Author's note: Alright, I admit I'm having trouble with the next chapter that's all with Leo and Donny, but I thought I'd at least grant you some Raph and Mikey! I know it's short. It would have been longer if I could've been able to write the next part as well as this was done! I show a little Raph/Mikey brotherly love in this! Raph's such a sweetheart sometimes! (Alright, I never thought I'd say something like that! It's so not me! Raph's my least favorite! Alright, I'll start letting you read this chapter...

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters mentoned in this chapter. I only own the plot!


Raph stormed through the sewers giving his youngest brother barely time to keep up. He didn't care really. He didn't ask for Mikey to follow him. His brother could go back to the lair for all he cared. His anger was directed at Leo at the moment so a little tag-along went unnoticed. Well maybe he wasn't… He may be annoyed at his older brother right now, but that wasn't what caused him to leave the lair like that. Not really…

It was his sensei's death that ultimately led him away. His father who had been there for him even when he acted like he didn't want the attention. Leo was always closet to Splinter and that was the hardest for Raph to face. He hated how Leo could put up that mask so well. How his older brother could hide his true emotions behind such a calm exterior. He envied it as well as he loathed it. The way Raph saw it, a few less for Leo to hide his grief the better for him. Raph knew from experience hiding something that strong could end up destroying his brother. So he had left, for both himself and his brother.

"Raph?" Mikey asked as he finally caught up enough to look into his brother's face. "Where are we going?"

Raph thought about Mikey's question for a while. He never really thought about where he was planning on going. He just wanted to leave. He looked around himself, recognizing where he feet had been taking him, before looking back at Mikey. "Casey's," He said. Mikey responded by looking over Raph's shoulder. It was obvious his little brother was already missing Leo and Donny.

"You can go back if ya want ta," Raph said. Mikey quickly looked back at Raph and shook his head, firmly.

"No, I'm staying here with you Raph." Mikey said, "If we are going to separate like this, I'm gonna follow you. You need someone to look after you." His cheeky smile almost returned to his face, but his eyes betrayed his sorrow.

"Just come on then," Raph said as he began to climb a ladder to the surface. When both had pulled themselves out of the sewers, Raph looked around at his surroundings. They were only a few blocks from Casey's apartment and Raph knew he would be home.

When they arrived, Raph led Mikey to Casey's apartment door and knocked a few times. After a few banging noises, the sounds of something crashing to the floor, and a stream of curses, the door was opened. Raph quickly looked Casey over. Judging from the wrinkled clothes, Rap guessed Casey had passed out on his couch the night before without bothering to change.

"Hey Raph," Casey said, "What's up?"

"Can I- ah, we- stay here for a few days?" Raph asked, glancing back at Mikey who had taken to sitting down with his carapace against the wall and his legs pulled up next to his plastron.

"Is he alright?" Casey asked.

"Whaddaya think, bonehead," Raph whispered back, "He's takin' it hard. So, can we stay 'r not?"

"O'course buddy," Casey said as he kept the door opened.

"Mikey," Raph said as he held his hand out for his brother. Mikey looked up, tears still sparkling in his eyes, and took Raph's offered hand. Mikey followed Raph inside and watched his older brother sit down on the couch. Raph noticed him still standing and sighed.

"Sit down, Mikey." Raph said as he indicated the chair beside the couch. Only then did Mikey walk over and sit down.

"Whaddaya want ta drink?" Casey called from the kitchen area.

"Ya know what I want." Raph called back.

"Mikey?" Casey asked as he looked over at him.

"Don't care," Mikey mumbled.

"Ya betta not give 'im anythin' wit' alcohol," Raph growled before he stood and walked into the kitchen area. "Whaddaya have?"

"Ah…" Casey said before opening his small fridge, revealing stacks of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Raph glared at the choices.

"Water?" Raph asked as he looked towards the sink. Casey shook his head.

"Haven't paid the utilities yet so they shut me off." Casey explained.

"Great!" Raph growled, "I'll go get sum'thin' decent from da store." He moved to go, but Casey held him back.

"I'll go," He said, "You should stay wit' Mike."

"How do I know you'll get da right kind o' stuff?" Raph asked.

"I'll get Pepsi 'r sum'thin'," Casey said, "Why won't ya let Mike drink alcohol anyway?"

"'Cause he's my li'l' brother, that's why." He said.

"You do though and Mike is the same age as you are."

"I still consider him my baby bro alright!" Raph said, "He needs ta stay innocent. I won't eva let 'im do some o' da things I do."

"Ya can't keep 'im like dat fer long in dis city, Raph. He's bound ta follow in yer footsteps."

"Not if I can help it." He said. He watched as Casey left soon after that before sitting back on the couch. The sounds of light sobbing caused him to turn and face Mikey. His legs had been pulled up next to his plastron again and Raph knew he was crying.

"Mikey," Raph said. Mikey looked at him with his eyes only. "Come here."

"Wha-?" Mikey asked.

"I said, come here." Raph said as softly as he could manage.

"'Kay," Mikey said as he stood and walked over to the couch with his head down. Raph reached up to grab his brother's hand and pulled him into his lap, wrapping his arms protectively over his little brother in an unusual gesture.

"It's alright, Mikey," Raph said, "It's alright."

"Why did he hafta die, Raphie?" Mikey asked, his voice muffled against Raph's plastron.

"That kind o' stuff happens all da time, you know that." Raph said.

"Why us though?" Mikey asked, selfishly.

"That's just life Mikey," He said, "Ya gotta move on. He wouldn't want us cryin' ova him like dis."

"He wouldn't want us splitting up either," Mikey said, "But we did that anyway."

"That's diff'rent. I need my space fer a while."

"You don't want me here, do you?" Mikey asked as he lifted his head to face Raph.

"O'course not, Mikey," Raph said, quickly, "I'm glad ya came. Like ya said, I 'need someone to look after' me. If ya didn't, I'd probably do sum'thin' stupid."

"I love you, Raphie," Mikey said, "Don't ever leave me."

"I won't," Raph said, "As long as ya stop callin' me 'Raphie'." He allowed himself a small smile as Mikey chuckled lightly.

"You got it, bro." Mikey said.

Author's note: Tell me what ya think about it! Please review!