Rising of the Moon

Chapter 16-
	This time when Leonardo woke up, the room was lit up with the sun raise streaming through the window. He smiled and looked over at the face that was the owner of the body he was laying on. Raph moaned softly as he stirred, causing him to wake up immediately. 
	His eyes opened with laziness and he had to blink several times before the room finally cleared up, he looked down at Leo and smiled softly. 
	“Morning.” The leaf green turtle nodded and purred. Nuzzling his chin before he smirked, grabbed Raph’s wrapped up arm and turning around. His arm resting on his hip so the red eyed vampire was spooning him. Raphael smiled as his eyes closed, resting happily and comfortably in his current state. Never before has peace and bliss come to him as this, and only Leonardo was capable to do that to him.
	Leonardo contemplated at the arm that was laying against him. His fingertips rubbing the worn cloth he used. Slowly he unwrapped it and to his astonishment the limb showed barely anything left of a burnt mark, the rest showed light green scars. Leo’s eyes were big as he studied each scar. He sat up and looked at Raph.
	“They’re healed.” He exclaimed. Raph looked at him confusingly, sitting up from where he was to see what all the fuss was about. As soon had his red eye landed on the nearly healed burns, he gasped in complete shock. His gaze soon landed on Leo. How unusually sweet and fresh the blood of the leaf green turtle had, no other mortal he’s ever tasted possessed. Something about that blood just sped up the process to overnight was his only conclusion.
	“There is something about you.” Leo stared at him.
	“Me? What about me?”
	“Your blood. It was unusually sweet, and -this is a compliment- tasty.”
	“Unusually?”
	“As in I don’t get much blood that way.”
	“So you think the sweetness of it is what healed you faster?” Raphael shrugged, he wouldn’t know. He doesn’t exactly study much about the way of the vampire so he had no clue if this was the reason he healed so fast. Either that or maybe it was because Leo was his own species. That was probably it. 
	“I’m not entirely sure what happened, but I’m glad it got cleared up.” Leo nodded in agreement.
	“Have to be honest with you. You did look pretty damn ugly.” Raph scowled at him. 
	“Very funny. I’d think you would be more respectful to your hero who saved your ass from getting eaten.” Leo smirked, his arms crossed over his chest as he met the gaze without a flinch.
	“Yeah, and you should be equally as grateful for allowing you to suck my blood and heal you faster.” Raph had to agree with that. He was very much grateful and with his token of thanks he pulled Leo into his arms, startling the poor turtle. 
	“Thank you.” He whispered. After what happened last night. He didn’t really think there was any accuse to holding back his pride. Leo had fought the hardest he could from the smile that played along his mouth but the battle was easily lost and he clung to Raph to keep it hidden in his neck. Sure, he just had an intercourse with Raph and to top it off he was the submissive one. You wouldn’t think he would be afraid to show his soft side to him every now and then, but he wasn’t used to this new found niceness. It was uncomfortable and he would very well rather have them arguing and teasing instead of . . . whatever this was. He felt something soft and fluttery in his chest and he immediately dismissed it off. Whatever he was feeling, he knew very well that Raphael was the cause of it. Which was a bad thing.
	Minutes later, much to Raph’s disappointment he finally separated from Leo. The leaf green turtle stared into those fiery red eye and felt hopelessly lost in it once again. Another bad thing he just couldn’t live with. How easily Raph had this strong effect on him, by just looking at him. And if Raph was any wiser and found out of this power he could either use it to betray Leo. Or worse, use it to his advantage when they were . . . alone. He suppose the sort of look the emerald vampire had given him shouldn’t have worried him so, but he just felt too uncomfortable than what was probably healthy for him.
	Raph started frowning and Leo wondered if he had done anything to upset him. Maybe in the middle of all his thinking had caused him to scowl rather than smile. To his disliking he was hoping that wasn’t it.
	“What is it?” He asked. His voice showing just a slight amount of concern. Raph looked at him blankly. He hesitated before his hand gradually made its way up to his face. Leo just watched in silence. Trying hard to figure out what was going through this red eyed vampires mind.
