Chapter 24

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I tried to keep myself as still as possible, hearing the leaves and twigs crunch around me. My breaths were shallow, and my whole body was tense from trying to keep crouched low. I felt my legs start to ache, but I knew I couldn't move, not just yet. If I was caught now...

Slowly, the sounds of footsteps started to move off, and I was finally able to at least take in a deep breath.

After another tense few minutes, I slowly rose from the ground, the ache in my legs making me bite my lip. I couldn't make a sound, in case they were still close...

I took a chance to look around, not seeing or hearing anyone, taking another deep breath. Should I move? Should I stay where I was?

Either option didn't sound good at the moment. They could come back, and find me-

Crack!

I looked down, finding I'd moved my foot forward, seeing I'd stepped on a twig, silently cursing myself.

Sounds came from far off, and I looked around, trying to find an escape route. My eyes eventually landed on the branch above me, and I jumped up, grabbing it with effort and hauling myself up as quickly as I could.

I managed to press myself against the trunk of the old tree, hearing the shuffling below me, not daring to move as I heard them both searching for me. I looked below me, watching the figures walk under me, hunting.

They stopped suddenly, both of them going stock still. I bit my lip, trying not to even breathe, feeling my legs shaking a little as I tried to keep my balance on the branch.

A sudden noise made them both turn and start to run to the left of me, and I took another slow breath. Maybe if I could...

Slowly, I looked up, seeing the branches above me.

Maybe if I could get high enough, they won't be able to see me, and I can hide for longer...

I reached up, grabbing the branch above me, pulling myself up slowly and feeling the new branch take my weight, then lifting my legs and almost doing a handstand as I wrapped my legs around the one above me, pulling myself up again.

I got myself upright, managing to grab onto the next, wondering how many would take my weight.

I went to grab another-

Snap!

The branch I was reaching for snapped suddenly, and I grabbed for the trunk as the smaller branch fell past me, towards the ground, hitting the other branches below me as it went. The noise...

"Over there!" I heard the shout, and I panicked, grabbing another branch which was stronger, feeling it take my weight and hearing them below me.

Climb! Climb! Climb!

I fought to get higher, knowing they were after me now. It would only be a matter of time before they caught me...

I turned and looked down, watching them climb after me with amazing speed.

Crap!

I pulled myself up as fast as I dared, knowing the branches would get too thin to climb, trying to pick the strongest branches as I went.

I went to grab another, finding it broke as soon as I tried to pull myself up, landing on the branch below me and feeling it bend...

"Oh f-" It snapped, causing me to flail my arms helplessly, my body tipping downwards and feeling myself start to fall. I was going to hit the ground head first!

"Gotcha!" I felt a hand wrap round my ankle as I passed, and I felt myself jerk to a stop, my arms flailing around again. I looked up, seeing Leo smiling down at me.

"That was a close one" Raph said from the branch below me, and I looked down seeing we were almost face to face.

"Yeah... thanks Leo.. and..." I sighed, looking back up at him "Damn, you caught me"

"In more ways than one" He was now grinning, and I couldn't help but pout.

I felt him move me down, where Raph took me in his arms, moving us down the tree with Leo following.

When we were down, Raph let me go, and I looked up at them.

We had been up at the Hork-Bajir valley four about four to five days, before we all decided it was time to head back. We had made it about six hours into the trip, until Leo decided we all needed a break, and to stretch our legs. Raph was getting restless, and I was getting anxious. The whole time we were gone, I hadn't really heard a peep from Donnie, and it worried me...

So, we had decided to head into the bush, and play the ninja version of hide and seek. Leo wanted to test my skills, as well as try and sharpen his and Raph's skills. Plus... it was a much needed distraction. I knew Leo must have been worried about his younger brothers still, even though we'd heard from Ithiell and Mikey while we were in the valley. Ithiell was still trying to work out how to take down Yeerk security effectively, and Mikey was... well...

I'd never seen him smile so much in the transmission. He told us about how Kristiana was doing, and how nice she was... how pretty...

I could only wonder what Kristiana thought of him. I did hope she felt the same way... Mikey was a big sweetheart...

On the third day up in the valley, Rachel, Mihra and Cassie had come up, and Raph's mood changed from dark and brooding to sweet and quietly happy. It was nice to see, but it put a strange ache in my heart as well. I missed Donnie...the sweet Donnie...not the standoffish one I'd said goodbye to...

