A/N: Hey there all; I would like to thank those who have visited this story as well as those who have left reviews—Thank you so much ^^

I also want to express my thanks to Mindychan who had beta read this chapter... and I must say that she did a fantastic job. Thank you Mindy (grins)

I would also like to provide the answers to the questions I left behind in the last chapter. Ready :D? Here they are~

What kind of person was Michelangelo's first girlfriend? How does she differ from Emily and what had gone wrong in his previous relationship that ended it? (Your thoughts?): Mikey's first girlfriend was almost exactly like him. She was extremely talkative, extrovert, and bubbly. She could be somewhat of a joker or a kidder but not as much as Mikey. Unlike Michelangelo, however, she was bossy, attention grabbing, whiney, and a little annoying. She was a drama queen in the worst aspects of the word. Mikey, being carefree, fun loving, and somewhat sensitive, felt that he was always walking on eggshells around her, as I had said in the second chapter. She always wanted his attention and she'd act like a spoiled child to get it. Mikey hated that she was running his life and basically restricting his time with his family and friends; it was one of the main factors of why he dumped her. The other? You'll just have to read :D

When Donatello says that Leonardo, although he wasn't suicidal, gave off the typical signs of a possible suicide victim, what did he mean? What signs did Leo put forth in the short flashback at the beginning of the chapter?: Leonardo was acting different than his brother was used to (he seemed uncertain about what he wanted to say, he complimented his brother openly, showed open affection, etc.); he was oddly melancholic (sad smiles, somewhat distressed expression or disposition); speaking as if he knew his life was in danger or that he knew he was going to die; and finally (the answer that was hard to find XP) giving up/offering up something that he would have normally refused to pass up (his leadership—one of Leo's most valuable possessions, aside from his swords and his relationships).

Did you get it? If you did, congrats, if not… then sorry to hear that XD

Warning: Contain a sensitive topic/scene and some foul language

Now, without further delay—here is chapter 3!

Enjoy X3 ~

Life-Breathing

Chapter 3 Second Skin

September 2nd 2014

12:10 am; Somewhere in Brooklyn

"Hello, you have reached the office of Jason Simmons, local New York City Private Investigator. Unfortunately, I am out of town at the moment and will not be back until September 20th. If you are interested in making an appointment or presenting me with a case, please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you."

…Beep.

"Uh… Hello Mr. Simmons. My name is Hiro and… I am looking for someone but I'm not sure who he is…" There was a brief pause before the one-sided conversation continued … "You see… I've lost my memory a year ago due to a head injury I sustained in an… accident and no one has claimed me. I've just recently remembered something that could help me find out where I belong. So… please call me back as soon as you're able; my number is (347) 474 4722. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon."

A green, three fingered hand hesitantly placed a black receiver on the pay phone's hook before the owner of the hand, a heavily dressed figure of obvious mutant origin, stepped out of the privacy of a glass phone booth. He looked to his right, spotting a sidewalk clock and realizing just how late it was, and he cursed lightly under his breath. He had let time without him being the wiser. He had planned to go back to his home two hours ago, but he'd become so fascinated and so involved with the city's glories that he could not help but wonder around in order to familiarize himself.

Ever since he had woken up a year ago in an unknown place with no memories of his life before, he had been prohibited from going outside by the people he could only assume knew him. He had been spoon fed information about his supposed life from before, the moment he had opened his eyes to confusion. They had told him that his name was Hiro; they had told him that he was a valuable and trustworthy member of their organization. They had told him that he was a valiant warrior who was skilled in the art of ninjutsu. They had told him that his memory loss had resulted from a devastating head injury that he had received from his last epic battle.

For a time, he had believed it; he really couldn't do anything else but trust the people who had welcomed him with open arms. They had already claimed him as if they had known him for all of his life. What reason did his naïve mind have to doubt them? From then on, he had lived with them and befriended them for a whole year. He had thought that they were his friends… his family.

