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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": "1686044", "submission_left_file_name": "2409902_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_8.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2409/2409902_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_8.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2409/2409902_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_8.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2409/2409902_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_8.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "254", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "169", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "102", "submission_right_submission_id": "1689784", "submission_right_file_name": "2415581_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_10.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2415/2415581_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_10.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2415/2415581_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_10.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2415/2415581_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_10.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: 2,928 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: 2,928 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": "\tRaph's mind wasn't completely on practice the next morning. Fortunately, as the self-appointed instructor for Don and Mikey, he could set them to sparring against each other without anyone being the wiser to his lack of focus.\n\n\tExcept possibly Leo. The elder turtle, having taken Raph's advice to spend more time watching April and Casey rather than physically engaging with them, was periodically casting looks in Raph's direction. It wasn't the type of glances that implied Leo's keeping track of what his brothers were working on, the expression on Leo's face was more speculative.\n\n\tNo matter how often Raph told himself to be careful not to show too much to Leo, he couldn't stop his mind from drifting back to the night before. He wasn't surprised that Slash had come to the farmhouse to see him; after all he had tracked Raph all the way from New York City. Nor did it surprise him that Slash wanted to be near the one turtle he considered family, in his place that's what Raph would have chosen to do.\n\n\tWhat did get under Raph's shell was Slash's show of affection. No, scratch that. Not the fact that Slash would show his former owner/protector affection, but the level of dominance that Slash displayed as he did so.\n\n\tThough when Raph thought about it, he had to remind himself that Slash was older than him. Raph had mutated as a hatchling, Slash had mutated as an adult turtle.\n\n\tAn adult turtle who had never had a mate. As soon as Raph's thoughts went that direction he shivered, the memory of Slash's jaw raking across his collar bone coming unbidden into his mind.\n\n\tRight at that second Leo's head shot up and turned in Raph's direction, his nostrils flaring. Cursing inwardly, Raph forced his attention back to his two battling brothers and began fussing at them for their sloppy performance. His anger at himself and their laziness effectively eradicated the scent of Raph's pheromones.\n\n\tFrom the corner of his eye he saw Leo frown and a puzzled expression cross his countenance. Leo's head swiveled back to April and Casey, who were twisted together wrestling rather than sparring and the frown cleared. Raph breathed a sigh of relief at seeing that Leo was obviously convinced that the scent of arousal was coming from them.\n\n\tAs soon as practice ended, Raph watched as Don quickly descended on the pair of humans, inserting himself between them when they started walking back towards the house. Mikey bounced along behind the trio, clearly happy to get away from his two work driven brothers.\n\n\t``Are you okay?'' Leo asked, stepping up alongside Raph and drawing his attention.\n\n\t``Isn't that supposed to be my question?'' Raph countered. ``I was glad to see you taking my advice and not overdoing it.'' \n\n\t``You can't change the subject,'' Leo told him. ``You worry about me, I worry about you.''\n\n\tRaph shrugged. ``Nothing wrong with me.'' It suddenly came to him that this was turning into an opportunity he needed to grab. Tossing his head slightly he added, ``Nothing that some alone time wouldn't cure. I guess it ain't just the quiet that makes it hard for me to relax. Back home I got used to running the roof tops by myself for a little while every night. Maybe if I take part of the afternoon each day and go on a run or swim or something by myself it'll relieve the stress in the same way.''\n\n\tLeo was examining Raph as he spoke, reminding the red banded turtle of the way Don appeared when he'd gotten a new specimen. ``Are you feeling cooped up?''\n\n\t``Yeah,'' Raph said. ``You know how I am. I need to have a physical outlet `cause otherwise my muscles get all twitchy and jumpy. I can't sit and meditate the way you do, that doesn't work for me.''\n\n \t``You don't have to remind me we're different in that way,'' Leo said with a half-smile. ``Running by yourself is a form of meditation too, do you realize that?''\n\n\t``I'll take your word for it,'' Raph said, happy that Leo wasn't giving him a hard time. ``Speaking of meditation . . . .''\n\n\tLeo took the hint. ``Yes, I'm going to do just that. In fact, I think I'll have April sit with me. Master Splinter had just started teaching her to meditate when the Kraang found us. He'd want me to pick up where he left off.''\n\n\t``How do you plan to keep Mikey from bothering you?'' Raph asked. [i]``And me,''[/i] he thought to himself.\n\n\t``Actually I need to send Casey and Don after supplies,'' Leo said. ``Mikey can go with them; he's the one who noticed we're running low on some things. He can make sure they don't forget anything.''