Hes Gone.

Not too far away at the cliff. Mikey was preparing for his 'amazing dive of awesomeness'

"Mikey I still don't think you should be doing this!" Leo called from down below, he had refused to jump off the cliff because of his fear of heights. Oh and that this was outrageously dangerous and he could hurt himself while jumping. The eldest had not been able to hold onto the youngest any longer as he tried to swim to the rocks. And now was several feet up on the ledge preparing.

"Dude we just checked the water! as long as I jump off I'll be fine! the waters really deep!" He didn't get a chance to reply before he saw in horror as Mikey jumped off the ledge. Tongue flapping out as he did, yelling "COWABUNGA!"

He hit the water with a loud splash, seconds ticked by without a sign from the smaller turtle and he started to panic. clutching to the cliff side so he didn't have to swim any longer.. Just as he was about to search Mikey surfaced with a laugh.

"Dude that was so awesome! You have to try it!" paddling lazily over to his boyfriend.

"I'll pass"

"You should though! its so much fun!"

"Come on you adrenaline junky lets head back" happy to see Mikey was alive and kicking, the two started back for the beach.

"I just realized that was a bad idea."

"It was a bad idea from the start Mikey"

"But no one told me it was a bad idea!"

"What are you talking about? I told you before we swam over here it was a bad idea."

"...Well Donnie didn't tell me not to do it."

Pausing to think, he was right, Donnie had not been with them when their little battle was going on. "Did he not follow us?"

"R-Raph put me down!"

They both turned their attention to Raphael and Donatello, Don thrown over the the boxer's shoulder and heading deeper into the water.

"Guess Raph found him."

"Hey this is perfect!"

"What is?"

"For Operation Boxing Love!"

"But they are already dating? I thought we were done?"

"It's not done till Donnie gets laid bro."

"Thanks for that image."

"Anyway~ Raph's kinda possessive right?"

"I really wouldn't mess with that Mike, he really doesn't like it when other people mess with what he likes."

"So jealousy it is."

"How are you possibly going to make Raph jealous?"

"Anythings possible with the power of magic young jedi."

"...Yeah"

"Just do what I say."

"Put me down this instant! People are staring." the captured turtle whispered desperately, and was quickly maneuvered to be carried bridal style. Hovering just above the ocean water. "Ready?"

Gripping tightly around the fighters neck so he couldn't drop him, shook his head "one.."

"two..." his grip tightened

"t'ree."

To his surprise he wasn't dropped into the water. Raph had only taken them into the deeper water so the younger turtle was simply resting in Raphael's arms as he stood in the chest deep water.

"Did cha think I was gonna dunk ya?" chuckling Raph released Don but kept him close due to the deep water.

"Yeah, who drags someone out here then gently sets them in the water?"

A shrug was the fighter's only answer, "I didn' drag ya though smarty pants."

"You know what I mean." sighing peacefully even with all the children and younger generations that yelled and played near by. Only to be joined seconds later by the other couple. "Donnie! There you are!" Mike laughed, making a move to tackle his friend but the water was too deep for him to stand. "I'll do that later" they all moved to the shallower section so the shortest turtles could stand without needing to swim. Only Mike smirked and skipped to Raph

"I'm warnin' ya squirt, if ya jump on me again y'aint gonna have those freckles after I beat them offa ya."

But the other just tugged him down a little to whisper in his ear, and by the shit eating grin that split the boxers face it was a bad idea. Leo and Donnie looked to one another nervously at the sure to be bad idea "Hell Yeah!"

The two sped toward the cliffs ledge, leaving the least excited turtles behind. Leonardo face plamed at the two's enthusiasm but Donatello couldn't piece together what his boyfriend and best friend were doing.

"They are going to jump off the cliff like a diving board."

The words barely left his lips as the brainy turtle was scrambling in the cliffs direction. Full intent of stopping the action before it could become a funeral.

"Ready!?" identical grins plastered to Raphael and Michelangelo's face when Leo and Donnie finally made it to the rock formation. The two were already up on the ledge and ready to jump into the clear blue water.

"What do you both think you're doing!?"

"Jumping off!"

