a/n

I'm so sorry about last week, I was so frustrated I couldn't post. I wish i could say this wont happen again, but this is going to be a hard semester coming up. So i might end up doing chapters once every two weeks to relieve myself. But Maybe not! who knows.

I'm so tired

Mirrored

Donatello wasn't sure when he had first noticed the change. It had been settle, like the descent from summer into fall. He knew it wasn't when his younger self had first arrived in this world. It wasn't even the situation of having someone who looked just like him (Minus the height) living alongside of them. The Younger version of himself hardly ate or made himself known, so honesutly Don could have forgotten his stay there altogether. No, he had ensured himself that wouldn't' happen by always keeping the portal stick on his desk.

No

He noticed the change the day after, when they had realized Little Dons' illness had been worse than initially thought. Walking out to the section of the open room to where tatami mats and poles marked the dojo. Stumbling in with his palms massaging the itch out of his eyes balls and a gentle push from Raph sent him in line between Mikey and his older brother. He always felt bad for being so tired urging practice, forcing his heavy bleary eyes open, glancing down the row of brothers orange, red-

wait,

Don rubbed his eyes again, forcing his mind out of its sleep deprived state. The space next to Raph was abandoned, (he wasn't sure why they were lined up by age) unease crawled up his spine. Even when his body was ill, or suffered from broken bones Leo would make sure his presence was known by sitting at the side of the training matt. Giving them an encouraging smile and a thumbs up. His head bounced between sending a questioning look between Raph a Mikey, demanding answers (without incurring the wrath of their approaching father. Mikey was the one brave enough to lean on over, whispering out of the corner of his mouth

"Lil' Don was coughing up blood all night, and his fevers gotten worse. Leo doesn't want to leave his side.'

"oh." it was a weak shell answer that wasn't worth the 30 flips Don had to do after training for talking in class. It almost made him mad at his oldest brother if he hadn't seen him sleeping in the recliner (it was sort of like seeing a lion sneeze, it was never witnessed because of the creatures constant state of 'come near me and I'll kill you). Not only that, but the recliner had been pushed to be as physically close to the couch (Little Don's resting on the couch under a mass of blankets). Don had pushed aside all previous resentments (honestly he didn't have that many). And returned to his life, then the next day came, and Leo was still absent from practice.

Then the next

Then a week

It didn't help that he often saw Leo's shadow, bouncing from outside his room, performing the kata's they should have been going over.

Missing practice

That's what was wrong

He had lost an important member of his support team

someone who used to openly ask Sensei if he could take Don through the kata's after class (you know, to make sure he REALLY got it)

He had lost his brother

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

750

750 attempts to open the portals

750 failures.

As if Donatello needed reminding. He had tried to keep track for motivations sake by marking his attempts on a scrap of paper, but the lines had proved too disheartening and ended up in his Bunsen burner.

Don allowed a small sigh to escape him, without even looking his fingers found the warm ceramic edge of his coffee mug (his favorite one, where Albert Einstein's hair showed up and the 'Tardis' he was riding upon) drawing the hot elixir past his lips. Only to suck in cold air and disappointment. Glaring bitterly at the cup as he tipped it upside down and shook it around

Aw dam it all

He slammed the precious novelty mug onto the table before dragging himself back up to his feet. If he knew there was a fresh (slightly aged) pot of coffee waiting for him. Though, knowing his family, it had probably ended up down the drain by an angry brother, a hyperactive brother, a fearless brother or an old father.

Either way, if he didn't have any coffee to rink he would be sore towards his depriver and all his accomplishes.

Due to the lateness of the hour, the only light that filled the Lair came from the TV. But he knew that his brothers were out running over the rooftops. He also knew that it was a much needed muscle relaxer for Raphael. Especially after what happened just yesterday.

They definitely couldn't tell Leo.

That's what the two middle sons had decided with a single glance to each other. When Leo had walked back after disappearing for two days. Bandages wrapped around his arms and skull, carrying a sleeping Mini-Me on his shell and a smile on his face. Nonchalantly asking them what he had missed if anything had happened. A question out of the pureness of tradition, there had been no doubt in Donatello's mind that their oldest brother was far too tired to deal with the information they had obtained.

