Chapter Two:

The next morning, Mikey woke up early, to make breakfast. He smiled slightly when he walked out to see Donatello and April huddled together on the couch, legs tangled and blanket strewn over them. He put the kettle on and started on some eggs. He noted that they were getting low and they'd need Casey to get them some- oh crap. He doesn't know. He made a decision to call him as soon as everyone had gotten their food. When the eggs were all cooked, exactly everyone's favorites, he made toast and got out some fruit.

Leo still refused to eat, even after almost two days, but he made him something anyway. Not once had he left Splinter's side, except to go to the bathroom. And even those trips were sparse. Donatello said it could be any time now, but their father was always a strong warrior. He was always a fighter. Part of him wondered if Leo was willing him to stay alive. If his presence and his hovering kept Splinter rooted to them. Another part of him wished by some miracle that their father would heal. That his condition would be cured overnight. That Donnie could come up with some sort of science-y serum to reverse the effects of the horrific poison coursing through Splinter. He shook his head, whisking his reeling mind away. When all the dishes were set out, he crept over to the couch.

"Donnie. April. Breakfast is ready," he whispered. His brother's eyes shot open. Fear coated his features in a thick layer.

"Is he-"

"No. Breakfast is ready." Donatello sighed heavily. He looked down at April, who had her arms thrown over his plastron. He ran a hand over her hair.

"April. Breakfast is ready."

"Hrm?" She muttered, nuzzling her face into him. He smiled at her beauty, still awe-struck by it, until he remembered his father. That Splinter was dying in the other room, while he slept. While he admired her. Guilt washed over him and he patted her back.

"Time to get up, love," he whispered. She pinched her brow and squinted as she opened her eyes, and smiled up at him. She sat up and stretched, joints popping. April got to her feet. She yawned as she took his hand and helped him up. He stretched as well, feeling a twinge in his shoulder. He massaged it as he walked to the coffee machine. He barely noticed himself going through the motions with the grounds and the water, until it sputtered to life just as Michelangelo and Raphael entered. He took note of his red-masked brother, seeing that he had, in fact, improved since last night. Some rest did him some good, and the swelling in his knuckles seemed to go down.

"Morning," he said, plopping into the chair next to April. She smiled and put a hand softly on his. He dug his fork into his eggs and grimaced at the counter. Donnie felt relief wash through him when the pot filled, and he poured himself a mug of the dark liquid. He deeply inhaled the scent before taking a sip, despite it being scalding hot. Mikey ate his food in silence, staring at the plate that would be Leo's. Raphael cleared his throat.

"Listen, I… Wanted to thank you. All of you. For last night…" They all stopped.

"Raph, it wasn't your fault-" Donnie started.

"I know. I know, I just… I'm thankful that you guys were there to, ya know, help me." April grabbed his shoulder and his lip trembled as he took another bite of food. Mikey walked up to him and embraced him, and Raph returned the hug. The youngest brother kissed his head and patted it, before starting toward Leo's plate.

"I'll take it to him," Donnie said. Mikey looked up at him gratefully. He picked up the plate and glass of orange juice and walked to his lab. He ran through everything in his head, all of the preparations, just in case. When he slid open the door, Leo slowly turned and Donnie almost gasped at how different he looked. Tears stung, but he blinked them away. Leonardo's eyes were sunken in, dark circles apparent. His color had drained of any brightness. His face was ashen. Further than that, they were glazed over. Recognition did not cross his features until Donnie put a hand on his shoulder.

"Leo, I brought you some breakfast. You really need to-"

"I don't want it." His voice was raspy and thick, dense. It was as if every part of Leo was locked into that spot, holding their father's hand.

"But-"

"I said I don't want it."

Donatello sighed.

"Okay, I'll, uh, leave it over here. Just in case." He set the dishes down and gulped. "H-how is he?" The look Leo gave him sent a shiver down his spine.

"How do you think he is?!" He hissed.

"Leo-"

"He's been sleeping for the past two hours. He hasn't thrown up in over four. The oxygen seems to be helping." Donnie nodded and took Splinter's other hand in his. Instinctively, he felt the pulse. It was weak, but it was there. His father's chest rose and fell slowly. He looked peaceful.

