punkish furball – What up, dudes? ^.^
Words to Ponder:
Thank you for reviewing: DarkDragonessFliesEveryWhere, Black Fox Kenzie, Dark Priestess66, secret shugo chara, LostinSolitary, YunaNeko, Coryne-Akrusha, tinabug, Orihime-San, redangel2463, Kitsune's Den, Sillvog, Silversun XD, inuluvskags1, GiggleboxGirlie, crazykenz, fallingyuki, TheNotSoNiceLibrarian, Tanoshii Shurui, Speedykitten643, Blossoms of Darkness, kakashixangela, OliviaPage330 (2x), ZzSheilahzZ, RozenMaiden7, HalfBlackWolfDemon, chibi-Clar, ZeAwsumOtaku, Guest (1), Foxluna, Aryenne, OliviaPage330, Blackninja101, FortressOfFandoms, Fanfic Fan, MinecraftedPocky, animefan, The Dreamer, and Guest (2)! X3
I hope you all enjoy this latest update. I originally wanted to cut about 1500 – 2000 words (basically the entire last segment of this chapter) but decided against it. You're all overdo for a bit of Kagome/Raphael fluff. Also, to that all you Turtle Lovers, check out the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. I know I will with my Turtle Power T-shirt on! XD
Chapter 14
Raphael glared at the sliding door of the dojo where he silently passed Leonardo and took a seat at Kagome's bedside. Even though he couldn't see him clearly in the muted lighting of their home, the sight of his brother enraged Raphael to no end. He would have growled if he didn't want to disturb Kagome while she was sleeping so peacefully.
Ever since their impromptu brawl, Raphael and Leonardo haven't spoken to each other. Leonardo did try to speak to him after Kagome was deemed stable, but Raphael quickly rushed passed him before they had another violent encounter. He didn't forgive him for what happened to Kagome nor did he have any intentions to do so.
Despite his anger, Raphael acknowledged Leonardo was not solely accountable for everything that happened no matter how much he wanted to blame him for it. He took full responsibility for Kagome being kidnapped by the Foot Clan. If he wasn't so careless, the Shredder would not have tried to use her relationship with him as a means to further his own nefarious ends. However, the worst of Kagome's injuries were completely on Leonardo. He was their leader with fifteen years of ninjutsu training at his disposal so he had no excuse for being caught off guard in Raphael's opinion. He should have been able to take on the Kraang without Kagome getting involved. More importantly, he should have been able to protect her when he could not.
I'm so sorry, Kagome, thought Raphael as he brushed her bangs across her forehead although she had no idea he was beside her. That thought made him feel even worse. He would never admit it out loud, but he missed seeing her bright blue eyes, lively and happy, and hearing her speak to him in that light, pleasant voice with her tiny hand curled around his bicep.
A few days ago, Raphael wanted nothing more than for Kagome to wake up, but, now that she was, he wasn't ready to tell her how sorry he was. As long as she was asleep, Kagome couldn't reject his apologies. She couldn't say that she hated him and she never wanted to see or have anything to do with him again. On some level, Raphael knew Kagome wouldn't abandon him and their friendship so easily but couldn't help being afraid when the time came for him to actually speak to her.
Some ninja I am, he thought, once again frustrated with his fears.
Raphael stiffened when he heard Kagome abruptly mumble in her sleep, ready to bolt if she awoke. Instead of waking up, she shifted her head to the right and licked her lips, her tongue missing a thin trial of drool dribbling down her chin. Raph smiled and wiped it away with his finger as he continued his vigil. Maybe he would talk to her tomorrow.
-O0o0O-
Karai almost felt pity for the Foot soldiers her father haphazardly tossed around when they returned from last night's search. They've combed through the city several times over the last few days but didn't find hide or hair of their escaped detainee. Of course, the ninja weren't the only ones to receive reprimand from their master. Shredder was livid when Karai also returned empty handed after he dispatched her to retrieve Kagome. Still, she managed to skate away with a lesser punishment. Because she was the only one he initially sent on this mission, it was easy for Karai to alter truth in her report. She chose to tell him that the Turtles appeared and outnumbered her then retreated once they had Kagome. She didn't mention the Kraang's intrusion during her pursuit not that Shredder would care about it. He only wanted Splinter no matter what the cost.
