Artemis was struggling wildly with one of the foot clan. He had grabbed her from behind and was holding her tightly with one arm while she tried to fight him off. "Get off me, you creep!" That's when she felt something cold press against her throat and she froze. He had a dagger dangerously pressing against her skin. It was so close, she was even too afraid to swallow. "P-Please, don't d-do this." He made her shift around to face the battle that was raging around them. She spotted Raph attempting to throw one of his enemies at a group of them. She couldn't help herself as she screamed. "Raph! RAPH! RAPHAEL!"

Raph turned and saw her beyond frightened with a dagger against her throat. Raph himself went pale and gripped his sais hard. "If you want to live to get your butt beaten another day, I suggest you let her go now!" Raph carefully took a step forward while making sure the enemy didn't press the dagger further in. Raph wanted nothing more to pummel the guy but first he needed to let Artemis go. Raph made eye contact with her and tried to tell her to get ready. She calmed herself down and did a slight nod. Raph took a deep breath in and yelled, "Now!" Artemis shifted to the right and Raph threw one of his sais to tear through the guy's clothes by his left shoulder. The sai had enough power to get stuck into the wall and the guy tried to get it out. Artemis ran to Raphael and hid behind him, holding onto her neck where the guy held the dagger. Raph stalked closely to his captured enemy and got uncomfortably close. He grabbed onto the handle of the weapon in the wall and pointed his other one right under the guy's chin. "You're lucky she didn't get hurt by your little stunt." He ripped out the wall sai and the guy slid to the ground. Raph made a 'tsk' noise and turned around to see if there were any more heads to bash in. He didn't get far though. Just leave it to one of the foot clan to be petty. The guy Raph just threatened had silently stood and threw his dagger straight at Art. She didn't have enough time to react and felt it pierce the left side of her stomach.

"NO!" Raph ran straight to her as she collapsed and caught her before she could hurt her head. Everyone heard his outburst and looked at them. The foot used this distraction to run off in multiple directions and Leo saw two of them carrying a barrel with them. The turtles were too worried about the human and their brother to even bother a pursuit. They all ran over to Raph and watched as he held a cloth over her wound. Raph was not the best in a panic and just looked desparately to Leo. "Wh-...What do I do?"

Leo kneeled next to them and inspected her over. "Just keep putting pressure on it. Donnie, find the nearest hospital; we'll have to drop her off."

"Wait! We can't take her to a hospital!"

"And why not Raph?"

"Just because okay?! Look, we'll have to bring her back home and patch her up there." Raph made Art hold onto the cloth and picked her up bridal style.

Leo couldn't believe his ears. "Are you nuts?! We can't bring her home! A hospital is the best place for her."

Raph growled deep in his throat and faced Leo. "Leo, for once just trust in me. Please." Artemis groaned in his arms and looked up at Raph before shifting her eyes to Leo. She barely spoke but it was enough to be heard. "P-Please. He-elp." Leo just shook his head and looked at the sky that was starting to get brighter.

"Fine but let's hurry."

Leo leapt off the roof first, followed closely by Raph, and then Mikey and Donnie. It didn't take them long to get home considering the dire situation Artemis was in. Mikey was the first to burst forward when they got home and was screaming for Splinter.

"Sensei!!! We have a major problem here!"

Master Splinter was quick to come out and noticed Raph carrying a human female that had red spreading around her sweatshirt. He instructed Raph to place her in the training room and proceeded to kick him out right after so he could take care of Artemis himself. Raph just stared at the door and didn't move until Leo spoke to him. "You need to start explaining yourself."

Raph just looked at him, not fully focused. "Right, I know...just...let me clean up first. Please." Raph showed his hands to Leo in an extra attempt to let him go. Leo just nodded his head and turned to sit on the couch. Raph wasted no time and went to his own room and got some water in a bucket and a towel and started to scrub. The water had turned into a diluted red and he felt about ready to throw up. He heard a knock at the door and grunted, "Go away."

"It's me, it's Mikey. I just want to talk."

