A/N: Part two is a go! Enjoy!

D: I was looking for you. Welcome to Heroes!

Sciencegirl: Starberry Girl and Turtle Titan banter is a favorite to write. It's a nice change from the last few books. :D

WOLF: I like to keep my reader's guessing. ;)

InYuJi: LOL

Duckie: I love you! *hugs*

Chapter 07: Turtle Luck

Starberry Girl's staff wielding was remarkable; although growing up with Donatello meant Michelangelo had seen more precise methods to fight with one. While Don used his bō like a natural extension of himself, Starberry Girl used her golden weapon more as a club, like Raphael would in his teen years. And it left the impression of a small-framed cavewoman.

Not that it worked against the duo's favor. The first swing from the staff's star-shaped head is what stunned Gangster One into vulnerability.

"So, what did these guys do?" Mikey yelled over the crowds' gunfire. Their stray bullets left nerve-wracking knots in the mutant's stomach and echoes through Columbus Park. Luckily, their aim couldn't hit the broadside of a barn, leaving him comfortable enough to flip out of range when the need arose.

"You want to talk now, Figo?" Starberry Girl retorted. Mikey's peripheral vision caught her vaulting over one gunman before knocking his head sideways into a chin-up bar with her staff.

Capturing the wrist of another gunman, Mikey twisted it until the man's whole body followed like a corkscrew then dropped. "Will you stop using…whatever that language is?"

"Chiudi il becco!" Two more men fell when Starberry Girl snarled because her hands reached towards their throats like lightening. It was a brief moment that she squeezed between her knuckles and thumbs—expertly at the same kyūsho—before her foot kicked back up the staff she'd dropped, spinning it into her left hand.

'I really wanna ask where she got training. But she's so hung up on—'

"First, I'll show you what this dilettante can do!"

Was it just him, or did she resemble Raph in some ways? Maybe their similarity is why Michelangelo felt arguing would be useless.

The hero heaved in resignation, perfectly aware of movement behind him as the hotheaded female continued her assault. Two unarmed thugs thought they could jump him while distracted. Unfortunately for them, the mutant possessed ninja senses, and he casually twisted to close-line them once they charged.

"You're lucky I don't have my usual weapons," he told the downed figures twisted along a merry-go-round. "If it weren't for my need to keep a low profile—"

"Six left, girlie. You can't stop us all at once."

Mikey whirled at Gangster One's chuckle. Beyond the playhouse beside him, Starberry Girl stood between two swing sets in the midst of readied gunmen. Her staff was poised for defense as they encroached, yet her expression defied any sign of apprehension. In fact, she looked annoyed.

"What a coward's weapon," the green-haired heroine spat. "This just goes to show how easily you were meant to fall."

"Enough playtime," the leader shot back. "After three weeks, we finally scrub you from the equation."

"What? Purple Dragons getting the better of you?"

Starberry Girl flashed a smirk beneath the park's cheap lighting. Maybe it was a trademark image for her, and Mikey was convinced that if he could see her eyes below the black mask, they would sparkle. So call it morbid curiosity he stood still as the young woman awaited the right moment for retaliation. He neared, preparing himself, yet had to wonder…

How would she get out?

The answer came quick. Like, less-than-a-minute quick.

Starberry Girl's previous cavewoman movements evolved into more graceful ones, which spun her away from three bullets with a Butterfly Jump. Crouching, her gloved hands shifted along her weapon's shaft, twisting it until something clicked in between a strangled cry and another gun shot.

Mikey's eyes widened when she pressed a button near the star-shaped head and continued to do so as it lit up. 'An electric-charged staff?'

The hero could hardly contain his excitement; seeing Starberry Girl alternate her crackling staff from back to front was a lot like watching a movie. As soon as one gangster convulsed, dropping his weapon, she would move to the next—until four males joined their bleeding comrade on the ground. Then she paused at the last villain: Gangster One, who stared crazy-eyed at the heroine he barreled after.

Anger had clearly blinded him, so the handgun's missed shots dug into the asphalt like little meteorites. Mikey stepped forward when Starberry Girl refused to divert from their path, though his concern was apparently misplaced. A swing proved an ideal foothold for her to plant in during her dodge. She kept balanced with one boot on the rubber seat—like she generally rounded a swing's frame in that manner—then collected all her momentum into landing on Gangster One's shoulders after performing a full 'U'.

