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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": "1704666", "submission_left_file_name": "2437842_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_14.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2437/2437842_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_14.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2437/2437842_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_14.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2437/2437842_hummerhouse_de_novo_part_14.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" } ], "description": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.\nWord Count: 5,056 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", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.
Word Count: 5,056 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": "\tThe one bright spot in what had so far been a fairly rough day was that by the time Raph returned to the farmhouse, his brothers and their friends were back in the yard practicing.\n\n\tHe spotted Casey holding a log for April to kick and decided he'd help her work on that ability. There was a stack of cut logs nearby and he grabbed one as he rejoined the group.\n\n\tAfter displaying his technique, Raph waited as Casey held up a log for April. Don issued one last piece of advice and then April delivered her kick.\n\n\tRather than splitting the log, the force of her kick sent Casey flying. Spinning once mid-air he landed face first and skid across the ground, much to Don's delight.\n\n\t``Ooh, I wish I could see that in instant replay,'' Don taunted. ``How's that mud taste, Casey?''\n\n\tRaph started to laugh but the expression on April's face stopped him. She wasn't looking at Casey anymore, but rather just past Raph's shoulder.\n\n\t``Leo?'' April called, sounding concerned.\n\n\tSpinning around, Raph saw Leo stumble towards them and collapse to his knees. Raph and Mikey reached him at the same moment, each holding a shoulder for fear he'd topple over.\n\n\tAn instant of panic struck Raph then, afraid that despite his best efforts, Leo had run across Slash and they'd fought.\n\n\t``Dude, what happened to you?'' Mikey asked.\n\n\tLeo's head came up as he answered, ``I had a realization in the woods.''\n\n\tRelief made Raph sarcastic. ``Going off alone with a bum leg was a bad idea?'' he asked as he and Mikey helped Leo to his feet.\n\n\t``No it's just what I need; what we all need.'' Leo said, sounding as though he'd just discovered a deep truth. ``We're so caught up in TPhones and junk food and TV that we've become at odds with nature. A true ninja must become as one with it to master himself.''\n\n\tMikey clutched at him, staring earnestly into Leo's face. ``Hey man, leave TV out of this.''\n\n\tDon looked thoughtful. ``Even Master Splinter did it,'' he said, lifting a finger in true lecture form. ``He said, `only when you become one with nature can you make peace with yourself.''\n\n\t``Make peace?'' Raph asked incredulously. ``What are we, hippies? We're ninjas!''\n\n\tLeo suddenly appeared resolute, saying with determination, ``We'll do three days of meditation and practiced awareness in the wilderness, only eating what we can forage.''\n\n\tMikey's expression became panicked. ``Three days? We're gonna live like animals. Ahhh!'' he screamed as he began running around in circles.\n\n\tLeft to brace Leo by himself, Raph stared at his older brother, seeing that Leo had made up his mind. He heard Casey say in an undertone, ``I think Leo might have taken one too many kicks to the head.''\n\n\t``No Leo's right,'' April said firmly, walking towards the ninja leader, ``camping is a great idea. I'm tired of being stuck at the farmhouse.''\n\n\tWith Raph's assistance, Leo started back to the house, telling the girl, ``Sorry April, this trip is ninjas only.''\n\n\t``But I'm almost a kunoichi!'' April exclaimed in protest.\n\n\tRaph couldn't help but laugh as he thought back to their training session earlier in the day. ``Almost,'' he told her.\n\n\tHe didn't catch the remainder of the conversation between April, Casey, and Don as he focused on getting Leo inside. As Raph helped Leo over to the couch, they could hear Mikey's voice coming from the kitchen, where he was no doubt venting his fears to Ice Cream kitty.\n\n\t``Man, I don't know how you think you're gonna spend three days getting back to nature when you can barely get back here,'' Raph grumbled as Leo sat down.\n\n\t``I'll be fine after I rest this leg tonight,'' Leo insisted. ``We'll leave first thing in the morning.''\n\n\tRaph thought fast, glad to learn that Leo didn't intend for them to go on this nature pilgrimage right away. He watched Leo lean back against the couch cushions and close his eyes. Without conscious thought, Raph pulled the coffee table over and reached down to lift Leo's leg onto it in order to relieve the pressure on his knee.\n\n\t``You ain't been sleeping well, have you?'' Raph asked, seeing the lines of tension around his brother's eyes.\n\n\t``Not really,'' Leo admitted without opening them.\n\n\t``This getting back to nature thing feels right to you?'' Raph inquired, watching Leo's expression.\n\n\tLeo sighed and some of the tension seemed to ease from his shoulders. ``Yes.''\n\n\t``Okay then,'' Raph said, accepting the plan. He had an idea that would get him out of the farmhouse for a couple of hours, but he didn't want to spring it on Leo until after dinner. ``I'm gonna go back out and give April and Casey a list of things they can practice while we're gone. Pretty sure Don's shell's in a wad over us leaving those two alone together.''\n\n\t``He'll have to get over that,'' Leo said, his tone drowsy.\n\n\tRaph waited a few more minutes, watching as Leo dozed off. Making the decision to spend time in the wilderness appeared to have had a positive effect on the team leader. He seemed less guilt ridden and a lot more self-assured.\n\n\tHeading towards the kitchen in order to catch hold of Mikey and drag him back outside, Raph decided that the proposed venture might actually be a good thing. If it helped Leo get whole again, then the odds were favorable that he'd decide to head back to the city sooner rather than later.\n\n\tWith Leo feeling confident and strong he wouldn't need to lean on Raph as much. That meant that Raph could focus on his connection with Slash. Raph might even be able to broach the subject of Slash's presence and ease Leo into accepting the large mutant into the family.\n\n\tIn a much better mood now than he'd been in all day, Raph pushed Mikey towards the trio who were still outside. Barking a set of orders at his brothers broke up the heated argument Don and Casey were engaged in and April shot Raph a grateful look.\n\n\tA couple of hours later April took Mikey back to the farmhouse with her so they could start on dinner. The subject of food set Raph's stomach to grumbling and reminded him that he'd missed lunch. To take his mind off of that until the evening meal was on the table, Raph worked with Casey on some basic self-defense moves while Don went to the barn to prepare for a three day absence from his experiments.\n\n\tDinner turned out to be a pretty big affair with an abundance of food that they obviously could not finish in one sitting. Raph caught Mikey looking at him, his expression smug, as though he'd proven that his cooking talents were valuable after all.