Hey everyone :) so it has been a very long time since I wrote anything on here. I was inspired to write this short story by the wonderfully talented Fantasia Wandering who is behind the beautiful fanfiction "Falling". See my profile for more behind-the-scenes information regarding what exactly inspired me, but without further delay, I hope you enjoy this first chapter :) Oh, by the way...I don't own the characters. I know...so sad :(

-x-

April's eyes widened in terror as six Footbots surrounded her in the darkened alleyway. 'Great idea to leave your tessan at home today, April. That was really smart.' She thought bitterly as she remembered that she had almost considered grabbing it from under her pillow before deciding against it, telling herself "You are just going to the market 2 blocks away. Nothing is going to happen. Relax, you're becoming as paranoid as Leo."

'Right' she heard herself think sarcastically, 'nothing is going to happen.' Her thoughts instantly drifted to her brothers who she had texted when she sensed she was being followed about halfway to her destination. They had assured her that they would be there as soon as they could and to just hold on until they arrived. She believed that they would get here...

At least she kept telling herself they would arrive in time. It wasn't that April doubted that they would come for her, they always did. But she could only run for so long, could only fight them off so many times, before exhaustion would claim her. Already she could feel it's effects, slowing her movements, weighing her down and holding her back. After all, unlike her pursuers, April is human.

Still, she held on. She promised them after all, and a ninja never breaks a promise. Drawing in a deep breath, she clenched her sore hands into fists, got herself positioned into a kamae and growled, "Well? Who wants me?!" She saw the Footbots share a look (could they even do that?!) and as their eyes glowed red they crept towards her, activating their many hidden weapons, and April swallowed as fear swept through her like a flood. She braced herself for what she believed would be a finishing blow as two of the Footbots leapt at her, swords raised and poised for attack.

Except, that blow never came. Instead, she heard the metallic clang of blade on blade and felt the familiar presence of her brothers surround her. April opened her eyes, not even aware that she had clenched them shut, and looked into the deep brown eyes that belonged to Donatello. "Donnie!" She exclaimed, relief taking over where fear once resided as she looked around her to see that Leo and Raph had both positioned themselves to block the two attacking Footbots, and Mikey was taunting the other four robots who almost seemed confused as to the sudden presence of the four terrapins. "You guys made it" was all her exhausted mind could think of to say.

"Of course we did, April" came Donnie's response, a smile forming on his face. He had placed his hand on her shoulder while his brothers moved in to block the attacks of the Footbots, taking this moment to assure himself that although she was slightly bruised, she was going to pull through alright. "I-I mean we-will always come through for you."

April glanced up at Donnie as she heard his misspeak. With an internal sigh, she muttered with a smile "Yes, I know."

Leo's voice rang out as he pushed the Footbot back, "Donnie and Mikey, get April to the lair where she'll be safe. Raph and I will handle these Footbots." His eyes met with April's for a moment, and April thought she saw some emotion flash through his normally tranquil blue gaze for the briefest of instances. But just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished leaving the "calm, cool and collected" eyes of the leader she knew and loved.

As April let herself be carried away from the battle by Mikey and Donnie, her thoughts swirled around that flash of emotion that at once looked so familiar and yet so strange in Leo's blue eyes. When they finally reached the lair and Donnie had started examining her injuries, she finally figured out why that expression seemed so strange to her. 'It was anger,' she mentally declared, 'but not on the level he usually expresses...no, this was more extreme. This was...like Raph.' Her mouth dropped as the realization hit her and she whispered, "He was angry."

Donnie had been focusing on examining April's injuries, plus he was trying to ignore Mikey playing games on his T-phone while standing just behind him, so April's comment took him by surprise. He had assumed she was too exhausted to talk, so he was losing himself in his thoughts as he worked in the near silence of his lab, but he returned to the real world enough to ask, "Who do you mean? Raph? He's always angry about something, you know."

April shook her head as she said, "Not Raph. Leo. It felt like Raph's anger, but it was coming from Leo. And only for a split second because it went away almost immediately." April watched as both Donnie and Mikey stopped what they were doing and froze, their expressions revealing shock and the smallest hint of -was that- fear? Suddenly nervous, April continued, "But it was probably nothing, right? Right?"

Mikey put a hand on April's shoulder, a bona fide Mikey-grin plastered on his face, and said "Of course it doesn't mean anything. I mean, you know Leo. The dude never gets angry." He locked eyes with April before moving his gaze on to Donnie, who took in a deep breath before muttering, "Yeah. Mikey's right. There's nothing to worry about."

April's gaze shifted warily between the both of them. When Mikey had looked her in the eyes, she was clearly able to see that Mikey was hiding something big. With his bright blue eyes, he couldn't hide anything from anyone who didn't know him at least a little bit. Sure he could fool strangers, but friends and family were completely different. And April wasn't a stranger. Deciding to put this away for later she said, "You're right Mikey. I'm sure I was just imagining it."

Mikey patted her on the back before he moved to the living room where he would wait for his brothers to get back home. They wouldn't be much longer now after all.

Donnie stood up and gazed down at April with a relieved and tired expression as he asked, "Are you ok?" April nodded and started to stand up as she heard the tell-tale sounds of Leo and Raph arriving home.

-x-

Not the best place to end this chapter, I know. But I didn't want the first chapter to be close to 3,000 words in length so I cut it. At this point I have completed 6 chapters and am nearing where I am considering to be the end of this piece. I will be posting the next installment very soon ;) Hope you all enjoy this!

-Ariane