Sorry it a little late guys, but on the plus side I haven't failed you yet!

But on that note I'm afraid it might be another two weeks as I'm going on hoilday for a week in Spain I'll be back on 6th July.

Enjoy! and I'll see you soon!


Meow…Meow

Mikey's new pet a little orange kitten with bright, sparkly green eyes was sitting on the floor beside his bed. Her tail was shifting across the floor as she pushed a paw against the blue quilt. The whiskers moved when she gleamed up at her rescuer who extended his hand towards her. She purred happily when brushing her bruised, burnt body against his shell as the orange feline twirled round twice before settling down tucking her paws in.

The baby blue emotionless eyes held a small amount of warmth, as he gently smiled for...the seventh time in an hour as Mikey stroked his new animal friend on the back. The kitten curled even more now lying on her belly. Rubbing his large finger on the pink bandaged fur, Mikey was recalling the astonish look on his sensei's face and how for a second he even froze when they walked back in carrying the tiny creature in his hands. For a moment the turtle was sure that despite Splinter actually having the mind still of a wise human man and much bigger than the tiny little feline, he was about to object to been in the same room with it. At least at first. Mikey had to assume that it was the rat part of his father to instinctively fear the cat. In nature they were natural enemies after all. The circumstances here been quite different but still the first reactions were somewhat ironic, and even a little funny when you really thought about it. Of course it hadn't taken long for Splinter's human heart to take over when he had seen the injuries the little creature had and the small hopeful puppy eyes smiles it brought to his youngest eyes….how could he say no?

No. There was no debate whether the injured kitten would be thrown outside, abandoned once again by his new-found owner. A simple pat on Michelangelo's head and announcing that she belongs to him not only swelled Splinter's heart with happiness but belief that this creature who had suffered his own physical and emotional trauma can help and maybe even cure his youngest child's pain. This kind gesture almost brought his father to his knees when Michelangelo nodded his mouth moving upwards as he thanked Splinter through his mind; however a cloud of sadness entered when Michelangelo realised his oldest brothers were still nowhere to be seen. The guilt and responsibility of causing the separation between the brothers made him recognize how much his child deeply missed them. This was something the rat now knew he immediately had to stop!

Mikey then took his wonderful little prize upstairs where his girl was given the gentlest care and medication. Donnie wrap the gauze covering most of her stomach after applying cream to the blisters, causing the kitten to hiss but otherwise had been a remarkable and patient little trooper. It had been a few hours since they had return home from the outing, a day Mikey will always cherish, as he listens to the soothing sound of a very happy, content orange cat. Lying down on his shell staring up at the white ceiling his thoughts wondered. How long had it been since his heart had turn to stone then to suddenly for it to just shift, like it had cracked, evaporating the rocks bringing light to his soul, all because of one little cat? Well, to be exact, it had been sixteen days of the heavy weight, but it felt as if many more days had passed since Mikey made the ultimate decision to conceal his speech.

"This is a good thing; I mean it is better for my family…I think? Isn't it? Shell! Am I having doubts? I can't afford doubts when it comes to my family's safety. What wrong with me?" He shook his head making his friend flicker her ears. "No I have to protect my family no matter what…even if it means I can't talk to them anymore. But still I really wish I could see them…but what if they don't want to see me?" Sensing his depression the cat placed both paws on his arms rubbing against him. Instantly Mikey relaxed and started to scratch her behind the ears and under her chin. What power she had over him, he didn't know, but was as if she was chasing all the dark shadows out of his mind, or at least distracting him from them. Either way she was a great influence. "I have to think of a really good name for you. I saved your life and now you are doing your best to save mine, thank you." He wiped his blurry eyes, sniffing away the croakiness in his throat. "Ginger?" He thought. "No, to common. How about Marmalade….nah. Kit-cat definitely not. I like K for a nick name though." Mikey continued to stroke the kitten. "Something never been used before…mmmmm? King Kong…? No it doesn't suit you…K-Kuck….Klunk…Klunk? That's kind of cute, like you. Klunk will do for now." He smiled. He sat up to see the time was just after two, lunch should be ready.

