Standing on the Rooftops

The celebration among the humans was of little concern to Raphael. What's there to be crazy about, really? Just a bunch of loud New Yorkers stomping about the streets, along with the occasional drunk but gleeful weirdos.

It was nice though, to be able to get topside instead of spending the night of New Years Eve indoors. Splinter had always been wary, when the city gets wild and vibrant till late. Of course, the Master was only concerned for his sons' well-being, but come on... they were ninjas, weren't they? Raph was certain that they would not be met with any sort of disaster on the last few hours of the year; and they were most definitely NOT starting the new year being shamefully caught in action by those party-goers.

From his spot on a rooftop, the hotheaded turtle watched as the fireworks display came to a close. It was pretty alright, a good start of a brand new year after all the excitement and adventures with his brothers during the previous one. Speaking of brothers... didn't Leo mention some personal business or whatever? Just what the heck was that about, he wondered.
With a slight huff while ignoring the growing chill in the air, Raph settled against the wall and pulled out his phone to text his younger brothers:

[Where are ya dorks?
Heard from Leo yet?_ ]

Meanwhile, a lone feminine figure sat on the roof of a somewhat short building, her legs dangling off the edge and keeping her weight leaned back on her hands. When suddenly, the town clock chimed 12, the crowd broke into spontaneous aahing. It took a moment for her eye to adjust through the burst of white flames high above, her brain coming back in line as the typical firework display filled the sky. Her head was tilted back as she gazed upwards, the glint of gold in her eyes glimmered softly with the colourful explosion; A certain smell of smoke mingled with luxurious grape wine and Japanese cherry tree smell of her own, a rather nostalgic reminder of the Tokyo Tower on New Year's Eve with the family assembled.

Karai sashayed along the rooftop, a mass of confetti being thrown above her head in a four-minute contemplative boredom. Drama having flared between her and Shredder had been stressful, so it was amusing watching the people enjoy the party, but this was becoming a nuisance. The Kunoichi twirled repeatedly the tanto in her hand, no longer looking like the sweet girl lost in the sentiment, but had adopted the classic look of fun and mischief.

Snorting, "You did show up after all,"
her lips tinted mildly in bluish vaho flitting out of her nostrils.
"Why are you here... selfish enough to celebrate alone instead than with your brothers?"

Donatello for one was not happy about new years. The hustle and bustle of New Yorkers running around in a drunken stupor. The traditions of screaming out as the ball dropped in Time Square. Donnie didn't really like the noise and especially on New Years, it was extra loud, but the thing that really bugs Donnie the most was that stupid tradition about kissing a girl at midnight. The only girl he'd ever want to kiss was April O'Neil. of course that was never going to happen. the bo weilder sighed softly as he made his way down the rooftops getting a text from Raphael ,the hotheaded brother. He took out his phone and texted back swiftly.

" I just got out of the sewer with the party favors I made. No I haven't seen leo. "

Donatello sent the message and continued on his way suddenly hearing the crowd scream in awe with several lights flashing as the ball dropped and it became midnight. the purple banded turtle became grief-stricken seeing all the New Yorkers lean into their lover's arms and kiss them. He was so disappointed.. but he continued on his trip to find or stumble upon Leonardo. suddenly he saw I figure bolt across the rooftops. As fast as he was going don, figured it must be Leonardo but where was he going in such a rush? Shrugging it off, he decided to follow thinking that Leo knew he was there to be to begin with, but the tall one was surprised to see leo suddenly stop . what caught his attention? His maroon eyes looked over curiously as he hid inside the shadowy darkness. His silhouette could barely be made out as he watched Leo closely. To Donatello's surprise, leonardo was meeting up with Karai. "What are you doing leo?.." He mouthed to himself .

He heard a voice and halted, having to conceal his relief. Leonardo took a step forward, eyes on Karai as he dug around in a pocket located on his belt. His expression didn't appear menacing or devious, just a somber look held his gaze.
"I've come to maybe return something,"

He stated coolly. With a raise of his fist, Leo tossed an object Karai's way, expecting her to catch. It was a small clump of silver metal, burned and thawed at the sides. Texture of a logo had been planted on it's center, but appeared melted and to dis formed to properly make out the image.

By now Leo was hunched causally against the ledge, his face filled with curiosity while he let Karai study the object. The cold didn't seem to bother the turtle for he was fully focused on what was now in her hands.

"I found it near our lair, not to far off. It's a bomb of some sort, Donatello confirmed it's disabled."
He paused, brushing the snowflakes from his arm.
"Maybe you know something about it?"

