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Waiting For You	By : MysticMewtwo Category: Comics > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Views: 7074 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Faith
Chapter Three

I would've gotten this up a lot sooner, but my inspiration ran dry for a while. I found it again last week, and over the weekend, I've been hammering out the last few pages, and just finished last night. At least this update didn't take as long as the last one, and I still apologize for that. Hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT, or any of the patented products from their respective companies mentioned in this chapter. I only own Alisa, and the idea for this story.

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The mood inside the armored car became somewhat lighter as it traveled closer to the warehouse. They were all glad to be getting back home, even though it meant business as usual. Leonardo seemed to be more or less himself again when he announced they would practice their morning katas as normal per Donatello's suggestion. For a moment though, Leo had considered to do the unthinkable for him, and skip practice all together, but it would have brought more attention to him he didn't want. It was best to throw himself into his daily routine, and forget about the young girl who lay in the hospital fighting for her life.

A few minutes later, Don turned the car onto the corner of Eastman and Laird, and then pulled into the warehouse's drive. He pushed a button on the overhead, and the metal garage door protested a bit as it lifted open.

"Gonna have to get that fixed," he muttered.

He drove the car through, and then stopped it in the middle of the vast room. He shifted the gear into park, applied the emergency brake, and turned the ignition off. He pushed the button to the garage door again, and the metal door let out a deafening screech like nails running down a chalk board as it closed. Donny gritted his teeth, and winced against the sound, as did his brothers.

"Definitely going to have to get that fixed," he reaffirmed, after the door finally settled in place.

"Geez, you think?" Raphael remarked with dry sarcasm, removing his hands from his ears.

Donatello ignored him, and unbuckled his seatbelt. He pressed a button on a panel, which covered the entire dashboard with an array of sophisticated technology, and a door on the driver's side of the car lifted open. He stood up from his seat, and stepped down out of the car. Leonardo was the next to exit, followed by Michelangelo, who was clutching his box of doughnuts, and then a very disgruntled Raphael. Leo could feel his younger brother's eyes boring into him as he joined them. He knew Raph wasn't going to leave him alone now that he had found out to a point how much the young woman was affecting him. Raphael's intense gaze was making him uncomfortable, but Leo wasn't about to give him that satisfaction, and met the light gray eyes head on. It became a game of stare down between the two of them as Don and Mike watched nervously from the sidelines. They couldn't believe they were at it again. Hadn't there been enough for one day?

Leonardo and Raphael continued holding each other's gazes. Neither one of them seemed to be backing down. After a few moments, Leo began wondering why he was doing this. It wasn't going to get them anywhere. He just wanted Raph to leave him alone, but he knew he was only concerned about him. For Raphael to care so much like he was, it really touched Leo. His blue eyes softened towards Raphael, and he reached out, laying a hand on his brother's shoulder. Raph looked startled for a moment, and then his features became gentler as he read his brother’s eyes. An understanding had finally passed between them. Raphael nodded, and Leo gave a small smile of gratitude, removing his hand from his shoulder. Raph could almost see the strain Leo was enduring to try to contain his emotions, and he realized he would've only caused more problems for his brother if he had persisted with him any further. Now he knew he must let Leo sort this out on his own.

Raphael turned, and started walking towards the waiting elevator. Leonardo fell in step behind him. Donatello, and Michelangelo breathed a sigh of relief, grateful the situation had been resolved peacefully. They then hurried to catch up with their older brothers. The elevator door closed upon their arrival inside, and began to descend. Within a few moments, the elevator slowed, and stopped as it reached its destination. The door slid open once again with a quiet hiss, and the four ninjas entered into the underground lair. Mikey made a break for the kitchen to put away the box of doughnuts in a cupboard. He returned shortly to join his brothers again.

Splinter was seated on his cushion in the living room meditating, but opened his eyes once his attentive ears heard the sound of his young sons approaching. He rose to his feet to greet them. They bowed slightly to the old master.

"Ah, it is good to see you have returned home safely," he addressed them, "I trust everything went well?"

"Yes, Sensei," Leonardo answered, softly.

"Good," he replied, nodding slowly, "And how's the young lady?"

"She..." Leo faltered for a moment, "She's not well, Master. We do not know if she'll live."

"That is unfortunate," Splinter said, quietly.

He studied his oldest son carefully. Leonardo was aware he could sense the whirl of thoughts and emotions he was feeling. As if it were hard enough to keep secrets from his brothers, it was damn near impossible to with Master Splinter. Almost nothing escaped his sharp intuition when it came to him and his brothers. Leo was almost afraid he'd say something to him about them, but he needn’t have worried. Splinter could see in his deep blue eyes that Leonardo was not ready to discuss the turmoil that lay behind them. He would respect his son's wishes, and would not ask what plagued him so. He would tell him in time.

"We will hope that she pulls through," Splinter told them, "But now we have other matters to attend. You must prepare for your morning's lesson."

"Yes, Master Splinter," they chorused.

Splinter took the lead as they all walked across the first floor level towards the dojo. They entered single file into the room, and the turtles began doing a series of warm-up katas. They practiced these for fifteen minutes until Splinter called to them.

"Yami!" he ordered.

They halted immediately, and stood in a line before him, bowing respectfully. He returned the bows with his own, and then bade them to sit. They took up a lotus position on the floor, waiting attentively to learn of the day's lesson from Splinter.

"This morning you will apply your skills of concentration in battle," he explained, "Many times there are distractions that can break one's focus, and it is most important to remain alert."

"We will enact such an occurrence as your training for the day," he continued, "I will be the distraction. You must perform a precise move that will not only eliminate your distraction, but your opponent as well. Are we clear, my sons?"

"Hai, Sensei," they replied.

"Good," he answered, "You are to be paired until only one remains. Leonardo is with Donatello and Raphael with Michelangelo to start off first."

He gave a sharp clap of his hands, and the ninjas stood once more. The assigned partners faced each other, and bowed slightly.

"Yoi!" Splinter instructed.

They went into a battle position, and their muscles tensed in anticipation as they readied for the fight that lay before them.

"Hajime!" Splinter commanded.

They launched with a series of kicks, and punches. Splinter gave them a few minutes before he leaped deftly into the fray. His first target was Leonardo and Donatello. He was in sync with Donny as he threw a punch at Leo, while opting for a kick at his legs. The moves were quick, and precise. Leonardo reacted immediately, successfully blocking Donatello’s punch. However, he was a bit slower in countering his Sensei, and the delay cost him dearly. He was unprepared for Splinter's re-aimed kick to his chest, and he suddenly found himself flat on his back at the mercy of his master. Splinter frowned disapprovingly down at his usually star pupil.

"Your mind is elsewhere, Leonardo," Splinter chided him, gently, "You realize had this been an actual battle, you would have been open to injury, or death."

“"Yes, Sensei," Leo answered, quietly.

Splinter examined his eldest son a little longer, then grunted softly, and walked away to continue with the others. Mikey and Raph had paused in their sparring, and now stood there stunned with Don as they watched the scene. They shared a look of utter astonishment between them. The "teacher’s pet" had been the first one to be taken out. It seemed Leo was affected to the point where he was even being careless in his ninjitsu skills, something he strived at so endlessly in perfecting. They continued to stare until Splinter clapped his hands sharply, and instantly they came to attention. He gave an order to Michelangelo and Raphael, and they resumed the training.

Leonardo finally picked himself up from the floor, and onto his knees with his legs slightly sprawled underneath. He hung his head in defeat, and humiliation. He couldn’t believe it. Normally his reflexes were almost as fast and accurate as his master’s, but moments ago he ended up missing that block entirely, and what would have been a fairly easy one for him. What went wrong? He mentally went over the scene again, and as he came upon the point where he hesitated at avoiding Splinter’s kick, he suddenly realized what had happened. He then felt like kicking himself in the shell for his ignorance. How could he have let his mind wander like that? For that split second, it had been on the young woman, and not on the lesson. He had lost his focus. It was all that was needed for his master to catch him completely unaware with his redirected attack, and he ended up failing the exercise horribly. Worst of all, Splinter was disappointed in him, and that hurt more than his own disappointment in himself.

He sat there sullenly watching his brothers go through the remainder of the drill. Michelangelo joined him after Raphael countered both his, and Sensei's attacks, and was eliminated when he failed to counter Splinter's in the same manner. Mikey offered Leo a sympathetic smile as he took a seat on the floor beside his brother. He wasn't surprised that Leo didn't return it, or even acknowledge him. Mikey could tell he was feeling rather upset with himself right now over his mistake in their training session, and he understood. Mikey turned his attention to Raph and Donatello as they started sparring. Their match lasted until Donny failed to block a roundhouse kick from Raph, and the lesson ended with him.

"Well done, Raphael," Splinter praised.

