AN: Yay! A new TMNT story! I am really excited with this one. I wanted to write something more fluffy yet still has hurt/comfort (since that's my specialty). I've been writing a pretty angsty story recently and needed something that wasn't as depressing. I really hope that you enjoy this and I look forward to hearing what you think :)

Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own TMNT.

"Come on Leo, Donnie!" Raph yelled impatiently as he waited near the doorway. "Let's get outta here before Splinter changes his mind."

The anxious turtle tapped his foot as his brothers tarried in the living room. This would be the first time they were allowed out in the sewers on their own and he didn't want to wait around all day for the others to get ready. Their family had been living in a smaller area of the sewers until recently but due to some unforeseen circumstances they had been forced to move. Thus they found themselves in this spacious new home, nicknamed the lair, which looked to have been abandoned by some ancient civilization. The three mutant turtles had asked their father if it would be okay for them to go exploring and were pleasantly surprised when he agreed. Donnie had figured it was partially because they'd been driving him crazy with how restless they had been for the last week but Raph didn't care, he was just excited to finally be able to go out on his own, well maybe not entirely on his own... but still.

"I'm the leader Raphael." His blue banded brother chided, heading towards him. "We'll leave when I say so."

"You're only leader cause you're the oldest Leo." He replied scathingly, a noticeable glare on his face.

The other was about to respond but their younger brother forced his way between them, hands held up in a placating gesture.

"Come on Raph, we're all fourteen ... Leo was just hatched a couple minutes before you." The genius stated, knowingly. "We both know that he's the leader because he was best suited for the job. Remember, we're a team and we all play our parts."

"Yer right Don." The hothead admitted, rubbing the back of his head with a green hand before glancing at his older brother. "Sorry fearless."

"It's fine, I know how frustrated you can get, especially when you're kept waiting." Leo said, arms crossed in front of him. "But it's like Master Splinter says, you just need to work on your temper."

The red loving teen nodded as their father approached. All three turned to face the aged rat as he stopped in front of them, walking stick held loosely in his claws.

"I trust you will be safe and stay in the sewers away from the humans?" He questioned, tilting his whiskered head to one side.

"Yes, Sensei." They declared, bowing in respect.

"Then you may leave." The rat announced, slight worry hidden within his peaceful brown eyes. "Make sure you are out no later than midnight. If you are not home by then there will be an extra hour of training for each minute you are late."

The brothers shared a slightly panicked look before promising to be home on time. The ninja master let a knowing smile grace his features as the turtles hurried out the door, shouting goodbyes as they went.

-XXX-XXX-XXX-

It had been nearly an hour and they were currently racing through the sewer tunnels, taking turns deciding which path they would take. Soon they came upon a dead end. Piles of garbage were stacked along the walls and a grate that looked out on a small park was at the very end of the passageway.

"Hey, guys! We might be able to find something we could use in the lair here." Donnie declared, already beginning to search through the nearest junk pile.

His older brothers both gave annoyed looks, they wanted to continue exploring, but gave in when they realized how eager the younger mutant was.

"You own us for this bro." The short-tempered turtle proclaimed as he headed towards the grate.

"Stop complaining, maybe we'll find you some new tools." Leo asserted, searching near his purple clad brother.

Suddenly Raph let out a startled cry that drew the others attention. Leo and Donnie both pulled out their weapons, racing forward, before the middle brother held up his hands.

"Hold on guys, there's no danger... I was just startled." He soothed quietly, grabbing a blanket off a nearby pile before turning his back to them once more, staring at the ground in front of him.

The red banded ninja took a hesitant step forward and crouched down, gently wrapping his arms and the bedding around something lying in a shallow puddle of water.

"Donnie, I need yer help." He said seriously, leaving no room for arguments. "This little guy ain't doing so good."

The other two turtles let out surprised gasps as they saw what their brother had bundled in the blanket. It was a tiny mutant turtle... no older than three or four years old. The genius took in the sight of the childs ragged breathing and the flushed look on it's face as he rushed forward. Placing a hand on the toddler's forehead, he recoiled at the heat, worry showing in his amber eyes.

"Leo, we need to get back to the lair as quickly as possible." He declared, going into doctor mode. "If we don't get the fever down this kids going to die."

"Right, we're heading home." Leo agreed without fuss, turning to run back down the tunnel. "Let's go!"

Donnie held up his arm to stop his immediate older brother as he tried to race after the blue banded turtle.