"That's dangerous with all the rocks you idiots! Now get down right now before you get in trouble!" clinging to the cliffs rocks from the water alongside Leo.

"Dude its fine! I've already done it!"

"Are you kidding!?"

"Calm the shell down Donnie, im comin' fer ya once I get down there!" and with that, the two turtles jumped.

"Geronimoooooo!"

"Booykachaaaa!"

Without the rocks ledge underneath the turtles feet Don couldn't help but gasp in fear as they splashed into the water. Bubbles disappearing and even with the clear water was unable to locate the two. Panic began to rise in his chest and shouted the names of the possibly dead males. But a hand fell on his shoulder, Leo.

"Its ok, Mikeys already jumped off before and if I didn't think it was to unsafe I would have just tied him to the rock so he couldn't. The waters really deep it just takes a while to get back to the top. I promise." Leo said smoothly, trying to settle down the jumpy olive turtle before he could have a heart attack.

Still unable to let all his panic dissolve, Don nodded still scanning the water for two figures. Nothing but a few fish and some plant life deep down.

Suddenly a loud splash got their attention, the freckled turtle shot out of the water behind Leonardo with a fake dinosaur cry, and at the same time the famous boxer emerged in front of Donatello while he was focused on the other couples struggle.

He had no chance to see the grin in time before he was grabbed around the waist and hoisted back over a broad shoulder. Purple swim trunks clinging awkwardly as the water drained. All he did was cry out in surprise.

Those little sneaks, they planned all this.

"Ride my trusty steed!" Mikey some how managed to hoist himself so he could sit on the leaf green turtles shoulders, pointing the way back to the shallower water. But it didn't really look like Leo minded so much.

Donatello didn't even fight it this time, casually resting his chin in and and elbow on his boyfriend's shell. "Is this going to become a normal thing?"

"Probably, 's cute ta see yer tail."

His hands went to his tail, causing Raphael to laugh. The original plan was to carry Donnie back to the shallower end but he decided they should hang here for a little bit. The rocks were a little more secluded from children and most adults so it was the most privacy they would get on the beach. So just rested him back in the water, linking there fingers together to tug him forward to his chest at an angle to lazily float. Much like they would if they had been lying down.

A comfortable silence drifted between the couple, occasionally shifting so Donnie could rest higher on the boxer chest as they floated at an angle. Olive fingers hesitantly went to finger the lightning bolt crack in the wide plastron he was resting on. His scientific curiously building with each passing minute.

"How did this happen?" it slipped out without a thought, running his thumb over the missing chip gently as a gesture.

"Ya should jump wit me." Raphael almost snapped dismissively toward his chipped chest. A frown tugging his beak and looked up instead of down at the smaller turtle.

"You're crazy if you think I'm doing that."

"Jus' a lil' "

"I rest my case, and you didn't answer my question."

"Wha' happened ta loosnin' up?" a small smirk curled his lips, seeming to ignore his last bit.

Resting his chin on the plastron to frown/pout at the fighter. "This is different, there's a chance of a serious injury if you don't jump far enough."

"Den put them long legs a yers ta use"

"..."

"One time and dats it."

"..."

"I'll buy ya a coffee."

"Its almost 90 degrees."

"Iced brainiac"

Sighing heavily rested his head on the plastron below him for a second. His one, true weakness. "Only one time though and I want a mocha."

Grinning like a mad man paddled them to the slope in the rocks to climb up. Soon were several feet up with the clear blue water down below. "I suddenly changed my mind, this is kinda high for me."

"Come on Donnie, yer already up here jus' take a deep breath and jump." said turtle looked nervously over the edge down to the water.

"Really Raph."

"Don' be like Leo, 'es 'fraid a heights. Ya can do this, it's fuckin fun."

A large warm and wet hand grabbed his own, tugging him closer; lips met in a reassuring gesture. Raph used his beak to lightly nuzzle Don's cheek before pulling away.

"Grow a back bone Donnie-boy, cause yer literally on the edge."

"I do have one in fact, it's just attached to my shell."

"Great now jump!" the small urge and sweet gesture Raphael displayed helped him for just a few seconds get the confidence to jump. But that quickly disappeared as they both jumped, hand in hand even with the grip on his hand the feeling in his belly as they dropped wasn't very enjoyable.

