White eyes watched carefully as the droids passed by. Slowly, silently, he pushed his shell agenst the wall. His eyes searched from the shadows, looking for the way out, the way that would lead him safely to freedom and back home to his family. Once the clanking of the alien droids had passed out of ear shot he made his decent back to the floor, moving as silently as possible. 'Be like a snake...' he heard his master say. 'Be flexiable, yet silent, know your surroundings at all times. Remain hidden, and in the shadows.' He did just that. Moving and bending to remain in the shadows of the halls and corridors.

A small ting rang out like an alarm in the empty halls. The metal pipe he found was heavier then his staff but it would have to do. Even so, the ting was due to the pipe hitting on another pipe. He pressed himself against the walls, waiting for any sign that he had been heard. After what seemed like hours, nothing approched him or made it's way down the corridor.

The two droids sent to collect him were easy enough to wipe out without them alerting the others. Needless to say it was still a matter of time before they would be found and him missing. They wanted him to stabolize the mutagen. Yet, how could he? Mutagen was unpredictable and each batch was not the same as the last. Besides, he only just invented retromutagen afew hours ago, so how could he possibly be expected to stabolize something as unpredictable as mutagen?

He sighed and moved on, looking and searching for any sort of exit be it a window or door he didn't care as long as it lead to freedom, to his family. He knew once he got back he would recive a long lecture from both Sensei and Leo. Raph would yell at him for leaving them, for being so stupid. Mikey would just be glad he was back safely. He left a small smile escape his lips. Mikey was the most understanding when Donnie disobayed orders. After all, it was Mikey who covered for him when he was watching over April dispite her not wanting to see them.

April...His smile faded. Even the mention of her name made his heart ache. Yet, he knew he made the right choice. April was too good for him and he knew it from day one, he just didn't want to believe it. No, he wanted to believe that they could have a life together. That she would love him as much as he loved her. It wasn't until Casey came into the picture that he realised that he was only dreaming the impossible. The more he watched them, the more he could see their love blossom and his love die. From the shy glances to the nervious hair twirling to the small blushes he knew that she was never going to love him. Why would she? He was a disgusting mutant turtle and she an angel in disguse.

He frowned as he made his way down the corridor and moved quickly down to the door that was there. He did a quick check of the area before moving to hack the system and open the door without setting off the alarm. He removed the panel, silently as possible, and began to servey the layout of the wires. 'Simple enough.' he thought, it was just a basic layout of any door setting. The bright red one would set off the alarm, best to avoid that one.

As he continued to work through the wires he constantly checked over his shoulder for any sign of the Kraang. He really didn't want to deal with them. He could barely move through the compound without pain from his head or wounds.

The wounds. The look of pure rage that ran through his brothers. How they couldn't tell between him and eachother. Knowing only that they wanted the other dead so they could claim him. His hands shook as he tried to focus on the task at hand. He couldn't focus on how Raph had pushed him against the wall of his lab and stold his first kiss that he had saved for April nor how Leo had thought more for him by taking from him what Raph had instead of trying to help their brothers.

~LRDM~

Leatherhead emerged from Donnie's lab with some viles in his hand. His friends were not well as the dose used on the was twice that of the dose used on Donatello. Needless to say the intellegant turtle was one who thought things through to the end. "My friends, I have good news." he began as he walked to the first turtle to give him any form of kindness. "Your brother has created a cure for the Kraang drugs. No doubt knowing that this would happen again." he handed the vial to each of the affected turtles before moving toward the human girl.

"Awww, man this taste like rotten moldy milk..." Mikey whined but drank the liquid down none the less.

"I...do feel much better..." Leo said, finding his stomach finally settling.

"There was another find in his lab, one that i can not be sure is what i believe it to be." He said looking to April. He moved his tail, placing the strange glowing object into his webbed hands before looking to her. "It is addressed to you in Donatello's hand." The mutant gator knew the feelings that Donatello held for the human female. He talked about her often when he found the urge to talk at all. How just the mention of her would make him grin, how the sight of her would cause him to fumble whatever project he was on. It was plain as day to the large mutant, and he feared that the human female simply ignored his advances, favoring the human male. As upsetting as it was to watch, he found new respect for the gentle turtle upon knowing that he had given her up for her own happiness.