\n\n\t``They aren't going to thank you for that,'' Raph said dryly, feeling a touch of self-reproach at having raided their stores again after Slash had left him the night before.\n\n\t``Mikey's presence will serve a dual purpose,'' Leo said, grinning slyly. ``He'll keep them from sniping at each other.''\n\n\t``You always have a plan, don't you?'' Raph asked with a laugh. ``If you're sure you've got this, I'm gonna take off.''\n\n\tLeo reached out to give Raph's shoulder a squeeze. ``Go do your thing.''\n\n\tRaph started to move off towards the woods but Leo's next words stopped him. ``I hope some time to yourself will help you sleep better. I heard you moving around again last night.''\n\n\tThinking fast, Raph said, ``I came down a couple of times to check on you after you fell asleep on the couch. Sorry bro', I would have shuffled you off to bed if I'd known I woke you up. That couch ain't the most comfortable spot in the house.''\n\n\t``No it's okay,'' Leo assured him. ``I just thought I heard a window open.''\n\n\t``That would have been me,'' Raph said, sticking as close to the truth as possible. ``It got stuffy in my room.''\n\n\tThey heard the television come to life and Leo cringed. ``I'd better go inside and start those guys moving before Mikey gets caught up in some show.''\n\n\t``Have fun with that,'' Raph said hastily. ``Later bro'.''\n\n\tRaph took off at a lope, not wanting to appear too eager, but not wanting to move too slow for fear something would come up to stop his escape. That was exactly what it felt like too, an escape. From responsibility, from worry, from the almost oppressive emotions that were given off by the others in the farmhouse.\n\n\tHis concerns over Slash's survival abilities had lessened with each of their interactions and now all Raph felt as he sped towards his friend was eagerness. He remained cautious though; Leo wasn't given to lies but that didn't mean he wouldn't postpone his own plans in favor of following his brother.\n\n\tRaph couldn't really be angry about that either. He knew that what Leo had said was true; they worried about each other. Leo knew that the extra burden placed on Raph's shoulders because of his older brother's leg injury was not only heavy but unusual for the strong tempered turtle.\n\n\tLeo had been understanding when Raph had told him he needed alone time and it probably wasn't only because of assurances that it would help to relieve his stress. The older turtle no doubt feared that Raph would pop a cork if he couldn't do his own thing for a few hours a day.\n\n\tAt least Raph hoped that was Leo's reasoning. Too many of their recent conversations had felt as if Leo had a hidden agenda behind his words. Maybe that was paranoia on Raph's part, or maybe he was mistaking dependence for some deeper motivation.\n\n\tOr maybe the whole thing was just Raph's guilt over keeping a very big secret from his family and he was beating himself up over it. All of the lying and the subterfuge didn't help, but Raph wasn't ready yet to face his fear of the consequences from an ultimatum Leo might issue with regards to Slash.\n\n\tRaph took a circuitous route to the cabin after retrieving the pillow case into which he'd placed additional food stuffs for Slash. Using an overabundance of caution, he switched back on his own trail several times just to be sure no one had been inclined to follow him.\n\n\tJust as he'd begun to believe that he was in the clear, Raph suddenly got the feeling that he was being watched. Right as that notion hit, he heard a rustling sound from somewhere nearby and dropped the pillow case before swiftly drawing his weapons.\n\n\tAs the handles hit his hands, Raph ducked behind a tree, slipping up into its branches in the blink of an eye. Going completely still, he listened for more of the tell-tale sounds.\n\n\tAgain he heard it, the faint susurration of sound. It lasted long enough for Raph to determine that it was coming from a dense growth of bushes several yards from his position.\n\n\tA nice canopy of trees grew over the bushes and Raph silently leaped from his branch into one that gave him a view into the center of the mass. Just below him, obviously trying not to be seen, squatted Slash.\n\n\t``Who are you hiding from?'' Raph asked in a whisper.\n\n\tSlash jerked upright, swiveling his head to look up at the ninja. With an abashed expression on his face, Slash said, ``I was lying in wait for you. I knew you would keep your promise to go fishing with me and I wanted to see if I could surprise you but your training is as good as I remember it to be.''\n\n\tWith a cocky grin, Raph jumped down from his perch. Before he landed, he spotted something lying on the ground next to Slash's feet. ``What did you bring with you?''\n\n\tPushing aside the bushes that surrounded his hiding spot, Slash grabbed the objects from the ground before stepping into the open. With a proud smile, he held up two fishing poles.\n\n\t``I found these in the cabin,'' Slash said. ``There was a spool of fishing line and some hooks in a box on one of the shelves, so I fixed up the poles for us. We are going fishing right?''\n\n\tHis expression was so hopeful that Raph immediately tabled his misgivings about the possibility he'd been followed. Placing his weapons back into his belt, he accepted one of the poles as Slash offered it to him and said, ``Yep, we're going fishing. You got anything we can put our catches in?''\n\n\tSlash retrieved a bucket from underneath one of the bushes and then pointed at the pillow case Raph had left on the ground.\n\n\t``What's that?'' Slash asked.\n\n\tSpinning on his heels, Raph walked over and lifted the makeshift sack. ``Some more supplies. It'll keep. Let's go catch us some fish.''\n\n\tThe pair walked in companionable silence to the pond, Slash swinging his bucket in a jaunty manner. Raph knew that his company was making Slash happy and he in turn felt a great deal of satisfaction in that fact. \n\n\tThey found a spot on the bank of the pond that gave Raph a good view of the main trail from the farmhouse. Slash didn't ask about his choice but it was clear from the way the large turtle's eyes followed that path that he knew what Raph was thinking.