Hi guys! So this has been a long time in the making, but here's Chapter 12! Finally, right? Anyways, I hope you enjoy!
And, concerning the poll for who Fallyn is going to be with, you'll just have to check my profile for the results. *taps fingers together like evil warlord* What? *shrugs innocently* Just ignore my maniacal laughing and read the chapter, 'kay?
Note: There are three songs later on, in this order: Nella Fantasia, Someday, and Sing Out. All are sung by Chloë Agnew. The last one is sung with Órla, Méav, and Lisa of Celtic Woman as well. I have changed the names, but kept hair color and lyrics sung.
All are the live performance versions, instead of the recorded album. I would suggest listening to them or have YouTube playing while reading. I find it makes for a better experience. Thank you and enjoy!
Chapter 12: Sais, Swords, and Songs
Leo stretched, sitting up in bed. Groaning in pleasure when his joints popped, he let his arms fall, careful to not hit the other occupant. He looked down at her, smiling. Involuntarily, one hand stretched out to brush her bangs away from her sleeping face.
Fallyn didn't seem to notice, slumbering on. Because of her broken foot, she was supposed sleep on her back so it would heal correctly. However, since she had woken up, she usually rolled onto her left side. Don had finally let up about it, seeing as how it was most likely the pain in her right side that prompted her to roll over, no doubt from her gashes, courtesy of Shredder.
Leo didn't mind, because he slept on her right. It gave him a viable excuse to wrap his arms around her midnight and pull her back to his chest, and a justification to keep her like that. He loved how he would wake up to her angelic face, or have his face nestled into her neck, her soft locks caressing his face. He would always remove his arms though, so as to avoid a potentially embarrassing encounter with the girl.
To say he had forgotten about what had almost happened three weeks ago would be a horrendous lie. Instead, it haunted his dreams and his waking thoughts. He would often wake up, and wonder what on earth possessed him to let the girl that filled his dreams share his bed. Of course, he knew that had he not offered, Raphael would have.
'Raph…' The look that Raphael gave him that day was finally making sense. Leo realized that the hothead held feelings for the girl as well. Yes, Leo had come to the realization that he liked Fallyn in a more than friends way. Which only furthered his embarrassing dreams. And urges. Looking back down at her, Leo resolved to speak to Splinter about it during their daily meditation.
'Speaking of which, I better get going.'
複
Leo's mind was reeling as he walked to the kitchen for breakfast. He had talked to Splinter, and he had told the teen what he had feared. 'Falling so hard, and so fast…. I can't believe it.' Leo chuckled to himself. 'I wonder if this is what Don felt like when he saw April.' The eldest ninja son walked into the kitchen. Scanning the room, he frowned when two were missing.
"Where are Raph and Fallyn?" he asked Mikey, who was standing over the stove, glaring daggers at whatever he was cooking.
"Onēchan is still sleeping. Pancakes are almost done, so I sent Raph to wake her up." Leo pretended that his heart didn't skip a beat at the information. He covered it up with a smile, though Mikey couldn't see it. He was still on guard against the pancakes, his spatula at the ready.
"Thanks Mikey. I'll go get Donnie."
"He's in his lab with April." Leo nodded, again knowing that his youngest brother couldn't see it. As he made his way towards Donnie's lab, he snuck a glance at his bedroom door. It was ajar slightly.
'Perfect.'
~ *.* ~
Raph cracked his neck as he walked into the kitchen. From the scent that had drifted into his room, Mikey was making pancakes. To the hothead's surprise, said cook was the only other person present. After double checking that Mikey was indeed the only other occupant, Raph addressed him.
"Hey Mikey? Where's everyone else? I thought April was coming by."
"She's already here." Mikey didn't look up from the stove where he was glaring daggers at the surface. A spatula was held at the ready. "She's with Donnie in his lab, Leo's meditating with Sensei, and Onēchan is still sleeping." Mikey broke his staring contest with impending breakfast to spare a glance at his elder brother. "Could you go wake her up? I don't want her missing breakfast."
Raph nodded. "Sure thing. You remembered that she doesn't like cheese in her eggs?" In answer, Mikey held up a list that he had complied while Fallyn was still unconscious. He had badgered April about it for days till she finally caved, telling the youngest turtle all of Fallyn's favorite foods. As soon as he had what he wanted, Mikey threw himself into teaching himself how to cook food without pizza in it. It took him two days, but he finally did it.
"Thanks Raph. And don't muss up her hair! I spent an hour on it!" Raph chuckled, mockingly bowing to his younger brother.
"Hai, Sensei Mikey." The cook snorted in affirmation, returning his baby blue eyes to stare down breakfast. The hothead shook his head in amusement, making his way to Leonardo's bedroom. Raphael smirked to himself when he opened the door, revealing the still sleeping beauty.
He crept over to the bed, letting his expression soften as he looked down at Fallyn. Gently sitting down so as to not disturb her, he leaned over her, brushing her injured cheek with the lightest of touches. She moaned in her sleep, shifting her head so it pressed against his fingers. Raph smiled to himself, using his other hand to finger her silky locks. Mikey had left her side bangs down when he French braided her hair. Raph had to admit, the goofball had done a really good job.
Bringing his face closer, Raph kissed the sleeping girl's forehead before trailing feather-light kisses down her face. He steered clear of her mouth, wanting to reserve that for later. To compensate, he rested his cheek in the crook of her neck, his face flush against her pulse. Here, against her pulse, her scent was the strongest.
