"So…" Leo started. "I'm becoming a… dragon."

"Yeah," Don said quietly, taking out a measuring tape. "Can you stretch… your wings for me?"

"Um, I think so." Leo concentrated and his wings snapped open, clipping Raph in the chin. "Sorry."

"Those are huge!" Mikey squealed. "Dude, can ya fly?"

"How should he know, Rock-for-Brains?" Raph growled, rubbing his chin. "They pack a punch, though."

"Aw, is poor wittle Wraphie hurt?" Mikey baby-cooed. "Does poor wittle Wraphie need a kiss for his boo boo?"

"You come near me and I'll give your kisser my knuckles!" Raph turned away, looking at Don and Leo. Leo was shifting, his eyes still tightly closed against the light. Don was muttering to himself complex equations, talking about lift and proportionate something.

"Ya hungry, Leo?" Raph asked, not knowing what to expect.

"A little." That was Leo's "I'm starving" saying. Mikey hopped up and rushed out to prepare food. "Don, do you have something for my eyes? I can't open them without a lot of pain."

"Sure. Raph, go grab a spare blue bandana and some black mesh cloth from my cupboard, right drawer, lower left quadrant. Then grab some sewing stuff and stitch something for Leo's eyes. Got it?" Don inquired, peering at Raphael.

"Sure thing, Donny." Raph left quietly, his ninja training meaning he didn't make a sound on the ground. They could all walk through a forest without having a leaf stir in their wake, though Leo was the best of all of them. It had been that way ever since… well, ever since he was given the title of leader by their Sensei.

Raph still didn't like that. He was better fit for the role. Anger and hate were only a cover-up. His emotions ran far deeper; he had known since they were able to think consciously that he would lead them. He was top turtle when they were young. Even Leo deferred to him. But now… Leo was in charge.

Maybe not, Raph thought. If this change is more than physical, Leo could be demoted to second in command. My second in command. That would be nice.

However, he knew that until then, he'd have to work with Don and Mikey to help Leo through the first stages. Gathering the supplies, Raph sat down with the thread deftly pulled through the tiny hole in the needle. Funny, he thought as he sewed the black patches on one of Leo's spare bandanas. We all know how to sew.

It was a necessity, however. Each brother might tear something in their mask or pads and must be able to fix it themselves, because Splinter and Donny didn't have time to do such menial tasks. Also, each one could suture, though Donny was trusted with everything above a very minor wound. In the sewers, anything could be infected really easily.

Finally, he was done. Tucking everything back where it came from, Raph walked back to the room to find Leo still sitting, though restlessly. Beside him sat a bowl that had been filled with noodles, the chopsticks Leo nearly always ate with resting gently on top of the rim.

"Here ya go," Raph said gruffly. "Though I think you're just fakin' it," he added for good measure. Truth be told, he was worried. Very worried. What, is anything, is the truth of the Inhabitors.

Leo thanked him and put the mask on over his shut eyes. Turning out the lights, Raph asked, "Can ya see?"

"Perfectly!" Leo said, looking around. Raph flicked on the light with a warning for his brother, but Leo merely shook his head once. "I can still see. They work great, Raph, thanks!"

"I just sewed it on. It was Donny's idea."

"Speaking of Don, where is he?" Leo asked. "Isn't it about time for training?"

"You're not training yet, Leo," Don's voice called from the hallway. He came in with a curious machine in one hand. Raph noticed that other similar mechanics were sitting on the bed beside his big brother.

"I feel fine, Donny," Leo argued with a hint of whine in his voice. Raph grinned; Leo trained enough that he wouldn't be missing anything in tonight's practice. But typical Fearless Leader had to argue. He never missed practice unless he couldn't possibly get out of bed or stand on both feet.

"But we don't know what you can do. With the weight of your wings, you'll have to re-compensate, learn everything all over again. Even how to walk, probably." Noticing Leo's look, Raph smiled and decided to add his two cents.

"Besides, ya can't just get up and kick butt after growing some wings. And a tail," he added, seeing the black appendage. "I bet you couldn't beat Mikey now."

"Wanna see me?" Leo challenged, standing up carefully. His tail swung to balance him and Don watched apprehensively. "See? I can stand."

