CHAPTER TWO

James looked around the bar seeing it was dead quiet, there only remained 3 people scattered around the room. He turned his attention to Keya and his face felt suddenly warm as an uncontrollable gentle smile filtered through - then visions of what had happened earlier flashed through his mind, reminding him, of what could of happened. James let out a sigh of relief as he thought silently to himself while going about his nightly work.

'It could have been worst, I dread to think what would of happened if I hadn't been here.'

As James was thinking, he gathered a round of glasses left on the tables and then began washing them. In his duty he regarded the clock to see what time it was when he realised it had stopped just on 10 minuets past 12.

The time it had began...

That time sent shivers down his spine as he remembered looking at the clock just as Keya hit one of those men with the tray. The young man finished off washing the last couple of glasses and was trying to ignore that thought once more.

"Hey, Keya."

He called, kindly enough.

"What time is it?"

"Its 2:58am James, it's just about closing time."

She happily replied back also giving James a very soft smile. He felt his heart flutter. James swallowed quickly and managed to keep his train of thought as he called back,

"Thanks."

And quickly advanced over to the closing time bell and rang it.

~Ding Ding~

"Okay People, everybody up and out, it's closing time."

He announced with another ring of the bell.

"Please drink up and make your way to the exit, thank you, we hope to see you all again, very soon."

Keya just gave out a soft laugh as she strode over to James, smiling.

"You always wanted to do that, didn't ya?"

Snorted the young woman. James smiled with a joking tone.

"No.... Well, okay, maybe... Was it that obvious?"

He sniggered, raising an eye brow. Keya nodded and reached up for 2 shot glasses in the process and a bottle of J.D.

"Yes, it was actually."

She giggled.

"So how about it? Care for a small drink with me before we head home?"

Her heart almost stopped as she thought about what she just said.

"I... mean... that is to our,"

Stammering, she was blushing red faced all of a sudden.

"Own home... You know? two different.. umm Places an stuff."

James snorted and placed his hand on hers, giving her a soft smile. He could sense the sudden awkwardness of the young woman he was very fond of and wanted to help put her at ease.

"Sure, a small drink with you would be great."

James slowly pulled his hand away, shifting himself upon the bar stool.

"Besides,"

He continued, slowly losing his smile.

"I don't know about you, but I could really do with one."

Keya placed the two drinks on the table and raised one eye brow - giving James a questionable glare - knowing what was suddenly getting him down.

"Thinking about earlier, Eh?"

"Yeah."

Sighed James, looking at his shot glass and running his finger round the rim.

"I guess, its just,"

He paused and regarded the young beauty before him as he explained his concern.

"It got really close to a free for all Keya, I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't made it over to you in time..."

James hung his head slightly, involuntarily thinking about the worst, when, he felt a soft hand under his chin - slowly tilting him up to look at the owners face.

"Hey, it's alright, no one got hurt."

Soothed Keya in her soft voice.

"Well, no one that mattered."

She added with a laugh. The young male snorted a gentle chuckle, she could be so sadistic on times and he loved it. With out realising, he had actually been gazing right into her eyes for the past minute - just simply getting instantly mesmerised and captivated by those gems.

'She has the most amazing eyes,'

He pondered to himself.

"They were like green emeralds. Rich, Green, emeralds."

He thought, nearly feeling himself blush. After a brief intermission, James quickly cleared his throat - trying to snap out of the slight awkwardness he may have just laid on the table. However, as he was fixed on her eyes, Keya slowly moved forward as James began to drift towards her and not one of them stopped until their lips touched and their eyes shut softly on contact.

James' heart pounded like a jackhammer at the sensational touch of her against his lips. His right hand, slowly, and so very attentively moved to her face in a gentle action to caress it. After a soft moan of obvious delight from the young female during the kiss, eventually, the two smoothly pulled back to embrace the moment and look deeper into each others eyes. As they did this, Keya turned her face away with a hint of red blush and smiled a little in embarrassment.

"Sorry."

She whispered, timidly, only to hear James playfully retort.

"What! Are you kidding me? don't be."

Keya's head turned back, setting her sights to his, and having her mind proclaim silently to her. It spoke of James and how she now finally knew he liked her more than just a friend. The young females heart pounded inside her chest at a great speed, it fluttered faster than a humming birds flight paten.

'His eyes were perfect! They were like a deep ocean blue. It was like falling into a dream pool.'

She thought as they leaned forward once again to embrace a second kiss.

~BANG!.. SMASH!~

"What the!"

Exclaimed James, as they both jolted to their feet together at the abrupt sound of windows smashing. The noise come from the back office. Keya turned her attention to James with fear in her eyes.

"What was that!?!?!"

She gasped. James narrowed his eyes and focused on the office door.

"Stay here."