Here… was it unmarred by the odor of disinfectant and antiseptics. Closing his eyes, the turtle felt a soft smile tug at his lips as her intoxicating vanilla-and-rose scent wafted into his nostrils. The night they had fought the Shredder, Raph had thought that, perhaps, she could hold feelings for him. After all, she had kissed him. Granted, it was after he defended her honor, but still.
"There's always a chance…" Raphael whispered to himself. A soft sigh made him retract his skin from hers, looking down at Fallyn. The second he removed himself, her eyes fluttered open. A gentle smile tugged her light pink lips up.
"Hey." Raph chuckled.
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Time to wake up." He placed his hands behind her shoulders, helping her to sit up. She yawned, earning a smirk from the turtle.
"What time is it?"
"A little after 9. Mikey made pancakes and eggs." Fallyn nodded. Shifting her body, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, testing her right foot. She growled in frustration when she put pressure on it, consequently sending ripples of pain through her leg. It had been out of the splint for three days, but she was still unable to put much weight on it.
"Looks like you're going to have to carry me again." Her head hung. "I hate feeling so useless." Raph's emerald eyes widened. He placed his hands on either side of her face, lifting it so he could look at her.
"You're not useless, Fallyn. Don't ever say that about yourself again." When she opened her mouth to argue, he pressed it closed with a gentle but firm hand. "You saved Mikey. You saved all of us." Raph smiled as he removed his hand from her mouth to put it back on her cheek, stroking it with his thumb. "And you took out Shredder to boot."
"But-" Raph's hand replaced itself on Fallyn's mouth. The urge to cover her lips with his own was growing at an alarming rate. How he was able to overcome it enough to speak was beyond him.
"No but's. You're not useless. You're just injured. That's all." He leaned his forehead on hers, letting the gag drop to grab one of her hands. "It happens to everyone. And we don't mind helping you."
Lifting her hand, Raph pressed it to his plastron. "No matter what happens, we'll always be here for you." He thought for a second before speaking again. "I'll always be here for you." His voice dropped to a whisper. "All you have to do is ask." Fallyn sighed, pressing into Raphael's touch.
"Since when did you become so good at consoling people?" He chuckled.
"Don't tell anyone. I got a rep to think about." The girl giggled softly, sending butterflies through the mutant turtle's body. 'She is so beautiful.' Raph smiled back, rubbing her nose with his. "Come on. Let's go get some food."
"Whenever you're ready, good sir." His smile remaining, Raph easily picked up the girl, cradling her to his chest. Once he was sure she was secure, he slowly made his way to the door. Using his foot, he opened the metal contraption, walking to the kitchen. All the while unaware of a figure watching them from the shadows.
~ *.* ~
Leo's heart plummeted. 'She thinks she's useless?!' He barely refrained from bursting into his room, wrapping his arms around Fallyn, and telling her over and over how wonderful and amazing and beautiful she was, holding and kissing her till she knew it. He hated the fact that he couldn't do so. And it was his room, not Raphael's.
Speaking of him, his surprisingly gentle voice floated through the door. "No matter what happens, we'll always be here for you." There was a brief pause. "I'll always be here for you." His voice dropped to a whisper, preventing Leo from hearing any more.
Not that he wanted to. He had heard enough. Standing up, the leader walked to Donatello's lab, intending to carry out what he had originally come this way for. His mind, however, was thinking ahead.
'There's no way I'm letting Raph get closer to Fallyn than me. Sensei entrusted her to me, and I'm going to ensure that Raph doesn't take over that.' Hearing his door creak, Leo looked over his shoulder to see Raph carrying Fallyn to the kitchen. They were laughing about something. Leo didn't care. Starting today, he was going to take it a step further in getting closer to Fallyn.
複
Fallyn sat next to Splinter, watching as the boys trained. After breakfast, Raph had carried her to the dojo, setting her in the spot she currently occupied. Once he was sure she was fine, he stepped out onto the mats. April had joined her sister, sitting slightly behind her. Splinter had decided that his sons needed to work on their sparring, so today's training session was full of action.
Raph had already defeated Donnie, breaking his Bo staff and using it like drumsticks on his younger brother's carapace. Mikey was gasping for breath on the ground, on the account of Leo slamming the hilt of a katana into his solar plexus. Donnie stood up once Raphael had stopped his attacks. Walking over to his breathless brother, he dragged him back to Splinter and Fallyn. The scientist plopped himself next to the girl, rubbing his head.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be." He sighed. "I don't get it." Fallyn tilted her head.
"Don't get what?"
"Leo and Raph are going a lot harder today than they did yesterday." Dropping his hand, Don glanced at Fallyn. "I mean a lot harder. Raph, while not uncommon for him to use me as a drum, never makes me bruise. And Leo has never hit Mikey hard enough for him to do that." He gestured to the youngest turtle, whose eyes were still spinning. Fallyn hummed thoughtfully.
"Did anything happen recently that would work them up?" Donnie gripped his chin. He frantically wracked his brain, trying to come up with a believable answer.
"Well…. I noticed that Mikey did put hot sauce in Raph's pancakes. And Leo's." Fallyn nodded her head.
"That would do it."
Back on the sparring mat, Raph and Leo were circling each other. There was an unspoken tension between the two. The thing was, only they could feel it. Unbeknownst to the others, they heard the whole conversation.
'Mikey didn't put hot sauce in our pancakes. Why would Donnie lie?' Leo's eyes widened. 'He knows.'
Taking advantage of his distracted state, Raph swept Leo's legs. The elder turtle grunted when his back made contact with the ground. Before he could get up, Raph sat on him, crushing his diaphragm. Leo gasped as the breath left his body.
