RiverClan didn’t linger once Snowshade ducked out and returned with the news that Fury’s crew had been good on their word and left the forest entirely. Leopardstar politely refused an escort (“We know our way to the river, don’t worry”) and her followers tossed some last jokes and well-wishes to ThunderClan before trotting out of camp and into the woods.
“We should still make sure they—” Dustpelt started, and immediately stopped at the dry look Firestar gave him.
With the fight over, and the day fading, ThunderClan was content to retreat into their dens until night woke them again. Firestar noted with some humor that the Clan collectively rose well after the moon was in the sky, instead of right when the stars appeared.
Firestar ate his breakfast of rat, and the fact that he could actually taste it and feel the texture was still such a novelty to him. Even more marvelous was that the aura of unease that his Clanmates had borne every time they so much as looked at him was dissipating with every greeting nod he gave them or jokey response to a comment they made. Faces turned relieved, tails raised and curled, and Greystripe and Ravenwing sat beside him with faint purrs in their throats. They didn’t talk, but the three could eat together as they had so many times before… everything.
That “everything” felt so much smaller and easier now that the Fury part was resolved.
Well. It wasn’t resolved perfectly and completely. But Firestar had faith in Brick.
Still, Firestar had the sense to send out patrols to check each border and be sure the scent of Aulmir cats had faded. And it had! Even three or four days later, any trace of stray was gone. Firestar even chanced a peek into the neighborhood just to be sure—and while traps still sat waiting for any stragglers, the Houses’ occupants were almost entirely kittypets again. Brick or Fury must have convinced everyone to come back to the Aulmir with them.
A few nights passed, blissfully uneventful, before Frostfur came into the mostly empty camp with a tense face, Mousefur alongside her. Firestar stood as they approached and inclined his head to invite them to speak.
“There’s a WindClan cat on the border,” Frostfur said. “He says he’s a friend of yours, and Rookstar’s asking for you and Barley to come to their camp.”
“Oh!” Firestar perked up. “The Barn must be ready, then. Where’s Barley?”
“Here,” the patched tom called from his seat beside Teaselfoot. He crossed camp to stand at Firestar’s side.
Firestar said to the mollies, “We’ll head out now. Let Dustpelt know we’re fine. Did the cat ask for any additional warriors?” When they shook their heads, he said to Barley, “Rookstar’s confident then, and so am I. Are you ready to go home?”
Barley’s ears folded back and a steely look shone in his eyes. “More than I ever will be.”
With a nod to the mollies, Firestar called to the few cats in camp, “I’ll send a messenger to let you know when I’ll be home!” He wasted no more time, just set out with Barley in tow. A few cats called goodbyes to Barley.
They moved quickly and in silence, reaching the border to greet Wrenwhisker, who was sitting politely outside of the forest and waiting. His face was as deadpan as ever. Firestar didn’t miss the faint glint of nervousness in his eyes, even so.
“Good to see you!” Firestar said, the brightness inflected a bit heavily to ease his friend. “Are we sure we don’t need any additional warriors from ThunderClan?”
Infinitesimally, Wrenwhisker’s body relaxed. “Not that many rogues left. WindClan will be enough.”
“Then let’s get over there, and get my Barn back,” Barley said with the barest hint of a growl.
Wrenwhisker nodded, turned and set off at a trot. Firestar and Barley followed, tails high.
Taking the opportunity, Firestar picked up his pace until he was alongside the brown tom, keeping his voice low. “I’m sorry I’ve been so rude with you and Rainpath recently. I was… well, I…”
“Weren’t doing well,” Wrenwhisker murmured back. “I know. Didn’t take it personally.” He paused, then blinked slowly. “You look better.”
Firestar blinked back. “I am better. Thank you.”
They were quiet again, and it was so much more comfortable than any silence had been in months. Firestar looked around as they crossed the neutral grounds, and could pick out individual grass blades and appreciate the soft breeze curling through his fur and gently pushing his tail side-to-side.
Funny how many details the world had when one was truly awake.
Barley caught up to them and chattered here and there to Wrenwhisker, remarking about the trees of the forest and how he’d never known how many types of animals there were in the world until he’d seen ThunderClan’s prey-pile, and so on. Wrenwhisker offered quiet responses of “hmm” and “doesn’t the Barn have bats, sometimes?”. Firestar tuned in once in a while, moreso delighting in the feel of grass under his feet and the scent of heather that announced the crossing into moorland territory.
When they made it to WindClan’s camp, Rookstar stood waiting in silence. He studied Firestar, eyes slightly narrowed, before saying flatly, “Good to see you.”
Firestar bowed his head respectfully. “You, too. I hope we’re not late.”
“Right on time, really.” He flicked his black-and-white tail at a familiar, hairy-faced brown apprentice. “Dustpaw just heard shouting on a patrol. Came from the Barn. Think we got them ready to be chased off.”
Barley’s own tail, more black than white, lashed.
“We should go now, then?” Firestar asked.
Rookstar grunted in agreement. With another flick, the tall, wiry warriors and apprentices of WindClan gathered around their leader, silent and grim. Rookstar took the lead, Firestar walking close to his shoulder and Barley by Firestar’s, as they started through the tall grass, all tails leveled or low—presumably so they wouldn’t stick out above the grass, Firestar figured.
The hedge blocking the Barn from the moorland stood as green and vibrant as ever… but through it, indistinct arguing could be heard. Firestar grimaced and followed Rookstar quietly.
“This is insane,” someone said. “Let’s just go, already—”
“Where is there to go?!” a tom shouted. “Town’s a disaster, past that is full of maniacs, we don’t know what there is beyond that cave—”
A panicked molly’s voice now. “I can’t leave! Not without my kittens!”
“We aren’t leaving you or them,” another voice said firmly. “Claw, there’s got to be something we can do…”
A brief silence, then someone else said, “I smell cats.”
Just then, WindClan’s warriors curved around the corner of the doorway into the Barn, and came to a stop. They filled out the entire doorway, making a border that couldn’t be crossed without a fight.
Firestar’s heart broke at the sight of the interior. It wasn’t a Clan’s worth of strangers, looming and ready for war. A cluster of no more than pel* cats immediately bunched together, eyes wide and bodies hunched like they were expecting to die right there. In the center of the clump was a blue molly, huddling over what looked like a litter of kittens.
Two familiar faces made Firestar’s stomach knot: the black-and-white twins were at the back of the group, like kits hiding behind their mother. Any semblance of intimidation was completely gone the instant their eyes caught Barley and the one with an underbite cowered even harder.
“Barley!” he said in a jittery, appeasing voice. “Why are you– why are you here with Clan cats?”
Barley’s muzzle wrinkled. “We’re taking my Barn back, and you’re hightailing it if you want to come out unscathed.”
Firestar rested his tail on Barley’s side to quiet him. To the Aulmir cats, he said, “Which one of you is Claw?”
A bulky ginger tom slowly stood up straight. “That– that’s me. Who—?”
“I know him!” the other twin hissed, not quietly enough to avoid being overheard. “He’s the one that killed Scourge!”
Claw’s entire body froze, his fur along his back flaring. He didn’t look angry, to Firestar’s surprise; “terrified” was a better descriptor.
“We’re not here to kill any of you,” Firestar said gently, matching their frightened-kit aura with a soothing-mother tone. “I’m sure the owls have done enough of that.”
“I knew it!” The blue molly jumped up, tail bristling. “The owls, it was you hill-cats that did it! You sent them, didn’t you?!”
Rookstar spoke now, flat as usual. “Called in a favor from some friends. You’re not welcome here anymore.”
“We don’t have anywhere else to go!” a brown-and-white tom said desperately. “And– and we have kittens, you wouldn’t—”
“You could leave them.” Rookstar’s tail grazed the ground in a sweep. “Your old thug leader wasn’t the only one who accepts strangers’ kits.”
The tom’s head lowered, ears back. “They stay with us.”
“Then you better learn how to carry them quick.” Rookstar met his stare, unimpressed.
The underbite twin turned to Barley. “Speak for us, come on! We’re your family—”
“Well, ain’t that funny?” Barley snapped. “As I recall, blood wasn’t good for anything. Certainly not good enough to keep me in my home, was it?”
It was mean, but some part of Firestar flickered with dark amusement as the tom shrank back even more. A bigger part drove him to speak again.
“Listen,” he said calmly. “Claw, do you know a molly named Fury?”
Claw’s ears straightened again and he stood slightly taller.
“She’s pretty devastated that you’re gone,” Firestar continued. “She thinks humans took you away. It drove her mad enough to attack ThunderClan.” He gave the tom a sad look. “I don’t know why you didn’t tell her you were leaving, and maybe you didn’t need to.”
Claw’s face turned conflicted.
Firestar gave him a friendly blink to try and cool down the tense air. “She and Brick are setting up a proper colony in the Aulmir. They’ll be taking as many cats as will join them to build something that works for the benefit of everyone, not just a few bullies at the top. You could go and help them, if you want. Or you could try your luck in the world beyond the territories. Cats come from there all the time, don’t they? It can’t be all that bad.”
Rookstar nodded once. “Well-fed, well-groomed. They travel with kits, too. Could be worth a try.”
The blue molly reached over and pulled at Claw’s leg-fur until he looked at her. “I can’t go far, even if we did leave.”
“You are leaving,” Deadfoot said from the left side of Rookstar. At this, a few WindClanners took a small step forward, ears back.
Firestar spoke up again. “Maybe you could take some of your old neighbors with you. Let Fury know you’re alive, too.”
Claw didn’t answer him, but he asked Rookstar, “Will you call off your owls if we leave? They won’t follow us wherever we go?”
“They’ve done their job.” Rookstar rolled a shoulder apathetically. “You’re good to go.”
“So long as you go,” Barley added sourly. “And you see if I ever let any of you near my Barn again. All my work to host you and this is how you…”
Mid-rant, he caught Firestar’s warning look and fell silent.
Claw took a moment to look at his companions. They all looked back at him, desperate for his judgement call. Claw looked back at the WindClan cats, took in a breath, and sighed.
“We’ll go,” he said. “We’ll head east. You won’t hear from us again. Just– tell those owls to leave us be, and we’ll go as far as we can, I promise.”
Barley nodded with satisfaction.
Rookstar lowered his chin, narrowed eyes on Claw’s face, scrutinizing. He seemed satisfied enough to flick a paw and say, “Off you go, then.”
“Now?!” the blue molly said, outraged and frightened at once.
“Now.” Rookstar waved his tail slowly. “Don’t make us escort you out.”
Many claws flashed, catching the glint of the lights outside the Barn.
“But—” the molly started.
“Minty,” Claw said quietly. “We’re going. Jumper, Hoot, Snapper, each of you take a kit. Minty, you get the last.”
Minty opened her mouth to protest, but sighed and hung her head. The patched toms, looking intensely uncomfortable at the idea of holding kittens, stepped forward to her side. One-by-one, Minty set a kit in front of them, and they more-or-less gently held them by the scruff, even as they squealed in protest.
“I’m sorry,” Firestar said to Minty. “It’s hard to walk with kits. But you’ll be okay.”
Minty gave him a dirty look before taking the last kitten in her mouth. Claw turned and started for the other entryway in the Barn, which was only half-open now. His remaining cats followed him, tails low and ears folded. The kits’ squeals and mews faded slowly, and no one spoke until then.
It was Barley who broke the silence, turning to Firestar and Rookstar with a pleasant face again. “I hope that’s the end of it. From now on, I’m minding the manners of the cats that come here. I ain’t planning to be ousted again.”
“Just holler our way,” Rookstar said. He turned and started away from the Barn. “Paletail, Deerstep, stay here until you can’t smell or see those cats anymore. Come running if they return.”
Two mollies—one pale grey, one brown—nodded and moved to join Barley as he walked further into the Barn, his eyes shining and tail high. The rest of the warriors and apprentices followed after Rookstar.
“Good luck!” Firestar called to Barley as he went to join Rookstar. “And welcome home!”
“Thanks for hosting me, lad!” Barley called back.
Firestar had to trot fast to catch up to his senior, and was the first to pass through the hedge. He stopped and waited for Rookstar to join him.
“I’m glad that resolved peacefully,” he said. “I suppose you didn’t need me to be there, though I appreciate the invite.”
Rookstar’s yellow eyes slid to look down at Firestar, without his head turning. “You got to them better than I did. Compassion’s a useful tool.” Ever-so-slightly, his eyes creased. “And I’m sure you do care.”
A small purr escaped Firestar, and he looked forward with a curled tail. “Then I’m happy to help. I hope they’ll be okay.”
“They’ll be alright,” Rookstar said, and paused. “You said Brick is making a colony?”