"Let me see how you do walking to the dojo and we'll talk," Don allowed, shooting Raph a venomous look.

"What?" asked the red-loving turtle.

Leo took a step forward slowly, his tail swinging to keep him balanced. Wings folded tightly against his back, the blue-loving turtle headed for the dojo, stepping carefully and precisely. The stairs presented little difficulty, though Don and Raph were ready to catch him at any time with half a moment's notice.

"My son," an old voice said in greeting. "It is good to see you up and about. Will you be joining us for practice this evening?"

"If I may, Master Splinter," Leo answered, bowing. His wings opened suddenly and he fell to the ground, too startled to break his fall. Don was kneeling by his side immediately, Raph as well, but he was fine. A little confused, but fine.

"Will they do that every time I bow?" Leo asked himself, pushing himself up to his feet again. "My apologies, Sensei. I have not gotten the hang of using my new… limbs."

"That will take time," Master Splinter agreed. "However, until you can move with your new body as well as you did with your regular one, you are forbidden from practicing with your brothers."

"But Sensei-"

"Leonardo, you must gain control of yourself before you may practice ninjitsu. That was the first lesson I taught you. Have you forgotten such a vital key to being a ninja?"

"No… Sensei. I apologize for speaking out so rashly. May I continue and watch the practice? I will only come to know this body better after I have used it much."

"Very well, Leonardo. And perhaps I can assist with your re-learning."

"I would be honored, Sensei," Leo acknowledged, bowing profusely. This time, his wings stayed tight to his back, though they shuffled slightly. His tail flickered, too, and his scales rattled very quietly.

"I sense you are displeased," Master Splinter said humorously.

"What gave it away?" Raph murmured, heading to the dojo to warm up and stretch. Don followed with Leo and Master Splinter coming right after him. Leo still went slowly, but was a little more confidant.

"My sons, please do the Rolling Wave kata," Master Splinter ordered his three younger adopted children. "It is the symbol of balance and focus," he lectured as Raph, Mikey, and Don struck the proper positions in perfect timing and order. This was one from their earlier years.

Leonardo sat on the sidelines sadly, meditating. He could feel his brothers and Master Splinter's strong chi. Leaning his head back a little, Leonardo concentrated on connecting to his inner spirit. His awareness of other chi swamped him, and he worked on sorting such inner emotions from his brothers and Master Splinter.

Donny was feeling excited. Leo did not have to delve deep to know why. Here was one of his brothers, going through a scientifically-impossible mutation. He'd be able to study the effects and downfalls of mutation, plus get a look at his cells as they multiplied into anomalies.

Raph was angry and energized. His brother was angry that Leo got all the attention, and excited because Raph could very easily see the effects becoming more than Leo could handle, causing him to lose focus. Then, Master Splinter would appoint Raphael as head turtle. Though he would do well, Leo was not sure Raph could handle the responsibility.

Mikey was hyper… as always. He was excited because his big brother was becoming a half-dragon/half-turtle thing. Leo knew his little brother would find ways to tease and prank him, it was his nature. Also, Mikey may now be able to cook meat, which repulsed the rest of them. However, Leo knew that he was not wholly turtle and would probably get cravings for meat or something other than grains and veggies and fruit.

Master Splinter was calm, like usual. He was confidant that Leonardo could control his new body easily, but was willing to appoint Raph as leader if his eldest could not take two big responsibilities at a time.

"Leonardo," Master Splinter called. Leo stood up carefully and bowed.

"Yes, Sensei?"

"We are finished for now. Your brothers and I have agreed that, to help you in this new body, they will accompany you through the earliest katas and teachings I instructed you four in."

"Thank you, Sensei. And you all, brothers. I am grateful you would spend your valuable time with me," Leo acknowledged, bowing to all four.

"Very well. Let us begin." Leo joined his brothers as Master Splinter got out the poles they used to balance training. "We will start with the balance exercises. I have noticed that your new wings and tail are throwing your center off erratically."

"Hai, Sensei." Mikey laughed as Leo spread his wings a little and looked over his shoulder at them. Then, Mikey squealed when he felt Leo's tail slap him in the back of the head.

"Hey! No one told me you could do that!" Mike whined.

"No one had to," Raph answered. "This was much more entertaining."

"My sons. Let us begin."