Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT. Duh. So you can't sue me. I'm just borrowing them for a bit. But all the original creations in this are mine, so if you want to use them, please just ask. Thank you. :P

A/N: *leans against keyboard to take a breather* Wow. Despite having to spend several da.I mean, hours running for my life, I was able to update in less than two days. And with Donatello still mad at me for trying to drown him and tries to nail me with his bo every time we meet, that's very unusual.

Angry Don: Streetwyse!

*groans* You know, sometimes it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. I hope that everyone enjoys the read ahead and that it clears some things up. Until then, excuse me while I again run for my life.

Chapter 9: Not so alone

While he had been tending to Donatello, Splinter had sent his two older sons to separate parts of the lair. There was no way he would risk putting those two together again until he had a chance to deal with them. They would more than likely try to go for each other's throats again if that were allowed and there had already been enough of that nonsense in two days to last for a lifetime. So Leonardo had been sent to the dojo, while Raphael had been sent to the boys' room. They were both to stay in meditation until he was ready to speak to them both. And at the moment, when that time would come was still being decided.

From the time that he had brought Donatello home and sent the other two to await for him, Splinter's outrage and displeasure at all of this had hardly dimmed. If anything, it had only grown the more he thought about it. He still couldn't get over what had happened.

Through the act of showing up one another, Raphael and Leonardo had nearly cost their brother his life. It had not been intentional, that was for certain. No matter how deep a resentment they held for one another, neither boy would ever consciously go to that extreme. But nonetheless, it had still happened and the very action could neither be excused nor easily forgiven. So they had to be dealt with accordingly.

Before calling his sons back to face the punishment, he had tried to wait until his anger had dulled enough that Splinter wouldn't end up doing something that he would regret later. That was something that he would never be able to forgive himself, no matter what his children had done wrong. So he had instead kept his attention on the one that required it the most for right now and focused his energies on making sure that child would be comfortable in his absence.

He made sure that there were enough blankets to fight off the cold and that the compress he had made remained to help keep back the fever he knew would eventually come. Then there was making certain that there was enough medicine prepared for when Donatello did wake up. Plus a dozen other little things that really didn't need to be bothered with but were done anyhow.

The time eventually came when Splinter would have to see to more than just Donatello's well being. So after being sure that the injured youngster was resting well, he went to confront his two erring sons. But before he could, there was one last thing that Splinter had to do.

On his way to first get Raphael from the bedroom and take him to the dojo where Leonardo was, Splinter came across Maggie and Mikey. They had been in the living room since Splinter had told them to leave, both eventually forgotten in all the excitement that had involved their three older brothers. Neither one knew exactly what was going on, other than that someone had been badly hurt and that no one was telling them the full story.

Though he knew he had to see to Leo and Raph, Splinter still took a moment to comfort his two youngest children and to assure them that everything was going to be okay. After all, their feelings in this counted too and couldn't be overlooked simply because they had not had a larger part in things. That just wasn't right.

I'm sorry, young ones. I truly am, Splinter thought as he watched them.

The two were on the couch next to each other, with Maggie sitting nearest to the kitchen door and Mikey the coffee table. They were quiet for the most part when Splinter started to watch them from the doorway. Every now and then, Mikey would say something and Maggie might respond, but that was about it. Neither one was doing much else besides that.

A pang of regret raced through Splinter as he continued to watch them. He remembered what had happened when he had come home, how Mikey and Maggie had tried to ask him what was wrong with their brother when they came to his study door. Their questions had been asked out of concern and fear. All they had wanted was what had happened and how they could help. But neither was to happen at that point.

Instead, they were ignored at first. Splinter's attention went from Donatello to Raph and Leo. To those two, he had spoken sharply and told one to go to the boys' bedroom and the other to go to the dojo. They were to wait until he came for them.

Reaction time for the boys had been instantaneous. They had seen the anger in his eyes and heard it reflected in his voice. Now was not the time to protest about anything. Now was the time for them to do as they were told and to do so at that moment. Which they did in a heartbeat.

The same had applied to Mikey and Maggie. As much as they had wanted answers, they knew better than to try and argue with Splinter when he spoke to them like that. So they left when Mikey had grabbed Maggie's hand and taken her out of the 'danger zone' while their brothers went to the areas Splinter had designated for them. After that, they had come here and stayed together until Splinter had come across them.

