CHAPTER FIVE
The young woman the turtle's had rescued, was slowly finding consciousness. Her eyes sluggishly opened to a bright florescent light which immediately blinded her vision - momentarily. She fluttered her eyes - clearing her sight, and as she sat herself up, she choked and began coughing.
Looking around for something to drink, Keya saw a cup of green looking liquid by the side of her bed. In her cough/chocking fit, she desperately reached out for it and quickly took a sip. Her eyes shot open to the taste, automatically, having her face scrunch up and her head shake in disgust as shiver's trembled down her spine.
She took one last sip, to wet her throat, and again, her face scrunched up - sending more shivers through her body.
"Yuck!"
She spat out the word, placing the cup back down. The groggy woman wiped her mouth and set about taking in her surroundings. It looked to be some kind of hospital or lab, she couldn't decide between the two. Not a moment longer and she began to get up, though her legs were a little shaky. However, she soon got her bearing's and slowly made her way out of the room.
"Helllloooo?"
Keya called out, gently and a little hesitantly.
"Is, is anybody here?"
Silence remained as she found herself standing in a huge area. She looked around, seeing 10 doors scatted about the place, but in the large room she was in - a rather large flat screen TV caught her eye, with 6 smaller ones next to it - 3 on both sides - with a Play station 2 and 6 pile's of what looked to her as DVDs, and Play station games. They were all surrounding the TV's. There was a coffee table - bearing a shattered hole through it - and in a semi circle, were two love set couches and next to them, were 4 single love chair recliners.
The Woman's mind began wandering, as did she. Keya slowly made her way, deeper into the area, scanning the room for any movement or sign of life. Stopping as she set her sights on a door, she pondered to herself.
'Maybe someone's in there?'
She began with the first door to her right. The door slid open with ease to reveal a very big room, it looked to her, to be some kind of gym. It had weapons on the wall's, mats in the corner, 2 punching bag's - one red with a yellow stripe of tap round it and the other black with a white stripe around it. There were weighs and bench pressers, a basket ball hoop attached to the wall and a large amount of space. She looked round to see if any one was there and again, she called out.
"Hello?"
Keya questioned timidly.
"Is there any one here?"
However, there was still nothing or at least, no sign of life. The young woman left that room, and made her way up some steps, towards 4 doors lined together each with the same amount of space separating them. She started with the door closest to the steps.
Keya peeked in, seeing a tidy bedroom and it had small candles lit in the corner. The room itself, was giving of an essences of serenity and calmness as well as strength and balance. The wall's were colored with blue on top and black on the bottom - half with a shaded green boarder separating the two colors. Keya thought to herself with a giggle.
"Oooo, I like this room."
But still, no one to be seen... The young woman headed to the next door and began to open it, when suddenly, she heard laughter coming from a room across - what looked to her, as a living room area.
Keya shut the door, with out looking in the room, and walked down the steps. Advancing nervously towards the room that held noises of what sounded like people talking and laughing, she stood out side it and collected herself.
She could hear, a calm male tone of voice, and then two more followed after it. Her nervousness were actually easing slightly to the tone of voices on the other side, they sounded friendly, although male.
She listened a few more seconds, suddenly hearing a rather guff tone of voice. This one was quite thick in the Brooklyn accent which was quickly followed by the sound of laughter and then another male voice that gave Keya the idea who ever was the owner of that voice, had to be a surfer.
She smiled lightly, at the thought. Taking in a deep breath, Keya began to open the door slowly, but as the door opened a little, the room fell instantaneously silent - with an abrupt hush. She stopped dead, immediately thinking and back peddling mentally.
'What the hell?!?! You can't just walk into a room with out knocking! They could be doing stuff in there."
She continued thinking to herself, suddenly assuming the worst.
"Oh God, what if the people in here are stone cold killers? At least that would explain the weapons in that other room?"
Keya shook her head, pushing the thought's out. They were ridiculous theory's.
"No, if they were psychos, why am I still alive?"
She pulled the door back shut completely, cleared her throat, and knocked the door.
~~Knock, Knock~~
She heard a strained old woman like call come from behind the door - quickly followed by the sound of someone being hit.
"Come in.. Dear."
~smack~
"Mikey!"
