Hey guys part two coming at ya! This chapter is…shorter…But this short chapter is jam packed with emotional moments, insightful assumptions (thanks to Donatello), brotherly love and family comfort. This is a sweet chapter if there ever was one. But there are also apologies that go unaccepted and conflict left unresolved. Not counting the question: How the shell do we get the old Mikey back?

A Brother Brainwashed Pt. 2-Broooooooooooo

Don's POV

It's been a week now. Since Mikey got Brainwashed, that is. I've been trying to gather as much information as I can on his condition, but it's difficult. As if work wasn't hard enough with Raphael constantly breathing down my neck. I know he doesn't mean to irritate me, but sometimes…I sighed. Oh well. Raph is Raph.

I know he feels responsible for Mikey's condition. He's worried I won't be able to find a cure.

I'm worried too.

But I will find a cure. Cause if I don't…

My head shot up and my eyes narrowed as Raphael entered the lab. I waited in silence for a few moments. No one came in behind him. I canted my head. That was unusual.

For the past week Michelangelo has been following Raph everywhere he can. I smiled. I still remember Raphael's reaction when Sensei told him that he was responsible for Michelangelo.

About a week ago…

Sensei's eyes were grim with understanding as he and Raph emerged from the dojo after their 'talk.'

Mikey bounced over to my immediate older brother jovially. "Broooooo!" He crowed happily, throwing his arms around Raphael as though he'd been gone for ages.

We all stared.

Raph stood stock still, his muscles tense. No one hugged Raph. Not even Mikey. At least, not without good reason. And just about the only reason you could hug Raph was if he hugged you first.

Obviously, brainwashed Mikey was not aware of that.

The entire room froze and our eyes rested on Raphael as we waited for his reaction.

Slowly, Raph's arms came up and rested gently on Mikey's shell, patting it softly.

My jaw dropped. So did Leo's. Sensei just smiled.

Sensei cleared his throat and Raphael realized that we were all staring at them. The hothead pulled away.

As he did so his eyes made brief contact with my own. He looked about ready to cry. Emotions swirled in that piercing green gaze of his. It had always amazed me how Raphael's eyes had the ability to stun us into complete silence. This was one of those times. Their intensity shocked me. Guilt, anger (probably directed at himself), pain, and worry. The tears in his eyes brought tangibility to something that I had already surmised: Raph blamed himself.

I walked over and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

I think Mikey could sense that Raph was upset, because his bottom lip pushed out sadly as he stared at us.

I bent down and whispered to Raphael, "I know it isn't your fault. You'd do anything and everything to protect us." I paused, letting that sink in. "I'm sure you did everything you could."

Raph nodded and wiped his tears away with the back of his hand, his posture straightened and he returned to his normal, bad-ass, stature. "So what do we do?" He growled, inquiringly. He glanced in my direction, and I, in turn, glanced at Leo.

Then Sensei cut in, "First we need to establish what is to be done about your brother while he is in this state. Donatello, you said he has the mind of a child?"

"Hai, Sensei." I answered, not quite sure where he was going with this.

He frowned. "Then, I suggest that we remove all sharp objects from his reach. And restore the buddy system."

We all groaned. The buddy system? He can't be serious.

See when we were little, the buddy system was Sensei's way of making sure that we were never caught alone in the sewers. It was also to keep us out of trouble. Not that it worked well in that respect.

"Sensei, the buddy system will only apply to Mikey right? The rest of us are old enough to take care of ourselves."

"Of course." He stated with a smile. Then he turned to our hotheaded brother. "Raphael."

Raph looked up at him. "Hai Sensei?"

"Until Donatello finds a cure Michelangelo will be in your care. Is that understood, my son?"

Raphael's face was priceless. "Aw c'mon Sensei. I don't have time to babysit Mikey!"

"Mikey! Mikey!" Mikey stated, excitedly, running over and clinging to Raphael's arm.

Raph looked down at the youngest, his eyes wide. "Don?"

I looked at him. "What is it Raph?"

Raph gestured down to his arm, "Look."

I glanced at Mikey then back at Raph. Leo did the same. He asked the question before I could, "What about him?"

"He's begging me to do it."

Leo just raised an eye-ridge.

Raphael rolled his eyes. "It means that he can understand what we're saying. Otherwise he wouldn't know what the shell we were talking about."

My eyes widened with comprehension. "Hm. Interesting. You're right. I wonder…I wonder if maybe the effects of the brainwash will wear off over time."

Sensei brought us back to the matter at hand. "Well Raphael? I believe it is obvious that you are the best choice regarding Michelangelo's care."

A tinge of uneasiness slipped through Raph's mask. "But Sensei, I'm the one who got Mikey into this mess. Wouldn't it be better if—"

"Raphael, it is obvious that Michelangelo, even in his brainwashed state, is willing to stay with you." Our father glanced over at Mikey, who now had his head only inches away from Raph, getting in his face, with a hopeful look. The youngest looked as though Raphael's decision would mean life or death for him.

