Chap. 6

Before note: I'm sorry, you "Turtle Pie sequel" demanders! I just love this story so much that I couldn't help updating a new chapter! I promise I'm getting started soon!

Sorry I've been gone so long. School completely drains me, and I just needed some time to relax and catch up on other things. I was also having some trouble on some further plots of my different stories, namely "Turtle Soup" (Title of the "Turtle Pie" sequel). But now, I'm back, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Here comes a spoiler alert; skip if you don't want to read:

Donnie finally wakes up in this chapter! YAY!

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT. Nickelodeon does, which they are doing a great job so far.

Pain was an understatement. It was a word that should never be described for the horrible sensations Donatello was feeling as he was slowly coming to. Sleep and exhaustion wanted to lead him back into his peaceful catatonic world, but unfortunately, his feverish brain wanted to be active and told him to get up, even if he was in no condition to.

Even opening his eyes was a big effort, as they felt as if strong glue were preventing his eyelids from ascending.

Even if the young turtle was having a difficult time processing what was going on through his black, fuzzy vision, he had a terrible realization that he couldn't find the strength to move any of his immobilized appendages. His left leg felt like it were elevated by something, and his right shoulder burned as hot as fire.

After giving up to regain full consciousness, Donatello relaxed his body and rested for a few moments, hoping that his body would catch up with what his brain demanded it to do.

Finally, at the cease of the short time, Donnie tried again to open his eyes, which actually proved to be a success. The fuzziness glossing his vision was becoming a nuisance as he struggled to keep his boulder-heavy eyelids elevated.

It had taken its time to clear, but when it finally did, Donnie was staring back into the calming sanctuary of his bedroom. Nothing seemed different out of the ordinary, but after turning his aching head to the side, he witnessed something that enchanted his eyes to becoming as big as plated moons. A huge pile of blood-blanketed towels lay in the far corner of his room, next to his trash can.

What the…

Turning his head to the opposite direction, on his bedside table, lay an unused bowl of water. Though it did look that way, the atmosphere around it caused Donnie's brain to believe that it was new, as if someone had just placed it there before he had regained consciousness.

Reaching his right arm in the direction of the water, he was blind of any true purposes for it, for his throat begged his mind if it could be ridden of its uncomfortable dryness with a damp and rejuvenating desperate swallow of H2O.

Unfortunately, his right shoulder seemed to scream in protest at said arm's actions, and his hand's short journey to the bowl of water was short-lived. His whole arm spasmed in pain, causing Donatello to hiss as he clutched his shoulder with his left hand. This had also triggered time for Donnie to notice that the lower area below the elbow of his hurt arm was also protected in a tight brown cast. He actually didn't notice this until just now, as his mind was completely drained for room of only one thought: water.

As the young, intelligent turtle trailed his now red-brown eyes up and down the cast, he was still irritated in his obliviousness to remember anything that had caused him to be in his current state. However, it was very limited, as his ears began picking up the all but vague sound of footsteps. They were becoming clearer with every step, and soon, Donatello was beginning to realize that they were heading towards his doorway. He tensed, patiently waiting for the source to be visible in his gaze, his shoulder igniting again at his action.

According to Donatello, the next scene he had experienced was so both heart-warming and fast that he did not process the majority of what happened, as it still became painful to him physically and mentally.

A small, lime-green face polka-dotted with dark freckles under a sunny-orange mask and bright-blue gems for eyes, was just enough to light up the depressing atmosphere of the purple turtle's room. It popped into the entrance of the room, along with the familiar, muscular, turtle body structure it possessed. In the small turtle's arm carried what looked to be a violet washcloth, weighed down and drooping with water. It was folded in a neat rectangle, waiting for it to arrive and sooth a bedridden turtle's aching forehead.

Even though the turtle's face appeared to be wearing the mask of depression, which should never be adorned on such a kind face of his, he still seemed to be posing as the sun that brought hope and joy to heal the broken insides of Donatello's body.

