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Chapter 13

Leatherhead and Big Brothers

Wh-wh-where am I?

It was the first though that came to him. But you would wonder that too if you awoke to darkness. It was simple question, one someone might ask after a long party out. But after acknowledging the question, it opened the door to others. One he couldn't formulate, things were missing, slipping between his bandage fingers before he could really understand what they were.

Wait, bandaged? He moved his fingers under the heavy blanket that covered him. Pain shot through his hand and immediately made him regret his curiosity Besides that he was to tired to move.

That's when he noticed the weight in his arms, was he holding something? No ., it was a person. A very small one. As alarming as it was ot realize he was holding another being it was also comforting to know he wasn't alone. But a nagging feeling filled him. As tired as he was he had to pen his eyes, he had to see if the being was alright.

He could feel his eyelids crack uncomfortably and painfully. But he felt a large hand run over them, rubbing something cold over the cracks and soothing the pain. He waited a few more seconds before trying again. This time the pain wasn't so bad, and his eyelids opened a bit, bracing himself for more pain. But none came, due to the absence of bright light. But the worlds around him was blurry, he couldn't even properly make out colors.

"Are you awake boy? Are you alright Kodomo?"

It seemed that his hearing was fine. That was some good news at least. The voice was deep, but warm. It was very pleasant to listen to. If only he could actually SEE. Once again he felt fingers gently press onto his eyelids rub on them again and rubbed the same cold substance on them.

They were both weird creatures, covered with white fur and long stalks coming out of their heads. No, ears. They were ears. The bigger one had his ears tied back while the younger ones were unhindered. They looked very similar, probably family. The younger one wore a blue short yukata and the bigger one wore a black kimono, with a gray obi. No, not big. Well yeah big but not fat, muscular. It took him a bit to realize that he had been the one to rub the medicine over his eyelids. Hard to believe someone so big was capable of being so gentle. Not that he minded. He realized that he hadn't answered the question yet and nodded slightly.

The taller one smiled gently, the boy felt his apprehensions start to fade away. There was no need to fear a face so kind., "Are you thirsty?" the tall creature asked

The boy wanted to shake his head, but he feared another spasm of pain, he parted his lips, forcing his weary vocal chords to work, "N-no." but something was wrong, something was MISSING, but what was-

Then he realized he had his arms wrapped around something, as though holding it was the one thing that mattered. He peered down in confusion to see the green scalp of a baby. Snuggled against his chest and sleeping soundly, a orange bandana lay folded by them, a long with a blue one. The orange one belonged to the baby, and the blue one was his. He knew that because he helped him put it on every day. Mikey always depended on him, he was always getting into situations that Leo had to save him from.

Mikey.

Michelangelo.

Aka-chan

HIS Aka-chan

That was his name

But what was his? He knew he had one. He played with letters in his head. Leo? Yeah, his name was Leo. Was it short for Lorenzo? No, as familiar as it wasn't his first name.

Leonardo. Yeah that seemed right. He knew it was correct because he loved his name. He loved saying it over and over again.

"Michelangelo?"

Leo blinked before realizing the tall man had spoke again.

"Is that your name, son?"

'N-No, its Aka-chan's." he must of accidentally said that out loud.

The tall creature looked down on them, before looking them over. As though checking for something, "I hate to ask you this Kodomo, but would you please allow me to see your brother?"

All calmness immediately fled, Leo hugged Mikey tighter (ignoring the baby squirming uncomfortable the tight contact). Cold fear striking his young mind, no not Aka-chan. No one could take Mikey from him. EVER. His heart began to race and the vision he had been begging for began to fade again.

The tall creature reached out and stroked his face very gently. In a manner he was familiar with , "I promise he will not leave this room. He had a fever when we found you and the I just wants to make sure that its gone."

Leo didn't care, he had to protect him. His little brother, he was all Leo had left. Leo didn't know how he knew that but he did. He knew that he and Mikey were all alone. Tears began to burn in his eyes as he buried his face into Mikey's scalp. In a mild attempt to hide his tears. Btu the way the tall creature kept stroking his face was comforting, warm. Slowly he began to pull his arms away from Mikey, "D-don't hurt him?" his voice cracked, more with sadness then with pain.

The tall creature smiled at him sadly, "I wouldn't dream of it, Kodomo." he lifted Mikey into his arms, cradling him gently.

"I'm Usagi."

Huh? It took Leo a bit to realize the smaller creature ( who he had completely forgotten about) was speaking to him. The smaller creature had a kind and curious smile on his face. But he didn't know what the creature wanted.

"I'm Usagi." the smaller creature repeated. Leo heard him the first time, what did he want? "Its my name so you gotta tell me yours."

He dd? Was that a rule? He didn't want to be rude, he knew he had been raised to be polite, "Leonardo Lorenzo."

"Why do you have such a long name?"

