Standing near their bedroom door Raphael kept his eyes closed, arms crossed over his chest. He was in complete silence while keeping his senses sharp. Leonardo sat silently on the bed in darkness, senses in full alert as well. Suddenly Raphael opened his eyes head slightly turning. He heard the door at the end of second floor. That sound was definitely coming from his old door. He wouldn’t mistake that sound on anything.

Super silently he opened the door just a bit, enough to see with one eye. A shadow person walked silently towards the stairs stopping only for a moment to look behind before heading down. Without a sound Raphael started his part of the plan by following his daughter who sneaked out in the sewers.

Following her was easy task to experienced old turtle since Reonel seemed to be way too eager and excited to be aware of her surroundings. Or even the fact she was being followed. Following her all the way on the dark alley Raphael made his way on the roof having perfect view of Central Park. Noticing Reonel in her disguise Raphael moved on another roof watching her meeting with this nerd looking guy who hugged her.

They sat down in shadowy part like always but they sat too close and this made Raphael feel uncomfortable but he remained where he was. Keeping his eyes on the couple an hour went past and then second. All this time they had been talking, looking at some books together and eating snacks. Nothing wrong or suspicious about that. But when Jake and Reonel froze to stare at it each other Raphael made his move. Silently he jumped from the roof on near by tree making few leaves fall off.

Reonel turned her head towards the tree listening quietly. Luckily there was always sounds in the city so they didn’t hear her father.

“What’s wrong?” Jake asked placing his hand on hers. Turning to look at him slowly Reonel shook her head.

“I’m not sure. I mean just now something made leaves fall off on the tree.”

“That happens all the time, Nel. Besides it could had been an animal. A bird or squirrel.”

Watching him lean closer to his little girl again made Raphael’s protective daddy instincts kick in and with one strong jump he landed right behind the boy silently in the shadows. Despite the fact her eyes were already half closed while she prepared herself for her first kiss, she saw big dark figure behind him. With amazing speed scarred emerald green hand came from the shadows grabbing on young man’s shoulder tossing him away.

Reonel jumped up rushing to her father’s side taking a hold on his arm which was lifted in the air.

“Dad, don’t! Don’t hurt him! He’s a good guy! Dad, stop!”

Not releasing his hold on Jake’s jacket or lowering his fist Raphael turned to look her from the corner of his eye. That look froze and scared her. Never before had Reonel seen his yellow eyes glow like that in the darkness. Never before those eyes had held such scary and murdering expression. Pushing her off Raphael’s focus turned back on pleading man in his grip.

“Sir, I’m sorry. I mean no harm to your daughter. I like her a lot. I would never hurt her.”

Snorting loud Raphael bend down growling, lowering his voice as deep as possible. “Ya fucking brat. Ya dare ta get THAT close ta my daughter. Don’t tell me such fucking lies either. All ya boys are the same – after easy girl.”

His breathing fastened with his hammering heartbeat, fist shaking in the air, eyes staring deep in brown ones. Somehow those eyes and classes reminded him about Donatello when he was small. Those damn memories prevented him to do something what he’d had regret. Pushing Jake back on the ground Raphael growled pointing his finger at him.

“I give ya my first and only warning. Stay away from my girl. If ya don’t… Pray for mercy. Which ya ain’t gonna even get. And ya -” Turning around Raphael’s eyes pierced his daughter who stood still with horror on her face.

Coming right in front of her Raphael’s strong fingers took tight hold on her bicep. “- Ya are getting your ass back at home right now.”

“… But, daddy, can’t I at least say bye to Jake?”

“I said fucking NOW, REONEL!” Pushing her forward Raphael’s hold stayed as he guided her to manhole cover, remaining in shadows the whole trip. Reonel had tried to get free by fighting and begging but Raphael wasn’t in the mood for any of it. Instead he pushed her forward once, nodding towards the hole.

“Get in.”

“No. Not before you let me go back and say bye to Jake.”

Loud growl came deep from his throat as he stumped forward with one heavy step, pressing his face down in front of Nel’s.

“I said; Get.In.NOW. Or I throw ya in there.” Raphael was serious, not giving any room for her to argue. Silently she turned towards the hole and went in hearing heavy stomp when Raphael landed behind after his jump.

Taking his previous hold on her arm Raphael started to push her forward again.

“D-dad, stop! I can walk on my own!” When nothing happened she changed her tactic. “Daddy, please, you are hurting me.” No response.

“… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you or mom anything.” Her voice was breaking and trembling but it didn’t have any effect on her angry father either. She kept on going until Raphael couldn’t take it anymore. With one harder yank he stopped her staring deep into her eyes.

“Shut the fuck up!”

Raphael had never used such language on her and it was emotionally painful. She always had been his little girl but now she felt like if she was his worst enemy. Rest of the trip went in silence when they finally came back home. Pushing her in Raphael stood behind her as she came face to face with her mother.

Those blue eyes… While Raphael’s eyes with murderous gaze tore someone to pieces Leonardo’s gaze pierced, in freezing way, whole being in every possible way. Gasping silently she tried to calm her heart while trembling slightly. She knew her parents would get mad but this mad? It… It wasn’t anything what she had even dared to think of. After all she always had been so loved and cared so now all this seemed to be overwhelming.

“M-mom. I…”

Before she could say anything else Michelangelo and Donatello arrived to living room area, both having heart broken expressions and teary eyes. Looking at his younger brothers Leonardo instantly knew the reason behind their tears.

“Guys… It’s… It’s Master Splinter.” Mikey managed to sob until tears escaped him completely, lair filling with the sounds of youngest one’s cry. Donatello sealed his broken brother in his arms kissing the top of his head while keeping his eyes on his 2 oldest brothers.

“He passed away peacefully.” That was all what he could and even needed to say. Leonardo turned to look Reonel still wearing same strict look.

“We will talk later.” Rushing past his brothers he headed straight in their master’s room closing the door behind. Silently watching her crying uncle and aunt Reonel carefully turned to look at her father who stood beside her wearing a mix of strict, angry and disbelief expression.

“G-grandpa Splinter is dead?” Not receiving any reaction from her father she touched his arm. “Dad?”

“Go to your room.”

“But I want to see him.”

Taking deep inhale Raphael held back his growl and sorrow. “I said; Go to your room.”

“Bu--”

“Don’t argue with me and make these situations even more hard and difficult!” Stepping a bit back she looked at her father who slowly left from her side entering in Splinter’s room where he found collapsed Leonardo on his knees crying by the side of their lifeless father. Shutting the door behind Raphael allowed his emotions pour out freely as he knelt next to his brother sealing him in strong and long hug.

Watching now her two other family members who were crying in each others arms Reonel couldn’t hold back her own tears. She wanted to follow her parents but she really didn’t want to cause any more harm so she silently withdrew in her room collapsing on her bed hugging her big pillow, crying herself to sleep.

–

In the next morning she woke up on the knocking sound on her door. Pushing her head out under the blanket she saw door opening. Michelangelo stood there but he didn’t step in her room. His eyes were tired and bloodshot which was clear sign he had been crying a lot and most surely not even sleeping all that much. If any.

“Your parents wants to see you downstairs.”

Lump rose in her throat as she sat up knowing exactly what was coming for her. Not saying anything she stood, made her bed and followed Mikey downstairs. All 3 brothers stood there looking at her and the atmosphere was heavy. Reonel stopped lowering her head in silence waiting her parents make the first move.

She heard steps but didn’t dare to lift her head. Only when Mikey nudged her gently she raised her head looking at him. Nodding towards her parents who both were going in Splinter’s room he hinted her to follow them – which she did. She arrived in the room seeing Leonardo standing near the doorway while Raphael had stopped behind a body which had been covered with white sheet.

Room was dark with only few candles burning as she came in deeper following his father’s movement as he bend down, slowly revealing only Splinter’s peaceful face. No words came out from any turtle as they stood there silently staring their beloved family member who had given them so much. Reonel thought she would had burst in tears but her eyes turned only little bit moist while this strong sense of calmness and peace filled her. It still felt like Splinter was there.

“We will bury him tonight. If you want to say your goodbyes, now’s your chance.”

Not turning to look Leonardo she nodded once which made her parents leave her alone in the room. Nel sat on the floor next to the body slowly petting Splinter’s fur on the top. He looked like if he was sleeping which made her pain easier.

She sat there almost 30 minutes alone telling everything, even all her secrets, to him. Things what she couldn’t say to her parents or others and it made her feel lighter and better. She knew she had been heard by her grandfather’s spirit. Light flooding in from opening door made Reonel get on her knees as she placed small kiss on Splinter’s forehead, slowly pulling sheet back over his head. Standing she turned around walking out of the room Raphael closing the door behind her.

