A/N I do not own TMNT, but am forever grateful for their existence

Love or Blood

Chapter 10: Hook, Line, and Sinker

Warmth slowly tugged at his subconscious. The sun's gentle smile left his scales glistening and his shell glowing. By the time Raphael fully emerged from his dreams, the morning sky had already fully submitted to the afternoon zenith. His room had become an absolute sauna, and he loved it.

Without a doubt, if there was one benefit from relocating from urban metropolis to this nomad's land it was that Raphael could now freely bask in all the sun's glory. Waking up to a boiling bedroom filled with steaming spring sunlight was particularly wonderful. Summer's heat would be divine.

Normally Raphael would only remain in his bed for a short time after nestling into the best comforts of that warmth. There were chores to do, training to complete, and brothers to beat, but today the mutant turtle allowed himself a brief respite. It had been late by the time Raphael and Casey had repaired the kitchen door, and it had been really late by the time Raphael found Michelangelo in the woods. By time he and the youngest finally saw their beds, it was beyond late, for dawn was fast approaching.

Not sleeping for almost forty-eight hours had taken its toll on Raphael. The instant his plastron had embraced his faded sheets, he was well on his way to dreamland; based on the snoring nearby, Michelangelo was already there.

Raphael raised a fist to brush the remaining dust from the sandman's visit before cracking open his eyes. The green irises swallowed their black charges and his vision blurred as he stretched out across the mattress. Raphael unceremoniously dragged his body into a sitting position and upon cracking his neck noted Michelangelo was still comatose in the cot beside him. The younger turtle was hanging precariously off the bed while drooling into his pillow. The only thing anchoring him to the cot was the net of sheets ensnaring his torso. For a moment Raphael seriously contemplated lifting the mattress so that the sheets could be released thereby dumping his brother to the ground, but after yesterday's events, the elder reconsidered. Instead he somewhat gently rolled his baby brother back to safety. Michelangelo gurgled, "Whazzat Hnk?"

A subtle grin graced dark green complexion, "Wake up Mikey."

"Uhhhhhggggg. G'way." The drowsy turtle then promptly rolled over to curl up around his pillow. If the heat of the room hadn't put Raphael into such a good mood, Michelangelo would have definitely met his floor-ridden demise. The red-clad turtle shrugged heading towards the doorway, "Fine then. More bacon for me."

Raphael envied the speed Michelangelo could muster when given the right motivation. He hadn't even fully opened the door before a shot of orange and green rocketed past him and hurtled down the worn and creaky stairs. At a far more relaxed pace, the larger mutant lumbered after his sibling to the kitchen. His arrival was greeted by Michelangelo's cries, "Raph it's already past noon! There is no breakfast bacon! Why didn't you wake me sooner?"

Green eyes ignored the bouncing orange blob to seek out orange juice in the refrigerator. As sweet nectar hit glass he responded, "I woke up the same time you did shell-for-brains."

The resulted piercing whines were not pleasant, "But Raaaaaaph the bacon!"

Raphael snapped, "If you want it so bad then make some."

Blue eyes widened, "But bacon's for breakfast!"

The now aggravated turtle pulled open the fridge to whip a package of fatty goodness at the source of his irritation, "There's no law saying that."

Michelangelo grasped his precious pork and stared at it in disbelief, "You mean I can make it anytime I want?"

"Yes Mikey," Raphael growled as he poured his Cheerios, "you can make it in the middle of the night for all I care."

Squeals of delight now penetrated the elder's ears at this new found revelation, "Dude! Do you know what this means?! Bacon for breakfast! Bacon for lunch! Bacon for dinner! Bacon for Mikey's Midnight Monday Madness!"

Raphael groaned as he slumped into a chair. He didn't care if it was almost one, it was still too early for this. He should have left Michelangelo to the sheets. "You do that and you'll clog your arteries."

The two brothers glanced to the newly repaired sliding door to see the arrival of April followed closely by Casey and Donatello. Raphael felt his heart rate increase and found himself grinding his cereal with a little more ferocity than was strictly necessary. Thankfully, Michelangelo was on his game, "April, April, April. Don't you see? It's a noble sacrifice bra. If my arteries die, they will die with bacon-filled honour!"

April retorted, "More like fat-filled horror."

Casey flung himself into the chair beside Raphael, "Hey it sounds like the perfect way to go Red."

