Soulcatcher
part 10

Dinner proceeded without Raphael at the table.

Donatello returned to the kitchen with Mikey and informed his family, in a completely unemotional way, that Raph would not be joining them. Concerned, Leo asked if Raph's condition had worsened.

"No, I repaired the damage he'd done by moving about injudiciously. Then I administered a sedative," Don answered.

Surprised, Leo asked, "Raph hates being knocked out. Didn't he protest?"

"Why would he?" Don responded. "I am the family physician and therefore those types of decisions are solely within my purview. I did not give him an opportunity to voice an opinion nor did I ask his permission. I simply gave him the necessary injection."

The way Don spoke and acted was disquieting, to say the least. Leo surreptitiously watched Don while they ate their dinner, noting the change in his aspect. He responded not at all to Mikey's attempts at humor. For Don, sitting down to a meal seemed to be merely a way to acquire nourishment.

"Michelangelo, this roast is delicious," Master Splinter said during an awkward lull in the conversation.

"It's dry," Mikey said. "I should have chopped it up before heating it again so the pan juices could get into it."

Leo glanced at his brother, hearing something off in his tone. Mikey was trying to appear his usual easygoing self, but Leo could tell that he was upset by something.

"It really is excellent, Mikey. The roast isn't dry at all," Leo told him, smiling when Mikey looked at him.

"Really?" Mikey asked, seeming to cheer up. "So, does that mean this recipe is a keeper?"

Leo chuckled. "Yes. Let's not lose this one. What do you think, Donny?"

Don contemplated the question and nodded. "Yes, it is agreeably palatable. Nutritionally speaking, it provides one with a proportionate share of vitamins from several food groups. I would certainly choose it over foods containing empty calories."

"Thanks for the ringing endorsement," Mikey said with a touch of sarcasm.

Hearing Don speak in such a flatly unemotional manner was disquieting. There had always been a certain amount of animation in his voice, but now it sounded dull. Leo would rather hear the anger Don had exhibited previously than this lifeless tone.

"Donny," Leo said, leaning forward, "we figured this guy finds his victims through the obituaries, right? That he looks through the papers or online for the names of survivors because he targets people who are in mourning?"

"That was our original assumption," Don said. "However, I do not fit into that category. I was not in mourning when he attacked me."

"You attacked him, bro'," Mikey corrected. "And you were in mourning. You were upset about that man getting killed, even though you were hiding that under a layer of anger."

"You were also upset that Raphael had been severely injured," Master Splinter said. "Your emotional turmoil was extensive."

"He was going after the sister because he knew she'd be feeling a wide range of emotions," Leo said, "but so were you. Rather than fighting you off and escaping, as he'd done before, he chose you to be his next victim. He'd probably already determined he had no way of accessing the sister. The question is, before you came along, where did he plan to go so that he could feed?"

"To one of the other people on our list," Mikey guessed.

"Which one? The woman with the gun is in jail and unreachable," Leo said, avoiding the phrase 'the woman who shot Raph'. "Mine is in the hospital under suicide watch. Yours is apparently drowning his sorrows in drug parties, and Casey's is tending bar in a place full of patrons."

"He had another target in mind as a backup in case he couldn't get to the sister," Mikey said.

"The Shaman is a resourceful man," Don said. "He would no doubt have several targets in mind during the times when he's hunting."

"Where does he find them?" Leo asked. "They can't all be people listed in the obituaries because there aren't any others. Is every death listed?"

"No," Donatello answered. "Obituaries are notices of death provided by the survivors. They pay the newspapers for those notices as a way to apprise family and friends of the death and the funeral arrangements. The lengthier ones are a tribute to the life of the deceased, but they cost money. People who are not wealthy or who consider such tributes to be frivolous will often only purchase a basic statement of death without listing the decedent's surviving relatives, or they may not purchase a statement at all."

"Wait," Mikey said, straightening in his chair. "That means there could be a bigger victim pool for that guy than we originally thought. If he's not just looking at the obituaries, where else is he finding people to prey on?"

"Exactly my question," Leo said. "Another thing I've been thinking about is that the obituaries listed both the sister and brother as survivors, but mentioned that the brother resided elsewhere. So how did the Shaman know the brother was in the city? What are the other industries having to do with people's deaths, Donny?"

"The death commerce is a large one," Don answered. "If a person passes away in their home, the police are involved, as well as the medical examiner. If the death occurs in a hospital or an assisted living facility, there are medical professionals involved in the process. Burial or cremation arrangements must be made and if there are to be services of some type, the religious community becomes involved."