Raph leaned over his older brother, smirking. "That's what you get for not focusing Leo. You lose." Leaning back, the hothead got off Leo's plastron, letting him breathe once more.
"Yame!1" Splinter stood up. "Well done, Raphael." He glanced around at his sons. "I believe that is enough training for the day." They bowed to him.
Don was the first to stand. Well, crouch anyways. He shifted so he was facing Fallyn. "Come on, Fallyn. You have a checkup." She groaned in defeat, but let the turtle pick her up anyways. Raph watched his brother.
"You want some help?" Don shook his head, walking out of the dojo.
"Nah. April? You can come with though." The redhead jumped up, following the duo. Mikey stood up, finally having his breath back.
"I'm going to go read some comic books. I've had enough training for the day." As soon as he stumbled out, Raph glanced back at Leonardo. The hothead smirked, twirling his sais before sheathing them. Leo glared at his younger brother.
"What?"
"What was that about?"
"What was what about?" Leo growled.
"Don't play innocent. You and I both know you meant something by that." Leo gestured to Raphael's sais. Raph shrugged, ambling towards the door.
"Whatever you say, Fearless. Laters." Leo shook his head in frustration. He picked up his katana, sheathing them.
'He said that for a reason.' The interaction only made the leader that much more determined to get closer to Fallyn.
~ *.* ~
April spun around in surprise when the door opened. "Oh! Hi Leo." The turtle nodded at her.
"Hey, April. What are you doing?"
"Just getting a new shirt for sis. This one's kind of trashed." She held up the article of clothing for emphasis. Leo visibly winced at the stain on the side.
"She's still not healed then, huh?" April sighed, shaking her head.
"No. I'm really worried about her." The redhead sat on the bed, her head bowed. "She's never taken this long to heal."
"Well…" Leo searched for something to say. "I don't think she's ever been this hurt before, has she?"
"No, but still…" April's voice dropped. "She should have been training two weeks ago." Leo sat next to the girl, draping an arm around her shoulders.
"Hey. Fallyn's going to be alright." Leo smiled encouragingly when April glanced at him. "She's a fighter if I ever saw one. She'll pull through." He was rewarded with a small smile.
"Thanks Leo. Hey! Can you help me pick out a shirt for Fallyn?" He nodded, sliding off the bed to kneel next to the duffel bag. "Thanks." They began rifling through the clothes.
Leo stopped when his finger hit something cold. Picking the small object up, he brought his hand out of the bag. He gasped when he unfurled his fist. It was a ring. A blue sapphire glittered against gold, shining beautifully. Leo stared at it, entranced.
April looked over his shoulder. "How did that get in here?" He broke his gaze from the ring to look at the girl.
"Is it yours?" To his surprise, April shook her head.
"Actually, it's Fallyn's. Dad gave it to her on her fifteenth birthday." Her gaze softened as she looked at the ring in Leo's outstretched palm. "It belonged to Mom."
"Oh." Leo stated softly. April giggled.
"I got one too. See?" She reached inside her shirt to pull up a hidden necklace. On the chain was a smaller ring. This one was a gold band with an opal in the middle. "It's too big for me, so I wear it on a necklace." Leo nodded, turning his attention to the ring in his hand.
"Does Fallyn ever wear this?"
"Not usually. It's her only memento of Mom, so she considers it too precious to wear." Leo hummed.
"You said your father gave this to her for her fifteenth birthday?"
"Yep. That would have been…" April whistled softly. "Two years ago already." Leo's eyes widened in hope.
"So she's… seventeen then?" April shook her head.
"Not yet. She'll be seventeen in-" She gasped. "Oh my gosh! Her birthday is only a few months away!"
"Then we better start planning a party for her." Leo grinned, matching April's perfectly.
"Done. Now let's pick out a shirt." Nodding, Leo turned his head back to the bag. Placing the ring in the outside pocket, he reached inside. When his fingers met a soft material, he pulled the article out.
It was a dark blue T-shirt. The same shade that his mask was. Leo's eyes widened at the shirt in his hand, his mind whirling. April's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Perfect!" Leo snapped out of the trance, handing it to the girl. "I can't believe I forgot about that one." She grabbed the shirt, walking out of his room. "Oh wait. I should help you clean up."
Leo chuckled, holding up a hand. "I can do it, April. You go take care of your sister." She nodded, smiling at him.
"Thanks Leo." Just before she left, he called her back.
"What did you mean by 'I can believe I forgot about that one'?" April shrugged.
"This is her favorite shirt. Well, her favorite color anyways." Waving, she walked out of the room. Completely oblivious to the look on Leo's face. A look of happiness…
And of triumph. 'Beat that Raph.'
~ *.* ~
"There! All done!" Fallyn sighed in relief as Don pulled the last of the stitches through her skin. She was finally healed enough for the stitches to be removed, though she would still be sore and need to take it easy for a week or two.
"Finally!" Fallyn smiled at the scientist. "Thanks for everything, Don." He blushed.
"No prob." He looked up at the door. "April's taking a while. You think she–"
"Nah. Imōto can take care of herself." Donatello nodded. Fallyn waited till he was facing away from her before speaking again. "Speaking of her, a little bird told me you have a thing for my little sister."
Don stumbled, fell flat on his face, whipped around, and scooted on his butt till he came in contact with his desk. Upon which he scrambled up to a standing position. "I don… well I mean I-" He ducked his head, his hands gripping the edge of his desk. "Yeah. I like April. A lot."