"I dunno, " he just did. Leo knew he didn't really have a choice in the matter

"Where's your Mother and Father?"

Leo could see the older creature glance back at the smaller one with a disapproving look on his face. But Leo didn't' really care. Even as sadness came over him again, loneliness causing his throat to thicken and his eyes beginning to blur again, "I-I don't know." he expected the smaller creature to look at him with pity. But his expression didn't change as though he expected this

"That's ok. You're safe here. Me and Father will protect you."

Somehow Leo doubted that the small white creature, that he would learn later was a rabbit, could protect him. But those words helped him feel safe, and felt himself drifting off again just as he began to hear something voices.

"Sutoraiku!"

"Hai!"

"Sutoraiku!"

"Hai!"

It almost sounded like, class? Oh shell! He didn't fall asleep in class again did he !? Especially during combat drills, he'd be doing laps for hours. And the lecture he'd get from Dorinbo wouldn't' end EVER. He felt something tugging on the warm blanket over him. Wait, why would he have a blanket over him at school.

"Leonardo?"

Leo opened his eyes slowly, rubbing them in a mild attempt at restarting his brain. He could still hear the sounds of students, it sure sounded like school. Finally he drew his hand away to let in the bright sunlight and the form of Donnie kneeling by him with a smile on his face, "Ohayou gozaimasu."

"Ohayou gozaimasu." he smiled back at the face he never thought he would never find. Now he could remember, Kaede-sensei had given him some blankets and a pillow and told him he could sleep in that large room he had first come into. He had fallen asleep wondering what they did with that big room.

And now he did.

Well, it was kind of obvious with 20 creatures in the room, all in gi's and facing the front back of the room where Kaede stood, with each "Sutoraiku" they would strike out another punch and curl up their other . Numerous ages ranging from 15 to 20 and of both genders. It took Leo a bit to realize he was wrapped up in a very light purple blanket with out his kimono on in front of girls. In that panic he jerked up into a sitting position with the blanket curled tightly in his fists, "Who the-"

"RELAX you still have your hakamas's on."

He did? He reached into his blanket, Oh thank shell. He used to have a nightmare about walking around in his village with nothing but a belt, his mask and his swords on his back.
Leo shivered at the thought. He then realized that he had gone from lying in the middle of the floor to bundled up against the wall. And for some reason he felt like he wad been kicked around (well, worse then he had been) "How did I get over here?"

"Sorry you were still sleeping when the students got here and Raph volunteered to move you."

That explained the bruises he felt on his ribs and arms. He heard chuckling and turned to see Raph leaning against the wall behind him. He had his arms crossed and was watching the class, but his chuckle was clearly in reference to Leo's bruises. He probably would of said something had Donnie not held out a bowl of steamed rice. Leo thanked him and took the bowl looking back to the class, "So your mothers a teacher?"

"Sensei, she teaches the dojo. But we told you all of this last night?

"really?" well, that explained the gi's and weapons. He felt a little guilt that he didn't remember but it seemed pretty meaningless. He glanced over at Donnie. Once again, the young kame had a smile on his face, just like he did last night. HE also remembered talking to Kaede about Raphael and Donatello coming home with him, Raph had eaves dropped and told them he ws trying to get Don's medicine. Something about Don was coughing last night. He looked up at Donnie again, "How are you feeling? After last night."

Don's head twisted slightly, as though confused, "What do you mean? If you mean the coughing it was just from the dust."

He didn't remember? "No from-" all of a sudden a foot struck his shell and stopped him in mid-speech. Leo turned his head to yell at Raph when a hand fell on his scalp and forced his chin down to his collarbone and cutting off his words

"Hey Donnie, your new bro looks thirsty. Wanna get him some tea?" Raph was trying to sound nice? Shell that was scary. Don peered up at him slightly before getting up and heading out the room. Raph finally released his scalp and Leo rubbed his throat angrily,

"So I'm new bro now-"

"Shut up. " ah there was that scowl that permanently lived on his face that Leo feel warm and fuzzy, "don't tell him about last night, especially about his coughs when he was asleep."

"Why-"

Just don't." Raph snapped, his head shot up and leaned back against the wall when Donnie slid the door open and walked back into the dojo. But Leo barely notices, he was trying to get answers from Raph's' silence. He made sure to thank Donnie when he took the tea. Leo wanted to think that it was a good sign to have Raph sanding so close, maybe a sign he wanted to talk. But then Leo realized he wasn't standing so close as he was watching over him. Probably trying to make sure that Leo didn't hurt his family. He wanted to get mad, but Leo would probably be doing the same thing if the shoes were one the other foot.

Suddenly Kaede clapped three times, "Hiruyasumi."

The students dropped their arms, some of them panting, one fo the large male students (a Inu) fell flat on his back. They began to talk instantly, like students do

"Unless," once again at Kaede's voice the students stopped talking. A show of respect. But Leo felt uneasy at the smirk at Kaede's face, "Any of you would like to try your hand at fighting the Yasei brothers.

