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If you don’t like the guys to have relations with females then don’t start reading and just ignore this story. Follows Turtles Fore", "count": "77", "submission_left_submission_id": "1422148", "submission_left_file_name": "2005593_Applepye_633.rtf", "submission_right_submission_id": "1447751", "submission_right_file_name": "2044888_Applepye_633.rtf" } ], "description": "", "description_bbcode_parsed": "", "writing": "Sliver was meticulous in her grooming. It had taken her years to get used to having so much fur, dealing with a great deal of discomfort when she was first mutated. \n\nWhen she was young, her mother had kept Akitas, a breed of dog that need to be groomed regularly to cut back on shedding. She was often tasked with the dogs’ upkeep as part of her daily chores. Fortunately for her, she was able to apply those skills to herself. \n\nNow, she enjoyed running her hands over the soft top coat, taking pride in how well she managed to maintain it. \n\nEach night she showered, scrubbing and conditioning her fur and hair. When she was done, she would put her hair up in a towel and wrap herself in her robe before heading down to the room she shared with Splinter. \n\nThat night, Splinter was sitting on the bed with his kimono draped around his waist, using his tail to brush the fur on his back. It was a method Sliver had also learned to use early on. But now, it was one that was no longer necessary.\n\n“Allow me,” she offered, holding out her hand. \n\n“Thank you,” Splinter said as he passed her the brush. \n\nKneeling down behind him, Sliver got to work. She ran the comb through his fur, noting the strong muscles underneath. Splinter might come off as a withered old man but he was a formidable fighter.\n\n“I will admit that, at first, I was surprised at how well you kept your coat. I was expecting it to be dry and unkept.”\n\nSplinter chuckled. “That hasn’t always been the case. Before we met April, I cleaned myself with whatever I could get my hands on. The condition of my fur then is probably more what you were expecting.”\n\nSliver ran the brush through Splinter’s fur, removing the loose undercoat. It was getting warmer, which meant that their thick undercoat was starting to shed. Sliver was determined to get as much as possible so it wouldn’t end up coating the lair. \n\n“Speaking of April,” Sliver said. “Are we still going to see her and the babies tomorrow?”\n\n“Yes.” Splinter nodded. “Leonardo should be recovered enough by then.”\n\n“I am eager to see them,” Sliver said as a soft smile played across her lips. “It has been far too long since I have been able to hold a newborn.”\n\n“With the way our children are behaving, we will have plenty of babies to hold soon enough,” Splinter stated, drawing a hearty chuckle from Sliver. \n\n“I suppose you’re right.” Sliver handed the brush back to Splinter. “All done. My turn.” As they repositioned themselves so that Splinter could brush Sliver’s back, she lowered her bathrobe to her waist. \n\nThere was something serene in being groomed by another. The soft steady strokes lulled Sliver into a peaceful state that made her worries slipped away. She usually slept easier on the nights that Splinter brushed her. \n\nSplinter worked the brush through her damp fur, discarding any loose strands that ended up in the brush. It wasn’t glamorous but it was necessary. \n\n“I am done,” Splinter said, passing her the brush so she can continue grooming herself. \n\n“Thank you,” Sliver replied, turning slightly to kiss Splinter on the cheek. The fact that he kept his eyes averted from her bare breasts was not lost on her. So, she turned all the way around to face him and kissed his lips. \n\nSplinter tensed but returned the kiss. He was still so unsure. \n\nThough they had shared a room and a bed, their relationship had yet to develop beyond the platonic. Sliver guided one of Splinter’s hands to her breast. It was overdue for their relationship to progress to the next stage. \n\n…..