"Thank you, Sensei," he answered, bowing slightly.

Raph was quite pleased with himself. It wasn't often he had a chance to be in the spotlight for doing something right. Leo was usually always the one to succeed in everything, but today he had actually been the first to mess up. Raphael was feeling kind of smug about it, but then he wasn't sure if he should be happy for this aspect. He glanced briefly in Leonardo's direction, and somehow his victory seemed to taste a little less sweet than before. It wasn't hard to discern that his brother was berating himself for his foolishness, but what tore at Raph's heart was he looked about ready to cry. It took a lot to bring Leo's emotional barriers down to this level. He knew it wasn't just about that he had made a mistake, because even with his ongoing dedication to his skills he was still not beyond making the occasional one, but the why of it. Raph had a pretty good idea what the why was, and he disliked her more and more for it.

Raphael walked towards where his brothers were assembled, and sank to his knees next to Don who had accompanied Leo and Mikey moments earlier. Splinter came to stand before them, and they waited patiently for the usual conclusive words he would speak to sum up the day's training. His eyes ran over each of them until his gaze rested upon Leonardo. Leo cringed inwardly, wondering if he was displeased, but his master’s expression was soft, and concerned. Leonardo read the message clearly in the old rat's eyes that assured him he was only truly worried, and not unhappy with him. Splinter gave a gentle nod of his head, and Leo allowed a small smile to grace his features at this gesture. Splinter then returned his attention to them as a whole again.

"You have done well, my sons," he said at last, "However, some of you will need a little more practice. It shall come with time."

"Hai, Sensei," they replied.

He nodded, and then clapped his hands. The boys stood up from the floor, and gave one last bow to him. He bowed back in a fashion that signaled their dismissal. Raph, Don, and Mikey walked eagerly to the opening of the gym, and once they had exited, each separated in their own direction. Donny headed for his lab and workshop to gather up some tools. He was planning to go up to the warehouse to repair the garage door. Mikey's path of choice led him to the living room where he grabbed the television remote lying on the coffee table, and turned on one of the sets. He strolled over to a gaming system that rested in a corner surrounded by piles of game casings. He browsed through them before selecting one, opening the case, and popping out the disc. He placed it inside the cube shaped system, and then booted up the game. He picked up the controller, and sat down on the floor. It wasn't long before the game's sound effects and music filled the entire living area. Mikey's eyes were glued to the screen, his fingers pounding rapidly at the buttons.

Raphael had disappeared upstairs to his room, only to come back down again dressed in a beige trench coat and hat. Although earlier had been an exception to the rule, Master Splinter explicitly stressed to them often not to venture up to the surface during daylight hours. Still, Raph managed to sneak off almost daily in his usual fashion to go topside. He carried with him the sheet sack of the linens that was soiled in her blood. He figured he’d stop at April's while he was out, and drop off the bag of laundry for her to wash. The sooner he did, the better. This was the last thing Leonardo needed to see today to serve as reminders of the morning's events.

Raph threw the sack over his shoulder, and walked out of the lair into the sewers.

Splinter followed his sons not long after they had departed to their activities. He paused in the doorway of the dojo a moment though, and looked back to his oldest son who still remained inside. Leonardo had not moved from where he was standing since the end of the practice, staring at the far wall. The old Sensei felt his heart go out to him. He had much burden on his mind and spirit. Confusion clouded his very essence like a fog, and he seemed unable to dispel it. Leonardo knew he could always confide in him, but right now, he didn’t want to talk even with him. It caused Splinter great worry, and he began to wonder of the connection Leonardo seemed to have established to the young lady he sensed earlier with him. However, he would have to wait for the answers until his son was ready to give them.

"Are you staying for more practice, my son?" Splinter finally spoke to him, quietly.

The sudden inquiry made Leonardo snap out of his daze, and then he turned around to face his master.

"Yes, Sensei," he answered, softly, "I want to atone for my mistake."

"As you wish, my son," Splinter replied, "But, Leonardo, do not punish yourself so severely for it. You must remember, true perfection cannot be achieved because you always have something to learn."

"I understand, Sensei," Leo acknowledged.

Splinter nodded, then turned, and walked out of the gym. Leonardo was now alone in the vast room, and left entirely to his own devices. He started doing a set of katas, working into a slow rhythm at first, but gradually moving into something faster and more intense. His kicks, jumps, and flips carried him halfway across the dojo, and he soon found himself near the punching bag. It hung silently suspended from the ceiling on its metal fixture before him. Moments later, it began swinging wildly as Leo’s foot connected hard with the bulky stuffed canvas in a powerful kick. When the bag came back towards him, he struck at it again with a punch. He repeatedly attacked the bag, his repressed emotions fueling the power behind the assault. His hands and feet were a blur of activity. Every so often he let out a loud karate yell.

Leonardo forgot everything around him, even time, as he lost himself to the sea of confusion and frustration that raged in his soul. Hours had passed since he began. By now, the muscles in his arms and legs ached, and his knuckles and feet were stinging from the canvas of the bag. His "hyahs" had grown hoarse, and he was breathing heavily, his heart pounding. Sweat glistened all over his body, little streams running down the sides of his face. Still he continued, like some force was driving him. It wasn't until a sudden pain flared in his chest that he was brought to reality once more. He winced, causing him to slow in his barrage, but he kept going. The pain came again, and he felt like his lungs were on fire. It was persistent now, crippling him, and yet he refused to quit. This brought up a rather horrifying memory he thought he had buried long ago. With the last of his energy, he gave the punching bag all he had. It flew off its hook, and landed on the floor a few yards away with a heavy thump. He then collapsed to his knees, bending slightly forward, and gasping for air.

"You are troubled, Leonardo?" a rich voice filled with the wisdom of its owner asked, gently.

Leo jerked his head up in surprise, and found Master Splinter was standing only a few feet from his exhausted son. Splinter returned to the dojo when Leonardo did not emerge after more than four hours. He had been watching him for the last half an hour now, and noting how he appeared almost in a trance as he mercilessly tortured himself against the punching bag. Splinter felt it was going too far, and it was time he needed to get his son to talk to try to heal his distressed spirit. He stood there waiting patiently until Leonardo could catch his breath to speak.

"Yes, Sensei," Leonardo finally managed to answer.

"About the young lady?" It was more of a statement than a question.

Leo was silent as he lowered his gaze to stare at the floor. He was trapped. Though the pain in his chest had subsided from the physical exertion, a different ache was starting to settle there, and his breath quickened once more. This wasn't Raphael where he could simply ignore him, avoiding the subject. This was Splinter, his father and master, the person they all held, but he most of all, in high respects. Leo knew he was going to have to finally confess the emotions he was harboring for the young woman, but he didn’t know if he could. He continued to remain quiet, his eyes fixated to the ground. The room was so still, they could hear the sounds of the television on the other side of the lair through the thick concrete walls.

"Leonardo?" Splinter prompted firmly, but gently, after a few minutes.

Leonardo lifted his blue eyes to meet Splinter's kind soft black eyes that regarded him with patience, and concern. Leo felt as if he were a child again, having run to his father for comfort after a bad dream. He sighed so deeply then it almost sounded like a sob, and conceded to the flood of emotions that threatened to drown his very soul.

"I... I don't understand, Sensei,” he said at last, quietly, "How can I have such feelings for someone I know nothing of? And yet, there is something about her that beckons to my spirit."

The mental walls he had built to protect himself crumbled as he talked, and suddenly everything came out in a rush. He couldn't have stopped himself if he tried, and he didn’t want to. He was starting to feel better now as he was finally releasing this pressing weight inside of him.

"These emotions I have are so strange," he continued, "I've tried to comprehend them, but they leave me confused. She has affected a great part of me."

"I am afraid for her," he added, "She is dying, and I failed her because I waited too long. I should have done something sooner."

He looked down at his hands resting in his lap, and turned the left one over to the inside of his palm. Much of it had already been rubbed away, but a slight rust-colored stain still remained where the blood from her head had covered it. His eyes burned as he stared at it. He hated feeling helpless, but he was. He could have done more, could have been faster, but he hadn't. Now it was likely he'd never see her again, and it was his fault. He didn’t realize he had started trembling until a steady gentle hand lay on his shoulder to calm him. He glanced up at Splinter who was now kneeling at his side.

"It is all right, Leonardo," he soothed his troubled son, "You did everything in your power to help her. Your kindness will not go unjustified."

"Fate brings us many obstacles," he continued, "Many can be overcome, but there are some that cannot. I believe this one will be conquered, and you may very well get to meet the young woman again. Fate has a habit of bearing strange gifts in its course of paths, and this one might be yours."

"I do feel as though there is a reason she is here, Sensei," Leo said, softly, "I just don't know what yet."

"The answers will come in time, my son," Splinter replied, quietly, "Until then, have faith."

