TMNT Fan Fiction (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2
Raphael maneuvered his motorcycle in and out of traffic, skillfully dodging cars even though his mind was a hundred of miles away.  His emerald green eyes shifted catching the phone number that was written on his forearm as he passed beneath a streetlight causing a small grin to appear on his face as he thought about the events that had taken place only a short time ago.  Reaching his destination, he stored away his motorbike and replaced the helmet on the seat of his bike.  As he headed towards the lair, he found himself looking at the number that had been scrawled across the inside of his arm, still not quite believing that it was written there.  He was thankful that the hour was late, because that meant that his brothers would be asleep, and he wouldn't have to attempt to hide Dominique's number from them.  He had no intention of telling them about the dark hair girl that he had met tonight.  For now, he intended to keep this to himself.   As soon as he got into his room, he'd enter her number in his phone and then remove all traces of her existence from him.  The last thing he needed was for one of them to find out about her, not because he was worried about being teased, although he knew with as hard a time that he had given Donnie about April, he was sure to get razzed about it.  He was more concerned that one of them would screw this up.  

Reaching the entrance to the lair, he paused as he heard sounds of laughter coming from the main room.  What the hell were they still doing up, he wondered as he peered into the room where they were seated.  He caught a glimpse of the movie that was flickering on the television then remembered Michelangelo rambling on something about a movie marathon tonight.  Damnit.   Of all nights.  He gritted his teeth, then took a breath.  Alright, just sneak past them, he thought as he silently entered the room.  So far so good.

“Raph.” Leonardo's voice called from the couch, without even looking up at him.

Damnit.  He silently fumed. How the hell does he do that. “Yeah?” he called back, standing so that he kept the writing on his arm hidden.

“Didn't expect you home so soon.”  Leonardo looked over at him, then raised an eyebrow.  “Everything...alright?”  The eldest brother asked, suspicious of his younger brother not only returning early, but also trying to sneak in unnoticed.

“Fine.  Just tired.”  Raphael said.  “I'm going to bed.”  he said then started for his room.

That remark drew the attention of the youngest brother. “Oh, someone's had a bad night.”  that haphazard grin appeared on Mikey's face as he looked at Raphael.  “Ten bucks he got into a fight and got his shell kicked.”

Donatello looked up and eyed Raphael, trying to discern how far off Mikey was at the moment.  “Hmmm. I don't know...”

“I did not get my shell kicked.”  Raphael called over his shoulder, intending to make his way to his room without another word.

“But you were in a fight. I was right about that!”  Michelangelo suddenly sprang up from where he was seated on the floor and started towards Raphael.  “So who did you fight?” he called after him.

Raphael had turned to glare at Michelangelo. “Drop it Mikey.”  

“Um Mikey, maybe you ought to let it go...” Donatello said as he saw the look on the red masked turtle's face.

Raphael turned to intending to head to his room and found Leonardo standing right in front of him.  “Out of the way Leo.”  

“Not until you tell me what happened.”  Leo lowered his gaze at his brother.

“Nothing.”  he snapped.  Seeing that his brother wasn't going to let this go, he frowned.

“Fine,  some Purple Dragons tried to mug someone, I stopped it, the end. Now move.” he reached out to push his brother out of the way.

Leonardo caught his brother's arm.  “What's with the attitude Raph?”  Leo eyed him curiously now.

“Nothing...”  he pulled free of his brother's grasp and was just about to step forward when Michelangelo spoke up. “Dude.. what's on your arm?”

Damnit.  Raphael's eyes narrowed.  “Nothing.”  he said through gritted teeth.  

“It doesn't look like nothing.”  The youngest turtle said making to grab for his arm.
Raphael's eyes widened slightly as Mikey latched onto his arm.  “Knock it off, you're going to smudge it.”  He pulled free and smacked his younger brother in the back of the head.

Michelangelo winced.  “Ow...really dude?”  He said rubbing his head.  

Donatello had made his away over to watch this little display, and as Raphael raised his arm to smack Michelangelo, he too saw the writing.  “Is that, a name?”  the fabric of his mask raised slightly as he raised a brow.  “And... a number?”

Michelangelo's squinted as he leaned in.  “It is! He's got a girl's number on his arm.” that mischievous grin spread across his face.  “Oh! Raph's got a girlfriend...” he said in a sing song voice.

Raphael was glaring at his youngest brother now, his fingers balling into a fist.  “Shut it Mikey!”

Leonardo spoke up.  “Wait a minute.  You have a girl's phone number on your arm?  Not only were you seen, but you took time to chat with a girl and get her number?”  He looked at him in disbelief.  “We're not supposed to be seen.”

“Oh, and that's worked real well for us hasn't it Leo?!”  He shot back.  

“What is going on here?”  The old rat's voice came from behind them.  His eyes dark, he was not pleased with having been woken by yet another argument.

Mikey was the first to offer an explanation.  “Raph's got a girlfriend!”  

Raphael's hand came up to cover his face.  “Thanks Mikey.”

“Any time bro.”  Mikey said cheerfully.

“Raphael.   A word.”  Splinter said, then turned to walk into the other room.
Raphael shot one last look at his youngest brother then followed Splinter into the other room to talk.