Chapter 10

Kaede

This wasn't happening. It couldn't be. Maybe all of this was some horrible nightmare. Maybe he'd wake up in the village, or in Lorenzo's barn. Spirits, Lorenzo. He had almost forgot about Kojima, spirits Kojima Leo couldn't think about that right now. He'd deal with it later. But it had to be, it was as obvious as the blood running down his cheek and the pain in his left arm, throbbing from their fight. But slowly the facts came back to him.

The NightWatcher was Raphael.

He had attacked his little brother.

Well, not so little. He was definitely taller then Leo by atleast a head and was stacked with muscles despite his years of hard work and chores. For a split second Leo thought Splinter had mistaken which 'brother he was." Maybe THIS was the real Leo and the was actually Raph (or maybe he was panicking so much his mind was spewing whatever it wanted).

Seriously he looked like he lived wearing weights. Obscured by his one piece of whale leather sewn together. Donnie's small form was dwarfed in comparison. It didn't help that Raphael was all but holding him with one arm right off the ground. But that was important. Especially as he remembered the swords in his hands. A moment ago they had been a force to protect. Now all he could see was holding them over the NightWatcher. Braced to bring them down.

Nausea began to twist in Leo's gut. His shaking hands back into their holster Leo had fought his little brother. He had taken his swords and tried to-

The thought made him dry heave slightly. His body shaking as he grabbed the wall for support.. Forcing himself to take several deep breaths. That seemed to help a little bit, his nausea sliding away.

That's when he realized that Raphael and Don were talking. .

"-This isn't funny Don-"

"I'm not trying to be funny. You know that."

"Well then he's trying to be funny. He's lying or sumthn-"

Leo rubbed his aching head. Trying to focus, he moved the motion to the side there. His head began to clear

What was going on? They weren't talking kindly or quietly for that matter. They were arguing. Judging by the scowl on Raphael's face and the unreadable one on Don's. Raphael had set Don on the ground, arm around the younger kame's shoulders. While the other was on the ground on the other side of Don, sai still in his grasp. Leo saw that the is was tight in-between Raphael's knuckles and pointed directly at Leo.

Leo took the apparent death threat gracefully. But Don opened his mouth to respond when his face twisted up slightly. Not in pain, but enough to send his instincts into overdrive and heading in their direction.

Raphael must have been focused pretty hard on Don, because he didn't look at him till Leo knelt down. The red masked kame glared at him heavily and pulled Donatello closer to him. But Leo didn't care, he looked at Don who had finally lowered his hands, reaching out" Are you ok Donnie-"

Raphael's fist shot up and aimed right at Leos head. Leo flinched and ducked his head, expecting to feel his face explode in pain (his right arm was in too much pain to use in defense) but realized he didn't feel anything. He glanced up to see the fist just inches from his face. Leo blinked for a bit (wondering if Raphael had changed his mind and decided to be Best friends). But realized that there was something shimmering under Raphael's sleeve. Some kind of hidden weapon?

But Raphael's words were infinitely more dangerous, "DON' .HIM"

Normally Leo respected people's wishes. And perhaps if he wasn't in his current state of mind he would listen. But he couldn't. He couldn't leave Don's side. Even if it risked getting a foreign object lodged into his head. Surprisingly he wasn't scared. He had come too far to be scared now, especially when he saw Don press his mouth into his sleeves,

"Just tell me what I can do to help." he told Raphael, "Please-"

"Get to hell."

Leo blinked, not sure if he had heard right, "Wh-"

"I said go to hell. If you can't do that the get the hell out of here before I toss you out." There was that dark tone again. Leo couldn't help but wander if Raphael's throat hurt from using that tone. For some reason that thought made him feel better. If not more confident.

""I'm not leaving."

He half expected Raphael to curse him out, but instead his face twisted into a smirk, "So you want to be tossed out of a 2 story building? Interesting, must be some brain damage in that fearless brain of yours. But I wont deny your request." he moved slightly but Don's hand shot out and grabbed Raphael by the arm that was pointed at Leo tightly around the elbow yanking it down and taking Leo out of the line of fire, "Knock it off Raph!"

"Stay out of it Don-"

"You can't hurt him Raphael! Please!"

