Raph's POV

*punch*

*punch*

*punch*

I had been hitting my punching bag ever since I'd gotten back from the hospital.

*punch*

I was angry at Casey for not telling me about what it was like for him at home and for not telling the police about it.

*punch*

I was angry at his dad for being the reason my best friend was lying in a hospital with a broken rib.

*punch*

But most of all I was angry at myself for being unable to help Casey. If I had known I could've stopped all o this before it had gotten this bad. Damnit! Instead of seeing Casey I should've gone to his home and knocked some sense into his good for nothing Dad. Then I could have put an end to all of this.

*pun-SNAP!*

The punching bag flew across the room spewing sand everywhere. I'd hit the punching bag so hard that I'd broken the metal hooks holding it too the pole. And a giant hole where my hand had pierced the fabric was right in the middle of it with sand rushing out.

"RAPHAEL!" Came Master Splinter's voice from the dojo doorway.

I growled. Great getting told off by Splinter, could this day get anymore fantastic!?

I heard him walk slowly toward his shrine for his family.

"Come, my son" he said.

I groaned then dragged myself over to him where I knelt in front of him. I didn't have time for any of this sentimental crud. I had to do ... something- ANYTHING or I was going to go insane.

Master Splinter gently placed a paw on my shoulder trying to get me to calm down.

"You know that you are not to blame for Casey's situation my son" he told me.

I bowed my head "Hai, I know sensei"

"And neither is Casey or his sister"

"Hai Sensei"

"And neither entirely is Casey's father"

"WHAT!" I shouted jumping up. Has Sensei lost it?! Of course it was that sphyco's fault!

"Father you can't be serious! He is a cold hearted monster who nearly killed his own children! How is he not to blame for everything!"

"YAME!" Splinter shouted and I sank back down so that I knelt before him again. But I could still feel the anger and confusment running through me like a storm.

Sensei composed himself and took a deep breath. "My son I would like to share something with you. Something that I have not told you or your brothers before. Back in Japan I was a different man. I had lost everything. My wife and supposedly my daughter were dead and my best friend who I saw as a brother had betrayed me. I was angry and bitter at the world for taking my loved ones away from me. I started to go to bars where I would get drunk and pick fights to relieve me of my anger. I would end up in a lot of trouble. I had become lost. I thought that the universe had turned against me. I was so low that there were times that I even considered taking my own life. But thanks to the help of my friends and family I was able to set myself right again. And I was able to find the courage to face whatever challenges life could throw at me. So I came to New York for a fresh start to put behind me all that I had done."

I couldn't believe it. I never imagine Master Splinter who always seemed so sure and richest ever going through anything like that. He was my Father he wouldn't ever be a sleaze bag like Casey's Dad.

"Raphael" Splinter said making me look up so that he could look me straight in the eye. "I believe that Casey's father is going through a similar experience of his own. April spoke to me before I saw you. She told me about how he deeply regrets what he has done and is ashamed by his actions."

"But Sensei! That doesn't mean that he can just beat up Casey whenever he feels like it!"

"Of corse not. Nothing ever justifies hurting defenceless child. But his father is not a monster. He is a confused man who has lost his path. Hurting him won't help the situation in fact I believe that it would only make things worse. What he needs is string professional help whoever he or Casey accepts it it not."

"Hai... I know but ... I just..." I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to feel. Every emotion was colliding in my head and I didn't know how to react. Then I started to feel the salty tang of tears well in my eyes. No! I wasn't going to cry! I hadn't since spike mutated and I ain't starting again now. But my body just wouldn't listen and I clung to Master Splinter as tears racked through me and he held me close just like he had when I was a baby.

I don't care what Splinter, Casey or anyone else was going to say but someday maybe now maybe later I was going to hurt that man one day, and I was going to make him regret the day that he ever hurt the person that I care most about.

Donnie's POV

I was back in the infirmary with April who was holding Shadow while sitting on the bed. It mad it easier for me to check the baby's temperature.

"Is she Ok?" April asked worried as she looked lovingly down at Shadow.

I couldn't help wishing that those eyes were for me but seeing her handle a baby like that so kindly made me love her even more.

"Don't worry April her temperature is fine"

"Apwil!" Shadow exclaimed cheerfully as she tried to grab hold of her pony tail.

April smiled at me with such joy that it made me weak. It almost pained me to take her away from her.

