I have to say.This is one of my most challenging stories up to date.I've had several different ways to approach this.(Thus my writer's block) Now I have a strong angle to work at.Please, please send those reviews so I can continue to improve and see how you're enjoying this story.I promise no more changes.Just additions.

Chapter Two: Blur

His eyes snapped open as he woke gasping for air. The sheets that once kept the hothead turtle warm were now entangled his body slowly suffocating him. His bed groaned in protest as Raphael kicked off the covers jolting upright. His heart pounded hard against his plastron while cold sweat suddenly popped all over his skin. Disorientated Raphael blinked his eyes several times until the blurry lines of dream and reality cleared from his vision.

No longer was he on the city rooftop but back in his own room. Raphael glanced over at the alarm clock next to his bed just as five o'clock appeared. He huffed while he pressed his palms hard against his eyes.

"This is some bullshit," Raphael muttered. "Can't believe this. Not again."

He slid his glance sideways as another minute clicked by. Unable to sit still anymore, Raphael walked across the room and opened the window to get some fresh air. There before him was a wondrous view of the city. Purple and golden streaks stretched along the horizon as the sun began its morning ascend while the streets were already clogged up with cars and people walking down the sidewalks. Just another day for New York.

A quiet chuckle escaped Raph's lips. As long as he could remember, the red masked turtle longed for the freedom to be topside. No more living in the bitter cold, no more stench of raw sewage during a rainstorm, and most of all no more feeling trapped in those concrete walls. Since their home was destroyed by the Foot six months ago, April insisted the turtles could stay at the ruined down hotel she inherited from her mother.

At first, everything seemed perfect. Clear skies, no sighting of the Foot, and easy patrolling. While his brothers readjusted to this new lifestyle, the transition didn't go as well for Raph. There wasn't a sure explanation why. At first he was restless always looking for something to do. Then sleep became to invade him like a robber in the night. Then the dreams…

Raphael stole one last look at the clock. Thirty minutes flew by. He thought about catching a few more minutes of sleep before Leonardo started making his morning routine of wake up calls. Raph quickly tossed the idea into the back of his mind as he grabbed up a waddled towel off the floor.

"Maybe someone should keep Mr. Perfection on his toes," he snickered as he headed down the hallway and into the bathroom.

Raphael quickly tossed the towel, mask, and paddings into the sink before turning on the shower. Moments later, he softly sighed as the hot water cascaded down his neck and creases of his shell. Every muscle felt exhausted and sore as if he had been in some sort of battle. Impossible.

Suddenly the coppery stench of blood whiffed into his nostrils. An icy weight slammed into the pit of his stomach as Raphael lurched forward grasping the wash bar. "No," Raphael whispered. "You're fine. You're fine. You're fine, dammit."

He hated those nightmares for they've plagued him for the last month. Night after night it was the same. First Raphael tried to dismiss them. He started doing extra training or extra workout to tire himself out from dreaming but the nightmares only got worse. Then they started affecting his sleeping and now his waking thoughts. Raphael dared not tell his brothers not even Mikey.

What would they say? Big, tough hothead scared to go to sleep because of stupid dreams.Does the baby need his diaper change?Or maybe he needs his bottle.Their phantom laughter echoed in Raphael's mind making his blood boil like acid coursing through his veins.

He growled as he slammed his fist against the tile several times until his hand was sore. Suddenly it was silence once more. Raphael quickly turned off the water and began to dry off. Maybe today will be different, he thought. Then a light bulb went off.

How could he forget? Tonight was Casey's bachelor party. One last blowout for the bonehead before April turned him into an honest man. Raphael dropped his head down as emptiness swelled in his chest. For years he and Casey were nearly inseparable, best of buds. If they weren't out on the streets ridding the city of Purple Dragon scam, they hang out in the lair fixing up the motorcycles or shooting the shit. That was until Casey Jones met the redheaded O'Neil during one last afternoon when she came to help Donatello with upgrading the security systems.

Raphael was happy for his best friend to be with someone he loved and cherished, but Casey wasn't the only one with relationship issues. Just then a quiet click snapped him away from his thoughts. Normally such sound would go unnoticed and ignored but he needed to find out. Raphael quickly tightened his mask and slipped his belt around his waist.

He slipped out of the bathroom and crept down the hallway when he stopped in his tracks. Up ahead a shadowy figure descended from the rooftop stairs heading for the downstairs. It was hard to describe who it was except they wore a trench coat and fedora hat. Trying to keep stealthy and to the shadows, Raphael followed closely behind until they reached the second floor. That's when the figure reached behind its back and pulled out a long weapon.

"Hai," Raphael yelled as he immediately sprang into action. He jumped and spun his leg mid-air catching his heel under the intruder's chin that was knocked to the ground. The figure leapt back on his feet swinging the weapon at Raphael's head. He quickly did a couple of backflips easily avoiding the blows.

"Eat this," Raph called. He punched the face with a right hook followed by a quick left. The figure fell once more but this time Raphael jumped on top pinning him to the ground.

"All right, chump," he growled. "What are you doing here?"

