I don't own TMNT or UY

Early update is early :) and thanks for all the encouragement guys!

Xxxxx

"Mikey don't ya dare!!" Raph snapped aggressively.

Mikey turned his large blue eyes to him, blinking before he broke into a wide, cheeky grin and grabbed the last slice of pizza anyway.

"Dammit!" Raph lunged at him, trying to retrieve the slice. "Mikey ya know I called dibs on the last piece!!"

"Awww." Mikey cooed at him, holding the slice out of his reach as he put his foot to Raph's plastron, keeping him at bay. "Did little Raphael have his heart set on the precious last slice?"

"Don't push it Mike! I swear I'll kill ya all over again!" Raph growled, trying to make a grab for the slice of pepperoni.

Mikey gave a laugh before he leaned onto his shell, stretching back on the couch and holding the piece out at arms length behind him for his accomplice to snatch.

"Arigatou!" The boy said with a wide grin before he took a large bite out of his prize.

"Aw well that's just great!" Raph said, sinking into a dark sulk before glaring at Mikey angrily. "Ya really play dirty ya know that?"

Mikey grinned, sticking his tongue out at him.

"Geez guys. It's not like we're all out. There's still half of the goat cheese and olives left over." Donny said, shaking his head with mock disgust.

Raph stared at him with an unimpressed expression. "Don. Do ya even hear yourself when ya talk?"

Usagi made a noise to himself and I turned to look at him. He was watching the scene with an almost tired expression.

"They are like gulls squabbling over a fisherman's scraps." he commented.

I rolled my eyes. "You should see them when April brings over some ice cream."

Usagi shook his head before he turned his attention to the boy. "(You should not encourage them Jotaro-kun.)"

Jotaro turned to blink at the samurai before giving a sheepish smile. "(I'm sorry Usagi-san!)"

Usagi sighed but smiled warmly at him anyway.

I smiled as well, taking a sip from my soda.

It'd been just over a week since we finally returned from our hellish experience with Tibalt, although it felt much longer to me. The way things were when we first got home and how they were right now felt like two different realities. Those first few hours were all a blur to me. Nothing but panic, fear and dread. I remember being so terrified I was hardly able to function at all. If Sensei hadn't been there I know I would've buckled under the stress and just fallen apart. Thank heaven for Master Splinter.

He'd kept us calm, telling us what to do, what to focus on and what we needed to look for. His tone of voice had been so clear, so commanding and certain that not once did I even consider the idea that he was scared out of his mind, just like the rest of us. He herded us like frightened children, calming us down and focusing our attentions. I had felt myself regain my sanity, feeling control flood back into me as I followed his orders, making sure Mikey was kept warm and would be ok.

It was a very long day and an even longer night. But Mikey held out, and by morning we could relax a little. The blue bolt of energy had given his system a very bad shock. He didn't have any serious burns or open wounds due to the strike. The only physical wounds he seemed to have were whatever Tibalt had managed to land on him during the fight. The scare he'd given us had come from his system shutting itself down after the strike of energy hit him. It had stretched my nerves to breaking point as we waited to see if he would survive the first night, severely weakened by the bolt as his body tried to gather enough strength to start the healing process. He didn't wake up, but when morning came without any scares or dangers we all breathed a little easier.

Once the initial shock was over Splinter insisted to look over the rest of us to be sure none of us were harbouring any injuries ourselves that we might be unaware of. Thankfully, no-one seemed seriously injured apart from some bad bruises and a few cuts and scratches.

Aside from Mikey, Usagi was probably the worst for wear. Tibalt had bruised some of his ribs rather badly when he smashed him against the ground and Master Splinter thought there was even the possibility of one being broken, but it wasn't life threatening and sadly, we couldn't do much but give him something for the pain and make sure he didn't exert himself, giving the injury time to heal. His wrist was also sprained which concerned the samurai as he was afraid it might affect the speed of his draw. Sensei assured him however that the injury wouldn't take too long to heal and that nothing was broken, but until then his swords should remain in their sheaths.

For this reason it was decided Usagi would be spending a little more time with us before he took Jotaro home. Usagi didn't argue, knowing it was for his own good. If he was attacked by bandits in his own dimension in this condition it would spell disaster.

I'd received some bad blows to my chest that were taking their time to heal but I had nothing serious bothering me. My neck was bruised, something which I could see really infuriated Master Splinter despite his efforts to hide it, but it would be ok. Raph had suffered some blows to the head but thankfully, my hot-headed brother had a very thick skull. He also put my final worries to rest the second day of our returned when he proceeded to demolish his punching bag in a fit of rage, working out his frustrations. Of the four of us, Donny was probably the best off with only a few bruises and cuts.