So Donatello had done something he hated more than anything

He had lied

He had lied well enough to send Leo to his room, so both 'Donalternate' and he could get much needed rest. Donatello hadn't the heart to ask them where they had been.

What was important was that they were home sa-

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HIS COFFEE?!

He snatched up the coffee pot his elixir, his purest joy and glared through the glass 'pitcher' shaking it out angrily before forcing it back in place, swearing ninjtusu oriented hell on whoever deprecated him of coffee. Harsh words cursing under his breath as he shoved through the dry pantry ad yanked out his precious stash, "freaking JERKS!" he shoved the coffee into the filter, "Don't' see ME dumping out Mikey's' junk food or Leo's tea-"

"What about Leos' tea?"

Despite years of training, Donatello almost jumped through the cabinet over him, the top of his skull just scraping against the fake wood as his hands grabbed the counter to brace himself before turning slowly. He could just see the form of his oldest brother standing in the shadows of the hallway. A bewildered smile on his face and a bowl in his hands, "What about my tea?"

Part of him just wanted to keep his mouth shut, but the tired part of him made him scowl, "I should dump it in the toilet! It might get you shell heads to stop dumping out MY coffee."

"I hate to disappoint your revenge, but I didn't dump it out this time." a small grin grew across Leo's face, "Not to say I haven't had a track record for it."

"Oh." that was one perpetrator down. Don glared back to his coffee maker long enough to press the 'elixir' button, "What are you doing up anyway?"

"Just refilling the bowl. Little Don's still warm-"

"Am not!"

Don was quite sure that he hadn't been the one to yell that (especially with the 'puberty crack'). He looked back over to the couch to see a pair of light brown eyes glaring over to them. They shone with a sharpness that indicated a lapse in fever and a bit of resentment, "I feel FINE I'm not even coughing as much-"

"No," Don almost jumped out of his skin at the suddenness of Leo's 'lecture voice' (he was used to a little bit of warning before Leo jumped into leader mode), "You're STILL coughing and you're STILL warm. Until that fever is COMPLETELY gone you are not better."

"Oh right, I keep forgetting that you're a 9 year vetran I-sha," Donalternate laughed thickly in the fakest laugh Don had ever heard, "No, no wait, THAT'S' ME." A pillow suddenly went flying over from the couch, caught by Leo's outstretched hand. But a smile grew across his face as the pillow was tucked under his arm, smiling to Don, "apparently being stuck on the couch makes him a bit of a brat A BRAT THAT NEEDS TO PUT THE OXYGEN MASK BACK ON."

"I'm not a brat!" though Don couldn't see him (having squished himself back down in the couch) his voice was now muffled (Whether from blanket or pillow he had no idea), "You're the one who CARRIED me to the couch. I CAN walk; you won't even give me back my gauntlet so I can DO something."

"The only thing you need to be doing is RESTING." but Leo was still smiling turning back to the stove. Almost giving the impression he LIKED these arguments. Don wasn't sure what it was about Donalternate's current attitude that made him smile like that. Leo was already over to the sink, the sound of running water fled the air. He reached over to the fridge long enough to open the freezer and take the ice cube tray out of it. Don set aside his up for a sec, his eyes trailing down the bandages that covered Leo's arm. His step moving himself forward, "Leo?"

"yeah?"

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me what happened? When you went to your 'friend'?" He could see Leo's fingers tighten around the plastic ice cube tray for a moment. But when Leo looked over to him, his hands twisted the tray and broke the ice cubes apart before smiling again

"Nothing happened Don. I just tripped when I was at the Street Doctors place. "

Right, the Street Doctor. Leo's mysterious contact. Truth be told, it wasn't as if Don had never heard of the 'Street Doctor' before. Whispers of rumor of a Doctor who treated the people of the streets. He had first heard about the 'Street Doctor' from the Professor, then from April.

But he had never imagined Leo would meet the same Street Doctor.

