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Chapter Nine: Time measured in blood.

On the horizon the sun peaked over the rooftops.

"Dan, you know that 'showboat vigilante' you want behind bars?"

"What about him?" The senior police officer grouched.

"He just dropped a woman off in front of the steps."

"WHAT?!" Officer Dan Seacrest grabbed his service weapon off his desk and ran out the door just in time to see the black clad Nightwatcher speed away, his engine roaring. "Hey you! Stop!"

"Or what? You'll shoot? You wouldn't risk the paperwork necessary to hit him." The younger officer scoffed as he hurried out to help Nora up the steps to the department.

Seacrest grunted; paperwork. The woman looked like she was going to cause enough paperwork to make firing at the vigilante almost worth it. Instead, he followed his partner down the steps.

Finally Nightwatcher returned to the alley where he had left his brother. He scanned the ground until he saw the blood revealed by the growing morning light. The blood didn't leave a path, but years of training together made it just as easy to follow where Mikey had gone.

Nightwatcher climbed up the side of the building using windows, a flag pole and molding in the brick until he reached the roof top. He was met with a smear of blood on the ledge of roof that proved not only that Mikey had been here, but he wasn't moving with his usual agility. There was no way he could have gotten up here and still had the strength to jump to any of the surrounding buildings.

Raph cast about for a moment before his eyes settles on a small wall that hid the building's rooftop access. Behind the wall was a metal panel that could be lifted and would probably lead to stairs. Nightwatcher gripped the edge of the panel, swung it open and started down the steps.

On the second flight of stairs down Mikey sat up against the wall. One hand was pressed against his shoulder and his head bobbing in a manner that worried Raph. The Nightwatcher boots were nearly impossible to mute on the creaky old wooden steps and as soon as he heard the creaking of old wood Mikey's head jerked up though he hardly looked ready to put up a fight. When he recognized the costumed figure he relaxed some and tried to put on a cheesy grin.

"Either I'm movin' real slow or you're moving way too fast." He slurred heavily.

"Right. Come on, we gotta' get you patched up." Raph leaned down and helped Mikey to his feet. The injured turtle swayed before Raph slung Mikey's good arm over his shoulder and started down the stairs.

"Ya know? Yer shorter in person than I 'spected." As they moved down the stairs Mikey contentedly mumbled whatever comment came to mind. Meanwhile Raph's mind was churning. Secret identities didn't matter anymore, Raph didn't care if Donnie, Mikey, and Master Splinter found out about the whole Nightwatcher thing at this point; he just wanted Mikey to be okay. But the closest entrance to the lair was more than four miles off and then there would be the trek through some of the city's slimier tunnels. Not a good option on time or for keeping Mikey's injury sanitary. The only other choice Raph could think of would be to take him back to the garage and hope K could provide medical assistance.

On the bottom floor a young boy with a bag of newspapers gaped at the two costumed mutants as they stumbled out of the stairwell and towards a side door. Raph tried to kick the thing open but it was made of good quality materials and did not give easily. He wasn't about to let go of Mikey, who he was now completely supporting.

"I'll get that!" The little boy ran over and turned the doorknob. He then did something weird to push it open and ran into the alley to hold it open as Nightwatcher stumbled out with his burden.

"Thanks kid." Nightwatcher grunted.

"Is he going to be all right?" The boy pointed at the Turtle Titan, who was now completely unconscious.

"He'd better." Was the growled response. The boy watched as Nightwatcher loaded the Turtle Titan onto his motorcycle in front of him and kicked his engine into gear before roaring off into the city.

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