"Donny! Don get out here!" Raph yelled, holding his now baby brother.
"I can't believe you dropped me." Leo hissed, wiping water off of his face.
Raph blushed, "I said I was sorry." he protested, putting Leo down.
Donny came out of his lab, yawing, "What is-" he stopped, his eyes widening when he saw the little turtle standing next to Raph.
"I-i-i-is that..?" he stuttered, pointing to Leo who smiled sheepishly, waving, "Hi Donny."
"Leo?" Mikey gasped from his bedroom door.
Leo and Raph nodded.
"We... we got ambushed by the Foot and PDs and then the Elite made me drink this wierd blue stuff." Leo explained, wiping more dripping water from his cheek.
"Come to my lab, quick." Donny said sternly.
Raph picked Leo up again and rushed up the stairs.
"Raph would you put me down!" Leo grumbled, struggling.
"I don't want ya ta slip on the water." Raph said, sitting Leo down on the examining table and grabbing the towel Mikey handed him.
"Why are you wet anyway?" Mikey asked as Raph started drying Leo off.
"Raph was running too fast in the sewers, tripped, and dropped me in the water." Leo crossed his arms, glaring at Raph.
"How many times do I have ta say I'm sorry?"
Raph untied Leo's masked and gave it to Mikey who started to squeeze the water out of it.
Raph began to dry off Leo's head, using the towel to give Leo a noogy.
Leo giggled and pushed the towel away, "Raph come on, this is serious!" he laughed.
Chuckling, Raph continued to dry his brother off. He didn't understand why he felt so responsible and protective of Leo now.
Maybe it was because Leo's words from earlier were echoing in his mind, 'You have no idea what it's like to be the oldest AND the leader!'
Well now Raph was gonna find out what it was like. And he was going to be the best big brother ever, just like Leo... was.
"Would you stop goofing off! We need to find a way to make Leo a teenager again." Donny snapped.
"Yeah, how can you guys be so careless?" Mikey asked, glaring.
Donny took out a needle and took Leo's arm and stuck the needle in with more force than needed.
"Ow!" Leo winced.
Raph narrowed his eyes, "Don, ease up would ya?"
"Well exuse me for being a little angry that my big brother was just turned into a little kid!" Don snapped back, gripping Leo's arm harder.
"Don that hurts." Leo whined, pulling on his brother's hand to loosen the hold on his arm.
"You've gone through worse. Stop whining you big baby." Don muttered, taking the needle, which was now filled with blood, out of Leo's arm.
Leo swayed a little and Raph steadied him, "Geez Don he's a kid now. He can't handle pain the same way he could when he was a teenager." Raph hissed.
"Raph it's fine. He's just a little upset." Leo said a little timidly.
Raph glared a few seconds longer and sighed, "What ever." he picked Leo up, taking the little turtle's mask from Mikey.
"Is this picking me up thing gonna be a regular thing for you?" Leo yawned, resting his head on Raph's shoulder and rubbing his eyes.
"Yep." Raph chuckled.
He came to Leo's room and tied Leo's bandana back on before he tucked the tired little turtle in bed, "Night bro." Raph whispered, running a hand over Leo's little head.
Leo was asleep in seconds. He lifted his hand and stuck his thumb in his mouth, sucking on it. Raph smiled. That had to be the most adorable thing he'd ever seen in his life.
'All thats missin' is that bear we used ta sleep wit'.' Raph thought.
His smile widened and he rushed out to the hallway and rumaged through one of the closets. Raph came out holding a box with 'old stuff' written on it in black marker.
Opening the box Raph took out a brown bear and brought it back to Leo's room. He put it on the bed in front of his sleeping baby brother and as if on auto piolet, Leo snatched the bear and held it close to his chest, burrying his face into the back of the bears head.
The next morning the turtle family, including Splinter, were all sitting at the kitchen table and Don was explaining what he had discovered.
"It's very simple really. The chemical that Leo was forced to drink reversed the duplication process of his cells and made them start to combind instead. They stopped thankfully, or else he would have turned into an egg," Donny sighed.
