Unbreakable

by Charmy the Undercover Wizard

My name is Leonardo. For all that I can remember, I've only ever had my brothers: Mikey and Usagi. But now I am told we have 2 other brothers out there. As the oldest, it is up to me to find them and make all of us into a family again. But will their past come to hurt us? AU. Nominated for "Best OC" and Best AU/Crossover and Multi-chap in Stealthy Stories 2013! Voting in progress!

23. What We Carry

Chapter 23

What We Carry

Raph didn't pray, at least not that much. His mother would tell him it was important to pray for certain things, but most things you could control himself. It was about 9 years ago when he first needed to find the comfort of prayer to Spirits he couldn't see. That was when he was kneeling by a futon his baby brother lie in, his coughs bringing blood to his lips and a blue tinge caressing his cheeks. All because of he had stopped breathing in his sleep. It was one of the first times he realized there were certain things he couldn't protect Donnie from. So he prayed for them

He prayed Donnie would grow up healthy

He prayed Donnie would be brave

He prayed that Donnie would have a future.

But in the time that had passed since then, Raph learned that some prayers would ignore. Donnie never got over his frail lungs and Raph would still have horrifying moments when he realized Donnie had stopped breathing in his sleep. And while he had always been brave, Raph feared what that bravery would do to him, mixed in with his selflessness. He worried what kind of future awaited such a child, but the scars that lingered on his brothers body said his answer.

Raph had gotten scars too. From Akai, from fighting, but his thick body had allowed them to fade over time. The only one that remained was the one on his shell. But he forgot it most days, till the pain in his back acted up again and sent him to near paralysis. Other then that he could ignore it.

What he couldn't' ignore were Don's scars. The ones he tried to hide under bandages. The ones that plagued the frail form of his baby brother remained a stigma on his soul. A reminder of all the times Raph failed.

One thing Raph had to be proud of, was how he kept Donnie awy from Akai for all these years. It hadn't been easy with Don's curiosity, but he had done it.

Till now

ON the back of a horse charging through the cold of night, heading for a place that had been the source of all his nightmares for 10 years. Now he was flying for it as though the demons of hell were behind him.

No

Those demons lie ahead.

He almost felt bad for the horse he was riding on, he had probably just been out with the other samurai on a search for Usagi and Donatello. But every time he remembered that horrifying moment when he realized Donnie had taken Mikey's' place with the bandits it drove his heels harder into the poor beast of burden.

He had realized he had a follower a while ago. His panic had fallen into irritance when he glanced back and saw the familiar sheen of a blue mask in the bright moon light. Why wouldn't Leo follow him? If he had showing Raph anything, it was that he really did care for Donnie as much as he did. HE had even more there though, and that was Usagi. Leos' adopted brother. It had to be next to heart breaking for Leo to leave Mikey behind. But if he had realized anything about his older brother, it was his almost adult maturity and drive to protect his family

Huh

He had never really though of Leo as "older brother" till now.

Even so, Raph clicked the horses sides again with a shout. He was NOT going to slow down for him.

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

"K-Kuma-ni?"

Raph was already awake when the small voice reached out to him. He looked over his shoulder to 12 year old Donnie curled up on his futon like a sushi roll. His light brown eyes looking up at him, small shivers going over him. Raph could of smacked his face in relief but instead breathed out slowly with a small smile as he sat up fully, "You alright baby bro? Can you breath ok?"

Donnie nodded lightly, pulling his blankets around his neck tighter. But Raph could a wheeze in his breathing that had to be painful. But there was no medicine that could help with that. It was a necessary byproduct of the black candles that now lay by Raph's pillow. Just within reach that Raph could grab it and light it for those horrible moments when he would wake up in the middle of the night and realize that Donnie had stopped breathing in his sleep. NO amount of shaking or screaming could wake him from. Nothing but the black candles that Raph always had on him. He could of kissed Leatherhead for creating them. They always woke Don up and opened his airway. They also left him shaking cold and fighting a incoming fever. But Raph could deal with that easier then a dead brother. He put on a smile, " Are you still cold?"

Donnie nodded again, he had to really be cold if he was telling Raph about it. It was hard enough to get Donnie to tell him when he felt sick. But he couldn't make a big deal about it, he couldn't risk the trust Donnie had in him. He took the edges of Don's futon and pulled it over before laying back down, putting his arm up and wrapping it around his brothers cocooned form, hugging him tightly to his plastron. Almost instantly he could feel Don's cold beak bury into his bare plastron to absorb some of Raph's infinite warmth. He pulled the blanket up to over their two forms before wrapping his arms tightly around his brother. Slowly he could feel Don's shivering begin to soften. His form relaxing in a way Raph could appreciate, "Wh-why-why are- al-always ww-warm-warmer then m-m-me?"

"Ma thinks that angst is a good source of heat." he teased lightly, he reached and pulled Don's hood up over his scalp. He would never admit it out loud, but he preferred it when Donnie wanted to sleep on his futon like when they were kids. That way he knew immediately when Donnie didn't feel good or when he couldn't' breath. He yawned before resting his cheek back on top of Donnie's hooded scalp. Ready to fall back asleep.

"Kuma-ni?"

"Hm?" He felt Donnie move around slightly, probably rubbing his palms together in nervousness, "don't do that baby bro." he reprimanded lightly, "you'll make them bleed again."

"S-Sorry I-I-"

"You can ask me anything Donnie. don't I tell you that all the time?"

"Yeah-." his face went deeper into Raph's plastron. Raph thought that maybe he had given up on his question. , "Is-is Ma really not our birthmother?"

Raph opened his eyes, and looked down at Donnie, his eyes looking back up at him, "you didn't know?"

"Well, I-I didn't for a while. I- I asked Mama about it a while ago. You guys never really talked about it."

Another sigh escaped him. Shit Donnie had only been 4 when they left Akai, of course he wouldn't remember anything. He wouldn't' know they had been adopted. The fact that Donnie had to figure it out on his own was enough to twist his gut. He should of told him. He should have been there when Donnie figured it out. Speaking of which, "When did you find out?"

"I-I asked mama when I was 8. I-it just n-never really oc-occurred to me w-we c-c-could be ad-adopted. Sh-she just loves us so much. It-it was just hard to imagine."

"That's right." Raph reminded softly, "Ma loves us very much. So it doesn't matter whether or not we were adopted."

"I-I know."his face returned to his chest. Raph could feel him shaking through the armor on his chest, that was bad, "Come on, its time to sleep-"

"B-But w-what about our b-birth pa-parents? Wh-where are th-they at? If-if Mama do-doesn't know them th-that mea-mean she f-found us r-right?"