He felt a hand squeeze his shoulders, drawing his attention back to the turtle now standing behind him. A warm smile on his face though his fingers were still bitterly cold from putting the ice in the bowl. But his smile more than made up for the warmth, "Its fine Don, we're all fine. Alright? "

It would have been so easy to say no, to tell Leo the truth. The anger he felt, the worry, the concern that had plagued him. Shoved back down his throat as he smiled and nodded, "Alright." before taking up his mug, heading back towards his lab before pausing looking over his shoulder. Leo was back sitting on the couch edge placing the wet cloth on his charges brow. His hand going to rub his scalp before leaning over to the table and bringing about the chess board. Obviously resuming a game trying to save Donalternate from boredom. He forced himself to walk forward, back to the pitch dark of his lab and to his desk. Where he drew his arms over the wood to rest his head down with a sigh

Useless

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

Donatello wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, or if he had even a chance to drink his coffee. But he remembered slowly waking up, his neck bent at an awkward angle that almost made him think that his neck had been broken. His hand going up to rest on his neck for a moment as he tried to draw in a slow breath-

But his airway refused to open

His mind snapped awake as he sat up, hacking into his hand, struggling for even a bit of oxygen to go into his lungs as though something was sitting on his chest, fist pounding his chest as his other hand scrambled over his desk to find his inhaler, his hand knocking something porcelain onto the floor and dousing his feet in hot coffee, struggling to find anything through his streaming eyes-

A hand flew up to his shoulder, forcing his shell back into his chair, the familiar shape of his inhaler pressed to the palm of his hand

Without the ability for gratitude, he pushed the mouthpiece into his, pressing the nozzle and medicine into his respiratory system. A relief as his airway opened, Don drew in a deep breath before sighing deeply, head lolling back to rest on the back of his rolley chair. A hand cupped the back of his head and pushed his weight forward and his elbows tucked under his chest. A hand rubbed across the back of his neck and shoulders. Relaxing the muscles and releasing the tension. Don forced another breath through his lungs sweet oxygen. He never felt more relieved for air then after his asthma attacks-

He realized the hands massaging him were tiny, he could feel the calluses that covered them through his thick skin. Don raised his head and turned around, wiping his eyes on his forearms to see his 'savior'. A reflection of himself, (if you minused a few years). Wearing a white button up shirt and an open purple hoody with jeans. Hanging off his thin form. Purple wrapped eyes smiling kindly at him. He could barely get the nickname from his lips, "M-Mini-me?"

"Hai." His soft Japanese accented tone was heaven on his ears. As was that massage, it felt SO good. How did he know how to give such good massages," Are you alright?"

"Y-yyeah." Don sat up, his hand going up to rub his chest as he injected more medicine into his airway. Letting out a slow breath, he was actually grateful none of his brothers had run in, otherwise he would have been on the receiving end of a 5 hour long lecture; "I didn't mean to wake you up Mini me."

"You didn't, I was passing by when I heard you coughing."

Don looked back to his younger self, hand pushing away the smaller one massaging his neck and leaning forward in his seat, "Then why are you still up?"

His younger form dipped his head lightly. Don looked around the room for a sec before his vision found one of his discarded rolley chairs hidden behind a table. Despite Donalternate's silent protests, he walked over to the other side of the room and took the chair, pushing it back over with a gesture of his hand, he retook his own seat. Waiting for Donalternate to take a seat (though hesitantly).

Out of all his brothers and family, he was sure he was the one who had spent the least amount of time with his dimensional traveler. He didn't count the time when Donalternate had first arrived, he hadn't been awake and Donnie had been too busy trying to find out what was wrong with him. But he could see the thinness of this child's arms, his body. A shortness that (knowing ANY of his brothers) would lead to constant teasing. But he watched his younger self's eyes glance around the room, trying to look anywhere but at him. Maybe mini-he knew just how awkward this situation was for everyone, especially for the two of them.

"M-May I be excused? Please?"

OH crap he had spoken too late. Donalternate probably thought he was going to lecture him. NO wonder he had looked so nervous. And he definitely didn't want to hold him against his will, so he forced a smile before nodding. Not even bothering to look as the younger left the room, all he could do was sigh and look back to the 'stasis' computer animation of Pac-man (his own design). He had work to do anyway –

"Here."

