Alrighty, so I'm going out of town tomorrow and since I had the chapter done, I thought I'd post it a little earlier. Enjoy!

Chapter 15: A Father's Touch

Splinter was having a staring contest with his son. Donatello lay right in front of the television and was content to not move. He was slowly coming back to them. Instead of the glowing red eyes, they were simply red irises. It was nice knowing his son was finally coming back to him, but this was ridiculous. Donatello was letting Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Karai come up to him but wouldn't let Splinter or Raphael near him. Karai had explained that the animal instinct was still too great.

"My son, I need to get over there to check on Raphael. I'm sure if you go over to the kitchen, Michelangelo will give you something to eat," Splinter tried to talk to his son. Raphael had barely left his room since Donatello had returned and he needed to check on him and said turtle was blocking the way. He could feel his eldest son's eyes on his back, watching his every move around their sensitive brother.

"If you leave the room, I can get him over here," Leonardo offered.

Splinter shook his head, turning to his son, "I just hate that my own son is afraid of me."

A pitiful whine rose in the air as Donatello got to his feet and rushed over to Splinter, nudging his hands. Splinter jumped at the touch to see his large son, waiting at his side, the whine still in his throat as he pressed his nose on Splinter's hand.

"Donatello?"

Splinter knelt on the ground to get at his son's level, looking into his eyes. His breath caught as tears threaten to spill. He could see the flecks of brown in the red. Donatello really was coming back into his mind. He ran his hands over the angular face, making sure to watch for any movement that he was scaring his son. The large turtle rumbled low in his throat, eagerly pressing into the hands.

"He knows who I am," Splinter breathed.

Leo jumped to his feet, walking over to where Splinter knelt with Donnie. "What are you talking about?"

"His eyes, he recognizes me," Splinter smiled for the first time since getting his family reunited. "I'm so glad you are coming back, Donatello."

Mikey's laughter echoed through the lair so Raph finally emerged from his room. He was upset. Everyone was able to interact with Donnie except for him. It was no fair. He was always looking out for his younger brother ever since they were little. When Donnie decided to start building things, Raph always kept a close eye on him. Trouble followed Donnie like a lost puppy and now, he couldn't watch him close enough.

Raph walked into the dojo, making sure to stay at the threshold. Mikey was sitting on the mats with a ball in his hand. Donnie was crouched down, just like a dog, his small tail wagging and his body eager to continue whatever they were doing. In a flash, Mikey rolled the ball across the dojo with Donnie chasing after it. Bating it around like a cat would a ball of yarn. He couldn't help the smile on his face. It was cute.

"You know, if you just keep a constant presence, Donnie will get use to you." Raph glared at Leo who had joined him at the doorway.

"Not everyone has endless patience like you do, Fearless," Raph snapped back.

Leo placed a hand on his shoulder. "You know it will take some time. And I think that you are the key for Donnie to fully come back to us."

Raph was surprised at the words. "You think so?"

Leo nodded. "You're the last one who needs to show him that he is safe. Plus, Donnie has always looked to you for safety."

"Why is that?" The two turned to Karai, who was back in her human form. Her human form was a setback. The first time she switch back, Donnie had freaked out, his eyes going red, and growled at her, only letting Mikey near him. Karai had to switch back and forth several times to show him it was only her. They had determined he had a fear of humans now.

"Donnie always ran to Raph whenever he had nightmares," Leo explained. "Yeah, I knew. Not to mention, Raph has always been protective of Donnie." Raph blushed at his words. He knew he was protective of Donnie. So what?

"Anyways, what are we going to do about Casey and April? They both want to see Don?" Raph asked, bringing up their current problem. With Donnie's fear of humans, he was probably freak out at the sight and they would have to start the whole process of calming him down again over. They had found out when Donnie got scared, he would revert back to animal instinct.

"I think it's safer to keep them away for now," Leo stated. When they had told their humans friends they got Donnie back, they had immediately wanted to see him. Luckily, Mikey had thought on his feet and told him Donnie wasn't well and Splinter had ordered there would be no visitors. It was strange but now, it had been about two weeks since his return and they were getting impatient. They were running out of excuses.

A cough from behind them cause Leo and Raph to jump out of the doorway. Master Splinter stood with a cup of tea and what looked like lunch for Donnie. Donnie's diet consisted of mostly raw meats, the bloodier, the better, and the occasional slice of pizza. Master Splinter walked into the room, ready to spend some time with his son.

