HI, I'm back. I really hope this chapter makes sense. I know what I wanted to happen, I'm just not certain it's coherent. Hopefully it makes sense, especially since we are finally beginning to see some memories beginning to break through. Oh, and Leo's alter-ego finally has a name. Yay; now I don't have to keep calling him "the hunter" or some variation thereof!

When the young hunter finally returned to full consciousness, it was a far different experience. For one, the residual pain from both his battle with the Traitor and his self-punishment had fully dissipated. Secondly, the emptiness at the back of his mind from the broken link with his former master was gone. In its place was a mosaic of shifting, fluid, welcoming emotions, so very different from the harsh, cruel, cold mental touch that used to occupy that place. It took him a moment to realize the alien sensation was similar to the sense of comfort he got from his fragmented memories and dreams. In a way, it felt like coming home in a way his former home never had.

The sound of someone shifting in a chair pulled the off-worlder out his serene thoughts with the cold, hard reminder that his time, and his mind, were even less his own than before. After all, it wouldn't do for a Drudge to keep his master waiting. Opening his bleary eyes, he found his red-masked master waiting for him. Eyes flying fully open, the Drudge moved to dive from the bed to show obeisance to his new owner, but the other turtle seemed to be expecting the move, and pre-empted it by laying a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Whoa, easy there big guy," the gruff voice told him. "None of that. Give yourself a moment to get fully awake. I know you've got a lot to adjust to, but let's lay down house rule number one. There will be none of that face-to-the-floor crap. The only one any of us kneel to is our Sensei, and that's it. Now, let's get you up on your feet. You're probably starving by now, so let's get you something to eat, then we can show you around your new home."

As he followed his new master, the young hunter had a hard time processing what was taking place. No Position of Submission? Consideration for his needs? This wasn't how things worked in his world, especially for a Drudge. Where was the anger, the rough hands, the vicious demands, and the humiliation? Certainly not in the strong but gentle hands that helped steady him on his feet, or the guiding yet undemanding touch that led him from the small healing room.

Uncertain and more than a little frightened by this new world that was so different from the one he'd known, the silent turtle followed his master into a small room that was obviously intended for the preparation and consumption of food. He froze in place upon seeing his two younger masters already seated. His instinctive fall to his knees was once again halted by the red-masked leader.

"Uh-uh," he was chided firmly, though there was no anger in the tone. "No kneeling with us, remember. I know it's going to take some getting used to, but you are not our slave. Now, why don't you go sit across from Michelangelo? He's the pest in the orange mask. He's also the baby in the family, so don't pay him much mind. To his right is Donatello; genius, inventor, and medic extraordinaire. Oh, and I'm Raphael; I meant to introduce myself earlier, but we got a little distracted. Now, what do we call you?"

The mute turtle was startled enough by the question to automatically respond by thought-speech Shadowblade, until he realized with chagrin his new…companions couldn't hear thought-speech. Feeling a little desperate, he glanced around until his saw the light fixture hanging over the table. Holding his hand up so that it cast a shadow on the table, he pointed to the dark shape. At the others' confused expressions, he waved his hand, making his shadow jump, and gestured again.

"Oh, Shadow," Michelangelo suddenly blurted. "Your name is Shadow."

Close enough, the mute turtle responded silently, even as he nodded at the younger turtle.

"Well, Shadow, pull up a chair," Raphael told him. "Hope you like scrambled eggs; it's the only meal Donatello can make without burning it beyond recognition."

Shadow looked at the odd-looking, fluffy yellow substance placed before him. All the food back in the training center had consisted of either nutrient rich but tasteless food cubes, or bland, often cold, gruel. Maybe the masters had eaten food like this, but he certainly hadn't. Hesitantly, he put the first bite into his mouth. His eyes went wide as the, at least to him, explosion of flavor burst over his tongue. He'd never had anything so…sublime. Suddenly ravenous, the emptied his plate in a matter of minutes. He was so involved in his meal he didn't hear the amused chuckles of the three turtles watching him. Shadow was more than a little disappointed when he finished his plateful, but he didn't have time to linger over it as a fresh plate was put in front of him.

