Okay, I am really sorry I haven't put up a new chapter in a while, but I'm sure you'll forgive me after reading this next chapter—which took me a long time to write, by the way. Anywho, I hope you like it. Raph and Don's POV aren't in this chapter but I assure you they'll make a comeback in the next one, which will be written much faster this time. Oh yeah, and review 'cause all it does is make me wanna write more, which is probably good for those enjoying my stories. Without further ado, the story continues…

Back at the wolf grounds, Leo had been forcefully "woken up" by the wolf guards and was told that King had given the order for Leo to see him. He was pushed roughly by the snout of one of the wolves to point him in the right direction. And despite Leo's aching muscles and head, he did not budge. Instead, he walked stiffly to where Mikey lay in a crumpled position that he had woken up from not so long ago. He reached out to his brother intending to feel for a temperature, but was pulled back by the teeth of none other than Dagger.

"King is this way," Dagger jerked his head backwards, letting go of Leo's arm. "You will heed his orders or die. Your choice." Dagger gave a pleading stare, and it was so unlike what Leo had seen during his previous fight with the wolf that he hesitated.

"I can't leave him," Leo said, looking away from Dagger to Mikey.

Dagger warily eyed Mikey and then silently turned his back on Leo. "Then take him and follow me," he said.

Leo shook Mikey gently, murmuring his name, and the sleeping turtle let out a soft groan but showed no other response. Leo sighed disappointedly and hoisted Mikey on his shell. He stumbled a bit from the weight on his aching joints but soon steadied himself, and after locating Dagger he slowly set off with Mikey. As Leo blindly followed after Dagger through the dense forest, his troubled mind took over in the silence. He couldn't help but panic over his missing brothers and agonize over possible escape scenarios that would get him and Mikey out of this hopeless situation. And Mikey—he could feel the burning fever coming from the youngest brother and Leo guessed that Mikey had probably become even sicker from this whole ordeal. Leo tightened his grip on Mikey, hoping to get a grip on reality because his mind was spinning out of control with doubts and fears, his bottled up emotions were threatening to—

Leo's thoughts were broken as an impatient growl came from the distance, and Leo looked up to see the dark gray wolf waiting impatiently up ahead. Leo quickened his pace, glancing back to see Mikey's face. Leo noticed a faint reddish color on his brother's cheeks, and heaved a sigh. If Mikey's pained expression wasn't enough, it was that his brother looked so sickly and weak that made Leo worry even more.

Finally, Leo and Dagger approached a clearing. Dagger walked to where King proudly sat—in what seemed to be a large chair made of animal bones—and bowed deeply. "I have brought the blue-banded turtle, my leader."

King huffed, unsatisfied. "And it seems that he has brought the weak one as well," he said with a disdainful tone. "No wonder you took so damn long."

"Where are my brothers?" Leo shouted suddenly.

"It does not matter. They are dead," King responded impassively.

Leo froze. He couldn't accept it; he knew they couldn't be dead. They had all been falsely assured by enemies too many times to take those words seriously. And yet, he could just feel his anxiety increase, his heart beat ever so faster at the words.

"A-and my katanas?" Leo stuttered, desperately trying to keep his composure.

King sneered. "They were disposed of, like your worthless brothers."

Leo clenched his teeth until his jaw hurt, and was so close to running toward King in blind rage, but remembered that he was carrying Mikey on his shoulders. All he could do was seethe in silent anger.

King laughed evilly at the sight. "Pathetic creature. You know, the only reason why you're still alive is to purify the blood of that stupid creature," he pointed to Mikey. "So perhaps you should pay some respects. Bow to me," boomed King.

Leo stood still. "No."

"I SAID BOW TO ME, OR I WIL KILL YOU BOTH!" King screamed. Leo flinched and slowly, furiously, knelt on the ground, careful that Mikey stayed on his back. "You have three days to live, and in that time, I want my creature's blood to be uncontaminated," King said to Leo.

"He's not yours," Leo hissed angrily.

"Your life and that creature's life is mine," King cackled at the statement. "When the blood is ready to feast upon, you die. If you resist me, you die." King then motioned to a group of wolves that had gathered in the clearing. "Or if you like, you can die right here."

