Chapter 23-
	Leo slumped against Raph and Raph couldn’t help the smile that conquered his face. An arm circling around Leo’s hips. Pulling him closer into his side. Warmth from Leo’s body transferred onto his own. Heating him down to his core. It took every ounce of his strength not to pull him into a kiss. Tasting Leo’s flavor, he found himself addicted to. He wanted to touch him everywhere. Explore his body. Relearn the beauty of him and then take him on a hot, sweaty, ride. Soon He assured himself. 
	The past four days have been nothing but them recovering. All four of them, as well as Casey, had slept for hours. Gotten up to eat, change their bandages, and deal with any hygiene and then was off to bed for another few hours.
	By the time Splinter had gotten over whatever virus he had, he had given them a good tongue-lashing for going off to fight Nak’ir on their own, unprepared. Not that Raph regretted it. He would have done it again if he must. Their family was finally left at peace. Vengeance and justice had been served. Everyone, including New York, was safe. At least for now, anyway. Leo was safe and by his side as he should be. Smiling as he should be. His heart thumped in his chest as he thought about Leo’s confession. Not exactly what he expected, but he hadn’t complained. Well, more. Even if he was bathed in blood with Nak’ir brutalized corpse at his feet, he had never been happier to hear those words. Those sweet words he wanted to hear over and over again. He wanted to howl his happiness to the world, beating his chest. 
	Never had he pictured himself feeling so sappy, but he loved it. A year ago, that Raphael would have burst out laughing. He had treasured Leo, but never had love been on his agenda. Never even considered it. Never thought it necessary. He was an idiot. Now that he had a sample of that love, he never can imagine living without it. Without Leo. Just slice his throat right then and there if that day ever comes. 
	Raph grunted when an elbow dug into his side. He tossed a glare to Leo. “You’re spacing out again.” Leo murmured. Shifting in his grip. Again.
	Raph raised an eye ridge. “Comfy?”
	“Very.” Leo smiled. Lacing their fingers together. Raph returned the smile, unable to resist placing a loving kiss on his forehead. Pleased to see that Leo no longer glared or looked uncomfortable to his gestures. In fact, the turtle purred. Purred! He didn’t even know their kind could make that noise. 
	“Ew.” Mikey stuck his tongue out from the other side of the couch they were laying on. “Get a room.”
	Raph snorted. “Jealous Mike?”
	Mikey smirked. “Far from it.” Raph didn’t miss the sudden blush on Don’s cheeks. Subtle was not their strongest virtue. Another elbow to his thigh this time. Raph grumbled. 
	“For goodness sake Leo! Pick a spot and paste you rear to it. You’re so squirmy.”
	Leo glared. “Sorry. I didn’t know why you insisted I had to cuddle with you. You used to hate it. Unless it involved sheets shifting.” He muttered that last part. Raph scowled.
	“Because Raphie-boy is turning into a big fat marshmallow.” Mikey cooed.
	“Shut up Mikey! I am not!” Raph growled. Attempting to get up to beat the pest only to be pinned back down to the cushions when Leo threw his weight on top of him.
	“Do not get up! I just got comfortable.”
	Raph huffed. Slowly melting back against the couch. It was going to take a lot for him to get used to this. As much as he liked the thought of holding Leo for hours, it had never happened before. Casey’s obnoxious laugh caused a muscle under his eye to tick.
	“You beat the best of warriors with just your fist, Raph. Yet, you’re are such an amateur on relationships. Sad.”
	Raph growled, opening his mouth to tell Casey where to shove it, when he found Leo’s mouth suddenly on his. Shutting him up. “You’re perfect at relationships Raph.” Leo whispered against their lips and Raph found his anger smothered immediately. His mind hyper aware of Leo’s every touch. The smooth palms of his hands leaving feather soft caresses across the scars on his body. Scorching him. Such a wonderful burn. Leo’s legs were pressed up in between his. Shooting a wave of pleasure up his thighs and straight to the groin. His body so hard, he swore he would burst at any moment. He suddenly had trouble breathing.
	Leo attempted to part from him, but Raph quickly caught him. Holding him in place. His fingers digging in Leo’s arm. If Leo moved anymore, he might not be able to wait much longer. 
	He hissed as Leo’s teeth bit at the cord in his neck. Damn him! The turtle was playing with him.
	“Leo.” He had meant that as a growl but it came out instead as a gasp. Cursing himself for how strained that sounded.
