Woo! Another update! I really like this one. It was a lot of fun. I hope you like it too. The song of inspiration was a bunch of Legend of Dragoon songs. If you don't know what that is then shame on you, you have not lived. Enjoy!
Alopex recovers nicely enough, a little too nicely actually. By the afternoon the next day she is able to get up and walk around. It's unlike anything Donnie has ever seen. He was right – that first time he saw her – she was different than them. She had capabilities that far surpassed their own. But just like then, more so now, there's no way he can act on the revelation. He lets it fade and fall to the wayside.
Raph moves from his perch in front of her. He makes sure of it by the time she is conscious. He intended to stay, really. But he just couldn't do it. He remains at the periphery of her vision. He doesn't ever let her out of his sight though. No matter what he is right there. He has to do this after all. He just…doesn't know when…or how. So for hours the best he can do is linger, linger and think.
Alopex wanders aimlessly for hours. She shifts from the kitchen to the living room and back again. All the while she tactfully avoids Donnie's lab. Before it was alright and honestly she isn't particularly bothered as it is, but she can feel it – his distress. He thinks she doesn't see it, those looks he gives her. But she does. As she was lying on the couch, before she could get up earlier, he would come by. He would make to say something, but then he would quickly change his mind. His expression would grow disgruntled and something strange would shine in his eyes. Then he would leave, only to do it again the next hour.
Everyone celebrates her recovery when it comes, everyone but Raph of course. But the excitement is soon over. They all separate and return to their old habits. It is hours after that, when darkness is creeping in, that the pattern is broken. Alopex's ear flicks lightly. She picks up on the soft sound of footsteps on the concrete floor. She lifts her head and peers out of the kitchen door. She focuses her senses and recognizes the scent instantly. It's too familiar for her not to. Donnie.
She pretends to be engrossed in the sandwich Mikey prepared for her, but from the corner of her eye she watches the living room. She waits with baited breath. A moment later he appears. And she knows something is wrong. His movements aren't smooth or confident. He hesitates, fidgeting with his hands as he goes over something in his head. He steps back and forth in place and his mouth moves slightly. Is he talking to himself? Then, with a quick look around, he moves on.
Alopex tenses. She waits for a few long minutes and then she springs to her feet. She pads through the lair, her feet barely making a sound. She was always good at that. She makes quick glances not unlike Donnie's only much smoother and heads out. She sniffs at the air once she jumps the turnstile and enters the long stretch of sewers. She can smell him, heavy and fresh. She can also smell his distress – a power she discovered was bestowed on her once she mutated. No one could hide their emotions in the face of her, not unless they carried around perfume to overwhelm her senses.
She glides down the path, never letting her guard drop for a second. Down here they should be safe, but honestly who knows anymore. The enemies seem to find her and them endlessly, no matter where they are. At least above the surface. It can't be long until the same happens below the surface. She shakes her head. No, no time to think about that now. She keeps her attention firmly on the here and now – the facts.
She perks. Oh. Seems like he's stopped. She is especially careful now. It could mean he detected her. Or…she creeps closer. He comes into view within the next minute. It could just mean he hit a dead end. Weird. She never realized this path lead to a place like this. It's a drop off. A shudder runs up her spine. Great. She hesitates, swaying in place a few feet away from him. She doesn't really have to do this. There's no point. She could easily retreat now, before he notices her. But on some level she knows he already has.
Donnie sits at the edge of the path. He hangs his legs over the drop off and swings them lightly. He stares with empty eyes out over the gaping hole. At the opposite and a rushing wave of water ours down out of a large pipe. It's like a tiny waterfall, one he is sure he remembers jumping down like an idiot at some point in his childhood. Or at least Mikey did. He almost died that time…
Alopex grimaces. But no. she can't leave. Not now. She wraps her arms around herself in a half hug. She rocks from side to side. She opens her mouth to say something, but a voice cuts over her own. She knew he knew. It really was pointless.
