Disclaimer: Ninja Turtles are not mine. Please do not sue and no flames.

The Big Surprise

Raph was in the dojo practicing on a punching bag. He stopped for a bit and decided to call Casey to see if he wanted to hang out that evening. Raph got out his Shell Cell and dialed Casey. The Shell Cell was answered after a couple rings.

"Hello?" Casey said.

"Case, it's Raph," Raph said.

"What's up, Raph?"

"I was wondering if you want to hang tonight."

"That would be nice but I've got a date with April tonight."

Again? Raph thought and then said, "Have a nice time."

"Thanks, I will, and bye now."

"Bye."

Raph hung up the Shell Cell and placed it in his belt. Then he walked out of the dojo.

Raph decided that he would try not to blow up at any of his brothers. Last week, Raph had upset Mikey by blowing up at him. Raph was happy for Casey and April but he also wanted to spend time with Casey. Raph wondered if he would get to hang out with Casey again.

Raph wished that he could talk to Splinter about what he was feeling but Splinter was on a meditation retreat and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Leo was practicing some katas. Mikey was playing with his new kitten, Klunk. Raph decided to go to the lab and pay Donny a visit.

Donny was in the lab working on a mysterious project. He heard footsteps, quickly covered the project, and turned to see Raph standing nearby.

"Raph, did you need something?"

"Why don't we hang out tonight since Casey's going out with April and I don't feel like hanging around the lair?"

"I'm kind of busy right now. Maybe some other time."

"You're always busy with something! WHY CAN'T YOU DO NORMAL THINGS LIKE THE REST OF US?!"

Raph stormed out and Donny was shocked. Raph hadn't said that since they were little. Donny also noticed that Casey and April hadn't visited much within the past couple weeks. He wondered if that had something to do with the way his brother had been acting lately.

Donny continued to work on the mysterious project. A few minutes later, his vision started getting blurry. Donny closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, then opened his eyes. Then he went back to work on the mystery project.

I can't fall apart, Donny thought, not now.

Mikey was heard laughing in the background. Donny was glad to hear that especially after what happened last week.

FLASHBACK

Donny had just started working on the mysterious project. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Mikey standing there.

"Donny, can I talk to you?" Mikey asked, his voice trembling.

"Mikey, you OK?" Donny asked with concern.

Mikey shook his head. Donny stood up and the two turtles walked over to the other side of the lab.

"It's about Raph," Mikey said.

"What do you mean?" Donny asked.

"I was playing with Klunk and reading comics when Raph stormed by and screamed 'Why can't you do something useful for once?' and then stormed out of the room."

"Come here."

Mikey fell into Donny's outstretched arms and broke down completely. Donny wrapped his arms around Mikey and held him.

END FLASHBACK

Donny decided to take a break and visit the mother cat and kittens in the sewer to see how they were doing. He grabbed his duffel bag and bo and walked out of the lab heading toward the area where Leo was practicing.

To be continued...