Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT, painful as it is.
A/N: Takes place after April's Artifact. Big thanks to Jessiy Landroz for helping me out with some facts about the ep. Thanks girl. I owe ya. I'm debating yet again about the genre of this story so if it changes don't worry, that doesn't mean the stories different it just means the little authoress over here finally figured out which slot to put it under.
I know I really need to stop starting stories until I have all my other ones finished, good news is though that I have basically a work schedule set up for myself now on them. So updates on my other stories mostly Beseeching Past and Quarantine (that has been starving for my attention (gets attacked by a muse) will be the ones most focused on and then I'll work my way down my list while continuing this one when I need to take a break from others. Good news is though even though it was short I have proven to myself that I can complete a story and not freeze mid way through it so that helped me out a lot. Anyways you probably all want to actually get to the story huh? Well without further ado please enjoy for that is why we write….
This story is dedicated to two people: Jessiy Landroz whom without I would be lost on several of the key elements. And also to Red Rebel who if she hadn't lit a fire under me and not let me forget to write this, it might never have seen the light of day. Thank you guys.
Sleep may be a chance too dream, but what if dreams are what haunts?-me
Chapter 1: Fatigue and chases
Raphael groaned a bit mumbling something incoherent as he walked out of his room tying his bandanna on. It had been another bad night, with more bad dreams, dreams he would never let himself succumb to talking about. He just…wouldn't. No matter how intense they got.
Stalking into the bathroom, the red masked turtle rinsed a towel in cold water, before slapping it on his face, hoping it would wake him up more and cling to his mask throughout the day. He had gotten little to no sleep the previous night and would need something to keep him from falling asleep in practice like he had near done several days ago.
The lack of rest catching up to him finally, unfortunately it cost him both the match as well as his freedom for the rest of day and night being confined to bed. He hadn't had too much of a problem with it though like his siblings had expected instead he seemed rather complacent about the idea and simply went to sleep for a few hours. The rest of the time however was spent with him tossing and turning, trying to wake up and rid himself of the visions that assaulted him.
A reason as to why their sudden appearance alluded him at the moment, nothing had happened in the past week that should have scared him that much, or been close enough to threaten his family to scare him. In fact the only thing that had happened a few days prior was that they had returned from that world April's uncle had left behind.
Bugs…he shuddered a bit at their memory mentally vowing to one day kill them all. Sure they had unnerved him and he noticed he was a bit slower than usual and even on the rare nights he got six or more hours of sleep he would wake up exhausted. But, that didn't give a reason as to these dreams, these sudden feelings. There were times in sparring when he would be doing just fine and then either feel like collapsing or simply if struck would feel like a knife was raked through him.
The situation was anything but normal, not that anything with them really was, and his family was getting more and more concerned. Splinter had made him sit out on more practices for mediation trying to locate what was plaguing his son, and Donatello had attempted to run more tests on him all of which came back normal.
Muttering more to himself, Raph wiped some more water on his face before heading out of the bathroom and greeted by the morning voice of his older brother. "Hey Raph, good to see you're up and ready. Splinter said he's going to let you back into sparing today if you're not too…you didn't sleep again did you?" he asked with a sigh noticing the way his brothers shoulders hunched up and the way he mumbled.
"Yeah…so…I wasn't tired…" it was the worst lie he had ever given to anyone in his entire family but his mind wasn't working at the moment to give him a credible one at the moment.
Leo didn't spend time trying to get his brother to listen instead he stepped right out in front of him, placing his hands on the shoulders. The turtle they belonged too seemingly stopped with no more than a grunt, unable or not caring to look at his brother in the eyes, further worrying him.
"Raph listen to me bro. You have got to stop this alright? You're draining yourself worse and worse each day and if you don't get some sleep soon. You might loose it." he spoke tapping his brothers head despite the risk on his life for doing so.
Instead Raph muttered again forcing his head up and wishing the water would work instead of making him more drowsy. "Big dancing whoop. So I don't like to sleep anymore what's the big deal? I just found better stuff to do with my time is all than visit la la land like the rest of ya." he snorted shoving his brother's hands off his shoulders and making his way for the kitchen hoping maybe coffee would do the trick and trying to ignore his brother best he could as he followed.
"Morning Raph…" Don started cheerfully before he was cut off by a raised hand.
"Don please, do not say morning to me in any form, do not ask me how I slept, do not get on my case about sleeping and do not…I repeat do not tell me we're out of coffee."
Don quirked an eyebrow a bit at his brother mouthing to Leo as he entered, "He didn't sleep did he?"
Leo shook his head.
"I saw that brainaic." Raph snapped a bit trying to resist banging his head on the counter when he found to his distaste there was no coffee left at all, his brother was having orange juice which should have been his first tip off. "Don't you say a…."
"Hey guys, I'm gonna go get some more coffee later tonight when I go to the comic book store." Mikey explained coming into the room stretching at what his brother envied of a good nights sleep, his fists curling as he tried not to bang his head through something.
"Thanks Mikey." Don answered before pausing as something hit him. "You know I could have sworn we had a full canister last night…" he started leaning against his hand, one eye ridge raised when Mikey started flushing a bit and attempting to go over to the cupboard unnoticed. "Michelangelo what did you do?"
The youngest turned slightly noticing all his brother's eyes suddenly on him, his usually innocent look of what? Not cutting it at the moment. "Well…you know how you all keep telling me I should spend more time with my heads out of the clouds and more time with them on earth?" they nodded, wanting to know what that had anything to do with this. "Well for once agree! I think its high time I got my feet planted firmly on the ground no holding back and faced the dangers of the world!"
"Cut the dramatics Mikey what did you do?" Leo asked already knowing this was going to be a long day.
"I wanted to do an experiment…"
"Like what?" Raph asked in a voice that was all too nice, hands on hips and leaning towards his brother.
The orange ninja gulped. "Like…I kinda, sorta, maybe…wanted to see what would happen if I burned it like a candle and if it would give everyone a caffeine buzz or simply smell really bad." he finally yelped out dodging behind his only non coffee drinking brother as both Raph and Don dropped their jaws, looked at each other then sent a death glare Mikey's way. Leo merely remained quiet, arms folded, more annoyed at the fact that his brother had been that foolish and about the fight he knew was only seconds and his body away from happening.
"Well that would explain maybe why Raph couldn't sleep that well." he thought knowing his red clad sibling was far less immune to the caffeine than Donatello who at one point drank five pots a day when he got inspired. Raph however was just really starting to get into the habit, meaning even two cups a day could keep him wired.
"Leo move." Raph stated hands on hips, Donatello by his side as they eyed their little brother. If coffee wasn't going to give Raph the start he needed chasing his little brother would.
"Leo!" Mikey eeped at the mercy of his brothers as the eldest locked eyes with them both before looking at Mikey, a small evil smile appeared on his lips.
"Mikey, run." He stated side stepping and leaving his brother exposed, taking off like an orange shot as a purple then a red one followed.
Leo sighed leaning up against the door frame muttering to himself and watching as the three chased round and round, a sarcastic tone becoming his friend. "And today had started off so well."
To be continued…
A/N: Not to much happening so far only some of the bases are set, but that will change in the next few chapters. Well I hope you guys liked it, please review and let me know.
Until next time
innocent-rebel