Gosh why did he have to be reptilian? It was super chilly outside and the snow flakes where starting to fall gently into him. Donatello tugged at the purple coat he was wearing and shivered slightly, throwing over his hood so the soft flakes wouldn't land on his bare head . trying to control the urge of letting his teeth chatter, the bo weilder continued watching from the shadows. Seeing Leo throw the bomb on the ground. He remembered how mikey almost tripped it and how Raph was able to save their brother and themselves in time. He also recalled having to disarm it and how much of a task that was. Don observed that leo was being a bit rough on karai, he supposed that he was getting over their little "romance" and was more focused on the problem at hand . she was with the foot clan after all. And raised by the shredder.

Snapping out of his thoughts donnie continued listing. ".."

New Year's Eve -- the night of lots of parties, fun, pretty lights, and FIREWORKS!

Michelangelo was just fascinated by it all.  How he wished he could take part in the celebrations.  More than anything he wanted to wander around the streets and see everything firsthand.  Not hidden in some ridiculous clothing and not shrouded in darkness.  And certainly not hiding in some alleyway, as he was currently doing.

Wanting to get a good view of the fireworks and see the ball drop at midnight, Mikey climbed the fire escape and made it to the roof.  He still had to be careful up here because he was very exposed.  At least the clothing he had chosen to wear was going to keep the most obvious features hidden from anyone that might see him.

He found a comfy spot against the side of a roof shed to watch the display.  It was only a matter of a few minutes before the festivities would begin!  As the clock counted down, Mikey counted down in his head until they were at the ten-second mark.  Then he started counting out loud with the rest of the city.

"Ten!  Nine!  Eight...!"

The anticipation was getting to be too much as he continued counting down.

"...Seven!  Six!  Five!  Four...!"

Now Michelangelo was on his feet, practically bouncing as the last few seconds counted down.

"...Three!"

"Two!"

"ONE!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!" he yelled, whooping and hollering as he danced around.  Then it was time for his favorite part.  The fireworks!  Flashes of all colors of the rainbow danced overhead and Mikey finally took his seat again to watch them.  "Hellooooo, new year."  He grinned to himself as the celebration continued.  After the fireworks ended, he peered down at the street below and saw all the people gathered and confetti flying everywhere.

Mikey knew he shouldn't be up here but he snuck out to view the spectacle for himself.  Now he had to get back home before the others knew he was missing.   He didn't even know his brothers were up here, too.  That is, until he saw the text from Raph.  Mike just rolled his eyes at the 'nickname'.

"Nope, dude -- haven't seen him all night." he texted back then slipped his phone back in his pocket as he made he made sure the coast was clear before descending from the rooftop.

Shoving his hands in the pockets of his somewhat worn brown jacket, Raph proceeded to-- pretty much loiter, until he received the texts from his brothers. Hmph... figures. If Leo wanted something to be kept a secret, you can bet that it will be. But, party favors..? It's not like they were going to party out here. Not out in the cold at least.

He tore his eyes from the small screen of his phone and glanced about, just then spotting a familiar figure leaping down onto the dark alley. With that, he tucked his phone away and swiftly made his way down as well. Luckily, the party had died down and the streets were mostly clear.

Merely seconds passed, before he lunged from the shadows and tackled Michelangelo, an arm loosely around his neck as though threatening a noogie. "Some ninja... Saw you a mile away." Raph teased.

One brother found. Two to go, he guessed.

Karai stood there silently, her eyes slightly widened when the leader rummaged in his pocket for what it looked like a shoddy explosive, she was taking a step back, and immediately withdrew the dagger. "Hmm," she droned disappointingly, without bothering to inspect the small object flying towards her, she catched briskly and threw it back up. "Pity. I was hoping you'd bring me a firecracker, and instead I get a damaged incendiary bomb." She mocked him, the tacky symbol of the Foot branded onto it has stained her fingers.

"You're a fool, Leo," berated Karai, raising her hand a little above her head with the device cupped in her palm to show how dangerous would have been, but the girl didn't seem to take too much recognition out of it for the time being. "You don't pick up these by any chance like common fallen dollars. One light touch in the wrong spot and your family will reduce to cinders." Refraining from any further information, the Kunoichi leered, "I prefer leaning towards torture rather than missiles in case you're wondering. I could actually get one right now and wipe you out if that's what you want."

Donnie clasped his hand over his mouth as she revealed what it could do. It was like a mini atombomb. of course! Not only would it blow up the turtles and solve that problem for shredder, it would also blow up their lair just in case one of them was to survive they would have no home to go back to and it would be easier to find them. Oroku Saki was getting more and more dangerous by the second good thing Raphael was there to save Michaelangelo before he triggered the Foot Clan bomb. He eagerly awaited for more as the young kunoichi spoke. Her words were snappy twords the leader in blue, Leo however seemed pretty calm from Donnie's point of view. Of course that could change at any time. He awaited for his reply to their stepsister.

