Okay everyone. I know this update has taken longer than usual. School has started and it was my wedding anniversary. 7 years! It doesn't feel like it was that long. My husband knows about the turtle obsession. He just thinks it's cute and chalks it up to my artist mentality. You gotta' love him for that.

My thanks to those who are reading and reviewing. I've had to do some research for these next chapters so here are some translations.

Kame- turtle

Tsuwamona- a Japanese warrior

Akuma- demon, fiend, or evil spirit

Masurao-hero, a gentlemen warrior

Chichioya-father

Kagu-Zuchi- In Japanese mythology he is the God of Fire. His parents are Izanagi and Izanami. They gave birth to the islands of Japan and several of Japans Gods and Goddesses. Kaguzuchi killed his mother in childbirth by burning her. Izanagi was so enraged he cut Kaguzuchi into eight pieces which became other gods and the islands of Japan. But like when fire was reignited, Kaguzuchi was reborn.

Kura-Okami- God of rain and snow. Since a god is a man, I just say that my character is his daughter and call her Okami (artistic license)

OK enough with the cultural lesson. On with the show.

Somellamafreak: I'm glad you've enjoyed the last couple of chapters. Leo's not a bad guy. He's a good brother just a little overzealous at time. His personality kind of reminds me of my older sister. She was very overprotective of me.

Lunar-Ninja: I used to draw in the air with sparklers. I imagined the lines that the sparks left behind. I couldn't understand why no one else could see them. My dad pretended to. That was the inspiration for this chapter. That and the ketchup and mustard packet event. I actually tried that only I used some expensive paint that my dad ordered for the 57 Chevy. I painted all the windows in the house on numerous occasions. God bless my mother. Did she get upset? No. She said she loved her stained glass windows. I have to admire her patience with me.

The Real Cheese Monkey: I'm glad you're enjoying this.

I've tried to reply to all the reviews, but if I have missed anyone, I am sorry.

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The whole house was sleeping pretty soundly. The echoes of the wind blowing from the blizzard above made their way into the sewers. Raphael had opened his eyes to find himself next to the stream outside April's family house in North Hampton. He knew he was dreaming but he didn't care. He loves this place. It was like his own secret. If anyone else knew about it, he didn't want to know. He could come here to think, look, observe, listen, and anything else he wanted. Here, he found peace.

He began to walk along the edge of the stream and he realized the leaves were different colors. Must be fall, he mused to himself.

He saw a leaf lying on the ground and picked up. As he looked at it closely, he noticed the striations in the coloring. The center area of the leaf went from an almost white then to yellow to orange and to red. Just like it's on fire. He opened up the pocket on his belt and carefully placed the leaf inside. Splinter will definitely appreciate this. He smiled, proud of his find.

The autumn wind had picked up some. It blew past him. He strained his neck and raised his head up as much as he could. He loved the feel of the wind on his face. He knew it meant he was above ground and not trapped underneath. It was soft as it touched the cheek of his face, almost like soft fingers rubbing across. "Little Kame" the voiced whispered.

"Little Kame," the voice whispered again.

"Alright! That's it! I don't know who you are but I ain't listening to you until you show yourself. Raphael's hands were balled up and flames started to flicker from them.

Complying with Raphael's demands, two figures appeared from the breeze. One was a male the other a female. Both were dressed in traditional Japanese dress. The girl was in a kimono. It was blue but it was hard to describe the kind of blue he saw. As the wind tolled the fabric about, the tint and shade of it changed. Raphael noticed the kanji writing on it.

"I am the child of Kura-Okami, God of Rain and Snow." Her voice was soothing to Raphael. He felt the cool breeze again. It wrapped itself around his fists and the flames blew out. She spoke again, her voice calming him down. "I have been calling to you little kame. Our people need your help, again."

Again? Thought Raphael. What the heck is she talking about? I've never seen her before or this other guy for that matter.

"I see the confusion on your face, little Kame. I will explain." The man said.

Raphael looked at him carefully. He was dressed in the uniform of a tsuwamona, a Japanese warrior. A sword was positioned at his side. His clothing shimmered with red and gold. The helmet on his head displayed a sun. It seemed to glow. "I am Kagu-Zuchi, son of Izanagi and Izanami, the creators of all that is in Japan. You, little kame, are our last hope."

