Protectors - TMNT

Chapter 17

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Author's note: Hey guys, I am SO SORRY that I haven't updated in so long. I'm still in college and I need to keep all A's in order to keep my scholarship, and A&P hasn't been easy. I finally found some time to update my story and write, so here I am. Once again, I am sorry for the wait. I never forgot about you guys. So without further ado, lets continue our story!

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Raelynn's heart froze when she saw Leo disappear over the edge.

In her arms, April clung to the her with every ounce of strength she had because Rae was still in the air, frozen, hovering just before the edge of the cliff.

Her mind wouldn't work! She tried to think of what to do but nothing came to mind! She grew agitated with herself and her inability to think. The corners in her helmet grew darker, and Rae's breathing grew harsher to the point of trouble breathing. She felt hot. She didn't want to be touched. Everywhere April touched her, she felt her skin sting and itchy. She needed space, and she needed it now.

Rae closed her wings into her body and thudded to the ground, gently setting the scared woman down. Once April was out of her arms, Rae's hands flew to her helmet and yanked it off of her head. She gasped for air, and the cold wind that hit her face stung, but it brought her back to the present.

Rae's teeth ground together, her blood pressure spiked and all she could think was how everything was her fault. She wasn't there when her family needed her. She wasn't there for Splinter or the brothers. She wasn't there to save Leo... someone whose company she treasured, whose company she could be vulnerable, where she felt safe. How could she claim to love this man if she was never there when it mattered?!

In the background, Rae could hear her family racing to the edge of the cliff, Mikey dramatically called out Leo's name in sorrow, "Oh no! Poor Leo! He was so young, so beautiful-" he hit the ground with a closed fist dramatically, but Raph interrupted his dramatic brother, "He ain't dead, Numb-nuts!"

Ro froze. '...huh?'

Mikey paused, "Oh... Right on!" His easy going, lopsided grin back on his face.

Her head peaked over the edge, and what she saw made her cry out in relief.

Leo, thanks to his quick thinking, had managed to stick one of his katanas into the cliff's rocks and there he hung from an arm.

Rae called out in a watery voice, "L- Leo!" Tears formed in the corner of her brown eyes, and the biggest smile split her face.

Leo looked up at the woman who called his name, and he couldn't stop the smile as he gazed up at her. "Hey, Ro." He strained out.

His 3 brothers' heads popped over the edge of the cliff, his eyes connected with Raph's and just as he was about to ask for help to be lifted up, Raph beat him to it.

Raph's deep voice bit out, "You wouldn't happen to have any $1's, would ya?"

Leo gave him a 'say what?' face and before he could ask about it, he noticed something in the corner of his eye. Ro, who was just a moment ago smiling and nearly crying tears of joy, had gone rigid. Her thoughtful eyes turned black with rage and her breathing grew ragged as she seethed. The feathers along her head flew up, a sign of a challenge, and her wings expanded, making her appear larger than she was. She slowly turned towards Raph, who watched her from the corner of his eyes.

"WHAT the HELL is your problem, Raphael!?" She screamed out, fists shaking by her side.

The other three brothers winced, she used the full name.