Waiting For You

Sacrifices
Chapter Ten


Using the detour from April's took him a little longer than his usual route, but Leonardo finally arrived home. Upon entering the subterranean dwelling, he headed towards the stairs to put his disguise away in his room before going to practice. He was a little disappointed no one came to greet him despite he knew the door had announced his return less than quietly, but at the same time he was relieved. He hoped to avoid any confrontation with his family he knew might come because of his little excursion until then.

As he walked past the living room, however, his presence did not go unnoticed to the one residing there. Unfortunately, it was a certain temperamental brother.

"'Bout time ya got home," a surly voice pierced the silence.

Leo stopped abruptly in his tracks as he heard this, and slowly turned around to face the couch from which it came. He found the red-masked turtle sitting there was practically glowering at him. Leo narrowed his eyes slightly in response to the look. There was no mistaking the message Raphael was sending to him.

"Please don't start with me, Raph," Leo warned, his tone firm but quiet, "Not now."

Raph chose to ignore the plea, and let out a snort of contempt.

"So what took ya?" he asked, "She hold ya hostage or something?"

Leo held his temper in check, and refrained from nearly grounding out the words as he answered.

"No," he replied, calmly, "I stayed to talk to Alisa for a little while, and then I had to go a different way home from April's because I wasn't able to get to the regular access."

"So why'd ya go then?" Raph demanded, "Did she twist your arm or something to make ya ditch practice and run topside in broad daylight?"

Leo clenched his jaw tightly, and drew in a deep breath as he attempted to stay in control of his emotions. He must not give Raph the satisfaction of riling him, but damn did he know how to push his buttons. He was a fine one to talk to him about blowing off practices and making trips to the streets during the day.

"No, she did not," Leo answered, "She asked me if I could come have breakfast, and I did not want to disappoint her after she worked so hard to cook when she should have been in bed."

"Noble as always," Raph retorted.

Leo felt the grip on his anger slipping precariously then, and his body began to grow hot. He gritted his teeth with near ferocity.

"Damnit, Raph, I don't know what your problem is," he seethed, "But I would suggest you get over it."

"I'll 'get over it' when she leaves ya alone and hits the bricks," Raph growled, "She's trouble waitin' to happen."

At this point, he had stood up, and was at eye level with his brother.

"You don't even know what she’s like!" Leo snapped, suddenly, "You haven't met her!"

"And I have no desire to meet her either," Raph sneered, "Because it won't change my mind."

Leo repeatedly clenched and unclenched his hands, a sign he was battling to try to bring his temper back under control. He was extremely agitated, however, and his chest heaved slightly as his breathing had grown heavier.

"You're impossible," he spat.

"And I could say the same about ya," Raph retaliated.

Leonardo felt ready to lunge at his brother, but before he could make such a move, a sage voice from behind them sharply intercepted the fight.

"The both of you will stand down now," it commanded.

The two feuding turtles immediately squelched any more words they may have had, and turned to face their Sensei. Judging from the stern expression on his face and the slight, agitated swishing of his tail, they knew he was clearly not happy with them. Splinter glanced from one son to the other as if waiting for an explanation. Only Leonardo, whom was now shame faced and contrite, offered one forth.

"I'm sorry, Master Splinter," he spoke, quietly, "I was arguing with Raphael because he made a remark about Alisa that I did not like. I should have not acted upon my anger."

Raph so wanted to make a remark to his brother at being a suck up, but he bit his tongue; hard. Fighting in front of Splinter would only cause to make things worse, and punishment then likely would become inevitable. Instead, his face settled into a soured expression, and he silently sulked.

Splinter shifted his gaze for a moment towards his temperamental son as he noticed the reaction before settling back on his oldest. He knew that Raphael had an unusual and strong dislike for Leonardo's new lady friend, but what made his son feel this way he did not know. However, he wasn't exactly feeling thrilled with Leonardo's unexpected excursion to the surface this morning. He needed to talk to him about that.

"It is alright, Leonardo," the rat assured, "But it would wise to remember you know what is true that your brother has not yet learned."