Brothers worked together in garage that day building suitable coffin for their father while Reonel sat in the corner looking at them. She wanted to help but she knew she would be only in a way. She was, however, asked to go get some small items from Splinter’s room what they placed with him in the coffin when the night came and they were burying him outside the city. Ceremony was silent and short filled with silent tears. After that turtles returned back home which had heavy and empty feeling in it.

Michelangelo and Donatello headed in Donatello’s room to talk and get everything out of their chests while Leonardo walked in the lair with a bunch of incenses. Smoke and aroma slowly filled the lair changing energy more lighter, heaviness fading a way. In his younger days Leonardo had seen his father cleanse their lair like this and he had been eager to learn it. Splinter had been so happy about this, eagerly teaching cleansing to his son. Still walking with slow space all around in the lair, making sure to visit each area and room, Leonardo chanted silently a pray what he also had learned from his father.

Standing silently by Raphael’s side Reonel held burning candle in her hands while watching her mother. While losing Splinter had been hard for them all it had been most hardest hit to the eldest one. Leaving incenses burn on living room’s table in their own holders on metallic tray Leonardo turned to look his own family giving a sign to blow up the candle.

Flame died, smoke playing around until it faded into the air as well. Placing candle on the table as well Reonel took careful look at Leonardo. They still hadn’t talk about her sneaking out which was starting to worry her. Maybe they were so angry they didn’t want to talk… She was just about to ask could they talk when Leonardo spoke.

“We need to talk.”

Reonel instantly sat on the couch as Leonardo sat on his father’s chair, Raph sitting on the chair across Leo. Being nervous was horrible feeling as she waited either one of them starting to talk. Naturally it was Leonardo who spoke.

“Why did you do that?”

“...Mom, I---”

“Have you no any manners or respect towards us and our house rules? I thought I raised you better than this. What if you would had been seen or captured? And why you didn’t tell us about this guy who you were seeing? Where you even met him? Did you have sex with him? If yes what if he would had got you pregnant?! Or give you decease!?” Reonel tried to give him answers but Leonardo’s voice kept getting louder and angrier as he shot her with more questions.

“What if he would had been telling about you to others? Take photos or videos? What if his parents would be working for government? Or for some lab? Do you have any idea how much pain your action has cause to us? There has been reasons why we haven’t let you go on topside. You have break our trust on you! We have given you our all and keep you safe, protected and loved and this is how you repay us?! How ungrateful you really are?!”

“Would you shut up and let me answer to you?!”

During his questions Leonardo had stood up in fury and now Reonel jumped up as well. She had started to lose her cool when she wasn’t given a chance to stand up for herself and tell the truth. She stood almost chest to chest with Leonardo who stared her in surprise when she talked back to him like that.

“Watch your language when you talk to me, young lady.”

“I said shut up! How you expect me to answer to you when you don’t give me a chance to reply?!”

Leonardo’s body tensed as his temper kept rising. “Reonel Hamato, in the name of Bushido I demand you to speak with respect to your mother and master.”

Much for his and Raphael’s surprise Reonel snorted with short laugh.

“Oh, there it comes, finally. That famous Bushido card. Well guess what? Fuck. You. Fuck you and your stupid Bushido card! I would had told you everything but right now I’m not in the mood anymore because you had to start to point blaming finger on me! Grandpa would had listened me unlike you!”

Her parents didn’t even have a chance to raise their fingers when Reonel was already running up the stairs heading in her room. Giving strict look to his mate Raphael noticed a crack on Leo’s expression. He tried to remain strict but his eyes were moist. Stepping closer Raphael placed his hands on smaller shoulders rubbing them gently.

“How are ya really doing, Leo?”

Dropping his head Leonardo stepped in Raphael’s arms, pressing his forehead against rough chest plate.

“I’m tired…” He sobbed silently while Raphael sealed him in a loving hug. “First father’s illness, then Nel sneaking out behind our backs, she talking back at me like that and father’s death… All this shit is falling on me at once.” Listening Leo’s silent sobs wasn’t easy but Raphael tried to keep his cool.

“I know it ain’t easy. It ain’t easy ta anyone of us but we still have each other so don’t think, or even try ta, go through this all alone. And what comes on Nel – we both know she’s a smart girl and we both can agree ya were a bit too harsh on her there. Ya really should had given her a chance ta reply. I know ya wanted answers, I did too, but trying ta get all the info out of her like that at once won’t work.”