\n\n\tIt didn't take much digging to find some earthworms to use as bait and as soon as Raph had a nice wiggly one on his hook, he cast his line into the water. Settling into a comfortable position on the ground, he watched as Slash made his own smooth cast. As soon as the baited hook sank, Slash sat down next to Raph, close enough so that their legs were nearly touching.\n\n\tRaph could feel the heat coming off Slash's body and suddenly all of his senses switched on. His skin tingled at Slash's nearness, his breathing deepened as his took in his former pet's scent. Never in his young life had he ever had such a provocative reaction to another living being.\n\n\tNerves made him break the silence. ``So I . . . .'' Raph's voice came out squeaky so he cleared his throat and tried again. ``So I was wondering if maybe you could tell me what New York was like before you got out.''\n\n\t``Not good,'' Slash said, looking grim. ``The Kraang started building walls across the major highways to keep people from getting out and anyone else getting in. They're changing the city and everyone in it. They have to be stopped.''\n\n\tThat news pulled Raph back towards reality, easing his nerves as his frustration over their situation came back to him. ``I want to go back,'' he admitted. ``Sensei is missing, April's dad was mutated again, Casey doesn't know what's happened to his family, and it's our home!''\n\n\tThe last note ended with a touch of anger and Slash looked at him. ``How badly was Leonardo injured?'' he asked. When Raph clamped his mouth shut, Slash said, ``You told me he depends on you now because of his injuries.''\n\n\t``He took a beating from Shredder and his minions,'' Raph finally said. ``He was in a coma when we first arrived and I was really worried he wouldn't wake up. One of his legs was damaged and it's taking a long time to heal.''\n\n\tSlash nodded as though Raph had just acknowledged something he'd already guessed. ``You can't go anywhere until he's able to fight again.''\n\n\t``We don't dare,'' Raph said. ``We're a team and he's our leader. Much as I hate to admit it, he's the best at that job. I tried it once and almost got Mikey killed. I don't know another way to fight other than to go straight at something and that don't always work.''\n\n\t``The city, [i]our [/i]city, needs heroes,'' Slash said musingly.\n\n\t``Looks like me and my bro's are the only ones willing to step up to the plate,'' Raph said. ``I guess the city will have to hold on a little longer.''\n\n\tSlash seemed ready to say something else but a hard tug on his line distracted him. With a triumphant grunt, he yanked back to set the hook, rising to his feet to begin reeling in his catch.\n\n\tRaph watched as his friend pulled a five pound largemouth bass from the water. He'd never seen such a happily animated look on Slash's face and the sight brought a grin of delight to Raph's. As Slash grabbed his catch and began working the hook from its mouth, Raph stood up to reel his line in so he could re-cast it in a more promising direction.\n\n\tHe'd just dropped the hook into the water again when Slash held his fish up for Raph to see. ``Nice one,'' Raph told him appreciatively.\n\n\t``Lunch,'' Slash responded, his eyes sparking with excitement. Before Raph had a chance even to blink, Slash bit the head off of his fish and started chewing.\n\n\tRaph stared open mouthed as Slash's jaw moved, the crunching of tiny bones very audible. It took him a moment to remember that Slash still retained most of his natural turtle instincts.\n\n\tAs he chewed, Slash held the fish out towards Raph, obviously offering him a bite. Holding his palm up, Raph said, ``It's all yours big guy.''\n\n\tSlash saw the expression on Raph's face and grinned. Swallowing his mouthful of raw fish, he said, ``You grew up on algae and worms.''\n\n\t``That was then,'' Raph said. ``My tastes have evolved.''\n\n\tWith a snort, Slash said, ``So now you eat pizza and sashimi. You do know that sashimi is raw fish, right?''\n\n\t``Not that raw,'' Raph said. ``And here I was worried about you starving to death.''\n\n\tSlash bit off another chunk of fish, chewing and swallowing gustily before saying, ``I've got survival skills, Raphael. I'm happy to have you worry about me, but I'd rather you stopped thinking of me as someone you have to take care of.''\n\n\t``I guess I'm gonna have to make an adjustment,'' Raph said as Slash popped the remainder of the fish into his mouth. ``Is it okay if I keep offering to help you when you need it?''\n\n\t``Sure,'' Slash said, ``if I can return the favor. I'd kind of like us to start being equals. Think you can let go of the idea of me as your pet?''\n\n\tHe stepped in close to Raph as he spoke, coming well into the smaller turtle's personal space.\n\n\t``What . . . what are you doing? What do you want?'' Raph asked as Slash's hands closed on the edges of his shell, keeping him from stepping back. Startled at the move, Raph dropped his fishing pole and just had the presence of mind to slide his foot on the end so it wouldn't get dragged away.\n\n\tThe position left him a little off balance so he clutched at Slash's forearms to steady himself. Looking up, Raph found that Slash's face was only inches from his own, his dark eyes shining with intent.\n\n\t``You already know the answer to that,'' Slash told him in a guttural voice. ``Your reaction last night told me that you do. I'm not a pet anymore Raphael, but I can be something else.''\n\n\tSlash inched forward, his body pressing against Raph's. ``I can be something [i]more[/i].''\n\n\tRaph's head started to spin as Slash's mouth lowered towards his.\n\nTBC.................\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tRaph's mind wasn't completely on practice the next morning.  Fortunately, as the self-appointed instructor for Don and Mikey, he could set them to sparring against each other without anyone being the wiser to his lack of focus.

