April stared out the window at the buildings below, her back facing her sister. Her thoughts were on Casey...god, how she loved him, Megan...she hoped she would be okay, and Shadow...would they ever have her back?
It was mid-afternoon. The sun sat low in the sky, announcing the final hours of daylight. Her sight fell on the busy city below. Cars crowded the streets like herds of cattle. The stores were filled with busy shoppers, rushing in and out as they hurried to get their weekend chores done. It was a beautiful Saturday in mid-October. The air was crisp and clean and had a slight chill to it, reflected by the many coats and jackets. She spotted an alley adjacent to the motel building. It was narrow, barely noticeable from her place at the window. She stared hard at what appeared to be...yes, it was! A manhole cover sat in the middle of the walkway. As she gazed at it, she realized for the first time just how close they were to the Turtle's lair. Casey's words echoed through her mind again. You are being watched.
Convinced that they were safe for the moment, she turned to face her sister, the decision made. Now was the time to tell her the truth; about the turtles, about her wedding, about everything. She took a deep breath and sat next to Robyn on the bed.
"April?", Robyn asked curiously. Why did she look so serious?
April sighed. "Robyn...", she began. "Do you remember those Italian guys I told you about...?"
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"Leonardo" Splinter's voice echoed through his head, and he could feel the warm breath on his cheek. The rat crouched close, studying his son intensely.
Leonardo stirred as he struggled to fight off the sleep that had taken over his body. His eyes blinked open slowly, and a compassionate furry face greeted his vision.
"Leonardo." Splinter forced a smile as the relief washed over him. Atleast he is awake.
He found it hard to speak for a moment as a rush of pain traveled down his side and across his shell. Splinter pressed a cold cloth against the wound.
"M...master...I"
"Shhh..." Splinter silenced him again. He has lost so much blood! The terror gripped the old rat. He knew the turtle was going to need all of his strength to pull him through. Leo cringed in pain as he rolled him over gently, exposing the cracked shell. My god! The wound is deep, nearly hit vital organs. This is bad.
The unbearable pain seered across his back as Splinter applied the medicine. He hated to see his son in so much grief, but he had to disinfect the area immediately. Leonardo gritted his teeth, convincing himself he needed to be strong. I am ninja. I must endure this.
As the pain began to subside, the vision of his limp brother's body flashed in his mind. "Donatello!", he gasped, trying desperately to flip over.
"Calm yourself, Leonardo." Splinter's voice was gentle as he held his hand against Leo's shell, holding him in place. He finished cleansing the wound and placed some healing herbs over the puncture. He then wrapped it firmly and lowered him back in place.
"Michaelangelo and Megan are attending to him. He will be fine." But the doubt and fear cursed him. The truth was, he was worried that Donatello wouldn't make it. He had been so badly beaten, and his hand...Splinter could barely force himself to look at the mangled flesh. Sorrow flooded through him as he spared a glance in Don's direction. Mike and Megan were working fretfully to dress his many wounds.
Michaelangelo could feel the nausea building as he stared down at the bloody body. He studied the hand in disbelief. How could somebody do this to his brother? The cut was deep, spreading from the outer edge of his index finger, down the full length of his hand, to the middle of his wrist, nearly severing the thumb as it hung there grotesquely. He glanced up at Megan, teary-eyed, and realized that she was having as much trouble dealing with this as he was. Her face was flushed of its color as she closed her eyes, absorbing the anguish that rushed through her. She thought she could almost feel the tremendous pain Donatello had experienced, and maybe was still enduring as he laid there unconscious.
You can't die, Don, you can't! A new rush of adrenaline coursed through Michaelangelo. Brushing away the fear and disgust, he picked up the scissors and carefully cut the wristband, tossing it away. The blood oozed out and trickled down his arm.
"Gaak!", Mike whispered in repugnance. He turned his head away and sat with his back against the couch. Placing his head between his knees, he began to rock gently as he fought back the nausea. "I can't do this!", he whispered to himself.
Megan had needed a moment with herself to sort through her fears. The entrance of the beaten brothers had forced her to confront her own weaknesses as her battle was brought back into harsh reality again. The memories of her stinging flesh as the weapons tore into her made her sick.
She opened her eyes to find Michaelangelo crouched on the floor, Splinter's arm around him, attempting to comfort the weary soul.
"My son, do not fear the task at hand.", his voice was soft, soothing. "Fear is the only enemy. We must do what needs to be done. Time is running short." The rat glanced up at Megan, concern wrinkling the aged brow. She nodded. Now wasn't the time to panic. It was the time to act.
"Come on, Mike, we've gotta do this together." She grabbed his arm gently. "I need your help."
Mike rose slowly, wiping at the tears with the back of his hand. He felt slightly embarrassed, crying like this in front of the girl, but when he looked into her face, he could see where the wet streaks had stained her own cheeks.
