A/N I do not own TMNT, but I am forever grateful for their existence!

Protect

Chapter 10: The Beginning of the End

Michelangelo did not know what was up with his brothers. Leonardo had been in a foul mood all day since losing to himself at solitaire, and Donatello was little better. Apparently, he and Raphael were in the middle of a battle to the death, with silence as the only weapon. So far, Raphael appeared to be winning, but in Donatello's defense, Michelangelo thought the red-clad turtle wasn't entirely playing fair by either locking himself in his room or disappearing from the Lair all day. Normally, Michelangelo would have just let things run their course, but Master Splinter's condition had worsened as the afternoon progressed. Now was not the time for his brothers to be fighting.

They all knew it was coming; they had known for months. That still didn't make it easier when Michelangelo brought his Sensei his noon medicine to see his Father curled up in agony from the bone-rattling spasms. Using every ounce of his infamous speed and loud voice, Michelangelo had Donatello and Leonardo in their Master's chambers within minutes. Therein began what would probably be one of the longest days of his life.

It did not help that as the hours ticked by, there was no sign of Raphael. It was now after four o'clock and the three remaining turtles briefly gathered in the kitchen. Donatello was meticulously prepping the next dose of Splinter's pain medication while Leonardo murmured quietly at his side. More than a little perturbed by his brothers' insistence at continuing whatever-the-shell-it-was-they-were-doing, the youngest turtle declared from his place at the table, "Raph should be here. I'm going to call him."

Leonardo frowned, "I told you he doesn't have his phone on him."

"You know I've been wondering about that, Leo. How do you know?" Michelangelo raised his eye ridges questioningly at the elder. "I haven't seen you call him."

"I know," Michelangelo did not miss Leonardo's quick but pointed glare in Donatello's direction before continuing, "Because he doesn't want to be found."

"Leo, Master Splinter is dying," the orange-clad turtle folded his arms, "Now is not the time for hide-and-seek."

Leonardo glared sharply at Donatello, "It's not my fault he's hiding."

The middle turtle bristled, "Stop looking at me like that Leo! I did not push him. Everything he told me was of his own free will."

The blue-clad leader looked far from convinced, "Then why haven't you two spoken in days, Don?"

"It's complicated…" Donatello clearly looked uncomfortable under Leonardo's steely attention, "But I'm sure he'll be back soon."

Irritated at being ignored – again – Michelangelo audibly huffed, "Sure leave the baby bro out of the loop. I'll just sit here and continue to breathe your hot air."

Leonardo and Donatello did not release each other's glare for a moment. Disregarding Michelangelo's comment completely, Leonardo spoke his voice full of unsaid accusations, "You know where he is. Don't you, Don?"

Donatello said nothing, but by breaking out of Leonardo's stare, confirmed that clearly the eldest was right in his assumption. When the silence continued, Michelangelo snapped, "What is with you guys? Master Splinter is dying and should have us in there with him. Not fighting over who is going to go find Raph."

The blue-clad turtle finally acknowledged his youngest sibling, "He's right Don. We need to find him."

"I can go Leo-" Donatello protested.

"No," The addressed mutant interrupted, "Master Splinter needs to be made comfortable and you're the only one who knows how to properly administer his medication. Mikey and I will go find him." He paused briefly before filling his voice with as much authority as possible, "Now, where is he?"

Clearly defeated, Donatello sighed, "Atlanger Alley, in Brooklyn."

Tilting his head in confusion Michelangelo asked, "Why is he-"

"Later Mikey," Leonardo yanked at the younger's arm, "I want to find Raph and get back here within the hour."

Giving Donatello a shrug, Michelangelo inwardly groaned to see him and Leonardo once again in the middle of stare wars. Thankfully, it did not last long, and soon the two siblings were streaking across the skyline in the sinking November sun.

Being forced to go out before dark only made Leonardo even worse company, "I hate being exposed like this."

Rolling his eyes at his brother's tone, Michelangelo changed the subject, "So uh, what's going on with you guys anyway?"

Leonardo sped up, "Nothing is "going on" Mikey."

"Right…" Michelangelo looked to the heavens for guidance when dealing with stubborn older siblings before easily catching up, "Because you and Don try to slice each other open with your eyes alone on a regular basis." At the elder's silence he pressed on counting on his fingers, "Oh and then there's the whole Raph and Don thing. I mean Raph might give you the silent treatment regularly, but he and Donnie never fight."

His brother wouldn't even give him an inch, "It isn't your problem Mikey."

Michelangelo's eyes narrowed into slits behind his orange fabric. After a massive sprint of speed he leapt in from of the elder, causing Leonardo to skid to a halt, "Michelangelo!"

"Don't you "Michelangelo" me Leonardo!" He snapped, "You're my bros! How is any of this not my problem?!"

Leonardo glowered, "Look Mikey, this really isn't the… Oh no…"

""Oh no" what?" Seeing his brother's face blanch, Michelangelo spun around catching sight of what had caught Leonardo's attention, "Wait… Is… Is that Raphael?"

A/N See I didn't forget about Mikey ;)