despite not talking, they never really felt uncomfortable, not when it got quiet. Except for tonight. Leo was acting strange and he wasn't telling her everything. It always made her concerned when he clammed up tight and didn't budge with any information.
"Leo, what's really bothering you? You can't really expect me to think you're not fretting about something when you won't even look at me," She said. So he'd been that obvious, huh? Leo polished off his carton and stuck the chopsticks inside once it was empty. Out of nervous habit, her wiped his mouth with the back of his left wrist and let his gaze wander everywhere else but on her.
"Leo,"
"What? Nothing! I swear. Can't a guy miss his girl?" Her lips pursed together as a manicured brow arched in subtle disbelief. Leaning back in her chair and crossing her bare legs, her foot dangled in a clockwise motion as her arms folded across her chest. 'Yeah, there we go, look at her chest, Leo. Look at her chest and try not to think about the creepy shadow you saw last night…damn those are nice. I wonder if they're firm today. Maybe she'll let me touch?'
"Hmm…I suppose so. I haven't been home in almost two weeks. So I guess your excuse is valid. For now," She said, gathering the empty cartons to toss in the trash. Leo couldn't help but lean over and watch her walk away getting a nice long view of her rear and thighs…and calves. This whole 'Being apart to heal' thing was beginning to run its course. But naturally, he couldn't do a thing about it because Splinter was in the lair all day. If he tried asking him to leave, he'd get a staff smack to the head for being a pervert.
"Come on, we were about to put another movie in and I don't wanna be the third wheel again," Shiho said after returning. Her arms slid over his shoulders from behind his chair, leaning over him to the right to kiss him cutely on the cheek. Leo couldn't resist her when she acted cuddly.
"What movie is it?" He said, his right handing running backwards through her hair and over her ear.
"I dunno, something Casey picked."
"Mmm in that case, maybe I'll go. The guy has shitty taste in movies," Shiho giggled and kissed him again.
"Pretty please, Leo? I'll let you fondle me under the blanket," Well then. Seemed Shiho knew how to bargain.
"Since you asked so nicely, I suppose I can, just one movie and until you go to bed. Deal?" The pout on her face was nothing less than adorable. Leo loved it when she clung to him, not wanting him to leave. The feeling of being wanted was, without a doubt, his favorite thing about this relationship.
"Deal. Besides, they make-out relentlessly during flicks, we can get away with it too,"
"Let's get that movie started!"
Donnie sighed, rubbing his hand down his face feeling deeply disturbed and disgruntled. He had well over a thousand files to search for any answers that Leonardo might be interested, but so far he was coming up with little to nothing. But the few things he did find were enough to make him question the sanity of the human race. Records and video logs of Shiho through the years when she was growing up, and not a single one of them were nice or sentimental. While she had been an adorable kid, the things that this Marcus guy and his lab assistants did to her was nothing less than inhumane and cruel.
One video log in particular was enough to make him shut his computer down and hide his face in his palms. From what he guessed, Shiho looked no older than 14 years old. But the depressing factor was she was pitted in an experimental fight between her and Magdalena. It was unfair in its odds, she was shackled by that same device they'd found her in; around the neck and wrists and unable to properly defend herself and shocked whenever she'd even try. The morbid video recorded the poor fox being beaten and ripped to shreds for Magdalena's benefit and not hers. It made the genius absolutely nauseous to think of the agony she had to have gone through.
"Donatello, what is troubling you, my son?" Master Splinter approached his student with a steaming cup of tea and a concerned expression. Donnie smiled and gladly accepted the comforting beverage and walked with his master to the couch for a break.
"Just trying to find something for Leo in the files I snatched from Shiho's creator. I stumbled on a huge folder filled with recorded data and videos of the experiments and things they did to her. It was awful, Sensei. The poor thing," He said.
The energy flowing off Donnie read to Splinter as that of immense sadness and sympathy, the compassion the turtle exhibited made the father proud. He felt he had succeeded in giving his sons a necessary understanding of those who might need it. With a gentle clawed paw placed on the dome of Donnie's head, the master smiled gently to let his son know he understood.