	He looked as Raph’s hand as it went to his face, his fingers ghostly hovering over the sewn part of his right eye where the scar was located. It was very disappointing that as soon as their fun time was finished Raph had immediately put the mask back on. He didn’t know why but he found that the emerald turtle was actually quite attractive without his mask very well as with it on. Truth be told though, if he had a choice he would very much rather have Raph leave the mask off. Not that he would ever say anything of course. He had to salvage whatever was left of his pride.
	Leo jumped immediately in shock as Raph had leapt off the bed with great enthusiasm that no morning person should ever have as he raced along the floor of the garage and went to the bathroom area. He disappeared into the separate room. Leo had just sat there with wide sapphire eyes, staring at the swinging door that had failed to close shut behind Raph. 
	It took a few minutes to gather himself up and grab a hold of the situation before he heaved himself off the bed and slowly make his way over to where Raph was presently hiding. He knocked on the open door with his knuckles to announce he was coming. He herd no retching coming from the bathroom so he crossed out the idea that the emerald turtle had suddenly been hit with morning sickness. There was no run of water. No feet pattering around on the tiles, but in fact complete and total silence. 
	“Raph?” He called with a little voice. Not wanting to startle the turtle if he was somewhat unstable.  
	Much to his confusion, Raph seemed perfectly fine except for the fact he was standing still as if he was a statue in front of his sink staring hard into the mirror. His mask was off as the piece of red fabric was sprawled uselessly on the floor in a heap. His hand gently feeling the right of his eye, covering Leo’s view of what exactly had Raph so frozen.
	He hesitated as he reached up and rested his hand on Raphael’s shoulder, hoping to capture his attention so he could get some answers.
	“Raph, what’s wrong?” He asked in concern. For a few minutes, nothing but silence had answer his call and he was going to say something else. Till Raph looked at Leo. 
	“You’re more powerful than I thought.” His tone sounded breathless and Leo was about to question him till the hand dropped. Revealing the astonishing sight that had Leo as well frozen in his stance. The gruesome messed up scar that ran from Raph’s middle forehead, through his eye lid, to his cheek bone was yes, still there. But what had changed entirely was Raph’s right lid had opened revealing a second eye that as well possess a second powerful fiery red orb. 
	Leo’s jaw had dropped and hung there for a great amount of time as he allowed the sudden astonishing miracle to slowly process in his poor little mind. 
	“Can you believe it?” The emerald turtle had muttered under his breath. The edges of his lips starting to curl. Leo could do nothing but gape and shake his head.
	“It’s a miracle,” He whispered under his gasping breath. “But how!?” He immediately bellowed helplessly. 
	“It’s impossible!” He demanded. That’s right. It was impossible that Raph’s eye that was once completely gone had just sudden grew back and was working perfectly. Raph slowly but surely shook his head. Taking Leo by the shoulders to hold him still from his panicky moment.
	“Leo, your blood healed me so far that I got my eye back.” Leo continued to gawk at him in disbelief. What was Raphael trying to tell him? That he had some sort of magic blood that heals people? There was no way he could ever wrap his mind around that.
	“You’re insane. My blood was not the cause of this.” He insisted dramatically. His arms crossing over his chest to prove his point. Trying so hard not to look into those red piercing eyes. Raph raised an eye ridge, clearly not impressed by Leo’s behavior.
	“How else would you explain this?” Leo shrugged helplessly. He was no expert in vampires, nor was in mortal body either.
	“I don’t know, maybe you drank so much mortal blood during the years, it finally took effect at this convenient moment.” He made up his pitiful excuse. Raph looked at him, trying to decipher in his head if Leo was seriously believing his stories. He sounded crazier than any wacky tale he heard from a drunk off the street. 
	“Seriously Leo? I’m a vampire who tries to cut down on drinking mortal blood and you’re telling me that’s your answer? Come on, if that’s the case. All vampires would be healed of fatal wounds in just a second.” Leo sighed and shook his head because that seemed like the only he could do.
	“So what? You have a better answer? Am I like a god or something? With blessed magic blood that heals the sick and injured? Tell me if that really does sound any crazier than my tale.” Raph shrugged.
