Author's Note: Wow – chapter 7! And I wouldn't have gotten this far without you :). Yes, I'm talking to you – the amazing person who is reading this right now :D. Hi and thanks for all the support/reviews/follows and favourites!

Warning: Language in this chapter, as well it's Raph.

Disclaimer: Narr, don't own the turtles or the concepts of the show. Only my own plot bunnies, which are currently hopping around madly.

Hope you like chapter 7 :).


Chapter 7: Leadership at its Finest

Mikey's POV:

*Two weeks later*

Mikey was sprawled out on his bed, flicking through his favourite issue of "From the Sewer," practically drooling over the hero of the story, as the young blonde tackled a giant monster which had emerged from the depths of New York City.

Huh - hero.

The word had a new meaning for Mikey as Leo…well Leo had left a note.

A letter – and at first, Mikey had been reluctant in believing what Leo had written, but as time continued to move on in its endless cycle of days and nights, even his own internal wounds began to heal and Leo was again the hero, who after everything, had saved his life for a second time since he had died.

Really, it was almost as though he never left.

After all, Mikey still heard him – whether he was with his brothers or on his own – Leo's voice still entered his mind, sometimes asking for help, sometimes whispering or sometimes…just talking. And honestly - it drove him mad. More than once he had thought that he was going insane, as he was obviously the only one in his family who could hear their brother.

But…thanks to the real words which Leo had written in his letter, at least now Mikey no longer blamed himself for what had happened.

Now and despite the voice in his head, he realised that Leo was gone and it wasn't his fault.

He flicked over the next page of his comic, reading quickly as the hero landed a solid punch to the sewer monster causing it to flail backwards with a roar.

Thinking of punches, Mikey still felt bad about punching Don and had apologised a few times since whilst stuttering and fidgeting in sheer embarrassment, but his brother seemed to have understood what he was trying to say anyways.

Don was like that.

Mikey continued to sift through the pages, reading rapidly as the action picked up in pace until he hit the dreaded 'To Be Continued' on the last page, just as the hero's friends were captured and taken to the monster's lair to be eaten.

It was such a good comic.

Mikey's heart thumped in excitement and he actually felt good - like his old self – excited and lost in the comic book world where the goodies always triumphed and the baddies bit the dust until they rose again, seeking revenge.

That was always what happened in comic books.

Not meaning to, Mikey picked up the next issue and kept reading until a knock came from the door making him jump to high heaven.

He scrambled into a sitting position on his bed, eyes reluctantly leaving the action on the page. "Ahh yeap, come on in."

The door opened to reveal his purple banded brother with his anxious brown eyes peering from underneath his own mask. His bow staff was fastened to his shell. "You okay Mikey?"

Mikey was instantly confused, finally putting down the opened comic on his lap, making sure that it wasn't being creased. "Ummm yeahhhh. Why wouldn't I be?"

Don looked relieved, some tenseness leaving his shoulders as they hunched a little. His genius brother smiled in a wide grin, his missing tooth showing. "You missed our appointment is all."

Mikey's stomach dropped, knowing how fussy Don had been with the regular medical check-ups. "Oh dude – I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you, but I got so caught up in this comic and-"

Don cut him off, hands up in a mock surrender. "It's fine Mikey – really. I just came in to check that everything was okay. We can even do the exam in here for a change. I need a break from the lab." He nodded to the comic on Mikey's lap as he left the frame of the door, walking further into the room. "You're reading comics again?"

Mikey couldn't help but smile, shy and yet happy. "Ahh yeah, you know. I got bored so I picked up my favourite issue and started reading. Now I can't stop – man, you should give this a go Donnie. You would love it! There's this monster-"

Don sat down on the bed and Mikey continued with his retelling of everything which had happened in the last few issues. Actually, he kind of retold the whole series, his words practically on fire as he raced through the story until its finish, where the hero slays the monster and is heralded by New York. This of course, was right before the last picture frame of the monster's eggs cracking open in the sewers.