They hit the water with a loud splash. Hands separating once they hit, the momentum of the jump sending them deep into the clear water. Wishing he had goggles to view where he was, swam to the top. Leo had not been kidding when he said it took a little bit to get back to the surface. Luckily their turtle DNA helped them hold their breath a little longer than a humans.

Donnie broke the surface with a gasp in relief, Raphael following close behind grinning widely. "Told ya."

"I guess I'm not much of an adrenaline junky, that falling feeling just doesn't sit right with me." laughing a little, when Raph tugged him close again similar to the position they were in before. Only paddling lazily toward the forgotten couple still playing back in the shallows.

"S'plains why ya were readin' "

"I can't enjoy the nice day while reading?"

"Guess ya can, sometimes yer just weird Donnie"

"Says the one who cant sleep with socks on." playfully throwing back

"That shits itchy so you can shove it where the sun don't shine."

Giggling lightly at the slight defense the boxer tried to defend himself with. He knew Raphael loved to tease him, it was nothing more than halfhearted fun. And in all honestly he sort of enjoyed it, in a strange way. It was silly and just comfortable for them to go back and forth with little comebacks when they were bored.

They made it back to Leo and Mikey with their lazy paddling, the two had been apparently been sea shell hunting to see who could find the most spiral shells. Though it looked like Leonardo was winning by several.

"There you guys are!" waving to the two as they walked in the water. Giving a light wink to Donnie complete with a little tongue wiggle. It only made him confused and finally flush lightly at the implication.

"I think it's safe to say, I win Mike." smiling the leaf green turtle displayed his hand full of shells.

"Aw man, so not fair." great now he really had to take his posters down. That was just mean. blowing a raspberry at his boyfriend turned back to Raph and Donnie.

"You guys hungry? Cause I'm totally up for some pizza!" cheering at the thought.

"I don't know about pizza but I am a little hungry"

"I could eat."

" 'm game."

"Yiisss! To the s-" Mikey cut himself off with a high pitched shriek, suddenly moving around in a weird dance, falling several times into the water. The turtles only watched unsure what in the world was going on with the goofball. Finally the splashing stopped and the freckled turtle only let his eyes be seen above the water and he paddled to Leo with a horrified look.

"I think a fish was just in my shorts."

The silence that stretch the group was broken by Raphael's bark of a laugh, followed by the others as well at Michelangelo's expense. That was just too funny not to laugh at.

"Thats jus' too fuckin' great!" still laughing the boxer wiped the tear away from his eye from laughing too hard. Don really did try to stifle his laughter but to no avail and was using the boxer as support clutching his side as he doubled over in laughter. Leo was in a similar position, having taken so much time to be calm and collected, but couldn't stop an occasional laugh and smile.

"Stop laughing you guys! I feel so violated." he whimpered dramatically clinging to Leo's middle.

The laughing fit was over minutes later, the couples splitting in opposite directions to get their own preferred food. Raphael and Donatello heading to the snack bar, while Leo and Mikey snuck off to what he presumes to be the truck.

The brain and brawn couple ended up ordering cheeseburgers, along side Donnie's promised iced coffee from a near by coffee shop and were able to get a small table just outside the snack bar on the beach. Idly chatting back and forth or point out and lightly making fun of passersby. Mostly Raph with that part since he wasn't much for making fun of people but laughed along at the jokes or impressions the fighter would make. But somehow ended up talking about what they liked about each other. Feeding each other the left over fries back and forth.

"I have a few things but I really like your eyes, I've never seen anyone with yellow eyes before."

Raph snorted, chewing on the offered fry and swallowing. "That was so cheesy I can almost smell it Donnie-boy"

"You asked."

"Alright...I like yer legs."

"My legs?" he questioned chewing the fry he was given.

"I gotta thing fer long legs."

"Duly noted" he smiled slightly "Your personality then, I really admire how you can be so forward with everything, even if you're a little hot headed. Your accent is really charming as well." smiling, feeling his cheeks warm when Raphael nipped at his fingers when he took the offered fry.

"Bettah not be insultin me ovah dar."

"If I was, you would know it, I'm just pointing out your attributes." twirling a finger in his defense.

