Chap. 5

Before note: I must warn you guys that I might postpone this story for a short time so I can get to work on my Turtle Pie sequel. Sorry to all of you who love this story, but don't worry; what's coming for the sequel will literally make you choke on your laughter.

I am absolutely loving the comments you guys leave me. I love you all so much, especially Aster Sapphire and SleepingSeeker! *Sobbing in joy right now*

Disclaimer: YOU CAN'T PROVE NOTHIN'!

April O'Neil's aunt was on a very short temper that one night. Her niece never disobeyed her orders ever since she had come to live with her because of her father's unfortunate "disappearance". But this time, April was about to get a good tongue-lashing once she'd arrive home.

And yet at the same time, she was worried. The last time she'd checked, it was exactly 10:55 pm, and her soccer-mom-like behaviors had forced her to believe that that was a late time. She specifically ordered April to return by 10:30. Unless she were in a horrible accident, which she'd hoped would never happen, considering how many times April claimed to be going out with friends, April would be in a tremendous amount of trouble when she came home-

BANG!

April's aunt's thoughts were cut short when she heard a very distinct sound of a door being slammed, along with dread-heavy feet being dragged against her carpet.

Stepping out of the kitchen she occupied, relief and heated surprise blanketed her when she saw her niece emerging from the door, throwing the purse she brung with her hard to the ground at her muddy boots. April's drooping lost gaze did not ascend to the concerned one of her aunt's.

Her aunt was full of pressing questions once she looked her niece up and down, noting of what appeared to be blood on her t-shirt and legs, her exhausted stature, and what looked to be heavily dried tear stains on her sad face. What she thought of earlier of punishing April had been immediately deleted from her memory.

"April, honey, what happened? Are you alright?"

April did not respond right away, much to her frustration. She tried to touch April's face, but the latter jerked her head back, facing away from her.

"…I'm just fine, j-just a little…tired." April's aunt immediately knew that that was not the real case, but she chose the better option of not pressuring April any further.

April walked past her confused aunt and tried so hard not to bang her head in anger on her temporary bedroom door to knock it open. Her aunt, who was reluctant to follow her, watched her actions all the way until the latter shut the door in her face. Her aunt did not leave however, as she wanted to at least ask April the more important questions through the door. She decided that this situation would be left alone for the severity of harsh punishment.

"April, can you at least give me a short answer of what happened? I promise I'll leave you alone after that."

A long silence from the other end, maybe even two-minutes long, until-

"…I just got in a fight with a few Purple Dragons, no big deal." Her aunt was very aware of the street gang that always had malice eyes on her niece.

"Do you need anything, sweetie?"

"No, I-I'm f-fine. I just…wanna sleep."

"…Okay, goodnight, honey."

Her last comment was coated in soft-spoken awkwardness, feeling very uncomfortable about this particular brawl with the Purple Dragons. For some reason, this time it left April very…grieving.

She continued to think about this as she slowly turned her back to the door, leaving in very light, tense steps.

Even if they were tiny, April could still hear her aunt very hesitant in her departure. When she was finally sure she was gone, April herself collapsed on her bed, her face making a short adventure deep into her pillow. The inner grief she had lost the battle with earlier had still had full tyrant of her emotions, and it would only be a while until her real regular old feelings would find domination again.

Not even bothering to change out of her grimy clothes, she let loose with heart-breaking sobs in her pillow that slowly led her into the calming dimensions of sleep.

There was once another time where Leonardo had his eyes so veiny-red before. He remembered it perfectly. After being humiliatingly defeated at the hands of his secret crush, Karai, he had returned to his brothers with the blinding powder still having its full effect on him. Of course, the eternally-naïve Michelangelo had mistaken him for crying, to which Leo chose to ignore his attempts in comforting him.

Now, Mikey had every right to comfort him at this point, at least. Leo's eyes had reached that state again, but it wasn't from the blinding powder. This time, Mikey would've gotten his guess correct if the situation they were in now was back then at that time, without his brothers knowing what was going on but him.

Leo continued to think about the current situation as his big brother instincts took over. Mikey had exhausted himself from the crying and was now lying asleep in the blue turtle's lap from where they rested on the couch. Leo decided to help his baby brother some by gently rubbing his shell, hoping that his relaxing touches would put their effect through the young turtle unconsciously. He kept his red gaze downward, but he was very much aware of Raphael's existence next to him on the outer perimeter of the couch, his feet resting beside Leo's leg. Raph's posture and state was very much that of Leonardo's, without the presence of a sound asleep brother to be placed in his own lap. He'd wondered that if Mikey were already taken by Leo like right now, that it would be Donnie he would be trying to sooth to sleep with soft rubbing.

Only, Donnie wasn't there to be with him…

The three incomplete brothers were waiting impatiently for Master Splinter's latest information on their purple brother's condition, the old rat refusing to let his remaining sons in Donatello's quarters until he finished. Although he didn't want to hurt their feelings, he felt that they would become a nuisance to his grief-stricken emotions while he tried to tend to Donatello. He just wanted no distractions at the moment.

Raphael, who had obtained the least patience at that moment, was beginning to lose it from the absence of his taller, yet younger brother.

