Chapter 6-
\tRaphael forced his muscles to unclamp their painful grip on his bones. He remembered to take slow calculated breaths. He couldn’t keep beating himself up around Don and Mikey. He couldn’t allow them to know of his mistake. Don would never understand why he blamed himself. He allowed Fake Leo’s attempts to go so far. He didn’t stop him in time when he should have. He caved into temptation and now he held the burden of his sin on his shoulders. His shame tainting him.
\tYes, he had thought it was Leo. Hoped that it was. He looked so much like him, the small changes so subtle it was hardly noticeable. He had suspected. Did he choose to resist and investigate farther? No. Did he question the guy to see if he was correct? No. He had convinced himself into thinking that their relationship could be solved with sex and Leo would no longer be mad at him. Nothing more. He was guilty. He had thought himself crazy at the time and now he was swimming in a sea of his shame.
\tDon would not understand.
\tWould Leo?
\tThe thought sickened him of the look of betrayal he pictured Leo’s face to display. They weren’t committed but Leo was his brother and his best friend. He didn’t deserve to be treated as such. Forgiveness wasn’t something Raph deserved but he would beg for it. That, he was certain of.
\tHis thoughts were immediately cut short by a bellowed outraged curse from his youngest sibling.
\t“Damn it!”
\t“Mike?” Raph blinked at the sight of the blurred kitchen fogged with grey smoke.
\t“I burnt the eggs.” Mikey huffed out an annoyed sigh as he carried the pan over to the trash bin. Dumping away the charcoal colored eggs. “I didn’t get a chance to turn the stove on low when you hastily pulled me into the dojo. I should make you eat them instead.”
\tRaph rolled his eyes. “I’ll just have cereal then. I don’t want to risk my stomachs health with you in charge of my breakfast.”
\t“Like you don’t deserve it.”
\tRaph held back a flinch. He deserved a lot of things. Poisoned food being one of them. The delayed fire alarm suddenly went off in a high-pitched frantic screech. Mikey growled low. Setting down the pan, he dragged a chair over to step on. Shutting off the machine.
\tDon was suddenly there with their fire extinguisher in hand. Hose pointed threateningly at them. Fake Leo following in behind him.
\t“False alarm. Mike burnt the eggs.” Raph didn’t even bother looking at them as he proceeded to retrieve a bowl and spoon.
\t“Which was his fault.” Mikey waved a finger accusingly at him.
\tDon grumbled, his arms falling to his sides. “Next time Mikey, don’t make it sound like you’re in trouble.” The purple clad turtle turned and sauntered back into his lab. Mikey grinned, hopping down from the chair.
\t“Morning Leo.” Raph called as he passed by the irritated lethargic turtle. “Slept in didn’t ya?”
\t“Your fault. You kept me up half of the night. Can you blame me?”
\t“Regret it?” Raph mumbled, swirling his spoon through his cereal. Suddenly not feeling too hungry.
\t“No. Of course not.” The response lacked the enthusiasm no doubt his Leo would have had if he was here. The sickening feeling returned and trampled his stomach. The flakes of his cereal no longer looking edible. He pushed the bowl aside and slipped out of the kitchen. Raph watched in the distance as the imposter picked up his gear from the coffee table. Tying his belt around his waist. He patted his pockets and frowned. His eyes roving over the floor. He bent down and started tossing the pieces of gear aside.
\t“Looking for something Leo?” Raph asked as he watched Fake Leo start flinging the pillows and cushions off the couch.
\t“I can’t find my t-phone. Have you seen it Raph?”
\tRaph shook his head. Mildly entertained at how panicked he appeared as he frantically started to search the rest of the living room. Checking every corner where the device could be. Not even sparing him a glance as he rushed passed him.
\t“Did you stash it in your room?”
\t“Yeah. Maybe.” Fake Leo turned to leave but Raph stepped in his way. Finally, those false blue eyes lifted up at him.
\t“Do you have something important on there?” Raph couldn’t help but ask.
\tHe frowned. “Well no, but--”
\t“So don’t worry about it.”
\t“But . . . I need--”
\t“Come on. Let’s go have breakfast. You can look for it later.” Raph interrupted. Pushing the protesting turtle towards the kitchen. He ignored the glare as he shoved Fake Leo into the nearest chair.
\tRaphael knocked on the door to Don’s lab and waited for the voiced permission to enter. Recalling what happened the last time one of the brothers had bust into the lab uninvited.
