Raph POV

When I heard Donnie answer his phone, I didn't pay much mind. That is, until he shouted the name of the caller: "Rahzel!"

We all instantly perked up and got as close as we could, Donnie looked at us, his eyes wide as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

He put it on speaker and held it out to us, where we heard the frantic girl on the other line.

Damn it! Casey! Where did you go!? Sorry Donnie. I can't protect them both. But Casey is seriously in trouble, and April can hold off a little longer. So… Crap I don't know what to do! I'm going to find Casey and help him out of this mess to the best of my ability. But… I'm still going to need help. Find April. Find me. Just… This is such a mess!

Then the line went dead.

"How is it, she always finds herself in such a fine mess?" Leo asked afterward, breaking the silence.

"I'll bet she's thinking the same thing." I answered.

"Did you catch who were the attackers?" Leo asked professionally.

"That's the worst of it." Donnie hung up his phone, grabbed his bow-staff from the wall as he headed towards the front entrance, and turned to face us briefly as he answered. "It's Karai and Tiger Claw."

"And Murakami had his store trashed too!" Mikey shouted.

"I'll bet they wanted information on us." I guessed with a low growl.

"That's a safe bet." Leo agreed. "And we just dismissed it as the Purple Dragons." He placed a hand to his face and pushed back his imaginary hairline.

"Should we split up?" Don suggested as he rested his hand lightly on the wall; I could see, from the way he kept clenching his fist and releasing, that he was itching to get out there and help April.

"It's the only way to cover everything; therefore, Raph, Mikey, you two go find Casey and Zel." He looked at me, as if saying he knew we could do this. "And Don and I will find April."

Subconsciously, I registered that he only chose Donnie because of how protective Don is over April. But I guess I'm also a bit the same with Zel, so I was grateful for that.

But she should seriously stop getting into so much trouble.

It's quite difficult to catch a break.

I managed to catch the blasted roadrunners. But Casey's second hockey stick had already broken and he was weaponless— other than his large gloves with the 'secret compartment'.

Which, by the way, was broken. (He shorted it out during a prank, I heard April fussing at him about it.)

I don't know how, but Casey and the tiger had somehow gotten on a rooftop; Casey was pinned to the edge and was about to be pushed off.

Moreover, I was still too far away to do anything to stop it.

Just a little more of a push and I could make it…

But then he went off.

I slid to the edge but stopped myself; instinctively, I picked up a fist sized rock and chucked it at, hopefully, the right angle.

When it hit, the dumpster lid flew open and Casey crashed into the stink. I sighed in relief and then stood tall one again; the way the wind ripped at my now free hair and the way my determination set upon my face, I'll bet I looked fierce.

I better, for I was about to kick this pussycat's ass.

"Why, hello, little pet. Let's see how well you do without your weapon." He spun his blade around in his fingers for casual show.

I never fight seriously. I haven't fought seriously in years. I've never felt the need to fight so serious that I can't have fun with it. But this guy threatened a life so simply, he was playing dirty.

So I was going to fight seriously.

There is no doubt in my mind that he has killed before.

So, something that goes along with me being serious is obeying three simple rules; rules that I repeat over and over in my head throughout the fight.

Rule #1: Don't speak.

It's a distraction.

Rule #2: Never make the first move.

Use counterattack measures and add an offensive.

Rule #3: Be observant of opponent.

Watch for: Weaknesses, strengths, lethality levels, safety maneuvers they resor to, attitude, style, sensitivity, and emotional and physical scars.

If I follow those three steps, I know for a fact that I can't be defeated.

He launched himself at me. I watched his footing and stepped back perfectly in time. I grabbed his ear and pulled forward, throwing his balance.

I stepped back and, reading his violent nature, missed being stabbed by milliseconds.

I now stood five feet from the bastard. He threw his weight, his animalistic nature obvious in the gesture, but the trained fighter still strongly shown in each move.

Ten minutes later...

Tiger Claw was panting and I had torn clothes.

But no progress on either side.

Where were the guys?!

"What are you doing!?" Tiger Claw roared.

He had long ago lost his top but I knew, if I dropped even a little of the effort I was giving, I would still be severely injured.

If I had a weapon, I could have taken him down about five minutes ago. But no, I was weaponless, armorless, and I knew that all I needed was time.

This stupid cat couldn't be taken down barehanded because of all the armor, weapons, and muscles that protected him.

Basically, the only creature that could take him down barehanded would have to be a huge, muscular, and well-trained being.

I faltered slightly as a certain turtle appeared in my mind, but I quickly shook it off; Raph could do it, that is, if he managed to push his anger away long enough.

