I Don't own TMNT or UY.

Long chapter is loooooong.

Xxxxx

Usagi didn't get bored.

I hadn't been that sure how good an idea it was to let a samurai watch a movie about samurais. It kinda felt like we were making Shakespeare watch a high-school production of one of his own plays. I'd expected the rabbit to laugh his ass off at some of the overly dramatic scenes that, granted, made for good cinema but wouldn't exactly fly in a real battle situation. But he let it be what it is and didn't criticize it. He actually seemed to enjoy watching a parody of his own life on the screen. I didn't think he noticed but I was sorta keeping an eye on him as we watched just outta curiosity to see his reactions. Yeah, I know that's kinda creepy of me. Anyway he didn't seem insulted by what he was watching. The only negative emotion I ever saw on his face was kind of sad, lonely expression half-way through the movie. I didn't understand it too well and I couldn't place what it was that was affecting him. I wasn't gonna ask though. What the hell business was it of mine?

I prefer my westerns but to be honest, I kinda harp on the Samurai epics more than I really need to. Part of it is to get Leo's goat 'cause I know he likes 'em so much, but it's also 'cause I was a little embarrassed to admit I kinda like the whole lone warrior tone some of them had.

Besides, it was a relief to get a day's vacation from reality either way. I guess Master Splinter had noticed we were wound pretty tight. It ain't often we get ordered to goof off and not train am I right? I'm kinda hoping this becomes a habit of his.

It'd helped. I know I was feeling less crazy and ready to kick butt again once we need to. I kinda can't wait for when that moment comes. The false climax of the last mission had really gotten under my shell. It took all I had not to strangle the nearest person the day after that mess. Things were feeling better now though and I knew it wasn't gonna be long before we pull the big job and break into this other base.

We spent the rest of that day doing whatever the heck we each felt like doing. Mikey had set up camp on the couch with a stack of comics and got lost in his own world while Leo and Donny decided they were gonna try and teach Usagi how to play cards. The rabbit was reluctant at first, not liking the idea of gambling at all, but eventually they twisted his arm into it as long as real money wasn't involved. Probably just as well too 'cause the rabbit cleaned up. I'd never seen any-one able to pull a bluff with such a straight face before.

After that we kinda broke apart to each do our own thing. Usagi had pulled his swords from their sheaths and set about giving the blades some care which of course attracted Leo like honey does flies. Now if you're not familiar with the weapon I'll tell you right now, the blade of a sword is worse than a baby. You gotta take a ridiculous amount of care with it 'cause if you don't it gets damaged. Leaving it in its scabbard for too long damages it, leaving it out too long damages it, touching the blade with your hands damages it, not cleaning it properly damages it. Sheesh! I'll stick to something less needy thank you.

I challenged Don to a video game session and we spent our time doing that. I asked Mikey if he wanted to play winner but he said no.

I didn't want the others to know this but I was kinda freaking out a little about him. I hadn't forgotten the very uncharacteristic move he'd pulled in the base when we were escaping. I'd never seen Mikey purposefully give some-one an overly violent blow. It bugged the hell outta me and I was going a little nuts over it. It probably doesn't sound like that big a deal considering we kicked the crap out of bad guys all the time, but there's a difference to kicking some serious shell and kicking a wounded dog when its already down. That's what separates being a warrior from being a brute.

Now normally I'd just chalk it up to Mikey being thrown outta whack at having heard Jotaro was not in the building and that we'd made one hell of a mistake, but I'm smart enough to know there was more to it than that. Ever since that asshole gave him a beating in the park he'd been acting screwy, and not normal Mikey screwy but disturbing, messed up screwy. I didn't like it. I'd left him alone, thinking maybe if he had a few days he'd bounce back like he always does but it didn't seem to be working this time. I was reaching the end of my patience. If he doesn't start perking up soon I'm gonna hafta try and talk to him.

Talking ain't exactly my strong point. I usually leave the pep talks and words of wisdom for Master Splinter and Leo. Much as I hate to admit it Leo's pretty damn good at making you feel better. I feel dumb letting him know that though for some reason. It's not 'cause I don't wanna give him the satisfaction or anything like that, I just felt really awkward letting on that sometimes I kinda do need big brother to tell me things aren't as bad as they look.

