Sorry for the late update everyone. I bet you have been on the edge of your seats waiting for the following chapter. Anyway, onward to the following chapter. Tootles for now.

Chapter 21

~Rachael and Raphael's bedroom~

James carefully planned his escape to protect Rachael and her new family. Looking back when hearing, sudden commotion entering the dwellings. A single tear ran down his cheek, leaving a warm stain whilst he took out from the inside of his jacket. A white envelope. Containing a very important letter, for his niece.

Trailing his thumb over the envelope one last time then finally placing it down on the bed, as the voices approached through the corridor and closer to the room. James knew he had a few short moments to disappear, part of him desperately desired to stay and explain all but also the other part feared he'd endangered them further.

Two fresh warm tears welled then stained his cheeks, gritting his teeth and clenching his frustrated fists that shook. Quickly looked to the closed door as he heard his name called by rachael as she and her new husband, searched for him. Exhaling a short breathless sigh and quietly slipped out the window, leaving it open as the breeze blew softly through the curtains then finally the door opened as Rachael and Raphael stepped into the room, cradling their sons.

Both were silent, and assumed the window was left open during the ceremony as they carefully placed the twins in the crib. It was then, Raphael noticed the envelope on the bed.

Rachael.

The envelope carried her name as it waited to be read. "Vixen…" Raphael breathed softly, holding the envelope and rachael turned, then glanced upon the envelope in her husband's hand. Taking it, as her hand shook and without hesitation she opened it. With her husband, standing beside her as she read the letter.

Dearest Rachael

By the time you read this, I have gone. But not until I get to see you on your big day and witness how happy you are, along with two miraculous blessings that any mother would be incredibly blessed to be given. I know you long for answers as why I have left so suddenly, but if I tell you. Then, I will be placing you in danger. The less you know, and hopefully you will be safe.

I know in my heart that your new husband, Raphael will devote all to keep you safe and happy. As that is all I wish for you, and that is all your parents wishes for you as well. Please forgive me, little humming bird. But this is the only way, I can protect you and one day you will understand why.

Forever more and goodbye….

Love uncle jimmy.

Rachael immediately turned to her husband's embrace, stream of warm tears covered her cheeks as she buried her face into his neck and tightly draped her arms around his neck whilst tightly grasped the letter in her hand. Raphael tightly embraced his saddened bride, as he draped one arm around her body and cradled the back of her head with the other. Closing his eyes, nuzzling his cheek upon her temple before lightly kissing her crown and exhaled softly. Followed into the room, unaware the sudden suppressed and depressing moment just unfolded.

April and Casey with Leonardo stood in the doorway, instantly April rushed to her friends side and gently brushed her hand over Rachael's silken but still veiled hair. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

Raphael said nothing as Rachael slightly pulled away and handed the letter to April then returned for her husband's comforting embrace. Closed her eyes as she sighed after reading the letter, leaving the newlyweds and closed the door behind her. Both Casey and Leonardo, waited to know what was happening as one finally asked.

"What's that?" Casey asked, pointing the letter in April's hand. Exhaled again then answered. "James is gone."

"Gone? Gone where?" Leonardo wondered, suspiciously. "It doesn't say, only that he feared to be placing Rachael in danger of some sort." April answered, feeling compelled.

Leonardo remained silent for a few short seconds as he wondered what kind of danger then finally suggested. "Maybe we should do a perimeter check."

They agreed, nodding then April asked. "Let's ask Donnie, about any sudden disturbances before actually physically patrolling the premises."

Leonardo instantly agreed to April's insistence and replied. "Alright, but I still insist we should get it out right out. Something don't feel right."

"Agreed." April and Casey replied, unison then walked to Donnie's room and waited as they knocked on the door. The purple clad terrapin, rubbed his eyes. Squinting them slightly and exhaled tiredly, just about to answer the door when leatherhead offered to do so.

"Hello my friends." LH greeted, politely smiled as he invited the group in the room. Donnie turned, facing them with a tired glance and yawned before he could speak as Leonardo inquired, interrupting his younger brother.

"Donnie, has there been any sudden changes while we were attending the wedding?"

Donatello's glance changed from tired to immediate concern, raising a brow ridge then finally he replied. "I'll have a look right now."

Pushing the key buttons on the keyboard, and searched through the security footage of earlier hours and during. Biting his lip, blushed as he didn't realise that the cameras had recorded his brother; mikey and wolfjade fooling around outside. Quickly skipping the footage of that precise moments and looked elsewhere. Finding nothing.

Exhaled abruptly soft, leaning back in his chair and assured. "According to the footage, there hasn't been any disturbances."

His brother, April and Casey still were not convinced as Leatherhead sensed his friends sudden change of behaviour. Master Splinter walked into the room, also sensing the disruptive, unbalancing energy. "Go my sons, ensure there is no disturbance."

Both terrapins bowed and obeyed, their sensei. Casey kissed April's cheek as he too, decided to join the brothers and do a perimeter check on the side of the property.

~Outside, near the barn~

Mikey and Wolfjade, laid within each other's embrace exhausted. But content.

Unaware of what was happening around them, in the bushes over the distance as they were watched by the enemy. But, slowly making their way closer and finally stood over the pair. Wolfjade was asleep, with the dress sprawled aside but luckily she still wore her under dress. Mikey looked up as he felt a sudden disturbance that made him suddenly, respond defensively but was placed unconscious before he could act.

Wolfjade was taken into the night, leaving mikey behind and unconscious as a smear of blood trailed down his mouth and sprawled over the dress close by, which had disturbed wolfjade awakening her and immediately tried to defend herself and cried out to mikey when she too was placed unconscious.

By that time, when his brothers had heard. It was too late, wolfjade was gone and so was James.