Mikey beamed at his brother, "Think you'll read it?"

Don looked a bit dazed and blinked rapidly.

Must be the awesomness of the story, Mikey thought.

Donatello grinned and fidgeted with his hands. "Umm yeah Mikey – it sounds great. But maybe some other time…ahhh…later."

Mikey was happy with that and bounced a couple times on the bed, his stitches barely twinging under the bandage, which at the same time reminded him of his appointment. "So you came to check up on me, Doc?"

Don nodded. "Yeah, you know the process. Raise your arms so I can take off the bandage. Then I'll be able to check the stitches."

Mikey sat patiently, watching Don as his scarily smart brother examined him, gently unwrapping the bandage and checking well…Mikey didn't really know. Don had been checking his stitches regularly and had said something about watching for infection, but so far everything was apparently fine - which Don seemed most pleased about.

Don looked at him then with what Mikey thought was a mix between satisfaction and affection.

"How's the head?" Don asked.

"It's okay, you did a good job patching me up. You said the stitches will disappear on their own right? Cause you know I don't really like needles and medical stuff."

Don huffed a laugh. "Yeah Mike, they're called dissolvable stitches," his expression darkened, "but that's not really what I meant."

At this Mikey's good mood wasn't so good anymore. He wasn't angry, depressed or even a bit sad – just a little less good - as he felt ashamed of what he had nearly done a few weeks ago but still he knew that Don had to ask. He mumbled his answer, head down. "I haven't thought about suicide. Not since the drain."

"That's great Mikey," Don answered, sounding genuine.

Mikey couldn't help but doubt Don though, plainly due to the fact that sometimes Leo was in his head. Like, how mentally sane could someone be if they were hearing their dead brother? How far could they be from attempting suicide again? He looked at Don solemnly, admitting his secret and fear in four words. "I still hear him."

"I know Mikey."

Wait – what? Mikey's brow creased. "But I didn't tell anyone."

Don shifted his position on the bed. "That's true, but he was my brother too, meaning I know what it feels like to lose someone - to lose him. I haven't told anyone about this either, but I still see him in dreams. Nightmares really."

Now Mikey was alert and the one who was worried, as he honed in on his older brother's slightly pained and uncomfortable expression. He shuffled closer to Don. "What are they about?"

Don looked up with a small smile, dismissing the question. "Just my imagination going off on weird tangents which you shouldn't worry yourself with. However, what I'm trying to say is that we all miss Leo, and that's normal, but our minds are playing tricks on us, trying to compensate for something, someone, who suddenly isn't with us anymore."

Mikey thought that he understood what Don was trying to say and he wanted so desperately to believe that he wasn't going insane that he allowed himself a small flicker of hope. "Like our minds are filling a gap?" he asked.

Don looked surprise. "Exactly."

Mikey didn't reply, unable to think of what he should say next. As far as he could tell, Don's theory made sense and if Don was seeing Leo in his sleep, then maybe that wasn't so different to hearing him.

Maybe all he needed was some more time.

After all, time was supposed to heal all wounds, right?

He looked to Don, as the turtle finished up his examination by pressing on some tender spots of his plastron. "So, am I gonna live?"

Don gave him a look that could be summarised in the word 'duh.' "Yeah Mike, you're going to be fine and you can leave the bandage off now, as long as you take it fairly easy."

Mikey grinned wildly. "No problem dude. Wait, does that include skateboarding 'cause you know I've been itching to get back on the board?"

Don sighed, about to answer when Raph entered the room without knocking, an annoyed expression on his face. "Master Splinter wants ta see us all in the dojo for some kind of announcement."

Mikey regarded Raph carefully, trying to keep his face neutral in emotion, so he wouldn't set his brother off on a rage. Which honestly was something that happened a lot more frequently these days, even by Raph's standards.

