Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT.

Warnings: Angst, torture and goodbye

Mindless Babble:

dojo- practice area for martial arts

Otóosan- Father

kata- form or shape- in this instance a type of meditation or discipline that moves from one stance to another in a flowing motion.

ki- life-force

kanji- Japanese writing

Many heart-wrenching hours later, Donatello carried a heavily bandaged Raphael into his brother's room. A few minutes later, he emerged only to disappear into his own. With the help of April and Casey he had managed to get a few pieces medical equipment including a heart monitor and a respirator.

Meanwhile, Splinter made his way over to the couch where his remaining sons had fallen asleep. Michelangelo still clung to his older brother like he would to a lifeline. Leonardo had his arms around his brother as if to protect him from all the hurts of the world. Splinter hated to wake them.

"Leonardo."

The turtle jerked awake, the movement waking his brother. "Sensei? Raph?"

Splinter bowed his head. "Raphael was brutally tortured. It is a wonder that he has survived thus far. He has lost much blood. Too much."

"Raph's gonna die?" Mikey's voice caught on the last word.

"I fear he may not last the night."

"Can we see him?"

Splinter smiled sadly. "In a few moments. Donatello is setting up some equipment in Raphael's room."

"It's okay, Mikey," Donnie said as he walked over to stand next to his teacher. "You can go see him now. Just be careful of the equipment."

Mikey nodded before jumping up and running to see his beloved brother. He paused at Raphael's door, momentarily afraid of what he might see. He swallowed and walked in.

Raph lay on the huge bed, a blanket covering him to the chest. Mikey could see the many white bandages that covered his brother's chest and arms. His chest seemed to move only when the respirator told it to. The only other sound was the slow beeping of the heart monitor.

One thought kept running through Michelangelo's head as he approached the bed. 'This can't be Raph. Raph is so full of movement, it always seemed like he was nothing but motion!'

Mikey sat on the edge of the bed and cautiously took his brother's hand into his own. He was scared at how cold the flesh was. He looked at Raph's face, expecting to see some sort of calm, peaceful expression. Alas, it was not to be. A manifestation of sheer agony adorned his features.

"Hi, Raph," Mikey whispered. "I missed you while you were gone. It's been too quiet. I didn't have anyone to pick on."

The young turtle sniffled as he brought the icy hand to his cheek, willing it to warm and tighten around his own hand. He closed his eyes as tears started to cascade from them.

"You can't go, Raph! Who will protect me from the monsters in my room?"

Donatello finished his report to Leo and Splinter and entered Raph's room just in time to hear Mikey's plea. He tried to swallow the boulder sized lump that suddenly made breathing hard. He had forgotten about that night. Now he remembered it with crystal clarity including the brief smile that had appeared on Raphael's face when Mikey had hugged him. He even remembered his youngest brother talking about the incident for a week afterwards; and the pride that had gleamed in his older brother's eyes whenever it became a topic of discussion.

He quietly made his way over to the pair and sat down on the foot of the bed just behind Mikey. He looked at Raph and was surprised to find that his brother's expression had changed. It wasn't a huge change but it was enough to see that something had calmed him.

"Mikey keep talking to him. It seems to be helping," Donnie said, quietly.

The turtle in orange jumped at the sound of his brother's voice. He glanced at the turtle behind him before focusing on the one in front. He, too, saw the change and smiled happily.

"What should I say?"

"Anything. Just talk to him."

And that was how Donnie learned of how Mikey and Raph were going to get back at Leo for the extra training he made them do as punishment for the last prank the two of them had set up for their fearless leader. When Raph was better, of course.

When, not if.

Leo watched Donnie go into Raph's room and suddenly felt tired. He knew he had a lot to do before he could join his brothers. He just didn't know what to do first. He realized he had to tell his brothers about the secret Raphael had shared with him in that prison. The question was 'how'?

"Something troubles you, my son?"

"Sensei!" Leo flinched. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking"

"About Raphael?"

"Sorta." Leo grabbed a piece of Mikey's drawing paper and a pen from the small table in front of the couch. A few seconds later, he had recreated the kanji that he had seen in the cell. He held it up for Splinter to see.

"What does this say?"

The old rat frowned. "You know as well as I do."

Leo sighed. "I was afraid that you were going to say that. I was just hoping that I was wrong."

"You do not believe that your brother will live?"

Leo stared at the two characters, seeing them written in blood rather then in ink. "Raph wrote this but that's not the only reason."

"Oh?"

Leo set the paper aside and picked up the bundle that Mikey had left on the table. "Do you remember what Miyamoto Usagi said about his swords being more then just weapons? That they were his very soul?"

Splinter nodded. "I also remember that you took that to heart."

Leo smiled faintly. "Well, I think Raph did too. I know he started to take better care of his sais."

"I, too, noticed that. But what of it?"

The turtle carefully unwrapped the bundle and Splinter felt his heart freeze over with sorrow. The shattered remains of a pair of sais lay on the cloth in Leo's lap. The rat easily recognized the unique way the hilts had been wrapped.

"Do not lose hope, Leonardo," Splinter said, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Raphael was … is strong. When he is healed, we will re-forge his weapons."

"But can we re-forge his soul?" Leo whispered.

Splinter lowered his head. He was trying not to cry. Despite his brave words, the rat had already lost hope.

"Raphael's family should be with him tonight. All of them."

It was Leo's turn to bow his head. "I know, Master Splinter. It's just that… How do you tell someone that their best friend is dying?"

A look of understanding crossed the rat's features. "I know you are strong, my son, and you will find the words."

Leo half smiled. "Thank you."

He picked up his shell phone and dialed April's number.