It took all of the control Karai had not to argue with her father and his complete and total disregard of the threat the alien race presented. The Kraang showed up unexpectedly at every turn, interfering with the Foot's hunt for Hamato Yoshi and making mutants that popped up all over Manhattan. They even turned his highest ranked men into monsters, and he simply did not care.
It's a mistake to underestimate the Kraang, Karai thought with a huff, I'll find out more about them and what they're up to even if I have to do it on my own.
She suddenly got an idea. Perhaps she didn't have to investigate the aliens alone. The Turtles were fighting the Kraang along with their new female friend who could reduce them to smoldering cinders with her interesting little light show. Karai didn't mention that oddity to the Shredder either.
"Karai!" Shredder shouted, instantly gaining her attention, "I hope you thought of something useful during your silence."
Karai nodded and answered, "We have reconnaissance teams stationed at the restaurant and her high school watching the premises. They haven't seen her or the Turtles hanging around, only that redhead they captured before. They likely went into hiding as soon as they reunited."
"Damn them!" the Shredder hissed, turning away from his daughter and silently dismissed her. Instead of leaving, Karai decided to try and get him to see the merit in her reasoning again.
"Father," she began, "if I may say so, I think now would be a good time to concentrate our efforts on the Kraang with the Turtles in hiding."
"Absolutely not!" he shouted, "I will not allow your fixation with that fool race to deter us from our true goal. I will have my vengeance! You will not stand in the way of that!"
"I'm aware of that, but the Turtles are out there fighting the Kraang as we speak!" Karai insisted, "We'll find them and Hamato if we just—"
"Stop! I will hear no more talk on the Kraang. Is that clear, Karai?"
Karai bit her cheek before she obediently replied, "Yes, father."
Shredder nodded. "See that it remains so."
When she was dismissed again, Karai left the audience chamber with a plan forming behind her hard, hazel eyes. She should have known nothing would come from trying to change her father's mind, but she wouldn't be dissuaded from her beliefs so easily. After all, what was the point of coming all the way to New York to find Splinter if the city was destroyed before they located him? The only ones doing something to prevent that were the Turtles with what little resources they had. Karai supposed if they had a little helping hand, they could easily dispatch the Kraang, and she knew of only one way for them to get it.
I guess that means I have to play nice long enough to get the Kraang out of the picture, she mused.
She and Leonardo might have had a bad run-in when she was pursing Kagome, but Karai was sure she could gloss it over with a little work on her part. After all, she did let the novice kunoichi go even if she was in less than mint condition when Leo took her.
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes will probably put in a good word for me anyway, Karai thought with a scoff. She always despised that type of girl, the kind who played innocent and sweet to hide who they really were and what they were really after.
Leonardo's brothers and that ginger girl, whatever her name was, would be a different story. The rowdy one, Raphael she recalled, would be the hardest one for her to convince. He already didn't like her and definitely would not be her biggest fan after what happened between her and his pretty little girlfriend even if Kagome put in a good word for her.
I can't plan for every little thing that might go away. I'll just have to contact them and see what happens.
One thing Karai knew for sure was, if she wanted to find the Turtles' lair, she had to start hunting the Kraang.
-O0o0O-
Kagome moaned as she felt her body drift into wakefulness. She didn't like being confined to this bed while she recovered from her injuries but still wasn't ready to get up.
"Come on!" a playful voice sang to her, "It's time to get up! Wake-y, wake-y, eggs and bake-y!"
"Alright! I'm up," she replied, her voice raspy from sleep, and opened her eyes.
Michelangelo grinned as he stood over her and waved. "Good morning, sleepy head. So how'd you sleep last night?"
"Fine, thank you," Kagome answered, smiling once she wiped the sleep from her eyes. She tried to sit up and managed to do so when Mikey reached over and helped her.
"Cool. So I'm about to make breakfast. How do you like your eggs?" he asked, "Scrambled, over easy, sunny side up, Benedict, in-a-hole?"
Kagome giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. She didn't even know eggs could be prepared so many different ways.
"How about scrambled with cheese and a stack of pancakes?" she suggested, hoping she wasn't asking for too much.
"Alright," Mikey cheerfully answered, making Kagome's worries instantly vanish, "Bacon or sausage?"
"Both?" Kagome responded with a shrug. The turtle in front of her beamed before he quickly stood to his feet.
"You got it! Be right back as soon as it's done."
