A/N

Per usual, jump down if you don't want to hear my ramblings

I soooo can't come up with a title right now, I'll come up with one later. Also sorry about last week, I had to move across another state to get home for the summer yay summer!

You know what else is fun?

Questions!

Lyhan12 wanted to know what happened Hinata and Yukina.

Well, mostly they were plot devices to get the story moving forward, I always did imagine Hinata being adorable though. She's one of Mikey's play mates and nothing more, but she helps out at the 'sweet booth' in town to give out treats (which is probably why Mikey's so buddy buddy with her)

Mikey , "Dang straight! I get all the free dango I want and Leo doesn't have to know!"

Leo, "Wait, WHAT?!"

Yukina was a girl that Donnie went to eat dango with a while ago (technically his first date, and that was actually a funny story-

Donnie, 'NO!"

Huh?

"IT WAS NOT A FUNNY STORY! WHATS SO FUNNY ABOUT IT!? THE FACT I CAN'T DATE ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE I FEAR THE WRATH OF THEIR BEST FRIENDS?!"

It wasn't that bad, how we were supposed to know Yukina's best friend would get so jealous she broke into Leatherheads shop and tried to get you to marry her. Leatherhead and Raph kept anything bad from happening to you.

Donnie, "I was 12, she's the reason I don't date anymore! And never again! Girls are crazy!"

Awww wht about your Mom?

Donnie, "My mother is sanefuly insane on a level that no their creature can match."

Kaede, "Thas't my boy! Single forever AND gets his mother's sanity."

Donnie, " girls be crazy. They be very VERY crazy."

Against Sense

Something fell on Dons lap, all but slapping him out of his 'half sleep' his head rising up from his pillow to look at his lap, to see a plate of weird doughy flats he craned his head back to stare at Leonardo. But he picked up one of the 'flats' to feel it squish between his fingers "What's this?"

"They're called waffles, Mikey made them just for you."

"Why?"

"He doesn't think that you can survive off nothing but rice. He was about to buy pizzas and shove them down your throat, but this is the best compromise."

Don looked back to Leonardo, maybe it was because of his recent 'half fever' dream but he really didn't want to argue with him but turned his attention back to his 'waffle' (trying to figure out what weird substance they had rubbed all over it) and gave it a small sniff. Already his stomach was tensing at the idea of welcoming something to be digested. But he had rejected enough meals to he had to go past it," I don't think someone can live off this either."

"It'd make him feel better, and me for that matter."

"I'd feel better if you'd let me off this couch for more than 3 minutes."

"Just be grateful I let you do that. I could just bring a bucket over here and let you do your business in that."

He hoped that was a joke and not an actual threat. Donnie glared at him suspiciously before biting into the waffle. The fluff between his teeth and saltiness made him draw back lightly. Really? Was this for real?

Dam

THIS WAS GOOD

He took another bite out of the waffle when a chuckle reached his ears, he glared at the blue masked prep with the waffle in his mouth, "Not '''unn' ee I don't lau'ff at you w'en you eat."

"I can't help it Halfshell, you should see that smile on your face."

"I can't, for obvious philosophical, physical and personal reasons. "Donnie took another bite. Maybe he could find a way to live off waffles; it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. They felt a bit fatter so maybe they would give him weight. They were kind of like Dorayaki, only he didn't like those very much.

He munched gleefully into the delightful waffle, he glanced up again to that obnoxious giant black square that the couches seemed to all be pointing at (even the dips in the couch seemed to be pointed at it), "I've been meaning to ask, is that thing some icon of worship?"

"Huh?" Leonardo's' head turned upward to look,"Oh that's the television, and it's just something we watch sometimes."

"Sometimes? The Butt-prints on the couch I keep falling into say otherwise."

The older turtle smirked lightly, "Smart Shell, we watch it SOMETIMES for extended periods."

"So you just sit around and watch a giant box all day?"

"It does OTHER stuff, like play moving pictures and keep Mikey occupied for hours."

What really? Something could hold Mikey's' attention for hours?! Does that mean he would stop breaking into his workshop every five seconds to try and get him to do 'magic' for him?, "I might have to build one of those for my world then." It couldn't be that hard right? Donnie was sure he could build one of those 'batteries' he had seen, he opened his mouth to take another bite of the waffle when fingers suddenly poked into his face, "hey!" his hand shot up to smack the hand away, "Hands to yourself , Taisho."

"I can't help it, you're fun to tease." Leo smirked lightly before a finger found its way into his eyes again, "Eat your waffles, and I'll be right back."

Don almost wanted to ask him to stay, whenever Leonardo left his side, he could see emerald skin in the distance trailed by an orange mask trails like some sort of self-aware Akai.

He could only hope he wasn't the prey

He didn't want to be the victim of This Michelangelo's short attention span-

A hand pushed on his scalp and ran down to press on his forehead, he almost thought Leonardo had come back, but he saw the olive green hand that matched the color of his skin. He leaned his head back to look at the 'perpetrator' only to look into the light brown eyes of his older self

Donatello

Spirits this was never going to stop getting weird.

"Hey there bud, "and there it was, his older self literally calling his younger self 'bud. Donnie pulled his head away lightly, only to have the palm follow, "don't do that I'm checking your temperature,"

Then why didn't the enviously taller turtle ask for permission first?! Would that of been so bad?! He pulled his head away again. But Donatello smiled softly moving around the couch to sit on the coffee table (so Leonardo called it, and also refused to give him). His older self-had a weird rubber thing hung over his neck, it split at the end to show two inverted sticks, and at the other end was a weird flat thing. He wasn't sure why Donatello put the weird sticks in his ears, but then he held up the 'flat piece', "Do you mind opening your shirt for me? I need to check on your lungs"

Hell no! And he could shove it in his shell! If Donnie had ANY source of vocal courage he would of said that too, instead of sinking back into the couch. He was a freaking I-SHA, why couldn't he check up on himself!? He sighed and sat up in his seat, reaching up to his strange purple hoody and reaching for the white button up shirt under it, lifting his shirts up.