Raph's' body stiffened a bit despite his best effort not to. He felt Donnie pull his head away from his chest to look up at him, knowing that had answered Don's unspoken question. The one he had been trying to get at this whole time, he pulled Donnie close again and rested his cheek on Don's scalp, sighing lightly, 'Yeah, she found us."

"An-and you remember?"

"Yeah."

"Wh-where did she find us?"

Not that question, he should of put Donnie to sleep earlier. Anything was better then this, "Don-"

"Pl-please? I-I just want to know-"

"Akai ok?!" his voice was harder then he meant for it to be, "Akai Forest."

"Akai forest?" there was disbelief. "B-but tha's full of Ak-Akai. Merciless creatures whod kill us in a instant. Ho-how did we sur-surv-ive? Wh-why wou-would o-our b-b-irth pa-parents leave us th-there?"

"I don't know Donnie."

"I-I mean, if th-they c-c-cared about us, wh-why would the=they leave us th-there?"

"I don't know Donnie."

"B-B-b you remember?" by each question Don's voice had grown quieter, "M-maybe you rem-member the-"

"NO." he snapped, harder then he had meant to, enough to feel Don flinch, "We're not talking about this Donnie."

"Bu-but if we g-go back-"

For years down the road, Raph would always be ashamed of the anger that consumed him at that very moment, uncontrolled, rising in his chest past the control he had tried so hard to maintain for his brother, in a bitter shout, "NO, we are NOT going back there! Id don't CARE about those ass holes who left us to DIE. If you EVER step a stupid toe in that forest I'm going to drag you out and kick your head in!"

In the instant, Don drew away from Raph's chest, his light brown eyes squeezed shut and his hands up to the sides of his head, before looking up at him with hurt and confusion searching through tears why Raph would scream at him so hard and threaten him in such a way. He tightened his arms and hugged his brother back to him. He felt his brothers face return his chest as he began to shake again, he could barely hear the small sobs escaping him, warm tears against his skin. Raph squeezed his eyes shut as anguish filled his burning eyes. He pressed his face to the top of Donnie's scalp again, struggling not to break down. To stay strong, he didn't deserve to fall to his tears after what he did to Donnie, "I'm so sorry," he whispered with a thick voice, praying Donnie would hear him over his own tears, "You didn't deserve that. I'm so sorry-"

"I-I was j-jjust asking-"

"I know I know." he said softly, he knew his voice was already deep for his age, and Donnie had teased him many times about the way it would feel his chest like a Neko purring. He just hoped he was conveying the same thing (well, not as purring. Growling was so much cooler). He nuzzled the top of Donnie's' scalp again, fighting the shaking in his own bone. Struggling to find the right words, "Just never ask me about that again, ok? Not about Akai. Never about Akai. Never go back there. I don't care what you have to do. Just stay away from there."

"I-I-I'm sorry Kuma-ni."

"don't apologize little brother." he wasn't even sure at this point if his words were getting to Donnie, but that wasn't the child's fault, "Just always stay here. So me and mama can always protect you. Understand?" he asked softly, nudging Don's head with his beak. Trying to draw Don's attention back to him. He felt Donnie nod ever so slightly without drawing his head away. Raph lifted his hand, rubbing the back of don's shoulders gently. It was almost mechanical at this point, sending Donnie back into sleep in his arms, and his tears gone. Raph took in a deep shaky breath, resuming his tight hug. The burning sensation retuning as he used his free hand to wipe away the tear streaks that had formed on his face. His brother would never remember this conversation. They would probably have it again, and Raph would loose his tempter and threaten to hurt him. To curse and swear and raise his hand to his sweet little brother who was simply curious. Who just wanted answer. But Raph also knew he would be better prepared next time. So he wouldn't' scream at his brother till he was in tears. And he knew he would never raise his hand to Donnie. He would never hurt him, Even in sparring, he'd never use his full strength. He'd never risk harming Donnie's already frail form. Raph squeezed his eyes shut again as he fought a sob that tugged as his throat. He parted his shaking lips to speak to the person he knew had been standing at their door for a while, "Why cant he stay little Mama?" he asked with a cracked voice.

Through teary eyes he watched their mother step into their room, her soft black eyes sympathetic. She carried herself over and sat right next to them, her hand going up and stroking Raph's face in a way that drove him to close his eyes in the sweet sensation, at least until she spoke her voice quiet as to not wake the youngest, "Because he's not a baby anymore. He hasn't been for a while. He might be my baby boy and your baby brother but that doesn't mean he's not growing up. He's had these questions for a while. There's no point in punishing him for simply having courage to ask them. He's not going to be little forever."

"no." Raph said firmly and childishly. He hugged Donnie even tighter to him, pressing his face against Don's scalp again, his brother whimpering in his sleep from the tight and painful (at least for him) contact. Like a child with a stuffed animal they refused to let go of. HE felt a hand move to his shoulder, and the other to Don's chest

"Baby you're smothering him-"

"I don't care!" he whispered angrily, his eyes shut to attempt to stop the flow of tears running down his face, "He's safe. He's safe when I'm holding him-"

"You cant hold him forever, especially against his will-"

"why not!? What if something happens to him again?! What if he gets mugged again?! What if another patient goes crazy again and stabs him!? What if someone takes him away-" Raph demanded. If he had not been crying he was sure he would have been grounded for being so rude. But his mother knew when to be patient. He hand going up to stroke his face again, wiping his streaming eyes. His harsh breathing and grip on Donnie began to loosen lightly as her gentleness went to his steaming top. He closed his eyes for a moment before looking back up at his mother

"Because he's growing up. He craves knowledge and looking for ways to help people. His experiences haven't changed that the way they should. He has questions and he wants answers to them. He's never going to get very big, "her eyes went to the youngest, her other hand stroked his hooded scalp lightly, "We both know that, Leatherhead told me that too. But he is growing up Raphael."

"Y-you mean he wo-wont be my baby brother anymore?" came the painful sob. He was so sure that one would shake Don up, but he simply snored lightly before nuzzling Raph's chest again.

"No, I'm not saying that. Donatello's always going to need you, as a big brother, as a role model, and as a best friend. But you can't be the only one to grow up and not expect him to do the same. You cant' be the only one that remembers too."

"Rem-remembers?" Raph looked back down to Donnie before it hit him what she was talking about before cold shot down his spine,' You-you mean Akai? B-but he was just a baby when we were there. He doesn't' even remember when we were there-"

"not consciously. But what about those nights when you wake up screaming? Do you not believe he screams about the same thing in his dreams-"

"he doesn't' remember' Raph rushed, moving his arm over the blanket over them to hug Donnie tighter to him. He doesn't' remember and I don't want him to." he held Donnie a little tighter, as though hoping his arms would keep out the nightmares from his baby brother" his eyes going back up to his mother hoping they conveyed his emotions. But once again his mother smiled gently, moving down to lie down. Raph felt her arm move under the two of them. Wrapping around his shell and the other going over them, hugging the two tightly her. Raph smiled lightly as he felt his mothers whiskered face nuzzle his scalp lightly, pressing a kiss into it, "If you get much bigger, baby bear, I might not be able to hold you two at the same time anymore."