\n\nSplinter watched as Sliver pinned her long dark hair up in a loose bun. The small mirror showed her soft smile when their eyes met in its reflection. \n\nOnce her hair was secure, she stood and made her way over to where her kimonos were kept. As she passed, the subtle scent of flowers filled the air. \n\nSplinter smiled, as a feeling of joy filled him. He had never known such a love before and he never expected that he would experience it. Part of him still felt unworthy of it. She deserved so much more than he could offer. \n\nSliver selected a dark green kimono with pink sakura petal accents. It was one of Splinter’s favorites and he suspected that she knew it. \n\nOn the surface, Sliver presented herself as a serene and ‘proper’ lady but she was capable of holding her own against any adversary. Given the chance, Splinter was sure that she could be a Nexus champion. It was a pity that she would never have such an opportunity. \n\nIt was almost time for morning training so Splinter excused himself and made his way into the dojo. Leah and Tello were already waiting. They were restless, a good sign that something was troubling them. \n\n“You’re early,” Splinter said, hoping to coax something out of them. \n\n“I need to speak with my mother before training starts,” Leah said.\n\n“Did something happen,” Splinter asked, shifting his gaze to Tello. Out of the two of them, Tello was easier to read. \n\nTello balked and looked down at the floor. “It’d be best if both of you are here to hear this.”\n\n“Very well,” Splinter replied and began preparing for the others to arrive. He had his suspicions on what it was but would not voice his assumptions. He would know soon enough. \n\nSliver stepped out of the room as Michelangelo and Michelle entered. “I can’t believe we beat Leo here,” Mikey said. \n\n“He’s probably still tired,” Michelle pointed out. “That fight was intense. I got tired just watching it.”\n\n“He’ll be here soon enough,” Sliver said as a matter of fact. “It would be best if you prepared.”\n\nLeah timidly approached Sliver. “Mother, there is something I have to tell you.”\n\n“Your next clutch will be fertilized,” Sliver stated, voicing Splinter’s suspicions. \n\nLeah nodded. “We were careful but… the condom broke.”\n\n“I told you,” Mikey exclaimed, causing everyone to jump. \n\n“Michelangelo,” Splinter warned. \n\n“Forgive him,” Michelle said, slapping Mikey’s arm. “He’s got it in his head that fate is determined to work against us and that any attempt in preventing children is pointless.”\n\n“Their condom broke,” Mikey argued. “I told you something like that would happen. This only proves my point. I’m not willing to risk it. The best way to prevent it is to not do it at all.”\n\n“You saying you haven’t had sex,” Rachael asked as she entered the dojo with Leo, followed by Donna and Raph. “And, did I hear that Miss. Perfect made a mistake.”\n\n“Enough,” Leo warned her. \n\n“We haven’t,” Michelle confirmed with a sigh. “And, Leah did.”\n\n“Enough,” Leah demanded. \n\nRaph looked at Mikey in disbelief. “Really? I would have put money on the two of you being the first to go at it. You guys have been all over each other since you met.”\n\nMikey scoffed. “Shows what you know. I know more than you think I do. I know where babies come from and, unlike you, I gotta be careful.” As soon as the words left his mouth it was apparent that he regretted them. “I’m sorry.”\n\n“It’s alright,” Raph mumbled in response before heading over to collect his training gear. \n\n“He’ll be alright,” Donna reassured Mikey with a pat on the shoulder and then trotted over to Leah. “Congratulations?” She drew out the word, ending with a higher note to her voice to indicate a question. \n\nLeah smiled. “I’m not distraught over it, if that’s what you’re implying. I’m okay with this. I just wanted mother to understand that it wasn’t planned.”