\tHe walked into the room, shimming between piles of box’s containing found materials from the junkyard and textbooks in need of repair.
\t“Ever heard of spring cleaning Don?” He asked. Catching one of the boxes that attempted to fall. Setting them on one of the nearby tables.
\t“You’re one to talk.”
\tRaph snorted. “Remind me next time to get you a bookshelf for your birthday.”
\t“Remind me next time to get you a trash bag for yours.” Don replied from the computer desk. Unplugging Fake Leo’s t-phone from the computer. Raph glared at his head but didn’t bother to respond. Walking into the only clearing in the cluttered laboratory.
\t“I assume you’re here to ask me about this?” Don waved the cell around in question.
\tRaph nodded. “He’s been going stir crazy trying to find that thing.”
\t“Well, he can have it back.” Don handed it over to Raph.
\t“So?”
\t“I found the location of the Unknown Caller. Somewhere on the other side of the city in an abandon site is where his last position was when he sent the message. Nothing to give details about who the person is. I did some research on the place and found that the abandoned lot isn’t currently owned by anybody. The city is waiting for the funds to be able to tear it down. At this point however, it’s mostly forgotten. The most visits it would get is from drunken teenagers and homeless people.”
\t“Perfect place for someone to hide if they don’t want to be known.”
\tDon nodded. “So what’s the plan?”
\tRaph blinked. “You’re asking me?”
\t“Well since Leo is currently out of commission at the moment and you’re the second in command. I assumed you will be the Leader right now.”
\tAh hell. Raph thought bitterly. A few years ago he might have enjoyed the opportunity at Leader. Now however, he had his taste of leadership and he despised it. He didn’t want to make any commands without having Leo here for insight. If he screwed something up, Leo would be the one to pay for it. He couldn’t let that happen.
\t“I know you don’t like it Raph, but Leo needs you right now. I’ll try to help in any way I can but we need a Leader and you’re the only one qualified to do it.”
\t “You’re smart. Why can’t you do it?”
\tDon snorted. “The last time I tried to take leadership the rest of you didn’t follow.”
\t“You weren’t speaking in English.”
\t“Can’t help the two of you don’t have the same intellectual capacity.”
\t“Is it too much to ask you to lower yourself to normal people standards?”
\t“Yes.” Don nodded. “Which is exactly why you need to lead.”
\tRaph sighed but didn’t protest anymore. This wasn’t his place. He didn’t belong in this position. He was happy being the second in command. Leo’s rock to stand on. He experienced the burden Leo constantly withheld and as much as he hated knowing Leo had to endure such a task each and every day, he knew he was better suited for the job than he was. He contented himself with keeping Leo in check. Removing the stress and frustration when needed. That was his job.
\tHowever, Leo wasn’t here now to rescue him. He was the rescuer. He was going to have to suck it up and concentrate. No more being a whiny brat who doesn’t get what he wants.
\t“So? You got a plan?”
\t“I do. Update Mikey and get ready for patrol. We’ll head out in a half hour.” Don nodded. No questions asked. Raph left the room, thanking Don for his work on his way out.
\tLeo snarled his irritation as he flung the entire blanket and sheet in one fluent motion onto the ground. Cursing when no sign of his phone was to be found. He could have sworn he had it on him last night, but after searching every square inch of the living room, he moved into the bedroom in hopes he had accidently tossed it in there somewhere. He tore the place apart with no luck. He prayed his employer wasn’t currently trying to contact him now. Was it in the hands of one of his brothers perhaps?
\t“Shit.” He growled. Slamming his fist against the mattress in a fit of rage. “Where could it have gone?”
\t“Still looking for it Fearless?”
\tLeo yelped, whirling around to face Raph who stood all pure strength in the doorway. He was leaning casually against the frame. How long had he been there?
\t“Yes.” He muttered between clenched teeth. He must look like an idiot right now.
\t“You trashed the place.” Raph stated the obvious. His eyes rolling over each object he had carelessly thrown on the ground. The drawers were gaping open and clothes draped over the edges. The shelves half empty.
\tLeo smiled sheepishly. “It’s driving me nuts not being able to find it.” He admitted.
\tRaph sunk farther into the room. Stepping carefully over the objects as he went the long way around. Dodging the bulk of the mess. He stopped right in front of the closet, his eyes scanning the floor. “You checked under the bed?”
