Something About Blue

Chapter 1: Blue

It was a brisk night in New York City but that did not stop the incessant sound of honking horns, yells and shouts and the persistent murmur of the people. Emma Reynolds made her way through the small yoga studio, shutting lights off before reaching the door. Double checking the alarm system, making sure it was armed, she grabbed her keys and made to face the wind tunnel that waited for her outside.

Once outside, Emma wrapped her thin jacket tightly as she turned to lock up. The cold October air washed over her, the wind picked up suddenly when she dropped her keys.

“Dammit,” she breathed as she bent to retrieve the keys. Righting herself, about to lock the doors to the Yoga studio, she saw a silhouette of a man looming behind her. She froze.

“Eh….excuse…” She didn’t get to finish her words as she was yanked back by her small duffle bag, thrusted against her attacker. Holding her close he whispered in her ear.

“Don’t scream.” His hand covering her mouth, tears struck as her fight or flight instincts kicked in. She bit down on his hand, ripping herself from his grasp. Stumbling along the uneven ground, trying to gain her footing, she ran. She turned left, running as fast as she could towards the busy streets of New York. Heart hammering in her chest. The back alley Yoga studio shared a narrow alley that left nowhere to escape, let alone hide.

Before she knew it, she was slammed against the brick wall of the narrow alley, overgrown by trash and debris.

“Uhn,” she whimpered, her hand cradling her head as her vision blurred, knees buckling under her as she fell to the ground.

“Fuck doll. Shouldn’t run.” The attacker grunted as he picked her up by her forearms, holding her against the brick.

“Hel…” Help dying on her lips as she felt a sudden deep pain against her face. He punched her, forcing her head to crack against the brick for a second time in the matter of seconds.

“I don’t want to hit you” He rasped as he forcefully grabbed her chin, the glint of a gold tooth was all she saw as she shut her eyes.

“Hmm baby look at me.” He grunted. She suddenly felt something rough and wet against her cheek. Wincing as his tongue trailed up the side of her face, lapping up the blood that trickled from a cut on her head. She felt light headed but knew she had to try to fight. Shaking her head vigorously enough that he lost his grip, she tried to scream again.

“AHHH!” Was all she got out before she was thrown to the ground, a swift kick straight to the belly.

“WHORE!” He landed another solid kick, she was cradling her head, her cries muffled by her jacket as he continued his relentless kicks against her abdomen.

She lifted her head to try to get a better look at her attacker, his voice sounding familiar, his gold tooth permanently embedded into her mind. Her vision still blurry, but was able to pick up his darker complexion, but she was distracted by a sudden flash of silver.

A swift sound echoed throughout the alley. A large figure filled the alleyway, the sound of metal against metal, a deep groan and then utter silence. When did silence become so loud? Emma’s cloudy consciousness couldn’t concentrate on anything, she only saw the darkness closing in.

“Ma’am,” a voice, gentle, from a few feet from her, “I am not going to hurt you. I need to check your head…” He. It was a male’s gentle voice that filled the void. Emma laid still, unsure of what to do, trying to regain her breathing, her lungs struggled to expand.

Next thing she knew, she felt a gentle…hand? The nimble fingers felt large and powerful against the crown of her head. The abnormal hand adjusted her head to the side, her eyes fully adjusting in the dark. She didn’t understand what she was seeing. A large…shell? Is that a sword strapped to his back? He kneeled to inspect her head, he was so close. Who was he?WHATwas he? Emma felt her heartbeat pick up again but knew that it wasn’t from fear. Slowly, she lifts her hand, grazing the textured skin that covered his knee. She felt his muscles tense beneath her touch, shifting to look at him. His deep blue eyes locked onto her, his whole demeanor was tense, guarded, yet she felt calm and safe. The blue mask only enhanced the color of his eyes. He brushed along a sensitive spot behind her ear causing her to tense, grabbing ahold of his leg, brushing along the raised texture of his thigh. Emma was enamored by this mass of green skin and armor. Wrappings and padding. Weapons and Stealth.