"I'm sorry.", he said to his sensei. "It's just so hard...seeing Donnie like this..." He bit his lip and took a deep breath. Don's blood continued to flow. He had to stop it before it drained his brother of what little life he had left.
Determined to save his brother from certain death, Mike prepared the string and needle and set them aside. Next, he placed a hand on either side of the gaping wound and pressed the thumb carefully into place.
Splinter watched silently as the two worked together. The urgency ate at him, and he desperately wanted to take over, but he knew he had to have confidence in them. Michaelangelo was skilled in the art of healing, and more importantly, he needed to keep himself busy. He worried about his state of mind, however. Mike had mended many of his brother's wounds in the past, but none this severe.
"You've gotta hold his hand just like this.", Mike said to Megan. Determined to be brave, she placed her hands where he instructed, holding the split together. Mike picked up the needle.
"Well, here goes.", he sighed, and began to sew.
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"Do you see anything?", Casey called.
"Naw.", Raph's voice echoed back. "No one's up there. 'Sides, the Foot won't attack when it's this light out. Too risky." He lowered the manhole cover and stepped down the ladder. "April and Robyn are fine."
Casey leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Do you think they're done in there yet?", he cringed at the thought of Don and Leo laying there bloody and silent while Mike, Megan and Splinter sewed them up. It angered and scared him to think that something could happen to one of his buddies.
Raphael hadn't been too fond of the idea himself, so he had volunteered to be on watch and check on April. He was ninja, he had killed many enemies in his life time, but deep down, the site of his brother's blood made him queesy. The idea of the Foot injuring them like this made his blood boil. He knew he had to get out of there before he went crazy, or even more importantly, before one of them caught on to his insecurities. That's right, Raphael, gotta keep up the image!
He thought about Megan. She's amaizing! She had really stuck up for herself last night, fighting back with Casey's bat. Got a few good hits in there too! Then, when those creeps had almost killed her, she'd pulled through for him. God, was he happy she hadn't left him. He had been in such terror last night, working feverishly to make her better. He just wasn't good at stuff like that - taking care of people, playing hospital. I'm much better at sending them there. He grimmaced at this thought. Now, after her struggle to survive and the pain that continued to rack her body, she was in there helping to save his brothers.
Casey noticed Raph's far-away gaze and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hello? Earth to Raph!", he grinned.
Raphael began to pace as he was jarred from his thoughts. Casey watched him in wonder as he stared at the floor. What's eating him?
"Hey Casey?", Raph said atlast. Casey examined him for a moment.
"Yeah, what's up?"
Raph searched for the words, trying to sound impartial. "Tell me about your cousin."
Casey froze and stared up at the turtle. The question had caught him off guard. "Megan? Why?", he asked suspiciously.
Raphael glanced around nervously for a moment before he spoke. "I don't know, I just wanna make sure she's on our side."
"Oh, come off it, Raph!" Casey was infuriated. "She's my cousin! I've known her since I was twelve years old!" He glared at Raphael as the anger built up inside of him. How dare he question her loyalty? "Of course she's on our side!", he spat.
Raphael's face twisted up in anger, but then slowly relaxed back to normal. Casey watched, shocked, as the frown faded away.
"So tell me about 'er then.", he said slightly annoyed. Casey was skeptical. He had expected Raph to take his head off.
"Well...what do you want to know?"
"How old is she? Where does she live?", he asked matter-of-factly.
"Your age...twenty-two. She lives in California. She and I grew up together for a while when we were younger. We spent some of our childhood on my grandmother's farm."
"You mean the farmhouse?"
"Yep. The one and only."
A short silence passed, and then Raphael asked, "So what kind of things is she into?"
"You mean like hobbies? I don't know." He absently scratched his head. "I guess she likes animals. She's a good artist, and she likes to dance." He shrugged. "I'm not really sure anymore. I haven't seen her in so long."
Raphael's gaze was distant again. Casey couldn't help wondering why he was asking so many questions.
"Where's this leading to anyway?", he frowned.
"Nowhere." The turtle was pondering something, and his look made Casey nervous.
"And another thing..." His heart sank as he thought about his deceased aunt. "Her mother died a few months ago. It's a sore subject, so don't bring it up."
Raphael nodded. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
____________________________________________________________________________________
The wound was mending surprisingly well. Mike sewed a few more stitches and tied off the end.
"There.", he announced with satisfaction.
"We did it." Megan sighed, relieved this ordeal was finally over. Mike flipped the hand over, revealing a smaller wound, where the katana had sliced clean through. Megan let out a moan.
"Now a few on this side."