"Wait!" Kagome called out before Michelangelo could leave.
"Sup?" he addressed her stopping before he reached the doorway.
"Would you mind if I helped you?" Kagome asked, somewhat sheepish. For good measure, she added, "All I need you to do is tote me to the kitchen." It wasn't long before she was scooped from her bedroll into the arms of a very happy turtle.
"You are awesome, Kagome!" Michelangelo exclaimed, "No one ever offers to help me cook!"
"I like you too, Mikey," she admitted with grin, "You're my favorite Turtle Toter!"
When the two of them reached the kitchen, Michelangelo set Kagome up in a stool placed at the counter with a pillow he retrieved from the den behind her back for added support. Once she was settled, Kagome did most of the prep work with Michelangelo passing her whatever utensil or ingredient she needed while he manned the stove. The bubbly turtle spoke to her nonstop while they cooked not that it bothered Kagome. Unlike Donatello or Leonardo, Mikey wasn't overly concerned with her injuries or how she got them, and she was immensely grateful to have his company. Unfortunately, this respite came to a quick end.
"What are you doing?" Leonardo shouted as he entered the kitchen.
"Morning, Leo!" Michelangelo greeted him, waving at him over his shoulder, "I'm making breakfast. It's almost ready so pop a squat, dude."
Leonardo vigorously shook his head. "I didn't mean that. What is Kagome doing out of bed?"
Kagome's eyebrow twitched and said, interjecting before Mikey could react, "You do know I'm right here, so ask me if you want to know so badly."
"Sorry," Leo quickly apologized, but his tone remained firm, "but you still need to be in bed. You're not well enough to move around so much."
"Then it's good thing I have my favorite Turtle Toter to help me out with whatever I need," Kagome quipped with a smug grin.
"Turtle Toter?" he repeated, curious.
"It's an insider, bro," Mikey said as he stopped cooking and began to arrange the food on the counter, "You had to be there."
Leonardo rolled his eyes, but Kagome caught sight of the gesture and sighed.
"Leo, I will go nuts if I stay in that room all night and all day. I can handle leaving for a few hours and promise I won't overdo it," she told him.
"Fine, I get it," Leonardo relented, "but you need to be with someone at all times in case something does happen. And you have to let us know as soon as you feel like you need to rest again."
Kagome groaned and absently wondered if InuYasha felt like this when she insisted he take it easy after he was critically injured. She shuddered to think what could happen if Leonardo could use the sit command to subdue her whenever he wanted.
"If you insist," she conceded and turned away from him to hide her pout.
Leo grinned and took a seat beside her. "I knew you'd see it my way."
"Don't let it get to your head, Turtle Boy," she said with a snort, "Next time it won't be so easy. You're not the boss of me."
"We'll see about that," he countered, "In case you haven't heard, I'm the leader of our team, so I say as long as you're here you have to do what I tell you."
Kagome rolled her eyes but was inwardly quite pleased. Leonardo didn't seem as concerned with his guilt as he did before. Still, she couldn't have him getting too cocky.
"Fat chance, Turtle Boy!"
"Play nice, you two," Michelangelo scolded, his playful tone belaying his true intentions, "Food's up!"
Leonardo stood and fixed a plate for Kagome before he served himself and returned to his spot next to her. Michelangelo did the same before he occupied the empty place on Kagome's left. Once they started to eat, Donatello and Master Splinter joined them for the morning meal leaving one family member noticeably absent.
"You are looking much better," Splinter stated, "I'm glad to see you are up and out of the dojo."
"So am I," she replied with a nod and snuck a pointed look at Leonardo. She smirked when he tried to ignore it.
"I still want to give you a quick checkup after breakfast. If you want to keep up your recovery, we have to continue monitoring your progress as closely as possible," Donatello said, "Are your muscles still sore? Did you try moving them?"
"A little on both counts," she answered, "Michelangelo carried me to the kitchen, so I haven't been directly on my feet yet."
"Yep! Looking out like Turtle Toter do!" Mikey exclaimed, making Kagome giggle.
Donatello rolled his eyes and shook his head before he told Kagome, "I'll do something for that during your checkup if you still feel uncomfortable."
Before the conversation could continue, Michelangelo abruptly cried out, "Sup, Raph! Grab some breakfast, bro!"
