Raphael finds friendship and more with a woman who also wears a mask...

Rated M for adult themes, violence, and character death. I don't own anything TMNT or Batman. Please Read and Review, I will take any and all suggestions and comments with gratitude!

Time seemed to stand still for Raphael as he clinched the phone; the single word message glared back at him. "Aurora." He shook his head and stood, his heart racing. "It can't be."

Flashback, more than four years before…

Watching from a few feet away as Donatello and Michelangelo celebrated another night's victory, a smirk spread across my face. We'd stumbled upon a street gang ransacking a warehouse on Pike Street and decide to ruin their night. As usual they'd entered a fight that had they been normal humans, would have left them grossly outnumbered 5 to 1.

Fortunately for the criminals, that also meant on occasion a few would find their way out the door, and safe on the street. A note that Leo as always had to point. "Yeah, alright guys not bad, but we did lose a few."

"Did you?"

Turning they found the source of the question standing in the open shipping doors of the warehouse, hauling in three men tied together.

The newcomer was female, around five feet tall and blond. She was dressed in a black corset that exposed her midriff, long elbow length gloves, and dark pants with a pocketed belt. The boots adorning her feet were short and low heeled; perfect for a fight. And she was wearing a mask, piercing blue eyes shone out from behind it.

Without hesitating she march right up to us and met Leo's heavy gaze. "I saw these three running like their lives depended on it; thought I'd pick them up."

He was about to reply with sirens filled the night air. "We should discuss this somewhere else."

She nodded and followed as we moved to the shipping doors. "Name the place."

Leo turned, facing us with his back to the building. "The roof." Our eyes met. "Raphael, help 'our friend' here."

Our eyes met and she smiled, pulling a grapple gun from her belt. "Not on the first date."

We watched as she made the roof and we followed close behind. When everyone had stepped away from the edge and out of sight of those on the ground, Leo stepped in front of her, and his frown deepened. "This is a dangerous side of town and a risky game you chosen to play, Miss…"

She smiled. "Mockin' Bird, but my friends and 'the Bat' have taken to calling me M.B."

Mike gasped. "Whoa, you know Batman?"

She nodded. "What other club would I be out here dressed like this for?"

I watched Leo lean closer, to try and intimidate her. "Don't let me catch you out here again, or the police will have your real name Miss."

A laugh erupted out of her and I nearly fell out of my shell; I'd never seen any human give Leo such a time. Aside from Casey, anyway. Amazingly, somehow Mike managed to keep quiet. She smiled as he stepped back still glaring. "Sorry, but was that a threat? That's adorable."

A smirk spread across Leo's face and he motioned Mikey forward. "You've asked for it, lady. Take 'er down, Mike."

Poor Mikey took on a conflicted expression, his eyes darting between them. "Dude, you don't really want me to…aaahhh!"

I couldn't help the amused laugh that escaped me. In the time it had took Mike to almost pose his question, she'd walked up to him, catching him completely off guard and then twisted his right arm into a hold.

Donatello switched hands holding his bo and shook his head. "She didn't waste any time."

Then she did the unthinkable; she leaned forward and kissed his right check. "Don't let your guard down, even if the opponent looks as sweet as me."

Leo, who had watched the exchange with a range of emotions from disappointment to awe, met her gaze with a nod as she released Mikey. "Alright, so you're not a novice, but Michelangelo is the gentlest among us." His eyes met mine. "Let's see how you do against Raph."

Knowing Leo was trying to prove a point to this girl, I reached for my sai and stepped closer, my eyes locked with her own. "I won't be as easy to distract as Mike."

She shrugged, freeing the batons strapped to her waist. "We'll see." A smile spread across her face. "Come an' get me."