*Dodges shoes and tomatoes being thrown at her.* "So…hi readers. How you doing? Heh."
*Donnie, Leo, and Raph come storming in. *Raph yells*"How do you think they're doing! You left us on hold with our brother dying, for TWO WEEKS! AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED! DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH?"
"I'm so sorry! Really, I am! You see- *Gets interrupted by Raph* "Ok, so not only do you not update in two weeks, but you bother them with this stupid authors note."
"Fine! If you want to know where I've been, it will be at the end of this chapter! There, everyone happy?!"
(Haven't done this in a while) Disclamier: I do not own the turtles. *Raph interrupts me, again!* "Thank gosh, or our lives would be terrible."
"SHUT UP!"
Mikey's Pov
"Sh-Shre-dder." He whispered. He didn't exactly know who he was talking too, but he felt Shredder was still haunting him, even though he disappeared, and he thought maybe by saying it he would feel a little better and snap him out of his trance.
That is when he realized the distant but certain voices for his brothers. It seemed like they were half way around the world, yet right in front of him at the same time. It was like you were calling a relative who lived far away, but yet you can hear them right next to your ear.
"Mik….open…eyes." Someone called, sounding a bit like Don.
"Mmmmm." Mikey whined, unable to talk, he was surprised he even had the strength to even make that noise. But he did as he was told, and opened his eyes, just to have a rush of blinding light came towards him. Pain flowed through him, the light giving him a major head rush.
"Guys….off…lights." Someone said, but this time Mikey wasn't able to pinpoint who it was.
"Alright Mikey…can….open…eyes." Deciding to take his chances, he slightly opened one eye, and deciding it was safe, opened both of them. He was greeted by the blurry sights of his brothers, a girl with red hair, probably April, and Sensei circling him. That's when the pain rammed into him. His head was pounding, and it was so difficult to breathe. Every breath was a punch to the ribs, and he felt so nauseas. Then, the memories came back to him. Hearing his brothers not want him, changing, hurting Raph, fighting the Shredder. All the horrible moments in the past week ran into him, one after the other. He felt his heart beat quicker, and his breathes were becoming shallow and quick.
"Mikey! Calm down! It's me Donnie, and your brothers. Deep breathes, your safe now." Apparently, Donnie said. He guessed that along with his other senses, his hearing was getting better. The figures of his brothers stated to go into focus, and they were getting less blurry. But every time he could see them clearer, the pain increased.
"Look at me Mikey. Breathe along with me." Donatello said, slowly taking deep breathes to show Mikey. With extreme difficulty, Mikey tried to steady his breathing, and after a few minutes of his brothers urging him, he got his breathing under control, at least better than before.
"Mikey, I am going to give you some painkillers. It won't make all the pain go away, but you should feel at least a bit better than this." Donnie said. All Mikey cold do was bob his head. Which he hoped his brothers took that as an "O.k."
Luckily, his brothers understood, and seeing he didn't have the strength, put the pills in his mouth, and suddenly a stream of water went down him itchy throat. He didn't realize how dry and sore his throat felt, but the refreshing, cold water was like heaven in his mouth. If only water cold cure the rest of his aching body too.
Leo's Pov
The pain on his little brother's face was evident. He seemed to be suffering, and it shouldn't be that way. He wasn't suppose too wake up now, heck he wasn't even suppose too be in this situation. If anyone, it should be him. He didn't do anything to stop the fight, he wasn't there to stop Mikey from running off.
But, Leo knew that he couldn't turn back the clock, there was nothing he could do about the past. But Leo knew one thing. He would be there to help Mikey recover. He would not let Mikey die. And he was going to make sure nothing like this ever happened again.
"Mikey, you are back home. Nothing bad is going to happen, you are going to alright." Leo soothed.
"Hurrtss. Tireddd." Mikey slurred, unable to say anything else.
"I know Mikey, but please stay awake for a little longer. For us?" Don encouraged softly.