"Why shouldn't I?! He almost brought the roof down-"

"You can't hurt him because he's our brother-"

"Bull-shit." Raphael snapped at him so hard that Leo twitched, taking all of his patience not to toss Raphael out the window. But Don had a firm face. Unfazed by Raphael's tone. Raphael must of noticed

that to because Raphael glared at Leo again, "Have you been lying to him!? You worthless-"

"Shut up Raphael! Shut the hell up!"

Leo blinked, unsure if those words really came from his little brother. But if that angry expression was anything to go by, it definitely came from Donnie. He just couldn't believe it. And just doing by the look on Raphael's face, he definitely wasn't happy about it. (either that, or he was never happy), "Don-"

"I said shut up!" Don's young voice cracked slightly, but the anger was there, "I'm not a stupid kid Kuma-ni! I don't just believe whatever people tell me! I KNOW he's telling the-"Don's face suddenly twisted up again. Before Leo could ask what was wrong, Don turned away and buried his face into his hands as loud coughs began to wrack him..

Raphael's face suddenly forgot its scowl and grabbed Don by the shoulders, "How much dust did you breath in!?" he demanded. But the harsh coughs proved to be too hard for Don respond. Leo watched as Raphael looked around the room franticly as though looking for something before noticing the ruin," Dam it!"

Leo was about to ask what he was looking for when Raphael's' hand shot up and shoved his face hard. Knocking him off balance and onto the ground, "What the-"he turned back around to look at his brothers but was horrified to see the two were gone, "WAIT!" he shouted. Unsure of where they went till he remembered the stairs. Leo stood up and hurried over to the stairs in time to see Raphael disappearing into the building again. Without thinking he leapt over the railing and onto the ground below. It was only then he realized he still had his swords drawn.

Dam

Maybe that was why Raphael had been so defensive.

Or maybe he was just unpleasant.

Either way he took a moment to shove his swords back into their sheaths before running over and opened the door. Donatello was sitting on a chair in front of the examination table as Raphael went through the cabinets. His face was once again angry reaching in to push by the jars that filled it, ""Dam it! Where is it?"

"Where's what?" he asked stepping in

"Why the hell are you still here?" demanded the hot head, not even looking at him. He looked over 3 jars in his hands and slammed them back into the cabinet, "Dam it!" he grabbed the cabinet and slammed his palms against the large structure as though expecting the cabinet to simply spit up what it needed. But it simply rocked a bit before coming to a halt. Coughing filled the air again as Raphael turned around, to look at his little brother helplessly, "I-I'm sorry Don none of your medicine is here."

Don raised his head from his hands, "I-I'm fine Raph-" his voice was thick and wheezing and sent Leo's stomach into a twist. It definitely shouldn't sound like THAT.

Medicine?

Raphael rolled his eyes, "Yeah because you sound terrific." Don smiled at him slightly before another cough burst from his lips and forced him to cover his moth again. IT was hard to ignore the fear on Raphael's' face when he went back over to Donatello and knelt in front of him rubbing his shell.

This wasn't' right though, Don was supposed to of gotten better. The coughs and fragility of his toddler years were supposed to of gone away over time. As he saw Don shake-, "Why is Donnie coughing so hard?" he demanded with more franticness then anything, "he was getting better, stronger. What-"

"He breathed in too much dust." Raphael didn't look at him at first (Leo was actually surprised his responded) . But then glared at him again, as though just realizing who had spoken "He obviously didn't, And how the hell do you know about that?"

"Because I took care of him before you did!!" Leo didn't mean to shout that part. He definitely didn't want to have Raphael glaring at him with ten times the amount of hatred as before. Don broke out coughing again. Raphael's face twisted with a torn look on his face, pulling him over to him, "Breathe slowly ."putting his hand on the back of Donnie's head to press his forehead into his shoulder to rest there, rubbing his shell, "its going to be ok Donnie." Leo thought he heard him whisper, "I'm right here, I'm not leaving."

But to Leo the sound of the painful coughing and wheezing was too much, "Is there anywhere else we can get his medicine?"

"Sensei has some." Raphael seemed to forget for a moment that he hated Leo as he rubbed Don's shell as he began to wheeze again, "But it's night, the street is rolling with stupid thugs who'd love to catch me off guard."