He hesitantly looked up at Fallyn, who was staring at him with an unreadable expression in her eyes. They glowed, making Donnie feel like he was staring into the eyes of a tiger about to pounce. Which, in a way, he was. He couldn't help the feeling of becoming dinner.
"Are you upset about it?" Fallyn's gaze flickered over his whole body. Don was painfully aware that he looked like a petrified hare in the sights of a tiger, but he couldn't help it. 'She truly is a tigress. Powerful, regal, and fiercely protective of those she holds dear. Good night I hope I'm not too cowardly in front of her.'
"No." Donnie blinked several times. It took him a few moments before he realized she had spoken. And said she wasn't upset.
"You're… not mad?" Fallyn allowed the smallest smirk.
"No I'm not. However, I do have a few conditions." The scientist nodded fervently, giving her his full attention. "One, you will not rush April into anything she doesn't want to do."
"Of course not."
"Two, you will respect her boundaries. I.E., you will not bug her when she clearly wishes to be alone, nor will you pester her with phone calls, texts, or anything of that sort."
"Agreed."
"Three…" Fallyn's gold gaze hardened to flints, once more making Donnie fear for his life. "If you do anything to hurt her, I see that your life is a living hell before giving you a slow and excruciatingly painful death." Don gulped. He felt his face pale seven shades.
"Yes ma'am." He squeaked. Fallyn's lips turned up into a small smile.
"In that case, I approve of you courting my sister, Donatello Hamato." A huge grin split Don's face. Standing straight, he clasped his hands in a traditional bow, bending at the waist.
"Thank you, Fallyn O'Neil. I shall treat your sister with the utmost respect that she deserves." Fallyn bowed her head, her eyes closing to show the amount of respect she put into the gesture. They had just risen when April came back.
"I'm back!" She ran over to her sister, handing her the shirt. "Here you go." Glancing down, she gasped. "Your stitches! They're gone!" Fallyn chuckled as she pulled the shirt over her head, relishing in being able to dress herself once more.
"Yep. I'm stitch-free." April squealed, clapping her hands as she jumped up and down. Turning, she ran over to Donatello, flinging her arms around his neck. He froze, glancing up at Fallyn. When she smirked, he relaxed, wrapping his arms around April's waist.
"Thank you so much Donnie!" April pulled back, her eyes swimming with tears of joy. "I don't know what we would have done without you." Don blushed further, stammering.
"Yeah, sure. Don't mention it." He cleared his throat, looking up at Fallyn again. "Now, just because your stitches are out, that doesn't mean that your foot is healed." She nodded.
"It's feeling better, but I still can't stand on it as of this morning." Don hummed, kneeling down in front of her. He gently cupped her heel, turning it this way and that. Whenever she flinched, he stopped.
"Good news, it will heal. Bad news, you won't be able to stand on it for at least another three days." Fallyn nodded, though her face was still defeated. "But, I did have some free time on my hands, so I whipped these up!" Don pulled a pair of crutches from behind his back. "I noticed you weren't too happy being carried everywhere, so I figured these would give you a bit more freedom." She grinned, gratefully taking the crutches.
"Thank you Donnie." April smiled, walking up to stand next to her sister.
"Come on sis. Let's go see the guys." Fallyn nodded, placing the crutches under her arms. She smiled when they fit her perfectly. They felt a little heavy, signaling just how out of shape she was.
'Well? That's going to change the second this blasted foot is healed.' Limping out of the lab, Fallyn never felt freer. Granted, she wasn't a prisoner, but, for someone who is used to not leaning on anyone for help, being waited on hand and foot was embarrassing and a little belittling. Not that she would admit that to anyone. Least of all the guys.
April ran ahead, disappearing inside Leo's room. When she emerged two seconds later, she was dragging the turtle by his katana sheaths. It made for a very amusing scene: a wild-eyed, thoroughly excited, red-haired female teenage human dragging a very confused and protesting eighteen year old mutant ninja turtle backwards by his weapons' sheaths. When she decided they were close enough, April stopped on a dime and flung Leo forward. He stumbled with a yelp. He planted his hands on the ground, barely refraining from face-planting.
"April!? What the he-" As he lifted his gaze, his words stuck in his throat. He sprang up, rubbing his eyes. Fallyn was standing. Granted, standing with crutches, but standing. After staring for what felt like ages, a huge grin split the turtle's face.
"Fallyn! You- you- you're standing!" He laughed, wrapping the girl in a hug, drawing her to his chest. She chuckled against his neck, nuzzling his skin with her nose, a soft purr escaping her throat. Leo pulled back, still grinning wildly.
"I can't believe it! I thought Don said you had another week!" She shrugged, smirking.
"Well… I had other plans." Leo laughed, drawing her in for another hug. Fallyn laughed with him, wrapping an arm around his torso. "I'm glad you're happy about this."
"Are you kidding!?" Leo stepped back again, resting his hands on her shoulders. "I'm thrilled! Now we can start your training again!"
"Hold it!" Leo gulped at Donnie's shout. "Her side may not need stitches anymore, but her foot still isn't completely healed. It's going to be a while before she's back to training level." Fallyn sighed, but she knew that the scientist was right.
"She's able to stand, is she not?"
"With crutches." Leo smiled.
"Well, that's enough for you to work on your upper body strength, isn't it?" Fallyn's eyes widened as she caught Leo's meaning. "Just because you can't do martial arts just yet doesn't mean you can't get back to work on getting your strength back." Fallyn smiled.
"I never thought of it like that. You're absolutely right."
