Chapter 37: Littlest Brother
Michelangelo ran into the lair, humming with excitement at the thought of his brother being a little older. He ignored Leo telling him to slow down and burst into the dojo. "Donnie!"
"Niichan!" Mikey froze in confusion as a blur of green shot at him. He automatically caught the blur and held him securely in his arms. Donnie tightened his arms around Mikey's neck. He had never been called big brother before. Mikey wasn't sure if he liked it or not. "You're back!"
"Hai, Otouto," Mikey answered, trying to get in the mindset of using Japanese again. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm great, Niichan!" Donnie smiled brightly. "Where are Aniki, Oniichan, and Oneesan?"
"They're coming," Mikey answered.
"What's up with all the Japanese?" Raph asked, shaking his head as he entered the dojo.
"Oniichan!" Donnie squealed, wiggling in Mikey's arms, trying to get to Raph.
Raph blinked in confusion and stared at Mikey holding Donnie. Donnie was still trying to get out of Mikey's arms and was looking at Raph with those big brown eyes of his that could make him to do anything. "Otouto? Mikey, put him down." Mikey placed Donnie on the floor who ran over to Raph, wrapping his little arms around his legs.
"Oniichan? Can you pick me up? You're so tall!" Donnie asked, innocently, his brown eyes widening.
"Of course, Otouto," Raph smiled, picking Donnie up and setting him on his shoulders. The gleeful giggles were reward enough for the little arms almost chocking him.
"Donnie just called you tall," Mikey grinned, switching to English.
"I do have to say, I haven't been taller than Donnie since we were kids," Raph admitted. "It's kinda nice to be able to see over his head."
"Since when is Raph taller than Donnie?" Leo asked, walking in with Karai.
"Since now," Raph answered, pulling Donnie off his shoulder. Donnie turned his attention over to the newcomers.
"Aniki! Oneesan!"
Leo blinked in confusion at the sight. Donnie was really only a toddler as he wiggled in Raph's arms, trying to get over to Leo and Karai. "Easy, Donnie. We don't want you to fall and get hurt."
Donnie blinked in confusion before asking, in Japanese, "What did you say, Aniki?"
"I'm sorry, Otouto," Leo apologized, switching over to Japanese. "Do you know any English?"
Donnie shook his head, his brown eyes filling with tears. "I'm sorry, Aniki. I didn't know you wanted me to know English."
Leo's eyes widened in terror as he grabbed Donnie from Raph's arms. "No no no no no no no. It's not your fault. I'm sorry, Otouto. You don't need to do anything for me. Please don't cry, Otouto."
"You made him cry?" Karai nearly hissed as she looked down at Donnie. "Poor little, Otouto. Did big, bad Leo hurt your feelings?"
Donnie nodded, his eyes widening as he reached out to Karai. "Oneesan, Leo is mean. Can I have a hug?"
Karai felt all will drain out of her at the large, watery eyes. They were the perfect puppy dog eyes. "Of course you can have a hug Donnie!" She swept him out of Leo's arms and cuddled the little boy close. Donnie eagerly wrapped his arms around Karai's neck. He turned slightly and stuck his tongue out at Leo.
"Hey! He's faking!" Leo pointed at the two.
"Be nice, Leo," Karai scolded. "Look at this little face." She turned and Donnie had his puppy eyes back, looking at his three brothers. "How can he be faking anything?"
"Geez, Leo," Raph rolled his eyes, walking over to Donnie. "Why won't you be nice?"
"Aniki….."
"I'm sorry, Otouto," Leo smiled, reaching over to Donnie.
"It's okay, Aniki!" Donnie's smile was huge as he clung to Karai, a single hand reaching over to take Leo's hand.
"So, I think it's decided that Donnie is going to sleep with me," Mikey stated, taking Donnie from Karai's hold.
"No way, Otouto," Raph glared. "He's with me."
"I'm the oldest," Leo started. "Donnie will be sleeping with me."
"If you remember, I am technically the oldest," Karai smirked, watching as Donnie's head flew from one sibling to the next. "That means Donnie is with me."
"But you're a girl," Mikey whined, sticking his tongue out. "Donnie needs a brother to be with."
"My children," Splinter interrupted, walking forward to take Donatello from Michelangelo's arms. "Donatello will be staying with me for the time being."
"But…."
"Sensei! That's no fair!"
"Come on!"
"Please?"
"Otousan?"
"Yes, Donatello?" Splinter answered the little voice coming from his arms.
Big brown eyes were looking up at him. Donatello gave a toothy grin before asking sweetly, "May I get something to eat? I'm kind of hungry."
"Of course, my son. Let's go find you something," Splinter smiled, setting Donnie on his feet. Donnie squealed in delight before taking off, running through the door. "Well, you heard Donatello, let's get something to eat."
"I'm sure there is some pizza around here. Is that okay for Donnie?" Mikey asked.
Splinter nodded, following the little turtle. "It will be okay for a treat. We'll have to ask April if she is willing to get some food for us."
"Look how cute Donnie is," Karai deadpanned as she and Mikey walked out of the dojo. "April will do anything for the little cutie."
Leo shook his head. "I have a feeling we're in for a lot of trouble."
Author's Note: I'm glad we can all agree that Donnie is adorable! Special thanks to Turtle Lover101, YellowOnix, Juanita27, Rhodesincolumbus, Aoifetello, Pilyartquitect, and Fever To Write for the wonderful reviews!