Chapter 6

My eyes sprung open at the soft sound of metal on concrete. For a moment I listened in silence, straining my ears for sound. I was rewarded with the noise of the sewer entrance opening and then closing. Even though I could not hear their movements, I knew instantly who it was: Raphael.

I slipped out of bed and opened my door. There on the floor was Raph's sai. A shiver ran through me. He's running away again…

At this betrayal a jolt of anger ran through me. I closed my eyes and released a breath, expelling my anger with it. I would not accept his solution. I refused to let him give up. I knew he was struggling. I knew he was terrified. I knew he wanted to protect us. I also knew that he needed us – he needs me!

I rushed back into my room and grabbed my katana. I swung them on and turned for the kitchen and saw a glint of light catch my eye. Raph's sai lay forgotten on the floor. I pondered it for a moment and then swept it up, hooked it on my belt and continued to the kitchen. On my way I saw the Don's tracker smashed on the floor. At the sight I sped up. On the kitchen table I madly scribbled a note to Don and Mikey:

Guys,

Raph has decided to take off again. I found the tracker on the floor so this time I think he's planning on leaving for good. Don't worry I'm going after him. Don please continue working with April to find an antidote. Mikey don't drive them crazy! I have my shell cell so call if you have any updates. Stay out of trouble until we get back.

Leo

I entered the sewers and began my search.

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I was surprised by how fast he was moving. Even though I had given him no indication of my presence, I sensed he knew I was following him. My suspicions were confirmed when he entered the Hudson's River and began swimming upstream. I quickly realized I was no match next to his massive strength in the water, but I refused to give up. I managed to keep an eye on him for several hours (even though "keeping an eye on him" now meant seeing a scaly form occasionally breach the water's surface several miles ahead). I silently thanked the gods that he had left in daylight. If it was night I knew I would have no hope in following him. Sunlight usually deterred us from leaving the dark safety of the sewers, but here in the river I knew my green camouflaged me.

We were now far from the city and as the sun started to sink I felt a twinge of worry sink through me. It had now been at least an hour since I had glimpsed Raph and I knew I was losing momentum as my exhaustion sunk in. Out of my anxiety to find him, I started frantically scanning the riverbanks for any sign of giant turtle tracks. I was desperately hoping that he too was getting tired.

We were deep in the woods somewhere. I had never been this far up the river, but I knew that the city couldn't extend forever. As my aching limbs kept paddling I vaguely remember Don mentioning a state park somewhere north of the city. Maybe that was where I was? WHACK!

I briefly sunk under the water in a daze to see a small rowboat directly in front of me. I had been so absorbed in searching the riverbanks that I hadn't been paying attention to what was in front of me. Smooth move Leonardo! Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!

I swam under the boat and shot to the front. Since my head had plowed into the back I prayed that the boat's occupants would be looking downstream for whatever their craft had nailed. I quietly broke the surface to the voice of a young man, "What the hell was that Bobby?"

Another man responded, "It looked like another un of them giant turtles Ig!"

Shit! That means one of them saw me! Wait… Did he say another one?

I knew it was risky, but I continued to eavesdrop. Anything that would help me find Raph. The man called Ig snorted, "Gimme a break Bobby you're always seeing things! First giant cros, then aliens, and now you're gabbing on about turtles!"

"This time it's true Ig! You missed the first un on accounts of you falling asleep fishing rod in hand and all. Then all of a sudden this 'ere great big beast offa turtle swims by! It was so big it rocked the boat and woke ya up!"

"I heard your fairy tale the first five times Bobby! You just don't want to admit that you were standing in the boat again and when you lost your balance you rocked the thing like a cradle so you wouldn't fall in the drink!"

"Alright wise guy. If I'm makin' it up then how do explain the second un? You been awake since the first un passed!"

Ig was silent for a moment. He was obviously pondering this himself. "Maybe the same reason you saw aliens last week?"

Bobby did not sound impressed and went on as if Ig hadn't said anything, "Two giant turtles in an hour! Geez Ig do ya think they're swimming up river to mate?"

I felt my cheeks burn against the cold river water. "Bobby ya dummy you're talking about salmon!"

Ok… And on that weird note I think I should take my leave…

I turned around to see that the river branching up ahead. Great. Now which way do I go?

The sun was getting lower and I knew sunset would happen within the next hour. I needed a direction and I needed it now, but I had no way of knowing which way Raph had swum. The only ones who did were the weirdos in the boat…

It was probably one of the riskiest moves I had ever done, but I was desperate and apparently Raph had already revealed himself to at least one of these men so I figured I didn't have much to lose. I turned around to face the boat again and loudly cleared my throat, "Ahem, could you please tell me which way that other turtle went?"

Silence.

