-1Chapter 1
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As Raph was passing the alleyway he heard something unusual, even in terms of New York sounds. His curiosity piqued, he walked into the alleyway and paused to listen. He heard the sound again, much like a kitten mewing. It seemed to be coming from a dumpster near him. He walked towards it slowly incase it was a trap by the foot. When nothing came out at him he hoisted himself up to look into it, at first he saw nothing but the usual trash. Then he saw something move, as he got closer he saw something buried slightly in the trash. He pawed some of it away to find a baby no more than a few hours old. His gut burning in disgust he picked up the child and cradled it to himself as he jumped down. Once he determined the babe to be a girl he took a closer inventory, with brown hair bright blue eyes and pale skin she wasn't deformed in any way and had no injuries either. She had no clothes on other than a black piece of cloth with a metal plate on it draped around her neck, and on the plate the image of a spiral leaf was etched. He thought it strange that she had a forehead protector but he would figure that out after he had her safe and comfortable. On her stomach was what looked like a tattoo, though what a baby only a few hours old would be doing with a tattoo was beyond him. The design was a squiggly spiral with little out shoots around it. He brushed it off for now and ran towards the nearest sewer entrance and, cradling the child carefully, made his way home. On the way he started thinking about what he was going to do with this child. He wanted to keep her, she invoked a feeling in him he never thought he could feel for anyone but Mikey. A feeling of tenderness and protectiveness, but they were so much stronger for this little girl than they ever were for Mikey. He knew his sensei would back him up, that was not in question. It was Leo he was worried about, he didn't know if the fearless leader would support him or automatically declare it impossible. He was hoping Leo would support him in this but wouldn't be surprised if he was totally against it. On the way home he avoided the more slippery and noxious tunnels, always mindful of the child's safety. Coming upon the hidden entrance to the lair he and his brothers shared he took quick but careful stock to be sure nobody had followed him before he pushed in the brick that would open the door. It wouldn't do, after all, to have people knowing how to get into their safe haven. He prepared himself, as he walked through the door, for the outburst that was sure to come.