A/N: Hey guys, here's the next chapter. Might be a few days before I can update again though. I'm going to be in and out all day tomorrow and it is back to work Tuesday so if I'm lucky I'll get the next chapter up by Wednesday night or Thursday. Thank you again for those who take the time to review. I'll be back as soon as I can I promise.

Chapter 8

"Ah, geez, take it easy, April!" Leonardo grumbled as the red head poked the back of his head and tsked.

"You're going to need stitches, Leo," April said reaching for a needle and thread while ignoring Leonardo's grumblings.

Leonardo sighed, he'd figured as much when he'd heard Donatello's sharp inhale when he saw the wound on Leonardo's head. His brother had grumbled about Leonardo being so stubborn, about not saying anything when he was hurt and he'd shook his head. They didn't have time to worry about a little head wound when Michelangelo's lungs and heart could possibly be being crushed by air filling his chest cavity and Raphael was at home possibly dying from internal bleeding.

Leonardo squirmed on the chair he was sitting on when he felt the needle pierce the soft flesh. He didn't want to worry about his superficial wound when Michelangelo and Raphael were in the next room fighting for their lives. He wanted to be in there with them, he had to know that they were going to be ok.

April put a firm hand on his shoulder. "The more you move around, Leo, the longer this is gonna take. I know you want to get in there and be with your brothers but we need to take care of you too."

Leonardo subsided with a sigh, holding perfectly still while April went about the delicate task. He knew that Donatello was usually better at these kinds of things, as so was Splinter, but both were busy in the infirmary caring for Michelangelo and Raphael. Leonardo could hear the x-ray machine from here.

"There," April said after a few minutes, putting some antibacterial ointment and placing a gauze patch over it. She looked at him with a critical eye. "Anything else we should check out?"

Leonardo shook his head ignoring the dull pain in his chest where Hun had punched him. He could talk to Donatello about that later, right now he had to see how his brothers were.

"Ok then, you are free to go," April said.

Leonardo was off the chair and sprinting towards the infirmary within seconds. He paused when he smelt Splinter's warm fur and sweet breath.

Splinter turned and smiled as Leonardo joined him, his face drawn in his anxiety.

"You did very well tonight, my son," Splinter praised him.

"Thank you, Sensei," Leonardo said quietly. But he felt no pride within him, if he had been faster – if had been able to get to his brothers sooner than maybe two of them wouldn't be fighting for their lives now.

"Leonardo," Splinter said seriously. Leonardo turned towards him his blank eyes staring somewhere over Splinter's shoulder.

"Master?"

"You must not blame yourself for your brothers' conditions. You got them all home, you must be proud of what you have accomplished tonight."

Leonardo nodded once to show he understood what Splinter was telling him, even if he didn't necessarily believe it to be true. He waited, holding his breath as Donatello worked the x-ray machine several more times before turning it off. He heard Donatello sigh and he frowned.

"Donny?" Leonardo asked worriedly.

"His lung isn't punctured," Donatello said with obvious relief. "It's probably bruised though and he's going to be sore for a while. There's no sign of any pressure on his lungs or heart so there isn't any air leaking into his chest cavity. He had a pretty nasty cut on his arm but I've stitched it, but other than that he's fine. I'd say that after a couple weeks Mikey'll be just fine."

Leonardo felt relief swell in his chest. "And Raph?"

"He lost a lot of blood, Leo. Even with the blood transfusions Master Splinter and April have been giving him his blood count is still really low." Donatello frowned and Splinter's whiskers twitched.

"I've checked his wound, and the cut appears fairly clean, I didn't see any signs of internal bleeding when I did the x-rays on him. Though the blade was really close to slicing into his liver."

Leonardo winced.

"If you hadn't found him and gotten him back when you did, Leo. I don't think Raph would have lasted much longer. He's still really cold and that too has me concerned, he was exposed to the elements for too long. He's warming up a little bit but we don't want to shock his system by warming him up too fast. I've stitched his side but we'll have to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected. I'll keep him on the ventilator for now, it's putting less stress on his lungs. We need to get his blood pressure down though, I'm probably going to have to draw more blood. Leo, you and Raph have the same blood type… "

"I'll give him anything he needs, Donny," Leonardo assured him.

Donatello nodded his head then remembered that Leonardo couldn't see him. "I'll let you know if I need to draw some."

Leonardo bobbed his head in acknowledgement, then narrowed his eyes. "Are you hurt anywhere, Donny?"

Donatello shook his head. "I've got a bump on the head but I'm ok, Leo."

Splinter narrowed his eyes too. "Donatello, you cannot help your brothers if you were to collapse from hidden injuries."

Donatello winced. "I'm ok, Sensei. Just a few bumps and minor cuts but they've been treated already. I just need some coffee."

"You are not to have coffee tonight, Donatello," Splinter said sternly. "You are to go get some rest." Splinter turned to Leonardo. "As are you, Leonardo. I will take the first watch with your brothers and wake you in a few hours."

