Reality

Unyielding

Unrelenting

The Warriors hunt

Who has nothing to loose

But everything to gain

Don wrapped the last layer of bandage over his hand, tucking the broken edge under a loosened layer. He felt a satisfying tug as the wrappings stayed secure in place. He raised his arms up, rolling down the white sleeves of his undershirt. The light leaking from the propped window, the green sheen of his arms obscured by the white cloth. Donnie couldn't ignore the stares he got when a wandering eye fell on his bandages (though his fingers were barely visible under his sleeves). The knowledge that they were staring at the bandages that covered them rather then the thick scars underneath brought him some comfort. Even in this "Murakami Village" he now called home.

Don glanced back for a moment to the front sliding door. His fingers hovering just over the bag he had hidden under the table (just in case one of his family members poked in at that moment to greet him. It wasn't 'like he was going to rob the entire village or anything like that. But knowing his family? They wouldn't like what he was planning.

Good thing they didn't know.

Splinter was probably at the school, he had been kind enough to act as a substitute in Kaede's absence. Donnie didn't' know why his mother and new stepfather, Dorinbo, wanted to travel for a bit. But he wasn't about to question the newlyweds.

Newlyweds.

He still couldn't believe they had gotten married.

Donnie made sure the bag was tucked firmly under his arm before hurrying out the door. The village was almost empty due to everyone being out in the rice fields working. Those who weren't in the fields were in the few shops they had in town working. And students were supposed to be in school. Leo and Usagi would be out helping take care of the horses; Raph was hopped up on muscle relaxer that Donnie had mixed for him to help his ailing aching back, so he'd be asleep for the rest of the day. And Mikey should be in-

"Donnie!"

School. Donnie openly cringed and turned his head. The 13 year old form of his only younger brother was waving at him wildly. His body clothed in hi short yukata, the sleeves short and white hakamas all indications of his youthful and energetic nature. Even though they were the closest in age (unless you considered Leo and Usagi but they weren't related by blood), Mikey had already gained a hair width of height on him. Something Donnie was ALWAYS reminded of. To be honest it was a pain in the tail.

But Mikey was his pain in the tail.

The younger slowed as he approached. Light blue eyes bouncing with energy and a grin wide enough that Don of seen into his stomach if he had wanted, "Why aren't you in school?"

"We got out early. Splinter felt bad for keeping us so long yesterday. Wanna play a game? WE haven't played a game in forever! Where are you going? Can I go with you?"

"NO." Don answered before the words really sank in. But he was used to Mikey's disconnected thoughts. It wasn't too far of a leap to go from 'game' to 'rule breaking adventure!'. He almost felt sad to see the smile slide off of Mikey's face. If there was anything in the world that could make a heart ache, it was a sad Mikey face. Though Leo, Usagi, Raph and Mom had no problem telling him he could do the exact same thing-

"Why not? I wanna go!"

"You don't know where I'm even going!"

"No but if you don't want me to go that means its gotta be somewhere you don't' want people to see! Is it a secret hideout!? Like mine?! I showed you mine so you gotta show me yours! Please?! Pleas please please-'
Ah here came the begging, and the headache that would follow, "Mikey Everyone knows where your hideout it. I'm just leaving for a bit-"

"Not if I tell our brothers!"

The one threat that could actually get one of the youngest brothers to do anything. Call in the army of older brothers. Donnie never considered himself a ruffian, but his older brothers had a habit of being 'henny'. He blamed it on his weak lungs and the problems it caused, but honesty he suspected Leo would of been just of overprotective anyway

What was so wrong with wanting sometime to himself? To walk out the door without someone demanding where he was going? It wasn't' like he had this freedom before, when he and Raph and Mom lived in the city. But it would be nice to walk down the street without eyes following him.

It weird to imagine that, even a few months ago, he didn't know these brothers. Raph had always been his only big brother, his 'Kuma-ni' who tended to be more protective then even their mother Kaede. He could still remember that day when Leo had come to his shop looking for him. Introducing himself as his big brother. The chaos that seemed to follow.

And here they were

"No you won't, we have a deal remember?"

The smile slid off of Mikey's' face again, his arms crossing and his bottom lip all but encasing his chin. Though Donnie knew he had won their argument. Simply from the 'little brother oath' of never tattling on the other. Donnie reached out and put this hand on Mikey's' scalp, rubbing it gently, "I'll be back before everyone gets done I promise. "

"You're no fun."

