Part 3

"Leo?" Donnie asked in surprise, coming into the living room holding onto a cup of orange juice and a plate of cookies.

"Huh? Oh Donnie, sorry was reading something," Leo put the newspaper down that was hiding the green book within.

"It's okay, why are you back? I thought you were training with Raph?"

Letting out a slight sigh, hiding his satisfaction, Leo made his expression unreadable, it made it easier to lie. Besides Donnie was used to such a response not thinking there was more going on.

"He skipped out. I told him to stay put, and I was going to make sure the area was secure before starting... Then..." Leo started to explain, letting his voice sound disappointed with a hint of annoyance.

"He was gone before you got back, I will take it," Donnie finished Leo's explanation. He wasn't surprised in hearing this; this was forthcoming and it was Raph after all.

(Good he believes me.)

"Yes he did..." Leo sighed again placing the newspaper on his lap, while he stared at the blank TV.

Opening his mouth to add to that statement, Donnie was suddenly interrupted by the lair door bursting open and his hothead brother charging in covered in sweat with the look as if he was going to murder someone.

(Just on time, interesting he is more pissed than I imagined... Well that doesn't matter. So what is he going to do to me? Either way he can't go far since I didn't do anything... That he can prove that is. This will teach him a lesson which is only the beginning!)

"Where is he!" Raph roared clenching his fist in anger.

"I'm right here Raph, where have you been?" Leo answered, sitting on his knees to see Raph over the couch's backing, "I came back, and you were..."

"Not you! You damn idiot! That bastard!" Raph grinded his teeth, while getting a confused look from Leo in return.

"If not me, then who are you looking for?" Leo had to ask; he couldn't think who Raph was referring to. Heck Raph animosity wasn't remotely targeted towards him which Leo didn't suspect as an outcome at all.

"Mikey you dumb ass! I'm going to kill the fucken squirt!" Raph staggered forward with a vengeance towards the lab after witnessing Donnie flashing a concern look in that direction giving the little brother's location away.

(MIKEY!) Leo jumped to his feet bewildered by this turn of events, not sure where Raph came to that conclusion. Mikey didn't have anything to do with his prank at the abandon station.

After reading the book, Leo discovered how Raph reacts towards subway stations in specific given condition.

The brother once had an anxiety attack when he was stuck in one for a long period of time alone, in the past.

Leo considered it was a good thing to start with, and he knew such a place that had no light source whatsoever, which did strengthen the second part of the prank, the bugs.

In the book, it revealed on how Raph felt about bugs in general, worse was cockroaches and moths. Leo recalled how moths react when presented to a new light source and after hours gathering as many as he could, he released them when Raph turned on his flashlight.

He had the whole prank down to a tee, with the guidance of the book on his side.

Even so, with all that planning he has done, he never imagined the possibility of Raph accusing Mikey. He had it in his head that the outcome would be Raph becoming pissed for leaving him not coming to the conclusion it was a prank that was pulled onto him...

"Raph. What are you accusing Mikey with?" Leo asked, rushing after the steaming turtle, followed by the panicking Donnie.

"You little fucker," Raph's voice echoed in the lab, as both brothers entered.

Mikey pinned to the hospital bed, stared at Raph in confusion and then widely looked around, placing his hands over his head in defense, "Raphie what the shell! What did I ever do to you?"

Answering him, Raph slammed his fist beside Mikey's head, he was pissed at Mikey, but he didn't want to hurt him too much, "You little bastard sprang a damn prank on me! That's what yer did!"

"Whoa whoa Dude! I did no such thing!" Mikey whimpered out loud, feeling too weak to fight back.

"Like shell you didn't, it had your name plastered all over it!" Raph hissed back.

"He didn't do anything!" Donnie intervened before Leo could, "He has been replenishing his blood bags. There is no way he could have done anything to you."

Staring at Donnie's determined face Raph backed off, letting go of Mikey, baffled by the brother's statement, "You're not yanking my chain are yeah Donnie to save Mikey from a pounding?"

Letting out a sigh, Donnie walked up to the two brothers passing Mikey his glass of orange juice then a plate of cookies. This was Donnie's normal treatment when one of the brothers donates their blood, except for the cookies that were only given when it was Mikey, in order to encourage him the next time around.

"Does he look like he's in any condition of playing around, or I'm would be the type to lie like this? He could barely keep you off of him," Donnie hissed, then coughed the annoyance and disappointment to the side, he had to keep up his good bed side manner even towards the rash turtle brother.