"Thanks," His older form leaned over and pressed the flat part against his side- OH SHIT THAT THING WAS COLD! It took much of his will power to not slap the olive green off his counterpart. Was this some sort of torture for not talking!? He had been through worse torture then this, "Ok take a deep breath for me please."

Please? It helped that he had manners, Donnie drew in a shaky breath, he felt a familiar vibrations going up his chest and a small cough followed , his hand going over his lips , that shouldn't be so painful, he knew that much. He knew that feeling

"Your lungs still sound weak," nice to know his older counterpart noticed it, "I thought Leo was shoving cough medicine down your throat to keep that from happening, and you look like you're still cold." he pulled the stethoscope away; finally the cold torture was over. Donatello leaned back his mouth twisting in confusion. It was nice he was concerned about his health ," it can't be easy to breathe in out enviroment with your lungs ."

He didn't want to concern them

But he didn't want to hinder their efforts to help him

"It bites"

The words had left his lips before he could stop himself. Donnie drew back into his tiny corner of the couch, the older Donatello's head popping up and looking around in confusion obviously trying to find the source of the voice till his eyes fell right back down on Donnie's burning face, "Was that you?"

NO, NO it wasn't, it was a puppy, or Michelangelo. Or maybe a 3rd interdimmensional Donatello had. Snuck in? No, that was rude and Donatello was just trying to help him, so all he could do was nod before resint his head back on the couch armrest. Deciding to focus his attention on buttoning his shirt back up.

"Nice to know I'm not the only purple masked turtle stumped."

Don nodded again before looking to his older self. He hadn't seen a lot of 'Donatello" upon arrivign, but he didn't seem too bad of a guy. He seemed to get alogn with his brothers pretty ok (even after Leonardo 'forbade' him from going to the surface.

"If you were in my situation what would you do? You're a doctor right?"

Donatello wanted his opinion? Even though he knew his older self wasn't a doctor, it was enough to fill him with pride. He had treated many children and adults in his life, he ad even made sure each patient had a 'paper'. He had left them all with Leatherhead, but he could still remember each one.

What would he do?

This was just another diagnosis

"Th-the cough s-syrup i-isn't helping. I-I know that much. I-I'm." he could only hope he was speaking loud enough for Donatello to hear, "I-I would think that m-m-maybe my pa-pat-patient had a infectoin and g-give them something for that.

"Ok, from one nerd to another, "A nerd? What was that? "I accept your diagnosis." he smiled lightly before standing back up. it was nice to know he wasn't making a big deal about him talking. But he had a small smile on his face that said his true feelings. Donatello moved around the couch and heading back to that 'lab' that Leonardo had told him about. It sounded like a different version of his workshop.

"Nice to know we have something you'll actually eat."

Huh? Oh right Leonardo's' back, circling the couch with something tucked under his armpit. There was no doubt he was referring to the plate of previously stuffed waffles they had been stacked pretty high. He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten that much, "What can I say, good is good. And it gets you off my shell for a few minutes."

"I like to think I'm lovingly nurturing." He sat on the edge of the couch. Unlike when Donatello had taken that spot, Donnie really didn't mind Leonardo sitting there-

Except for the constant presence of his hand against his forehead and that concerned look on his face, now what-

"Don said you asked to be taken off of the cough medicine and called April for antibiotics,"

Donnie almost wished that he hadn't heard "I just don't think it's helping. All it does is stop me from coughing-"

"Halfshell, you were coughing up blood. I know its not the best tasting medicine, doesn't it matter if it stops you from coughing?"

Leonardo trying to guilt trip him? Like THAT'D work. He knew the cough medicine wasn't helping. He knew he was smarter.

But did he have to look for sad? looking down at that plastic cup with the sickly menace he had been forced to drink for the past week. He did look sad…

oh dam the spirits.

Donnie reached and took the plastic cup out of his hands before throwing his head back and sipping down the liquid. Trying to ignore the sickingly sweet thick ooze running down his throat and more on Leonardo the worried looking his face on his face. If he wasn't careful, it was going to get stuck like, his hand reached out and rested on Leonardo's' hand, " I get sick all the time at home. I'm used to it."

"I wish you didn't."

This was a spiral that wasn't going to end, you'd think his own Leo had snuck into this world and started practicing nudity; he looked to the wooden box under Leonardo's arm, "What's that?"

"Hm? Oh right." he pulled the box free, "I thought you might be sick of sitting on the couch all day-"

"I wouldn't be if you let me off the couch."

"I'd let you if I thought you could walk five feet without collapsing."

Oh he COULD, if he wasn't positive Leonardo hadn't chained his ankle to the couch. He watched Leonardo move the box over, revealing a pattern of boxes all over the board. A pattern he recognized immediately, and when Leonardo slid the top open to reveal ornately carved figurines was enough to send adrenaline shooting through his body, "is that a chess board!?"

"You know what it is?"

"Of COURSE I know what it is!" Donnie popped up to a sitting position, "My teacher had one! Well, my second teacher, he was a foreigner and he brought it with him when he left his homeland. He NEVER let me play on it except on my birthday! I can't believe you have one! Who did you have to kill to get it! You didn't really kill someone to get it did you? I hope not-"his fingers shot in and drew out a wooden horse, before realization hit him an it went flying back into the box, "I-I'm so sorry!"

"What are you-"

"I-I didn't mean to touch them, I-I'm sorry I didn't ruin them did in?"

"Nonono, Halfshell, everyone has a chessboard here, I've had like five of them."

