Chapter 28: Chew

"I mean, Leo is off trying to fight the Foot by himself and Karai isn't helping. I'm just glad the idiot hasn't gotten himself killed. I mean, Splinter banned him from going up to the surface so that's good. Right? Chew if you agree with me." Donnie looked up at Raph and chewed the leaf. Raph smiled down, holding the lettuce closer to the hungry turtle. "Exactly, bro. I don't even know what Leo was thinking. And Karai! Going along with the idiot! Luckily they didn't even make it inside." Raph sighed, pushing a small piece of tomato over to Donnie. The little turtle gave a little huff, reaching out to take a bite.

"Man…. I miss you, Donnie," Raph whispered, looking at the little turtle. "I know, I know…. You're not really gone but I miss your voice. I can't believe I would ever say this, but I wish I could hear you ramble on about that science stuff you always talk about. I promise I'll never tell you to shut up again. I just want you back, little bro." Raph reached over with a finger, resting it on Donnie's head. The turtle reached up and gently snapped at the finger. "That's it, bro."

Raph sighed, letting his brother playfully snap at his fingers. "I know I haven't told you much, but….. I love you bro. I just…. You know I love you, right Donnie? Even I don't say it enough? Chew if you know." Donnie reached up and snapped at his fingers, lingering for a second longer. A smile grew on Raph's face. "You are the genius. Of course you knew. And when you're back, I'm gonna make sure you know."

Raph picked up his brother. "Man, you are just adorable…. And kinda sad,,,," Raph laughed, shaking his head. "It's sadorable….. Man, Mikey's right. The heart is soft." Raph pulled him up to his shoulder, helping Donnie balance on it. "Come on, bro. Mikey should be getting lunch ready soon. How about we go check it out?"

Raph opened his door and walked into the living room. It was quiet. Casey had been practically banned from the lair ever since his outburst. April had voted to try to reason with Casey and calm him down. Raph had been so angry with Casey's words and so worried when he saw his brother on his shell. Raph was so conflicted with the worry for his brother and wanting to pound his friend. "This is just so stressful." Raph petted Donnie's head. "I hope Rockwell will find something soon. We really need you, Donnie."

"Raph?" Raph looked up, making sure Donnie stayed on his shoulder to see Mikey standing with the freezer open. Ice Cream Kitty meowed happily as Donnie cocked his head to the side, looking at the mutant.

"Hey, Mikey," Raph greeted, walking over to the freezer. He lifted Donnie from his shoulder and held him up to the cat. Ice Cream Kitty meowed and reached out to the turtle. Donnie stretched his head and licked the cat. Ice Cream Kitty meowed happily and the door shut. "So, what's for lunch?"

"Just some sandwiches," Mikey said, reaching out to hold Donnie. Raph paused for a moment before giving his youngest brother the turtle. Mikey held up Donnie locking eyes with him. "Nothing special. And I've got a little something for Donnie!"

Raph chuckled as Mikey placed Donnie on the counter. "What do you have for him?"

"An apple!" Mikey happily shouted as he produced a shiny green apple.

"Where did you get that? I thought Splinter banned all activities outside the lair?" Raph asked.

"Slash brought it down."

"Why?" Raph asked, confusion marking his face.

Mikey's face fell. "He said he felt bad. He knew Rockwell wanted us out of the lair for some reason and felt guilty. You know….. we didn't even get to say good bye."

A sharp intake of breath and the two turned to see Leo standing pale in the doorway. "Leo…"

"Bro….."

"Mikey's right. We didn't get to say good bye," Leo said, walking over to the counter, running a finger over Donnie's head. "But…. I think I know why Sensei and Rockwell did what they did."

"What?" Raph nearly shouted.

Leo sighed, letting Donnie nimble on his fingers, a small smile growing on his face. "Donnie only had a few more days before he…. He…. Yeah. We would have tried to find another way and Donnie would be gone. Sensei didn't want the burden of choosing Donnie's fate in our hands."

"Do you think we're gonna get Donnie back?" Mikey asked, cutting into the apple.

"Of course we are," Raph stated, nudging Donnie away from the edge. "Rockwell's smart. He'll figure out something."

"Raph's right. So, where did you get the apple, Mikey?" Leo asked, sitting down at the counter.

"From Slash," Mikey answer. "Hey, Raph, would you get the sandwiches from the fridge?"

Raph nodded, turning to the fridge. "Sure. Is Sensei and Karai coming?"

"Yeah. They should be here soon," Leo said, stealing a piece of apple. He held it out to Donnie, watching as the little turtle reached up and snagged the piece from his fingers. "This sucks."

"What?" Raph breathed, placing a plate of sandwiches on the table.

"I wanted for us to be together again, not like this," Leo said, watching Donnie slowly chew the apple.

Mikey sighed, "But we are together. I know it's a little different but we'll make it through. I know D usually figures out this kind of stuff and we have like no idea about the science stuff and we can't do anything but Sensei is right and we need to have hope and I'm sure Rockwell will figure something out cause he's smart."

Leo and Raph looked at each other, confused yet reassured at Mikey's words. Raph shook his head. "You are one of the most confusing people I know, little brother."

Mikey sighed, pushing a slice of apple to Donnie. "Everything about this crazy situation is confusing. I can't wait for Donnie to come back."

Author's Note: Raph has the habit of talking to little turtles. Special thanks to Pilyartquitect, awesome5689, Fever To Write, Juanita27, Sonic155, agentcocacola, BipBop Cipher, Aoifetello, ss, Susa, and CuriousHeather for the wonderful reviews!