To Leo's surprised the students shook their heads rapidly bumbling out excuses. A few fo the older guys cast sheepish smiles in their direction. Leo was confused till he realized that Don and Raph were the Yasei boys in reference. A rough chuckle came from behind in in Raph's' voice, "don't worry your pansy heads off, we don't' like kicking your asses today."

We? Kaede did say brothers. Leo looked at Donnie who blushed sheepishly. Already students were heading towards the opposite wall where small boxes lined up the wall. The students settling down in groups and opening their meals. Wait. Hiruyasumi? Lunch?!

What time was it?!

Kaede stretched her arms over her head before walking in their direction, kneeling by Donatello, her arm wrapping around the small kame's shoulders, "Good afternoon gakusei. Sleep well?"

"Um, yeah thank you." Afternoon? No way, he NEVER slept that late. He even hated the idea of it, but he tried to ignore it., "How come you two aren't in class with them?"

"We are passed that level." Don answered," We train early in the morning now, before we go to work.'

"Work?"

"Yeah, I'm the Yorozuya I-sha remember? And Raph works as mom's instructing assistant. But he does the Bounty Hunter work at night."

"What about that apartment at your store?"

"Me and Raph only stay there when I work late. Which is more often then I like." Don admitted sadly, "Raph gets nervous when I walk home alone so he insisted on the apartment."

That comment almost made Leo smile. He imagined his short Otouto walking down the city street with the NightWatcher at his side swinging a chain with one hand.

"Speaking of which, BOYS." judging by the emphasis on boys and the way Raph and Don's shoulders jerked up, it wasn't good, "I couldn't help but see that you, RAPHAEL didn't have your NightWatcher helmet, and you DONATELLO did not have your bo staff."

Don and Raph suddenly looked each other right in the face in panic. Just like last night, Leo got the feeling they did that a lot. Raph opened his mouth only to have Don slap his hand over his mouth, "Its my fault Mother! He was just trying to help me-OW!" he jerked his hand away from Raph's mouth, "Why do you always insist on biting me?!"

"Why are you always surprised that I bite you?" there was a small smirk

"Boys they are simple items, but Donatello you told me you got hurt and there was some blood in your other apartment, and Raph you told me that the roof caved down. AND I'm to believe you didn't leave a note explaining what happened AND forgot to tell him you weren't coming to work today?"

Donnie's mouth suddenly dropped open in panic. It had to be something bad, because even Raph looked nervous. Leo was about to ask what was the big deal when the sound of loud footsteps came in the distance, from outside. Along with the panicked shouting of a man,

Kaede quickly stood up, "IDO IDO!" she shouted running, clapping her hands at the students like a shepard.

The students shot up onto their feet and pressed themselves against the wall. Leo was about to ask what was going on when a hand grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him right off his tail, "What-"

The door of the dojo suddenly flew open, a giant crocodile suddenly burst through the door. Garbed in black hakamas and a brown happi, crashing right into the room, the impact of his heavy footstomps shaking the floor under Leo's feet. Charging right to where Kaede was standing and grabbing her by the shoulders. Leo was about to cry out to her when he realized she didn't look scared at all,

'ITS HORRIBLE KAEDE ALL TOO HORRIBLE-"

"Leather-"

"I CAN'T FIND THEM! AND-AND THEIR APARENTMENT IS IN SHAMBLES! I-I CAN'T FIND THE BOYS ANYWHERE-"

"LEATHERHEAD-"

"THEY MUST OF COME BACK FOR HIM! WE HAVE TO-"

"LEATHERHEAD SHUT THE F** UP!" suddenly Kaede reached under Leatherhead and grabbed him by the ankle. Right before Leos' eyes ( so he knew it wasn't' a trick) she lifted the enormous beast right over her head before slamming him down onto his back, grabbing him by the snout. Kaede forced eye contact with the large crocodile, " . . ."

The croc's yellow eyes swiveling around and looking right in there direction. Leo took the moment to look and see Raph standing by him, his hand grasping the back of Don's samue and Don's hand grabbing the back of Leo's. That explained how he got yanked back. The croc eyes looked at Donnie, then at Raph before closing and his breathing slowed. Kaede waited a few seconds released the croc's snout, and began stroking it, looking around him

, "Students, you are dismissed for today."

There was a collected moan as the students began to pack up their lunches and head out the door, some of them said their goodbyes to Raph and Don but soon the dojo was empty other then the "wild boys" their mother, the panicked croc and Leo. If someone had told him a week ago that this was going to happen, he probably would of lost A LOT of money, and his house. And Kaze, he missed his loyal horse-

"Donatello, go get Leatherhead some tea."

