True Trust and Love that can't be Broken (Story 1)

by Sweetbaby162016

The first story came, thinking about, 'What if Karai wasn't who she seems to be. And what if she's taking orders from a master, who wasn't Ch'rell aka Utrom Shredder. But someone on the good side' That's what the story, and others after it, will be.

8. Chapter 8 Raph and Joi

Chapter 8: More Secrets from the Past/ True Origin/ Family Bonding-1 part

Outskirts of New York -Glancy's Bar; May 20, 2005- 5:30 a.m.

Standing behind the bar counter; a buff body kind of man, with tattoos, painting his sleeveless arms. Is a man name Bill Glancy; who born and bred in MA, was scoping his bar of customers: some new, others regulars. Though he seems to be scoping the place with his gray owl eyes. He's really keeping sight on one particular customer; who this customer had his back hunched over the counter, drinking down its six glass mug of beer.

Bill's use to this customer, going by the name Red. Being Red and Bill's godson, Arnie almost every weekend had been at the bar, drinking their fill, since two years ago. Although Arnie's drinking had done nothing but get worst and heavy, once the gangs in New York, was doing nothing but creating destruction. Red, despite the recent years where he had been a heavy drinker and with a short-temper, had, a few months ago, ease down his usual drinking and temper. And Bill knew all too well, at the beginning of the year, Red's mellow attitude had to do with his foxy girlfriend, Joi.

A nice looker in Bill's book. He had also found it amusing, to watch how Joi was able to 'tame' Red with just a bat of her eyes his way.

Actually the first time Bill met Joi, had been when Red brought her to the bar, where Arnie, getting more out of hand with alcohol in his system, had tried to hit on Joi as he did with all the women that came to the bar- by copping a feel at her ass as she walked by him; an action that the buff bartender was thankful that his old friend Arnold wasn't alive to witness how much his son been slipping since his death. Bill had watched Red, who saw what Arnie had done to Joi, get ready to knock Arnie to the ground, but not before Bill heard his godson insult Red with saying - "'C' mon don' get tick...Man...it not like you and ya bros haven't touch my babe. Y'all males too...so don' throw any shit at me... You and ya bros owe me- ". That would be when Red snatch up Arnie from his front tank top shirt, pulling him over the table they had been sitting at. However, Joi stepped in and knocked Arnie out by hitting the pressure points on his neck. Which Bill was glad Joi doing that, cause once she did. She stopped the event before it could get out of hand, since Red growling, just slug Arnie over his shoulder and with Joi by his side, left the bar.

Unfortunately, and ironically, after a few days had passed, did Bill watch a similar scene play out. But this time it hadn't been Arnie. No it had been one of his tallest but young unwanted regular; Danny Moch, but goes by White Wolf; The thug was not some pushover, being he had been born and raised around the biker gang the 'Blaze Shots'. Who was always known for being cold blood killers, living outside the city areas? Bill had always known that the RS was tied to the former crime lord Saki Oroku- one main reason why many people feared them.

But unlike his godson who had been lucky that Joi intervene. White Wolf didn't get that lucky, but at first, Red had allowed Joi to handle White Wolf herself when he started bothering her. However, with White being raised to think females were on earth just to please all male, mostly 'big wolf' that he believed he was. Bill wasn't stunned when White had hauled off and punched Joi causing the young woman to fall against a table, where he pins her down, getting ready to 'show' her to know her place around 'men' like him. Fortunately, that became White's big mistake. Because as soon as White began climbing on Joi. Red reveals to everybody in that bar including Bill himself. That he feared no one, not even someone like White and his 7'0 height. A discovery that White found out the hard way when his face had connected with Red's covered fist and then met his knee. Long story short; Red had treated White as if he was a rag doll- throwing him around the bar.

Therefore, Bill was more than thankful that Joi, with her ways' was able to calm Red down. And then, to keep things from getting any more out of hand, Joi had shown her undercover badge to Bill before slipping him a card; a card that had the foot symbol upside down on it, in green/pinkish-purple with a black background. And when Bill had begun to ask questions, she had pointed at the number underneath the foot symbol then whispered; "Call this number. They'll take care of your bar's expenses." He wasn't sure why she gave him a crime lord's business card when she's a law enforcer. Nevertheless, he called the number on the card. To find the Foot clan was being operated by Miss Karai Oroku, who later paid all the damaged done to his bar. And even put him on her payroll as a place for any of her employees to hang out at.

But before that all processed, Bill- aware of Saki's secret crime life, unlike many New Yorker people who didn't, and had bad past experience with 'crime lords' in his youth- picked to refuse; even when Karai explained to him, she wasn't anything like her father. Therefore, at first, Bill wouldn't agree to allow undercover Foot members to become customers to his bar. However, the salary Karai's giving every month to him, paying his bills and other stuff for his family (his grandchildren's college), had him taking the offer not too long later. And fortunately, soon after, with the extra money in his pockets, he was able to finally buy back his bar from the Dun family- a high crime lord Mafia family, the same family that 'Big Boss' David Dun comes from-. And after doing that Bill bought the land around his bar, and with a big parking lot taken up the land space, he built and attach a gas station; 'Glancy's Gas Stop', to his bar, with his wife Beth running the station for him, while he keeps running his bar. A bar handed down to him by his old man, that now he can say once again, it's his.

However, before Karai put him on her payroll, Bill had to swear he would keep the Foot's members including Joi's alias identity to himself and not let unwanted people know who they are.

Which Bill did and still does. He even kept silent when two NYPD, named Detective Rosey and her partner Detective Hogan, showed up at the bar, asking questions of the unexpected event resulting White in the hospital from a bike accident just three months ago. Event Bill knew from Joi- after she came back to the bar later that night with replacing her dark long reddish brown hair and light honey roasted brown eyes, she wears as Detective Chula Rosey, back to her shoulder-length blond hair and olive green eyes. -That the Foot was involved with White's bike crash. But they didn't touch White themselves, because despite that, White's fall out had to do with Karai taken the 'Blaze Shots' off her payroll because it was the 'Blaze Shots' that took care of the cause of their cash flow drying up- aka- White Wolf.

Unfortunately, a few weeks ago Bill, like everybody, saw Wolf admit to the assault and murder of the 15-year-old Tommy Polish; a member to one of the wealthy families in New York. But again Joi updated him with the real truth of the closed case. The 'Blaze Shots' joined the Dun family now. And the only way that happened was they forced White to take the rat for one of the Dun family's allies. And no matter how hard Bill asked, Joi wouldn't reveal who the allied was.

Bill took a second from watching Red, to give a nod to some undercover Foot members walking through the door. And once having one of his waitresses get their orders. Bill went back to watching Red while wiping the bar counter; actions he did to look less inconspicuous as he kept his attention on his favorite customer.

Yes. Even from the beginning, a couple of years back, when Arnie introduce Red to him. Bill liked the kid and his 'cool but rude' personality, unlike his godson's other friends he made over the years after his best friend Arnold's death. So once Red made a name for himself in the bar- 'touch Joi and you'll be losing your teeth'. He became Bill's number one favorite customer- what with every regular, even Foot members, keeping their hands to themselves with not just Joi, but all the women that came in the bar- -that was excepted for Bill's recent hired waitresses, who can handle jerks all on they're own.

Before joining the Foot's organization, Bill only had a hand full coming to his bar; including lowlifes tied to the Dun family. So Bill didn't need waitresses in the beginning. But owning his bar again, the new gas station, and also new and old customers; Foot members, and regulars and truck-stoppers, filling the bar almost every night and day. He decided to get some waitress. Which as Karai got wind of his problem, offered some female Foot members to be his waitresses. And before he could ask why? Karai told him she'd needed an eye outside New York to watch the Dun family's doing. As she has inside New York, and what better than his bar where many of their allies come too. Furthermore, with Joi as a detective of the New York police department, Karai had an eye inside the law enforcement too.

So Bill need not worry about his waitresses getting hurt by any 'touchy-feely' guys. Because he saw plenty of them, when Red wasn't around, flip guys on their asses or crush they're 'family' jewels, whenever they would get too close to their personal space. Fortunately for Bill and his amusement as well as many foot member's enjoyments. None of the regulars warned newcomers of the waitresses' 'skills'. For its too much fun watching newbies find out on their own.

Keeping his eyes on Red. Bill started filling up a beer mug when he saw Red was just getting done with his recent one. There's one thing Bill didn't second guess about taking orders from Karai. And it's she wanted him watching over Red whenever he comes to the bar. Which Bill wasn't surprised about this order because his usual laid back young customer had been visiting the bar a lot more than he uses too and drinking a lot also. New behavior mostly starting once Arnie stops coming around. And that will be after Bill joined the Foot for almost 4 months, come next week.

Sadly, knowing Arnold's wife Moira had been involved with the head leader's adopted son Kenzo Dun before marrying Arnold and after his murder. Bill wasn't too surprised when his godson, after Arnold's death, let Kenzo take him under his wing after Kenzo became the head leader of the Dun family. And though Bill tried many times. He couldn't stop Arnie from falling into Kenzo's grasp. But since Beth and Moira still stay in-touch, Bill's aware Arnie's fine, just been going through some stuff after some friends were killed.

Recalling an event that his godson went through in his early teens when his best friend Stevie's killed by a group of bullies who been bullying both Arnie and Stevie. And knowing the feeling personally himself, with most of his friends had either 'kicked the bucket' or was 'taken out'. So Bill didn't ask Beth to go into detail about Arnie's case. He figured Arnie needed some time to cope... or maybe just needed some time with his girlfriend, April.

A young beauty Bill met a couple of years back, not long after meeting Red, when Arnie brought her to the bar as a second date from what April had told him after Arnie got a little drunk and passed out.

Wanting to save his godson from losing this second chance. Bill had offered to toss Arnie's bike in the back of his truck and take them both home. But April had politely refused, saying, "I had already called a good friend to pick us up." It wasn't long after her saying this, a guy, the same built and size if not slightly shorter than Red's former 5'6 and covered up as much as Red would come in the bar, and after the guy checked to see April was okay. Bill had watched in shock as this little guy, picked up Arnie and his 6'0, with ease, shouldered him over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes. And before saying goodbye to April and the guy. Bill found out the guy's name was Don or Donnie as April kept calling him.

Bill might seem like it, but he wasn't stupid. He saw April was something special to hold on too. And believed that if his godson messed it up with her... That Don guy wouldn't mind taking his place... And Bill's sure April might let him. Despite knowing that, Bill's hoping Arnie's able to see where he was going wrong with April, and fix it so they can be happy. Even if Bill didn't want his thoughts going there. He's praying Arnie wasn't just seeing April because she reminds him of Kenzo's late daughter Sydney Dun; the heir to the Dun's empire and their crime organization- 'Tiger Tail'.

At that moment, the bartender shook his head of those crazy thoughts. No Arnie wouldn't be that much of a dickhead... Although thinking this, didn't stop his mind, fearing maybe his godson was being a dickhead. Especially when Bill took away April's green eyes, red hair, and fair skin... adding darker colors to her hair, eyes, and skin. Seeing similar appearances of each young woman's face and figures. Looks is one thing... But Sydney and April's personality are completely different. Cuz April's like my lovely Beth. And Sydney was nothing but a stuck-up bratty princess. Again Bill shook his head, stopping his train of thoughts, that's still showing his thick-head godson might still be in love with the dead bratty princess. And April's just nothing but a replacement of her...

"Yo Bill! How about one more of these!" Jolted out of his wondering thoughts, for the third time, as Red called out. Bill hiding he'd zone out, chuckled, carrying the filled mug over to him.

"Already had one waiting for ya." Saying that placing the mug on the counter, Bill let a lopsided grin slip on his face, looking at Red's usual kind of attire. An attire that always covered the teen from head to toe, no matter the weather- a black/blood red flame dragon 'Do or Die' leather zip-up jacket, a black 'Live Fast and Ride Hard' long sleeve shirt; red hoodie underneath the opened jacket. Black baggy jeans; red flame design on the end, covered his legs while black/red biker boots conceal his feet. Black/red leather mitten gloves were over his hands like always. And despite Red's black/red 'Red Dragon' Bluetooth/double visor helmet, resting on the counter. Bill saw, with the hoodie to Red's shirt, still covered the top part of his head, while a black/red flame bandanna half-face mask covering the lower part of his face, and eyes shield behind some red/black goggles. Completed the concealing of his face appearances from onlookers.

As the teen clad in black/red gave a small nod to him. Bill returned to the other side of the bar counter, watching Red without him noticing. Bill earlier already called Joi telling her Red's there. However, she told him, she knew and already on her way to the bar to get Red anyway. Bill wouldn't speak it out loud, but if Joi wasn't around keeping Red in line. Then he would be more worried about the kid. That's why he wasn't just keeping an eye on Red today. Bill's waiting for Joi to arrive and usually with her 'charming ways' convince Red to leave before he drinks 'way too much' for his own good. You might not be my son or godson... But kid I hope you get better...

…

Red known by his family and close friends as Hamato Raphael (or Raph for short), nodded his green covered head to Bill as the bartender owner left the conceal turtle, for the other side of the bar counter.

Raphael's been racking his brain of the news he was given not too long ago. News making him, instead of going back to the lair, heading to his usual bar where he's able to drink his problems away.

Sadly, the beer wasn't helping today. Cause, for the moment, he's angry. Not at his brothers, father or even Joi and Karai. No, he's irritated with Casey and, more importantly, he's frustrated at himself. He knew he didn't react well with Karai wanting to be 'allies' with the Hamato clan. And even though he didn't trust Karai and knew very well why Leo's giving Karai a chance; something he didn't ever want to accept- his big brother, the level head turtle, still in love with Karai.

Still didn't mean, he had to act childish, with taking his anger at Leo, out on Mikey, Don and their father. Because he still felt, he could have taken the news better. Also, he knew what he did in the kitchen was wrong and hope he can tell Mikey, sorry for the damage and be forgiven. Although felt bad of his childishness. It was the actions towards his father having him feeling terrible because he showed, he didn't just, not, trust Karai. But made it seem he didn't trust Master Splinter too. And how he came to this regulation, been from Master Splinter questioning him, after pulling him aside, -once breaking his and Leo's fight- of this. Which Raph aware of this from his father, had chosen to listen to Karai's story while joining his family in eating the meal she made as Master Splinter asked him too. Meal Raph hated to say was pretty good.

At first, hearing Karai's story, he felt bad for her and what she went through. But, catching this. Had he pushing any compassion for Karai down. Cause that's something he will never do? Give Karai sympathy; because the pain he saw Leo went through after Karai betrayed him twice (both on the star-ship and attacking his family along with destroying the Hamato clan's lair), was too much to even bare. And Raph didn't need to see Leonardo in those states again. He wanted his old 'fearless leader' brother to remain the 'responsible' one. Not the 'PTSD'(post-traumatic stress disorder) and 'cold-hearted' or 'brokenhearted' brother that appears whenever Karai is involved.

Leading Raph, awhile back, believing the only way to keep that from happening again, was to have Leo make a brother vow to him. Brother vow having Leo swearing on his brother bond with him. To never, ever trust Oroku Karai again, and if Leo ever broke the vow... He and Raph will never be brothers again. Raph knew then and now, how selfish the vow is to Leo. But believes it was the only way to protect Leo from Karai... and Raph still believes that.

Fortunately, since he knew Leo would rather die than give up his brother bond with either turtle brother. Raph decides giving 'being allies with the Foot' a second thought. Having him, during blowing off some steam, with his punching bag in the training/dojo room, coming up with a few reasons why he should agree.

The first reason; although yes, without a doubt he despises Karai. Raph didn't want to cause any more trouble with his family. Because though he didn't trust Karai, it didn't mean he didn't trust his family especially Master Splinter. For his father has never lead him and his brothers wrong and Raph knew he isn't starting now.

Second reason; is to keep an eye on Karai while in the organization. Cause even if his family was lowering their guards around the 'Miss Shredder'. He's not. The third reason was; Joi Reynard.

After the defeat of the demon Shredder. Raph, his brothers and their father along with their Acolyte friends celebrated at April's. And since, during their training with the NT, Raph quickly developed romantic attraction for Joi and her personality; kind, strong-willed, quick-witted, and she can hold her own against almost any adversary, and doesn't take anything at face value, and accepts the beauty within, which is one reason she accepted him and his turtle brothers and befriend them as quickly as she did, however she's down to earth and skeptical of certain things before she sees them with her own eyes.