"I see. Just remember, Donatello, she does not look for pity nor sympathy. Just understanding and equality in how you and your brothers treat her. But I trust a hug or two could not hurt, yes?" Donnie chuckled quietly and took a sip of the warm, pale green drink.
"Maybe you're right. She doesn't even talk about her past; I guess by not talking about it, it helps her forget. Right?" He said, looking to his sensei for the answer.
"Just maybe. From what you said and have found, her past was painful. It is only natural to want to for get the events that made us feel weak,"
"Leo seems to make her develop the strength she never had when she was growing up," Splinter closed his eyes and nodded shortly.
"Mm. He is growing, and with Miss Shiho at his side, I have no doubts that he will be balanced. Let us hope it lasts, I do not think he would be able to handle her absence permanently," Donnie rolled his masked eyes. Leo couldn't handle her gone for a few hours let alone a few days or forever.
"Thanks for listening, Sensei, and the tea. I'm gonna get back to work before Leo comes home," Polishing off the tea in one gulp, Donnie smiled before bowing politely. Splinter bowed with his head to dismiss his student to continue his search.
Back at April and Casey's, both couples sat curled up together watching Casey's choice of movie, 'V For Vendetta.' The blades and action really appealed to Leonardo's interest and appetite, but not enough to distract him from the fox that sat between his legs and against his chest. Like Shiho had said, the married pair spent a majority of the flick exchanging saliva. It almost didn't surprise the turtle how spot on she'd been about when they would start and stop. They weren't any better, though.
Leo's left hand resided permanently underneath Shiho's cotton v-neck, his entire palm gripping around her heavy breast. When he gave her a soft squeeze, she writhed slightly under the blanket they were covered in and tucked her nose under his chin and against his neck. To say that Leo didn't kiss her with every inch of his tongue would have been a lie. When she wasn't nuzzling his neck like a sweet little pet, she was battling him in a fight for dominance among slippery muscles.
"I can't wait until you get home," He whispered against the soft fur of her ear, making it flick wildly from the agitation of his breath. Up and down her slender belly, Leo guided his three fingers light as feathers to tease her skin into goose bumps. Like the fox she was, Shiho wore a sly and seductive smile before quietly gasping in response to the firm and rough squeeze her breast received.
"I miss you," She said. On screen, the movie was just about over, the enormous parliament building exploding to music and crowds of people wearing those Guy Fawkes masks played on. Shiho felt tired and couldn't stop herself from yawning, she didn't want to because Leo would notice and put her to bed. And of course, he did.
"Come on, bed time. I'll take you," He started to stand and lifted her, still draped in her blanket.
"Nooo," She whined softly, if he put her to bed, that meant he was leaving.
"One more day, don't worry. I'll be back tomorrow night, I promise," He could see how heavy her lids had grown and wondered what time she'd gotten out of bed this morning. Saying his goodbyes to April and Casey, Leo went on his way to the guest bedroom and carried her into bed. His effortless way of carrying her always embarrassed her, putting a blush on those pretty cheeks of hers.
"You never told me what it was you were doing today, Leo," She said groggily as he tucked her under the covers. Leo hesitated before sitting on the edge of the bed beside her, his hand petting her hair to make those eyelids droop even more. "Cheater…"
"I'm going to tell you, soon. But don't worry about it now, rest up and I'll be back for you tomorrow night to take you home," Shiho couldn't stop the bashful smile that her lips broke into, the chance to really be alone with Leo gave her a bubbly feeling. When he leaned down to kiss her cheek, she turned her head just in time and caught his lips. Damn she tasted good. Slowly, Leo pulled back and looked her right into those bright eyes.
"And when I get you home, I'll make those pretty thighs of yours shake so hard you won't be able to walk for days," He whispered, taunting her to want more. This side of Leonardo never ceased to arouse her, to turn her on like no tomorrow.
