Raphael normally could've thought of several ways to make an escape, but each thought came, it was soon crushed. These people that surrounded him made sure that there was no easy escape. Holding Cadence to him, he took in the surroundings, there were about ten of these white clothed figures. If there were more, he couldn't tell. The way they were dressed, they were like a white version of the Foot Ninjas. They held no weapons, so that gave him the upper hand, unless.. Raphael looked down at Cadence, her head nestled in the crook of his elbow.

The Spirit Hunters somehow managed to catch their spirits. Containing them from running amok again. Creating havock, as they called it. Raphael looked up from Cadence's sleeping features and his eyes narrowed on the one who stepped forward.

"Give us the girl."

Raphael narrowed his eyes. "And let you kill her? I don't think so, bub." Raphael snapped, shifting Cadence as he readied himself for an attack.

"Do you even know who she is?" The man asked, compared to the others, he only wore a half mask so he could see clearly.

"I'm well aware of who and what she is." Raphael caught a sight of movement to his right and sidestepped away, centering himself in the middle of the group. He could take him, yet, if only he could but Cadence down without having to worry about one of them killing her.

"Are you sure?" The man with the half mask questioned and Raphael took that moment to look back down at Cadence.

"She informed me about the Wolf God's spirit Takaia residing in her." Raphael looked back at to who he assumed to be the leader of the group. "And she mentioned about you, who I assume are the Spirit Hunters."

"And do you know why we hunt those spirits?"

Raphael took that moment to place Cadence carefully on the ground. He knew that any second that they would attack and he wouldn't be able to do much saving if he had to carry her the whole time. "Because they're monsters."

"Exactly!" The Spirit Hunter leader exclaimed. He pointed at Cadence before speaking. "If that girl continues to live, Takaia only grows stronger. Takaia, herself, is a monstrosity! That DEMON has killed thousands of innocents every time she comes back to supposedly save the Earth. Every five hundred years she comes back to run amok on our world, creating havoc and she's here to save us?"

Raphael took in the Leader's words but couldn't bring himself to believe it. He wouldn't be like Leo who almost fell for the Shredder's plan to make an alliance with them. He would have to hear Cadence's side. Course, he needed Cadence to live. "I don't believe you."

"Fool! You will die for protecting her and so will everyone you care for. And you know who will do it if we don't stop her? Cadence, your precious human will succumb to Takaia's power and cast her wrath upon you." The Leader narrowed his eyes. "And as amusing as that would be, I would have failed my job to protect humanity. Only because I need to kill her before that stage comes." He made a signal, so faint that Raphael wouldn't have been able to catch if he wasn't paying attention.

Raphael dodged every attack, surprising everyone but himself that he hadn't budged from his spot over the sleeping Cadence. Though, despite his efforts, these warriors were nothing compared to the Foot Ninja. This was a time where he knew that he would be waking up sore and exhausted. If he ever lived it through.

Pulling out his sai's, blood began to shed not from himself but from the targets. He took advantage of every stumble and misstep to his use, driving his sai's out to them and occasionally through them. Blood splattered on his features but he didn't care. The single thought of keeping Cadence safe was all that drove him onward. Ignoring the pain of cuts and bruises along his form. However, he stumbled back away from Cadence from a swift kick to his plastron.

Raphael watched as two Hunters attacked him, pushing him away as another raced to Cadence's side. It was like time had slowed when he saw the knife, and before he knew it the Hunter was reeling back with a gut wrenching scream. Imbedded in his hand was one of Raphael's sai's. Raphael, feeling the pain begin to drain his energy, felt he had done one last thing to save Cadence, yet it was futile. However, that thought was pushed away by a more positive one. There were fewer Hunters, much of them were either dead or knocked out from blood loss. It was that moment when he felt the rage build up within him, and the demon that was himself broke loose.

Within those few time slowing moments, bodies lay beneath Raphael, blood strewn across the top of the building and over himself. He found himself to be alone with the leader of Spirit Hunters. Blood covered both, but he saw it was more profound on the man's white clothes. "Guess it's just you and me left."

There was only silence as the two rushed at each other. Raphael grasping both of his sais and the leader with his knives. The clash of metal and steel broke the silence that hung over the air around them then the occasional grunt as they would strike one another. The Leader's movements were swift and quick, and if this wasn't a fight to the death, Raphael would have enjoyed this moment. Yet, he was too focused on staying alive and protecting Cadence who laid motionless on the rooftop.

The two broke away, breathing hard. Raphael ignoring the pain as blood dripped from his forearms and plastron. He used his forearm to wipe away the blood from his split lip, circling with the Leader who gently touched his nose, a bloody nose. A staring contest began and they rushed again. Raphael dropping to his knees to avoid the familiar knee strike. The one that Cadence used favorably.

Doing a familiar movement Leo had used on Cadence, Raphael managed to grab the Leader's leg just seconds before it hit the ground. Without thinking, he used his body weight, spinning as he made his way back to his feet and eventually let go of the Leader. There was a loud crack as the Leader's back connected to the chimney Cadence was hiding behind earlier.

Raphael stood, partially slouched over but was ready if he moved. Yet the Leader's body lay motionless and he let out a sigh of relief, turning to find Cadence. However, there was a silent whisper of a sound and he spun around, blocking a knife with his sai that was aimed for his head. He stalked over to where the Leader was crouched over. He almost wanted to laugh as the Leader threw his last knife at him, but he blocked it again with his other sai. With a growl, he grabbed the front of the Leader's shirt and pulled him to his knees.

"You cannot tame the beast within her."