Raph rubbed at his face and could only sigh as Mikey let himself in anyways. He kind of just stood there, not fully knowing what was best in this situation. He always thought Raph was some major tough guy and he rarely showed emotions. For him to see Raph look so broken, it rather hurt his own heart. "So, uh, cool human you met there." Mikey went and sat down next to Raph on his bed and kicked his legs a bit. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Does it really look like I want to, Mikey?!"

Mikey put his hands up in defense. "Alright, chill bro. I'm just checking up on you. You just seem so..."

"Annoyed?"

Mikey shook his head. "No. More like sad."

Raph breathes in deeply and lets it out slowly. "I am sad Mikey. I hurt my new friend and she's amazing. She's like no one I've ever known before." Raph groaned and put his head in his hands. It was bad enough to deal with Artemis injured but to speak his heart out to Mikey was a whole other level of embarrassing. Mikey patted him on his shell and gave Raph a small smile. "It'll be okay bro. If she's as awesome as you say she'll be fine." He got up and went to leave but Raph stopped him.

"Um...Mikey? Thanks for, well, you know."

"No problem dude!"

"Also, if you tell anyone what just happened here, I'll break the other leg." Raph smirked, starting to feel a bit more like himself. Mikey just nodded and left real quickly after that. He knew better than to try and test Raphael's patience. Raph wasn't too long about following his brother out but he needed to clean up the mess he made. While emptying the bucket and checking his bandages were in place, he thought about what to do next. He hoped Master Splinter would possibly let him go see Artemis but in her condition, who knows. At the very least, maybe he could help patch her up and hopefully he also could bandage up some of the guilt he felt. He never intended for her to ever follow him. She had never done it before and she was never curious enough to try and find out more about where he lived. She respected privacy and for some reason she couldn't help herself answering his phone. He didn't blame her considering he told her he had no family. For her to see a replica of himself on his phone, it probably made her mad since liars weren't her most favorite people. He could've told her so many excuses to not talk about his family and she would understand but no, he had to lie entirely instead. He had no idea where to go from here but in the meantime he would make sure that she was okay and that this would never happen again.

Once resolved, Raph opened his door only to be stoppped by Leo who stood arms crossed glaring daggers at him. Raph couldn't help the edge in his tone. "You can't be serious right now. Can't whatever lecture you want to give wait until I make sure Artemis is okay?"

"Not a chance Raph. You will be explaining about the human girl right this second and then I'll decide what to do with you."

Raph shouldered Leo away so he could move into their makeshift living room. "Oh really? You think I'm going to get punished for making friends?"

"Who is she Raph?"

"None of your business."

Leo jabbed a finger into Raph's plastron. "She is my business because she got hurt under our watch and you know her! You didn't even tell your brothers that you were sneaking off to do who knows what and then what do we find when I figure out you need help? A civilian who should have never crossed our paths!"

Raph slapped his hand away and responded, "Back off Leo! She's not some civilian she's my friend!"

"This coming from the guy who hates humans more than anything!"

"I don't hate them! I just get irritated that while they get to live above ground, we're stuck here and only because they wouldn't be able to handle mutants. But she's...she's different from them. She never was afraid of me and she accepted me and she...geez Leo! She's lived such a different life from regular humans! She's-."

"She's what? Special? That doesn't mean you can bring her into fights with you!"

"Are you insane?! I never let her into that fight she just found me to return my phone. I don't know how she found me but she did and it all happened so fast. You guys came and then...wait. How did you guys find us?"

"When she answered your phone and hung up on us I figured you were in trouble so I had Donnie track the T-phone, but that doesn't matter right now! Right now, I'm figuring out how to explain to Splinter what's going on and then for us to figure out a good punishment for such a mess."

"You sure are smug Leo. Do you honestly think Splinter is going to punish me?"

Leo smiles and nodded with assurance, his arms crossed at his chest. "Oh I know he will since he is the one who values our secret lives most and making sure we don't get people hurt."

"You think you're such a know-it-all? Well guess what oh wonderful leader...Splinter already knew about her!"

Leo dropped his smile and his arms went down to his sides defeated. "You can't be serious...there's no way!"

"Oh you think I'm lying?!"

