Thanks to 54Viruses, Merdeka21, BigfootSighted, Puldoh, Sapphire93, Lady-Of-The-Rings, Winged-Monkey, The Ghost of , aronoiiel, Michael J Angelo, Kyaserin Marii, villagemonster, Eridani23, hmw95, and Diamond-Of-Longcleave for your reviews. I still don't own the turtles or other related characters. Enjoy!
TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT
After Mikey recovered from his break-down, the ride to April's was stiflingly silent. Everyone stared at Leo anxiously, watching as Don tried his best to stop the bleeding with the few supplies he kept stored in the Battle Shell. The oldest turtle's hands had been wrapped in gauze and Don held more to the deepest cuts on Leo's plastron. As Casey pulled the Battle Shell into the alley next to April's apartment, Raph stepped to Leo's side silently and helped Don lift him, leaving Mikey free to keep Leo stable.
As soon as they were inside, the heavy silence was broken and Don was barking orders, maneuvering Leo toward the couch. "April, get all the bandages and medical supplies you have. Casey, get some water and a clean rag—I need to wipe the blood away so I can see the wounds. Master Splinter, apply pressure to his right hand—gently, but enough to slow the bleeding. Raph… yeah, you get the left." Don decided to leave Mikey free to hold Leo—the orange-wearing turtle was taking the whole thing very hard, and Don didn't want to make it worse.
Donny plastered a determined look on his face as he worked to stop his big brother's bleeding. If he could just stop the bleeding, Leo would live. He knew he would… he had to! Don shook his head in frustration, trying to push all thoughts out of his head that would distract him from what he was doing. He couldn't despair now, he had to stay focused. There was no time for weakness….
TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT
As soon as Leo's hand stopped bleeding and Raph had wrapped it with one of the bandages April had given him, Raph moved as far away from his brothers as he could while still having a clear view. He should have been there sooner, should have moved faster. He should have done things his way and gone in fighting, not waiting for something like this to happen. He should have… he should have done something. Raph let his head fall into his hands before leaning against the wall behind him and sliding to the floor. He had no idea if there was any hope for Leo. Don hadn't said anything since he finished giving orders and the expression on his face had been grim. For all Raph knew, Leo could be dying.
TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT
Mikey continued to cling to his brother, praying that he would live. This was all his fault. If he hadn't gotten captured by the Elite Leo wouldn't have had to surrender and he wouldn't have had to save him… and Leo wouldn't be dying. Mikey didn't think he could take his oldest brother's death. Leo was always there to protect him, to comfort him, to keep him safe, to laugh with him. Leo left him free to be Mikey. He left him free to be a goofball, a prankster, and a hyperactive video game addict. Because of Leo, Mikey didn't have to worry about anything. Leo was his shield from worry. And without that shield, Mikey didn't think he could go on being "happy" Mikey.
Mikey looked at Don, hoping to find some encouragement on his face. The brainy turtle still looked grim, but he hadn't lost the determination in his eyes. It was bad—Mikey could tell that—but Donny hadn't lost hope. Maybe they wouldn't be losing their leader, their big brother, after all. Maybe there was hope…. Mikey clung to that hope harder than he held to his brother. He had to hope….
TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT
Master Splinter loosely held Leonardo's hand after the bleeding stopped, looking into his son's face. His eldest son—the strong, brave leader. The one who shouldered the worry and responsibility of the clan. The one who looked after his brothers and would willingly—no, gladly—surrender his life for that of any of his family. The one who blamed himself for the weakness and folly of others. The one who trained himself to the point of exhaustion in order to better protect his brothers. The one who caused no end of worry for his father.
Of all his sons, Leonardo was the one Splinter worried about the most when they went out--for this very reason. He would rather die than see one of his brothers injured, and he was ready to do anything to keep that from happening. The old rat sighed and placed his hand on Leonardo's forehead. He sensed a great unrest in his son's spirit. He would have to see about that if… no, when he woke up.
TMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNTTMNT
I don't know why, but I always seem to throw these "feelings" chapters in there. I hope it wasn't too boring—more will happen in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing.