Chapter 18-
\tLeonardo wiped the blood off his blade on the clothes of his dead victim. The vampires had returned but, this time they’re numbers seemed to be multiplying. The fights turned out the same. He’d hunt them down; they’d attack him. But the fights were just as thrilling if not more. Every night he’d come home almost dead and he was more than grateful that Mikey was still gone cause he was so sure that brother of his would be kicking his behind to Chicago if he found out how close to death he usually comes.
\tAnd yet, despite taming his craving for excitement every night, there still seemed to be something missing out of it. The fights held no meaning, once he got what he wanted it was over. The cops grabbed the kills and took them away to be disposed of properly. Then he’d headed home.
\tA typical boring night for him, even though he was beating record over record of vampire kills. It seemed . . . boring still. He felt lost. Ever since Raphael went away.
\tNo. You promised yourself you wouldn’t think about this again.
\tLeo knew it was for the better. He pushed Raph away for the sake of his heart. Their hearts. They both should know that a relationship between them would only end in tragedy. But even then, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about that damn vampire. What was it about him that he craved so much? Maybe secretly, vampires had something wrong with their seed that made the person they fucked crave them.
\tSeriously? You’re blaming it on that?
\tIt’s the only logical explanation I can think of.
\tIsn’t it obvious that it isn’t that?
\tShut up.
\tYou’re talking to yourself.
\tI know. Shut up!
\tLeo gave a growl of frustration. Shivering from the memories of that night. The things they did. The way Raph had made him feel.
\tA pain came from his lower plastron and Leo snarled again. Shaking his head clear.
\tHave to stop thinking about him.
\tHe thought he would have seen Raphael again. Though he had said that he wouldn’t just because being with him would lead more vampires to his doorstep. And sure, he had agreed with that. But damn it, did he exactly care at the moment? Of course not.
\tOh geez, don’t tell me it’s going to be that, “what’s the point of saving the world if there’s no one to share it with?” bit.
\tLeo scowled. He really, desperately, needed to stop thinking at the moment. He was going to get himself into deep trouble.
\tYou mean, trouble that you aren’t already in.
\tI thought I told you to shut up!
\tWith a drained sigh. Leo sheathed his sword back into place and crawled up the fire escape. He needed a long, long, deep nights rest. He scrubbed his hands along his face and decided that he could head home now. He had killed about twenty today. The clubs had been repacking every week, despite that the word of the Vampire Hunter had gotten back out. The monsters seemed to have gotten a second gut to still be able to come back.
\tNothing really seemed to have changed. Everything was turning back to “normal”. Which, surprisingly, got Leo to frown. What he had experienced ever since Raphael popped into his life. He had been able to experience something new and adventurous. Now he was craving more, the urges of going out there and doing something different with his life for once was boiling in his blood.
\tThis was Raphael’s fault. He had no problem with the way things were before that damn vampire gave him a taste of freedom. Would he ever get the chance to have that back again?
\tLeo couldn’t help but wonder what Raph was doing now. Had he left New York? Was he out partying with all his fellow vampire buddy’s? Despite the fact he had said that all vampires despised him. Maybe somehow, he redeemed himself and is now hanging out with them. Being one of them. That thought caused Leo to frown, he loved the way Raph was already. Sure, he was an outlaw. Different. New and exciting. And a fucking poison.
\tBut it was so much better than him being one of those. He loved him being apart from everyone.
\tWhoa, love? No. No. No. You do not love anything about him.
\tHow wrong was he? It was getting harder to lie to himself that he had grown quite fond of the terrapin. Yes. He plagued his every thoughts and craved him greedily. But that was Raph.
\tHe was heaven and hell all in one gorgeous immortal body.
\tNo. Not immortal. If that was true, he wouldn’t have been able to kill them. True though, they heal better than humans do. If they feast of course. He remembered Raph telling him that vampires can heal slower than humans. But a few gulps of human blood and they heal twice as fast.
\tThey could survive major wounds more likely than a human would. Making his job a hell of a lot more difficult. But plenty more pleasant. He never turned down a challenge.
\tNo. Raph wouldn’t have joined a club. He wouldn’t think so. Raph loathed those clubs. He hated the behavior of those vampires, like they had nothing to live for. Gambling, drinking, wasting, and sex.
\tSure, Leonardo had seen humans have the same clubs but the law was very strict about those. But vampires alone don’t apply to the law.
