A/N: Oop! Got my first plot hole, that I've found so far anyway! In Chapter 2 of this story I mentioned that Raph hid his sai under his mattress and threw himself down on his bed. I hadn't read too many fics back then, and hadn't seen any episodes featuring the guys' bedrooms! (Still haven't, hanging out for 'What a Croc' to air in a few weeks). Anyway, got curious as to why so many fics mentioned Raph had a hammock and took my query regarding the origins of this to the forum over at Mikey's. Thanks to all those who let me know it originated in the current cartoon. Since this fic is based (roughly) on this series, and 'cos the idea of Raph having a hammock appealed to me (and gave me a few little plot bunnies) he now has a hammock in this story! Once this fic is completed I am going to reload the first few chapters in the easier to read format, and fix up any little mishaps like this. (Hey, this is my first 'serial' fic, have to stuff it up somewhere along the line, lol!) If you do spot any other inconsistencies/mistakes (spelling/grammar/character flaws) please feel free to let me know.

Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I'm sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don't own that either.

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Raph trudged to a halt outside the sewer entrance to the lair. With a ragged sigh he leant his forehead against the cool brick. The whole way home he'd battled the urge to just hop on his skate board and race after Tausha. Though he wasn't entirely sure if the growing dread that had congealed into a tight cold lump in his gut was caused by his worry about what may happen to the girl, or what he was expecting to face. Standing straight he steeled himself with a deep breath, settled his bandana and opened the door.

He'd hoped to see them over in the dojo area, going through their usual morning practice, but of course they weren't. Instead they were still sat at the table, the breakfast dishes hadn't even been cleared yet. They all stopped and stared in silence as Raph dumped his board with a clatter and sauntered towards them. Except for Mike, he was busy inspecting the table top, hands gripping the sides of his wooden chair, one foot rhythmically scuffing the floor. Don looked pale; worried as he always was when it was obvious an argument couldn't be avoided.

Leo had risen as Raph had entered. Now he stood beside their Sensei at the head of the table nearest the door. Arms crossed, feet square, he was actually scowling so deeply his eyes were barely slits, teeth glinting in a small snarl. For some reason it gave Raph a sense of satisfaction to see that he'd managed to rile his brother so. The feeling quickly evaporated however, as he looked to his father. Splinter had turned in his chair to watch Raphs' entrance. He didn't look particularly angry or upset; just old, and very tired.

Raph stopped just before the rise in the floor level. Crossing his own arms defiantly and turning his head to the side with a snarl of his own, he couldn't bear seeing the disappointment in his sensei's eyes gazing levelly at him. After a moment Leo broke the tableau, stepping down to confront Raph face-to-face. A jutting finger added emphasis to his words.
"What the shell have you been doing Raph? You've been seeing that darn girl all this time, haven't you?" Leo accused.
"So? What's it to you, huh?" Raph embraced the opportunity to challenge his brother; at least it was a distraction from their father's perturbing expression.
"What's it…? She's the damn enemy Raph! It's my job to protect you from scum like her."
"Grrr! You c'n shove ya damn protection, I don't need it. And she's not a friggin' enemy…"
'Tak'. Impervious to their surroundings, Splinter's cane rapping against the floor did little to quell the dispute.
"She does a damn good impersonation of a Foot Soldier then!" Leo interjected "Why the hell is she spending time with you, what have you told her?"
"She's not with the fuckin' Foot!"
'TAK.'
"An' why wouldn't she wanna spend time with me? You're just fuckin' jealous that I've met a girl who I can trust!"
"Enough!" Both boys jumped back in surprise as Splinter's staff sliced between them, grazing their noses, separating them before they could resort to blows.

Splinter stood on the ledge above them, hands now folded atop his cane, and waited for his sons to dispense the obligatory evil looks and turn to give him their attention.
"Bickering solves nothing." Splinter admonished sternly but calmly.
"Sorry Sensei." Leo muttered ducking his head in deference. Though he remained silent Raph inclined his head slightly for his master as well.
"Leonardo, I know you mean well. However, this is an issue that I need to resolve with Raphael. Please return to your seat." With a respectful, if slightly hesitant bow Leo complied.

Despite his annoyance Raph found himself wishing his brother hadn't moved away. Being left alone to face his father stood above him was suddenly a very disheartening prospect. Bracing himself for his inevitable punishment he kept his eyes fixed on the step where Splinters' claws rested, his tail tucked tightly across them.

Silence.