But even if talking ain't what I'm best at I was just gonna have to bite the bullet and do it. Leo's busy keeping Usagi from going mental and Donny's busy doing his computer geek stuff. I mean I could tell Master Splinter to talk to him 'cause I know Sensei's noticed it too but I kinda felt that if Sensei thought it was necessary to have a talk with Mikey he'd have done so already. Splinter usually tried to make us sort out our issues amongst ourselves before he stepped in to do the father son talk thing. I kinda knew it was getting close to that time when he'd sit Mikey down and try to find out what was wrong but... ugh, this is gonna sound mushy. I wanted to try talking to him first.

Mikey's my little bro, sure, but he's also my best bud. Oh yeah there's Casey and don't get me wrong, Casey, despite being a giant dork, is the best friend you could hope for. But honestly? I've been best buds with Mikey a heck of a lot longer. I dunno how to describe it! It's just different. 'Sides whoever said you can't have two best friends anyway. The point is I wanted to try and hear if he'd tell me what's bugging him before Master Splinter has to get him to open up. A heart to heart with Splinter can sometimes be kinda painful if you're struggling with a really deep problem you don't wanna talk about. Me and Mike tend to talk about stuff differently. Heck other people probably need an interpreter to figure out what the hell we were really saying under all the insults and jokes we threw at each other. If I could get him to at least let on what's bugging him I'd feel a little better.

But we haven't gotten there yet. I was just mentally preparing myself for when we get to that point.

Donny punched the air with a 'Yes!' when he managed to cream me in our gaming match. I made an aggravated noise. I'd been too distracted to give the game proper attention.

"Alright alright Don! No need ta be so fulla yourself for it!" I said, elbowing him slightly.

"You're just a sore loser." He retorted, nudging me back harder.

I stumbled and half-fell on Mikey who was still absorbed in his funny books.

"Hey! Watch it!" He grumbled at us with a pout.

I gave him a broad grin in what I knew was a menacing way. "Hey, If you're gonna sit there you're gonna hafta deal with the risk!"

He pulled a face at me and shoved at me lightly with a foot, trying to hold his precious comic away from any danger. "Knock it off Raph! You don't own the couch you know!"

"Leave him alone Raph." Donny said, elbowing me again. "He's not bugging any-one."

I turned back to Donny, deciding to give Mikey a break for now.

"Ya up for a rematch?" I asked Don, waving the controller meaningfully.

"I think I'm done." He said, lifting a shoulder to crack his collar-bone. "I'm kinda tired to be honest."

I shrugged. "Fine. How 'bout you Mikey? Last chance."

I turned back to him, poking him with the controller.

He lifted the comic to look at me again. He was getting annoyed, I could tell. "You asked me already and I said no."

"Alright alright! Geez. Shoot me for offering." I grumbled, getting up to put the system away.

"Gaming tournament all done?" Leo asked as he came over, Usagi in tow.

I turned to him. "Unless you're challenging."

He shook his head. "Nah. Not really in the mood."

I shrugged. "Your loss."

"You guys need the TV?" Donny asked, putting the machine away before coming closer again.

Leo shook his head, sitting down on the couch next to Mike. "No, we were just curious as to what you guys were doing."

"You're lookin' at it." I said, moving to sit in the armchair.

Usagi sat down next to Leo, Donny came closer and sat himself on the armchair's arm-rest.

"Any-body hungry yet?" He asked.

I pulled a face. "Not really."

Leo turned to Usagi who shook his head before he turned back to us. "Not yet."

"So we just gonna sit here twiddling our thumbs?" I asked, leaning back in the chair.

"Well," Donny said thoughtfully. "I could tell you guys about some of the weirder things I've found in Bishop's files."

I made a long, drawn out noise in aggravation. "You and your files! Honestly Donny you're obsessed."

He gave me a dirty look. "It was just a suggestion. Besides I wasn't referring to the files necessary to our mission, I meant some of the other things I've found which are kinda strange."