The small kame nodded and ran out of the room. Kaede released 'Leatherhead's' snout and took his arm, heaving the croc into a sitting position, "Deep breaths, Tomodachi." Kaede told him, it was almost hard to believe that the person who had literally man-handled him was now running her hand over the reptiles hard scales.

Leatherhead buried his face into his hands, shoulders shaking heavily. But this didn't make sense to Leo, he tried to turn, "Raph wh-" but a sharp yank on his mask trails shut him up.

Donnie ran back in and knelt by Leatherhead, holding out a steaming yunomi. Leatherhead looked up at him with a sad smile, taking the cup in his huge hands, "Thank you Donatello.'

"You're welcome Leather-head sensei, I'm sorry we made you worry."

Leatherhead gave him a small nod before drinking the tea. Downing it quickly. But the small quantity seemed to do the trick because the large croc's shaking began to appease, his breathing slowing down. After a bit Leatherhead opened his eyes again, "I'm so sorry about my entrance, Kaede." he looked at the badger patting his arm, "When I saw what happened to the apartment and the blood, I thought, I thought-" but he stopped talking again, taking another deep breath, "What happened back there?" he asked Donatello, "It looked like a monster tore through."

"I'm sorry sensei, it's a confusing story. "Don glanced back at Leo, giving him a smile. Leatherhead followed his gave and his mouth fell agape at the sight of Leo as though he wasn't quite sure he was real, "Donatello, who is this boy?"

Don looked over at Leo about to say something, but Leo gave him a smile back, closing off his words. So he stepped way from the wall, he wanted to be polite and spare Don the introduction, "My name is Leonardo Lorenzo Miyamoto. I am their oldest brother." he pressed his palms together and bowed.

"Oldest?" came Raph's surprised voice, "OLDEST?"

"Raph." Kaede snapped her fingers and pointed towards the door. Leo heard Raph groan heavily and storm out of the room. Did he just get a time out? spirits that would be hilarious

But Leatherhead looked over at Donatello as though to get verification. When Don nodded he set down the finished tea and stood up now that he was standing even closer Leo realized how tall he REALLY was. (and it took all his guts to not to run for his life). Leatherhead pressed his hands together and bowed, "It is a honor to meet the brother of my former student. I am I-sha Leatherhead."

Fear of the beast quickly slid away, and relief remained. He could hardly believe the frantic thrashing creature that Kaede had thrown mere minutes before was now looking at him with such a calm face. but he realized something Leatherhead had said, "Former student?"

"It is a small joke, sine Donatello learned all he could from me in 2 days." he glanced back at Donatello, "I am very relieved to see the Tsukino boys unharmed. When I saw your apartment trashed I expected the worst. "

"thanks Leatherhead." Don bowed, "Sorry, I promise to fix it later-"

"Do not concern yourself, you should spend as much time with your brother as long as he's here."

"I want to." Donnie smiled at Leos' direction. Leo couldn't express his gratitude for Donnie enough, that he was the complete opposite of Raph, " I actually do have to head back to the apartment for now, I need to get some stuff before they are ruined." he walked over to the front door before turning his to mother, "mom? Can you please keep Raph from killing Leo while I'm gone."

"Got it son." Kaede gave him a short wink ,Leo gave her a small smile before realizing Don was already gone. Anxiety practically slapped him in the face, what if Don got hurt? What if someone offered him candy? What if he started coughing again, who was going to-

A blunt object to his scalp interrupted his thoughts and rattled his senses. Leos' hands shot out and grabbed the throbbing shot before looking at the perpetrator, Kaede with a wooden sandal in her hands, "What was that for?!" eh asked

"Donatello is s big boy, metaphorically speaking. And he was very well trained." Kaede tossed her shoe out the front door. But Leo couldn't figure out how she had gotten it so fast, "HE is more then capable of taking care of himself-"

Raph suddenly poked his head back into the room "he left didn't he?!" Before Leo could respond Raph looked over at Kaede, a pleading look on his face. Kaede sighed and waved towards the door, "You owe me a 10 minute verbal timeout later."

"Ok ok FINE." Raph ran out the door ,"DON SLOW YOUR ASS DOW RIGHT NOW!"

Leo glanced over at Kaede in confusion but she smiled "what? The kuma-ni is never reasonable. It's in the species description ." she crossed her and shook her head lightly "That and getting time-outs every 3 minutes."

So that WAS a timeout! That was hilarious! Leo could hate himself for being so satisfied later, "Does he get "timeouts" often?"

"You've seen his attitude, what do you think? And I suggest you quit taking glee in his suffering or I'll send YOU to timeout."

Leo wanted to remind Kaede she wasn't' his mother. But out of all seriousness he was terrified of her. So it was best to change the subject NOW, "Why does Donnie call Raph,

'Kuma-ni?"

"why are you asking me? HE'S the one who called him that ever since he started talking."