As wonderful as it was to finally see my family, and know they were okay and being taken care of, I was eager to get back and try and work out what was wrong with Donnie. Did he have second thoughts about us? Had I possibly done something to upset him, and now he was brooding about it?

I wouldn't know until we got back.

But... for a little while at least, Leo and Raph had taken my mind off it, and we'd all gotten some good exercise in.

Now, heading back to the truck, I was starting to feel a little nervous again. Two more hours until we got back to the lair...

I felt a hand on my arm as I sat in the drivers seat, looking over at Leo. He was smiling sweetly at me, and squeezed my shoulder a little.

"It's okay Jade, you know I'm here for you"

"We are here for you" Raph interrupted, looking a little annoyed as he took his seat in the back.

"I know, thanks guys. Now let's get this show on the road" I turned the key, feeling and hearing the engine roar to life again.

The boys settled into their seats, and we were off again.

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Do you ever notice how the last leg of any trip just seems to drag on?

Well...this one did for me. Panic...worry... confusion...

In spite of the boys assurances, I was still worried. I couldn't shake this nagging feeling that something would happen. Good...bad... I didn't know.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, we pulled into the spot that the truck had originally been parked, pulling out our stuff and heading towards the lair.

I felt a lump form in my throat, feeling Leo push me a little to get me moving, eventually taking the lead in front of me, with Raph pulling up the rear. It almost felt as if I had two bodyguards...

I started to shake a little as we got towards the entrance, Raph now putting his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them a little and pushing me forward as he did.

We opened the door...

"Welcome back!" Mikey was suddenly there, picking me up and swinging me around, almost squishing me.

"Aww thanks" I hugged him back, and he let me go, seeing Serah, Kristiana, Rtaia and Splinter there. They all greeted us warmly.

"Where's-" Suddenly arms went around me from behind, pulling me close and a kiss on my head.

"I've missed you" Donnie whispered in my ear, and I managed to turn around in his arms to look up at him. He looked like the same Donnie I fell for...

"I missed you too" I leaned up, kissing him and feeling him return the kiss. Maybe time apart was what we needed...

He pulled me closer, almost lifting me off the floor as he made the kiss deeper, and I felt tears spring to my eyes. I didn't realise how much I'd actually missed Donnie... the real Donnie...

"Ah-hem" We broke apart, moving to see Ithiell there, half smiling at us.

"Ithiell" I moved to hug him, hearing him laugh at little.

"Good to see you too. How's Toby doing up there? Oh, and your family?"

"Good and good"

We all moved into a large circle, all of us now talking about this and that, Raph and Leo talking about the time up there.

"Oh wow, you dudes almost got skewered?" Mikey asked, almost giggling.

"By none other than my dear father" I shook my head.

"But Jade kicked his butt" Raph did his strange deep laugh.

"Literally" Leo joined in on the laughter.

Over time, I noticed Kristiana seem to get closer to Mikey, who was sitting on the edge of the couch she was on. Slowly, I saw her put her hand on his knee, and he covered her hand with his. I couldn't help but giggle a little, blushing a little when everyone looked at me.

"What?"

"What are you giggling about missy?" Serah asked, a gleam in her eyes.

"Uh... nothing at all" I leaned back on the couch, feeling hands on my shoulders. I looked up at Donnie, who was now smirking at me. He'd seen it too...

"Suuuure" Serah was suddenly in my face, staring at me. I had to move back a little, feeling Donnie let go of me.

"You going to tell me how my mom is or what?" She suddenly said, and I saw worry in her face.

"She's going good, her and Rachel will be back soon" I told her, pushing her gently back so I could get some personal space back.

I saw her face look almost relieved, and she went and sat back next to Kristiana, obviously oblivious to what was going on beside her. I felt Donnie's hands back on my arms...

"So, I was thinking" Ithiell spoke up from the other side of Serah, his hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him, smiling. Once again, I couldn't believe those two were related. One of my best friends, and my leader and brother of sorts.

"Maybe it's time to start teaching Serah how to shift"

I almost choked.

"But... shouldn't Mihra..."

"For the moment, Mihra isn't here. And Serah has expressed alot of interest in learning. So I thought while there is calm, you, me and Rtaia can teach her for a little bit each day"

I looked at Serah "It's not easy. It'll take you a while to do"

She just nodded "I know. But I want to learn. Ithiell and Rtaia have been telling me alot about Chanaiben's and my...well... our... family"

"Okay then, I'm in"

"You don't mind if I watch some days?" Kristiana piped up, her hand now back on her lap. Mikey looked happy, looking down at her with a big grin. I was surprised how much better she looked. I was honestly glad she was okay...