"Absolutely right about what?" Leo turned around to see Mikey and Raph standing there. Their eyes widened as Leo's movement revealed Fallyn. Mikey shamelessly gaped, letting his arms hang. "Fallyn…" She smirked, tilting her head.
"Yeah?"
"Onēchan!" Mikey rushed over, stopping short to lightly wrap his arms around Fallyn's shoulders. "I can't believe it." He turned his head to glare at Leonardo. "Someone told me that you wouldn't be able to walk for another week." Leo held his hands up in surrender.
"Hey don't look at me. I thought she did too. April dragged me out here to show me otherwise." April chuckled.
"That I did. And I would do it again." Leo groaned.
"Please don't." Raph had stepped up to Fallyn's side while Leo and April were bantering. He lifted a hand to brush his fingers along Fallyn's cheek.
"It's good to see you up on your feet again." Fallyn smiled, tilting her head into his touch. Her eyes closed at the tender caresses.
"It's good to be on my feet again. Although…" her eyes opened slightly. "It wasn't half-bad being carried around." Raph smirked, leaning in to whisper
"Anytime you want me to, just say the word." He leaned back in time for the others to turn to them. No one had heard a thing they said. Leo smirked.
"I was beginning to think you were going to continue avoiding her, Raph." The hothead growled lowly in warning. "Kidding." Raphael snorted.
Mikey looked back at Fallyn. "Are you hungry, Onēchan?" She nodded.
"Starving." The orange bandana crinkled at the edges with Mikey's smile.
"Great! Let's go!" Instead of shooting away like normal, Mikey switched positions so that he was next to Fallyn's side, supporting her as she made her way to the kitchen. Don went with them, making sure Fallyn didn't trip. April went with her sister, determined to not let her out of her sight. That left Leo and Raph alone.
Leo wasted no time in whirling on his little brother. "What were you doing in my room this morning?" Raph shrugged.
"Mike didn't want Fallyn to miss breakfast, and since Don was holed up with April and you were in space, he asked me to wake her up." The hothead smirked. "I don't see what you're getting so worked up about." His smirk grew. "Unless you were…" Raph gasped dramatically. "NO! That is inconceivable for the great Leonardo to be… jealous."
Leo growled at his little brother. "I was not jealous." Raph snickered as he walked past.
"Whatever floats your boat, Fearless."
複
"C'mon Fallyn! Please!?" April kneeled in front of her sister.
"For the hundredth time… no!" The turtles looked on at the quarreling sisters. They had just finished dinner when April had looked at Fallyn. The second their eyes met, Fallyn had denied April's psychic request. The younger had then proceeded to beg.
Mikey plopped himself next to Fallyn. "No what, Onēchan?" Fallyn sighed.
"April wants to show you guys the video from our school's talent show two years ago." The redhead nodded fervently. Leo tilted his head, crossing his legs.
"A talent show? What's that?" April glanced at the blue-bandana leader.
"A competition to see who has the most talent in the school. Some people were just really stupid, others painted, a few people acted…" April shrugged. "You get the idea." Raph pulled a leg up to rest his chin on his knee pad.
"So what's so bad about this one that Fallyn doesn't want us to see?"
"Because I sung in that one." Everyone stared at her. "It was the last one before I graduated, so April, along with the rest of the class, insisted I take part in it. I eventually agreed when the school choir agreed to sing backup if I won the singing and the whole competition." Don, who so far wasn't interested, made a metaphorical 180 degree turn.
"And did you?"
"Well…."
"She received a standing ovation all three times: the first round, the finals, and when she sung after receiving the award." Fallyn whirled on her sister.
"April!" All of the male ninjas looked at each other, smiling. When they returned their gazes to Fallyn, she shook her head. "No. No no no no no no no no no!"
"Please, Onēchan?" Mikey copied April's position, clasping his hands under his chin. "Please?" They begged simultaneously. Leo nodded, Raph smiled, and Donnie was already setting up the TV. Fallyn sighed in defeat.
"I am going to kill myself later, but fine." April squealed, much to the chagrin of Fallyn's ears.
"Thank you!" She ran over to her backpack, rifling through the contents till she found what she was looking for: a CD of the Talent Show. Fallyn groaned, leaning her head back on the couch.
"You were going to show them anyways, weren't you?"
"Yep." Fallyn groaned again, sliding further down the couch. Leo laughed, getting up from his spot on the floor to sit next to her. He helped her back up into a sitting position.
"Careful. You might slide off into the sewers and never be found again."
"That was the point." Leo chuckled, wrapping his arm around Fallyn's waist.
"Tough luck. You're going to be watching this with us." Fallyn glared at him. "Not. Gonna. Work."
"Damn."
"Alright!" April plopped next to Mikey on the floor. "Here we go!" Raph settled on Fallyn's right, resting his chin in his hand. Don sat next to April, remote in hand. "Let the show begin."
複
After thirty minutes of waiting (April had skipped through a few things that she and Fallyn agreed were mind-scarring) it was time for Fallyn's appearance. On screen, the principal of the school stood on stage again. "Let's hear a round of applause for Amber!" There were cheers and wolf-whistles, but the turtles grimaced. The girl was pretty, and her voice wasn't half-bad, but the song and her overall attitude showed that she was someone who really didn't care what you thought about her because she was already the number one. In her own mind at least.
"You actually went to school with that… witch?" Fallyn sighed.
"Unfortunately. April still does." Leo was about to ask why she didn't when Mikey spoke up. Well… technically it was a squeal.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh! There's Onēchan!" Leo's eyes bulged as his jaw dropped.