“Ma’am your head…”

“Emma” She breathed out, feeling as if it took everything she had to be get that out.

“Emma” He repeated, removing his hand from her head to rest along his thigh, a gentle look in his eyes.

“Reynolds” She stated, closing her eyes, sighing as she felt her body relax more along the wall.

“Well Emma Reynolds, you have a decent sized bruise forming behind your right ear. You also have a few scrapes on the right side of your face, a decent gash above your eyebrow.”

“Mm’kay” She tried to nod, wincing as she attempted to sit up.

“I will be calling the police to collect and take care of him. Do you live far?”

“M’hmm, ten minutes away,” Lifting her left arm, pointing inhopefully the correct direction of her place. This…creature had just helped her and she felt like she could trust him. He has done nothing to warrant her worry and something in his eyes led her to believe she could trust him with her life. These thoughts alone worried her because she wasn’t worried. Emma was the worrywart of her friend group and the least likely to trust anyone. But he…he seemed different,feltdifferent.

“I will call your emergency contact to come get you after I call the police. I will then wait until they arrive to make sure that you are taken care of.” He stated as he stood, offering to assist her with his three pronged hand. Cloth wrappings weaved through his fingers as if they were wrapped for boxing.

“Mm, I don’t have an emergency contact.” Emma rolled, as her eyes slid close again before grasping his hand, accepting his offer to help her stand. His fingers, despite the size and number difference felt natural, easy and gentle.

“Is there someone that I can call?” He eased, tensing as he felt her small fingers wrapping around his large ones. So far he was sure that her lack of response was due to being knocked around. He was silently grateful that she had not screamed or shied away from him.

Emma shook her head no as she began to stand, accidentally rocking back on her heels before stumbling into his hard chest. A quiet hiss broke from her lips as her eyes locked onto his midnight blue ones again. His blue mask tails falling over his shoulder, causing Emma’s eyes to droop to follow the thin fabric. Damn he has some nice shoulders. What the hell is wrong with me?

“I live by myself…I probably shouldn’t have told you that…heh.” Emma finished with a slight, dark chuckle. She definitely wasn’t in her right mind.

“You can trust me Miss Reynolds.” His voice was level, calm, commanding while his stance mirrored his expression. Stoic.  

“I…uh, can I ask a weird question?”

He simply nodded, looking down at her, their eyes never leaving each other. An invisible bond encompassed the two in that dark, New York alley. Emma never realized that this is how her life would change.

“I know we just met…but…uhn,” She winced as she cocked her head to the side, looking at the man who was still passed out in the alley.

“Could you take me home?” Emma, who is usually not bold with strangers, felt as if she could trust this being with her whole life. There was a calm feeling surrounding the inside of her belly. A flood of comfort washed through her as his eyes seemed to sparkle. His face remained unreadable, but his eyes held all the answers.

Leo was hesitant, it was only him on patrol tonight due to the lack of activity since the invasion of the Kranng a few months ago. The foot had become scarce while a new gang that goes by the Purple Dragons have become more prominent. Leonardo was brought back as the small blonde in front of him hissed again, wincing as she lightly touched the gash above her eyebrow. He couldn’t tell her no because 1.) She was wounded, 2.) said she didn’t have anyone, 3.) Hasn’t screamed bloody murder upon the sight of him. Leo gave a slight shrug before he answered.

“Yes…Can you stand?” He said, before looking to his left where the criminal laid out, cold, on the hard asphalt. Half of himself didn’t believe that he actually agreed to take her home. If only his brother’s could see him now. He hadfeelings.

“I think so.” Emma whispered, feeling her body solidify he gave a gentle push against her arms, yet held her still for a few seconds before completely letting go. Emma instantly felt the cold wind seep into her bones.