"I love yer tooth gap." the olive turtles hands automatically went to his lips, "Why..?" wondering how anyone could like his natural tooth gap. He himself didn't like it so it was just strange for someone to say they enjoyed it.

"Dunno, jus' think it makes ya look cuter" a shrug of emerald shoulders went with the words. Feeding another fry to the turtle across the table.

Unsure how to respond to the compliment decided silence was best, taking a sip of his iced mocha as he thought.

With a slightly dreamy smile intertwined his fingers together on the table bashfully "I cant forget your muscles, I'm a little jealous I have to admit, but I really like running my fingers over your arms." biting his lip not to laugh when Raph grinned, flexing his arm and kissing his bicep in pride speaking with a cocky tone "So Donnie-boy has a thing for muscles eh? Maybe I can show ya somthin'-" when out of no where a water balloon hit the boxer in the face, drenching him in water. The couple stared in shock at one another before Raphael snarled in rage even before he realized who or what happened.

"Doctor Prankenstein strikes again!" Mikey in all his glory stood several feet away with water balloons in hand, his favorite pair of swim trunks, orange decorated with the thing from the fantastic four. Looked a little lumpy guessing he had a few hidden in the pocket.

"Ya lil'-! get ovah here so I can beat those freckles off yer face!" the boxer was out of the chair and up chasing the now squealing turtle around in order to beat the snot out of that goofball. But last second thought better of it not only were they at a public beach, but he would rather not get arrested. So he settled with chucking him into the water with one solid and good throw. Fuck Mikey was heavier than he looked. Wiping his hands of imaginary dust at his accomplishment.

With no sign of Leo, Raph smirked that he wouldn't be getting a lecture, and basked in the peoples shocked, awed, and feared looks. Serves Mike right for interrupting him and Donnie, he was just about to tease him enough to turn the nerds face tomato red. If that happened he didn't think he could keep his hands to himself. He had to admit it was a little frustrating that he couldn't do much with Donnie yet. The brainy turtle had come right out and told him he wasn't interested in any intimate activities yet. That didn't mean he didn't think about it, he just said he really wanted to get to know the boxer first. By now the fighter would have already banged whoever he was lusting for. Raph wasn't heartless, no, but his relationships never lasted. So it was hard to not touch too much or over step his boundary being so used to doing whatever the hell he wanted, when he wanted.

But that didn't mean he wasn't willing to wait, Master Splinter always taught them patience was key but this looked like the one true test that could finally get to him. The frustrating part was seeing Donnie and thinking about those soft kissable lips, slender neck, long legs and malleable thighs, and that adorable tail...Fuck. There it was again.

Shaking his head to rid of the thoughts before they became a problem, returned to a still giggling Donnie, the sun seemed to just make his skin stand out so much more, almost glowing under the sun rays. "Im goin' fer a smoke, be right back."

"Wait, you smoke?!"

"Yeah Sometimes" grunting at the information that Don apparently didn't know yet. "Raph you know that's bad for you right?"

"One ain't gonna kill me Don."

"You say that, but one always becomes one more, this is your last one, I'm going to help you quit. That's a very unhealthy habit."

"Ya mean make me quit."

"Yes." sighing despite the threat wandered off back to his truck to hop in the back to smoke. Lighting the cigarette he pulled from the extra bags and took a long drag. Before letting the smoke be released back into the air. Already feeling his muscles relaxing.

"Hey lets see if he spins!"

"Gimme the stick I wanna poke him!"

"No! its my turn!"

Wrinkling his beak at the sound of kids close by, he really hated kids. After one decided it was OK to kick him in the shin and bite him he would rather smack a brat if they came too close. of course he couldn't do that since he was an adult and would probably go to jail. Not something he would like to do again.

"Ew! look how squishy it is!"

"Heheh it cant get back over, that's funny!"

"I wonder if it comes out of that thing."

Trying to ignore the high voices but they were too loud and annoying to ignore, hopping from the trucks edge searched the space between the cars till he found the little brats. Now what he saw made his blood boil, the kids were poking a stick at a turtle flipped on its shell. Obviously in distress and pain with the sharp jabs it was receiving.

