Together As Mutants (Book Six)

XCVII. Donatello and Sarina Come Back

Donatello and Sarina sit in a secluded library room, reading over their textbooks and sighing softly every now and then. Something remains in both their intellectual minds, not yet surfacing. Donnie adjusts his glasses, his shaggy brown hair pulled back in a small ponytail, whilst Sarina boosts the same hairstyle. To anyone else, the two mutants look like normal University students.

It's been two months since they've heard about Annalise coming home, and no matter what she tries, Sarina's mind wanders from the scientific equations and theories written inside her textbook.

"Donnie, I want to go home," she finally says, breaking the silence.

He looks up, surprised. "Really? I thought you liked it here."

"I do, but I like home more. Besides...Leo will be back any day now, and I want to be there." She sighs and leans back in her chair.

He nods lightly, looking to his books. "Destiny has been having a hard time too. He hasn't written in a while..."

The two fall silent briefly. Sarina notes the concern written over Donnie's face. She knows that Destiny has always been like a sister to him, and she feels the same way about the matter. The wolf-raven girl needs the family to come back together again.

"We should be there for her," Donnie finishes.

"Then, come on! Screw the final exam," Sarina decides, something Donnie can confidently say that he hadn't expected to ever hear. "We learned what we wanted and it's all great."

"But now it's time to go."

They grin. She leans over and places a gentle kiss on his lips.

"We'll finally be able to live in our own forms again," she whispers.

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"Guys? Is anyone awake?" Donatello calls softly, his human patch having already worn off.

"It's the middle of the night. Not everyone stays awake like us," Sarina reminds him, her eyes flashing dimly in the dark lair.

A light switches on and Destiny walks forwards, rubbing her reddened eyes against the brightness.

"Des?" Donnie asks.

Her emerald green eyes seem to focus, finally, and she smiles when she sees them. It doesn't take their genius to know that it's a gesture that she hasn't shown in a while.

"Donnie...Sarina..." Her voice is overwhelmed with relief. In an instant, she's hugging them both, her wings surrounding them in the warmth of her dark feathers. "I'm so glad you're home. You have no idea," she whimpers, tears welling in her eyes.

Donnie's face floods with concern and he grasps her shoulders gently as he pulls away from her embrace.

"Hey...don't cry, Destiny. It's okay," he murmurs.

She nods, wiping her eyes swiftly. "Sorry...these two years have been tough."

"We heard," Sarina says softly.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?" Donnie asks in the same tone.

Destiny looks at her feet, her tail stopping its wagging. "I was awake anyways. Nightmare..." The other two mutants look to each other fleetingly. She shakes her head and takes them both by the hand. "Come on. Splinter and the boys will be glad to see you."