Huh? Don turned back around, to see a mug being held out to him, faint steam wafting from the top hinting of mint and licorice, just past it he could see the small kame holding it, smiling shyly. Don raised his hands and slowly took the mug and sipped from the warm liquid. The ache in his chest slowly fading as a smile grew across his chest, "That's AMAZING."

"I make it for my patients back home, the ones with 'asthma'. It helps after their attacks."

"Shell yeah it does." he sipped the delicious liquid again (though it was nothing compared to coffee); "You made this awfully fast."

""I was already making it when you had your asthma attack. I can tell you the ingredients if you want."

"Sure." Don lifted the mug back to his lips before pausing realizing why the tea had been made to being with before putting it down and pulling over the side drawer of his desk and out the stethoscope, "Open your shirt-"

"But-"

Don snapped his fingers and pointed back to the rolley chair infront of him. Ignoring the younger sigh as he sat down, unzipping his hoody. Don was about to push himself up when the younger reached out, "Wait, "and picked up something off the floor

"Thanks," though he was already across the room, to the medicine cabinet where was it? His eyes fell on a familiar blue plastic container and drew it down. He could still remember when he was a child suffering through asthma and having his father apply this gel to his chest and hurrying back over and taking his place, setting the container aside and lifting up the stethoscope and hooking the 'suctions' over the sides of his head (ear buds and other such ear devices didn't help much for creatures with no external ears) "scoot."

Finishing unbuttoning his shirt, the younger Donnie scooted forward. Don took up the end and pressed it to Don's chest, "breath." he listened to the airway, "It still sounds strained,"
"It always sounds like that-"

"You were having trouble breathing, that's why you were making tea, so shush." his free hand moving up to grip Donalternate's free shoulder (he could already tell by the look on his face he was fighting the urge to squirm under the cold metal of the stethoscope ), "did you have another coughing fit? How did you not wake up Leo?"

"I-I could feel it coming so I snuck to the bathroom."

"You snuck past a ninja?" as much as he didn't want to be, Don couldn't help but feel impressed. But quickly kept his frown, "It must have been a bad coughing fit."

"They always are, I always have coughing fits it doesn't mean I'm going to die every time."

"Sush." he definitely earned THAT glare, he took the plastic container off the desk and screwed off the top to reveal the jelly contents, "Rub this on your chest."

Donalternate frowned before leaning forward and sniffing the contents, face screwing up as his hand flew over his beak "that smells horrible."

"Let me put it this way, either YOU rub it on yoru chest or I'LL rub it on your chest. Either way A Donatello in this room is getting gel on his chest by person also named Donatello."

There was a pause before the younger took up the container, scooping the gel onto his fingers and rubbing it over his plastron with a disgusted look on his face. Glaring back up at Don with an obvious 'blaming' look on his face. Don couldn't help but smile, griping his shoulder tighter as he moved the stethoscope over to his side (drawing a "WHY IS THAT SO COLD?!" Though much quieter),"You're lungs are expanding though, it's a good sign." he smiled before drawing away

"Your father did that to."

"Did what?"

"When Leonardo went to get herbs for me, your father was there when I woke up he felt my side too. When I was drinking his tea."

"He used to do it when I was a child. It helped to keep an eye on my breathing. It wasn't' easy to have a kid with asthma In our situation." Don sighed, his fingernail running over the surface of the desk before looking at the mug and snatching it up, anything to keep from thinking about the years he didn't remember. His father, dedicated to their health.

he couldnt imagine a burden like that

the burden that was his"Drink."

"What about you?

"I already had some. Drink."

Cue a third scowl. Donalternate suddenly bent over and snatched up his porcelain cup, leaning over and poured the hot liquid into the cup (causing the Tardis on it to disappear again), "Thanks." he took the mug back up into his hands before pausing. Looking down on his cup again. He looked back up to see Donalternate scooting back in his seat with his knees drawing up to his chest, noticing his confusion, "what?"

