a/n

Sorry this took so long, I've decided I want to work a little harder on these chapters and slow down a little bit, the story might be a little longer but it'll make the ride more enjoyable! XD

Chapter 16

Roles

A few months ago, if you had asked Leo how he thought the reunion between him, his lost brothers, his aka-chan and his father would go he definitely wouldn't of said "I think my immediate youngest brother will hate my guts, I don't think my second youngest brother will have worse health problems then when I last saw him, I don't think my birthfather will be found in his sleep without a breath and I DEFINITELY wont think that the second youngest and my adopted father will lock themselves up in other fathers room to keep him from dying.

He would of lost a lot of yen.

Leo bounced his head off of the wall he was resting against. A small physical stimulant to make sure he was awake. Nope still in reality. Still in this horrible position. Raphael was still sitting against the far wall watching the door to Splinters room with the eyes of over protective, overbearing hawk. And Usagi was still kneeling at the kamado boiling some water for tea. It was his adopted brothers own attempt to alleviate the own stress on his mind (since going outside and swinging his sword around wasn't a option). A small snore coming from the person snuggled deep into his side.

Leo smiled down at Mikey who let out another snore before hugging Leo even tighter. The only thing holding up his baby brothers sleeping form was his arms. It wasn't something he had done in a long time, to be honest he missed feeling like a big brother. He had realized that when He had first realized who Donnie was and hugged him. Then again when he had accidentally burn the other turtles hands. Leo gave a small sad sigh and hugged Mikey a little tighter, ,atleast he ha done brother who he was sure didn't' hate him.

He felt Mikey stir in his sleep and stiffened up again, hoping he hadn't woken up his youngest brother, but his fears were proven as Mikey used his free arm to rub his eyes with another yawn, "Waz up?" he mumbled incoherently

"Sorry aka-chan did I wake you?"

"Nah." he wiggled around his shoulders. Leo got the message and released his hold allowing Mikey to sit up and rub his eyes with a wide childish yawn. The sight caused the edges of Leo's mouth to rise slightly, some things would never change, and that was something he'd always treasure. He caught glimpse of dirt stuck to the middle of Mikey's forehead, not a unfamiliar sight with someone so young so he was used to dealing with it. Leo caught Mikey's' chin his hand and pinched his sleeve with his fingers, wetting it with his tongue before rubbing it into the dirt spot. Mikey's' sleepy eyes shooting open in panic and horror, "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! USAGI HE'S DOING THAT WEIRD THING AGAIN WHNE HE RUBS HIS SPIT ON MY FACEEEEEE! EWWWWWWWWWWW MAKE HIM STOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!"

Leo did his best to ignore Mikey's girly screams but caught Usagi chuckling softly, "It is your own fault, Orengji-chan. I told you to wash off before bed."

"Bu-but its GRROOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"'

Leo moved his hand up to cover Mikey's mouth, "don't scream like that Mikey." he said with his best big brother voice, hoping he hadn't gotten rusty, "Dorinbo and Donnie need to concentrate and shouting wont help."

Mikey stuck out his bottom lip in a angry pouting 'I'm not going to get my way' way. Leo just gave him a smile before finding satisfaction in Mikey's' now clean forehead. The second he released Mikey's' chin, the young turtle grabbed open neck of his short sleeveless yukata and rubbed frantically on his face in a attempt ot save himself from his 'big brother cooties.'. Leo took no offense and smiled over to Usagi, (who apparently had abandoned his quest for tea) , "Nice to know things didn't change."

"You were not away for that long, my brother," Usagi said with a smile, "The only ting that changed was that Michelangelo finally changed his fundoshi."

"Its about time." Leo looked over at Mikey who stuck his tongue out at him. Leo smiled before using his feet to move to a more stable sitting position. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Raph glance at them for a moment before returning to his relentless stare. It was nice to see that Raph could drop his one track mind had room for curiosity for his newly discovered blood family.

It almost warmed his heart.

Then he remembered something Mikey had said something in his mad insane ramble, "By the way MICHELANGELO." Leo fought the urge to smile when Mikey suddenly popped his head out of his yukata and straightened up, gripping his feet from his crossed legs with wide eyes. As funny as it was he kept his face stern, "Michelangelo, what's this I hear about you getting GROUNDED?"

"Uh, I was framed."

"Really?"

There was a pause and a hanging of head, "no…."

