Author's Note: Hi, everyone! I first would want to thank every single one of you who has read, favorited, followed, and reviewed this story so far! It's your support and supportive reviews that keep me going! Secondly, I want to apologize for the delay. Moving in, and orientations for Graduate School have been eating up my time. I am going to continue the story, but please be understanding if it might be slightly delayed posting. As always, your support means so much to me! Please feel free to review or message me with any concerns, thoughts, or if you just want to say hi! Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Song quote from, "Safe and Sound" (By Civil Wars ft. Taylor Swift). I do not own TMNT.

...

A Turtle and His Sisyphus

…..….

"And all those shadows almost killed your light."

...

Michelangelo felt the heaviness of his eyes as he began to wake up. Stretching out, he slowly sat up from his bed. Though, physically he felt much better, a pit in his stomach put him on edge. That dream…was that real? Did that actually happen? I saw Bishop, I heard him for sure. If that happened than I wouldn't be here…right?

His eyes widened when he found Raphael hunched back against the beanbag char, out cold. Quietly getting out of his bed, he took his blanket and placed it over his sleeping brother. Carefully closing the door behind him, he began walking down the hallway toward the dojo. Maybe Sensei can make sense of whatever happened, he's an awesome dream-interpreter after all.

Before he could even walk in, Splinter's voice caught him off guard. "My son, it is early. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Sensei." Mikey knelt beside Splinter. "I feel a lot better, but…Well, I had this weird dream. I think, I think I might have remembered what happened last night."

"What do you remember?"

"I saw—I heard you. Before that, I kept hearing stuff. It was hard to remember who or what was happening…." Michelangelo hesitated. He didn't want to talk about his own insecurities, let alone the voices that kept reminding him of it. Sensei always tells me I gotta focus more, I shouldn't bother with stupid stuff like that.

"That is…troubling." Splinter struggled to find the words. "Michelangelo, I fear for your safety as well as your brothers. Whoever wishes to cloud your mind is trying to block what matters the most to you. What you must remember, my son, is your strength. You mind is strong, and most importantly your heart. You can truly never lose sight of who you are as long as you know that."

It's not easy, Sensei. I thought I was stronger than this. I gave in so easy! Ugh!

"You're doubtful." Splinter spoke softly, placing his paw on Mikey's hand. "It's difficult, I understand. It's in the darkest times that we rely on those who bring us the most light. Meditation will help clear your mind. I know it is difficult for you, my son, I believe it can ease your mind."

"I won't let you down, Sensei." Relaxing his muscles, Mikey began his meditation. It was working for a while, or so it seemed. Maybe more of his memories will return—then again, did he want to remember? I already remember some parts. Should I tell him? Maybe I should try to?

That was, until a low menacing growl snapped his mind out. He knew the culprit. "Sorry, Sensei. I guess I'm a lot hunger than I thought."

"That is quite alright. You may go. Afterwards, we shall continue."

Saved by the stomach! With a breath of relief, he let his stomach lead the way to the kitchen. At least cooking can get my mind off of things for a bit!

/./././././././././././././././././

It was the smell of pancakes that awoke Raphael—chocolate chip pancakes to exact. Slowly creeping his eyes open, he was surprised to find a blanket placed over him. That bonehead—Mikey must have put this on me. Wait. Then, where is he?

The realization began to hit as Raph began to rose from his hunched back position in Mikey's beanbag chair. Well, that explains why my neck hurts like hell. Damn it, I fell asleep again? Damn it. Mumbling his frustrations, he reached for his phone. No messages, but it was 8:00AM.

8? Leo should've at least woken me up this late, if not Donnie? They're never slackin' on this—Where the hell is everyone? Feeling the panic rising, he tossed the blanket off of him. That was when he found Michelangelo's bed completely empty. Cursing under his breath, he quickly darted out of his room.

Rushing to the living room, he called out, hoping someone was awake and knew where the hell everyone was. "Don? Leo? Damn it, where is-?"

