The sun was beginning to set and paint a dark blanket over New York, Raphael had been leading Donnie in and out of darkened streets and abandoned houses and apartment blocks for hours and both turtles were starting to feel the sharp chill of the evening air. Donnie had been continuously been asking if they were close to the hideout for the last two or so hours and Raphael was beginning to feel more and more exhausted with each step.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Donnie questioned, wavering slightly as he followed Raphael up a long flight of rusted metal steps that was once part of an apartment block that looked down on the once lively city...before many buildings were burned down to locate members of the resistance...

"Stop yer' flapping and just trust me, Donnie boy," Raphael grunted, pausing to take a few deep breaths before attempting to straighten himself, wincing when his legs popped and cracked. When he noticed Donnie's concerned eyes on him, the older mutant let out a heart chuckle and slapped the smaller turtle on the shell. "I'm getting old now, Don. Can't run up them high places like we used to, eh?"

"I...guess not," Donnie answered, his voice small as they finally reached the top and was able to witness Raphael's 'stealthy' movements by shoulder charging an old half-eaten wooden door and sending the red-clad turtle straight into a large room lit with a couple of old candles, the melted wax dripping down the floorboard holes.

"Raphael, my brother," a hardened voice rumbled from the darkness as a few large shapes moved around in the darkness. A massive spiked hand reached forward and clasped onto Raphael's own hands and held on tightly, like a greeting. A pair of dark eyes focused in on Donnie and widened slightly upon recognising the younger turtle; "You weren't kidding when you told us you found a tiny Donatello wanderin' the steets, huh!" he cackled. "How's life been treatin' ya lately, hm? Still part of Michelangelo and O'Neil's team or have you decided to go alone again?"

"Takin' a break from the team," Raphael grunted, seating himself against several crates and leaning back. He bent down and lit another cigarette with the flames from the candle and took a drag, "I ran into Leo the other week, out playing vigilante with Karai."

"Are him and her still banging?" Slash boomed with laughter, Raphael joining in, although a lot more reserved while Donnie squeaked in alarm, shuffling closer to Raphael when he heard the sound of a door opening.

"Vulgar reptiles," a familiar voice quipped in as a mutant monkey suddenly walked into the candlelight, yawning and rubbing his head. "What on earth could be so funny about Leonardo's-" he paused, realising the smaller shape beside Raphael which caused him to groan. "Why have you brought a child with you, Raphael?!"

"Look closer, doc," Slash pointed out, not even bothering to shove the light closer to the other two turtles. "It's a familiar face, yeah?"

"Oh my word!" Rockwell climbed over some old boxes and got closer, a bit too up and personal for Donnie's liking but he remained silent. "Donatello seems to have de-aged! What are you doing here, dear boy?"

"I lost my brothers," Donnie answered, his usual attitude while around Doctor Rockwell was cast aside and replaced with worry and nervousness. "I'm worried about them," Donnie added, desperation in his voice. "Have any of you seen them? They're-"

"Easy, Don, settle down," Raphael rested a heavy hand on Donnie's shell. "These guys will vouch for me on this; I have no doubt that Mike and April were able to find them," his green eye softened with kindness. "When morning comes round, we'll contact April and you'll see."

"I hope so," Donnie murmured in defeat, sighing softly as he leaned against Raphael for warmth. His eyes focused on one of the cracked windows and he shut his eyes tightly in a silent prayer. "Goodnight guys, see you soon."

"We've got loads of rooms for new members and the injured so just stay in here until we send for somebody to escort you in the morning, right?" was the order April had given the three younger turtles after escorting them to a small bedroom. She hadn't stuck around and instead had briefed them on directions and then left in a hurry. Raph had loudly guessed it was probably to do with Michelangelo having another meltdown but then stood with his armed folded, now in a mood after Leo had lectured him on tact.

"Maybe we should sleep together tonight?" Leo pressed, trying to change the subject while unbuckling his harness and removing his belt and knee pads.

"Yeah, dudes," Mikey agreed, half asleep on the bed while still wearing all his gear which earned collective sighs from his older brothers. After managing to remove Mikey's belt and nunchucks, Leo and Raph joined their younger brother on the bed and snuggled into the white sheets. Huddled together, the turtles allowed sleep to consume them and then tomorrow they'd join April and Michelangelo in finding their missing brother...Tomorrow, they'd be reunited... right?

So yeah, a tiny little section for what's happening with the younger turtles at the base... I don't want to write loads of filler as I want them all to be reunited ASAP ;_; I'm trying to write sainw!Raph the way the 2k3 Raph was in the SAINW episode... Hopefully it's going okay :S

SlenderGrl, I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! And thank you very much! ^w^