Who Am I? Chapter 2
Important Memory Gone...

Disclaimer: TMNT isn't mine and this is just a fan fiction writing. No money is being made on this story.
(TMNT CC are AU based on 2003 version and events, the turtles are in their late 20s.)
Rated T
Drama, family comfort/hurt, and heartache...

Summary: Their once safe house, now intruded by a completely random stranger that not only best Leo twice and Donnie at that, is still out there. Leo's head injury is hindering him, locking up his memories of what went down that night, even so deep down he swears he has forgotten something very important...

"We will be back at the end of the week," Angel assured them. Looking to her side and pointed at Casey, insisting him with gestures to go upstairs and grab the remainder of their luggage.

"I think we should head back home too-" Leo started to complain that fell short. Donnie's unnatural icy eyes were glaring at him with an unspoken warning, to not dare to bring this argument up yet again.

It's been over a day with Leo brought up to speed of last night's ordeal, sadly the leader couldn't remember any of it.

His memories went as far as him volunteering to grab everyone's order, then darkness.

It was concerning and in the end after some discussion the family agreed the best measure was to stay at the farm, having the fresh air would do him some good.

Even though someone did intrude on the farmhouse, they never came back and to go back home, they feared the atmosphere wouldn't help with Leo's injuries.

He would insist to train and get into trouble, well, mostly that fault would fall on Raph who in which would get into some dangerous ordeals at one point or another which would result in Leo getting involved. He needed plenty of rest and it was evident he had a concussion. The only way he could recover was the peace the farm could provide.

Donnie did point out he would set up security around to make sure who did trespass doesn't come back and if it comes to it, that the farm isn't safe anymore that is when they will go home.

Of course, Leo was against it, but it wasn't his call when their Master agreed to the idea and made the decision to head home himself to ensure Leo would listen to Donnie's orders.

As he put it, it was an opportunity for them to bond and enjoy some vacation time. In reality, they all knew their father just wanted some peace of mind and not have one brother or another coop up in the lair and driving him nuts.

Which neither would dare point that out. It wouldn't be the first time he insisted them to go do anything they want just to leave for him to have a quiet time to himself. Who could blame him?

"There is enough food to last you," Angel continued, "We will bring more if you guys need to stay longer-"

"We won't," Leo once again jumped in only to actually become nervous under Donnie's glare.

It sent shivers down his spine as he looked quickly away, not wanting to make any eye contact with him. Donnie wasn't a turtle you would fear on normal occasions unless you were injured, then that was a new ball game in itself, turning into the whole Jackal and Hide scenario.

Donnie cleared his throat and smiled at Angel, "Thanks, that would be great, I will know by the weekend if Leo needs more time to recuperate. Problem with concussions is that it can last for up to months and daring him to go back into an environment where he needs to be focused, which could cost him and strain him. No good will come to him by making his symptoms worse."

Angel nodded, "I was reading about it too," she sighed, feeling sorry for Leo, "Some have issues thinking straight and Leo, unfortunately, has been drifting in his own little world."

Leo scoffed at first that turned into a heavy sigh when he felt Raph's hand squeezing his shoulder tightly, insisting not to continue, he wasn't going to get out of this. Regardless if Leo attempted playing the attitude card, that wasn't his usual hand that he dealt, it wasn't going to change anyone's mind. He was best to bring up the white flag and deal with it. They all had to stay and that was that.

"I noticed," Donnie agreed.

Leo muttered under his breath, "I am still in the room." finding it annoying they were talking like he wasn't, yet again Raph made his presence known as he tried to shut him up.

"End of the week then, I should make sure my so call husband packed everything and didn't leave anything behind yet again," Angel chuckled pointing to Casey who was coming down the stairs hands full. When he reached the bottom step he looked at the group with a goofy look of confusion.

"Me?" Casey blinked.

"Of course you, this time you're not getting halfway home and say you forgot something and turn around," Angel rolled her eyes, "First time fine, second time was a bit annoying, the third I know better to then trust you to pack."

The brothers laughed seeing Casey rubbed his head, "Sorry babe, I..."

"Save it Casey," Angel move forward and wrapped her arm around his, "Come on let's just make sure and get on the road already. I would like to be back in New York before it gets too late, I have to open the shop early tomorrow."

"Who would be coming to a junk...er... thrift store early?" Casey asked being pulled away.

She sighed with frustration that he forgot yet again, "Ah... never mind, just get your ass out there."

