Wow, it's literally been forever. So sorry that I like disappeared off the face of the earth for a while there. My interests just sort of shifted. Hopfully now though I'll stick with this sucker until I finish it. Only a few more chapters to go and we'll be done. ;) My song of inspiration was 'Sweater Weather' by Max & Alyson Stoner. The regular version isn't inspiring in the least. lol And it's not the lyrics so much as the emotion behind them that inspired me for this. Plus the line 'It's too cold'. You'll see what I mean by the end.

Alopex hopes and prays that perhaps Raph's newfound faith in her will mean he won't follow them when they go out, but she is bitterly disappointed. Well, she says them, but that's really only to comfort herself. The them of going out has turned into 'her'. After that day in the sewers Donnie hasn't gone out with her again. It's better that they have some space. At least that's what he told her. And honestly there's was no way to argue with him. Not only did she not want to fight, but it was probably true. They needed time to think – again. A few days would do them good. Only right now there is no way for her to focus on such a trifle thing. Only one thought pulses in her brain, night and day, and that's her plan with Karai. And with each passing day it seems the chances of avoiding a disaster grow dimmer and dimmer.

Only three more days. It's a terrible, chilling thought. And he just. Won't. Stop. She senses him up there, on the roofs above her. It boils her blood and makes her hands clench into tight fists. A low growl rumbles in her throat. "That's it!" She screams to the heavens. She turns hard on her heel and rockets up the fire escape. She launches herself across the roof and tackles Raph in one swift motion.

Raph doesn't have time to react. He heard her scream and saw every move she made on her way toward him, yet somehow her extreme reaction is such a surprise he misses the moment of action. She takes him down hard and he hits the ground with a grunt. "What the-" Again she is too fast.

Alopex slaps her hand over his mouth. "Shut up. And listen." She leans in close to his face. She narrows her eyes and her lips curl sharply downward. "You need to stop. Stop freaking following me you annoying little…little…" She groans. "Whatever. Just stop it! Now." Her eyes burn with intensity.

Raph's expression is initially blank. Then slowly it shifts into equal fury. He knocks her hand from his mouth and throws her off. "It's a free world." He points a finger in her face. "I can be out here on the rooftops as much as you can be out," He waves his hand flippantly. "Doing whatever the heck it is you do." Which can't be anything good. Just because he trusts her with his brothers doesn't mean he trusts her personally. She's still a thief – a criminal.

Alopex bares her teeth. Her lips curl back to reveal her snarl. "I thought you trusted me?" She snaps. "What happened to that? Huh?" She slams her palms down and shoves her front half up, more at eye level with him.

Raph scoffs. He slowly stands, dusting himself off. "You wish." He crosses his arms and narrows his eyes into thin slits. "You won't hurt my brothers, I see that now. But that doesn't make you a good person." His lips press into a thin line. "You still come out here and steal things. I'm not blind. I see you every time."

Alopex growls deep in her throat. "It's none of your business!" She jumps to her feet, refusing to let the balance of power shift. "It's my life and I can live it how I want to." Need to. She cringes, a fleeting micro-expression that she hurries to cover up.

Raph catches the sentiment and his resolve wavers. He knows that look. It's the same one Mikey makes whenever it comes to friends. But…not. Having friends isn't illegal. It's something their mutation did to them. Her…maybe it's for survival…but it's still wrong! He mentally slaps himself. He can't go feeling sorry for her. Not when she could crash with them and have all the food and support she could ever need. She's just being stubborn. Just like me. "Yeah, so can I. And I'm choosing to live mine by keeping tabs on you."

Alopex throws her hands in the air and pivots. She storms away from him. "Whatever. Do whatever the heck you want. I don't care." She makes a sound, somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. "Just wait and see what happens."

Raph starts. What? He opens and closes his mouth around empty words. He shakes his head fiercely and dispels the shock. "Hey!" He charges after her. "Wait!"

