Chapter 25

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It was early evening, and I was getting a little restless. Donnie was still asleep, half snoring away like he hadn't slept in a long time. I could only guess him and Ithiell had really been going hard at cracking the Yeerk security while we were gone. Which probably led me to see what I did next.

As quietly as I could I got dressed, moving to the door and opening it as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Donnie up.

I came out into the main room, seeing Ithiell on one of the couches, sprawled out with his eyes closed. His tail was draped over one end, and his head resting on the other, an arm and a leg hanging off the front of it, taking deep breaths in and out. Poor thing looked exhausted.

On the other couch, which thankfully was facing away from me, I saw Mikey sitting. Beside him, a blonde head of hair that I could only guess was Kristiana. They were both talking in hushed whispers, so as not to wake Ithiell I guessed.

As silently as I could I closed the door behind me and stood stock still where I was, not wanting to interrupt the two.

"So... I need to like... say something" I heard Mikey say, turning to look at her.

"What is it Mikey?" She asked, and I saw her turn to him as well. I felt this was a good time to put my "ninja" skills to good use, going and hiding myself behind a table nearby, looking out to the two. I was surprised at how quiet I could be.

"Well uh... dudette... I like... " He scratched his head, like he was having trouble "I totally like you, you know?"

A small laugh then "I like you too Mikey"

I couldn't help but smile. It was cute...

"So uh... what happens now?" Mikey looked so shy and so out of his element. I just wanted to go and give him a big hug, and tell him it was all right, but I couldn't bring myself to interrupt the two.

"I mean... you know I like, flirt with Jade and April and all that... but I really do like you. You're like... an awesome babe"

Another soft giggle from Kristiana "I know Mikey. And... what do you want to happen from here?"

"Uh" He shrugged "I don't know, I've like... totally never done this kind of stuff before"

"Well, do you want to uh... go out on a date some time?"

Now it was Mikey's turn to giggle "Yeah, totally!"

Then Mikey's smile dropped, and he scratched the back of his head, saying what I was thinking just then.

"What about that... like...dude... the Matt guy..."

"Oh him?" She waved her arm dismissively "Gosh, we broke up just before I joined The Sharing. I'd honestly had enough, but the Yeerk thought it was a good idea to get back with him, to get more people from our school to join up"

"So... you and him..."

"Totally over"

Mikey smiled again, and his hand moved up to stroke her hair a little. It slowly rested at the nape of her neck, then went around her shoulders as she moved closer to him. Then she leaned up, taking his head in her hands, giving him a peck on the lips.

"Tease" Mikey chided, then moved to kiss her again.

I took that moment to shift into something small, moving to go out the door of the lair, leaving them in their passionate embrace. It was wonderful to see...

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I managed to get out of the sewer, and into some fresh air. Light was slowly starting to fade from the sky, and I took the opportunity to shift into Ithiell, opening my big leathery wings and flying up on the closest roof.

I landed, suddenly finding I wasn't alone.

"Ithiell?" Leo wondered, and I shook my head, shifting back. He was sitting on the edge of the building, looking almost sad.

"Just me" I told him, moving to sit beside him.

"Ah" He turned back to look over the city, and I followed his gaze.

We were silent for what seemed like forever, before Leo let out a heavy sigh.

"What's wrong big guy" I asked, putting my head on his shoulder a little. He tensed.

"Uh... nothing" He finally said, and I turned to look up at him. He looked so upset...

"Leo, come on, it's just me" I grabbed his arm, pulling it a little "You know I'm here for you"

He sighed again, looking down at me, those blue eyes of his almost worried.

"I don't want to upset you... but I just... " He put a hand over his eyes, then rubbed his temple a little. I looked up at him strangely.

"Why would you upset me? What's wrong?"

He grunted then, moving from my grasp and then getting up, starting to pace.

"Leo?" I got up as well, watching him move around.

"I've never had to... I..." He made a noise of frustration, almost looking like Raph as he paced, throwing his arms down and then balling his hands into fists.

"Leo, come on, what's the matter" I went over, taking one of his fists in my hands, watching as he looked down at me, his face somewhere between anger and pain. He moved away from me again, pacing around the rooftop. I couldn't help but stand there and watch him.

Finally, he put his hands on a wall, leaning himself forwards against it and dropping his head.

"Jade, I'm a leader. I need to make the hard decisions, and I need to be there for my brothers, and you and..."

"And you are there for us. But you need to let others be there for you too" I tried to make my voice as soft and caring as possible, not moving from where I was in case it would make him start pacing again.

"Yes, well...this problem can't be solved"

"Not if you walk around brooding about it" I retorted "Talk to me, would you"

He made a strange primal sound, looking at me again.

"Jade I... over the past few days, I have really enjoyed just being... I mean..."

"Not being a leader for a little?" I supplied, trying to smile and seeing him shake his head, coming to stand in front of me.

"I now see why Donnie... why you and him..."

