Here you go, MysteriousMidnightLover! I hope you like it!

Hard-Earned Trust, Unveiled Love
Requested By: MysteriousMidnightLover
Anime: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012-15

Reader:
Redd
Female
15
Orange-red fur, long bangs that cover eyes or are parted down middle and tucked behind ears, Amber eyes, Slight curves, C-cup, 5'4", White tank top and jean shorts
Orphan who met the turtles on the streets after she got mutated
Fox mutant
Great fighter, strong, sarcastic, very perceptive, takes a lot for her to trust you

Character:
Leonardo Hamato
Male
16
Green skin, Brown carapace, Light brown plastron, Blue bandana, Blue eyes, Twin katana, Brown elbow and knee pads
Brothers, Father/Sensei
Ninjutsu

Plot: Redd meets the turtles while they're out on patrol.
Relationship: In the making
Word Count: 2,355

Redd sighed to herself as she curled into a ball. It was a cool New York night, and her clothing, a white tank top and jean shorts, didn't provide much warmth. Thankfully, her entire body was covered in thick, orange-red fur, which helped ward off some of the night breeze. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough: hence the reason she was pressing her back against a heater.

Another sigh passed her lips. Not quite ready to resign herself to sleep, her amber eyes trailed up to stare at what stars could be seen. Of course, she wasn't actually seeing them. Her eyes glazed over as memories flooded her mind.

'I never knew my parents. As long as I can remember, I was alone. A lone wolf… that's what they called me. Even though I was surrounded with people… I never connected with any of them. All I wanted was a family. People whom I could truly trust. I thought I had found that… but it turns out I was wrong.

'The men that 'adopted' me turned out to be dimensional-traveling aliens who were bent on world-domination.' Redd scoffed to herself, scratching her claws on the roof out of reflex. 'Figures.' She looked down at her arms, remembering all the torture and pain she had gone through. Once she had been changed, she knew she could never go back to the orphanage. So she was left with only one option: live on the streets.

It had been hard. She had only been ten at the time. Now, five years older biologically and at least twice that in wisdom and toughness, she ruled the streets. She knew how to swipe food from stands behind peoples' backs. No one noticed her. No one knew she existed. Redd was content with that.

At least… that's what she told herself.

The fox mutant shook her head, stretching. "What am I thinking? I'm such an idiot." She sat down roughly, scratching at her hair. It reached her waist, and the only care it got was when she went swimming in the nearest river or lake.

Sighing for the umpteenth time, she rested her head against the heater. "Still… I have to wonder…" Her eyes glassed over slightly. "If there's anyone out there who would ever truly care about me." Sounds from the alley below snapped her from her thoughts.

Creeping over to the side, she looked down to see some Purple Dragons sneaking through the alley. Redd smirked to herself. Cracking her knuckles, she jumped over the edge.

苦労して得た信頼、発表愛

Leonardo and his brothers jumped across the rooftops. They were out on patrol, and so far, nothing had happened. Raphael was itching for a fight, and Leo knew he didn't care who it was with at this point. The leader glanced over his shoulder at the hothead.

'I can't believe I'm thinking this, but please let some Kraang or Foot or something be out here or I'm going to have to fight Raphael all night!'

His prayer was heard.

Just as they jumped across an alley, sounds of fighting reached their ears. Raphael didn't hesitate before running in that direction. His brothers followed close behind. They skidded to a stop, overlooking the conflict. They didn't expect what they saw. A mutant girl was beating up some Purple Dragons. Abandoned loot was strewn all over the alley. Leo shook his head, directing his attention from what the punks tried to steal to their attacker.

She appeared no older than them. Her clothing was… inappropriate for a fall New York night. However, her entire body was covered in orange-red fur. Her hair was the same color, and it flew around as she easily dispatched the street punks.

For once, Raphael didn't jump down and join in on the fight. Instead, he waited till she had finished before jumping down the fire escape. The girl whirled, her amber eyes widening at the sight of four mutant turtles landing behind her. Leo stepped up, a smile on his face so as to appear less threatening.

"Hi, there. My name is Leonardo." She took a step back. Leo didn't raise his voice, instead keeping it at a low, hopefully comforting, tone. "What's yours?" Instead of talking, she ran. Leo reached out for her.