"Faith..." Leonardo mused, "I will try, Master."

Splinter smiled approvingly, and patted his shoulder, then stood up.

"But I would not dwell on it so much," he told him, "You have been through enough today, my son. Your mind and body are tense. Perhaps some incense and a few hours meditation will help to relax you."

"Yes, Sensei," Leonardo answered.

Confident that his son would heed his advice, Splinter left his side, and walked towards the entry way, exiting the dojo. When he had gone, Leo began to rise to his feet, though a little stiffly, his muscles protesting to the movement. He had to steady himself as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Every physical aspect he had ignored was now catching up with him, and he suddenly felt extremely fatigued and weak from the grueling workout he had given himself. His stomach also reminded him of the fact he had not eaten all day. He realized he had been so caught up in the young woman that he had neglected to fulfill his needs.

"No wonder I worried Master Splinter," he chastised himself, "I really let all this get to me."

He sighed, and rubbed his forehead with a hand. His head was throbbing again, the headache back in full force, but for a slightly different reason. He was completely drained, both physically and emotionally so. He felt like crap, and wanted nothing more now than a hot cup of tea, and then maybe crawling into bed. However, he wanted a shower before he did that. He thought perhaps it may help him feel a little better, and soothe the aches in his body.

Leo trudged slowly towards the doorway and out of the dojo, making his way to the stairs. He climbed the steps with a little difficulty as the overworked muscles in his legs cried out in complaint. When he finally reached the landing of the second level, he turned and headed down the hall to his room. He pushed open the door, and closed it behind him. He slipped the leather strap that held the sword scabbards to his back over his head, and unceremoniously propped the sheathed katanas in a corner near his bed. The leather belt around his waist, the leather bands around his wrists, and the leather pads on his elbows and knees were the next to follow, being tossed onto the bed. He was normally very neat and careful with his belongings, but at the moment, he was simply too tired to even bother. He then removed his mask which was damp, and stained with perspiration, the polyester material clinging slightly to his skin. As the bandana joined the rest of his gear on the bed, he made a note to wash it later.

Now stripped of his ninja attire, Leonardo opened the bedroom door, and stepped out in to the hallway again. He then turned, and walked in the direction towards his brothers’ rooms, heading to one of the two lair’s facilities they all shared at the end. Upon reaching the bathroom, he closed the door behind him on entry, and went to the tub. He turned the knobs on the faucet controlling hot and cold, putting a hand under the running water to test it. He adjusted the knobs accordingly until he was satisfied with the temperature, and twisted the control to the shower. There was a slight rattle in the pipes as the water was rerouted, and after a moment, came down in a steady spray.

He then stepped into the tub, and drew close the shower curtain made from a sheet hanging by copper wire hooks on a pipe in the wall. He stood directly under the nozzle, the warm water cascading over his tired body. Little rivers ran through the crevices of his shell, tracing its simple, but interesting pattern. He closed his eyes as the heat relieved his sore muscles, tilting his head back slightly. He let the water caress his face, neck, and chest. He remained like that for a good ten minutes, actually feeling calm and relaxed for the first time since last night. Finally, Leo opened his eyes, and reached for the bath sponge and bar of soap sitting on a corner of the tub. He applied the soap to the wet sponge until he worked up a rather decent amount of lather. He then set the bar back in its corner, and started to wash.

He cleaned himself thoroughly, gently scrubbing his skin. When he finished, he rinsed the soap off his body, and the sponge as well, joining the bar of soap afterwards. Leo shut the shower off first, rotating the knob to its original position. The water flowed from the faucet once more. He repeated the process with the hot and cold controls, ceasing it completely. He then pulled back the shower curtain, and exited the tub. He grabbed a towel from a stack folded on top of a shelf positioned between the tub and the sink, and dried off. When all of the moisture on his skin was absorbed, he hung the towel on a rack under the shelf.

A moment later, Leonardo opened the door, and left the bathroom. He padded down the hall back to his room, feeling much better than he did half an hour ago. The shower had proved to be beneficial to him, as he was somewhat refreshed. He reached his room then, and walked inside, shutting the door. He made his way through the darkness to the bed, and gathered up the ninja gear that still laid there undisturbed in his arms. He may have been tired, but he wasn’t about to leave the bed a mess. He started putting it all away in their proper assigned places he had for them. As he did, he passed by the mirror hanging on the wall near the bureau, and he paused at it. The glass was slightly cracked, and its frame dinged, but it was still useful for its purpose. The glass now held the reflection of him staring into it. Bleary, almost sunken deep blue eyes set in a rather haggard bright green face greeted him, and he grimaced. He looked like the hell that he was feeling. It also gave him an appearance of being much older than his nineteen years.

As he continued to study his image, Leonardo noticed something else he never had before. Without his mask and gear on, he seemed so vulnerable. He had felt this helplessness for the second time in his life today. It had been all out of his control; he could do nothing. He had no control over it, and it was this that became his greatest fear. If the young woman died, he knew he couldn't save her. He shivered as if he were suddenly cold, and closing his eyes, forced the thought from his mind. Faith, his sensei had told him. He must try to believe she’d survive. He knew it was going to be difficult, though, when his mind kept telling him it was hopeless.

Letting out a ragged sigh, Leo opened his eyes, and massaged his temples with his fingers. His head was pounding once again. He thought about going to the bathroom for some aspirin, and then collapsing into bed. Forget the tea; all he wanted was sleep. He was tempted to do just that, but in the end, he reasoned with himself, it would not help. The sedative would only dull his pain and thoughts, not clear them, and his slumber would be restless at best. He would not get the sleep he desired while his mind continued to rage its war with his emotions. Meditating instead would bring him the peace he was seeking, and allow his mind to clear.

Leonardo stepped away from the wall then, and walked towards the back of his room. There was a large desk sitting in one corner with a worn black office chair behind it. Several sheets of clean plain white paper were stacked neatly to one side on its surface, and a small tin cup held pencils and ink pens on the other. A sketch book lay in the middle. Other books of various genres were piled to the right side of the desk on the floor. In the corner opposite it, was an area created for meditation. A blue cushion was placed in front of a small low Japanese table. There were several candles in holders formed in a semi-circle, and a container filled dried flowers and spices resembling potpourri in the middle of it. A box of matches sat near them at the edge of the table. Leo approached the table, and picked up the box. Pulling out a match, he struck it against the side, and the wooden stick ignited. Carefully, he held the flame to each of the candles’ wicks, and lit them. Instantly, the area was filled with an almost eerie illumination. Shadows crept up along the wall and floor, shifting and changing shape as the flames danced, flickering lightly by undetectable whispers of air. When all the candles had been set ablaze, he deposited the match inside the incense box. There was a slight crackling as the contents sparked quickly, and little wisps of smoke began rising. Soon the scent of jasmine drifted through the air.

He placed the match box back on the table, and then lowered himself to the floor, taking a seat in a lotus position on the pillow. The candlelight cast a warm, soft glow on his face and body. After making himself comfortable, Leonardo closed his eyes, and his surroundings were plunged into total darkness. He began to take deep, measured breaths, concentrating on willing his breathing and heart rate to slow. As he did, he tried to let his mind forget everything, focusing instead on nothing but the steady rhythmic beating of his heart, and the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Gradually, his body started to relax as all of his conscious thoughts finally ceased, and with them the emotions that had overwhelmed him. His spirit was feeling lighter, and the peace he so desperately needed spread over him in a comforting blanket. With his defenses dangerously lowered, exhaustion began returning to him in a wave powerful enough to have knocked him off his feet if he were not already sitting down. Before he could gain a means of control, he was soon consumed by a blissful unconsciousness as he drifted off to sleep.

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The entrance leading into the sewer tunnels lifted open, and Raphael stepped foot inside the lair, the door closing automatically behind him. A plastic laundry bag filled with the cleaned linens was grasped firmly in his left hand, while a blue denim backpack hung off its worn strap on his right shoulder. The pack was somewhat beat up, and dingy, but was able to function well at protecting its contents. The seams holding it together were still sewn tight. He had found the backpack in a tunnel on the upper level at the sewer entrance in the alley close to April’s shop when taking that particular route home. At first, he hadn't paid any real attention to it. People were always throwing such things away down in the sewers, and this backpack was no different from the rest of the litter. He had almost left it there, but something made him give it a second thought. He wasn't sure if it was a hunch, or merely gut instinct, but he knew that backpack had to come with him.

Raphael was surprised when he had lifted the pack by one of its straps that it wasn't heavy at all. In fact, it was light enough for him to wonder if there was anything inside, but he could tell something was weighing on the bottom enough to cause a slight depression. Though, it couldn't have been very much. He was curious to open it and find out what exactly was in it, but decided he'd wait until he got home. That way they could all see it, and figure out what to do with it.

