Disclaimer: Well whaddya know? I don't own 'em.

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I awoke the next day to silence, which was in fact quite odd. It was also odd how late I had gotten up this morning. My clock blinked nine thirty at me. I hopped up and hobbled out of the room, my left leg a bit asleep. I saw April sitting on the couch, caught up in some book-a romance no doubt. I could hear Leatherhead laboring away in a room off to the side.

"I do not wish to bother you Mrs. O'Neil but where is everyone else?"

"Huh?" The redhead looked up at me. "Everyone else?" She gasped. "Oh-no! They left!" She jumped up. "I told them not to and they seemed like they weren't going to so I guess I just got caught up in my book and then they left and…oh god…" She finally trailed off.

My heart seemed to jump into my throat. "Oh no…" I whispered. "Leatherhead! My friend, I am going to need your help!" I said in the general direction he was located. I turned back towards Mrs. O'Neil. "It is not your fault Mrs. O'Neil, they would have found some time to sneak out; they are teenage boys…and Casey."

She chuckled at the last part but the worry in her face never disappeared. Leatherhead appeared next to me. "What has happ…where is everyone? They went out didn't they!" He said it as more of a statement than a question. He knew but to confirm it I nodded.

"We must go and retrieve them before it is to late! Mrs. O'Neil, would you be okay with staying here just in case they realize how stupid and hotheaded they are being and decide to come back? Leatherhead and you can communicate through your cell shells or whatever they are called."

Realizing why I was really asking her to stay she was pretty compliant about it. Leatherhead took a couple of extra seconds to grab a few things he thought could be useful while I just grabbed my cane. I nodded to Mrs. O'Neil and told her we'd (hopefully) be back in not too long.

Once in the sewers we split up with a nod, Leatherhead going right and me going left. I headed down the sewer trail rather quickly. I knew exactly where they were. I could just feel it. Too bad Leatherhead was already headed in the opposite direction.

"Aurgh!"

I doubled over in pain. My breath was coming quick and short now and I could feel sweat dripping down my fur. What had happened? Oh my sons, my sons. I had to get to them. I painfully straightened up and hobbled a few steps forward. My foot hooked onto my cane, which I had dropped when the pain unexpectedly hit me, and flipped it back up into my hand.

"Leatherhead! My friend, they are this way."

I knew there was no way he could hear me but I had to try. My panic was making me desperate and I knew we would need help. One of my sons was down and I was feeling it. That wasn't much to fight what Leonardo had become. I bit my lip and choose. Another on the spot decision which could again fatally affect my family.

I didn't have time to think about that. Robes a-twirling I swung around and sprinted in the direction I had sent Leatherhead. I would need his brute strength. Hopefully I could get to him and we could get to them in time.

"Leatherhead! Leatherhead! LEATHERHEAD!" I bellowed down the tunnels.

If he could hear me before I reached him it could save my sons by seconds. Why wasn't he here? How fast was he moving? How fast had I been moving? How long had it been? Why couldn't I stop thinking in questions!?

Suddenly a gigantic green arm shot out at me. Leatherhead! He was here at last! No time to explain! I grabbed the gentle giant and started dragging him back the way I had originally gone. He picked up on why pretty quickly, he's always been a genius though, and soon he had me picked up and running faster than I could. No explanations were needed. Lucky for my sons; I don't think I could have gotten a coherent one out.

Finally, just as I was beginning to think that maybe my instincts had been wrong the sound of fighting reached my ears. Leatherhead picked up on the perking of my ears and ran a little bit faster. He had so much love. I would have to remember to thank him later.

We exploded into the scene. Leatherhead's speed sent him barreling into two of the fighting figures, taking me along for the ride.

"Oomph!"

"Urgh…"

"Sensei!"

I quickly flipped up to my feet and surveyed the scene. I couldn't help but widen my eyes. Boy had we gotten lucky. We barreled into Donatello and Leonardo. Michelangelo was off to the side, mouth hanging wide open, just about to jump back in. Donatello was lying on the ground not to far from me, propped up on his elbows. And Leonardo…struggling under the mass of my alligator friend. Good ol' Leatherhead. I'll have to remember to thank him doubly.

But wait…there was something wrong with this picture. Raphael! Where was my hotheaded son!?

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Eek! Sorry, I know; it's frightfully short and Splinter is a bit OOC. … offers readers-if there are any left-a virtual cookie of any flavor But at least I got another chapter up!

Sorry about the incredibly long wait (and then not giving an outstanding chapter to make up for it). I'm trying out a new system though. I'm trying to find a time where I can just sit down and write-that's how I finally finished this chapter. So wish me luck for finding a time!

And, if you feel so inclined, leave a review. I would mucho appreciate it!