A/N: Hello duckies! Another chapter for ya is up and ready! More reviews, YAY! Hehehe, I sure do love em. Okay, so, for envisioning what my gecko hybrid, Saundra looks like; just imagine an anthromorphic gecko with light tan/yellowish skin with brown spots and a pale tummy. But built like a hot chick with dirty blonde, layered hair. That should make it easier. But anyway, ONTO THE STORY!
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.
"I know. He loves Aanika like his own, doesn't he? It surprised me when she first reached out to him."
"He does. Aanika adores him and follows him everywhere when she gets the chance. We're fine the way we are, really. I've accepted it, I did when I realized I loved Leo," April sighed a stream of air and tussled her bangs as she did so, a smile on her bright red lips. Her smile faded when she noticed Shiho turning a shade of green.
"You okay?"
"Hold my hair back will ya?"
A spark of electricity. The rattling of chains. The overwhelming fever. The lust. Micah was slowly understanding what it was like living in Shiho's shoes all these years. Surrendering himself to Marcus had seemed like a good idea, like it was going to bring Shiho back so they could be together. But Marcus Silver had other plans, all of which revolved around destroying his first creation along with the rest of her insufferable sisters so he could start with a clean slate and try again. No, surrendering to Marcus only meant one thing; The Madness. Micah had only ever been on the receiving end of Shiho's deadly Madness but never experienced the pain that came with falling into it. For the past year...his eyes were being opened to her suffering
For the past year, he knew Madness.
Marcus was fast in creating The Madness in his male hybrid. If fighting fire with fire was the only way to cut down that disobedient girl and her turtle pets then that was exactly what he was going to do. Once Micah had sworn absolute loyalty once again to his creator, Marcus wasted no time in turning Micah into the very beast he feared the most. Unknown to everyone, Marcus had preserved a sample of the mutagen that made Shiho the monster that she was. He knew back then he might need it to save himself. The male fox hadn't felt such an overwhelming desire to mutilate…to succumb to his most primal and savage desires. The Madness had infected his mind after a series of painful injections to his arms and brain stem. Marcus wanted to see just how effective this round of mutating had become.
Staring down into Micah's holding cell, the male fox crawling about and wailing and screaming from the pain in his muscles and head, Marcus stood firm with his arms folded over his broad chest. To his left squirming in a swiveling chair was Magdalena, giggling with her hands pressed against the display glass. Her cruel blue eyes sparkled with more enjoyment than ever watching the fox struggle with his sanity. Shiho didn't scream as much as Micah did, he must be so much weaker than his female counterpart.
"Oh Daddy just look at him! Should we send him after Big Sister or let those men in the ugly black pajamas go get her?" Marcus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose to thwart off the impending headache that the blonde was bringing on.
"The Foot, dear. And I don't think I'll be needing them after all. Karai thinks she's so clever but I know she's been passing information on to the turtles. No, Shiho will come to us. And when she does…" Marcus pressed the red button on the remote in his hand. Below, Micah screamed from his gut as a wave of electricity was sent through his body from the shackles around his neck and wrists. "She'll have a little welcoming party with Micah down there. Maggie?"
"Hm?" Her tall ear opened but her eyes didn't leave the writhing male in the cell. It was too interesting to look away from.
"Go down and play with Micah. I want to see just how angry he can really get."
"What? B-…But Daddy…he'll hurt me," She said, a rise in her voice as a river of ice flooded her veins. Marcus didn't look at her, but smirked something sinister and narrowed his eyes.
"Exactly. If he gets out of hand, I'll put him down for a nap. Now go!" He barked. Magdalena flinched and bolted out of her chair. Her tail tucked firmly between her legs, she'd often battled with Shiho in her fits of Madness. But she wasn't anywhere near familiar with how Micah will behave under the darkness. Marcus still didn't take his gaze off the black fox which only added fuel to her pity party. "I said go, Maggie!"
"Y-yes! Going!"
The girls had all ventured into the steam room that Donatello had just finished for the moments after training. Even Aanika relished in the luxuries of the steam and the heat had for her little muscles that ached. Shiho lounged stretched out on the bench against the right wall in that bitchin' bikini she'd bought while out with April a few weeks ago. Fiona felt more reserved wrapped in a towel and sitting beside Saundra. They all had their hair pulled back into buns and wore expressions of pure bliss. The fox leader invited her beloved April to join them and bask in the wonders of Donnie's hard work. While outside, Michelangelo and Casey tried desperately to peer in through the fogged up port hole window.