Raphael was getting tired of this 'kame' crack. "I may be a turtle but I ain't little. My name is Raphael and I'm not helping you with anything until you tell me what it going on!"

Kagu smiled. "I told you Okami, I chose wisely. He is strong. He, with Ren, will save our people from the Akuma."

Raphael was staring at the two strangers. "What Akuma?" he growled. Raphael was standing tall with his arms folded

"Little Kame," Raphael growled at Kagu. "My apologies Masurao. Raphael, your help is one again requested. Our people are in need of you once more."

"Once more?" Raphael was very tired of these riddles. He wanted answers and he was going to get them now. "I've had enough of this. Either you tell me what is going on or I'm gone." And he pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

"Go where?" Okami asked with confusion on her face. "We have come to you in your dream."

"Exactly lady. My dream, my choice of scenery. If I want to leave you behind I will," and with that Raphael began to walk away.

"Raphael, Wait!" Kagu called. Raphael kept walking.

"Please," Okami called to him begging. "For Yoshi."

Raphael stopped and turned back to them. "What does Yoshi have to do with this?" He was curious now.

"Please," Kagu requested and motioned for Raphael to stand beside them. Raphael did as he was asked and all three figures were facing the stream and watched it ripple by. "Observe and all will be explained," Kagu told him.

Raphael looked at the stream. It slowly changed and was no longer water at his feet but a mist settling in. He looked around him. The trees and his view of the farmhouse were gone. He looked around at the mountaintop he was now standing on.

"Look," came Okami's voice. She was pointing down into a valley. "Look and tell me what you see."

Raphael focused his eyes on where Okami was pointing. "I see a village," he whispered. It looked familiar to him. It can't be. He thought to himself. He looked harder. He noticed three figures moving about the village. He realized the three were his brothers. Leonardo was talking with the village elders, Donatello was working with the blacksmith, and Michelangelo, well, he was trying to explain pizza to a very short-tempered cook. Raphael stifled a laugh at the sight. He continued looking throughout the village trying to find himself.

Raphael felt Kagu's hand on his shoulder as he spoke softly, "Look that way."

Raphael followed Kagu's finger and focused on the area he was painting at. Raphael grinned at the sight of the kites dancing in the air. He could see himself with Yoshi and several other children from the village. Raphael remembered how much fun that was. He enjoyed being in the open, not worrying about being discovered by humans and what they would do to him. In this village, the people didn't care that he and his brothers were giant, walking, talking turtles.

"I don't understand? Why me? Why haven't you revealed yourself to my sensei or my brothers?"

Kagu smiled. "It was not just your fight against the Daimyo that saved our people," he revealed. "It was because of your actions alone that our people found prosperity. If you had not kept Yoshi from the battle, he would not have survived."

Raphael cringed at the thought.

"Because of your words and actions towards Yoshi, he remained safe. As he became older, he grew as an artist. He was so gifted he captured the attention of the emperor. Yoshi was then given the great honor of becoming the recorder of the royal family. In return, the emperor placed many blessings upon Yoshi and his clan. As a result, they enjoyed many generations of honor and prosperity. But now," Kagu looked at Raphael with sadness in his eyes. "Our people are under attack and we have not the power to protect them."

Raphael looked at Okami and Kagu. "Why can't you help them? You're 'Gods' aren't you?" Raphael couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for the tone of sarcasm in his voice.

Okami answered his question. "The world has changed Raphael. Once, people had faith in what they couldn't see. But now…." She paused a moment. "Now is the time of science. Man only believes in what he can see and explain. They have no need for us. Once worshipped by an entire country, now, we are no more than bedtime stories for children."

Raphael caught a touch of sadness in her last statement. Okami turned away. Raphael thought he saw tears beginning to form. Treat. She's crying. Way to go Raphael. Just keep it up and make things worse. Raphael sighed. "Okay, what is it you need me to do?"

Okami turned around at Raphael's answer. She was smiling wide and her eyes were twinkling blue. "Thank-you Masurao Raphael." And she bowed in respect.

"Raphael," Kagu interrupted. "Please look again," and once more he gestured toward the village. "This is what remains of Yoshi's clan."

The village transformed itself into a city and there was a small Japanese community living there. "They are under an attack of sorts. Akuma live off of the greed of men and there are such men around this small community. They try to push their opium trade onto our people. They force our people to pay for 'protection." Kagu growled with this last statement. His eyes glowed red.

