Chapter twelve:
Raph has stepped out of the lair taking a walk on the surface. He is in a creek walking around in the quiet nature. He glances around taking in the trees and the occasional bird flying by. He comes up to a spot where the creek can be seen. He pauses to look down at the pretty clear water. He watches its flow as it moves down around rocks and some spots of current. He decides to head down. He carefully slides down the slightly steep way down. He crouches beside the water listening to the gentle sounds of it running endlessly. He takes a few moments before he reaches a hand out dipping it inside the cold water. He allows it to run over his fingers as he turns his hand watching the water go. He doesn't mind that it is cold. He thinks that it looks nice flowing around his fingers. He can even kind of see it flowing up over his fingers. He glances up just to look down one way of the creek.
The way that the water is coming from.
Raph decides to walk the creek water for a bit. He pulls his hand out then steps into the water once fully standing. He walks along splashing a little as he goes along. He stares mainly at the water as he walks. He is careful to not lose his footing on slippery or loose rocks below the water. He can tell that the rocks under the water are keeping it from getting cloudy, unlike if there was sand or dirt below. He follows the water for a bit of ways before pausing at catching rustling. He turns to the shore spotting a bush's leaves shifting before stilling. He eyes that spot wondering if there is a human there. He slightly glances around before looking back to that spot.
There isn't any visible paths as it looks more like this area is more wilderness than usual. So it'd be weird for a human to be here as they'd have to travel through the tons of plants.
Raph stares at the spot for a little longer only to blink when a fox jumps out.
The fox glances to him before it trots off heading the way Raph had come. It just stays along the edge of the water instead of going inside.
Raph turns away to the direction that he was heading, silently telling himself he should have expected that. He continues forward starting with looking to the direction that he had been heading in before. He slightly kicks his feet on a few steps looking down to watch the water really splash. He is actually finding some peace being out here. He isn't sure if it's some natural part of being out in a place like this, or if he just happens to enjoy walking along the creek water. He slows to a stop as he almost takes another step only to notice that the water gets deeper. He looks around bringing his foot back to a safe area.
The area along the water is rocky which transfers to grassy with hills just beyond. It is pretty secluded over here. There is also an area of the water that looks deeper than the rest, though it does return to being more shallow up ahead.
Raph comes to realize that he had just found a swimming hole. He decides to take advantage of it. He makes sure anything that can't go in the water is put aside on a rock. He splashed into the deeper part at first letting himself float on the surface. His arms and legs hanging down not even able to touch the bottom. He does find this nice as the water gently laps around his body. He could almost swear it's like gentle touches that surround him. He closes his eyes with his chin resting on the waters surface. He lets himself just enjoy the relaxing sensation. He swishes his tail a little after a few moments to slightly push himself forward. He does so since it looks like he's lazily swimming, when he actually isn't.
The waters cool temperature is mostly felt with any movements Raph makes. It isn't cold enough to bother him, just enough to be noticeable.
With the sun beating down onto Raphs back it makes for a nice mixture.
The water acting like it's trying to keep Raph from overheating from the sun.
The sun acting like it's trying to keep him from getting too cold from the water.
Not to mention that the area is pretty quiet other than the sounds of nature. Making it peaceful and extra relaxing.
Raph slows his tail to a stop to let himself just float once more. He isn't in any rush so he can really just let himself enjoy this. He decides to keep this spot a secret so it can be like a spot that he can escape to. He sometimes does want his alone time, and Donnie discovered his last alone time spot thus he does need a new one. He isn't quite sure how long he's been floating along in this swimming hole. He cracks open his left eye to glance to what he can see of the horizon. He can see that the sun is about to go down based on the color of the sky. He supposes he should probably be getting back. He lazily swims to his stuff emerging from the water which he shakes off. He grabs his stuff and makes his way back down the creek.
The path back ends up being pretty simple as the path areas become visible, indicating a turn off, then just following the path out of the creek area.
Raph returns home silently glad that he doesn't see his family who is probably resting. He goes to the kitchen finding supper left out for him.
Spaghetti and meat sauce.
Raphs can feel a hunger grow at smelling the scent of it. He takes his serving and leans against the counter as he eats. He puts his plate with the other dishes once he is done. He heads to his room putting his stuff away. He only steps out to be able to have a shower before he returns to lay on his bed. He closes his eyes finding sleep coming to him pretty well after the relaxing time he just had. His dreams take him to his fantasies of being on dates with Leo. He smiles sadly in his sleep as he gazes upon Leo's smiling face.
...
Leon walks around the room with ease showing Donatello how good he has gotten at it. He looks with a smile to the other after he makes his way around the entire room on his own.
"That was great!" Donatello mentions sharing a smile with Leon. "I'm almost done with a way to get you home. You recovered at a good amount of time. I even made two so you can come visit whenever." He explains and Leon can't help a slight grin.
