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The End Justifies	By : hummerhouse Category: +S through Z > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Views: 4468 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.

Chapter List
- 1-The End Justifies
- 2-Part 2
- 3-Part 3
- 4-Part 4
- 5-Part 5
- 6-Part 6
- 7-Part 7
- 8-Part 8
- 9-Part 9
- 10-Part 10
- 11-Part 11
- 12-Part 12
- 13-Part 13
- 14-Part 14
- 15-Part 15
- 16-Part 16
- 17-Part 17
- 18-Part 18
- 19-Part 19
- 20-Part 20
- 21-Part 21
- 22-Part 22
- 23-Part 23 Final
- 8
- 9
- 10
The End Justifies

part 9
            Don heard Raph’s groan coming from the doorway of Casey’s bedroom and his eyes opened. Turning his head, he could see that the noise Raph was making had succeeded in waking Casey as well. A small smile painted Don’s lips as he stretched and then he quickly erased it as he sat up in the armchair.
            “Did anybody get the number of the bus that hit me?” Raph asked, walking into the living room and rubbing his head.
            “I think the same one got me pal,” Casey answered from his prone position. Other than placing a hand over his eyes, he wasn’t attempting to move.
            Raph eyed the bottles that were strewn around the room and then glanced at Don.
            “Ya’ don’t look so bad,” Raph said with a low growl.
            “That’s because I didn’t drink much,” Don told him. “I think there was something wrong with the beer.”
            “Skunked,” Casey supplied in answer. “Musta been bad.”
            “You passed out pretty fast,” Don said. “Raph got sick.”
            Raph shoved Casey’s feet to the side and plopped down on the couch. “Damn, that explains why my jaw hurts and my mouth tastes funny.”
            “It also explains why there are no sheets on Casey’s bed,” Don said. “Sorry Casey, Raph collapsed on your bed before he made it to the bathroom the first time. I stripped everything so that I could wash it and bring it back to you.”
            Casey waved a hand in the air without taking the other from his eyes. “Yeah, fine. Whatever.”
            “If ya’ knew the beer tasted funny, why didn’t ya’ say something?” Raph growled at Don.
            Don shook his head and grinned. “The two of you slammed your first beers down so quickly it wouldn’t have done much good. I don’t drink beer, so I didn’t know that the taste was off. I didn’t even finish my first one and when the second tasted just as bad, I stopped drinking it. You two were already working on a third by that point. I think you were trying to show off because you informed me that I was a wimp.”
            Raph shifted on the couch and grimaced. Casey lifted his hand enough to peek at Raph and then covered his eyes again and groaned.
            “Please Raph, sit still,” Casey said.
            “I would if I could get comfortable,” Raph snapped. “My ass hurts.”
            Casey snorted. “Thanks for sharing.”
            “Sorry Raph,” Don said. “Your reaction to the beer manifested itself on both ends.”
            “And I really didn’t need ta hear that,” Casey moaned in disgust.
            Don glanced at the window where the first light of dawn was just peeking through.
            “We have about fifteen minutes before there aren’t any shadows to hide our run for the sewers,” Don announced.
            “Shit,” Raph announced with feeling.
            “Can you make it Raph?” Don asked, concerned.
            “Of course I can make it,” Raph snapped. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before bad beer and a belly ache turn me into a pussy.”
            Casey laughed shortly but didn’t see the glare Raph turned on him because his hand was still covering his eyes.
            Don got up and began gathering up empty bottles. When Casey heard them clinking against each other, he lifted his hand and spotted Don.
            “Leave it Don,” Casey said. “Ya’ guys need ta split. I’ll pick up the mess later.”
            “Okay,” Don said, setting the bottles on the coffee table and grabbing his duffel.
            “And could ya’ shut off the damn stereo on your way out?” Casey asked. “Who turned it up anyway?”
            Don found the remote and silenced the stereo. “I did that. You and Raph started having a loud argument about the beer just before he left the room and you passed out. I figured the music would hide the noise from your neighbors.”
            “Humph. Those bums don’t deserve that kinda courtesy. They were probably all passed out from their own parties long before we ever got back here,” Casey informed them.