"I know you are!" Leo and Raph got so close to each other that their noses were touching as they glared hard at one another. So hard that it looked like sparks were flying between them.

Mikey nudged Donnie who was dressing an arm wound of his. "Don't you think we should stop them or something?"

Donnie looked at the two brothers fighting and shook his head. "Are you kidding? Do you really want to get in between another famous Leo-Raph brawl?"

"That's enough!!" All four turtles turned their heads to Splinter who just came out of the training room and was wiping his paws clean. "I've heard enough of your bickering. We have an injured guest and she can't rest if there is so much conflict happening out here."

Leo and Raph bowed to their father and spoke in unison, "Sorry Sensei."

Raph looked up and noticed the bloody rag in his father's hands. His heart seemed to leap to his throat making him move forward. "Sensei, is she okay? Can I see her?"

Splinter put a hand on his shoulder, "She will be fine physically but right now she is unconscious from the emotional shock of battle and I do not know how long she will be resting for."

Raphael swallowed audibly and spoke with a shaky voice, "I'm so sorry Sensei. You warned me and I still thought...I don't know what I thought."

Splinter nodded in understanding. "It is alright my son. For now I will care for her and make sure she will be safe. The rest of you get some sleep and we'll talk more tomorrow." Splinter turned and went back into the training room, leaving Raphael stewing in his emotions.

Leo sighed and looked to Donatello. "Donnie, can you call up April and explain to her what's going on. Maybe have her bring some clothes for the girl."

"Artemis."

Leo looked to Raph. "What?"

"She's not 'the girl.' She's Artemis." Raph went to his room without another word and laid face down on his bed. He was afraid to close his eyes and see flashback images of Art getting hurt. To be honest he would rather remember the fight, maybe even the first day they met. Anything was better than that horrible scene but no, Raph never was that lucky. He got nothing but a fitful sleep as the scene played over and over. He could only hope for her quick recovery.

A couple days went by as Raph moved around their home in a daze. He rarely ate or slept and it made all his brothers worry. Splinter wouldn't let him in to check on the sleeping Artemis and that was fine at first, but after a few hours of Raph just thinking about her condition it started to drive him nuts. He was glad for a distraction when his mind wandered to her family. For two days she's been gone and they have no idea where! Raph did a quick wash-up and was about to head out until Leo noticed him. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Just need some fresh air is all."

Leo rolled his eyes. "You have never been the type to need fresh air. What are you planning?"

"I'm going to see her family and tell them what happened."

"Do you really think that's wise?"

"She's hurt and they don't know where she is so yes, I do."

Leo and Raph had a little staredown before Leo nodded. "Okay then, go ahead and make sure they're informed."

"Finally!"

"...but only if you take Mikey."

Raph practically fell over from such a request. "You can't be serious! I don't need a babysitter!"

"That's not why I'm making you take him. He's better with people than you and with such a delicate situation I think it's best. Either you take him or you stay here."

Raph wanted to fight and try to convince Leo it would be just fine but it would be quicker just to take Mikey and leave. "Fine then. Mikey! Get your head out of your shell and come with me!"

"Alright! Bro trip!"

Raph just groaned and continued on his way as Mikey had to sprint towards him to catch up. Raph explained to his little brother about what the plan was. He knew them best and didn't want Mikey to mess up so he told him to just hang back and let him take care of it. Mikey didn't want to make Raph mad so he just nodded and followed. Raph lead him through the abandoned warehouse but stopped short looking around at the boxes with holes in them. He helped her practice not that long ago and he couldn't stop the memories of them laughing and training. If she didn't wake up soon they would have no choice but to take her to the hospital. She had been robbing stores all around and they would take her in to jail for sure and Raph wouldn't let that happen. He hoped she would wake up soon.

By the time they got there it was nearing dinner time for the family. Raph silently entered the area and just waved awkwardly. "Uh, hey there."

Cecile dropped her bowl and walked carefully to Raph. Once she felt around and grabbed his shoulders, she made him lower himself to her face. "Where is she? Is she okay?"