"Ow!"
Keya was looking to the floor as she pushed the door open, and still looking to the floor, she began to talk while making her way in meekly.
"Hey, I was just..."
As she was talking, Keya raised her head, instantly pausing as her breath caught when seeing 4 giant humanoid turtles and a Rat seated around a table - looking at her. It suddenly reminded her of that painting with the Dog's playing poker, only this was far more disturbing ... 4 giant turtles, and a rat, eating pizza. Keya's word's stopped, though her mouth remained open. She just stared at them, involuntarily, only to have them stare right back.
"Yep,"
Sighed the one wearing the red Zorro like mask.
"Bet 10 Bucks she's gonna scream!"
"Nahh... Not a chance."
Chuckled the one wearing the orange Zorro like mask.
"Ya not gonna scream, are yer Dudette?"
Mikey questioned, his tone so friendly but Keya could only blink several times before suddenly giving herself a swift hard slap across her face and causing the creatures before her - to jolt at her actions. The Rat moved forward, and did the most strangest thing a human could have seen at this point in time.
"I think, you had better sit down."
"You talked..."
Murmured Keya. Not a split second after that, her eye sight blurred and the next thing she saw, was darkness.
"That was a, no."
Smirked Mikey, holding his hand out and clicking his fingers at Raph - who grumbled and handing over the 10 bucks he just lost. Leonardo had swiftly caught Keya before she had fallen to the floor and he, gently, placed her to the floor, before looking to Master Splinter for instructions of what to do now.
"Yep..."
Sighed Mikey, pointing his finger to his Sensei.
"You have that effect on people... don't ya Master?"
Raphael snigger, placing his hand over his eyes at the levity to a rather serious situation, while Donatello leaned forward - looking at the fainted woman.
"Is she alright?"
He asked.
"Move her to the couch, Leonardo."
"Yes, Master Splinter."
At his Master's request, Leonardo picked Keya up bridal style and they all followed him to the seating area in the next room. Donatello looked to the time so he could mark it down in Keya's medical file before returning back to them. It was 19:47p.m.
They all stood round Keya, watching, and waiting for her to come too, while Mikey made a useless attempt in fanning her with his two fingered hand. Ten minuets had past, and a sudden noise of shuffling was picked up by Raphael's hearing. Narrowing his eyes as he looked round the room, suddenly Raph was highly alarmed and set himself to hunters mode. Splinter noticed his temperamental ninjas strange behaviour and walked calmly forward, with a questionable whisper.
"What is it, my son?"
Raphael equipped his Sai, spun it round and looked to Master Splinter.
"Stay here!"
He warned, in a low mutter. Mikey jumped forward, opening his arms out with a question toward his red clad brother.
"Raph, what is dude?"
Raphael continued moving closer to were the noise was coming from, with Mikey following close by, twirling his Nunchak's. The orange clad turtle questioned again.
"Raph?"
His brother stopped and looked at him - lifting one finger to his mouth, indicating Michelangelo to be quiet, then pointed to the east side of the room, giving his baby brother instructions to go check out over there.
As Raph and Mikey continued scouting, Keya's eyes began to open.
"Mmm... Wha..What happened?"
She moaned, having Leonardo call out to the others.
"Hey! She's waking up!"
Mikey ran past Raph, tapping him on the shoulder and beckoning him to come back to Keya. Raphael's eyes followed Mikey over to Keya, but he did not pursue his baby brother, he merely observed in the distance - leaving his carapace facing a pitch black shadow and giving the lurker with there, a chance to strike.
Mikey jumped over the back of the couch, landed right next to Keya and gave her his straight up in-your-face signature smile right up close and personal.
"HEY, DUDETTE! Sleep well?"
He asked, full of caring enthusiasm. Keya jumped, darting her eyes at each strange creature standing by her.
"What! ... Who!.. Where!...Huh?"
She stammered fearfully, having Leonardo laugh and softly poke her in shoulder.
"Well... that leaves out, Why and When, doesn't it?"
Keya rubbed her face to ensure she was awake, then slapped herself again. The purple clad turtle grabbed her hand swiftly after witnessing that a second time.
"HEY!"
He snapped in concern.
