A/N: I'm back. A lot fast than I thought I would be and with a longer chapter to boot. LOL. Didn't have much else to do over my long weekend since my mom insisted I rest since I look white enough to be a ghost. Ugh... but there's one nice thing about being on bed rest for three days with low blood counts... even though it doesn't feel awesome it gave me lots of time to work on the next chapter. :D Can't promise that the next chapter will be so fast in coming it is back to work for me tomorrow. But I promise I'll work on the next chapter as soon as I can. Thank you again to those who review I really appreciate it guys I love hearing what everyone thinks enjoy the next chapter and I'll see you next time.
Ohayō gozaimasu - Good Morning
Chapter 15
Elizabeth stepped into the kitchen to see Michelangelo hard at work, and a rather droopy-eyed Donatello nursing a cup of coffee. Elizabeth stifled a laugh, she was sure that Donatello was still on his first cup of coffee because he rarely perked up until he was halfway through his second.
Michelangelo, obviously hearing her approach, looked up and grinned at her as Elizabeth made her way into the kitchen. "Hey, Elizabeth. You hungry?"
Elizabeth nodded, her grin matching Michelangelo's. "Want some help?"
"You should take it easy on those wrists today, Elizabeth," Donatello warned as he peered at her over his cup of coffee. "You lost a good bit of blood last night at those wounds are more than skin deep."
"Why don't you just take these over to the table – and grab Donny another cup of coffee," Michelangelo suggested handing Elizabeth a plate of toast and the coffee pot with hot coffee.
Elizabeth did so without argument before taking a seat across from Donatello. She fidgeted on her chair, clearly uncomfortable. If Donatello noticed he didn't say anything.
"Is Raph up yet, Donny?"
Donatello shrugged. "I didn't even hear him come in last night."
"He's up, Mikey," Elizabeth blushed when both brothers turned on her in surprise. "I passed him on my way in here he said he needed to talk to Leo."
Neither brother really seemed surprised by this, and Elizabeth had the feeling that although Raph and Leo seemed to clash quite often it had become so routine around here that Mikey and Donny were no longer bothered by it. They almost seemed to accept it as part of their lives.
Although Elizabeth had to admit that it must be a strain for the brothers to be so cooped up together all the time. Their relationship was unlike anything she'd ever seen in the dynamics of family before. She'd seen families where siblings were close to each other – but these brothers definitely took the prize for close sibling relationships. She supposed it had something to do with them being so… different. But still they were all so different from each other it was a surprise that they didn't get into fights more frequently. But even still – it usually seemed to be Leo and Raph that would have a go at each other.
Elizabeth wasn't stupid. She'd been around these guys long enough to know that Leo was the turtle who liked order and discipline. He liked to have things in routine – to have his brothers follow what they were told to do without question. Raph, however, was a rebel. He liked being out on his own, he liked being a lone wolf. Raph was the turtle that would search out a fight, not because it was necessary, but because he lived for it. Even when he was home he was often in the dojo working his punching bag. Not that Elizabeth had really sat down to watch him, but she'd heard his heavy breathing and the unmistakable sounds of fists hitting padding as Raphael threw punch after punch into the worn old punching bag. Donatello seemed the least likely of the four of them to want to fight; in fact he seemed almost reluctant to fight. Opting to do so only if he had no other choice. He was a quiet turtle who very much preferred to being in his lab studying new specimens and building new gadgets than practicing in the dojo. And then there was Mikey. Mikey didn't seem anymore eager to fight than Donny did but he did seem to have a natural talent for it. Elizabeth had seen the way Michelangelo had moved around the lair, he was graceful in his movements, his body curving and arcing in ways that she wouldn't have thought possible for a five foot tall, two hundred pound turtle could do. But even now as he made his way to the table with breakfast dishes his steps were smooth and steady. The multiple dishes in his hands didn't even wobble as he began to place them one by one on the worn tabletop.
The soft scratching of claws and the unmistakable sound of wood clicking on concrete announced Splinter's arrival. The old rat seemed to be leaning more heavily on his walking stick than normal, but his smile was warm as he met all three of their eyes.
"Ohayō gozaimasu," Michelangelo and Donatello greeted the old rat, bowing respectfully as Splinter took a seat.