"K" Mikey responded, but still grimacing in pain. Leo grabbed Mikey's hand and gave it a slight squeeze, and Mike's features relaxed just a little.
Leo noticed that ever since Mikey had woke up, Raph had been unusually quiet. He was just looking at Mikey, guilt and pity written all over his face. Leo would have to talk to him later.
"Mikey, I have to put an IV in you, so you'll just feel a slight pinch. I promise, but we need to do it if you want to get better" Don explained while pulling out a bottle of rubbing alcohol, a needle, and some tape.
At the sight of the needle, Mikey panicked. He was terrified of shots, and it was always a struggle to give him one. Fortunately for them, Mikey was too weak and exhausted to fight back, he just laid there with a panicked look on his face. Leo actually thought that was worse though, if he were to fight back, at least they would know he had some strength in him. And he had just encountered the Shredder, Leo knew it must be horrible to face another one of his fears.
"Mikey, don't look at the needle. Look at my eyes, focus on what I am telling you." Leo said, and Mikey brought his attention to Leo. Sharing a knowing glance at Donnie, he began to talk.
"Remember the time you fought those wasp? You were so strong and brave Mikey. You fought with courage, like a true warrior. Or the time we first fought Shredder? We were all so scared, but you went and attacked him with you nunchuka. Even if it meant being crushed by a ten ton sign. You have done so many heroic actions, and we are so proud of you little brother. You never gave up then, so don't give up now." Leo said, blinking back tears.
Mikey gave Leo a small smile. "Thanks." He whispered.
"Done." Donnie announced. "Did you feel anything Mikey?" Don asked, and to his satisfaction, Mikey slightly shook his head. It turned out, focusing himself on Leo made him unaware of what was happening. They would have to try that with Mikey in the future. If Mikey lasted that long.
"Ok Mikey. I am going to give you a sedative, which will make you fall in a deep sleep." Don explained.
"Mikey, and as your leader, I command you to wake up when you are suppose too this time." Leo demanded playfully.
"Yes sir." Mikey agreed, and already began to fall asleep. Once he was out, Leo mumbled, "And please Mikey. Don't stay asleep either."
"Ok guys, I need you to step out for a few moments, me and April have some work to do. I can't have too many people here while I'm doing this part of the procedure." Donatello ordered.
"We're his brothers. Why can't we stay?" Raph huffed. Oh sure. He'll talk to complain, but not to be there for our youngest brother.
"Well, that's because I need to focus. And trust me, you guys can come in just when I am done with this part. You see, I am going to do surgery on his skull, I need to reattach the bones, and I have to remove any damaged tissues that may cause damage. And I need April's skinny hands, and my knowledge to work on this." Don explained.
"Skinny hands?" April questioned. "What do you mean, skinny hands?"
"Well, you know. Smaller hands than ours. Please April, I need your help." Don begged.
"How can I refuse?" April questioned, and started putting on a pair of yellow nurse gloves.
"But-" Raph started to protest, but Leo stopped him. "Wait Raph, as much as it kills me to wait, he need to let Don do his thing." Leo explained as calmly as he could, and getting a grateful look from Donnie in return. When his hot headed brother stayed put, Leo yanked his arm, and started to drag Raph, and he finally complied, trudging out the door with Leo.
As Raph exited the room, Leo whispered "Good luck Don, save our little brother." And followed Raph into to living room.
Raph's Pov
Donnie has no right to kick me out! Mikey is my brother too, who does he think he is, kicking me out! For all I know he could be lying to us, and Mikey can be dying right now! Please let Mikey be o.k. Please, please, please! Raph thought with misery, his hope was seeping away ever moment that passed by.
Lost in his own thought, Raph absent mindly sat on the sofa, and put his head into his cupped hands, thinking of what ifs. What if they never had that sparring match? What if they got to him sooner? What if they had listened to Leo when he said something may be wrong with Mikey? Raph knew his little brother, and Mikey would never go as far as to hurt any member of his family. Was it what they said, could he have some way over heard Don, Leo, and him when they were talking about him? Was that the case, or was it something more? These questions were driving him crazy!
