Once again, this isn't the Apocalypse. Just me ignoring my homework to update something that's actually important. Not going to repeat the rant I put on From American Country Girl, to Ouran Academy Hostess, instead skipping to what that rant was actually about. If you want to read it, it's on Chapter 5 (Fanfiction says Chapter 6, since it counts the prologue). Word of warning, lots of swearing in the rant. But hey! It's a rant.
Please forgive me for not updating in forever! *begs on hands and knees* I know it has been over a month, and I am so, so, so, SO sorry for letting it go that long. Long story short...
ADVANCED PLACEMENT HOMEWORK SSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS! *major whine*
Review responses!
To Silversun XD: Thank you so much! Here's a new one for you!
To AllyM93: I'm glad you recognized her! And thanks for the encouragement!
To SublimeEchos: Thank you so much for your praise. It means the world to me. I'm so relieved you approve of my interpretation of Alex. I was really afraid I didn't do her justice. I hope we can work together again as well! It was a lot of fun. :)
To grapejuice101: The wait is over, my friend! Sorry it took so long.
While on the subject of reviews... celebration time because WE BROKE THE 50 REVIEW MARK! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much! Ya'll are amazin. You really, truly are.
Okay. One last very important business matter, and then I'll let you go. I will be dedicating the next few chapters to some very special friends of mine. I would have dedicated this chapter to them, but I felt that each deserved their own. On that note, I am dedicating this chapter to
SublimeEchos
You have been so patient with me, and have given me so many pointers on how to improve this story. I can never say thank you enough. All I ask is that you continue to help me on this journey because, to be perfectly honest, I need it. You are an absolutely amazing writer, and I am beyond honored to know you and be able to work with you. It is far too small a phrase to say how much I am indebted to you, but thank you for everything.
That said, enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter 15: She's WHAT!?
Fallyn shot up from the bed, her body dripping in sweat. No sound came from her throat, only ragged breathing. Looking around, she was temporarily confused as to why she wasn't met with the sight of Space Hero posters. Her body soon relaxed, however, at the familiar scent coming from a room down the hall. Sighing, the whitette lifted the white-and-gray comforter from her form, her bare feet touching the carpeted floor.
She sighed as she looked out her window. Deciding that wasn't enough, she opened it, stepping out onto the cold fire escape. Jumping up to the roof, she grabbed the ledge with one hand, flipping up and over. As soon as she landed, a phantom appeared before her, emerald eyes glowing in the low light.
Fallyn shook her head, walking to the edge. Even though it was in the early days of winter, she only wore a tight, white tank-top and cotton shorts. Thankfully, it was the middle of the night, so no one would see her. At least, that's what she hoped.
Two weeks ago, she had moved back in with April and their aunt. It was weird to think of it that way, but it was the truth. After living in Leo's room for almost two months… well, it would be three if she counted the time she was unconscious… it was different to wake up to her own wallpaper. She was so used to having Leo lying on her right, sometimes asleep, sometimes he was the one that woke her up… it was almost lonely to wake up alone.
Of course, as soon as she started thinking that, Fallyn had to snap herself back to reality.
The guys would often patrol by their house, checking in on her. Mostly it was Donnie and Mikey, but sometimes it was Raph too. Leo never stopped by on his own. Fallyn denied the aching she felt in her heart everytime she caught a whiff of his scent brushing by on the wind.
Sometimes she swore she could feel him in her sleep. His fingers gently dancing over her face, brushing her hair away from her eyes… his lips pressing themselves to her forehead… before whispering something in her ear. Fallyn knew what he said…
She just didn't want to believe it. If she believed it, then she would have to accept it. If she accepted it, then she would have to decide what to do about it. If she had to make a choice… then she knew… that there was no way she would be able to turn him away.
"Besides… that's nothing but a dream." Fallyn's hands clenched. "It's nothing more than my heart being foolish. Leo's words… they aren't real."
Her palms started bleeding.