Curiosity finally made him look up to meet his father's gaze. Again there was no sign of the expected anger. Just a sadness that Raph couldn't bear to face, dropping his eyes back to the step. He heard Splinter give a small resigned sigh before he quietly started his lecture. There was no harshness to his level tone.
"I am disappointed in you, my son. You have deceived me. And you have breached the agreement we made regarding your free time above ground. You made me a promise you would return by four thirty am." Normally Raph would have argued the points. But Splinter's almost emotionless speech seemed to drive each word home harder than any words spoken in temper could.

The knot that had fixed itself in his throat when he had glanced up to see his father's expression tightened a few notches as he realised that in essence his sensei was right. The renewed quiet seeming to weigh on his shoulders, Raph found himself hoping his sensei would just set his punishment and be done. Anything would be better than having to endure this silent shame. Finally Splinter spoke, even more quietly than before.
"Please go to your room."

Almost of its own volition Raphs' head jerked up in shock. No grounding, no extra chores, no punishment at all? He just stood there, mouth agape. Surely Splinter wasn't done yet. However, the old rat had dropped his own head to the side, eyes closed as if he were trying to nap whilst stood on the step. Raph almost followed the urge to reach out and touch Splinter to make sure he was awake.
"Now." Splinter murmured.

Tentatively Raph complied. He couldn't help constantly glancing at his master as he made his way up the stairs, but the old rat never moved. Very gently closing his door so as not to make a sound, he leant his back against it. He looked down in surprise as a droplet of water hit his foot, then he realised his cheeks were wet with tears. With a loud growl he threw himself in his hammock, curled up around his pillow burying his face in the end of it and cried like he hadn't done in years.

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A few moments after Raph had disappeared behind his door Splinter had silently made his way to his own room, sliding his door shut with a quiet but definite 'clack'. The three brothers looked at each other in disbelief. Obviously practice was cancelled for today, but even Mike felt the overpowering need for quiet. Instead of whooping and flipping about as he usually did on the rare occasions they were given a day off he solemnly started gathering together the dishes and carrying them through to the kitchen. Unsure what else to do, Don and Leo leant a hand.

Once the chore was complete the three went their separate ways in the lair, an unspoken agreement to maintain the peace between them. Mike headed for his room for a day reading comics. Don to his lab planning on catching up with some research, no possibly volatile experiments today. Leo moved to the far end of the dojo, going through some basic stretches and katas, keeping watch for any movement from either his itinerant brother or his sensei.

By midday there had been none. Growing concerned Leo fixed a tray of tea and rice cakes, gently knocking on one of the wooden struts of his father's door.
"Enter." Leo could barely hear Splinter's voice through the thin rice paper. His sensei was sat in meditation. Most of the candles set about him had already extinguished themselves in their own pools of wax. Leo placed the offering on the floor before his master and bowed deeply, despite Splinter still having his eyes closed. Kneeling on the opposite side of the tray he folded his hands in his lap and waited patiently.

Gradually Splinter returned, opening his eyes and giving his son a small smile in thanks for the serving of lunch. Leo briefly returned the gesture before he busied himself pouring the tea.
"What do we know of this girl?" Splinter quietly queried after taking a sip of the revitalising liquid. Leo reported.
"She is a Purple Dragon and a Foot Soldier. I have seen her in one of their uniforms. She has some martial skill. In the fight I observed between her and Raphael she was armed with a ninja-to and also utilised the saya much like a tonfa. From that encounter I had assumed they were enemies. Given Raphael retrieved his sai I had also assumed that was the end of the matter. I do not know why she assisted us with Michelangelo's escape. I do not know why she since has seemed to have formed a friendship with Raphael."
"What do you suspect?" Leo took a thoughtful sip of his own tea before answering.
"That she is not to be trusted. I fear her goal may be to obtain information or to sow discord amongst us, or both." quietly he added "I believe so far she has succeeded."
"Indeed." Splinter agreed softly. "However, I would prefer more definite information regarding her motives, and alliances." Leo bowed to accept the mission.

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It was late. Raph didn't know how late since a replacement for his last alarm clock hadn't been found yet. Some things even Donnie couldn't fix, and Raph was starting to fear this upset he'd caused was one of them. It was eerie. No one had so much as knocked on his door, and there had hardly been a sound in the lair all day. Raph figured it must be getting close to dinner time given his stomach was harshly reminding him he hadn't eaten anything but a handful of popcorn for almost 24 hours. Maybe this was his punishment. Sure as hell felt like it.