"Why did you follow me?" He says softly. He doesn't tilt his head to look at her. He keeps his gaze trained on the furious water ahead.
Alopex averts her eyes. She takes slow, careful steps toward him. She does not go straight at him though. She edges to the side of him before slowly sinking down next to him. She keeps her legs up near her though, pressed to her chest. She wraps her arms around her knees and lets her chin fall to rest on them. "You were upset."
Donnie flinches. His expression quickly fades to blankness again. "You were spying on me." He says flatly. It's half a question, but it definitely doesn't sound like it.
Alopex shakes her head. "I could smell it." Once it leaves her mouth she realizes how weird that sounds. She makes a face. "It's...something that happened when I mutated. I can...sense people's emotions, through their scent." She shrugs.
Donnie fights it, but he can't keep his eyes forward at this. He glances from the corner of his eye at her. "You never told me that." A hurt edge seeps through his tone. We tell each other everything.
Alopex makes a soft sound of acknowledgement. "It didn't seem important." She slides her legs forward and her arms fall back to her side. She dangles her legs despite the screams of her mind. She wants to feel a little on the edge - literally and figuratively.
Donnie turns his head at the movement. "Do you really think you should be doing that?" Traces of concern get by his wall of indifference. It takes everything in him not to reach out and pull her back. That's one secret she didn't hide. So why is she being so stupid about it now?
Alopex gives a tiny smile. "It's fine. I know you won't let me fall." He may be confused about their relationship and trying to avoid it at all costs, but he is no less attached to her.
Donnie smiles with a sad air. "Look..." He chews on his lip. "I just wanted to get away from everything." For the first time he looks directly at her. "You know?" His brows knit together. "It's so heavy in there. I wanted some fresh air. Away from-"
"Me." Alopex finishes without hesitation. Herr golden eyes pierce him like never before. But she isn't mad. She just wants to figure this out.
Donnie nearly chokes on air. "What, no! I, it's just…" His skin turns a shade darker as he struggles with words like never before. "It's not like that…" His voice is tiny as he finishes. He drops his gaze and turns his head away from her. He fiddles vigorously with his fingers.
Alopex blinks at him. A small smile pulls at her lips. "You look like you're about to twist your hands clean off you know." Her tail sways behind her, poised to move forward if need be.
Donnie starts. He stills his hands as he peers back around at her. His eyes slowly widen as he takes her in. Just like back then.She did it on purpose too. He can tell not just by the little twinkle in her eye but the way she teasingly swishes her tail. "It's…fine…"
Alopex smirks. "You sure?" She tilts her head. "Because if you really need to fiddle with something," She brings her tail forward, into the space between them. "You can mess with this." She raises a brow.
Donnie shakes his head. "Stop it." He says softly. He keeps his hands away from her and locked tightly together. He refuses to fall into her trap.
Alopex snorts and a scowl quickly falls over her expression. She lets her tail move back behind her again. "What do you want from me Donnie?" She looks hard at the side of his face.
Donnie looks farther from her. "Nothing," He murmurs. He snaps to attention as he realizes how bad that sounds. "I mean-!" He bites his lip. "I'm just mixed up. You…you almost died Alopex. I don't…I mean…I just…" He moans and leans his head back. He clenches his eyes shut.
"It was nothing." Alopex shrugs.
Donnie's eyes snap open. He turns on her. "Nothing?" He repeats. "You call being shot and nearly bleeding out on the sidewalk nothing?" His voice rises with every word. "Are you insane?" His hands clench into fists. His eyes are ablaze.
Alopex is taken aback. Her eyes widen and her brows furrow. "Donnie," She pauses, thinking carefully over her words. "Calm down." Ohh…bad choice. Donnie's eyes flash with more intensity. "Look, I'm fine now." She shifts her limbs around to display herself to him. "Not even a scratch left."