He took the party as the chance to get to know her closer. Where he learned Joi's of mixed heritage, Japanese on her mother- Summer Reynard's side, and Norwegian and Native American on her father- Josef Reynard's side. Born July 22, 1979, and though she's born and mostly bred in San Francisco. Learned about Japanese cultures, myths and legends, and self-defense by her mother. Her parents were top inspectors for the San Francisco police force. And for a while, Joi had a normal girl's childhood. But, all that changed, when she, 11 years old, and sadly, during a house fire, lost her parents and unborn brother, with her coming out with burnt scars but still alive. After spending time in the hospital; healing. She was taken in by her aunt- Hashi Akemi, who continued raising her. But in Japan. Where Joi, finished schooling and getting her degrees, followed her parents' footsteps and became the top inspector/detective for the Tokyo police. Thereby, Raph discovered, after a crime, Joi been investigating, she had been knocked out by living-moving wood and took to the Ninja Tribunal to become an Acolytes.

Once the party was over and knowing each other better. Joi decided, with the other Acolytes, to move to New York, to stay near him and his brothers. Though Raph and his brothers couldn't be happier with their friends' choices. They feared it wouldn't be a 'walk in the park' for their friends to find a place to live. Luckily, Faraji being an architect and owning his own constructor company along with his college friend Zaire in Africa, he was able to buy an old warehouse building; with each of the other Acolytes part owners, in Manhattan-upper east side, and renovated and converted into their private individual housing. However, where the building was located had them converted the 2 floors, under their personal housing floors, into sizable apartments (studio to two bedrooms), to keep staying where they are. Therefore, the floors went like this; the first floor, a normal entrance lobby; giving access into the building, while along the floor, a mail room and the main elevator. The second and third floors housed the tenant's apartments- with one of those tenant's being Mrs. Liza Morrison (and her cat Maggie). Above those floors, were the Acolyte's housing. Due to Faraji goes back and forth from Africa to America constantly for his business. His housing floor is the first above the tenants; with him taken up the 4th-5th floor. Adam the 6th-7th floor. With Tora having his fiancé and her sister living with him, took up 8th-10th floors (with Pearl taking the 8th floor as her housing). While the very top part of the building floor housed Joi's loft apartment (1 floor) with a private terrace. Below the lobby was the basement, since being spaces. They changed most into a private underground parking garage (for them and their tenants). Thankfully, Adam being a doctor (medical practitioner), Tora a lawyer and Joi being a police detective. They got good paying jobs, which has helped them in their new life in New York. While maintaining the building for them and their tenants. Also, Raph discovered since Joi was known as a top detective in Japan; creating many deadly enemies. Tokyo police force transferred her to New York's NYPD with the alias, Chula Rosey, including a disguise; a long reddish brown wig to hide her blond hair, and light honey roasted brown contacts concealing her olive green eyes. The whole getup keeps her true identity under wrapped from criminals who want her head.

After Joi and the guys settled in- while Raph and his brothers been renovating within their lair, did Joi reveal, she was harboring romantic feelings for him. Therefore, his and Joi's friendship developed into a relationship, having Joi going from being a friend (smitten crush) to his girlfriend, making her become precious to him as much as each of the members of the Hamato clan; his family-including April.

Despite learned, now, Joi had kept being a 'Foot Elite' from him as well as keeping information from him, of her knowing Karai and works for her. Raph reminds himself Joi revealed, the night they took their relationship to the next level, she's, in fact, descendent to Chikara; on her mother's side. Although been something to take in, at the previous time, because she didn't just reveal her family's ancestor history to him. But also hinted she had been fully aware of the Ninja Tribunal's plans when it came to him and his brothers and she and the other Acolytes played a part in their plans. Which almost had him ending their relationship, for he had been in the notion, believing she wasn't in love with him, and their relationship was nothing but a joke. That, however, was until Joi told him, in tears, she didn't transfer her detective career and life from Tokyo, under another identity, to New York, just for the hell of it. No, she did that to be closer to- 'her tough guy' -as she had called him that night. Which had Raph, believing her words (and eyes) as much as her tears, allowed his over-delay primal hunger to take over and claim her as his.

And that event alone would give him the reason to keep from being angry with Joi. But it wasn't. In fact, it was actually his own dark secrets he's kept then and now from not only Joi but his brothers. So, Raph couldn't find it in him to stay mad at his girlfriend. Which that way of thinking, he, earlier, after leaving training/dojo room, began making his way to speak to Master Splinter to agree with giving the Foot a chance while still keeping his guard up around Karai, then afterword's, get the nerve up to see Joi and have a long honest talk with her about them both hiding secrets from each other.

But, before any of this happened. He got a call from Casey asking him to meet him at April's shop. He's leaving for his police training early. Early leaving Raph learned of, during his patrolling last night, when he stops Casey from violently taken out a crook in the area.

So, holding his decided plans back, Raph went to April's that morning, only to find the secret ex-couple fussing, and only stopped when he made his presence known. An after April questioned him about his 'missing brothers'. He told her, they were 'doing their own thing'. Which April hearing that, went back inside her building without giving a goodbye to Casey.

Unfortunately, once April left. Did Casey reveal his real reason for leaving early? And what he reveals to him, made Raph decide Casey was on his own for good this time, while also choosing to keep his brothers and also April from knowing what more trouble Casey's got himself into. Because Raph clearly knew without a doubt in his mind, that if his brothers got wind of Casey's secrets, mostly his new one. They would kill him without haste. And April wouldn't just hate Casey, she would hate him also. And having April hate him would be like any of his family members hating him. It was a fear he didn't want to come true.

Finally taking a swig of his beer, Raphael growled to himself, once the burning feeling left his throat and unfortunately didn't take his troubled thoughts with it. It only had him growling more as his last conversation with his older brother came to the surface.

Making him, admitting deep down, Leo was right. He did throw Casey on them, and worst of all, he was the 'puppet master' behind April 'falling' for Casey. Granted at the time, Raph thought he was doing the right thing by getting April to fall for Casey- because he wanted to make sure she's able to have a family without having to stop seeing them, even if that meant hurting Don in the process. Remembering that, Raph sighed heavily.

Yes, one current part of information Raph wanted to keep from April. Cause, he didn't just convince her, Casey's right for her. But, after him and his brothers noticed the attraction between April and Don (even if they didn't), he actually convinced Don 'if he cared for April as much as he showed, then he would let her go so she could be happy'. Sadly, his brother Don did when April came to him, asking if she should go out with Casey-after she had moved out of the lair a few weeks later. Therefore, Don had stepped back and even helped Raph with getting them together. Something Raph, without a doubt, knew killed his brother- especially if crying at night in his room meant anything.

Which has Raph feeling stupid for his harsh words he said to Don, and regretting making his brainy brother feel guilty for betraying Casey and that he made all his brothers feel ashamed for blaming 'the bonehead' for harming and killing someone. When the truth was Casey-"

"Here you go, Red," Bill said, while unknown to him, broke Raph from thought, placing his next mug of beer in front of him. "I figure I go ahead and put your next beer here. Because the bar's gotten busy." Glancing behind him, Raph saw Bill wasn't kidding. The place was becoming packed with newbies and truck-stoppers.

"Thanks, Bill," Raph replied once turning around, taking the offering beer. The conceal turtle waited until Bill busies himself with another customer who called him over, before leaving the beer where it was and pulling down his mask to finish off his 7th beer mug. After pushing up his mask and sliding the 7th mug over to the empty 6 mugs on the counter, did he return to his thoughts? But Raph's mind didn't go back to his recent ones, but instead further back to where his problems with Casey started, that was almost 4 months ago.

In fact, his 'first' problem, begun almost few days after Ryan's death, Casey, after falling into a drunken spiral that started slowly damaging his relationship with April, go back to his old extremely crazed vigilante ways; of manhandling any thugs- from murder to littering- on the street.

Despite the heavy violent acts, Raph at first been ok with this attitude of Casey's. Mostly since he also been, roughing up crooks more than usual and leaving them for Joi to pick-up later. But, though he and Casey were cleaning up the city, of 'scuzzbuckets and lawbreakers' with Joi putting them behind bars. It still wasn't enough to protect Angel and Amy Green (Angel's grandmother) or they're house from getting burned down by the 'Purple Dragon'.

Therefore, Raph watched in silent, Casey went from bad to worst. Raph didn't want to believe Casey was slipping after witnessing again someone he cares for, be brought down by street punks- the Purple Dragon. But sadly he had got more out of hand. Making Raph not shock Casey, not listening to him, his brothers, father and April's warning, went and fronted the unnamed gang (that really didn't start showing themselves to the public until last month. But they had been popping up throughout the last three months) only to end up almost killed if not for some police in the area at the time. And despite how odd it been when Casey had come out of the fight without a scratch on him, especially when Raph knew Casey had fewer fights and still came out with one or two battle marks. Raph believed it was the event having Casey wanting a career in law enforcement. But unfortunately, since he has to go through a lot of training and schooling to be an NYPD, Casey didn't stop taking the law into his own hands, knocking his hockey stick into many thugs' heads. These violent actions did nothing but worsen as days went by until Raph, continuing breaking his father's 'forbidden to go topside' rule and patrolling the park, saw with his own eyes. Casey accidentally mistaking a kid teasing his older sister by playing 'keep away' with her purse, running off with it- as a thug pushing down a stranger, stealing from them.

Pausing, taken a bigger swig from his now 8th beer, Raph felt the memories appear in his mind, making it feel like the memories just happen today, instead of months ago.

Raph remembered all too well, about pulling Casey off the bloody boy, before hearing footsteps coming closer. Which had him in a panic, knocking Casey out, carrying him away from the scene, and in the process of leaving, unaware, left behind Casey's plastic hockey mask and hockey stick. And once chewing Casey out at his apartment once he woke. Raph slipped back to the lair and closed himself up in his floor the rest of the night. He had hoped what Casey had done to the poor kid wasn't as bad as it looked. However, the next afternoon he found the kid's state wasn't the only thing that will turn his world upside down.

*********************************FLASHBACK***************************************

3 months and ½ ago- March 17, 2005(The turtles' lair: 1st floor)

Raph, while in the training/dojo room lifting weights, was called to the main floor by Leonardo. Usually, Raph would have brushed off the order from his big brother. But the night before, filled his head. That's why he rushed to the call and found himself in the main hall on the entrance floor. And with this level is opened up to the rest of the top floors, he's able to see Donatello's laboratory, where his brainy, 637 IQ, brother stood, facing his big computer screen, with his back to him, multitasking by going over what look like blueprints of some unknown device Leatherhead had sent over to him, and talking through headphones to a customer from his and Leatherhead's website, 'Tech Geek 24 Hour'- help service. However, being the muscles of his brothers and not the brains. Raph, rolling his eyes, hearing Don's high-tech words, entered the entertainment room on the left side of the main hall.

Inside he saw Leo and Mikey sitting on the couch in the media area of the room. They're attention on the television screens. Leo holding the main remote to the TV's, stood up when he entered the space. Raph noticed Mikey not once moved his eyes from the screens, that seem to be placed on hold.

"What's the deal with that?"He asked, speaking to Leo, pointing at the frozen screens.

"You'll find out, once Don gets in here,"Leo said to him, speaking with his all serious leader voice.

It wasn't long afterword's when Don stepped into the area, Leo finally explains why he called them there.

" I want all of us to be here to see this, and what we're going to do about it next."Still confused if not more, Raph stood near Leo as his big brother push play on the remote, while Don took a sit by Mikey on the couch. With the pictures moving, Raph watched the new newswoman named June Starlite on Channel 9 News, start speaking about the tragic event he and Casey left behind in the park the night before.

"We have just got the word about the victim of last night's attack from the unknown mask assaulter. 15-year-old Tommy Polish who had been rushed to the hospital after his sister; 18-year-old Katie Polish called 911, once she had found him in the bushes in the park unconscious with multiple broken bones and bleeding from his head."The news lady's expression became more sorrowful then it had been when she started reporting."I'm sad to report that young Tommy Polish during' surgery has fallen into a coma. And his doctors had informed that they fear he won't wake from his coma. The Polish family is now giving a reward for anyone who has evidence of this mask assaulter to step forward. For they as well as the police want this mad man behind bars before another innocent is hurt. Our prayers go out to the Polish family..."Raph looked at Leo, who paused the news again before speaking.

" Actually, this was shown a while ago, before I called you and Don. I record it to show to both of you because me and Mikey had already seen it."

" Sorry for the kid."Raph started, trying to change the subject from where he was sure it was heading."But don' see how this is 'our' problem?"

"It's our problem,"Raph was trying to keep his indifferent expression placed on his face as his older brother stared at him."because that attacker was Casey, I'm sure of it."

"What made you come to this conclusion?"Raph was thankful Don wasn't in this 'blame Casey jig', Leo was in at the moment. Even if fact Casey was to blame, Raph wasn't going to rat him out.

"The earlier details that the boy's sister told about, and because a plastic hockey mask and hockey stick was left at the scene."As Leo stated this, Raph cussed at himself for making Casey leave behind those items.

"Well, the mask reveals to us that the assaulter was Casey. But the police, I'm not so sure. However, I'm positive they could identify him with the handprints left on the hockey stick."With hearing Don's question, Raph fell out of his troubled thoughts, widening his eyes with the revelation, the police can without a doubt identify Casey through his hockey stick by his handprints...

"They would if Casey was wearing his usual cut-off biking gloves. But it seems with the police not finding any fingerprints on the items, only the victim's blood. I think Casey was wearing different gloves this time. "Letting out a sigh, Raph was thankful Casey switch out his biker gloves for full covering gloves when he goes out at night after April caught him with someone else's blood on his fingers. So with no chance of them pointing Casey to the crime, Raph less worried, watched Leo rub his temple in irritation. As himself turned from the scene, started walking out of the room. Unfortunately, Raph didn't get far- what with Leo quickly grabbing his arm from leaving.

"I didn't say you can go and we're not finished discussing this."Raph dropped his blazing eyes to Leo's three green finger hand gripping his arm, keeping him from moving.

"Let go of my arm, Leo." Despite the words were warning his big brother. Raph saw with the determination written on his face, Leo wasn't letting him go until he finishes his say. Therefore, grumbling, snatching his arm back, Raph pushed passed Leo, returning to the media area. He leans against the wall."Get on with it oh 'fearless leader'."

Paying no mind for a remark nickname, Leo was back to talking. While Raph looked to be paying more attention to the floor. He's still kind of listening to the conversation. But most his attention on trying to keep his brothers from reading his guilty expression. So, he didn't hear Leo's last words to him, that's until he repeated them.

"Raph did you hear me? Your gonna' need to get Casey to turn himself in-"

"What?!"Hearing Leo's crazy request, had Raph shouting out, sneering at his blue-clad wearing brother."Are you crazy? No, I take that back. You are CRAZY! Casey is our friend, our bro, one of us!"He tried to explain because there was no way he does that to Casey. Deep down Raph felt if he's dealt the cards Casey been, then he himself would be in his place... or worst. Because in Raph's eyes he and Casey were the same, minus DNA and appearance. But like always, Leo states the obvious to him.

"And that was an innocent kid's head that he bashed his hockey stick into! Repeatedly!"Leo threw out, glaring back."Someone's little brother! I'm not going to turn a blind eye to that. We all warned him! Even you, Raph!"Raph narrowed his sight on Leo when he pointed at him. "He didn't want to listen to reason, now some innocent child is fighting for their life because of him..."He watched Leo fold his arms, showing Raph, he wasn't going to be talked out of it. "Actually I would ask Joi, but she has her hands full with the many cases concerning around the Mafia empire. But Raphael, if you won't talk to Casey then I'll see if April will. But until he goes to the police. Casey Jones is no longer welcome here-"

"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" Raph with his 5'9 height, towered over his older brother's 5'7, glaring down at his face, poking his plastron chest."YOU CAN'T JUST ORDER THAT!"Raph shouted, then growled when Leo pushed his hand away from him.

