The Red Balloon || Tmnt Fanfiction ||

Chapter one: Bad days and guardian angels.

Yeah, it was a pretty bad day for Leonardo.

His brothers had been whining constantly about the lack of activity after Shredder being "destroyed" like it was a bad thing, sure Leo missed the action but couldn't they just accept a break? Regardless, he had dipped out of the lair a bit after the noise started, uncaring of what they chose to do in his absence. Why should it matter to him? They never cared about what he did whilst they were gone, so he wouldn't bother making the effort. The male climbed the apartment's fire escape by their exit alley, his cyan eyes glowing under the bright sun. He shouldn't have cared so much about what happened during the day, he was stealthy enough to not be caught right?

"Hey! Come on- no, no, no!"

The mutant terrapin froze as the voice echoed over the passing vehicle engines, a moment of curiosity forcing him to the edge of the building. A rather large red balloon flying past him, down the street without a care in the world, light as the wind itself. His eyes watched it in an amazed fashion, before looking back to the street, spotting the girl running after it. He didn't see much though- only a flash of red and blonde hair, cut short to her jaw.

But he followed; and for the life of him, he couldn't understand why he did.

"Please, don't fly away!"

Why did she call after it like it was living, did she expect a response from this inanimate object? He was confused, more so than usual. Normally he would've just brushed a human off and not risked revealing himself for such a trivial matter. But she seemed so broken at the idea of losing this balloon. Why was it so important?

He paused as it flied over the roof, leaving her line of sight, allowing him a chance to reach up and grab it. The male paused, slowly inching down the next alley over, tying it around the bottom rung on the fire escape ladder. Quickly stalking back to the roof to watch as she rounded the street, searching for the troublesome balloon. Only to gasp and grin at the sight of the balloon, clutching the top of the string with one hand as the other untied it from the rusted steps. Her eyes were a sea green color, one that lit up the darkness like a beacon, impossible for him to miss. They were captivating, hypnotizing in an odd way.

The female glanced to the illuminated wall, the small shadow peaking over the opposite roof catching her attention, a small smile gracing her lips. It was the same shadow she had watched multiple times, crossing the roofs, escaping from the halted crimes.

"Thank you, my guardian angel.~"

The female cooed before turning on her heel, not even glancing to the origin of the shadow, instead skipping off after flattening her skirt.

Leonardo froze, his eyes wide from shock and confusion, his three fingered hands clutching the roof's edge. She knew? Well- from the way it was tied, someone had to have done it, but she seemed to know who it was. Admittedly he couldn't have seen it coming, but that didn't change the absolute amazement surging through him.

"It's no problem."

His voice dropped a few decimals, his ocean eyes brightening from excitement. There was nothing that could bring down his mood now, or so he thought. The male started home, a distant expression on his face, his large digits fidgeting with the throwing stars on his belt. By the time he arrived back the sun was setting, the aroma of hot pizza wafting through the lair upon entering.

"Hey Leo. Where have you been?"

"Don- you're not gonna believe this!" He paused to contemplate if telling him was a good idea, "I saw this girl!"

Leonardo stalked the purple clad turtle into the lab, his eyes bright as he watched his techy brother.

"I can believe it. There are a lot of people in New York."

"C'mon Donnie, be serious! She was different, chasing after a red balloon like her life depended on it. I grabbed it when she couldn't see me- and I tied it down for her. But when she saw it she thanked her guardian angel, and she seemed so sure of my presence, like it was familiar."

Donnie attempted to understand the desperate explanation of Leonardo, though he was mostly lost in what their blue clad leader meant. Which was definitely odd for him; considering he understood almost everything in life. Donnie shook his head lightly, placing a large hand on Donnie's shoulder.

"Leonardo. She could have been talking to anyone. We can't risk dragging anyone else into this, especially not humans, you know that." The male sighed as he collapsed in the empty chair his brother kept for his lab company.

"I know." He lowered his voice, "I don't know why... I just- couldn't stop myself. She felt different, like her aura festered with positive energy. I could practically feel her joy. And her presence, it was so familiar, but I don't know where from."

Donnie shrugged lightly, tapping the pencil he held to his lips, his yellow lined paper in his opposing hand. It was nice to see his brother somewhat relaxed, but the appearance of this girl worried him immensely, regardless of circumstance.

The girl he met was no where near as stressed though. In fact, the second she arrived home, she bounded into the apartment with a grin.

"How was your day sweetie?" Her mother called softly, the female grinning as she kissed her mother's cheek.

"You have no idea, it was so amazing. Happy Birthday Mom!~ I'll be back down in a second to celebrate okay?"

The female had bought all the presents and cake yesterday, but she had forgot the balloon she promised, and she refused to disappoint. The female quickly jogged up the stairs, running to her room as she grabbed her notebook, drawing in it quickly.

"Do you want some cake darling?"

"Mom, don't you dare cut that till you make a wish!"

The girl threw the open book on the bed, the shadow drawn on the old papyrus, a few unreadable chicken scratch words beside it. The only words that were slightly coherent didn't even make a full sentence.

'Guardian angel... Protects... Count on him...'

"Happy Birthday Nana! What did you wish for?"

The older woman smiled softly, placing a hand on the girl's cheek, her bangs falling in her face.

"I wish for you to find someone you love."

"Come on mom, even if you didn't tell me your wish, that still wouldn't happen. Boys can't handle all this."

"Yeah, sure. Be a dear and cut my cake?"