"That's great! Thank you so much! I will be using the machine to visit!" Leon promises which does get a smile from Donatello.
"Why don't you show the others how good you've got at walking on your own?" Donatello offers though Leon pauses as a thought occurs to him.
"Say. Do you think I've recovered enough for a spar."
Donatello clearly knows why Leon is curious about this. He lets out a breath. "Give it three days before we attempt that. I'd rather that extra time be taken to ensure you are good enough."
"Sounds good." Leon nods his head and Donatello heads off with Leon also heading off.
Donatello heads to hang with his mate who is playing video games.
Leon heads to dojo. He will take it easy though he wants to try to get a little ready. He picks up a katana glad that it's gotten easier for him. He swings it with skill only a Leonardo can do; at least in this family. He turns to a dummy which he charges at and slashes. He smiles to himself tossing the sword up then catching it by its handle. "He won't know what hit him." He chuckles to himself before putting away the katana. He won't go too hard right now. He wants to be truly ready for his spar with Raphael. He heads to the kitchen to get a drink of water.
"Good to see you walking normally." Splinter mentions from the table causing Leon to pause turning to him. He shares a smile with the Rise turtle.
"Yeah it feels great!" Leon agrees stretching his arms above his head. "Makes me feel a lot more free than before."
"I can imagine." Splinter nods. He watches Leon lower his arms then head to grab a cup filling it with water. He stays quiet so the other can have a drink. He only speaks up when said other is done. "I heard that you and Raphael plan to spar." His words get Leon's attention again. "I am willing to be the referee for it if that is alright."
"Yeah!" Leon smiles more as he feels like he gets to show off what he can do to this Splinter. "Donatello says that I should be able to in about three days."
"Well if you pass your health examination in three days, clearing you to be able to spar, then I will set that up for both of you." Splinter does have a curious twinkle in his eye that shows that he does want to see what Leon is able to do. "Just for now let us worry about you being healthy enough to do so. Before we truly worry about the spar. Though I am not the only one excited to see what you can do. Raphael has been working hard on his training so he can really show you what he can do."
The idea of that makes Leon almost smirk, though he just grins instead, as it almost sounds like a true challenge for him to try to beat Raphael. "I won't disappoint." He promises before finishing the rest of his water.
Three days later...
Donatello has Leon do a few extra movements like a few katas to ensure he's good. He nods when Leon lowers a foot from a kick. "You may not be one hundred percent recovered. However you're very high on recovery percent." He informs the other who turns to him. "I clear you to be able to spar with Raphael." He doesn't miss the grin that spreads across Leon's face.
"Then we shall set it for tomorrow." Splinter speaks up getting the twos attention, the two had forgotten that he was watching Leon's final medical recovery exam. He gets up from where he's sitting on his knees and heads over to Leon. "I will worry about preparations and informing Raphael." He says looking Leon in the eyes who stares back at him. "You get yourself ready. We'll leave weapons as an option and see what you two decide when the time comes."
"Thank you." Leon nods before turning to head away.
"Tomorrow the device to get you home should be done. I can make sure it's good to go after your spar takes place." Donatello mentions getting an appreciative nod from Leon.
Leon heads off and he exits the lair going to a spot he found yesterday in the sewers. He shifts his stance. "Raphael won't know what hit him." He tells himself before sending out a kick into the air as he practices.
The next day rolls around before any of them know it.
Everyone, even April and Casey, are now gathered in the dojo to watch the spar match.
Raphael stretches on one side of the room.
On the other side Leon glances at the optional weapons which are training ones, rather than real ones. He understands that Splinter doesn't want to risk an injury from the sharp real weapons. He doesn't care as he's certain that if they do use them then he can handle these ones just as well. He turns as Raphael finishes his stretching.
"Weapons or no weapons?" Splinter poses the question as he stands in the middle of the room glancing between the two.
"No weapons." Raphael states with a challenging look to Leon. "I wanna see what he can do without his precious swords."
"Fine by me." Leon shrugs with confidence which does seem to irritate Raphael just slightly.
"Alright then. Take your positions." Splinter agrees so the two move closer to him to stand in the spots needed. He glances to each of them as they shift their position to be ready for this. "A reminder of the rules of this spar. You two will go until one of you taps out or until I deem that one of you have lost. The spar can be called off at any point if needed or if the risk of injury becomes too high. As usual there will also be no dirty tricks allowed. I know you both know what dirty tricks are. That includes magic as it'll be an unfair advantage." He looks at Leon for a brief moment. "You will be disqualified if you break this rule. Do you both understand the rules?" He gets nods from both turtles. "Alright. Then let's get ready." He shifts back allowing Raphael to give a challenging look to Leon, who in return smirks at him. "And go!"
