Okay, here we go.

I really hope I didn't lose any readers with my last chapter- seeing as I didn't get as many reviews. Discouraging considering I was fairly proud of that chapter, but oh well. I've still got the inspiration to write, and I still have people who want me to coninue- so that's good enough for me.

Enjoy the read.


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I expected some kind of half-angry, half-worried reply from Raph when Master Splinter asked for an explanation, and so I was a little put-off when he didn't say anything at all.

"Raphael."

Sensei's using his calm gentle voice- the one that's helped me after so many nightmares as a child- and I can't help but wonder for a moment if Raph's in some kind of shock.

"..Raph?"

What the? When did Leo get here?

He sounds so unsure of himself, concerned too…but you can hear the unspoken question in his voice; what's going on?

And it seems to snap Raph out of whatever kind of trance he was in.

"Mikey, he…" Raph's voice is somewhat hushed, his tone both disbelieving and distressed. "It was like what Don said- he just…tensed up alluva sudden and..and his breathing got all fast."

There's silence for a moment, and I try to imagine the looks they might be giving.

"But that's a good thing, right?" Leo asks, calm and rational, but obviously picking up on Raphs own tone of voice. "It means he must be trying to wake up."

Not an easy thing to do either, dude.

"Raphael." Sensei says again. "What is it that troubles you, my son?"

Raph sighs.

"Just the way he looked sensei- like he was in allota pain."

You got that right, bro.

"I tried talkin' to 'im, but I don't think he heard me."

Sorry Raph, but I was a little distracted.

"I see." Sensei sounds thoughtful.

"Maybe we oughta go wake up Don." Raph suggests. "He might know somethin'."

Aw shell. Don't do that, bro; Leo just put him to bed, and I hate to admit it, but I don't think there's anything he can do.

"I do not believe that will be necessary."

Yes-you tell 'em sensei!

"Donatello is already awake."

What?

There's a pause and then,

"Donatello." Leo's voice- and man, he sounds annoyed.

"I thought I told you to get some sleep."

If I could, I'd so be rolling my eyes right now. Like getting Donnie to sleep was really that simple- I should have known better.

"I'm not going to go to sleep just because you throw away my coffee and shove me in a bed."

See?

He sighs, sounding much closer than before.

"Besides, I just couldn't- same reason you can't."

I feel a bit guilty hearing this, especially the silence that follows, and the distant sensation of my brother checking my pulse like before.

There's another pause before Raph gets impatient.

"Well?"

Don sighs again.

"His pulse is normal." he replies, his voice in doctor-mode. "He doesn't seem to be responding to anything- everything appears to be the same as before."

"But that's twice in the last 24 hours that he's reacted like that." Leo points out. "That must mean something. Maybe he's starting to come around."

"Maybe he can't 'cause he's in too much pain." Raph puts in, sounding irritated. "Ya shoulda given 'em somethin', Don."

"I already told you, Raph; I didn't want to introduce anything into his system, especially not knowing what he might have already been given- and any pain medication I might have administered to him would have only kept him under even longer." Don explains, sounding as if he's had to repeat this a dozen times before. "Besides, he shouldn't be in too much pain, anyway."

I'd have to disagree with you there, bro- if what I just went through is any indication. It definitely felt painful…really really painful.

"And how would you know?" Raph asks, angry, challenging. "You don't got all the answers, bro- if ya did, we wouldn't be havin' to guess what's wrong with Mikey right now- or how to fix it."

Ouch.

"Don't you think I know that?" Don half yells back. "I'm doing everything I can and-"

"- And what?" Raph demands. "And nothin, that's what."

"Raph, that's enough."

And it's big brother Leo to the rescue.

"Shut it, Leo." Raph growls. "This don't concern you, so just keep your lecturin' to yourself."

"Doesn't concern me?"

Whoa…Leo's upset.

"It ain't like you've been doin' anything to help-just sittin' around here waitin'." Raph retorts.

"And what would you have me do, Raph?" Leo asks, or rather sneers. "Go running off without a second thought, picking fights and interrogating every lowlife I come across? Leave the rest of my family behind to worry about where I am, and if I'll make it back safe? Like we don't have enough to worry about beside-"

"-I thought I said to keep the lecturing' to yourself!" Raph snaps.

"Stop it, both of you." Don again, our resident peace keeper-although his usually calm voice seems strained. "This isn't helping."

"And niether are you." Raph says. "You may as well go back to bed."

"Raph, leave Don alone. This isn't-"

"He's actin' like I'm some kinda idiot." Raph argues. "I know what I saw- I ain't stupid. I don't care what the boy genius over here thinks he knows."

"I never said you were st-"

"You don't haveta!"

"Raph, that's still no excuse to-"

"Oh, give it a rest already, Leo, you're so-"

"Guys, quit it. You're giving me a headache and-"

"-And who cares!"

"Raph, I swear I-"

"You'll what, fearless? I dare ya."

"Ugh! You're impossible!"

"This is ridiculous. You both sound-"

'Guys, stop it!'

Man, I can't take this. I can't even get a thought out in between all their arguing- even they can't finish their own sentences.

Why are they arguing? This is nuts.

Someone needs to-

"Enough!"

Silence.

I sigh, relieved.

How could I forget that sensei was in the room? I'm surprised he let them argue this long. But man, you gotta admire how sensei can get us all to shut up and listen just like that. It's impossible not to when he uses that tone of voice- you know they'll be trouble if you don't straighten up and shut your beak.