\n\n\t``Hey, Donnie,'' Casey said from his place on the opposite side of the table. There was a taunting expression on his face once he had the turtle's attention. ``You'd better stuff yourself tonight. You'll probably starve out there in the woods.''\n\n\t``Don't worry about me Casey,'' Don snapped. ``Unlike you, I can hold my own in the wild.''\n\n\t``Oh I won't be worried about you,'' Casey replied unctuously. ``I'm going to be too busy spending all my time with April.''\n\n\tRaph could hear Don's low pitched growl as the genius looked down at his plate and began eating, doing his best impression of a guy ignoring his rival. Casey's chuckle was just another way of rubbing salt in Donnie's wounds and Raph couldn't help but feel bad for his younger brother.\n\n\tComing to grips with his need to be with Slash had opened Raph's eyes to what Don was going through. In the past he'd found Don's ceaseless devotion to April to be tiresome and annoying but now he looked at it with fresh eyes. It was hard not being able to fully connect with the one you cared for.\n\n\tIt made Raph more sympathetic to Leo's plight as well. While the others wanted to return home to find and rescue their family members, more than just Master Splinter was on Leo's mind. Raph had never cared for the fact that Leo had a crush on Karai, but Leo did and he worried about her. That was something Raph could understand.\n\n\tBefore anyone left the table, Leo requested that they all turn in as soon as possible, because they were going to get an early start in the morning. Raph left it to the rest of the group to clean up after their meal and urged Leo back to the couch.\n\n\t``We should both get some sleep,'' Leo said, looking puzzled as his brother once more sat him down.\n\n\t``You can go up in a minute,'' Raph said. ``I needed to let you know that I'm going out for a couple of hours.''\n\n\t``For what possible . . . .'' Leo started to ask.\n\n\t``Hang on,'' Raph said, interrupting him. ``I know it's getting dark out but this is the first chance today I've had to take care of this. I set some live traps out in the woods and I don't want them sitting there ready to spring for the next three days. I'm gonna release any animals I might have already caught and take the traps apart. There's no way I want some poor animal to suffer a slow death `cause I can't check on those traps after tomorrow morning.''\n\n\tLeo was watching him carefully, making him feel a little like one of the animals caught in his imaginary traps. As much time as Raph had been spending in the woods, Leo couldn't very well claim he knew his brother wasn't speaking the truth.\n\n\t``Okay, that makes sense,'' Leo said slowly. ``I wouldn't want that on my conscience either. You won't be much longer than that?''\n\n\t``Shouldn't be,'' Raph said noncommittally. ``I know where I placed all of them. When I'm done I'll come straight back here and hit the sack. Do not sit up waiting for me either, Leo. I might be at odds with nature, but I can still manage to go out in it and then make it back here in one piece.''\n\n\t``I know you can,'' Leo assured him.\n\n\tBefore he left, Raph pulled Don aside. ``You make sure Leo goes to bed,'' Raph said in a tone that left no room for argument.\n\n\t``Where are you going?'' Don asked suspiciously.\n\n\t``I already told Leo that I have to deal with some traps I left in the woods,'' Raph said, ``and I also told him not to wait up for me. You need to help me make him take care of himself.''\n\n\t``Haven't you spent enough time in the woods?'' Don demanded.\n\n\t``Apparently not,'' Raph said cryptically, rather than getting into an argument. He left before Don had the chance to say more.\n\n\tWith all of his bases covered back at the farmhouse, Raph made a beeline for the cabin in the woods. He was confident that no one would be following him and didn't want to waste even one precious moment worrying about his back trail.\n\n\tRaph reached the cabin just as dusk began to turn to full night. He found it in complete darkness just as Slash had promised and wondered if the large mutant was inside, or had found a secluded waiting spot elsewhere.\n\n\tRemembering that Slash had said `I will be here', Raph tried the door first, finding it locked.\n\n\t``Slash?'' Raph asked, keeping his voice low.\n\n\tThe sound of a bolt being pulled back was immediate and the door opened almost as quickly. ``I sensed your approach,'' Slash told him, stepping back so that Raph could enter.\n\n\t``Everyone's at the farmhouse now,'' Raph said as Slash closed and bolted the door. ``You can light that fire again.''\n\n\tIt was so dark inside the cabin that Raph couldn't see much of anything, but Slash had no trouble navigating in the small space. Within moments a small fire was going in the makeshift hearth and Slash motioned for Raph to join him.\n\n\t``Something's happened,'' Slash said as Raph walked across the room.\n\n\t``Yeah,'' Raph acknowledged. ``Leo came back from his hunting trip on some kick about us needing to get back to nature. The four of us are supposed to head into the wilderness for three days starting tomorrow morning.''\n\n\t``Three days,'' Slash repeated musingly.\n\n\tIt wasn't the reaction Raph had expected but he went ahead with his prepared speech anyway. ``That's a good thing,'' he said, sounding as earnest as possible. ``I know it'll be three days where we don't get to see each other, but it's the first move Leo's wanted to make since we got out here. He thinks we can connect to our roots as ninjas and maybe he's right. If we can get it together then maybe he'll be ready to head back to the city.''\n\n\t``And perhaps in doing so accept me as well?'' Slash asked astutely.\n\n\t``Exactly,'' Raph said enthusiastically. ``I just gotta catch Leo in the right mood and all this waiting will be over with.''\n\n\t``I cannot deny your reasoning, Raphael,'' Slash said, looking with longing at his mate.\n\n\t``I know right?'' Raph asked, his heart fluttering at the expression on Slash's face.\n\n\t``We will be apart far too long,'' Slash said, moving close to Raph. ``Have we time to create a lasting memory?''\n\n\tThe question was asked in a deep, gravelly voice, the one that sent shivers down Raph's spine. ``What'd you have in mind?''\n\n\t``Let's begin with this,'' Slash suggested, his arms circling Raph. He pulled Raph against his plastron and lowered his head, opening his mouth so that his lower jaw pressed gently against a point a little ways under Raph's chin.\n\n\tNo longer tentative about kissing his mate, Raph opened his mouth and accepted Slash's tongue against his. Almost as one, the pair churred their excitement.\n\n\tAfter several moments of intensity that had Raph growing hard beneath his shell, he felt Slash's hands slide downwards to tug at Raph's belt. Taking the hint, Raph removed his sai, tossing them aside before then sliding his belt off.\n\n\tSlash's mouth left his almost immediately and Raph opened his eyes to ask what his mate had planned for them. He didn't manage a single word as Slash's long tongue painted a stripe from Raph's neck to his collarbone before continuing on a downward path.\n\n\tGasping, Raph could only watch as Slash kneeled before him, using his tongue to caress the sensitive frontline between the scutes on Raph's plastron. It was then Raph realized what he'd unconsciously noticed as he'd entered the cabin; Slash was wearing nothing, not even his mask.