All right, let me know if this story is worth continuing.

Chapter 1

I'm always angry. Ever since I could remember, I've always been angry. Angry at everything and everyone. It's got me into trouble in the past and I fear the future don't look so good either. Shell, I used to be so angry with my brother for being picked leader over me. But I've come to understand that he wasn't picked; he was always leader. Meh, it's a crappy job anyway, right? All sorts of responsibilities and stuff. Leo's good with that kind of jazz. I might not have been the best candidate. Like I said I get a little hot headed sometimes. I can be a little scary. Intimidating. I know, trust me. Mikey has told me a thousand times how scary I look when I'm mad. Which is all the time apparently. Brothers can be such a pain.

Leo and his permanent know-it-all stamp on his forehead. After all this time he still thinks he's stronger than me. Don't get me wrong; dear sweet Fearless can be the leader if he wants. But we all know I'm the stronger fighter.

Donnie is probably the most normal but then again, when I hear him speak about some new project he's working on, all those extra long words he likes to use; immediate headache.

And Mikey. Mikey's a little punk with a big mouth. His dreams include becoming hotdog eating champion and professional video game player. Not the brightest crayon in the box for sure. He's no Donnie. But his heart is always in the right place and he's not as reckless as what he once was. So then… what the shell is he holding in his arms right now?

"Put it back!" I've now yelled for the fourth time. To my left I hear Don speaking in his fast-paced voice; probably going through all the possible outcomes of this particular scenario. His gibberish was beginning to kick me in the brain. On the other side I can see Leo pacing back and forth. After a second of pondering he stopped and just stared at Mikey.

Here we go. Leo's gonna lay it down with some wise leadership speech. My brother opened his mouth then shut it abruptly.

Come on. I practically growled.

"Mikey," he paused. Come on Fearless, don't got all day.

"What the shell?" he shrugged, looking all defeated and not very leader-like.

Nope. Didn't expect that. Leo's hands flew into the air then slumped back down, looking exhausted. I almost grinned. It was the same look of exhaustion he used to get when Mike would bring random animals back to our home. Only this was no animal.

"Trust me guys," Our little brother looked at all of us, begging for understanding.

"I had no choice." A nervous smile plastered on his face.

Very unsatisfied with the answer given I marched up to my brother and pulled the extra large trench coat we use for going to the surface out of the way to reveal a face; a human face. A girl. A girl cradled lightly yet for some reason protectively in Mikey's arms.

"Put it back!" I pointed at the girl and growled at my brother.

"I was gonna. But she was sick and freezing so I brought her to a hospital. But there were so many people I couldn't get near it. I thought about leaving her cause I knew this was a bad idea and you guys would all start yelling at me if I brought a girl home." He paused and chuckled to himself. "Brought a girl home. I'm the first to bring a girl ho–"

"Mikey." Leo urged.

"Yeah, and if you didn't notice, we are yelling at you!" I yelled, my frustration growing. I mean, what is this shellbrain thinking? This is a human girl! We don't interact with humans, let alone invite them into our home.

Leo shot me a look before turning his attention back to Mikey who was holding the girl more firmly to his plastron.

"Chill guys. Believe me. I just stumbled upon her. She wasn't moving and she was freezing to death. Should I have left her to become an ice babesicle?"

"No."

"Yes." The word escaped my lips before I could think. Wonderful, another glare from Fearless.

"I'm sorry, dudes. I couldn't leave someone to die. We're supposed to be heroes. So, can I keep it?" Mikey pleaded with his eyes. Oh no, that was not going to work this time. I checked on Leo and Donnie to make sure they were with me. Donnie rubbed his chin and I could practically see his mind start to waver from getting the human outta here to diagnosing her health. Ugh, shell. At least Fearless will be with me on this one.

"Leo," I began, only to stop at the look my other brother wore. I know this look. He was breaking. Before my eyes I can see his thoughts change from family safety to concern for the human girl.

"Leo, you can't be ser – are you guys kidding me?" I couldn't believe it. Did they even think this through? I stared at Leo. Can't he see how stupid this is?

Without so much as a single glance my way he motioned for Mikey to follow him. From the direction we were going, Leo's room seemed to be the place they were headed. He's actually serious about this?

