Chapter 42: Memories of Illness
"Yame!" Splinter shouted, stopping the match between his children. All four students stopped in their tracks, immediately turning to face their master. Splinter looked at each child before smiling. "You all have done excellent today with your training. Karai, I would like you to continue to work on getting more control on your other form. It would prove useful for you. You are all dismissed for the day."
"Thank you, Sensei," The four bowed before running out of the dojo. Splinter sighed watching them and letting the worry creep onto his face. Donatello hadn't appeared from his room. The young turtle needed his rest but usually he would make some kind of appearance during training and watch his siblings. Today, he had not.
Splinter turned and walked over to the cracked door next to his own room, calling softly, "Donatello, my son, are you awake?" A small cough answered his call and Splinter hurried over to the pile of blankets on the small cot. With a soft hand, he pulled the blanket aside to see Donatello's flushed face. "Donatello?" The small turtle blinked his eyes open, his brown eyes glazed over with fever as he weakly coughed. Splinter placed a hand on the forehead to confirm what he feared, Donatello was once again sick. "My poor son."
"Otousan…" Donnie weakly cried out, reaching out to his father, hoping for some comfort.
"Do not worry, little one," Splinter reassured, reaching over to gather the sickly turtle in his arms. "Let us see what we can do for you." Splinter cradled his son close as he walked out of the dojo and into the living room, making his way to the kitchen.
"Sensei?" Raphael asked from the couch, turning around to watch. "What's up with Donnie?" The word Donnie caught Karai's attention from the couch as well. She sat up and turned to look.
Splinter rubbed Donatello's shell gently as the small turtle began to cough again. "He's just sick."
"Sick? But….. we've been doing everything right," Raph mumbled as he slouched down, remembering how sick Donnie had gotten when he was a baby.
"He will be fine, Raphael," Splinter tried to smile as he searched the cabinets for some medicine. "Where are Leonardo and Michelangelo?"
"They got a call from Casey," Raph answered. "Some purple dragons were up to something but nothing big."
"Donatello needs some medicine," Splinter said. "Raphael, come with me. We must see our friends. Karai, would you watch Donatello?"
"Of course," Karai stated, reaching out to take the offered child. "He'll be just fine with me."
"I know he will," Splinter smiled, laying a hand on her shoulder before leaving the lair with Raph.
Karai carefully cuddled Donnie close, rubbing the shell when his coughs would become too powerful for the little guy to handle. "Hush, hush Otouto. It's alright. You're going to be just fine." Donnie only whimpered into her arms, burying himself into her shoulder. Karai sighed, feeling helpless to sooth her brother. "Please come back soon."
Splinter and Raphael had returned with Leatherhead and Rockwell in less than an hour. Splinter had immediately taken is distraught son from Karai as Rockwell looked him over. Rockwell had taken a quick sample of blood while Donnie fused over being handled.
"It's alright, my son," Splinter reassured, hushing his son.
"I believe he just caught the flu, Splinter," Rockwell answered, taking the blood sample over to Donatello's lab. "Although, in his state, I think giving him medicine would be a bad idea. We have no idea how his body would react with it combined with the chemicals already running through his system. I suggest rest. I'll take a look at the sample though, just in case."
Splinter nodded in thanks, holding his small son close. Donnie sniffed and clung close to his father. The combination of his sickness and the blood sample was just enough to put normally at ease Donatello into a fit. Small cries filled the room as Raphael and Karai watched on in worry, neither liking the distress in their little brother. Splinter walked over to the dojo, hoping the serene area would calm him down.
"I hate seeing Donnie so sick," Karai mumbled, tucking her legs onto the couch.
Raph nodded in agreement. "Donnie's always been sickly as a kid."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Once, he got sick, like REALLY sick. I was really worried about him and I remember Splinter wouldn't let him out of his sight," Raph spoke softly, hugging himself with the memory.
Karai looked over at the dojo. "I'm sure it won't get that bad." She reached over to give her brother a one armed hug pulling away as Rockwell walked back into the room. "What did you find?"
Rockwell paused for a second, glancing over to where Splinter disappeared before answering, "The sample is stable. Once Donatello has recovered from his illness, I'll be able to give the next part of the antidote."
"We'll be able to get Donnie back," Raph whispered hopefully.
Man, it's been a while. So sorry for such a long time in between updates. School basically took over my life and I have to admit, I had trouble finishing this chapter. Special thanks to all those who are sticking around for this story and to Fever To write, Kamechan98, LooksOnTempests, Rhodesincolumbus, MetaLatias, and a Guest for the reviews. I hope this is worth the wait. Until next time!