A testament to the success of our mission was the fact that Jotaro wasn't hurt at all. He was hungry, very tired and downright miserable for a few days, but he'd suffered no injuries. That in itself was a miracle. As much as I wanted to throttle him for scaring me, I silently praised Mikey. He'd done the right thing, and I knew he knew it.

On the third day he regained consciousness, much to every-one's relief. He was very groggy and spent most of the day asleep, but he could talk and he recognized all of us. Only then did I finally let myself feel fully relieved. I was still concerned, but I was able to accept that he was gonna be ok.

I think the only person more relieved than I was, was Raph. He'd hardly slept a wink since we got home and apart from the fit of rage on the second day of our return he'd been silent, spending most of his time brooding to himself darkly or vigilantly sitting by Mikey's side, glowering to himself. The second day home, when we got ourselves something to eat he'd declined the food, that is until Master Splinter shot him a very sharp, icy stare. Raph thought better of it and joined us, even if he didn't eat much. Sensei was in no mood for stubbornness, and Raph knew better than to get him angry.

I knew Raph and Mikey were close, but this felt like there was more to it than just that. At one point when things started getting better again I asked Raph if anything had happened in the base while we were out of contact that would fuel his concern to such an extreme but, typical Raph, he wouldn't elaborate. He simply told me Mikey and him went though 'some bad stuff' and that he was just happy Mike had gotten through it.

That was a gross understatement though. Mikey hadn't 'gotten through it', he'd risen above and beyond it. As he regained his strength and became more active I was beside myself to find him back to his old self; smiling, cheerful and, as much as he was able to be in his condition, annoying as hell. I didn't know what had triggered it, if it was some kind of sappy, Oprah-esque near-death experience thing or if something had happened while he was in the base or if knowing Tibalt was dead had helped him snap out of it. I was itching for him to tell me, but whenever I brought it up he evaded the question and changed the subject. Eventually I had to accept he wasn't gonna tell me, and I merely took comfort in the fact that, whatever had caused it, it seemed to have done the job. If Mikey was going to let me know what it was, he would have to do so in his own time. No amount of questioning from me was gonna get it out of him, that much was certain.

With Mikey on the mend, Jotaro brightened up too. Raph had pulled me aside at one point and told me the little boy felt somewhat responsible for what happened, and I'd made sure to let Usagi know. I didn't feel comfortable discussing it with the kid myself and I knew Usagi had a better idea how to handle the situation. But with Mikey getting better Jotaro seemed to forget his guilt and started acting more like a boy his age should.

He really was a great kid. He and Mike had become very close. I couldn't blame them. After all it'd been Mikey who'd first freed the boy, and then saved his life. Kids don't forget things like that, and Mikey was all for making new friends, especially ones who enjoyed mischief almost as much as he did.

The combined power of Mikey and Jotaro was a force to be reckoned with, I'll tell you that much. Still, I found great enjoyment in watching them goof around and drive Raph crazy. What made it even more hilarious was the fact that Raph was still too worried about Mikey to pound him, and he didn't dare lay a hand on Usagi's kid, so he had no ammunition other than threats and chasing the boy around the lair. Mikey wasn't up to a 100% yet and wasn't able to get into a proper scuffle with Raph, but I knew it wouldn't be long before they were fighting over the remote and breaking things in the wake of their struggles once again.

One thing that was interesting as much as it was heartbreaking to watch was Usagi's relationship with the boy. Watching how they talked, what they talked about and just their general interactions with each other really did give me the firm impression that I was watching a father and his son. But every time the boy would call his father by his first name or refer to him, however affectionately, as 'Ouji-san' I could feel my heart bleed for my friend. Never once however did Usagi show any sadness or regret about it though, talking happily and cheerful with the child about whatever the boy had to say. Usagi was also not above scolding him when he felt Jotaro was wearing Mikey out or being a nuisance, and in turn, Jotaro listened to him.

It was a very strange relationship to watch, both touching and heart-wrenching at the same time. I felt very removed from the whole thing. I couldn't help but feel that fate had really given Usagi the worst deal in the whole world. Usagi deserved to be happy and open to love his own son dammit! It bothered me. It bothered me so deeply I found myself getting openly aggravated about it, angry at whatever joker thought that that would be an interesting twist in Usagi's life.

Not to mention all that stuff Tibalt had said to him in the portal room. I knew from personal experience that this nightmare creature knew exactly how to tap into your thoughts and pull out whatever your deepest wishes and fears were so it could manipulate them. I knew the things it had touched on; family, Jotaro and whoever the woman was were all probably very real, and that these things really did hold a deep hurt for Usagi.

He deserved more than all this. It wasn't fair.

Usagi laughed as Raph got up threateningly and marched over to the boy, causing Jotaro to jump and take off across the base before Raph managed to grab him.

I smiled, giving a chuckle. "He's fast."

