So, Shadow continues to get clues about his past, and another brother gets a hint their new friends might be more than he seems. to hopefully keep things clear, anything in italics without punctuation is thought-speech. The italicized section between the * marks takes place in the past. Hopefully no one get confused. See AN at the end for further clarifiction.

As Raphael left Shadow, no, Leo's, room, he couldn't have felt more exultant. He had no further doubts their new acquaintance was truly their older brother. The only ones who had ever known about the heart-to-heart thing had been he and Leo. He couldn't remember when it had started, but it had been their special gesture. It meant everything from "I'm sorry," to "You're welcome," to "I love you." And tonight Shadow had used the gesture in context. For a moment, it was like Raphael had slipped back in time. Like a whisper at the back of his mind, about where that new psychic connection lay, he'd have sworn he'd heard his brother say "I love you too;" a strange, impossible dream, but true nonetheless.

Despite his new certainty, Raphael decided not to mention this incident to his brothers. First, the gesture would mean nothing to them; they'd never seen it used. Secondly, he suspected it wouldn't be long before they started having their own experiences. It would be those things that would be more meaningful to his siblings. Finally, he wasn't sure how much Shadow was aware of his past. Raphael had no desire to traumatize or alarm his newly returned brother any more than he already was. It would be much better for everyone if he was allowed to move at his own pace.

His mind made up, Raphael went about his usual routine. He had a premonition that when things began to hit the fan, it was going to get messy quickly.

TMTN

Unsurprisingly, Shadow had worn himself out the first day back on his feet. He'd crashed in his new room, and except to eat the sandwiches provided by Michelangelo, he'd slept the remainder of the day. Raphael was startled, therefore, when he arrived at the dojo the next morning to find the silent turtle already there. If the film of sweat glistening on his body and the used stump of a candle were anything to go by, he'd been there a while.

Upon seeing the younger turtles arrive, Shadow came to a halt and looked at them with something between panic and a plea glinting in his eyes.

"Morning," Raphael greeted him, doing his best, to project a sense of calm and acceptance at the nervous turtle watching them. "Guess you're feeling better, huh?" He was heartened to see the tension slowly drain out of the other's frame, and even more so when Shadow offered him a hesitant smile and a small nod. "We're about to start our morning practice. You can stay if you like. We'd be happy to have you join us." Raphael and his brothers couldn't help chuckling at the surprised delight that lit Shadow's face at the invitation.

After running through the usual warm up, the turtles started their routine sets of increasingly difficult katas. While it was obvious Shadow wasn't family with these particular katas, he demonstrated his obvious innate skill by how quickly he picked up on them.

Following the kata sets came the portion of that day's lesson Raphael had grown to hate. Their sensei had insisted that once a week his sons work with their brothers' weapons. He wanted them to be familiar with all of the weapons so they wouldn't be solely dependent on their primary weapons. For Raphael and Donatello, this was simply a necessary weekly nuisance. For Michelangelo, however, it was something much worse. He handled the sai and the bo training with aplomb, but he nearly fell apart when it came time to pick up the katanas.

It always bothered Raphael to see how upset his baby brother got during these sessions, but experience had taught him there was nothing he could do to help. Their only choice was to leave Michelangelo alone and let him muddle through on his own. Any interference from his brothers or father only seemed to make it worse. Today was proving to be no exception, until Shadow decided to step in and lend an unexpected hand.

TMNT

When Shadow had awoken that morning feeling fully restored, he had decided to seek out the training room he knew had to be located somewhere in his new domicile. Ten years of daily training had instilled the habit in him so deeply, not even his change in circumstance could alter it. After all, he'd been a hunter; training all day had been his life. To his pleasure, he'd found the room fully stocked with everything he'd needed for a proper work-out.

He'd started with a short meditation session to get his mind centered, and then worked his way up to a moderately strenuous level work out, when his new masters arrived, obvious prepared for their own morning practice. A sense of panic and alarm filled the hunter-turned-Drudge as it dawned on him he hadn't sought his masters' permission to engage in his chosen activity. It would be well within their rights to punish him for his transgression. His panic was tempered by hope, however, as he remembered the kindness and consideration he'd already been shown. Surely they wouldn't begrudge him this? At Raphael's calm greeting and friendly invitation, Shadow's hope was fulfilled, and he felt himself relaxing in a way he never had under his former master's so-called care.