There it was, Leo leaned forward slightly to get more of a look at Mikey's face, "do you want to tell me WHY Usagi grounded you?"

"It wasn't just me," interluded Usagi, "Father was there not a moment later laying out his own sentence. Mine was quite merciful in comparison."

That was enough to make Leos' eyes widen, if it had their adopted FATEHR our for blood then it had to be bad, "Mikey what did you do?!"

The youngest kame stuck out his bottom lip again peering up at him with big blue eyes as though hoping to use his charm to get out of confessing. But Leo knew that, as hard as his face was to fight, that his own 'big brother's disappointed' face was its own lethal weapon and lead to Mikey to bow his head sadly, "Th-there were these guys…"

Oh boy, Leo could already see where this was going. It was almost cliché at this point but he let Mikey continue

"They were stopping by on their way to the Dorgora School of War. They were kinda thin so I made them some food, like you told me to."

Leo gave a small nod

"Anyway we were talking and I told them about my nun chucks. They said they've never seen a real nunchucks demonstration and they were curious. So I started showing off, after we went outside, " he added rapidly causing Leo's mouth to twitch again. Nice to know Mikey didn't forget all of the rules while he was gone, '"But-but I lost my grip on my chucks and it went flying away out of reach. Before I could do anything it got caught in." Mikey flinched slightly as though preparing himself for the absolute worse, "Belle in the shrine."

"it WHAT?!"

"I-I tried to get it out before anyone noticed, but I yanked too hard and the belle broke off and fell through the roof of the Neko's' house. I-I didn't know what to do so I did what came natural."

"You ran away and hid under the house didn't you?"

"Yeah." Mikey admitted sadly, "Until Usagi found me and drug me out. He made me tell him what happened and told me I had to fix the shrine and the Neko's house. The Dorgora students helped me out though, they even tried to take the blame but Usagi still grounded me from leaving the house other then for school for a month." he looked over at Usagi, with his best sweet face ,"How much time do I have left again? yesterday?" he pressed his hands together in prayer formation.

But , as usual, Usagi's was the stone of discipline, "You have one dayleft still, Michelangelo. One day less then yesterday."

Mikey's face feel with the force of a rock. Leo was only able to give Usagi a small 'you did the right thing' smirk when his neck was suddenly gripped in a choke hold by two arms and his ears blasted

, "ITS SO NOT FAIR! NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR! Not even you would of been so mean!"

Already Leo could feel the gears of teasing rolling through him, he patted Mikey on the head before taking Mikey by the shoulders, "Actually aka-chan," Mikey pulled away to look at him with eyes full of crocodile tears, something Leo had dealt with a million times. Leo put on a big evil grin, "I would of grounded you for two months and locked you in your room for that length of time aaannnnnddd," he grinned even harder at Mikey's' widening horrified eyes, "I would of cooked all your meals myself."

Mikey's jaw dropped open as though all the horrors of the world were going to be released on him through those words. Leo laughed as the young turtle turned and scooted all the way to Usagi's side, hugging his grounder's arm tightly and looking up at the rabbit in desperation, "He-he's not serious is he?!"

"Let us hope not Michelangelo." Usagi looked over at Leo with horror in his black eyes, going so far as wrap his other arm around Mikey's' torso in a small attempt to protect him, "That would be a punishment reserved for demons and those who inspire darkness."

"I was kidding! I'm allowed to joke!" though the looks they were giving him were VERY hurtful. He gave Mikey a small smile and held a arm out to him, "I would never hurt you aka-chan, don't you know that?"

Mikey's' face flew into a smile and he hopped over, snuggling back into Leo's side, "Of course bro! I know that."

Leo smiled down at him and rubbed his baby brothers scalp. Once again he caught glimpse of Raph looking at them again. The weight that had been in the red-masked eyes since Don left the room lessened slightly and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

There was the sound of scraping wood and the room to Splinters room opened. The small smile on Raph's face disappeared, Leo followed his gaze to see Dorinbo walking in, Raph was already on the tip of his toes before he realized how it was and sat back down, setting back into his bitter glare. But Leo didn't care, what he did care about wash his father, "Are you alright Father?" he asked