"I'll go with you, I'll keep my swords drawn and keep them away. That'll work right?" right now he'd probably run around in his birthday suit to keep Don from coughing that hard.

Raphael glared at him, probably choosing a few words to throw at him, but then looked back down at Don, who had stopped coughing long enough to make eye contact

Leo watched the two brothers stare each other down. He almost got the feeling that they were having a argument with their eyes. Finally Raphael sighed angrily and looked over at Leo, "you listen carefully 'Fearless' you can follow us, but if you threaten my baby brother, or sensei-"

"I'll let you toss me out of the tallest building you can find." sure he was scared of heights.

And it didn't matter that there wasn't a building over 2 stories. Don needed help and he'd do anything to help him.

That seemed to amuse Raphael, because his eyes lit up slightly. Maybe in approval. Turning back to Donatello he reached into the back of Don's happi and pulled out something black attached to one of Don's undershirts and pulled it over his head like a hood before put his hands under him, "Come on Don." he bounced on one knee before standing with his little brother in his arms. The purple masked kame put his hands on Raphael's' chest irritated, "I can WALK Raphael-"

"Yeah well, you're making me let a idiot follow me, so get over it." obviously Raphael was mad, "Besides you know how you are when you're gagging your lungs out."

Don fell silent after that, probably deciding to focus on breathing judging by the wheezing he could hear. ' Just don't stop.' Leo willed silently onto his brother

He followed Raphael out the back fence. The streets were next to empty but out of the corner of his eye, he could see figures moving in the shadows. Probably the thugs Raphael had referred to. Reached down to draw out his swords when the pain in his right arm reminded him of his fight. SO he chose to draw out only one, aligning it next to his body and prepared to cut down the shadows in needed. But they took his warning gracefully and shrank back further into the darkness.

Nice to know Leo could be intimidating if he needed to be. It took a bit for him to realize that Raphael was a bit ahead. Leo doubled his steps and hurried after him . So focused on running he almost ran into Raphael's still form, "What are-"

"Get the door Fearless."

Leo realized that Raphael nodding angrily towards the tall tan outer wall he stood in front of. Leo barely opened the door before Raphael slammed it open the rest of the way with his shoulder.

Running in and through the small courtyard. Leo barely could catch a glance at the garden to his left as Raphael ran through the open front door and Leo followed. He was surprised to see them in a dojo like setting. But there was no one in tight where in sight. Leo watched Raphael set Donnie down onto his feet but kept a grip on the smaller kame's shoulders "Mom! Mom are you here!?" he shouted

MOM!?

There was the sound of quick footsteps and a side door slid open, "Raphael, I realize your voice only knows one attitude but that does not mean it only knows one volume-" a badger stepped out of the hallway, dressed in a white Happi over a black-gi. Her long brown hair tied back and stood out from her brown, white sprinkled fur. Her black eyes widening at the sight of them, "Donatello!" she ran on over reaching and pulling his black hood down to see his face, placing her hands on his shoulders, looking him over. Leo noticed that she barely glanced at him.

But he was grateful for that. Especially since he realized he forgot to take off his shoes when he entered the dojo. He took a sec to yank them off before tossing them out the open door.

The badger turned to Raphael, "the ingredients for his medicine are all in the supply room, but you're going to have to mix it."

Raphael nodded and ran out of the room. It was sad to say how relieved Leo was to have Raphael out of the room. But he didn't like the look the badger was giving him. He tried to ignore it though, his instincts were in overdrive. Don had finally stopped coughing again his hands were still raised to his mouth though, as though he he expected them to return any second. He was the only one Leo was concerned about,

"Are you ok Don?" he asked

The purple masked turtle looked over at him, Leo could almost feel that the younger kame was embarrassed, "I'm fine, it was just a few coughs." Despite his words there was a wheezing underlining sound, "Raphael is just being a big worry-wart." a small smile. Leo reached out to touch his shoulder when he found himself being shoved back by the glare of the badger. She moved stand by Donatello, holding him around the shoulders, but her eyes were dark and raged. As though warning him with her eyes of the hell that would rain on him if he hurt Donnie.

