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The Turtles New Saga… Raphael's Tale: All for one; One for All

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Notes: I'm writing a series. Every Turtle will get his own story. I'm writing Raph's first because he's my favorite (and he'll have a major rule in every other story as well :) I'm making up stuff and characters so my stories might range from science fiction and supernatural to mere adventure. This could also mean an AU setting.

Warnings: Well first Raph's Tale isn't the first in the series, so there will be a character or two (Like Doctor Logan for instance) that are supposed to first appear on an earlier part.

Second, this is an 'R' rated story so expect things that aren't suitable for children.

Third, I haven't seen the show for a really long time so if the characters, names or anything else seem out of place, I'm sorry.

And last but not least, beware that English is my second language (Arabic is my native tongue) and I still haven't got a good grip on it, so if errors (lots of them) offend you, you might want to skip this one.

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Chapter one: THE SCAR

Raph tossed and turned in his bed as the fuzzy nightmare plagued him that night. He was standing alone. Darkness surrounded him and voices roared near him, yet, he could not comprehend them. The only emotion running through him was pure fear. Fear slowly turned to terror, and the scream that he so longed to release was imprisoned inside of him against his will. The urge to run increased inside him and increased until abruptly, he came awake with a gasp.

His heart was beating wildly against his chest; it hurt. Raph was drenched in his own sweat and breathing heavily. The hotheaded turtle lifted a shaky hand to his head and wiped the cold sweat away from his forehead. He sighed, closed his eyes and willed himself to calm down.

It wasn't the first time he had a bad dream. In truth, bad dreams haunted him almost every night in the last two weeks. What also bothered him was the fact that he couldn't remember most of them. He sat upright, sleep slowly evaporating from his system and being replaced with frustration and anger. Raph rolled his hand in a fist and struck the bed under him hard. He felt helpless, and he hated admitting that even to himself.

Slowly he rose and left his room. He wanted cold water to sooth his dry throat. Raph stopped as he heard a noise coming from Donatello's room. It was quiet early for anyone to be awake, even for their master Splinter. He knocked on Don's door and entered before he heard an answer.

Don looked up from the new invention he was working on to stare at Raph. "Hi Raph."

"What are you doing still up Don? "

"I should be asking you the same question. As for me I'm working on this new baby here."

"Oh," Raph looked shamelessly uninterested.

Don narrowed his eyes at his brother. "Raph, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Raph turned defensive too quickly. "I was just thirsty."

Don frowned. He didn't like how tired Raph looked, and he didn't believe he was okay at all. "Raph, I could see that something is wrong. Are you sick?"

Raph shook his head. "I'm fine. I just, … haven't been sleeping well lately."

"Why haven't you?"

Raph was starting to get annoyed by Don's concern. He frowned at his brother to let him know just that. Don didn't drop the issue as Raph hoped.

"Why haven't you been sleeping well Raph?"

Raph sighed, and confessed, "Bad dreams."

Don ignored his new invention and stood up facing Raph. "Tell me about it."

Now Raph was really annoyed. "I can't remember them. Don, just go back to whatever you've been working on and I'll go back to sleep, okay?"

"No, Raph," Don put a hand on Raph's shoulder, stopping him from leaving, "This is serious. You really look awful. You do need to rest."

"Gee, thanks for letting me know that!"

"Listen, I've still got some of the sleeping pills Logan left you before. You can use them."

"I don't need something to knock me out Don, and beside, you know I hate those."

Don smiled at the memory. Raph really had quite an experience with sleeping drugs. "But you do need help sleeping. You look exhausted."

"I'm fine. I'm sure the dreams will stop soon and I'll get enough sleep to make up for what I missed."

"Fine," Don sighed, "But you'll let me know if the nightmares still bother you tomorrow?"

"Allright."

Don smiled. "Good night Raph."

"Good night Don."

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A week later …

Splinter was sitting on his favorite arm-chair trying to concentrate on the book in his hands but failing miserably as his two eldest students were quarreling a bit louder than his state of mind could digest at that particular moment. He sighed, dropped the book and stood up. "Leonardo, Raphael, stop..." Splinter realized that his shout was either unheard or ignored by the two turtles. The old rat reminded himself to remain calm. He was about to address them again but thought better of it. Instead he let go of another sigh, turned his back and headed to his meditating room. He really was getting too old for this.

"Guys, just quit it already! You're causing everyone a headache," Donatello was getting more than annoyed at his brothers usual quarrel.

"He started it," Leo defended himself as he shot Raph yet another threatening glare.

"Yeah right!"

"I'm not getting a headache, Don," MichaelAngelo offered between bites from the potato chips bag he was devouring in front of the TV.

Donattelo sent him a killing look, which Mike received with a playful smile.

"Hey, guys, come check out this movie. It rocks! You're really missing out," Mikey invited lazily.

"Shut up, Mike!" Raph growled.

Don looked at Raph disapprovingly then turned to Leonardo. "Leo, just drop it already, will you? This isn't getting you or him anywhere."

"I agree. It's his fault but it'll be judgment day before I get him to admit it."

"Damn you Leo!" Raph rolled his fist angrily.

Leo dropped on the sofa beside Mike. "I give up, Raph. You win, happy?"

"Finally," Don sighed with relief.

Raph looked at all of them with murder in his eyes. He hated being treated like a child. He stormed into his room and shut the door behind him with bang.

"I think I need a fresh air," Don announced.

"Wanna go out for pizza?" Mike was instantly enthused.

"Sounds good to me. Leo, want to join us?"

"Naa. I'm beat."