"Ig! Ig! Ig! I told you! I told you there were giant turtles! And this un is following the other! Ha it IS they're mating season! I'll gladly help ya out turtle! Just go left up at the fork and then in a bit take another left! That's where we was when your girlfriend swam by!"

I choked on the comment about Raphael being my girlfriend by still waved in thanks before departing. Well that was easier than I thought… It might be a good idea to not tell the guys about this though… Especially the Raph being my girlfriend…

I shivered in disgust at the thought and as I dove under water I heard Ig stammer, "I really needta switch to decaf…"

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After following Bobby's directions, and continuing upstream for another hour I soon found myself in a small, calm, and isolated part of the river. The forest was rugged here, but evidently not a common avenue for human adventurers. When the sun began to sink behind the horizon, and I felt I could swim no more, I finally saw what I had been looking for. The river bed became abruptly shallow and on the soft dark sand were tracks of something very large pulling itself out of the water. Upon closer examination I saw the hind prints had two toes and the fore prints had three. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I had finally caught up to Raph! I followed the tracks away from the water but my exhaustion was crippling my progress. I was completely spent. I desperately wanted to continue my search, sensing my brother was nearby, but my body was failing. I scanned my surroundings and directed myself to the nearest shelter I saw. A giant oak tree had recently toppled and in the hollow of its lifeless roots I curled up in my shell. I was asleep before my eyelids closed.

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I had lost his scent ages ago and was convinced as I pulled myself from the river that I had finally ditched Fearless. With the added advantage that the river was like a watery maze in this region, I thought there was no way Leonardo would be able to continue trailing me. I had thought that – until right as the sun set I caught the unmistakable hint of my elder brother's scent. The scent was now warped by the river's influence but it was there – and close. I shook my head in disbelief – Leo was obviously more resourceful than I thought. In the shelter of the forest, the greenery and growing darkness masking my emerald skin and obsidian shell, I waited for his inevitable approach. The minutes lengthened as I continued my silent vigil, but still no movement came from Leo's direction.

As the moon and stars appeared, spilling in broken rays of light down to the forest floor, I heard a soft snoring sound from my brother's direction. I frowned, does he actually think I would believe he's asleep? How dense does he think I am?

I knew by this point (after obsessively examining my options), I could not evade him on land. Ninja or not, my massive bulk left obvious tracks and so with him blocking my return to the river I was effectively trapped. Confrontation was imminent. Yet, the "snoring" still continued. A decision had to be made. I moved in his direction and steeled myself. If he insisted on trapping me, it would be on my terms that I would meet him and it would be on my terms when I told him to take a hike.

I ate my words when I looked down into the hollow of a fallen tree. There, amongst the tangled roots was Leo – sound asleep. I couldn't believe it! Not only was Leo asleep in strange unknown territory, but he also was so out of it that he had no awareness of my presence. I hadn't even tried to conceal my movements! If Master Splinter saw this Leo would be doing back flips in the dojo for weeks! Watching my sleeping brother I realized the opportunity to truly escape had at last presented itself. I could slip back in the river and this time disappear for good. It would be a quick swim downstream to the ocean and from there I would travel south and find some remote area of the rainforest. I could be sure that no one would ever find me. When my mass mutation began I would not have to fear the destruction I would undoubtedly leave in my wake. A tiny snore interrupted my thoughts.

Leo never snored. Of my brothers it was I who sawed the most logs in a night. Sure Don and Mikey snored here and there, but Leo always slept silently. But that's not really true is it?

Staring at the peaceful form of my brother my mind drew up the memory of a similarly positioned Leonardo. One in which Leo slept just as soundly after we brought him back to us when we thought we lost him after Shredder had destroyed April's building. Leo had been badly injured and in the entire drive to North Hampton he had not stirred once. When we arrived at Casey's Grandma's old farmhouse I was seriously worried that the silent unconscious form before me had permanently replaced my brother. Yet, with our tales, we had managed to bring him back. He was broken both mentally and physically but he was back. It was only in that moment of familial sanctuary that he fell asleep accompanied by snores – just like he did now.

I turned my head longingly in the direction of the river and then back to Leo. Why can't he just let me go? Doesn't he understand what's going to happen if I stay?

But as much as I knew the right thing was to leave my brother behind, I knew I couldn't do it. I just couldn't. I was too selfish. I needed him to support my decision and help me cut the bond we shared. Otherwise I knew I wouldn't be able to completely cut it myself. In the morning I will sit here and argue until he finally gives in. Leo's a turtle of reason, once I explain it logically he will have no choice but to let me go. Especially once he realizes it's for the best…

I carefully curled up beside Leo, further sheltering him among the roots, and looked up at the stars. My last conscious thought was, But if it's for the best why does it hurt so much?