"Alright Case-Man," Michelangelo cheered, "Just for that you can have the first piece!"

The slouching teen smiled smugly at this remark as April pulled up a chair next to Raphael. A wave of warmth spread through the turtle's leg when her knee stealthily rubbed his thigh. Green eyes glanced in her direction, but April proudly bore her poker face. Her only tell was the slight crinkling at the edge of her eyes. Donatello's voice from the bread counter then caught his attention, "Anyone else want toast with their bacon?"

Casey, April, and the bacon-tender raised their hands. Michelangelo then piped up, "What April? I thought you didn't want to clog your precious arteries?"

April rolled her eyes, "Only if I eat it at every meal Mikey! A couple pieces won't kill me."

Michelangelo shrugged before happily returning to his post. Donatello pulled bread from the bag, "Okay so that's eight pieces so far," He then turned his full attention onto Raphael, "What about you Raph?"

The sitting turtle could not help but tense. He had been expecting Donatello to flat-out ignore him or at the very least shoot dirty looks in his direction at every opportunity. He had thought his younger brother would be pissed, but instead he was making him toast while being downright peppy, "Uh… Yeah sure. Thanks Donnie."

Donatello smiled at him, "No problemo. Butter good for everyone?"

Murmurs of consent came from all corners of the room. Raphael just gaped stupidly at his brown-eyed brother before glancing again at April who although still had her knee in place, was still valiantly wearing her mask. The sai-wielding turtle made a mental note to talk to her about it later. In the meantime he tried to steer the conversation to safer waters, "So what were you up to?"

April smiled at him, "I worked in the garden some more. It's really starting to come along. Almost all the major beds are planted now. I made a lot of progress with Donnie and Casey helping me out."

Casey nodded, "Yeah Don and I ripped those weeds a new one."

Donatello quipped, "What Casey means to say is he landed flat on his butt after losing to a dandelion."

"Hey man," Casey glared, "You saw the size of that root!"

Raphael and Michelangelo exchanged smirks, "You lost to a flower?"

Casey frowned, "It was a dandelion Raph! And at least I didn't get turned into one!"

The red-clad turtle snapped, "I didn't get turned into a flower because I couldn't pull out a weed bone head."

"Enough you two!" April placed her hand on Raphael's plastron. The largest turtle's attention immediately shifted to the tiny fingers and sunk back into his chair before taking a swig of orange juice. Casey simultaneously deflated, a forlorn look on his face aimed at the couple's direction, while Donatello and Michelangelo decided now was the time to deliver the goods. The bacon was passed around and Donatello spoke while handing out the plates of toast, "So you guys official then?"

Raphael choked on his orange juice.

Donatello was perched calmly in his chair looking entirely innocent of any malicious intent. Michelangelo and Casey both looked nervous and April was left pounding on the back of Raphael's shell. After his carapace had been sufficiently whacked Raphael managed to inhale enough air to gasp, "What?"

The purple-clad turtle seated across from him casually cut his bacon into tiny pieces. The sincerity of his smile made Raphael shiver, "I'm just curious if you two," he waved his knife at April and Raphael, "have made it official or are just seeing each other."

Raphael could not help but snarl, "Why does it matter to you?"

His brother didn't even flinch. Meanwhile Michelangelo's eyes were shifting uneasily back and forth as April relocated her hand from Raphael's chest to his hand. Donatello continued nonchalantly, "No reason to get mad Raph. It's an important event when any couple takes the next step. That's why traditionally, there is a celebration on the anniversary symbolizing the devotion the two have for one another."

April attempted to speak, but Raphael cut her off, "What? You want an invitation?"

Donatello shrugged as he swallowed a bite of his toast, "I just don't want my dear big brother messing up his big day by forgetting the date."

"So you're my calendar now?"

Piercing brown eyes dove into green, "There's no reason for such hostility Raphael."

He hissed, "Like hell there is! You're still pissed at me, aren't you?"

The turtle opposite raised an eye ridge, "I told you I was fine with it. You're the one who's getting worked up for no reason. Why do you not believe me?"

Raphael's mouth froze into a frown. Donatello was right: he had given his older brother no reason not to trust him. From the moment the brown-eyed reptile had entered the kitchen, he had been nothing but his normal self. Even last night Donatello had Raphael's back after pounding Casey! Yet, despite the evidence before him, Raphael still felt as if something was off, but then again, Raphael did have a history of paranoia. Maybe Donatello had truly forgiven him and it was now Raphael himself who was threatening their familial bond.

