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Is the strange Turtle he meets the worst thing that's ever happened to him, or something else?\n\nMulti-chapter 2k3", "count": "28", "submission_left_submission_id": "1070965", "submission_left_file_name": "1480364_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_24.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1480/1480364_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_24.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1480/1480364_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_24.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1480/1480364_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_24.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "152", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "123", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "152", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "123", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "97", "submission_right_submission_id": "1074858", "submission_right_file_name": "1486004_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_26.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1486/1486004_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_26.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1486/1486004_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_26.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1486/1486004_hummerhouse_don_and_the_puzzle_box_part_26.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "225", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "150", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "90" } ], "description": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.\nWord Count: 100K+ multi-chapter 2k3\nSummary: Donatello sets out to do April a small favor and winds up in another dimension.\nRating will vary by chapter, from G to NC-17\n\n~~The amazing preview image created by @dragona15\n\n \n", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.
Word Count: 100K+ multi-chapter 2k3
Summary: Donatello sets out to do April a small favor and winds up in another dimension.
Rating will vary by chapter, from G to NC-17

~~The amazing preview image created by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdragona15\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdragona15\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


 
", "writing": "\tDon watched Raph’s angry approach, his brother’s focus fully directed towards Niccolo. When Don looked over at Nicco he at once saw a certain gleam in his eyes, the one that Don had come to understand meant that his lover was about to do something crazy.\n\n\t“Ya’ got some kind of a problem with keeping your mitts off of private property?” Raph demanded.\n\n\t“When I see something I like, I take it,” Nicco shot back, his expression both cocky and daring. “Just like I took your brother.”\n\n\tDon swallowed a gasp, afraid that the slightest sound would set them off. He could see that Raph was dancing on the fine edge of his control and Don was surprised he hadn’t blown yet.\n\n\t“My father said I got ta hold my temper,” Raph snarled from between clenched teeth. “Ya’ keep saying shit and I’m going ta forget you’re a guest.”\n\n\t“I know that you’re an honorable ninja,” Nicco responded, his expression calculating.\n\n\tRaph pointed a finger at him. “Don’t even try ta pull that crap on me,” he said. “That’s Leo’s shtick, not mine.”\n\n\t“Nevertheless, it is true of you as well,” Nicco said, removing his hachiwari slowly and tossing them aside. “You however do not feel bound by the principles of politeness when it is overshadowed by your concern for your brother. Perhaps I can prove that I am worthy of him.”\n\n\tRaph’s eyes glittered as he pulled his sai from his belt. “If ya’ want somebody ta take ya’ apart, then ya’ came ta the right place.”\n\n\tDon wanted to shout a warning, but it stuck in his throat as Raph’s wrists flicked, sending both of his sai flying. The lethal metal tips flashed by Nicco to bury themselves in the punching bag that was right next to him.