Alopex throws a glance over her shoulder, but she does not heed his words. She leaps from the roof and returns to the fire escape. In an instant she is back on the ground and cloaked in darkness. Her golden eyes glint from within for a moment, then all trace of her vanishes completely.

Raph stares down into the darkness, but he doesn't bother following after her. There's no point. She's already long gone. He groans and kicks at the roof. He hisses as concrete scrapes against flesh and tears his skin a little. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?" He whispers to the emptiness. He sighs and shakes his head. "Family doesn't keep secrets like that…"

Alopex doesn't go straight home. She wanders the streets, but not aimlessly so. She doesn't want to go there – where she knows her feet are taking her – but there's no use stopping it. She walks to the spot where she had that meeting with Karai, back when things were different. She stands tall atop the building, the wind flowing through her fur and making her scarf flutter slightly. It's the same sight as before, yet so very painstakingly different. How can one week really change so much?

Her ears flick slightly and a smell lights her nose. She goes rigid and clenches her hands into tight fists. She narrows her eyes and a slight snarl curls her lips. Little wench. She doesn't bother turning around. She even forces herself to take a more relaxed pose. All the hatred seeps from her expression and she takes on one of indifference just in time.

Karai steps around to Alopex's front, her lips curling into a smirk. Her eyes dance with mischief. "What a pleasant surprise – seeing you here." She clasps her hands behind her back and straightens herself a little. "You do realize it's too early. Or do you wish to move the date? Or…perhaps you even want to call the whole thing off?"

Alopex scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Of course not. A true warrior never goes back on her word. I called on you for this and said I would do this, so I will do this." Her eyes narrow and instantly snap back to a look of indifference. "Besides, there's no reason for me to change my mind."

Karai nods imperceptibly. Her brows raise on her head. "I see." She peers deep into Alopex's eyes. Clouded. But it's forced. The fox is hiding something – something of vital importance. Emotions. She stifles a laugh and simply allows her smirk to grow a bit wider. "That's good to hear. I'd hate for Shredder to not get what he was promised."

Alopex is not blind to the threat, but she merely scoffs at the girl's attempt at intimidation. Alopex knows true fear – of death, of loss of self, and of worst of all a loss of family. "It sure would be a shame." Alopex looks away from Karai, to the horizon. "I'm only here to relax. It's one of my favorite spots." The stars seem to shine brighter here, no lie. But she has never really been here. The stars don't interest her. Never have and never will.

Karai makes a soft sound of acknowledgement. "Well, when the time comes you better be ready." She sends a sharp, meaningful look at Alopex.

Alopex nods a little too stiffly. She hopes Karai doesn't notice. "I will be." Her voice is tighter than she intends and she barely hides a cringe. "In three days."

Karai nods. "That's right." She turns hard on her heel. "And don't forget it." She leaps from the roof and onto the next one. She flips from her hands to her feet with each jump to the roofs that come after that until she disappears from Alopex's view.

Alopex stares after the girl for a long moment. She snaps out of her daze and shakes her head. She snorts. "Cocky little…" She lets the harsh words fade from her lips. She turns slowly, a stark contrast from Karai's leave. Whether it is purposefully – to be different from the wretched girl before her – or out of some kind of habit she can't be sure. Then she leaves, letting the terrible location fade from her presence but never from her thoughts. It lingers there – at the periphery. If only he would just listen. "Dumbass…" She'll have to think of something else, or…just let things play out. After all, he kind of deserves it. He's no saint. Not even close.

…

Alopex tries again the next day and then the day after that. She even gets into a physical fight with him at one point. She very nearly bites him too, just barely stopping herself when Leo yells a warning. Surprisingly yet not too shockingly Donnie doesn't say a word. He almost looks amused at the tussle if not for the distinct scent of confusion and hurt emanating from him. Maybe he was feeling both simultaneously. It wouldn't be the first time he did something amazing.

By the last day Alopex has given up. She resigns herself to the fate they'll all have to endure. If he wants to be that way, then so be it. Even with his change of heart she can't say she cares for him much if at all. It is only by extension of the others – Donnie – that she is at all stricken with grief. Still…grief is grief. And boy has it hit hard.

