The moon spilled into the large room, barely revealing any of the toys that lay perfect on their shelves. The twin boys, only a few days past their 4th birthday, were allowed to play as much as they wanted, but when bedtime came all the toys had to be put where they belonged. Nowadays there was a faint layer of dust that was cast over the stuffed animals and wooden statues that indicated none of these toys had been played with in a while. The whole house had been cast in black that came from mourners that came to give condolences to a black clad family. The three oldest who took each hand shake and gift with a politeness that came from their class.

Donnie had never seen his brothers look so sad; Raphie didn't even have the energy to get mad anymore. And the love and affection that Leo showered on them had been replaced with almost choking protectiveness. Only Usagi had been the same, but even then he still knew things were different.

He just wanted his parents to come home.

Donnie's fingers curled over the edges of his deep purple blanket. His eyes bouncing from corner to corner of his dark room in search of the boogies that hid in there. Each boogie wanted to grab him, to eat his toes and drag him away. The only sounds in the room came from the light peaceful snores that came from his twin, Mikey, who lay in a bright orange bed next to his. Normally Mikey was always happy and it always made him feel better. But he knew Mikey from his own share of nightmares

He didn't want to get in trouble, but his brothers had always told the twins that, if they so needed, they could go to them for anything.

And if there was anytime he needed his older brothers, it was now.

Donnie unraveled himself from the 'roll tucking' that Leo had used upon putting him to bed. The warmth that had built up under his blanket had was replaced by the cold summer night air. It struck through his night shirt and crawled over his skin like nails. But the trembling that followed had nothing to do with the cold.

He needed his brothers NOW.

He lowered himself from his bed, the blankets acting as a rope and lowering him to the wooden floor. Donnie's tiny socked feet barely whispering across the floor as he hurried to the door. Donnie wished he could sleep as well as his younger brother, his twin. But Donnie was the big brother in their relationship. He couldn't go to him.

He needed his older brothers

If his room felt dark, the hallway was the darkest. Normally Daddy would still be up and he would find his way to him by means of the light he always had on to his and mommy's room. But neither mommy nor daddy had been home in a long time. When he asked Usagi when they were coming home his brother had gotten really sad look on his face. And he had only said that mommy and daddy had left to live with their grandparents. Which was strange since Daddy and Mommy said their parents were gone.

He had wondered if he had done something wrong to make them leave.

The tears that had been running down his face upon waking up from his nightmare returned, pouring free as small whimpers left his lips. His eye finally catching a glimpse of a faint light shining from under a door, indicating SOMEONE was awake.

Safety

Don clung to the railing that rounded the open staircase, all but running to the 'safety zone.' and meeting the door with chest first. His hands reaching up and grabbing the door knob with sweaty palms, it took a bit of shaking but the door finally flew open and the bright heavnous light shone on him. Donnie ran in and closed the door behind him.

Leo had been sad, Raph had been worse. His 17 year old brother lay on his bed in his black pants and open front white shirt remnants of the black garb they had all been wearing lately, oblivious to Donnie's presence. His normally messy room was almost in ruins. Though Donnie wondered why Raph hadn't been grounded for breaking his stuff. Donnie would have been. But he didn't care right now, Raph's' forearm was draped over his eyes, though his left eye had been covered with a red cloth for as long as Donnie could remember. Which probably explained why he hadn't been seen yet.

He had never seen Raphie so sad before, but he found himself clinging more to the door (maybe he could find Leo or Usagi) but he whimpered lightly before wetting his lips

"Waphie?"

His older brothers body shook as he jerked up into a sitting position on his elbows, his remaining eye looking to don with shock (the water streaks evident on his face) "Donnie?" His normally rough gravelly voice was even rougher than usual, though there was a softness that Donnie knew, "What are you doing out of bed?"

"I-it da'k and sca'y." he whimpered out but he put his hands over his mouth anyway. He didn't want Frollo following him. He sniffed loudly to try and keep his tears back but they did very little as another whimper escaped his lips.

Raph's surprised face softened, a smile going across his face. His massive legs swung off the bed as he sat on the edge of his bed. Raphie's elbows resting on his knees as he clapped his hands together softly and opened his hands to him,' C'mere."

