A/N: Sorry for such a long wait, I've been extreeeeemely busy lately. What with my Euro-tour, the recent demand at work for advertisement projects and an event's list for the new year, and my new list of injuries (split lip, torn knee bursas, and two extreme hits to my shin), I have had my hands very full. I apologize again for the wait, hopefully I'll have the next chapter up by the end of the upcoming week.
Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT.
Leo's eyes opened slowly, his chest rose and fell in an even rhythm. He sleepily stared at a white ceiling. His body had been pumped full of anesthesia and his system was attempting to shake off the effects with success. Leo's eyes were glazed and he could not think of anything save the white of the ceiling. Suddenly his mind cleared and everything came back to him.
Leo quickly sat up and agony ripped through him. He bit back a yelp and looked down at the source of his pain. His plastron had been cut along the center with precision. Leo put a hand to the center of his plastron and faintly felt a heartbeat. Leo shook his head in confusion and looked about. The room he was in was all white, though somewhat messy. Leo turned to spot Mikey in deep sleep upon a bed; multiple tubes were plugged into his arms.
"Mikey!" He rasped, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time. Leo attempted to rise, but pain swept over him like a huge wave. He fought a dizzy spell as he swung his feet over the side of the bed. It was then that Donatello stepped into the room. The purple masked terrapin had been reading off a clipboard and glanced up to see Leo moving. Don, not expecting this, flinched with a scream. Leo jerked his head in Don's direction with eyes the size of saucers. Raph sprinted into the room and careened straight into the screaming Don. Both turtles tumbled into a heap on the ground. A black masked ninja peeked through the door to the lab, as if expecting something terrifying to occur.
Leo clutched his chest as the ninja ran in and knelt down before him. "Master," The ninja began. Leo furrowed his brows in confusion at the sight of the ninja. "Tenjin?" He began with a puzzled expression.
"Leonardo! Don't you dare move one more muscle!" Don shouted as he untangled himself from a stunned Raphael. Leo froze and Tenjin was shoved aside roughly by an angry Donatello. The purple-masked turtle looked like he was about to have a tizzy fit. He checked Leo over and he ran a test on his vitals while Raph watched in mild amusement and Tenjin twiddled his thumbs. They remained silent, not wanting to set off the agitated genius.
Leo was staring at Michelangelo. Don noticed and followed his gaze. He smiled and turned to Leo. "It's alright, he's alive and well… and resting." Don said, placing emphasis on the word and shooting Leo a look. Leo frowned. "But… how…" He began. Raph chuckled and elbowed Tenjin who stumbled and glanced at him in confusion.
"I went t'the Shred-head's tower and fetched ya' a new heart. Tenjin here helped me along, though I was a'ready t'kill the guy…" Raph trailed off, giving Tenjin a look. The masked ninja shrugged it off. "Anyways, I gave Mikey your heart and I gave you an artificial heart made by Stockman." Don finished while writing some notes on his clipboard. He looked up to meet Leo's gaze. The older turtle was obviously stunned. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before letting his face fall into his hands. Silent tears streamed from his eyes.
Don and Raph, concern written on both of their faces, moved forward. Leo took them by surprise and wrapped them in a great hug. Tenjin leaned against the wall, a huge smile was hidden under his mask.
"Thank-you, guys, I… I'm so glad…" Leo managed quietly. Don smiled warmly, as did Raph. "Hey, bro, don't thank us." Don said with a smile after Leo released them. Raph nodded. "But don't you go runnin' off wit' out us anytime soon, bro. I'm serious, ya' had me really worried." Raph said, smacking the back of Leo's head lightly. Leo rubbed the said spot but smiled. "I'm not planning on it, Raph."