FIVE?! How was that even possible?! Were these turtles richer then he had thought? Donnie sat back up again looking down to the ornate figurines again, hoping his excitement hadn't' been too much, "S-so I can look at them? It's alright?"

"Sure, or we can play chess."

What?! He was allowed to see a chessboard AND play on it?! Leatherhead wouldn't even let him touch the figurines without gloves. Donnie looked back to him before picking up the horse figurine again. He tried to ignore Leonardo shaking his head and smiling as he before to set the board up on Don's lap. It wasn't exactly made out of wood, it almost looked like fake wood (if that was possibly) but its smooth surface and detail was still enough to keep his attention.

"So you know how to play chess?"

Donnie nodded, before realizing the chessboard had been set up (other then the piece he was holding, he was sure Leather head had called it a 'knight.") He put the piece in place before sitting up, fighting the eagerness that made his fingers ache.

"Let's do it."

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Donnie wasn't sure why he was so shocked, he had only played chess three times in his life. But it was obvious that Leonardo had expected a different outcome to the game when his jaw gaped as Donnie pushed Leonardo's' 'king over', "Chekkumeito? Right?"

"Yeah, yeah it's Chekkumeito." Leonardo leaned back in his seat, arms crossing over his chess and a look of disbelief on his face, "I thought you said you only played Chess on your birthday?"

"Yeah but I spend the rest of the year working on a piece of paper to work out a strategy."

"I think you just bamboozled me Halfshell."

"I'm not sure what that means but thank you." the sound of screeching metal ,indicating the front door opening, reached Donnie, he turned in his seat to see the red headed woman walking in with a plastic bag, her Kyojin husband nowhere to be seen. But alteast she was smiling at him. She looked like she would be a good friend to have. You know, if he could get talking again. His eyes trailed down to the baggy 'hoody' she was wearing, his I-sha instinct nagging the back of his mind like it had the first time he had seen her, Donnie turned his attention back to Leonardo, "When's' your friend due-'

The chessboard went flying, wood crashing on the ground as wide dark eyes met his arms braced from his previous attempt to reset the board, "What?"

"Your friend, April, when she due?"

"Donnie, I'm not sure when YOUR people use the word 'due' but we only use it when someone's pregnant."

Your people? Donnie thought he could have been offended but he was almost amused by the alert look on Leonardo's face, "yeah we, do to. Bun in the oven, swollen at the ankles-"a hand flew over his mouth, sending his head falling right back into the couch armrest and almost disappearing into the blanket, what the-

"What are you guys talking about over there?" a female voice carried over, was that Aprils voice? She sure sounded nice alteast-

"Nothing April! Thanks for the supplies! Don said he wanted to see you!"

"Older Donnie or little Donnie?"

"Older!"

Wait, little Donnie? How long had THAT been going on?! He understood the difficulty of having two identical people in the same home and trying ti differentiate between the two but why did he have to be Little Donnie? They could call him 'Doctor' Donnie, Height Challenged Donnie, even other Donnie but Little-

The hand across his mouth finally pulled away, returning to his scalp. OH Don't smile like that Leonardo, he glared back to the Elder's smiling face, "Sorry Halfshell, but if April knew you thought she was pregnant it would hurt her feelings. So you need to keep that to yourself. Ok?'

But she WAS pregnant, he had delivered enough babies to know when someone was had a fetus in their uterus. Leonardo's look implored his word, so Donnie sighed and shook his head before nodding.

"Good boy." Did Leonardo think patting his head would make him feel better?! It was obvious he thought SOMETHING was funny due to that smile on his face. Don ducked his hand out of his touch before leaning his head back onto the couch. So far the only person who took him seriously was his older self. And that was a whole new form of narcissism.

Donnie looked back on to his older companion and his apologetic smile. A thought returning that he had tried to push away but honestly? He didn't think he could anymore, "Tasisho?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm not saying I know your family very well, but you've spend almost every moment of my time here sitting with me and making sure I'm ok. Unless you talk to your brothers while I fall asleep, I barely see you talk to them."
"OH." the smile fell off his face with such gullying speed that Donnie wished he hadn't said anything. The older turtle leaned his shoulder against the back of the couch; Don could have sworn he heard him sigh lightly.

He paused for a moment before reaching his hand out, gripping Leonardo's larger hand the best he could. Alteast that smile came back, but it didn't reach his eyes, "Halfshell, what do you and your brother's call your Leonardo? At home?"

"Um," Don thought for a sec, "I call him Aniki, Usagi calls him Ani, Raph calls him pain in the ass-"

"Language."

"And Mikey calls him big bro."

"Nothing else?"

"Raph calls him Fearless sometimes. But that's it."

"Then there's the difference between me and your 'Aniki' Halfshell. We might both think protecting our brothers is our biggest duty, but I'm also the leader of my team. I have to put those thoughts aside to be the best leader I can be. It's my role and it's something I have to be. It's something I have to do."

Donnie didn't want to think he was being judgy, or even think he knew these turtles very well but even he knew that ANY Leonardo wouldn't be happy with that.

No one would

He scooted up in his seat before wrapping his arms around Leonardo's' waist, squeezing him as tightly as he could.

Especially someone like Leonardo

"Hey!" Leonardo laughed lightly though there was no real force behind it other than faint surprise, "what's this for?"

"Nothing" He rested his head against the olders chest. HE felt arms wrap around him, a hand rubbing his scalp. Donnie would never admit that in that moment he felt sorry for Leonardo. But he didn't know what he would of done if Leonardo hadn't of dove into the water after him that first night he had gotten there, he didn't know what he would of done if he hadn't been so persistent in talking to him.

When he was around Leonardo, he didn't' feel so homesick.

