Author's Note:

Hi, I'm back with an update! I'm tired of working on this chapter, so BYE BYE I'm releasing it! So long! time to work on chapter 6, yay! Sorry if this seems rushed, or if it... plain sucks. Better luck with chapter 6!

Okay, I apologize for the all the gory blood. Maybe I went overkill... heh. Let me know if I should change this fic's rating.

I'm off to update my bio, because I've been asked to by Sassy! Now it's nice and long-winded, which is an honest reflection of myself. Did I forget or leave anything out in my bio? Like the kitchen sink? Did I mention the kitchen sink?

Reviewers: there are notes for you at the end of the chapter, as always.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles, and there's no profit to be had here. None. ktnx.

The Greatest Gifts

Chapter 5: Perseverance

Leonardo loathed the Foot Clan.

Tremors of rage racked Leo's hands, while his eyes glared maliciously at the gathering Foot Soldiers. Some of their injured limped away, only to be replaced by fresh ninjas drifting out of the shadows. Too often had the Foot Clan hurt the ones he loved. Far too often. Tonight just added to the list of reasons why he despised them...

When Leonardo had found Raphael's battered body tonight, underneath the point of an enemy katana, he had felt as though his own life had being ripped away by the blistering claws of horror. If he hadn't managed to interrupt the enemy's blade, neither Raphael nor Leonardo would have survived that heinous moment in time.

The memory was scorched into his mind... He remembered the stabbing pain he felt in his chest, as he had fought away enemy ninjas from Raph's limp body. He had been unable to tell if his brother was dead or alive, and his heart had almost ruptured. Leo had screamed Raphael's name repeatedly, his agonized voice mimicking a broken record. His brother had been unresponsive, which had greatly distressed Leonardo, as his unanswered calls were swallowed by the morose rain. Leo had then fallen prey to an overwhelming sense of fierce panic. It had transformed his body into a hyperventilating mess, and tossed his mind into mayhem. His thoughts had reeled in a tumult of nightmarish sensations. Finally, when Leo had driven away enough ninjas, he had managed to briefly examine Raph's body. The vision of his brother's shallow breaths had rescued Leo from despair, and had stopped his world from crashing down on him. When Leonardo had heard Raphael whisper his name, albeit in an alarmingly weak and cracked voice, it had been wondrous music to the fearless leader's ears.

Of course, at the time Leonardo had been far from fearless. He still was.

Leonardo currently stood beside his wounded brother, who swayed slightly on his feet, as they waited for the next assailment of their enemy. The imminent attack. Leo struggled to find his focus, that centralised calm that guided him in his attacks. He just couldn't grasp it, he was too overcome by a broad range of rampaging emotions. Worry. Anger. Hatred. Fear.

He was infinitely worried about Raphael. His wounded brother shouldn't be forced to fight, but should instead be resting and recuperating, being cared for and tended to... anything but exerting himself even further. The only reason he let Raphael combat was the fact that Leonardo knew he couldn't protect his brother alone. He had tried, but if he had continued to do so, he would have been badly injured himself. He would have become too wounded to save his brother. Still, he had tried... Countless of strategies and tactics had presented themselves in Leonardo's mind, but he had been forced to reject every single one. In every possible scenario, Raphael would have been left unprotected long enough for a fatal attack... Not that Leonardo felt as though his wounded brother impeded his own chances of survival. No, Leonardo wasn't that selfish. He just couldn't find a way to protect Raphael and escape unscathed. Not yet.

Having failed to find an agreeable solution to their plight, Leo had reluctantly agreed to let Raphael fight. Besides, his brother deserved a chance to... how had Raph so grimly put it... "go down fighting."

It all made Leonardo so angry, so furious! How dare they hurt his brother so badly! How dare they attack so dishonourably! Tonight, he would paint his swords with their blood as retribution. Ninjitsu justice.