\n\n\tNicco made the mistake of taking his eyes off of Raph as they followed the arc of the other turtle’s weapons. At the same moment that Raph launched his sai, he dove at Nicco.\n\n\tThe solid strike from Raph’s rocklike fist was loud in the dojo. It caught Nicco right on his jaw and sent him staggering back a few steps. Raph followed it with an uppercut, hoping to catch Nicco off balance, but the older turtle pulled his head back in time and only received a glancing blow.\n\n\tRegaining his footing, Nicco’s fist swept out towards Raph’s face, but the ninja ducked under the strike. Raph’s fist connected with Nicco’s unprotected side and pulled a surprised grunt from the big turtle.\n\n\tNicco blocked Raph’s next blow and as he deflected the follow-up, Nicco pulled his hand in towards his chest and clocked Raph with an elbow.\n\n\tRaph’s head snapped back but his foot came up at almost the exact same moment, catching Nicco in the chest with a front snap kick that shoved the older turtle away from him.\n\n\tBoth turtles recovered instantly and rushed towards each other, fists flying. Don watched from the sidelines, his mouth agape at the brutality with which the pair fought. They were of a similar size; Nicco had maybe half an inch on Raph in height, but the younger turtle had a slightly heavier muscle mass.\n\n\tRaph’s fists moved almost faster than the eye could follow, each blow barely blocked by Nicco, whose brow was furrowed in concentration. Raph advanced on him, forcing Nicco back towards the wall, trying to pin him down.\n\n\tNicco saw a split second opening and struck Raph hard enough in his plastron with an open palm to slide Raph backwards.\n\n\tRushing after him, Nicco slammed a hard right hook into the side of Raph’s head. With a grunt, Raph slapped Nicco’s arm aside and came up with a left that split Nicco’s cheek.\n\n\t“Now ya’ ain’t so pretty,” Raph said with satisfaction, his lips curled back from his teeth.\n\n\t“So you’re a brawler,” Nicco countered, swiping at the blood on his face with the back of his hand. “I can handle that. Don’t forget, I’ve been training with your brother.”\n\n\t“I told ya’ before, I ain’t Leo and I sure as shit don’t fight like him,” Raph said.\n\n\tThe words had barely left his mouth before Raph leaped high and kicked Nicco, catching the turtle’s chin and sending him sprawling.\n\n\tAs Raph stomped towards him, Nicco rolled back on his shoulders and then sprang upwards, regaining his feet. Raph’s kick swept past him as Nicco spun on his heel and back-fisted the ninja.\n\n\tRaph half turned with the strike, planting a hard side kick into Nicco’s stomach. Nicco let out a ‘woof’ as the air escaped him and then swung an overhand right as Raph bore down on him.\n\n\tNicco followed with a straight left that jerked Raph’s head to the side. Raph’s right uppercut barely missed Nicco’s jaw as the older turtle pulled back from it and then Nicco bent backwards to avoid Raph’s left hook.\n\n\tAs Raph’s arm came around, Nicco hooked a hard left jab into Raph’s side. Raph cursed as he fell to one knee, but grabbed onto Nicco’s belt and pulled him down too. When Nicco’s knees hit the ground, Raph jabbed to his body, and Nicco planted a right into Raph’s side again\n\n\tInfuriated, Raph jabbed twice into Nicco’s gut and jerked away from him to stand up, delivering a downward blow to the side of Nicco’s skull. Nicco reached out and grabbed Raph’s forearm, pulling himself to his feet and slamming a fist into Raph’s jaw.\n\n\tRaph slipped under Nicco’s next punch and swung an overhand right that struck Nicco’s face hard enough to shove the big turtle’s upper body to the side. As he straightened, Raph tried for a left hook but Nicco quickly leaned away from it.\n\n\tNicco came back with a jab to Raph’s side that the ninja blocked and then Nicco threw a right that landed squarely on Raph’s mouth. Spittle and blood flew outwards but Raph barely noticed, flinging his arm around Nicco’s neck and pulling him into a sharp left jab.\n\n\tJerking away from Raph, Nicco stepped back and pulled his forearms up to block a combination of punches thrown at his face. Raph’s spinning side kick caught Nicco in the chest and he fell into the barbell rack, knocking it over and sending dumbbells rolling in all directions.