A/N: - Here's the next chapter when you will find out if the turtles' plan works. Please review after reading and I will stay a happy author and I will keep writing…why am I saying that? I'm gonna keep writing anyway 'cause I have to start what I finish but reviews are always good!!!!

Donnie and Leo were starting to struggle. Both were having their separate problems. Leo was still suffering due to the illness while Donnie was struggling to stay alert through concern for Leo and also for Mikey and Raph. The risks they were taking were huge and Donnie didn't like to think of what would happen if someone spotted them. There was no way they could get all three 'prizes' to safety without being spotted. Donnie knew what he had to do; he and Leo would have to push their pride and honour aside and make a break for escape so that all of the warriors in the room would be distracted.

"Donnie, break for it!" Leo yelled to his brother. Donnie was impressed; he'd actually thought up the same plan as Leo and, in his opinion, that was a good thing. He leapt towards the large wooden door and began pulling at it while Leo fought off the Foot ninjas that were now attacking them. Between them, the two turtles eventually managed to open the door. With one last glance at Raph and Mikey, they clambered up the side of the building and onto the gently sloping roof. Their opponents followed them and a battle ensued. Throwing off ninja after ninja, Donnie and Leo gradually worked the enemies down until there was only about half left. That was when two more reptilian forms leapt onto the roof to join the fight. Raph and Mikey fought their way through to their exhausted brothers.

"You guys need help?" Raph asked, keeping his voice casual as he spoke to Leo.

"A little; where are the others?"

"Safe. Don't worry so much, Leo. Me and Mikey have everything under control."

"Someone should've stayed with them."

"Nah, Casey had a baseball bat with him so I'd say they can handle it." Raph shrugged, unconcerned.

"Fine," Leo jumped out of the way of a Foot ninja before swinging round and kicking out at the ninja sending him flying off the roof and plummeting to his death. His piercing shriek echoed and sent a shudder through all those present.

Shredder crept up the back of the building. They would have to spring on the turtles by surprise. Hun was going to need to stay in the building as he would break the roof if he stood on it for it was not built to sustain such weight. Shredder reached the roof and began sneaking through the shadows unnoticed.

At the same time, out of the corner of his eye, Leo saw a glimmer of metal. It seemed that Mikey had seen it too as he stifled a small scream and sprinted over to Leo and Raph. Donnie frowned but followed his younger brother in case there was something wrong, although with Mikey it was probably just the fact that he'd broken his Nunchuks and thought he was going to get in trouble and would rather endure a lecture from Leo than from Splinter. That had only ever happened once but Mikey did generally prefer receiving lectures from his older brother because he couldn't punish Mikey so severely and Mikey got away with more. Not a lot more…but more all the same.

"Leo, did you see that?" Mikey was jittery, "I think the Shred-head's up here!"

"No kidding, Mike. We have to get out of here, and fast!" Leo ordered. The four brothers began scrambling back down the side of the building with Raph leading the way to where Splinter, April and Casey were waiting for them. Leo and Mikey went with April and Casey on a direct route back to the lair as they would not be able to stand much more of the fighting. Leo's breathing was slowly becoming harder for him and Mikey was having problems walking in a straight line. Raph, Donnie and Splinter went on a different route to get back to make sure they weren't followed. Shredder was too busy checking with Hun whether the turtles had passed through the building and the Foot ninjas were either dead on the ground, injured or searching in all the wrong places. So by the time they were halfway back to the battle shell the group had met up again. They were collecting the battle shell because they needed a way to cover ground quickly and with two of their number still suffering from the poison it was vital to find a way to let them recover peacefully and without disturbance.

"Come on, hurry, everybody in," April helped Casey in and he, in turn, helped Leo who helped Mikey and so on and so forth. The seven of them shut the door at the back of the Battle Shell and crouched down, April and Casey sat together and sharing a blanket. Mikey suspected they were holding hands underneath it but he, for once, didn't comment.