He heard the televisions going in the living room as he came in, catching snatches of the program playing. He guessed it to be the six o'clock news as a female speaker informed of an apartment fire in the Lower East district. Raph headed in that direction, and found Donatello sitting on the couch watching alone. Neither Michelangelo nor Leonardo, who followed the news pretty regularly, appeared to be anywhere in sight. Donny turned his attention away momentarily from the news as Raphael entered the living room, carrying his parcels. Don merely glanced at his older brother before shifting his eyes back to the broadcast. Raph set the bundles on the floor at his feet, and began peeling off his trench coat and hat, tossing them both on the lawn chair. He stretched, and yawned briefly, then plopped down on the sofa next to his brother.

"Anything goin' on?" he asked him.

"Just the usual," Donatello replied, distractedly.

Raph knew what 'the usual' meant; another gang fight, fires, an accident, a robbery or two, missing people, murders. It was the same almost everyday. Nothing ever changed. Hell, they could use the same script for that day the next day, and no one would know the difference. The reports continued into national and international events, containing similar death and destruction on a much larger scale. It was taking everything Raphael had to keep his anger in check as he listened, and viewed the footage of it all.

The last of the reels finally faded, and the anchor people appeared again, making conclusive remarks on it. The weather was cued then, and the news was over, or at least the major portion was. He paid almost little attention to the weather, vaguely hearing something about clouds and rain showers moving in later in the overnight hours. His interest no longer captivated, he shifted position in his seat, and felt something brush against his leg. He looked down, and growled at the discovery, pulling out a plastic casing. It was one of Mikey's damn video games. He had been told if he didn’t keep better track of them, they'd end up broken one of these days. Might as well put that in emphasis. Raph took aim, and tossed the game like a shuriken across the room towards the GameCube. The end of the plastic case hit the system with a satisfying crack. Donatello watched him, and he glanced first to the damaged case, then to his brother.

"You know he isn't going to be happy about that," he informed him.

Raph shrugged, leaning back into the couch.

"He can't say he wasn't warned," he answered, "Where is he anyway?"

"In the kitchen, I think," Donny replied, "Making dinner."

A loud crash of metal on concrete confirmed his answer. It was followed by a screech, and Mikey's voice yelling "Sorry, Klunk!", as an orange and white tabby cat streaked from the room like a bat out of hell. The cat ran into the living room, past the couch, and dove under the lawn chair for cover, knocking over the blue backpack as he did. They couldn’t help laughing at the poor cat as Klunk lay crouched beneath the chair twitching his tail apprehensively, and regarded them with wide amber eyes. He was often a center of amusement, especially when he and Mikey were together. The cat had been a part of their family for two years now after Michelangelo found him as a kitten on Christmas Eve, and brought him home to live with them. Technically, Klunk belonged to Mikey, but he had come to love, and be loved by everyone in the household. So he was as much their cat as he was Mike's.

Within a few minutes, their chuckles quieted, and they decided to leave Klunk in peace to recover from his plight. Something blue on the floor next to the lawn chair caught Donatello's eye then, and his gaze fell upon the backpack. He frowned. As far as he knew, Raph didn't own a backpack, and it didn't look familiar either.

"Where'd you get the backpack?" Don asked, curiously.

"Backpack?" Raph repeated, confused.

Then suddenly he remembered, and his eyes dropped to the floor at the blue bag, bending over in his seat to pick it up.

"Found it in the tunnel near April's,” he answered, as he straightened and dropped it in his lap, "I've got a hunch it might belong to our mystery woman."

"What makes you think that?" Don inquired.

"I don't know," Raphael shrugged, "I just had a feeling I couldn't leave that backpack, and it wasn't intentionally meant as a discard."

Donatello nodded slightly at this. He believed his brother, as all of them have had been in a situation where they had to trust their sixth sense. It had gotten them out of some tough scrapes in the past. Intuition was a lot like blind faith, but when it was examined in hindsight, those instincts had proven countless times to be right. The case now with Raph and the backpack was no exception.

"Is there anything inside?" Donny continued his questioning.

"Yeah," Raph replied, "But whatever it is can't be much 'cause it barely weighs anything."

He handed the bag over to him, and Don took the backpack, setting it in his lap as he studied it. The denim material was dirty, and well worn, but not yet threadbare. However, the same couldn’t be said for the right shoulder strap. It was hanging by only its threads, and threatened to snap at any given moment. He held it up carefully by both of its straps. Raph was right; the pack felt like it was almost empty. Though it couldn’t have held anything heavier than it was anyway due to that strap. He gave the bag a gentle shake, and a soft muffled thump awarded his effort. He was intrigued to open it, but thought better of it. Leonardo should be the one to do that.

"Do you think Leo should see this?" he asked, quietly.

Raphael turned towards his brother and their eyes met. The uneasy expressions they exchanged made it clear perhaps that wasn't such a good idea. Slowly, Raph shook his head.

"No," he said, his voice soft, "Not yet."

He took the backpack from Don, and stood up, striding over to the easy chair. He placed the bag behind the chair, making sure it was entirely concealed.

"We'll hide it here for now,” he told him, "If he's feeling better later, we'll show it to him then."

"Don't want him flipping out on us again," he added.

"No," Donny agreed.

Once the backpack was secure, Raphael walked back to the couch and sat down again. His eyes glanced towards the television screens, where a game show had started playing. They were just about to introduce the contestants to the studio audience, and general viewing public. He let out a yawn. Game shows rarely held his interest. They were all rigged anyway. Besides, even if he did want to watch, a nagging thought in the back of his mind kept him from focusing his attention on it. He realized that during the entire news program Leonardo had remained absent, and he never missed seeing the current events. This wasn't like his older brother, and Raph suddenly became more than a little worried.

"Hey, where is Leo anyway?" he asked Don.

"I don't know," Donatello answered, frowning, "I haven't seen him since practice. Come to think of it, I don't even remember him leaving the dojo with us."

"Neither do I," Raph admitted.

"Wherever he is, I'm sure he's all right," Don assured, though it was more to himself than his brother.

Normally, Leo was the one person they didn't have to worry about. However, since the start of his rather peculiar behavior towards the young woman, they were keeping a watchful eye on him because this was strange, even for Leonardo. Raphael got to his feet once more.

"I'm goin' to go look for him," he announced, "I'll check his room first. Stay here in case he happens to come before I find him."

Donny nodded, and Raphael gathered up the trench coat, hat, and laundry bag in his hands. He walked out of the living room, passing the kitchen on his way to the stairs. An aroma of oregano, garlic, and mozzarella drifting from the room hit his nostrils, and he paused a moment, inhaling the scent deeply. As usual when Michelangelo cooked, dinner smelled great, and his stomach gave a low growl at this. Raph became annoyed then with his body’s response, and pushed the hunger aside. He didn’t need to be thinking of food right now. He had to find Leonardo. Raphael resumed walking just as Mikey popped his head out from the kitchen doorway.

"Hey, bro," he called out after his retreating form, "If you see Leo, tell him to come to dinner, okay? It's almost ready."

"Yeah, sure," Raph answered, distantly, not stopping to look back at him.

Raph finally reached the stairs, and bounded up the steps to the second floor two at a time. When he neared the top, he skipped the last few steps, and made a leap onto the landing. He then turned down the hall to their rooms. He noticed the door to Leo's room was closed as opposed to the open doors of his and his younger brothers’ rooms. With the door being shut, it had to mean Leo was in his room. Raphael was glad he decided to come up here to start his search. He went into his own room long enough to put away the trench coat and hat. Moments later, he walked out, crossing the hall to Leonardo's room. He tested the door, and it gave easily, pushing it rest of the way open as he entered.

The entire room was pitch-dark except the right corner in the very back. Candles burned on the low Japanese table, bathing the figure who was sitting perfectly still on the pillow in a soft glow. Raph made his way further into the room, setting the laundry bag down on the bed as he passed it. On silent feet, he crept towards the corner. Leonardo appeared to him at first to be meditating, but as he drew closer, he could see his head was slightly resting on his shoulder, and his breathing was slow, quiet and deep. He was asleep.

Raphael was relieved he was all right, but also annoyed that he had made him and Donatello worry so much about where he was when he had been up here all along. As he continued to look over him, though, the irritation slowly evaporated. He knew Leo had to have worn himself down to complete exhaustion for his defenses to be this low. He was always on guard, even while asleep, and as a result, it made him for a very light sleeper. He would have awakened the instant Raphael had opened the bedroom door, but he hadn't. He was sleeping very deeply for the first time since they were kids, an expression of serenity on his maskless face. Raph almost didn’t have the heart to wake him, but it would be good to let him give the rest of them a peace of mind to know he was at least okay.

"Leo?" he said, his voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.

