Chapter Twelve: Mending Broken Hearts
***
Aura climbed down the ladder that led down into the Turtle’s home. She was greeted cheerfully by Michaelangelo, who had been watching TV at the time. "Hey, Aura, how’s it going?"
"Fine, Mikey. I need to talk to Raph."
He pointed to the dojo. "Your boy-toy’s sparring with Donnie."
Aura smiled at him and headed in that direction. Mike sighed and wished once again that she was coming to visit him.
"What is wrong with you?"
Mike walked towards the sound of arguing. That was Leo's voice, and he was curious as to whom their leader was arguing with.
Venus' voice was just as loud. "You seem to be the one with the problem!"
Mike took a place beside the outside of the door, where he could still hear but couldn't be seen.
"I thought you'd be glad that I was getting some help with my magic," Venus continued.
"Not from her. You can study on your own."
"I can't believe you don't trust her."
"I can't believe you do!" Leo shot back. "No matter how she acts, she's still a dragon and we can't trust her."
Mike heard Venus gasp. "Leonardo!"
"I can understand Raph, I'm used to him being stupid. I thought you had more sense."
"She wants to help me." Venus sounded like she was near tears.
"I'm certain she has some ulterior motive."
"Why can't you be more like Raphael?"
It was then that Michaelangelo realized that someone might have to go in there and break it up. Where was Splinter? Oh yeah, in the park with Andre. Damn.
"And be seduced into turning my back on my family?"
"He hasn't betrayed us."
"I'm sick of you defending him lately. It's not like he cares about you."
Mike jumped at the sound of the slap. He hadn't seen that coming, and he bet that Leo hadn't either. Venus ran from the room in tears. Mike briefly glanced at Leo, slumped down in a chair holding his cheek, before running after Venus.
He followed her down one of the tunnels and saw her slip into one of the old maintenance rooms. He approached quietly and knocked.
"Go away!"
"It's Mike," he said, pushing the door open. "You okay?"
"Do I look okay!" Venus snapped.
"Not really," he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. She didn't laugh so he decided to be serious. "I heard your argument," he said softly. When she didn't answer, he continued. "I bet Leo didn't see that coming. I'd love to see him explain that to Splinter."
Venus let out a small sigh. "I shouldn't have slapped him."
"You shoulda decked him."
Venus smiled up at Michaelangelo.
"I mean it," he said.
Venus wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "Thank you, Michaelangelo."
"Mike."
"Huh?"
Mike smiled. "Call me Mike. The others do. Or Mikey. Only Splinter still says my full name, or Leo when he's mad." He sat down next to Venus. "So, come here often?"
For some reason, the statement amused Venus, when usually it would have annoyed her. "Not really."
"It's kinda nice, in a dirty, dark, abandoned sort of way."
"It matches my mood."
Mike looked over. Great, she was getting depressed now. He took the end of his bandanna and dried her eyes. She smiled and held his hand against her cheek. She felt so much better now.
"Ahem."
They both jumped and looked towards the door. Donatello was learning against the frame wearing an amused grin.
"We were…" Venus started.
"Talking," Mike finished, standing up. He gave Venus a hand up.
"Uh huh," Don smirked. "Splinter just got back and he's talking with Leo. He wants to see you next, Venus."
Mike squeezed her hand. "Don't freak, it'll be okay. Just explain and apologize and he'll go easy on you."
***
Raphael looked out the bedroom window. "Almost light, I better get going." He was the only one to hear this because Aura was asleep at the moment. Raph took a minute to watch her.
She was so beautiful. He couldn't think of a single thing that he'd done to deserve her. He'd told her that once, and she just said, "Me neither."
He watched her breath. Deep, regular breathes through parted lips. He brushed aside a lock of hair and kissed her cheek.
She stirred. "Hmmm…Raphael?"
He bent down. "Yeah?"
"What time is it?" she asked, looking at him through half-open eyelids.
"Time for me to go. I gotta bug Leo again, 'bout getting hit by a girl."
Aura lifted herself up. "Prob'ly had it comin'." She flopped back down on her stomach. Raphael gave her butt a quick slap on his way out. She hissed in his general direction but didn't move.
"I really tired you out, huh?" he smirked.
"You wish! I've been training, building up my powers. I probably shouldn't have expended so much."
Raphael gasped and feigned shock. "And have me go without? You wouldn't be that cruel, would you?"
Aura laughed and threw a pillow at him. He caught it easily. "You're really gonna do this," he said. "One-on-one with the Dragon Lord?"
Aura turned her head to face him. "I have to Raph. There's no other way."
He still didn't like it, but if there was no other way…or was there?
***