Bluestar-TMNT-Warriors requested: April feels guilty after the gang escapes New York. She feels it's her fault that Leo was hurt and they all had to escape due to her being the one who introduced Irma to the lair.

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/family Rated: K+

Not to Blame

April sat on the tire swing as she continued to sketch in her notebook, she was drawing the three brothers gathered around the fourth in the bathtub.

The more she sketched the harder it was for her to hold in her tears.

She just felt so guilty!

It was her fault. It was all her fault.

She should never have thought bringing Irma to the lair was a good idea.

Why had she been so stupid?

How did she not see her best friend was a Kraang this entire time?

She'd lost her best friend and that wasn't even the worst part.

She brought the Kraang straight to her second family's home.

She caused them to need to escape and split up. She cause Donnie to be shot, Leo to be beaten into unconsciousness, her family and the whole of New York to be mutated and the possible death of Splinter.

Everything was her fault.

Why had they allowed her to escape with them?

They should have left her behind.

She sniffed as one of her tears hit the page.

''Careful'' Came a voice from behind her. ''Your tears will smudge the drawing''

She jumped and snapped the book shut, accidently dropping her pencil as she looked round.

Donatello moved to sit on the grass beside the swing.

''D-Donnie'' She breathed in relief.

''You're a good artist'' Donnie smiled weakly, ''Not sure I like the subject of it though''

''Sorry'' April frowned. ''I can rip it up''

''No don't'' Donnie shook his head and looked up at April. ''it's a good way of making sure we've learnt our lesson''

April said nothing and Donnie picked up her pencil which was still lying in the grass.

''So uh… why were you crying?'' Donnie asked nervously as he handed her the pencil, she took it carefully.

''I wasn't'' She answered lamely. ''I had something in my eye''

''Crying is nothing to be ashamed of'' Donnie frowned. ''Especially in times like these… I can't tell you how many times I've cried since we got here'' Donnie paused as he realised what he had just said. ''Why did I say that? Sorry April, you-''

''No Donnie'' April sighed. ''It's ok… you have every reason to cry…''

''So…'' Donnie blushed. ''Will you tell me? Please?''

''I have no reason to cry Donnie, I'm just being selfish'' April swallowed thickly.

''You're not selfish. You are one of the most selfless people I know'' Donnie corrected her. She could see he wasn't going to let this go.

''Fine'' She ducked her head sadly. ''Donnie I-… I just feel so guilty… this entire thing is my fault.''

Donnie said nothing as she started to cry again.

''I shouldn't have brought Irma to the lair… I caused the Kraang to invade now the whole of New York, including my Father, has been mutated and Leo's unconscious AND Splinter could be…. Dead.'' April cried, she hugged herself. ''I'm so sorry… I'm such an idiot… This is all my fault, I ruined everything!''

She looked at Donnie through her tears, he wasn't looking at her but frowning thoughtfully.

''April'' He said without moving. ''I really don't think this is your fault''

''Wh-What?'' She sniffed. He looked up at her with the same thoughtful frown.

''It's not your fault.'' He repeated. ''You didn't know… Irma was it?'' She nodded. ''You didn't know Irma was a Kraang, you thought you could trust her. Mikey's done the same''

''But-'' April tried but Donnie wasn't finished.

''Leo and I had an argument about leaving but I insisted we stay. You aren't at fault for that.'' He continued. ''You didn't hurt Leo, or attempt to drown Splinter nor did you mutate New York and it's people. All that was Shredder and the Kraang. If anything you really helped us''

''How?'' April asked hopefully, Donnie offered her a small smile.

''You gave us your father's van and gave us the farmhouse to hide in'' Donnie replied. ''You've been keeping us healthy and safe since… Mikey especially, you gave him something to do so his mind would be too preoccupied to worry… Raph and I are especially thankful for that…''

''Really?'' April sniffed. ''You really don't blame me for anything?''

''No of course not'' Donnie chuckled. ''That would be stupid''

April looked down at Donnie before leaping off the swing, she wrapped her arms around the turtle and held on tightly.

''Thank you Donnie'' She breathed in his scent. ''I really needed that''

''N-No problem April'' She could practically feel Donnie's blush, she smiled. He was so cute sometimes!

She gave him a peck on the cheek before standing up.

''I'd better start making some lunch'' She smiled. ''You wanna help?''

''Yeah!'' Donnie leapt up with a huge grin. ''I'll help you!''

April giggled and held Donnie's hand as they walked back to the farmhouse. She was so thankful that they were all still together and she knew in her heart that Leo would wake up soon.

Turns out she was right, that afternoon they heard Raphael shout for them to come see.

Leonardo was awake.

Damaged but awake.

Nothing would stop them now.

This is all I've managed for now but Please Leave a Review with any ideas you have!