“Oh!” Firestar perked up. “Yes, I didn’t tell you. So we got news that those rogues were planning to attack us, and…”
Firestar’s voice was the only sound in the moorland, his story animated and eager. He didn’t feel eyes on his back once.
ENDURING AN EXTRUCIATINGLY LONG WEEK FILLED WITH INTENSE ANGUISH AND ANXIETY, the girl maintained a stoic facade, navigating through each moment with unwavering resolve, all while concealing her true identity to evade capture in the midst of a precarious hostage-refugee scenario. After successfully targeting and neutralizing every U-boat in Bremen, all alone, y/n executed a daring maneuver reminiscent of the famed 'No-Engine Cleven', albeit with an unexpected outcome. Despite crash-landing several miles off course from Wilhelmshaven, her intended destination, she emerged from the wreckage, severely wounded, but alive.
However, to avoid being incarcerated by the enemy, she was compelled to discard her uniform before the impact, a sacrifice made in the heat of the moment to ensure her survival behind Nazi lines. Regardless of the fog of distant memories, she could vividly recollect the chilling moment of lying on the frigid ground, clad only in her undergarments, clutching Gale's jacket for warmth and comfort, a satisfied smirk on her bloody face for achieving what she desired, irrespective of the grim consequences that she knew she was in store for. Her fortress burned barely 6 feet away, the smoke and ashes making it hard for her to breath.
The flames acted as a makeshift funeral pyre consuming the remains of her fallen comrade, Harry, casting an eerie glow that illuminated the surrounding ambiguity. Amidst the solemn scene, she silently vowed never to forget the sacrifices made in their shared struggle, while also harboring a fervent determination to persevere against the looming threats that lay all around her. Her leg was contorted unnaturally, and blood flowed freely from a gash on her head; the aftermath of the explosion leaving her with a persistent, deafening ring in her ear. As y/n's consciousness ebbed away, enveloping her in darkness, she surrendered to the abyss — a respite from the chaos and pain that engulfed her.
Two hours later, she stirred from unconsciousness to the jarring clap of thunder and the sensation of a blade pressing against her neck. Reacting instinctively, she addressed the assailant with composed fluency in German, a skill acquired unexpectedly through her infatuation with a German sportsman, back in Texas. Initially skeptical, the man eyed her with suspicion, noting her very American appearance, which was partly due to the crash-site he discovered her body at, and the sheepskin coat she held close. However, his doubts waned as she exhibited a nonchalant acceptance of warm beer.
Crafting a tale of tragedy and escape, she spun a convincing narrative for the man, detailing the harrowing loss of her entire family to American forces in Bremen. Claiming to have fled in desperation to seek refuge with relatives in Wilhelmshaven, her story gained credence when another Terror Flyer narrowly missed crashing beside them, revealing the depressing truth of her perilous journey. Moved by both her plight and his own pathetic crush, the man, also a doctor, offered sanctuary and care for a week, pledging to escort her safely to her family once she had recovered.
As they sat together at the table, sharing a bland breakfast, she pondered the upcoming journey, her last meal before embarking on the long drive ahead. "Sie haben den richtigen zeitpunkt gewählt, um zu gehen, Herrin Schneider." (You've picked an opportune moment to depart, Mistress Schneider.) Remarked Gunther. "Heute werden alle festgenommenen amerikanischen soldaten zum Stalag transportiert, um den weg für ihre sichere rückkehr zu Ihrer familie freizumachen." (Today, all American soldiers apprehended will be transported to the Stalag, clearing the path for your safe return to your family.) He imparted this news while pouring her a cup of tea, signaling a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty of their circumstances.
"Alle von ihnen?" (All of them?) She queried between mouthfuls of food, her curiosity piqued. "Nun ja, diejenigen, die es geschafft haben, in der tat." (Well, those who made it through, indeed.) Gunther responded, slightly taken aback by her sudden engagement. "Und wie viele wären das?" (And how many would that be?) She pressed, her demeanor betraying a hint of excitement beneath her impassive facade. "Ein paar dutzend... derzeit in Rüsselsheim inhaftiert. voraussichtlich werden sie sich jedoch in kürze auf den weg nach Berlin zum verhör machen, sofern sie die reise unbeschadet überstehen." (A few dozen... presently detained in Rüsselsheim. However, they'll likely be on route to Berlin shortly for interrogation, provided they endure the journey unscathed.) He informed, a faint smirk playing on his lips, hinting at the perilous fate awaiting the captured men.
As Gunther's words lingered, she met his gaze with a calculated sweetness, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Wie faszinierend." (How fascinating.) She mused, leaning in slightly, her voice soft and alluring. "Ich kann nicht anders, als ein anflug von neugier auf die gefangenen soldaten zu verspüren." (I can't help but feel a pang of curiosity about these captured soldiers.) She started, her tone innocent, but her motives deadly. "Die macht unserer streitkräfte und die entschlossenheit unserer feinde aus erster hand zu erleben... das ist eine gelegenheit, die man sich nicht entgehen lassen sollte, finden sie nicht auch?" (To witness firsthand the might of our forces and the resolve of our enemies... it's an opportunity one wouldn't want to miss, wouldn't you agree?)
Gunther's brow furrowed slightly, suspicion flickering across his features like a fleeting shadow. "Das ist kein anblick für schwache nerven, Herrin Schneider." (It's not a sight for the faint-hearted, Mistress Schneider.) He warned once more, his tone laced with both concern and intrigue. With a delicate smile, her gaze met his with unwavering determination. "Aber ist es nicht gerade deshalb so berauschend?" (But isn't that precisely why it's so exhilarating?) She countered smoothly, her voice a honeyed melody that seemed to weave its way into his doubts.
"In die rohe wahrheit eines konflikts einzutauchen und seine komplexität hinter dem schleier der propaganda aufzudecken – das ist eine erfahrung, der ich einfach nicht widerstehen kann." (To delve into the raw truth of conflict, to unravel its complexities beyond the veil of propaganda — it's an experience I simply cannot resist.) Her words hung in the air, a delicate web of persuasion spun with practiced finesse. Deciphering the subtle shift in his green-blue eyes, she sensed his lingering skepticism. Nevertheless, she remained poised, her composure undeviating as she awaited his response, every fiber of her being silently coaxing him to yield to her enticement.
"Diese Ameri-cunts fotzen haben mir alles genommen." (Those Ameri-cunts took everything from me.) She declared with a deliberate edge, her voice tinged with a venomous bitterness that she hoped would mask the manipulation beneath. "Ich sehne mich nach einem letzten blick auf ihre unerträglichen gesichter vor ihrem unausweichlichen untergang." (I yearn for one last glimpse at their insufferable faces before they meet their inevitable demise.) She snapped with a manufactured sense of vengeance, as she let a few crocodile tears trickle down her cheeks, their authenticity carefully crafted for maximum effect.
After a eloquent pause, the doc's decision faltered, his resistance crumbling beneath the weight of her persuasion and the pretense of vulnerability she presented. ""Sehr gut..." (Very well...) He relented, his voice tinged with hesitation. "Aber versprich mir, dass du vorsicht und diskretion walten lassen wirst. Du warst schon einmal am rande des todes und ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich dich wieder heilen kann." (But promise me, you'll exercise caution and discretion. You've teetered on the brink of death before, and I'm not sure if I can mend you again.) He let out a loud sigh, a note of resignation in his tone. "Dieses unterfangen birgt gefahren – es gibt keinen raum für rücksichtslosigkeit." (This venture is fraught with danger — it's no place for recklessness.)
She nodded earnestly, concealing her satisfaction behind a mask of feigned innocence. "Natürlich, Herr Günther..." (Of course, Mister Gunther...) She replied with practiced sincerity, her tone dripping with assurance. "Ich vertraue voll und ganz auf ihr urteil. Gehen sie voran, und ich werde ihrer führung folgen." (I place my trust in your judgment completely. Lead the way, and I shall follow your guidance.) As she uttered her pledge, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. The stakes of her deception loomed large — if she failed to find the man she sought, all her efforts would be in vain.
Fooling one doctor about her true identity had been a manageable feat, but deceiving an entire town of grieving Germans? It seemed an insurmountable task, bursting with hazard. With a glance that conveyed both resolution and trepidation, Gunther rose from the table, signaling for her to accompany him as they prepared to embark on their seven hour long journey into the aftermath of battle, at Rüsselsheim, where even a moment of derail could sabotage her chances at making it out of the country alive, let alone reunite with the love of her life, that is IF he had even survived.
But it was too late to brood now, for she had a certain raven to find.
(1.5k words)
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a/n: not the best chapter, i'm aware, but i'll rewrite once i finish the entire act/book so that i have a better idea on how to reframe it... it just feels way too chaotic but that's probably due to my intense sleep deprivation 😭
i really hope that i'm just overthinking rn and that y'all actually liked it (at least a little bit), but yeah. it's certainly not what i had in mind initially, so i will be editing it at some point... anyway, have a great day/night/life <3
xx
Tag List: @deathwho @beebeechaos @sc4rl3tteb1tch @abysscorpus @darkwindysoul
I’ve never been alone. My whole life, I’ve always had someone around me—whether that’s family, my friends, my community, and now Paul and his pack. I think that’s ultimately a good thing. Objectively, I know there are people who always feel alone and I’ve never had to worry about something like that. But now, being on the other side of the country away from everyone and everything I know has got me feeling...terrifyingly amazing. For the first time in my life, I can leave my home and not run into every single person I know within a ten mile radius. It’s freeing, it’s bittersweet, it’s crushing, it’s everything I ever dreamed it to be. And when I’m all alone in my dorm, feeling the weight of loneliness seep in, I just focus on that little hub of warmth on the other side waiting for me and I feel a little bit better.
Maya and Paul kept themselves busy over the next couple of weeks leading up to Maya’s departure. After their moment in the car, Paul was trying very hard to keep a lid on things so as not to put more pressure on her than there already was.
As such, Paul, in an attempt to pre-emptively distract himself, received deliveries of lumber and supplies almost every other day in anticipation for the renovations he would start on the house as soon as Maya left. Maya joked on more than one occasion that it felt like they were living in a lumber yard, but Paul had just laughed, bent over his plans and revising them at the kitchen table.
Jacob and Becks had been spending more time together in an attempt to kickstart dating. After the last pack dinner, Becks had announced in the group chat that her and Jake were ‘taking it slow, but definitely on the path to gf/bf’, to which Maya had mixed feelings about. All in all though, she was happy for them because it seemed to make Becks happy. Keye had been less than thrilled and continuously referred to Jacob as King Weak Link.
And, despite the council’s request, Becks was still preparing to leave for Northwestern. Jacob was spending as much time with her as he could between rounds and renovating an old run-down garage space in town to turn into his auto shop. This, luckily, gave Maya and Paul more alone time themselves. Any time Jacob would announce his departure, Paul would wait for the door to click shut and whisk Maya away from whatever task she seemed to be preoccupied with—whether she was in the shower, taking a nap, pouring over her class schedule, or reading up on neighborhood hot spots to visit when she got to campus.
But still, she had tried to balance spending time with Paul and her parents as best she could so that she made sure to relish in her last couple of weeks before she felt everything would change and begin to move very quickly. Her mother was constantly dipping in and out of the house on council business and Maya had internally rolled her eyes at this, seeing as she hadn’t quite forgiven the council for their overstep with Jacob and Becks.
When her mother did bring up that there was going to be a bonfire planned for her and Becks’ send off, Maya politely tried to decline. Rish had looked at her in astonishment—Maya had never been allowed to turn down a community event growing up and now that she was given the choice she never thought she would just say no to something. Maya was surprised by her answer too, but as she helped her mom sort some extra fabric for the quilting club at the kitchen table, she was determined to stand her ground.
“Maya!” Rish cried, “The council wants to send you off with pride. Honestly, after everything they’ve done for you…” Maya tried to bite her tongue, not wanting to shatter her mother’s illusions of the unbearable pressure the council put on imprints. She knew how much her mother’s position meant to her.
“Mom, I can’t. You know what they said to Becks. It’s so fucking gross,” she retorted.
“First of all: language,” Rish corrected to which Maya rolled her eyes, “Second of all, I think that was all blown way out of proportion. Chief Black is honestly just worried about Becks leaving and Jacob following her. He just wants his son back.”
“That’s not all that conversation was about and you know it. They did the same thing to me and Paul and I don’t want to indulge them when they’re on the warpath with imprints having babies,” Maya pushed away from the table.
“I think that’s a little dramatic. Plus, look at you and Paul now. It’s not like the council was wrong for asking you to progress this relationship. It’s clearly meant to be.”
Sometimes, Maya wondered how her mother who was so instinctively protective and strong and had raised Maya to speak her mind and stand her ground could say these things. She turned to look at her now with a confused look on her face.
“Mom, Paul and I are together because we chose it. We didn’t deserve to be pressured into it and neither do Becks and Jacob.”