"Yes I am fine, but it would be a lie to say your little brothers skills weren't intimidating." Dorinbo raised his hand to rub his forehead. Leo had only seen Dorinbo stressed a few times before, most of the time he was a wall of solitude and calmness. But he remembered the month when the bandits harassed the village, even going so far as to attack it a few times. Or that week when he had to leave for a undisclosed reason. To this day he still he had no idea what that was about. All he did know was that when he did come home, he held his three sons tightly in his arms for so long that Mikey eventually fell asleep.

so the fact his adopted father was like this was enough to worry him. And, judging by the look he and Usagi just shared, his brother was feeling the same way. But he waited till Dorinbo sat down, till Mikey moved away to him to sit by his father, leaning against the large rabbit and a concerned look on his face. Dorinbo simply smiled and put his arm around his youngest son. Leo moved slightly to his knees in a sign of respect, "What do you mean? Is Master Splinter ok?"

"Yes, your brother said we were lucky that Yoshii's heart hadn't stopped breathing for too long before he got to him. And he was able to keep Splinters heart going. The swelling that we found around his chest and joints have gone down, he is now breathing easier."

"Did it try to stop!? What happened!?"

Dorinbo gave him a look. A look Leo recognized from his childhood as 'chichi is very tired right now and doesn't want to play'. But luckily he looked down at Mikey's big blue eyes and sighed, "Donatello said he took too much of the medicine that our I-sha gave him. it was a overload of nutrients on his already tortured body. It was poisoning his body." he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, "I saw many methods of healing during the war, done in ways that could only be gifts from gods and in ways that made no absolute sense. But your brother, "he breathed lightly, "the only word I can describe is as, " he paused again, as though thinking of the right word, then he smiled lightly , "Shin no tensai. In ever sense fo the word, even his fire cupping methods are strange, but astonishing."

Leo sighed, he hated to think that his birthfather had been so close to death, that he probably would have been dead had they awaited to go home , like he had wanted. he looked up at Dorinbo again," Is-is he going to be ok though?"

"Donatello seems to think he will be."

"Seems?" he pushed a little, "W-will we know when he wakes up?"

Dorinbo sighed again, hugging Mikey a little tighter to his side, pausing and postponing. Leo knew he was, that wasn't' a good sign, the way Dorinbo chose to focus on his youngest son before looking back up at him with a sad look in his eyes, "My musuko, we are not sure when that will be. Donatello doesn't even want to ."

Leo felt a cold dead weight fill his gut, a shaking overcoming his hands and limbs. He wasn't a stranger to loss, elders died, and people got sick. But he had never lost a relative before, or even considered it might happen since he was 12. He felt Usagi put his hand on his shoulder. Nice to know he had his brothers sympathy-

"were Don's words, 'just in case'?"

Leo shook slightly, almost forgetting that Raph was still there. He didn't feel like looking over at Raph, and only hoped that he wasn't' scowling. But judging by the look on Dorinbo's' face, his prayers had gone unanswered, "Yes."

There was a loud groan and shuffling of movement. Leo looked over in time to see Raph storm right by them, "give me a minute." he growled out and entered the room Dorinbo had just left from, slamming the door after him. Leo was about to just ignore him when a strangled shout came from Splinters room. Leo was on his feet and hurrying to the door a second later by instinct alone, suddenly Raph's foot appeared and pushed the door open and Don was shoved out , Raph's hand gripped the back of Don's samue like one might a kitten and Don's purple mask was tight around his mouth, despite the weirdness Raph smirked, "Got'm." he set Don heavily on his feet. Hands free pulled the mask away from his mouth.

without the gag Don pulled his mask back up over his eyes and gave Leo a quick thanks before glaring over at Raph, "Was the gagging REALLY necessary?!" he demanded

"No, it was mandatory. You never say, 'just incase' unless the guys fine."

"That means the same thing RAPHAEL. And I'm the I-sha-"

The older kame rolled his eyes irritated. He gripped Donnie's mask tails between his fingers and yanked it down shoving back into his mouth, placing his hand over the opening as Don tried to pull free mumbling loudly, but Raph looked over at Leo bored, "Did you say there was anywhere to sleep? Or are we sleeping with horses?"

But Leo glared at him, his hand smacking the top of Raph's to free Don's mask and pulled it back out of his mouth, looking at Don's irritated face to make sure he was ok before putting a arm around his shoulders and glaring at Raphael, "Why did you do that!? Its hard for him to breath as it is you ass."