	“Stop getting mad at their teasing.” Leo whispered against his ear. Chills crawling down his spine. “No matter what they say, you’re perfect to me.”
	Raph’s eyes blinked open. Actually startled. Leo smiled, those sapphire blues soft and swirling with the love he felt. He was certain they could adapt easily to their new relationship. “Love you.” He whispered back.
	“Me too.” Leo’s lips hovered over the corner of his own. If he moved just a centimeter to the side he could claim those tantalizing, delicious lips. Sate his crazing of that desired flavor. No. That wouldn’t work, that would make him want more.
	“Yo. Love birds. Quit making out in public.” Mikey whacked Leo’s foot with the remote. The blue clad reptile immediately pulled away from him, much to his bitter disappointment. Raph sighed, sitting himself back up again. Forcing himself to cool down and relax. It hadn’t worked as well as he hoped. He felt irritation replace the arousal as he witnessed Leo’s ability to quickly shut off his own arousal mode and act completely casual and unaffected the next half second. Raph mentally made a note of his next personal goal. Getting Leo too drunken in lust to ever recover. Such sweet revenge. He smiled at his thoughts.
	“Guy’s, have you seen the news?” Don’s voice interjected those thoughts. Dragging his attention off Leo’s perfectly chiseled body and onto the television screen. A tight frown curving his lips, his erection completely forgotten when it showed an image of Nak’ir’s abandoned building. The words, Strange Alien Creature Found, on the bottom of the screen. The news reporter rambling about the police’s latest discovery with the psychopath. The image flickered to another scene where the police men were hauling the insane victims into a truck. Some screamed and thrashed against their restraints, attempting to bite at them. While others sobbed hysterically. Clinging onto some of the cops like life lines. So many people. Lost. 
	The image shifted back to the news reporter as he described the inside of the building. The camera man following him to the laboratory as the bomb came into view.
	An eerie, bone-shilling silence descended upon the room. No one having the guts to speak. Or what to talk about.
	“Indeed, a very grieving moment it is.” Splinter’s voice caused the majority of the bodies to jump at the interruption. “You have done well, nonetheless. You’ve prevented their fates from remaining hopeless. You’ve prevented other innocent’s fates from becoming this.”
	“We brought Nak’ir here, Sensei. He’s one out of many enemy’s that will probably want our heads. What if more come?” Leo said, tremulous. His eyes down casted and laced with worry. No doubt his head was already coming up with the worst possible case scenarios for the future. Raph squeezed Leo’s arm, wanting so badly to comfort him. Kiss away all his worry’s and fears. He preferred Leo happy. Smiles looked so attractive on him. “Whatever lives they take will be our fault.”
	Splinter remained silent only momentarily. “When the time comes, if it comes. We will fight. We’ll defend our home as well as we can. That is all anyone can ask of you. We will protect to the best of our ability’s.”
	“Besides, it’s a very slim chance others could get here. Let alone bring an entire army. Being able to travel from there to here would take many life times and Nak’ir’s method is only known by few. Not to mention the technology they would need to build in order to supply the trip would take just as long. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.” Don explained to them.
	Leo continued to look doubtful. Seconds later he lifted his head and pulled a fake smile on. Reassuring everyone that he understood. Everyone except Raph. He easily could see past the disguise Leo used so many times. It was like tissue paper with him now. Slowly the rest of the family fell into conversation with each other.
	Raph ran his fingertips along Leo’s bicep. Delighted when he saw him shiver, despite the pitiful effort to ignore him. He loved how little will power Leo had against him. And only him. Just as he had for Leo. It was next to impossible to resist Leo’s charm.
	He leaned over. His lips brushing against Leo’s temple. Whispering into his ear. “I know what you’re thinking. Stop it.”
	“Easier said than done.” Leo whispered back.
	“You want to blame yourself for Nak’ir’s actions. I won’t let you.”
	“We brought him here Raph. Those people would still be alive and with their family’s if it weren’t for my stupid idea to let him live.”
	Raph growled, low and dangerous. Only Leo seemed to notice. As punishment, he bit gently into Leo’s jawline. The turtle gasped. “There was no way for any of us to have known Nak’ir would be able to escape. Let alone come here. We tried to spare his life but he betrayed our mercy. That is no one’s fault but his own. Do not feel guilty for being merciful Leo.”
	Which is why Raph did not regret slaughtering the bastard. That, and because he had nearly killed his Leo. Even now, remembering the terror he felt as he witnessed Leo unconscious under Nak’ir as he took every punch until his face was deformed and bloody. Not putting any effort into protecting himself. Half of him feared that Leo was already dead by the time he noticed him.
