Oh my gosh, guys! I am sooo sorry for not updating on time. But I got sick and I couldn't stand looking at a computer screen, so I couldn't post. I know you don't really care and just want to read, but still.. I feel guilty! And that after all your kind reviews! Really guys, thanks! I love them so much!

Since some of you wanted a continuation of the previous story, I've written a chapter about that. It's not my best, but I hope you still like it.

Enjoy!

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Taking Care

It was quiet. Way too quiet for Raph's liking. It was true that there were several sounds in the lair, but the normal noises like every other night weren't there. It's like they had vanished the moment Mikey passed out an hour ago. After that every sound was dull and all the necessary conversations were short.

With concerned eyes Raph watched Donnie bending over the very still form of their youngest sibling, who was lying on the lonely cot in the infirmary. Leo stood on the other side, quietly assisting Don when he was asked. Raph sat anxiously in in a chair on the other side of the small room, his elbows on his knees, shoulders tense. He knew he had to stay away from the bed at the moment, since all he could do was to stand in the way, but he didn't want to leave the area. He knew Mikey would've liked it if he stayed, so he did - for some sort of moral support.

He got jerked out of his thoughts by a furry hand on his shoulder. Slowly he looked up, seeing the sad, but gentle eyes of his sensei. A moment it was quiet, until Splinter spoke. "Your brother is strong, Raphael. He is going to be alright."

Raph gave an huff and cast his eyes down. "Yeah," he mumbled unconvinced. The grip on his shoulder tightened and Raph took some comfort out of the touch. "I'm jus' worried, sensei," he said in an uncharacteristic small voice. The sorrowful smile on the old rat's lips passed by him. "You have all the reason to be, my son. But Michelangelo will pull through. You have to have faith."

Raph gave a nod, still not looking up. "I know." He shifted a bit and that was for Splinter the sign to let go. He knew his tough son didn't like to be comforted when he felt distressed in the presence of his brothers, even when it was really necessary. But as a good father, Splinter respected his feelings. "Raphael," he spoke and his son looked up again. "Might you need me, I will be in the dojo meditating for your brother."

"'Kay, sensei. Thanks."

With a small sigh Splinter walked out of the infirmary, but not before he shared a look with his oldest son. The look in Leonardo's eyes made his heart feel heavy, since he'd seen the look more often and was only shared with him on several occasions. He knew Leonardo was desperate and did not know what to do. Instead of a full-grown teenager, he saw a scared little child who needed guidance the whole way through by the hand of his sensei, his father. Unfortunately Splinter knew he could not provide that at the moment. Instead he gave him one of the kindest of smiles and gave him a look which told his son all: Everything will be alright. Reluctantly Leo nodded before turning back to the bed when Don asked him something. He looked into Don's tired eyes. "Sorry, you asked something..." he said absently. Don smiled weakly and pointed to a small table. "Could you hand me the external stitching supplies?"

Leo looked to the bedside table next to him. "Oh yeah, sure." Quickly he grabbed the supplies and handed them to his genius brother. "Need some help?"

A moment it was quiet, until Don shook his head. "No, thanks. All that's needed now is to stitch him up and bandage the wound," he said, making the first stitch.

"And then what?" Leo asked, biting his lip. His eyes were filled with worry which he tried to hide with his trademark leader pose. Unfortunately for him Don saw right through it, but he decided not to dwell on it for very long. He didn't answer the question immediately though and he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "Then we have to monitor him closely and wait until he wakes up."

Leo shifted his eyes before turning them back to Don. "And when's that?"

Don sighed and gave a small shrug. "I honestly don't know, Leo. I just don't know."

"Soon," they suddenly heard from behind them. Raph was sitting up straighter, looking into their direction. "He'll wake up soon. He promised me." His voice didn't sound distressed or worried, but actually very calm. It surprised both Don and Leo.

"He promised," Raph repeated himself tautly, more to convince himself than his brothers. Leo nodded and gave a smile. "Yeah, he will. It's Mikey we're talking about." He laid his hand on his little brother's head and stroked his thumb affectionately over his forehead. "He always keeps his promises."

"And besides that, he's way too energetic ta lay down fer too long," Raph continued as he got up. "He's back on his feet in no-time." He walked towards the end of the cot and crossed his arms. "Right, Donnie?"

Not looking up, Don gave a barely seeable nod as he tied up the last stitch. Leo eyed him closely and saw the deep frown on his brother's face. "Don?" he asked, not really knowing what to make out of the expression. When he didn't receive an answer, he felt his heart turn into ice. "He's gonna be okay, right?" he asked, looking anxious at his unconscious brother. He felt the exact same tension radiating from Raph, who quickly turned his worry into anger. "Don! Freakin' answer -"

"Yes!" Don cut in firmly. "Yes, Mikey will be okay."

A little taken aback by the outburst they didn't expect, Leo and Raph shared a quick look. "But - why..." Leo started and finally Don looked up, frustration and guilt reflected in his eyes. "If it wasn't for me Mike wouldn't be in this situation right now."