\n\n\tNicco jumped to his feet and twisted his body into a spinning back kick. Raph backpedaled as Nicco landed and spun again, his heel just brushing Raph’s forearm as the ninja lifted it to block the kick. When Raph’s arm came down he saw the heel of Nicco’s left palm coming at his chin and he leaned away from it only to be caught by a bruising right uppercut that lifted Raph off his feet.\n\n\tRaph slammed into the wall and slid down, landing on one foot and a knee. Looking up at his opponent, Raph growled and charged at Nicco, diving into a forward roll and leaping high to deliver an axe kick that Nicco barely avoided.\n\n\tAs Raph came down, Nicco threw his arm around the ninja’s chest and grabbed his shoulder with one hand. Raph rocked to the side trying to escape Nicco’s hold, and then brought his elbow up into Nicco’s face.\n\n\tNicco’s head rocked back and Raph grabbed his arm, turning to the side as he broke Nicco’s hold. Bodily lifting Nicco, Raph jerked the turtle around in front of him but Nicco caught his bicep and yanked Raph off his feet, flipping him over onto his carapace.\n\n \tRaph rolled onto his stomach and jumped up just as Nicco executed a perfect front kick that hit Raph’s stomach and lifted him into the air.\n\n\tThe ninja crashed into the punching bag hard enough to rip its chain out of the ceiling joist. Raph and the bag hit the ground in a jumble. Raph wrapped his arms around the heavy bag and came up on his feet to throw the punching bag at Nicco.\n\n\tCaught off guard, Nicco’s hands came up as the bag hit him and knocked him to the ground, the bag on top of him. Pushing the bag aside, Nicco looked up in time to see Raph coming down at him, his arm locked into place.\n\n\tRaph’s elbow plowed into Nicco’s gut as Raph fell on him, putting the force of his entire body into the blow. Raph slammed into Nicco’s stomach twice more with his elbow as the older turtle jerked under him and then Raph leaped to his feet in an attempt to stomp Nicco.\n\n\tNicco grunted and rolled as Raph’s foot came down to just miss him. Struggling to his feet with a grimace, Nicco remained bent over, his arm across his midriff. Raph stormed over to him, grabbing Nicco by the top of his carapace and jerking him upright before wrapping his arms around Nicco waist and lifting him.\n\n\tRaph squeezed with all his might, driving the air out of Nicco’s lungs. Nicco’s legs swung frantically, his weight forcing Raph to stumble backwards. When Nicco’s attempt to pull Raph’s hands apart failed, he lifted his hands and gouged at Raph’s eyes with his thumbs.\n\n\tCursing, Raph released the older turtle and swiped at his eyes to clear them. Nicco lifted an elbow and smacked Raph’s chin then caught the ninja’s arm, rolling Raph over his hip and throwing him to the floor.\n\n\tNicco got a good hard grip on Raph’s arm and pulled it back over his knee. Shouting in pain, Raph kicked the ground, trying to find leverage to get out of Nicco’s hold.\n\n\tDon took a step towards them, afraid that Nicco would break his brother’s arm. He was growing more anxious with each passing moment, torn in his loyalties, as he wondered how far Nicco would go in his ploy. It would either work or the pair would wind up bashing each other’s heads in.\n\n\tRaph pulled his knees up, flattened his feet on the floor, and pushed off as hard as he could. Nicco's mouth dropped open in surprise as the ninja flew over his head, pulling his arm free from the older turtle’s grip.\n\n\tLanding behind Nicco, Raph grabbed the top of his head, yanking it back before slamming his elbow into Nicco’s collarbone. Nicco fell forward onto his forearms and Raph grabbed his carapace, pulling him up so that he could repeat the maneuver.\n\n\tJust as Raph’s fist came down, Nicco shoved against the floor and slid backwards between the ninja’s legs. Nicco gained his feet just as Raph spun to face him.\n\n\t“I’ve always watched Don’s back,” Raph ground out. “All my life I’ve known that he depends on me to protect him while he’s working his magic. Don don’t need ya’, he’s got me.”