"Leo is just a friend who helped me heal. His hands are strong from training. They were gentle because I was fragile. His kisses… meant nothing."
Blood dripped onto the roof.
"He is nothing more than a friend. The same as Donnie… and Mikey… and Sensei… and Raph… and Irma." Her golden eyes hardened as she looked up at the moon. "Nothing more. Nothing…"
A single tear fell down her face, dripping off her chin.
"More."
On a parallel roof, Leo watched Fallyn as she walked back to her room, swinging through her window. She shut it behind her. After waiting for a while, he jumped down onto the fire escape, barely making a sound. To his pleasant surprise, it was unlocked. Opening it, he slipped into her room. He closed the window behind him, letting the drapes fall behind him, obscuring him from the outside world. Walking around the edge of the bed, he settled onto his knees, his eyes softening at the sight.
Fallyn had fallen asleep, her hair falling over her face. Lifting a hand, Leo gently brushed the strands out of her face. The slumbering girl moaned lightly in her sleep, shifting before settling further into the pillows. Her lips parted slightly as her breathing deepened. Leo felt his heart tug painfully at the sight of her beautiful face, for once relaxed and free of care. Her skin was smooth, free of creases from concentration or worry, or both.
He had heard her entire conversation to herself on the roof. He felt like his heart died when she friendzoned him, but that was instantly washed away when he saw blood dripping from her palms. If she didn't feel anything for him, then why was she clenching her fists so hard that she was bleeding? If she was so against being with him… why was she crying?
Lifting his eyes, Leo swept his gaze over her face. He sighed to himself, letting his fingers play with her bangs lightly. Her hair was so soft; it fell through his fingers like silken strands. Finally, he separated his hand from her hair. Sitting up, he leaned over her ear.
"Your heart isn't foolish, Fallyn. My words are real. My feelings for you are real. You aren't dreaming this up." He kissed her cheek.
"I do love you… and, one day… I hope you can learn to love me as well."
複
Fallyn sat at the table, eating breakfast. On her right was her laptop, one side of the screen scrolling down as she read the news. Even though she had graduated two years ago, she still received the newsletter for Roosevelt High School. At her left hand was her food: Chocolate Mini Wheats with Dark Chocolate Almond Milk and a mug of Earl Grey tea. The right side of the screen had her email, which was overflowing with birthday messages, as well as several invitations to Roosevelt's Halloween party.
'I can't believe I'm turning eighteen in two weeks.' Fallyn sighed as she lifted her spoon to her mouth. 'What do I want to do? It's not like I want to do anything. And with Halloween the day before, it's not like I can go anywh-.'
"Hey sis!" Fallyn looked up to see April running down the stairs. Fallyn swallowed her bite of cereal, setting her spoon down in the bowl.
"Hey. How are you feeling?" April shrugged, grabbing a piece of toast. She slid into the seat across from her older sister.
"Eh. I still can't escape the feeling of rats crawling on my skin." She shivered. Fallyn rolled her eyes, taking another bite of cereal.
"It'll pass."
"That's easy for you to say. All you have to do is lift an eyebrow and every rodent in the city runs for their life."
"Except Sensei."
"Except Sensei." April agreed. It had been a hectic week for the sisters. Not only did Fallyn have to get used to the sights, sounds, and smells of aboveground Manhattan again, but she also had to get used to the sun. Besides the fact that she was still healing, which made it even harder to walk around on the uneven ground of sidewalks and streets, not to mention the constant going up and down stairs.
As if that wasn't enough, there was the subterranean matters to be addressed. A mutated crocodile had escaped from Dimension X a day after Fallyn left, taking with him an energy crystal. Evidently, it powered the portal the Kraang used to go back and forth between this dimension and theirs. The crocodile, Leatherhead, as Mikey named him, was found by the guys.