"I'll, um… Leave now. If you need anything…" He placed a hand on Leo's shoulder and felt him stiffen. His hand flinched away and he exited the room silently. Leonardo stared at their father, watching as his eyes fluttered open. They searched the room and fell over him.

"Leonardo," he whispered. He thought he may have imagined it. But he took a ragged breath and continued. "I must speak to each of you. Alone." He coughed and Leo pulled the rag off of his lap, wiping Splinter's face. His frail hand clutched the folded envelope with a letter for each of the family members. Even her. Donatello helped him write them. After he had finished, he asked politely to be excused and never came back. Not until he had to grab some medicine for Raph. He quietly grunted in his focused stupor that he was having a panic attack before dashing out of the room. It wasn't before Leo had seen the stained paths on his face where tears had slid down his cheeks. A sinister part of him felt pleasure in knowing Donatello was guilty. He shoved it away, to the dark recesses of his mind that crept closer and closer.

"But-"

"Please," he huffed. The leader merely nodded once and stood. His knees gave out beneath him and he realized how exhausted he really was. Maybe he would grab that glass of orange juice. "Send Donatello in first." Leonardo felt a pang of fear as he left his father's side, praying to whatever was out there that they could all be with him when it was time. He slipped out quietly, and saw everyone waiting.

"He wants to speak to everyone. Individually. He asked for your first, Donnie." He had been holding April's hand, but dropped it, looking around desperately as if there were another "Donnie" in the room that he was confused for. He straightened and nodded at Leo before disappearing into the lab.

They waited a good twenty minutes before he came out, letter in hand, despair rolling off of him like water on rocks. He plopped on the couch with a thud.

"He wants to see Raph next," he said, monotonously. April looked at him and squeezed his hand. He took a deep breath through his nose and opened the door. When the door slid shut, April crossed the room to Donnie. He looked at the paper in his hands, deep in thought. When she sat next to him, he seemed unfazed. She touched a hand to his thigh and he lifted his arm. She fit perfectly in the space, his arm draping over her, cupping her body to his. With a big sigh, she put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She wanted to mute it all. All the feelings. All the pain. She hadn't yet been able to meditate for long periods of time, but she found that in Donnie's presence, she was relaxed enough to slip into that state. Her breathing evened out and she felt her chest rise and fall with his. Even his heartbeat that droned next to her matched. Finally, some peace and quiet, she thought. A sudden whisk of anger from somewhere brought her barreling back into reality and she saw Leonardo standing before them. His eyes were dark and his face pale.

"April! He wants to see you now." She glanced at Donnie, who nodded and she got up. Raphael was pummeling the punching bag again and Mikey was waiting patiently for his turn. Her heart thudded in her chest when she opened the door and walked into the lab. Splinter sat up with the help of some pillows and missing couch cushions, waiting, smiling through his pain. She noticed the oxygen mask was now gone and she gulped. She had read something in a medical book once about a common occurrence among dying patients, a 'surge'. After a steady decline, patients often have a day or two of clarity; a sudden wave of awareness and activity, before suddenly declining again. She knew what would happen next. A bloody rag lay folded beside him and she felt that nothing else mattered in that moment. Not that she hadn't called Kirby. Not that Casey didn't know. Not that she would be getting dangerously behind in classes. Not that she was scared. What mattered was Splinter's dying wish for her.

"April," he stated, offering a shaky hand. She took it and sat.

"Master Splinter-"

"Please, just Splinter." She smiled when he did, not wanting him to see how the sadness was going to engulf her soon. How it was all catching up to her.

"Splinter," she corrected.

"There is a saying, in Japan," he started. "Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu. It roughly translates to-to…" He began coughing then and she scrambled for the cloth, helping him wipe off his hand and mouth. "Thank you… As I was saying, it means 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'." She looked up at him curiously, and he continued. "I want you to know that you will be faced with many adversities. More than you already have. And you will be forced to make decisions. Difficult ones. You will be put in situations with unanticipated outcomes. But remember this: You are strong, April. One of the strongest souls I have ever had the pleasure of encountering in this lifetime. And though it may seem that you cannot go on- that you can't make that decision or deal with that situation, you will learn nothing by giving up. Do you understand?" She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat and squeezed his hand. She felt so much love in that moment. It was as if it flowed through him, seeping through her skin at his touch. Her gut twisted and she saw tears gather in his eyes. She tried swallowing the lump in her throat, but it remained there, making it harder to breathe. He reached a shaky hand beside him and brought forth a letter. "This is for you." He began coughing again, harder than before. She heard his chest wheeze as he spit up blood. She grabbed the cloth again and helped lift his head to wipe him off. He winced when she set him back down softly. She stood, pressing her head to his chest and laying her arms over him. He relaxed and she felt his hand brush her briefly before the act was too much and his elbow gave out. His chest rose faster, after simply lifting his arm. She didn't want to think about that.