\tRaph wouldn’t have changed his prospective of that from just a few weeks. He was sure of it. He wanted to believe that. That his Raph was still out there being the great, stubborn, hotheaded outlaw that he was.
\tLeo’s frown deepened when he thought of another possibility. Maybe Raph had found another slutty hussy to mess around with. The thought of Raph bedding someone else caused an ache of fury to twist in his chest and he grunted. If he ever found out that some slut slept with his Raph, he swore to God, he was going to skin the bitch alive and drain the life out of them hour by hour.
\tWait, your Raph? Since when was he ever yours?
\tNever. No, no, and no. He was not going down that thought path. The last time he had a partner they left him for someone else a few weeks after they realized he wasn’t going to give them what they wanted. The thought of losing his virginity had scared him. Scared him to the point that anyone he was with left him. And in some cases he was glad. He didn’t want someone who was planning on leaving him right when he gave himself to them.
\tWhich is exactly what you did to Raph.
\tLeonardo sighed. He had. He had given himself to Raphael and then immediately pushed him away from him.
\tFor their own good.
\tBut still, he wasn’t afraid to lose his virginity to him. He wasn’t afraid in the least of Raph. He had trusted him with his body and allowed the actions between them to take place without any fear. Now he lost him.
\tYou’re upsetting yourself again. Don’t forget the reason why you pushed him away in the first place.
\tRight. For their own good. That statement was starting to get old.
\tDismissing another round of thoughts he shouldn’t be thinking about. Leo sped up his pace a little in the direction of his home. He needed to think of something else. Obviously thinking nothing at all wasn’t working.
\tLemon and cinnamon herbal tea. Mmm, yes. Sharpening swords. Definitely. Cars. Miss that. Calling Mikey. Miss him. Hot sexy vampires. Hurr, hurr.
\tNope getting off track again.
\tHe was half tempted to take his sword to his throat at the rate he was going. Leo looked over at the ocean sticking out from behind the buildings. Not too long before he was home. Then he could do all of that stuff like he talked about. Everything except thinking about hot, sexy, vampires.
\tHe was so close. Getting closer as he leapt from one roof top to the other. He could see his garage peeking out from under the freeway bridge. He was almost there, that was, until his mouth was covered and a knife pressed against his throat. He really had to be careful with what he wished for.
\tHe was practically yanked off his feet as he was dragged off the rooftop. The two stumbled off the fire escape and slipped a few blocks away till he was tugged roughly into an alleyway. Finally managing to wiggle free. The knife barely cutting the first layer of skin as he did so. He whirled around, sword already fisted in his hands and ready for attack any moment.
\t“You had just made a big mistake.” He growled. Just about ready to lung. The knife whizzed through the air and caught on his wrist, wincing, the sword fell from his grip and landed with a clatter on the ground. He looked over at the figure standing in the shadows where he couldn’t identify. The only thing he could see was the outline of the figure and its glowing red eyes.
\tRed eyes. Another vampire.
\tHis eyes narrowed. “I can take you down easily. Your choice, we can do this the easy way. Or the hard way.”
\t“What did you do with my brother?” Came the harsh snap. Completely switching the subject. Leo blinked at the figure.
\t“I didn’t do anything with your brother?” Did he? He wouldn’t know. Maybe he was the unlucky victim to get in between him and his strikes and now the family was back for revenge.
\t“Lies! He trusted you! I know you did something with him! You are as cold and hard hearted as you always were!”
\tHey! Though he would be lying if he said that wasn’t true. He took the slightest bit of offense to that statement. Wait a minute, trusts him? The only person that could be stupid enough to trust him was Raph.
\t“Who are you?”
\t“Shut up! I ask the questions here! What did you do with my brother, Killer! Before I cut your throat out!” Leo’s eyes narrowed farther till they were tiny slits. His lips lifting, showing off his canines. Though they probably looked puny and babyish compared to what this vampire could dish out. But it didn’t matter, he still managed to get a few vampires to shake in their shoes with this look. Leo never took kindly to threats.
\t“I have no clue what happened to your brother.” His hands fisted. At the moment, he was becoming less caring of who this guy was. Or could be. The only fact was, was that he was starting to piss him off and might not give any shit of who he might hurt later on.
\t“I was hoping we could have done this peacefully but it looks like I’m going to have to cut the answer out of you.” There was the sound of a knife running against leather and he snarled in response.