Alopex paces behind the couch. She grasps her hands behind her back, her expression tight. Her brows furrow far down and a grimace stretches across her face. She could not go. Who's going to force her? A laugh bubbles at the back of her throat. No… That was never an option. She could knock him out and claim innocence later when he, for some strange reason, doesn't follow her like all the nights before. She scoffs. Stupid. There's really nothing. She bows her head. Is there?

Donnie watches her from the kitchen. He's been watching her these past few days as her behavior grew increasingly erratic – strange even by the standards for her. He frowns. Something's not right. He nibbles at his sandwich. He quickly discards the food, tired of it. He stands to his feet, but he does not move. He keeps his eyes trained on her. It's getting late. He wonders if she'll wander out tonight too. If Raph will follow her?

Donnie sighs. He leans heavily against the table. His brother just can't let it go. Even after trusting her he just can't trust her. Raph makes no sense. Donnie lifts his hands and fiddles with his fingers. You're going to twist your hands clean off. Donnie starts as her voice echoes in his head, from a time so far back that he can't reach it. "Wow…" He breathes. He half laughs. "It really has been a while…" A while since they met.

"What's up?" Leo walks to Donnie's side. He looks straight ahead, his gaze flitting between Alopex and the couch where Raph is stretched out with a comic in his hands. It's his favorite haunt nowadays – close to Alopex. It might be seen as endearing to an outsider, but they know their brother all too well. It's anything but.

Donnie shakes his head. "I don't know." He bites his lip. "But I…I just have this feeling." He opens and closes his mouth around empty words. He shakes his head again. Then he finds the words, "Raph needs to stop following her. He's only going to hurt himself like this. Her life, it…it's not something he'll ever be able to understand or accept. It's just the way he is…"

Leo stifles a grimace. He keeps his face blank albeit the slight furrowing of his brow. "It is getting out of hand." He focuses solely on Raph. He bows his head lifts his hand so it supports his chin. "Look," He glances to Donnie. "How about I talk to him about it tonight? If he does it again." When he does it again, his mind chides.

Donnie grimaces. "You sure that's such a good idea?" He fiddles with his fingers worse than ever. "You know he's still mad at you for the other day – for choosing her over him."

Leo averts his eyes. Pain creases his features. When he broke up the fight between Raph and Alopex the other day he hadn't been thinking. He took her side, or at least what Raph called choosing her side. Raph had stormed off and not come back at all, not until this morning. Trusting her didn't do a thing for his issues with them siding with her in a Raph versus Alopex scenario.

"Leo?" Donnie presses. His brother's eyes have grown strangely vacant in the silence.

Leo blinks and breaks the daze. "No," He says vaguely. "It'll…be fine." He turns his head and smiles at Donnie. "Raph won't do anything stupid. It's just a talk." Yeah, right. His brother may be a lot of things, but sensible is rarely one of them. He acts like a child when it comes to such petty things. He holds grudges far past their expiration date.

Donnie senses the uncertainty deep within his eldest brother. "Just watch yourself." When it comes to Alopex, Raph is unpredictable. "It's not worth ruining your relationship with Raph."

Leo lets out a single syllable laugh. Something like genuine amusement flashes in his eyes, but it is gone as quick as it came. His eyes become quiet and serious. "Our relationship hasn't changed because of her. It's just…amplified."

Donnie smiles, but it is tiny. "Well, that amplifying is exactly what you should be worried about."

Leo scoffs. "He won't hurt me. Not any worse than those times before."

Donnie shrugs. "Alright."

It isn't long after their conversation that Raph springs into action. Alopex leaves the same time as always, only this time a hint of hesitation lingers in her step. She throws a glance over her shoulder, knowing full well that even though she can't see Raph he will be right on her tail from the start. Then she exits the lair, heading for the predetermined location.