            Raph had the window open and signaled impatiently to Don, who followed him quickly. A last glance into Casey’s apartment showed Don that their human friend had apparently fallen back asleep.
            The two turtles took the fastest route down to the alley next to Casey’s building and into the sewers, beating the garbage truck by a minute. Once inside the safety of the sewers, Don pulled his shell cell from his belt.
            “What are ya’ doin’?” Raph asked, casting a quizzical eye at his brother.
            “Calling Leo,” Don said. “We said we would once we were on our way home.”
            “Boy scout,” Raph teased good-naturedly. The last voice he wanted to hear this morning was his older brother’s, especially bitching at him for keeping Donny out all night.
            “Don, it’s almost daylight! Where are you?” Leo demanded before Don had a chance to say anything.
            “We’re in the tunnels on our way home, Leo,” Don answered in a soothing tone. “Everything is fine; we’re fine. We were both watching the time and we didn’t take any chances. We’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”
            “I’ll be waiting,” Leo told him.
            After Don disconnected the call, Raph said, “Ya’ should’ve told him ta get bent.”
            “Why?” Don asked. “He has every right to be concerned, Raph. Not only is it his job as the leader, but it’s also his nature.”
            Raph thought about it for a minute as they walked. “Yeah, I suppose,” he finally said. “It don’t ever bother ya’ Donny? Leo lording it over ya’ and tellin’ ya’ what ta do? Ya’ don’t ever take it personally?”
            “Yes, I do sometimes,” Don admitted. “When I feel that way I try to see things from his point of view as well as trying to help him to understand where I’m coming from. There isn’t any reason to argue when quiet discussion usually works much better. It’s psychology Raph.”
            “Whatever floats your boat,” Raph said. “Talking it out don’t work too often for me and Leo.”
            “You’re both too obstinate,” Don said with a smile.
            They walked in companionable silence for a while, each immersed in their own thoughts. Don’s eyes would periodically drift over his brother’s muscular form and a shiver would run down his spine as he remembered the prior evening.
            Raph was treating Don the same as usual, a good indication that absolutely no residual memory remained. Don felt damned pleased with himself; the night’s success meant that as long as Don could engineer opportunities to be alone with Raph, he could do what he wanted to his brother and no one would be the wiser.
            He just had to take care that he didn’t take advantage too often. As much as Don would love to pound Raph’s ass every night, the chances of being discovered greatly increased with each assignation. That and the chance that Raph would develop a tolerance for the drug cocktail.
            After a bit he noticed that Raph was walking funny and Don curled his lips in to bite back a smile.
            Once he had that under control, Don asked, “Raph, are you okay? You look like you’re in pain.”
            Raph shot a mean look at him before blurting, “My ass still hurts, okay wonder boy? How many fuckin’ times was I in the bathroom anyway?”
            “Twice. I fucked you twice and it was wonderful,” Don thought before saying aloud, “I have an ointment in my lab that should help with that. It cools and numbs sore skin.”
            Raph grinned at him, unable to sustain his ill humor around Donatello. “You’re all right Donny, no matter what Mikey says about ya’.”
            Don laughed. “Ha! And here I thought he was talking about you.”
            They bantered good naturedly all the way back to the lair, but just as they reached it Raph grew sullen and quiet. Don watched the change with fascination; he could almost see Raph girding his loins against Leo’s attack.
            Leo stood just inside the door waiting for them. His arms crossed over his plastron, he look implacable and rigid.
            Don was ready to accept his share of whatever reprimand Leo chose to dole out, but the elder’s eyes were focused on Raphael. Never having been anything other than a bystander during one of their quarrels, Don quickly noticed how Raph’s body language had changed upon seeing their leader.
            Raph had pulled himself up to his full height, giving him nearly six inches on Leo. His shoulders were pulled back, his chest out, and his hands clenched into fists at his side.
            He looked absolutely magnificent to Donatello. Gone were any signs of the ill effects leftover from the prior evening; Raph was even walking with his usual cocky ‘I own the world’ stride.
            Don licked his lips unconsciously and then quickly yanked his tongue back into his mouth. Fortunately, neither of his brothers was paying him any mind.
            Raph shot the first salvo. “What? Ya’ got something ya’ wanna say ta me?” he asked, his tone both belligerent and defiant.