Splinter finished taping up Leo's wounds and covered him with the blanket. His fever had broken, and he seemed to be resting comfortably. He approached Donatello and watched silently as the two friends finished their stitching. Megan cradled the hand gently as Mike wrapped it up. He wanted to be sure the sutures would stay in place. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he turned to find his master standing before him.
"I am proud of you both." The concern showed clearly in the rat's eyes. Only time would tell now whether his sons would survive. He had high hopes for Leonardo, but Donatello was looking pretty bad. He had been unconscious from the moment Leo had entered, carrying him over his shoulder. The loss of blood had drained him of some of his color, which was now replaced by a sickly pea green.
Splinter fought back the anguish that threatened to overtake him. Atleast they have not taken them all from me. Megan watched as the father and son embraced one another, a feeling of loss and overwhelming sorrow consuming her. She thought about her own father and the relationship they'd never had. Hold on to this, Michaelangelo, don't ever turn away from him.
Splinter raised his eyes from Mike's shoulder, letting his sight fall on Megan. Sensing her sorrow and guilt, he beckoned for her to join them.
"Come.", he said comfortingly, "Let us meditate and pray for them together."
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Raphael sat slumped on the ground, moving a stick around in the dirt. Casey stood silently, examining the turtle as he tried to peice together his strange mood. Why hadn't he lashed out at him when he'd accused him of questioning Megan's loyalties? Why was he unusually quiet?
Raphael shifted slightly as he woke from his thoughts. He had been daydreaming about her again. How she hadn't been afraid of him, how gentle she was, how great she looked in that shirt! He gazed down at the etchings, gasping as he realized he had drawn a heart in the dirt! He covered it quickly, scrapping at it with the stick. He glanced up at Casey. Had he seen it?
Casey hadn't noticed, as he was lost in his own contemplation. He thought about everything that had transpired since he had gotten to the lair last night. They had found Raphael and Megan. Raph had wrapped all of her wounds, and he had thought she was dead. Had those actually been tears in his eyes? Splinter had asked him to stay and help heal her. Then, when their job was done, he had rushed out announcing she was alive, and cackling like a maniac. Very unlike Raph. Maybe more like Mikey... After all of that, he had slept in that room with her, and when she had come out to show off her outfit, his tongue nearly fell out of his mouth. Wait a minute...that's it!
"You have the hots for her, don't you?", Casey's tone was accusing.
"What?" Raphael had been caught off guard. His heart began to pound as he searched for a way to answer the insinuation.
"Admit it, Raph. I saw the way you were looking at her!"
"I do not have the hots for her!", Raphael lied.
"Yeah, then why did you ask me all of those questions?"
Raphael stood up, the anger welling up inside of him. "I don't have to answer to you!", he shouted.
"Yeah, well when it comes to my cousin you do!"
Raphael was furious. How dare Casey get into his personal business?
"What's it to you anyway?" He shoved a finger in Casey's face. Casey slapped at the finger and flashed the turtle an angry scowl.
"Look Raph, she doesn't need this right now!", he yelled.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Casey.", he mocked, "She doesn't need what? People around her that care?"
"Yeah, she does, and that's just the point!" Casey got in Raphael's face, his eyes peircing. "She needs people! People, not turtles!" He turned his back on Raphael, taking deep breaths as the implications of his words began to dawn on him. Oh, man, what did I just say?
Raphael was enraged. How dare Casey say such a thing?
"Well, thanks for finally showing your true colors, man! And after all this time, I actually thought you and I were friends!"
As Casey turned around to apologize, his face met with Raphael's fist. The punch had been hard, sending Casey sprawling backward. His back hit the wall, and he slumped to the ground with a loud thud. The pain had been instant, and he could already feel his eye starting to swell. Raphael's eyes were fierce and untame as they glared into Casey's. "Go to hell.", he said and ran out.
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"Yeah, right April!", Robyn smirked. She rose from the bed and walked toward the window.
"Robyn...I'm telling the truth.", April sighed. This wasn't going too well.
Robyn turned toward her sister, accusation in her big green eyes. "You expect me to believe that you know four walking talking turtles who practice ninjutsu."
April had to admit, it did sound crazy. She couldn't blame her sister for her disbelief, but at the same time, she was growing frustrated. Their conversation had been moving in circles for the last half hour.
"Look, I know it sounds far fetched, but..."
Robyn glared at her. "April, if you didn't want me around, why didn't you just tell me, instead of making up such corny stories?"
"Robyn! Of course I want you here! I invited you, remember?"
Robyn was doubtful. "I'll bet Shadow isn't really missing either, is she?"
April almost cried at the harshness of the accusation. "Of course she is.", she choked. "Do you really think I would lie to you about something so imporant?"
Robyn studied her for a moment. "No...I don't. But I don't know what to believe anymore. You've been acting so strange since I got here."
April looked into her sister's eyes. "It's true. All of it. I swear."