"What do you mean strange?" Leo asked, cocking a brow.

"Well, this Guy in the blue suit for one." Donny said. "Who, by the way, has a name as it turns out."

Mikey looked up from his comic, turning to stare at Don. "Oh yeah?"

Donny nodded. "I've found some minutes taken at a meeting at which he was present. Bishop doesn't seem to have a profile on him like he does with the others in his employment."

"So what's the whack-job called?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"In the minutes Bishop refers to him constantly as Mr. Tibalt, I looked a little deeper in what I had and his full name is Chad Tibalt." Donny said.

I made a choking noise, trying not to laugh. "'Chad?! That ain't a name that's a country!"

This time it was Donny who snerked before he cracked up. I felt proud. It's not often I can get Don to laugh.

I heard the rabbit give a light laugh as well and turned to him. I gotta tell ya, lately every time I see that guy laughing it was like an instant battery recharge. If he was still able to crack a smile then it means we weren't licked just yet.

"What's so funny?" I asked him with a sideways look.

He shook his head slightly. "It just does me good to hear that you are still undaunted by this bakemono despite everything he have endured."

I gave a shrug. "No point bein' scared of a guy we haven't met."

Usagi smiled and gave a nod. "It is best not to fear some-one at all. Just be cautious."

"Don' get me wrong I ain't sellin' the creep short." I said, becoming a little more serious. "I mean he got past you and you ain't exactly a push over."

I saw Leo smile but tried to ignore him.

Usagi laughed again and nodded his head at me. "Arigatou. However I must admit my attentions were divided when it attacked us." His smile fell slightly and I saw his expression become slightly hurt. "I had tried to put some distance between myself and Jotaru-kun, thinking that a fight would break out between this monster and I." He sighed. "In a way it sealed our fate, and gave him a better opportunity to steal him from my side."

The room suddenly became a lot quieter. I silently kicked myself for bringing up the topic.

Usagi shook his head again, but a little harder and more to himself before straightening and giving a small smile again. "But that is in the past. I had done what I had thought was the best course of action and that monster had merely manipulated me, knowing I did not expect his target to be Jotaro-kun."

"Why do you do that?" Mikey suddenly spoke up.

Usagi blinked and turned to look at him, slightly jarred by the sudden change of topic. "Eh?"

Mikey put the comic down, sitting up to stare at Usagi with large eyes. "Whenever you say the kid's name you always add an honorific at the end. He's your kid right? That's not normal is it?"

I winced inwardly. Dammit Mikey! Why, even when you're in a funk, do you still manage to be such a dink?

Not that I knew the answer, but I was sure it was none of our business. I saw Leo open his mouth to tell Mikey to shut up but before he could say anything Usagi broke into a smile again and answered.

"He is my son, this is true, but I was not the one who raised him." He shook his head at Mikey with a kind expression. "It is not my place to show such familiarity towards him. That is an honour Kenichi-san, his true father, holds. I do not want to wedge myself between them."

Mikey gave a pout. "It's just a name. It's not that a big a deal is it?"

"Mikey!" Leo hissed, giving him a dark look.

Mikey pulled a face and crossed his arms but went silent, looking away irritably.

"No, it is alright Leonardo." Usagi said, turning to give Leo a reassuring smile. "In all honesty I am surprised none of you have questioned the matter more than you have." His smile perked a little as he gave a more light-hearted grin. "Not that I do not feel touched at your thoughtfulness."

Leo made a noise. "It's none of our business. Besides the whole thing seemed, well, kinda complicated."

Usagi gave a nod and pulled an almost tired looking expression. "It is... a rather complex situation." He gave a slight breath. "But to put it simply, Jotaro-kun's adoptive father, Kenichi-san, is rather wary of me being in the boy's life." a strange sadness spread on his face. "I believe he sees me as somewhat of a threat."

"What, like you're gonna kidnap the kid and run away or somethin'?" I asked. I admit I was as curious as anybody about the whole thing, and even if he didn't wanna tell us the whole story I wanted to know a little more about all this, so whatever Usagi felt comfortable saying I wanted to hear.