“I know, honey,” Rish sighed, folding another square of fabric and setting it in the old laundry bin, “I just think it would be a good idea for you to go. Make peace, and show them that you’re still going your own way.” Maya considered that for a moment. Showing up to the bonfire invited all kinds of questions and confrontation if she wasn’t careful, but she had fared worse. She could do that, “And anyway,” Rish continued, “Becks and Jacob have already agreed to go.”
“WHAT?!”
Paul held Maya’s face in his hands under the warm glow of their bedroom lights.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked quietly. Maya gave him a soft look and then smiled.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Plus Embry and Quil have agreed to run interference. I’ll be well surrounded by pack for the whole night,” she reassured him. He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly. Maya had been bummed when he told her he couldn’t make it to the bonfire because of a last minute client consultation that he had to quickly fly out to Seattle for. He’d only be gone for 48 hours, but the lack of remaining time they had together made the quick trip even more annoying to Maya.
“If you’re sure…” he said skeptically. Maya cleared the emotion from her face. What she wanted to tell him was to stay with her and go to this bonfire together as a united front, but she couldn’t ask him to do that. It was important to her that they still maintained some time independent of one another and for Paul that was his work.
“I’m sure, I can handle them,” she brushed off. Paul smirked and pushed some hair behind her ear.
“You’ve definitely toughened up. I feel like that’s my fault.”
“Mmmm, probably, but I was pretty tough before you met me,” Maya teased. Paul laughed,
“Oh, right. I forgot,” he said. His phone buzzed in his pocket and Maya prickled. “Okay, I gotta go. I love you. I’ll be back before you know it,” he leaned down and kissed her for a moment and then grabbed his bag and disappeared downstairs. Maya sank down onto their bed and let out a long breath.
“Maya, you ready?” Jacob called up the stairs. Maya groaned.
Here goes nothing.
Jacob drove Maya and Becks to the bonfire in his old Rabbit that he had restored when he was younger. Maya had thought it was a fucking trip as she shoved herself into the tiny backseat and clamped her hand over her mouth as Jacob squeezed his enormous frame into the drivers seat.
Becks settled comfortably into the passenger seat and looked behind her to shoot Maya a look.
“What?” Becks said confused.
“Nothing,” Maya giggled, “Are there seatbelts in this thing?” She made eye contact with Jacob in the rear view mirror.
“Har har,” he said, “We’re driving like ten minutes away. I think we’ll be fine.”
“Hookay,” Maya breathed as she pulled out her phone and typed a quick message to Paul.
Maya: Did you know that Jacob’s car doesn’t have seatbelts?
Paul: The Rabbit is a relic.
M: Just saying….
P: I think you’ll be fine, Jacob is a very good driver.
Maya laughed and Jacob looked at her in the rearview mirror again.
“I hope you’re not laughing at my car,” he said defensively.
“No, Paul was just saying how good of a driver you are,” Maya said, sliding her phone back into the back pocket of her jeans. She’d chosen to dress extra casual tonight for this bonfire, much to her mother’s impending dismay she was sure. Maya wore some tight light wash jeans, a black t-shirt and her black doc marten boots. She anxiously twisted the ring on her middle finger around and stared out the window. When they pulled into the clearing and the tribe came into view, Maya took a deep breath. Embry and Quil were waiting, hands in their pockets.
“We’re sure about this?” Becks asked, keeping her gaze straightforward out the windshield toward the bonfire. Jacob reached for her hand and she glanced over. He squeezed her hand reassuringly before saying:
“We’re sure. Right, Maya?” Jacob asked without taking his eyes off of Becks.
“Uh, yeah,” Maya said unconvincingly.
“Great,” Jacob said, bringing Becks’ hand to his lips before dropping it and popping open his door.
As they all clambered out of the Rabbit, Embry and Quil tilted their heads in acknowledgement of their arrivals. The plan, if there even was a plan at this point, was to not be caught out alone. As Maya crossed the clearing sandwiched between Embry and Quil, Jacob and Becks trailing behind her, she got the unmistakable feeling of being watched. But this was her tribe, and the lingering stares of her elders and Chief Black wouldn’t be enough to deter her from indulging in one last night with her community until she returned for the holidays this fall.
Embry and Quil tried to be amicable bodyguards and carried on casual conversation with the people Maya made sure to talk to before tribe announcements, but she could tell they were a little out of practice with socializing outside of their group.
When it came time for announcements, Maya stood off to the side with them. Rish waved from the inner circle sitting next to her father. Maya gave a faint smile and a small wave. To her relief, Chief Black didn’t make any digging comments about Becks or Maya leaving for college—but it made sense when she thought about the fact that most of the tribe didn’t know the truth about the wolf warriors among them and the existence of the imprint.
Afterwards, her mother beelined it to her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
“Hi mom,” Maya said kindly.
“Oh thank you so much for coming tonight. Are you dressing down because Paul’s not here?” Rish asked with a little too much judgement in her voice. Maya pulled back and gave her a worn stare.
“Mom,” she bemoaned.
“Okay, well, it’s just that these little gatherings are meant to be a moment to present and I can see now the casualness of Sam’s group is starting to wear off on you,” Rish looked over her shoulder and Embry and Quil who just smiled with arms crossed across their broad chests.
“Mom, where is this coming from? You’re being weird,” Maya called her out. Rish tutted and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, leading her away from the bonfire. Embry and Quil took automatic steps to follow them but Rish looked over her shoulder.
“I’ll bring her back, I promise. Honestly, you’d think 18 years of raising her without incident would prove that I can have you on my own for 10 minutes,” Rish quipped. This stopped Quil and Embry who looked to each other and then to Maya for confirmation. Maya rolled her eyes and nodded.
“It’s fine. I’ll be right back,” she conceded and her mother trilled pulling her along through the clearing. Maya was so engrossed in the neverending questions that Rish threw at her that she didn’t even realize where they were heading until she heard the familiar, booming voice say,
“Maya Sun, thank you for coming this evening,” Chief Black said. Maya’s head snapped up and it took all of her energy not to allow a grimace to grip her face.
“Chief Black,” she managed tersely. Chief Black chuckled that warm, hearty laugh. Rish had steered them away from most of the people in the clearing to a secluded spot just inside the treeline.
“I hear my son has been staying with you,” he stated.
“He has. He needed a more comfortable place to stay where he didn’t feel pressured,” Maya returned, crossing her arms in front of her now.
“Well, I appreciate you and Paul looking after him at the very least. You two make a great team,” Chief Black said. Maya arched an eyebrow at him.
“Thank you,” she said with a hint of confusion in her voice. Rish squeezed her shoulder.
“See?” she whispered.
“I know myself and the council are appreciative of you and Paul taking the imprint seriously and progressing the relationship, even if you still are leaving this fall,” he nodded to the ring Paul had given her for her birthday. Maya automatically covered it.
“We’re in a relationship because we chose it. The council should really get out of the business of pressuring literal teenagers to have their son’s babies if you have any hope of garnering our respect in the future,” Maya seethed. Rish sucked in a sharp breath.
“Maya!” she gasped. Maya kept her eyes locked on Chief Black. He gave her a serene smile.
“You underestimate our influence,” he said, nodding over her shoulder. Maya turned her head to see Jacob and Becks in the clearing by the bonfire, locked in embrace, their faces hovering just inches from one another. Maya felt the familiar thrill run through her as she watched Becks looking upon her soul in Jacob. Maya’s mouth twitched into a smile before she turned back to Chief Black.
“What you don’t understand is that that would exist with or without your influence. I suggest you stay out of pack business, not just for your sake, but for the tribe’s sake. You’ve seen how one of us can disappear. Don’t think we won’t do it again,” Maya threatened this with no real promise. She knew the pack would never desert their tribe, but still, this was enough to prickle Chief Black in a way that set his mouth into a firm frown.
Maya gave her mother a furious look and turned on her heel back toward Embry and Quil who were leaning against Embry’s old truck. Her mother chased after her after a brief moment and grabbed her arm. Maya whirled on the spot—screw being discreet at this moment.
“Maya!” Rish said in a hushed whisper looking around at the remaining members of the tribe in the clearing. She was very conscious of the two of them being watched and tried to keep her voice town. With the same vice grip on Maya’s arm, she whispered hurriedly, “Maya, you can’t say things like that to the Chief of our tribe! I know I raised you better than that!”
“Mom,” Maya said, her teeth clenched together, in a voice where anyone could hear if they were listening, “The council, and Chief Black in particular, have been causing issues between imprints for too long. Do you really want me to stay here, not go to Columbia like I’ve worked for my entire life, and just have babies? Is that what you want for me? After all that talk about how I can do anything?”
“Maya, bring your voice down,” her mother warned, not answering the question.
“You’re so caught up in your status with the council that you’ve forgotten that I need your support. I need my mom. You don’t even hear what they’re saying to me. What they’re asking me to do. Let go of me!” Maya’s voice was rising and angry tears were forming but she refused to cry, not now.
“Maya, you’re acting like a child. Of course I’m here to support you, but you have to believe that the council is only doing what’s best for us, for our community,” Rish continued. Maya shook her head in disbelief.
“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said have you?” she asked, sadness etching her voice now.
“Maya, stop this right now and come apologize,” Rish said tugging on her arm now. Embry and Quil were only a few steps away when Maya wrenched her arm out of her mother’s grasp and she gasped out in an upset tone: “Maya!”
“Screw you!” Maya yelled. There was a collective silence that fell over the tribe now as everyone was clearly watching intently. Rish’s eyes went wide with fury at her daughter’s disrespect.
“Maya Sun, get over here right now,” her mother used her most commanding voice she could muster. The voice that used to haunt Maya on the rare occasion that she did get in trouble. Embry had his arm out between them as they stood a few feet from each other now. Maya was sure that he wasn’t concerned about Rish lunging forward. Maya took two steps forward, her middle connecting with Embry’s outstretched arm as she said, seething:
“No. Not anymore. I matter less than your reputation, so no, I will not come to you anymore. And, when Paul and I do have kids you’ll be lucky if you ever get to see them.” Rish watched her, her anger mirroring Maya’s now and for the first time in a long time, Maya saw her face in her mother’s and she faltered. “Just stay away from me,” Maya said quieter now before she gave her mother one last look, the angry facade cracking on her mother’s face to reveal immense sadness.
Before Maya could completely crumble she turned away and headed back toward Embry’s car, with Embry and Quil hot on her heels. When she dropped into the passenger seat, Embry wasted no time hopping into the driver seat and turning over the engine. Quil tucked into the back and puffed out his cheeks in a large exhale.
“Well that went downhill fast,” Embry said forlornly.
“Yeah, it’s all fun and games until Billy starts throwing around baby making threats,” Quil joked. Maya had her arms crossed in front of her chest and as Embry backed out of the clearing, she clearly saw the towering figure of Jacob off to the side with the council fanned out in front of him. He looked furious.
But in this moment, the council was far from Maya’s mind. She felt a rip tear through her body from the very public argument she’d just endured with her mother. Rish had always been Maya’s greatest advocate, the person who’d push open any door for her daughter, but ever since the imprint, something had changed between them and tonight that had been laid bare. Maya was devastated and what was worse was that she didn’t know how she’d be able to fix it before she left for Columbia in less than a week.
The tears came freely now and Maya clamped a hand over her eyes as she tried to stifle sobs. Crying in front of Paul was one thing, but crying in front of Embry and Quil was mortifying. The silence in the cab of the truck was deafening with only Maya’s sobs to punctuate the hum of the road beneath the truck. When the car rolled to a stop, Maya knew she was home. Embry’s warm hand was on her shoulder and the too hot heat was comforting to her.
“My,” Embry said in a low voice just barely above a whisper. Maya kept her eyes squeezed shut with her hand still over them. She felt like she was spiraling and couldn’t quite stop it. She heard Embry’s door open and suddenly a rush of late summer air pulled over her. The next thing she knew she was pulled from the truck and wrapped in the all too familiar warmth that they radiated. Embry had wrapped her in a tight hug, and Quil had come in behind her.
“There’s nothing like a hot wolf sandwich to cheer you up,” Quil said in a light tone. Maya couldn’t help but laugh, her face buried in the crook of Embry’s massive arm as she choked through another sob.
“It’s okay, My” Embry soothed. But she didn’t know if that was true. She felt like she’d just lost someone that there was no getting back.
When Embry and Quil had gotten her inside, Maya went straight upstairs to bed. She didn’t bother undressing, she just collapsed onto Paul’s side of the bed, pushing her face into his pillow and letting her swollen eyes shut in the relief that sleep brought. She drifted off to low voices below, but their murmuring only pulled her deeper into sleep.