In an instant, everyone paused and looked at the entrance. Raphael was standing there, paused midstride with his left foot still in the air. His emerald eyes were wide and focused totally on Kagome. Her gaze mirrored his, surprised but excited to see him even if he was only absent for a few days.
For several seconds, no one said a word to break the immensely tense atmosphere that settled around them. Then, just as Kagome lifted her hand to reach for him, Raphael turned and left as quickly as he appeared.
When he was gone, Kagome's breath hitched as she slowly lowered her hand to her lap, light gripping the hem of her T-shirt. She held her breath to keep the pitiful sound from escaping her throat and the moisture from building up in the wells of her eyes. Her efforts failed when a tear fell on the back of her hand and a small gasp escaped her lips.
"Awkward," Michelangelo whispered then yelped when Leonardo reached behind Kagome's back and knocked him off his chair. Now was not the time for such a careless remark.
"Kagome—" he began but wasn't sure what to say.
"Donatello," Kagome interjected before Leonardo could continue, "I'm ready for that checkup if you are." She looked at him with painfully fake smile so large it threatened to crack her face in two.
"Sure," he quietly answered as he pushed himself away from the table and stood.
Kagome nodded and lowered her gaze back to her lap, closing her eyes to keep her tears at bay. She didn't register being picked up and cradled to a warm, conspicuously unshelled chest. The only thing she was aware of was how much Raphael departure has hurt her.
"Hey, Leo, do you think we should go after him?" Mikey asked once he and his brother were the only two that remained.
Leonardo shook his head, staring at the kitchen's exit with an expression of complete disgust.
"No. Let him go," he said before he left himself without making his destination clear.
Michelangelo appeared unsure about the decision obviously made in anger but believed it would be best if he followed what Leonardo told him. With a sigh, he stood and started to clean up. He may have had a helping hand when he prepared breakfast, but, like always, he performed this part of their morning meal by himself.
-O0o0O-
Donatello frowned as he assessed Kagome's healing wounds, trying to forget what happened earlier and focus on his work. The only thing he was certain of was that he definitely had more to talk about with April once she came by after school. If Kagome was still somber when she arrived, the redhead would want to know why.
Donatello began his examination by unwrapping the wounds on Kagome's torso but only revealing enough of her skin so she didn't have to disrobe completely. There was no sign of infection, and her skin was mending nicely with the surrounding bruises shrinking in size. He noted that the bandages and packing weren't heavily stained with blood or drainage, so he decided to leave them in place for another day.
Once her most serious injury was taken care of, Donatello moved on to Kagome's other wrapped injuries. She winced as he continued but was less affected by his poking and prodding. When Donnie finished, he was pleased to see Kagome was physically stable and healthy, but it seemed her emotional wellbeing was fragile. Unlike before, she quietly sat where Master Splinter placed her looking at her lap and tentatively reaching up to rub her eyes. Also, unlike her last examination, Splinterstood beside Kagome watching her protectively.
"All done," Donatello announced, "You're recovering very well. Much faster than I expected. "
Finally, Kagome looked up and said, "That's good. I've always been a fast healer."
"Of course, I still want you to stay off your feet for the next few days," he added, "I didn't use any sutures when I closed your wounds, but dehisce is still a viable possibility. They can still be reopened if you push yourself too soon."
"I understand," Kagome replied, having given a variation of Donnie's speech more times than she could count, "But I've been meaning to ask you something. When exactly do you think I'll be well enough to leave? Not that I don't appreciate the hospitality because I really do, but I don't want to overstay my welcome."
Donatello grimaced. Just when Kagome seemed to be putting what happened earlier behind her, he had to give her something else to stress her out.
"Taking you back to Murakami-san's isn't exactly dependent on your health, Kagome."
"Huh?" Kagome mumbled, "Then what is it dependent on?"
"Kagome, it is very fortunate that you were about to escape the Shredder, but he is not one to simply let such an incident go. He will use of all of his resources to find you especially since he believes locating you will lead to me," Splinter explained, speaking for the first time since the three of them left the kitchen, "And now, his assumption is truth."
"So he's after me?" Kagome asked, incredulous, "What about my home and my uncle? The Shredder has already taken him hostage. What's to stop him from hurting him again?"
"Don't worry," Donnie said, "This wasn't the first time Murakami-san was targeted by the Foot."