When he finally entered the living room, Splinter cleared his throat once to get the children's attention. They looked back at him in an instant and fear was visible in their eyes at the same time. It pained Splinter to have them feel that way but he really couldn't blame them for that. Not after how he had seemingly yelled at everyone earlier and the anger he had shown then.

When they saw Splinter enter the room, the pair hesitated. They weren't sure if they should go to him or not, as neither one really knew what to expect from Splinter at this point. They had seen how angry he had acted towards their brothers earlier and how stern he had been with them when they tried to ask what was wrong.

Neither one wanted to get him mad again after that, no matter how curios they were to know what was happening. Instead, they waited for Splinter to make the first move before acting. If he wanted them to come over, then they would. Otherwise, they were staying right where they were and not budging an inch.

Splinter caught onto this soon enough as he beckoned the pair to him, allowing his gaze to soften just enough where they would trust his intentions. They needed the reassurance that he wasn't there to yell at them and meant no harm. Their movement towards him was slow though when they saw his signal to approach. The pair was still uncertain and fearful of that Splinter still might be upset like he had been earlier.

"There's nothing to worry about, young ones. I'm not upset with you," Splinter promised.

These words seemed to help a little as it brought the pair closer a little faster than before. But it still took a moment before the children finally reached him. When they had, he knelt down so that he was down at their eye level. This was another method of reassurance that sometimes worked. For instead of towering over them, Splinter would be closer to the children's stature.

"I'm sorry that I frightened the two of you earlier. I did not mean to yell at you," Splinter said," I was just worried about helping Donatello and did not want you to see him in that state."

"You didn't have to worry, Master. I saw how Donnie looked when you guys came back," Mikey said quietly," We both did."

The rat sighed when he heard this. He honestly wished that his two youngest students hadn't witnessed Donatello's present state. There was no telling what kind of ideas was popping into their heads at this point. They could be thinking anything from that he had been beaten by someone or that he had been dropped off of somewhere.

"Master, what really happened to Donnie?" Mikey begged, interrupting his father's thoughts," How'd he get like that?"

Splinter listened to his son's pleas with hurt and uncertain silence. Somehow, he wished that he didn't have to reveal the truth of the accident to his youngest children. He felt that it would have been better to protect them from what had happened instead of letting them think that their brothers had nearly caused such a disaster. But at the same time, Splinter knew that he couldn't lie to Michaelangelo and Magnolia.

He always stressed that his children should tell the truth different events, no matter what. And Splinter knew that if he wanted the young ones to live by that lesson, then he should follow it himself. Even in times such as now, when a lie would have seemed far more benevolent to a child's mind than the truth would.

"Your brother had an accident that badly hurt him, Michaelangelo," Splinter answered after he took a moment to consider an appropriate response.

He watched his son after what, waiting for the boy's reaction. Splinter really wasn't sure if Mikey would shed tears over the matter or if he would just be in shock. He would be prepared to accept either one and to comfort the boy as necessary. But in the end, neither one came as Splinter had expected.

Instead, Mikey just looked up at his Sensei with unusually solemn brown eyes. His expression was one of hurt and understanding. Something that definitely went against what Splinter was expecting.

"Don got hurt 'cause he was trying to stop Leo and Raph at the Junction, didn't he?" Mike said sadly.

Not entirely startled by the boy's sudden conclusion, Splinter sighed," Yes, I'm afraid that's what happened to him."

A darkened expression spread over Mikey's face as his father spoke. The reason for which was entirely certain. It just spread over him as the words fell onto his ears and he took in the information and his mind processed it.

"I knew that we should've gone with Donnie when he went after them. Then we could've helped too," Mikey snorted.

"No, you didn't," Splinter responded immediately," Donatello did the right thing in leaving the two of you behind, Michaelangelo. He kept you and your sister safe and out of trouble."

"But Master.," Mikey started to protest.

Raising a hand to silence his son, Splinter continued," He knew that there might be more trouble than any of you were ready to deal with, so he did what he thought was best. That meant keeping the two of you safe here at home, even if you thought you needed to come along to help."

This talk continued for a moment more while Splinter proceeded to give his youngest son reasons for Don's actions. Part of Mikey still felt that he should have been there for his brother in order to help him. But he also listened to Splinter's words and another part of him agreed with the rat's reasoning.

His words were only half heard by the third person present though. Since Splinter had come upon them, Magnolia hadn't said a word. Maggie had only stood there, only partially listening to Splinter as her little face contorted with more than just worry. It was mostly unnoticed by the others but it was there. And it was starting to eat at the child in such a way that tears were beginning to form in her fawn colored eyes.

