After lair’s door closed behind her Reonel took off running. She followed a map what she drew to herself earlier so that she knew how to get back home. She also had set time in her phone and when it would start peeping, it was a sign of her to go back before it was too late.
It took her some time before she arrived to Central Park. It was late and dark but she dressed up in the shadows of the alley before heading towards the furthers and darkest corner of the park. She spotted Jake standing there and headed to his way in shadows. Appearing behind him she gently tapped his shoulder.
Jake jumped and spun around sighing in relief when he saw those unique eyes staring at him.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s okay. I started to think you wouldn’t arrive after all.”
Sitting down on the grass she laughed shaking her head a bit.
“Of course I came. I just needed to wait a bit longer before everyone fell asleep.”
Smiling Jake nodded placing basket between them.
“Are you hungry? I brought us some snacks just in case.”
“That’s so kind, thank you.”
Handing her a sandwich they both started to chat while eating. Jake was eager to know more about her family but Reonel remained quiet. She didn’t want to reveal such private information but she silently and happily listened when Jake told her about his own family and life.
It seemed he was very good guy, very good in studying and helping her mother at home. His father had passed away with little sister 7 years ago in car accident, leaving him and mom alone. Life had become so hard after their passing but Jake and his mom still had managed to grieve and then move on. They knew dad and sister wouldn’t want them to dwell in grief and depression for the rest of their lives.
Now their lives were better. His mom was seeing someone who she had met some months ago and Jake was close of graduating from his school. Plus Jake’s mom was earning a lot of money as lawyer which also had helped the situation since there now weren’t another adult bringing money home.
Sitting face to face they kept little silent moment just munching their breads before changing on more happier subjects. They told each other their hobbies and Jake was surprised when Reonel told she was a ninja and knew ninjutsu. He also couldn’t believe she loved poems and crosswords. A girl who loved and knew how to fight loving poems and crosswords… It was weird combination but not impossible. She also liked to knit something simple – like legwarmers. They came in a good use in the lair at winter even that Don made sure their heating was on and working.
Time passed faster than she had realized and when her phone suddenly started peeping in her pocket, she jumped.
“Oh no! I need to go. I’m sorry.”
Standing up Jake smiled shaking his head. “No need to apologize. I understand. I need to head home too. Need to wake up to school later. When will we see each other again? Tomorrow night? Same time and place?”
Blushing she turned, nodding once hard. “Yes, definitely.”
Picking up the basket Jake smiled with small bow. “I will see you tomorrow then. Have a safe trip home, Reonel.”
“Yeah, thanks. You too.”
With that they went on their ways. Running faster towards home Reonel wished she could sneak in her room without anyone noticing. Trip felt shorter towards home and soon familiar pipe set was in front of her face. She reached for the pipe when she realized she was still wearing her jacket and hat. Looking around she spotted bigger hole on the wall in shadowy corner. Taking her jacket and hat off she pushed them in there. Now sure everything would be as normal as possible she pulled right pipe after pressing right buttons. The door opened letting her in in her home. Lair was dark which made Reonel sigh in relief. As she approached the stairs she jumped when a sudden voice came from kitchen’s direction.
“Where were you?”
Tone was low, a bit serious but most of all honestly asking. Turning around she eyed her mother who stood at kitchen’s doorway arms crossed over his plastron.
“I… I needed some fresh air.”
Letting his hands drop to the sides he slowly came in front of her.
“Is it because of your heat?”
“Wha…? Oh yes, maybe.”
Leonardo’s eye ridges made small sudden movement which made Reonel nervous. Leonardo wasn’t stupid or easily fooled. Before Leonardo could ask anything else his daughter did what she could – change the subject.
“Why are you up at this time anyway? It’s 2:30am.”
“I always wake up at this time to have a glass of water.”
“I never knew.”
“Because you normally are sleeping at this time.” Nodding once towards the stairs Leonardo spoke softer. “And you should be in bed even now. Go. But promise me you won’t go out at nights anymore. Who knows what will happen.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Reaching to kiss his cheek Reonel wished her parent goodnight and went in her room with hurried steps, feeling blue eyes on her shell.
–
In next couple of weeks Reonel came back home without Leonardo being awake, somehow even managing not to make her parents look in her room while she was out. Leonardo could easily have looked in her room every night after having his glass of water but he respected his daughter’s privacy. Sneaking to check on her at nights wouldn’t be something what he would had liked to do.