"you could always get longer arms."

"I could." there was a amusement to her tone that approved of his words. Raph closed his eyes and rested his cheek once again against Dons' scalp. For now, Donnie was safe again. For now, nothing could take him out of his arms. And if anything threatened that again, he was going to tear them apart.

He swore it.

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

Jikko

Usagi couldn't of taken that word anymore seriously. The storm that Donatello had summoned was still raging havoc on the bandits who had kidnapped them. He had used that distraction to haul Donatello out of there by the waist. Running from the grips of bandits to the merciless dead of night in unfamiliar territory. But it couldn't stop the adrenaline that had shot through his almost dead legs. His feet running over the roots (he had learned from walking through the forest all day that it only ended in bloody noses to walk through the dense fallen leaves themselves). He didn't even know what direction he was heading in. His dehydrated brain struggling to do anything but run.

To escape.

He wasn't' sure when it happened, but his body collapsed into the leaves. Lead returning to his bones with the weight of chains. Deep heavy breaths escaping his lips in a way that was anything but silent. Exhausted, thirsty, hungry, Spirits he was hungry-

He felt a hand touch his shoulders lightly, rolling him over so the leaves that had been smothering him were now a heavenous pillow. He felt something tighten around his worn raw wrists, the sensitive skin stinging for moments before he felt a hand go to his jaw , pressing into the hinges and forcing his mouth opening. A shaky hand pressing something soft and berry shaped in-between his back teeth and pushing his jaw shut. As though to stimulate chewing. His jaw muscles took over the movement, sweet juices filling his mouth. The dizziness the lack of water had caused suddenly began to lift from his mind, the single berry ceasing the aching in his stomach and putting its cravings at bay. He could of thanked the spirits for such a mercy, but the mercy didn't come from them. He felt strength slowly return to his limbs, a hand going to his back and helping his body into a sitting position, out of the leaves. He took a deep slow breath, more satisfying then the painful gasps that had consumed him earlier. Usagi finally opened his eyes, grateful to see the familiar, friendly mud stained face of Donatello looking up at his with relief, "D-do you fe-feel better?"

"Much, thank you little brother." Usagi pressed his hand against his face again, his fingers catching on the mud that covered his cheeks, "But as much as I needed this rest, we should get moving soon. I fear our hosts wont take to us leaving too kindly."

"Ag-Agreed. A-And with their f-fire out, the Ak-akai will be coming for them soon. , I-I don't think either of us can handle that right now."

It was only then that Usagi noticed the painful wheezing behind Donatello's voice. Even though Usagi couldn't see very well, he could assume that he hadn't improved . But where could they hide? As dishonorable as it sounded, it was their best bet. And it wasn't' just Usagi's' life on the line. It wasn't till Usagi leaned his head back to rest on the trunk of the tree did it really occur to him. He looked up the tree, its structure firm and fall. Even its branches were sturdy. He had a feeling the bandits wouldn't be looking up and the tops of the trees were dense enough the komori couldn't' fly in there…

Usagi grinned lightly before looking back to Donatello, "I believe I have answer to our problem."

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

OK, so it hadn't' been easy. But eventually Usagi was able to pull his exhausted body up the branches. He had been worried about how he was going to get Donatello up in the tree but he had realized the solution came in the straps he wore on his shoulders, he had managed to untie them and lower them down for Donatello to hook his arm in and drag him up, "you know Donatello, "he said as he pulled Donatello up to a more secure position, "The face you are small makes this sort of thing more difficult."

"sorry. I'll try harder to grow taller so the next time we're kidnapped we wont have this same problem." Usagi could practically see the child smiling(well, he could see it too). Usagi looked down to his wrists to the white worn bandages that had been wrapped around them. Despite his gratitude toward Donatello for the help, his body was aching too loudly for anything to really go to his brain. Let alone think about sleeping-

He felt his legs being lifted up, laying on the branch on a lap and two small hands began to massage them lightly. A sweet relief rolling through them and up his body. Usagi rested his head against the trunk again before looking back to the mud ridden child, "I thought the mystic arts could only be done with water?"

Donatello smiled up at him, lightly, almost smirking but also like a parent trying for their child to see something obvious, "What's mud made out of Usagi?"

Usagi was about to answer when it dawned on him. Dirt and WATER. He could of hit his head against the tree for being so stupid. HE could blame it on exhaustion. He could hear Donatello chuckle lightly. If they had not been in a tree, he probably would of playfully kicked him, you know. If he could move and he didn't think it would make Donatello fall out of the tree,' But why didn't you tell us you could do such a thing?" he asked, "Unless you told my father and my brothers but not me-"

"I didn't tell them. Only my mother, Raph, and my old teacher know. I just never really had the urge to tell anyone. I'm not any real good at it, and its not like I'm a priest or shaman-"

"Then how did you learn it?"

"There's a monastery up in the mountains a few miles from our village." Usagi was grateful that Donatello hadn't stopped his blissful massage ,"When I was 11, we got a runner to our shop telling us the Red-River Virus had struck their temple. They couldn't leave for fear of risking contaminating the rest of the area. But they were asking for remedies to help ease their suffering. I-I wanted to help them, but my family told me to stay away. But I knew the virus wouldn't affect me. So I went there anyway and stayed there for a few days, getting rid of the virus. As a thank you, the oldest among them taught me how to perform the mystic arts."

"I can't imagine your family was happy about that."

"They weren't, Mother and Raph had to hold each other back from killing me. And one of the priests came back with me to help plead my case. But I still got skinned by them." Donatello shivered lightly as though from the memory. " I can't use it like they can. I can do exorcisms easy without any real consequence. My body can't handle the other things, it drains me too bad and I normally get sick when I'm done. But I always get sick, so that doesn't stop me. I've never really done it when I had a fever before, so I didn't' known what to expect. You live and you learn I guess"

Usagi frowned lightly, he almost felt like he was talking to Michelangelo at that moment, when his youngest brother would tell him something that would get him in trouble or their father wouldn't approve of, 'you shouldn't not have risked yourself like that Donatello." he reprimanded lightly

" I didn't have a choice. I was worried about you, I didn't think you could handle their treatment much longer-"

A deep stab hit his chest, almost comparable to a slap to the face, 'he couldn't handle it much longer'? a child who had suffered a blow to his already frail airway and spent most of the day unable to even stay awake was worried about 'HIM' not 'making it'. a child trying to protect HIIM. A so called warrior of bushido. A hit to his pride, to his honor hit harder ten anything. His hand going up to his face again with a tired sigh the bandages on his wrists brushing the fur on his cheek. Not sure how to feel other then shame. He felt the massage on his legs stop, a hand going up to grip his forearm tightly,

"I-I'm sorry Usagi. I-I th-thought I was doing the r-right thing."

