AN: I know it's been a long time and I should be updating Shattered Memories, but some things happened that caused me to nearly give up writing. I know it may seen stupid to some of you, but my cat... Mozart... died right after I last updated my other story. He was my best friend and my inspiration behind my user name. I do plan on finishing that story and will update as soon as I finish the next chapter and get back in the flow. Sorry again for leaving you hanging. This story is a little sadder than my others but will have a happy ending. There might be mistakes in this because my editor is busy so I'm seeing how I do on my own.

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own TMNT!

Mikey fell to his knees, tears falling like rain. The kitten his father had given him for his tenth birthday lay dead in his shaking arms. The small turtle sobbed loudly. His baby girl had been sick for quite a while but nobody thought this would happen. Raven, for that had been her name, held a special place in his heart from the day the young turtle had met her. These last four months with her as his best friend were some of the happiest in his short life. Mikey still remembered when he first laid eyes upon his little girl. Her long, silky coat had been as black as night with a small white star on her chest and she had bright green eyes that could captivate you for hours. She was exceptionally gentle, rarely ever using her claws, and had a way of telling when her turtle companion was upset. But now, his little Raven was gone, taken before she was even six months old. Mikey placed the still body in a cardboard box and wrote her name on it as well as a little note saying how amazing she had been. In his hand he clutched her name tag a, purple, heart shaped pendant... it was all he had left besides the memories. Master Splinter placed a hand on his youngest sons shoulder and led him out into the shadowy night. The two slowly made their way out of the sewers to a secluded area in the park where no one ever ventured. They buried the kitten there, in a bed of flowers, as Mikey wept quietly still clasping the pendant tight to his small chest.

"Father," Mikey whispered between sobs. "Why did Raven have to leave me? Was it because she didn't love me anymore"?

"No, Michelangelo." The wise, old rat stated sadly. "It was just her time. No one knows why these things happen. But I assure you... Raven will always love you, even though she can no longer be by your side".

The youngest turtle looked up with tear filled eyes and met his fathers warm gaze. "Then why, I don't understand. I thought she was starting to get better".

"Would you rather she still be here, suffering... or be free of all that pain while she eagerly awaits your reunion in the afterlife"?

"I don't want Raven to be hurt anymore... but I still miss her... I'll always miss her." Mikeys baby blue eyes clouded with grief as memories washed over him of all the wonderful times he had spent with his baby girl.

"I know my son... I know." Splinter wrapped a furry arm gently around his youngest's shoulders as he led the way back home.

After that day, Mikey locked his emotions away burying them deep within his heart. He didn't smile anymore, and it was beginning to affect the whole family. Raph and Leo got into more fights and Donnie stayed in his lab for days. Whenever any of them even tried to approach the younger turtle he would turn away, his face devoid of expression. None of the elder turtles knew what they could possibly do to help their little brother. Their father informed them that it was best to give him time and be there when he needed them.

Mikeys brothers were out in the living room one night, about a week after the death, watching a movie. They had begun wondering if their baby bro would ever open up to them and let his emotions show once more. All of a sudden a small form appeared in the doorway. The three older brothers immediately recognized it as that of their youngest brother. They all became terribly concerned when they noticed the tears trailing down his face. Raph, Leo, and Donnie had grown used to Mikey's emotionless state over the last week, so it was a shock to see such raw sorrow in their bros dulled eyes. All three watched as the orange masked turtle slowly made his way over to the couch and stood before his siblings. A few minutes passed in relative silence. The older turtles waiting patiently for their baby bro to speak. Finally the youngest looked up and met their worried gaze.

"I had a dream that Raven came back." Mikey whispered brokenly, trying in vain to hold back his sobs. "But when I opened my eyes she was still gone".

"It's okay Mikey." Leo comforted, pulling his youngest brother into a tight embrace. "I know you're hurting, but I promise... it will get better. The pain will never fully disappear though it will fade with time. No matter what happens I want you to remember one thing... can you do that for me"?

"Uh huh," the young turtle nodded, tears trailing down his face.

"Good," the eldest said approvingly. "We are your brothers Mikey and no matter what happens... we will be here for you".

"That's what being a family means." Donnie agreed as he wiped the tears from the younger turtles face. "We all love you. I just wish it hadn't taken this long for you to open up to us".

"Sorry," Mike mumbled.

"Listen, there's nothing to be sorry for." Raph exclaimed. "That kitten was a member of the family and we all miss her. Maybe not as much as you do... but enough to give us a clue as to how ya must be feeling".

"Really?" The orange clad turtle asked quietly as he looked up at his temperamental brother.

"Yea, believe it." Raph smirked before continuing on with a slight snarl. "Though if ya ever lock us out like ya did I swear I will kick your shell all the way to New Zealand"!

"It was just easier not to feel anything, rather than..." Mikey trailed off as more tears spilled down his cheeks.

"I know." Leo spoke softly, wrapping his arms around his trembling baby brother. "That's exactly why you have us. We're family... we'll do anything we can to help, but time is the only thing that will be able to heal the wounds in your heart".

The elder turtles wrapped the younger in a group hug, projecting all the love and security they could muster into that one embrace. It was well over a minute before any of then released their hold.

"We have something for you, Mikey." Donnie said as they finally broke apart.

"What is it?" Mikey asked, gazing into the caring faces of his older bros.

"Here, ya go." Raph responded, holding up a silver chain.

"What's this for guys?" The young turtle said confusedly.

"We know that you've been keeping Raven's ID tag with you since that day." Leo explained. "With this, you won't have to worry about losing it by accident".

Mikey's face broke out in a sad smile as he brought out the charm and stung the chain through it. In a matter of seconds it was around his neck for all to see. The Hamato family knew they had a long, hard road ahead before the youngest would heal... but they were ready to face it together.

Nobody outside the family ever heard the story of the youngest turtles darkest moment. They never knew he had a kitten before Klunk. They would never know how her death had nearly broken the ever cheerful turtle beyond repair. Even within the clan it was rarely spoken of. Only when Mikey would come to either his father or brothers for comfort would anyone dare breach the subject. Each of them feared that their youngest would once again shut them out and retreat into himself like he had after the death of his beloved little Raven. His family could never have known that their fears would someday be realized... for something was going to happen that would lead the youngest turtle to a fateful crossroads. One path leading toward a bright future with his friends and family... the other to a gray world filled with loneliness, pain, and despair.

AN: Please review, if you tell me of mistakes I will do my best to fix them. Thanks!