Naive

April sighed. How was she supposed to sum up everything that had happened in the past 48 hours? She didn't understand all of it herself so how could she explain it without throwing Donnie into a panic?

"Casey, Why don't you go make a pot of Splinter's tea. It'll help Donnie get back on his feet," April said.

She did not want an audience for this explanation and Casey already knew far more than he should.

"Aye-aye, nurse April," Casey winked and walked out of the room.

He knew a dismissal when he heard one.

"April," Don said worriedly, "Spill it."

"Ok, let's see if I can put this in the proper order. I wasn't here for all of it so bear with me ok?" April asked.

Don nodded shortly.

"Luna never fully recovered from her collapse in the old lair," April began, then winced. That was probably a bad way to start.

"What?" Don shouted, struggling to sit up once more. "Why didn't anybody tell me? I've been developing a new scanner based on the way the gods use their light energy. I can … "

Don's brain shifted gears in mid-rant. "I don't understand! I thought Leo had the healing thing under control!"

"Donatello Hamato," April said raising her voice. "If you don't lie down this very instant I won't tell you the rest. Let me finish!"

Don subsided and lay back but his heart was pounding. Luna had never recovered? She'd been suffering and he'd been avoiding her? He felt sick.

"That's better," April continued. "Like I said, Luna wasn't herself. She locked the infirmary door for days, stopped eating, and refused to see anyone. She even kicked Sol and Fina out at one point."

Donatello was shocked.

Why would Luna evict her souls?

"I guess she didn't want them sharing her problems with the guys. Anyway, eventually Raph had enough and muscled his way in; you know what he's like," April said.

Don nodded. When his hot-headed brother thought he was right, nothing would stop him.

"Luna had put herself into some sort of... stasis and left her body to contact a god who doesn't live with the others. He owns a different reality or something. Hades?" April said uncertainly.

Donatello froze.

"Hades, the God of the Underworld?" Don asked, his blood running cold.

"That's the one," April said. "He appeared just after Raph found Luna catatonic so naturally Raph assumed they were under attack."

"Naturally," Don agreed grimly.

Raphael had always preferred to fight first and talk afterward. But Hades was Charon's boss, and they already knew Charon wanted her souls, so it was probably a fair assumption this time. And Hades was one of the most powerful gods there was, aside from Zeus himself.

"Raph sounded the alarm, everybody gathered and, well, there was a rather quick battle. I gather it's hard to get the drop on a god," April said. "The weird thing was... Donnie, you were there."

Don was stunned. He searched his memories but came up with nothing. The last thing he remembered seeing was that horrible smile. He shuddered and fear clenched his stomach.

Is that why my brothers aren't here? Has Hades wiped out my entire family?

"I don't remember any of that," Don said around the huge lump that gathered in his throat.

"That's because it wasn't really you."

The deep, unfamiliar voice echoed from the doorway. Don tensed and all his muscles screamed in protest. That echo meant a god and, at this point, the chances of it being friendly were slim.

"April, get out of here. Now." Don hissed intently.

Even blinded and injured, Donatello wasn't going to let April go down without a fight. He struggled upright, reaching for a bo that wasn't there, as April practically threw herself across his chest to keep him lying down.

"Calm yourself, Donatello. Miss O'Neil is not in any danger, except from your own flying limbs," the voice was amused at first, but it continued in a more serious tone, "And your family, all of your family, are safe. I am merely here to help you, if you will allow it."

"Donnie, this is Hades," April began, backing off when she felt like he was going to lie down again. "He and Luna are..."

"United in a common cause," Hades interrupted smoothly. "I believe I can answer your questions but there is no reason you should remain in unnecessary pain during our discussion. May I treat you?"

Don hesitated. He'd been naive before, blindly trusting the last creature he thought was associated with Luna. It turned out to be deadly. He might have caught it if he had asked the right questions. Of course this god could have just gone ahead without asking; the fact that he hadn't meant he at least had manners. Or was putting on a good front for April.

"April, have you spoken with Luna since Hades arrived?" Don asked skeptically.

"She vouched for him Don, if that's what you're worried about," April replied. "And Leo said he saved her life."

Somehow this didn't reassure Donatello. He needed some way to figure out if this was another attempt to trick him into letting something even worse into their home. His eyes were damaged. He couldn't see. Was this really even April?

"April, what did Casey get you on your last birthday?" Don asked out of the blue.

"What?" April asked confused. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Humor me. What did he get you?" Don insisted tiredly.

April sighed a bit sadly, not wanting to drudge up this memory.

"Well... nothing. You know Casey always forgets my birthday," April said simply.

"You can treat me, " Don said quietly.

Leonardo sat at his desk and stared at the beautiful form of his beloved as she was caressed by the candlelight; memorizing the peaceful planes of her face and letting the shadows soothe him. Luna lay sleeping in his bed across the room since the infirmary was currently housing Donatello. He knew this was only temporary but he'd be lying to himself if he said he didn't want her there always.