\n\n\t“I’m not trying to take your place,” Nicco insisted.\n\n\tNicco didn’t get to say more as Raph rushed him, his legs spinning in a high arc. Ducking and dodging those deadly kicks, Nicco’s arms came up in an attempt to block Raph’s onslaught.\n\n\tAs soon as Nicco lifted his arms, Raph dropped low and swept the older turtle’s legs out from under him. Nicco kicked up at him and Raph grabbed his ankle, twirling around in circles fast enough to pull Nicco off the floor.\n\n\tRaph released Nicco and the turtle shot through the air, landing amongst the scattered dumbbells with a grunt. When Raph stormed after him, Nicco rolled the dumbbells into his path and then charged.\n\n\tFists swinging, Nicco landed two good hits before Raph caught him with an uppercut. As Raph came in with a right jab, Nicco hooked the back of the ninja’s ankle with his foot and tripped him.\n\n\tAs Raph went down, he kicked the side of Nicco’s leg hard. With a shout, Nicco fell to one knee and Raph sat up to punch him, knocking Nicco all of the way down. Raph collapsed back as well, his breath burning in his lungs as he tried to pull in oxygen.\n\n\tNearby, Nicco remained on his carapace as well, breathing hard and starting to feel every one of his new bruises. Don stared at them, deciding that he’d had enough of their macho crap, determined to knock them both out with his bo staff if they started to fight again.\n\n\t“Donatello will always need you,” Nicco finally managed to say between panting breaths. “We come from two different worlds and I won’t always be here. Master Splinter has forbidden me from going out on missions with you four because I’m not a trained ninja and I need to know that someone here is focused on Don so that I don’t have to worry about him.”\n\n\t“Nothing’s going ta happen ta Don while I’m around,” Raph said gruffly. “Not ever. I’ll do whatever it takes ta keep him safe; I always have.”\n\n\tDon felt a constriction in his throat at Raph’s admission. He’d known since he was young that Raphael saw himself as the family protector, his brute strength and berserker attitude combining into a nearly unstoppable force. Hearing Raph articulate how he saw his role, Don understood what it was that had made his brother feel so antagonistic towards Nicco.\n\n\t“I’d hate to find out what you could do with weapons in your hands,” Nicco said. “Damn, I don’t think there’s any part of me that doesn’t hurt like hell right now.”\n\n\tFor a second there was silence and then Raph started to chuckle. The sound seemed to set Nicco off and he snorted with amusement. Before Don knew it, both of the alpha males were laughing their asses off as they lay on the floor amidst the mess they’d made of the dojo.\n\n\tDon gawked at the pair and started to believe that they’d gone crazy. Along with that thought came the decision to let them deal with their own injuries; he was sure as shell not going to patch up either of them.\n\n\t“I’ll say this for ya’,” Raph said. “Ya’ sure can take it. You’re nearly as hard headed as my genius brother.”\n\n\t“Stubbornness must be a family trait,” Nicco replied good-naturedly.\n\n\t“How about we discuss that over a beer?” Raph suggested, sitting up. “Do ya’ drink beer?”\n\n\t“I do,” Nicco said, lifting his upper half from the floor as well. “Don’t forget, I was in the army once. I made the most of my leave when I got the chance.”\n\n\tRaph stood up and offered Nicco a hand. Nicco accepted it and was pulled to his feet, after which both of the turtles departed the dojo, heading towards the kitchen.\n\n\tDon was left to stare after them, his sharp mind struggling with the notion of fist fights leading to friendships. Shaking his head, he realized it was a concept that he’d never understand and Don then went upstairs to turn in for the night.\n\nTBC…………………", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tDon watched Raph’s angry approach, his brother’s focus fully directed towards Niccolo.  When Don looked over at Nicco he at once saw a certain gleam in his eyes, the one that Don had come to understand meant that his lover was about to do something crazy.

