The Race

Casey caught Raphael and Rachel, not at the same time and told them that they were going to race using motorcycles. Although, Rachel was more of a safety person and was cautious since it was snowing and the roads had a habit of freezing over, she found herself not caring. Especially when she noticed that both she and Raphael were in the garage together. She picked up her helmet mutely and grabbed her keys from the holder. She barely threw him a glance, her pride was hurt, and like hell she was going to say anything.

Raph would not say anything either. His mind was too much of a whirlwind of thoughts. The palms of his hands hurt because his fists had been so tight, but he ignored it as he put his helmet on and got on his bike. He didn't care what form he was in now, this bike would always be his Shell Cycle. He shook his head…why was he so hurt over a stupid thing? Revving his engine, he watched the garage door open.

Casey walked in, "You just race around the block. No killing each other okay?" He watched them both, "Get set…" He glanced at them cautiously and nervously.

"Go!"

Raph watched as Rachel streaked outside onto the snow covered Central Park street. He looked at Casey real quick before he followed; "Ya might want to get Leo, Don, and the girls…Things might get ugly…" he then looked ahead and bolted after Rachel.

Rachel wasn't paying attention. She looked at her mirror to see that Raph was coming up quick. She barely even cared. She was mad, and humiliated. She wasn't about to bow down to someone who wasn't going to respect her. Then again…she looked at the mirror with slight guilt. She couldn't talk. Wasn't he feeling the same way? After all she said? She shook her head. No, she wasn't going to get distracted and lose. She was going to win! A smirk played at her lips and she pushed the speed a bit higher. She could feel the bike slipping, but she was steady. She wasn't going to do anything unless she wanted to.

The two of them made many twists and turns, trying to both distract and avoid patches of ice. Finally they made it out onto the road of the city where the roads were easier to get traction on. Before they knew it they had to start rounding back toward the castle because they had gotten too near the Foot HQ. After Nao's appearance two weeks ago, there had been more and more trouble.

It was when they got back to Central Park that Raphael realized just how true his words to Casey in the garage had been.

Rachel had slowed down to his level almost. Almost being the keyword. She wasn't going to lose, yet she wasn't about to let him get away. All she had to do was cut him off. It was a narrow miss. They could have crashed into each other.

Raph literally pulled to the side to try and avoid her, 'Is she insane?!' his mind shrieked. His eyes widened as he turned right into a thick piece of ice.

The motorcycle spun and crashed.

Rachel spun her bike around and slammed on the brakes. Quickly she jumped off her bike, not caring that it hit the ground. She reached over to where Raph and nearly screamed. Blood coated the snow. She couldn't see how bad the injuries were, but she knew they were there. She reached into her pocket, and called the first number that came to her mind.

"What is your emergency?" said a bored female's voice.

Rachel explained the best she could about the situation, who they were, and everything. Once that was done, she started pacing worriedly. She didn't know what to do. She was scared out of her mind. Focus and keeping calm was getting terribly hard for her. She was anxious. Her mind was in a wind whirl, but the only thoughts that were in her head that made her wish to break down, was 'I made him crash, this was my entire fault.' She felt like she was shaking. She realized after a while that she was crying.

Seeing the ambulance she gathered herself together. There wasn't a time to be like this. Remain calm. She watched them take off the helmet and she turned away. He was bleeding from the head; most likely he'd get a concussion. Also, she noticed after they strapped him to the stretcher was that he must have gotten a few broken bones. They were careful in trying to splint what they could. After telling her what hospital they were going to be at, she took out her phone and called up the castle. She didn't care who picked up the phone. As long as they would…

Michelangelo was the one to answer, "Rachel! What in the hell just happened?" The youngest turtle sounded like he was about to hyperventilate…or was he was so panicked. He had certainly sensed that his brother had been hurt.

"Mikey…" Rachel bit her lip. She couldn't tell him. She didn't want to tell him. She didn't have a choice… "Oh god. Mikey I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean to. I swear." She wanted to cry. She knew that she hurt him more than anyone. "I just wanted to cut him off; I didn't mean to do what I did. Oh god. I made him crash Mikey, and it looks bad. I'm going to be heading over to where their taking him. I'll call you if I find out anything okay?" She bit her lip.

Everything was silent for a bit before Mikey answered, "Nao wants to know what hospital. She and Bria want to come join you…" he said softly.

Rachel bit her lip and fell silent. Should she? She shook her head. "I'll call when I get there." She bit her lip. "Right now, I'm freezing." She was trying to kid around. "Look, tell Nao and Bria that I'll call them when I get there. Right now, I'm…not in the right head." She smiled slightly, "I promise." She hung up and placed it in her jacket, before going to her bike and revving it up before heading down the road.

It was scary. This whole crash and burn didn't remind her much, but she hadn't stepped in a hospital for three years straight. She never dreamed that she was going to go there again. She could hear her phone's ring tone, but she ignored it. Bria and Nao never liked leaving phone messages. She knew that. She could feel herself shaking as she finally reached the hospital. Walking in, she walked to the nearest desk, "I'm looking for Raphael Hamato."

"He's down at ER at the moment," The nurse just glanced at her, "I'll let you know when he's out."

"Thanks…" Rachel walked over and sat down, she could feel herself shaking bad. She took an intake of breath before she looked around. "Three years, and I thought I'd never come to a hospital. Looks like I lost the game." She leaned back and brought her legs as close as she could. She was so, so glad neither Nao nor Bria was there at the moment.

She placed her head on her knees and allowed herself to cry.