Maya woke up the next morning wrapped in serene warmth. She let out a soft hum of breath as she nestled in deeper to the soft familiar warmth. Her brain really did her dirty sometimes. She always knew when she was dreaming because the way Paul smelled to her would be multiplied by a thousand in her dreams when she knew he was away. But Maya was okay with it being a dream—at least this way she could find some comfort from the horrific night she’d had. She nuzzled her face closer to that warmth and inhaled a deep breath letting the soft earth and warm wood smell of him rush through her. She felt the weight of his arms constrict tighter around her, replying to her sleepy soft noises. If she focused hard enough, she could hear the waves churning in the sea down the hill. She focused on memorizing this moment, even if it was just a dream, to keep with her when she left for Columbia, knowing she’d miss Paul everyday more and more.
And then, she heard the front door click shut and the clear clang of pots and pans being pulled from the cupboards down in the kitchen. Maya felt warm lips press to the top of her head. Just a couple more minutes of this, please. Maya begged her sleeping brain, but it was useless. The too real sounds from the kitchen below were pulling her out of her soft sleep and when she opened her eyes she waited for the warmth to evaporate around her. But it didn’t. Her eyes drifted up from Paul’s naked chest to the softened features of his face closed in obvious sleep. Maya stifled a gasp and felt relief rush through her. For a moment she thought that last night’s disastrous bonfire had to have been a dream if Paul was still here. But the pain of it was still fresh and she knew it wasn’t.
Maya let herself watch him sleep for just a moment, adding this memory too, before shimmying her body up ever so slightly to press her lips to his in a soft kiss. He let out a little moan of recognition before tightening his arms around her and pressing her body to his chest, locking her in the kiss for a few beats more. When he finally let her pull back and gain breath he smiled gently.
“What are you doing here?” she said barely above a whisper. He brought his hand to her face, running his calloused fingers gently down her soft cheek, still tear stained from the night before.
“Embry called. Told me what happened. I thought it might be a good idea to come back,” he said in the kindest voice. Maya immediately devolved into tears and Paul placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her face into the crook of his neck, “It’s okay baby. I’m sorry,” he soothed. “Take a deep breath,” he said in a low soothing voice in her ear. Maya tried to pull fresh air through her lungs but was struggling to calm down again. Paul held her through it, offering reassuring words of comfort that slowly but surely brought Maya back down.
When he sat her up and pulled her face away from his chest, he cupped his hands around her cheeks and held her steady, “I’ll go and talk to your mom. This will all blow over,” he promised. Maya smiled weakly and shook her head.
“I just want a break from it and I don’t want you getting more caught up in it than you already are,” Maya said in a rough voice thick with spit from so much crying. She knew she looked a mess, but the look on Paul’s face only shone with love and concern.
“My, I know you don’t want to leave things this way. Let me help,” he said. Maya wrapped her hands around his wrists and gently pulled his hands away from her face. She swallowed and looked at him with what little resolve she had and shook her head.
“Please don’t. I can’t handle any of this right now and I don’t want you in the middle of it,” she stopped as a fresh sob threatened to throw her over again.
“Okay, okay,” he said gently. “Let’s take a shower and we’ll table this for now.” Paul gave her a warm, neutral look that begged an answer. Maya nodded and they slipped off of the bed toward the shower together.
The final few days before Maya was meant to leave for college were a rollercoaster of emotion. Maya tried her best to focus on her and Paul, but she found her mind wandering and often times Paul would have to get her attention when she lost herself in thought for too long.
“Sorry,” she would say, giving him a weak smile and trying to recover whatever part of the conversation she had lost. This would earn her a worried frown from Paul and so the day before she was meant to leave, Maya was not wholly surprised when her father, Tom, showed up on their doorstep.
“Thank you for coming, come on in,” Paul said warmly from the doorway. Maya watched, eyes wide as she sat stock still on the couch. Her father entered the living room and gave her a conciliatory smile.
“Hi, sun-bug,” he said affectionately. He hadn’t called her by her childhood nickname in awhile and just the mention of it made her eyes well. Paul stood back in the hallway by the door with his hands shoved in his jeans pockets watching Maya carefully.
Maya rose slowly from the couch and came around to stand in front of him. When her dad pulled her into a warm hug, she collapsed into it.
“Does mom know you’re here?” she asked quietly into his shoulder. He gave a soft noise of confirmation and Maya gripped him tighter. Her dad pulled her back so he could look at her face, already puffy from the impending tears. His face looked stricken as well.
“She’ll come around,” he promised, “She just needs some time to work through what was said and—”
“Do you agree with her?” Maya couldn’t help herself from saying. She knew her father well but she also thought she had known her mother and as things turned out, she didn’t.
“No.” he said firmly. Maya let out a breath that she had been holding, “I don’t think though how either of you handled it went very well though. You leave tomorrow….are you going to at least call her?” his eyes were pleading and for a moment Maya felt the weight of it pull at her resolve. Then she steeled herself.
“No, dad. Not this time. She threw me to the wolves,” Maya said without thinking. This earned her a huff of laughter from Paul who shook his head trying to contain an amused smile. “I just need some time. I promise I’ll call her when I get to New York.”
“Okay,” he agreed after a long pause. And then a warmer smile crept over his face, “So, I was promised dinner.” Paul clapped his hands together in confirmation,
“Right! Just a few more minutes on the sauce I think. Maya?” Paul asked, nodding toward the kitchen cupboards. Maya beamed up at her father and he leaned down to kiss her forehead.
“Come help me set the table,” she said, grabbing her father’s hand and tugging him toward the warm kitchen steeped in the comforting smell of garlic, simmering cream, and sweet basil.
“You’ve got everything?” Paul asked, as they continued toward her gate at Sea-Tac. His hand was tightly gripping hers and Maya felt how warm and damp her hand was becoming from his large one.
“I think so,” Maya tried to confirm confidently. The morning flight on the biplane into Sea-Tac was quiet. But Paul had barely let Maya out of his grip for a second in the past 12 hours. She knew it was just his mounting anxiety from the impending separation but still, it was hard to see his face grow more and more somber, hardening with every passing hour.
“Call me when you land. And I went ahead and had Michaal order you a car for when you arrive so you don’t have to take the subway. The car will take you straight to campus and the driver will help you take in your things.” Paul said in a matter-of-fact voice.
“Paul, I could have taken the train, it would have been fine,” Maya said, giving him a soft smile. But Paul was looking straight ahead as they neared her gate. “Thank you.” she said after a moment.
Once they arrived at her gate, the flight attendants had already opened the doors to begin boarding. Maya stood in front of Paul and as he looked over her head toward the gate doors, Maya put her hands on either side of his face.
“Paul,” she said gently, stepping toward him. His arms automatically wrapped around her and pulled her tightly to him. He gave her a sad smile and Maya swallowed hard, trying to hold it together, “We can do this,” she said softly. Paul looked at her for a long second and then nodded. She leaned up on her tiptoes and he closed the gap to press into an unwavering kiss that made her feel dizzy. His broad hands held tightly to her lower back and Maya pressed her palms gently against his too hot cheeks, getting lost in his embrace. When they finally pulled away from one another, Maya felt the clear damp of tears on her cheek. But she wasn’t crying. Paul screwed up his face in obvious torment and placed a hand over his eyes quickly trying to subdue himself.
“Hey,” Maya said, letting her hands drift to the sides of his neck, “Look at me.”
Paul dropped his hand and opened his eyes to look down at Maya, clear tears clinging to his lashes. Maya gave him a sympathetic smile.
“We’re going to be okay. You’re coming out to see me in less than four weeks. I’m going to call you every day, text you all the time, and if you need to, you can always come out for a weekend trip. This is going to be hard. We know it’s going to be hard. But I have to do this,” she said.
Paul nodded and kissed her forehead roughly. “I know. It’s just a little tough letting a part of your fucking soul fly across the country.”
“I know.” Maya said.
“Final boarding call for flight 291, Seattle to New York City. Final boarding call.”
Maya sucked in a sharp breath at the sudden drop in her stomach and Paul’s eyes widened in panic.
“Kiss me again,” Maya said quickly and Paul obliged, crushing her in another frantic kiss for a moment more. “I love you.” Maya said breathlessly when they pulled apart.
“I love you so much,” Paul said, pressing his forehead to hers. They both closed their eyes, settling one last time into the bond of the imprint that tied them tightly together, “Come back to me soon, Maya Sun.” he whispered.
Maya opened her eyes and smiled up at him, “I will.” She took a few steps back from him and let go of his hand as she hurried toward the waiting flight attendants, scanning her ticket and hurrying down the ramp toward the plane. She turned to look over her shoulder and wave with a painful smile and saw Paul, one fist clenched by his side and the other covering his mouth as he watched her walk away from him. He looked absolutely crushed and as the flight attendants closed the door behind Maya, her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.
One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine // Ten // Eleven // Twelve // Thirteen // Fourteen // Fifteen // Sixteen // Seventeen // Eighteen // Nineteen // Twenty // Twenty-One // Twenty-Two // Twenty-Three // Twenty-Four // Twenty-Five // Twenty-Six // Twenty-Seven // Twenty-Eight // Twenty-Nine // Thirty // Thirty-One // Thirty-Two // Thirty-Three // Thirty-Four // Thirty-Five // Thirty-Six (here)
Chapter Thirty-Six
At the End of All Things
The first time Sakura awoke, everything was hazy. Like she was in a thick fog, her head filled with clouds. There were voices just beyond and a beeping nearby that seemed to reverberate through her skull. Bright lights shined in her eyes, but she couldn’t find the strength to shield her vision from it. Then she faded out again.
The next time Sakura opened her eyes, her surroundings were much clearer. She was still groggy, her dreams and reality dancing on the same line until she didn’t know what was real and what was her imagination. It took her a few minutes to get her bearings, but when she finally blinked into focus, she instantly recognized the hospital room.
Like a knee-jerk reaction, adrenaline filled Sakura’s veins as she recalled brief flashes of the port. But one glance down at her hands and she saw they were free of handcuffs. She hadn’t been caught by the CIA.
What did catch her notice was she was no longer wearing a Kevlar vest. Instead, she had been changed into a standard hospital gown. There was a sheet tucked around her middle to keep her legs warm and an IV inserted into her arm. It was connected to a bag with a clear liquid inside, likely just fluids. And perhaps pain killers, she realized after a sharp ache lanced through her shoulder when she tried to move her arm.
Pulling back the collar of her gown, Sakura found the left side of her upper body was wrapped in bandages. Post-surgery. At least someone had removed the bullet. Though, she would need to get out of the hospital soon before the police were called and she was questioned. If they hadn’t been called already.
That’s when Sakura realized she was alone. Where was Kakashi?
Through the clear, sliding doors, she could see the nurses’ station down the hall. There were two nurses there now, but they were busy with paperwork. She watched them until the television on the wall behind the desk caught her attention. It was playing the morning news.
From her distance, she couldn’t read the captions, but the channel was showing a helicopter view of the warehouse in Newark. It was still dark, just before dawn, the shipping yard lit up by a handful of overhead spotlights as red and blue police lights flashed. The video was at least a few hours old. Just outside the hospital window, the sun was already peeking above the horizon.
In that moment, Sakura remembered Itachi. Her heartrate and blood pressure spiked as she recalled the blood that had been gathering around him while she had been forced to watch on, unable to help. She worried what had become of him, where he was now.
Pushing herself up in bed, Sakura searched the room for her personal items, specifically her phone. She could call Kakashi or Shikamaru. It would be the fastest way to learn if there had been any casualties in the CIA’s raid.
However, before Sakura could move to get out of bed, the door to her room slid open. Automatically she glanced towards the sound, only to freeze as she recognized the person in the doorway.
Tsunade.
Her adopted mother was exactly how Sakura remembered her. She had long, blonde hair she had pulled back away from her face with the exception of a few strands that had escaped to frame her intelligent, hazel eyes. Tsunade was approaching sixty now, but her youthful face didn’t look a day over fifty. She exuded authority and professionalism in her white doctor’s coat, and in that instant, Sakura suddenly knew exactly where she was. Tsunade’s hospital.
Her adopted mother didn’t immediately speak as she stepped into the room flanked by two younger doctors, likely interns, but her expression was stern and clear: Sakura was to say nothing.
“I see you are finally awake,” Tsunade said, her voice calm and professional. As if they were complete strangers. “Are you in any pain, Ms….?”
“Johnson,” Sakura replied after a small hesitation. “Sarah Johnson.” The most vague American name she could think of in that moment.
Tsunade glanced at one of her interns, ensuring the young male doctor wrote the name down in her file before she returned her attention to Sakura. “How’s your pain now?”
“Manageable,” Sakura replied on autopilot. She was still stunned to see her adopted mother before her so suddenly after these last few years of radio silence. Sakura couldn’t tear her eyes away.