He laid a hand on his shoulder gently. Leonardo nearly jumped out of his shell as he jerked awake from a touch on his arm, his eyes flying open. He was on his feet in seconds, and he spun around, ready to attack what had surprised him. He didn’t recognize his brother, as what he saw before him was only a blob from the sleep still blurring his vision. His heart was racing as adrenaline pumped through his veins, preparing to spring upon the intruder in his room. Raphael quickly backed away from him, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Whoa, easy, Leo!" he exclaimed, "It's just me!"

Leonardo relaxed as he heard the familiar voice, and then he blinked his eyes a few times to clear them. Moments later, his brother in red came into view.

“Raph?” he finally acknowledged.

"You were expecting maybe the Easter Bunny?" Raphael replied, dryly.

Leo only shook his head and sighed, sinking back down to the pillow on his knees. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply as he tried to calm himself, and slow his heart rate to normal again. He was shaking slightly as his body was now coming down from the high of the natural drug. After a minute, he opened his eyes, and looked sternly up at Raphael.

"That was very foolish, Raph," he chastised him, "You couldn't have used a different method?"

"Well, excuse me for being concerned about my brother," Raph retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

Leonardo instantly began feeling guilty for the accusation, and he lowered his gaze slightly as the expression on his face became one of shame. He was doing it again. He was pushing away the people he loved when they were only trying to help him. He rubbed his forehead with a hand as a headache started to form.

"I'm sorry, Raph," he told him, softly, "I shouldn't have overreacted like that, but I've a lot on my mind with what has happened today, and I'm just a little stressed out."

Leo held his head in the palm of the same hand, and sighed deeply.

"Though it's not an excuse for the way I've been treating you, Don, and Mikey," he added, "And for that, I am truly sorry."

He felt his brother's hand fall on his shoulder then, squeezing it gently.

"It's okay, bro," Raphael consoled, "We understand, and it's my fault too for putting pressure on you."

Leonardo glanced up at Raph, and gave him a small smile.

"Thanks, bro," he answered, quietly.

Raph only smiled in return, moving his hand off Leo's shoulder.

"Hey, Mikey wants us down for dinner," he changed the subject, "You coming?"

"Yeah," Leo replied, "I'm starving."

He chuckled a bit as he rose to his feet, and then had to catch his balance as he wavered slightly. Raph reached out an arm to steady him.

"You want me to carry you?" he joked.

Leo let out a genuine laugh this time.

"No," he answered, "I think I can make it on my own."

Raphael grinned. The candles were blown out, and the two brothers began walking towards the door. When they came out into the hall, Leonardo broke the silence between them.

"Hey, Raph?" his voice was soft, serious, "You were right."

Raph glanced over at him, raising an eye-ridge questioningly.

"You remember when you said earlier she was somehow affecting me?" Leo explained, "You were right; she was."

He fell silent again, his eyes cast slightly downwards at the floor. He did not need to elaborate more on it for Raphael to understand what he meant. He laid a comforting hand on Leo's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, bro," he said, quietly, "Try to forget her for now, okay?"

"Okay," Leo agreed.

Raph patted his shoulder in brotherly affection, and Leo gave a small smile in return. They reached the stairs then and descended to the main level, heading towards the kitchen. Donatello was setting the picnic table, and Michelangelo was assembling a plate of garlic and butter toast as he put the finishing touches to the dinner. Master Splinter was seated on one bench of the table as he waited patiently for the rest of the family to join them. All three looked up simultaneously as they heard Leonardo, and Raphael arrive. As they entered, Donny and Mikey smiled at Leo, and Splinter was pleased to see that his eldest son was able to come to dinner.

"Hey, Leo," Don greeted.

"Hope you're hungry, bro," Mike followed, placing the plate of toast on the table, "Because I made my specialty."

"Sounds good," Leo grinned.

Mikey went to check on the casserole baking in the oven then, and Leo walked to the table, sitting down on the bench next to Splinter. Raphael took a seat on the bench opposite them. He reached for a gallon jug of milk on the table, and poured the cold white liquid in to the glass at his place. A slightly chipped green plate was in front of him, and a fork rested on a neatly folded white paper napkin to the right of it. All the settings were arranged in exactly the same fashion, except each had a different plate than the other. A couple of them were solid colored, and the others were white with designs. Many of their dishes were mismatched, and bore chips or scratches, but as long as they could be used, it didn't matter what condition they were in.

Raph passed the jug to Leonardo, who proceeded to fill the glasses at his remaining brothers' places before pouring his own glass. When he finished, he set the jug back on the table. Donatello walked over then, and sat down at the place next to Leo, waiting patiently with them for dinner to be done. Suddenly, the sound of a timer echoed through the room, and Michelangelo hurried to the oven, donning a pair of mitts. He opened the oven door from the side, avoiding being hit by the steam billowing forth. When it cleared, he reached inside, and carefully retrieved a very large deep ceramic pot. He set it gently on the stove top for a moment to close the oven door, and then carried the casserole towards the table. He placed the crockery on a potholder in the center of the table, and lifted the glass cover off, revealing his culinary masterpiece; lasagna. The cheese and tomato sauce was bubbling softly, the ground meat sizzled, and the spicy aroma of oregano drifted through the air. Mike took the dish cover to the sink, and eased it in. He yanked the mitts off his hands, throwing them on the countertop, and then went to a drawer, grabbing a serving spoon out. He strode back to the table, and sat down next to Raphael.

"Dig in, guys," Mikey told them with a wide grin.

He stuck the spoon into the pasta, and began helping himself first, scooping out a rather large chunk of it into his plate. When he had what he wanted, he passed the spoon to Raph, who heaped his plate full as well. The spoon traveled across the table to Master Splinter next, and he settled for a much smaller portion of the lasagna. The spoon was handed then to Leonardo, and he dispensed a helping into his plate that was bigger than Raphael’s, but less than Michelangelo's. Leo gave the spoon to Donatello, and he piled a serving on his plate equal to that of his oldest brother's. Don set the spoon aside, and reached for the plate of bread, which circled the table as each of them took a slice.

They began eating in silence, only the sounds of chewing and their utensils clattering against the ceramic of their plates was heard. It was an unusually quiet dinner for them as conversation was rarely absent during a meal. Normally, Mikey would be rambling on about a high score he achieved in one of his games, Donny telling them about the latest inventions he was working on or a science special he saw on television, Raph complaining that Mikey cheated if he had played with him, and Leo discussing their agenda for the day, but not tonight they were. It was as if no one had anything to say, or they were afraid to. Raph, Don, and even Mikey seemed to have guilt written all over their faces. Donatello had clued his baby brother in on the backpack while the two had been alone in the kitchen, and now they were all harboring its secret from their oldest brother. Splinter was more or less aware of the fact his three younger sons were hiding something, but for once, he would not question them. They were old enough now that he trusted them to make the right choices, even if sometimes the right choice didn't necessarily mean the best. He sensed they didn't agree in retaining whatever secret they shared, but they had to in order to protect the one it was being withheld from. Splinter had a feeling the information they possessed somehow involved the young lady, and for the moment, it couldn't be revealed to Leonardo so as not to upset him further on her. It was this reason why they appeared reluctant to talk now that he was in their presence in apprehension something would accidentally slip out about it. Splinter knew they meant well, but it could possibly end up doing more harm than good if they let this knowledge remain hidden from their brother. However, it was their decision if they chose to do so, and if they were to come to him seeking for advice, he would only guide, not directly influence, them with his answer. The choice they made would be ultimately theirs.

It was impossible for Leonardo not to notice the silence that hung thick in the air, and it made him pause in his meal. His brothers were being strangely quiet, and in Michelangelo's case to remain silent as long as his older brothers have, it wasn't just odd, it was almost downright unnatural. Usually, his mouth would continuously be open, pouring out a stream of endless chatter while at the table. It was a miracle if they could get him to keep it shut even a minute. However, Leo was bothered by this unexpected, if somewhat pleasant, change, and did not readily welcome it. Something was going on, and it was evident by the fact that every once in a while they would steal glances at each other, or in his direction. He caught them on one occasion, and they quickly looked away and down at their plates as if they suddenly found the food the most interesting thing in the world. Leo raised an eye-ridge quizzically at this response, which was further confirming his suspicions. They were definitely up to something, and it appeared they were trying to hide it from him. He wasn't sure whether to be worried, or offended by it. The way they were avoiding eye contact with him was similar to the way he had eluded them on his feelings about the young girl. It seemed now that they had their own secret they didn’t want him to know of. Leo sighed inwardly. He supposed they were entitled to keeping whatever they shared between them after he had refused to reveal his own, and he didn’t blame them for it. As long as what they were concealing didn't pose as a threat to the family, he would allow them to have their secret, and he knew they would tell him when the time was right. Though, why was he still feeling uneasy on the matter? He returned to eating his dinner then, but with less zeal than before.