"Its alright Mother," came Donatello's reassurance, "He's not going to hurt anyone

At least he had won Donnie over. But the woman didn't seem to believe him. . Her eyes alone were bearing on him with a intensity that made Raphael's glare look like a love-tap. She wasn't taller then him, but definitely older. Old enough for Raphael to call him 'Mom'. And Leo knew that he wouldn't be

allowed near Don if she thought that.

Leo found himself seething his katana, grabbing them both by the scabbard and pulled them out of the leather strap that kept them at his waist. Already he was missing their weight on his waist, but he tried to ignore it. He moved his hands under both swords so they rested on the palms of his hands, and bowed respectfully, "Konbanwa sensei. I'm sorry if my presence is unsettling. It would mean a lot to me if I could have these back.

But I would rather not be forced to leave."

The badger's expression didn't change. But she took the swords with one hand. Leo tried not to feel uncomfortable but he saw Don smile at him reassuringly. As though trying to tell him he had done the right thing. Well it was about time, he was sick of making mistakes.

Suddenly Don covered his mouth again as harsh coughing began to burst from his mouth. Doubling over as his body shook heavily. Leo ran to his side (noticing that the badger had stepped out of his way), wrapping his arm around the hacking kame. Lowering him down onto the floor. He pulled the younger kame so he was leaning against him. Grateful that Don didn't shove him away. Already he was

flashing back to his childhood and the paralyzing fear he felt when Donnie would start coughing.

Before he and his father knew how to combat it he had a fear that his little brother would follow their mother. "I didn't want it to go like this." He told the ill kame. Leo didn't care if the badger (now kneeling by them) stared at him or if Donatello was even listening, "I wanted to find you and Raphael and see if you were safe." Great, more emotion. What was he, a little girl!?, "And you were. You were just fine till I got here. I'm so sorry Otouto.," he wrapped his arm around Don to hold him against his chest and his other hand stroking Don's shoulder blades over his clothes. He could remember that doing that when Don was a baby would make him breath easier. Even though it caused Don's coughing to soften slightly, it didn't make him feel better. Because this was his fault," More then anything else I'm so sorry." Deep down he wanted to promise that after Donnie was fine he'd leave. And pray they forget they ever met him. Despite that thought he found himself hugging Donatello even tighter.

And even if his father and brother weren't waiting at home for them, he wouldn't make that promise. He never wanted to let them go again. He wanted to be near his Otouto (even Raphael) just to make sure they were safe. Even though Raphael had proven to be a capable fighter, he was still Leos' little brother (who had just spent the last 20 minutes trying to kill him). Donnie started hacking heavily again the badger turned and yelled,

"Hurry up Raphael."

Leo half expected Raphael to yell at her to shut up but instead Raphael ran in carrying a yunomi in his hands kneeling down in front of Donnie, putting the steaming tea into his hands. Wrapping his hands around Don's for a few seconds, as though making sure that Don had a hold of it before pulling his hands back (surprisingly not giving Leo any crap about hugging Donnie), "Here, you need to drink all of it."

"I-I know Raphael." Donnie took the cup and began to drink out of it. Leo caught of whiff of the tea

(vanilla?) it was definitely familiar. But at the moment it escaped him. Finally Don set down the yunomi with shaky hands. Leo sighed in relief as he felt Don take several deep clear breaths and the tension fell away.

Leo noticed that Raphael was glaring at him again, spirits what did he do this time? Then he noticed Raphael was glaring as hands more then anything. He probably didn't want Leo holding Don so tightly, or at all. Leo was about to tell him what to do with that thought but he thought against it. Dorinbo had taught him patience, and to especially be so when around those who you wanted to trust you.

Sadly, Leo released his hold on Donatello. He made sure that Donatello was sitting up on his own before scooting back a step. When he did, Donnie gave him another sad smile. Showing he understood. Raphael sighed, "Dam it bro, do you plan on bursting into flame too?"

"That was one time, Raphael and I was wearing my leather suit at the time so I was fine."