"I CAN. AND I DID."Leo exclaimed, carrying a stern tone."Master Splinter has left me in charge of the lair while he's in his deep meditation sessions. And I say Casey is forbidden from coming here." Leo added before turning his attention to their brainy brother. "Don call April and tell her I need her to come to the lair as soon as she can?"

"Sure, Leo,"Don said, before going back to his floor to reach April on his computer. Raph saw Don's face. He wasn't sure how to act, but an order is an order. That's why Raph wasn't surprised by Don obeyed. But unlike his younger brothers, Raph being the rebel of his brothers didn't roll over for their eldest brother's commands, as they did.

"What makes you think April will go along with this shit? Cuz did ya forget she loves him!"He stated, hoping Leo will see his reason. Because Casey needed his friends, not a jail cell.

"That's April's choice to make. But I can't stand here and pretend Casey didn't do something wrong. Because he did! It's dishonorable to look away when an innocent has been hurt-" Raph rolled his eyes, to Leo's statement.

" It's not honorable to SELL OUT A FRIEND EITHER! NO MATTER WHAT THEY DONE!"

"FRIEND OR NOT! CASEY HARMED AN INNOCENT! THAT'S CROSSING THE FRIENDSHIP LINE! CASEY'S NOT THE INNOCENT ONE IN THIS!"

"SHELL LEO, YOU KEEP FORGETIN', CASEY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT! HE LOST ANGEL-"

"DON'T GIVE ME THAT SHELL CRAP, HOT HEAD! IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR!? THAT KID FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE, ACTUALLY IS THE SAME AGE AS ANGEL! THAT STILL DIDN'T STOP CASEY FROM HURTING HIM! -"

Leo stopped in their shouting as the sound of a quiet Mikey getting off the couch caught his attention, which caused Raph to also look as Mikey was leaving the room to return to their father's floor.

However, where Raph was lost with Mikey's gloomy state, Leo on the other hand, unknown to Raph, knew all too well what was going on with Mikey, something that had him feeling pain for what his usual cheerful baby brother was going through. Therefore, when Leo looked to Raph once Mikey was gone and saw the puzzled expression on his face towards the way Mikey went, had him glaring at him.

"Raph." Broke from his puzzle thoughts about Mikey. Raph brought his attention back to Leo."Do what you want...You do anyway since you can't stay 'grounded' here."Leo stated then stepped up to him, still glaring."But it still stands, Casey is not welcome here."With that Raph's blue-clad brother stormed out of the room, leaving him to his guilty/angry state.

Becker/11th Street- 'Second Time Around Shop'

Raph left the lair and went to Casey's apartment. Only to find that Casey wasn't there. Knowing that if Casey wasn't home this early in the day, then he had to be April's place. So with April being where Casey would be, Raph, after hitting the sewer, went through the access tunnel from the sewer to the inside of April's building from the basement; a short-cut that even though Miss Shredder and the Foot wasn't showing themselves(though Karai was showing her face every chance she can on the screen) around or watching over April's place, that didn't stop Raph and his brothers from keeping their guards up, by still using the passage tunnels to see April without making a trouble, mostly now with most the New Yorkers behaving the way they did after the Triceratops invasion. Which Raph, his family, and friends wanted to keep their distances from that crazy as much as they can.

Once leaving the basement and taking the spiral stairs in April's downstairs shop, up to the opening that leads into April's apartment above the shop, Raph was able to notice April's voice coming through the opening as he was making his way up. And from what he could hear, it sounds like she wasn't in a good mood with the tone she was using, which Raph decided, by the time he was just four steps from the opening, to stay hidden from April and Casey's view as they were once again having one of their arguments.

This wasn't the first time Raph had heard April and Casey arguing, because they had been doing that a lot after Casey's drunken spiral started. Although it became heavier since April had become financially wealthy after someone bought all her items in her store and online website, after her birthday back in February. However, Raph felted this argument will be they're worst so far. So staying on the stairs, he kept in the shadows as he watched and heard them going over the same topic he and Leo just left off of back in the lair.

At first, April had been on the sofa along with Casey, bickering, when the scene came into Raph's view. But not long later, April was standing in the center of her living room area, trying to convince Casey to go to the police or talk to Joi.

"I ain't turnin' myself over to no cop, babe. And I am not talking to Raph's broad."Casey stated, changing the channel from the news to a hockey game."Let's forget all that and watch the game-"April stomped her foot, gripping her hands on either side of her, before snatching the remote from Casey's hand shutting off the game.

"Casey I don't know how serious you know this is!?"She tosses the remote to the floor, then threw hurt and angry eyes on her boyfriend sitting on her yellow sofa."But this topic isn't settled, for there's a little boy in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, because of you!"

"Hey!" When Casey jump up from the couch, Raph had stopped himself from stepping in. For he knew April could hold her own if she had too, and the way she was looking. Raph was sure April will lay Casey out if need be. But still, Raph was ready to launch in if Casey stepped out of line. That's when Raph knew right there, that Casey is a good friend and part like a brother. But April was more family too him. And he will protect his family, as he almost did when Casey touch Joi (though Raph blamed Casey's drunk state). "I made a mistake, April! That don' mean I should be toss in jail!" Casey was approaching April in the middle of the room until they were only standing an inch from the other.

"Actually Casey it does."April rubbed her temple, that Raph believed she was trying to stop a headache from forming. "Cause this horrible event wouldn't of happen if you had thought before acting. And then the Polish wouldn't be hoping that their family member isn't taking from them." She drawled back, crossing her arms when Casey reach in to hug her."I warned you, that if you've kept this out of hand vigilante up, somebody would get hurt, but you didn't listen. Then after your so-call run-in with the unnamed gang, that you state happened-" Raph's mouth was hanging open, as Casey with narrowing eyes stared down at April who also was staring back at him, not backing down.

"Wait, ya callin' me a liar?"April unfolded her arms and stuck out her pinky finger.

"There was no evidence,"Adding to her pinky finger, April stuck out another finger,"nor did Joi find any police report made by these cops that you've said helped you,"She stuck up her middle finger to join the other two, "also besides that, you didn't have one bruise, scar or any broken bones. Clues that would show someone who had been in a fight, mostly with that particular gang. But you had nothing...You came out of that scene without one scratch- "

"You trust some 'Miss Two-Face Fox Detective's' words that ya known for only few months, over me that ya known longer?" With Casey being 'sore' about Joi begin a police detective, who transfer from Tokyo, Japan to New York U.S. able to become the 'top dog detective' in the Manhattan if not all New York in just a few months here while being under an assumed name. Where Casey himself, keeping thugs off the street for years, has to go through a year police training before being accepted as a cop. So Raph wasn't surprised that Casey was ticked that April was taking Joi's words over his. However, with him getting a sick feeling in his stomach, with knowing his Joi wouldn't give false statements out if they weren't true. So Raph was beginning to have doubt in Casey's claim of fighting the unnamed gang. But not understanding why Casey would lie of something like that, Raph shook his head of those doubts...for now, while he continued listening to Casey, which almost had Raph slapping his forehead at Casey's next comment. "And c' mon Babe. The guys get in many fights and they don' always come out fucked up by their attackers." Causing April almost to shake her head in what looks like disappointment, before responding to Casey.

"Although I've known you more, then Joi. I'm not going to say I'm sorry for trusting Joi's words over yours when she has shown not only were there no report made of your attack, but those cops you had described were never found at the police station..." Raph actually watched Casey's facial expression give a similar expression that he had seen on many street thugs when they were trying to find ways to get out of his and his brothers' grasp, during they're bad crimes. But as April had been shaking her head with her eyes shut for that second, she didn't see Casey's expression, as he did. Which had her continuing talking? "And as for you comparing yourself to the guys in fighting, you forget that you are just a soft skin-bone human. Against their hard green texture skin and shell. You would bruise easier and quicker than them. Not to mention, that they had been trained in martial arts for almost 17 years. While you have only been street fighting since you were 13 years old. However, that said, I can admit that with the little martial art training I've got from Master Splinter has improved on my strength and skin, that they both have gotten thicker. Showing proof that it's not really the turtles' hard skin and shell helping them from getting hurt so much. But actually having one's body, mind, soul and heart bond together, so you're able to help your body to endure many obstacle and challenges." Though it sounds like April was bragging, Raph knew she wasn't. Because she was only telling that there was more to martial arts than just fighting. Like you have to balance one's mind, soul, body, and heart. To be truly considered a martial art ninja. Unfortunately, as Raph had figured, Casey took April's statement as bragging. However, before Casey could speak up, April's birthday gift- a personal turtle shell-cell, went off.

Which Raph watching as April turn to where she'd left her shell-cell on the table in the kitchen area of her apartment, then looked back to Casey, before turning from him and walking away, answering the call. And when she did, Raph saw as her peeve expression dropped to be replaced with her lovely almost sexy smile, with her green eyes sparkling like jade gems.

"Hey, Donny." Raph would be later wishing he had been paying attention to Casey instead of April's talk with Don. But sadly since he wasn't, he didn't notice the jealous expression on Casey's face as he watched April's cheerful mood."No, I don't mind coming over to speak with Leo... How's Mikey doing?"April's joyful look disappeared when she looked over to the living room area to Casey, who was walking over to the kitchen area where she was."I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I hope he gets better...Yes, we both heard... Joi won't be able to help? Yes, I guess she is busy with unnamed gang's cases and the Mafia. No, he won't... So how'sMaster Splinter?"Looking away from Casey again, April was once again smiling. "He said you can! That's great! Uncle Augie will be happy that you will be able to come to the get-together dinner... Yes, he'll be here in two days."Raph kept his attention on April who was now laughing at something Don had said. Not noticing that Casey was getting hot under the collar. "Yes, I'm sure he will have new traveling stories to tell us..."She was laughing again. "No Donny, I rather you do not ask any more embarrassing childhood stories about me from Uncle Augie."Though she wasn't laughing anymore, April's smile didn't leave her face. In fact, it was growing bigger if not evil vixen like."Alright, if you get to hear more stories about my childhood. Then I'm able to ask Master Splinter about yours."There was glee in her eyes."Sorry, my sweet Donny. Take it or leave it. -"

Suddenly without knowing it, Casey snatched April's shell-cell from her and with closing it, he ended April's call. Which didn't bold well with the red-head who looked to her shell-cell in his hand, and then frowning as she brought her fiery green eyes to his blue ones?"Why did you do that? Now Donny will think I had hung up on him."

"Call him back later, " Casey said clenching his teeth standing across the kitchen table from where April stood. And as her eyes went back to the turtle shell-cell in his hand, Casey tightened his grip on it. "ya always do."April rolled her eyes at those words, then began walking back into the living room area.

"I don't know what you're talking about? You're becoming more absurd with my friendship with Donny."Casey with a dark face turned his back to the kitchen area, staring heavy at April.

"Oh please, April. You talk with Donatello more than ya talk with me, and I AM YOUR BOYFRIEND!"Casey threw the shell-cell, which broke as it hit the wall.

" Casey!" April shouted at Casey's action to her birthday gift from Donatello. " Donny made that cell personally for my birthday!" Closing her eyes, a second, April calm herself down. "And as for your assuming. I don't speak to Donny any more than I do you." She exclaimed. But Raph could tell Casey wasn't believing her.

"Oh, you don' huh."He started, " Tell me why is it that he is comin' to a dinner with your uncle, who I don't know will be here in two days. Can ya tell me when ya was going to tell me this!?"

"I did tell you."Raph saw that Casey wasn't the only person mad now, he could see that the good mood that his brother had April in, was gone and in its place was frustration."The night that uncle Augie sent me an email of him coming to visit. I called..."As April spoke, she suddenly paused, with her mouth slowly opening, before her expression looked like a fish out of the water to Raph. Which not too long, April turned her back to Casey, as she finally found her voice, despite it sounding uneasy."Well actually I'd called Donny first, and I guess we were talking so much that once I hung up." She turned back to Casey with a calm look on her face, shrugging. "I've realized that it was,"She was giggling a little,"almost morning and since I didn't get any rest yet, I guess I went to sleep," She was getting flushed while still giggling, that was turning into laughter."and forgot to tell you about uncle Augie visiting."She shook her head, easing down with her laughter, while Raph was being aware of the intense atmosphere in the apartment coming from Casey.

"So you tellin' me, you weren't able to call me about ya uncle's visit, because ya got lost in talkin' with Brainiac Don. And the time ya hung up with him it was too early to call me ya boyfriend about the news?"

"Well yeah, I mean you don't like to be woken up in the morning, and besides. I didn't think you would get this worked up because I didn't tell you?" April questioned, not showing she's really bothered, she didn't inform Casey of her uncle's visit, on her face. Unfortunately, Raph did, and he also saw Casey's more than 'bothered' by her actions towards him. Although Raph figured Casey's attitude probably had something more to do with his brainy brother being involved since most of April and Casey's current topics of arguments had to do with Donatello then anything lately.

"Why not be ticked off at ya callin' Donatello first of ya news instead of me?"Saying that Casey plops back on the sofa."I thought bein' ya boyfriend, I would be the one person ya call to tell, not some frea-"Casey caught himself, before going on. But both April and Raph heard the almost slip. "not Don."Hiding her frown behind tight lips, April glance at her broken shell-cell against the wall on the floor.

"Donny is one of my most close and truly best friends, and he's uncle Augie's friend also."While speaking, April not once looked back to Casey."Not to mention that if it wasn't for Donny. I wouldn't have my uncle back in my life. And also if it wasn't for him. We all probably be dead, if those hideous monster 'Reptalians' lizards had made it to our world."Though April said this, Raph was sure that Don told him and they're brothers that if it wasn't for April they all be dead. However, hearing April going on, Raph chose to think about this information later."With that said,"April this time did face him."I don't know why you being irrational about this, cause if I remember correctly you and uncle Augie don't exactly get along. And the last three get-to-together I had for uncle Augie. You always became bored and not long later you'd in up getting in arguments with uncle Augie or drunk."She shook her head, fighting the urge to scream. However, Raph saw Casey jump back up from his spot on the couch, showing that he was beyond pissed.

"Only reasons why I get in arguments with him is because he talks to me like some lowlife, every chance he can!"Casey threw out, approaching April and didn't stop until he was just standing, facing her.

"No, he doesn't!" April shot back, not realizing how close Casey got until she drawled back in surprise, before glaring at him once the shock wore off. "Uncle Augie has not once insolent you!"

"insol-ent what? I said nothin' about some shot? "With Casey's comment and puzzled look on his (and Raph's) face, April rolled her eyes in irritation, at being reminded of Casey's lack in synonym vocabulary.

"Insolent doesn't mean shot. It means rude. As in saying my uncle was never rude to you-"

"I ain't dumb, April. I know what I heard." Raph didn't have to look at Casey to know he was embarrassed by his lack in English words, and that April had to, like many times before, educate him.

"Well, you've heard wrong. You probably took a compliment for an insult-" April jumped back more when Casey stepped up to her again. While unknown to them, Raph laid his hand on his sai, watching closely at Casey's movements.

"I might not be 'book smart' but I know the remarks he said, were not compliment, Babe." He was now almost towering over April, who slightly look like she was getting frightened of Casey.

Therefore, realizing what she was doing, April growled and stepped up to Casey, poking his chest."I know what you been doing this whole time..."She narrowed her sight on his unreadable face, with her finger now pressed to his chest. "You're acting like this, so I wouldn't go back to our previous topic; You turning yourself in-" Casey slapped away the finger against his chest, causing April to be cut off in the process.

"I ain't actin' like anythin'. I told ya to drop that mess-"

"A boy fighting for his life is not a mess. It's terrible!"April was once again in his face, hers was red with anger."What you did is a felony! And if that kid dies, then it's murder."

"Exactly!"Casey shouted out with throwing his arms up in the air."Me turnin' myself in won't help that kid get better..." He lowered his arms, resting his hands on April's shoulders."So what good will it be if I'm in jail, if the kid's gonna die-" Raph was taken back by Casey's words. And from the tears slipping down April's face told Raph she was more than taking back by this... she was heartbroken. That's why in a scream, April pushed Casey's arms from her shoulders, stepping away until her back found the flat screen TV, behind it.

"Arnold Casey Jones, I can't believe you said that."She turned her face from his unconcern but lost expression."What you said...I would expect it from an enemy...not you."In fury she whipped her head back to him, shouting to the top of her lungs. "THAT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING A MONSTER LIKE HUN WOULD SAY!"And what happens next Raph never dreamed could happen.