He hunched at her sudden weight, yet the staff head against the side of his bare neck collapsed him in seconds. Starberry Girl stood with a triumphant foot on his recoiled figure, smirking, and contracted her staff back into its shorter form.

"Who's the dilettante now, Figo?" she questioned, chin raised.

Michelangelo twitched—movie-like enchantment now passed. "I didn't mean any offense, Chibi Hoshi."

"Certo." The young woman pursed her lips then jumped off the unconscious gangster. "I'm just a femmina, a girl. So, obviously, I can't handle myself."

"That isn't it," Mikey grumbled.

'I just wanted to play hero…'

"You…you were manipulating us."

Mikey twisted alongside Starberry Girl when a pained voiced interjected. He faced the gang member injured by his leader's firearm. The man didn't look up from gripping his bleeding leg; perhaps because he couldn't handle the humiliation of facing the green-haired heroine.

"Si," Starberry Girl replied. And for the first time, Mikey witnessed how bright her smile shined. "I got you out of there, didn't I?"

"Idiots," the bleeding gangster muttered. It seemed directed at his crew rather than the heroes, though.

"Don't take it personally; I can be misleading," Starberry Girl added. "Although it's somewhat insulting how readily you believed my fake floundering."

"All this time"—the man paused to hiss and cringe—"an act."

"Like I said, you needed removed. Know how many kids hang around that area?" Somehow, Starberry's Girl's grin remained yet grew dangerous, biting. "I won't let the PDs hang around anymore, either."

"Were they fighting for turf?" Michelangelo questioned.

"No," the heroine spat, "recruits."

"Ya can't stop us," the man added with a grim laugh. "Hun's always been at our heels, pushing. He—he's grown weak over the winter. It's time we pushed back."

Starberry Girl snorted. "Only thing you'll be pushing is your cell door closed. Give it a minute, police will be crawling through this park. And it'll be thanks to your commotion."

Right, police. Michelangelo strained to hear any sirens. They hadn't sounded yet. 'Still, it's probably best I don't linger.' Forcing his vision on the heroine ahead, Mikey contemplated how to take his leave, only her grave expression left him speechless.

"Do you even care about the damage you PDs and Forty-Four punks cause? Losers like you must retain some conscience. It's not right to spill-over into neighborhoods or tear people in half, especially when they don't want to be a gangster to begin with."

"They…could change their minds."

"Disgusting."

After a chuckle the man grew silent and lax. Starberry Girl kneeled beside him to rip part of his oversized pant leg. She turned the long piece of fabric into a tourniquet by wrapping it tightly around his wound, then stood to send Mikey a look.

"What?" he asked.

"We should leave."

"But there are so many questions going through my head right now."

"Look, while Fifth Precinct can have a pretty slow response time, they do show."

"Believe me, I know. But—"

"These guys won't get up anytime soon."

"That's not what I'm—"

"Does it always take you this long to make a point?"

Mikey could feel his eye spaz below his mask. He was sure the heroine sensed it, too. Otherwise, why would her smirk grow?

"As one professional to"—she left her mouth open, gesturing towards the mutant—"whatever you are, I'd suggest loosing the cape."

"What?"

"They're liabilities. Trust me. I'll see you around."

"Hold on!"

Michelangelo may've yelled with a little too much gusto. But he couldn't care less if he did.

His call stopped Starberry Girl in her tracks by the monkey bars, offering the perfect chance to catch up. He reached towards her arm then spun her. In that moment a gale blew against him, and whipped around like a mini tornado. Its force was short, yet pushed his cape over his cowl then against the monkey bars overhead.

Startled, he stumbled forward, not releasing the heroine for guidance. All too late he found that his cape had snagged something on the bars. It unbalanced him then forced him forward without mercy. Starberry Girl's surprised gasp sounded before his vision cleared of orange. By then, they landed against the asphalt with his mouth pressed firmly against hers.

He always could count on Turtle Luck.

"Ya ain't really goin' tonight, are ya?" Raphael asked Nia. He sat up further in his unmade bed, watching his wife stuff a spare shirt into her backpack across the room.

"Mama was insistent," she replied—a soft, usual action. Her hair remained in a ponytail from work, yet she pushed what stray locks she could behind one ear out of habit. "I told her what I saw in the basement, remember?"

