A/N So as promised here is my Raphril focused chapter! Gurg… I love these two so much!

Love or Blood

Chapter 4: Turtles and Shaving

It had not been a good day. His eyes were itchy from the many hours forced from their lidded asylum. His stomach had long since abandoned its protest against its lack of nourishment, and instead had left his brain and body woefully sluggish. His self-imposed punishments did not provide him peace.

Although he had finally confessed to Donatello, their exchange had been unfulfilling. Wretched words. Strings of syllables that left him undone. Sentences that had once again done nothing to convey the truth of his thoughts.

Somehow the verbal language had always failed him: it always managed to barricade his desired messages through grammatical nuances and garbled phrases. It was impossible for Raphael to untangle the cobweb of emotions into something lucid within the confines of a normally paced conversation. There were too many threads, colours, and feelings all simultaneously competing for his attention. Maybe that was why he read poetry. Only they could flawlessly convey so much with so little. Raphael envied their talent – it was one he would never have.

With their unspoken words, the brothers had gone their separate ways. Fruitlessly seeking respite that neither could find with so much unsaid. Raphael had itched to break through his brother's denial to lay bare all the hurt and frustration between them. He was surprised that for once his anger had not claimed his soul. Maybe it was because he felt it was Donatello's turn to be angry. Too bad Donatello believed himself above such savagery.

The sun had well begun its path to the western horizon, and Raphael still had not returned to the farm house. He knew he needed to face Casey, but his battle – or lack thereof – with Donatello had left him more than drained. Raphael felt as though along with his confession he had ripped out a part of his soul only to have his sacrifice painfully reduced and thereby dismissed as insignificant. He did not relish a similar encounter with his human friend. Instead, the exhausted reptile found himself on the rocky lake shore a few miles from the party's warm shelter.

The setting sun yielded the makings of a cool night to follow. Hopefully the chill would be enough to numb his heart. He could still feel the tingle of fire in his nerves at the thought of his brother. It was a testament to the magnitude of his guilt that Raphael had allowed Donatello to fight in the realm of the intangible by not engaging in the battle he so desperately craved. Physically, Donatello did not stand a chance against his elder brother. Raphael felt he needed to leave his brother with something for fear of losing everything. Whether this was a fear borne for his brother or himself, Raphael could not say.

Despite the coolness Raphael sat near the water allowing the gentle waves to lick his toes as they waxed and waned. The water still held the last of winter's touch and his digits were quickly numb. He didn't care. At least this one piece of him had been freed of pain.

Graceful ducks swam not far off amongst the first cattails and reeds of spring. It would not be long until the feathery creatures had many small tufts of yellow frantically scurrying behind them. Raphael realized he had never actually seen a duckling. The sewers were not exactly an ideal nursery for such delicate beings.

The turtle found himself wistfully watching the birds wondering how different his life might have been if he had been born in a lake such as this. Perhaps not raised in such a fashion as the Mallards before him, but still surrounded by his terrapin brethren. Undoubtedly he would be a lot smaller and slower, but he would not find himself a mutated freak. He would automatically be given a place in the world by both turtles and humans. No one would look at him twice to judge him as anything more than an ordinary shelled reptile. He would never know of the Shredder or know of the pain of losing Master Splinter.

He would know nothing of April.

As if in answer of his dark ruminations: she appeared. He knew it was her without turning to watch her progress. The usual scent of vanilla and strawberries wafted through the crisp spring air and watery lake aroma, but it was also accompanied by olive oil, onions, and garlic. Raphael was sure if he were to smell them – which he would never dare – her fingers would be steeped in the garlic she undoubtedly minced while expressing her culinary skills.

She stood in silence for a moment just within his left peripheral field of view. Without glancing away from the water she brushed a loose strand of hair back and spoke, "Dinner's ready."

It wasn't a request or an order. April was merely stating a fact. Raphael also did not avert his gaze, "So?"

He emphasized the question in his voice. This was not the first time he had skipped a meal. So why was she now seeking him out? April calmly responded, "Well after the food was starting to get cold Leo sent me off to go looking for everyone."

"Just you? Why didn't Mike go?"

She shrugged, "I haven't seen him since this morning. You're the first one I've found so far."

So she had only come because Leonardo had sent her. He responded coldly, "You're wasting your time. I'm not hungry."

Raphael did not bother to look at her. It would only make the sting worse, but his eyes betrayed him when suddenly April sunk down beside him. She positioned herself so that they weren't quite touching, yet close enough for him to feel the heat rising off her. She began to untie her sneakers, "Yeah me either. My appetite disappeared the instant I talked to Casey."

Her eyes said it all. April had told Casey the truth, and saved Raphael another exhausting conversation. He still needed to confront Casey, but at least he would already know what was coming. Raphael loathed that moment of comprehension. The shock, the hurt, the betrayal, and more were enough to make him want to curl up in his shell. He broke away to stare back at the lake. He grunted, "You didn't have to."

