Chapter warnings - (Mentions of murder, and living and forced experimentation)

enjoy loves!

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North Side of the Hidden City 

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The Baron of the North sat on his throne, overlooking his desolate estate. He is a scientist who had a loving to experiment on his 'clients'. Nothing made his day more than listening to the tortured screams of his slaves as he hacked away at their bodies for the sake of science. The Baron of the North is also a businessman. He specialized in creating a special tonic to heal all ailments. All yokai from the North knew about it and many raced to get the tonic. The Baron would offer it free of charge, "All I ask in return is a favor from you. I will collect when I require."  The yokai would quickly agree. The tonic worked wonderfully, curing almost all diseases, deadly or common. When it came time to collect on the favor, The Baron of the North would grace their homes with a visit. 

A visit they would regret.

"I've come to collect on my favor," he would wear a kind smile but had that yokai looked into his uncaring eyes, they'd know he was a devil. "Sure, sure. You helped me now allow me to help you."

The Baron lets his evil glint shine through. "I'm not asking much. Just a token really, a trifle!"

"Anything!"

"I want your family." he'd asked kindly.

The yokai laughs nervously, "M-my family?"

The Baron rolls his eyes, "Don't make me repeat myself. I want your family. You're life and the reason you live for my experiments. Surely you would not decline you gracious savior?"

The yokai retaliates. With a snap of his fingers, the Baron's goons break through the roof of the yokai's home. They hold the yokai's wife and children by the neck, placing a blade underneath. The yokai quivers, "I-I, I will n-not let you!"

The Baron giggles, "Suit yourself. Kill him," a goon nods and stabs the yokai and twists the blade into his heart. The family cries out in terror and in pain. "Music to my ears," the Baron wipes away a faked tear. "Bring them," the Baron has collected his debt, and he always will.

Just like how he will collect the debt owed by The Silver Knight.

The Baron's eyes scan the single photo that lay in his hands. How dare she eludes me, he thought. The meteorite sits on his table, cut clean in half. Several cables extend from it and the other end is hooked into a machine. The Baron's magic was infused into the space rock to act as a catalyst, speeding up whatever scientific process he had begun to run. The Baron of the North returns his sights to Sil's picture, drawing his sharp nails across her image, "All in near time, my dear knight."

"I will see you, very soon."

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https://youtu.be/tdWizSaJWsA

It has been two weeks. Two weeks in the turtle's lair. Two weeks of no action, no drama, and no fighting. Everything had been going fine. Dianne had healed from her wounds, she was doing great. Some sheep yokai on the other hand had their protective instincts on a high and that was a huge cowa-bummer on her end. To cure her boredom, Dianne killed her time by hanging out with the turtle family. 

Every day was the same schedule, wake up, hang out with the turtles, sleep, wake up, hang out with the turtles, sleep. On occasion whenever the girls got together, Dianne would finally get some free time for herself. She loved the boys, but sometimes, a girl just needs her girl group.

Dianne would also spend time with Casey and Splinter. Oddly enough she felt a sense of responsibility and a sense of protection over the younger boy. 

How about the tea on Donatello you ask? They had some painfully awkward exchanges here and there. Accompanied by accidental run-ins with each other, like how Donnie accidentally saw Dianne in a towel after a bath but that's a story for some other day. The two young adults could not even meet each other's eyes after that for fear they'd die of embarrassment. Then, Donatello started to all-round avoid the girl, only speaking when needed. It annoyed Dianne greatly. Partially because she wanted to deeply thank him for saving her and caring for her wounds and also because she just liked being near him.

'Pow'

The punching bag finally tore at its seams. Dianne stumbled backward huffing and puffing, grimacing at the sand that began to pour out very slowly. She decided to punch the sand out of the bag. "Ehem, what do you think you're doing?"

She gasped and turned. Donatello was leaning on the door of the training room eyeing the girl with stern eyes. "You're not supposed to be exerting yourself," he approached her slowly handing her a cup of tea, she took it gingerly. "This does not exertion. I am just killing time," Donnie watched as the stubborn girl took a sip of the tea, placed it down immediately afterward, and went back to punching. The bag was quickly leaking sand and Donnie didn't see a point to let her know. She clearly saw it earlier. He let her have a few more punches before deciding it was enough. 

Dianne's last punch was caught by Donnie's hand, "Alright, cut it out. The sandbag is already bleeding." She pursed her lips to a thin line. Withdrawing her hand she eyed the turtle, "Fine. I'm going to go find Leo." she said.

The genius ninja felt the pinpricks of jealousy, "Why Leo?"

"Because he and I need to get back to Jupiter Jim comics."

Donnie suddenly surged forwards and gripped her upper arm, "Don't!". Dianne was not in the mood to entertain him. She glared threateningly at his hand, "Why?" she snapped. 

"B-Because Leo's out," Donnie gulped.

Dianne shrugged, "Hmm... Raph then."

"Also out. And so are Mikey, Dad, Casey, and the girls." Donnie quickly shut down all her options.

The girl roughly pulled her hand from his, "So everyone I want to hang out with magically disappears today, huh?"

Donnie blinked, "Well, I'm here..." he muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"N-Nothing!" Dianne narrowed her eyes at Donnie. He shook nervously and grinned at her. "Donatello, are you lying?"

"...Nooo?"

