AN: Okay, I know it's been forever, but I hope you can forgive me. I am hoping the update more often more often now though. If you have read the authors note in Shattered Memories then you already know this. As always I am warning you that this is a sad story that will have a semi-happy ending. Well then, on with the chapter.
DISCLAIMER: If I owned TMNT there would be a lot more hurt comfort, mainly centered around Mikey.
That night, after making sure Master Splinter had eaten something, Mikey went to the front door and called for Klunk. It was time for the young cat to come in. The sun was already setting in the sky over New York, so the woods were nearly pitch black at this point. Mike searched the darkness hoping to spot a familiar, orange shape racing toward him. All he saw was a desolate forest devoid of any living creatures save for himself.
"I wonder if Klunk went exploring again." The fun-loving turtle thought to himself. "I hope he isn't lost. These woods could be pretty dangerous for a tiny little thing like Klunkers. No, Klunk can take care of himself. I'm just overreacting, that's all. He's fine and when I open the door tomorrow, he'll rush in and demand his food. Klunk will be there waiting for me... right"?
Mikey couldn't stop the feeling of dread that seemed to be taking over his heart. He remembered a few weeks ago, back in the city, when the young tom had stayed out longer than normal. The teen had overreacted then as well, nearly tearing the lair apart in the frantic search for his lost friend. He hoped the orange cat would come home as he had that day... safely and with no apparent harm done to him.
Day 1
Mikey woke up as the alarm rang from his clock. To all intents and purposes it was a normal morning. The young turtle groggily stretched out one hand towards the place Klunk would normally be curled up, sound asleep, but was met with only empty air. Sitting bolt upright, the memories of yesterday rushed back to him. Tears gathered in his eyes. However none would come to fall as the teen told himself he had to be strong. That Master Splinter needed his support.
The fun-loving turtle quickly got out of bed and made his way downstairs to the front door. He opened it and stepped out into the crisp morning air of the countryside. Mike took in a deep breath of fresh air and let loose a loud call.
"Kluuuuunk!" He waited a few seconds before calling once again. "Klunkers, where are you baby"?
This continued for nearly ten minutes. The calls getting more and more frantic as time wore on and the young cat was nowhere to be seen.
"Where could you be Klunk?" The teen asked himself. "You've never stayed out all night before. Please be okay. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt".
Mikey called out once more, his voice catching in his throat, before heading back inside to make breakfast for his family. He made omelets with cheese, ham, and onions. Once they were done he set them on plates on the table, ready to be eaten. Before yelling for the others he brought a plate to his father and filled Klunks food dish. He sat it on the floor, ready and waiting for when the young tom returned home.
Once breakfast was done the turtles made their way outside where Leo decided to conduct morning practice. They all new Splinter needed some time alone. Half way through their katas Leo noticed the far away look in Mikey's eyes and called his youngest brother off to the side.
"Mikey whats wrong with you?" The elder turtle asked frustrated. "You aren't focusing at all today. I know you were close to Mouse, but maybe this will help take your mind off it".
"It's not that Leo" Mike let out a sad sigh. "Well, at least not all of it anyways. I'm worried about Klunk. He went out last night and still hasn't come back"!
By this time the other two had also made their way over and were watching worriedly as Leo comforted their youngest brother.
"Mike, I'm sure Klunk is fine." Leo consoled. "Remember last time? You got so worked up and Klunk came home without a scratch. He probably just needs some time".
"He's right Mikey." Donnie agreed. "Mouse was like a little brother to Klunk. I can imagine how he feels right now. I never want to lose my little brother like that".
"None of us do Donnie." Raph said quietly, before patting the youngest turtle on the head. "Don't worry Mikey, he'll be back before you know it".
Mikey turned and looked forlornly at the tree line where he'd last seen Klunk before turning back to his brothers. "I'm sure you're right".
He couldn't help adding silently "So why won't this feeling of apprehension disappear already".
The rest of the day went as normal as it could, considering everything that had happened. The only differences being that Klunk was nowhere to be found and Master Splinter stayed confined to his room in meditation.