It was such childish logic. Something he might expect from Michelangelo but not from a I-sha. Sometimes he forgot how old Donatello really was and it made him feel even worse for his thoughts, "No Donatello. The fault was not with you." he lowered his hand from his face and gave Donatello a smile, his eyes falling on the bandages on Donatello's own wrists. No doubt the source of his own. But he thought back the bandits, to the moment the komori known as Makoto had first laid eyes on Donatello, how he had pulled of the orange faux mask and looked at his shoulders knowing exactly who he was. Except…"Donatello?"

"Yeah?"

"the one called 'Makoto. How does he know you? He called you HideakI-"

"HideakI is the name my Mother gave me. She was scared that my brother and I would face discrimination if the other people in the city thought us to be foreigners. I mean, other then Raph Leo and Mikey I've never seen another Kame. So Mother gave us names from your land to use with causal strangers." his smile was still kind. Like one telling a fond story.

"That is not what I am asking Donatello." he said with a bit more edge to his voice. Like he would with Michelangelo if he was trying to hide something. He watched Donatello's shoulders hunch up lightly. Maybe it was because he didn't have his mask, but it sent a bit of remorse through Usagi, and was pushed away with a firm thought.

"Only by face. We met briefly about 18 months ago, but we didn't talk personally-"

"But how do you know him? He's a bandit, a criminal. How do you know-"

"Stop it!' Donatello's hands flew up to the sides of his face (to where Usagi assumed his hearing came into) His head tucking to his chest and his shoulders bunched up. Shaking consuming his form. Usagi wasn't' sure what he had been expecting, but surely it was not to get such strong response, he was sure he could even see a few tears escape his tightly shut eyes. Like a child trying to tune out a nightmare. Usagi feared he might fall off the branch so his quickly grabbed him and all but drug him into his arms. Usagi reached down and used one hand to pull one of Donatello's hands from his ears. Donatello's face turned from his. How could he be so much like Michelangelo even though the two didn't grow up together? Usagi used his hand to stroke his scalp lightly gently pressing his forehead against his. Finding no urge in him to upset him further. Especially after he had gone through so much just to keep Usagi alive, "I'm sorry Donatello. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry for my questions."

Slowly Donatello looked back to him. His eyes quivering in a way that Usagi feared that all trust that had been formed between the two in the past few days had been lost. But he gave Donatello a gentle smile. Praying it hadn't been lost

"I-I miss my Kuma-ni." came the whisper, small crack in his voice exhaustion was obvious in his voice, "I miss my mother."

"I miss my brothers too, I miss my village and my father. I promise we'll get back to them. I promise to keep you safe. And I'm sorry for asking you such callous question." he put one hand on Donatello's shell to pull him a bit closer, "Now the both of us need sleep if we are going to escape this wretched forest tomorrow. Agreed?"

Donatello's hand went up to wipe his streaming eyes lightly before nodding. Usagi could see the cold chills that were still going through his body. Usagi hugged him tighter to his chest to offer what little warmth he had before closing his eyes

This was going to be a long night

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

Raph blinked away stinging tears that came from the stupid son rising right and hitting him in the eyes. But by now he could see the form of Akai Forest ahead. He had first caught glimpse of it awhile go, barely the size of bushes in the distance but the trees had steadily began to rise up and stretch out in the distance. The size of the trees where now in person. Even though he had been about 7 when he had last been there, the red trees still rose higher then anything, like the teeth of a demented blood lusting beast welcoming him back. With a single leg lift, he slid down from the horse, stepping bit closer to the trees. The dank smell of dying leaves catching his nose. But that was Akai for you.

The forest of eternal Autumn

Of Forever death.

He could hear Leo approaching. Of course he'd still be close behind. From what he had seen, Leo was a amazing rider. He heard Leo slide down and move to the horse Raph had ridden on. Probably checking to make sure Raph hadn't ridden it to death, "Leo." he called lightly, "You trained these horses right?"

"yeah."

"so they follow pretty good voice command?"

"Better then Mikey."

A week ago, Raph would of wondered what the hell a 'Mikey' was, but now it made his lips twitch lightly, but then it fell back to a scowl, he turned and went back to the horse whose neck was currently being rubbed by Leo. He saw that Leos' horse (Kaze was it?) was already saddle less. Which was probably why Leos' legs looked so stiff. Raph unclipped his horses reigns and slid off the harness, "Get his saddle. WE cant' bring them with us and if they have Komori outside of the forest they'll see them and know we're here."

He half expected Leo to ask questions, but the blue masked kame simply nodded, going to the edge of the forest. A cold wind catching his skin and making him shiver lightly. He growled in protest and tossed the reins in. already the leather gear was sinking below the leaves. He'd find them later. He saw Leo follow the same process, "We have until the sun sets before we REALLY have to worry about Akai. Even then I aint leaving this hell-hole till I find my baby brother. Got it?"

"Alright. They're my brothers too Raph." his voice was gentle, as though trying to remind Raph they were on the same side. That he had done everything Raph had to get here.

Except Raph couldn't' be soft right now. He didn't want to succumb to the fear now shaking through his bones. He couldn't be Raphael right now.

Right now he was the NightWatcher.

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

A faint whistling sound caught Raph's ears. His 7 year old eyes gazing around the forest that was their home. The leaves casting the world in a deep hue of red. But it was the only way to tell if it was day time or night time since the leaves over head were so dense. He listened carefully to the sound before his eyes falling onto a tree, he looking around to make sure he hadn't' been followed before kneeling down, setting aside his catch and pulling the leaves away, revealing a twisted mass of roots that made it almost impossible for something to reach in and grab them. He saw a pair of light brown eyes looking up at him with shock for a momentum before a small sigh of relief escaped, "What'r you doing?" Raph asked, he lifted one of the dead roots and climbed in, pulling in his food after him. The baby smiled sheepishly before holding up the long tube in his hands, a couple of holes in the top and a worn string that allowed it to hang around his neck just below his faded purple mask that used to hang over his eyes. Raph couldn't help but smile. But when he reached back to cover their nest it was only a reminder of their predicament, "Donnie you can't blow that 'ere ok? You're going to attract the baddies." he scolded lightly, in the best way a 7 year old could."

