I Don't Need to be Saved (Sequel to 'Let Me Save You') ON HOLD

Chapter 4 - Something New

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "But this is something different!"

"Quiet!" His voice boomed in the small room and I winced in response. "I will not continue to hear excuses, you have failed me for the first time and it will be the last," he hissed that last word. "I suggest you go and begin training again."

I stifled a sigh and turned back towards the door. I reached for the handle but I froze before I did. "The turtles know who I am," I said still facing the door. Shredder was quiet behind me. Gaining some confidence, I slowly began to turn around. "Why- why didn't you tell me? I could have been more prepared, but instead I heard whispers from the scientists about my progress. I could have taken them down from the inside!" Shredder didn't answer for a moment, he just stared at the wall across from him. Then he began to stand up, with quite a bit of struggle. Every single one of my nerves told me to move and help him, but I fought them, I was angry and I did not want to give in.

"I had tried to use you before, but it did not work the way I had hoped. I did not want to risk failure again," he sighed as he limped towards me. "You are my greatest asset, I will not risk losing you to those turtles yet again."

I stared up at him, remembering the reasons he frightened me, the reasons I respected him. I bowed my head in respect, not wanting to anger him further. "Fine..." I whispered. "I will wait for your commands," I raised my head and stared, unflinching into his eyes, "but I will not wait forever. If I see a chance, I will take it. I am not going to sit around like a dog waiting for a bone." I hesitated for a moment. "Xavier will be with me at all times." I don't know why I said it, I just did. Shredder trusted him enough to command a large majority of the Foot soldiers, perhaps that would ease his worries about her. 

Shredder just stared down at me, his expression blank. "Very well," was all he said before turning his back to me.

I didn't push my luck further, I bowed and hurried out the door. With the click of the lock behind me I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I had just stood up to the Master, at least it felt like I did, and I felt as though I was on top of the world.

*Raphael*

Raphael and his brothers had returned to their lair hours ago, but Raph still laid awake staring at the ceiling of his room. He couldn't sleep, couldn't quiet his mind enough to feel as though he was resting. Dani was out there, helping Shredder.

No.

He corrected himself. Dani wasn't helping Shredder, she was most likely not aware of what she was doing. She needed their help, Raphael's help. He had no idea how to help her though, what she needed from him. Was it still the mind control that had her under his power? Or torture until submission? He wasn't sure. 

"Raphael."

Raph turned his head towards the door, where Leo now stood. "What?" Raph muttered.

"You need rest, sleepless nights will do you no good," Leo said as he came fully into the room.

"Leo, you need to shut up. I can't rest, okay? My mind is running a million miles an hour and it won't stop. I keep thinking about whatever the hell is going on with Dani. I think about what she could be going through. She could be getting tortured for all I know! They made her bleach her hair and when I first ran into her she was wearing contacts that changed her eye color. Shredder was hiding her from us, from the world. They're making her into some secret weapon, Leo, and we're all just sitting here doing noth-"

"Raphael!" Leo's voice was sharp, his gaze cold. "Do you really think that you're only one who is worried about Dani? She was apart of all our lives, Raph. Hell, I haven't seen Mikey more serious than he has been." He sucked in a sharp breath. "You are not the only one who has been effected by her getting taken, you ned to remember that. We're your brothers Raph, we know how you feel about Dani and we want to help, but you got to realize we won't get much done or be of much help if we're exhausted. We'll get our asses handed to us if we're not able to focus. We're a team, and everyone on the team needs to work together so we can win."

Raph stared up at the ceiling, taking in everything his brother just told him. He was right, god Raph hated that Leo was always right. "Fine..." Raph said quietly. "I'll try and get some sleep, but we leave first thing in the morning to find out where Shredder is hiding."

"Deal." Was all Leo said before leaving the room.

Raph laid silently for a few moments, his mind starting to slow down. He rolled onto his side, forcing his eyes shut. "I'm coming for you Dani," he whispered to himself before drifting off.

A/N

Hey everyone! Again, I know it's been awhile since I've updated. School is finally out (officially out of High School!!!!) and now I'll have more time on my hands. BUT I'm going to be putting this story on hold. My inspiration has been lacking as of late, and I want to take some time to focus on another story I've had in the works for awhile. I'm hoping to enter it into the Wattys so I want to dedicate my time to it. I will continue to write for this story when I find moments of inspiration, but updates will not be for awhile, and I am very sorry for that. Dani and the Turtles still hold a special place in my heart so I'm not giving up on them just yet! But I hope you all will understand that my writer's block is building an iron wall and I need to break it down, and I also hope you all will check out my new story, Excalibur's Legacy, when I publish it soon.

Much love to all and I'm so grateful for all the continued support!

<3 S. Raine