There was no denying that Mikey was going around with an even more considerable spring in his step lately, and it seemed as if the unusual tiredness hanging on him had dissolved. He had never actually said why, but Leo had a feeling he knew. He could see the way Grace and Mikey looked at each other, how they acted toward each other. In some ways he was surprised that Mikey was the first of them to find love, but in most ways, he wasn't surprised at all. Mikey had always been the most outgoing and friendly of the brothers, always first to extend the hand of friendship, always determined to see the best in people. It gave him a strange combination of gladness and trepidation. Gladness because his little brother was so happy, trepidation because he wasn't sure of what this relationship was going to result in. If it should end badly, Mikey would be devastated. And how would Sensei react?

Leo hadn't yet told Splinter anything about Mikey's new love interest, though he was pretty sure their father was starting to suspect something. He knew Mikey hadn't said anything and hesitated to go behind his brother's back. He wasn't sure why the youngest turtle hadn't told their father anything, not to mention his brothers. His intuition told him that it was because Mikey was afraid they would disapprove, judge him for it. Leo couldn't deny, the situation did make him distinctly uneasy. Some of that came from how quickly Mikey's feelings had developed, more from the fact that Leo wasn't sure if Grace had any ulterior motives. She seemed sincere in her own feelings about his brother, but the eldest turtle knew there were people who could be very skilled at deceiving others… and he couldn't deny that Mikey could be a little naïve. What if Grace was taking advantage of him?

Of course, we're not much better on that level.

That thought made Leo feel even worse. Whatever happened, there was a good chance that Mikey was being set up to get very, very hurt by the people he trusted most. Leo was beginning to think that he was going to have to talk to Sensei… explain the situation and that they couldn't continue to keep this secret from the youngest turtle anymore; they would have to find another way to learn about the Gawa Clan. Leo felt that he and his brothers had struck up a good rapport with Grace and Hamari, maybe enough that they could simply ask what Master Yoshi's conflict with their clan was about. Of course, they might not know themselves, but surely, they could work out a way to find out.

The sound of cheerful humming pulled Leo out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see Mikey striding into the living room. He had that distant smile on his face that he seemed to wear quite a bit these days, and Leo could hear he was humming the usual tune… the eldest turtle wasn't sure what the song was, but Mikey was either humming or whistling it all the time. Rising from his meditative pose, Leo let his mouth twitch into a teasing smile as he raised a brow.

"Someone's in a good mood again."

Mikey started, clearly unaware that anyone was there. Meeting Leo's eyes, his own smile grew sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh, yeah… heh. Sorry, bro, didn't mean t' interrupt your whole 'communing with the universe' thing."

Leo shrugged.

"Don't worry about it, I was having trouble concentrating anyway."

Mikey stared at him with wide eyes, then slowly walked over and poked Leo's arm with a skeptical frown.

"Who are you and what've you done with Leo?" he asked suspiciously. The eldest turtle couldn't help but laugh as he pushed Mikey's hand away.

"Very funny," he said. "For your information, meditation can be hard even for me."

Mikey's eyes went comically wide, and Leo could see the laughter in them as the orange-banded turtle gave a dramatic gasp.

"Whoa, dude, that's too much to process! I'm totally gonna freak out!"

An amused snort drew both turtle's attention to Raph as he walked in, Donnie right behind with a similar look of amusement.

"Th' bonehead's gotta point," Raph pointed out. "I figured nothin' could distract Fearless but a full-on missile attack."

Leo narrowed his eyes in a half playful, half irritated glare as Mikey and Donnie laughed.

"My sons."

All four turned to see Splinter enter the room, a look of amusement on his face.

"Sensei," Leo said. "Did you want to talk to us?"

Splinter nodded, a more serious expression coming to his face.

"Yes." He looked at Mikey. "Especially you, Michelangelo."

Leo saw his youngest brother's brief look of trepidation before he quickly schooled his features with an easygoing smile.

"Sure, Sensei. What's up?"

The old rat's stoid expression never faded, but Leo could see his dark eyes soften.

"I have seen a change in you these past weeks, my son. And I have noticed that this seems to have come about since you met the Gawa master's daughter."

"Grace," Mikey corrected, as if the reply was automatic. His face grew embarrassed, and he smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Er, I mean… s-sorry."

Leo heard Raph snort and resisted the urge to smile himself.

"Of course," Splinter said. "And if I am not mistaken, I believe you have feelings for her… more than simple friendship?"

Leo couldn't help but cringe; he was hoping to discuss this with their father before speaking with Mikey about this situation. If the youngest turtle felt like he was being ambushed, he was more likely to shut down than talk… and the faint color in his face told Leo he was caught very much off guard. He gulped and shuffled on his feet.

"Uh… well, I… see, I…"

Leo saw the slight amusement return to Splinter's face for a moment before it grew serious again, with noticeable concern.

"I am glad to see you in such high spirits, Michelangelo," he said softly. "But I do harbor some concern."

Mikey's embarrassed look turned to one of puzzlement.

"What d' you mean, Sensei?"

Splinter hesitated for a moment, as if not quite sure what to say, then let out a soft sigh.

"Has it not occurred to you that she may have some hidden motive?"

Mikey blinked, his eyes widening. Then, much to the others' surprise, they narrowed, and the youngest turtle's voice was surprisingly cold.

"Sure. 'Cause that's the only reason she'd be interested in someone like me, isn't it? There's no possible way it could be just for me, right?"

Leo saw his own surprise mirrored in the others' looks.

"Whoa, Mikey," Raph said, raising his hands. "That ain't what he's sayin' at all."

Mikey turned his glare on the hothead.

"Then about you let him say that?" He looked back at Splinter. "Or how about you have a little faith in me for once? Believe it or not, thinking isn't completely new t' me."

With that, the youngest turtle turned and headed out of the room with brisk, angry steps.

"Mikey, hold on!" Leo hurried after, grabbing his brother's arm. "What's gotten into you?"

Mikey pulled his arm out of Leo's grip.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

Splinter frowned, stepping forward.

"Michelangelo…" he began, his tone stern. Mikey took a deep breath before bowing his head.

"Sorry, Sensei," he mumbled. Before anyone could say anything, the orange-banded turtle left the room, followed by the sound of his door closing. Leo found himself at a complete loss for words, and he could see the surprise and confusion in the others' faces. Finally, Donnie spoke.

"What… what was that?"

Leo was asking himself that very same question. Mikey had never talked to any of them like that before, especially not their father. The blue-banded turtle felt his face crease in a frown; it seemed his youngest brother wasn't as better as he'd thought. That thought only confirmed what he'd been thinking earlier… things couldn't go on like this.

We can't keep him in the dark anymore.

Despite himself, that thought made Leo distinctly uneasy. His suspicion that Mikey wouldn't take it well had already been pretty strong, and now he was even less certain. It was ironic, really… they'd developed that plan to try and avoid Mikey getting hurt, but it seemed that decision had only made it even more inevitable.