What happened to all my reviewers? *cries* they all went away :( well, thanks to those who did - made me happy :) Thanks to - Mike11, Simone Robinson, and DarkRose-Karma.
Anyway, please enjoy :)
"Tonight was fun Raph." Suri smiled, leaning against Raph's arm.
The both sat on top of a rooftop of an old diner, legs dangling over the edge. The stars glittered above them like a thousand fireflies and the moon shone brightly, lighting almost all of New York under it's powerful glow.
"It's beautiful." She breathed, breathing in the turtle's scent. Now that he had gained weight and had gotten healthier, he had a certain glow to him that she never saw while on the streets. Everything about him just seemed to be more happy – more like he had a purpose.
"I know." He leaned against her, wrapping a muscular arms around her skinny shoulders. She leaned against him, closing her eyes.
"Thank you Raph."
He looked down at her face. When her eyes were closed, she seemed so peaceful, so angelic. He never would have believed she could kick bad guy butt to Tuesday. "For what?"
She snuggled closer and Raph wrapped him arm more tightly. Already he could feel a protectiveness over her – one he'd never felt for his brothers before.
"Tonight." She whispered. "It was perfect."
"It was nothing." A blush crept onto his cheeks. "It was just take out at a Chinese place and a star light show."
"My favorite Chinese place," she corrected him. "And the best seats in town." Waving her arms at the sky, Raph understood. "It was perfect."
Raph couldn't hold back a small snort. "As perfect as you can get with a five foot tall, walking turtle with a small budget."
"That's why you're perfect." Blinking her large blue eyes at him, Raph could feel heat racing to his face. "How many other girls have a turtle with a six-pack for a boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" Eye ridges rose at the sentence. Did she just call me her boyfriend?
"Yeah…we are, aren't we?" She suddenly looked nervous, as though she'd spoken to soon.
"If you want me to be." He couldn't believe his luck.
With a smile, her face relaxed back into her angle-like appearance. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Me too Suri…me too."
Raph couldn't believe how the night was going. First Suri admitted to sharing his feelings and now…the night was truly perfect.
Well, it would have been it if weren't for the sudden sound of a gun cocking that sent Raph shooting to his feet. His eyes danced around, holding a protective hand towards Suri for her to stand behind his shell.
"What is it Raph?" she whispered.
"I heard something."
Suri grew tense and looked around nervously, her hands bunching into fists. "What?"
"I thought I heard a gun…" his voice trailed off as he peered into a practically deep and dark shadow, cast by the tall building next door. Eyes squinting, he could almost swear he saw a piece of metal glint of the bright rays of the moon.
Fists bunching, he stepped forward, muscles ready to dive aside if he was shot at. "I see you in there!" He growled. "Come on out before I have to come too you."
"I knew you would." The voice chuckled as a woman stepped forward. The breeze tossed light brown hair over shoulders as deep brown eyes glared from under bangs.
"Who're you?" Suri asked.
The woman never let he eyes leave Raph's angry face. "My name is Egypt."
"Egypt?" Raph had to bite back a deep chuckle.
"Yes." Her voice was calm and collected, not normal for someone who had just seen a giant walking turtle. Rolling on the balls of her feet, she let her hips sway gently as she walked forward a few feet. Her light brown hair came almost to her waist. She wore a skin-tight, leather, black suit that gave her a Cat Woman like appearance. "And I've heard a lot about you Raphael."
Raph was instantly on alert. "How'd ya know my name?" he questioned in a snarl.
Egypt casually shrugged, making Raph more huffed. She was way to calm for his liking. "I know you very well Raphael. In fact, I may know you better than you know yourself." She started to circle the wary turtle. Her hands stayed clear of her pockets, showing she wasn't going to reach for a weapon.
"I bet not lady." Snorted Raph. "You don't know me."
"But I do," she purred. "I know for many years, ever since you were a little hatchling, you've been alone."
Chills racing through him, Raph could only listen in stunned silence as she went on.
"I know you're older brother, Leonardo, left you alone – left you to defend for yourself as you were growing up." Her eyes glittered. "I know you may recall sitting outside your training room for hours, listening to Leonardo practice and you waiting…waiting for him to notice you."
"How the shell do you know that stuff?" Raph felt himself start to sweat, nervous droplets rolling down his face.
"I know you Raphael, remember?" She seemed almost amused by it all. "You've always wanted to be the leader…you've always wanted to be special to your father."
"No…no…" his voice was no more than a mere whisper.
"But your father chose Leonardo to lead…he chose him to be number one in his heart. You've always known you were last, haven't you?" chuckling, she went on. "Michelangelo would be next, being the baby of the family. Then there would be Donatello, the quiet yet loyal one. Your father could always count on Donatello to fix the TV – to prove his worth over and over. And then there was you…" her voice trailed off, allowing the words to sink into Raph's head, as well as his heart. "You're rash…foolish. You may have strength, but so do your brothers. But then where does that leave you? Hmm?"
"Master Splinter said…"
"Master?" her eyebrow rose in question. "See, ever now you admit to being his humble servant."
"Servant? What?!" he wasn't sure whether to be furious or stunned. "Master is a sign of respect to your teacher."
"Respect?" chuckling, she let a smile play across her face. "Master is simply showing humbleness…never was it respect. Servants said master because it showed that they were lower than those they served – they're weak. And I know you're not weak."
"Like heck he's not." Suri growled, hooking her arm through Raph's. The red-banded turtle could only nod.