Donnie all but charged across the room, meeting Raph's hands that immediately caught him by the sides, lifting him up and hugging him to his chest. Don's tiny arms wrapped around Raph's neck, feeling his brothers hug him tightly into an embrace he loved so much. Don's face in his brother's collarbone. His fingers talking a hold of Raph's mask trails as a hand ran up and down his shell (sticking out of the back of his nightgown).

He didn't know how he could have ever questioned Raphie's love for him.

"Waphie? What 'appened to yur eye?"

"Why do you wanna know that little man?"

"cause." he leaned back to look up at his brothers face. He had seen eye patches before, but they were on old wrinkly faces. Not on young faces like his brothers, Donnie's small fist took a hold of the mask trap lightly, Raph's hand gently pried his fingers free and his thumb took the place in his fist. He must have been pulling too hard on his mask-

Raph's hand reached up and took his hand down, but his face was kind, "I don't think you're old enough to hear this story Donnie."

"Why?"

"Cause it's not the kind of story you tell a little boy."

That was always Raphie's' excuse. He didn't think it was a good one, and Leo always said to not use. His bottom lip stuck out lightly, his head dipping in a manner he had seen his twin use a few times to get what he wanted. But all it did was make Raphie laugh, Donnie NEVER got what he wanted-

A scraping sound reached his ears. Don shot up to stand on Raph's knees before his arms wrapped around Raph's neck again, crying in horror, "Its F'ollo! Its F'ollo!"

"Whoa hey!" Raph's arms wrapped back around him," What's Follo-"

"F'ollo's gonnna get me! He gonnna lock me up!" his fingers once again took a hold of Raph's mask trails, sobbing uncontrollably. He almost couldn't' hear Raph shushing him lightly, a hand rubbing his shell in soothing circles till his sobs died down, and he was left to keep his face safe in his brothers neck, closing his eyes squeezed shut fingers running over the back of his scalp

"Is Follo you're monster Donnie?" f

Donnie nodded quickly, reburying his face in the safety of his brother's neck. If F'ollo couldn't see his face, he couldn't get him.

"Can you tell me where he's at?"

"Nu!" Don's arms gripped to him even tighter. If he looked then he'd get taken! He didn't want that! He didn't want Frollo to see him. But the hand stroking his neck made him feel safe, warm. He didn't want to look up, but he peeked real fast before pointing to the bed room door. He could just feel Raph grunt in acknowledgement, "Ok, "I'll take care of this."

What?! NO! "Do't!" Don begged into the soft his Raph's shirt," He' lock you up!"

"Have a little faith in your big bro." his larger beak nudging his scalp. But Donnie really didn't know, he didn't want his brother to be taken. To be forced to ring a bell somewhere he'd never see his family again. But he felt Raph gently pull himself free of Dons clinging fingers. Before he knew it, he was being laid on Raph's mattress. The thick blanket pulled over his head as Raph rubbed his head through the blanket, "I'll slay the monster for you."

Don wanted to tell his brother to hide with him, he was sure the two of them could live under the blanket till Frollo went away. So they could both be safe but Raphie probably wouldn't listen.

But Donnie sometimes had a hard time listening too, he crawled forward and pulled his face free of the blanket rolling over to his shell and sitting up, the blanket twisted around him tightly. He could just hear grunting through the door, Raphie was really fighting it! He was killing it! "Get'm Waphie!" he called,

Raph stumbled back in the room, arms wrapped around a large brown blanket, did he catch Frollo in the blanket, "Got'm!" he called, "I'm got'm Donnie!'

The fear that bad been plaguing Dons like a bad cold melted away and was replaced by a heavenous relief as he leapt up to his feet, "Get'm!" he ran to the foot of the bed grabbing the bars that ran across the end and started to jump up and down," Get'm! Kill it! Kill F'ollo!" he called

Raphie gave him a strange look before shaking the bundle trapped in his arms, "Now you listen here Follo! We don't haunt little boys in this house! If you want to scare anyone go haunt the pain in the ass in blue!" he jerked the bundle around before charging for the window, his arm tucking the blanket under his arm while his free yanked the window open. With a great shove, the blanket and all its demons flying in the wind. The window was slammed shut as Raph spun back around, fists shooting up in the air, "Victory!"