Leonardo knew he was close to being consumed by hatred. This wasn't the first time the Foot Clan had nearly killed Raphael. In the past, they had also captured his brothers, and even kidnapped his sensei! The Foot disgusted Leonardo, and they shamed the very definition of ninja. If they harmed his brother any further... any of his brothers, the fraying thread supporting his dangling sanity would finally snap. His hostility would detonate. He wasn't usually this jaded, but the sight of Raphael had perturbed Leonardo greatly tonight, leaving him almost distraught. He felt as though he could loose himself in revenge, and it almost disturbed Leonardo when he realised that he wouldn't regret anything.

Fear. Leonardo was afraid. If he had arrived a split second later, Raphael would have perished. Raphael might still die, and so might Leo. He was frightened, but mostly for his brother. He had to do everything within his means to protect Raphael as they fought. He had to get them out of this mess! Leonardo was responsible for his brothers, for Raphael. He would find a way to escape. He must. Somehow.

Leonardo succeeded in steadying his breaths. It seemed unjust that he could accomplish such a seemingly simple task, while his brother rasped painfully aside him. If he could haven given Raphael his own breaths, he would have done so in a heartbeat.

The ninjas finally rushed forward with feral war cries, warning of their resurrected determination. Leonardo still couldn't liberate himself from the distraction of his barraging emotions, but he did manage to pinpoint his concentration, if only just barely. It was all he could manage at the moment. Hopefully it would prove to be enough to win this battle. To fight his way to escape.

He would succeed. He always did.

His katanas enthusiastically met the weapons of his enemies, rising like silver flames and leaping to consume everything in their path. His right katana deflected an enemy's sword, nimbly twisting around the other blade. A subtle flick of Leo's wrist sent the enemy's sword toppling to the ground. Meanwhile, Leonardo's left katana cleanly sliced the chain of an attacking nunchuck. In a glorious flourish, the turtle's twin blades slashed the arms of both his adversaries, his flowing movements outshining those of his enemies. Blood spurted from expertly slit veins, as his crippled opponents scrambled away from the turtle's unrivalled katanas.

Leonardo did not need to kill his enemies to spill their blood. He would pluck the Foot Soldier's one by one, preserving as many of their wretched lives as possible, while demonstrating the true meaning of ninjitsu.

Leonardo glanced over at Raphael, who was locked in battle with another swordsman. His brother brutally slashed the ninja's masked face with his spiked weapon, exposing a young man now mutilated by a jagged cut along his cheekbone. The harsh attack took the youthful enemy unaware, allowing Raph to awkwardly disarm him, then plunge his sai into the human's chest. The man slipped off the weapon as scarlet streams trickled between his shuddering lips. He fell lifelessly to the ground. Leonardo turned back to face a pair of attacking ninjas. He was concerned for his brother, and not only because he was badly wounded.

Leonardo ducked to avoid the swing of an incoming Bo staff. Still low to the ground, the turtle responded by jabbing his attacker's legs with his katanas. The sliced muscles slackened into rubbery noodles that could no longer support the ninja's weight, and his body folded upon itself.

Leo checked on Raphael again. With a fiercely inhaled breath, the blue-clad turtle spin-kicked an enemy who was daring to sneak up on his brother. The surprised ninja didn't know what hit him, and was unconscious before his airborne body collided cruelly into a nearby tree. As Leonardo landed from his kick, he anxiously watched Raphael clumsily evade a nunchuck, barely rescuing his dome-shaped skull at the last moment. Leonardo could see his brother's movements slowing and weakening. If only he had arrived sooner... If only Raphael had more time. They needed a miracle, and they needed it immediately.

Leonardo let his katanas whirl dangerously through the air like a hurricane, as he twirled and pivoted on his feet elegantly. Leo would just have to fight harder. He disarmed a group of ninjas by slicing through their weapons, his finely forged steel meeting little resistance. Maybe Leo could win this fight... if only Raphael could hold on a little longer. Leonardo's glinting blades glided through the air stunningly as they leapt between foes, mesmerising his victims by the bewildering rapidity of his onslaught. He slashed a nunchucker's side, while simultaneously quarrelling with an enemy katana. Leo easily disarmed his opponent's sword, while his other katana moved on to spar with a ninja's oscillating Bo.

