A/N

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Chapter 20

The Scars and Burdens we Bear

Raph," You're already crying

Shut up! thank you all so much! I promise to work even harder to give you awesome chapters! Now we're going to get some answers, more questions some humor and ACTION! As 'somebody' reminded me!' Thank you all so much!

Raph, "Seriously you could end it now-"

Charmy looks over to Raph, smiling unhinged before walking away laughing loudly

Raph, "O,o I'll take dat as a no."

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

Leo rocked back on his knees, the muscles in his left arm and he pulled his right arm out from him. Both well exercised from the exercise he had put his body under. HE may not of noticed his weight loss at the time, but now that his body was almost back to normal.

"You are looking well Ani."

Glancing back at Usagi, Leo couldn't help but smile, "I feel well. I haven't slept so well in years." he gripped his arm, when he was going to check ups to Donnie, he made the point of pulling on the skin on Leo's arm. Showing him how his skin had become slight rubbery. Now his skin stayed tight to his muscles. Like it was supposed to.

"Looks like it could be time for you to restart your training. Maybe even pick up your sword."

The rapid skip of his heart almost made Leo jump out of his stance. But he had better control then that. He stretched his arms out and moved up to his feet, "sorry Usagi, but Donnie thinks I should rest a bit longer." it wasn't a lie. That was what Donnie said, to be honest Leo was grateful to it. He wasn't sure he was ready to pick up his swords. His family swords.

They didn't deserved to be sullied further by his hands.

"This sounds out of character for the same person who got grounded for three monks for training with TWO broken arms." there was a tone to Usagi's voice that Leo wasn't used to. He had heard him use it when Usagi was trying to fish out of Mikey who had snuck blue die into his soap.

He stood up and looked over to Usagi, putting on a smile, "sorry to disappoint you Usagi. But I don't want habits like that rubbing off on Mikey. He has enough bad influences rolling around in his head. "it was a less then admirable excuse. And one his brother wouldn't accept for long. But what as he supposed to say?

If there was anything Leo hated more then feeling guilty over the death of a horrible bandit like Kojima?

It was lying to his brother about it.

The door suddenly slip open. A familiar ball of orange, white and green slammed Usagi's' side in a tight hug. Leo could of laughed at the surprise on Usagi's' face as he was literally hugged off his feet for two seconds before looking at the attacker ,"Michelangelo!"

"USAGITODAYSTHELASTDAYOFMYGROUNDIGNREMEMBERREMEMBERYOUPROMISEYOUPROMISE!-"

Leo thought about leaving Usagi to deal with a hyperactive Mikey. But he was far better then that, he was a good brother. He reached forward and placed his hands on the hopping kame's brother. Who looked over at him with excited blue eyes, "You know we prefer common speak or formal."

"Sorrysorrysorry." he took a deep breath. Judging by the was Usagi's eyes were crossing, he had tightened his grip to the point of suffocation. Leo would of laughed had he not been the victim of Mikey's choke hold many time," My groundings done today! I know it is! I asked you ever day this week and you said it was today right/ Right? I'm not grounded anymore!? Right right right right riiiiiiiiiiiight?"

Now, it was always obvious to them that, but one might actually think the two processed a bond that only brothers of blood might have. Which they did, so at a glance of dark brown against black, a plan was formed. That only the sturdiest of 'characters' could make without bursting out laughing .

Never before had their been tested so hard.

Usagi put his hands on Michelangelo's, "I'm sorry Orenji-chan. I'm sure that you have atleast a week left."

Mikey's' face fell in horror, 'what/!"

'NO no no Brother, Ani I'm sure you're mistaken. I though he had TWO weeks left. " Leo insisted, with a small nod, rubbing his chin.

"WHAT?!" Mikey looked inbewtwen his brothesr whit a frantic look on his face.

"Are you quite sure?"

"USAGI! LEO!"

"Maybe you're right, maybe it was 4 weeks?"

