Chapter 34: The Immune System

Karai sighed as she tried to read her book on the couch. Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo had left for the night to patrol a few hours ago and with the harsh crying in the lair, Karai wished her father had let her go with. About ten minutes after they had left, Donatello had started to cry and hadn't stopped. Karai and Splinter had tried everything they could think of to calm the little turtle. Donnie wasn't hungry, didn't need changed, wasn't tired, didn't want a toy, or to be sung to. It wasn't until about an hour since the guys had left did they realize what was wrong, Donnie was running a fever.

Since the discovery, Splinter had tried to soothe his distraught son. He kept running his hand over the shell as his son sobbed, his face pinched in worry. Karai was worried but the crying was getting on her nerves. "I thought you said Donnie was calm as a child."

"I did, but he would always be the most vocal whenever he was sick as a babe," Splinter answered over the cries, shushing Donnie.

"Didn't the mutagen make them stronger?" Karai asked, setting aside her book and walking over to join Splinter in his pacing.

Splinter nodded. "Yes, but Donatello always had a weaker immune system than his brothers. He still does."

"He does?"

"Yes. He has gotten better at hiding the fact he is unwell. I'm the only one who can pick up when he's not feeling well. Donatello doesn't want to worry his brothers," Splinter answered, shifting his hold on the crying baby. "If he doesn't settle himself down, he's going to make himself sick with all this crying."

"Why is he crying like this?" Karai asked,

"Donatello just doesn't understand at this age what's wrong. This is his way of telling us this," Splinter answered calmly. "Did Leonardo tell you when he thinks they'll return?"

Karai shook her head. "No. But they mentioned stopping by April's so I'm pretty sure we'll have visitors."

"As much as I know April and Casey will want to see Donatello, I don't think it will be the best time," Splinter admitted. "My daughter, do you think you can make your way over there? Maybe you can…."

"Hey! We're home!" Michelangelo's voice rang through the lair. "And guess who's here to see Donnie?"

"Get to them before they get home," Splinter finished.

"Geez, what's with all the screaming?" Raphael asked, jumping over the turnstiles with Leonardo, April and Casey right behind him.

"Did Donnie hit his head?" Mikey asked, bouncing over to Splinter and Karai.

"No, my son," Splinter answered. "Donatello is unwell."

"He's sick?" Leo asked, worry immediately flooding on his face. "How did he get sick?"

"Leonardo, we live in a sewer. Even though we try our best, it is not the cleanest place," Splinter said sternly, shifting Donnie in his grasp as the baby cried out.

"May I?" April stepped forward, her eyes locked on the baby in Splinter's arms.

"I don't think this is a great time for a reunion," Karai started before Splinter shook his head. He walked forward and gently placed the crying turtle in her arms.

April shifted Donnie a bit, his crying only increasing in volume at the unfamiliar arms around him. She gently placed her hand on his forehead, gasping. "He's burning up!"

Splinter nodded. "He was always the first to get sick and always took the longest to get better."

"Really?" Leo asked, walking forward to place his own hand on Donnie to check. "You never told us that before."

"I didn't want you guys to worry about the past," Splinter said.

"You know, I bet I have some baby aspirin at home," Casey mused.

"If not, we can run and get some," April stated as she relinquished her hold on Donnie as Raph pulled him from her arms. Donnie's cries did quiet slightly but his little fists struck out, hitting Raph's chest as he wailed his sickness.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Mikey said, his face knitting together as he attempted to remember something. "Donnie told me once that we don't react to human medicine very well."

"But we have pills here," Leo stated.

"Yeah, but Donnie messes with them so they won't hurt us," Mikey finished.

"How do you know this?" Raph asked, setting Donnie on his shoulder and patting his shell.

Mikey shrugged. "I spend a lot of time in Donnie's lab. I've seen a little of everything he does. I may not be able to do it or completely understand what happens, but I know he does a lot for us. I don't think he's spent time on a personal project since Metalhead. Everything else has been for someone else." The three brothers all exchanged looks. They had no idea how much Donnie truly did for the family until he was gone.

A wet burp and Donnie's cries silenced. Raph stiffened as he slowly peeled Donnie away from his shoulder, holding him away from his body. A look of pure disgust appeared on his face as he walked over to his father. Splinter sighed, smiling gently, taking Donatello from Raphael. "Michelangelo, would you bring me a wet cloth? Raphael, how about you get cleaned up?"

Mikey ran back into the room, holding the damp cloth. "Why do you need this, Sensei?" Mikey nearly burst out laughing at Raph as he walked over to the bathroom. Running down his shell was a trail was white.

"Donatello must have gotten sick from being passed around," Splinter said, gently rubbing away the trail of vomit around his mouth and getting the tear tracks clean. "My poor, little son, did you get sick? Are you feeling better now?" Donnie looked up with big, wet, brown eyes and hiccupped. He yawned and snuggled into his father's chest, a small whimper escaping his mouth. "How about we go and settle down? I think someone needs a nap." Splinter tucked Donatello securely against his chest, nodding to the occupants in the room before disappearing into the dojo.

Leo sighed, watching them disappear. "I'm sorry that you guys couldn't visit much."

"It's okay, Leo. Stuff happens," April reassured.

"I just can't believe how sick Donnie got in such a short amount of time," Mikey murmured.

"Yeah," Raph interrupted, returning from a quick shower, putting his mask back on.

Mikey laughed at the sight of their brother. "How was getting puked on?"

Raph glared. "Donnie's just a baby. It will happen. But, I'm surprised too. We didn't sick that fast when we were kids."

"Father said that Donnie got sick a lot when you were kids," Karai mentioned, looking at the dojo.

"What?" Leo, Raph, and Mikey all asked, snapping their attention at Karai.

She nodded and continued, "He said Donnie has a weaker immune system."

"I bet we were too young to really realize what was going on," Leo reasoned. "I remember Donnie didn't play too much with us. I always thought he would rather read."

"Maybe it's because he was sick…." Mikey breathed.

"Well," April started. "We'll have to make sure he stays as healthy as possible until he gets stronger." Leo, Mikey, and Raph all locked eyes and nodded. They were going to protect their little brother.

Author's Note: More cuteness! Glad you all are liking the little Donnie. Special thanks to Turtle Lover101, Rhodesincolumbus, Kamechan98, Fever To Write, Pilyartquitect, Bipper Cipher3, CuriousHeather, and Andraia452 for their awesome reviews! Also, to Andraia452, I haven't forgotten Stockman. I've got something planned for that. Don't you worry.