"Stop that! We're real!.. You're going to end up knocking your self out!"
Keya stared at Donnie, in utter amazement.
"What are you?..."
She questioned with out meaning to and quickly gave her head a small shake as she saw him wince slightly at the rather abrupt question ... how could she not tell?
"No wait... Sorry, that's really rude of me. What I mean is... where am I and who are you?.. Who are you all?"
She said regarding the mutants. Mikey rubbed his hands together while leaning in to the side of the woman and grinning winderfully.
"Ha, ha! where Turtles, Dudette. I'm Michelangelo, and these are my Bro's!"
He said with a simple gesture to his family.
"Donatello, Leonardo and the really weird looking one over there, is Raphael."
"MIKEY!"
Came the gruff growl in the distance from the red clad turtle. Keya gave Master Splinter a questionable glance and quickly hearing the introducing turtle stumble out.
"O and our father of course, Master Splinter."
Still she held a questionable look, only this time, turned her attention to the turtles, then back to the rat. Eventually, Mikey caught on.
"Oh, not our blood father, but still our father, hehehe..."
He explained, happily enough. Keya nodded her head slowly, with a small hindering smile before timidly speaking.
"I'm, Keya."
"RRAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! GOT YA!"
The moment was interrupted as Raphael shouted out in aggression in triumphant; spinning round and launching his Sai in to the shadow behind him. His Sai made a clicking sound as it embedded in the wall, quickly having a distressed cry sound out from the shadows.
"WHOA! RAPH IT'S--"
Before the cry could be registered, Raphael had already set in and pulled the Sai out of the wall, causing the figure to drop and with out thinking, the turtle grabbed and threw the shadowed being out in front of the rest.
In his peeved rage of confusion, with in a flash, Raphael sprung from the shadows - with his Sai pointing down, aiming it to the ground as he was coming in for a landing; when suddenly a woman's scream came from over by the entrance door.
"RAPH, NO!"
The red clad ninja's fast sharp reflexes kicked in, upon realisation.
"CASEY!"
The clan called in union. Raphael jolted his Sai to the side, just in time and missing Casey's head by a hair. The mood fell silent, and Raphael's face drained from anger, to shock, as he stared into the frightened confused blue eyes of his best friend.
Casey calmed his breathing, waited for his turtle buddy to get off him. In the end, Raphael stood up, looking at his Sai, then to Casey, while backing off slowly and having everyone's eyes follow him. April shouted, running to her man.
"Casey, are you okay?!"
He nodded, checking himself over.
"Yeah, the Sai ripped my new hoddie though!"
"Fuck..."
Raphael managed to stutter out words through his panicked breathing.
"I'm... I'm sorry, Case."
Leonardo helped Casey up, but again, Raphael shook his head. His legs started to grow weak, unexpectedly, and suddenly, a great deal of pain ripped through his head. The distressed turtle pulled his hands to his head, dropping his Sai to the ground while growling out in pain.
"AHhh!"
"RAPH!"
Leonardo shouted, stressfully, in concern while both he and Splinter ran forward for the red clad turtle.
"MY SON!"
His Sensei's word's echoed in the distance, as Raphael lost sight of his family. His vision blurred, and his legs gave out from under him, thus having everything fall silent as darkness settled in upon the red clad turtle.
Casey ran to Raphael's aide, along with his Brothers and April. Their concern was high and obvious. Keya watched, in shock, trying to absorb what just happened and soon she slowly made her way over to the rest as their words were franticly exchanged to one another.
"BRO, YOU OKAY?!?"
"DONNIE! What should we do?!?!"
"Quickly! get him to my lab!"
"NO!"
"BUT, MASTER SPLINTER!"
"NO DONATELLO, we will take him to my room!"
Donatello looked to his Master with an unsure expression; hesitant, he sighed.
"But, Sensei..."
Splinter sent Donatello a look that stopped him dead in his plea.
"NO!"
He said firmly.
"No questions. Donatello, remember what I told you earlier."
The purple clad son nodded reluctantly in agreement with his Sensei, and stepped back relinquishing his position over Raph. Splinter bowed his head, then commanded Leonardo and Casey to carry Raphael to rest in his room. Mikey, Keya and April, remained in the seating area with Donnie, waiting for the others to come out. It took a little while, but Keya looked to the orange masked turtle beside her and got up the courage to speak.