"Sorry but could I hold Shadow to check her over and make sure she's alright?"

She yawned with a nod then handed me her.

I'd never held a baby before and I never thought I would. Obviously I didn't think that me or my brothers would ever have children. Heck, I'm not even sure if it's scientifically possible. And the thought of Casey or April having kids when they were older (not together hopefully) never really occurred to me. It kind of felt like we'd be teenagers forever.

I never 'wanted' to be able to hold a baby but as I held pure beautiful innocence in my arms I realised that it was what I'd always wished for.

Just as I finished giving Shadow a check up Raph stomped into the infirmary and slammed the door behind him. I could tell by his blood shot eye that he'd been crying but since I enjoyed living I wasn't going to ask him why although I could make a pretty accurate guess.

"Hey is that Casey's little Sis?" he asked me.

I nodded.

"Is she ok?" he said protectively.

"Yes she's perfectly healthy"

"Good." he grunted.

He stood awkwardly at the door not really knowing what to say. He seemed confused with himself and what was happening. Which is understandable, since he was the closest to Casey out of all of us. Then I had a great idea on how to make him feel better.

"Here, hold her." I said thrusting her into his arms. He seem startled at first but then quickly composed himself to hold her properly. She giggled at him and playfully tried to grab the tails of his mask. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding as he couldn't help let a small smile creep on to his face.

"I think she likes you." I teases good naturally.

He was about to respond when suddenly Shadow started crying, which was then followed by a horrible smell.

Raph was coughing and gagging "What the heck is happening?"

"I think I know."

He looked at me confused and then down at the screeching Shadow and it finally clicked into place.

"Heck no! She did not just pee while I was holding her! Here change her."

He tried to pass her to me but I backed off.

"You're holding her, you change her."

He looked at me disgusted "I ain't doing it."

"Why not?!"

"Cus she's Casey's sister. I can't look ... down there, it's just wrong. Ask April to do it since she's an actual woman."

But when we turned to look at her she was sleeping exhausted on the bed. Her chest rose and fell steadily as she dreamed peacefully. She was so cute while she slept.

I was woken from my daydreaming as Raph marched over to her.

"What are you doing?" I hissed.

"I'm going to wake her up."

"You can't do that she's been awake for the past 24 hours straight. She needs to sleep." I said angrily.

He was about to retaliate when the infirmary door opened and Leo and Mikey barged in.

"What is going on here?" Leo ordered as Shadow cried even louder.

Mikey grabbed his nose and pretended to gag "Peewwww! It stinks like the sewer in here!"

"There's a reason for the numbskull" Raph said sarcastically.

Mikey just stuck his tongue out at him.

"Donnie?" Leo asked turning towards me.

I sighed "Shadow's nappy needs changing"

"Oooooh can I look after her?" Mikey asked cheerfully not really paying attention.

"No!" I said quickly.

He looked crestfallen "Arrrrwww why not?"

"Because the last thing I let you look after got turned into ice-cream!"

He stared at me blankly "So?"

I smacked my forehead. Leo rolled his eyes and came towards Raph.

"Let me do it" He said taking her off him.

We all watched in silent shock as he gracefully changed her as though he was a professional. When he'd finished he looked confused at our numb faces.

"What? It's not that hard." He said handing her back to Raph who nearly dropped her.

The small part of my brain that was still functioning realised that it shouldn't be that much of a shock that Leo can change a nappy. He was in his own way like a mother hen to us. Making sure that we were all right, fussing over us, and tidying up after us. And nappy changing was easy enough to work out.

"So where is she going to sleep?" Mikey asked and we all turned our heads to Raph who was smiling goofily at Shadow. As soon as he noticed us looking at him he set his face back to his usual scowl.

"You'va gotta be kidding me." he said.

"Well Casey is your best friend" I said a smile cracking on my face.

"Yeah well-"

"And he did ask you to look after her" Leo teased.

"But-"

"Plus you and Shadow look so cute together!" Mikey said cheerfully.

Raph growled then stormed out of the room mumbling "Fine" then slammed the door behind him.

"I'll go get some blankets for him" Leo sighed then followed them out.

"Hey do you want to try some of my 'world famous speciality pizza'. It's a bit cold and I kinda ate most of it." Mikey chuckled.

I nodded. Why the heck not?