A/N: So I saw that the last chappy didn't get too many reviews... Please review, my dear readers! It's my motivation! Anyways, I hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays, I know I did. So a lot of people are updating today, it's pretty cool, and now I'm in on it too! I got some new gadgets! Anyways, I'd like to add that I do read EVERY review and if you have any ideas to help out with this fic, I would really love to see them. Please read :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT.

His breath came out in short puffs of steam as he sprinted across the rooftops. His steely gray gaze was fixated upon a group of men. He had been tailing them for awhile now, they were drunkards. He could smell the alcohol of their breaths from his place on the rooftop. He slowed his movements as he noticed the men were following a pair of women. The men were issuing taunts and whistles as they followed, obviously not intending to treat the women to a lovely dinner. The air was still. The night was silent, with the exception of the far off traffic and the men's cat-calls.

Leonardo glanced back at his red masked brother, who had been just keeping up with him. Leo nodded in the direction of the men and Raphael nodded in reply. The two ninjas broke away from their usual route and dropped into an alley, easily melting into the shadows. They moved towards the entrance of the alley, waiting for the women to pass.

Leonardo was not in the best of moods. He wasn't angry but neither was he happy. He was feeling peeved at the moment. Leo hadn't killed in several days. He hadn't been able to with Raph following him around everywhere. The blue masked turtle wasn't certain as to why his brother was so interested in following him. Raphael had been acting a bit odd over the past few days. Too eager. Too nervous. Too… different. It was like Raphael had a personal vendetta against him. Leo didn't understand it. He hadn't done anything to upset his hot headed brother. What had set Raphael off? Was it the guitar? Leo could have sworn that Raph liked it.

His gray gaze turned towards the end of the alley. He watched the two women hurry past in a very nervous and desperate manner. Leo felt his pulse quicken and mentally cursed himself. So close to the hunt, he could feel the blood pounding in his veins. Blood. Sometimes it set his teeth on edge—made his blood boil, other times; it helped him control the chaos and calmed him in a way that nothing else could. Even his meditations and time spent with his family didn't do what blood did for him. Not didn't. Couldn't. Leo didn't know if he had it in him to restrain himself from killing. He hadn't been in a common brawl in weeks; he hadn't held himself back from killing. These men that he was about to fight were rapists and murderers. He knew that. Their crimes and guilt were like stains upon the earth. It was all too tempting. He had to admit that the call of the blood was setting his teeth on edge right now.

The men were there now. At the end of the alley, laughing drunkenly and now singing, the men had paused under a street lamp. Raphael moved, not held back by hesitation like Leo. He waded out of the shadows and struck one of the men in the jaw. The man went down quick. The others turned. Leo counted about six of them. Raphael popped his knuckles with a smug glare towards the men. Leo's mouth twitched. He so wanted to kill them. Raph rushed forward, slugging two other men and sending them careening to the ground. They stood no chance against Raphael in their drunken states. Leo had never noticed how much his usually out of control brother actually controlled himself. All it would take for Raphael to kill was a strong enough strike the chest or neck. But Raph wasn't a killer. He couldn't do what Leo did. He was still innocent in that way. Leo found it unsettling.

Leo remained still; he didn't want his killer urges to take over. He wasn't sure if he could hold back a finishing blow after spending so much time letting go of his control. Raph glanced at his brother questioningly after noticing Leo's lack of movement. The distraction cost him. Raphael received a solid uppercut that sent him reeling back, clutching his jaw with one hand and trying to balance himself with the other. A blur of green darted past Raph. Leo struck the attacker's face with a solid hammer fist. There was a crack as the man's nose broke. He cried out in pain and his head whipped back from the blow. Leo sweep kicked the man and a fierce glint entered his eyes. The human hit the ground hard, wheezing through broken cartilage and blood. Leo stared at the man before kneeling down next to him. He pressed his hand to the human's throat, crushing his windpipe. After a few seconds the human struggled underneath his grip, his lungs screaming for air. Leo only pressed harder and felt sudden warmth enter him. It tingled inside of him, he recognized this feeling. He needed to stop. He felt the muscles in his arm tense as he forced his hand off the man's throat. The human had passed out, but he wasn't dead. Leo exhaled, his pent up urges were going to get the better of him if he didn't kill soon.

He turned back to his brother. The red masked turtle rose to his feet, he seemed to have a foul taste in his mouth. Leo's brow furrowed. He stood and approached his brother. "What happened?" He asked, worry creeping into his voice.

Raph spat something out of his mouth before he shot Leo a look. "The dumb fuck broke a tooth."

Leo sighed at that. "You should have paid attention."

"Shut up. I didn't see you helping."

"I thought you were the one turtle wrecking crew. The lone ranger. The-"

"Shut up."