Soon, she was close to crying as tears formed in her eyes and a few sniffles started to escape the child as that happened. It was these that drew attention from her father and brother. Their words halted as they turned to see Maggie standing near them, trying to keep her tears from falling.

"What's wrong, little one?" Splinter asked with concern as he knelt down to the child's level.

This is all my fault, Maggie said suddenly.

Splinter looked down at the girl in surprise. He'd suffered from one too many shocks today and like everything else, this was definitely not something that he had been expecting. But even if he had been, he really couldn't see the cause. What reason could Maggie possibly have for blaming herself for this problem?

"Why do you say that it's your fault, Magnolia?" Splinter asked slowly.

If I had stopped Leo and Raph before they left, then Don wouldn't have needed to go after them. He wouldn't have gotten hurt. He'd be okay. None of this would have happened, she sniffed.

When he heard this, Splinter immediately took Maggie into his arms and hugged her tightly. In return, she wrapped her own small arms tightly around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder as she did. They remained in this embrace for a few moments with Mikey looking on in silence.

After a moment, Splinter released Maggie and held her out at arm's length. He wiped away the few tears that had managed to squeeze their way out. Splinter smiled gently, trying to reassure the child. She stared back at him with uncertainty and fear still in her eyes for a moment. But the longer she looked into her father's eyes and saw the understanding reassurance dwelling within, this began to pass.

"You must never believe that something out of your control is your fault, Magnolia," he told her," It was not your fault that your brothers broke the rules to do something dangerous nor is it your fault that Donatello was hurt. That happened because he was in the right place at the wrong time. You tried your best to help by telling Donatello and Michaelangelo about what was happening so that they would know that something was wrong. That was the right thing for you to do and it was the best that anyone could ask of you."

Yes, Maggie nodded, but I wish I could've done more. I should've gone with Donnie even if he told me to stay here.

"No. As I already told Michaelangelo, it was right of you to stay here like your brother told you. It meant that no one else was going to get hurt and that was for the best," Splinter said as he set Maggie down on the floor again.

I guess, Maggie conceded.

"It was for the best," Splinter insisted, cupping Maggie's chin in his hand," It caused more than enough hurt with Donatello being harmed. It would cause too much if something else had happened to either one of you as well."

This made sense to brother and sister as they nodded to Splinter's words as they looked up at him with apprehension still in their eyes. Now that they had a better understanding of what was happening, that had lessened greatly. That came from their trust in him and in his word. They believed Splinter when he said that it would all worked out.

Splinter knew this all too well and took it as a sign that he could relax a little on at least one thing. He knew that the children understood that things were going to be all right and so he didn't have to worry about them as much. It would be safe to turn his attention elsewhere for a little while.

"There is nothing to worry for you two to about," he told them gently," Donatello is resting now and will be fine. He just needs a little time to recover. That's all."

"Can we see him, Master?" Mikey asked hopefully.

"Not now, Michaelangelo," Splinter said gently," Your brother needs his rest and so it is better for him to not have guests for now."

"Oh," Mikey said in a small voice," Okay."

"But when he's feeling better, then we'll see about him having guests," Splinter promised quickly," Until then, I want the two of you to leave Donatello alone so that he can rest."

The two nodded glumly but with relief. They were just glad that their brother was going to be all right after all. With nothing to go on but their first sighting of him after he had been brought home, they had been jumping to more than one conclusion of exactly what had happened.

"We can discuss this more later on, young ones. But it will have to wait until after I've spoken with your brothers about what happened. Understood?" Splinter said.

"Yes Master," Mikey replied quietly.

Yes Master, Maggie agreed.

"Good. Now, off with you both and stay out of trouble," Splinter ordered, shooing the two away.

"Yes Master. Come on, Maggie," Mikey nodded.

He started to reach for her hand, but she withheld it. When Mikey looked at her questioningly, Maggie just signaled that she would follow him soon. Not entirely certain what she was up, Mikey shrugged and nodded in return. He turned and walked away, not really certain why his sister was staying behind but willing to accept her decision.

After she had answered him, Maggie turned her gaze back towards Splinter. Like Michaelangelo, he seemed confused by her sudden actions. Though she occasionally disobeyed him, at a time like this, it wasn't normal for Maggie to remain when Splinter had something important to do.

"What is it, Magnolia?" Splinter asked.

Maggie said nothing, only shaking her head in answer. The little kitten only stared at her Sensei a moment longer before she followed after Mikey. In that instant, Splinter had seen a spark of understanding and remorse that he hadn't been expecting from the child. But before he could make any further conclusions, she had turned and hurried after her brother.

