Chapter 16: Family Completed

I spent several minutes sitting in the middle of the burned out candle ring, legs pulled up tight with my arms wrapped tightly around them, pressing my face into my knees as I tried to process everything. The inexplicable but achingly familiar scent around me was starting to fade away, and I knew I couldn't stay hidden here forever.

I exhaled, winced as I uncurled and stretched out my aching legs, closing my eyes and leaning back.

That... What had happened to me had not been a dream. I didn't know how, or exactly what, had happened, but I realized now what I had to do.

I couldn't run away from this for any longer. It was time to face reality.

I grimaced as I finally pushed myself up to my feet, waiting for a moment until my legs stopped quivering and shaking like jello. Then I turned towards the vent to make my way back to the garden sanctuary to see just what had changed.

I just left the ring of burnt out candles behind me in the old storage room. It would take a lot of effort to clean all the melted wax up to the point that it left no trace, and I had neither the energy or the time to put into the effort to try. The room was seldomly used, and nobody would probably discover it for several days, and by then, even if they did link the candles to me, it probably wouldn't matter.

I slowly but quietly made my way through the compound as I had dozens of times over the weeks, but as I approached the grate leading to my sanctuary, I could hear a loud commotion faintly in the distance.

I frowned and pulled up, pausing to tilt my head and listen. I could see a faint light up ahead, still soft and tinged with a bit of a pink hue, and I realized that it must be early morning already. Had I really been gone for a full night? Was that what was going on? Had the brothers realized I was not in there?

But no... I could hear several voices, and it sounded like they were in a heated argument. I could hear Raph's voice rather clearly, plus a few voices that were not those of the Hamato brothers.

My jaw clenched up, and I crept forward and peered in. I tensed up when I noticed the scene going on down below in the center of the garden.

A quick angry hiss escaped between my teeth unbidden, but I quickly tamped down the fear and anger and pulled myself together. I glanced about as best as I could, surveying the situation, then nodded, feeling fairly confident that I would be able to slip in unnoticed. My teeth clenched, I slipped the grate off as quietly and subtly as I could, and slid in, carefully picking my way down to the grass below and remaining unnoticed.

"I am not going to ask this again." Dr Stockman snarled haughtily at the three bristling Hamato brothers, all patience clearly worn out by this point. Xever and Bradford were at his side, and the tension crackling in the air between the two sides was apparent, even as far away as I was. "Where is he?!"

I peeked out from the underbrush, and felt my scales rise uncomfortably when I saw that the doctor was holding a large medical briefcase. I realized immediately what was going on.

He was here for my blood, just like Dun had ordered.

And all three of the Hamato brothers were dressed in their battle gear, masks down and looking at the three intruders like veteran hunting cats eyeing unsuspecting rats.

"I know that the mutant is in here somewhere. Where are you hiding him?!" Stockman demanded, pointing an accusing finger at the three brothers.

"And I'm going to tell you once again, Fuck off!" Raph snarled, standing with his strong arms crossed in front of his two brothers, who were both looking coldly and dangerously at the intruders. Donnie had one hand on his Bo, and Mikey already had his nunchucks out, holding them at his side.

Xever had his switchblade out, playing with it casually as he eyed the three brothers. "We are acting under the direct orders of Mr Dun, you know. I'm certain, of course, that you don't want to go against his direct orders." He smirked. "Don't worry, we're not planning on hurting your precious turtle." He gave a leer that undermined his words as he flipped his switchblade skillfully.

"Leonardo is our brother, and you're not going to touch him!" Mikey insisted, narrowing his blue eyes with a hand on his weapons.

"Listen, I am trying to be reasonable about this!" Stockman held the bridge of his nose like he was getting a headache. He looked at Donnie. "If you really care about the mutant, then you'll cooperate with us. You know this, Donatello. We can use these blood samples to help keep him healthy. And the mutant seems to trust you. You can help us keep this as minimally stressful for your 'brother' as we can."

Donnie rolled his eyes, and looked scornfully at the doctor. "Oh, please don't pretend that you've suddenly turned altruistic, Dr Stockman. You have your own selfish reasons behind this, and, as my brothers have made it clear, we Hamatos protect one another." He straightened up, squaring his shoulders. "So, as I have ordered, go back to Mr Dun, and tell him that if he continues to go after my family, then he needs to know that the contract be damned, I am the Chuunin of the Hamato clan, and as I made it very clear. Leonardo is NOT to be touched! By you or any of his minions!"