"I'll take the three days," Leo snarled, his voice livid from humiliation and anger.

King turned to Dagger with a triumphant smile. "See to it that these insects are taken back to the wolf grounds," King said. "And keep them under watch; I don't want my precious blood to escape."

"Yes, King," Dagger answered and started to head in the direction where he and Leo had just come from. Leo stood back up, shifted Mikey into a better position on his shell, and reluctantly followed the wolf into the forest once more.

At the wolf grounds, Leo carefully laid Mikey down before he collapsed onto the ground himself. His distress at his situation had exhausted him to the point where he could barely think. He couldn't do anything but worry at what King had said about his missing brothers, and the fact that he and Mikey had three days to live. He just felt so…helpless. Mikey was in bad condition to escape and he would not leave his brother alone, so trying to find his brothers at this point was out of the question. He let Mikey's head rest in his lap and then turned to Dagger, hoping he could get some answers.

"Hey," he said to get the wolf's attention. Dagger turned to Leo and grunted. "You were the last one I saw with my brothers. Are they…dead as King says?" Leo tried to keep the tremble out of his voice.

Dagger hesitated and looked around. A couple of wolves were sprawled about the clearing, but for the most part it was empty. Leo guessed it wouldn't be long before they all left, and he hoped that he could use that time to somehow escape without harming Mikey. But he needed to get some information first.

Dagger got closer to Leo and looked him fiercely in the eyes. "The red and purple-banded ones are alive." Dagger whispered.

Leo's eyes widened and he stifled a gasp. He said nothing for a moment, but he instantly returned to his senses and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "How can I trust that you know?"

"My orders were to kill you and your two brothers…but I couldn't," Dagger paused for a moment and looked down at the ground. "I…I denied what you had said about our unhappiness under King's command; but I know it is true." Dagger looked uncertain. "I know not of what came over me, but I did not want to see you dead. I was a coward for convincing myself to believe in King's rule, and for convincing the army as well. And you helped me realize this."

From Dagger's tormented look, Leo could tell that the wolf was telling the truth. Leo breathed out, relieved that his brothers were alive. He could practically feel his shoulders getting lighter from one less thing to panic over. "Where are they?" Leo voiced quietly.

"I do not know," Dagger whispered back. "I hid them under a tree near our first encounter, but they must have woken by now. They could be anywhere."

"Looking for Mikey and me, that's for sure," Leo said. He put a hand on Dagger's shoulder. "You saved us. Thank you," Leo said with an appreciative smile.

Dagger looked uncomfortable at Leo's gratitude. "No. T'was but on a whim of mine. I do not deserve thanks for such a petty act."

"Petty or not, we still owe you our lives," Leo shrugged. "I bet it was your idea for me to help Mikey be 'purified' as King said, right? King's too, well, insensitive to think of something like that."

"Ah yes," Dagger said, shifting his eyes embarrassingly.

"I see," Leo sighed. "Well, as much as I hate to say it, all we can do is wait for Raph and Don to—dare I say it—come rescue us."

Dagger' s expression hardened. "Even if I am an ally, it will not be so easy to escape from King."

"I know," Leo replied. "But we're not going down without a fight."

"I had almost forgotten!" Dagger suddenly cried. "I have something that will help." Dagger rushed out of the clearing and into the trees.

A minute later, Dagger emerged from the forest out of breath with a bag in his mouth. But not just any bag—it was Leo's backpack! "This is yours, I presume," Dagger said, lowering the bag down next to Leo and Mikey.

"Yes! Thank you," exclaimed Leo. He peered inside. "My katanas! And Mikey's nunchucks, too." Leo looked confused. "I thought that King said—"

"—he says many things," interjected Dagger. "Many of those I now see are very untrue."

Leo gave a pitying look to Dagger but didn't say anything back. And after a moment of awkward silence, Mikey unexpectedly started to cough and Leo immediately tried to sit his brother up. "Mikey?" he said softly, hoping to get some response.