He whispered and warned as he advanced carefully towards it. Keya shifted a bit, not really sure what to do. James moved slowly towards the door, keeping himself calm, and trying to maintain a focus of how bad the situation could be but be prepared to handle it. His heart was pounding adrenaline and he couldn't deny that feeling of the fear rushing about his veins. Just as James went to open the door, it Flung open - ruthlessly hitting his right hand and cracking it back - instantly busting his hand at the intense speed and force.

"AHHH!!!.."

James growled out - through clenched teeth - dropping to the floor and cradling his hand into his chest. His eyes winced in pain and his teeth ground to the shock, he looked to the door, seeing it revealed a very large figured man, laughing sinisterly.

"Hahaha... all alone are we? How sweet."

He mocked. The voice flashed back in Keya's memory, showing her the face of the large man from that group that was here earlier.

"James!"

Keya shouted as she ran to his aide and to help him up.

"It's okay, James."

She muttered fearfully in his ear as they backed to the exit door. Unfortunately, just as they reached that door, it shot open and more men with purple dragon symbols on their person - came flooded in, laughing, shouting and screaming. They were all holding weapons of various kind's such as wooden bats, metal polls and bars - even wooden bats with fire lit on the end. How barbaric.

They searched the bar with their eyes before setting them to James and Keya, and smirked there vicious faces. A stubby guy, dressed in rag's and bore a purple dragon tattoo on his face, shouted in a deep harsh voice.

"HEY, IS THIS THE LITTLE GIRL THAT DID THE DAMAGE TO TING TONG'S FACE!?!?!"

The large blonde haired man, standing in the office door way, responded with a smug nod and grin.

"The very same."

It didn't take long for the guy with the purple dragon tattoo on his face to crack his knuckles and smile wickedly at the black haired female.

"Ooo, I'm gonna so enjoy this!"

He hissed before he lifted his hand up and pelted the back of it right across Keya's face - sending her flying and causing James to drop to the floor, in agony.

Keya crashed to the ground, and out of a very frightful and nervous reaction, quickly turned round to the man that just struck her. In an instant, she lifted her hand to her face and hissed while rubbing her cheek; trying to get the feeling back. Her eyes were rolling and tearing, even her head felt as though it was spinning. It felt like her eye was going to explode.

"Keya!"

A distressed voice groaned out. Keya winced her eyes, seeing James being picked up by the scruff of his shirt and held with such little effort by the large - obvious - ring leader of the pack.

"Aww... do you have a bad hand?"

The large black clad and blonde haired man laughed a snide comment as he held James up by his throat. James' eyes opened, ever so slightly, to see his attacker. He then, with every bit of strength he had in him, brought back his left arm and made a fist. Swinging his fist, right round into the guys face, it thankfully made contact and caused the man to drop James and fall back a bit.
"BASTARD!"

The leader brought his hand quickly to his face with a growl

"You will pay for that!"

Moving forward, hostilely, the ring leader kicked James right in the ribs - causing a dull screaming gasp of pain and an alarming cracking sound to Keya's ears. James spat up blood and coughed while slowly curling into a ball of protection as he moaned painfully.

The man who did this brutal attack, kneeled down beside her friend and pulled up his left hand up in his powerful grasp. The black clad male's mouth formed into a sick grin when averting his eyes to Keya, with a twisted glint in them. Keya's eyes widened, knowing exactly what the large man was intending to do and her heart missed a beat.

"NO. Don't!"

She cried out but just as she finished her plea, the man jolted his hand down, braking James' wrist and unleashing some god awful sounds from her friend.

"AHHHH......"

James screamed out in complete misery. Keya turned her head away and closed her eyes tight, she could hear the laughing and cheering of the purple dragons and it made her sick to her stomach. She couldn't deny the fear of her being next, but just what were they going to do to her? She asked herself.

James laid there, semi conscious, moaning and slowly moving his legs and body - still showing sighs he was alive, but the pain was starting to take it's toll, it was excruciating. Once the tall large man finished watching James struggle to move, he quickly set his sights to Keyanna - with a harsh scowling glare.

"Your turn."

He smirked, closing in on the small woman.

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Topside, Hunters Bar...

Raphael kept close to the brain of the operation the whole time they sprinted across the City.

"Yer sure this is the right place, Donnie?"

He rasped, a little out of breath, as were they all. The team stopped and scouted the area while permeably calming themselves as they steadied their breathing. Picking up something, Mikey jolted and sucker punched Leo in the arm to get his attention and pointing over to a building that showed a bar like resemblance with people laughing and shouting. Donatello knelt down and focused on there surroundings before nodding his approval.

"Yes guys, this is the place."

"Looks like we're late to the party!"

Grunted Leo, folding his arms scowling at the bar. Raph looked back at them, with a slick smarmy smile - while spinning his Sais - and spoke in his gruff but enthusiastic tone of voice.

