A/N: Yeah, I'm still here… still fat an' tired… pretty much given up on finishing this one before I pop, so expect more delays! Anywho, enough whinging, better warn ya there's some swearing in this chapter.

Many thanks to CPQ for beta-reading! I've realised I forgot to give credit where it is due last chapter and thank ya for coming up with idea for the the '42' Donnie flashback in Chapter 4 for me! (CPQs' idea, my fault it was so obscure! For anyone wondering it is a reference to Hitch-hikers' Guide to the Galaxy).

Also a huge thank you to artykidd, The REAL Cheese Monkey, Dragonfly Rider, virtual wenrog and RAPHAELFAN02 for the reviews! Wow 5; think that's almost a record for me! Also feel I need to thank greshunkai for the inspirational review for Cells and Serpents. Hope you I don't disappoint anyone with this next instalment!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I'm sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don't own that either.

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Scaling down the side of the building hadn't been easy, but he couldn't help a grim smile of satisfaction; sure those that hunted him wouldn't even think of looking within the exhaust vent set in the otherwise blank wall of the alley. Besides, he knew they'd be using the heat sensors in their goggles, and the warm air from the outlet would help mask his signature. As an added bonus it would keep him nice and warm until his pursuers gave up.

He didn't bother removing the shuko spikes from his left hand, using them to maintain his grip on the metal grate set a few inches within the opening. Making himself as comfortable as he could, pulling himself hard against the metal to avoid being seen and to escape the sharp chill in the night air, he flipped out his PDA. With any luck he might finally get a chance to finish reading the manual for the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer he'd managed to download recently.

Engrossed in checking which gas mixtures he'd guessed correctly for analysing different elements, pleased he'd only gotten one slightly wrong so far, the sudden noise of a large group of punks roaming through the alley below almost made him jump.
"This is such a crock! We're our own gang, for fucks' sake. I still don't get why we're going along with this crap."
"'Cos if we don't go to them, they'll come ta us; an' it won't be pretty."
"You're just packin' your jocks thinkin' 'bout that, aren't ya? Friggin' coward. I don't reckon they're half as tough as everyone makes 'em out ta be."
"What'd ya call me?" the punk leading the group grabbed his argumentative friend by his jacket, shoving him roughly backwards over a closed dumpster, a dull flicker visible from a blade held at the trapped goons' throat.
"You ever call me that again; it'll be the last thing you ever say! I've already laid down that we're just going to this thing to hear 'em out; then I'll decide what we're gonna do. You got a problem with that?" the captured punk managed to shake his head "Good."

The leader released his underling, turning to the rest of the troupe; emphasizing his words with jabs from his knife.
"Anyone else gotta problem?" The muted shuffling and denials from the rest of the gang made it obvious they weren't about to admit to any. With a nod the leader set off walking down the alley, many of his followers giving their vocal comrade a wide berth; leaving him to trail behind nursing his neck.

Sitting still as could be within his hiding spot to avoid being seen, he waited till the group were well out of earshot before pulling out his shell-cell. His call was answered almost immediately, the screen filled by his brothers' face as he hunched over his own handset.
"What is it Don?" whispered Leo, glancing nervously over his shoulder; obviously he hadn't been caught yet either.
"Sorry Leo, but I've just spotted a gang of thugs. They seemed to be heading to some kind of meeting; it sounded as if it could be about a turf war or the like. Do you think we should check it out?" Don queried in a hushed voice. Leo scowled briefly as he considered.
"I saw a large group heading south a few minutes ago. I think they were most of the Red Claw gang… were they the ones you saw?"
"No, though my lot were heading south too… I think they were a reasonably new collective, nothing I saw really distinguished them as any gang we know."

Leo hummed quietly as he considered for a moment.
"It may be a good idea to check it out. There could be something we could do to diffuse the situation before anyone innocent gets hurt… Where are you?"
"Uh uh, I'm not giving up my locale that easily Leo. I'll meet you by the billboard for 'Vinnie's' in a few minutes."
"Alright, I'll call the others an'… ARRGH!" Don grinned hugely to himself as Leo disappeared from the screen, downed by a flash of orange.

