The Cat.

Hey everyone, I'm Angel this is my first attempt at a turtle fic but I've been a fan since I used to run home from school and turn on the original cartoon when I was about five. Anywho, I don't own the turtles, April, Splinter or Casey (and any other character I may mention form the various films, comics and cartoons) I do however own Nikki, Lilly, Tia, Wally and Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, your welcome to use them if you want and like them enough but i would appreciate a little warning first. Enjoy, oh and Ps this is based on the 2003 cartoon – may have been 02 for you over in the states.

Chapter one: Childhood friends.

Raphael sat in 'their' place and reminisced he'd been eight when he'd met her, Nicole Roberts one of the richest kids alive and one of the nicest. Her parents owned an international technology company dealing with anything from computers to air force jets. He'd seen her at a premiere for some movie on the TV the night before and that's why he'd come here.

Flashback:

An eight year old turtle walked along the sewers exploring, he'd managed to sneak out on his own for once and was determined to see why the upper world was so dangerous. He climbed out of one of the manholes that came out in central park and ran into the bushes. He looked around and squinted at the sun, there seemed to be no immediate danger so he walked onto the path and followed it towards some voices he heard to his right, it sounded like other kids playing.

"hey kid, it's a little early for Halloween ain't it?" Raphael turned to see a tall human staring down at him with his hair tied back in a pony tail and a suit on, the human bent down to get a closer look, "where's the zipper kid?" Raphael wanted to run but the stubbornness inside him kept him where he was, The man eyes narrowed as he looked the boy over. "I said where's the zipper, or isn't there one, you know I know a scientist that would love to get to know you if you were a real turtle.

"I . . . um. . . " Raph stuttered. The human grabbed his arm and started to pull him away.

"Hey leave him alone Justin!" They turned to see a small red headed girl of about seven standing behind them with her hands on her hips and her hazel eyes blazing.

"Miss Roberts, this doesn't concern you." Justin spat at her.

"I'll tell my daddy and you'll be in real trouble if you take him!" She spat back.

"Not if you're not around to tell him you little brat!" He lunged at her and to Raph surprise she back flipped away from him, then jumped over him and then kicked his ass sending him flying. Before Justin could recover she grabbed Raph's hand and ran off towards a parked limo.

"Get in!" she said insistently, the elderly man in the drivers seat stole a quick glance at his charges new friend and then pulled out into the traffic. Raphael was shaking and desperately wanted to go home, but he also wanted to know who this savior was. "I'm Nikki what's your name?"

"R. . .Raph, I'm Raph, please don't take me to some scientist, please, I just wanna go home!"

"Oh I wouldn't do a thing like that, my mommy and daddy told me that all life was sacred and a life must only be taken if it's abso. . Abso, Jeeves what was that word again?"

"Absolutely, miss Nikki." the old man answered her tipping his hat as he did so, "where to sir?" he added to Raph.

"Uh well I um, I . . . "

"I know lets go play!" Shouted Nikki she'd seen him exit from the sewer and had guessed that's where he might live so they'd play near an entrance and he'd hopefully know his way home from there.

"Who was that guy, you knew him,"said Raph.

"His name's Justin Power and he's a rival company to my daddy's, they're doing sciency stuff now which is probably what he was talking about when he said he knew one that would be interested in you."

"Oh." he replied still a little confused.

They arrived outside an old warehouse Jeeves surprisingly let them play on their own and they spent two hours playing hide and seek. Raph was having the best fun in his life and he liked the idea of playing with someone other than his three brothers and Nikki was really good at it, as if she was trained in Ninjitsu like him.

"Hey it's nearly tea time, I've got to go," she looked at her new friend, "do you know you're way home from here?" he nodded and she grinned, good I'll see you around Raph!"

"Wait, can I see you again tomorrow?" He said rather desperately.

"Sure see you here, after lunch at about two?" he nodded again, she left and he made his way back to his home.

End Flashback:

Raph sighed, for nearly a year he snuck out as often as he could to meet her at this place and they'd have so much fun, but one day she said her parents were moving to LA and she couldn't play anymore, that's one of the reasons his anger started getting out of check, he missed her and was too afraid to tell any of his brothers about it, let alone his master splinter. Both of them had been really upset. Raph hadn't really thought about it then but now he realized she didn't care what he looked like, she'd like him for who he was, Just like April and Casey, and his family.

"Hey Raph, long time no see." The red head smiled as he turned around, a look of complete shock on his face.

"Nikki?!" He stood up as she walked out of the shadows into the light, "Nikki!!" he ran towards her and gave her a massive bear hug.

"Nice to see you too, Raph!" She laughed.

"Are you here for a visit or for good?" Raph asked hopefully when he'd put her down and recovered his usual cool composure.

"Hopefully for good, I'm going to school here now with Tia, my new chauffeur's daughter, I'm staying in the pent house apartment of the Roberts industries' building with them, which means we'll have to meet up sometime."

"You mean you still don't mind what I. . I mean the way I. . "

"Raph you're a guy, you just look different from the majority of other guys in this fair city, and truth be known planet as well, but you're still Raphael, I don't give a damn what you look like!" Raph smiled and gave her another hug. His best friend was back and he felt so happy for the first time in a long time.

So what do you think, I'm not really very good at the whole beginning of a story thing so bear with me I hope it will get better in future chapters but please review as I love to hear what people think good or bad. Toodles, Angel.