I couldn't resist writing this next chapter. That makes two in one day. You guys should be proud of me! This one is a little shorter, but that's just natural.

Summary: Raph is sure he can't take Leo's almighty attitude any longer. He channels his rage through the Nightwatcher, a mask he puts on to beat down criminals of all kinds. However, when Raph (as the Nightwatcher) is captured by desperate criminals, he begins to realize how much he really needs a leader. He also might have found love in the process. RaphxOC, M/M SLASH! Don't like, don't read.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or make money.

He must really love pancakes, Raph documented for himself as he watched Flame wolf down an extremely tall stack in less than 15 minutes. Sure, Mike's cooking was great, but it wasn't THAT great. Gotta be a taste for pancakes.

Raph himself had scarcely anything else to do but observe Flame's behavior across the table. He had finished a modest breakfast early, not really feeling that hungry, and so was content to fiddle with his silverware and enjoy the show. Sensei had not come down to meet their guest yet; an unusual thing for him. Raph vaguely recalled Leo talking about Splinter being in deep meditation about something.. A spiritual disturbance? Whatever.

As if the mere thought of his father caused Splinter to materialize, Raph looked up just in time to see their mentor enter the kitchen. Raph didn't know what he was expecting, but Splinter wasn't looking too good. His normally pristine fur was tangled and matted in places, his tail drooped slightly to brush the floor, and he moved with the slow air of the exhausted.

"Good morning, my sons," Master Splinter said tiredly as he lowered himself into a chair. "And good morning to you as well, young guest."

Flame's head had popped up as soon as Splinter had spoken, and now he bowed his head with trepidation toward the old teacher. "Good morning."

Both turned to look at Raphael, and he floundered with what to do for a moment before Splinter coughed impatiently.

"Oh! Flame, this is our sensei and our father, Master Splinter. Sensei, this is Flame."

Splinter narrowed his eyes. "I see. Leonardo has already informed me as far as our guest is concerned. Flame, if you would, I have something to say about recent events."

Raph smirked as Flame choked halfway through a gulp of orange juice. This would be interesting. By now, Mike was observing the trio as well, and came to sit at the table after placing a plate in front of Splinter.

"Sir?" Flame finally managed to swallow the rest of his drink.

"At first, I will admit I did not approve of your staying here, as you were the one responsible for Raphael's disappearance," came the quick response. Raph's eyes widened. Would his father kick Flame out? "However, since I hear that you are also the one who ensured his safe return, and were even injured in doing so, I have decided that your presence here will not be a problem."

Raph almost jumped for joy, Mike whooped, and even Splinter cracked a smile. Flame let out a huge breath, and gripped both of Splinter's paws in his hands.

"Thank you. I can't tell you how much it means to me."

Splinter nodded. "Indeed."

Again, Splinter seemed to squint at Flame, and Raph wondered what he could possibly be looking at. Abruptly, Splinter drew back with a gasp.

"Sensei, are you alright?" Mike cried, ready to leap from the table to help his father, but Splinter waved him off.

"I'm quite alright, Michelangelo. Your friend has a most intriguing aura. Gold!"

Flame froze at this, and quickly slipped his hands from Splinter. An unreadable expression flickered over his face before he settled on the stone face that Raph had come to recognize as 'leader-mode.'

"Thanks once again, sir, for allowing me to stay here. And for the food; Mike, you're an excellent cook. I'm stuffed. I think I'll go... Practice some more. See you guys later." With that, Flame thrust his chair back and left the kitchen at a brisk pace. Mike was about to stand when Splinter put a warning paw on his arm.

"Michelangelo, you need to finish your breakfast. Raphael, go after him. I fear all is not well."

Raph rose, and it took all of his willpower not to run after Flame to demand to know what was going on. Ordinarily, being told your aura was gold wasn't such a bad thing. The color itself had always been associated with charisma and positions of high responsibility.

It didn't take Raph long to find Flame-he had truly gone to the dojo and started practicing. Raph found himself a spectator and Flame the performer. He watched as the two dao blades weaved through the air, spun with the slightest flick of the wrist, true extensions of Flame's arms. The redhead was currently going through sets strikingly similar to Leo's katas, but yet different. Drills.