"FOUR weeks, that does sound accurate-"

"NONONONONONONONONO!YOUSAIDITWASOVERTODAY!YOUSAID!DAD!DA="

Fun was over, Leo pressed his hand over Mikey's mouth, almost crashing against Usagi's, "we're teasing you Mikey" he said with a laugh, "you're not grounded anymore!"

Mikey blinked looking over Usagi, who nodded. A huge sigh of relief as he pulled himself free "that was mean."

"it was a joke. "

"It was a MEAN joke!"

Leo wanted to remind him of all the times that Mikey had pulled jokes that seemed less then funny. Including one that still left the bottom of Usagi's left foot blue, maybe that's why he was savoring Mikey's' pout so much. But he put on a smile, "Would you feel better if you got yourself some dango?"

The frown disappeared immediately at the sound of sweets, "Can it be takoyaki?!"

"Yes it can. Consider it a reward for seeing your sentence through" smiled and dug into his pocket and felt out the lukewarm metal yuans with his thumb before pulling them out and dripping them into Mikey's bouncing excited hands. The kame stuffed them into his pocket ," I'll get you guys some too!" before charging down the path the way to the village before sliding to a stop. As though forgetting something. Leo watched patiently , "Yes Mikey?" but the kame ran past him and into the house. After a few seconds Mikey ran back outside with a yunomi in his hands,. Leo took the yunomi with a smile. Knowing what was coming

"don't forget to drink that tea Donnie gave you. He said that you still have to."

"I know aka-chan, I will."

"And-and no training!"

"I don't plan on it."

" If-if you do I'll tell Dad and he'll ground you!"

"I will."

"Good!" Mikey smiled in satisfaction before running back down the path again. Oh Mikey. Leo rubbing his forehead lightly. He knew Raph had gone to town earlier that day. So Mikey couldn't get into THAT much trouble.

Leo smiled again looking over at Usagi. Even though Usagi had abandoned his 'I'm suspicious of you' face it was a clear "should I be concerned?" look that had replaced it, "I just want to go talk to Don. I think it'll be the only time we can without Raph being there to breath down my neck."

"If you're sure. I'll be there shortly to wipe the Leonardo pieces off the ceiling when Raphael finds out." he said with a nod and a sparkle in his eye. Usagi was telling jokes now? Maybe Mikey had a bigger affect on him then he thought. Usagi jokes were few and far between. But Leo could appreciate the fact behind it. He walked by Usagi ,giving him a playful shove in the shoulder as he did and over to the door that lead to Don and Raph's room, knocking on the wood, "Donnie? Can I come in?"

"yeah sure." his voice sounded distracted. Leo slid the door open. Donnie was sitting against the wall, his knees drawn up so something was braced against them, using a metal stick to fiddle with it. Leo crossed the room and sat down against the wall. It looked like a metal gauntlet, except the top had been pried open it looked like some sort of crossbow system. He didn't remember his fathers' having that feature, "What is that thing Don?"

"Its Raph's arrow gauntlet. " he scooted closer flipping the lid down, "see? The gauntlet had a palm rest where the buttons at. When you squeeze with the right pressure it shoots a arrow from -." Don blinked and suddenly pulled the gauntlet to his chest bowing his head lightly as though embarrassed.

"don?"

"sorry, I tend to babble when it comes to my inventions. Raph tries to understand but it puts him to sleep "

"No-no its ok! I wanna hear the babble." Ok so Leo wasn't sure if he'd understand half of it, but it was better to try, "Come on show me. Please?"

Donnie looked back over to him. As though wondering something before smiling shy and scooting over closer, lowering the gauntlet from his chest, "I-tried to make it with a crossbow like design, but the arrows were too long and couldn't fit right. So I had to make my shorter ones and added to the sharpness of the head to make up for it all." he turned it over to reveal a slit at the wrist connection, "And if you pull your wrist back, a knife comes out. I had a problem for a bit with the knife support breaking when Raph stabbed, but I ended up having to make a knife from scratch special modified but it really solved the problem of the knife breaking the entire gauntlet. I wanted to add a secondary second blade but there wasn't enough room. But I added a trident to the sides that pop out when you spread out your fingers. See? You slip your fingers into these holders, I tried to make the whole thing so that. I won't through a lot of prototypes-"

"How many?" what the hell was a prototype? He had to assume it meant something along the lines of 'pre-made'

"About 75. Luckily not all of them broke. I had to make 5 more since then cause Raph refuses to stop growing and working out."