" 'ICTOR'EEEE! Don's hands shot up before jumping up, "ICTOR'EEE ICTOREE!" Hands caught his side and tossed him up into the air before he landed safely back in his brothers arms. Don giggled wildy "Dank you dank you!" he kissed Raphies cheek before squeezing his neck, "What 'id you do?"

"What else could I do? I ATE him." he clicked his teeth lightly, "He scared my little brother."

"Was 'e tasty?"

"VERY." Raph smacked his lips lightly,"mmmmm tasty mean jerk." a kiss was presses into his chubby cheek, "what was a Follo anyway?"

"F'ollo." Don repeated, but his brother continued to look at him with a confused look. Why didn't Raphie know what he was talking about? He had been reading the book. Donnie twisted in his arms, pointing to the book that had been resting on Raph's nightstand and pointed to it, "F'ollo."

"Follo?"

"F'ollo!" Don repeated turning and tapping Raph on the collar bone in mild frustration, "F'ollo." Raph's face frowned at him for a few seconds in confusion before carrying him over ot the bed, shifting Donnie to his hip before picking up the 'Hunched back of Notre Dame'. He looked over the cover for a moment before looking back to Don, "You mean Frollo? The archduke from the book?"

"F'ollo!" Don clapped his hands together lightly, yes! Frollo! He knew his big brother would get it eventually!

"Don how do you even know who Frollo is?"

How else? When everyone thought he and Mikey were playing in their room, Don would sneak over to Raphie's room and take it down to read till dinner time, "Wead."

"Wead-Read?" he repronounced his amber eyes lightening with surprise, "You READ the Hunched Back of Notre Dame?"

Donnie nodded; he didn't kwon what the big deal was. Leo read to them every single night. He had simply followed along with the words till he realized he could read ahead. Dons' shoulders shrugged up and down lightly before resting his head on Raph's shoulder. Could he go to bed yet? Now that Frollo was eaten, he could sleep-

the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. How late was it? Leo was already up? Donnie whined lightly as his eyes burned, burying his face into his big brothers neck again. It was sleep time, that was his choice-

"Sshsh, no Don, Not yet." His small body was bounced lightly, "Just stay awake a little bit longer til we talk to Leo."

Talk to Leo? Was he in trouble?! His heart began to pound in his chest, whimpers escaping his lips again tears returning to his eyes.

"Hey noonono." his brothers voice had dropped to almost mute, "Its fine, I just wanna talk to him. You're not in trouble. I promise."

He wasn't? Don raised his head lightly to look at Raphie, wiping his eyes tiredly. If he wasn't 'in trouble then he wanted to go to bed. But he lowered his head against to rest against Raph's shoulder as he was carried out of the room

What did it matter if he could read?

(#)(#)\./(#)(#)

"How did I do?"

Usagi glanced up from the paper in his hand to the eager 8 year old sitting on the armrest of the couch. Their tutoring session always took place in the library where the presence of books allowed for a more relaxed learning environment. When Usagi had first become Donatello's' tutor, they had tried their session in his office, but it proved to make their lessons too 'formal' and Usagi preferred the couch in the library.

An eager smile all but grew ear to ear on Donatello's young face. His body clothed in purple pajamas ( he had more of those then he did actual clothes). Usagi fought the smile wanting to take control as he kept his 'strict tutor face. "Give me a minute Dona-chan, patience is a gift." he put his arm out to rub the small child's scalp. Donatello stuck his bottom lip in a manner he had seen Michel-chan use so many times. Normally Donatello never used those methods unless it involved' learning, In this case, grading his latest assignment. Usagi smiled over at the zealous child before holding his arm out to him . Don smiled lightly before bouncing from his spot on the armrest and cuddling into his side. Usagi wrapped his arm tightly around him while crossing his ankle over his knee and resting the paper against it, "No peeking." he said lightly, but Don had already covered his eyes, hiding his lenses behind his fingers. But he could just see the sheen of Don's glasses lenses as his fingers separated, "No peeking." Usagi growled , making the little boy giggle and recover his eyes. Usagi smiled before looking over the paper again. The long sheet was covered in the language he had known all through his youth and was now the current subject of their lessons. The words written perfectly in Don's essay form and was about the 5th language he had gone about mastering, though Usagi still had many things to teach him about their home land.