"Yo, Raphie! You're finally up!" Standing over the kitchen oven, wearing his signature 'Do you want a pizza me?' apron was Mikey. His smile grew wider, gesturing to the frying pan. "You don't mind chocolate chip pancakes, right? I figured you'd like it so I went for it, hope that's okay?"

Well. This wasn't what I was expecting.

Raphael carefully walked over to the kitchen, finding Mikey preparing multiple pancakes on five plates. He was bouncy, jumpy, smiling—almost like yesterday never happened. He was humming some tune to himself, gesturing Raph to sit on a nearby chair. "Have a seat, dude! I'm almost done anyway! I know Leo likes banana and blueberry like Sensei, so I'm gonna make that after. I made the rest of us chocolate chip cause we actually enjoy good pancakes, am I right?"

If it weren't for what just happened, I wouldn't think this was totally freakin' weird. Not that I'm not happy, but it's still freakin' weird. I guess Donnie was right, he should be better by now. Then where's everyone else? Raphael peeked over toward Donnie's lair, hoping to find his younger brother. Not seeing Donnie from his angle, he asked, "Where's Leo and Don?"

Mikey's smile faded into a confused daze, continuing to flip one of the pancakes. "Well, I got up a half hour ago and found you sleeping, and yeah you're welcome for the blanket. I came down, and was hungry so I started cooking. I heard Donnie was still workin' in his lab so I figured I'd make us breakfast. Eventually Donnie came out and said that was cool so, here I am. I haven't seen Leo, though, I'm pretty sure he's mediating or something with Sensei. I haven't seen either of them yet, now that I think about it. I've, uh, been kind of avoiding them, so…Yeah. Any who, I totally feel better so, I rather just you know, make it a good morning before anything else turns the day. Uh, Why?"

Raphael took a breath of relief; at least Mikey saw Donnie. But, Leo's usually out an about around now. He would have definitely come and checked in on Mikey at least. But seeing Mikey being back to his perky self did make everything feel okay. No good in worryin' him. Shrugging his shoulders, Raphael eased in his seat as he leaned back. "Hm? Na, I just haven't seen Leo or Don. I was just askin', usually we're doing morning training at this point."

"Sensei didn't wake any of us up," Mikey pointed out. "Maybe we're getting the morning off. Besides, now I have an excuse to finally tweak my breakfast making skills! Ha!"

"Hey," Raphael mused in a dry tone. "I thought our food was getting drugged—how do I know we can even eat that crap?"

Mikey dramatically gasped. "How dare you say my awesome pancakes are crap. And after I went all my way from the goodness of my heart to slave over a hot stove for you guys! Oh, and by the way—nice job on babysitting duty by the way, but I won't tell Leo you slept on the job. That'll look bad on your performance review. I'm just that nice."

"Shut up." Raphael grumbled. He didn't want to admit his guilt for falling asleep for the second time. I didn't even know I was that tired.

"Aw, but little Raphie was all snuggled up in his blanket…!" Mikey teased in a childish tone.

Grunting, Raphael sat on the eat-in bar stool and rubbed his forehead. "I swear, Mikey, don't push it! And can ya not be so frickin' loud? Guess ya in good mood, feeling better?"

Mikey nodded as he continued to flip a pancake. "Hm? Oh, yeah! I slept pretty good! I actually feel like...normal, you know? I think everything's okay—well at least for now, not that I'm trying to jinx it or anything—!"

"Man, those pancakes smell awesome!" Emerging from his lab with a small coffee cup in hand, Donatello approached the kitchen eat-in-bar and leaned against the table. Stretching with a yawn, he smiled. "I don't remember the last time we had a decent breakfast like this. Together."

"Hey!" Mikey called out defensively as he handed both of them a plate. "What, and my super-deluxe-omelet-waffle wasn't 'decent'?!"

"No," Raph cut him off bluntly before Mikey could exaggerate. "combining two separate breakfast meals doesn't mean it makes it any better!"