"Can I hold it?"

Don nodded before gently putting the gauntlet in his lap. Leo lifted it up with his fingers, he really didn't expect it to be so heavy. That might explain why Raph had such big muscles. He lifted to peer down the top to test its accuracy when he suddenly remembered the scar on his face, "Hey did Raph shoot me with one of those arrows?"

"Yeah sorry. He thought you were a kidnapper, I mean you did have that creepy hood up."

"I was pouring outside! I was freezing!" he elbowed Donnie gently with a teasing smile before putting gauntlet back into his hands. His fingers brushing against stiff new bandages. He drew his hands back slightly to see crisp white bandages wrapped around his brothers palms. Leo took Don's hands into his and turned them over to get a better look. This wasn't' right, it had been almost a month since Leo had accidentally burnt his palms. They should of healed by now, "Don are your hands still bothering you?"

"Huh? No not really. Its nothing I can't handle."

"Do you want me to look at them? We have some cream lying around that helps with that."

"I'm fine Leo, I'd know right? I'm the I-sha after all."

"Bu-but I-"he looked down at don's hands again, the bandages didn't stop at his palms, they wrapped around Don's thin wrists and disappeared under Don's sleeves Leo didn't remember burning him THIS badly, "Don did you hurt yourself? What hap=" Don's hands pulled free gently, one of the wrapped fingers tapping him in the forehead

"ISHA which means I know better when it comes to medical stuff. So don't worry. Its fine." Don reached up and patted Leo on the scalp (though Leo had to note he had to stretch to do so). Leo knew Donnie was trying to make him feel better. But honestly all it did was remind him that, eve though they were back in each others lives, they still knew little to nothing about each other."

"Wanna play go?"

"HuH?"

"You said you had a go board and you used to play on it all the time with Usagi and your father. DO you want to play against me?"

The ever so obvious 'change of subject.' it felt bad enough to make Leo think that don felt sorry for him. Even so, "sure." he smiled and got , 'I'll go get the board and we can play a few games."

"Thanks! And Leo/"

"Yeah?" he looked back

"Can we drink green tea when we play?"

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

Mikey's hands flew up to his stinging closed eyes, the dirt rushing up from the impact of his body against ground. But considering the kick that just knocked his stomach into his lungs. His legs curling up into his body in the best defensive position he could muster at the moment, a hand grabbing his arm with a vice like grip and drug him up lightly. Mikey's foot shot out the kicked the perp in the knee, sending him back in the hard dirt. But it was somewhat satirizing to hear one of the guys hopping around in pain, "Leave me alone Daisuke!" he snapped. There was no one else in the village who had reason (or rather, made believe ) to hurt him. He also didn't have to look around to see Daisuke standing like a cliché villain out of one of his stories. Probably with two of his less then likable friends. Just people who Daisuke could brag to level how he managed to beat up a boy half his size and 2 years younger then him. Even though they shared the same colors Daisuke was nothing like his older brother Daiki, his black hair plastered greasy hair was only the visual aspect of his unpleasantness, "Why don't you pick on someone without nostrils? I can smell your greasy hair from he-" a foot slammed into the side of his face, his face meeting dirt again, the toe pressing into his eyes

"You think you're FUNNY? Just because the Headmen is your father you think you can get away with whatever you want?"

Mikey was so sure he had something to say to that. But the sound of footsteps caught his attention. Had someone heard? They were in the middle of the village, or alteast he had been when Daisuke and his friends had drug him off to the shadow of two buildings. Because of the time of day it would be hard for anyone to hear them. But he was sure if he shouted loud enough that his Dad would hear, the guards house wasn't that far away.

But the words had caught in his throat.