Turning round to place his feet on the floor, Mikey grabbed his friend putting her on the floor. Despite the abrasion on the cat's skin, she was independent and would rather have the freedom to wander around herself, or simple reason is because she was once a street cat. Making their way down the stairs they found April and Casey along with Donnie and Splinter sitting around the square table with sandwiches, salads and some fruit. Mikey froze a moment and his heart pained a little when he noticed the three empty chairs, one for him and two absent big brothers. Why didn't he realize before? Had they always been there? Splinter detected the sorrow surrounding his child got up from his seat touching his shoulder.

"My son, are you feeling unwell? Would you like your food in your room?" The father observe Michelangelo keeping his gaze on the chairs, one of them next to Donatello and other beside Casey, a painful reminder that two important people were missing. Seeing his child's posture downcast and dispirited, not even the feline companion who had zero effect in cheering Mikey up sat and watched her owner's body slightly shake, the pupils becoming teary.

The family diverted their focus to the youngest. Inside his mind the rat confirmed that he would break the vow he had commenced on his children. "There will be no more suffering" Gently pulling his boy into a hug, his clothes already damp from water as Michelangelo rubbed his face in his father's chest, for comfort and smell. The boy was startled when another two arms wrapped round him from behind, an olive-green head pressing against his for affection. "Oh Mikey we are so sorry. We didn't mean to make matters worse honest."

His youngest brother looked up, his face moist with innocence and confusion. Donnie elaborated. "Sensei, April and Casey and I had a discussion and thought it would be best to have Leo and Raph depart until you felt better. It's not that they don't want to see you, they do. More than anything and you know they are not far away. The detachment has been really bad on all of us but you come first. You had to recover. With your injury getting to upset or feeling scared wouldn't be good for-" Donnie stopped himself a moment. He could just make out that it was all for Mikey sake medically, which it was, but only partly. But there was a more protective instinct he didn't want to hide away any more. "I…I just had a hard time forgiving them for what they did to you Mikey, your my only little brother and this shouldn't have happened." He began caressing his baby brother's face, his own scrunched up from the emotional moment. The presents of sensei and his friends were unclear like white specks, his only focus was Mikey. Splinter may have been the one to give the order for them to stay away for now, but it was mostly because Donnie had insisted that it was a good idea until Mikey was ready to face them again. Donnie had made the call. No one had argued.

"I hope you can forgive me for making such a disastrous choice. I knew you were scared but I should have asked you how you felt around them, around us. It was selfish. I wanted to protect you, keep you safe…even from them. I knew they were sorry. Family is so important and sending our brothers away was the biggest regret I have ever made". Mikey was alarmed to see tears rolling down Donnie's cheek and was ashamed to uncover that he wasn't the only one grieving. The purple brother also missed the hot-headed, passionate red-clad sibling and the solace, leadership of the blue turtle. They have never been a part of so long. The two younger brothers hugged each other for reassurance and support. Donnie stared up from Mikey's shoulder to see proudness in the father's eyes.

As they untangle their arms, everyone was shocked to see the littlest brother and son have a small grin showing his front top teeth. A spark of joy lighted Donnie's body that the grin was contagious so he copied one back. "He smiled again! I knew I wasn't dreaming the first time around. Oh Mikey you are starting to return to us!"

A major improvement in Don's book considering how many hours he had spent with the teen. However due to this heartfelt love, they had forgotten their lunch. Mikey sat down next to his bro tucking into his meal, with the kitten on his lap eating food from her bowl. Wiping his mouth with his hand -only to be reprimanded by his care-taker to use a nap-kin- Mikey grabbed his plate putting it in the sink, he then peeked through the window. The dark blue eyes expanded, his heart pumping ready to burst out his shell when he saw someone slashing a tree with his katanas, his oldest brother Leonardo.