"Really? This has happened before?" Kagome uttered. If Donatello's aim was to assuage her worries, he wasn't going about it the right way.
Donnie nodded. "But this time April's been going by the restaurant every day to check on him, and we've stopped by on our nightly patrols to do the same. We did see the Foot Clan's ninja in the area, but there weren't many of them and they haven't made contact with Murakami-san again. April said she also spotted them around your school. We think they are looking for you along with us."
Kagome shook her head in disbelief. "So what am I supposed to do? Stay down here and hide until they do something?"
"For now. It is for your own protection and that of those you love," Splinter responded, "And I believe the Shredder is unlikely to try the tactic a third time if his clan do not report seeing you with your uncle. I'm sure he's already aware he does not know the location of the lair."
"I understand," Kagome admitted with a nod, "I'll stay put."
She didn't like it, but Donatello and Splinter were right. Staying hidden was the best move for her to make. Leaving the sewers would not only endanger her but Murakami, April, the Turtles, and Master Splinter as well.
I don't have any reason to worry about as long as I stay here. They've all managed to stay hidden for so long and know the Shredder and his methods much better than I do. I can trust them. Everyone's perfectly capable of keeping me safe, thought Kagome. Then she frowned, feeling bitter.
At least, everyone who could stand to be in the same room as me.
Kagome shook her head and chose not to think about Raphael when she already had enough to deal with. She decided to give the turtle the benefit of the doubt and assume he needed a bit more time before he was ready to confront her. She was upset, much more than upset, but didn't mind waiting if she didn't have another choice. InuYasha was the same way when something like this happened.
Then again, my turtle seems a great deal sadder about this than he would be. He and InuYasha aren't really that alike, she thought with a small, somber smile. For some reason, thinking about her hanyō friend didn't elicit the same distraught response her memories of the past usually did. Maybe she didn't have to keep them so far away anymore.
"Kagome?" Donatello asked when she failed to respond to him, "Are you still with us?"
"Oh? I was just thinking. I didn't mean to space out on you," Kagome confessed, awkwardly wringing the hem of her shirt.
"No problem. But are you okay? Do you need anything?" he asked, "I still haven't done anything for your soreness. Is that what's bothering you?"
"Nothing like that. I feel better than ever," she stated, "But, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to call Murakami-ji-chan and let him know everything that's happened if you think it would be safe for me to contact him." She paused, thoughtful. Kagome hasn't been able to speak to her family back in Japan either with her mobile destroyed, and she usually called her mother two or three times a week. If she couldn't call them herself, she knew Murakami would gladly relay any messages she had and hoped her family didn't worry about this latest development too much.
"Don't worry. After you told me and April about your phone, I made you one of these." Donatello grinned and held out a mobile shaped like a turtle shell with an embedded touch screen. "It's one of my custom built T-phones. You can use it for calling and texting just like your old phone, but I think it would be safer if you didn't call Murakami-san directly in case there are wire taps in place."
"How cute!" Kagome cried as she accepted it. She curiously turned the device over in her hands to examine it. The phone was much more advanced than the mobile she lost, but she could probably figure it out with all the free time she recently acquired.
"You made this all by yourself?" she asked, amazed.
"It was nothing really," Donnie said with a shrug and a blush, "I just put it together from some spare parts I had. I also programmed all of our contact information in it, so you can reach us at any time."
"Really? Then, once I add my old contacts to those, I'll have a grand total of ten."
"Ten?" the turtle repeated in disbelief, "Did you account for April's number? I added already it."
Kagome nodded. "Turtles plus April makes five contacts already programmed. Then I'll add the number for Subarashii Tabemono, Murakami-ji-chan's apartment line, my family's shrine in Tokyo, Kaa-san's cellphone number, and my little brother's."
"Well, you're all clear for international calls," Donnie informed her, "Luckily, it doesn't seem like you'll have to make many of them."
"Thanks, Donnie-kun," Kagome said, beaming as she praised the blushing turtle.
"No problem," he replied, "Now that we have the phone calls taken care of, need anything else?"
"Well, again if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to have a bath," Kagome requested. Her body odor wasn't horrible, but she was painfully aware that she hasn't washed in a few days and couldn't stand it.
