Chapter eight:
Leo has kept to the lair other than patrols, though they all go on the patrols and stay together, as he tries to get rid of the reeling feeling from losing his friend.
Usagi has been trying to text and call though his attempts are being ignored.
Leo hasn't blocked him yet despite almost a week having passed. He wants to let himself fully settle and think things over before he blocks Usagi. He'd feel more comfortable doing it this way. He doesn't miss that Raph finds it annoying when Usagi tries to insist that Leo pick up.
Luckily Raph hasn't said anything since Leo has been ignoring Usagi's attempts.
Leo is laying back on his bed staring up at his ceiling. He turns as a knock comes to his bedroom door. He tries to think of who that could be.
Mikey and Donnie are out with Casey and April.
Raph had just started his work out in the dojo when Leo went to his room. He isn't usually done this quickly unless more time passed than Leo thought.
Splinter is in his room meditating.
"Hello?" Leo calls out staring at the entrance to his room. He supposes that it is easy to figure out who is actually there.
"It's just me." A familiar voice is on the other side. "Is this an okay time?"
Leo heads over opening the door to find as expected a weasel mutant standing there. "Kaya. I didn't expect you over since Mikey's not here to hang out."
"Yeah. I know it's not usual." Kaya adjusts the sleeves on his dark blue robe like kimono adorned with stitched green leaves and swans. His dark eyes glance down. "I decided to stop by myself. I wanted to confirm something and maybe talk?"
Leo is a bit unsure as Kaya is an alpha. He really isn't sure he can handle a repeat of what happened, not to mention that Kaya is mainly Mikey's friend which would make it worse. "I'm guessing it's about me being omega."
"Yes." Kaya lets out a breath and lets go of some worried tension. "I've heard in rumors that you had presented as an omega. I wanted to see for myself. Not that it matters as I have eyes for someone else anyways. And even if I didn't have my eyes elsewhere I wouldn't force anything on you. I've found some omegas just need to hear those things at least once by an alpha friend."
Leo swears Kaya avoids him more when speaking especially as if he had more to say. "What else did you hear?"
Kaya lets out a breath. "I wasn't going to say anything. But there's some talk about you and being omega. One thing was about how you can't be a proper omega because you presented late. Usagi has been agreeing with some stuff. He also gets involved with any talks about training you to be a proper omega. It's mainly the more slight friends than the closer friends, other than Usagi who is the only one who know where the lair is in that group. The friends closer to your family are staying away from such conversations. Like I said though Usagi is the exception in that. I'm not sure they, the ones who are talking about you in ways not all of us agree with, would even be able to say anything to your face. Some of them are all bark but get cowardly if it's time to bite."
Leo almost wants to sigh. He's feeling like any other option but to block Usagi is slipping away. "Well good to know. I'll be fine though. Their opinions don't matter. I have my family."
Kaya smiles at that relaxing more. "That is good to hear. How about a short walk? We won't go far if you don't want to. I just think it'll be a nice passing the time thing. I'm thinking of waiting to hang out with Mikey is what I want to say."
"Sure. I understand. I have to be careful out there. Just let me grab Raph." Leo is about to move to do so only to stop as Kaya speaks.
"What? Why? I'm an alpha and you know I'd look out for you." Kaya blinks sadly. "Don't you trust me?"
"It's more complicated than that." Leo rubs the back of his neck slightly glancing away. He continues after getting a small nod from Kaya. "Long story short is that I had my trust violated by someone I called a friend. A friend who just wanted to treat me like an omega toy. It's still recent too so I would rather be more careful. It's not that I don't trust you. I do. You're a good friend to this family. I just would feel more comfortable with Raph there right now."
"Oh." Understanding crosses Kaya's face. "Yeah that's tough. I understand now. Go ahead and grab Raph if that'll make you feel safer."
Leo looks to the other with a grateful smile. He heads off to quickly track down Raph. He waits for the other to the finish a round of his training before approaching.
"Leo!" Raph greets with a smile going straight to him. "How is everything going?"
"It's going okay. I just wanted to ask a favor." Leo sees Raph look at him curious upon hearing this. "Kaya dropped by. He wants to go for a walk while waiting for Mikey to get back. Can you come too? The whole Usagi thing is still a bit too fresh for me to go alone with non-family right now."
"Yeah sure." Raph pats Leo's shoulder in understanding. "I'll be just a minute. You can wait by the entrance. I'll also let Splinter know."
Leo nods his head and heads to go back to Kaya. "Raph is going to meet us at the entrance."
Kaya nods and the two head to wait there.
Raph soon joins them and the trio head off starting their walk in the sewers.
"Say. I hope this isn't too intrusive. But when you fight enemies are you thinking about covering your omega scent?" Kaya inquires as they walk together.
"I haven't thought about it yet." Leo admits to Kaya. "Right now we do have some plans in place to help with how some think of omegas. Though I could do so when going against some enemies. Might be a good idea with the enemies that frequently clash with us."
"Well if you decide to do that I have a friend who sells the scent coverings under the table. I could get you a good deal." Kaya gets an appreciative look from Leo for this.