However Reonel had forgot another turtle who stayed most of his nights awake. Donatello. Without her knowing it her uncle had seen her coming back home around 3am in each night after sneaking out around 10:30pm-11:00pm. This made Donatello curious so he went to check videotapes of the security cameras what he had hide all around the sewer tunnels and home. Just in case.
He watched tapes for hours writing down notes, dates and times. He found out where Reonel went but why? He did not know. None of that didn’t really matter since Donatello knew he needed to do something what would make Reonel hate him for sure but he didn’t want to keep such secret from her parents, especially from Leonardo.
“You wanted to see me?”
His big brother came in the lab looking concerned.
“Yes. Please, close the door. In fact, lock it.”
Locking the door made alarm bells ring in Leonardo’s mind. “Why?”
“Because it’s better only we talk about this. For now. After I have tell you all what I know it’s all up to you who you want to share the information.”
With a hand sign Donatello asked his brother to sit on the chair while he sat on another. Leaning forward Leonardo eyed his younger brother worry filling his heart.
“Donatello...” A hand landed on olive green one. “What’s wrong? You worry me greatly.”
Sighing heavily Donatello lifted brown eyes to meet Leo’s. “It’s Reonel.”
Seeing shock on older brother’s face he couldn’t help but to feel bad.
“You remember when you told me few weeks ago she was coming into heat?”
“Yes.”
“… She lied.” Shock and worry on Leonardo’s face changed into disbelief and it was hard for Donatello to watch. “Think it, Leo. If she truly would had been coming into heat she would had go to April. But she never did. She has stay here in the lair with us this whole time and I can guarantee you, Leonardo, we all would have smelled it if she would had been in a heat. And, just to be sure, I also called April asking has Reonel be with her. She hasn’t.”
“B… But… That…” Sighing deeply Leonardo dropped his head. “That doesn’t make any sense. Why did she lie to me then like that?”
“Because that wasn’t her only lie.” Leonardo’s head jumped back up eyes wide open.
“What do you mean?”
“This.” Turning towards his computer Donatello played a tape which he had build, combining Reonel’s leaving and coming back home from all the nights she had sneaked out. Leonardo by his side looked confused and shocked, pain and anger shining in his eyes. When he spoke his voice was closer to anger than anything else.
“Where she’s been at?”
Taking out his notebook Donatello showed him his calculations and then map pointing at Central Park. “She heads there every night after she thinks we all are asleep. Unlucky to her I have been awake every night seeing her going and coming. And before you say anything; Yes, I could had tell her not to go out and all that but would she had listen to me when she didn’t listen to you already?”
Taking strong and deep inhale Leo’s expression become very serious.
“What I can do?”
“Talking would naturally be the first choice but since you have done that already I would suggest spying or following her. That way we will find out why she goes in Central Park in each night. Tho I have a good suggestion already about that too.”
“And that is?”
“A boy, naturally.”
Staring at Don with wide eyes Leonardo stayed still like a statue and Don could tell all kind of ‘horror’ scenarios went through in his mind.
“Um, Leo?”
“So we need to spy on her. Already tonight. Would you do it? Follow her out? I… I don’t think I can stay calm enough to follow her.”
Donatello understood this. He too would be at least angry if this would be his daughter. However he couldn’t go. “I would do that but… Master Splinter...”
Their father was laying in his room on his futon breathing ever so slightly. He had been in this, almost unconscious, state for few days now and boys were worried, taking looks at him time after time. Donatello, as their doctor, naturally wanted to stay close.
“It’s okay. How about Mikey?”
“While he’s good ninja I doubt he would be able to follow her silently or unnoticed.” Donatello couldn’t help but to chuckle a bit at his own comment about his little brother.
“Then it leaves Raph. Tho I don’t know how he will react if she really is seeing a boy behind our backs.”
“I doubt Raphael would do anything too radical. I mean it’s a park and there’s always people, even at night times. He wouldn’t take the risk of attacking on someone and being seen or getting caught.”
Rubbing gently his closed eyelids Leonardo sighed sadly. He could had asked April but she had her job in her antique store and he really didn’t want to bother her with his family issues. Casey in the other hand… He was out of list instantly. Everyone knew why.