After he ate the second plates of food, the turtle called Donatello said, "I think that's enough for now. You haven't eaten solid food in a couple of days, and since I'm not certain how your system is going to respond, let's not push it too much. Here, try a little milk, and then we'll show you're your room and let you get cleaned up. Between the sweat and the aloe, I'm sure you're ready to wash up. After that, well, we'll see what you're up to. You were hurt pretty badly, and I don't want you over doing it."

After downing the creamy white beverage, Shadow followed the healer through the main living area and upstairs to what was obviously a chamber dedicated to personal hygiene.

"All right," the purple-masked turtle told him. "You go ahead and get in the shower. We have a tankless water heater, so you can soak as long as you like. There are towels under the sink. If you need anything, my room is two rooms down to the right. Your room is the one just past mine, so feel free to make yourself at home when you get out. You've had a rough couple of days, so some down time might not be a bad thing."

Once he was alone, Shadow took a moment to try and center himself. He didn't know what to make of his new masters. He desperately wanted to trust their words and the sensations flickering along the bond, but how could he? For his whole life, kindness had simply been a cover up for cruelty; warmth was merely the vague impression of a dream, and compassion a synonym for weakness. But there was no apparent cruelty here, the warmth was very much real, and there could be no mistaking his three new associates as being weak.

Conflicted and confused, Shadow pushed his tangled emotions to the back of his mind and instead focused solely on the first hot shower he could ever remember having. In his former home, baths were short, room temperature affairs. Being able to soak as long he desired? It was an unknown luxury. By the time he was ready to get out, his legs were beginning to shake slightly with fatigue. He quickly dried off and headed off to find the room Donatello indicated was his.

Walking into the room was like walking into a living dream. Shadow was absolutely certain he'd been in this room before. He knew that behind the head of the bed, three rows up, two bricks over was a loose brick. He didn't know what exactly was behind it, but he knew it was there. As the silent turtle stood absorbing the feel of the room, an unexpected knock on the door startled him. Spinning around into an instinctive defensive stance, he found himself face-to-face with Raphael.

"Hey," the red-masked turtle said, keeping his hands up to show he was unarmed, "mind if I come in?"

Shadow was a little bemused at being asked for permission, but he indicated the other turtle could enter. He watched as Raphael looked around the room like it was the first time he'd seen it. Catching his silent companion watching him, Raphael told him, "This used to be my older brother's room. He's been gone for ten years now, but we figured he wouldn't mind you using it…and that's now why I came to see you. Actually, I wanted to apologize."

Shadow gave him an openly disbelieving look, but Raphael continued on.

"I'm sorry for the other day. I didn't mean to hurt you, and I certainly didn't mean for you to hurt yourself…"

Raphael continued speaking, but for Shadow, it was like he was transported to a different time. He was standing very much as he was now, only he was much shorter, and a young Raphael was there too.

"…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," the obviously upset younger turtle was saying.

"It's okay, Raph," Shadow heard himself say. "I know it was an accident."

"But I hurt your ankle big time," Raph protested.

"And you cleaned up," child-Shadow told him. "I'm okay, Raph. My ankle will heal. Everything will be fine." He put a hand over the other turtle-child's heart. After a moment, Raph copied the gesture. The two stood like that for a moment before both nodded and moved to separate. Before they did, though, the red-masked turtle child suddenly flung himself at Shadow's child-self and wrapped his arms around him; a gesture child- Shadow found himself returning whole-heartedly.

"I love you big brother," Raph whispered fiercely.

"I love you too," child-Shadow whispered back.

Just as suddenly as it started, the flicker of memory was gone, leaving Shadow facing a puzzled looking Raphael. Shadow couldn't name the impulse that made him do it, but he reached out a hesitant hand and laid it over Raphael's heart. When the other turtle didn't knock his hand off, he took Raphael's hand and placed it over his own heart. Meeting the other turtle's gaze, Shadow saw a combination of shock, relief, and oddly enough, triumph, shining in his eyes. The two turtle stood there for a long moment, then Shadow nodded slightly. Raphael returned the nod and then, still not saying a word, turned and left the room.

So I hope that all makes sense. Shadow was having a flashback to his childhood, and he responded to Raphael the way he had in his memory. You might also want to note this is the first time I've used the shortened name of any of the turtles. An important fact, that. Anyway, I hope the next chapter comes a little easier; so y'all hang tight.