I don't own TMNT or UY.

Xxxxx

I felt almost guilty for it, but Usagi's talk really made me feel better. I felt that was a little unfair, seeing as I should've been the one giving him support. But regardless, I felt a lot lighter afterwards. Just knowing that Usagi, the person who had arguably been hurt the most by this situation felt no resentment towards me, or any of us for that matter, took a lot of weight off my shoulders. If he could keep going then what kind of wimp am I to throw in the towel? Hearing his refusal to let this get the better of him made me almost ashamed of feeling as bad as I did.

I hadn't known what to say to him after our initial talk so I'd just remained silent, finishing my coffee. The caffeine wasn't doing it for me today though, and feeling my stress slowly ease as I watched the absurd image of the samurai eating a bowl of Cheerios, I started getting tired. Eventually I had no choice but to give in and admit I was exhausted past the point of being functional. I sighed, leaving my mug still half full as I bid him good morning before I left, heading for my room.

I walked in, feeling dizzy with fatigue as I carefully stepped past the sleeping figure of Leo. I got to my bunk and climbed up on top of the raised mattress. I removed my mask and gear before I pulled the blankets over me and settled down, taking more than a little pride from the fact that Leo's only reaction to my entering was to roll over in his sleep. I knew I'd get past him eventually.

When I woke up again it was well into the day already, probably 11 or so. I sat up, still feeling tired but knowing if I slept any longer I'd just throw myself out of my circadian rhythm and I'd suffer for it that night when I go to bed. I got up and made myself presentable before I left my room. I noticed Leo had carefully rolled up the bedding he was using and stored it away out of sight. I rolled my eyes a little as I felt myself smile. Geez Leo it's just me. I'm not gonna scold you if you don't make your bed in the morning. On the other hand it was a comfort on some level. Leo was still thinking about the little things as he always does. He wasn't crushed by this situation either. Heck I was starting to think maybe I was the only one feeling so deeply bummed out by the whole thing

I exited my door and walked down the hall to the main room. I could hear the TV talking to itself and when I entered I saw its numerous screens flickering as an overly cheerful lady with a blonde dye-job informed whoever was busy watching that if they acted now they could also get the refill at no extra charge.

I was a little confused as I didn't really consider it the right time to be lounging in front of the TV considering our present situation. I came over, expecting Mikey to be the one who'd skipped on training to take root on the couch and sure enough, he was there, but he wasn't alone. Both Raph and Leo were near, standing and apparently bickering about something. I noticed Usagi sitting next to Mikey, watching the argument with mild confusion. I'd almost say he looked slightly amused. Mikey was watching the argument too, looking back and forth from Leo to Raph, he also looked like he was getting some kind of entertainment out of this.

I breathed a little easier, coming over to hear what the fuss was about.

"What's going on?" I asked and almost instantly regretted it when all four pairs of eyes turned to stare at me.

"Well would ya look at who's back from the dead!" Raph gave me a toothy grin. "Wazza-matter Donny? Your alarm clock stop workin' or somethin'?"

I pulled a face at him in what I hoped looked like a feisty manner but somehow, I think my burning cheeks were ruining the effect a little.

"For your information Raph I only went to bed around 6 this morning. Besides I think I can get away with oversleeping a single morning with all the late-nights I've been pulling."

Raph pulled an exasperated face as he rolled his eyes. "Sheesh Don' take it so personally!"

Leo gave me a smile although I wasn't really sure why.

"What's every-one doing anyway?" I asked, looking at Mikey and Usagi.

Mikey gave a groan and pulled a slight face. "Master Splinter says we need to take a day off and chill or we're gonna start killing each other, so Leo and Raph wanted to watch a movie and got into the usual Cowboys versus Samurai argument."

"Oh no," I turned to Leo and Raph, cocking a brow critically. "Eastwood Versus Kurosawa again?"

"Don't gimme that look Don!" Raph said, gritting is teeth at me. "Ain't my fault I prefer watchin' my movies in colour!"

"Oh sure, and this has nothing to do with the fact that you're a total sucker for movies with bar-fights in them!" Leo said, turning back to Raph and picking up the argument right from where he'd left it.

"It ain't rocket science Leo! Ya can't beat good ol' American grit! 'Sides it's Eastwood! He's done more than one or two pictures ya know! He knows how ta do his stuff!"

Leo made an aggravated noise. "Yeah, but taking all of Kurosawa's films and putting a ten-gallon hat on them!"