Donnie scowls, but it is weak. "Maybe not on the outside…" He mumbles. "But what about on the inside?" He meets her eyes with equal intensity, somehow. "Aren't you petrified? Doesn't it scare you to think you came so close to death? Don't you just want to stay underground and never risk it again. Doesn't it…hurt?"
Alopex lets out a soft breath. "I'm not like you." She smiles weakly. "I was a fox a long time before I became human…" She looks down at her furry hands. "Human-like. For me it's a gift to be alive for even an hour more than before. So nearly dying…it's more of a blessing…knowing I did make it." She half laughs. "I'm still here."
Donnie smiles sadly. "Sorry…I just…"
"You just think differently. Logically." She shrugs. "I know." She grins. "I've known you way too long not to." She nudges him playfully.
Donnie can't help but smile at her.
Alopex's eyes dim slightly and her smile fades. "And yours is smarter." There is an edge to her tone. "I really could have died." She lightly touches her chest, so close to her heart. "And I'm sorry for that…for scaring you. But…" She shakes her head. "I couldn't let him get hurt. I care about him…all of you." Everyone but Raph and those two humans of course.
"I'm not mad about that." He sighs. "I could never say how thankful I am for it actually." He smiles painfully. "It's just…you shouldn't have even been following us." His fists tremble slightly. "You…" This is stupid. It has nothing to do with that and he knows it. It has everything to do with the night in the alley…when…
"Can't we just talk about it?" Alopex can't take it anymore. She looks hard at him. "I know that's what this is. At least it isn't completely about me getting shot." She raises a brow. "Isn't that right?"
Donnie ducks his head. A tight grimace stretches across his face. "Alopex…I…" Even though he knows it's true and knows it needs to be done, he doesn't want to. "I can't…" There's too much going on. Her getting shot made everything so much worse – between them and everyone. Relief is clear, yes, but the tension lies just beneath. They're all thinking it too. Ever since she came…we're all getting hurt so much more. Emotionally and physically.
Alopex cringes, practically reading his mind. Yes, she knows it. She knows despite all of them warming to her that they associate her with pain. It doesn't help that Raph is forever against her. They'll never truly accept her either if he keeps it up. "Donnie…" She reaches for his hand and holds on tight.
Donnie starts. He stares with widening eyes up at her. His heart beats faster against his chest.
"I care about you a lot. And I hate that you can't be yourself anymore around me because of everything that's happened." She draws his hand closer to her. She reaches her free one over to his face. "So please, let's work this out." She trails her fingers along his skin. "Please…"
Donnie freezes. His mind whirls. No…no…no! "Alopex…" His voice is but a breath. Come on…just say it! He opens and closes his mouth around empty words.
Alopex holds his stare. There's something there, something in his eyes that tells her to stop. But she doesn't listen. She pulls him closer. "I love you…" She leans forward.
Donnie snaps to attention. The daze is broken. "No!" He says with strength. He pushes her back. He wrenches his hands away and scampers away, against the wall. He presses himself hard on it, his body rigid. "No, I won't! I-I can't." He shakes his head. "Not now."
Alopex swings her arms frantically. She clutches onto the wall behind her and steadies herself. "What's wrong with you?" She shrills. "Why would you do that?"
Donnie glares forcefully. "Why would you try to kiss me?" He body trembles slightly. "That's not talking! That's-That's…" He sighs in pure aggravation. He runs a hand over his face. "No…just no." He stands quickly. He turns to go.
Alopex panics. She leaps to her feet and grabs for him. She finds leverage on his wrist. "We're not done!" Her eyes burn with fury and something that Donnie can't place. Hurt…? "We haven't settled anything! You…You're just avoiding the issue. Again!"
"Stop!" Donnie says louder than he meant. He slings her hand off of him. "We are done. It's not the right time or place. And you…you made everything worse." He turns hard on his heel and stomps away. Alopex swears a trail of fire is left behind him as he goes.