But this guy is pretty infuriating, so I doubt that.

It was then that my foot slipped on the edge, and I lost my balance. I felt my eyes widen and heart sink as I lost my rhythm to the mindless technique. I scrambled for my equilibrium to be reached once again, but fell short and he got a swipe in that nicked skin.

"Alright. Offensive time." I muttered lowly as I scanned his body. Screw the rules.

I jumped on him, sidling my body so that I was now on his back, my legs twisted around his big arms like a pair of cuffs. I arced my back so that I could reach his hands and pried the massive blade from the sausage fingers, and placed it against his furry neck.

"Do something else. I. Dare. You." I whispered in his highly tuned hears. Not paying much mind to my now heavy breathing.

I clasped my legs tightly, jamming my knees into his back, into two soft spots beneath the shoulder blades.

He growled, but went to his knees as a means to ease the pain.

Now, if we can just sit tight until—

I was racked instantly by violent tremors. I released the beast suddenly, even if my brain screamed that I mustn't at all costs, I couldn't help but allow my muscles to fall victim to whatever was wrong with me.

Then my lungs shuddered around themselves, and I couldn't breathe. I began coughing, choking, and wheezing, trying to get the putrid air out and new air in. My body was collapsing around itself, I was huddled on the ground at his feet disgracefully and I couldn't… do anything… about… it...

He laughed coldly, sounding tired and pushed to the edge, probably almost in an animalistic state. "You almost had me. Physically, you're pretty good. But you didn't pay a lick of attention when you slipped. Oh, by the way, that was my doing as well; I dropped some stray bullets on accident earlier in the fight." He smiled vindictively and opened his jacket, showing me the empty slots. "How does it feel to be on the receiving end of poison?"

I sunk lower to the ground, forehead pressed violently to the cold rock of the roof, my hands grasping at my throat desperately as I clung to whatever reality there was still left.

"I could probably spare you some of the pain by running you through right here, right now. But that would be an injustice," He leaned closer to my ear and spat, "You deserve every bit of this."

"You have about, let's see, three hours left. When your turtle friends come, tell them to come find me, I promise I won't be hard to spot." He seemed to be enjoying mocking me. "I have the antidote." He waved a canister carelessly over his shoulder. "And if you can't speak by the time they come," He paused and I imagined him shrugging as my eyesight wavered, "Oh well."

Then there was naught, and I assumed that he left the premises.

I don't know how much longer I lie there, for the heaves that forced their way in and out of my lungs were the only thing I could focus on.

Keep breathing… Just keep breathing… You are fine Rahzel... Just breathe…

Eventually, a thunk sounded nearby, and a pair of hands hefted me to a sitting position, successfully propping me up.

I gasped when my airways opened up from suddenly being shifted in a better position.

"Wow. She's so… crushed looking." I Mikey's voice rang, as if in the background.

"Rahzel?" Raph leaned down to meet my eyes. "Are you okay? What in the world happened?"

"Dumpster… Below. Casey." I whispered tightly, for my lungs were no better than they were twenty seconds ago.

"What happened to you, though?" He asked, his voice soft.

I shook my head no. As if saying I wouldn't—couldn't answer him.

"Mikey, you get Casey. I've got her." He stood back up and addressed his brother just out of my visual range.

"But—" Mikey tried.

"Trust me. His ass is lighter than hers. And I've carried both." He grinned at his brother's surprise.

I watched as Raphael leaned down and slid his arms underneath me. He grunted as he stood back up.

"I hear groaning below. Sounds as if Casey is alive enough."

"Yeah… I saved… his sorry… self…" I panted and grinned lightly as I let my head lean against his plastron heavily.

"I can tell you worked hard." He said softly.

I closed my eyes as breathing became even harder. I think I'm becoming delusional, Raph is actually being sweet out in the open.

"Alright. Let's get you to Donnie."

After a lot of jostling, tightening grips from Raph, and a feeling of descending on multiple occasions, I felt him stop moving.

I shivered as all eyes turned to us, a few gasps escaping their lips. I pulled my knees closer to my chest, successfully tightening Raph's grip on my figure.

"Poison." I said quietly, hoping he heard me.

"Ironic, all considering." He muttered back as he laid me on the couch and I felt my mood lighten slightly.

And that was when the coughs decided to try to kill me again. I choked and even managed to launch myself up into a sitting position.

"She was slaughtering him, it was pretty impressive. That was when the poison kicked into her system, as I heard him say. He was pushed beyond what I imagined for such a… pro, he was almost animalistic! She was incredible." Casey exclaimed as he explained in his boyish way.

