Chapter 7: To Return
It had been two days since Don had returned from Yarik's side, he hadn't spoken much, eaten less, and barely slept.
He seemed to be in shock.
He had locked himself away in his lab two days ago, and was working on something.
"Don?" Mike inquired softly, standing in the doorway to the lab, fumbling with a chuck.
Don looked up and sighed softly.
"Hey Mike," he mumbled.
"Leo…he wants to see you," Mike whispered softly, he seemed to be fighting tears.
"Then tell him to come see me," Don muttered.
"Donnie he's dying," Mike choked, "he wants to see you."
Don's head snapped up and he gave Mike a horrified look.
"What happened?" he managed.
"You really haven't noticed…Raph was right…Don…Leo's been bed ridden for three weeks," Mike bowed his head and fought tears, "you're different Donnie…what happened?"
Don got up and wrapped Mike in a hug.
"I…I'm so sorry…I…" Don fought tears as he pulled away, head spinning as he struggled to understand what was going on, "I was somewhere else in mind Mikey…I…I fear I've lost a good friend."
Mike bowed his head and fought tears, anger flickering in his features.
"What about your own brother? Leo never left your side Donnie! He was there until we dragged him to bed, to a doctor!" Mike spat.
Don hung his head, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I…I didn't know," Don mumbled.
"He wants to say goodbye," Mike spat, before turning and walking away.
Don stood still for a few moments before slowly making his way toward his elder brother's room.
The sent of medical cleaning supplies hit his nostrils seconds before he reached the room; the sound of a heart monitor beeping pathetically reached his ears only seconds later.
Don stepped around the corner to see Leo propped up on pillows, pale, and thin.
He looked fragile.
Raph was perched on the opposite side of the bed, holding Leo's right hand, Splinter sat on his left, and Mike at his feet with April and Casey.
"Dnnn?" Leo rasped.
Don turned to look at his brother.
"Leo," he choked, "what happened?"Leo smiled weakly, laughing harshly.
"Cncr," Leo mumbled, "nthin cn do."
Don bowed his head and fought tears, then froze eyes widening as he touched the mark on his hand.
"There is something I can do," he whispered, whipping around and dashing out the door before anyone could ask questions.
A conversation he'd had with Yarik ran through his mind.
Do riders die here? Naturally?-D
We dragons can heal most physical illnesses…the only true deaths are those from injuries or the plague…its cure eludes us.-Y
What about Cancer?-D
You mean the Eater? Yes we can cure that as well.-Y
Amazing-D
Don snatched up the jewel and scrambled to Leo's side again, pressing it into Leo's fragile hand.
"Leo…I know it sounds crazy…but she can save you…her name is Yarik…trust me and hold on ok?" Don whispered desperately.
Leo's eyes fluttered, but he nodded.
Don closed his eyes, squeezed the jewel and his brother's hand.
"Donnie you're hurting him!" Mike's shriek reached his ears just before everything went black.
"YARIK!" Don screamed, he felt a second mind, brush against his…Leo…he was there.
Are you insane little one?-Y
Please! Save my brother!-D
I do not know if I can…the plague has a hold of me.-Y
Can you try? Please?-D
Who will guard my eggs then little one? I may be too weak…who will take them to the forest?-Y
I will guard them. I will take them…but please…Yarik as my friend, save my kin….please!-D
Very well…I trust you Donatello. Be sure to leave them with another mother and she will send you back…I do not have much strength left…step aside and let me to him.-Y
Thank-you my friend…and if this is goodbye…go in peace and let your wings fill with the sun's rays, be warmed and go well.-D
As to you my little rider-Y
Don moved back, pushing his fragile brother's mind ahead, he felt Leo squirm and tremble in confusion, but seconds later Don felt Yarik dive through him and into Leo.
Then he was gone and Don cried out.
I sent him back. He is well. Goodbye little one.-Y
And she was gone, Don opened his eyes and screamed his grief at the sight of the still Dragon before him, her body curled around the clutch.
He made a promise, he would guard them.
A/N: Just the epilogue left folks. : ) I needed something to get Don to focus back on the family…liked this idea best.