Would the Foot's assault ever wane? Would tonight's battle ever subside?

As Leonardo flogged a soldier with his katanas, his brother's dire and strangled cry gripped his frantic ears. The blue-clad turtle spun around instantly, and fearfully saw Raphael tumble to the ground. A Bo-wielding ninja loomed over his brother victoriously. "Raph!" he called out in alarm, but before he could run to his brother's aid, an agile swordsman was suddenly blocking his path. Leonardo's katanas collided eagerly with his new opponent's single blade, while his eyes desperately tried to catch a glimpse of Raphael. When the other swordsman blocked Leonardo's attacks expertly, the turtle was taken by surprise. He looked into his adversary's face, and noticed for the first time that it wasn't shrouded, like the rest of the soldiers. The man's albino face was so ruthlessly hardened, that it sent shivers down the turtle's spine.

Leonardo attempted to dodge past the swordsman. He needed to help his brother, but the albino was extremely talented, and his single katana easily sparred with both of Leonardo's blades. He felt helpless. He couldn't fight his way to his brother's side. "Raph?" Leonardo cried out to his fallen brother, inwardly praying that his brother had managed to save himself. Leonardo inwardly chastised himself, guiltily feeling like he had failed as a leader, and as a brother.

"Ugh," he heard Raphael's ineloquent reply. Moments later, he saw his brother shakily standing once more, his movements sluggish but purposeful. Leo nervously realised that Raph wasn't going to last much longer. Leonardo vigilantly swordplayed with the daunting albino, determined to end this battle once and for all. He tried to parry and sidestep around his opponent, but the swordsman was perpetually able to predict his movements, and never failed to block Leo's path. Every time the turtle tried to jump over the albino, his intuitive opponent blocked Leo's effort with his sword. Beads of sweat dripped from Leo's brow, disappearing into the rainfall that flooded his skin. As he arduously duelled, a small inquiring voice nudged it's way in front of Leonardo's thick concentration. Something was different... Leonardo was no longer being attacked by other foot soldiers... only the albino...

Leonardo realised far too late why he was duelling the albino alone. He saw a surge of ninjas rush toward his brother at once, and Leonardo was powerless to stop it. His opponent smirked evilly, his arrogant expression disclosing the horrible truth, that this maneuver had been planned. The albino had been distracting Leonardo so that his fellow ninjas could kill his brother in front of his eyes.

He would not let that happen.

With passionate fury, Leonardo lashed out with his katanas so swiftly that his opponent's cocky smile flickered. Leonardo added a feverish intensity behind his movements that caused his adversary's grin to fade complete. The turtle then screamed murderously, and the albino's face frowned and immersed itself with renewed effort. Leonardo gathered his fears, his violent impulses, his anxious thoughts... he funnelled them all into a flickering flame in his mind's eye. One single blue flame. Leonardo fed his essence into that fiery flare, and the flame intensified in brightness as it was gradually surrounded by a black void. Leonardo's scream cut out as he added his anger into the flame, and immediately he was engulfed in a trance. The void symbolised his freedom from distraction, and the flame was his channelled strength... and it was more powerful than ever. Leonardo knew that the albino could sense the change in his demeanour, for he saw his opponent's expression falter with uneasy apprehension. The human realised that he was looking into the face of his executioner.

In a final and vain attempt to cling onto his life, the swordsman lunged forward with his sword held self-assuredly, aiming lethally at the turtle's chest. Leonardo was captivated in still tranquillity as he watched the katana approach his plastron, unconcerned for his safety, and not alarmed by the futile attack. His muscles mellowed and his stance loosened. His body became fluidly relaxed and prepared to move in any direction. As the enemy's sword drew closer, Leonardo finally made his move. His left katana nimbly swept in front of him, and caught the enemy's sword as it coursed through the air. With the albino's blade safely deflected, Leonardo's right katana didn't hesitate to make it's fatal strike. The swift blade plunged into the albino's shoulder, piercing right through the human's frail body. Leonardo emphasised the kill by twisting his blade inside his dying opponent's torso. The albino's face contorted in shocked agony as he expelled his last sputtering breath. He suffocatingly choked on his own blood, as his vital fluids spilled from his white lips and brushed the colourless palette of his face. He convulsed once, and only once. With that, his body froze. His face was still stretched in a perplexing mix of astonished wonderment and antagonising distress, as his deadweight pulled his lax body off the turtle's sword. It was a death befitting the accomplished ninja, a renown warrior in his own circle, and a revered leader amongst his peers.