"Is he going to be alright?"
She asked, not really sure what else to say. Mikey sat there, tapping his foot on the ground fast, and twitching his hands.
"I hope so, Dudette!"
He said in a tone of panic. He was clearly worried, and so, April placed her arm around Mikey, giving him a small hug of comfort.
"He will be, Mikey."
She soothed, a little shaken by what just happened herself.
"If there's one thing I have learned about Raphael, is he's never beat... he'll come out of this stronger and better than before... you'll see. But what happened? Why did he flip out like that?"
Her tone was gentle but curious in needing to know. Mikey lifted his head, sighing.
"It's a long story, Master Splinter will fill you in later."
--
Lair, Master Splinters Bedroom...
Casey and Leo finished laying Raph out in Splinters bed. Master Splinter, placed his hand on his unconscious son's forehead while taking in a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Leave us"
He whispered. Leonardo bowed, before leaving. Casey, soon followed, but kept his eyes on Raphael until his was out of sight.
--
Lair, Seating area...
As Casey and Leo emerged, April ran to her lover to embrace him.
"How is he?"
She voiced her worry. Leo walked right past her in a daze, not intentionally ignoring her, but he actually really didn't hear or see her just then. Casey replied, hesitantly.
"He's... err..., well I err... I don't know. Splinter just ask me an Leo ta leave."
Donnie rubbed his head, giving out a frustrated moan. Keya looked at everyone's face's then stopped on the one in the blue mask and spoke out, timidly.
"Excuse me, err... Leonardo. Where am I? and where's James?"
The turtles all winced as they heard James's name be spoken and that sign instantly alarmed Keya, as she looked to all three of them, having panic settle in due to their reaction.
"GUY'S?! why are you... WHAT HAPPENED!?"
She snapped, fearing the worst. Donatello stepped closer to Keya, and very gently, so as not to frighten her, he took a hold of her hand and guided her towards the couch. Sitting her down, he took a deep breath - gazing at Keya, and already her eyes had tears beginning to fill them before he had even started to speak... She already knew what he was going to say before he said it.
"Keya... James... James didn't,"
Donnie stopped and took another breath before he could spat out the news a little harsher than he had mean but that was the doctor in him.
"... He didn't make it Keya, last night was..."
He trailed off, going silent, as the woman broke into tears - sinking silently in to a cushion, sobbing quietly to herself. After a few second, she felt a hand softly touch her back.
"We're sorry."
Respectably uttered Leonardo. In the end, when she was good and ready, Keya lifted her head back up, and wiped her tears with her sleeve.
"Is... Is he... he here?"
She stammered, weakly. Leonardo offered his hand to her, nodding his head a little.
"Yes... Do you want to see him?"
He asked gently. Keya looked to Leo's hand and she was a little hesitant in taking it at first, but she wiped her face one last time, then accepted his hand. They all slowly followed Leo and Keya into the meditation room.
--
Lair, meditation room...
The young woman grit her teeth at the sight of James's body, laying straight and lifeless, on the rectangular table in front of her. She stood there, dazed, just staring. It didn't seem real, all this, first mutant turtle's, Rat's and now James. He was only smile, laughing; even kissing with her a few hours ago, but now...
Leonardo looked to her face.
"Forgive me,"
He said kindly, holding a soulful expression of respect.
"But...Was he family or your boyfriend?"
Keya, still in a trance, just sniggered.
"I don't know... I don't suppose he was."
Leo nodded in confusion at the vague answer she gave, but slowly he let go of Keya's hand.
"How did he die?"
She asked.
"It was internal bleeding,"
Donnie replied as gently as he could.
"No one knew till it was too late, there was no way he was going to survive ... Sorry."
Leo placed his hand on Keya's left shoulder, giving it a gentle squeezes of comfort and condolences before leaving her.
"We'll leave you to say your goodbyes,"
He whispered softly.
"If you need us... we will be right out side."
Keya turned her head to look at Leo but kept her eyes on James, giving him a nod and a breathless thank you before she advanced towards James's cold body - to take in the sight of him, one last time. He didn't look dead, the turtles had done well in cleaning him up. The young man looked as though he was sleeping.
