RYW 10

Raphael stood under the hot shower, letting himself get enveloped in the nice comforting feeling. 'I'm warning you, big boy...' Leo's voice came into his head. He scoffed and dropped his head lower. "What are you hiding, Leonardo...?" His whisper was low. He remembered the touch of Leo's skin, his smell... "Come on, Raphie-boy... Get it together..." He shook his head, took a deep breath and turned the water to cold. The sudden temperature change sent a chilling shock through his muscles. He stood under it for a few minutes before turning it off. "Aiight. New day, new beginning." He got out of the shower and pat himself dry before slipping on a pair of boxers and a tank top.

When he walked out he saw the couple in a deep embrace in the kitchen.

"Geeze, ya two! Get a room, won't ya!"

April immediately tried to let go of Casey, but the male held on tighter and with an annoyed look, he shooed Raph away. The large turtle smirked at his friend, they had a mutual agreement to never cock-block one another. So with a court nod he went to get dressed so he could leave.

"Casey! You were supposed to talk to him about Japan!" April pushed her boyfriend away.

"Relax, babe. Trust me... After last night's outburst, the hothead needs some fresh air." Casey gave April a kiss on her forehead. She sighed and nodded, trusting that if there was anyone who knew Raph best, that would be Mr. Jones.

As soon as Raph walked out the door he placed his earphones over his head. A nice run would help rid him of his pent up energy.

Mikey had stayed home from practice. Leo had instructed him to rest up and drink lots of fluids, thinking he might have some sort of stomach related illness, according to the leader, due to his lack of care from last night. Mikey was acting so out of character, not arguing or questioning Leo's accusations at all, that Don was weary to leave his friend behind. The younger turtle was well known for having witty comebacks to just about anything that was ever thrown at him, but for some reason today he had resigned himself to lower his gaze from Leo and Donnie's, nodding shyly to every accusation and command.

Once alone, Mikey broke into a cold sweat. "Maybe they didn't leave together...? Maybe I missed something...? I was pretty drunk, so maybe it was someone else who I saw walk out with Leo...?" He tried his hardest to find a loophole in his memory bank trying to find some piece of information that would absolve Raph of all charges. "I know! I bet Usagi will know who Leo left with!" With his new purpose, Mikey jumped up and reached his cellphone to dial Usagi.

After five long rings, the rabbit answered with a voice tinted with annoyance. "No, Michelangelo, I will absolutely not give you a bottle of vodka, for the thousandth time..."

"Chill, bro! Trust me when I say I don't wanna have another drink for a while... I'm calling cause I wanna ask ya a question... It's about Leo." Mikey silenced before saying more, waiting for the bartender to be comfortable to speak of the one who owned his heart.

"What about Leonardo?" Usagi asked in a low voice.

"Last night he left the bar with someone..." Mikey started. A few seconds ticked by but Usagi did not speak. "Did you maybe see who he left with?"

Mikey heard Usagi take a deep breath. "Yes..."

Mikey waited again... He should've known the white rabbit wouldn't give up information about Leonardo that easily. "Urgh... Listen, dude. Ya know I'm not the type to dig my nose into other people's business-..."

"Ha! Are you not, now...?" Usagi cut him off with a scoff.

"I don't dig my nose into people's SERIOUS business!" Mikey corrected himself. "Look, I don't want to go into details, but I think something happened last night, and it's very important I find out who he left with."

"What exactly do you think happened?" Suddenly, Mikey felt like he had said too much. Usagi's voice was stern and demanding.

"And now who's digging his cute little bunny nose into other people's business?" The turtle tried to deflect the question with one of his own.

"Raphael." Mikey's jaw clenched when he heard that name. "The last person I saw him with was Raphael." Usagi's voice was low, almost a growl. "Michelangelo, if I find out Leonardo is in trouble, or hurt-"

"I got this, Usagi. If I need reinforcements, I'll make sure to hit ya up." Mikey's voice was also low at this point. It was only for Donnie's sake that he didn't disclose anything else with the bartender. He needed to confront the hothead first. "I'll call you later. Thanks for the scoop."

