Hey guys! I just want to start off by thanking you all for sticking with the story. I know it's been a slow last few chapters, but now we'll finally be getting to some good stuff! Also, I almost had a panic attack 'cause I go to a girls camp for a week and for a split second I thought it was the week I was supposed to post this chapter. Then I rechecked and all was good! *Phew!* Dodged a bullet there! ':D I want to give a huge thank you to CelandineGranger for reviewing and critiquing this story! It's been a great help!

Now, the chapter we've all been waiting for!

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Chapter 9

Leonardo let the cool water flow smoothly over his aching limbs, soothing the hot burns on his arms and legs. He moaned hoarsely as he knelt in the cold water. It lapped at his numerous cuts making them sting, especially the one on his upper right arm. Which felt like it was occupying a whole nest of angry hornets, crawling and stinging as they pleased.

But at least the burns felt better.

He dragged himself out of the rushing water and collapsed onto his plastron on the cold, hard ground. His body felt beaten and his whole chest ached with every, toiling breath. A dull throb pulsed inside of his skull, clouding his thoughts.

He tried to stand but his body screamed with pain in protest. So he only made an effort to turn himself over onto his carapace, panting heavily.

Where, am I? He wondered tiredly, looking up into darkness, And how did I get here?

He felt groggy and unfocused, almost as if someone had drugged him. His vision was hazy at best, but if he tried to focus, it only gave him an even bigger headache.

Pain was the only thing that he was completely aware of, as it ravaged both his mind and body mercilessly.

A sudden wave of nausea swept over him and he managed to scramble onto his hands and knees before he threw up. It was mostly water, but the bitter taste that it left in his mouth insisted it to be an unearthly toxin of some kind.

The acidic stench was even worse, burning his already aching lungs. His weakened stomach couldn't handle it, and it convulsed uncontrollably making him throw up three more times.

After throwing up a fourth time, he used the brief halt between convulsions to crawl desperately for higher ground, trying to escape the horrible stench. He succeeded, managing to make it up a slight rise in the cold concrete, though not without much painful complaints from his soar and aching body. His throat still burned and his mouth felt raw, but at least he could relieve his lungs from the terrible smell.

He was panting, hard, his breath hot and sticky.

His gut clenched in miniature spasms, and it made him gag, but at least the worst of it was over. Or so he thought.

A riveting bolt of pain jolted through him, starting from his leg and following his spine up through his shell, setting off another fit of convulsions, forcing him to dry heave twice. Leo's body shook painfully from the exertion and he let out a weak groan.

Why couldn't he just pass out? At least then he wouldn't have to deal with the pain for a little while.

His stomach ached from its gruesome spasms, and he felt scorching heat begin to burn into his skin.

He just felt like dying, and almost wished that he would already..

But something inside of him made him reluctant. An image of a tall figure began to form in his mind. It was hazy and unfocused at first, but it became steadily clearer. And, as it did, Leonardo could slowly begin to make out soft brown fur, and pointed ears laid back in a relaxed position on top of a long furry face. A slender, whiskered snout smiled gently at him along with loving brown eyes.

Father.

Other images faded into his mind. A shadowed figure hunched over a glowing screen. His intelligent red brown eyes glued to the computer, with a serious, deep thinking expression.

Donnie.

He held onto these images with all his might, not daring to let them go.

Next was a freckled face smiling at him with pure and innocent joy. His baby blue eyes sparkled with love, admiration, and mischievous humor.

Mikey.

And, in return, they gave him strength.

Venom green eyes glared at him in stubborn rebelliousness from a strip of blood red, as muscular, green arms crossed over a brown plastron determinedly.

Raph.

Leonardo clenched his fists.

I have to get back home. He thought, moaning softly.

Gritting his teeth and gathering as much strength as he could muster, Leo got to his knees. Then, taking a deep, painful breath, he forced himself from his knees to his feet.

Breathing heavily from the effort he tried not to fall back over as a wave of dizzying, light headedness washed into his brain.