	“Raph. You’re shaking.” He heard Leo mumble to him. Feeling those soft, moist lips move against the skin of his cheek. Forgetting for a second as to why he had gotten so worked up in the first place. He twisted his head around so their lips met instead. Nibbling on Leo’s lower lip.
	“What was that?” He rumbled. Seeming lost in the intimate touches he had quickly come to enjoy.
	“You’re shaking. Or, you were. You looked like smoke should have start coming out of your nostrils.” 
	“Just thinking.”
	“Of?”
	Raph sighed, knowing Leo would not let it go from the start. “I was thinking of Nak’ir . . . and you. Almost killed by him.”
	“Why?”
	“Why?” Raph gaped at him. “What do mean why? You were almost killed by him. I was terrified when I saw you unconscious. Leo, if I had lost you, I would have . . .” Went on a bloody rampage? Killed himself? Both. He decided after a moment.
	“But I wasn’t. I’m here with you. Alive and healthy. Why would you think about something so horrible that didn’t happen?” Leo got him there. He could say fear, but he was above fear. He worked with fear. He was not fear’s slave. Leo worried too much about the future and what could happen. Raph worried about the past and what could’ve happened. He insisted for Leo to stop being afraid. It was only fair he should do the same. Besides, Leo was here. Wrapped in his arms and healing well from his wounds. He was laughing and smiling.
	“Touché.” He retorted with a smirk.
	A clang from the turnstiles drew all six pairs of eyes over to the lair’s entrance where April and Angie walked through. Casey was up and out of his seat before the rest could follow. Taking his wife into his arms.
	“Are you okay? You didn’t get too beaten up, did you?” April asked worriedly. Cupping both of Casey’s cheeks as she studied him over. Though he had called her multiple times to assure the stressed red head that he was not dead. She apparently wasn’t going to be convinced until she saw the evidence for herself. 
	“Just a few cuts and bruises, Red. Nothing I can’t heal from.”
	April pressed her pink lips together. Slowly nodding. Finally satisfied. “Good. Next time though, we go to my family. I love your mother but she’s a bit . . . brisker.” April nibbled on her bee-stung lip. A nervous habit.
	“That’s being polite.” Casey smiled. Lopping an arm around April’s waist, he tugged her into his side. Her curves fitting perfectly against his body. His other arm scooping up Angie as he kissed her cheek.
	“So certain there will be a next time, April?” Raph smirked. Crossing his arms over his chest. The woman smiled brightly. Her crystalline eyes swirling with relief as she counted all four turtle brothers in their rightful places. Soon fading into amusement, a second later.
	“With this family Raph, there is no doubt.” She tugged out of Casey’s grip so she could fold the turtle in her arms. Squeezing him tightly. Her eyes moved to Leo and that smile turned into a grin. Giving him an even tighter hug. “So glad to see you safe Leo. I was so worried.” She murmured to him. Tears puddling up in her eyes.
	Leo chuckled. Hugging her back and smiling. “I don’t go down that easily, April. You should know that by now.” He wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks with his thumb. She laughed, nodding her agreement.
	“Nothing ever does kill you, does it. I swear, sometimes you’re either immortal or have some sort of guardian angel.” Raph coughed down a laugh. April quickly moved down to Mikey, Don, and Splinter. Angie slipped out of her father’s hold. Cautiously making her way over to her Uncle Leo. Raph could feel the girl’s unease and he grasped Leo’s shoulder before he could make a move. No doubt Ax’s behavior was still engraved in her mind. 
	“Let her come to you.” He whispered to him. Leo glanced confusingly at him, but heeded his command.
	“Are you all better now Uncle Leo?” She muttered. Her hands wringing together. Peering up at him as if unsure of what to do.
	Only a second of silence lasted as Leo quickly grasped the situation. He kneeled before her. A gentle smile splaying across his face. Tension eased out of Angie’s shoulders. “I’m fine now. Thank you. I apologize for acting the way I did. I have been in pain at the time and wasn’t aware of what I was doing.” Just like that. A big white toothy grin flashed on Angie’s face. Seeming to recognize instantly her Uncles normal, respectable behavior. She rushed into his arms. Snuggling up against his chest. Leo’s muscled arms encircling around her. Shielding her from view.