'Fallyn…' The Fallyn on screen wore a white strapless dress. The bodice was ruffled, with glass beads embroidered in a y pattern, each stripe starting at the front of the armpit of the dress and continuing to meet under her breasts. Her hair was hanging freely, but it only lent to the beauty of the ensemble, the base color of her hair and the dress matching gorgeously, while the black stripes added a hint of uniqueness. A glittery onyx black eye shadow accented her golden eyes wonderfully, making them glow, while her lips were shimmering with a light pink lip gloss.
'Just when I thought she couldn't get any more beautiful.' Leo looked at Fallyn. "You wore a dress for this?"
"Only because April forced me to. I would have gone in a T-shirt and pants." April scoffed.
"You just needed a little urging to look a little girlier than normal is all." Leo smiled. He would have said what he was thinking, but voices from the TV stopped him.
"Your name, dear." The Fallyn on screen spoke into her ear mic.
"Fallyn O'Neil."
"And you will be singing for us tonight?" Fallyn nodded.
"Yes."
"Very well. What song?"
"I'm going to be singing Nella Fantasia." The judges were visibly taken aback. The turtles were as well.
"Alright then." The judges looked at each other before the female judge extended a hand towards Fallyn. "Whenever you are ready." On-screen Fallyn nodded again, stepping into center stage. She nodded at the orchestra, giving them the signal to start.
The music started, the spotlight narrowing till it only shone on Fallyn. Taking a deep breath, she began to vocalize.
"Ah-ah-ah.
Ah-ah-ah.
Nella Fantasia,
Io vedo un mondo giusto.
Lì tutti vivono,
In pace e in onestá.
Io sogno d'anime,
Che sono sempre,
Libere.
Come le nuvole che volano
Pien' d'umanità…
In fondo all'anima."
The turtles were spellbound. The second Fallyn had started singing, it was if they were hypnotized. Raph leaned back, letting his hands hang loosely in between his legs. Glancing at Fallyn, he smiled when he realized she was just as enraptured as they were.
'I'll have to ask her to sing for me sometime.' As the oboe player started his piece, Leo tilted his head towards Fallyn.
"Why didn't you tell us you could sing?" he whispered.
"Because I haven't sung in years." was her equally quiet answer. Before Leo could say anything else, the song began again.
"Nella fantasia,
Esiste un vento caldo.
Che soffia sulle città,
Come amico.
Io sogno d'anime,
Che sono sempre,
Libere.
Come le nuvole che volano
Pein' d'umanità,
In fondo all'anima."
Her song sung, Fallyn curtsied to the crowd as they literally shot up from their seats, cheering and clapping and whistling and shouting for more. Mikey exhaled softly as the principal got up on stage again. No one listened to what the man was saying in favor of Mikey.
"You were phenomenal, Onēchan!" Fallyn blushed, ducking her head.
"Thanks Mikey. But I'm really not." Raph snorted.
"And I'm not the hothead in this family." He grunted when Fallyn elbowed his side, but continued smirking. "You were amazing, Fallyn." Leo nodded fervently.
"Your voice is beautiful, Fallyn. It really is."
"Alright, alright, alright!" Fallyn clamped her hands over her ears. "I get it! You guys like my singing! Now stop embarrassing me already!" Raph snickered, leaning in to kiss her temple just as Fallyn let her hands drop. He ignored Leo's death glare.
"You make it too easy." She growled at him, making the sai-wielding terrapin cower in mock fear. April outright laughed, her eyes glittering with amusement.
"I told you!" She yelped when a pillow hit her head. "What!? I was right, wasn't I?"
"Whatever." Fallyn turned her attention back to the screen, watching as the last few acts performed. Although none came close to Fallyn's caliber. In Leo's eyes at least. Finally, it was time to announce the finalists for each division.
"What a night already, huh? Alright… as we all know… only four are going on to the finals. So, without further ado, I shall begin. For the athletics… Caroline and her cheerleaders!"
"Duh. They were obviously going to win." April snorted along with Raph at Mikey's observation.
"For the actors… Ryan and Julie!"
"Romeo and Juliet." Fallyn snickered, elbowing Leo. "What?"
"For the gymnasts… Chloe Maylene! And last, but not least, the singer that will be going onto the finals is…" Even though they already knew the outcome, all of the turtles were on the edge of their seats as the camera swept across the participants. Fallyn stood in the middle. "Fallyn O'Neil!" Fallyn on screen gaped, placing her hands over her mouth. April jumped up from where she was in the crowd to hug her sister. Kirby and their aunt joined her, smiling and laughing.
"We will give each finalist fifteen minutes to prepare themselves for the final round. After that, we will have our new King or Queen of Talent!" The CD then paused with a small menu at the bottom, asking if the viewers wished to continue watching now or in fifteen minutes.
"Play it." was the unanimous order from the terrapin brothers. April flinched in mock offense.
"Yeesh. Bossy much?" Nevertheless, she did as told.
The finals went in the same order as the main competition: athletics, acting, gymnastics, and finally singing. The cheerleaders did another cheer (big surprise), Ryan and Juliet acted a scene from Macbeth, and Chloe showed off her flexibility. The time seemed to drag by for the terrapins, who were only interested in seeing Fallyn perform. It seemed like years before she stepped up on stage again.
Like the others, she didn't announce her act, but no one minded. It just made it all the more special. Leo tightened his grip on Fallyn's waist, drawing her closer to him. He had noticed her eyelids beginning to droop.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly. She nodded.