He was the very definition of a loose cannon. He severely injured Raphael with a death roll, splitting his shell in several places. Thankfully, Fallyn was able to patch him enough to go after Mikey, who had gone after Leatherhead after his scaled butt was handed to him by Splinter. Long story short, she and the guys had ended up using the power cell to energize an abandoned subway car, screaming through the streets of Manhattan till they ended up at a sewer plant on the other edge of town. Don was able to figure out how to temporarily control the power flux, and now the guys had a huge subway car sitting outside the lair. The nightmare ended… only to reappear when Richard Falco resurfaced five days later.
Now calling himself the Rat King, he had tried to take over the city by psychically controlling Manhattan's rat population… including Master Splinter. Thankfully, the guys had been able to get him back. Fallyn hadn't been there, but Raph had called her afterwards, telling her all about it. She suspected he exaggerated his part, but she had listened anyways.
"Hey Fallyn?" April's voice snapped the older girl from her thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"How come you haven't gone to the lair lately?" Fallyn choked on a piece of cereal. Heating her esophagus, she melted the chocolate on the inside, letting it slide down her throat. She took a sip of tea to ease her throat.
"I've been busy."
"With what? Reading?" Fallyn sighed, purposely fixing her eyes on the laptop screen. She looked up when it was slammed shut. April stood there, a determined look on her face. "What has been bothering you?"
"Nothing." Fallyn stood, picking up her bowl. April followed behind her. Fallyn tried to block her out.
"It's not nothing." Fallyn started washing the bowl. "You're not sleeping, Fallyn. I can tell."
"I'm fine."
"You're distracted, you never train up on the roof-"
"It's been two weeks."
"Lyn, come on." Fallyn sighed, resting her hands on the counter. Her head dropped, her hair cascading around her face. "Talk to me."
"You wouldn't understand, April."
"Wouldn't understand what? That you're hurting?" Fallyn's lips pulled back slightly into a slim frown. "Why not talk to Donnie?"
"This…" Fallyn sighed, pushing off the counter. "Can't be healed by science, April."
"So you are in pain?" The whitette didn't look at her sister as she walked past. She grabbed her white woolen sweater, throwing it over her outfit: a gray, long-sleeve cotton shirt, faded jeans, her black boots, and a pair of white woolen mittens with removable tops. She paused at the door, her hand on the doorknob.
"Yeah."
"So why can't I help?" Fallyn internally winced at April's pleading tone.
"Because this type of pain… only I can heal." With that, she walked out of the house. April watched from the window as she shoved her hands in her jacket pockets as she walked down the street. The redhead sighed, her gaze sorrowful.
"If there's anyone who can tell me what's wrong with Fallyn, besides Fallyn, it's Sensei."
複
Raph looked up as April entered the dojo. For a split second, he hoped Fallyn was with her. His expression drooped when the redhead closed the door behind her. Covering it up, he straightened, stopping the punching bag with a hand.
"Hey Ape. What's up?" She looked up at him. He was immediately concerned when he saw her eyes. He walked towards her, hooking his thumbs in his belt. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah… I'm fine."
"But…" Raph pressed.
"I don't know about Fallyn." Raph's eyes widened slightly. He rested a hand on her shoulder.
"What about Fallyn? Her foot isn't getting worse, is it?" April shook her head.
"No, that's not it. It's just…" Raph took her hands, guiding her down. She sat down, Raph sitting across from her.
"Just what?"
"She's not sleeping well, she's not eating nearly like she used to, she's often distracted…" April shook her head. "It's like she's a completely different person." Raph narrowed his eyes.
"How long has she been acting like this?" April hummed to herself, thinking.
"Since the day she came home. No… that's not right. It would have to be…" April's eyes widened. "Since the day I got mugged by Purple Dragons!" Raph's eyes widened as she started laughing.
"April?"
"I… I can't believe I didn't see it before." Still laughing, April wrapped Raph in a hug. "Thank you Raph!" She ran out of the dojo. "Tell Sensei I'll be back when I can!"
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"To find my sister and slap her for being a complete idiot!" April responded, running out of the lair. Leo came walking out of his room at the same time Raph descended the stairs to the dojo.