Hamato Raphael wrote:Shoving his hands in the pockets of his somewhat worn brown jacket, Raph proceeded to-- pretty much loiter, until he received the texts from his brothers. Hmph... figures. If Leo wanted something to be kept a secret, you can bet that it will be. But, party favors..? It's not like they were going to party out here. Not out in the cold at least.

He tore his eyes from the small screen of his phone and glanced about, just then spotting a familiar figure leaping down onto the dark alley. With that, he tucked his phone away and swiftly made his way down as well. Luckily, the party had died down and the streets were mostly clear.

Merely seconds passed, before he lunged from the shadows and tackled Michelangelo, an arm loosely around his neck as though threatening a noogie. "Some ninja... Saw you a mile away." Raph teased.

One brother found. Two to go, he guessed.

Home free!  Or so Michelangelo thought.  He successfully made it to the ground, was heading for the nearest manhole and then...WHAM!  Busted!

Michelangelo would have screamed if his mouth wasn't covered by his brother's arm as Raph had him in an arm-lock.  He knew what was coming next and how he hated that!  "Ahh!  Raph!  Lemme go!" he cried, struggling to get free from the impending 'noogie of doom!'  He closed his eyes, bracing for the 'torture' to come.

"Someone placed it there," Leo echoed back under his breath. His voice grew dangerously low while his eyes slanted accusingly through the snow droplets. Out of the corner of his eye, the leader caught movement. It lasted only a second, but he saw it. Purple.
...Donnie.

It felt like led just dropped in his stomach, but Leo remained poised. He took a step a forward, feeling like a martyr in the damp cold, completely exposed. "And I really need to know who."
He didn't expect Karai to aid him, she wanted something. She always does. It was like a dance they played, a never ending loop. He would confront her, she would exchange a challenge; winner would walk away with something while both promised to keep his brothers and her father out of it.
But now the loop was broken by a third member.

Leo waited for Karai to speak, to act. They were just an arms length from each other now, he could practically feel the body heat that radiated off from her. It wasn't uncomfortable despite being enemies. Countless battles required close contact. He just needed to keep her here and Donnie over there. No one was going to touch his brother.

At this point the bo weilder looked utterly confused. Why did Leo seek the aid of karai? She was a backstabber, she couldn't be trusted with anything. And even if she did , for once, give Leo a direct answer and actually say who might have placed the bomb there , it would probably and most defiantly be a trap for the elder.

Leo..what are you doing? I wonder where the others are- oh wait! I forgot about Raph's text. I should text him back or should I?

As the tll one pondered within his mind he saw leos eyes dart slightly . oh sewer apples! He was spotted ! Of course it was only a matter of time, no doubt the elder brother would be furious at his little brother after this ordeal was over . donnie was a dear in the headlights at this point. All he could think of doing now was hiding in the darker part of the shadows slowly so the kunoichi wouldn't notice him. However his first step into the snow that had formed around the bo wielder crunched beneath his feet.

Don froze as a sinking feeling entered his stomach. What was the point of having this vast amount of knowledge if you don't think simple things through thoroughly? All he could do now was pray that no one heard his stupidity.

His free fist was raised quite menacingly... but what came next was a single bonk to Mikey's head, before he was released. "There, first bonk of the year. You're welcome." Raph grinned smugly, but it was quick to fade a tad. All fun and games, but the night was yet to be over.

"C'mon, I bet Leo and Donnie are still out somewhere." He motioned the younger turtle to follow as he darted around a corner through the back alleys. He still had no idea what sort of business Leo was up to, but he'll bet his entire magazine collection that he won't like it.

Only a few blocks away from where the purple-clad brother stood now...

It was Karai's time to break into spontaneous laughter, no surprise he'd take off the lair to bring the incendiary object by which they're standing here tonight. Sure, wasn't she supposed to enjoy this moment of advantage to start the year with unique challenges? This was going to be fun.
"I knew you were stupid, but you sure are slow," she laughed again, spinning the explosive at hand, the sewer stench hit her squarely, but that's a horse of a different color. "Think about it, what's the point of dropping a disabled bomb in the first place? You said your scrawny brother confirmed its malfunction, and you are so ignorant you didn't even manage to inspect further before taking a step closer to your end."
She paused, the object was thrown upwards and sliced open with a sweep of her wakizashi. Graceful move. The two halves landed onto her palm, one of them was raised and rolled to expose a tiny rod glued to its inward front; a tracker standing proud and devious between her thumb and index finger.

"Our Clan located your moves 10 ft. away from your hiding place as soon as you picked up the bomb," she informed, a tracking beacon strapped to her sash, but the actual incendiary bomb in the possession of her Foot bots. "We know you're residing underground, Leo. You and your rodent master are sitting ducks."