Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT
Song for this story "Fighter" (Glee Cast Version)
Chp. 1: Fever
He was leaning against the counter, forehead resting against the edge when Mike's morning whistling made him straighten.
He'd been sick for months, his body slowly giving out, but he'd kept it a secret, hidden his dying from his brothers' eyes, and even his father's watchful gaze.
Thankfully the bitter cold winter left him with an excuse to bundle up, which in turn hid his bruises and skinny frame.
But it was getting more and more difficult to hide his illness, he got tired easily, he could hardly eat anything, and training was becoming pure agony for his tortured frame.
It was only a matter of time before they noticed.
"Morning Leo," Mike greeted as he walked into the kitchen.
"Morning," He sighed, eyes flicking towards Mike.
It'd been a rough winter, too cold for them to venture out to scavenge for food and more than once April and Casey couldn't get to them to bring them food. So at least he could use that excuse for being thin…but, he was worse than anyone else.
The cold had kept them all more occupied with staying warm than with starting disputes, which was his saving grace, if Raph tried to pick a fight with him now…he'd be dead on the first blow. One or two hits in the right places, with just enough pressure, would kill him; his bones had become somewhat brittle and there wasn't much between his skin and bones to cushion the blow.
"Hey, Leo, you alright? You seem kind of out of it," Mike asked, looking Leo over slowly.
Leo looked tired, he looked distracted, but most of all, he looked almost sickly.
"Yeah I'm fine," He mumbled, "just didn't sleep well last night. I'm going to go meditate till everyone is ready for our run."
Mike frowned and watched Leo go, then shivered and hitched his jacket tighter to him. Mike sighed, the winter had been rough, that must be what was wearing Leo out. He knew that Leo had been running short patrols all winter to keep an eye on the tunnels and the buildup of snow and ice among them.
As Leo entered the dojo his cell-shell vibrated silently in his pocket, he pulled it out after easing himself onto the mat he used while meditating. After making a weary check to make sure no one was following him he flipped it open.
Morning sunshine xP , be at my place tonight around 8. I'll have the stuff and BUNDLE up! Its freezing!
Leo sighed and chuckled softly before closing the phone and stashing it back into his jacket, then paused pulled it out a sent a simple, teasing, response.
You worry me…
Her instant response was simply a smiley sticking its tongue out to which he chuckled before stuffing the phone back into his pocket.
He sighed, just the effort of walking to the dojo had been exhausting, he was honestly worried about the run later and then getting to Astra's…
Then he closed his eyes and sighed, wincing as a spasm of pain rocked his body. Everything hurt and his stomach was a twisting mess right now.
He really didn't want this day to continue, honestly he wanted to simply curl up and pass out for a few hours.
"Mike said you looked like you weren't feeling well," Don's voice greeted, 'I'd have to agree."
Leo's eyes snapped open to look up at his brother and he groaned in frustration.
"Don," Leo sighed, "I'm fine."
"Right…and pigs fly," Don teased, "come on let me check your temp and then you can just go crash for a few hours."
Leo sighed, he really didn't have the energy to argue at this point, let alone get up and follow Don. But there was a bigger problem; he definitely didn't want Don to see him up close. The amount of weight he'd lost, how pale he was, and not to mention the ugly bruises all over him, would raise a red flag and cause Don to start testing his blood.
And that was the last thing Leo needed, because then Don would see the problem with his brother's blood and the medications in it.
Leo shook his head and then slowly rose to his feet.
"I'm really fine Don, just tired," Leo sighed.
Don snorted.
"Fine I won't check your temp, but at least take the day off and go rest?" Don offered.
Leo inwardly groaned, this was probably the best option but it would make getting to Astra's later extremely difficult.
"Whatever," Leo mumbled before, nodding.
Don chuckled.
"Oh and I'll set out a can of chicken noodle, eat some before you crash ok?" Don half ordered-half requested.
Leo nodded.
"You guys heading out?" he asked.
"Yup, we'll be back in a bit," Don replied.
"Be careful," Leo sighed.
"Of course bro," Don chuckled, "now go rest!"
After the others had left Leo made it back into his room, curled into a ball and slept. He was out cold for nearly three hours before he woke to the sound of hushed voices.
"Dude he's burning up," Mike hissed, and Leo became aware of a pressure on his forehead.
Leo made an effort to move but could hardly open his eyes let alone move his head. He coughed weakly, tried to move to relieve the constriction, but was unable and continued coughing. Every cough shook his weakened frame, sending spasms of pain trough every nerve.
Don frowned and then gestured to Raph to help him.
"Let's sit him up, hopefully this bug is over quick," Don sighed, then froze at the sight of what was on Leo pillow."
"Is that?" Mike whispered fearfully, "Donnie? Is that blood? Is he coughing up blood?"
Raph had frozen, pillow in hand, that he had been preparing to stuff under Leo's head, his eyes glued to the blood on Leo's pillow and the blood on his brother's lips.
Don's eyes followed the trail of blood to Leo's lips and felt instantly an intense weight of worry.
"Yeah, Mike, I think so," Don whispered, "Raph go get the infirmary ready, scrub the place down with the sanitation supplies; sterilize the place as fast as you can. Mike help me get Leo into the bathroom, we're going to give him a quick shower and then move him downstairs. While I'm cleaning him up you find some fresh, warm clothing to put on him afterward. Move!"
Raph shot down the stairs, flipping over the railing and landing on all fours to absorb the impact before sprinting to the infirmary to do his task.
Don and Mike quickly started on their task and were deeply shaken when Mike lifted Leo and shuddered after discovering how thin and light his brother was. Don was already half out the door to run a bath when Mike's sob stopped him, and caused him to jerk around.
"Don…he's skinny!" Mike whispered.
Leo groaned, vaguely aware as to what was happening but unable to do anything about it, his coughing had stopped but the trembling hadn't.
Three hours later after the brothers had gotten Leo settled, discovered the bruising and how thin he was, the trio sat around the living room table and struggled with how to decide on what to do next.
It was then, about nine at night, when Leo's shell-cell starting vibrating across the counter where Mike had left it.
It was then that Mike caught it just in time as it vibrated its way off of the counter.
It was then that after picking up he heard a woman screaming for help.
A/N: dun dun dun…. Don't worry things get better…please leave me reviews! I love getting them.