Her hands lifted the cup to her face again taking another sip of her tea. April had taken her to a small noodle shop run by a very pleasant Mr. Murakami San. They had spent a good majority of the day in the small shop, April had filled the female in on how the turtles had met Murakami and how he had come up with the idea for pizza gyoza. The old man could only laugh as he went on to explain how it was slowly becoming the most popular item on his menu, and not just because the turtles and April. The day was spent telling stories and April watched in wonder as Murakami and Tai traded stories of Japan and where they had spent most of their time. She never knew Murakami's story, how he had come to New York in his late 20's how he lived with his wife until an accident took his sight and her. Tai shifted uncomfortably as she drank more of her warm tea listening to his story. It seemed so much like the one Shredder would tell her of the fire, his face, and Tang Shen.

Setting the cup down harshly on the counter she removed herself from the seat a quick thank you at Murakami and she was out the door forcing April to follow as well. Tang Shen. Tang Shen! That's all everyone around her, and now even she seemed to think about! Why did she have to look the way she did? Couldn't she for once be a normal person!? April's hand wrapped around her wrist and she ripped herself free from the teen's grip. "Why April!?" Turning on the younger teen she scowled at her confused expression. Why couldn't she just tell her what she needed?

"Why do I have to look like her?" Bringing her hands back up to her face she buried her face in her palms allowing the girl to keep her hold on her this time. A heavy sigh passed her lips as April steered her to a bench and the pair sat down, Tai delving in the prior evenings events.

"Master Splinter isn't like that though..." Frowning she crossed her arms over her chest blowing the bangs from her face. She knew that just as well as April knew Tai knew that. Running her fingers through her hair she let a sigh pass her lips. "I know, I think I just needed to scream anyway." She smiled as she looked up at the girl from her hunched position. "Thank you." April reached down taking the girl's hand in her own. "I mean it April, I really feel like I could tell you anything." A stain washed onto April's cheeks as she rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. She felt bad now that she had been so defensive around the girl for the first few days. In a way she was afraid the girl would take her place, although now it was clear she was merely another friend for her to have.

"Well well isn't this sweet." Rocketing to her feet Tai spun around shoving April out of the way. Narrowing her eyes she stared at the teen before her, the short-haired teen cocked her hip out to the side as she crossed her arms over her chest. "You've been hiding for some time Tai. Master Shredder really isn't going to hold back this time." Slapping April's hand from her arm she pushed her away once again her whispering words to the female she nodded her head before sprinting from the area ripping her phone from her pocket. It was getting dark enough why hadn't the boys shown yet? She couldn't wait any longer.

"Karai. Just because you found me doesn't mean I'm going back." She watched the girls features warp and she suddenly felt a stone in her stomach. She had been the one to comfort Karai on nights her father had yelled at her, it had been Tai to hold her tight while she fell asleep. Who would do that for her now? Tai's heart sunk to join the stone in her stomach as she watched the female's eyes well with tears a soft sob passing her lips. A quick scan of the area showed no immediate Foot and the female moved forward wrapping her arms around the teen.

Karai's cry fell silent almost instantly as she realized just what the female was doing. Standing still for a moment Karai's anger opened like a geyser inside of her and her entire demeanor changed. Her hands gripped the female's shoulders as she spun her around holding her back flush against her chest. "Are you really that stupid?" Tai blinked her hues a few times as she found Karai's blade pressed against her neck. She cursed herself as she realized the stupid ploy Karai had set up for her. It wasn't her fault she had a bleeding heart!

"I didn't really think that would work! A few crocodile tears and you'll do anything!" Laughing she spun the girl out from her arms her hand connecting harshly with her stomach and forcing the female to buckle to her knees. Twisting her head to the rooftops she signaled something before a few foot dropped down. "Let Shredder know I've found her." Scowling she lunged forward from her hunched position taking Karai down to the alley floor. The two nins Karai had talked to froze up before jumping forward to help their leader's daughter.

With one on each side Tai could only kick wildly at Karai as she smirked rubbing her thumb across her lip. "Do you realize what's happening?" Karai gestured around the alley and Tai's head followed her lead, anger spilling from her body. "There's no one coming. You sent her away for help and she won't get any." Laughing she moved forward slapping Tai's legs away as she continued to kick towards her.