\n\n“I’ll be available to help you,” Donna offered, “whenever you need it.”\n\nLeah hugged Donna. “Thank you, little sister.”\n\n“Alright,” Leo interrupted. “It’s time we got started.”\n\nSplinter and Sliver sat off to the side to observe while Leo lead the morning lessons. There was a sense of pride that came with watching Leo take over as head the family. It was comforting to know that if anything happened to him, his children have reached the point where they can take care of themselves. \n\nDonatello was taking a break from training, sleeping in. He was close to his due date and this child was larger than Snow had been, limiting his movements and making sleep difficult. \n\nSplinter worried about him, but Donatello reassured him that everything was alright. \n\nAfter training, they showered and then loaded into the battle shell. Driving was the better option since they didn’t want to arrive at April and Casey’s covered in sewer water. It was also easier on Donatello to ride than to walk given his condition. \n\nLeonardo parked in the back of the store, pulling the back of the battle shell up to the loading dock. Casey was there to open the large garage door that led into a storage area. They were able to jump from the vehicle into the building without being seen.\n\nThey climbed the stairs to the apartment above. At April’s insistence, they washed their hands as soon as they entered. “No kissing them,” April warned them. “And make sure the tails of your masks stay back.”\n\nShe was sitting on the sofa with one baby in her arms and the other one dozing in a swing. She looked exhausted, which was to be expected with two newborn babies. \n\nKarai, Dr. Chaplin, their son, and Miwa were also visiting April and the babies. They were all comfortably seated around the room, Karai with her son on her lap. Takahashi had grown since they had last seen him, plumping up and able to sit up on his own. \n\n“She gave us the same set of rules,” Miwa said, walking up to give Tello a hug. “It’s good to see you again.”\n\nTello returned the embrace and then headed over to see Takahashi first. “He’s looking well.”\n\n“I managed to formulate a lotion to help clear up his rash,” Dr. Chaplin said. “He’s a happy healthy baby and has been hitting all his developmental milestones.”\n\n“Here,” Karai said, handing Takahashi up to Tello.\n\nSitting down on the ottoman, Tello placed the baby on his knee. “How’re you holding up,” he asked April. \n\n“The braces make August uncomfortable so no one is sleeping well,” April answered. “Casey’s mom has been a godsend. I don’t think I would be able to do this without her.”\n\n“Where is your mother,” Leo asked Casey as he sat next to April to get a closer look at the baby.\n\n“She’s down in the shop with Sid, running things for us,” Casey said as he lifted the baby from the swing and took her over to Tello. “She’s got a birthmark over her heart but she’s healthy.”\n\n“She’s beautiful,” Tello said, running his finger over Cassey’s hair. “She ended up with black hair.”\n\n“August ended up with red,” Leo said, smiling down at the baby. \n\n“You wanna hold him,” April offered Leo. “Just be careful with his braces and watch his head.”\n\n“Yeah,” Leo said, holding out his arms. “I could use the practice.”\n\n“Here.” Casey offered Cassey to Splinter. “You are her surrogate grandfather after all.”\n\n“Sit here,” Karai offered as she stood from the plush armchair. “It’s easier to hold a baby for an extended period of time if you are seated.”\n\n“Thank you,” Splinter said, taking the baby into his arms before sitting down. She was small, barely weighed anything, no more than a sack of flour, but the fear of dropping her made her heavy in his arms. He appreciated the chance to sit. \n\nHer deep blue eyes studied him, curious but not frightened by the new face. Splinter smiled. There was something about the way a baby smelled that warmed the heart. \n\nSliver stood next to Splinter and lovingly gazed down at the baby. “They are beautiful, April.” \n\n“They are,” Rachael agreed. “I’ve only just met them but I will beat the snot out of anyone who hurts them.”