Master splinter lets out a small sigh.

"Raphael." Nice and calm. "I understand that you are upset, my son."

Raph doesn't reply, but I'm guessing he's either too mad, or too ashamed- probably a little of both. No doubt he's glaring down at his feet right now- eye contact during these types of scenarios is kind of a no-no with him.

"You are worried about Michelangelo; as are we all." Master Splinter observes. "But do not let your feelings of worry and helplessness manifest into anger and frustration- especially towards those closest to you."

A sigh from Raph, who I'm guessing is still a bit tense.

"In such difficult times, our bond as a family is the most important thing we have." Sensei says, and you can tell he's no longer just talking to Raph. "We must be strong, and not let ourselves become distant or bitter towards one another. I am certain Michaelangelo would not wish for this to happen."

It's weird hearing him talk about me like that, but he's right. I hate knowing how much this is affecting my bros.

"He'd probably say I needed a time out or somethin'." Raph mutters.

A small hesitant chuckle from Don, "Or that we all need to take a chill pill."

Totally.

"And then he'd say something so ridiculous that we'd all forget what we were arguing about in the first place." Leo muses, his tone of voice fond-wistful.

"Ain't nobody better at distractions than Mikey."

And just like that- the fighting's over.

It's weird hearing them talk like this about me. At least before, they were talking to me- it seemed almost normal. But now? It's like reminding me again that I'm not..not there- not with them.

I'm the center of attention and yet I've never felt more left out.

"Raph, I'm sorry about before." Don says. "I didn't mean for it to sound like that. I know you're not stupid and-"

"Don't worry about it, braniac." Raph replies. "I should be the one apologizin' anyway. I know you've been doin' yer best and I…I didn't mean what I said before."

aw, how cute. It's a brother to brother moment- ya gotta love it.

"I think we're all a little on edge." Leo says.

No kidding, bro.

"I really do believe what you said before, Raph." Don admits, bringing the subject up again. "It just that I haven't read anything about this in any of my recent research- coma related or otherwise. I honestly don't know what to make of it"

Coma? Duh, of course- I really should have picked that up sooner.

I've seen enough of Sensei's soap opera's to have recognized that.

"I believe I may know what has caused this reaction, my sons."

Huh? What now?

"Sensei?"

Sensei knows? Even I don't know what I did.

"What is it, Master Spinter?" Leo asks, in that intent voice of his- and I just know he'll be hanging on sensei's every word- he always does. Of course, this time I think we all will. Me too.

"I believe your brother's spirit has awakened." he states. "While the three of you were bickering, I attempted to sense him- and although faint, I indeed felt Michelangelo's prescence."

Again I wish I could see the looks on their faces. Relieved? Hopeful?

"I believe he has been trying to awaken to this plane of existance, but a part of his spirtual self is damaged- blocking him from fully gaining conciousness." he reveals. "It is a difficult task to overcome one's own mind- even painful in some cases."

No kidding.

"But there is a way, isn't there Master Splinter?" Leo asks.

Good question, bro.

"Yes. There is a way."

Great! Just tell me what to do!

"But you're brother must overcome this himself."

What? You have to be kidding me. Come on sensei….I can't do this alone. I've already failed at that.

"Ain't there somethin' we can do, sensei?" Raph asks, also not happy with his reply.

"Maybe we could reach him through meditation?" Leo suggests. "Isn't that what you tried to do before?"

"Yes, Leonardo, but I'm afraid that neither you, nor your brothers, are disciplined enough to contact him."

"Can't you, Master Splinter?" Don asked, quiet until now.

He's never been so good with all the spirtual mystical stuff- he's too level headed for his own good sometimes. But I know he believes in sensei- no question. And man, I really hope that-

"I shall attempt to reach you're brother in the astroplane," Sensei says. "Hopefully he will sense me, and I shall be able to speak with him- to offer him guidance as much as I can."

Yes-Guidence! That's exactly what I need- a master to student, father to son, pep talk. Or more to the point- I need my father to hold my hand and take me through this himself.

Whatver works. I'm just syked that I might even get to talk to him.

"Should I get the candles, sensei?"

"No thank you, Leonardo." he kindly declines. "I shall be fine as I am. Though I ask that you all remain silent as I proceed- as I am sure you do not wish to leave you're brothers' side- and I would never ask you to do so."

"Hai, sensei."

Mutual silence.

A deep breath from Sensei.

I'm not sure what I have to do in order for him to reach me- or for me to reach out to him. I don't think I'm in the astroplane, or whatever he called it.

But I gotta do something. Maybe he could hear me?

'Sensei?…Father?'

...

Nothing. But I gotta try harder. Think harder.

"Sensei. Father. please. Sensei. I can't do this by myself.'

..

Sensei. Father.

...

'I need you.'

...

I feel warmth...something pulling me away from here, and I let it take me.

...

Please.

..And slowly the darkness in front of me gives into light, the emptiness that once stretched before me becomes a vast meadow. I can almost feel the ground beneath me; fresh green grass.

I'm able to look down and…and see my own two hands!

Well, this is…different.

And different has to be good, right?

"Michelangelo."

I look up, startled.

"F-father?"

Different is definitely good.


Not much happening in this chapter, I know, but we're getting somehwere.

BTW, How was Master Splinter?

Did it sound like him? And did what he was saying make sense?

Please let me know.