a/n Thank you all so much for your kind words and for all those alerts. I really appreciate the support Here's ch 21 for you all. Enjoy

ch 21 Facing Reality

Elizabeth had finished examining Donatello and was now examining Shen. April had to leave because her father was starting to ask questions. Karai, Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Yoshi were in Raphael's room, talking with the red masked turtle. "So I missed all the excitement tonight huh?" Raphael asked, sounding really disappointed.

"Yeah you did," Donatello said with a nod. "But don't fell to bad Raph. I'm sure they'll be other battles to fight. Especially since Tiger Claw, Dog-Pound and Snakeskin are still out there."

"Still would've been nice to have been there," Raphael grumbled.

"Why so you could've seen Father slice Shredder's head off?" Michelangelo said suddenly, causing everyone to look at him. "Or wait I know you're really into seeing bodies get burned am I right? Or no wait you wanted to have to fight our oldest brother, who was trying to kill us. Which one of those really appeals to you Raph? 'Cause let me tell you something bro none of that was fun to witness. That shit is gonna be burned into my brain for the rest of my life!" Everyone's eyes widened when they heard the youngest turtle say those words. Michelangelo wasn't someone who swore. The only reasons he swore was when he was in a lot of pain, or if something highly upset him.

"Mikey you ok there little brother?" Raphael asked, trying to sit up but failing due to the brace on his plastron.

"What do you think Raph?' Michelangelo said softly as he sank down in a chair beside Raphael's bed. Yoshi knelt down beside his youngest son and Leonardo did the same on the other side.

"Mikey you wanna talk about how you're feeling?" Leo asked, his voice coming out soft and caring.

"Not really," Michelangelo said softly, avoiding eye contact.

"Mikey you'd feel better if you talk about," Leonardo said, trying to sound firm but not pushy.

"Your brother is right Michelangelo," Yoshi said. "We are family here. You have nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed about. We will not judge you my son."

"I know you won't Father," Michelangelo said, letting out a sigh. "I..I just can't right now. I.." Suddenly Michelangelo got up and dashed out of the room, leaving his worried family behind.

"I'll go talk to him," Donatello said as he too exited the room.

"Poor Mikey," Karai said, shaking her head sadly.

"I knew Mikey shouldn't have stayed," Leonardo said as he too shook his head. "He's always been so sensitive. Plus he's only thirteen. Its a lot for him to handle."

"It is a lot for all of you to handle," Yoshi said, putting a hand on Leonardo's shoulder. "You are just fifteen Leonardo. You have had a lot of burden on your young shoulders as of late."

"I can handle it Father," Leonardo said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

"You should not have to," Yoshi said, the guilt coming out in his voice. "None of you should have to deal with the things you have. And that is my fault. I have failed you all as a Father."

"Father that ain't true," Raphael said, shocked that his father was saying such things.

"Raph's right," Leonardo chimed in. "This isn't your fault Father. If its anyone's fault around here its mine. I should have been a better leader and used my head before I acted. I..." But Leonardo was cut off by Yoshi gently covering his mouth.

"Not another word Leonardo," the wise old rat said softly as he pulled his oldest son into a hug. Leonardo hugged his father tightly and buried his face in Yoshi's shoulder, fighting back the tears that were threatening to come out. "I love you so very much my son," Yoshi said softly.

"I love you too Father," Leonardo said, his voice muffled by Yoshi's fur.

"Ugh I think I might puke," Raphael said, rolling his dark brown eyes.

"I think its sweet," Karai said with a smile.

"Yeah sickly sweet," Raphael said with a groan. Leonardo and Yoshi pulled apart and smiled at each other for a second. The Leonardo's T-com beeped.

"Casey?" Leonardo answered, the surprise clear in his voice "Where..." Leonardo was silent for a few minutes then he spoke again. "We're on our way. Don't do anything until we get there." With that Leonardo hung up.

"Casey in trouble?" Raphael asked.

"Yeah he decided to face Hun and his Purple Dragons alone," Leonardo said. "And of course he got in over his head. We need to go."

"I will come with you," Yoshi offered, bending down to grab his walking stick. But when he did a stab of pain went through his back and he winced despite his best efforts not to.

"Father you're injured," Leonardo said as he helped Yoshi sit in the chair. "You should rest."

"He most certainly should," a voice from the doorway said. The group looked over and saw Elizabeth standing there, her arms crossed.

"Casey needs out help," Yoshi informed the blonde headed women. "I must go."

"Yoshi its pretty obvious that you received an injury to your back," Elizabeth said, walking over to Yoshi and indicating the blood on his back. "I need to take a look at that and make sure its nothing serious."

"I do not have time for..." Yoshi began. But he was stopped by Elizabeth's firm voice.

"Do I have to get Shen involved here?" the doctor asked, raising an eye brow at Yoshi.

"That will not be necessary," Yoshi said, slightly annoyed that Elizabeth had won. "I will not go."

"Good," Elizabeth said, motioning for Yoshi to follow her.

"Hey wait!" Raphael cried out, causing Elizabeth and Yoshi to look at him. "I wanna go to the fight. And I know what you're gonna say: that I'm injured and could further injure myself blah, blah, blah. I'll be careful. I'll even wear this damn brace. I just need to get some action in. Please." Raphael looked over at Yoshi and Elizabeth when he said this part. The two exchanged looks and Yoshi nodded.

"Very well," Elizabeth said, walking over to Raphael and adjusting his brace. "I've made adjustments to your brace Raphael," she said. "You will be able to move but there will be limitations. And you must be careful when fighting."

"Thanks Aunt Elizabeth," Raphael said as he sat up. Raphael stood and reached for his sais and put them in his belt. "Lets do this," he said, a determined look going across his face.

"Meet me in the Shell Raiser," Leonardo instructed as he took off the black mask he had on and put on his blue one. "I'm going to get Donnie and Mikey."

"Right," Raphael and Karai said as they headed to the garage.

TMNTTMNTTMNT

While all of this was happening Michelangelo and Donatello were having a heart to heart talk in Michelangelo's room. "Mikey I know that you said you don't want to talk about what happened," Donatello began. "But I really do think you should."

"There's nothing to really talk about D," Michelangelo said softly. "I mean its not going change what happened. But I don't know about you but seeing Father take Shredder's head off was a little much."

"Yeah," Donatello said with a sigh. "I know it was. It was a lot for me too Mikey. But it had to be done."

"I know," Michelangelo said with a sigh of his own. "Its just that so much has happened to our family this year. I..I don't think I can handle too much more." Donatello put his arm around his little brother and Michelangelo put his head on his genius brother's shoulders.

"We're in this together Mikey," Donatello said, putting his head on top on Michelangelo's. "I'll be there for you no matter what. And so will Leo, Raph Mom and Father. Heck you've even got Karai, April and Casey to help you. You are definitely not alone little brother."

"Thanks D," Michelangelo said, pulling Donatello in for a hug, which the purple masked turtle gladly returned. "I love you D."

"I love you too Mikey," Donatello said holding his little brother tight. Just then Leonardo entered the room.

"Sorry to interrupt," the oldest turtle said. "But Casey needs our help with Hun and the Purple Dragons. Karai and Raph are already in the Shell Raiser."

"Right," the two younger turtles said as they grabbed their weapons and followed Leonardo out.

"Wait did you say Raph?" Donatello said, his black eyes widening in surprise.

"I'll explain on the way," Leonardo said as the climbed in the Shell Raiser and took off, hoping they weren't too late to help Casey.

A/N well folks there you have it ch 21 done. I thought we were nearing the end of the story but I think we've still got a few more chapters to go. Hope that's alright lol. Please review and thank you in advance.