Usagi turned and gave me a smile. "He had better be with the look on your brother's face."

I gave him a sideways glance. "But you're not gonna jump in and help him are you?"

He grinned widely at me. "And spoil our entertainment? Not at all."

"Jeez Raph! You must be getting old!" Mikey teased as Raph ran after the kid. "Ya can't even catch one measly little bunny rabbit!"

"Keep talkin' Mikey! You're gonna be next!" Raph growled over his shoulder.

Donny groaned. "Can't you guys just shut up and eat the goat-cheese and olive one? It's gonna get cold."

Mikey turned his smile from Raph to Donny. "You're getting old too! You have no sense of fun!"

"You're brother is right Donatello-san." Usagi said, giving Don a rather obnoxious smile. "and your food preferences do not help the image at all."

"I know right?!" Mikey grinned, happy to have a back-up.

"Not that any of it is really that appetizing," Usagi scrunched his nose slightly, pulling a face in open disgust. "but I see no reason to torture yourself Donatello-san!"

Donny shot him a light glare. "You know, you're as big of a dork as Mikey is sometimes."

I couldn't help but laugh at this.

-----

It was late in the evening. Mikey had fallen asleep on the couch, Jotaro draped sideways over his shell.

Raph had gone to bed while Donny was at his workstation, clearing Bishop's files off his computer, storing them onto a separate hard-drive in case they ever became useful again for one reason or another. Master Splinter was in his room, meditating.

I exited the kitchen, carrying a cup of tea as I moved to Donny's room where I was still bunking while Usagi and Jotaro shared mine.

I snuck past the couch, turning to look at it as I wondered if I should get the two of them a blanket before I went to bed. I came to a stop when I saw Usagi leaning over the back of the couch, fiddling with something.

I frowned, curious as to what he was doing. I came closer, treading softly so I wouldn't wake my little brother and the boy. Usagi heard me however and turned to see who I was. He smiled when he recognized me.

"Oh, Leonardo. I thought you had already retired for the night." He said, keeping his voice low.

"I was just about to." I said, taking a sip from my cup. "What's going on here?"

Usagi gave a sheepish grin. "Nothing. I was merely making sure they were both warm."

I blinked, looking over the couch's back to see he'd done what I myself had thought about doing, having put a blanket over both Mikey and Jotaro. I had caught him in the act of tucking the child in.

I gave him a smile. "You like to fuss don't you?"

He pulled a face at me in mock annoyance. "Come come now. You should not make fun at my expense."

I gave a chuckle. "Alright, calm down. To be honest I was thinking of doing the same thing."

Usagi smiled again, turning and finishing the job carefully.

I stayed, watching him carefully wrap the blanket around the little boy, making sure that there was nowhere he might get a chill from and that he was comfortable lying the way he was.

"You could just take him back to my room and put him down for the night." I said as I watched.

Usagi nodded. "I know. But I do not have the heart to do so."

I smiled, gentler this time as I nodded. "They've kinda grown on each other haven't they?" I sighed. "Mikey's gonna be lonely when you two go home."

Usagi chuckled, giving me a sideways glance. "Lonely? With the three of you around here? Forgive me Leonardo, but 'lonely' is not a word I would choose to describe your home."

I grinned. "Oh? And what word would you use?"

His smile became more genuine as he straightened, satisfied that the boy was settled. "A great many as a matter of fact." He flashed me a grin. "Energetic being one of them, but also comforting, pleasant and welcoming."

I smiled at him. "Then we haven't driven you crazy yet."

He gave a light laugh. "Not as of yet no. If anything... I find myself very grateful for your antics, these walls and the now familiar comforts within them." His smile fell ever so slightly. "Especially after our heavy burdens."

I gave an understanding nod, my smile fading as well.

Usagi said nothing for a moment, looking around at the lair thoughtfully. "I had almost forgotten the atmosphere a home has within it. You and your brothers remind me of why a settled life is so attractive to us wanderers."

My smile disappeared completely at this as I watched him. He looked over the high ceiling of the lair, the railings running up the stairs to the higher level, the doors to the service elevator, the small hallway leading to our individual rooms and the doorway to the kitchen. He smiled sadly to himself, lost in his own thoughts.

I bit my lip before I spoke again. "D'you think you're ever gonna settle down?"

He blinked, pulled from his thoughts as he turned back to me. He gave a soft laugh. "But of course. No-one can remain a vagabond his whole life."

I pulled a slight face. "Yeah. I guess not."

He smiled at me. "I have considered it very seriously in the past... ..however..." His eyes drifted back to Jotaro sleeping peacefully against Mikey's shell. "...certain matters arose that made it uncomfortable for me to remain in my home village."

A felt a small lump in my throat as I followed his gaze, staring at the sleeping child.

We said nothing for a few moments, the weight of the subject hanging thick in the air.

