Splinter hastily carried his young son back to the lair followed by Michelangelo. His small feet running as fast as he can. He feared his older brother wouldn't make it back to the lair. Splinter burst into the lair, shouting for Leonardo and Donatello to move. Startled, the two quickly jumped off the couch. Their eyes went wide in terror when they saw Raphael laying limp and blood in their father's arms. Guilt instantly flooded Leonardo. As the oldest, he is responsible for the safety of his brothers. Raphael's last words echoed in his mind. Tears fell from his eyes, "I'm sorry Raph."
Donnie's lip quivered. His eyes traveled to the blood covering Raphael's body. As a wave of dizziness hit him, he grabbed onto Leo for support. Mikey was shaking uncontrollably with sobs. He stood behind Splinter. Leo glanced over to his youngest brother. Mikey's face was stained with tears and his body still covered in dirt. Leo didn't know what happened but something told him that Raph protected Mikey. He reached out to Michelangelo, wrapping his other arm around him. Mikey sobbed into Leo's shoulder. Leo rubbed both his younger brothers' shells while softly singing a Japanese lullaby. He tried to keep their attention on him. Despite his own fear, he has to remain strong for them.
Splinter gently set Raphael down on the cushions; careful to avoid his injuries. Raphael lay motionless, blood still seeping from his man wounds. His head lolled to side, eyes closed. Placing a hand on his forehead, Raphael's skin felt cool to the touch. This worried Splinter. His son is growing weaker at an alarming rate. He quickly needed to tend to his injuries to give his son any chance of survival. He glanced over to his other sons. They each held a terrified look on their faces. They realized their brother is badly hurt but not sure what to do. They were scared and whimpering. "Leonardo, please fetch some warm water; Donatello the first aid kit and Michelangelo, some towels please." Splinter ordered with a gentle voice. They wiped their eyes before running off to get the needed supplies. While his other sons gathered the needed supplies, Splinter gently stroked Raphael's cool forehead. His body was covered in sweat yet chilled at the same time. Splinter prayed his son will have the strength to remain with them. Raphael winced at the slight touch but remained unconscious. "Please my son, be brave." Leo, Donnie and Mikey quickly returned with the supplies. Splinter dipped the washcloth in the water then began to wipe off the dirt and blood. He watched the slow rise and fall of Raphael's chest, fearing ti would stop at any moment.
Sharp pain filled Raphael's body. He begged for it to stop. The cool water left his skin chilled. As darkness encroached; beckoning the young turtle, a gentle voice called out once again. "Raphael my son, you must fight. Your father and brothers need you. Your time is not up yet. Return to them." Raphael looked up to where the voice came from. A female form took shape. She had long black hair with stunning brown eyes. She reached out to the young turtle. "Do not fear my son. I will help you, take my hand." Raphael was unsure. He wanted nothing more than to go home. The woman met Raphael's frightened gaze. She had to hurry or his life will be lost forever. She kept her gaze soft and warm. Raphael suddenly felt himself slipping away. He quickly reached out for the woman's hand. She tightly gripped it, pulling him close to her. Raphael wrapped his small arms around her crying. She gently held him close; rubbing his shell. "Oh sweetie, everything will be alright. I will stay here with you until you are ready to go home. You will never be alone Raphael. If you ever need me, just think about me and I will be here my son." She held tightly onto the small turtle; rocking him to sleep with a soft lullaby. She knows this will the first of many visits to Raphael. Raphael relaxed in the woman's arms. Her warm scent and soft voice lulling into a gentle sleep. She smiled at her young son.
