Yay! Another chapter. I finally figured got Leo... err... Shade to tell me what was going on. I think he creeps me out a little. Lol Enjoy the chapter. And review please. : )

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Chapter 15

Shade feels his body slowly go limp on him, muscle by muscle. He tries to fight it, but it does no use, darkness fast falls upon him.

It doesn't appear long at all until it seems he is standing. He is no longer strapped to that bed. He is no longer in that lair. He looks down at himself. He is even wearing his black coat again. Reaching up, he feels his black hat. "What is going on?"

His feet starts moving of their own accord. He soon realizes he can't stop himself from moving forward. And he knows there is only one reason for that. This was another one of his horrid flashbacks. He would scowl if he could.

Shade walks through the alleyways, walking aimlessly until he comes to a group of thugs who barely give him a glance. They seem to be whispering amongst themselves until one looks right at him.

One snickers. "Who's that guy?"

Another grunts. "Probably just some punk."

"Wonder if he knows about them green freaks," the third one says.

Shade stops next to them. "I may." His eyes narrow, seizing up each one. "Enlighten me."

"Why should we?" the first one asks.

Shade cracks his knuckles. "Because I asked nicely." His voice was calm, but he still had the desired affect on the three thugs.

The second starts speaking, tripping over his own words.

"Calm down," Shade says almost amused. "I can't understand all that gibberish."

The third one slaps the second. "I'll tell him."

The second guy nods. The first just grunts, crossing his arms in front of him, but remaining silent.

The third turns back to Shade. "Those green freaks are trouble. Messin' up everybody's business. They're some sorta lizards or somethin'."

"They got shells," the first says. "They're turtles or somethin'."

"Whateva!" the third yells. He calms down somewhat and turns back to Shade. "They have to be taken down. But all who try fail and get busted up." He shakes his head. "They day we get them freaks is the day I'll finally shot fer joy. You watch yerself if ya run into 'em." He drills Shade with a good stare. "Cuz no one else will. Ya got that?"

Shade nods. "Yeah. Got it." He looks around slightly before focusing on the three thugs again. "They been around here lately?"

"Nope," the second says. "Next few alleys over. No time and they'll be over here." He seems to grin evilly.

Shade barely nods and moves on, thoughts running through his head as he walked. These lizards or turtles or whatever they were sounded to be very bad news. Hurting these people on the street. He hates that. He seems to scowl as he walks on.

The images soon fade and he sees two kids just up ahead. The kids are walking away from him. But they are familiar and turn to give him one last wave. As he sees their faces, he instantly recognizes them. Jack and Dani. His two little friends who had given him his name. He waves back and watches them disappear to another alley. He himself starts walking away, starting to drift in thought. He had seen those freaky green turtles giving lots of people trouble lately. It needs to end. One way or the other. He had to do something about it before they hurt these people. Or even his two little friends.

A scream pierces the air. A scream all to familiar. Dani!

Shade turns and sprints the way the kids had gone. He would not be too late to help them. They're the only friends he has. As he rounds the corner into another alley he halts in his tracks. There before him was three thugs getting beat up by that dreadful green turtle. The one wearing the red banana. He grits his teeth and watches as the thugs are brought down one by one until only the gun man was left, struggling with the turtle over the gun. Shade's muscles coil tighter as the gun goes off. Dani's shriek fills the air again. He narrows his eyes and rushes forward kicking the third thug from the turtle's grasp. The thug hits the wall and runs off. Shade narrows his eyes even further as he steps closer to the turtle. "Leave," he growls darkly.

"And leave that girl with you?" Raph demands. "She's bleeding and needs to be bandaged up."

"I know that. I'll take care of her. And if you're here to hurt her too..." Shade pauses and looks over to a crying Dani being held by her brother Jack. He turns back to the turtle. "Then I will not hesitate to kill you."

Raph glares, looks at the girl, then back at Shade. "I don't believe you."

"Which part does not make sense to your thick skulled brain?"

Raph growls, looking like his temper's about to snap. "She's afraid. I don't believe you'll help her."

Shade's gaze hardens. He unsheathes one black sword from inside his coat and leaps at Raph, swinging with a swift strike, hardly giving the turtle enough time to dodge it.

Raph's grip on his sai tightened after dodging the sword and raised them to catch the blade's second incoming strike.

