A/N: Got the idea when I was watching the TV show Fringe and I was inspired; I couldn't help it, I had to write this. The idea wouldn't get out of my head so it had to be done!~

I want to give a personal thank you to these people on Stealthy Stories that helped me with finalizing the plot of this story as well as giving me advice on how to start it: BlowMyHeartUp, LilNinjaWolf, and Shimonu

Thank you guys so much~

Enjoy and I hope you like it (grins~)

Black Heart

Prologue

Raphael's deep, amber eyes stared up at the full, incandescent moon that was only partially obscured by tree branches that were still putting up a fight against the effects of autumn. The sky was clear of the night's purple clouds, revealing the true, celestial wonder that only a country's night sky could reveal. The heavens seemed to truly reign beautifully here, where there was no city lights or loud, boisterous noises to distract from the peace that could felt all around him. ...But despite how tranquil and calm the country woods surrounding him could be or how recuperating the over all visit to the Jones' farm house was, he was far from true solace.

The sound of crunching leaves caught his attention, causing his eyes to turn down and to the left, locking gazes with the person that was responsible for his uneasiness and distress: Hamato Leonardo. The blue clad leader of the Hamato clan stepped out fully from behind a massive tree, gazing back at Raphael with a fleeting expression of curiosity before his face slide into a mask of neutrality. Leo's golden eyes broke away from Raph to shift thoroughly over the soft soil bed of the woodland floor, searching for firewood to add to the bundle he had already gathered up under his left arm.

"Are you done looking?" Leonardo asked, turning around full circle to check the earth behind him just in case he missed something, "I don't see anything else that could be useful for firewood other than what we've already gathered."

Raph regarded his brother for a brief moment before he sighed, answering him, "Nah, I don't see anymore but I think we're good. We've got 'nough wood for two nights."

"... Yeah, you're right," Leo said with a nod of confirmation, turning back around face the other, a simple smile tugged at his lips, "Let's head back. I think... uh... April is probably done with making dinner."

Raph nodded, turning on his heels and started to walk back toward the farmhouse with Leo walking beside him at the same pace. They moved forward together in silence; for Leonardo, it appeared comfortable... for Raph, it felt awkward. He never felt awkward when he was in his brother's presence. Happy? Yeah. Motivated? Most definitely. Angered and annoyed? Absolutely! But awkward? ... This would be the first.

"Uh..." Raph started, clearing his throat before he continued on, Leo's eyes flickered in his direction with curiosity, "Is... is everythin' okay fearless?"

Leonardo blinked, tilting his head slightly, raising his eye ridge at his brother with question, "Yes... does it seem like I'm not okay?"

"No... well... actually, I ain't to sure," Raph admitted, searching his mind for the right words, "Ya just seem... uh..."

"... I just seem what?"

"Ya just seem... I don't know, different?" It came out like more of a question than a statement, "Eva since we fought a coupla days ago, you've been actin' kinda weird."

Leo paused, eyeing his brother carefully, "... How so?"

Raph growled out slightly with frustration, trying to find the words to say, "I-I don't know. Ya just do, okay?"

Leo blinked in bewilderment, but remained quite, silently urging his brother on.

Raphael huffed, "... Look, I know dat we fight on a daily basis but dat fight was blown way outta proportion. We said some things, me especially, dat was a bit... harsh. I... I shouldn't of said what I said. It wasn't right."

"... That's been eating you up all this time, huh?" Leonardo started, causing Raphael to raise an eye ridge at him, "You shouldn't let that bother you too much. I'm over it, really."

"Yeah? Well if the fight isn't wants been botherin' ya, then what is?" Raph said, stopping abruptly, Leo stopped a second after, "And don't give me no bullshit about it bein' nothin' cause we both know dat's a crock of crap."

Leo sighed, smiling at the red masked other reassuringly, "I'm fine Raphael. I can assure you that nothing is wrong. You might just be over thinking things, hm?"

"Tck, my ass," Raph glared at the other.

Leo stared back Raph for a long moment before he chuckled, jerking his head in the direction of the farm house. The house lights from the upstairs and downstairs windows were now visible in the distance, piercing through the darkness of the night, "Come on. Everyone's waiting for us. We shouldn't keep them waiting."

Leonardo continued to walking, Raphael watched him for a few, contemplative seconds before he reluctantly started to walk forward as well, picking up his pace so that he could walk along side with the blue clad other. He knew something was on the other's mind... he just didn't know what. There just seemed to be something... off with the fearless leader and it was something that Raphael wasn't sure how to describe. He just knew something was a mist; he felt it in his gut.


Midnight hit and everyone was sound asleep, peacefully resting until the next day fully presented itself... all but one. Leonardo Hamato stepped silently out of the bedroom that he shared with Raphael, glancing up and down the silent, upstairs hallway before he swiftly trotted across it to the bathroom. Once inside, he flicked the light on, closed and locked the door behind him, and stepped over to the mirror. He stared back at his reflection for several seconds before him lips curled into a surprisingly dark smirk.

He chuckled deeply to himself, shaking his head with mocking disapproval, "Ah, Leonardo... what a weak family you have..."

He rose his hand into his line of view, glancing at his apple green palm and snorting at the fresh slash wound that he had received just a couple of days ago with mild irritation. He had told his worried "family" that he had gotten the incision when he accidentally cut himself on his swords, saying that his mind had been clouded with anger at the time... but only he knew that that wasn't true.

"You gave a good fight, I'll give you that," 'Leo' said, his smile turning more cruel, "But even you weren't strong enough to face me. Pathetic really."

His golden eyes flickered back up to the mirror, his smirk coming back full force as he release another chuckle, far crueler than the first, "Oh, this is going to be fun..."

A/N: Ohhhh… what does that mean : o? What is going on? What do you think is going on?

You'll just have to wait and see XD

I'm not sure if I should chance the title or not… if I think of something better, I will but if you guys like it, I'll keep it.

Hope you like it; let me know what you thought ^^~