"In layman's terms, FUCK OFF!" Raph snarled, unfolding his arms.

Bradford stepped forward, a dangerous look on his face as he looked around with a smirk. "You know... I hate for it to go this far, but I was able to draw out the mutant before when he thought that Michelangelo was threatened." He looked back towards the Hamato Brothers, eyebrow raised. "Perhaps such a tactic would work again?"

Raph gave a dry chuckle, and the teen looked up at the much larger adult with no fear in his eyes. "Oh, bring it on, Bradford."

My fists clenched, and I watched this going on with narrow eyes.

I was sore, and I felt completely exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally. All I wanted to do right now was find a quiet place to curl up and sleep for hours, though I knew I couldn't just yet.

I didn't have the time, nor the patience to deal with Stockman and his ilk right now.

I turned and silently slipped around the arguing group to my hut, remaining hidden and out of sight as only a trained ninja could. I reached in through one of the openings to grab the Music Cube that Donnie had made for me, and then, almost as an afterthought, as I passed the food station, I snagged a carrot from the waiting veggie tray in the food area. Then I slipped up into the trees, still unnoticed by the two arguing factions.

As things continued to heat up and escalate down below, I quietly popped off a hidden panel on the music cube, deftly manipulated several of the setting knobs hidden within, and then clicked the panel back into place. Normally I'd be extremely hesitant to enact a plan such as this, worried that it would blow my cover, but, right now, I was too tired and emotional to care.

"Listen, I know he's in here somewhere." Stockman was snarling, his hand tightening on the handle of his medical case. "You know as well as I do that I'm going to get blood samples one way or another, so quit acting like stupid, spoiled children about it. You're the Hamatos, for god's sake, start acting..."

A small 'plunk' in the water of the pond behind them cut off his words and caught their attention.

Ripples in the water lazily floated in ever wider circles and disturbed the otherwise calm surface close to the dock.

"It's hiding in the pond!" Xever realized, and clicked his switchblade closed.

"Leo!" Donnie whispered as eyes widened in obvious concern. He took a step forward as well. "No! Stay hidden!"

"We have this, bro!" Mikey added, also sounding worried. "You've been doing so well hiding so far!"

"Bradford, make sure that the brothers don't bother us." Stockman immediately ordered, walking over to the end of the dock and setting the case down, opening it up. "Xever, come help me. We're more then likely going to have to tranquilize the mutant."

"You got it, boss." Xever put away his blade and joined the scientist on the dock.

"Don't you fucking dare!" Raph snarled, trying to push forward, but was was immediately blocked by Bradford. "No! Leo!"

Xever crouched down behind Stockman, who was currently putting together some sort of small, handheld dartgun, and peered down into the water. "Hm... where did the mutant go? I don't see it." He observed, then reached down to poke at something floating in the water. "Just this carrot here."

And then there was a small clunking noise as the solidly built Music Cube landed on the dock directly behind them.

They only had a split second to register that, and then immediately extremely loud and extremely shrill yodeling polka music began blasting out at the loudest possible volume, instantly shattering the quiet atmosphere of the garden, sounding like an entire stadium filled with helium huffing howler monkeys and enthusiastic accordion players.

Popping like a startled cat, Xever yelped out several words in a language I didn't recognize but were probably curses as he leapt away from the loud noises exploding right behind him.

Right into Stockman and his briefcase of medical supplies.

The sounds of the resulting giant splash, followed by churning water and sputtering angry yelled curses, were almost completely overpowered by the Music Cube's continued caterwauling on the wooden dock.

"Make it stop!" Bradford yelled over the noise, clamping his hands tightly over his ears.

Donnie dashed forward and scooped up the Music Cube. A few button presses later, and the noise stopped, leaving behind only the sounds of the waterfall, which sounded almost muted in the aftermath.

All eyes turned up to the tree where I was perched.

I merely crouched on the branch and glared grumpily down at the three henchman intruding the sanctuary.

Stockman swung his soaking wet medical case up onto the dock, climbing up himself and trying to wipe off the excess water. "Xever, you idiot!" he seethed, turning to examine his supplies. "Everything's contaminated or ruined now, thanks to your imbecilic actions!"

Xever scrambled up on the deck himself, and snarled angrily, snapping out his switchknife as he scrambled up to his feet, glaring at me. "I'm going to carve my name into that tortuga's shell so he'll never forget it!" he hissed in rage, taking a step towards me.