Raph snorted loudly, but a sharp look from his Sensei silenced him once more. Leo bowed his head slightly.

"Hai, Sensei," he replied, "I will."

Splinter nodded, and then turned to walk back to his room, but he paused a moment to beckon to his son.

"Come, Leonardo," he bade, "I wish to speak with you."

An uneasy feeling began to develop in the pit of his stomach at those words, but Leo obediently followed his father to his room. He could feel the smugness emanating from Raphael and boring into his back, but he did his best to ignore it. As Leo entered the sacred chamber of his Sensei, he removed his fedora out of respect.

Splinter lowered himself upon a tatami mat and sat on his haunches. He gestured to his son, and Leo kneeled to sit beside him. The turtle felt the knot twisting tighter, and he swallowed thickly as he waited for Master Splinter to begin speaking. Undoubtedly, he knew he was in for a lecture.

"How was your visit?" Splinter asked, "Did you enjoy breakfast with Ms. O'Neil and your new young lady friend?"

The question caught Leo off guard as he was not expecting this, and he faltered for a moment. The rat almost smiled in amusement at his son’s stumble. Least he'd become too predictable, Splinter liked to throw a loop once in a while, and catch his sons by surprise.

"Yes, Sensei," Leonardo finally replied, "It was very pleasant."

Splinter gave a slight nod of his head as if he approved of what he heard.

"And how is young Ms. Alisa doing?" he inquired.

He noticed his son's mood change to become more serious then, and the crease on his brow appeared when he was often concerned with something.

"She's doing much better," Leo answered, his voice quiet, "She's making good progress. She's up on her feet, and even moving around a bit, but I'm worried she could be pushing herself too hard too soon. She made the breakfast we had, and that was a lot of work. It was more than she should have done, but she tries to do most things on her own. She's very independent, and doesn't like to be coddled or fussed over."

Here he paused momentarily as a slight amusing smile passed over his features.

"April has taken to mothering her and is quite serious with the role," he continued, "Alisa isn't very receptive of the treatment, however."

The smile dissipated abruptly, and the frown returned. At this, Splinter began to wonder if there were already problems beginning to arise of the arrangements with Ms. O’Neil. Based upon Leonardo's recounts, his assessment of the young woman was that she was very strong-willed, tenacious, and resolute; much like the blue-banded turtle that sat before him. The rat had faced similar situations in the past with his eldest son, so he was all too familiar of what he was hearing.

"Is there a complication between her and Ms. O'Neil?" he asked.

For a moment, Leo appeared to be hesitant, and then he began to nod his head slowly.

"There was something that happened this morning before I went over to April's," he said, "She'd called me, and at first all I heard was a scream when I answered. I didn't know what was happening until I was able to get her to talk to me. I found out Alisa had ventured up to the roof, and April thought she was missing so that's why she called me."

"It turned out April screamed because she saw Alisa outside at the kitchen window, and it startled her," he continued, "But Alisa was safe at that point, and she came back inside through her bedroom window where she climbed out. April was really upset and angry with her, and not only for that reason, but because she'd made the breakfast too. After that incident, April wasn't too sure anymore if she can handle her."

He paused then, weighing his next words carefully. He was not sure how Splinter would react to the fact he suggested this to April, but what other choice was there? Alisa was hurt and she would have no place else to go if April decided she wasn't able to look after her.

Leo pulled absently at a loose thread on his coat.

"I, uh, offered her that Alisa could stay with us if she wanted," he added, a little flustered, "That is, if you permitted, of course, Sensei."

There was a long minute of silence when he finished speaking. Splinter was eerily quiet as he took time to digest this information. The only movement he made even was the occasional apprehensive swish of his tail and the slight twitch of his whiskers. It was clear the rat was not happy with such a proposal.

By this point, Leonardo was beginning to regret ever opening his big mouth on the subject. He was about to apologize for such a foolish notion and forget he even mentioned it when he heard the rat sigh and finally answer.