\n\n\tAs Slash's tongue moved ever lower, Raph went stiff, his body reacting to sensory overload. Breathing erratically, Raph moaned as the warm appendage caressed the bulge created by his hidden erection.\n\n\t``Let me have you, Raphael,'' Slash murmured, his hot breath further stimulating the spot between Raph's legs. ``I want to taste you.''\n\n\tIt was too much for Raph to handle and he dropped down. There was no way for Slash to close his mouth around Raphael's cock, so he made do with just his tongue. For several long wonderful seconds Slash contented himself with licking the tip of Raph's penis before then circling the shaft with his lengthy tongue.\n\n\t``Sl . . . Slash,'' Raph stuttered, unable to render a coherent thought as Slash's tongue stimulated him, providing friction that Raph would not have expected from just the fleshy, muscular organ inside Slash's mouth.\n\n\tMuscular it was as Raph felt himself being pulled inexorably towards completion. Panting uncontrollably, Raph lowered shaky hands to Slash's head, trying to find ways to encourage his mate to finish him off.\n\n\tWhen Slash's tongue left his cock, Raph groaned in disappointment, clutching at his mate's head in desperation. Slash slid his head away from Raph's grasping hands and looked up at him.\n\n\t``Not yet, Raphael,'' Slash said in a voice husky with desire. ``Let's finish together.''\n\n\tAt that point Raph was up for anything, not caring what was going to happen as long as it led to a fiercely needed orgasm. He watched as Slash slowly stood up, his own huge organ jutting out proudly before him.\n\n\t``Whatever you want,'' Raph said breathily.\n\n\t``Join me on the bed,'' Slash said, catching hold of Raph's hand and leading him over to the pile of blankets.\n\n\tSlash lowered himself so that he was sitting sideways and encouraged Raph to do the same, so that they were facing each other. Placing a hand on Raph's shoulder, Slash began to lie down on his side, pulling Raph into a similar position. Once Raph was all of the way down, Slash slid his arm beneath Raph's head, giving him something to rest on.\n\n\tLying as they were, face to face, Raph could feel Slash's erection pressing against his plastron. Without a word, Slash shifted his body downwards until Raph felt their cocks touch each other's.\n\n\t``Oh shell,'' Raph hummed, the feeling sending shockwaves into his groin. Then he swallowed hard as Slash reached between them and gathered both their swollen shafts into one large hand.\n\n\t``Mmm, yes,'' Slash murmured in appreciation as his hand began to move over their joined erections.\n\n\tOne arm pinned beneath him, Raph grabbed at Slash's shoulder with the other in order to steady himself as he began to thrust against Slash's cock. Tail stiff, the entrance to Raph's ass began to quiver and contract in reaction to his impending orgasm.\n\n\tAlmost as if sensing how close Raph was, Slash's hand began to move faster. Both turtles were churring and grunting into the silence of the cabin.\n\n\tAs much as Raph wanted to wait for Slash to hit his peak too, the smaller turtle could no longer hold back. Crying out sharply, Raph climaxed, shuddering and shaking as his cum spurted over Slash's hand and onto both of them.\n\n\tThe arm under Raph's head turned so that Slash could place his palm firmly on Raph's carapace, keeping him from moving. Slash continued to aggressively tug at their joined cocks for another moment and then he came, shouting Raph's name as his thick release coated both of their plastrons.\n\n\tFor a short while Raph's mind was a complete blank. He could hear Slash gasping for air, his breathing as rough and irregular as Raph's own. The two turtles were close enough together that Raph could feel Slash's heart beating a quick rhythm in his chest and was sure that Slash could tell that his was doing the same.\n\n\tThis was sex, Raph realized. He'd finally had something that he had never given a second's thought to because he'd been sure it would never happen for him. But it had and it was great.\n\n\t``Awesome,'' Raph amended aloud, almost sighing the word.\n\n\t``Yes it was,'' Slash agreed, his voice tender.\n\n\tRaph lifted his head and opened his mouth for his mate, who took advantage of the offering by snaking his tongue inside to play with the smaller turtle's. Tasting himself on Slash's tongue sent an orgasmic aftershock through Raph's system and his softening dick twitched out a final dribble of cum.\n\n\tSlash pulled away and rumbled his contentment as he released his hold on their cocks. The vibration from that sound was soothing and Raph felt himself start to doze off.\n\n\tAt the last second Raph recalled where he was and forced himself awake. Sitting up abruptly caused him to feel momentarily lightheaded.\n\n\t``Raphael?'' Slash asked, his voice filled with concern.\n\n\t``I can't stay,'' Raph told him, reaching for the blanket that Slash had used to clean them with before. As he wiped himself down, he said, ``Everybody knows I went out this time. I had a good excuse but it won't cover me for much longer.''\n\n\t``And if you don't return they will come looking for you,'' Slash said in an almost sing-song voice.\n\n\tRaph stopped moving to stare at him. ``You aren't happy about that, I know.''\n\n\t``It isn't a question of my happiness,'' Slash said as he pushed himself upright. ``It is about [i]us [/i]and how we can resolve this situation.''\n\n\t``I told you I can handle it,'' Raph said, trying not to sound anxious. ``This retreat of Leo's is gonna put us on the right path, I can tell.''\n\n\t``If it doesn't then we are left with things as they are now,'' Slash said. ``I have come up with a better alternative.''\n\n\tRaph took his time rising to his feet, his eyes fixed on Slash. ``What's that supposed to mean?''\n\n\t``There is only one solution that will work for the two of us,'' Slash said. ``It requires that I regain the trust of your family, that I show Leonardo that I have changed, that I am one of the good guys. Without his respect you and I will be miles apart even when we are together.''\n\n\t``That sounds great,'' Raph said. ``But I still don't know how you're gonna manage it.''\n\n\t``By returning to the city,'' Slash said. ``Immediately.''\n\n\t``What?'' Raph exclaimed, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets. ``You've gotta be kidding me. You can't do that!''\n\n\t``Yes I can,'' Slash said. ``I managed to find my way out and I can easily go back in. I know there are other mutants still hiding in the city and I'm going to find them. I'm going to teach them to fight the way that Master Splinter taught you guys. When we're done I'll have my own team and we're going to take on our enemies and show them they don't get to have things all their way.''\n\n\tRaph plopped down on his knees next to Slash, staring into his eyes as he pleaded, ``Wait, just wait okay? You don't have to do this right now. If Leo doesn't come around after this pilgrimage, then I'll just straight out tell him about you and he'll have to deal with it as best he can.''\n\n\tSlash shook his head. ``I don't want you to give your brother an ultimatum,'' he said. ``That's the wrong thing to do because Leonardo will be certain to think I'm trying to make you choose between us again. Perhaps while I'm in the city I can even locate your father.''