He forced his 'non shoe eye' to open up. Someone was standing at the end of the alley. Who was that? Oh crap was that one of Daisuke's other friends? No, they didn't seem to notice him, "Why don't you go drown yourself?" he asked Daisuke, "You just want a excuse to pick on me-" the foot lifted up again, barely giving Mikey enough time to cringe his face, oh spirits this was going to-

The sound of stomping filled the air, then the sound of something flying over him and rushing down the other end of the alley

Hurt?

Mikey slowly opened his eyes in time it see Raph slam his fist into the stomach of 'cliché friend' 2, his feet bracing in a half spin and sending him down the same end of the hallway he had sent the other friend. Daisuke had placed his 'stomping foot 'back to the ground. Mikey was almost happy to see that horrified look on Daisuke's face. The only reason he wasn't was because that his right eye was so full of dirt he couldn't get a full picture

"L-Leo? I- I thought you ww-e-were ill-"

"Wrong turtle buddy. I'm much better looking then 'Fearless." suddenly , with flexibility Mikey was capable of , his leg hooked up and caught Daisuke's face with the bottom of his, slamming it down to the ground. .after the dirt stopped rising he saw the horrified look on Daisuke's' face looking around as though expecting something to tear him apart.

"Now, I don't think the kid appreciates you kicking him " Mikey could see Raph grinding the ball of his foot on Daisuke's face, "I'd better apologize to him before you find yourself without a neck, "I think you better apologize to him."

"I-I'm sorry Mikey-' the pressure pressed harder against Daisuke's face, giving him the face of wrinkled paper,

"NO, you're sorry 'Watashi no awarena, ' Raph paused for a moment, "shiri means ass in formal right?"

"R-right."

"thanks, now say 'Watashi no awarena shiri Mikeranjero no kyo maiti saino kotei."

"W-watashi no awarena-a-a sh-shiri Mikeranjero no kyo m-maiti saino k-kotei."

"good boy. For that I'll give you some flying lessons."

Mikey watched as Daisuke's eyes filled to the size of plates. His fingers grabbing at the ground when a hand grabbed the back of his shirt when Raph removed his first. With surprising strength, Mikey watched Raph put one on Daisuke's hand with the other hand still grabbing his shirt and lift the neko high above his head. Bracing his arms back as though he was about to throw a staff. Raph's face cringed slightly but with the tensely of a cross bow, sent Daisuke shooting up and over the air, landing right into the heap of friends who had been trying to get up.

Mikey was so into watching the group scramble over each other to run away when Raph took him by the back of his shirt, gripping the opening that allowed Mikey's shell to go through his yukata like the scruff of a puppies neck , he was lifted up to his feet. A hand wiping off the dirt that had accumulated over his clothes 'You ok kid?" he asked

Mikey nodded quickly, wiping at his eyes with his sleeve's. dam dirt

"how long have you been letting those idiots get away with that?"

"S-since Leo left.' his throat was scratchy form the dirt. He saw Raph saw and reach to is side taking out a wooden cylinder,

"Drink this."

"Thanks" Mikey took the tube and tilted his head back the water down his throat was a sweet relief

"I'm guessing your bro's don't know about this?"

"You know."

"You know what I mean."

Mikey pulled the tube away he had a feeling he knew where this was going. He shook his head. His eye twitching from the dirt still blocking it up. He saw Raph sigh and life up the water tube again, "tilt your head back."

Mikey obliged. Allowing Raph to pour the water into his eyes. Stinging his eye at first but, like when he was using it ot clena his thraot was now relief

"When you get back to the house, you're going to tell your old man and the 'honor twins' what's' going on. Before I tell them and get you into worse trouble."

"You wouldn't'-

"I WOULD. I did it when Don was getting mugged."

"Mugged!?" Mikey head shot down to look at him but Raph tilted his head back

"He delivers medicine and I guess some guys got his route down. The dumb ass refused to fight OR tell anyone. I had to find out from this other Bounty Hunter named Gennosuke. I kicked the druggies ass and grounded Don for 3 months." his thumb went up and wiped out more of the dirt. Finally the vision in his eye cleared up. Mikey pulled his head away to wipe at it. "Thanks."