As if Tsunade was simply her surgeon, she stepped forward and began going through a normal examination of Sakura’s injury, post-surgery. “You had some nasty shrapnel to your shoulder, but I was able to successfully remove all of it. The man who brought you in said you were hit by debris from a car accident across the street. Unfortunate place and time.”
Sakura wondered what the actual chances of that happening were. It was probably the first thing Kakashi had thought of when the ER nurses had asked what happened. Sakura knew Tsunade knew it was a lie too. Her adopted mother was smart enough to know a fragmented bullet when she saw one, but she was lying to keep Sakura’s cover. Both their covers. It was a lie to keep the police at bay.
“Do you know where he is now?” Sakura asked.
“I believe getting coffee. He should return shortly,” Tsunade answered, examining the line in her IV for kinks. “The damage to your shoulder was fortunately minimal, but it will take several weeks to heal and some months of physical therapy to regain full use.”
Tsunade turned away from her then, continuing her examination as she spoke to the interns, asking them questions and teaching them as she went along. All the while, Sakura kept her gaze on her, as if afraid if she even so much as blinked too long, Tsunade would vanish right before her eyes.
After a few minutes that seemed to stretch on for hours, the interns finally left. The room lapsed into silence as Tsunade scribbled notes down into her chart.
Eventually, Tsunade closed Sakura’s chart. She capped her pen and slipped it into the front pocket of her coat before she finally met Sakura’s gaze. “I’ve kept your gunshot wound quiet, but someone will recognize the injury soon. You need to leave before the police are called.”
Sakura barely heard her. “Where have you been? I haven’t heard from you in over three years.”
“You had your mission,” Tsunade replied, her hazel eyes unaffected. “The rest was for you to finish.”
“And you didn’t think I might need support to do that?” Sakura asked, her confusion evident. “I’ve been calling you. For months now. Why didn’t you answer?”
“I taught you everything. I trained you to the best of my abilities. There was nothing more I could have done.”
Sakura let out a laugh that was more incredulous and exasperated than humorous. “You could have been there.”
“You were always meant to complete your mission alone.”
Her cold tone startled Sakura. She gave pause as Tsunade simply stared at her as if Sakura was nothing more than a boring piece of art. Slowly, one-by-one, the pieces began clicking into place. Cold dread filled Sakura as it dawned on her that she had put herself, Kakashi, Ino, Itachi in danger for a woman who saw her as nothing but a means to an end.
“You told Hashirama that you wanted a daughter, but he didn’t give me to you because you couldn’t have children,” Sakura said, her voice accusatory but calm compared to the raging storm building within her. “You wanted someone to train. Someone to take care of Hashirama because you couldn’t do it yourself. Not without getting caught.”
Tsunade’s face might as well have been carved from stone. “You did as directed. You completed your orders. You are released.”
Those words were like a slap across the face, but Sakura wasn’t given the chance to reply when the door to the room slid open again. It was Kakashi. He looked relieved to see her alert and conscious before he sensed the tension emanating from her. Concern briefly flickered behind his eyes before his gaze shifted to Tsunade.
She barely acknowledged him. Merely stepped towards the bed to mute the alarms on Sakura’s monitor before she slipped the IV out of her arm. “Don’t allow the nurses to see you when you leave,” Tsunade told her.
Then she was gone. Out the door and out of Sakura’s life. Perhaps forever.
Sakura could only sit there, her mouth slack and her eyes unfocused as she tried to process what had just happened. How everything she had believed her entire life could have shredded right before her eyes. It felt surreal, like a dream she couldn’t escape from.
White, hot anger flooded her heart and filled her veins like lightning. Betrayal stung like acid in her chest. She wanted to punch something, shoot something. Her fingers itched to wrap around the grip of a gun. She wanted to burn New York City to the ground.
Then, like a bubble, all that rage popped until she was left with nothing but a sinking sadness that buried deeper and deeper into her soul. It wrapped around her like a blanket, tumbling so deep she didn’t know if the feeling would ever leave her.
All those memories of her childhood burned bright in her mind’s eye. The smile on Tsunade’s face when she had brought Sakura home for the first time, her words of encouragement when Sakura failed and the pride in Tsunade’s eyes when she had succeeded. Grief sunk into Sakura’s chest like a heavy stone as she realized it had all been a lie. Tsunade had groomed Sakura to love and adore her until Sakura would do anything for the woman who had rescued her.
Sakura was certain she would have sat there in that hospital room, stuck in that single moment for the rest of her life, had the faint echo of footsteps not broken through her thoughts. She blinked back to herself as Kakashi stopped beside her bed. He looked like he wanted to reach out, but thought better of it.
“You okay?” he asked.
Sakura opened her mouth but not even a breath escaped. She didn’t know if he meant physically or mentally, but it didn’t matter. They needed to leave.
“We should get out of here,” Sakura said instead, suddenly itching to be out from this cramped, suffocating room.
A ghost of a frown crossed his mouth, but then it was gone as he slipped the backpack off his shoulder she hadn’t realized he had been carrying until now. Inside were a change of her clothes. He steadied her as she slipped into her jeans and shirt, the latter task he had to help her with after she realized she couldn’t lift her arm more than a few inches without a great deal of pain. He hung her jacket over her shoulders, leaving her sleeves empty before he collected the rest of her things.
Then together, they slipped out of the hospital unnoticed.
xx
The pair drove in silence for some time. The hospital was over twenty miles out of New York City. Sakura didn’t ask why Kakashi had taken her specifically to Tsunade. Had Sakura gone anywhere else the police would have been called, she would have been questioned and it would have led to a series of headaches that were best avoided from the beginning.
In the quiet, her mind rolled like heavy, thunder clouds. She replayed her conversation over with Tsunade, that piping hot rage sitting in her stomach like boiling water. Only to give way as her last moments with Itachi filled her memory. The hurt and betrayal and heartbreak in his eyes. She wondered if he had felt like she did now. Learning he had been used, he had been played.
Her stomach twisted sharply. The question of his fate hung heavy on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t find the courage to ask, afraid of the answer. Instead, she asked another burning question.
“What happened? After I was shot.”
Kakashi didn’t glance at her as he took the juncture to the next highway. “The CIA successfully took down Akatsuki. Everyone not killed was rounded up and arrested. Your plan to take out the major members of Akatsuki was a significant part in allowing the CIA to success. None of them showed with their men. Tobirama, Tenten and whoever else you called got them all. Everyone is dead but Kisame. He escaped to Egypt.”
Sakura hummed at that. “Call Temari. I want eyes on him.”
“You think he’ll retaliate against you for trying to kill him?”
“Not on American soil, but yes.”
Kakashi hummed his agreement. Then after a brief silence, he asked, “What about here? The Underground is in chaos. Now would be the perfect time to claim it.”
She fell quiet as she considered that. With Akatsuki in shambles and Hashirama dead, the Underground had a lot of availability now. It would be the perfect opportunity for her to take over the Eastern Coast. Which she was going to do. Just not in the way Kakashi was expecting.
“Tell Tobirama to take control of Hashirama’s assets. Tenten can have whatever territory is left over.”
Kakashi shot her a look of surprise. “Why would you do that?” When she replied with a meaningful glance, it dawned on him. “Because then they both owe you favors. You can control the Eastern Coast without having to manage it yourself.”
Sakura hummed her agreement.
“Then what will you do?” he asked.
Sakura thought about her next statement carefully. She thought about Tsunade’s parting words, feeling that painful betrayal again. “I want you to spread the word that Tsunade is dead.”
Kakashi glanced at her sharply until the tires bumped over the lane dividers on the highway. He jerked the wheel to straighten their course. “What? After all this, you’re giving everything up?”
She shook her head. “No, just her,” she said. Her voice was soft but she wasn’t able to completely keep the bitterness out of her voice. “From now on, I will be known as Sakura. I won’t give Tsunade the credit any longer.”
He peered in her direction again but said nothing as they continued their drive. The pain in Sakura’s shoulder was beginning to worsen as the drugs faded, but it paled in comparison to the ache in her chest, until she could no longer stand not knowing.
“Where’s Itachi?” she asked quietly.
A heavy silence passed before Kakashi answered, “He was taken to a hospital under the CIA’s protection. I spoke to my contacts there. He’s alive,” he said, causing hope to bloom in her chest. It died on his next words. “But he’s in a coma. He took a bullet to the stomach. They don’t know how well he’ll recover yet or if he’ll even…”
“Or if he’ll even wake up,” Sakura finished, feeling that hole in her heart slowly rip open little-by-little.
Kakashi peered at her, but she didn’t dare look at him. She couldn’t stand his pity at the moment. “I’m sorry, Sakura.”
“Don’t be,” she murmured. “This is my fault. I did this.”
They didn’t speak the rest of the way to Sakura’s apartment. Simply sat in silence as Kakashi steered them across the bridge and back into New York. Before them, the impressive skyline towered on the horizon, but Sakura didn’t see. She was numb to the world around her. Exhausted, both physically and mentally.
It was only once her door opened that Sakura realized they were parked in her underground garage. Kakashi helped her out of her seat before he adjusted her jacket around her shoulders to hide the bulky bandages, lest anyone should pass them.
Blindly, Sakura allowed Kakashi to lead her through the building until they reached her apartment. Kakashi unlocked the door and closed it behind them as Sakura kicked off her shoes. She said nothing as she made a beeline for her bed, letting her jacket drop somewhere on the floor before she slipped under the covers.
Kakashi was at her side a minute later with a spare bottle of prescription pain meds she kept in her medicine cabinet. She popped two in her mouth and greedily sucked down the bottle of water he handed her before she curled up on her uninjured side, her back to him. He simply pulled the covers around her.
“Can I get you anything else?” Kakashi murmured.
Sakura thought of Itachi, but the image of him lying in some government hospital unconscious and hooked up to life support stole her voice. Swallowing, she shook her head. “No.”
She vaguely heard him set something on her nightstand. A moment later, she realized it was her cell phone. “Call me if you need me.”
She said nothing in reply. Merely stared at the wall on the other side of her bed as she listened to Kakashi’s footsteps cross the room before the deadbolt slid back into place.
Sakura didn’t know how long she laid there. The meds took the worst of the bite out of her injury and exhaustion weighed on her like a physical weight, but her mind refused to rest. Her thoughts kept replaying the events at the warehouse. She wondered how she could have changed things, what she could have done differently, but the look on Itachi’s face wouldn’t leave her. It was burned into her mind.
What had she done?
Curling further into herself, Sakura opened her mouth to let out a heavy sigh. What escaped instead was a shuddering breath. And before she could stop it, a wave of emotion washed through her, picking her up and sweeping her out the sea before the currents pulled her under. Her anguish spilled out of her until it clogged her throat and made it near impossible to breathe, filling every corner of her empty apartment.
Or so she thought.
For from the living room, Kakashi said silently on the couch. He listened to each sob that echoed from the bedroom, until the sun was high and exhaustion finally overcame them both. It would be nearly sunrise before they would wake again.
xx
Three weeks later…
Sakura blew the steam off her coffee mug. She waited until it was cool enough not to burn her tongue before she finally took a sip and deemed the flavor to her liking.
Inside the coffeehouse, businessmen and women were hurrying in and out. The little shop was tucked between a large bank and a high rise of offices, making it a popular stop for those on their way into a meeting. A woman stopped beside Sakura and dumped in an unhealthy amount of cream and sugar before she quickly left, apparently running late for something.
With her shoulder still recovering, Sakura had to do most things one-handed. She set her to-go cup down on the counter before she snapped the lid over the top. Before leaving, she checked her phone.
There was a new message from Tenten. She was still on time to getting her shipments dropped off. Tobirama would be back in town tonight to update Sakura on the other shipments leaving Cairo. His plane was to land a few hours after sundown.
Satisfied, Sakura pocketed her phone again before she grabbed her coffee and made for the exit. A man in a nice business suit held the door for her, smiling something a little too friendly as he looked her purposely. Sakura was hardly fazed. She merely returned the smile before she slipped by without a word.
On the sidewalk, she paused to look for Kakashi’s car as she took a sip of her coffee. She didn’t know where Kakashi had gone in the morning rush, but she waited patiently. Ever since he had picked her up from the hospital, he had hardly left her side. He would be there soon.
Lowering her coffee cup, Sakura gazed about the downtown streets lazily. After a few minutes with no sight of Kakashi, she made to shuffle her coffee into her still-healing arm to pull out her phone when something caught her eye.
No, not something. Someone.
It was Shisui. He was standing across the busy street, leaning against the side of a sleek, black Lexus. She recognized it as Itachi’s. But it wasn’t the car that caught her notice. It was Shisui himself. He looked terrible. Absolutely haggard with dark circles under his eyes and his skin a little too pale, even for a New Yorker. He looked like he hadn’t slept, hadn’t eaten in weeks.
