"Oh I feel like I've been hit by a semi." He said trying to open his eyes. Raph felt like his head was going explode with a pounding headache. His whole body ached all over. The last thing he remembered was pushing Leo out of the way from an attack then everything went black. He tried sitting up but a wave of dizziness forced him back down. A gentle touch on his shoulder let him he wasn't alone.
"Glad you're awake, you gave us quite a scare there Raph. Let me go tell the others you're awake. Leo is really taking this hard." With that; she left the room. She found Leo in the dojo meditating. Leo couldn't get the image out his mind of younger brother taking the hit meant for him.
Leo blocked another swing from the Foot ninja. Mikey swung his nunchucks, cracking another one over the head. Donatello knocked another one with his bo-staff. Raphael swung his sais around; taking out several Foot ninja at a time. Leo dodged another attacked, taking out his attacker. "They just keep coming!" Michelangelo exclaimed. "Just keep fighting!" Raph shouted back. Raphael caught a glimpse of a Foot ninja sneaking up behind Leonardo. "Leo look out behind you!" Leo turned to see the attack coming. Raphael charged towards Leo knocking him out of the way. A glint of silver shone in the air as it hit its target. Blood sprayed from the wound on Raphael's side. "Raph!" Leo shouted as he watched his brother fall. Leo charged at the Foot ninja, taking him out with one strike of his katana blade. Leo rushed to his brother's aid. He immediately applied pressure to the wound, blood oozing between his fingers as he desperately tried to slow the bleeding.
"Leo, ya ok?" Raphael asked trying to sit up. His breathing ragged.
"I'm fine but we need to get you back to the lair. Don, I need some help over here. Raph's been hit!" Leo shouted to his younger brother. Donatello fought some more foot ninjas; trying to get to his older brothers. Don had seen Raphael being struck with the ninja's katana blade. Michelangelo was desperately trying to make his way over to Leo and Raph as well.
"Raphie, hang on bro, I'm coming!" Mikey knocked some more foot ninjas out with his nunchucks before standing protectively in front of his older brothers. "Leo, get Raph outta here. Donnie and I will take care of the rest of them."
"No Mikey, we all leave together." Leo sternly said. Donatello flipped over some foot ninja; landing next to his brothers. He glanced down at his older brother, not liking how pale Raphael was becoming. He bent down to check the wound.
"He's losing too much blood. We need to get back to the lair now!" Leo watched as more foot ninjas closed in. The situation was becoming desperate and they couldn't wait any longer. Donatello threw a smoke bomb to hide their escape. The foot ninja coughed but when the smoke cleared, the turtles were gone. Leonardo and Michelangelo carried Raphael threw the sewers while Donatello kept checking his vitals. Pulling the lever, the turtles quickly entered the lair; alerting Master Splinter and Ari.
Ari entered the living room. She glanced around at the other turtles. Michelangelo stared blankly at the t.v while Donatello tinkered with one his machines. "Hey guys, he's awake, I'm gonna get Leo." The two turtles excitedly jumped off the couch toward the lab.
"Mikey,slow down. Remember; Raph might be still a bit out of it." Donatello warned. Meanwhile, Ari found both Splinter and Leo in the dojo, deep in meditation.
"What can we help you with Miss Ari?" Splinter asked, sensing her presence in the room
"Raphael's awake if you want to see him." Leonardo forced himself not to immediately run out of the room. Composing himself, he stood up and quietly exited the room. Ari watched Leo leave; noting his apprehensive looks in his eyes. "He looks worse for wear."
"Yes, he blames himself for Raphael's injuries though it is not his fault; nor Raphael's." Splinter stated.
"He doesn't need to do that although I can sympathize. I had been put in charge of an army before. Even though I knew if someone died, it was not my fault. I still felt responsible for any deaths under my command." Splinter nodded his head in agreement. Meanwhile in the lab, Leonardo sat in the chair next to Raphael.
"Hey, Fearless." Raph said weakly.
"Hey, don't do that again to us Raphael, please." Leo said leveling his eyes with Raphael. "We thought we were gonna lose ya. It's a good thing Ari is here, she saved your shell. She healed you. Next time just listen bro." Raphael glared back. "And Raph, I was afraid. We all were."
"I wasn't going no where's Leo and unless ya wanted skewered; I did what I had to do. You would have done the same for me." Leo lowered his gaze. Raph was right. Leonardo knows his younger brother is extremely protective of all of them and prefers to put himself in harm's way. He wouldn't be sitting here right now if wasn't for Raphael taking that hit. "Ya said Ari healed me?" Raph questioned.