Donnie's face fell lightly, looking back down to the whistle before hugging it back to his torn robes, Raph couldn't blame him. That whistle had been with him as long as either of them could remember. But Raph gently took the mouthpiece out of his brothers' mouth, allowing the instrument to hang around his neck. He reached to his bundle of food and drew out some small berries and held one out to Donnie. Donnie's face squirmed up lightly as he turned his head away with a whine. Raph frowned, his hand smacking the top of Don's lightly," You gotta eat to stay strong. After that you can have your leaves." the baby formed up at him lightly and sadly. Before taking the fruits into his hands and sticking them into his mouth. Raph gave him a smile of approval before reaching for a fuzzy orange fruit he had gotten and took a bite into it. Those few berries would keep Raph satisfied for now, it hard enough to get the baby to eat, Raph wasn't sure why. He had to be hungry right?

After a few seconds Donnie opened his mouth and hands to show he had finished. Raph patted his scalp before reaching back into his pockets and drawing out a large soft skinned leaf. Took it into his tiny hands before putting his lips around it and sucking on the leaf. Raph watched his big light brown eyes begin to lull over lightly in relief. All day long, when Raph was away , he knew Donnie was in this nest coughing till his throat ached. The only relief for the couch and the ache were these leaves that Raph had found a bit back. But the also had the tendency to put Donnie to sleep (which was a great relief to a tired single 7 year old parent).He gently lifted Donnie up onto his lap as he felt the baby begin to relax , his hands that held the leaf to his mouth began to relax and fall down to his lap as sleep finally consumed him. Raph smiled lightly and took the leaf out of his mouth. Luckily it looked like there was some juices left so could give more to Donnie later. He lifted Donnie into his arms and began to rock him gently as the baby moved around, pressing his face into Raph's shoulder. Raph gently gave him a kiss in-between his eyes before looking back up to the 'roof' of their nest to make sure that there was no light getting in. When he was satisfied he looked back down to Donnie. Gently moving the shoulders of his yukata to check. His scars were covered up still, which meant they could stop moving around for a bit and stay in this nest for a while. When Donnie's scars had still been bleeding, it would draw in baddies from everywhere. It hard to leave the nest wondering if the baby he was in care of was safe or not. But with this ,he felt a small burden being lifted off his shoulders. He reached around the dirt and packed them in lightly to ensure no heat would escape before nestling down in with the baby already snoring in his arms and closing his eyes

It was one less thing to worry about

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

Raph ignored the sound of Leo stumbling behind him, he knew the older kame was unused to the sticky leaves and twigs since the last time Leo had been there it had been on the back of a horse. But how he had gotten through the forest without being attacked ONCE was another matter entirely

One he couldn't worry about

When he had been a child, he had used these leaves to his advantage to crawl under them like a snake. When he had gotten too big for that, he walked on top of the roots like he id now. That's when he started trying to bring Donnie with him on his trips to get food. But the babies curiosity proved to be too dangerous for his own. And he was forced to leave him in their nest.

A cry of surprise filled the air, signifying Leo's pitch into the leaves. Raph sighed tiredly before turning around, Leo was looking back at his feet, tangled up in the leaves under some unknown source. One that Raph had easily gotten past. With another growl, Raph climbed on over and took a hold of the thick knots, lifting them up. He could still remember his shock over this discovery at a child. How it had lead to finding the little holes under the trees. A safe place ot hide from meat crazy cannibalistic beasts. "Get up." he ordered Leo.

Once again, Leo showed patience that Raph had lost hours ago, clamoring to his feet and kicking his foot free of his lost sandal. Not so much as a complaint escaping him

"did you break anything?" He asked Leo. All friendliness that Raph had felt for Leo had been replaced with irritance, exhaustion

""No I'm alright, Its just these dam roots-"

"it's the leaves, the roots wil save your life. The leaves cover them up. Just step where I step and you wont step." it was all the advice that he could give him. Leo simply smiled and nodded, shell hadit bee the other way around Raph probably would of torn him a new one by now. He turned and started on his way again

"where are the Akai?"

"Eh?"

"The Akai, you made it sound like the forest was teeming with them."

"there hiding, the disease that makes them Akai makes der eyes sensitive to light. So they hide in the day time."

"That's creepy."

Creepy? Sure could accept that. His foot stepped on another root with his hand on a tree. If he had been the bandits, he would of headed for where the trees were thicker. Out in this 'open' made it easier to get spot. He looked around and peered at the trunks of the trees.

There.

Raph leapt on over to the thick root to his left, moving closer to the tree he had seen. He could hear Leo stumbling behind him , but obviously not struggling has hard as he had been a moment ago. Raph's hand fell on the tree. There, someone had run their claws against this, it couldn't be Akai, most of them had nails too long and they broke easily against a surface like this.

This was a Okami

Bandit.

Raph was about to grin when the sound of heavy breathing caught his ear. He was about to tell Leo to keep it down when he realized Leo was right behind him. Raph's hand shot out and pressed against Leo's chest, pinning his shell tightly to the tree and shushing him harshly before he could protest

There

He could hear the sound of roots snapping like leaves, large limbs dragging through the leaves in a slow march, paws moving after the other, on four legs. The sound of something bumping against a trunk with a irritated grunt. Dark red fur catching his eyes, stained from the sap that ran down the trees in almost a pool. Its broad shoulders hunched and hands and feet disappearing in the leaves. Its clothes long ago torn off by the sudden muscle growth that came from the Akai disease. Its long brown hair tangled in knots over its snot as it sniffed around.

Akai.

Raph pushed slightly on Leos' plastron, moving him in a circle around the tree as the Akai's snout waved in their direction, scarred from its own blind idiocy. Wait. That's how it was able to move around in day time. Its eyes were covered by long tangled bangs that hid a face that had long ago been sane. The creature moved over, dragging in their direction But why was it catching their scent!? His heart was already pounding in his chest. Why was it following them?! Its not like they were-

Raph froze, his hand on Leo's plastron going up to his bandaged neck

Bleeding

Raph pushed Leo a bit further behind the tree. His older brother not protesting his movements in acknowledgement that Raph was the only one with experience here. Raph knew the creature seemed slow moving now. But if it got too strong of a whiff of blood (especially since by now Leos' heart had to be pounding pretty hard, he could feel it even in his neck) it would send it to a rushing frenzy. With one hand on Leos plastron and his eyes on the Akai, he reached down into the leaves, his fingers brushing against a hard stone and old familiar soft leaves. He yanked them up and reached into his pocket, drawing out some twine had brought, putting the leaves together over the stone with one hand, before tying off the string with his mouth. Just like old times. He drew his arm back, keeping his gaze on the beast. His muscles settling into familiar stance….