Unfortunately for him, no one except Leonardo witnessed it. Even then, the turtle was no longer paying attention. He was already running toward a staggering Raphael, watching as his brother was finally brought to his knees by his weakness and ailing injuries. Raphael's hands caught himself on the muddy terrain, and he stayed hunched over on all fours, unintentionally adopting a defeated pose as his enemies ambushed him. Raph was no longer able to defend himself. As Leonardo sprinted, fright overpowered his inner-calm, releasing him from his trance. His horror-stricken eyes watched as half a dozen weapons descended toward his incapacitated brother. Leonardo hopeless knew he couldn't stop it... Before the albino died, he had distanced Leo from his brother with his herding movements. Perhaps that skilled swordsman had won, after all. Leonardo's blood curdled as a heart-wrenching scream tore from his swelling throat, "Nooooooo!"

It was at that moment Leonardo got the timely miracle he had so desperately been praying for. From the corner of his vision, another green turtle hollered in anger as he launched himself in front of Raphael's attackers. His purple bandana flailed in the squalling storm, as his Bo powerfully bludgered Raphael's attackers. The large swooping motions of his wooden staff accentuated his body's bustling motions, mercilessly clobbering skulls and hurtling enemies off their feet. Leonardo couldn't spare any time to rejoice. Not yet. He threw himself at the remainder of Raphael's attackers, until there was an impermeable barrier of fighting green ninjas protecting the wounded turtle.

As the enemy ninjas were being driven back, Leonardo felt his face stretch into a much-needed smile. He had no idea how his brother had found them, and no clue why he knew Raphael was in danger. At the moment, such good fortunes weren't to be questioned, but praised.

"Donnie," Leonardo addressed his newly-arrived brother amiably, "you're a lifesaver!" Donatello replied with a smile, but Leonardo caught the concern etched into his eyes. "Check Raph, I'll cover you," Leonardo added, reading his brother's mind, and trying to keep his voice confident and reassuring. He hoped he managed to mask his own worry.

Donatello wasted no time in diving to Raphael's side. His eyes quickly took in all of Raphael's wounds, then he clutched the bleeding shoulder strongly, applying as much pressure as possible. Raph's body slackened under Donatello's grasp until his brother's embrace was the only thing that kept him sitting upright. Leonardo watched his brothers as much as possible---which wasn't very much---as he strove to fight off the bombardment of Foot soldiers. Leo could sense some of Donatello's distress slip away as he held onto Raphael, and he was reassured that his brother was still living. Leonardo understood that feeling all too well. As Donatello held Raphael firmly at arm's length, they both locked gazes. Leonardo couldn't see Donatello's facial expression, but he could see Raph's face, and it looked strangely numb of emotion. As Leonardo focused back on the foot soldiers, he heard Donatello talk to their brother in an adamantly upset voice, "Never do that to me again, Raph!" Donatello was clearly referring to something that had transpired between the two of them, although Leonardo had no idea what it could be. He idly wondered what had happened.

Suddenly Donatello's voice took on an urgency that demanded Leonardo's attention, as he shouted, "Raph? Raph!" Leonardo parried around an enemy's attacking sword, and caught a glimpse of his brothers. His keen ninja eyes quickly remarked that the red-clad turtle's face was starting to glaze over, while Donatello shook his shoulders to keep him awake, unmindful of Raph's injuries. Leonardo was flooded with dread. This couldn't happen, not now, not when they had come so far! As Leonardo distractedly swordplayed with the foot soldiers, he felt a Bo staff club his side, but he didn't care. As long as he was still standing, it didn't matter. His eyes didn't want to stray from his brothers. He constantly had to make a conscious decision to forcefully peel his eyes away, in order to block the Foot's attacks. He didn't even notice when a blade lightly sliced his thigh.