"Good morning, my sons," Splinter returned. He turned his dark eyes on Elizabeth and his whiskers twitched a little. "Are you feeling better this morning, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth could feel her cheeks go a little pink. From the way Splinter was staring at her she had a feeling he was not at all pleased with what she had done the night before. "I'm fine, thank you."
Splinter watched her quietly for a moment before he turned to Donatello. "Where are your brothers?"
"Raph's talking to Leo," Michelangelo quickly provided putting large spoons into the heaping bowls of scrambled eggs and fried potatoes then sat down and stuck his fork into the heaping plate of large brown pancakes.
Elizabeth's stomach growled.
"Michelangelo," Splinter chided. "You should wait for your brothers."
"But I'm hungry!" Michelangelo pouted staring at the table covered with food.
Splinter cocked an eyebrow at him and Michelangelo slumped back in his seat, pouting as he stared longing at the food. Elizabeth barely suppressed a smirk.
Donatello helped himself to more coffee and Splinter's ears twitched on his head, as if he could hear low voices murmuring from far away. His dark eyes were fastened on Elizabeth once again, his long pink tail twitched and slapped gently against the floor. Elizabeth felt heat in her cheeks. What was it that Splinter was hearing? Was Raph telling Leo that he'd spent the night with her? How would Leo feel about that? Would he be angry? Would he want her to leave?
"Miss Elizabeth?" Splinter said suddenly breaking the silence. Elizabeth reluctantly met those strange dark eyes of his. "Would you please join me for a few minutes?" Splinter, using his walking stick got stiffly to his feet.
Donatello and Michelangelo's eyes were both on her now. Elizabeth felt heat spread throughout her whole face and was sure she was a bright red, but she nodded and followed Splinter out of the kitchen.
He led her to a paper rice door, slid it opened and gestured her inside. The room wasn't small but it didn't look like Splinter had done much to spruce it up. There were a few simple things here and there. A few tatami mats sat in one corner and there was a rather long shelf with some tired looking old candles and a few incense sticks. The room had the lingering smell of both, it made it rather pleasant and Elizabeth was surprised at how well the melted wax and incense smells seemed to blend together. Splinter gestured for her to take the smaller of the tatami mats as he knelt on the larger one. Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was supposed to sit or kneel – she wasn't sure how Japanese customs worked so she opted for kneeling before the aged rat.
Splinter said nothing for a few minutes, but instead he sat like that his hands on his knees, his walking stick resting against the length of his leg. His ears were back against his head, his eyes were closed. Finally he looked up at her again, his eyes were so piercing she was sure that he could see right into her soul.
"I trust that you have found your stay with us most comfortable, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth was surprised. She didn't understand why Splinter would want to know about how she had felt about her stay here. Nonetheless she nodded. "Your family has been most hospitable, Splinter."
Splinter nodded, though his whiskers did twitch a bit when she said his name so casually. Still Elizabeth didn't see why she would call him Master Splinter – he wasn't her master at all. He wasn't teaching her anything. He was obviously the head of the house, but from the way Leonardo always took command she had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before Splinter handed that role over to Leonardo for good. She swallowed hard as Splinter again seemed to stare right through her for several long minutes.
"I must voice my concerns on a certain matter, Elizabeth," Splinter finally spoke, though his tone was gentle Elizabeth felt her insides coiling, waiting for the blow she had feared would come. "I have seen the way my son Raphael looks at you, and I have seen the way you have looked at him… " He paused then giving her a look at made Elizabeth feel very self conscious. "But I have also seen the way that some things beyond both of your control has been hurtful and the consequences of what will happen to you both if things continue on the path they are heading towards."
"Sir?" Elizabeth asked meekly, not really sure what else to call him. It was the highest form of respect she was positive she could give him. But still she was scared of him answering. Was he telling her not to see his son anymore? That it would be unwise of her to act on the feelings she had for Raphael?
"I know Raphael spent the night with you last night, Miss Elizabeth," Splinter said gently, his tail twitched against the hard floor. Elizabeth blushed.
"Sir, we… we didn't do anything like… I mean we didn't… "
Splinter didn't need to her explain. "I know you were not engaged in physical love, but I can still smell my son on you. As I'm sure his brothers will pick that up on him as well." His face softened then and he smiled a little. "You have a very floral smell that makes it hard to miss."
Elizabeth's blush deepened.
