Once again, sorry for the wait. If plans go accordingly, only two chapters left! AHHH! Crazy! Okay, enjoy!

Serena

I held onto my father for only a moment. My eyes reflected in the side of his helmet. For a moment the image was overcome by flames and wreckage. I could see the lifeless, bloodied face of my brother… my parents. And for just that split second, the pain radiating through my abdomen reminded me what they had felt. Suddenly I could sense them lingering with me, waiting.

His eyes were angry. They began to soften. My voice continued to be a silent struggle for breath as he took a step back. Slowly his claws pulled out from where they had penetrated my armor. Three, short horizontal lines were the only marks his blow had made. Still, I could feel lines of blood coursing from them. I stood on my own for what must have been only a few seconds. My left leg gave first as I felt strong arms clutch me from behind. Raphael held my arms by the elbows in his large hands. I began to feel him lower me to the ground.

I didn't protest. Instead, I called for him as loudly as I could, "Raphael…"

"Shhh…" he cooed into my ear. I shut my eyes to the sound, trying to breathe deeply, but the effort hurt. I heard the sound of my father walking again. Metal slid against stone as Raphael began to speak, this time a growl, "One more step, and I swear to God I will tear you to pieces!"

My hand searched the length of his arm, feeling for a hand. I found it, clenched tight around the handle of a sai. Everything but the pain was beginning to feel diluted. I reeled in my focus and opened my eyes. Oroku Saki reached towards me slightly, eyes seeming like they'd seen a ghost. I fought for my voice, "Don't… don't let your hate take any more… father."

Farther behind, Karai had risen to bear witness. I thought I could also see a look of horror on her own features. You never could tell what was genuine with Karai. Smoke erupted at her feet with one swift motion. Part of me knew I would never see my adopted sister again. My father though remained frozen. Raphael's arms continued to cradle me while his knees pressed comfortably into my spine. I continued to concentrate on them. They were my tether.

Then all at once I watched all the strength seep out of my father. To anyone else, there would be no change, but I could see how every part of him fell. I held onto my composure enough to hear two words: "My child."

Maybe I'd imagined it. I blinked my eyes shut once. A second time. After the third, he was gone.

Raphael

"Easy, easy… I've… I've got you," my jaw was tight. Every ounce of me struggled to act as Serena began to cough and cry. Her entire body shuddered as I arranged myself beneath her.

"Ge… get it off me," she spoke through clenched teeth. I knew what she meant. My right arm held her head as my free hand undid the side of her corset. As carefully as possible, I pulled off the penetrated armor. The garment clattered against the rooftop where I threw it away from us. Now her frame could rest more easily against me, but now I could see all the damage clearly. Blood already had soaked through her shirt and began collecting itself on the line of visible skin at her waist. Serena's hands clung more to me as she struggled to breathe through it.

I made a decision. My hand found the spot under her knees, and I lifted her up into my lap. She cried out before pushing her face into the side of my neck. Her forehead was feverish beside my chin despite the cool air. With my teeth, I tore at the remaining wrap around my wrist. I had completely forgotten about my own wounds until a metallic taste hit my tongue. I brushed it off, taking the length of bandage I wished was longer into my hands.

I folded it loosely before pressing it into her wound. Beneath my hand, I could feel all of her abdominals tense as she screamed. The sound killed me, especially knowing I had caused it. "I'm sorry. Just hold onto me."

Her eyes bore into mine as her nails began to dig into the skin of my arms. I shut my eyes and leaned my head into her. I felt one of her arms wrap behind my neck before she was forced to let go. "No, don't be sorry."

"If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened," I said in a low voice.

With her reclining back in my arms again, Serena's green eyes searched mine. A soft hand painted with rust rose to touch my cheek. "You've given me more than you know. So much more. You've brought me life again."

She took a raggedy breath, held it, and finally released it with a struggle. It terrified me, especially with how the press I had made was already soaked through. I had no way to contact my brothers. I just hoped they could find us in time. She closed her eyes tightly. "Hey, just keep talking to me Serena. Stay with me."

"Always," she whispered opening her eyes again. Serena's chest was heaving faster now. Her face turned into my chest. "Don't ever think I'd leave you."

Serena

Raphael was all I had now. And I kept him safe. Just this once, I broke the pattern of death that struck the ones I cared most about. But now, blood flowed freely from my own wounds. I just held onto him. His hand caressed my face and the raw memories of every time we had touched came rushing back. I could feel us sparring, breathing in sync as we pinned each other… his hands tight around my wrists. I could feel his hand on the small of my back, and each goose bump he created. But mostly I felt him now, and how warm he was despite the cold air.

I coughed, and the pain was crippling. My fingers dug into his skin with the spasms.

"I've got you," he whispered sweetly. I rolled my head it his shoulder as a shaking hands raised and brushed at my hair. His thumb paused on my cheekbone after running through my hair. "Help will be here soon."

I closed my eyes and felt his lips land on my brow. We had no idea how much time had passed. It could have been minutes, or hours. The sky was painted with pink and gold behind the grey. Occasionally the clouds would still roar in the distance, but no rain would fall. "Raphael?"

"What is it, Serena?" Raphael's voice was low and soothing. I felt like I could just melt into him. My eye lids were growing heavy and my body began to feel numb. I began to think about how different this was since the last time we were on a root top together. Would he have to leave me behind again?

I managed to look up into his eyes. My right hand reached out and cupped the side of his face. I struggled to make my chest rise and fall. The green of his eyes pulled me in, so unique from the rest of his brothers. "I'm sorry I didn't stay longer… I'm sorry I can't now."

"Don't say that. You're going to stay with me. You can and you will," His hand joined mine and kept it pressed to his face. Raphael shut his own eyes. My smile was weak, but it was there. How did I get so lucky? I was dying. It was clear to me, but he wasn't giving up on me.

"Can I ask you something?" I was fighting the urge to just go to sleep. Everywhere felt warm and numb now.

"Anything," he answered. Worry was fresh on his face as he cradled me. I felt safe in his arms. God, I hope I don't forget this.

"That night… when we separated, what were you going to tell me? I need to know." His eyes widened. I winced at the effort it took to speak for so long. The memories flooded back. The arrow was deep in my thigh. Bruising covered his face and body. Our foreheads touched in a silent goodbye. Another rooftop, another night.

He shook his head. Each tail of his mask fell over his broad shoulders. "That doesn't matter now."

"Yes it does," I interrupted him, using my last bit of strength. My hand slid down to rest over his heart. "I need to know."

Red was everywhere. It framed his eyes. It stained our hands. It ran onto the concrete. But just this once, there wasn't anger. No, this red did not cloud visions. It was warm, and gentle. Today, red was life.

"I was going to tell you that I loved you… That I do love you Serena Della Notte."

I smiled, a new feeling rushing through my veins. "Raphael…"

But then I didn't have the strength to keep my hand up. The corner of my mouth fell with it. I felt like I was under water when he began to shout my name. Distant and blanketed, all I could respond with was slowly opening and closing my eyes. A small breath passed between my part lips, but a second didn't follow.

I lost consciousness, but not before feeling a pain in my chest and hands all around me. Old faces became clearer as I slipped into oblivion.