…But then his memories began to come back… and they weren't the memories that his so called 'peers' had instilled in his mind. Although he had only regained a miniscule fragment or two from his life before the 'accident', he had remembered enough to know that he had been lied to… but for what reason? Why did they try to overwrite his life with a new one? Did they know who he truly was? Was his real name even Hiro? The mutant shook his head, coming back up from the sea of thoughts that he often found himself drowning in since he had run away from his 'home'. It wasn't like he could ask now.

After he had forcefully pushed his woes momentarily out of his head, he began to walk in the direction of his new home, quickly reading the nearby street signs to find that he was only a short walk away. He reached both of his hands up to readjust his hood, pulling it further over his head and face.

'I've already been searching for two weeks now and I've come up with nothing on that name. Now I finally get a break and I can't even do anything about it until this Mr. Simmons comes back from where ever he is. Ugh… someone up there must be laughing at my sorry behind right now…,' Hiro thought with frustration, shoving his large, green hands into the pockets of his coat.

Splinter… that name was one of the only things he could remember that connected him to his past—to his very roots… his origins… or so he could assume. Although he was glad to at least remember something, he wished he could put a face to the name. Was the person a mutant or a human? What kind of person were they? Were they young? Old? Did they know who he was? Would they remember him if he was ever able to track them down? What kind of relationship did he share with this person?

Ah… the questions were endless…

Just as Hiro was getting ready to turn onto the corner where his home resided, a short shriek pierced through the air and reached his ears just before it was abruptly repressed by some unknown force. His senses automatically went into overdrive, his muscles flexed with the anticipation of a fight and his stance shifted into a more alert one, feeling that someone nearby was in danger. A part of him wondered why he cared but a greater part of him knew that it was only right to help someone that was in trouble. If only he knew why this impulse was suddenly weighing on him like a ton of bricks. He wasn't a crime fighter; he was just a mutant who needed to find out where he came from.

…But he couldn't just go home when there was a possibility that he could've saved someone from getting hurt… or worst, dying.

His lips tightened into a hard line of determination and his hands clenched into fists at his side; his decision was made.

"Shut up, bitch," The man hissed a raspy whisper at the woman in his clutches, his large dirty hands clamped over her mouth, silencing her loud screams and pleading while his other hand hungrily roamed over her body. Her back was tightly and uncomfortably pulled to her attacker's chest, keeping her secured to him. He knew what he was doing was wrong and, in the back of his mind, he knew that he should stop… but his desires were far more overpowering than his consciousness was. The woman was absolutely divine—her body was so deliciously voluptuous in build, her skin was delicate and even in complexion and her hair was long, curly and soft. She was gorgeous and he had wanted her to be his. It wasn't like she was going to give him the time or day if he had simply walked up to her and talked to her. Oh no… no, most definitely not. He knew she was out of his league… that's why he knew he had to take what he wanted. There was no other way.

He had to have her now.

He breathed hard down her neck, causing her to shudder harder with fear, "You shouldn't fight it anymore. You'll never get away."

The woman sobbed and struggled harder, opting to fight away from her captor rather than just sitting back and taking it. Her captor grunted out a curse when the heel of one of her pumps stabbed him in his foot and he let out a hiss when she bit down on his hand, despite how obviously unsanitary it was for her to do so. The man recoiled back, giving the shaken woman enough time to distance herself from him.

"Shit!" He yelled, shaking away the pain. He glared at his prey, "You're gonna pay for that…"

The woman stood her ground, despite the fact that her back was facing the dead end of an alley way and her front was facing a man who wished to do her harm. Her eyes widened in horror when the man pulled a switchblade knife out from the waistband of his pants, flipping it open and holding it in his grip, crouching ever so slightly, as if he were preparing himself to pounce. The man grinned devilishly; the woman gulped, visibly frightened and disheveled but unwilling to give up. She was raised to never give, especially when it comes to her own life and safety.

"Now just stand still for me so I won't have to use this on you."

Scared but angry as hell, she spat at her attacker's feet, her eyes blazing, "Fuck you!"

The action barely fazed him as he slowly began to step forward, his lips curled into a nasty, Cheshire grin, "Got some fire in you, huh? Heh, I like that."