\n\n\t``I won't make it sound like an ultimatum,'' Raph insisted. ``I'll explain that the mutagen was to blame for everything you did just after you changed. Don will understand and he'll help me make my point. Tell me you'll wait and you won't do anything until I get back.''\n\n\tInhaling deeply, Slash released the breath in a long, calming exhale before offering Raph a smile. Touching his mates face, Slash said, ``For you I will do anything.''\n\n\t``Good, that's good,'' Raph said, his voice shaky. ``You stay put okay? Do some fishing and rest while I'm gone. I'll come back first chance I get.''\n\n\t``Of course Raphael,'' Slash said, watching as the younger turtle stood up again and retrieved his gear. ``Take care of yourself.''\n\n\t``Always,'' Raph assured him before slipping through the door.\n\n\tThe last thing Raph wanted to experience after such a fulfilling coupling with Slash was the pond's icy water. He couldn't risk going back to the farmhouse with Slash's scent and the smell of sex all over him though. The odds of making it to the bathroom for a warm shower without being seen were pretty low in a house full of ninjas who knew he'd been outdoors.\n\n\tSetting his weapons on the ground, Raph held onto his belt and jumped into the pond. The cold water took his breath away and cleared any notion of sleep right out of his head.\n\n\tHe was shivering when he climbed out of the water and retrieved his sai. Jogging back to the farmhouse, Raph decided he deserved to be uncomfortable as punishment for all of the lies he'd been telling.\n\n\tBefore going inside, Raph stopped to remove his wet gear and drape it over the clothesline. It would be mostly dry by morning and if anyone asked, he'd just say he rinsed the stuff out before going to bed. What was one more lie in the grand scheme of things?\n\n\tRaph was glad he'd braved the cold of the pond when he entered the farmhouse and saw Don and April seated at the dining room table. They were deep in conversation and barely glanced up as he walked past them. Raph could guess what they were talking about and he wished his brother well. He and Don were pretty much in the same boat together with regards to their love lives.\n\n\tStopping to listen at Leo's door, Raph heard the even rhythm of his brother's breathing and knew he was sound asleep. Don must have promised to wait up for Raph; that was the only thing that would have gotten Leo to go to bed.\n\n\tBefore going to his own room, Raph detoured to the bathroom and rinsed off again, this time with warm water. It took the final chill from his skin, making him sleepy once more, and he was already half out by the time he fell onto his bed.\n\n\tRaph woke in the morning to the sound of Don fussing at Mikey again about his alarm clock. As much as he wanted to pull the covers up to his chin and go back to sleep, Raph knew Leo was probably already packing for their journey.\n\n\tMoving quickly, Raph grabbed his backpack and scooped the things he wanted to take with him into it. When he went out to get his gear from the clothesline, he saw that Casey and April were already in the yard practicing.\n\n\tEntering the farmhouse through the kitchen door, Raph spotted Mikey talking to Ice Cream kitty and slid past quickly before his brother noticed him. Leo was at the front door waiting on his brothers when Raph joined him. Don was only a second behind him, his expression nothing less than forlorn.\n\n\tMikey only took a few minutes longer, but the brothers waited in silence. Leo appeared focused, which was a good sign after all he'd been through.\n\n\tAs they started their trek, Raph glanced back to see their human friends watching them, a desolate look on April's face. But he also saw the firm set of her jaw and an underlying determination that told Raph she would train the entire time they were gone, just to prove that she could be a true kunoichi.\n\n\tRaph had no idea how far Leo planned to take them, but as the distance between Raph and the cabin increased, so did the turtle's concern. Something inside was screaming at him to check on Slash, some inner instinct that begged for attention.\n\n\t``Hey Leo,'' Raph finally called out, ``I don't know where you were planning on stopping, but don't you think it'd be a good idea to do some foraging now, before we lose the light?''\n\n\t``Yeah dude, I'm [i]starving[/i],'' Mikey complained, holding his stomach for emphasis.\n\n\tLeo glanced up at the sun and came to a stop. ``It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to familiarize ourselves with the flora and fauna,'' he said. ``We're still too close to the farmhouse to stop here though.''\n\n\t``The nomad tribes of native Americans gathered what they could as they travelled,'' Don offered.\n\n\tThe usual sarcastic barb about Don being a windbag died on Raph's lips. For once he was glad to have Donnie show off his knowledge.\n\n\t``All right,'' Leo said. ``Half an hour, no more. See what you can find in the way of food and meet back here.''\n\n\t``Great,'' Raph said and headed in the direction of the cabin before any of his brothers could choose to go that way.\n\n\tOnce he was out of their sight, Raph began to run as fast as he could. Thirty minutes wasn't much time considering the distance they'd covered, but he could just make it to the cabin and back if he pushed his physical limits.\n\n\tThe uneasy feeling that had ridden Raph all morning increased as he neared the cabin. It was quiet; too quiet. Raph couldn't even get a sense that anyone was around.\n\n\tBecause of that he didn't slow down as he got to the door, prepared to break the lock if need be. It wasn't necessary; the door was wide open.\n\n\tRaph skid to a stop in the center of the cabin. Slash was not there; his bedding neatly folded and stacked on shelves.\n\n\tAll of the things that Raph had brought him were clean and sitting in a corner. The only item remaining of Slash himself was the fireplace he'd built.\n\n\tWalking slowly towards it, Raph spotted some black smudges on one of the smoother stones near the bottom. Squatting next to it, Raph saw that they were words, written in charcoal.\n\n\t[i]``Sorry Raphael. I gotta do this for us. See you in the city.''\n\n[/i]\tHead down, Raph set his palm on the words, his chest tight with emotion. With a swift movement of his hand he scrubbed out the letters and jumped to his feet.\n\n\tThe quick fit of anger dissipated as he turned away from the fireplace and Raph took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. Slash wasn't a pet anymore, he was a free and sentient being who could make his own decisions.\n\n\tHe had decided to fight for his love in the only way he could think of, taking the problem out of Raph's hands. If Raph wanted to do his mate justice, then he'd have to fight just as hard to help Leo pull his team together so they could follow Slash back to New York.\n\n\tExiting the cabin, Raph pulled the door closed and looked into the woods. Leo was right; somehow their salvation as ninjas was out there somewhere in the wilderness.\n\n\tA fire began to grow in Raph's gut, one that burned with fierce resolve. He was not going to be separated from Slash for long, no matter what obstacles he had to overcome or what adversaries he had to defeat.\n\n\tEven if those enemies resided deep inside himself.\n\nThe End\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tThe one bright spot in what had so far been a fairly rough day was that by the time Raph returned to the farmhouse, his brothers and their friends were back in the yard practicing.

