Disclaimer: I don't profess to own them, just love them...
A/N: Woo hoo! Number 23. I really appreciated all the great suggestions for stories. And no it's not exactly a pattern per say, I just like giving the guys equal play time. I realize my series might seem a little heavy Donatello at times. But hey, he's my fav! Uh, sorry. I'm a getting a bit off topic here. Anyways, I love the continued support. I'm going to do a character listing on my profile page so I don't have to keep repeating it here. So, check it out if you're new to the series or need a refresher.
On with the show! -raises curtain-
Raph rolled towards Cat, his eyes opening when he felt her stiffen. "Darlin'?" He gently turned her to him and frowned at her face scrunched in pain. "You havin' another headache?" She gave a slight nod, her eyes tightly shut. He stroked her cheek gently. "You want me to get you somethin'?" She gave another slight nod. "I'll be right back." He got up and headed for the bathroom to find some medicine. Although they didn't use human medicines themselves, the girls kept an assortment on hand for different things. Finding the right bottle, he plopped two capsules into his palm and grabbed a glass of water, before returning to the bedroom.
He sat as easily as he could on the bedside and lifted Cat gently into his arms. She seemed to relax just a bit at his touch, but didn't dare open her eyes even as he pressed the pills into her hand and then the cup. She swallowed them quickly and then pressed her forehead against his plastron. He ran his fingers through her blonde and silver hair, and she let out a small whimper. He frowned. "I think we need to tell Donnie about these headaches. They seem to be gettin' worse."
She shook her head. "It'll go away." She told him, her voice muffled in his chest.
He buried his nose in her hair. "Please, darlin'."
"No, I'll be fine." She took a deep breath. "Just hold me."
He complied, his arms wrapping tightly around her. The pain she was in nearly radiated off her small form. She was a tough one, he knew that. But these headaches had been going on for weeks now and they only seemed to be getting more intense as time went on. If it happens again, I'm getting Donnie whether you like or not.
They sat for a long time, her head cradled gently in one of his large hands while he rubbed circles on the base of her skull to sooth her. Her body finally relaxed, the episode subsiding. She tilted her head up to look at him and he could see the flicker of light in her emerald eyes. "I love you so much. You're my everything. Always remember that."
He smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I love you too, darlin'. But isn't that a little melodramatic for bringin' you some Tylenol?"
She half smiled, her eyes drifting closed. "It's not for that. It's just for you being you, tough guy."
His arms tightened around her and she was soon asleep. Sighing, he laid her back in the bed and climbed in beside her. They both seemed to feel better when he held her and so that was what he did. He pressed her tight against his heart. These headaches made him feel so helpless. They weren't a physical thing he could fight, which was all he knew how to do. For Cat he'd fight a thousand Shredders, a million Krang, and the entire foot army by himself. But this wasn't that type of enemy and he was at a complete loss. All he knew is that it made his heart ache to see her in pain.
Across the lair, in one of the newly built out bedrooms, Yoshi poked his head into the hall. He listened intently for a long moment. His new bedroom was backed up to the dojo. They had built an additional hall of rooms and a new bathroom that backed up to Raph and Cat's room, and extended all the way down to the dojo. The two bedrooms closest to the new bathroom were occupied by Mira, K-three, and Katsu. There were two more empty bedrooms and then Yoshi's. It was the farthest from everyone he could manage. After a long moment of no sound being heard, he finally slipped out and to the entrance that had been cut into the living room wall.
The lair was still and quiet, not that he'd expected it otherwise. He sighed, well maybe he'd kind of hoped someone was up. But these days that was unlikely. K-three had somehow convinced Mira not to go on patrols anymore since Katsu's arrival. How, he couldn't even begin to guess. They also weren't doing as many patrols either with the toddler keeping K-three up quite a bit. Kaz didn't seem to care if they went on patrols or not these days, his attention mainly fixed on the girl practically attached to his hip. And Shinta hadn't been tagging along behind Yoshi of late. The fourteen-year-old was fixated on his upcoming test and was training with an intensity he'd only seen before in his uncle Leo. He resisted the desire to snort. It'd figure that little runt would be more skilled than me, Kaz or Mira.