Splinter thought of calling her back but then decided against it. Though he was curious to know why his daughter had stayed behind like that, he knew that he had other business to attend to. Business that could no longer be put off.

Give me strength, Splinter thought as he left the living room and headed towards the boys' room.

So much had happened in such a short time that Splinter really couldn't believe it. The day had begun like any other, with only the extra practice session as evidence to prove otherwise. After the practice and a quick breakfast, he had then gone out like he usually did to find supplies, leaving the children to handle the chores he had assigned to them.

He had thought that they would remain safely at home until his return. That was how it had always been before. The children hardly ever disobeyed the rule of leaving the lair when he wasn't there. On the few occasions that they had broken that rule, it was usually just to go to the area adjacent to the entrance of their home or in one of the tunnels that led to such places. It was never beyond that. Until today.

Today, Leo and Raph had not only left the lair while he was out, they had gone well beyond the set boundaries Splinter had laid down. They had also gone to a location that they knew was off limits to all the children. And once there, they had done something that nearly cost Donatello his life thanks to near drowning.

What am I going to do with those two? Splinter grumbled to himself when he finally came to the door of the boys' room.

The doorway was ajar, so all Splinter had to do was push the door open to get inside. Peering into the room, he could see Raphael lying on his bunk staring up at the ceiling. He seemed to be muttering something to himself, but the rat couldn't quite make it out. Though he was certain that it had nothing to do with the mediation that Splinter had instructed the boy to take up.

At his Master's entrance, Raph sat up and then climbed down from his bunk. He slowly stepped before his Sensei and then bowed to the rat when he stood before him. Splinter watched the boy's actions with stern indifference as he waited for him to finish.
"Come," was all he said as he turned and left.

Gulping once, Raphael followed his Master out into the hallway and down the corridor towards the dojo. They walked in total silence as they came closer and closer to their destination. But in their minds, there was anything but silence. Within Splinter's mind, there were unanswered questions that demanded explanations and an anger that was becoming harder for him to control. In Raphael, it was an entirely different story.

For him, he was still trying to sort out just what to tell his Sensei. He could still remember that horrified look on Don's face as he fell into the swirling waters of the Junction. That look haunted him deeply and was making it hard for him to concentrate on how to best answer whatever was asked to him.

Both were so wrapped up their own thoughts that they were at the dojo entrance in no time. Splinter glanced behind him once to make certain that Raph was still with him before entering. His son entered right in his father's shadow, still keeping his mouth shut.

Leonardo was sitting on his mat when his father and brother came in. At their entrance, he immediately got to his feet. But he said nothing, knowing without looking at Splinter's stern gaze that now was not the time for him to speak. Now was the time for him to listen to his Master's wishes and obey.

"Both of you, over there. Now," Splinter ordered, pointing to one particular section of dojo.

There was a bench in that one corner of the dojo that was used when someone had a mishap during practice. That didn't happen as much as it once did, but the occasion still arose from time to time. Such as about two months before, when Don and Raph had been sparring against one another and the latter ended up getting a deep scratch on his arm from a misswing of a staff.

It was here that Splinter directed his sons to take a seat. They did so and waited for what would come next. While they waited, the boys didn't meet Splinter's gaze as it fell upon them and instead looked at either the floor and stole an angry glance at one another. Splinter just watched them with disappointment and anger as he tried to determine the best way to start this.

A/N: *finally able to relax and work in peace* Oh, hiya. Surprised to see me still in one piece? Well, Don and me finally got things settled. He's forgiven me for nearly drowning him in this story and won't chase me with his bo anymore. In return, I won't turn his lab into that extra dojo space that Splinter's been wanting.

Don: You're evil, you know that?

Maybe I am, but at least we both get what we want in the end. 0:)

Don: *rolls eyes*

Sorry about the cliffhanger at the end there, but I wanted to keep everyone guessing as to what's gonna happen to the duo of disaster. I know it's evil of me, as Donnie boy has already pointed out, but it gives me a chance to work out a few more problems before I post the next chapter. Also, I'm still taking any suggestions that the readers have for what they think is the best punishment for the boys. I have a few ideas of my own, but other suggestions are always welcome. Just post them as part of a review or an e- mail and we'll see. But if it's an e-mail, please put that as a reason or else it'll get deleted, since I don't open mail from addresses I don't recognize. Thanks and later. :)