"Well guys, what ya waitin' for?...Christmas!"

On that speech, Raph pounced off the building they were perched on and took off towards the bar. Donnie leaned forward shouting out - with his hand out as though he could grab the tempered hot head.

"Raph, WAIT!"

Raphael stopped in his tracks, only to sarcastically laugh when looking back to them.

"FER WHAT, DON? YER GONNA GROW A PAIR?"

The purple clad turtle folded his arms, glaring at him, and ignored his sarcastic arrogance while cringing at his thick Brooklyn accent. Leonardo rolled his eyes, with yet another disapproved sigh.

"I'm going get him a shock collar one day!"

"I'll make it."

Grinningly offered Donatello. Leo chuckled slightly, regarding his pacifist brother, before jumping off the building to join their hot header sibling running towards the bar just as reckless as ever. Mikey and Donnie soon followed pursuit, only seconds behind.

As the turtles got closer, the loud voices of shouting, laughing, swearing and hindering cries of pain, could be heard. The team reached the out side of the bar - sticking to the shadows - and got through a smashed window out back as swiftly and as stealthy as there ninja ability's allowed them.

They were untraceable.

Leo held his arm out, standing in front of all 3 brothers, before he looked over his shoulder and questioned with a ridged brow.

"You guys ready for this? It sound's like a lot is in there, so no going off an trying to be a hero. Raph. You got that?"

Raphael merely rolled his eyes, with a grunting mumble under his breath and all three of them pulled out their weapons before their leader. Mikey placed his hand on Leo's shoulder, smirking in his child like way.

"Ya know dude,"

He sniggered, mockingly wiping an invisible tear from just under his eye with his other hand.

"Sometimes, it's like you don't know us at all."

The youngest sniffed just before having his eldest brothers hand palm his face and push him back a big. Raph rolled his eyes - a little narked at the question ol' fearless just asked - and shoved past Leo; muttering as he made his way to the door.

"Ya ready for this?"

He repeated Leo's words in a childish manner before setting himself serious again.

"Man, what an idiot!"

The team got through the door, still undetected and took their places getting fully set and prepared for battle.

"HUN!"

Leonardo barked, getting Hun and the rest of his purple dragon cronies to turn an face them. The mutant's helplessly widened their eyes, when seeing Hun holding a girl up by her neck.

Her body was just limply hanging there in his grasp, it looked as if she was dead. Donatello's hands tightened on his Bo staff at the very sight of this, as did the other three to their weapons while eyes narrowed.

"We're too late!"

Mikey snapped, scowling at the large human male.

"HAHAHAHA, Much too late, freaks!"

Hun grunted, with a smile and dropped the girl to the floor. On contact of the floor, the young woman gave out a small moan - indicating she was still alive. Hun lost his smug smile when seeing the purple clad turtle look to his brothers and their faces grow with sinister grins.

"Fun!"

Softly growled the temperamental turtle. This was it, they all tightened their grip on there weapons - momentarily - and spring aggressively into there fighting stance. Donatello shot his sights on the girl, and the battle began.

The purple dragons swung at the ninja turtles with there wooden bats and metal polls - instantly having the four ninja split up.

"Mikey!"

Donnie shouted to his little brother.

"Cover me, I'll get the girl out!"

"NO problem, Bro."

Chuckled the light hearted turtle of the team. Mikey twirled his Nunchak's with a great deal of skill and speed - hitting every dragon punk coming close, directly, in the face. Leo and Raph, kept close to the centre of the room, watching each other's shells and fighting each attacker off with ease before they then set there attention on Hun.

Donatello kept hold of the girl he was carrying bridal style and continued following Mikey towards the door as his brother cleared the path.

"Hey, freak!"

A rough voice shouted from behind the purple clad turtle, causing him to forget a second and turn around. The genius got met with a wooden bat - lit on fire - across the face, and the hit caused that turtle to slump to the floor - losing hold of the girl. He shook his head quickly and got his bearings back, however, felt a nasty throbbing pain now in his jaw.

Angrily, Donatello flipped up to his feet and simultaneously chipping his Bo staff to his hand's

"Oh?"

He snarled, not taking too kindly to having been caught off guard.

"You wanna play rough, huh?!?"

The turtle lunged forward, so he was close enough to disarm the guy of his weapon with a simple twist and kick. He then spun right round - lifting his Bo staff to the purple dragons head level - and smashed it right across the side of his head as though his Bo staff was a bat.

The man slammed into a table - trying to get his balance back - but his legs went unstable and he gave up dropping to the ground unconscious. The pacifist of the group snorted in victory upon his defeated foe and twirled his Bo Staff in triumphant before sheathing it.

"HEY GUYS, WE GOT TO GET OUTER HERE NOW!"