Yoshi moved across the living room as silent as a shadow, pressing the keypad to unlock the sewer entrance. It barely made a sound as the false wall moved and he stepped outside. Pressing the keypad again, the door slid back in place and he let out a heavy sigh. He charged off down the tunnel at a dead run. The need for action was built into his DNA, like the fuel injector of a bike. And just like all those bikes he'd built and repaired over the years, he had to let off steam.
As he splashed through the tunnels, he tried desperately to release some of the tension that had built up in him in the last few months. After Kaz had gotten injured, the brothers had watched each of them like a hawk. They couldn't make a move without someone knowing and Yoshi couldn't help but blame Kaz for that. He'd taken off on his own and nearly died because of it. But Kaz was reckless, Yoshi knew that better than anyone. He'd pulled his older cousin's shell out of too many situations to count.
It had taken a long time before everyone had finally relaxed back into a semi-normal status. Though that too was still off with the littlest turtle beginning to toddle around now. He smirked to himself. Katsu's arrival in a way had been a blessing as it kept everyone's attention off of him. The little guy was almost two now and he was babbling constantly. Sometimes it made sense and sometimes it didn't. He didn't mind the little turtle either, finding him somewhat entertaining as no one else seemed to be paying him much attention lately. He grunted as he found a ladder leading up. I guess it's a good thing. Makes it easier for me to slip out.
Yoshi peeked out the manhole to be certain the alley beyond was empty before climbing out and mounting the fire-escape. He'd been taking off on his own for nearly two months now. He was always sure to make it home before sunrise and before his aunt was up making breakfast. He'd make sure to hide any cuts or abrasions as well. He had a whole stash of bandages in his room. Sometimes they weren't so easy to hide though. Those were the days his father would pound on his door demanding he open it and Yoshi'd profess to be tired or just be crass enough to get him to leave. He knew he'd get a good chewing out later but it was better than seeing that betrayed look in his father's eyes. The one that said, "I know you're lying to me." Somewhere deep inside, Yoshi kind of suspected his father knew he was going out, he just couldn't prove it.
But even his father's attention had seemed to waiver of late. Where Raph had once forced his son to come to work in the garage nearly every day and kept an eye on him most of the time, he wasn't doing that anymore. In the past few weeks, his attention had shifted to Cat. Yoshi frowned, remembering how his mother had looked the day before. She hadn't seemed well for a while, but he'd only really started paying attention when he'd seen his father watching her with concern. His guts twisted with a twinge of worry and guilt. His parents were getting older there was no doubt in that. But while his father was mostly turtle gifted with mutated DNA, his mother was only human. And humans were fragile.
Hopping on to the roof, he took a deep breath, clearing his mind of all the what-ifs and whys. He was here for a reason and that was to find some heads to smash and some butts to kick. He began sprinting along the rooves. The first priority was to get some of his pent up energy out. Nearly ten blocks in and he wasn't even breaking a sweat yet, when he heard a woman scream. He veered north towards the voice.
And came to a stop above an alley. He growled as he watched four men surround a woman. He waited long enough to hear one man spout off something foul to the woman. Then he swept down the side of the building in a few easy moves, keeping to the shadows. He landed silently despite his large body. "I suggest you let the lady go." He used his deeper gravellier tone. It was the one his father used when he was really angry. It had been the one that had sent he and Kaz running like scared pups when they were small. It didn't quite have the same effect here.
One of the men turned and glared at the hunched shape in the darkness. He pointed a crowbar in Yoshi's direction. "Well, I suggest you mind your own business, before we start minding it for you."
"Hey! What do you punks think you're doing!"
All eyes in the alley shot to the opposite end, where a young man stood in the street light. He wore a bandana on his head but long blonde hair peeked out from under it in unruly tuffs. He was somewhat tall and slender, and carried a single bat propped on one shoulder. The punk closest to him snorted. "Keep walkin', numbnuts."
The young man's eyes flicked to the frightened woman and then back to the punk. "I'm afraid I can't do that." He charged into the alley, ready to take down the punk. The guy pulled a knife but the bat came down across his hand, sending it skidding across the ground. The young man brought the bat back up, catching his opponent in the jaw and rendering him unconscious. He smirked. "Who's next?" But the three thugs were already laid out on the alley floor. The woman skirted around the young man and ran off down the street. He squinted into the darkness of the alley and saw someone move. "Someone there?"
"You ain't bad, bub." Yoshi smirked, still not showing himself. "But you ain't good either."
The young man scowled. "Hey, I had everything under control. I didn't ask for your help."
