Chapter 7

They were finally on the road, Raph himself driving the Battle Shell out of the city as they headed to Dorin's estate. Apparently according to Don's research, this man was also a billionaire. He snorted. He hated rich guys and their snobby attitudes. He knew his patience would be tried, but he would try his best to keep a lid on his rage. Finding Leo counted on succeeding in that. What worried him was not being able to get anything out of Dorin that would be of any use to them. Really? What could the man tell them? Where the ship went? When it could get there? They could only hope so.

"Lighten up Raph, you look like you're going to kill the steering wheel there," Mikey joked beside him.

"Make more cracks like that and I'll drive us off the road."

"Picky, picky. I'm just looking out for the truck. I'm sure we'd like it to stay in one piece. We all know you'll be the one to break it."

Growling, his knuckles paled as he tightened his grip against the steering wheel again. He couldn't lash out at Mikey no matter how much he wanted to. Leo was their priority right now, not pummeling Mikey. The image of doing so however was an entertaining thought and eased his frustrated mind.

"Could we please just focus guys?" Don asked exasperated. "This is going to take two days tops without stopping just to reach Dorin's estate as it is. We don't need to be slowing down."

Raph grunted, not muttering an apology as Mikey did, but left the argument alone. After awhile of silence and staring at the dark stretch of highway, he couldn't help but let his mind wander. Was Leo alright? Alive? Would they make it there in time? He wanted to get to his brother right this instant, his frustration growing once more as he knew they couldn't yet.

Turning his thoughts on their brief time back home before the departure, he let Master Splinter's words and his own promise to find his brother soothe his rage.

"My sons," Splinter spoke as they entered the lair. "Any progress on finding your brother?"

"We think we have a lead," Don spoke up hopefully. "It's slight, but it could make a difference."

Raph refused to hold on to hope and yet he couldn't help but feel it welling up inside him at the same time. This lead just had to reveal something that would be of use.

As Don began to explain about Basir, the biannual trips to America, and the man by the name of Dorin that was always visited, Raph tuned out most of it, wandering over to the TV area. Right above the TVs was a picture of the family. Leo couldn't have looked happier in that picture. If he remembered right, it was taken on his birthday either by April or Casey. April most likely he decided. No matter what Casey said, the klutz would've broken the camera.

The picture tore at his heart. "We'll bring you home Leo," he whispered. "We'll be together again and I will protect them as we search for you. No matter what."

He would do anything to protect Don, Mikey, and Master Splinter. He couldn't lose another family member. The thought of losing Leonardo permanently was more than he could bear to think about. Despite all their bickering and fighting, he didn't want to lose his big brother and best friend. He would never admit these words to the rest of his family. They knew he cared for Leonardo, wished for his safety. He just would not go all soft on them now.

"And how long is the trip to Dorin's home?" Splinter's voice broke him out of his thoughts.

"Two days by my calculations," Don answered. "Even with a couple stops we should make good time. We'll take the same route as if to go to the farmhouse, but drive right past it for another day or so."

"Good. Be careful. We do not know what you might encounter with Dorin. If at all possible, do not reveal yourselves to him. Stay hidden and find other ways to find your answers. However, if necessary…"

"Kick his butt?" Raph supplied eagerly.

"Raphael, a little more tact will earn you your answers to your brother's whereabouts quicker than to… 'kick his butt'."

He looked away, knowing Splinter was right, but still longing to do so anyway.

"But if you must," Splinter went on. "You have my blessing to do what you deem you must do in order to bring your brother home."

"No worries Sensei, we'll get some answer and find Leo," Mikey spoke up with determination. "Just one thing… I call shotgun!"

Raph slapped his forehead as his over energized brother ran for the elevator. This was going to be a long drive.

"I just have to grab a few supplies and then we can head out," Don said as he headed for the lab.

"I'll grab some food to shove in Mike's face when he gets too annoying."

"I heard that!"

"Never whispered it bro." Raph snickered and headed for the kitchen, gathering some snacks for the three of them. If he could help it, the only stop they would be making would be at Dorin's home.

"Be safe my sons, you will bring him home. That, I have no doubt," Splinter's words echoed in his mind.

Raph sighed as he focused on the road. Mikey grew silent and the only thing he now heard was Don's tapping on the laptop's keyboard. There was going to be security around the man's house no doubt. Don wanted to be prepared and find out what they were dealing with. Raph's own way of dealing with things would just be to charge in, but he knew Don would be right. They needed a plan of action. Oh how he missed Leo right about now.

A light behind them in the rear view mirror caught his eyes. He at first slowed to just let the vehicle pass. He wasn't in the mood to get in a fight over the road. However when the car kept right up to their rear bumper, Raph slammed his foot on the gas pedal, fed up with the tailing car. Speeding up had a less desirable effect. The car sped up as well, but stayed on their bummer.

Muttering under his breath, Raph again increased their speed, not worried about local law enforcement. They were far enough out of the city that he knew where the cops liked to camp out from their frequented trips to the farmhouse.

The jolt to the truck threw him against the steering wheel. "What the hell?"

"What's going on?" Don asked.

"We got a tailgater," Raph growled.

"A really ugly one too," Mike commented.

"How can ya tell?"

"Anyone who drives a boxy car like that has got to be ugly."

Raph rolled his eyes and knew Donny would be too. "Moron," he muttered.

"What did you say?"

"I'm going to try speeding up again."

"Don't attract the cops. We don't need to be pulled over. Not only will it slow us down, I don't think we want the authorities hunting us either," Don reasoned.

With a curt nod, Raph increased their speed for the third time. He swerved around a car in front of them, hopping back into the right lane. When the car behind them followed their actions, Raph made a quick turn off on the closest exit, driving into a less populated city. Making as many turns as he could and as fast as the Battle Shell would allow without tipping over, he made a disorganized U turn and back tracked to the highway. Approaching the on ramp, he saw nothing behind them and breathed a sigh of relief.

That relief was short lived as the car roared up behind them a few seconds later.

"Gah! What do I have to do to get rid of this guy?"

"Shoot a missile at him," Mikey simply suggested.

Raph glared at him before turning his eyes back to the road, thinking it over.

"What?..."

"Not a bad idea," Raph admitted.

"But there could be civilians in there Raph," Don argued.

"And how many civilians are going to chase an armored truck?"

"… Robbers might."

"Well then, Mikey shoot the missile."

"On it captain." Mikey pounded the 'fire' button.

The black car swerved to the side, letting the missile pass as it drove right up next to them.

Raph glanced over, glaring with hatred at the driver.

"You'll never find him," a Foot ninja yelled. "And we'll be rid of you three as well. The Master will be pleased!"

"Shut yer yap," Raph yelled back, slamming his finger down on a different button to his right. A whirling blade popped out of the side of the Battle Shell, slicing into the boxy car, cutting that side of the car in half before it could pull away. "Now Mike!"

Mikey hit the button again, a missile firing and hitting home this time, the boxy car flying upward and exploding upon impact as the Battle Shell raced on.

"Whoooo!" Mikey yelled. "We got 'em!"

"Yes, but let's just get out of here," Don said quickly.

"On it bro." Raph kept up the speed of the truck until they were a good distance away from the site of the explosion. There were sounds of faint sirens in the distance, but at least their tail was finally gone. Slowing to a respectable speed, he drove once more for Dorin's estate, keeping a careful watch of the road behind them as well. He almost hoped there would be anther Foot car chase. He wanted to see another explosion.