Part Three:
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I still don't know how I got myself into this, it just sounds too weird.
I made my way up the ventilation tunnel, and then soon out of the building and onto the roof.
I could hear the sound of weapons clashing, blade to blade, and or blade to wood. I can see the glittering and flickering of the blades, dancing with the reflecting moonlight, despite the forming clouds, and I knew Leo had probably jumped from plan B to C seeing he was supposed to stall until I'm here. Raph and Don were battling against him, two to one.
Well, when it comes to Leo, that's sort of fair. I mean, it's always two or three to one, and the one being singled, Leo. Now, if we wanna be unfair, it's got to be twenty-or-more to one to over throw him. Raph can take down just as many, if not more, but not as quick as Leo, or without getting himself at least bruised or scratched, while Leo can walk out of it unharmed, with no scale out of place.
Yeah, Leo is that good!
Stalking quietly through the shadowed darkness, Leo spared me a quick glance, acknowledging my presence, yet not letting on to Don or Raph. He was busy fighting off both. Raph looked royally peeved, his hands clinched tightly to his Sai, while Donny looked no less peeved, swinging his Bo staff just as deadly. I wondered if having two angry brothers was a good idea, and I'd hate for Leo to get hurt if they lost control.
Well, it's only a matter of time, before Raph loses control, but if Don lost control- Brr! Now that's a scary thought.
For a long, nostalgic moment, I dazed; watching Leo gracefully spar with them, as if my nunchucks were a part of him, as if they were his weapons. I stared, watching in silent awe as he twirled them around, the rotation and swinging speed was just perfect, maneuvering them while attacking and defending, deflecting, progressing then falling back.
It was almost as if they were his weapon, from the very start, not the swords, and- well, I felt- out of place again.
Watching Leo with my weapons, he was being so graceful, so well balanced. The orange mask and the strange, devious and mischievous grin on his face almost matched mine, almost to the point of duplicated perfection, and if only it had not been for the forming clouds in the midnight sky, I'm sure Raph and Don would have taken note his skin tone was different, and that there was a clear crack to his shell.
I knew I was supposed to jump into the battle by now, to help him fend them off, to take them off guard, to disarm them, but I didn't know if I could, or should, because I've never really been comfortable with the swords. I mean, I can barely move about using one sword, and as much as I find shiny things very attractive, I'm always afraid of cutting or hurting someone, surely not my brothers.
I don't really know, or want to know, how Leo maneuvers around using two swords, it's so confusing.
There was a grunt, and I instantly jerked up, watching Leo trip and watched as one of my babies flew into the air.
Not thinking, I felt my heart leap into my throat, my eyes widened as I watched it sail through the dark sky. I leaped out of my humble hiding spot, out of the loyal, concealing shadows, and took it into my grasp. Feeling it in my palm, sensing it's presence, a sense of belonging pulsed through me, through every vein and muscle, like blood though veins!
It bloomed with life, and I grinned.
Wasting no more time, once feeling my feet hitting the floor as I soundlessly landed, I sprang into action. I charged unthinkingly towards Raph, who was so startled, he yelled a loud 'What the F- ?' before he staggered back. He was unable to complete the curse word, wanting to dodge my attack, confused at my sudden assault. Soon, gradually, he recovered, defending and pushing past me, trying to deflect me.
Leo recovered quickly from his little trip, deflecting an attack from Donny, who stopped in strat at seeing my launch at Raph, and Leo kicked him in the guts, forcing him to stagger back. Leo, now grinning my way, silently gave me a strange look, but I understood what he wanted. Reaching up, I took that chance to pull out a sword, I tossed it into the air towards him, and he gripped it.
With a grin, and each of us had a sword in one hand, and a nunchuck in the other, I handled Raph, and Leo went after Donny.
Our two brothers didn't know what hit them!
Raph was now royally pissed! He glared at me with a flicker of burning rage in his eyes, as well as something else I couldn't exactly identify, but it almost looked or felt like- hurt? There was something cold, hard and heavy, pummeling quickly into the pit of my stomach. The uncomfortable shudder told me, it had something to do with the apology he confessed to me earlier, while thinking I was Leo.