Donie almost felt like he was home,

"M-maybe you need a vacation, " He hoped he wasn't' too muffled by Leonardo's plastron, he turned his head to the side to free his mouth, ", wh-when you guys get that portal open you can come to my world for a bit? Take a break from this life."

The arms around him stiffened, Donnie could just feel the older turtle shudder the arms rewrapping around him and a hand scrubbed up and down his shell, "That's right; we can visit your world. We'll open the portal and get you home, just like I promised."

There was a undertone there Don didn't like, a change in the atmosphere he couldn't ignore, "Taisho-"

"Hey Leo!"

Donnie wasn't sure when his older self-had gotten so close, but it was a bit weird that he had gotten so close without either of them noticing. But he was a ninja, and he had this weird smile on his face. Leos' head turned up to look at his brother (more unfazed then Donnie was.) but, judging by the way Leonardo's' hand ran over his scalp, he knew what he was feeling, "What's' up Don?"

"I caught a glimpse of something on the security footage."

"Something with guns or kunai?"

"Something with rats."

Donnie felt the arms tighten around him ever so slightly (to be honest he didn't know why Leonardo was still hugging him), "Did you get a picture of it?"

"If you mean a screenshot then yes,"He pulled out some strange paper, it was one of those strange photographs that Leonardo had showed him. Leonardo reached and took the paper, "Thanks, " before flipping the image to face him, but he was still squeezing the living daylights out of Donnie so all he had to do was turn his oddly bent neck upward. It didn't look like much, it looked like it had been taken far away, it wasn't nearly as tall as Aprils Kyojin husband but it was still tall, and a bit leaner. Despite the picture being almost entirely green (Leonardo had also told d him they used 'images' like that to take pictures in the dark). HE wasn't sure if this guy was even wearing clothes, except for rotting bandages-

Wait a minute

"I've seen that thing before."

Leonardo looked down to him, "What? When?"

"When we fell in the sewers, there was something else there hiding behind a corner. I-I gave it some food I had found and it went away." He watched Leonardo and Donatello glance at each other for a moment, the hand that had been resting on his shell rose up to rest on his shoulder, in a way he knew was Leonardo demanding his attention, if that look on his face didn't, "What?""

"Donnie, are you absolutely sure you saw this thing? "

"Yeah the bandages are the same color, and the hands are about the same size, why?" He looked back to get a glimpse of Leonardo's' expression, except he had already turned to look at HIS Donatello.

"You look after Halfshell while I check it out, ok?"

"You don't want someone to go with you?"

"Nah, he's probably gone by now so the less of us that go the better."

'Then you don't have to go."

It was nice to know his older self was thinking the same as him but it made Leonardo laugh lightly," No I do need to make sure there's nothing to worry about. "

Donatello sighed lightly before his fingers made its way to his forehead to massage out a headache Donnie sensed was coming. Dealing with stubborn older brothers seemed to be something all Donatello's had to deal with.

And he especially didn't want Leonardo to leave.

He must have had that look on his face of absolute panic, because Leonardo was giving him a sympathetic look on his face, rubbing his scalp again, "Hey come on I'll be back soon, you could sleep till almost felt like they had somehow planned this, though logic told him it was merely coincidence. Donatello handed "Come on, you can go to sleep till I get back."

Ok that was worse. Donnie made sure to roll his eyes in a way they couldn't overlook before glaring back at Leonardo

"Giving me that nasty look isn't going to change anything Halfshell."

"I-I" he glanced back to Donatello before leaning a little closer to Leonardo. Just because he just talked doctor to 'mad genius' to Donatello didn't mean he was comfortable talking around him, "I-I could go with you. I'-I'll be careful."

"It's not about being careful. We just got you off the nebulizer and your fever still hasn't dropped and Donatello told me about your lungs. Its better you stay here and be as warm as possible. "

Huh, where had he heard that before, where had he been told the very same thing so many times by the very same person who told him that same thing? SPIRITS it was annoying (Minus the nebulizer). Donnie wiggled his way back into the blanket. He felt the cushion rise up indicating Leonardo getting off the couch. He felt fingers run over his scalp, maybe he was thinking too much. But maybe that was Leonardo's way of apologizing. He could appreciate that his apology.

"I'll be back soon Halfshell."

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Donnie never claimed to hate ninjas, (definitely not as much Leo did) and he never had any dreams of being one. But in that late night, sneaking out of the house that was his home, he couldn't help but feel especially 'sneaky' especially when he had broken free of Mikey's' snuggling without waking him up (Usagi was now his cuddling victim).

The piercing cold drug across Don's neck like the claws of a beast. They made the claws of the white hawk resting on his shoulder look like nothing. Goosebumps following and cold digging into his bones. He shivered before pulling up his white hood to protect himself but his eyes stayed firm on the stable.

He was tired of waiting.

His hand pressed his hand to the door of the stable and pushed it open and poked his head in, the soft sound of breathing indicating horses at rest, but the smell was enough to make him cough, but luckily he had sensed it coming and had covered his mouth.

Spirits he couldn't even handle the smell of those forsaken beasts of burden

It wasn't like he had a choice.

Don slid into the stable, his feet carrying him inside. He wasn't sure why the horses were so tall, but it was enough to make him feel like a freaking child. His eyes fell over the door of the horses stall, going over the names, (doing his best to ignore direct eye contact). It was bad enough he was known to fall sick when a cold wind chilled his skin, had 4 brothers a uncle and a mother hunting him down with medicine every second of the day and the fact he was sure his height was stunted, but throw a 'nervousness' around horses in there and he could might as well give up any hope of 'manhood'.

He almost felt the spirits created him to have a good laugh at on rainy days.