"Dude, April and Shiho are smokin' babes," Mikey said, giggling like a fool. Casey grunted and covered his orange masked eyes with a gloved hand and shoved him away from the window so he could have a turn. They could hear the girls talking, but their voices were muffled, but their giggles added to their stupid curiosity.
"What do ya think they're saying?" Casey said, trying to wipe the window like an idiot.
"That Mikey is the coolest, most bodacious ninja dude they've ever seen. And that they all want him—OW!" A hand smacked into the back of Mikey's green head with a loud THWAP.
"What exactly are you two goons doin'? If Leo catches you lookin' in on his girl you're both toast. I oughta beat the stuffin' outta you for peekin' at my girl." It was Raph, spinning a sai around his finger. Mikey tapped his fingers together nervously and chuckled, elbowing Casey in the ribs.
"I-it was HIS idea!"
"HEY! Don't throw me under the bus!" Casey tackled Michelangelo to the ground and they rolled away throwing cheap punches and kicks. Raph took a look himself through the round window and chuckled. Then he heard Shiho's voice coming closer and the door opened right into his face before he could back up. It smacked him in the nose and sent him onto his shell.
"Ohhh shell! What the heck was that for?!"
"Raph? What the hell are you doing? Spying on us!?" Shiho demanded, her hands placed firmly on her luscious hips. Leo heard the ruckus and came to investigate. His eyes bulged at the sight of his vixen in a pristine white little bikini and her sun-kissed skin beaded with steam and sweat. It was all he could do to not put his hands on her.
"Hey don't look at me! It was Mikey and that bonehead Casey who were spyin'. I was just trying to get 'em away from the door!" Raph shouted holding his nose, still on his shell. Shiho rolled violet hues and shook her body like an animal, ridding the fur on her tail and in her ears of moisture. Leo couldn't understand why he was so turned on watching her shake like that. From the tops of her ears to the tip of her tail, the vixen threw water all over the place with a squeal.
"Woah, never knew you had those rib tats, sis. I always saw the stars on your wrists and neck but never those," Raph said, climbing to his feet with Saundra's help. His beak ached like a bitch after that smack; it was going to be sore for a few days.
Shiho chuckled and hastily rubbed her palms against her ribcage over those black swirling designs, Leo had to chew his lip to stand his ground. Damn that bikini was definitely working on her; dainty strings tied her bottoms together below her hips and hung low on her pelvis. Her adorable pelvis bones poking through her yummy, tanned skin. He couldn't even look at her face without noticing her rather bountiful chest being held up quite nicely by the white bikini top. If there was ever a more perfect occasion for a wolf whistle, now would be the time.
"I'll tell you the same thing I told Leo once, it's only because you've never seen me this naked," Shiho said with a wink and strode right past Leo, but not without thwapping him in the face with her damp tail as a tease. Saundra clenched her teeth together and squeezed Raphael's arm to get his attention off Shiho's wiggling ass. She had quite the nerve to openly flirt like that and Leo wasn't doing a damn thing to stop her. Just standing there watching her with Raph, like a pair of slaw-jawed idiots.
"God she's such a twat…" Mumbled the obviously jealous gecko. Her reaction lured a chuckled out of Raphael as his fingers tickled underneath her chin.
"S'matter with you? You aren't jealous of your own sister are ya?" Leo exchanged uneasy glances with Fiona who held Aanika on her hip. April told him with her eyes that they should probably leave before things got hairy. Silently, they snuck away from the two hot-heads. Aanika jumped down from her sister's embrace and crawled like a monkey up the back of Leo's shell and hung there, giggling as they walked away. Saundra stared at them until they were out of earshot before punching Raph in the arm.
"OW! Jeez, the hell was that for?" He said, rubbing his bicep. What was it about these sisters and hitting like guys?
"Really? You don't know? I saw you looking at her like a piece of meat. Jesus, Raph. At least try to not be so obvious," She huffed, drying off her moist scales with a fluffy towel. Her tail angrily thumped on the floor behind her.