The larger turtle sighed then rose, abandoning his food, "You're right Don."

Donatello's eyes followed his progress has he headed to the door, "Raph you don't have to go."

He waved him off, "I need some air."

Raphael did not wait for a response. As soon as he was out the door he was bolting off into the woods. He had to get out of there. It was stifling. Yet as he ran under the leafy canopy the turtle became more and more aware that no matter where he ran his guilt would continue to slowly smother him.

Eventually he found himself at one of the larger streams that flowed into the lake. He paced up and down the bank for several minutes before he heard approaching footsteps. Instinctively he took cover, but relaxed when he saw April emerge from the bushes. She paused before him and placed a hand on her hip, "What was that all about?"

He clenched his fists and looked away. When he didn't respond April continued, "You don't have to do this Raph."

His eyes shot up to hers in fear, "April…"

She reached out and grabbed one of his fingers and after a moment he released it from his fist. April squeezed it gently. It was like a butterfly's kiss, "You don't have to run away, you don't have to feel guilty, and you don't need to make Don happy. Each one of us is in charge of our own happiness Raph, but we have no control over anyone else's. We can only control our own, and only you can make that decision. Not Don, not me, not anyone. You."

Raphael wrapped his massive hand around hers, "You make me happy April."

She shook her head, "No I don't. You decide to let me make you happy. It works the same way with Don. If you let him make you unhappy then you will be unhappy."

He shook his head, "But the guilt is driving me crazy."

"Then you need to find a way to come to terms with it."

He sighed, "Yeah but-"

April stood up tall and met his eyes, "No more buts! It's up to you Raph!"

Her agitation fuelled his, "That's easy for you to say! He's my brother April!"

Her red-hair seemed to brighten, "You're not the only one that cares about him Raphael!"

Green eyes met blue and warred for dominance. Finally Raphael relinquished and mumbled in a quiet voice, "You think he's still mad?"

He felt her squeeze his finger again, "To be honest, I don't know. If he is, he's not showing it. He worked with me all morning in the garden and seemed perfectly fine. Like nothing ever happened."

Raphael ran a hand over his face, "I didn't think he'd get over it so fast."

April shrugged, "Well it's not like he was really making any progress with me. Maybe he was able to get over it because he had already come to that realization a while ago."

The turtle was doubtful, but he didn't want to puncture the delicate hope in her eyes. Instead he noticed the two long poles in her other hand, "What're those?"

A little grin filled her sweet lips, "Some old fishing rods from when I was a kid. I've been meaning to try fishing again for a while now. When I saw what direction you headed, I knew you'd eventually reach the creek. So I figured now was my chance. You ever fished before?"

Raphael wrinkled his nose, "Trust me, any fish you could catch in the sewers you don't want to eat, and this is from a guy who eats worms."

April's cheeks turned green for a moment, "Ew."

He smirked, "Hey no getting sick on me now." He pulled one of the rods from her hand, "So how's this thing work?"

The smile returned and she pulled on his hand guiding him to the stream, "Well first we need to find a good spot."

Raphael followed behind her as she scanned the bank. After moving upstream for about ten minutes she paused. Here, the creek curved so that a large pool had been formed apart from the main current. The water was dark and the partially sunken rotting tree proved it to be deep. April pointed at it, "Bet we catch something in there."

A sly grin appeared on his face, "Yeah? What are we betting?"

April had a surreptitious smile of her own, "I don't know. What do you want?"

He raised an eye ridge and cast his eyes over her figure. Raphael loved the soft blush that bloomed on her cheeks, "Swimming."

She tilted her head in question, "Swimming? That's it?"

A smug smirk appeared on his face, "If there's no fish you go swimming."

April apparently was ready to play his game, "And if there is, we both go swimming."

Raphael nodded in approval, "Deal. Now let's make it interesting."

"Oh?"

"If I catch the most fish," a mischievous sparkle flickered in his emerald eyes, "You go swimming with me turtle style."

April folded her arms, "Turtle style?"

He chuckled at the nervous grin on her face, "Yep. Turtle style."

"What's turtle style?"

"I'll give you a hint," he gestured at himself, "What am I wearing?"