\n\n“That’s a bit much,” Michelle said. \n\n“I mean it,” Rachael stated flatly. “They’re small and helpless. I want to keep them safe.”\n\n“That’s how I felt when I first saw Snow,” Donny said. \n\nDr. Chaplin stood up and offered Donatello his seat. “Not much longer until you have your second.”\n\n“Not soon enough,” Donny chuckled as he sat. “This one is causing a great deal of discomfort. It is not a mere three pounds like Snow was.”\n\n“You should come in for another exam,” Dr. Chaplin said. “Your plastron is preventing your stomach from adequately expanding. We can check its development and how it’s positioned. If there is any danger of internal damage for you, we can c-section it out.”\n\n“The thought of that terrifies me,” Donnie admitted, placing his hand on his stomach. \n\n“Having the baby early, in a controlled environment is better than something going wrong and losing the both of you,” Leatherhead pointed out. \n\n“You’re right,” Donny said, looking up at Leatherhead. Nodding his head, Donny locked eyes with Dr. Chaplin. “I will come in tomorrow.”\n\n“I’ll come with you,” Tello offered. “I want to run a few tests on the mutagen samples using their equipment.”\n\n“I’ll go too,” Leo said. “I hate not being able to contribute to the protection of the city. At the very least I can help advise Karai’s next move against Hun.”\n\n“There’s no reason you can’t fight with the Foot,” Raph said. “Just because Don and I are out of the big fights doesn’t mean you all have to be. I can take the girls on patrols for petty crime while you, Mikey, and Tello fight with the Foot against Hun and his men.”\n\n“Did those words really come out of your mouth,” Mikey asked, leaning over to look Raph in the eyes. “You’re okay with teaming up with the Foot? You feeling okay?”\n\n“I’m not saying I’m on board with moving in with them,” Raph replied, pushing Mikey’s face away. “But, they’ve proven that we can trust them so allying ourselves with them isn’t such a bad idea as it seemed a year ago.”\n\n“It’s good to see you finally come around,” Leo said. \n\nHe stood and walked August over to Leah and silently offered her a turn to hold him. Leah took the seat Leo had just vacated, next to April. It was her first time holding a baby and it showed. April helped adjust August in her arms for the most comfortable position. \n\n“Don’t read too far into it,” Raph said, crossing his arms over his plastron. “I just know that we need to do whatever it takes to stop Hun. He’s getting out of control.”\n\n“Can we not talk about the atrocities of the city right now,” April requested. “I’ve got enough on my mind. I don’t need to worry about Hun coming after the babies to get to you guys.”\n\n“August’s discomfort is not the only thing to keep her up at night,” Casey said. \n\n“You are welcome to come stay with the Foot,” Karai offered. “Hun will not be able to get to you there.”\n\n“I might just take you up on that offer,” April said. She leaned in closer to Leah so that she could look down at August. “I don’t feel safe.”\n\n“We can escort you back with us today,” Karai said. \n\n“I’ll pack our bags and let ma’ know,” Casey said as he headed into the bedroom. \n\n“Thank you,” April said to Karai as the weight of worry lifted from her. There was enough strain and worry that came with being a new mother. The fear of meeting the wrath of a sociopath should not be one of them. \n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Sliver was meticulous in her grooming. It had taken her years to get used to having so much fur, dealing with a great deal of discomfort when she was first mutated.

