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There is one change though that he dwells on more than others and the chance to begin again is hard to ignore.\n\nTMNT 2k12", "count": "15", "submission_left_submission_id": "1685446", "submission_left_file_name": "2409000_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_7.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2409/2409000_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_7.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2409/2409000_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_7.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2409/2409000_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_7.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "236", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "157", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "94", "submission_right_submission_id": "1689296", "submission_right_file_name": "2414841_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_9.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2414/2414841_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_9.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2414/2414841_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_9.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2414/2414841_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_9.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "254", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "169", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "102" } ], "description": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.\nWord Count: 3,023 multi-chapter 2k12\nSummary: So many things in Raph's life have changed, some for the better and some not. There is one change though that he dwells on more than others and the chance to begin again is hard to ignore.\nRatings from PG-13 to NC-17\n", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.
Word Count: 3,023 multi-chapter 2k12
Summary: So many things in Raph's life have changed, some for the better and some not. There is one change though that he dwells on more than others and the chance to begin again is hard to ignore.
Ratings from PG-13 to NC-17
", "writing": "\tRaphael lay awake, his eyes glued to the ceiling and his mind in a whirl. He wanted desperately to gather supplies for Slash as he had done the night before, but after his conversation with Leonardo, the red banded turtle was afraid to make a move.\n\n\tLeo was a light sleeper under normal conditions, but if he had suspicions about Raph's activities, he would wake even easier. Raph had employed a great deal of stealth the previous night and wasn't sure of his ability to be even more silent.\n\n\tIt was quite late before he decided that Slash had enough supplies to tide him over for another day. Having mentally settled that argument, Raph fell into a fitful sleep.\n\n\tHis lack of sleep showed the following morning. Though he managed to rise at the regular time, he was not in the best of moods. Michelangelo's chattering at breakfast irritated him and he snapped at his youngest brother, then turned a full out glare on Donatello when the genius told him good morning.\n\n\tShoveling cereal into his mouth, Raph tried to ignore Leo who was seated across from him and openly staring. After a few minutes of that, Raph looked up.\n\n\t``What?'' Raph demanded.\n\n\t``Didn't you sleep well?'' Leo asked.\n\n\t``No,'' Raph answered flatly before returning to his breakfast.\n\n\t``It thought I heard someone in the kitchen night before last,'' Leo said. ``Was that you?''\n\n\tRaph froze, his spoon halfway to his mouth. He was sure no one had seen him hide the supply bag and was positive that no one had followed him. He decided to bluff it out.\n\n\t``I got thirsty,'' Raph said. ``Thought I was quiet.''\n\n\t``You were,'' Leo told him. ``I suppose it's the lack of subway sounds but I seem to hear everything at night.''\n\n\t``Yeah,'' Raph agreed. His eyes locked with Leo's. ``Guess that's why I'm not sleeping too well.''\n\n\t``I hear something chirping every morning,'' Mikey said, his eyes wide. ``It sounds like some kind of code.''\n\n\t``That's your alarm clock,'' Don said caustically. ``The one you always ignore.''\n\n\tMikey stared at Don skeptically. ``I think I'd know if I had an alarm clock `cause I'd have to turn it off, D.''\n\n\tWith an exasperated look, Don said, ``I'm the one who turns it off, Mikey. You have it set for very early so you can watch cartoons but then you sleep through the alarm. It wakes me every morning instead.''\n\n\tRaph was happy for their argument because it gave him a momentary respite from Leo's questions. His older brother was still looking at him so when April wandered into the kitchen, Raph jumped up to give her his seat.