The couple left the house and Donnie shook his head, "I still don't get what Angel sees in Casey or how she can still be sound in mind being with him."

"Donnie!" Leo snapped, knowing that wasn't appropriate.

"What?" Donnie smiled sheepishly, "Just stating a fact, not saying they shouldn't be together. I just don't see how it came to be and still be. He is a lunatic on a good day and she is a strong spirited woman and smart. It's like oil and water, relationships are so confusing." Donnie sighed perplexed on the subject.

"Thanks, bro for making my best friend sound like..." Raph started only to have Mikey that was actually very quiet up to now abruptly cut in.

"Like you? All muscles, no brain and a temper worse than a swarm of angry bees?" Mikey beamed.

"What did you say shell for brains?" Raph narrowed his eyes at him shaking his fist.

"I said-"

"Outside!" Donnie intervened, eyeing them both down, which actually made Raph take a few steps back to keep a safe distance from his brother.

Both Mikey and Raph exchanged looks and then dared to peer towards Donnie's face while letting out a nervous gulp. Full contact, Raph reaction was to let out a huh as Mikey let out a hum that was mixed with a whistle, "We should go see if they need any help outside," a brother blurred, which one was uncertain since it was as if one brother said part of it as the other followed suit to make a full clear sentence.

They were gone before Leo could even blink. Left alone to the wolves, or wolf, Leo hesitated before looking up at the terrifying purple-clad brother while he wondered if it was Hide he was dealing with or Donnie...

Donnie ignored the questionable eyes of his eldest brother, rolling his as he took a seat beside Leo before letting out an exhausted breath.

"Leo I know you don't approve of this, but please don't fight with me. I understand how you are and Raph is not the only stubborn one as you have proved in the past, however, if you want to be cleared with a good bill of health you have to submit please."

Leo's response was to slump down not answering and allow Donnie to continue, "Let's see how the week goes, and remember your having some issues Leo, even if you don't want to admit it. Your thinking process is slower than normal and you do tend to zone out."

Leo looked away in a deep shame, feeling Donnie's hand rubbing his knee to comfort him, "What's going on with you is not uncommon and remember you did get hit pretty hard in the head. How about putting it this way, imagine if we are at home, then something horrific happens and you dare to leave the lair to assist us, ask yourself this, what good would that do? All that would achieve is putting yourself in harm's way and could result placing us in immediate danger. You think this is embarrassing and frustrating? Leo how about one of us getting severely injured over the fact you're not in full health? How would you feel then?"

Leo shifted over his brother's words that rang true. "I get it Donnie," Leo sighed, laying down his head for it was hurting and he did feel a bit tired.

"I'm sorry Leo, I know this sucks, trust me I do understand. Even so, you need to get some rest okay, don't worry about anything, we can handle not having our leader for a week or so. Being just our brother is plenty... well... one that listens to me at least, " Donnie patted him next then got up, "I'm going to work on my security system, meanwhile stay here, and if you need anything text me, by no means do you get up or try to call me, it will use less energy and will not strain your body."

"Yes doc Don," Leo mocked yet it was weak since he felt overall fatigue, body, mind, and soul.

The night's cool and brisk breeze fluttered his curtain about while he restlessly tossed and turned in his bed. He was forgetting something, and the echoes of the story he was told cling and scratch at his brain digging deeper into him.

There was something important and he couldn't recall what it was.

He sat up suddenly overcome by a feeling, he moaned by the rash action with his head swimming as he fumbled his arm in the dark to the side to find the light switch.

His hand near it felt the base of the metal and then he froze noticing he wasn't alone.

Something told him not to turn it on as he tilted his head slowly towards the open window of all places.

Sure enough, overwhelmed by this sensation that there was going to be someone standing there, to his disbelief he was right.

How the individual climbed to the top floor and enter his room unknown was startling, to say the least. Even so, it was more so when he recognized the figure by the small pieces of Donnie's explanation of that night before, that came to the light.

The thief, the one that later Mikey pointed out stole only outdated cans, there was other food he could have taken, yet went for that only?

After that night's incident, Donnie had gone searching all articles and complaints in the area over thefts and none was reported, which made them wonder if this thief was stealing items people wouldn't miss.

At first, the idea was outlandish, how could no

one noticed any breaking and entering, yet Mikey put it into context how that was plausible.