"Raph, you need to be very careful not to jostle it too much." He demanded, staring into the others green gaze. "Any harsh movements could be very detrimental and the kids already extremely weak. It's body may not be able to handle the stress."

"Got it bro." The elder answered, slightly fearful for the kid, before shouting after the other turtle who had rushed off. "And don't call him an it!"

The green eyed reptile looked down at the miniscule bundle he held, an apprehensive look on his face.

"Don't worry buddy." Raph comforted the small turtle. "You'll be okay... I'll make sure of it."

The impulsive teen didn't know what had come over him. He usually hated kids but there was just something... special... about the toddler he now held close to his heart. Raphael hadn't felt this protective over anything since Donnie had managed to break his ankle when they were turtle tots. Whatever the reason was for this sudden feeling, he decided right then and there as he carried the kid through the darkened sewer, that he would take care of the tyke.

"Guess yer gonna be my baby bro." He announced, eyes softer than they've been for years, as the childs face contorted in a pain filled wince. "So ya better not give up on me, ya hear?"

They made it to the lair far quicker than they would have if they hadn't been in such a hurry, bursting through the doors and making Master Splinter's head whip around to face them as he swiftly exited the dojo.

"What is it my sons? I did not expect you home so early." He inquired, concernedly searching their faces for any sign of distress. His eyes widened as he spotted the bundle in his middle sons arms. "Come this way, quickly."

Raph followed his father as they all made their way to the infirmary where Donnie bustled around gathering the equipment he would need.

"Put the kid on the bed." He stated gravely, not bothering to watch as he pulled out a thermometer and some childrens Tylenol.

He immediately set about taking the turtle tots temp. While waiting for the results he decided it would be best to know the gender of the newly found mutant.

"Well, looks like you were right Raph." He admitted, a smile forming on his face as he met the others eyes. "He is a boy."

Raph smirked in acknowledgment as the thermometer beeped. The bo wielder's shoulders slumped with worry as his eyes quickly scanned the results, not liking what he saw.

"This is not good!" He growled, gently sitting the toddler up and opening his mouth before pouring the medicine in. He was exceedingly careful not to let any get into his lungs. "His temperature is 100.4 degrees... that's pretty high for us mutant turtles. Hopefully the fever reducer will help."

"Where did you find this young one my sons?" Splinter questioned, sympathy for the ailing child wrinkling his brow.

"I'll tell you everything Sensei." Leo replied, heading towards the doorway as soon as he'd noticed Don's frustrated stare. "It's probably best if we talk somewhere else though."

Raph watched as his father and older brother left the room, before turning to the remaining turtle.

"Is there anything I can do to help Donnie?" He demanded hopefully, eyes never straying from the small mutant.

The younger sighed as he took in the concerned gaze of his usually temperamental brother.

"Not really." He admitted, watching as the others face fell. "I'm just going to do a physical examination to see if there are any injuries that I should be aware of. You're welcome to wait around in case I need you."

"Um yea... sure." Raph muttered, uncertain whether to stay or not.

He glanced once more at the small turtle and his mind was made up for him. Grabbing a chair, he sat in it backwards, arms resting on the back of the chair. He wouldn't abandon the youngster now... not after the promise he'd made. It took nearly an hour before Don was finished studying the kid and Raph waited as calmly as he could, though he'll admit that he'd asked his brother one too many times when he'd be done. Once the brainiac was finished the red banded ninja tilted his head, silently asking what the younger had found.

"Well, there are a few scrapes and bruises but they are minor and as long as we keep them clean there will be nothing to worry about." A sigh of relief escaped the red masked turtle as his heart lightened slightly. "However, he has a broken wrist that I need to set. It couldn't have happened more than a day ago judging by the swelling. That, along with his high fever, are very troubling. We'll just have to hope that he doesn't get any worse because if he does... then his life will truly be in danger."

The older brother bit back a pained gasp at that revelation. He had already become so attached to this little kid, more so than either of his bros had that's for sure. Raph wasn't sure if he'd be able to sit back and watch the boy suffer. Taking a look at the tiny freckled face steeled his resolve and he stood, quickly exiting the room as Donnie prepared a cast.

As he turned the corner he noticed Leo meditating in the dojo. He was alone which meant that their father was most likely in his room. Changing direction he decided to speak to the wisened rat. Upon reaching his fathers door, the hotheaded turtle knocked, waiting for permission to enter.

"Come in Raphael." The ninja master said calmly.

Raph walked in, amused by how their Sensei always knew which of them was knocking, and knelt before his father.