The red clad turtle feeling a bit a shamed of his actions, bit his lip and found himself lost in words or what he should do to make up for this false accusation. He truly thought it was Mikey that was behind his disturbing encounter in the sewers.

Leaving Raph in his thoughts Donnie moved back towards Leo caring some equipment that he wanted to put away.

Lowering his voice, Leo spoke to the purple clad brother avoiding interrupting Raph's thinking process, "Lucky for Mikey you decided to refill his emergency blood bags."

Donnie giving his older brother a sweet smile answered back with an explanation that Leo wasn't suspecting to hear, "Actually, it wasn't my idea. Mikey for once volunteered when he heard you two have left."

"Really?"

"He really did. At first, it surprised me too, but like I am going to complain. It's not every day I don't have to chase him down or bribe him to get him in here to do it," Donnie pointed out leaving Leo on that remark.

Pondering on it, Leo just didn't get it, it didn't make sense when it came to dealing with Mikey and needles, the kid brother always made a big fuss in the past and made it a chore in getting his shell in the lab.

Nevertheless, no matter how bazaar that was, Leo wasn't really in the mood to even solve the odd event for he had his hands full dealing with Raph at the moment.

(I should intervene now? I think Raph stewed in his humiliation over his disgraceful actions long enough.)

Placing his hand gently on Raph's shoulders the eldest brother softened his voice before speaking, avoiding to waken the sleeping lion once again, "Raph, why don't we both hit the showers? I don't know about you, I would prefer that the both of us not to smell like rotting corpses with a hint of sewage before supper."

"Huh? Oh yeah sure..." Raph slowly answered, looking back at Mikey that seemed unfazed as if the incident didn't even occur, eating away his cookies with much pleasure.

Raph POV

Following his brother without a word, Raph kept to himself consumed with his thoughts of today's events so far. Mainly the last part with the subway station rattled him the most; he couldn't put his finger on what actually happened or how.

(Why was there even moths down there? I have never seen them in the sewers before...)

"Oh?" Leo stopped abruptly before Raph, making the brother trip over him and smacking his beak into Leo's shell.

Hissing in pain, Raph rubbed it in frustration, as a small growl escaped him that Leo just ignored in response.

Not even through the archway that separated the bathroom section that had the sinks and toilets from the shower's area, which housed the showers and bathtub, Leo didn't budge an inch for he was too fixated on something inside the shower room.

"Shell Leo, warning next time!" Raph huffed going around Leo to see what was the hold up.

(You got to be kidding me...)

The room having an open concept was built with four shower stalls with no walls or currents to separate them.

Being turtles and the fact even with their gear all off, neither of them was consider naked, and it wasn't an odd occasion that either of them showered at the same time. Though Raph normally did make sure he didn't take his shower when Mikey was around, all considering the kid brother always made up some game when Raph just wanted to wash up and get out, or take his sweet time and relax if that was possible.

Today, as Raph was starting to think, someone really hated him, on each shower was posted a sign in bold letters 'out of order'.

"Like hell, all are not working!" Raph barked in frustration, passing by Leo to turn the handles to see if this was some kind of ploy to make his day worse than it has been already.

"Raph why would anyone post out of order signs if they are working? Donnie did say Mikey has been out of commission," Leo pointed out seeing this was a fruitless action to check each shower.

"They can't be all broken Leo, what are the chances," Raph glared over his shoulder watching Leo shrugged walking towards the bathtub.

"I would say high since they are."

Raph finding himself on the last shower, unfortanly discovered that the other three proved were not in working condition; he held his breath staring at the dials.

(Please be working, please be working.) He needed a shower; he wanted its warm water wash away his horrible experience and refresh him once more. His soul needed this more than anything, and if he couldn't have at least this go right today he was at a loss.

Turning the handle, Raph crossed his fingers, everything rode on this one he had to have it working, what else could he do to clean up?

As if the shower was mocking him the pipe instantly popped and hissed deliberately leaving him gawking at the shower head that didn't produce a signal drop of water.

"What the HELL!" Raph slammed his hand on the wall, then remembered Leo was still in the room.

(Crap I need to cool down before he interrogates me on why I'm so pissed off for nothing.)

Still ignoring Raph's behavior over the shower problem, Leo smiled, letting out a large sigh of relief making sure Raph could hear it loud and clear.