Raph felt the sofa shift under some more weight, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Leo taking a seat next to him. They sat together in silence for some moments, each in there far way world of questions and untidy answers. Finally, Leo spoke.
"Raph, you know he's going to be o.k., right? He'll pull through, he is too strong not to."
"Yeah, I know." He sighed.
"No, you do not. Raph, you never have been one to talk about how you are feeling, but your expression says a thousand words that your mouth cannot." Leo disagreed. Raph felt his cheeks burning, the one time he needed to hide his emotions, and Leo could read him like he was a book. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Leo.
"How…how can you be so sure? What if he dies, and the last few things that we did to him was try to make him change, and make fun of him? What if those were our last few days with him, and that's how we spent it?"
"It won't be." Leo decided, sounding like he was trying to convince himself.
"It won't be, or it can't be?" Raph asked softly. He knew that Leo was trying to deny the truth, that Mikey might not make it, but raising false hopes would hurt more than already suspecting something was coming. The world was just cruel that way.
He sat there patiently, waiting for Leo to say something, for Raph had no words. Then, Leo did something unexpected, tears started rolling down his cheeks, tears that he had been holding in for so long.
"Raph, I can't do this anymore. I know Mikey has a high chance of not surviving, and I need to hope. But there is just so much I can take before I break. I know I have to be strong for you guys, and act like leader and all, but I just can't." Leo sobbed.
Wow, this was new. Raph was so used to Leo being the brave one, keeping it together for the team. But now it was a completely different turtle. Leo wasn't the leader, the courageous one he was always trying to be. No, right now, this Leo, he was a helpless, scared, worried teenager, having no clue what to do. It was the Leo that he always tried to hide.
Raph wasn't one who usually comforted others, especially not their fearless leader, but it seemed Leo desperately needed it right now. So, Raph wrapped his arms around Leo, and pulled him to a tight embrace, letting him cry into his shoulder.
Once Leo had calmed down a bit, Raph untangled them from the hug, but grasped Leo's shoulders. "Leo, I'm not saying that Mikey is for sure going to live, but I'm also not saying he is for sure going to die. To be honest, right now I'm only sure of one thing. That you don't have to go through this alone, were going through this bumpy ride together. No matter what happens, for better or for worse, we will always be there for each other. So don't put the burden all on your shoulders, you don't always have to act as a leader. Sometimes, you have to act, who you really are. And let that fake character you're acting for everyone, just let it drop. You don't have to be brave only for us, we all have to be brave for one another."
Leo looked Raph in the eyes, gratefulness seeming to radiate off him.
"Thanks Raph. You have no idea how much I needed that." Leo whispered, so soft that Raph barely caught it.
"No problem bro." Raph responded.
"Your right, we'll make it through these rough times. Just like we always have."
"Just like we always will."
Yeah, so I hoped you liked it. The beginning was a bit choppy, but I still like writing this.
*Raph shouts* "Wow! What a way to keep the readers happy, give them a choppy and short chapter. Even after you made them wait two weeks."
"Leo and Donnie nod their heads in agreement.*
*I get really angry!* WILL YOU GUYS JUST SHUT UP! YOU BELONG IN MY STORY, AND YOU WILL STAY IN MY STORY! AND IF YOU KEEP PESTERING, JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT I HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE ANYONE OF YOU DROP DEAD THIS SECOND! SO JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!
*The 3 brothers look scared beyond their minds.* *Leo speaks nervously.* "We are so sorry. You know what we should do guys? We should go bake her some cookies and then leave her alone."
*Others nod frantically, plaster on a big, fake smile, and leave the room.*
"That's what I thought. So anyways, for those who are still reading this author note and actually care, my laptop broke down. Now I need to go over to a friend's house, ot write bits and pieces of it after school in the computer lab. Also, I have a lot of exams, so I stay uo all night studying and all. Updates will come slower, hopefully not this slow, but slower.
Don't forget to review! See ya!