\n\n\t``You aren't going far are you Raph?'' Leo asked before Raph could get out the door. ``I thought we'd try to go back to regular morning training sessions.''\n\n\tRaph stopped and turned around, noting that Leo hadn't touched his breakfast yet. The expression on Leo's face was intent but there was also a touch of underlying need. Whatever annoyance Raph felt at Leo's questioning dissipated when he saw the look in his brother's eyes.\n\n\t``Including me?'' April asked hopefully.\n\n\t``You ain't leaving me out,'' Casey said as he swept into the kitchen, slapping Raph on his shell as he passed his friend.\n\n\t``Just one big happy training session,'' Raph muttered.\n\n\tIf Leo noticed the hint of sarcasm in Raph's voice he didn't show it. ``If we're going to fight the Kraang together we need to learn to work as a team,'' he stated.\n\n\tIt didn't escape Raph's attention that Leo sounded quite pleased now, the inquisitive tone gone from his voice. Leo wanted to pick up where they'd left off when they'd been chased from the city, he wanted them to get back into a normal routine, he needed them to be a family. Most of all, Leo seemed to need Raph in order to make that all happen.\n\n\tRaph sighed in resignation, knowing he wasn't going to be leaving the farmhouse for a long while, possibly not even that day.\n\n\tAll in all, their practice went well. Leo worked with both April and Casey, helping April to hone her skills as a kunoichi and teaching Casey that there was more to fighting than simple brute force. Working with the pair of virtual novices provided Leo the exercise he needed without the necessity of using his full range of motion.\n\n\tThat left Raph to train the two more advanced ninjas on their team. Leo's training technique involved a lot of repetition and lecturing, Raph's was more physical. He made sure that when his brothers slacked off or lost focus, they got a lesson in pain as reinforcement.\n\nAfter knocking Donnie on his butt a couple of times for paying more attention to what April was doing than on his own practice bout, Raph managed to get the genius' head into his training. Whenever Mikey's eyes or mind started to wander, a well-placed fist to the back of his head got him on track again. Before long Mikey was focusing on where Raph's hands were and as a result, also listening to what his brother was telling him.\n\nBy the time that Leo decided they'd trained enough it was well past the lunch hour. Raph ate lunch with his family but didn't contribute much to the conversation because he was trying to think of a way to escape from the farmhouse long enough to check on Slash.\n\nRaph didn't notice that Leo wasn't talking much either. What he did notice was that it wasn't until almost everyone else had excused themselves from the table that Leo got up to leave. It only required Raph seeing his brother take two steps to understand why. Leo was limping.\n\n``You overdid it, didn't you?'' Raph asked. ``You do know that when you're training someone to fight you're supposed to spend most of your time watching them.''\n\n``It's easier to train April by showing her what to do,'' Leo argued, ``and if I don't step in Casey resorts to street tactics.''\n\n``If I remember correctly, Donnie gave you specific rehab exercises to do and told you to rest that leg as much as possible,'' Raph chastised. ``I'm pretty sure he did not tell you to pick and choose how much of a workout you could do.''\n\n``For how long?'' Leo asked, a strained sound in his voice. ``The longer I'm out of commission the longer we'll be stuck here.''\n\n``As long as it takes bro','' Raph told him. ``Trying to rush the healing process isn't a good plan and the added stress just makes things worse. I'm in a hurry to go home, find Master Splinter, and kick the Kraang out of the city too. You're usually the one telling me to chill.''\n\nLeo lowered his head, his expression pained. ``I know,'' he said contritely. ``I'm not doing a very good job of leading, am I?''\n\n``You're doing fine,'' Raph reassured him. ``If you want us all to learn how to fight as a team then we're going to have to stay here a little longer. You'll have time to heal up while you're training April and Casey, as long as you don't push yourself harder than you should. Sorta killing two birds with one stone, right?''\n\n``You're pretty wise, you know that Raph?'' Leo said, giving his brother an admiring look.\n\nRaph shrugged. ``Yeah, well don't tell anyone. I try to hide my smarts behind my temper. Come on upstairs and let's get you settled in a warm bath to help with that pain and stiffness.''\n\nLeo refused help in climbing the stairs, determined that the rest of their group not realize how much he was hurting. It probably would have been a good thing to have Don assess the injury again, but Leo was adamant that only Raph know how much trouble his leg was giving him.