"Ah shell, not this again. What is your problem, Saundra? You act like I'm interested in her when I'm not. Shiho is my sister, you bonehead. Leo's mate, I could never look at her the way he does or the way you think I do, that's just gross. Stop being so jealous of her and just get along with her," he said, trying to keep his voice down.
"Tch, that's rich. You fight with Leo all the time and you're telling me to get along with Shiho. Hah! You know I hope Marcus keeps her, that'll be one less person telling me what to do," Her voice echoed off the walls slightly in the silence that Raph had left. He stared at her incredulously, trying to convince himself that he hadn't actually heard what he did.
"Are you serious? You want Shiho to get taken away? Look I may fight with Leo but I would never want anythin' to happen to him. Shiho is just tryin' to protect you and all you do is get her face or talk smack behind her back. I'm gettin' tired of this, Saundra," Raph folded his arms and metaphorically put his foot down.
This wasn't fair! Why did everyone turn against Saundra and defend Shiho like she was some sort of saint? Now, not even her mate was sticking up for her and agreeing with her like she thought he would. Saundra was beginning to feel the threads in her mind unraveling and her cool slipping.
"Shiho is only protecting herself. She's selfish, Raphael, and none of you seem to notice that. I hear she almost killed Donatello and yet you all are still up in arms about her like she's some God send."
"Hey, she didn't do it on purpose and she begged Donnie for weeks for him to forgive her even after he already did. She still feels terrible about hurtin' him. You weren't there, Saundra, and have no room to judge her. Shiho and the rest of us, we're all you got. So you better suck it up and get along with her." Both of the mates were at each other's chest, glowering at one another with bared teeth through scowls. Saundra blazed a menacing glare at Raphael and he returned it with just as much intensity.
"You know, I'm really disappointed in you, Sandy. Family is everything, and you treat the only family you've ever had like the enemy. What are you gonna do when Silver and his little clone groupie come after you? You think Shiho is gonna save you after all you've put her through?" When his mate decided to snap her snout shut and fold her arms, he took a step back and shook his head. Yeah, he and Leo had their moments when they'd butt heads but it was only ever temporary and they always had each other's backs.
"The sad thing is, she would still fight for you, Sandy. Because Shiho will put her family before herself, including you. Think about that the next time you want to fight her, no matter how many times you strike her, or argue with her, she's still going to protect you," Raphael's words left a foul taste in the back of Saundra's throat. She didn't like that he was right. Shiho always defended Saundra back in the lab when Marcus would send Maggie after her for exercise. It often left Shiho wounded and Saundra never so much as thanked her afterwards.
Raphael could easily see the internal struggle his mate was having with her conscience. He'd had it himself, he still battles it from time to time when Leo gives him an order he doesn't agree with. In her honey-brown eyes he saw the tears welling up and eventually spill over without her control with a heavy, shaky sigh. When he reached his hand out to caress her neck, the gecko instead rushed him and threw her arms around his thick neck. She wasn't about to admit how weak she was feeling, but he knew. A kiss to the top of her head and a supportive rub against her back, Raph nuzzled his beak against her shoulder.
"One step at a time, San, no one is making you do it all at once. You just gotta let this anger go, you understandin' me?" Saundra didn't speak but nodded against the plate of his plastron. He looked up from her shoulder to see Shiho leaning her right shoulder against the brick wall in the hallway to the steam and training room. Her left leg crossed lazily over her right with her toes pressing against the ground. She must have heard Saundra but by the smile on her face, she heard the whole thing.
"Come on, woman. Let's go watch some TV or pick on Mikey. That's always fun," He said with a slight chuckle. The gruffness in his voice always seemed to be a factor of comfort to the gecko because when he spoke, she relaxed and her muscles released their tension when she turned around. Luckily, Shiho was gone. She was getting better at the ninja thing.
The battle between the sisters was exhausting to keep up with and have a grip on. When the two of them would get in each other's faces is when Leo and Raph really had to execute their brute strength to get the girls off each other but not before Saundra received a good, hard smack to the face. The brothers tossed ideas back and forth to get the sisters on even ground; Shiho needed to get a handle on her temper and Saundra just needed to listen. The oldest was slowly losing her nerve and capacity to keep her claws to herself these days and was becoming faster and stronger in her hits. Leo's training was, if anything, effective in his mate.