\tExcept possibly Leo.  The elder turtle, having taken Raph's advice to spend more time watching April and Casey rather than physically engaging with them, was periodically casting looks in Raph's direction.  It wasn't the type of glances that implied Leo's keeping track of what his brothers were working on, the expression on Leo's face was more speculative.

\tNo matter how often Raph told himself to be careful not to show too much to Leo, he couldn't stop his mind from drifting back to the night before.  He wasn't surprised that Slash had come to the farmhouse to see him; after all he had tracked Raph all the way from New York City.  Nor did it surprise him that Slash wanted to be near the one turtle he considered family, in his place that's what Raph would have chosen to do.

\tWhat did get under Raph's shell was Slash's show of affection.  No, scratch that.  Not the fact that Slash would show his former owner/protector affection, but the level of dominance that Slash displayed as he did so.

\tThough when Raph thought about it, he had to remind himself that Slash was older than him.  Raph had mutated as a hatchling, Slash had mutated as an adult turtle.

\tAn adult turtle who had never had a mate.  As soon as Raph's thoughts went that direction he shivered, the memory of Slash's jaw raking across his collar bone coming unbidden into his mind.

\tRight at that second Leo's head shot up and turned in Raph's direction, his nostrils flaring.  Cursing inwardly, Raph forced his attention back to his two battling brothers and began fussing at them for their sloppy performance.  His anger at himself and their laziness effectively eradicated the scent of Raph's pheromones.