Logan only glared at him but stayed quiet. Raph cleared his throat and wished he could drink some water to help his dry mouth. "She...she was in a fight and got injured. But! But she's okay! She's with...with my family and healing up."

Logan stood at that and went over to him in a fury. "Your what?! I thought you were alone, you told us you were!"

Raph didn't even flinch, Logan had every right to be upset but Raph had every right to keep his secrets. "I had to, my family is supposed to be kept a secret just like I am. What was I supposed to say?"

Logan scoffed, "Alright then tell me, how did she get into a fight? I doubt it was because of her?"

Raph couldn't help but look away at that. "It was my fight. She was looking for me and found me and tried to help. It just happened."

Cecile started to sniffle and Manny went to console her. Logan didn't move and could only glare at Raph. "It just happened because she met you and knew you! This never would've happened if you never showed up!"

"Look, you all knew I was a ninja and I told you I fight the bad guys! It's just like a family against another family situation! I tried to get her to leave but she had something of mine and she started to question about what I've said."

"Because you were lying and she hates liars!"

"I know that! But this wasn't my fault! It's my duty of a ninja to fight them!"

"Isn't it also your duty to protect people who shouldn't be involved?!"

"I-I..."

Logan growled, "I thought so." Logan didn't even think about it and just punched Raph in the face. Manny hurried over to Logan and held him back. Raph held the cheek where it just got hit as Mikey came flying in-between him and Logan.

"Woah chill dude! It's not all Raph's fault!"

Logan's eyes went wider than normal and Manny stared speechless looking at Mikey. "Oh great so there really is more of him!" Logan shook Manny off and stomped over to the logs surrounding their unlit fire pit. Cecile stared confused and could only wait until someone explained. Manny went closer to Mikey and inspected him. "Dios mío! You look so alike but slightly different."

Raph smirked, "Oh you mean how I'm the more handsome one. Or maybe more muscular?"

Cecile felt around and grabbed Mikey. "Oh wow there were more! Who would have thought?"

Mikey stood awkwardly as some random lady started touching his face. "Uh, what's up? I'm Mikey, the funny one."

Cecile couldn't help herself. "You mean the funny looking one correct?"

Raph doubled over in laughter. It had been awhile since he had a good laugh and for Cecile to make fun of someone he couldn't help himself. Mikey was of course offended but who wouldn't be? "Hey! Don't take his side!"

Cecile let out a small chuckle and patted Mikey on the head. "Don't worry dear, I was just teasing to help the tense atmosphere. It is nice to meet you Mikey, I'm Cecile."

Mikey was quickly introduced to the rest of the family and smiled. "Nice to meet you guys too! Sorry to meet like this though."

Cecile nodded gravely. "Tell me honestly, is she okay?"

"Well uh to be honest our dad is looking after her but he wouldn't lie and he says she'll be okay!"

"That's it, I've had enough!" Logan yelled firmly while starting to pace around the pit. "You guys can't seriously find this okay! Mutant turtles took one of us and almost got her killed and now we're joking around like old friends?! Come on already and see some sense, for once!"

Manny grabbed onto Logan to calm him down. "Don't always trust the eyes míjo. Artemis trusts Raph and this is his brother which makes him trustworthy. We will see her again. I know why you're so upset but I promise you will see her again."

Logan nodded and took a deep breath. "Yeah, alright. But I want him away from me!" He pointed to Raph. "I have nothing against his family just him so respect my decision!" He went into a tent and zipped it up tight without another word.

Manny clicked his tongue and when he turned to the turtles he smiled. "Don't worry about him niños, Artemis and him are very close so he takes it more harshly."

Raph stared at the tent that Logan went in and felt a weird pit in his stomach that felt like it was burning on fire. He knew Artemis and Logan were close but he didn't think they were that close; then again they lived together for years. It only made sense for him to be upset because they were like siblings right? Raph never heard Artemis call Logan a boyfriend so it had to be the status of siblings. He hoped. Raph shook his head. Why would he hope that? It made no difference what relationship they had, it only mattered that Raph had one with her. Which meant going to check on her and hoping he could smooth things over about him lying. "Well we should get going. We only came to make sure you knew."

