Nana
Donatello eyed worriedly at his baby brother who sat on his bed, bundled in a blanket, and starring out the window. Michelangelo's eyes tiredly stared while watching the autumn leaves of red, orange, and yellow float to the ground. The plate of food that Donatello had brought up stairs after the orange masked turtle's little 'episode' sat on the bedside table with one half-eaten sandwich, the other already consumed by Donatello. He did not force his baby brother to eat, knowing that after an 'episode' he wouldn't enjoy eating at the moment. Surprisingly, he took a few bites, but the left the other half untouched.
The purple masked turtle sighed looking at the almost empty plate of food. He frowned; not wanting to leave a mess, got up from his chair and picked up the plate. He turned around and started making his way out of the room. However, a grab to the wrist stopped him; he turned his head and saw that Michelangelo was holding onto his wrist with a tear filled pleading face.
"Please…" his voice croaked, "…don't go…" droplets of tears fell down his cheek.
Donatello couldn't resist; he knew that his brother was in so much pain. He also seemed to notice that every time that Michelangelo was alone, the demon would strike an attack. However, staying here with his brother would prevent an attack and ease Michelangelo down. That was all he could think of that could keep his baby brother safe; keeping him under surveillance like a priceless jewel not wanting to be stolen.
Donatello's eyes soften and he placed the plate of food back on the bedside table. Michelangelo watched as he walked over and sat next to him on the bed; it bounced a bit to the sudden impact from Donatello's rear. He looked down at his baby brother, seeing those big hazel eyes batting back at him. The purple masked turtle gave a comforting smile, "Don't worry Mikey," he said, reaching up to wipe a tear from Michelangelo's face, "I'm not going to leave you."
Michelangelo grimaced as a small hiccup escaped his throat; he suddenly dove into his brother's chest, not wanting to let go. He cried as much as he could, the rivers of tears streaming his face and falling into his brother's lap. Donatello took him into his arms, allowing Michelangelo to cry into his shoulder. He held him close; the only thing he could to comfort him. The purple masked turtle sighed again, soon turning his attention to the bedroom door. Even though he could not see, he could clearly tell his other two brothers and his Sensei was listening in.
Leonardo winced at Michelangelo's sobs as he listened in behind the door. Raphael and Master Splinter stood there with him, giving intensely worried looks. The masked turtle turned away from the door when hearing another agonizing sob. He looked up to Raphael and his sensei, "Something bad has happened," he said.
"Well no duh, Leo!" Raphael answered, "We can hear him cryin' through the door!"
"Raphael," Master Splinter shot him a stern look; Raphael quickly silenced.
"There's gotta be something we could do to help him?" Leonardo began to pace back and forth.
Raphael and Master Splinter watched as the blue clad turtle paced in front of the bedroom door. The door to the bedroom suddenly opened; all eyes went to the door. They saw Donatello standing in the doorway with his arm over Michelangelo's shoulder; the orange clad turtle was covered with a blanket as he stood weakly close to his older brother.
Leonardo spoke first, "How's he doing?"
Donatello looked down to his baby brother; he frowned a bit, "We need to keep him on constant visual," he said, "Otherwise the demon will attack."
Raphael snorted, "So that demon is afraid of us?"
"It seems to be that way," Donatello answered, "Mikey seems to be a more vulnerable target then us."
"Yeah, we get that he's the target," said Leonardo, "but why?"
"It may have to do with Michelangelo's spirit," Master Splinter spoke up; all four turtles looked over to their Sensei.
"What do you mean, Sensei?" the blue clad turtle asked.
The old rat gave a sigh, "Michelangelo has a spirit similar to a child's," he answered, "He is free spirited; his imagination ascends to another level, he observes the good side of a situation rather then the bad." Master Splinter watched as Raphael moved closer to his younger brother, "But like any other spirit," he began, "there's always lies darkness within it. It beholds anger, sadness, failure, confusion, and depression."