For now, Leo and Shiho sat with Aanika trying to get her to sleep after another adventurous bath. Dealing with the ongoing fued with the sisters was in the backs of their minds. The turtle and vixen had eyelids like lead and they weren't getting any lighter with a hyper toddler bouncing around in her bed. Leo would have to personally thank April for introducing his kid to the wonders of Skittles before bed time.
"Story, Daddy, story!" She squealed, crawling under the blankets at the foot of her little bed. Leo sat on one side of her pillow and Shiho lounged on the other side, the spastic mini fox eagerly nuzzling into his arm which he lifted to wrap around her. Shiho's glossy lips twisted into a smirk, her violet eyes sparkling in amusement at Leo's expression. In an attempt to calm his little ninja, Leo smoothed his palm from the top of her head to the side of her face, over and over until the caressing slowed and she settled.
"Hmm…I don't know. We told you a story last night, Nika. What do you think, Mama?" With the attention turned on Shiho, the toddler changed positions and snuggled against her instead. Leo did that on purpose, she knew by the silent chuckle that shook his shoulders.
"How about a song, Baby?" Leo smiled; he knew just the song Shiho would sing. It was the one she always sang to put Aanika to sleep or to ease one of his brothers after a bad injury or nightmare. Mikey was the most receptive of her special song that she'd learned years ago from a movie that Marcus had let her watch.
"Stars, Mama. Stars!" Both mates chuckled and settled on the wall that the head of Aanika's bed sat against. The little fox nuzzled Shiho's lap but stretched her arm out to grasp Leo's hand and hold it tight, her fine brunette strands being run through by Shiho's elegant fingers. The vixen took a breath and started to make that beautiful, angelic ring that made Leo fall all over again. She began with rhythmic humming, already, the little one was snuggling deep into her pillow.
When you're all alone
far away from home
there's a gift the angel sent
when you're alone.
Aanika's short tail came around her as she curled up and listened. Leo leaned his head back and grazed her small hand with his thumb. Shiho didn't look up from her settling little one and didn't notice the way he was staring.
Everyday must end
but the night's our friend
angels always send a star
when you're alone.
Outside the shared bedroom, the other three turtles gathered and sat on the floor to listen. It was really the only lullaby they'd ever known and the only song to put them at ease. Shiho had a way with that voice of hers.
At night when I'm alone
I lie awake and wonder,
Which of them belongs to me,
which one I wonder?
Shiho looked up and smiled through moving lips and winked at Leo. Aanika was still fighting sleep but was losing.
And any star I choose
watches over me
so I know I'm not alone
when I'm here on my own
Isn't that a wonder?
When you're alone
you're not alone
not really alone.
The vixen paused for a moment to glance at the open doorway when she heard one of the boys sigh contently and silently giggled to herself. They never changed. Now, Saundra and Fiona had come to join. Even they couldn't deny the blissful, almost childlike calm that overcame them when they heard this lullaby.
The stars are all my friends
till the night time ends
so I know I'm not alone
when I'm here on my own
Isn't that a wonder?
When you're alone
you're not alone
not really alone.
At last, the mini fox had surrendered to the power of her drowsiness and had gone to sleep. Leo moved first, sliding his hand from her small grip and pulled up the covers with Shiho. Saundra peeked in to gander at the oddity of parents kissing her little sister on the head and turning out the lamp but leave on the plug in night light in the shape of a blue star. As they exited, Shiho cast a glance in the gecko's direction and gave her an unreadable look and Saundra felt a shock of guilt. Looking at Raph, he gave her eyes that said I told you so.
Saundra didn't get the chance to talk to Shiho, she and Leo had disappeared into their bedroom and went straight to bed. The reptile woman sat with her legs bent at the knees and her back to the wall, staring at the brown spots on her legs like they'd become intensely interesting. Both Mikey and Donnie yawned with smiles on their faces and they, too, went to bed early. It was like Shiho's voice took away everything bad about the day and just left them with good thoughts and dreams to be had. She was left to question if she was wrong about Shiho the entire time when Raph eased down beside her and bumped her in the arm with his elbow.