"I'm fine. Just a little-" a yawn cut off her statement. "Tired." Leo tilted his head in concern.
"Do you want to go to bed?" She shook her head.
"Mhm."
"You sure?" Fallyn smiled at him, resting her temple on his shoulder.
"Yeah. Just keep me up till this thing is over, would ya'?" Leo smiled, resting his head on hers.
"Deal." He turned his attention back to the television. The music had just started. The turtle's smile grew slightly as Fallyn snuggled closer to him as her copy began singing.
"Someday,
When we are wiser.
When the world's older.
When we have learned.
I pray,
Someday we may yet live,
To live and let live.
Someday,
Life will be fairer.
Need will be rarer.
And greed will not pay.
Godspeed.
This bright millennium,
On its way,
Let it come,
Someday."
Flashing a sweet smile at the camera, Fallyn began to walk down the steps to the lower part of the stage. As she walked, she continued to sing.
"Someday,
Our fight will be won and,
We'll stand in the sun in,
That bright afternoon.
'Til then,
On days when the sun is gone,
We'll hang on,
If we wish upon the moon."
Fallyn reached towards the sky, before bringing her hand down to clench it in a fist over her chest. Smiling, she looked down at the crowd, who was swaying to the beat, their phones turned on in makeshift lights.
"There are some days dark and bitter.
Seems we haven't got a prayer."
Fallyn gestured outward with her hands in a shrug.
"But a prayer for,
Something better.
Is the one thing,
We all share..."
Lifting a hand, she held up a finger, circling it around, emphasizing the lyrics. While she had been singing, the choir came up behind her.
"[Choir] (Someday)
When we are wiser,
When the whole world is older,
When we have love.
And I pray,
Someday we may yet live,
To live and,
One day,
Someday!
[Choir] (Someday)
Life will be fairer.
Need will be rarer.
And greed will not pay.
Godspeed.
This bright millennium.
Let it come,
If we wish upon the moon!
One day,
Someday,
Soon…
Someday…
Soon…"
No one spoke as the song ended. Leo stroked Fallyn's hip with his thumb, watching as her younger self bowed to the cheering, and crying, crowd. Mikey was no exception, wiping his eyes.
"You are just… wow, Onēchan."
"Ditto." Donnie agreed.
"Please don't start that again." Leo chuckled, tightening his grip softly in a quick side-embrace.
"They won't." All turned their attention to the screen in time to see the principal walk up on stage again. April glanced back at the others.
"It doesn't show it, but ten minutes had passed by this point." The turtles nodded, grateful for the insight.
"Before I announce this year's winner, let's have one more round of applause for our contestants!" The crowd complied, the clapping and cheers going on for a good minute. "Alright. I'm sure you are all anxious to see for yourself who this year's talented royal is. So! Without further ado…" The man opened the white envelope he was holding. "This year's winner is…" He read the writing on the paper, a smile splitting his face as he gestured towards stage right. "FALLYN O'NEIL!"
Earsplitting roars resounded in the stadium. The spotlights shone on Fallyn as she walked out on stage, shaking the principal's hand. Two young women joined them. Raph snickered as one took the crown that was sitting on a velvet pillow from the other, before turning to set it on Fallyn's head. The victor had to stoop in order to let the shorter girl do so. Smiling, she spoke into her mic.
"I just wanted to say thank you so much to my friends and family who forced me to do this. I never thought I would make it past the first round, let alone win. And yes, I'm thanking you April, for making me put this dress on." The camera picked up on scattered laughter. "In all honesty, it's kind of grown on me. But DON'T expect me to wear it again anytime soon!" More laughter came from the gathering, a few chuckles from the turtles joining in.
"Now, each contestant prepared three acts: one for the first round, one for the finals, and one if they won. Did you do that?"
"I did."
"And I believe it fair to assume you will be singing this time around as well?"
"Yes."
"Then I believe it time I relinquish the spotlight to you, my dear. Ladies and gentlemen, your Queen of Talent… Fallyn O'Neil!" Applause followed the man off the stage. Fallyn smiled, turning back to the crowd.
"This next song is called Sing Out." Shouts of joy resounded through the field. "And to help me with this one, I would like to invite my best friends to come on up here and join me. Ladies and gents, my surrogate sisters, Leanne, Olivia, and Mary!" Three other female teens walked up on stage from the left: a brunette, a redhead, and a blond. Each bowed to the crowd before embracing Fallyn while the chorus lined up behind them. "You girls ready to do this?"
Their mics picked up on their agreement. "Then let's not keep these people waiting any longer." The girls queued up: from stage right, it went Leanne, Fallyn, Mary, and then Olivia. The music started right away.
"Sing a new song to the world.
Let your voice be heard.
Go and bring the word.
This whole world was meant to be,
For you as well as me.
For humanity."
Fallyn skipped out onto the extended portion of the stage, smiling.
"We all travel the same road.
Carry the same load.
[Olivia] Reap what we have sowed.
[Leanne] You were hoping just like me,
To live with dignity.
[All] Hoping to be free.
[Girls and Choir] Sing out, sing out, sing to the world.
Sing out, you will be heard.
Sing the message and the word.
Sing a new song to the world.
Sing out, sing to the world."
The camera swept to a violinist who had a solo. The woman smiled as she played, her hips swaying to the beat. Mary joined Fallyn out on the path.
"[Mary] If your god's the same as mine,
[Leanne] Has been for all time.
[Olivia] Why are we so blind?
[Fallyn] What we're doing in his name…
Well, it's a crying shame.
We all cry the same."