	So, forgiving. Raph looked thoughtful. Despite being frightened and no less by someone she loved and trusted. She still forgave without hesitation. Kids were so gullible. Raph hoped she wouldn’t ever lose that. Angie was going to be the best warrior. He already could see it. Besides, everyone in their family wanted that for her.
	“Oh! Leo, I wanted to ask you a favor!” April rushed over. Snatching Leo’s hand and yanking him over to her. Raph grinned, already knowing what the favor is. So, grateful Leo was here to see it through instead of him.

	Raph knocked on the door frame of their bedroom. Leo laid, sprawled on their bed. Revealing every glorious, delicious inch of that exquisite body. It took a lot to keep his mind on track as to why he came here in the first place. The temptation to just tackle Leo on the bed and ravish him was hard to fight. Soon. He reminded himself. Not soon enough.
	Leo glanced away from the book he was still reading. Grinning up at him as he set it aside. Pushing himself up into a sit as he greeted him with that beautiful smile. From this moment on, he decided, blue was his favorite color. Raph’s eyes roamed over the long length of Leo’s body. He never truly appreciated how well the blue of the new sheets and pillows he got him, fits with the cool mint green skin. How he caressed him perfectly. Bringing out that glowing, hypnotic effect his sapphire irises tended to hold. Now that Leo wasn’t even wearing a mask, made his eyes pop more. Raph hated his mask. The color blended way too much with his eyes. Passion hummed in his blood. Down boy.
	“You just going to stand there gawking, or are you coming over?” Leo’s tone had dipped down an octave till it was smoky. Driving him wild. Oh, he so badly wanted to respond to the offer. He had to steal a few seconds to recall his purpose. Ah, right. The coat. Raph treaded over, Leo’s smile widening with every step closer he took.
	Raph settled himself on the edge of the mattress. Focusing on his breathing. Swallowing thickly when his mouth began to water for a taste of that mint green skin. Leo scrawled up beside him. His nose snuffling his neck and inhaled his own sent. Raph fought the urge to do the same. His nerves tingling with arousal. “Where are the others?” Leo mumbled. Sounding too lost in his pleasure to care what his answer was. That tone was just begging for him to take him without having to even utter a syllable. He wanted to, so badly. Focus!
	“Mikey is watching the television. Don is with him. Splinter is making tea. Casey is packing and April is helping.” Leo merely hummed in response. Sparks fired under Leo’s as one of those silky hands glided along his bicep. Raph bit back a moan. Coat! First!
	He grabbed Leo’s hand, entangling their fingers. His thumb massaging circles over Leo’s knuckles. He pulled away just enough so he could see him. And get oxygen into his brain again. Knowing from the look Leo gave him, this was one of that patience failed his perfect leader moments. Raph smiled apologetically. “Sorry. I wanted to ask you something.”
	Leo cocked an eye ridge at him. “Are you wanting top again?”
	“What? No. I mean, yes. Wait. No. That’s not what I was going to ask.” Raph stammered. Trying to shove away the image of Leo hovering over him for a change. Suddenly rock hard and hot. Concentrate! Leo’s skin is a coat! That slowly cooled him down. Raph sighed, watching Leo sit back on his haunches. Away from him, he might add bitterly, taking his body heat with him. He tried ignoring his body crying out mournfully at the loss. 
	“Something tells me I’m not going to like it. What is it?” The desire deserted Leo’s tone. Replaced by seriousness.
	Raph rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s about the coat and some other things.”
	Leo’s face molded to an expressionless mask. His eyes blank of emotion. “What about it?” Even his voice became flat. Just like that. As quick and easy as flicking a light switch; Leo can change moods. Irritating yet, fascinating. 
	“I didn’t want Nak’ir wearing it anymore and I didn’t want anyone else to take it. I have it with me. I wanted to ask you what you want me to do with it.”
	Leo’s eyes fell to the floor. His hands fisting the sheets. The only signs of unhappiness. Raph waited patiently for him to decide. Practically being able to see the wheels turning in his head as he mused over his question. Without looking at him, he responded. “Burn it. Burn everything. Then take the ashes and burry it somewhere else. I don’t want anything left.”
	Raph silently nodded. Squeezing Leo’s hand comfortingly. Even if Leo refuses to admit it, those two months with Nak’ir still haunted him, and probably will for a long while to come. Raph didn’t want anything existing that would remind him of it. He did not blame Leo. Which was why, when he was done with this, he would come back and make love to him. He will give him amazing memories to smother any of the bad ones. He refused to give Leo’s mind time to remind him of his worst days.