The intruder would enter a house unnoticed, as Leo came to the conclusion that night the thief wouldn't have been caught either if they didn't go back to the house. That alone wasn't the burglar's undoing, it was Leo's and Donnie's skills as ninjas to notice the change in their surroundings for any other normal person would have overlooked the clues that there was an intruder. By that mistake, the house owner would have entered making enough noise and giving time for the thief to be alerted and escape without notice. Then, as Mikey explained the human only snatched up the outdated food and left without a trace. Most people have such cans for they've forgotten they were there at all, so they wouldn't notice the missing food. Now if they did by chance, with nothing else being disturbed the house owner would shrug it off believing that they must have disposed of it at one point or another and they just forgot.

If it wasn't for the fact they caught the guy red handed, they too wouldn't have known this had happened either.

That said, why was he back and in his room? There was no food here and by all the facts given about this guy he wouldn't just show up like this.

The hooded figure lingered there not saying a word as Leo could feel the man's eyes on him and that powerful sensation of forgetting something important was burning stronger then ever, it felt like someone had taken a hot prong and pressed it into his brain.

Some moments had passed as the staring contest continued and then suddenly the figure finally budged, taking a step forward. Leo didn't move, regardless his training beckoned him to go for his weapon, however, deep inside him, the small voice begged him not to.

The odd sensation of being in no danger by this stranger was forcing his actions. He felt this person wasn't a threat, even considered they didn't mean to hurt him the other night.

The moonlight peeking through the curtains caught the man's chin... No, he wasn't a man.

Leo's eyes widen as a memory he believed that was hidden from him started to surface, he tried to take the blankets off him and found it difficult as his body wasn't responding properly.

The hooded figure abruptly froze becoming fearful over the fact that he was trying to move, so Leo stopped, letting his hands fall back to the bed.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Leo softly as possible assured the person. It was hard for him to be so gentle addressing this individual when all these feelings were overtaking him. He was attempting to avoid startling them, even so, his voice did so in the end, as the person shuddered and the strong scent of mixed fear and confusion invaded his nostrils. It was familiar and it drove him nuts acknowledging that.

"My name is Leonardo, but you can call me Leo if you want," Leo introduced himself hoping it would ease the hooded being's nerves.

The figure held his own arm, letting out a low nervous whimper. What feelings were attacking his psyche caused by that whimper Leo couldn't tell full heartily, it was chaos in his head and heart, however, one thing he did know for sure he had to continue to gain this individual's trust.

"What's your name?" Leo asked, as part of him told him the answer yet he ignored that voice not certain if that was true or his injury was making it so.

The person didn't answer, then Leo licked his lips coming up with an idea, happy he accidentally fell asleep with his mask still on when normally he would have taken it off.

"How about this, I will take off my mask, which I would never do that to anyone even for a friend and in return, you take off your hood?"

The person was now at the foot of his bed with hands touching the soft blanket, yet the person did not dare to look up at him. With a breath, Leo nodded slowly removing his mask and placing it down on the bed, not beside him but down near his feet, he had to stretch a bit to do so and he did it slowly not to frighten the guy.

"There I think that is fair, now your turn."

The guy looked up at Leo then down at the mask that was in arms reach if he went for it. His eyes glued to the mask, he extended his shaky hand towards the blue fabric. Leo didn't protest, giving permission to the person to pick it up if he wanted to and the stranger did so feeling it between his fingers.

Leo could see the fingers in detail, concluding indeed this individual wasn't human at all or was very deformed with only three fingers on his right hand.

After a moment examining the mask, Leo could tell some form of trust was starting, as the person placed the mask on the bed where it was before and then slowly pulled back the hood.

Leo gulp as a rush of memories invaded his space and he could feel his blood turn cold. How was this possible and…

Before he could finish that train of thought or do anything, the door to his room started to open.

The figure panicked, flipping the hood up and dashing towards the window as Donnie began to enter the room. It didn't take the brother long noticing the thief, jumping in surprise to see the intruder was back and for what? Was he here to go for another round with his older brother? Donnie reacted charging the figure that was trying to escape through the window.

"No, you don't!" Donnie warned thrusting a hand forward, that was countered by a sudden spin kick from the intruder.

If his reflexes were a bit rusty, he would have had a foot in the head. Even so, the kick he swore could be have been more forceful than it was. It's as if the human wasn't trying to harm him, only distract him long enough to escape. Donnie would have countered attacked knowing that move well and had taken down the guy with his bo staff that he was arming himself with, however, Leo told him to stop.

