Chapter 21

When Rain turns to Fire

Darker then black, the dead of night. The moon obscured by swirls black wings, the sound of leather against wind. Tearing cold silence of the night and sending chills of fear through hearts like the iciest of rain.

Leo was no exception.

His heart racing , bow drawn and raised. The self taught emptiness that was supposed to of overcome him by now was overrun by the thought of chaos. All around him. Anxiety screaming at him

He couldn't see Usagi. Even though his instincts told him that Usagi was right at his side. The two had run there together after all. He was right next to him

He must be dead

Raph and their brothers were trapped in their house

They must be scared, panicked

Dorinbo was up and down the line, barley visibility by the flames that danced on the edges of their bows. Quick reminders that they shouldn't need. At least not those who have relived this scenario. But he wasn't one of them. His hands steady on his tightened straightened bow, the heat of the emblazed arrow tip licking on his crisped fingers

What felt like an eternity barely took 2 seconds.

A deep breath

A prayer

"Hanatsu!"

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

Leo winced at the stinging creams that were being rubbed into his knuckles. He didn't care if he 'needed' them it still hurt, "Be gentle Otouto," he said with the best sad eyes he could muster (Something Mikey had told him that he was incapable of doing at his age), " Jihi,."

"You're just being a wimp." came the blunt reply from Donnie. Sitting on the walkway next to him. Even though his tone was blank, he looked up at Leo with almost a teasing look in his eye, "I treat babies less fussy then you."

"You probably give them treats, where I get NOTHING."

"If you can go 5 seconds without whining or fussing I'll give you a spoonful of syrup."

"You know, your mother never warned me about this little attitude you have."

"Of course not. I'm smart enough not to have attitude around her. She'd skin my tail."

Leo smirked lightly, he could hardly even imagine Donnie ever incurring a punishment like that. Especially with such a small endearing smile as he wrapped up his fingers. When Donnie lifted his hands back into Leos' lap, he raised them up to get a better look at his handiwork. It was hard to imagine that someone of this skill level was only Donnie's age, "Thank you Otouto."

"don't mention it, but it really doesn't look like you know how to punch very well. Even if it was against a bag."

Right, that was the story he stuck with. That was his truth, he had told Donnie that he had been trying out the moves he had seen he and Raph try. Course, he got a lecture about how his body wasn't used to that type of combat, especially at that level and it would be foolish to try it again. Leo wasn't used to getting lectured from anyone (when he was younger ,maybe) but not by someone younger then him. But once again, he was amused. When he was done looking at his fingers he noticed Don looking off in the distance again. By now Leo was able it discern when his little brother was daydreaming or worried. And his light brown eyes were definitely worried. "hey." he put his leg down off the edge of the walkway and scooted over to him, putting his arm around his shoulder and hugging him to his side. Grateful to feel Donnie lean into his hug, "I know you're homesick but Splinter will be awake soon. Mikey's' sure of it." though that was only based on Mikey claims on 'Splinter twitching in his sleep".

"I'm not homesick." there was a pause to rub the back of his neck sheepishly, "Ok I am a bit. But I was thinking about Nevicata. She's been gone for a while."

"Didn't you just send her out two days ago?"

"Yeah but she's normally here when I wake up. I'm just worried about her."

Leo smiled, that was understandable. He had seen the way Don's face lit up at the sight of his 'birdie friend'. Her presence normally meant Don would spend the whole day carrying the bird around on his shoulders, teasing her with treats and playing small games that he would let Mikey join in on. Something Leo was sure Donnie didn't let just anyone do.

"I'm sure she's fine. In the mean time, why don't you go play a game with Mikey? I'm sure he'd like that."

"Are you just saying that because you're sick of me kicking your butt at go?"

"I won a few and you know it." he said with a grin. With a light shove, he pushed him off the walk way, aiming a light kick at him. Donnie was already out of range, smiling back at him before running off. Leo leaned back on his arm. Looking back to his hand with a sigh. Sure it had hurt, the contact of fight against the rough skull of Daisuke's face. And he hated lying to his brothers. But it was done now

Now Daisuke would know better then to hurt his brothers.

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

Arrows ablaze shot at the sky momentarily illuminating the sky and the forms of Komori twisting around each other like a pit of snakes before arrows met skin, squawks of pain and slashes of flame on cloth. Leo raised his bow again, ready to dip it in one of the ready oil tubs of fire that remained nearby. When something burst from the komori, cries of warning from fellow samurai. Leo felt a hand grab his back and yank him back, his shell meeting familiar blue kimono as he was forced into a crouch. Something large slamming into the ground. His arm flying up to cover Usagi's' face from the debris. But if Usagi was right next to him-

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING OUT HERE?!"