"OH really? DO I have to remind you who sewed you up those padding cushions for your elbows and knees so that you stop hurting yourself? Like I said I'm only going to be gone for a bit, it's not like I'm going far." With that Donnie turned and started back where he had heading. He could just hear footsteps behind him, without even looking he called, "Stay!"

"DO you have your medicine?"

"Yes mom I have my medicine." Donnie almost rolled his eyes. The footsteps behind him stopped. He could just hear Mikey stomp angrily before walking in the opposite position. Don almost smiled to himself as he hurried forward.

Hopefully Mikey would find the plate of dango that Donnie had left for him and forgive him.

It'd be nice.

Though the walk wasn't far, it was enough that he couldn't clearly see his house from the others in the village. But he didn't mind. He turned back around, where-

There!

Just in the side of the hill, a large gaping hole that he had seen a while ago. He had wanted to go in at the time, but Leo had guided him away from it with a motherly ''don't touch things if you don't know where they've been'.

Spirits, His own mother didn't even follow that rule.

It just showed how motherly Leo really was

Don leaned and looked down into the dark abyss. But he had come prepared. He reached into his brown bag and drew out a small mirror. He looked to the mirror in position to the sun and turned his body ever so slightly. Catching the reflecting light off the glass and sending it into the dark tunnel he wanted to venture. The caves contents illuminating. Even though the light didn't entirely penetrate the darkness, it was enough that he could see no tokages had gone in while he was away. Don carefully placed the mirror to hang by its rope at the mouth of the tunnel. After he was sure it was safer, he slowly began his descent.

He was quite lucky the tunnel was so large, its walls solid and sturdy in place to keep stability.

It was also quite lucky he didn't have to go that far to get to his destination. His feet catching on large jutting walks, his hand moving from the side to roof, though he had to add a small bounce for his fingertips to scrape the roof. He saw where the light began to fade again. But he didn't have to go too deep before he reached the end. His eyes going along the rough rugged walls-

There

A sheen of black against black. His eyes had some difficulty discerning the color from the shadow for a bit. But his eye caught on the pattern he had seen before. Don took out the second mirror he had taken along with him, (he wasn't sure how many he would need). Moving back to where the light penetrated deeper into the tunnel before turning the mirror towards it, angling it a little to the left-

The wall was finally illuminated. Covered in bright light as though it came from the sun itself, the dark markings that had almost been blinded from his vision lit up. Faded, broken in some places, but it still brought a smile to Don's. He reached over into his tube shaped bag again to draw out a small clay pot. A brush following.

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Donnie pulled down the edges of his mask long enough to rub the strain that ridden them. It was about the only reward he was going to get for his work. But, after some time, a aching back, ink stained fingers (and probably an ink stained face).

It had been more intricate then he had originally thought. The simple circle was lined with smaller lighter markings; it almost felt like he was writing in another language rather then what ever he was drawing.

But it definitely was worth it.

He had seen markings like these before, when he was at the Sohei Mountain Temple. Though they themselves hadn't created such an intricate design. They had spoken of it, they said it was some sort of window-'

The light that covered the wall flickered ever so lightly; Don drew back in surprise for a moment before the sound of sandals scraping against stone reached his ears, as did his shoulders when a voice came to him

"I thought you'd be here Otouto."

'Busted, oh so busted'. Don pulled his hands to his lap and turned his head slowly to see the familiar form of large older kame making his way down the tunnel. His oldest brother wore black hakamas, his dark blue kimono un-tucked but tied loosely around his waist with a thin white obi. A darker blue cloth hooked around his neck and hanging from the sides. It was something Kaede had made him for his birthday. It made Donnie feel a little better to see him making use of it. The familiar katana's that Donnie never saw him without hung from his waist.

Though a lot of time hadn't passed upon their Grandfather Lorenzo coming to stay in their village, it was easy to say that Leo had matured even further. Now an active samurai amongst those in the village. Donnie could just see the lines of scars on his neck. The worst lay under his blue mask wrapped around Leos' face. Where a sword had barley cut him. Not enough to get him stable after Donnie looked at him. But enough to almost cease all hearing that might meet the side of his head. It wasn't enough to notice if you spoke normally. But if you were talking to him from that side of his body then you could find yourself talking for hours before Leo finally realized you were talking to him. Though a 'disapproving smile' played on his lips showed how little it hindered his life, "Now why would I think I'd find you here? When I specifically said these hills were too dangerous to explore."