"What was that about? Was that April?" Leo glanced at Raph. The hothead shrugged.
"She came in the dojo, most likely looking for Sensei. We talked, and then she started laughing and off she went." Leo titled his head.
"What were you talking about?"
"Apparently Fallyn's been acting weird lately. April was concerned about it, but I guess something I said helped her." Leo chuckled. "What's so funny?"
"I highly doubt anything you said helped her." Raph growled at Leo, brushing past him.
"How would you know? You haven't even looked at Fallyn since she went home, let alone talked to her." Leo turned to retort, but Raph was nowhere in sight. However, upon doing so… He realized his younger brother was right. Since Fallyn had gone home, he hadn't done so much as text her.
'Well, that's about to change.' Taking out his tPhone, Leo typed in a message before sending it.
複
Fallyn pulled her phone out of her pocket when it buzzed. Her golden eyes widened when she saw who had texted her. Pausing next to an antique shop, she opened the message. Her eyes swiftly read over it.
Hey. Where are you? Fallyn huffed to herself, her eyes narrowing.
'He doesn't talk to me for two weeks, and then he just texts me out of the blue?' Though she tried to be mad, a feeling of joy flashed through her heart. A slight smile pulled up at her hips as she responded.
Down on Fifth. Why? She sent it, before sticking her phone back in her pocket. She hadn't walked thirty feet before she got a response.
Meet me on the roof of the abandoned Fortune Cookie factory. Where we saved Murakami. Fallyn's eyes narrowed again. Instead of responding, she ducked into an alley. Jumping up the side of the building, she landed silently on the roof.
'Alright Leonardo. I'll play your little game.'
複
Leo looked over his shoulder as Fallyn lightly dropped from the billboard to the roof. He smiled slightly at her. She didn't return it, instead walking right up to him. He licked his lips, finding his voice.
"Hey."
"Hey. So… why call me all the way out here?" Leo sighed.
"Raph told me that you haven't been yourself." Fallyn's eyes narrowed.
"How'd he know?"
"April told him." The whitette huffed, walking to the edge of the roof. She placed a foot on the ledge, leaning her arms on her leg.
"Of course she did." Leo walked up behind her.
"Are you beating yourself up because April got mugged by Purple Dragons?" Fallyn didn't answer.
'So that's what she thinks is wrong.' "Kind of." Leo tilted his head, wanting to reach out and place a hand on her shoulder. Upon feeling that, he remembered why he had called her out here in the first place.
"I'm sorry." That got Fallyn looking at him.
"What for?"
"For avoiding you." Fallyn's eyes widened. "I didn't talk to you when we were out on patrol, or when my brothers stopped by your place." Leo sighed, looking at his feet. "I haven't even texted you before today. And I-"
"Need to shut up." Leo looked up sharply. Fallyn sighed, moving so she stood right in front of him. "To be honest, I was avoiding you too. We're both at fault." Leo smiled.
"So… we're cool?" Fallyn pursed her lips slightly. "Fallyn?"
"We will be…" She shoved him back, her eyes glinting. "After I leave your shelled butt in the dust." Laughing, she leapt off the building, landing on the one next to them.
"You're on!" Leo ran after her, jumping over her head. "Catch up, slowpoke!"
"Says the turtle!" Leo scoffed.
"Low blow, kitty! Low blow!" Fallyn blew a raspberry at him, running across the roof. Leo smiled, running after her. 'We're talking again. For now… that's good enough for me.'
複
Fallyn walked into the apartment, closing the door behind her. She shrugged off her sweater, holding it over her shoulder with two fingers while she kicked off her boots. Sighing, she walked up the stairs, her feet not making a sound. Her aunt's shower was running, which would explain why the kitchen was cold. As Fallyn opened the door to her room, she immediately noticed April, who was sitting at her desk. The redhead looked up, smiling at the sight of her sister. Jumping down the steps, she ran over to give Fallyn a hug.
