Author's Notes:

I'm warning you right now. I'm good when it comes to writing fighting scenes. So, all I can do is my best. I'll keep working on it though. Let me know what you think of the fighting scene in this chapter so I'll know what to do in following chapters.

Chapter Seven: Of Turtles and Thugs:

Buffy had just got off of work and it was now night. She was now on her way to her apartment. Her first day at work wasn't really that bad. Her job for today was waiting tables and she shocked herself because she actually did a good job. Buffy even had a few nice conversations with the customers. What made matters even better was the fact she got a few tips today, and there was nothing wrong with that. She was glad April told her of Pizza Palace. Buffy made a mental note to thank her later.

As she conintued to walk home, she hummed a tone to herself. Buffy felt good for awhile but she soon felt like she was being followed. Being the Slayer, she could sense if any vampires were around but she didn't feel their evil presence. Buffy stopped and turned around. She saw three figures move within the dark.

"Hey, sweet thing want to come home with me?" asked one of the shadowy figure ask.

The three figures stepped out of the shadows and a street lamp gave Buffy enough light to see that they were thugs. Buffy rolled her eyes at them. "Please, go home with you. I don't think so."

"No one, says no to us baby." another one said to her.

"Let's get her." the last one said.

Buffy shook her head. "They always have to do this the hard way." she said with a sigh. "Okay, let me guess. I'm suppose to be the weak one here right?" Buffy asked as she got into a fighting stance. "Well, guess what? I doubt you want to mess with me."

"Looks like we have a touph one here boys." one of them said with a laugh. "This should be fun."

Buffy watched as they pulled their weapons which were nothing but small knifes. Now, a normal person would have been scared out of their mind but Buffy wasn't scared at all. She could take them.

One of the thugs charged at Buffy and she quickly got out the way, causing him to go flying to the ground. Another one charged and Buffy did a few punches and kicks and he was taking care of. The third one came at her and she kicked it where it hurt and he sank to the ground in pain.

Buffy smiled proudly. The said to them: "What did I tell you. You shouldn't have messed with me."

She then started to walk away from the thugs but she was suddenly stopped when one of the first one who attacked her had gotten up, and grabbed her from behind. Buffy screamed out of surprise and fear as the other helped the first one drag her into a nearby ally. The last thug joined them in the ally.

"That wasn't a smart thing to do doll." the first thug said. "No you will pay."

A few away, Raph could hear a scream, and followed the direction of the sound. He soon found himself in an ally and saw four figures in the shadows. Three of them held the fourth one to the wall. He could tell that the one pinned to the wall was a female and the other three were males.

Stupid thugs, he thought to himself. Well, at least I can I have some fun. He threw off his coat and hat and approached them. He had a wicked grin on his face.

Buffy tried to get loose from the thug's grip but she couldn't. She could hear them laughing to themselves. Then she heard one of them say: "Don't think you're getting that easily."

Then Buffy heard a new voice within the dark: "How about you leave the lady alone?" that was more of a demand then a question.

The three thugs turned their attention to the direction of the new voice. "Well, look what we have here boys. We have another one to play with."

Two of the thugs let go Buffy and went to their new opponent. The third thug still held on to Buffy. Buffy didn't have time to look at the new figure in the dark because she had a chance to get away.

Without a warning to the one who was holding her, she grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder. When that was taking care of, she went to help the stranger that had appeared. As Buffy went to help the stranger she watched as he pulled out two cis. Then she watched as the stranger take care of the thugs all by himself, along with the third one. A few minutes later, the thugs ran away.

When it was over, the stranger turned to Buffy and asked: "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm all right." Buffy answered. "What about you?" she knew the stranger was fine but was better to ask to make sure.

"I'm good." he said to her. "Well, be more careful next time."

Buffy watched as the stranger turned away and started to walk up. "Wait a minute!" she called to him. "Who are you?"

"Why do you need to know that?"

"Because I would to know who helped save my life."

"I really don't think you want to know who I am."

"Please?"

Raph took a breath before steeping to where the street lamp shown on him.

Buffy couldn't believe what she saw before her. She saw a human like turtle. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She wasn't dreaming.

"Okay, this is the part where you run away screaming but before you do that, you call me a monster."

"Why would I do that?" asked Buffy.

Did I hear her right? Raph asked himself. He was hesitant before he answered: "Well, most of the time people take one look at me and run off."

"I'm not most people." replied Buffy with a smile. "I will admit it though, I have never seen anything like you before." Buffy couldn't help but laugh. She had seen many strange beings since she was the Slayer but she had never seen a human like turtle before. "I'm Sydney by the way." Buffy finally introduced herself. Then she asked: "Do you have a name?"

"Yeah," answered Raph. "I'm Raphael but I liked to be called Raph."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Raph." Buffy said to him. "Thanks for helping me."

"Not a problem." responded Raph with a smile.

"I guess I better get going." Buffy said. "Thanks again." she said as he started to walk off.

"Wait," Raph called out to her and walked up to her. "I better walk you home just to be on the safe side."

The two didn't have anymore trouble that night. When they reached Buffy's apartment building, Raph noticed it was the same place where April lived. "This is my stop." Buffy said to Raph.

"Okay, later." replied Raph and he started to walk off.

Buffy watched as Raph disappeared into the night. She couldn't believe that he was actually real. Buffy had to tell someone. Now, usually when she wanted to talk to someone, Spike was the first person that she went to but since he wasn't hear she decided that she would talk to April. She just hoped April wouldn't think that she was crazy.

To Be Continued...