Dessert consisted of the box of doughnuts April had given them, and in mere minutes, nothing remained of the sugary glazed confections. When everyone had finished eating, the table was cleared, and the dishes were deposited in the sink. What had been left of the lasagna was stored in a Tupperware container, and put in the refrigerator. Afterwards, Master Splinter retired to his quarters, Michelangelo retreated to the living room to watch television, and Donatello began filling the sink with warm water and liquid soap as it was his and Raphael's night to do the dishes. While they argued over who would wash or dry, Leonardo prepared Klunk's dinner, as it was his night to feed the cat. Leo pulled out a kitchen drawer with the can opener, and began opening the tin of cat food. The sound reached the cat's ears all the way to the living room where he was hiding, and he was immediately on his feet, bounding towards the kitchen. He found Leo was the one who had the can opener tonight, and Klunk began circling around his feet, meowing impatiently up at him as he filled his bowl.

"All right, Klunk," Leo consoled the hungry cat, chuckling, "It's coming."

Gently untangling the cat from around his ankles, he stepped away from the kitchen counter, and set the dish down on the floor in a nearby corner next to a bowl of water. The moment he did, Klunk eagerly pounced upon the food, and began eating greedily. Leonardo shook his head as he watched him in amusement.

"I think someone's bad habits have been rubbing off on you," he teased.

Klunk twitched his ears slightly at the comment, but ignored him otherwise. He was far more interested in his dinner. Despite the fact he had been snubbed, Leo grinned, and then turned towards the countertop again, leaving the cat alone. He replaced the can opener in its drawer, and tossed the empty tin in a recycling bin. Finished with the chore, he glanced in the direction of the kitchen sink at his younger brothers who were quiet once more. Don and Raph had resolved their conflict on who would do what, and it was Raphael that found his hands in soapy water scrubbing plates with a sponge, while Donatello held a towel in one hand drying a clean dish in the other. It appeared that Raph had lost the argument, and the sour expression on his face made it clear he wasn't too happy about it either.

Donny was aware they were being watched, and he looked up, meeting Leonardo's gaze. He smiled at him, but the smile held a trace of nervousness. Don wasn't sure what to say after the incident that occurred at dinner. Leo was very astute, and they had been stupid to think he wouldn’t notice their peculiar behavior, as something as out of the ordinary as they had been doing would’ve alerted him instantly. When it had, their reactions made it seem as if Leo had committed some kind of terrible crime, and they didn't want to associate with him. Donatello felt bad for the way they had treated him. Instead of protecting him in their efforts to keep the backpack classified, they were evading him completely, and they hadn't meant for this to happen. They couldn't confide in him about the backpack, but they couldn't remain uncivil to him in the process. He didn't deserve that after all he had been through.

"Feeling better, bro?" Donny finally asked.

"Much," Leo nodded.

"Good," Don answered, with a slight grin, "So we can count on evening patrol then."

Leo's face twisted slightly as he winced at the reminder. It wasn't that he had forgotten their nightly patrol of the city, not at all. It was a duty he and his brothers upheld to keep the streets safe for its citizens, but just this once, he wanted to skip patrol and stay home. He was very tired, and his body still ached if he moved too quickly or abruptly. The last thing he needed to do was aggravate the condition by leaping rooftops, or worse, catch a cold while in this weakened state. Though spring was approaching, the night air was still rather chilly. A quiet evening in the warmth of their home would be good for all of them. The NYPD could handle things for one night, couldn't they? Leonardo began feeling guilty for these thoughts. He couldn't abandon his responsibilities like that. The needs of others were greater than his own.

Why is it you can never think of yourself first? he asked himself.

Leo was surprised by his own question, but it was true. He couldn't put himself ahead of others because he found his needs rather trivial in comparison. Thus, he had suffered much in the name of sacrifice. Though was he not as important as the ones he dedicated his life to? He tried his best to do it all despite everything that stood in his way, but there were times when he just couldn't, like with the young lady's situation, and now was another such time. With that in mind, he made his decision.

"Not tonight," he told him, quietly, shaking his head.

His grin long since faded, Donatello stared at him in disbelief. Even Raphael stopped washing dishes as he heard this announcement, and turned around to face Leo. Water and soap suds dripped from his hands to the floor. Their expressions mirrored each other’s.

"Are you okay, Leo?" Don inquired, worriedly.

"I'm fine," Leo assured him.

"Are you sure about that?" Raph said, skeptical.

Leo resisted an urge to roll his eyes. He wasn't this bad when he questioned them, was he?

"Guys, don't worry,” he insisted, "I'm just tired, that's all, and I thought we could use a night off."

Raph and Donny exchanged brief glances between them. They knew Leo wouldn't skip anything if he didn't have a very good reason for it, and he really did look tired. His face was drawn, the emerald green skin pale, and his deep blue eyes were bleary and dull, as they were missing their normal bright clarity. If they hadn't seen him eat, Don would've pronounced him as sick, but he knew all he needed was sleep. A good night’s rest would have their oldest brother back to his usual self. Better to take advantage now of their time off, and not look a gift horse in the mouth.

"All right, Leo," Raph replied, after a moment, "Whatever you say."

He then turned back to the sink, and finished cleaning the rest of the dishes. A plate in his hand, Raphael extended his arm to give to Donatello to dry, and nearly dropped the wet dish when he didn't feel him take it immediately. Tightening his grip on the ceramic, he glanced over at his younger brother, and gave an annoyed grunt at what he found. The genius terrapin was oblivious to the world, already lost in thought on how he was going to spend his evening.

"Maybe April can come down, and go over the schematics of my new computer program with me," Don wondered, aloud.

"And maybe you can pay attention at doing your job before I break these plates," Raph grumbled.

At the mention of her name, Leonardo suddenly remembered her promise to him. How could he have forgotten something as important as that? April's phone call was the one thing that could give him the hope he needed, or destroy it completely with determining the young girl's future. It all depended on the nature of the news.

"Has she called yet?" he asked Donny.

"Huh?" Don started, snapping back to reality, "Who?"

"April," Leo persisted, sounding almost frantic, "Did she call?"

"No," Don answered, "She hasn't."

"Oh," Leo said, simply, his anxiety dissipating.

He was disappointed and relieved at the same time. He took solace in the fact that the absence of the call meant nothing had changed, but he also wasn’t any step closer to knowing her fate. Leonardo gave a soft sigh. He would just have to remain patient until April did call and provide him with the information he desired. Donatello was frowning at the fervent inquiry, concern pushing all his thoughts of the evening aside. He knew on some level Leo cared about the young woman, but he had no idea he was feeling this strongly for her. Don feared he was starting to become an emotional wreck, and his apparent exhaustion wasn’t helping.

"Maybe you should get some rest, Leo," Donny suggested.

"Maybe you're right," Leo agreed, wearily.

He rubbed his forehead where it had begun throbbing painfully once more. He was definitely going to take some aspirin now. He had had enough of the merciless pounding on his skull. He couldn't remember the last time he had a headache this bad. It was almost to the point of rendering him immobile. Without another word to his brothers, Leonardo trudged out of the kitchen. Don and Raph watched his retreating back, and then turned towards each other with bewildered expressions. They had never seen their brother in such a state before.

"Do you think he'll be all right?" Donatello finally spoke, after a long silence.

“With him, there’s no telling,” Raphael answered, his voice slightly gruff, “That little tramp has him all worked up, and I don’t like it. It’s her fault for the way Leo’s been acting since he found her. He’s going to drive himself crazy.”

"I hardly think the poor girl did it intentionally, Raph," Don objected, "Leo's more connected to her because he helped her, and he seems to believe there’s something special about her."

"I think she's going to be more trouble than she's worth," Raph snorted, shoving the clean plate he had been holding at him.

Donny just barely managed to grasp the dish in his hands before he began applying the towel to it. He decided then it was best to close the subject because he knew it would only turn into a heated debate, getting them nowhere. Raph was as stubborn as Leo, and nothing could change his mind once it was set. Instead, they concentrated on finishing their chores.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leonardo walked to the stairs, nearly stumbling at one point as he ascended to the second floor. The uneven motion sent his head reeling, nausea welling up in his stomach. He had to stop a moment to regain his bearings, as leaving a display of the night’s dinner was the last thing he wanted to do. Stifling a groan, he finally made his way to the landing and down the hall to the bathroom, opening the medicinal cabinet over the sink. He reached for the bottle of Advil, and unscrewed the cap, shaking two tablets in the palm of his hand. He replaced the cap, and put the bottle on the shelf, closing the cabinet door. He filled a blue plastic cup sitting near the sink with water, and popped the aspirin in his mouth, swallowing it along with the liquid. After rinsing the cup, he left the bathroom, and staggered back up the hall to his room. Once he entered, he closed the door, and went to his bed, collapsing heavily on top of the mattress. He didn’t even bother to move the bag of linens that had been sitting on the edge, and he didn’t care. He heard the sack as it bounced off, landing on the floor with a thud.