            “There is such a thing as making poor choices, Raph,” Leo said in an even tone. “I understand Casey’s need to abolish the Purple Dragon’s and I condone your activities because what you two do isn’t any different from our regular patrols. What I don’t condone is you allowing those activities to degenerate into a night of drunken mayhem that brings you home just as the sun is rising.”
            Raph’s eyes had narrowed during Leo’s speech and Don saw a dangerous spark come and go in the golden irises.
            “All ya’ need ta worry about Fearless, is that I show up on time for practice,” Raph said, his voice deeper than normal. “I’m here. What I do outside of that ain’t none of your business.”
            Don noticed, as he had on other occasions, that Raph didn’t attempt to explain himself nor did he make an effort to answer Leo’s accusations. Raph didn’t seem the least concerned that his brother know that some of what had occurred the prior evening hadn’t been planned. It was almost as though he were daring Leo to push him.
            “It’s my business when you endanger our family,” Leo shot back. “Someone could see you when you’re topside during daylight hours. They could follow you back to our home. Not to mention that you took Donatello with you and subjected him to your little hazing ritual.”
            “I’m not ten, Leo,” Donatello interjected in a quiet voice.
            Raph spoke as though Don hadn’t said anything. “Worried I’m gonna corrupt your little Donny? Afraid he’s gonna start having his own ideas instead of waiting on you to give him some?”
            “I’m not a puppet, Raph,” Don said.
            Neither of his brothers spared him a glance. “That was inappropriate and uncalled for,” Leo said. “All I’m asking of any of you is to take a moment to consider the ramifications of your actions.”
            “I guess we should all just sit on our butts and meditate the bad guys away, huh Leo?” Raph asked sarcastically.
            Mikey’s voice from the dojo interrupted them. “Hey, is practice cancelled today on account of you two want to argue? ‘Cause as scintillating as your fights are, I’d rather be doing something with my time other than listening to another one of them.”
            Don walked away from Raph and Leo. Dropping his duffel near the lab door, he joined Mikey at the entryway to the dojo.
            “Scintillating, Mikey? “ Don asked with a grin.
            Mikey chuckled. “I so heard it on one of those mystery adventure games. I was waiting for a chance to use it.”
            Don glanced back over his shoulder in time to see Leo and Raph glare at each other for another minute before they turned towards the dojo.
            An hour later Don hit the mat and rolled, trying to escape Raph’s clutches. He almost made it to his feet when Raph, having anticipate the direction of Don’s movement, pounced on the genius’ back and drove him face down to the floor.
            Both hands digging into Don’s shoulders and one foot on the ground for leverage, Raph planted a knee on the lower edge of Don’s carapace. Pressing down with his body weight, Raph pinned his purple banded brother.
            “What was that last night with the Dragons, Donny? A fluke?” Raph taunted as he leaned over his brother.
            Don tried to lift himself up, but Raph wasn’t giving him an inch. Frustrated, all he could do was lie still as Raph’s breath ghosted across the back of his neck.
            “Without your bo you’re kind of a pushover, Donny boy,” Raph continued, moving closer to Don’s ear. “Ya’ know what ya’ have ta say.”
            Slapping the mat with his hand, Don said, “I yield.”
            “Music ta my ears,” Raph said as he stood up.
            Don pushed himself off the mat, feeling his face begin to flush as Leo walked over to critique his performance. It was always the same, so much so that Don could almost give himself the lecture.
            It was all well and good to remind him to maintain his balance, to watch his opponent’s movements, to anticipate, to react, and to be aware. What Leo couldn’t tell him was how to overcome the sheer powerful aggression that Raph brought to a practice match. Leo couldn’t tell Don how to overcome Raph’s dominance.
            Don barely listened as Leo went through his usual litany before sending Don over to Mikey for his next sparring bout. Maybe Don couldn’t achieve a victory in the dojo but he took a great deal of secret satisfaction from knowing he had reversed their roles in the bedroom. That was where Don had been the all-powerful aggressor and he was determined to keep it that way.
            When practice ended Don immediately grabbed his duffel and went into his lab. His first priority was to get Casey’s dirty linens out of his bag and into the lair’s small washing machine. His second was to take a nice, long shower.