Splinter carefully wrapped and stitched Raphael's many wounds. He watched his son's chest slowly rise and fall with ragged breathes. It moved too slowly for his liking. Trickles of blood streamed from the corners of his mouth. His skin growing paler by the minute. Splinter feared Raphael may stop breathing at any moment. Tears fell from his eyes, splashing off of Raphael's plastron. "I'm sorry my son. I know it hurts. I just wish I had something to give to you." Splinter rummaged through the first aid, finding nothing stronger than acetaminophen. At least it was better than nothing. Splinter slowly poured the medicine down Raphael's throat. He then shifted his focus to Raphael's broken arm. He mentally cringed at having to set the bones and the sound of bones snapping together. He glanced over to his other sons. They stood with tear filled eyes. They are too young to witness bones being snapped back together. He didn't want them seeing it let alone hearing it. "My sons, I have to set your brother's broken arm." Donnie looked up intrigued yet scared at the same time. How is his father going to fix his brother's broken bones? Is it going to hurt? He didn't want his brother to be in anymore pain. Seeing just how helpless Raphael is, he vowed to always be the one to help his family whenever they are hurt or ill. Little would he know that ten years later; even, his best skills may not be enough. His eyes met his father's.
"Can I stay daddy?" His voice meek. Splinter glanced down at his young son. Donatello held a curious gaze in his eyes. As much as he know he should shield his sons from witnessing this, it could also turn into a learning opportunity. However; Michelangelo, is another story. He already witnessed his older brother being swept away in a torrent of water then being pinned under debris. Splinter sighed, relenting to his son's request.
"Alright then Donatello; you may watch. However, Leonardo please take Michelangelo into the bedroom. He has witnessed enough today." Mikey met his father's gaze. "Can I stay too daddy, don't want Raph to be alone." Splinter's heart ached. He didn't want his youngest son traumatized anymore more than he already is. But he saw the determined look in his eyes and relented. He is blaming himself for his brother's injuries. "My son, this is not something you should watch. You are too young and it is not pleasant."
"Pwease daddy?" Mikey looked up at his father with big puppy dog eyes. Splinter could never say no when his sons gave him that look. He relented.
"I will let you watch and you can stay too Leonardo." Leo nodded. He didn't want his brother to be alone in pain.
Splinter positioned himself on the floor next to Raphael. He mentally prepared himself for what he is about to do. Splinter slowly straightened Raphael's arm; although he was unconscious, a grimace spread across his face. Splinter quickly realized the break is worse than originally thought. Both the upper and lower bones are broken. He gently pressed on the upper arm first, snapping the bone back into place. A loud crack echoed in the lair. All three turtles turned a shade greener. Mikey buried his head into Leo's shoulder while he stood frozen. He wanted to help but didn't know what to do. He felt powerless. Donnie paled yet still curious at the same time. He watched intently at his father snapped the bones back into place.
Raphael; on the other hand, lay completely still. Another trickle of blood ran down from the corner of his mouth while his breathing took a turn for the worse. It quickened to short gasps as if he couldn't catch his breath. Sweat beaded on his body. "Shh my son, it is almost done. Just one more time." Splinter stroked Raphael's forehead. He then gripped his wrist and pressed down again. Bones snapped together with a resonating echo. Leo held tight onto Mikey as he gagged. He squeezed his eyes shut, shuddering. Tears fell from his eyes. He promised to never call his brother a crybaby again. To stay strong when gravely injured shows true courage. He rubbed the back of Mikey's shell. Donnie moved to stand next to his brothers; his stomach uneasy.
Splinter watched his sons from the corner of his eyes. He saw their terrified expressions as he set the broken bones. His focus; though, remained on Raphael. His condition growing worse by the minute. Splinter carefully wrapped his son's arm, immobilizing it with a splint. He wiped the beaded sweat from Raph's forehead. He then tucked a blanket around his son. He knows he has done all he can and the rest is up to his son. Raphael's raspy breathing echoed in the lair. The family could only pray that Raphael would not lose the fight. Splinter cleaned up the dirty and bloody wash clothes. He frowned as he walked away. He didn't want to bear the thought of losing anymore of his family. When he returned to the living room. The scene before him brought tears to his eyes. Mikey lay curled up against Raphael's feet. Leonardo rested his head near Raph, clutching his hand. While Donatello sat next to him, fast asleep. Splinter didn't have the heart to move the boys. He moved to the end of couch to meditate. "Please my son; come back to us."