He took a step forward trying to steady himself, underestimating how weak his body had become and tripped on his own feet. Stumbling forward he was just able to catch himself on the rough cement wall before falling.

Leaning with his shoulder dependently on the cold concrete, he gasped for air through the hot fire that relentlessly tore through his weakened body. Trying to wait out the dizzy spell and muster up some small shred of strength.

Something warm began to ooze down his arm and it confused his exhausted mind. He reached over with his left hand to feel what it was and sharp pain jolted into his shoulder. He jerked his hand away with a startled cry, but not before the tips of his fingers were coated with a warm, sticky liquid.

Blood.

The blood from the gash in his bicep crept slowly down his arm, thicker than normal, which was definitely not good. He had enough semblance of sense to know that he needed to slow the bleeding down, otherwise he would end up passing out from bloodloss.

Then again... That wouldn't be so bad either... He thought to himself. He imagined falling into warm blackness, without pain, without struggle.

He shook his head with a miserable groan. No, he couldn't think that way. Not if he wanted to make it home.

But what could he possibly use? He didn't have any of his gear.

A temporary solution entered into his mind. It would hurt like shell, but it was a solution. And the best one he had at the moment.

His heart thudded loudly in his ears and his breathing quickened as he closed his eyes in painful anticipation. Bringing his left hand over to his right arm, he let out a few hefty breaths in preparation and inward encouragement.

With one fast movement he pressed his hand firmly against the large, open cut, biting back a scream of pain. It hurt so bad, like a thousand daggers digging deeper into his already sore muscle.

Panting, Leonardo slowly reopened his eyes as the pain began to ebb away, turning into a burning throb. He concentrated on how the cut felt against his palm and grimaced as he pinched the two ridges if slick skin together with his thumb and forefinger, trying to close the gash.

Blood seeped out of the wound from the sudden added pressure, covering his hand and streaming down his arm. But it slowed to a near halt not long afterward.

Leo tried not to think about the warm stickiness that now covered his forearms.

At least the pressure was enough to slow the initial blood flow. And, even though it still hurt like shell, it wasn't too unbearable.

He exhaled shakily in relief, though he new that this was far from over.

Groaning he shifted against the cold concrete and, with a grimace of pain, slowly eased himself away from the supportive wall.

His legs were weak and wobbly, threatening to give out on him, but he managed to keep himself upright.

Disoriented, dizzy, and more tired than he'd ever been in his life, he had no idea which way was the right way to go. Which way could possibly be the way home?

He decided to just go straight ahead. It saved him some energy not thinking too hard about about it, and going straight was better than going nowhere.

Though, if he was honest with himself, even if he did get somewhere, there was no telling if that somewhere was going to be closer or farther from home. And he didn't know how much time he had left to waste. Wandering the sewers all night was tiring for someone in peak physical condition, let alone someone who was bleeding out by the second and who'd just thrown up their last nourishing meal since..

Leo groaned. He didn't even know how long it had been since he'd eaten last.

But he had to try and stay positive. Despite the grim situation.

He trudged on in the dark, in pain and exhausted. His blood gradually seeping past his fingers to drip down his arm.

There were many times when he'd trip over his numbing feet and fall to the cold ground, just to spend even more energy trying to stand back up. And almost every single one of those times he thought for sure that, that was it. That he wouldn't have enough strength to get back up again. But then he would think of his family, waiting for him at home. They all were probably worried sick because of him.

He kept picturing their wonderful faces, and repeating their names over and over in his head.

Father, Donnie, Mikey, Raph.

It helped. Gave him motivation. Sometimes he'd have to change it up a bit, so instead of saying Father he'd say Splinter or Sensei. Or instead of always saying Donnie he might say Donatello. Just to try and keep his mind active.

It wasn't much. But it kept him going.

It didn't take long, however, that the names of his family began to slip numbly past his lips. Becoming a chanting whisper, as everything began to fade slowly away.

"Sensei, Donnie, Mikey, Raph. Sensei, Donn-ie. Mike.. Raf..."

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Well, there it is! Please tell me what you think in the comments, and thank you for reading! Have a great week everyone! :D