Mikey clutched his chest; he could feel his breathing pattern abnormal and his legs loose like jelly. This caught the other's awareness as the orange turtle had almost fallen if Donnie hadn't jumped up and grabbed him. "Mikey are you ok? Bro what's wrong?" alarmed at first as Donnie thought it was Mikey's injury, but the turtles voice faded when he realized why. While it was true Donnie had come across his older brothers a few times around farm, and even spent some time with them particularly on that splendid day they had all made up, he still wished for them to all be together. Mikey relaxed when Donnie brought his long arms around his plastron, his vision watching Leo repeatedly slice his swords on the same mark.

"Do you want to see him?" Donnie asked hopefully.

The panic was obvious as Mikey's body tensed, but the desperation was also clearly visible. "What should I do? Will he get mad if I talk to him? What if he walks away when he sees me?" Klunk was watching him from the chair before climbing on the table-Casey grumbling of cat hairs- to look through the glass herself. The meowed tilting her head, ears flicking. Mikey turned to see the feline jumping onto Splinter's lap before running out the kitchen. Mikey released himself from Donnie and followed. She ran to the door to find it slightly open, pushing her tiny figure outside sprinting on the dry grass to the other turtle. The cat could feel the patting of his feet as he chased after her when Mikey stopped and hid behind another tree opposite from Leo's left side, not ready to be seen just yet. Clever cat.

Quietly he watched his blue clad brother frustrated while trying to repeat the same movements, striking harder and faster, cutting long fierce strokes on the poor wood as though it was this tree that had caused all of this trouble. His expressions were non-existent; accept for the snarl on his lips as he missed his mark. He was out of practise; the control had becoming defined from lack of training. "Definitely not Mikey's fault, no way will I blame my baby brother for my down falls ever again." Just thinking of the youngest member caused Leo to sharply swish his swords across a few branches, before whacking furiously sending all his pain and emotional trauma conflicted on his brother, the promise to sensei to keep out of his sight was taking a toll on both he and Raph. After striking it several more times, Leo leaned his head against it. "Oh Mikey please forgive me, I am so sorry for everything" The stabbing in his chest and the tightness was becoming unbearable, for two weeks Leo managed to keep his stability in check, now it was unendurable.

Mikey peered from behind his post shocked and astounded to see thin lines of water slipping down Leo's cheeks. He swallowed his throat wanting to go over and cheer his siblings up…just like he used to do. It was then he realized that his cat had beaten him to it, walking over toward Leo sitting down beside his feet.

"Meow"

Leo suddenly gasped wiping away his tears like he had been caught. Technically he had by an orange female. The cat pushed her paws up onto his knee pad. Fearless then sat down noticing the bandages wrapped her middle. "Hello there little lady. I see Donnie has been demonstrating his fine skills in health care." He smiled. "I'm glad you have found us; I know Mikey in particular will give you a lot of special attention. He always did have a soft spot for anything cute." Leo watched the cat jump onto his lap sitting on his shell with her tail tuck beside her. He smiled sadly when she cooed rubbing her body like she was supporting him, or was it sympathy?

Either way he didn't deserve forgiveness. What he did was unacceptable and should remain a heavy burden on his shoulder for years to come. "I messed up so badly, Splinter was right to send us away from Mikey, but for how long? I-I don't think I can handle this any longer." The kitten moved upwards, her feet closer to his neck as she licked his face. Leo chuckled feeling it was ironic he was being comforted, by a cat no less. As she started purring she looked up towards the left, Leo felt paralyzed as his littlest brother came into view, his smaller body hiding halfway behind the tree. Talk about crushing your spirit knowing your sibling is afraid of you so they hide.