"Are you done yet?"

"Not yet."

"Are you done yet?"

"Not yet."

"Are you-"

The hand that Usagi had gripping his shoulder suddenly hooked Don's mouth, a shush leaving his lips that could barely be heard over the boys laughter (though he still kept his eyes covered), "Patience is a gift my student." he clicked his teeth right by his ear. But Usagi thought he deserved some credit that he was able to still look over the paper in this turmoil, 'Done."

"Really?!" Don twisted his head from side to side, till Usagi pulled his finger free and wiped it off on the couch and turning to sit cross-legged while facing Usagi. Light brown eyes glittering eagerly, "how I do!? How did I do!?"

"BY my professional position as the only tutor Leonardo sees as qualified to teach his precious brother." he pulled the paper back again, raising it above his head as though getting every inch of the information it had to offer, "I would say you received a 99."

"WHAT?!" Don flew to his knees, hands desperately trying to grab the paper and pull it to him, "what did I do wrong?! What did I get wrong?!" his voice frantic in the obvious sign of the child's perfectionist nature.

But Usagi's' arms proved longer, he reached up to keep the paper out of the boys tiny fingers, "You forgot to put your name on the paper Dona-chan."

Dons' eyes widen in horror, his fingers finally catching the paper and falling on his tail, looking it over and over again. As though hoping to find it on there somewhere, after a few minutes of searching frantically (during which Usagi did his best to not smile till finally the paper fell on his flap. The look of absolutely sadness on his face as his light brown eyes began to fill up behind his glass lenses. Usagi couldn't help but laugh softly, his hand reaching and catching Don just under his chin to tip his head up and away from his 'failure' before releasing it again, "Have I EVER been so cruel as to mark you off for not having your name on your paper?"

Don's face frowned lightly before dawning with realization. The relief on his face was instantly shadowed with childlike rage. Don was on his knees, gripping Usagi's arm,' that was MEAN! "He pushed as hard as he could, in an attempt to shove him over and tackle him to the ground.

But the former solider turned his body and caught Don at the sides, fingers digging into the sensitive skin. The young boy burst out laughing. Normally Usagi never fell to such childish antics but it was too much to see his brother turn so sad, "to be fair, not everyone has your track record on grading Dona-chan."

The boy wiped his laugh streaked eyes, taking several breaths before sitting up, "I know, I know, but I wanna do a good job." Don implored lightly, "I need to do a good job. He wants me to take over as the town's governor when I'm older."

That was true, but the truth of it still did not sit well with Usagi. But as usual he didn't show it as he reached forward and ran his fingers over his brothers scalp, "We are already very proud of you little brother, you and Michel-chan." he smiled , "why don't you go to the kitchen while I clean up and I'll get you a nice snack."

Don nodded \ before tipping his chin down to raise his scalp up lightly. Usagi shook his head lightly and kissed the 8 year old on the scalp. Don jumped up and hurried out of the library.

Usagi leaned forward and sat on the edge of the couch, picking up various papers and books that he had collected over the past week to prepare for their lesson. As usual, Donatello had eaten up their lesion with a voracious appetite. Usagi feared on how much longer it would be before he would have nothing else to teach him. They only had so many other books, and so many other subjects they hadn't touched. When Michelangelo had been around six, It was discovered that the boarding school in town had a excellent art program. So it had only been natural for the young boy to beg for attendance. Usagi had wished that the same privilege been offered to Dona-chan, but Leonardo had been adamant about keeping Don in an environment that allowed him to be within earshot incase his asthma acted up or his stomach cramped too bad. So Usagi then became the boys tutor . Though9t was hard to keep up the child's thirst for knowledge; he found many methods and areas hje could teach to help him from getting bored.

Usagi had set the book on 'Bushido' on top of the stack and had begun to reach for the others when a smell wafted past his nose and made his whiskers curl

Smoke

Tobacco smoke.