\n\nOnce Leo was soaking in the tub, Raph went back downstairs and looked around for his brothers and friends. Mikey was parked in front of the TV again, April was arranging flowers in a pot, and Raph found Don and Casey working on the van. With a few curt words he pulled everyone away from their activities and gathered them around him in the barn.\n\nWithout preliminaries, Raph said, ``That practice session we had this morning is gonna be a regular thing from now on. Everyone shows up on time and had better be ready to work hard. If you ain't there on time I'm gonna kick your tail bone hard before I listen to any excuses.''\n\n``Since when do you tell us what to do?'' Don asked with a frown.\n\n``Since I noticed Leo is trying to do everything by himself,'' Raph shot back. ``He's got a bum leg and shouldn't have to run around in circles getting us to do what we already know we should be doing.''\n\n``Where is he?'' April asked.\n\n``I shoved him in a tub of hot water to soak,'' Raph said. ``While he's doing that we're going to clean the house.''\n\n``But Don and I were in the middle of . . . .'' Casey began.\n\n``It'll keep,'' Raph snapped. ``Until the house is clean and dinner is on the table, nobody does anything else, and that means the TV stays off, Mikey.''\n\n``Tyrant,'' Mikey said with a pout.\n\nRaph's grin wasn't pleasant. ``That's probably the nicest thing you're gonna call me before this day is done. March.''\n\nThere was a general grumbling amongst the four but they did as Raph said. Perhaps they understood on a deeper level that he was right, or they were afraid of what he'd do if they didn't follow his orders, but the house got cleaned.\n\nWhile they were working, Raph monitored Leo's time in the tub, getting him out when the water started to cool. He told his older brother that everyone was cleaning the house as a surprise for him and in that way convinced Leo to go to his room and lie down.\n\nRaph stood with his hands on his hips as he surveyed the farmhouse a couple of hours later. April and Mikey were putting dinner on the table while Casey helped Don finish the repairs on a pair of dining chairs so that the entire group could sit down to a meal together. That was his final gift of the day to Leo; something to assure his brother that the family was still whole.\n\nThough Leo didn't make a big deal of it when he came down, Raph could tell by his expression that the gathering offered him a sense of serenity he hadn't felt in a while. Partway through the meal Leo caught Raph's eye and smiled, tipping his head down to acknowledge that he knew his red banded brother had arranged everything.\n\nAn added bonus to the day's events was that everyone was tired enough so that they all turned in early. All but Leo, who sat on the couch watching television.\n\n``You going to bed soon?'' Raph asked.\n\nLeo glanced at him and then back at the news broadcast. ``In a bit. I'm not very sleepy after that nap you insisted I take.''\n\nRaph frowned, seeing his opportunities for supply gathering dwindle. ``Don't stay up watching the news all night,'' he said, keeping the disappointment from his voice. ``It's a downer.''\n\nLeo lifted a hand in acknowledgment and with a last look at him, Raph went up to bed.\n\nSometime around two in the morning Raph woke up from a semi-deep sleep, glancing at the clock and blinking to full wakefulness. He had checked on Leo at midnight and found his brother sound asleep on the couch. After tossing a blanket over him, Raph had resigned himself to the fact that he wouldn't be able to collect supplies for Slash.\n\nAs Raph contemplated whether it would be safe to sneak off and at least check on his friend, he heard the sound of pebbles hitting his window. Thinking that might have been what had awakened him in the first place, he got out of bed and pulled the curtains aside.\n\nThere was only a quarter moon out and the clouds that had been rolling in during the day cast a deep shadow over the yard. Lifting the window pane, Raph leaned partway out and immediately saw Slash pop out of hiding and wave at him.\n\nAlmost at the same time Raph heard a thump from inside the house. Panicked, he bolted through the open window, clambered lightly over the roof top, and dropped down into the yard. Without saying a word, he caught hold of Slash's arm and swiftly bundled him off to the barn.\n\nEven though the barn was a good distance from the house, Raph kept his voice low. ``What are you doing here?''\n\n``I grew worried when I didn't see you,'' Slash answered, his brow furrowed. ``I began to think something had happened.''\n\n``You took a big chance,'' Raph said. ``How did you know which window was mine?''\n\n``Your scent of course,'' Slash told him, complacency smoothing his brow. ``I always know where you are. Why didn't you come today?''