Leonardo knew there was no point in arguing, besides he was worn out after his long night and his chest was really starting to bother him. Lying down sounded really good right about now.

"But, Master Splinter, what if… " Donatello protested.

"If there is any change in either of your brothers' conditions I will alert you at once, Donatello," Splinter assured him.

Donatello subsided with a sigh. "Yes, Master Splinter." He followed Leonardo out of the infirmary and towards the stairs. He saw Leonardo pause at the bottom stair and frowned. Leonardo was rubbing gingerly at his chest and his face was screwed up with pain.

"Leo? You ok?" Donatello asked hurrying over to his brother.

Leonardo started and turned towards his brother's voice. "I'm fine, Donny. Just tired."

"Are you sure?" Donatello pressed.

"Just drop it ok, Donny!" Leonardo snapped, jerking away when Donatello touched his arm. He started up the stairs, a bit slower than usual and stalked off towards his room.

"Ok, Leo," Donatello said a moment after he heard Leonardo's door shut with a distinct snap. He walked wearily up the stairs and headed for his own room, his bed promising the promise of some much needed sleep.

Leonardo leaned against his closed door for several long minutes as the sharp pain in his chest throbbed then finally subsided a bit. Perhaps he should've had Donatello check him out just in case. He shook his head a little as he walked slowly across the room to the promise of his soft bed.

He laid down on his carapace and closed his eyes, waiting for sleep to take him. His body ached with the exertion he had put it through today and he could feel his exhaustion clawing at him. He drew in a deep breath in through his nose and felt his body relax against the soft mattress.

I got them home. Leonardo thought, a slight smile making the corners of his mouth curve.

Despite how he had felt about his lack of sight it hadn't hindered him too much when he'd gone after his brothers. And some of his other senses had really aided him tonight. His sharp hearing had picked up on the lightest footsteps. He could smell when someone was approaching him, could feel the vibrations through the ground when they were close. It had made his attacks more accurate, his aim more deadly as he fought them.

And then there had been Paul. Leonardo was sure that they wouldn't have made it out if it hadn't been for the young purple dragon. Leonardo wouldn't have known where to look for Donatello's supplies, and he was sure he wouldn't have been able to pick that lock on his own. Donatello being on the inside of the enclosure wouldn't have been much help with that either.

And then there had been that terrifying moment when Hun had gotten him on the ground and Leonardo had been too winded to get back up. His only thought had been that at least Donatello and Michelangelo had made it out safely. But then Paul had been there again, taking down Hun and helping them escape once again, risking his own life in the process. But even after all that he had thanked them for saving his life, had been grateful for them giving him the chance he needed to leave the purple dragons. He really was a great kid and hopefully he made it out ok.

Leonardo's eyes snapped open as a sharp pain ripped through his chest when he shifted. He gasped, his hand automatically flying towards his chest and pressing down on the sore spot gingerly. Another flash of pain shot through his chest making him gasp once again. He grimaced and breathed in through his mouth, focusing on blocking out the pain.

I should've told, Donny. Leonardo berated himself as the pain dulled only slightly this time. He could feel his heart beating painfully against his ribs.

Moving slowly Leonardo rolled into a sitting position and waited for the nausea to subside before attempting to get to his feet. He made his way slowly across his room. By the time he reached his door he could feel the sweat working its way down his face, his hands were slick with it, and the sharp pains in his chest where stealing what little breath he had. They were getting sharper, more frequent, and as another sharp pain hit him he felt his legs start to give out on him. Leonardo clutched at the door handle in desperation to stay on his feet. He had to get to Donny. Something was wrong.

It took him several times to get the door open, his sweaty hand kept slipping on the handle. When he did he found himself breathless with the pain. He winced as he made his way down the short hallway to Donatello's room, knocking softly.

"Donny?" Leonardo called quietly. "You awake?"

He got no answer. He hesitated, he didn't want to wake Donatello if he was asleep, after all it had been a long night for all of them. But another sharp pain ripped through his chest and he knocked again, a bit louder this time.

"Donny?"

He heard Donatello groan on the other side of the door and then the swish of fabric moving as Donatello got out of bed. Donatello's feet padded softly on the floor, there was a loud creak and Donatello's door opened.

"Leo?" Donatello asked sleepily, rubbing at his eyes and suppressing a yawn. He felt like he'd barely started to drift off when Leonardo had woken him.

"Donny, I think I… " Leonardo's breath caught as another pain hit him and his knees gave out on him. Donatello's strong arms caught him before he could crumple to the floor.

"LEO?" Donatello voice was sharp with alarm. "Leo? What's wrong?"

"My chest…something's…" Leonardo winced, his eyes squeezing shut automatically against the pain. "Something's wrong."

Donatello muttered something under his breath that Leonardo didn't catch, he was too distracted by the sharp pain.

"What happened?" Donatello demanded, gripping Leonardo's arm and wrapping one arm around him to help support him as he lead him towards the stairs so he could get him down to the infirmary.