I felt bad; terrible and lower than dirt even! But I hid it the best I could.
I knew that I can't risk telling Leo about it now, because, first of all, I don't have time, and then because it'll be a bad move, anyway! Especially during this kind of battle! With Raph and Don, two angry and enraged brothers, with one originally being a hothead, I know better than to let my guard down, not even for a minute, or else whatever injury I'll get, it'll hurt for weeks afterwards.
'Focus!' Leo hissed to me, when we were pressed, shell to shell.
'Bro,' I muttered back, staggering slightly for a breath, 'I don't like this anymore.' I admitted.
He paused for a sec before, perking at my words, while countering Donny's bo, and for a while, all we did was dodge and counter, then after a moment he spoke again, low so only I would hear, 'Do you wish to stop?'
'Can we?' I breathlessly replied, I don't really want this anymore.
'Sure, just disappear; I'll take care for the rest.' He pushed away from me.
I didn't have to answer him, because I knew he wouldn't let me come incase I changed my mind.
I managed to sway Raph away long enough to hide into the shadows, but that didn't stop him from trying to tackle me; that's when Leo smacked his butt, using my chucks, forcefully gaining his undivided attention. Raph roared, bristled and when Leo hopped off the roof, and into the pitch black, shifting and concealing shadows of the surrounding forest, Raph chased after him in a wild frenzy.
Donny paused for a moment, he was just about to go after Raph when he stopped, on the rooftop, as if he heard or sensed something. He glanced around, looking for me I bet, before he walked towards my general direction, and I weren't sure if he were able to see me, or he were just lucky. He paused a short distance away from my hiding spot. I stayed still, not wanting to risk myself yet.
"Okay, I know you're there." He muttered, unimpressed, "C'mon out, Mikey, and I promise I wont hurt you!"
I blinked confused and puzzled as to when, he had realized Leo and I had switched.
He waited for a moment, his body language easing and relaxing just a notch, the frown was no longer there, "Mike please, I know it's you."
Unsure, and wondering if Raph and Don had a backup plan of their own, I stayed still.
Don sighed in frustration, "Leo has a crack on his shell, remember? No matter how dark it is tonight, I did notice that." he crossed his arms over his plastron, glaring at the shadowed darkness, trying to pinpoint where I was exactly, "Besides, no one makes a chuck uppercut like you do, so step into the light already." He crossed his arms, Bo staff back in place.
Uneasy, I complied, stepping out and watching him, "Hi." I smiled weakly, feeling small and meager under his stern gaze.
Don's frown eased into a concerned furrow, "Mike you okay? You don't look so good." He then smirked, "Why so blue?"
I smiled, figuring the small joke because of Leo's blue mask I'm currently wearing, "Not my type, really." I shrugged a shoulder and looked at the direction Leo and Raph disappeared, "Is he gonna survive?" I asked.
"Don't worry, Raph knows it's Leo." Don smiled knowingly, "We kinda figured it during the fight, he was a little hard to recognize, acting so much like you, it was hard to believe it was really Leo." He smiled weakly.
I just looked at Donny, for a very long moment, something didn't feel right.
Don gave me a sympathetic smile, "Don't worry, you're not in trouble." He smothered a sly grin, "April asked Leo to do this, for two reasons, one is to help you bounce back to who you are, it's not fun seeing you brooding, Mike." He argued gently.
I quirked a suspicious brow; "And the second reason?"
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, Leo never had a welcome back party, right?" he gave a devilish little grin, "April needed to distract him, she didn't tell him why, she said it was for you, which is not a lie. Besides," Don walked towards me, a smile spreading on his face, "Raphie had a small gift planned and ready for him, I'm sure Leo will receive it, from good hands." He chuckled, a wicked grin spreading widely on his face.
"Oh really?" I grinned wearily, a pang of panic hit my stomach.