The end of a bo staff snapping into place inches from his nose stopped him in his tracks, and Donnie stood there between us, the Music Cube tucked under one arm and holding his extended bo staff in the other. "I don't think so." he said dangerously.

"Dudes, nobody touches our bro." Mikey moved over to stand next to him, blue eyes narrowed, nunchucks tucked under his arms and ready.

"Xever, back down." Bradford sounded annoyed, moving over to help Stockman. "Dun is going to be angry enough about this entire incident as it is." He pointedly looked at Donnie. "We don't need him upset with us as well."

"Indeed." Stockman closed his soggy and disarrayed case as best as he could, and held it against his soaking wet torso. He threw me one last cold look. "This isn't finished. I will be back and I will get my samples."

"Yeah, well, fuck you too." Raph snarled, sais in hand.

The air remained tense as the three intruders stomped away, two of them dripping water behind them. Then the door shut and locked behind them, and then it was like the whole sanctuary breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

Donnie watched them go, then once it was safe, exhaled in relief, twirled his bo staff to flip it back into it sheath with a practiced ease, and looked down at the Music Cube with blatant annoyance on his face. "Darn it, I thought I had programmed all that out of it!" he complained, examining the cube closely.

"Eh, Leo figured out a way to weaponize the screaming polka music." Raph relaxed a bit, sheathing his own weapons and patting Donnie on the back. "I'd be more impressed then upset."

I slid down from the tree I had been perched in, and strode over to the three brothers, looking them over with concern. How long had they been holding off Stockman and his thugs while I was gone? Were they okay?

"Leo!" Mikey ran up to grab my arms. "Bro! Awesome ambush and save, but dude, why didn't you come out earlier? We were looking for you everywhere! We couldn't find you, and we were starting to freak out and think that you had been kidnapped, but then those jerks came in here to try and do just that, so then we knew they hadn't taken you, but we couldn't tell them that, and where were you, bro?!"

I gave him a weary smile, and gave him a reassuring and gentle headbutt, my nostrils flaring slightly as I pressed my forehead against his cheek and breathed in his already familiar scent.

He took that as permission for hugs, and threw his arms around me, pulling me in close as he murmured, "Leo, bro, we were getting worried about you."

I lifted my head and blinked at Donnie, before reaching over to touch his cheek, examining him over with concern.

"What, me?" His reddish brown eyes blinked in surprise, then he chuckled wryly and shook his head. "I'm fine, honest."

My gaze wandered over to Raph.

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I'm fine too, Leo. Quit worrying."

I snorted, then reached over and grabbed him, pulling both him and Donnie into the hug alongside Mikey. I inhaled deeply, determined to imprint each of their scents deep in my very being.

"Uh... Leo? Bro? You okay?" Raph was apparently startled by my sudden clingy-ness.

"It was pretty intense, wasn't it Leo?" Mikey patted me on the shell. "Don't worry, though. We won't let them get you."

"Right." Donnie exhaled and I let him go as he took a step back, and ran his hands through his hair, starting to pace a little. "Guys, we need to figure out what to do. Stockman will be back before too long, and probably with Dun. They're going to come after Leo again."

"Yeah, well they're not going to touch him." Raph snarled, wrapping an arm around my shell and possessively returning my hug now.

"Agreed," Donnie worried, nodding, "but this isn't that simple. According the guardianship laws our clan is under, I'm not allowed to take full custody of the clan until my twenty first birthday. Darius is the guardian legally appointed by the council, of not only the entire clan, but us as well, including Leo. Of course, according to that contract, he can only declare actions that work in our best interest, but in this instance, he might have a case against us if he claims that it's for Leo's health." Donnie stopped pacing and took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Defying him on this matter just might give him a legal case he could use to try and take Leo away from us completely." He looked over at us seriously. "And if the council sides with him, the only way to stop him would be to go against clan laws and trigger an internal civil war in the clan."

"Yeah, well, fuck him!" Raph snarled, not at all conflicted. "Most of the clan worth anything would side with us anyways. We'd kick his ass, and he knows it!"

"It's not that simple, Raph!" Donnie groaned, grabbing his hair and tilting his head back. "People will get hurt or killed! Our clan's honor and prestige would be damaged. It could be years, decades even, for the clan to recover from an event like that."

"So what's the alternative?!" Raph snapped, annoyed. "Let Stockman paw over Leo like he was some sort of lab experiment?! Over my dead body!"