Leo couldn't suppress a chuckle at that. His eyes caught on a crimson rivulet snaking down from the corner of Raph's mouth. He froze and stared. Raph's gaze narrowed. "What?"

Leo reached out and delicately swiped the blood from his brother's skin before flicking it off his hand. "Just some blood." Beautiful. Dark. Crimson. Blood. The one thing that captivated him and tore away all his layers of control and calm. Blood was his condemning mistress. She could draw out the passion in him while nothing else could. It both terrified and thrilled him. That was what differed between him and Raph. When Raph saw red, he was consumed by rage. When Leo saw red, he was consumed by hunger for thrill and pleasure.

He shook his head. This was not the time to be thinking those thoughts. His brother was here. His brother could never know the type of monster he was.

"Yo, Leo, ya' comin' or what? I already called the cops about them."

Leo glanced up to see his brother was already scaling the side of a building. Leo nodded and raced after him, ignoring the need inside of him. The need to kill.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Leo and Raph entered the lair, the entrance swung shut behind them, creaking as gears grinded. "Leo, Raph, you might want to see this." Donatello's voice called from the couch. Raph glanced at Leo. "Maybe he invested in some bad stocks." Raph said with a grin as they approached. Leo grinned in response. Both of their grins vanished instantly as they saw what was on T.V.

Mikey and Don sat on the couch, both shared numb looks. Raph and Leo stared at the T.V.s in a mix of surprise and horror. The former was written plainly on Leo's features.

The reporter, a woman with delicate features and long brown hair tied neatly in a bun, held a solemn and slightly shaky demeanor. She looked like she had seen something terrifying. She cleared her throat and began her report. "Police have found a warehouse with seven bodies inside, most of the deceased were members of a small gang. The bodies were mutilated and covered in blade wounds. They were initially dismembered and then killed by decapitation. We advise viewers to avert your eyes from this content. It contains gruesome images." She began. The screen faded out and images of cut up bodies appeared on the screen. The people that the pieces might have been were no longer recognizable. Blood stained everything. Everything was red. Mikey gagged and turned away from the T.V. while Raph paled. Don and Leo stared, the latter with calm and the former with horror.

The reporter faded back into view and cleared her throat again. "Police are investigating this series of murders. It is unknown as to who killed these gang members, but police suspect that another gang had a hand in this."

"Suspect!? What the fuck-" Raph began.

"Raph, be quiet, there's more." Don interrupted calmly, although his voice had a tremor in it. The hot headed turtle glared at his brother but kept his mouth shut.

The reporter continued. "In other news, a man named Chester Remsworth was found dead in his apartment. A former criminal with several assault charges and dropped murder cases, Remsworth was a solitary man. A concerned neighbor had noticed a faint odor coming from Remsworth's apartment as well as Remsworth's sudden disappearance and found him taped down to a kitchen table with his arm severed and a butcher knife in his throat. Based on the forensics reports, Remsworth was murdered on Christmas Eve by a single attacker."

"Police advise all citizens to remain indoors during the night and to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity related to either of these crimes. That is all for tonight. If you have any information on these activities, please call the number on the bottom of the screen."

Don muted the television and turned to his brothers. Leo was staring at the material of the couch. He hadn't thought that the police would have found all of the bodies so quickly. The miracle was that they hadn't tied them to a single murderer. It was still very bad. He turned to his brothers. They were all staring at something or another with a numb expression. The first to speak was Raphael.

"What kinda' sick fucks are out there? Cutting people up inta' pieces and killin' em' in their own homes… How the fuck can anyone do that? Humans sicken me."

Leo found Raphael's last statement ironic, and nearly snorted in response. He covered it with a coughing sound. His brothers stared. "Sorry, I've been feeling sick lately." Sick because he hadn't killed in almost a week.

Don and Mikey exchanged glances. They'd been doing that a lot now. Leo would have been proud of the bond that the two had developed if he weren't so preoccupied with his new problem. Bodies. He needed to hide them better. He had left Remsworth in his apartment because Leo had no time to get rid of the body. The gang members were his first real kills; he didn't know what he was doing with them at the time. Leo considered that last thought. He didn't know what he was doing at all. Sure, he was killing criminals, but he had no agenda. He only killed at random and when he had the chance. It was sloppy. Disgusting. He needed a way to dispose bodies and he needed to make sure that his killing methods would not turn into patterns. That was how to get caught. Follow a pattern.

"Maybe we should start getting involved. Take out the gangs before anything else happens." Mikey said quietly. All eyes turned on him. That was a shocking thing to hear from him. Leo cursed under his breath. "We've been over this." Don said before Leo could open his mouth. The eldest froze at that, he would've thought that Don would be with Michelangelo on this one.

"Are you stupid? Don, people are dying!" Raph spat as he glared at the genius.

"It's still gang violence, Raph! They're not going to stop killing each other until one of them is dead or both!"