"No trouble at all. We have a bathroom renovated from an old restroom not far from here, and April brought you a few changes of clothes for Murakami-san's. I'll grab them and take you to get your bath." Donatello quickly added. "So you can wash yourself! I'll be close in case you need me but not close enough to see anything! It should also help with your soreness. If not, I'll treat that as soon as you're done."
"Sounds good to me. I'd like to do it as soon as we can."
"You got it. Is there anything you needed, sensei? You've been pretty quiet."
"Not at all," he said, "The two of you please proceed without me. I'll be nearby."
Master Splinter was silent as they walked away. Like Kagome, he too was occupied with his thoughts and was willing to bet that they were both thinking about the same person. He mentally debated whether or not he should have another talk with Raphael. He only spoke with him about Kagome once knowing, if he pressed the issue beyond that, Raphael would only withdraw further and turn to rage in his frustration. Currently, there were two aspects of his son's character competing with each other and tearing him apart until he decided what to do about this situation: his need to rush in and quickly rid himself of any obstacle and his guilt for harming someone close to him. He knew Raphael was still hurting after was happened, but Kagome was deeply heartbroken as well even more so by his actions that what actually befell her.
Splinter understood why Raphael was so upset. Someone dear to him was targeted by his enemy, and he blamed himself for it. He too felt that sorrow for his beloved Tang Shen leading right to the moment when she died and long after she passed away. That pain was unbearable, indescribable by words alone, but it seemed to make Raphael overlooked one important factor. Kagome was still alive and still waiting for him.
-O0o0O-
Michelangelo gulped as he stood in front of Raphael's bedroom. Leonardo told him they shouldn't bother talking to him about Kagome, but he couldn't help it. He was a ninja and a Turtle Toter, so he couldn't ignore a girl who he really liked and wanted to befriend especially when she cried and fault so hard to hide it.
It's now or never, dude, he thought before he knocked, softly at first then much louder. He stepped away when he heard the creak of Raphael's bed as his brother stood up, groaning until he finally opened the door.
"What do you want, Mikey?" he asked, tired and exasperated.
Mikey took a deep breath before he spoke. He'd been practicing what he should say before he decided to act, so he was sure he would say the right thing.
"It's not about what I want. It's what your lady wants from you, bro."
The first indication Michelangelo made a mistake was the painfully blank expression on Raphael's face quickly followed by an irritated twitch of his left eye. The second indication was the prompt slamming of Raph's bedroom door. Mikey expected this and placed his foot in the way, cringing at the impact. However, Raphael seemed adamant about ignoring the swollen and throbbing obstruction and continued pushing the door against Mikey's foot.
"Just hear me out, Raph!" he rasped between his clenched teeth, "No one cares about you and Kagome and your relationship—"
"We don't have any relationship!"
"Regardless!" Mikey insisted, "Kagome's really cool, so you should talk to her. Don't make her cry anymore, Raph!"
Raphael instantly stilled, and Mikey's foot was forever grateful that the painful pressure was gone.
"She's crying?"
"Only 'cause she misses you! A lady's heart is fragile thing, and you have to be careful with it. It doesn't take much before squish, squish." As Mikey spoke, he held up his palm and repeatedly closed his fingers over it.
After several silent moments, Raphael reached out and placed his hand on top of Michelangelo's head. Mikey held his breath and waited. Any benign gesture from Raphael could quickly turn sour. He only relaxed when he rubbed his head like he usually did.
"Thanks, little bro," Raph said before he pulled his hand away.
Mikey grinned and told him, "That last I saw, Kagome was with Donnie in his lab."
Raphael nodded and departed, feeling more like an idiot with each step. He was guilty of many things concerning Kagome, but he never intended to make her cry. But, when he saw her in the kitchen sitting there and staring right at him, he froze, not knowing what to say or do around his family. In the end, he could only flee from his problem.
When he reached his destination, Raphael peeked inside to see Kagome seated on top a lab table with a cushion under her bottom and her back facing him. She changed out of the clothes she wore this morning into a fresh T-shirt and a pair of oversized boxer shorts, and her hands were busy easing out the tangles in her curling, wet locks. Donatello was standing next to her.
"Sorry, but it looks like we don't have a hair brush," he told her.
"Well, you are all bald except for Master Splinter, so it's totally understandable," she said without stopping.
Raphael smirked despite himself. That was a typical Kagome response.
The right side of Donatello's mask twitched upward. "Do you still want my help or not?"
