the hunt - 2 - [rottmnt Donnie - COMPLETED]

#44

"Shiro, I was just coming to see you - what's going on?!"

Leo hastily pulled his hoodie over his head as Shiro met him in the hallway, now marching straight past as if she didn't notice him. The turtle stopped for a moment, puzzled, and then ran, catching up to her.

"You guys had a fight, didn't you? You're all over the place! You didn't find anything, right?"

"I need to get out of here. I need some fresh air." she returned angrily

"No, please don't. There are still the Onna-Bugeisha waiting out there-"

"Let them come to me!"

Leo stopped.

"Shiro PLEASE."

She stopped. Drooped her head, fists clenched. Leo looked at her back. The thick, black hoodie, the black pants. She seemed almost to drown in the clothing, her feet bare and narrow, the fine white lines on the backs of her feet.

"If something happens to you, then... then..." said Leo, and the flame in him lit up. His eyes grew wide and Shiro turned to him.

"Okay... here's the deal." she said, "I get a Katana from you and I can go out with it. In return, I stay safe."

Leo looked questioningly.

"Where do you want to go? To the hidden city? To Big Mama?"

Shiro sensed the flame looked at Leo, but shook her head slightly. 

"I don't know yet. But I promise it will be safe. I... need a break, Leo. I need to get some movement. I need fresh air." she said, adding, "Please."

"Leo? Everything okay?!" echoed Usagi's voice through the Liar. Shiro suddenly raised an eyebrow, thinking of how Leo had hastily put on his hoodie.

"Come on, Leo. I've survived a lot of other stuff. And then you can get on with Usagi..." she clicked her tongue and noticed how the turtle blushed.

"You’re really so shameless, chicken leg. Very well. Deal."

—

"Donnie."

"What, Leo?"

"Shiro told me to tell you she's out and safe. She said she promised you once that she wouldn't leave again without a word."

"... okay. Thanks, Leo."

"You guys had a fight? What's that weird burn mark on the floor?"

"..."

"Donnie. Do you need anything?"

"No, Leo. It's okay. Was she...very upset?"

"Pretty much. Yes. But I think she'll be okay."

"And I think..."

"What?"

"I think you don't have to worry anymore about her escalating too much, Leo."

—

Shiro ran through the snow, it was hard and icy, thawed and frozen again, crunching under her bare feet. A blue glow, a jump, she dove through it and felt warm wet sand under her feet, blue ocean, blue sky, wisps of white clouds, an endless beach lay before her, deserted, the air was warm and salty, the sun was low. Her bracelets glowed, her hoodie became transparent, dissolved, she continued running in her sports bra, feeling the exertion of her muscles, her deep, regular breathing, the strong heartbeat in her chest. She thought no more, holding her free hand outstretched beside her, letting her Katana manifest in it, the hilt in her hand present and heavy.