Word of warning, this one might hit you in the feels. Did for me while I was writing it. Enjoy! And Happy Easter!

Chapter 8

Leo slowly closed the door to the bathroom, ensuring he didn't wake anyone. He passed his brothers' and Splinter's rooms, making his way to his own. He smiled at the sight of the Christmas tree, unwrapped presents and paper strewn everywhere from the day's excitement. Silently turning the knob of his door, he peeked inside, breathing a small sigh of relief when nothing was out of place. Sneaking inside, he closed the door and removed his katana, mask, armor, and knee and elbow pads. That done, Leo crept over to his bed, gently sitting down on the comforters. He smiled at the other occupant.

Taigā was sleeping peacefully, her hair splayed out. Her ears were flat against her head, the tips limp. The Yin and Yang earrings he had bought her shone in the low light. Evidently, she had pierced her ears before her mutation, and the piercings had somehow survived the process. Not that anyone minded. Taigā and Leo least of all.

Leo reached out, brushing her bangs away from her face. A gentle smile emerged when the female mutant moaned in her sleep, pressing her face into his fingers. "I still can't believe this is real," he whispered to no one in particular. His body relaxed as he let the memories take over him.

It had already been three months since their battle with the Shredder. The night Taigā moved in, Leo had been very awkward around her. He had kissed her on the lips in moment of childish joy, and silently berated himself for it for weeks. To make matters worse, Splinter had insisted she live in his room till they could furnish one for her.

Finally, Taigā had confronted him on the matter. After a moment's hesitation, he had practically begged for her forgiveness for doing something so rash. To his surprise, she had cut his apology short with a kiss, sealing his lips shut. When she pulled back, she told him that she didn't mind. In fact, she was thrilled he had made the first move. Leo responded by wrapping her in a hug, burying his face in her neck, letting his tears soak her hair and cotton T-shirt as he whispered thank you's.

After that, their interactions had become much more consistent. Training, surface runs, even down to things such as sitting together on the couch watching TV. Raph had cuffed Leo over the head, scolding his leader for causing his little sister so much pain. Leo hadn't responded verbally, instead tackling his younger brother, pretending to be outraged that Raph had talked to Taigā behind his back. In reality, he was thrilled that his hotheaded brother had taken so well to Taigā. Everyone was.

Evidently, while she was healing, and getting used to her new body and abilities, Raphael stuck by her side, hardly ever letting her out of his sight. He helped her improve her Japanese, took her on excursions to the surface, and showed her how to sneak up on Mikey to scare the shell off of him. In return, she taught him how to cook without burning things, how to speak Irish and Hebrew, and how to smack-talk Californian style. They would banter and argue, but there was a certain lightheartedness and love there that wasn't before Taigā moved in. In fact, whenever Raph bantered or called names anymore, it was hardly ever meant. There was the occasional swear and shout of anger, but now that was always directed towards Mikey whenever the youngest pranked him.

In all truth, Taigā was the perfect sister for them. She trained with Leonardo, mellowed out Raphael, tinkered with Donatello, and helped Mikey in every way possible, from cooking to helping him focus on his training. Splinter trained her in Ninjitsu, and it wasn't long before she had her own mask, weapons, and armor. A black mask, to match her stripes and hair, and twin katana, to match Leonardo. She was also very proficient in sai and chain whip, no doubt thanks to Raphael. The armor had come from the remnants of several weapons that had not survived the explosions. It was lightweight and covered in Kevlar; not even bullets could pierce it, courtesy of Donatello.

April got her job back at Channel Six, and quickly rose through the ranks. She was now the station's head reporter, going everywhere, doing everything. Vern was still at the bottom, and furious that he was no longer able to be April's cameraman. No one cared. In. The. Slightest.

Through all this, Taigā and Leo drew closer till they were inseparable. When Leo had asked Taigā to be his girlfriend Christmas Eve night, she had answered with a passionate kiss, one he had quickly reciprocated. Splinter had smiled from the shadows, silently grateful he wouldn't have to furnish another room. The next morning, the couple walked out of their room to be greeted with their friends and family. They had blushed profusely, earning a squeal and snapshot from Mikey. The latter earned him a chasing and numerous colorful threats. Those received laughter and smiles from the rest of the family.

Leo smiled to himself, closing his eyes as he rested his head on the wall. Every night he would look down at Taigā, and wonder to himself what he did to deserve someone like her. He never mentioned his inner battle to her, knowing that she would berate him and playfully call him a worry wart and an idiot. He chuckled to himself at the idea.

"What's so funny?" The turtle jumped at the question. Glancing down, he saw Taigā staring up at him, her bright green irises glowing in the night.

"Nothing."

"Liar." Leo sighed, slumping slightly.

"I was just thinking about when we tackled Mikey." A purr of amusement came from the girl as she sat up. The comforter dropped off her torso, exposing her royal blye spaghetti-strapped tank top. Leo draped an arm over her shoulders, drawing her to his side.

"That was pretty funny. But, you have to admit, he had it coming." Leo chuckled again, resting his chin on Taigā's head.

"He should have known better than to take a picture of us."

"Though I'm sure he has plenty." Leo rolled his eyes, kissing the closest ear to him, directly above the Yin and Yang earring. Taigā shivered at the gesture. "You know I hate it when you do that."

"And that's why I do it. Because you hate it." Taigā humphed in defeat, snuggling into Leo's plastron.

"Tease."

"You make it too easy." Taigā rolled her eyes this time, shifting her head to look up at her boyfriend. She gently kissed his jaw, trailing her lips up to meet his lips. Leo pressed back, using his hand to keep her head close. He rolled on top of her, trapping her against the bed. When they pulled away, Leo nuzzled her neck. "I love you."

"I love you too, Leo." Leo smiled, getting off his girlfriend to lie next to her. He pulled her to his chest, her body fitting perfectly. She hummed appreciatively as his chin rested on her head again. "Goodnight. Merry Christmas."

"Goodnight, Taigā. Merry Christmas." Taigā immediately drifted into sleep again, her ears going limp. Leo gently kissed each before succumbing to sleep as well. 'I may not know what I did to earn her love, but I sure as hell am not going to lose it. As long as I live, she will be by my side.'