When she was young, her mother had kept Akitas, a breed of dog that need to be groomed regularly to cut back on shedding. She was often tasked with the dogs’ upkeep as part of her daily chores. Fortunately for her, she was able to apply those skills to herself.

Now, she enjoyed running her hands over the soft top coat, taking pride in how well she managed to maintain it.

Each night she showered, scrubbing and conditioning her fur and hair. When she was done, she would put her hair up in a towel and wrap herself in her robe before heading down to the room she shared with Splinter.

That night, Splinter was sitting on the bed with his kimono draped around his waist, using his tail to brush the fur on his back. It was a method Sliver had also learned to use early on. But now, it was one that was no longer necessary.

“Allow me,” she offered, holding out her hand.  

“Thank you,” Splinter said as he passed her the brush.

Kneeling down behind him, Sliver got to work. She ran the comb through his fur, noting the strong muscles underneath. Splinter might come off as a withered old man but he was a formidable fighter.

“I will admit that, at first, I was surprised at how well you kept your coat. I was expecting it to be dry and unkept.”

Splinter chuckled. “That hasn’t always been the case. Before we met April, I cleaned myself with whatever I could get my hands on. The condition of my fur then is probably more what you were expecting.”

Sliver ran the brush through Splinter’s fur, removing the loose undercoat. It was getting warmer, which meant that their thick undercoat was starting to shed. Sliver was determined to get as much as possible so it wouldn’t end up coating the lair.

“Speaking of April,” Sliver said. “Are we still going to see her and the babies tomorrow?”

“Yes.” Splinter nodded. “Leonardo should be recovered enough by then.”

“I am eager to see them,” Sliver said as a soft smile played across her lips. “It has been far too long since I have been able to hold a newborn.”

“With the way our children are behaving, we will have plenty of babies to hold soon enough,” Splinter stated, drawing a hearty chuckle from Sliver.

“I suppose you’re right.” Sliver handed the brush back to Splinter. “All done. My turn.” As they repositioned themselves so that Splinter could brush Sliver’s back, she lowered her bathrobe to her waist.

There was something serene in being groomed by another. The soft steady strokes lulled Sliver into a peaceful state that made her worries slipped away. She usually slept easier on the nights that Splinter brushed her.

Splinter worked the brush through her damp fur, discarding any loose strands that ended up in the brush. It wasn’t glamorous but it was necessary.  

“I am done,” Splinter said, passing her the brush so she can continue grooming herself.

“Thank you,” Sliver replied, turning slightly to kiss Splinter on the cheek. The fact that he kept his eyes averted from her bare breasts was not lost on her. So, she turned all the way around to face him and kissed his lips.

Splinter tensed but returned the kiss. He was still so unsure.

Though they had shared a room and a bed, their relationship had yet to develop beyond the platonic. Sliver guided one of Splinter’s hands to her breast. It was overdue for their relationship to progress to the next stage.

…..

Splinter watched as Sliver pinned her long dark hair up in a loose bun. The small mirror showed her soft smile when their eyes met in its reflection.

Once her hair was secure, she stood and made her way over to where her kimonos were kept. As she passed, the subtle scent of flowers filled the air.

Splinter smiled, as a feeling of joy filled him. He had never known such a love before and he never expected that he would experience it. Part of him still felt unworthy of it. She deserved so much more than he could offer.

Sliver selected a dark green kimono with pink sakura petal accents. It was one of Splinter’s favorites and he suspected that she knew it.

On the surface, Sliver presented herself as a serene and ‘proper’ lady but she was capable of holding her own against any adversary. Given the chance, Splinter was sure that she could be a Nexus champion. It was a pity that she would never have such an opportunity.  

It was almost time for morning training so Splinter excused himself and made his way into the dojo. Leah and Tello were already waiting. They were restless, a good sign that something was troubling them.

“You’re early,” Splinter said, hoping to coax something out of them.

“I need to speak with my mother before training starts,” Leah said.

“Did something happen,” Splinter asked, shifting his gaze to Tello. Out of the two of them, Tello was easier to read.

Tello balked and looked down at the floor. “It’d be best if both of you are here to hear this.”

“Very well,” Splinter replied and began preparing for the others to arrive. He had his suspicions on what it was but would not voice his assumptions. He would know soon enough.

Sliver stepped out of the room as Michelangelo and Michelle entered. “I can’t believe we beat Leo here,” Mikey said.

“He’s probably still tired,” Michelle pointed out. “That fight was intense. I got tired just watching it.”

“He’ll be here soon enough,” Sliver said as a matter of fact. “It would be best if you prepared.”

Leah timidly approached Sliver. “Mother, there is something I have to tell you.”

“Your next clutch will be fertilized,” Sliver stated, voicing Splinter’s suspicions.  

Leah nodded. “We were careful but… the condom broke.”

“I told you,” Mikey exclaimed, causing everyone to jump.

“Michelangelo,” Splinter warned.

“Forgive him,” Michelle said, slapping Mikey’s arm. “He’s got it in his head that fate is determined to work against us and that any attempt in preventing children is pointless.”