\tHe spotted Casey holding a log for April to kick and decided he'd help her work on that ability.  There was a stack of cut logs nearby and he grabbed one as he rejoined the group.

\tAfter displaying his technique, Raph waited as Casey held up a log for April.  Don issued one last piece of advice and then April delivered her kick.

\tRather than splitting the log, the force of her kick sent Casey flying.  Spinning once mid-air he landed face first and skid across the ground, much to Don's delight.

\t``Ooh, I wish I could see that in instant replay,'' Don taunted.  ``How's that mud taste, Casey?''

\tRaph started to laugh but the expression on April's face stopped him.  She wasn't looking at Casey anymore, but rather just past Raph's shoulder.

\t``Leo?'' April called, sounding concerned.

\tSpinning around, Raph saw Leo stumble towards them and collapse to his knees.  Raph and Mikey reached him at the same moment, each holding a shoulder for fear he'd topple over.

\tAn instant of panic struck Raph then, afraid that despite his best efforts, Leo had run across Slash and they'd fought.

\t``Dude, what happened to you?'' Mikey asked.

\tLeo's head came up as he answered, ``I had a realization in the woods.''

\tRelief made Raph sarcastic.  ``Going off alone with a bum leg was a bad idea?'' he asked as he and Mikey helped Leo to his feet.

\t``No it's just what I need; what we all need.'' Leo said, sounding as though he'd just discovered a deep truth.  ``We're so caught up in TPhones and junk food and TV that we've become at odds with nature.  A true ninja must become as one with it to master himself.''

\tMikey clutched at him, staring earnestly into Leo's face.  ``Hey man, leave TV out of this.''

\tDon looked thoughtful.  ``Even Master Splinter did it,'' he said, lifting a finger in true lecture form.  ``He said, `only when you become one with nature can you make peace with yourself.''

\t``Make peace?'' Raph asked incredulously.  ``What are we, hippies?  We're ninjas!''

\tLeo suddenly appeared resolute, saying with determination, ``We'll do three days of meditation and practiced awareness in the wilderness, only eating what we can forage.''

\tMikey's expression became panicked.  ``Three days?  We're gonna live like animals.  Ahhh!'' he screamed as he began running around in circles.

\tLeft to brace Leo by himself, Raph stared at his older brother, seeing that Leo had made up his mind.  He heard Casey say in an undertone, ``I think Leo might have taken one too many kicks to the head.''

\t``No Leo's right,'' April said firmly, walking towards the ninja leader, ``camping is a great idea.  I'm tired of being stuck at the farmhouse.''

\tWith Raph's assistance, Leo started back to the house, telling the girl, ``Sorry April, this trip is ninjas only.''

\t``But I'm almost a kunoichi!'' April exclaimed in protest.

\tRaph couldn't help but laugh as he thought back to their training session earlier in the day.  ``Almost,'' he told her.

\tHe didn't catch the remainder of the conversation between April, Casey, and Don as he focused on getting Leo inside.  As Raph helped Leo over to the couch, they could hear Mikey's voice coming from the kitchen, where he was no doubt venting his fears to Ice Cream kitty.

\t``Man, I don't know how you think you're gonna spend three days getting back to nature when you can barely get back here,'' Raph grumbled as Leo sat down.

\t``I'll be fine after I rest this leg tonight,'' Leo insisted.  ``We'll leave first thing in the morning.''

\tRaph thought fast, glad to learn that Leo didn't intend for them to go on this nature pilgrimage right away.  He watched Leo lean back against the couch cushions and close his eyes.  Without conscious thought, Raph pulled the coffee table over and reached down to lift Leo's leg onto it in order to relieve the pressure on his knee.

\t``You ain't been sleeping well, have you?'' Raph asked, seeing the lines of tension around his brother's eyes.

\t``Not really,'' Leo admitted without opening them.

\t``This getting back to nature thing feels right to you?'' Raph inquired, watching Leo's expression.

\tLeo sighed and some of the tension seemed to ease from his shoulders.  ``Yes.''

\t``Okay then,'' Raph said, accepting the plan.  He had an idea that would get him out of the farmhouse for a couple of hours, but he didn't want to spring it on Leo until after dinner.  ``I'm gonna go back out and give April and Casey a list of things they can practice while we're gone.  Pretty sure Don's shell's in a wad over us leaving those two alone together.''

\t``He'll have to get over that,'' Leo said, his tone drowsy.

\tRaph waited a few more minutes, watching as Leo dozed off.  Making the decision to spend time in the wilderness appeared to have had a positive effect on the team leader.  He seemed less guilt ridden and a lot more self-assured.

\tHeading towards the kitchen in order to catch hold of Mikey and drag him back outside, Raph decided that the proposed venture might actually be a good thing.  If it helped Leo get whole again, then the odds were favorable that he'd decide to head back to the city sooner rather than later.

\tWith Leo feeling confident and strong he wouldn't need to lean on Raph as much.  That meant that Raph could focus on his connection with Slash.  Raph might even be able to broach the subject of Slash's presence and ease Leo into accepting the large mutant into the family.

\tIn a much better mood now than he'd been in all day, Raph pushed Mikey towards the trio who were still outside.  Barking a set of orders at his brothers broke up the heated argument Don and Casey were engaged in and April shot Raph a grateful look.

\tA couple of hours later April took Mikey back to the farmhouse with her so they could start on dinner.  The subject of food set Raph's stomach to grumbling and reminded him that he'd missed lunch.  To take his mind off of that until the evening meal was on the table, Raph worked with Casey on some basic self-defense moves while Don went to the barn to prepare for a three day absence from his experiments.

\tDinner turned out to be a pretty big affair with an abundance of food that they obviously could not finish in one sitting.  Raph caught Mikey looking at him, his expression smug, as though he'd proven that his cooking talents were valuable after all.