	He pressed a kiss to the back of Leo’s hand before rising off the bed. Reluctantly releasing the hand as it dropped limply into Leo’s lap. Still, the turtle would not look at him. He exited their room and entered his old one. Digging out the box that contained the coat and skin rolls. Making his way out of the lair he decided to cut through the garage to the surface where he continued to hike a couple blocks away till he reached his destination. He hopped down the fire escape as silently as the cool fall air around him. Chilling his skin till he felt numb. He walked over to claim one of the metal barrels used to make fires. Still holding ashes, burnt wood, and paper at the bottom. 
	Raph dug through the garbage cans. Collecting anything he could use to start the fire. Tossing it in the barrel. Once satisfied with the amount, he took the matches out of his belt pocket and lit up the tinder. Yellow flames lapped the edge of the barrel, crackling as they quickly engulfed the given tinder. Heating the air three feet around it. Raph opened the box, scooping up an armful of the skin rolled. Disgusted with the feeling of Leo’s skin not on Leo. It was less smooth. Callus from the age. Scarred scales and cold from the lack of body heat. Dead.
	Raph grimaced, tossing each roll into the fire pit. Black pillars of smoke wafting in the atmosphere. A smell of burnt flesh coating the air. Causing his nose to crinkle. He picked up the coat next. It was blood stained and shredded even more than the last time he saw it. Raph scowled at it. Still incapable of wrapping his mind around the hours of pain Leo had to endure for this stupid coat. Sure, he had a moment of peace when he fell unconscious, but as soon as he woken, Nak’ir started again. How Leo must have screamed and begged for him to stop. To show him mercy that would never be given. How he must have cried for Raph to come save him. Cried for death to take him. Raph’s fingers tightened around the coat. His knuckles bleaching of color. His jaw popped.
	“No more.” He would protect Leo with his life from now on. He will not allow anyone to cause him such pain again. This, he vowed.
	He tossed the coat into the fire pit. Watching with satisfaction as the flames ate greedily at the jacket. Leaving it and its memories behind as nothing but ash. He waited until the last of the flames died and the breeze to cool down the remains before he scooped the ashes back into the box. 
	Raph growled low in his throat as he sensed a presence behind him. His fingers curling around the handle of his sai, he whirled around to face the intruder. His eyes widening and his hand dropping to his side at the sight of April. The tension releasing from his shoulders.
	“April, what are you doing here?”
	The girl shrugged. Walking up till she was beside him. Her hair was up in a lose bun. Strands of red waving gently in the wind and brushing against her cold pink cheeks. Her hands were stuffed in the pockets of her yellow coat. “Still warm.” She murmured with a small smile. Ignoring his question. Her eyes fixated on the barrel.
	“I got some things to do April. I would suggest you head back to the lair.”
	The woman didn’t budge. Didn’t look like she even heard him. “Is everything okay?” She asked. Still not looking at him.
	Raph sighed. Impatient. “Yes. Everything’s fine now. Just trying to forget.”
	She nodded. “Understandable. Are we safe now?”
	“For now. Nak’ir will not bother us anymore.”
	“Isn’t that what we constantly said when we thought we killed Shredder? It took several times to finally end him for good. He just kept coming back.”
	Raph snorted. Shaking his head. “Unlike Shredder however, I can guarantee Nak’ir won’t be coming back. I’ve learned from Shredder that you don’t walk away until you’re certain you’ve won.” And he had. As of right now, the police should be scrapping alien guts off the stone floor. He still wasn’t quite sure it was wise to leave the remains behind for the humans to explore, but there was little they could have done to prevent that. Besides, the worst they could do is cry The End of the World. Which they already do. He supposed there was a possible chance that scientist would experiment on the body, but Don had assured them it isn’t any more dangerous than what they could find here. He hoped. Don’s been wrong before.
	“I’m sorry Raph.” April spoke from beside him. Drawing him back to the present. Her head hung. Her voice laced with guilt.
	“For?”
	“For not coming with you. For not helping you. I deserted Leo. My own family.”
	“Don’t be. You had other things to think about. Angie is your number one priority. You had to protect her since she couldn’t do it herself. Believe me, I understand. Leo does too. He would have wanted you to leave with her as well.” Surprisingly enough, April didn’t correct him on the name this time. Remaining silent as she looked up at him. Those crystalline eyes so . . . off. Like they were empty of something he couldn’t place. She averted her gaze from him, now eyeing the box he held.