"Because I'm a curious cutie?" Don asked lightly he couldn't stop his voice from cracking, a embarrassing side affect from his age and his sore throat. Leos' face lit up as he laughed a bit. Donnie really couldn't blame him. They both knew how much he hated the word 'cutie'. He kept hearing ghosts of it in the village though, whether he was with Arata helping with patients or walking around with a basket of food to bring home, the world 'curious cutie' seemed to haunt him from the lips of mothers.

The humanity

14 year olds were anything BUT cute.

"H-how's your hearing-"

"Don't change the subject. Do you know how late it is Don?"

Oh right, conversation and trying to save his tail from getting skinned. Don looked back opt the light. He wasn't sure why he didn't notice the orange light that had almost covered it. Spirits, no wonder Leo had gone looking for him! He would of too if he had known it was this late, "I-I'm sorry Leo. I just wanted to see what was in here. And-and when I saw the markings I knew I could recover them if I had the time. I didn't think you'd let me if I told you-"

"Course I wouldn't of let you go. None of us would. It's too cold in here and we really don't know what's in these caves. If Raph knew you were here he would of drug his bed ridden ass after you. "cue the lecture, and the crossing arms over chest. Dark blue eyes looking down at his with a face that resembled Dorinbo's (even though Dorinbo had only adopted Leo). Don folded his fingers together before tipping his chin down to his chest. Fingers folded over each other his gaze suddenly intent on staring at his ink stained hands, "I'm sorry."

Don heard a tired sigh before footstep drew closer, "What did you find anyway?"

Huh? Don raised his head. Leo had taken a hold of the rough rock over head to swing his body over to look at where the fading light shone. His gaze going down to meet Don's. He was a bit ashamed to admit how long it took him to respond, "I-I found this really cool pattern. I don't know where it came from, but I-I think the Sohei monks might of seen it somewhere."

"Really?" oh Leo, always trying to understand his words. He understood more than Raph though. Don could give him that, "Maybe you can come back later when you have permission and company."

Don couldn't help but sigh. He picked up the almost empty clay jar before twisting the lid on, "IF it were Mikey you wouldn't insist on a bodigado."

"Not true." Were the only words that Leo seemed to pick to defend himself. When Donnie had set the clay jar back into the bag he felt a calloused hand brush over his cheeks, the palm pressing against his forehead. Another tired sigh reached Don's ears. He could just see Leo shake his head tiredly, "You can't let yourself get this cold little Otouto. You'll get sick again."

"But wouldn't that justify your 'mothering-"before Don could finish his joke, he saw Leos forearm in his vision line. Something warm being pressed into his neck, warping around, "Hey-' but the warm cloth covered his mouth, he could just see it over his beak, Donnie wiggled his mouth away till it found freedom. Glaring weakly up at Leo, "you could of warned me-"

"So you could whine about it?" Leo's voice held a tinge of teasing. Smiling lightly, tucking the end of the scarf into the back of Dons white undershirt, "it's a big brothers job to take care of their little siblings."

Don didn't have to use too much brain power to come to the conclusion Leo was thinking of the past 10 years. 10 years of Leo not knowing he had two younger siblings out in the world. Until a old rat had floated down the river, having escaped his imprisonment. Sending the oldest out inot the world to search for the brothers he had lost. Reuniting the family. Leo and Mikey's adopted brother, Usagi, even becoming his. That was even before Leos' adopted father, Dorinbo, had married Don's adopted mother, Kaede. Don often tried to imagine the amount of courage it took for Leo to leave their village to the dark Horyu City to find them. It brought them all together Don couldn't be irritated at that. Don took the top brim of the scarf and pressed his face into it lightly, trying to absorb the warmth of the previous wearer, "I know Aniki."

A arm wrapped around his shoulders, hugging him tightly to a familiar chest. Donnie couldn't help but smile and rest his head against Leo. He could never deny that Leo was a good big brother.