There have only been a few times when Leonardo had heard his adopted fathers' voice in such a fury. And this topped them all. Especially his dark eyes, glaring at his two oldest sons his hands grabbing their shoulders with a vice like grip, "Go back inside and WAIT-"

"You NEED our help. I'm not going back inside-"

"You will go back inside NOW-"

"Father you NEED US. WE can't just do NOTHING. I'm sick and tired of doing NOTHING while my village is attacked."

The glare doubled, the grip on his shoulder almost dug into his shoulder. Torn intensity, a glance at the line of archers and the burning sky, before putting his face by his sons, "You two keep close. Watch each others backs."

Leo nodded, a bit grateful he wasn't going to get his tail whipped. His shoulder was released and, with a nod from Usagi, the two raced forward again. A grip took hold on Leos ankle, sending him flying ot the dirt. Rolling over, he saw one of the large rocks that the komori had been dropping grab his moving slowly out o fits position. The smooth surface parting revealing shiny fur. Dark eyes glaring up at him with almost hunger and the drawing of blade.

A Okami.

Almost as soon as the realization hit him Usagi's' foot shot out and kick the Okami hard in the head, the grip relinquishing and giving his brother the opportunity to yank him back to his feet. Leo could not give him the thanks he deserved. For now he could see the boulders that surrounded them for what they were. Moving standing the drawing of blades.

"OOKAMI!' he shouted loudly , "BANDITS!"

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

Leo dropped his katana back into his holster, his free hand wiping his brow off. It felt nice to exercise the muscles that had been sleeping in his 'recovery. Finding a seat on the walkway again, he checked the bandages on his hands. Wrinkled from the exercise he stretched his fingers out

"Good work out brother?"

He glanced up at Usagi for a moment. He was a bit unnerved he didn't hear him coming but smiled all the same, "Very. I almost how good it is to challenge my muscles." to emphasis, he stretched his arm out lightly

"I'll admit, you had more worried for a bit when you weren't training. It was as if you weren't yourself."

"Of course I'm myself, who else would I be?"

"I do not know. I just know that when you came back there was a feeling about you. Almost a grief-"

Leo slammed his sword back into its sheath with a louder intent. Cutting off his brother's sentence'. tenseness returning to his gut and a anger to his brow. But he took a deep breath, looking back up at Usagi with a smile, his practiced one, "I am fine, my brother. You do not have to worry-"

"LEO!"

Leo jerked his head up at the sound of Mikey. The sight of two figures heading for the house, before his mind could register the movement, he was already running in that direction. The echo of Usagi's' footsteps after him. He could see the orange kame supporting the purple. His heart filling with dread, 'MICHELANGO! DONATELLO-"

He could now see that Mikey had his arms wrapped around Donatello, whose arms were curled tightly to his chest. His smaller form shaking. Leo quickly grabbed them by each shoulder, "What's wrong?! What happened. " He demanded. A small sniff caught his ears as Don's head bowed deeper. Holding the brown bag closer to his chest, stained red.

"N-Ne-Nevicata."

With that name, Leo knew who form lay still in the brown bag. He knew what was bringing the tears in Donnie's eyes and whose blood covered the bag. Leo looked down t the bag before over to Mikey, "Aka-chan what happened-"

"Me-me and Donnie were kicking a ball back and forth. Bu-but then we heard s-s-someone hitting something be-hind the houses. W-we went to go check it out and saw Dai-Daisuke- had a stick. An-and he was…"

A small sob from Donnie cut off Mikey's' words. Tears escaping past his purple mask. Leo raised his hand slowly "oh don." he said lightly. He looked over to Usagi, a small favor in his eyes that his brother reciprocated immediately. The rabbit walked forward, "May I see her Donatello?" he reached forward lightly, putting his hands under the cloth ridden body. Donnie yanked away, holding th bird tighter to him with a small sob, his head tight to his collar bone, "d-don't.."

"Donatello, there's nothing you can do for her. I would like to bury her for you."

There was also another sob and a rapid shaking of head. Usagi looked over to Leo, as though asking for help. Leo took a step forward and wrapped his arm around Don's shoulders. "Please Don?" he asked lightly. He put his hands under the birds body, pulling away. But this time Donnie couldn't pull away completely and Usagi was able to lift him away. The rabbit took a step back, nodding to Leo before turning and walking away, Mikey close to his side. Glancing back at Donnie for a moment.

Donnie's shoulders began to shake his form bending in the middle and knees shaking. Leo quickly rounded Don's front, taking him by the elbows, but the child's chin stayed tight to his collarbone. Small sobs escaping his lips. He quickly raised his hand to hold the child's face in his hands raising it up. Don's eyes stayed squeezed shut, tears pouring out of his eyes, "Hey its ok;" he whispered to him, using his thumb to strain his eyes . The trembling consuming his small form, "Its ok Otouto. Shhh What can I do? What do you want. Please tell me what I can do."