"Donnie please don't harm him!" Leo yelp, throwing his blankets to the side and falling out of bed.

"Oh shell! Leo!" Donnie ignored the thief running to his brother's aid helping him up. By then the man was gone and Donnie couldn't understand why Leo stopped him.

"What the shell is going on here?" Raph rushed in with Mikey on his heels.

"The thief is back and he tried to attack Leo," Donnie assumed that made Raph burn in anger.

"Wait, no that is not it! He wasn't trying to hurt me," Leo cut in having his brothers look at him in confusion. Leo cleared his throat and continued, "I think he wanted to know if I was real, that is all."

"What the shell Leo? He wanted to see if your real, we should go after him before he tells anyone!"

"No!" Leo ordered, "We shouldn't."

"Leo," Raph started to bark.

"Raphael it was you!" Leo growled feeling his head hurt.

"What do you mean it was me?" Raph put his arms in the air, he wasn't in the room and there was no way he would perform such a prank, not even Mikey would dare.

Donnie helped Leo to his bed and looked into his eyes, "Leo you're confused you should rest, you're not making any sense."

He nudged Donnie away, "I'm fine Donatello," Leo insisted yet Donnie wasn't convinced, making Leo sigh in annoyance, "The thief is you Raphael, well at least some version of you. He looks just like you, smells like you yet... he appeared to be sick..."

"Wait... what?" Raph blinked at him, "Donnie did he hit his head again?"

"I didn't hit my head," Leo snarled while pushing Donnie's hands away from his face, "The hooded figure is a perfect version of you Raphael with two exceptions he looked very ill and his eyes were so green. I think he came here to see if I was real, there is something off about him, but that could be he looks like he hasn't eaten correctly for weeks."

Donnie paused from rubbing Leo's head, "Leo you're convinced this person was a version of Raph, like the ones we have met in the past?"

"Yes, but this one is an exact copy of our Raphael when it comes to looks and smells that is, with the one exception of his eye color, but the expression on them were dead on," Leo tried to explain again. It was becoming frustrating to him explaining this to them when he knew what he had seen, while his brothers were acting like he might be losing it.

"Dudes, what if this guy is?" Mikey asked, looking out the window, "Don you did say he pushed that fridge into you right? After he did, before leaving the kitchen, he stopped inches from you looking at you as if he was making sure you weren't hurt correct?"

"Yeah.. but I was unable to see under his hood, over the lack of light in the room," Donnie admitted.

"How about when you found Leo, Raph? Yes, as you mentioned, Leo was on the ground, even so, he did have a bandage wrapped around his head as if someone was trying to help him. Dude, what if this other Raphael was that person and he would have done more but you came around. He is like you and would've been able to stay out of sight when you came into the picture, so maybe he didn't leave Leo there on his own as you thought."

The brothers looked at Mikey and it was Raph that challenged that idea, "If that was so, why was Leo even on the ground with a wound that wasn't caused by the frying pan since it was the back of his damn head, not the front? Huh?"

Mikey shrugged, "What if it was an accident? Leo doesn't know what hit him and who's to say what happened?"

Raph's face twisted in frustration and was about to battle the theory more, however, Donnie intervened, "Let's say for now that is true, and if there is another version of you Raphael, the big question is where did he come from? Why is he alone and if Leo said he look sick, then why and how long has he been out here?"

"Who the hell cares?"

"We should Raph, what if it was you in another world? We would hope those versions would care about you," Leo pointed out.

A silence fell and Raph sighed easing up and letting go of his anger, "Shell, ya, your right if it was one of you I would

want the same."

"Exactly," Leo said then leaned forward, feeling sick to his stomach.

"For now I will watch the monitors closely and it would be best Leo you do get some rest yet with someone nearby. We don't know the intentions of this other turtle, if he is a threat right know or what he is capable of. Either way, we should sleep together, safety in numbers until we find out more about this mutant," Donnie instructed getting each brother's approval.

"Leo are you fine with this?" Donnie asked, who hadn't said yes or no.

Leo let out a moan not able to respond fully, yet agreed, wishing the turtle didn't run off. He just looked so ill, that it was heartbreaking... Why was he out here alone, if he was? Why did he have to resort to stealing to get by... Why didn't he stay, they would have helped him... What happened to him and why did Leo feel like there was something more wrong with this poor turtle than just being malnourished?

TBC...