"I know that the care and safety of this young woman means much to you, my son," Splinter began, "And it is a noble gesture to provide her a new haven should Ms. O'Neil change her mind, but I'm afraid we cannot bring her into our home. She is still essentially a stranger, and could pose a danger to us."

Leo bowed his head slightly, and nodded. While he expected this disapproval as much, he still couldn’t help feeling his father wasn't being fair. Where was Alisa supposed to go then? He wouldn't stand by and watch her end up in a city shelter somewhere only to later die from her condition or be found and killed by her pursuers. He just couldn't do that.

"What if I was responsible for her, Sensei?" he countered, "What if I become her caretaker? I'll take sole responsibility for everything that happened with her."

"You would do that?" Splinter asked, raising an eyebrow to such a bold proposal, "Even to my objections?"

Leonardo squared his jaw and his dark blue eyes locked with the rat's black ones.

"Would you willingly turn your back on someone who needed you?" he replied, his voice soft, but firm.

The question made the sage ninja master pause abruptly. Splinter pondered it carefully for a few moments, and he came to realize that his son was right. No matter what the circumstances were that would cause to bring anyone to him for help, he could not in good conscience turn them away.

He had taught his sons originally how to do the right thing. Sometimes, their interpretation didn't exactly match his, but he trusted them to use their best judgment. What kind of example would he set if he didn’t allow all kinds? There was no set way in which do what was right. April O'Neil would not be in their lives if this were so or Casey Jones either. Both have been wonderful friends and allies to his family.

Alisa could easily travel down this same path as they had to enter into their lives. He only needed to give his consent for her to have such a chance. As he regarded the turtle in front of him, waiting expectantly for his answer, he reached a decision he hoped he would not later regret.

"No, Leonardo," Splinter finally said, "I could not."

He then sighed.

"You would take full responsibility?" he asked, "You would take care of her needs and make sure she stayed out of trouble?"

Leo felt he had won a crucial battle, and he tried not to smile as the elation of the victory swept over him. Instead, he remained stoic, nodding his head.

"Yes, Sensei," he answered, "I promise."

The rat grunted slightly, but he seemed satisfied.

"Very well, Leonardo," he said, "I will expect nothing less."

"Until that time comes, however, you are to make clear to the young lady your visits to her are to be strictly at night, understand?" he continued, "That was entirely too dangerous what you did this morning, barring if it was an actual emergency as it had been when you took her to the hospital."

"I understand, Sensei," Leo replied, with a slight bow of his head, "It won't happen again."

"And thank you," he added, a little more softly.

There was a hint of a smile on Splinter's face as he received this extension of gratitude. It was clear to him that his son was relieved with the outcome. He was not heartless after all, but he only sought to protect his family, and especially Leonardo. After the incident with the Shredder's daughter, the rat did not wish to see him hurt again, as the turtle had taken a particular interest in this new young woman.

"You are welcome, my son," Splinter said, "I am proud of you for the endeavor you have taken."

A small smile spread over Leo's face, and he felt just a little embarrassed by the praise.

"I am honored, Sensei," he uttered, quietly.

The rat smiled in return, and then a moment later, made a gesture of dismissal.

"You may go now, my son," he told him, "I know you have other matters that need attending to. You did play, how you say, "hooky" this morning from your lessons."

Leo's face began to grow warm as a blush crept up on his cheeks. He was feeling rather contrite with the reminder.

"Yes, Sensei," he answered, "Gomen nasai. I will rectify that at once."

A moment later, he rose from the floor to his feet, and bowed once to his father. Then he straightened, and quietly slipped out of the room, sliding the door gently shut behind him. He looked towards the living room, and found Raph was gone now. It was just as well. He didn't want to cross paths with him for awhile at least.

Leo started making his way towards the stairs then to drop off his disguise in his room first. The lair was quiet as he suspected Michelangelo had gone back to bed after breakfast for a while and Donatello was probably in his workshop. Don took advantage of the peace at this time of the day when their little brother was out of his hair, so to speak. Mike was bad about "helping" while he was awake during the remainder of the day.