Don bowed his head harder his hands going up to his face, curled knuckles over his mouth. Leo leaned in, catching a small whisper, the one thing his Otouto wanted.

"I -I want my Kuma-ni."

Leo couldn't deny the pain in chest. One that came from his little smallest brother sobbing in front of him, and from the fact the his little brother didn't want his comfort. He pressed his beak to the top of Don's scalp for a moment before wrapping his arm around him. Guiding him back to the house. Opening to door to their room. Raph was already sitting up, eyes wide and questioning. The ache deepening when Donnie tore out of his grasp and into Raph's arms. No sooner then he had buried his face into Raph's chest, then did his small sniffs turn to sobs, his entire form shaking. Raph's eyes looking up at him questioning, his arms warped around Donnie, rocking him back and forth. Looking to Leo ,"What happened?!"

"Daisuke beat Nevicata to death. Usagi and Mikey are burying her now,"

Raph's face twisted in a way that Leo knew he was swearing, holding Donnie tighter to him, "I'm so sorry baby bro." before leaning his head in closer. It was then Leo realized that Don was whispering something. And judging by the look in Raph eyes, the way he looked up at Leo with pity. But rested his cheek on Don's scalp, "I don't know why he did it. But, "he sighed , "I'm sorry baby bro but we're not going home yet."

Leo felt a jab through his chest, a almost twisted grief. Knowing the very thing Donnie had said'

"I wanna go home."

He squeezed his eyes again as he turned and left the room out of the house, dropping down on the walkway. His face in his hands, his aching bruised hands.

He knew why Daisuke did it

Because he had seen Donnie carry Nevicata around town. He had seen Leo reach over and put a arm around Don's shoulders, teasing the bird with his fingers. Smiling at the two, the obvious sign of happiness.

He wasn't just doing it to hurt Donnie

He did it to hurt Leo

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

Leo slammed his shoulder into the Okami chest, the painful collision of shoulder and metal reminding him of the horrible advantage the bandits had over them. Over HIM. He twisted his body caught the creature in the ribs, a act that would of surely broken the creatures bone (even without real hand to hand experience, he was still a strong young man). The creature flew back, slamming into another bandit that had come from its own fight. Leo took a moment to draw his second katana, a glance to his left. Usagi was still there, actually glancing at him too as though ensuring HE was safe. Leo gave him a quick nod before charging forward again. The creature looking up through a helmet with wide eyes. His body twisted on the ground with his hands behind him. Leo raised his sword over his head when the bandits whipped his hands out. Dirt flying into his eyes catching in the soft muscle and forcing them shut with pain. He cried out, rubbing them frantically with the back of his arm. His heart rate beating in his chest with intensity.

Blind

He was BLIND-

A body rammed against his. Smaller then the bandits, adrenaline shot through fried nerves and his sword flew forward, gripped in two hands. His blade catching on something soft, unprotected

Panic, disgust filled him, he yanked back, pulling his sword free and stumbling back. NO. NO he. He didn't he- did he? Again? No nonoooo-bile rising to his throat, the streaming from his burning eyes intensifying. The world burning around him , NO-

The sound of whipping wind filled the air, he heard Usagi shout. Claws ripped at his shoulder, catching his neck and the earth leaving his boundaries, sending him flying through the air, his shell meeting soft body, he could hear Usagi shouting, shaking him frantically. But his words were discernable, his vision gone. His reasoning gone

And on the battle field there was no worse death then that.

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

Leo looked at the item in his hand. A small tube, dented from the abuse it had taken against Daisuke. But the message inside was still safe. He was grateful that Usagi had found it on Nevicata's remains. IT was a small wish, but he hoped that the item would bring some condolence, some joy. He looked out to the slowly setting sun before putting a hand to the sliding door, pushing it down in its grooves and poking his head in. Raph had mode so he was now laying on his back, the blanket that had been around his waist was now pulled up to his shoulder. Leos' eyes moved around the room for a moment wondering where Don had gone till he realized Raph was on his side, his arms wrapped around something obscured by blankets.

He also realized that Raph's amber eyes were looking right at him. Not in the aggression that he was used to. But in almost shock. "You gonna hover there all day Fearless?"

Leo smiled sheepishly before stepping the rest of the way in, as so he was not squished in the doorway. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up-"

"I've been lying down all day. Who can sleep after that?" Raph's normal harsh accented tone was softened. Leo had a feeling he knew why, and it made his stomach twist in knots

"Did he cry himself to sleep?"