Because as soon as those last words left April's lips. Casey was on her, gripping her throat, lifting her off the floor, while in the process knocking over the TV.

"DID YA JUST COMPARE ME TO HUN? I AM NOTHING LIKE THAT MURDER, TAKE THAT BACK YOU BIT-"Seeing that Casey wasn't easing up and April too much in trauma to fight back. Raph jumped in, by slipping under Casey and hitting him hard in the stomach. Causing Casey to pull back, letting go of April's throat. And once Casey had release April, Raph with an animal growl, tossed Casey on the couch where he ended up upside down on the sofa.

While this was going on, April, who fell to her knees when Casey release her, was coughing from recent lack of air in her windpipe.

"CASE HAVE YOU FLIPP' YOUR LID?!" Still, angry Raph snatched up Casey by his sleeveless tank top, bringing him to his ticked off face. "First the kid, now April! ARE YOU ASKIN' FOR YA DEATH WISH!?"

Raph couldn't remember being this furious, except when fighting the Foot. Casey, his friend was not feeling the less remorse to what he did to the kid, but now he put his hands on April. A big mistake in Raph's book, right beside flirting with Joi, harming his Hamato clan. However, feeling he's about to beat Casey into a bloody mess, Raph dropped him from his grasp, causing Casey to fall back on the couch before getting up. And with an unreadable expression covering his face, holding his midsection, Casey rushed out of the apartment. But not before hearing him mumble something under his breath.

"All these independent babes' have a strong man under those pretty noses, and all they want are freaks with shells..." Unfortunately, Raph convinces himself that he been hearing things, therefore he chose to open his hearing to Casey's fleeing movements instead; from his running footsteps going down the stairs, opening and closing the downstairs' door, to his cycle roaring up as he took off. And while Raph kept his ear holes on Casey. His attention was on his racing mind. Everything was turning upside down so fast. However, it wasn't a second later after blinking his eyes, did he bring his whole attention to April who was rubbing her neck, trying to stand up on her feet.

"You gonna' to be ok?"He asked, once rushing over to help April stand.

"I will, now that he's gone."April's tone of voice was unreadable, that's why Raph wasn't sure how April was feeling about Casey right then. Taking he could easily be in Casey's shoes, made Raph trying to fix the mess he had stumbled upon.

"Hey, April you know Case didn't mean that..."He shrugged his shoulders, trying to make it seem like not such a big deal."... he just was a little upset ya know." Raph expressed. "Hey me and my bros have mistakenly attacked the other. And we forgive the other later- " Adding the last part, had Raph not believing his own words and from the stare, he was getting from April, she didn't either.

"Aren't you tired of fixing his problems?" April's question had Raph lost for words, therefore as he stood, he went to the falling TV and begun lifting it up to put back on the stand, while keeping himself from answering her. Which had April frowning at his unresponsive."Whatever..." Hearing her voice that, Raph silently followed April with his eyes, leave the room to go into her bedroom, and heard her move around in there until awhile later she came out, carrying a small yellow backpack, and came back to him, with an outreached hand to him."Can I borrow your shell-cell a moment?"

Still not sure how to answer her, and having the TV back in place, Raph staying mute, handed over his cell to her. It wasn't long after his cell's in her hand, April got on it. Believing she was calling Donatello. Raph's stun to find she's talking to Master Splinter. And since he wasn't getting much but yes or no from April's side of her conversation with his father. Raph kept lip-tight as April continued until she was done with the call and gave back his shell-cell to him.

"Thanks."With that said, April went to her kitchen, got a bag from a drawer, and gathered up her broken shell-cell."Since you won't answer my question earlier." With each piece of the cell in the bag, April walked over to her backpack that she left on the kitchen table and place the bag in it. "I'm assuming you're going after him?"

Hearing those words, and believing there was a concern along with them. Raph felt hope that April wasn't letting this incident affect hers and Casey's relationship-

"Just if you do. I want you to be careful. I don't want that 'insensitive barbaric jerk' hurting anybody else. And if you can convince him. Get him to turn himself in before another person gets harmed by him...or worst."But those words there had Raph's hope for April forgiving Casey to squash. However, that didn't stop him for believing he could remind April that she was indeed in love with Casey, that he was her only chance at a happy life and family.

"C' mon, April."He started, making himself believe he could fix this. "You don't mean that-"

"Don't tell me what I don't or do mean!"April was throwing hard cold green eyes his way, that actually had Raph feeling a cold chill go down his shell."I've tolerated enough by going the easy way... I can't keep acting like I'm blind. He has too many faults to keep this pretending going on. I'm sorry Raph, but I have to draw the line somewhere." She closed her apartment door, before going on."I know we have a few things in common, like old movies..."

As April was naming the things her and Casey had so-called in common, while cleaning up the little mess in the living room area, Raph not long later helped her clean up, while feeling like a heel, because he knew if he didn't help by telling Casey to get that old classic cowboy video to watch, when April was still living in their former lair. April would know the cold truth that she and Casey don't have that much in common as Raph had made it seem. And hell, the only reason Raph was aware of April liking the video was that he overheard her talking to her sister Robin on the phone a week earlier about it in the lair. Recalling that had Raph frowning as April, done with cleaning up, went back to moving around her apartment, gathering stuff into her backpack. Feeling himself falling into a guilt trip, Raph was a little thankful when April broke him from his thoughts as she was shouldering her backpack.

"I don't know what you're going to do later, but I'm getting ready to head for the lair."Realizing what she was hinting too, Raph gave a nod and went for her window, but before he left through it, he looked back to April who was making her way for the spiral stairs.

"April just tell me one thing?"He watched her stop and turned back to him."Do you still love Casey?"He studies April as she avoids his stare, biting her lip, before bringing her eyes back to him. Eyes that showed Raph she was scared. Scared of what Casey has become.

"I do care somewhat for him but, "What she was going to say Raph didn't know, because she just shook her head at the last second, before saying, "at the moment I don't feel comfortable or safe with him." Not saying nothing more, April left her apartment.

Casey's apartment (where I don't remember?)

No choice but to leave also, Raph more unsure and upset with himself, made his way to Casey's place. Once getting there, Raph, in the process of opening the window to Casey's apartment, sure he heard his friend on his cellphone.

"No Kenzo. Kira's still in hiding... Yeah, I'm gonna do that also. Yeah bye." But the time Raph was inside the room, Casey was packing.

"Case, man what ya doin?"

"What's it look like,"Casey said indifferent to him, not stopping his packing."I'm gettin' outta here."

"So just like that, ya running away?"Raph questioned, afraid of what his wreck friend would say.

Casey stopping his packing moved from his bed to Raph. "Look Raph." Laying his hand on Raph's shoulder. "I know what ya doing, and I don' wanna go back on my old man's words- of 'standing up for what's right no matter how hard it is'." Continuing speaking, he resumes his packing. "But even if I feel bad of what I did to that kid and what I almost did to April. I'm not gonna risk losing my chance of becoming a cop, and keeping the city clean of bad guys like the Purple Dragon." Casey shouldered his navy duffel bag over his shoulder. "I know that won't make up for what I have done. But to be sure I won't hurt anybody else. I pick to leave and stay at my grandmother's farm awhile. Or until I can control my temper. And I don't wanna become between you and ya girl." Casey lowered his head, "I ain't sure how long I'll be gone, but I hope..." He lifted his head, looking to Raph. "My friends will be at my side when I get back."

Raph seeing the pleading in Casey's eyes had him not telling about the rule Leo placed on the lair. Instead, Raph said he and his brothers will be here for Casey no matter what. Which caused Casey to give Raph a shoulder hug, before jumping on his bike and taking off to the road and out of the city. Trusting Casey didn't mean to hurt anybody, Raph chose to keep his word of being there for Casey no matter what happens even if he has to make his brother Leo see it his way. Raph didn't decide to return back to the lair until Casey wasn't any longer in his eyesight.

The Central Park's Abandon Water System Building- the Hamato Clan's lair

Feeling stress with all that progress in the short time, Raph entered the media area of the entertainment room, to find Leo listening to the news or more importantly listening about the familiar Asian woman they were talking about.

"Just this evening Miss Karai Saki-"the brownish-blond haired news lady on channel 3, paused as she was handed over a sheet of paper. "Oh excuse me, I mean Miss Oroku Karai."She gave a sunny smile for her mistake, that look to Raph like she was wearing some special jell to keep her smile up. "Forgive my mistake... Well, Miss Oroku Karai has just finished her speaking today. We will have the footagelater on. Now on to the weather-"

Raph didn't even question Leo after he mutes the screens. But he did once Leo was getting up from the couch.

"I guess there's no surprise that ya 'checking' upon 'Miss Shedder's' doings. Ya ain't forgot our brother vow have ya?"Leo gripped his fists and let out a low growl, that didn't go unnoticeable to Raph.

"April told us that she tried to get Casey to turn himself in, but he left her apartment."Therefore, catching on that Leo was changing topic had Raph frowning a little. "Though she didn't go into too deep detail about what happened at her apartment with Casey. She did arrive at the lair shaken up with a broken cell-shell-"

"Where's she now?" Now Raph was changing the topic from Casey to April's whereabouts when Leo was hinting that he knew there was more going on then what April told them.

"After speaking to Master Splinter, she made her way to the guest room that is the only one we furnished..."Leonardo responds, glancing every second to the TV screens."Master Splinter said she's allowed to stay here as long as she needs too."Seeing that the news was talking about something about the president, Raph saw his brother turned his attention to him with seriousness covering his face. "April said that you came by her place when she was getting ready to come to the lair. She also said that you were looking for Casey, and she told you that he had left before you got there?"

Thankful to April for her made up story, Raph chose to add a little to the story, to make it more believable. "Yeah, she'd did. I stopped at Casey's place to find that he was gone and he took some of his stuff, showing that he's gonna be gone awhile." Raph watched as Leo rested his chin against his hand, thinking over what to do with this information from him.

"Do you have any idea where he went?" Raph shrugged his shoulders to his brother's question.

"He ain't answerin' his cell. I went searching the city at some of his hangouts. But looking for him has worn me out..."Raph knew that Leo would be able to catch he was lying as Master Splinter can. However, with his brother back to glancing over to the TVs again, Raph was able to speak clearly without hiding that he was lying on his face. But that didn't mean Raph was thrilled, to see Leo's less attention on their conversations.

"I guess you're accepting what Casey did was wrong. Because I believe you wouldn't be looking for him if you didn't want him behind bars."

With Leo questioning him about this, and then turning almost all his attention once again, to the screens. Raph just gave a"Whatever, Leo," to his brother's question. Which Raph only got another nod from Leo as he watched his big brother make his way back to the couch to un-mute the TVs, and despite keeping it at a low volume. It didn't take Raph to be a rocket scientist to know that his brother's focus was on the news because they were now showing Karai speaking from a platform, answering any questions that reporters asked of her. Glaring at the screens, Raph moved closer as Karai began answering a reporter's question about her changing her surname to Oroku when it had been Saki for so long in the city.

"I apologize for the confusion of my father's and my surname. As many don't know, my father went by his first name as his last name to keep his enemies from finding him. Enemies that didn't agree with my father giving his family's riches to people in need. But sadly changing one's name did not keep my father safe from them, as they were able to locate him during the time he was helping to re-build this wonderful state that he and myself fell in love with. And unfortunately, as my father was making preparations to front these enemies back home."Raph watched on the screen as Karai paused in her wacko story, to wipe crocodile tears with a tissue, before continuing on. "Forgive me...it is still painful to talk about the terrible event of my father leaving this world...taken from me..." As Karai wiped a few more tears, Raph in the corner of his eye studied his brother.

Leo had his eyes dead on Karai, his face was unreadable, a sign that showed Raph that Leo didn't want others to be able to read his thoughts by his expression, he also had his body almost motionless, that Raph wasn't able to read his body language. But despite all that, Raph was sure without question that Leo wasn't just becoming obsessed with Karai, but was still in love with her. Figuring this was enough to get Raph growling as he stood in front of the main screen Leo was looking at.

"Ain't we a second ago, going' over about Case, 'oh fearless leader'."Every word was said with a bitter sarcastic tone that had Leo looking to him with a frown forming on his face as he started speaking, but not before pressing a button on the remote, having all the screens freezing the pictures on them.

"Actually when you said 'whatever' to me. It told me that our conversation was over."Raph growling more, bared his teeth while glaring at Leo. But Raph's older brother didn't show that his pissed off state affected him. Instead, Leonardo just stayed on the couch with his elbows placed on his knees, and hands laced with his chin was resting on them."But if you need to report anything else, I'm listening..."

"Are you sure, cuz it looked to me like you rather make goo-goo eyes to the screen, what with that 'she-witch' on it."

"I'm listening." Leo narrowed his sight on Raph."Either tell me what you need to say about Casey or leave me to watching the news-"

"Don't ya mean 'Little Miss Shedder-"Raph was cut off as Leo quickly rose from his spot on the couch and faced him, growling coming through his words that he began lashing out to him.

"We've been over this,"Raph's nose(beak), once lowering his head, almost touching his brother's, who was glaring up to him, showing Raph that Leo didn't fear their height difference."the only reason I'm watching Karai's movements, is because I want to be sure we're prepared to stop her and the Foot if their planning something."He stepped back from Raph, returning to his seat on the couch."I don't need to be reminded of how I made mistakes with trusting Karai-"

"Yeah your right, it only took her almost taking your life to wake you up to what I have been telling you all along-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH, HOTHEAD!"Out of anger, Leo threw one of his katana from his shell, at the TV to Raph's right that actually had him jumping a bit. Which caused Raph to throw threaten eyes to his now ticked off brother for his actions."I TOLD YOU, YOU DON'T NEED TO REMIND ME OF MY MISTAKES!"

"BUT ITS THE TRUTH!"Raph wasn't going to keep his voice down if Leo wasn't. "AND AIN'T IT FUNNY THAT YOU DON'T WANNA BE REMINDED OF YOUR MISTAKES. BUT CASEY MAKES MISTAKES AND YOUR READY TO THROW HIM TO THE DOGS!" Knowing that his brother still had some feelings for that Foot Bitch. Had Raph too lost in his anger to really think about what he was yelling out at his brother, especially as his mind had him recalling his brother's secret meetings with the slutty monster in the past.

"Wait?" Leo's eyes went from blinking to slowly widening as he took in Raph's words."Did you just compare my mistakes to CASEY'S?!"Still lost in his temper, Raph kept his mouth running.

"Why not?! Because like Casey, you made mistakes. Shell, in anger you took your katana to Master Splinter' head! HELL IF YA HAD LISTEN TO ME! OUR FAMILY WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALMOST KILLED!" Raph was too gone in his words to stop until it was too late."LUCKILY WE'RE ALL SKILLED NINJAS!"Unnoticed of his brother's grief face to his words, Raph continued on."BUT REALLY HOW WOULD YA FELT TO COME BACK TO FIND ALL US ICED BECAUSE OF-

It was right there that Raph, now hanging his mouth open, realized what he had been saying to his big brother. "Oh man, Leo I didn't mean-"

"Yeah, you did..." Leo stated to him, " Look...I'm done talking..." then un-paused the screens and went back, listening to Karai talking, showing Raph that what he said, had hit his big brother hard.

"Miss Oroku can you tell us about the sighting of 'flying creatures' like dinosaurs or dragons, that had been hovering above your tower building, months ago?". Questioned a reporter off-screen.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you are speaking about. However, I do admit that the enemies of my late father, did use some high technology to try to take down the Oroku clan. For although they took my father's life, they also wanted to take down our whole clan here..."

Feeling upset with what he said to Leo. Raph decided to leave the floor and leave his brother to himself...

But although he's wiped out from all that happened today, Raph found his feet leading him up to the 4th floor, instead of his. They stopped outside the biggest guest room's door, that April is supposed to be. He started knocking on the door, which as he did, it wasn't long until he heard April's voice say,

"It's unlocked."

Taking this as he can enter, Raph opened the door and stepping into the room, to see April and Don were looking over a white writing board, with scribbles and boxes covering it. April was in the queen size makeshift bed that he and his brothers made for each guest room.

