The Red Shadow (TMNT)

Unlikeliest of Families

The two reached the entrance to the lair. It didn't look like much, but it was enough to notify Addy that this was his home.


"So this is your home?" "Did you grow up here?" She inquired.


"Yeah, pretty much." "I'll let my..uh..father explain everything to you." "He's been there since day one." Raph said.


He opened the wooden door and waved his hand forward. "Ladies first," he winked.


"Thanks," she blushed, and walked in cautiously, not knowing what or who to expect.


She heard some loud noises, animated explosions, and two turtles similar to Raph's anatomy bickering back and forth about who cheated or not.


Raph laughed, "The purple headband is Donatello or Donnie, and the runt in orange is Michelangelo, or Mikey."


Their backs were still turned to Addy and Raph and the two brothers were in their own little world of Galaga, the arcade game.


Raph coughed loudly to get their attention. "Uh, hem!" He coughed louder.


They both turned around at the same time. "RAPH!!!!" They screamed. "Where have you been buddy we haven't seen you in a week!"


They ran to him and gave him a bear hug.


"Woah, woah, ease up Mikey ya suffocating me!" He said exhaling loudly. He looked at Addy with a half breath, "See what did I tell ya?"


Addy just stood there giggling. It didn't take her long to understand that this was Raph's home; his family. They were so close with each other that it was heart warming, and Mikey let go of Raph.


Who's the babe," Mikey asked diverting his attention to Addy.


"Hey!" "Watch it pumpkin head!" Raph growled, and pushed Mikey back. Mikey put up his hands in a defense manner as if to say, "okay, calm down Mr. Temper, I'm sorry."


"It's alright, Raph," Addy said placing her hand on his arm to calm him, "he didn't mean any harm."


Raph calmed down immediately. Addy was the only person who had truly conquered him; he was defenseless against her touch, but he was okay with that.


Raph sighed and came to his senses. "This is Addy, and were...friends," he told them.


"Yeah, uh-huh, sure," Donnie smirked sarcastically, his arms crossed. He knew those looks Raph and Addy were giving each other meant that they were more than friends, but he let it go. "Well it's nice to meet you Addy." "I'm sorry it's not under better circumstances."


Addy just nodded, as if to signal that it didn't bother her at all.


Mikey was making smooching noises from behind Donnie's back; afraid of Raph's wrath, but Raph saw him and grabbed at him but Mikey ran off into the dojo. Mikey was certainly the fastest of them all, and was accustomed to fleeing Raphs anger. Raph only made it halfway before he decided it wasn't worth it.


Addy couldn't help but laugh out loud at how goofy Raph and Mikey were together. She could see how they were probably the closest to each other, but she hadn't met Leo yet.


"Hey, do you have a brother named Leo too?" She asked Donnie.


"Yeah, how did you know?" He asked.


"Raph told me...sorta," said Addy.


Raph was back at Addy's side and put his hand on her shoulder; afraid to show any real affection in front of his family yet.


"Hey tough guy," she joked, and lightly punched his arm; trying not to let Donnie know that they were a couple.


"Oh no," Raph said in agony almost falling down from acting like she had actually hurt him, "you got me."


Addy was cackling so hard and those feelings came back for both of them and they couldn't unlock glares.


Donnie just smiled in amazement; he had never seen his brother happy like this. "Oh come on you two, admit it," he said.


"Admit what?" Addy said fighting back tears from laughing so hard.


"Never mind," Donnie said. "Won't you come sit down, are you tired?"


"Yeah, I am actually, thanks," she said.


Donnie let the guest have the best seat and he sat across from her; making sure that Raph knew he wasn't interested in stealing her from him.


Mikey peeked his head around the corner of the room to see if it was safe to come back.


"Eh, come back Mikey; I ain't gonna hurtcha...today," he laughed. Mikey went and sat next to Donnie.


"So how many are there of you guys," Addy questioned.


Donnie spoke up first. "Well there are four of us turtles, and our Sensei, or teacher.


"So Leo's the only one missing?" She asked.


"Yeah, he should be back any minute though; he's supposedly getting some "Leadership 101" (he used air quotes) from Sensei." "He's getting advice on how to deal with...well how can I say this...Raph," he said.


Addy's mouth opened. "Raph!?" "But he's so sweet!"


Mikey and Donnie both burst out in laughter. "Hahaha, good one Addy!"


Addy just looked at them with confusion and Raph leaned over to whisper, "Don't mind them," and gave her a wink; she just blushed and looked away.


While they were still laughing, they heard their door open and in walked Leo and Splinter. Everyone except for Raph got excited. Addy stood up and gave a bow to symbolize her respect, but then she let out a quiet gasp. Raph stood up beside her and whispered, "Yeah he's a giant rat," he chuckled. Addy walked over to Splinter and offered her hand, but Splinter just bowed to her.


"Hi, I'm Leo," said Leo, extending his hand. Addy shook his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Addy, Raph's friend."


"Nice to meet you," he said with a smile. "So how did you meet Raph?" "You're pretty brave to come down here with us goobers."


"It's kind of a long story," she laughed.


"Yeah, too long," Raph interjected, and stepped beside Addy, slightly in front of her to tell Leo that she was off the table; that she was his and put both hands in his belt.


"Hey, who's hungry??" Mikey yelled from the couch; trying to disperse the awkwardness of Raph and Leo being in the same room together. "Can we get pizza!?" "Addy do you like pizza!?"


"Yeah, who doesn't??" She said loudly.


"ALRIGHT!" He yelled, finally someone else to hang out with and eat pizza!"


"Hey don't get too comfortable with her being here, she has a life to get back to." Raph loudly said from across the room.


"Oh you worry too much," Addy laughed and reached in her pocket for her phone to order the food. "Oh that's right, no phone," she sighed face palming herself, "I rushed out the door so quickly I didn't bring anything."


"That's okay," Leo said, "you can treat us some other time." "Tomorrow sounds like a good day for pizza, it's Saturday after all." "Maybe Raph should take you back home, wouldn't want you to be out too late, it's dangerous."


Raph looked puzzled and a little angry, but then he realized what Leo was getting at. He wanted to have a chat with Raph about his girlfriend and why he brought her to their lair.


"Aw, " Addy moaned, "but you guys are fun, but...I am exhausted, and hungry."


"I'll walk you home," Raph said touching her arm.


Addy just smiled and said goodnight to everyone.


The two walked the entire way in silence but holding hands.


"This was so much fun Raph, can we do this again tomorrow?" "I would love to get to know your family more," she said with her enormous brown eyes gleaming in the streetlights.


"Yes," he said and touched her cheeks. Addy closed her eyes. "God, you're beautiful," he whispered. Addy let out a giant smile and laughed, but He interrupted her laughter with a kiss.


He pulled away but kept his hands on her face, "You are something else ya know that?" He said.


"Hey, you're not too bad yourself mister," she winked.


"I'll be back tomorrow around 3 PM," does that sound good?" he asked.


"Sure, goodnight Raph, I can't wait until then," she smiled and gave him a hug and then walked into her apartment. She waved and Raph sadly waved back.


"Goodnight," he said and when she had closed the door he finished his line, "goodnight my everything..."