"Ya could'a left that bit out." The hothead crossed his large arms, pushing his carapace harder against the brick wall that acted as his headboard.

"Doing so would be like not telling you or Mikey. Would you have liked that?"

Raph returned his wife's pointed stare evenly then snorted. "No."

"Thought so. I—I have enough things I can't tell her. Least I could do is say something about a couple of hiding kids."

"Still can't believe ya didn't report 'em."

"Raph"—Nia's gentle call stiffened the mutant's muscles—"they begged me."

"Y—yeah…I know."

"It's sad," the human continued with a sigh. She shook her head then walked towards the bed; but not halfway there, her legs swayed. Raph arrived by her side in an instant, to prevent her from tripping over his dumbbells, and he refused to release her, even when she sent a grim smile. "They're no older than eleven."

'She's seriously ignorin' what I wanna mention,' thought Raph while he guided her to the bed. 'Whatever. I already convinced her not ta give blood this weekend with help from Don.'

"I'm hoping Mama will know a way to help," Nia added once stable. "I—I'll keep their secret from Misses Flemming for now, but…they can't hide in a basement forever."

Slowly, Raphael lowered his gaze until it met Nia's weak hand, which was swallowed by both of his own. "They said they were from Lacio Circus, right?"

The human gave a slow nod. "They return when they must. Then…come back to the basement."

"Did they tell ya why?"

"Someone came down before I could get a full explanation. I—I was gunna tell you and Mikey the full details once I did."

"Full details?" Raph frowned. "What'd ya leave out?"

"I couldn't help it." Nia spoke in a rushed voice, like she had done something wrong. Raph doubted she actually had, yet he used his gaze to inquire more. "M—my heart went out to them. Even now it…aches. They aren't, uh…like other children."

"How so?"

"Th—they're Sideshow kids."

"Ya mean like—"

Nia sighed, leaning so close against Raphael that his chest clenched at her tremble. "They haven't given me their real names. One, a boy, has hands that look to have grown in half, li—like prongs. The other is female. She says they call her a 'Ware Child'."

"I take it she's hairy then," Raph said carefully.

"Yes; and her tongue is…doubled tipped. She has the most amazing green eyes, though."

"So these kids are runnin' away from the circus?"

"Yes."

'Makes sense. The adults must have them earn a livin' by lettin' oddahs gawk at 'em. Who wants that?"

"They looked tired," Nia said after a moment of silence. "And they told me 'Please don't tell. Lacio keeps us because what we are, but…it isn't who we are.' H—how could I betray them?"

"No one's suggestin' ya shoul've," noted Raph lowly. "But it's problematic."

"I wanted to talk with everyone once I knew more, make a plan."

"Nia—"

"I'll be fine." The young woman shifted along the bed's edge so she could send a pleading look with her teal eyes.

Granted it was effective, Raph gripped both her shoulders, tone serious. "On one condition. Ya stay the whole weekend with me."

"What about patrol?"

"It can wait if ya plan against takin' a long trip in the middle 'a the night."

"You just want me this weekend." Straight-shot like agreed; Nia's insinuation no longer brought as big of a blush to her face as it once did. And she spoke flatly without doubt.

"Guilty as charged," the mutant countered, encircling his wife's waist. "Tell yer mom ya'll stay Monday 'n Tuesday night instead."

"Because you'll be out."

"Don't act like ya don't want this either." It took a light nibble at her earring to earn the blush he wanted. When he had it, he smirked, giving the old plasma burn along her collarbone a kiss.

"I'll call," Nia whispered into his ear. "But we should spend time with Mikey too."

She just had to mention the goofball when he was setting the mood, didn't she? Invasive thoughts of his youngest brother's taunting grin forced Raph's eyes open, and he jerked back suddenly when his imagination simulated the teases that would be dished out if said nunchaku master was present.

"Raph?" Nia blinked. "What's wrong?"

The mutant blanched. "Sometimes, ya're really good at killin' the atmosphere."

"…What?"

"Oh my god, guys, guess what!"

Michelangelo's cry wasn't imagined this time. It cut through the bedroom in a high pitch, leaving the hothead to wonder if either his brother's voice or tight grip on the round handle had led to the doors' violent swing inwards. He stared at the orange-masked mutant beaming back at him—as if the fool had just preformed a miracle—and he knew better than to ask 'what happened?' Judging by how heavy Mikey was breathing, the youngest would cave in three, two, one…

"I just kissed a girl."