Leo's gaze softened, fully understanding Don's feelings. "Don, don't blame yourself for this. I -"

"I do blame myself!" Don fell out. "It's my fault Mike's hurt! If I'd just paid a little bit more attention, this wouldn't have happened!" Don's eyes went to his little brother, who was sleeping silently on the cot. He knew it were only the medicines doing their job, but he was glad Mikey wasn't in pain or anything at the moment - although that would come once he would regain consciousness. "It's my fault."

"Donnie, listen to me," Leo started as he reached out to lay a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder, only to be swatted away. "No! I don't listen. It's my -"

"Fer cryin' out loud, Don! Shit like this happens. We don't blame ya, Splinta doesn't blame ya and I definitely know Mike doesn't blame ya. So why're ya blamin' yerself?" Raph spat out. Don just blinked, taking in Raph's outburst. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder, the same one he refused just a couple of seconds ago. He shifted his eyes from Raph to Leo, seeing the concerned eyes of his oldest brother. "Raph's right, you know. That Elite came out of nowhere and had probably hid somewhere in the shadows until he saw an opening. You can't blame yourself for something like that."

Don casted his eyes down. "You're blaming yourself," he grumbled as he took some bandages to finish wrapping Mikey up. Leo rolled his eyes. "Yes, I am. But that's my thing. And besides that I should've seen there were just three of them. They've always been attacking with four, so I don't understand why I didn't see that in the first place."

"Argh!" Raph gave a grown out of exasperation. "Don't ya start too! Mista control-freak and his blame-game."

Leo narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raph. "I'm responsible for all of you in the field. Whatever happens in battle is on my shoulders. I took that duty the moment I -"

"Don't gimme that crap again!"

"I am the leader, Raph. I am in charge of you. When something goes wrong, it's on me, since I have to take the lead and I have to make the choices!" Leo defended himself angrily.

"Ya might be tha leader, but yer freakin' actin' like a boss! All ya do is talkin' 'bout yerself, but guess what… We're a team, not a one-turtle show 'bout Leonardo and his mindless underlings who have nothing ta say and jus' do what they're told," Raph responded, coming dangerously close to Leo. Not intimidated, Leo straightened his posture. "Listen to me, and listen to me good, Raphael. Don't you dare telling me I see you as an underling. You know way better than that. I really -"

Suddenly there was a light moan and immediately three heads whipped to the unconscious turtle on the cot. Mikey's eye ridges were frowned in discomfort and he shifted his head slightly. A second later he gave a strangled sigh and his breathing evened out again.

"Mikey?" Don asked anxiously, since he wasn't finished tending him. He touched Mikey's cheek and eyed him closely.

"Did- Did he wake up?" Leo hovered over the bed, looking at his little brother. Don did a quick check. "I don't know. But whatever it was, he's out of it now," he said after a few moments. At that moment Raph barked out a bitter laugh. "Shell, Mikey… Even out cold yer still tryin' ta stop us from fightin'," he said softly, remembering how Mikey hated the fights between him and Leo and how he always tried to break it up one way or another. Even when he got hurt in the process.

"We're sorry, buddy. We didn't mean to fight," Leo apologised to their little brother, although he couldn't hear it. "Things are just a bit tense without you awake."

Raph nodded. "Yeah, ya betta wake up soon so ya can tell us we're stupid or something," he said with a slight smirk. Don chuckled. "And then make a weird joke or anything to lighten the mood." He laid the last hand on the treatment and checked if all of it was covered by the large bandage.

"Or break something so we get mad at you instead of each other and forget about our own fight," Leo added with a grin. With an agreeing nod, Don caressed the top of Mikey's head. "Yeah, bro. You're having an awesome gift," he complimented the youngest.

"Maybe it's the other way around… We are gifted. With a little bro like you," Leo added. Suddenly Raph gave him a playful push against the shoulder. "Freakin' weak, Fearless," he grumbled before turning back to Mikey. "Bro, wake up soon please ta tell him he's a total sap."

Leo sniggered. "Joking aside… In some way it's true. If Mikey wasn't there, I really don't think we would still be a team. Where we take care of each other individually, Mikey knows how to take care of us all together. To keep us together."

Don gave a nod. "I think you've got a point. Without Mike I would sit in my lab the whole day and probably just live on coffee."

"Heh, I honestly think I would be out tha whole time and just never be home or somethin'," Raph added with a agreeing grin. Leo snorted slightly. "And I would just train the whole time… He actually makes sure I'll always remember the meaning of fun."

"And annoyance," Raph said as he walked back to his chair and dragged it back to the bed, together with a folding chair that was standing against the wall. Unfolding it one-handedly, he dropped it next to Leo, who took it gratefully. Don shoved his own stool towards himself and sat down. "And the fine line between those two."

Not having much to say after that, the three brothers watched over their wounded youngest sibling in silence, realising how important he was for them. And how little credit he got for doing all those things which they'd always had taken for granted. They all knew one thing: without Mikey, they had no clue what to do on the long run. But they also knew it wouldn't get that far - they will protect their little brother at all costs. They'll make sure of it.

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Well, that's it! Again sorry I was a little late. But on a positive note.. The next chapter will come sooner ;-).

Please tell me what you think!