"You're just all defensive 'cause Kurosawa's got his actors prancin' around in silk-robes carryin' swords!" He paused, turning to the couch. "No offence meant."

Usagi merely smiled and gave a shrug. "I am afraid I have no idea what either of you are talking about. I am merely enjoying the spectacle."

Mikey made a long, drawn out noise irritably. "Can we just pick something already?! If Master Splinter gave us the day off I don't wanna waste it arguing over what to do!"

"Fine! Donny!" Raph rounded on me.

I jumped slightly. "Huh?"

"Since you're always on the fence 'bout this you pick!" Raph said, crossing his arms.

I blinked, feeling put on the spot. I cleared my throat, going into mediator mode. "W..well. Having seen both Directors' works numerous times, as well as having heard both points and counter points. Numerous times." I added, shooting them both a look. "And taking into consideration our guest and our present circumstances and which setting will provide us the most escapism-"

"Get to the point Brainiac!" Raph growled at me.

"-Leads me to the conclusion." I said, giving him a slight glare. "That Kurosawa's probably the better choice at the moment."

Leo turned to give Raph a victorious smile. Raph threw his hands in the air.

"Alright fine! We'll watch the stupid guys in their pyjamas swinin' their butter-knives around! Way ta stab me in the back bro." He sat himself down between Mikey and Usagi roughly, causing both of them to rock off balance slightly for a moment.

I frowned and shrugged at him. "What? You said Pick!"

"Subtitles or no?" Leo asked, walking to the DVD player.

"Subtitles are for the weak!" Raph answered

"eto..." Usagi 'uhmed'. "I am... very confused as to what we are doing."

I leaned forward to look at him past Raph.

"Theatre in a box dude." Mikey said crossing his legs.

This didn't seem to clear up anything and I saw Usagi turn to me for help.

I laughed lightly. "Just watch."

"And tell us if you get bored." Leo said, coming back and sitting in the arm-chair.

Usagi looked unsure about this whole thing but he obliged and waited silently for whatever was gonna happen.

I rested my shell against the couch behind me, wondering if I really should be sitting here watching a Samurai epic when there's still so much that we needed to do. It felt like we were being cold, watching a movie to entertain ourselves when a little boy was still in trouble. I shifted, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the whole situation. I could be going over those files again, or try to draw up a basic schematic of the base we'd infiltrated based on my memory of what the layout of the other building had looked like, or I could be putting together some gear to be ready in a moment's notice should we need to move fast for some reason. I still needed to restock my duffle-bag too. I should probably check the first-aid kit I had stowed in there and make sure it still had everything in it. Instead here I was watching TV like some kid on a Sunday evening when he should be doing homework or something. The whole situation suddenly felt wrong somehow.

Mikey gave me a light kick on the shoulder, knocking me from my thoughts. I looked up to frown at him.

He blinked down at me with a light frown of his own. "Sit still, you're making me twitchy with your.. ..twitching."

I pulled a face at him. "Oh well excuse me."

I crossed my arms and turned to face the screens again.

Another kick came from Mike, but it was softer this time. I turned to him again, ready to tell him to cut it out till I saw he'd dropped the frown.

"Dude, Master Splinter said chill." He shrugged, turning to face the screens himself. "So chill."

I blinked at him for a few moments before I faced the front again, the opening credits' Kanji splashing across the black screen in white.

Mikey was right. Or more accurately Master Splinter was right. Since we got back from the base we'd been going full throttle. Not stopping or slowing for anything, our entire focus being only on the success of our next mission when we break into Bishop's base again. We'd been winding ourselves tighter than violin strings. We needed to take a step back. To regroup. If we don't we'd only be hurting ourselves and in doing so, lessen Jotaro's chances of rescue. Besides, it was only one movie. It wasn't gonna be the deciding factor if we win or lose. And no, I wasn't saying that to tempt fate.

All the same I tapped the wood of my bo-staff just in case.

The opening credits finished and the first scene unfurled, depicting the rural Japanese village in the mountains with its rice-fields and farms as I'd seen it do many times.

"Hmm." I heard a voice from the couch. "Interesting."

Xxxxx

I want to thank every-one for their support they showed me after my last chapter. I'm really deeply touched and only wish I could do more to thank you xxx

One reviewer asked me a question regarding the end of Chapter 19 but I cannot reply to them directly as they are not registered with FF. In short there is no real,fixed event for why Leo and Usagi took a few minutes to get back to the Battle Shell other than they had to try and shake their pursuers :)