"But the chemicals are going to start changing the way he acts too. Soon he'll act how he did when he was five."
"Can you fix it Donny?" Leo asked quietly.
Donny rolled his eyes, "How the shell would I know? I'd need a sample of the chemical." he growled.
Leo flinched, slumping in his chair. Raph growled, "Don what the shell is yer problem?"
He rounded on Splinter, "Sensei, how can ya just sit there while Dons being a jerk and actin' like this is all Leo's fault?" he demanded, putting a hand on Leo's shoulder.
Splinter sighed, massaging his temples, "Because Raphael, Leonardo truly has brought this apon himself." he said simply.
"How is this Leo's fault?" Raph asked in shock.
"Had he listened to me and stayed in the lair then he wouldn't have been transformed into a child."
Raph couldn't believe his ears. Leo had been right, Splinter does blame him for everything!
"So it don't matter that I was bein' an ass and treatin' Leo so bad that he forgot about the Foot and PDs?"
Splinter nodded once, "That is correct."
Straightening, Raph took Leo's hand and helped him down from his chair.
"Raph? Where are we going?" Leo asked, his voice soft.
"Ta April and Casey's place." Raph grunted.
"No you will not." Splinter said, his tail flicking in annoyance. Raph looked over his shoulder and glared, "Yes. We are."
He picked Leo up and left the lair, "We'll come back when you guys decide ta stop bein' a bunch'a asses!" he yelled.
(One week later)
'TapTapTap' "Just a sec." April whispered loud enough for her visitor to hear but soft enough so she didn't wake the slumbering little turtle on the couch.
She unlocked the window and opened it, smiling as Raph climbed in, "Hey Ape." he whispered.
"Hi Raph. How are things at home?" April asked.
Raph shrugged, "Dons still locked himself in his lab workin' on a way ta fix Leo, Mikey's actin' like Leo never existed, and Splinter went ta visit the Daimyo for a few weeks."
"So everythings pretty much the same?" Casey asked quietly, coming out of the bathroom. Raph nodded, leaning on the wall, "Pretty much."
He glanced at Leo, smiling, "What about Leo?"
April smiled, sitting in the chair next to the couch, "A little angel. I don't think I've ever met a five year old like him." she said, adjusting Leo's blankets so that they covered him properly.
Casey sat on the arm of the couch, "Tell me about it. He's so quiet. He only talks if we ask or say something that can't be resonded with nod."
Raph chuckled, "That's five year old Leo for ya. He never really spoke unless spoken to when we were kids."
"Shyness?" April asked, looking at Leo adoringly.
"I think so, but I'm not positive," Raph sighed, frowning.
"I remember that when we were kids, I would make comments about Leo thinkin' that we weren't worth talkin' to. But soon I just started callin' 'im a wimp, tellin' 'im that he'd never be the leader because he was such a chicken." he laughed bitterly, but quietly, "And look where that got me. I should have know after I found Leo cryin' in his room after I convinced Don and Mike ta help me gang up on 'im that I wasn't gonna make a very good leader if I couldn' respect my own teammates."
"You'd make a good leader Raphie." Leo said tiredly, sitting up.
"Thanks buddy. How was yer nap?" Raph asked.
Leo smiled, "Fine." he yawned.
Raph reached over and lifted Leo up, setting him down in his lap, "Ya hungry bro?"
Leo shook his head, laying back on Raph's chest.
April crossed her arms, "Well thats too bad. You haven't eaten anything all day Leonardo. Come on, I made some mac and cheese," she went over and took Leo out of Raph's arms and carried him to the kitchen.
"She's been very motherly towards him all week hasn't she?" Raph smirked.
Casey chuckled, "Oh yeah. Last night when Leo tripped and scraped his knee April was all over 'im, askin' if he was okay."
"Guys come on! There's plenty more." April called from the kitchen, putting a bowl of mac and cheese in front of Leo.
Leo hesitated but eventually picked up the fork and started eating. Raph and Casey came into the kitchen and sat down on either side of Leo.
"Leo, ya wanna come home wit' me today?" Raph asked, eating his own meal.