"Why the long face, Babe?" He said. Saundra shrugged and leaned over until her cheek pressed into his shoulder. Through her nostrils she exhaled heavily, like she had a weight lifted from her chest and she was taking her first full breath.
"Just starting to get it, that's all. You'll help me, right? Conquer whatever monster I have inside me to be civil with her?" Raph stared ahead and laughed shortly with a nod in his head. Yellow eyes found her honey-brown with a tilt of her chin with the guide of his fingers. The corners of her snout formed into a smile at the gesture.
"You know me, always willin' to lend a helpin' hand. C'mere," He said in a low, gruff whisper. Saundra giggled and yanked him down by the back of his neck to give him a big, wet kiss with a muffled yell coming from him. She'd been dying to catch him by surprise.
Saundra had plucked herself from the crushing yet warm embrace of Raphael's arms and crawled out of bed. She hadn't slept much the night before; her mind was too loud with her thoughts of Shiho and making amends. Her pride was telling her to stay the course and keep on butting heads with her sister. But her gut and heart was screaming at her to just swallow that enormous pride and accept the change. She went back and forth with herself all night long until she just couldn't take it anymore. That, and Raphael's monstrous snoring couldn't let even the people in New Jersey get any sleep.
So, out of bed she went and downstairs into the kitchen she stumbled while glancing at the glowing green clock on the oven. 7:48. Jesus. That was like…the middle of the night for a lazy reptile like Saundra. Reaching into the fridge and stealing one of Mikey's soda's Saundra sauntered off to the couch and found Shiho there already but with Michelangelo asleep with his head in her lap. The elder sister was leaning her cheek into her fist with her elbow resting on the arm rest, her other hand busy caressing Mikey's neck. She was watching some early morning cartoons that had been left on when the television was turned off last night.
"S'matter with him?" The violet eyed sister glanced up from her trance on the television screen to her cross-legged sibling in the recliner. Pointing down at Mikey, she shrugged. Her petting fingers scratching affectionately at his skin.
"He ate too much last night and threw up. He came and got me and said he wasn't feeling well. We do this at least once a week," As if on cue, the sickly turtle in her lap groaned and clutched at the hand she had on his neck. The gecko chuckled lightly and cracked open her soda can and took a drink.
"Poor kid. He gonna be okay?"
"Eventually. He sleeps on my lap for about two hours, throws up again, and then feels better. It's a routine. What are you doing up?" Shiho's soft palm grazed over the ninja's eyes and against his temples, she'd taken his mask off before he'd laid down. She never understood why he didn't just suck it up and go back to bed instead of getting her up every week. But, he was family and he stuck his neck out for her in the past, it was the least she could do.
"Couldn't sleep. Lot on my mind," She brought the can back to her lips and took a long drink. Shiho felt a shift in Michelangelo and reached for the bucket she always kept handy. But it was a little further than usual.
"Shit, he's getting sick. Hand me that bucket, hurry! Get up, Mike," She hissed and Saundra fumbled around for the handle before tossing it across the ottoman.
"Ah thanks. Woah, Mikey. Easy…" She said as he sat up and hurled away into the deep bucket, much to Saundra's disgust. She couldn't fathom how her sister was able to sit there and rub the back of his neck while he blew pizza chunks. "Easy, Babe..."
The sound alone was making Saundra queasy, she guessed it came from living in a house full of brothers with lousy diets and then picking up the slack in raising Aanika that made her sister solid as stone. Shiho really was a Jane of All Trades when it came to their family. If it were Saundra, she would have just let him sit in the bathroom by himself and not bother getting out of bed.
"Dude…that's the last time I mix pizza…ugh…with spicy beef jerky and jalapeno nachos…" Mikey let out a painful burp after wiping his mouth with the wash rag Shiho had given him. She cleansed his face of the sweat he'd worked up with her personal handkerchief.
"That's what you said last month, Sweetheart. Nice try. Come on, let's go wash up and go back to bed," Shiho said, kissing the top of her brother's head. He smiled weakly and stood with her help, bucket in hand. They started towards the bathroom holding hands when Saundra quickly stood.
"Shiho wait!" The fox paused.
"What?"