Without even paying attention to the flying papers behind him, Usagi ran out of the room. Crossing the open hall to the room he knew he would find his brother, "Don-"

A tiny face met his stomach, knocking the wind right out of him, but his arms going up to embrace his little brother. Don all but slid behind Usagi, his arms staying around his waist and gripping his clothing with a small whimper. Eyes shining fear –

"What was his problem?"

Usagi rested one hand on his brother scalp and raised his head. Until that point he hadn't realized the other presences in the room. One being Leonardo, a pipe crushed between his fingers and staining his fingers brown, glaring daggers at the speaker, A large pig dressed in European straight clothing ( as they called it) his mustache hanging low from his snout and heavy with grease as greedy eyes glared out. Usagi could smell the tobacco coming from him, the obvious one who had brought the dangerous smoke into their environment.

"He has asthma, and he is not used to the presence of others around him. " Leo's voice projecting the calm and strength he had as the town Governor.

"Asthma? Boys are getting more 'precious' by the day. I didn't think turtle kids were to small" the boar shook his head lightly, "I don't think I've ever met your son before Leonardo."

"If you mean my little brother, then yes. His name is Donatello. That's why I have my rule on no smoking in this house. His health matters to me more than yours."

"Little brother?"The pig snorted lightly, his thumb just hanging out of his pin straight black coat that could barely fit around his bulging stomach, a physical representation of the businessmen, "I thought that the 'boys' were your sons."'

Usagi watched Leo's hand grip the handle of his cane lightly. His own arms tightening around the child clinging to his waist, by now, he could feel Don's beak in his hip.

"Our parents died when they were 4, so I adopted them."

"So they are your sons. I heard him call you 'A-nee'kee. What the hell is that?"

"It means big brother in our home language. It's honorific."

"He's your son and he still calls you brother? You should teach him to be more respectful." the pig shook his massive head lightly, "Our business is done here. I'll see you at the next town meeting Leonardo."

"Have a good evening Williamson." Leo bowed his head lightly. The great boar turning and giving Usagi a nod before turning, the sound of his footsteps disappearing in the hallway along with clicking mechanism of a door knob.

Not a second later Leo had gone to Usagi's' sighed and dropped down to his knee, his good knee supporting his body as Usagi watched Leo guide Don's face from his body, "Are you alright little one?!" he demanded lightly, "did that brute touch you?"

"No Aniki-"

"Did he blow any smoke in your face? I had not realized he had brought that accursed thing with him."

"No Aniki."

"Are you sure? I saw him light it up-"

Usagi reached and put his hand on Leo's shoulder, drawing his brother's attention to him with dark eyes, "Brother, Donatello is fine. There is no point in interrogating him like he's done something wrong." he could still feel Dona-chan's fingers digging into his sides. And watched Leo's flushed face and heavy breaths to soften. As though finally allowing cognitive thought to return and overcome the overprotective nature he had for so long. But Leo nodded lightly, "OF course, thank you." looking back to Don gently pressing a kiss to his forehead, "I'm sorry little one, you haven't done anything wrong, it was that brute that got to me. You were very good."

Their little brother nodded, his hand releasing Usagi's robe long enough to wipe his eyes under the lenses of his glasses. But his head still rested against Usagi's body.

Leo picked up his cane and rose back up to both feet, composure coming over him as he took a deep breath and looked to Usagi, "Wh-what were you two doing?"

"I was making him something to eat. Why don't you join us-"

"I can't, I have to go through those documents Alexander gave me." he turned and rubbed Don's scalp lightly, "I'll be there tonight to read you a story" he pulled his hand away lightly only to have Don's hand shoot up and hold it tightly, Usagi could just see the shimmer of tears in his eyes. Leo almost immediately hooked his arm down and lifted the younger brother up to rest on his hip. Don's arms hugged him tightly around the neck. Usagi could just hear Don whispering to Leo, but the matters of the words were lost to him. Like a good guardian he was, Usagi watched Leo rest his head against Don's scalp, listening to the burdens of his heart till finally the whispering stopped. Leo cast their little brother a sad smile hugging him a bit tighter before turning to sit him on the kitchen counter with a kiss to his forehead, "Do you feel better?"
Don nodded lightly.

