Previously:

Leo's and Mikey's looks of utter confusion broke the hearts of everyone in the room. Leo and Mikey shared a glance of confusion and shock, their brows furrowed and their lips drawn into frowns. Leo turned back to Splinter.

"What do you mean?" Leo whispered.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Everyone in the room looked on at the two boys in shock and heartbreak. They should know that parents should not treat their children like slaves...

Right?

"Leo... What did your father teach you about family?" April gently asked the teenager.

Leo's brow furrowed and he hummed as he thought. Mikey also seemed to be thinking. Both boys were taught the same. Mikey looked up as Leo could not seem to remember right away.

"Daddy taught us that children need to be dis... disci... disciplined when doing something wrong. He said that he doesn't do anything wrong when he hits us. That every parent does this. Did daddy lie?" Mikey says, confused.

"Yes, young one. Your father did lie. A parent is supposed to love their child very much. Your father has not shown much because of what he does," Master Splinter replied, looking at the child in sadness.

"So daddy doesn't love us?" Mikey whimpered, his eyes wide and filling with tears.

Leo held Mikey tighter when he heard the sadness in his baby brother's voice. He kept one arm around Mikey's hip and back and placed his other hand on Mikey's head. Leo looked down at Mikey and whispered soothing, comforting words. Mikey slowly calmed down and gave a small smile up at his big brother.

"Mommy never did any of that," Mikey whispered.

Leo took in a sharp breath, tensing as much as his body could. April and Casey's expressions hardened at the thought of Mikey and Leo's mother. The Hamatos were confused by this display. Donnie sat on the table where April originally did.

"What of your mom? I mean, you have only mentioned your dad. What about your mom?" Donnie wondered.

Leo, April, and Casey immediately diverted their eyes, Leo's filling with tears. This was not a subject Leo was comfortable talking about. Leo placed a hand on his chest and clenched the fabric of his shirt in his hand. April placed her hand on his shoulder and turned to the Hamatos.

"This is not a subject for now," April said with a frown.

Casey saw that Raph was going to further push the subject. He glared at Raph, shutting him up.

"Don't ask any more questions," Casey threatened.

Raph raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. If Casey says he should stop, then he should probably stop. Master Splinter watched the exchange with hidden amusement, then turned to the distressed teenager.

"I suggest you stay here for the night, young one," Splinter says to Leo.

"He can stay in my guest room here. Come on, Leo. Let's get you and Mikey to bed," April offered.

April gently coaxed Leo to stand and follow her. Leo said nothing as he stood, his face blank. He held Mikey tightly, Mikey sitting on his hip with his arms around Leo's neck. Leo's mind was racing with thoughts and memories. April had to guide him to the room.

She opened the bedroom door, allowing Leo to walk in first. She closed the door after she followed him inside. Leo walked over to the bed and gently laid Mikey down. He laid beside his brother and pulled the covers up around them both. April smiled and walked over, tucking in her favowite pewsons.

(A/N: "favowite pewson' is a reference to one of my favorite musicals. First one to figure it out gets a virtual cookie! 3)

"I'll be right out in the living room if you need me, okay?" April said softly to Leo.

Leo gave a nod, and he and Mikey fell asleep. April smiled softly at the sight and quietly exited the room. When she entered to pit, everything erupted into chaos. Questions were being thrown at April and Casey. But one question stood out, making the rest stop almost immediately.

"How old is the kid?" someone whispered.

April, Casey, Donnie, and Splinter all turned to Raph, the source of the question.

"What was that, Raph?" April asked, having not heard the first time.

"How old is the kid?" Raph asked softly.

April thought confusedly for a moment. Was he talking about Leo or...? Then realization dawned upon her. He was asking about Mikey. She saddened at the thought.

"Mikey is five," April sighed.

Raph hummed and crossed his arms, his mouth drawn in a tight line. Everyone else went back to murmuring. Raph glanced at the bedroom that housed the two humans. He had a feeling there was more that happened in their lives than on the surface.