\t“Ya’ got some kind of a problem with keeping your mitts off of private property?” Raph demanded.

\t“When I see something I like, I take it,” Nicco shot back, his expression both cocky and daring.  “Just like I took your brother.”

\tDon swallowed a gasp, afraid that the slightest sound would set them off.  He could see that Raph was dancing on the fine edge of his control and Don was surprised he hadn’t blown yet.

\t“My father said I got ta hold my temper,” Raph snarled from between clenched teeth.  “Ya’ keep saying shit and I’m going ta forget you’re a guest.”

\t“I know that you’re an honorable ninja,” Nicco responded, his expression calculating.

\tRaph pointed a finger at him.  “Don’t even try ta pull that crap on me,” he said.  “That’s Leo’s shtick, not mine.”

\t“Nevertheless, it is true of you as well,” Nicco said, removing his hachiwari slowly and tossing them aside.  “You however do not feel bound by the principles of politeness when it is overshadowed by your concern for your brother.  Perhaps I can prove that I am worthy of him.”

\tRaph’s eyes glittered as he pulled his sai from his belt.  “If ya’ want somebody ta take ya’ apart, then ya’ came ta the right place.”

\tDon wanted to shout a warning, but it stuck in his throat as Raph’s wrists flicked, sending both of his sai flying.  The lethal metal tips flashed by Nicco to bury themselves in the punching bag that was right next to him.

\tNicco made the mistake of taking his eyes off of Raph as they followed the arc of the other turtle’s weapons.  At the same moment that Raph launched his sai, he dove at Nicco.

\tThe solid strike from Raph’s rocklike fist was loud in the dojo.  It caught Nicco right on his jaw and sent him staggering back a few steps.  Raph followed it with an uppercut, hoping to catch Nicco off balance, but the older turtle pulled his head back in time and only received a glancing blow.

\tRegaining his footing, Nicco’s fist swept out towards Raph’s face, but the ninja ducked under the strike.  Raph’s fist connected with Nicco’s unprotected side and pulled a surprised grunt from the big turtle.

\tNicco blocked Raph’s next blow and as he deflected the follow-up, Nicco pulled his hand in towards his chest and clocked Raph with an elbow.

\tRaph’s head snapped back but his foot came up at almost the exact same moment, catching Nicco in the chest with a front snap kick that shoved the older turtle away from him.

\tBoth turtles recovered instantly and rushed towards each other, fists flying.  Don watched from the sidelines, his mouth agape at the brutality with which the pair fought.  They were of a similar size; Nicco had maybe half an inch on Raph in height, but the younger turtle had a slightly heavier muscle mass.

\tRaph’s fists moved almost faster than the eye could follow, each blow barely blocked by Nicco, whose brow was furrowed in concentration.  Raph advanced on him, forcing Nicco back towards the wall, trying to pin him down.

\tNicco saw a split second opening and struck Raph hard enough in his plastron with an open palm to slide Raph backwards.

\tRushing after him, Nicco slammed a hard right hook into the side of Raph’s head.  With a grunt, Raph slapped Nicco’s arm aside and came up with a left that split Nicco’s cheek.

\t“Now ya’ ain’t so pretty,” Raph said with satisfaction, his lips curled back from his teeth.

\t“So you’re a brawler,” Nicco countered, swiping at the blood on his face with the back of his hand.  “I can handle that.  Don’t forget, I’ve been training with your brother.”

\t“I told ya’ before, I ain’t Leo and I sure as shit don’t fight like him,” Raph said.

\tThe words had barely left his mouth before Raph leaped high and kicked Nicco, catching the turtle’s chin and sending him sprawling.

\tAs Raph stomped towards him, Nicco rolled back on his shoulders and then sprang upwards, regaining his feet.  Raph’s kick swept past him as Nicco spun on his heel and back-fisted the ninja.

\tRaph half turned with the strike, planting a hard side kick into Nicco’s stomach.  Nicco let out a ‘woof’ as the air escaped him and then swung an overhand right as Raph bore down on him.

\tNicco followed with a straight left that jerked Raph’s head to the side.  Raph’s right uppercut barely missed Nicco’s jaw as the older turtle pulled back from it and then Nicco bent backwards to avoid Raph’s left hook.

\tAs Raph’s arm came around, Nicco hooked a hard left jab into Raph’s side.  Raph cursed as he fell to one knee, but grabbed onto Nicco’s belt and pulled him down too.  When Nicco’s knees hit the ground, Raph jabbed to his body, and Nicco planted a right into Raph’s side again

\tInfuriated, Raph jabbed twice into Nicco’s gut and jerked away from him to stand up, delivering a downward blow to the side of Nicco’s skull.  Nicco reached out and grabbed Raph’s forearm, pulling himself to his feet and slamming a fist into Raph’s jaw.

\tRaph slipped under Nicco’s next punch and swung an overhand right that struck Nicco’s face hard enough to shove the big turtle’s upper body to the side.  As he straightened, Raph tried for a left hook but Nicco quickly leaned away from it.