"Do you think we should get going then?" Donnie asked, yawning hugely and setting off a chain of yawns which went round the circle.

"Yawning is so infectious!" Mikey rubbed his eyes, "I'm tired and I don't feel too good. I think I feel almost as bad as Leo looks."

"Yeah, and that's saying something," Raph muttered from where he was sat between Mikey and Leo. Mikey sniggered and Leo elbowed Raph but no effort went into it and it just cracked Mikey up even more.

"Stop making me laugh…it hurts…" he gasped.

"We're not trying to make you laugh, Mike." Raph sighed, "Leo just can't get to grips with the fact that he won't be up to much fearless leading for a few days."

"I'll be fine by the time we fight Shredder again," Leo scowled.

"Ha! You could barely walk back there, Leo, and I had to help you. How did that feel? To be accepting help from me?!" Raph nudged his brother but got no response. In the space of a few seconds, Leo had completely passed out, "Am I that boring to listen to?"

"Nah…well, yeah…but I think Leo just passed out from the poison. But if you keep talking then I might just follow his example!" Mikey joked, but was smacked round the head by Raph, "ow, Raphy, that wasn't very nice." Mikey sniffed, rubbing his head.

"I know."

"I'm going to sleep." Mikey stated.

"You do that. It'll give us some peace and quiet. None of your bad jokes and none of Leo's lectures. Excellent…" Raph trailed off when he caught Splinter giving him a scolding glare, "that'll be ten flips when I get the chance then?" Raph groaned.

"Yes, Raphael, it will be ten flips. You have laughed at your brothers' expense for too long, however amusing you and Mr. Jones may find it."

"Sorry, Sensei."

"Yeah, sorry Splinter," Casey said guiltily, biting his lip.

"Donatello," Splinter ignored the apologies and turned to his second youngest son, "take us to somewhere where we can be safe."

"I know just the place, Sensei." Donnie beamed and sat in the driver's seat, cracking his knuckles and stretching before starting the Battle Shell and jerking them into motion at a high speed. Donnie knew where to take them. They would go to the island where they had defeated the Garbage-man and had left their homeless friends. No-one would think to look for them there. He pressed down on the accelerator and they were soon by the docks. He hid the Battle Shell a few miles away; they would have to leave it somewhere that would mislead Shredder if it was found.

Piling out of the Battle Shell, they began to walk towards the docks. It was a three mile walk and they had to go slowly for Leo as he was feeling groggy and Mikey conveniently named the regular breaks 'vomit stops'. This was not an easy journey for any of them.

"Are we there yet?" Mikey groaned, "My feet are killing me."

"Better your feet than Shredder," Raph mumbled.

"Yeah, I guess so, but when can we stop?"

"We stopped just five minutes ago," Donnie said, exasperated.

"I know but that wasn't really a rest; it was a vomit stop."

"Thanks for the reminder, Mike," Leo glared at his brother.

"Mikey, listen," April led a hand on his shell. Raph snorted, "shut up, Raph. Mikey, we can't just stop for a rest. We stop only when it's necessary or we'll never get to the island before Shredder realises what's going on."

"I'm sorry, April. I just hate all this walking."

"We all hate all this walking except Mr. Perfect over there…"

"That's not fair, Raph!"

"It's just the truth – hell, you're throwing up who knows what and you still vote to walk. We could have stayed in the Battle Shell."

"I voted to walk because then we could get fresh air and mislead Shredder at the same time. You're just ticked off because you didn't get your own way."

"Now who's being unfair?" Raph smirked.

"Oh, shut up Raph…" Leo moaned as he pushed away Donnie's support and squared up to his brother in red.

"You gonna fight me? You wanna fight? 'Cause I'll fight you with pleasure and kick your tail with even more!"

"My sons that is enough." Splinter stepped between them, "Leonardo, you are in no state to fight. You should know better. And as for you, Raphael, I am shocked that you would challenge your brother to a fight when you know he is not up to it."

"It's his fault for starting the argument!" Raph retorted.