"Set her down on my bed." he said calmly. Almost as once as she was on the cot Donnie was hovering over her, checking her vitals or whatever he does. Mikey was watching his brother with interest. I took this moment to convince Leo of his bad decision.

"Leo, you can't be serious. What's Splinter going to say?" I tried.

"Splinter isn't here to make that decision. And we don't have a week to wait." He shook his head and gnawed at his lip.

Man, I never thought I'd say this, but I wish Splinter were here to kick some sense into our Leader here. What was the rat doing? Oh right, meditation. Ugh, I remember how long Leo was away for his meditation. Suddenly a month didn't sound to bad. My mind drifted from Splinter back to Leo.

His face frowned in confusion and I could see his brain going to work. In a short second his face changed from confusion to final decision.

"We can't let her die." he said sternly.

"I'm not to sure she'll even make the night." We heard Donnie's voice from beside the cot. A small whimper from Mikey struck me in the gut. I didn't like having my little brother sad, but this was insane and dangerous.

"You're going to let a human stay not knowing whether she'll survive the night?" I was angry now. Well, more angry than usual.

"Raph, this isn't your decision." Leo frowned and watched me closely.

"Right, this is yours." I clenched my teeth. Leo rubbed his eyes knowing full well exactly where this was going.

"Cause you're the leader." I growled. Why was he making such a stupid mistake? I would never put my family in such danger. I bit my lip. Yeah, I make mistakes but this was ridiculous. A leader is supposed to keep his family safe. This, I glanced at the human on the cot. Beside, Mikey was getting all jumpy and I could see his eagerness. This was not safe.

I looked up to Leo once again and felt the burn in my throat: the usual burn I got when I was about to say some really terrible things. Before they had the chance to well up and spill over, I clamped my mouth shut and ground my teeth together. No, I closed my eyes; I am not going to lose it. I tried calming my breathing and slowing my heart rate. My training has been proving quite useful lately.

My anger is my biggest fault. In the past it has been the cause of much pain for my brothers, Splinter, and myself. I hurt people. I don't want to hurt the people I love anymore.

Finally feeling my heart beat slow, I sighed angrily. Fine.

"Whatever." I mumbled under my breath before marching my way out of Leo's room.

Very soon I found myself in the training dojo. My feet automatically took me to the punching bag. With one swift swing of my arm, the still bag was now rocking back and forth. The impact felt familiar and the sensation, calming. This is what I do. I hit things when I'm mad.

The memories of beating my brothers crawled back into my mind. Mikey sure had a way of making me angry but Leo… Leo was always a whole new level of frustration. We used to fight all the time. Now, just most of the time. But it's getting better, we haven't fought in two months and I was proud of that.

But today… I grit my teeth. What is he thinking? If she survives the night and gets better, what? Are we going to shake our finger and say…

"So don't go tellin' no one, kay?" I murmured. And of course, like planned, she won't tell anyone about us. Our existence will be kept secret. Then end. Happily ever after. I raised my arm and rubbed the back of my head. This is insane. I ceased my punching and thought.

If she doesn't make it through the night then we won't have that problem would we? Shell, I'm horrible. True. But still, it would mean my family would be safe. The plan was already forming in my head. I know what will happen already. Leo will tell us that we should all take turns watching the human throughout the night. I will not disappoint. And then the tragedy and my shock of realizing she's not breathing will leave me frantic. I'll yell for Donnie and he'll be too late. Bada bing bada boom. Unfortunate. We're home free. Safe and sound.

It was a horrible plan. I almost winced at the shear brutality of it. If they ever found out… I shuddered. They would hate me.

I hesitated.

"For my family."

I was right. Leo was always too easy to read. Always for justice and good: thinking of people. But what about our family? I guess today I'm going to have to be that person.

"Hey." Mikey yawned and waved me into the room. I brushed through the door just as Mikey stood from where he sat and stretched. What a wimp. It was only a few hours and he was already tired. I felt the corners of my mouth begin to turn up, but before they could make out a definite smirk, I stopped and drew them down into my usual frown.

"Okay dude, her fever is still running high. Keep her warm with the blankets cause," he was interrupted by a shiver that crawled all the way up his spine.

"Ugh, it's freezing down here." His teeth chattered.