Leo rolled over on his side with his back to the door, resting his head gently on the pillow. The pressure on his skull was still intense, and he prayed the aspirin would start working soon. He didn’t know how much more of the pain he could possibly stand. Aside from the steady, rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, he laid there motionless. The sound of his quiet breathing echoed loudly in his ears in the dark, silent room. He sighed deeply, and closed his eyes, but sleep was out of the question. His head was hurting too much for him to be able to rest properly. The ceaseless toil of his mind sorting out the jumbled mess of his thoughts and emotions only fueled the agony. He tried to focus entering into a meditative state as an effort to clear them out and instill calm, but it was useless. His brain refused to stop processing it all.

Biting back a cry of frustration, Leonardo opened his eyes, and shifted on to his back. He stared miserably up at the ceiling. Why did she continue to haunt him like this? It was the first time he had felt anything towards a complete stranger. She wasn’t like the countless others he had helped in the past. There was something different about her; something special. He was allowed a glimpse of it when their eyes had briefly locked on each other’s early this morning, which seemed as if it were a lifetime ago. In those moments, a connection was formed; one he couldn’t possibly begin to comprehend. It felt strangely like he had been bonded to her, and it was so powerful, he was unable to break it, but he didn’t want to even if he could. There was so much he wanted to know about her, but how could he when nothing was available to him? It was this reason that was causing him to slowly turn into a basket case as he kept fretting over it. He knew then he must resign to the fact that he wasn’t going to learn anything more of her until the situation was disclosed, before he pushed himself over the edge of insanity.

Leo turned his head to the side, and rested his cheek against the pillow, letting the cool fabric of the case caress his skin. He closed his eyes again, and took a few deep breaths of air, exhaling softly. He wasn’t sure when the aspirin started functioning, but he was aware it had as he began feeling its effects. Almost instantly, the pressure was lifted from his head, and the throbbing eased significantly. He gave a sigh of relief as the pain left him, feeling much better now than he had all day. He must have dozed off some time after that because he was suddenly awakened by the sound of his brothers as they clamored up the stairs. He glanced to the nightstand at the digital glowing green numbers of his alarm clock, and found it was just after 11 o’clock. This was normally the time they all retired for the night.

Leonardo heard one of them tell the others to be quiet, which he could distinguish by the voice was Donatello. They immediately fell silent as they neared his room, and passed it on the way to their own. Leo listened as three doors closed with soft clicks almost simultaneously upon entering their respective rooms. It was only several minutes later when Raphael’s loud snores began, which Michelangelo often compared to a chainsaw. Leo couldn’t help cracking a smile at the thought. He then turned on his side in a more comfortable position, pulling the bed sheet and blanket up to his shoulder. Going back to sleep, however, soon proved to be futile. He was wide awake now, and after a while of lying there with still no success, he became restless. Giving a deep sigh, he sat up, and drew back the covers. He reached over to his nightstand for the pack of matches where he knew them to be at, and struck one, lighting the candle that was next to the clock. He watched the flame a moment as it outlined the area in its soft, warming glow. There was something about candles that seemed so comforting to him.

Leo glanced to a small paperback book of his current read, and a portable CD player which were adorning the table’s surface as well. The book, entitled To Kill a Mockingbird, he was finding to be a rather engaging story, and all told through the eyes of a child. Though, tonight he wasn’t in the mood for reading something so thought provoking. He had been thinking too much already today. He shifted his attention to the player, but even losing himself in the soothing sounds of Japanese instrumentals didn’t appeal to him. He thought for a moment about going downstairs to watch television. Usually it was the last resort for a source of relaxation, but it was the only thing that remotely interested him now. His decision made, he got to his feet, and stretched, groaning softly with satisfaction as some of the tension in his muscles was released. Moving more at ease, he blew out the candle, and then walked to the door. He opened it quietly, and slipped out into the hallway, padding towards the stairs. He crept down to the main floor, and headed for the living room.

Upon his arrival, Leonardo sat down on the couch, and reached for the televisions’ remote control resting on the coffee table. He pressed a button to turn only the middle one on, and then leaned back against the end of the couch until he was lying fully on it. He adjusted the throw pillow at his head, and rested one arm behind it. The remote in the other hand, he began browsing the channels, but never settled on one more than a few seconds before his thumb pressed the button to switch to another. This process continued until he had perused every channel accessible on the satellite connection twice, but the results remained unyielding. He was unable to find a program that seemed even mildly intriguing to him. Annoyed at having wasted his time, he shut the television off, and tossed the remote on the table. He then lounged further on the couch. He didn’t feel like moving now that he was comfortable, but he still wasn’t relaxed enough to sleep. He gave a sigh of defeat, closing his eyes. Suddenly he heard a soft meow come from above him, and one deep blue eye slid open to investigate. Klunk sat on top of the couch watching him closely. The cat had sensed Leo’s distress, and though he wasn’t sure why the turtle was upset, he knew he needed comfort.

Klunk hopped down, landing gently on Leo’s plastron. He meowed again, and started rubbing his head around his neck. Leo smiled, and reached with his hand to pet the cat, scratching behind his ears as best he could with his dull nails. Klunk arched his back, and began purring softly with the attention. He moved accordingly with Leo’s hand to cover the areas along his back he wanted him to access. After a few minutes, Leonardo’s mind began wandering to the young lady, and his fingers ran absently over the cat. Klunk immediately noticed the slack, and nudged at his hand with a paw, mewing insistently. When he didn’t receive a response, the cat walked towards Leo’s neck, and butted his head hard under his chin. Leo was startled out of his thoughts as his jaw reverberated slightly from the impact. He looked down then at Klunk sitting on his chest, who only offered him a meow as his explanation before jumping down onto the floor.

“You crazy cat,” he chuckled.

Leo watched him as he slinked behind the easy chair, his curiously twitching tail the only part of him that wasn’t hidden. A moment later, there came the sound of sharp nails raking across cloth material. Leo frowned, and hoped for the cat’s sake he wasn’t trying to destroy Master Splinter’s favorite chair. The clawing ceased, and Klunk emerged with a strap of blue cloth in his mouth. He tugged on the piece of fabric, trying to pull it from behind the chair, but it seemed to be still attached to something. Leonardo became aware of the cat’s struggles, and realized what he had wasn’t part of the chair. In fact, it didn’t look as if it belonged to anything in here. Feeling he needed to investigate, Leo sat up and got to his feet. He walked over to the easy chair where Klunk was still fervently at work. Leo knelt down, and gently took the cloth from his mouth.

“What do you have there, Klunk?” he asked, quietly.

He examined the strap closely, which he could determine was made of denim. The material was frayed, and dirty as if it had been through some tough times. He followed the strap to its source behind the chair, and was surprised at what he found. A backpack was lodged half way under the chair as if someone deliberately wanted to keep it hidden. It suddenly made sense to him why his brothers had been so quiet this evening. This must have been what their secret was. He wondered why they had gone to such lengths to protect him from it as he pulled the pack out carefully. He dropped to his knees, and set the worn bag in his lap. He wasn’t quite sure what was inside as he judged it to weigh only two or three pounds, if even that much. His hand went to the clasp, but he paused momentarily in hesitation. Should he open it? He was certain it did not pose as a threat to him or his family, but he seemed uneasy nevertheless. However, his curiosity was starting to get the better of him, and he squeezed the lock gently with his fingers, lifting back the flap.

Cautiously, Leo peered in the knapsack, and as the contents were revealed, his guard lowered immediately. Nestled at the bottom of the bag was a set of neatly folded clothes, a thin black leather wallet, and a small spiral notebook with a ballpoint pen attached to its blue cover. He was astounded by the discovery. Who could these belong to? He reached inside the bag, and began taking the items out for a closer inspection. The wallet was the first thing he checked in search for some kind of identification. A flimsy plastic card was tucked into one of three slots on the front inside, and he slipped it out, reading the small neat writing printed on each line. The name given on the card was Alisa, but oddly there was no last name present. The section below it stated her birth date, and he noted it was close to his own birthday, as he had not long turned nineteen as well. The last line for an address was mysteriously blank. Did she not want anyone to know where she lived? It would make for returning the backpack to her impossible if this were the case. Unless, she was a runaway, and speculating on the condition of the bag, it seemed probable. It had clearly seen better days.