"I will be waiting for your call." Usagi hung up first. Mikey's head was dancing circles around him as a new wave of nausea threatened to rise up, but he stood up and shook his head, he now had a mission at hand and had no more time to waste curled around a toilet seat.

He stood up, got dressed as fast as he could, not even paying attention if he was matching his socks to his shirt, and walked out the door.

Leo and Donnie had just entered the studio. Donnie immediately took his spot by his base guitar, making sure all his cables were plugged properly and the equipment was turned on. He could perform all those steps with pretty much his eyes closed; technology had always come to Don as second nature. As much as his hands were occupied, his mind was elsewhere. Once they were done he needed to call his brother.

"Donnie, you ready?" Leo brought his attention back with his deep voice.

"Ready, Leo." Donnie answered in a bit of a squeaky voice. No matter how long he had been doing this for, and no matter how successful he had become, Donnie would always be bashful at heart.

"Ok... Let's pick up the fifth melody from the track I sent you... I want to hear it with the base..." And so their practice began.

Leo was focused... A little too focused if you asked Donnie. He was relentless in his search for perfection. He said the string instruments needed to be to par so when Mikey came in with percussion it would be easier to harmonize. Only problem was, he was the one who kept making mistakes... Donnie sensed his friend's temper slowly rising. "Uhm, Leo? Maybe we should take a break?"

Leonardo gave a low growl. "Fuck this. I'm calling it a day." Donnie was astounded by Leo's curse; he seldom cursed, and when he did it was because he was truly ticked off.

"But we only practiced for about an hour... Won't mister Oroku get mad?" Donnie was nervous. He didn't know why Leo was displaying such anger.

Taking a deep breath, Leo addressed his band mate. "Don, we aren't getting anywhere today... My head, is just not in it. We will make it up tomorrow. I'll take the blame." He set his guitar in its stand and started to roll up his cords. Donnie followed suit. He for once was really really looking forward to practice, trying to put his mind a little at ease to sort his thoughts out about Raph's recent decision.

Mikey reached Casey's building. He was standing outside, his resolve suddenly shaken as he tried to find the words he wanted to approach Raphael with. He was nervous. For one he knew how strong Leonardo was and for him to have been subdued by Raph made him weary of the larger turtle. Second, what if he was wrong? What if Raphael was in fact not responsible for Leo's injuries...? He needed to be mindful of his approach.

As he was gathering his courage, he saw the front door swivel open. Out came Raphael in a sweat suit, hoodie over his head. He began to stretch his muscles, apparently getting ready for a run. Mikey smiled, it was now or never. The younger turtle stretched his legs a bit too and started to jog after Raphael. "Yo, Raphie! Fancy meeting you here in this lustrous day!" Raph didn't look back, just continued his jog, picking up his pace a bit. Mikey clenched his teeth and sped up, doing his best to come side to side with his target. That's when Raph noticed him.

The hothead rolled his eyes and pulled one of his ear buds out. "Da fack ya doing here?"

"Yo, I need to talk to ya, dude." Mikey's face was serious. Raph noticed the jokester's expression, but to be honest he was not a bit interested in entertaining the drummer.

Raph gave him a side smirk and picked up his pace. "Sure. I'll talk ta ya. S'long as ya can keep up." Mikey's eyes widened, he was a bit thrown off by Raph's challenge, but he was not one to back down that easily. He grinned widely and continued to run besides Raph.

"About last night..." Mikey started. At those words, Raph's body tensed up a bit, but he kept his eyes on the horizon, his attention however belonged to the turtle next to him. "How come ya didn't say 'goodbye' to us?"

Raph rolled his eyes again. He thought for a moment that maybe this guy was going to be serious for once, but he was about to correct that theory. "Ya seemed busy drooling over them groupies."