"I'll grab our coats and hats," Mike jumped to the task.

"Hey Leo, you really need to lay off Raph a little."

"Now it's MY fault!"

"I didn't say that. It's just that Raph worries me these days. He isn't sleeping well and is stressed out."

"So what's new?"

"Just let him cool down for few days."

"Don, it's not like I start picking on him. You know he asks for it."

"Whatever, Leo." Don gave up. "See you."

"Have fun."

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Raph was lying on his bed, eyes closed. He knew something was wrong with him but he didn't know what. He felt weak and so very tired and hot. Raph groaned inwardly as he turned on his side facing the wall.

There was one knock and then the door to his room opened. Leo poked his head inside the room. "Hey, we've got some cleaning up to do. Come do your share."

"Go away," Raph groaned again.

"What's that supposed to mean? There's no way I'm doing your share and you know it."

"Fine. I'm coming." Raph pulled himself upright lazily. All his bones ache like hell.

Leo, partly satisfied, left the room. Raph dragged himself to the door and then out of his room.

"You can start over there," Leo instructed.

Raph turned too quickly, the place started to spin wildly around him. He could hardly comprehend what was happening to him as one minute he was standing, the next he was sprawled on the floor, everything seeming to spin funnily around him.

Leo watched Raph fall with a shock. He screamed his brother's name as he rushed to his side, kneeling before his fallen body.

"Raph! Raph, answer me!"

Raph blinked and tried to focus. When finally the world stopped spinning, he was able to focus on Leo's worried face. "Leo…"

Leo grabbed his brother's arms, supporting his flushed weight. "Slowly, Raph. Tell me what's wrong."

"Dizzy," Slurring, Raph tried to explain.

Leo put a hand on Raph's forehead then announced grimly, "You're burning with fever."

"I'm fine," Raph insisted and tried to push himself up only to collapse back in Leo's strong arms.

"Maaster!"

Splinter appeared instantly. His face masked his worry as he knelt to examine his son.

"He's burning up."

"Yes. Son, carry him to his room. We have to cool him down."

Leo nodded. He gathered Raph in his arms and carried him. Raph murmured a weak protest as he felt himself being lifted and carried to his room but he felt too weak to do more.

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When Don and Mikey came back they found Splinter standing outside Raph's room and Leo pacing nervously around it, both their faces grim with worry.

"What's going on?" Don was alarmed right away.

"It's Raph," Leo explained, "He's sick. Burning with fever."

"How bad is it?" Mikey wanted to know.

"We don't know son. Logan is with him."

"We called him when Raph's fever refused to go down and kept going up instead," Leo added what Splinter left out.

It was hours later when Logan finally exited the room. He looked exhausted. "If I decide to charge Raph by the visit, why, I'd be a millionaire within a month."

He cleared his throat when no one appreciated his joke. "Excuse me. I know you're all worried."

"Well, then just spill out, will you?"

"He'll be just fine," Logan answered Leo's outburst with a smile. "I couldn't find anything wrong with him beside the fever, which has gone down by the way and still is."

Everyone looked relieved. "Thank you my friend," Splinter was the first to express his gratitude.

"You are quite welcome, old rat."

"Sorry for yelling," Leo apologized.

"It's all right," Logan waved his hand dismissively, "But there is something that caught my attention."

"What?"

"There's a weird looking scar on Raph's upper left arm which looks quite new. Anyone knows where he got it from?"

Logan's answer was four blank stares. "Guess the answer is no then."

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All circled Raph's bed as Logan gently, so not to wake the slumbering turtle, showed them the scar he mentioned.

They'd not seen it before, although from the size of it, it was a wonder they hadn't.

The scar looked dark, ugly and angry. It cut deep into Raph's skin, drawing a weird shape in its path.

"That's weird! I don't remember Raph sustaining any injury lately," said Don.

Leo and Mikey nodded their agreement.

"I don't see any reason to worry now. It's just a scar and I've already cleaned it up. What we should do now is let Raph rest. We disturbed him enough," Logan pointed out then added, "Someone should stay with him though. Just in case the fever decides to bump up again."

"I'll stay with him," Don offered before the others could.

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Raph moaned and his eyes fluttered open slowly.

"Hey there! How you feeling, buddy?"

"Hey Don. What happened?" Raph questioned tiredly.

"You had a fever. Gave us all quite a fright," Don smiled at him warmly.

"Oh, hell! Didn't plan to."

"I know you didn't," Don laughed. "How about some water?"

"Sounds nice."

Don helped Raph to some water then let him lay back down. "Listen Raph, I believe our two brothers are still awake in their rooms worrying about you. How about I leave you a second to let them know you woke up?"

"Go ahead."

A minute later all three turtles burst into Raph's room.

"Well, time you woke up sleepy head," Mikey smiled happily at the red turtle as he flung himself beside him on bed.

"Hey, watch it Mikey!"

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

"I didn't know I was sick, Leo!"

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From distance, Splinter listened to his sons teasing with a heavy heart, for he knew something they didn't know. Logan, however, knew that he knew something. The mutant doctor caught Splinter's gaze the moment he showed them the scar on Raphael's arm and knew he had recognized it.

Splinter realized his son was in grave danger. He was determined to protect him with all the strength he has. He will protect him from those planning to do him harm, even if it costs him his own life. Yes, he would never be able to live with himself if anything happens to Raphael or to any of his sons. It was, after all, his own deeds that put Raphael in this danger…Or was it?

TBC.

P.S. Reviews are very much appreciated so if you have time, please do review. I'm open to critiques and, believe

it or not, praises to :)