\tFrom the corner of his eye he saw Leo frown and a puzzled expression cross his countenance.  Leo's head swiveled back to April and Casey, who were twisted together wrestling rather than sparring and the frown cleared.  Raph breathed a sigh of relief at seeing that Leo was obviously convinced that the scent of arousal was coming from them.

\tAs soon as practice ended, Raph watched as Don quickly descended on the pair of humans, inserting himself between them when they started walking back towards the house.  Mikey bounced along behind the trio, clearly happy to get away from his two work driven brothers.

\t``Are you okay?'' Leo asked, stepping up alongside Raph and drawing his attention.

\t``Isn't that supposed to be my question?'' Raph countered.  ``I was glad to see you taking my advice and not overdoing it.''

\t``You can't change the subject,'' Leo told him.  ``You worry about me, I worry about you.''

\tRaph shrugged.  ``Nothing wrong with me.''  It suddenly came to him that this was turning into an opportunity he needed to grab.  Tossing his head slightly he added, ``Nothing that some alone time wouldn't cure.  I guess it ain't just the quiet that makes it hard for me to relax.  Back home I got used to running the roof tops by myself for a little while every night.  Maybe if I take part of the afternoon each day and go on a run or swim or something by myself it'll relieve the stress in the same way.''

\tLeo was examining Raph as he spoke, reminding the red banded turtle of the way Don appeared when he'd gotten a new specimen.  ``Are you feeling cooped up?''

\t``Yeah,'' Raph said.  ``You know how I am.  I need to have a physical outlet `cause otherwise my muscles get all twitchy and jumpy.  I can't sit and meditate the way you do, that doesn't work for me.''

 \t``You don't have to remind me we're different in that way,'' Leo said with a half-smile.  ``Running by yourself is a form of meditation too, do you realize that?''

\t``I'll take your word for it,'' Raph said, happy that Leo wasn't giving him a hard time.  ``Speaking of meditation . . . .''

\tLeo took the hint.  ``Yes, I'm going to do just that.  In fact, I think I'll have April sit with me.  Master Splinter had just started teaching her to meditate when the Kraang found us.  He'd want me to pick up where he left off.''

\t``How do you plan to keep Mikey from bothering you?''  Raph asked.  ``And me,'' he thought to himself.

\t``Actually I need to send Casey and Don after supplies,'' Leo said.  ``Mikey can go with them; he's the one who noticed we're running low on some things.  He can make sure they don't forget anything.''

\t``They aren't going to thank you for that,'' Raph said dryly, feeling a touch of self-reproach at having raided their stores again after Slash had left him the night before.

\t``Mikey's presence will serve a dual purpose,'' Leo said, grinning slyly.  ``He'll keep them from sniping at each other.''

\t``You always have a plan, don't you?'' Raph asked with a laugh.  ``If you're sure you've got this, I'm gonna take off.''

\tLeo reached out to give Raph's shoulder a squeeze.  ``Go do your thing.''

\tRaph started to move off towards the woods but Leo's next words stopped him.  ``I hope some time to yourself will help you sleep better.  I heard you moving around again last night.''

\tThinking fast, Raph said, ``I came down a couple of times to check on you after you fell asleep on the couch.  Sorry bro', I would have shuffled you off to bed if I'd known I woke you up.  That couch ain't the most comfortable spot in the house.''

\t``No it's okay,'' Leo assured him.  ``I just thought I heard a window open.''

\t``That would have been me,'' Raph said, sticking as close to the truth as possible.  ``It got stuffy in my room.''

\tThey heard the television come to life and Leo cringed.  ``I'd better go inside and start those guys moving before Mikey gets caught up in some show.''

\t``Have fun with that,'' Raph said hastily.  ``Later bro'.''

\tRaph took off at a lope, not wanting to appear too eager, but not wanting to move too slow for fear something would come up to stop his escape.  That was exactly what it felt like too, an escape.  From responsibility, from worry, from the almost oppressive emotions that were given off by the others in the farmhouse.

\tHis concerns over Slash's survival abilities had lessened with each of their interactions and now all Raph felt as he sped towards his friend was eagerness.  He remained cautious though; Leo wasn't given to lies but that didn't mean he wouldn't postpone his own plans in favor of following his brother.

\tRaph couldn't really be angry about that either.  He knew that what Leo had said was true; they worried about each other.  Leo knew that the extra burden placed on Raph's shoulders because of his older brother's leg injury was not only heavy but unusual for the strong tempered turtle.