A few moments later, Leo entered his room, and began to take off his coat to put it away. He pulled the fedora from the pocket he’d stuff it into earlier, smoothed it out, and hung it on the rung next to the trench on the wall-mounted coat rack near his bureau. He then readjusted the strap around his chest which had slipped a bit and let his weapons drop further down his back while he was wearing the coat. It didn't feel very comfortable to have the end of one scabbard poking in places he did not want.

After making sure the katana were secure in their place again, he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. As he stepped into the hall, he noticed the door of the room furthest down, Michelangelo's, was opening and a moment later, the youngest member of the clan appeared in the hall with him. Mikey was unaware at first of Leo's presence, but the orange-banded, sleepy-eyed terrapin finally realized he was not alone.

He gave his big brother a lop-sided grin.

"Hey, Leo," he greeted, "Back from April's already?"

"Hey," Leo returned, with a small smile, "Yeah. I just got home."

"So, how is everything?" Mikey asked, "April's doing okay?"

"Everything was fine," Leonardo replied, "And yes, April is well. She says 'hi'."

"Cool," Mike said, "And how's Alisa?"

He posed the question a little cautiously because he knew it was a sensitive matter. Still, Leo felt a small pang in his heart as he remembered what happened earlier at April's. He hoped she would be okay, but he knew he shouldn't be worrying so much. Her will was strong, and it was powerful enough to overcome whatever obstacle was in her way. That proof lied in the fact that she was still alive.

He gave his little brother an assuring smile then, but it was more to reassure himself than Michelangelo.

"She is doing a little better," Leo told him, "She's making wonderful progress so far, but it has to be handled one day at a time."

"Hey, that's great," Mikey replied, with a huge smile, "I can't wait to meet her. When do you think I can, Leo?"

"Uh, soon, maybe," Leonardo answered.

He wondered if he should tell him that he was planning to bring Don with him tonight when he visited. Mike wasn’t going to be happy to hear that, but he was going to have to understand the situation. It was better he knew now than to keep it a secret and he learned it later when they were leaving. His feelings would be hurt even more then.

"Uh, Mikey?" Leo began, cautiously, "There's something I need to tell you. Now, I know you're not going to like it, but please understand that there's a really good reason why for it."

Oh, great, Michelangelo thought, bitterly, He's not going to let me see her. How typical of him.

"So what's wrong then?" he asked, aloud, crossing his arms, "You think I'm going to put her in cardiac arrest again?"

"Shock, Mike," Leo corrected, "And no, I don't think that all. It wasn't your fault either what happened then, only bad timing, but it's just…"

"Just what?" Mikey demanded.

Leo sighed. He knew this was how Mike was going to react, but there was no turning back now.

"I'm going to take Don with me when I go see her tonight," he confessed, "I haven't asked him yet, but I'm sure he'd like to."

"You're taking Donny?!" Mike exclaimed, "You're not going to take me, but you're taking Don? Yeah, that's so fair. Not!"

"Mikey, please, don't be that way," Leo attempted to soothe him, "If I knew that Alisa could take having you around, I'd let you see her, but she is barely able to handle me when I visit her."

"I'm not saying you won’t ever get to meet her," he continued, "But it's not a wise choice for you to in her condition right now. I'm only letting Don come because he's a lot calmer than you are, and won't stress her out."

"He'll just bore her to death instead," Michelangelo sulked.

Leo reached out then to gently touch his brother's shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"Mikey, listen," he said, his voice soft, "As soon as she's well enough, you can meet her, okay? I promise. You want her to get better first, don't you? That way, she'll be able to enjoy your visit a lot more, and I'm sure you'd like that."

Slowly, Mike's anger began to dissipate, and he let his arms drop to his sides again. He knew his big brother was right.

"Yeah, I would," he answered, quietly.

He sighed, and then looked squarely at Leo.

"You promise, right?" he pressed, "You'll let me see her as soon as she can?"

Leonardo gave him a warm smile, pleased with how the situation had turned itself around.

"Yes, I promise," he vowed, "You have my word."