"Almost," Raph's eyes moved to figure he was holding. His massive arms moving over the blankets and hugging the figure even tighter o him, his cheek resting on his scalp, "I was scared he might make himself sick, cryin' so hard. He's done it before, so I put him to sleep myself." his lips smirked lightly, looking back at Leo in almost friendliness, "always works."

Leo's mouth twitched back, with a gesture of Raph's hand, he moved closer, kneeling down to the other side of Dons sleeping form. AT this angle, he could Don's face, pressed into his big brothers shoulder, his eyes crusty from tears and his breathing thick and hitched. Leo looked at Raph, a request in his eyes. He half expected Raph to turn into his surly self and kick him out of there. But, to his surprise, Raph gave a small nod. Leo reached and put his hand on Don's scalp. His olive green skin was a bit warmer then eh expected. But it was probably just from sobbing for so long, he used his thumb to trace down the side of his face lightly, Don's breathing softening lightly, Leo smiled lightly, repeating the motion in a stroking manner, "I'm sorry Raph." he whispered though he kept his eyes on his Otouto, "This is all my fault="

"No. That greasy ass Neko would of done it anyway. You weren't the only one who kicked his ass, remember?"

"O-oh-" then it hit him, " you knew?"

"Course I did. Don did too. But I know he doesn't blame you. I've seen guys like that in the city. They don't NEED a reason to hurt others. And he didn't need a excuse to kill Nevicata, that ass will probably blame you, but he was probably looking for a reason."

Leo blinked, was this conversation really happening? Did Raph REALLY just tell him he could stroke Don's face AND stand up for him? Had he hit himself in the head? Maybe the fumes from Don's muscle cream were getting to him.

"And we aint going home yet. I know Don wants too, and I don't know how we're going to get a hold of Ma. But we promised to stay at least until the old rat woke up." Raph's eyes moved to Don sleeping in his arms with a almost sadness, "He wasn't too happy to hear that. But he'll understand later. When he's older,"

Leo looked back to him. A feeling in his gut swelling. It was a simple truth. One that he had been avoiding ever since that night of his first memory with Donnie and Raph. One fear that had been plaguing him. But to have it disprove, was no less amazing then the simple act of finding his long lost brothers, "You did a good job raising him." he whispered

"What?" Raph looked back at him in confusion," What-r ya talking about? Ma raised us, I didn't raise Don-"

"Yes you did. In Akai forest, you were all he had. You were his guardian, role-model, mother and father. Just because Kaede-sensei's your mother doesn't mean you didn't help. You helped him maintain discipline with rules. You helped take care of him when he was sick, you helped protect him when he needed it. From himself and others. I can just tell how much you care about him. You may have been raised by Kaede, you may have had a mother, but that doesn't' mean that you haven't been a amazing big brother and role-model for him." he felt a little embarrassed to say something so corny but he shook his head lightly, "I'm sorry I never gave you that acknowledgement sooner."

Raph's face darkened lightly from (Leo guessed) embarrassment. But then his amber eyes fell on his sleeping brother, softening slightly before resting his cheek on Don's scalp, "Didn't always feel like that. Sometimes it felt like HE was reminding me right from wrong. Lets face it, I don't' have the healthiest temper."

"But still, thank you."

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

The world round Leo was nothing but pain, bleary lights of dark gray black and white swirling together like the ripples in water. The same that was currently running over his eyes while a gloved hand supported his head. Leo turned his head from side to side in a meager attempt to escape the water when he felt something rise to back of his throat, his body twisted on his side and vomiting in the space next to him. He felt the same leather bound hand rubbing his shoulder blades as he emptied his stomach. When his stomach was finished he lay there, the hand rocking him back onto his back. The vision that had been stolen from him was slowly returning. The swirling colors returning to his vision. The brightness of the moon piercing and clarifying the world around him. The figure next to him darkening, formed in dark leather with a familiar green kame face, his mask tails moving off his shoulder.

"Ra-raph?"

"Lay still, you got a chunk torn out of your shoulder. You're lucky I wasn't very deep."

Chunk? Leos hand snaked up diagonally on his body, over bare plastron to his left shoulder up to his neck, thick cotton bandages covering what had been a enormous source of pain. The komori that had dive-bombed him and caught him off guard. Usagi had been there-

Komori

Bandits

BATTLE.

Leo's eyes shot open and flew into a sitting position. The sounds and rushed bodies that had marked the battle had faded. Samurai moved around, helping others, kneeling by fallen forms. A couple broken komori bodies lay like broken kites. Okami lay like hills. Nausea returned to Leo's throat, his hand over his mouth as the hand returned to his shoulder blades, "Breath man, its over."