After meeting up as planned; Leo, Don and Mike caught up with Raph, who'd been tracking a gang of his own. Leo hadn't pushed his lecture for his brother over abandoning their exercise to 'find some real action', at least not after he'd been told to 'stow it', in a manner of speaking. He grudgingly had to agree that Raph had saved them a bit of time and trouble in tracking down where these different groups were headed.

The abandoned community hall was a derelict; part of the roof had collapsed a couple of years ago, giving the turtles a good vantage point from which to spy on the proceedings below. The large area was teeming with punks, most wearing gear and images that identified them as belonging to one or other of the local neighbourhood gangs. The chamber was lit with the red glow from a dozen fires burning in drums. However, the stage at one end was darkened, most of the throng seeming to avoid it to warm themselves near the flames, or talk and argue with others.

Leo shifted uneasily, watching from the shadows on the roof. As far as he could see there was no rational explanation for all these punks to congregate here. And if something didn't happen soon to prevent it, it was clear the rivalries between some of the different gangs gathered would soon boil over into violence.

Suddenly the stage was lit with fluorescent lights, so bright that even at his distance Leo was forced to squint briefly as his vision adjusted. Instinctively, all the turtles shrank back from the edge a little as the darkness that hid them was partially stripped away. A few moments after quiet had settled on the horde, a group of around twenty guys stepped out onto the platform. Most were Hispanic; hardly any wore shirts, showing their well muscled physiques adorned with tattoos and piercings. There was no real pattern to how they showed their allegiance, some had it etched on their bodies, others wore ear or nipple rings with a charm. One even had it shaved into his hair. But all of them sported the image of a scorpion somehow.

At the fore stood a wiry guy wearing a sleeveless, open denim shirt that seemed to emphasise rather than obscure the arthropod depicted on his chest; a claw over each pectoral, its tail curled over his abs. His arms were covered in cruder wrought symbols, many from various prisons. Despite being at least a head shorter than most of his comrades he had the unmistakable aura of one that innately demanded respect, or at least deference.

"Listen up, people!" his voice carried easily in the silence that had descended within the hall "You know why you're here; 'cos you're the smart ones. Now all you gotta do is make the smart choice. Just in case you're not clear on what you've gotta decide, it's simple. Join us, or don't. To join us you either become full members of the Scorpions, or keep your own gang and pledge allegiance to us, with a small stipend. We won't interfere with your business; only ask that you respond in full when we call to arms. It's high time the Purple Dragons were taken down. They've controlled this city for too long, interfering with our right to work these streets; our streets. It can only benefit us all to claim back what belongs to us!"

There was a mixed response from the crowd, some whooping and cheering, whilst others muttered between themselves. A hulking goon with a flying eagle tattooed on his bald head stepped up to the edge of the stage.
"The mob has been trying for years, and hasn't managed to dint the Dragons yet… what makes ya think you can?"
"We can." the chief explained "The mob are old-school, and too self-absorbed to bother trying anything different, or looking for serious new blood to help 'em out. But with most of the gangs in this city behind us, with our real knowledge of the streets and our sheer numbers, the Dragons don't stand a chance."

"What 'bout all those high-tech weapons an' stuff they got?" was yelled anonymously from somewhere in the crowd.
"I've got it on good authority that the Dragons' 'sugar daddy', that gave 'em all those toys, is gone for keeps. They may still have a collection of 'em, but they aren't getting anymore. And they don't have those damn ninja guys to back 'em in a fight any longer either. Now's the time to rally and strike 'em down."

The hubbub from the audience rose again for a couple of minutes. Finally a voice sounded over the din from somewhere near the back.
"What if we don't wanna join ya? What then, huh?" The throng hushed quickly to hear the response from the stage.
"Easy. If you're not with us, you're against us. We've already got almost every gang on the east-side behind us. The only group that gave us any real trouble was the 'Raiders'." The admission caused a swell of noise from the gathering as everyone had a comment to make on the recent brutal demise of the Corona Raiders. The decapitated heads from the majority of the members of that gang had been found in a dumpster; the cops were still searching for the bodies.