Raphael saw Kagu's eyes and a realization appeared. "You're the reason for this…. This fire I got inside. Aren't you." Raphael kept looking back and forth from his hands to Kagu.

Kagu smiled, "Again Raphael, you have let me know that I have made the right choice."

"Right choice!" Raphael was beginning to yell. "Right choice! I almost burn down my family's home because of your decision! Did you know how much trouble I have controlling my temper! But hey, just for a little added difficulty, let's add a little flame throwing into the mix! As if I'm not freakish enough! Why!"

Okami placed her hand on Kagu's shoulder. "He is just like you Kagu," she smiled.

"Do you wish and explanation, Raphael?" Kagu asked.

Raphael didn't even answer. He just nodded once and waited, arms folded.

"I looked at all of your brothers Masurao. Michelangelo lacks the maturity to be responsible enough."

Raphael nodded in agreement. "Makes sense. But if you want maturity, why not Leo? He's got maturity coming out the butt."

Kagu laughed for a moment. "True Raphael. Leonardo is dedicated in his practice but no. Donatello would not accept this gift. It can be explained away. As for Leonardo, he does not contain the passion and emotional energy you do. A fire must be fueled to continue burning. Your emotions are the fuel for that fire. If it were Leonardo, this gift would simply die within a few days."

"So let me get this straight, you picked me because I'm short-tempered? You've got to be kidding me." Sarcasm dripped from Raphael's voice.

Kagu was getting tired of the turtle's resistance. His temper was beginning to reflect in his words. "LITTLE KAME!" he screamed. Raphael's eyes became wide in fear. "Enough! I am Kagu-Tsuchi, God of all Fire! Okami is ruler of all rain and snow! We have seen centuries come to pass and have fought for our people when called upon. All that we have done has been with loyalty and honor. Our presence does not deserve questioning."

Raphael knew he had pushed this Kagu guy too far. Okami spoke to Kagu. She whispered quietly to him in Japanese. Raphael couldn't hear so he wasn't sure what was being said. After a moment, Kagu nodded his head and spoke gruffly, "You are right Okami. He was my choice and he is just like me."

Raphael made eye contact with Kagu and bowed quickly. "Forgive my stubbornness Kagutsuchi."

Kagu nodded acceptance and merely grunted. "You have experienced only some of my power, like Ren has experienced only a small amount of Okami's. As time passes, you will receive all of it and it will be yours for eternity."

Raphael was a little concerned at the idea of becoming more powerful. "I accept Kagu." His curiosity was getting the better of him, though. "So, who's this Ren anyway?"

Okami smiled. "I will be more than happy to show you Raphael. Look closely"

Raphael did as he was told. His view of the city came in closer. There was building that looked like a restaurant. Behind it was a modest house. The house stood in front of a Japanese garden. There was a girl there. Raphael saw the back of her. She was wearing what looked like a simple blue karate uniform, with white trim and a white belt. Her jet black hair reached her waist. She was laughing and dancing about, half heartedly doing some practice katas. Mostly she was playing with the snow, unaffected by the cold. As she twirled her hands about, the snowflakes did as they were told.

Okami began to speak. "I chose Ren because, like you, she is strong. She does not have the temper that you or Kagu have, but that is good. You will balance each other out." Okami took in a breath and blew it out towards the dancing vision.

Again, Raphael could hear wind chimes and whispers on the wind but he wasn't sure what was being said. The wind wound its way down from their mountain perch to where Ren was playing in the garden. It wrapped itself around her. Ren stood still with her arms out listening to what was being said to her. Suddenly she turned and Raphael saw her face. He locked onto her ice blue eyes and bright smile. He could have sworn he was standing face to face with her. She stared right at Raphael, "I'm waiting, Raphael," she whispered and was gone.

With a shocked look on his face, Raphael eyed the couple standing beside him. "I will go." He said solemnly. "Good," Kagu nodded and Raphael woke up.

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Elsewhere, in another part of New York. Ren lowered her arms. She knew what had just happened. She had prayed many times for help for her family. They still believed in the old ways and were being rewarded for their faithfulness. Okami had visited her in her dreams many times. She kept her promise to Ren. Help was coming. Their prayers had been answered. Ren turned and eagerly ran into the house yelling, "Chichioya! He's coming! Raphael is coming!"