It was then that a rough green hand reached forward and grabbed the offender's occupied hand, harshly jerking it back and bending it back behind said offender's back mercilessly. The wrongdoer hissed before releasing a shout of pain when the grip around his wrist suddenly tightened. The action had been so abruptly painful that a loud series of cracks could be heard before the switchblade fell unceremoniously to the concrete floor.

The predator was then curtly pushed to the ground, cradling his damaged wrist as he looked up at his attack. He was about to curse out at whoever dared to interfere but his words stopped dead in his throat when cold, icy blue eyes glared down at him. The glare was so earth shattering and unmercifully powerful that the man believed he had come face-to-face with the Grim Reaper himself. A chill went up his spine as the color drained from his face. He had fallen still, unable to speak and unable to move as the dark figure swiftly crouched down and fisted the front of the fear-stricken man's shirt, lifting him up with little effort. The dark figure narrowed his eyes into deep slits before his voice rumbled deeply with anger and disgust, "Then you're gonna love me…" (1)

8:32 am; The Hamato Residence, Manhattan

"Oh God, I'm going to be late," Mona Lisa all but squeaked as she shuffled across the bedroom to reach her closet, her pretty green face contorted with distress and worry. Her damp form was sporting nothing but a dark pink towel that she had hastily wrapped around herself before she left the shower. She didn't quite know why she did that, seeing how she used to walk around 'naked' all the time before mutants were welcomed to human society. You'd think that she would at least be comfortable enough to walk around her own house in her birthday suit. Eh… who cares right now; she was going to be late!

"Damnit all," She growled out as she rummaged through the closet she and Raphael shared, trying to find something that she would deem appropriate for this particular day, "Ugh… how the hell does a New York City high school teacher dress nowadays? Do they wear pencil skirts with a fashion top or… o-or do they wear colorful, casual wear or… ugh! This is so infuriating!"

Mona sighed in frustration; her hands reached up to grip her long chestnut brown hair at the scalp and too distracted to notice that her towel dropped to the floor around her feet. In response to this, Raphael, who had lazily propped himself up on their bed using one of his elbows in order to watch his frantic fiancée, released a low whistle. A slow, lecherous grin spread across his lips and an eye ridge rose suggestively at the other's back, "Why dontcha move that tail my way, hotness?"

Said tail whipped lightly towards Raph's general direction before Mona turned her head just enough to look at him through the corner of her eye, "… Keep it in your pants, Mr. Hamato."

"I ain't wearin' any pants but don't worry; I can control myself," The muscular turtle smirked back at his wife-to-be as he sat up fully in bed.

"Hmph," Mona breathed out teasingly, turning back to look at her selection of clothing, her mind still in a panicky jumble. She wanted very much to make a good first impression on the other teachers and staff members that she would be working with in the same building, including the current year's students. Teenagers had no semblance of a word filter or a correctly crafted consciousness. Sometimes they attacked things that were different—perfect example? Herself. She wouldn't know how anyone would react to her until she got there so she had to look her best…

Hm… skirts were far less humiliating to wear than pants were… (Insert self-conscious tail flick here)

Ah… and her reptilian skin was starting to shed so perhaps a knitted sweater or shirt would suffice until all of her new skin was visible?

Oh… but that would also mean that she wouldn't be able to wear stockings—it would be a little embarrassing if she did. She didn't feel like going outside with bare legs; wouldn't that be inappropriate, anyway? Perhaps she could sport a pair of black leggings? Or maybe—

Mona released a small yelp when strong, deep emerald arms wrapped fully around her waist, pulling her back comfortably into the medium-hard plastron of a certain hotheaded turtle. The reptilian brunette automatically relaxed when Raphael nuzzled the side of his face into her neck—an action he usually did when he wanted to comfort her and/or when he just wanted to hold her, like he was now.

"Ya need ta calm down, babe," Raph said, his Brooklyn accent especially thick from a good night's rest, "I neva seen ya this on edge before…"

"That's because I never had a job before… not while I was a mutant anyway," Mona said with a sigh, turning her head slightly so that she could get a glimpse of his dark amber eyes, "And, especially, not a job like this. I mean, mutants have only been able to walk around for nearly half a decade now and some people are still getting used to us so…," She paused, closing her eyes before looking away from him, "…I didn't think I would get a job as interactive as a physics teacher so easily. I thought, at best, that I would be a tutor or something…"

Raphael pulled his head back, his neck craned back slightly so that he could see Mona's face fully, "What? Ya don't think ya deserve ta get a job like that? Shit… wheneva you start speakin' that science and formula mumbo-jumbo, I can't understand a word ya say… that's how I know ya qualified."