“Let me make the call and then we will go…are you okay with heights?” That was a curious question. Emma was thrown off but nodded yes. Giving her a small, side smile before he backed away, pulling out a small shell from his belt and looked to be dialing a number. Is that a shell cell? Giggling to herself, Emma took this chance to analyze her surroundings, and the kind…person that helped her. Who is he? What is he? These questions kept running through her head, her mind unable to focus on just one thing. Her eyes darted across his back, two, long swords strapped to his shell, leather and blue silk adorned the large weapons. A dark colored pair of shorts covered his legs, cloth wrapped around his mid thigh, down past his knees. Japanese-like sandals covered his feet, creating this ancient samurai, warrior vibe. Everything about him was blue, he embodied the color, somehow blue was him. Who was him? At that thought, he turned around to face her again, his expression softened as he caught her

“They are headed this way. He,” pointing towards the attacker that was still knocked out cold against the trash, “won’t be moving for while. Ready?”

“Uh…before we go, um…what do I call you?” She asked, her eyes going wide at her question. Gasp.

“I am so sorry! That was really insensitive of me to assume, I…” She continued to ramble before looking directly at him. A chuckle that sounded like a wooden wind chime rumbled from his chest.

“Apologies Emma, my name is Leonardo, you may call me Leo.” He bowed low, a hand placed above his heart. He was so proper and it could be from her head injury but she found him, dare she think— attractive.

Sirens were heard as the wind shifted, getting closer as the loud streets of New York bustled with life.

“Gotta go. Ready?” He asked, staring down at her, making her feel as though she was a small child.

“Uh, yeah…how…” She shrugged, not quite sure how to phrase her question. The throbbing in her head seemed to be getting thicker the longer she stood. The cool breeze made her feel as though she’d be swept away by one large gust if he wasn’t here.

“The rooftops.” He tossed his thumb towards the fire escape that was only five feet away from where they were standing. Emma never would have thought to travel by rooftop. Interesting.

The loud sirens echoed through the streets, her heart starting to beat faster again, from the unknown and for being overly trusting of this stranger that just saved her life. He knelt down, closer to Emma’s 5’6” frame and held out his hands in an open, almost vulnerable pose. Emma looked at him before stepping into his arms cautiously. Her hands landed at the top of his shoulders, her right hand gripping the leather strap that crossed his chest. Leo wrapped one arm under her knees, the other around her waist as he lifted her up. She was so small. Emma’s arms instantly tightened around Leonardo’s neck and a deep chuckle escaped him.

“Hold on Emma.” He didn’t mean to entertain the idea, but he liked the way her name sounded coming from his lips.

Before she knew it he hoisted them onto the fire escape, making his way to the rooftops. Once on top, he stopped and looked at her.

“Where do you live Ms. Emma Reynolds?” Leonardo asked. As cliche as it sounded in Emma’s head, his eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

“Uh…I guess that would help, heh…I live at 117 Blakeview Hill, Apt. 9G. It’s about ten minutes away.” She smiled, tossing her head back as if to point towards her apartment but instantly regretted the move as it made her feel even more light headed.

“Hold on tight.” A serious look crossed his face as he set out towards her apartment.

“I can walk…”

“It’s faster if I carry you, and you haven’t stopped shivering.” She didn’t realize how cold she was until he mentioned it. He was right, she simply tucked her head and grasped him as tight as she could. The feel of his warm, pebbled, leathery flesh against her cheek caused a calm feeling to wash through her.

“Lighten up there, tiger. Little tight on the neck.”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Emma’s eyes went wide, lifting her head to look at him, worried about almost choking her savior. Another throaty chuckle left him, vibrating through his chest as he continued to rush forward jumping between roofs. Emma was so hypnotized by him, she tried not to stare but he was such a mystery. This…man…was an enigma in Emma’s mind. He was large, mysterious, obviously traditionally trained in martial arts, and seemed to be an utmost gentleman.

The silence was welcomed as they continued to leap from rooftop to rooftop. The cool wind whipped along her exposed flesh, keeping goosebumps constantly raised over her skin. Throughout their trek towards her apartment, she would glance at him every now and then. Trying to dissect his expressions, the way he would squint to look around him as if he was looking for something or someone. His mask tails whipping in the wind along with the blue silk that adorned the hilt of his swords that were cradled along his back. She gripped the leather tighter and he glanced down, locking their eyes together once again. She couldn’t get enough of those sapphires.  

