I feel bad that this chapter took so long to write. Writers block just sneaks up on you sometimes… In any case, I hope you all enjoy. This chapter focuses more on Don, Leo and Raph's POV, and Mikey's getting the spotlight next chapter. Alright, now you may read, review, and have a nice day! :)


It was still very early in the morning when Leo felt Mikey's presence behind him in the kitchen. The oldest stiffly turned away from the tea kettle on the stove and smiled at his brother, hoping that his sibling's mood had improved. But Mikey didn't even acknowledge his brother. Leo watched regretfully as Mikey silently put together a bowl of cereal, and just as the youngest was about to leave he reached out, saying "Hold on Mikey, I—"

But the youngest had already walked away before he could get anything else out. Leo was left alone in the kitchen, hand still extended outwards. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck before spinning around to finish making his tea.

Mikey sighed as well as soon as he was out of earshot from his brother. He had heard Leo call after him, and part of him wanted to turn around and hug his brother and know that everything was going to be okay. But there was a matter of pride he didn't want to let go of. No, he couldn't let go. Mikey let out another breath and steeled himself for the conflict to come. He knew his brothers would try to provoke him and make him talk—but Mikey felt it was his responsibility to the Nightwatcher to believe in him and resist. Finishing his cereal in silence, the youngest realized it would be a long, tiring day avoiding his brothers. Nighttime sounded so far away, and that was when his real goal would be put to the test.

Mikey walked back up to his room, hoping his brothers wouldn't disturb him until morning practice. As soon as he reached the stairs however, he could see the shadow of one of his brothers in front of his door. Mikey froze, wondering what to do. It was most likely Don up there; Raph would be too impatient to wait and Leo already knew that the youngest wasn't up for any kind of conversation. All of a sudden, the shadow moved toward the orange-banded turtle, and Mikey made the decision to turn around and leave quickly before it could catch up to him.

And that's when Mikey ran right into Raph. The youngest fell to the floor out of surprise and grumbled to himself for not sensing his brother. Why of all days were his siblings up at such an early hour?

A calloused hand appeared in front of his face. "Jeez, Mikey, watch where yer goin'."

Mikey brushed off Raph's hand and got up on his own. He kept his eyes to the floor and walked on, even as he heard Don's soft footsteps behind him.

"You're gonna have to talk to us at some point."

Finally, Mikey swiveled around and shot a fierce glare to his two older brothers. Raph and Don looked back with similar determination, but the soundless argument was lost as Mikey swiftly shoved his brothers away from the bottom of the stairs and angrily made his way to his room.

"Guess we have our work cut out fer us," Raph said to Don, grimacing as Mikey slammed his door shut.

Don nodded solemnly. "Yeah. An angry Mikey is definitely something I never want to deal with."

Smirking, Raph playfully fake-punched Don. "What, you mean you'd rather deal with an angry me? Or Leo?"

"No, of course not," Don impishly pushed Raph back. "Or, well, maybe. I think I feel more stressed if it's Mikey."

Raph pulled back. "What? I don't get it."

Don scratched his head absently. "No offense Raph, but your anger is mostly predictable. Leo is just as consistent. You two always get in the same kind of fight over the same kind of argument."

Raph frowned. "It's not that simple, Donnie."

"That's why I said mostly," Don sighed. "Look, what I meant to say is that I'm used to seeing you fight. I know what gets you riled and same for Leo. But for Mikey…"

"I got it, I got it. Can't fix what ya don't understand, and ya never know what the hell is goin' on in that mind a' his." Raph glanced once more at Mikey's room. "Not that we ever do anyway."

Don rolled his eyes. "Well, maybe we'll be luckier in morning practice. Mikey has never been one to back down from a challenge."


Training had gone worse than expected, much to Don's dismay. The three older siblings could easily tell that Mikey was distracted; his form was off and he'd been thrown to the mat way more than usual. It was even more troubling that Mikey didn't laugh it off like he often did. He didn't even look like he cared, Don worriedly observed. Raph had tried to provoke his brother the only way he knew how, but taunts and brutality only seemed to make Mikey madder.

"C'mon shell-fer-brains, fight back!" Raph hollered at his sibling with a smirk. "Or what, ya like the smell of the floor?"

Mikey growled as his head was pressed further into the ground and struggled against his red-banded brother who was currently on top of him.