"What's taking Sensei so long?!" he exclaimed irritably, trying to ignore the faint trace of tears lining the edges of his neon lime eyes. He tried to blink them away, but to no avail. The tears won, and as their prize, they got the chance to become bigger, slowly descending down the saturated maroon-colored areas of his mask under his eyes.

Leo kept his eyes down, but he decided to speak. "Patience, Raph," he whispered, both him and Raph knowing full well that that was not a true statement, as he was just as irritable in the unlimited wait for their father. Raph noticed how tense Leo's shoulders seemed.

"Look who's talking," he retorted, the stressed feelings unfortunately decided to battle with Leo, for the hundredth time. But before the blue turtle could say anything back, if he was going to, Raph thought better of it, deciding not to get into another heated argument. This was all for the sake of Donnie; he didn't want to risk messing it up for him just because Donnie's two older brothers STILL continued to fight. It just didn't make sense.

"I-I'm sorry, Leo," Raph apologized, trying to veil the hurt in his voice, "I'm just mad right now. Donnie wouldn't want us to fight; it wouldn't be fair to him." Just like with his tears, Raphael was beginning to lose the battle with trying to stay strong. Returning sobs were beginning to shake his body. "I-I just wanna know if he's a-alright. He h-has to make it t-through, he's strong…" Before his grief could dominate him, he felt a hand rest on his three-toed feet. Leonardo had assisted him with his inner battle, and this time, they both prevailed, keeping Raph back with his sanity. Leo gave him a warm smile. "Its okay, Raph, we're all worried about him. Let's just hope for the best. He wouldn't want us to stress ourselves."

"Donnie…"

A soft, sleep-coated voice had originated from under Leo, and the leader and Raph both looked down to see their second baby brother arouse from his slumber. His bright blue eyes were still foggy from the remnants of sleep and tears mixed together, and he used them to gaze at his surroundings. They finally rested on his two big brothers who were looking down at him in concern. "Is Donnie okay?" the young turtle asked, looking at Leo with the same expression.

"We don't know yet, Mikey, but it'll be okay," Leonardo replied solemnly. He gently pushed Mikey's body back down on his lap, proceeding to rub the escalading tension out of Mikey's back. "Just go back to sleep, okay? I promise you everything will be fine when you wake up again."

"My sons…"

Three heads all had perfect attendance in popping their heads up in unison towards the sound of a familiar voice. Watching them, Splinter would've found this funny if it weren't for the near-coming grim situation they were in.

Unfortunately, the look on his face was an all access to the distressed questions the turtles hurled at him.

"Sensei! Is Donnie alright?"

"Is he awake?"

"Can we see Donnie?"

"He's not dead, right?"

"Boys!" Splinter silenced his impatient sons with a startling outburst. "I understand your anxiety to see your brother, but you first let me explain."

The three turtles heeded their father's words, but were still desperate for their arrival to Donnie. "Hai, Sensei."

"Now, your brother, as you could see from earlier, is greatly injured. But it is not the apparent bullet he has taken to the shoulder, but with a broken leg. He has also shattered his right arm where the wound rests. He will not be able to walk for sometime, nor will he be able to use both arms. But I am very glad and relieved to say that he is very much alive." Leo, Mikey, and Raph all had puffed out their stress, instantly replaced with the nice feeling of relief.

"I advise you to help him when he is in need of assistance, which would probably be the majority of his activities. He will of course not be attending training or meditation until he has fully recovered. I will ask that at least one of you stays with him at least when he is conscious. Do not engage in any activities with him that require maximum effort, as he needs plenty of rest.

"And yes, my sons. You may go visit him. But I must warn you: proceed with caution and quiet. The atmosphere in his room is not one to be comfortable with. And do not stay long. I want all of my sons to be as healthy as possible with rest. Now, I must bid you goodnight, my sons. If anything happens to Donatello, please let me know."

"Hai, Sensei." The three brothers were all soon crowded around Master Splinter in a tight hug, which the latter gratefully accepted. The shattered family standing there was very worried about their one loved member who always made their home feel like it was something worth keeping.

When the group hug had finally split back into fourths, Splinter gave his sons a reassuring smile before heading off to bed. When he was gone, Leonardo inhaled a calming breath, turning to his younger brothers. Just like his eyes, his two brothers' blue and green had cleared of their pale fogginess of sadness, and now they were filled with brightness, as if sunrays accompanied them. "You guys ready?"

"What do you think, Chief?" Raph answered, crossing his arms as he gave a smirk, "We're just as ready as the fearless leader to see our brother. I don't care about some 'tense atmosphere'. Let's just go."

Michelangelo was bouncing up and down slightly, a happy grin splaying his face. Unfortunately, it wasn't his signature grin, but that smile was just enough for Leo to send his heart soaring in joy, happy that his brothers were slowly becoming their old selves again.

"Okay," he said, turning to face the unused door that led to their lost brother's room, "Let's go see Donnie."

Cliffhanger! HA HA! XD I got you guys good! Wait, did I? Don't worry, the next chapter is coming real fast…in thought, because I've got a few requests to start on my sequel to "Turtle Pie". Sorry! But I promise I'm hurrying!

SleepingSeeker did help me a bit with the Japanese the turtles speak, but as far as I know, there are three types of Japanese, right? I still don't know which one they speak though.

Review please! I will come back as soon as I can!