Master Splinter looked towards Michelangelo, "It seems that this demon is interested in Michelangelo's spirit because it may hold a large darkness within it."
Raphael wrapped an arm around his younger brother's shoulder, squeezing it tight. Leonardo turned to his sensei; confused, "But how Sensei? Mikey doesn't really seem to be that type of person."
Master Splinter nodded, "That may be, Leonardo," he answered, "But how are you sure? Michelangelo is very capable to hide such anger and depression within him." The old rat saw Leonardo wince at the thought; he sighed, "Though you should ask Michelangelo why is there so much darkness within him…" he said.
'IF there is any,' Leonardo thought to himself, looking back at his younger brother who was now clinging to Raphael. The red-banded turtle looked back at Leonardo, his expression showing more of worry then anger.
Leonardo's serious expression softened and he walked over to his younger brother. For some strange reason Michelangelo looked smaller then he was this morning. He usually stood up at least an inch shorter then Raphael was; but now he looked two times shorter. Even when clinging to the red-banded turtle; he stood a few centimeters under Raphael's jaw. 'What the hell?' Leonardo ignored the thoughts in his head; all he needs to focus on now is protecting his brother.
The blue-banded turtle gestured to Raphael to let him see his younger brother. Raphael nodded, and slowly unattached himself from his younger brother. Michelangelo whimpered, looking from Raphael to Leonardo.
Leonardo smiled softly, "Hey, its okay Mikey," he said reassuringly, putting a hand on Michelangelo's shoulder, "No matter what, we're not going to let anything happen to you. Okay?"
Michelangelo looked up to Leonardo then to Donatello; the purple-banded turtle smiled softly towards his younger brother. Michelangelo then looked over to Raphael; he found the same reassuring smile. The orange-banded turtle swallowed a lump in his throat when turning back to Leonardo; he nodded, "Okay…" he said softly.
Raphael took his turn to watch over Michelangelo that night; they sat in the living room watching TV. It surprised the red-banded turtle actually; after hearing what Donatello had told them about Michelangelo's last little episode, he would think of never watching any more TV for a while.
Bu then again we are talking about Michelangelo here…
Raphael suddenly heard a muffled yawn; turning over to his younger brother, he saw that Michelangelo was trying to stop another yawn from coming. Raphael smiled, "You tired, Mikey?" he asked in an unusually gentle tone.
Michelangelo shook his head quickly in response, "No…" he answered; however, his eyelids were showing the truth.
Raphael sighed and shook his head, "Mikey you need to sleep," he picked up the remote, attempting to turn off the TV.
Michelangelo quickly snatched the remote away, "NO!" he shouted, soon clamping his mouth shut. Raphael was somewhat startled by his younger brother's reaction; he watched as Michelangelo shakily brought the remote into his lap. "I…" the orange-banded turtle began to stutter, "I-I can stay awake…I'm f-fine…I'm fine Raph…"
But Raphael knew better; the red-banded stood up and went to the other side of the room, up to the staircase. He came up to a small door that leads to a small storage area under the staircase. He opened it, pulling out a large dark blue blanket and bringing back with him over to the couch. Raphael wrapped Michelangelo with one side of the blanket, then after sitting down, he wrapped the other side over himself.
"B-but I wasn't…cold…" Michelangelo looked up to his older brother.
Raphael frowned, "You can stop acting like there's nothin' wrong, Mikey," he said, "You've been through total hell for the last few days, Mikey. You have been attacked by a demon from your nightmares, you haven't been able to sleep or eat for weeks." He watched as his little brother began to shiver again; and Raphael wrapped an arm around him. "C'mon Mikey," he said in a gentle tone, "Get some rest. I'm right here, so don't worry okay?"
Michelangelo shivered and nodded; Raphael smiled and laid his younger brother against his plastron, covering him comfortably with the large blanket. "Don't worry, Mikey," Raphael whispered, "You're safe as long as I'm here."
But Michelangelo knew better…he wasn't safe. Not even with his brother is here with him…