Talking! Right!, "how long has Don been talking?! When did he start?!" Leo hated that he missed Don's first word, since he had been there for all his other brothers, but at least he could find out the truth. Not only that but Kaede looked downright amused with him,

"Even if I were blind, I wouldn't doubt your relation to my sons. "then turned her head around, "What about you Leatherhead?"

"Not for a moment. "responded the I-sha croc, "He may look like Raphael but he has Donatello's curiosity."

Leo blushed, deciding to take their words as praise

Kaede smiled and looked down at him, as though recounting a nice tale"I don't know when Don's first word was, but I do know is that he started whispering about 3 months after I adopted them," she shook her head lightly, "My clever boy was a very shy baby. It was almost like he was too scared to let anyone here his voice. But that never really changed, he's still very shy. When people would come over to the house he'd either squeeze the life out of Raph's hand or my neck. He was SO shy and so tiny.

It really broke the heart of all my lady friends because all they wanted to do was coo him."

Leo tried to smile, but it only came out as a twitch. He never really thought of Don as being shy. But they had never been around other people when they were children. Leo blinked a bit at this realization. That was why he didn't know what Usagi or Dorinbo were. He had never seen another species other then his brothers or father. He had never even left the property up until that night. It all made sense now!

That wasn't the issue here. The issue was that he had come here. He had never really thought about the family that could of adopted Raph and Don. But it was obvious that Kaede adored both of her sons. A truly great mother. More then anything he hated the idea of breaking up this family. Dons family. No wonder Raph hates him. He would too if someone had come into his life, claimed to be long lost family member and claim he had more family out-

Wait

That did happen to him

Shell that was a long time ago

"Catch."

Leo barely registered the word in time for his hand to shoot up and catch the said object, luckily his hand met wood. He blinked for a moment before looking at the shinai in his hand and looked at it in confusion," Wh-"

"Your arms feeling better, so let me give you a short lesson."

That was a weird idea, "Why-"

"Why not?"

Leo paused and stood up quickly taking the shinai in his hands. Kaede smiled in approval before flipping out two wooden training kama's

"Lets get started gakusei."

(#)(#)(#)(#)

"DON! Don slow your ass down!"

In came Raphael, the overprotective brother. Don fought the urge to smile in his stroll ( it was nice to have a warm day for a change) when he heard the sound of heavy running feet with sandals (the shout of someone being tossed to the side) and hand slapping onto his hand and yanking him back to a stop (causing him to nearly run into a old frog passing by), "I thought I told you to slow down. "hissed Raph flaring at him and squeezing the life out of his hand

'And I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own. Most people are. Especially when a certain person is on his way to his own store."

"not today, you aren't walking alone. The gangs have been out lately."

But before Don could remind him of his dojo record, Raph moved in front of him and dragged him by hand forward, Don could almost laugh at Raph's childish reactions.

"don't let go." Raph told him

"I wont."

"I'm serious, if you let go I'm going to pound your head in."

"I promise not to." Even with the threat Don found himself smiling. This was so typical.

Even the speech was same ,ever since they were kids Raph would make Don promise not to let go of his hand and Don would promise not to. And Raph would threaten to hurt him if he broke his promise.

Typical Raph

Typical Kuma-ni

While Raphael had always been protective of Don, but when he took on their mothers mantel and was exposed to the criminal underbelly it grew to the almost paranoid levels.

Kaede would tell Don , when he was pulling at his face in frustration, that Raph was just worried about him, and that his coughs certainly didn't help. The thought sent his hand up to his throat feeling the phantom aches from the coughs that sent him to his knees.

"Don?"

Don snapped up just in time to run into Raph's hand, luckily Raph caught him by the shoulder in time to keep him from banging his head into Raph's shell, he put on another smile, "Yeah?"

"I saw you rubbing your throat, do you need your medicine?" already reaching for his waist. That meant that Raph got out the old water flask and probably started carrying it around again after last night. Which also meant it was overflowing with his medicine. That almost made Don smile, "I'm fine Raph, sorry."

the red masked kame frowned at him before turning back around and started on his way again. Don let the smile fall off his face. He hated how easily it was for him to slide into a smile, normally a twitch now trying to make his family feel better. While it was easy for him to smile, he probably wouldn't do it out of reflex. Already they walked in the back gate and the familiar sight of the workshop coming into view. He fought his instinct to go and start setting up for a day broken bones, diseases, hypochondria and every other alphabet. Every once in a while he had to perform exorcisms or convince people that their loved ones weren't possessed and simply went insane.

Normal day

He was about to head up the stairs to their nearly destroyed apartment when a yank on his mask drew him to a halt and sent him spinning around, "what?" he demanded Raph

"Stay here, there might be a ton of dust up there and I don't want you choking on it again."

Hm, that was the 12th time Raph mentioned his lungs. New record, "Its been a few hours, it might all be gone."

"Not risking it," without a pause he leapt up the stairs and ducked into the apartment.

Donnie sighed angrily and started up the stairs but Raph poked his head out, frowning, "STAY."