	“I’m not saying its magic, but it did taste abnormal. And I’m definitely not saying it’s a bad thing either. Maybe it’s because you’re the same species as me.” He suggested professionally. Frankly he was just a baffled and confused as Leo was but he wasn’t going to question the great miracle that was bestowed so generously to him.
	“Well whatever the answer is. I’m most grateful for it.” Leo only nodded because that was the best he could do. What was he supposed to say? “You’re welcome that my magical blood healed your crippled eye?” Leo shook his head. No, the smart thing would for him to dismiss the situation entirely and leave the blood sucking thing to a minimum. The last thing he needed was the entire vampire race coming after him to enslave him as their personal fountain of youth. 
	“You’ll keep this a secret, right?” He asked unsure. Raph picked up his mask from the ground and dusted it off before looking at Leo.
	“Who would I tell?” Leo shrugged.
	“Just don’t want rumors.” He smiled. Raph smiled in reply and nodded.
	“I won’t tell a soul Leo.” Leo took a breath of relief. He knew he could trust Raph. Even if he didn’t want to, he could look in his eye . . . or eyes and he could see that he didn’t have to worry about Raph spilling juicy bits of gossip about him. Raph undid the knot and started shifting it around comfortably on his face before tying it firmly to his head. Leo frowned.
	“You’re still putting that on?” 
	“Of course I am.”
	“But you have a new eye now. You can see with both of them. Why would you ever want to hide it again?” He asked. Hopeful that Raph would rethink his actions.
	“Because Leo, I’m going to be travelling the streets of New York. If I want to keep you a secret I’m going to have to hide your personal work.” 
	“Well you’re going to be avoiding vampires all together. So why hide it?” Leo continued to protest.
	“Cause I might end up losing a battle and if I end up captured, they would eventually find my healed eye and get suspicious.” Raph answered easily. Leo sighed depressingly as soon as Raph had pulled the mask over his face Leo had already grabbed onto the cloth and yanked it down. Throwing it over across the bathroom. Landing silently on the white tile floors. Raph stared at him blankly before he shook his head with a wry smile.
	“You’re impossible Leo.” The vampire hunter smiled as he claimed victory. 
	“You should know me better than that Raph.” Raph had to admit, he had a sort of likeness to Leo’s stubbornness, and he couldn’t lie to himself that was very important quality with a job he had. If ever Leo was abducted, he was counting on his stubbornness to keep Leo alive long enough to escape.
	“Indeed I do. That’s why I’ve resigned to giving up when I know I’ve lost.” Leo chuckled in amusement. It took him all his wits not to just wrap his arms around Raphael’s strong neck and give him a kiss of happiness. This relationship that the two now carried was a dangerous one at that. It could get either of them, or both of them in terrible trouble and that was last thing Leo wanted. He couldn’t lie to himself any longer, he cared for Raph’s welfare and didn’t want to see him hurt if he could help it. 
	With a sigh that did not sound pleasant immediately caught Raph’s attention. He turned concerned at Leo as he picked up the red fabric from the ground and wrapped his hand in it as he walked out. The sapphire eyed turtle following close behind. 
	“Leo? You okay?” The worried voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked towards the emerald reptile. 
	“Raph, about last night. . .” He started out awkwardly and found his voice fade as he couldn’t bring the words out correctly. He rubbed his arm as he looked toward the wooden floors. Raph frowned.
	“Totally forgotten.” He finished for him. Leo looked to him and smiled slightly. Damn Raph, he just knew him too well he could finish his sentences. He felt like an old married couple because of it.
	“Thanks.” Raph nodded and turned to his clothes sprawled on the ground. Picking them up as he held the pile to his chest. In reality the thought of forgetting everything they ever did last night tore him apart. All he really wanted now was to take Leo in his arms and embrace him tightly, never letting him go. Whispering words he never in his wildest dreams thought he would say to anyone like Leo. He didn’t have a clue what happened to his discourteous humor and playfulness but he just didn’t have the effort to tease Leo like he used to. The damn sapphire eyed turtle just left him breathless for reasons unknown to him, and he thought better of it than to find out. 
