CHAPTER EIGHT

Keya remained watching over Raphael, while still reading the book from last night. Mikey stuck his head in around the door and whispered loudly to his newest friend.

"Hey... Dudette."

Keya's attention set to him, seeing his sweet adorable little smile. He was as cheery as normal.

"I'll take over Raphie watching duty, now. You go and play some video games or something, yer know, simulate yer mind on other things than sitting there staring at my bro."

He sniggered and suggested while creeping into the room. Keya snorted at his little assumption and smiled at him before stretching in the chair.

"Nahh, it's k, Mikey."

She said, nicely enough and was quite content with staring at his brother.

"I'll stay here, you go watch TV's or something."

Mikey rolled his eyes, and gave her a lip pressed smile.

"You sure?"

He asked, offering an expression of persuasion.

"It's like ten thirty p.m. you've been in here the whole day."

Again, Keya snorted with a soft shrug of her shoulders. She didn't mind at all, the book she was reading was rather interesting and exciting not to mention the silent company of Raphael and that mesmerising gentle scent that was even more detectable now the aura of sick had settled.

"Tell you what,"

Coaxed Mikey.

"You go grab a slice of pizza and a cup of coffee and I'll watch Raph until you come back... Sound good?"

Keya sighed, thinking that over a moment before she got up. A cup of coffee and some pizza did sound heavenly to her right now and besides, The young female had a feeling this turtle was not going to leave her alone no matter what she said; and it was his brother after all, despite her craving in wanting to look after the soundless turtle.

"Thanks, Mikey."

She chuckled, as she walked pasted him and gave his head a light pat with her hand.

"Hey, No prob, Dudette."

Snorted the young mutant, taking the place of where the female was just sitting.

"Oh, where's Leonardo, Donatello and Mr Splinter, by the way?"

Keya inquired before leaving. Mikey, slowly, looked over his shoulder at the young woman and had an amused expression upon his features.

"Dudette,"

He said in mocking alarm.

"Don't call him Mr. He's our Sensei. Call him Master Splinter, Sensei, or just plain Splinter but not Mr, it sounds so... weird."

He giggled, as Keya laughed.

"Sorry, I'm still kinder getting use to the whole giant walking talking ninja turtles and a giant walking talking rat, thing.... It's a little strange, but its starting to sink in."

Mikey smiled kindly, knowing it must have been a shock to the system to know there are actual real live mutants below the grounds of New York. He's known of the humans his whole life, Keya's only found out about mutants a few days ago. So he understood and didn't particularly care. He was the laid back turtle of the team.

"Ahh, it's cool Dudette, an I'll have ya know, it's teenage mutant ninja turtles."

He sounded with enhanced enthusiasm, being rewarded with Keya's laugh as she shook her head softly.

"I'll try and remember that."

Making her way out the door she called back.

"I'll be back in five.".

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Lair, Seating area...

Heading towards the kitchen, Keya happened to have noticed young Leonardo tucked away in a world of his own on the couch. The young leader, was stuck in a book, comfortably settled on the couch and utterly lost in the world of fiction... or so she thought.

After a second of looking at him reading and seeing his brow rise ever so slightly then relax suddenly after he had finished reading an interesting part, she decided to walk up to him and rest on the back of the couch idly glancing at him before snapping him from his deep concentration.

"What'ch reading?"

She asked in a soft child's like tone, stressing the innocents of her question but only it instantly had Leonardo slam the book shut and slid it down the side of the couch in one swift action.

"Nothing!"

He replied, in a faint shaky voice. However, now hearing that, the woman's interest grew at the shifty males response and she was highly intrigued to what it was he was readying.

"Yes, you are!"

Laughed Keya, reaching for the book but only feeling Leo grab her hand, immediately stopping her.

"No really, I'm not."

He said, trying to sound calm. Keya merely gave him a funny look - seeing right through his antics - and with out further ado, there commenced a struggle between the two in the efforts of getting that book the leader seems so intent on keeping a secret. After a few moments, Donatello had exited his lab witnessing the two scuffling on the couch.

"No! you're not getting it!"

"YES I AM!"