\t``Hey, Donnie,'' Casey said from his place on the opposite side of the table.  There was a taunting expression on his face once he had the turtle's attention.  ``You'd better stuff yourself tonight.  You'll probably starve out there in the woods.''

\t``Don't worry about me Casey,'' Don snapped.  ``Unlike you, I can hold my own in the wild.''

\t``Oh I won't be worried about you,'' Casey replied unctuously.  ``I'm going to be too busy spending all my time with April.''

\tRaph could hear Don's low pitched growl as the genius looked down at his plate and began eating, doing his best impression of a guy ignoring his rival.  Casey's chuckle was just another way of rubbing salt in Donnie's wounds and Raph couldn't help but feel bad for his younger brother.

\tComing to grips with his need to be with Slash had opened Raph's eyes to what Don was going through.  In the past he'd found Don's ceaseless devotion to April to be tiresome and annoying but now he looked at it with fresh eyes.  It was hard not being able to fully connect with the one you cared for.

\tIt made Raph more sympathetic to Leo's plight as well.  While the others wanted to return home to find and rescue their family members, more than just Master Splinter was on Leo's mind.  Raph had never cared for the fact that Leo had a crush on Karai, but Leo did and he worried about her.  That was something Raph could understand.

\tBefore anyone left the table, Leo requested that they all turn in as soon as possible, because they were going to get an early start in the morning.  Raph left it to the rest of the group to clean up after their meal and urged Leo back to the couch.

\t``We should both get some sleep,'' Leo said, looking puzzled as his brother once more sat him down.

\t``You can go up in a minute,'' Raph said.  ``I needed to let you know that I'm going out for a couple of hours.''

\t``For what possible . . . .'' Leo started to ask.

\t``Hang on,'' Raph said, interrupting him.  ``I know it's getting dark out but this is the first chance today I've had to take care of this.  I set some live traps out in the woods and I don't want them sitting there ready to spring for the next three days.  I'm gonna release any animals I might have already caught and take the traps apart.  There's no way I want some poor animal to suffer a slow death `cause I can't check on those traps after tomorrow morning.''

\tLeo was watching him carefully, making him feel a little like one of the animals caught in his imaginary traps.  As much time as Raph had been spending in the woods, Leo couldn't very well claim he knew his brother wasn't speaking the truth.

\t``Okay, that makes sense,'' Leo said slowly.  ``I wouldn't want that on my conscience either.  You won't be much longer than that?''

\t``Shouldn't be,'' Raph said noncommittally.  ``I know where I placed all of them.  When I'm done I'll come straight back here and hit the sack.  Do not sit up waiting for me either, Leo.  I might be at odds with nature, but I can still manage to go out in it and then make it back here in one piece.''

\t``I know you can,'' Leo assured him.

\tBefore he left, Raph pulled Don aside.  ``You make sure Leo goes to bed,'' Raph said in a tone that left no room for argument.

\t``Where are you going?'' Don asked suspiciously.

\t``I already told Leo that I have to deal with some traps I left in the woods,'' Raph said, ``and I also told him not to wait up for me.  You need to help me make him take care of himself.''

\t``Haven't you spent enough time in the woods?'' Don demanded.

\t``Apparently not,'' Raph said cryptically, rather than getting into an argument.  He left before Don had the chance to say more.

\tWith all of his bases covered back at the farmhouse, Raph made a beeline for the cabin in the woods.  He was confident that no one would be following him and didn't want to waste even one precious moment worrying about his back trail.

\tRaph reached the cabin just as dusk began to turn to full night.  He found it in complete darkness just as Slash had promised and wondered if the large mutant was inside, or had found a secluded waiting spot elsewhere.

\tRemembering that Slash had said `I will be here', Raph tried the door first, finding it locked.

\t``Slash?'' Raph asked, keeping his voice low.

\tThe sound of a bolt being pulled back was immediate and the door opened almost as quickly.  ``I sensed your approach,'' Slash told him, stepping back so that Raph could enter.

\t``Everyone's at the farmhouse now,'' Raph said as Slash closed and bolted the door.  ``You can light that fire again.''

\tIt was so dark inside the cabin that Raph couldn't see much of anything, but Slash had no trouble navigating in the small space.  Within moments a small fire was going in the makeshift hearth and Slash motioned for Raph to join him.

\t``Something's happened,'' Slash said as Raph walked across the room.

\t``Yeah,'' Raph acknowledged.  ``Leo came back from his hunting trip on some kick about us needing to get back to nature.  The four of us are supposed to head into the wilderness for three days starting tomorrow morning.''

\t``Three days,'' Slash repeated musingly.

\tIt wasn't the reaction Raph had expected but he went ahead with his prepared speech anyway.  ``That's a good thing,'' he said, sounding as earnest as possible.  ``I know it'll be three days where we don't get to see each other, but it's the first move Leo's wanted to make since we got out here.  He thinks we can connect to our roots as ninjas and maybe he's right.  If we can get it together then maybe he'll be ready to head back to the city.''

\t``And perhaps in doing so accept me as well?'' Slash asked astutely.

\t``Exactly,'' Raph said enthusiastically.  ``I just gotta catch Leo in the right mood and all this waiting will be over with.''

\t``I cannot deny your reasoning, Raphael,'' Slash said, looking with longing at his mate.

\t``I know right?''  Raph asked, his heart fluttering at the expression on Slash's face.

\t``We will be apart far too long,'' Slash said, moving close to Raph.  ``Have we time to create a lasting memory?''

\tThe question was asked in a deep, gravelly voice, the one that sent shivers down Raph's spine.  ``What'd you have in mind?''

\t``Let's begin with this,'' Slash suggested, his arms circling Raph.  He pulled Raph against his plastron and lowered his head, opening his mouth so that his lower jaw pressed gently against a point a little ways under Raph's chin.

\tNo longer tentative about kissing his mate, Raph opened his mouth and accepted Slash's tongue against his.  Almost as one, the pair churred their excitement.

\tAfter several moments of intensity that had Raph growing hard beneath his shell, he felt Slash's hands slide downwards to tug at Raph's belt.  Taking the hint, Raph removed his sai, tossing them aside before then sliding his belt off.

\tSlash's mouth left his almost immediately and Raph opened his eyes to ask what his mate had planned for them.  He didn't manage a single word as Slash's long tongue painted a stripe from Raph's neck to his collarbone before continuing on a downward path.

\tGasping, Raph could only watch as Slash kneeled before him, using his tongue to caress the sensitive frontline between the scutes on Raph's plastron.  It was then Raph realized what he'd unconsciously noticed as he'd entered the cabin; Slash was wearing nothing, not even his mask.