"This cup broke on the floor; I knocked it over during my asthma attack." Dons scooted his chair back for a sec; the coffee was still on the floor. He knew he had heard it shatter, he had even cut his foot on a piece. Slowly raising his head back up to look at his alternate, "It shattered, how did you fix it?"

"It was nothing."

'No how did you do it? You did something like this when the ground exploded the first night you arrived. How did you do that?"

His younger self bit his lip lightly, before dipping his finger into his tea water lightly. Putting the mug down and running over the desk, creating the shape of a flower, leaning his head down to blow on it lightly, his palm pressing down on it before raising it slowly. The stick edges shimmering lightly before inflating the stem bending and masking the image of a flower before Little Don slid back and relaxed in in seat.

Don looked back to his younger self, who had all but disappeared behind his knees with a clear concern in his eyes (hands buttoning back up his shirt) shifting back up to look at him nervously. But there wasn't even CRACK in the mug, and the freaking flower looked like something out of sci-fi, "how did you do that?"

"It-it's nothing special-"

"How is it NOT special?"

"Th-the Sohei Monks use it, it-its called the Art. Th-they use it to=to stay co-conn-nec-nected to the Spirits. Th-they ask for help an-and-an the Spi-Spirits grant it."

"That's not the Sohei Monks I read about."

"I-I know I-I did re-research. I-in my world the Sohei are living history, they l-l—live around Edo. Its supposed to be good luck if they set up a temple near your home."

"Are YOU a monk?"

"Not really, a few years ago a virus struck the Sohei monastery, they looked themselves up ready to die but I found my way in and I helped them. But the magistrate wouldn't let us leave for weeks until they were sure they were clean, so I couldn't leave. While I was there, they taught me how to use it. Even though I wasn't a monk, they thought I was worthy."

"Really?" for the first time he found himself struggling with the same attention deficit that Mikey struggled with between trying got look at Donalternate and the 3-d water flower. His fingers going out to just brush against the surface. The flower suddenly fell from form and splashed across his desk ( thankfully not getting on any of his stuff) , "That was COOL-"

"It-it really isn't anything-"

"Yes it is , don't degrade making flower out of WATER that's amazing. I can't do anything like that."

"but you can do THIS." Donalternate's hand waved across the room, " Look at all this, all these creations that YOU made with your bare hands."

"ITS A WATER FLOWER Donatello. " When did this turn into a lecture, "And you've saved lives, you've helped hundreds of women give BIRTH.". His alternates head bowing lightly, setting the cup back down to wrap his arms around his legs.

Don wasn't entirely sure what encouraged this next movement. But He found himself putting his cup aside, rolling his chair forward. His hands going to rest onto the youngers knees, "Mini me, do you know how many times woke up from nightmares where I couldn't do HALF of what you can do? Too many. That's why I stay up so late, I pour over these medical books. They make sense, but it's the BODY, there's no 'second chance' there's no 'stranger' patient. They're e my brothers, my father, my friends."

"I felt that way when I had to tear off part of Kuma-ni's shell," hands slid up to rest on his, squeezing his tightly in a show of support. Drawing Don's attention back to his eyes. Such old eyes on someone so young. Offering kindness and understanding that only someone of the same soul could understand. Don almost drew his hand away but the grip on them was vicelike. Bringing about the abrasive truth of the bandages that covered them, "If, if you want, I can teach you what I know."

"What?"

"I-I've been a I-sha for years, I've been studying your books. but I know this stuff in practice rather in theory. That way you can figure out your mistakes and what to do in these situations."

Was a 14 year old offering to teach him how to be a doctor? It was enough to initiate the theme song from Doogie Houser in his head. But he looked back up to look into the eyes of himself. A part of him, the negative part, kept telling him he was incapable of learning that. But the eyes infront of him said otherwise

Cause they were his eyes.

Don smiled before pulling his hands free of Donalternate's to hold his gently, "Deal. I'll take you up on your offer Mini-Me-"

"Halfshell. Donatello."