Stopping Raphael waited Leonardo to reply but he said nothing. “I think it’s best if ya go talk ta her.”

“I can’t. Not now, Raph.”

“More longer ya let this keep on going more harder it will become and more it will eat the relationship between ya two. Ya know that.” Pushing Leonardo away from his arms Raph kept his hands on other turtle’s shoulders, looking deep in those blue eyes. “Go ta talk ta her. She understands. She’s smart girl like I said already. She needs that loving, calm and understanding mom with guidance now. Not angry Master.”

Surprisingly tiny smile spread on Leo’s lips as he rubbed his eye.

“Have I ever told you how wise you can be? How much I need that wisdom and clear head of yours at times like this when I can’t stay calm or clear headed?”

Smirking Raphael slid his hands from Leo’s shoulders on his hips. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Standing on his toes Leonardo hugged Raphael with kiss, whispering his love for bigger turtle receiving hug and kiss back with the same whisper. After the last tears had dried from his cheeks and eyes Leonardo took his first step towards the stairs when phone started to rang. It was Reonel’s phone on the couch which she had dropped earlier.

Picking it up Leonardo saw name “Jake” on the screen. One fast look towards Raphael, who nodded to him, Leonardo answered the phone.

“This is Leonardo, Reonel’s mom. Who’s there?”

“U-um, hi. This is Jake, Reonel’s friend. Is she there?”

“Not at the moment. What do you want? Can I deliver a message to her from you or something?”

“I just wanted to talk to her. Make sure she’s okay.”

“My daughter is fine.”

“Sorry, sir. I don’t mean to be disrespectful or anything! She just looked so scared when her father showed up. I… I didn’t mean to cause her any harm, sir. It just has been so nice to have a friend to talk with about everything else than just girls and sex what I hear at school from other boys all the time – and that makes me sick. With her I could talk openly about anything, ask her opinions and thoughts. I… I do apologize for going too far and trying to kiss her the other night however. It was not very gentleman-like acting.”

There was a short silence in both ends when Jake finally continued. “So, sir, if you want and need to be mad at someone, be mad at me. I kept asking her to come out to see me. She told me she would get in troubles but… I didn’t care. I just wanted to see her so bad. I really like her, sir. She is smartest and most sweet ass kicking girl who I have ever met.”

“I thank you for your honesty and words but may I ask something? What exactly do you mean by ‘ass kicking girl’?”

Seeing Raphael turning more stiff from the corner of his eye Leonardo’s focus turned fully on their daughter’s father who turned around hands behind his head as he walked away whistling.

“Is there something what I have not been told about?” That question was clearly pointed to Raphael but he disappeared in the bathroom, deciding to take long and warm bath instead of fast shower.

“… Nel or her father never told you?”

“Apparently not because it seems you know more than I do. Share everything what you know with me.”

Sitting down on the chair Leonardo listened as Jake told him about the first night when he had met Nel, how she had saved him by beating the gangster and how she had mentioned her father before leaving. Jake even shared information about their secret meetings being brutally honest about what they had talked and done. It all eased Leonardo’s worry greatly when nothing bad hadn’t happen. But still he felt hurt his family had lied to him… Or maybe not lied but not being fully honest either. However he also knew why they had done that so he couldn’t stay angry at them.

“Thank you, Jake. This information clears things so much.”

“It’s all my pleasure, sir. So um, can I now talk with her?”

“I’m sorry but that’s not possible at the moment.”

“Oh, okay. Um, is there a chance then she could come to see me at Central Park tomorrow night? Either with you or her father. I don’t mind if she has company. As long as I get to see her. I have… some news what I would like to deliver face to face or otherwise personally.”

“I will think about it. If I agree we will appear in Central Park tomorrow night.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much, sir. And once again, I’m sorry for all trouble what I have caused to you, your family and daughter.”

“Thank you. Good night.”

“Bye.”

Ending the call Leonardo sighed feeling more clear headed now. Feeling ready to face Reonel Leonardo stood and headed behind bathroom door which, surprisingly, wasn’t locked. Knocking few times Leonardo opened the door only slightly with strict look on his face while Raphael stared him back with goofy grin on his face. He knew he was caught.

“I’m heading to talk with Nel. After that I will come to you and you know why.”

Shutting the door Leonardo left mumbling Raphael sit in the tub on his own making nagging mouth movements with his hand.