From the Depths of Dreams

SUMMARY: Leo is stuck. Karai will take what she can get. M for a reason. Sequel to What Doesn't Hurt.

AN: I'm not too sure how much sense this would make if you don't read the first one. But, hey, I'm not here to tell you what to do. Actually, I'm not sure how much sense this makes even if you read What Doesn't Hurt. Also, not as long as I originally planned. But that's what happens.

Warnings: Non-Con. Violence. Temporal disparity.

/-/-/-/

Leo wakes up to the slow drip of water. When he blinks his eyes open, his clock tells him it's still too early for him to be awake. Donnie might even still be up. Raph might have just gotten to bed. Leo rolls onto his side and stares into the dark.

There's a lot to do today.

Leo had promised Don that they'd stop by April's after training and their regular patrol. He had also promised Mike that they'd play his new video game, Leo doesn't really know why, because Mikey just trashes them at any game. It's really pointless for them to play together. But, he's a sucker for those baby blues.

Leo takes in a deep breath and closes his eyes. The pipes groan in the distance, water trickling and sloshing under the sewers. The air is oilier, heavy with ozone and the sewage reeks a bit more. It's raining today. He'd have to make sure that Don put on the flooding procedures. They shouldn't go topside. Not yet. Maybe in a few days, once it's good and dry. Raph will not be happy.

Leo pushes out of bed and makes his way to the bathroom. He splashes water on his face and starts brushing his teeth.

There really was no excuse. It would be wet, but it wasn't anything they hadn't done before. He grips the edge of the sink and looks into the mirror for the first time. Donnie says he hasn't been eating enough. Raph and Mikey agree. Leo sees where they're getting the idea. His cheeks are a bit more sunken than he remembers. But there's something else. When he meets his own eyes, he looks away and quickly finishes up.

As he makes his way towards the kitchen, he hears Mikey humming lightly and clicks of porcelain against the countertops. Maybe they should go topside anyways. They had it planned for a week now. His brothers would be highly disappointed if they don't go. April kept saying that she has to do more than just hang out in the sewers every Friday night.

/-/-/-/

Mikey screamed. Loud and ragged.

Leo couldn't stop the blood. He couldn't stem the flow.

"Mikey!" Raph yelled. He grabbed onto Mikey's flailing legs and forced them towards the ground. "Mikey! Hold still!"

Leo pressed into Mikey's wound. A jagged gash that was too wide. Leo tugged the wraps around his wrist loose and pushed it against the blood. Yanking off his knee pad, while keeping pressure, Leo tried his best to tighten the straps around Mikey's thigh. They were dirty, but they'd have to do.

Mikey yelped, breathing harsh against the cold night. "It hurts Raphie."

"I know." Raph said. His voice was oddly soft. "You'll be okay."

Leo glanced up at Raph. There was a smear of blood on Raph's face, running from his upper cheek down to his jaw. Some of it was Mikey's, but there was a gash under there as well. Leo stood, legs shaking and blood dripping from his fingers. The wind brought with it the strong smell of ozone and the hum of traffic. The half-moon made the blood drops look like dark splotches of oil across the roof. Karai stood in the middle of it all.

He should be able to meet her eyes. Especially in the low light, he should be able to meet her eyes.

"Do you understand now, Leo?" Karai asked. The shadows hid her well, but there was a smile in her voice.

Leo swallowed and nodded.

/-/-/-/

Leo wakes up to the slow drip of water. When he blinks his eyes open, his clock tells him it's still too early for him to be awake. Donnie is probably up. Raph probably just got to bed. Mikey's snores are waking the dead.

He stretches his arms out and heaves out a sigh.

It always seems like there's so much to do.

Leo gets up and gets ready without really thinking. His body moving automatically until he realizes he's in the kitchen, the fridge is open and he's not really sure what he wants to eat. Leo could hear Mikey in the bathroom. Mikey would make breakfast if he just waited. So, Leo let the fridge slam shut and pulled the kettle from the stove before filling it with water.

Mikey strolls into the kitchen as Leo sets the kettle onto the stove.

"Morning!" Mikey smiles and pops open the fridge. "Wanna eat something?"

"Yeah." Leo says.

"Great!" Mikey grabs multiple things out of the fridge and starts setting them up on the counter. "I was thinking of making pepperoni omelets. With the left over biscuits and marinara sauce on the side. Sound good?"

"Sounds…like you're trying to get me to bulk up." Leo says. He really wasn't expecting much more than oatmeal with some fruit in it. Or rice porridge. Simple things.

"Master Splinter says that you need it." Mikey grabs the skillet from cabinet and flicks on the fire. "Or the wind will blow you away."

"I don't think that's a possibility."

"Uh huh," Mikey says while grabbing a mixing bowl and a few eggs. "Are we going to April's today?"

"It's raining. Maybe tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, tomorrow," Mikey mutters. "Always tomorrow."

/-/-/-/-/

Karai held her hand out, a slight smirk curving her lips, a mimicry of a shy smile.

Leo glanced back at Raph and Mikey. Raph was trying to lift Mikey up, but it was hard with Mikey's position and Raph had to keep pressure on the bloody kneepad. Raph paused and his bright green eyes met Leo's for a moment, then he glanced down at Mikey. Raph shook his head, his mouth set in a grim line.

Leo tried to smile back, but what came out was more of a grimace. He opened his mouth, but he was unsure what to say.

Karai's hand wrapped around his arm and pulled him forward.

Leo stumbled behind Karai, but yanked out of her grip. He turned to Raph, knowing that somehow Raph would understand. "Get Mikey home. Tell them…" Leo sighed. "Tell them, I'm sorry."

"Leo." Raph tried to move but, Mikey's weight kept him still. The blood was still oozing between Raph's fingers, the slight movement had allowed a fresh gush to well up.

Karai slipped her hand into Leo's, this time the grip was demanding and she pulled them away.