"Yes because after three days, you're officially a expert." Raph glared back at him, "You know everything and I'm just the stupid shit right? Well this stupid shit and his little brother needs sleep."

That was actually a good question, Leo was all ready to start a screaming match when a hand fell on his shoulder and reminded him of how exhausted he was. He glanced back to see his father standing behind him, a kind smile back on his face, "In your absence, we took the liberty of adding a bedroom onto your house. So that you wouldn't feel so crowded."

Amazed by his adopted fathers generosity he turned back to the 'Yasei brothers' "That's great! I'll share a room with Mikey so you don't have to share anymore!"

but the instant the words left his mouth Don' ducked his head slightly, glancing over at Raph who frowned even deeper at him, his arm reaching out and hugging Don to his side, who still refused to look at him, "Don-"

"Ra-Raph and I have always shared a room. It was our choice, we could have had our own rooms a long time ago if we wanted." he scooted a bit closer to Raph, as though afraid someone would separate them by force.

If Leo could shove his head back into his shell and rattle it around for hours to punish himself for his stupidity. Could he think for a SECOND before opening his stupid mouth and embarrassing his little brother who had a hard enough time trusting him?! "I'm so-"

"Whateva." came the gruff response, even though Leo had come to expect nothing but rough language and rudeness from Raph, it still stung when Raph refused to meet his eye and took Don's elbow, "Lets go, before he gives me a reason again." and storming right by them, taking care not to brush into anyone and out the door. Leo watched them walk towards his house, his hand half raised as he wondered whether or not to call after them, but he had embarrassed his family enough for one night. He could feel the heaviness returning to his chest, Leo was about to turn away when he caught a glimpse of white sleeve as Donnie turned and gave him a small wave, a smile on his face. it took Leo a bit to realize his hand was subconsciously waving him back. Despite how stupid it felt, he smiled and waved a bit harder till Donnie gave him a bigger smile and turned back to the front and Leo turned back to the inside of the house. It was nice to know that he hadn't lost Donnie. He smiled to himself and closed the door to keep the cold air out, even though he turned back to his family. Mostly to Michelangelo who looked up at him with a weird look his eyes, like he didn't know what just happened.

OH that was his aka-chan, he smiled down on him and bent over to hold his hands out to him. The strange look on Mikey's face instantly fell into a smile as he took Leo's hands and allowed himself to be pulled up to his feet and into a hug. Rubbing the top of Mikey's scalp lovingly, "They have the right idea aka-chan, we should get some sleep to."

Mikey looked up at him with the saddest blue eyes (well, currently saddest. he was always coming up with new sad faces), "Aw but Leo-"

"No buts, if you promise to not go to sleep and not complain, I might be tempted to let you stay in my room tonight."

The pout on Mikey's face vanished completely with big sparkling happiness, his hands grabbing Leo's and yanking on it "OOKOKOKLETSGOGOGOGO!" he yanked on Leo's arm's his heels digging into the ground,

"WECANTELLSTORIESANDYOUCANTELMEALLABOUTYOURTRIPDIDYOUMAKEANYGIRLFRIENDS?!YOUREALLYNEEDAGIRLFRIEND,THENYOUCANMAKEMEAUNCLEANDICANBEUNCLEMIKEY!I'DBEAWESEOMEASUNCLEMIKEYHOWCOMEYOUdon'tHAVEAGIRLFRIENDNOW?YOUNEEDONEREALYREALLLYBADLYSOIdon'tHAVETOCOOKFORYOUALLTHETIME-"

Leo looked over at Usagi who waved at him sadly. Both brothers knew one thing

Leo was NOT going to get any sleep tonight

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

Raph crossed his arms over his chest with a irritated groan, staring at the ugliest ceiling he had ever seen. He didn't know if it was because he was in a place that smelled like the assiest ass in Japan, the weird blanket that he had found folded by the bed, or fact he was in a foreign place. Or maybe it was the nagging thought that Fearless had actually gotten him and his brother ot go with him to the assiest ass village, and sleep under the weird blanket.

Ugh

That irritated him more then anything.

If he asked Don though, he'd say something like ' you're normally up at this time of night anyway,'. Which was true, this was the hour he spent crushing his bounties skulls. It was a good way to burn energy. But that didn't help him now. With a irrigated sigh he rested the back of his fist on his forehead closing his eyes till the sound of nail scratching at wood filled the air. Ah hell, it sounded like he wasn't the only one who couldn't' sleep (actually, he had used sleeping as a excuse to get away from Fearless and his family). When Don couldn't sleep, he tended to occupy his mind by scratching at the floor and he tended to try and hide the fact he couldn't sleep by rolling onto his side with his back to Raph.