"Still, ya didn't even tell Don ya were leaving." Mikey pressed again.

"I had ta take a leak. Yer leader boy offered ta guide me ta a safe toilet." Raph picked up the pace again. Mentioning Leonardo and remembering the events of the night before send a stream of adrenalin rushing through his body. He just wanted to sweat it out.

Mikey however grew even more serious. "So ya left with Leo?"

Raphael didn't answer. He began to run faster, dodging passer-by's and cars as he kept going. To his surprise, Mikey was keeping up.

"Did ya left with Leo, I asked...?"

"What's it to ya?" Raphael growled.

Mikey's temper was rising. "Yes or no, Raphael."

This was the first time this guy ever called him by his full name, without the mocking tone he always sang to him. Raphael didn't answer. He kept running towards a small neighborhood park.

Mikey had had enough exercise for the day. He ran faster, passing Raphael, and coming to sudden halt in front of the larger turtle, who hit his plastron against Mikey's carapace, stumbling back a bit. Raphael's eyes were wide with amusement. He had underestimated the younger turtle's strength. He was not one to tip back easily when blocked. "Yes. Or. No...." Mikey's blue eyes were glistening with fire. His sea-foam skin sparkling against the sun with a coat of sweat.

"No." Raphael's answer was short and clear. Mikey stood sideways in front of him. Raph wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stared him down. "Why so eager to know...?"

Mikey's eyes widened again. He had not prepared this far out. For starters he wasn't sure if he could truly believe Raph. His mind searched for ways of pulling more info out of him. "Hmm... No reason... I was just curious to know if you were the one who kept our mighty leader out all night..."

Raphael looked at Mikey with hooded eyes. Obviously he wasn't who Leo had shared the night with, and even though he kept telling himself he was over the Leonardo drama, he couldn't help a pinch of jealousy hit his chest. "Well I already told ya, it wasn't me, so bug off and let me finish my run." Raphael's jaw was grinding from side to side; something he did whenever he was trying to suppress his temper.

Mikey noticed the emerald turtle was getting angry. It was obvious that Raph had feelings for Leo... Sincere feelings, is what Mikey sensed... Maybe this guys who he had been so quick to blame could actually help him to seek out the truth behind Leo's injuries... Mikey walked towards the street and waved a taxi down. "Well... Can't tell ya how glad I am that it wasn't you who Leo spent his night with... Cause whoever it was, might as well been a monster for the condition my bro came home in." Mikey got in the cab, and without another look took off.

Raph felt a pit in his stomach... What condition did Leonardo come home in? He pushed the thought to the back of his mind. What business was it of him anyway? Leo had been pretty clear he wasn't interested... So why should he worry? He started his run once again.

'I'm warning you, big boy... Not the best idea to fall for me.' What did Leo mean by those words...? Raph's breath became ragged. What if Leonardo was indeed in trouble? He shook his head. Who cares! Not his problem. He tried to convince himself that someone in such a spotlight as Leo would surely not need his help or concern. He was sweating profusely, more than usual whenever he worked out. His heart was beating heavily in his chest. Why was he so worried about this dick anyway?

His train of thought was interrupted by the ring of his cell. "Hello...?- Yes mister Bishop... I have a decision for ya alright...-"

Leo went for a walk after he dismissed Donnie. His mind was feeling clouded, so he decided to go to the one place where he could work through his troubles in peace.

"Father..?" He removed his shoes before stepping further inside Splinter's home.

"My son, I was just thinking about you..." Splinter appeared from the living area with a worrisome look in his face. Leonardo's heart sank a bit. His father had always been very in tune with his spirit... Could it be that Splinter sensed the troubles in him? "I'm afraid I was correct! Clara did succumb to her illness, and now Cory and Sandy are without their mother's guidance..." Leonardo let out a deep breath, he couldn't help but smile and shake his head. His father was as immersed as always in his soaps, it always made him happy when his mentor shared with him his mundane hobbies, and his 'stories', as he called them, where amongst the top of his list.

