Hola

I don't own.

750 words.

Ori.

Previously:

Raphael entered the cave system, fairly curious. It was huge. He wandered for hours and was undoubtedly going in circles. He soon came across a shivering figure, "Mike?"

Read away…

Shredders son.

The figure looked up hesitantly and asked, "Who…?"

Raph knew this required tact and crouched slowly next to his brother before replying, "Raph." He didn't say your brother or anything else, just Raph.

Mike looked up, "You were in my dream. You saved me. I was a ten and in the collapsed sewer."

Raph paused, sat down, pulled the younger turtle into a hug and recalled the events of that day, "I said it then, I'm sayin' it now, 'I got you baby bro. don't be scared. I got you and your safe now.' Ok." Mikey nodded slowly before burying his head in Raph's plastron and sobbing. Raph rubbed his shell comfortingly and let the little turtle cry.

Mikey's voice cut through the silence, "I think I can trust you. Can I?" Raph nods and Mike continues, "I'm confused, really confused. I don't know who I am. Everything's all blurred together."

An idea pops into Raph's head, "Why don't you tell me what you think and I'll tell you whether it's true or not?"

Mikey smiles, "My name is Mikey or Hōzuki."

Raph replies, "Mikey."

"My mother is dead."

Raph nods.

"My father is Splinter or Shredder."

"Splinter."

"I have siblings."

Raph nods again. He usually hates repetition but this is for his little brother.

"You?"

"Yes, I'm your brother."

"Just you?"

"No, there's Leo, who's older than me, and Donnie, who's younger than me."

"So I'm the youngest?"

"Yup."

"Do I have any sisters?"

The question was innocent enough but Raph had to pause before answering. He knew he had to be careful about how he phrased this.

"Raph?"

"Wha, oh sorry Mike."

"Do I… we have any sisters?"

"Sorta. You know Karai right?"

"Yeah, she said she was my sister when I was Hōzuki."

"Well, her real name is Miwa and she is our fathers daughter but Shredder kidnapped her when she was a baby. She thinks she is his daughter."

"He lied to her too. We have to help her."

"We will but right now you're our priority. We need you better bro."

"I'm scared Raphie. And cold too."

Raph pulled him closer and reached for his shell-cell. It wasn't there. "Damn." Mikey looked up and Raph quickly explained that he didn't have his phone. Then he realised that meant they would have to walk back to the lair.

Raphael stood up and helped Mikey to his feet. It only took a few steps for Raph to notice Mikey's injuries. "Mikey, your hurt."

Mikey looked ashamed and mumbled, "Sorry."

Raph hugged him again (wow, Mikey was making him soft) and said, "No reason to apologise. I'm just worried, that's all."

Mikey shuddered as painful, torture filled memories assaulted him before falling over, weak.

Raph picked Mikey up and left the little hollow Mikey had nested in. Time to go home.

.

.

.

Karai stared at the wall. Their plan had failed and the more she thought about it the more honourless the plan became. They had kidnapped a child, because Michelangelo was younger than her, erased his mind and tried to turn him against his family. They had done that to a child. That and more. There were two parts to the mind wipe/lock. The second half was administering the serum. The first part… the first part was to mentally break the subject. This meant trying to remember was agonising and that the serum actually settled/ activated. The biggest reason however, is that her father adored it. Her father loved the little turtle's pain. It was like hurting Yoshi. They told him he had been asleep for weeks. It had been half a day.

If Splinter was to suffer it should be because his sons were dead and he was about to die. It should be honourable. Not evil, not dishonourable and despicable like this plan.

She blinked. Did Shredder have honour? Did she? She once again wondered what life would be like for someone ordinary, for someone without clan feuds and ninja honour in their lives. Someone who worried about what to wear at school rather than killing and revenge. She punched the wall.

.

.

.

Shredder punched the wall. He had been so close. Yoshi's youngest son had almost become his most dangerous and possibly greatest weapon, his loyal, perfect slave. Then Yoshi's other brattish, demonic sons had turned up and his plan had failed. Well, that's what contingency plans are for, isn't it.

"Stockman, check the backup plan now. Yoshi must suffer at my hand. He must…"