"United we stand. Divided, you fall." the head of the Scorpions pointed emphatically at the crowd "You really don't have anything to lose, and a heap to win. This is a great chance for us all to regain total control of our territories; do things our own way again without the Dragons dictating where and what we can do. The only reason Hun still owns this city is 'cos there's no-one that's had the guts to take him down; 'till now."

Leo was distracted from the speech momentarily by a low growl from his brother next to him. Even in the shadow that hid them he could see Raphs' knuckles pale as he gripped the edge of a roof tile. The spokesman continued,
"Yeah, he's a force to be reckoned with; and he was one of the best street fighters this city has ever seen, in his day. But he's still human, he still bleeds. All it's gonna take is one bullet, or blade; and one man with the will and balls to use it, to take him down. Huns' greatest weapon is his reputation, but the Scorpions won't be told who, or what, to fear. We won't allow mere tales to weaken our resolve, turn us to yellow-bellied cowards, like everyone else that's ever faced him off!" Leo didn't bother turning at the sound of clay cracking.

"His own followers are still afraid of him, but he is starting to lose their respect. From what I've heard, he can't even control his own kid anymore! If we strike soon, take out Hun before the Dragons can organise their own coup, they won't have anyone ready to take on their leadership; leaving them weak and vulnerable. With a bit of persistence we could bring the whole gang down for keeps!" The speaker waited for the inevitable clamour from his audience to swell and settle again.
"You've got three days to decide what you're gonna do. Any gang that isn't with us by then…" he swept his hands apart with a definitive slicing motion, making his point and bringing his speech to an end; the lights illuminating the stage dimming suddenly as the group sauntered off the stage.

The turtles moved silently away from the edge, though their caution wasn't necessary as the noise from the throng below covered any sound they may have made. Using hand signals Leo directed them to the point of the roof furthest from the buildings' doors, several groups of punks already starting to make their way from the venue. Despite Leos' unspoken command to lay low, Raph paced back and forth for a minute. With a snarl he drew a sai and started heading away from his brothers, Leos' hand on his arm pulled him up short.

"What do you think you're doing?" demanded Leo in a harsh whisper.
"I'm gonna kill that little shit!" Raph growled menacingly "Show 'im just what kinda yellow… Grrr! There's no way I'm gonna stand for this crap!" Leo opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Mike soothing,
"Chill bro! I don't think he meant you specifically; he's just tryin' to talk up their own chances. Don't let it get to ya, an' take it personally."
"Don't let it…?" Raph snapped, wrenching his arm free "Screw you guys, you were all for getting' involved in the last gang war; why don't we knock this one on the head now? 'sides Hun's mine! I shoulda killed him when I had the damn chance to!"

Looking at his brothers' hunched back, shoulders tense as he breathed steam into the chill night air, Leo knew he was taking a risk with his next comment.
"I thought you didn't because of T…" Raphs' finger suddenly pointing mere millimetres from his nose (though Leo was glad it wasn't a sai) cut him off as effectively as his brothers' vicious glare.
"Don't you dare bring her into it!" Raph muttered savagely "She understands; that's more than I can say for you!"

Leo held his calm expression as he faced off Raphs' anger for a moment, breaking the silence to state quietly,
"I do understand she won't thank you for it; she still loves him." Leo stood implacable as Raph worked his hands and mouth in rage. Finally he settled for darkly uttering,
"Fuck you." before spinning on his heel and stalking off across the roof top, lashing out at a hapless vent pipe as he passed. Leo stopped Mike from stepping after his brother; watching in silence as the top section of the pipe, now at a right angle to its base, succumbed to the damage and gravity, breaking away to roll down the roof to come to rest in the gutter. Luckily the noise didn't seem to draw any unwarranted attention, and neither did Raph as he leapt onto the next building and quickly vanished among the shadows.