"April? Is there something wro-"
"You are such an idiot." Fallyn froze. She looked down at her sister's head.
"What?"
"You were that guilty about leaving me on my own?" Fallyn's eyes widened. Playing along, she sighed.
"April… if I had been there, you wouldn't have been put in that situation." April raised her head.
"I wasn't hurt."
"But you could have been." The redhead chuckled lightly. Lifting a fist, she let it fall onto her sister's head. It wasn't a strike so much as it was a playful reprimand.
"But I wasn't. It all turned out for the best. Sensei stepped up my training, the guys learned to work together, and you had some time to yourself." April smiled gently. "You don't have to worry about me that much anymore."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"Ever heard of enjoying life? You should try it some time." Fallyn chuckled, resting a hand on April's head.
"Maybe one day. But, there is a more pressing matter… what are you doing in my room?" April shrugged, stepping back.
"I didn't know when you were going to get back, and I didn't want to miss you." Fallyn rolled her eyes.
"Right. Out you go then."
"Why? You got a boyfriend hidden in here or something?" A growl sent her running. April bolted to her own room, latching the door behind her. She leaned against it, breathing a sigh of relief.
"But she seriously needs to get one." April's electric blue eyes widened at the thought. "Well… I know two wonderful candidates. All I have to do is find out who she likes… and in what way they like her."
Back in Fallyn's room, the whitette sighed as she threw her sweater onto her bed. She sunk onto her mattress, staring at her hands. She turned one over slowly, her claws and stripes appearing and disappearing as she thought. A soft scoff passed her lips.
Her eyes flashed, her pupils suddenly narrowing. Lighting her claws on fire, she threw the flaming barbs at her dart board. Keeping her hand out, Fallyn watched as they slowly died out. Sighing, she fell back onto her bed as her appearance returned to her human form.
"April's right. I am an idiot. I've gotten careless. People are starting to see through me." Her eyes closed as she released a sigh.
"This is why I hate feeling emotion. It's nothing but a weakness."
複
April stirred under her sheets. It sounded like someone was knocking on her window, but, in the thrall of the world between slumber and stirring, April couldn't tell. It was only when it didn't stop that she realized she wasn't dreaming. That, and Leo's voice. She got out of bed, looking out the window.
"Leo?" He waved. She opened the window, rubbing her eyes. "Ugh. This better be good."
"Hey. I need to talk."
"Can it wait till morning?" Leo shook his head, poking his fingers together.
"I met this girl."
April was suddenly wide awake. Grabbing his shoulders, she pulled him as close as possible without kissing him.
"Tell me everything!" 'This is exactly what I wanted to hear!'
"Well… she's really cool." April nodded.
'Off to a good start!'
"She's also, a martial artist." The redhead nodded harder, fervently fighting the urge to squeal.
'Yes, Yes, YES!'
"And…" Leo put a hand next to his mouth. "She's in the Foot Clan."
One second passed… April blinked.
Two seconds passed… She slapped him across the face with a rolled up magazine. She held in in her hand, just in case she needed to hit him again.
"Are you crazy!?" April was whisper-yelling so as to avoid waking Fallyn up. She didn't want her sister to know she was trying to play matchmaker.
"April she's different! She's-."
"In the Foot Clan." April stated in a whisper.
"Yeah, but, s-she's-"
"In the Foot Clan." She stated again, no longer whispering.
"Look, I know I shouldn't be hanging out with her-"
"Yeah! You got that right. You know why?" 'To hell with not waking Fallyn up.' "CAUSE SHE'S IN THE FOOT CLAN!" 'Probably woke up the entire neighborhood, but who cares!?' Leo flinched away as April yelled at him.
"April! She's fun! And I'm tired of being the responsible one. When do I get to have fun?" April glared at him. Sighing, she decided to hold off on lecturing him… for the moment.
"So what does she want from you?"
"I don't know. I'm meeting her later at the Byerly Building. She's, got something planned."