Whilst recovering from his own physical injuries, Mikey had tried to be supportive of Raph, especially after he had discovered Leo's swords and they had all read the letter Leo had left.

Mikey knew that the letter had hit Raph hard as Leo, right in his perception as always, had advised Raph to stop everything he was trying to do and accept the facts. It was more of an order than a request, but it was not told without love as Leo had explained that he wanted his brothers to live the rest of their lives without the weight of his ghost.

Raph of course, being Raph, had ignored Leo's request and continued to go out at night, only to return with scrapes and cuts, claiming that he had been out looking for Leo and had 'busted some heads' along the way.

Mike supposed it was hard to be the only turtle who still held onto hope of Leo's return. "What's the meeting for?" he asked Raphael.

His hot-headed brother threw up his hands. "How am I supposed to know?!"

Mikey felt Don tense beside him and he raised his own hands in submission. "Okay, okay, I was just asking."

And with that Raph went for the door, only turning his head slightly back to them to mutter, "Are you guys coming or what?"

Mikey felt Don's hand on his own arm, holding him back before he could reply.

"We're right behind you," Don said as Raph's shell disappeared through the door frame.

Mikey let out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding. He shuffled off his bed, removing the comic book from his lap and onto the sheets as he stood. "Better go and see what Master Splinter wants."

Don nodded, following him to the door where suddenly Mikey stopped, turning to face Donatello again as he remembered something his bro had said which still nibbled away in his mind. "Hey, you sure you don't want to talk about those dreams?"

Donnie quickly moved around him. "Yeah, I'm positive Mikey. C'mon, let's go."


Raph's POV:

He couldn't believe it.

He wasn't ready for it.

And he certainly didn't want it.

Raph knelt in the dojo besides his brothers whilst their Master paced in front of them, informing them that Raphael was now the official leader of their team.

Their Master tugged at his long thin beard as if choosing each of his words. "My Sons, I know the past few weeks have been difficult for you and know that they have been no easier for me. Nevertheless, with this being said, I believe it is time that we begin our regular routine once again. In doing so, this team requires a leader."

Raph stole a glance at his brothers. Their faces were attentive to their Master's words but both looked slightly sad.

They were both too gentle to be leaders and so Raph knew what was coming…and he was dreading it. Unlike before, when Leo had been named leader, he did not demand the role. Instead, he simply sat and waited.

His Master continued. "I have thought considerably about this and name Raphael as the leader of this team. He is the oldest now and I do believe he will do well."

Raphael looked up at his Master as his father directly addressed him. "My Son, do you accept this responsibility?"

It was the moment of truth and Raph said the only thing he could. "Hai Sensei."

He just couldn't let his brothers down.

His father smiled warmly, reaching down to place a hand on his shoulder. "Raphael, you have the potential to be a great leader. You have a courage and fire in your heart and with your brothers, you can make this team as strong as what it once was."

Raphael found himself going into auto-pilot as he bowed his head and muttered another, "Hai Sensei."

With this being said and done, their Master began to pace once more. "It does seem like much to be burdened with in one night, but I do believe that your first evening patrol since the accident should be now, seeming that you are together as a team. I said that it is time for this team to return to routine and patrols are a part of this."

Raph's head snapped up. "We're going topside, as in together?"

"Indeed my Son. You are to survey the area and remain on the rooftops. If sighted, you will not engage an enemy force, as you are not yet ready to engage any opponents as a team of three. Is this understood?"

Raph, Mikey and Don all responded: "Hai Sensei."

Their master bowed and all three Turtles returned the gesture before they rose and left the dojo. Raphael barely heard their Master whisper a final farewell for their mission.

"Good luck and be safe my Sons."


Raphael led his brothers atop the rooftops, launching himself over the dark lamp lit streets whilst making sure that his brothers were always right on his tail.

It felt strange to be looking out for them on the mission.

True, he always looked out for his younger bros, but now there seemed to be a sense of responsibility and duty about it, rather than simple brotherly love.