"Raph the bath still works! Why don't you have one first? I will take mine after," Leo suggested getting the water nice and hot, so its steamed the room slightly.

"Well... umm..." Raph shivered watching the sizzling water pouring into the bathtub.

Suddenly feeling Leo's eyes upon him in question, Raph pushed the disturbing images that flashed in his head to the side the best he could.

There was no way he was going to let on to Leo that he hates baths.

No, it wasn't hated for that was too weak for the horrifying sensations he felt over them.

They terrified him; the images he gets were like something of a horror movie, even how the hot water smothering him in a close space was unbearable.

It was horrifying, the mere thought, the only thought that crosses his mind when associating with baths! Lobsters!

Yes lobsters, those red innocent crustaceans thrown in a pot alive! Screaming as they are boiled while being murdered to fill someone's fat greedy belly!

He could relate, sitting in a hot bath, he swore he was being cooked alive, waiting for his shell to pop, and he was done and ready to be the main course.

Secretly, he has been fearful of this since a child when he witnessed such atrocities on some cooking show that traumatized him for life. Ever since then he has been plagued by this every time the notion of a bath was in order.

"I'm fine Leo. I will have mine later," Raph said dryly trying his best to sound like he was still frustrated over the showers were not working then the true real reason.

Tilting his head slightly to the side Leo stood there, pausing in the moment.

(What the hell is he looking at me like that?)

"Very well Raph, I will make sure there is plenty of hot water left for your bath and will clean the tub when I'm done," Leo slowly informed Raph with a hint of a grin on his green amused lips.

"Yeah sure thanks," Raph blurred out quickly turning away; Leo was being creepy even for him.

(Damn it all, I swear I should just go to bed and let this day end already. What else is going to happen to me?)

Raph not hesitating to leave the room, exited to the bathroom section as he found himself lingering there hearing the bath water running while Leo hummed to himself.

What was he to do? He smelled like he jumped into a pile of cow manure and rolled around like some fat pig, and he didn't want that stanch to soak into anything he owned, leaving the option to ditch not one he could take.

Then there was the matter of cleaning up, which ended in a bath, Like hell he will submit to that one.

Slowly placing his hand on his chin Raph tilted his head away from the door towards the sinks.

Examining the deep sinks that had both hot and cold water taps an idea came to mind. He can clean up without letting one green toe into the bathtub!

Quickly, Raph flashed a look into the shower area getting a glimpse of Leo stepping into his hot steaming water.

(He will be a while, Leo loves baths.)

Taking this as an opportunity, Raph didn't want to wait until later, Leo was distracted and made this easier to trick Leo later on that he had a bath after all, protecting his dark secret in the end.

In one of the cupboards that were hanging beside the sinks carried some clean wash cloths that would do the trick.

Taking a couple and then filling one sink up with lukewarm water Raph went to work, ringing out the wash cloths wiping himself down after that applying soap.

(So this is what a sponge bath feels? All I'm missing is some hot smoking shell with big green eyes.)

It wasn't the same as a waterfall of hot water dripping down his skin, relaxing his muscles as it did so; however, the washcloth was a step up to any bath any day.

Watching the water on the cloth traveling down his legs to make sure they came out squeaky clean Raph suddenly froze, hearing someone clearing his throat a few inches away.

Slowly, Raph raised his head hoping it was Donnie. He could think of a million reasons and excuses he could dump on the intelligent brother and get away with not revealing the truth.

(Ah crap...)

When the blue bandana came to view and before he could even look upon Leo's face, Raph knew the older brother was judging him or at least wondering what he was doing.

Before Leo could say a thing Raph rushed in letting his excuse to be heard out in the world, "I was washing my face and the damn soap fell and got all over me!"

Leo slowly blinked over the words could only respond by giving the young brother a sweet innocent smile, yet his eyes were laughing, Raph knew it.

"What're you laughing at huh?!" Raph threw the washcloth at Leo's face who in turn caught it not phased by the outburst while watching Raph prepping himself for a conflict.

The blue clad turtle on the other hand, wasn't in the mood only shrugging at the challenge tossing the cloth in the hamper then pointed to the shower area, "I was about to say I was done, and you can have the bath... But by the looks of it, you couldn't wait?" Leo played on the last part showing a hint of joy seeing Raph resorting to use the sink to avoid the bath.

Of course, he didn't let that on, only making fun on how Raph was so impatient when he was the one that told Leo to go first.

(Damn... Do I get pissed or...)