"They're still people." Mikey spoke up.

Don glanced at Leo, who remained silent through the exchange. "Leo, what do you think?"

Leo glanced up at his brothers. "It's a job for the police. Human problems. Not ours."

Raph swore loudly and Mikey's jaw dropped. Don only nodded. "Screw you both then! Mikey and I will kick their asses by ourselves! We don't need some pretentious fucking leader who doesn't do shit and a fucking desk jockey t'get in our way!" Raph spat in Leo's face. The older turtle's gaze narrowed. He could take a lot, but Raphael's total disrespect of him and his brother was getting on his nerves. Leo tensed and his cold gray gaze met Raph's angry amber one. Sensing a fight, Don moved over the couch and dragged Leo back. "Don't." The genius pleaded. Leo glared at Raphael for a moment before nodding once. He turned on his heel, shoulders squared, and walked towards his room. He needed some peace and quiet.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Months passed since he had seen the extent of Leo's betrayal. Naito had followed the turtles' scents after he had overcome his grief. He was now lurking in a murky pool of water, peering through metal bars. His one working eye was caught on a robed rat speaking to the four turtles. Despite his hurt, Naito had decided to find out why Leo had left him, by doing so, he began watching them.

The rat—Splinter—was talking to the turtles as they knelt before him. Naito's eye wandered over their home. It was lit by candles, nearly dark enough for him to creep about in the shadows. He found that thought pleasing. He caught sight of four small mats and a cot shoved into the corner of the small abode that was this… family's lair. His gaze flicked back to Splinter as the turtles rose onto their feet and entered a fighting stance. Naito knew all four by name now. Name. Leo had given him his name. Naito. Why that name? Perhaps he would ask Leo when he was ready.

Naito removed the thoughts from his mind and watched as Splinter demonstrated a simple series of movements to the turtles. None of them seemed interested in the least. Naito frowned at that. Leo was watching Splinter with a bored expression and kept glancing at a strange rectangular device that seemed to glow with energy. Naito felt as if he should know what it was. He got his answer soon enough.

"Leonardo!"

The blue masked turtle stiffened and turned to Splinter. The old rat gently rapped Leo on the head with a cane. "Computers will not save you when you are in danger, Leonardo."

Naito agreed with that statement. What could a glowing rectangle do? It seemed impractical.

"What if you had something like… like menopause, daddy?" The orange masked turtle, Michelangelo, asked. He was clearly curious. Splinter stared in horror, as did Donatello and Leo. Raphael was looking around, not quite understanding what was going on. Splinter cleared his throat and straightened. "Where did you hear about that… word, Michelangelo?" He asked, clearly taken aback. The youngest turtle smiled innocently and pointed at Leo. The old rat turned quickly and Leo shot a surprised look at Michelangelo. "I did not! You're lying, Mikey!" Leo sputtered angrily. "Haha! Leo got in trouble!" Raphael taunted, pointing at the shocked blue masked turtle. Donatello couldn't hide his snickering. The rat was clearly peeved. Naito felt sorry for Splinter.

"Quiet!" Splinter barked and all of the turtles were suddenly silent. "Leonardo, you are grounded from the computer for a week. Now, show me the kata I taught you four."

Naito slunk back. He had seen enough for today, the information had already been added to his repertoire. He had memorized every movement that Splinter had made. He turned and was back the way he came, traveling down current. After maybe an hour of swimming, he rose from the water and onto solid pavement in a dark dead end tunnel. He shook himself dry and stretched out his arms before entering a fighting stance, much like the one that Splinter had demonstrated. He then moved as Splinter had moved.

Six years it had been, and he was only getting started. Leo had the advantage, but Naito would soon catch up. He would devote all of his time to perfecting this… fighting spirit. Naito had no doubt that he could easily defeat Leo with just his ability to move through shadows and remain unseen. He had grown in darkness and shadow was an extension of his body. He was born of shadow; it was as much a part of him as his limbs were.

Yet, he was supposed to be dead. He would not be sorry to disappoint Leo. He would be very happy to talk to the turtle and "discuss" the abandonment. Naito stood and flexed his clawed hand. He slashed it against the wall of the tunnel, leaving scores against the stone. His one eye flashed angrily. He could not wait to talk to Leo.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Derik yawned and smacked his lips together lazily. He was bored. His scratched at his stubbly chin and popped his neck. He sat on a bar stool, a bottle of whiskey in one of his hands. The bartender, a sweet gal, kept shooting him suspicious glance. Derik had no doubt that she would want him out soon. He'd been drinking too much. He snorted at that. Five bottles of whiskey and three shots of tequila didn't even give him a buzz. He stood, steady, on both feet and winked at her. "Put it on my tab, babe." He said before walking out. She cursed after him but knew better than to send the bouncers after him. The bouncers wouldn't last one round with that cutthroat. Derik was a known murderer, and he always got away with it.