Leo grinned, nodding enthusiasticaly.
April smiled, "That reminds me," she turned to Leo, "How did those pictures come out Leo?"
Raising an eye ridge, Raph asked, "What pictures?"
"I told Leo that Don and Mikey might be nicer to him if he drew them a picture. How did those come out?" she asked the little turtle again.
Leo blushed, "Okay, I guess." he mumbled, picking at his food.
"Can we see 'em?" Casey asked, taking a big bite of his food.
Leo's blush darkened and he nodded.
He hopped down from his chair and went to his current room and came out with three papers, hiding the front of them to his chest. Climbing in his chair Leo put the pictures face down on the table and slumped in his chair, face flushed.
Raph flipped one of the papers over and gasped. It was a very detailed drawing of Mikey dressed as the Turtle Titan and swinging across the city on his grapling hook with Silver Century flying next to him.
Raph quickly flipped the other drawings and both were just as incredible as the first. Another one was of Donny working in his lab, and in the background was a giant trophy with 'Worlds Greatest Scientist' ingraved on it. The only thing that proved that a five year old made this was because some of the letters were written backwords.
The last drawing was of Raph dressed as the Nightwatcher, only his helmet was off, and he was riding his motorcycle. Again, everything was perfect and detailed, especially the suit.
"...my god..." Raph gasped, turning wide eyes on his baby brother who had slumped back in his chair, staring at his lap, "Leo did you really draw these?" Raph asked.
... A hesitant nod.
"Damn! This kids got some serious talent." Casey grinned, looking from one picture to another.
April smacked his arm, glaring, "Casey! Watch your mouth." she looked at Leo pointingly and turned back to Casey.
"Sorry babe."
She shook her head, "Leo these really are amazing. Where did you learn to draw like this?" she asked.
Leo shrugged.
Just then Raph's shell cell started to ring, "Hello?"
...
"Yeah, we were just havin' a quick bite ta eat."
...
"We'll be home in a few."
...
"Okay. Later."
"Who was that?" Casey asked.
"Don. He wanted ta know what was takin' so long." Raph said, picking Leo up, "Let's go bro. Don't ferget yer pictures," Raph grabbed the pictures from the table and carefully rolled them up before handing them to Leo.
Leo took them and cradled them to his plastron.
"Bye April, Bye Case." Raph waved.
"Thanks for letting me stay here." Leo said, wrapping his arms around Raph's neck as they climbed out the window.
"No problem kiddo!" Casey grinned.
"Raph, be careful and make sure you stick to he allys. The Foot are still looking for you guys," April warned, walking to the window.
"I will April. Thanks again."
Raph jumped to the ground, holding Leo tight. Leo was holding Raph tighter, his face burried in the crook of Raph's neck, "Leo you okay?" Raph asked, worried.
He felt Leo nod slowly.
"Ya sure?"
Another nod.
Raph raised an eye ridge, "Then why are ya holdin' onta me so tight?" he challenged.
Leo moved his head away from Raph's neck, "M-my fear of hights is back," he whimpered.
"Oh." Raph whispered. He lightly patted Leo's shell, "Don't worry bro, we aren't goin' on the roofs. Too risky." Raph assured him.
Nodding again, Leo laid his head on Raph's shoulder. As they continued, Leo could see figures following them on the roofs. Foot ninja.
Trying not to make it too obvious that he had spotted the ninjas Leo whispered, "Raph. The Foot are following us."
Raph froze for a second before continuing, "Hang on bro. I'm gonna try ta lose 'em." he whispered back.
Raph started jogging for a few minutes, "They're still following us." Leo said.
Raph growled and ran down the ally, zig zagging through the shadows to try to confuse their stalkers. Didn't work.
"Leo... we're gonna have ta take ta the roofs." Raph said, looking at Leo apologetically.
Eyes widening, Leo burried his head in Raph's neck again, "Okay." he whimpered.
"Just don't look down. I promise I won't drop ya." Raph climbed up the ladder, Leo clinging to him like a magnet.