Sighing Raph grabbed his other wash cloth thumping towards Leo then pushing him to the side with a huff, "Well what do you expect? I didn't think you would take your sweet time! We're to clean up for dinner not fooling around by taking a swim."

(Well, that should save my shell... He doesn't know or suspects there is something more to it, does he?)

Once in the room, Raph smoothly looked over his shoulder to see if Leo had followed or was lingering in the bathroom. To his relief, the sounds of the door opened and closed, revealing that Leo had left, he probably was disappointed in Raph's smartalec remark any ways. What else was new?

His skin was soft and he smelled like a champion. Raph still avoided the bath, finding himself fumbling around with the pipes for the showers.

He wasn't any mechanic or plumber; he was no fool that this wasn't remotely his department of expertise.

Yet when he came across the main water pipes for both the hot and cold and discovered that they were just turned off, there was little effort on his end to fix the so called out of order issue quickly.

Which only fuel his suspicions that this was another prank, was Mikey ever going to cut it out that day?

Once a week, hell even once a day was one too many as it stands for any given turtle.

Oddly, this day unlike any other was the worse he had endure so far from the prankster, every time he turned around, another one was sprung onto him in one shape or another.

He knew the tomato massacre wasn't just a coincidence; he was set up, but was it really Mikey the mastermind behind these?

Walking down towards the living room to get to the dinner table, Raph placed his chin over his hand to think some more.

(Mikey can be compulsive and annoying, yet he always claimed credit to all his pranks at one point or another. Hell, he is a glory hog! He lives in the moment to rub in your green face, he tricked you or outsmarted you. Even so,… when he was in Donnie's lab, he didn't look like the prankster behind the station horror flick... Then who was?)

"Raph is everything alright?" Donnie broke through the veil of Raph's thoughts.

"Oh huh? Donnie yeah, was just thinking about how hungry I am. Damn is supper ready yet?" Raph quickly lied pushing his conflicting thoughts to the side. It was best Donnie doesn't get a whiff of his distress, if so the brother would hound on him to explain, and it would only annoy him and hurt Donnie in the end.

"It should be; Leo went to help Mikey to make the plates. Why don't you take a seat?" Donnie replied and then kicked the chair beside him out for Raph to take.

"Good, man today's been... long," Raph corrected himself avoiding using hell or anything negative that would set Donnie's alarms off.

"Yeah, tell me about it, though you never did any training," Donnie spat suddenly, then covered it up by taking a quick drink of his water.

Narrowing his eyes, Raph leaned in noticing the beads of sweat running down his brow, "What was that Donnie boy? Are you trying to say something there bro?!"

"Well... no offense Raph, it's just that you..." Donnie shuttered, fumbling with his glass as he gave quick glances towards the kitchen wishing someone would emerge from the room to save him.

"Spill it Donnie," Raph growled.

(Could Donnie be the one that been setting me up? He is smart and he did cover for Mikey and Mikey never said Donnie was there the whole time. Last time I had my blood taken Donnie went around puttering away with his daily shit. Who's to say he didn't leave for a spell?)

Donnie becoming overpowered by his nervousness of being under Raph's golden eyes like he was Raph's next prey, he jumped two feet from his chair when Leo suddenly placed a hand on his shoulders.

"Is everything all right Donnie?" Leo asked, concerned flashing a distasteful glare in Raph direction making the hothead to simmer down.

Leaning back in his chair Raph shrugged ignoring Leo's icy blue eyes that try to break him down, "Nope nothing wrong here fearless!"

"I see," Leo said towards Raph then refocused his attention on to his other brother, "Donnie here is your plate."

"Th- thanks Leo," Donnie responded, trying his best not to let his voice sound too stressed.

"Raph this is your plate," Leo informed the red clad turtle, placing a plate before him than going to his own seat.

The smell of dinner's aroma, sweet and succulent, pulled the turtle out of his foul mood steering his head toward his dish, only to feel like someone put needles in his mouth.

"What the hell is this shit?" Raph barked, taking a look at Leo's and Donnie's plates that had steak and potatoes with snow peas on the side, his favorite. His dish on the other hand, wasn't filled with one of those delicious foods, instead the left over Kraft dinner and... tomatoes!

"It's your supper Raph," Leo leaned forward locking his fingers together watching Raph intently.

"Supper?" Raph questioned first calmly only to lose his lid when Mikey came into the room with his plate with steak and potatoes! "Supper My Shell L-E-O! This is left over from lunch, why the hell is my plate served with this crap when you guys have real fresh food?"