Don stuck his tongue out at him before stepping off the steps. Raph gave him a thumbs up before ducking into the apartment. Don sat down on the step looking over the small back space. HE could remember coming back here to train the birds, go through bo kata's and watch the stars. At least till Raph came by and started cussing his heart out. Threatening him so much that Don would start tuning him out unintentional. Well, at least he told Raph it was unintentional.

"Clear!" came the call. Don grinned and hurried up the stairs about to duck in when he felt something being shoved into his face, something red and familiar "-Aph-" he growled through the cloth

But the mask less brother frowned, 'Either you keep it over your mouth or you can sty outside."

Don growled at him lightly (at which he noticed Raph raising his eyebrows and chuckling lightly) but placed his hand over the mask and frowned heavily ' Happy?" he asked muffled

"Yup." Raph reached and shoved on his head lightly forcing him through the door. Don stumbled in before regaining his step and looking around. In the light the damage to the apartment was worse then it looked last night , the support beam had completely broken in half causing half of the roof too fall in, burying almost everything, everything was still covered in a faint layer of dust. Don could see why Raph was making him keep a mask over his mouth.

Don normally would of rolled his eyes but nodded, finding truth in his words. He tried to ignore the fact that most of his hard worked inventions had been destroyed. Hours he had spent, restless nights, scraping together money to get parts, dumpster diving. Happy memories,

"You ok Don?" asked Raph

Don forced a nod, before noticing a long narrow object. His sadness faded when he picked it iff the ground, the dust sticking tightly to his simple but dependable bo-staff. He'd have to wash it. And the sight pf a familiar sight of a potted plant. A gift from Leatherhead. Since Leatherhead was a foreigner, he had seen a lot of new stuff. This plant produced delicious dark brown "seeds" that Leatherhead defined as 'beans" and when they were broken up and heated up they made a delicious, if not bitter, drink that gave him energy.

"Dam, I thought that thing was destroyed." Raph growled angrily. It was a joke, but Raph really did hate his 'Coffee tree'. But Don wasn't' fooled, he knew his big brother. He kenw when his brother had something on around and if there was one thing he didn't like was Raph bouncing around the subject, "Something you want to talk about Raph? Is it about Leo?"

He could practically see Raph flinch and felt guilty, it was almost as if their newly discovered brothers name was a taboo to him, "Yeah bro. I heard you guys talking."

Huh he did?" Oh." it was all he could say. If Raph had overhead their conversation then shouldn't he be happy? He had pretty much told Leo that he wouldn't go wit him. No matter what. But as much as he meant those words, he felt his heart beat faster.

Leo

His new big brother.

No not new, new wasn't' fair. Not new, was there a word for a long lost brother? He searched his numerous words, there had to be one.

Found

Newly FOUND brother. That was nice, fair. And it reminded him the fact that he had ANOTHER brother out there. A little brother. It was a comforting feeling, as comforting as having Leo hug him, he could only assume it was old feelings, like a instinct. He was supposed to feel that way, like how he was supposed to feel safe around Raph-

Wait. He put the plant down. If Raph had heard them then he knew what he said, he knew that Donnie didn't want to go with him. SO he knew that Donnie said no, so why did he sound so sad-

Then it hit him. Slapped him right across the face. The force caused him to drop the plant. A pair of hands grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him out of the apartment , Don pretty much fell against the railing as a hand flewto his throat, not in a assault but in a method he was familiar with , "are you ok?!" demanded Raph, "Is it your air way ok? Your lungs?"

Don pushed him away, dropped Raph's mask and ran down the stairs, his airway was open, but he needed AIR. He stumbled out into the backyard and put his hands behind his head trying to think straight. He could already imagine the conversation. Mom had to of talked to him, about how she thought they should go. Go with a complete stranger one who he had risked his life to defend, all logic was there, "I can't go Raph." he said loudly.

He didn't care if Raph was listening or not, "I'm a I-sha I have patients. And one of the

Councilmen is coming by because he needs advice-"

"Ma thinks we should go with him, just for a bit. You know I don't want to. And those patients are Leatherheads too, and the Councilmen can get advice from someone else.

"
He couldn't believe he was hearing this. It was too painful, too much. He didn't want to go, he didn't want to leave his family. Don had thought that ,since Rah didn't like Leo, that there would have been no chance of them going with Leo. Now his one safety net was gone. Dam now he was getting light-heated and dizzy. He squeezed his eyes shut trying to focus,

"Donnie."

Don opened his eyes to see Raph standing there with his masked pulled back on with his arms lifted up from his sides slightly. A natural reaction, Don ran forward and buried his face into Raph's plastron , his older brothers arms wrapped around him. Even if Leo's arms felt familiar, there was no safer place then to be in his older brothers arms. He could already feel cognitive thought return and the dizziness fade away as Raph rocked him gently and stroked the back of his head with soothing murmurs, for a few minutes. Don didn't care though "You ok?" Raph asked eventually, his normally harsh voice was considerably softer. Which meant that he felt guilty.

