From the Other End

By Tigan-Ada

Raphael holds Leonardo close.

Fishface had gotten keen in that fight; he normally doesn't resort to biting – the action is a little too far removed from his humanity, but he managed to snip the very edge of his brother's arm just enough for a touch of venom to slip in.

It was just a graze against the skin, eliciting only a weak burning sensation and he felt no nausea or weakness – so Leonardo fought on, adrenaline pumping the sliver of venom through his veins to every portion of his body for a full on fifteen minutes amongst the Foot ninjas… and he started to sweat, started to feel unmistakable daze.

Raphael had seen the snippet of a bite, so noticing the change he rushed to his aid; Leonardo managed to swing a few sharp katas in the way of Fishface before his movements rapidly grew lazy, clumsy and inaccurate.

His legs buckled and Fishface, ever the cruellest, took gleeful advantage and kicked him in the face. As his brother toppled to the very edge of the rooftop Raphael plunged himself against his foe and beat him aside… long enough to rush over and scoop Leonardo into a secure grip.

He threw a smoke bomb and hid in a nearby apartment, wedging his sai through the window sealing and slipping through, silently hoping none within were awake while holding a hand over Leonardo's mouth; even at an early stage his perception of danger was dissipating, and he didn't want him to give away their position.

Still kneeling in the lightless apartment, he carefully scans the outside, checking every angle he could from the closed window. Leonardo's eyes are glazed with unfocused delirium, his head gently turning this way and that beneath his hand as his lips muffle words against his palm.

Though inaudible his tone sounds serious, critically calm, as if he's giving orders in this predicament; but Raphael doubts they're sensible. Figures he'd be like that under the influence.

The real danger to the venom is a slow asphyxiation, paralysing the lung muscles until you're left breathless and dead; and being quickly left in a weak and delirious state, there's nothing you can do to help yourself… to even know you need help.

What they need is Donatello – he neglected to carry any anti-venom with him tonight. His left arm steadying the weight of his brother's head, holding him up just so by the rim of his shell, so he'll have to remove his right hand to grab his t-phone.

A new soft muffle escapes him, but Raphael will have none of that alerting anybody from outside or within here.

"Sssh," he meets his eyes, hoping the sudden silence means he's paying attention, "I've got'cher back Leo. Be quiet."

He takes off his hand and whips out the t-phone; Leonardo is still gazing up at him with crossed eyes, his lips slightly parted upon release. His head subtly tilts in the crook of his supporting arm, looking up at the roof – no doubt seeing a myriad of warped figments of his imagination.

'Pick up pick up, come oooooon-!' he doesn't know how long Leonardo will keep quiet – he appears occupied with some sights to his left, smiling with his mouth half open. Finally the call is answered and he doesn't wait, keeping his voice low with urgency, "Donnie! Leo's been bit, by Fishface, track us now and get over here!"

"Oka-"

He hangs up and promptly covers Leonardo's mouth, cutting off the start of new vocal gibberish. He's not loud, but hiding in an apartment he's taking no chances.

He keeps on edge, listening and sensing for any movement or stirring in the beyond the doors; idly wondering if he's led any Foot into making an innocent's home a target… that would suck.

How long will it take Donatello to arrive here? He doesn't know, but hopes they won't run into any straggling ninjas still lurking about. Perhaps he should've told him that possible titbit…

Extracted from his thoughts at Leonardo's hands touching his face, Raphael puts up with it as Leonardo mumbles what could be a quotation of Space Heroes. It certainly sounds familiar.

…Not that he watches it to be that familiar or anything.

Trying to figure out something useful to do, he struggles to remember his own poisoned experience; he can only dredge up figments of nonsensical colours, everything unrecognisable, a sense of mindless glee and sleepy safety. The gradual restriction of breath wasn't a concern of his, but he recalls feeling it tightening… and tightening…

He focuses on Leonardo's breath, timing it, judging its strength.