\t“Yes.”
\t“In the night stand?”
\t“Yes.”
\t“Bookcase?”
\t“Twice.”
\t“How about near that pile of Space Hero comics?”
\t“Nearly spilled everything and lost their order in the process. Yes.” Leo scowled.
\t“Closet?”
\t“Yes.”
\t“Are you sure?”
\tLeo rolled his eyes and sighed, then slowly they snaked over to the open closet. Could it be there? His teeth chewed on his lower lip. He had checked everything twice except the closet. It had to be in there. Right? If not . . . His eyes shifted to Raph who stood in the corner, silent.
\tHe rose slowly to his feet and hopped over one of the piles. Kneeling in front of the closet, he tossed out the items that had been stashed in there. The space was tiny and could hardly hold anything of value. He should have been able to see the first time if it had been in . . .
\t“Found it!” Leo’s fingers curled around the t-phone that laid beneath a spare blanket and jacket. How could he have missed it? With fumbling fingers, he hastily turned on the phone and waited impatiently for it to boot. With Donatello’s smarts you’d think it would run much faster than this.
\tFinally, the home screen popped up. Much to his relief there were no new messages. He decided to send a quick text to his boss to assure him everything was fine. Wait . . . Leo’s eye ridges knitted together in confusion when he had found a message he didn’t recognized. Unknown Caller. He knew who that was. Sent late last night. Why didn’t his phone alert him?
\t“Something wrong Leo?” Leo glanced over his shoulder. Raph had not moved an inch. Still leaning against the wall, thick muscled arms folded over his armored chest. He narrowed his eyes on him for a moment. Shaking his head quickly, he plastered a smile on his face.
“No. Nothing. Just glad to have it back.”
\t“You looked about ready to have a panic attack searching for that thing.”
\tLeo shrugged as if it was nothing important. Waving the situation away. He scooped up the things he had tossed around and stuffed them back into the closet chaotically. Shutting the door. There, half of the mess was picked up already. He slid the device back into its proper place on his belt. “If you are worried about the mess there is no need. I’ll take care of it.”
\t“I wasn’t.” Raph didn’t so much as smirk as his reply advised. Leo scooped up an armful of blankets.
\t“Don’t offer to help or anything, I got it.” Leo said dryly.
\t“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
\tHe scowled at him. Tossing the blankets at Raph. “Jerk.”
\tA small corner of Raph’s lips quirked upwards as he wrapped up the bundle and placed them on the bed out of the way. “Place better be spick and span by tonight.”
\t“You can sleep in your own room then.”
\t“Oh and get ready for patrol. We’re leaving here shortly.” Raph tossed over his shoulder on his way out. Wasn’t he usually the one to give out the orders?
\tPatrol turned out to be a dud and after three hours of no excitement, the four brothers finally decided to head back home. The city was unusually quiet and peaceful this night out. The one crime that had been committed on their watch was petty theft and the guy escaped in a large crowd into a public building where they couldn’t follow him.
\tA sour feeling left Raph’s gut heavy as his feet pounded against the cement roofs. Cold air lapping at his skin and erupting goosebumps along his forearms. He took up the rear of the pack while Fake Leo took the front. Mikey and Don running side by side in the middle and stealing not so subtle glances at the imposter every few minutes. He was grateful that their expressions didn’t hold any worry but he could practically smell their unease from this distance. Not that he could blame them, but they certainly weren’t helping their cause.
\tOne peek at the fraud though, reassured him that he hadn’t noticed anything. The turtle appeared distracted. Completely unaware of his surroundings as he seemed to be running on auto-piolet. His eyes focused on nothing. He had been like that for most of patrol. Could he make it any less obvious?
\tThe three brothers slowed to a smooth stop when they realized he was no longer running with them anyway, but had stopped completely on the other side of the roof.
\t“You guys can go on without me. There’s something I have to do.” Raph’s eyes narrowed. Oh sure. He had to do something. Whatever. He stepped closer to Fake Leo. He could feel the two youngest close on his tail.
\t“You know I don’t like you being left alone.” He gave him a wary look. Smoothly convincing him he cared for his well-being.
\tA strained smile claimed Fake Leo’s lips. Raph’s body tensed as he reached up to cup one of his cheeks. Though the touch was gentle, just the feeling of the callused palm scorched his skin. He resisted the urge to jerk away as Fake Leo closed the distance between them. Giving him a gentle kiss on the lips. How many times has he done that without even realizing the truth?