"Actually, Raph, you started the argument," Donnie pointed out timidly, not wanting to get on the wrong side of Raph but also not wanting to let Leo take the blame for the argument although Splinter would know the truth anyway.

"Argh, you guys are all driving me crazy! I'm going ahead." Raph stormed off and was quickly out of sight.

"We'd better follow him." Donnie sighed, "we need to get moving."

Raph slowed his pace after about a mile. There was only about half a mile left to the docks and then a brief swim. Then he would be able to see their homeless friends again. And Raph had to admit he was curious to see how they had got on since living on the island. The only problem was going to be the same problem that affected anyone they were closely linked to; all who dwelt on that island would be in danger. He knew the Professor wouldn't care but maybe there would be new people living there as well and Raph didn't want to cause trouble. But at the moment his mind was still fixed on his brothers. I know I'm right. They just don't understand me. Well, Casey does but he didn't exactly stick up for me and my side of the argument back there. He could've at least chased after me…probably too afraid. And then there's Leo. Mr. Perfect even when he's under the effects of poison. And why the hell did Donnie interfere – he knew Splinter would believe Leo even if it was Leo's fault so why the hell did he do that? And Mikey – the best of the lot at the moment except for the constant moaning and groaning about how his feet hurt or how he feels sick. He's just taking advantage of the fact that he's still suffering from the poison. Bluddy great for him but if I'd done that then no-one would've believed me Maybe if I disappeared; gave them a scare….

What am I thinking?

That's crazy! But I guess crazy times call for crazy measures…just not that crazy. I'll keep away from them on the island and hide until they get frantic. That way I'm still safe and they're still safe and no-one has to get hurt. Raph smiled to himself. It was a good plan and he couldn't help wondering if they'd care when they couldn't find him. He'd just disappear for a day and then magically turn up in a place where they were bound to look and be trapped by some rubbish or something so they never found out the truth of what he'd really been doing. He had been walking while thinking and had reached the docks. The moonlight was reflecting off the water making it sparkle like an underwater heaven. He dived in, the cold water rushing over his body and re-awakening his weary body and mind, and swam swiftly and silently towards the island.

Raph surfaced and looked round, checking the cost was clear before stepping back onto dry land. Heading towards the centre of it he heard voices singing and laughing. He climbed a rubbish heap and peered over the top. Sure enough, there were all their homeless friends dancing round a large bonfire. Their numbers had increased and there were about ten new people who Raph had never seen or spoken to before. He half ran and half slid down the other side of the rubbish heap he was hiding behind until he reached the ground. The singing stopped as people noticed the giant turtle walking towards them. There was a low murmur passing through the homeless. Raph couldn't hear exactly what they were saying but it was probably something along the lines of 'send for the Professor' or 'quick, hide the children'. Feeling uncomfortable, Raph decided to speak up.

"Please, I'm a friend. My brothers will be here within the hour. I need to speak with the Professor."

"Hang on – you're one of those turtle dudes that used to bring us the blankets and clothes!" one homeless man spoke up, pointing excitedly at Raphael.

"Raphael, how good to see you," a deep, jolly voice chuckled. The Professor was pushing through the crowds to greet Raph and shook his hand heartily, "but where are your brothers?"

"They're on their way."

"Why are they not here with you now?"

"I had a fight with Leo and I walked off ahead. And Leo and Mikey are still having a few…problems…"

"Problems?"

"I'll need to explain it somewhere quieter although Donnie would probably explain it better. I'm gonna go for a walk round the island if that's ok."

"Perfectly fine, Raphael, perfectly fine. Do ask if you need anything specific and we will do our very best to accommodate to your needs."

"Thanks, Professor."

"Not at all, not at all. I'll see you later for right now I have a theory to discuss with my friends and I'm sure they will be curious about you. I shall also need to warn them about your brothers or I'm afraid some of them might react rather less pleasantly than we'd like."

"Ok, I'll see you later, Professor." Raph waved as he walked off. Now he had to find a decent hiding place.