Don's eyes fell on the familiar dark brown horse that his brother rode on all the time. Kaze, honestly it was the one horse that didn't make him nearly so jumpy. He reached out and open the stall door, making sure to glance up at Kaze to keep the horse calm before slipping in and closing the door. Donnie reached his arm up to his shoulder; the white hawk that he loved reached a claw out to rest on his forearm. He had found the hawk last month and, with his predication, the hawk had already grown a good size. It was big enough to carry packages and letters. There had been a small scare when Toki had gotten a hold of his shoulders and carried him a few feet into the air ( he could still hear the girlish panicked screams of Leo running after him in the back of his head) . Allowing the large hawk to reach out over stall door, he could stay there until he was ready. Donnie set down his travel bag and the There was Leo's kura hanging off the wall, he reached over to pull it down, the weight already making his arms shake embarrassingly. He turned back to the horse and stood up on his tippy toes to throw the saddle over the horse's back-

The stable was filled with light, Donnie's' already tense nerves almost snapped his head shot down to his chest, his eyes squeezing shut and hugging himself tightly before raising his head up again to look over the stall door.

Leo was standing just at the door, holding a candle in his hand that was the source of the light. A sad smile on his face and a blanket draped over his forearm and a familiar blue scarf around his neck, "Hey Otouto-"

"You can't stop me from going!" Donnie snapped, he couldn't stop the panic from rising up in his chest, "You're not the boss of me! My Kuma-ni needs me and so does my mother! I don't need you here!"

But the smile stayed on Leo's face. He opened the stall door with one hand while setting the light down with the other. Don squeezed his eyes shut, his head already bowing down. The felt the horse's side brush against his shoulder, announcing its disappearance. Spirits this was embarrassing. How bad would it be to be marched right back home now? He could puke-

"There, now it's ready."

Huh? Don raised his head slowly, but Leo was right there again, a smile on his face. What did he say? Donnie poked his head out of the empty stall to see Kaze standing out in the darkness, kura and tazuna set in place (Donnie hadn't realize he had put it on backwards). Don glanced back to Leo before hurrying past him, putting his hands on Kaze's back, bouncing up to jump on when a hand went under his foot. Without a second thought, Donnie boosted himself up and swung his leg over the kura oh freaking spirits, he kicked his foot lightly to find the abumi-

Claws sank into his shoulder again, his head turning to see Toki resting comfortably (he could assume he was carried over by Leo)

A hand took a hold of his ankle, "Calm down shorty." Leo said lightly, Donnie looked down to see Leo adjusting the abumi before putting his foot into the leather strap "Is the other one too long?"

"Y-yeah-"

"I'll work on it." Another painfully calm smile went across Leos' face that Donnie didn't trust. Leo moved around to the other side of the horse repeating the same process till the abumi was snug in his foot, "Do you have food?"

"I-I packed some."

"Do you have your medicine?"

"A-a bit."

"I'm sure it's enough." Sprits what was with that overly calm smile, "Do you promise to be careful?"

"Y-Y-yeah."

Leo smiled again, his hand going ot up grip his knee lightly, "You better stay in contact, and don't eat Toki if you get hungry."

Don nodded a bit, taking a hold of the tazuna before looking back to his oldest, brother. His heart hammering before he clipped Kaze's sides with his heels. His vision began to blur over, his breath quickening as dizziness flew through his spine, his weight began to shift as he began to shift-

Hands flew to his sides all but dragging him off the horse, his feet touching the ground, but his knees knocked together and sent him stumbling against the stable door his hands going down to rest on his knees as he tried to take control of his breathing, "I-I hate horses ,I-I hate horses-"

"I know, I know little brother." his voice was soft, but Donnie couldn't tell where he was at

"Wh-why not!?" he demanded, pulling his face away, glaring at his oldest brother," why not!? R-Raphie and M-ma w-w-were su-supposed to be h-home y-yesterday. S-S-Someth-things' WRONG-"

"They're fine Donnie-"

"You don't' KNOW that Leo!" You DON'T-"his lips began to quiver, palms going up to rest against his face as he looked back to his brother.

Ever the patient one, Leo stood next to Kaze. Donnie could just tell he was waiting for him to stop screaming at him. He pressed his hands back against his face, the cold of his palms stinging the warmth of his face, he moved down to the ground to sit, knees to his chest.

He felt a warm heavy blanket being wrapped tightly around his shoulders, being drawn into the hug he so wanted, Don's arms shot up to hug his brother around the waist squeezing him as tight as his arms could handle-

a gentle humming reached his ears. it was so like the day when Leo had found out he had murdered Hayate. He wasn't sure why he did it, but it h=made him hg his brother even tighter. Absorbing the warmth of the blanket wrapped tightly around him, "I want him to come home. I want them home Aniki."

"I know you do little brother, I know. I know they're not gone on purpose." a beak nudged his scalp lightly, "DO you honestly think there's any force on this earth that could take down Kaede?"
Don shook his head lightly. There was no one stronger than his mother; there were entire villages and clans who feared the MENTION of her name. There had even been a moment when, when Kaede and him had been walking through the city, a bear about 4 times his size had seen her, and turned tail to run in a trail of fur. When Donnie had asked her about it, she had simply laughed and said, "Oh the good old days."

To this day Donnie had seen that same scene repeated alteast 230 times over his lifetime.

"Then you know they'll be back. I know it won't be as soon as you want, but they WILL be back. "There was a nudge to his scalp again, "Alright?"

"Al-alright." he nodded, though eh didn't know what else to say, he was light headed enough as it is. He cuddled closer into his brother's side, closing his eyes. He the arms tighten around him before they released him, "I'm going to put Kaze back in the stable then get you back to bed. You shouldn't have been out.." he pulled the bag out (Donnie didn't remember him getting his food bag), "And you thought you were going to survive off of 3 loafs of bread?"

"I-I really di-didn't th-think this through."

'Under fever? I think not." he smiled lightly

How embarrassing, Don glared down at the blanket around him, "Did I get far? How far did the horse go?"