The purple clad turtle smiled, rolling his eyes and stood there.

"What are you guys, doing?"

He finally asked, after a moment of watching them scarp like cat and dog. Both Leo and Keya set their sights to Donatello the instant they knew he was there. GREAT!. Leo was so screwed. Someone else to try and prevent from seeing what he's reading, that was all he needed right now.

"Donnie!"

Gasped Keya.

"He was reading a book and he won't let me see it!"

Leonardo quickly retorted.

"No I weren't, Donnie, don't listen to her."

The Bo wielding turtle deviously paced forward, knowing that Leonardo was telling lies by the tone of his voice. It was with a sly glance to the blue clad turtle - who was looking shifter than ever - did Donnie look to Keya

"Where's the book?"

He asked quickly, adding a playful tone to himself and was answer sharply as Keya motioned her head to were the book was down the side of the couch.

"NOO!!!"

Leo screamed in a tone of laugher. He pushed Keya back and tried reaching for the book, only to have Donatello jump on him, holding him down on the couch.

"Quickly Keya, get the book."

Shouted Donnie, holding his tone in the playful mood. Keya ran past Leonardo, to complete her mission, but unfortunately, he grabbed her leg - trying to keep hold of her as he struggled with his brother. She kicked and struggled to try brake free and the young leader was gentle but firm, he didn't want to hurt her.

"No! Let go!"

Keya laughed, lightly swatting at the turtles arm with her hands and making that slapping sound on skin contact; and the whole time, Leo was emitting lots of,

"Ow!, Ow! Ow!"

At her playful slapping assault.

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Lair; Master Splinters Bedroom...

As all that was going on in the seating area, Mikey could hear it thus lifting his head to the noise and playful laughter.

"What the?"

Muttering under his breath, he ran out to see what was going on. How could they have fun, and not invite him!?!?!

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Lair; Seating area...

When young Michelangelo got in the seating area, he saw Keya, Donatello and Leonardo, scrambling on the couch in their playful scuffle, but that only brought about a confused look to the young turtle's face.

"Err... what are ya doing?"

He asked. Keya, Donnie and Leo, all stopped their struggling, swiftly regarding the mischievous Mikey; and knowing he'd do it, the young woman shouted.

"Mikey, get the book!"

"NO! Mikey... Don't!"

Leo retorted, trying to sound the authority figure. Michelangelo stood there with a dumb looking expression on his face for a moment as he needed to be brought up to speed.

"Err.. What book?"

Donnie motioned his head towards it, down by the couch.

"The book, Leo's hiding, down there!"

Mikey's mouth grew into a big slick grin.

'Leo must have been reading something naught if he's like this.'

Lecherously thought the orange clad ninja.

"Oooo Leo's, hiding a book, huh?"

Chirped Mikey, scampering over all too happy to invade his big brothers privacy. The leader reached out with his other hand and grabbed Mikey's arm.

"NO!! leave it .... It's err.. My diary."

Leo stammered, thinking of any old thing to stop them for knowing!!! The shame, the torment, the embarrassment! It would all come if they knew! Mikey laughed, slapping his brothers arm with some force.

"You don't have a diary. Bro! And if that book is a diary, why would you be reading and writing in it right out in the seating area?"

Leonardo's eyes shifted from side to side, as he tried thinking of an answer to Mikey's question. They all fell still, waiting for an answer, only to hear,

"Err.."

"HE'S LIEING!"

Shouted Donnie. Mikey yanked his arm from his blue clad brothers grasp - immediately grabbing the book he was reading and within that, the chain reaction had the leaders eyes slam shut.

'GOD, DAMN IT!'

Leo cursed mentally and wished himself to simply become invisible. Michelangelo looked at the cover and began to uncontrollably have a big cheesy grin claim his mouth before his brow flurried at his eldest sibling. He regarded Leonardo and watched as his big brothers face began turning a dark shaded blush.

"The facts of life, Bro?"