And Donnie was the worst 'fake sleep actor'. Raph rolled onto his side to get a better look at him "Don?" he whispered.

Don's 'sleeping' form curled up tighter. Yup definitely awake. The corners of Raph's mouth twitched lightly as he reached out and tapped the back of Dons head, "I know yer awake runt, don't bother trying to hide it."

With a low quiet sigh, Donnie rolled over to face him, his mask less face almost sad, "Yeah". Raph could see where his purple mask was laid out under his head, so it was sandwiched between his head and the pillow. It wasn't a strange sight, Raph did the same thing with his mask. His mother had told him that when they first came home with her that they refused to had their masks taken off. Even at night but she had been scared they would strangle on it. So she made compromise that they could lay untied on top of their pillows. Raph smiled lightly, before looking back up to Donnie. Without their mother around, it was up to him to look after Don. No matter the problem. Raph rolled up into sitting position, stretching. His blanket pooling in his lap. Which really didn't matter, he always wore hakamas to bed and only chose to take off his shirt (except for his wrist gun) and held his hand out to his little brother, "Come on Don, you're the worst liar ever."

Don looked up at him sadly and reached up and took his hand, bracing himself and using Raph's' size to pull himself up a sitting position. Even without his samue and wearing his white long sleeved undershirt, his younger brother still looked too thin. Not that it was too much of a stretch to think about, Don as small for his size. Whether it was because of his sickly nature or what Raph didn't know. He just didn't like it. The fact was, Donnie was about the size Raph was when he was 12. In fact, those used to be his clothes. But Donnie never seemed to mind wearing his hand-me-downs. He prefer to spend his money on scrolls and such.

Anyway, Raph used to have a theory that Don was so small because he didn't eat as much meat as he did. He had even challenged Don to eat whenever he did. Not being able to stand the idea of Raph being right, Don agreed. But after breakfast alone, all they did was end up with Donnie vomiting all day and Raph getting grounded for a month.

Even Raph could admit that was his fault.

He reached forward and pulled Don's blanket up over his shoulders, despite Don's sad tired glare. The runt still could cold during a heat wave, "What's keeping you up bro?"

Don gave a small shrug, crossing his legs and holding onto his big-toes. Some childish habits didn't change, "I-I was just thinking about stuff."

"Like about this new revelation about our family."

"Yeah, " a meek nod as he gripped the blanket at his throat, "I-I just didn't expect our father to be-"

"A rat?"

"no, so old. I mean, Leo told me he had been a prisoner but." Don rubbed his arms slightly, "He's really been through a lot."

"Really? How can ya tell."

"He's covered in scars, I've seen those scars before in some soldiers who came by the clinic." he hugged his knees to his chest. It was one of the many reasons Raph hated Don's job (not that it was a secret). But Don was too softhearted and he never talked about work. He asked Leatherhead though, who would just shake his head and sigh. And late at night he would awaken to find out that Donnie had scooted his futon next to Raph's, on one especially bad night he had come home to see Donnie in the front yard, sobbing into their mothers shoulder. Still that hadn't even been the worst night.

He'd rather not think about that. it was actually the reason that Raph wanted to come on this stupid trip, anything to get Donnie away from stupid lab and stupid clinic.

Anything to help his baby brother.

But had he known that Don would of just turned back into a I-sha he would of drugged Donnie (it wouldn't' of been the first time) knocked out Fearless, dumped the blue masked idiots body into a river, wait till don woke up and claimed that he dreamt the whole thing and they were just on a small road trip.

Maybe he shoulder's put so much thought into his plans to get rid of Leo.

he reached forward and placed his hand on the back of Don's neck .the younger turtle smiled sheepishly. Then he blinked and turned to the bag he had brought along, furthering confusing Raph. Till Don detached a small box. a box that made Raph smile, " you brought Nevicata with you?"