"I do not see any problem with this" Rtaia looked at Kristiana. She seemed quite calm, sitting next to Splinter.

"Me either" Serah was grinning now. She seemed so much happier.

"Oh, I wanna watch too!" Mikey raised his hand excitedly, like he was in class and suddenly knew the answer to a question.

"Perhaps some days... not all. We don't want Serah to be overwhelmed" Ithiell let go of her, standing up and stretching.

"I do believe it is time to retire for the night" Splinter finally spoke up, and I saw Leo let out a yawn. Even Raph was rubbing his eyes. It had been a long trip...

"I agree. We'll start training and what not in the morning. Plus, it'll be good for Donnie and I to get a break from the code cracking" Ithiell nodded at Donnie, who seemed to let out a sound of agreement.

So everyone shuffled off to their rooms, Serah following as Mikey half helped Kristiana back into the spare bedroom they were now both staying in. Mikey was sure attentive...

"Well, shall we" Donnie was suddenly there, holding his hand out to me. I took it, grateful to have the old Donnie back, letting him pull me up and back into his arms for another long hug, kissing him as hard as I dared.

"I really missed you" I muttered when I pulled back, resting my head in the nape of his neck, his arms tightly around me.

"Missed you too" He muttered, then "I'm sorry"

I looked up at him, those green eyes now worried, pulling myself away from him. Then, without a word, I took his hand and led him into the bedroom, shutting the door behind us.

"Jade?" He frowned a little as I put a hand on his chest, pushing him back towards the bed and making him sit down.

I honestly didn't know what to say to him. He'd had me worried for so long. Now... it seemed like he was back to himself...

And I wasn't going to mess it up by saying something stupid.

I pulled his goggles, then some of his gear off, without him saying a word. I discarded it to the floor, going to sit on his lap, facing him and moving my hands up to his glasses.

I felt a hand on my wrist, and I stopped, looking into his eyes. I felt the worry return as he took my wrists and gently put my hands down to our sides, then sliding his hands to take mine.

His forehead pressed against mine, and I couldn't help but close my eyes, sighing heavily. I felt my heart start to hurt then, knowing there was still something he wasn't telling me, but not caring then. Right now I just wanted to be as close to him as possible. After him being so distant for so long... then not talking to him for days...

"Jade, I'm sorry for being so distant"

I wanted to say something, but I just couldn't bring myself to, instead moving forward to kiss him, letting go of his hands and moving to wrap my arms around his shoulders, pulling myself close. He returned the kiss, but pulled back as it started to get heated, looking into my eyes again.

"Jade, please say something"

I sighed, trying to swallow the lump that was in my throat, saying the only thing I could.

"I really don't know what to say. I just want to be with you... right here, right now"

"Only now?"

"Please just shut up" I trapped his lips with my own again, finally feeling him relax and return the pressure and the passion.

Soon my shirt was discarded, as well as my shorts. He was now above me, on his knees and elbows, looking down at me as his bandanna fell over his shoulders.

"Jade, I don't ever want you to think I just want you for this" He sighed, nuzzling his head in my shoulder then, starting to nip at my neck.

"I know you don't. I just..." I sighed, and he pulled back, looking at me.

"You really scared me" I finally admitted, seeing him frown.

"I didn't mean to- Jade, I don't-" He stopped when I shook my head.

"Just... don't. Not now, okay?" I leaned up, removing his glasses and placing it gently on the table beside us, then moving to undo his bandanna. He let me, without a word, and I discarded it somewhere beside us. With his face now bare, I leaned up and trailed my fingers up his cheeks, over his temples, exploring his unmasked face. He leaned into my touch, closing his eyes a little.

"Come here" I murmured, pulling his face towards mine and kissing him again. He soon relaxed into the kiss, his hands starting to move down my sides, tickling me a little before resting his hands on my hips. I knew what he was waiting for, pushing myself up against him and he slid his hands up and under the cloth that was separating us, starting to pull at it.

Tomorrow, we would talk. Tonight...

Tonight we would learn to reconnect.

'x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

I know, I meant this to be a tense chapter, but... well, there you go :P

Hope you enjoyed either way.

Next chapter things will start happening, honest! :D

And as always, Constructive Criticism appreciated :D