Mikey left the room last, and closed the door very softly, before letting out an awkward sigh. He looked to the others as they heard a broken cry come from the room they just left.
--
Lair, Seating area...
The three turtles, Casey and April all remained silent in the seating area. It had been 27 minuets of nothing. No one had made a sound, and let's face it... between Raphael and Keya, no one really knew what to say.
Michelangelo was the first to brake, as the little happy-go-lucky turtle hated awkward silences but he hated silence full stop. So looking to the rather long bag April had brought with her, he questioned in his gentle up lifting tone, trying to focus everyone to think on something else for five.
"Sooo... What's in the bag, April?"
The addressed woman jolted out of her train of thought. just catching Mikey's question.
"Oh.. Err... Yeah, me and Casey brought you guys a little some some from town today."
She chuckled. The turtles all looked over to April, and slowly began gathering around. It was Mikey jumped up and down and tightening his hands together in excitement.
"OOO SWEET ! New toys, I love new toys!"
Leo walked closer, questioning.
"But why, April?"
Casey stood up, needing a stretch, and he also clicked his neck.
"'Cuz,"
Answered the young vigilant.
"You all sounded really down dis mornin' and we wanted to cheer you guys' up."
Mikey cooed, touched by their sweet generosity.
"Awww..."
Donatello stood up straight and rubbed the back of his neck, thinking back on this morning.
"Yeah ...sorry about that."
He said sheepishly. April turned her attention to Donatello and lifted an eyebrow as she spoke slyly.
"Why were you guys sounding so depressed this morning, anyway?"
Leo looked to the door of his Master's room, then back to April.
"Last night,"
He began to explain.
"We were out on patrol when we heard Hun and his Purple Dragon's talking about killing this girl at a bar."
April questioned with shock in her eyes.
"Was Keya, this girl?"
Leo nodded.
"Anyway, we went to the bar to save her but by the time we had got there she was in fact nearly killed. The bar had about 20-25 purple dragons in there, not to mention, Hun!"
"GAHH!"
Casey grunted and straightened up before he punched the stone pillar he was leaning on.
"Those stupid purple dragon's,"
He snapped in anger.
"They really get under my skin!"
"Whoa, kill the motor Dude."
Mikey soothed as he placed his hand on Casey's shoulder, slowly getting him to sit down, when Leonardo continued and could not deny the anger that began kicking up in his voice.
"Anyway, to cut a long story short, we crashed the party, saved the girl, there was a fire, Raph ran back in to save James, Hun was still in there, slowed Raph down from getting in and out quickly, the building fell and we thought Raph was dead!"
April and Casey both sat there with shocked looks on their face's, they could have caught fly's with their mouth being open as wide as they were. Having a moment of silence between the team, Casey eventually shook his head.
"But Raph's not dead! Trust me, I got the marks to prove it."
He laughed. Donnie stepped forward after the resounding groan that came form the team at Casey's stupidity.
"Yes,"
He said simply.
"But when Leo called you to inform you, at that point, we thought he was dead. Then we got a call from April telling us about the news and that's when I figured out he was still alive."
April rubbed her eyes, then placed one hand on her hips with a sigh.
"So let me get this straight. You're telling me, you guys were at that bar that was burned down around 4:20 this mourning?"
"Yes."
The brothers replied in union. April shrugged, muttering slightly.
"Well that would explain how the police found a Sai at the scene, and Keya, and why Raph was the way he was--"
She paused, and winced her eyes, giving her head a soft shake.
"WAIT! No, that don't explain why Raph flipped out like that,"
April raised her voice letting a little anger out as she questioned rather hostilely. After all, the turtle did nearly kill her boyfriend.
"WHAT THE HELL MADE HIM FLIP LIKE THAT?"
"Hey easy, babe."
Soothed Casey, placing his hand gently on April's shoulder to help calm her down. Leo stepped forward, grinding his teeth.
"I WASN'T FINISHED!"
He snarled. Immediately, Donnie grabbed Leo's hand in an attempt to pull him back from April and Casey.
"Leo, Don't!"
Sounded the purple clad turtle, however, Leonardo looked to his brother and yanking his hand away before turning his attention back to April.