Mikey laughed after the mood fell silent and a bomb of embarrassment exploded within the room. Keya covered her mouth, almost instantly, with her hand in trying her best not to laugh at the situation. She suddenly felt sorry for the leader turtle and wished she hadn't made such a big deal of finding out the book. Her face began to turn red as she fought to keep her laughter inside, however, Donnie and Mikey, were not so kind. Those two had cracked up in hysterics to the floor.

"Some diary, Dude!"

Retorted the youngest turtle and his amusement at it's peek as it hurt to laugh or to even breath right now. Donnie was on the floor, laughing, same as Mikey and with that, Leo jumped up and snatched the book with a moan of embarrassment.

"Shut up, Mikey,"

He grunted.

"I just wanted to do a little reading on the subject!"

Donatello wiped a tear of humour from his eye, still laughing as he advised.

"Dude, use the internet next time! HAHAHAHA..."

"YEAH, they have videos and lots of pictures!"

Informed Mikey, stressfully amused that his eldest brother was readying such a thing at his age.

"Awww Man! I wish Raph saw this, this is one for the history books!"

Keya stood up still trying not to laugh, though she was beginning to lose the battle.

"Aww .. It's okay, Leo."

She said, really trying to keep control of her voice.

"Everyone read's that book sooner or later."

Keya tried to comfort the leader turtle in making him feel a little less embarrassed, when Mikey got stuck in.

"YEAH, but it's a hell of a lot sooner! Rather than later ! HAHAHAHA..."

"Yeah! what was I, about 7? when I read this...hahaha..."

Donnie. Chuckled, unable to get enough of fearless being on the embarrassed side for a change. He was normally too high and mighty to be seen with such books, and he was never seen with porn tapes.... Not that he didn't have them of course. Keya smirked, so close to losing her inner battle and to simply give into laughter.

"Oh, shut up you two!"

Leo's embarrassed smile melted and he shook his head, growling his frustration, before stamping to his bedroom for his own protection.

"CHILDISH!"

He shouted back and slammed his bedroom door.

"HAHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!"

Through all the laughing commotion, Master Splinter came limping slowly out of the meditations room.

"My children, what is going on?"

He asked a little confused when seeing all 3 teens in a fit of giggles, even Keya couldn't repress it no longer. The young lady rubbed her eyes, quickly responding.

"Ahh, its nothing Master Splinter, we were just having a little joke with Leo, is all."

"Is he okay?"

Asked Splinter, noticing the turtle they were having a 'Joke' with, was no longer present. Mikey gave a small lazy wave of his hand.

"Yeah, Master,"

He snorted.

"Leo's okay, he just need's to finish reading his diary... HAHAHAHA!"

Splinter knitted his furry brow together, seeing the three before him, laugh again. Apparently, what Mikey said was amusing.

"I do not follow, Michelangelo?"

He said, sounding just as confused as he was looking right now.

"Leonardo, doesn't have a diary?"

"He doesn't, don't listen to Mikey, Sensei."

Interrupted Donnie, trying to get the situation dropped for the kindness of keeping Leo's little embarrassment under the rocks

"Mikey's just had a little too much pickle source."

Mikey stuck out his tongue, before stretching and letting out a few more giggles. He knew what Donnie was doing and so decided to drop it now.

"Hmm, speaking of pickle source."

Mentioned Michelangelo, as he turned his attention to the kitchen.

"I am pretty hungry! Donnie, would you watch Raph while me and Keya grab some pizza?"

"Sure, its my turn now anyway."

Reminded Donatello, looking over his shoulder as he headed to Splinters room. Mikey and Keya ran to the kitchen, pushing and playfully fighting with each other to try and get through the door first. Seeing that childish antic, Master Splinter rolled his eyes at that before he sat on the couch, pulling out a news paper and mumbled under his breath.

"Kid's..."

The elderly rat was thinking about what his son Michelangelo was talking about with Leonardo and a diary, he was to believe there was more to their little joke than what he was told. However, choose to believe it as a matter of harmless fun between his students. A few minuets later and the phone rang from the kitchen.

"I'll get it!"

Screamed Mikey.

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Lair, Kitchen...

"Hello..?"

"Mikey! Hey, its Casey, How's Raph's doin', is he any better?"