I grunted. His eyes went from me to the girl on the bed. I rolled my eyes. He's gonna kill me if he finds out.

"Thanks bro."

I stopped and peered at my younger brother. He smiled kindly and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I know you don't agree and stuff. But it's the right thing to do. So yeah." he was drawling off. He looked really tired and his grateful face was beginning to make me upset.

"Yeah, whatever. Just go to bed." I mumbled. Mikey nodded and patted my shoulder once more before letting his arm fall to his side as he swayed out of the room and down the hall to his.

When I couldn't hear the sound of his footsteps any longer I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. What the matter with me? I sighed and sat down beside the cot. Finally, for the first time I decided to look at the human.

Yep, it was a girl, and small by the looks of it. Well, almost everything is small compared to being a 7-foot tall turtle. Her hair was a dark brown, I think. The lighting in the room wasn't exactly the best. Her skin was pale: probably due to the fever. Her cheeks were slightly pink which probably wasn't a good sign and she had beads of sweat on her forehead. All in all, yikes. Mikey didn't say anything about sweating. I groaned. I don't know the first thing about taking care of a human.

I closed my eyes and pursed my lips. Right, I wasn't planning on taking care of her. At least not that way. I looked back down at the girl and ground my teeth together. So maybe this wasn't the best plan. Oh well, that was obvious. But I'm starting to think I can't exactly go through with it. I noticed her difficult breaths and rubbed my hands together. She looks half dead already. I probably don't even need to do anything. And just like that my plan changed. I won't do anything. If I just turn a blind eye I bet she'll probably just die on her own.

I nodded to myself and decided I'd get some sleep while I wait for her to die. I cringed. Wow, that sounds a whole lot worse than what I thought it would.

Lifting myself with my arms I leaned my shell against the wall adjacent to the cot. This could take awhile, I yawned. A finale glance to my left let me see the girl and her shallow breaths. Then without a sound I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

Or maybe not.

I awoke with a start and surveyed the room in little over a second, expecting danger. When I saw the room was empty I lowered my fists and rubbed my tired eyes. All of a sudden another high pitch noise sounded in the room. My eyes darted to my left and down at the cot where I could see the girl draw in air sharply and quickly. Each breath was low gasp. Her hair was sticking to her neck and I could see the sheen of sweat on her skin.

I groaned and rubbed my face with both my hands. No one told me dying would be so loud. I opened my eyes and frowned at the girl beside me.

"Would you keep it down?" I asked beseechingly knowing full well my request wouldn't be answered.

Another wheeze told me this wasn't going to stop anytime soon. Begrudgingly, I moved to face her and crossed my legs at the side of the cot. Leaning forward, I was practically towering over her. Shell, why are humans so tiny?

Curious, I lifted my hand and rested it on her forehead. Within a second of contact I snatched my hand away. She was on fire. I frowned as I clung to my hand, now lightly covered in her sweat. Gross.

I shut my eyes and ground my teeth together: seriously, that was becoming a bad habit. When I opened them again I felt completely exhausted. What the shell is wrong with me?

My hands were now automatic. I felt her forehead again and winced. She was really hot. Looking around the room I found a cloth in a bowl of water. Obviously used by the others to make sure she would stay cool.

I grabbed for the cloth and dampened it with the cool water. I shivered. Mikey was right, it was freezing down here. It always was during winter. The ground would freeze, making our home practically an underground fridge.

I dabbed the cloth on her forehead and down the sides of her face. Her neck was sweaty as well so I began to move the cloth lower, down her neck and to her chest.

Uh. I hesitated, cloth still pressed to her chest. Yeah, no. I moved towards the forehead again and then when the heat she gave off warmed the cloth, I dipped it into the cool bowl of water and repeated the process.

I wrapped the extra blanket around myself and rested against the wall. Sheesh, this girl is a pain and she's not even awake! Her breathing had ultimately settled down to a calm inhale and exhale. Along with the fever dropping so did the temperature in the room. Being so occupied with keeping the girl alive had been difficult to say the least.

You see, if any of us had an injury or sprang, we know exactly what to do. We know how to treat mutant turtles: that's what we've grown up with. Big, green, three fingered hands working with big green, well… turtles! But this…

I let my head roll to the left. One of her tiny hands curled into her hair, and the other, neatly tucked into the blankets. Her head was practically the size of my fist.

