"What in the hell were you thinking?!"

April circled Raphael's seat in the kitchen and swung the wooden spoon at him. She knew that there was a good chance that the thugs that attacked Irma were Purple Dragons. And now that they knew Raph was protective of her, Irma would become a prime target.

"I was thinking that I didn't want her to be assaulted." Raphael's emotions were mixed. He was angry about April being angry, he was worried about Master Splinter finding out about the rescue, and his stomach hurt every time he thought about Irma.

"Look, Raph I know the hero vigilante is kind of your guys' thing but did you ever think of the circumstances?"

"Yes I did."

"Such as?"

"The thugs being purple dragons and them seeing her as a possible target."

"Okay maybe you have."

"Look April, I know it was stupid of me to engage her and walk her home. They probably saw us. But there was something that was pulling me into it."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. It was like she was a magnet and I was metal."

"So, you're saying you had this sudden urge to put yourself between her and the thugs."

"More than usual."

April's mind temporarily went off track and she started to giggle.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said between giggles. "So what did you tell the thugs when you first got there?" April knew how the guys liked to add little side remarks during less-threatening battles.

"Something like, 'if you can't play nice with the pretty girls, you're forced to deal with me.'"

April giggles momentarily ceased and she stared wide eyed at her younger brother.

"What? What did I do wrong," he asked desperately.

"So you think she's pretty?"

Raphael avoided eye contact. He didn't know how to answer that question. Ever since his younger and older brothers had developed feelings for human girls, Raph was put off by it. He didn't understand the logistics. Living with guys all his life, he didn't understand how you could like a girl as much as they did.

"You do! You do think she's prett-"

"Look it doesn't matter, I won't bother her anymore. I promise."

"Why not?"

"Because the Purple Dragons may kidnap her if they see me with her anymore. They'll start making assumptions."

"What about the assumptions they've already made?"

She had him there. The Purple Dragons relied heavily on kryptonite. Since they saw him walk her home, it's obvious Irma was a point of interest. The turtles usually left the victims to find their way home.

"You're right. I've put your friend in danger! April, I'm sorry I didn't mean to."

"You were doing what you thought was right, Raph. You can't help the circumstance." She placed a hand on his shoulder as he cradled his head in his hands.

"So what do we do now?"

"What you can do is keep an eye on her to make sure nothing happens."

"Like a Kōken'nin?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Well, don't you guys have other friends? I'm sure the other girls could do that for me."

April remained silent. The truth is she and Irma were two of the loneliest teenage girls in New York. Nobody in school liked to hang out with them. That's why Irma was so important to her. She was the only friend she had that she could really connect with.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just that, we don't have any other friends. We're pretty much loners. She gets bullied at school every now and then. I stand up for her but it doesn't do that much help. I'm lucky enough to have my dad and you guys."

Raph's face grew confused. "Is she an orphan?"

"No. Both of her parents are scientists at an institute in the Upper East. They go to work at four in the morning and come home at ten at night. The only time they are really home is during the weekends and they spend that time sleeping. She is an orphan to be honest."

Raph's face sunk. Despite his appearance and limitations, the one thing he was thankful to have was a wonderful family. Master Splinter was always there when he needed him, and his brothers could make any situation better. The addition of April only made it better. He understood why April wanted him to do this. She was the only person Irma had. Now that she was gone, Irma had no one. Someone needed to protect her. Someone needed to be her friend. If Raph had to be one of the reasons this girl lost a friend, he would be one of the reasons she gained one too.

Raph got out of his chair and got on his knees in front of April. He bowed to her and said, "I promise April, I won't let anything happen to her."

"I know you will big guy." She got on her knees in front of him and patted his shoulder again. "This will be good for you. Someone else to talk to besides your brothers and me."

"And she's not going to be scared of a giant turtle guardian."

"Well, you two have already made acquaintance. She's nice to you. You're nice to her. I think it will be fine."

Raph shook his head as April got to her feet and walked toward the curtain. His skepticism was interrupted by April's voice.

"Besides, she's looking forward to seeing those 'beautiful green eyes' and hearing that 'sexy voice'."

Raphael's face went red again as she peeked her head into the kitchen.

"Come on lover boy before Splinter comes looking for us."

Sorry this chapter's short. But it's got important information soooo that's good! Next week is going to be longer and happier I promise! As always, reviews are welcome and I love you guys!

*UPDATE*: I will be posting Chapter Four on Wednesday of next week. Thursday will be a very busy day for me, and school is starting soon so I will be doing my best to update frequently.