Raphael charges first acting likes he is going to go for a punch, before he tries to kick out Leon's legs.
Leon jumps managing to spin midair hitting Raphael's side with the back of his heel.
Raphael manages to not get knocked down and he slams a punch to Leon's torso.
Leon is sent back not able to anchor himself without his feet on the ground. He flips mid air before he lands on his back so he lands on his feet instead. His position crouched with one hand on the floor. He swiftly charges at Raphael who shifts his stance to a strong defensive one. He is aware that he'll have to accommodate for Raphael's stronger strength. He learned that from spars with his Raph. He dashes past Raphael who is for a moment taken by surprise. He then takes this moment, well aware just how brief it'll be, and leans forward onto his hands kicking back to knock Raphael's legs out from behind.
It works as Raphael falls backwards onto his back.
Leon is glad that this doesn't count as a dirty trick, though probably just barely. He tries to move quickly to leap onto Raphael, where once there he tries to get him into a position to pin him.
Raphael growls and uses his strength in his arms to surge forward. He throws Leon off sending him flying back.
Leon manages to flip himself mid air and he lands on his feet, one hand on the ground briefly, with a slight skid. He looks to Raphael who is quickly on his feet again. He was so close to winning this!
"Don't think it's going to be that easy." Raphael growls before charging at Leon.
Leon stays crouches knowing he'll have better defense than trying to get up, and he can dart away if needed. He leans to the right dodging an attempted kick sent his way. He is forced to jump back to dodge Raphael jumping to kick with his other foot. He didn't get a chance to attack there. He swiftly charges while his opponent lands from the kick. He slams his own kick into Raphael's side taking him by surprise enough to knock him down. He leaps on top once again trying to find a way to pin him down.
Raphael wraps his legs around Leon before easily flipping them over. He has to let go in order to try to pin Leon down.
Leon won't have this as he refuses to lose. He is also well aware that Raphael won't go down easily either. He shifts his body trying to find an opening to wiggle out. He would usually use portals though that's not allowed here. His movements also help Raphael struggle to get a grip. He gets his feet on the others legs then uses them to push away sliding out of the grip. He is glad that he found a way because he was for sure running out of time. He swiftly rolls to get to his feet as Raphael also rises to his feet.
"You're not wining this!" Raphael declares charging for Leon.
Leon thinks that this anger streak will probably be the perfect thing. He has to take advantage. He waits then when Raphael leaps at him he dashes out of the way at the last moment. He swiftly jumps onto Raphael's back grabbing his wrists as they fall. He gets the other in a position that is most likely awkward for the other. He finds that it helps him pin him.
After a few seconds Splinter taps his cane on the ground. "That's it. Leon is the winner."
"Ha!" Leon gets off of Raphael secretly glad that he beat him.
Raphael gets up with a growl. "You got lucky. That's it." He insists with a glare at Leon.
"Whatever you say man." Leon shrugs his shoulders at this and gets another growl from Raphael.
"Wow Leon! That was so cool!" Michelangelo mentions coming over to Leon who smiles proudly.
Donatello comes up to Leon as well. "You truly know that you couldn't win using strength alone. Raphael is pretty strong after all."
"Of course. Seems to be a thing with the various Raphs as my worlds one is pretty strong too." Leon points out enjoying the attention.
Leonardo gently pats Raphael's shoulder as if to say that he'll get it next time.
Raphael glances away with a huff and Leonardo doesn't push it.
"That was very well done both of you." Splinter mentions glancing to the two before turning back to Leon. "Perhaps if Donatello does find a way for visits then you two can have a rematch."
"And next time I'm winning." Raphael mentions like a promise.
"We'll see about that." Leon responds and Splinter clearing his throat stops it from going any further.
Splinter glances to Donatello. "How is your progress on the device to get Leon here home?"
"Almost done. And I think I did also find a way for him to visit too." Donatello admits
"Good. Then we can have that rematch." Raphael cracks his knuckles and Splinter speaks before anyone else can.
"Go ahead and work on that. The rest of you can relax for now." Splinter heads out with that. He goes to his room probably to mediate.
Raphael and Leonardo leave together, with Leonardo tugging Raphael to the blue turtles room.
No rocket science needed to know Leonardo's helping his mate blow of steam from the loss. So to speak at least.
Michelangelo heads to his room grabbing his skateboard then heads for the tunnels.
Donatello goes to his lab to finish his work.
Leon settles on the couch actually finding himself a bit nervous. His reunion with his siblings is drawing ever closer. He wonders if they'll be mad at him for scaring them like that. He worries that things might not be so great when he first returns because of it. He shakes his head telling himself that he will just have to face whatever happens.
At least they won't have to continue on thinking he is dead.
Leon knows that he got pretty lucky there as Donatello truly did save his life. He just hopes that it will be for the better rather than for the worst.