"don't mention it kid, you got a hell of a shiner though." his hand going up to his neck. Not like Usagi did when he was embarrassed. His eyes scrunched u lightly as though something in his neck was wrong,

"YOU ok Raph?"

"Just a bad muscle. You were in town for a reason right?"

"Taoyoki."

"Why don't you go ahead and get your sweets, I'll walk you back to the house so the greasy Neko don't bother -" Raph's faces suddenly cringed again, his fingers digging into his neck. His other hand suddenly grabbing the wall for support. Mikey paused before reaching out, "Raph-"

"Dam it I'm FINE just-" another cringe. The massive form that made up Raph's form shivered, the hand that was gripping the wall suddenly started to tense, his finger tips digging into the wall. One of Raph's knees suddenly buckled, Mikey was about to grab his arm when Raph's hand shove him in the chest as he hit the ground hard, "stupid muscles-" his hand sliding off the wall and he rested his shoulder against it.

Even though Mikey didn't like being treated like a rag doll, he knelt down taken Raph's hand that lay against his knelt knee. It was only then Mikey noticed how bad Raph was sweating, his normally solid form was shaking slightly with each breath. NO what was going on?! "Wh-=hat do I do?" he asked Raph. But he knew he wasn't going to get a answer. Tears replaced the dirt burning in his eyes. Then his first instinct hit him

Get family.

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

"Leonardo, I'm unused to the terms that professional go strategist use. But I believe that Don is 'dominating' you."

"Quiet Usagi! I'm focusing!"

" I can see that, seeing as your left eye has not stopped twitching in the past 8 games."

"USAGI." it was bad enough that Don (in waiting for him to make his move) was sipping from his 5th cup of tea. But he didn't need his brother teasing him. IT wasn't that Usagi was cruel, he normally had his back on everything. But at times like this even his brother was known to succumb to such antics. Leo leaned over the table again, he was about 5 moves from Don's white go pieces succumbing the rest of the board. This was RIDICULES. How had he gone so wrong?! He thought he had been winning!

"WE don't' have to keep plying if you don't want to."

"I do. Just give me a bit." geeze, even Donnie was feeling sorry fro him. He was giving Leo the same look as Leo did when he was trying to help Mikey with riddles. He picked up the smooth black stone in his hand moving it across the board like a water finding stick, hoping his board would guide him to the right spot. With a bit of nervous ness he set the piece right on the table, Don raised his white pieces and set them down, "I win."
"What/!?" NO WAY! He leaned back over the board, 'It-it had been so quick! How had he lost?! How had he gone from being 5 plays from loosing to none?! But the settle chuckles from his right only steamed him further, "NOT helping Usagi."

"My apologizes , but I never said I was trying TO help."

Leo sighed, running his hand over his face (noting a few new stress lines added to the old ones) before smiling at Donatello. It wasn't Donnie's fault he had lost (ok so it was. But Leo had insisted on the last 5 games)," I have to stop underestimating you, Otouto."

"I know. I've been trying to tell you that."

Leo's lips twitched lightly, he'd like to think this 'mini' attitude' coming from Donnie was a sign that he was feeling more comfortable with him (even Usagi). Leo picked up the remainder of his medicated tea and took another sip. Even cold, the medicine tasted good. But Donnie still hadn't' told him what was in it.

Meh

No point in worrying-

"DONATELLO!"

At the loud shout of his father, Leo sat up straight, his yunomi jumping out of his hands and crashing to the ground. But before the first sounds of breaking could fill the air, Donnie was already out the door, Usagi right behind him and Leo behind Usagi, almost tripping over his brother. When he finally got through the doorway he saw Dorinbo, Daiki and Mikey walking up the path. Mikey was bouncing around them, not in his 'I JUST GOT A TON OF SWEETS AND NOW ITS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP MOOOOOVVVVVVVVING!' way but in a way that reminded him of well

Him

That's when he realized that Dorinbo and Daiki were walking slowly, supporting something between them. A large form whose from was flat on his stomach with his arms tucked into him