Her back was leaning on the headboard that was against the lavender walling, as she, using a green marker, was drawing more boxes, while Donatello laying on the end of the bed on his belly, was holding a black marker, observing April's drawings. However, as soon as both April and Don notice him in the room they brought their attention to him.

"Hey, Raph."Said Don, "You want to help us make plans for April's kitchen, that we're renovating?" He added sitting up.

"No. I need to talk to April alone."He knew he was being rude, but Raph wanted to talk to April to see why she didn't tell what happened. And although he was being studied over by Don. Raph watched as April reached over to Don and rested her hand against his.

"Donny, could you be a sweetie and get us some refreshments, while I speak to Raph?"Staying silent, Raph watched closely as Don smiling, laid his hand over April's.

"Sure that won't be a problem,"He then slipped off the bed, "instant Toasted Chestnut Flavor coffee, right."

"You know me so well,"April said, in what sounds like a flirty tone to Raph, but maybe he was hearing things (he's been doing that a lot).

"One instant Hazelnut coffee and one Toasted Chestnut coffee, coming up,"Don said and started leaving. But stopped by Raph, "Raph do you want me to bring back any refreshment for you?"

"That's ok Don, I'm cool. I'll snatch a Banana Milk, before crashing." With that answer, Don left the room, leaving Raph and April to talk.

"Did you find Casey?" Which April went straight to the point once Don was gone. Causing Raph to be nothing but truthful to her.

"Yeah, I found him. He was at his place packing... He left a while."

"So he didn't turn himself in... I see." April said, moving aside the writing board and markers, pulling her knees up to her chest. "But I'm not surprised you let him go-"

"If ya forgot, Casey lost someone like a sis, Angel was family to Casey. I hate that he took a kid for a thug. But not gonna turn my back on him, like all ya' done. If I went through what Casey has, it's no telling what I would do!" Though Raph figured him explaining Casey's case would reach April. Unfortunately, it didn't.

"Hold on right there, Raph. I think you are forgetting that Casey wasn't the only one who lost Angel. We all did." April exclaimed. "Don and Leo have found hobbies to hide their pain. But out of your brothers, Mikey is the one taking Angel's disappearing the worst, since he was the last one to see her before she went missing. But you worrying so much about Casey's state. That you had looked over your baby brother. Cause for as long as I've known you guys. Not one time have I seen Mikey this down. Angel was special to him. You've had to be blind not to see it. So before you lash out on me or your brothers for not feeling bad for Casey and his mistakes. Go to Master Splinter's floor and try to get Mikey to shot out a wisecrack to you, or better yet. Get him to smile. Or stop his nightmares that he's been having since Angel was taken from us!" The last part April shouted, before hugging her legs, looking away from him. "Donny and I are hoping that if I get Mikey to aid us with remodeling my kitchen...he might..."

As April trailed off, Raph wanted to shout that he knew all this. But the hard truth was. He was so focused on Casey's problem that he overlooked how bad his brothers were taking Angel being gone. Sure he was aware of Don burying himself up with work and unnecessary projects giving to him by Leatherhead. And he knew about Leo becoming more obsessed with Karai and the Foot to even be healthy. But though he knew well about Mikey's odd attitude, he had figured that his baby brother would jump back to his old annoying self, like he did when Zog was killed. But apparently, by April's word, Mikey was doing nothing but getting worst.

Rubbing his head, Raph sighed before speaking. "Ya right, April. I didn't know my bros were havin' it that bad." He kicked his foot at the ground like he was kicking something that wasn't there. "But I'm not gonna drop that if this didn't happen, Casey wouldn't of fell so deep in the shit he-"

"But he did, Raphael," April stated to him. "I know many grieve in their own way, including Casey. However, with that said, I decided to put my relationship with Casey on hold-"

"What!" Raph couldn't help crying out, shell-shock.

"for now." April finished, not showing any sign to Raph that she wasn't serious. "As I said back at my apartment, Raph. I don't feel safe with Casey. He said and did...horrible things to not only me but a little boy! And if I don't feel safe with him why should I keep our relationship going?"

"Cuz you love him-"Raph froze in speaking as he saw April face away from him, giving him that really bad sinking feeling to return to his belly. "April?" He moved from the closed door to April on the bed, with her face still looking away from him. "You do still love Casey, right?"

Holding his breath, Raph watched April look back to him, with unsure eyes. "To be honest Raph...I'm not completely sure if I ever was." Raph getting to his knees in a kneeling position at the bed, he racked his brain to find some way April was lying.

"But you have ta, cuz you didn't tell my bros what almost went down at ya place-" Again Raph was frozen in his words, but this time it was by April gently laying her hand on his in a friendly way.

"Master Splinter knows." Raph's eyes widen, at this dreadful news. "It was one reason why Master Splinter is allowing me to stay here. But the only reason I didn't tell this detail to the guys, is for two reasons." She removed her hand from a top of his and went back to hugging her legs, with her chin resting on her knees. "I have been around you guys long enough to catch on when any of you get into protect mode. And that is exactly what Leo and Don did when I got to the lair in my shaken up state. Their expression showed that they were ready to draw blood." She shook her head, Raph was sure she did this to get rid of the image expressions his brothers had. Once she seems okay, she continued on. "Therefore I took it wise that keeping that information from them was the right thing to do for the time being. And to keep them from being suspicious of me staying in the lair for a while, I came up with the idea of I'm remodeling my apartment, making me needing someplace to stay, while I'm fixing it up. So before you say I did all this for Casey. That isn't the case, for I did it for your brothers. I didn't want them tracking him down and killing him in cold blood, causing them to taint their hearts."

"Oh Leo might, but I don't think Don would do anything like that ta Casey," Raph said, not able to imagine his brainy brother harming anyone not even Casey. "Because out of us, Donnie wouldn't hurt anyone if he could find another way around it."

"I'm not sure that's true." Raph narrowed his eyes to this, before fearing, maybe he didn't know his brothers as well as he used to. "Raph your brothers have been changing since your victory over the demon Shredder, and I don't mean just all you guys growth spurt. You're all 17 years old now, and come Aug you will be 18." April started explaining to him, "But between Casey and Joi. You haven't noticed that your brothers are growing up from their teenage stages. Even Mikey was doing this. That was until Angel was taken from us." Raph hung his head to the reality that April was right again. He had been busy with not only Casey but also Joi. And though he didn't want to admit it. Deep down he was liking all the attention he was getting from his best friend and girlfriend. Cause it made him feel somewhat normal. But Raph's head didn't stay down too long, as he remembered that this was about April and Casey's relationship and not him being unknown that he had been distancing himself from his brothers. "Maybe with Casey gone, you can spend time with your brothers." Hearing this suggestion from April, Raph believed, maybe this was a good idea. But first he needed to still convince April, that she does love Casey, always has and… will.

"I think' I'll do that." He slowly rose to his feet, standing beside the bed, staring at April who rose a brow at his movement. "But I ain't leaving this room until you admit that ya care for Casey."

"Raphael..." April's bangs hid her eyes, as she tilts her head down, gripping the bed sheets. Raph tried, but it was hard not to hear the stress in April's voice. "Yes, I care somewhat for him. But those feelings right now, aren't love." Raph with shock was looking now at April's unsure expression playing on her face." Right now, I need time to sort out my feelings for him..." April looked away from him, "and others." Her voice trailed off at the last words, but Raph still heard them. Which made the earlier feeling of fear for Casey ever getting April to take him back when he comes home, return. But pushing these thoughts down when he recalled April's unsure at the moment. Therefore, he found hope that if he convinces April to give Casey another chance. Then he can save both April and Casey's relationship.

"So that's it?" Raph found himself pacing back and forth in the room. "After everything that Casey's done for you. You just gonna' throw that all away." Raph didn't have to see, he was getting on April's bad side.

"Everything that he's done for me!?" No, her high pitch tone of voice told him that. "Others have done more for me then Casey has!"

Before he could stop himself, Raph shot out at her. "Name one." And it wasn't long until April shot back at him.

"Hamato Donatello! Your brother! He's done more things for me, then Casey's ever done! Because while Casey forgot not just Valentine Day, but my very own birthday. Donny didn't! "

"Yeah, so what? The rest of us remember ya birthday."

"Yes, you and the others did, and although I liked the gifts you gave me. It was Donny alone, who thought about what I really wanted as birthday gifts. One is a complete 38 vol books of 'Plays and Sonnets of William Shakespeare'. A gift, I had hinted to Casey since last year, that I would like as a birthday present. Not to mention on Valentine, Donny gave me a bouquet of different 'night-blooming flowers' with one of them being my most favorite- Night Phlox (midnight candy) flower, that only grows in South Africa. Donny had got Faraji to bring one back, to give me. Not one time as Casey ever thought that deep about me to do something sweet like Donny did... When he didn't have too... Leatherhead even told me Don went along with creating their tech-service website, only so he'll be able to pay for the vol books. Something Casey couldn't do or try. In his eyes, I come second to everything else... While I always come first in Donny's eyes..."

Stopping his pacing when she trailed off at the last part, Raph whipped his head to April. And what he saw, wishes he didn't. Denying it was easy when only his brother was still showing signs. But with April's expression telling everything Raph tried not to see, made the truth slap him in the face.

"You're still in love with Donnie, ain't ya?" Raph's sure he didn't have to ask. However, he was hoping to be wrong and his sleep deprive was making him see and hear things. But, with April's green eyes widening, her cheeks becoming cherry color, and her turning her face to the side to hide the truth. Had Raph seeing all he didn't want too. "You are... But I told you it's impossible for you-"

"I think you need to leave..." April said cutting him off, while not once looking back to him.

Causing Raph to growl under his breath while saying "Gladly." as he went for the door.

"No, Raph wait." Though he tried not to, sighing he turned back to April who was looking at him with dead seriousness in her eyes. "Before you leave I need to say that I know your heart was always in the right place and you just want to protect your loved ones. So understand when I say I need you to swear on your honor as a ninja that you won't tell either one of your brothers about Casey strangling me," April was now on the verge of tears with her eyes still dead on his. "and also, when it comes to my love life you will stay out of it for now on...I need...I need to handle that part of my life myself... no matter where it leads me." Watching her wipe tears from her eyes, Raph stayed silent, but when she was done, his mouth opened.

"I swear." Causing April to look to him; as if checking to be sure he meant it.

"Thank you, Raph." April nodded her head, once she saw he really did mean it. "With that all said, I hope me and you are still friends-"

"Hey, ya don't need to worry about that. Ya, a sis to me. So our friendship is unbreakable. Because all my bros are not just family to me." Raph gave a grin, that had April giving him a small warm smile. "They're my best friends." He placed his hand on the doorknob. "Night April."

"Goodnight Raphael and thank you again."

One whole month and 1/2 later- On the road to Northampton, Massachusetts

Raph was thankful that he didn't run into Don or even Leo, on his way to his floor that night, back at the end of March. And just as he swore to April, he didn't interfere in her love life, even if she and Don were doing nothing but spending every time with each other (more than usual). Raph was also keeping his word about hanging out with his bros. Which, by April, he and Leo were talking like brothers again. And being aware of his baby brother's state, Raph discovered not too long later, that he would do anything to see Mikey make a wisecrack, gloat, prank or just plain smile. That's why Raph along with Leo spent many days with their baby-brother: including comforting him when he wakes from his nightmares in tears. Therefore, as days went by Raph was during the day- hanging out with his brothers and father, making their family bond stronger. While during some nights was at the Glancy's Bar, drinking away his guilt and doubt, until Joi comes and drags him back home or her place. Although Casey wasn't around in person. He, however, called not only Raph but April, but unlike Raph who listen to Casey's calls. April didn't accept one of the calls, even when, surprisingly to Raph, Don did nothing but encourage her to just say hi to Casey. Therefore, not long later before the beginning of May, Casey's calls stop coming to both him and April.

Though before May started, April, after having her get-together back in March with her uncle August that Don joined, started on remodeling her apartment once she asked Mikey if he would help with the décor to the kitchen. And then not long after Mikey agreed, did Raph begun seeing Mikey back to smiling and even giving him a headache with his pranks. Although his baby brother's smiles and pranks were small, that didn't have Raph less thankful to April for bringing Mikey back to his old self even if it's slow progress.

Despite all the good progress in his family clan. Raph, once April end and May was going into its second week, thought that he should check on Casey when he hasn't yet come back or still wasn't answering his calls. So, therefore, he asked Master Splinter if he could go see how Casey was doing. Which his father shocked him as he allowed him to go without any trouble, especially when Master Splinter, like him and April, knew about Casey's troubles- even him harming the Tommy kid.

Nevertheless, while April and Mikey were remodeling the lair kitchen with Don building most of the appliances to the kitchen as he did for April's. Raph took off for the road. But instead of using the shell-cycle; that Don built for him (that he named Baby 2). Raph chose to take his new motorcycle (that he named Red)/w helmet, - a gift Joi surprise him with on Valentine's Day, after helping her pick out a bike for herself on some website. And despite her asking details of what bike he would want during them shopping for her. Raph was still blown away with her bringing in a solid black motorcycle with blood red detail trim, and a green dragon/w red armor and also the word 'Red' in kanji on it, to the lair. Each detail was custom-made and had been made from his style of what he thought a cycle should look like. And for that moment he didn't care that every one of his family members was there and seeing him give Joi the biggest kiss he had given so far at that time. -

Stopping by a gas station to fill up his cycle before hitting the long road. Raph's thoughts were on Joi and how she became his girlfriend. He had been nervous (even when he already got to know her during the celebration party) when he asked her on a date to 'Glancy's Bar. Unfortunately, that first date didn't turn out that great for him and Joi. Because once they got to the bar, he saw that Casey was there drinking. Therefore, it wasn't long until Casey already half-drunk started shouting and bitching about how April got mad at him for cussing out her uncle the other night's dinner. And though Raph rather of spend his time with Joi on that date, he found himself trying to calm down his buddy, who started flirting with all the girls in the bar. Although when he saw Casey start to flirt with Joi. He was ready to kick his shell. But Joi had pushed pressure points on Casey's neck, that knocked him out. Which had him dragging Casey out of the bar, tossing him on his cycle (Baby 2). And him along with a passed out Casey, drove home, with Joi following him, driving Casey's bike, to his apartment.

So after that fucked update, Raph had been sure Joi wouldn't wont to try going out with him again. But she surprises him by saying yes. Which he took her once again to the bar, and at first he figured with Casey not there to ruin the date. They would have a great time. However, since Joi didn't wear the casual short-sleeve shirt and blue jeans that like she wore on their first date, but instead wore an attire that had not only to reveal a lot of skin with the tight-looking black halter top and mini black skirt, but it had every man in the bar taking in her beauty; and showing one reason why Raph gave her the nickname; his vixen. Therefore, Joi's attire caught the attention of the top dog of the bar; White Wolf. And no matter what Joi did, White Wolf didn't take no as an answer. That's why Raph had stepped in and laid the man out, while in the process he had destroyed a lot of tables, chairs, one pool table, and many beers glasses. Which Bill Glancy, had been about to kick them out, that was before Joi slipped out her badge for Bill (unnoticed to the other bar customers) to see. So with all that bad luck for a second date, Raph was more puzzle than ever when he drops her off at her building and she had pulled him into a hug saying; that she was glad that he waited until she wasn't able to handle 'White Wolf' herself to step in, and she was very flattered that while he was letting Wolf seeing 'stars', he called her his girlfriend for the first time and said that no one would touch his 'vixen' without her say so. To say Raph had been a little embarrassed wouldn't have come close. However, that night didn't end there, not until Raph heard those words that he didn't think will ever be said to him by someone outside his family. And after Joi said she loves him, it wasn't long until he, letting his instinct take control, had kissed her. And as soon as he got over that she had kissed him back, Raph had explored her mouth making it deeper until they had to pull back to breathe, where he had told her he loved her too and then gave her a hug before leaving.

And though Mikey later after Raph got home, didn't understand why he was in an upbeat mood, Raph didn't stop smiling and chuckling to himself. And at first, both Leo and Don had been concerned about his behavior, especially when Mikey started throwing wisecracks at him without any negative reactions in return. But while Mikey had been still lost at his cheery state, it wasn't long before Leo and Don caught on, and had left Raph to his happy stage. Unfortunately for him, Mikey took that time to call him every remark name he could come up with. That was however until Raph decides to play a game called; 'Does Mikey Bend That Way!'