"Oh, hey Case. Yeah, he's thrown up a few times but he seems to be getting better."

"REALLY?!? WOW, THAT'S GREAT!"

The vigilant was high with enthusiasm finally hearing some good news for a change.

"Well, not the pukin' part, but the getting' better."

He snorted.

"So what was wrong with him?"

Michelangelo stammered, debating whether he should tell his temperamental human friend the truth or not...

"Oh... he was err... Poisoned."

"WHAT!?!?!"

Casey's anger was stressed to the heavens, having poor Mikey swiftly pull the phone away from his ear, with a whine.

"OUCH! My ear!"

Keya and the young turtle both winced as Casey shouted down the phone.

"WHAT THE HELL!?!?! HOW DID ALL THIS HAPPEN?"

He demanded and there was even the sound of bang on the other end of the phone from when Casey just punch his and Aprils coffee table. Eventually, Mikey put the phone back to his ear, trying to sooth things.

"Whoa, Case, calm downm every things cool now, we've sorted it."

Explained the orange clad turtle.

"We have given Raphie the antidote and he's right now making a full recovery as we speak."

"Right, I'm coming over!"

"No Case, you don't have to do that. Come over tomorrow, dude."

...

"Casey? Case, you there?"

...

"Ooo man, he hung up!"

"What's up?"

Questioned Keya, quirking one eyes brow as she chewed some pizza. Mikey headed and stood by the door of the kitchen, and bellowed out for the whole lair to hear.

"CASEY'S COMING OVER, GUYS!!"

The young woman stuck her finger in her ear and shook it a bit as her eye twitched.

"Well that answers my question."

She muttered, eyeing the plucky turtle viciously right now.

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Lair, Seating area...

Leo came out of his bedroom, after hearing Mikey's fog horn announcement and slouched on the rail - looking down at his baby brother as he emerged from the kitchen.

"What? who's coming over?"

He asked, having not quiet understood what was said in the tranquillity of his bedroom, but the response he had from young Mikey, was a smirk and wiggle of his brow when looking up at him.

"You heard, Facttoboy"

Leonardo rolled his eyes at the lame nick name his baby brother had already come up with, and sighed.

"Oh Mikey, grow up!"

He playfully advised as he began walking over to the steps to join everyone in the first level of the seating area. Mikey stood up straight, dramatically putting his hand over his heart and exclaimed out to his leaders words.

"Ooooo....... That so hurt, lubber."

"Yeah, that's real cute, Mikey."

Sniggered Keya, as she walked past sipping her coffee. The youngest turtle merely slouched his shoulders, giving a lazy wave.

"Yeah, whatever."

He moaned playfully.

"I'll go tell Donnie your friend Casey's coming over."

Shouted Keya, looking over her shoulder as she headed to Splinters room - more than eager to kick the gentle pacifist out of Raph watching duty. Leonardo approached and sat on the couch next to Splinter, while Mikey took a chair of his own, waiting for Casey to arrive.

"Hey, I hope he don't try sneaking up on us again. We may not have Raph this time, but he can do a lousy job at trying to creep up on someone--"

"Hey, Mike!"

"YEEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

The orange clad turtle shrilled, involuntarily, while jumping out of his chair and naturally equipping his nun chucks. Looking in the direction to were the voice came from, he saw Casey looking overly smug about himself now.

"Ooo, Casey!"

Gasped Mikey, putting his weapons away and palming his hand over his frantic beating heart.

"Don't ever do that again! Give a guy a heart attack why don't ya!"

Leonardo and Splinter rumbled a soft chuckle on the couch and not before long, Leo sat forward with a sly remark.

"I thought he does a lousy job at sneaking up on people,"

The leader sniggered, now looking as smug as ever.

"Well, he made the great Michelangelo, jump out of his shell! So he's not that bad."

Mikey mockingly giggled in his slow retort.

"Ahh... go read ya diary."

Leo winced his eyes, scowling at Mikey as he sat back, now in the quiet and folded his arms with an abrupt pout. Splinter shook his head, really wishing to know of this joke his students seem to be sharing.

"My son's, what is it with this diary?"

