Authors Note: Many thanks to fellow fans and friends who beta-read this and gave me lots of encouragement. You know who you are, I can't thank you enough!

Disclaimer: If I owned them, would I be writing fanfiction? Don't think so. Oh, I do own John and Steph. Not that you'll ever hear from them again. Other then that? Not mine. I don't even own the ally this chapter happens in.

Raphael tensed, waiting. They had no idea that he was watching them. If he had his way, it would stay like that. Raph stood on the roof, hidden by the tall shadows of the buildings behind him. Without a sound, he observed the 'transaction' while it took place, fighting down the bile that rose in his throat at the mere thought of what he was witnessing.

Drugs. Raph could understand in some way what could make a person turn to them. Heck, he'd even experimented one time right after he left New York. Still, he'd never understand the kind of warped mind that could sell them to desperate teens. He'd never show compassion to someone that twisted. Instead, he would use all of his empathy for the kids, the ones he now watched and who he believed to be the real victims here.

The teens began walking away. That was Raph's cue and so he leapt down from the roof, silent and still in the shadows, only allowing them to see his dark outline. "Hello." He said nonchalantly as though there for an arranged meeting. "I think you guys have something you don't need."

Only one of the boys spoke. "Why is it your business?" The voice was cool and collected, not at all what Raphael had expected from a boy who should have been more startled instead.

Without hesitation, the shadow answered him, "Because I don't want any of you to get caught when I call the authorities."

The same boy spoke again. He was obviously the leader of the half-dozen kids. He eyed Raph, who was currently blocking their path and keeping them from continuing with their evening. "You're bluffing." He challenged the shadow.

Raph paused a moment, caught off guard. It was true, he was bluffing. He didn't have the means or the desire to call the police. Although he was surprised that this kid had called his bluff, what was even more amazing was the boy had been so calm when he did it.

Pushing the thought aside, Raph smirked at the kid. He knew the kids couldn't see his face, let alone his expression, but the smirk carried naturally into his voice. "Smart kid," He commented. "Too bad you're not smart enough to see you're killing yourself and letting your friends do the same."

"Who says he isn't?" Another voice broke in, this one female. The voice was so cold it gave Raphael the chills. That was saying something considering how chilled his own voice and attitude had become over the past ten years.

"Shut up, Steph." The young man snapped. Raph assumed the boy was the leader among these kids. Then, to Raph, he asked, "So since you were bluffing about calling the cops, I repeat my question. Why do you care?"

"Possibly so I won't have to kick all your butts to stop you from doing something stupid." Raphael answered casually, not missing a beat.

"Another bluff?" The kid inquired.

Oh, that tone was so familiar, Raph thought. It sounded like someone who loved a challenge and had just been provided with one. "Nope." Raphael answered. "No bluffing this time."

"'fraid you'll have to prove that." The young man challenged.

Raph studied the boy. His eyes were a deep shade of blue, a blue that was all too familiar and a color he hadn't been able to stand for years. "If you knew as much as you thought you did, 'fraid you wouldn't want me to." He answered in kind.

"You're outnumbered." The boy responded casually. "Six to one. Not good odds."

"Numbers don't mean anything to me, kid." Raph responded, his voice taking on the same calmness. "Now you seem pretty smart, but you're sure not acting like it."

"No" the kid argued, "You're the one acting like an idiot."

"John" Steph protested, "Let's just get out of here. I wanna get high." Her voice had gone from cold to whiny in seconds. It was obvious her 'need' was becoming critical.

"And you're calling me an idiot?" Raph cut in, nodding towards the girl in hopes of proving a point.

A small flash of reflected light came from behind the boy. It flashed again and Raph could tell that it was from a pocketknife. John, the boy, had his back to it, but he obviously knew what was happening. "Cool it, Steph." He ordered. He then spoke to Raph "Yeah basically."

Raph looked behind the kids. The dealers were starting to pack up. "Look I don't wanna fight you guys. I have bigger fish to fry I was just hoping to make you guys change your minds."

"Well good luck with your bigger fish 'cause you didn't have much here." The leader answered sarcastically.

Raph shifted on his feet, deciding. He then met the boy's gaze but in the next moment, he saw him shudder. Had he been seen? It didn't seem likely. If he had, John's reaction would have been much stronger than a simple tremor. Even the bravest human would have had more reaction than that! There was a thoughtful look in the boy's deep blue eyes; the blue that Raph couldn't stand. "I'm not so sure about that." Raph answered. Then, he moved deeper into the shadows. His outline disappeared from view of the small gang. All they heard was his voice, now resigned to the situation, "Go. I'm not gonna stop you but don't expect to find your source here next time."

The leader hesitated, looking back at those who sold him the dope. Raph almost expected the boy to turn around and run back towards the dealers to warn them. Preparing for such a reaction, Raph drew his sais. Instead, the boy spoke to his gang, nodding in the opposite direction, "Let's go."

As the six kids walked past, Raph shook his head. With his indifference towards the possible fate of others, the similarity that Raph had nearly thought he'd seen vanished. This kid had absolutely nothing to support the idea. Infact, Raph wasn't even sure where the thought had come from. Maybe those eyes... The kid was a real peace of work. One Raph wouldn't mind teaching a thing or to. But as he said, he had bigger fish to fry. Twirling his sais Raph crept through the ally, mentally preparing himself for battle.

His only thought made enough sense to vocalize; even in a whisper, "It's about time."