Once again, Leo hoped he was joking, but had a feeling it was a true story. He watched the badger reach forward and press her hand on Donatello's forehead, "Luckily you don't have a fever-"

"No offense mother, but I didn't' expect to. I was coughing because I swallowed dust, not because I was ill." the younger kame ducked his head slightly with a small sad smile.
but the smile on the woman-badgers face was gentle, maybe teasing." Either way, you need to stop worrying your big brother like that."

"I know.' Donatello looked over to Raphael, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Leo didn't know that Donatello could pull of a very sad apology. He couldn't imagine being mad at someone who could use such a sincere voice. He watched Raph press his hand over his face before reaching out and rubbed Don's scalp "Just be more careful bro." Leo heard Donnie say something ,but his voice was quiet. What ever he said, it made Raphael crack a small smile. He took a moment to enjoy the sight. Even though he had been hoping that Raphael and Donnie hadn't been adopted, he watched the badger reach out and stroke the back of Raphael's head gently and Raphael relax at her tough. A touch that only a mother could have.

"So who the hell are you?"

Huh? Leo realized that he had been in rose-colored lenses for too long. Raphael was back to glaring at him (seriously, didn't it hurt his eyes to glare so much?")It seemed, with Donatello breathing normally, it put Leo back under the butchers block. "I'm your brot-'

"Yer NAME genius."

"Leonardo Lorenzo Miyamoto."

"Great, now kindly GET THE HELL OUT."

Leo flinched at the shout but was otherwise annoyed. Apparently he had served his usefulness to Raphael. But Leo had no plans of leaving. He was about to voice his opinion of Raph's' attitude when the Badgers hand shout out and grabbed Raphael by the cheek, pinching it and freezing him up immediately. He pulled his head for a little bit trying to get free but finally stopped moving, growling at

the badger angrily, "MOM-"

"Quiet Raphael," her voice was strict. It was so strange for Leo to see someone to go from so motherly and loving to so strict and tight in less then a blink," That is no way to talk to a guest."

"He's sure as hell not MY guest."

"I am the head of the house and the dojo. He is my guest, so he will not "Get the hell out" unless I tell him to."

Leo blinked so this was a dojo. A dojo/house? He wasn't quite used to that. Or a woman fighter. If he knew his layouts right, they were probably in the main training area. But the wooden tile on the walls that were supposed to indicated 'sense' and such were absent. They were probably only put up during lessons. Leo shook his head slightly, that was way off topic! And he definitely wasn't' prepared to be someone's guest!. He didn't expect that, he didn't even have a gift! Raphael didn't seem to expect that either, "He brought the roof down-"

Donatello spoke sheepishly, "sorry Raphie, but he didn't exactly do that alone-"

"shut it Don!" Raphael snapped Leo would of yelled at him for speaking to Don like that but the badger yanked on his face again, "Ow! Dam it Mom-"

"And don't tell your baby brother to shut up. Its rude and very bipolar."

Raphael glared at the badger, Leo almost expected him to yell at the woman. But instead Raphael took several deep angry breaths and closed his eyes. Only then did the badger release the hot-heads face (who rubbed on his face to alleviate it of the pain) and turned to look at Leonardo, "My name is Tsukino Kaede, welcome to my dojo."

Leo jumped for a moment before bowing, his forehead touching the hard floorboards "Thank you, I am

honored to be here."

"I would like to thank you for helping Raphael gets my rikona musuko to safety. Especially after he so rudely attacked you."

"Rude!? RUDE!?" but a glare from Kaede stopped Raphael's words and the hot head crossed his arms and pouted angrily. Leo was confused at that phrase till he looked at Don and realized that it was a nickname for him. Don blushed heavily as Leo fought the urge to smile (And the satisfaction of knowing that Raphael got put in his place.). But he tried to remember his manners and bowed, "thank

you."

"Are you hurt at all?"

"No, "he paused, unsure of what to call her, "Ma'am."

He felt something jab into his arm, pain shot out and caused him to double over in pain. He felt an arm catch his uninjured one and pull him into a his kneeling position. Leo was about to ask her what her deal was when she saw the knowing look on her face. "That's what I thought." said Kaede, "And I didn't' give you my name so you could call me 'ma'am."

"So-sorry-"

Kaede looked over at Raphael, "And you? Are you hurt, my kuma no musuko?"

