Author's Note: Sorry for a late update, I was on the military ball committee and quite busy trying to make the ball a success. Everything went well and I am now back to writing. I will be making updates every other week at the earliest, I'm busy studying for my World History exam. This chapter was pre-written but I had problems with the dialogue. Anyways, it's done now. Thanks for reading! Please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT.

Karai shot forward and made to cut Leo in two. Leo quickly brought his katana up and blocked the blow, he growled in anger. He kicked her shin and shoved her back. She fell upon her rump in the water.

Shredder yanked the blade free with a sickening sucking sound and a slap of blood upon the water. Mikey fell to both knees while clutching the deep wound with both hands, struggling to stifle the flow of blood. His body shuddered and he gasped for breath. Shredder swung his arm back, prepared to take off Mikey's head.

Leo charged and smashed his katana into Shredder's raised blade. Shredder stumbled back wildly and Leo took a defensive stance over Mikey's body. Leo gritted his teeth and hoped that Raph and Don weren't too far away. Karai charged in and slashed with abandon. Leo was on the defensive now; he blocked each strike easily and managed to hit the back of her wrist. Her katana fell out of her hand and Leo caught it. He quickly slashed at her, leaving traces of red on her arms and face. Karai stumbled back and Shredder leapt in, slashing with ease and practice. Leo parried as much as he could, but he was becoming more and more exhausted. Karai joined Shredder, having unsheathed a second katana. Leo struggled to deflect their attacks but it was taxing on his mental and physical endurance.

Shredder and Karai struck in unison, Leo didn't have the strength to deflect two attacks at once. He crossed his katanas to block the Shredder's blade with a heavy clang but Karai's katana sliced across his right thigh. Leo grunted and shoved Shredder off. Leo panted as blood ran down his leg. Karai and Shredder backed a few steps away, deciding on their next course of action.

Karai nodded as Shredder snapped orders. The duo sprang forward with swift agility. Karai struck head on, bringing her sword down on Leo's head and aimed a kick to his side. Leo swung his katana up with a screeching clang. He stepped in, placed his foot behind her planted one and yanked in a single quick motion. Karai toppled back but rolled into a crouch. She cried out in anger and charged again. Their blades clashed with a screech. Leo caught sight of Shredder out of the corner of his eye and leapt back just in time to avoid a blow that would have taken his right arm.

Mikey whimpered in pain between Leo and the deadly duo. Leo's eyes widened as he realized what the two were doing. His eyes narrowed again and he swiftly shot forward. Leo screamed in anger and slashed without restraint. Karai and Shredder were forced to parry and quickly move backwards. Leo was relentless, fury fueled him. A sliver of silver shot past Leo to embed itself into Karai's shoulder. She grunted in pain and quickly backpedalled as she tore a red hilted and bladed sai out of her flesh and threw it at Leo. He deflected the throw with a swipe of his katana. Leonardo gave a quick glance back to see Don kneeling next to Mikey and Raph rushing in to assist.

He returned his attention to the duo and continued his attacks, forcing them back. Raph joined in the fray, though he was careful to avoid Leo's katanas as they moved with extreme speed. Karai leapt back and hurled a handful of pellets at the Leo's and Raph's feet. They exploded into smoke upon impact and surrounded the two turtles. Leo and Raph coughed, but the smoke quickly cleared. Leo growled and started forward. A hand rested on his shoulder, Leo turned back to meet Raphael's eyes. "Let em' go, we got otha' things t'worry about." Raph said, jerking his head in Mikey's direction. Leo glanced back at the direction that the two had fled and nodded. He sheathed his katana on his back and threw Karai's katana into the water with a splash. He quickly turned, his mask tails fluttered. Leo walked over to Mikey and Don, he knelt down. "Will he survive?" Leo asked, not looking at Donatello. The turtle in purple had laid Mikey on his shell and was still wrapping the younger turtle's abdomen. Don bit his lip. "Not like this. He needs blood."

"I'll donate, we're the same type." Leo said quickly.

Don shook his head. "That's not it. He's got too much adrenaline in his system. It's already affected his heart. He has less than an hour left."

Leo shook his head, tears in his eyes. "It's not over like that. It can't be… I'll give him mine." He said suddenly. Don and Raph exchanged glances. "Leo we don't know if that will even work-" Don began. "It'll work, and you know it, Don." Leo stated. Don closed his mouth. Raph chewed his lip. "…No…" Mikey whimpered. Leo cupped Mikey's cheek. "Don't worry Mikey, it'll be okay." Mikey's pale gazed looked into Leo's somber eyes. "Leo… don't… don't y-you dare…" He managed before clutching his chest with a groan. Leo sighed and shook his head. "Okay Mikey. We'll go for ice-cream after this okay?" Leo said, forcing a smile. Mikey breathed deeply and nodded before closing his eyes and drifting into unconsciousness.

