(A/N: Oh WOOWWWWWW… It's been FOREVER since I've been on here. I've been having computer problems, so I am really hoping I am staying for good this time. ALSO… The first half of the flashback is in Don's POV and the second is Mikey's. The present POV is Don's.)

FLASHBACK

DON POV

The funeral was… I don't even know how many days ago. I've lost track of the days that go by. I can't even look at anything these days except those two (newly cleaned and polished) katanas mounted onto the wall as an 'X' with a blue bandanna dangling in the middle. No one knows who to give the swords to yet. Until then, we will keep them up there and it will give me something to do.

Raph and Mike have been hanging around each other a lot more. Splinter still doesn't come from his room, although my two brothers will often visit with him. Most likely discussing my fate in our family.

I am now the black sheep of our small, rearranged family. I have been trying my best to live without Leo. But I just can't. There is no smiling face to remind that not all the world is bad, there is no on-the-side instructor for me when I don't understand something having to do with us being ninjas… There is no big brother by my side to guide me through our troublesome life. I am alone. I believed I was alone when Leo was with us… He helped me realize that I wasn't and he would always be there for me. But now… He's gone. I am alone. All alone…

No one is awake at this hour. I am sitting at my desk fiddling with my pocket knife Leo gave me just weeks before his passing. He battled with it in almost all of our fights with our enemies. The handle still even has blood stains and faintly I can still see the outline of where he would hold it. This knife is all I have of him now besides memories.

I feel something come over me. Before I can even comprehend what is happening the knife is placed at my throat by my own hand.

I see my little brother at the door, but it does not matter.

I don't want to live anymore.

I look Mikey in the eyes and state: "Leo, you died by my hand… Your weapon. But now… I shall die the same way…"

MIKEY POV

I wake up, having a strong instinct that one of my brothers is in trouble. I check Raph's room. He is fine, although snoring louder than usual. I am stepping toward Don's lab, and I hear heavy breathing. I know something is wrong. I barge in and see a pocketknife, Leo's pocketknife, at my brother's throat. By his own hand.

I am stopped by shock and I am watching to see what he will do.

He starts to talk, shakily. "Leo, you died by my hand… Your weapon. But now… I shall die the same way…" He starts to push the knife to his throat. I am sucked out of my trance and I jolt forward. Luckily my hand catches hilt of the weapon. I see a small amount of blood coming from his torn skin, and I disarm my brother and throw the weapon to the side. He crawls toward it, and I look around for something to stop him. I see a batch of sedatives, ones he just made recently, and I grab it. He sets his hand on the knife, but I beat him and stick the needle into his arm. He falls silently, unconscious.

I pick him up and take him to bed. He doesn't remember anything in the morning, and all he sees is scratches all over his neck. I tell him I know nothing about it and keep the story to myself.

PRESENT

DON POV

I awaken, chained and in a jail-like cell. I am still groggy from the drugs they gave me, and can't comprehend anything. I fall into a half sleep, and can barely feel it when the whole building I am in is engulfed in flames. I can barely even smell the smoke.

I know someone is trying to get my attention when I feel a stinging sensation come over my left cheek. Someone slapped me. I open my eyes and see Mike standing over me, scared. Suddenly, relief flows over his features and he hugs me tightly. I am startled my his action, and I hear him whispering in my ear. "Thank god you are okay… I thought I lost you…" I feel tears go down onto my shoulder from Mike. I feel sudden warmth flood over me.

Someone cares. Someone needs me. Someone loves me.

I smile and hug my brother back feeling tears begin to form in my eyes as well. I also feel something… Like a guard over us. No one will ever hurt us.

I am not alone. I have never been alone.

I have, and always will, have Leo and Mike with me… In life OR death…