Leonardo stuck the card back in its place, and continued to look through the wallet. He noticed a corner of a colored piece of glossed paper peeking over the top of the bill fold, and pulled it out. It was a picture of a family, and he assumed this was Alisa's. His eyes scanned over the photo of a well dressed smiling man and woman who were obviously her parents, and the two children accompanying them. One of the children was a strapping young man with dark blonde hair and green eyes. Leo believed him to be Alisa's brother. Standing next to him was a pretty young woman with long blondish-dark brown hair and slightly tanned skin in a pale blue sundress smiling shyly at the camera, presumably Alisa herself. As Leo's eyes fell upon her, they widened in disbelief as a wave of shock swept over him. His breath caught in his throat, and he could almost feel his heart stop beating as he saw the striking emerald green of her eyes. He would never forget those eyes, or the essence that lied within them. It was her. This Alisa was the same young woman he had rescued, and was presently in the hospital fighting for her life. The backpack and all its contents spread out before him belonged to her.

Leo leaned his back against the chair, feeling like a Mack truck had run him over. He couldn’t believe it. The answers he had been seeking to his questions all day were now at his fingertips. Not all of them, however, but at least the most important ones. Slowly, he returned the photo in the bill fold, and closed the wallet. He glanced towards the clock on the VCR, and found it was after midnight. If April hadn't called by now, there was no way she would be going to until tomorrow, but he wasn't sure he could stand waiting that much longer. In the midst of what he had uncovered, it was becoming even more urgent to him to find out the status of her condition, and sitting here mulling about it wasn't going to get him anywhere. It was time to take matters into his own hands. He would pay a visit to the hospital himself.

Leo replaced the items in the backpack as neatly as he found them, and closed the flap. He then shouldered the bag on his left arm, and stood to his feet, leaving the living room in a sprint. He padded up the stairs to his room, and set the knapsack on the floor near the bed. He retrieved his gear from their stored locations and dressed hurriedly, tying on a clean bandana. He adjusted the strap of his scabbards across his plastron, making certain the sheathed katanas were secure on his back. He didn't bother using the stairs on his way back down. Instead, he executed a somersault as he jumped to the main floor, landing on his feet as agile as a cat. He headed towards the entrance of the lair leading out into the sewer, and proceeded to make his way through the intricate underground maze. One could easily get their selves lost in all the many twists and turns it had to offer, but he knew these tunnels so well he could practically navigate them blindfolded. He had no trouble keeping a steady, brisk pace as he weaved around corners, and climbed ladders to access the upper levels.

It wasn't long before he found the particular entrance to the surface he was seeking. He lifted the manhole cover slowly, peering cautiously in the dark alley along the west side of the hospital. His eyes carefully scanned the perimeter for any signs of activity. When he was certain it was safe, he slid the metal lid to the side, and climbed out. He quietly replaced the cover, and quickly ran to a fire escape. He grabbed onto the ladder, and scaled to the first landing, then took the stairs to the second. April had said she was on the second floor, in room number 215. That put its location right in the middle of the floor, and he found he would have to reach it by walking along the ledge as the fire escape landing only covered the first three windows.

Leonardo leaped over the railing onto the wide ledge, and carefully began making his way down. He passed each window as swiftly as caution allowed, having no intentions of being seen. Though, he needn't have worried as most had the curtains drawn. There was no moonlight either as thick dark rain clouds were gathering quickly in the sky, and blocking out the moon. He was safely concealed in the darkness. He swallowed nervously as he tried to force down the feeling of anxiety that had started creeping up in his throat as he drew closer to his designation. When he finally approached the window, he hesitated against the brick wall before it, suddenly almost fearful of what he'd find. He knew there was a very real chance it'd be too late, that was she already gone, but he still had to know.

After taking a moment to collect himself, he removed himself from the wall, and crept to the window. Oddly, the curtains weren't covering this window like the others, granting him visual access of the room, and he slowly peered into it. The room was pitch-black, save for a single fluorescent bulb burning on the light above the bed. It cast a sickly illumination upon the frail figure of a young woman beneath the stark white sheets, and blankets. A small tube was strapped at her nose, and wrapped around behind her head, the respirator helping her to breathe. An IV from a pole near the machine ran to her arm, the bag of fluids steadily dripping into her system. Another IV in her arm led to a second machine that was monitoring every life function, and the green line inclined with each heartbeat it indicated.

Leonardo stared through the glass at Alisa, his heart clenching in pain and sympathy. A strong wind from the impending storm caught his bandana tails then, whipping them in and around his face, but he didn't seem to notice. He was transfixed on her; nothing else mattered right now. He longed to get closer, to actually go inside, but he knew it was impossible. He couldn't open the window because he was sure it was locked, but something told him to try anyway. He put his fingers in the crevice of the window, and tugged gently. To his surprise, it slid open easily, and he continued until it was wide enough for him to able to slip in. He hoped this didn't qualify as breaking and entering, but he couldn't exactly waltz into the hospital as a normal visitor. He crouched under and stepped down, shivering a little as his feet touched the hard ice cold floor. Once he was in, he quietly shut the window, and began walking towards the bed.

Leo stopped at the foot of the bed, studying her with serious intensity. She seemed peaceful as she laid there in a deep coma-induced sleep, her chest rising and falling slowly as she breathed. She had regained a little color in her cheeks, but overall she was still very pale. At least, he was satisfied to note, she didn’t look as white as the sheets as when the last time he saw her. That in itself was a good sign. Her head was wrapped snuggly in fine white gauze, and the right side where her wound was located was bulky with bandages underneath. Her golden dark brown hair was spread out on the pillow, and it shone cleanly in the dim light. The nurses must have washed her up, detecting a faint scent of ivory soap. The bath was probably one reason that helped her to look better he decided.

After a moment of contemplation, he stepped closer towards her, and sat down on the edge of the bed. The mattress sagged, and the springs creaked slightly under his weight. He listened to the soft beeps of the heart monitor as he watched her, his eyes focused on her face. He could feel the emotions she gave him stirring within him once again, and instantly began trying to push them away. He couldn't let them overwhelm him. He then noticed the large bruise on her left cheek, which was beginning to turn a hideous bluish-black, and anger flared through his body. His expertise told him the bruise was inflicted by means of a heavy force, mostly likely a fist. Who would dare hit her like this? On impulse, he leaned forward, and reached out a hand to her cheek. He ran his thumb over the area slowly and with such gentleness, caressing it lightly. Her skin was so soft…

Suddenly, his senses came back to him in a rush, and he jerked to his feet and away so quickly he nearly fell over in a heap on the floor as he realized what he was doing. What the hell was he thinking! That was just it; he wasn't thinking. He had been carried away by those feelings, losing control of his own mind and body. He was reeling from this fact alone. He had never in his life allowed his emotions to completely overwhelm him, and it actually frightened him because for one fleeting moment, Alisa had caused him to do just that. He started to walk backwards further from her, heading towards the window. He had to get out of here. He didn't trust himself now to be around her. What happened was wrong, and his actions were inexcusable by his standards.

Leonardo turned around, and reached the window just as he heard voices coming from outside the room. With lightening quick reflexes, he slid open the window, and jumped out onto the ledge. He closed the window as the door cracked open, a nurse entering the room on her night rounds. He immediately flattened himself against the brick wall, and stood motionless, but his heart was pounding wildly in his chest. However, it was more out of what occurred with Alisa than nearly being caught by the nurse. The wind tugged fiercely at his bandana ribbons, a rumble of thunder sounding in the distance, as he waited for the nurse to leave and his chance to escape. When he felt for certain enough time had passed, he cautiously edged around the window, pausing a moment to peer in again. The nurse was gone, and the room was shrouded in total darkness as the light was no longer on, but he didn't need it to see her. He stared hard at Alisa, taking one last look, and then darted towards the fire escape.

A flash of lightening suddenly lit up the sky, and cold rain began pelting him as he dropped to the ground. He ran to the manhole cover, and pried it off, lowering himself into the sewer. He secured the lid behind him, and descended the ladder to the concrete floor. He started sprinting in the direction of home, and as he ran, it was almost like he was running from his thoughts and emotions. His mind was in turmoil as he could find nothing that explained what possessed him to touch her. It had been much too close for his comfort. His thumb was still tingling with the feel of her skin against his. He soon reached the lair, and entered its safety and comfort. Soundlessly, he made his way across the main floor to the stairs, and up to his room, closing the door silently. He removed his gear, and returned them to their proper places. Though as before, he propped his sheathed katanas against the wall near the bed. He then lay down on the bed on his side, and pulled the covers up around him, but he wasn’t tired. His mind was far too troubled of the night’s events to find sleep.

He couldn't understand why she made him feel the way he did about her. She allured him so much, almost like Karai had, but only in the sense Alisa was a mystery he wanted to uncover. Karai was just a bad memory now, nothing more, and he would never confuse the two as he sensed Alisa to be very different from the Shredder's daughter. He stared at the far wall as he bounced these thoughts around in his head. After a while, he finally closed his eyes, and slipped into a fitful slumber.

End Chapter Three
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