As soon as they were on the roof Foot ninjas and Purple Dragons were jumping in front of them. A few immediately tried to pry Leo out of Raph's grasp while others tried attacking the red clad turtle. Raph grunted and rammed his way through the croud, holding Leo like a foot ball.
Finally free of the Foot and Purple Dragons, Raph put Leo down behind a stack of crates. He wasn't sure why there were crates on a New York City roof but he didn't care, "Stay here bro. I'll be right back."
"But Raph," Leo started. Raph shook his head, "Stay." he growled, pointing to the spot Leo was standing on.
Leo sighed but didn't move. Raph smiled sadly, "Everythings gonna be fine bro."
Raph snarled, turning back towards the foes, his sais ready to slice anything. He leaped from behind the crates and thats where the fight began. He clashed weapons with a Foot ninja and he kicked a Purple Dragon away with a powerful kick.
"Raph!" came the pleading voice of the young Leo. Raph snapped his head in his direction and saw a Purple Dragon holding him over the edge of the roof. The red banded turtle growled deeply and pushed at the Foot ninja he was currently fighting with and went to his brother's rescue but Purple Dragons and Foot ninja got in his way.
Meanwhile Leo was wiggling and kicking his small legs to make the gang member let go. Leo helplessly watched his brother fight as he dangled over the far down ground, where he would only end up as a mere splat if the punk let him go.
"Let go of my bro!" Raph yelled, slashing at the Purple Dragon that held his brother captive.
"If you say so freak," The gang member released Leo, sending him to his death. Raph's heart clenched as he dove over the edge to catch his brother. Leo closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the deadly impact... but it didn't come. He felt something grip him around his waist and he slowly cracked an eye open.
'"Told ya I wouldn't drop ya," Raph tried to smile as he held onto a laundry line, his heart beating rapidly behind his shell as he feared for his brother's life. Raph released the cord and dropped down onto a trash can in a crouch and Leo felt his heart jump at the sudden change of height. Raph threw a last nasty look up at the roof and ran into an alley holding his brother close to him.
"You okay bro? That punk didn't hurt ya did 'e?" Raph asked once they were in the safety of the sewers.
Leo let out a shaky breath and shook his head, "I'm fine."
Raph's eye ridges creased together in concern, "Well just ta be sure I'm gonna have Donny give ya a quick look over," he sighed when he felt Leo tense at the mention of Donny, "Don't worry bro. If he reacts the same way he did last time I'll beat his butt fer ya, and then you and me can steel the tv from Mikey and watch movies all night. That sound good?" he smirked, lifting Leo onto his shoulders.
Leo giggled, nodding.
"Are yer pictures okay?" Raph asked after a minute, carefully jumping over a pile of broken glass. Reaching behind his shell Leo pulled out the drawings from his belt, "They're fine." he smiled.
"Good. I'm sure Don and Mike'll love 'em." Raph held Leo against his side, his arm wrapped around Leo's waist.
"Don't forget about yours Raphie." Leo carefully unrolled the Nightwatcher picture and gave it to his big brother.
Raph took it, once again admiring the beautiful art work, "Thanks kiddo. This is awesome." he praised, hugging Leo close.
Giggling, Leo hugged him back, "You're welcome. Big brother."
Raph paused at those words, thinking if he really deserved that title. He looked down at Leo's sweet and innocent little face, his big blue eyes looking up at him with admiration and realised that Raph had been a pretty good big brother for the past week.
Leo suddenly yawned, blinking his eyes tiredly. Raph smiled, "Tired?"
Leo nodded, leaning a little more heavily on Raph, "Raphie?"
"Hm?"
"Can... can I sleep with you tonight?" Leo asked, lowering his gaze to the ground.
"Of course ya can." Raph smiled, entering the lair, "We can have Don take a look at ya tomorrow."
Raph went straight to his room and laid Leo down. He took out his sais and laid down next to the little turtle who shifted closer to him and snuggled into his side, "Good night Raphie."
"Night Leo." Raph ran his hand up and down Leo's arm, listening to his brothers breathing even out as he fell asleep...
A/N: Okay guys I would just like to thank cutejak girl who wrote the fight scene. Thanks ^_^