\n\nRaph released his arm and said, ``Leo started asking questions. Apparently he heard me moving around in the house the other night. I had to stay close to ward off his suspicions.''\n\n``He's holding you back, just as he always does,'' Slash remarked darkly.\n\nShaking his head, Raph said, ``We're not going to start this again. I told you before I'm not going to choose between you and my brothers. I shouldn't have to. You guys should be able to find a way to make peace and that's not going to happen if you carry a grudge.''\n\n``We aren't going to make peace if I'm not allowed to interact with your family either,'' Slash said, staring hard into Raph's eyes.\n\n``Look, give me some time to work this out, okay?'' Raph asked, his voice carrying an appeal. ``Please just stay at the cabin until then. I'll come to see you tomorrow; I'll find a way.''\n\nSlash didn't look appeased. ``Leonardo is trying to possess you. I noticed it long ago.''\n\nExasperated, Raph said, ``No he's not. He's my brother and he's our clan leader. Our dad is missing and Leo is trying to make sure this family sticks together.'' A thought struck him. ``Are you jealous of Leo?''\n\n``Perhaps of the time he gets to spend with you,'' Slash said, his gaze unwavering.\n\n``I spend time with all of my brothers,'' Raph pointed out.\n\n``But mostly with Leonardo,'' Slash insisted.\n\nRaph took a deep breath. ``Leo depends on me and needs me right now because of his injuries.''\n\nSlash's voice was suddenly tender. ``I need you too.''\n\nRaph suddenly realized that there was more to Slash's coming to find him than his thinking something had happened to his former owner. ``Were you afraid that I might have packed up and left?''\n\n``Maybe,'' Slash admitted slowly. ``I know that you are under a lot of stress; I could see it in your face the night I found you. Maybe you feel like you have to take care of me again and it's too much for you.''\n\n``No it's not,'' Raph blurted almost before Slash finished speaking. Taking a step closer to the larger turtle, he said in as strong a tone as he could manage, ``Yes I'm feeling pressure what with worrying over Master Splinter and what happened to the city. I'm upset that we couldn't stop it and I'm concerned about Leo not being the same because his injured leg is holding him back.\n\n``All of that is more of a burden than I'm used to but caring for you was something I chose to do a long time ago and has always been the one responsibility I wanted. That hasn't changed.''\n\nSlash's face was instantly transformed by a broad smile. ``I told you before that I'm capable of providing most things for myself now. The one thing I need above all else is your company but I understand I'll have to share your time. Don't worry, I'll wait at the cabin as you ask.''\n\nLoneliness was something Raph was acutely familiar with and he felt a pang at leaving his friend to his own devices for so long. ``I'll come tomorrow, no matter what. We can go fishing.''\n\n``I would enjoy that,'' Slash said.\n\nWith a nod, Raph padded over to the door and glanced out, happy to see that his departure had apparently gone unnoticed. While his eyes swept the yard, he said, ``Stick close to the shadows of the barn when you go out so no one will see you from the house.''\n\nWhen he turned to make sure Slash understood, he found that the large mutant was almost on top of him. Startled, Raph didn't move as Slash suddenly caught him in a bear hug, pulling him close.\n\nUnsure of what to do, Raph lifted his arms and patted Slash's shell in what he hoped was a comforting manner.\n\nThinking that the hug was a spontaneous reaction that wouldn't last long, Raph was surprised when Slash began to nuzzle his neck. Stiffening slightly, Raph was about to push Slash away when he realized that the show of affection felt good. Very good in fact; good enough so that it started to excite him.\n\nIn the next moment Slash raked his ragged bottom jaw across Raph's collar bone, sending a feeling so foreign through his body that it seemed to electrify Raph, leaving his legs trembling.\n\nRaph shivered in Slash's embrace and the big turtle released him, stepping back with a knowing grin.\n\n``Until tomorrow,'' Slash said in a voice pitched lower than normal, the tone sending another shudder through Raph.\n\nThen Slash was gone, leaving Raph standing there stunned and unmoving.\n\nIt took a quarter of an hour for Raph to gather his senses enough to go back to the house, concerns over Leo catching him gone from his head.\n\nTBC....................\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tRaphael lay awake, his eyes glued to the ceiling and his mind in a whirl.  He wanted desperately to gather supplies for Slash as he had done the night before, but after his conversation with Leonardo, the red banded turtle was afraid to make a move.