The katas were unfamiliar at first, but it didn't take long for him to catch on. Even more peculiar, however, was the sense of déjà vu. Shadow had the firm impression this wasn't the first time he'd stood in this room, training with these very same companions. It was as familiar to him as his new room had been the day before. Somehow, sometime, he'd been here before.

Following the katas, Shadow stepped back to watch as the others traded was were obviously their primary weapons for different weapons. He was pleased to see his new battle-kin, (Master, he reminded himself), understood the importance of training with a variety of weapons. Having a preference was fine, but it wouldn't do to be dependent on a single weapon. Everything went well until the turtles reached for Shadow's weapon of choice: the katana.

Raphael and Donatello handled their borrowed weapons with both confidence and competence. Michelangelo, on the other hand, was neither. From his position across the room, Shadow could feel the tension and dread just pouring off the youngest turtle. Shadow waited a moment to see if either of Michelangelo's older brothers was going to go to his aid, but other than multiple pained looks in his direction, neither one moved. Finally, unable to stand by and watch the youngster suffer, Shadow made his way across the room.

Much as he had the night before with Raphael, Shadow let instinct guide him. Carefully he took the blades out of the young turtle's trembling hands and set them aside. He then reached out and took Michelangelo's hands in his own, interlacing their fingers, causing the other turtle's eyes to go wide with a combination of shock and recognition.

Praying it would work, Shadow reached through the bond for the troubled mind of his youngest masters. Easy, he soothed. You're going to be okay.

How…how are you doing this, Michelangelo asked back, surprise, fear, and delight battling for dominance in his response.

Through the bond I forged with you as one of my new masters, Shadow replied. I wasn't certain I could use it this way. I…I should have asked permission first. This time it was his turn to have fear and dismay leak across the bond.

Whoa, easy there, Michelangelo soothed. No harm done. This is actually a good thing, 'cause it means we'll have a way to really communicate with you.

Still, as a Drudge, it was not my place to initiate communication, Shadow said. I beg they forgiveness for my forwardness.

Marking the word "drudge" for later explanation, Michelangelo replied, Forgive, if you'll answer a question for me. Why this? He shook their joined hands to demonstrate what he was referencing.

You seemed to be in distress, Shadow said with a healthy amount of hesitation.

Not that, Michelangelo corrected. Why did you grab my hands this way?

I…I don't know, Shadow said. I just…it felt right, like it was what I needed to do. He hastened to say, If I have offended thee, I humbly apologize. I simply desired to help.

My big brother use to do this, Michelangelo explained. Whenever I'd get scared or need some encouragement or support he'd hold my hand like this.

If I've brought up bad memories…

No, Michelangelo exclaimed. I haven't felt this safe in a long time. Le…my brother disappeared a long time ago, after saving my life. That's actually why I was having such a hard time earlier. The twin katanas were his preferred weapons. Since his disappearance I can't touch them without getting almost physically ill.

My heart grieves with thine, Shadow said formally. It is a hard thing to lose battle-kin. I can't imagine the pain of losing a true sibling. But if I may, would it not be a fitting tribute to your fallen brother for you to master his chosen weapon. In do so, you could honor his memory.

You know how to use them, don't you, Michelangelo asked. You used the in that fight when you came to our rescue.

Indeed, Shadow said. Like your brother, I find them to be my…favorite weapons.

Can you help me then?

Once again, Shadow had the strange sensation of stepping back in time. This time he was a little younger, and his companion was an even younger Michelangelo.

*"I just can't do it," the clearly upset Michelangelo said, a training staff held loosely in his hand.

"It's okay, Mikey," child-Shadow said. "It just takes practice."

"Can you help me then," Mikey pleaded.

Child-Shadow threaded his fingers through the younger turtle's. "Of course, little brother," he said. "I'd love to."

"Thanks, big brother. You're the best!"*

Pushing his disorientation aside, Shadow struggled to regain control of his thoughts so he could properly respond to Michelangelo's request. He wasn't sure what made him say it, but his automatic response was, of course. I'd love to.

As he moved to begin his instruction, Shadow couldn't get the image of Michelangelo's shocked and wonderstruck gaze out of his mind. It was like he'd given the younger turtle the best gift in the world; but it was a gift he hadn't been expecting. In some ways, it reminded him of how Raphael had looked at him the day before.

Shadow forced himself to put it aside and focus on what he was teaching and demonstrating. After all, hope was for others. Why torture himself with these strange, impossible dreams?

So the section with little Mikey was another memory, just like Shadow had with Raphael. Hopefully that was clear. Everything else in italics was the thought-speech conversation with grown up Michelangelo.