\t“I’ll be fine.” The imposter’s warm breath washed over him as he whispered. The scent of mint filling his nose. “Won’t take me more than fifteen minutes.”
\tRaph sighed in defeat as if it took him all his will power to pull away. It didn’t. “Fine. Don’t be late.” Please do. Get hit by a truck.
\t“Promise.” Fake Leo nodded. Raph turned his shell to him and resumed their run back to the lair.
\t
\tLeo felt more and more relief warm him the farther away the three brothers got from him. As soon as they were out of his eye sight he whipped out his t-phone and made the call he promised. He waited only two rings before that deep unpleasant voice crackled through the speaker and rocking his body with dread. “What took you so long?”
\t“Sorry. I couldn’t get away any sooner.”
\t“You’re alone now?”
\t“Yes.”
\t“And?”
\t“It is done.” He answered. “I have done everything you asked of me. They trust me again. I’ve slept with Raphael and he bought my story.”
\t“Excellent work. Have you found out anything useful?” Nothing his boss would be too happy about.
\t“Nothing of use sir. I will try to get some more answers.”
\t“See that you will. I will contact you in a few day’s. If you succeed, I will send you back.” Best news he heard all month long.
\t“Thank you sir. Have you anything for me?”
“Leonardo has been rather inactive for a while now, so I’m afraid not.” Oh boy. He knew what that meant all too well. Leo should just kiss his life goodbye at this point. He wasn’t going to be able to recover he was sure.
“Alright.” He mumbled. The sooner he cut off the conversation, the better he would feel. “I will message you if I find out anything.” He voiced a swift goodbye before hanging up. The cell flew from his grip and clanked against the cement ground as he was tackled and slammed against the brick wall of the roofs access room. Pain flaring to life around his nose, chin, and forehead. Hot liquid dribbling along his upper lip. Copper teasing his taste buds.
\t“Ya know, I feel offended that ya took us for idiots.” Raphael’s voice breathed on his ear. That New York accent making it's appearance. Dark and menacing and promising great pain in his future. Shaking him to his very core. He despised how helpless he felt.
\t“I guess it would be pretty stupid to deny everything you just heard?” He smirked mockingly.
\tThe fool had the audacity to smirk at him. Raph grounded his molars. His anger bubbling up and over the rim. He growled, tightening his grip on the limbs he had pinned behind the imposters shell. Satisfaction speared through him at the sound of his grunt of pain.
\t“It would be. Unless you’re aimin’ ta loose your arms.” A tightlipped smile pulled on the corners of his lips. Hoping he would do just that. Disappointingly, the turtle did nothing of the sort. Smart.
\t“Spare me the threats. I heard enough to last me.” Fake Leo rolled his eyes. Not a sign of fear as he had wished. Let’s change that. He pressed more against him. Using little of his strength to get the turtle to wince.
\t“Where is he?”
\t“Who?”
\t“Ya know who. Don’t give me any bull crap and I’ll cut yer torture time a few minutes short.” He hissed out. Quiet enough his two brothers couldn’t hear from behind him. He tried hard not to let the body beneath him distract him. He looked so much like Leo. Right down to the calloused feeling of his skin beneath his fingers.
\t“Oh you mean the one that I look like.”
\t“Yes.” He grounded out between his teeth.
\t“Hm, don’t know. Haven’t seen him recently so he could be anywhere by now.” Fury reared its ugly head. White, hot, and dangerous. He was so done holding back his temper. He wanted to lash out like the animal he was. Wanted to rip him into pieces, then take those pieces and rip them to smaller pieces. He wanted to pound his bones into powder.
\tWith more power than he realized he flipped Fake Leo over. Slamming his shell into the wall and pinning him with his body. He swore he heard a crack somewhere. Pride swelled within him as those false sapphire eyes widened in surprise. He was no longer breathing. Those features twisted in a mixture of pain and fear as he wanted and he suddenly regretted flipping him over. He looked too much like Leo.
\tHe is not Leo. He is one of the ones responsible for hurting him. Do not forget that!
\tRaph shoved his face into his till they were nose to nose. “Where. Is. He.”
\tThe turtle swallowed. His adam’s apple bobbing. “My employer has him . . .” He croaked out passed the arm that choked him.
\t“Who is yer employer?”