"Raph, that's enough. Just let him up," Leo ordered coldly.

Raph stood up, but forcefully dragged Mikey with him into a headlock. "I'm not done with ya yet Mike, not 'till ya talk ta us."

Mikey only grunted in response, wheezing to get in air.

"Raph, what are you doing?" Don cried, his panic rising. The situation was becoming serious.

Leo immediately stepped forward. "Hey! I said to—"

"—Shut yer trap, Leo!" Raph shouted over his brother. He tightened his hold against Mikey as the youngest thrashed and twisted in his grip. With great effort, Raph lifted Mikey's head and caught his blue eyes with a furious stare. "Stop strugglin', Mikey, jus' stop fightin' against us. We don't wanna fight ya! We can work everythin' out!"

Mikey suddenly stilled in Raph's hold. Leo and Don stopped in their tracks and watched mutely as Mikey slowly put his arms down in surrender.

"Raph please let him go this time," Leo sternly directed.

Raph complied begrudgingly. Finally, Mikey looked like he was going to say something, and Raph thought he had finally won—

All he could hear was a loud, primal cry. Raph had flown halfway across the dojo before he registered the pain in his arm. Leo and Don watched in horror as Raph crashed to the ground while Mikey calmly straightened himself and walked away. Leo saw Mikey was headed to the doorway and desperately wanted to stop his brother, get him to apologize, or make him say something…anything. But he remained where he stood with Don, frozen.

Mikey glanced back to his fallen brother just before he left. Don turned away instantly, like he was burned. There was no emotion on the youngest's face. No light in his eyes. Mikey's indifference was chilling, and it took was a long, soundless moment before Leo and Don realized that Raph still hadn't gotten up.

"Raph, you okay?"

"Raph!"

Raph sat up abruptly, gasping. He put a hand to his aching head and looked up to see Leo and Don hovering above him with worried faces. He noticed Mikey was missing.

Don kneeled down next to Raph, babbling. "Are you hurt? I can't believe you were thrown so far. Mikey just picked you up, and he—wait, is your arm okay? Did he twist it?"

Raph just sighed, not even bothering to answer any of Don's questions. "How long was I out?"

Don frowned, knowing he wouldn't get much out of Raph. "Less than a minute."

Raph started to get up and Leo made a move to support his brother. He was brushed away as expected, but couldn't help but softly ask, "Hurt?"

"Nah," Raph responded just as quietly. "Jus' a little shaken up."

Leo and Don were equally surprised that Raph had admitted his true condition.

Leo gave a strong pat to Raph's shell. "Okay. I can deal with that." He grinned at the doubtful expression Raph gave. "What?"

"I expected you ta be all mad an' bothersome. I pushed him too far, didn't I?" Raph crossed to his arms sheepishly.

Leo's smile turned somber and he shrugged. "Maybe. But I understand what you were trying to do."

"One angry Mikey is enough, anyway," Don added.

"Ya got that right." Raph huffed. "Damn. I neva' thought Mikey'd just up an' go crazy."

"Remember Raph? Unpredictability?" Don answered with a smile.

Raph groaned. "Don't even go there."

Don gave a small chuckle. "So, what do you think we should do now?"

Raph shook his head. "I think the bigger question is, does this mean Mikey ain't gonna make dinner?"

Leo slapped his forehead. "The first thing to do is to take this seriously."

"Actually, this is serious," Don agreed in a low voice. "We're taking about a life or death situation for our kitchen here."

Leo's eye twitched. "Fine. Who wants to ask Mikey, then?"

Don and Raph were silent.

"Thought so." Leo looked down for a moment, in deep thought. He exhaled loudly. "Okay, we can start by showing Mikey that we don't want to fight, like Raph said. We'll…buy a pizza for dinner, his favorite. We'll give him space, but also talk with him like normal."

Don nodded. "Sounds doable."

"But don't force him to start a conversation," Leo added. "And no talk about the Nightwatcher."

"Ya really think this'll work?" Raph muttered grimly. "Let's not forget Mikey just threw me like a sack a' potatoes."

"Mikey will learn the truth eventually. Worst comes to worst…" Don hesitated for a moment. "I guess we'll have to use force to have that happen."

"It won't come to that," Leo countered. "I won't let it."