"I love you," she whispered. "Thank you. For everything."

He smiled.

"And I love you, my kunoichi."

All of the memories rushed to her, as she lay a hand on his cheek. The first time they met. All the fights, all the pep talks, all the late nights, the hugs, battling injuries, all the cheese-cicles. A tear slid down her cheek and when she pulled away he gasped and his eyes went wide.

"How-how did you do that?" he asked. He had seen it all. Everything through her eyes. Felt her admiration, her love, her respect, her panic at the thought of losing him. He blinked back tears.

"Do what?"

He looked at her curiously and smiled weakly.

"Nevermind that now… Would you please send Michelangelo in?"

She nodded and began to walk away, hesitant to let go of his hand. When she slid the door open, letter in hand, Mikey was standing outside the door, lip quivering already.

"Your turn, bud." She planted a kiss on his forehead and he took a shaky breath before sliding the door shut. Raphael was still hitting the punching bag. His body moved in jerky motions. Though thought out carefully, they were harsh and emotionally driven. She searched the room for Leonardo, but he was nowhere to be found. Donatello sat on the couch, head hung in slumber. She noticed a little bit of drool in the corner of his mouth.

"Raph, where did Leo go?"

"I dunno," he grunted. "Said he was 'going out'."

"I'm gonna go look for him… I have my T-Phone. Let me know if…"

He stopped.

"I will."

She headed towards the turnstiles, when she heard a sharp cry come from somewhere in the tunnels. Before she knew it, she had a hand on her tessen, and was leaping into the sewers.

"Karai," Leo said. "Master Splinter… He was… Poisoned. By The Foot. I thought you should know. It could, um, be any time now. You probably won't hear this, but I guess I just…" He trailed off, squeezing the T-Phone in his hand. He clenched his jaw and his hands fell slack against his crossed legs. Slowly, he brought the phone back to his lips and hesitated, before whispering into it. "I wish you were here." His eyes went wide with panic and he quickly ended the call, embarrassed. He should be able to do this without her. He'd spent all that time discovering his strength in her absence. When he stood, he unsheathed a single katana, thrusting it wildly through the air. His body ached from a long period of stillness. He pushed through it, sweat forming on his upper lip. He heaved all his frustration, all his anger into his form. Into his movements. He imagined her in front of him. Anticipating every one of his moves. Even the rash, split-decisions. He thought of her wide hips, swaying so gracefully. The way her lip curled up when he finally was able to land a blow. He pictured her drenched in sweat, like she used to when they trained endlessly in the dojo. Distractedly, he lost his footing, not realizing he had reached the end of the shaft. A cry of surprise escaped from him as he fell backwards, watching as blackness was surrounding him. In a panic, he attempted to thrust his katana through the metal that jutted out into the oblivion, but the blade instead slipped on the moss and gunk, slicing through the meat of his shoulder. He yelped in pain and planted his arms against the edge. It dug harshly into his armpits and he gritted his teeth, trying to pull himself up. His T-Phone was near, but too far from his reach. He stretched his uninjured arm to it's limit, so much so his muscles quivered. His hand grazed the edge of it, making it slide further away and he cursed. He imagined getting a lecture from Raph about leaving at a time like this. One from Donatello about taking proper precautions when going out into the tunnels. Then, he thought of Splinter.

His father, his Sensei, was going to die. He would no longer be apart of their lives. Apart of this earth. There was no more he could teach them. Because his life was taken, stolen from a lowly coward, who never failed to shake in his armor when Hamato Yoshi challenged him. Who sat in his throne, while Leonardo's father lay in the lab, slowly and painfully losing his life. Vomiting blood as his insides were singed by the poison that his minions administered.