"I think... he is more concerned that I would in some way steal the child's affections from him." He gave a light shrug. "I have never questioned him about it. I merely honour his wishes and try to show my respect."

"Ain't the kid got a say in it?" I asked, purposefully not looking at Leo who I know was glaring at me.

Usagi sunk a little at this. "...He does not know." He said hesitantly. I realised we were stepping into sensitive territory. "He does not know anything. All he knows me as is a friend of his family. Nothing more."

There was a short pause in which I frowned lightly to myself. Damn Usagi. You really got a raw deal huh?

"What about the mom?" Mikey said, once again with stunning disregard for anything personal.

"Seriously Mikey. Drop it." Leo said, giving him a very dark look.

This time he shifted uncomfortably, looking kinda ashamed as he went quiet, realizing he'd pushed his luck too far.

I was torn. On the one hand I wanted to smack Mike upside the head for bringing up things which were private and we had no right asking about, but on the other hand I was relieved to see him asking questions and, well, being a dork about it.

"Sorry." he mumbled sheepishly.

"Let's just forget it." Leo said, turning to Usagi with an embarrassed expression.

Usagi smiled reassuringly at him but said nothing. I could detect a hint of gratitude in his face. He didn't wanna go any deeper into it, I could tell.

"Uhm..." Donny said carefully. He hadn't even said anything yet and I could already tell he was trying to change the subject. "..How about we get dinner started?"

"Whose turn is it ta cook?" I asked.

"I'll do it." Leo said, getting up.

"No no! That's ok I got it!" Donny said, getting up quickly. It took all my self control not to crack up.

Leo frowned at him as Don started to head for the kitchen. "I'm not that bad!"

"Trust me Leo. They could use you in the military's biological weapons division." Donny said, shooting him a grin as he started to walk to the kitchen.

"Now you're just being silly." Leo grumbled, moving after him.

Usagi got up off the couch, shaking his head and rolling his eyes slightly as he followed them.

"Leo, have you even tried eating some of the stuff you cook?" Donny was saying as he left the room.

"Yes as a matter of fact!" Leo said, following after him.

Usagi moved to go after them but he paused slightly beside Mikey, leaning down towards him a little.

"Her name is Mariko." He said.

He then straightened and left the room, following my two other bros into the kitchen

---

I was gonna get up and go after them when I realised I was alone in the main room with Mikey. Mike was staying on the couch, his arms crossed over his chest as he sat and sulked to himself. I watched him quietly. He was staring unseeingly at his knees with a sullen expression, frowning to himself as he seemed to struggle with something. I pulled a face myself. This couldn't go on. I couldn't just sit here and watch whatever was wrong eat him alive like this. It was getting ridiculous.

I took a deep, mental breath. Here goes nothing.

"Don' let Leo get ya down Mikey." I said, keeping my tone of voice light. If he knew I was trying to crack his shield he'd completely lock me out and I'd never find out what's wrong.

He looked up, apparently surprised to see I was still in the room. He recovered and settled back into his troubled expression. "I didn't mean to bug him, I just wanted to know who she was."

I gave a small shrug. "Makes two of us, but ya can't really just ask like that. This is some deep stuff. We're talkin' Soap Opera material here."

Mikey make a soft noise, giving me a look. "Leo'll get annoyed if he hears you saying stuff like that."

I gave him a wide grin. "Yeah, but it's kinda true ain't it?"

I saw one of the corners of his mouth perk slightly. "Kinda, yeah."

I stretched myself a little, shifting my position in the chair. "Not his fault though am I right? Yeesh. Talk about bad luck ehn? Guy's got a bit of a rotten deal as far as the kid's concerned if ya ask me."

Mikey lowered his gaze and shifted a little. "I don't think we should be talking behind his back like that."

I frowned but not really at him. "Why not? I ain't sayin' nothin' bad about him. 'Sides," I rolled the dice. "We haven't really talked much at all lately."

I watched him closely for his reaction. I saw him tense up, taking note of the fact that he didn't look up to meet my eye.