"You ditch training," Leo only said, picking up his fork to grab a nice plump piece of potato placing it into his mouth to savor it.

His mouth starting to water Raph fumbled with his words, trying to organize them. He was so hungry and the smell of one of his favorite dishes that they normally never have was too much for his brain to process more than one function at a time.

"Leo.. that's not fair!" Raph could only complain since nothing else would come out and he was happy that even that came out so clear as it did.

"Not fair?" Leo flashed an eyeful look towards Raph making the brother freeze in his spot, "What's not fair is that you keep dumping your responsibilities and these two have to take up the slack! You want fair Raph? How about you do some training, then you can come to me and complain about treating you unfairly!" Leo spat in rage slamming his palm on top of the table.

Fearfully smelling the harsh aroma coming off of Leo, Donnie and Mikey exchanged looks grabbing their plates quickly escaping the dinner table to take shelter in the kitchen.

It was one thing to have Raph on the deep end, but another to see Leo this enraged. Neither brother would dare to get in the way or wanted to be to close to experience that feeling they get when they inhale that alpha scent.

"Great job Leo you scared the shit out of Mikey and Donnie," Raph pointed out in frustration and even went out of his way to clap to congratulate the leader in order to shove that guilt down his brother's throat as payback for this pathetic punishment.

"Fuck you Raph!" Leo only said, forcefully getting out of his chair that flew into the wall behind him leaving Raph blinking wildly as he stormed off towards the Dojo to his meditation room.

(Did Leo just told me to fuck off?)

Leo POV

Slamming his fist into the wall within his room that he used for meditation, Leo sat on the cold floor pulling his legs up to his chest.

He didn't mean to lose his temper like that; he was hoping that the pranks and his supper punishments would be enough to turn a new leaf for Raph. Sure, he wasn't suspecting the change to be night and day, but he thought it would make him a bit more obedient.

(I should have planned that out better, why did I think he would just be grumpy and accept that was his supper and he deserved the punishment? I played such the fool and that only made the inevitable to happen... No that can't be it… I don't lose my temper that simply...)

Letting out a sigh, Leo stared at the floor. (Did I really scare Donnie and Mikey? That's not what I was trying to achieve... I know they hate me when I get angry, but their eyes… they… I'm sorry…)

"Leo?" Mikey's voice came through the crack of the door.

Not answering him Leo didn't bother to move even when the kid brother came in and sat beside him.

"Ummm Leo are you okay bro?" Mikey tilted his head at Leo, who in turn looked like he lost his best friend.

Washing the emotions from his face Leo glimpse up at Mikey, "I'm fine Mikey."

"Not true bro and that is a dirty trick to hide your emotions like that even to me. You're upset," Mikey pointed out, puffing his cheeks out identical to a blow fish almost making Leo laugh at the sight.

"I am fine..." Leo repeated again, that only fell on deaf ears as an excuse to avoid talking about what was going on.

"No you're not bro, come on you don't normally raise your voice..." Mikey started only to have Leo interrupt him.

"Sorry about that Mikey, I didn't mean to..."

"Shut up!" Mikey crossed his arms getting annoyed that Leo kept interrupting him and thinking he was there for an apology.

Blinking at Mikey Leo quieted down to give younger brother the floor with no interruptions, "You're upset, don't deny it. Like I was saying you don't normally yell like that or give off that scent, unless there is something bothering you. Donnie and I understand and don't hate you bro... We are just worried, you and Raph have been on edge more than normal."

(We both been on edge?)

"Well I..." Leo started, then stopped quickly when Mikey gave him the cold stare he was accustomed in using on others, not getting it in return.

(Wow so that's how everyone feels when I do that... No wonder they don't dare to defy me... But I think it coming from Mikey is scarier!)

"Bro, you need to figure this out before you do something stupid. All this is doing is making you miserable and Donnie has told me you have been having headaches again. Bro, that's proof enough, you need to fix the problem before the problem escalates to the point that it's not a problem anymore but worse. The end of your world," Mikey lectured Leo patting him on the leg before leaving the room.

"Ummm," Leo could only get out feeling his jaw that hit the floor in his confusion and shock, "Did Mikey just give me a lecture? Do I really sound like that?!"

(Maybe Mikey is right... I need to fix the problem… I need to fix Raph before he tears this house apart.)