Serena

When I saw him for the first time, I couldn't hold it back. I had recognized his brother by his swords instantly, but I still was skeptical on who was the other one. That is, until he spoke in the sewer tunnel. When Leonardo had dropped his hold of me, I was terrified to turn. If it wasn't him, then I would be tumbling back to the same place I had been before. But no, just for once, life went my way. I lifted my head and saw those vibrant eyes, hidden behind the worn red mask. I was so relieved that he was alive, I couldn't fight the urge.

I surprised even myself when I rushed forward and embraced him. He hesitated for just a moment, probably as fearful as I was before his hands fell onto my spine. The sensation of his touch pulled me straight back to when I last saw him. The last time he held me on top of that rooftop so long ago. I didn't know how much I truly did miss him. I was never supposed to get in this deep.

But that didn't matter now. I felt his smooth skin, smelt the familiar smoky scent that he carried. Hearing his heartbeat and every breath he took was a symphony. I pulled back just far enough so I could look into his eyes again. Both of my hands settle on the back of his neck while his held my waist. "You're real."

"I thought you were dead… I—I heard the shot that night," he said bringing his left hand up to touch my face. I rested my cheek into his hand and smiled.

"No, no… I'll explain, but I got away that night. I'm fine, better now that I know you're alright. After everything I did, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself. I still can't." I looked down at the space between the toes of our ratty pairs of boots, too ashamed to meet his eyes.

"Don't do that, you saved me in the end didn't you? Let it go," Raphael coaxed my face back up with his knuckle. "I like your hair."

I blushed, instantly becoming ridiculously worried about my appearance. My hasty haircut was crap at best, I knew that much. The color was far too light. Not to mention my makeup must have looked like garbage from travelling without taking a shower. Oh God, what happens if he sees me in actual lighting. Those were superficial thoughts, practically nonexistent in my life. So why was he bringing them out again?

Leonardo cleared his throat from a little ways away to our right. One of my own hands swept through the remaining hair on my head as I stepped back from him, suddenly too aware of his distrustful gaze. "I can explain that too."

Raphael laughed lightly in his deep voice. Evenly in the lack of light, seeing him smile was incredible. The happy exterior soon shattered into a pained grimace. He began to fall forward, his buckling knee leading the collapse. Leonardo rushed and took his right arm while I braced his other. His head feel between our shoulders as he groaned and swore.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" I anxiously pleaded for an answer.

"I'm… fine," he moaned in a voice that sounded like it took too much effort. Leonardo rolled his eyes and slid beneath his brother's arm. Following his lead, I slid beneath his other arm. My gaze briefly left him to ask Leonardo what had happened silently.

He sighed as if telling me anything was pure torture. "He had a rough landing off a tall building. Accident of course, but I need to get him home."

I noticed the extra emphasis he added to the I. Together though, we practically carried him through the rest of the sewers till a wall riddled with pipes. Raphael winced loudly as we came to a stop, squeezing the hand that held his over my shoulder. I grasped his the same way till whatever pain must have passed. I kept my eyes on his as Leonardo did whatever he had to to open the secret entrance to their home. He grinned weekly my way, the corners of his masked eyes wrinkling.

"I can't believe we are bringing you here," Leonardo mumbled bitterly. I wasn't mad at the comment. He was completely right. Actually I was glad that they were so protective over their brother. They could keep him safe.

"Leo, stop." Raphael whispered weakly, exhausted. The passage had opened before us. Leonardo glared at me once more before letting me help his brother into their home. I knew what it meant. His eyes screamed a silent warning. He was not afraid to kill me.

We stumbled into the main atrium of their lair. Raphael limped between us until we reached the couch in the center of the room. Just as we sat him down, the other two made their appearances. Orange and purple masks starred at me in confusion. "Who's this?" Donatello asked.

"What happened?" Michealangelo questioned, running for his brother.

"He fell." Leonardo said shortly, backing off and pulling my shoulder back as the youngest turtle rushed to his side. Michealangelo helped his brother lay down, taking over for Leonardo. I watched carefully, suddenly feeling very protective of my injured friend. Donatello continued to stare at me the entire time, a frown on his face. A fresh bandage was taped across his chest with light spots of blood visible.

"Leo, who is this," Donatello repeated his question, suspicion in his brow eyes. Michealangelo rose to his full height beside Raphael. My friend let out a deep sigh from his spot on the couch. With the three sets of eyes locked on to me, I realized that I was without a doubt in the enemy's house now. Though, I didn't want them to be my enemies.

Leo tensed behind me. I could feel his glare on my back, but I just continued to focus on Raphael. "You know who it is."

All at once Donatello had out his bo staff, while Michealangelo launched himself forward. His fist slammed into my cheekbone, hard enough to send me to the floor. "What the hell are you doing here? What, came back to finish the job you couldn't before!" he yelled over my crumpled form. I just stayed there on the hard cold floor, taking every insult that was even a worse blow than what he could ever do with his fist.

"Whoa," Leonardo wedged himself between us, lightly guiding his brother back, stopping him from kicking me in the ribs. If he wanted to I wouldn't try and stop him or avoid it.

"Enough Mikey," Raphael pleaded, sitting himself up. I peered out of the corner of my eye to see where he sat, clutching his arm. Blood smeared across the sleeve where he must have cut himself. Simultaneously, I remembered the wounds he had received from the throwing stars that he shielded me from. I pushed myself up and stepped towards him, wanting to help. Michealangelo pulled out in front of me, staring me down. I stared back into his angry eyes.

"He's bleeding and hurt, you more to worry about than just me. You all can deal with me later." I spoke sternly, meaning every word. If they wanted to fight and get angry, that could wait till after h was treated first. Donatello was the first to start helping his brother. He eased the ruined jacket off his back and tossed it to the side.

The cut wasn't long, but it looked deep, "You're going to need stitches. I'll get my kit." Donatello stood and headed for another room. I noticed how Raphael wouldn't meet his eyes or even look at him. In my head, I could put it together how the turtle had gotten the scratch across his chest.

With his chest bared, I could make out the scar on his right arm. Right where the star had struck him instead of me. I knew there would be another on his thigh as well. The tops of my hands ached, where the gloves hid my own pair of scars from that night. I backed away from the scene and stared to the ground.

"What is going on here?" his voice made my blood turn to ice. He was a father, and I knew what that made me.

"Raph fell. I brought him home, but he's a little bit in rough shape. And we… we found someone." Leo's surprisingly calm voice answered his master.

I heard the footsteps and felt Splinter's presence directly in front of me. I squeezed my eyes shut and kept my face turned to the floor. I would expect whatever he did to me. They had all given me trust, and I in turn tried to kill one of them. Perhaps Raphael was blinded to what I really was. Slowly, I kneeled submissively before him, remaining silent. "Come with me."

I rose and opened my eyes. His back was already turned to me. Splinter stopped once to whisper to Leonardo who nodded in response. As I followed the rat master, he came up behind me. I stopped only once when Raphael caught my arm as I passed by. His grip was strong, yet kind. "It's alright," I whispered loosening his grip from me. He frowned, upset that I wouldn't let him come with. I didn't need guarding though, and I knew it would be best if I drove distance between us, "We need to speak. I'll be back later. Rest and let your brothers help you."

Our eyes locked once more and he sighed, fully letting go, "Okay, I know."

The three of us walked in a chain, through the dojo and into Splinter's quarters. The table where he had replaced my arm into its socket mocked me in the center of the room. Leonardo remained close to the door as I walked closer to the center. Their master still had his back turned towards me, pondering his own next move.