"Hey, CASEY!"

Shouted Donatello, interrupting Mikey before he could answer his Sensei.

"YO, Donnie! Hey, how's it going pal? So what's the update on Raph, Mikey said he was poisoned or something?"

The purple clad turtle nodded his head, fully agreeing with what Mikey had said to be true. After 20 minuets of Donatello filling Casey in on the whole thing, the human rubbed the back of his neck, processing all the information slowly and spoke still a little unsure about everything.

"So, he's going to be alright then?"

"Well, hopefully."

Answered Leo. The human nodded, pleased to hear that. Raphael was his best turtle and drinking buddy bro, he didn't know what he'd do if something had happened to the shell head.

"Good!"

It was not long before the young human male however, slyly moved forward in his chair and motioned his head up at Splinter's bedroom while looking at Donatello.

"So Err.. What's the deal with that chick I saw here yesterday?"

He questioned, quirking a lecherously grin. Mikey looked to Splinters bedroom door, then back to Casey.

"Who, Keya?"

He asked, ridging his brow slightly. Casey nodded, still holding that grin.

"Oh, so that's her name... she's pretty hot!"

He added, relaxing back and instantly making Donatello wince his eyes at that comment.

"Casey, aren't you with April?"

He reminded, setting and directing a frown at the human.

"Oh, yeah, an I Love her ter bits."

Added Casey as he regarded his mutant friends, seeing rather disapproved glares from them all.

"Don't worry, I know the score,"

He snorted with a lazy wave of his hand.

"Looking's for free... touching is gonna cost something!"

"You have a very SHALLOW look towards women, CASE!"

Sneered Leonardo as he leaned forward scowling at his human friend.

"A very disrespecting out look! I don't like it!"

His hissed, having the reaction of Casey putting his hands up in front of his chest, defensively.

"Whoa Leo, it was a joke man, yer know I'm not like that!"

Mikey cleared his throat in an almost growl, as he too, folded his arms. Even the happy-go-lucky turtle was glaring his disapproval at him.

"Look,"

Casey softened his expression, as he reasoned.

"Sorry if what I said sounded offensive, its just what we do in the human world, but we don't mean any thing by it.... Well, most of us that is."

Leonardo sat back, still not that happy with the look Casey had when thinking about Keya, and Donatello merely shook his head slowly as he mumbled.

"There is something's I'll never understand about the humans."

"Huh?"

Casey's eyes widened in curiosity.

"What'ch mean, Donnie?"

"He means, Casey, that humans lack respect for one another as you have just proven unintentionally."

Explained Master Splinter.

"If mankind just took the time to show and understand, Love, Compassion, Care and Serenity, there would be far less crime out in the world today and much more happiness"

Casey sat there, staring and thinking about what Master Splinter said and after a brief intermission, he nodded as it made sense to him.

"Yeah, your right Master Splinter!"

Casey agreed, regarding his turtle friends, sincerely.

"Hey, I'm really sorry for what I said, I didn't realize just how disrespectful that was! MAN, I'm such an idiot!"

He palmed his face to rub his eyes, only hearing Mikey laugh and point out a simple fact.

"No Casey, your not an idiot, ya just human, Dude!"

"Yeah, ya right Mikey."

Laughed the vigilant.

"Hey, have you guys heard what happened to, Hun?"

Casey asked, changing the topic of conversation and stirring things a little between the mutant. It was, with a slight amount of tension, that Master Splinter, Mikey and Donnie, looked to Leo, seeing Leo was looking at Casey.

"Actually Case, yeah, we have."

Leonardo slyly averted his eyes to Splinter, catching him give a nod of approval - indicating that he could tell Casey what happened.

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Lair, Master Splinters Bedroom...

Meanwhile ... Raphael awoke to a exceptionally rare sweet 'n spicy scented smell he had never in his life smelt before and heard a very faint sound of humming. The sound was rather beautiful, even better than his fathers. Sluggishly, he began opening his eyes ever so slightly. His sight was blurry and his stomach felt like he had been punched repeatedly, not to mention other side effects, but he was feeling better than before.