Leo is not far behind them. Donnie's words hover at the forefront of his mind. He will have to be careful about this, it's true. Raph was never easy to handle. Regardless, Leo knows him better than anyone. If he can't talk sense into Raphael than no one can.

He tracks the pair at a distance. He isn't sure where they're going. It's far from the lair. So far, in fact, that Raph seems to be growing agitated. Actually, they're kind of going in loops. Leo sighs. Guess now's as good a time as any. He speeds up, but not soon enough.

Raph yells at Alopex from the rooftop. "Stop running in circles and actually go somewhere."

Alopex's ear flits at the sound of him. She stops and turns, slowly. She rests a hand on her hip and shoots him a sharp look. "If you don't like it then you can go right on back where you came from." Please. "You sneak!"

Raph glowers down at her. "Not a chance sister." He points a finger at her. "If you think I'm letting you go and steal things then you have another thing coming."

Alopex clenches her fists and jerks her head up. She releases a loud cry to the sky. She turns hard on her heel and sprints. Maybe she can lose him if she runs as fast and hard as she can.

Raph jolts forward, but his body doesn't go anywhere. He grunts as a force holds him back. He fights it for a minute until a voice reaches him.

"Stop it, Raph." Leo says with force. His deep blue eyes burn with intensity. "Just let her go."

Raph starts and swivels. He wrenches Leo's hands off him and shoves his brother. He turns hard on his heel, but Alopex is already gone. "Damn it, Leo!" He jerks around to face Leo, a fire welling within him. "What the hell is your problem?"

"My problem?" Leo scoffs. "What about you?" He crosses his arms. "You're out her tailing someone who is supposed to be family. What's that about?"

Raph growls deep in his throat. "Family or not, I have the right to track the no good scoundrel." He trembles faintly. "I mean," He half laughs, a tight almost hysterical sounding noise. "Do you know what she does out here!?" He hits a hand lightly against his own head. "She steals, Leo. She's a no good thief."

Leo searches Raph's face. He knows that look all too well. Donnie was right. "Raph, calm down." He waves his hands downward. "Okay? I just want to tal-"

Raph sneers. "Talk? Yeah, sure, let's talk." His hands curl around his sais out of instinct. He doesn't even register the action. "Like about how you're dis-re-gard-ing a crim-in-al. You know that if I was out here looting places you'd smack me upside the head, chain me in the lair and then some."

Leo lets out a heavy breath. "Raph," He says softly. "Look, she's family, but she's…" Not. "I mean," He rubs the back of his neck and averts his eyes. Some leader. "I'm not her leader."

"Ooooh. Good comeback." Raph tightens his grip on his weapons.

Leo's gaze snaps back around, zoning in on Raph's hands. "Raph," There is a note of hysteria to his tone. "Please, just let it go. She will be who she is going to be. Can't you just pretend that she's only out here to look at the stars or something…I dunno…"

"Oh, ok." Raph tilts his head and his eyes widen considerably as he mocks Leo. "Next time people are being murdered for apparently no reason we should just no turn on the news or go topside or anything. It'll be like no one ever died."

Leo growls and clenches his hands into fists. "You know that's not the same!" He scowls fiercely at his little brother. "She isn't killing anybody!"

"Yet."

"Are you serious?" Leo throws his hands in the air. "Come off it Raph! Like you're a saint."

Raph's eyes catch fire. "You telling me I'm like her?" He jerks his sais from his belt and tenses in preparation. Don't you dare say it.

Leo breathes in and out deeply. "You're definitely the grey area."

Raph rushes Leo.

Leo leaps backward. He snaps his hands back and pulls his katanas from their sheath. He thrusts them outward, just in time to block Raph's sais. "Raph!" He doesn't try to fight. He only holds his brother back. "Stop this. There's no reason to fight. I just wanted to talk to you."

Raph quakes with all the rage built up from each and every one of Leo's 'talks' and standing up for her and everything. "I've had enough." He bounces back and swerves around Leo.