Oh gross – that sounded so sappy.

You're losing your touch, Raph scolded himself. But then again maybe that's what leaders do.

He knew that he had been kinda harsh on his brothers since Leo had disappeared and maybe taking on some of the balanced qualities of a leader would do him some good. What happened to Leo wasn't the fault of his brothers and maybe it was time for him to show that to them.

True, he wouldn't stop looking for Leo, but he didn't want to lose the other members of his family along the way.

He skidded around a vent sticking out from a rooftop, his bandanna flapping as the freezing wind ripped at his face. It was a bitter wind, cold and unfriendly, but god he felt free.

He had been going out nearly every night - but with his brothers by his side, things seemed a little more normal. He could almost feel Leo running beside him and it was only then that Raph began to understand what their Master had meant by routine and normality being the best thing for the team and his brothers.

Maybe he could enjoy being a brother for just one night and in actual fact, it felt damn good to simply be running on the rooftops, doing what they did best.

He jumped straight down off the edge of a roof, dropping a good meter before his feet connected with the rail of the fire escape, before he used the momentum to lean forward and spring to the next roof, much lower than the one before. It was some kind of small shop, only one story and with a tacky neon sign out the front.

He landed the jump and halted in his run, waiting for his brothers to catch up.

Looking back, he saw Mike land on the same rail but then slide down the escape ladder as if surfing, before jumping and joining his side.

Raph gave him a high three.

Don was next and Raph rolled his eyes as his brother madly scanned the area whilst running to the edge like a nutty professor, obviously thinking the jump through.

Why couldn't he ever, for once, just leap before he looked? Act on instinct rather than thinking everything through. It was glaringly evident that his brother was a thinker - anyone could see that by the way Don surveyed the area, but his brother's tendency of inventing was also very obvious that night due to the old brown duffel over his shoulder, full of Don's latest inventions which he apparently wanted to test whilst out.

Raph yelled across to him, although his brother had already began the leap, whipping his staff from his back and using it as a pole vault from the edge of the building, flinging himself through the air.

Don landed soundlessly and smiled triumphantly at him.

"Ya know, you think too much Don," Raph teased before also adding with a sly smile, "but nice job."

Raph was about to go on with his instructions, figuring that they should train whilst out (he learnt from Leo), but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices close below, out the front of the small shop. He quickly shushed his brothers, covering Mikey's mouth with one hand and pressing a finger to his own lips with his other, signalling to Don to remain quiet.

It was time for some Ninja Stealth.

Mikey swatted his hand away. "I wasn't gonna say anything!" his younger brother said in a whiny voice loud enough to wake the dead.

Raph gave him a look, which immediately silenced the Knucklehead who shrunk back into his shell slightly, whilst Don face palmed on the other side of him with a definitive smack.

Now silent, Raph signalled for them to creep to the edge of the building where they knelt down and peered over at the black van below, which in actual fact looked nothing like a regular black van with the various antennas protruding its top.

Immediately, Raph spotted a man in a tailored suit whose brown hair was slicked with an enormous amount of gel as he opened the side passenger door, went round to the back and slipped in without hesitation.

Raph cocked his head at Donnie. "What the hell was that about?" he whispered.

Don twisted his duffel off his shoulder, unzipping the bag. His own voice was hushed. "My guess is that it's a surveillance van. The antennas suggest wifi and possible wireless video. Probably has standard installations, like a four channel DVR, some extra monitors, controllers and night vision. All this would be the back."

Mikey groaned. "In English dude."

Don shook his head but replied. "The fact that our mystery man jumped in the back suggests that the van is for surveillance. It could be the Government or maybe your common thugs hacking into networks. Probably our job to find out, don't you think?"

Raph nodded his approval, looking to Donnie as his brother buried his hand into the duffel bag. "Anything in your bag of tricks that could help?"

"Way ahead of you," he chuckled. "Soon we'll know everything about these guys."