Splinter sighed. "With the way our lives have been, with how we live, and what we are I never thought my sons would find someone… that they would have the opportunity to be with someone the way my son wishes to be with you," Splinter continued gently. "But I fear, Miss Elizabeth, that your wants and desires may not always be in harmony with what Raphael needs. We will never be able to live on the surface and I fear for when the time comes and you are ready to have this child that you will realize that you want something better for him. That you will feel like this isn't the best place to raise him. And when that time comes, what it will do to my son when you leave."
Elizabeth swallowed hard, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "I… I'm not so sure I want to keep this baby, Splinter. I had considered giving him up for adoption when he's born."
"You feel that now, Elizabeth – but how do you know that you will not change your mind? That after caring for and carrying the child for nine months you will simply give it away?"
Elizabeth shook her head as the tears ran down her cheeks. "I never wanted a baby – not with him."
Splinter sighed quietly. "I know you do not wish to have ties to your husband, Miss Elizabeth, but this baby is already growing inside you. You need to decide what is best for you and for my son. If you feel like you must leave to raise this child then you must do so before the bond before you and Raphael strengthens. I do not wish to hurt you, child," He added seeing Elizabeth's tears. "But I do not wish to see Raphael hurt either."
"If I… " Elizabeth hesitated and tried to wipe away a few tears but more quickly replaced them. "If I wanted to stay here with Raphael?"
Splinter was quiet for a couple minutes. "A father's greatest desire is to see his sons happy. But you need to be sure that this is what you want, Miss Elizabeth, because if you decide to stay you will have to realize that your life will change. We cannot live amongst the humans and I think it would be a greater sacrifice than you think having to stay underground all the time. Consider carefully, child. But don't take too long in deciding if you know you cannot stay."
Elizabeth nodded mutely and wiped away the tears again. Splinter reached forward and cupped Elizabeth's chin in his warm hand.
"Miss Elizabeth, I am so happy that my son found you. I have never seen him more happy than he was this morning. You have brought a light into his life that none of us could ever fill before. And it pleases me that you return the feelings he has for you. But you have another life to think about besides your own and that is the only obstacle that really stands between you."
"Splinter, if I… I love him."
"I know you do, Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth met his eyes blinking away more tears. "What should I do?"
"You are the only one that can answer that question. That is a decision that you, and you alone, have to make."
"I don't want to hurt him – I don't want to leave."
"Perhaps this is something you should meditate on. You will find the right answer in your heart."
Elizabeth nodded.
"Now," Splinter said in a lighter tone. "I believe the others are waiting for us." He picked up his stick and stiffly got to his feet. Elizabeth too rose a bit stiffly and followed Splinter out of the room, she no longer felt hungry but a sharp pain had erupted in her gut, turning them around, filling her whole chest with the agony as Splinter's words echoed around inside her head. It was her decision, and only hers to make. But would she make the right one for herself and for her baby?
All four of the turtles were at the table when Elizabeth and Splinter rejoined them. Leonardo was sitting next to Donatello and his eyes narrowed fractionally when Elizabeth joined them, but it wasn't a look of anger or disgust. More of a look of worry and as his eyes darted to where Raphael sat on her other side Elizabeth knew that Leonardo had, as Splinter had told her he would, picked up Elizabeth's scent on his brother. He knew something had happened between them and like Splinter he was worried about what would happen to his brother if Elizabeth left.
"Pancakes?" Raphael asked offering her the plate. Elizabeth took one and passed the plate to Michelangelo who passed it to Splinter. Elizabeth stared at the perfectly browned pancake, no longer feeling like she could make it go down.
She used the side of her fork to cut off a small piece and put it in her mouth. It tasted like cotton, dry in her throat, almost impossible to swallow. She forced it down anyway, ignoring the concerned looks she was getting from Raphael and Donatello.
She wasn't aware of the awkward breakfast conversations or how all of the turtles kept giving her worried glances as she played with her pancake but didn't eat anymore. And when the others had finished Elizabeth took the opportunity to slip out of the kitchen and disappeared into her room, shutting the door quietly behind her.
Elizabeth wasn't sure how long she was sitting on her bed, her legs curled up against her chest, her chin resting on her knees, before someone rapped quietly against the door.
"'Lizbeth? Ya ok?"
Elizabeth sniffed and wiped away the tears that were on her cheeks. "I'm fine," she choked.
There was a pause on the other side of the door then Raphael knocked again. "Can I come?"
Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut and more tears tracked down her cheeks. She wasn't sure if she could bear being close to Raphael right now – not when she had to decide whether she had to leave him or not. Not if she knew that she might have to hurt him. Even just the thought of leaving him made her heart ache so bad she was sure the pain of it would kill her.
"'Lizbeth? Ya sure yer ok? Should I get Donny?"
"No," Elizabeth said sniffling a little. "I'm fine."
"Den can I come in?"
She knew to deny him entrance would just lead to suspicions and he would get his brother despite her claims that she was fine. "Come on in," She finally said quietly. She wasn't sure if Raphael heard her at first but then the door opened and Raphael stepped inside.
He closed the door behind him and stared at her critically. His amber eyes searched her face, no doubt finding her red eyes and pink nose from the many times she'd rubbed it.
He was next to her on the bed in an instant, and Elizabeth once again found herself breathless with shock at how fast these guys could really move. Whoever thought that a turtle couldn't move fast?
"What's wrong 'Lizbeth? What happened? Is it da baby?" Raphael gently pressed a hand against her stomach. His large hand was warm and comforting, such strength penetrating from that simple motion that Elizabeth's insides hurt. She looked up into Raphael's concerned amber eyes.
"The baby's fine, Raph," Elizabeth assured him.
"Are ya feelin' sick again? Ya hardly ate anyting at breakfast," Raphael's hand moved from her stomach to her face, caressing her forehead and then cupping her cheek. Elizabeth closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, a few tears escaping from her closed eyelids.
"I tink I should get Donny," Raphael said starting to rise but Elizabeth clutched at his hand, keeping it pressed against her cheek.
"Please," Elizabeth whispered her eyes wide and pleading. "Don't leave me."
Raphael sat down again, concern filling his amber eyes. "'Lizbeth, ya don't look like yer feelin' dat great. I really tink Donny should look at ya."
Elizabeth gulped and moved her hands up Raphael's muscular arms until she was able to get her arms around his neck. She pulled herself against him, turning her head sideways against his plastron, listening to the steady thud thud of his heart.
Raphael automatically wrapped his arms around her back, though a little awkwardly at first. After a minute or so he seemed to relax into the embrace, his fingers tugging and pulling gently at the ends of her hair.
Elizabeth pulled back a little, looking up at his face. "Kiss me," she pleaded.
Raphael frowned, something didn't feel right to him. "'Lizbeth… what?"
"Just kiss me," Elizabeth begged, pulling on his neck a little to make him lower his face closer to hers. Raphael gently kissed her.
Elizabeth could feel his confusion, his mind clearly not comprehending what was bothering her. Elizabeth threw herself into the kiss, pulling him tighter against her, and was delighted when he responded, his much harder mouth working against hers, she felt him press harder and his mouth opened a bit forcing hers to do the same. His hot breath filled her mouth, she found herself craving more, her body was pressing itself tighter against his, her spaghetti strap and loose blue jeans were suddenly too confining. She wanted to feel him against her. Her body bucked a little as his hand ran down her spine and found the sensitive part on her back. She gasped, pulling away from the kiss and staring at him with wide eyes.
He blinked at her, confused at her reaction to his touch. Elizabeth stared back, losing herself in those strange amber eyes of his. She'd never seen anything like them, or him for that matter. He was so different from Graham, he was much harder, his plastron hard and firm against her body, his hold so much stronger around her than Graham's had ever been, and yet she wasn't scared of those bulging muscles or the way he could easily pin her against him. There was no anger behind his touches, no intent of pain. For as large as he was and as clumsy as those three fingered hands looked they were incredibly gentle. Raphael stroked her cheek.
"Ya ok?"
Elizabeth gently held his wrist, although she still found the leather bands on his wrists and elbows strange, she had come to the conclusion that they were just a part of who these guys were. The leather was softer than Raphael's skin but it had obviously faded with age. Elizabeth turned her head and gently kissed each of Raphael's fingers.
Raphael watched her, a bit bemused but when she met his gaze again he found himself mesmerizing every inch of her face. She was so beautiful, the way her dark hair curtained her face, her skin a creamy white with her cheeks a rosy pink. Her lips were a little red and a bit swollen from his hungry kiss, he rubbed his thumb against them gently. Elizabeth's deep green eyes closed in pleasure and her hot breath caressed his skin. He felt something burning in his gut, something he'd never felt with anyone else. He leaned down and pulled her in for another hungry kiss.