"Mikey" he whispered. They locked eyes, no one moving. The eldest observed his brother's position, the front of his feet touching each other, his hands in front of him holding together. It reminded him of a memory as children where someone was about to be told off. Leo opened his mouth then closed it. Seriously what could he say? The cat sensed the vibe between them, so she slid off the blue siblings lap making her way over to Mikey. She circled around his body, before moving halfway across back to Leo.

Mikey eyes widened understanding what she was trying to do. A very clever cat! He then gulped moving forwards slowly until he stopped where Leo was sitting. Never in sixteen years had it been so awkward. Leo and Raph definitely, with Donnie there had been some predicaments but with his baby brother, no memory come to mind. Seeing the fear and panic in his youngest, felt like a knife slicing his heart, he was the oldest had and he failed immensely.

Still he was here now, in front of him. Mikey decided to come over, he could have run back to the house, but instead he choose to be with one of the people who caused so much torment and tragically took away his personality. However this was a chance to change things, to tell his brother how he truly felt about him.

"Mikey….Hay. W-would you like to sit down?" he said flinching in thought when he stuttered. Seconds passed and Leo believe his brother would leave, he was relieved when the orange turtle sat down on his left with his pet circling around getting her paws underneath the fur. Thankfully the silence could be described as tranquil; just having a seat next to him was enough, gazing at the boy who was wiggling his large finger in front of the kitten. She sniffed it as her paw reacted like it was a toy.

Leo couldn't help but grin. "She likes you a lot." Mikey looked up a little surprised to hear Leo talking. A blush planted on his sea-green face as fearless continued. "I-I have only just met her but Splinter told me you found her and I'm glad it was you Mikey." The pressure and heat rushing through his body as they were so many, many words ready to spill out and make amends. The question is will Mikey accept them, or would he believe it was only for his benefit. "How can I prove that this is all for Mikey and to not make it seem like I am only apologizing because it is simply the right reason to do so?" To say sorry is one thing but to truly mean it is another matter entirely.

"Mikey?" The teen stared into Leo's hopeful blue eyes. "I…em…Well..I" Then he heard it, a rumble. Leo's features lit up in embarrassment as his hand covered his view of Mikey. He had it all figured out, literally down to the last detail. Suppose to be an emotional moment when his body suddenly decides to complain it was hungry! Talk about a humiliating. He removed his hand to discover Mikey had gotten up and placed the cat in his thighs. The leader's heart ached, turning cold when his baby brother quickly walked away.

He gritted his teeth as his eyesight swelled up with tears. Great job Leo! You ruined it again, now he's gone! Leo was ignoring the cat who was trying to get his attention. With the negative thoughts clouding his judgement and his surrounding, Leo failed to notice that Mikey had returned. When he discovered that his oldest brother needed food, Mikey got up and went to the kitchen. It was his fault his brother was hungry. He hoped Leo wouldn't be mad for taking off when it was supposed to be a brotherly connection moment.

Leo looked up to see a plate holding a bacon sandwich, nice and crispy wrapped in white median bread. Leo could feel his heart swirling with joy and delight. His wonderful selfless baby bro had decided to bring his insensitive, thoughtless big brother food because his stomach demanded it. However he soon learned the staring was causing Mikey to blush and look away in misery, the plate slightly lowered thinking that he made a mistake.

"Thanks little bro." said Leo softly as he grabbed the China. He could have sworn a glow entered his brother's eyes like a sign of relief and pleased he was able to do something right. This very thought darken his face. "Little brother you are certainly not useless" If only fearless realised that before this terrible nightmare occurred. Finishing off his meal Leo was aware that Mikey had not sat down again. In fact he hadn't moved from his spot. Was he waiting for his plate? Fiddling with his thumbs, his body language it looked more like Mikey was debating whether to sit back down because he was waiting for Leo's permission. Once again his heart got surrounded by light only to come crashing down into the darkness again.