Roughly hauling himself off his hammock he started pacing to distract himself from his nagging stomach. Splinter hadn't said he had to stay in his room, or skip any meals. Not that refusing his sons nourishment had ever been issued as a punishment before. Still Raph felt uneasy about leaving his room without permission. Unfortunately his sudden activity after being curled in bed all day awoke a couple of other organs that started clamouring for their own piece of attention.

Cautiously Raph opened his door a crack and peered out. There was no-one in sight, the three other doors set in the longer walls of the alcove leading to his brother's rooms all closed, no sound from the main room below. The bathroom door at the end was open a little, beckoning him. Stealthily he left his room and moved towards his goal, his steps getting quicker as he approached, the organs in question suddenly increasing their clamouring in anticipation of relief.

A short while later Raph stepped back out into the alcove, meandering towards his room. He dallied outside his door for a moment, wondering if he should head downstairs to check everything was alright. That they hadn't actually deserted him altogether as the mocking quiet suggested. But not wanting to possibly make matters worse he opted for staying in his room until he was told otherwise.

Slumping down to sit on his weight bench it occurred to him that if his master had ordered him to stay in his room for a set time he would have been searching for any opportunity to escape or shorten his sentence, preferably without more time being added to his penalty. This time however, Splinter had thrown him. This lack of a real punishment, or the impending dread of what could possibly come after this, gnawed at Raph. Along with his worry about why Splinter hadn't been irate as he'd had anticipated. His master's sad, almost passive attitude made Raph feel rotten, as if he'd physically beaten the old rat.

He was startled from his thoughts by a sharp rap on his door. Feeling suddenly elated he reached the portal in a bound and swung it open to reveal Mike holding a wonderful tray carrying a large bowl of hot soup, a couple of rolls and a jug of water. Raphs' grin dimmed slightly as his nose informed him of the broth's flavour; French Onion. Definitely not his favourite.
"Hey bro, thought you could use some sustenance." Mike beamed a bit louder than was necessary. Obviously the weird quiet was getting to him too.
"Heh. Yeah, thanks." Raph stood back to let Mikey carry the tray through and balance it on his desk. Ravenous Raph immediately sat and started tucking in, only noticing Mike was leaving as he saw him closing the door behind himself. Having a mouthful of soggy bread Raph couldn't yell anything coherent in time to call his brother back. Feeling dejected again at the resumption of his isolation Raph returned to slowly finishing his meal.

Picking up the bowl to help scoop out the last of its contents Raph noticed a sheet of paper had been folded and hidden beneath it. Opening it hesitantly he recognised Mikes' beautifully detailed artwork.
'Raph and Tausha sitting in a tree…' the next line of the ditty was represented graphically with the two sitting in the fork of an oak tree. Cross-legged, hands in laps, lips outstretched and barely touching in the kind of 'innocent' kiss usually reserved for particularly soppy valentine's day cards depicting a couple of kids. The doodle was framed in sickly pink love hearts that bubbled up from the slight point of contact.

"GRRR!" Raph almost couldn't believe his brother would make fun of him after what he'd been through today. Almost. The note crumpled into a tight little ball before he flung it, though it didn't have the desired effect of knocking down the door and flattening his laughing brother behind it.
"Fuck off, Mike! She is not my fucking girlfriend!" He really wasn't in the mood for this.

The giggling slowly subsided to silence for a while before a second folded sheet scooted under Raphs' door. At first he ignored it, but curiosity won out in the end. Cautiously opening the note it revealed a similar image. However, this time the note scrawled across the top read;
'OK, OK. So you won't mind this then? Mike and Tausha sitting in a tree…' this time the cartoon showed the new couple in question in a similar local, but locked in a very passionate tangle of limbs and loose clothing. Bright orange and silver lightening bolts shot from the scene.

The paper disintegrated in his hands before he tore open his door and pelted down the alcove, just as a pair of orange flying bandana tails disappeared behind the hurriedly slammed door located between his own and the bathroom. He knew from experience that he was thumping the wood with enough force to knock it off its hinges; the little bastard must've chocked something against it. The muffled sounds of Mike's hysterics were not helping matters.

Starting just outside Donnie's door opposite Raph gave his leap kick a running start.
'WHOCK!'
"AARGH! Fuck! Damn. Bloody little… MIKE! When I get my friggin' hands on you…" Raph hopped about nursing his aching leg, how the hell could a wooden door not disintegrate after that blow? It was sporting a large crack that ran from the point of impact to the top.