"You're not…" Her cheeks were red hot now, "RAPHAEL!"

He laughed at her, "That's the deal. I catch the most fish you go swimming with me turtle style."

She frowned, "You mean naked."

"No not naked. You get a mask, knee and elbow pads, plus a belt."

April rolled her eyes, "Like that will make a difference."

He continued to sport his impish smile, "Oh it makes all the difference. So you game?"

The red-head appeared thoughtful for a moment, "Alright it's a deal, on three conditions: first I get to wear your gear. There's no way I'm putting Mikey's stuff on, God knows the last time he washed it."

Raphael nodded, "You don't want to know. What else?"

"When we swim, we do it in private and you need to maintain some ninja alertness. I don't want anyone seeing us."

He had no trouble accepting that request. There was no way he would allow for any of the others to play peeping tom. "That's no problem for me. Ok my stuff, private show, and…?"

Now it was April's turn to smile, "If I win, you go swimming with me and you have to swim April style."

"What the hell is April style?"

He had never before seen such an evil grin – well except when Michelangelo was in full Dr. Prankenstein mode, "What do I wear when I go swimming?"

Raphael flung his arms up and waved them back and forth, "NoNoNoNoNo! Like Hell I will!"

April shrugged her shoulders and turned away briefly before glancing over her shoulder flirtatiously, "Well then if that's the case, you won't get your chance to see me swim turtle style."

There was no doubt in Raphael's mind that she was moving her body that way on purpose, and now that he had his chance he had to take it, "Alright fine, but same rules as yours. It has to be your swimsuit and we're doing it in private."

"Fine with me tough guy." She reached out her hand, "We have a deal?"

Raphael smiled and did not hesitate to shake hers, "Deal. May the best turtle win."

She rolled her eyes, "I'm not a turtle genius."

He smirked, "My point exactly."

April sunk down on her knees and began to prep her rod, "Big words for the turtle who has never used a fishing pole."

He grinned, "Who says I have to use a rod?"

She looked up at him in disbelief, "Only a guy who's never been fishing would say that."

Raphael only continued to gloat in the brilliance of his scheme, "Who says I haven't?"

The girl before him snorted as she procured a small container of bait from her jacket, "Uh you did remember?"

"No I didn't. I said you wouldn't want to eat any fish caught in the sewers."

She was now frowning slightly, "Right. So you never bothered to catch them."

"How do you think we figured out not to eat them?"

There was a definite tone of worry in her voice, "Splinter… Told you?"

Raphael was too pleased with his trick to let her mentioning of his father deter him, "Oh he did, but four hyper kid turtles stuck in sewers all day every day still need some action. Ever hear of catch and release?"

"Wait. So you planned this from the beginning?"

"Yep."

"And knew I'd fall for your bet."

"Yep."

"A bet you knew you would win."

"Yep."

April froze her hand over the bait container as the dawning horror of her mistake fully hit her, "You have got to be kidding…"

He laughed, "Nope. You shook on it. I got you hook, line, and sinker O'Neil."

"…"

Raphael easily ducked under the flying tin of worms before casually striding over to the edge of the pool, as she yelled at him, "YOU JERK!"

He then cockily saluted, "That I am." He winked, "Better get that birthday suit ready."

He then plunged into the cold water before she could smack him with her rod.

A/N So originally this chapter and the next were supposed to be one, but I've decided to split it up. I just think it flows better this way.

majishan: I agree, he totally has his moments and thanks =)

Terri: Thank-you! I just can't see smart logical Donnie just fully flying off the handle. To me he is definitely the type who would burn serious midnight oil trying to figure out where he went wrong in any problem he faces. So why wouldn't it be the same here? Also, that is probably one of my biggest pet peeves in the series. I know it's a kids' show and I know there is about a million socio-cultural-etc reasons as to why her feelings appear to be constantly brushed aside (if mentioned at all), but it seriously irks me sometimes.

Komnenid: Haha! Don't worry it's more fun on the Dark Side! Donatello was never my favourite turtle (if it wasn't obvious that would be Raphael), but I have to admit I think a lot like him as well sometimes. Also we both have a deep love of science so how can I not love that 3

mommason: Thank-you! I'm glad he came out that way, but not in an overwhelming sense. I really tried to make the theories as simple as possible while still somehow twisting them into the story's context. I have to say that's not something one usually does in their physics class XD