Smallturtle sent the ball rolling again. Donnie couldn't figure out why it was so much fun. It moved around and he couldn't help but chase it. Smallturtle didn't really like it much when he caught it and chewed on it. So, Donnie figured he would bat it back to Smallturtle. That made him do the teeth showing thing.

A delicious scent caught his attention and he ignored the ball that had bounced over. His focus turned to Giantrat, who was holding the good smelling thing. He turned on his heel and practically ran over to Giantrat, hoping to get a taste.

"Awww, man. Is playtime over?" Smallturtle whined.

Giantrat nodded and patting Donnie's head, who rumbled in happiness at him. "I'm sorry, Michelangelo but it is time for lunch. I'm sure Donatello is hungry." Giantrat knelt down and offered the meat to Donnie. "Remember, be gentle, and no teeth." Donnie met his eyes and tried to process the words. His mind was sluggish and it was hard to determine what Giantrat wanted. He tilted his head and aimed his mouth at the meat, slowly going for it, trying to see if that was what he was supposed to do. Giantrat gave a teeth showing as Donnie took the meat.

A smile. Donnie paused only for a second while he was eating as the word entered his mind. The teeth showing they all did at him was called a smile. A smile was a good thing. He happily munched on the meat, enjoying the taste as he listened to the words exchanged above him.

"You got him to eat out of your hand, Sensei," Smallturtle exclaimed.

"I think he may have understood your instructions," Snakelady mused, coming up to pet his head. Donnie grumbled at being interrupted but it was Snakelady, she was nice.

Giantrat nodded, "Donatello is slowly coming back to us, Karai."

Donnie licked his lips as the last of the meat was gone. It was always so good. The three had started their own conversation as Donnie watched, his focus on Giantrat. There was something so familiar about him, about all the turtles. It wasn't just they provided kindness and safety. It was… something else. The answer was just beyond his grasp and it made his mind hurt.

Donnie walked forward a little, wanting attention from Giantrat while he tried to think. A soft hand slowly stroked his head, easing the pain in his head. The touch was so familiar. What was Giantrat to him? He grumbled, the thought fleeting.

"You thinking, D?" Smallturtle addressed him. Donnie tilted his head.

"Now, Michelangelo, let him rest a bit. You've played with Donatello all morning." Mmmmm. The mmmm. He kept hearing it. It was familiar too, only shorter, less…. Hard. Donnie turned his attention to Smallturtle, focusing on his face, hoping to figure something out.

Smallturtle tilted his head, his blue eyes widening, "What's up, D?"

D, Donnie, Don, Donatello. That was what they called him. Smallturtle had one of those too. Mmmmm. Miiikkk. It was on the tip of his tongue. Think!

"You know he cannot answer, Mikey," Snakelady sighed.

Mikey! That was it! He figured something out. Donnie leapt to his feet, tackling Mikey to the ground. There were shouts but Donnie didn't care. Mikey! That was his title. He cooed with delight and nuzzled the startled turtle and licked his face with happiness. Something clicked. Mikey!

"Are you okay, Mikey?"

Donnie didn't care who spoke, just on cuddling Mikey. Mikey laughed as he held the angular head to his chest. "I'm fine. I think he's happy." Donnie turned his head over to the other side of the room. Giantrat stood with Snakelady, Alpha, and Loudvoice. Loudvoice still made him nervous but the others were there, especially Giantrat. His head hurt again.

That same feeling when he saw Giantrat, Mikey, Alpha, and even Loudvoice. What was it? The answer was there. Maybe a couple more pets from Mikey would help.

"You scared me, little brother."

Brother? Donnie caught that word and mulled it over in his mind. Brother? It…. meant…. Caring…. Safety…. Love. It was…. Mikey…. And Alpha…. And Loudvoice. They were brothers… family! Family had a father. Giantrat! Giantrat was father! Donnie cooed in delight, nuzzling close to Mikey. He had figured out more. Too bad he couldn't really figure out how to say those words himself.

Author's Note: Donnie has finally figured out they are family! He's coming back! Anyways, special thanks to Pilyartquitect, Sonic155, BlueFireReturns, Andraia155, BipperCipher3, and Heather for their reviews.