I swallowed, licked my lips, and then stepped into sensitive territory. "Usagi-san.. ..will you ever tell him the truth?"

Usagi was silent, staring lovingly at the small boy, but I knew he'd heard me.

After a pause he sighed, closing his eyes. "That is not my decision to make."

I felt the now familiar aggravation rise in me slightly. "Oh bullshit! Of course it's your decision to make! He's your son! If it's not your decision to make then whose is it?"

He blinked, turning back to me with a surprised expression. He relaxed again, giving me a warm smile. "You care too much and too easily Leonardo."

I growled lightly, cupping my hands around my tea and taking a drink irritably. "It's just not fair is all."

"No." Usagi agreed. "It is not. But then... it is what it is. Such is karma."

"Yeah? Well karma sucks." I grumbled.

Usagi snerked and put a hand to his mouth to stop himself from laughing, afraid he might wake Mikey and Jotaro.

I frowned at him. "I was being serious."

He nodded, calming himself down. "I know you were. That is why it is funny."

He turned to me, smiling softer but with a more more serious look in his eyes. "Tell me my friend, if one day a stranger came to your door, one of your own kind and told you he was your true flesh and blood... would you abandon your Sensei and father to be with him instead?"

I winced, pulling a slight face at this. "Yeah but see, there's no physical way for that to happen."

He gave a patient nod. "I am aware of this. But for argument's sake, say that it were possible and it happened... How would you feel?"

I thought about this for a moment, considering the situation and what it would mean for me personally. I tried to envision how it might play out, what might be said and how my family's reactions would be based on how I knew them.

I sighed. "In all honesty... I would never be able to see Master Splinter as anything but my true father. And what's more I would probably be quite angry, perhaps even resentful towards a stranger who would come in and disrupt our lives."

Usagi smiled sadly, giving a nod. "Exactly."

I gave him an almost desperate look. "But this is different! I mean, he knows who you are and he's very fond of you anyway! It's not the same thing!"

He tilted his head at me. "Is it not?"

I stammered at this before I went silent, thinking it over. I tried to picture the scene again, this time trying to see it from Jotaro and Usagi's point of view, taking into account all the feelings they already had for each other. It was a little tricky because I didn't know Jotaro's adoptive parent so I automatically thought of him with irritation, as some-one who was denying my friend his right as a father. So instead, I substituted the faceless man with Master Splinter.

I sighed. "Ok... I kinda get the point... I guess."

Usagi nodded again. He put a hand to my shoulder comfortingly. "You worry far too much my brother. But take comfort. I will be alright. I am fortunate enough to have the child in my life, even if it is not in the way I wish it to be. More importantly, I have the good fortune of knowing and seeing him as a happy, content individual. That is all I really need."

"Yeah but..." I bit my lip. "...When we were in the portal room.. ..that man said all those things...."

Usagi frowned lightly. "That was immoral of him... and I will admit I was grieved by his words and insights. But I have come to accept how my life has played itself out and how fate has decided to twist the path I walk. I have had great sadness, this is true, but my joys outweigh my miseries, We can never know what lies ahead of us." He smiled again. "But we can take comfort that, whatever happens, something will lie ahead of us. Because, the most terrible and wonderful thing of this world Leonardo... is that life always carries on."

I listened, staring at the cooling liquid in my cup. I couldn't think of anything to say. Usagi was right and I knew it, but I still felt the sting of sympathy in my chest. I knew he was right, but it didn't lessen the hurt I felt for him, nor did it change how much I wished he could just settle down with his son and live happily ever after and never be separated again.

My expression must have given me away because he gave a light laugh. "Do not look so morbid my friend. It is not as bad as all that. After all, I am not alone. I have more friends than I deserve, and all of them are the kind one does not forget."His smile brightened. "And yes, you are included in that list."

I gave a half-hearted smile at this. "Yeah. Likewise."

He gave a nod. "I have an embarrassment of riches in my life Leonardo. Take comfort in that."

I nodded back, raising my eyes again. "Don't worry, I will." I managed to give him a real smile.

He nodded again, turning. "It is late. We should rest."

I nodded, turning to head to Donny's room.

I took another sip of my tea as we walked before I spoke again. "Mikey's not gonna be the only one who's gonna be lonely when you guys go..."

He turned to look at me again, tilting his head slightly.

I gave him an embarrassed smile. "I'm really gonna miss ya."

He smiled warmly at this, patting me on my shell affectionately. "You must visit me next time. There is much I would like to show you of my world." He stopped at my door, pushing it open to enter. "And besides... I will miss you greatly as well."

I smiled back. "Goodnight Usagi."

"Oyasumi." He echoed, closing the door behind him.

Xxxxx

I do not share Leo's anger towards Stan Sakai XDD Forgive me sir!

One more update to go!