Good, he was alright. Except for a dislocated kneecap and crushed shoulder, as I heard April and Donnie discuss, he was fine.

"He has an antidote." He finished gravely.

I felt my lids fly open in shock. I leapt off the couch towards his form opposite me and pinned him to the cushion, a dangerous feeling in my gut.

I'm sure I looked like a mess but I didn't care in the least. My face a deep red and my breathing heavily plus the aftereffects of a battle, I must look to be at Death's door, but I really didn't care at the moment.

"I didn't want them to know!" I whispered in his face, my lungs burning. "They… are going to go after him!" I coughed again and fell to my knees, releasing Casey, and I looked at the guys as they all shifted, adding their weapons to their forms and moving towards the door.

"If we weren't before, we definitely are going to now. Karai is going to help us as well, now that she knows the truth as to who her allies are." Leo stated from his position at the head of the little group. "Guys, let's go."

And the five of them left.

I collapsed onto the floor, defeat aching over my body.

Or was that the poison?

At some point of my being unconscious, someone carried me to my room. Someone, might I add, who took great care in making sure I was comfortable. I even felt a soft hand linger on my head a moment longer than necessary, almost lovingly. Not once did they say a word, so their identity is left a mystery to me, even today.

And then they left, turning out the lights on their way out. I felt the tears well up in my eyes for reasons unknown, but breathing soon became too big of an issue and I fell asleep from the effort, my thoughts fading along with my consciousness.

Where dreams soon overtook my heaving form.

Their eyes blank from the seriousness of some matter, I saw all of the guys. They held grave looks and defeated stances.

There was a black flash, where I quickly lost sight over them all.

Then there was Leo, lying on the ground, bloodied, bruised, and near unconscious. There seemed to be something that he was reaching for desperately and I almost got to see it, that is, until a rip appeared in the middle of the view, overwhelming him through the death scythe's grip.

Why did that happen?

And then there was Mikey, standing in the woods at night, the wind tossing the leaves around him. His trademark smile gone as well as the life in his eyes as the darkness enveloped him. The lonely atmosphere slowly devoured him completely.

Where did he go?

Donnie was sitting in a room, alone. A computer in front of him, the screen cracked and not even on as he typed furiously, frantically. And then the scene blew away in particles, as if it were sand.

What was he so intent on finding?

Then there was Raph. Poor, poor Raph. He was clinging to the bars in front of him and screaming, tears streaming thickly down his cheeks. The scene shattered like a pane of glass, and my heart along with it.

Why does my chest hurt so much?

My vision quickly flashed through these scenes, also including one of April curled in a corner and Casey staring, a horrified expression on his face, into an empty, dark room.

And then I saw it. My beasts were not in my control, they were rampaging in the city. Some giant, some small, and all terrorizing the citizens. And then I saw what I was hoping I wouldn't.

I saw myself.

The agony in my expression was nothing compared to my actual physical form. The chain around my neck that I detested so much had extended and was wrapped around every part of my body, even my face. I watched as it pulsated, twisted, adjusted, and pulled around my scantily dressed form. My head was tilted back and my mouth was open, as if I was screaming, and my eyes… My eyes were huge with the pupils dilated to almost nonexistent. Then their color began shifting, as did the color of the chains, and all turned white. A bright, radiant white.

Suddenly a scream broke the silence barrier it seemed to be restricted by.

I bolted straight up in my bed and placed my hands to my throat so quickly and forcefully that I actually made myself gag.

I wanted it off. Gone.

Now.

I ignored my sweaty form, the short-short shorts, and the tanktop that made up my unpresentable form (Probably April's doing), as I took off in a run towards Don's lab.

I slammed into the door but pried it open none the less. There sat Donnie, reading something off of his laptop. My eyes wide but unseeing as they busied themselves at focusing.

"Don't do that!" I closed his laptop, remembering the dream. "And... and… I need to… off… Get it…" I pulled helplessly at the chain around my neck, only successful in pulling off the pen. Help me. I couldn't bear to say those words as I stared as the red-inked pen in my hand.

I then pulled my arm back and threw it as hard and as far as I could. I sunk to the ground as I watched it hit the wall and slide down, completely unharmed.

"I-I don't know what to do." I realized, my eyes pricking painfully.

"What do you mean?" Don asked softly- no, try more along the lines of cautiously as he finally broke out of his shocked stupor.

"I don't know." I leaning back and closed my eyes as I blew him off quietly.

"Rahzel-" He tried, but I interrupted him.

"What time is it?"

He paused and then wisely sighed in defeat. "Almost three."

"How'd the hunt go?" I asked tiredly.

