Sharks in the Water (Leo x OC)

Chapter 1

Raph's POV

"Ok Raph, I'm serious. Don't hold back this time." Esme was poised in front of me, fists raised and at the ready.

Her eyes were fierce and I could tell she was getting fed up with my coddling her.

"Alright," I sighed, getting into my own fighting stance. My gaze drifted to the scar on her arm, almost making me change my mind, but I shook my head, refocusing my eyes on hers. Not even a second later she had lunged towards me, throwing a punch.

I sidestepped just in time and launched my own fist towards her side, as promised, not holding back. Doing a bit of fancy footwork herself she spun away from the blow and grabbed my arm, yanking me forward and raising her knee to my chest.

A cough left me as I stumbled back and she wasted no time in taking advantage of my sudden distraction. She hooked her ankle around my knee and pushed me in the chest, causing me to lose any balance that I had left and fall to the ground.

"See, I told you I could handle it," she smiled and reached her hand out for me to take once my coughing fit had ended.

"Yeah, looks like you could," I chuckled as she helped me up.

"Good. So you agree?" I cocked an eyebrow at her and crossed my arms.

"Agree about what?"

"That I'm ready to start going on patrol!" She pointed upwards, a hopeful look on her face.

"Eh, I don't know Esme," I frowned, looking away and reaching up to scratch my neck.

"Come on Raph, it's already been a month. I'm going crazy down here," she whined.

"Yeah exactly, it's only been a month. What if Shredder's just waiting for you to come out? Or what if Kingston comes back for revenge?"

"I'll be able to handle it. Plus you and the guys will be with me, so it's not like I'm gonna be alone." I studied her expression for a moment as she clasped her hands together in a pleading manner.

"Hm, I don't know," I finally replied, shaking my head. Her expression fell and I felt a guilty tug at my heart.

"You can come with us tonight Esme," a voice suddenly spoke from behind me. I whipped around to see Leo walking into the training room.

"Really?" Esme asked, her happy expression returning immediately.

"Leo," I snapped, shooting him a warning glare.

"She's doing better, Raph. She has been for a while, she'll be fine to come with us." Esme looked back over at me and that's when I realized she was still waiting for my permission. My face softened and I let out a small sigh, the guilt overtaking me.

"Fine, but you have to stay by me the whole time."

"Yes!" She exclaimed, sprinting out of the room. A second later her footsteps grew louder and she poked her head back into the dojo.

"Thank you, you're the best!" And then she was gone again. Leo looked over at me and then snickered.

"What?" I asked.

"She'll be fine, man. I mean seriously, what's the worst that could happen?"

June's POV

Blue eyes stared at me as I ran my hand over the small citrine crystal resting below my collarbone. I sighed, putting my hair up before leaving the room. I needed to eat.