"Hun… " Leonardo wheezed. He heard Donatello's sharp inhale and winced as Donatello's hand automatically tightened its grip on his arm.

"Why didn't you say something earlier?" Donatello demanded angrily.

"Didn't think it was that serious," Leonardo muttered.

"You never think its that serious," Donatello muttered under his breath. "Your shell could be cracked in half and you wouldn't think it was serious."

Leonardo couldn't help but smirk as the two of them reached the base of the stairs.

"Where did he hit you?" Donatello demanded as they made their way slowly across the den and into the infirmary. Splinter, who had been watching Raphael and Michelangelo turned towards them as they entered, his sharp eyes landing on Donatello's face, his piercing eyes demanding an explanation.

"Leonardo didn't tell me that he took a hit to the chest, he might have some cracked, if not broken ribs, Sensei."

Splinter's sharp eyes flew to Leonardo who seemed to shrink a little as if he knew that Splinter's piercing look was burning a hole into him.

"Why did you not tell your brother this before, Leonardo?" Splinter asked, his whiskers twitching.

"I should have, Sensei. I'm sorry," Leonardo said wincing a bit as Donatello helped him to lie down before hurrying off to get the x-ray machine up.

"How badly does it hurt, my son?" Splinter's tone softened as he approached his son, laying a hand on Leonardo's shoulder.

Leonardo closed his eyes and sighed. "It's pretty sore, Sensei."

"Ok, Leo, I'm gonna take some x-rays to see how bad the damage is," Donatello said stepping up next to them. Splinter stepped back, allowing his son to have the room he needed to work.

He watched while Donatello took several x-rays of his brother's chest, his eyes narrowing against the images he was seeing. Splinter approached him and glanced at the images as well. He could see a couple cracks in two ribs, but one appeared to be fractured though the alignment wasn't off as bad as it could have been. It would set fairly well on its own.

Donatello turned his sharp glare onto his brother who hadn't moved since before the x-rays. Leonardo's eyes were closed and he seemed to be focused on keeping his breathing even.

Donatello sighed, walked over to his small storage cupboard of medicine they'd managed to obtain and filled a syringe with a painkiller. He grabbed an alcohol wipe and approached the blue-banded turtle.

"Leo, you've got two cracked and one fractured rib. Your fractured rib could have easily shifted and pierced a lung," He reprimanded his brother. Leonardo had enough sense to look abashed. "I'm going to have to wrap your ribs to keep them stable and no sparing or heavy training for at least six weeks, you need to give those ribs time to heal."

"Six weeks?" Protested Leonardo looking annoyed.

"You will do as your brother recommends, Leonardo," Splinter told him firmly. "You are not to aggravate those injuries."

"Yes, Sensei," Leonardo said a bit bitterly. The thought of being unable to train for six weeks already had him going stir crazy.

"You don't have to stay in bed, Leo. You can even do basic katas if you want, just nothing strenuous, we don't need that rib shifting and piercing your lung."

"Ok, Donny," Leonardo sighed, resigned. He felt the cold alcohol wipe and then the needle pierced the crook of his elbow. He felt the burn as the painkillers emptied into his bloodstream.

"These will knock you out for a while, Leo. You want me to set up another cot down here or do you want help getting upstairs.

Leonardo knew that with two of his brothers already occupying the small infirmary there wouldn't be room for another cot.

"Upstairs, I guess," Leonardo said tiredly.

He felt the painkillers kicking in and his body started to feel heavy as the exhaustion dragged at him. His eyes began to close as Donatello finished wrapping up his ribs.

"Don't go to sleep yet, Leo. I can't carry you up the stairs," Donatello said giving his brother's arm a gentle shake.

Leonardo opened his eyes with tremendous effort, but the blackness he saw didn't do much to keep him awake.

"…Leo… get you… help me… " Donatello's voice sounded like it was coming out of a badly tuned radio. He could feel hands around him now and his feet were dragging against the ground. He tried to move them, but they were too heavy.

Donatello struggled with his brother's weight, even though Leonardo wasn't as muscular as Raphael he was no lightweight either. He panted as he reached the top of the stairs.

"Come on, Leo, just a bit farther," Donatello encouraged seeing Leonardo trying to move his feet to help him.

Leonardo's head was lolling forward, his eyes closed. Donatello hadn't expected the painkillers to act so quickly. He could feel the sweat sliding down his face and neck as they entered Leonardo's room. Leonardo stopped trying to help him and a minute later he went completely limp against him. If Donatello hadn't already been supporting so much of Leonardo's weight he probably would have dropped him, or buckled with the sudden weight he was carrying. As it was he adjusted his hold on Leonardo with a grunt and half carried, half dragged his brother to his bed.

Leonardo's breathing had eased into the rhythmical pattern of sleep, his face relaxed for a change. Donatello pulled the blankets over his brother's shoulders and left his brother to get some much needed sleep. Then with a sigh headed for his own room, hoping to get some of his own.