"Lot's of stuff going on, yeah." He said unconvincingly.

I thought for a moment, keeping my gaze on him before I risked giving another small push. "Never stopped us before though." I leaned forward in my seat, resting my elbows and my knees. "Don' get me wrong, I'm enjoyin' the lack of moronic behaviour... but ya don' hafta overdo the whole 'bein' good' schtick you've picked up lately."

Mikey made a small noise, crossing his arms again, still not looking at me. "There's... just a lot of stuff going on. That's all."

I grumbled inwardly as I watched him. He was stonewalling me. But I could see I had found my mark and I was now picking at the wound.

"...That ain't true is it?" I said, letting my tone turn more serious.

Mikey winced slightly but otherwise didn't move.

I paused before I sighed, relaxing my posture a little. "You've been actin' squirrelly since ya came home from your little rumble in the park. It's... well..." I flitted my gaze to the side for a moment, unsure of what to say. Aw man, I'm no good at this stuff. "..It's kinda weirdin' me out."

Mikey uncrossed his arms and got up. "I don't wanna talk about it."

I snapped my eyes back to him, getting up too. Dammit! I can't lose him now!

"Hey, I don't mean it's buggin' me or nothin', it's just... it ain't right." I said, hoping desperately he'd understand what I was trying to say and not focus on what I was stammering out like an idiot.

He made a noise. I could see he wanted to walk away from the whole thing but for some reason, he didn't seem able to make himself do so. I kinda got the feeling he wanted to talk, but he was stopping himself.

I swallowed, trying again. "Look. It ain't just me gettin' creeped out ok? I don't..." I made an aggravated noise, rubbing the back of my neck with a hand before I turned to look at him again. "I don' like seein' ya mope around like this alright? You're drivin' me nuts and I just, I just wanna know what happened ok? I mean for cryin' out loud Mikey this ain't like ya! Somethin' happened to ya that night and I wanna know what cuz this is getting crazy!"

He turned his head sharply to look at me with a frown. "Hey, it's not my fault that jerk beat the crud outta me ok?! I'm sorry if Raphael is feeling jumpy but you don't need to know every little detail of my life!"

I held up my hands quickly, trying to disarm the conversation. "That ain't what I'm getting at Mikey. I just.... It's twistin' my guts not knowin' what happened ok? And obviously it's doin' the same thing ta you. I'm just sayin' I think it'd be better if ya tell me what went down."

He gave one of his annoyed groans and turned to walk away. "I don't wanna talk about this Raph. It's none of your business."

Before I could stop myself I went after him. I didn't want him to walk away to go sulk by himself somewhere, struggling with this thing of his all alone. I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"It is so my business! Look, you're skulking around the lair like some kinda zombie and I just don' wanna see that any-more!"

He twisted himself around, tearing away from me. "Let go of me!"

I felt a frown shoot on my face at this, not liking his sudden aggression. "I ain't lettin' ya leave till we sort this out Mike!"

He turned to march away angrily. "You can't tell me what to do Raph! You're not the boss of me!"

I gave a small growl, reaching out and grabbing him by the shoulder again. "Look would ya just listen to me?!"

He slapped my hand away, rather hard. "I said let go! Look what is your problem?!"

"My problem is I'm sick of you lettin' whatever this is poison ya alive!" I said.

"Well hey, That's your issue not mine!" He said, slapping his chest with his hands at me meaningfully.

I made a scoffing noise at this, I could hear the volume in my voice rise. "So you're sayin' it ain't your issue that ya got some kinda problem you're not talkin' about?!"

"So what if I'm not?!" He said, his voice going slightly louder than mine. "It doesn't matter alright?! You think whatever the heck you want but just leave me alone ok?! I'm not gonna do this with you!"

"It does so matter!!" I was yelling by now. "And I ain't leavin' ya alone!"

"Typical!" He yelled back. "You always whine that I bug the shell offa ya but then when I start leaving you alone you whine 'cause you don't like it!"

I gave my head a hard shake. "Don't try ta turn this back on me Mikey! It Ain't gonna work!"