His head throbbed and he felt giddy, but at least he was able to finally realise where he was. The ill turtle felt something in his right hand. It felt warm and soft, even fragile and small, but it was a considerably strange and unique feeling to be experiencing. Nevertheless, he slowly gave it a squeeze, to get a full feel of what it was and suddenly hearing the humming stop.

"H-y --ur a--ke."

He heard a distant voice, it was a woman's voice, and it sounded familiar but he couldn't quite remember who it was.

"Raphael, how ya feeling?"

Keya asked, holding such an angelic tone of voice as the turtle came round to the full. Raph felt the woman began softly stroking his hand... it felt nice, but tickled him slightly, though he didn't let on since he was way to spaced out and weak to even care. Slowly turning his head to see her, Raphael saw she had nice thick jet black shoulder length hair, tanned mocha sand skin, beautiful features, and those sharp green colour eyes that he couldn't forget, even if he wanted to...

'It's her.'

He thought.

'That young woman from the other night'

The recovering turtle softly shut his eyes and secretly took in her scent. He had to admit, the smell coming off her was, to him, overwhelmingly inviting and so very beautiful. It was like nothing he had ever smelt before, it was a soft blend of Apple and cherry hindering the slight spice of cinnamon... he didn't know what cinnamon was, be he was starting to damn well like it!.

Keya softly rubbed his hand and involuntarily getting him to open his eyes again, upon the attention he was not use to - not from anyone, and certainly not from a female. He slowly set his sights to her again.

"Hi, how you feeling?"

She asked, and still her voice was no more than above a soft gentle whisper. Raphael's mouth felt tense, but he managed to faintly spit out what her thought to be her name.

"Keya?"

His voice was hoarse and the woman nodded. It made his head feel like it was spinning, so he closed his eyes to get his bearings and moaned ever so slightly.

"Yes Raphael, you remember me?"

Opening his eyes half way, Raph lightly nodded in response.

"Yes..... you're the girl....the girl we saved ...right?"

Keya smiled with another few nods, unaware she was making the turtle dizzy.

'What's with this girl and the nodding?'

The hazy turtle asked himself, still feeling a little sluggish and dizzy.

"Yes, that's right!.... Hold on, I'm going to go get the guys!"

Keya informed, and let go of Raph's hand. He could feel the tickling sensation tingled up his arm from where she had been fussing it so very sensually just then. It wasn't soon after and Raphael realised he had full feeling back in that arm; and the strange thing was, he was missing that soft gentle attention already.

"RAPH!!!!"

"RAPHAEL!!!!"

"RAPHIE!!!!!"

Enthusiastically chimed the clan as they came joyfully into the room and were thrilled to be greeted with an awake patient. Raphael's face fell into a very faint smile as he saw his family burst in the room and one by one, they each hugged him gently. By the time Mikey got to him, the orange clad brother had tears in his eyes.

"...Mikey..."

Raphael, again, struggled to get his words out.

"Now I ..know..... Yer not cryin' again..."

He said with a faint laugh. Wiping away his tears, Mikey came back in for another hug and spoke so softly - stressing his worry but happiness.

"Ooo.. Raphie, we really missed you, dude!, Ya really in the wars, bro! pull yaself together man!"

Raph chuckled weakly at Mikey's General soldier impression speech, before he weakly mused.

"It's good ...to finally see you guys.... Too."

Casey moved closer to Raph, his movement seemed almost shy and timid in a way. Noticing such action towards him from his buddy, the turtle gave him a faint smile - feeling rather awkward about attacking him. He could remember that, the second he saw his vigilant friend again.
Nevertheless, Casey had already forgiven him that and his shy slight like movement was due to him wanting to give his good friend a really good hug!

Setting aside the whole male pride thing a brief moment, Casey instantly grabbed Raph into the biggest hug he could possibly do, not caring about the guy boundary thing! After nearly losing his little buddy, he didn't care, and wanted to hug him; to hell with Man's unwritten no male-male hugging rules.

Of course, the large muscle bounded vigilant human had already forgotten his temperamental turtle friend's weakened state but he was just so pleased and happy he was alive.

"CasEy!"