"Then why does he resort to master?"
For once in his life, Raphael was speechless. Splinter had always told them that master was just a title of respect…but now that he thought about it, was it just about respect? Or was it something more?
"Then what should I do?" He growled, lifting his chin and stepping away from Suri. His amber eyes bore into the brown orbs.
"Simple." She smiled. "You need to show them who's the 'master'. You're not weak and they need to see that – you're strong and by far one of the best fighters of them all."
"How?" Weakness was always something he wanted to stay away from, and now he was going to have a chance to prove he was better than Leo. He was worth being leader of the clan.
"It's quite easy." She said. "Just…remove them from the picture for awhile. Let them see that it's you who's in charge – you're the one who holds them together."
Already, Raph could see it. Leo would be looking to him for leadership…he would be Mikey's source of guidance and Don's encouragement. He would be Splinter's favorite son.
"Alright, just show me how."
"The choice will be hard." She warned.
"I don't care."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Very well." She made a move to turn away.
"Wait!" Raph reached after her, taking a few steps in her direction. She paused, turning to look over her shoulder.
"Yes Raphael?"
"How though?"
He couldn't help but shiver at the eerie smile she sent his way. "Oh, I'm sure that when the time comes, you'll figure it out."
She moved so fast, Raph barely blinked before her hand whipped towards her belt and she threw a smoke pellet to the ground. Coughing, Raph stumbled back, shielding his eyes with one hand while waving the smoke away from his face with the other.
"Suri!" His voice was hoarse as he stumbled towards where he'd left the girl. "Suri!"
A few minutes later, the smoke cleared out and the only sign that it had ever been thrown was the burning feel in his chest and the slight coughs.
He swore his heart stopped as he scanned the rooftop for the beautiful girl.
The empty rooftop.
"SURI!!!"
"Movie night! Movie night!" Mikey cheered as he led the small parade of him and Casey around the couch before plopping down. In his raised fist he carried his favorite movie while Casey held his own.
"What choices do you all have?" April smiled as she clutched her own DVD to her chest protectively. Splinter stood beside her, leaning on his cane, a smile on his features.
Leo sat in the huge recliner, Don on the floor next to him. Each of them had their own movie choices as well.
"I have 'The Scorpion King'." Leo smiled, holding up his choice. It was his favorite movie – it had action, great sword fighting, and it showed a great amount of skill and honor in the hero's way, bravely fighting across the distance to save his people and restore order.
"Leo, Leo, Leo…" Don gave a dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes. "That movie is so fake. Why not watch a better movie?"
"Like what?" Leo looked unconvinced.
Don proudly held up his unscratched copy of 'Twister'.
There was a great chorus of loud groans from Casey and Mikey while April nodded approvingly.
"How about you then Mike? Since their choices are so horrible?" Teased the red-headed woman.
"I proudly pronounce the best movie ever made! Drum roll please!" With a great dramatic entry, he held up the movie that caused loud groans and boos' from everyone in the room. Ever Splinter's ears went back and a small frown went across his face at his youngest son's movie choice.
"My son, I highly doubt 'Howard the Duck' is an appropriate movie choice."
"Why not?" Mikey's face dropped.
"Cause they're be no one around to watch it." Leo teased. "Case, how about you?"
Casey just smirked and held up 'Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail' which earned a repeated chorus of boos' and groans.
"What?" Casey said, oblivious to his movie selection.
"April?" Splinter turned.
Everyone looked at April who gave a small smile. "I picked 'Titanic." She said softly.
"What?" Casey scratched his head while Don looked thoughtful.
"It's a beautiful movie." April smiled to herself. "It has action, love, forgiveness, and just a great overall plot and meaning to it."
"Love? Ewww." Mikey snorted.
"Don, it's kinda like a documentary." April explained. "And Leo, it has great morals in it about forgiveness and true love and what it means to stay loyal to yourself."
Leo nodded, looking like he'd go for it.
"And Mike," She turned to the stubborn young turtle. "It has…action scenes! With guns and bad guys and everything!"
"Really!?" Mike spun around, bopping his head. "Stick it in then!"
"Splinter?" April asked, waiting for the old rat's approval.
"I do enjoy a good older movie." Splinter nodded his head while he made his way to another chair. "Stick it in, my daughter."
Six hours later, everyone was wiping tears from their eyes as Rose clutched Jack's hand, giving one last pleading whisper as he slipped away into the frozen ocean's depths, his hand still reached up to her even as he sunk away into the darkness of the waters.
When Rose passed away in her sleep, after dropping the necklace into the ocean, Splinter gave a small sniff as she was once again reunited with Jack in heaven, them giving one kiss that sealed their love.
As Celine Dion came on with her song, 'My Heart will Go On', April stood up and hit the eject button. "Well?" she sniffed, turning to the others.
No words were needed as everyone gave tearful nods. Even Casey had a few tear tracks on his face, though he tried to hide it.
"Good choice April." Leo smiled, standing up. "I'm going out just for a second…I need to collect myself."
Splinter smiled. "Return quickly my son."
"Yes Master." Leo bounded outside, scaling the wall. He didn't see the several figures hidden in the shadows, dart guns in their hands.
All he felt were the quick rapid fire of the needles piercing his skin before everything started to blur. He didn't even have time to gasp before darkness set in and the ground raced up to meet him.
Darkness.
In case any of you were wondering, I'm on a Titanic addiction right now so I've been watching it a lot. Best movie ever! LOL
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