April took the vial and the small note attached to it. Casey stood beside her, looking over the vial of orange goo. "What's it say Red?" His voice bringing over the others as well. All gathered around her, all waiting to hear what Donatello had to say.

She looked at them all, noting the absence of red amung them. She sighed, he refused to leave the dojo, refused to eat or rest his wounded leg. Opening the note labled so delicately "To April" she took a deep breath before reading it out loud.

April,

If you are getting this then it means I wasn't able to escape the Kraang...I made a vow to you long ago when we so foolishly spread mutagen across the city and took away someone you loved dearly. I vowed to find a cure and change him back, to change them all back. I have finally done so. For you, I created the retromutagen that will bring your father back...

April covered her mouth, trying to stifal the cry that was threatening to escape her lips. He had done it! He had found a way to make it! He saved her father!

...I wish i could be there to see your face...I know the others will be upset that I disobeyed them and went to rescue them. Yet, isn't that what brothers are for? Reguardless, they will be upset so please help them through this. It is my fault...I'm sorry...

"Go on, read more. Come on April please!" Mikey begged as he pulled on her arm like a frightened toddler.

"That's it Mikey...there's nothing more..." she said softly as she looked at the retromutagen. How many sleepless days had he spent researching to find the cure? How many failures did he have to endure before he finally gotten the results they had been waiting for? She looked the note over more trying to find some secret meaning in his words.

She lowered her eyes and looked to Leo. He didn't seem too happy. It was like he could read more into the letter then she chould. Something was written between the lines, Donnie was clever like that. So when Leo stood up abrouptly and moved toward his room without a word, she knew something was seriously wrong.

She had seen it. How Leo would watch Donnie as he worked. How he would stay awake to besure Donnie was okay in the late nights that he worked in his lab. He would talk to her. Ask her advice on how to get Donnie to sleep more and eat more. She tried to help. Brought him books and articles on how to combat what she thought was insomnia. Deep down it was her fault, because she pushed him. Forcing him to find a cure as quickly as he could.

"How do you know when you love someone? I mean really love them?" he once asked her. Naturally she assumed he was speaking of Karai. Yet, now she could tell that he was speaking of someone she thought she knew quite well. Donnie. What could she do to help him? Clearly, Leo was upset by the fact that he could not save Donnie from being captured. Yet, he did not express that until the letter was shown. Was it something to do with her? Or was he upset that she recived his final words instead?

~LRDM~

Leo slammed the books into the table, his eyes lost to rage. After all this time, he still loved her! She didn't care about him. That was made clear when Casey asked her out infront of him. She did not love him so why waist his time on her? What was so special about her anyway? Well, besides the fact that she was whatever Donnie said she was to the Kraang. He was beyond pissed that he would do so much for her and she just blow him off. Yet, what truely topped it off was that she lead him on with her chaste kisses and flirts. She lead him around like a dog on a leash and he allowed it. When she needed help on her homework who did she go to? Who dropped everything to help her? Donnie was too kind fo his own good and it drove Leo mad.

He plopped on his bed, lowing his his head. Donnie was just too much for this world. A big beautiful cinnomon roll that was too good for everyone around him. How his olive skin shown so brightly in the silver light of the moon. His lovely red eyes radiating in the darkness, shinning brightly with wonder and admoration for the wide world around him. Always questioning, always seeking answers in this world. He was always there for them, any of them even Casey.

"Leo..." he called looking up into the night sky throught the grates in the sewer. "I know what you're goign to say but..." he bit his lip. "I had to see it, for myself." he never looked away from the sky. Leo had come to find him after waking up to find him gone from their room. He didn't want him to get in trouble with sensei so he went out looking for him. Here he found him, looking out at the star filled sky.

"Donnie you know the rules..." he began but Donnie raised a finger to silence him. He watched his brother, staring at him through the moon's light that shown through the grates. As if god was shining a silver light down on him, illuminating his light skin giving him a celestial look about him.

Donnie smiled. "Leo...come here quickly." Leo moved to his younger brother. Moving beside him and looking at him questionly. Without looking at him, Donnie pointed up. "Look..."