Cecile smiled, "When she wakes, tell her not to rush her healing process and get back home on her own pace. We'll be here for her."

Raph agreed and said his goodbyes and left with Mikey in tow. Mikey was grinning the whole way home and Raph could practically feel the happiness from a few feet away. "Okay what gives with all the smiling?"

Mikey just shrugged. "Oh just I never seen you jealous before is all."

Raph almost tripped moving onto the next rooftop. "Jealous?! What could I be jealous about?"

"You know..." Mikey tried to hide his giggling behind his hands. "Artemis and Logan."

"I am not jealous! Don't ever say that again! I'm especially not jealous of that tool!"

"Sure, sure bro whatever you say."

"Ugh whatever Mikey, let's just hurry up."

Raph decided when he got home, he would demand that Splinter let him in to see Artemis. Maybe there was something he could do to hurry up the healing. He had no clue what but he would do his best regardless. It felt like forever passed until they made it back. Leo and Donnie were no where to be seen but he could guess that they were in Donnie's lab, checking up on any of the latest activity going on. Raph could care less because he had one set goal in mind. He started to walk to the training room but stopped frozen in his tracks. He didn't see just one shadow figure through the screen but two. The one on the right was Splinter's rat-humanoid form and the left...Raph felt his heart quicken like he just been out trainng the whole day. He threw open the screen and saw Artemis sitting up, staring blankly at a cup of tea in her hands. She didn't even move to look at him but he didn't care. She was awake which meant she was alright and that made him so relieved that he almost fell to his knees. He carefully stepped closer to Artemis and sat next to her. Splinter was sitting across from them just watching what would happen. The young girl had not spoken a word since she woke up and he could only offer some tea to calm her nerves. She already had one cup earlier but now she only stared at the cold second cup. Raph placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke softly. "How are you feeling?"

Artemis blinked slowly and looked to him. Eventually recognition crossed her features and they turned into a sharp glare. "I feel betrayed."

Raph swallowed the lump in his throat and moved his hand away. "Betrayed? How?"

"You know how, you no good liar! I can't believe I'm here, in your home! You have a home and a family and you couldn't even say to me that it was none of my business or tell me not to worry about it. Instead, you decide to flat out lie to me for weeks! How could you Raphael?! I thought we were close! I thought maybe we could be..." she shook her head violently and got up quickly. Too quick as she grew dizzy and started to lose her balance. Raph helped her by standing next to her and holding her up. Artemis finally shook the dizziness and noticed who was holding her. She slapped him away and moved to leave the training room. "Don't touch me! Don't even help me! I dont want your help!"

"Have you gone insane while resting?! You're still not healed up completely yet!"

They ended up in the main room and their yelling had gotten the attention of the other turtles. They all converged into the same room but felt too nervous to intervene. Artemis kept trying to wipe at her tears but two more would replace the one she fixed and it wouldn't stop. She whirled around to face Raph and didn't care how pathetic she looked. "Yeah, I'm insane Raphael! Insane enough that I ever became friends with you!"

Raphael scoffed, "Okay now you're just being ridiculous! You knew that I fought bad guys and you knew who I was personally. So what if I didn't talk about my family?! I kept them safe that's what mattered."

She jabbed a finger into his plastron. "I don't care that you didn't talk about them, I cared that you lied and how easy it was for you! I can't trust you! I just..." She sniffles trying to get the words to come out. "I just can't be around you anymore. It brings up too many bad memories and I can't do this anymore!" She turned and ran while screaming behind her. "Don't ever come near me again!"

Raph went to follow her but was stopped by Splinter grabbing onto his shoulder. "Let her go. She needs some time to herself."

"But she might hurt herself on the way, I can't just let her go alone!"

Mikey cleared his throat. "I'll keep watch on her since I've been there before. Don't worry Raph, I'll make sure she's safe." Splinter nodded for him to go ahead and Mikey was gone in a flash. Raph could only stare at the entrance that held abandoned turn stiles. He knew Mikey would get her home but he wanted to help. Why did he have to suffer because the footclan decided to attack her? He tried to help her...he tried to protect her and for what? She left just like any human would. Splinter seemed to notice the quick facial change on him and tried to console him, "She just needs time. She's not used to being in a fight like that and she was hurt fairly bad. It'll be okay my son. Just give it time."