There was a long silent moment.

Then, Raphael faced Nia. "I take it back: he's really good at killin' the atmosphere."

"Know what, Raphy Boy? I don't even care what you're talking about. You guys should just hear me out."

"Why?" Raph questioned when the nunchaku master closed the door. "This sounds like somethin' I'm gunna scold ya for."

"Sensei and Donny would scold me worse."

"So, ya went patrollin'. Alright. What'd ya do ta her?"

"Nothing bad!" the blue-eyed Hamato spat. Yet he paused, resituating the duffle bag slung over his shoulder as his glare faltered. "Well, except for maybe fall on her."

"Is she okay?" Nia squeaked. Raph couldn't help sniggering at how the artist immediately covered her mouth then apologized.

"She's fine," Mikey said. "A fall's nothing for this girl."

"That's familiar talk for someone ya just met."

Finding Raph's stern gaze, the orange-masked Chūnin countered with a defiant pout. "Unlike some people, I pick up skilled readings from others. She gave me a lot to work with, actually."

"An' who exactly is 'she'?"

"The heroine we've been hearing about."

"Y—you mean the one that's been associated with the EPF Hub bombings?" Nia's question popped the proud huff Mikey had inhaled like a balloon.

Deflated, he retorted in a dour mood tempered only by the thrill lingering behind his bright eyes. "We don't know if she's the one causing such trouble. It's only what the news reports."

Raph grunted. "We don't know if she ain't, either."

"Maybe I would know if she hadn't of taken off."

"Scare her with yer smooth moves, Casanova? An' here I thought ya were ready ta brag about a magical night."

Mikey stomped a foot when his older brother chuckled, though Nia's slap against his arm is what bothered Raph the most. "It was magical, Raphy Boy. Kind'a. Not in the Disney sense, but there was definitely…something."

"Something?"

"How else would you explain her not screaming bloody murder when I accidentally kissed her?"

"D—did that happen when you fell on her?"

"I'd use the word petrifaction."

Raphael and Nia spoke at the same time, though it seemed Mikey caught both replies, glaring at his brother. "Yes, Nia, it did. It happened because, uh…my cape caught the monkey bars then unbalanced me."

"Oh, Mikey!" Raph bellowed while slapping his kneepad in humor. "Ninja beat by monkey bars? Dude, ya're right: ya would be chewed out!" A new pressure met Raph's shoulder—sudden, rough—and once he raised his head again he was met with his wife's shaking head and downturned lips. "What? It's funny."

"Not to Mikey," the dark-haired human whispered. "He's feeling—"

She stopped herself there, teal eyes darting in Michelangelo's direction. The hothead followed her lead until he noticed a new dreariness that prevented the younger Hamato from smiling fully. It was grim enough to silence any possible jabs in Raphael's throat, so he sat quietly.

"Starberry treated it as if I were your average guy that did it," Mikey said, low. "She didn't look at me disgusted; she looked at me shyly. I—I know it was an accident, but…I…I'd like to know her better."

"Mikey," Raph interjected, "don't let a good feelin' get ya inta trouble."

"Looks who's talking."

"I'm serious, Shell-for-Brains. She could bring more attention than ya need. What if yer cover winds up blown 'cuz 'a the Hub bombings, an' the news gets wind 'a Turtle Titan?"

"You have no proof she's connected. Even if she were, I'd cross that bridge when it came. Things might not go that far, though."

"Hey—"

"I didn't tell you this so you could forbid me from seeing her." Mikey cut Raph off, violent enough where Nia gasped beside her husband. "This might be one of those rare good Turtle Luck cases. This might be my chance. So I don't want to hear it from the married guy about how I should keep a distance."

"Mikey," Nia uttered. She motioned to stand, except the orange-masked mutant backed towards the door, glancing downwards.

"I thought you would be excited for me," he said in an undertone.

"Yer twistin' things, Mike."

"Guess now I know what to keep to myself."

"We don't want that," added Nia. Her small voice cracked and she rose from the bed alongside Raphael. But they were both too late: Michelangelo had already left, leaving the door wide open.

A/N: With Leo gone, Raph takes on the role of protective older brother. LOL Review? :D