"Because I live here," a voice muffled from beneath Raphael's arm. "What?" Raphael asked looking down at his opponent to see a pair of brown eyes staring hard at him. "Sorry, Donnie," he whispered as heat flashed across his cheeks. "Didn't recognize you there."

"It's fine," Donatello huffed as he scrambled back to his feet and headed off to his room. "I'm better catch some shut eye before Leo gets up." Just as Raphael started to leave, he noticed Donatello throwing his trench coat and fedora hat to the side. Earlier that night, Donnie told Splinter the security system needed some upgrades.

The brainiac turtle was always known to be a night owl constantly working on some project or upgrade until wee hours of the morning. However majority of the time he spent his time in the basement lab or stuck in his room. So why would he coming from the roof?

"So, Donnie, what were you doing up there?"

Donatello sunk into his bed throwing his arms over his eyes. "I was upgrading the security cameras and all that good stuff. Why?" Raphael began to answer when a strange scent drifted into his nostrils.

"Really?" he asked. "So why were you wearing a trench coat?"

"It's cold," Donatello answered a little too quickly. The genius turtle had many talents from taking apart complicated machinery and reassemble them without any issues. He memorized the whole periodic table even able to breaking down the components to the atoms and electrons. However if anything threw a wrench into the brainiac turtle's profile, it was his incapability to lie.

"In the middle of summer?"

"I-I was cold." The once weary turtle suddenly filled with energy headed for his workbench and pick up the first gadget within reach and began to work. Raphael shook his head at his brother's attempt to distract when he noticed a small purplish bruise nestled at the crook of Donatello's neck. As he slinked closer, the same scent stirred again. A faded flowery kind like jasmine. Then everything fell in place.

"Is that so?" Raphael snickered. "I think brainiac here broke the household rules by sneaking out, isn't that right?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Donatello said avoiding his hothead brother's icy gaze. "I just told you what I was doing." His cheeks turned a darker red as Raphael continued to press on.

"I find that hard to believe especially if you're wearing perfume." Raphael pushed Donatello's head aside exposing his neck further. His mouth curved into a sinister grin. "You dirty dog."

Donatello grunted in frustration as he pushed Raphael off. "Shut up, okay. I went over to April's place to see Iva and accidentally fell asleep. Just drop it and don't tell anyone, okay?"

It was just too good to let the genius off the hook now. Things were starting to get interesting as Raphael tapped his fingers along the countertop. "Oh you fell asleep and this hickey appeared, huh? Your sweet rewards for your troubles."

Raph chuckled when a rough shove to the chest nearly caused him to stumble backwards. Donatello was now a couple of inches away. His cheeks still flushed but icy spears shot from his eyes. "Watch your mouth, Raphie. Besides what concern is it of yours of my whereabouts?"

Raphael felt his blood begin to boil like lava in a volcano while red filled his vision. "You little shit." He lurched forwards grabbing his brother by the arm. "What concern is it of mine? Your fucking ass is still my concern with the Foot and god knows what out there. So what? You think you have a piece of ass on the side you could ditch us!"

White spots popped before Raphael's eyes as pain shot across his jaw. He reached up wiping away the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He slid a sideways glance at the purple clad turtle whose knuckles already red and slightly swollen. They stared at each other still and emotionless. The rage coursed through Raph's veins like acid burning in his muscles. He licked his tongue across his dry lips while they curled into a sinister smile.

"You really screwed up, bro." Raphael's voice barely whispered. Suddenly he lurched forward curling his hands around Donatello's arms and slammed him into the workbench. The sounds of tools crashing to the floor echoed through the room. Donatello grunted as he struggled from under his brother's colossal arm. Raphael snarled pulling back his fist. "I'm so going to enjoy this."

"Enough, Raph." Hands wrapped around his wrist pulling back towards the door. Raphael grunted jerking back his hand and spun around to find a pair of stormy blue eyes staring stern and cold. "What do you think you're doing?" Leonardo demanded. "Have you lost your mind?"

"What?!" Raphael bellowed. "Are you kidding me right now?" He jabbed his finger violently towards Donatello who was rubbing the back of his neck. "What about brainiac here sneaking in all hours in the night? Aren't you going to say anything about that?"

Leonardo inhaled sharply as if to answer but instead clasped his mouth close. Raphael huffed in disgust. "Yeah, just what I thought. Always taking up for him, don't you? Jerk off."

"Raphael." His body seized up at the sound of his name. Ever so cautiously he turned around to see his father standing in the doorway. His hands folded over the top of his cane and eyes narrowed. The brothers bowed slightly as Splinter crossed the room.

"Father," Raph began. "You see…"

Splinter immediately put his hand in the air stopping the red masked turtle. "No, my son," he spoke sternly. "Through most of your life anger has played a huge role. Something you should've mastered and maintained with your maturity. But now it nearly cost you your brother."

"That's not fair. It's not my fault," Raphael growled. "Donnie…"

"Donatello's action will be dealt with," Splinter's tone stopped Raph in his tracks. "For now, you are to report to the Ha'Shi at once." Raphael opened his mouth but quickly shut it before the words spilled out. Instead he spun on his heels and headed down the stairs towards the dojo.

What a way to start the morning.