"Something is wrong with him,"
Stated Leo.
"He's not acting his normal self! This morning he was way out of control."
He regarded the team as he added to his statement.
"When Donnie and Mikey went to sleep, I stayed up a few more minuets to speak with Splinter, then headed to bed. Next thing I heard, was shouting, and thing's getting broken. I came out of my room seeing a look on Raphael's face I had never seen before."
He winced at the very memory of it.
"He snarled at me, and that was just enough to push me over the edge after the night we had just had, so I went for him. Me and Raph nearly came to proper blows! And if it weren't for master Splinter getting in my way, I would have made the biggest mistake of my life!"
The small group regarded each other, realizing the seriousness of the situation as Leo continued to stress his point.
"I don't know what it is, but something is screaming in my mind that something happened to Raph last night and that's what made him more irritable. I reckon that what ever happened to him, cause him to snap at Casey like he did and why he was the way he was with me this morning! The whole day in fact, he's been irritable even more so than normal."
Mikey nodded, agreeing to all that. Raphael had seemed different to the orange clad turtle today, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why?
"No, something is wrong, I can fell it!"
Added Leo, folding his arms and knowing his instances were steering him right.
"Then we should have taken him to my LAB!"
Donatello snapped, having both anger and worry possess him.
"NOT SPLINTER'S ROOM, HE NEED'S MEDICAL HELP! NOT SPIRITUAL!"
"Whoa Donnie, calm down. Splinter will let ya know what need's to be done as soon as he can figure out what's Wong!"
Reasoned Casey. Donatello sighed, taking a seat after thinking about Casey's words and he mumble under his breath.
"If I could just get a sample of his blood, I could do a test and find out if there's any thing in his system!"
April reached out to Leo's arm, getting his attention on contact.
"I'm sorry, Leo."
She said sincerely. The blue clad turtle smiled softly, not meaning to have been so abrupt with her.
"It's okay, April, I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to shout at you."
The two friends fell into a forgiveness hug and smiled on release. With a better and more calmer essence settling upon them, the group began to go through what April and Casey had got them.
"WHOA!"
All three turtles shouted out with amazement.
"New weapons! AWESOME!!!!"
Mikey swung his new Nunchak's - spinning them faster than his old ones, now that they had the flexibility his others didn't have. Leonardo felt his new Katana blades slice through the air with complete precision, and Donatello followed through with a backward flip - spinning his new Bo staff in the air as he landed. They were all very pleased!. Mikey jumped forward to his human friends, screaming his enthusiasm like a kid at Christmas.
"THESE CHAK'S ROCK!"
All three turtles thanked and hugged April in union, and gave Casey a handshake, saying thanks.
"Your welcome guys."
April laughed, before pulling out a brand new set of twin Sai. They were different from Raphael's old ones, instead of brown leather handles it was red with small engravings of his name up the prong. The air felt awkward again and the red headed woman looked to Leo as he stepped forward to collect the twin weapons.
"He's gonna love 'um guy's,"
He said softly.
"I'll keep a hold of them for now. Pretty soon, I'll be seeing them flying in my direction and just missing me by a thread,"
Leo chuckled, stating a fact.
"He always did like to make a point by throwing his Sais around."
The group laughed in agreement and eventually began to slowly talk about some random stuff now, to try and lighten the mood slightly. Having heard what Leonardo had to say, Keya gave out a small smile as she watched the way the turtles and the two humans interacted.
'If they were willing to go charging in as my knights in turtle shell armour to save someone they had never even meet before and then go back into a torched building to save James,'
She thought to her self.
'They can't be bad.'
Keya slowly reopened the meditation door, then slammed it shut to get everyone's attention. She was not disappointed with her banging results, they all set their attention to the door slammer while she headed over to them - softly clearing her throat before she announced.
"I'm ready to lay James to his final resting place."
Keya said firmly, making sure they understood she was ready and serious. Donatello advanced closer to Keya while looking to Leonardo, then to her before he replied.
"O.Kay. But have you giving it some thought as to were you want his final resting place to be? And when are you going to tell his parents?"
The young woman snorted.
"James doesn't have any parents, he's an orphan. Well."