And like a candle blowing out in the wind, the warmth left Sakura’s body. She knew what had happened.
They had pulled the plug on Itachi.
She couldn’t explain how she knew it from that single look from Shisui, but she was absolutely certain. Itachi was gone.
As if someone had pressed pause on the television, everything stilled. The people around them, the cars on the city streets. The entire world stopped and held its breath.
Then Shisui turned away and slipped into Itachi’s Lexus. Without a single word, he simply drove away, leaving Sakura alone on the busy sidewalk, the coffee in her cup tasting like mud and ash. The grey city seemed to become even dimmer, like all color had drained out of the world.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Sakura pushed herself to focus on her work, getting shipments ordered, organized and delivered. Her day was over before she realized it and she was forced to face her new reality.
She sent Kakashi away. He had been confused but he didn’t deny her request, and for the first time since she had been shot, Sakura was alone.
She sat in the kitchen chair she had pulled up to the window and sipped on tequila as she tried her best not to think about the shirt in the back of her closet – the one that smelled like Itachi – until suddenly, she realized she was drunk. Apparently, chain-drinking did that.
The urge to give in, to wrap herself up in the last bit of clothing that reminded her of his gentle kisses and tender touch, nearly overwhelmed her, and likely would have if her phone hadn’t abruptly pinged.
It was from Tobirama. He had landed.
Suddenly, Sakura had a far worse idea.
Less than an hour later, a taxi dropped Sakura off in Queens in front of a large house with tall, iron gates. The guard had let her in on-sight, allowing the driver to pull up the well-lit, circular drive to stop before the great mansion.
As Sakura stepped out of the cab, she admired the home. Tobirama had made a few modifications, including more lights that accentuated the stone work. It looked much classier than when Hashirama had lived there.
At the door, a butler greeted her and accepted her jacket. He made himself scarce when Tobirama appeared at the banister and descended the stairs. His hair was still damp from a shower, and he had changed into a grey sweater and a nice pair of cotton, white pants after his flight. Something comfortable but classy lest someone dropped in late. Someone like her.
“Sakura,” Tobirama greeted. His tone was welcoming but obviously curious. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight. Is everything alright?”
She had tried to fill the gaping hole in her chest with tequila, but she smiled nonetheless, hoping she appeared more sober than she felt. “Yes. I hope I’m not intruding.”
His confusion lingered, but he gestured for her to follow him anyway. He led her to the very den she had sat with Hashirama before. Only now it felt different. Less intimidating and more focused. Like an actual office should be.
Inside, a maid was dusting a tall painting of a beautiful forest with horses grazing in the middle. As soon as the worker saw them enter, she quickly stepped off her stool and excused herself, taking the folding steps with her.
Sakura didn’t pay her much mind. Instead she gazed at the painting as she briefly wondered what its significance was. It certainly hadn’t been there while Hashirama lived there, but the thought was fleeting. She turned away when she heard Tobirama pull out two crystal glasses before he poured a couple of fingers in each.
Only after they made themselves comfortable on the lush, leather couch across the room did he finally ask, “Are you really so keen to know how my trip to Egypt went?”
Frankly, Sakura couldn’t care less about Cairo at the moment, but for pretenses, she inclined her head.
They sipped their whiskey as Tobirama updated her. He informed her of Temari’s success in seamlessly taking over Akatsuki’s old territory and contacts, and Tobirama’s latest attempt to track down Madara’s whereabouts. Of course, it had led to another dead end like it had for the last several weeks.
“I know the bastard was there,” Tobirama told her, a small frown on his lips. “But he slipped out before I could track him down.”
“Do you suspect where he went?” she asked.
“Hong Kong.”
Sakura hummed in reply as she sipped more of her drink. The whiskey settled warmly in her stomach, but it did nothing to ease the cold in her chest.
“Once I get my shipments squared away here, I can go there and follow his trail-”
“No,” she shook her head, much to Tobirama’s surprise. “Let him stay there.”
His brows furrowed. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Madara has contacts there that neither of us have. If we go after him, he’ll have us killed on-sight,” she told him, briefly studying the amber liquid in her glass. “There’s one thing I’m certain of and it’s that Madara wants both of us dead; for what we did to Akatsuki and for what we did to Izuna. Let him come to us when he finally decides he can’t live in a world with us in it. For now, he can rot in his hole.”
She finished her statement by swallowing the rest of her drink in one large gulp. Then she stood to place the glass on the desk, out of the way.
“And in the meantime, what do we do?” Tobirama asked.
Sakura turned back around to face him upon his question. She didn’t reply as she eyed him, taking in his relaxed form as he lounged on the leather sofa. The hand grasping his whiskey rested on the arm of the couch while the other rested beside his thigh.
In this setting, he was more handsome than she could ever remember him being. Money looked good on him. And so did she, she decided.
“I’m sure we can think of something,” Sakura replied. Her hand skimmed up the front of her blouse until she found the top button. Then she popped it open.
Tobirama’s glass stilled halfway to his mouth as she approached him. Automatically his gaze was drawn to her cleavage as it was slowly exposed to his viewing. He swallowed thickly before he made a point of meeting her gaze.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice carefully controlled.
Sakura shot him a look as if he had asked the dumbest question in the world before she dropped her shirt to the floor and slipped into his lap. Even with only her lacy, wine-colored bra keeping her decent, his eyes never left hers. He stubbornly kept his hands by his sides.
“What do you think I’m doing?” Sakura countered smoothly.
Something akin to a scowl crossed his face. “I thought we had agreed this was a bad idea.”
Her hands settled on the firm muscles of his chest as her gaze briefly flickered down to his mouth before meeting his gaze once more. When she spoke, her voice had turned soft to something almost vulnerable. “Don’t you ever wish we could go back to the way we started? Before everything got so complicated.”
An unusually serious expression crossed Tobirama’s face. His gaze searched hers, as if wondering where they would be now if things between them hadn’t ended so abruptly. She didn’t know what he saw in her eyes – if he saw anything at all – but then he was downing the rest of his whiskey. He set the glass aside before he twisted a hand into her hair and forced her mouth to meet his.
There was nothing gentle about the way Tobirama held her. He secured an arm around her waist before he picked her up and laid her against the soft leather of the couch, careful of her still-healing shoulder. As soon as she was settled, he was on her again, his knee pressing into the space between her legs as he bit a path down her throat. A sharp gasp escaped her when he found a sensitive spot, but the noise was quickly muffled as he crushed his mouth against hers again.
His kiss felt like drowning. Like she was being pulled beneath the current, her head inches or perhaps miles below the surface. She didn’t know if it eased or just numbed the pain in her chest, but she had the fleeting thought that if it could distract her from her grief if only for a few minutes, then she would take everything she could.
Aurora’s trip home was quick, pulling her truck into her parking spot in the underground parking ramp at her apartment building. Taking the elevator up to April and her floor she stepped out into the hall and slowly passed her friends door. She thought just for a second to knock and update her friend on happenings of the past few frantic days but decided against it, a hot shower was calling her name.
Unlocking her door, Aurora stepped inside and threw her backpack on the couch and headed for the bathroom. First and foremost, she needed a shower, a nice long hot shower. Peeling her clothes from her body she dropped them as she walked entering into the large glass stall turning the water to near scalding.
Aurora hissed as the hot water pelted her aching body loosening the dried blood and grime from her bruised flesh. She stayed under the hot spray for nearly 15 minutes allowing her muscles to soak up the heat of the water before starting to wash away the filth of the past few days. Each time she closed her eyes she could see them hanging from their wrists, dead. It made her body convulse involuntarily at the traumatic memory making her eyes snap open in fright.
“They’re alive and back home safe with Master Splinter.” She whispered to herself in a quiet mantra rinsing the rest of the conditioner from her hair. “It’s over. It’s finally over, you can finally live your life the way you want, no more hiding.” A small smile finally graced her steam flushed lips. She had to remind herself of that fact. It was finally over, they were all safe, and they did it.
Turning the shower handle to the off position Aurora stepped into the foggy bathroom and began to dry herself of its moister. The thought of crawling into bed and going to sleep wasn’t as appealing as it had been an hour ago. The sun had just recently set but she wasn’t ready for bed quite yet. Pulling on a pair of jeans and a hoodie she headed out into the busy streets of New York. She could use a good slice of pizza and some fresh air, well as fresh as New York Cites air can be.
The fall air was crisp and had a certain energy to it. The hum of the conversations of happy couples and giggling friends as she passed by made her body feel alive. The fresh slice she had purchased from Antonio on the corner a few blocks back was already warming her stomach. Her mind started to wander as she continued down the busy sidewalk. Japan was beautiful, and she did miss it, but there was something about New York. The people, the old buildings the whole vibe of the city was exhilarating, but the four green mutants below the street were the main reason she was ready to call this big city home. She could actually have a home, someplace that was her own. No more moving, no more hiding.
Finding herself back in front of the old church she had explored a week ago, her eyes trailed up the giant peek and smiled. Something about this place called to her, it was so beautiful, it just needed some love. A sign by the main gate that wasn’t there before caught her eye, squatting down she read the large sign and let a laugh escape her lips. Pulling her phone out she called the number displayed on top. It was fate.
That night was restless for Leonardo, his mind a constant whirlwind of emotions and uneasy thoughts. Sleep didn’t come easy but when it finally did take him he dreamed in quick fragments. Blurry and unfocused images of Aurora holding a baby, her baby, the look on her face was happy and content. That was something he could never give her, a child, marriage, normalcy. The tiny infant was wrapped up in a blue blanket with purple octopi on it. Due to the fogginess of his dream Leo could only make out one characteristic of the tiny cooing bundle, their eyes. Leo could see the vibrant purple iris’ that matched its beautiful mother’s, but one of its eyes had an anomaly to it. The left iris was half purple and half blue, it was breath taking. The sight of the tiny bundle made his heart clench.
Aurora looked up at someone and her smile grew giving no doubt the father of the child a comforting exchange. She looked so happy her hand reaching out for the father’s just before him. Those were the only imagines he could remember and it broke his heart. Maybe it would be better to let her go. She deserved that beautiful baby in her arms, she deserved to be happy and she couldn’t have that living in the shadows with him.
The next day Aurora took care of a few errands and bills before heading down to see the guys. Slipping below the surface of the manhole she took her time down the passageways of the sewer system. Making it to the opening she hoped over the turnstile and everything inside the lair came to a screeching halt. All eyes, even Master Splinter’s focused in on her, making her suddenly feel naked.
“Hey guys.” She waved anxiously.
A green blur shot forward colliding with the kunoichi crushing her between four mutant turtle bodies. Having the wind nearly knocked form her body she let out a grunt adjusting herself inside the cluster of hands and arms that were vying for any part of her body.
“Guys?” she wheezed allowing the frantic embrace.
“Donnie’s go-pro recorded everything on the mountain after you were freed. We watched it last night.” Mikey called through the arms of his brothers.
Aurora’s heart jumped up into her throat and she stilled. They had seen her, seen her when they died, seen her when she killed the demon, watched her bring them back to life. She didn’t have to explain anything, they knew what had happened after they…….. her body finally gave in and began to tremble with the stress of it all. Wrapped in their arms she let go and clung to them, crying letting everything out. She had never in her entire life cried this much, she hated how vulnerable it made her feel, but being in their arms she felt safe, it felt right, like home.
After a few minutes she finally collected herself and they relinquished their hold opening her gaze to the old rat waiting patiently for his sons to let the woman go. Their eyes met and his eyes began to water, without thinking twice she fell to her knees and hugged the emotional old rat.
“My dear, thank you for bringing my sons back to me. There are no words to express how much I am in your debt. I don’t know what I’d do without them. I can never repay you for what you’ve done for this old rat.”
Aurora leaned back on her heels looking into his wise old eyes. “I have no idea how I did it but I’m thankful I was able too. I don’t know what I would have done….if..”
“I actually have a theory on how you did it.” Donnie cut in grabbing her hand pulling her to her feet again.
Aurora took a deep breath regaining her composer and turned to the genius turtle cocking an eyebrow.
His large green hand moved to her abdomen and rested on her lower belly pressing forward just a little. “Your womb.”
Aurora’s hand rested over his, “My womb?”
“Yes, you’re a female who can carry life. Your body is built for such an incredible miracle. I’m guessing if we had been taken into a male guardian’s body we would have been absorbed completely but since you are meant to hold life within you we were held protectively in your womb. Watching the recording when you brought us back our souls came from your stomach. I know it sounds weird but it’s the only explanation I can come up with. Let alone the strong bond each of us felt for you when it was over.” His cheeks reddened at the slight admission.
Leo came up behind her pressing his palm to her lower back, “We all had dreams about you that night, dreams of a sensual nature.”