"Leo…?" Raph began. "I'm sorry; I had to lie to him." Leo stated before Raph could form a question.

~.~.~.~.~

Raphael waited outside of the sterile lab. His eyes were shifty, this was dangerous ground but it was the only place they could possibly go along with this procedure. He clenched and unclenched his fist. He turned his gaze to the brick wall that separated him from his brothers. Raph put a hand on the wall and could not stop the sobs that wracked his heavily built frame. His shoulders shook with each sob and tears ran freely down his face. He punched the wall and bit down a scream of anguish.

He hadn't even been able to tell Leo good-bye.

~.~.~.~.~

Leo lay on the operation table and turned his head to stare at the white curtain that separated him from Mikey. Leo sighed and closed his eyes before turning his head back to the ceiling. He took a deep breath of resignation. He placed a hand over his chest and felt the rhythmic thump-thump of his heart. "Such a simple thing…" Leo whispered. He removed his hand. "It's not mine anymore." He reminded himself.

Don stepped out from behind the curtain. He was clothed in sterilized equipment. He walked over to Leo's side with his shoulders shaking. "I'm sorry Leo… I-I" Don sobbed. Leo took Don's hand and gripped it. "Donnie… don't apologize for anything." He whispered. "It'll be okay."

Don sniffed. "I should've run more tests, I should have known it was you, I should have prepared for something like this. I should have," Don cried. Leo shook his head and pulled Don down to meet him eye to eye. "Never blame yourself, Donatello. You could not have foreseen any of this. You did your best. Quit acting like this." Leo stated seriously. "When Mikey awakes and finds out that I'm dead, you can't be blaming yourself for it. You need to be strong. Now take a few deep breaths and we can get started." He said, releasing Don. The purple masked turtle straightened and nodded. He wiped away his tears and Leo once again relaxed. Leonardo closed his eyes, taking a deep breath once again. He could feel Don grasp his wrist and Leo's eyes suddenly snapped open with a surge of emotion. He caught Don's wrist with startling speed and strength.

Don eyes roved to Leo's and the sight tore at him. Leo's eyes were filled with tears and fear. Don gently pried Leo's hand from his wrist and held it. He held his elder brother's gaze. "Leo," Don began, not knowing what to say. Leo swallowed and nodded. "It's okay, I'm okay. I'm just… I had hoped to be here longer." He whispered. Don's eyes grew wet. Leo's breath hitched. "I never thought it would end like this," Leo continued, closing his eyes. He smiled sadly. "It doesn't matter though. I would gladly give my life for any of you. My purpose has always been to protect the three of you. Just… When Mikey wakes up and realizes that I… That I lied to him… please just keep a close eye on him, Don. I love him, I love all of you… and he'll hate me for lying to him like this." Leo whispered.

Don gasped. "Leo, he wouldn't," Don started. "No," Leo interjected," don't try to make me deny the obvious truth. Just let me die with clarity. I want to know the truth." He sighed. Don's eyes were wet and he couldn't look Leo in the eye. "Okay… I've stalled long enough…" He stated.

"Good-bye, Donnie." Leo spoke before closing his eyes.

"Bye… Leo…" Don whispered sadly as he inserted the anesthesia.

~.~.~.~.~

Raph leaned his forehead against the wall, tears raced down his cheeks. He punched the wall before falling to his knees. "Leo… we need ya'… I don't care what I have t'do, but I gotta' make sure ya' live. There's gotta be a way." Raph stated. He stood up and knocked lightly on the door to the lab. Don opened the door with red eyes. "Raph, I need full concentration. You can't be-" Don began. "Can we get an artificial heart fer' either of em'?" Raph asked quickly. Don shook his head. "We don't have one, we can't make one, and we have nowhere to get one." He sighed.

"The Foot's lab." Raph stated. Don was about to shake his head again but he stopped. "Stockman's artificial body equipment could help with that, he-" Don mumbled. "It might just work!" Don whispered in astonishment. "But you'd have to go without us. Mikey is on life support, Leo is already unconscious, and I have to stay here in case complications arise. You need to hurry up and get that heart." Don said. Raph nodded. "I'll be back, call me if anything happens." Raph said, already sprinting away.