About an hour later Mikey returned and reported that she was safe and just crawled into her tent to sleep. Raph nodded and went into his room and decided he needed a workout to help with all his stress. He grabbed his weights and started to do some curls while thinking about what to do. Artemis was home and that was enough for him but tomorrow he would go check on her and hopefully work things out. Despite his anger taking over for a second, he knew that she was important to him and he wasn't going to give up so easily. He wanted her in his life and that meant telling her everything. He trusted her enough about such secrets and knew she wouldn't tell anyone. He wanted to discuss his decisions with his brothers but he wanted to avoid the trouble of an argument. He would just go and tell her tomorrow and it would be too late for them to stop him. He kept lifting weights until sweat was pouring out and his muscles had reached their limit. He couldn't help the over exertion; it was one of the things he was good at. Before long he noticed the clock and it was already morning. He cleaned up and went out only to see his brothers getting ready for breakfast. Donnie avoided eye contact while Mikey was making a mess in the kitchen, using that activity to avoid him also, no doubt. Leo turned to face him and his face held a small smile. "Hey Raph. Breakfast is almost ready and then we can start our morning training."

Raph rubbed at his neck. "Yeah listen, I need to get going actually."

"You want to talk to her don't you?"

Raph nodded resolutely. He will be happy to oblige Leo in a fight if he tried to stop him from going. Leo didn't even hesitate. "Don't do anything Mikey would do."

Raph couldn't believe his ears. Leo was actually letting him go. With that send off he ran out and heard Mikey yelling before he was out of ear shot. "Hey, wait! What was that supposed to mean?!"

Raph found a new adrenaline that he has never felt before. He was flying on some high while trying to make sure he wasn't seen in the daylight. He would talk to her and he would do whatever he needed to as she was in the healing process. It would be fine just like Sensei said it would. He was glad to see the clearing in sight and flew in without a care. It took a second to register a fist coming for him but this time he dodged it with ease and pushed Logan away. "Sorry but once was enough."

Logan just kneeled on the ground with fists in the grass. "Trust me when I say once isn't close to enough!"

Raph actually took a look around and saw Cecile sitting by her tent crying while Manny held her by her shoulders. Logan looked up to Raph and he saw red around his eyes. Raph felt his heart plummet to his stomach. "Where is she?"

Logan gave a mocking laugh and got up and handed him a piece of paper. "She's gone. And it's all your fault." Raph read it over in disbelief.

I'm sorry about the sudden departure everyone but I had to. I found a way to make up for the time I had been gone. I found a job that's live-in and pays a good sum. I won't be around much but we will see each other again. I'm going to reach for my goal and this is the best way so please don't be upset. I'll do my best! I can't tell you what the job is or even where it is so just believe me when I say, it is worth it. I love you all and take care of each other for me please. I'll miss you.

-Artemis

Raph just couldn't believe it and read it over and over again. Logan growled when he felt Raph was taking too long and ripped the paper away. "She was always careful! She would never take a job like this before she met you! There are so many people who take advantage of the homeless needing a job and make them do things they should never do and now she went and found one! A place she can't talk about or even say where it is?! This is your fault!" He shoved the shocked Raph away and went over to Cecile and Manny.

Raph spoke in a calm tone, "I never meant for this to happen."

Logan turned to say something but Cecile stopped him and spoke instead. "Raphael, I understand that but please...please just leave us alone." Raphael could only do what she asked and left them. He went back to that abandoned warehouse that he was so familiar with. He looked around and hoped that maybe she was just waiting for him to at least say goodbye but it was empty and cold. Raph couldn't help himself and started to rip into every box and destroyed every crate in sight. This wasn't fair! It wasn't his fault but everyone was blaming him anyways! She was gone and he could nothing about it. Raph should've known better than to trust her, than to believe that she understood him. After all, she was just another human.