“Their condom broke,” Mikey argued. “I told you something like that would happen. This only proves my point. I’m not willing to risk it. The best way to prevent it is to not do it at all.”

“You saying you haven’t had sex,” Rachael asked as she entered the dojo with Leo, followed by Donna and Raph. “And, did I hear that Miss. Perfect made a mistake.”

“Enough,” Leo warned her.

“We haven’t,” Michelle confirmed with a sigh. “And, Leah did.”

“Enough,” Leah demanded.

Raph looked at Mikey in disbelief. “Really? I would have put money on the two of you being the first to go at it. You guys have been all over each other since you met.”

Mikey scoffed. “Shows what you know. I know more than you think I do. I know where babies come from and, unlike you, I gotta be careful.” As soon as the words left his mouth it was apparent that he regretted them. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Raph mumbled in response before heading over to collect his training gear.

“He’ll be alright,” Donna reassured Mikey with a pat on the shoulder and then trotted over to Leah. “Congratulations?” She drew out the word, ending with a higher note to her voice to indicate a question.

Leah smiled. “I’m not distraught over it, if that’s what you’re implying. I’m okay with this. I just wanted mother to understand that it wasn’t planned.”

“I’ll be available to help you,” Donna offered, “whenever you need it.”

Leah hugged Donna. “Thank you, little sister.”

“Alright,” Leo interrupted. “It’s time we got started.”

Splinter and Sliver sat off to the side to observe while Leo lead the morning lessons. There was a sense of pride that came with watching Leo take over as head the family. It was comforting to know that if anything happened to him, his children have reached the point where they can take care of themselves.

Donatello was taking a break from training, sleeping in. He was close to his due date and this child was larger than Snow had been, limiting his movements and making sleep difficult.

Splinter worried about him, but Donatello reassured him that everything was alright.

After training, they showered and then loaded into the battle shell. Driving was the better option since they didn’t want to arrive at April and Casey’s covered in sewer water. It was also easier on Donatello to ride than to walk given his condition.

Leonardo parked in the back of the store, pulling the back of the battle shell up to the loading dock. Casey was there to open the large garage door that led into a storage area. They were able to jump from the vehicle into the building without being seen.

They climbed the stairs to the apartment above. At April’s insistence, they washed their hands as soon as they entered. “No kissing them,” April warned them. “And make sure the tails of your masks stay back.”

She was sitting on the sofa with one baby in her arms and the other one dozing in a swing. She looked exhausted, which was to be expected with two newborn babies.

Karai, Dr. Chaplin, their son, and Miwa were also visiting April and the babies. They were all comfortably seated around the room, Karai with her son on her lap. Takahashi had grown since they had last seen him, plumping up and able to sit up on his own.

“She gave us the same set of rules,” Miwa said, walking up to give Tello a hug. “It’s good to see you again.”

Tello returned the embrace and then headed over to see Takahashi first. “He’s looking well.”

“I managed to formulate a lotion to help clear up his rash,” Dr. Chaplin said. “He’s a happy healthy baby and has been hitting all his developmental milestones.”

“Here,” Karai said, handing Takahashi up to Tello.

Sitting down on the ottoman, Tello placed the baby on his knee. “How’re you holding up,” he asked April.

“The braces make August uncomfortable so no one is sleeping well,” April answered. “Casey’s mom has been a godsend. I don’t think I would be able to do this without her.”

“Where is your mother,” Leo asked Casey as he sat next to April to get a closer look at the baby.

“She’s down in the shop with Sid, running things for us,” Casey said as he lifted the baby from the swing and took her over to Tello. “She’s got a birthmark over her heart but she’s healthy.”

“She’s beautiful,” Tello said, running his finger over Cassey’s hair. “She ended up with black hair.”

“August ended up with red,” Leo said, smiling down at the baby.

“You wanna hold him,” April offered Leo. “Just be careful with his braces and watch his head.”