"Do you think it's wise to let him go like that?" queried Don softly.
"No. But he needs to blow off some steam and hopefully do some serious thinking. He needs to realise just how badly he can get hurt if he's not careful. And if he was going to do something truly stupid he would have headed straight down below to take on the Scorpions." Leo assured himself, as well as his brothers.
"He did have a point though Leo," interjected Mike "why don't we do something about this? They were talking war down there."
"I don't condone what they're doing, and we'll keep on our toes to try to make sure it doesn't get out of hand and involve too many bystanders; but we can't fight every battle Mike. There's always going to be gangs vying for power in this city, and I don't think we're directly responsible for it this time; they're just trying to take advantage of what they see as an opportunity. Besides, 'the enemy of our enemy…'"

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The lair was almost completely dark when he arrived home. Only the light in his bedroom was still on, the door left open to allow the glow to escape and spill out of the alcove and part-way down the stairs. He was actually a little surprised, he had been expecting either Leo, or his sensei, to be waiting up for him in 'concern'; in other words, to give him another useless lecture.

Spying the time on the LCD for the DVD player however, he was grateful they'd decided to get some rest before they'd be up again in just a couple of hours for breakfast. It let him do the same. Still, he shut the door and moved with all the stealth he could muster, it wouldn't do to wake anyone now and risk getting his scolding any sooner.

As he crested the top of the steps he spotted a movement in the shadows where the ledge continued on past the first alcove entrance. Instinctively he tensed, half-drawing a sai before the realised it was Tau stood there, wearing the white singlet and shorts she used as pyjamas.

"Hey." she whispered with a tentative smile as he finished climbing the stairs, not meeting her eyes as he stopped in front of her with his arms tightly crossed.
"What's up?" he grumped, not really in the mood for a talking to from anyone right now. Tau shuffled slightly before answering.
"When the others' came back without you, I was… worried. They wouldn't really give me any details, but Mike said someone had… annoyed you?" Raph grimaced, he didn't need the reminder.

"Ya don't have ta worry 'bout me, I can take care of myself. You know that." he huffed.
"I know." she conceded quickly "But you've been gone for hours. Is there something you wanna… talk about?"
"Augh, there was just this moron who was sayin'…" finally meeting her eyes the warm look of attentive compassion she had stopped him in his tracks. He could almost taste his foot. He'd come that close to complaining to her about someone else who wanted to see her father dead, and the fact he was worried they just might get to Hun before him! He was grateful she understood it was something he'd sworn to do, and hadn't tried too hard to sway him from it; but she surely wouldn't be too sympathetic to the particular plight he had at the moment. He shook his head, irritated with himself.

"It was nothin' really." he grumbled, inspecting the wall again. Tau eyed him dubiously.
"It must have been something to make you want to run off…" her gentle probe cut off by his sudden glower.
"I didn't run. I just wanted some time to myself. Is that too damn much to ask, huh?" he snapped in a coarse whisper.
"Oh… uh, no." she murmured to the floor, shifting awkwardly "I just… guess I'll leave ya in peace then… Goodnight."

Raph watched as she shuffled down the ledge to disappear into the next passage without looking back at him. Part of him wanted to say something, but nothing came to mind as he was too distracted berating himself. He hadn't meant to be harsh with her; but the frustration he felt at the Scorpions' plans, his brothers' interference, and himself had just sort of… vented.

Rolling his head back and giving his forehead a rough massage Raph figured his work was done for tonight, there wasn't much else he could do to ensure a crappy day of lectures and cold shoulders tomorrow, so he may as well just head to bed. A few moments after his door closed with a solid 'clack', plunging the lair into almost total darkness, a relieved sigh and quiet 'click' of a shogi screen closing sounded below.

In the room opposite from Raphs', Leo saw the light seeping under his own bedroom door vanish shortly after hearing the noise from his brothers' door. With a sigh of his own he rolled over and finally managed to fall asleep, content everyone was home and safe.

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A/N: Thought I'd better give some explanation for the 'packing your jocks' quote, just 'cos I think this is a fairly Australian euphemism since CPQ hadn't heard it before. If anyone can give me a more 'New Yorker' equivalent I'd be grateful! Anywho, I believe 'jocks' in the US tends to refer to sporty idiots, and it does here too; but it is also slang for men's underwear. I've heard 'packing your jocks' used here as both a compliment and a derogatory term, depending on which side of the jocks are implied as being packed, and with what! I'm starting to think that having a dirty mind is essential for understanding Aussie slang… o.O