Mikey interrupted then, his eyes questioning. "Uhh dudes, aren't you both forgetting that Splinter told us to stay away from the bad guys?"

Raph turned to face him. "Master Splinter said for us to not engage an enemy force. He said nothin' about doing a bit of investigating." Raph tried his best smug expression, "They're completely different things and besides, the dudes in the van won't even know that we're here, right Don?"

He looked back at Don and realised that his brother wasn't paying much attention as he was busily pulling out various contraptions and assembling them on the roof. Don briefly looked up from his work. "Right."

Raphael smiled exultantly.

With his genius brother on side, Raph knew that two voices would be enough to convince their baby bro and he was of course proven correct when Mikey soon leaned forward, peering over his own shell in order to get a better look at what Donnie was setting up. His little bro spoke up, looking at the contraptions with curiosity. "Okay, sooo whatcha got D?"

Donnie smiled - almost evilly - as his eyes were alight with excitement. He sat back as the three contraptions he had assembled started to beep, their lights blinkering on and off again. The first device looked like it had been rigged from an older video game console. Don pulled an antenna from the top and unfolded a small dish which somehow had been tucked away in the main 'console' part of the device.

Raphael didn't ask.

And to be frank, he didn't want to know.

The second device was in the form of a souped up mini keyboard and whilst some of the keys were missing, it looked as though Don had added his own.

And the last invention wasn't so much a single contraption but a bag of small round ball like objects, which each had one flat surface and so many wires intertwined on their surfaces that Raph had to pick one up to get a closer look.

Don giggled again, watching Raph and clearly proud of what he had laid before them. "These three devices together form our very own tracking, hacking and surveillance kit, much like the one that would be in the back of that van, just a little less high tech and a little more home-made. Raphael what you are holding is a tracker and these babies here-"

Don indicated to the two other inventions.

"-will allow us to listen in on anyone, including our buddies in the van."

Raph smiled, "Nice."

Mikey whistled in an impressed way and Don made a face. "Yeah I know, I know. I'm smart."

He fiddled with the antenna some more, turning knobs and typing commands into the keyboard, hacking and tuning into the van's network until muffled voices came though the dish.

The three Turtles huddled around the device, Raph occasionally glancing down at the van.

A male voice came through the speaker. "You alright back there Scwire?"

Another voice, slightly higher in pitch, but still low enough to be identified as a male answered. 'Yes, I got it. I just don't understand what we are doing out on the streets when we should be back at base."

Mikey looked at Raph confused, who again pressed his finger to his lips, straining to hear the man's response over the dull hum of the city which never slept. There was always noise in New York – even at night.

The first male replied. "We've been sent out to watch the area. The Alien attack was proof that we are not alone in this universe and we need to be ready. Last time I checked, that was our job right?"

"Yeah, I suppose so but-"

The voices suddenly were lost in static before a high pitched ringing buzzed through the dish and the console device started to smoke.

Raph turned to Don. "What's happening?" he demanded.

"Ahhh – the system is blocking us," he madly started to type on the keyboard. "They have a more advanced system than ours and it has identified us as a hack."

"I thought you said that they wouldn't know we were here!"

"Technically you said that and I agreed," Don snapped back.

Raph's frustration started to bubble, "So not the time for details Don."

Mikey stepped in again as the smoke started to billow. "Do something D."

Don adjusted dials and resumed typing at a world record speed. "I'm trying!"

Raph watched and Mikey called over his shoulder. "Too late dudes. The car's making a get-away."

Raph looked down and saw that Mikey was right as the van roared into life, the wheels spinning as it took off down the street. "AFTER IT!"

And with that, the chase was on.

Don bustled up his equipment and Raph took off at a run, tracker still in hand and hoping that his brothers would follow his lead on this one.

He pelted across the rooftops, jumping and dodging, sliding and skidding, hell-bent on catching the van which was travelling parallel to the aligning roofs of the street. He could hear his brothers close behind and could just see the fuzzy outline of Mikey to his right.