"I'm not! But if you wanna think that then fine! be my guest! Just leave me out of it" He spun around to leave.

I growled angrily, grabbing him by both shoulders and turning him back to face me. "Look would ya just-!!"

He put his hands to my plastron and gave me a hard shove off of him.

I had to adjust my stance to keep my balance. I blinked at him, bewildered for only a fraction of a second before I felt my blood boil. He scowled at me, his shoulders arched forward.

He said nothing and I knew he was furious. You wanna see something freaky? Try Mikey when he's mad. He goes all super quiet and he gets this sharpness to his eyes when he glares at you.

I took a step closer to him, trying to keep myself from blowing up. "Mikey. I ain't playin' around-"

The second I got too close he shot his hands out again and shoved me back a second time.

That did it.

I gritted my teeth and instinctively threw my own arms out, not even fully aware I was doing so as I shoved him back. "Cut it out!"

He lunged forward to shove me a third time. I grabbed hold of him, gripping one his wrists tightly to stop him from pushing me again. I just wanted him to stop! He wriggled in my grip, shot me an ugly look before he gave a tight, angry noise and shot out a hand. I felt the strike against my face, the sudden icy sting on my cheek followed by the flash of heat as blood rushed under my skin around the area.

I was so shocked that for a moment I didn't even realise what he'd just done.

My vision flashed and I snapped.

I gave an angry cry and shot out a hand but he twisted himself free from my grip before he jumped out of the way. He avoided my blow before he launched himself forward right at me. I tried grabbing him to twist him off course but when I got my hands on him he lashed out. I felt him tackle me around my middle, knocking me over. I dug my fingers around the ridges on his shell, dragging him down with me. I felt control get seared away as my whole attention was focused purely on hitting him. I knew he hit back. I could feel it but it only half registered in my head. All I could think of was to drill into him. No reason. No logic. My thoughts and instinct concentrated only on hitting as hard as I could. Whiteness was piercing into my vision as I felt electricity shoot through my arm every time I threw a punch. Everything. Everything focused just on hitting him.

I felt a powerful lurch and something hauled me off of him violently. I felt my stomach turn at the sudden jolt but I was only stunned for a moment. I struggled furiously against whatever was restraining me, but this only caused it to tighten. I half heard words being yelled at me from somewhere close by as I glared at my opponent.

I saw him standing a few feet in front of me, arched towards me threateningly. Rage was still in his face but something was physically holding him back, preventing him from shooting forward towards me.

I struggled with an outraged cry, trying to rip myself free and finish the fight but again I felt the bonds around me tighten when I did so. Again I heard the sobering cold of some-one yelling at me. I heard my name being said as my blind rage started to cool.

"Raphael for the love of God CALM DOWN."

I eased my struggle, turning my glare back at Mikey. This time I could make out the arms locked around his chest, pinning him and stopping him from coming at me. I became aware of the tense muscles locked around me in a submission hold as well. Mikey was baring his teeth, his eyes narrowed at me and I felt my anger well up again. It was stopped short when my line of vision was blocked by a blue and white mirage. I turned to glare at it instead, recognizing the stony posture of Usagi. He glared straight back and didn't break eye contact. His eyes were hard and chilling. Somewhere deep inside me I felt my will buckle slightly. Just enough to regain my senses.

"Raph What the Hell is going on?!" I heard Leo's voice, realising it was him who was holding me back. Somewhere behind Usagi I heard Donny's voice say something to Mike.

I gave a frustrated snarl and tried to pull free from him again but he had me pinned tight. "Leo Get the hell offa me!!" I snapped.

"Are you out of your mind?!" He yelled, not letting go. "Raphael what in Heaven's name did you think you think you were doing?!"

I felt deeply insulted by this statement, my anger bubbling up all over again. "What am I Doin'?! I Ain't doin' Jack shit!!"

"What do you you call this?!" Leo screamed, letting me go. He sounded angrier than I was. "We come in to see what the noise is and we find you two beating the hell out of each other!! What were you thinking?! Do you honestly think we need to deal with your hot-headed, irrational bullshit right now?!"