Her eyes shot to each turtle, her cheeks flush. Donnie and Mikey’s faces showed embarrassment, Leo was calm as usual, but Raphael’s lips curved into a delicious smile and winked at her. Of course, he wouldn’t think twice about having a sexual dream about her, he was incorrigible. The rush of adrenaline pooled at the apex of her thighs remembering her own illicit dreams with all four turtles. She played with her fingers nervously deciding if she could tell them she had dreamt of the same thing. Slowly her eyes came back up to Leo’s and his widened realizing her unspoken confession.
A laugh burst passed his lips, “You did too, with all of us?”
Aurora nodded sheepishly.
“That explains the sounds you were making that morning in the RV.” Leo smiled smugly.
Donnie tilted his head looking at Aurora in eager satisfaction; she had a sex dream about him. What he wouldn’t give to know what it entailed.
“God I feel so much better! We’re not the only ones!” Mikey exclaimed leaning back against the wall, his large hand covering his face in relief. Then his hand dropped and his eyes focused in on Aurora, “Wait,…that means you had a naughty dream about me!” Mikey’s excitement was uncontrollable as he bounded for her grasping her shoulders pulling her to look at him. His blue eyes waged with seductive urgency. “What did it entail? I need details,” he cooed lowering his voice a few octaves running a single digit over her cheek.
“You first Michelangelo.” She called his bluff. Her hands pressed on his plastron pushing him back against the wall her eyes hooded. Aurora’s tongue darted out of her mouth moistening her lips and inched forward till her lips were only a few inches from his. “What did we do in your dream Mikey?” She could see him stiffen and swallow hard feeling her so close to him, she pressed her breasts up into his chest just to drive her point home. He opened his mouth but quickly snapped it shut deciding it was better to leave this alone, what happened in their dreams was no one’s business.
“Y-you know what, never mind, I’d like to k-keep a little mystery in our relationship Aurora. You’ll just have to use your imagination.”
“That’s what I thought.” She grinned snapping her teeth at the youngest brother before pushing away from him and turned back to Donnie who had an amused look on his face. “So you’re telling me the end result of us merging was we all got a little hot and bothered for each other?”
“Hey, I was hot and bothered for ya before we ‘merged’ little lady.” Raph growled in his throat coming up behind her, his massive size dwarfing her small stature.
“You have made that quite obvious Raphael.” Splinter eyed his son making him moved back sheepishly.
Donnie cleared his throat, “Yes, I have a feeling the ‘merge’ maybe have intensified all our feelings for each other, due to the intimate nature. I’ve already collected blood from each of us, I just need a sample of yours to compare them too.” Donnie held out his hand urging her to take it.
Aurora nodded sliding her hand into his green one curling her fingers with his and followed the tall genius to his lab sitting down in his skateboard chair. Soon he returned with a syringe, freeing it from its sterile packaging. He wrapped a rubber band around her arm and tied it bringing the vein up. He looked at her with his chocolate brown orbs and swabbed the pit of her elbow and carefully slid the needle into the plump vein. Pulling back on the plunger, blood filled the vile almost instantly with vibrate crimson.
Leo came over with a cotton ball and a band aid handing them to Donnie. Pulling the needle free from her flesh he pressed the cotton ball to the wound and placed the band aid over it effectively stopping the flow.
Without a word the tall mutant turned with the vile of her blood his eyes transfixed on the syringe and began his work. Aurora absentmindedly press her fingers down on the cotton ball for good measure and looked up at Leonardo whose gaze was on his genius brother. She smiled at the mutant standing just a few inches from her as his hands fiddled with the wraps on his hands. Reaching out she grabbed his hands making him look down at her away from his brother. She noticed something in his eyes, he seemed a little off. Usually cool as a cucumber, the blue leader looked a little stressed like something was weighing on him more than usual. “Hey, you ok?” she asked, using her grip on his hands to pull herself to her feet.
Gripping her fingers as she rose the distant look on his face disappeared and a brilliant smile replaced it. Ignoring her question, he responded with one of his own.
“How are you feeling today? Still tired?”
Deciding to let it go she nodded, “Yeah better today, still a little tired and sore but nothing that would ruin my day. A hot shower helped a lot last night.” Noticing movement behind Leo she tilted her head to see Raph coming up behind, his eyes locked solely on hers.
“How are you guys feeling? I mean, you’re the ones who actually…” her voice failed dropping off not finishing the sentence.
Raphael was standing next to Leo now, his arm resting on his older brother’s shoulder. “I don’t know about these bozos, but I feel great. Like dying rejuvenated my body or that kiss. Of course, maybe both could have done this body good. Either way I’d do one of the two again without question.” Raph pursed his lips and waged his eyes at Aurora making her smile at the large brute.
“Incorrigible.” She laughed pinching the bridge of her nose shaking her head in amused frustration.
“Raph.” Leo groaned irritated, shoving his brothers arm off his shoulder giving him an annoyed look.
“What? I’m just hopin maybe you’d be willin to share. Just making you aware I’d be willing to help you keep her satisfied.”
“Raph!” Aurora yelped in embarrassment smacking him playfully on his plastron.
“Just sayin.” He winked before turning on his heal returning to the couch plopping down next to Mikey who had turned on the large TV. The sound of a game show filtered throughout the lair extinguishing the silence.
“We might need to muzzle him.” Aurora laughed as she was pulled into Leo’s strong arms. She felt his chin rest on the top of her head, but said nothing. Even after Raph’s rude comments he remained uncharacteristically silent. She would have thought he would have at least smacked his younger brother. Something in the back of her mind started nagging her, something was wrong, she could sense it. Pushing from his arms she looked up at him, “Somethings wrong. Spit it out Leo.”
Again, he didn’t respond but reached down lifting her chin. Leo’s intense blue gaze pierced hers and leaned down pressing his lips to hers. His mouth moved urging hers open gaining access to the sweet warmth of her mouth. His three green fingers slid from her chin to caress her cheek his thumb running tenderly against her soft skin.
Momentarily forgetting his reluctance to answer her questions she gave into the sweet gesture pressing her hands softly against his plastron, one hand gripping the strap to his harness.
Leo’s lips transitioned from gentle to desperate both hands grasping each side of her face pouring his passion into the deepening kiss. His eagerness was contagious but they were in the middle of the lair with his three brothers and father just a few feet away. After everything that had happened in the past few days made her ache for the large green terrapin. Unfortunately, this was not the time, or place for this to go any further then a kiss but Leo seemed oblivious to their company or he just didn’t seem to care. He pressed Aurora firmly up against a support pillar his knee urging her legs open as his clothed thigh lifted her up bringing her off the ground making sure every part of his torso was touching her.
The breath hitched in her throat as she was lifted off the ground her hands grabbing for the dense muscles in his biceps gaining some stability. Leo’s hot tongue moved over hers tasting, exploring pulling a moan from her lips grinding his hips against hers. Breaking the kiss, Leo rested his forehead against her catching his breath.
Aurora opened her eyes watching his face; his eyes were closed tight as hot long breaths came from his mouth, his lips glistening from their saliva. His hands still enclosed around her face holding her immobile. His body was tense, she could feel it, and she could tell he didn’t want to move. One of her hands released his arm and went under his chin lifting his head, his eyes remained tightly closed, his breathing slowing as he regained his control.
“Hey.” She whispered softly. After a few minutes without a response from him her brow furrowed. Again she tried to get his attention. “Leonardo…” she used his full name to try and break him from this spell. His eyes shot open and gently lowered her back to solid ground.
“Sorry.” He managed to murmur before letting her face go. He was about to turn from her when her arms shot out grabbing a hold of him stopping his momentum.
“Whoa there Leo, what’s going on? You are a million miles away.”
Looking back at her the tall terrapin leaned in and pressed his lips to hers once more for a quick kiss and smiled, “I’m fine, just tired. It’s been an emotional few days.”
Eyeing him warily she ran her hand up his arm over his shoulder and rested on his thick neck. She gave it a quick squeeze and let go. “Liar.” She said matter-of-factly smiling up at him sweetly. “But I’m not going to press you; you’ll tell me when you’re ready.” Movin around him she made her way over to the couch and sat down in between Raph and Mikey. Raph wasted no time and put his arm around her pulling her to his side. Not to out done Mikey scooped his arm under her legs and pulled them over his knees resting his three fingered hands on the top her thighs and returned to watching his show. Aurora didn’t protest and let them manipulate her body so they were touching her in some way.
After about an hour or two she had managed to fall asleep in their hold. A gentle hand pressed down on her shoulder waking her from her light slumber. The purple tails resting on her chest indicated Donatello was behind her. Lifting her head she smiled up at the genius staring down at her. The tall turtle held out his hands and she obliged him, he hoisted her up and off the couch earning two dissatisfied grunts from his brothers on the couch. Aurora took a quick scan of the lair and found Leo and Splinter meditating on the round platform, she watched them as Donnie lead her to his lab having her sit down.
“Well I finished the analyses of our blood.” The tall turtle said sitting down on the desk next to her.
“Well did you find anything?”
“Your cells are radiating with energy, much more than before from your first outburst with Eric Sakes. With you no longer restraining the demon within you, your abilities have become more prominent. The only thing I can see that’s different with our cells is our merge made the mutagen that created us has become more stable. Every one of us feels better, stronger if you will. Like your power gave us all a boost of some sort. It’s a little perplexing. Do you feel any different?”
Aurora shook her head leaning back in his oversized chair. The size of the skateboard chair made her look insignificant. “I’m not really sure, the only thing I’ve noticed so far is the feelings I have for you all have increased.” She blushed a bit lowered her head keeping her eyes form the genius. “God I’m not used to all these feelings.”
Donnie’s hand rested on her knee giving it a quick squeeze, “I think the feelings are mutual, so don’t worry.”
Aurora stood from the large chair and moved between Donnie’s legs wrapping her arms around his carapace as much as her arms would allow. Her head nuzzled into his neck feeling his arms come around her pulling her further into him, his chin resting on the top of her head. They stayed like that for several minutes in silence listening to each other’s breathing.
Gently using his shell for leverage she pushed away from the genius turtle his hand returning to the top of his desk. Her hand moved to his cheek cupping his face and smiled up at him, “You know you’re amazing right?”
Donnie blushed at her comment leaning into her warm palm. “I appreciate you saying that. You don’t what it means to me to hear that from you.”
“Donnie, I mean it, the world is missing out, not getting to see your genius. I mean look at all your designs and gadgets you’ve made, not to mention all you’ve done with this lair. It’s astounding how smart you are.” Aurora let her hand slide from his green skin and adjusted her footing.
“Hey Aurora, you wanna stay for pizza?” Mikey interrupted their moment running up behind her encircling her waist with his hands pressing a quick kiss to the side of her exposed throat.
“Um,… sure. I really don’t have any plans for dinner so why n…..” she let out a shocked yelp when Mikey hoisted her off her feet by her waist and under his arm like she was a rolled up rug. “Michelangelo!” she hissed playfully slapping his lower plastron trying to free herself from his strong grip.
“Thanks Donnie, I’ll take her from here!” Mikey waved to his brothers with his free hand as he trotted off with the squirming kunoichi.
“Later Aurora!” Donnie called out standing up from his desk and dropping into his skateboard chair with a huff.
Mikey plopped her body unceremoniously back on the couch next to Raph and took his spot on the other side of her scooting his arm behind her pulling her to him. “Comfy?” he cooed nuzzling her shoulder with his cheek.
After dinner they all sat in front of the large TV and watched a movie together. Aurora stayed between Raph and Mikey and Donnie took the spot next to Raph. Master Splinter took his recliner next to the large homemade couch while Leo sat at the kitchen table cleaning and sharpening his katanas.
Throughout the movie Aurora would look over to Leo to see him staring at her but as soon as they would lock eyes he would look away as if he was ashamed. It was perplexing why he would stay so far away while watching a movie. Maybe he just wasn’t into the film?
As the end credits began to roll she noticed Mikey’s cheek pressed against her shoulder as soft snores drifted pasted his lips. Turning her gaze to the kitchen table she cocked her head seeing it empty. Leo was nowhere in sight; his bed was empty as well. Gently she woke Mikey, so she could get up to stretch, her eyes scanned the rest of the lair looking for the leader in blue, still nothing.
“Where did Leo go?”
Raph got to his feet and shrugged his shoulders, “Who knows, fearless sometimes likes to sneak out and roam the city alone. I wouldn’t worry about it, he’ll be back in a few hours.”
Aurora checked her phone she noticed it was midnight, she was a bit confused why he would have left without saying goodbye, Leo was acting funny. She didn’t like the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. It was kind of like the feeling she got the last time they made love in Japan. Not wanting to think about Japan she pushed the feeling away, it had to be nothing. Everything was fine, they were fine. Maybe he would come to her tonight. Waving her goodbyes, she headed back to the surface and to her warm bed.