Leo spins, following every movement his brother makes. I broke the camel's back. "Raph," He pleads. "I don't want to fight you." He hates how pathetic he sounds as he says it. But really, he just can't take any more violence. He's had enough close calls without them turning on each other too.

Raph thrusts his sais forward, catching Leo's katanas and holding them firmly in place. He jerks his knee up and catches Leo on the chin.

Leo gasps and flies across the roof. He hits hard, his weapons falling from his grasp and skittering over the roof. Leo moans and stretches his arms out to tenderly touch his chin. He cringes. There. He got what he wanted – one good hit. Maybe now he'll listen.

"Get up." Raph seethes. He stomps toward Leo. "What kind of leader are you? Can't even keep up with one of your followers. Your lessers."

Leo shoves himself to his knees. Are you kidding me? It's about that too? Again? He thought Raph got over that already. "Raph-"

Raph kicks him hard in the gut. "I said up."

Leo gasps, the breath knocked out of him.

"Or is fearless not so fearless after all?" He twirls his sais, but it is by no means playfully. It's an ever present threat, ready at a whim to strike.

Leo narrows his eyes and lifts his head. His usually clear blue eyes darken much like Raph's. "Fine." He twists and slams his legs against Raph's ankles.

Raph yelps as his feet come out from under him and he tumbles.

Leo springs to his feet. He leaps at Raph, slamming his palms down on his brother's shoulders. "You want to fight?" Leo locks eyes with Raph – blue clashing with green. "Then fight with honor. Don't kick a man – a brother – while he's down.

Raph scoffs. "Winning is winning." He twists his head around and bites down hard on Leo's arm.

Leo retracts his hands and in his haste throws himself off balance.

Raph catapults Leo over his head with his legs. He leaps to his feet and spins, charging at Leo.

Leo catches himself on his hands and flips to his feet. He turns in time to see Raph inches from him. He starts and sprints, swerving around Raph. He dives for his weapons, scooping them up and bounding back to his feet in a flash. His chest heaves, more than it should. Shit.

Raph swings his sais at Leo, once more catching both katanas. "What's the matter Leo? I thought you were ready to fight me for real." He grins, something dark glinting in his eyes.

Leo's chest feels tight. Oh God. He wants to go for his inhaler, but Raph really will hurt him if he lets his guard down for even a second. "Raph," The darkness seeps away, replaced by a prickling of fear at the back of his neck.

Raph presses harder and harder. His arms tremble with the effort. Then a sharp snap splits the air.

Leo's katanas snap, the blades clattering against the roof. Leo goes agape. He stares from one broken sword to the other.

Raph leaps and slams his foot into Leo's jaw. He follows through and lunges down at Leo, his sai ringing as it smashes into the concrete just inches from Leo's head.

Leo stares wide eyed up at Raph. His frame trembles faintly. He tries to say something, but shock overwhelms him.

Raph breathes heavily in and out. Slowly, surely, he comes down. His clouded eyes clear and he realizes with sickening clarity where he is and what he is doing. His pupils dilate and he jerks up, away from Leo. He shakes his head.

Leo reaches out to Raph, wanting to tell him so badly that it is alright. Even though it isn't. He sees that look in his brother's eyes. He knows it just as well as his anger – gut-wrenching guilt. But words continue to fail him, his skyrocketing desperation making it ten times worse.

Raph back further away. What's wrong with me? He jerks his head down and clenches his eyes shut tight. He grits his teeth and his quaking increases. He turns hard on his heel, snapping his eyes open only to see where he is going. He leaps to the next roof.

Leo sits up, but he doesn't bother acting fast. He doubts he could even if he wanted to. He pushes himself up on trembling legs. He holds the stubs of his swords uselessly in front of him. "Raph…" He croaks. He stares emptily after his brother.

Leo gasps and his body flinches. His brows furrow and he looks around at the source of pain. His eyes widen as he sees a tranquilizer dart stuck in his arm. No… He makes a sharp turn, searching desperately for the shooter.

Everything is shifting. His world tilts and he stumbles. It's so very hard to stay on his feet or even to stay focused. His surroundings begin to blur.