However, the sunshine actually got brighter when the sky blue eyes found themselves resting on Donnie's chocolate ones. And, it was practically a sight for sore eyes to see Michelangelo's face ascending to the levels of pure happiness. The first word to ever escape his lips felt so sweet to Donnie.

"DONNIE!"

The joyous turtle stampeded after his favorite brother, but much to Donatello's confusion, he started to slow down, then once he made his to the latter's bed, found himself stopping. He seemed to be very hesitant in his both heart-rising and traumatizing greeting, but then limited himself to a less-happy pat on the shoulder, its effects dawning on Donnie short after. He was too afraid of hurting the latter with his famous greeting.

"Oh, Donnie! You're awake!" Michelangelo exclaimed. Little did the turtle know that a back-breaking (not literal, for Donnie's case) hug was what the bedridden turtle wanted. Mikey bounced up and down, happy and relieved at the sight of his brother's lively, yet still foggy eyes looking back at him.

"Hey, Mikey," Donnie whispered, his voice sounding like he hadn't cleared his throat in a while, which was actually true.

Slowly reaching his un-hurt arm outward, the techno turtle found his hand embedded deep into the warm one of Mikey's, in which the latter brought his big brother's hand to his cheek, pressing against it deeply while he blissfully closed his eyes, smiling. Donnie smiled back. This was the next best thing to a hug from the youngest turtle. It was because of Mikey's deep affection for his favorite big brother slowly seeping its magic into Donatello, that he actually didn't feel like he was injured. He felt as if Mikey's love had completely healed him, and the two were giving an actual hug. If only he could right now…

When the miniature hug ceased, the warmness continued to linger through the older turtle. He wanted it to last until he was completely, psychically healed.

Bringing Donnie's hand back down to rest in his plastron so that Donnie didn't have to do it, Mikey grinned at his brother as he said, "I'm gonna go get Leo and Raph and Sensei, okay?" Before Donatello's brief thoughts of the washcloth could disappear from his mind, the orange turtle brung it up and gently set it down on his burning forehead. An unconscious sigh of relief escaped from Donnie's lips, causing Mikey to smile again. He continued his reassurance.

"So, you just, uhhhh, well, you can't really do anything right now except relax, so…You just lay there and relax, okay bro? I'll be right back!" And with that, Michelangelo had bolted out of the room almost as fast as lightning, waving his arms around spasmodically as he went to go arrive the spirit-lifting news to the other members of the family.

Donnie smiled. His little brother's essence still lingered with him, brightening the whole room once again as this time, it seemed to wrapped it's arms around the turtle in a nice embrace...

Sighing, he took his brother's word and, turning back into a straight upright position, he closed his purple-clad eyelids, enjoying the soothing feeling of damp coolness on his head. It wasn't hard at all for Donatello to relax, and slowly it was beginning to take its toll on him…

"Mikey, you said he was awake!"

"He was, bro, he just was! I'm not lying!"

"Yeah, seems to be that way."

"Please, I'm telling you the truth! I was just in here earlier to put the washcloth on his head, and-"

A strong chain of familiar voices flung and tied itself around Donatello's mind, the intensity of their volume arousing him from his short-lived rest. He made a pained cringe with his face as he groaned, signaling his awakening.

When his eyes began to open, the fuzziness of his vision came for a visit again, but he tried to blink it away, which did work for the second time. The green and maroon blobs were now deleted of the distinct vagueness, and he was able to guess without hesitation and with correction of their identities.

"M-my brothers," he whispered, taking time to take in his present family, "Master S-Splinter."

Two green heads, one with a blue mask and the other red, were completely blanketed into the oddly mixed feelings of surprise, sadness, and joy. The tall Master was covered in the same look, but was slightly tamer.

Donnie smiled as he got to experience the same sequence of events from earlier with his little brother.

"DONNIE!" This time it was two overjoyed voices coming in harmony with the same word.