Why? Easy, because Don and wicked grin should not be in the same sentence! Just as a quote what Raph once said, 'When Leo and Mike agree on something, it's a sure thing that chaos will soon ensue!' and it could not be anything but the bold truth!
Abruptly, there was a loud yell in the depth forest, or more like a yelp actually, then soon followed by a strange echoing sound. Although it was clearly a little past midnight, some night birds, owls and crows, in their frightened start, had abandoned their trees and nests at the loud howling. I worried, because I'm sure it was Leo's voice! At first, the strange sound was still echoing out loud, but then it slowly and gradually faded, as if there was no source, but I knew there was still a sound out there, I just couldn't pinpoint where or what it was.
"Wow, Raph caught him faster than I thought!" Don grinned, rubbing the back of his neck.
Recognizing the faint sounds in the distance, I stared at Donny, face paling despite the heat that warmed my cheeks, "Is Raph doing what I think he's doing?" a smile slowly curved on my lips.
"Think of it as a birthday spanking." Don chuckled, reaching out a hand for me to take, "Raph wanted the honor, that's why I stayed back."
"What- are you talking about?" I took his hand, thinking that it was safe now.
"Oh about three or four days ago," He grinned, gripping my hand as he explained, "April wanted to throw Leo a little welcome party, but didn't want him to know or figure it out. She should be at the kitchen by now, preparing everything with Sensei and Casey, so we should go help, and to wait for the guest of honor to return with his escort, that's all." He chuckled again, leading me away, back towards the staircase.
"Guess we might as well fluff a few pillows, just to make him more comfortable, huh?" I smirked, a step or two behind.
"Oh yeah," Don chuckled, before suddenly stopping half way through the staircase, turning to face me, "oh, and by the way, Mike,"
Before I could ask what he wanted, he suddenly yanked my hand, pulling me forewords and down the few lower steps, twirling me around, facing the direction we came from. Before I could recover from the sudden daze, because my heart leaped and I thought I were going to fall flat on my face; Don gripped my other hand, holding them both out, before releasing them, with each of us facing opposite directions, he wrapped a tight arm around my shell, down on one knee, placing me bent over it, he held me fixed tight.
My blood ran cold, I knew I had let my guard down, and I was going to pay for my lack of attention!
I yelped when the first strike landed, groaning out loud, feeling his hand smack and hotly swat my tender cheeks.
For a good couple of minutes, all I could do was groan, whine and whimper! It really irked me, to the point of humiliating embarrassment, that whenever I do something wrong, to my brothers, my best punishment is always a good spanking! Like I'm some bad mannered kid or something, it really gets on my nerves! Not to mention hurts like hell!
"That!" Don said as he released me, helping me up on my feet and off his knee, he wiggled a finger, "was for slinging me with eggs!"
I attentively rubbed my hurting rear end, I sent him a pained glare, "Well, sorry! Leo told me to!" I pouted, frowning, "And why the hell do you guys keep spanking me like some five year old? Gees!"
"Would you rather have us beat you up till you're all bruised, black and blue, every time you pull a prank?" he arched a sarcastic brow.
"No." I mumbled, rubbing my hurting cheeks, "But I don't want a spanking either!" I grumped.
"It comes with the territory as the youngest." Don shrugged casually, indifferent about my annoyed reaction, and continued his way down the steps, "By the way, you did pretty good back there."
"With the spanking?" I arched an annoyed brow, a bit confused.
He laughed, "No, you silly goose!" he stopped to look at me with a humored face, "I mean sparring with two deferent weapons, I could never do that." he praised, giving me a strange, yet proud, pleased smile, "I admit, that was pretty admirable of you, Mikey. I thought Leo was the only one who could use two different weapons at once." He grinned wider, pride evidently shining in his eyes, "Raph was pleased, too; though he hid it pretty well."
Something in my core tingled, and I felt it spread up my chest and warm my face, and quite frankly, it felt nice! I couldn't explain the feeling, it was something new, I guess. It felt like a small bubble in the pit of my stomach, it went up my chest and kind of settled there, before suddenly popping, spreading across my inside, and I liked it, it brought a strange warmth to my chest, the warmth spread on my neck and face.