"Mikey…Y-you don't need my order to have a seat next to me, it's alright I'm not mad" with a surprised expression the little bro obeyed him anyway watching his kitten play on the grass by stretching on her back. Leo seriously admitted to himself that he felt extremely happy, something in the past two weeks had not filled his heart to the maximum. Such a period was precious and Leo came to the conclusion to start out as blunt as possible.

"I love you Mikey"

The orange turtle was stunned and amazed that Leo started out so…straightforward. Honesty and kindness along with a gentle smile framed his big brother's feature. "Is it true that he loves someone like me, a screw up, a disappointment?" The emotions haven't changed. It wasn't a lie; his bro truly did love him. Leo gasp to see Mikey's chewing his lip trying to stop the waterworks, the blue eyes full of sorrow as he gave up allowing himself to sniffle and hiccup as they cascaded down to his chin. The leader got up placing his frame in front of the youngest, his arms either side not sure whether to embrace Mikey. Did he say something wrong? The sobbing and the teen's arms covering to hide the tears gave him his answer. Leo removed his sibling's hands before crushing his body to his plastron.

Mikey stiffened. The warmth and protection from Leo eventually relaxed him. How long has it been since he had affection and tenderness from his oldest siblings? Was it just before the incident or further back? Mikey couldn't remember but either way he tightens his hold on Leo soaking and whining. He missed his brother so very much.

Holding onto Mikey's head and shell fearless shifted so his carapace touched the tree, his baby bro curling up like they did as young children. Leo rocked him side by side, soothing his little sibling.

"Let it out Mikey. All the suffering I caused you…. I promise I will never let this happen again. I promise from the bottom of my stupid heart I will never, ever hurt you like this again." He rubbed his forehead against Mikey's head affectionately. "I have always loved you and still do that won't change. I hope one day you can forgive me."

After shredding his tears Mikey heard the devotion and dedication to resolve what had been broken in Leo's voice. He leaned his cheek into Leo's hand when he caressed his cheek; he kissed his forehead and brought him back to his chest. Mikey turned his body sideways pressing into Leo's neck smelling his scent. Leo noticed his baby was struggling to remain awake.

"Everything is going to be fine Mikey. Please don't be scared of me or Raph…" he paused wondering whether or not to push his luck. "Mikey you're really scaring us…Whatever you need to do to come back, do it, I'll still be here promise." Mikey closed his eyes. He was a sleep in seconds. Leo stared down at his sleeping bro smiling as he ran a hand down his spring green bald head. Then looking down at his arms, something caught his eye. Something odd. On his right wrist Mikey had a thin blue string tied very tightly around it. Was that not cutting off his circulation? "Was this here before?" Alarm bells begun ringing, though he didn't know why. Leo reached to touch only for it to disappear into his brother's skin, like it had never been there. "What just happened? That was just like my dream…..are they linked somehow? What is going on here?" Taking slow breaths to calm his beating heart, Leo suddenly felt a need to hold his brother more tightly, this time more protectively. Nothing or no one was going to not take his brother away!

Unknown to him a red-clad turtle watch from the shadows heartbroken. "Mikey I wish I could hold you as well." He was glad Mikey and Leo had found one another, but his dull green eyes unable to deal with the site of his brothers seeking comfort he ambled behind trees further out into the forest….


Inside the farmhouse Splinter along with the three youngsters still remained in the kitchen. They witness Mikey finally reconnecting with one of his big brothers, now they can only pray that the same could be done for Raph, sooner rather than later.

Casey then moved back to the table to continue the battle with his lunch. How he craved a hotdog right now. All this fruit and healthy stuff was soooooo boring! April meanwhile moved away from the window leaving the father and son to enjoy their real first victory on their family uniting. But her smile just couldn't last. She had things going around in her head, things she hadn't thought about for years, and others that were happening now that just didn't add up. And she just couldn't shake off this feeling that something was wrong. Very very wrong. But she didn't want to upset the others with her depressing feelings, particularly on such a happy day. Was it her senses telling her something…? Splinter had told her always to trust her feelings, ok. If that was what she was supposed to do…? Alright, I am listening. She said to herself.

