Alright, chapter eight! Thank you all so much for your comments and support. It really means a lot. :)

Enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: Alas! I still do not own TMNT.

_

Chapter 8

Raphael shot up off the couch,

"Then we need to get out there and find him!" he shouted.

Donatello stood with him, determination written in his expression.

Splinter closed his eyes and dipped his snout down in quiet thought.

"No," he whispered.

"What?" Raph asked in shock, whipping around to face his Sensei in disbelief.

"I said, no," Splinter replied louder, a slight tremor stealing into his voice as he looked back up at them, "It is too dangerous for you to go up to the surface at this hour. The sun will have risen above the city by now, and you cannot go out in daylight."

"Sensei!" Raphael exclaimed, flabbergasted, "Leo could be hurt out there somewhere, without help! Should he be out in the daylight any more than us?!"

"No," Splinter shook his head, "But Leonardo would not want you three to put yourselves in harms way for his sake. And what would happen if one of you were hurt, captured or killed? Then you would most certainly be of no help to your brother."

Raph saw Donnie's head dip down in thought at their Sensei's words, his expression vacant. Raphael knew his brother well enough to recognize when the logic was winning his brain over.

But Raph was indignant. This was their brother they were talking about! And Sensei wanted them to do nothing?!

Splinter continued on, ignoring Raphael's furious expression, "If we knew exactly where Leonardo was, then it would be different. But I don't like the idea of you three scouring the city in broad daylight. When you are busy looking for something, it is easy to become oblivious to things looking for you. Also, as far we can tell, the humans above are not yet aware of Leonardo's presence somewhere among them, and it is possible that if they happen to notice unusual amounts of activity, they will become more aware of what is going on around them. All it would take would be one wrong move, or one misplaced step, and your brother's safety would be compromised. No. I will not risk you or your brother's safety."

"So we're just going to abandon him?!" Raph asked angrily, clenching his fists.

Splinter looked at Raphael with pain and hurt reflected in his eyes.

"I would never say that," he answered softly, "As soon as the sun begins to set, you will all go and search for Leonardo," raising his voice with a stern edge he added, "And none of you will be permitted to leave any time sooner. Understood?"

Donatello sat back down on the couch with a heavy sigh.

"Hai Sensei," he breathed quietly.

Mikey looked down at the floor and nodded silently.

This is stupid! Raph thought to himself, We need to be out there looking for Leo! I don't care if I have to walk across time square holding a giant sign with flashing lights saying 'HEY EVERYONE! CALL THE POLICE! I HAVE A BOMB STRAPPED TO MY SHELL!' As long as we find him.

"Raphael," Splinter's voice asked, gentle but still firm, "Am I understood?"

Raph wanted to argue, bite back a smart remark like he would to Leo, but he didn't dare show his Sensei such disrespect. His stomach clenched at the thought of his annoying, teacher's pet brother, and it knotted painfully at the thought of leaving him. He sighed in frustration. He didn't like it. Not at all. But Splinter was waiting for a response, and ignoring the ninjitsu master would be just as disrespectful as talking back.

"Hai Sensei," he managed between clenched teeth, looking away.

"Thank you Raphael," Splinter breathed, "I know you believe that I'm being unreasonable. I only want the rest of you to be safe, and to avoid taking any unnecessary risks," he said gently.

Raph bit back an angry growl before it could escape his mouth.

"But I am not insane either," Master Splinter continued, "And I do understand the urgency in finding Leonardo as quickly as possible. Even though you cannot go above ground in daylight, doesn't mean that we cannot ask others to assist us. I'm sure Casey and April would be more than willing to begin the search until you three can join them after dusk. Does that sound reasonable?"

Raph relaxed a little, as Donatello nodded, pulling out his t-phone.

"I'll go ahead and call them," the purple masked turtle commented, dialing in either April or Casey's number. Most likely April's.

Raph looked up at Master Splinter and nodded.

"Hai Sensei."

Splinter closed his eyes and tipped his head down for a few more seconds before turning to leave. His steps slow and heavy.

"There will be no training today," he announced, though it wasn't with the usual spirit or conviction.

Usually that kind of announcement would cause a time of rejoicing and celebration in the lair.

Not this time. Now there was just a heavy silence that thickened the air like pudding.

Raph sat back down, feeling sick. His stomach churning.

Leo was out there somewhere, alone and probably hurt. And there was nothing Raphael could do.

Donnie held his phone to his ear, his other hand anxiously pressed against his mouth.

"Come on. Please pick up. Please pick up," he mumbled, "April!" he exclaimed suddenly, with both urgency and relief. Standing up, he began to pace back and forth from the living room to his lab as he explained the situation to April.

Raph leaned forward in his seat, resting his head in his hands, his stomach twisting into knots. He hadn't even bothered to wish Leo a good-bye last night before he left. Now, with a sickening pang of guilt, he wished that he had.

"Hey Raph?" a small voice squeaked.

Raphael looked up to see Mikey's hunched form in front of the TV screen, his baby blue eyes, filled with fear and worry, staring at him.

"What?" Raph growled, instantly on the defensive.

Mikey ignored the tension in the hot head's tone, glancing back up at the glowing screen.

"Do you think Leo made it out of that fire okay?" he asked quietly.

"How should I know?" Raph snapped, "Besides, who says he was even in the fire? He could have gotten out before the the fire even started."

Mikey looked down, his eyes gaining a watery sheen, "Because then he would've come home."

They both sat there quietly for a minute, the truth of Mikey's words setting heavily on them like a load of bricks laid on their shells. Donnie's voice quickly became just background noise as their minds refused to divert attention from their missing brother.

"I can't believe I was excited to see him punished by Master Splinter this morning," Mikey whispered guiltily, a slight squeak was in his voice, betraying his attempt to hold back tears. He sniffed loudly, sliding his arm across his nose.

He'd never admit it, but Raphael had looked forward to it too. Guilt pitted in his already knotted stomach, wrenching it painfully. He wasn't used to this kind of feeling, and he certainly didn't like it. Also, the fact that he wasn't permitted to do anything about it, didn't help at all. A feeling of total helplessness overtook him, but he forced it down with angry denial. An unbearable itching feeling crawled up his shell, and arms, making his muscles tense. He had to do something, anything. Shifting he tried to ward off the restless feeling that plagued his aching limbs.

Standing abruptly in his frustration, he let out an irritated growl. Sitting there wouldn't accomplish anything.

Tears began to leak from Mikey's eyes and the orange masked turtle let out another pitiful sniff, trying to hold them back.

Raph rolled his eyes in both disgust and irritation.

"Quit sniveling," he snapped, turning to leave, "I'm going to my room. Come get me when it's time to go," he growled.

Marching down the hallway, he headed to his room. The door was still wide open from when he'd rushed out earlier that morning, but this time he didn't hesitate slamming the door closed behind him.