His arm shot up and threw the stone hard. The leaf covered rock slamming into its nose. A roar of distress filled the air, its only sense overridden by the leaves that had attacked it. It roared back on two legs, his hands clawing at his disturbed senses, unused to the balance, it went falling back against a enormous tree, slamming its face against its hard trunk and stumbling off. With a hit that hard, he knew that blood had to running into the creatures fur. Drawing other Akai and with it, its doom. But that also meant it wouldn't be near them either. Raph finally drew his hand away from Leos 'chest, even as the other kame looked at him with confusion.

"Lets get moving."

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

Raph poked his head up from the leaves that covered his entire body. Even though , through the dense leave, he knew the sun was far from setting there was still a uneasiness to the air. Pulling at his instincts. He ducked down below the leaves again, crawling over the roots and glancing around again. The sound of whistling caught his attention and a groan to his throat. He told Donnie not to blow that-

Then a roar caught his ears

"DONNIE!" he shouted, he leapt out of the leaves and set off running, his bare feet finding their footfalls onto the thick roots. Following the path he normally took under the leaves and through the mud.

A big beast stood by the tree its massive snout dug into the roots, the snapping of broken jaws filled the air over the sound of a whistle being blown at the tope of its range. Raph dug into his pockets and drew out a stone, mint leaves with roots tied over top of it. He yelled loudly at the big beast, which drew his head from the nest, its scarred eyes looking in the direction of Raph's shout. Raph's stolen went flying, smashing against the beast sensitive nasal passages. The creature rose up onto its legs, swiping at his nose with ferocity. Its own broken claws drawing blood from its self mutilation before turned and stumbling away . Raph quickly covered the distance between himself and the nest, sliding down into the torn roots to have a baby thrown into his lap. His arms quickly wrapping around his tiny shaking form, "I'm' here I'm here." though it was mostly to himself then anyone else. Anger replaced his worry as eh took the baby by the shoulders and pulled him away lightly to look him in his tear stained face 'What happened?!" he demanded, "How did they find you!?"

But Donnie just kept looking at him with watery light brown eyes. Raph's eyes fell on the babies lips, tinged red.

Blood from his own lungs.

The sound of rustling caught Raph's attention, laboring limbs heading for their direction. The sounds of snorts and grunts. Raph's hand went up and wiped Don's mouth, wiping the blood into the dirt and climbing out of the nest, all but dragging him after him

They had to escape

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

Raph growled angrily as a familiar cramp went through his back, his lost of focus made his foot slide off the root and into the cold mud below.

"Raph?"

"I'm FINE." came the bark, his hand going back up to his shoulder, the sun was already on a downward descent. Even though they were experiences summer months he feared how fast the sun would start setting. Even more so he feared how much time they had lost already with not knowing where they were to begin with. A angry prick of tears burning in his eyes indicating the dark truth that had been looming over him since this realization

Don didn't have his medicine. What if he stopped breathing? What if he started coughing? What if he started coughing up blood again? What if the bandits decided to leave him behind-"

A unwelcome grit of a sob escaped his lips he quickly put the back of his hand against his lips to muffle such a angry noise. Hoping it hadn't been caught by Leo-

A hand went up to his shoulder, Raph was a bit surprised he hadn't heard Leo catch up on him so fast. He felt a forehead fall to the back of his shoulder, a personal show of empathy. In his rage, Raph could of very easily grabbed him and thrown him to the nearest tree-

Except Leo knew this pain. He knew this pain better then anyone. He was the only oen in the freaking world who understood the anguish of loosing a little brother, not knowing what was happening to them. He understood

They understood each others pain.

Raph closed his eyes. Trying to suck in several deep breaths when the sound of growling caught his ear, not in the way he was used to. Not in the low way Akai did. But in the way one did when they tried to communicate with each other.

Raph grabbed his side, already eh could see masses moving around in the shadows, yips and barks. He knew those noises. They came from the forms of the very creatures who stole his brother

Ookami

Leos voice muttered in his ear. Probably trying to calm him down and send his rage to submission. Except these Okami had come to Murakami, they had taken Donnie, they had drug him away. They had taken him away from Raph.

And for that they would pay

Raph's throat trembled with the force of at the earth, the area around him covered in black fur and growling throats. His chain trailing to the ground, with a flick of his wrist he sent it spinning over his head, looking from side to side. HE could hear vaguely someone say his name. But his mind pushed it away. With a cry he his feet carried him forward. His chain swinging down and catching the Okami by the side of the head, sending him flying into the trees, his foot going up and catching another in the stomach, he could feel the air leaving its lungs by force. He twisted his wrist to bring his chain raining down on the fool, but he felt a weight pull on it. Probably one of the other Okami. With another aggravated shout he reached for where he drew out his chain at his waist and released it sending the heavy material to the ground.

His hands went to his knees and hooked around familiar tridents, spinning them over his fingers before settling with them at his sides, caching a clawed hand going at his face in-between the two bars, using the Okami's' momentum to sending him flying to some of his other buddies, '"WHERE IS HE?!" he shouted again, his fist catching a Okami in the face, the satisfying feeling of breaking bones beneath his hand sent his fist slamming against it again, and again, the Okami crying out and whimpering in pain, warm blood splattering against his face- his foot went flying back and caught another one in the stomach, raising his arm and sending a arrow into its shoulder, and another into its knee.

A force slammed into him from behind, sending him flying into the sea of leaves below them, a hold of his wrist someone slammed something against his forearm, he could hear the delicate twinges that Donnie had put into it cracking under the weight. His sais yanked out of his hands. He turned his head, ready to cuss out the sucker stupid enough to catch him off guard, to swear to tear off the creatures neck if he didn't give him back his brother-'

Something large caught him in the back of his head, pain shooting out and enveloping him in dark. One last thought on his mind

"Donnie…"

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

Rap stretched out his long arms, his muscles stiffening under the stiff new fabric of his long kimono. He wasn't' used to wearing something like this, but honestly he couldn't deny it was relaxing. The Ryokan even had red. His color. The sound of cicadas lulling his normally steamed top, and the pond from the middle of the building casting the building in a relaxing blue from the open roofed sun. He saw 2 girls walking side by side on the opposite walkway and gave them a pointed wink. Which was returned with a couple of giggles. Ah life was good. He looked over down the line of doors. Trying to remember which was his again, a grin on his face when the memory awoke on him and put his hand to the door, sliding it open. The smell of raw fish and other goodies hit him with the force of heaven. All laying on the low table the attendants had brought, he had sent them away to enjoy the food in peace but he couldn't' stop the cocky words from leaving his mouth, "Happy Birthday to me."

His eyes scanned the room for his little brother. His purple kimonoed form on the other side of the room, in the angle shape corner what would serve as their sleeping quarters. Lying flat on one of the 2 futons. Unlike theirs at him, this one was risen on a thicker mattress and on wood. Raph wasn't sure if he liked this, but he'd get used to it during their vacation. But the sight of his little brother in such a 'tantrumish form" (one that was normally reserved for Raph). Raph sighed loud enough to get Dons' attention before walking on over and sitting on the bed, "What's wrong bro?" he asked , rubbing his shell," Did the heat from the hot springs make you dizzy?"