“Yeah,” Leo said, holding out his arms. “I could use the practice.”

“Here.” Casey offered Cassey to Splinter. “You are her surrogate grandfather after all.”

“Sit here,” Karai offered as she stood from the plush armchair. “It’s easier to hold a baby for an extended period of time if you are seated.”

“Thank you,” Splinter said, taking the baby into his arms before sitting down. She was small, barely weighed anything, no more than a sack of flour, but the fear of dropping her made her heavy in his arms. He appreciated the chance to sit.

Her deep blue eyes studied him, curious but not frightened by the new face. Splinter smiled. There was something about the way a baby smelled that warmed the heart.  

Sliver stood next to Splinter and lovingly gazed down at the baby. “They are beautiful, April.”

“They are,” Rachael agreed. “I’ve only just met them but I will beat the snot out of anyone who hurts them.”

“That’s a bit much,” Michelle said.

“I mean it,” Rachael stated flatly. “They’re small and helpless. I want to keep them safe.”

“That’s how I felt when I first saw Snow,” Donny said.

Dr. Chaplin stood up and offered Donatello his seat. “Not much longer until you have your second.”

“Not soon enough,” Donny chuckled as he sat. “This one is causing a great deal of discomfort. It is not a mere three pounds like Snow was.”

“You should come in for another exam,” Dr. Chaplin said. “Your plastron is preventing your stomach from adequately expanding. We can check its development and how it’s positioned. If there is any danger of internal damage for you, we can c-section it out.”

“The thought of that terrifies me,” Donnie admitted, placing his hand on his stomach.

“Having the baby early, in a controlled environment is better than something going wrong and losing the both of you,” Leatherhead pointed out.

“You’re right,” Donny said, looking up at Leatherhead. Nodding his head, Donny locked eyes with Dr. Chaplin. “I will come in tomorrow.”

“I’ll come with you,” Tello offered. “I want to run a few tests on the mutagen samples using their equipment.”

“I’ll go too,” Leo said. “I hate not being able to contribute to the protection of the city. At the very least I can help advise Karai’s next move against Hun.”

“There’s no reason you can’t fight with the Foot,” Raph said. “Just because Don and I are out of the big fights doesn’t mean you all have to be. I can take the girls on patrols for petty crime while you, Mikey, and Tello fight with the Foot against Hun and his men.”

“Did those words really come out of your mouth,” Mikey asked, leaning over to look Raph in the eyes. “You’re okay with teaming up with the Foot? You feeling okay?”

“I’m not saying I’m on board with moving in with them,” Raph replied, pushing Mikey’s face away. “But, they’ve proven that we can trust them so allying ourselves with them isn’t such a bad idea as it seemed a year ago.”

“It’s good to see you finally come around,” Leo said.

He stood and walked August over to Leah and silently offered her a turn to hold him. Leah took the seat Leo had just vacated, next to April. It was her first time holding a baby and it showed. April helped adjust August in her arms for the most comfortable position.

“Don’t read too far into it,” Raph said, crossing his arms over his plastron. “I just know that we need to do whatever it takes to stop Hun. He’s getting out of control.”

“Can we not talk about the atrocities of the city right now,” April requested. “I’ve got enough on my mind. I don’t need to worry about Hun coming after the babies to get to you guys.”

“August’s discomfort is not the only thing to keep her up at night,” Casey said.

“You are welcome to come stay with the Foot,” Karai offered. “Hun will not be able to get to you there.”

“I might just take you up on that offer,” April said. She leaned in closer to Leah so that she could look down at August. “I don’t feel safe.”

“We can escort you back with us today,” Karai said.

“I’ll pack our bags and let ma’ know,” Casey said as he headed into the bedroom.

“Thank you,” April said to Karai as the weight of worry lifted from her. There was enough strain and worry that came with being a new mother. The fear of meeting the wrath of a sociopath should not be one of them.
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