Overprotective

Seconds from lactating

But still a good big brother

"Come along." Don barely had time to open his eyes before feeling the hands on his shoulders all but lift him to his feet, "Raph will skin me if I let you freeze your stubborn tail off. "

Ok, that was one way to look at it. Don looked back to the ornate wall before looking back to where Leo had receded to pick up the mirror, "Be careful! The edges are-

"OW DAM IT!" the sound of shattering mirror reached Dons ear, sending the cave into darkness and the sound of Leo stomping bouncing around. Don all but jumped over, his body bumping against Leos. His hand going up to grip his bicep to keep from losing him in the darkness, "I told you to be careful Aniki!"

"I WAS-"

"Give it!" Don's hand grabbed Leo's fingers. I-sha instincts going into work, his free hand going up Leo's fingers, till they reached something warm and wet, "OH hell Leo-"

"It wasn't my fault! It was your stupid mirror-"

"Well stop moving around! You're making it bleed worse you dumb as-" Don's words suddenly stopped.

The sound of soft grinding filled his eras. Settle at first, but then slowly building up speed and power with it. the sound echoing off close walls. A bright light filling the cave, white and pure. Don's hands immediately going up to his eyes to block the painful sight, he felt arms wrap around his chest, all but being thrown over a hip, his face meeting plastron. A hand to the back of his scalp. Even with the deafening sound, he could just hear Leo shouting. He wasn't sure what he was-

The arms that held him suddenly faded, burning into nonexistence, a panicked shout leaving Dons lips His hand shooting up to try and grab his brother but he was already gone

Taken

"LEO!" the light burned around him still. Running up and down his arms and legs, he could feel the very clothing on his body heat up-

"DON! DONNIE!" That was Leos' voice! Oh thank the Sprits. Don's head swerved from side to side.. That meant Leo wasn't taken too far away! He could find him though his sick traitorous body refused to do his -, "ANIKI-"

"I'LL FIND YOU DONNIE! I SWEAR ON THE FREAKIGN SPIRITS I'LL FIND YOU!" there was such desperation that laced his tone. Cracking and breaking, "I'LL FINDYOU!"

What was he talking about? Leo had been the one taken! Donnie was going to go find HIM not the other way around. Don put his hand to the ground, ready to stand up. Ready to run right for the voice of his lost brother.

His muscles in his leg braced, shooting up to stand. A force behind him all but shoving him back down to his knee. Dons breathing became panicked, drawn, lungs constraining as his advanced mind tried to convey what was going on.

Clarity then hit him. Cold clarity and fact

Leo wasn't the one being taken

He was.

It was almost as though something had hooked around his body, yanking him back. Away from the voice he desperately wanted to get to. From the place he knew was close to home. TO Mikey, to Kuma-ni, to Usagi-

Not to the hell he was sure he was heading to.
His eyes squeezed shut arms covering his face.. If only to block out the painfully bright light. The burning intensified. Hotter than fire, though no smell of burning flesh reaching his nose. . There had to be an end. An end, no matter what shape or form-

The light vanished. Along with the momentum

Don cried out, his knees cracked so hard against the ground that he found himself rolling. He felt something pop against his side, Cold water striking through his burning clothes and body. Bringing him form agonizing heat to body jerking cold . His hands slapping over his mouth as deep coughs began to wrack over his lungs. Tearing through his throat. Echoing over close walls, bouncing back cruelty of his pain. For hours it felt like he lay there. Without the comfort of his sickening medicine.

Finally his throat released its painful spasms. Don raised the back of his hand to wipe his blurry eyes furiously of their burning streams, lowering down to wipe the taste of blood from his lips. For a split naïve second he thought to reach for his side and the medicine that would relieve his aching body.

His fingers twitched a tired sigh from his lips and a tremor through his heart.

Now he knew where the popping sound had come from.

The sealing of his fate.

Don took the edge of his scarf, pressing it against his face. Though he knew better then to imagine his Aniki had fallen after him. Leo's desperate words after him had proven just that.

He knew he was all alone.

a/n

Charmy: And so a new journey begins! Honestly, I wasn't going to do a sequel, but I kept going back to this one idea and I thought 'why not?"

Don,' I can think of a few reasons why not."

Charmy And I will ignore them, for those of you who come from "Unbreakable" I'd like to say welcome back to series! And to the new readers, I hope you enjoy the ride!

Terms

Kuma-ni: Big Brother bear. Don's name for Raph

I-sha: Feudal Japanese Doctor