He sighed. It hadn't been that hard, yet, letting Raphael have a claim on her. It wasn't as if either of them had been able to spend a lot of time with her. She'd been injured, they'd been injured, and there had been so many unexpected turns in the last few weeks.

Finding Splinter had shook them up. Granted it was a good thing. Leo rejoiced that his father was, at last, accounted for. But he still wasn't home, Luna was still missing pieces of her soul, and there wasn't enough time for any of them to sort out this new family dynamic.

He turned back to his desk and a scroll caught his eye. It was the poem he'd written all those weeks ago; before he even knew they were bonded. He didn't need to open it. He remembered exactly what it contained. He still felt that way. Confused and despairing about their future.

Leonardo felt his heart spasm everytime he considered it. He still did not know if she would stay with him, them- he corrected himself harshly, when her soul was fully recovered. Even if she did, she would be immortal and they... would not.

How many years could Leo and his family offer her? He'd be naive to think a normal human lifespan would be enough for her. It would be a mere blink to her once she was fully restored.

Could he bear that? Could she?

He reached for the scroll to return it to it's proper place among his collection but hesitated, his hand hovering above the rolled paper, his curiosity piqued.

Why was it even out in the first place? I don't leave any poetry out where my brothers might stumble upon it.

Leonardo unrolled the scroll and rapidly read it over. His eyes widened in disbelief, then wonder. Tears began and his heart soared. Luna had discovered his poem and next to each stanza she had added her own. Painted carefully in kanji were glowing moonlit symbols that interlocked with his own.

Echos of light, bring me peace.
Cleanse me of these desires.
Dreams and nightmares born of her,
igniting chaotic fires.

Beg not of the echos, love,
 for thou commandest the sun.
 And never wish that thy desires
 are to be undone.
 For as I lay each night in sleep,
 it is thy solace that I seek.
 Light thy beacon fires; we are one.

Must I ever walk in darkness?
Can she not light my way?
I am undeserving, but would
she even stay?

'Tis I, who drew the shadows and
 thy soul which lights the path.
 Yet I will stay for thee, my love;
 for long as we canst have.

Captured and no longer free,
I'm bound by soul and heart.
Hers to command, if she has need
and yet she will depart.

Never will I leave thee,
 for thou hast claimed my heart.
 My soul exists entwined with thine
 and we can never part.

When she goes, then I would die.
and for her, I would kill.
Hope is lost, and darkness nie
to lie in ever still.

Then thou shalt live forever, for
 together we shall be.
 I'll light the night with stars for thee,
 across eternity.

Leonardo looked up from the parchment, startled by a soft touch on his thigh. Luna had left the bed and knelt on the floor at his feet. She rested her cheek against him and gazed adoringly up into his face. She said nothing, letting the writing speak for her.

Leonardo dropped the parchment to the floor and scooped her up in his arms. He kissed her passionately, holding her desperately close to him. She clung to him; then gently wiped his tears away.

Together, they returned to his bed.

Casey stood in the kitchen and stared around at the cupboards, stove, and counters as if it were an alien landscape and he was expecting something bizarre to leap out and kill him at any moment. The only thing he usually did in this kitchen was rummage around in the fridge for pizza or beer.

How the heck was he supposed to make tea? And who was gonna drink it anyway?

He could tell from April's tone that this was just an excuse to get him to leave; on the other hand, if he didn't make the pot and April came looking for it later he'd be in trouble. He sighed, and began opening the cabinet doors aimlessly. He didn't even know what the tea looked like.

Raphael walked by the kitchen door, stopped, and backtracked. Casey was poking through the kitchen like a lost puppy looking for treats. Raph stood in the doorway and propped himself on one elbow as he eyed Case. What was he up too?

Casey started and jumped back when he finally saw Raph blocking the door.

"Raph, man, you nearly gave me a heart attack," Casey said loudly, "Make some noise buddy, you don't have to be all ninja-y at home."

Raph cracked a smile; his first in days. Casey could always lighten the mood and Raph was in sore need of some time spent with his pal. He pushed past Casey, went to the fridge and pulled out a couple of beers.

He nodded to the kitchen table and they both sat. Raph slid Casey one of the beers, pulled the top off his, and tilted his head back for a long swallow. It felt good going down, cool and smooth. A few more swallows and the alcohol took some of the edge off his raw emotions.

"Secret mission, Case?" Raph asked after a moment, tilting his head toward the still open cabinet doors.

Casey's face fell into a comically glum expression as he explained his dilemma.

"I know she just wanted me out, but sure as I don't make that tea, I'll get a tongue lashing." Casey said.

"Just do what I do," Raph said conspiratorially. "Get Mikey ta do it."

Raph grinned again as Casey burst out laughing.

Michelangelo stuck his head in the door and peered at the two at the table, suspicious of the laughter, then turned his gaze to the open cupboards and frowned.