This seemed to satisfy the orange-banded turtle, and he smiled as well.

"Thanks, bro," he replied.

Leo simply nodded his head, the smile still on his face. Then he turned to head towards the stairs, and Mikey followed close behind on his way down also.

"So, where're you headed off to now?" he asked, curiously.

"I'm going to practice in the dojo for awhile," Leonardo answered, "I missed the lesson for this morning."

"You've never done that before, you know," Mike remarked with a chuckle, "Almost gave us a heart attack from shock."

"Yeah, I know," Leo replied, quietly.

The smile had disappeared now, and the expression on his face was solemn. He knew very well Master Splinter was probably disappointed in him for that, even though he had not hinted it when they had talked. Actually, it was Raph's reaction he knew probably was the worst.

Mikey noticed the sudden change in his big brother's mood.

"Hey, don't sweat it, bro," he comforted, "We weren't mad or anything. Well, except for maybe Raph, but you know how he is."

"Yes, but this is different," Leo argued, "It's not because I skipped practice or went out topside during the day. It's because he doesn't like Alisa."

This was certainly news to Michelangelo, and he looked incredulously at him.

"Really?" he asked, flabbergasted, "Why? He hasn't even met her yet, has he?"

"No," Leo answered, his voice soft, "But for some unfathomable reason, he thinks she's another Karai."

"Oh," Mikey said, simply.

He knew where this discussion was leading, and he didn't want it to, but he had to be sure of one thing. Mainly because he hoped Raphael's suspicions weren't true. He wanted her to be their friend and an ally, not another enemy bent on their destruction.

"She's not, is she?" he added, tentatively.

Leonardo immediately shook his head.

"No, she's not," he disputed, "She's in no shape or form anything like Karai. They are two different people."

Mike breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's certainly good to hear," he replied, "And I think Raph just might be jealous because it's you and not him."

Leo gave him a weak smile. Though one would hope that, it certainly wasn't the case.

"I doubt it," he answered, "But thank you."

At this point, they had reached the bottom of the stairs and were entering the center of the lair. Here, they parted ways, and each headed to their designated activities; Mikey to the living room to watch television and Leo to the dojo. Mike paused a moment, however, to call back to him, "Don't forget; it's your turn to make dinner tonight."

Damn. He had forgotten. Leo didn't know if he would be in the mood to cook, but he had to try. It was an agreement they made that when Mike wanted to make a trade off, Leo would cook. Tonight was one of those trade offs, which was arranged two days ago before he found Alisa, but in the excitement and turmoil following that, it'd completely slipped his mind.

"Right," Leo acknowledged, "Thank you for the reminder."

He continued on to the dojo then, and stepped inside the room. He walked to the middle of the mat on the floor, and began to warm up for ten minutes with simple katas and stretches to limber his body. He soon switched to more advanced exercises, and moved at a faster pace.

As he worked through the lesson, he began to feel better and his mind cleared itself of all the clutter of emotions he’d had prior. He was actually feeling content. If only it would stay that way, but he knew it wouldn't last. At least he could revel in the moment while it did.

After close to two hours, Leo finally stopped and rested. A thin layer of sweat saturated his skin. He found a towel, and wiped his face dry. He was still in a good mood, and even feeling a little creative. While he didn't know yet what he would do about dinner, he knew it would possibly be something different.

Draping the towel around his neck, he exited the dojo, and went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. He refilled it twice before he was satisfied, and then set the glass in the sink. As he came out, Raphael suddenly appeared from around the corner and roughly pushed past him into the kitchen without a word. Unprepared for such an encounter, the force caused Leonardo to stumble a bit.

He regained his balance quickly, however. He briefly glared at the red-masked turtle, strongly feeling tempted to say something about his hostile behavior, but he didn't want to ruin the first decent mood he'd had in days. So he decided to ignore him and just let it go. It wasn’t worth the hassle. Besides, there'd be other times to talk and straighten it out later.

Leo turned to walk to the staircase then, where a nice hot shower was awaiting him upstairs.

End Chapter Ten