Okay, so, here's the thing.

I've always thought that if one of the boys died, it just wouldn't work. So I've always kept them together. But I was listening to this song, and an idea started forming in mind. This is what the product was when I started typing. It was meant to be a One-shot, but it got WAY to long, so i broke it up into chapters. I'll post the first two tonight, just 'cause they are really short. The other ones are short too, just not as much as these two.

Anyways, here's the story. Possibly the saddest thing I have ever written...

Disclaimer: The TMNT and Co. are not mine. I just like to play with them.

TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT

It was a closed casket funeral.

His family stood around the polished wooden box; it was plain and simple, just like he had been. He had never been as showy as his brothers. Always going for the most effective approach to get things done instead of the elaborate schemes his brothers came up with.

April sobbed quietly into Casey's shoulder as the larger man patted her back comfortingly, face twisted in an attempt to keep from crying himself. In fact, there wasn't a dry area in the fifty-foot radius around the display. His brothers were crying, each in their own ways. His father wiped tears from his eyes at regular intervals.

They had already said their goodbyes and now waited for the casket to be lowered into the earth. It was a sunny day, which didn't match the way the world seemed to be feeling at that moment. It should have at least been cloudy; more appropriate for the way his family and friends were feeling.

After one last shovel, the man in the hole motioned that all was ready. His family and two closest friends stepped forward and lifted the wooden box from the wheels on the ground and carried it forward. They gently lowered it into the dark earth and climbed out of the hole reluctantly. His father placed a gentle kiss on the casket before his remaining sons helped him out.

April handed them each a lotus flower. They all held it gently in their hands. Finally, his father stepped forward.

"My son," he said. "I know that you are in a better place now. Rest well, and watch over us, as you have done many times in the past. We miss you."

He gently laid the pink flower on the casket. His other sons did the same after saying their own pieces.

"I love you, bro. Don't ever forget that… I don't how we'll manage without you…"

"You were the best big brother ever, dude. It's gonna feel so empty in the lair without you…"

"I still can't believe you did that… You idiot… but I'll miss you…"

Casey nodded encouragingly as his friend came back to stand next to them. Then, the other members at the funeral came by and said their final goodbyes as well, laying a lotus on the casket as well. By the time the last person came by, the box was covered. And as the two men began to carefully shovel dirt back onto it, covering the pink flowers, one of his brother's began to moan in sorrow, another fell to the ground, unable to control himself anymore, and the last clutched the hand of another. His father leaned heavily upon his walking stick. April's sobbing became harder, and Casey's carefully built damn burst.

When the last shovel full of dirt was replaced, and there was no sign except the absence of grass of what lay buried beneath, the little family composed themselves and turned to the people who had come to pay their respects. His father spoke.

"There will be food and refreshments in Mr. Jones' house. All are welcome to stay."

There was a soft rumble of thanks across the mass of people as they headed inside, April controlling herself as Casey led her into the house. The small family remained at the grave for a few more minutes, saying silent goodbyes one last time.

"Come, my sons," Master Splinter said, turning to them. "Let us let him rest in piece for now. We must go and be good hosts."

His sons nodded, still teary-eyed. Two of them bent down to help the third up. He stood and rubbed his eyes hastily.

"Why did he have to go, Sensei?" he whispered.

The old rat put a hand on his youngest sons arm. "Perhaps we will never know," he said soothingly. "Just know that your brother will be waiting for you when your time comes."

Michelangelo nodded and wiped the last tears from his eyes. He looked at his two remaining elder brothers. "So what do we do now?"

"We go and continue on, though there will always be a hole in our hearts," Master Splinter said. "Come, my sons."

He began to walk to the house in the middle of the woods. His three sons followed obediently.

Donatello put an arm around Mikey's shoulders and offered him a sad smile. "He'll be fine, Mikey," he told him, though his eyes clearly stated that not even he knew what lay beyond this life. "He's probably watching us right now."

Mikey nodded and sniffed. He looked back at his last brother.

"What do you think, Raph?"

Raphael snorted. "I think he was an idiot for doing what he did and that he was selfish to leave us here alone…"

Mikey and Don had stopped walking and stared at their brother.

Raph's briefly replaced mask fell again as he thought of their dearly departed brother and the tears threatened to spill.

"I miss him already…" he whispered.

Mikey and Don walked forward to embrace Raph in a group hug; though all three of them had to admit that it just didn't feel right with only the three of them.

After a few moments, they all broke away and wiped their eyes a final time before heading into the house where their friends awaited them.

TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT

Did you guess who it was before I told you?

Hmm... well, on to the next chapter.