Leo expected for him to put on tough guy face and scoff her off. But he must have had some respect for her because he ducked his head slightly, "It's just my neck."

Kaede tisked and poked Raphael in the neck, the red masked turtle winced heavily and stumbled back, rubbing the bruised area "Ok ok, I got hit in the head. But it wasn't' by this idiot-"

Leo suddenly remembered earlier, when he had been watching the NightWatcher fight that bear, "From your bounty?"

Raphael glared at him," How did you know-?"

"I saw you fighting earlier."

"So you were spying on me?" But before Leo could defend himself Raphael turned back to Kaede,"

Why are you even CONSIDERIGN letting him-"

Kaede, glared back at Raphael, "Raphael." it was a simple word more like a warning of impending doom tht would befall on him if he continued this attitude (but that was a guest). But even though it wasn't aimed at him, it made Leo shake slightly in fear. Raphael must of felt it to because he ducked his head again in submission. As though deciding he valued his life too much to finish that sentence. Kaede sighed and leaned over to him again. Taking his head into her hands and gently rolling his head back, looking at his neck," Can't get a good view of it with this leather monkey suit on." she brushed off his neck flakes of dust floating off, "And all of this dust. You have some clothes here; you and Donatello should go and get this dust off and take care of your injuries."

Surprisingly Raphael nodded, before looking back over at Leo with a glare. "Just-"

'Raphael," her voice became gentle, "I promise everything will be fine."

Raphael glared over at Leo and sighed before taking Donatello by the wrist and walked out of the room. Leo just caught glance of Donatello twisting slightly and giving Leo a small wave as he left. Leo smiled but was confused till Kaede came back over to him,. She took him by the uninjured arm and gestured for him to come kneel. Leo did as he was told truth be told he was relieved to finally be off his feet,

"Alright, let's see your arm."

Leo sighed sadly and pulled his arm out of his sleeve. Already he could see the large bruise that ran along his forearm and stopped at his bicep. Probably from when Raphael caught his arm. Kaede took out a small jar from her pocket and twisted the lid off. The smell of herbs filled the air and she dipped her fingers into it, rubbing the bruised area. Despite the fact it felt rather good, Leo couldn't' help but feel awkward. Even though there were women back in the village, he had never really been helped by one before, "I-I'm fine Kaede-sensei-"

"Quit squirming, I raised two boys I've dealt with this before."

Leo swallowed and nodded, "I'm sorry I have caused you so much trou-" a hand smacked him upside the head, "OW! What did I-"

"Stop apologizing. " she scowled at him, (even though she had resumed massaging his arm) with a (he assumed) motherly glare. Leo was about to apologize again before ducking his head. After all, the massage felt REALLY good

"Yes Kaede=sensei."

She seemed to approve. She continued to massage his arm for a bit leaving them in silence before, "I never thought that Raphael and Don had a family out there. I did at first but after I while I assumed they didn't want them anymore."

Leo blinked then realized what she was getting at, "SO you believe me?"

"You're a kame, you look like them. Its philosophy. Some things are obvious."

The relief filled his chest. At least that was something, "Thank you."

"For what? Not being stupid?" she glared over at him as though that was the one thing she

should be suspicious about. He was bout to apologize but his head was still ringing from the last time she smacked him upside the head so he held his tongue, "I am assuming you have knowledge about your family then?"

"Yes Kaede sensei."

"Do you have knowledge of what caused you to be separated?"

Geez, the one thing he knew the least about, "I must be honest, I do not remember much. I remember a fire." he shivered slightly as he remembered the burns on Donatello's hands (that HE had inflicted) and the monstrous form that had took his home, "It consumed everything, I barely escaped with my baby brother and the swords I gave to you. I wandered around for a long time before being found in Murakami villageby the headmen. Dorinbo. He raised me and my brother alongside his son Usagi, who would become like a brother to me," he didn't think he'd be telling stories, and he was embarrassed to have been speaking so long but Kaede kept a stoic look on her face.

"And what happened to Raphael and Donatello? During the fire."

Why was she asking that? Curiosity? Was this a interrogation?" I don't know how, but they got into our family boat and went down the Raisuhowaito River. I found the boat recently, it still there by the Akai ha Forest."