From the shadows jump a group of foot ninjas. They stare without feeling at Leo as they make a tight circle around him.

Leo scrambles back, but only manages to fall over. He grunts as he lands, but the pure panic is slowly being buried beneath layers of tranquility, of sleep. His breathing is nonetheless erratic. His heart pounds in his ears. I can't… He swings a fist at them, but they easily catch it. Can't fight.

"Not the one we were sent for." One ninja says. "But one turtle's as good as the next."

"And I hear this one's the rat's favorite." A wicked smirk curves his lips.

Leo stares through half lidded eyes up at them. No one here… A whine bubbles in Leo's throat. No one to save me.

"Fun." Another snickers. He moves in and lifts Leo. He easily throws Leo over his shoulder, the turtle proving only slight trouble with his extra dead weight. "Alright. Move out!"

Leo knows they have him. He knows he could punch this guy out right now and get away – should be able to. Only he can't. His limbs are limp and his mind is fast slipping after it. He'll lose consciousness and they'll have him forever. Unless…

Leo draws in a deep breath. A wordless scream bursts forth, reaching out to anyone willing to listen. Reaching to Raph.

Raph freezes. His breath hitches and a panic wells within him. "Leo…" He jerks around and sprints back toward where he left Leo. That scream…it was chilling.

Leo can't retain consciousness. It's too much. With that last expenditure of energy has left him drained. The blackness creeps in at the edges and completely consumes him. He succumbs to the darkness, his eyes closing and head slumping forward. Raph…

"Move it." The foot soldier carrying Leo yells. "His brother will be here any minute I'm sure." He leaps from the roof and down into the darkness of the alley.

All the others nod. It wouldn't be worth it to try and catch the other. Even sedated he might be able to get some of them. He still has his weapons. So they follow suit, disappearing in the black.

"Leo!" Raph barrels over the gap in the roofs. He jerks his head from side to side. He spins about and lurches from one corner of the building to the next. "Leo!" His voice cracks. His heart beats furiously in his chest and his breathing is much too rapid. It makes him think even more of Leo – his inhaler – and Raph pitches forward.

Raph picks himself up, his mind a whir of incoherent thoughts as he vainly searches for a sign of which direction they – whoever they is – took his big brother. Nothing. So he just chooses blindly. He dashes, leaping from building to building and calling Leo's name ceaselessly. His cries are so loud and desperate that before long his throat is raw and his voice almost completely gone.

Raph's feet are sore and his stamina is drained. He slows, barely picking one foot up after the other. His determination slips from him, his face dimming. His brows knit together and a tight grimace spreads over his face. His green eyes, usually so intense, are clouded with despair. "Leo…"

He screams to the sky, his voice cracking. He turns hard and slams his fist into the billboard next to him. He breathes heavily in and out. A spark of fiery fury lights in his eyes, but it quickly dies. His breathes shudder and he bites his lip to keep it from trembling. But…no one's here. No one.

Raph's legs give out and he sinks to his knees. His shoulders slump and he bows his head, hiding it from all those who would be ashamed – Leo most of all – even if only in his mind. "Leo…" He presses his palms against the roof and curls farther forward, his forehead pressing against the cool concrete just as much as his hands.

Tears well in his eyes, but he refuses. He absolutely refuses to let them fall. No one's here. So? He'll know about it, and that's all that matters. His throat tightens. He can feel a sob at the back of his throat. "Leo…" He sniffles softly. His body trembles faintly. But don't cry. "I'm so sorry…" Never cry.

…

The foot soldiers march into Shredder's throne room. The leader tosses Leo from his shoulder.

Leo hits with a grunt. His sedatives aren't worn off, no, but he rises above the surface enough to become conscious and see where he is at. His eyes flutter open and he is intensely aware of the chilling floor beneath his body. This…it isn't the lair's floor.

Leo tries to sit up, but his body doesn't respond. So he lifts his head to find a dark figure looming over him. Leo sucks in a sharp breath as a chord is struck within him. A shudder races up his spine and his throat tightens.