She paused a moment, having a small memory's of him telling her he had no family. Involuntarily, her head hung down in misery once more.
"Well,"
She whispered before regarding everyone again and stating the correct term.
"He was an orphan. I know the perfect place for him to rest, he'll love it."
The blue clad turtle gave Keya a soft nod, she seemed happy enough with the decision and so he averted his sight to his two brothers - giving them a silent command. Mikey and Donnie, got the shovels, while April stayed with Keya; Leonardo and Casey got a stretcher to carry James's body on.
Once they got the deceased man's body on the stretcher, they headed for the entrance/exit. However, the leader turtle remembered something of what his father told him earlier. Before they opened the door, Leo stopped and looked to his Sensei's room.
Remembering what his Master had told him earlier about not leaving the lair until he gave further notice, Leonardo sighed and gently lowered his side of the stretcher - forcing Casey to lower his.
Once he had James stable on the floor, Leo headed to Splinters room, hearing Mikey called to him.
"Hey Leo, where ya going dude?"
The eldest turtle shouted back, giving him a slight look over his shoulder.
"I'll be right back, just give me a sec."
--
Lair, Master Splinters Bedroom...
As Leo got to his Master's door, he took in a deep breath and gently slid the door open. Entering the room, he saw Raphael was still unconscious and his Father was reading a book by the side of his brother. It was a little slow, but Leonardo moved forward.
"Master?"
He whispered, getting his fathers attention.
"Yes, my son?"
"Master, Keya would like us to take James to his final resting place, and I have come here for your permission to do so, father."
Explained the young turtle. Splinter regarded his blue clad son, and nodded.
"Of course, my son,"
He said softly, granting such a wish.
"But do not be too long Leonardo, I wish you and your brothers to have a better night's rest tonight."
Leo bowed to his Sensei.
"Yes, Master Splinter."
The young turtle glanced at his little brother in distress and felt his heart do back flips out of worry.
"How's he doing?"
Questioned Leo, unable to hide the full blown concern in his tone. Splinter lowered his head letting out a slow breath as he thought about what to say.
"He's struggling, but keeping a steady balance Leonardo. I can only hope, he will be back on his feet in a few days."
"HEY LEO, COME ON, BRO!"
The moment was broken upon hearing Michelangelo bellow out for his leader brother. Leo shook his head, with a small smile, before placing his hand in Raphael's hand and gave it a very gentle squeeze.
"See you later, Raph."
His voice was a soft whisper, before the blue clad turtle left the room and closed the door silently.
--
Lair, Seating area...
"I had to check something with, Master Splinter."
Shouted the young leader as he returned to the group, only to hear Mikey laugh, mockingly.
"Oh, getting permission from daddy were we? Hahaha..."
"Mikey!, ( ~SMACK~ ) give it up!"
"OW!"
"Thanks Donnie. Okay... everyone ready for this?"
Asked Leo. The group nodded and they silently vacated the lair.
--
Sewer tunnels...
When the wall doors opened, Keya's eyes watered due to the stinging stink and automatically had her face scrunch up through not will of her own.
"WHOA! What the hell is that smell!?!?!"
She gasped, almost gagging in fact.
"Yeah, it isn't exactly a bed of rose is it... ha ha..."
Laughed Mikey, so use to the stink by now it barely noticed it. Donatello shrugged.
"Well, what did you expect?"
He said, looking to the newest female.
"That we would walk out and be just across the street from the Hilton?"
Keya shook her head, getting strangely use to the smell and still hopping behind - trying to avoid the sewer water.
"Well, ya place is big enough to be the Hilton!"
She laughed, pointing out a good fact.
"And I'm not being funny or nothing, but it did not smell like this in there!"
"That's because we have the Donnie Turtle."
Informed pluckily Mikey. Keya questioned, raising an eye brow.
"The Donnie Turtle?"
"Yeah."
Snorted Michelangelo.
"Every home should have one, you know? To do the cleaning, the cooking and the--"
~SMACK!~
"OW!"
The purple clad turtle sneered at the youngest turtle before averting a calming expression to Keya after giving his little brother a smack up-side the head.
"What he means to say is, I built and installed a very big air conditioner unit."
He smiled proudly as he explained.