"I've seen TV shows about funerals," Mikey said. "Don't they have a lot of flowers and people who provide coffins or urns, and music, and a bunch of other stuff?"

"Printed programs, refreshments, and whatever else is fitting for the type of service required," Don said. "If the deceased was in military service, then there may also be honor guards and other representatives of the military. Funeral homes provide many of the necessary services, include a site for interment, such as a grave, or sending the body to a crematory. The cremated body is placed into an urn and is often stored at a memorial site."

"It sounds like there could be hundreds of people involved," Leo said with a frown.

"So we do what they do on those detective shows," Mikey said. "Process of elimination dude. We already have a starting place; all of this Shaman guy's victims had a death in the family. We've just gotta dig up what they all had in common."

Mikey's optimism was uplifting. "What do you think, Don? Is there a way to find out that information?" Leo asked.

"Certainly," Don said. "Everything is online and there is nothing that I cannot hack into. I can even write an algorithm that can search out common denominators. I will also continue to research the Soulcatcher amulet and the tribes who used them."

"Hey, maybe somewhere in that research it'll say how the Shaman works the amulet," Mikey said. "Master Splinter is mystic enough to get the souls out of it if he knows where to start."

"I can certainly make the effort, my sons," Master Splinter assured them. "Perhaps before Donatello begins his research, he will come sit with me and allow me to reach into his mind. I may be able to find the path his soul took in leaving him, which would tell me how the Shaman removed it. That knowledge would be very helpful in reversing the process."

"Maybe the Shaman left something of himself behind too," Leo said, looking at his father. "There could be a clue to his whereabouts in the residual spiritual trail."

"Yes, it is a good idea," Master Splinter said. "Donatello, I must also insist that you sleep before you begin the rigorous work of mining your computer for information. You have had no rest in at least two days."

Don brow knit, as though he was contemplating something. "My body does not seem tired, but I understand that sleep is necessary to rebuild my internal resources. I will do so after we have communed together, Master Splinter."

Leo could see that Don behaving in such an unemotional manner pained their father. Of the four of them, it was only Don who had ever managed to form a deep mental connection to Master Splinter. He hoped they could repeat that link and that Master Splinter could quickly find a way to return Don to normal.

Dinner was at an end and as the group rose from the table, Leo asked, "Don, would you like for me to go to the infirmary and check on Raph?"

Don had started to follow Master Splinter but stopped to answer Leo's question. "It would be prudent if someone were to do so. Since you care a great deal about his welfare, it would be appropriate if you were the one to look in on him."

There was no way to tell if Don was merely stating a fact or if he intended for there to be an underlying meaning behind his words. Leo couldn't ask since Don was already walking off, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to pursue that at the moment anyway.

Mikey had started clearing the table and Leo quickly grabbed some plates. "You shouldn't have to clean up the mess if you made the effort to cook the meal."

"Might as well," Mikey said. "Don't feel like doing much of anything else."

The odd tone had returned to Mikey's voice and concerned, Leo followed him. Standing next to his brother as Mikey filled the sink with sudsy water, Leo watched him for a moment, noticing that Mikey was purposely avoiding looking at him.

"What's wrong bro'?" Leo asked.

"I think you know," Mikey said without looking up.

Leo felt a hint of impatience, though he knew Mikey hadn't done anything to deserve his resentment. "I'm too tired for guessing games. I wish you guys wouldn't keep things from me."

"Oh, you mean like the fact that Raph and Don have hooked up and been having sex behind our backs for a while now?" Mikey snapped, resting his clenched fists on the edge of the sink and glaring at Leo.

Taken aback by Mikey's abrupt statement, Leo could only stare at him. This attitude was very different from how Mikey had behaved before they'd all sat down to eat.

"How long have you known that?" Leo asked softly.

The look Mikey gave him was scathing. "I guessed not long after they got together. It was easy enough to see that something between them had changed. At least, easy enough for me to see, since I didn't have a dog in that hunt."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Leo couldn't help sounding irritable.

"It means that I also know you have the hots for Raphie," Mike said. "You do know that he isn't going to give you the time of day while Don's in the picture, don't you? Raph's a one-turtle guy and besides, you don't have any of the qualities that Raph likes in Donny."

Leo felt himself start to tremble and took a second to get his emotions under control. "Whatever I may or may not feel for Raph, I'm not going to let that interfere with trying to get Don's soul back, if that's what's bothering you."

With a short, derisive laugh, Mikey said, "You could be conniving enough to try that but I don't think you would. Master Splinter wouldn't let you for one, but I'm pretty sure you've got enough honor not to do something that low."