Mikey bellowed and signalled over to flames. Donatello looked to the girl, who was coughing and slowly curling up into a ball, and knelt down - gently picking her up bridle style once more.

The purple clad turtle regarded Raph and Leo, who had Hun beaten effortlessly, and shouted in a commanding voice.

"GUY'S!... WE ARE LEAVENING!!"

As the Bo wielding turtle shouted that, from what was left of the purple dragon gang, ran past him - coughing and panicking to brake free from the unstable blaze lit building.

Leo and Raph, both looked over to Donnie and nodded when noticing the fire spreading. Not a moment longer, they both did one final roundhouse kick to Hun - knocking him to the floor - and headed towards their waiting brothers at the door.

Just as the turtle team made it out side, the bar fell worse. Windows smashed and black smoke made it's way out while the walls slowly threatened to give way and the fire roared out getting bigger and bigger by the second. Alcohol glasses and bottles could be heard smashing and shattering from the few set distance they stood at.

The turtle's set their attention to the young woman Donnie placed on the ground and they could heard a groaning sound and a faint voice trying to say something.

"Jaaammes... where's Jamess?"

They all silently swallowed, unaware there was another civilian still in there. Raphael, shook his head slyly as he heard the words come out of the girls mouth.

His sights set to the blazing bar and then to Leo, who's eyes were already fixed on him. Leonardo could read his brother like a book when it came to situations like this and the leader turtle already knew what Raph was thinking with in seconds.

"NO, Raph!"

Leo grasped Raph's arm.

"Remember, NO HERO'S! it's too risky"

Reasoned the blue clad turtle.

"Fuck risky, Leo! I can make it!"

Raphael yanked his arm away, with a growl and backed toward the bar, warning his brothers to stay there and not to follow. All three of his brothers stood up - with the intention of grabbing Raphael, but fast on his feet, Raph had turned sharply; setting at a speed as fast as he could towards the bar.

"I can make it!"

He muttered to himself just as he jumped into the blazing building hearing only the shrilled cry of his baby brother...

"RAPH!! NO! come back!"

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Inside the burning bar...

Raphael landing - feet first - on the floor of the bar and didn't stand still too long, the floor was boiling. He had to continually keep his feet moving - like one of them desert geckos. Coughing and waving the thick black smoke from his sight, Raph immediately crouched like a wild animal and narrowed his eyes as he scanned the bar floor - looking for any sign of that man the young woman spoke of.

The heat was intense, bottles of alcohol shattered causing the fire to rare up and spread even further. Raph's eye sight blurred continually, forcing him to keep blinking or rubbing at his eyes quickly. The turtles train of thought set back as soon as he heard a faint whine coming from under a flaming table.

Raphael, grateful for the noise, shot over there as fast as possible. He took hold of a Sai to use the prong to lift the flaming table up and with his free hand he eased James out. The human was groggy. Moaning and groggy.

"AHHH..."

Hissed James. Raph looked at him to see what had happened and James' eyes were winced shut in pain, as he cradled his arms to himself. The red clad turtle scrunched his nose ridge now noticing the human had a busted hand and a broken wrist. The sight of them, even made the ninjas stomach turn.

"Aww... Nasty!"

Muttered the Sai wielding turtle. Raph knelt down, to reassure James that there was in fact a real mutant turtle before him, going to help him out, and he was not dreaming it.

"It's okay James... I'm.. I'm err.. gonna get ya outta here, alright?"

James looked up after a groggy nod and shouted.

"Look, OUT!"

Raphael turned his head and was abruptly met with a large fist to his jaw. The red clad turtle slumped down to the ground and blood ran out down the side of his mouth. The taste of blood sickened Raph! Even more so, when it was his very own!

"YOU FREAK'S HAVE PISSED ME OFF FOR THE LAST TIME!"

Roared Hun. Raphael looked up to see that humans angering expression and noticed his right arm was red from a burn and his hair was burnt in patches.

"Hun,"

The arrogant turtle took to his feet with a sarcastic chuckle before he wiped the blood away that was running down the side of his mouth with the back of my hand and spat out the content in his mouth, to the side of him.

"I should have known you were there, burnt hair smell an all.... It's a dead give away.. Hahaha... lovin' the new look too, it really suits ya."

Hun growled out as he roughly grabbed a chair, and with this, he ran towards Raph in blinding fury. Raphael, quickly equipped his Sais and attacked him with force. They both collided harshly and pushed against each other in a stalemate of similar strength.

Hun smiled smugly, having the turtle set into wonder of why - when suddenly, Raphael felt a sharp pain prick in his left arm. He looked to see a dart sticking out with yellow liquid in it and a purple dragon lackey holding it there.

The gang member swiftly pushed the liquid in to the turtles arm - instantly causing Raphael's arm to go numb. His Sai dropped to the ground as the numbness made its way down his arm and into his hand.