When they started singing the chorus again, the two other girls joined Fallyn and Mary.
"[Girls and Choir] Sing out, sing out, sing to the world.
Sing out, you will be heard.
Sing the message and the word.
Sing a new song to the world.
Sing out, sing to the world."
The girls and the chorus began clapping, the audience catching on.
"Sing out, sing out, sing to the world.
Sing out, you will be heard.
Sing the message and the word.
Sing a new song to the world.
Sing out, sing to the world."
The camera swept to the violinist again. She was still smiling. The second the girls started signing again, they started clapping along with it, the audience not missing a beat. Each singer faced a different direction, Fallyn facing directly in front.
"Sing out, sing out, sing to the world.
Sing out, you will be heard.
Sing the message and the word.
Sing a new song to the world.
Sing out, sing to the world!"
The audience exploded with applause, everyone jumping up in their seats. Whistles, shouts, cheers, and just about everything congratulatory, including roses, was thrown at the girls. They curtsied simultaneously, their hands interlaced. At this point, the CD went dark before scrolling through credits.
Leo looked at Fallyn the same time Raph did. "Wow." Fallyn blushed, ducking her head.
"Okay. You guys saw me sing. Now can I forget you saw that?" Raph blinked several times. Lifting his hand, he used his fingers to turn her head towards him.
"Why? You were amazing!" Fallyn sighed.
"You really think so?"
"Absolutely." The girl looked at Leo. "You are undoubtedly gifted." Donnie hummed as he nodded.
"I agree with my brothers. You-"
"Were amazing Onēchan!" Don frowned at Mikey, but it turned into a smile soon enough.
"Yes. Yes you were." All of the teens screamed, their heads whipping around to see Splinter. Fallyn groaned in horror, burying her face in her hands.
"Just perfect." Splinter chuckled.
"On that note, I believe it time we all went to bed." April nodded, standing. A look of surprise grew on her face when Donnie handed her her backpack.
"If you don't mind, I was thinking I could walk you home tonight." Only Fallyn caught the nervous glance he threw her way.
"Sure Donnie! I'd love the company." Fallyn smirked when Don relaxed at her slight nod. April, not noticing, pressed a kiss to Fallyn's forehead. "Goodnight, sis."
"Sleep well, April." She nodded, before walking out of the lair with Donnie close behind. Feeling an arm slip under her, Fallyn looked at Leo in time for him to pick her up.
"It's past your bedtime, young lady." She huffed, resting her temple on his shoulder.
"Says you." Leo snickered. Mikey shot ahead to open Leo's door for them. "Thanks otōtobun." A massive grin split his face.
"Anytime, Onēchan. Sleep well." Fallyn smiled at him, rubbing his head.
"Pleasant dreams, Mikey." The orange-clad turtle chirped in response, skipping to his own room. Once inside his room, Leo closed the door with his foot. He gently laid Fallyn on the bed, letting her get settled before laying down himself.
"Hey, Fallyn?" The girl hummed, propping herself up on an elbow. Her gaze became concerned when she saw Leo sitting cross-legged, his hands clasped in his lap.
"What is it, Leo?" The turtles sighed.
"I'm sorry." Fallyn blinked in surprise.
"For what?"
"For letting you get hurt." Fallyn sighed, her head dropping. "I should have been paying mo-" her hand stopped him midsentence.
"Leo it wasn't your fault." Leo stared at her. Her hand moved from his mouth to cup his cheek. "I made my own decision. I was the only one close enough to Mikey to-"
"I meant when you were fighting the Shredder." Fallyn's eyes widened. "I saw your gi darkening. I saw you getting hurt, and I did nothing."
"Because you respected the match." Leo groaned.
"Oh respect be damned, you were injured Fallyn!" Leo shifted so both of his hands could cup her face without his body being cramped. "I could have jumped in but, you're right, I respected your choice to go one-on-one with him." Leo shook his head. "And for that reason I feel responsible for this." His finger barely traced her cheek, where the white skin was prominent, while his other hand trailed down to rest on her side.
Fallyn shook her head, fully sitting up. "Leo… it's not your fault. If anything, I'm the one who's at fault for not jumping in as soon as Raph got electrocuted. I was frozen, and all I could do is watch while you guys were thrown around."
"You were trained by Bradford. And he was trained by Shredder."
"Doesn't justify me letting you guys fight on… your…" Leo smirked in victory. "I guess we're both at fault huh?" Leo chuckled, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.
"Yeah." He rested his head on hers, looking into her eyes. "Get some sleep, Fallyn." The girl nodded, tensing her jaw in a failed attempt to hide a yawn.
"Goodnight Leo."
"Goodnight Fallyn." As they lay down to sleep, Leo gently brushed Fallyn's hair out of her face. He was over the moon that he had been able to kiss her, and she hadn't pulled away. Granted it was her forehead and she was very, very tired, but, to him, it still counted. Only once he was sure that she was asleep did he voice his desire.
"One of these days… our lips will crash in more ways than one." He nudged her cheek with his nose before turning off the light. "My little Nakidori."
Fallyn's Revealed Powers: Telekinesis, Enhanced Hearing and Smell, Retractable Claws, Healing, Firebending
Translations:
1) Yame! = Quit! (やめ)
2) Nakidori = Songbird (鳴き鳥)
Another chapter finished! Yay me! And this one's pretty long too. Hope that makes up for the relatively short chapter last time and the time frame in which I didn't publish anything here.
The dress is the first one Chloë wore in the A New Journey concert at Slane Castle in Ireland.
Review please and I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner than last time. Thank you!