"Hey wait!" She vanished around the corner. Leo and his brothers followed, but she had disappeared. Mikey looked over his shoulder.

"Who was that girl?"

"I don't know Mikey." Leo sighed. "C'mon guys. Let's go home." As Raphael lifted the manhole cover, Leo looked up to the roof in time to see a flash of red. 'Who are you?'

苦労して得た信頼、発表愛

Redd narrowed her eyes at the turtle mutant standing three yards in front of her. He had been standing at the edge of the roof for an hour now… waiting. She knew exactly for whom. What she didn't know… was why. Deciding to find out, she slowly crept from the shadows of the adjoining roof.

Leo turned around at the sound of the crunch of snow underfoot. He smiled softly at the sight of the person he had been waiting for crouching nine feet away. Slowly, he sat down and tossed the package he was holding towards her. It landed halfway in between them.

"Hey there. Do you remember me? We met in that alley about a month ago." She nodded slowly. Her eyes flashed from him to the package. "That's a snow jacket." Her head snapped up sharply, eyes wide in surprise.

"Is this… for me?" Leo blinked in surprise at the fact that she had actually talked to him. Mentally shaking himself, he nodded.

"Yeah. I asked a friend of mine if she had any snow jackets she didn't want anymore. I hope it fits." The girl crept on all fours towards the bag. Leaning her head down, she sniffed at it without taking her eyes off him.

"It… smells like a human." Leo nodded.

"The friend I got that from is a human girl." The mutant girl's eyes widened.

"You're… friends… with a human?" Leo snickered.

"Yeah. Hard to believe, huh?" She didn't respond. Not wanting to overstay his welcome, Leo stood. The action sent her springing back.

"Well, I'd better be going. My brothers are going to be wondering where I got off to if I don't get back. See ya." He had just prepared to jump when she spoke again.

"Redd."

"Huh?" He turned around, tilting his head in confusion. She was sitting on the roof, her legs pulled up to her chest like a dog.

"Last time we met, you asked for my name. It's Redd." Leo smiled.

"It's a pleasure, Redd. I'll see ya around." He jumped off the roof, not looking back. Redd watched him go, before turning her attention to the package he had left.

Opening it, she saw it really was a snow jacket. Pulling it out, she found it fit perfectly. Her fur scraped against the lining on the inside of the sleeves. It felt nice. What the jacket had been wrapped in, was a woolen blanket.

"Thank you… Leonardo."

苦労して得た信頼、発表愛

Redd grunted when her back forcefully slammed into the wall. Shaking her head, she involuntarily gasped when she saw the ninja bearing down on her. Rolling, she barely missed the swipe of his sword. She skidded to a stop, using the last of the momentum to propel her forwards into him. Her feet slammed into his back, returning the favor.

As she landed, one of the other ninjas hooked her shoulder with his kusarigama. A shout of pain ripped from her throat as the tip dug into her flesh when he tugged backwards. Redd was thrown onto her back as her captor reeled her in like a fish on a line. Suddenly, the connection was lost. Redd collapsed to the ground, tilting her head back so she could see. Her eyes widened at the sight of a very familiar brown shell and green skin.

"Leo…"

"Redd! Are you alright?" Leo punched the ninja in the face, sending him flying. Sheathing his katana, he ran over to her, helping her turn over. His eyes widened at the sight of her wound. "Ah geez."

"I'm alright." The fox mutant tried to stand, but her legs crumbled. Leo caught her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Redd was thankful her face was already red from her fur. They stood together, looking up at their remaining opponents. There were far too many to fight. Leo probably could have done it, but with Redd in the condition she was, that was out of the question.

"Redd… do you trust me?" The fox mutant froze, staring up at him. Leo wasn't looking at her. Even so, she stared at his eyes, trying to see if he was pulling her chain.

They had met repeatedly over the past six months. At first, it was fleeting glimpses. But when they fought together for the first time, Redd had stayed long enough to learn something about him. After that, their interactions became for frequent and extended.

Leo had long since figured out that trust wasn't exactly second nature to Redd, so he had never directly asked if she trusted him. In fact, he had never approached the subject. Nevertheless, he had been very persistent, and yet patient, in getting to know Redd. Something… she found herself attracted to.