Leo could see nothing. Nothing but tall buildings and a can of Coke that sat the end of the grate. "Donnie I only see the st..." it was then that he saw the stars shoot across the sky. "Shooting stars!"

"Meteors...they are caught in our atmosphere and will burn up before they plumit to the earth no size then a grain of sand." he gave a soft smile. "But none the less.." he turned to look at Leo, eyes so bright and full of endles wonder. "...this world is amazing."

"I'm such a fool..."

~LRDM~

Mikey held the picture of the family in his hand. Donnie was in the back because he was the tallest, smiling brightly with his arm wrapped around his shoulder. Leo was doing that half smile of his and Raph had his back to him, looking at the younger two. Donnie...

"Yo Donnie bro, come out of your lab and chillax with me! Play some vid games and see if you can beat my high score dawg!" he called from the lab door. From what he could see Donnie was writing things down and searching for something on the computer.

The moment he began to speak, Donnie quickly finished what he was writting and turned to him with a soft smile. "I'm not sure Mikey, I need to get this done..." he could see the want in his brother's eyes, like there was a need for him to come. Donnie looked to the empty cup of coffee and stood up looking out toward his brother. "A quick game, while the coffee brews."

Mikey's smile grew brightly. "Sure thing D!" he ran off to get the system ready as Donnie moved out to make the coffee. He was happy he had agreed to come out. After all Leo wwas out with Splinter and Raph was out with Casey and April. So Donnie and him were left home alone. He had been asked to join the four of them, but he needed to stay home. There was something he needed to talk to Donnie about.

"Okay Mikey, the pot is set. What game are we playing?" the eldest asked as he took a seat on the couch. Was is always this soft? He shrugged and picked up the controller.

Mikey jumped at the sound of his brother's voice. He had been so lost in thought. "Oh...ugh...we're gonna play Mario Kart. You like that one right?" he asked as he suddenly forgot which was his brother's favorite game. He moved to stand up and fumbled the case. "Wooops..."

Donnie smiled softly as he watched his younger brother. "I love that game. As long as I get to be Luigi." he said as he noted the smell of coffee in the air. "Now then, one quick round and then I head back to work."

"Y...Yeah sure." he said sitting next to him on the couch, suddenly finding sitting next to the taller turtle to be ackward. He watched the opening sequence of the game, humming along with the music. "Which track do you want?" he wondered. His eyes locked on the screen.

"Toad's Factory is good with me or Luigi's Mansion." he said as he looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Something was off with Mikey, what he could not say. Yet, recently everything has been turned upside down with the recent proposals from Leo and Raph. It weighed heavily on him. So much so that he hadn't really left his lab in the past three days. It was good that Mikey was still the same. Still the rambuxious teen he was.

"Sounds good to me." he said softly. He moved the controller to Luigi's Mansion and they waited for the map to load. Usually he would banter, tell Donnie how he was going down and how he would whip the floor with his shell. Yet, now did not seem like the right time. Not when there was something he wanted to say, to ask.

First match to Mikey.

Second to Donnie.

Third to Mikey.

Fourth to Mikey.

Fifth to Donnie.

"Awww yeah! I win again!" he said, jumping up on the couch. "In your face!" old habits died hard. He looked at the clock. "D! Your coffee!" two hours had gone by, the coffee was far beyond cold by now.

"It's okay Mikey. I was having fun." he said with a small smile on his face as he looked forward at the screen. "Besides...there is something you want to talk about." this time he turned to look at him.

Mikey looked at him with wide eyes. Wondering how he was able to tell that just by a few short hours with him. "D, how did you..."

"I'm your older brother. I know you well enough Mikey." he said setting down the controller and moved to position himself to face him. "What is wrong Mikey? You can talk to me."

Mikey sat back down, following suit and setting the controller on the table next to Donnie's. He wasn't sure how to go about it, nor what the right words to say. "Donnie...I...I have been feeling weird lately..." he said as he fiddled with his thumbs. "Like...my body is changing...and...i've been feeling really weird like...way differnet then anything else..."

Donnie held his soft smile but inside he was panicking. Mikey was hitting sexual maturity. He was sure he knew where this was leading. What this was going to lead to. Just like the last few days. 'No...not Mikey too...'