Raph instantaneously pushed Hun back with all his strength, then turned, and snapped the neck of the purple dragon while emitting a raging snarl.

The temperamental turtle growled through clenched teeth as he squeezed his left hand in motion of trying to feel something but he felt nothing. He turned round, hearing a noise close to him, and with out time to react, Hun grabbed Raph with both hands to his shoulders and kneed him in the plastron, forcefully.

Raphael coughed and chocked to the floor. The smoke from the fire was thick and the breathable air was getting thin.

Hun, paced slowly round the turtle, feeling victory upon him. Raphael got his train of thought back after gasping a small bit of air and he set sights to Hun, watching as he lifted a chair above his head.

"See ya, FREAK!"

Hun smirked, and brought the chair down. Swiftly, Raphael's reaction set into motion.

~CRACK!~

"AHHHHH!!!!!!......"

Hun screamed out, plunging to the ground and crying in overwhelming agony as Raphael stood triumphantly with his cocky smile - listening to Hun's agony screams, like music to his ears.

"YOU FUCKIN' .... BASTARD! YA FUCKIN' DEAD! YOU'RE AH DEAD, FREAK!"

He growled, sounding more like he was making a promise while blood fell from his mouth as he spat those words. Raph knelt down and whispered in a sinister voice to Hun's ear.

"See yer... Freak!"

The red clad turtle left the distressed dragon leader, after, hearing James let out a small moan. Raphael's mind set back on focus to the task he was here to do. James tried to stand but his balance was all over the place. Raph grabbed the top part of the humans arm and put James' arm around the back of his neck.

"HOLD ON!"

Commanded Raph, before looked to the door he came in through and seeing it had been blocked by the ceiling falling down at an angle of ceiling beams and clumps of rock.

"GREAT!"

He snapped. Quickly blinking, Raphael felt his vision getting blurry again and again and the room's heat was more than overwhelming. Raph coughed and gasped as he looked around the room for an exit; the ruminants of the liquor bottle's smashed and shattered - making the fire and heat more intense. His heart was going over time and the heat of the place was not helping in his inner panic.

Raph kept shifting his feet, unable to stand still for too long due to the hot floor. The turtle scanned for his way out fast, as the fear of being burnt alive filled his mind. His Family flashed before him with in a quick flicker as though willing him not to give up! However... Raphael was starting to think dark thoughts.

"Am I a dead turtle walkin'? Am I goin' to make it out?...If I don't make it out,"

He paused his line of thought and looked to the floor, quickly shaking his head and trying to clear his death frame of mind. His breathing was now uncontrollable as he was starting to accept that maybe he was screwed.

Raphael gasp and chocked, trying to remain conscious but the heat was overwhelming and his sight kept blurring; he squinted his eyes, continually turning himself and starting to feel more trapped by the second of the hellish flame that held him and James prisoner.

James looked up, nudging the turtle that held him and he motioned his head in the direction of a hidden exit

"Ooo..over... th.. There"

He faintly whined out. Raphael narrowed his eyes to the destination point and moved for the area the man said. The ceiling began to drop, clump by clump, swiftly the turtle rushed James and himself to the exit door as fast as possible hoping they were going to make it out in time! He gasped, only a few feet away from the door and finished his last thought with an endless whisper.

"I'm sorry, Leo."

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Out side the burning bar; Moments before...

Mikey paced uncontrollably while staring at the burring bar.

"LEO, WHERE IS HE!!!"

He screamed, frantically, hearing the sound of sirens creep in. Leonardo stood there, in a dazed state, slowly shaking his head.

"I..I don't know Mikey..."

He stuttered, not taking his eyes off the flamed building for a second. Donatello, picked up the unconscious girl - bridal style - and stared at the building; willing to see Raphael emerge from the thick smoke and powerful flame.

With in seconds, an immense pain wrenched its way through all 3 hearts of the turtle brothers as they began witnessing the building fall to a fiery mound; crashing down harshly and cruelly snatching any chance of any thing or one getting out. Tears filled there eyes at a great speed.

"RAPH!!!"

Leo cried out.

"NOOO!!!!"

Mikey's mind exploded at the sight and he screamed - lunging forward - trying to run towards the fire, but was stopped abruptly as a firm strong hand grabbed his arm.

"No Mikey, STOP!"

Fearfully snapped Leonardo, desperately struggle to restrain his baby brother. Mikey yanked and pulled, kicked and screamed, really trying hard to brake away.

"LET GO, LEO!

He cried.

"HE'S STILL IN THERE, HE NEED'S OUR HELP!!"

Leo grasped Mikey into a close hug, trying to stop him from running towards the mound of fire rubble; nothing was alive in there now.

"RAPH!!!!!!!!!"

Soulfully cried the orange clad turtle. Mikey continued to try getting away, but Leo's grip was too strong. The leader held him close and silently said as shocked tears of grief ran down his face...

"No Mikey ... He's, He's gone."

Leo winced at the heart breaking words he had to force from his mouth.

The reality of the situation didn't seem real. Michelangelo's heart sunk severely and he could feel it twist and contort in agony. The weight of loss pulled himself and Leo down with it; both brothers sunk to the ground in an emotional wreck as Mikey let out painful agonising cry's - clinging to his eldest brother.

Leonardo winced at the pain he heard from Michelangelo, and felt inside. The Leader turtle felt as though he couldn't breath, like his shell suddenly felt to small for him.

"RAPH! Raph, please, NO! come back!"

Sobbed Mikey, reaching out towards the fire as though he could remove the monster on top of his brother and save him. Donatello stood in shock, hearing nothing more than a loud ringing dull sound in his ear and his brother's echoing muffled voices in the background.

Shock was immanent.

Mikey felt sick, he really wanted to vomit but seconds later, Donnie did.... He was quick in placing the girl to the ground and turned sharply away from his two brothers as he vomited.

"He can't be!"

The purple clad turtle sobbed and spat out his words with bits of sick. Mikey shook and trembled at the powerful emotion behind his sobbing, still in Leonardo's arm's. The young leaders eyes just stared blankly into space. The feeling was unreal. Raphael, dead? A brother of his, dead?

"This can't be happing!"

He whispered to himself, involuntarily having sudden flash backs of him with Raph and his brothers only hours ago where all four of them were laughing and joking as they got ready for a routinely night patrol.

Leonardo remembered looking at each of his brothers as they made wise cracks about the shredder and his outfit; he remembered looking really hard and taking in the sight of his beloved brothers that he had not seen in 14 months. He had looked extra hard tonight for some reason and he could see how much he missed them.

The sirens got closer. Leo continued to hold his baby brother and was slightly tightening his hold as he stared - hearing his brothers ghost comments about the shredder.

~~"Yeah I'd say he was more like the tin man from the wizard of Oz"

"Wizard of what?"

"Oz Raph, hahaha.... Really, you have got to watch a few old time classics sometime, you know? broaden your horizon."

"So what makes you say he's like the tin man, Mikey?"

"Simple, Leo bro, 'Cuz he hasn't got a heart."

"Ahh... Mikey, yer mushroom head, that was lame!"

"Said the turtle that called me a mushroom head, Raphie."

"Grrr,...Mikey, I'm warnin' yer! Don't call me that!"

"Hahahah, hahahah hahaha"~~

Leo shut his eyes, trying to keep his tears back, but the pain was bearing to be too much and he gasped a whimper when hearing an old childhood memory.

~~"OW!, I'm getting' sick of dis! what's da big idea in us doin' dis, Leo?"

"'Cuz Master Spinta's sick, an I wan us to make him a nice get well soon card."

"Awww... but my fingers are gettin' all gooyie! can we just get give him da medicine?"

"That's gluey Raphie, not gooyie hahaha..."

"Ne haha..."

"Grrr!"

"Come on Raf, its for Sensay."

"Ooo alwight, it's for father I'll do any thing for him. I wove him wery much!"

"Yeah, me too."

"Me free!"

"An me four!"~~

Leo's eyes jolted open with a whimpering grunt and a great heartbeat of remorse. He repressed his tears as he began trying to be strong for his brothers now. He slowly fixed his eyes to Mikey and mumbled, trying to keep a brave face and hold it together.

"We better get out of here."

He spoke that for the safety of his 2 brothers. The moment fell silent as they all stood up and looked to the building that had taken their brothers life. Donnie hung his head down, and picked up the girl once again.

Emotions were running high and torment had began eating them inside. The three slowly made there way from the scene and headed in the direction of home. The walk back seemed to have been the longest they had ever done, Leonardo was, the whole time, thinking about what he was going to tell Master Splinter upon their return with out Raphael.

As they jumped from building to building, Mikey kept looking back in the hope of seeing Raph just standing there with his signature arrogant looking grin on his face; twirling his Sais and saying something smarmy... but he just wasn't there, no one was.

Michelangelo's eyes once again glazed with tear's and he just froze - setting his attention to the dawning sky. The sun began to rise and the color of the sky cracked open with a red and orange rise to it. The orange clad turtle looked back, once again, still holding that hope of Raph being there.

'Oh, Raph!'

He mourned silently in his head while scanning the scenery for that rich office green, red mask wearing turtle.

'Who am I gonna play in Halo now? Who am I gonna have to beat in food eating contests? Leo's no match and Donnie's easily filled on one serving, you're the only one with the competitive streak as big as mine, even if your full ya still keep going hoping I'll give up, but I never do.'