With Donatello's insistent voice and shaking hands, Raphael seemed to struggle against unconsciousness, and his glassy expression was replaced with stubborn resolve. Yes! Leonardo shouted gleefully in his mind. That was the Raphael he knew! A fighter! Leonardo fervently continued to dance with his katanas, as he exerted himself in sheltering his brothers from harm. He was relieved that Donatello had showed up when he had, his brother was so intelligent, he would know exactly how to help Raphael from a medical perspective. Don brought with him renewed hope.

Leonardo knew how important it was that his brother remain at Raphael's side, but he also knew he couldn't continue to shelter them both from the battle. Thankfully Donatello was aware of this fact as well. He positioned himself so that one hand could continue to apply pressure on Raph's shoulder, while his free hand maneuvered his Bo. From his position squatting on the ground, Donatello's movements were constrained, and his attacks were stunted, but he was still able to hold off the Foot's attacks... more or less. At least, it made Leonardo's task considerably easier, and just in time... Another fresh wave of ninjas were slipping out of the shadows and joining their fellow soldiers in the battlefield.

When is something going to let up!

No sooner had the thought crossed Leonardo's mind, did he hear an excited cheer from the air above, "Cowabunga!" A fourth turtle landed into the foray of the battle, and took position next to Leonardo. "Did ya miss me?" He chipped light-heartedly and twirled his nunchucks vividly.

A relieved Leonardo couldn't help but offer a slight laugh as he replied, "Mikey, you have no idea!"

Michaelango burst with pride as he threw his nunchucks at a Foot soldier's head. The turtle was very quick, and didn't permit the enemy ninja to react. The blunt wood of the nunchuck cruelly bashed into the human's face. Leonardo could have cringed at the disgustingly wet cracking sound that resulted, as bones were fractured and flesh split open. The ninja abandoned his weapons and grabbed his face with a twisted shriek. He crumpled onto the ground, holding a broken and shattered face. None of the turtles exhibited any pity for the damaged human.

The newly arrived and brightly-spirited turtle looked over his shoulder, and inspected Donatello and Raphael for the first time. His eyes enlarged substantially when he saw the poor state of their red-clad brother. "Geeze, Raph," he offered, "I know you like the colour red, but I think you've gone a little overboard tonight..."

Raphael's eyes blazed with fire as he looked at his brother squarely, giving him an sarcastic expression that read "does it look like I did it intentionally?" Leonardo smiled as he turned his eyes back on the ninjas. Mikey was already lifting their spirits. Sometimes it seemed that his mere presence had that effect. He also seemed to be helping Raphael keep alert. Leonardo bet those were Michaelangelo's intentions.

The occasional glance over Leonardo's shoulder showed that Donatello was no longer wielding his Bo, but was redressing Raph's unyielding wound with his own supply of fresh bandages. This time the injury was wrapped properly, criss-crossing and intertwining around Raph's chest and arm, in order to concentrate pressure on the shoulder itself. Donatello was also continuously speaking to their wounded brother in order to keep him awake. As he finished dressing the injury, Donatello yelled over the clamour of the battle, "We must to get Raph home, pronto!"

Before Leonardo could offer a reply, Raphael's thick and slurred voice followed suit, "You guys get outta here, I'll cover ya..." His words hit Leonardo hard in his gut. They smouldered his anger, aggravated his anxiety, and greatly tested his patience... which clouded and distracted him in the battle! He furiously wished Raphael would stop saying that. Leonardo was going to get him out of here alive. Raph just needed to have faith.

Leonardo wasn't the only one upset by Raphael's proposed notion. He could sense that Donatello wanted to explode at their brother, though he knew Don would never follow through on such impulses. He hardly ever did. He settled on a curt reply instead, "Shut-up Raph."