Elizabeth responded willingly, her soft body meshing against his plastron. Her fingers trailed against the back of his neck and slid down his shell, fingering the patterning there.
Raphael pulled back. "'Lizbeth, I… I don't tink we should do dis now."
Elizabeth's brows furrowed. "Why not? Don't you want to?" Her lip trembled a little and hurt colored her eyes.
"More den anyting," Raphael said rubbing his thumb against her soft throat. "But da others are just in da other room."
Elizabeth's cheeks quickly flooded with red in her embarrassment.
"I tink ya should try ta eat somethin' more den what ya had. Ya barely touched yer breakfast," Raphael said gently.
Elizabeth's stomach, forgotten in the passion of her kiss, once again started to protest its emptiness. And suddenly the pain of her empty stomach was overwhelming.
"Excuse me," Elizabeth said quickly, she pushed Raphael's hand aside and bolted from the room, dashing for the bathroom with her hand clamped over her mouth. However, to her dismay, she found the bathroom door shut and locked. Desperately she lurched towards the kitchen just barely making it to the sink in time to dry heave violently over the basin. Thankfully she didn't have anything she could really bring up, but the acidic taste in her mouth and throat made her gag.
She heard someone come up from behind and gently pull her hair away from her face, another hand rubbing her back gently.
"Ya sure ya don't want me ta get, Donny?" Raphael asked again.
Elizabeth shook her head, blinking her eyes and trying to ignore the tears that trickled down her cheeks. She was sure she was done, her stomach seemed to have settled a little now. She turned on the sink and splashed the cool water against her face then rinsed the acidic taste out of her mouth.
"Ya want ta try an' eat somethin'?"
Elizabeth nodded slowly. She allowed Raphael to help her over to the table where she sat down, holding her head in her hands. She could hear Raphael moving around the kitchen – she had no idea that he was any good as a chef. She'd only ever seen Michelangelo preparing the meals. But in a few minutes Raphael slid a plate with a sandwich on it in front of her. He then walked to the fridge and pulled out a soda.
"I ain't da gourmet dat Mikey is – but it's more edible den what Leo makes," Raphael said with a grin as he sat down next to her.
"Leo's cooking isn't fatal," Elizabeth said quietly as she picked up the sandwich.
"Dat's cause he's only cooked fer ya once – and he got lucky. He usually burns everyting," Raphael said with a laugh.
Elizabeth shook her head and took a bite of the sandwich. Ham, lettuce, and tomato. Her mouth watered as she chewed and swallowed quickly.
"Here," Raphael said popping the lid on the soda. "It'll help settle yer stomach. I asked Donny – he said it should be fine with da baby."
Elizabeth took a sip and to her surprise felt her stomach settling as the cool liquid settled in her gut.
Raphael watched while Elizabeth ate her sandwich. When she was finished, and to her surprise, he produced another one. Elizabeth ate that one too, surprised by how hungry she was. By the time she'd finished her second sandwich and her soda her stomach had settled.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said as Raphael gathered up the plate and empty soda can.
Raphael grinned at her. "Glad ya finally ate somethin'. Ya got more color in yer cheeks now – ya don't look so pale."
Elizabeth felt embarrassed she had no doubt that her blood sugar was low what with her little selfish act last night backfiring on her and the blood loss – mix that in with the baby and she was surprised that she wasn't on an IV drip in a hospital right now.
"Da nausea gone?"
"Yeah it is, thank you, Raph. It tasted really good."
Raphael snorted but looked a little pleased that she had enjoyed it. "I'm sure Mikey coulda fixed ya up someting better but yer welcome."
He placed the plate in the sink and tossed the soda can into the garbage, Elizabeth wasn't surprised when he nailed his target, the aluminum can settling into the trash with a soft clink.
"Well," Raphael said turning back to her. "Time fer us ta get in our mornin' trainin' session."
"Oh," Elizabeth said a little awkwardly. "Oh – ok."
Raphael frowned watching her carefully for a minute. "Ya can watch if ya want."
Elizabeth's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Raphael shrugged and he walked over to help her up from her chair. He leaned in close and gave her a small peck on the forehead. "'S long as ya don't try ta kiss me in da middle of my sparrin' session with 'fearless'," he said with a grin.
Elizabeth laughed. "I'll be good."
