Midori: Chapter Sixteen
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The face waiting to greet the Turtles when they got home was not one they really wanted to see. Splinter held his calm demeanor, but both Raphael and Midori could tell that he was upset with them. As the others went their separate ways, they both knelt in front of his chair with their heads bowed. Splinter was silent for a long time, and Midori started wishing that he'd say something, anything.
"You two took a great risk tonight. You acted out of anger and could very well have gotten yourselves, and even the others captured or killed."
Guilt returned to Midori. When she'd started out this evening she thought she'd be on her own, not having to worry about anyone else. She never thought they'd come after her.
"I am also grateful that did not come to pass." They looked up at Splinter's comforting smile. Midori stood as Splinter dismissed her and bowed before leaving. Splinter waited until Midori was out of earshot before speaking directly to Raphael.
"I am proud of you, my son. You managed to move past your doubts and suspicions."
"Yeah, well, I had to make sure she wasn't going to tattle to Taro."
Splinter raised an eyebrow. "And was she?"
Raphael sighed. "No. She just wanted a shot at the…" He bit back the disrespectful name on the tip of his tongue. "At him. I guess I misjudged her. She ain't so bad."
Splinter tilted his head. "Am I really the one you should be saying that to?"
Raphael thought for a few seconds before shaking his head. He stood and caught up with Midori before she went into her room. "Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?"
Midori looked at him with tired eyes. "Yes?"
Raph took a deep breath. This was going to be hard for him. "I just wanted to say I'm… well, I feel bad about misjudging you. You aren't so bad."
Midori blinked a couple times before it hit her. He had apologized for his behavior. Sort of. She didn't think Raphael was capable of doing that. "Thank you," she smiled. "You aren't too bad yourself."
Raphael decided that it wouldn't be too bad having her around after all, maybe she'd be able to keep Leo off his back. Speaking of Leo, Raph saw him approaching behind Midori and backed away. "See ya around."
Midori turned around to face Leo. She hoped she would be able to get to bed soon. She was very tired from the fight and her adrenaline rush was wearing off, leaving her feeling drained.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," Midori replied.
"I'm really glad you're all right." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I was really worried when we found out you were missing too. We knew Raphael would go, but we didn't think he would take you with him."
"He didn't take me," Midori replied. Leo looked at her, confused. "I was going to go off by myself. He tried to stop me, to get me to turn back."
Leonardo let that sink in. "Why go at all? You know how dangerous they are, they nearly kill-" He stopped himself from finishing the sentence. She didn't need to be reminded of that.
"I do know. And that's why I had to go. Someone had to stop them. And they had to pay for what they did." Midori balled up her fists in front of her. It was the first time Leo had seen real anger in her eyes.
He put his hands on top of hers and pushed them down. He looked back into Midori's eyes. "Would you have really killed him?"
"Yes," she answered. But Leo could see doubt in her eyes.
"Anger clouds the mind," he told her. It was something Splinter had always told them.
Midori took a shuddering breath. "I can't help it, Leonardo. I can still hear the gun shot. I can still see the look in his eyes. I don't want to hate him, but..."
Leo pulled her into his arms. She wasn't crying, but it still felt good to be held like this. It was comforting, knowing that someone was there who cared for you.
She felt him gently kiss the top of her head. "Get some rest," he whispered.
Donatello had been watching them as he put away his gear and checked his e-mail. It bothered him a little to see Leo and Midori together, but when he saw the look on Leo's face as he watched Midori go to bed, he couldn't help but feel happy for his brother. Maybe she'll get him to loosen up, he chuckled to himself.
Midori had just finished taking off her gear when she was interrupted again. This time it was Michaelangelo poking his head into her room. He smiled at her. "I just wanted to say goodnight. And welcome to the family, sis."
Midori sat staring at the door long after Mike had left. Sis? After some consideration she decided that she liked the sound of that and slipped underneath her blankets.
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