That night the youngest turtle once again called for Klunk. No answer was to be heard. Dejectedly the orange banded turtle headed to bed.
Day 2
The alarm sounded and Mikey slowly looked down the bed hoping that Klunk had returned in the night. He had left the door slightly ajar in the hopes that his best friend would have returned. His hope plummeted as he was met with an empty bed other than himself. Once again he made his way out to the yard. This time he wandered the whole perimeter of the house, calling as he went.
"Klunk, Kluuuuunk!" The turtles voice was becoming thick with the urge to cry. "Why won't you answer me Klunk"!
Unable to call anymore Mike made his way inside, where he made his way to his room. Once there he curled into a ball and cried until he had no more tears left to shed... at least for the time being.
When the others entered the kitchen it was completely empty. No food, no coffee, no little brother greeting them with his cheery smile to light up their day. Something was definitely wrong. All three older turtles rushed back upstairs to the youngest' temporary room. They paused as they heard snuffling coming from inside. They knocked once and heard muffled rustling before Mikey opened the door. The three elder turtles were met with a pair of red rimmed blue eyes and a forced smile.
"Whats up dudes?" Mikey asked, then proceeded to smack himself on the head. "Duh, I forgot to make breakfast. You guys must be starving".
The youngest turtle made to move past his elder brothers, hoping to escape the questions he was sure were coming. However this was not to be and the other three closed in, trapping him in the middle. Mikes eyes met the ground, knowing there was no way out. He mentally braced himself and waited for the onslaught.
Raph, surprisingly, was the first to break the silence. "What's wrong Mikey? We heard ya crying so spit it out already".
"Klunks still missing, isn't he?" Donnie questioned, seeing his baby brother wince at Raphs question.
"Yea," the fun-loving turtle nodded sadly. "I'm really worried. I thought he'd be back by now".
"Be patient Mikey." Leo stated reassuringly. "I'm sure he's just having fun exploring, he's never had a chance to explore the woods ".
"But what if he's lost or hurt?" Mikey asked, worry shining in his watery blue eyes. "What if he needs me?! Or even worse, what if Klunk doesn't want to be with me anymore and has decided to go roaming. Male cats tend to do that sometimes, you know".
"Mike, listen to me." Raph spoke as he placed one hand on each of his baby brothers shoulders. Looking the youngest straight in the eyes as he continued. "Something like that would never happen. That furball loves you to pieces, just like we do. He will come back... I promise".
Tears once again fell from the youngest' eyes. Almost immediately he was engulfed in a group hug. At some point during the conversation Master Splinter had made his way to the door and had stood watching, proud that the others were so understanding of the special bond between Michelangelo and Klunk. He, too, joined the hug. It lasted a good few minutes and by the time it came to an end each member of the family had a smile upon their face.
Mikey felt much more optimistic after the conversation with his bros, but as the day progressed that feeling ebbed till it was only a tiny light in the darkness of his uncertainty. By the time night had fallen, the orange banded turtle was once again out calling the name of his lost pet. He walked the same route he'd walked numerous times since Klunk disappeared. The same result greeted him. Disheartened, the young teen decided to go to bed.
Day 3
That night Mikey dreamt of Klunk.
The young tom was standing in a small clearing within the woods, moonlight streaming down on him. A river rushed through a corner of the glade and disappeared into the trees beyond. Klunks pelt shimmered in the dark, as if it held the light of every star in the sky within its soft fibers. Yet his eyes were distant, looking as if he was seeing something far away that no one else possibly could.
Normally Mikey would have been happy to see the small cat, but this was different. No matter what the turtle did or said, his feline friend just looked at him with those distant, green eyes. Eyes that seemed to be filled with love and sadness. It was as if he was trying to say "I'm sorry Michelangelo, I have to go now."
Klunk then turned away and proceeded to walk toward the river. Mike tried to chase after the cat, however, his feet seemed to be frozen to the ground. Upon reaching the river bank, Klunk looked over his shoulder at the turtle who was his best friend. Once again Mikey felt as if those eyes looked deep into his soul to portray a message that the cat was unable to speak. "Thank you for all you have done my friend. Please don't give up hope, there are those out their who need you more than I. Farewell, we shall meet again... someday. I will never forget you".