Leonardo and Raphael rushed to the techno turtle's side, each of them giving their little brother a small greeting to hopefully gain energy in the pursuit of love. Raph stroked the top of Donnie's head gently, while Leo was rubbing Donnie's shoulder.

"Donnie, we missed you," said the eldest as his part two of love was to give his brother a warm smile. Even if this was a mental present, something that someone who doesn't see through the dimensions of family and strong love would hate, all of this was just too overwhelming for Donatello. It was as if his family was giving him so many presents, stacked upon one after another, that his tired arms couldn't take the un-needed weight.

It was Splinter's turn to give his gift. Slowly striding to Donatello, he planted a loving kiss on the turtle's head, it still being wet from the cloth. "It is very great to see my son's eyes again," he said, rubbing his pink thumb up and down on the spot where he orally embraced his son.

Michelangelo, having his strongest connection to Donnie the most, had something extra for the latter.

"I love you big brother," he cooed, bringing his brother's hand back to his cheek again. This time, Donatello's fingers had a mind of their own, and they lifted up from their curled stature so they could caress Mikey's soft cheek.

"Love you too, Mikey," the intelligent turtle replied. And, this time, the two brothers stayed in their position for the majority of the family reunion.

"So, Donnie, how ya feelin'?" Raph asked, grinning at the sight of his younger brothers. Donatello returned his expression, albeit being very weaker.

"Tired. Like I haven't moved in a decade," he said. Leo smiled at how his wounded brother's emotional stature was beginning to heal a lot faster than his psychical side. It felt so good to listen Donatello's sweet-layered voice linger in the air.

"My son, do you remember anything that has happened to you in the past?" Splinter said with a touch of concern, continuing to rub the purple turtle's forehead. The latter seemed a bit distracted by the attention, but he managed to form a few words of mystery.

"N-no…I actually don't remember-"

He suddenly gasped, this triggering Splinter to cease his actions and Mikey to loosen his grip on Donnie's hand. The dim, broken light in the dark brown eyes had lit up his irises to a wild burgundy as he looked around in fear. He was not truly prepared for the realization of past events to have an argument with him, so this time it won. It began to hurtfully linger on Donatello as he tried in vain to sit up, but it just pushed him back down as he gasped again, in pain, with his shoulder and mind telling him to stay down.

"A-April! Where's April?" The wild glint in his eyes told Leonardo that he remembered perfectly of what had caused his brother to be in his current state. However, the techno turtle continued to show his distress outwardly, as he was oblivious of April's current condition.

"Is April okay? Where is she? I want to— AUUUUUUGGGHHH!"

The cease of his sentence was the alarming sound of his stressed pain. He yanked his hand from his little brother's protective grasp and clutched his shoulder again as he continued to make "in-wordable" exclamations.

"Donnie!" Michelangelo was stunned as he watched his two eldest brothers and his father try to sooth the unbearable hurt that was dawning on his favorite brother.

Thankfully, Master Splinter was the one who'd finally managed to calm the purple turtle's tyrant. He brought a pink paw to rest on the base of his neck, then slowly began massaging the olive skin there.

It took a short while for the pain to die, but Donatello was soon enveloped in relaxation.

"Mmmmmmm," He sighed, his shoulders dropping as he lay himself back into the cushions of his pillow and closed his eyes. The pain in his shoulder was now reduced to a barely noticeable throb, but it still seemed to hurt. Splinter smiled, his comforting action still lived on, just in case his son were to go back into his previous fit. With that, Donatello's brother decided to resume their interrogation.

Leo crossed his arms, staring at his bedridden brother to his father. "Donnie, can you tell us what you remember before you were injured?"

The said turtle was not much of an auditory witness to Leo's question, but he managed to open his eyes and whisper, with some hesitation, "…I remember, saving April from…the Pur—Purple Dragons…then I turned and F-Fong…he was holding a gun…" he moaned. Speaking and staying awake for an extended time was seriously exhausting the poor turtle. The already faint, pale skin was getting sicker with each passing minute.