Mikey snorted when remembering a past contest of Raphael actually vomiting after stuffing himself silly, and he lightly smiled; thinking back on the moaning groans of the red clad turtle denying that he lost due to him feeling Ill to begin with, which Mikey knew was a lie but it was fun.

'I miss you already, Raph! Ya said you'd never leave me. Ya said no matter what, you'd always be there, you'd be there to give my smacks up side the head when I'm goofing off or saying something stupid, you'd be there to argue over who's strongest, Buffy or Faith? An ya know me Raph, its Buffy all the way for me, ya were always one for the dark horse.'

Mikey's eyes released tears, he felt them and left them so willingly trickle down his cheeks as he mourned staring out at the beautiful sun rise. He couldn't do nothing else...

'Raph, PLEASE! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!, Ya promised me, ya promised ya would never let anything hurt me. Well I got news for yer! THIS IS PRETTY FUCKING BAD! And it hurts like hell, bro! PLEASE, RAPHIE! Don't leave me.... Don't Leave us.'

Mikey whimpered, putting his hand over his eyes, he couldn't take much more and soon found himself crouched down on the floor - just feeling like dieing himself. He sobbed and cried, falling into the fatal position.

Suddenly the orange clad turtle felt a gentle hand rest upon his shoulder.

"Mikey.."

Came a soft broken voice of sorrow. The youngest of the brothers sniffed and turned himself and saw his Leader brother looking just as devastated as he was. The orange clad turtle could see Leo was trying to hold it all in and he shouldn't but perhaps he was right by doing so. Mikey sobbed even worst as he latched himself to Leo and cried out.

"I'm sorry, Leo! I'm sorry I can't be as strong as you an Donnie."

"Mikey no, sshhh..."

Softly hushed the elder male. His heart was shattered by all of this.

"It's,... it's alright little brother, you let it out! Don't hold back thinking you have to."

Trembled Leo. He shut his eyes, holding Mikey tight and he could feel himself tearing again just as he heard a sob over his shoulder. Leo set his attention to the sound maker - seeing Donatello stood there with the girl still in his arms and himself just staring blankly, leaving tears run down his cheeks.

The leaders heart was broken to a million pieces. This was it, the begging of the end, the ninja team of four was now a three and the three were obliterated in depression and mourning.

Leo swallowed down hard the pained lump in his throat as thought's of what's going to happen to Master Splinter when he hears about this. The death of Raphael has already began its toll upon the turtles, but the death of a son to an elderly rat will surely kill him, and soon enough, the entire family would be in a pit of despair.

Leo shook his head not wanting that to happen. Raph wouldn't want that to happen!. The young leader grit his teeth, trying to force himself to take control of his emotions as he gently broke from the hug with Mikey

"Come on, let's get home"

He carefully murmured. Mikey sobbed with a nod of his head while getting up and moved past Leo all slouched and basically not bothered no more. Leonardo followed on as Donnie led, still in his trance of shock.

A morning mist began to settle in and shiver's went through each turtle. Tears rolled down Donnie's face as visions of Raph flew through his head; mainly of him teasing him with books and computer tech, but Donatello would welcome Raphael's gentle teasing right now. As long as he was there to do it, the pacifist didn't care! Not no more. He just wanted to hear Raph's voice again.

Mikey stopped at the manhole cover - just staring at it - having the feeling and the urge to just run out and be seen by the humans and possibly get shot on sight, he didn't care.... The young one pondered on the thought a moment and the dead stare worried Leo immensely. He moved closer to Mikey and got his attention by gently placing his hand on his baby brothers shoulder, in comfort and reassurance.

"Mikey?"

The youngest turtle twitched, quickly averting his eyes to the eldest and he saw Leo with sadness in his eyes while forcing a smile to try and comfort him.

"It's okay, Mikey. We all feel him, and he will always be with us, in here and in here."

Leo motioned his hand from Mikey's head to his heart as he said his words. Michelangelo however, looked down and sighed soulfully before he headed down the manhole and followed on in Donnie's direction - with his arms and shoulders slouched. Leo closely followed, keeping an overly close eye on both brothers.

The blue clad turtles mind remained focussed on the night his brothers and himself just had, and involuntarily, thoughts of Raphael flashed through his head coercing him to close his eyes to keep tears from falling, once again. The turtle leader grit his teeth, needing to be strong! He needed to hold himself together until he was confined in his room, and only then, was he going to sob his little heart out.

As they walked through the sewers, Leo regarded Mikey to his left, seeing him slouched and his head fixed down to the floor. The leader turned his vision to Donnie, on his right, seeing him walking as if he was in a trance. He just looked dead forward and kept his eyes fixed straight - not even blinking. Leo could tell no one was home since Donnie was just splashing through the sewer water as if it was normal fresh water.

Sewer water and Donatello, just didn't go together. He normally try's to avoid the dark murky stuff, keeping himself to the side of the tunnel walls, but this time, he just stomped right through.