"I wanna talk to you…really quick," Saundra said, shying her gaze away from her leader. Shiho rubbed Mikey on the arm and nodded her head for him to go on without her, that she'd be right there. As he walked away miserably, Shiho kept her eye on him until he made it to the bathroom before muting the television and sitting back down, Saundra settled beside her.
"Okay, gotta make it quick. He'll forget to dump the bucket in the toilet if I don't remind him." Saundra grimaced.
"Ew…uhm…I was kinda talking to Raph and he sort of told me what I needed to hear as opposed to what I wanted to hear," She started, making Shiho raise her brow in confusion. It was too early for riddles. "That I'm being a big thorn in your side when all you're trying to do is protect me."
"Well, he's not wrong. You are a huge pain in the ass," Shiho said shortly.
"Well damn, don't worry about hurting my feelings or anything."
"Is there a point to this, Sandy? Mikey sort of needs me," Shiho started to get back up when Saundra held her down by her thighs. The vixen sighed with a groan and looked back at her sister.
"Look, what I'm trying to say is…I-…I'm…you know…" She stammered and faded out. Shiho snapped her fingers to hurry her along as she heard Mikey fire up another round of stomach ammo.
"No, I don't know. Sandy just come out with it, he's getting sick agai—"
"I'm sorry!" She finally spit it out, her eyes squeezed shut and her hands balled into fists in her lap. Shiho was actually taken aback at her sister's sudden outburst of an apology, her ears dropping beside her head. "I'm sorry I've given you and Leo so much grief since I got here. I just…"
The nervous geck fidgeted in her seat and scooted away from Shiho. The fox smiled with a look of understanding in those bright eyes of hers.
"Saundra I get it. I know how hard it is being told what to do after being sprung from the lab," Shiho said, her hand grasping Saundra's and giving it a soft squeeze. "But, I just want you to be safe. I couldn't stand it if you were taken from me. If any of you were taken."
Saundra's sharp teeth chewed her lip as she dipped her snout and stared at the floor. She felt Shiho's luminescent gaze on her and noticed how surprisingly safe she felt. In their time apart, Shiho had become stronger and wiser and a guardian to her sisters when they returned to her. She felt stupid for not standing under that umbrella that Shiho provided. Standing with your pride while being drenched in the rain didn't make you look stronger or smarter, you just got soaked and wound up by yourself.
"It's just I get so mad when all of my ideas get shot down. But Raph…he made me understand earlier that my ideas might not be so safe after all."
"He would know. He is the hothead after all. He got his brothers into a lot of trouble in the past with his hastiness, he knows a thing or two about jumping the gun," Shiho said with a giggle that shook her shoulders. Saundra had to laugh, Raph was always flexing his muscles for her and telling her glory days stories but always left out the ones where he'd stupidly run in with his eyes closed and temper flaring.
"Anyway…I'm sorry. You know how hard it is for me to admit when I'm wrong, so…I'm sure you know how agonizing this is," she said with a crinkle in her snout.
"Shihooo…" Mikey called from the bathroom pathetically. Shiho smiled with a roll of her eyes. She really felt like she and the gecko had made some progress as sisters and teammates. There was a lot that needed to be said, but they did so by connecting glowing gazes.
"You don't need to be sorry, Saundra. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a very sick turtle to take care of," Shiho kissed her sister on the snout and squeezed her hands again before making a motion to go tend to Michelangelo who groaned loudly from the bathroom upstairs. "Coming, Mikey, coming."
Saundra sat and did her best to take in what just happened. It was fast and without many words exchanged between them. But, that was Shiho. She understood without much needing to be said once it was out in the open. Saundra could feel that gripping, hot sensation around her heart ease away the more and more she went with the flow of the family. Now, she just had to deal with her guilt while keeping Marcus somewhere in her mind so she'd be ready to take whatever he had to throw at her and beat it into the ground.
Upstairs, she could hear her sister talking to Mikey and soothing the sickness out of him. Laughing, she shook her head and downed the rest of her soda.
"Fatass turtle…"
A/N: Why yes! That was "When You're Alone" By John Williams from the film 'Hook'. I don't know about you, but it does have quite the soothing and peave bringing effect I was looking for. Hehehe. SO! We're settling the flames between the two hybrid sisters at last! And Mikey, dealing with the pains of having a shitty diet :) Hahaha, read and review please!