I do not own the tmnt.


Chapter seven

Raph had been stuck with Master Splinter all morning training to make up for being late to previous lessons. He had wanted to go with Mikey to see how Leah was doing when he was caught by Leo. Leo could make him so mad, and if it wasn't for Master Splinter being right there waiting, Raph would have gladly told Leo to buzz off. Thankfully though it was almost time for normal lessons and he would be free. Right as the thought passed his mind, his brothers came into the dojo as if on cue. The brawny turtle waited impatiently to talk to Mikey.

Master Splinter started them off learning a flip, but had to specialize it with each weapon. Don was having the hardest time due to his bo staff being too large for the move to work well, but when Master Splinter attempted it, the move flowed gracefully causing Don to sigh. Raph was thankful he had chosen his sais. When it was time for sparring, Raph instantly chose Mikey to pair up with.

"How is she Mikey?" Raph asked as he made the first attack.

Mikey dodged the move, "She got up and left like she was perfectly healthy," his brother replied countering.

Raph blocked the move, and looked at Mikey confused. She should have been recovering for at least two weeks because of the loss of blood. He was grateful that she was safe, but that was just abnormal. Raph knew how long it took to recover. Lord knew he'd been in her shoes before several times. Maybe she was just trying to seem tough, and pretend like nothing was wrong. He'd seen her hurt herself before.

"Are you sure she was perfectly healthy?" Raph asked skeptically parrying one of Mikey's blows.

"She didn't let on that she was hurting. Bro, think she's a super hero?" Mikey gasped as Raph got a good hit on Mikey's chest.

"Knock it off, Mikey," Raph replied rolling his eyes.

Leo frowned barely paying attention to Don or sparring. He just made enough effort to look like he was attentive. The turtle had mastered this move already, and Don was struggling to make it work so it wasn't hard to do. He'd been listening to Raph and Mikey's conversation, and it infuriated him. They had both been helping that girl against his orders.

The leader shook his head. Maybe Raph had been right and she wasn't their enemy. He hadn't really given her much of a chance after that touch. Leo sighed as longing filled his chest. Perhaps her being part of the Foot clan had been all in his head then that touch hadn't been something conceived by the Foot, and maybe he really had feelings for her. Feelings he had been trying to compress since first having them.

He grunted and took out his frustration on an all-out kick to Don in the chest sending his brother flying back.

"Leonardo! You know your brother is having a hard time. Allow him to practice," Master Splinter scolded.

Leo bowed in apology to Don, "I'm sorry, Donnie," he stated helping his brother up as Don rubbed his chest.

"It's cool, Leo. Something's bothering you, I can tell," Don replied attempting to do the new move and shakily succeeding.

"Good job," Leo praised him, "and no nothing is bothering me," Leo denied as Don raised a brow.

"It's not the girl is it?" Don asked seeing Leo grimace confirming it, "Look, you need to either let her go or let her in."

Leo shook his head, "I'm not sure what I need to do, Don, but for now the order stands until further notice," he replied loud enough for Raph and Mikey to hear the last part, but they seemed oblivious to his warning.

Leah went to bed that night expecting nightmares to rip open her subconscious, but was pleasantly surprised when she woke up the next morning nightmare free. Her alarm clock got a happy pat from her, and to top it off today was going to be her last day of school. She would no longer have to worry about her diploma. Her grin disappeared when she remembered the mystery of the previous day. There was something seriously wrong with her, but was going to school regardless. She waited on Lee in the kitchen noticing that their grandmother must have had to work late since she wasn't there.

The girl was staring at her arm, and decided to grab a knife. She sat with the knife in her hand cutting herself over and over again watching as the skin magically mended itself back together. Her brother walked in just as she was slicing her skin open again. He frowned at her.

"Leah, quit that," he scolded her, "Doesn't it still hurt?"

She nodded and sighed, "What's happening to me, Lee?" she lamented.

He just shook his head at her, "I don't know Leah," he answered shrugging, "All I know is that this isn't normal."

"Well, that was a load of help," she replied sarcastically groaning.

Lee glared at her, "What do you expect me to say? It's not like I know everything," he challenged.

Leah rubbed her hands over her face, "I know. I guess I'm just a little stressed," she answered moodily causing him to relax.

"For now all I can say is to go about your normal day," he said pulling his sister into a comforting hug.

"Are you ready for your final day of school?" Lee exclaimed when they parted trying to change the subject.

Leah chuckled, "Ready for it to be over," she scoffed with smile as Lee chuckled.

The school day was your typical last day of school. Lots of year book signings and tearful goodbyes ensued, and about halfway through someone pranked the principal. The school was in an uproar the rest of day. Leah enjoyed herself as much as possible with Jessica, who suddenly had newfound interest in the girl. Leah wondered if she had any memory of that night, but one look at Jessica told her all she needed to know. Jessica remembered, but had no clue if it was a dream. Leah could tell she was suspicious.

"So we should totally keep in touch," Jessica said happily walking with Leah to the parking lot.

"Sure," Leah replied slightly unsure.

She had too many dangers in her life, and didn't want to put anyone in jeopardy. The happy smile on Jessica's face though convinced Leah to trade numbers with the blonde.

"Alright, girl, I'll shoot you a text," Jessica promised waving goodbye.

Leah waved back meeting Lee at the car. When they got home, their grandmother asked them to visit Mrs. Findley, an old widow who used to live next door in Jan's old apartment building. Lee politely refused claiming he needed time to think, but Leah gladly went anything that would get her situation out of her head. She didn't take the car opting for the subway instead in case Lee needed the car.