Yeah. Not used to such fragility.

My muscles tightened before I heard him speak.

"Raph." Leo's voice was calm. I didn't look up. Was it really his turn already? How long had I been taking care of her?

"Her fever is going down." I answered before he could annoy me with any questions. I stood and walked over to the door that held my brother's weight. I stopped in front of him, waiting for him to move. Leaning against the door he sighed and shifted into his room. His eyes were instantly on the girl. I could virtually see the checklist go off in his head. Number one: Is the girl alive? Check.

I rolled my eyes and walked out of the room. Thank goodness that was over.

"Raph." Leo's voice came out into the hall.

"As you can see, Leo, no, I didn't kill her." I pivoted on one foot to face him.

"I knew you wouldn't." he said almost annoyed. Yeah, my attitude has that effect on people: on Leo, Donnie, Sometimes Mikey, and even Master Splinter. Yup, I'm a real piece of work, I am. My body turned on its own, beckoning an actual bed. I understand why Mikey was so tired. That had been ridiculously tortuous. It was like she was trying to keep me guessing. Am I gonna die on you, or not? Yes I am. Nope. Just kidding, I'm still alive, but barely. Shell, it was like a freaking roller coaster with random bolts missing.

"Thanks." My brother's voice cut through my thoughts. For a second I was speechless. It was at these times where I really don't know what to say. His surprise words of gratitude, ugh, I'm just not used to it sometimes. I haven't always done things that deserved gratitude. Like I said, I'm working on it.

"Yeah." I rarely whispered before rounding the corner, making my way down the hall to my room. I let my hand graze the cold stonewalls. As the cold began to numb my fingers I drew them into the warmth of my palm.

My room was third furthest down the hall and with the light turned off; the darkness easily swallowed me whole, making the hall and me pretty much invisible. But this place was drilled into my brain. I knew every nook and cranny. It was very easy to get oneself lost in our home if one wasn't acquainted. There wasn't a single place that my brother's and me didn't know about. Everything about down here was so familiar and welcoming. It had become our home. And with the help of Donnie's many tweaks to the system, I gotta say, It's a pretty darn nice sewer. I still rejoice in the day where Donnie had found a way to ventilate the smell. Boy was that a blessed day. Fourteen-year-old Donnie: what a genius. And now, shell, it was hard to keep a conversation going without feeling dumber than a turtle.

Turning to the right I felt my right arm brush against the doorframe as I entered my dark room. The candle that I had lit before getting some rest had long since burned out. A yawn escaped my lips as I finally reached my bed. I smirked when I felt the familiar cushion of my kind queen sized bed.

"What use is a queen size bed?" I mocked Leo in the darkness of my own room. Falling back, my head hit the pillow and I sprawled out, stretching each and every limb. It was 7foot turtle heaven. That's why.

It wasn't that much long after that I felt the fatigue the previous hours had since affected me. The last thing I remembered before shutting my eyes was absolutely nothing. Silence and darkness welcomed me.

When I woke I could smell one of Mikey's food creations. I groaned and shifted slightly in my bed. I had completely forgot that we ran out of pizza yesterday. My disappointment soon turned to anger. Anger, cause it was Mikey's turn to get the pizza yesterday night. And what did he bring instead? My eyes shot open.

It was hardly five seconds until I was at the door to Leo's room. It had seemed like a dream. I'd almost forgotten it was completely real. But maybe, just maybe it was a dream.

Carefully and putting all my years of training to the test I opened the door, praying the creak it usually made would for once not make a single sound. To my luck, there was only silence. On the other hand… it wasn't a dream. The girl slept peacefully on Leo's bed. She looked about a thousand times better than what she did yesterday. But… why was she in Leo's room alone? Isn't anyone going to watch her?

"Ugh, shell." I mumbled before closing the door.

The scent grew stronger as I mad my wall out of the hallway and into the center of the lair. I could see Donnie working on one of his new gadgets, sparks flying. Leo was sitting on the ground, legs crossed, eyes closed. Every morning.