With a sneer, Raphael pulled him close. "Try me." And with that final word, one of Raphael's sai's was driven into the Spirit Hunter. Dropping the Hunter, he closed his eyes and wiped away the blood that had covered most of his features. It was futile only because blood was on his hands and he just smeared it more on his face.

"Raph?"

Raphael jerked at the sound of his name. It was quiet, almost a whisper, but he recognized the voice. He quickly moved over beside Cadence, seeing her eyes begin to slowly open and he felt a wave of pure relief. He wasn't sure if Cadence had gotten hurt within the brawl and with that relief, he fell back into a sitting position. He watched as Cadence slowly sat up before he pulled her onto his lap and held her.

"Raph? Did you-?" Cadence, despite her blurry vision, her nose picked up the smell of blood, and lots of it. The only noise she heard was his harsh breathing and the faint sounds of the city below them. She felt herself being pushed away and looked up at Raphael. Her nose hadn't failed her like she had hoped it would. Blood was smeared over his face, but she didn't feel a sense of fear when he smiled genuinely at her.

"Adrenaline can make you do some crazy shit." Raphael almost laughed as her hand cupped his cheek before he fell backwards, blacking out from the pain and exhaustion.

...

Within thirty minutes, Cadence had managed to call Leo in panic, felt herself being pulled away from Raphael's limp form only to reappear at his side in the van and at the small clinic room where Donny had to become doctor on his brothers. Everything had been a blur, and she felt her throat grow raw. Possibly from the fact that she fought and screamed at whoever kept her away from Raphael. The sight of him nearly destroyed her however.

Cadence, half asleep, traced a faded scar as Raphael laid asleep on a gurney. White bandaged were wrapped around both of his arms, his thighs and plastron. The sight was almost unbearable, but she couldn't bring herself to move away from him. Tears blurred her vision once again and she resisted the urge to shake Raphael. "You idiot. You big jerk. You ass. You-" Cadence closed her eyes and rested her forehead on Raphael's forearm, her hand gripping his. "You should've ran."

"That's not exactly in his nature."

Cadence sat up, spinning around in her chair to see Leo walking into the room. She closed her eyes, wiping away the few stray tears before walking into his arms. "I don't care." She mumbled. "If he wasn't the way he is, he could've been killed."

"That's the thing. You have to take into account that Raph is a strong warrior. His will to protect others is extremely strong. Which normally brings him into situations like this." Leo smoothed out her hair, staring at Raph's sleeping form. He closed his eyes for a second before pulling Cadence away from himself, holding her at arms length. "Donny said he's fine and should be waking up any minute."

Cadence nodded, feeling a sense of numbness spread through her. She looked at Leo, now realizing the feelings he had for her. "I'm sorry."

Leo, taken aback by surprise, only shook his head. "Don't be. Those feelings? Granted, love it is, but you're more of sister than anything. I ended up doing what any other older brother would do to a younger sister. Wishing her a smile and occasionally picking a fight." He smiled and almost laughed when she rolled her eyes. "You should go take a break."

"Give me a couple more minutes." Cadence looked over her shoulder, watching Raphael before cringing when Leo ruffled her hair.

"Don't take too long. I'll be right outside if you need anything." Leo tilted his chin in the direction behind him. Watching as Cadence turned fully away from him, he gave her a gently, but rough push in Raph's direction. He laughed at her when she pushed at him.

Cadence shook her head as Leo walked back out of the room before looking back at Raphael. She walked up to his side, still barefoot and wearing the dust and blood covered clothing from earlier that night. Once at his side, she pushed away the chair and climbed onto the gurney, placing herself curled up next to him with her head resting on his shoulder and her leg wrapped around his. "Wake up soon, hothead."

...

Either his arm was numb, or, his arm was numb. Raphael tried wiggling his fingers but he couldn't tell if they moved. Hell he could hardly move as something was draped over him. Turning his head, and despite his blurry vision, he felt a wisp of soft hair on his cheek. He relaxed as he caught the cinnamon scent of Cadence's favorite perfume. At least the fear of not being able to move the left side of his body had vanished, and figured that side was only numb because of the Cherokee girl was sleeping next to him. He didn't want to wake her, so he kept still, enjoying the silence that surrounded them. Except for the video game background with Mikey occasionally shouting in victory. Donny, groaning in exasperation from Mikey's victory. He even heard the faint sound of Leo and Master Splinter sparring.

There was a certain sound that made Raphael hold back a howl of laughter. He even felt it at his side. The low rumble of hunger from Cadence, but that didn't seem to wake her up. Yet it was that moment he took in everything about her. Hunger, and she was too tired to wake up. He lifted his head to look over her attire and he closed his eyes as his head fell back on the pillow. She was still covered in dirt and the occasional spots of blood over her. A sense of guilt washed over him but it was replaced by the fact that Cadence put him before her own needs. Since he was awake, he couldn't let her continue it. Not for his own pride. "Cadence."

That voice, her name, Cadence's eyes shot open and she lifted her head. "Raph?"

Raphael smiled, lifting his right hand and brushing aside the black hair that liked to stick to her face. "Hey." He whispered, almost frowning when he saw tears in her eyes. "No, don't you dare."

"Sorry." Cadence couldn't help but smile, dipping her head down, placing her forehead against his, feeling his hand on the back of her head, caressing her hair. "I thought I would've lost you."

Raphael, laughed his voice rough due from not having any water. "You can't get rid of me that easily."

"So you're a cockroach. Great."

"I'm a damn good looking cockroach."

"I hate bugs, you know." Cadence opened her eyes, finding amber ones looking up at her.

"So do I."