Alopex stumbles back into the wall again. She blinks and he is already gone – too far to reach. She reaches anyway, her mouth moving to form the words but no sound coming out. She stares for a long moment. Then finally she sinks backward, heavy on the wall. She hangs her head and casts her eyes downward. Why…? How could this happen? She's losing him.
Donnie storms down the sewer path. His breathing is harsh and his eyes narrowed. He isn't looking where he is going, his mind a flurry or conflicting thoughts. He shouldn't have left her…she deserved it after pulling that. He was too harsh…not harsh enough. He is so consumed by the contradictions that he doesn't notice the person until he slams into them.
Raph grunts and stumbles back from Donnie. He scowls at his younger brother, but his anger is largely subdued. He heard the shouts. And there was no mistaking the voices. "Sheesh, bro. Watch where you're going."
"Shut up Raph." Donnie hits him hard in the shoulder as he passes by. He immediately feels a twinge of guilt, but he does not turn back. He continues on to the lair. He doesn't want to start another fight. He just wants to retreat to his lab and not be bothered, preferably for the rest of the day.
Raph growls over his shoulder. He still restrains himself though. There's no point. If Donnie wants to be Mr. Personality today, then by all rights he should have a go at it. Raph looks forward. It's his turn to be mature. He quietly moves further down the sewer.
Donnie stops a ways down path. He sighs heavily and leans over against the wall. He shouldn't have left like that. He glances back. And Raph is headed that way now. That can never be good. And yet…he grimaces. He can't go back. No way. He refuses. So he just stands there instead.
Raph starts as he sees her. He shouldn't be surprised, and really isn't, but still it catches him off guard. She is sitting slouched over. Her head is hung and her body seems to be trembling slightly, but only if he looks hard enough. Is she…crying? He makes a face. No way. He takes another step closer. He sucks in a sharp breath as his foot kicks a rock and it scuttles along the path, loud and piercing in the silence.
Alopex jerks upright. She swivels, her eyes wide and body tense. She leaps to her feet and extends her claws in an instant before the truth dawns on her. "Oh…" She scowls bitterly at the red banded turtle. "What do you want?" She swallows the lump in her throat and prays her eyes don't look as watery as they feel.
Raph shakes his head. "Nothing." He looks away, over at the empty wall of the sewer. "I just…heard screaming."
Alopex cringes. Were we that loud? "Did you…hear anything…?" She tugs at her arm.
Raph continues to avoid her gaze. "No," But he didn't have to in order to understand what it was about. It was that night, the one he was never meant to see. "I just wanted to make sure…" Sure of what? It sounds so stupid. She can't not know the truth. And yet…her expression says otherwise.
Alopex's expression creases with pain. "It's fine. Nothing's wrong…" Not physically. Emotionally she is a wreck. Donnie too. Her fingers curl sharply around her arm, digging into the skin. Maybe some physical pain will make the rest go away, or at least ebb.
Raph lets out a heavy breath. He looks down at his feet, over at the ceiling, anywhere but her. Still, it does no good. Finally he forces himself to look at her. "Don't lie."
Alopex jerks her gaze up and focuses entirely on him. "What?" She says through clenched teeth. Her eyes are ablaze. She releases her arms and her hands curl into tight fists. "Are you trying to tell me what I feel?" She bristles.
Raph scoffs. "Please," He shakes his head and again can't bear to keep his eyes on her. "Your eyes are watery and your expression…" Oh who's he kidding? He can't say it. "Never mind. I don't care." So much for following her to make amends.
Alopex's lips curl back in a snarl. "No, say it." She takes a furious step forward. "Don't hesitate on my behalf. We all know you don't care about that anyway." She notices something different in him and if she weren't so consumed by her flurrying emotions she might have been able to place it. But she can't – doesn't.
"Leave it." He growls. "I don't want to fight with you." He turns away from her. He's had enough of this.
Alopex utters a cold single syllable laugh. "Could've fooled me."
Raph stiffens. He turns slowly, his eyes burning.
Alopex takes a quick step back. She anticipates some sort of backlash.