"We lost Karai. Tiger Claw used her as a hostage and then took off with her. But we were winning for a while, and Raph managed to get the antidote out of his jacket."

"Hm… I'll thank him later then." I stood and turned to leave, despite still wanting to ask him something; despite still wanting to be near something that wasn't a figment of my imagination, something that was undeniably real.

"Rahzel." He said firmly this time, making me pause and listen to him. "What did you want? I know something's wrong."

"I want it gone." I answered, not looking at him as I was so damn close to tears at this point.

"And what would 'it' be?" I could visualize him crossing his arms stubbornly.

"The blood pen. The chain." I spun to look at him fiercely. "It's haunting me. It's hurting me, Donnie. Haven't you noticed?" I paused, wanting to share more. To tell him something, everything, knowing that he's capable enough to remove it.

But, fact is, he isn't. He can't help me. He can't even understand what—

"I know." He said, breaking my train of thought.

"W-what?" I stuttered, further confused.

"I know it's hurting you. I've known it almost from the first time I met you that something was wrong. Well, actually," He scratched the back of his head nervously, "Raph was the first to notice that something was wrong. And we've all kind of figured it out as we've gone along. When you explained what the blood pen was, it clicked that that was the cause." He said softly, staring into my wavering eyes. "And I know all of us have seen that thing, within its own moments, harm you. Not just emotionally, which it does more than you think, but also physically. I swear," He laughed, near hysterical, but something about this laugh instantly lightened the mood, maybe because it made him seem a little more mad-scientist like. "I've seen the thing move on its own. Raph claims that it is the actual reason that you're so heavy, that there is no way your small frame, even with muscle and your armor, can weigh as much as he says you do. And Leo surmises that it's stealing your nutrients, therefore giving reason as to why you remain so malnourished."

"And Mikey?" I grinned slightly, weakly, noticing that he left him out, and expecting something humorous from the youngest brother.

Donnie's face sunk immediately, making me freeze in shock and my smile drop off of my face. "He actually… saw the thing attack you one time." He said slowly and then looked into my eyes seriously. "It broke your skin, burned right through it, and made a bloody mess. Am I wrong?"

I widened my eyes and immediately decided this was a dangerous topic to stay on. "Oh." I finished indifferently fiddling with my hands.

"You know, we will help you. I've actually been researching it… somewhat; however, I still can't seem to get past the fact that I don't know even know what it's called." He said calmly turning back to his computer, yet somehow I understood his suggestiveness, as if he wanted me to tell him.

I walked over to the blood pen and picked it up, all the while, he stared at me expectantly. I fiddled with it in my hands. "Goodnight Donnie."

I felt him release another breath of defeat, but I caught a glimpse of his grim grin.

Why would he do that?

"Zel, on a completely different note," I felt his smile on my back, "Raph was worried about you like crazy earlier. In fact, I doubt he got any sleep." He said lightly, as if hinting at something. Man, he might actually better at lightening the mood than Mikey…

Nah… But he sure is sneakier about it…

I grinned as I walked out. "Yeah?"

The door slammed shut behind me, but I still managed to catch his muttered words to himself.

"Yeah— Oh. Well, aren't you a sly one…"

Because there, on the wall, was my scribbled handwriting. Dripping red ink leaving him with a mess to clean up.

But, also, with exactly what he needed:

Casteel's Curse of the Kestillian Runes

I wandered down the concreted hallways to a certain turtle's room. Despite all of our rooms being on the same hall, they are all quite spaced out. Quite convenient for privacy, some would say. A waste of space, others would say. I actually find it quite irritating, considering that my room is a five minute walk from the kitchen.

I stopped outside the door I thought to be right. How could I tell?

Try the one that isn't (1) covered in pizza, (2) overtaken by a poster of Space Heroes, and cleaned spotless, nor (3) the one with some kind of weird doorbell mechanism hanging beside of it.

His door was neither clean, nor dirty, and looked more along the lines of neglected.

I raised my hand, swiped at my eyes to swipe any stray tears away, and made a weak fist as I rapped my knuckles against the door. I paused and waited, hearing signs of movement on the other side.

"Donnie, I swear, only you would knock at such an hour—" He paused as he saw me, shutting his mouth immediately.

"Yeah, Mikey would just barge in and Leo would yell, that is, assuming they're awake." I grinned, putting up an instant front. "Where does that leave me?"

"Ah, give me a break, I'm tired." He waved me in as he walked to the back of his room.

"Then maybe you should get some sleep." I snarked playfully, following him in.

"I could be sleeping if you—" He began, but I flopped onto his bed, interrupting him.