\tAs Slash's tongue moved ever lower, Raph went stiff, his body reacting to sensory overload.  Breathing erratically, Raph moaned as the warm appendage caressed the bulge created by his hidden erection.

\t``Let me have you, Raphael,'' Slash murmured, his hot breath further stimulating the spot between Raph's legs.  ``I want to taste you.''

\tIt was too much for Raph to handle and he dropped down.  There was no way for Slash to close his mouth around Raphael's cock, so he made do with just his tongue.  For several long wonderful seconds Slash contented himself with licking the tip of Raph's penis before then circling the shaft with his lengthy tongue.

\t``Sl . . . Slash,'' Raph stuttered, unable to render a coherent thought as Slash's tongue stimulated him, providing friction that Raph would not have expected from just the fleshy, muscular organ inside Slash's mouth.

\tMuscular it was as Raph felt himself being pulled inexorably towards completion.  Panting uncontrollably, Raph lowered shaky hands to Slash's head, trying to find ways to encourage his mate to finish him off.

\tWhen Slash's tongue left his cock, Raph groaned in disappointment, clutching at his mate's head in desperation.  Slash slid his head away from Raph's grasping hands and looked up at him.

\t``Not yet, Raphael,'' Slash said in a voice husky with desire.  ``Let's finish together.''

\tAt that point Raph was up for anything, not caring what was going to happen as long as it led to a fiercely needed orgasm.  He watched as Slash slowly stood up, his own huge organ jutting out proudly before him.

\t``Whatever you want,'' Raph said breathily.

\t``Join me on the bed,'' Slash said, catching hold of Raph's hand and leading him over to the pile of blankets.

\tSlash lowered himself so that he was sitting sideways and encouraged Raph to do the same, so that they were facing each other.  Placing a hand on Raph's shoulder, Slash began to lie down on his side, pulling Raph into a similar position.  Once Raph was all of the way down, Slash slid his arm beneath Raph's head, giving him something to rest on.

\tLying as they were, face to face, Raph could feel Slash's erection pressing against his plastron.  Without a word, Slash shifted his body downwards until Raph felt their cocks touch each other's.

\t``Oh shell,'' Raph hummed, the feeling sending shockwaves into his groin.  Then he swallowed hard as Slash reached between them and gathered both their swollen shafts into one large hand.

\t``Mmm, yes,'' Slash murmured in appreciation as his hand began to move over their joined erections.

\tOne arm pinned beneath him, Raph grabbed at Slash's shoulder with the other in order to steady himself as he began to thrust against Slash's cock.  Tail stiff, the entrance to Raph's ass began to quiver and contract in reaction to his impending orgasm.

\tAlmost as if sensing how close Raph was, Slash's hand began to move faster.  Both turtles were churring and grunting into the silence of the cabin.

\tAs much as Raph wanted to wait for Slash to hit his peak too, the smaller turtle could no longer hold back. Crying out sharply, Raph climaxed, shuddering and shaking as his cum spurted over Slash's hand and onto both of them.

\tThe arm under Raph's head turned so that Slash could place his palm firmly on Raph's carapace, keeping him from moving.  Slash continued to aggressively tug at their joined cocks for another moment and then he came, shouting Raph's name as his thick release coated both of their plastrons.

\tFor a short while Raph's mind was a complete blank.  He could hear Slash gasping for air, his breathing as rough and irregular as Raph's own.  The two turtles were close enough together that Raph could feel Slash's heart beating a quick rhythm in his chest and was sure that Slash could tell that his was doing the same.

\tThis was sex, Raph realized.  He'd finally had something that he had never given a second's thought to because he'd been sure it would never happen for him.  But it had and it was great.

\t``Awesome,'' Raph amended aloud, almost sighing the word.

\t``Yes it was,'' Slash agreed, his voice tender.

\tRaph lifted his head and opened his mouth for his mate, who took advantage of the offering by snaking his tongue inside to play with the smaller turtle's.  Tasting himself on Slash's tongue sent an orgasmic aftershock through Raph's system and his softening dick twitched out a final dribble of cum.

\tSlash pulled away and rumbled his contentment as he released his hold on their cocks.  The vibration from that sound was soothing and Raph felt himself start to doze off.

\tAt the last second Raph recalled where he was and forced himself awake.  Sitting up abruptly caused him to feel momentarily lightheaded.

\t``Raphael?'' Slash asked, his voice filled with concern.

\t``I can't stay,'' Raph told him, reaching for the blanket that Slash had used to clean them with before.  As he wiped himself down, he said, ``Everybody knows I went out this time.  I had a good excuse but it won't cover me for much longer.''

\t``And if you don't return they will come looking for you,'' Slash said in an almost sing-song voice.

\tRaph stopped moving to stare at him.  ``You aren't happy about that, I know.''

\t``It isn't a question of my happiness,'' Slash said as he pushed himself upright.  ``It is about us and how we can resolve this situation.''

\t``I told you I can handle it,'' Raph said, trying not to sound anxious.  ``This retreat of Leo's is gonna put us on the right path, I can tell.''

\t``If it doesn't then we are left with things as they are now,'' Slash said.  ``I have come up with a better alternative.''

\tRaph took his time rising to his feet, his eyes fixed on Slash.  ``What's that supposed to mean?''

\t``There is only one solution that will work for the two of us,'' Slash said.  ``It requires that I regain the trust of your family, that I show Leonardo that I have changed, that I am one of the good guys.  Without his respect you and I will be miles apart even when we are together.''

\t``That sounds great,'' Raph said.  ``But I still don't know how you're gonna manage it.''

\t``By returning to the city,'' Slash said.  ``Immediately.''

\t``What?'' Raph exclaimed, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets.  ``You've gotta be kidding me.  You can't do that!''

\t``Yes I can,'' Slash said.  ``I managed to find my way out and I can easily go back in.  I know there are other mutants still hiding in the city and I'm going to find them.  I'm going to teach them to fight the way that Master Splinter taught you guys.  When we're done I'll have my own team and we're going to take on our enemies and show them they don't get to have things all their way.''

\tRaph plopped down on his knees next to Slash, staring into his eyes as he pleaded, ``Wait, just wait okay?  You don't have to do this right now.  If Leo doesn't come around after this pilgrimage, then I'll just straight out tell him about you and he'll have to deal with it as best he can.''