"Come on den," Raphael said gripping her hand and leading her towards the dojo. Elizabeth squeezed his hand gently and Raphael grinned squeezing it back gently in return.
Elizabeth had never seen anything like what the turtles did before. Raphael had led her to the bench just inside the door and motioned for her to stay there. Elizabeth had seen Michelangelo's wide grin when he'd seen Raphael holding her hand. Donatello had looked mildly bemused, but Leonardo once again looked worried. Elizabeth had tried to put that aside. She really liked Leonardo, but what she had going on between Raphael was something she had to decide on. Splinter had made it clear to her that if she wanted to go back to the surface she'd have to do it soon before things escalated too far between her and Raphael, but he had said the decision was up to her. She knew that if she decided to stay here that she'd be more than welcome to stay. She knew that was the only thing that was really bothering Leonardo, but he couldn't make up her mind for her – and he certainly couldn't change the way she felt about his brother. Elizabeth settled back on the bench and watched as the four turtles began to run through a routine Elizabeth was sure they'd been doing for years.
Splinter had come in and had nodded for Leonardo to go ahead and begin. Leonardo had instructed his brothers to begin with their katas. Whatever a kata was. Elizabeth figured it probably meant complicated stretches because that is what the four of them started to do. They seemed easy at first but progressively got more complicated. Elizabeth was fascinated. All four of them moved so gracefully – but if she were to pick out the most graceful of all four she would have to admit to it being Leonardo. The way he moved his body was incredible, one fluid motion, the moves practiced throughout the years had clearly shown in his moves. But after Leonardo she would have to say Raphael came in at a close second. Raphael was very in tune with his body, and although his moves might not have been as graceful as his brother's they were more powerful. Elizabeth could see the difference between the way Leonardo and Raphael moved, Leonardo focused on execution while Raphael focused on strength.
Michelangelo, however, didn't seem to be focused on doing his katas. Instead he was purposefully messing up, pretending to trip over Donatello's foot or to slip. When Splinter cleared his throat after Michelangelo's third "mistake" he looked sheepishly at both Splinter and Leonardo and then focused on his training instead of trying to make Elizabeth laugh.
After the turtles had gone through their katas they split up into pairs, Donatello with Leonardo and Michelangelo with Raphael.
Elizabeth's eyes had widened when she'd seen the brothers pull their weapons on each other, but a warm hand had touched her knee. Startled she turned to look at Splinter wide-eyed.
"Do not fear for them, Miss Elizabeth," Splinter said gently as his sons began to spar. "They are trained well enough that they will not hurt each other."
Elizabeth nodded and turned back to the sparring match, watching Raphael and Michelangelo circle around each other.
Michelangelo's muscular arms were working his weapons… what looked like two pieces of wood connected by a small metal chain. He spun them around in circles so fast the ends of them were a blur. Raphael on the other hand had strange prong like swords. She seen pictures of them before and she was sure she'd seen them in a couple movies. What were they called? She bit her lip trying to remember their name while she watched Raphael spin them around in his hands expertly, his large fingers gripping them between the prongs as he flicked them a little and gestured with his brother, as if irking him on. Michelangelo grinned.
Raphael was the first to make his move he jabbed in to the left, using the butt end of his weapon instead of the sharp tips to try and hit Michelangelo in the side. But Michelangelo was too quick. He darted off to the side laughing a little, while Raphael growled and readjusted his grip on his weapons, his fingers curling around the handles now, his eyes narrowing dangerously and a vein on the top of his head bulging a little.
"Gonna have to be faster than that if you want to impress your girlfriend over there, Raph," Michelangelo teased with a smirk.
Growling Raphael struck out with a side kick that landed right in the middle of Michelangelo's plastron, making him fly across the room and hit the wall. Shocked Elizabeth started to get up, but a hand once again stopped her. She turned worried eyes to Splinter but he just shook his head.
"He is fine, Miss Elizabeth."
And indeed Michelangelo was getting to his feet. He picked up his weapons and he and Raphael once again started circling each other.
"Distraction is not always your best weapon, Michelangelo," Splinter called to his youngest son. "You must always be aware of your opponent's focus."