A small snort reached his ears, in a way that was not intended to spare his feelings and only left a tired gasp through his mouth before a warm cloth was wrapped around Don's neck, a familiar cloth wrapped round his neck, "Do you ever wear this scarf yourself Leo?" how many tomes did he see Mikey running around with it around his neck? (and how many times did the sound of a Mikey choking reach his ears as said scarf got caught in the doorway?)

"I just want my favorite little brothers to stay warm." The sound of heavy horseshoes went behind him, disappearing into the stable behind him (sprits he didn't get far). Hands went to shi shoulders and lifted him up to his feet, "But I need it back alright?"

"I know"

"Do you? I know it's really warm, and you need it little brother."

"You always say that."

"I do because it's true." hands ran up and down his arms, "Let's get you under a warm blanket and get you some warm tea."

"No medicine?"

"Oh right, I knew I forgot something"

"Oh dam."

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Spirits he was tired….

Donnie rolled to face the back of the couch, pressing his hands tightly over his mouth as his lungs rattled painfully, heavy coughs leaning his lips, rust filling the back of his throat and he felt run onto his hands

Oh no

He drew his hands back, without even having to look at his hands he could already taste rust in the entirety of his mouth.

Blood

So much blood.

His heart began to pound in his chest, a panic that that came on almost as quickly as his shame. Donnie glanced around and poked his head up over the couch to ensure his safety before snatching a towel off ground (Leo had brought it by 2 days ago to help Donnie drown his sweat). He wiped his hands on the towel before wiping his mouth on it. Making a dark red stain appear on the towel, he stuffed it under the cushion before running his tongue along the inside of his mouth (fighting every urge to do otherwise). His eyes falling on the water on the coffee table (he honestly didn't see the point of a see through yunomi) and drank out of it. Relieving his mouth of the awful taste of blood till none remained.
Donnie sighed in relief before putting the glass back in place with no trace of blood around the rim of the cup

That was close

He lowered his head till it rested back on the arm of the couch. Donnie hated hiding something from Leonardo, the one person in this world that made him feel safe. But he would just have a freak out again, but Donnie was used to the blood, it always came back when he coughed too much

if you're so used to it then why's your heart pounding so hard?

Don shoved away that thought before rolling up into the blanket again. But his pride refused to let him fall asleep. The Lair was still lit up so he knew it was still day, but the main area of the 'Lair' was abandoned except for him.

He moved up to a sitting position and wiggled free of the blanket. He wasn't used to the silence, most of the time Leonardo was at his side, either answering his questions or talking about their families.

He really wished Leonardo would come back soon.

Donnie moved to stand up, his knees already warning him of his state, but he pushed it aside. He knew what he was capable of.

Already his body craved the heat of the blankets but it was another thought he pushed away. Arms going over his head to stretch out his muscles.

Where did his older self-go anyway? Back to the lab? He had offered to show Donnie the lab a while ago, but Donnie had still been too nervous to leave Leonardo's' side.

Maybe that invitation was still open?

He moved away from the couch and over to that large door he had seen before. But it definitely looked sturdy enough that , If he was dealing with explosives, it would be what he would do.

Donnie knocked on the door lightly (something he wished his brothers would do) before taking the door by the giant handle and pulling on it.

The door suddenly jerked open; Don slipped in and closed the door behind him

"Sup?"

Don jumped out of his skin, grabbing the door 'handle to keep from hitting the ceiling before turning around

That was NOT Donatello's voice. It was achingly familiar, and almost sent him flying out of his skin but he wasn't sure what was more intimidating, the insanely large room full of those 'cars' that Leonardo drove around (they were big enough to carry his village around), or the exact naked copy of his Kuma-ni sitting on one of those 'wheely' stools, elbows resting on his knees and a smirk on his face

Raphael.

Panic shot up through his lungs, before grabbing the door handle to escape-

"Calm down kid, I aint gonna eat you." but he did sound amused. Donnie turned back around to look at the red masked turtle. Kind of like with the "Leo's "His Kuma-ni had plenty in common with Raphael. They were probably even the same height (His Leo was leaner then Leonardo,) but His Raph was thicker than this Raphael.

He had no doubt his Kuma-ni was better.

"Did you get curious kiddo?"

Donnie nodded lightly, but he couldn't bring himself to raise his head anymore. He felt like a freaking child. And judging by that 'chuckle' it sounded like Raphael was amused," Fearless Leader has a habit of running off, he's a pain in the shell." there was that 'thing' again' why did they say shell?', "You can hide in here till "mama Leo gets back."

Mama Leo? Is that what they called Leonardo? He thought back to when Leonardo had told him about his brothers. He had almost thought Leonardo had been guessing himself. But you can always tell how people feel about each other by the names they give their friends.

Now he knew where Leonardo was coming from.

Atleast he wasn't kicking Donnie out, Donnie stepped away from the door trying ot ignore the loud sound of 'scarping 'metal. bright lights shooting into the air, Don moved over to the weird cars, why did they have to be so big? It didn't' make any-

WHAT THE SHELL WAS THAT!?

It seemed to have the same makeup as the 'cars' only ti was resting on two wheels, it didn't have any of the protective 'amour ' the cars had, but it was a bright red that stole his entire attention

He didn't like a lot in this world,

But he LOVED this strange thing

"The 'bike' catch your sight?"

He almost forgot about Raphael he flinched and ducked his face behind his scarf to look back to the older version of Raphael. But he had a pretty good smile on his face, like something was making him laugh, "You defiantly take after Donnie that's' for dam sure." he was nice alteast, "You wanna get on?"

What? Could he really!? Before rational thought returned to shi thought

"Just put your hands on the handles and get on then."