Raph starts. The anger subsides. "Don't do that." He takes a small step toward her. He eyes the cracking floor beneath her back foot.
Alopex snorts. "I'm not letting my guard down." Her footing gives a little, but she does not notice. She only digs her feet in deeper.
"Seriously," Raph moves quicker. He doesn't want to surprise her or make her jolt, but he doesn't want her to get hurt either.
Alopex jumps. Her back foot shifts out over thin air and her other barely clings to solid footing. She gasps as gravity presses hard on her and she flails her arms. She reaches out for the wall, but she only finds empty air.
Raph rushes forward. He grabs desperately for her, even just her fingertips. But it's to no avail.
The ground crumbles away and for a moment time freezes. She is suspended for a fleeting moment and her wild eyes lock with his. Then she plummets. The air rushes from her lungs and her scream lodges itself in her throat. At the last second it works free and her cry reaches up over the sewer. Then the harsh impact of water pierces the air and the water swallows her whole.
Donnie starts. Was that…? He turns his head slowly, blinking. "Alopex?"
Raph sucks in a sharp breath. He throws himself to his knees at the edge and leans over. His eyes scan the water furiously. Come on. It's just water. Sure, a little high. But nothing that would render a person unconscious. His eyes widen. Right? "Stupid mutt…" Swim!
Alopex opens her eyes to darkness. No… She's under the surface. She slices her arms through the water, but she never goes anywhere. She kicks like a maniac, but only makes herself spiral in circles. Her thoughts run wild, further clouding her head. Gotta…gotta get to the…
Raph trembles fiercer with each passing moment. Why hasn't she surfaced? A chill runs down his spine. Can she…not swim? He reaches back for memories – any that might hint to this. He can't find them. "Damn it!" She isn't coming up. She isn't coming!
He jerks his head around. He doesn't know why he expects him to be, but Donnie isn't there. He has no choice. He leans his head back and groans. Well, he supposes it's the chance he's been waiting for. He stands, draws in a deep breath, and dives.
Alopex's lungs burn. She can't hold it anymore. She breathes in and a mouthful of water rushes in. She chokes and gags and everything quickly blurs. Her head spins and her wild thoughts slowly fade to blackness. Only one thought punctuates the dark. Donnie…I'm sorry.
Raph surges down. His eyes adjust to the overwhelming dark and through the pitch blackness he sees the sharp whiteness of her body. Oh, shit. She isn't moving. She's just sort of floating in space, sinking farther and farther with every second.
He stretches out his arms are far as he can, barely grabbing onto a tuft of her fur. With this traction he manages to keep her from sinking and pulls himself closer to her. He wraps an arm around her middle, hand trembling slightly, and kicks for the surface.
He sucks in a deep breath as they break the water, but he doesn't know why. He had plenty of air. His eyes dart to her. That's why. Her eyes are closed and her head hangs, nearly dipping back into the water. He needs to get to a dry place. A shrill cry then has him jerking his head up and around. Donnie?
Donnie leans over the edge much like Raph had before. His eyes are wild and expression twisted with fear. "Alopex!" he screams. His throat tightens and voice chokes. He wants to say more, but all he can manage is repeating her name. Each time he screams it his voice cracks more and more.
Raph thinks to ask Donnie for help, but stops himself short. It won't help. Even from this distance he can see Donnie is lost to his emotions. He might not even hear Raph the way he is right now. She he acts on his own – quickly. He sees a low hanging pipe to the far side. Water streams out of it, but it's at a much slower pace.
He lugs Alopex along, struggling to keep her head above the surface. She feels so much heavier than the night before. He reaches up and grasps the edge of the pipe. He pulls them up as far as he can, the rim of the pipe digging hard into his flesh. He can't get them both up in one go though. He shoves her up and over the edge and then picks himself up after her.
