Hey, guys! Again, sorry for the late posts. I hope to be able to write some more chapters this weekend. Enjoy!

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 the turtles or make money. Seriously, can I stop doing these thingies?

Flame burst to the surface to an unexpected sight. Men with guns had surrounded his manhole in a loose circle, their sights aimed steadily as they converged on him. He made a swift motion to signal for Michelangelo and Splinter, who had been tailing him, to get away and the policemen seemed to take that as hostility. They started to shout.

"Out of that sewer with your hands up, boy!" a particularly red-faced officer yelled above the others, making sharp motions with the barrel of his pistol. Flame did as was asked; he was no good to Raph and the others if he had so many holes in him he could be used as a sieve.

He stepped out of the sewers to be immediately tackled to the ground by a jumpy young policeman. His mind raced as the tell-tale clink of cuffs locking together burned in his ears. He counted heads.

Nine police officers did not just appear out of the blue, but they could be tipped off by someone well-informed. Someone who knew him, his crimes, and where he could be found. Someone with a reason to hate him.

He was roughly jerked to his feet and marched to one of several cop cars blocking off the alley. A terse voice informed him of his rights, but he didn't care to listen. His mind was already running through various calculations.. How he could possibly get out of a jail cell, if he should act before then, how much time he should allow himself..

He had a deadline to make, and it seemed Nathan wanted him angry. He didn't hear the still red-faced man's offhand remark.

"...and I can't help but wonder what motivates young people like this to commit such horrible acts. Detonating a bomb at a public event, really! We didn't act up that bad in my day; we grew up with morals. I hope he rots in prison."

xxx

Leonardo was less than surprised when Raphael was thrust roughly into the cell he and Donatello had been freezing in for the last several hours. He cursed himself and his lack of leading ability for exactly the seventh time that day.

Once when the ninjas busted down the lair's door shortly after he and Mikey had returned from patrolling; he should have made then double back four times instead of just three. Again when Mikey screamed from damage to his leg. As he and Donatello were knocked out, in the few moments of clarity he had-should have squirmed harder, they shouldn't have been able to hold him.

Another curse when he woke up here, in this cold, wet storage area that smelled like dead fish. Yet again when Donny was dragged away and came back bloody. Shame for his own screams, when his time came.

Raph didn't look as bad off as Leo expected him to be. His skin seemed relatively normal, save for a few scratches and bruises. He still hadn't moved from where he had landed on the floor.

A shock went through Leo and he called out. "Raph?"

When no response was forthcoming, both Leo and Donatello scrambled to Raph's side. Leo turned his younger brother over, holding Raph's head carefully between his hands. Donny took a quick pulse.

"Slow, but getting faster."

Leo sucked in a quick breath. They were far from in the clear-so far, in fact, that he didn't even remember where "clear" was, anymore. "Will he be alright?"

Donny shrugged. "Yeah. I think he was probably drugged before he was taken. He should be waking up soon."

"They didn't want to pick a fight with him."

Leo smirked, and Donny let out a dark chuckle. "They won't want to fight any of us ever again once we get through with them."

If we survive this. The words hung over them, though neither would acknowledge it, and Leonardo let the smirk slide from his face. He let out a frustrated sigh.

"I just wish I knew what they wanted from us. Their quarrel is with Flame."

"Maybe because we housed him?"

"I don't think so. They aren't the Foot. They don't have a psycho leader with a vendetta against us specifically... Perhaps... No. Just a psycho leader."

"Does insanity need to be explained?"

"Everything needs to be explained," Leo affirmed, reaching to squeeze one of Raph's shoulders. Thankfully, Donny didn't argue. He also didn't bring up Leo's slip of tongue. Perhaps he hates Raph for his..involvement..with Flame.

Leo thought he knew for a fact that Flame and Raph weren't a thing at present. There was ample tension between them, sure, but nothing had actually happened, right? Not his little brother?

He ran his hands absently over his brother's shoulders and neck and noticed several weird patches of raised skin. Raph's fingers twitched, as if in response. Leo did it again, applying a little more pressure.

His brother groaned, mumbling a name Leo couldn't distinguish. He leaned over for a better vantage point, eyes narrowing. When he spoke, his voice was tight with urgency.

"Donny."

The faint scuffling sounds of Donatello scrambling closer fell on deaf ears as Raph's eyes popped open. Leo's complete attention went immediately to those eyes, however unfocused and cloudy they appeared. The pupils within amber irises contracted and the orbs themselves flitted, as if searching for something. Raph was alive; Raph was conscious.

Leo let his palms rub some warmth into Raph's skin, and his brother focused on him. The red-banded turtle's brow wrinkled. "Leo?"

He rubbed harder. "I'm here."

"..'S good. Where's Flame?"

Leo smiled softly. He decided to ignore Raph's question. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Raph rolled his eyes, and Leo knew now that his brother would truly be alright. It was a good sign that Raph had thought to undermine his authority so soon. The next statement was more troubling. "I'm cold."

"We know," Donny said solemnly. Raph's eyes snapped in his direction, as if just noticing he was there. "It's kinda chilly here."

"C-cold... Wait, where-"

"Shhhh, Raph," Leo cut in before his brother could descend into panic. He watched as sickening realization played over Raph's face. He kneaded soothing circles into his brother's shoulders when Raph squeezed his eyes shut again.

"I'll get us out of this, don't worry," he declared. He would worry for them-he was the leader. It was his responsibility. He was subconsciously aware of Donny leaning heavily on him, his team's deepest thinker letting his eyes drift closed. Leo whispered a promise to his family, low enough to be sure he would not be heard.

"You'll get out of here. I will make sure of that."

I've been feeling Leonardo-ish lately. Needed to give Flame a little bit of a break here... I'll need to use Flame for the next chapter, but I think I'll end it all the way it started-Raph's POV. Sound good? Good.

Later, skaters.

-DauntlessAdrenaline