A/N: Raph and Mikey are such fun to write paired together, here's another chapter with some brotherly fluff.
Please note: Character thoughts are in italics.
Disclaimer: If I owned the turtles, my bank account would be much larger than it currently is.
Chapter 4-One Down, Two To Go
After Raph's and Mikey's confessions, April, Casey, Mikey, and Raph tried to figure out what their next move should be. Search for Donatello? Or liberate Leonardo? At first, Leonardo seemed like the obvious choice. After all, they already knew where to find him, Foot Headquarters. But getting inside would be a problem. The building was heavily guarded. In addition, none of them knew the layout or how to dismantle the building's security system. And then there was Leonardo himself. Leo may have been coerced by the Foot Clan, but ultimately he left his family behind, willingly. Convincing their stubborn older brother to return home would be difficult, as long as the New York faction of the Foot Clan existed.
As the group tossed around ideas, it became clear that their next move should be to search for Donatello instead. Donnie's tech savy skills would be essential to the successful infiltration of Foot Headquarters. Except Donatello was the genius of the family. And he had spent ten years living among the Utroms. The intelligent turtle had learned the skills of stealth and concealment, from a race that had managed to hide on Earth, undiscovered, for centuries. In short, Donnie wasn't going to be found, unless he wanted to be.
With sunrise quickly approaching, and no next step readily available, Mikey and Raph left April's apartment. Which is why Raphael now found himself dragged through the sewer tunnels, led by an excitable Michelangelo, as they headed to the lair. It took everything Raph had to prevent himself from knocking his youngest brother on the head, then turning to run in the opposite direction.
The red masked warrior had faced a lot of things in his short lifetime. But having to face his father, after storming out of the lair six months prior, was not something he was looking forward to. Raphael felt like he was walking the plank on a pirate ship, straight to his doom. The red clad turtle couldn't even fathom how angry Master Splinter was going to be. Or how many knuckle push-ups he would have to do as punishment for abandoning his family.
Opening the door, Michelangelo yanked his reluctant brother inside. As was the norm now-a-days, the lair was quiet. A quick glance confirmed that Master Splinter had not yet risen for the day.
As the two teens approached their father's room, Raphael caught the time on a nearby clock. He whispered to his younger brother. "Ya know what Mikey. It's still early. Maybe I'll just."
Mikey stopped his brother's retreat with a surprisingly firm grip as he hissed. "No way bro. Now get in there."
The red clad ninja was cut off as Mikey shoved him forward.
Always a light sleeper, Master Splinter's eyes snapped open, the walking stick in his hands. The ninjitsu master stood ready to defend himself from the sudden intrusion.
The stumbling intruder finally caught their balance. A glimpse of red silk flashed in the dim light. The disbelief carried in Splinter's voice. "Raphael?"
Raphael immediately dropped to his knees in front of his sensei. The anxious teen remained in the traditional bow, his head close to the floor.
Splinter struggled to contain his shock. Raphael never moved his eyes from their spot on the floor as he spoke. "Master Splinter."
Splinter surveyed his lost son. The quivering of his arms. The quick, ragged breaths. It was clear that his most passionate son, was terrified.
Knowing his next actions would speak volumes to his red masked child, Splinter cleared his throat. "My son, welcome home."
Raphael's head snapped up at the unexpected words. Wait, he's not mad? What?
Splinter reached out and enveloped Raphael into a fierce hug. "It is good to have you home."
Unable to restrain his emotions any longer, Raphael leaned into the embrace. Raph's arms reached around Splinter. He tightened his grip as he buried his face in his father's fur. The love and forgiveness flowing from Master Splinter caused the passionate teen to crack. He had missed his father. Raph spoke, his voice trembling. "F-Fa-Father, I'm s-so-sorry. I'm so s-so-sorry."
Splinter began to rub small circles on his son's shell, murmuring words of comfort. "Sshh, it's ok my son. It's ok. All is forgiven. I am just happy to have you home again."
Master Splinter remained as strong as a mountain. Six months worth of guilt, frustration, and fear, poured out of his red tempered son. Finally, when it appeared that Raphael had begun to regain his composure, Splinter released his hold and sat back on his heels.
Roughly wiping the tears from his eyes, Raphael leaned back, staring at his father.
A movement in the shadows near the doorway caught Splinter's attention. Master Splinter scolded.
"Michelangelo!"
The orange clad ninja walked into the room, a guilty look on his face. Mikey kneeled in front of his sensai.
Splinter looked at his two sons. For his two young warriors, the journey to reunite their family had only just begun.
"My sons, today is a joyous day. You have begun the task of reuniting this family together. As individual's each of you is a great warrior. But as a family, the four of you can be unstoppable."
Mikey squirmed as Splinter spoke. Letting out a sigh Splinter addressed his energetic son.
"Yes, Michelangelo?"
Behind orange silk, hopeful eyes stared at him. "What about Donnie and Leo?"
Splinter's voice was stern. "First you must rest. And then you will find your brothers. The time has come to bring them home."
The confidence in Splinter's voice gave the young warriors strength. They could do this. They would find their missing brothers. And they would bring them home.
The red and orange ninja's bowed deeply, and then stood up. With their backs to Master Splinter, they walked to the door.
"But first." Both turtles froze, before turning around slowly. Splinter's stern eyes looked upon Michelangelo. "Eavesdropping will not be tolerated in this home. Michelangelo, you owe me 10 minutes of knuckle push-ups. Then you are to go directly to your room."
Mikey let out a groan as he headed to the dojo.
Raph lay down in his hammock. Using his feet to push off of the wall, he gently rocked back and forth. The motion helped to calm his nerves. Living with Casey had been great and all, but it felt good to be home. Raph reflected on how lifeless the lair felt. Sure, when everyone was resting the lair grew quiet. But something was missing. And that something came in the form of two missing brothers, Donnie and Leo.
Raph began twirling one of his sai. He wondered how Leo was faring, living with the enemy. And Raph puzzled over how they were ever going to find Donatello. Putting the sai away, Raph let out a growl. Donnie and Leo were always the turtles to come up with a plan. Except they were the two turtles they needed to find.
A figure hovered near Raph's bedroom door. There was only one turtle that could be. "Come in Mikey."
Michelangelo entered. The orange turtle knew it was silly, but he wasn't ready to let Raph out of his sights just yet.
Raph took one look at Mikey's puppy dog eyes and moved over. "Come here."
Without hesitation Mikey climbed into the hammock. The hammock wasn't really made for two, especially two mutant turtles, but they would manage.
Raph placed an arm around Mikey's shoulder. The youngster snuggled closer, reassured by Raph's bulk. One of his older brothers was finally home. But Mikey still ached for his missing siblings.
"Do you think they are ok Raphie?"
Raph gently stroked Mikey's arm, hoping it would bring comfort to his vulnerable sibling. "Of course they are Mikey. This is Donnie and Leo we're talking about. Those two know how to stay out of trouble."
A/N: Silly Raph, you should know better than to say something like that. And speaking of brothers, it's time to start checking in on what Leo and Donnie have been up to. Virtual hot mocha's to those who review!