“Are you doing okay Emma?”

“Yes” She squeaked, instantly wanting to facepalm at her overzealous reaction, afraid that she had been caught staring at him.

“We have two more rooftops, then you are home free.” He looked forward again before his grip tightened around her as he moved to jump to the next roof. After that final jump, he walked a few feet before lightly setting her on the ground. Swaying a little, Emma reached out and grabbed at his arms to steady her. Feeling the thick, convex texture of his skin warmed her again. Leo grasped at her elbows, holding her still. Leonardo gave Emma a small smile before he released her completely, stepping away to absorb his surroundings, gazing down the edge of her building.

“I think my window is the last one on this side.” She joined his side, pulling his gaze to the small fire escape that was tucked in the corner of the alley.

“But…my window is locked so I could just go through the front doors…” Emma trailed, cursing herself for suggesting walking through the front door because that would mean she would have to tell him goodbye.

“No need to worry, I can open your window and help you inside.” He smiled down at her, his small smile reflected in his deep blue eyes.

“I will need to carry you down though. Are you okay with that?” He was so accommodating, nice and considerate. She wanted to know more about him, and she was going to do whatever she could to keep him around as long as she could. She nodded her head, assuming she would be picked up bridal style like earlier. Raising her arms up, feeling like a small child reaching up to be held. That thought alone made a blush stain her cheeks, blaming the cold, she waited for his next move.

Emma was getting used to the sound of his deep chuckle, making her envision a wooden wind chime blowing on a rainy day. He smelled of jasmine, vanilla and a slightly spiced aroma that filled the nostrils the longer she was around him. He bent and before she knew it, he had her off the ground, clutched to his side in one swoop of his arm. Emma’s arms immediately circled his neck as a gasp escaped her.

“I need you to…”

“Hold on tight.” She finished for him, and a small knowing smile graced his features. She has heard that a lot this evening, and to further prove she understood him, her grip tightened as she glanced over the edge of her building.

He started to move, straddling the edge before completely moving his body down the brick, using the pipes along the building as leverage. It was an adventure that ended too soon as he landed on the small balcony platform. Still holding her, he took a small tool from his belt and in less than five seconds she heard a subtle pop and watched as the window opened. He lifted the window sill and gently set her down to sit on the windows ledge.

“Here you are, it was nice to meet you Miss Emma Reynolds.” Nodding his head before adjusting his position on the ladder as if getting ready to leave. No, he can’t leave yet.

“Wait!” Emma lurched forward, grasping the leather across his chest and the belt that laid over the dip in his hips.  

“Uhm…” Surprised by her own actions, yet she did not regret them. She watched his cheeks darken as he looked at where her small hands were placed against his body. Emma liked this look of surprise on his peculiar face.

“Please stay Leonardo, let me offer you something to eat or drink as a thank you. I —I don’t want to imagine what would have happened to me if you hadn’t shown up.” Her deep green eyes held his gaze, the only movement was the hand that gripped the belt at his waist moved to grip the bend of his elbow.

“No need for thanks, just doing my part… Thank you for not screaming” He gave a half-hearted huffed laugh before bowing, still perched on the rail.

“Why would I scream when you didn’t hurt me?” Every time their eyes met, Emma could feel something within her that she couldn’t quite explain. She could sense why he thought that she would scream, given his outward appearance yet there was something about him that paused her.

“I am glad that I was able to help.”

“Um…Leonardo, uh Leo…Will I see you again? Or am I going to wake up and this is all a dream?”

“Well Miss, this would be one heck of a dream.” He gleamed as she laughed at his comment, hoping that she’d see him again.

“Have a great night Miss Emma Reynolds. Stay safe.” He gave her one last smile before he leapt from her ladder, disappearing towards the roof and into the night.

“Thank you Leo…stay safe.” Emma said, before climbing into her apartment where she dreamed of the color blue.

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