"Yes she did. She chanted some spell and started glowing. When the light died down, all your injuries were gone. She refused to leave your side. Donnie and I had to practically drag her outta here before she collapsed from fatigue. Ari kept saying that it was her way of repaying what you did for her." Raphael swung his legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand. A wave of dizziness hit him. Leo grabbed him before he fell and set him back on the bed. "Whoa there bro, take it easy."
"Take it easy, I'll take it easy after I give her a long talking to. She didn't need ta do that. I never expected any sort of repayment. And what is she trying to do, turn herself into a target or something. I hope she did some sort of shield thingy to keep herself from being detected. That girl is so going to get it." Raph said fuming. Leo stood in front of his brother to try to keep him getting up again.
"You still need to rest, Raphael. So just lay down and I will let her know you want to talk to her. Don't make me grab Donnie." Leo stated; crossing his arms. Raph muttered something incoherently and reluctantly laid back down. With his brother settled back down, Leo headed towards Ari's room only to stop in front of the dojo. He could hear the sounds of someone training. He quietly slid open the door just enough to peek in. What he saw surprised him; Ari was in the center of the room, practicing what ninjitsu she knows. He watched as she performed high kicks, twirls, jumps, drop kicks and some punches. Leo stood impressed at the skill Ari is showing for someone who has no ninja training. What Leo didn't know is that she had been trained by the Ninja Tribunal back in Elysionia. Although; she had a feeling mentioning the Ninja Tribunal to Master Splinter might not be the best idea.
Ari continued her practice unaware of her audience. She stopped for a moment to wipe some sweat from her forehead. She had been practicing for several hours already; ever since Donnie and Leo made her leave the lab. There had been something bugging the back of her mind ever since the guys had returned. Ari had made a vow of vengeance against the Purple Dragons. As much as she could tell, the guys and Splinter made all attempts to prevent her from getting too involved in their battles. Ari knew as much as she is now a part of the family and Splinter addressing her as his daughter; she could no longer stand on the side lines. After all, is she not a superhero, someone who has made a vow to fight and keep the world safe? She had let the recent set of events and close call with death get to her. Feeling sorry for herself; she didn't do much other make sure the lair was clean and keep the guys company. Ari took notice that they rarely divulged any information about their fights to her. The only knowledge she had are the names of their enemies and that they are quite powerful. Michelangelo enjoyed her presence as she didn't mind watching movies; as long they were not horror movies and playing some games with him. Donatello liked the fact that she enjoyed science as much as he did; although she does admit, math is not her strong suit. Leonardo enjoyed sparring with her; despite she usually wins. They usually talk about battle strategies. And Raphael, she has the most profound effect on; Ari is the only one who has a calming presence over him and can usually direct his anger away and calm him down. Despite herself being a stubborn hothead and sometimes clashing, she is able to keep some anger at bay and restrain herself a bit better. The others did notice that she spend most of her time with him but she never went topside when he or the others did. Splinter had expressively forbidden her from going topside in fear of a repeat episode and unsure if she would survive a second round of attacks.
Splinter smiled when he watched his sons interact with their newfound sister. She brought a much needed calming presence to the lair. Splinter felt great sympathy for the young woman as she had just been thrust into a new life much unlike her previous one. One day, saving the world; next hiding for her life and having to let loved ones believe she is dead. Splinter realized there is still so much unknown about this young woman. Yes, she had explained her origins, her true identity but beyond that; Ari is still very much a mystery. April had made sure Ari had everything she would need without having to go topside. He knew the decision made forbidding her to go to the surface was not an easy one. Splinter did not want to risk anything happening to her; including exposing her to their enemies. If the Shredder knew of her existence, she would be in even greater danger.
Back in the dojo, Ari picked up the pair of sais and began practicing. She twirled and flipped them over and over in hands. They spun so silently, an enemy would know too little too late they were there. She began practicing her moves; sais in hand. She remembered something Master Splinter had told her brothers. "Your weapons are an extension or your body and should flow smoothly with each move." Ari gracefully glided across the dojo floor; the sais slicing thru air with deadly accuracy. She spotted a target on the opposite wall. With a flick of her wrist, she aimed her weapons at the center of the bulls eye. She grinned as the first weapon struck dead center and the second weapon landed in the hilt. Leo stood awestruck. He knew she had weapons training, but not like that. Retrieving her weapons, she set them down next the katana blades. Leo decided he had been snooping long enough and decided to speak up.
Clearing his throat, "Uh Ari, Raph wants to see ya." Startled she spun around, her hair whipping around her head. She had no idea that Leo had been standing there or how long. A blush immediately crept across her face. She stood frozen for moments and slightly embarrassed that Leo had snuck up on her. "Why didn't I sense he was there? Damn ninjas."