The feelings of late she had been feeling towards the mutant ninja turtle were… different. She had heard people talking about what it was like to, well, like someone, but she didn't think she was capable of that. After years on the street, alone, she hadn't really ever put thought to liking someone. Besides the fact that no one could ever like her. Her appearance alone made that certain.

So for him to just come out and ask her something like that, especially at a time like this, she knew he was serious. Realizing she had zoned out, Redd looked back at their opponents. The black ninjas, Foot, as Leo called them, had surrounded them. The pain in her shoulder told her she wasn't able to continue fighting. She wouldn't be conscious for much longer if she didn't get it bandaged. Swallowing… Redd nodded.

"Yes. I trust you." Leo felt like his heart stopped beating. He smiled.

"Then hold onto me." Redd gasped as he picked her up bridal style. Out of reflex, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Feeling him gather himself for a jump, she tried to take as much weight off of his torso as she could.

Leo smiled softly as he flew across the rooftops. Even while carrying Redd, he easily outpaced the Foot ninja. Looking down at her, he realized he needed to pick up the pace if he wanted to bandage her while she was still conscious. Thankfully, a truck was speeding down the street. Leo jumped off the roof, landing perfectly on the top of the eighteen-wheeler's trailer. Sighing in relief as the Foot ninja were left in the dust, he waited till the truck came to a stop before jumping off onto the nearest building.

"Redd? Hey." Redd slowly blinked her eyes open, looking up at him. Leo smiled softly, sitting down with her in his lap. "We're safe now." She looked around, her eyes wide.

"Wow. You're really fast." Leo chuckled, unconsciously tightening his grip on Redd.

"Well, I am a ninja." Redd snorted softly, resting more of her weight on him. Her eyes widened when she realized what she was doing.

"Sorry."

"I don't mind." Redd sighed, looking away from him.

"You're just saying that because I'm hurt." Leo sighed, lifting a hand. He took off the bandages around his hand, using them to wrap her shoulder.

"Not just that. I'm saying that because I really don't mind." He tied the bandages, using his now free hand to tilt her head up. He saw the disbelief in her eyes.

"Why don't you mind?"

"Because… I care about you." Leo blushed, but didn't avert his gaze. "A lot." Redd's eyes widened.

"You… you do?" Leo nodded. She smiled softly, lifting a hand to take his. "I… I care about you too."

Smiling, Leo started to dip his head. Redd met him halfway, their lips meeting softly. After a few moments, they pulled away, looking in each other's eyes. At the same time, they leaned back in, their lips meeting with more confidence this time.

Leo tightened his fingers around Redd's. She lifted a hand, resting it on his cheek. Encouraged by the development, Leo decided to try something he had seen on TV. Slowly, carefully, he began to open and close his lips against hers. His heart froze when she started doing the same thing.

They didn't know how much time had passed, but, eventually, they had to breathe. They pulled apart, panting. Redd searched Leo's eyes, only finding genuine love and care. Something she had never seen before, but always wanted to.

"You… really do care about me, don't you, Leo?" Leo nodded, resting his forehead on hers.

"Yeah." He smiled.

"Do... do you mind if I ask why you tried so hard?" He snickered softly.

"I tried so hard because I wanted you to see that there was someone out there that cared about you. You had given up hope, and I wanted to give it back to you." Redd smiled, feeling tears of joy prick at her eyes. "Your trust was hard-earned, but I eventually did it, didn't I?"

"Yeah… Yeah you did." Leo smiled, tilting his head to press a soft kiss to her lips again. "And it unveiled another secret." He laughed. "I have a favor to ask, though."

"What is it?"

"Think you can introduce me to your family sometime?" Leo's eyes widened, before a childish-like joy-filled grin split his face.

"All you had to do was ask." He picked her up, jumping down the fire escape. "I'll warn you though. Raphael can be a bit of a pain, and Michelangelo will chew your ears off." Redd laughed, kissing his cheek.

"With you by my side… I think I can handle it."

Requests are still closed. Sorry about that, but I'm really far behind. The fault for that lies with me being an absolute procrastinator. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a few more up this weekend.