Ok everyone and here we go again. I'm slightly embarrassed. I reread through some of my chapters and found missing or misspelled words. Ugh! I gotta' quit type and submitting after 9 PM.

Jessiy: I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I know Mike has a hard time keeping secrets but remember, this time, he kept it mainly because it meant keeping Leo and Donnie in the dark. So for the sake of torturing two of his brothers, he stayed silent. As for the questions with Raph's body temp., I haven't worked out the kinks on that one yet. I've been doing a little research on turtles so I can get the science part down.

Somellamafreak: Yes Mike is disgusting, as all little brothers are. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Poor Mike, chapter six is going to have an embarrassing story about him.

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Raphael and Master Splinter were standing at the edge of the entrance way to the living area. Donnie was the first to get up. He pulled the blanket around him and walked over to Raphael.

"How are you feeling Raph?" Raphael noticed the tone of concern in his voice.

"I'm fine Don. Still a little tired, but thanks for askin," he replied.

Leonardo cautiously walked over to his brother with Michelangelo close behind him. "Look Raph…." He paused. He wasn't sure what to say. Apologies are not easy. Everyone staring at him wasn't helping either. "Raph, I'm sorry. I was a little rude to you yesterday," he just stared at the ground. He wasn't sure what Raphael was going to say to him or if he was even speaking to him at all.

Raphael took in a breath. "Apology accepted Leo. And…. I'm sorry I started screaming and all. I guess I just lost it."

Leonardo made eye contact with his brother. Raphael was standing there looking at him with his arms folded. "Look Raph, I was just concerned about….."

"Leo," Raphael cut him off. "You've apologized, I've apologized. Can we just forget about it? Okay?"

"Raphael, I'm just trying to explain!" Leo insisted. "If you would quit interrupting me, I could do that."

Mike and Don just stared at each other and rolled their eyes. Here we go again they both thought.

Splinter placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Raphael," he spoke softly.

"I'm fine sensei," he replied. But Splinter wasn't convinced. His son was too tense and he did not want a repeat of yesterday.

"Leo, last time… Drop it. It's over and done with, okay?" Raphael began to stroll over to the couch.

Leo was a little miffed. I at least should be able to explain my actions and he doesn't even want to hear it. "Raphael, I'm not done."

Raphael immediately turned around and looked at his oldest brother. He pointed a finger and leaned in toward him. "Leo, I gotta' lot going on right now and I just want to walk away before I lose my temper." The words were exiting through gritted teeth. Both of his hands were in front of him now, palms forward. Leo thought maybe Raph was going to push him. "All I need is a little space." And with that last phrase, it happened. Nothing major mind you. But, it got everyone's attention.

From Raphael's outstretched hands, flames appeared in the form of what looked like bars to a jail cell. This small wall of fire was separating the two arguing brothers. Leonardo was in shock at what was before him. Michelangelo was in awe.

Donatello, on the other hand, leaned in for a closer look. He reached out with a finger toward the flames. "OUCH! That's really hot!"

"I would think so genius. They are flames," emphasis was on the word flames. Raphael took his left hand and swiped it through the bars of fire and they disappeared as quickly as they came. He turned around on his heel and walked back to the couch. Tossing the blankets aside, he plopped down on the couch. THUMP!

Donatello immediately ran over to the couch and picked up Raphael's left hand, turning it and looking at it closely. "I had my suspicions Raph. But this, this is more than I had even begun to think about. When did this happen? How did you get the flames to form like that?"

By this time everyone was sitting down wrapped back into their blankets, waiting for an explanation. Raphael pulled his hand back from his brother and began to look at it himself. Too many questions. "I'm not real sure Donny. I think it just kind of showed up. I don't know how I made that happen. I just wanted somethin' to separate me and Leo. I guess I kinda' pictured in my head. I'm not sure when all this started though. I've been feelin' a little 'off' ever since we traveled back from Japan. But I don't see how going back in time would have anything to do with it."

"It might or it might not. But your newly surfaced ability would certainly explain a lot of things."

"Alright Einstein," he pointed a finger at him. "Start explainin' cuz I could use some answers here."

"Well, for starters, it would explain your unusually high body temperature and why you're not wrapped up in a blanket like the rest of us."

"How?"

"Well, apparently this ability of yours manifests itself from the inside. So it acts a bit like an internal furnace. So colder temperatures don't affect you like they do us."

"He chugged his soup," Mikey admitted quietly.

"What are you talking about Mike?" asked Donatello.

"I took Raph some soup earlier and he drank it down like it wasn't even warm. But it was really hot." Michelangelo explained.

"Again that's because he's no affected like us anymore. Although….." he paused, a thoughtful look on his face.

"What is it Donatello?" Splinter asked.

"I'm concerned Sensei. If Raphael's normal body temp is higher than what we experience as normal……" his voiced trailed off again. More thinking.

"What?" Raphael wanted to know.

"It's just that….. Well if this keeps you warm in the winter, I'm afraid it might make the summer heat too much for you. It could possibly raise your body temperature higher than it already is and cause a possible heat stroke."

"Donnie," Raphael sighed. "It's only January, Can we worry about the summer later?" Raphael was still tired and it was making him cranky.

"Alright Raph, but I want to run a few tests on you later."

"No needles Don," Raphael said firmly.

"OK Raph. No needles." Donatello couldn't help but let out a chuckle. As big and tough as his brother acted, He still was afraid of little things.

"Donatello," Splinter said.

"Yes Sensei?"

"Do you have any theories about why the opposite walls were covered in moisture?"

"Well Sensei, that depends," Donatello stared at Raphael.

"What!" It was now obvious Raphael was past cranky.

"Can you tell me what happened in the dojo? What do you remember?"

Raphael leaned forward. I gotta' go through this again? I've already talked about it twice. I just want to be alone. I want some quiet. He placed his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands and sighed. "Donnie," he turned a bit and looked at his brother. No more questions. Not tonight please. "I'm really too tired for this."

Donatello saw the pleading look in his brother's eyes. "OK Raph. I can wait till later to find out."

"OOH! OOH!" Michelangelo was bouncing up and down in his seat, raising his hand like he was in a classroom. "I know what happened. Can I tell him Raph? Please?" he begged.

"Alright Mike. You can tell everyone what happened last night in the dojo." He looked over at his little brother. He was obviously pleased that he got to repeat last night's events to every one. "But," and Raphael pointed a finger at the youngest, "just last night and nothing else. You hear me?"

"OK Raph. No problemo."

"Good," said Raph. "You guys can talk about me all you want, I'm going to bed." And with that, he left the room.