Hahaha...the long awaited battle is finally here...

Ch. 31-Quarrel or Quarry?

Two nights.

Two nights since he'd left home. Two nights since he'd begun his search and so far, no luck.

Wherever Dragon was hiding, it was a good place. Neon green eyes narrowed as a thought struck him: What if Dragon isn't hiding? Assuming that Ryuu knew about Raphael's relationship with Midori, then Dragon also knew Raphael would come after him. In which case he wouldn't have to hide. The huntsman would simply wait for Raph to come to him.

The hotheaded turtle reminded himself that Dragon was a hunter of the first order and wouldn't be easily defeated. What was it that Master Splinter always said?

There will always come a time, my sons, where balance shifts and the hunter becomes the hunted.

I certainly hope that's true. Raphael thought as he neared his destination. His feet ground to a halt on a nearby rooftop and he glanced over at the roof of the apartment building where Midori's uncle lived. Dragon was there. Lurking in the shadows. Raph could sense it.

A clap of thunder rang through the sky and rain began to pour down.

Sometimes, it's good to be a turtle. Raph thought as the rain rolled easily off his skin, not bothering him in the slightest. With a deep breath the hotheaded turtle leapt down to the apartment building roof.

"Dragon." There was no answer. "I know you're there." Again there was no answer. "I've come alone. We're going to settle this here and now."

Finally, after a long, tense moment of silence, a deep, gravel voice floated back from the shadows, "Really? Well, that would be positively…"

Raph's muscles tensed as Dragon stopped short. He took a step back, his hands flying to his sais as he searched the darkness surrounding him. The rain made it difficult for him to rely on his senses since most of them were being obscured. Just as he turned, Raphael's senses exploded with pain…

"...thrilling." The voice floated towards him as everything began to swirl.

And everything…went…black.

Master Splinter emerged from the dojo in an almost trance-like state. His sons and Midori turned towards him, confused by the expression on his face. Suddenly the old rat stumbled.

Leonardo shot forward and caught his rat master, his eyes filled with shock. "Master Splinter! Sensei?" There was no response and the eldest turtle struggled to contain his panic. "Father?!"

The old rat looked down and away from his sons' questioning and worried stares. Then, as though he had been hit by a tidal wave, Splinter's eyes snapped open. "It has begun." He murmured softly.

Midori's honey-colored eyes widened and her heart began to beat faster. He couldn't mean…

"Raphael has engaged Dragon."

"You can sense him?" Midori asked in awe.

Leo didn't give the old rat a chance to answer Midori's question as he immediately asked, "What's happening?"

Splinter lowered his gaze. "The battle has only just begun."

"But how's Raph doing?" The eldest turtle asked, insistently.

The old rat refused to answer.

That's it! Midori thought, angrily, as she sprang up from her seat.

Leonardo caught her shoulder as she began to walk away. "Where are you going?"

"I can't just sit here and allow Raphael to die fighting my battles for me!"

Leo's face was a mixture of pain and horror. "You can't. I promised Raph…"

Midori snarled back over her shoulder at the eldest turtle, her parting words, "Try and stop me."

Leo was about to head off in pursuit when Master Splinter's hand caught his shoulder. "No, my son. I'm afraid this battle is not ours to fight."

Gradually everything grew lighter and Raphael woke to find himself lying prone at Dragon's feet. He coughed a little, vaguely noting the blood that stained the pavement as he did so. "You…Why didn't you just kill me, then?"

"There is a fine line between a hunter and an executioner. There's no sport in killing an immobile target."

"So, what? You want me to get up and run for you?" Raph muttered breathlessly.

Dragon's chuckle was sickening. "No need to trouble yourself with over-exertions, but I am looking forward to our battle."

Raph growled and pounced up at Dragon with all his might. For a few moments, the hotheaded turtle had the upper hand, but not for long.

Dragon's superior height and added strength gave him the ability to reverse the turtle's hold with efficacy. Ryuu slammed Raphael against the concrete stairwell with vigor. There was a sickening thud and extreme pain brought Raph to the brink of passing out. Dragon lifted the turtle, spun him around, and proceeded to send Raph crashing straight through the concrete structure that housed the stairs down into the apartments. Raph landed in a pile of concrete and debris, his vision going in and out. Still, Raph had enough sense to know that Dragon was coming after him and he somehow managed to yank himself to his feet. The hothead put all of his training to good use as his sweeping technique enabled him to dodge a couple of potentially dangerous blows.

Occasionally Raphael would manage to get a blow or two here or there. His best shot was actually a narrow miss, but the prongs of his sai cut a deep mark into the side of Dragon's face. Ryuu was enraged and his anger grabbed hold of him, temporarily giving Raph the advantage.

But it wasn't long before Dragon grew frustrated and drew one of his blades.

Ryuu made a couple of fast stabs, none of them truly reaching their intended marks. The third attempt ended up making a nasty chink in the lower left side of Raphael's plastron. Dragon took advantage of Raph's momentary distraction to attack head on. Punch after punch bombarded Raphael's plastron. Suddenly Dragon reached out, and before Raph could counter, grabbed the turtle's left arm and bent it backwards before applying extreme force. A crack, followed by Raph's cry of pain cut through the sound of rain hitting the rooftops.

The turtle fell with a thud and Dragon was about to make the final strike.

A sword intercepted his fell swoop with a mighty clang.

"Not on my watch." Jade removed her helmet and cast it off to the side, where it hit the roof with a thud. "Your quarrel is with me."

Ryuu did the same, removing his helmet and tossing it away. His smirk was absolutely vicious. "Your quarrel, but my quarry, my dear." He hissed, waving his sword over Raphael's prone form.

Her eyes were on fire. "Over my dead body."

Ryuu's eyes glinted, maliciously, "So be it."

Lightning flashed and thunder roared as they blades crashed.

Review please!