Leonardo yawned quietly and shook his head, trying to escape the tiredness he was feeling. At the moment, he was in the dojo trying to meditate with Master Splinter but couldn't seem to clear his mind enough to focus it. It's been nearly a month since Mikey was finally brought home. After the situation in the sewers, it seemed it was Mikey's personal goal was to avoid Leo as much as possible. Splinter had finally allowed Mikey back into training but he is bound to the lair. Although most of his strength has returned, he was not the same and Splinter feared with Mikey's new attitude, he would hurt someone.

It wasn't just his now angered attitude Mikey had picked up, but the way he was treating everyone. He ignored Leo, snapped at Master Splinter, argued with Don, and never spoke to Raphael. Thinking of his younger brother, Leonardo also feared of Raphael's well being. Even though the one named Miles claimed the release of the Guardians on them, his brother became distant. He never spoke out of turn or even tried to argue with anything any of them said. He stayed quiet and fixated on some invisible force. What bothered Leo the most was that he continued to avoid Mikey. When they were in practice, Raph would refuse to partner up with Mikey or even stand next to him. When he observed Michelangelo, he didn't respond to Raphael's need to avoid his presence but in a way was content with Raph keeping his distance.

Their home felt like a ward, a place no one wanted to be. Leo felt suffocated and responsible, making it harder for him to sleep at night. He hated this feeling of separation in his family. He also felt hurt that Mikey had only said a few more then a couple words to him. He didn't understand why he felt he had to avoid him, wishing he would just come to him like he use to when they were younger, looking for guidance from his elder brother.

Leo sat night after night, trying to think of the most logical explanation for Michelangelo's behavior but unfortunately they had no idea what went on in the fights. Weekly, Donnie brings Mikey to the lab and looks him over, making sure he was well. When they brought him home he was terribly sick. It took a huge toll on Mikey's immune system, leaving him prone to getting sick easier. Donnie explained that with time it will work itself back up, but unsure when that will be. Another reason why they made Michelangelo stay in the lair.

For the past few weeks, he had caught Mikey trying to sneak out, stopping him before he could leave. Mikey would just glare at him and turn back to his room. Leo was lost on what he should do. He wanted to help Mikey. He wanted him to open up to Leo, let him in and help him back to his feet. But Mikey denies him, over and over again when he offers to help.

Leo rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand, lifting his bandana lightly. Another thing that bothered him was that Mikey never wore his bandana. When Master Splinter brought him his spare, Mikey yelp in fright and knocked it out of their father's hands. Leo remembered the fear on Mikey's face seeing his bandana. It only made Leo question more what exactly happened to his little brother.

"Leonardo?" He heard Splinter call to him from across the room. He looked up to see the old rat standing at the door with a cup of tea in hand. Leo didn't even notice that he left the room.

"Uh, sorry Master Splinter. I guess I'm really tired." Leo explained, sitting up straight and took a breath. Splinter made it over and sat across from his son, placing his tea down in front of him.

"Let's take a break from meditation and speak your mind." Splinter said with a soft smile. Leo opened his eyes and looked at his father and sighed.

"There isn't much to say father. I'm anxious and tired and I guess I'm frustrated in a way. I just wish Mikey would open up to me. Like he always did." Leonardo started to grow quiet with his final sentence, looking away from Splinter. Master Splinter nodded his head in understanding his sons jittery actions. As leader, it is his job to know everything that is happening within his family, even the personal things. For Michelangelo to stay so distant and never speaking to the eldest, Splinter understood greatly of the frustrations.

"What is it that you want to do, Leonardo?" He asked. Leo contemplated the question and swallowed.

"I just want to help." He whispered. Splinter reached down and took his cup in hand.

"Tell me, how do you think you can help? He will not speak to you or go near you. What is it that you can do?" Splinter quizzed. Leo searched his fathers face, seeing if this was a trick question or not.

"I can't do anything." Leo admitted. Splinted nodded his head to agree.

"Yes you can't do anything. Directly." Splinter smiled. Leo grew confused. "If I have already attempted to speak with Michelangelo and he will not go near you. Who does that leave?" He asked.

"But father, he speaks to Donnie but only through a sharp tongue. Don's been trying for weeks now to get him to talk but he won't say anything." Leo countered.