Over

Leo exhaled heavy breath, Over. Never before had a word sounded so beautiful. So simple, before looking back to Raph. He then realized Raph was wearing his NightWatcher uniform. The strange helmet at his crouched feet and the heavy ball and chain wrapped over his shoulder in a resting position, "how?" he asked breathlessly

"Don has some bad ass painkillers. When he told me that Okami had mixed into the fight I knew you guys might need a hand." as though to show his point. He extended his wrist to show the metal gauntlet he had seen Donnie working on not a day ago, "you got some tough samurai here Leo. Chased away those son of demons."

Leo smiled tiredly relieved, before a dark question entered his mind. His hand going back to his bandage, "Did we loose anyone?"

Raph face fell, and so did Leos' hope, he looked back towards one of houses, "3, which is lucky considering. One of them was that greasy haired Neko that had wondered out into the battle."

"Daisuke?!" what, "How did he-"

"He was cut through his stomach. A single jab. It didn't look too painful."

Leo nodded for a moment, his arm falling down to his side before catching on the hilt of his sheathed blade. His fingers running over it for a second. Before a cold memory went over him.

A single jab

His blade catching on something soft, unprotected

A stomach

A single jab

Nausea began to rush over him again, dizziness and panic. Grief and angry. His hand going over his face

.

NO

NOT AGAGIN.

"LEONARDO!"

Leo barely had time to raise his head again before arms wrapped around him, his face pressed into a familiar kimono of black material, "Father-"

"Thank the spirits you're alright." the hug tightening to crushing proportions. Leo was next to beside himself over such smothering affection from his adopted father, "when I saw Raphael carrying you over his shoulder through the battlefield, I was unsure what to think. Usagi assured me you were fine."

Usagi, another grip tightened in his stomach, "Where is he?"

The hug that stole his blood circulation, tightened to steal his breath. No, this wasn't' right. His adopted father was never this affectionate. He never held him like this. He reached up with his good hand and pushed away lightly, choking on the fear building in his gut, " Where is my brother?!" he asked again, "where's Usagi!?"

" We are searching for him. It is possible that he got separated in the battle. But eh is not among the dead-'

"How do you know that?!" Leo demanded, moing up to his feet despite Raph's hand, "how do you know he is not-"

"Because he is MY son." Dorinbo's voice snapped out of its care, anger at its tips. Leo physically wincing, He felt Dorinbo's hand push him back into the ground shaking lightly, "Because a father knows. I would know if my children were dead Leonardo."

Leo took a deep breath. Mentally cursing himself for such angry and rude accusation. Of course Usagi was alive, he- he just wasn't there right now. He closed his eyes and sighed, a act he hoped showed his apologies. His question of forgiveness. A soft hand running over his scalp showed I'm the answer

"DORINBO!"

Leo's eyes shot open, twisting behind him to see Daiki running toward them, his eyes not of those who bore good news or happiness. He felt a hand go to his shoulder and Dorinbo's shoulder casting over him, "Have you found him yet?"

"No," a shake of his head, seeming to course through the entire Neko's form. Leo couldn't blame him, he had lost his brother. A curse Leo prayed wouldn't fall onto him-,"We found his blade, broken in half. But no sign of Usagi himself."

"What!?" Leo was back to shi feet, moving with aching sore bones to a standing position, grabbing Raph shoulder (who had risen with him), "what do you mean you can't find him?!" Leo demanded, "he's freaking white rabbit how-how can you not FIND him-"

"Because your brother isn't' HERE." snapped the older Neko, a desperation to his tone," Your brother is not in Murakami. WE have searched the area and the valley, we can not find him dead or alive."

NO. Nononono. Nausea returned to his gut, his knees bucking, and shaking uncontrollably. Not him. NO. the only thing keeping him from falling down and his stomach rejecting itself was the grip Raph had on his arms,

Then a cold filled his gut.

Dread

Warning

Leo raised his head, searching around the village as though he had not been there for most of his life. Something else was wrong too. No. that wasn't right. He didn't know why but he knew SOMETHING was wrong. Mikey should be there, the end of the battle would of sent the child out there running to find him or his family. He knew that because of experience alone. It normally took all his strength to keep Mikey from running out and finding their adopted father as a child. Which would of sent Donnie running after him, yelling for him to stop.

But there was nothing

He suddenly twisted and grabbed Raph by the shoulders,

"Who's missing?"

Dorinbo reached out and gripped his sons shoulders, a tear escaping his eyes. And Leo knew and sent his heart hammering

"MKEY!?" eh demanded, "where's Mikey!?" he asked again

"We don't know="

"what about Donnie!?" Raph demanded on his feet, a heavy bark escaping him. But there was another shake of his head

"And Splinter."

