Chapter Nine: Matters of the Heart
***
Raphael came home to a quiet den. It looked like everyone was asleep. Only one light was on. One candle in Aura's room, he could tell it was a candle by the way it flickered.
He peeked through the crack in the door and saw her sitting on the bed, legs curled underneath her. The candlelight reflected off her metallic scales. She turned her head towards him and he quickly backed away. He barely heard her move to open the door. It slid open and she leaned against it.
"Did you just get home?" she asked.
Raph nodded and turned for his room. Aura grabbed his arm. He turned back and looked at her face.
"Raphael…" She pulled him inside with ease, closing the door behind her.
Raph had his back to her. "I need to get some sleep."
"You can sleep here," Aura replied, walking around him.
Raphael suddenly felt nervous. "I don't think that's such a good idea."
Aura leaned in close. "Why not?"
"I… you… we might…" For once, Raphael could not think of one single thing to say.
Aura absently traced the R on his sash. "Remember what I said, about a female dragon choosing her mate?"
Raph swallowed and nodded. Aura moved her hands up to his shoulders. "I choose you, Raphael."
Raph was too stunned to speak. He was powerless as Aura embraced him.
"I want you, Raphael."
Raphael pushed her away gently. "We can't." He refused to meet her gaze.
Aura showed no sign of a reaction. "Raphael, look at me."
"No."
She turned his face towards her and kissed him. "Please, Raphael."
Raph touched her cheek, noting the texture. Small shimmering scales, it reminded him of snakeskin. He turned her cheek and watched it shift from gold to crimson in the candlelight. "I must be crazy."
Aura pressed her body against his. "I won't force you," she whispered in his ear. She felt his arms wrap around her back and waist and knew his answer.
***
Leonardo couldn't sleep. Something was bugging him. He didn't think anyone else was up, so it surprised him to hear another of the car doors sliding open. He looked through his window and saw Raphael shut Aura's door and go into his own room.
Leo sat back, completely shocked. Surely his brother hadn't…he wouldn't really…
Leo shook his head. Suddenly, he became very sure that he was looking far too deeply into the situation
He went back to thinking about his date with Venus. It hadn't been a real 'date', as far as Venus was concerned. She had enjoyed the movie, but had hardly said anything to Leonardo afterwards. He got the impression that she was uncomfortable around him. She shifted when he had put his arm around her and declined the idea of a walk in the park afterwards. Leo didn't know what else he could do to let her know how he felt.
***
"She's gone."
Raphael grabbed Michaelangelo by the shoulders and shook him. "What do you mean she's gone?"
Mike held up a piece of paper in his shaking hand. "Sh-she left a note. It was in the kitchen."
Raphael snatched away the piece of paper and read it silently, his lips moving periodically. He growled and crumpled it up, tossing it to the floor.
Donatello picked it up as the angry mutant left the room. He uncrumpled it and read it aloud so they all could hear. "Dear friends. I appreciate your hospitality but the time has come for me to leave you. I will repay your kindness someday, I promise. I'll keep in touch. Aura."
Leo heard Raph take off on his motorcycle and his thoughts drifted back to last night. "You think she could have waited for us to wake up."
"Should we go after Raph?" Mike asked.
Don headed towards his computer. "No need. I think we all know where he's going."
***
"You bitch."
Aura didn't even turn around, she just continued stuffing her belongings into a suitcase. Raphael grabbed her arm and forcibly swung her around to face him.
"You couldn't even say goodbye to my face!"
Aura broke free of his grasp and went back to packing. "I didn't want to disturb you."
"Disturb me? Disturb me! What's more disturbing than waking up and finding out that the woman you just had sex with has run out on you?"
Aura spun around. "I didn't run out on you! I was going to call as soon as I got a new place."
Raphael narrowed his eyes. "What about the Dragon Lord? You were hiding from him, he may find you."
Aura shook her head. "I'm fine now." They stood in the silence for several moments. "I'm not leaving you, Raph."
"Damn right you aren't," he said fiercely, though his voice quivered.
"This new apartment is actually closer to your place," she said, feeling the need to change the subject. "It has a huge skylight and a fireplace. I'm surprised I got it so cheap."
