Disclaimer – As always, don't own them. BLEH. So, with that said, I'm back from Texas. My son looked very good in his 'blues', and seemed 'taller', for some reason. Hmm… He did a 2.5 mile run and was barely breaking sweat, in fact. They usually do 5 miles each day! - We had a great time in Texas with all the ceremonies and such, but it is good to have him back home – for now, anyway. Who knows when he'll get sent back for tech school.

Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy this next chapter, since I felt lucky to get it written and uploaded. Lots going on right now. Thanks to Ryan Phelan, Mikaela's Spade, Aries Zodiac, Leo Oneal, Chibi Rose Angel, Ramica, Jessiy Landroz (x3), Cynlee, Lunar-Ninja, and Becca T for reading and reviewing. I truly appreciate everyone who came back with me re: this story, but you reviewers give me reason to never give up on continuing my missives – no matter how long it's been since the last update. Thanks guys! You're the best!

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Chapter 5 – A Warrior's Cry

Raph and Leo stood there on the rooftop, each facing the other, yet both knew that they were no longer alone. Raph rolled and jerked his eyes to the left towards the edge of the building, growling low and quiet, indicating his concern for Mikey. However, Leo gave an almost indiscernible shake of his head to tell him not to move. Raph glared back in disdain, obviously not at all happy with his brother's decision.

Nevertheless, with Leo's hands already conveniently crossed in front of him from his earlier confrontation with his brother, the blue-banded turtle was able to give a little jerk of his thumb in the direction of the shadows behind him. In that way, he effectively told Raphael that they would first combat the presence on the roof before checking on Mike. Leonardo then saw a small, satisfied smile grow along Raph's face, with his own mouth doing the same in reply.

This was what Splinter had trained them for, from the time that they were toddlers until now, at almost fourteen and fifteen years of age. Nearly equal in ability and strength, paired up together Leonardo knew that he and Raphael would make quick work of whomever it was who had the nerve to try to sneak up behind them. He almost laughed aloud at the absurdity. After all, he and his brother were ninja, while the wayward youth of the city were wholly untrained in the ancient art of self-defense that his family practiced.

Mouthing his words as he slowly uncrossed his arms, Leo 'said', "On the count of three, one…two…" and then, as his tongue slipped between his upper and lower teeth to form the word 'three', Leo quickly stepped away from Raph. Quick as lightening, one darted to the left while the other went to the right. With Leo pivoting around swiftly in order to face their challenger, and as he and Raph unsheathed their weapons at the same time, both brothers took a silent yet defensive stand, as ready as Splinter had trained them to be. They both growled low and menacing; each peering intently into the abyss of black shadows, as they tried to discern whom it was who was hiding there.

However, with the moon hidden behind the towering skyscrapers a few blocks away and with the neon lights of the city too far to be effective lighting, the depth of night allowed for deeper shrouds of dark. Consequently, neither brother could tell who had joined them up on the roof.

Nevertheless, Raphael charged in first, always eager to do battle with the punks he frequently found on the streets below. He was certain that one of them had chanced upon him where he and his brother stood atop the building, and it angered him that he and Leo had been too distracted to notice. It only made him more determined to confront the perpitrators.

Leo tried to call out to Raphael to stop. However, he could only watch in helpless agitation as his brother ignored his warning and raced into the shadows, doing so with an almost joyful abandon. Yet, just as quickly as he did, Raph cried out in pain. Then, one of his sai rocketed out from the shadows and back into the dim, star lit top of the building near where Leo stood. Fortunately, the weapon landed well away from him, helpless now and inanimate, as it rang out a dull thud against the tar-papered flooring of the roof. It skittered a few feet, ending its travels with a clang against the concrete wall at the edge of the building.

Then, a battle cry, a 'ye-haw' yelp, sounded out, with a few grunts of physical exertion, proof that even with a single sai, Raphael was doing well enough. Then, the remaining twin to the inert weapon lying a few feet from Leo sailed out from the dark shadows. Soon, a briefly airborne Raphael followed. He landed unceremoniously to Leo's right with an audible 'humph', the young mutant rolling a bit, and then ending up on his back. In typical turtle-like fashion, Raph tried to right himself, but found the task difficult, made more daunting because he was now 'royally pissed off'.

Seeing that his brother suffered from only a bruised ego, Leo gave his own call to arms and – with equal fervor – raced into the dark recesses of the blackened depths from which Raphael had just emerged. Leonard's katana were fully unfurled from their scabbards, one raised high over his left shoulder for the main attack, while the other he brought in front of him in defensive posture. He nearly roared in defiance as he charged in, the shadows seeming to swallow him whole.

Raphael finally righted himself and quickly recovered his weapons. However, before he could join his brother, he heard Leo cry out. Then and with a resonating 'ching', one of the katana swords slid out from the shadow depths and towards him along the ground. As its trajectory stopped mere inches from his feet, Raphael tore his eyes away from it and looked aghast into the darkened recesses. He wondered anxiously, then, as to whom it could be that could so effectively disarm him and be in the process of doing the same to Leonardo. Weren't they ninja? Didn't Splinter train them well? For a brief moment, so quick he barely felt it, a fear crept up Raphael's shell, a fear that said maybe Leo was right and they were not as trained as they needed to be. All the same, though, the red-banded turtle shook the feeling away, not quite ready to accept it, and more than eager to re-join the fight once more.

Just as he prepared to charge back into the fray, however, he heard Leo call out in alarm. It was a cry of pain and surprise. Immediately following the verbal outburst, there was a brief huff of exerting bodies. Then the bright report of sharp metal striking against dull and creating a harsher sound in reply, came forth. It caused Raphael to hesitate and come up short.

"Where – have I heard that sound before?" he asked himself warily.

Yet, just as he tried to discern the memory, Raph heard Leo shout out again, but this time it was a cry of 'cease and desist' to the battle, almost in surrender. Glaring into the shadows, the red-banded turtle feared that his older brother had decided to give up, to announce defeat, to give victory to the one who had dared to challenge them. Anger now filled his heart; no way would Raph just hand himself over to whomever it was who had caused his brother to respond in such a coward's way. Raphael would not accept anything less than victory. How dare this interloper think that they could win so easily against him, or against his family? More importantly, he worried that his brother was in serious trouble. He couldhear angry grunts as bodies connected, the shwoosh of weapons slicing through air as he considered his options.

Then, with his concerns in mind and with a growing, palatable rage, the adolescent turtle in red brought his own weapons up into an offensive position. They pointed threateningly at the shadows before him, their intent deadly and direct. Then, yelling for all he was worth and completely forgetting about keeping silent, Raph – once again – charged into the darkened depth of the building's shadows. With all the energy he possessed, he advanced with a furious rush to join forces with his obviously desperate brother.