"Good, if you need anything you knowUsagi accepted the nod that Leo aimed for him as their brother left the room.

Usagi knew that there had been many times, when he had gone to wake Don in the morning, when he learned that Don had snuck Leo's room to sleep in his arms. But it was only two years ago when Don would only go to Raph for his nightmares. But Usagi never knew what Raphael did that was so effective in getting rid of the boy's nightmares and despairs. Everyonce in a while, he would find the same boy at the doorway to his bed room with the tiny request to sleep in his bed with tears in his eyes.

He reached forward, running his hand over Don's scalp, to draw his attention, "Let us get some food in you clever child."

"I'm not hung'y."

Usagi couldn't help but smile, "Nice try Dona-chan. "before going over to the large wooden ice box, "How about some jelly and biscuits? Maybe some cold meat too, I know you haven't been eating your meat-"

"What happened to Raphie's eye?"

Usagi's' fingers twitched lightly around the cold jar he held, keeping his gaze firmly on the jar of jelly that his family so enjoyed to eat "Dona-chan why do you ask that?"

"I remember he had only one eye. But no one would ever tell me what happened to it. he wouldn't even tell me and he never kept things from me. "

"It is not a thing you need to know Dona-chan. " his voice kept the calm he had so practiced all these years, practiced lyrics spoken in front of a mirror so many times, "It was a accident from his childhood. You were too young at the time so even remember his name. He did not let it concern him and neither should you."

"I miss him."

Usagi turned to see Don bow his head lightly, a fine chain hanging from under the folds of his pajamas and running over and between his fingers.

Raphael's chain.

Truth be told, Usagi could not remember seeing Raphael give Donatello the chain shortly before his passing. But he knew that his brother refused to take it off for anything. It hadn't been any secret to Usagi that Raphael had been close to Donatello, he had been the one to discover Don's genius. He could still remember that, the day after their parent's funeral Raphael had carried Don downstairs early the next morning (the little boy almost asleep) with a copy of the Hunched Back of Notre Dame. He had opened the book and shown him that, if asked, when Raph read a sentence out loud, Don could point to the sentence he was reading. They had proven that Don wasn't just memorizing sentences by repeating the experiment with several other books (including one in Greek, which baffled everyone to no end) it wasn't till Donnie had started crying from his exhaustion that they had realized how long they had been testing them (giving them all a guilt trip to no end). After Leo had gone to put him to bed, they were finally able to discuss what having a prodigy for a brother meant. So buy the time the twins woke up, they had already rearranged all the books in the library to keep the more 'adult' ones on the top shelf out of the child's reach (though more often than none, he was found with a copy of one of those books through hard efforts).

It wasn't' a wonder why Don was still feeling Raphael's absence.

"You will see him again someday child, but hopefully not too soon."

Don nodded lightly, his lips twitching. Usagi returned the smile before a thought entered his mind, "Because I know you will not lie to me, I'm going to ask this, have you been keeping Raphael's' copy of 'The Hunched Back of Notre Dame' In your room?"

Don's eyes widen with alarm, his eyes returning to his hands," He-he gave it to me."

"yes but that's a very dark book for someone your age to read. It hasn't changed since you were four and it still matters now." He didn't know when he had turned their discussion into a lecture, but it certainly had not been his intent, "I do not understand your fascination with that book."

"I-I." his head lifted up ever so lightly, his fingers looping the chain around in his hands, , "I like Quasimodo. I-I can't go outside either. S-So I'd think we'-we'd be friends-"

A alarm shot through Usagi, turning back to his brother he placed both hands on either side of his younger brother, whose chin stayed firm to his chest, "Look at me right now." he put a edge to his voice that he normally tried to avoid at all costs, and he knew Don felt his seriousness as he raised his
head lightly light brown eyes filled with worry, "Donatello Eliakim Hamoto, you are NOT Quasimodo. he No one is ashamed of you and you are not deformed, and everyone here loves you very much. Maybe you would have been friends with him, but no one expects you to die while holding the corpse of a woman you admired.", "not only that, but you don't ring a bell in France little brother. Do you understand my clever brother?"