\tNicco came back with a jab to Raph’s side that the ninja blocked and then Nicco threw a right that landed squarely on Raph’s mouth.  Spittle and blood flew outwards but Raph barely noticed, flinging his arm around Nicco’s neck and pulling him into a sharp left jab.

\tJerking away from Raph, Nicco stepped back and pulled his forearms up to block a combination of punches thrown at his face.  Raph’s spinning side kick caught Nicco in the chest and he fell into the barbell rack, knocking it over and sending dumbbells rolling in all directions.

\tNicco jumped to his feet and twisted his body into a spinning back kick.  Raph backpedaled as Nicco landed and spun again, his heel just brushing Raph’s forearm as the ninja lifted it to block the kick.  When Raph’s arm came down he saw the heel of Nicco’s left palm coming at his chin and he leaned away from it only to be caught by a bruising right uppercut that lifted Raph off his feet.

\tRaph slammed into the wall and slid down, landing on one foot and a knee.  Looking up at his opponent, Raph growled and charged at Nicco, diving into a forward roll and leaping high to deliver an axe kick that Nicco barely avoided.

\tAs Raph came down, Nicco threw his arm around the ninja’s chest and grabbed his shoulder with one hand.  Raph rocked to the side trying to escape Nicco’s hold, and then brought his elbow up into Nicco’s face.

\tNicco’s head rocked back and Raph grabbed his arm, turning to the side as he broke Nicco’s hold.  Bodily lifting Nicco, Raph jerked the turtle around in front of him but Nicco caught his bicep and yanked Raph off his feet, flipping him over onto his carapace.

 \tRaph rolled onto his stomach and jumped up just as Nicco executed a perfect front kick that hit Raph’s stomach and lifted him into the air.

\tThe ninja crashed into the punching bag hard enough to rip its chain out of the ceiling joist.  Raph and the bag hit the ground in a jumble.  Raph wrapped his arms around the heavy bag and came up on his feet to throw the punching bag at Nicco.

\tCaught off guard, Nicco’s hands came up as the bag hit him and knocked him to the ground, the bag on top of him.  Pushing the bag aside, Nicco looked up in time to see Raph coming down at him, his arm locked into place.

\tRaph’s elbow plowed into Nicco’s gut as Raph fell on him, putting the force of his entire body into the blow.  Raph slammed into Nicco’s stomach twice more with his elbow as the older turtle jerked under him and then Raph leaped to his feet in an attempt to stomp Nicco.

\tNicco grunted and rolled as Raph’s foot came down to just miss him.  Struggling to his feet with a grimace, Nicco remained bent over, his arm across his midriff.  Raph stormed over to him, grabbing Nicco by the top of his carapace and jerking him upright before wrapping his arms around Nicco waist and lifting him.

\tRaph squeezed with all his might, driving the air out of Nicco’s lungs.  Nicco’s legs swung frantically, his weight forcing Raph to stumble backwards.  When Nicco’s attempt to pull Raph’s hands apart failed, he lifted his hands and gouged at Raph’s eyes with his thumbs.

\tCursing, Raph released the older turtle and swiped at his eyes to clear them.  Nicco lifted an elbow and smacked Raph’s chin then caught the ninja’s arm, rolling Raph over his hip and throwing him to the floor.

\tNicco got a good hard grip on Raph’s arm and pulled it back over his knee.  Shouting in pain, Raph kicked the ground, trying to find leverage to get out of Nicco’s hold.

\tDon took a step towards them, afraid that Nicco would break his brother’s arm.  He was growing more anxious with each passing moment, torn in his loyalties, as he wondered how far Nicco would go in his ploy.  It would either work or the pair would wind up bashing each other’s heads in.

\tRaph pulled his knees up, flattened his feet on the floor, and pushed off as hard as he could.  Nicco's mouth dropped open in surprise as the ninja flew over his head, pulling his arm free from the older turtle’s grip.