"Really?" I smiled, following him down the steps.
"Yup, that was pretty cool, you've got some fancy moves on you, too!" Don flashed me a smile.
"Thanks!" I grinned, pride was swelling and I felt like gloating.
He grinned, "Don't mention it." He stopped at the base of the steps, waiting for me, "Now! We'd better get to the kitchen and help April. Don't worry about Leo, Raph is going to keep him busy for a while." He laughed, a sly twinkle in his eyes.
"Right!" I nodded, and then hurried down the rest of the staircase after him.
….
You know what's the best part during the little party?
Cushioned seats! Yeah, my butt hurts enough already, and I think Leo shares the same opinion.
I mean, well, heh! He kept fidgeting uncomfortably during most of the party, even during the little surprise at the beginning and opening the gifts later on. I guess his tail hurt too much, he couldn't find a comfortable sitting position, no matter how many cool, puny pillows I've fluffed for him. I take it now he knows why I always haul tail when Raph chases after me, cause I know how much it hurts!
What was the second best thing? Hah! That's easy!
The blush wouldn't leave Leo's face, much to Raph's pleased smirking.
Those two have had such a long staring competition, and that only made Raph's grin widen. Neither Don nor I dare make a sound, even if I did fidget on my own seat for a while, my tail kept throbbing, and Leo did take note of it. I think it was some sort of comfort to him, because he started acting a little less agitated. He'd send me a small, apologetic smile, as if apologizing for getting me dragged, and punished, for teaming up with him on this little stunt, but I'd grin and shrug in response, brushing it off.
Raph would lean back in his seat and chatter with Casey and April, sipping on his drink, ignoring the two of us. I let out a small breath, watching Raph laugh, but flinched in concern, when he gave a strange sick grunt.
Raph swallowed hard, as if there was a lump in his throat, before he placed a hand on his abdomen, as if he swallowed something. For a moment, he glared at the glass, took a sniff, asked April if she had put something in, and she just blinked, confused, and denied adding anything to the juice. Don, of course, instantly stiffened, half way through his drink, he gave it a weary glance, before nervously setting it back, he looked at me.
I shrugged, I have no idea what they're worried about, my glass tastes just fine.
At the corner of my eye, I saw Leo slyly smirk.
Raph's face paled, he paused, staring at the glass, he was lost in his thoughts for a moment, before giving a small negative shake, and then turned his head, looking at me with glaring eyes. He arched a brow ridge, as if expecting me to say something. I blinked, confused and weary, his criticizing gaze shifted from angry to questioning, and I felt even more confused. But then, Raph eased his glare, and a look of realization washed over his face, he paled even more, before he shot a weird look at Leo. Leo, who was looking at Raph through the corner of his eye, quickly smothered the smirk and went back to his new gift, slowly and casually unwrapping it.
Raph muttered and got up, he poked Leo's head, tilting it slightly, "I'll get you for that!" he growled.
Leo just gave him a small innocent smile, "For what?" he gave a perfect little innocent, confused blink.
Raph was about to reply when he gave another sick grunt, he hurried away.
I furrowed, confused, and looked at Leo, scooting closer despite the hurting tail, "What did you do?" I whispered.
Unwrapping the last gift, he removed the lid, "Laxative." He chuckled evilly, not looking at me.
My jaw dropped, my eyes bugged out, I couldn't believe what I just heard! "You didn't!"
He laughed a little louder, unable to suppress fully, and then took out the book from the box. I could read it was another history-of-war related book. "I did! And I removed all the toilet paper, too." he snickered, trying not to double over himself where he sat, curled on the seat. "God! I so want to see the look on his face when he realizes that!" tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, he couldn't strop snickering.
I stared, a grin threatened to split my face in half, "Are you really my brother? You're not possessed by an alien or anything, are you?" I faked a shocked face, "Oh my god! Who are you and what have you done to Leo!"
