The lair was quiet. The boys trudged in, shuffling their feet. Raph was angry but tried and failed not to show it. Bringing the eldest young turtle into Donnie's lab, he gently set him down on a cot that was always in the room for emergencies. Donnie did a quick check of his vitals before proceeding. The young turtle was first hooked up to a heart monitor for precautionary reasons as a result of the earlier palpitations. Next Don drew a sample of blood to test the substance inserted into it. Sadly, nothing more could be done. They knew no more about these young turtles then from what was witnessed and what they had heard the Kraang say. By Donnie's measure, that wasn't a lot.

Leo was left with babysitting duty. He knew nothing about children or taking care of something that couldn't take care of itself, unless you count Mikey. He chuckled at the thought. Then it hit him. His brother was alone. Why did these children have to depend on him? Why couldn't he be back at the warehouse protecting his little brother?

"Mikey can take care of himself!" Leonardo repeated this until he believed it, though it took much persuasion for his mind to adjust to the new perspective.

Leo set the middle child on the couch. He quickly scooted to the far corner of it and huddled much like when in the cage. The behavior of this one had been puzzling him for a while. "Please don't be frightened, no one here plans on hurting you." Leo knelt down to be eye level with the shivering creature. "I still haven't seen your face." A brilliant set of crystal grey eyes peered up over small knees. The figure quit shaking and stared into Leo's own deep blue eyes. "There we go!" Leo was excited but stayed at a calm, easy tone. "What about a smile?" This was apparently too far and he ducked back down and shook his head. "Okay, maybe another time. You are safe now, there is no need to be scared."

He stood up and left him be. But wait, where was the other one? The youngest? "Uh oh," he breathed, "Uh...come out...other...little guy." How could he have already lost one? A small giggle could barely be heard from the hallway leading to the dojo. "Ah man," He sprinted through the room, but quickly stopped when Master Splinter entered the room with the toddler tucked under his arm.

"Why is there a miniature version of Michelangelo running wild through the dojo?" Splinter brought the small turtle up and cradled him. "Though this child doesn't have Michelangelo's eyes or freckles." He stared deep into the light brown orbs that stared right back. He looked again to Leonardo.

"Well…" Leo rubbed the back of his head. "It's a long story." He ended with that.

"Where are your brothers?"

"Raphael and Donatello are tending to another young turtle who was injected with something by the Kraang."

"There are two young turtles?" Master Splinter's ears perked up at this; nose softly sniffed the room."

"Three actually." Leo gestured to the shaking figure huddled in the corner of the couch.

Splinter handed the giggling baby to Leo and gently walked over to the shuttering creature. He placed a hand on the figures head and slowly stroked it. Again the beautiful crystal grey eyes were visible over small knees. "Hello little one, welcome to our home." Slowly the rest of the face appeared, mouth in the shape of a small 'o.'

"Wow, this is the first time I've seen his whole face!" Leo was amazed. The small turtle again hid his face.

"His?" Splinter chuckled.

"I believe so..." Leo was unsure now, "I mean I just assumed…"

"She's a girl."

"What? I mean...how do you know?" Leo was stunned. He hadn't thought about it, that one of them might be a girl. Or all of them for that matter. "What about the youngest? Is he also a girl?"

"No, no. That one is definitely a boy." He nodded toward the baby hanging upside-down in Leo's grasp. "After raising four boys, it is very easy to tell that she is different than the rest of you."

"But Donnie was always shy."

"Yes, but that is not the difference I sense. Before purchasing a pet, one must do research. Female turtles have rounder shells than males."

"Well his breathing is regular now, but we will have to keep a close eye on him." Donnie stated as he entered the living area. "Good afternoon sensei."

"That's all good and dandy! Can we go back now?" Raph almost pleaded.

"We can't leave all these kids here!" Leo protested.

"I will keep a close eye on them, but," Splinter looked around, "where is Michelangelo?"

"Here sensei." This was all Mikey managed before he collapsed on the hard concrete steps in front of the turnstiles.

"Mikey!" His brothers all shouted.