\t“I can’t--”
\t“Answer the damn question or ya really won’t be able to!”
\t“You should know him. You met him before.”
\tRaphael narrowed his eyes till they were nothing but two black slits. Hiding away the emerald from view. His patience running tissue thin. He was not participating in this guessing game. Speeding things along, he shifted his arm. His fingers winding around the thick mass of Fake Leo’s neck. Squeezing hard till his oxygen supply started to wither. Only then did those eyes begin to panic.
\t“Who is he?” He shouted in his face.
\t The imposter’s mouth opened and closed in a silent plea. Eye’s wide and wild. His skin paling, paling. Fingers clawing desperately against his arm, nails biting into his skin. Drawing blood. He hardly felt it. He was glad his brothers didn’t stop him. He was going to kill him. His hands ached to continue to choke the life out of him. Right about now the fraud should start getting tunnel vision. The darkness overtaking him and if Raph continued for much longer, brain damage would become a threat.
\t“N . . . Na . . . Nak’ir.”
\tSomehow, the strangled turtle managed to squeak passed his hold. Raph’s eyes widened. Like a light switch flicking off, his hands loosening immediately. That name . . .
Fake Leo sucked in a sharp breath of air as soon as his air passage was freed. The body slumped back against the wall. His knees turning to jello and he collapsed on the ground. He was trembling and coughing.
\t“What?”
\t“Nak’ir . . . Horgav.” The imposter spoke between ragged pants. Voice hoarse as if rubbed with sandpaper. He risked a glance at Raph. Pressing his lips together in a tight scowl. “Y-You know who he is. You know what he’s here for. What he’s doing with your precious Leonardo.” The words dripped with repulsion.
\t“Nak’ir? He’s here?”
\tLeo’s eyes shot past him and over to the two accompanying turtles behind him. He hadn’t even realized the other two had stuck along for the ride till now.
\t“You expected to strip everything from him and not have him come back to destroy you?” He spat. Reveling in the fearful look on Michelangelo’s face. He laughed. The noise lacking of any humor.
\tRaph snarled, clearly done with him as he slammed his knee against the side of the fraud’s head. Knocking him unconscious. He watched with distaste as the body slapped uncharacteristically against the ground. No sound following after.
\t“Why did you do that Raph? We had more questions for him.” Don protested.
\tRaph raised an eye ridge. “Relax, he’s just unconscious. He’ll wake in an hour at the most. We’ll carry him back to the lair and tie him up.”
\t“That’s a good size puddle of blood. You hit him hard.” Mikey scowled.
\t“Head wounds bleed a lot.”
\t“How can Nak’ir be here on Earth?” Don’s tortured voice brought his attention back to his little brother. Don stared down at the form on the ground. Trembles raking his body. No doubt having the same flash backs he was. “I thought we got rid of him.”
\t“Apparently not.”
\t“How did he manage it? We tossed him on a primitive world! Those tribes used handmade Bo’s and arrows for protection and cooked over a campfire for god sake! How could he have escaped?” Mikey threw his arms in the air. No one had the answer for him.
\tRaph’s hands curled into fists, his nails digging into the flesh on his palms. He quickly shut out the dark memories. Leo was in the psycho’s hands? This had taken a turn for the worst. “We’ll get our answers later. Don, help me with him.” He ordered. His tone suddenly flat and detached. He bent down and claimed the imposter’s shoulders. Don following silently. Hauling up the legs. He watched a look of dismay flash across his pale features. He knew Don was thinking of the time they were kidnapped by Nak’ir. The pain. The torture. Oh god, what was happening to Leo?
\tJust the name alone got him ill and wanting to hurl. He couldn’t imagine what Don was feeling now. Knowing Don had been more effected than him.
\t“Donnie.” He called in as soothing of a voice his hoarse throat could manage. Don didn’t even look at him. He didn’t seem to have noticed him speaking at all. “Quit thinking about that. I know you are.”
\tFinally, a sigh escaped passed those chapped lips. Good. He was listening at least. “Better said than done.”
\t“Everything’s going to be fine. You know that.”
\t“Do I?”
\tHow ironic. He had said similar words not too long ago. He didn’t reply. They were going to have to have a heart to heart talk. He was going to have to take a few minutes to choose his words carefully. Seeing as talking wasn’t a strong suite for him. Now was not the time however. They needed to get home. They needed to talk to Splinter.
\t
\t
\t
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