	With a discouraging sigh, he shook off the thoughts. Leo was right. A relationship such as theirs would never end well. He could feel it in his bones. He could practically envision an ending much like Romeo and Juliet. Stupid. He thought. Idiot. That’s all he could do but insult himself for ever thinking there could ever be a future between him and the vampire hunter. He cursed himself for even considering the idea. 
	With a groan he rubbed the space between his eyes and looked towards Leo who was now messing around in the kitchen.
	“Hey Leo? Would you mind it all too much if I borrowed your shower?” Leo could hear the weariness in Raph’s voice and he peeked behind the corner of the kitchen to catch a glimpse of him sitting defeated on the side of his bed. He wanted so bad to sit beside Raph and curl his arms around him. Asking him what the hell was wrong!? With a shake of his head, he thought better of it and just decided to let Raph have what he wanted. It was the least he could do for him. 
	“Go ahead. Take as much time as you need.”
	Raph gladly took the offer and walked into the bathroom. Shutting and locking the door behind him. He had every intention of staying in the shower for a handful of minutes, but he wasn’t planning on running all of Leo’s hot water either. He turned on the shower and waited for the water to heat up as he stripped himself of his bandages and studied each of his new burnt scars that were barely noticeable on his emerald skin. His mind still boggled on the situation and he swore to himself if he didn’t stop thinking about it he was going to go insane. 
	He groaned and cleared his mind as he hopped into the shower, allowing the hot water to cling to his skin and run down to the floor. Taking all his troubles with it for now. 

.  .  .

	Leo stared at the bathroom door for a few minutes before he turned back to the crappy breakfast he was preparing. He sucked at cooking and since Mikey did most of it he never really practiced in it much. He was hoping Raph wasn’t hungry. Well for all he knew Raph didn’t eat real food. He wouldn’t know, he wasn’t a vampire to answer that. 
	With a grumble he scooped the nearly burnt eggs on a plate as well as a couple of crispy bacon on the side. Well, if Raph didn’t eat real food he would be a lucky man. He would be sure to ask as soon as he got out. There would be a pile of his famous burnt breakfast for him if he truly wanted it. He sat at his bedside and ate the food as he did nothing but stare off into space. 

.  .  . 

	It took many minutes later before Leo finally got frustrated enough with how long Raph lasted in that shower before he set down his empty plate against the table. A clatter echoed in the room as he pushed himself up to his feet and planned on heading to the bathroom with a pound against the door demanding that Raph would get out of that shower before he had nothing but cold water to offer him, but that plan was soon subsided when his fist was about to connect with the door it suddenly swung open to reveal Raph standing there. His body was damp with a few water droplets that glistened in the light on his skin. His towel was draped against his shoulder as Raph stared at Leo with that uncomfortable frown. 
	Leo couldn’t help but stare at the wet body before he shook his head and smiled at Raph.
	“Good to see you could finally pry yourself away from my shower.” He smirked. What he wasn’t expecting was to receive the cold shoulder as Raph merely walked past him. Their arms brushing just the slightest as he did so. Leo shivered slightly and hugged himself as he watched Raph finish drying up and getting dressed in the clothes he carried out. Nothing but silence between the two. Leo hadn’t felt so uncomfortable and awkward around the red eyed vampire before. He could swear, he had a back talk for everything Raph has given him. Except this. Silence was just not his thing. Quietness just didn’t suit Raph one bit. 
	“So um . . . do vampires eat? I mean real food. Is blood just a required beverage or something?”
	“Or something.” Raph replied dryly causing Leo to wince. 
	“Like?”
	“Blood is the only thing we need. If we eat, it would be produce and only for our amusement.”  The cold tone he’d given him Leo never recognized and it would take countless amount of time to get used to it.