\tLeo was a light sleeper under normal conditions, but if he had suspicions about Raph's activities, he would wake even easier.  Raph had employed a great deal of stealth the previous night and wasn't sure of his ability to be even more silent.

\tIt was quite late before he decided that Slash had enough supplies to tide him over for another day.  Having mentally settled that argument, Raph fell into a fitful sleep.

\tHis lack of sleep showed the following morning.  Though he managed to rise at the regular time, he was not in the best of moods.  Michelangelo's chattering at breakfast irritated him and he snapped at his youngest brother, then turned a full out glare on Donatello when the genius told him good morning.

\tShoveling cereal into his mouth, Raph tried to ignore Leo who was seated across from him and openly staring.  After a few minutes of that, Raph looked up.

\t``What?'' Raph demanded.

\t``Didn't you sleep well?'' Leo asked.

\t``No,'' Raph answered flatly before returning to his breakfast.

\t``It thought I heard someone in the kitchen night before last,'' Leo said.  ``Was that you?''

\tRaph froze, his spoon halfway to his mouth.  He was sure no one had seen him hide the supply bag and was positive that no one had followed him.  He decided to bluff it out.

\t``I got thirsty,'' Raph said.  ``Thought I was quiet.''

\t``You were,'' Leo told him.  ``I suppose it's the lack of subway sounds but I seem to hear everything at night.''

\t``Yeah,'' Raph agreed.  His eyes locked with Leo's.  ``Guess that's why I'm not sleeping too well.''

\t``I hear something chirping every morning,'' Mikey said, his eyes wide.  ``It sounds like some kind of code.''

\t``That's your alarm clock,'' Don said caustically.  ``The one you always ignore.''

\tMikey stared at Don skeptically.  ``I think I'd know if I had an alarm clock `cause I'd have to turn it off, D.''

\tWith an exasperated look, Don said, ``I'm the one who turns it off, Mikey.  You have it set for very early so you can watch cartoons but then you sleep through the alarm.  It wakes me every morning instead.''

\tRaph was happy for their argument because it gave him a momentary respite from Leo's questions.  His older brother was still looking at him so when April wandered into the kitchen, Raph jumped up to give her his seat.

\t``You aren't going far are you Raph?'' Leo asked before Raph could get out the door.  ``I thought we'd try to go back to regular morning training sessions.''

\tRaph stopped and turned around, noting that Leo hadn't touched his breakfast yet.  The expression on Leo's face was intent but there was also a touch of underlying need.  Whatever annoyance Raph felt at Leo's questioning dissipated when he saw the look in his brother's eyes.

\t``Including me?'' April asked hopefully.

\t``You ain't leaving me out,'' Casey said as he swept into the kitchen, slapping Raph on his shell as he passed his friend.

\t``Just one big happy training session,'' Raph muttered.

\tIf Leo noticed the hint of sarcasm in Raph's voice he didn't show it.  ``If we're going to fight the Kraang together we need to learn to work as a team,'' he stated.

