RYW 8 As the bar started to fill up with people, a team of five security men surrounded the turtles creating a barricade from the fans. Raph noticed the activity but he was having too much fun getting Leo drunk to care. Donnie on the other hand kept babysitting his drink while Mikey peered through the crowds searching for a girl of his liking for company. "Really, I don't understand what's so funny to you...?" "What's funny is mister tighty-pants here is gonna end up going home in a stretcher if ya keep tryin' ta beat me." Raphael kept snickering at Leo, who was in exchange actually having fun. "Excuse me, but how old are you? Don't underestimate me, kid..." Leonardo kept his poker face even though he was feeling the effects of the liquor creeping up on him. "For you're information I am twenty three, ya bozo." Raph wasn't giving a inch. "Hmm... Sweet age..." Leo turned his barstool to look at Raph straight on, licking his lips as he did so. Raphael couldn't help the blush that painted his face, he turned his gaze to his drink. "Ya say it as if ya were like some old fart or s'mthing..." "Haha... Not quite... I turn twenty five this summer. But I've probably lived through enough to put a sixty-year-old man to shame..." Leo's eyes narrowed focusing on his hands. His tone was glum, and Raph noticed it. Feeling as if he had stirred up something he shouldn't have, Raph felt his chest tighten at the sight of a slightly hunched over Leonardo. He lightly touched Leo's hand with the back of his. "Hey... We all have our demons. It's just a matter of not letting our demons have us..." His face was flushed red; a mix of embarrassment and the effects of the consumed alcohol. Leo looked at Raph with wide eyes. He caught a glimpse to his inner self, the one who all those people who had him at such high esteem probably saw too. Maybe Raph wasn't really the obnoxiously hot-tempered irrational little brother he had thought to know from Donnie. "Konbanha, Leonardo." A chilling voice resonated from behind them. Leonardo turned in a haste, his hazel eyes peeled towards the presence. "O-Oroku San...." Raphael turned towards the man. He was tall. Sleek black hair covered his head. His posture a dead give away they were dealing with a powerful person. "Gozen watashi wo chuudan suru koto desu ka?" The man spoke in very proper and clear Japanese to Leonardo. Raphael was a little thrown off; he felt a bit disrespected, like if what this asshole wanted was to rudely keep him out of the conversation. "Nah, yer not interrupting, mister." Raphael had a cocky smile on his face. Usagi overheard the exchange and accidentally over poured Mikey's refill, Mikey excitedly took the drink and walked off to the group of girls he was talking to, dragging Don along. Leo's mouth curved up at its corners. "I apologize, young man. My intention was no other than of checking on my number one lead singer." The man placed his hand on Leo's shoulder. "I trust this... Extracurricular activity... Will not interfere with the group's performances?" The man's grip on Leo tightened slightly, making the turtle's body tense up at the discomfort. "No, Oroku-San... It will not." Leo's eyes met Raphael's, in them the larger turtle saw a mixture of hate and fear. He felt his blood start to boil, feeling protective of this guy was not something he was happy about. "And this bilingual one is...?" The man addressed Raph. Before Raph could answer, Leo leaned towards him and said, "This is Raphael. He is Donatello's younger brother who just got back from Japan. Rumor has it he has a very unique vocal talent." Raphael's face went completely red, his words caught in his throat. "Is that so...?" Shredder stood in front of Raph and looked him up and down. He brought a hand to his chin as if he was examining an art piece before making an offer. "I find it that hard to believe... He looks like any other jock college student to me." Shredder turned on his heel and started to walk away. "Leonardo, make sure you are more diligent in the future. Anything other than perfection is unacceptable. I WILL hold YOU accountable." That did it. Raph couldn't hold himself back anymore. "Hey! Who are you calling a jock, you stuck up asshole!" The bar went completely quiet. "For your information I can sing just fine!" "Raphael, leave it alone," Leonardo whispered to the hot-head. "Matter of fact I'm willing to prove ya wrong right here, right now!" Raphael's mind was spinning. The booze had gave him courage and numbed his shame. As he strutted towards the DJ's booth the reality of what he was about to do hit him, but his pride was bigger than his bashfulness, he had to pull through. Donnie was watching him in horror, he was mortified beyond belief. Mikey, of course, was whistling for him to get it on. The crowd cheered and screamed. "Well, dude, this ain't a karaoke bar, so there's not much to pick from..." The DJ showed him the short list of songs he had on his laptop from which he could separate lyrics from melody. Raph gulped hard as his eyes searched for something that would bail him out. "This one..." Raphael looked next to him to find Leo pointing at the screen. His heart was about to pound out of his plastron. "It's ok... Take a deep breath. I'm here with you..." Leo placed his arm around Raph's shoulders as he whispered the last sentence in his ear slit. Raphael was handed a microphone. When he looked at the band leader he notices he was already holding another. His golden eyes searched the crowd; he saw Mikey with his toothy wide grin, next to him Donnie was pretty much downing his drink. Usagi had a cocky smirk on his face, evidence that he was enjoying Raphael's public humiliation. Then he saw that Oroku guy... Raph's courage raised again, he waved at the crowd and said, "This one I would like to dedicate to the all so fabulous Oroku-San!" The melody started. Leo brought the mic to his lips and sang. "Chairs thrown and tables toppled, Hands armed with broken bottles, Standing no chance to win but, We're not running, we're not running." The upbeat rock song's intro sped up, the fast guitar and banging drums together with Leo's raspy deep voice gave Raph what he needed for his performance. Taking a deep breath, he brought the mic up and started to sing. "There's a point I think we're missing, It's in the air we raise our fists in, In the smiles we cast each other, My sister, my brother. About the time we gave up hoping We'd ever find these locks still open, Stumbling on stones unturned, The hurt we feel, we all have earned. The lines we cross in search of change, But all they see is treason." The crowd went wild. Donnie's face lit up, he hadn't heard his brother sing since their mom's funeral. As the crowd cheered them on, both turtles sang together for the chorus. Their voices complimenting each other beautifully. "Although we have no obligation to stay alive On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive" The crowd joined in. " BREAK OUT!" "I won't be left here Behind closed doors." (Song is "Behind Closed Doors" from Rise Against.) Raph started to have fun. Singing a song from one of his favorite bands in front of a big crowd had made his adrenalin rush in a way he had never experienced before. Yes he had a certain rush whenever he competed relays but it was more from the pressure to win than anything else. Now... Now it was just pure fun. He looked at Leo as they continued to sing, he could see his glistening forest-green skin under the lights. He could tell by Leo's smile he was enjoying himself as well. Then their eyes met. Raph's head was swimming in pure euphoria. He danced towards Leo, maintaining eye contact. Tilting his head slightly back, he mouthed the words 'Damn yer sexy when you're sweaty...' Leo's eyes widened for a second. Raph couldn't help but feel satisfaction fill him when he noticed the older turtle's face looked a bit flushed. It had taken him a while... But it seemed like he was able to get Leo a little back for his past teases. The two continued to sing. From the bar, surrounded by his bodyguards, the Shredder's face was painting an evil grin as he continued to observe the show.