And then there was Mikey. From the tone and rhythm in his step, even from behind I could tell he was completely engrossed in whatever music was playing from his Ipod. Now, seated at the table already pre-set with plates and silverware, I could hear the hum the music exuded from the headphones.

I looked down at the pan in Mikey's hands and sighed. Yup, eggs. My stomach growled and my frustration returned. I was hungry and I needed food now. My eyes moved from Mikey's dancing figure to the fork an inch from my hand.

Mikey raised his jazz hand and I automatically flung the fork across the room.

"Ah!" Mikey screamed and looked at the fork sticking out of the back of his hand. His eyes widened with shock when he caught my eye. He gesturing to his hand then back at me, all while letting out little squawks.

"Bu…wha…I was…but you…my ha…agh!" he yapped. In a swift motion I was over the table and right beside my brother. His eyes grew and before he could catch me, I yanked the fork out of his hand and placed it in the sink.

Ripping off his headphones, Mikey raised a finger and took a great gulp of breath. Before he could let out any air for the long never ending complaining he was about to do I smacked my hand over his mouth and glared. Swallowing the air Mikey turned and continued to make the food. That boy was getting smarter.

"Raph." Leo warned as he sat next to me. I couldn't help but smirk at the lack of enthusiasm in his voice. He shook his head then threw his attention to Mikey.

"Mikey." he enquired. I released my grip on his face.

Mikey licked his lips and raised his hand waving off Leo's certain concern for him.

"Don't worry bro, I'm fine. There's nothing Mikey can't handle. Even a big ol' meanie like Ra-"

"I meant the food, Mikey."

"Oh." He chuckled. "Almost done."

Five seconds later he whirled around and placed four bowls of eggs and ketchup on the table. Yeah, wasn't exactly a five star meal.

"Bon appetite." Mikey smiled and sat down just as Donnie found his spot around the table.

"Check out my egg-splosive egg-speriment" Mikey smiled happily.

"They're just eggs." Leo pointed at the bowl in front of him.

"Eggs-actly."

"We need to go out to the surface for more food." Donnie noted before eating his breakfast.

"Egg-cellent idea."

"Enough with the egg puns!" I cut through their conversation, slamming my fist on the table. Mikey frowned and shuffled in his seat.

"You guys are poaching all my best yokes."

"Mikey." I warned.

"Raph, calm down." Leo sighed and dropped his fork into the eggs and ate a bite. I rolled my eyes before I looked down at my now cooling eggs. Oh man, we need to get more food. I can't live like this.

"We need more food." I mumbled my thoughts out loud.

"Time for an eggs-cavation to the sunny side up."

"Enough!"

"You want un oeuf?"

"Mikey!" I lunged forward, knocking over his bowl of eggs. Just before my hands could reach his neck something hard wedged itself into one of the nooks in my plastron and threw me back into my chair. Donnie raised his staff and secured it back into place, on the back of his carapace. I felt the growl rumble deep within my chest.

"Raph!" Leo yelled to get my attention. His tone held the same level of exhaustion as it did back when we used to fight. I gritted my teeth and seated myself back down, glaring at my little brother who was now staring longingly at the scattered eggs on the table.

"That settles it," Leo pushed the empty bowl away and stood from his seat.

"Mikey and I are going to the top to get more food. Donnie and Ra…"

"I would equally delight in an excursion to the top in order to acquire the optimal partition for the new study I have recently commenced."

"Wha…" Mikey drooled.

"I'm going with you." Donnie deadpanned.

Before my head had time to recuperate from whatever language spewed from my brother's mouth, a new realization hit me.

"I have to stay with the human?" I almost whined.

"Her vitals are stable and the fever has recessed to nothing. She should be awake in a day or so." Donnie noted, his bowl empty. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Mikey's hand inching forward waiting to attack my remaining eggs.

"So now I'm a babysitter. Great." I rolled my head and raised my arms sarcastically. Sarcasm was truly one of my best skills. Seriously. Anytime. Anywhere. I'm always ready for some sarcasm.

Mikey's hand rose from the table ready to pounce for the kill.

"No. Well, yes. I trust her in your care." Leo gestured.

I raised my fork vertical just as Mikey's hand slammed down on my bowl. A yelp told me that my weapon hit its target.