\tIt didn't escape Raph's attention that Leo sounded quite pleased now, the inquisitive tone gone from his voice.  Leo wanted to pick up where they'd left off when they'd been chased from the city, he wanted them to get back into a normal routine, he needed them to be a family.  Most of all, Leo seemed to need Raph in order to make that all happen.

\tRaph sighed in resignation, knowing he wasn't going to be leaving the farmhouse for a long while, possibly not even that day.

\tAll in all, their practice went well.  Leo worked with both April and Casey, helping April to hone her skills as a kunoichi and teaching Casey that there was more to fighting than simple brute force.  Working with the pair of virtual novices provided Leo the exercise he needed without the necessity of using his full range of motion.

\tThat left Raph to train the two more advanced ninjas on their team.  Leo's training technique involved a lot of repetition and lecturing, Raph's was more physical.  He made sure that when his brothers slacked off or lost focus, they got a lesson in pain as reinforcement.

After knocking Donnie on his butt a couple of times for paying more attention to what April was doing than on his own practice bout, Raph managed to get the genius' head into his training.  Whenever Mikey's eyes or mind started to wander, a well-placed fist to the back of his head got him on track again.  Before long Mikey was focusing on where Raph's hands were and as a result, also listening to what his brother was telling him.

By the time that Leo decided they'd trained enough it was well past the lunch hour.  Raph ate lunch with his family but didn't contribute much to the conversation because he was trying to think of a way to escape from the farmhouse long enough to check on Slash.

Raph didn't notice that Leo wasn't talking much either.  What he did notice was that it wasn't until almost everyone else had excused themselves from the table that Leo got up to leave.  It only required Raph seeing his brother take two steps to understand why.  Leo was limping.

``You overdid it, didn't you?'' Raph asked.  ``You do know that when you're training someone to fight you're supposed to spend most of your time watching them.''

``It's easier to train April by showing her what to do,'' Leo argued, ``and if I don't step in Casey resorts to street tactics.''

``If I remember correctly, Donnie gave you specific rehab exercises to do and told you to rest that leg as much as possible,'' Raph chastised.  ``I'm pretty sure he did not tell you to pick and choose how much of a workout you could do.''

``For how long?'' Leo asked, a strained sound in his voice.  ``The longer I'm out of commission the longer we'll be stuck here.''

``As long as it takes bro','' Raph told him.  ``Trying to rush the healing process isn't a good plan and the added stress just makes things worse.  I'm in a hurry to go home, find Master Splinter, and kick the Kraang out of the city too.  You're usually the one telling me to chill.''

Leo lowered his head, his expression pained.  ``I know,'' he said contritely.  ``I'm not doing a very good job of leading, am I?''

``You're doing fine,'' Raph reassured him.  ``If you want us all to learn how to fight as a team then we're going to have to stay here a little longer.  You'll have time to heal up while you're training April and Casey, as long as you don't push yourself harder than you should.  Sorta killing two birds with one stone, right?''

``You're pretty wise, you know that Raph?'' Leo said, giving his brother an admiring look.

Raph shrugged.  ``Yeah, well don't tell anyone.  I try to hide my smarts behind my temper.  Come on upstairs and let's get you settled in a warm bath to help with that pain and stiffness.''

Leo refused help in climbing the stairs, determined that the rest of their group not realize how much he was hurting.  It probably would have been a good thing to have Don assess the injury again, but Leo was adamant that only Raph know how much trouble his leg was giving him.

Once Leo was soaking in the tub, Raph went back downstairs and looked around for his brothers and friends.  Mikey was parked in front of the TV again, April was arranging flowers in a pot, and Raph found Don and Casey working on the van.  With a few curt words he pulled everyone away from their activities and gathered them around him in the barn.