"Yeah! Like pushing you off the Byerly Building! It's a trap Leo!" Behind her, April heard her door creak slightly.
"I don't think so. There's good in her. I know there is! I can feel it." April couldn't believe what she was hearing. Sighing, she grabbed the edges of her window.
"You are such an idiot." Leo opened his mouth to ask why, but April wasn't in the mood to keep talking. "I just hope you're right… and you realize what you're giving up." She closed the window with a decisive thud, locking it. Outside, Leo leapt off the fire escape, jumping out of sight.
April leaned against her wall, sighing to herself. Looking up, she was met with the gaze of her older sister. Fallyn was wearing gray flannels with white snowflakes on them and a white tank top. Her hair was hanging free, draping around her upper body and face, which was home to two questioning eyes.
"What was that about?" April shook her head.
"Leo's being an idiot." Fallyn snickered.
"So what else is new?" April rolled her eyes.
"How… how much did you hear?" Fallyn narrowed her eyes.
"Well… I'm pretty sure the entire neighborhood heard you yelling about someone being in the Foot Clan." April chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Yeah… well, here's the thing." Fallyn tapped her foot twice, slowly. "Leo met a girl." April hesitantly looked up.
Fallyn's face held no emotion other than surprise. Not a hurt surprise, or even a happy surprise. Just… surprise. April tilted her head.
"A girl? In the Foot Clan?" The redhead nodded.
"Yeah."
"How much does he know about her?" April shrugged.
"From what I could gather, they've only met once."
"And Leo thinks she's safe enough to be around."
"Yep." Fallyn snorted.
"I thought he was smarter than that." The white tiger mutant shook her head. Fallyn's eyes closed as she thought. April didn't say anything out of respect. When golden irises once more revealed themselves, she knew her sister had a plan.
"So?"
"Text Donnie and tell him what his idiot of a brother is doing." April nodded, grabbing her tPhone.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to follow Leo. If things go downhill, I'll step in and save him." April smirked.
"You mean you'll save his life, not his pride." Fallyn chuckled darkly.
"Well… how else are the sensible people gonna get through that moron's thick skull?" April snorted.
"Get me a pic, would ya?"
"Definitely." Fallyn shut the door behind her as she made her way to her own room. Thankfully, their aunt was still sleeping. "Not that that's a surprise. That woman could sleep through an atomic war." As she stripped of her pajamas, Fallyn couldn't help but feel… dejected.
'What an idiot I am.' She snorted to herself, pulling on her shirt with more force than necessary. "If Leo wants to chase after some Foot Clan wench, who am I to stop him?"
複
Karai paced the rooftop, waiting for Leo to arrive. The kunoichi snickered to herself. She knew Leo wasn't going to go along with her plan, but she was confident her plan was going to work. After all, what was a plan if it wasn't devious?
"I was beginning to think you were a no-show. But you don't disappoint." Leo walked towards her. He paused three feet away.
"So… what's this about?" Karai tossed him a pair of binoculars. She pointed to her right.
"That." Leo narrowed his eyes, looking through the binoculars. Karai smirked at his surprised gasp. Lowering the binoculars, she could see his widened eyes.
"That's the sword of Miyamoto Musashi." Karai kneeled beside the turtle.
"The greatest swordsman in the history of Japan. It's ancient, it's priceless, and it's yours." Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Leo's eyes flicker. "IF, you help me."
"Do what?"
"You know what! We're going to steal it."
"No we're not!" Karai put on a fake disappointed look.
"Come on! That sword is just sitting there, collecting dust! You know you deserve that katana. Certainly more than some lazy rich guy." Karai stood up, walking the few steps closer to Leo's side.
"Stop being responsible Leo. Stop waiting for people to give you the life you want." Leo's pupils shrunk in surprise. "Go out and take it." Leo forcefully turned his head away.
"No." his voice was full of strain. Karai stood.
"I'm getting that sword Leo. With or without you. Choose." Leo stood, facing her.
"I can't. It's wrong." Karai began to reach for the hilt of her blade.