Mona rolled her eyes, "It's not that I don't think I deserve it. It's just… I'm scared of what people will think of me," Mona frowned slightly, turning in Raphael's hold so that should could stare up at him, "People are accepting of us but they'll always look at us as if, at any given second, we'll turn into wild, animalistic beast."

"Bullshit," Raph said without hesitation, "Whoeva thinks that 'bout us—any of us—can go suck a—"

"Raph…," Mona said in a warning voice, although her golden brown orbs sparkled with humor and her arms rose to his shoulders and affectionately wrapped around his neck.

"…Pickle," He scrunched up his nose at the abrupt change of words, "Anywayz, ya shouldn't worry 'bout what people are gonna think of ya. Not everyone's gotta like us and if some dumb little kid says somethin' nasty ta ya, just fail their sorry little ass. Simple."

"That's horrible," She tried to sound serious but it came out in a series of giggles, "Have you no shame?"

"Nope. None whatsoeva," Raphael grinned ruefully before he swiftly leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her smiling lips, "And don't get so worked up ova this. You'll be fine, babe."

"I hope so," She grumbled out, reaching up on her tippy toes to kiss the terrapin a bit more fully…

…but then she abruptly pulled away soon after, "But enough of the lovey dovey-ness. I'm gonna be late!"

Raphael laughed, withdrawing his arms from around her waist so that she could attack her closet once more, "Sure, sure. Knock 'em dead."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Mikey said, held up one of his hands, thrusting its open palm lightly in his brainy brother's direction with each spoken syllable. He regarded his brother for a brief second, taking in his appearance as he entered the kitchen. His already wide baby blue eyes grew larger with each passing millisecond, as if he were watching some sort of once in a lifetime spectacle evolving and unfolding right before his very eyes.

Donatello leaned his shell against the kitchen counter casually, looking at his younger brother with an expression of mild offense and frustration. The expression would have caused the gaping, orange clad turtle to feel some semblance of shame for staring so openly at his older sibling… had it not been for the darker shade of green that was currently dusted over Donnie's jade colored cheeks.

"Duuude…" Michelangelo drew out, still staring rather rudely.

Donatello sucked his teeth, glaring daggers at Mikey, "W-what? Are your eyes glued open or something?"

"I didn't even know you owned clothing like that," Michelangelo said, his lips swiftly curved into a boyish grin as he looked over the black, pinstriped suit that Donnie was currently wearing. The intellectual turtle had it all: the jacket, the vest, the arrow collar button up… he was even wearing the standard black polished shoes. Usually, Donatello didn't really care much about what he wore; his usual ensemble consisted of a dark colored pullover or turtleneck, a pair of loose fitting slacks and slip-on shoes. As far as Mikey was concerned, Don wearing professional clothing of any kind was a bit ridiculous.

"Shut up," Donatello grumbled out, self-consciously adjusting the dark purple tie that hung firmly around his neck, "This isn't my suit. I rented it."

Mike raised an eye ridge at Don after fully walking into the room. He flipped one of the chairs at the kitchen table around so that he could sit backwards in it, crossing his arms over the back of it, "You rented it?"

Don's blush immediately grew darker in color—a clear indication that he was lying, "W-well… I didn't rent the suit but it was intended for me to wear today. That's all you need to know."

Mike tried to stifle his guffaw; Don could be too easy to read sometimes, "Ooooh, she so has the hots for you, bro."

Donnie blinked, snorted, then turned back around, facing the cup of coffee he had been preparing just before Mikey had come into the room, "No. She's just looking out for me… and I would appreciate it if you would stop hinting towards silly romantic implications. You sound like a schoolgirl every time you do that."