Leo shoved himself away from Raph and ran. Past the ill, the infirmed and the hurting samurai and bandits. Over the path that always carried him home and to safety. The sight of their 2 houses side by side coming into view. The windows dark and dreaded. What felt like forever, with the heavy sounds of Raph running behind him, he lunged himself up, not bothering to wait the precious 2 seconds it took to stop and pull the door open. His shoulder slamming through the door and into the living room. Cold and dark lifeless.

Brotherless

'MIKEY!" He yelled, "DONNIE!' he screamed, running to the other rooms, all absent, not even the forms of their bodies on their beds remained., "AKACHAN!" he burst through the back. He could hear Raph running over to Dorinbo's' house. Leo jumped off the walkway and peered under the house, but nothing lay under there. Not in fear, no giggling face of a child being caught in a game or horrified at the battle that had rained not 2 feet from it.

Empty

"RAPH!" he yelled, slammed his fists against the ground for a moment before rising back up to his feet, "ARE THEY OVER THERE?!" he couldn't keep the crack out of his voice. The desperation the anger the grief they tragedy. The sound of splintering wood filled the air. Leo ran over in that direction, through the broken door, low table broken and counters shattered. The form of Raph in the room where splinter had lay for weeks. He quickly moved in past the red masked kame.

NO spot of Splinters body remained

Leo couldn't stop the tears from pouring out of his eyes. The overwhelming hatred and anguish, the images of his brothers, the imagination twisting them in his mind. Dead bodies. Lonely, scared. His knees hit the floor hard, his face caught in his hands. Behind him, he heard Raph crack the nearest wall, a scream of anger filling the empty house.

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

To say Usagi had a headache would be a understatement. His head lay on his shoulder and his body in a sitting position against a tree. He could feel the warmth of flame nearby. But it only added to the ache below his scalp. With a groan, he raised his hand to try and alleviate the pain when his wrist was suddenly caught unable to extend up. His eyes shooting open and looking down, his wrists were in manacles, the chain wrapped and disappearing behind the tree he had been leaning against. In a act of instincts he yanked on the restraints. Moving up to a crouching position, all the chain allowed, and yanking hard in anger

"Looks like the precious son is awake."

Usagi felt his back tighten, realization and self flagellation. Of course he wasn't' alone, it wasn't as fi these chains had leapt up and danced onto him in such a way he couldn't get up. He glanced back to the source of the flame. His eyes adjusting to the central source of light. Forms of Okami, the very Okami that he had been fighting. All grinning at him the way a hunter might grin at a trapped fish.

Though he was sure the symbolism wasn't far past his captors. Usagi twisted back around so he was resting back against the tree. What was the last thing he remembered? Leonardo had fallen, a komori had caught him in the shoulder, catching his neck. He had caught his falling form. A Okami had towered over them, ready to finish them.

That's when Raphael had shown up, in that garb that Leonardo had said he wore as the NightWatcher. His bal and chain swinging over his head like some weapons of the spirits. He had taken Leonardo over his shoulder and said he would get him to safety. Usagi and left him to it. It was all he could do.

Then he had gotten caught in a battle between 2 Okami, they had been circling. He had been separated the sound of whistling wind had caught his ears, something had slammed him in the back of his head. The feeling of his sword escaping his fingers and his body meeting hard ground.

Cold realization, one that should of really hit him by now.

He was a prisoner.

"Am I to believe that this is the reason behind your whole attack against my home?" he challenged with another tug against his chain. A collected laughter. One Usagi recognized as one when a simpleton figured out how to use chopsticks. Had he not better control over his temper (in other words, had he been Raphael) he would of spoken harsh words back.

"Lets hope the other one isn't' as 'bright' as this one." one of the Okami said to the other, bringing out other laughter

Usagi glared harder, a slight pick in his heart, "Other one?" he demanded, "Which other one do you-"

"WE GOT'M!"

Usagi's' question was caught off. He could hear the coming footsteps, a slight drag between them as though what ever they had gotten was struggling to keep up. The source of their laughter, nonetheless. Usagi's' heart began to hammer in his chest. 'the other one' If they had targeted him, if they had targeted Leo. Was it too much to think they were after his fathers children? Was it too much to think that they had worked with the komori, their enemy, just to do that? And if they had target Leonardo with failure, then there would only be one other they old want. When the light finally reached the newcomers. The light flickered against a familiar orange yukata, and the masked that wrapped around his bowed face. Usagi choked on the prayer that he had been desperately sending tot eh spirits.

Michelangelo

"The runt gave up a good fight." said the new Okami, shoving "Michelangelo had in the back, but the child stayed standing, "But we got'm in the end. He was hiding out his old daddy's' house. The meeting place with the komori has been set?"