"You jumped in on my party, bub. A word of advice, leave the vigilante stuff to the professionals." Yoshi didn't wait for a response as he silently moved up the side of the building.
Beneath him the young man sputtered into the now empty alley. "What! These are my streets!"
Yoshi paused to watch him for a moment. There was something about him that reminded Yoshi strangely of Kaz. Maybe it was the lankiness in his build or the arrogance in his stance. Or maybe it was simply the guy's recklessness. But whatever it was, it made Yoshi want to grin despite his bad mood. Finally, he just shook his head and dashed off into the night to find some more heads to break.
"Darlin', if you're not feelin' good, you should stay in bed." Raphael insisted as he watched Cat cross the room to find her boots.
She chuckled, pulling on her footwear. "I'm fine, Raph. I promise it's all gone."
Raph frowned and blocked the door as she started for it. "But you were in a lot of pain last night."
"I know, but that was last night and this is morning." She cupped his face, kissing him warmly. "And I am fine." Raph still didn't move, so she tried a bit stronger tactic. Slipping her arms around him and pressing her body flush against his. One a hand slid down his bridge to trace the edge of his lower plastron. A possessive growl left him, his arms coming up to press her even tighter against him. He suddenly crushed her lips with his. She felt the familiar rush of desire that always accompanied his touch. She pulled away just enough to speak against his lips. "I will tell you if I start to feel bad again."
"Promise?" His voice was husky, but held an edge of warning.
She smiled against his lips. "I promise." She started to reach for the door again.
He brushed her hand away, fire in his eyes. "Nope. You started somethin'. Now you gotta finish it."
She wanted to protest, but found herself grinning up at him instead. "Yeah?"
He smirked. "Yeah?"
Across the lair, Kaz pounded on Yoshi's door. "Come on Yoshi! Get up! You got ten minutes before training! Uncle Leo says if you're late again, you're running laps!" There was a muffled curse on the other side of the door but no more response than that. Kaz finally swung the door open and frowned at his cousin draped across the bed like a giant lumpy blanket. "Yoshi, wake up, bro. If you're late and you have to run laps, then guess who else isn't gonna be happy because you won't be upstairs helping in the garage?"
"Get out, Kaz!" Yoshi snarled, half into his pillow. He'd stayed out till nearly dawn, foiled two more muggings and caught a car thief. But none of that had settled his recent despondent mood.
Kaz flipped on the light and made a face at the mess in the room. He shook his head at it and immediately dismissed it. "Yoshi…"
"Out!" Yoshi growled half lifting his head this time.
Kaz snorted. "Fine. When Uncle Raphie bites your head off, don't look at me for help." He turned and head back into the living room where Jamie and Ona were coming from the kitchen, Leo following. "I can walk them to the shop Uncle Leo."
Leo nodded. "Okay, just hurry back for practice." He leaned down, giving his wife a warm lingering kiss.
Jamie smiled up at him. "Are you coming by later?"
He nodded, his deep blue eyes full of love. "Yeah. I love you."
"I love you too." She gave him another quick peck. "I'll see you later then."
He smiled as she turned with Ona to the elevator. Kaz was smiling too, but his gaze was fixed on Ona. "Hey, you forgetting something?"
Kaz looked up at him and then blushed a little. "Huh? Oh, yeah, my holo." He turned and grabbed one off the end table, before following the girls into the elevator.
Leo was actually glad Ona was helping out at the music shop. It made him feel better about Jamie being there all day. In some strange way it made him feel like she was safer. They'd hooked her alarm system into the lair a long time ago, but there had never been a need for it so far. He'd timed himself and he could make it the four blocks in under two minutes if he pushed himself, but time was inevitably catching up with him as well. He knew he wasn't as fast as he'd once been. He sighed and glanced at his brother on the couch in slight amusement. "Five minutes, Don."
Katsu's little squeals of laughter echoed off the living room walls. Donnie grinned as he gave his grandson another small toss. The little turtle threw his arms out to his side like he was flying, his gold and brown eyes bright with joy.
K-three glanced at them out of the corner of his eye from where he sat on another couch perusing a newspaper. "You're going to spoil him."
Donnie was laid across another couch, the twenty-month-old dangling above him. The tot gave another joyful squeal as he left his grandfather's hands by no more than five inches at a time. "That's my job. Your job is to deal with the consequences." Donnie smirked as he gave Katsu another small toss. He was being extremely careful not to jiggle the little turtle too much, but he also knew how sturdy he was despite his age.