Donnie shrugged, reluctantly agreeing. "Raph has a point, Mikey. The amount of bacon that was in it was a heart attack waiting to happen. And I don't think sour cream was supposed to be in it?"

"For the last time it was supposed to be wiped cream!" Mikey flustered. "It was a common mistake that anyone could have totally made!"

"Anyway," Donnie mused, taking a sip of coffee before cutting his pancake. "I saw Sensei this morning really quick, he looks a lot better. But, Leo must be exhausted. I haven't seen him. I was going to check on him, but he's never sleeping in this late."

"Leo!" Mikey's shout caught the two by surprised as their youngest brother began rushing over to him. "Where were you?"

"I'm fine," Leo softly replied. "Really. I'm fine. Are you guys-?"

"My son," Splinter emerged with Donatello. Sighing a breath of relief, he placed his paw onto his son's shoulder. "Where have you been? Are you hurt, what happened?"

Sitting down on the couch, Leo began rubbing his template. Taking a deep breath he began to relax as he began to speak. "I…I heard something last night, late. I went to investigate. Someone was in here, watching. I chased him out. I lost him, eventually. I thought maybe this was some kind of decoy, thinking maybe something happened to you guys. I realized I didn't have my phone, so I began heading back. But…"

/./././././././././././././././././././

"Damn it!" Leo cursed quietly to himself. Not only did his suspect escape under his own watch, but also he realized that his phone was not on him. Only guessing it was almost morning, he knew there was noting left to do but to begin heading back to the lair. Clutching his sword close, only his own footsteps echoed down the dark tunnels. Luckily, he knew these tunnels like the back of his hand. It wouldn't be too far from the lair.

His frustration turned into guilt; how could he not get that guy? Was he beginning to lose his wit? What if this was just a trap? To lure himself out to get closer to his family. He could only rush back to the lair, and pray that his family was still safe. Hopefully Don or Raph heard him running out, maybe they weren't too far behind. Doubtful, but he rather be out here alone than any of them.

A bright light flashed in front of him. An all familiar figure stood in front of him, she leaned against the wall and began humming a tune. A smile stretched across her face as she shined the light toward the tunnel. "You know, it's rude to keep a lady waiting. After all the trouble I did for you."

"Karai." Leonardo clenched his katana close as he emerged from the darkness. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you," Karai replied , in a 'as-a-matter-of-fact' tone. "if I wanted to talk, I have my ways of doing it. I doubt showing up at your front door would put me in your favor."

Leo raised his weapon close, carefully approaching his target. "Then talk. What do you want?"

"Oh, it's not what I want. It's what, or should I say, who you want." Taking out her own katana, she carefully began circling around him. "Why is it that you four always end up on a hit-list? Someone has been very interested in your little family. Enough to hire my men."

"So," Leonardo scoffed, his eyes following her. "You are involved. We made a truce, Karai. You swore to it."

"I did not break any promises with you, Leonardo. Did I not tell you that most of my men have gone rouge? I come to talk, that's it."

"So, all this just to talk? If you know what's going on, then you know I have no time to play games."

"Exactly. How else was I to gain your attention?" A sly smile curved her lips. Her katana blade twirled around her hand, darting her eyes from her weapon to Leonardo. She veered closer to her target, keeping her blade a close distance from his neck. "You have quite an enemy after you—Agent Bishop. Enough to have men from my clan change their loyalties. I may have heard a location for their next rendezvous."

"Why bother telling me?" Leonardo held his ground, allowing the blade to inch closer to him. It was more like a dance, except usually letting Karai lead is the only way to avoid a fight. Even if she would make a move, he's quicker. At least, he learned how to be. "What do you gain by giving me an advantage?"

"Consider this, returning the favor I owe to you." Karai, for a moment, eased her stance. Her eyes were soft. There was something vulnerable about her that took Leonardo off guard. Was it because he saved her life? Was it because it was the honorable thing to do? Or was it, that perhaps, he had more faith in her than anyone in her entire life?

