Hehe Thank You JE2 for your help on this one! Charmy94, hope this explains a bit better why Lucian left :D If not…well, let's hope it does! ;) Enjoy!

The Fifth Turtle

Chapter 21: Leaving

Leo held up a hand, his brothers instantly stilling and going silent. His eyes roamed the tunnels, ki stretching out to find what had triggered his senses. He reached behind him, quietly drawing his katana's and hearing Mikey and Don do the same, both turning so the trio had their backs to each other. It was then he felt his ki touch another almost familiar presence, eyes snapping to the tunnel on their left, katana's crossed before him in preparation as a shadow moved toward them.

"Don't get ya shells in a twist, it's just me."

Leo lowered his swords as Raph emerged from the tunnel looking royally annoyed. Don and Mikey turned to face the red banded turtle, sheathing their weapons as Mikey asked

"Dude! What're you doing here?" Don was leaning to the side to peer around the bulkier turtles body, searching for something. When he didn't find it, he straightened and locked his eyes on Raph.

"Raph, where's Lucian?" That instantly caused a reaction in the red banded turtle, his expression looking almost sheepish under that annoyed scowl.

"That little punk ran off on me! Went in ta check on 'im only ta find the bed empty!" He crossed his arms over his plastron, eyes not meeting with Don's as the purple banded turtle's gaze narrowed on him. It wasn't often you saw Donnie mad but, when it did show up, you had to hope it wasn't aimed at you. It was almost ironic that the most mellow turtle had the most dangerous anger. And, when Don spoke, it was clear he was not impressed with Raph.

"You let him leave?"

Mikey was chuckling in the background, wisely not saying a thing while Leo had his gaze turned away from them, a frown still in place. It wasn't Raph that had set him on guard before, it was something else…there was another person nearby…and, judging by the way they kept their presence at an all time low, they were skilled and knew they had been noticed. His whole body suddenly stiffened, hand raising to catch his brothers attention and halting the tirade Don looked like he was about to go on. He turned to them, eyes narrowed as he motioned down the tunnel saying quietly

"We're not alone."

With a natural silence practiced over the years, the four turtles raced down the tunnel with Leo up front, all senses on high alert. As they passed a side tunnel he heard the slight intake of a breath followed by the sounds of someone turning around and running away quickly on the quiet feet of a trained ninja. He heard Raph give a soft snarl, their eyes meeting for a second as the same thought crossed their minds. The only other ninjas who ever came down into the tunnels was the Foot and, whatever the reason, it never boded well for them. Leo didn't even have to look back at his other two brothers before all four raced into the tunnel, chasing after the fleeting shadowy figure up ahead.

And he was fast!

Even though they knew the tunnels better than any Foot ninja, this person seemed to know it just as well, making sharp turns and weaving his way through the tunnels with surprising ease. It kept up like that for a few minutes, the intruder ducking in and out of sight at several intervals until they hit a long stretch of tunnel. Mikey grinned and put on a burst of speed, using his natural athleticism and agility to close the distance. The figure glanced back, eyes flying wide at the sight of Mikey bearing down on him and quickly. It was that one look that made the tables turn. The figure cried out, foot snagging on something causing them to stumble just for a second. Mikey grinned and used that chance to propel himself forward, crash tackling the intruder to the floor.

The figure face planted into the water, gurgling and struggling to throw Mikey's weight off his back. Leo, Don and Raph raced up to Mikey's side, the orange banded turtle giving them a happy thumbs up before they turned their gazes down to the figure. It was then that they realised Mikey was sitting on the umber coloured shell of Lucian. Lucian turned his head, looking up at them with a small smile saying,

"Hey guys. Mikey, can you get off me? This water smells really bad!" Mikey jumped up quickly allowing Lucian to stand as well, brushing the water from his face and wincing as he probed the newly acquired scratch above his right eye. The tunnel was silent for a bit until Raph growled, clearly restraining himself from beating on the mint green turtle as he yelled

"Lucian! What in the shell are ya doing out here?!" Lucian looked at them all and chuckled weakly, the smile not reaching his mix-matched eyes.

"I just needed some air."

Leo remained silent, frowning. Lucian was lying but, question was, why? Don stepped forward, reaching up as if to inspect the wound but was surprised when Lucian took a step away, increasing the distance between him and them.

"It's just a scratch Donnie, I'm fine." They could all hear the strain in his voice, see the tension in his shoulders. It was almost as if he was afraid of them. Don retracted his hand slowly, eyes showing his concern as he said

"I'd like to check it anyway. Come on, let's head back to the lair." Lucian didn't move, hands curling into fists right before he suddenly shouted at them, voice echoing through the tunnel.

"I can't go back!"

Four pairs of eyes turned on him. Lucian's shoulder's were shaking, his breathing heavy and then his whole body went still as he let out one long exhale, head raising to look at them all with a sad expression.

"I want to…I really do but…I can't and you know that. I'm a danger to you all as long as this device is in my neck. So, I'm doing the only thing I can to keep you safe… Leave." Lucian quickly threw his hand downwards, smoke suddenly exploding through the tunnel as Don reached outward him and said

"But Lucian-" He took a few steps back so he stood beside Leo and Mikey, expression falling. Steadily, the smoke cleared revealing an empty sewer tunnel while Don's hand fell to his side.

"…I was going to remove it so you could stay…"

Lucian watched, too far away to hear what either said as Leo raised a hand and placed it on Don's shoulder. His eyes followed them until they were out of sight once more and then he sighed, leaning against the tunnel wall. Pushing his emotions as deep down as he could, he turned and walked toward the nearby ladder that would take him up to the surface, not once looking back the way he had come.

Almost felt like a filler chapter, hmm, I try not to do those but this needed to be done so I hope you liked it!

Don't forget to review and I will see you soon in the next chapter where Lucian is going to have a blast from his past! ^_^

Cya then,

-Lucian