Raph shook out of his thoughts laughing to himself as Casey's grandmother's farm was coming into view. He was parking his cycle and taking off his helmet when he saw all the lights in the farmhouse, were off. However, seeing Casey's bike leaning up against the side of the house, had Raph believing that Casey was here, he was just sleeping. Taking this as a good answer, Raph now on the porch, knocked on the door. But after a while knocking, and nobody coming to answer. Raph began fearing that maybe Casey was in trouble, and hurt somewhere in the house and nobody was there to help him. Starting to get more worry with every second he was standing there, Raph falling into ninja mode, went around the house to find if the fuse box was out. But as he was doing this he caught some dim light coming from a window on the upper level of the farmhouse. Thinking this was where Casey was sleeping; probably because it reminds him of April. Raph climbed up the wall until he got to the window. Unfortunately, all that worrying he had for Casey was destroyed and replaced with blazing rage with what was going on through the window.

There in the room that usually is April's bedroom when she's there, was actually Casey but he wasn't alone. That much Raph could tell. With his own eyes, Raph was catching Casey cheating on April. And though if he was just kissing this girl, Raph might have let this go. But that wasn't the case. Cause Casey and this female were, screwing on the floor with the bed sheets from the bed, under them. And with their messy hair and sweaty bodies. Showed Raph that they probably not too long woke up from recent sex. Not able to take any more of the scene, Raph moving like lighting, made his way back to the porch and started banging his fist on the door, not caring that he might break the door down with his actions. And he knew with the noise he was making, he probably was waking the neighbors up, even if the 4 miles between each property give plenty of distance and privacy.

"CASEY OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!" with that command, it wasn't too long until the door opened to find Casey in just some sweatpants, who look surprised to see him there, which had fear itself written on his face. But by that time, Raph was already pushing pass Casey, entering the farm house's living room area. And even though Raph heard Casey close the door, he still couldn't look to him, that's why Raph's shell back was towards Casey.

"Man, Raph I did not know ya gonna stop by?" The laid back tone of voice Casey had, was giving Raph a feeling that Casey was nervous and trying to hide something from him. However, knowing what that something was, caused Raph to fight his rage that was rising with every second he was there. Because no matter how much he tried he couldn't shake off his last conversation with April about her and Casey's relationship, and how he'd backed-up Casey's love for April. But now...he didn't know what to believe. But before Raph could respond back (if he could) to Casey...another voice spoke up.

"Arnie sweetie..." Raph shifted to look to the staircase where the voice came from, to see the female that he saw through the window upstairs. But now with more light on this person, he was able to see her better. This woman was the same height as April, with the same length hair when down. In fact, with her wearing one of April's big sleepwear shirts, this woman could play off being April's twin. That is if the woman's hair color was red instead of navy blue and her skin tone was lighter, instead of a tan brown texture. Coming off the staircase and stepping into the two living space (dining area and living area), the woman, unknowing of the mutant ninja turtle in the space, walked towards Casey, who looked to Raph like he was going to pass out. "who was at the door-" The woman stopped in her steps as she just finally notices the other person, but oddly after her dark blue eyes spotted the turtle in red/black biker attire. She out of the blue rush over to him, and hugged him. Making Raph speechless and paralyzed with her actions. But with the woman closer, Raph for some reason was able to the smell the same scent of the Underground City. Something he could smell in the atmosphere of the farmhouse, but now it was stronger than before. Feeling out of place, with this woman and the strong aroma of the nightmare city, Raph was going to pull the woman away, "Raphael," but his name coming from the woman's mouth, a name that he didn't tell her, and the 'deer caught in the headlights' expression Raph was seeing Casey painted on his face across the room, had the 'punch first and ask questions later' turtle completely dumbfounded that he couldn't move while the unfamiliar woman still hugging him, kept speaking. "it's great to see you again." She pulled back slightly, smiling while turning her head left and right, giving the motion that she was looking for something. "Is your brothers here also? I can't thank you've guys enough for freeing me." Before Raph could ask this woman what she was going on about. She once again had him in a hug. "I was hoping to see you turtles again..." She let go of the hug, and walked across the room to Casey, putting him in a loving embrace. "Mostly Donatello." She snuggled her face in Casey's chest, that once she did that, Raph saw Casey stiff up like he was afraid to show the woman any affection with him there to see. "Cause if it wasn't for him," She gazed her sight up to Casey. "I wouldn't be able to have another chance with my fiancé -" As Raph couldn't do nothing but stared as if his eyes were going to fall out of they're sockets. The strange woman slightly began laughing, as if all she had been saying was hilarious when it all seems nothing but humorless to Raph. "I'm sorry, I mean former fiancé." Finally, not able to take anymore, Raph spoke up before the woman could.

"What in the hell are you going on about?! I never met ya before? Who are you anyway?" Raph knew Casey had a lot of explaining, but with this woman claiming she knows him and his brothers, he wanted that puzzle cleared up before he lays in on his so call buddy.

"Raphael?" The woman stepped away from Casey, approaching Raph once again. "Do you not recognize me?" The woman asked, now facing him, with only a few distances from them.

"Should I?" Raph narrowed his sight on the woman, who with his respond, blinked her eyes, and then lean back from him, looking over her appearances, before having a content look come to her face.

"I guess you remember my mutated form more than my human one. You and your brothers had met me and other humans who had been mutated by scientists of the Foot, underground when you guys went to investigate. And thanks to Donatello when he turned the crystals from the catacombs of Underground City into a liquid to give us in a shot..." Halfway through her explaining, Raph's mouth became dry as he with his eyes, change the woman's appearance into a blue/silver mutated beast that had the ability to scale walls, spit corrosive. Therefore, that's why when the woman finished her explaining, Raph called her the name he remembers the most.

"Quarry."

Having the woman frowning by the said name. "It's Sydney. Sydney Dun."

The once mutated Quarry corrected Raph, before losing her frown, took his hand and lead him over to the couch. "But let's forget about that, and let me tell what I been up to since we last saw each other." Being who Raph was, he wanted to have a word with Casey. But seeing how cheerful Sydney was being, had him unexpectedly taking the seat she offers and listening as she went over all that has happened after she and the other people, who had been mutated, finally went back to civilization.

Leading Sydney telling that, right after her and the other humans left Raph and his brothers? They were picked up by Bishop and his soldiers, where he told them that he had been aware of the missing people that the Foot kidnapped. That's why when they came to the surface, Bishop had come along with each of them when they went back home and told each they're family members that they had been on a 3-year secret mission for him. Which made each of them able to get back to their normal life, without any trouble. Therefore, Sydney told Raph that she had spent many months, just seeing and visiting plenty of her family and get back to human life. And it wasn't until a couple of months ago, that she came back to her family's old country summer house near her great uncle's cabin. That she discovered Casey was staying at his grandparent's farm. Raph even learned that not only was Casey in fact 27, not 23 and his birthdate- is Nov 13, 1978, and not Nov 20, 1982, but Casey while a kid in New York had a childhood friend named Stevie Dun who also was Sydney's cousin. That got murdered at the age of 14 by some bully group called Wolf Pack, that had killed him because they had been getting back at Casey, for beating up their leader for picking on him and Stevie. And although Sydney's family moved away after her cousin's death. She and Casey met again as older teenagers over the summer at his grandmother's farm and became sweethearts. And after high school, Casey 19, had played a little hockey professionally before he got hurt by another player less than a year after proposing to Sydney who sadly a month before their wedding was kidnapped by the Foot.

"At first I thought Arnold had moved on or forgot about me." Staying silent, Raph watch Sydney stand up from the couch, and walk over to Casey and wrapped her arms around one of his, just beaming with happiness." But after talking about our past together. He told me he never forgot me and still loves me. And since then, we have been making up for the lost time ever since..." That last part had Sydney's cheeks giving off a pink blush. "Anyway that all said, I was hoping to see you and your brothers again, mostly Donatello. But I never would have thought that you be here or that my Arnold knows you." Sydney added, giving Casey a playful pout look. "How long have you've known each other?" Raph not sure if Casey was getting ready to answer Sydney, jumped up from the couch and spoke instead.

"Me and my bros knew Case for more than two years." Raph quickly said, knowing now from Sydney's story, that Casey didn't reveal that he has a girlfriend name April to her. "Sorry to be rude. But I need to get back," Which had him pushing his anger down while approaching the two, grabbing Casey's arm, before heading for the door. "But I have a bone to pick with 'my buddy'. I'll be sure to tell my bros ya doin' fine." Keeping a level-head, Raph was able to hide that he was mad from Sydney and made his comment seem playful. Which had her, telling Raph, "That's fine. But don't make too much noise outside." and giggling before going back upstairs. And just as soon as Raph heard an upstairs' door close and heard water running. He was swinging open the front door and throwing Casey out of it and onto the porch. Causing Casey to fall on his ass on the floor, before getting up and trying to come up with the best way to explain his actions.

"Look, man, I know how this looks. So before ya start yellin', let me explain-"

"Save it!" Cutting him off, Raph throwing a glare, snatched up Casey who at the moment was looking like one of the thugs on the street in the city to Raph. "Nothing ya say will or is gonna makeup that you cheated on April!" Growling, while fighting from tearing Casey like a piece of paper, Raph threw him once again on the porch floor. "And seein' that the woman you cheat with is a good friend of mine and my bros. Don't sit well with me." Gripping his fists, Raph towered over Casey's 'falling form', "I wanna kick the shell out of ya, for both April and Sydney sake." Hearing this, Raph watched Casey actually frowned up at him.

"I didn't plan none of this." Casey started, getting back up and sitting on the porch swing, placing his face in his hands. "I came up here to get away from the mess I made back in the city. Not to ruin my chances with April-"

"Ya gotta funny way at showing it." Raph started, not losing his enrage state with Casey.

"Hey!" Casey shouted, lifting his head up as he stood up matching Raph's 5'9 to his 6'1, before plopping back down in the swing. "Man I didn't just jump in bed with Sydney right after getting' here. Because once I saw her, I have tried to avoid her, even after her great uncle told she was visitin'" He said, with regret in his voice. "But after April wouldn't answer my calls, I turned to drinkin', and not long later, I didn't avoid Sydney no longer...and before I knew it I was remembering my child and teen years with her. And one thing lead to another...and I slept with Sydney before- " He paused in his explaining to shake his head, standing up once again, "I know I shouldn't ask you this...but I need you to not say a word to April-" only for Raph to push Casey down roughly to the floor.

"Ya blockhead!" Gripping his shaken fist, Raph wanted to do nothing more than to bash his fist into Casey's face. But knowing that won't fix the problem, despite that it would make him feel better. Raph, letting out a growl, release his fist and turned away from Casey, leaving the porch. Because he decided that he couldn't any longer back Casey up for his growing mistakes. "Ya on your own." With not another word, Raph went for his bike and jump on it, placing his helmet on as Casey was rushing out to him.

"Please Raph, if ya any friend, you won't tell April of any of this... Cuz it'll break her heart." Though Raph heard every word, he didn't even acknowledge the man that was trying to convince him to back him up once again. Instead, Raph just started up his bike and without one glance to Casey, took off.

Later Back in New York

Having time on the road to think over how he was going to reveal to April that Casey had cheated on her and if she cared that he did. Raph almost back in the city after his long ride chose to tell April as soon as he gets back to the lair. However, once he got into the city, where it was early morning, Raph's mind had him thinking about 'did he still believe that he and Casey were the same'. The answer was no. They were not the same, well not anymore. Because Raph knew he would never do the things that Casey has already done to April. Therefore, at the last minute, Raph changes his plan and instead of heading for the lair. He headed for Joi's street and apartment building. -Being that his and Joi's relationship had got very serious that they had already (at that time) been testing their limits together in oral sex. Therefore, with Raph visiting or sleeping over at her apartment, Joi had a virtual computer built into his cycle and helmet, where through the touch-on screen computer on the motorcycle, he had access to the private underground parking garage to leave his cycle there, while the custom voice activated helmet- link him to his private address contact numbers as well as be link to Joi's helmet-to stay in touch. -

So once dropping his cycle off in the garage, and knowing that he can't go inside the building from the front entrance- except to see Mrs. Morrison, but with her on a month cruise-. Raph took the 'shortcut' by scaling up the building to get to Joi's private terrace, that with the glass sliding window/door on it, gave him access into Joi's loft apartment.

Letting himself slip in through the sliding window, like he, always does. Quietly he made his way in, going over some stairs made ladder, that leads into Joi's bedroom space area. Staying silent, Raph walked over to Joi's queen-size bed. To find his girlfriend was spread over her bed sound asleep in a silky pinkish-red striped V-neck chemise. Joi, as Detective Chula Rosey, working night shift and sleeping during the morning when many were getting up, had Raph not surprise to see her deep in sleep. But he couldn't stop from staring in wonder at his breathtaking beautiful vixen, that he was lucky to call his girlfriend.

"My sweet sleepin' vixen..." Raphael whispered, moving closer to the bed, as he stroked Joi's shoulder-length blond hair, feeling the familiar silkiness against his hand before gently touching her soft warm cheek, that had the same sensation, whenever he touches her skin, go through his body, making his heart hammer in his chest.

Without startling her, Raph slowly, as he kept his sight on her closed eyes, trailed a green finger down the side of her arm, causing gooses bumps to appear on Joi's skin, making her sleeping form shift a little to allow him to see, by the lower part of the chemise raising up, that she wasn't wearing panties, exposing everything to him. Causing his mouth to go dry, and his body tense up as her sweet musk smell filled his system, having him become jumpy.

-Before his and Joi's blossoming relationship had gotten anymore serious. Raph revealed to Joi about his and his brother's unique 'manhood'; that Joi wasn't disgusted by it or thought any less of him. And even when he told her about he won't be able to make offspring with her. Joi told him, she didn't mind adopting as long as he's that child's adopted father. So if all things are good with their sexual relationship. Why would Raph hesitate for so long with going to the next step with Joi, if she was on board with everything? That answer is, that deep down inside, he wants to be prepared to reach that level with Joi. A level that he's dreamt to experience with a female for a long time after he discovered what sex was. However, being that he only saw females as lust objects growing up, Raph decided to take it slow with Joi. Because he doesn't want to ruin what he has with her, by just having sex, and making her feel that was all she means to him. So besides 'oral sex, he hasn't let his animal side take over until he was sure his desire is nothing but passion and love and not just lust. Because Raph wasn't going to mess up their relationship to fulfill the beast within. But after witnessing what Casey did-a man that says he loves and cares for his girlfriend, only to prove his feelings by cheating on her. - Raph came to the idea that he loves Joi so much and would kill himself if he ruins his chance with his Joi as Casey did with April. That's when he came to realize Joi is the one for him. And he didn't see her as a lust object. He saw her as the person he couldn't live without. Therefore, his reason to see Joi this morning, had to do with him taking the next step and showing her how much he loves her...and only her. -

So recalling his reason of being here, Raph pushes his fear down and being as quiet as the ninja he is, removed his bike attire, ninja bands, weapons, and bandana, while leaving his belt on, and rested on the bed. However, as he was laying there, watching his 'sleeping vixen' dream away as he was back to gently stroking her face. He found he didn't wont to wake her from her slumber. So coming to this new idea, Raph started to remove himself from Joi's bed, however as he prepares to,

"You're back." he heard Joi's sleepy voice, who was roused from sleep, placing her soft and warm hand on his shoulder, that had him pausing his movement. "Did you find what you were looking for on the trip?" Knowing that he had informed Joi of his leaving New York for a while, but not of why or where he was going before he left. So taking Joi's hand on his shoulder into his three finger hand, Raph shifted on the bed to look at her better, which had him gazing into her radiant olive green orbs with his auburn eyes.

"Yeah, I did..." Not able to keep himself from doing it, Raph reaches over and brush away Joi's strands of hair, that was starting to conceal her face from his view. "...find on that trip I wouldn't wanna be anywhere, but here with you." with the strands of hair not hiding Joi's gorgeous face no longer, Raph, taking the same hand that brushes her hair away, begun caressing her cheek, making both Joi's cheeks become light pink. And with this action, Joi turned her face, after covering and holding her hand over his, kiss the palm of his.