Don nodded the best he could without moving his face away

"Good."

Don hugged Raph even tighter, tears burning in his eyes, "What about Mother?" the woman who raised them she was just a child? Took them in, gave them everything they ever needed. Held them when they were scared and told them how much she loved them everyday. She had even broken the arms of cook when Raph almost choked on a fish bone in his rice dish. She tossed a bear (full grown 2 hiro tall city bear that weighted more then Leatherhead through a wall at a police station when a police officer took Donnie right from outside their home, "I don't want to leave Ma." he forced out

"I know baby bro." Don could faintly feel Raph nuzzle his scalp oh shell. That definitely wasn't a good sign. Raph never got all' brotherly' like that unless he expected Don to react badly. Kind of like dumping water on a house so it wouldn't catch on fire., "She would come in a heartbeat but she thinks that if she was there that she would only get in the way. And its not like we'll be gone for a long time. And /leatherhead will be able to take care of your patients till then," there was a small pause, "Geez I thought you wanted this."

Don looked up at him angrily "Why would I want to leave?! My family is here! Everything I love! I'm not some cold hearted ass ho-"

Raph's hand shot up and pressed his face back into Raph's chest "Ok ok sorry, Donnie BREATH."

Don growled angrily before closing his eyes, letting the gentle rocking seep into his fusing top. His heartbeat slowing down finally, only shame at his rare anger remained, "I'm sorry Raph."

""don't be, you've calmed me down enough times, I can return the favor."

That didn't seem fair for as many times as Donnie cooled Raph's temper, Raph was there for him in his coughs and his nightmares. As often as Donnie complained that Raph was too overprotective in the (atleast as he perceived ) silliest situations. But the truth was he wouldn't change his big brother, he looked up at him, "Promise we'll come home?"

His older brother, his Kuma-ni, looked down on him and smirked slightly, "Yeah. I promise baby bro."

(#)(#)(#)(#)

There was a number of Leo things that wished had turned out differently, and only a few of them were admitted mistakes on his behalf.

1) When he was 13 and finally told Mikey he wasn't allergic to dango, or other sugary treats

2) When he was 10 and accidentally broke his arm while trying to swing Dorinbo's sword (luckily Dorinbo considered his injury was punishment enough

3)Present day, when he subjected himself to a Kaede lesson.

Leo found his sword being knocked out of his hand and himself sliding across the floor colliding with the opposite wall. He lay there for a few minutes, mostly to give his aching limbs the mercy they so begged for. GEEZ he had never been thrown around before so much in his life.

"You still alive?"

The voice made Leo wince slightly, the voice of his tormentor. Who made his fighting instructors look like kitten wrestlers. He peered up at Kaede who was now standing in front of him, her training kama's now hanging off the wall. Her face amused as she held a hand out to him, "Come on, lesson over."

Never before had Leo been so grateful to hear those words, he reached up a shaky hand and took hers. He braced himself to pull himself onto his feet but Kaede pulled him up and sat him against the wall, "Just wait till your muscles adjust, "

Leo nodded, resting his head on the wall, praying that he could just sleep in the dojo again tonight. He really didn't feel like much moving. He also saw that Leatherhead was gone, probably went home or something.

"You know, Raph pretty much spent his entire childhood in this dojo."

"Really?" Leo looked over, seeing Kaede sitting by him her clothes weren't' even wrinkled. HELL how strong was she?!

"Yeah, even when the lessons were over. He enjoyed having a place he could work his muscles and anger without hurting his little brother. Well most of the time."

"Most of the time?"

"Yeah. There were times when Raph would get too aggressive and accidentally hurt him, He was always so distraught afterward." she rested her head against the wall, a small smile on her face, "I remember when I first got them home and took care of Donnie's coughs that I gave them both baths to get some of the dirt off. But I saw that Donnie's right hand was covered in bruises, as though something had been squeezing it. I didn't understand it till I got them both dressed and Raph grabbed Don's hand again. I realized that Raphael had been squeezing it to the point of bruising for months." she laughed slightly, "It was almost too cute . I had to teach Raph how to hold Dons hand without hurting him." she smiled at Leo ,"There were a lot of habits they eventually grew out of, Raph eventually stopped trying to eat fish out of the coi pond, Don stopped using my yunomi's to try and crack open nuts. I still don't know why they did that, they had plenty to eat., "she laughed slightly, before chuckling lightly, her smile fading, "He never lost that side of him, the side that drove to protect Donnie, from everything around them. Even when Donnie got lost-"

"What?" asked Leo

"its just a old story, back when they were babies."

Leo perked up, turning more to face her, "Can you tell me? Please?"