He looked at me, his grin slowly easing, looking more natural on his face, "Mike, C'mon!" He laughed again, a single tear rolled down his face, and he lazily flicked it off, grinning wide, he smothered his laugher a little, toning it down so he could speak coherently, "Just because I'm always serious, doesn't mean I don't know when to drop the mask, and have fun for a change!" He shrugged a shoulder, fingering the book with an appreciative smile, "Well, sure. Dropping the mask isn't easy, not that I've done it before now, but it never hurt to try every once in a while."
"Yeah, but Laxative?" I smirked, not helping the grin stretching ever wider, it's beginning to hurt my face.
He rolled his eyes, still smiling, "Okay, so it's not new, you've done this before, and it's not an original, so sue me!" he shrugged an uncaring shoulder, "Then again, leaving a rubber spider on the trash bin, shutting the water system from the facility, and applying honey on the door handle aren't in the book, either." he grinned at me, that grin spreading even wider.
I palmed my face, I couldn't believe what I just heard, "Oh god! I have been surpassed by my own brother!"
Suddenly, there was a loud echoing cry, "Leo! I Swear! I Am Personally Going to Pull Out Your Spine and Bloody Kill You!"
I looked at Leo, and he gave me an innocent little smirk, before letting out a small chuckle, "Did I mention tampering with the bathroom door's handle, so it won't be opened from the inside?" he blinked innocently again.
I laughed; I laughed and laughed, like I've never laughed before! I laughed so hard tears were streaming down my face, I felt my chest grow tight and I just couldn't breathe anymore! Best of all, I was laughing with Leo! He had an arm wrapped around me, half hugging, half supporting me from toppling to my knees, and to literally not drop off the seat, to fall on my ass, rolling on the floor laughing!
Sensei just smirked, obvious to the whole charade! While Casey and April gave us these strange stares, as if they thought we were crazy. Donny smiled rather uneasily, his eyes widening and his skin paling a little, dreading what kind of prank Leo had in store for him; I could practically see that paranoid look written all over his face! So, of course, Donny decided to avoid anything that had come anywhere near Leo, during the remaining party time. I think he was expecting his share of payback, and I dare wonder what it could possibly be.
I found out, later on, that he was stuck with a hiccupping fit, he couldn't stop! It sounded so funny on him, like a croaking frog, but with a yipped squeak when he hiccups! It was damn hilarious! Poor Donny practically blushed his face off, shooting glaring daggers at Leo, before opting to just hide. He spent the rest of the evening in his lab, hiccupping the night away.
I laughed, God! I laughed so hard, that by the time it all died down, my head and chest were throbbing so violently, I thought I was dead for a moment, it hurt! The pain wasn't awful, it was delicious, it felt bubbly and strange, I like it!
I think I could get used to this type of laughter.
Maybe I should try to convince Leo to do it more often?
Better yet, we ought to team next April fool! It'll be a blast!
I realized that all it took to have such fun, was to have Leo, dropping his serious mask and putting on the funny one we never knew existed! A funny Leo, why didn't I see that one coming? Was it that unexpected? Then again, it had me thinking; maybe I should do the same? Should I drop the funny mask, and put a serious one for a change?
Yeah, sure the others might think it's wired, but if Leo can do it, so can I, right?
Well, I guess I'll never know until, I try, right? Right!
I mean, if Don and Raph won't understand, I'm sure Leo will, because though we're two opposites, we're still two sides of the same coin; or at least, that's the way I feel it, and I feel that he thinks the same thing too.
Then the next time I need to be serious, I'll give it a try, and let's see how things go!
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-END-
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A/N: I hate the ending, sorry. And, um, uh… I figured I'd keep it from Mike's point of view, because I was tempted to do Leo's in the last chapter, but seeing it's a Mike centric story, I'll just stick to Leo being a victim of the circumstances. Huhuhuhu! Anyway, I originally wrote this for April's fool, but felt that I'm not very good at planning pranks, not to mention I hate playing pranks, just as much as I hate falling for them, so I decided to shift it into a brotherly event, and this is what came out, hope you like it!