Hey everyone. Sorry this update has taken so long. Once again, school is my reason. I love my job. The days are never the same. Any way, here's the newest chapter. Many thanks to Lunar Ninja for the tweakage (applause sounds in the background). by the way, I have decided my fic needs a theme song. I finally heard Stand Up by Trapt, way appropriate. Enjoy all my turtle friends.
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Raphael was pacing back and forth in the garden. He was angry and somewhat embarrassed by his actions towards his brother. He was looking for something to beat up. No luck. His fists kept clenching and unclenching as he threw punches at invisible targets.
"So, do you always walk out on your family like that or only when things go well?" Ren was standing at the entrance of the garden. Her arms were crossed and the defensive stance of her body gave away her irritation with Raphael.
"Sorry" was all Raphael could muster. His head hung down in shame.
Ren eyed him curiously. She found Raphael interesting, a little dangerous, but interesting still. She wondered just what was beneath that rough exterior of his and she was determined to find out.
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Meanwhile back at the lair--------
"It's 6:30 AM and New York is covered in a beeeeautiful blanket of white! Phone service has been restored to a majority of the city and so has the power. Ain't it great to be alive!" An annoying beat started up and enthusiastic yelling could be heard. "C'mon people. Time to get up and face beautiful day! Up, up, up—" SMACK! Leonardo forcefully showed the alarm clock who was boss. It's too early to be so cheerful he though to himself, grumpily sliding further down into the toasty warmth of his blankets. Humph. Maybe that's why Raph is so cranky in the morning. I don't think I could handle being woken up by someone so happy every morning. Still, it is fun to send Mikey in to wake him up. Leo let a little smile come out as he pictured the all too familiar scene. Michelangelo quietly tiptoeing into Raphael's room followed by a very loud and enthusiastic, "Good Morning Sunshine!" The end result was always a loud growl and Michelangelo being chased out of Raphael's room. Usually it was by whatever Raph could throw and sometimes by Raph himself.
Leo stood up and stretched. He immediately grabbed a blanket to fend off the still lingering cold. He focused his thoughts on the coffee and breakfast he was walking towards. Nothing but darkness greeted Leo as he walked into the kitchen. Must still be in bed. He thought. I don't really blame him. It was hard to get up from that nice warm bed. Oh well, I'll make coffee and then get the others up. Except Raph, I'll let Mikey do that.
Leo finished with the coffee maker and put some water on to boil for splinter's tea. He sat down at the table and was absentmindedly playing with a piece of paper. He finally looked to see what was on the paper. That was when he ran to get Donatello.
"Donny!" Leo stormed into his brother's room and tripped over something on the floor. He got up and flipped on the light. As a result, Donatello sat up straight and rubbed the dots from his eyes.
"Geeze Leo. What's the problem?" He could tell by the look on his brother's face that it was serious.
"They're gone. They've left."
"Leo," Donatello whined, falling back onto his pillow. How insane! Expecting an understandable answer from me at this time! He groaned inwardly. "I can't think this early in the morning. Who's gone? Who left?"
"Raph. He left and took Mikey with him."
The only reply Leo received was a very quiet "OH." as Don sat up again. He reached for his bandanna and tied it around his head, then slipped his legs out of the bed and grabbed a blanket.
"Come on," Leo ordered, seeing his brother yawn like a lion. "Coffee's ready and I'm going to wake Splinter."
Within a matter of minutes, all three figures were in the kitchen discussing a plan of action at the table.
"Master Splinter, do you know where Raph and Mikey were headed?"
"No Leonardo. Raphael was not sure of his destination."
Donatello was a little surprised by this. "That doesn't sound like Raph. I mean, sure he rushes into stuff without thinking about what's waiting for him, but to just pack up and leave on a trip and he doesn't know where he's going? Something must really be up for him to take off like this."
"Agreed Donnie. But why take Mikey with him. He knows Mikey just got over a cold and shouldn't be out in this weather. None of us should."
"Leonardo," Splinter interrupted. "He had no intentions of taking Michelangelo. Raphael planned on making this trip alone. That is why he left at such an unusual hour."
"Great," Leonardo's tone indicated he was anything but happy with the rash decisions being made. Why can't these guys think things through before acting? "Donnie, grab a first aid kit and some of those little hand warmers April brought us. We're also going to need some blankets. If Raph doesn't know Mikey went after him, then he won't know to keep an eye out for him. If Mikey got cold he could have fallen behind. I'll grab some warm clothes for us. We need to be ready to leave in 5 minutes tops."
"Okay Leo. Maybe we should put some hot tea in a thermos just in case."
"I will see to that Donatello. Please go pack the necessary items."
Donatello nodded in agreement to his father's statement. Splinter immediately got up and began to pull out the pieces of the thermos. Leonardo was still standing there, angry with the rash actions of his brothers. "Manuke" he muttered to himself.
"Leonardo," Splinter snapped. "Calling your brother an idiot will not solve anything. If you are not ready within the next few minutes, Donatello and I will leave you."
"Sorry Sensei. I'm just worried about Mikey."
"Not Raphael?" Splinter questioned him.
"Of course I am Sensei. It's just that Raph is independent and can pretty much take care of himself. Mikey is still a kid and not as strong as Raph."
"Odd Leonardo. Very odd reasoning indeed," was Splinter's only response.
"Why do you say that Master Splinter?"
"You claim that Raphael is independent and capable of taking care of himself yet you are consistent in you attempts to limit his trips to the surface. On occasion you even follow him to keep watch over him. Very odd reasoning Leonardo."
Leonardo thought for a moment, "I know sensei. Raph is capable but that doesn't mean I'm going to neglect my duties as leader or his brother. I still want to make sure he's safe."
"Quit deluding yourself Leo," Donatello was standing in the doorway grinning. "You're just a control freak with some serious obsessive compulsive issues and you know it." He gave his father and brother a crooked grin and then tossed some clothing a Leonardo. "Here Leo, I figured you'd be discussing this with sensei, so I picked up some clothes for you."
"Thanks Donnie." Leo took the clothes and began to cover himself.
"Master Splinter, I brought out some gloves and a scarf for you as well."
"Thank-you Donatello. Now come, we must not waste anymore time."
The three remaining family members trudged out into the cold sewer tunnels, following the tracks left by the two brothers