"Second Chances and New Beginnings"
Ch. 9
Eight hours earlier…
Raphael woke up with his arms wrapped around Gina. He looked down at her sleeping form remembering the events from last night and blushing. It must have been instincts kicking in because he had never before in his life known how to do those things; and never in his life did he know Gina knew how to do those things.
Gina stirred slightly, nuzzling up against his plastron, murmuring his name in her sleep.
Something suddenly dawned on him. How was he going to tell the others? Then another thing dawned on him. Oh shit, I have to get back before the others wake up! Placing his hand on Gina's shoulder, he gently shook her. "Hey, Gina, I have to go, okay?"
"Hm… oh, do you have to?" Gina whined softly, clinging to him.
"Uh… um… I – I have to. If Master Splinter finds me missing, it'll mean the death of me. But don't worry; I'll be back tomorrow night."
The other sighed but said, "Okay." She kissed him, Raphael returning the kiss and he quickly slipped out of the bed.
Raphael tied his bandana and belt on, then wiping off the handles of his Sais, he strapped them on to his belt; bidding Gina goodbye, he leapt out the window.
The turtle was leaping across the buildings when he suddenly sensed someone following him. Stopping short, he looked around finding nothing except his shadow. He turned back around to continue his trek back home only to run in to a dozen Foot ninja. "Aw come on, what's with you guys and ambushes??" He cried.
Without saying anything, the black clad ninjas lunged at him.
Raphael swore under his breath sending a roundhouse kick to the first three that came within two feet of him. Quickly getting out his Sais he slashed two more ninjas in front then twirled around getting four more behind him. "Ye-hah! Who wants a piece of me??"
As if to answer his question he felt a sudden flare of pain run through his back. Looking back he saw a kunai sticking out right in the middle of his shell. "Aw… crap…" Raph suddenly felt himself starting to get light headed and then he passed out.
When Raphael regained consciousness he found himself in a dark, damp cell, his wrists chained to a wall behind his head. "Nngh… wh-where am I?"
"You are in a jail cell within my domain."
The turtle groaned as the Shedder came in to view. "I had to ask… what do you want with me, you worthless piece of crap?" Only seconds after he said this, a surge of electricity coursed through his body, causing him to scream in pain, his body jerking forward. When it stopped, Raphael slumped forward panting.
"I would act a little nicer if I were in your position," the villain said, smirking under his mask. "As for your question, I'm using you as bait to lure Gina here. I will be offering her a deal. If she gives herself up, I will let you go free."
"It'll never work. You're just wasting your time…"
"Ah, but I know Gina… she's the type to put her life on the line for someone she cares for. And you, I know, she cares for extremely. It's funny really that… up until a month ago we had no idea where Gina was. That is, until one of our Foot ninjas saw you and the other turtles frequently going to a bar downtown."
Raphael remained quiet as the Shedder spoke, lowering his gaze as he heard these terrible words.
"If you had only stayed out of her life, you wouldn't be in this position and she would still be living safely out of the Foot's reach. Try to live with the fact that, you will be the cause of her death."
Raphael looked back up to see the Shedder was gone. "Damn it… Nice mess you've gotten in to now, Raph," he growled at himself, "Not only yourself but Gina too. Fuck!" He sighed, leaning his head back. The only thing to do now was to wait.
Present time…
Gina stood outside of the Shedder's lair. "Shedder, I'm here!" She shouted unceremoniously. The doors opened and she walked in, a couple of shadows slipping in behind her.
When she was inside, Foot ninjas confiscated her weapons and led her to the main room where Shedder had his back to her. He turned around and said, "I'm glad you finally made your decision. You've made a wise choice."
"Cut the small talk, Shedder," she snapped, "Where is he?"
"Where is… ah yes, the turtle. Follow me." Shedder led her to the prison area, two Foot ninjas following close behind.
Gina gasped when she saw the condition Raphael was in; cuts and bruises decorated his body and one of his eyes was swollen shut. He could barely lift his head to acknowledge Gin's presence.
His eye widened slightly. "No… you came?"
"Of course I came, I couldn't abandon you after all you've done for me…" She turned her attention back to the Shedder and growled. "What have you done to him??"
Unfazed he said, "This is the result of him trying to escape. Now that you've seen him, it's time for this to end."
The two Foot ninjas suddenly grabbed Gina by her arms and led her out of the prison area, the Shedder trailing behind.
Once they were gone Leo, Donny, Mikey and Casey jumped down from the ceiling.
"Aw man, they really did a number on him," Casey said, looking at Raph.
"I'll get the lock," Donny said as he knelt in front of Raphael's cell and began to tinker with the lock.
Raph stared at the others in shock when Leo suddenly said, "We're here to rescue you Raph."
"Yeah, we'll have you out before you can say "turtles in a half-shell"!" Mikey butted in jokingly.
"Uh g-guys, I – I think we have a problem…" Casey stammered.
When the others turned around, they found themselves surrounded by Foot ninjas.
"Game over, dudes…" Mikey muttered.