Being a turtle himself just made him this close to taking the stick and whipping the kids to see how they liked it. "Aye what the shell do ya think yer doin' ta him?!" the space was more than enough for him to get through and stomp his way over threateningly.

The three children gasped, the supposed leader dropped the stick at his side. "It's his daddy!" "DADDY!?" he roared, crying out, the kids ran away from the snarling turtle, who just ended up spitting in their direction. Daddy his ass, did he look like a father? No.

Turning his attention to the distressed turtle squatted down "I've been there buddy 'ang on." he gently righted the struggling turtle back to his feet. "Ain't so fun bein' on yer shell, believe me I know." jerking his thumb to his own shell attached to his back. The decent sized turtle said nothing (not that he was expecting it to) but didn't retract into his shell. Instead lazily went back for what he assumed was a lettuce leaf he found or someone fed him.

The larger turtle tilted his head at the little guy, patting his head with a finger not to hurt him. "You don' say much do ya?" he only chewed on the leaf and looked up at his savior lazily. A grin split Raph's face "I like y'already," gently picking the tortoise up along with the bit of lettuce sat the little guy on his shoulder. Walking back to Don who was once again reading his book back under the umbrella with their belongings.

"Back" he greeted and maneuvered himself down to his boyfriend after folding out another towel in the shade. Removing his new buddy from his shoulder, and placed him down holding the leaf for the little guy to munch on.

Don gave a greeting but looked surprised at the new presence. "Is that a turtle?"

"No, its a craw-fish."

"Oh ha ha, where did you find it? better yet, why do you have it?" book forgotten to focus on the new friend, it looked to be some kind of land turtle. Which was strange because they were so close to the ocean.

"Some kids were hurtin' it so I scared the shit outta them." grinning at the thought, "He doesn't talk much, better than Leo already. I think I'll keep him."

Don rolled his eyes at the boxers childishness, "That's a bit contradictory isn't it? I mean you are a turtle yourself."

"And you're a turtle too, a dude turtle and I don't hear ya complain about how two guy turtles fuckin is contradictory." smirking widely at the sputter and the dark flush that blossomed on Donnie's face.

"Tochee, but do I have to remind you it takes two to tango?" feeling his own flicker of a good come back. the hidden meaning behind his words fit great with this scenario.

"Good one."

"Thank you, I try."

"I think I'll name ya Spike." gently patting the animal turtles head with his finger again.

"Spike?"

"He looks like a spike."

"I think he looks more like Kevin." chuckling when Raph playfully pushed him.

"Chew on yer leaf if ya like Spike." and automatically the turtle chomped on the lettuce leaf.

"Spike it is then." Don said patting the newly named spikes shell in a greeting. It amazed him someone as big and bad as Raphael had a little soft spot for animals. No he didn't admit it out loud and he doubted the boxer ever would but it was easy to see if you watched. With Klunk, the little fur ball would nuzzle up to the boxer and Raphael would scratch the cat under his chin and pet him till he laid down for a nap curled up on the top of the sofa next to the turtle's head. Even when they went to a park once, Raphael fed a bunch of birds his left over sandwich bread on their 4th date. And now spike only furthered the assumption. It really was cute actually to know the big bad boxer had a soft spot for small animals.

"Donnie! Donnie! Don! Help please!" the desperation in Michelangelo's voice made the couple freeze as the smaller turtle sprinted toward them, Don was on his feet in seconds trying to calm his best friend as he sputtered out what happened. Voice shaking in his fear and tried to pull Donnie in the direction of trouble. "Calm down Mikey what's wrong are you hurt?" "I-Its Leo!" he sobbed "I m-made him jump off the cliff with me and he d-didn't come back up!"

With the sudden realization the the eldest turtle wasn't above water Raph was on his feet at the sound of his brother being in trouble. He may hate Leo like any other brother would but he cant just sit by while his big bro was not only missing but had not come back up form the ocean water. They all ran back to the giant cliff in hopes to find the turtle before he could drift away. If Leo didn't come back up there was a good chance he was unconscious or hurt and was unable to swim to the surface. The water was really deep and Don only prayed Leo could hold his breath a little longer.