April grabbed his hand forcing him to look at her, "Yes I did Raphael."

The scales on his face burned red hot as her touch dug through his shell and her eyes penetrated into his heart. He looked down shyly and as expected he had no words. April apparently did not care because she gently squeezed his hand before returning to pulling off her shoes. "How's the water?"

Raphael snapped his head back up at her abrupt change of topic to be met by her knowing smile, "Uh… Cold I guess?"

She lifted an eyebrow expectantly and he rambled on, "But it's nice…"

Nodding, April tugged off her white socks and began rolling up her jeans, "Ok don't judge me. I haven't shaved for a bit."

She dipped her toes in and shivered. Raphael just gaped at her, "Huh?"

April leaned back on her hands as her muscles relaxed, "I know it's been a week, but I've been busy."

Raphael shook his head, "April what are you talking about?"

He was met by her rolling her eyes, "My legs. What else?"

"You grow hair there?"

She laughed, "Well I can't afford laser hair removal."

He was still confused, "So you shave?"

Now she was looking at him in disbelief, "Come on you can't tell me you've never seen leg hair before! You've been around Casey in shorts."

He decided to ignore the mention of that certain individual, "I just assumed men had hair and girls didn't."

"And where did you get that idea?"

He folded his arms. He didn't like looking like an idiot, "TV."

She evidently saw his anxiety and smiled gently, "Aw Raph you know those girls are all supermodels and photo shopped to so called "perfection" right? Besides what about the ads for razors on TV? Venus ring a bell?"

Raphael did know those ads, but he didn't want to tell April that until this moment he couldn't tell what they were actually selling. He tended to get distracted by the half-nakedness, but Raphael would stab himself with his sai before he ever admitted such a thing to April. So instead he snapped, "Well it's not like I can get close enough to real girls and figure it out for myself."

April flushed in embarrassment and looked down at her pale ankles. Raphael inwardly cursed. He didn't mean to make a big deal out of it. He flinched slightly when suddenly a leg was thrown in his lap, "Here."

If April was blushing, Raphael was smoking. His eyes flicked briefly to April then back to damp right leg laying across his thighs. Never mind the left toes pressing against his very happy – no he would not succumb to such thoughts now – left thigh. So he did what the eloquent and charming Raphael always did, "The Hell?"

April responded coolly, "You said you had never seen one up close so here you go."

Raphael did not want to tear his eyes away from the limb, "What am I supposed to do with it?"

April shrugged, "I don't know. Hold it until you no longer have a false misrepresentation of the female body as portrayed by popular culture?"

He snorted, but she smiled encouragingly allowing Raphael to return his gaze to the wondrous anomaly before him. Her jeans had been roughly rolled up to the top of her calf exposing the better part of its curve. As he got a better look he saw tiny freckles dotting her white skin erratically.

Then there was her foot. Raphael had never realized how small and angular it was – compared to his round appendages anyway. He found himself fascinated with her five tiny toes, each smaller than the last. Flaking smears of green nail polish lingered on the nails. He oh-so-carefully turned the foot slightly to see the arch of her sole transitioning into the heel via an expansive network of lines. She responded to his unanswered question, "They're like finger prints. Each person has a different and unique pattern."

He nodded mutely before returning to the root of his current situation. Emerging from her skin like miniature seedlings, were prickly little stubs of hair. Once again April answered his silent query by gently grasping his hand. While she moved it she softly spoke, "It's ok to touch."

She released his hand just above her leg. As Raphael braced himself to feel her beauty, he was astutely aware of the contrast between his dark emerald scales and her alabaster complexion. Green to white. Earth to snow.

Finally he released his muscles to gravity's bidding and placed his palm on her skin. He was aware of the tiny prickles that met his touch, but he was far more entranced by the warmth and overall smoothness of her calf. It was nothing like his scaly hide. Raphael subconsciously held his breath as he gently stroked her flesh: the front hardened by the tibia's strength, the back softened by the muscles' support, a subtle trail of goose bumps left in his finger's wake.

Raphael felt a familiar warmth in his tail, but ignored it. His eyes ran up her body from the tips of her toes right to the roots of her hair before returning to settle on those sparkling blue eyes. April's cheeks were now slightly flushed while a smile pushed them upwards in joy. Her irises held a glossy sheen that Raphael had never seen. Their eyes were locked and he felt his heart pound against his ribs. Even with his toes still licked by the water, he had become hot.

He barely registered April unwinding her other leg beside its partner. He was too busy registering the left hand that had reached out to grab the left side of the top of his plastron. Raphael found himself easing her journey by wrapping his own left arm around her waist. As he moved her onto his lap her knees bent so that her calves were sheltered under the arch of his knees. April was now on his thighs and had twisted her torso so that her both hands gently grasped his plastron. Meanwhile, he continued to support her with his arms. Her face was angled slightly below his, but they were now only inches apart. He could now smell nothing but her and her warmth engulfed him. They continued to lock eyes for a moment until April's eyelids began to lower as she moved towards him.