"Do not stress yourself, my son," Splinter suddenly announced, "Take all the time you need. We will be here." Considering his father's words, Donatello inhaled cleansing air, then exhaled deeply, slowly continuing.

"The gun…it was pointed at April. I ran to her, then…black."

Leo let his brother's final words wash over him, its horrifying visual effects playing a short tape in his mind. When it was over, the ever-so-small evil section in his brain told him to keep a mental note to make Fong pay…BIG time.

Raphael was no exception to Leo's vengeance-filled thoughts. If Fong were in front of him right now…let's just say that even Fong's enemies would be completely terrified of the mess Raph made of a violent battle.

However, Michelangelo was the complete opposite of the red and blue turtles' feelings. As he gazed down at the lost look in Donnie's eyes, he wanted so badly as to trade places with him. He didn't want him to suffer any longer. Donatello didn't deserve this, he was just too sweet and soft. Although, if the youngest turtle were to express his feeling outwardly, he would've thought better of it because of his family's overprotective aura they possessed. Together, they would've surely shot down Mikey's impossible plan.

Donnie looked up into the concern-shining gaze of Splinter. "Is April alright? I…I didn't get to see her since…" He scrunched his face. It was very unlikely of the smartest turtle to forget important things, but this time, he actually had a reason to forget what day it was.

"It's the afternoon of Sunday, Donnie," Raph said, seeming to read his brother's confused thoughts, "You've been unconscious for two days." Letting this information sink in, Donnie was suddenly aware of how much grief he must have caused his family and April to be in the company of. The tall rat standing before him noticed this though, thanks to his psychic ability that he possessed.

"Donatello, it is simply alright," Master Splinter said above him, the second to read his son's emotions and inner visions. His rubbing had become a bit softer, sensing the effects of it already working its magic, "Do not blame yourself for the wounds you carry. What you did was very noble and brave. April would probably not be alive if it weren't for you. You are a true warrior, my son. And even a true warrior must rest. You must do so now." His pink hand repelled off of Donatello's neck. Bringing it over to the discarded washcloth, which was now submerged in the clear bowl of water, Splinter squeezed out any loose contents of the liquid that did not hold, folded it, then brought it to rest back on the purple turtle's head. The coolness was overpowering the small fires that surrounded Donnie's tired mind. It felt so good, that he almost fell asleep instantly. He yawned deeply, revealing to everyone the level of his fatigue.

"You wanna go back to sleep, Donnie?" Raphael said, his acid eyes not once moving off anything else but his immediate little brother.

Finding no words to say out loud anymore, for his mind told him to stay quiet, he simply gave a nod of the head, visually giving everyone his answer.

Splinter smiled, another kiss making its way to Donnie cheek this time. "Rejuvenate, my son," he ordered softly, "We will pray for your hasty recovery."

"Get some rest," said Leonardo, giving a comforting pat on the tall terrapin's shoulder.

"Goodnight, Donnie! Love ya, big bro" Donatello had wished that the next moment would last forever, as he felt two strong arms wrap around his shell, pulling him tightly into a safe embrace. Mikey cuddled his head against Donnie's, the two both trading their heated volumes of warmness. Donnie closed his eyes again and sighed, enjoying his little brother's sunshine on him once again.

It was actually the strangest, yet surprisingly light and pleasant sensation that Donatello felt next, as the last thing he remembered before slipping into a peaceful slumber was Mikey's enlarged freckly face pressed against his…

AWWWWWWWWWWW!...Brotherly moment! Besides Apritello, I just love the fluffy relationship between Mikey and Donnie, it's so ADORABLE!

Don't ask me why it took so long to make this chapter…

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, and I await your pleasant reviews! Next chappie, coming up!

Yes, "Turtle Soup" fans, I still haven't forgotten…