Kaede looked over at him with a small smile before resting her head again on the back wall , "It was about 9 years ago, 15 months after I had adopted the "Wild Boys.","

(#)(#)(#)(#)

He was lost. Lost and scared. A horrible combination. Especially for a child, hiding in the alleyway between buildings. Donnie didn't' know how it happened but he had broken the rule, he and his big brother weren't supposed to leave the perimeter of their home or the go past the gate , but the ball he had been playing with had rolled onto the street. Raph always went and got it when that happened, but Raph was in timeout so he had decided to go get it himself. But when he grabbed the ball a huge crowd had gone by, mixing him in. He could barely get his way out and when he had he was lost, lost and alone. His fear had gotten the best of him in that dark alley so he had sat down against the wall. Donnie let out another sob before burying his face into his knees. He wanted to ask for help but only sobs left his mouth. He was so cold,, he wanted his Mama, he wanted his big brother. He wanted his Kuma-ni-

"DON!"

That voice? Was it real? It sure sounded like

"DONNIE WHERE ARE YOU!?"

Raph? He looked towards the opening of the alley. That was big brother! He opened his mouth to cal for him, but once again no words came out. He strained as much as he could, but nothing happened. He felt a familiar pull on his throat and started to cough into his hands, squeezing his eyes shut. The sound of running footsteps approached him," DON!"

Donnie raised his head to see Raph standing at the entrance to the alley, his face sweaty and breathing heavily. Donnie was about to smile when he saw Raph's expression. His face was a mixture of relief and anger, "WHY DID YOU LEAVE THE HOSUE!?" he shouted, "MA AND I WERE WORRIED SICK!"

Don buried his face back into his knees, he hated when Raph yelled at him. His loud voice was so scary. He loved his big brother more then anything and when he yelled-he could already feel the sobs and coughs coming back. But he didn't care. He heard the scraping of feet, a hand catch him under the chin and raise his head up to look up. Raph was now kneeling in front of him. His eyes had faded from their 8 year old rage, "I'm sorry ok? I didn't mean to yell I'm sorry."

Don sniffed sadly, Raph reached forward and wiped his streaming eyes gently, "you're not hurt are you?" he asked in a much nicer voice

Don shook his head sadly as he began chewing on his knuckles. A nervous habit. One Raph normally scowled him for , but for some reason Raph was letting it slide, "s-s-scared." he said sadly. The first word he had said in a week. It sounded so weird.

"Ok good. Lets go home, Ma has medicine for you." he reached forward and took his

hand. Pulling Donnie to his feet. The fear Don had been feeling slowly fell away. He had his kuma-ni.

"don't let go Donnie ok?"

"k-k."

"If you let go I'll punch you.'

"k-k.'

(#)(#)(#)(#)

"Raph would never hurt Donnie though. Not on purpose But he never got over the hand holding thing. At first it was all the time, then it was only when they were out with me. ." she looked over at Leo.

Leo found himself wondering again if Kaede-sensei could read minds" And now?"
But Kaede looked over at him again, but this time there wasn't so much of a smile, there was underlying tone in her eyes. A spark that Dorinbo had in his eyes when he heard about bandits near the village. Or reminded Leo of his duty,, "Those two boys mean the world to me. I raised them and did everything in my power to give them what they needed. But

Raph has never lost that instinct he has as being overprotective of his little brother. And I'm telling you NOW, that if you threaten them. Raph will not hesitate to break you in half. Which would be merciful in comparison to what I would do to you."

Leo blinked for a moment trying to take in all her words (well, THREATS.) and unsure what to say. But his neck involuntarily nodding. Which seemed to be what Kaede wanted. She nodded in approval,

The door suddenly opened and Raph poked his head in, "Ma? What are you doing?"

"just gave Leo a short lesson in fighting."

"And he survived?" he sounded disappointed. But Raph shrugged and stepped in, Don following carrying a weird cylinder bag with a strap on it. Instantly Leo went to his knees when he saw the red in Don's eyes. But he felt a hand fall on his shoulder, a reminder to stay quiet. But why? Why should he-

Then he saw Raph's finger reach up and hook around Don's, pulling his hand over into his,

his large hand swallowing Don's tiny one. His fingers moving around slightly as though adjusting his grip. Probably remembering the lessons that Kaede had given him.

But Leo saw something else too, he saw two tiny hands, covered in dirt. Covered in stains and scratches. The hands of two little boys who survived in a hostile environment. Both so brave, both so alone.

The Yasei brothers.

"We'll go."

Huh? Dang it, Leo had to pay more attention, this was getting ridicules, eh looked up at Raph who

definitely didn't look happy. Why wasn't he-

Wait.

What?

A/N

Kodomo: child

Yasei: Wild

Sutoraiku: Strike!

Hiruyasumi: lunch break

IDO :MOVE!

Man this was a looong chapter. But I'm hoping that's what everyone wanted. J see you

next time!

!