"Did you visit 'Jones' on this road trip, my 'tough guy'?"

'Yes'. That was what Raph wanted to say, but found something different spill out of his mouth. "No. Was gonna, but change my mind." If Joi believed him or not, he wasn't sure cause his vixen only gave a slight nod before having the small distance from them vanishing as she brought her lips to his.

Which their gentle kissing formed into heavy kissing with soft touching, having Raph ruining the silky chemise by tearing it off his vixen as his hunger took over, and with his vixen not bothered by this; because she was too lost in him ravishing her breasts to notice. Raph started filling her up, that had his vixen returning the favor not too long later. Afterword's, while they were catching they're breaths on Joi's messy bed. Raph recalling his early idea of why he came to see Joi, decide to have that idea become a reality. Which had him pulling Joi into his arms, making her shift her body to facing him as he allowed her to feel the tip of his unique penis stroking her inner thigh, while he was kissing/licking down her neck. However, as his manhood pressed into opening her legs more to reach her womanhood. Joi's recent pleasurable moans stopped as her body stiffed up. And with this unexpected action, Raph drawled back to see Joi hanging her head, hiding her face from his sight. Feeling that he did something wrong, Raph releases Joi, so he could check her over.

"Joi, did I hurt-" However Joi raising her head up, rested her hand on his lips, ending his sentence.

"No, Raph...you didn't hurt me." The last part was said in a sigh, making Raph frown as he narrowed his eyes at her as she removes her hand from his mouth. "I just don't want to take that big step in our relationship yet-" Raph listening, begun feeling that maybe Joi was having second thoughts about them, which had him pushing back from her. That was until Joi took hold of his face with her hands, stopping him from moving from her anymore. "Raph before you storm out of here, let me finish speaking before you start jumping to conclusions." Trying to calm his nerves and heartbeats, Raph finally eased down, that had Joi letting go of his face and taking a deep breath, before going on with her explaining. "As I was saying, I don't want to keep this relationship going...not until I tell you my true past..."

"Your true past?" Raph's brow lifted as Joi nodded yes to him. "What are ya sayin'? You're not Joi Reynard, but really Chula Rosey?"

"No, I'm Joi Reynard. What I'm speaking about, is my family's history and past."

"You told me that ya parents Joseph and Summer Reynard, and ya unborn baby brother were killed durin' a house fire, that ya were the only survivor out of, leavin' half ya body burnt up. And it had been ya aunt Hashi Akemi that took ya in -" Seeing her shake her head, Raph went silent, and Joi took up speaking.

"All about my parents, theirs and my unborn brother's terrible fates was true..." Raph thought Joi look reluctant for a second to continue, that was until she took his hand in hers. "The part that's not true is me saying that Hashi Akemi, is my aunt when really she's my grandmother."

"Why'd you keep that ta yourself?" Raph asked, watching Joi bite her bottom lip before she went on.

"Well, it's not like that. I thought she was my aunt in the beginning because that's how she pro-trade herself to me at first. It wasn't until I was already in Japan with her, that she reveals that she's my grandmother. She also told me her surname- before she changes it when she married my late grandfather Sora Hashi-, was the reason why my parents and unborn brother were killed. And that my mother; whose real birth name was Shizuka, had been a part of quadruplets; her as the eldest, then Akiko, Izumi her two sisters and the youngest of them, her brother Huyu. My aunts and uncle, like my mother, are all dead by being murdered for their link to my grandmother's surname..."

"So ya parents' deaths weren't accidents?" Raph stared as Joi not letting go of his hand, started tracing out the lines on his palm. He believes she did this action to give her the will to keep going on.

"No, it was not," Joi said.

"But why kill ya parents or ya aunts and uncle because of ya grandmother's birth clan name?"

"Because my grandmother's biologic last name was Tang." Raph was looking at her in amazement, at the clan name that he only heard belonging to his father's adopted mother, Tang Shen, but unfortunately, that wasn't even half of what he's going to be told, as Joi was still talking. "And yes my grandmother and Tang Shen were sisters, as well as the Tang clan, came from not only China but none other than Tang Chikara-"

"Chikara? You mean 'Chikara-Shisho?!" As soon as Joi said yes, Raph couldn't stop his eyes from widening. "Ya related ta that broad?!"

"Not just me, but Adam, Tora, and Faraji are also descendant to the other Ninja Tribunals."

"So that's why ya guys were chosen for acolytes-"

"No Raph." Raph feeling Joi give his hand a light squeeze started really studying his girlfriend, that had Joi looking away from him, without releasing his hand. "The guys and I never were acolytes, only you and your brothers were-"

"What!" Raph wasn't liking where Joi's explaining was going. "But if ya not or were acolytes, what in the hell were you and the others trainin' and fightin' alongside us for?!" Catching the fear that was creeping onto Joi's face told him what he didn't want to know. But before he could confirm this, Joi fell into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. Sadly, her actions just now confirm it for him, therefore Raph feeling anger, hurt and deceived, broke Joi's hold on his neck, and pulled back from her while standing up from the bed. "Joi did ya and the guys, know about me and my bros before y'all met us?"

With every second Joi hesitate with answering him, Raph's temper kept rising. Therefore, when she spoke, Raph was literally gripping his teeth, trying to restrain from lashing out at his girlfriend.

"Yes, we did. But-"

Not able to take anymore, and feeling that if she helps set him and his brothers up with something so important like saving the world. Then maybe their relationship is nothing but a joke all along. Which feeling like this, had Raph going for the stair ladder to get to the door window. However, Joi getting off the bed, grabbing her robe on a chair nearby, rushed over to him, taking his arm.

"Please hear me out, before you leave." Raph tried to pull his arm from her, but Joi wasn't letting go. So not wanting to hurt her, Raph stayed put. "Yes, I and the others were in on the Shishos' plans. But it wasn't long after meeting you. That me and the others, after getting to know you, didn't want to keep lying and deceiving you. Because during our first mission with the demon 'pets' of the Heralds. Leonardo earns Faraji's respect, then not long later Donatello earn Adam's friendship with them both being tech geeks, and even if Tora is too proud to admit it, Michelangelo did have him chuckling under his breath. But I think Faraji and I were the only ones to notice. But those things were reasons why the others went to fronted the Shishos when I did." Covering herself with the robe, Joi shook her head, not meeting his eyes. "I went because I couldn't keep lying... to you, because..."

"Cause why?" He asked as she went silent, and although she was staring at him with hope in her eyes, Raph was still frowning, and even turned, making her have to release his arm as he crosses them, getting into a lotus position on the floor. Which though Raph's giving off he's beyond pissed, Joi showed she didn't care, because he was staying, showing he's going to let her explain. Therefore, swallowing her fear, that Raph's watching her do, Joi sat on her legs facing him as she went on.

"I couldn't keep lying to you because... I had, without noticing, became very fond of you, until it turned not too long later into romantic feelings. " Sighing at his non-removable frown, Joi shook her head. "But the Shishos refused us, and Chikara said that we weren't looking at the big picture. But that didn't stop me and the others to come up with a plan to tell you guys. However, the time we were thinking of telling..." Joi lowered her head, lacing her hands together. "The Shishos had already planned ahead of us, that they had us kind of dying."

"You didn' die?" He was now narrowing his sight on her as his face contorted from shock to rage. "Do ya know how torn I was when you were KILLED!?" Trembling after that shout towards Joi. Raph felt his eyes shut tightly against the pain running through his heart, that it wasn't long until he clenched his fists as a hot tear rolled down his face, making him open his eyes to face her again, with his hands trembling uncontrollably. " Your nothin' but a damn cunning fox! All of it was nothin' but a setup-"

"No!" Joi laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Just like you. I and the others thought we have died. It wasn't until we woke up finding ourselves in a circle, in meditation positions. That it turned out, the Shishos set up our fake deaths, to punish us for trying to go behind their backs. Also, they prove to us that, they were more powerful than the Heralds and the Tengu Shredder."

"If they were so 'powerful' then why didn' they take out the Shredder themselves, instead of trickin' me and my bros into it?!"

"Because for them to take on Oroku Saki in their time, they had to reach beyond the world's natural abilities. They had to become gods. Which unlike Oroku Saki, who drawled his power from destruction and pain from others. The Ninja Tribunal's had to give up their life in the world to become a god and defeat Tengu Shredder. It was sacrificing like that, which had them living in the 'Lap of the Gods', a land and island outside our world." Raph was really taking in Joi's words as she didn't drop her eyes from his. "That's why when the Heralds came to the 'Lap of the Gods', the Ninja Tribunal couldn't really fight back, because their time had passed." Joi releases his shoulder, then sat back. "They weren't the world's chosen guardians no longer. You and your brothers are." In a wave of conflicting emotions, by Joi, of what she just been processing to him, had him feeling he's been dropped the entire world upon him, forcing his breath to seal in his throat. "Therefore knowing this from them and realizing our parts in the defeat of the Tengu Shredder. I and the guys waited until you and your brothers had gathered up fighters against the Tengu Shredder, before revealing that we were alive. Because you, your brothers and unexpected aided were destined to take the Tengu down, while I and the guys were destined to destroy the Heralds-" As Joi's vision blurred as tears came to her eyes, she shielded her face with a hand, just as Raph scooted back and turned away from her.

Raph, not sure how to act now around her, felt his heart plummet. "Why not tell me at the party or sooner?" He went pale and his stomach suddenly sick as nothing but the silence was his answer. That's why he rose from the floor and begun his early actions for the stair ladder. But once again Joi stopped him in his tracks. But not withholding his arm, but in fact, she'd slipped in front of him and was now hugging him, pleading with him not to leave her. He watched her close her eyes, new tears unshed glistening among her long lashes.

"I have no honest reason why I didn't tell you then or sooner. And I'm sorry I didn't." But when she opened her eyes, and he could read her face, "I can't take back what I did, and if I was you I wouldn't forgive me. But I don't want to lose you... I gave up my life in Japan and took up another name here in America to be near you, 'my tough guy'." to see through watery olive eyes, that she was really sorry for what she did to him, as well as showing the passion and love for him in those orbs as much in her voice. It was these powerful emotions, Raph realized that he had been foolish and ridiculous, with thinking that their love for one another is a sick joke for Joi. No. Joi's heartbroken, tear streaking red face, told him- their relationship was real. However, before he could inform Joi of this. She suddenly fell to her knees, body racking with sobs. "Believe me or not. But I love you, Raphael, and I want to live a long life with you." Immediately Raph went to Joi's level as she hides her face behind her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. With never seen Joi in this kind of state before, and knowing he was the cause of it, ate at him. Making Raph, nervously remove Joi's hands from her face, and almost looked away from her still tear-streaked face.

"I believe ya," At this Raph was startled when Joi turned her face in shame.

"No, you don't. And if you do... it's only in pity!" Once those words were said, Joi started to move from the floor. But Raph seeing this, pulled her back to the floor and into his arms.

"I believe ya cause I know ya long enough ta tell it takes a lot ta make you cry." Pulling back slightly to look at Joi. Raph brushes a gold lock of hair behind Joi's ear so he could see her expression better. Joi wasn't sobbing as much, but she was sniffling, as she brought her red puffy eyes to his. "And I hate I'm the one causing it. -"

"Don't be..." with her body giving off that it's shivering, Joi wiped her face of her tears, though many looks to be taking its place not soon after. "Don't hate yourself for my doings..." Raph cut her off by pulling her into an embrace.

"How about ya don' think I believe you out of pity. And I won't hate myself?" Raph whispered in her ear, before once again pulling back to look at her, and also wait for her answer. He didn't have to wait long. Because Joi gave her answer. By kissing him.

Actually, it started with, her resting her hands on his shoulders, before bringing her lips to his. He knew without a doubt, its 'I'm sorry' kiss, and nothing more. But with her warm and soft lips on his. Raph wrapped his thick and strong arms around Joi as he lowered them to the bedroom floor, and suddenly engulfed her. Raph didn't have to tell her that he forgives her or she forgave him. Their actions and desire said it for them. Their kissing went from soft pecks to transforming into hot and passionate wet kisses. Once Raph removed Joi's robe, he was igniting her body by pleasuring her breasts, but instead of lusting over them like usual. He chose to suck on them like a baby suckling on his mother's breasts. Which it wasn't long until he felt his moaning-girlfriend, reach for his erection that was more than happy to answer her busy hands' call. However, Raph found quick that Joi wasn't going to fill him up. She's, as his cock was being led to the sweet musky smell coming from her opening, taking their relationship to the next level.

When his member inserted into Joi. He soon became overwhelmed by his animal side, making it almost impossible for him to control. Until he heard a cry leave Joi's mouth with pain etched on her face. Which had him forcing his member to pull out, and when it did. Discovers red sticky substance leaking gently from between her thighs. He gasped in surprise as he looked at his vixen girlfriend with shock.

"Shell! Joi ya a virgin?!" Joi sat up while hissing a little in pain, and with a good grip on his neck, pulled Raph down on her as she lowered back down to the floor.

"Call me corny, but I was waiting for my soulmate." As Joi brought his head to hers. Raph couldn't take his sight off those lovely green orbs of hers. "Now that I found him. I would like him to shut up and finish making love to me..."

Needless to say. Raph did just that but went slow with her through their first time. However, once their second time began, Joi not hurting as much, took control of their loving. And with her nails, biting and growling/purring. Raph was almost sworn Joi turned part animal herself; mostly foxlike by their third round. Fortunately, that just made their lovemaking that much wild and mind-blowing for him, even if he was submitting to his vixen before even their 4th time. That's why by the time their 5th time came around, they had to refill their body with nourishment.

Joi keeping his mind and body busy, Raph chose to stay at her place a little longer. And though Joi could have told him to go see his family; after he told, he hasn't gone home yet. She didn't. In fact, his vixen let him stay two long whole weeks at her place and even had him helping (in secret) her on night cases since her partner had been out sick for that time. Unfortunately, when the third week started to roll in and Joi's partner was back to work. Raph picks at that time to go home and face the drama he was about to give to his family mostly April. But he waited until Joi left for work, before leaving for the lair.

In Central Park- Hamato Clan's lair

Dropping 'Red' off, beside 'Baby 2' in the lair garage/basement. Raph, not yet fed his stomach since lunch with Joi, made his way for the top level floors. But as he was heading for the 4th floor. He bumped into Leo in the main hall, outside the entertainment room.

"Hey Raph, you've been gone for almost three weeks. How's Casey holding up? Is he ready to come home?"

"Yeah sorry for bein' gone so long- Wait?" Raph narrowed his eyes at Leo, as something didn't seem right to him. "Did ya just call Casey by his name and not 'attacker'?" He questioned because before he left, Leo was calling Casey anything but his name. So this was strange to Raph. Which only got weirder for Raph as he watches Leo rub the back of his head.

"Yeah about that... sorry for blaming Casey for the Tommy kid's attack." Before Raph open his mouth, Leo continued on, while going into the entertainment room. Which Raph followed behind him, to find out why his big brother had a change of heart. "Because after you left, a witness came forth about seeing a man wearing a hockey mask attack a woman. It wasn't long until that man was caught. The police said his name is Danny Moch, a member of the unnamed gang and a former thug to the mob. After being taking in. He admitted to attacking a few people, who later pointed him out in a lineup. And he admitted to attacking the Polish family's son Tommy." Raph could have sworn his body just fell to the floor at what he was being told. But seeing that his feet were still moving as him and Leo stop into the media area; where Mikey was in the middle of a game.

And Raph would have paid attention that the multiple small TVs within the media area; that Don put together as he did in their last lair. Was replaced now with a brand new big screen TV that Mikey was playing on. Yet Raph's whole attention was on Leo who was still talking until Mikey cuts in.

"Yeah even though the prick's going serve life in prison. It won't bring back the poor Tommy kid."

"Bring him back? What's Mikey goin' on about, Leo?" Taking a sit on the couch beside Mikey. Raph watches Leo sigh before responding to him.

"Actually the same time that you left, Tommy awoke from his coma only to die a day later." Raph went numb at that moment. " With the news not going into detail of what cause Tommy's death. April and Don had said the severe damage done to his brain was so bad that he bleeds into his head, and because there wasn't any way to stop the bleeding. Tommy died."