Without preliminaries, Raph said, ``That practice session we had this morning is gonna be a regular thing from now on.  Everyone shows up on time and had better be ready to work hard.  If you ain't there on time I'm gonna kick your tail bone hard before I listen to any excuses.''

``Since when do you tell us what to do?'' Don asked with a frown.

``Since I noticed Leo is trying to do everything by himself,'' Raph shot back.  ``He's got a bum leg and shouldn't have to run around in circles getting us to do what we already know we should be doing.''

``Where is he?'' April asked.

``I shoved him in a tub of hot water to soak,'' Raph said.  ``While he's doing that we're going to clean the house.''

``But Don and I were in the middle of . . . .'' Casey began.

``It'll keep,'' Raph snapped.  ``Until the house is clean and dinner is on the table, nobody does anything else, and that means the TV stays off, Mikey.''

``Tyrant,'' Mikey said with a pout.

Raph's grin wasn't pleasant.  ``That's probably the nicest thing you're gonna call me before this day is done.  March.''

There was a general grumbling amongst the four but they did as Raph said.  Perhaps they understood on a deeper level that he was right, or they were afraid of what he'd do if they didn't follow his orders, but the house got cleaned.

While they were working, Raph monitored Leo's time in the tub, getting him out when the water started to cool.  He told his older brother that everyone was cleaning the house as a surprise for him and in that way convinced Leo to go to his room and lie down.

Raph stood with his hands on his hips as he surveyed the farmhouse a couple of hours later.  April and Mikey were putting dinner on the table while Casey helped Don finish the repairs on a pair of dining chairs so that the entire group could sit down to a meal together.  That was his final gift of the day to Leo; something to assure his brother that the family was still whole.

Though Leo didn't make a big deal of it when he came down, Raph could tell by his expression that the gathering offered him a sense of serenity he hadn't felt in a while.  Partway through the meal Leo caught Raph's eye and smiled, tipping his head down to acknowledge that he knew his red banded brother had arranged everything.

An added bonus to the day's events was that everyone was tired enough so that they all turned in early.  All but Leo, who sat on the couch watching television.

``You going to bed soon?'' Raph asked.

Leo glanced at him and then back at the news broadcast.  ``In a bit.  I'm not very sleepy after that nap you insisted I take.''

Raph frowned, seeing his opportunities for supply gathering dwindle.  ``Don't stay up watching the news all night,'' he said, keeping the disappointment from his voice.  ``It's a downer.''

Leo lifted a hand in acknowledgment and with a last look at him, Raph went up to bed.

Sometime around two in the morning Raph woke up from a semi-deep sleep, glancing at the clock and blinking to full wakefulness.  He had checked on Leo at midnight and found his brother sound asleep on the couch.  After tossing a blanket over him, Raph had resigned himself to the fact that he wouldn't be able to collect supplies for Slash.

As Raph contemplated whether it would be safe to sneak off and at least check on his friend, he heard the sound of pebbles hitting his window.  Thinking that might have been what had awakened him in the first place, he got out of bed and pulled the curtains aside.

There was only a quarter moon out and the clouds that had been rolling in during the day cast a deep shadow over the yard.  Lifting the window pane, Raph leaned partway out and immediately saw Slash pop out of hiding and wave at him.

Almost at the same time Raph heard a thump from inside the house.  Panicked, he bolted through the open window, clambered lightly over the roof top, and dropped down into the yard.  Without saying a word, he caught hold of Slash's arm and swiftly bundled him off to the barn.

Even though the barn was a good distance from the house, Raph kept his voice low.  ``What are you doing here?''

``I grew worried when I didn't see you,'' Slash answered, his brow furrowed.  ``I began to think something had happened.''

``You took a big chance,'' Raph said.  ``How did you know which window was mine?''

``Your scent of course,'' Slash told him, complacency smoothing his brow.  ``I always know where you are.  Why didn't you come today?''

Raph released his arm and said, ``Leo started asking questions.  Apparently he heard me moving around in the house the other night.  I had to stay close to ward off his suspicions.''