Raph was in the water right away, diving with a pair of goggles he some how grabbed before sprinting out here. While the olive turtle tried to comfort his distressed friend, who happened to try and not be crying over this situation. Raph resurfaced only to gasp for air and dive back down again to search. The tension was so thick and scary to think about. Leo was such a nice guy and he couldn't go out like this, he was Raph's big brother that would just make the whole blow so much more devastating.

He could feel his own lower lip tremble lightly at the thoughts, he needed to stop thinking like that.

Suddenly Raph surfaced with a big splash, gasping for air, in his right arm was Leonardo's limp form. Mikey sobbed out in relief but it was short lived as Don ran out into the water as far as he could swim to help Raph get him to the beach "We have to support his head." a slight tremble entwined his voice. But had to quickly put on his doctor persona and check everything. Hazardously the two got the eldest turtle to the beach. Checking his vitals only to realize he wasn't breathing.

Kneeling quickly started to preform CPR, pressing on his chest hard to give his lungs a start. Mikey was trembling, whining again and attached himself to Raphael for comfort, the boxer only put an arm around the upset male. Focusing intently on Donnie's work to get his brother breathing again. They were starting to form a little crowd of people just out right staring.

The manual CPR wasn't working, he needed to give the turtle mouth to mouth. With a final push, leaned down to cover Leonardo's nose and press their mouths together to blow air into his lungs. A sharp sting whipped the boxers chest at the sight of his Donnie kissing his elder brother, it might not have been kissing but it was still beak to beak. He knew full well the medic/doctor/nurse was trying to save his brother but he could not help but feel the sting of jealously. The doctor pulled away to again press hard on the managers chest. Mikey had sank to his knees near his boyfriend to paw at his arm in desperation.

Don gave Leo one last blow of air to his lungs and by the heavens above the turtle chocked on the water in his lungs when the doctor pulled away, coughing up the sea water to the side with Donnie's help to roll to the side. "Leo!" Mikey was on him quicker than a magnet to a junk yard. "I-im so sorry! I didn't mean for you to get hurt!" burying his face into the leaf turtle's plastron when he sat up shakily. Don had to pry Mike away a little for him to breath properly before he could speak. Relief flooded the small group, the olive turtle felt more than relieved he was able to get Leo breathing again.

After a few shaky and choked breaths was able to speak. "I'm ok Mikey, I don't really know what happened." rubbing his head lightly. "Come on Mikey give him a second to breathe then you can squeeze the goo out of him." Don once more pulled his best friend away to allow the elder male to breathe.

Raph was on his knees now, angry with the whole situation but pulled his brother into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around his big brothers neck and hand resting on the back of his head. "Ya little shit" he whispered "Ya bettah not scare us again or ill kill ya myself." refusing to remove himself, and relaxed a little when Leo returned the hug just as tightly.

Don watched the brothers with a small smile, it was obvious the bond the two held was very close. And the scare was enough for Raph to actually show more than one emotion toward his brother. When the two separated Mikey was on him again, helping him up and walking toward the truck for his boyfriend to rest. That was more than enough excitement for today, and the crowd that had formed either dissolved or clapped lightly at the olive turtle. Leaving Raph and Don to clean up their stuff walking back leaning heavily on one another as the adrenaline wore away. Everything was packed away, the larger turtle grabbed Spike and made their way back to the truck. The sun was nearly setting by the days end. The boxer suddenly grabbed the olive turtle's head and pressed their lips together fiercely. A short but passionate kiss, the smaller could feel the anger, hurt and desperation in just a simple kiss that left them panting for breath.

"I know Leo wasn't breathing but don't put yer mouth anywhere near him again" Don couldn't stop the small smile that touched his lips at the jealous tone.

Mikey sniffed again and cuddled into Leonardo's side, having climbed into the back seat of the truck to wait for Raph and Donnie. "Are you sure you're OK?" the eldest sighed deeply through his nose, patting Mikey's shell.

"A little dizzy but I am alright, never doing that again though"

Nodding furiously in response, with the guilt was eating his insides. Ended up crawling into Leonardo's lap for comfort. " 'm sorry Leo that was so stupid to do"

Rubbing the turtles arms comfortingly responded "I guess I didn't jump right, I'm sort of afraid of heights too so that might have been what happened" sheepishly nuzzling the cuddling turtle in his lap. Trying to remember why he agreed to this in the first place. Oh yeah, those pleading baby blue eyes and quivering lower lip.