"They don't care for you like Shredder does." A scream passed Tai's lips as she thrashed in her held position. Trying to rip her arms from their grips she turned towards Karai her red eyes almost illuminated in the flickering street lamp. "Even if you force me back I won't stay." She watched as Karai's face turned upwards in a smirk. "You think I'm joking!?" Tai fell deathly still and Karai could only pause watching as the female let each word slip from her mouth. "I'd rather die then be with Shredder." Anger flourished across Karai's face as she moved forward her fist smashing into the side of her face before assaulting the rest of her body repeatedly.

Raph felt the anger inside of him spark as he looked at his brothers waiting for some signal so they could go down and help the girl. Leo sat on the edge watching as Karai's fist hit the girl the first time and Mikey quickly covered his face. Donnie shifted uncomfortably before pulling April away refusing to allow her to see what was going on below. Another pass by his brothers before he stood up on the ledge joining Leonardo.

Karai's fist halted for a moment as she ripped Tai's chin up allowing the female's face to come in full view. "I'll make a deal with you. I'll keep Shredder thinking you were held hostage if you tell me where the turtles hide." Her eyes widened as she stared at the female in front of her Tai's mind reeling with thoughts. So Shredder thought she had been kidnapped? It made sense otherwise Karai would have worn so many more scars than she had. Hanging her head she closed her eyes taking a deep breath. "So a life for a life?"

Raph froze as he turned to look at his brothers, they would have to stop her before she said anything but they had to wait to see what she would do. If she held their secret there would be no hope for her and they would have to intervene and bring her back. If she spilled, or began to spill their secret they would have to force her to hold her tongue. No matter what it took. Leo's face fell solemn as he listened to her words and he shook his head. It wasn't looking good for the turtles at the moment.

"Kill me then." Everyone listening visibly faltered at the teens words and she lifted her head higher. "You heard me Karai. I won't go back with you and I won't tell you. So you might as well return with my body. Tell Shredder you found it in some alley, let his vendetta against the turtles grow while theirs grows against my killer." A blade was pressed to her neck and she exhaled slowly keeping her body calm the way Master Splinter had taught her. Who would have known all his skills would only lead to a sacrifice. "Fine. I will." Drawing her blade back Tai simply closed her eyes the two nins on either side had released her arms and she simply brought them up to clasp before her chest.

"Booyakasha!" Mikey's words fluttered down the alley as he followed Raph's lead, both sick of waiting for their brother to say something and allow them to save her. Snapping from his daze Leo turned to Donnie instructing him to stay with April before he followed. The two foot were easily taken care of and Tai felt Raph's arms wrap around her body lifting her from her position and carrying her away. A quick shout of something over his shoulder but the female couldn't make it out, her brain was swarming and she could feel the tears threatening to spill. Leaving his brothers to deal with Karai and knowing Donnie would jump in if needed he fled with Tai, allowing her to leave before harm could be done.

He felt the female's hands move around his neck as she lowered her face into his plastron her breath tickling his skin through his chip. Tightening his grip on the female he suddenly realized just how small she was. She fit into his arms and while she wasn't miniature she was smaller than Karai and April. A smirk fell on his lips as he realized, she had to be smaller than or the same height as Mikey. Slowing down he launched over the last few rooftops before ducking down into what looked like a stairwell hiding the pair from sight. The click of the door behind him brought her from her mind and she twisted her head up towards Raph.

The stairwell was rather small and while it could hold a sitting Raph it wouldn't hold her as well so she pressed her body a bit tighter against him allowing him room to move about. "Thank you." Lifting her eyes from his plastron up towards his face he snorted before turning away. Falling silent she held her tongue afraid to say anything else and offend the male. Despite her previous thoughts she opened her mouth once again allowing words to tumble from within. "I'm sorry. I got us into this mess, I sho-" In her shifting she had allowed him to have his hand back and she was silenced by one of his fingers. "Shut up." Red filled her face quickly as she lowered her head hiding the male from sight and finding a sudden interest in the words printed on her shirt.

