The Red Shadow (TMNT)

First Date

Raph got up the next afternoon and was feeling a little stiff. He was still trying to shake off his injury and decided to go to the dojo to do some push-ups. But right before he got started he heard footsteps and looked to see Leo coming to his side.

"Great," Raph thought to himself, "Mr. High and Mighty wants to give me a lecture."

"Hey," Leo said quietly.

"Hey," Raph said not looking Leo in his face.

"I just wanted to apologize for ever making you feel like I didn't love you or that I wasn't going to return to this family." "I never meant to hurt anyone or make you feel unwanted, and I promise to be a more present leader for you guys." Leo said with sincerity.

Raph just stood there with his arms crossed.

"Well," questioned Leo. "Are you going to say anything?"

Raph dropped his arms and walked closer to Leo and put his hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright bro, I know you didn't mean to hurt me, and I'm still saddened by it, but I'm going to try and heal over time." "I just don't want us to fade away and fall apart."

They both smiled and nodded, and Raph patted Leo's shoulder before leaving.

"Hey bro," Leo yelled before Raph left the lair.

"Yeah," Raph said with his hand already on the doorknob.

"...Nevermind," Leo said, "It can wait."

Raph knew that talk was going to come some time or another; the one about Addy. But he didn't like opening up to anyone; especially Leo because Leo knew him so well and tried to dominate his emotions. It was always a one-sided conversation.

Raph made his way to Addy's house. His heart skipped a beat when he got to her door and couldn't wait to see that gorgeous face again and he let out a quiet laugh.

Addy opened the door before he could even knock.

"Hey!" She exclaimed. "Come on in handsome, I've got an idea for us!"

Raph looked a little stunned but went along with her story.

"You like pizza right?" She asked with excitement.

"Well, yeah," Raph chuckled.

"How would you like to order pizza and just hang out here for the day?"

On the inside Raph was about to pounce on her for that idea. Any time he could spend alone with her would mean the world to him. He was raging with excitement and just went up to Addy and hugged her tightly.

"So I guess that's a yes?" She squeezed out.

"It's not a yes, it's a SHELL YES!" He screamed and flung his arms in the air.

Addy smiled that infectious smile and burst into laughter.

Addy ordered the pizza and Raph sat on her couch.

All of a sudden a sound went off. Addy looked so puzzled.

"Uh, that's not my ringtone," she said looking around to try and find the source of the noise.

"Oh sorry, that's me." "Donnie built this walkie-talkie contraption to keep in touch with us when we go topside." He said.

Addy listened to his conversation but couldn't discern what they were talking about. Whatever it was, Raphs face was serious.

"Yeah, okay, yeah alright I got it Donnie...alright. I'll see you in 30," and he hung up.

Addy's heart sank and was staring at Raph waiting for him to tell her what was going on.

"You said you wanted to practice your Ninjutsu skills Addy, well here's your chance."

"What??" She shrieked.

Donnie said a member of the Foot found their way to the lair and he managed to defeat him and he tied him up until Splinter could question him, but the little bugger escaped and now it's only a matter of time before more of them come after us, and were gonna need all the help we can get."

"What's a Foot," she asked.

"Well, to put it briefly, they're another group of ninjas but they wanna take us out, permanently."

"Oh no," she whispered and looked away. The thought of losing Raph made her sick to her stomach and she left the room.

"Hey, Addy, what's wrong?" "I promise I won't let anyone or anything hurt you, he said walking over to console her; even if saving your life ends mine," he said. But before he could say anything else, Addy started to sob and threw herself into his chest.

"I can't do it Raph," I just can't, I'm not that strong." "It's not my life I'm worried about it's yours," and with that she looked up with dewy red eyes and her hair already a mess.

Raph couldn't think of anything to say and he could feel tears welling up in his eyes. He never cried, but Addy was so precious to him that he couldn't hold them back and he let out a tear.

"Don't worry Addy, everything will be fine," I promise," he whispered and just held her closer.

After about five minutes of their warm embrace Raph remembered that he still had to get back to the lair.

"I have to go back Addy; my brothers need me," he said, gently lifting her off his chest.

Addy had almost fallen asleep from his warmth but woke up immediately.

"Not without me you're not," she said sleepily but with sternness.

Raph just touched her cheek and said, "alright," and smiled.

"So much for our first date!" She joked while getting some things together to head down to the sewers.

"Maybe you'll give me another chance soon," he winked.

"If you're lucky," she winked back at him and giggled. "I'm not cheap; you'll have to earn it," she cackled and Raph stole a kiss while her mouth was still open. He pulled away.

"Does that earn me anything," he winked.

Addy bit her lip, "Hmmm, maybe," and kissed him again.

"We really have to go now!" Raph laughed, pulling away. "We'll have time for his later."

"Awwww," Addy pouted with sarcasm, and the two left her apartment to start Addy's training and new lifestyle with her new family.