"Donnie...it sounds like what Raph and Leo went through..." he looked to him. "I...I'm able to smell you...you smell so...amazing." he blushed brightly. "Donnie...I'm going to start my mating season...like they did..." he took his hand in his and looked him in the eyes. "I don't want to end up like them..." he said. "I need a mate and...well..." he was so lost. His words falling short. How was he to do this? "I...I would like...if you would be my mate."

Mikey recalled what he said after. That it was too sudden and he needed time. Time to think it over and to decide. Truly, Mikey could understand why he had choosen to do that. Yet, he was still hurt by that. Of anyone he wanted Donnie. He wanted a kind and caring mate. One who would be there and who he could trust. Donnie was that mate. There has been no time he could recall that Donnie wasn't there for him.

He set the picture down on the nightstand and laid back on his bed. Yet, now he wasn't here for him. He chose to lead the enemy away to keep them safe. Donnie knew that he wouldn't make it back. He knew that it was a no return type mission and yet he still went. He went and risked everything for them and what did Raph and Leo do? They fought! They fought over something so strupid that it lead to Donnie's capture. They were to blame for this. He closed his baby blue eyes and tried to imagine his brother there with him.

~LRDM~

Punch.

Jab.

Kick.

Jab. Jab.

Punch.

Roundhouse.

Raph grit his teeth as his injured leg was used to deliver the round house. His eyes narrowing as he fought to keep his body going. His rage only grew as he continued to punch. kick and jab at the punchingbag. His muscels screamed for him to stop. Begging him to rest his body so he could heal. He moved back as he delivered a nother punch.

It was all Leo's fault. He had to act all high and mighty by lecturing Donnie for disobeying him for the sake of saving them. The way he looked at their brother. As if he were a possession and not a person. He tightly he gripped his arm dispite they younger crying out that he was hurting him. Leo just didn't care for him the way he should.

Donnie was meant to be treated like a delicate flower. One that could break at any moment. He needed love, kindness and most of all someone who cares deeply about him. It was everything Raph could give him and so much more. Anything Donnie could ever need from their home. Donnie was pretty set on everything he could ever want or need if he chose Raph.

Leo felt intitled to Donnie. Being the eldest and the leader of the group, he felt that anything went to him. That the desired mate was his to take without compitition. This was by far from true. Raph wasn't going to let Leo have everything he wanted just because he was the eldest. Another punch and the bag broke off the chain and flew into the wall. Nothing else could be heard but the panting of his breath. Leo didn't deserve Donnie.

He feel to one knee, too exhausted to continue any longer. Donnie wouldn't like it when he heard he was practicing with a hurt leg. Yet, he was doing as Donnie once told him to when he was angry. 'Take it out on something that can't get hurt.' That's just what Raph had done. Taken all of his emotions. all of his rage, his fear, his sorrow, his loneliness out on the punchingbag. He felt much better but his anger toward the eldest was still present. Leo was not to be underetimated. He knew that first hand. Leo was better then them. Stronger, tatical, analyzing everything and looking for the opening that will bring you down.

It was his fault. If only he had been stronger. If only he was smarter he could have thought of a solution instead of Donnie having to runn off to god only knows where when he was finally captured. He slammed his fist on the ground. "Why ya have ta be da smart one?" he muttered to himself. Sometimes he wished Donnie wasn't so smart. It only lead to trouble in the end. Like that time they were exploring the tunnels. When Raph saw that toy car. How Donnie fell into the roaring waters. How Leo was able to bring Splinter just in time to save him. Donnie got really sick after that. Splinter had prepared them all for the worst.

The incident with Snakeweed came to mind. How he had been reckless and nearly gotten all three of them killed, Mikey expecially. If it hadn't been for Donnie's quick thinking...Reguardless, Leo's leacture after had made his feelings for him quite clear.

"What the hell were you thinking?! You could have gotten them killed!" Leo glared darkly at him. "It wasn't enough that you almost killed Donnie when we were tots, but you go out and pull this stunt! Really is there any brain cells in your head to knock together?"

He groweled. He already regrets what happened when they were tots. Seeing Donnie sick in bed, too weak to even swollow broth. His skin, so pale and his thin body looking as if he were just bone. His small frame, wheezing for each breath. He was in pain but even for one so young, each time he saw his brothers he always had a smile for them.