"Sensei, I wanted to discuss the kid." He admitted, hands squeezing his knees in slight trepidation.

"Very well, Leonardo mentioned that you were the one to find him." The rat stated, matter of fact.

"Yea, I did." The teen agreed, anxiously meeting his fathers gaze as he blurted out. "I want to keep him Sensei! I feel this bond with him... it's unlike anything I've ever felt before, even with Donnie and Leo. I don't know what happened... how he was mutated, where he came from, what made him so sick... but it doesn't matter! He needs me Master Splinter... please!"

The elder waited patiently for his agitated son to finish his rant before standing, placing a clawed hand on the turtles shoulder in comfort.

"As you said Raphael, we know nothing of this child." He held up his paw in warning as Raph opened his mouth to protest. "But I agree. We cannot turn the boy away when it is desperately clear he is in need of help."

The young turtles eyes lit up as he jumped to his feet.

"Does that mean...?" He asked, barely daring to breath.

"Yes, my son." The intelligent rodent smiled calmly. "It would seem you have a new brother."

Raph let out a whoop of excitement as he hugged his father in a tight embrace, completely letting go of his perpetual moodiness. Now all he had to do was make sure the kid made it through this ordeal and with Donnie taking care of him he had no doubts that he would. Once he'd managed to settle down, Splinter gave him a serious look.

"I am trusting you to look after him Raphael." The ninja master stated. "I am, unfortunately, getting too old to chase around toddlers so I will need your help in this. Is that agreeable?"

"Of course, Sensei!" The red banded turtle declared without a second thought. "I'll do my best to make sure nothing happens to him."

Raphs face was stretched in a wide smile as he thought of the tiny turtle tot laying in the infirmary.

"I know you will, and your brothers will help as well." The wise rodent expressed, his eyes trailing toward the entrance to the dojo. "Now what shall we name the little one?"

The teen closed his eyes in concentration, as did his Sensei, and their thought turned to the small boy.

'Me, Leo, and Donnie are all named after famous renaissance artists so it would only be right for the kids name to be the same." He contemplated, thinking of other artists he knew of from that time period.

Suddenly an image of the Sistine Chapel appeared in his head and he could feel in his heart how perfect it fit with the tiny child who was currently fighting for his life.

"Michelangelo..." He whispered in awe, causing Splinters ears to twitch. "That's his name Sensei."

They both opened their eyes as the rat meditated on it for a short while before nodding in confirmation.

"I agree. That name will serve him well." The teacher said. "Now why don't you go and tell your brothers I wish to speak with them before checking in on our newest family member?"

"Sure thing!" Raph exclaimed, rushing out of his fathers room and heading toward the infirmary, stopping only to relay the message to Leo who was still in the dojo.

As he passed through the door that he had exited less than an hour previously he noticed that Donnie had finished putting the cast on the kids arm. Taking a cursory look at the boy, the teenager realized he was sleeping peacefully and that it seemed his fever had gone down.

"Hey Don, hows the little guy doing?" He asked, turning his green eyes on his immediate younger brother.

"His fever has dropped a couple degrees and I was able to set his arm without any trouble." The intelligent turtle responded. "He'll probably sleep for quite awhile though. His body is exhausted and he needs time to heal."

"That's good to hear." The sai wielder said, running a gentle hand down the turtle tots cheek. "Oh, I almost forgot, Master Splinter wants to see you."

He turned back to his bro, watching the silent battle happening on his face between doctor and son.

"Hey, don't worry... I'll keep an eye on the kid." Raph assured, pulling his chair from earlier over to the bedside.

That was all the genius needed to hear as he was out the door within two seconds. The red masked turtle sat down on the chair and grasped his new baby brothers small hand in both of his larger ones. Letting his thoughts wander, he stroked a thumb over the sea green appendage, making soothing circles.

'How the heck is there another mutant turtle? Especially one this young?' He questioned himself, staring at the unconscious toddler. 'Did it happen the same way it did with us or... was he human before?'

That thought caused a spark of worry to settle in his heart. He'd have to ask Donnie if he could figure it out somehow. One thing was certain however... there was no way this kid would face any more hardships on his own!

"Don't worry Mikey." He comforted warmly, eyes never leaving the freckled face. "Big brother Raphie's here for ya now. All ya need to do is wake up and I promise... you'll never be alone again."

AN: Well I hope you enjoyed the start of my newest story. Please leave a review and let me know what you think :)