"Ah, but I was not speaking of Donatello." Splinter said. Leo was taken back when he understood who he was speaking of.

"Raph?" Leo sounded almost surprised. "Father I don't know if that is such a good idea. I mean, Raph isn't in his right mind either."

"I am aware of his mental stability. And that is why I feel Michelangelo would have a better chance of opening up to Raphael then to you or Donatello." He took a sip of his tea. "Raphael saw some things that has effected his views. I believe since he and Michelangelo has been through a similar situation that involved Rictor and the Guardians, they will find a compromise." He finished. Leo knew it was a good idea and there was a good chance it would work, but he still feared of any of the outcomes that might come to rise. There would be a chance of Mikey fighting against Raph and he didn't want to see that happening.

"I don't know father. It doesn't help that Raph won't go anywhere near Mikey." Leo rebutted. Splinter stood up, ushering for Leo to do the same.

"That is why I am asking you to leave for now so I can speak to Raphael alone." He told him. The uncertainty of Leo's face wasn't helping Splinter.

"My son please trust me when I say I know what I am doing." Splinter offered. Leonardo bit his lip but bowed his head before turning and leaving the room.

Mikey sat on the metal bed in Donnie's lab, holding a cotton ball to his arm where Donnie had just taken a sample of his blood. He glanced to the side to see the child swinging his chubby feet in the air, too short for the chair he was sitting on. He growled and turned back forward. Even after all this time, the kid still followed him, annoying him everywhere he turned. He hasn't seen Cal since the night in the sewers and in a way Mikey didn't care. He was holding him back. Mikey had the ability to be the best and things like honor and understanding were keeping him down. His annoyance was also caused by the fact that his family wouldn't allow him to go topside yet.

They were all slowing him down it seemed. He wanted to leave but knew he had no where to go. He wanted space but was suffocated under his own shame. He was lost. But would never admit it.

The past couple weeks have been hard for the youngest turtle. He had been sent into Don's lab ranging from just a basic cough to a full blown fever. Whatever Rictor had done to him, caused damage farther then his brother could ever reach.

He let out a puff of air out of irritation, frustrated with his brother wasting more time on something so trivial when he could be in the dojo training, getting back his strength.

"Are we almost done here Donnie?" He asked with frustration.

"Just hang in there Mikey." Donnie respond, not rising to the challenge. He had grown use to Mikey snipping at him like this. He was the only he talk to really so why not just accept? Although some of the comments that Mikey has said did sting, Donnie shrugged them off and continued what ever he was doing. He knew Mikey wanted him to get mad, walk away and leave him alone. But Donnie wouldn't go for it, he refused. He walked back over with a small Popsicle stick.

"Alright open your mouth." a said. Mikey hesitated. Donnie took note when Mikey flinched back at the look of the small wooden stick. Slowly, he opened his mouth, allowing the stick to be placed on his tongue. He gripped the table under him painfully tight. He didn't like this closeness, the smell of latex and other doctor uses. It reminded him of the infirmary, the nurse, how he failed.

Don saw Mikey shaking and pulled away. Mikey shut his mouth quickly but had a cough erupted from his closed lips.

"The infection is still there, not as violent but still a problem. I'll give you some antibiotics." Donnie walked over to the other side of the room, pulling out a small bottle filled with some antibiotics. Mikey recognized the bottle and felt his body tensed.

"I don't want those." He growled. Donnie stopped his movements and looked at his brother. The Amoxicillin had a side effect to make Mikey grow dangerously tired which Donnie was planning for and Mikey knew what he was trying to do.

"Mikey you need to rest and this will help with your recovery." Donnie tried to explain.

"No." He snarled. He didn't have time to sleep. He needed to fight, he needed to win. He couldn't get himself caught again. He couldn't end up in the same spot he was in; helpless. Donnie straightened out.

"Why?" He asked in a calm voice. Mikey flicked his eyes behind Donnie, where the kid sat. He was holding tightly to the stuffed panda, squeezing it tightly.

"Let him help you." He begged, nuzzling his beak to the stuffed animal. He looked back up to his older brother, eyes cold as eyes staring at Donnie.