"You know, when people sleep, they usually don't get up and have their bed is automatically made." I winked as I sat up, the motions coming easily once again. "On a side note, I'm surprised that you actually make your bed."

He crossed his arms irritably, but I saw his embarrassment slightly on his face.

"Ah, don't worry, I won't tell. Plus, it doesn't remove your 'manly' appearance. I mean, look at that impressive arsenal!" I gestured to all of the twisted looking hand-to-hand weapons stored all around the room. "I'll have to admit, this is a pretty badass collection. I'm impressed." I nodded distractedly as I took it all in. I soon realized that I couldn't even name half of these, and I am certainly no dunce when it comes to weapons.

"Hm." He said indifferently as he sat on his bed beside of me. "What do you want, anyways?" He asked gruffly, but I could hear the curiosity listing deeply behind the attitude.

"What? Can't I visit the night owl?" I grinned as I looked around the room, eyes slightly losing their dull air as they lit with a childlike curiosity.

I felt his stare and sighed. I turned to him with a smirk. "Fine. I went to see the real night owl and he told me that you were the one who got the antidote. He also assumed that, by your nature, you'd be awake at this time."

"By my nature?" He asked.

I waved my hand and closed my eyes and, in mock sarcasm, spoke. "A worrywart."

He bristled.

"Nah." I laughed. "He really said that you just seemed a little restless."

I saw him scowl at being duped so easily.

"Hey," I paused, dropping my smile as I debated my next statement. "Do you… feel guilty?" I asked gravely, my eyebrows slightly scrunched up in thought.

"'Bout?"

"What you said about Karai, do you feel guilty?" I elaborately repeated, now fiddling with one of his Sais.

He didn't answer, but instead looked away begrudgingly, so I continued. "Because I do. I mean, yeah, she was a bad guy, but after I learned the whole story… I don't know, I guess regretted what I said back at Murakami's."

"You shouldn't." He started. "Exactly what you said, what you predicted, she did. We probably should have been more cautious, but we weren't and that's how Tiger Claw became an issue. Everything we told her, everything she knew about us, she used to manipulate us, especially Leo."

"I'm not sure I get it." I looked at him and cocked my head in confusion.

"Let me finish, ya goof." He said thickly in his accent as he pushed my shoulder jokingly, effectively throwing my balance.

I laughed as I propped myself back up. "Then maybe you should tell it all and stop stopping." I blew him a raspberry.

"Well, like I was about to say, Splinter finally talked to her and, being as convincing and honest as he is, he told her the truth, and she believed him completely."

"Oh," I blinked as I processed this, "So does that mean she was leading Tiger Claw here before that?" I guessed halfheartedly as pulled my arm back as if to throw the Sai like a dart.

"Apparently. Hey-!" He reached over me and wrestled his Sai from my grip, placing it on his other side protectively with a huff after he had acquired it.

"Aw. My toy." I pouted.

"Did you come in here just to throw my things?" He grinned, but I once again caught the ulterior motive behind the statement, he wanted to know why I really came.

"You know, you should just say what you want and stop making me 'read between the lines'." I advised as I turned and rested a hand on his shoulder pushing him playfully. "But, as a matter of fact, I came to say thank you. You were the one who got the antidote right?"

"I wasn't anything that major, the big cat pretty much handed it to us." He brushed me off diffidently.

I wanted to say that he was just a big softie, but I held my tongue. I should at least savor his pride since he saved me. "Still, thanks." I said as I stood and placed a light kiss on the top of his head. Pride or no pride, I still had to tease him somehow.

I smiled as I stood back up and walked to the door, his flustered form on the bed ultra-adorable.

So the big baddie was a sucker for a thankful kiss? Man, this is going to be fun.

"Hey, you hungry?" I turned back to him. "Cuz I'm starving."

"Sure. Let's go get some chow." He recovered as he stood.

I watched him stand up, and walk towards me, quickly stashing his Sais on his shell for 'just in case' situations. With me around, I wouldn't blame him, the weirdest and worst things seem to happen to me or with me around.

"You're going to go out looking like that?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as, I assume, he gestured to my poor clothing.

I shrugged. "I doubt anyone will care if they see me."

"And why's that?" He asked, confused.

"Because," I raised a finger profoundly, "if anyone sees us, they'll see the big green turtle before they look at the little girl walking beside of him." I grinned wildly as I looked at his defeated look.

"Fine." He mumbled. "Get your little butt out there, we'll order in."

"It better not be pizza." I grumbled.

"I wouldn't count on it." He smirked as I froze.

"Hold it you!" I fussed as I ran after him.

What a way to end a mood, eh?