"You don't say..." Leo took a seat, listening to his father tell him about the latest developments in the plot.

After they had a nice conversation, Leonardo stepped into an area in the rat's home where the floor was all polished wood, there were a couple of mirrors on a wall, and a rack of wooden weapons on another. Leo changed into a set of clothes that hung on a corner. As Splinter peeked in, he saw his son wearing his old Japanese hakama. He smiled and remembered how upset Leo had been when he could no longer wear the top of his old Gi since it didn't fit him once his shell got too big... Splinter had promised Leonardo he would get him a bigger one, but then he had become ill and wasn't really allowed to leave his home, his immune system being too weak to fight off otherwise common harmless bacteria. When Leo looked back at him, he saw the pained look in his father's face. "Dad..? What's wrong?" He quickly walked to the old rat, nervous he was feeling out of sorts.

"You have grown into a remarkable young man, Leonardo. I am ever so proud of you..." Splinter placed a paw on the turtle's shoulder, smiling tenderly. Leonardo smiled and bowed politely. "That being said... I do resent that my son has kept growing apart from me in many ways." Leo's head raised quickly as he stared into his father's eyes. "Or did you think I wouldn't feel the storm growing inside of you? The one you have decided to never speak of with me? Or is it that I am that useless to you now?" Splinter's voice was very gentle as he spoke those words. His purpose not of scolding, but almost pleading for the closeness to return.

"Father, it is true that I am... Afflicted, with certain things. But these are matters that I have brought upon on myself, and therefore I feel more comfortable dealing with them in the same way." Splinter's frown grew stern as he listened to his son. His worries rising again. "Please do not worry this much, it is not good for your health." Leo wrapped an arm around his father, guiding him inside the makeshift dojo. "Why not instead you guide me through that kendo kata I'm still working on?" Leo smiled at him, and his loving father could only take a deep breath and nod at the request.

Raph had just hung up with Bishop when his cell rang again. It was Donnie. "Yup?

"Hey, Raph... You busy?" Raph looked at his watch, he hated to be interrupted during his workouts.

"I'm trying to burn out all of them carbs you guys made me drink last night. What's up?" As he spoke, he kept stretching out his arms. There was a free weight station at this particular park, Raph wanted to try and get a few sets in and work his biceps a bit.

"Hmm I wouldn't say we made you do anything, really..." Donnie chuckled nervously.

Raph laid underneath the chest press bench, lucky him the person who had used it before didn't clean up and left the last weights he used on the bar. "I asked what's up, Donnie?" His tone was not rude, but one that showed impatience. Donnie knew that tone.

"Raph... Can we meet up later?"

Raphael started bench pressing. "Today... Ain't gonna be... A good day... For me... Donnie." He did a set of eight before placing the bar back on the lift. He sat up and stretched his arms again, turning to look for heavier plates.

"Oh, ok... Thing is, I really need to see you, Raph." Don was growing impatient. He knew his brother wasn't fully laying attention to him. But Raph was really not interested in spending any time with anyone slightly related to TMNT. Nothing against his brother, he just needed some space.

"Donnie, I'm trying to get my shit together, and ever since I landed I haven't had a second to myself... If it ain't one thing is the other. Can't you just give me a moment to fucking hear myself out?" Raph sounded unnerved, his temper rising quickly.

Don was at a loss for words. Why was his brother so upset if just the night before he had displayed utter joy. "You don't need to talk to me like that, Raphael. Whatever is going on with you it is not my fault."

"Oh, but IT IS you fault, bro!" Raphael's voice was now growing louder. Don was also getting angry.

"Well, if it isn't my bastard of a son. I heard u were back in town..." Raphael turned abruptly. Behind him stood an older male turtle, as tall as he was.

"S-Stan...?" Raph's voice was but a whisper, but Don heard it loud and clear right before the line disconnected.