The serious determination in April's eyes made Robyn uneasy. "Okay.", she said atlast. "I believe you. All but the turtle part."
April moaned and flopped back on the bed. This was going to take longer than she'd expected.
____________________________________________________________________________________
The three sat together in a circle, their legs crossed, holding hands as they prayed silently for the injured. Megan's ribs ached, but she ignored them. Splinter had been concerned for her well being, but she had assured him she was fine, stressing the fact that she felt much better now. Splinter's hand felt frail, yet oddly strong in her grasp. She thought about the rat in amazement. He had lived such an interesting life, and had done so many things she could only dream about doing. So many horrible events had taken place in his life, but yet he remained strong, able to take whatever came with a level head. She admired the rat for this quality, wishing she possessed more of it herself.
Without warning, she was jarred from her thoughts as Casey burst through the door cursing.
"Casey, what happened?" Megan stared up at him in awe. His eye was swolen and it was starting to turn black and blue as he covered it with his hand.
"It's nothing.", he mumbled.
She glanced at Mike and Splinter for approval to leave the circle. The rat nodded and she rose slowly from the floor. "Come on, Casey, I'll get you some ice."
Mike watched as she led Casey into the kitchen. Once they were out of sight, he whispered to Splinter. "Do you think Raph clubbed 'im?"
Splinter sighed and shook his head, letting Mike know that was exactly what he thought.
"Maybe I should go help." He rose and ran after them.
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His head ached. The dim lights hurt his eyes, sending the pain shooting through his scalp. His mouth was dry. He swallowed hard, attempting to clear the mucous from his throat. His back was numb and a dull pain throbbed at his side. It was hot in here. He threw back the blanket, and attempted to sit up. The dizziness took over and he was forced to lay back down. He searched around for his brothers and Splinter. Where are they? He listened hard in the silence and could make out a muffled discussion coming from the kitchen.
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"Why did he punch you?" Megan's tone was almost accusing.
"I don't know." Casey held the ice pack to his head as it continued to throb.
"There's got to be more to it than that." She was skeptical. She hadn't known Raph for very long, and she could see that he had a bit of a temper, but she had never seen the angry vicious side of him before.
"Look." Casey's words bit into her. "We were up there checking on April and he hit me."
Now Mike was giving him the look. He knew his brother's moods all too well, but he also knew that in order for Raph to deck one of his friends, something had to have set him off. Even Splinter could tell that Casey was holding something back. As the three of them stared at him, waiting for him to explain, Raphael came through the front door.
"Shhh!", Mike whispered quickly. "I think Oscar the Grouch is home."
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Raphael was still angry as he knelt down next to Leo.
"Hey man.", he whispered. "You okay?"
Leonardo stretched out his hand for Raph to take. "Yeah, I'll be fine.", he mumbled. "But I've got a splitting headache."
Raphael grinned. "Hey, atleast I didn't cause it this time, huh?"
Leonardo smiled. "Yeah. Too bad we can't say the same for Casey."
"Huh?" Raph was startled.
"They're in the kitchen right now. Sounds like an argument."
Raphael rose to leave. "Yeah, well..."
Mike, Casey, Megan and Splinter entered the room. Raphael and Casey exchanged resentful glances before he headed for the door. "I'm outta here!", he said.
"Wait, Raphael." Splinter stopped him. "I believe we all have some talking to do."
"There's nothing else to say, master.", he snapped.
"Nothing else to say!?" Casey was furious. "You decked me, pal. I'm not gonna let you get away with that!" He spotted Splinter's walking stick leaning against the wall. Without waiting for the rat's approval, he picked it up and held it like a baseball bat.
"Come on!" Raph beckoned with his hands. "Think you can take me, tough guy?"
The two leered at eachother. Raph stood in a ready stance, his fists held in front of his chest as Casey held the make-shift bat.
"Why don't you tell em' why we're fighting? Huh, Casey? Why don't you tell em' what you said to me!?"
Tears began to stream down Megan's cheeks as she gawked in awe at the two brawlers. "Stop it!", she screamed, sobbing. They both turned and stared at her as she covered her face with her hands. "Haven't we had enough fighting? Do we have to hurt eachother now?" Mike put his arm around her, sharing her pain as he glanced at Donatello.
Casey's anger slowly turned to guilt as his cruel words flashed back in his mind. She needs people! People, not turtles! He examined Raph quietly as he began to realize what the problem had been all along. He wasn't sure if he could handle seeing Megan fall in love with Raphael. The thought scared him. He worried about Raph's temper, but he mostly worried about his own image. It wasn't normal for a human and a turtle...he glanced at the others around him. Then again, no one that stood before him was particularly "normal", including himself. He dropped the stick in defeat and went to the kitchen to sulk.
Raphael headed off to his bedroom. He had enough of their accusing eyes. He wanted to be alone.