            A knock on his door brought his head up and when he saw Raph standing there, Don hastily shoved the bed sheets back into his bag.
            “Hey,” Raph said, looking a little uncomfortable.
            “Hey Raph,” Don answered, puzzled at the shift in Raph’s attitude. In the dojo it was all cocky self-assurance; now Raph appeared unsettled.
            “I was just wondering, ya’ know, about that ointment we were talkin’ about earlier?” Raph asked.
            “Oh. Oh! Yes, hold on and I’ll get it,” Don said as he turned to the cabinet where he kept medical supplies.
            He hadn’t even remembered their conversation. Raph had done such an excellent job of hiding his pain that Don had nothing to remind him that his brother was hurting. That was so like Raph that Don wanted to laugh but thought better of it. Raph might misunderstand.
            Rummaging in the cabinet, Don couldn’t help but wonder just how much his stoic brother could take. Pain obviously didn’t get to him and Don knew that the only reason Raph had shed tears the night before was because of the emotional distress over what Don was doing to him. Raph was all about emotions; something that drew out Don’s curiosity because their intensity was so foreign to him.
            “I’m curious about something,” Don said as he handed the tube of ointment to his brother. “Why didn’t you just explain to Leo what happened last night? About the bad beer and how it made you and Casey so ill. You could easily have avoided that argument this morning.”
            “Explaining stuff is just like making excuses, Don,” Raph said. “Making excuses sounds too much like saying what I do is wrong. That was maybe okay when we were little and talking ta sensei, but Leo ain’t our Father no matter how much he tries ta act like Splinter Junior.”
            “Master Splinter did make him leader,” Don reminded Raph.
            The small flare of fire that sprang up behind Raph’s eyes let Don know he’d touched a sore spot.
            “When we’re topside in a fight I’ll answer ta him because of that,” Raph said. “I’ll follow his lead in the dojo ‘cause of that. Otherwise, he can kiss my ass.”
            “Expressed as colorfully as always,” Don said.
            Raph’s sudden grin lit up his features and Don once more reveled in his brother’s ability to change gears so quickly.
            Holding up the tube, Raph said, “I’m gonna go rinse last night off of me and try this stuff. By the way, thanks for not volunteering any information about what happened. If Leo tries ta give ya’ any shit though, ya’ go ahead and cover your ass, okay? Wouldn’t be right ya’ catching grief for my actions.”
            “I’m not really too worried about Leo right now,” Don told him.
            Raph’s amused look spoke volumes. He walked back to the door but paused in the opening and turned back to eye Don.
            “Ya’ know, I owe ya’ a celebration Donny,” Raph said. “We sorta spoiled your last one.”
            A flutter of excitement tickled Don’s belly and he fought to suppress it.
            “You don’t owe me anything,” Don protested.
            “Yeah, I do,” Raph said in a no-nonsense tone. “Wasn’t fair ya’ getting stuck cleaning up after me. Don’t seem right us always handing ya’ the short end of the stick.”
            “I don’t look at it that way,” Don said softly. “We all do what has to be done.”
            “Maybe so, but this is something I gotta do for both of us,” Raph said. “We’ll figure something out and make it so it’s just the two of us. What do ya’ say, Donny? Want ta trust me with another one of your nights? I’ll bet I can show ya’ some New York fun ya’ ain’t ever seen before.”
            Don smiled. “Okay Raph. I think I might like that. Just say when.”
            “I will. I’m gonna go grab the shower now before Mikey beats me to it. Later bro’.”
            Don stood and stared at the door after Raph had gone. The genius was still riding a cloud of euphoria from the previous evening and the conversation with his brother only served to heighten his bliss.
            Fate seemed to be playing into Don’s hands at every turn. Surely if what he was doing was wrong things wouldn’t continue to lay themselves out so beautifully for him.
            If Raph wanted his company, then Raph certainly deserved to have his company. Don wasn’t in the least concerned that their ideas of a fun New York night might be completely different.
            In fact, he wasn’t too concerned about anything as he fished the bundle of dirty linens out of his bag.
            Until he turned around and practically collided with Leonardo.
TBC………
- 8
- 9
- 10
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The End Justifies