"How else was I supposed to keep in touch with Mother?" he smiled gently unhinged the case and unfolded it. a white bird suddenly flapped its wings and flew out, popping up long enough to land on the floor. Don's smile widening as he reached forward and began to rub the birds neck, "Sorry I couldn't get you out before now, "

but the bird simply ran her beak down his fingers, a sign of affection. our of all the birds Donnie trained, Nevicata was prettiest and best trained one. Easily Don's favorite. He had even gone so far as to name her in the language that Leatherhead claimed their names came from. Raph smiled and poked the bird on the back, the bird fluttered her wings indigently and fluttered closer to Donnie, the master who would protect her from the annoying older brother who tended to tease about making her into food. He caught glimpse of Donnie rubbing his eyes slightly and knew the night had finally caught up with him. Raph smirked, while trying to ignore his own yawning and gently poked Donnie on the shoulder, "ok baby bro, time for sleep."

he half expected Don to shake his head and claim that adults like him didn't need big brother to tell them to go to bed. But Donnie yawned and rubbed his eyes with his chin dipping slightly in a yawn. Raph fought back a snort as Don crawled back ot his futon and laid down. Out of natural instincts, Raph rocked onto his knees and took Don's futon by the edges and drug it over closer, ignoring don's smile tired whine. He took a hold of Don's blanket and pulled it up to don's shoulders again. His younger brother glared at him through half-lidded eyes, "Coulda' done that myself."

"Yeah I know." Raph smirked, he rubbed Dons scalp before sliding back down into his futon. he heard a small tweeting sound and looked over to see the bird nestled right by Don, looking at him, but he tried ot ignore it, "Night Don."\

"night Kuma-ni."

The corners of Raph's mouth twitched slightly he looked over again to see Don was fast sleep, before giving Nevicata a glare, "You poop on me bird, and I'll eat you for breakfast and tell Donnie you ran away to join the circus."

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

Well sleeping had been a nice thought, and for the first time in a while he thought he would be able to without having nightmares or waking up with bile in his mouth.

That is, until Mikey's arms choked him off around the chest. And, being the big brother, he didn't have heart to just push him off. He had decided to wait a bit and see if Mikey would release him on his own.

But, as the sun shown through the propped open window and into his burning, probably blood shot, eyes. He knew he had lost that battle.

and it was time to get freedom

Leo looked back down to Mikey, "Come on aka-chan," he whispered to Mikey, "I missed you too, but I need to breath." he hoped his voice would carry into Mikey's subconscious. But judging by the way Mikey's arms tightened around his chest, he knew he had no chance of getting free that way. he wiggled around, getting off the futon as he tried to crawl towards the door but the grip tightened again and he found his ribs being crushed into his organs. He raised his hand and reached for the door in a desperate attempt to escape, "Help!" he whispered called, "Please! Someone!"

With the same contingency of a miracle, the door opened slowly to reveal Usagi. Whose face was confused till he saw the choke hold that Mikey had on Leo, "I see you are a victim of Michelangelo' new choke hold technique. "

"Yes, I cant 'get free, he doesn' even have pants on." Leo let out a very unmanly squawk and clawed at the ground before reaching out for Usagi, "Help me Ani! Please Please!"

Usagi smiled and shook his head, kneeling down he took a hold of Mikey's' pillow (which had gone unused in favor of Leo's chest) and took a hold of Mikey's' arm, gently pulling on them, Leo felt the grip on his chest loosen enough for him to worm his way out, embracing the sweet freedom of movement and oxygen. He looked back in time to see Usagi slip the pillow into Mikey's arms. The death grip returning on the helpless device as Usagi laid Mikey back down. Leo sighed in relief before sitting up and patting Mikey on the head, "How long has he been doing that?"

"A while, hopefully your reappearance will help him loose the habit."

"Yeah.' Leo took a moment ot stroke Mikeys' head and snatch his kimono top off the floor, wrapping up in it and tucking it back into his hakamas's. He didn't expect to be up so early , but whatever. Atleast he could breath again (which he thanked heaven for) and walked back out into the min living space stretching his arms.

"I was making tea, if you would like some now."

"Sure." Leo smiled, Usagi smiled back before kneeling next to the kamado .Leo looked over at the place where he had hung his swords. Normally in the morning, he would kneel infornt of them and say a small prayer for his unknown family. But now they were found, so instead he put his palms together and said a prayer for his mothers' soul, and that her spirit would give him the strength to keep their family together. And so their father would wake up soon.

"Leonardo."