'RAPH! KUMA=NI!" Donatello was over there in a instant. Leo hurried after him. Looking over to Mikey, he could already see the red eyes and streaked that only added to the situation. Before he could, Usagi was there. Without a word he held a arm out to him and jerked with his head . The kame was over to the rabbit in a instant, hugging him tightly. One thing down-

"-Michelangelo said he just collapsed on his knees, that's' when he went to get us. He was crying so hard I didn't know what was going on-"

,Leo watched Don circle Around Raph to his head rolling his sleeves up, before pressing his fingers into the base of Raph's neck, before circling around and doing the same thing to the back of Raph's shoulders and thighs, the shaking that had covered the Raph appeased lightly. The heavy pained breathing finally relaxing (judging by the way Dorinbo and Daiki suddenly buckled at the knees lightly), "Pl-please? I know he's heavy. Can you please bring him inside?"

There were a double set of nods, Donnie hurried ahead of them to get to door open and direct them. Leo was about to follow when eh looked back to Usagi, still supporting the youngest. He went on over and placed his hand on the back of Mikey's 'head, 'but the child didn't make indication of his presence. As he tended to when he was upset, so he turned to Usagi "Did he tell you the whole story?"

"Indeed." Usagi's hand continued to absentmindedly rub the child's scalp. ,"He Told me that Daisuke and his friends were trying to hurt him when Raphael came to his aid. After that he started acting like he was in pain. "

"wait WHAT?" that couldn't' be right, he turned tot the child, "What do you mean Daisuke was trying to hurt you?! How long has this been going on Mike-"

"LEONARDO."

Sheesh Usagi could sound like their father when he wanted. He even had the same scowl, "Now is not the time for that. I will tend to our brother you need to check on the others."

Despite his natural instincts to stay there and make Mikey feel better, he knew Usagi was right. He turned and hurried back up to the house, the open door to Raph and Don's room. Daiki and Dorinbo must of went to the living room, because only Don was there, he had a bowl in his hands that he was running his hand around in. most of Raph's back was obscured to him due his angle and Donnie's position. He could see Raph's happi lying by Don's knees, "Is he ok Otouto?" he asked gently. Unsure of the state of mind Donnie was in

"Its his infection," Don's hands scooped around the bowl, a light green cream in his hands. Leo recognized it as the very cream he was going to get for Don's hands. Don began to rub it in the back of

Raph's neck in a gentle way

"Infection?"

"Its in his back muscles. It-it should be gone. But most of it lives under his shell and no one can get to it."

Geeze that sounded bad. Leo found himself moving forward to cover the distance between him and the two 'Yasei brothers' when .He began to see around Don it occurred to him that he had never seen Raph without his happi before.. While Leo and Mikey had clothes that allowed them to have their shells on the outside of their clothes, even Donnie ( who had stopped wearing his happi) seemed to have the same situation whit his samue. No matter how hot it got, Raph always had it on, even resting on his shoulders but Leo never seen him without it and wondered why.

As of now, it was no longer a mystery.

Now he could see Raph's shell.

The top part of Raph's shell to his right elbow was missing its top in a diagonal form. Leaving rougher darker under shell. The edges of his remaining shell were jagged but smoothed out as though from over time. The only reason he knew it was under shell was from when Mikey broke a part of his shell when he was younger. But that had healed in a few month and there was no remaining mark that the incident had never happened.

This was different

This was a scar

Donnie was rubbing something on the in-between Raph's shoulders, before turning and getting a rag out of the water and placing it on the back of Raph's neck. Leo watched Raph's shoulders shudder for a moment before relaxing under the cold touch. It was then Leo also realized that Raph had been asleep when Dorinbo and Daiki had carried him inside. "is he-"

"He's fine, just asleep. He's not going to be ok when I tell him he has to stay still for a few days." Don gave him a small smile, "But I'll tell him."

Leo could appreciate the attempt at humor, but not the worry Don's eyes, "What happened to him? What happened to his shell."