\t“You don’t want to do this . . .”
\t“You do not scare me, Vampire Hunter.”
\t“I wouldn’t be so sure, Donatello.” That seemed to have gotten him. There was the faintest sound of a gasp. Then silence. Then a growl and the knife sheathing back into leather. A few seconds passed before the figure stepped out of the shadows and it felt like a nightmare reappearing.
\tHe knew that face. He once slaughtered that face. His skin was olive green, an occasional lighter colored scars marked his body. Noting each of his previous fights and most of them Leonardo probably had been responsible for. His blood red eyes sparked dangerously of fury, shock, and confusion. Emotions that he didn’t seem to be trying to hold back. He was currently sporting blue jeans and purple t-shirt tucked into his pants and held with a leather belt. A black leather jacket hung from his shoulders and half of his face was covered with a purple mask. The tails swung in the wind before draping over his shoulder as the air relaxed. A silver glow illuminated his sharp features. He was a lean guy. His muscles not as large as his brothers and he was quite taller. He certainly towered over Leo easily by a few inches. Yet, that didn’t intimidate him in the least.
\tThough there was no doubt the two turtles were related in several features. Not counting the eyes that every vampire had. They had the same soft jawlines, sharp cheekbones, smooth curvy noses. But, nonetheless, he could personally say, Raphael was the prettier one of the family.
\tGetting off track again.
\tHe cleared his throat and tried to keep the innocence in his eyes. Donatello would surely kill him slowly and painfully if he ever found out about the way he thought of his brother.
\t“So you remember me I see.”
\t“Your brother talked about you.” There was a low growl that answered him.
\t“Don’t you dare speak of my brother, unless you are willing to spill the truth of what you did.” Leo frowned.
\t“I didn’t do anything with him. I haven’t seen him in weeks. Why? Haven’t you talked to him?” There was a little bit of hope in his chest, he wanted to know if Raph was alright. If he was keeping busy. If he was even around anymore. If he was thinking about him.
\tYou don’t care. Remember?
\t“No. I haven’t heard a word from him. The last time I spoke with him, we fought.”
\t“So you see me and you immediately jump to the conclusion I killed him?”
\t“You tried to kill me.”
\t“Okay, first. You attacked me. Second, that was years ago. I no longer kill unless I have a good reason.”
\t“Psh, whatever.”
\t“So what happened to Raphael?”
\t“There were rumors I heard. No one has seen Raph in weeks through the city. At first, I thought he left but then I talked with someone. I had paid them substantial amount of money but then in the end all I got for information was that Raph was getting what he deserved. He hadn’t left the city but he should have.”
\t“What did he mean by that?”
\t“I wasn’t sure. I immediately jumped to the conclusion that you were the one that turned on him.”
\t“You think something bad happened to him?”
\t“Please. The vampire race hates him because he betrayed them. If anyone had gotten him, they wouldn’t be treating him to milk and cookies. I assure you, it would be something bad.” Leo felt his heart sink to the bottom of his gut.
\t“Who would it be? Do you know?”
\t“I have hunches.”
\t“ . . . Well?”
\t“I’m not telling you.” Don glared. Gnashing his teeth. Leo snarled in frustration and anger.
\t“Come on. I can help you get him back.”
\t“I don’t need your help.”
\t“Does this really seem like a good time for trying to get me back on past mistakes?”
\t“I don’t need your help.” He repeated.
\t“And I don’t care. I will hunt you down and kill you again, this time permanently after I carve my name into your chest and let you wither in pain for a day or two. I will make sure of it if you don’t tell me everything you know now.” Don stared at Leo for a few moments in silence. As if he was studying him. Leo licked his dry lips and fought the urge to shift.
\t“Why?” Suddenly broke the silence.
\t“Why what?”
\t“Why do you care so much? You hate the vampire race. You spend every night hunting us down and killing us. Yet, here you are trying to scare me into spilling where my possibly dead brother is to rescue him?” Leo gulped uncomfortably. He was hoping Don wouldn’t question him on that.
\t“I don’t hate your brother.”
\t“I’ve concluded that.”
\t“Isn’t that answer enough?” Don shook his head sharply. Crossing his arms over his chest.
\t“I want the truth. Do you care for Raphael? Enough that you would be willing to risk everything to get him back?”
