One Hand Down

Disclaimer: I've said it once, I've said it twice – I do not own them. I am as disappointed as everyone else! I wouldn't mind a mutant turtle in my home, they can deal with the rotten door-to-door salesmen knocking on the door right now for me. Enjoy people!

Part 5: Pepperoni.


Raph's stomach growled, the smell of pepperoni filled his sense of smell, a wide smile filled Raphael's face.

"Look, there's nothing wrong with his sense of smell," came the voice of Donnie.

"Yeah, I haven't seen Raph smile like that in a long time," Leo was heard replying, "Actually come to think of it, I don't think I have seen smile in years!"

Raph opened one of his eyes, "I smile, just not at you."

"Good morning sunshine," Donnie came into view, "You feeling peckish yet?"

"Yeah, you better have saved me some of that pizza," Raph forced a weak smile.

"Normally, it is first in first served but due to recent circumstances, it's the one who's injured who gets the best slice tonight," Leo presented the large slice to his brother.

Donnie helped Raph sit up comfortably.

"Thanks," Raph was about to grab the slice with his right hand, but then came to the realization that his arm was in a sling. He managed a weak laugh "You know I had this weird dream that I went to punch Mikey's brains out, not that he has many, and he ducked and I smacked a pole. I'm guessing this arm in the sling is telling me something along those lines is actually true?" Raph looked at his brothers.

"You and Mikey did have a fight. And yes, you did go to smack him in the face and missed," Donnie told his brother.

"I know Donnie, It was bloody painful. I honestly don't recommend anyone trying this for a bit of fun," Raph looked at his arm.

"Sounded painful to us. I think we all felt that pain," Leo said.

"All I feel now is tired, where's the pain gone?" Raph asked them.

"You'd be still feeling the pain if April hadn't got those pain killers for you. We have to keep an eye on you and give you more when it starts to wear off. April said every six hours, but then again, you are a mutant turtle, so we don't know how it reacts with your system yet. It could be less or longer. Just tell us when you begin to feel the pain coming back." Donnie showed his brother the needle ready for when it was needed.

"Great you gave me a needle when I was out. Some loving brother you are – you know I hate needles!" Raph looked darkly at his brother.

"It's either that or be in agony. We can't let you be in that much pain, it's not humane," Leo reasoned.

"Didn't know you cared that much Leo," Raph said, "Besides I'm a turtle, not human, but I guess I see what you mean."

"He does Raph, no matter what you think. Mikey is also very shock up about all of this," Donnie told his red masked brother.

"Where is the pain in the arse or in my case – arm," Raph asked in disgust.

"Don't be hard on him, Raph, he didn't realise his taunting would actually injure you so," Leo told his brother.

"Yeah, usually he's the one with the injury," Donnie spoke of the bruises Mikey coped from his brother.

"So you want me and Mikey to be best friends again, I suppose. After the little toe rag ducked instead of coping the blow. Forgive me, I thought from the shell on his back, he was a turtle not a chicken."

"Raph, I don't expect you to forgive him right away, but you do need to remember he's cut up about this too."

"Donnie, he dug his own snotty grave, he can get himself out of it. I've always had to. 'Bout time he learnt not to go running to one of us when he's got a problem, use the brains I left in his dumb little head for a change."

"Raph, that's not fair! He's always been there for you, don't diss him on this. Yeah he was a coward, but you both behaved irresponsibly. He's got enough to deal with, I mean he's in there now getting the lecture of his life from Splinter."

Raph smirked, wonder how long he would be in there this time. Hope Splinter breaks his wrist for me, Raph thought, he did not dare tell his older brothers his thoughts.