Donnie shook his head in his pillow, drawing his arms up to wrap around his face. His own way of telling Raph to beat it. Course, that was just funny. Raph gave another loud sigh before getting up and rounding the bed, laying on the space that was unobscured by 'tantrum', rolling over on his side to look at Donnie. It was taking a lot of energy to not laugh at him, "You frustrated?"

There was a small stiff nod and a groan. Raph quickly bit into his knuckle 'don't laugh don't laugh' he reminded himself before reaching out and putting his arm over his shell," Dis about that attendant who asked you if you were looking for your 'mama'?"

Another nod and another angry groan . Raph poked his head lightly," C'mon , its not her fault. She was just trying to be nice. And its not like you haven't grown at all."

Dons' face looked over at him with slight exasperation. As though they both knew better then that before returning his face to his arm. Raph raised his head and gave another loud 'oh the woes of being a single mother' sigh that Kaede gave Donnie sometimes. Most of the time it was out of kidding though. He rolled over onto his stomach, peering at Donnie for a few moment's (hoping that he would look up) but when he didn't he reached his head forward and nudged Don's arm with his beak, "Come on Donnie. Ma's out of town and I want to spend my birthday eating expensive food and soaking my ass in a hot spring with my favorite little brother. You're not going to let me eat all this good food by myself and get even fatter are you?"

"I'm not hungry and I'm your only little brother."

Well, atleast he said something. "We could have a million brothers but you'd STIL be my favorite. please Donnie? For me? For your favorite brother?"

There was a tired sigh as Donnie rose up to his knees. Raph grinned brightly, moving up to a sitting position, "Atta boy, lets go get fat-" before his eyes fell on a familiar string around his neck, "Really? The whistle?"

Donnie frowned hard again, his hand going up and tucking the old tube back into his kimono, "I didn't want it to get stolen-"

" This aint a back alley dancing drinking inn bro. No ones going to steal it."

A small smile formed on Don's face, as through Raph had just walked into something, "Have you told mom yet that you got your pants stolen off of you by said ;establishment and had to have your favorite brother come brig you new ones as you hid in the closet?."

"Donnie, I swear to dam SOMETHING that if you ever tell mom I really will put you over my knee."

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

Raph could feel cold mud running into his boots a two pairs of arms dragging him forward through the scum that he had been so careful to avoid. A dull ache in his skull removing all the cognitive though that should have been running through them. He pulled on his arms lightly, but a jaw snapped in his ear in anger. Sending all logic back to him

Okami

He had gotten his dumb ass captured.

He could of very easily spent the next hour slamming his head against the nearest tree in self mutilation, but his head was aching so bad he couldn't' really get his muscles to move right. He felt his wrists tied to his chest. Another chain wrapping around his neck. His mother had told him how Okami worked before, and this didn't' seem to be their method of tying up . They must of though that Raph was too much of a threat to simply 'tie up.'

Maybe he should be flattered.

He could hear cackling fire ahead, the only reason that the Akai hadn't come running for his blood at this point. If he had been alone, this wound would of surely been the end of him and Leo-

Leo.

Pushing all pain away, Raph began to move back and forth forcing his feet to work and lift himself up from the grips of the dragging Okami. His head swinging around incoherently- "Leo-" but a blow struck in him the back of the neck, a spasm shot through his back and sent his legs useless again and into the mud. How did Leo get captured/ His mind went back ot his blackout. Somehow they must of used him as a hostage and forced him to submission-

Suddenly the arms dragging him threw him forward, his body striking the ground hard. He could feel a form slam next to him. Familiar 3 fingered hands shaking his shoulders gently, "Raph? Raph are you ok?"

A deep sigh of relief went through Raph, a bit more then he expected. Guess that meant he didn't hate Leo as much as he thought he did. Groggily he nodded his head, 'Just a head ache bro-"

"Well Well Well, Tsukino Kenta. Long time no see."

Raph's' body suddenly jerked in muscle reaction, (one that normally would of sent the victim fling across the world). Slowly he forced himself up to his knees. Glaring up, well, squinting actually, to the form in front of him. His silhouette cast by the fire behind him. Large wings and large ears, and a voice cold and silky as money

"Makoto, haven't seen your ugly face in the city in a while. I thought you woulda gotten eaten by now."

"I'm much too clever for that Kenta. You know that."

"Kenta?" came Leos' confused voice.

"Long story." Raph growled back, before raising his voice again to the blurry shape infrotn of him," Now if yer really so clever, Makoto how'd' you get your worthless ass caught by me so many time? Your bounty paid for many rounds my man-" a leather hand caught him in the mouth, nasty blood going up to his lips and making him tilt over lightly. With a stretch of his shoulder he moved back up to his knees and rolled the blood around in his mouth lightly ,"Hit your pride, did I?"

"Not as much as your little brother ,Donatello, did, Kenta. He played us all for fools and escaped a while ago with that rabbit he was with."

Raph's' mouth moved to a grin, though it couldn't look to smart from someone else's point of view, but then his smile slowly slid off his face, dread filling his stomach, "How do you know about him?" he asked with a dark growl that almost consumed his words. He didn't know what was worse, Makoto knowing their relation, or Donnie's real name. He could see the form of Makoto moving over to him the grip on his chains tightly, leaning close to his face, a whisper in his ear. "how ELSE would I know your 'little Donnie?"

The images hit Raph as hard as a pandas' fist. His hands gripping a pair of tiny green ones, stained with blood , shaking. A small voice on the brink of tears, Kuma-ni?

Raph sucked in a deep breath, he shot up to his feet, but the combination of Makoto jumping away and the weight on his [lace kept him from jumping and tearing Makoto apart with every body part he could spare, 'YOU STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM HIM! HES' JUST A F**** CHILD! AS SOON AS I GET OUT OF HERE I'M GOING TO BURN YOU ALIVE YOU SON OF A BITCH!" instead of instilling the fear he was used to as the NightWatcher, the crowd of Okami roared with laughter, but none laughing more then Makoto. Now that Raph could see clearly now, he could see the form of Makoto almost doubling over. Course, he was so close to the fire that Raph would easily push him in without remorse. Showing exactly what they would do if they found Donnie, the pain he would be forces through, Raph skin burned as the anger was sent through his muscles, ( he could hear the Okami holding on to his chain squawking in surprise and strain), his feet dragging into the mud , his head thrown back as rage cry escaped his lips in a blind rage-

The sound of something heavy slamming into the mad caught silence. All laughter ending. Raph looked over to the source of the noise. One of the Okami was lying flat on his face, a deep slice in his back, sending blood over his clothing. Raph watched the largest Okami growl to one of the others and send him over there. The smaller one poking the body lightly, looking around suspiciously-

"was it you?!"