Leo opened his eyes to see Usagi kneeling by him, holding out a yunomi. Leo thanked him and took it raising it to his lip to blow on it, the smell coming up and teasing his nose

"LEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Before Leo could get the hot liquid away from him, the arms that had choke hold him all night slammed into again and sent him flying across the floor. The tea that had just been there for comfort and joy suddenly flew out of the yunomi and through the air. Leo quickly rolled over Mikey in time for the sinfully hot liquid to splash against his scalp . Officially signing the skin and causing literal steam to raise off of it.

Mikey around in confusion in his half awake state before looking up at Leo confused, 'Why's your scalp all red?"

Leo gritted his teach, mostly in a attempt to not scream in pain , he pushed himself up into a standing position before reaching down and lifted Mikey to his feet. And a crushing pressure returning his gut in the from of Mikey's face.

While Leo had nothing but love for his baby brother, his patience was just as thin as the skin on his now red, scalded scalp. He could even feel the skin bubbling and he warm liquid running down the side of his face. First thing, he needed to separate the pain from his feelings. If there was one thing he had NEVER done in his life it was take his anger out on Mikey.

Not that he didn't get help, and it came in the form of the best adopted brother in history. Through half lidded squinty eyes he saw Usagi set the kettle aside and walk on over, placing his hands under Mikey's armpits and pulled him away, "Michelangelo, you're just in time. Leonardo was just talking about how he wanted make breakfast for you and your new brothers."

As the expected reaction, Mikey looked at Usagi in horror (unable to catch the subtle wink he gave Leo). Leo fought the smile threatening to burst through his face as he began to stroke his chin, as though deep in thought, "Should I make my famous rice and eggs? or Should I try to make something more complicated-" he reached down and picked up the metal pot when a wooden spoon suddenly shot out and smacked his hand with surprising force, forcing him to yelp in pain and draw his hand back. Mikey held the pot tightly to his chest, his hand holding the wooden spoon over the pot in a protective manner. As though he was DARING Leo to try and touch it again," How about I make it!? I mean, you DID just get back from a journey."

"Well." Leo pretended to mull it over, though it was no real contest, "If you insist.'

"I DO." with a kick aimed at him, Leo backed up and left the cooking area of the main room. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Usagi glanced over at him too. Without making any facial expressions or other obvious movements, they gently bumped fists inconspicuously. Even though Mikey was just one young turtle, it took teamwork to subdue him. Careful planned strategies and a brother who understood Mikey's thought process.

Speaking of younger brothers, he should probably check on Raph and Donnie. He was sure he could do it without waking them up. He pressed his hand against the door and slid it open slowly, catching a glimpse of a sleeping form-

There was a flurry mess of white feathers and wings in his face, causing him to scream out in panic and fall flat on his back, the white bird flew out ad slammed against the wall behind him. Leo grabbed nearest object and stood up, "GET THE BIRD!" he shouted, and raised the object over his head, Usagi ran in front of the door and pulled on it ensuring its security as Mikey grabbed the metal pot

The bird flew frantically around the room, before landing on the low table. Leo looked over

over at his brothers, who all made eye contact, he walked forward slowly, raising the object over his head again before a frantic scream filled the room,' "NO!"' before a hand gripped his and something jabbed into his arm, sending numbness through his whole limb, Donnie ran right by them and knelt by the low table and held his hand out to the white bird, muttering something in a language Leo didn't understand. But the bird fluttered its wings lightly and landed on Don's hand who breathed in relief and held the bird to his chest before looking up at Leo with worried eyes "don't hurt Nevicata!"

"Nevi-who?" Leo asked, he realized he was still holding the weapon he had grabbed, a knife that had probably been thrown aside in the ruckus.

Maybe that's why Donnie was looking at him more then anyone else with big worried brown eyes. Leo gave him a small smile before rounding the table and setting the knife on the preparing counter, "see? Its ok Donnie, now do you want to tell me why there's a bird in my house?"

"It-its one of the birds I trained, I promised mother I'd stay in contact." he held the bird a little closer to his chest.

"Its ok Donnie, I'm sorry your bird just, surprised us." he said with a smile hoping to calm down his little brother (atleast enough to ask him what he did to his arm). Don's form relaxed slightly and he lowered the bird from his chest, but his shoulders were still tense. Leo was about to say something else when Mikey came closer, his eyes wide with excitement (it was in his nature as a animal lover), "Cool! You gotta pet?! What's his name?!" already his hands were pressed together and bouncing

"H=Her name is Nevicata." Don said quietly, his shoulders still in a defensive posture.