Raph blushed and turned away. "Yeah… whateva'." He mumbled, hiding his soft side. Don chuckled. "Aw, Raphie, you're just a big sweetheart, huh?" Leo teased. Raph's eyes widened. He turned about quickly with a growl. "Leo…"
"Hey! He's still recovering, Raphael! Do you know how long this process is? He's still…" Don snapped off, rambling again. Raph cowered from the raging Donatello and Leo smiled at the sight. "Master," Tenjin said, standing by Leo's side. Leo turned to him, still smiling sincerely. Tenjin cocked his head as the turtle stared at him. "Master…?"
Leo put a hand on the ninja's shoulder. "Thank-you, Tenjin. Thank-you for being by my side throughout this terrible incident… and for protecting my family," Leo said sincerely, his smile vanishing for a moment. Tenjin removed the hand from his shoulder, using his other hand to place a set of twin blue-hilted katanas in Leo's hand. Tenjin knelt to one knee and bowed his head, placing his right hand over his heart. "I pledged to serve you, Master. Through pain and disaster, I will remain to the very end, even if I were to fall in battle." Tenjin said in all seriousness.
Leo set the katanas at his side and placed his right fist in his left palm and bowed as much as his aching body would allow. "I thank you for your service to me, Tenjin, and I release you from your pledge." Leo said, causing Tenjin to snap his head up to the turtle.
"Master! I could never abandon you! I swore to serve you until the very end!" The ninja exclaimed. Raph and Don turned at that, staring. Leo opened his mouth to speak but another voice interrupted before he could.
"Master, Tenjin is correct! We all will serve you until the very end," The ninja who wielded teak nunchaku, now standing in the doorway surrounded by ten others, cried. "Tekaru…" Leo murmured. They filed in behind Tenjin and knelt. "We swore to protect you, and we now swear to protect your family to the very end! Master Hamato!" They chorused. Leo watched and sighed. He stood shakily. Don opened his mouth to protest but Raphael stopped him with a shake of his head.
Leonardo unsheathed a katana with "shhh" sound and marveled at the weapon. It had been recently oiled very painstakingly, he noted. Leo pointed it to the kneeling ninja. "Is this the vow you choose to swear by?" He asked once. "Hai, Hamato-sama." They chorused. "Then I hold you to your oath, and I call to you now and forever more when in need. I bring you now as the members of the Hamato Clan. May your path be filled with honor and may your hearts remain true." Leo said, slowly bringing his katana about in graceful arcs. He finished by sheathing the katana and bowing. The ninjas collectively stood up and bowed.
Leo smiled and rubbed his chest tiredly. "I think it's best that I comply with Don and take a rest." He said sheepishly. Don rolled his eyes. "Now you listen to me." Raph simply grinned and clapped the older turtle's shoulder. "Get some rest bro. It's great t'have ya' back."
Leo's eyes traveled over Raphael's shoulder. Raph knew who he was looking at. Raph patted Leo's shoulder. "Don't worry, Leo. We'll wake ya' up when he's opens his eyes." Raph offered reassuringly. Leo smiled at him. "Thanks Raph." Don opened his mouth to protest but Raphael waved him off. "Go away ya' mother hen." The red-masked turtle shot at him. Don gave him a blank look. "You're so inconsiderate." He muttered under his breath, but he smiled at Leo. "Sorry for acting like this, bro, but you really need to rest after all that trauma your body went through."
Leo nodded and smiled. "I know, Donnie, sorry for misbehaving." He said sheepishly.
The ninjas watched as their leader laid down on the bed again. Leo's eyelids grew heavier as he turned his gaze to them. "Please protect my brothers while I rest, and scout for a new home… It's not very safe here." He ordered sleepily. "Hai, Hamato-sama." They chorused and disappeared through the door. He glanced at Raph and Don who watched him with a tender gaze. He could see the worry and fear in their eyes despite the smiles on their faces.
They were afraid of the looming danger.
Leo closed his eyes. "He'll be coming back to finish us soon, no doubt."
"We'll just have to be ready for him when the time comes."
A/N: Please review, the reviews encourage me to continue!