"Der going to meet up with us when they shake off the Murakami snakes. Dat Dorinbo coward wont be to happy when he realizes his 'babies' are missing." another laugh. The New Okami grabbed Michelangelo by the back of his white hood and drug him over to where Usagi was currently restrained. Unlike Usagi, his younger brother's wrists had been chained together in the front. The Okami took a hold of the chain around the tree and hooked Michelangelo's' chain to it. Usagi immediately reached out and pulled Michelangelo to him and away from the large brutes that might hurt the child, holding him tightly to his chest. One arm holding him and the other stroking his scalp, "Its ok Orenji-chan," he whispered to him, tightening his grip when the Okami snorted at him (before returning to their meal they had been preparing), "I promise everything is going to be ok." but he could feel tears prickling in his eyes. His poor aka-chan. For a dreadful moment he had prayed that it had been Leonardo that had been taken. Not his youngest brother. He was unused to such roughness. He was shaking so bad, so terrified

Wait.

Michelangelo wasn't shaking at all. His breathing was level and deep, with his chin still plastered to his collarbone. The hands and wrists shackled to the front of him were covered in bandages that Usagi didn't remember him having before. And he never wore anything other then his white hakamas under his short yukata. Except the kame had a white long sleeved under his, with a hood sticking out of the back of it. Where Michelangelo was never heavy, he definitely wasn't this light or frail feeling. As though the kame he was holding had spent his childhood in frailty and His green skin wasn't even this light. It almost looked like-

The stress that had sent his heart into rapidity when he saw the captive returned to him. Slowly he turned himself and the child away from the Okami shielding their faces but his hand continuing to stroke the child's scalp, his head peering down lightly to look at the child's face, slowly the olive green face rose up looking at him with light brown eyes. Clearly telling him one thing

"don't SAY MY NAME."

Usagi's whole body stiffened but he kept his movements going, unhitched. Realizing the danger that would come onto Donatello if the bandits realized they had made a grievous mistake. But Usagi couldn't bring himself to feel relieved over the mishap,, "Where is he?" he mouthed to Donatello,

" Safe." Donatello mouthed back, resting his head against Usagi's' shoulder, acting the part of scared child,

Usagi did his best to stifle his sigh of relief. Giving thanks to the heavens for his prayer being answered. But light of the fire caught glance off of Donatello's bruises, covering his face from their struggle. The indication of the price that had been paid. He hugged Donatello a little tighter to him, something he hoped would convey his gratefulness ad his condolence to his situation. Before mouthing to him, the one thing he needed to know. To know how Donatello got into Michelangelo's clothes, how he tricked the Okami, he needed to know

' Where is Michelangelo?'

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

Mikey did his best not to cry out as Raphael disappeared into the night. The only thing keeping him from going after him was the promise he had given. Donnie moving to the door and stepping out a quick order for Mikey to stay there as he checked something out. But he was allowed to be frantic. The kame was going right into a fight with a bad back and painkillers. He didn't want to be all alone. Bandit attacks were bad enough when stuck in the house with Usagi and Leo. But THIS. (even with Donnie there) He couldn't stop the tears from pouring out of his eyes. What were they supposed to do? Stay -'

But the tug on his hand brought him out of his tears, making him look at Donnie, his face firm though Mikey didn't' remember him coming back here, "Come on-"

"B-B0but Raph and Leo told us to stay-"

"I KNOW but if they have bandits that means this house isn't safe. Leo told me there's a old cellar in Dorinbo's' right? We'll go over there and grab Splinter and hide down there.'

But Mikey started shaking his head. NO this was bad, they weren't supposed to leave the house. They were supposed to stay THERE stay THERE. THERE was safe- he choked slightly on a small sob when a hand wiped as his face. Bringing his attention back to Donnie , his smile patient, warm. Reaching out, he put Mikey's nun chuck into his own pocket, his Bo staff on his back, "I promise we'll be safe. I wont let anything bad happen to you. Ok?"

Mikey wanted to say HELL no. it was NOT going to be ok. But Donnie had that smile on his face. The one that Usagi and Leo always had when trying ot reassure him of something that he Really didn't' want to do.

It was the face of a big brother.

A second after he nodded, he was drug forward. The two running out of the house. Mikey was grateful that the fighting had not reached this part of the village yet. The sound was close though, eh tried to turn his head to look in that direction when Donnie yanked hard on his hand. Shoving him through the open door of Dorinbo's house and into the house. "Go to Splinters room!" he heard Donnie yell to him

With out a second though, Mikey ran to the other room, Splinter was where he had lay for the past month, peaceful in his sleep despite the chaos reigning round him. Mikey quickly took Splinter by his bandaged wrists and moved him to a sitting position. Donnie was there at his side a moment later, taking his other ar, "Where's his cellar at?" Donnie demanded

"Th-there's a trapdoor in the living room. NO one knows about it but Dad-"

"Good." with their strength, they have drug half carried their unconscious birth father out of the room and into the sitting room. Mikey left their side for a moment to push the low table aside and feel around the floor for the loose floorboard. When his nail caught it, he pulled up, and up came a square of the floor on a hinge.