"It sucks the sewer air out of the lair and lets fresh air in, I also installed a heating system, an electricity, and clean fresh water filters..."
Mikey grunted rubbing his head while Donnie continued to rap off what he had built for the lair, and Keya had to admit... it was pretty impressive.
"MAN! I'm really starting to miss Raph's smacks ...There not so nerdy!"
Donatello's eyes winced.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!"
He snapped, pouncing at Michelangelo. Mikey hopped back, laughing and avoiding Donnie's attacks.
"Neh ha ha ... I said Nasty man, NASTY, not NERDY, never NERDY! Haha..."
He mocked, getting the better of his gentle pacifist brother. The two brothers stirred commotion, having Leonardo growl irritably.
"Guy's! enough!"
Ceasing everyone's action and instantly having all eyes on the leader turtle, he finished his final word of warning.
"Were going to a funeral, believe it or not!... Show some RESPECT!"
"Sorry."
Very sheepishly replied Donnie and Mikey. The group kept walking through the tunnels, until Leonardo stopped by a manhole with a ladder. He looked to Keya, still holding concern in his eyes. He was worried for her, but his brother Raph, was really playing on his mind.
"You ready?"
Leo asked, holding a gentle tone. Keya nodded, then began climbing up the ladder; followed by April, Mikey, Donnie, then Leonardo and Casey - who had strap James in to the stretcher and past him up to Donnie and Mikey so they could pull him up. Once they got James up, Casey ascended and Leo followed.
--
Top side...
They reached top side and it held a very nippy chill sensation in the October air, having them all shiver slightly.
"Whoa, its colder than the shredders heart up here!"
Joked. the orange clad turtle. Leonardo rolled his eyes
"Quit fooling around, Mikey!"
He said, before facing his two human friends.
"Okay, April, Casey, thanks for all your help but its best if we take it from here. We'll let you know how Raph's doing."
"NO!"
The vigilant closed in on Leo, shaking his head.
"No way, Leo... We're staying to--"
"No Case!"
Leonardo interrupted an sought to reason his motive.
"Keya will be coming back with us for a few days, just until she get's back on her feet, you and April cant stay here now, you have to go, we cant risk you and April being followed. We need you to leave now, its for the best."
Casey thought about what Leo said, and eventually agreed.
"Okay,"
He agreed with a warning.
"But your to inform us the second any thing change's with Raph!"
Leo bowed to the human, and spoke humbly.
"Of course!"
The Leader turtle instructed Mikey to take the other shovel off of Donnie and for Donnie to help carry James. The team split, April and Casey disappeared after turning out of the ally and Keya regarded Donatello.
"How long will I have to stay with you guys for?"
She questioned. Donnie glanced at her.
"Just a few days, you know? until we know you're safe from the Purple Dragons."
They set about in the direction in which they were taking James.
"Hey, what did you do to piss those guys off anyway?"
Questioned the purple clad turtle, his voice a little weary as he regarded the slim woman. Keya smirked.
"O..."
She giggled wickedly.
"I smashed a metal tray in one of the scumbags faces."
"Ha ha, Why'd ya do that for Dudette?"
Laughed Mikey.
"He pissed me off!"
Openly retorted the young woman, unintentionally holding an evil looking glare in her eyes. Donatello and Leonardo both looked at each other, giving an innocent smirk each.
"Remind me never to piss you off."
Asked Leo. Donnie snorted before he added.
"Yeah! or let you near the silver wear."
The small group rumbled the soft sound of laughter as they continued moving on, until Keya stopped. She looked at her surrounds, seeing they were in some kind of forest far enough from the city. They had walked miles and not even noticed. It was with a kick of a log, Keya assured.
"This is where he would like to be laid to rest."
"You sure?"
Asked the blue clad turtle, looking round their surroundings.
"It's kinda out of the way and maybe a little lonely?"
He mentioned as he and Donnie slowly placed James on the ground. Keya turned to look at them.
"Yes,"
She said point blankly.
"Its fine, he would be happy here and what does it matter on the lonely part? He is dead, God rest his soul."
"Point taken!"
Said Mikey. And with that, Michelangelo and Donatello set to work on digging. Within a few hours, James was buried and they were making their way back to the lair.