I had to resist the urge to laugh.

I returned to my thoughts as a few moments later Leonardo stormed into the room after Raphael, dragging a screaming Mikey after him.

"Brooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" The youngest yelled. It was a long, drawn out noise that made my ears ache and my head feel as though it was about to explode.

Leonardo glared at Raphael. "Raphael, can't you shut your brother up?"

Raph crossed his arms and smirked. "Oh so now he's my brother?"

The eldest retorted indignantly, "Yes, he actually likes you!"

The smirk turned into a scheming smile that was absolutely dripping with mischief. "So we can do it then?"

The blue-masked turtle was silent for a moment, and Mikey was still yelling. "Okay, okay! You can do it!"

Raph looked triumphant and incredibly pleased. "Alright Mikey, you can stop screaming now, we can do it."

The screaming ceased before Raph even finished the sentence.

"I know I'll regret this." Leo mumbled.

I glanced at him. What's going on? "Leo?" I asked, but then Raph and Mikey paused on their way out the door.

"Don't you go back on it Leo."

Leo glared. "Maybe I should."

"Mikey." Raph stated evenly, and the youngest took in a deep breath, as though to start screaming again.

Leonardo held up his hands. "Alright. Alright. I yield."

Raph's smirk was contagious and I too was smiling with pleasure at my older brother's expression.

Raph and Mikey turned and left the lab. Raphael's laughter rang down the hall.

One thing I can say about the past week, Raph has been so…open. This Mikey brings out something in him that we don't often get to see. The soft, caring side. The side that is willing to nurture and assist, rather than beat down and destroy. We see the emotions being displayed openly, rather than through a layer of anger. It's almost as though he's completely let down the walls that separate him from the rest of us. He and Leo haven't fought since they made up a week ago. I can see that Leo really regrets what he said to Raph. Raphael still hasn't exactly forgiven him, but at least there's peace in the camp.

Flashback

When Leo approached Raph after we'd put Mikey to bed, it was obvious that Raphael was still hurting.

"Raph I—" A forest green arm reached out, but before it could land on the hothead's shoulder Raph pulled away.

"It's fine Leo. Just forget it." He stated, his bright green gaze fixated on the floor.

Leonardo's eyes widened with sadness. "No, Raph, you deserve an apology."

"No I don't Leonardo. Forget it." Raphael's voice sounded heavy, as though he was carrying a great burden.

Leo was concerned by Raph's tone. As was I. That tone in Raph's voice never boded well. Neither did full names. Raph hardly ever called us by our full names. It was always nicknames: 'Brainiac, genius, Don, Donnie, Fearless, Leo, Mike, Mikey, goofball, etc.' He only used full names when he was really upset.

Leonardo grabbed Raph's shoulders forcefully. "Raphael look at me!"

Raph looked away.

I saw Leo's grip tighten. If this escalated I'll have to step in. "I said LOOK AT ME!" He yelled.

Something came between them and pushed Leo away. Mikey?

Raph stared at him. "Mikey? We told you to go to sleep."

Michelangelo looked at Raph. He looked at Leo. He frowned, his eyes narrowed in a glare. Finally, the youngest shook his head.

Raphael pushed the youngest away slightly. "It's okay Mike. Leo and I are just having a discussion. It was my fault he got frustrated. Nothing you need concern yourself over. Look, you go on back to bed. I'll finish up this conversation and come in to say goodnight to ya. Okay?"

Again the baby blue eyes narrowed. After a few long moments Mikey nodded, still casting an uncertain glance back at Leonardo.

Raph turned back to Leo. I wonder if they were even aware I was in the room. They were so preoccupied that I believe it to be very unlikely.

"We can talk about this later." Raph stated aloud.

Leo glanced at him with an uncertain stare. Raph usually wouldn't talk about anything unless you pried it out of him.

"Seriously, Leo, I gotta go take care o' Mikey."

Leonardo sighed. "Alright. Promise me you won't just brush me off next time I bring it up."

Raph's gaze hardened, but he nodded. Then he disappeared down the hall before Leo could respond.

Raphael has always been our impulsive brother, I thought with a smirk. I glance over at the door he and Mikey just disappeared through.

I wonder what those two are up to…

Review please!

There it was the second part! Yay! I hope it's okay…maybe next chapter we'll find out what Raph and Mikey are up to… or maybe not. I still haven't made up my mind.

But anyway, I haven't done a chapter entirely from Don's point of view in a while…I always see him as being an insightful kind of guy, though he never really voices that he knows and understands what his brothers are going through which is why I like him as a narrator, cause he doesn't have to be involved to understand what's going on his brothers' minds.