"I do not believe I have heard that name before." Usagi pondered out loud, setting aside the wok he had grabbed in the chaos.

"It-it's a word that Leatherhead gave me, he said it was from the same place our names came from." Don's gaze lowered down onto the bird again. A small smile on the face. It gave Leo the feeling that he was talking more to the white bird then to him. Leo had this feeling before, . He had first thought that Don's stuttering and quiet voice came from the fact of Leo's surprising presence. But Now he was thinking that Don was just a shy kid. HE also had a feeling that he was going to have to work a little harder if he wanted Don to open up to him.

Leo slowly reached up with his non-numb hand (seriously, why wasn't his arm working?!) and placed it on Don's scalp, giving the younger kame a smile. Hoping to instill a little confidence in him. It must of worked because Don twitched lightly in a nervous but genuine smile. His eyes falling on Leos' numb arm, he used one hand to gently nudge Nevicata onto his shoulder. He reached out and took Leo's numb arm by the wrist and pulled his arm away from his body, his free hand reaching up and gently pressing his finger into the inside of his elbow.

Instantly he felt feeling shoot through his arm. Leo looked down at his arm in shock, moving his fingers around to ensure it really was back, "Don how did-" but Don was already heading for the front door, "Donn-"

"I'll be right back, I have to send Nevicata out so she can deliver a note to mom saying we're ok. She said that if she didn't get one she'd come down here and kick burn down the countryside."

Leo blinked and raised his hands, smiling. Though he feared that statement might not be too far from the truth, "Go ahead, I rather not have to hide from your mother."

Don's smile grew a bit brighter before he and slipped out , closing the door behind him. Leo chuckled soflty before realizing Mieky was looking at him, his big blue eyes wide and his fists bunched up udner his chin in a excited way. Leo could already guess his thoughts "YOu can't have a pet Mikey."

"WHy not?! I'd take good care of it-"

"Mikey." he crossed his arms, "We both know that if you got a pet then I'D be the one taking care of it. And its hard enough keeping you alive."

As expected Mikey puffed out his cheeks and stuck out his bottom lip00. His natural ' I never get what I want face'. Much like his other faces, Leo knew exactly how to defeat this one. Leo copied the same face, even going so far as to cross his arms and stick out his bottom jaw. But when Mikey didn't smile he reached out and tapped Mikey right on the chin. Mikey's pout turned into a smile as he slapped at Leo's hand, his tantrum lost as he hurried back over to the kamado and smiled back at them, "You all want niori right?"

"Sounds good" Leo sai with a smile. Before looking towards the front door. He caught gaze with Usagi who gave him a knowing smile and slid the door open, poking his head out, "Are you coming back in Donatello-chan?

"I was thinking about heading over to Dorinbo-sama's and checking on Splinter-"

"Do not worry about it, our I-sha is already back and is what him. He'll be fine."

There was a pause, Leo touched Usagi's' shoulder with a smile to get his attention before moving past him. Like he suspected, Don was looking a bit disheartened and unsure, glancing over at a fading dot in the distance that was probably Nevicata. Leo couldn't help but think that Don was wishing he and Raph were going with her. But he couldn't blame him. Leo smiled and stepped out, bending over slightly so he was more at eyelevel with Don, "Mikey's making breakfast and it'd make him happy if you ate some of his food."

"I-I don't know, I'm not really hungry-"

"I know it'd make Raph feel better. And isn't that what you want?"

Don bit his lip lightly, looking at his feet. Before sighing and looking back up at him, "Fine but you have too also. I know you haven't been eating.'

"Deal." Leo waited till Don was next to him before shoving him lightly in the shell. Mikey was already setting a plate and handing it over to Usagi. The smell filling the house in a hypnotic trance. Mikey gave Donnie a big smile before shoving a plate into his hands, "Eat up! I promise I'm a awesome cook! The best!" before grabbing one for himself and running over to the table, "Ist next to me! It'll be fun!"

Don looked over at Leo again with unsure eyes but Leo smiled and gave him another small shove. Mikey might be a overactive overexcited mess sometimes, but he was safe. And he would do anything to help Donnie feel the same.

It would just be another step in becoming a family

Ani: my brother

Nevicata: Snow in Italian