The three continue walking casually talking about anything that comes to mind including video games and movies. They soon climb to the surface for a change of scenery.
"I know of a nature spot with plenty of trees and grass or dirt paths not far from here. It'll be a nice walk." Kaya offers and Leo nods in agreement. He leads the way to a spot that could almost be a nature park yet seems to not be noticed by others.
The three walk along a dirt path that sometimes becomes a little grassy.
"This is nice." Leo admits glancing to the trees around them, and Raph takes a deep breath of the smell of the nature.
"Thought you'd like it." Kaya smiles at Leo at this. He gets a nod from Leo in response.
"Yo Kaya." Raph speaks up getting the others attention. "There's a movie that is inspiring me to make up a few new moves. You and Mikey like to get creative together. Maybe you could share some thoughts."
"Sure." Kaya agrees and the two alphas start talking about making new moves.
Leo is relaxed and just enjoys the nature around them. He doesn't mind letting the two have their own conversation right now. He starts to slow a little to try to look around more as a slightly uneasy feeling starts to come over him. He doesn't see anything or anyone however he trusts his instincts most of the time. He turns away and starts to move to get closer to the alphas who are deep in conversation. He is suddenly grabbed from behind and his gasp is cut short by a hand slapping over his mouth.
"Scream and I'll kill you as well as those two alphas." Usagi whispers to Leo. "Don't test me."
Leo tries to struggle not wanting whatever is going to happen to happen.
Usagi shifts his hand holding Leo's arms to his body.
Leo gasps into the hand across his mouth as his arm is stabbed with what feels like a small blade. His heart is racing as Usagi starts dragging him into the trees. He still tries to struggle though has to stop as the blade in his arm is twisted.
"Don't think I'm just going to let you get away. Omegas must obey alphas. And I won't let you get away with that escape and attempt to humiliate me, by making me seem to lose to an omega, from before." Usagi quietly hisses to Leo. "When we get to where I want to take you I'll make sure you won't behave like that again." He continues forcefully dragging Leo further away from the path.
On the other hand with the two alphas...
"Hey Leo maybe you could join and make some moves of your own with us." Raph turns to talk to Leo only to freeze realizing that he can't see the other. "Leo!?" He looks around as Kaya turns in worry as well. His heart pounding and he starts to retrace their steps looking for the omega. He is mentally beating himself up for letting Leo end up out of sight.
Kaya seems to smell something and he follows it. "Raph!" He calls bringing the other alpha to a spot.
On the ground on a small pile of rocks by the path is some drops of fresh blood.
Raph curses then takes a deep inhale to catch any scents to follow. He snarls at smelling not just Leo but Usagi as well. He races after the scent of the two with Kaya hurrying along with him.
The two get a bit into the trees and spot Usagi holding Leo up ahead.
Leo seems to be trying to figure out how to get away.
Raph can tell that despite trying to not show it Leo is scared of what's going to happen.
The two alphas race forward though with Kaya being faster he gets to them first.
Kaya leaps at Usagi grabbing him by the neck with his arms causing the other to let go of Leo for a moment. He uses this moment to drag Usagi back to get him away from Leo.
Raph puts himself between Leo, who falls to his knees on the ground, and Usagi. He is growling ready to kill the alpha rabbit for trying to forcefully take Leo like that.
Usagi tries to swing a knife at Kaya who lets go with one hand to try to block the attack.
Raph charges at Usagi slashing his hand pretty good forcing him to drop the blade.
"Kaya! When I told you what I knew I thought you'd understand. Omegas can't reject alphas! We must make him see how a proper omega should be!" Usagi tries to glare at the mutant holding him.
"You're an idiot then!" Kaya hisses with narrowed angry eyes. "Why do you think I don't engage in those conversations whenever I'm around them?! Because I don't agree! Omega or not we should be treated equally! Consent is still important to me! Even omegas have the right to decline their consent and you should respect that!"
Usagi swings a kick for Kaya only for Raph to stop it by slashing his leg. He glares at the two before trying to pry Kaya's arm off of him.
Raph tries to go for an attack to the torso, only to have to change to an attack on Usagi's arm as the other tries to twist to put Kaya in the attack path. "I'll make sure you never get to be close to Leo again!" He snarls his promise to Usagi getting a glare for it.
Usagi manages to throw himself back slamming Kaya on the ground landing on top.
Kaya's hold loosens as he gasps at the impact for a moment.
Usagi gets out of the hold hurrying to his feet, favoring his uninjured leg, only to have to dodge an attack from Raph. "Fuck you! And you call yourselves alphas!" He hisses at the two before once again dodging another attack from Raph. He barely manages to not get hit on this attempt. His gaze is slightly brought to Kaya who gets up ready to fight again. He growls at the two at seeing this. He tosses a bunch of ninja stars their way making them focus on dodging. He slowly backs into the trees and once he runs out of ninja stars he dashes off into the trees.
Raph is about to charge after Usagi when Kaya puts a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll inform the other friends I know of. Everyone will be on the look out for him. Let's focus on Leo right now." Kaya suggests glancing to said omega.
"Raph!" Leo calls helping to get Raph's attention away from chasing Usagi.