"Better not let Mira see you doing that. She'd have a fit." K-three muttered around a mug of coffee. He'd taken to the stuff quite a bit of late and understood now why his father-in-law liked the hot dark liquid so much.
Donnie chuckled. "So would Sarah." He finally let the tot down onto his chest.
Katsu was not too happy about this. He swung his arms into the air. "More Sofu! Up! Up!"
Donnie laughed. "More, huh?" He sat up, tickling the tot's chin. "Sorry, but Sofu has to go practice." He set the toddler on his feet and made sure he was steady before letting go. "Maybe your daddy can do more."
K-three shot him a glare over the top of his paper. "I'm not getting in trouble for something you started."
Katsu pulled himself on to the couch beside his father. "Daddy, up! Up!"
Donnie grinned as he got up to leave. "I did say you'd have to deal with the consequences, didn't I?" He chuckled as he heard K-three grumbled something incoherent behind him.
About that time Yoshi stumbled groggily into the living room. K-three watched the younger turtle yawn widely and blunder around the coffee table. Katsu jumped on the couch, holding to the back of it. "Yoshi! Yoshi! Up! Up!"
Yoshi paused, the fog lifting from his eyes a bit. He bent close to Katsu with a small smile. "I don't know."
"Up! Up!" Katsu pulled at his cousin's arm.
K-three shook his head. "You guys are really asking for it."
Yoshi smirked. "Okay, just a little though." Katsu let out another excited squeal as Yoshi lifted him in a quick move and tossed him a good foot or more in the air.
K-three watched with a slight tinge of concern. Although he was confident in Yoshi's skill and he knew he'd never let harm come to the tiny turtle, he still didn't like seeing his son tossed quite so high. Donnie'd been easy with him, but Yoshi was doing his best to elicit the biggest squeal he could get. He felt the tug of fatherly protectiveness and realized the mistake a moment too late. He opened his mouth to give Yoshi a warning, but that too was too late.
"Yoshi! What on Earth do you think you're doing!" Mira almost shrieked as she stepped out of the kitchen.
Yoshi caught Katsu easily, but took a half step away from his older yet far shorter cousin. "He likes it." He stammered after a moment. Mira and Sarah could have a downright frightening temper when pushed. He swallowed hard. He had a feeling he was about to get a good taste of that right now.
"Likes it! He's a baby! What do you think you're doing throwing him in the air like that!"
"He was fine. K-three was sitting-"
K-three tried to hide behind his paper, but he could feel Mira's glare right through it. "And you were letting him do that!"
Mikey stepped out behind her just in time to save both males further humiliation at the hand of the petite female turtle. "You used to like it too, dudette." He patted the top of her head like she was still a small child and she scowled at him.
"Wait… What!" Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.
"Yep, we used to throw you way up the air." Mikey paused to grin at her over his shoulder before heading into the dojo. "Only dropped you once."
She chased after him, Yoshi and K-three thankfully forgotten. "That's not funny, Uncle Mikey! Did you really drop me!"
Sarah appeared chuckling, gently taking the squirming Katsu from Yoshi. The tot grinned at her. "Sobo!"
She smiled and patted Yoshi on the cheek. "Don't mind her. I remember being the same way. Oh, and I saved you a plate, sweetie."
Yoshi smiled. "Thanks Aunt Sarah. I'll get it when we're done."
"Yoshi!" Leo called from inside the dojo.
"Hey, where's Raph?" Donnie suddenly asked from somewhere inside as well.
Heavy footsteps came down the hall. "I'm comin'!" Raph stopped beside Sarah as Cat came to stand behind him. "Do me a favor and make sure she eats somethin'."
Cat glared at the back of his head. "I planned on eating breakfast, tough guy."
Raph snorted. "Yeah, well, it'd better be more than a cup of Don's damned coffee." He shot Sarah an almost pleading look that Cat couldn't see.
Sarah put an arm around Cat steering her into the kitchen. She winked at Raph over her shoulder, letting him know she would take care of it. "Come on, girl. Let's go talk about how annoying men are while they're all in the dojo."
A/N: I couldn't resist the cute scene with Don and Katsu! ^_^ It just hit me and wouldn't go away. Review pretty pretty please with pizza on top!