"I know, I know." Donnie agreed, resuming his stressed pacing. "Just... I don't know... Let me think for a moment..."

I tugged lightly at Mikey's sleeve, and the orange brother's worried glance was diverted from his stressed brothers to me. "Hm? Something up, Leo?"

I tugged at his sleeve again and took a step back.

"You want to show me something?" Mikey tilted his head, following me hesitantly but willingly. "What is it, bro?"

Keeping a light hold on the orange sleeve of his combat gear, I led him over to the window looking into their father's room, and the hospital bed within.

Mikey blinked at me, confused, then sighed, turning to look at his father. "Yeah, I know, bro. Everything would be solved if only Dad would just... wake... up?" His eyes widened, and his voice cracked audibly as he noticed a slight movement in the bed.

I looked over at him, watching his reaction as he realized what he was looking at.

Mikey's eyes were wide, not even blinking, and his jaw dropped. Then his mouth opened and shut several times like a fish, as if he were trying to say something but nothing would come out. Finally, his face crinkled up as big bubble tears began to form, and he made a slight whimpering noise in the back of his throat.

I noticed that his knees began to shake, and I quickly reached out and caught him before his legs gave out completely under him. Trembling visibly and clinging to my arms, his only anchor preventing him from completely collapsing, a loud sob escaped his chest, and then he gave a hoarse wail. "Don~nie!"

"Mikey?!" Both Donnie and Raph froze at the panic in Mikey's voice.

Mikey put both hands against the wall, pushing himself upwards, and then turned, tears streaming down his face. "Dad's waking up!" he managed to force out between sobs.

"WHAT?!"

I stepped aside, making room as both Donnie and Raph rushed forward to see for themselves, pressing their hands against the glass to look breathlessly in.

"Dad..." Donnie breathed in disbelief, his chest heaving and his eyes wide.

"It can't be!" Raph's voice cracked with emotion, and then he growled and pushed himself away from the glass, reaching up to wipe the tears starting to stream down his face as he turned and bolted to follow Mikey out the door.

Donnie, after a moment of staring in stunned silence, stumbled back a few steps. I reached out to steady him before he fell, and he shakily patted my hand in gratitude, before turning to run after his brothers, quickly dashing out the door himself.

I watched as the door shut behind them, and then, after only a few seconds, the door to their father's room opened up. All three brothers all but tumbled in on top of one another, then, as one, they all froze, as if they were all either too afraid to approach the bed to confirm their suspicions, or unsure what to do once the truth was revealed.

Then the black haired, blue eyed man in the bed weakly shifted his head to look at the three boys standing awkwardly in the doorway, and blinked at them, obviously confused

That seemed to trigger something in the Hamato brothers. Mikey was the first one to react, leaping forward to throw himself on the bed, curling up as he hugged the man, sobbing unashamedly. Yoshi looked a little startled and confused, looking at this teenager clinging tightly to him, and then Donnie made his way over, obviously speaking quietly and gently through the tears streaming down his face.

Yoshi blinked, confused, and said something in response, looking down at Mikey.

Donnie shakily nodded, moving over to take Yoshi's hand gently and obviously replying in the affirmative, then, in the middle of his explanations, his emotions obviously took over, and he broke down in wracking sobs, clinging to his father's hand and pressing it against his face.

Yoshi moved to pull him in closer, muttering something as he gently pulled his hand out of Donnie's grasp and instead wrapped it around his son's head, pulling him in beside Mikey comfortingly.

Raph was standing off to the side, hugging himself tightly and obviously unsure of what to do, trembling with emotions.

Yoshi smiled gently at him, tears streaming down from his own blue eyes, and weakly lifted his other hand to beckon for him. Raph gave a shudder, took a step forward, then immediately broke into a sob and rushed to the other side of the bed, clinging tightly to the offered hand as if it were a lifeline.

Alone on the other side of the glass, looking in on the scene, I swallowed hard.

A father and his sons, reunited at last.

A wistful smile made its way across my face, as my own tears began to slide down my cheeks.

This... this was the way things were supposed to be.

A family was made whole and complete once more.

And then, though it took every ounce of my willpower, I stepped away from the window, moving back before I was noticed by that perfect, wonderful family on the other side of that wall. Before the humans could notice the mutant turtle looking in on them, interrupting and blemishing their long awaited and well deserved family reunion.

I clenched my teeth, stubbornly wiping the tears from my cheek, and turned to walk away.