His lips move in another warm murmur and-… do they feel colder than before? He doesn't remember that being a part of it, but why would he? Michelangelo hadn't spoken of such an effect – he was too busy keeping him alive, safe from enemies. Donatello didn't have time nor reason to look him over and note any more symptoms.

With a curious thought, he lets go of his mouth and touches his brother's fingertips; they're freezing!

Swiftly slapping his hand back over Leonardo's mouth the moment his arms start twitching, trying to move as he gazes around with sudden excitement and speaking giddily. There's a strain in the sound and effort of his oblivious voice, his breathing ever so slightly thinner than it should be…

Raphael's heart skips an anxious beat.

It's starting. His asphyxiation is starting!

Where is Donnie?!

Twentys hateful minutes tick by. He's never felt loneliness as horrible and hapless as this. He's almost beginning to rock his brother in his arms, anxiety making his muscles shiver with straining panic.

Leonardo has started falling silent, eyes fluttering shut every other minute… breathing narrow…

He slaps his cheek, "Stay awake. Stay awake for me."

Leonardo's eyes reopen… his breathing is so slight, so shallow – how he hopes the tracing device is working, how he awaits the relief of Donatello appearing at the window. He tightens his grasp and, removing his hand once more, wraps his spare arm around him and presses his cheek upon his head.

A thin and contently surprised sigh escapes Leonardo, his voice faint and airy, "That's nice…"

"Ssshh. Save your breath."

"Kraang."

"…You're not a Kraang."

"And I shall have a tea party."

"Save your breath-!" his whisper trembles with frustrated apprehension, lifting his head back up to look at him.

His gaze is painfully distracted and unclear, his thoughts anywhere but the 'here' and 'now'; Raphael ached for lucidity, but the venom kept him separated from his brother on a whole new level. It hurt. There can be no real finality, no real last words… now he knows how Michelangelo felt.

At least there's no pain, not really…

And he'll ensure he keeps his dignity. He wipes a trickle of saliva from his cold lips and, with an unsteady and shuddering voice, whispers the ancient rite their father taught them as his own lips quivered.

But Raphael can't finish the rite… his young fifteen year old heart is breaking, splitting his inexperienced warrior's composure into unsalvageable pieces.

"…But you're my brother," he rocks him in his arms, tears overflowing his young green eyes, "Don't die…"

He kisses his forehead, gently, tenderly, unpractised and unsure of how he's to do it.

Tears dribble down his cheeks, droplets falling off his lower lip and chin, splashing onto Leonardo's still face. He's gonna kill Donnie when he gets here…

"Raph!"

He looks up, startled; something immense floods him, overwhelming him with an incredible urge to prostrate himself against Donatello in grateful relief.

Donatello's brown eyes are wide, drinking in the scene as he slips through the broken window with ease, the window seal silent despite its broken state. He touches Leonardo with both hands by instinct before moving a hand to his neck, feeling a slow and stale pulse.

He whips out his bag, unzips it, digs out the needle and punctures the vein in his left arm. Nothing happens for an eternity…

And then Leonardo releases a noticeable breath of air, his chest rising with easing depth. Both brothers visibly relax, but firm worry keeps them from dismissing the danger.

Warmth slowly returns to his fingers, his skin, and they detect a soft moan as he shifts in Raphael's arm. Now Raphael's shoulders slump, the burden of inevitable death lifting blissfully.

He blinks, shooting out his spare arm and grabbing Donatello's clasped sash over the shoulder, "Where were you?!"

"Ssshhh! Hey I got here! You won't believe the kind of stuff I had to go through just to make it!" judging by the exhausted flush in his cheeks, he didn't lie.

He lets him go, self-consciously wiping the veil of tears from his cheeks. He didn't have to worry of Donatello leaking his broken moment to anyone, and it would be wrong to threaten him when he too had gone through something else, knowing his brother was dying all the while.

Leonardo stirs, blinking open his eyes; sluggish and lightly fevered, he slowly looks at them both as a soft mumble slips through, "I wanna hijack Space Heroes…"

Raphael smiles at Donatello, who smiles back.

THE END