Michelangelo wiped a hand across his forehead and crouched a little bit as he and Raphael continued to circle each other. Raphael feigned a strike to Michelangelo's left but Michelangelo didn't fall for it. His bright blue eyes were focused solely on his brother now, realizing that Raphael wasn't past kicking his shell if he tried to embarrass him in front of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth watched wide-eyed as the turtles sparring match intensified. Michelangelo and Raphael went from feigning attacks to real attacks their weapons darting in and out. Sometimes they missed - but other times they didn't. Elizabeth winced when Michelangelo's weapons cracked against Raphael's shell. She had no doubt that if that had hit on flesh it would have hurt. Raphael retaliated the next time by catching the chains of Mikey's weapons with the prongs of those sword things he had and managed to tear them right out of Michelangelo's grip. He tossed them across the room and then had swiftly applied a roundhouse kick. Michelangelo managed to dodge the worst of the kick but Elizabeth still saw him wince when Raphael's leg connected with his side, the one place not protected by his shell.
When Raphael went to attack again Michelangelo dropped almost all the way to the ground, swung his leg around and then rolled away as Raphael jumped away to avoid having his legs knocked out from under him. Michelangelo scooped up his weapons and turned to face his brother again, his weapons once again whistling in his grip. He struck out at Raphael, but this time Raphael wasn't fast enough to block the blow. The blunt end of Michelangelo's weapons connected with Raphael's arm with a sound loud enough to be heard over Leonardo and Donatello's sparring.
The room was silent and still at once. Raphael gripped his arm where Michelangelo's weapon had hit it. Donatello was at his side immediately pulling at his brother's hand so he could try and see but Raphael shrugged him off.
"I'm fine, Donny."
"Are you sure, Raph?" Donatello asked, his eye ridges narrowing as he studied his brother carefully.
"Raphy, I'm sorry I didn't mean to hit you so hard," Michelangelo looked horrified.
"I think that will do for now, my sons," Splinter cut in. "Michelangelo, I would like to speak to you for a moment."
"Yes, Master Splinter," Michelangelo said he turned back to his brother. "Raph, really – I didn't mean to… "
"I'm fine, Mikey," Raphael growled. He picked up the weapon he'd dropped when Michelangelo had struck him and slid it back into his belt he had tied around his waist. He shook off Donatello again and headed for Elizabeth who was shifting her weight from foot to foot watching him anxiously.
Splinter and Michelangelo left the dojo and headed for Splinter's quarters. Donatello shook his head and slid his bo staff into its place on his back and headed for his lab. Leonardo, however, began a complicated set of katas once again, this time using his swords.
"Come on, 'Lizbeth – Leo always does a little extra trainin' after we're done and he don't like bein' disturbed."
Elizabeth followed Raphael out of the dojo.
"So what'd ya tink?" Raphael asked with a smirk as he and Elizabeth made their way to her room.
"You guys do that every day?" Elizabeth asked in awe.
Raphael chuckled. "Few times a day actually. Master Splinter used ta make us do extra trainin' sessions when we disobeyed him when we were younger." He grinned widely at her, his amber eyes flashing with amusement.
"How long have you been doing this?"
"Fer as long as I can remember. Master Splinter wanted us ta be able ta defend ourselves if we ever needed ta. And it has come in handy over da years." Raphael grimaced and rubbed at his arm again.
"You guys are really good at it. You're so fast."
"Ya gotta be – if ya execute dem moves slow den yer opponent can see what yer doin' and can block it," Raphael explained.
"Do you think… maybe… after the baby is born you could teach me some of this stuff?"
Raphael studied her carefully for several long minutes. Elizabeth felt blood flooding her cheeks but didn't look away from Raphael. If she could learn even the most basic self defense techniques then she wouldn't fell like such a victim anymore. She only hoped that Raphael would understand that.
"I ain't da best teacher here, 'Lizbeth," Raphael finally said. "Leo and Master Splinter are da best at dat stuff. But I can try if ya really want me ta do it. If not Leo or Master Splinter would be happy ta do it."
"I… I really want you," Elizabeth said blushing.
"After da baby den," Raphael said cupping her chin and staring deep into her eyes. "We'll start yer trainin'."
"Promise?" Elizabeth asked leaning in closer, her sweet breath hitting Raphael's face.
Raphael leaned in and kissed her softly. "Promise."
A/N Continued: Not too sure how I did with Splinter's personality. He is one of the characters I struggle with the most so I hope he came off ok. And yes just in case you are wondering I do know what the names of all the guys weapons are. LOL. Elizabeth doesn't. :D Not yet anyway. Hope you guys enjoyed it.