	“Well, I made a pitiful amount of eggs and bacon. That’s produce. So if you’re feeling humorous you can grab some if you want. Though I wouldn’t recommend it.” Leo gave a droll smile but he found no effect on the emerald turtle. He looked up at Leo, the two glowing red orbs that was just about his undoing. Damn him to hell for ever giving Raph his blood! Where was his right mind at the time!? Leo immediately looked away not being able to handle the piercing stare that could have eventually have him on his knees at Raph’s feet.
	“Thanks for whatever it counts, but I’m not hungry.” Leo nodded still looking towards the ground.
	“Right, vampires can go at least three weeks without food. I forgot.” He mumbled. Raph looked up at him before he walked over to Leo. 
	“I best be going.” Leo immediately looked to him in shock.
	“What!? You can’t go! It’s day time! You’ll be burnt! Besides, isn’t this night time for you!?” Raph just couldn’t fight the amused smile that formed on his mouth the way Leo was so suddenly concerned over him. He had to admit, he craved for more but it took whatever dignity he had left not to allow his voice to crack as he spoke. 
	“Leo, I’ve slept for most of the night with you. Because of you I got my hours all screwed up.” He smirked. 
	“That wasn’t all my fault.” 
	“Besides, I’ll wear my jacket and put the hood up.”
	“You can stay here till night time!” Good grief! Was he begging for Raph to stay!? Heaven help him, he was losing himself! What happened to him!? 
	“I got to find a decent hiding place to stay before night time Leo.”
	“This is a decent place! Unless you were hiding your disapproval till now.” Raph chuckled.
	“No Leo. It’s not that. Your place has been compromised. I need to find a different place and try to lead the vampires away from you if you want to keep yourself and your brother safe.” Leo fell silent. Yes he wanted to keep the only family he had left safe. But Mikey was well out of harm’s way at the moment. He was more concerned for a certain red eyed, emerald skinned, vampire turtle. As ridiculous as it sounded. Being so lost in it, he hadn’t noticed that Raph’s hand had come up and cupped his cheek till Raph had lifted his chin up to force him to look at him. Leo stared into Raph’s orbs. He had enough trouble with one. Two had his knees buckling and he prayed he wouldn’t collapse at the vampire’s feet. 
	“Leo, it’s going to be okay. I’ll help protect you and your brother to the best of my ability. I promise you.” He spoke softly that sent shivers down Leo’s spine.
	“W-What about you?” Raph smiled.
	“We’ll see what the future has for me I guess.” Leo was less than excited about that answer. “Just think of it this way Leo. You’ll finally be rid of me like you’ve always wanted. You can return back to your normal life with your job, slaying vampires without having to worry about me throwing you off track.” 
	And that was supposed to make Leo feel better!? He felt an annoying sting behind his eyes and he blinked several times trying to make it go away, which it didn’t. No! He was not about to weep! Especially in front of Raph! What the hell happened to him!? He used to be so hard-hearted. Now he felt hard-headed. Why did he care for this stupid monster!? He should be glad he was finally going to be rid of his presence and that things were finally going to be back to normal. And what pissed him off the most was that he wasn’t! 
	If he was to be so bold he would have grabbed Raph by the collar of his jacket and dragged him back inside, lock the door, demanded that he stay here with him, and kiss him like there was no tomorrow. 
	But of course an invisible force called pride and common sense kept his flat on his feet. He stared at Raph for few more moments before -to his amazement- was given a gentle kiss to the point he almost didn’t feel it. But it ended way too soon as Raph pulled away immediately. Bid Leo a goodbye and disappeared into the first shadows between two buildings he could find. 
	The leaf green reptile stood there for minutes as he stared off into space. Great, he had just lost all his available opportunity’s to have someone care for him. Make him feel like there was more to life then slaying monsters from the street. 
	With a growl and a shake of his head he slammed the door forcefully. Causing the place he calls home to tremble from the impact. No! He refused to be played like this! He frowned as he paced the floor. His frown deepening as he continued for time till he suddenly stopped. His heart hardening. 
	No. He wasn’t about to let Raph distract him once more. He was going to do his job tonight, and he was going to do it well. Free from any annoying, rude, self-centered, hotheaded emerald skinned, gorgeous red eyed, turtle with a stupid amount of chivalry to add to it.