CHAPTER 9: TRYING TO FORGET.

The next morning Mr. O'Neil woke up alive and thanked the Turtles before going home with April.

Meanwhile, Raph noticed that he couldn't forget his feelings for Julie. He had tried in many ways, but nothing worked. He couldn't stop them anymore. They had come so close to each other, he couldn't stop loving her.

In the end, he decided to train more to distract himself from Julie. He trained to late at night and didn't talk to anyone. Everybody noticed that something was wrong with him. Leo was quite irritated because he didn't talk about it to his family, he just ignored everyone and that affected everybody. One day, Julie decided to talk to him. She prepared ice tea for him and Leo said:

"Are you sure you will succeed?"

"Trust me! I'll take care of this!" Julie winked and Leo laughed.

"Good luck!"

"Arigato!" She went to the dojo and remained behind the entrance to keep a discrete eye on Raph, who was training pretty intense.

He was kicking a stuffed doll with a strength and fury that scared her a little. Did he have a fight with Leo? No, this seemed much worse, if Raph had become so asocial. While he was punching the doll, Julie thought he wasn't that ugly. He was actually very good-looking…

What?! Why did she think that all of a sudden? Julie blushed heavily. Then she took all the courage in her heart and walked in the dojo, towards Raph, while he was refreshing himself with a wet towel.

"Ehm…Raph?" He turned around towards her, with the water that sparkled around him.

"Hm?" Raph looked at her with curious, cute and amber brown eyes. Gosh he was so cool! Julie blushed even more. Oh, she was so stupid. Raph giggled at her face.

"Why are you blushing?" Julie's eyes widened.

"Ehm…nothing…I was just thinking…" Raph laughed and rolled his eyes and sighed lie to say: 'sure…' They sat down on the bench.

"Ice tea?"

"Ah, thank you!" He took the glass and drank it fast.

"You were thirsty, weren't you?"

"Yeah, a lot!" He smiled. Raph looked at her, and then asked:

"Were you thinking about Leo?" Julie remained surprised. She blushed a bit when she realized who she actually was thinking about.

"Actually, no. In fact, I came to see you." This time, Raph remained surprised.

"Oh, and what for?"

"Well, you see Raphael; I've noticed that you're not in a good mood during these days, so just spit out what troubles you." Raph laughed nervously.

"W…what are you talking about? I'm good!"

"Liar!" They both rose up.

"I have seen how much you train like crazy every day, and we are tired of your behavior! Why are you pushing yourself like this? Why do you have to spur yourself to the limit? I want to help you Raph! Do you remember when I promised you to always be there when you needed me? I want to help you know, but I can't because you always train like a madman all the time for nothing and…" Julie didn't finish the sentence. Raph, that had stayed silent all the time, dragged her now tightly close to him, taking her completely by surprise. He hugged her warmly.

"Is it possible that you haven't understood it yet? I'm doing this to protect all of you, Julie! I want to be strong for my family…for you…" Whaaat? Julie remained paralyzed for the shock and blank surprise, while her hart was exploding in her chest.

"I want to protect you Julie…I want to be close to you…" Not a word came out of her mouth. Raph NEVER talked like this in normal cases, it was so strange. But at the same time she felt her heart calm down. Julie took deep breaths and returned the hug and rested her head on Raph's chest, closing her eyes.

Julie felt his calm and deep breath, and his hart that was beating fast. She felt so warm in this moment, alone with him…she didn't know how or why…

Raph caressed her hair. Julie's hair was so soft, and her skin so warm…it was a beautiful moment and she hadn't protested when he'd hugged her, and that calmed him down a bit. They looked at each other and he caressed her lightly pink cheeks, and Julie looked back at him with sparkling eyes. He stopped his hand close to her lips. He wanted to come closer; he wanted to kiss those soft and fragile lips.

He slowly came closer and closer…no, he couldn't do it…he was so near to her lips now…but Julie wasn't reacting, so maybe…

"NO!" A voice deep in him shouted. His eyes suddenly widened and he pulled abruptly away from Julie. She looked shocked and speechless at him. Raph looked away and muttered with trembling voice:

"Sorry…" He ran away, while Julie remained nailed on the floor. Heck...what…what had just happen? Well, she knew it, but…those soft, warm but sad eyes and those words, said with such sincerity…had hit her heart…why had Raph become so strange? She shook her head and walked away with the empty glass, as nothing had happen.

When he came in his room, Raph slammed the door and threw himself on the bed, whispering angrily:

"Shit…what the hell am I doing? Of course she doesn't love me! She…she loves Leo…I can't separate them…I will never be better than him. I…I can't love her…I can't…" With teary eyes, he buried his face in the pillow, sighing tiredly, closing his eyes.

But still, he couldn't forget…

A/N: Hi guys! Hope you liked this chapter! Poor Raph, he's going through a lot…what do you think he will do in the next chapter? Hehehehe, wait and see my friends, wait and see…sorry if it takes a while for me to update! :333 thank you for all the comments and likes on my fics, they are very important to me! :DD see you next chapter!

Hugs and cookies,

-Sushi :D