``He's holding you back, just as he always does,'' Slash remarked darkly.

Shaking his head, Raph said, ``We're not going to start this again.  I told you before I'm not going to choose between you and my brothers.  I shouldn't have to.  You guys should be able to find a way to make peace and that's not going to happen if you carry a grudge.''

``We aren't going to make peace if I'm not allowed to interact with your family either,'' Slash said, staring hard into Raph's eyes.

``Look, give me some time to work this out, okay?'' Raph asked, his voice carrying an appeal.  ``Please just stay at the cabin until then.  I'll come to see you tomorrow; I'll find a way.''

Slash didn't look appeased.  ``Leonardo is trying to possess you.  I noticed it long ago.''

Exasperated, Raph said, ``No he's not.  He's my brother and he's our clan leader.  Our dad is missing and Leo is trying to make sure this family sticks together.''  A thought struck him.  ``Are you jealous of Leo?''

``Perhaps of the time he gets to spend with you,'' Slash said, his gaze unwavering.

``I spend time with all of my brothers,'' Raph pointed out.

``But mostly with Leonardo,'' Slash insisted.

Raph took a deep breath.  ``Leo depends on me and needs me right now because of his injuries.''

Slash's voice was suddenly tender.  ``I need you too.''

Raph suddenly realized that there was more to Slash's coming to find him than his thinking something had happened to his former owner.  ``Were you afraid that I might have packed up and left?''

``Maybe,'' Slash admitted slowly.  ``I know that you are under a lot of stress; I could see it in your face the night I found you.  Maybe you feel like you have to take care of me again and it's too much for you.''

``No it's not,'' Raph blurted almost before Slash finished speaking.  Taking a step closer to the larger turtle, he said in as strong a tone as he could manage, ``Yes I'm feeling pressure what with worrying over Master Splinter and what happened to the city.  I'm upset that we couldn't stop it and I'm concerned about Leo not being the same because his injured leg is holding him back.

``All of that is more of a burden than I'm used to but caring for you was something I chose to do a long time ago and has always been the one responsibility I wanted.  That hasn't changed.''

Slash's face was instantly transformed by a broad smile.  ``I told you before that I'm capable of providing most things for myself now.  The one thing I need above all else is your company but I understand I'll have to share your time.  Don't worry, I'll wait at the cabin as you ask.''

Loneliness was something Raph was acutely familiar with and he felt a pang at leaving his friend to his own devices for so long.  ``I'll come tomorrow, no matter what.  We can go fishing.''

``I would enjoy that,'' Slash said.

With a nod, Raph padded over to the door and glanced out, happy to see that his departure had apparently gone unnoticed.  While his eyes swept the yard, he said, ``Stick close to the shadows of the barn when you go out so no one will see you from the house.''

When he turned to make sure Slash understood, he found that the large mutant was almost on top of him.  Startled, Raph didn't move as Slash suddenly caught him in a bear hug, pulling him close.

Unsure of what to do, Raph lifted his arms and patted Slash's shell in what he hoped was a comforting manner.

Thinking that the hug was a spontaneous reaction that wouldn't last long, Raph was surprised when Slash began to nuzzle his neck.  Stiffening slightly, Raph was about to push Slash away when he realized that the show of affection felt good.  Very good in fact; good enough so that it started to excite him.

In the next moment Slash raked his ragged bottom jaw across Raph's collar bone, sending a feeling so foreign through his body that it seemed to electrify Raph, leaving his legs trembling.

Raph shivered in Slash's embrace and the big turtle released him, stepping back with a knowing grin.

``Until tomorrow,'' Slash said in a voice pitched lower than normal, the tone sending another shudder through Raph.

Then Slash was gone, leaving Raph standing there stunned and unmoving.

It took a quarter of an hour for Raph to gather his senses enough to go back to the house, concerns over Leo catching him gone from his head.

TBC....................

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