He tried to get up again, but couldn't. His arms were starting to get tired, his breath was speeding up. He could feel himself slipping. You could do it, you know, a voice said. Just let go. It will be all over. It's simple. He laughed bitterly, before tears stung his eyes. His injured arm gave out, and he slipped once again, barely catching himself with his hand.

There's nothing wrong with giving up, the voice spoke again. It's honorable, really.

"No," he spat.

No more pain. No more suffering. It can all end now.

He gasped in disbelief when he realized the voice was right.

You won't be able to get yourself back up anyway.

He looked down into the chasm below, unable to see the end.

His hand loosened.

I love you, Sensei. My brothers.

He closed his eyes and let go, the sensation of falling springing fear back into him and he immediately regretted it. He flailed and yelled, when suddenly a hand latched onto his.

"LEO!"

The air returned to his lungs and all his adrenaline stopped cold. Could it be her? Why was she here? How did she find him? He looked back down below and up at his saviour. She pulled him up with a great strength. They flopped into the shaft, chests heaving and he was surprised to see red hair.

"Ap-April, I… Thank you."

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at him.

"What… What were you thinking?! Leo, I-" she cut herself off. Her voice softened. "I'm glad I got here in time." He looked over at her guiltily. She didn't have to ask. She knew. His face burned.

"I was… I was just trying to get some air. I was suffocating in there." She leaned against the wall of the shaft, and grabbed his T-Phone. She handed it to him lazily, all the adrenaline and strength gone from her. He closed his eyes and checked the phone, but there was nothing. As he expected, but still he hoped she'd at least hear the message about her father. He tried reaching for his katana, but winced when the torn flesh of his shoulder stretched. April was to his side, inspecting it, when Leo's T-Phone buzzed. He stiffened and gulped, checking it again. A string of numbers he didn't recognize were the source. His heart sped up. He clicked on the message, only to sigh in defeat. It was from some company, saying the phone had been disconnected.

"Damnitt," he hissed.

April looked at him. He tried not to notice.

"Is that-"

"None of your business? Yes." Her brow furrowed, and she stood, offering him a hand. He took it, and he slowly got up, really feeling the pain now that the adrenaline was gone. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and cleared her throat awkwardly. She kept a hand on her tessen which jutted out of her back pocket. While they walked, neither of them said a word. Leo was starting to get agitated with the silence when he finally spotted the entrance to the lair. He sped up, anxious to get in and see his father. She stayed behind. When he went towards the lab, barely noticing Donnie call his name, Michelangelo's faint sobs could be heard through the door. He sighed. Damn the Foot. Damn Oroku Saki. Damn Karai. He sat angrily, waiting. His long, lanky brother came over to him and he looked up.

"What the hell happened to you?"

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"Um, you're bleeding. Bad. From a gash on your shoulder."

Leo looked down and saw a steady stream still flowing down his arm and side.

"I slipped. I would've- if April wasn't there…" Donnie's browridge pinched together and he looked over at her, who turned to them at the mention of her name. "Thank you," he said. She nodded once and walked away, deep in thought.

"Once Mikey gets out of there, I'll-"

The door opened. They looked up to see their little brother with a tear stained mask and red, puffy eyes. His breath hiccuped and he held his letter in his hand. The other wiped his face, and he moved past them, to his room and they heard his door click shut. They went in and Leo watched Splinter. He relaxed a bit more now, leaning further into the pillow and crossing his hands over his diaphragm. Donnie cleaned and patched the wound in no time, wrapping it for good measure and giving him a sling. Leo knew it was unnecessary, but it would keep Donnie busy, so he let him. When everyone else had settled into somewhat relaxation, he sat next to their father and sighed.

"I'm… So sorry," he whispered. He did not hear him. He watched as his father's chest rose and fell raggedly, even the intake of oxygen a daunting task for him. He knew that his father was fighting to stay alive. At least for a little while. But, he was in great pain. Constant pain. He spoke to him again. "I tried to contact her… With no luck. But she's still out there. Somewhere. I'll find her. I promise."