“Fine, I will talk to Raphael.” Standing up straight Leonardo placed his hand on Donatello’s shoulder. “Thank you, Donatello. I appreciate this a lot. I don’t know how this would had turn out without you.”
“No need to thank me. I’m doing what I can to keep this family safe. Even if it means spying.”
To this Leonardo smirked quietly while tapping smaller shoulder twice. “Before I leave I have request. Don’t tell about this to Mikey. He can’t keep his mouth shut. He most surely will blow our cover by telling Nel that we know or something else.”
Making zip closing movement over his lips Donatello smiled at his big brother who shared small smile unlocking the door. Stepping out of the lair he saw Nel and Mikey sitting on the couch playing their favorite game together. Good, this was his chance also to inform Raphael who was in the dojo training.
Entering wider room Leonardo slid the door shut locking it after him. His entering the room hadn’t bothered his mate who kept doing his katas with sai in another hand while other hand held one of Leo’s katanas. Jumping and spinning in the air Raphael moved fast after landing on his feet and it brought smile on Leonardo’s lips. While Raphael had gained more mass while growing older, becoming bigger, he was still fast and good with his moves. And his body looked better when decorated with sweat drops.
Landing firmly once more on is feet Raphael stood tall panting his eyes finally turning on his waiting brother and lover. He could instantly see something wasn’t right. Placing weapons on the wall on their places Raphael took his small towel drying his face. When fabric slid off on his face his heart jumped while blue eyes were right in front of his, staring at him.
“Fuck, Leo. Ya trying ta kill me with some new ninja skills?” Dropping towel on one barrel Raphael took his water bottle twisting cork open. Allowing Raphael to drink in peace Leonardo wondered how he should let his brother know about their daughter. Hearing Raphael sigh deep after holding his breathing during drinking Leonardo swallowed.
“I have something to tell you. I think it’s better if you sit.”
Concern and fear were instantly on emerald green face. “Is… Is it master Splinter…?”
“No. Not yet at least. It’s about Reonel.”
“What about her? She’s causing gray scales on ya?” Raphael chuckles but when his brother didn’t even smile he knew it was serious.
“She’s been sneaking out at nights for the last couple of weeks. I told you about that one night when I saw her coming home.”
“Yeah? What about it? We did sneak out too behind Splinter’s back when we were in her age.”
“This is different, Raphael.”
“And how it’s different?”
“Don has been awake every night when she has left and come home. Don even has seen her on tapes. He had made notes and tracked her down. She’s been going to Central Park all this time.”
“Central Park? But there’s nothing there.”
“True, there’s nothing there but there could be someone.”
Getting suspicious Raphael’s body tenses a bit as he eyed his brother.
“Ya saying?”
Sighing Leonardo continued. “Don thinks she’s sneaking out to see a boy.”
“WHAT?!”
Slamming his hand on Raph’s mouth Leonardo made small ‘ssshh!’ sound. Nodding with few deep inhales Leonardo removed his hand. Bending down towards his brother Raphael couldn’t help but to growl while whispering.
“Why she would be sneaking out ta see a guy? She hasn’t even tell us she would had met one.”
“I know. There’s… There’s too many questions about this at the moment so Don came up with a plan. Since Reonel most surely won’t tell us a thing, even if we would ask, we agreed one of us should follow her.”
“Let that be me.”
A mix of snort and laugh escaped Leonardo as he lowered his head for a moment before facing his brother’s glowing eyes. There was anger and determination. He, if anyone of them, wanted to find out the truth. To see it himself what their daughter was up to.
“Yes. It would be you. Mikey we can’t trust, nor Casey.”
“That old monkey ain’t no good anymore.”
“… And Don wants to stay here for Splinter. I in the other hand… I guess I’m too hurt and angry about her lying to us to follow her.”
Rubbing Leonardo’s shoulders for a moment Raphael pulled him close kissing him slow. Licking Leo’s lips after the kiss Raphael pressed their beaks together.
“Don’t ya worry. I’ll follow her and drag her home after I’ve found out what she’s up ta.”
Wrapping his arms behind Raphael’s neck Leonardo closed his eyes with deep inhale. Raphael’s strong scent was something what he now needed so he focused on breathing it in with each inhale. It calmed and relaxed him.
“I know. I trust you.”
Sharing another kiss with each other they looked deep in each others eyes.
“When I need ta go?”
“Tonight.”