"I know what your trying to do Don. I'm not saying anything because nothing happened." Mikey lied. So much happened. So much pain, so much sadness it hurt to even think about. But he will never say because he knows the second he releases the vital information his walls will come down, he will grow weak. He won't let that happen.

Donnie observed his brother closely. He can see his brother fighting himself with something. When he checked over Mikey when he was unconscious, he found some evidence of foul play on his brother but could not be determined unless Mikey said something.

"Mikey I know that something occurred. We all do. There's no point of hiding it." Donnie shot back. He has tried to ease his way into Mikey's mind. He has used manipulative word play and questioning answers. Overall Mikey has caught every attempt and shut it down in an instant. For a moment, they just stared at each other, waiting for the next move. Mikey whipped his head back and stood up.

"We're done." He snapped before attempting to walk out of the room. Donnie walked up to his younger brother and grasped his arm, trying to stop his fleeing attempts.

Mikey yelped from the contact and acted on instinct. He brought his fist up and hooked Donnie right on the side of his cheek. It surprised Donnie more then it hurt, making him tumble back, hitting the table hard. He was slouched over the table, holding the side of his face, feeling the head from the sudden assault. He was shocked to see the sudden fear on Mikey's face. His body was ridged and his fist shook. He looked ashamed in a way for what he had done but Don couldn't be too sure.

"Stay away from me." Mikey said in a harsh whisper before dashing out of the lab, leaving Donnie on the floor.

Mikey kept his head down, replaying the recent events. He hit Donnie. He didn't mean to but he had touched him, tried to restrain him. He couldn't stop himself. He felt the fear seeping into him. He felt guilty because he knew that Donnie was just helping but he didn't want his help.

He wasn't paying attention and bumped into something. He yelped again and looked up to see he had run into Leonardo. He felt his blood grow cold. He feared his brother. Not fearing of his skill; no. He feared seeing the shame in his eyes. The sympathy. This was his leader, he should have been better. He should have been able to defend himself he should have been able to save himself. Now he must live on with his eldest brother, his idol looking down at him like a sick child.

Mikey saw that Leo was trying to say something to him but Mikey wasn't comprehending the words. He backed up a step before side stepping to the side and out of the perimeter of Leo.

Leo stood there and watched his brother take off. He felt the guilt once more for failing to try and help his younger brother. With a sigh, he continued to walk towards the lab. He opened the already partially opened door.

"Don!" He shouted, running over to his brothers side and lifting him off the floor.

"Thanks." He mumbled out. He walked over to the cooler and pulled out an ice pack and placed it over his cheek.

"Donnie what happened?" Leo asked. Donnie was quiet for a moment.

"Mikey punched me." Donnie said quietly before pulling out a pencil and wrote down a few notes.

"Why would he do that?" He asked, a lingering sense of anger in his voice.

"It's not that big of a deal. I scared him and he reacted. It's not like he punched all that hard." Donnie argued, finishing up his last note and turned to his medicine cabinet and pulled out some pain killers.

"It is a big deal Don. He shouldn't be hitting you matter what." Leo tried to argue.

"Well do you expect from him Leo?" Don slammed his hand on the table and turned to look at his immediate older brother. "He's mentally scarred from something he won't talk about so the only thing he can do is fight back. It's just a reaction." He tried to explain to his brother. Mikey's mental state was still very unpredictable. Don has caught Mikey talking to himself sometimes and feared if this was going to be a permanent side effect from the chemical that Rictor put in his brother's system. Leo leaned against the wall and looked to the ground. Everyone was on edge, all effected from the recent events. He would only hope what his father plan would help.

"Well, Master Splinter is gonna talk to Raph." He told Donnie. The purple banded turtle turned and looked at Leo.

"Why?" He asked. Leo laughed lightly looking up at Don.

"He's gonna cause a World War III."

A/N: Not too happy with this chapter but oh well it is what it is. Let me give a big thank you to everyone who has reviewed and stuck with this story so far (The end is near unfortunately) I very much enjoy everyone's comments and opinions they make my day :) Also If you guys want a darker fic, please check out my new story The Perfect Student. I also have a Leo-Centric story up as well called Judgment if you guys wanna check that out as well :) My little one shot Mother Is also up with Karai and Mikey so a little fluff in my dark mind XD

I love you all and thank you for reading! -F