The young turtle was powerless to stop his friend. All he could do was watch as Klunk turned back to the water and stepped in, letting the current draw in under into oblivion. As the young tom disappeared beneath the surface, Mikey screaming Klunks name was the only sound to be heard in the still clearing.
Mikey jerked awake as he felt himself falling. Opening his eyes he realized he had fallen out of bed. The sheets were twisted tightly around his legs making him somewhat incapable of movement. As he worked on freeing himself Mike thought back on the events of that night.
"Was that really a dream?" He thought to himself. "But it felt so real. I swear I could have touched Klunk if only I could have moved. I need to find Klunkers! I need to know he's okay! Because this dream can't be real... right? Klunk can't be gone... he just can't"!
Throughout the day the youngest turtle tried to forget the foreboding the dream had left him with, but it was no use. He had immediately went out and called for Klunk after he had gotten himself untangled. The same result as the last couple days greeted him. The orange tom was still nowhere to be found. The rest of the day was a mix of worrying over his cat, training with Master Splinter and his bros, and trying to ignore the ever building mass of dread that had completely taken over his heart. The teenagers nightly routine was just as affective as the morning one had been. No matter how much or how loudly he called Klunk would not answer his pleas. Taking one last look into the forest, Mikey turned away, heading toward his room and the refuge that was sleep.
The youngest turtle hadn't noticed the three figures watching from the shadows as he hopelessly turned away for the night. Leo, Raph, and Donnie had been keeping an eye their baby brother. All three had noticed the vacant look slowly taking over the youngest' eyes. Where there had once been hope, wonder and fun was now only worry, loss, and despair. They couldn't stand that look on their little bros face. After Mikey had returned to his room the older turtles held an emergency meeting in the kitchen.
"We should talk to Mikey again." Leo said once they were settled. "He can't go on like this".
"That won't do any good. This is reminding me a little to much of six years ago." Donnie replied shuddering. "You guys remember... right"?
"How could we forget?" Both Raph and Leo declared.
None of them wanted to see the youngest return to how he had been back then (an emotionless shell of his normal fun-loving self). It may have only been a week but it was the hardest week their little family had ever faced.
"We need to do something." Raph said angrily. "I promised Mikey that Klunk would be okay. I can't just sit here and let him suffer like this. I'm gonna go look for the furball"!
"Wait, Raph." The leader exclaimed as he caught hold of his temperamental brothers arm. "We need a plan. We can't just go marching through the woods searching for one tiny cat. It would be like finding a needle in a whole hayfield".
"We should wait till morning." Donnie agreed. "I think I have something that will help us. I've been working on an advanced tracking unit for the last two days. It follows the scent of whoever or whatever we program it to, kinda like the nose of a dog. Although it is way more accurate what with all the technological aspects that I incorporated into the design. I haven't told Mikey because I was worried what would happen if he gets his hopes up and we still aren't able to find Klunk".
"Donnie, is that invention of yours finished or do ya still need to work on it?" Raph asked, thankful that they'd have a better chance of finding the small cat.
"Not quite, but it should be ready by first light." Donnie replied with a slight chuckle. "Thus why I suggested waiting till morning".
"It's decided then." Leo announced in his leader voice. "We leave at first thing in the morning. Hopefully Klunk will be back safe and sound in Mikey's arms tomorrow".
"We'll find him." Raph declared confidently, not wanting to break the promise he had made. "We've got to... for Mikey"!
"For Mikey!" The others agreed.
With the plan fresh in their minds, the elder turtles went their separate ways to prepare for the day to come. As all three worked, late into the night, they couldn't help but think of all the possible things that could go wrong. One thought kept repeating in each of the elder turtles heads and they couldn't shake the feeling of unease that it instilled. "What's going to happen if this story doesn't have a happy ending and what will that mean for our baby brother".
AN: Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it. Please review. The more reviews I get, the more motivated I become, and the sooner the next chapter will be posted. Thanks!