Leonardo full-heartedly agreed with Donatello, but he felt strangely obligated to subdue his own anger and comfort Raphael. He was in such bad shape, he might not have fully realised what he was saying. "Raph," Leonardo spoke in a tone more miffed then he intended, "no one is leaving you behind, so unless you have any other suggestions..." No one answered.

However, Michaelando looked to be in his own world. As always. "Ha! How do you like that, huh?" he squealed in delight while he repeatedly struck a ninja over the head with his nunchuck. His opponent had been trying to thrust with his katana, but the orange-clad turtle was too fast. He was toying with the enemy ninja, letting the human shove his blade so that the turtle could nimbly dodge each attack. He would then reply with a fast whack of his nunchuck. With every blow to the head, the ninja's movements became increasingly oafish. When Michaelango finally grew bored of his game---and Mikey grew bored easily---he slugged the human's head energetically with both his chucks. The ninja wavered on his feet humorously before landing on the ground in a tangled heap.

Leonardo was about to chuckle, but he instead witnessed a sight that made his heart leap into his throat. There was a Foot Soldier standing right behind Mikey, and he was swinging an axe toward his brother's neck! An axe! "Mikey, lookout!" Leo bellowed. He watched with bated breath as his brother froze upon hearing Leo's words. Michaelango couldn't see the enemy, but his own ninja instincts were perfectly aware of the peril. Mikey's head hastily ducked into his shell, and the axe swung harmlessly through open air. Before the enemy ninja could make another move, his body suddenly stiffened, and the axe dropped neglected to the ground. The ninja rigidly pitched forward, landing onto the ground with a wet thump, and revealing a sai planted firmly into the corpse's back. Leo glanced at the Raphael, who was still seated on the ground with Donnie's arm wrapped securely around his shell. Raph was panting, and his left arm was still stretched out from having thrown his beloved weapon. Both him and Donatello were staring at Mikey's fallen attacker. Raph's expression was chillingly unreadable.

Mikey's head popped back out of his shell, and he spotted his would-be slayer laying on the ground next to an axe. Without skipping a beat, he turned back to the other ninjas and threw his nunchucks in the air animatedly. As he faced an attacking Bo staff, Mikey shouted out gleefully, "I just can't say this enough... man, I love being a turtle! Hah!"

Relieved that Mikey was alright, though still concerned for everyone's well-being, Leonardo's katana's gracefully played with two ninjas holding their own rough-looking swords. His mind reeled as he tried to come up with an idea, and his eyes skipped between monitoring on his brothers, watching the ninjas, and searching for opportunities. He heard Raphael's voice croaking behind him, "Remember guys... we are turtles." His voice was strangely pensive, very un-Raph-like.

At first, Leonardo didn't understand, but the thoughtful tone of his brother made him reflect on his words. Then it hit him. The last time Leonardo had said that exact phrase, they were also in a very tight position. They had only managed to save themselves by fleeing into the water...

Leonardo, Michaelango and Donatello dartedly shared a knowing look. They all realised what Raphael was suggesting, and none of them seemed pleased with the idea. They all answered their brother at once.

"No, absolutely not in your condition!" Leonardo strongly objected.

"Raph, open-wounds and water don't mix well, not to mention you're cold-blooded..." Donatello lectured.

"Dude, you can't even stand, let alone swim," Mikey tried to lightly point out.

Raph wasn't deterred by any of their arguments. He replied as evenly as he could between his panting breaths, "It's hardly... any worse... than drowning in this rain... with the Foot..."

Leonardo had to admit that Raphael made a valid point. He still didn't like the idea, not one bit, but it was still the best idea they had. It was the only idea they had. If they were going to do this, they had to act fast. Leonardo jumped over his attackers, safely somersaulting over the enemy weapons. He landed next to the dead ninja, who still held Raphael's sai firmly lodged in his back. Grabbing the weapon, Leo tucked it into his belt, then jogged over to where Raph and Donatello huddled. He grabbed his wounded brother under his left arm, while Donatello still held a firm grasp on Raphael's bleeding right shoulder. Donatello looked questioningly up at Leo, silently asking if this was their only choice, his eyes filled with concern. Leonardo knew his face echoed his brother's worry, but he nodded his affirmation, and together they picked their brother off the ground.

