Splinter sat on the edge of Leo's bed and watched as his son continued to moan and mumble incoherently. He stroked his son's hot forehead and every now and then placed a cool washcloth soaked in water with special type of herbs on his head and neck in hopes of getting the fever down. He listened to Leo's breathing, it broke his heart to hear how sick his child had become and he cursed himself for not noticing it sooner.
He sighed as he thought about the days before the turtles and he had become what they now were. It was times like these he wished he was still human and could run to the pharmacy or a hospital and have someone give him the much needed medicine that would help ease his son's pain. He had plenty of herbs and spices that, at times, did help but right now none of these things seem to be helping.
He stayed with Leo for the rest of the day and into the night, leaving only to gather more herbs and spices along with water and other supplies to aid his son. He slept very little and by the time his sons woke the next day, he was starting to feel the fatigue seeping into his body and exhaustion pulling at him to sleep.
"Sensei?" It was Donnie peeking in to see how everything was going."Is Leo doing any better?" Donnie's voice seemed timid, almost child like. Splinter knew he and his other sons were worried about their brother, and it felt wrong not telling them of his progress, but when there was nothing really to tell, he just did not want them to worry.
"No Donatello," Splinter told him as he once again place the cloth in the cool bowl of water, he rinsed the cloth and placed it once again on Leo's forehead, "I'm afraid not." He heard Donnie sigh, he could tell he wanted very much to tell him something.
"Sensei," He said hesitantly. "Maybe you should get some rest, if you like I can sit with Leo for a while." He suggested.
Splinter looked at Donnie and smiled. "I do not need to rest, but I think I will get up and stretch for a bit as well as get myself some tea." He stood and walked toward the door, as Donnie came forward to take up the vigil in the chair next to Leo's desk. Splinter turned and looked at him, "Thank you Donatello," He said smiling. Donnie smiled back at him.
Splinter walked stiffly toward the kitchen. He found Raph and Mikey snacking on some left over algae and worm salad. They looked up and quickly began asking questions.
"Is Leo better Master?" Raph asked.
"Will he be able to join us for dinner?" Mikey asked, his eyes looking hopeful.
Splinter held up a paw to silence his two sons. "Leonardo is still very ill, his fever still very high, he will need to be in bed a while longer." He placed the kettle on the stove and began preparing the herbs for his tea. "Donatello is currently watching over him while I rest for just a moment."
"Sensei?" Mikey began, hesitantly.
"Yes Michelangelo?" Splinter turned to his youngest son.
Mikey began playing with his food. "Do you think Leo will be better by Thursday?" He asked.
"What is on Thursday?" Splinter brought his tea over to the table.
"I'm surprised you don't remember Sensei." Raph told him.
"It's our fourteenth mutation day." Mike said.
Splinter looked at the calendar on the wall by the door. Sept 29, exactly fourteen years ago on that day Hamato Yoshi brought four baby turtles from the pet store, and moments later he encountered the Kraang and they accidentally spilled mutagen on them, thus becoming what they are now. Ever since then, they celebrated that day, it was the closest thing his sons had to a birthday, and now one of his sons may not be able to join them on their one and only special day. Splinter sat down in his chair and rubbed his temples. He looked up at his two sons who were staring at him intently.
"I am sure Leonardo will be better enough by then to celebrate with us " He told them.
"And if he's not?" Raph always seemed to want to challenge his father on things.
Splinter turned to him and placed a gentle paw on his shoulder. "Have faith in your brother Raphael, we have all dealt with illnesses and we have all recovered." He finished his tea and place his cup into the sink, "Your brother will do the same." He left the kitchen and went back to relieve Donnie and continue administering his remedies. Raph and Mikey looked at each other, they knew Leo would be fine, eventually, the question was when, and if his fever continued to be too high, what could that do to him in the end. None of the turtles had ever been this sick.