"it's a old injury that he got about 2 years ago." Don raised his hand up to reach in the small space where Raph's shell should of covered shi shoulder blade, 'Right here, he was stabbed to caused a part of his shell to crack . The o-only thing me and Leatherhead could do was break it th-" a small pause and a crack of emotion, Don's hands tightening lightly as though flinching" Break the rest of the dead shell off before it hurt him more. He could of lost all of his shell and he wouldn't of survived it. "He-he still has his undershell so it protects him, its not like you touch his shell and it hurts him. Its in his muscles and acts up at random times"

"So the happi-"

"He got annoyed with the stairs. Its hard enough being so rough without that scar. He just decided to wear the happi to cover it up. "

Leo wanted to ask the question that Don wasn't answering. 'how did it happen?' but he could see the wear in his form. The child how had once been patiently waiting for him to make his turn at go was now a I-sha again. Leo reached his arm out and wrap it around Don's shoulders, Giving him a small hug to his chest and pressing his beak to the top of his scalp like he did for Mikey when Mikey was scared, "I'm going to bring you some tea ok? DO you need anything else?"

Donnie shook his head lightly. Leo nodded and held him a bit longer before releasing his grip and standing up, walking to the door. When he was closing it he glanced back long enough to see Donnie lean forward and press his forehead on the center of Raph's shell. Gently mumblings escaping him that oddly enough sounded like prayers.

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

Usagi ran his hand along the back of Michelangelo's' sleeping scalp. The poor youngest had cried himself to sleep in Usagi's' rms. None of his attempts of comfort alleviating him of his guilt. All Usagi could do was let him sob himself out before carrying to his futon. He knew that later that night either he or Leonardo would wake up with him in their futon. Usagi wouldn't' try to discourage his attempts either. Michelangelo had done nothing wrong after all.

It was HE who had failed. It was HE who had promised to watch over Michelangelo in the absence of Leonardo. It was he who had fallen into familiarly and comfort with his role as a big brother only to be oblivious to the abuse.

He should of known

He should of DONE something.

His fists curled up lightly, picking up the lantern he blew out the candle before rising up to his feet and sliding the living room door open. It looked like he was going to sleep over here again-

Leonardo?

Usagi paused in midstep. Wondering if he had disturbed the kame but eh didn't move from his position. Kneeling at the small offering table. Overhead on the wall hung his treasure. Leonardo had told him along time ago, when he had his swords on him it gave him hope that their birth family was still alive. That they would be one again some day.

So to see the dust accumulate over them over the past few weeks , he would catch Leonardo looking at them with a dark sorrowful look in his eyes But would leave them to move on with his business. It was enough to make Usagi worry. But this was different

He watched Leonardo bow low to the floor, his forehead resting on the tatami floor. For a few minutes he remained there. Murmurings floating up to Usagi's' ears that he couldn't' understand. But he had the feeling they weren't meant for him anyway.

Finally Leonardo rocked back and rose up on one knee. One sword at a time, he lifted them off the alter and hooked them into his side. His hand resting on the hilt for a moment before going back to his feet. Looking over and meting Usagi's eyes. Neither surprise no question passing between them except for one

"Up for some sparring Usagi?"

"Indeed I am, brother."

Translation!

Watashi no awarena shiri Mikeranjero no kyo maiti saino kotei

Sir Mighty Talented Emperor of my pathetic ass Michelangelo

Usagi, "I fear for our safetly my brothers.

Raph, "You don't' think I don't?! Charmy's STILL laughing like a freaking maniac."

Mikey, 'I thought she fell asleep."

Raph, "SHE DID."

Mikey, "0.0 that's creepy."

Leo," And she's hugging that Donatello pillow buddy like its one of her organs…."

Donnie, "don't' remind me, Ii'm scared enough as it is."

Usagi, "what do you think she's planning?"

Raph," I dunno, I just hope we survive it."

Charmy, *in her sleep* "its gonna be beauuutiifullll."

All: O.O

Donnie, "A-atleast she stopped laughing."

Usagi, "I do not ask this often, but would someone please hold me?"

Mikey, "Me too! '