\tSlash shook his head.  ``I don't want you to give your brother an ultimatum,'' he said.  ``That's the wrong thing to do because Leonardo will be certain to think I'm trying to make you choose between us again.  Perhaps while I'm in the city I can even locate your father.''

\t``I won't make it sound like an ultimatum,'' Raph insisted.  ``I'll explain that the mutagen was to blame for everything you did just after you changed.  Don will understand and he'll help me make my point.  Tell me you'll wait and you won't do anything until I get back.''

\tInhaling deeply, Slash released the breath in a long, calming exhale before offering Raph a smile.  Touching his mates face, Slash said, ``For you I will do anything.''

\t``Good, that's good,'' Raph said, his voice shaky.  ``You stay put okay?  Do some fishing and rest while I'm gone.  I'll come back first chance I get.''

\t``Of course Raphael,'' Slash said, watching as the younger turtle stood up again and retrieved his gear.  ``Take care of yourself.''

\t``Always,'' Raph assured him before slipping through the door.

\tThe last thing Raph wanted to experience after such a fulfilling coupling with Slash was the pond's icy water.  He couldn't risk going back to the farmhouse with Slash's scent and the smell of sex all over him though.  The odds of making it to the bathroom for a warm shower without being seen were pretty low in a house full of ninjas who knew he'd been outdoors.

\tSetting his weapons on the ground, Raph held onto his belt and jumped into the pond.  The cold water took his breath away and cleared any notion of sleep right out of his head.

\tHe was shivering when he climbed out of the water and retrieved his sai.  Jogging back to the farmhouse, Raph decided he deserved to be uncomfortable as punishment for all of the lies he'd been telling.

\tBefore going inside, Raph stopped to remove his wet gear and drape it over the clothesline.  It would be mostly dry by morning and if anyone asked, he'd just say he rinsed the stuff out before going to bed.  What was one more lie in the grand scheme of things?

\tRaph was glad he'd braved the cold of the pond when he entered the farmhouse and saw Don and April seated at the dining room table.  They were deep in conversation and barely glanced up as he walked past them.  Raph could guess what they were talking about and he wished his brother well.  He and Don were pretty much in the same boat together with regards to their love lives.

\tStopping to listen at Leo's door, Raph heard the even rhythm of his brother's breathing and knew he was sound asleep.  Don must have promised to wait up for Raph; that was the only thing that would have gotten Leo to go to bed.

\tBefore going to his own room, Raph detoured to the bathroom and rinsed off again, this time with warm water.  It took the final chill from his skin, making him sleepy once more, and he was already half out by the time he fell onto his bed.

\tRaph woke in the morning to the sound of Don fussing at Mikey again about his alarm clock.  As much as he wanted to pull the covers up to his chin and go back to sleep, Raph knew Leo was probably already packing for their journey.

\tMoving quickly, Raph grabbed his backpack and scooped the things he wanted to take with him into it.  When he went out to get his gear from the clothesline, he saw that Casey and April were already in the yard practicing.

\tEntering the farmhouse through the kitchen door, Raph spotted Mikey talking to Ice Cream kitty and slid past quickly before his brother noticed him.  Leo was at the front door waiting on his brothers when Raph joined him.  Don was only a second behind him, his expression nothing less than forlorn.

\tMikey only took a few minutes longer, but the brothers waited in silence.  Leo appeared focused, which was a good sign after all he'd been through.

\tAs they started their trek, Raph glanced back to see their human friends watching them, a desolate look on April's face.  But he also saw the firm set of her jaw and an underlying determination that told Raph she would train the entire time they were gone, just to prove that she could be a true kunoichi.

\tRaph had no idea how far Leo planned to take them, but as the distance between Raph and the cabin increased, so did the turtle's concern.  Something inside was screaming at him to check on Slash, some inner instinct that begged for attention.

\t``Hey Leo,'' Raph finally called out, ``I don't know where you were planning on stopping, but don't you think it'd be a good idea to do some foraging now, before we lose the light?''

\t``Yeah dude, I'm starving,'' Mikey complained, holding his stomach for emphasis.

\tLeo glanced up at the sun and came to a stop.  ``It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to familiarize ourselves with the flora and fauna,'' he said.  ``We're still too close to the farmhouse to stop here though.''

\t``The nomad tribes of native Americans gathered what they could as they travelled,'' Don offered.

\tThe usual sarcastic barb about Don being a windbag died on Raph's lips.  For once he was glad to have Donnie show off his knowledge.

\t``All right,'' Leo said.  ``Half an hour, no more.  See what you can find in the way of food and meet back here.''

\t``Great,'' Raph said and headed in the direction of the cabin before any of his brothers could choose to go that way.

\tOnce he was out of their sight, Raph began to run as fast as he could.  Thirty minutes wasn't much time considering the distance they'd covered, but he could just make it to the cabin and back if he pushed his physical limits.

\tThe uneasy feeling that had ridden Raph all morning increased as he neared the cabin.  It was quiet; too quiet.  Raph couldn't even get a sense that anyone was around.

\tBecause of that he didn't slow down as he got to the door, prepared to break the lock if need be.  It wasn't necessary; the door was wide open.

\tRaph skid to a stop in the center of the cabin.  Slash was not there; his bedding neatly folded and stacked on shelves.

\tAll of the things that Raph had brought him were clean and sitting in a corner.  The only item remaining of Slash himself was the fireplace he'd built.

\tWalking slowly towards it, Raph spotted some black smudges on one of the smoother stones near the bottom.  Squatting next to it, Raph saw that they were words, written in charcoal.

\t``Sorry Raphael.  I gotta do this for us.  See you in the city.''

\tHead down, Raph set his palm on the words, his chest tight with emotion.  With a swift movement of his hand he scrubbed out the letters and jumped to his feet.

\tThe quick fit of anger dissipated as he turned away from the fireplace and Raph took a deep breath, releasing it slowly.  Slash wasn't a pet anymore, he was a free and sentient being who could make his own decisions.

\tHe had decided to fight for his love in the only way he could think of, taking the problem out of Raph's hands.  If Raph wanted to do his mate justice, then he'd have to fight just as hard to help Leo pull his team together so they could follow Slash back to New York.

\tExiting the cabin, Raph pulled the door closed and looked into the woods.  Leo was right; somehow their salvation as ninjas was out there somewhere in the wilderness.

\tA fire began to grow in Raph's gut, one that burned with fierce resolve.  He was not going to be separated from Slash for long, no matter what obstacles he had to overcome or what adversaries he had to defeat.

\tEven if those enemies resided deep inside himself.

The End

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