Raph turns hurrying to Leo's side. He checks him over and softly growls at seeing the stab wound on Leo's arm. "Are you okay?" He hugs the other turtle close. He spots Kaya keeping watch to make sure no one comes their way to attempt anything.
"He only got my arm and couldn't do anything before you two showed up." Leo admits with relief in his tone.
Raph sighs in relief at this. He doesn't push the other since it must have been pretty scary to have had that happen.
"Let's get you home." Kaya suggests looking slightly guilty. "I'm sorry for suggesting the walk. I didn't know that this would happen."
"It's okay." Leo turns to the other mutant. "You didn't know so there's no reason for any blame to be on you." He gets an appreciative look for his words.
Raph helps Leo to his feet wanting to keep Leo in his arms right now.
The three head off to get back to the lair. They are all hyper alert just in case Usagi follows them. They don't notice any following attempts.
No one is back yet when they return.
Raph helps to patch up Leo's wound.
Kaya stays where he can see the front door just in case.
"Thank you Raph." Leo lets out a breath once he's all patched up. He looks to Kaya. "And thank you both for stopping him."
Kaya turns to look to Leo. "Don't worry about it man. That situation wasn't right."
"Yeah. And if I see him again I'm killing him. No matter what anyone says." Raph tells Leo who just nods softly.
"I want some time to think." Leo admits so the two let him head away. He settles in the tent April let him keep. He lays there on his stomach staring at the wall of the tent. He clenches his teeth thinking about how he's an omega now and he can't change that. He kind of hates it as now Usagi's actions have started to make him seem weak, like he can't even protect himself! He hates feeling weak! He flops his face into a pillow with a groan at this. If he didn't become omega none of this would have happened. He wonders what he did to deserve to be suddenly made into an omega. He would have been just fine staying beta his whole life. Now he is dealing with a situation that is making him feel weak and not as capable as before. He slightly lifts his head as Donnie and Mikey return. He hears the two talk to Kaya and Raph. He rests his chin on the pillow staring at the tent wall again.
No doubt Raph told Splinter what happened already.
Leo shuts his eyes tightly. "I'm sorry for failing you by not being able to stop it on my own." He whispers under his breath. His hands clenching the pillow as him feeling weak is turning to add him failing his sensei, and his training, which makes him feel even worse than before. He stays there for a good long while without anyone disturbing him. He can at least be glad that his family respects his space when he needs his own space for a while. He tries to just lay there and empty his mind hoping to settle these horrible feelings for now.
Later...
When it's getting late into the night Leo finally emerges from the tent. He is slightly surprised to see Splinter first in the living room. He doesn't see the others right away.
"Is it okay if we talk?" Splinter asks gesturing to offer the spot next to him on the couch. "Donatello and Michelangelo are in the lab. Kaya headed home for today. Raphael is in his room currently."
"Okay." Leo agrees and sits down next to Splinter. He finds that he can't bring himself to look right at the other right now.
"I heard about what happened. And I am relieved that Kaya and Raph were there to stop it." Splinter begins pausing as Leo speaks up.
"I'm sorry sensei. I wasn't able to get away on my own. I'll train to do better." Leo looks down only to slightly look up when Splinter wraps his tail around him in a soothing way.
"It's not your fault Leonardo." Splinter insists and finally Leo turns to him able to meet his gaze. "We cannot win every battle or every enemy encounter. I know that you know this. Do you perhaps think that it's your fault because you're omega now? That somehow your new status has made you weaker in someway?" He gets his answer as Leo's eyes flicker away. "Leonardo. It doesn't matter whether you're an omega, a beta or even an alpha. You're still Leonardo." He uses a gentle fatherly hand on Leo's chin to get him to look at him again. "Losing can be tough but it will happen. It isn't always in our control if we can win or lose. Being an omega doesn't make you weaker. You're very skilled and I know you are. I am not upset that you needed help to stop this situation. That's what a team and a family is for. To help us when we can't win on our own. Don't start to turn negativity onto your status as an omega. It's a part of you now and it will be better for you to accept it than fight it. None of us doubt your skills omega or beta. So don't start to doubt them yourself. A loss is no reason to think that you're not as capable as you were before. Do you understand my son?"
Leo nods starting to feel a bit better about everything. "Yes sensei." He should have known better that him being omega doesn't mean he can't do what he did before.
"Good." Splinter is clearly glad to see that Leo is telling the truth. He shifts away even taking off his tail from the turtle. "Make sure you rest well tonight. You had a big day. I'm sure it'll be nice to feel refreshed tomorrow."
"Thank you sensei." Leo mentions and gets a fatherly smile.
"Do not worry about it Leonardo." Splinter heads off to his room for now.
Leo decides to go to his room to get ready to get some rest. He truly does feel a lot better after that talk with Splinter. He makes sure to block Usagi's number on his phone. He doesn't want anything to do with that rabbit anymore, not even if the other tries to apologize for his actions. He strips himself of all of his gear and is about to remove his mask when a knock comes to his door.
"Hey Leo." Raph almost sounds hesitant. "Is it okay if we talk?"