Having enough of his attitude Dianne decided to leave, "No point talking then." 

"Wait," Donnie called out desperately. She glanced over her shoulder to give him her attention. Donnie shyly looked away, "Sigh... I wasn't entirely lying. Dad's here but he's sleeping." Dianne did not know whether to feel angry at him for lying or if she was just tired of him. She just nodded and walked for the door only for Donnie to call out to her again.

"Oh, what do you want now?" she huffed angrily. Donnie cringed but continued, "I-uhm. Draxum he-"

"Spit it out!" 

Donnie scoffed, "Well, I'M TRYING to but you look like you're about to explode at every word I say. Sorry for wanting to be cautious."

"I'm perfectly calm," she stated matter-of-factly, making Donnie roll his eyes, "Says the girl with a hair trigger issue."

Dianne gasped, "You little dipshit!"

"Scoffing! Take that back!"

"Make me!" Dianne was now all up in his space. Donnie didn't care. He didn't know why he became so riled up. The male turtle puffed his chest, and his shoulders broadened. He now towered over Dianne's frame, looking at her through half-lidded eyes. Their approximation suddenly registered to one another. Dianne wore a soft red hue on her cheeks. Donnie's body covered her's entirely and for the first time, she noticed how small she was in comparison to him. Broad shoulders, strong chest. It was bad enough that the turtle wore pants. His usually exposed plastron became a lot more inviting and drew most of her attention since he was practically breathing down on her, chest moving steadily. 

Donnie fisted his hands. He was shaking. Dianne looked so small, and slender. He wanted to twirl her into his arms and carry her away to who knows where. He watched her eyes trail his body. She did not back away. 'She likes this' he thought. A smug look adorned his face. The girl's eyes met his and they were locked in a trance. Donnie parted his lips in awe, watching the light reflect in Dianne's iris. Enchanting... Without registering, his eyes slowly scanned her face and dropped to eye her plush lips. Oh shit... Oh shit oh shit... Dianne's eyes moved with his and landed on his lips. 

Oh no...oh no oh no...

The tension was high. Neither side backed down allowing their faces to draw closer. "Take it back." Dianne shivered at the sound of his quiet deep voice. She forced her eyes to meet his again, "Make me," she panted breathlessly. 

Donnie fell. Something drew him so close to her, a magical pull. His lips barely brushed hers. Breaths falling quickly, Donnie was about to surge forwards and claim his treat but Splinter's loud yell made the two jump and bump their heads.

Dianne covered her face and froze. Thinking they were caught by the boy's father. A few seconds passed, "Don't mind me. I just fell off the chair in my sleep!" 

Splinter announced from the hall to no one in particular. 

Dang, it! 

Donnie grumbled. At the same time, he felt relieved. Relief that his pulse returned to normal. His tiny heart was beating so fast he feared he'd burst a vein. Then again, he reacted this way around Dianne. Donnie guess it wouldn't be that bad since he'd gladly die for you.

"Sorry, what?"

Donnie hummed, trying to forget what just happened. "You were mumbling something... and kinda said my name?" Dianne forced herself to calm down. It was ineffective.

Oh, he accidentally spoke his thoughts out. "Uhn.. did you hear ...that?" Dianne shook her head, "Nope,"

Donnie nodded quickly, "Good. It's nothing let's forget it." The silence was thick in the atmosphere. The two were not brave enough to say anything about the 'incident'. Dianne cleared her throat and began to slowly back away to the door, again.

"Uh wait, please..." Donnie begged silently. Dianne's shoulders dropped. So turned to face him carefully, not meeting his eyes but just staring at the space between them. Donnie felt a little deflated at her reaction, "We-Draxum has a mission for us. On the surface."

Dianne rose her head in curiosity, "Draxum? What does he need?" The authoritative tone in her voice causes Donnie to fall back on a serious tone, "Some weird plant from the Botanical Garden. Wolfsbane to be specific. He said it's urgent."

She nodded in understanding, "He needs me to steal it. I'll head out at night."

"He also asked me to come with you."

Dianne wanted to say something, but Donnie sounded like he wanted to give a choice in this. To allow him to join or not. Sure, Draxum threatened Donnie to take care of and watch over his little girl but in this situation, especially after Donnie's and Dianne's little episode, he understood if she wanted her space. He waited for her rejection but it never came. "Alright. You can come..."

Donnie was astonished, "R-really?" His surprise made her smile inside, and she nodded. "We move at 7?" Donnie quickly agreed. Dianne smiled and retreated from the room. She stopped at the door. 

"Thanks."

Donnie hummed, confused. "Thanks for saving me from the baron," she clarified. Donatello was awestruck. Blushing, she continued, "..and for treating my wounds."

"I genuinely thank you." their eyes met. Donnie felt himself melt. "You're welcome," he told her. "Sorry if I overstepped earlier... and uh... yeah, I'm just really sorry. Forgive me?" 

Aww.. he was so cute. Dianne giggled at her inner swooning. "I forgive you. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have reacted that way. I don't know what I did I just-"

Donnie chuckled, "S'okay,I get it."

"Yeah?" she asked gently.

"Yeah..."Donnie replied with a smile. He watched with a giddy heart as the girl finally disappeared from the training room. The moment she did, he comically fainted on the floor with the most love-sick smile on his face. We're okay. 

We're okay.