"I'd be disappointed if I got anything less," Chuckling, the fox winked as he kissed the knuckles on her hand. "I love you, Leo. Get home safe,"
"I will. I love you more, fox. See you tomorrow night," Shiho closed her eyes for just a second and reopened them to see her room was empty. Damn ninjas…
At last, the last day of Donnie's recommended 2 weeks of healing had finally come to an end. He had stopped by April's in the afternoon to give Shiho his best examination and asked her to gauge her pain. He almost didn't buy it when she said there wasn't any. But by the way she attacked and pinned him to the floor told him she was feeling peachy-keen. Either that, or she was just so sexually frustrated she might even be able to take on a rhinoceros with favorable chances. However, Donatello was a genius, and he knew better than to push buttons. Especially Shiho's buttons.
Donnie had told Leo about the records he'd found on Shiho, but hadn't stumbled on any files about any other hybrids yet. Leo had been less than satisfied with that answer but couldn't blame his brother, he had an entire archive to go through with thousands of files. He just wished he was closer to finding out who or what that was that he'd seen watching Shiho through the window a few nights ago. Those green eyes bothered him the most, they were so intense and piercing in their stare.
Finding out about the experiments Shiho had been put through and watching the videos didn't put rest to Leo's anger and utter distaste of Marcus. It only made it worse tenfold. The only foe that came close this sort of fury was The Shredder, and he'd long since buried that anger and hate when they at last destroyed that enemy. It seemed they'd bury one bad guy and another rose in its place with its own special level of sinister. He'd demolish a punching bag that afternoon after finishing up the briefing from Donatello, better to take out that anger in something inanimate right?
As the day started to fade away into night, Leo started to get one hell of a ribbing from his brothers. They were all still going to April and Casey's for the night until tomorrow afternoon, but that didn't mean none of them knew what he had in store for his fox. They teased him relentlessly by how spotless he'd made his room and made sure nothing was out of place or messy. Hell, Leo even went and polished as much of the lair as he could before he gave up trying to clean any the messes Mikey continued to make. He couldn't tell if his brother was doing it on purpose or if he was just that dense…perhaps a bit of both.
"So, Loverboy, when are you going to go pick up Miss Butterfly Lashes?" Raphael said, watching Leo light at least two dozen white wax candles in his bedroom. Behind the blue mask, Leo was glaring at his brother for bothering him when he was trying to get things done. "Ooh, someone is sensitive today,"
"Would you leave me alone, Raph? I don't think I need to explain myself for the things I do,"
"You're just trying to butter her up so she'll shack up with you in bed. Can't say I blame you, she is a hot dame," Leo approached his brother with an energy that seethed irritation and a slight tinge of jealousy. He hated when others mentioned Shiho's looks like she was some broad on the street.
"She's more than just a 'hot dame,' Raphael. I figured you'd know that by now. Can we go now? I want to go get her and get you guys out," Raphael chuckled as Leo pushed past him and gathered his brothers up to leave. Leo had his room looking pretty snazzy and Raph had to give him kudos points for style.
"Touchy tonight, jeez,"
One the way to the apartment, Leo snagged his fox a handful of her favorite flower and left money on the counter before the flower stand owner had the chance to look around to see a bouquet missing. What was Shiho's favorite flower? Daisies. She said so about 8 months ago shortly after they met when he had asked her what made her smile the most. She responded with looking at daisies. She had him surprised when she said that she'd never been given any before. Being a ninja and running with his obnoxious brothers with a bushel of daisies in one hand made for a never-ending cycle of jokes and teases.
But naturally, they all metaphorically had to put their foot in their mouth when Shiho saw Leo land on the fire escape with the daisies for her.
"Leo!" Shiho exclaimed breathily. She'd pulled him through the window and thrown her arms around his neck. Leo took a moment to look at his brothers with a smug grin as if to say 'Suckers!' and wrapped his arms tightly around the vixen. He even went so far as to give her a lift and a spin around before handing her flowers on over. "They're lovely!"
"Your favorite right?" By the beaming smile on those dark lips of hers, Leo guessed he'd done something right. Standing by the brothers and Splinter, April hit Casey in the back of the head.
"GAAH! What I do?!"