He heard Don yell, somewhere behind him. "RAPH! THE TRACKER – AIM FOR THE CAR!"

At this Raphael sped up, his feet nearly running out from under him, as he the car took a sharp right and he followed the rooftops, finally gaining some ground. He was almost there – the car was so close. He aimed-

THWACK!

The blow came from no-where and Raph went sprawling across the rooftop. His shell scrapped across the cement, skin tore of his limbs setting them on fire and his continuous skid was only stopped when he slammed into an air-conditioner vent face-first.

Shouts. Someone called his name. Weapons were unsheathed.

"Only three of you out tonight?" a sharp voice asked, sneering and cruel, from somewhere above him.

Raphael knew it instantly as the bitch Karai, and he slid up the vent, picking himself off the ground and unsheathing his own Sai from their belts on his shell, twirling them in his hands. He found himself standing next to his brothers, who somehow in the commotion, had come to his side. "You don't want to do this Karai. Not tonight."

Don and Mikey had also readied their weapons and Raph caught his staff wielding brother glancing in the distance to where he had last seen the van.

"Raph, the van."

Karai cocked her head, malice lacing her words. "Got somewhere else to be?"

Raphael smirked, shoving the trivial matter of the van chase aside. The police could handle the weird van and they could handle Karai. "Nope, it's just you and us darling."

Don stiffened beside him. "Raph, I really think that we should-"

"Not now Donnie!" And with that, Raphael attacked, swinging his Sai short and clean, slicing through the air and advancing on the dodging Karai who parried and met his charge.

She screamed, "FOOT ATTACK!"

And here comes the cavalry. Raph smirked, the more the merrier.

In seconds, the roof was flooded with Foot Soldiers decked out in their black ninja get-up. A full fledged fight took the roof and Raph only caught glimpses of his brothers, who seemed to be holding their own against the flock of black which had descended from the sky, lunging from buildings higher than the one they were currently on.

Mikey took out three Ninjas swinging his nun-chucks with deadly speed and not far away Don defended himself against two attacking Ninja whilst kicking a third square in the chest, sending the goon over the side of the building with a bellow.

Distracted, Raph earned a slice to his forearm, which immediately created little streams of blood as Karai pulled her bloody Tanto back and pushed forward with her own attack. Raphael went on the defence.

More Foot Soldiers ascended and suddenly he was fighting four at once, Karai stepping back and shouting orders.

He blocked. Kicked. Ducked and punched, striking with his Sai and battling through the horde.

He turned, flicking his left Sai around to crack the hilt at the temple of a Ninja who instantly crumpled to the ground.

He blocked again, twisting and following through with a brutal punch to a Soldier's stomach.

But no matter how many he took down, the Foot Soldiers just kept coming and soon Raphael realised that what he had first thought was a mere fight was actually an ambush. Usually, his brothers could take the Foot Soldiers with ease but when facing a possible ambush, the sheer number of enemies seemed to be aiding the Foot's lack of skill.

This could be bad. This could be really, really bad.

Shit.

Raph had lost sight of his brothers, their battle cries being the only thing telling him that they were okay and still alive. Still fighting.

He acted on instinct, defending and fighting for his life as the Ninjas aimed to kill. Sweat began to bead on his forehead and his muscles started to burn. Shuriken Stars sunk harmlessly but uncomfortably into his shell and he gained a nun-chuck hit to the face.

Karai yelled again, "FOOT AIR SUPPORT - ATTACK!"

Raphael's heart dropped. Air support?! What the fuck did that mean?

He soon found out and instantly regretted it as arrows rained down from the buildings above where he could vaguely identify the black Ninjas lining the roof tops against the night sky, their bows in hand.

Raph dodged the incoming air assault, using his Sai to cover his face and deflect the arrows away from his body. The Foot continued to advance and he thought he was doing okay, at least until Donatello screamed – a scream which wasn't a battle cry but one of pain.