"So I can't read it anymore?"

"Not before you go to bed. We both know you'd get nightmares about Frollo."

Don nodded lightly, giving Usagi a smile that he couldn't help but return before gently taking the Raphael's' chain from Dons hands before hanging it over the child's neck lightly and turning back to prepare nunchin.

(#)(#)\./(#)(#)

Usagi glanced into the door to the twin's room, Donatello was sitting in his bed reading one of his books, though his lens less eyes were drooping and indicated the child would fall to sleep soon enough. Usagi smiled and moved from the doorway, repositioning the tray of food in his hands of cold meats and fruit. He knew better than anyone that Leonardo was less likely to eat then anyone in the household. And more often than none, Usagi felt as much of a nanny to Leonardo as much to Donatello (a thought that made him chuckle to no end).

But his concern for Leonardo's appetite was not the only force driving him to his brother's office.

With one foot, he pushed the door open, as he expected, Leonardo had fallen asleep with only the cushion of the given documents and his arm for his head. Luckily it looked like he hadn't succumbed to drooling yet so the papers would only have his face print on them. Usagi shook his head lightly before setting the tray down on the desk before giving a light tug to Leonardo's' blue scarf, "brother-"

Leonardo jerked into a sitting position, his body only barely not jumping out of his skin, before his dark eyes scrambled around for the waker only to fall on Usagi," Blessed it all! Usagi, what happened? Did he come back?!"

"No-no brother-"

"Did I miss reading to Don again!?-"

"No brother, you still have time for that," though his franticness did assure Usagi that he remembered his promise, "no, I am just to ensure you do not starve yourself to death."

"Oh!" Leo's eyes turned to the tray, "Thank you Usagi. Do you want to join me?"

"I already ate with Dona-chan." Usagi reached back and took the chair by the desk, pulling it up to sit by his side as Leo began to pick at the food, "And I had a thought."

"Don't you normally have many of those?"

"That is true, but I feel this is one you need to hear." He watched Leo look at him. A concern going across his face as he turned from the tray

"Is everything alright brother? Is it about Dons medicine? Is he running out?"

"No of course not, we have enough of that to last 10 years, but Michelangelo gets off school tomorrow. I was thinking of having Don come with me when I pick him up-"

"NO." Leo had already turned away again, though his tone was firm, Usagi was just as firm

"He has never once been to the town brother. "

"And there is a reason for that, you know how bad his asthma is. "

"Of course I do brother," he couldn't stop the irritation from creeping into his voice, "I also know he compares himself with the deformed tragic hero of Quasimodo than any other of the hundreds of books he's read. Do not tell me that does not concern you."

Leo's face furrowed, a frown going across his features that came from concern and other self-degrading emotions that Usagi knew he was guilty of on occasion. But Usagi reached his hand forward and gripped his brothers wrist, drawing his attention back to him

"I am not asking for permission Leonardo. I am simply telling you what is going to happen. You may have adopted the boys, but I am still their guardian too and I have as much say in their lives as you do. "He didn't like talking to Leonardo in such a manner. Normally he spoke much gentler to ease the stress he knew was airways on his brother's mind. But Usagi could not accept anything else other then Leonardo's' acceptance.

Leonardo pulled way, his face resting against his open hand as he sighed deeply. Usagi could only imagine the latest troubles concerning the Port. Usagi reached out to grip his brother's wrist once more

,"I cannot stand the thought of that little boy only being able to compare to a book known for social injustice. Do not make him feel like a monster brother."

Leo's arm tightened under his hand. Minutes drove on by, even though Usagi truly did not need Leonardo's' blessing to take Don to town, if their little brother know he didn't have Leo's blessing, h surely would not go.

He needed this

"Do you promise to take his medicine with you?"

A small breath of relief blew through his lips. His fingers gripping Leonardo's arm even tighter, "Of course, I plan on carry 4 bottles of it."

Leonardo nodded lightly. His free hand going to rest over Usagi's' as he lowered his head lightly, a physical show of defeat if there ever was one

"Keep him safe."