"Oh my fucking god you really are the best boyfriend ever." hugging the leaf green turtle tightly, realizing Leo only jumped because Mikey asked him to even though he was afraid of heights.

Raph and Donnie finally returned to pile into the car with Spike now in Donnie's lap for the drive home. With the scare, Don made it clear he would check Leo before they got dropped off to make sure he was alright and didn't need to go to the hospital. Most of the car ride was quiet but Mikey would break the silence with a joke to make everyone laugh before settling back in. The near death experience was new to the brothers, they had nearly lost their lives when they were much younger but it still never prepared them for when they got seriously injured or close to death.

So the day ended in both Leo and Donnie getting their trunks snatched while in the water, naked from the waist down stuck until the two mischievous turtles decided to give them their trunks back. They both vowed to team up and seek revenge. Raph kept the little turtle he found and was strangely named Spike. They ran into some fans and had to take cover to lose them on the board walk, talk about ninja skills. Mikey had a fish swim up his trunks, and leave without a goodbye. Mike didn't get to punch his shark but he did get to catch a fish with his bare hands, Claiming lunch was ready. Don did get his iced coffee as promised and the day was all around filled with silliness and fun, besides Leos near drowning.

The almost 4 hour drive back home felt faster than the ride up. Dropping the younger turtles off after Don made sure Leonardo was functioning correctly. He didn't appear to have any signs of anything serious and after a quick examine was off. A quick kiss to the appropriate turtle, the best friends carried their belongings up to their apartment, and of course had to pass Slash who was leaving as they climbed the stairs. Donnie's soft greeting was only responded with a growl at the freckled turtle and simply didn't acknowledge the olive turtle and carried on his way. Looking back at the two for only a moment before glaring at the truck parked just out front.

Raph noticed the much larger turtle standing at the bottom of the stairs glaring at them, and glared right back. Starting the engine after Leo climbed to the front to hold Spike. And were off. Slash grunted and suspiciously looked back and forth between the pair of turtles, his neighbors and the new comers. Stomping back to his merry way, wondering if the the small turtles had anything to do with the two in the vehicle.

"Yer a dumb ass I hope ya know that." the driver grunted, driving down the road.

"Look who's talking." calmly replying back.

"Don' start."

"I know it was a bad decision and I don't plan on doing it again, call it a moment of weakness." recalling the pleading tone Mikey had. It was really hard to say no to a face like that.

"So fearless has a weakness." a grin tugging the younger brothers lips.

"So do you, let me remind you have several"

"Least mine ain't big blue eyes and quivering lips."

"..."

"Ya smell dat? It smells like burn."

"Mature Raph"

Chuckling at his victory drove down the road in silence, the traffic was terrible. The closer they got to home the more backed up everything was. "What the fucks so many people out fer? Its like 8 at night."

"I think there's an accident, they have caution signs up ahead."

"Great, just great." forcibly sitting back in his seat. The closer they creeped the more it started to smell strange. At first they thought it was the truck and it only pissed Raphael off, but they soon realized it smelt like smoke. Curiously the closer they got the more signs were placed directing traffic, fireman and police lining the sidewalk. That's when they noticed a light glow coming from just up the road. a firetruck with and ambulance fighting was they guessed was a fire.

That's when the two noticed the street they were stuck on. This was the short cut to get back home even if they didn't live together, the boxer lived just up the street because living with Leo was a nightmare. Though the short cut they always had to pass their fathers dojo, just out front was a small bonsai garden. Their father took very good care to his garden and it was always a swell of joy their father took such good care of it. But now smoke was wafting from a building on the street, the glow of fire flickering from just up the road. A small sign out front slowly burning to the ground.

They inched only a bit closer.

That was...

The horror shot through the brothers like a bullet.

Master Splinter's dojo was on fire.

The brothers shot from the car, leaving it as they sped between the traffic jammed cars, police and firemen yelling for them to return to their car but it went ignored as the turtles ran up to the line block around the building. The fire destroying the wooden building with ease, burning it to ashes as the flames licked at the expanse of dry old wood.