"Ah!" Mikey screamed raising his hand to gawk at the fork now sticking out of his palm. Another shriek and he was running around the lair waving his arm around like a chicken. I chuckled to myself before turning to face my older brother. His half massed eyes declared how unamused he was.

"Yeah. Maybe not the wisest of choices." Donnie grinned before walking towards the exit.

"Ow!" Mikey's voice carried over the lair.

"We'll be back in a few hours. Try not to break anything," He paused, "or the girl."

"She's just a sick and sweaty human!" I shouted at Leo who marched to the exit followed closely by Mikey who was rubbing his hand.

"Wow bro, way to sweet talk the lady. No wonder we don't get any chicks down here." Mikey smiled, proud at his last egg pun of the morning: for my ears at least. I reached over and grabbed Donnie's fork. With a flick of the wrist I heard the whisk of air before it met its target.

"Ah! Hey!"

I breathed heavily while tightly clutching my Sais. It had been a couple hours and working out had been an excellent pass time. The heat my body gave off was not uncomfortable but soothing. The cool air of the lair had been slowing my reflexes. It was nice getting all worked up and blood boiling. Sure it was no spar with Leo but it had to do.

I swallowed, feeling the burn in my throat. I ran my tongue over my dry lips and began for the door. Walking down the halls and through a couple passageways, I passed our rooms. Just passing Mikey's I saw the hundreds upon hundreds of comics scattered everywhere. Yup, looked the same since the day we got here. Donnie's room had a desk with some papers on it with the odd doo-daa on the side. Other than that his room was mostly boring.

I stole a quick glance in Leo's room before continuing down the hall. Ugh, yeah, probably the most boring out of all our rooms. He had no style what so ever. Always clean and tidy, though his bed was a bit of a mess. Why he hadn't made it was beyond m…

I stopped dead in my tracks. At once all of my senses heightened as I listened for anything and everything. I could hear the scurry of mice in the walls and the plip-plop water from roof made when it hit the stone floor. I could hear the tink of a glass being set on the metal table.

My eyes narrowed. I was extremely quick on my feet rounding the corners till I found myself at the entrance to the huge center of the lair. I saw the T.V. and couches empty and ran my eyes around to the other side where the kitchen was. My eyes widened.

The human was in our kitchen! And she was drinking from one of our glasses. With a great and pleasing sigh she set the glass on the table and wiped her mouth. She must have been as thirsty as I was now.

Her eyes were sleepy as she looked around the lair. She looked more curious than anything. Getting up from the chair she walked to the sink and ran the water. I could see one hand reach for the soap bottle. She was washing her glass?

I frowned. Nobody filled me in on what to do if she woke up!

A sound from the kitchen alerted me and brought me from my inner turmoil. My eyes followed the girl as she walked around the table and to the couch where the T.V. was. The shadows concealed me easily even though I was completely visible.

Her arms were wrapped around her body as she made it to the couch. She smiled without teeth as she nabbed the blanket Mikey had left on the side of the couch. Wrapping herself tightly she sat down.

After a couple minutes she fell on her side and curled up in a ball. I waited for something or anything to happen. After fifteen minutes of nothing, boredom over came any sense I had. Walking into the light of the room I was quiet on my feet as I made my way around the lair to appear behind the couch. Oh boy had that couch shrunk since we had grown. Still, the thing looked huge compared the girl sleeping on it. I peered over the edge, still a couple feet away just in case she woke with a start. She looked a thousand times better than what she had the night before.

Shell, what do I do? I rubbed the back of my head. The heat from self-training was starting to wear off and the chill of the lair was becoming more apparent. No wonder she stole the blanket.

Okay, um, should I bring her back to Leo's room and lock her in? Nope. Couldn't risk the prospect of her waking up. This isn't going to end well. I really don't want to deal with this. I wish the guys would hurry up and get their shell's back h…

"Heeeeere's Mikey!"

Oh Shell.

I whirled around, my eyes wide as I stared at my three brothers. Upon seeing my face they stopped and frowned.

"What's the ma-oh dear." Donnie's voice trailed off. None of their eyes were on me. I carefully turned my head to the left and down at the couch. The girl was sitting up and staring at my brothers before looking up at me, then back to my brothers.

"Oops." Mikey shrugged, smiling nervously.