"Good job Mikey. Now take off your mask and yukata."

Without really event thinking Mikey did as he was told, while Donnie carried Splinter down the stairs, coming back up a moment later, undoing the corner button of his samue with one hand and pulling off his mask with the other, pulling away Mikey's' orange garb and putting his purple in his hands, "Put this on. "

"Wh-"

"JUST DO IT" Don snapped, already pulling his mask on in place, snatching his purple mask out of Mikey's' hand and pulling it around his face as the youngest clumsily pulled on the weird monk garb. Hands gripping his shoulders and shoving him hard in the direction of the cellar, almost down the stairs, "Get down here and STAY there Mikey-"

Normally Mikey wouldn't second guess Don's orders, but the panic that had consumed him was replaced with a horrible question, "what's going on Donnie? Why are you-"

"We don't' have time for QUESTIONS-'

"Yes we DO." he shoved back hard up the stairs, back on the landing, "I'm not doing ANYTHIGN till you tell me what's going on."

Donnie turned away from Mikey to look at the door for a moment, a quick cuss that barely reached his ears before, "The bandits are looking for you."

"F-for me?!" that couldn't be right, maybe there was another charismatic kame-

"yes. THEYR'E looking for 'the rabbit's son and the orange one. That's YOU Mikey, they're trying to take you."

The brief clarity he had experienced was drowned by another wave of panic, another shove towards the cellar, before he realized why Donnie had made them switch clothes, his foot stopping his descent, twisting to him, "NO-"

"They're not going to leave till they get what they want-"

"then let them take me-"

"We don't' know what they want, they might hurt you-"

"I wont let you-"

"I'm not GIVIGN you a choice. I've been through this before, you haven't You're staying here.-"

"NO!" Mikey turned, slugging Donnie hard in the stomach, hoping to make the kame fall down the stairs, long enough for Mikey to close the cellar lid. But the smallest kame twisted his hip at the last moment and caught his arm. The sounds of approaching footsteps catching his ears. Loud gruff shouts and snorts that indicated approaching bandits, Don's hand jabbed up Mikey's arm and right in the throat. All feeling left Mikey's' body, his ability to scream his anger caught in his throat. The sudden loss of muscle sent him falling down the stairs, meeting soft dirt and rolling right next to where he had laid Splinter, his head angle to see the orange garbed Donnie give him a sad smile, closing the cellar lid after him before he could try to scream his dismay. Not a split second later, he heard the door to Dorinbo's house burst open. A loud shout from a bandit. Tears returning to Mikey's' cheeks as he heard Dons' small form being slammed into the ground with a victorious shout, the sound of metal chains and stomps, the shadows over him leaving, taking the form of his brother.

The prisoner

Mikey didn't know how long he lay there, sobbing mutely to himself. But long enough he saw the shadows return, for a moment, searching the house before leaving. Mikey felt a spark through his arm. Shooting it out, hr grabbed the step in front of him, dragging himself up and onto it. When his body was secure he grabbed the next step, dragging himself up again,

He had to tell them

He had to tell Leo

He had to tell Usagi.

He had to tell dad.

There was a creak over him. Relief flying to Mikey's' limbs as he turned his head looking at his savior. A large long muzzle, a gash dripping fro the top and long fangs sticking out from the side, a clawed hand grabbed his samue and drug him up, throwing him hard. His shell banging against the floorboards. The much needed feeling in his body screaming for action, but he hand grabbed the foot on his chest, pulling on it but the +Okami over him laughed, "Look it here, looks like dey is multiplying kame's here." with a laugh. A food harder on his chest, digging into his lungs and cutting off much needed breath, Mikey reached for his pocket with his other half numb arm, Hoping to reach nun chuck. But there was another stomp, another shot of pain through him as he cried out

"I'm sure we don't' need two of dese kame's. I don't wanna miss out on all the fun, now do I?"

Had Mikey been able to talk, he would of used the remaining moments of his life to use his creativity to call the Okami everything under the sun. while his heart cried out for his big brother, for someone. Someone anyone.

Mikey felt darkness start to crawl over his eyes, his head growling light headed as his body screamed for help. For release. A shadow fell over the Okami, a sore voce, gravely and unused shot out with the anger of long lost soul

"STEP AWAY FROM MY SON!"

A'n

Translation

Hanatsu: Fire

Okami: Wolf

Komori: Bat