At first the sound of their 'names' sent the two Donatello's looking at each other with the same 'what?' look on their face till they realized they had NEVER called each other either of those names before and turned to look at the doorway at a very sore looking Leonardo, mask hanging around his neck , arms crossed and glaring at them.

Don moved to his feet moving behind Donalternate's chair to hold his shoulders (he wasn't sure WHY that was his immediate reaction but it was) pulling his rolly chair back lightly, "Leo-"

"What are you two still doing up? Do you know what time it is?"

Oh shell, the explanation, what was he supposed to say? He had decided to stay up so late because of YOU? How fair was that? What else could he say, the form in the chair suddenly leaned forward, "It-it was my fault-"

But Don's hand flew up over Donalternate's mouth, smothering his words, " It's my fault Leo, I had a asthma attack. But Mini-me took care of me. He was going to use the bathroom anyway."

The Youngers head twisted his mouth free to look up at him, a questioning look in his eyes. But Don instead chose to keep contact with Leo, His oldest brothers eyes narrowed lightly, in the way that indicated 'searching for the truth' but was really a way to scare his 'victim' into confessing. It always worked on Mikey, but never on the cleverest brother, the key was to never let on he knew the scheme, "its fine, I'm just going to go to bed. Keep an eye on Mini-me."

"I will."

Don fought the eyes on him as he left the room, glancing back to see Leo kneel infront of the chair Donalternate's sat in, "Are you alright Halfshell you scared me half to death when I couldn't find you."

"Y-Yeah, I'm sorry Taisho." the guilt in his eyes were genuine, but so was the smile that Don saw grow across his face a relieved smile that almost made him feel bad

"Don't worry about it, as long as you're alright." Leo climbed up to his feet, hand going out in invitation. The small kame took it and allowed himself to be pulled out of the chair and into a tight one armed embrace, his free hand running over the youngers scalp and guiding him out of the room. Don moved to the side in time, turning his body as though he was heading back to his room when a hand reached and fell on his shoulder, squeezing it tightly

"Good night Little brother."

Don barely had time to look behind him before Leo disappeared around the corner to the main rooms. Charge in tow, Dons arm went up to rest against the wall and his forehead followed, a sigh from his lips

"Night Big brother."

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

It was never until the next morning that Don REALLY regretted his choice of late night working. In the rare time he hadn't had time to get coffee and was drug into the dojo to stand in between Rap and Mikey, grateful for the painful cycling of slaps upside the head that cycled between Raph and Mikey in order to help him stay awake. Though the smirks dancing between them indicated why they REALLY did it.

He would have to remember to drop the microwave into the tub to thank them later. But that didn't matter as much as his eyes fell down the row of brothers again, Orange, Purple, Red, all in a row

Blue was missing

Again

"Donatello."

The experienced ninja almost jumped out of his skin. Eyes of their elderly father glaring at him lightly in reprimanding, cane tapping the ground in warning, "Are you with us my son?"

What was he supposed to say!? , "Of course I-" a door opened, coming from the space of the living room drawing attention. Don looked up in time to see Halfshell being ushered over to the couch by the oldest brother, his hand lingering over Donalternate's scalp for a moment before he jogged over, moving into place to stand by Raph. A rare sheepish smile on his face, "sorry I'm late."

"You wish to join us today my son?"

"Yeah, Half-shells' doing better, I think he's going to go insane if I keep henning him," before calling back over to the living room, "But as soon as I'm done the henning returns!"

A large raspberry filled the Living room, that only brought a smile to Splinters face. (Actually, Don feared his father might be so enraged that he snapped , but then forced himself to look back to his gray furred aged loving father) and a shake to his head, "new mothers are always the fussiest ,my son."
A harsh blush grew across Leonardo's face, laughter filled the lair (especially from the small kame on the couch, though it was probably forced). Don could see Raph's' hand going up to smack Leo's shell before looking back down to his feet, snickering softly to himself

"oh by the way SENSEI." Leo's voice broke through the laughter, for some reason he felt Leo was looking right at him when he said it, "Donatello had a asthma attack last night and should join the younger on the couch. ANd when he's feeling better i'll train with him myself so he doesnt fall behind."

Tattle Tailing Shell Sucker