Mikey's eyes fluttered open as he tried to control his ragged breath. The feverish turtle struggled instinctively against his brother, but Leo held on firmly. Leo didn't like how weak his brother felt. "Shhh…" he said. "I'm here Mikey. It's Leo. Calm down, I'm here."

Mikey grunted and drowsily looked Leo. "What…what happened?" he whispered dazedly to his brother.

"It's a long story, Mikey," Leo sighed and looked at Dagger.

Mikey gave a tired smile. "I've *cough* got time," he murmured.

Leo couldn't help but smile back at his brother. "I guess you're right." Leo started to tell what he had experienced not too long ago. By the end of the report, Leo couldn't help but feel a bit worried by Mikey's lack of response. Well, he was probably only half-listening anyway. "So…now we're here," Leo finished.

"Hmm…" whispered Mikey as he eyed Dagger thoughtfully. "So Dagger isn't the bad guy?"

"It seems so," answered Leo. He gave a fleeting smile at Dagger before he looked back to Mikey.

"Funny, your attacks sure seemed like they were meant to kill. But maybe I was just reading the wrong signs." Mikey gave his trademark smile at Dagger who looked away guiltily.

Leo chuckled. He was glad that even in a feverish state Mikey's humor was still intact. Leo had never been so glad to hear Mikey's comical complaints. "He's just joking Dagger, don't take offense," said Leo with an amused tone. "Right, Mikey?"

"Yeah I *cough*didn't mean it Mr. Big Bad Wolf. Honest."

"Mikey…" Leo warned.

Mikey closed his eyes with the goofy smile still on his face. "Raph and Don better hurry. I hope they're okay."

"I'm sure they're on their way," Leo said gently to Mikey. Suddenly, Leo fell silent as the last of the wolves in the clearing finally got up and left. The sun was about to finish its descent, and Leo could just make it out through the forest trees. He swiveled his head toward Dagger. "This may be a silly question, but do you have any blankets?" Leo asked.

"Blankets…hmm…there may be one in the keeper's pile." Dagger stared into the distance.

"The keeper's pile?" Leo repeated curiously.

"Yes, it is where we keep all found items from the forest, left behind by the humans. Though, once in a while we keep all of a human's belongings if we kill them," Dagger said bluntly. "For instance, your bag would have been put there if I hadn't taken it."

Leo felt a little unnerved by Dagger's explanation, but decided against asking more about the subject. "If you could find a blanket or two, that would be great," Leo said.

"I will be back soon," Dagger said. Leo nodded in response and he watched as Dagger left the clearing.

Now alone, Leo turned his attention to his feverish sibling. "Mikey, can you open your eyes again?" Mikey frowned at the suggestion, but slowly opened his eyes. Leo put a comforting hand on his brother's cheek, and Mikey leaned into the touch.

"Feels good," Mikey whispered coarsely. Suddenly, Mikey started to cough deeply, and tightly closed his eyes from the pain in his throat. The harsh, thick coughs lasted for a minute or two, and Leo was worried that Mikey's fever had gotten worse. When Mikey stopped, Leo placed his cool hand on his forehead and the sick turtle let out a whimper before opening his eyes again. Mikey swallowed painfully to soothe his dry throat, and tiredly tried to form words again. "L-Leo," he finally whispered. "Thirsty."

"Umm, yeah," Leo said as he looked around nervously for their pack Dagger had set aside. "I'll get you some water. Just hold on a second." Leo reached into the pack and pulled out a water bottle and opened it. "Can you hold it?" he asked Mikey.

"Don' wanna," Mikey slurred hoarsely.

"That's okay. I'll help you," Leo said as he shifted Mikey in an upright position. "Tilt your head back," he ordered. Mikey complied and opened his mouth feebly. Slowly, Leo poured water into Mikey's mouth then stopped as he watched Mikey painfully swallow.

"Ow," Mikey whimpered. Hesitantly, he opened his mouth once more and Leo lifted the water bottle again. When Mikey was finished, he exhaled a hot breath.

"You feeling better?" Leo asked hopefully. Mikey nodded, too tired to even voice his thankfulness. But before he could lean back down, a sickening wave of nausea took him by surprise as his stomach churned. Mikey trembled as he desperately fought the vile acid that threatened to escape his lips. "What's wrong?" Leo asked fearfully.