Mikey released a startled breath, clutching a hand over his heart with mock hurt, "That really hurt Donnie… how could you be so cruel?"

Don rolled his eyes, lifting the mug to his lips to take a quick but generous sip, "Now you just sound like a drama queen…"

Mikey pouted at Donatello's shell, one of his eye ridges rose with slight curiosity. It was rare that Donatello got so touchy, even if it was the morning, "Well someone woke up in a sour mood. What crawled up your shell and died?"

Several seconds of silence passed between them before Donnie let out a sigh and turned around slowly, the cup of mocha colored goodness still held in one of his hands, "I'm sorry… I'm just a bit on edge today… and there's a reason why I'm wearing this stupid thing." Donnie's statement ended on a bitter note as he used his free hand to tug at the uncomfortable tightness that was surrounding his neck, "I have to attend a meeting… a very, very important one at that."

Mikey blinked, "A meeting?"

Don nodded, "Yeah… with the company's board of directors. I've been given the duty to persuade the board that my department's current project is worthy of extra funding. If the idea, the progress for its completion, and my over all presentation are good, then my department will get all the funding it needs for this current project and the project after that. If not, then it'll probably take an extra couple of months to finish… and I can't afford to waste more time then necessary on this project… so… yeah."

"… No pressure, huh?" Mikey offered, his boyish, aqua green face shifted into an expression of sympathy. He knew that the brainy turtle had a tough job but damn.

Donatello smiled weakly back at him, "Yeah… no pressure." It was a sarcastic answer but far less bitter then it had been before. Michelangelo smiled as his job as mood-lightener had been fulfilled, "If this all works out, then things will be a lot easier for us."

Michelangelo was a bit baffled by that response, "… What do you mean?"

"Living expenses," was Donatello's only reply to that question. Even so, it was enough for Mikey to get a grip onto what his brother was hinting.

"Donnie, life is as easy as it can be for us right now. We live in this awesome apartment, we have food and supplies… we're living topside. That's all thanks to you, bro."

"Yeah, but…"

"No buts!" Mikey said suddenly, thrusting one of his hands in Donatello's direction, wagging one of his broad, green fingers at the other like a parent would to a child. Donnie started back, wide-eyed, blinking with bewilderment at his brother's sudden outburst, "You've done enough, man. Whether this meeting is in the bag or not, we'll still be okay. Besides, everyone living here is doing all they can to help out with the rent and stuff… well, except for lil' Doe. You shouldn't worry so much. The worst that could possibly happen is moving back to our old home… and how the hell is that bad, anyway? We'd be living rent free, so if this topside thing doesn't work, it's no sweat."

Donatello sighed, taking a long sip from his mug before he replied, "I guess…"

Michelangelo did not like that response. He didn't like how the purple wearing turtle had always seemed to carry the world's problems on his shoulders… and even more now since… well… since Leo's passing. It was like Donatello lived for his family and only for his family. He worked insane amounts of hours as a scientist at a prestigious lab. He worked hard to keep their new home running technologically smooth and the old home as well. On top of that, he led their nightly patrols as their leader. It was almost like he never did anything for himself… no, correction; he didn't do anything for himself. The only time Donnie ever seemed to have time for himself was when he slept.

Mikey frowned, tilting his head slightly, '…What are you trying to prove, bro?'

As Donatello finished drinking the rest of his coffee and reached to place his empty mug into the nearby sink, he noticed that Mike's big blue eyes were regarding him with concern and mild remorse. Donnie stared back at his brother, still holding his cup over the threatening depths of the soapy waters below, "…What?"

Mikey opened his mouth to respond, closed it and then, finally, sighed, "It's nothing…"

(1) …"Then you're gonna love me…" : I got this line from the movie "The Dark Knight" (sweatdrop)

A/N: Boy that took longer than I thought it would (Wipes sweat from her brow). Sorry if this is an uneventful chapter but the one after will have a bit more going on in it, I promise : D!~ I hope you liked this one though.

So the nameless mutant finally has a name! … but he's still somewhat of a mystery, huh XD? Oh I love mysterious characters~ they make stories so flippin' juicy!~

Stay tuned for the next chapter everyone (grins)