Derik stepped into the cold air of Brooklyn. He didn't need to look at the street to know it was jam packed with cars like usual. Derik pulled a cigarette out of his trench coat pocket and lit it with a silver lighter. He dropped the lighter into his pocket and puffed on his cigarette. He ignored the rain that poured steadily and donned a beanie. He walked through a dark alley calmly. No one would dare to attack him.

He approached a building and walked up a long flight of stairs before coming to his apartment. He opened the door and closed it behind him, locking it. He was fearless but he wasn't stupid. After cleaning up, Derik sank into his bed, closing his stormy eyes and drifting to sleep.

"Vy spite dostatochno krepko dlyaubiytsy." (You sleep quite soundly for a murderer)A dark voice said from the darkness that surrounded him, interrupting Derik's sleep. Derik's eyes snapped open and he turned abruptly, falling out of the bed. "Vy budete sozhaletʹ priyezzhatʹ syuda, kogda ya sorvatʹ vashe gorlo otkryto." (You're going to regret coming here when I rip your throat open)He snarled, rising to his feet rather calmly. He held a cruelly barbed blade in his hand. It wasn't a common knife.

"We'll see." The voice returned steadily.

Derik's eyes searched his apartment but it was far too dark for him to see. Something solid and muscular grabbed him from behind, wrapping an arm around his throat. Derik recognized the sleeper hold for what it was. He knew how to beat it by not panicking like some common street rat. He jabbed his blade into his attacker and felt something warm splash over his hand. He twisted the blade and tore free from the hold. His attacker faltered and suddenly Derik was on his front. Something struck the back of his neck and his awareness faded away.

Leonardo swore a colorful stream of curses as he inspected the blade that had pierced the cup of hot chocolate he had held. He should have known better than to get hot chocolate before coming after his prey. He sighed. What's done is done. He flicked the liquid off the blade and placed it in his belt. Leo hefted Derik over his shoulder and climbed out the window he had left open. He dropped to the ground behind a parked car and opened the trunk. He tossed Derik inside and, after grabbing a roll of tape from a duffle bag, he taped Derik's wrists and ankles together. He tossed the tape back into the bag and quietly closed the trunk. He moved up to the front seat of the car and closed the door after getting in. He turned the key in the ignition.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Derik's eyes fluttered open and a sudden blinding light burned his eyes in his sockets. He winced and squinted through the painful light. He moved his hands to block it out but they wouldn't move. He looked down at his hands to find that they were taped down to a table, just as his feet were and his whole body. Derik struggled angrily, muttering curses in Russian.

"Calm down. We both know you're going to die here."

Derik turned to the sound of the voice and froze. A giant blue masked turtle was sitting on a stood to his right. Derik roared angrily and shook in his binds. The turtle slammed a hand down on the metal table and Derik froze at the sound. The turtle offered him a look filled with animosity. He held a box in his hands and he opened it. It was full of photographs. Leo upended the box on Derik.

"All of your known victims, here. Do you know how they felt when you tortured them? Pained? Afraid?" Leo asked. Derik glared at him. "I'm going to fuck you up just like I did to them."

Leo looked disappointed. He dropped the box on the ground and removed a cruelly barbed blade from his belt. It was Derik's knife. Derik laughed a cruel short bark. "You're telling me about my kills and then you take that knife out? You're gonna kill me? You think you're better than me!?" He roared at Leo. The blue masked turtle slammed his hands down on either side of Derik's head and pushed off. "Yes, I am." He said simply, turning away from Derik, he was looking over the blade.

Derik yanked at his bonds angrily and roared at him. "You're going to burn in hell when I kill you! I'll shit all over your corpse and drop you in the blackest shittiest hole I find!"

Leo laughed at that, a short cruel laugh. "No, I think I belong right here, Derik." He said as he turned around and approached.

"This isn't fucking over! This is over when I say it's over! I'm going to kill you!"

"It's over for you. Now quit moving or I'll miss." Leo said before driving the knife into Derik's ribcage, between the gaps of his ribs. Blood immediately seeped into Derik's shirt from around the wound. Leo nodded once. Derik was dead. Leo gathered up his duffle bag and flipped open a silver lighter as he began to exit the abandoned gardening shed. He tossed it into the shack, which had already been prepped with gasoline. As Leo passed by the car with a Purple Dragon emblem painted on the hood, the same car he had stashed Derik in, the shed shot up in flames.

A/N: So, we see that Naito is plotting against little Leo and I would like to say that when Naito says six years, it's a reference to the turtles' ages. Also, there is still major gang turf war stuff going on and Leo is apparently taking advantage of it. I promise that the next update will be one that you guys will, hopefully I'm not mistaken, really enjoy! Thanks for reading, and please-please-please review.