Raphael rasped when unable to breath in the hold while his eyes had widened to the strength this humans was tightening round him like a bower constrictor.

"O, sorry Man!"

The human quickly releasing his hold of the turtle, and swiftly tried to brush the huggiy second or two off.

"How ya feeling, Pal?"

Raphael caught his breath, with a slight cough or two.

"I...feel... I feel like I've been hit by a train..."

The ill turtle managed to venture that bit of information out, while collected his breathing nicely. Raphael laid there, fighting to keep his eyes open; he didn't want to sleep again just yet, and so, he fought to keep his eyes open - even if it was only half way. Unfortunately though, he could feel he was losing battle and they were getting heavier due to his body demanding rest.

He needed to recuperate.

Raphael noticed Donatello was watching him, very closely, and he could tell that it was Doctor Donatello standing there, and not Donnie. The purple clad turtle always made sure his patients were well on the mend before allowing them to do anything, and since Raphael could just about see past his hand, he wasn't going to fight the doctor.... This time.

Donatello offered Raph a gentle smile as he moved forward and placed his hand on his ill brothers forehead, for a few seconds to take his temp. The pacifist soon turned and picked up two pain killers and a cup of water.

"Here Raph, these will help."

He said, giving them to the ill turtle.

"YUCK!"

Grunted Raph. He hated taking medicine! Especially the stuff his brother made. Donatello was a great doctor and scientist, and a lot of the medicine that they used was made by him. It was safe and very powerful in doing what it was made to do to but it tasted absolutely awful.

"God! Donnie what the fuck are they?"

Gasped Raph, after washing the pills down. They left one hell of a nasty after taste in the back of his throat. Donnie stroked the side Raphael's face, chuckling slightly at his brother's harsh question.

"It's okay Raph, you sleep now."

He hushed calmly and continued to softly mother his brother with those strokes. The ill turtle had no intention of protesting his brothers actions or words, not that he could if he wanted to.

"Come on guys, the worst is over, lets leave him rest."

Said Donnie. Raph's eyes closed as he couldn't stand to keep them open much longer, and the voice's got fainter. He heard Mikey's moan's of protest as he was kicked out, and then a very familiar voice spoke, rather close to him in fact.

"Sleep well, my son."

Raphael felt a small kiss on his head, before drifting away as silence settled in with darkness.

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Lair, Seating area...

"HE'S AWAKE, HE'S AWAKE, HE'S AWAKE, DUDETTE!!!!"

The turtles and Casey rejoiced together in celebration. Mikey ran over to Keya, exclaiming his words while picking her up and beginning a spin round with her.

"I know, Mikey."

Laughed Keya. She was giggling once more at the plucky turtles behaviour, it was nice to see his true personality shine through. He was such a happy little devil. Michelangelo put her down, giving everyone a great big smile and overly stressing he was thrilled. With that grand news settling nicely in their hearts, they were all feeling perhaps the last few days were catching up with them. Casey yawned while giving himself a stretch, before settling back into a small smile.

"Well, that is a weight lode off my chest!"

The turtles all nodded in union.

"Oh, yes."

"For, sure."

"Ditto!"

Splinter sighed with a smile of grant relief.

"It truly is!"

Keya rejoined the group and leaned a little on Mikey's shoulder; and of course, he was all to happy to sneak her into a half hug.

"So, what do we do now, guys?"

"Well, I'm gonna go home and sleep for a billion years. I don't know about you, guys."

Snorted Casey. He looked rather sleep deprived and he was... between his nightly patrolling of the city at night, and his worry for Raph both day and night, he didn't get much sleep at all.

"See ya."

Splinter nodded in agreement while the male human began to make his way towards the lairs wall door.

"Yes, I think it would be best if we all took in a nice nights sleep."

A confused look came to Keya's face, after Casey left.

"Where am I going to sleep?"

She asked, timidly. The turtles and Splinter, slowly looked to Raphael's bedroom door, immediately having Keya's eyes follow there stare and alarm her when catching on to what they were silently suggesting.

"Whoa,"

She backed away, lifting her hands up to her chest level.