They half-carried and half-dragged their brother into the Harlem Meer, followed hurriedly by Michaelango, and closely tagged by the pursuing ninjas. The turtles knew that their enemies could only follow them so far. The mutant turtles could hold their breath for about twenty minutes, while the humans would be lucky if they could make it past two. As they ploughed their way into the water, Leonardo took a closer look at Raphael. His colour was horrible, and his skin was pale and littered with fresh bruises and lacerations. His breathing was painfully ragged and laborious. Any steps the turtle tried to take faltered, although it didn't matter because he was fully supported by his two brothers. Still, despite the disturbingly ill image his brother displayed, Leonardo still sensed a strength in Raphael, a strength that gave him hope. They could make it. They would make it. Raph would make it.

As the water deepened rapidly, the turtles took a deep breath. Leonardo worriedly watched Raphael struggle to inhale and hold the air inside. He was having significant doubts about their escape plan... how could he agree to this? It was too late to change his mind now...

Together, the four turtles dove into the murky waters. They disappeared quickly under the lake's turmoiled surface, which was dishevelled from the rain. Behind them, angry Foot soldiers tried to follow their retreating forms. Some of them panned out along the parameter of the large shoreline. They searched for any sign of their fleeing foes, their reptilian prey. Some even tried diving into the lake. They hunted, they searched, and they tried to chase, but all to no avail. The turtles were gone.

To Be Continued...

Notes to the Lovely Reviewers:

misterfooch: ! you paid to read and review my new chapter! (along with checking emails and other activities, no doubt!)... but still, I don't know how to react to such an honour. Ummm, thanks! a lot! heh. Geeze, good luck with that infantry training! I hope it's going alright, and I hope you are doing okay! I think about you sometimes, because I think about everyone I know who's associated with the army. My thoughts are with you, good luck and stay safe! Oh, and thank you for your reviews... both of them! lol

eldarsevenstar: -(helps you recover from your face plant)- -(shakes your hand)- HI! Nice to meet you. Gee, what a way to butter someone up, you sure are great with first impressions! hehe. You made me blush several shades of red! Thank you, thank you! Yeah, I got a lot of reviews, I'm so very pleased everyone likes my fic.

Sassyblondexoxo: hey, Sass! You want to know more about me! Wow... awesome! ok! I'll update my bio after I submit this. Speaking of updating... I've been compiling a list of favourite stories and authors, and of course you're on my lists! I hate to ask this... but what happened to your story "Heat"? Are you gonna finish it? Just curious, I love that fic. Hehe, I love most of your fics, and they are all gradually making their way onto my "lists". Just so you know. I'm pleased that you were so interested in my fic. Now that the action is starting to taper, I hope you aren't disappointed!

Melodist: Hello! Glad you found my story, and I'm even more glad you liked it! Hehe, I also have a crush on Leo... and there's lots of my beloved Raph in my stories, as well. So... keep on reading when you have the time! hopefully, you'll find this note, at some point... hehe. It's so funny that everyone is telling me that I am good at describing action sequences, because it's all coming from writers whom I envy! Like yourself. I can't believe how funny and sexy your stories are. They leave me rolling in laughter and light-headed! I could never accomplish that. I'm glad I have my own strong points, though! It was really an unexpected and pleasant surprise! Thanks for you review!

kaya lizzie: I'm glad my descriptions help guide your imagination, that's what I try to do. For the most part. That's why I use so many adjectives and adverbs... I hope I don't get carried away, lol. Yeah, Leo can be considered the calvary! His skill makes up for at least twenty ninjas...