Still feeling numb all over. Raph wanted to reveal to his brother that Danny Moch, wasn't Tommy's attacker and killer, it was Casey. But once again he found himself not able to come clean with what he knows. So he instead asked how April and Don knew about Tommy's medical state if it wasn't on the news.

"Oh, April knew because Tommy's doctor- Dr. Susan Canon, who was an old dorm mate of April's in college. Allowed April to be in the hospital, and ask April if she could help. But there was nothing April or Dr. Susan Canon could do for him." Mikey explained, not once stopping his gaming.

"April's been down since then. I believe she blames herself for not being able to save Tommy." Leo added. Raph betting that April's sad state had more to do with Casey being Tommy's murderer then her ability to save the kid. That's why he knew he needed to speak with April, about not only Casey cheating on her but also asking her if she was gonna rat Casey out. Before he did this, he asks where the rest of their clan was.

"So where is everybody?"

"Master Splinter is on his floor, meditating I guess." Said Mikey, sticking his tongue out to the side of his mouth, continuing playing.

"Earlier Casey called April, but she wouldn't take his call. So Don did, which had April storming off to her guestroom. And the last I saw Don. He was still talking to Casey and bringing him up with everything, he even told him we were all sorry for blaming him." Not asking any more questions, Raph left his brothers, to head for the 4th floor to speak to April.

…

On the 4th floor

Coming close to April's room (guest bedroom), Raph went to knock on the door, only to stop when noticing the door was ajar, and he could see and hear April in a conversation with Don. Staying silent, Raph glued his eyes to the scene in front of him. It seems that Don was standing against the wall near the window, and April was leaning on the dresser table/w wall mirror in the room. From what he could hear they were going over April and Casey's relationship's fate, with April seeming like the undertaker to the relationship while Don was kindly trying to convince her that she should give Casey another chance.

"Donny, from the time I've been staying here. You've done nothing, but trying to get me to speak to Casey. And patch things up with him." With the fierce and annoyed look painting, April's face told Raph that her and Don had been going over this conflict for a while.

"But, April?" Raph could tell that though his brainy brother seems calm and collected, he was miserable and Raph knew it all had to do with him helping to get April back with Casey. When himself was harboring deep feelings for the beautiful redhead, not knowing that same woman feels the same about him. "Casey's done nothing but been trying to reach you, to tell you he's sorry." Shaking her head, rubbing her forehead, April removed herself from the dresser, walking over to where Don was standing.

"Did he really say that," April with using her stern voice, tilted her face up to Don's and his 5'8, staring into his eyes. "or are you just saying it for him?" Himself not able to lie to April, with her looking dead into your eyes as if she had the skill to catch if you're lying to her. So Raph wasn't a one-bit surprise as Don evaded April's stare, before giving in and admitting the truth.

"I'm saying it for him."

"Just what I thought," April mumbled angrily, crossing her arms over her chest.

"But April, what if Casey's waiting until he returns to tell you, himself that he's sorry?" For a moment Raph wasn't too sure April heard Don, that was until he saw her roll her eyes at him or more likely his comment. "And even if you won't tell me and my brothers all that happened back at your apartment with Casey. Casey, while on the phone with him, filled me in with what process that night."

"Oh, and what did he tell you?"

"He said that you two got in a heavy argument that involved around Tommy's fate and you telling Casey to go to the police. Which got Casey, knowing he was innocent, losing his temper and in rage grabbed your 'shell-cell' and breaking it when he threw it to the wall. But thankfully, Casey realizing his angry state, left before he could hurt you." Yes, April was gawking at Don in disbelief, but Raph, on the other hand, was steaming in his shell with Casey's image of what went down that night. That bastard's making himself seem like the victim when poor Tommy and April were the victims in all this. But Raph pushes down all this as April began speaking.

"You know what, Don? I don't want to talk about this or Casey anymore." Raph, not blind saw April was doing everything in her power to not let her anger out on Don. However, with Don continuing on with talking, it was coming hard for anybody in April's place not to scream at her faithful friend pressuring her to take someone back that in Raph's mind didn't deserve forgiveness. And with this thought in his head, Raph started to get ready to interrupt them and tell April about Casey cheating. "Please Donatello stop talking about Casey!" However, April's outburst stops him from moving, as he watches April take her hands and grip Donatello's shoulders, shaking him slightly. "I've had time, without Casey here, to know I'm happier when he's gone than when he's here. And-"

"But how is that possible?" Don now, as Raph watched, had covered his hands over hers, still on his shoulders, to remove them. "You're in love with him-"

"I DON'T LOVE ARNOLD CASEY JONES!" April breathing heavy, now had her face only an inch from Don's. She went on speaking but in a calmer and softer tone, drawling back from Don, and walking over to her bed, sitting down on the edge of it. "Donny... The truth is I realized that I made myself believe I was in love with Casey all this time... because he was my only chance to have children and a family, while still able to see you and your brothers...and-" April stopped in speaking, by Don taking the seat beside her on the bed, taking up the conversation.

"But April, me and the guys want you to be happy, and if that means us unable to see you, so you can find your true love out there, and fulfill your dream of having your own children. Then so be it." April was speechless, that much Raph can tell, shell, himself was equally shocked by Don's selfless words. "Your happiest is all that matters." Don took hold of April's hands, "I don't want you believing that Casey's your only chance at a happy life if you're unhappy with him." and brought them to his face, kissing each one, before guiding them back to April, to rest them on her lap. "And I don't want my brothers and me to keep you back from not following your mind and heart and find your soulmate." Don started, lifting himself off the bed, "Master Splinter always says that everybody has a soulmate out there. Who knows your soulmate could be out there waiting for you? Don't let us keep you, from falling in love." Seeing Don making his way into his directions, Raph quickly hid from his brainy brother's view.

"But you, your brothers and Master Splinter are my family. Except for Uncle Augie, I've never been really close to my parents or even Robin. You guys are my family... I rather make new dreams and adopt, then look for someone who can't take you and the others. Cause to have me, they would need to except the Hamato clan package that comes along!" Don turned back to April as Raph was bringing his eyes back to the scene, to see April was wearing her most beautiful smile, that even had him smiling a little. That's when April, still smiling, motion Don back to his spot on the bed, which Raph's young brother took, and Raph watch with wide eyes, as April taking, Don's hand, guided it to her face, stroking it against her cheek. "Besides, I don't need to worry about looking for the one I love or my soulmate." April lowered Don's hand, locking her eyes to his as she, moving closer to him by brushing her pants leg against his leg, reached up and undid his bandana, "I'm looking at him." And just like that, April lean in and kissed Don on the lips, even before Raph's brainy brother's bandana left her hand as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then not long later that confession kiss, transform into heavy passionate kissing as Raph paralyzed to move, watched his smart brother and April getting heavier in their making-out, that they scooped up more on the bed which had their forms moving from Raph's view. But despite this, Raph was still frozen in his state. That was until he heard April letting out pleasureful moans, which woke him from his state. But not only did it wake him up, but it had him, on autopilot, leaving the 4th floor, and going to his floor. And while doing this, his mind was rushing over how in just a short time, he had so much on his shoulders, that he's surprised he can still walk...

Once he got to his bedroom, it was barely a few minutes before Casey called him, which had Raph, not wanting to tell what he saw. Telling Casey, he would continue with keeping his secrets from his brothers, and that includes Casey cheated on April. After that call, Raph went back to Joi's place and stayed one week there until Casey got back, which Raph discovered on going back to the lair, that April moved back to her apartment, with her and Don not talking for some reason. And found with April and Don, not on speaking terms. Don shut down his and Leatherhead's website (with Leatherhead's permission of course) and all though he did this, Don was still aiding Leatherhead with his many device blueprints. However, even if April made it seem like she and Casey were back together to his brothers. Raph and Master Splinter knew this was a lie. But being that Raph had told everything to his father; who told him to let April and Casey handle their relationship for themselves, and with the Polish family already slowly trying to get on with their life. They should leave it be... for now. Which Raph has been doing, but after Casey's new secret. He didn't think he could stay quiet too much longer...

********************************FLASHBACK ENDS***********************************

Meanwhile; Outside the bar (while Raph's going(unwilling) down memory lane)

Following the tracking chip, she had planted in her boyfriend's motorcycle when she got it custom made for him as a Valentine Day's gift. The blond headed pulled up to Glancy's Bar and parked beside a familiar green dragon/blood red/black motorcycle. Cutting the engine off on her reddish pink fox/black motorcycle (made with Utrom technology), she took off her reddish pink 'hawk' Bluetooth helmet and strolled into the bar.

Not paying any attention to the familiar faces or unfamiliar ones in the bar, for her attention was on the concealed teenage mutant ninja turtle, sitting at the bar, downing what looks like his 8th mug of beer. Seeing this had her walking up to him, tapping on his shoulder.

"Fancy meeting you here, 'my tough guy'."

Feeling the tap on his shoulder and hearing the teasing voice had Raph coming out of his memories, sliding his goggles down to his neck, turning around in stool seat, taking in the beautiful creature behind him, that was his girlfriend, Joi Reynard, wearing a revealing and tight-fitting attire.

Her whole look consisted a reddish pink/light pink striped cotton cleavage-revealing jersey mid-drift top, with over it, a black and reddish pink color block leather lined cropped jacket/w a white fox printed on the back, with both clothing exposing her abdomen, with complementing these pieces was solid black low-rider denim skinny jeans that expose some of her hips and a set of reddish pink suede ankle high-heeled boots, that made her taller where she appears to be just slightly shorter than Raph and his height of 5'9(Joi is 5'6, but without high heels she's 5'5) and a pair of (the same color of the boots) biker gloves, completed her tight-fitting/revealing-badass outfit. And since Joi's Acolyte medallion necklace was destroyed along with the other Acolytes' during the fight against the demon Shredder. Raph has seen Joi wear nothing around her neck but only the triple chain necklace display on her neck right now; the first chain was designed as a black leather choker with a cherrywood fox standing on its hind legs pendant/w gold hawk-shape wings on its back, the second chain, being attached to the first on either side, was a little longer, with a pink butterfly on one end of the chain and a red dragonfly on the other, with each bug- giving a climbing down position; that gave the impression they were racing for the middle of the chain- where the third chain/w Peridot leaf vines attached to it, with at the end of the third chain was a reddish-pink rube blossoming lotus flower, that was resting 'nicely' on Joi's revealing-cleavage bosoms. The rest of her jewelry consists of a pair of fox earrings. Her hairstyle being her usual shoulder-length blond locks with now strawberry blond highlights, that she got two weeks ago with April on a mall trip together. Had Raph not minding the new hairstyle because it just went well with her radiant-natural barely make-up complexion.

"How you find me? Bill call ya?" mumbled Raph, breaking from his 'looking over his gorgeous girlfriend's body curves' before finishing off his mug of beer, slamming it on the counter while letting go of a burp.

Forcing herself from rolling her eyes at his glum attitude, Joi took the stool seat beside him. "I have my ways." She stated, leaning close to his face only for him to turn away from her, despite that her lovely fragrance was filling up his system.

"I bet..." With his gloves covering his three green finger hands, he flagged Bill down for another drink. "Let me guess, Foot tech?" Raph exclaimed. But Joi didn't answer him, as she put her attention on the bald buff bartender bringing him another beer.

"Bill pour that one out," Joi told the bartender before he could give Raph is 9th beer mug. "and put that one and the others he got on my tab."

"You got it, Joi," Bill said, "Sorry Red, but Joi pays her tab, you don't mostly." He added, before taking up the empty mugs from the counter, and missed Raphael growling, giving him a dirty look as he went to serve another customer.

Once Bill left, Joi brought her attention back to Raph, answering his recent question. "To answer your question, it's not Foot's technology but actually Utrom technology."

"Utrom technology?" This got Raph's attention enough to turned facing Joi.

"Yes." Joi couldn't help smirking a little. "In fact, it was Utrom technology that created both yours and my motorcycles. And that's how I was able to always find you, cause my cycle has a tracking device to it, that allows me to find you or more precisely your bike, for your bike, has a tracking chip built-inside it." She started to try to ease him out of his seat but Raph's next word had her stopping her actions.

"Why?" When Joi didn't answer him, Raph continued on. "Why did you lie to me all this time?"

"Lied about what?" Though Joi was sure she knew, she still wanted him to tell her. And she didn't have to wait long.

"Your doing with the Foot or being Karai's little Foot Elite." Hearing the stress in his voice, had Joi hanging her head.

"O, that..."

"Yeah, that." Though Raph was questioning Joi. He really wanted to discuss this with her later, like after his temper had lowered down. Because he was trying to drop his problem thoughts, not knowing he was getting angrier as he had done with both Leo and Don earlier in the lair,

"Raph I didn't have a choice-" which had him gripping Joi's arm, pulling her closer to his cover-up angry face, and with doing this had him cutting her off.

"Everybody has a choice." He hissed out in a low voice, before releasing her once he notices what he was doing and saying, but he couldn't stop his tongue. Because Casey and April's relationship was having him questioning anything he did, even having him, once again doubting his relationship with Joi. Raph shut his eyes tight. "I figured you told me everything...weeks ago? Why hide more from me...?" He turned back to the counter, so he wouldn't let his anger take over again while cursing himself out in his mind. Look at me! First Leo then Don and now I'm letting my anger out on Joi...Shell! Raphael what is wrong with you! Joi's not the only one in this relationship hiding stuff and still is!

"Raphael," Not affected by his actions, Joi place her gloved hand over his on the bar counter and even grip it lightly when he jumped a bit. "I would have told you about the Foot and my involvement in it. But Raph I knew you were hiding stuff from me when you came to my apartment, those weeks before. It was the lie that you told me of you not visiting Casey, that had me telling you about my grandmother and my blood-link with Chikara. But though I spoke of my family's history line. My part with being a Foot Elite I kept to myself. Cause you still didn't trust me enough to tell your secrets to me..." Joi paused a second to see if Raph would look her way. He didn't. "I thought that when one creates a relationship they trust their partner with everything and not leave nothing out. Am I not your soulmate or am I someone just to feed those primal urges-"

As Joi was speaking, Raph had stiffed up, but the last part she said had him opening his eyes big, for a second before, finally turning back to her. "You're my soulmate, Joi... I love you." Raph saying this moved Joi upon his lap. "So I don't wanna hear you doubting my feelings for you again, cuz you know how hard it has been for me to show my deep feelings." Joi nodded to this, before resting her head against his.

"I'm sorry." She kisses his covered nose, which had Raph pushing her closer on his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her, with hers going around his neck. "I didn't mean to question your feelings for me. But you have been keeping secrets from me have you not?"

"Yea, my vixen. I have." Raph admits sighing, before pecking her cheek. "That's why we're gonna sit down and lay everything on the table between me and you, that goes for our secrets."

Hearing this, Joi smiled and hug him that Raph returns back to her. And with her face being closer to his. Joi, pulling down his mask to his chin, kissed him. Then pulled it back up before non-undercover Foots saw Raph's face.

"I love you, 'my tough guy'. And I accept your idea." She whispered, then drawled back and removed herself from his lap, glancing around the bar, "But if you don't mind," She brought her batting olive green eyes to his. "Can we speak somewhere else like a place to eat. My treat." She tempts him, knowing her boyfriend would never refuse a paid meal.

"Why not, but I pick the place," Raph said moving from his stool and the bar counter, placing his goggles back on, before grabbing his helmet with one hand and resting the other on Joi's hip. "I ain't ate anything since I left the lair hours ago." He added as Joi staying close to him, lead them outside.

"That's fine with me," Joi said after they were out in the parking lot. After a few affection kisses to the other. Joi jumped onto her motorcycle as Raph got on his own, placing his helmet over his head. "But where is it you want to go?" She said turning on her engine after putting on her helmet.

"Follow me and you'll see." He smirked, before closing his tinted visors to his helmet and took off down the road. Which Joi shrugging her shoulders, turned back on the tracking device built-in her bike and cutting off her communication link with Raph in her helmet for the moment, and called Karai on the computer system in the bike and with her helmet, able to speak and make calls, while driving her bike (without losing her focus on the road).

"Hey, Imoto Karai..." She said through the speakers' built-in her helmet as Karai answer on the other line, "Well my morning is complicated, that's why I'm calling..." She started explaining what was going on as herself took off after her boyfriend back to New York...

---

-To Be Continued...-