Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 16: Animal Attraction

It had been a normal day. Dean had football practice and had talked to Katie again, Mitch and Nixie skateboarded at lunch, the Twins' squad made a brand new mini-robot, and Copeland had written a new song that Venus had sung along to happily.

However, the state of the liar is another story. The Hamato children knew something was wrong the minute they got back home.

It's quiet, too quiet.

"Mom?" Dean calls, his tail wagging slowly.

"Anyone?" Copeland tries.

Destiny emerges from the hallway, yawning and wincing a little as she walks stiffly. Her hair, fur, and feathers are a mess and her clothes are wrinkled, making her look like she just crawled out of bed and threw on the first outfit she got on her floor.

"Kids...hey..." she says, blinking a few times.

"Mommy? Are you okay?" Venus asks.

"Is something wrong?" Dakota wonders.

The wolf-raven woman nods slowly. "Just...oh boy..."

"Where's everyone else? Where's my mom and dad?" Mitch asks.

Right on cue, the other three moms stumble in, their eyes wide yet tired. Their appearances match Destiny's; wrinkled clothes, messed up hair, stiff walking.

"Kids...you have to leave," Taylor warns.

"Why? Can't someone tell us straight what's happening?" Asher demands.

"That'd be ideal, yes," Dakota agrees.

"Listen...it's kind of hard to explain...you see-" Annalise starts.

"Destiny? Angel-cakes?"

"Tay? Babe?"

"Cupcake, I need you!"

"Don't keep me waiting, my lovely blossom..."

Every woman's eyes widen, wincing again as they take a deep breath. Destiny's ears swivel to the hall, her cheeks flushing a rose pink as she obviously hears something the others don't.

"Why do the uncles and dad sound so...lovey?" Mitch asks.

Sarina sighs. "It's...mating season."

"What?" all the kids ask in sync, completely confused.

"Your dads get like this very rarely," the cyborg woman continues. "They get really...really...um..."

She looks to Destiny, who purses her lips as her eyes flicker to Dean.

"Dean, cover Venus' ears," she orders.

Her son nods and does as he's told. Venus looks at her brother with wide eyes, her little body trembling a little as she hugs his legs.

"They get very...sexual," Sarina blurts.

"Eww..." Copeland groans.

"Seconded!" Asher and Dakota chime in.

"Point is, we can't leave, but you kids need to. Uncle Casey and Auntie April are going to look after you till this is all over," Taylor rambles.

"Has this always been happening?" Dakota wonders.

Annalise nods. "It happened when they were teens to...but we would just stay at April's for a bit or something while we waited for them to calm down."

"Destiny gets it too...but it's mild," Sarina points out.

The wolf-raven sighs, her body tingling slightly. "Which is why you are all going to-"

The four adult turtles poke their heads around the corner, lighting up when they see their wives. The kids all notice their dads' changed attitudes; dilated pupils, goofy grins, the works. The moms smile weakly, already looking even more exhausted.

"I was worried you weren't gonna come back," Leonardo whines, pulling Destiny into a hug. "You wouldn't do that to me, would you, angel?"

"Of course not," Destiny says sweetly. He presses a few kisses to her neck and jaw as she looks to the kids again. "Go, alright? We'll be okay."

"Mommy?" Venus whimpers.

"It's okay. We'll be fine...it's just a little bit of parent time," Taylor tells them, trying not to be distracted by Raphael nuzzling her hair and squeezing her hips.

"Oh, Casey just texted me. They're waiting up by the closest alley," Sarina says as she looks at her t-phone. "Go on. Grandpa's at a motel and everything. Everyone's already got your things packed u-" She gasps at a sudden touch, making Donatello let out a low chuckle.

"My video games?" Mitch asks, his eyes wide.

"Yup!" Annalise says a little too enthusiastically as Michelangelo purrs and kisses her cheek and ear. "Mikey! Good Lord, let me talk!"

The orange-masked turtle frowns and pulls her closer. "Don't you like my kisses?"

"Of course, sweetie. I'm just trying to calm down the kids."

The four turtles look to their children, realization breaking through their animal desires for a fleeting moment. Venus' lip trembles as she looks at her family, making Dean wrap his wings around her comfortingly.

Leo chuckles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Um...it'll be over in a few weeks. I promise you, Venus."

She nods. "Okay daddy."

Knowing that they only have a few more moments before they go animal again,

Raph smiles a little at Copeland. "Have fun, but not too much fun. Got it?"

She nods, still a little freaked out by the sudden events. "Got it, dad."

Donnie grits his teeth and places a hand on his forehead, taking a few deep breaths. It's getting harder for them to resist, but he wants to make sure his kids are all good.

"School. Keep the grades up. Alright?" he manages to ask.

"Wouldn't dream of it," the twins respond.

"Video games and pizza," is all Mikey says. "Cool?"

"Cool." Mitch smirks.

The second generation of mutants turns and heads down the sewer tunnel again, hearing their parents giggling and letting out surprised squeals once they're out of sight.

"That...was so weird..." Copeland mumbles, rubbing her eyes.

"Dean? Is dad...hurting mommy?" Venus asks, legitimate concern washing over her cute green face.

Dean shakes his head. "No, no. Nothing like that. They're...uh..."

He looks to Asher and Dakota for some sort of help, his awkwardness evident.

"Giving each other some extra love," Dakota explains easily, pursing her lips.

"They need parent time, since we're keeping them busy most days," Asher adds.

Venus smiles a little. "Okay, so we're having a big sleepover at Blake's house!"

"Exactly, little dudette," Mitch exclaims, giving her a high three.

"Let's just hope it goes well," Dean mutters.