	“What’s that?”
	He tightened his hold on it. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” Speaking of the box, he should be getting back on track. The sooner he had this dealt with, the sooner he could go home and be with Leo. “You should go back to the lair. The others are probably wondering where you--”
	April gasped. Her blue eyes going wide as she toppled over. A knife protruding out of her chest. Her lids squeezed shut. Tears leaking out of the corners of them.
	“April!” Raph roared, outraged. Dumping the box to the ground, he unsheathed his sais. Hovering over her writhing body. Prepared to protect her from more assaults. His own eyes widening as he faced the attacker. 
	“Leo? What the hell did you--”
	“Look again Raph.” Leo interrupted. Stepping farther into the alley. He fought off the urge to point a sai at him. Leo closed the distance between them till they were only inches apart. He reached out, grabbing the weapon and gently removing it from Raph’s grasp. He let him. “That isn’t April. April’s at home, playing that video game with Mikey and Angie. She’s fine.”
	Raph whirled around instantly. A grin spread across April’s lovely soft features. Blood staining her teeth. Molten chocolate oozed out of her chest past the knife and soaking the yellow coat. Her body jolted and she coughed. More of that blood spitting from the back of her throat and trickling down her cheek. Her eyes were round and wild and empty of her sanity. He realized. Her slender shoulders shaking under the force of her gurgled, choking laughs. A few feet away from her, a screw driver laid.
	He turned back to Leo, his lips pressed in a tight line. Fighting the image that was just pasted into his mind. “Ax’ honatain.”
	Leo nodded. His eyes softening as he pulled Raph into an embrace.
	“How did you know?”
	“Don went to bring him his dinner when he saw Ax had escaped. Casey, Don, and I went out to look for him. I wanted to find you first.” Leo explained. The warmth of his breath cascading along Raph’s cold shoulder. Defrosting him.
	Ax had been planning on murdering him. With a screwdriver! He would have probably succeeded if Leo hadn’t come. Could this turtle possibly get any more amazing? “Thank you.” He murmured into his ear. Leo didn’t reply. Just stood there holding him tightly and Raph allowed it. Enjoying having him there.
	“I’ll call Casey and Don and tell them to stop searching.” Leo pulled away from him to grab out his cell. Raph looked down at the immobile body. Ax had ceased his struggling. His life emptied out and pooled under him. Those eyes scarily resembling April’s as they stared upwards to the sky. No longer focused on anything. His jaw hung slack and more of that blood overflowed his mouth like an overfilled cup and Raph couldn’t decide if Ax died of bleeding out first or drowning. He honestly didn’t want to know.
	He sheathed his weapon. Bending down to brush the lids closed for the last time. In truth, he wasn’t quite sure if Ax was a bad guy. He had been doing a job he had been paid to do. Knowing Nak’ir, he probably threatened to do horrible things to Ax if he backed out. Besides, he didn’t know them and hadn’t been able to care. He had cracked under the stress of surviving and doing what was asked of him. The fear of his consequences proving too much for him. Nothing he did had been without reason. Sure, this is his line of business and should have expected such dangerous employers like Nak’ir, but there was no way he could have denied the job, even if he wanted to. 
	Raph hated it. He didn’t want to feel sympathetic and sorry for this guy, but he did anyway. He had planned to send him back to another planet in hopes they could take care of him, but in the back of his mind, he knew death was the better option. The guy was lost. Insane. Suffering. Putting him down rested his poor soul. 
	“Not that you didn’t deserve a good ass kicking.” Raph mumbled to the corpse. Yanking out the knife from his chest. 
	“Alright, their heading back home. We should--”
	“Here. Hold this. Don’t look in it.” Raph commanded. Thrusting the box into Leo’s arms. 
	“What is it?” Leo gawked at Raph. Eyeing the box suspiciously.
	“Ashes. Don’t look in it.” He repeated. Scooping up Ax’s lifeless form, he tossed him over his shoulder. Ignoring the warm trickle of blood down his arm.
	“What are you doing?” Leo asked, looking puzzled. Not shock or disgusted as he half expected.
	“Putting him to rest. Call back Don and Casey and give them our current address. Tell them to bring a hose.” Much to his surprise, Leo did as told. No questioning him on his motives. Raph hopped to the rooftops. The added weight barely effecting his speed as he raced across the buildings. Leo close on his heels. His voice scarcely audible in the wind as he spoke in his t-phone.