As though her brain had just been waiting for her to ask, she suddenly felt a need to look across the room towards the very heavy and large table dresser that stood in the corner of the kitchen. It was one of the first pieces of furniture her grandparents had bought for the house. She quickly went over pulling open the cupboard. It was stuffed with old paper work and photos of her family….she didn't even know what she was looking for until she found it. The moment her fingers touched the old dusty papers, she knew. It might have well have been a snake ready to bite her….How could she have forgotten? Thinking back when Mikey had first been hurt and he was laying back at the lair, she had seen it then just like she had seen it before. April looked from the cards in her hand, but then slowly she turned her face towards the stairs…high up on the landing. A shiver ran down her spine as the memory replayed in her mind like a film…

"At first they will come as shadows at night, under your covers as they whisper sleep tight…" No. It was just a story, a stupid, scary story….right?

"What is troubling you April?" She suddenly turned around to find Splinter looking at her with concern. He could practically feel the distress coming off of her.

"It's nothing Sensei. Just some old ghost coming back to haunt me." Splinter raised an eyebrow as Donnie came over to join them. Even Casey looked up from his plate with a strange look.

"If your mind is telling you something, listen to it." Was all the rat said and April couldn't meet his eyes. She had so not wanted to spoil anything, but she had to come clean, no matter how bad or strange it sounded.

"What have you got there?" Donnie asked looking at the colourful cards in her hands.

"Old Christmas cards my grandparents had sent to them over the years. They never tossed anything away." She chuckled before handing them over to Donnie to look at. Each of the cards had a hole in the front of it as though someone had cut a part of the illustration out. Odd. The turtle looked at her questionably. "My grandmother was a very superstitious person. She wouldn't ever allow birds in the house. No real ones. No toys, not even pictures of them. So whenever someone sent gran a Christmas card and it had a bird on, she would keep the card, because it was a nice thought, but she would cut out the bird in the picture…." At this short story the others looked at one another before looking back at the suddenly pale girl.

"I may regret asking this but…..why?" Donnie asked.

"Because any birds in the house are unlucky, but Raven's….." She paused a moment. "Ravens are known as the MESSENGERS of death. Those birds carry the spirit of death into the mortal world with them. They come to collect the souls of those who are about to pass away and take them to the land of the dead. When they have found the dying person, they attached themselves to them, but they only appear as shadows….but to the dying person sees or hears them, they will appear as whatever they need them to be as long as it convinces the person to let go of their mortal life so the Ravens can take the soul back with them….When I was a kid, my gran told me the story, a legend actually, built upon a poem that was written about them as a warning."

"Well no offence to your gran April but it sounds to me like she needed therapy." Casey went back to his lunch, but he was suddenly looking a little paler himself. Donnie looked a little confused, yet unnerved. Splinter expression however remained the same but his ears had perked up as though he was listening intently to every word.

"Everybody else in the family thought that too. Including me." April put the cards away. "But…..well when I was 6 my gran died, in this house. I was here at the time with Dad." At this both Casey and Donnie snapped their heads back up towards April…her gran had died here, under this roof? Suddenly the nice quiet family house had a creepy feeling about it. "Gran said she had always seen the Ravens and shadows before someone close to her died…and, they weren't evil or anything, but they are still death and when death has chosen there soul, it's not often they will let them go. It's just nature, but nothing is more scary than the darker side of nature. The reason I remember the poem is because the night gran died, I was down here and I saw, I saw a shadow walk up the stairs and across the landing to her room. I saw it. The shape of it…! I sensed it and….I didn't understand my senses at the time, but I do now and…and" April seemed to be struggling with her words.

"What is it April?" Splinter pushed her.

"When Mikey was hurt and he was back at the lair…Splinter I saw a shadow in the lab. I sensed something around Mikey." She spat this out as though it was poison on her tongue.