"Mastah Splintah!" the yell for their father went unanswered, it only got them attention from a dalmatian fire chief. "Sir please get back!" he barked at the two.

"Please this is our father's dojo, he lives here, what happened?" Leo stepped in so his brother wouldn't do anything rash as his younger brother stared at the fire destroying the dojo. Leo's voice surprisingly calm.

The dog looked at the two strangely since they were only dressed in swim trunks and t-shirts, and the fact they were turtles and claiming to be the sons of the victim. "It seems to have been an accidental fire. Candles were found so we guess that's what caused the fire."

"Wheres our dad?! Did you get him out!?" Raphael snapped through grit teeth, gripping the wooden blockade so hard his knuckles started to ache.

The old dogs eyes drooped sadly "There was only one body found, it was too late when our team got here, we believe he was asleep when it all happened. If you really are the sons you must go and notify the ambulance."

The turtles hearts shattered to pieces at the words, but Raphs denial boomed "You motha fucker! You didn't save him!-" he hissed loudly grabbing for the dogs uniform to drag him closer. "I'll fuckin'-!" "Raph!" his elder brother jerked him away slapping his sibling hard across the face to get his attention. "Now's not the time to go insane!" yelling even when he felt an entire chunk of his heart was missing. He couldn't let his brother throw a temper tantrum and get kicked away from the scene before checking if their father was alive or if he was even here when this happened.

Snarling Raphael moved to growl in his brothers face pushing him back a few steps, eyes blazing with just as much fire that was destroying their fathers home. "They didn't-"

"You don't even know anything about it yet! He could be over there alright and still be alive he may have not even been home!" hissing right back. The two panted for breath so many different emotions swimming in their heads and bellies. It took time but Raph finally snapped out of his blind anger enough to follow his brother to the ambulance. Only to see a single stretcher with a white tarp covering whatever body was lying beneath it. The two didn't have the guts to get any closer nor to pull away the tarp to see what lied underneath. The two didn't even want to look but it had to be done. The woman in the ambulance pulled it back for them revealing the one victim of the fire.

Both of their hearts stopped.

"Dude that was so much fun! Except for Leo's thing but it was really fun before then!" dropping the supplies on the table to put away later. Donnie only nodded his head in affirmative. He was expecting Mikey to be a little quieter after an experience like this but it didn't look like anything could keep him down.

Collapsing on the sofa, Mike grinned lazily "You know I never would'a thought you would be dating a pro boxer."

Donnie grabbed a soda from the fridge with a light shrug, "Neither did I, I figured someone of the sciencey type would like me before a boxer." chuckling, clicked a button on the remote to turn the TV on. Taking a seat at Mikey's feet.

"Everybody loves nerds."

"If you say so."

Breaking the seal off his sprite, took a drink as cartoons flickered across the TV. "I think I might head to bed actually, I'm pretty worn from today."

"No way..."

"What?"

"You? admitting you're tired? And actually going to bed?! What kinda future is this?!"

Lightly smacking his friend's leg, got a face full of foot in return. "Ugh! get your nasty feet out of my face."

"They are are not nasty! "

"Have you smelled them recently?!"

"No! Who goes around smelling their own feet? Jeez Donnie." the two struggled with one another till a knock at the door caught their attention, using the distraction Don rolled Mike off the couch and onto the floor. Trotting to the door with the thought of it being a neighbor since it was late.

What he wasn't expecting was to see Raphael and Leonardo standing in the door way.

"Oh hey guys, did you forget something?" his voice fading out at the emotions on the brothers face, they looked like a mess. Mikey perked up at the sound of familiar guests from the floor.

Raph was gritting his teeth and looking down at the floor with utter hate and heart break, arms crossed tightly over his chest. While Leo looked more pulled together but his eyes shone his real emotions, fear and hurt. "Are you both alright? What's wrong?" the sudden urge to just pull them both inside was almost too great but the question slipped out first.

"Its Master Splinter." Leo spoke, and Raph's arms tightened across his chest.

Devastation finally wrote itself all over Leos faces at his next words,

"Hes gone."