"So how do you propose we cross that then, Donnie?" Mikey asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. We can't swim across – well, I could but you and Leo couldn't and neither could April, Casey or Master Splinter. I wonder if there's a boat around here somewhere…" Donnie began scouting round to find some mode of transport that they could use to cross the water to get to the island.

"Would that do, Donnie?" Leo asked, pointing at a small boat.

"It's perfect and it looks abandoned. I'll take April, Casey and Sensei across and come back for you and Mikey. Then we can find Raph and our friends."

"Great."

"GUYS," Donnie called to the others.

"YEAH, DUDE?" Mikey shouted back.

"WE GOT A BOAT!" Donnie yelled. The others all expressed their relief in their own different styles, Mikey's being the most unusual as he leaned over and threw up over the side of the dock into the water. Then they all walked over to where Donnie and Leo were stood. April, Casey and Splinter boarded the boat and Mikey and Leo found somewhere to hide and wait for Donnie's return.

"You think they'll be ok?" April asked, glancing back at Leo and Mike.

"They'll be fine. You saw the battle against Shredder. If they could manage that while they were ill then I'm sure they could manage to find some means of escape if they were ambushed now." Donnie replied.

"If you're sure…" April trailed off. They were already nearing the island and Donnie was obviously not going to say anything else.

Upon reaching the island, all except Donnie got off the boat and stood on the bank to wait for Donnie's return. Donnie saluted them as he steered the boat back in the direction of the docks. He couldn't see Leo and Mikey anymore which, he assumed, meant they had found somewhere to hide. But then he saw the Foot ninjas. There were about ten of them combing the area.

"Oh no…" Donnie whispered to himself. He got halfway back to the docks and then stopped the boat and dropped the anchor. There was a net in the back of the boat and he threw it over the side and not a moment too soon.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" a Foot ninja yelled over to him.

"FISHING," Donnie faked a deep, husky voice for them. The Foot didn't push it further as they saw the net over the side. They just disappeared as they heard a roar from Shredder. He's found the Battle Shell, Donnie thought happily but another thought still pushed at him, but has he found my brothers?

"Nicely done, dude," Mikey laughed as he climbed onto the boat, "you dropped the anchor so we could climb the rope and all. You even left me a net to get tangle up in!"

"Mikey, where's Leo?"

"Here, Don," Leo was clinging to the anchor's rope and looking half dead.

"At least you're both safe. If you let Leo on the boat first then we can untangle you, Mike, ok?"

"Yeah, sure," Mikey shrugged. Leo climbed into the boat with a little help from Donnie and then both set about pulling Mikey aboard so that they could disentangle him from the net. Thankfully the Foot had disappeared so no-one had seen Leo and Mikey getting on the boat. Donnie pulled up the anchor and they turned round to go to the island.

"What was that about?" Casey asked them as they stepped ashore and tied up the boat.

"The Foot ninjas were sneaking around but left before Leo and Mikey got in the boat because Shredder found the Battle Shell." Donnie explained.

"But how do we know he'll fall for it."

"I left a few other clues that none of you knew about."

"Like what, my son?" Splinter inquired, raising a furry eyebrow.

"Let's just say that Shredder is going on a wild turtle chase to the other end of New York and back – I left a map of that part of the city in the Battle Shell and also a diagram of an alternative method of transport along with the address of an abandoned warehouse to make him think that's where we're keeping it. There's also a letter from a guy named Laurence who has apparently sold a place on the other side of New York to Casey. So Shredder is going to think we're staying there – but what he doesn't realise is that the place he's going to doesn't actually exist."

"He'll eventually realise that it was all a hoax," Leo sighed, "We'll have to keep him off our scent. Once he realises then we will be forced to move off again."

"I know, but for now let's just rest up and look for Raphael."

A/N: - Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Raph has run off again and this really isn't a good time to be pulling foolish stunts to worry those who love you most when you're all locked in a deadly battle for survival in which it seems you are always on the defence!