"You raised in a barn, Case? You left all the doors open." Mikey said.

Raph snorted at Mikey's tone. To hear his little brother carry on like that was just too weird. The kitchen had been his domain for years now, sure, but Raph couldn't help remembering the whirlwind of chaos that Mikey used to be as a teen and the horrible messes that he left behind.

Raph snorted again at the memory and beer came out his nose. That set Casey off, he began laughing hysterically and Mikey grinned sheepishly as Raph coughed and choked through his own laughter.

"Raised in a barn?" Raph choked out, "You've, like, seen a barn twice in ya life!" He said to Mikey in disbelief.

That set Casey off again, and soon all of them were laughing so hard, they almost couldn't breathe.

"God!" Mikey exclaimed, wiping his eyes and falling into the chair at the end of the table. "I needed that."

Raph nodded his agreement, and picked at the label on his beer bottle, cause everytime he looked at Casey, they started up again. The stress of the last few weeks had been so intense, he'd forgotten how good it felt to just hang out with his friends and family.

"So," Mikey said at last, "Let me guess, April sent you for tea?"

"Got it in one, Mellon-head," Casey agreed amiably.

Mikey grinned, pushed back from the table and went to make it, closing the cupboard doors with a deliberately loud bang before fetching the tin of tea off the back counter.

"You think Luna needs some too?" Mikey asked, looking to Raph.

Now that Luna was back in her body, Raphael could sense her feelings through their connection again. He had only been 36 hours without it, but it had felt like an eternity. He reached for her gently, then shook his head, just as Fina came swooping in from the living room.

Luna was discrete, always sending away the other soul when she was with one of her bonded so they wouldn't have to see, but she'd only been back a few hours so she couldn't bring herself to shut off her emotions from him this time. Raph got a head-full of her desire and quickly pulled back.

"They're … busy," Raph grimaced and flushed.

"Ah," Mikey said tactfully and let it drop.

Luckily, Casey was watching the little red flame orbit Raph's head in fascination, so he missed the exchange.

"Raph," Casey said, his eyes huge, "What is that?"

Raph and Mikey were so used to the little ones now, that they'd paid it no mind when it flew in join them, but Casey's question made Raph realize just how strange it must look.

Was it only a few weeks ago that he had looked at Sol in the same manner?

Then he realized there was a whole lot he hadn't shared with Casey yet, including his own fire starting ability.

"Good thing yer sittin' down, Case," Raph said quietly. "Cause this story's gonna take a while."

Some hours later, Don had a much better understanding of what had occurred while he was out cold in the lab. The evil little thing pretending to be a soul was a creature called a mimic. According to Hades, they were a lower form of demon with the peculiar ability to emulate their victims essential form and nature, including their voice and mannerisms.

Their mimicry was perfect, even a DNA scan would not show the difference. All they had to do to claim this power was touch their victim to absorb their essence and feed on their pain.

Mortals usually died from the initial contact.

Donatello was never happier to be a mutant turtle. His adaptations had allowed him to survive, albeit badly scarred, but he was horrified at what the mimic had done while wearing his image. It had trapped Luna's consciousness and celestial energy in one of those damned spheres and tried to incite his brothers to war with one of the three strongest immortal powers in existence.

Donnie was extremely grateful to that power right now. Hades could have blasted them off the face of the Earth, instead, he had helped resolve the situation and revived Luna. And of course he had done an excellent job healing Don himself.

It had been the strangest sensation Donatello had ever felt. Hades hadn't even laid a hand on him but Don's body repaired itself from the inside out in a matter of moments. Pain melted away and he regained his sight. His skin was softer than he ever remembered it being, and his shell was perfect; not even a scuff or a scrape remained. That hadn't happened when Leo healed people. But then, Leonardo wasn't a god.

Leo had desperately tried to revive his brother when they discovered him, burnt to a crisp and blind on the floor of the lab after a frantic search, but nothing worked because the demon was a parasite. It continued to feed off Don's pain, and would, until Don was dead or it was banished. Hades hadn't banished it yet. He'd merely taken it away after the battle for questioning.

Leo's efforts kept Don alive but that was the limit of his power. Luna had been hysterical when she woke and saw Donnie. She tried to help but her physical weakness and imprisonment had drained her. She wasn't strong enough to separate the demon essence from him. She'd tried anyway and blacked out. Upon returning, Hades had found her unconscious in Leonardo's arms and vowed to help Don, if he would allow it.

Donatello was sure he didn't have the full story. He felt there was still something Hades kept glossing over in his explanations. But Don wouldn't be able to confirm that until he spoke to Luna.

In fact all Don could really focus on right now was his driving need to see her. To check on her physical condition, yes, but also to hear her bell like voice again. To apologise for his gaff in the tunnel and beg her forgiveness for avoiding her when she needed him most.

But for now he would have to wait. It was late, Luna was ill, and Leo wasn't letting anybody else near her tonight.