Raph looked up to see Makoto glaring hard at him, the blade that had probably been hidden on him was now drawn. Raph could of smiled (even though he was just as confused), "Did what?"

"Did you kill him!?"

"I'm chained, IDIOT how could I have killed him-"

"Do you have someone out there!? A third man-"

"Does it look like I'm popular enough to have a third friend?" Raph nudged Leo with his foot, "This dumb ass came just because he was unfortunate enough to be related to me-"

Another body hit the ground, a deep red stain spreading across the leaves and into the ground. The Okami began to shout to eachother. Moving to the outside lines, searching in the darkness. Raph looked at the Okami that had fallen next to him. The cut had gone around the creatures throat. Not like a knife , he had seen those. But like a -

Kama

Raph suddenly felt a grin began to grow on his face. Much like a child when they realized what they were getting for their birthday. It didn't miss the attention of Makoto who snapped at him with spitting lips, "What are you smiling at?!" his feet carrying him over. But even as he watched the armed bat come closer, he felt the chains around his chest fall away, he already knew the Okami that had been holding his chain were dead. But he couldn't stop the smile. He couldn't stop the grin, even as Makoto grabbed his leather front and yanked him up to his face, the side of the knife pressed to his neck. But a smile grew broader, he could feel a hand gently stroke the back of his scalp, one that used to stroke his head to sleep every night. The message clear, his looked over ot the bat who was on the verge of complete insanity, " Thanks ."

A arm shot past Raph's scalp, the kama in it catching in Makoto's neck, the bat going flying back into the ground. Loud shouts filling the air as a dark form flew over Raph's head, her cloak swarming round her like a pool of darkness arms of dark brown fur and white spotted fur holding kama's in each hand, Raph yanked his arms free grabbing Leo by the chest and heaving him up to his chest, his hand shooting out and grabbing a stick from the fire, looking to the figure, "Give them hell mom." . He all but picked up Leo before charging into the dark of the night. The sounds of anguish and pain filling the air as blades fell on the ones who had been foolish enough to take her children

The blades of the True NightWatcher.

Raph all but dropped Leo to the ground, he could hear him calling behind him. If Raph had been in Leos' position he would have been very confused. But he couldn't stop smiling. Because now he could hear it.

The tell tale sound of a whistle.

He jumped over the roots. The fire flickering dangerously close to his head that stay on his torch. The sounds of Leo behind him running. But the fact that he was following him close was a fact of the faith that Leo was putting in him.

Another whistle to his left. He hooked his arm around a tree and flew on. White eyes glaring at him heavily desperate to reach out and taste his blood. But not risking the flame, opening his mouth he shouted, "DONNIE!"

"kuma-ni!"

Raph set off another burst of speed, his arm hooking around another tree, the shrill tune sending him looking up. The form of a rabbit and a small kame in the trees. The small kame sliding down the tree the best he could, with the rabbit holding him to his feet. Raph all but shoved Usagi out of the way, his arms wrapping around Donatello's chest and hugging him right off his feet. Thin dirty arms wrapping his arms and a face pressing into his shoulder, deep sobs wracking through his body, though whether or not they were his or Don's he couldn't tell. He breathed in his brothers tiny form, his thin sickly body. But alive

Alive.

He could hear Leo behind him, reuniting with Usagi, probably sharing in their own 'bro hug'. Raph struggled for control. He forced his burning eyes open to look at the child in his arms. His face so deep into Raph's shoulder that all he could see was the top of his scalp. His eyes tracing the bruises that covered his little brothers form. A sign of the treatment that had be fallen him. Though he was sure that Usagi was no better off. He could feel his little brother wheezing painfully in his arms. Reminding him of the medicine he had kept at his waist for the past 3days. He reached unhooked it, but Donnie's' arms had tightened there grip, as though afraid that Raph was suddenly having the thought of putting him down. He could of laughed for hours at that. As happy as Raph was, he wasn't going to feel better till Donnie got his medicine into his system. It took a little bit of encouraging before Donnie took the water skin with one hand and chugged it with such forced that Raph feared he might make himself sick. But his arms returned to his neck. The sobs finally subsisting against him. Raph rested his forehead against his brothers scalp, whispering very gently with shaking lips, "don't ever do that to me again bro. Please, never do that again." he begged gently. He felt the grip around his neck tighten as Donnie nodded into his shoulder. He would be lucky if Donnie ever let him go again (then again, Raph wasn't planning on doing that anytime soon) In the dying light, Raph could see Leo touch Usagi's' arm for a moment before going on over to them, his hand going up to place on Donnie's neck, "Is he-"

"Yeah," Raph nodded, his throat tightening slightly. He could see the emotion forming on Leos' face as he rested his forehead against Don's shoulder, the same relief shared by the two oldest brothers

They were alright.

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

Raph used his hands to cover his eyes, the sun burning into his corneas with such intensity that he had to turn his head away. He could feel Donnie on his hip whimper lightly with the same pain, his free hand going up to shield his eyes. His feet stumbling back into the darkness fo the forest.

A soft hand reached out and took his hand, he raised his streaming eyes to the girl holding it. A teenager with a gentle smile. Offering reassurance that Raph found confusion in. He couldn't even remember life outside of the forest. He couldn't even remember the sun-

There was a whimper from his waist. He looked down to the baby he was holding, the tiny form that was covered in scratches in mud. Now even more obvious in the brighter light. The truest sign of their life here.

He had to be strong.

He had to be brave.

For the baby.

Very gently he reached down and kissed the baby in between his eyes, looking back up to the teenager holding a hand out to him. A escape. Freedom. He reached out and took it with his own dirty hand. Taking his steps out of the muddy leafy cold terrain he had known for all his memory and into warm solid life

Freedom

Charmy, 'Aw, so adorable! wasn't that fun guys?"

Raph, "I'll show you just how FUN. It was just after you step out of that 'Raph proof' room

Charmy, "NO way Raphie, I like my face to stay on my face. If that makes. Sense."

Leo, "dam it….it's Leo proof too."

Charmy, "now we can all just enjoy a nice peaceful ending-

*targeting system online

Charmy, "eh?" looks around, "is that the Battle Shell!? But-but we're in feudal Japan-"

2003 Donnie, *sticks head out with Unbreakable Donnie* "My younger little counterpart here asked for my help. And just so you know. ALL of the 2003 counterparts are in here."

little Donnie, "I'm NOT little!"

Mikey, 'COWABUNGA!"

Charmy, "O.o son of a-