That night he didn’t come, nor the next, the feeling in her gut grew. The next few days were a bit busy with securing a new investment, so she didn’t have time to think about what was going on with the blue leader. There was plenty of paperwork to fill out, several trips to the city planning and licensing and a lawyer for good measure. But she finished, and she could move forward with its development and even managed to have lunch with April in the process.
She was excited to tell the guys about it, she would head over tonight with some dinner. She wanted to run through a few katas on the roof after the sun went down to let off a little steam before she headed over. She would talk to Leonardo tonight hopefully he was ready to talk to her.
Leo landed on the rooftop next to Auroral and Aprils apartment. He took a deep breath trying to calm his frazzled nerves. His whole body threatened to shake but he squeezed his palm quelling the rising panic with a few deep breaths. This had to happen, it was now or never before he lost his nerve…. again. “This is the best thing for her.” He repeated to himself for the hundredth time this evening. His eyes caught on the top of the building in her usual spot effortlessly running through a complex kata. Her finely tuned muscles flexed with each stretch and thrust of her body, her balance impeccable. One final calming breath Leo launched himself over to the building, landing on his haunches a few feet from her. She didn’t jump but continued with her movements turning her body just slightly, so she was facing him.
“I need to talk to you.” He did his best not to show the unease in his voice which was on the verge of shaking.
Those words made her halt her kata and look at him in concern. “Ok? It is about what’s been bothering you for the past few days?”
“Y..yes, I um don’t want to beat around the bush so I’m just gonna come right out and say it.” He looked quickly to his shaking hands. Another deep breath he steadied them once again. “Aurora now that your free of the demon it’s time to move on with your life.”
Aurora looked at Leo a bit confused, “Yes Leo I know, what do you think I’ve been doing? It’s been a busy week with me moving onto the next step of my life. I was going to come by tonight and let you guys know what I’ve been doing since we got back from Japan.”
“No you don’t understand, it’s time to move on from us. It’s time to have a normal life without any mutants or fighting. Find yourself a normal human man, get married have kids.”
Aurora suddenly felt her heart drop to the bottom of her stomach. Did he just tell her it was over? Her heart began to beat rapidly behind her ribcage. Taking a tentative step forward she reached out her hand but recoiled when the large mutant retreated putting a few more paces between them. His blue eyes large and full of unknown emotion. “Leo, you’re scaring me. What’s really going on? Are you telling me you don’t want to be with me anymore?”
He swallowed hard at those words, of course he wanted to be with her, he loved her more than anything, but he couldn’t keep her hidden with him. She didn’t deserve to stay in the shadows with him and his brothers. She needed to be out in the world experiencing everything the world had to offer. Something he and his brothers would never be able to do. “You can’t come back to the lair anymore Aurora. I need you to stay away from us, it’s time to grow up and find your own life beyond the life the monastery thrust upon you. You’re free now to do what you wish with who you wish.”
Anger began to push away the fear she was radiating with, “I am doing what I want and with the person I want to do it with. You Leo, I want you. I want to be with you and your brothers, I love you all.”
“We’re mutants Aurora! We’re mutants who happen to be ninja’s, we will always live in the shadows. We have no choice in this, but you do! I can’t marry you, I can’t fill your belly with beautiful children!” Leo’s voice was rising, he was getting upset. His fingers curled into his palm in frustration. Why wasn’t she understanding?
“Marriage? Kids? Leo who said I needed those things? Who said you couldn’t offer me them? I love my life; I love my life with you!”
“That’s because you know nothing else but training and fighting. You were abandoned and given to a monastery because of the color of your eyes. You’ve been trained since you were 5 years old, you’ve nearly been killed several times, you’ve hidden most of your life from the outside world. It’s time for you to move on and have a normal life. Please I…….it doesn’t matter, I’ve made up my mind. I came here to say goodbye Aurora and tell you my piece.”
Aurora stepped back shocked tears threatening to spill from her eyes, but she held them back she wasn’t going to give him them. “So, you made this decision, on your own? I have no say?” she was starting to shake trying to control the raw emotions running through her system.
He was no longer looking at her, his eyes glued to the floor not wanting to show how he really felt. This was for the best he reminded himself again. She would thank him later when she was married holding that beautiful purple eyed baby from his dream. “I’m sorry Aurora, I really am. But this is goodbye. Please…….I hope you have a full and wonderful life. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me one day. But this is for the best.” Not letting her say another word Leo swung around and jumped from the rooftop disappearing into the night, leaving her alone once again.
With Leo finally gone from sight Aurora caved and fell to her knees with her eyes searching the darkness, hoping he would reappear and tell her he was sorry and didn’t mean it. She waited for far too long sitting alone in the evening air. She felt numb and drained of everything she was as she sat on the rooftop her gaze no longer fixated on anything.
Finally letting her head fall back Aurora allowed herself to cry long hard uncontrollable sobs. Her body shook with mourning and sudden overwhelming loss she felt. Each of their faces flashed before her, wide smiling faces, loving mutants she’d never get to see again.
After the tears had run dry and the chill had soaked deep into her bones Aurora staggered to her feet. She would never get to see the turtles again; never get to kiss Leonardo again. She was alone……..again.
Thanks everyone for reading and all your lovely comments. I couldn't be more grateful that you're all enjoying the story!!
Jared's POV -
As soon as I pushed past her idiot brother I stopped at the door of what I remembered was the lounge room. My eyes widened, was she holding a baby? What the fuck? I dropped the book in shock. Was it her baby? As I moved closer I realized she was feeding it. It was hers. Shit!! Hers, but who else's??! Mine? Was it mine?? I tried to ignore her brother and his moronic blustering, thankfully that girl Clara pulled him out of the room. As I moved closer to her, I could see her hands trembling and fought the urge to run over and wrap my arms around her and soothe her obvious terror. "Who's baby is it?" I asked as calmly as possible. Hers, she answered shortly. She was being deliberately evasive and it was putting me on edge. I looked down at the baby, it turned it's head and looked straight at me, startling me. Big beautiful blue eyes looked into mine and I heard myself gasp. What color were Harry's eyes? I couldn't even remember, I'd never paid attention, who looks at another guys eyes?!! God what if it was his baby? The words of the woman in the book store came back to me. Was that who the young man was? Harry? I wanted an answer, but for whatever reason my presence was frightening her and I decided I'd sit down so she would relax. And I could try and find out the truth. I watched her intently as she pulled him in close to feed him. Her cheeks went red and I could sense she was embarrassed that I was watching her. I couldn't understand why, I'd never seen her look more beautiful. I took a breath again and asked a couple of questions about him. As she answered quietly, I tried to remain passive and push down the feelings of excitement. I didn't want to be disappointed if it turned out he was not mine. Finally I couldn't stop myself from asking again, "Charlie please tell me, is he mine?" I was almost holding my breath as she looked up at me, her face giving nothing away. As she opened her mouth I found myself on the edge of my seat, waiting for her to answer. "He ...."
".......is" I finally said with a sigh. "How are you so sure?" He asked, his voice held a kind of urgency to it. I looked up at him, he was sitting on the edge of the seat, a frown on his face. "Because the dates match up, I hadn't been .... with Harry for at least a month if not more ..." I said, he interrupted me, "dates, could be wrong, you can't be sure ..." he blurted out. I held up a hand, "you never let me finish" I said loudly. He nodded, taken aback at my stern voice. "I asked Harry for a DNA sample, he's not the father. And you're the only person I was with, you can be assured of that" I said looking away. I heard him exhale and watched as he got up and started to pace. "Why didn't you tell me? How did it even happen, weren't you taking ..." He started to ask and I cut him off. "Yes, I was taking the pill, it happens sometimes apparently, it was a complete accident I assure you, and I didn't tell you because, I don't need or want anything from you, besides, I knew you wouldn't be interested anyway" I said shrugging. "That's quite an assumption to make Charlotte" he said angrily. "Oh come on, are you really telling me you're interested in being a father? You were barely interested in a relationship with me, let alone a child" I said incredulously. "You never gave me the choice, do you know how selfish that is?" he said raising his voice, startling the baby who promptly started to cry in response. "Stop yelling, you're upsetting him" I said in a shaky voice, I was close to tears myself. I tucked myself back in and I held him against my chest rocking him gently, trying to stay calm. "Here let me hold him, you're shaking" he said holding out his hands. "No, he's fine, he'll be fine" I said quickly, holding him a little tighter. I couldn't help the tear that escaped me, "Charlie, I'm not going to hurt him" he said gently. "No, you can't hold him" I said with a small sob, my bottom lip started to tremble and I began to cry. Charles came barreling into the room just then, "what have you done?" He asked angrily, directing his question to Jared. "I've done nothing, I'm trying to help!" He insisted. "Maybe you need to leave, Charlotte doesn't need you and neither does Oli, he has enough people who love and care for him" he said through gritted teeth. "I'm not going anywhere, that's my child and you can't just push me out of his life" he growled. "You were never in it to begin with, you weren't even interested" shouted Charles. "That's where you're wrong! I had no idea he existed until five minutes ago!!" Jared shouted back. Charles looked at me then back at Jared. "You never told him?" he rounded on me. I bit my lip, trying to control my shaking hands and slowly shook my head. Clara carefully took the baby out of my arms, obviously afraid I would drop him. I nodded to her gratefully. "You told me he wasn't interested, you said he didn't want to know, Charlotte you lied to me, why?" asked Charles incredulously. I didn't answer, I merely shook my head. "Charlie, he had a right to know" He said shaking his head. Jared just exhaled loudly and frustratedly ran a hand through his hair. "He was never going to be interested, he's too busy screwing fan girls and pretty models, why would he give a shit about me and a baby?!!" I cried, suddenly feeling backed in a corner. "No Charlotte, you should have told him, regardless of whether he chose to be involved or not, you owed it to him" chastised Charles. I felt a knife to my heart at his words, I knew he was right. But I felt betrayed nonetheless, "you're supposed to be on my side" I whispered in a hurt voice. "I am, of course I am, but what you did was wrong" he said gently. We heard a little cry and turned to look at Clara who was holding Oli, rocking him. "I think he might still be hungry" she said to me. I nodded absentmindedly, taking him from her and kissing his forehead lovingly. "Why don't we just leave you two alone, you can finish feeding him and talk" said Clara. "Don't bother, we’ve got nothing more to say to each other, he's leaving, goodbye Jared" I said over my shoulder as I walked out of the room. "I'm not going anywhere, you may not want me in your life, but you're not going to stop me from seeing him, he's my baby too" he snapped following behind me as I climbed the stairs. I angrily stomped into my room and groaned quietly when he followed me inside and closed the door behind him. I decided to ignore him, I lay down fully intending on trying to finish feeding Oliver. The problem was, he had realized someone else was in the room so kept trying to turn to see. "Can I hold him, please?" said Jared, I shook my head. "He's hungry" I said trying to turn him back towards me. "He's trying to look at me" He said, obviously amused. Thankfully though Oli's hunger got the better of him so he turned his attention back to me, rewarding me with a huge smile before starting to feed once more. My heart fluttered as I smiled down at him lovingly, "my beautiful boy" I said softly stroking his head. "Wow, I don't think I've ever seen you smile like that before" said Jared softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. I looked up surprised, "I've never loved anyone like I love him, just the thought of him makes me smile" I sighed looking back down at the baby. We both jumped as his phone started to ring, he frowned as he slid it across to answer. "Yes?" he snapped, he nodded and rolled his eyes, "shit, yes I know I'm late, can you reschedule?" He asked whoever was on the phone, I was almost 100 % sure it was Emma. "You know I wouldn't blow it off unless it was something serious" he said, he listened for a moment then said, "wait ..." he looked over at me. "I'm going to have to go to this meeting, but I'm going to come back, you'll be here?" He asked softly holding his phone against his chest, obviously not wanting whoever it was to hear, he looked at me expectantly. I nodded and he exhaled, nodding as well. He put the phone up to his ear again, "alright give me 20 minutes I'll be there" he said hitting end. "I'll come straight back as soon as I'm done" he said. I shrugged, "you don't have to, please don't feel obligated to us Jared" I said sincerely. "I don't feel obligated, I .... look I haven't got time to argue with you right now, but I'm coming back and make no mistake you can't push me out of your life" he said. He leaned down and my breath hitched. I had thought he was about to kiss me, but instead he placed a light kiss on the baby's head. I frowned, almost disappointed. He got off the bed and headed to the door, "I'll see you shortly" he said sternly as he walked out closing the door quietly behind him. I lay there stunned at the turn of events. A tiny feeling of excitement started to run through me, I finally admitted to myself that I was definitely not over him.