Raphael sat on the bed, making the suitcase jump a little. "So, you need help moving? Packing?"
"I can manage."
Raph took her hand and ran his thumb over the gold armor plates on the back of her hand. "What does this make us? A couple? Lovers?"
"That and more," Aura replied sweetly. Raphael still held her hand, as if he was afraid she would disappear on him again. "I'm going to need that back," she smiled.
Raphael smirked. "Nah, I think I'm gonna keep it." He pulled her into a kiss and they fell back onto the bed.
***
Raphael had just gotten comfortable when someone knocked on his door. "Go away," he grumbled.
Mike popped his head in. "Hey, lover-boy!"
Raph immediately reached for the nearest thing that could become a projectile. However, before he could throw it, Splinter hit Mikey over the head with his walking stick.
"Flips! Now!"
Mikey walked away, rubbing his soar head. Raphael breathed a sigh of relief, but tensed up again when Splinter didn't leave. He groaned and sat up on his bed.
"They know, don't they?"
Splinter gave him a small smile. "They suspect. Is there something you would like to tell me?"
Raphael balled his hand into a fist and tapped it against his knee. "There's nothin' to worry about. I'm a big ninja and I can take care of myself."
Splinter tapped his stick on the floor. "Does that mean my advice is no longer welcome?"
"No," Raphael sighed, bracing himself for the lecture he was sure he'd get.
"I think you are much too young for the life you wish to lead. You need to think of the consequences of your actions before you act."
Raphael snapped his head up. "And you couldn't have told me this last night?"
Splinter raised an eyebrow. "I see." Raphael lowered his head again. "I just wish the best for you, my son."
"I know, and I want the best for me, too, the problem is that we have two different ideas of what is best."
"Do we?"
Raphael gave his sensei a look of utter confusion. Splinter just patted Raphael's arm. "You need to live your own life, Raphael. You are just growing up too fast for my liking."
With that, he left the room. He noticed Venus heading away at a fast pace, then noticed Michaelangelo heading in the opposite direction. He decided to follow Michaelangelo because he thought he would be better prepared for that conversation.
"Michaelangelo." Mike stopped and reluctantly turned. "I would like to see you in the kitchen."
Mike followed the aged rat into the kitchen and sat down at the table. "Yes, sensei?"
Splinter sat across from him. "You were listening at the door."
"So was Venus!" Mike cried, hoping to shift some of the blame.
"And I will deal with her as well. Are you upset?"
"About what? Raph and Aura?" Splinter nodded. "I guess so, kinda. I mean, I think she's pretty, I wish it were me, but I'm not gonna go mental over it."
Splinter looked over his son. "You are sure?"
"Yep, I can deal with it. Besides, V's still up for grabs!"
Splinter blinked in surprise, then shook his head. Michaelangelo could always find the silver lining in any situation. "Speaking of which, if you will excuse me, my son."
Splinter found Venus in her room, trying to push closed her stuck open door. When she saw him, she gave up and sat down on her rug. "I'm sorry I was spying."
"I know, but I did not come here to punish you."
Venus looked up. "Then what?"
Splinter studied her face. "You've been crying." This was statement, not a question.
She lowered her gaze and remained silent. Splinter lowered himself to the floor beside her. "Mei Pieh Chi, since you came here, you have become like a daughter to me, I just wish I could be a better father to you."
"You are!" Venus said, looking up. "I am very happy here, and care for you as much as I do my own father."
Splinter shushed her. "But I have little experience raising girls. Please tell me what has you so upset."
Venus mindlessly played with the ribbons on her garter. "I don't know. Raphael and I don't even get along well."
"Matters of the heart are hardly that black and white, Venus. I don't know what advice I can give you that will help, except that you must move on." Splinter shook his head. "I'm really terrible at this."
Venus let out a little laugh. "No, I think I'm the one who's terrible at this." She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. "Thank you for being supportive, Splinter, but I believe I must figure this out on my own."
Splinter stood and nodded. "I will be here if you need anything."
Venus waited until he left and went back to closing the door. Once she did, she pulled out a red and gold journal from between two books on her shelf. She sat on the bed and opened it to the next blank page.
***