Ch 19

"The Super Turtles are certainly giving the Dark Turtles a run for their money ladies and gentlemen!" Darius called out as Dark Don and Shellectro went up against each other, "Oh! Shellectro is using his electric gloves to force Dark Don away from Blobboid!" The crowd roared as Dark Angelo climbed the rope and jumped off, landing on top of Shellectro just as the Super Turtle was forming a large amount of lightning within his hands.

"Ohhh, that's gotta hurt!" Darias yelled as Dark Angelo jumped off Shellectro, allowing Dark Don to grab the super turtle from behind and began to squeeze him.

Leo looked over at Raph and noted the red clad turtle was watching the match with growing apprehension, "Raph?" Leo placed a hand on the other turtle's arm, "Are you okay?"

He looked back at the wrestling turtles and watched as both Graviturtle and Griddex were grabbing hands. Griddex began to swing Graviturtle around hard enough that the super turtle's feet were off the ground. Griddex then threw Graviturtle across the ring into Dark Don causing him to release Shellectro and force him on the ground allowing Blobboid to roll into a ball and over to Dark Don pinning him down.

"The Super Turtles are doing okay," Leo continued as Raph leaned forward in his chair.

"They sure are," Mikey chimed in, "They are mopping the floor with those Dark Turtles!" He suddenly jumped up along with the rest of the crowd and screamed excitedly as Griddex increased his body size and enveloped Dark Leo before he could go after Graviturtle.

"Did you see that?!" Donnie yelled out in shock, "The way he could just grow large like that!"

"Hell yeah I did!" Mikey yelled back, "These Super Turtles are incredible!" Mikey looked at Donnie with a twinkle in his eyes, "I wonder what other body parts he can grow long?" Donnie rolled his eyes and shook his head at Mikey's wiggling eyeridges, but even he couldn't hide the blush forming across his cheeks.

"Raph?" Leo continued to watch as Raph suddenly began to grow very pale, "What is the matter?" He demanded.

"Oh uh nothing Leo," Raph sat back in his chair and looked toward his right where two large men were glaring back at him, "I'm uh, just surprised by how well Graviturtle and Griddex seem to be getting along."

Leo chuckled, "I'm sorry Raph," Leo told him with a shy smile, "I thought you would be happy to know they were now hooking up."

Raph's head whipped toward Leo, fear showing in his eyes, "They're hooking up?" Raph asked rather loudly, "How do you know?"

Startled at his sudden outburst, Leo looked back at Raph with confusion, "I kinda encouraged Graviturtle to get together with Griddex." He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "I thought you were over him so I assumed it wouldn't be a big deal."

Raph couldn't help but notice Leo was looking at him with suspicion in his eyes, "I uh…" Raph shook his head, "No Leo, I am over Grid, I just wasn't expecting him to move on so quickly."

"Again," Leo's voice now sounded irritated, "What's the big deal?" He crossed his arms and forced himself to ignore the cheering going on around him, "I would think you would be happy to see Griddex and Graviturtle getting together," He narrowed his eyes, "After all, it's not like you still have those special feelings for him..." He looked at Raph suspiciously, "You don't, do you?"

"No, of course not Leo," Raph huffed, "It's fine, really," He turned back toward the ring where Dark Leon was now going up against Griddex. The two circled each other, noses flaring and mouths snarling in anger.

Raph leaned forward eagerly as the two rushed toward each other and began to grapple. Griddex again began to grow in size and pushed the large Dark Turtle toward the corner of the ring where Shellectro was battling Dark Don.

"Come on, come on," Raph muttered as Dark Don forced Shellectro away from him causing him to bang into Griddex and falling onto the floor. Dark Leon climbed onto the ropes and with a loud roar jumped into the air and landed hard on the two Super Turtles.

"Another rib crushing blow!" Darius yelled, "It's a good thing these mutants heal quickly!"

"Raph, relax," Leo told him upon seeing Graviturtle and Blobboid rush into the fray, "They're winning these matches."

Raph nodded nervously, "I gotta get a beer," He quickly stood and rushed out of the arena toward the refreshment stands.

"But Raph, they're on the last match!" Leo called out to Raph's retreating shell.

"Is everything okay Leo?" Mikey asked.

Leo shook his head, "I'm not sure," He muttered, sounding completely confused, looking back to where Raph had taken off to.

A few moments later, Raph came back in time to see the final round end with the Super Turtles defeating the Dark Turtles in an all out wrestling frenzy. The crowd was wild with loud cheers and boos as Darius stepped into the center and held his hands up to quiet the crowd.

"What an amazing night Ladies and Gentlemen!" He yelled out, "The Super Turtles are now the new reigning champions!"

The four Super Turtles ran around the ring, slapping hands and congratulating each other in victory while the four Dark Turtles glared angrily at them.

Dark Leon stomped over to where Darius was and roughly snatched the microphone away from him, "Listen up you morons!" He yelled out over the roar of the crowd, "This fight isn't over! The Dark Turtles demand a rematch!" He pointed a finger toward the Super Turtles, "One month from today, be there!" He threw the microphone back toward Darius and stomped his way back to the others.

"We'll be there!" Graviturtle yelled back, "And we'll win the next one too," He looked out over the crowd, "You all come back and see, no one defeats the Super Turtles!" The crowd cheered along with the four turtles as they hurried out of the ring.

"We need to celebrate," Mikey said eagerly as he and the others started to leave the arena, "Let's go to that Italian Restaurant you like so much Leo."

Leo looked at Raph who was walking ahead of them, rushing toward the door, "Raph," He reached out and grabbed his arm, "What's the rush?" Raph looked back at him, fear evident in his eyes, "How bout a celebratory dinner?"

"Uh, no Leo," Raph stammered, "I can't, I uh.."

"Raph," Leo looked at him with concern, "What's the matter?" He forced Raph over to the wall away from the crowd, "Please, talk to me."

"I'm sorry Leo," Raph responded, "I just remembered I was supposed to help Casey with going over inventory tonight, that's all."

Leo shook his head, "No Raph," He said adamantly, "That's not all, you're scared and it shows so please, tell me what's wrong!"

Raph looked back at Leo, his gaze softening, "It's alright Leo," He told him, "I'll call ya later." Before Leo could say anything more, Raph moved forward and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

Leo closed his eyes as he felt their lips connect. When Raph stepped back, Leo's eyes opened and gave Raph a pleading look, "Please talk to me Raph," He whispered.

Raph stroked his cheek, "I'll call ya later this week," He promised, "But right now I need to get home."

Leo watched Raph hurry out of the arena and toward the subway. Mikey and Donnie joined Leo and looked at him in bewilderment, "What's going on Leo?" Donnie asked.

Leo looked at them sadly, "I'm really not sure," He responded as they finally made their way out the door.