"Why can't you be that sensitive?! I like flowers too!" Casey glowered at the turtle who was occupied by the nuzzling hybrid under his chin. Her nose buried itself in the petals of her bouquet and inhaled their fresh aroma. Now Casey was the victim of the turtles' teasing.
"Go get your stuff and we'll get home," Leo said to the vixen. She was engrossed in her flowers but managed to hear him and floated away to fetch her backpack and cell phone. Leo turned his attention on his family and winked. "And you all called me a sissy for getting her daisies,"
"Oh did they? Looks like I'm going to have to teach all of you, including you Mr. Jones, about sensitivity and women," Collectively, all five of them groaned as Splinter chuckled and settled on the couch for his shows. Shiho returned and leapt into Leo's arms, and again April hit Casey.
"Why don't you carry me bridal style?!"
"Leo would ya leave already?! You're making me look bad here!" Casey yelled. Both Leo and Shiho cackled as he took the invitation too leave all too eagerly. Shiho was only able to squeak out a quick goodbye and a small wave before being whisked away out the window. Her flowers in one hand, her left arm went around Leo's neck to hang on as he ran over the rooftops. She spent almost the entire run back to the lair smelling her flowers and grinning, like she said she did whenever she laid eyes on daisies.
"You know, I don't tell you enough. But, you're an awesome boyfriend," She said as Leo carried her down underground. "I can't believe you remembered,"
"Come on, give me some credit. I'm not Mikey, I always pay attention. Besides, you said no one had ever given you any, and tonight is going to be amazing, I thought I would start it out the right way," Trudging through the waters, Leo held her close. He knew she absolutely hated getting unnecessarily wet.
"Mm, sure did. They don't get any better than you, Leo. I'll have to remember to keep you forever,"
"That's the plan," He said, and she swooned yet again. If Leo ever had any worries that she would stray away, this little gift solidified her commitment to him. Shiho felt overwhelmed in her own personal joy that she almost hadn't the energy to contain it. Many words described Leonardo in her mind, but none quite as well as this one; Perfect.
Entering the lair, Leo refused to let her feet touch the ground and brought her to where she was going to stay until morning, his bedroom. Shiho suddenly realized how utterly alone they were tonight and all at once her belly came alive with the Mothra of all butterflies. Fluttering away nervously, Shiho couldn't put to rest the tingling and warm feeling that came over her like a blanket.
The feeling exploded when she was brought inside his room and saw all the candles. Her eyes darted from one to the next and realized Leo had been anxiously getting this ready just for her. After the door closed them inside the candle-lit room, Leo at last set her down but kept his arms around the her waist at the small of her back. His forehead leaned down and tenderly rested on hers. The light from the candles cast an inviting and warm glow against her tanned skin, reflected off those glossy lips and in her violet eyes.
"Ready?" He asked. She didn't answer and instead leaned up on her toes to kiss him. Shiho was falling harder for him and there was nothing to stop her from being drawn further and further into that feeling of love the longer she stood there with him. The ninja pulled back when he felt the moisture on her cheek and her brows knit together, had she missed him that much? He just saw her last night. "What? Not good?"
"It's not that," The arms around his neck tightened as she closed her eyes and bit her lip. Leo pulled her against him, thinking that might comfort her. But when she smiled he was confused. "It's just, no one ever cared enough about me to do something so wonderful."
Leo's tense arms relaxed and he smiled at her.
"Well, I'm doing it now. So stop crying about it," He said softly and wiped that streak away with his thumb, lifting her chin back up. Those beautiful lips parted for a kiss and he greeted them happily and lifted her against him by the thighs, wrapping the sun-kissed limbs around him and made his way over to his-…their bed.
"Those memories will go away, starting right now,"
A/N: Maybe it's the music I'm listening to or just tuning into that natural tenderness that Leonardo possesses, but I just felt the necessity to dip into how sweet he can be. Or at lest, how I imagine he'd be. Hehehe, yes, the lovin is coming next chapter. I just wanted to make this a little serene and sweet. Hopefully I succeeded. I'm jealous of my own character...Ugh, Leo. I don't care if you're a turtle, why don't you exist?! Hahah, thanks for reading, duckies. Next chapter should be up really soon!