Don looked over to him before putting his hand over the 'handles' rough rubbed pressing into his palms. Maybe it was because 'this bike' was made for someone much taller than him, and his currently weak physical condition. He paused for a moment before he felt something take a hold of his ankle and place it on a resting place on the side of the 'bike (almost like a abumi), Don heaved himself up to sit on the strange black seat

OH spirits

THIS WAS COOL.

He wasn't sure why he was so drawn to this 'bike' and he wasn't sure what first love felt like, but he could only assume this was it-

"Dam kid if your smile gets any bigger you're going to get it suck that way."

Don almost wanted to tell him to shut but that would involve taking his focus off the glorious miracle he was now sitting on, he could only smile back at Raphael before moving his wrist, the handle twisted lightly

His knee brushed against something on the side, a loud roar filled the room, tearing into his ear drums, his body twisting and the handle under his hands turned, the roar grew louder as the machine under him suddenly flew forward the front rising up parallel and smoke filling the room as the machine flew forward

An arm hooking around his stomach, sending him flying to the floor but the obvious weight of another person on top of him, keeping him covered, a forearm wrapped over his scalp. There was only one thing that it could be.

The naked form of his older brother

if his heart wasn't beating so hard, then he might think about how awkward this was his hands pressed against the floor as he shook uncontrollably. He didn't even hear Raphael get up from shielding him, but he felt a hand take the back of his shirt and slowly pull him up into a sitting position. Large emerald face next to his, looking him over with a look of concern on his face, "ah dam kid are you ok!?"

Donnie nodded weakly, oh spirits that was scary. He bowed his chin to his chest and hugged himself. When did it get so cold? A large callused hand fell on his scalp and rubbed it lightly, "sorry bud, I thought the key was out."

"What happened?!"

Don still wasn't used to someone with his voice talking (well, it was deeper than his voice), he didn't have to look to know the crowd he had drawn. Probably the rest of the 'turtles' and Master Splinter. He was sure he would be embarrassed if he wasn't' so nervous or shaking so bad

Oh spirits, he was stupid-

"Yeah he's just fine; he just scared the freaking skit out of us." a hand rubbed his scalp harder. Don Squeezed his eyes shut, drawing in panicked breathes. He struggled to draw in a deep breaths but pain shook through his lung, painful rattling's that had been haunting him for weeks. A hand flew around his chest and another hand slapped him on the shell. He could just hear shouting till the room panicked shouting. The feeling of water touched the back of the throat and sent him gagging, hands flying to his throat

Then the rust taste came back

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Don snapped awake, the obnoxiously familiar cold breath of mist against his lips that indicated someone had put him right back on oxygen, his head lifted up to look around. The lights had been dimmed and the sounds that indicatedthe presence of others had almost gone again.

He was definitely not going to be able to sleep tonight,

He moved to sit up but his head screamed in protest, a hand going up to the point of pain to feel tightly wrapped bandages around his skull. He might of hit his head harder then he thought. Not hard enough to cause internal damage but enough to knock the socks off him.

Alteast they didn't let him just lie on the floor.

He moved back up to a sitting position, this time the throbbing wasn't so bad so he took that as a sign he was ok.

Where did everyone go again?

The lights were off now, so the only light came from the one door he hadn't gone into-

What was that sound?

It almost sounded one of those cars that Leonardo drove (and the bike that almost killed him) Only it was softer, and trying to start up. Don climbed off the couch, an ache sending his hand over head again, maybe he could get some ice or something. He caught a glimpse of a water bottle sitting on the counter. Did April leave it behind-

There it was again, that 'whirling' sound. He really didn't like it was almost haunting.

His Kuma-ni always said he was too curious for his own good.

He placed his hand on the back of the couch, though his balance was fine he wanted to be safe and make sure.

He felt proud of the fact it didn't take 4 hours of 'self-assurance' to get him over to the door, he brushed his fingers to push it open but the light flickered, the sound fading before starting up again. he could just hear the sound of Donatello curse angrily

What the spirits was he doing?

He didn't want to be rude, but he poked his head into the door. The three Tortuga brothers were standing in the middle of a massive room, most of the room was cast in darkness, but he could see the outline of things , he didn't know how else to describe them OTHER then things. They were objects and inventions he probably couldn't even comprehend. Donnie wanted to think he was still smart. He couldn't ignore what he was. He had found the word in a dictionary Leonardo had let him read. And it had haunted him ever since

Primitive

The 'projected 'light flickered again, "Dam it! What is wrong with this thing?! I've rebuilt it 3 times already" that was Donatello

"You'll get it to work Brainiac." And that was Raphael, alteast he was being encouraging

"Hey is Lil Don ok? He looked like he hit his head pretty hard." that was Michelangelo! he wasn't even sure that he had heard the voices of his younger brother since he got-

Wait

Did he call him, 'lil' Don? What the hell did lil even mean?!

"Yeah the kid's fine; almost being crushed by bike can send anyone into a panic attack."

He didn't MEAN to almost get crushed but almost was better than actually crushed-

Was Raph insinuating that Donnie passed out from a panic attack?

HE PASSED OUT FROM A FREAKING PANIC ATTACK?!

"He passed out from a panic attack?"

There was a pause, That wasn't right if Raphael was anything like his brother, he loved talking.

"No."

"Then why did he pass out?"

Another pause, Donnie poked his head in further. He could easily see the form of Raphael, hands leaning on something.

"I don't know what happened. I know you guys have been shoving cough medicine down his throat. Bu he was hacking his freaking head off. The poor kid could barely breathe. "

He passed out from oxygen loss?

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, it kinda freaked me out."

"Is that why you put him back on the nebulizer?"

"What else could I do? I know you genius's think that cough syrups is the cure to everything, but it aint helping him."

"Leo thought it was a good idea-"

"Leo thinks A LOT of things are good ideas. Well, this one wasn't." It almost could make him blush if he wasn't insulting Leonardo. He was grateful to have an excuse not to drink cough syrup anymore.