Donnie eye's widened. "What do you mean April?"

The girl sighed "I'm sorry for keeping this a secret but to be honest had forgotten all about the Raven story."

"Wait! Hold up. You saw shadows at the lair?" Casey replied incredulously.

She nodded ignoring his disbelief. "Yeah it's kind of hard to describe. At the time I didn't know it was Mikey until I figured it out today when I saw a Raven following us home this morning." The teen rubbed her arms and shuddered. "Em…coming back with the kitten, when I stopped, it was because I saw a raven on a branch, look I know how this sounds. Black birds are very common on a farm but, this one, the way it was looking at me…I can't explain it." She looked desperately at the rat. Worried that they did not believe her but she had even upset them fulling their heads with such a morbid idea.

The darken faces of Splinter and Donnie was evident. After all only two weeks had passed, not exactly long ago to forget what had almost happened to Mikey. Nonetheless Splinter was curious on how much April knew about this dark mythical entity. True or not this was the spirit world they were dealing with and even though they didn't understand all of it, it was not something he was going to take lightly.

Coldness had entered the kitchen leaving everyone with an uneasy feeling, especially Splinter. "Michelangelo's soul had not only cracked, but darkness, a 'shadow' had spread like a virus rendering him with a grey orb and it felt his soul had been captured and was slowly trying to pull him away. As strange as this old legend of Aprils sounded, it did seem to match up with what I had been sensing from my youngest. What is this harmful message doing to my son?"

"April." The rat asked trying to calm his thoughts. "Later could you please tell me this story of your grandmother and the poem in detail, if it isn't too uncomfortable for you?" April nodded. He didn't sound angry at her but she did hear the concern, even a little fear in his voice.

The second youngest touched his father's arm. "Master Splinter?" the rat shook his head happy to now change the subject slightly.

"I suggest we do not leave Michelangelo alone until we know what it is we are dealing with." The rat looked at Donatello as he said this. The turtle nodded in agreement. He didn't understand what was going on but if there was even the slightest chance his baby brother was still in danger, he was not waiting around to find out exactly what it was. April's senses were real. If she said something was in the dark around Mikey, then he would be the first to grab a flash light!

They all agreed when suddenly April clapped her hands. "Something together, how about we have a movie night. Mikey always loved those, I'll look through my old videos and Mikey can pick what to watch. What do you think?"

"A good plan April, perhaps tomorrow night we can sit around the living room for a family event" said Splinter pleased to have everyone rekindling once again.

"Count me out" said a quiet voice that had suddenly entered the room.

They all saw Raph standing in the doorway. How long had he been there? He had a monotonous expression. Splinter made a mental note to check the soul room on his red son's condition.

Donnie got up walking towards his older brother. "Raph this can benefit all of us and I know Mikey very badly wants to see you. Please give it a shot bro." The purple brother crestfallen when his red-clad sibling turned around disconsolate. "You will be fine without me Don, you all will. An angry turtle like me deserves to be left alone" There stunned and dishearten looks made them all realize how much this has tremendously affected their red-clad brother. It seems Splinter has to reach his soul sooner than expected.

Raph reached the shared room with Leo only he never slept inside. He made his own punishment by sleeping away from his sibling to discipline himself for what he had done to his baby brother due to his temper. The second oldest slid down onto his backside blocking anyone for coming in. His body began shaking, the chatter of his teeth as the overly emotional turtle forced the tears out his eyes dripping down his chin onto the floor. He would cry in despair, away from prying eyes in solitude. "Mikey my awesome baby brother, I- I love you so very, very much. Don't hate me little bro, come back to me please!" Covering his mouth to silence his sounds Raph wrapped his other arm around his body to curl into a ball.

Unbeknown to him, Raph was being watched not by his family but three black ravens parched on a thick branch. The middle raven stared down at the teen with his black-jet orbs. The left one raised his wings.

"How long left?"

Without turning away the middle bird stated.

"Soon."