\tLanding behind Nicco, Raph grabbed the top of his head, yanking it back before slamming his elbow into Nicco’s collarbone.  Nicco fell forward onto his forearms and Raph grabbed his carapace, pulling him up so that he could repeat the maneuver.

\tJust as Raph’s fist came down, Nicco shoved against the floor and slid backwards between the ninja’s legs.  Nicco gained his feet just as Raph spun to face him.

\t“I’ve always watched Don’s back,” Raph ground out.  “All my life I’ve known that he depends on me to protect him while he’s working his magic.  Don don’t need ya’, he’s got me.”

\t“I’m not trying to take your place,” Nicco insisted.

\tNicco didn’t get to say more as Raph rushed him, his legs spinning in a high arc.  Ducking and dodging those deadly kicks, Nicco’s arms came up in an attempt to block Raph’s onslaught.

\tAs soon as Nicco lifted his arms, Raph dropped low and swept the older turtle’s legs out from under him.  Nicco kicked up at him and Raph grabbed his ankle, twirling around in circles fast enough to pull Nicco off the floor.

\tRaph released Nicco and the turtle shot through the air, landing amongst the scattered dumbbells with a grunt.  When Raph stormed after him, Nicco rolled the dumbbells into his path and then charged.

\tFists swinging, Nicco landed two good hits before Raph caught him with an uppercut.  As Raph came in with a right jab, Nicco hooked the back of the ninja’s ankle with his foot and tripped him.

\tAs Raph went down, he kicked the side of Nicco’s leg hard.  With a shout, Nicco fell to one knee and Raph sat up to punch him, knocking Nicco all of the way down.  Raph collapsed back as well, his breath burning in his lungs as he tried to pull in oxygen.

\tNearby, Nicco remained on his carapace as well, breathing hard and starting to feel every one of his new bruises.  Don stared at them, deciding that he’d had enough of their macho crap, determined to knock them both out with his bo staff if they started to fight again.

\t“Donatello will always need you,” Nicco finally managed to say between panting breaths.  “We come from two different worlds and I won’t always be here.  Master Splinter has forbidden me from going out on missions with you four because I’m not a trained ninja and I need to know that someone here is focused on Don so that I don’t have to worry about him.”

\t“Nothing’s going ta happen ta Don while I’m around,” Raph said gruffly.  “Not ever.  I’ll do whatever it takes ta keep him safe; I always have.”

\tDon felt a constriction in his throat at Raph’s admission.  He’d known since he was young that Raphael saw himself as the family protector, his brute strength and berserker attitude combining into a nearly unstoppable force.  Hearing Raph articulate how he saw his role, Don understood what it was that had made his brother feel so antagonistic towards Nicco.

\t“I’d hate to find out what you could do with weapons in your hands,” Nicco said.  “Damn, I don’t think there’s any part of me that doesn’t hurt like hell right now.”

\tFor a second there was silence and then Raph started to chuckle.  The sound seemed to set Nicco off and he snorted with amusement.  Before Don knew it, both of the alpha males were laughing their asses off as they lay on the floor amidst the mess they’d made of the dojo.

\tDon gawked at the pair and started to believe that they’d gone crazy.  Along with that thought came the decision to let them deal with their own injuries; he was sure as shell not going to patch up either of them.

\t“I’ll say this for ya’,” Raph said.  “Ya’ sure can take it.  You’re nearly as hard headed as my genius brother.”

\t“Stubbornness must be a family trait,” Nicco replied good-naturedly.

\t“How about we discuss that over a beer?” Raph suggested, sitting up.  “Do ya’ drink beer?”

\t“I do,” Nicco said, lifting his upper half from the floor as well.  “Don’t forget, I was in the army once.  I made the most of my leave when I got the chance.”

\tRaph stood up and offered Nicco a hand.  Nicco accepted it and was pulled to his feet, after which both of the turtles departed the dojo, heading towards the kitchen.

\tDon was left to stare after them, his sharp mind struggling with the notion of fist fights leading to friendships.  Shaking his head, he realized it was a concept that he’d never understand and Don then went upstairs to turn in for the night.

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