"Well, hello there Leonardo." Shredder glowers at the turtle at his feet.

Leo returns his sentiments. His lips curve sharply downward and a growl bubbles in his throat. Instead, however, he quakes terribly.

Karai hears her father's voice. She comes in through a side door. Her men must be back with the promised captive. As she steps over the threshold, however, she nearly falls over. The breath leaves her and a spike of panic stabs her. Leo? His name quivers at the tip of her tongue.

Leo senses movement and jerks his head around. As he lays eyes on her, he freezes. The hate falls away and his eyes grow wide, pleading

Karai averts her eyes. She bites her lip. What is this? It's not right.

Shredder hums in thought. "Daughter, I thought you said the red one would be the turtle delivered to us?" His sharp eyes pierce her.

Karai starts, but quickly composes herself. She clears her throat. "Yes," A note of irritation punctuates her words. "It was. Still, it's not so bad. The leader of the turtles – the biggest threat – is within your grasp." She smirks, but the action is weak and more pained than anything. "Not to mention he is the rat's favorite." Her stomach drops. My favorite.

Leo cringes with each of her comments. He misses the unspoken truth and his spirit sinks to the dark depths. His brows knit together and pain creases his face – betrayal. His eyes shine with what can only be tears, but…is he really so broken? Surely he didn't trust Karai that much? And yet…his heart, it hurts unbearably so.

Shredder's lips curl into a cruel smile. "Indeed." His eyes dance with eagerness. "Not to mention he knows the location of their home – of the rat."

Leo's eyes shoot open.

Shredder chuckles. "Yes, I'm sure you know what comes next."

Leo looks desperately at Karai. Please… He barely holds in his flurry of emotions.

Karai drops her eyes to the ground. Catching even a glimpse of his sad blue eyes would surely break her. She may not be sure of much, but this she is positive of. She clenches her fists to keep them from quaking too badly, still they do tremble slightly.

Leo's heart cracks. "Karai…" Her name is no more than a breath on the wind. Yet that one word packs more emotion than a thousand words.

Shredder scoffs. "As if any daughter of mine would stoop so low as to speak to you, let alone help you." He laughs, then suddenly isn't. "Take him to his cell." He grins. "I'll be there when he comes to."

Leo has a surge of fear, but it is quickly destroyed. A sharp hit to his head knocks him out cold, and for a little while he feels nothing at all. Nothing never felt so good.

A foot soldier steps forward and grabs Leo by the wrists. "As you wish master." He drags Leo across the room and out of sight. He takes him all the way down to the dungeon.

Karai stands numb. All she can do is stare blankly at the emptiness ahead of her. Leo. His name dances on her tongue, but she dare not speak it.

Shredder stands. He grips the arm of his throne nonetheless. "I know you wish dearly to have a go at him." Shredder watches her expectantly. "But I'm afraid I will be handling this one." He curls his fingers inward, creating tight fists. "Perhaps you can have a go once I break him."

Karai's eyes shoot open. Her stomach twists and she feels suddenly sick. Break him. The words are bad enough on their own, but the sheer glee her father puts into it only makes it worse. It's all she can do to hide her panic and keep her tone even albeit a little stiff. "That's…too bad, for me." She draws in a deep breath and closes her eyes. "Tear him apart father."

"I intend to." His eyes darken and his lips curve into a sinister grin. "By tomorrow he'll wish he was never born."

Before anyone says anything - YES I know that fight scene was a little too much like the movie. But NO I did not do it on purpose. I was pretty much done with it though when I realized it and was like 'dang it...' but at that point there was no way I was changing it. I almost changed it to Rahzar and Fishface attacking him and subdueing him rather that a tranquilizer and the foot soldiers, but I don't feel like they would work for Karai and it was mainly her operation. So...yeah. Other than that I really like it! Actually, I like it regardless. And I hope you did too! If so or if not, let me know your thoughts. Please review! :)