His grip found her face once again as he pulled her face up and allowed green to flood her vision once more. "You were willing to die for us." She let a sad laugh pass her lips as she tried to pull her face from his grip. Holding fast she was forced to keep her face there her hands rising to wrap around his wrist. "I love you." A coughing fit hit Raph as he stared down at the female trying to process her words. "W-what? I mean I don't...I guess I l-" she smiled before continuing oblivious to his stuttering. "I love all of you Raph. I don't want you hurt." If possible the turtle's face darkened and confusion washed over her face, why was he embarrassed? Had she done something wrong again?

His hand left her face as he pulled her against his plastron squeezing her tightly. In the process he had shifted her and she was pulled from the bridal position up to a more straight one. Straddling his waist her arms followed his as she wrapped them around his neck once more, one hand resting on her waist and the other on her back. Holding like that for who knows how long the female felt comfort wash over her. It was nice to be held and to be held by Raph while it was a bit odd the hot-headed turtle would do something like this, she wouldn't complain.

A soft song filled the area and she pulled her head back, Raph shifted keeping his hand wrapped around her waist as he pulled a small shell from his pocket an oddly familiar tune floating out as his ring tone. Where had she heard that before? He pressed the shell against the side of his head before answering. "Yeah?" She could hear chatter from the other end and it seemed like multiple people were trying to talk at once. Groaning Raph pulled the phone away from his head mentally counting to some number before pulling it back up to his face. "Yes Donnie?" The other voices were muffled now as Donnie's rumbling filled the female's ears. She couldn't make out what he was saying but it was his voice. "You sure?" Blinking in confusion the voices chattered through again and Raph shrugged the motion causing the female to rise and fall a bit on his lap. "Yeah we'll head back. Give us a bit we're pretty far out." Pulling the object from his face he hit the screen before sliding it back into his belt.

A smirk passed his lips at the female's curious face and he ran his hand down her head comforting her in a way. "Ask Donnie for one, I think he has one for you." Nodding her head she shifted catching the turtle off guard she buried her face in his neck and Raph froze for a moment before wrapping his arms back even tighter around the female. "Promise me something." Her voice was muffled against his neck but she knew the teen heard her and he paused for a moment before responding. "Depends on what." A laugh bubbled up from her stomach as she pulled her head back staring at the boy. "This is the second time you've saved me." Staring at the female she felt her face heat, rushing to continue. "Promise me you'll always be there to save me." Raph blinked a few times as he stared at the girl, she wanted...him to save her? Normally it was Leo or Donnie that saved someone, he just happened to be faster with her. Unwrapping one of his hands from her back he rubbed the top of his head before shrugging causing her to rise and fall again. "Sure?" A laugh passed her lips as she closed her eyes, Raph's deep throaty laugh joining hers.

"Shall we go?" Nodding to her question Raph stood to his feet with out much room to maneuver the female was pressed even tighter against him, why had he chosen this stair well again? His brain fizzled as he froze something soft was pressing against his lips. Moving just his eyes he caught sight of the female her eyes closed as she pressed her face against his. Something small burst in his gut and his hands wrapped around her head forcing her closer as his eyes closed.

She hadn't intentionally kissed him, sure she wasn't against it but it wasn't planned. When they had moved to stand the area had simply pressed her forward and without much room she was forced in a lip lock with the male. Closing her eyes from embarrassment and in all honesty a bit of joy she waited for the male to pull away, push her, hit her anything besides what he did really. Her hands squirmed their way from his plastron to wrap around his neck and the pair pulled themselves even closer. She felt joy spreading from her nose to her toes and she relished in the moment. It was Raph. Raph was the reason she felt free, he was the reason she cold laugh, and the reason she felt happy. It was Raphael that she saw deep in her brain, it was Raphael that Shreder...it was Raph, no one else. It was strange really how she could fall so quickly for someone she hadn't spent that much time for. She liked him a lot, and she knew from here on out they would just grow even closer.

She felt her lungs quiver and she tried to pull her head back the little amounts of air she was pulling through her nose wasn't enough with the feverish kisses the pair was exchanging. Opening her eyes she felt Raph's grip increase and worry struck her brain, she needed to breath! Slipping her hands from around his neck to his plastron once more she shoved forcing Raph to pull back in surprise. Air heaved its way into her body as a furious red crept onto her face. Realization dawning on the male and he began to laugh pulling her body back close to his so she could bury her face in his chest. He could hold his breath for about 15 minutes. The female? Well it seemed she could only hold it for a minute or two, they would have to work on that.