-Redemption-
Summary: Takes place during the 2007 CGI movie. Leo finds out who the Night Watcher is in a completely different way...
Disclaimer: I do not own the turtles. *Imagines what it would be like if I did and grins evilly*
A/n: Thanks for the feedback on that last chapter, I'm glad this story is keeping you all entertained ^^ And don't worry folks because we ARE starting to get somewhere with this. I've been bitten by the writing bug and haven't done anything but write for this fic all morning! I've already written three chapters, and I hope to write more tonight, so keep a look out for updates! And hold on and keep reading, because trust me, you haven't seen anything yet!
Warnings for swearing and blood.
April hesitated mid-step, her body freezing as she cocked her head to the side, straining her ears to pick up the slightest of sounds.
"What is it?" Casey asked in a hushed voice, his deep blue eyes scanning the thick underbrush around them for any signs of movement or sound.
"I thought I heard something," April murmured, her green eyes slowly traveling over every piece of foliage that surrounded them until she was sure there was nothing out there that deemed a threat. Relaxing from her stiff posture, April sighed and rubbed her aching temples. "I thought I heard something," she muttered in defeat. "I guess my mind's just playing tricks on me."
Casey wrapped his wiry arms around April, pulling her in for a comforting hug, a hug that he needed just as much as she did. "Come on," Casey whispered into April's soft hair. "We have to keep looking."
April sighed and nodded, stepping away from Casey and redirecting her flashlight in front of them, a beam of watery yellow light cutting a path through the darkness that was ahead of them. Glancing down at her watch, April could just make out the small hands that didn't seem to be moving at all. It was 12:30, and there was still no sign of Raphael. They had been searching for a little over an hour now and still…nothing. There was no sign of the red-banded turtle anywhere. It was like he had just…vanished.
I don't care if it takes the rest of the night, April thought determinedly. I'm going to find him.
A soft buzzing emitting from April's pocket had her snapping out of her thoughts. Realizing it was her phone; April quickly pulled the small black device from her pocket and held it up to her ear. "Hello?"
"April," Donnie greeted. "I'm calling for an update. Have you found anything?"
April sighed. "Sorry Donnie, we haven't found anything yet, just more and more trees. What about you guys?"
"Nothing yet," Donnie sighed softly. "But we're going to keep looking. Leo's headed off on his own to the west to cover more ground. Mikey and I are still going north. He may be deeper in the woods."
"Casey and I will keep looking here," April said. "We'll find him Donnie."
There was a slight pause from the other end. "I hope so," Donnie said softly.
Before April could say anything else to reassure the distressed turtle, the line went dead.
Donatello sighed and closed his shell-cell. The night was starting to get colder. There was a noticeable chill in the air and a strong breeze had picked up, sending shivers across Donatello's skin and racing down his spine. A thick cloud rolled in front of the moon, momentarily blocking out all light and plunging the forest into complete darkness.
"I should have known he was the Night Watcher," Don murmured quietly to himself. He knew Raphael went out every night, and not coming home until the early hours of the morning. At first he had questioned this, but after hearing the same "none of your damn business," from the angry turtle, Don had let the matter drop. He assumed Raph only went out drinking with Casey, or looking for a fight with some street punks to release some of his pent-up anger. He noticed Raphael coming home with a few bruises and cuts every now and again, but never questioned how he got them; again assuming they were from a fight. He had also noticed how much stronger Raphael was becoming.
On the few occasions where they still spared, Raphael would kick both Mikey and Don's shells without even breaking a sweat. And when he was standing next to his older brother, Donnie noticed the thick muscles of his corded neck, shoulders and arms. He knew Raph had been strong before and had some muscle tone, but nothing like he had now. And still he didn't question it. He didn't question the why his brother always watched the news, especially the Night Watcher reports. He didn't notice how his brother would spend most of the day in cooped up in the garage, tinkering away with something or other. All these clues, all these indicators of Raph's alter ego and Donnie hadn't even noticed. Until now.
Donnie shook his head sadly as he remembered the last conversation between the two of them about the supposed vigilante.
"Well, look who finally woke up. I guess you think the Night Watcher's some kind of hero."
"Beats sitting round' here doin' nothin' while dirt-bags run free."
"I'd like to know what it is that you do that's so great. At least we're contributing around here. All you do is sleep all day."
"Yeah, you're right, I do nothin'. You got me all figured out."
Donnie closed his eyes and hung his head, his body starting to shake with barely supressed sobs. "God Raph, I'm so sorry," Donnie whispered, squeezing his eyes closed tightly, trying not to let his tears escape. "I'm so sorry big brother."
"Raphie!"
Don whipped his head around to face Michelangelo, who was looking in every bush and shrub for any sign of their missing brother.
"Raphie where are you?" Mikey shouted, his baby blue eyes shining with fear and unshed tears.
Seeing his little brother like this, and wracked with his own guilt, Donnie let a sob escape him as his tears broke free and coursed down his cheeks.
Leo swatted away a low hanging branch in annoyance and pushed on through the thick foliage that threatened to tangle him up and trip him over at any moment. He wasn't getting anywhere this way, let alone covering more ground.
Grasping a branch that was just above his head, Leo swung himself up onto the branch of a large tree. He quickly scrambled up to the top of the tree, using this height to search the surrounding area for any signs of Raphael.
Where are you Raph? Leo thought, his heart pounding restlessly in his chest. This is all my fault. If I had just listened to Raphael instead of yelling at him, he would be at home, safe.
Thoughts and memories sprang unbidden to Leo's mind. Memories of harsh words exchanged between the two, moments when their eyes were locked in fierce combat, neither one wanting to be the first to back off.
"This Night Watcher character's just some vigilante show-boat. But his days are over."
"Hey, the Night Watcher was the only one here to pick up the slack. Crime never took a break, you did."
Leo shook his head fiercely, not wanting to remember the things they had said. "I'm going to find you Raphael," Leo promised, grounding his teeth together in determination. "I swear I'll find you Raph. I promise, I'll bring you home."
A/n: I've already written the next two chapters, though I still need to go through them, proof read and fine tune them, maybe give them a little tweak. They should be posted in a few days respectively. Thanks for all the wonderful support so far and don't forget to leave a review!