Turning in his jig Raph caught sight of Don standing in the alcove entrance, arms crossed.
"You do realize that I'm not gonna be the one fixing that." He stated coolly, indicating the fissure with his chin. Still bent over his offended limb Raph snarled.
"He c'n fuckin' well fix it. He started it!" Rolling his eyes Don came to kneel beside him, inspecting his leg.
"At least there isn't any major damage here." Standing Don offered Raph a shoulder to lean on as he guided him back to his own room. Leo and Splinter appeared in the doorway as Don eased him down to sit on the edge of his hammock.

Shaking his head Leo started to collect the tattered remnants of paper littering the floor, unable to piece together what had caused the ruckus. Splinter spotted the crumpled ball by his foot, Raph wincing as his father retrieved it. To Raphs' relief he didn't straighten out the note, just kept it in hand as if it was of no importance, to be tossed later.
"Donatello, please see to Michelangelo. Inform him I will wish to speak with him later." With a brief bow Don left.

"Great" thought Raph "now here it comes." Despite the dark thought Raph actually felt a little relieved at the impending lecture he was sure he was about to get from his father, probably soundly backed up by his brother. At least things were getting back to normal.
"Leonardo, it is time you prepared for the task I have given you."
"Yes Master." Leo bowed deeply before he left, taking the handful of rubbish with him.

Quietly Splinter closed the door and made his way over to take a seat next to Raph, the 'V' of the hammock pushing them together. Raph actually found the contact comforting. Splinter waited until his son hesitantly met his gaze.
"Why did you not tell me of this girl when I asked you what you intended to do with the time you requested?" He queried softly. Raph shrugged, looking back to the floor.
"Dunno, didn't think you'd approve." He murmured.
"Hmph." Raph wasn't sure if his father were upset or stifling a laugh. After a moment Splinter continued.
"Have I ever forbidden you to see any of your other friends?"
"You have stopped me goin' out with Case a few times…" Splinter's sternly cocked eyebrow was enough to let him know that argument wasn't gonna work "but I guess you haven't really stopped us bein' friends."
"No. Despite the reservations I had regarding both Casey and April, in the beginning. Do you know why?" Raph shrugged again, preferring to concentrate on trying to wear through the thick line of stitching holding the canvas of his hammock together with his thumb.
"Because in both instances there were no real secrets. None of you seemed to feel a need to keep the relationships from me, even if you did disobey me on occasion. Has this girl asked you not to speak of her?"
"No."
"Then why haven't you?" Raph just shrugged yet again. After waiting for a moment in vain for his son to answer, Splinter unfurled the paper he still held, not too surprised by what was drawn there. Raph cringed as Splinter inspected the note, turning his head further away.

"Hmm. This is something I have begun to fear over the last few years." Splinter's quiet admission surprised Raph. He'd never thought of Splinter fearing anything other than the loss of his family.
"Do you have feelings for this Tausha?"
"I…, she's just a friend Sensei. I'm probably not gonna see her again anytime soon anyway." Raph could feel Splinter's look boring into him. "She wouldn't do anythin' ta hurt me." He muttered, almost inaudibly.
"I sincerely hope so, my son. However, some of the deepest hurts we cause to ourselves. I hope you do not have any unrealistic expectations. To me you are all amongst the most beautiful and honourable individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. Unfortunately very few share my opinion. If I could change anything for you, it would be to eliminate the short-sightedness that most seem to suffer. But I cannot." With a sigh Splinter rose, placing the note on the desk before he turned to address his son again.

"I suppose a punishment is in order." Raph sat straighter, ready to accept his due.
"I think it is plain that since you have breached our agreement it is no longer valid. However, since it is also obvious that no consequence I impose seems to deter you I will only ask that you swear to me you will never keep something such as this from me again."
"I swear, Father." Splinter paused for a moment, searching for the truth of the matter in his sons' eyes before nodding his acceptance of the pact. He started to make his way towards the door.

Feeling strangely cheated at not being given a punishment Raph called after him.
"And I'll do all the chores for a week…, just to, um… I dunno… prove I mean it?" Splinter gave his son a relieved smile.
"I know you mean it. But if you feel that doing the chores will help you make amends then by all means I am happy for you to do so." He paused in opening the door and added with wry grin.
"Just no cooking, I have been informed that your brothers do not feel it is fair for them to have to suffer for your misdeeds." Raph nodded begrudgingly, convinced he was nuts for actually asking for this, but also oddly determined to prepare at least one meal over the next couple of days…