Splinter drifted in and out of consciousness all night, waking only to retch and moan nonsense in Japanese. He switched between carefully watching him to cleaning up blood. He was getting tired, but he needed to push through. He knew that much. Relaxing could come later. This was his job now. At some point, Leo noticed that all of his brothers made themselves comfortable around their father, watching him intensely as well. They made sure that everyone helped. Took shifts, ten minutes at a time. By the next morning, early, he still drew breath. April came in for the fifth time, carrying a wallet and wearing her jacket.

"I'm going to run up to the corner store really quick. Get some groceries. I have my T-Phone. I'll only be a few minutes, I promise." She smiled at them weakly and walked over to peck Donnie on the cheek. She gave each of them a pat, before taking hold of Splinter's hand. What she felt made her sick to her stomach. Her heart lurched in her chest.

He was giving up.

Parts of him were disintegrating.

She felt him cling to things- things she couldn't really translate or see, but she did know one thing:

He was going.

She kept her face composed as she brushed a kiss on his hand before laying it down by his side. She rushed out of there as quickly as she ever had, and was at the corner in no time. She must have looked at her list one hundred times before she actually got everything. She was too distracted. She had walked down the produce aisle at least four times before she found the bananas. The ink from the paper started to stain her skin from the dampness of the sweat that came from her shaking hands. When she was sure everything on the list was checked off, she got in line. The place was unusually busy, and she tapped her foot impatiently. The woman in front of her paid a ten dollar purchase almost entirely in quarters, counting them in fours. Then, something went wrong with the register, and the cashier had to bring the manager out to fix it. She couldn't hide her exasperation anymore, sighing loudly and glancing at her watch repeatedly. It was finally her turn, and she set the items down when suddenly, everything shifted. Her atmosphere pulled in wrong directions, making her uncomfortable. She felt a change in the air and she almost dropped the carton of orange juice.

Her phone buzzed.

"No," she whispered.

The cashier gave her a dirty look and she threw the money on the counter. She put the bags in her backpack and sped towards the exit. Across the street, she spotted the manhole cover and started running. Her phone buzzed again. Panic began to set in and she wondered if it was her own panic, or-or… She gasped for air and tears stung her eyes. She was running out of time. She felt pressure on her from all sides, pushing in on her, intimidating her to go faster, and images of him filled her head. The more she pictured him, the further away he felt. It was like he was water and all she had to gather him up was her hands. He was slipping out of them.

"No, please," she begged, her body carrying her through the winding tunnels faster than she had ever gone.

Her phone buzzed again.

She lept over the turnstiles and was almost to the doorway of the lab when something in her snapped.

All the air that she had taken in rushed out of her at once, and her heart stopped.

She clutched her chest as she sprinted to the doorway.

A wail of agony pierced the silence and she knew it was too late.

When she ran in, panting, sweating, she saw Mikey throw himself onto their father, sobbing violently into the Hamato crest of his robe. Her chest ached and she sunk to the floor.

"Please, God, no," she heard herself say. It felt distant. Disconnected.

When she looked up, Donatello pulled his little brother away, wrapping his long arms almost completely around him. His own shoulders shook as he tried to keep him upright. His legs were jelly beneath him and he threatened to topple over at any time. Raphael fell onto the floor, arms resting on his knees, and he buried his face in his hands. Leonardo stood beside him, stoic, as tears trailed slowly down his cheeks. She made herself get up. Forced her limbs to move and she walked over to him. His face had settled into a peaceful look, and he wore a hint of a smile. She grabbed his hand again, and felt nothing. Nothing. No one. His spirit had left it's vessel. Everything caught up with her, in that moment. Her lip quivered and she sat in the chair, staring at him. What once was her teacher, friend, family, was now gone. Everything they knew about him was cast into oblivion. Ragged sobs escaped through her clenched teeth and all of her grief, her anger, her guilt, bubbled up inside her. Before she knew it, she was hit by a train of emotion, head on. Her head pounded and she screamed, clutching it. A burst of light emitted from her and she was everywhere. Anywhere. Her emotions propelled her into nothingness. Every object in the lab was shattered or strewn about and the turtles watched in horror, but remained untouched. Unexpectedly, she was back in the confines of her finite body. Something warm spilled from her nose, onto her lip. Her eyes drooped and her consciousness was leaving her as she wiped her face to see blood. Her stomach churned and Leonardo caught her as she toppled off of the chair.

"I was too late," she whispered and went limp in his arms.