He lets out a heavy sigh. His chest moves rapidly with his breaths. His eyes dart to her. He can't rest. He carefully lifts her from the water and holds her in his arms. "Come on," He stares intently at her face. There is no sign of life. A panic spikes. What's he supposed to do? He hits her on the back, as if she is merely coughing on something. Stupid.
But it works.
Alopex jerks up. She draws in a sharp breath and splutters. She doubles over and chokes up water – onto herself and onto whatever is holding her up. She cringes and touches a hand to her throbbing head. What…? She picks her head up and focuses bleary eyes on the face above her. She nearly goes into a coughing fit again.
Raph smiles. He actually smiles. "That's what you get for not listening." Yeah. With everything he could have said, that's what he chose to say. Perfect. Just perfect.
Alopex scrambles back, falling over his limbs and herself. She hits the ground and the rushing water splashes around her. She jumps. Her heat pounds against her chest. Water…water! It's everywhere! Her muscles tense and chest tightens.
Raph starts. "Whoa, easy." He begins to go toward her, but he stops himself. He doesn't need a repeat incident. "It's shallow here. You won't drown."
Alopex's wild eyes lock on his surprisingly calm and…worried eyes. Worried? She reigns herself in. "Drown?" She gets a flash of falling. A shiver races up her spine. "I…I don't know what you're talking about."
Raph rolls his eyes. Of course she doesn't. "You nearly died out there." There's no point sugarcoating it.
Alopex scowls. Then it quickly falls away as a thought strikes her. "Why…didn't I?" Her brows knit together as she eyes him carefully.
Raph manages a tiny smile. "I jumped in after you." He utters a tiny laugh. "And, uh, sorry you making you fall in the first place."
Alopex blinks. She should focus on the fact this was all his fault, but all she can zone in on is one simple fact. I jumped in after you. "Why…?" Pain creases her face, lacing with the confusion.
Raph shakes his head. "You just don't get it do you." He smirks. "It's not that hard." A pause. "You saved Mikey's life." His voice is grave and wavers slightly at even the mention of it.
Alopex's eyes slowly widen. She watches with baited breath, the words trapped within her.
Raph smiles sadly. "My life may not be worth much, but my brother's lives mean everything. And you…you didn't just save him. You were willing to die for him." His deep green eyes overflow with thankfulness. "There's nothing I could do to repay that."
Alopex relaxes. Her eyes shine with feeling – but all the wrong kinds of it. She's touched, really, but mortified all the same. No… He can't say that. Not now. Not with only four days left. "Raph…" She subconsciously touches her hand to her heart. "I…"
"It's nothing." He waves her words away. "Everything…it will be better now."
"Alopex!" Donnie's strangled cry breaks the moment. In the next instant Donnie is clambering up over the side and toward her. "Alopex!" His voice is hoarse. He throws himself at her and flings his arms around her neck.
Alopex grunts on impact. "Donnie," She lays a gentle hand on his back. She smiles through her inner turmoil. "It's fine. I'm fine. Nothing happened."
Donnie holds tighter. He buries his face in her fur. "Liar…" He whispers. He sniffles faintly. "You fell in, you-you…" He twines his fingers tightly through her fur.
"I know." She says soothingly. She rubs his back. "But it's alright." She glances up and past Donnie, over at Raph. She is glad Donnie isn't still mad at her, yes, but everything is dulled in the face of Raph's confession. How could he? How could he? She very nearly glares at him.
"I'm sorry," Donnie says much steadier now. He loosens his grip, but he does not pull away. "For yelling, for leaving you alone, for…" Everything.
Alopex nods. "I'm sorry too." She hopes he doesn't notice how distracted she knows she sounds. But…Raph. His green eyes pierce her more sharply now in their softness than ever before in their fury. She sighs. Why couldn't he just let her drown…?
For some reason I really don't like a part near the end of this. It feels weird, I don't know. You might not even notice. Just reading it I feel...idk whatever. Other than that I love this chapter. What about you? What did you think? And what ever is Alopex going to do now? Please review!