A/N:Thank you all for your reviews Here's ch 11 for ya and as usual see ch 1 for disclaimer. Enjoy.
Ch 11 Hope
The group all gasped when they saw what just happened. Raphael got up on his hand and flipped himself onto his hands and began to walk using his hands and arms back to his room. "Told ya he could do it," Slash said with a smile.
"There," Raphael said after he caught his breath and pulled himself back into his bed. "Are ya satisfied Slash?"
"Yeah I am," Slash said,happy with himself. "I knew all ya needed was a push."
"You see Raph," Karai said, walking over to her brother's bed and sitting on the edge. "I told you you weren't useless. You just need to figure out how to do things without using your legs."
"Can I fight without using my legs?" Raphael asked, looking at his sister with pain filled eyes.
"There are many ways to fight that don't require the use of your legs," Dr. Rockwell put it. Everyone gave the monkey a look of surprise. "I've been looking into this ever since I found out of Raphael's paralysis," he informed his friends.
"So have I," Leonardo chimed in. "And I've been practicing some of those techniques. Figured they'd come in handy since my feet aren't as strong as they once were."
"Yeah well it wouldn't do me any good anyways," Raphael said as he reached for his covers. "We can't even leave the lair so what's the point?"
"Perhaps I was a bit hasty," Splinter chimed in suddenly causing everyone to look at him with surprise. "I think it would do Raphael some good if he were to get some fresh air. And I would be more than happy to teach you some of those techniques."
"Hold on here let me get this straight," Michelangelo said, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "You're ok with us leaving the lair?"
"Yes I am Michelangelo," Splinter said.
"Why the sudden change Sensei?" Donatello asked, surprised the Splinter was saying this.
"After seeing how this was affecting all of you I had to change my opinion," Splinter informed everyone. "And I realized that you are capable of defending yourselves. I should have know that all along. I was just so afraid of losing you boys again that I could not see anything else. And while I am still afraid of that it would be selfish of me to keep you here. And more harmful to you all. And that is something far worse."
"We know you're scared Father," Leonardo said softly. "And that's understandable."
"Yeah," Michelangelo chimed in. "And you wanna know something? I..I'm scared too. In fact every time I leave the lair I'm terrified I won't come back and that my nightmares'll come true."
"I know how you feel Mikey," Donatello said, his voice barely audible. "And tonight was my nightmares came true. And that's what the really terrifying thing is. That they could happen again. But we gotta face our fears. Otherwise they'll take over and we'll be paralyzed by them."
"Tell me about it," Raphael muttered.
"But Raph you've gotta face your demons too," Donatello said, turning to face his older brother.
"Donnie I.." Raphael began.
"Donnie's right Raph," Leonardo put in. "We all have to face our demons. Mikey and Donnie face theirs every time they go out."
"What about you Leo?" Raphael said roughly. Leonardo's blue eyes widened and Raphael continued, "You say we all gotta face out demons. What about your demons? Do you face 'em?"
"I.." Leonardo began, not quite sure how to respond to this.
"That's what I thought," Raphael said, rolling his green eyes. "Geeze that is so typical Leo. You lecture me 'bout not facing my demons when really you should be lecturin' yourself 'bout that. 'Cause I think we all know you haven't faced yours."
"You're right Raph," Leonardo said quietly. "I haven't faced my demons."
"Thought so," Raphael grumbled crossing his arms.
"But its not easy to even admit them," Leonardo said with a sigh. "And to be honest its..well its embarrassing."
"Leo we're all family here," Karai said, putting her hand on her blue masked brother's shoulder. "You don't have anything to be embarrassed about with us."
"You're sister is right my son," Splinter declared. "None of you should feel ashamed to admit your fears. Only if you admit them can you ever get past them."
"Truer words were never spoken," Dr. Rockwell said with a nod.
"What do you say Raph?" Leonardo said, giving his slightly younger brother a smile. "Wanna work on our demons together? You know? Help each other or something like that?"
"It would do you some good Raphael," Slash said quietly. Raphael looked at his friend then looked back at his family, who were staring at him with hopeful faces.
"I'll think about it," the red masked turtle said softly.
"That's good enough Raph," Leonardo said as he stood and exited Raphael's room with the rest of his family and friends right behind him.
"Think he really means that?" Michelangelo asked quietly as the group walked towards the living room.
"I think the fact that he didn't blow up at us is progress," Donatello pointed out.
"I agree with ya on that one brainiac," Slash said patting Donatello on the back.
"So Sensei does this mean April and Casey can come back?" Michelangelo asked, looking at Splinter with hope filled eyes.
"Yes it does Michelangelo," Splinter said with a small smile. Suddenly Michelangelo threw his arms around Splinter, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you Father," Michelangelo said happily. "I'm gonna call them right now!" With those words the orange masked turtle ran off to call his friends.
"I'm glad you finally got some sense talked into you Father," Karai said with a smile as she put her arm around Splinter.
"Seeing my children happy far out weighs any fears I may have," Splinter declared with a smile. "Come let us get some rest." With that Splinter and his children and their friends went to get some much needed rest.
TMNTTMNTTMNT
Raphael sat in his bed debating on rather he should try to sleep or not. But soon that decision was taken out of his hands when he heard the door open. Turing his head Raphael saw Slash enter the room. "If you're gonna drag me out of my bed again be prepared to take a punch to the head," he said, half jokingly half seriously.
"I ain't gonna do that," Slash said with a half smile. "Feel like doin' some exercises?"
"What the Hell?" Raphael said with a shrug. "It ain't like I'm gonna sleep anyways." With those words Raphael pulled himself out of bed and onto the ground. After adjusting his legs Raphael looked up at Slash. "Now what?" he asked.
"Now its my turn," Slash declared, standing in front of his friend. "Pull yourself up," he said holding out his arm.
"What?" Raphael asked, giving his friend a confused look.
"Wrap your arms around my arm and pull yourself up," Slash said, trying not to sound annoyed.
"Slash I don't," Raphael began.
"Just do it!" Slash shouted, surprising Raphael.
"Alright Slash calm you ass down damn," Raphael said as he pulled himself towards Slash and reached for his arm. After a couple of attempts Raphael grabbed Slash's arm and pulled himself up.
"Good," Slash said, lifting Raphael off the ground. "Now swing yourself. And no arguin'." With a grunt Raphael began to swing himself. But soon he lost his grip and fell to the ground.
"Damn it!" Raphael growled, punching the ground.
"Ya did good," Slash said, kneeling beside his friend and helped him adjust himself.
"Yeah I guess," Raphael said with a sigh as he slapped his knees. When he did this something amazing happened. His foot moved. Raphael's green eyes went wide with shock as did Slash's eyes. "Did ya see that Slash?" Raphael asked, his voice coming out very soft.
"Yeah I did," Slash said, amazed at what he saw. "Do it again." With that Raphael hit his knee again. And once again his foot moved.
"I'm gonna try somethin'," Raphael declared. With that he stared at his feet and said. "C'mon you stupid toe. Move." And to Slash's shock Raphael's big toe moved.
"Whoa," Slash breathed as he sat on the ground.
"I knew it," Raphael said with a grin. "I knew eventually they'd move."
"That's great my friend," Slash said, patting Raphael on his back.
"Look Slash do my a favor?" Raphael said. "Don't say nothin' to anyone ok? I wanna wait 'til I can completely walk to say anything."
"They won't hear nothin' from me," Slash said.
"Thanks," Raphael said with a smile. "C'mon lets get some sleep." With that the two mutants went to get some need sleep both of them hopeful of what was to come.
A/N well there you have it folks ch 11 done. Hope you all enjoyed it. Review please.