~ For Now I'm thinking Mysteries is finished, but there might be a sequel to it, if you really really want :o) For now I'm going to be putting my efforts in this story, along with any short stories on the side :o) Enjoy!

Ch6 Realizations

Patrol tonight was useless, no foot, no buglers, not even a jaywalker found. Normally Raphael was the one looking for all these, but tonight, Leonardo wanted to have something to do, so he wouldn't have to think of Melody.

"Hey bro," Raphael called from the other side of the roof. Leonardo looked up to him. "I think this roof is secure, we've been sitting here for three hours." Startled Leonardo looked around.

"If you want you can go home, or you know what, go to her," Raphael sat next to his brother. Normally he'd be looking for something to pick on him about but the last few years have changed things. Leonardo was almost becoming like him, minus the temper and that scared him.

"Go to who?" Leonardo said blankly.

"Oh, don't play dumb with me," Raphael said an edge on his voice. "You know that I'm talking about Melody. I know that something happened because you've been more withdrawn than usual." Leonardo sighed.

"I was following her around these last five years and, well I talked to her and she said she wanted me out of her life," Leonardo summed quickly. Raphael sat there with a yeah right look.

"Right. I think it was more like stop playing my shadow and be a part of me," Raphael stood up. "From what I hear, most girls like the male figure to stand by them, not behind them in the shadows."

"But that's all I can ever be is in the shadows with her."

"But you would be with her," Raphael pointed out. Leonardo thought for a moment then deflated again.

"But sensei says…"

"You going to let someone stop you from being with a girl you love, who actually loves you back?" Raphael couldn't help the outburst.

"I mean, yeah, I know you gotta be the good son and all that but geez Leo," Raphael stood Leonardo up making him look straight in his eyes. "You are a grown turtle. You don't need to ask Master Splinters permission to go to the toilet or have him come in to wipe your tushie." Leonardo seemed stunned to hear Raphael talk as such. "If you love her and she loves you, there it is, end of story." Leonardo pushed his brother away and sat on the roof top again.

"Fine, you want to sit here and brood, do it," Raphael turned to walk away. "I'm out of here. I'm not going to sit here and watch you waste yourself away over this." Leonardo turned to watch his brother skip down the ladder and turned his attention back to the stars. Raphael was right. For a minute Leonardo sat there wondering when his brother got to be so wise and he realized some thing.

"I have moping around for five years, letting myself down, letting Master Splinter down and Melody down." Leonardo stood up knowing what he had to do. Heading off to Melody's apartment the first thing he was going to tell her was…

The window was open, which was unusual in this cold weather. Slipping in, Leonardo did a quick survey and saw that there had been no signs of a struggle. In her room some of her clothes were gone, like she left on a weekend trip. Leonardo did a little sigh and thought that made no difference, it just delayed him a little. This would give him time to get back into practice and to tell Master Splinter the conclusion that Raphael helped him reach. Leaving, Leonardo closed the window behind him, knowing that Melody would like it closed.

I looked around the suite that James had taken me to. This was in a different hotel, one that mostly held big business owners and their company meetings. They sat in a large room with several couches, a huge TV and a bar with several bottles of alcohol, chilled to drink. James had poured himself a glass of something and offered me one, but I refused. I wanted to meet this person James said could help me

"What are you doing here James?" This is back at my place before I left with James.

"I'm here to help you Melody," James said walking over to me. He seemed different, slicker than the carefree guy I remembered. Every time he says my name, he would say it very slowly, sure to pronounce each syllable.

"There's things about you that you don't even know yet," James said.

"Really?" James nodded and slid down next to me.

"First," he held up one finger. "You want to know how your bathroom mirror broke," I opened my mouth to ask how he knew that but James continued. "Two," another finger. "You are still wondering about that dog who spoke to you. Was it real or an imaginary part of the moment? Third," James held up a third finger. "How did you make that burglar fly across the room?

"Four," James held up a forth finger. "You want to know what's different about me and how I know all these things." Since he already said it all for me, I nodded. James smiled, which reminded me of Eric.

"I know," James said getting up. "Come with me Melody. I have someone who can tell you what all this is about and," James spread his arms and then held a hand out to me. "He can tell you how to control what is happening." I stepped closer to James, ignoring his out stretched hand. He only smiled and put it down.

"There is a war out there, and we need you. You don't always need your blood to use them, there are other ways." James slowed his speech and turned to me. I stepped back bumping against the window.

"What do you mean use blood," I asked not liking how this was sounding.

"How do you think, you were able to use the powers you have?" James asked calmly. "You were bleeding each time, right?" I nodded and looked up to see James right in front of me. I took in an involuntary breath.

"Don't be afraid of me Melody," James put his hands on the wall one on each side of me. "I'm not going to change you, that was Eric's stupid mistake." He leaned in inhaling deeply. A growing panic in me was telling me to run run run.

"Although I have no doubt that you would be," James looked at me and licked his lips. "Delicious." I wanted to push James away but didn't want to touch him at the same time. To me relief he stepped away and walked back over to the couch.

"You do want to know what is happening to you, don't you, Melody?" James asked. I couldn't deny it. I was scared to death of my old friend but I wanted to know. I looked to the window once thinking of Leonardo.

"Don't worry about the turtle," James said, startling me. "He's not there, you told him yourself," James put a hand on his hip as if he was in thought. "I believe your exact words were ' I want you to either be a part of my life, or get out of it all together. I can't handle you just being a shadow to me anymore.' Am I right?" James finished. My silence and stunned expression answered him.

"Then come Melody," James said reaching his hand to me again. "Let me show you some one who can answer all your questions and" He paused as I put my hand in his. "Confirm some of your deepest fears." I gasped as James pulled me in an embrace and ran out the window. As the ground came closer I closed my eyes and held on tight to James neck. Feeling the impact of him landing on the ground wasn't as harsh as I thought it was going to be. I thought we were going to be pancakes actually.

Stepping out of an alley, a limousine was there waiting. James opened the door and I slid in. James followed after and we were brought to where we are now. The furniture was plush, very comfortable. When the door at the other end of the room opened, James indicated that we should stand. I got to my feet, very eager to see this person who was going to be able to help me out.