Their weapons clicked and clanged as they hit, pulled back, and hit again. Shade scowls, his eyes narrowing as he watches Raph suddenly crouch. Shade gets knocked off his feet, but jumps right back up, ready to knock out that blasted turtle. He saw the turtles leg coming and spun to the right to dodge it. A punch though caught him unaware to his jaw. Growling he swings his sword in a deadly arch, knocking the sai from the turtle before either of them blink. Shade jumps up, lashing out his leg and kicks the turtle hard in the chest, sending him flying and crashing to the ground in front of an oncoming truck, blaring it's loud horn.

Smirking, Shade turned and ran to the kids. He quickly picked up Dani and continues on. "Come on Jack," he whispers.

"But what about the turtle?" Jack asks.

"Come on!"

Jack follows reluctantly. "But..."

"That turtle is evil. He will not hesitate to kill you. I did what I had to do to keep you and your sister safe. And your sister still needs help."

Jack nods and keeps up with Shade. "Will she... be ok?"

Shade looks at Dani's arm as they run. Her sleeve isn't that red. "Yes. Seems to be only a graze. I will take care of her."

Jack smiles softly.

The images fade into darkness. Shade pushes his eyes open. He feels weak and tired. Eyes scanning around the room, he finds he is back in the turtle's lair. Don, Mikey, and Splinter are still in the room. Raph is too, being the closest. The red turtle just stares at him.

Shade growls angry at this. "What?" he snaps.

"Remember anything?" Raph asks, crossing his arms in front of him.

"What's it to ya?"

Raph grunts. "I want to know."

Shade rolls his eyes and snorts. This turtle must be insane. "Like I'd tell you."

"So he's still not himself..." Mikey squeaks out.

"No," Don says sadly.

"Just give him time my sons," Splinter advises. "I do not believe it will be long."

Shade grits his teeth, grounding them together. He starts pulling against the straps again. He is sick of them thinking he would change. He is never going to change. He's not who they think he is and he never will be.

"Don't make me hold you down Leo," Raph ground out, watching Shade squirm under the straps.

Shade glares daggers at him. "Don't you dare touch me," he threatens lowly.

"Then tell me what you saw."

The air grows silent and thick. No one makes a move or a sound.

"No," Shade growls. There was no way he would ever tell them anything. No now. Not later. Not ever. He tugs once again, feeling his left wrist starting to budge.

Raph's gaze narrows, looking like he's about to punch Shade.

Shade just smirks at the angered turtle, keeping his eyes up on Raph as to not alert any of them to fact that his wrist is coming free. "I dare you," he whispers darkly.

"What did you say?" Raph blasts.

"You heard me." Shade almost laughs, enjoying the angry gaze directed at him.

"Raph," Don started.

Raph doesn't answer.

"Raphy..." Mikey tries.

Still no answer from the turtle in red. Shade's smirk turns into a more evil smile. This is almost fun.

Raph bristles, clenching his fists together.

"Raphael," Splinter spoke up in a no nonsense tone.

"What?" Raph growls out.

"He's just goading you," Don said. "Don't let him."

"Easier said than done genius," Raph muttered.

"Just give in why don't you," Shade says low and smooth. "You'll enjoy it so much." His voice hardens. "Just like you enjoyed shooting that kid so long ago."

Raph's eyes widen, his jaw lowers a little.

"Speechless?" Shade asks with a satisfied smile. "Or does the cat have your tongue? Personally I hope it doesn't give it back to you. I'm tired of hearing that voice of yours."

Raph shakes with anger and denial in his eyes.

The others seemed to be staring at Shade like he has a third eye.

Shade's smile widens even more. He is enjoying this too much. He knows that Raph remembers. They are too focused on what he has said to notice that he now has his left wrist free. The saps. Shock them and they loose their focus. He almost laughs. Plus with Raph standing right next to him, his sai in his belt... well no one has to guess at what Shade is planning if they knew he has one hand free. Shade jerks the sai from Raph's belt, effectively stealing it a second time, and cut himself free before they had a chance to move, much less register what had happened. He kicks Raph into Splinter as soon as he has one leg free. Getting off the bed, he really did laugh this time. An almost unstoppable evil laugh. Mikey's eyes were as wide as saucers! And it gives Shade so much pleasure.