"Didn't Master Splinter ever tell you not to sneak up on someone like that? You're lucky I didn't have a weapon in my hand!" Ari exclaimed at a surprised Leo. "Damn ninjas always sneaking on somebody!" Leonardo chuckled at her response as she walked by.
"Well I am a ninja. And those moves back there were quite impressive. Looks like you have been watching us." Ari just shrugged her shoulders. "Yes, I have been watching and I have learned quite a bit. I do more than just spar, I train." She thought to herself. "Thanks, now you said Raphael wanted to see me."
"Yeah and he is none too happy with what you did. So, expect him to be rather upset and don't take it personally. If you need any help, call us." Leo told her as they made their way to the lab.
"What, did he honestly expect me not to help? He saved my life, doesn't matter that I'm a goddess, even the gods can die. If we are mortally wounded, we can die. And that night, I was near death. All of you have been extremely helpful and accepting of my situation; no questions asked. I only did what I had to do and I did shield my power from detection or this place would have been swarming with superheroes by now!" She half shouted. Leo placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know Ari but Raphael was worried something would have happened to you. He doesn't show it well but he worries."
"Yeah, I guess my natural instinct as a superhero took over. I try not heal too much as it takes out of me but I wasn't about to let your brother die knowing I could have saved him." Leo gently hugged Ari in comfort. "Well, let me get this over with." Ari entered Don's lab only to find Raphael lying down. She quietly made her way over to the vacant chair.
"Don't ever do something like that, ya don't owe me anything." Raph stated when he heard Ari enter the room. "These are our battles; I don't want to risk ya getting found out by the Purple Dragons or worse the Foot. They are relentless." He continued still lying down.
"Really, so you would rather let me let you die when I have the ability to save you. I did shield my powers from any possible detection. When I chose to become a superhero, I made a vow to help those that need it. You needed help; so I helped you. And one more thing; you really did save my life that night. As I just told Leo; just because I am a goddess does not mean I can't die. We gods can die if we become mortally wounded. We may be able to hand more serious injuries; but when it comes down to it, we can still be killed. I was at deaths door that night. I am not sure if even my own Uncle Hades could have saved me. So please, do not fight me on this. Have we not dealt with too many deaths as it is?" She said exasperated. Raphael sat up starring at Ari. Her silver colored eyes starred back Raphael. Raphael noticed the pleading, helpless look in her eyes. She didn't need to say anything else. Her eyes told him everything. Usually, she kept herself so shielded, one could not get past. But now; she is barring it all and all to him. He; of his brothers, she is closest too. The one she has told secrets to although he knew there would be many more to come. One of those would her trip topside later. Raphael softened his gaze. How could he stay mad at her when she is doing is what is in her blood. Raphael had forgotten the many battles she had already faced, the countless deaths she had witnessed. It doesn't matter how many times you witness death, it is never easy. He had forgotten why she is down here. Why she had first come to live and even stay with them? She didn't have to stay; she could have left when she woke up. But at what risk, would she have made it to safety above ground? He was the one she clung too, the one who became her wall. She was after all, the one who has a calming presence over him. He loves her like sister, one he can share his feelings with and not be judged. The only one he shows a soft side with. She had become a part of the family. Everyday had become routine with each of them taking turns making meals, diffusing fights and keeping Mikey's pranks under control. He now couldn't think of life without his little sister. And he would anything to help her thru this troubling time.
"Ari, I'm sorry, I didn't realize. It's just that I forgot about what you already went thru. We have fallen back into our old routine like nothing ever happened." Raphael softly stated. Ari sat up and gave him a tight hug.
"Thanks big guy, and don't worry; I won't tell the others about your soft side. Don't want to have to pry you off Mikey." She chuckled a bit. "Now why don't we head out to the living room, I'm sure your brothers want to see you."
"Our brothers." He corrected her. As they entered the living room, there was a flash of orange as Mikey tackled Raphael to the ground. "Raphie boy, you're ok!" Mikey exclaimed as he tightly squeezed his brother. "Owww, Mikey, get off! I'm fine." Michelangelo slowly released Raphael from his bear hug. "Just making sure you're not going anywhere big bro"
"I already said before, I ain't going no where's. Quit worrying." Raph retorted. Donatello came up to stand beside him. "That's good to hear bro. I still want you to take it easy for a day or two; just to make sure." Raph glared at Donnie.
"I'm fine Donnie, see not a scratch, I couldn't feel better if I tried."
"Yes, I can see that but I do no to take any chances so you are ground for two days. No arguing." Donatello retorted back.
"But I am fine!"