Pi90katana: Yes, definitely, Leo is the most talented ninja among them! (No offence, green dudes.) It was about time Raph's brothers showed up and saved the day. hehe, there are only so many surprises I can put into my first TMNT fan fic. It was a logical progression. Raph and Leo are destined to always be fighting, especially if they live in the same roof. I like them that way... Their faults are so cute. -(cringes)- sorry I cut off my chapters where I do... I must find sadistic enjoyment in leaving my readers hanging... Yes, I did hear about that new CGI movie. I'm very happy, but also disappointed that the turtles weren't going to be people wearing turtle suits, like in the first movies... maybe because I'm old and set in my ways. "When I was your age, we didn't have no fancy smancy CGI or crazy internets... and we had to walk ten miles to school everyday, through hurricanes and blizzards... and it was uphill -both- ways!" Okay, so I'm not "old," I'm just 22, and I am really looking forward to the new turtle movie! Really, I am! thank you, and see you around!

jigsaws231: Thanks for your encouragement! I have watched the old and new cartoons, and I have seen all the movies, and I agree that there seems to be stronger bond between Raph/Mikey, and Raph/Leo... compared to the bond Raph has with Donnie. Perhaps it's because Donatello is absorbed in his work, and Raph is stand-offish... that's a bad combination for developing bonds. (you'll notice that Donnie is the last person Raph tried calling on his Cell Shell, in chapter 3...) They still love each other though, very much, and they are still brothers. I was hoping to play on that in my stories, and get them to work on their bond... but we'll see.

Mikaela's Spade: oh no! (fears the pikachu of doom) ... umm, is the pikachu of doom supposed to look so cute and cuddly? I hope this chapter didn't disappoint, especially since I'm slowly settling things down... glad you like my descriptions, thanks!

Linz: Thanks, and nice to meet you. oh wow, I'm happy this is one of your favourites! -(dances)- see you around, I hope!

Chibi Rose Angel: Awwww, Mikey is your favourite? that's great! I agree, Mikey is much more than just a joker! There will be a chapter where I -try- to delve into Mikey's reflection, further in the story. Unfortunately, I'm not good with humour... something I need to work on. Mikey was also my brother's favourite turtle, and I completely respect your choice! My brother and I were the biggest TMNT lovin' couple, it's what our sibling bond was initially based on...
glad you like my fight scenes! Time for me to stray away from those, now. I can't write a story with -just- fight scenes, hehe. Yes, this is my first official TMNT fic. First ever written, other than the ones in my head! I'm going on your favourites list? YAY! that's an honour, cuz you are on my fav's lists! Yes, I -have- read all your stories. I started reading stories here lonnnng before I started submitting my own. Unfortunately, when I first read the stories, I wasn't adding them to my favourites list because I was new and stupid. Now I have to go back and track down my favourites... But I can tell you I love your writing! It's usually dark, yet not entirely hopeless, because as you said, they are a family and they are there for each other. It's a great way to get one's "dark" fix while not getting too depressed by the ending! hehe. Thanks for your reviews and support, it means a lot! I'm trying to submerge myself into this fandom, and you have all made it so easy for me. It's wonderful! I can't thank you enough!

captkablooey: thanks! I might address the fact that the Foot Clan had various extra skill levels, later on in my fic. Most of what I wrote has an important purpose... just wait till I peel away the superficial layers.

Shadowflame611: Hi shadow! thanks for dropping by! that's great! Love your stories, btw. glad you like my writing! I try hard with the fight scenes. Hehe, maybe instead of giving the pizza to the reviewers, I should have given it to Donatello for his science experiments... I bet he's itching to get his hands on it! I bet he would discover new forms of life in the "cheese"...

The REAL Cheese Monkey: Go Ninja, go ninja, go! Ninja, ninja rap! weeee!

Lunar-ninja: hehe, yes Raph was totally being a selfish man! Good observation. He's lucky Leo also didn't get chopped up while he was distracting him by arguing and being stupid. umm, you are right, pacphys hasn't informed about such a "don't kill good guys" rule... well, that wouldn't make for an exciting story now, would it? ;) I'm going on your favourite(s) list(s)! yay! thanks! -(dances like the fool on the hill)- Take care, and I'll see you around!

Phew, I don't even want to know how much of my word count is from these notes to the reviewers...