"I ain't talk'en ta no one!" he groweled as he turned to glare at Casey.

"Ya know, everyone is worried about him too. Red hasn't stopped crying, Mikey is in his room probibly doing the same, Leo is doing god knows what and Splinter...he hasn't stopped meditating." He nearrowed his eyes at his best friend. "You're not the only one who misses him!"

"Ya could a fooled me!" he snapped.

Casey looked at him dumbfoundedly. "What do you mean? Raph you're not making much sense." he moved forward, toward his friend.

Raph puched the ground. "Yeah, sure ya don't! It's not like ya asked da girl he's loved out or anything WHILE HE WAS IN DA SAME ROOM!" he still couldn't believe Casey had done that. What would have possessed him to do such was beyond him.

The human teen blushed as he looked away. "You don't know anything. None of you do." he looked to Raph again. "Just don't worry about me 'n Red! Expecially when it comes ta Donnie!" with that he left the Dojo.

Really, no one knew anything. No one would. Donnie had made that quite clear that no one was to know what they spoke about because it didn't affect any of them, no one truly save for the kindhearted Donatello.

~LRDM~

He stalked through the sewers, his tail swaying from side to side, clanging the sharp metal ax against the bricks that were dripping with water. He moved slowly through, counting softly to himself the tunnels that he passed before comming to the 34th. This was his home. This was where he resided wirh his brother. He entered the large area, housing a couch, t.v and a stove. A few tunnels moved off to the side, serving as their rooms. "I'm home, Rakka, rakka, rakka, rakka!" he called out as he tossed some pizza onto the table. "You would not believe who I had seen while I was out on my run." he began to to take off his gear, clicking it off and setting it on the table.

A larger figure emerged from the one bed room. He moved slowly toward the table. "It's almost done." he mumbled to himself before taking a seat at the table. He looked at the pizza and frowned. "Those people had no taste."

"It was easy to get." he snickered. "They practically threw it at me." he grabbed a slice. "But none the less you'll be interested to know who I saw tonight."

The large turtle looked at him. "Raphael?" he asked. "It's not that much of a surprise to see him..."

He laughed loudly. "No. Someone of more interest to you. Long legs, eyes the color of a buring flame of passion, soft olive skin..." he looked at him, face blushing darker with each discription. "Almost nabbed him too if it weren't for the Kraang."

"Wh..What? The Kraang? What were they after?" he asked standing up and knocking his chair over. "What happened to him?"

He shrugged. "Last I saw, the Kraang dragged him off."

"They what?! And you did nothing to stop them?!" he yelled. His eyes glaring down at him.

"I was out numbered and out gunned. There was no way to get to him." he took another piece and leaned back tampering with his wrist gun. "I know where they took him, when we get the chance we'll get him."

Slash groweled. "Why are you so hell bent on bringing him here?" his brothr didn't care for much outside of hating the Kraang and their bond as brothers.

Newtralizer stood up slowly, taking another slice with him as he made his way to his room. "Your season is coming. My brother deserves a mate. Expecially one desires."

He frowned. "He won't want me." he stalked away off to the side of the tunnel. "He's been after that girl."

The Newt mutant stopped. "He doesn't have to be willing."

"I don't want to hear that!" he roared. "He's worth more then that! Deserves better then that!" he stormed over to his room. He wasn't going to treat Donatello that way. The welding torch fired up, he began to work once more. He had to have it done and renfored before his season hit. He didn't want to hurt anyone, expecially the turtles. They meant so much to him, they were his family, perhaps Donatello even more...he sighed as he took a step back and over looked his work. Iron bars lined his room, inside and out. It was the only way...to keep everyone safe. Donatello would never have him. He made it quite clear that he didn't like him. After all, he did try to kill them, all but him that was.

A/N

I know it has been a really long time but here it is the next chapter. It's not very long but I hope you all like it and well, i have plans for this story so please trust me.

As for Cutegenius, you are close so very close. There is alot you are picking up on and alot you are missing as well. I have to say you are the most in depth with this story and I very much enjoy it! I never expected this story to turn out this way nor to have a wonderful fan base! For that I am greatful.

Pilyarquitect, you were the first fan I had. And I want to thank you so much for all your support.

Until next time my lovely readers.