"Tonight," Her voice broke his thoughts. She placed her sword back at her side, handing Leonardo a small card. "At midnight. Shine a light under it, you'll find an address. I do not know how you will enter the meeting without being recognized, but that's at your digression. Bishop is greedy; and ruthless. He hopes to make allies, enough to do worse than ending your lives. Take that as you will."

She's putting a lot on the line by giving me this information. Then again, she could be working with Bishop and it's a trap. Returning his own sword, Leonardo took a step back from her. His tone softened, offering a small bow to her. "I appreciate this. Thank you."

"Do not thank me yet," Karai said flatly. "I returned the favor. That does not mean I forgive you and your family for what you did to my father. I do wish you luck, Leonardo. It looks as if you'll need it."

He watched as she slipped into the darkness. Going against his better judgment, he allowed his guard ease. He thought, for a moment, to follow her. If it's a lie, then he'll confront and give her the justice she'll deserve. He allowed himself to believe in her word. He trusted her; as little as it was worth. She's changing; she's not the same person he knew years ago. Maybe, someday, she'll be able to truly redeem herself. He hoped that for her, knowing it was just as useless as this information could be.

Karai. I'm putting my family at risk for your word. I pray for your sake, it's valid.

/././././././././././././././././././

"I think she was genuinely trying to warn us. Whoever attacked me, it wasn't Foot. I would know. This was different."

Leonardo gazed over each of his brother's distinctive glances. While Donnie was focusing on his wound, he looked up at his brother with a worrisome look. Mikey, sitting beside him, was listening attentively. While he looked worried, he gave a short approving nod. Raph, standing beside Splinter, just rolled his eyes.

Well, I didn't expect anything less.

"Whether or not she's involved or not," Leo continued. "It's a lead. And, a chance to sneak in."

"Uh, Leo?" Michelangelo gestured to his own face, grimacing. "Have you seen us? I don't think a trench coast and top hat will do much good for us. How are we going to sneak in?"

"I never said we were going to sneak in." Leonardo turned to Raphael. "The Nightwatcher is."

An eerie silence filled the room as all eyes went straight to Raphael. Arms crossed, an uncomfortable presence put him on edge.

"Come again?" Donatello barked, turning back to Leonardo in disbelief. "Did you just say, The Nightwatcher?"

"I did." Leonardo replied confidently. "Mikey's right. There's no way for us to get in without being noticed, or putting Casey and April at risk by asking them. Besides, Raphael believes this is the best way to go about it. We'll follow from a safe distance, he'll wear a secure wire—we'll be right there with him."

"But," Donnie intervened, his voice growing more concerning. "If this is a trap, we're sending Raph right in it. What If he gets drugged, or worse? Mikey can still relapse, we want to add Raph's danger on top of it?"

Mikey shrugged uncomfortably. Though he thought the idea of his hotheaded older brother dressing up an anti-superhero to fight crime was super cool—it almost broke their entire family. That part wasn't cool. Still, if Leo was giving his stamp of approval. Shouldn't he? "I guess you do get to wear that cool suit again, huh, Raph?"

"My sons." Splinter's voice halted the room. "We're in a desperate position. I am not comfortable putting my sons at anymore danger than you four already are. We must also remember that it was not the mask that you wore during that time that created the distance in our family. You four understand the risks. As a father, I wish to take you all away until it is once again safe to return. As your Sensei, I believe Leonardo is correct. As long as you four protect each other, I trust in his judgment. For now, we will rest and prepare for tonight. Leonardo, you must rest. Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, we will continue with training. I fear that we are underestimating our enemy; we must be prepared for anything at any moment. Bishop is a manipulative and vindictive man. I will not sit by and watch you four be at risk like you were years ago with him. We must prepare your mind, and body, for this task. Otherwise, a fate worse than death will befall on us all."

/././././././././././././././././././