"W-wanna throw up…" Mikey gasped out.

Leo frowned and looked around wildly, hoping he would miraculously find an answer to Mikey's problem. He panicked; dealing with injuries had been Donnie's department, and Leo was definitely not comfortable with Mikey puking his guts out right then and there. "Uh, just—just hold on Mikey," he said nervously, trying to calm his wheezing brother. "Slow your breathing. Focus on something else." He quickly put his hands under Mikey's arms and picked up his brother. Just as the two made it to the edge of the clearing, Mikey started to vomit on to the ground. Leo made a grimace at the sight and smell, but held tightly onto his brother through it all. When Mikey stopped, Leo set Mikey down onto his knees, but still kept an arm over his plastron to keep him steady. Mikey was pale, and a sheen of sweat covered his brow. He hadn't stopped trembling either. "Mikey, you okay?" Leo asked tentatively.

Mikey spit onto the ground hoping to clear his mouth of the awful taste. "I've been better," he mumbled. His throat felt like it was on fire, but he didn't want to worry his older brother any further. He looked over his shoulder at Leo, who had a distraught face. "Don't look at me like that. I'll be—" he cut off with a choked sound and immediately faced his head back down at the ground. Mikey started to dry heave and couldn't help but groan faintly from the pain it brought to his chest and throat.

"Mikey!" Leo cried, even more concerned over his youngest brother's health. Leo knew that Mikey must be having a high fever for his body to be rejecting everything so severely. He patted Mikey on the shell gently and the turtle's tense muscles finally stared to relax. Leo guided Mikey back to their spot and tenderly laid his brother down to the ground, using his backpack as a pillow.

Mikey opened his eyes again, wondering when he had closed them, and gave Leo a reassuring smile. "Actually, I'm feeling a lot better after that," he whispered. Well…except for his throat, but Leo didn't need to know everything. "So don't look so sad bro," Mikey pleaded.

"You're the one who's sick, yet you're trying to cheer me up," Leo laughed softly. "What would I do without you?"

"I'm the Battle Nexus Champion after all. Nothing in the multiverse can bring me down," Mikey said hoarsely, happy that he got Leo to laugh. "Not even this stupid cold."

"It's not just a stupid cold, Mikey—you're really sick." Leo knit his brow in worry. "As soon as Donnie and Raph find us and we get back to the farmhouse, you'll need to take some strong medication to get you out of the woods." At Mikey's silly grin, Leo added, "Excuse the bad pun."

Mikey sighed. "Anyway, I thought I'd never see the day when you'd be a damsel in distress, Leo. That's my job."

"I thought it was being the Battle Nexus Champion," Leo countered playfully.

Mikey huffed. "That too."

Suddenly, Leo whipped his head toward the unmistakable sound of something coming through the forest. Leo jumped into a defensive position into front of Mikey without a word, but relaxed as soon as he saw Dagger come out of the trees. The wolf had two blankets in his jaws. As Dagger handed them over to Leo he said, "These were the only ones I could find. I hope they are to your liking."

"They're perfect. Thanks," Leo said. He took both blankets and placed them over Mikey.

Dagger looked quizzically at Leo. "You have given him both," he stated uncertainly.

"Yeah," Leo said. "He needs it more than me."

Dagger cocked his head to one side. "Is it the bond you spoke of that makes you so…selfless?"

Leo rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, I don't think I'd call it being selfless. But we do care for each other."

"Have you been watching Master Splinter's soap operas again, Leo?" Mikey said faintly. Leo laughed and Dagger looked even more confused at the comment. "I may have some good blackmail material on you, oh-fearless-leader," Mikey smiled. He started to cough a bit and Leo patted his shell with an amused smile.

"You are the leader of your brothers?" Dagger said incredulously to Leo.

"He's the one and only," Mikey rasped. He started to cough a little harder and Leo gently stroked Mikey's arm to comfort his brother.

Through half-lidded eyes, Mikey said, "I'm kinda sleepy."