"Hey! Fuck you!!" I yelled back as I spun to face him, enraged by the accusation. "Why the hell do you automatically assume it's me?! What kinda sick, mindless psycho do you think I-?!"

I was cut off when I felt a hard blow from behind, knocking me down. I slammed against the ground rather hard before I spun around to face what had hit me. I saw Leo shoot forward and grab hold of Mikey, dragging my struggling brother off of me.

As soon as I felt myself free I jumped to my feet. A hand shot out and planted itself firmly on my chest, not in a blow but hard enough to stop me from lunging at Mikey again. I half registered the white fur and the commanding. 'Yamero!', ordering me to stay put.

Leo had grabbed Mikey and was holding him back. Mikey was trying to pry himself loose, with little success.

"Michelangelo calm down!" Leo said loudly, but with less anger and more shock than when he'd told me to do the same thing.

Mikey wasn't listening. He gave a last attempt to twist himself free before giving up, settling for trying to bore holes into me with his eyes instead. I saw his shoulders raise and his face twist. Unable to react on his anger physically, he was forced to settle for words.

"What the hell do you want from me Raph?!" He shouted as furious tears ran down his face. "What?!"

"I don' want nothin' from ya!!" I screamed back, trying to take a step forward but I felt Usagi increase the pressure in his hand on my plastron, preventing me from doing so.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?!" Mikey yelled. "I hate you!!"

A tremor ran through me and I froze, gaping at him. I stood dumbstruck for a moment before I opened my mouth to shoot back a retort but in my hesitation he interrupted again.

"I hate you!!" He repeated, putting extra venom into the word, struggling against Leo again. " I HATE you!!"

I physically flinched each time. I felt my rage catch fire and expected the familiar explosion of fury to start all over again, but every time it was about to Mikey shot it down, repeating the word over and over again. Not adding anything to his argument. Just repeating himself endlessly, hammering the word further and further into my brain.

"I HATE you!"

"Mikey! Mikey for heaven's sake calm down!!" Leo was saying but I could hear the underlying desperation in his voice now, his anger gone.

I glared at my Mikey, gritting my teeth but I could feel my anger burning itself out. I felt reality flood back into focus. I could see Leo trying to keep a firm grip around Mikey's chest, staring at him with an expression somewhere between assertiveness and horror. I saw Donny a good few paces behind them, his hands both raised to his face as he bit down on a thumb, his shoulder visibly shaking as he watched us with a panicked expression. I saw Usagi standing right in front of me, his eyes focused on mine, his officer's stare staying but I could see the shaken confusion underneath it. I saw Mikey, finally shutting up as tears ran down his face, keeping his eyes locked on me with a seething expression. I became aware of the taste of copper in my mouth and the dull ache from where he'd hit me.

The word was still ringing in my ears. I could hear it echoing in my head as I watched him glare straight at me with nothing but pure loathing. My chest was tightening and I felt the slow, prickling sensation of blood flooding into my face.

I spun around, out of Usagi's hand and marched away from the scene as fast as I could. I heard Usagi call after me but I ignored him. A bitter sensation was growing in my stomach as I felt something choke me. I tried desperately to dig up my anger so that I could fume and glower but it was no use. I felt my energy drain away, my rage being replaced by something dark and knotted.

I found myself in my room, not completely sure how I'd gotten there as I slammed the door behind me before leaning my shell against it. The room felt absurdly quiet, dark and empty.

I slid down the door, sitting against it. My hands curled tightly into fists as I realised I was shaking all over. My heart was throbbing in my chest like it was trying to punch its way out. The twisted feeling in my gut didn't go away and my face stung with the rush of blood. My vision started to blur.

In the silence Mikey's words looped themselves in my mind, louder each time.

'I hate you.'

I shut my eyes tight but it was no use. The knot in my stomach broke, and I felt my shoulders start to twitch.

Xxxxx

Out of all the chapters I've done, I think I struggled the most with this one.

I could've split this into 2 chapters easily, but that would've broken the flow of the whole event. So extra, ridiculously long chapter it is!