But he didn't like the idea of Leonardo being blamed for his ailment. The light flickered again, then the crunched of metal (was Donatello hitting it?). The white light began to darken, flickering harder. Shapes filling up against the wall it were projected against.

He knew that light

Was that the portal?

Was he going home?

"Dam it-"

"What's wrong don?"

"It's still not a portal, it's a window. And barely that." a sigh of frustration, "I can't get anything to work."

"You'll get it Donnie."

A window? Not a portal? That was something right? That was progress-

The picture began to solidify, images sinking through,

"Don? What are we seeing here?"

"I set the portal stick to seek out the newest 'dimensional' scar. I was hoping we might be able to create a path between our world and Mini-me's world that way it would open up in the same spot he was pulled from-"

Mini-me-

The image began to darken, Donnie almost though that it was fading, but lines began to form in the darkness, shape. A form of someone slouched with his back to a wall, his leg propped at a werd angle. Colors began to run in, dark green skin filling in with a red mask,

RAPH! KUMA-NI! It took all his energy to not run in there, to rein himself it was just a image and ot actually him, but his face was already aching from the smile he knew he had.

But then it began to fade.

His brothers clothes were dark with dirt, his chin resting on his chest his leg resting on a rock the bandages that were meant to protect the broken leg were dark as the shadows, his face smudged with the dark of the cave and chest rising and falling.

Kuma-ni? He moved out of the darkness more, but he knew all eyes were on the image of Raph

"Bro." Michelangelo's tone was hushes and quiet, "That's you, that's' lil Dons you."

"What's he doing? He looks half dead."

DON'T SAY THAT. Donnie gritted his teeth, his finger's tightening into a fist, don't you say—

"Raphael!"

That voice! it almost sounded like someone was yelling through water, but his voice was discernable enough to make Donnie's heart race

Usagi

His form came into the image. A furrow on his brow th fighting the urge to yell out to his brothers. It was a foolish thought, knowing it would only end up in his position being discovered,

Wait, when did Usagi start talking?"You're coming back to the house now"

Despite the 'wavering' image, Donnie could still see his Kuma-ni's upper lip curl ever so lightly amber eyes flashing , "Get back shit head."

No

Why was Kuma-ni talking to him like that?

"Do you think Donatello wants you to act like this? To waste away in a cave waiting for him. Do you forget how many nights he spent speaking of your honor and integrity? It would break his heart to know you were here."

"That thing's going to open, and when it does I'm throwing myself in there after my baby brother."

"Raphael you don't even know if that portal WILL open up. Michelangelo is worried sick about you. I told him that you were eating the food I've been bringing you."

He wasn't eating? Spirits that was bad, his Raph normally ate twice of Don's weight in food everyday just to keep up his energy

"Shut up." his voice came out with the gentleness of scraping stones, "this has nothing to do with you."

"You do not think I want our brothers home?! Donatello is my little brother too-"

"NO." the red masked kame all but flew to his feet, though it was obvious he was still favoring his broken leg as he bore onto the rabbit, "You think being in Akai for 2 days chained to him makes him your brother?! I had to take care of him for 10 years by myself-,"

"Oh really? And your mother had nothing to do with it?! She didn't " his hand shot out, grabbed Raphael's arm, despite their height difference (if you subtracted ears), "Do you think he'd want this!? Leonardo is out there right now searching for a way to get OUR brother back. You are not doing anyone any favors by hiding down here like a animal. You will get your act together and let me HELP you to the house or –'

"Or WHAT!? You'll call your 'daddy' that you love to hide behind, cause he aint here either-'

"DO not talk about my father like that-""

"Don't talk to me like your my brother-"hands shot up shoving Usagi hard in the chest and sent him tripping over a rock, hitting the ground his head bouncing off a stone-

Dons hand flew over his mouth a flash of light filled the room as the 'window' failed. He stumbled back out of the room, his forearm barley able to stop his head from hitting the wall as panicked breaths swelled his chest. if his head ached before, it was unbearable now.

Raph attacked Usagi

The Portals were stuck.

He was stuck; his hand flew up to his face to press over his eyes, squeezing the bridge of his eyes.

Leonardo.

Don forced himself back up to his feet, running away from the lab and for the one door he was told he could not go through.

The exit.

The Exit that Leonardo was always telling him to stay away from

Don's hand snatched up the water bottle that April had left on the table, twisting the cap off and pouring the water out over his forearms and fighting the panic over his body, he pressed his palms to the door ,"OPUN!" Light ran down his arms and down the seam of the door, the telltale sound of creaking metal door, dank warm air swarming in

"Donatello!?"

He knew that voice, the voice of the father he couldn't even talk to. Donnie grabbed the door and swung himself out, foot scraping against the slippery brick floor before shoving both doors shut.

There was no way he could outrun anyone right now.

His lungs were screaming that loud and clear.
Good thing his arms were still wet.

Risking having a Ratto and his army of muscular nude sons bursting through the door, he pressed his palms together. Leonardo had warned him about the intense locking system that kept the inhabitants of the lair safe from intruders, he blew across his finger's tips," Rokku." he pressed his hands back against the door, pushing as hard as he could.

The alright return, running down the seam of the door once again, the grinding of gears and shivering off door indicated his job done. Without a second though he turned and leaned back again the wall, the warm air sticking to his lungs. But forced himself forward

He didn't turn to see if he was being followed.

He had already left them far behind

translations

Kura: Japanese saddle

Abumi: Stirrups

Tazuna: reins

Dorayaki: red bean pancake, a Japanese confection.

Taisho: General

Chekkumeito: checkmate

Kyojin: giant

Ōpun: open

Ratto :rat

Rokku: Lock