\t“Maybe ---”
\t“No. No maybes. I want to know if I can trust you with him. He trusts you. To which I think is ridiculous.” Leo shifted. His fingers wringing together behind his shell as he gazed to the ground. His toes tapped against the concrete. He wasn’t sure what his feelings for the vampire bastard was. He didn’t hate him. That much he knew. And damn it, the thought that someone torturing Raph and possibly killing him caused his blood to boil. His hands tightened on each other and his nostrils flared. He was beyond pissed by the thought and if he got his hands on the one responsible, he was going to tear them apart limb from limb.
\t“Yes, I care for him. I care about his safety and that’s the truth. Is that answer enough or do you want me to go down on one knee and propose to him?” Leo said through clenched teeth.
\tCalm down. Don’t strike your only source for information.
\tDon continued to stare at him suspiciously. His eyes surveying every inch of him as if he was searching for any hints of a lie. Which he won’t find because there wasn’t any.\t
\tA sigh soon slipped passed the olive lips and Leo knew he had won. Thank God. “Alright fine. But I swear to God, if you turn your back on him I will make you suffer.”
\t“I know. I know. Make every minute of my life a living hell. Blah, blah, blah. I know the ritual. Spill!”
\tDon growled bitterly. “I’ve also seen several vampire running around. Ones that work for the Master.”
\t“Master?”
\t“The one that runs all of vampire kind. The one who sets the laws and rules and gives the punishments. Much like your president.” Leo rolled his eyes.
\t“Continue.”
\t“Anyway, I kidnapped one of them and interrogated them and they explained to me that the Master had secret plans for Raphael. They were instructed to find him and bring them to the Master. He completed his assigned mission and he was getting his punishment.” More anger rose in Leo’s chest. Whoever this “Master” was. He was certain he was going to make that fucking bastard pay.
\t“Is that it?”
\t“I also heard around the club that a certain something was going on between you and Raphael.” Leo paused for a moment, blinking. Then heat rose up in his cheeks. Was that seriously the rumor going on around? Sure, he was probably going to end up killing every single one of them and really shouldn’t be worried about him being part of the rumors, but he really didn’t want everyone knowing the things that went on between him and Raph.
\t“So it’s true. You and him have a fling.”
\t“We --- we do not!” Leo snapped.
\t“That’s not what your face tells me.”
\t“Shut up!” Don held up his hands. Palms out. A smug looking smile playing across that damn vampires lips. Oh how he wished he could smack it right off of him. “Never mind of that. Is that the only useful information you have for me?”
\t“For now. Yes. Give me another night or two and I can probably wheedle another piece of info for you.” Leo shook his head.
\t“Naw, I’ll take care of those. By the way, is that vampire you interrogated still available?”
\t“Uh . . . not really.”
\tAh. “No prob. I’ll abduct another one.” Don couldn’t help it, the side of his lips tweaked into a small smile.
\t“You have a plan?”
\t“Well, we have to figure out where your Master is hiding Raphael. We need to map out the area. Figure out the guards and security system then yes, I would have a plan.” Don grumbled silently under his breath. He seemed very impatient, which he couldn’t blame him. His hands was twitching with anticipation to get ahold of this Master and make him regret ever existing. Oh, was he going to have so much fun with that.
\t“Now that Raphael has been kidnapped. Aren’t you on the dangerous list? Considering you’re his brother?”
\t“Actually yes, the vampires were trying to hunt me down. They failed of course.”
\t“I will need your help with this and I don’t want you getting kidnapped before I get full use out of you.”
\t“Your plan?”
\t“Come with me.” He was insane for doing this again. But hey, his place was already compromised. It wouldn’t matter. Once this situation with Raphael has finally died down. He was planning on moving out anyway. He kicked Don’s shell in the direction of his home. Refusing to touch him.
\t“And if you ever take a knife to my throat again. I will make sure you’ll be seeing your wind pipe laying in the pillow next to you.”
\t“Noted.” Was the simple response. It took about five minutes to return back to his home. This time without any interruptions. Leo surveyed the area, making sure there wasn’t any prying eyes before he unlocked his door and shoved Don inside. He felt around his wall, trying to find the light switch. That was, until Don found it first and light flashed through the room. Chasing the shadows into the corners.
\t“Leo, you’re home! Finally!” Leo whirled around in surprise. No. That couldn’t be right. He had a week left!
\t“Mikey! You’re home early!”
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