\tLeo had been understanding when Raph had told him he needed alone time and it probably wasn't only because of assurances that it would help to relieve his stress.  The older turtle no doubt feared that Raph would pop a cork if he couldn't do his own thing for a few hours a day.

\tAt least Raph hoped that was Leo's reasoning.  Too many of their recent conversations had felt as if Leo had a hidden agenda behind his words.  Maybe that was paranoia on Raph's part, or maybe he was mistaking dependence for some deeper motivation.

\tOr maybe the whole thing was just Raph's guilt over keeping a very big secret from his family and he was beating himself up over it.  All of the lying and the subterfuge didn't help, but Raph wasn't ready yet to face his fear of the consequences from an ultimatum Leo might issue with regards to Slash.

\tRaph took a circuitous route to the cabin after retrieving the pillow case into which he'd placed additional food stuffs for Slash.  Using an overabundance of caution, he switched back on his own trail several times just to be sure no one had been inclined to follow him.

\tJust as he'd begun to believe that he was in the clear, Raph suddenly got the feeling that he was being watched.  Right as that notion hit, he heard a rustling sound from somewhere nearby and dropped the pillow case before swiftly drawing his weapons.

\tAs the handles hit his hands, Raph ducked behind a tree, slipping up into its branches in the blink of an eye.  Going completely still, he listened for more of the tell-tale sounds.

\tAgain he heard it, the faint susurration of sound.  It lasted long enough for Raph to determine that it was coming from a dense growth of bushes several yards from his position.

\tA nice canopy of trees grew over the bushes and Raph silently leaped from his branch into one that gave him a view into the center of the mass.  Just below him, obviously trying not to be seen, squatted Slash.

\t``Who are you hiding from?'' Raph asked in a whisper.

\tSlash jerked upright, swiveling his head to look up at the ninja.  With an abashed expression on his face, Slash said, ``I was lying in wait for you.  I knew you would keep your promise to go fishing with me and I wanted to see if I could surprise you but your training is as good as I remember it to be.''

\tWith a cocky grin, Raph jumped down from his perch.  Before he landed, he spotted something lying on the ground next to Slash's feet.  ``What did you bring with you?''

\tPushing aside the bushes that surrounded his hiding spot, Slash grabbed the objects from the ground before stepping into the open.  With a proud smile, he held up two fishing poles.

\t``I found these in the cabin,'' Slash said.  ``There was a spool of fishing line and some hooks in a box on one of the shelves, so I fixed up the poles for us.  We are going fishing right?''

\tHis expression was so hopeful that Raph immediately tabled his misgivings about the possibility he'd been followed.  Placing his weapons back into his belt, he accepted one of the poles as Slash offered it to him and said, ``Yep, we're going fishing.  You got anything we can put our catches in?''

\tSlash retrieved a bucket from underneath one of the bushes and then pointed at the pillow case Raph had left on the ground.

\t``What's that?'' Slash asked.

\tSpinning on his heels, Raph walked over and lifted the makeshift sack.  ``Some more supplies.  It'll keep.  Let's go catch us some fish.''

\tThe pair walked in companionable silence to the pond, Slash swinging his bucket in a jaunty manner.  Raph knew that his company was making Slash happy and he in turn felt a great deal of satisfaction in that fact.

\tThey found a spot on the bank of the pond that gave Raph a good view of the main trail from the farmhouse.  Slash didn't ask about his choice but it was clear from the way the large turtle's eyes followed that path that he knew what Raph was thinking.

\tIt didn't take much digging to find some earthworms to use as bait and as soon as Raph had a nice wiggly one on his hook, he cast his line into the water.  Settling into a comfortable position on the ground, he watched as Slash made his own smooth cast.  As soon as the baited hook sank, Slash sat down next to Raph, close enough so that their legs were nearly touching.

\tRaph could feel the heat coming off Slash's body and suddenly all of his senses switched on.  His skin tingled at Slash's nearness, his breathing deepened as his took in his former pet's scent.  Never in his young life had he ever had such a provocative reaction to another living being.

\tNerves made him break the silence.  ``So I . . . .'' Raph's voice came out squeaky so he cleared his throat and tried again.  ``So I was wondering if maybe you could tell me what New York was like before you got out.''