"DONNIE!"

Raphael searched the brawl, desperate to catch sight of Don or Mikey. He lashed out at a Foot's arm, cutting through the guy's garment with a distinct rip. The blade hit skin and he tore the weapon away as the goon yelled. Raphael plunged the Sai into the thigh of another Soldier.

His own hits still weren't meant to kill.

He went on the defence again as the Ninja horde advanced. However, through the bodies Raph saw a flash of orange as he caught sight of Mikey standing over the staggering Donatello who was wide eyed with an arrow sticking out of his shoulder.

Oh shit – Don!

Raphael let out a bellow, a scream of rage, and went 'Terminator' on the Ninjas, slashing and slicing through the flock of black. He was furious and terrified at the same time, and knew that nothing was going to stand in between him and getting to his brothers as he punched, screamed, sliced and continued until he came to his brother's sides, gasping and sweating.

He looked at them briefly and took the lead. Within seconds, he made the the decision to retreat and gradually pushed the group back to the edge of the building, hoping that they would get lucky with some way to get down and out of danger.

They needed to retreat!

Shit, this was bad.

Mikey's left eye was nearly swollen shut, blood tricking down his face from his re-opened stitches. He had minor cuts and scrapes, but otherwise was unharmed.

Don on the other hand was crouched, still holding his bow with his good arm but had an arrow sunk deep into his other shoulder. It wasn't protruding the other side, as far as Raph could tell, but it didn't take a genius to know that Donnie was hurting.

Raph looked for his third brother, forgetting for a second, as he could almost feel Leo's breath on his neck and his warning stare at both Raphael for leading their brothers recklessly into danger and at the Foot for hurting them in return.

In his search, Raph caught sight of an incoming Shuriken heading straight for Don's head, and he whipped his Sai out, deflecting the star before it had the chance to make its mark. He glanced over the edge of the building and rejoiced when there was fire escape, leading down and off the building.

He yelled to Mikey, "Take Don and get out NOW!" He whacked a Ninja out cold, turning to face the 30 or so soldiers and Karai who stood at the head of the mini army. "I'll meet you at the rendezvous. Lose the Ninja. Don't stop."

Above, the archers took aim.

Mikey threw a smoke bomb, hoisted Don up and disappeared over the side of the building.

Raph smirked at Karai, twirling his Sai through the purple smoke. "Would love to stay and chat."

"I'd love if you did."

"Sorry to disappoint."

He stepped back off the building and the smoke cleared just as his feet connected to nothing, allowing him a moment to savour the look of surprise on Karai's face, before she disappeared from view.

The skin of his hands was rubbed raw when he slowed his fall by gripping the rusted ladder, sliding the rest of the way down to the fire escape platform. He then took to the ladder again, descending to street level before he ran through the alleyways towards their secret meeting point which they only used as a last resort.

This was only a new tactic and God was Raph glad that they had it.

His brothers were nowhere to be seen but Raph knew that there were multiple ways to reach the meeting point and that they could have taken any alleyway or backstreet straight from the building fight.

And so he ran, hoping that his brothers were following the plan and his instructions.

Yeah – his brothers knew the plan. They're gonna be fine, Raph assured himself. Don't worry - they're gonna be fine.

He continued to sprint, hide and then sprint some more, sometimes hearing a yell of a Ninja, but slowly the noise died down as he began to lose his pursuers in the dark streets of New York.

Crap - his first night as leader and everything had gone to hell. Master Splinter had warned them about engaging the enemy but he had attacked and led his brothers into the fight anyways. The surveillance van was a mystery unsolved and he could only continue to run and hope that his brothers would be at their meeting point when he arrived.

If not, then he wouldn't know what to do.

He just…wouldn't know.

To Be Continued…


Chapter 7 done and dusted! Hope you liked it! If you have the time, please review and as always - stay awesome!