"I'll choose this time to hold my silence."
Donatello grinned and reached for his first aid kit. When he turned away from Kagome, he caught Raph's eye in the doorway and dropped his jaw, making an odd gurgling noise in the back of his throat.
"You okay, Donnie?" Kagome asked when she noticed his strange behavior.
"Yeah," he absently answered, "Just make yourself comfortable, and I'll be right back."
Kagome nodded as the turtle left and began working on her hair again. When he was certain she was occupied, Donnie quickly left his lab and pulled Raph aside where Kagome couldn't look over and see them.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered.
"I came to talk to Kagome. Give us a minute alone," Raphael requested, trying to keep his voice from sounding as rough as it ordinarily did.
"Can't it wait? She still needs treatment," Donnie insisted.
Raphael growled, "Just give me a few minutes."
Donatello sighed but stepped away from the doorway to let Raphael in. He said as he walked away, "Just make it quick."
After taking a deep, calming breath, Raphael approached the table where Kagome sat. Her back was still to him as she hummed with her eyes closed. To get her attention, he cleared his throat, somewhat hesitant. She turned around and looked at him, gasping as her eyes quickly found his. Raphael felt the urge to run when her eyes misted over as though she was going to cry but held his ground. Kagome must have recognized his need to leave because her hand shot out and grabbed Raphael's hand, her tiny fingers loosely grasping his wrist giving him enough leeway if he chose to leave. Instead, he maneuvered his hand so that he held hers in his three large fingers.
"Hey, stranga. You're not gonna run are you?" Kagome jokingly asked.
Raphael winced at the implication even though she wasn't being serious. "No. Listen, Kagome, I—"
"I know," she interrupted, reaching up with her free hand and placing a finger over his lips, "It's okay. I understand."
"Really? That's it?" he asked.
Raph never felt such a bizarre combination of relief and irritation. Granted, he didn't prepare to say anything specific for his apology, but he couldn't help feeling gypped unable to say how he really felt.
"Do you want there to be more?" Kagome questioned, still smiling. Her grin was infectious as he began to smile with her.
I guess is doesn't really matter when she looks at me like that, he thought, satisfied that Kagome was happy.
"Guess I don't."
"Good because I'd rather put this incident behind us."
With a gentle tug, Kagome pulled Raphael next to her with no resistance. She turned toward him and placed her palm on his chest lightly tracing the grooves of his shell as she hummed, content to have her friend back. Half expecting what Kagome intended, Raphael leaned closer to her as well, blushing while his heart hammered in his chest. Being with Kagome like this in the lair was much different than being in her bedroom. Anyone could walk in and interrupt them while they were together here. It would take some getting used to.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Kagome inquired knowing Raphael's focus had shifted. She didn't mind and leaned against him absently playing with the ragged ends of his mask with one hand while the other still rested on his chest.
"It's nothing," he replied, "I just think you're looking much better than before. I'm glad."
Kagome snorted. "I look like a shaggy black caterpillar."
"A pretty caterpillar?" he proposed, grinning when she began to giggle.
Once Kagome composed herself, she linked her arms around Raphael's neck. He initially stiffened but relaxed in her hold like he always did. The time between the two reactions shortened significantly. Kagome closed her eyes and tightened her grip. She missed him so much. Now that the two of them were on better terms, the thought of going into hiding in the sewers seemed so much easier to endure.
"Raph?" she addressed him.
"Yeah, K?"
Kagome timidly loosened her hold and pulled away from Raph enough to push herself up and press a tender kiss to the corner of his mouth, lingering when Raphael slowly placed his arm around her waist to keep her there. His breathing changed to a shallow and quickened pace matching the rapid beat of her heart. Kagome was absolutely sure Raphael was going to do something, something earth-shattering and new, but the two of them instinctively jumped apart when they heard a loud crash behind them. Panting from the adrenaline rush caused by their close encounter and the sudden interruption, Raphael and Kagome looked at the lab's entrance and saw the guilty faces of Donatello, Michelangelo, and April in a tangled pile of teenagers and turtles.
-O0o0O-
punkish furball – Reunited, and it feels so good~! I for one am glad Raphael and Kagome are back together even if Raph was cheated out of a completely heartfelt apology (purposely?). Now the two of them have to worry about being caught in the lair. Until next time, TCB! ^.^
(revised 08.27.2014)