Now I was even more confused. But I didn't want to interrupt him, in case he pulled back completely.

Now he moved a little closer, and I looked up at him as he put his hands on my shoulders.

"Leo?"

"Jade, you are absolutely amazing. And until we spent some real one on one time together I didn't see it. Now that we have...I..."

Well this wasn't going to end well.

"Leo, what-"

"I like you, okay. As in... that kind of like..."

"Leo-" Before I could stop him, he'd grabbed me, moving to tip me backwards, pressing his lips awkwardly against mine. It took all I had to try and push him away, not sure what else to do. What was Leo thinking?!

He quickly let me go, backing up a little as he did, looking ashamed suddenly.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't... I wanted to see..." He backed up, and my hand went to my lips.

"What the hell Leo?!" I shoved him back a little "You know I-"

"I knew it..." A third voice came from behind us, and I turned to see Donnie there, utter shock on his face.

"Donnie, I'm sorry... I just.. I didn't..." Leo was at a loss for words. So was I.

"And you let him?" Donnie turned to me.

"What?! Do you really think I knew what he was-hey!" I saw him turn, starting to head towards the fire escape.

"Should I-"

"No, I'll handle this" I snapped at Leo, starting to shift "You just get back to the lair"

With that I took off after Donnie, hoping I'd catch him before he did something stupid.

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I finally caught up with Donnie in the dense forest, managing to stop him in his tracks and shifting back in front of him.

"Stop!" I finally said, and he glared at me.

"You kissed Leo, how can-"

"I didn't kiss Leo! He kissed me!" I corrected, a finger in his face "And frankly, it was more unexpected for me than it was for you!"

I saw him clench his fists, his breathing now coming out ragged.

"I knew he wanted you! I knew it!"

"Wait, what?"

He looked at me, a mix of anger and hurt on his face.

"And you like him, don't you? Ever since that night at the mall..."

"What the fuck?!" Was all I could get out. I couldn't believe I was hearing this.

"That night... you went... and he went after you..."

"And? I didn't ask him-"

"And then you went to him first!"

My jaw dropped. How could I have missed this?

Donnie... of all people... was jealous of Leo?!

"Donnie-"

"And how can you not! He's... better... than me..."

"Whoa whoa whoa, hold your horses" I closed the distance between us, making him tense, returning his glare.

"First of all? Me and Leo? Not happening! He's your brother for one thing...and another.. I am totally in love with you!"

"But-"

"Shut up!" I snapped, a finger in his face now, and his anger seemed to dissipate as mine grew.

"No, no buts! I don't know why he came to me that night, but he did. And I went to take care of him first, cause he was the first of you four I looked at, that's all! As for what you just saw, he kissed me! And I for one, was not expecting it! All I wanted was to take care of a friend that was hurting, nothing else! So get those grubby fucking thoughts out of your head!"

Now he was staring at me, his mouth wide open.

"And another thing" I felt hot tears slide down my cheeks, and Donnie tried to put his arms around me, but I yanked myself out of his grasp.

"You broke your promise, you said you'd tell me if there was a problem. Instead... I've had to wonder, for almost two weeks now... what the fuck I've done wrong, wondering..." I sucked in a deep breath, feeling my lip tremble and fighting to keep talking through the hurt that was now in my heart.

"Wondering if you even wanted me anymore"

"Jade, I'm-"

"No, don't you dare. I just... I don't want to hear it right now"

He moved to comfort me, but I practically threw his arms off, looking up at him with tears blurring my vision.

"Jade"

"Don't come near me... not right now" I turned, wiping the tears from my eyes as I did my best to concentrate, shifting into a pigeon hawk and taking to the skies.

Don't look back... don't look back... I tried to tell myself as I spread my wings, but something made me turn around, angling myself as I did.

I saw Donnie, hand over his eyes as he stood there, looking deflated.

And behind him...

(Donnie, DUCK!)

I saw him look up at me, tears in his eyes, before he realised-

(NOW!)

He almost fell forward as I swept over him, raking at the eyes of the controller that was there, hearing him scream as I clawed at his face. His hands came up in self defense, knocking me away. I hit the ground, seeing Donnie sweep under his legs with the Bo, knocking him down and then knocking him out.

"Jade?" Donne now looked confused, like he couldn't believe I'd just saved him.

(Just because we fought, doesn't mean I'm going to let you die! Now stay here) I flapped my wings, gaining altitude and watching as Donnie braced himself.

I scanned the area, my panic suddenly rising.

(Oh no... Leo! Ithiell! Anyone that can hear me, we need backup, now!)

I dropped to the ground, flaring my wings and landing beside Donnie as he looked down at me, trying to ignore the tears in his eyes still.

"What? What did you see?"

As I grew, I locked eyes with him, fur now replacing feathers.

(Too many to count) Was all I could say, knowing this would be the hardest fight of our lives if the others didn't get my message.

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CLIFFHANGER! WHOOT WHOOT!

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