"You're starting to bore me." Leo grabbed her hand, pulling it away from her sword.
"Karai! You don't have to do this."
"I know. That's what makes it fun!" As she said the final word, she twisted Leo's wrist, swept his foot, and made him kneel, his arm twisted behind him.
"Leo!" Karai looked up to see another turtle run towards them. "What? What are you doing? Who's she?!"
"Um…" Leo tapped the ground nervously. "Raph, Karai. Karai, Raph."
"What are you? Friends with her? We're out there risking our necks, and you're up here holding hands with the Foot!" Raph stalked towards them, using his hand to emphasize his point. Karai let Leo up.
"I-I can explain!"
"This should be entertaining." Karai crossed her arms, smirking.
"Y-you see, Karai and I… uh… share an appreciation for the… fine craftsmanship of-." Behind Raph, who was clearly not buying anything of what Leo said, tentacles appeared, hauling an all-too familiar figure up onto the roof.
"I found you, turtles!" Snakeweed growled.
"Oh thank goodness." Leo sighed in relief. Snakeweed attacked the trio. Karai sprung to the side, watching as the turtles engaged the freaky mutant. She heard Raph say something about forgiveness and welcome back, but she was too busy watching the fight to care. She stood still, watching as Raph and Leo were captured by the creature. She relished in the desperation in Leo's eyes when he looked at her.
"Karai! Karai, please!" She didn't move. "Help!" Smirking, she reached back, taking hold of her katana. She flung it at Leo, lodging it in the door above his head.
"Sayōnara." She flipped off the building, landing in the alley below. On her way down, she saw a figure glaring at her from the shadows of the neighboring building. 'Too easy. This is only the beginning. You'll pay for what you did to my father. I swear.'
複
Fallyn jumped up onto the roof. She had not gone back to the house, instead taking a detour. Currently, she was overlooking Manhattan bay. The mutant chuckled to herself at the familiarity of the situation.
"Wonder if I'll see Alex again. I could use a good sparring match right about now." Footsteps on an adjoining roof, caught her attention. The breeze blew a familiar scent towards her, making her muscles relax. "How'd you find me?"
"Followed the rabbit trail." Fallyn chuckled to herself, turning around to face the speaker.
"Tigers eat rabbits, Raphael." The turtle shrugged, smirking as he hooked his thumbs in his belt. He walked forward till he looked over the bay next to her. Fallyn smiled softly, turning her own gaze to the rippling water.
"You okay?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I saw you tonight." Out of the corner of his eyes, Raph saw Fallyn's shoulders stiffen slightly. "Look, I may not be a genius like Donnie, but I'm definitely not a dimwit like Mikey." Fallyn snorted softly in amusement. "You're upset at Leo."
"And you're not." The sai wielder snorted.
"Pissed off is more like it, actually. But I'm his brother." Raph fully looked at Fallyn. She turned her head to look at him.
"What's your point?"
"Do you like Leo?" Fallyn's eyes widened. Raph narrowed his. "Fallyn?" Fallyn snorted, turning her head away.
"I don't like anyone, Raph." Raph tilted his head. Fallyn sighed, letting her head drop. "I can't."
"Why not? Last I checked, liking someone isn't a choice."
"Yes it is." Fallyn fixed her gaze on the water, but she wasn't seeing it. "You can choose to keep your heart to yourself, or you can choose to leave it alone and let it make it's own decisions."
"So?"
"I've chosen to keep my heart to myself." Raph pursed his lips. Taking her hand in his, he gently rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.
"How come? What's so wrong with feeling?" Fallyn sighed, closing her eyes.
"You don't understand."
"So help me understand." Fallyn glanced at him. Raph smiled comfortingly. Taking her other hand, he led her away from the roof's edge. She let him pull her down into the protection of an overhanging roof, away from the breeze and where it was relatively silent. "What do I not get, Fallyn?"
"You guys have been protected your entire life." Fallyn stared at her lap as she talked. "Splinter didn't let you see the world until you were eighteen."