It hurt Leo deeply to hear Mikey say that. He would never have thought the day would come that Mikey would question his honor. "You know me better than that, Mikey," Leo said, unable to hide the aggrieved tone in his voice. "Why would you even think it? Is it because I didn't realize that Don would go after the Shaman on his own? Because I had us split up in the first place, which is why Raph got shot? I'll admit that I screwed up by not understanding exactly what we were up against."

Mikey gaped at him. "Don't do that. Don't turn this into a Leo pity party. This isn't one of those times where it's okay for you to curl inward on yourself. That's really kind of selfish, Leo. You and Don and Raph are all focusing on each other, so where does that leave me? Huh? Anybody stop to think that there's a fourth brother in the mix, or am I the throw away sibling?"

He angrily twisted the water faucet, cutting off the stream, before stomping out of the kitchen.

All Leo could do was to gawk at Mikey's retreating form. After a bit he mentally kicked himself for not realizing that Mikey felt like he was trapped in the middle of some ridiculous drama.

It was no wonder his youngest brother was distressed, he'd been shoved aside and treated like a spectator in his own family. Mikey probably felt like an outsider who was only called upon as a guidance counselor, a cook, or the flunky who ran around cleaning up messes.

Setting the plates and utensils into the soapy water to soak, Leo exited the kitchen. He glanced around the lair but Mikey was nowhere to be seen and when Leo looked up towards his bedroom, he saw that the door was closed.

Leo debated whether he should knock on Mikey's door, beg to be let in, and then apologize profusely. Mikey had been his bulwark through this entire ordeal, the one who always stood with him offering advice and comfort.

Even as he contemplated that though, Leo had to ask himself if he would be apologizing because he truly felt bad about treating Mikey in such a cavalier manner, or because he worried that Mikey wouldn't continue to be there for him. If it was the latter, then Leo's apology would only be self-serving and Mikey would know that immediately. It would make matters between he and Mikey that much worse.

Leo glanced towards the infirmary and decided that at the moment, his priority needed to be Raphael. Mikey was no doubt as tired as the rest of them, and just as worried. Giving him some space was the best thing Leo could do. Once Mikey had his equilibrium back, they could talk things through.

The door to the infirmary was partially open and once Leo had entered, he quietly closed it behind him. He told himself that he was doing so because he didn't want Don to be tempted to look in on Raph and then forget his promise to get some sleep.

Standing next to Raph, Leo knew that wasn't the only reason he'd shut himself inside the room with his brother. Looking down at Raph's sleeping form, his face and body devoid of gear, Leo experienced the old familiar feelings of longing.

Drawing a shaky breath, Leo walked over to Don's desk and retrieved his chair, rolling it up next to Raph's cot. Taking a seat, Leo returned to his perusal of Raphael's face, his eyes caressing his brother's features in the same way that his hands longed to do.

"Raphael," Leo whispered. Even the feel of his brother's name on his lips was sensual.

How had things gotten to this point? When had he missed his chance to share something special with Raph? Had it happened when he'd become leader? Raph had certainly resented that change in their dynamic.

"I've loved you for a very long time," Leo murmured. His heart seemed to be caught in his throat and the urge to touch Raph compelled him to drape his hand over his brother's muscular forearm.

"How do I get past this?" Leo asked softly. "How do I live with knowing you and Don are together and that you don't feel anything for me? I love him; he's my brother too, but it's not the same. How do I lead the two of you, how do I manage my emotions so that I know I'm not trying to hurt him so that I can be with you?"

Leo closed his eyes, the pain of his situation making him momentarily dizzy. He listened to the sound of Raph's even breathing, imagining that he was lying next to him, that they had made love and were sleeping in each other's arms.

Shaking his head sharply, Leo opened his eyes, forcing himself to face grim reality. There was never any assurance that Raph would respond to him in the way Leo had hoped for, whether Don was in the picture or not.

"Please get better, Raph." Leo stood up, his hand still on Raph's arm.

For a moment Leo didn't move. He was drawn to Raph's mouth and leaned closer, wanting nothing more than to kiss him.

A hair's breadth from Raph's lips Leo caught himself. He had been hurt by Mikey's allusions to his honor and here he was, thinking about taking a kiss from his unconscious brother.

Exhaling heavily, Leo shifted his course and gently kissed Raph's forehead. Stepping away, Leo pushed the chair back over to Don's desk and sat down again, a safe distance from Raph.

Putting his feet up, Leo leaned back and shut his eyes, letting the sound of Raph's breathing lull him into a light sleep.

TBC…..