\t``Not good,'' Slash said, looking grim.  ``The Kraang started building walls across the major highways to keep people from getting out and anyone else getting in.  They're changing the city and everyone in it.  They have to be stopped.''

\tThat news pulled Raph back towards reality, easing his nerves as his frustration over their situation came back to him.  ``I want to go back,'' he admitted.  ``Sensei is missing, April's dad was mutated again, Casey doesn't know what's happened to his family, and it's our home!''

\tThe last note ended with a touch of anger and Slash looked at him.  ``How badly was Leonardo injured?'' he asked.  When Raph clamped his mouth shut, Slash said, ``You told me he depends on you now because of his injuries.''

\t``He took a beating from Shredder and his minions,'' Raph finally said.  ``He was in a coma when we first arrived and I was really worried he wouldn't wake up.  One of his legs was damaged and it's taking a long time to heal.''

\tSlash nodded as though Raph had just acknowledged something he'd already guessed.  ``You can't go anywhere until he's able to fight again.''

\t``We don't dare,'' Raph said.  ``We're a team and he's our leader.  Much as I hate to admit it, he's the best at that job.  I tried it once and almost got Mikey killed.  I don't know another way to fight other than to go straight at something and that don't always work.''

\t``The city, our city, needs heroes,'' Slash said musingly.

\t``Looks like me and my bro's are the only ones willing to step up to the plate,'' Raph said.  ``I guess the city will have to hold on a little longer.''

\tSlash seemed ready to say something else but a hard tug on his line distracted him.  With a triumphant grunt, he yanked back to set the hook, rising to his feet to begin reeling in his catch.

\tRaph watched as his friend pulled a five pound largemouth bass from the water.  He'd never seen such a happily animated look on Slash's face and the sight brought a grin of delight to Raph's.  As Slash grabbed his catch and began working the hook from its mouth, Raph stood up to reel his line in so he could re-cast it in a more promising direction.

\tHe'd just dropped the hook into the water again when Slash held his fish up for Raph to see.  ``Nice one,'' Raph told him appreciatively.

\t``Lunch,'' Slash responded, his eyes sparking with excitement.  Before Raph had a chance even to blink, Slash bit the head off of his fish and started chewing.

\tRaph stared open mouthed as Slash's jaw moved, the crunching of tiny bones very audible.  It took him a moment to remember that Slash still retained most of his natural turtle instincts.

\tAs he chewed, Slash held the fish out towards Raph, obviously offering him a bite.  Holding his palm up, Raph said, ``It's all yours big guy.''

\tSlash saw the expression on Raph's face and grinned.  Swallowing his mouthful of raw fish, he said, ``You grew up on algae and worms.''

\t``That was then,'' Raph said.  ``My tastes have evolved.''

\tWith a snort, Slash said, ``So now you eat pizza and sashimi.  You do know that sashimi is raw fish, right?''

\t``Not that raw,'' Raph said.  ``And here I was worried about you starving to death.''

\tSlash bit off another chunk of fish, chewing and swallowing gustily before saying, ``I've got survival skills, Raphael.  I'm happy to have you worry about me, but I'd rather you stopped thinking of me as someone you have to take care of.''

\t``I guess I'm gonna have to make an adjustment,'' Raph said as Slash popped the remainder of the fish into his mouth.  ``Is it okay if I keep offering to help you when you need it?''

\t``Sure,'' Slash said, ``if I can return the favor.  I'd kind of like us to start being equals.  Think you can let go of the idea of me as your pet?''

\tHe stepped in close to Raph as he spoke, coming well into the smaller turtle's personal space.

\t``What . . . what are you doing?  What do you want?'' Raph asked as Slash's hands closed on the edges of his shell, keeping him from stepping back.  Startled at the move, Raph dropped his fishing pole and just had the presence of mind to slide his foot on the end so it wouldn't get dragged away.

\tThe position left him a little off balance so he clutched at Slash's forearms to steady himself.  Looking up, Raph found that Slash's face was only inches from his own, his dark eyes shining with intent.

\t``You already know the answer to that,'' Slash told him in a guttural voice.  ``Your reaction last night told me that you do.  I'm not a pet anymore Raphael, but I can be something else.''

\tSlash inched forward, his body pressing against Raph's.  ``I can be something more.''

\tRaph's head started to spin as Slash's mouth lowered towards his.

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

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