The brothers soon reached their destination point, and stopped. Reaching up to the third pipe from the left of four, the blue clad turtle pulled it.

The wall opened up to reveal their underground sewer home, which was amazing for an under ground sewer house. Donatello had fixed the place up real nice. He had fitted it with heating, air conditioning, fresh water supplies with hot and cold water and there was lighting in every room.

(but candles were an acquired taste for their bedrooms, despite them having the choice to have artificial lighting or not, they normally choose candle light. It helped sooth them into sleep.)

Over time, they had accumulated many necessities, such as, TV's, love set couches and chairs, cooker, built in a sink, found a refrigerator and fixed it up to working condition; built cupboards to the kitchen walls. Basically, they had all the basic living materials that one would have in a regular home - excluding Donatello's fancy techno stuff and his high system computer and Lab/Hospitable room and the large family Dojo room, for their highly intense training sessions.

Splinter, the elderly rat, dressed in a simple red robe with leather trimming the shoulders in a rather humble manner, stood with his cane neatly centred in front of him and both frail paws cupped on it's end as he stood at the bottom of the steps with a worried but relieved expression on his face.

Leonardo's heart ached as he saw his fathers face and he knew, the second Splinter saw them one short of the team, he would know something had happened and it was of the gravely kind.

Splinter's eyes dotted from one to the other of his son's as they stopped in front of him and he waited to see his red clad son come in, late as normal, but he didn't.

The rats heart nearly stopped when the lair's wall doors shut - locking out a family member and he shot his eyes to his eldest. Leo winced his eyes, seeing a heart broken questioning expression possess his fathers face.

"My son's, where is Raphael? And who is this young lady?"

Splinter asked, maintaining a firm but calm tone of voice. In normal action, the leader stepped forward after regarding his brothers faces and he knew it was he who had to brake the news to ones father.

Leonardo looked to the floor and dropped to his knees, respectfully. He couldn't bare to look master Splinter in the eye with what news he had to tell him.

"Master,"

He spoke, just below a whisper, before concentration on keeping his voice a normal tone.

"There was this... fight at a bar, involving this young woman, and the purple dragons--"

"My son's, what were you doing at a bar?"

Interrupted his Sensei. Leo looked up, meaning more than just a simple glance.

"NO, Master, please, let me try and get this out."

He snapped unintentionally, however, Splinter ignored his son's irritable tone this once and bowed his head as if to say continue. The emotional turtle looked back down feeling even worst now.

'GREAT! Now I'm snapping at master Splinter, when it's not his fault!'

The blue clad turtle mentally snarled at himself, hating the emotions of failure and mourning grief he was feeling. Leonardo's mouth began to tremble and twitch.

"Sorry, Sensei."

He said softly and meaning fully before continuing to explain.

"We were out doing our normal training run, when we over heard Hun and his purple dragon's talking about destroying this girl."

Leonardo slowly began to raise his voice in anger - having to say such bitter words - and leading up to the breath taking news.

"We had to help,"

His words sounded forceful.

"IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!"

"Clam down, Leonardo,

Hushed Master Splinter, gently resting his paw on his eldest son's head.

"It was the right thing to do, yes, however, you have still not answered my question about the whereabouts of your brother, Raphael!"

Donatello gently placed the girl on the coach and cleared his throat - getting his sensei's attention before he let out a cry; getting to the point.

"He's. He's dead!"

Shrilled the pacifist, slowly sinking to the floor with his hands over his head, walling his sorrow. Donatello couldn't stop himself from falling into the fatal position as Mikey began to sob and cry as well. Leo tried so ungainly hard to keep himself together as much as possible but even he could prevent tears from glossing his eyes.

Splinters whole self went into shock and the leader could tell by the rats eyes

"NO."

The elder gasped.

"No, it can't be."

The old rat's head lowered, he could not believe what his son's were saying! He hadn't felt any loss of connection between any one of his ninjas. He felt Raphael was still alive! He had to be!.

Splinter needed to gather his thoughts and think things over and so, he turned away from his son's, and walked towards his room to take in some meditation upon the situation. Leonardo's eyes followed him, all he could think was how he let his Sensei down, how he let himself down, but more importantly, how he let his brother's down!.

The blue clad turtle desperately reached up to Master Splinter's hand in a quick reaction.

"Father!"

He cried weakly. Splinters hand jolted as Leo made contact and he stopped.

"My son, I need some time to think."

Uttered the old rat, his voice was a low whisper of hurt. Leo released his grip and quickly shouted out as Splinter shut his door and through all the mewling crys of his brothers.

"Sensei, I'm SORRY!"

Sinking his head to the floor, Leonardo broke out in to sob's as he was unable to hold his pain in, any longer.

"I'm ... so sorry.".