"So?"
"So you're all still so naïve to the dangers this world holds." Raph scoffed.
"I think we've seen plenty of the above world's dangers." Fallyn shook her head.
"Not all of them. You've barely scratched the surface."
"What do you mean?"
"You forget, Raph. I've lived up here my entire life. I know things you don't." Fallyn lifted her head, staring into his eyes. "Up here… only those who are protected are given the liberty to feel with their heart."
Raph's emerald eyes widened as he realized what Fallyn was saying.
"In other words… so long as you have someone to protect… you won't live for yourself."
"I can't." Fallyn sighed, ducking her head again. "April isn't capable of handling herself yet. And… even if she was… I don't think I could let her go."
"What do you mean?"
"I've spent my entire life worrying about her. Wondering if she was alright, making sure she was provided for…" Fallyn chuckled sadly. "I don't know how to do anything else."
Raph sat there, trying to figure out what to say. Normally, he would say something along the lines of "What's so hard about just living for yourself?" However… what he had gone through that night… had completely changed his perspective. He now knew it wasn't as easy as just walking away when you're in the position of protecting, not being protected. And… up until just a few hours ago… he hadn't understood just what being a leader entailed.
It was more than giving orders and being in charge. It was being responsible for lives. And not just any lives. The lives of your family, your blood.
"Well… what if I helped you?" Fallyn looked up at him through her bangs. "I know I can't be a leader, but I can still help you see that there's more to life than protecting. If you'd let me that is."
Fallyn stared into Raph's eyes. She knew that while he was a hothead and often acted without thinking, he had never said something without thinking over it when he was talking with her. He was careful, thoughtful… considerate. He showed her a side he didn't show to anyone else… and she loved it. Fallyn smiled slightly, nodding.
"Okay. If you think I can learn, I'll give it a shot." Raph smiled. Lifting his hands, he cupped her face. Tilting her head, he brought it closer till their foreheads touched.
"I've already got a lesson in mind."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Teaching Leo just how big of an idiot he is for falling for a Foot Clan girl." Fallyn snickered, her eyes glinting.
"I await your guidance."
複
Karai kneeled in front of Shredder.
"Karai? Did you destroy the turtle Leonardo?"
"No Father. I could not." Shredder growled. "I was interrupted."
"By who?" Karai mentally smirked.
"By the one who wounded you." Behind his mask, Shredder's eyes widened. Karai looked up him. "I was barely able to get out without a scratch."
"How?"
"Just as she was about to hit me, a... weed mutant attacked her. It seemed to know her. I was able to escape while she was busy." Shredder hummed to himself. Standing, he walked down the steps. Even though it had been several months, Karai could see that he was still in a lot of pain.
"I see. So she saved him." Shredder chuckled. "It seems we have found her weakness." Karai smiled. "Karai."
"Yes Father?"
"Target April O'Neil. Bring Fallyn to her knees... by destroying what she loves." Karai chuckled.
"Of course. It would be my pleasure."
Fallyn's Revealed Powers: Telekinesis, Enhanced Hearing and Smell, Retractable Claws, Healing, Firebending, Transformation
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! This takes place in the "New Girl in Town" episode. I couldn't figure out a way to have Fallyn in "I, Monster", so I decided to skip it. If you don't like that, guess what? It's my story with my OC.
Deal.
ak2. polyvoreimg dot com / cgi/ img- set/ cid/ 25791285/ id/ 1sGbx1AE4BGjRm8EnL- IPg/ size/ y. jpg
Fallyn's Outfit (remove spaces)
www. digsdigs dot com / photos/ ping- loft- teenage- bedroom. jpg
Bedroom, but imagine black for the brown, white for the pink, and gray for the white. And the flower decor is striped.
Anyways, please tell me what you thought, and thank you so much for the reviews! You guys are awesome! By the way, I'll be updating a CharacterXReader story next. Not saying which one, but that's next on the list. Thank you again!