Leo smiled warmly at his brother. "Then rest. I'll be here." He watched as his youngest brother closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Dagger narrowed his eyes in frustration asked Leo, "How can you be so calm? I thought the bond you speak of made you protect your brothers; yet one is weakened and the others are missing." Dagger furrowed his brow anxiously. "You doubted our happiness, yet under your lead, are your brothers happy?"

Leo smiled sympathetically to Dagger, who gave a puzzled frown at the peaceful expression. "Well, I guess after talking with Mikey, I realized I had to stop worrying so much about my brothers. So what if Raph and Don were missing? They're alive and that's all that matters." Leo paused with a thoughtful look on his face. "I know that I can trust my brothers enough to be fine on their own, because they are more than capable of taking care of themselves and protecting the other." Dagger looked at Leo in awe at his explanation.

"That's why I can be calm. And you want to know why we are happy, even under my leadership?" Leo said quietly. Dagger nodded sheepishly. "It is because we live as brothers. Although we…disagree with each other sometimes, we fight together, we laugh together, and we cry together. We trust and protect one another, and hang out and have fun." Leo smiled as he let his memory flash with those moments he held dear. He felt a stinging sensation at the corner of his eyes, but refused to cry in front of Dagger. He fell silent, but continued to tenderly rub Mikey's arm . He could tell that Mikey was listening by the content look on the youngest's face, but did not want to fully wake his brother because he still needed rest.

"I am jealous," Dagger confessed seriously.

Leo looked up to Dagger with a smirk. "Don't be so solemn, Dagger. I mean if you wanted to, you could change—"

"—No," Dagger interrupted, shaking his head. "King would never allow it. He does not see anyone as an equal to himself; even I am at his mercy." Dagger lowered his eyes to the ground.

"Then fight for your freedom," Leo said firmly.

Dagger gave a wide-eyed stare. "Fight? I-I don't…" he was at a loss for words. "I have never even thought of such a thing."

"Don't you think that the rest of the wolf army is miserable?" Leo pressed earnestly. Dagger gave a nod. "Then, why can't they fight against King, and make you leader?"

"It is not how things are done," Dagger protested. "For me to assume the leader position…I would have to kill King in a duel."

Leo nodded understandingly. "And?"

"I do not know if I am capable of beating such a foe," Dagger continued. "And King would never accept the duel in the first place."

Leo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But if I could get King to duel you, would you fight?" he asked, looking Dagger straight in the eyes.

"W-well I…" Dagger faltered.

"Think of your army, Dagger. Your comrades," Leo implored.

Dagger breathed out and looked up decisively. "Yes. I would fight him."

"And win," responded Leo.

Dagger nodded. "I should inform my…comrades." He smiled at the last word. Looking down at Mikey he asked, "Can he wait until morning?"

Leo grinned. "I'll take care of him," he said as he patted Mikey's forehead. "He'll be okay."

Dagger smiled back. "It must be nice, having a brother to look after."

Leo laughed at the remark. "You'll never know the half of it," he said. "My brothers are such a handful; sometimes I just want to shut them up. Okay, well mostly Raph. I mean, he could at least follow some of my orders, but—" Leo stopped, forgetting he was getting off topic. At Dagger's confused look, Leo added, "But then again, I will love my brothers no matter what, and fight for their happiness—even at the expense of mine."

"You do make a good leader, Leo," Dagger said. "One that I hope to become someday if—ah, I mean when I win the duel."

"That's the spirit," Leo said.

Dagger stood up. "I should go. Thank you, and goodnight." He bowed his head at Leo as a farewell and slipped into the forest.

Leo let his eyes linger at the spot where he had just watched Dagger leave. He could barely make out the trees that surrounded the clearing anymore, for it had become pretty dark already. Leo tucked the two blankets tighter around Mikey and sat next to him with his swords propped up. Just in case, Leo decided he would keep watch a few more hours before going to bed. He hoped that Don and Raph would come soon; his optimism about Mikey's condition and his missing brothers' whereabouts would not last much longer. His last thought before going to sleep was about how he would persuade King to duel, and a scheming grin crept upon his face. He knew what he would do…