"You ran outta there quick," Raph said quietly, just to make his presence known, but it was enough to cause Flame to freeze for just a second.

"I don't recall running," Flame said stiffly as he continued the move. Raph let him work until he finished the entire set, but interrupted again before he could start a new one.

"That's what it felt like to me. What happened back there?"

Flame sheathed his swords and ran a hand through his hair. Raph took the opportunity to step closer, and he was suddenly very aware of how alone they were. They hadn't been alone like this since his captivity.

"Guess gold's just not my color," Flame was smirking, and Raph knew he wouldn't get a real answer out of him today. Maybe not ever. He decided not to push it, and instead pursued a different track.

"Nice work with Leo today. I've been waiting for years to see someone do that."

Flame chuckled. "That was pretty fun, I will admit. He gave me a run for my money."

Raph tiptoed closer. If he reached out, he could touch Flame's skin.. But he didn't. He wouldn't try it.

"Yeah? Could ya just beat him next time?"

"I'll try my best."

An awkward silence lapsed between them as Raph tried to figure out what to say. Surely Flame knew there was something going on between them? He though back to the hand on his plastron, the time Flame had told him he liked him (in a roundabout manner of speaking). Now Flame's gaze found him, the smirk gone, more serious now. Golden pools slowly examined his body, winding upward but pointedly avoiding certain areas, then ending their search to look in Raph's eyes. He burned all over.

"What's going on here?" Raph rasped. Great, now even his voice was betraying him. He couldn't understand how he had even come to find Flame attractive, not really. There were too many things he didn't know, things Flame wouldn't tell, and a hint of danger in it all.

Raph had always been drawn to danger. Perhaps that was it.

Before Raph knew it, Flame was smirking again. "Depends on where you're headed, I suppose."

Raph's mind exploded with the sheer amount of implications that statement held. That.. That could mean anything. It could mean best friends, or enemies, or lovers..

He was just about to question Flame some more (What the hell?!) when Mike flipped into the dojo, seemingly not-at-all aware that he was interrupting a bit of a moment. Raph could've punched him, but he knew Mike would have made him feel terrible about it immediately after.

"Hey, dude, I'm stealing him from you now!" Mike yelled in Raph's general direction, brushing past him to get to Flame. "Bro, I know you just got here, but do you skate any?"

Flame blinked, and his grin faltered for a second. "Huh?"

"Board? Ya know... Skateboard?"

"A little," Flame admitted, though he still seemed confused. Raphael barely registered this; all he knew was that he was in prime position to kick Mike's tail and if he did bad things would happen to him so he'd better control himself-

"The sewer pipes are sick for fakies, dude. You ride goofy?"

"Nah, regular."

"It's all the same, man. C'mon, let's go!"

"I was talking to Raph.." Flame glanced over, causing Mike to sigh in exasperation.

"But Raph can't skate!" He implored, tugging on Flame's arm a little. Raph watched Flame debate inwardly for a few moments before coming to a decision.

"Alright, Mike. I don't wanna be a poser, so I'll ride with you." He flashed Raph one of his devilish grins, even as Mike pulled on his arm again. "Raph, we'll finish this conversation later, okay?"

"Yay!" Mike squealed at about the same time Raph muttered "Sure, okay." He watched as his youngest brother bounded away.

"See you soon," came the warm breath near his ear. Raph closed his eyes for a much-needed calming breath before something soft pressed against his mouth. So quick, so casual, he almost missed it, but he had definitely just been kissed.

Considering Flame was the only one who had been around for it... Raph assumed...

He opened his eyes, but Flame was already gone. With an undignified growl, Raph headed over to his punching bag, and imagined all the different ways he could hit a certain orange-masked turtle's face.

Awww, Raphie's jealous. I'm interested to see how this plays out, because I didn't plan for a first kiss this early.. However, a little brush on the lips hardly counts in MY book.

Continue reading, my valiant reviewers! You know your duty!

-DauntlessAdrenaline