She sat and talked with the old woman for about an hour before deciding to head out. Instead of taking the subway, she decided to go jumping. She climbed the fire escape to the roof, and before she could barely get started on her run she heard sounds of a nearby battle. Leah frowned thinking that it had to be the turtles. She rushed to help them, but hesitated wondering what Leonardo would think. The girl shook her head thinking about Raph and Mikey, and if they were in danger like she had been. It was her turn to be the hero.

There was only one of the turtles there. Her heart lurched into her throat and took off beating as a feeling she couldn't explain fell over her. It felt like with every beat her heart exploded. She jumped into the fight to release some of her tension. It didn't matter to her that she was unarmed. The uproar of confusion gave her away instantly. Her eyes met Leonardo's. He frowned at her giving her the cold shoulder as she sighed. She did her best to get close to him.

"Leo!" she shouted at him.

The turtle didn't answer due to a large wave of ninjas. Leah jumped in immediately to help him. The turtle stared at her confused, but accepted her help.

"What are you doing!" he exclaimed glaring at her.

She cringed under his angry eyes, "Helping you," she replied dodging an attack as another Foot ninja got a nice slice on her arm. She didn't worry about it as it closed itself up.

He sighed, "Why are you helping me?" he questioned his voice for the first time since they met sounding like he wasn't angry with her.

"It's the least I could do for all the times you have helped me and my brother not to mention Raph and Mikey would have my head if I didn't help you," she answered him grunting as a bo staff grazed her arm.

Leo shook his head and finally much to Leah's happiness accepted her, "Thanks, I needed the help," he surrendered blocking a katana from hitting her.

Her heart sang as they fought next to each other for around ten minutes when Leo called her, "Leah, think you could ambush the leader?" he asked letting lose a shout blocking two swords at once.

Leah nodded. This would be no problem, she out skilled these ninjas no question. Suddenly, without a second thought she turned around when she heard Leo's distressed yell. He'd been wounded and with all the strength in her body she ran to protect him her mission at the moment forgotten. As she fought multiple ninjas at a time, she glanced down at Leo to make sure he was fine. Her body was in overdrive and adrenaline surged through her veins. When Leo had recovered they locked eyes and a moment passed between them. She went back to her mission.

She managed to grab an abandoned katana, though not as good as her own sword she would make due. Leah blended in with shadows using every bit of concentration and stealth she knew. The kunoichi glanced back at Leo every few seconds to make sure he was okay, until finally she got behind the elite ninja leading the Foot. She began with a single run and swing, but the leader was expecting it. He countered and sliced the blade deep into her side.

The girl groaned, but refused the show as much pain as possible. She heard Leonardo call her name making her smile a little, but it was gone almost instantly. Leah knew the elite as it smiled at her. It was the exact same smile as hers.

"Mom," she said barely above a whisper, but the woman heard her.

The elite removed her hat making her less intimidating. Her mother looked so frail and small. The older woman had short boyish hair, and bore a slight resemblance to Leah. She laughed harshly at the stricken girl.

"What's wrong daughter?" the older woman taunted starting a spark of anger in Leah's heart.

She ran at her mother in a rage as her mother only smiled welcoming Leah's challenge. The older woman was very strong overpowering Leah, but it was to be expected since she was the leader of the elite. Leah heard Leo starting to win his battle as she slowly lost hers. Finally, the two came to a stop. Her mother never seemed to tire out as her daughter did.

"You should really come back to us Leah," Mallory said, "After all this whole party was for you."

"Never, I will get vengeance for my father's death," Leah replied angrily returning to a battle stance.

Her mother sighed, "You know absolutely nothing," she answered taking her sword and brought it across Leah's upper arm. The girl hissed as it began mending itself back together.

"The change is happening," the older woman stated, "You will have no choice but to return to us now."

Leah's eyes widened as surprise consumed her body, "You know what's happening to me," Leah said wanting to understand.

"Yes that and more. Please return to your birthright Leah and all will be revealed," she offered in a gentle tone extending her hand out to Leah.

Leah was tempted, but remembered how her father had died and scowled, "I'd rather die," she replied slicing her mother's arm right off, but instead of blood she heard electricity.

This hadn't been her mother at all, but a robot instead. She grew furious and attacked it relentlessly turning it into a pile of rubble. She fell to the ground her mind cluttered with thought of this change the robot had told her about. Why did everything happen to her? Leah thought briefly of a normal life, and how she would have been if her mother hadn't been a Foot ninja. The girl took her frustration out on the concrete with her fists. She was thankful she could still feel the pain even if the wounds would close instantly.

Footsteps brought her back as she stood up ready to fight, but it was only Leo. He looked at her worriedly.

He bowed to her, "Leah, I think I owe you an apology," he began when her eyes widened, "I should have trusted you as you trusted me, and I feel awful for not extending my courtesy as Mikey and Raph had. So for being such a jerk I apologize."

She returned his bow happily. At least something good came out of this fight. Leo finally accepted her.

"Thank you Leonardo. That means a lot to me," she replied with a smile she couldn't control.

The turtle gave her a once over, "I thought I saw you get hurt," Leo stated in confusion.

Leah shook her head guiltily lying to him, "Some of those were some very close dodges," she explained as Leo frowned.

"You knew that Foot ninja didn't you. And it's not just a mutual friendship either. What is going on with you and the Foot?" he questioned curiously.

Leah frowned and sighed, "I wish I knew," she answered.

"Leo!" Mikey yelled not far from where they were.

Leah shook her head; "Seems your back-up is a little late," Leah stated changing the subject.

"They usually are," the turtle joked.

Leah smiled, "I don't know. They show up right on time sometimes," she replied.


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