Raphael thought his heart would explode from his chest.

She was now less than an inch away and Raphael found himself instantly cold. His body exploded with heat as he met her lips.

Raphael closed his eyes and found himself pulling her tight against him. It took a moment for him to determine how his wide mouth could appropriately accommodate hers, but she was patient and she was willing.

When they finally broke apart he adjusted her legs so that they were now on top of his knees. Not for a moment had his eyes left hers. He was lost in their azure depths. He was oblivious to the world. Suddenly his anxiety overcame him and he drew her in tightly against his plated chest. Her silky hair tickled his face and her strong scent helped alleviate his fears.

He had spent countless nights and days dreaming for this moment, and until a few days ago it was his eternal nightmare. For he had long convinced himself that it would never be. That they would never be. Even now with all his senses boldly proclaiming otherwise he secretly wondered if he had fallen asleep – only a dream so deep could bring this kind of happiness. April seemed to perceive his tension and raised her hand to delicately caress his cheek. She murmured into his neck, "You ok?"

Only April's voice could penetrate through his crippling doubts. Raphael eased his embrace and looked down into those dual cerulean pools. There he saw her concern and her love and he almost broke at the sight. He had spent a lifetime believing that no one would ever look at him that way.

All conscious thought abandoned, he placed his right hand behind her head while continuing to cradle her body with his left. The initial awkwardness that came with all first kisses – when doubt and butterflies threaten to ruin all lovers' embraces – was no longer present in their second union. They were not fearless, but Eros ensured their bliss. April stroked his cheek and lightly weaved trails of warmth as nails skated over the delicate skin where scales met shell. He rewarded her by massaging the small of her back and dismissing his reservations. His mouth widened and together they began to explore; taste and feel alone guided them to ecstasy.

Eventually they resurfaced to the brilliant red horizon of the sun's final adieu. Raphael adjusted his grasp so that April could curl up on his lap with her side to his chest. They had not abandoned all intimacy. Gentle strokes and caresses continued as they gazed over the fiery water. April murmured softly, "So what's the verdict?"

All he could do was produce an inarticulate sound of contentment, "Hmmmm?"

She pulled away slightly to deadpan, "What was your opinion of your first up close encounter with a female leg?"

Raphael's eyes glowed with mischief, "Hard to say. I need a second look before I give my opinion."

April raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? Do you need to take notes too?"

He smirked, "That depends on how often I get to come to class."

She snorted, "Wow. With all those lessons on pick-up lines I'm surprised you have the time."

He squeezed her gently, "It worked didn't it?"

April looked at him in confusion, "How so?"

Suddenly Raphael unceremoniously jumped to his feet with her in his arms, "I'm holding you now aren't I?"

The red-head in his grasp whacked him on the chest, "Oh. My. God. Did the One and Only Raphael just pull the corniest pun of all time? Wait until I tell Mikey!"

Raphael shrugged nonchalantly and stepped into the shallow water. The warm bundle in his arms helped negate the jagged shocks of ice running up his calves. "You could tell Mikey, but I'm thinking after being in cold lake water that will be the least of your worries."

April O'Neil went rigid in his arms and gave a look that would have made the Shredder wet himself, "Raphael. Don't. You. Dare."

The turtle chuckled darkly, "We have an understanding then?"

The girl snorted, "That's one word for it."

Raphael met her eyes and raised an eyebrow, "Do we?"

April rolled her eyes, "Fine. Mikey won't hear a word about it."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

He turned and lowered her to dry ground, but the instant her feet touched the rocky sand April spun on heel and ruthlessly swept the reptile's feet out from under him. Raphael hit the cold water shell first and by the time he had rolled onto his feet the red-head was laughing manically while sprinting away sneakers and socks in hand. Raphael shouted in false fury, "You're dead O'Neil!"

April only continued to laugh at her drenched green pursuer. Raphael could not stop a grin from sliding onto his face as he began to devise his revenge. She couldn't outrun him forever.

The small turtles hidden in the reeds watched this strange creature dash off into the darkness. Once it disappeared they returned to complacently munching their leaves.

A/N Thank-you so much to all the favs, followers and reviews! I am super pumped that you guys are enjoying this =D Please keep them coming!

Terri: You are definitely probably my fic's biggest fan right now! I am so appreciative of your comments. They make my day when I get them! Also, I'm planning on having some other character POV's in the future so be excited!

Guest: Thank-you! Hopefully I can speed up the pace a bit, but we shall see since it's difficult with company over to get some down time to write. I wish I didn't need complete silence to do my thing – it would make writing waaay easier lol.