Something changed in Kaede's eyes. They almost seemed to be smiling now. What did he say? Leo didn't have long to wonder about it before another question came up.

"So you all have another brother?"

"Yes, Michelangelo." Dam, Mikey. He didn't want to think about his baby brother. It was too hard and too easy to imagine a million scenarios where Mikey was hurt. All he could do was pray his aka-chan was safe. And that he would be home soon to see him.

Kaede grunted in acknowledgement, "Very well, what of your parents? Birth."

Leo looked down at his hands, "Our father was taken prisoner, how or why I don't know. But he was trapped there for 10 years. Our mother died shortly after Michelangelo was born."

Kaede looked up at him, "I'm sorry for loss."

"Thank you." he bowed his head slightly. As sad as it was, it was weird to be sad for someone he didn't remember. That would probably be a part of Leo's life he'd never gain back. He snapped out of his daze as Kaede gently took Leo's arm ,bending it so the elbow was in the sleeve but the forearm was resting on the black strap that kept his hakamas up, like a sling" there. Be careful with your arm. It took the mot of the damage. I can get Donatello to look at it later."

"Thank you Kaede-sensei." he looked down at his arm, pleased to have almost all the pain gone. He was sure he could move it now but he didn't want to risk it. He glanced up at Kaede again , "May I please ask you a question?"

"How I found Raphael and Donatello?"

Leonardo nodded bit surprised at her insight, "yes please."

Kaede rested back on her hand glancing at the open front door. It was clear she was in her head so Leo looked down on his hand to keep from staring. It was a bit before he heard her sighing, and say "It's a long story boy. And it's been a long day, I'll tell you the story later. Are you hungry gakusei?"

"Um-"

"And don't' try to be noble. I don't want you starving of politeness."

Leo blushed, but Kaede's gentle smile made him feel better. So even if he wasn't hungry Leo knew he hadn't' eaten in a while so he nodded slightly.

"Good. You may rest here, I have some rice I can cook for a bit. You can eat with me and my sons." she got ready to rise to her feet when Leo suddenly remembered Don's coughing, the painful wheezing that caused his lungs to suffer. Raphael's franticness and the medicine. He already had a bad enough feeling,

"Kaede-sensei?" he asked

"Yes Leonardo?"

Leo wet his lips wondering how to phrase the fears rolling around in his gut, "Donnie's health, the way he was wheezing and coughing. And the medicine, I have to ask. How bad is his health?" but a part of him dreaded the answer. What if Don was dying? What if he had a salamander living in his lungs? He felt a hand touch his shoulder and glanced up to see Kaede looking on him with a soft, reassuring smile,

"In the 10 years I raised my sons, Donatello's health has not improved, and while it has not gotten worse it is obvious it is a constant fear for Raphael. Even with the medicine he takes. I can assure you that Raphael will never let Don succumb to the illness in his lungs. And nor will you." with that she rose to her feet and began to head for the side door.

Leo exhaled the breath he had been holding (without realizing). It was nice that Kaede believed him. He suddenly remembered the meat he had bought earlier, he slid off his wrap and reached in. Luckily the package hadn't broken, "Kaede sensei!" he called, remembering his tone, he quickly dropped it,

"Would this be of use to you?"

Kaede looked over to him. Holding her hand out, and gesturing for him to toss it. Even though a bit awkwardly (Leo wasn't left handed) she caught it with ease and looked it over. Surprisingly she smiled at him, "You might win my hot-headed son over yet."

That thought send a little hope swelling in his chest till Kaede steep pout out into the hallway and looked at him with a smirk

"At least. If he lets you live that long." before closing the door behind her.

Leo paused for a bit before laying out on the floor, his un-injured arm under his head and his injured one cradled against his chest. Already the light wind coming from the open front door was making him sleepy. And he struggled to keep his eyelids open. He had only one thought before he began to drift off.

He hoped Raphael let him live that long too.

a/n

Kaede was originally only going to be a 'aunt' to Raphie and Donnie and she had a husband, but I decided it would be better if she was their single adoptive mother. After all, she's Bad-a!

Kaede: I thank you for your compliment, but it does take some out of it by not cussing

Translate

rikona musuko: clever son

kuma no musuko: bear son

Gakusei: student