"NO, No way guys, sorry!"

Stammering softly and shaking her head, Keya really looked uncomfortable about the unspoken idea.

"Call me weird an all, but I have a thing about sleeping in other peoples beds. It makes me feel uncomfortable, its like using someone's bike or drinking someone's drink with out asking!"

She explained her phobia, as she was still backing away. Michelangelo was swift in flipping behind the retreating female with an effortless front flip and placed both his hands on her shoulders - giving her a grin as he gently eased her back to the others.

"Yeah, your right, Dudette,"

Snorted Mikey.

"You are weird."

Keya's eyes rolled.

"Mikey!"

She laughed as he was pushing her back towards the group. The turtle in orange, offered kindly.

"Okay, if it bothers you that much, you can have my bed tonight, yeah? And I'll have Raph's."

Donnie walked forward, wavering one finger in a playful warning.

"Although, I must warn you Keya, something's have gone in Mikey's room and have not been seen or heard of since."

Mikey moaned, putting his hands on his hips.

"HEY! Raph's room is just as bad, in fact... I'm surprised we see him every day what with the amount of junk he has to fight his way through every morning."

"Oooo..."

Leonardo stepped forward, chuckling.

"That might explain why he's always in a bad mood in the morning, imagine all them beasties."

"Beasties?"

Worried Keya, instantly having the image of more strange yet dangerous mutants attacking her if she goes in there. Donatello rolled his eyes, sighing in a playful tone.

"Knock it off Leo, and besides, his rooms not like that now. I took the liberty of going in there and cleaning it, you know, as a kind of get well present."

Leo's eyes shifted from Keya, then to Mikey, having a shocked expression upon his face as he laughed when looking to his purple clad sibling.

"Wow, you're a braver turtle than me, Donnie."

"So what will it be, Dudette?"

Snorted Mikey, getting back on the subject of sleep.

"Raph, won't mind, and I don't mind. So which room?"

He smiled at her dilemma. Keya's mouth pursed and her expression drew into an embarrassed smile after a moments thought.

"Well, from what I've just heard, I think I'll take my chances with Raph."

The turtles and Splinter all quirked an eye ridged.

"Huh?"

They sounded in union, and instantly, shaking her head after thinking about what she said, Keya snapped back with an embarrassed tone of voice.

"I mean Raph's bed, no I mean... oh never mind! You know what I mean!"

Leonardo smiled and shook his head, looking towards the floor a second.

"Well,"

He sighed before regarding everyone.

"Come on everyone, we've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Which, reminds me Keya."

The young leader regarded the sweet beauty.

"We have all talked it over and we were wondering, how would you feel about having a few lessons of training with us?"

Keya's face fell into a wide excited smile.

"REALLY!!!!"

She shrilled, jumping up and down suddenly. Donnie laughed, softly.

"Sure Keya, if your going to be staying here for some time, we see no reason why you shouldn't train with us. That is, if you want to?"

Keya screamed, running from each turtle to the next - hugging them and exclaiming her excitement.

"WELL OF COURSE I WANT TO, OH, I LOVE YOU GUYS!!"

When she calmed down, she turned to Master Splinter and placed her hands to the sides of her and bowed in a respectful way,

"Thank you Master Splinter, I will do my best in learning all of what you have to teach me."

Splinter placed his hand on her shoulder, confident that she would be a fine student.

"I have no doubt, Keyanna, in you ability to learn this."

His tone was natural and soft, while smiling back at the young woman. She lifted her head and gave Master Splinter a soft hug, although it was timid at first, she was just too happy and couldn't deny her craving to give the old mutant a hug of thanks as well.

"Thank you, Sensei."

Chuckling ever so delicately, he smiled and lightly tapped her back before braking the embrace. Soon, he watched as Leonardo, Michelangelo and Keya made their way up the steps toward the rooms but then saw Donatello going to his lab. He was going there to sleep on the spare bed again, leaving his bed, once more, for Master Splinter.

The elderly rat checked in on Raphael one last time, before heading to Donatello's bedroom for a good nights sleep - now that they were all fully aware that young Raph was recovering nicely.